PIT officials confirm 2019 race schedule

PANDORA, Oh. — Putnam International Trailway is set to host five race events in 2019, as track officials have recently confirmed this year's schedule. "We're excited to announce the lineup for this year," track owner Drew Meyer stated. "We wanted to get the dates set as soon as possible so our drivers can plan well in advance and our fans can schedule their travel accordingly."

The 2019 race schedule is set for the following:

• Taco Bell 200 - May 4th
• Old Milwaukee 30 - June 1st
• Summer Sizzler on 7L - July 27th
• Meyer Invitational 50 - August 24th
• Cranberry Nationals - September 7th

The 2019 season will see the third running of the Taco Bell 200, Meyer Invitational, and Cranberry Nationals. The Old Milwaukee 30 hasn't run since 2017 and the Summer Sizzler on 7L debuted last year. "We do like introducing new races, but our existing portfolio of races has gained tremendous popularity," said Louis Schulte, the Voice of 7L. "For that reason, the 2019 schedule will be full of races our drivers and fans are familiar with and have come to love in our first two years of racing."

Competition for the championship should get more interesting as 2019 will be the first year to include five races. Both the inaugural year and last year each featured just four races. Race fans may remember that the Meyer Riverview Farms 40 was cancelled twice last year due to a rainy June. Although the race season will be longer, it's critical for drivers to do well in the first race. In both 2017 and 2018, the winner of the Taco Bell 200 went on to win that year's points championship.

The rules and regulations for the 2019 season have yet to be released and it's uncertain what changes may be coming. The Competition Committee will be meeting over the coming months to discuss proposed rules changes and formally release the 2019 rule book.