As Champion Motor Speedway prepares to celebrate its 40th year of continuous operation, track officials announced Friday Long's Jewelers will provide special "Fast Forty" championship diamond rings for all divisional champions who compete in 2003.
The eight eligible Fast Forty divisions are the Super Late Models, Western Modifieds, Legends, Limited Late Models, Les Schwab Street Stocks, TagTeam Bombers, Bandoleros and Hustlin' Hornets.
Hal and Jan Long, owners of Longs Jewelers, have been longtime supporters of Champion Motor Speedway. During the 2002 awards banquet, Lewis Rabe of Ponderosa Stamp & Engraving (on behalf of Longs Jewelers) presented CMS Late Model Champion Rich Lawler with a beautiful championship diamond ring.
During the awards banquet, it occurred to Hal, Jan and Rabe perhaps this season they could provide a championship ring for every 2003 divisional winner, in celebration of the speedway's 40th anniversary.
"We're more then happy to provide rings for all the champions this season", Hal Long said.
"The look on Rich Lawler's face at last year's banquet was priceless, so if we can get that same reaction eight times this year, that'll be fantastic. We really think the speedway is headed in a positive direction now, and 2003 is going to be a banner year. We just want to contribute to that success if we possibly can."
The rings are valued at more than $950 each and will be awarded during the 2003 CMS awards banquet. The quest for the Fast Forty rings will fire up May 3 and conclude on Sept. 27.
Champion Manager Jeb Onweiler said he appreciates the Longs stepping up in fine fashion.
"The bottom line is, in a division such as the Hustlin' Hornets, the champions could end up winning a ring that costs more than the race car," Onweiler said.
"I find that pretty amazing and it makes me want to jump back into a race car. The Longs are making a significant financial commitment this season. Now our short tracks stars have something really special to shoot for. The greater Carson City community and CMS are lucky to have these two generous supporters."
In appreciation for their contribution, Longs Jewelers will receive title rights to the brand new "Winners Circle" at CMS. Winners Circle will be located at the start-finish line and will be used exclusively to present "Ponderosa Stamp & Engraving" main event trophies, bicycle racing trophies and special sponsor plaques throughout the racing season.
For information, log on at www.ChampionMotorSpeedway.com or call the 24/7 Ponderosa Stamp Racin' Hotline at 267-0505 or Onweiler at 884-3045.
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