CRESCO, IA (February 25, 1999) - Cresco Speedway opens the 1999 racing season with great optimism. This will be the third year the speedway will be managed by a committee of members of the Howard County Fair Board. Serving as speedway manager will be Tom Barnes, Executive Secretary of the Board. Committee members include Art Bina, Dick Ollendieck, Don Ferrie, John Wacha III, Les Zapotocny, Tim Walton and Frank Moore.

Cresco Speedway has seen many capital improvements in the last few years. Race fans have benefited from a new 800-seat bleacher section. This new section is attached to the north side of the main grandstand. The bleachers are accessible from either the main grandstand or a separate ramp on its north side. Fans that used this section had great views of not only the speedway, but the pit area as well. The Fair Board has received many great comments concerning this new seating.

Another area of improvement was the replacement of the lighting fixtures on the speedway. The existing were replaced with new metal halite units that cast a brighter and whiter light. This greatly improved the vision of the drivers, making the speedway much safer for them and for the officials. Fans also noticed how the new lighting system improved visibility frnm the grandstand. The pit area was relocated to outside the infield, giving fans a hill view of the speedway.

The Fair Board is planning more improvements this year. More light fixtures will be added to both ends of the track, further brightening the corners of the track. A new computer scoring system has been punchased, which will mean quicker results and more accurate bookkeeping for the speedway. Plans are also underway to improve the food concession area and to hard-surface the roads in front of the grandstand complex. Also under consideration is the renovation of the south bleacher section after the season is over.

The biggest news of the speedway this season is the addition of I.M.C.A. Late Models as a weekly class. Late models have not competed at Cresco Speedway on a weekly basis since the late 1970s. As fans are aware, the class has only been featured once or twice a year as a special event. Now, the class will be competing every week, joining an already strong weekly program consisting of Modifieds, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks. The racing program will start one half-hour earlier this year. Hot laps will be at 5.30 p.m. and racing will start by 6:00 p.m. Cresco Speedway officials will strive to see that racing is over at an early hour, as it was in 1998.

The weekly point races will start May 2 and run through August 29. Special events at the speedway this year will see a wide variety of classes and competitors. These will include the National Kidney Foundation's "Tour for a Cure' for Modifieds and Hobby Stocks on Wednesday, June 23, and Howard County Fair special on Sunday, June 28. Both of these races are during the Mighty Howard County Fair.

Invading the speedway on Sunday, September 5, will be the IRA winged Outlaw Sprint Cars. This proved to be a great show last year, and by all comments will be even bigger this year. Also running this night will be the Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, so look for another big event.

Fans can save money this year by the purchase of a $100 season pass. This will save the race fan money over the regular weekly gate fee. Weekly grandstand admission will be adult passes at $7, kids (6 to 12) at $2, and under 6 years free. Sue's Speed Shop will be located under the main grandstand, and is the fans full-line souvenir shop with photos, caps, shirts, coats, flags, ear plugs and other speedway-related items.

Race fans will be able to purchase weekly speedway programs again this year. The programs will be numbered and drawings will take place each night by numbers in the programs. Again this year not only will the speedway feature more giveaways, but also the program will again feature photos, scoring tables, driver of the week ballots and other needed information. This year a trip for four to Orlando, Fla., will be won by a fan by means of a

drawing of program numbers throughout the year. Details of this trip are in the speedway's program.

Other fan and driver favorites return, such as the Cresco Speedway Driver Trading Cards, Mystery Driver Sweepstakes, Driver of the Week and the Bud Challenge. These are detailed in the speedway's program.

It must be noted that all proceeds realized from the operation of the speedway are used for improvements and upkeep of the facility.

Special 1999 Season Events:

THE BUD CHALLENGE

for Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks on Sunday, August 29 (Season Championship Night - to be run after championship features). Fans will be treated to four special races (one in each class) featuring the best drivers of each class in competition together for one last race of the season. To qualify for this special event a driver must win at least one feature event this season or be chosen as a wildcard entrant by means of top finishes in feature events throughout the season. Should there be not enough drivers winning a feature to fill the starting lineup, it will be filled by drivers who have the best top finishes in feature races during the season. The starting lineup will be limited to a maximum of 12 drivers for each class. All qualified drivers must be a regular competitor at Cresco Speedway. The Bud Challenge is made possible by Budweiser & Kabrick Distributing of Mason City with additional support by Featherlite Manufacturing of Cnesco, Dale's Body Shop of Osage, Squier Distributing of Charles City and Cresco Speedway.

MYSTERY DRIVER SWEEPSTAKES

All race fans that purchase a program are automatically entered into this fun contest. Four program numbers will be drawn at intermission, one representing each class. Also drawn will be one starting position for each class feature. The race fan whose program number is drawn, will win money should the driver starting the feature in the position number drawn win the feature race. The sweepstakes money for each class will start at $25. If not claimed, $25 will be added to a maximum of $100. As an added incentive, the driver starting in the position drawn will win the same amount should he win the feature. Mystery Driver Sweepstakes is courtesy of Alum Line, Inc. of Cresco and Miller Brewing, J & W Distributing of Decorah.

TRIP FOR FOUR TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA

See Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Disney World - all race fans that purchase a program are automatically eligible to win. At every race night, one program number will be drawn and the fan holding that number will be eligible for the trip. The drawing for the trip will take place on season championship night. All of the fans who had winning program numbers during the year will be entered into a special drawing, with the trip awarded to one of the fans who had a winning program number during the year. The package includes round trip air from Minneapolis, Minn., to Orlando, Fla. Also included is four nights lodging with one room at the Comfort Inn Buena Vista in Orlando. All air taxes and hotel taxes are induded. Trip must be taken by September 1, 2000. Not included are meals, transportation to and from airports and admission to any sites. Trip is courtesy of UniGlobe Get Away Travel in New Hampton and Cresco Speedway.