by Gabe Prewitt, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — The $20,000 Driver’s Invitational Championship is finally set to kick-off on Sunday night (Feb. 9) at Pompano Park.

Twelve of the top drivers in south Florida received invitations to the event, where they will battle in a heads up ‘March Madness’ style tournament bracket until down to the final three who will square off in the finals on March 15.

The heads up matches will take place on Sunday and Monday nights, with four specifically assigned races composing the nightly match-ups. The competing drivers will be allowed to select any horse of their choosing in the assigned races each night, alternating who gets to choose first in each assigned race.

Points will be awarded for a Top 5 finish as shown below:

1st place – 10 points
2nd place – 7 points
3rd place – 5 points
4th place – 3 points
5th place – 1 point

The winner of the event will receive $8,000 in prize money, while second place collects $4,000 and third place picks up $2,000. The remaining $6,000 in prize money will be spread out among those that are eliminated prior to the March 15 finals.

Sunday night the tournament gets underway with drivers Rick Plano and David Ingraham competing in races four-seven. Monday night the action continues with leading driver Bruce Ranger taking on newcomer John MacDonald.

Sunday night will also include a $3,020 carryover in the Pick-4, which already features a $5,000 guaranteed pool.

Live racing continues at the Isle Casino at Pompano Park every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening with a first post of 7:05 p.m.