by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Tioga Downs

Nichols, NY — Four races have been slated to make up the opening leg of the fifth annual Drivers’ Championship, to begin on Saturday (August 20) on closing night at Meadowlands Racetrack.

The championship will kick off in race number two featuring Yannick Gingras, David Miller, Ron Pierce, George Brennan, Ed Hensley, Tim Tetrick, Andy Miller, Brian Sears and Jody Jamieson. All nine drivers will compete for points to gain the upper edge on the competition looking towards the second leg which will take place on Sunday (August 28) at Tioga Downs.

The leading driver in points after the Meadowlands leg will take home $10,000 and be in the best spot to land another $25,000 in Nichols, N.Y.

On Saturday night at the Meadowlands, races two, five, eight and ten will be Drivers’ Championship races that the nine drivers will compete in to earn points. The point system is as follows: 1st place–10 points, 2nd place–7 points, 3rd place–5 points, 4th place–3 points, and 5th place–1 point.

When the championship heads to Tioga, purses for the races used for the events have been bumped up by 20 percent. Plus, trainer bonus checks will be paid out in races used for the championship, for horses finishing sixth through ninth; each will be paid $100.

Entries for the Drivers’ Championship races are due in to the Tioga race office by Thursday (August 25) at 9 a.m. and can be called in to 607.699.7688. Condition sheets can be found online at www.tiogadowns.com.

Also featured on August 28 at Tioga Downs is the $420,000 (est.) Zweig Memorial for 3-year-old trotters. Last year Temple Of Doom and Lucky Chucky took home the two divisions for male trotters, while Up Front Juansteen and Impressive Kemp took home divisions for filly trotters. Post time for the August 28 race card at Tioga Downs is set for 1:30 p.m.

Tioga Downs would like to thank its sponsors for the 2011 Drivers’ Championship: Accumark, Allerage Farms, All Event’s Engraving, Big Dee’s Tack and Vet Supplies, Binghamton Senators, Bow River Jewelry, Community Press, Coon and Son’s, Climans Green Liang Architects, Delaware County Fair, Dig Safely, Elmira Jackals, Evolution Racing LLC, Ferris Tractor, Figisbig.com, Harness Racing Hall of Fame, Horsemen & Fair World Magazine, Hub International, Jim Riegle Colors, Larson Design Group, Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, LV Harkness, Mainesource, Maitland Trifecta, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Northwood Bloodstock, Oakdale Mall, Ontrack, Roberts Communication Network, STHHA, Tioga State Bank, Winbak Farms, and Youth Beats.

For more information on Tioga Downs visit www.tiogadowns.com.