Featured | Karnac Racing News

It’s Not Funny Anymore- Stay Away Rain!

Jim Rouse, Ocala, FL- After our second consecutive rain-out at Bubba Raceway Park, it’s getting pretty aggravating. The Bubba Army 360 Sprints will try to be the deterrent of the rain, while the Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks, 1-800-ASK GARY Thunder Stocks, TQ Late Models, and Rent-N-Roll Gladiators have received the call as well. It’s set to be a great night of racing this Saturday!

In the Bubba Army 360 Sprints, Robbie Smith holds an eight point advantage over “Capatian” Tony Agin. Both drivers are winless at the track since the reconversion to dirt in 2008, but both are very consistent. A couple more winless drivers sit within 25 of the leader in Terry Witherspoon (-22) and rookie Andy Cobb (-24). AJ Maddox completes the top five, but sits 37 back after a couple of rough finishes. Danny Martin, Jr. and Matt Kurtz have a win each in the points paying rounds, and Kurtz has a non-points win on the season.

Tyler Clem holds a 16 point advantage over Jason Pope in the Limited Late Models after three rounds, one of which was won by now-11-year-old Clem. Chuck Jackson sits a further seven back, while Tim Powers- two time winner in 2013- is fourth, 46 back. Forrest Gough continues to see wins go to the wayside with misfortunes, but it will make that win so much sweeter. We’ll see what’s in store in this wild division as they take to the track for the fourth time in 2013. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-29T14:57:39-04:00August 29th, 2013|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS TO COMPETE IN THREE RACES IN THREE STATES LABOR DAY WEEKEND

NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point leader Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN in the #5 NeSmith Chevrolet Special and Tait Davenport of Benton, KY in the #18 Murtco, Inc. Special will be looking to continue their side-by-side duel in three races this weekend at Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, AR this Friday night, West Plains Motor Speedway in West Plains, MO this Saturday night, and Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS this Sunday night. (Chad Wells Photo)

CARTERSVILLE, GA – The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division is ready to embark on a three-race Labor Day Weekend journey that will take them to Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, AR on Friday night, West Plains Motor Speedway in West Plains, MO on Saturday night, and Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS on Sunday night.

Round 17 of the 2013 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division will be Batesville Motor Speedway for a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race. West Plains Motor Speedway will present Round 18 on Saturday night with a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race. Both Batesville Motor Speedway and West Plains Motor Speedway are first time venues for the Touring Division.

Magnolia Motor Speedway will present Round 19 on Sunday night with a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race, the second event of the season on the “Black Ice” for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-29T14:40:21-04:00August 29th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series|Comments Off

Dale Hollidge Runs Race Of His Life To Score Upset Triumph In Raye Vest Memorial 50 At Winchester Speedway

Young Maryland Racer Reaches Victory Lane In First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main Start

082413_WinchVL WINCHESTER, VA – Aug. 24, 2013 – Dale Hollidge lived a dream on Saturday night at Winchester Speedway.

Making the very first World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main start of his career, the 24-year-old driver from Mechanicsville, Md., drove to a stunning victory in the Raye Vest Memorial 50 Presented by Ernie D’s Enterprises.

Hollidge failed to grab the lead from the pole position at the initial green flag, but he relentlessly chased D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa., for more than half the caution-free race before finally grabbing the top spot on lap 39. He dominated the remainder of the distance, pulling away to score one of the biggest upsets in WoO LMS history.

The $10,550 triumph completed an amazing sweep of the racing program for Hollidge, who also set fast time and won a heat race. It was also his first-ever dirt Late Model win at the three-eighths-mile Winchester oval – which his mother, Denise, manages for track owner Greg Gunter – and just his fourth career victory overall in the full-fender division.

“I’ve been racing my whole life with my dad and everybody,” said Hollidge, who is in his fifth season of dirt Late Model racing. “But to win one of these races, you really don’t think about it, so when it happens it’s kind of a shock for you.” (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T14:37:41-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off

Schatz Charges to Thrilling Oil City Cup Win at Castrol Raceway

In backup car, champ nets 17th World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car victory

082413_Castrol2_VL_web EDMONTON, Alberta – Aug. 24, 2013 – Donny Schatz continued a streak of 14 consecutive World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series podium finishes on Saturday night when he took a backup car to victory lane in the Oil City Cup finale at Castrol Raceway.

Schatz, who crashed hard during a hot lap session at the beginning of the night, was forced to race a backup car, which he qualified in a position that put him on the front row of a heat race and the perfect position for the dash inversion that helped him secure a front row starting spot for the 30-lap A-main alongside Friday night’s winner Kerry Madsen.

For the second night in a row, Madsen started from the pole and led the most laps, but Schatz was relentless in his pursuit of the Aussie, often going wheel-to-wheel before finally making a pass for the lead on lap 24 only to have Brad Sweet charge past Madsen then Schatz to lead lap 28 before Schatz went back to the front for the final two laps and his 17th victory of the season and the 141st win of his career. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T14:27:39-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Billy Boyd, Jr. Wins East Bay Sprints 2nd Annual Bob Long Memorial In Dominating Fashion

Photo Courtesy: Mike Horne Photography

August 24, 2013 – Tampa, FL – It was another night of watching the skies as Mother Nature was trying to end the night before it was started. A few drops came from the skies above but eventually went away as 15 Sprints were ready to claim the 2^nd Annual Bob Long Memorial. Also racing were the Outlaw Fours, V8 Warriors and the Motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers.

First feature went to the Outlaw Fours. Winning the heat was Jesse James Foster. For the feature it was Megan Meyer and Nick Hebrank. When the green flag waved it was Hebrank leading lap one until lap two when Meyer spun in turn one facing the wrong way. On the restart it was Hebrank leading the field until lap three when Billy Howard took over the lead and never looked back. “We finally got the monkey off our back. We were leading the last race and the motor blew up. I was almost ready to sell this and help my dad on his Open Wheel” said Howard in Victory Lane. Rounding out the top five were Nick Hebrank, Brandon Yates, Jesse James Foster and Megan Meyer.

Next up were the V8 Warriors. Winning their heats were Tommy Hill and Bill Whitney who also made up the front row for the feature. When the green flag waved it was Hill leading the way from green to checkered flag winning his second feature of the season. Several cars battled lap after lap trying to catch him but were not able to. Rounding out the top five were Marco Reyes, Bill Whitney, Derik Rose and Jeff Weaver. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T06:21:33-04:00August 25th, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Francis is Fantastic, Wins Whiskey City 50 at Lawrenceburg Speedway

913955_10151390826541016_1678096201_o LAWRENCEBURG, IN (August 24, 2013) – Steve Francis claimed his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season on Saturday Night at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Francis held off fellow Kentucky driver, Brad Neat for the win. Jimmy Owens finished third followed by Jared Landers and John Blankenship.

“They made us work hard for this win tonight. The car got a little hot and it was quite a battle! I had guys running on the inside of me, outside of me, and they were everywhere! The track was in great shape tonight,” said Francis, who remains second in the LOLMDS Championship Points Standings.

Early on, Francis battled with Eddie Carrier Jr. Duane Chamberlain who caught up to the leaders, and a three-wide battle for the lead ensued. Chamberlain last led on lap 17 until Francis forged ahead.

Neat ran second for three circuits early in the race before falling back but later charged back into the runner-up slot on lap 25. Owens, who started eighth, made his way into the top five near the end after battling side-by-side with Landers for third in the final laps. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T06:08:57-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

ELLIOTT WINS TOUGH TAZEWELL NeSMITH CHEVROLET DLMS RACE

rsz_cleveland_5-18-13_032 TAZEWELL, TN – There’s a famous saying in racing that to finish first, one must first finish. That was the strategy Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, TN used to win his first NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series race in his first start in the series in the 40-lap main event on Saturday night at Tazewell Speedway driving the Car Smart Auto Sales CVR.

After starting second in the race, Elliott dropped back to the sixth spot in the action packed early laps of the race, but as the competitors in front of him fell to the wayside for various reasons, Elliott took over the lead on lap 23 after leader Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS dropped out, and then he held off a late race challenge from Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL to take the $2,000 win.

“I fell back early in the race, and that time, I didn’t think I had a very good race car, but as the drivers in front of me kept falling out, the race just came to me,” Elliott said. “I didn’t have anything for Johnny Stokes, and I hated he fell out the way he did, but I’ll take the win.”

Bronson was able to get close to Elliott in the closing laps of the race, but couldn’t make a challenge for the lead and had to settle for second in the Brandon Ford Warrior and was also the Rookie of the Race. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T00:36:58-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series|Comments Off

Madsen Dominates Oil City Cup Opener at Castrol Raceway

Aussie earns third World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series win of the year

082313_Castrol_VL_web EDMONTON, Alberta – Aug. 23, 2013 – Kerry Madsen avoided mayhem behind him and powered to victory during Friday’s opening night of the Oil City Cup at Castrol Raceway for his third World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series victory of the season.

Madsen earned the pole and was able to keep his Keneric Racing EarthEx KPC out front, which was key on a night where several of the contenders were caught in separate incidents, including a nine-car melee that collected 20-time champion Steve Kinser and championship points-leader Daryn Pittman.

Five-time champion Donny Schatz charged nine positions to eventually finish second in the 30-lap feature. He has finished third or higher in every event since the Kings Royal on July 16 as he has charged up the standings in his quest for a sixth series crown.

Top qualifier Brad Sweet was third as Paul McMahan and Joey Saldana rounded out the top five. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T00:21:36-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Madden Holds Off Ogle, Wins Scorcher at Volunteer Speedway

8-22-13-Chris-Madden-Scorcher-Winner1 BULLS GAP, TN (August 22, 2013) – Chris Madden held off defending Scorcher winner, Billy Ogle Jr. to win the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event on Thursday Night at Volunteer Speedway. Madden led all 50 laps for the $10,000 victory. The win marked his second series win of the season. Ogle stayed within striking distance of Madden over the last half of the race, but Madden proved to be too strong. For the third consecutive LOLMDS event, Dale McDowell finished third. Scott Bloomquist came home fourth, followed by 5-time track champion, Vic Hill.

“That was a demanding 50 laps! Joe (Loven) gave us a heck of a racetrack tonight; I thought it was in better shape tonight than it has been in a long time! I slowed up for a little bit, and I couldn’t figure out why I was so loose getting into the corners,” said the driver of the Clements Racing Engines, Bloomquist Race Cars Chevrolet.

“I had a great race car tonight, and we just picked up where we left off at Batesville last week. We made a few adjustments and the car was awesome from the time we unloaded it! I have to thank Century Plastics, Hamricks of Gaffney, Cushman Paint and Body, Henderson Amusement, Hoosier, Ohlins, and everybody else who helps out,” said the 38-year-old racer who recorded his fourth career LOLMDS win. (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T00:14:32-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

Lanigan Captures Milestone 50th Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main At Little Valley Speedway

Survives Late Charge From Stone To Reach Victory Lane At New York Track For Second Consecutive Year

082213_LittleValVL LITTLE VALLEY, NY – Aug. 22, 2013 – Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., showed the fast way around Little Valley Speedway for the second consecutive year, leading all 50 laps of Thursdaynight’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main for his milestone 50th career win on the national tour.

But while Lanigan cruised alone out front for virtually the entire distance to score his series-leading ninth triumph of 2013, his final margin of victory was a slight 0.377 of a second. That’s because Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., made a gallant late-race charge, overtaking both Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., over the final seven circuits and closing within a car length of Lanigan at the checkered flag.

Richards settled for third place after starting from the pole position, maintaining his comfortable lead in the WoO LMS points standings with 11 races remaining on the schedule. The two-time series champion ended the night with a 62-point advantage over Lanigan, who moved past Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., for second in the title battle (more…)

By Scott|2013-08-25T00:08:48-04:00August 25th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off