LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The fourth season for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts gets underway with back to back race programs at the Florence Speedway in Union, KY on March 25 and 26. The first two points races of the '05 campaign begins on Good Friday, March 25 with the "Spring 50 Tune-up" for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Late Models with a complete show including time trials, heat races, consy events and a $3000 to win main event. On Saturday Night, March 26 right back at Florence will be the 29th Annual "Spring 50" with a $5000 to win payday awaiting the winner of the main event. There will be another complete show for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass series with time trials, heat races, consy events and the 50 lap main event to top off the evening.

The "Spring 50" has turned into a spring time classic for fans and drivers as the event has been run since 1977 with only one rainout (in 1998) to halt the streak. 2005 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee, Billy Teegarden won the first four "Spring 50" races held from 1977-1980. Former Florence (KY) Speedway track champions, Vern LeFever, Pat Patrick, Matt Gilardi and Chuck McWilliams took wins from 1981-1987 with Patrick winning four of those years. Kentucky racing legend, "Black" Jack Boggs would win his first of an unprecedented five "Spring 50's" starting in 1988. TN's Scott Bloomquist took the top honors in 1989 and only repeated last year. Another former Florence track champion, Gary Green would win in 1991 before IL Hall of Famer Bob Pierce's win in 1992. Indiana drivers would then enter victory lane with John Gill in '94, Kevin Claycomb in '96, Don O'Neal in '99 and '02 and Steve Casebolt, Jr. winning in 2003. WI's Dan Schlieper was victorious during the 2000 season and hometown driver, Darrell Lanigan nabbed the victory in 2001.

On Easter Weekend for this event pit gates will open Friday at 4 pm with time trials at 7 pm and on Saturday pit gates will open at 4 pm with time trials starting at 6:30 pm

Florence Speedway will hold a special practice session weather permitting the week before the races on Saturday, March 19 from 1 pm until dark.

Quality Inn and Suites (formerly Ramada Inn) in Florence, KY will serve as the host hotel for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series for this event. A special rate for the “Spring 50” weekend is being offered to racers and fan of $45.00 for double occupancy. Reservations can be made by calling the motel directly at 859-371-4700 and requesting the special NARA rate for this weekend.

For more information on this event please contact Florence Speedway at www.florencespeedway.com or call (859) 485-7591. For info on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series go to www.naradirtcar.com and click on the Battle of the Bluegrass icon or call (859) 271-4501.

Florence Speedway

Previous "Spring 50" Winners

1977--Billy Teegarden

1978--Billy Teegarden

1979--Billy Teegarden

1980--Billy Teegarden

1981--Vern LeFever

1982--Pat Patrick

1983--Matt Gilardi

1984--Chuck McWilliams

1985--Pat Patrick

1986--Pat Patrick

1987--Pat Patrick

1988--Jack Boggs

1989--Scott Bloomquist

1990--Jack Boggs

1991--Gary Green

1992--Bob Pierce

1993--Jack Boggs

1994--John Gill

1995--Jack Boggs

1996--Kevin Claycomb

1997--Jack Boggs

1998--Rained Out

1999--Don O'Neal

2000--Dan Schlieper

2001--Darrell Lanigan

2002--Don O'Neal

2003--Steve Casebolt, Jr.

2004--Scott Bloomquist

Multiple Winners:

Jack Boggs-5

Pat Patrick-4

Billy Teegarden-4

Scott Bloomquist-2

Don O'Neal-2