NASCAR Returns to Gateway Motorsports Park Saturday, June 13, 2015

You’ve heard of the saying that “success breeds success.”  Well, that couldn’t prove more true than the return of the NASCAR™ Camping World Truck Series Drivin’ for Linemen 200 at Gateway Motorsports Park Saturday, June 13, 2015. 

"Our 2014 event marked the historical return of NASCAR to St. Louis, and the event was one that will be talked about for many years to come,” said Gateway Motorsports Park owner and President Curtis Francois. “Motorsports fans from more than 27 states traveled to the region to see some of the best professional racing in the world.  We did our best to put on an exciting show, and we are thrilled that NASCAR is coming back next year with such an enthusiastic sponsor.”  The Drivin’ for Linemen 200” NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will again be held under the lights in primetime at the 1.25-mile NASCAR Speedway located just four miles from the historic St. Louis Gateway Arch. 

Elite Utility Support, the 2014 sponsor of this historic race, has renewed its support for 2015 to help bring awareness to electrical linemen as first responders.  The Drivin’ for Linemen 200 was the first time Elite Utility Support has sponsored a NASCAR race, although the organization kept its name under wraps for the inaugural event. “We chose to remain behind the scenes for 2014 because we didn’t want the focus to be on the sponsors,” said Chad Dubea, President of Elite Utility Support.  “We wanted all of the attention to focus on the race and on bringing awareness to the wonderful work and sacrifices electrical linemen make every day, and especially during major storms and disasters.”   

The Drivin’ for Linemen 200 marked many firsts for both Elite Utility Support and for the new owners at Gateway Motorsport Park.  “We were writing the play book as the drivers were warming up the track,” said Francois.  Although he has hosted two highly successful NHRA events and run successful businesses, Francois and the majority of his staff had no experience hosting a NASCAR event. “We knew we had one shot at impressing the NASCAR folks if we ever wanted to host another NASCAR event at Gateway MSP.  We were committed to doing whatever it took to give racing fans and drivers a memorable experience.  We wanted to make St. Louis proud of this great region. The NASCAR announcement last week that included Gateway MSP on the schedule means that we delivered.”

“Today, because of the great success of the 2014 Drivin’ for Linemen 200, millions of Americans better understand the sacrifices of American linemen and their families,” said Dubea, who has more than 20 years of experience in the electrical industry.  “Now that we all have some experience under our belts, next year’s event will be bigger and better than ever.”

Official ticket renewals for the 2nd Annual Drivin' for Linemen 200 will begin on December 8, 2015 and will continue until January 31, 2015.   Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, February 2, 2015.  

The vision for the new Gateway Motorsports Park is to create a racing lifestyle that attracts enthusiasts, professionals, amateurs and street-car lovers of all kinds by harnessing the grassroots momentum, energy and passion of the thousands of racing enthusiasts and fans in the area.

Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering 180 acres of prime real-estate, Gateways MSP is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the region, encompassing a ¼ mile NHRA-sectioned drag strip, 1.25 mile NASCAR Speedway, 1.6 mile road course, a new Gateway Karting facility and a new 14-acre off road course.

For more information, visit www.gatewaymsp.com