Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Timothy Peters and Bubba Pollard are amongst the names already set to race in the revived Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown next month at Langley Speedway in Virginia.
After a two-year hiatus, the 200-lap Late Model Stock charity race will resume on Thursday, April 19. All proceeds from the Showdown will benefit the Denny Hamlin Foundation, which supports Cystic Fibrosis research and therapy.
In addition to the charity aspect, the race is special because it has traditionally pitted NASCAR stars versus the best Late Model Stock in the Carolinas and Virginias. The 2018 event will provide an additional element of intrigue as it will also include Pollard, widely considered the best Super Late Model driver of his era.
READ MORE: Why Bubba Pollard has decided to race a Late Model Stock
The ninth edition of the Short Track Showdown will mark the fourth different venue as Langley becomes the new host of the event, following Southside Speedway (2008-10), Richmond Raceway (2011-13), and South Boston Speedway (2014-15).
Previous winners include Hamlin, Busch, Peters, Tony Stewart and regional aces like C.E. Falk and Matt Bowling. Peters was the last to visit victory lane in this event at South Boston in 2015.
“This is truly one of my favorite events to host because of what it means for the local racers,” Hamlin said. “It’s great they get to race against NASCAR veterans like Kyle, Timothy and myself. Plus, I love the attention it gives to these historic Virginia tracks where many drivers, myself included, got our start racing stock cars. Langley has always been special to me, so I’m excited to bring this event there, and look forward to raising money for the Foundation as well.”
Hamlin began his career at Langley Speedway in 1997 and would go on to win not only his first stock car race there in the mini-stocks division but also rookie of the year honors and the championship. He would go on the gain fame in a Late Model at Southern National Motorsports Park and Southside Speedway.
The complete entry list will be released in the coming weeks.
Tickets go on sale March 11 and cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and military, $15 for kids 6 through 12, and are free for kids 5 and under. Advance tickets will be available online here.
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