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Inaugural Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown Adds $2.4 Million Boost to Local Economy

Inside Line Promotions – SOMERTON, Ariz. (May 20, 2015) – The inaugural Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown proved to be an immediate success on the track at Cocopah Speedway last January.

The event was an achievement away from the 3/8-mile oval as well. A recent study by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce showed that the local economy was boosted by $2.4 million during the five-race, nine-day event throughout the first two weeks of this year. That was approximately a quarter of the track’s $10.1 million annual effect on the local community.

“We took on a big challenge by creating the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown and its first year was a success on the track and off of it,” Cocopah Speedway Director of Operations Greg Burgess said. “In addition to having NASCAR stars Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne compete, and Tony Stewart in the pits, we had teams travel from coast to coast to participate. It was just as rewarding to have fans come from both sides of the country as well as overseas, which was evident at the track, hotels and restaurants.”

Burgess wanted to continue the momentum generated during the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown and has been in the process of renovating Cocopah Speedway throughout the spring.

“A lot of improvements are being done to not only help the facility throughout the year, but with the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown in mind,” he said. “The work that has been done in the past month at the facility has been huge.”

The midway has been paved with concrete and the handicap system has been improved, including new parking and a more accessible ramp into the facility. The entry way has been redone and there is a better access route into the pits for the teams, which includes an improved sign-in building. Cocopah Speedway recently added a new scoreboard on the backstretch with help from local partner Alexander Auto Center and a variety of other improvements are currently underway.

“I think the teams and fans will be pleasantly surprised when they return next January for the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown,” Burgess said. “We had a very successful inaugural event and our focus continues to be improving everything for the second edition.”

The second version of the 410ci sprint car event will be held at Cocopah Speedway on Jan. 1-2, Jan. 5 and Jan. 8-9, 2016, and will feature the same purse of approximately $250,000. The four weekend races pay $12,000 to win and $1,000 to start with the midweek race providing $5,000 to the winner.

For more information, visit http://www.CocopahSpeedway.com.

2016 WINTER HEAT SPRINT CAR SHOWDOWN –

Dates: Jan. 1-2, Jan. 5 and Jan. 8-9, 2016

Track: Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz.

Prize: $12,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start each night (Jan. 1-2, 8-9); $5,000-to-win (Jan. 5); approximately $250,000 total prize money

Type: 410ci sprint cars

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.CocopahSpeedway.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CocopahShowdown

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WinterHeatSprintCarShowdown

THE EVENT –

The 2nd annual Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown will showcase the top sprint car drivers in the world in sunny Southwest Arizona during the first two weeks of January in 2016. The four weekend races pay $12,000 to the winner and at least $1,000 to every driver who advances to the main event with the midweek show paying $5,000 to win.

COCOPAH SPEEDWAY –

Cocopah Speedway is a semi-banked, 3/8-mile dirt track located in Somerton, Ariz. It has a concrete wall perimeter, television-quality lighting and the pits are located outside turns three and four. There is also dry camping free of charge on the property. For more information, visit http://www.CocopahSpeedway.com.

COMETIC GASKET –

Cometic Gasket, Inc., is a leading worldwide supplier of shelf stock, custom and short-run gaskets for the performance aftermarket, original equipment and motor sports industries. The company, which is located in Concord, Ohio, was created in 1989 and ships out more than 5,000 types of gaskets to customers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.Cometic.com.

JE PISTONS –

JE Pistons is the leader in high performance forged pistons. Based in Irvine, Calif., the company has more than 60 years of experience and has a history of manufacturing the highest quality pistons and components that professional engine builders, race teams and high-performance enthusiasts trust and rely on. For more information, visit http://www.JEPistons.com.

K1 TECHNOLOGIES –

K1 Technologies, which is located in Mentor, Ohio, has many years in the field of designing, engineering and manufacturing connecting rods and crankshafts. For more information, visit http://www.K1Technologies.com.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.

To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.

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