Monticello Raceway will present its 14th Annual
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace on Tuesday, January 21 in spite of the fact
that the nation will celebrate Dr. King’s birthday on Monday, January 20.
“Since we don’t race on Sundays and there’s no live racing
on Monday, January 20th it was decided that we will honor Dr. King’s
memory on Tuesday, January 21,” said Eric Warner the tracks director of racing.
The Dr. King Pace will be the first of eight races offered
for drivers of different ethnicities throughout the season in the Mighty M’s
Heritage Drivers Series-2014.
The Dr. King Pace, which features the talents of
African-American drivers, was first presented in 2001 and although the raceway
was initially reticent to showcase this event the results have been a win-win
situation, not only for the raceway, but for the African-American community as
well.
“It will once again be our pleasure to honor the memory of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a race named in his honor. Over the years the
Dr. King Pace has proved to be an event that is looked forward to by the
participating drivers and by many racing fans,,” Warner added. “Last year we
had a very competitive race and the competition was enjoyed by everyone.”
The 2013 Dr. King Pace was won by Dennis Watson when he
reined Alley’s Delight to a 2:04.2 on the brutally cold and windy January 22nd
race card. Although Watson had previously driven in seven other Dr. King
Paces that was his first victory in the event.
Watson is expected to return to defend his crown and will
undoubtedly be joined by other locals including Cedric Washington, Bobby
“Boonie” Williams, Jr. and Paul Moore.
Currently Warner is in the process of seeking drivers to
compete in this year’s event.
“We’ve got a good start but we’ll still need eight drivers
to fill the race,” Warner added. “And the winner of this race will join the
winners of each of the other Heritage Drivers Series preliminary legs in the
events final later this fall.”
Any driver of African -American descent who might be
interested in competing in this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pace is
urged to contact Warner in the race office at Monticello Raceway by calling
845.794.4100 x557. Or they can call the tracks publicity office at ext.
455.
