Jul 30, 2015 08:50 AM EDT
Labar Racing For More Than Just Experience In Creekside Entertainment Bandit Division
DUNDEE, NY – For Immediate Release – July 30th, 2015 – Curtis Berleue photo –
When you venture out to Black Rock Speedway on Friday nights, there are a ton of great stories in the pit area that never get brought to the surface. Many fans in the stands may never meet the pilots underneath the helmet and driving suits either to learn about the great stories rolling through the pit gate weekly.
For 16-year-old ShiAnn Labar, racing in the Creekside Entertainment Bandit division in her white #42 is about more than just learning how to drive a stock car. It’s about paying tribute to a fallen friend every time she circles the ‘Fast Four-Tenths-Mile’.
The Prattsburgh, NY native, who is preparing to start her junior year in September, first got the racing bug watching her father race from the grandstands. When it was time for dad to step out of the car, ShiAnn was given the opportunity to compete in the Bandit division and feed her need for speed.
But before the opportunity arose for Labar to hit the track, a close friend and his family would suffer a tragic loss that would play a role in her racing career. A close friend of Labar’s, Brandon Lass, would lose his life in an automobile crash last August in their hometown of Prattsburgh. Following the tragedy Labar found a way to honor her friend and his family through her opportunity to race at Black Rock Speedway.
“The number 42 was Brandon’s basketball number so I chose to carry that number on the side of my car,” said Labar.
“Number 42 will stay as my racing number throughout my entire racing career. He will always be missed in Prattsburgh by his family and friends and this is a way to keep his memory alive.”
The one-year anniversary of Lass’ fatal crash falls within days of the Creekside Entertainment Bandit Special on August 14th. Family and friends of Lass and Labar will be in attendance that night, to watch ShiAnn drive the car dedicated to Brandon.
“That will definitely have me determined to run well for them on that special night,” said Labar about wanting to run well on the night her division will race five extra laps for a 15-lap feature.
When asked what drivers she looks up to at the track after the night-opening Bandit race is completed each week, Labar listed Sparky Hills, Bob Buono, Erica Bell, Roger Labar and Desi Force as role models. Though she looks up to these drivers, Labar hopes that she too can be that role model for young people at the track.
“My goals in racing are to become a better driver and set a good example for the younger future racecar drivers. I plan to come back next year and for many more years to come.”
Labar has improved greatly since joining the Bandit division on May 29th. She has a best finish of third on June 19th and July 3rd and finds herself fourth in the point standings.
ShiAnn couldn’t be on the racetrack without her great marketing partners and support from her family. She was quick to thank Colonial Motors, Enviro-Metal Recycling, Lakes Painting and Restoration, Raners Auto, Signs Plus, Sunoco Racing Fuels and Speedway Motors.
Labar is just one of the many great stories in the Black Rock Speedway pit area. Through tragedy, Labar has found motivation to race under the #42 and perform well while carrying that number. Though 2015 is her only year eligible for the Bandit division, she is learning more and more every week that will help her transition into the NAPA Know How 4 Cylinder division in 2016.
General admission for tomorrow night’s 6 Feature card is just $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $10 for ages 12-17 and children under 12 are always free at Black Rock Speedway. The racing program will consist of Modifieds, Crate Sportsman, MRC Street Stocks, NAPA Know How 4 Cylinders, Creekside Entertainment Bandits and the lone stop of 2015 for the Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club.
Pit gates swing open at 4PM, grandstands open at 5PM with Scott Hixson’s green flag waving for the first time at 7PM sharp.
For more information including weekly recaps, driver profiles, results, points and information on the $100,000 Contingency Connection Rewards Program race over to www.blackrockspeedway.com or visit Black Rock Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BlackRockSpeedway or follow us on Twitter @BlackRockSpeed
Black Rock Speedway is proud to partner with the Contingency Connection in 2015 to offer their race competitors over $100,000 in prizes. Drivers lucky enough to be awarded Contingency Connection books will save thousands of dollars on the parts, pieces and products that they use each week and every winter.
Black Rock Speedway is located at 82 Main St in Dundee, NY and holds dirt track racing weekly on Friday nights from late April through Labor Day Weekend in September. The speedway also hosts special events on the grounds with special races run during the fall months of September and October.
