ST. LOUIS – Officials from World Wide Technology Raceway have announced they will serve as promoter of a major dirt racing event at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., on Friday, June 3.
The event, named the #CupTimeSTL Short Track Classic, will feature dirt late models, winged sprint cars, winged outlaw karts and other special classes and will serve as the official kick-off to World Wide Technology Raceway’s inaugural NASCAR Cup Series weekend.
“Kevin and Tammy Gundaker at Tri-City Speedway have a beautiful venue. It’s a short drive from our facility, and we have long worked together to cross-promote the sport,” said Chris Blair, WWTR’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “As soon as we were informed the NASCAR Cup Series was coming to the St. Louis region, we put the wheels in motion to work with the team at Tri-City to showcase the tremendous short-track racing in the area. Fans traveling from across the nation will be a part of our biggest weekend ever. In addition, it provides another convenient opportunity for many of the NASCAR Cup and Truck Series drivers and their families who compete in dirt racing events to race on an incredible track.”
Located seven miles from World Wide Technology Raceway, Tri-City Speedway hosts many of the top traveling late model, sprint car, modified and midget series. The track also boasts one of the strongest weekly racing programs in the nation. Tri-City’s fan base, convenient location to major interstates and well-manicured venue are key parts of the success of racing in the St. Louis region.
“It’s a great privilege to be partners with World Wide Technology Raceway for this historic event,” said Tri-City Speedway owner and promoter Kevin Gundaker, who has operated the Granite City facility with his wife, Tammy, since 2005. “Since Curtis Francois bought the speedway, his foundation for the facility has been built on including the grassroots racing fan. His decision to promote a dirt race in conjunction with their NASCAR Cup Series weekend is spot on with his mission. It’s going to be a tremendous week of racing in our area, and we all are working together to make the show spectacular. Our fans and our racers are already excited, and the buzz around the area is incredible.”