WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (April 8, 2011) - Criticized by some as a one-groove track, Dells Raceway Park will have a new lane of racing to break the stigma. The third-mile received a renovation this past week, adding ten feet of racing surface to the bottom of turns three and four.

The concrete lane will provide a new challenge for racers as they sweep into the uncharted territory this season.

"We've been kicking around different options for a couple of years now," said track promoter Joe Graziano. "When Tom Lichtfeld approached us with this idea, it just clicked. Now that I see the results, I know that we can look forward to some exciting racing."

With a tighter turning radius and slightly less banking than the existing inside groove, those involved in the design anticipate drivers using the bottom groove will have to slow more upon entry. Drivers on the outside will have the advantage of using the existing inside groove as the new outside. Extra space will also be available for racers as they attempt to pass on the outside exiting turn four.

Both Dells Raceway Park officials and racers are confident the extra room in turns three and four will cause a shakeup in the racing action at DRP.

"I think it will put some excitement into the racing for all divisions," said Mike Lichtfeld, 2010 DRP Late Model Rookie of the Year. "Hopefully we can get some more passing going on and put on a better show for the fans."

Lichtfeld is still trying to plan his attack on the newly-configured turn. "It's hard to say if the concrete is going to be the fastest way or if the old race track is the fastest. We're going to try to set up our car to race where the other people aren't, so we can do some passing."

He and all of his fellow DRP drivers will get their first shot at the new groove when the track hosts open practice on Saturday, May 7.

If the renovation proves to be successful this season, the reconfiguration of Dells Raceway Park may continue in turns one and two in the coming seasons.

"We'll either duplicate three and four or tweak it a little," Graziano said. "Either way, the personality of this track will change for the better."

Labor and equipment were provided by Schoppenhorst Construction of Berlin, Wis., and The Country Plumber of Portage, Wis. Among those involved were Super Late Model racers Tom Lichtfeld and Terry Schoppenhorst and Late Model racers Mike and Steve Lichtfeld.

Dells Raceway Parks 49th season of racing begins on Saturday, May 21. The evening's events begin with the Automotion Burnout contest at 5:30. In addition, the Vintage Cars will be joining the four weekly DRP classes. Qualifying at 3:30, Racing at 6:30.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road five minutes north of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wis., off highway 12-16. For more information including the latest news, the 2011 schedule and more visit www.dellsracewaypark.com.