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Winter Nationals Are Big Draw For East Bay

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By TONY FABRIZIO

afabrizio@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

GIBSONTON - Fans from across the country. Many staying at local hotels, eating at local restaurants and helping boost the area's economy.

The Super Bowl? Actually, the reference here is the 33rd annual Winter Nationals at East Bay Raceway Park, which open tonight with practice for the American Sprint Car Series 360 class.

Obviously, the year's biggest event at the one-third-mile "Clay by the Bay" short track doesn't compare to the NFL's championship game. But the Winter Nationals will draw 65,000 to 85,000 fans during 17 days and at least one well-known stock car driver - NASCAR standout Clint Bowyer.

"We had 26 states represented last year by the drivers," East Bay GM Todd Hutto said. "As far as the fans and the people who stay here and camp go, they're from all over the country also, but I've never actually done a study on where they're all from."

The Winter Nationals began in 1975 as the "410 Nationals" - so named because it featured the 410 winged sprint cars. During the years, the event has been expanded, and it now includes the ASCS 360 Sprints and Florida Mini Sprints, Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models, Open Wheel Modifieds, UMP/EBRP Open Wheel Modifieds, Crate Late Models and Mod Lites.

Many of the area's top drivers compete against drivers from colder areas where tracks aren't operating right now. And occasionally, there are some big names.

Bowyer, who came up racing on dirt tracks in Kansas, will race in the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models. Driving for Richard Childress Racing, Bowyer has finished third and fifth in the Sprint Cup standings the past two years.

"I've talked with Kasey Kahne and some of the others, but we just couldn't get it worked out with their schedules," Hutto said. "They've got Daytona preparations, but this is the only time when I can run the event."

NASCAR drivers sometime make last-minute appearances, and through the years, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart and Kenny Wallace have dropped in.

After tonight's practice sessions, the ASCS 360s and Florida Mini Sprints will stage three nights of racing. They will be followed by the late models starting Sunday and the powerful 410s beginning Feb. 9. The event concludes with the Crate Late Models and Mod Lites, scheduled for Feb. 18-21.

Reporter Tony Fabrizio can be reached at (813) 259-7994.

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