Let the good times roll!

That is exactly the sentiment employed by everyone in and around the Baton Rouge area and it is a theme that has served local track State Capitol Raceway well during its run as one of the IHRA’s top facilities for fun. And once again the excitement of IHRA drag racing and the spirit of Mardi Gras will be alive and well at the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am Tour presented by AMSOIL Division 4 season opener March 8-10 at the famed facility located just outside of Baton Rouge.

Hosted by Lanny and Valerie Lewis, and under the direction of General Manager Gary Carter, every race at State Capitol Raceway is a special one and once again racers will be in for a treat as a seemingly innocent divisional points meet turns into an all-night celebration of all things drag racing to kick-off the Renegades season.

Among the fun at this year’s event will be beads, racer gatherings and, as has become custom at State Capitol Raceway, a huge gumbo cookout free to racers Saturday night.

“We are going to have one heck of a gathering this year. There is a lot of excitement building with the IHRA since the company changed hands and you can definitely sense a new direction,” said Lanny Lewis, owner of State Capitol Raceway. “The Pro-Am is going to be a lot of fun capped off with a big gumbo meal for the racers Saturday night. Russell, our local chef, is one heck of a cook and he fixes an unreal gumbo in a giant steel pot. He is a big part of our track family and we want all of the racers to feel at home that weekend.”

The 2013 Renegades Division season opener at State Capitol Raceway will feature two points-paying races in one weekend. Racers will be able to take advantage of a test-and-tune on Friday beginning at 5 p.m. followed by two full days of racing. Gates open at 7 a.m. on Saturday with racing beginning at 10 a.m. and gates open at 8 a.m. on Sunday with racing at 9 a.m.

This will be the first two of six races within the division in addition to a Wild Card event at Memphis International Raceway in June. The top three points finishers in each class at the end of the year will earn a spot in the Summit Racing Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL to runoff for the 2013 IHRA World Championships.

For more information on the Pro-Am at State Capitol Raceway visit www.ihra.com/SummitProAmTour .

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE STATE CAPITOL PRO-AM SCHEDULE