by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media
OCALA, FL- Dirt racing fans will have something extraordinary to cheer about this weekend as many of the top dirt late model racers in the nation converge on the toughest 3/8ths mile in the southeast for “The Battle Between The Coasts.” This event will be another first for Florida’s oldest and most historic speedway, and the second scheduled event in Ocala Speedway’s February Winternationals for 2011.
This rare Sunday night dual race event at Ocala Speedway will pay $8000 to the winner, and is strategically scheduled on what had been a day off between Speedweeks events at East Bay Raceway, and at Volusia Speedway Park. And since the top late model racers in the country didn’t come to Florida to take time off, most of the top names have said that they plan to use the Sunday night race to find out what makes Ocala’s odd layout so challenging, and get a fair shot at making some money as well. And because the “Battle Between The Coasts” is scheduled between the other Speedweeks events which feature racers from both of America’s top dirt late model touring series, racers from both the World of Outlaws Late Models and from the Lucas Oil Series will be free to come to Ocala to take on the track and each other.
In addition to exceptional late model action, Ocala Speedway’s own V8 Thunder Stock Division will take to the clay in a unique preseason exhibition that pays $500 to the victor. Astor Recycling has come on board for this event as a sponsor, allowing the purse for this race to pay out more through the field, which will benefit all of the racers no matter where they might finish or how their fortunes might go in the feature event. And as Ocala’s race fans already know, the V8 Thunder Stocks at Ocala Speedway are the most competitive division during the regular season, and racers are not afraid to use fenders, bumpers, or the wall, in their efforts to get to the front of the pack.
Ocala Speedway will open the grandstand gates at 4PM this Sunday afternoon, with racing action scheduled to begin at 7PM. Admission for adults is $25, with kids aged 5 to 16 admitted for just $12. Children 4 and under are free. Racers that have informed Ocala Speedway of their intentions to race include Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr, Josh Richards, Russ King, Darrell Lanigan, Clint Smith, Justin Ratliff, Frank Heckenast Jr, Mike Marlar, Brad Neap, Jonathan Davenport, Chub Frank, Rick “Boom” Briggs, and Shane Clanton, just to name a few. Race organizers are expecting upwards of 50 top late model teams to be on hand for this event, depending on their fortunes during racing at East Bay during the week.
For additional information, plus directions to the track and more, please visit America’s Dirt Track online at www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or call the speedway at 352-622-9400.