from Miami Valley Raceway

Lebanon, OH — Miami Valley Raceway is pleased to introduce its first-ever drivers’ competition, dubbed the North America Driver’s Championship. To be contested over three consecutive afternoon matinee programs beginning Sunday (Jan. 8) and ending Tuesday (Jan. 10), the contest will pit up to 30 of the continent’s winningest drivers chasing prize money totaling $25,000.

Drivers interested in participating will be asked to apply with a $300 nomination fee by Dec. 23, 2016. If more than 30 drivers apply, the 30 with the most career victories (including a minimum of 100 in 2016) will be accepted. If more than 20 but less than 30 apply, the top 20 winners will be accepted for the contest.

The nomination fee includes not only a chance to compete against many of the continent’s best known successful drivers for $25,000 in prize money, but also up to three night’s accommodations at a nearby hotel for out-of-state drivers, a complimentary dinner at Miami Valley’s renowned Cin City gourmet restaurant following the races on Jan. 9, and each driver’s required 2017 Ohio State Racing Commission license fees.

In the event more drivers apply than can be accommodated in the tournament, the entire nomination fee will be returned to those applicants whose number of career victories did not secure a spot.

The championship will consist of up to 12 races on both Sunday and Monday, with each driver getting four mounts each day. The top ten point-getters following the two days of preliminary races will return for the Tuesday title round, which will consist of eight races and a fresh scoreboard. Points will be awarded as follows: 30 points for a win, 20 points for a second, 14 for a show finish, then 11-9-7-5-3-1-0 for fourth through tenth. A driver whose horse is a late scratch will be awarded eight points in the two preliminary rounds only.

The $25,000 prize money will be awarded to the ten finalists as follows: $10,000 for first, $5,000 for second, $3,000 for third, then $2,000, $1,500, $1,250, $1,000, $750 and $500 for ninth. In addition to the prize money, all drivers will keep their customary five percent driver’s commissions for all of their mounts.

Purses for the races used in the North America Driver’s Championship will be enhanced by 10 percent on Sunday and Monday; with the championship races on Tuesday boosted by 20 percent. Owners of horses that finish sixth through tenth in every contest race over the three-day competition will receive $200 for their participation.

Potential contest races will be designated on the initial Miami Valley condition sheet, which will be published approximately Dec. 15. Both post positions and driver assignments will be drawn randomly by the judges throughout the competition.

Applications to participate will be available to drivers on the Miami Valley website by Dec. 1. Earlier inquiries are welcome via e-mail to: greggkeidel@yahoo.com.