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It was a beautiful friday night for Dixie Motor Speedway’s Grand Opening under the new management team of Jeff and Pam Parish. Jeff Parish started off the night with a prayer and his wife Pam belted out an inspiring rendition of the Star Spangled banner. The crowd roared as Matt Prieur announced, “Gentleman start your engines!”

Chuck Silva took the first feature win of the year in the Modifieds. Silva was a little under the weather, but he still managed to lead the entire 30-lap event with a fever and body chills.

“I’m lucky to have finished this race at all,” Chuck said. “I have to thank the team for all their hard work. The car was good tonight and I just did my best. I would also like to thank the fans for all their support. We’re gonna have a lot of fun out here this year!”

The Sportsman feature was the first Caution-Free event for 2009 at Dixie. The drivers put on a phenomenal show of “sportsmanship” and good hard racing. Don Riley in the No. 22 took the checkered flag.

Other feature winners for the evening were Jeff Roethlisberger in the Bomber Division, Jason Hitsman for the Street Stocks, and Andrew Burton in the Figure 8’s.

Announcer, Matt Prieur, told the crowd that it takes a special breed of racecar driver to run the figure 8’s and asked Burton why he does it.

“I just love it,” Burton said. “It’s a rush!”

Veteran driver, Jason Hitsman was pleased with his first place finish.

“It felt great,” Jason said. “This is only the second opening night win in my career. I couldn’t have done it without the sponsorship of Mike Young Pontiac GMC Buick of Frankenmuth.”

To celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend, Dixie turned the VIP SkyDeck into a Luxury Suite for the Ladies with everything from Tupperware Cooking classes and gourmet coffees to chair massages, mini-manicures and free Limited Edition Pink Dixie T-Shirts. Christa Silber and Deana Barcomb from We Deliver the Fun, donated their time and face painting talents to raise money for the Johnny Burke Children’s Foundation. There was a little something for everyone at Dixie!

Fans can expect the same thrills and excitement week after week at Dixie this season.

The Parish’s have decided to extend opening night into next week with regular weekly Pro-Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Bomber and Figure 8's, plus, Round One of the Modifieds Short Track Series on the 1/3 mile track and Speed Dating sessions in the Luxury Suite. For $25 fans can watch the races from the suite and maybe meet their match in a series of five minute first dates.

It just goes to show, everythings really is fast at Dixie!