WAYCROSS, GA (April 11, 2013) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is pleased to announce the talented group of young drivers that have officially declared to compete for the series Rookie of the Year title in 2013. This year’s group of drivers includes two racers from the state of Illinois and another young gun out of the state of Arkansas. This group of racers not only has the talent to compete for the coveted JRi Shocks Rookie of the Year – presented by Dunn-Benson Ford, but could also contend for the series national points championship while becoming the next stars of the sport.

The 16-year-old driving sensation Bobby Pierce, the son of the legendary Bob Pierce, will be piloting the #32 Pierce Race Cars House Car as he competes for the JRi Shocks RoY- presented by Dunn Benson Ford in 2013. “Little Bobby”, from Oakwood, IL has already won three (3) RED BUCK Fast Time awards in 2013. He leads the RED BUCK Fast Time points category among all drivers and sits fourth (4th) in the LOLMDS national points standings. Bobby is currently leading the JRi Shocks Rookie of the Year – presented by Dunn-Benson Ford points standings after eight (8) events in 2013.

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KILGORE, TX (April 6, 2013) – Two-time and reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion Jimmy Owens survived to win the 50-lap High Banks Havoc on Saturday Night at LoneStar Speedway. Owens earned $10,000 for his second LOLMDS win of the season and the 38th of his career.

Owens took the lead from Scott Bloomquist on lap 33 and then held off Bloomquist for the win. Steve Francis finished third followed by Don O’Neal and Jared Landers.

“It is really a weight off of our shoulders to win this race after we had a rough time in Florida. It really was a pretty good race having several different leaders, I saw Scott running a line to avoid the holes and I followed him for a longtime, and finally we were able to pass him,” said Owens.

“You had to have a super good car tonight to withstand the tough track conditions. My crew worked really hard to prepare the car for these conditions tonight and it paid off. We’ve been needing a good points night and we got it tonight. I have to thank my car owner Mike Reece, Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Sunoco Race Fuels and everybody else with this race team.” (more…)

WAYCROSS, GA (April 4, 2013) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and LaSalle Speedway officials have announced that the “Spring Shootout”, scheduled for May 11th will be expanded this year. This year’s event will now be two single day shows. There will be a complete show on Friday, May 10th, paying $10,000 to win and a complete show on Saturday, May 11th, paying $10,000 to win.

The LOLMDS was originally scheduled to visit Hartford Motor Speedway on Friday, May 10th. Series officials were notified by Hartford Motor Speedway management that the health of track owner Jim Borden has worsened. The Borden family has decided to cancel the LOLMDS event to focus on their family during this trying time.

“We are extremely appreciative that Jim Borden stuck it out last year during his illness by having the passionate Hotovy family and his friends at Lane Automotive promote the very successful LOLMDS event. The series is again sadden by the recent news of Jim’s condition and will continue reverent prayers for Jim and the entire family during this trying time. We certainly understand their decision and ask everyone keep the family in our thoughts and prayers”, stated Director, Ritchie Lewis. (more…)

BROWNSTOWN, IN (March 23, 2013) – Dennis Erb, Jr. came from the eighth starting spot to win the 16th Annual Indiana Icebreaker sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on Saturday Night at Brownstown Speedway. Erb, took the lead on lap six from Josh McGuire and went unchallenged the rest of the way for the $10,000 victory.

Erb’s fifth career LOLMDS win tonight was also his first series win outside of East Bay Raceway Park in Florida. Don O’Neal finished second, followed by Greg Johnson, Jared Landers, and Bobby Pierce.

“The car was amazing all night; we didn’t change much at all! This was probably the best car I have had here at Brownstown. In the feature, the track was racy from top to bottom. We started on the outside of the fourth row and the top was great, so that’s where I stayed and it didn’t take us long to get to the front,” said Erb, who earned his fourth career win at the South-Central Indiana track.

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WAYCROSS, GA (March 13, 2013) – The 16th Annual Indiana Icebreaker has become a springtime tradition in the Midwest, and will take place on Saturday, March 23rd. The LOLMDS-sanctioned event is held at the historic Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, IN. The single-day event will pay out over $50,000 with Red Buck Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains and a 50-lap $10,000 to win/ $800 to start feature event.

The Indiana Icebreaker will be the first event for the LOLMDS since the DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL held last month. Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN comes into the Indiana Icebreaker sitting on top of the Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings. O’Neal, a 3-time series runner-up in the national points standings began his late model career at Brownstown Speedway in 1990 and is the defending champion of the Indiana Icebreaker. (more…)

WAYCROSS, GA (February 1, 2013) – A pair of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers have dominated the racing action “down under” in Australia over the past month.  Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Steve Francis of Ashland, KY are undefeated in feature competition, with Owens wrapping up his trip this weekend.

Francis captured the Australian National Title a year ago, and won every preliminary and feature event he participated in. He began this season’s trip back in December and ended his trip in late January. In commanding fashion, he led every lap in all of his events.  Francis, who will be piloting the Georgia Boot-sponsored, Barry Wright Race Cars #15, for Clint Bowyer Racing on the LOLMDS tour in 2013, drove for both Michael Holmes and Bruce McKenzie in Australia.

The “Kentucky Colonel” kicked off the Wild West Tour on December 26th at Perth Motorplex in Kwinana, Western Australia. He quickly captured the opening preliminary feature event and then followed it up the following night by winning the main event.  Francis then ventured to Manjimup Speedway in Middlesex, Western Australia on December 29th. He ended up in victory lane once again after winning the feature event.  He wrapped up the Wild West Tour title by winning at Collie Speedway in Collie, Western Australia on January 5th, staying undefeated at that point of his trip. (more…)