WISCASSET RACEWAY PRESS RELEASE 5/21/08
WISCASSET RACEWAY AND OPERATION RECOGNITION TO HONOR MILITARY ON SUNDAY THE 25TH
Sunday, May 25th at 1:00pm Wiscasset Raceway will continue its Memorial Day weekend tradition with the running of the annual Coastal 200. The $10,000 to win event for the Late Model Sportsman class will provide a thrilling finale to a special program with a special message. Track owner Doug White has joined forces with Operation Recognition to pay tribute to our military members, past and present, and their families with a free day at the races. Prior to the drop of the green flag Sunday afternoon, panel of goverment and military dignitaries will join Operation Recognition and Wiscasset Raceway with a special opening ceremony.
Operation Recognition, a 501 c 3 non-profit, non-partisan organization is going to hold their 2nd Annual Launch at the Wiscasset Raceway as part of the Coastal 200 program. The mission of their organization is to say "Thank You" to our military service men and women and their immediate families for their service and sacrifice with a week’s vacation at the Sheepscot Harbour Village and Resort in Edgecomb. Last year, Operation Recognition was able to host 20 families through out the summer. These families were able to rest, relax and enjoy being together as a family unit. Many local businesses donated passes and gift certificates as well as merchandise for these families enjoyment.
In cooperation with Operation Recognition, Wiscasset Raceway is hosting five Military Appreciation Day Races beginning May 25th through the end of the racing season. During those five races, 100% of all profits raised at Pub 45 will go directly to Operation Recognition to host our families. Roger Bintliff, owner of Sheepscot Harbour Village and Resort and the founder of Operation Recognition, Commissioner John Richardson and Representative Seth Berry of Bowdoin, Major Steve Hatt of the Army National Guard, as well as several Commanders’ from the American Legions and VFW’s will join in give our military the proud salute they deserve. To add to the festivities the National Guard will bring their ACU Hummer, a Mobile Event gaming trailer for fans to drive the virtual National Guard Race Car, Spider Tent as well as many promotional items.
Pre-race practice will end at aprox 12:30pm and opening ceremonies will start promtly at 1:00pm. Defending Coastal 200 champion D.J. Shaw of Center Conway, NH will be on hand to defend his title against Wiscasset's Smith Construction LMS champ Chris Thorne of Sidney and stellar lineup of drivers looking for their piece of the near $30,000 purse. As a co-headliner on the race program, Sunday's show will also feature the Keystone Automotive Strictly Streets in a $500 to win 50 lap qualifier for the October 4th and 5th Street Stock Nationals to be held at the Center of Speed. Wiscasset Raceway's four other weekly divisions will be in action with extended lap features only.
Any active duty military members wishing to attend Sunday's event need only to be in uniform and present their military I.D. at the gate to get themselves and their immediate family in free of charge. For more information on the event call the Wiscasset Raceway office at (207) 882-4271 or check the track website at www.wiscassetraceway.info. Additional information about Operation Recognition can be found by calling (207) 582-0854 or logging onto www.operationrecognition.com.