The Bright House Challenge Series is set to embark on it’s 4th
Season on March 28th with a 50 Lap Feature at the New Smyrna
Speedway.
The Series, which was started in 2006 by former FASCAR
Marketing Director Terry Roberts, along with the help of Bright House Networks
Director of Public Affairs and Communication Brian Craven, saw it’s first race
on April 22nd of that year with young Patrick Conrad taking down the
inaugural win. A total of four drivers went on to Victory Lane in the seven
race series. David Rogers won the second race in May, while Mike Fritts was the
winner in June before BJ McLeod went on to win the final 4 races on his way to
being crowned the 2006 Bright House Challenge Series Champion.
In 2007, it was Rogers who took home the first win of the series.
Patrick Conrad also returned to Victory Lane in ’07. Jeff Choquette added his
name to the winners list along with Tim Russell. Russell’s consistency was
unmatched in the Series second year as he went on to claim the Championship for
2007.
Just one year ago, it was announced that Orlando Speedworld
would be added to the Series schedule, however a string of inclement weather
throughout the season forced all but one Orlando race to be moved back to New
Smyrna Speedway. Dalton Zehr won the only Orlando Speedworld race. Tim Russell
began where he left off just one season prior by capturing the first two
Victories of the ’08 campaign before BJ McLeod took the win in race three.
Youngster Jeremy Colangelo took down two wins of his own before the veteran
Wayne Anderson went on to three consecutive wins to round out the Series. Once
again, it was Russell whose consistent top five finishes, along with two wins,
kept him atop the standings as he took Championship honors for the second
straight season.
March 28th will mark the first event of the 2009
Bright House Challenge Series Schedule, which includes 10 races (7 at New
Smyrna Speedway – 3 at Orlando Speedworld), with the final event being the 44th
Annual Florida Governor’s Cup 200 on November 21st.
Aside from the November finale, all Bright House Challenge
Series events will be 50 laps in distance with a $1,200.00 to win purse.
