from Miami Valley Raceway
Lebanon, OH — Miami Valley Raceway is seeking top drivers from across the continent to vie for the title of North American Driving Champion.
For the second straight year, the southwest Ohio five-eighths-mile oval is inviting 30 of the United States and Canada’s top drivers to compete for $25,000 in prize money over three consecutive matinee programs on Sunday (Jan. 7) through Tuesday (Jan. 9).
Conrad photo
Doug McNair hoisted the trophy as winner of Miami Valley’s inaugural North American Drivers Championship in January 2017.
Defending champion Doug McNair, who won the inaugural event, will return to defend his title.
The field will be limited to the 30 drivers with the most career wins, provided they won at least 100 races in 2017. Each of the 30 participating drivers will get four drives on each of the first two days, with only the top ten point winners advancing to the final day when all the reinsmen will compete head-to-head in eight races to determine the winner.
The champion will receive $10,000 plus the North American Driving Champion trophy. The runner-up will be awarded $5,000, followed by prize money of $3,000, $2,000, $1,500, $1,250, $1,000, $750 and $500 for third through ninth place finishes. All drivers also keep the customary five percent driver’s commissions earned in all races.
Points are awarded on a 30-20-14-11-9-7-5-3-1 point basis for first through ninth place finishes. After the ten finalists are determined after the first two days, the scoring slate is wiped clean for the championship day showdown on Jan. 9. Both post positions and driver assignments will be drawn randomly by the judges throughout the competition.
“Our first drivers championship tournament last year was received quite well, both locally and industry-wide, and was instrumental in kicking off a very successful live racing season,” said Race Secretary Gregg Keidel. “We hope to make this an annual event that grows in popularity year after year. We had a great mix of top drivers come and enjoy Miami Valley hospitality in 2017, and hope every track’s top few drivers consider joining in the fun and spirited competition in 2018.”
Interested drivers can get complete details about the 2018 North American Drivers Championship at www.miamivalleygaming.com under the Racing, then Horsemens Info tabs. Applications to participate are due by Friday (Dec. 22).