AMRA Prepares For 25th Season Of Racing

(Parkersburg, West Virginia) As the American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) approaches it’s season opening points weekend on March 31st-April 2nd, the long popular sanctioning body also approaches a major milestone itself, as the 2017 season will mark the 25th year of operation for the AMRA. What started in 1992 with the AMRA sanctioning a handful of Dirt Modified events at select venues, has grown into a nationally recognized dirt racing sanctioning body that sanctions hundreds of events within 3 national divisions annually, and has awarded nearly 1 million dollars in points fund cash winnings since it’s inception. With the addition of the AMRA Late Models in 2009 and the AMRA Sport Mods in 2015, the AMRA has shown great growth and initiative over the past 25 years, while also working to ensure the long term success of the sport as a whole.

Through it’s weekly racing and various programs such as the AMRA Road Warrior Tour along with alliances in cooperation with other sanctioning bodies and series’, the AMRA has helped play host to some of the sports most notable talents and truly showcased the great competitors whom compete within the series. From some of it’s earliest Modified champions such as Jerry Farmer, Kurt Hosfess, and Bruce Dennis to some of it’s most notable multiple time champions such as Andy Bond, Mike Wilson and Kenny Johnson, an AMRA National Championship has proven to be a true testament of a winning driver and team.

With the AMRA Late Models whom were added to the fold in 2009, seeing talents such as Chris Garnes, whom has won on many levels within the sport, take home multiple championships and most recently young standout Tyler Carpenter who claimed his 3rd AMRA Late Model Championship in 2016, the AMRA Late Models have continuously proven to feature some of the sports most talented Late Model competitors. Now with the young AMRA Sport Mods seeing great growth as they enter their 3rd year in existence, the sole champion of the series Cole Perine has moved on to the AMRA Modified level, which has allowed Perine to serve as the example of what the division is intended to do, in growing talent and allowing for competitors of all levels of experience to battle economically in the open wheel ranks.

While the racers whom compete within the series have undoubtedly made the past 25 years so special, the places in which the sanctioning body hosts events have been a great strength for the AMRA. While some tracks have came and gone, the core group of facilities has allowed for racing to remain strong and exciting. Over time, the AMRA has also expanded it’s base, by hosting racing in places such as North Carolina and Kentucky at times, in addition to it’s strong traditional presence within the Ohio Valley region. Over the past 25 years, the AMRA has had long and rich relationships with venues such as the Ohio Valley Speedway in Washington West Virginia, and the Skyline Speedway in Stewart Ohio, but has also even served as a major part in the revival of forgotten or formerly closed tracks such as the Legendary Hilltop Speedway in Marietta Ohio, the Lizard Creek Speedway in Hanover West Virginia and presently, the Beckley Motorsports Park in Beckley West Virginia which is set to reopen this spring.

Of course, as with any aspect of racing, it’s the people and supporters who work behind the scenes in order for the effort to succeed as a whole, which is no different for the AMRA. From the promoters of the numerous tracks, the countless number of various AMRA track tech officials, the great list of AMRA sponsors and supporters and the various members of the AMRA core staff itself, the amount of work that has consistently existed behind the scenes has been a true testament to the main principles of the AMRA. Now as AMRA officials approach the 2017 season, the work that is yet to be done remains as important as ever, and with the series’ continuous focus remaining on safety, rules, promotion and overall support of the sport, AMRA officials look forward to the upcoming season to continue what began 25 years ago.

“Each season brings a lot of new excitement and energy to our sport, and are really excited to kick off another season this weekend. Every year brings a new set of challenges but that’s what makes our series unique and exciting” – AMRA Official Angie Haught

If 2016 was any indication of things to come, both fans and teams alike will have plenty to be excited about all season long. With not only 2016, but also the past number of seasons featuring some of the closest points battles in series history, along with some of the richest paying events yet, the excitement within the AMRA appears to be at an all-time high. With the points fund now also expanded to it’s richest point yet across all 3 National divisions, the AMRA looks forward to providing excellent competition and rewarding the drivers whom compete within the sanctioning body, just like it has promised for now 25 seasons!

Matt Chalfant (AMRAMODIFIED.COM)