PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRYAN EPPS |
The New Year ’ s Nationals has grown into a must-attend gathering for many bracket racers across the country , as evidenced by the most recent gathering that saw 708 entries pour through the gates of Bradenton Motorsports Park . For a glimpse of just how far this race has grown in its seven-year existence , we sat down with Rob Reynolds of RT Promotions , who cofounded
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the event with Tony Gambarella in 2015 . The pair both live in Florida and simply couldn ’ t understand why there wasn ’ t a New Year ’ s race in the Sunshine State , thinking its location was a no-brainer . “ That ’ s how all it started , we thought there should be a New Year ’ s race in Florida , and since there wasn ’ t one , we created one !” Reynolds laughs .
From a promotional standpoint , the pair parted ways after a couple years , but remain great friends .
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The event they created has grown into a staple affair , as racers everywhere travel to Florida to ring in the New Year .
Ironically , the inaugural event back in 2015 didn ’ t even happen in Florida , but rather , at South Georgia Motorsports Park . All total , the event has been contested at four different tracks within its short history , all with a huge crowd following no matter the location . “ After SGMP , the event was moved to Gainesville , then West Palm
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January / February 2022 |
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