Series | Karnac Racing News

Summit Modified Nationals Joins DIRTcar Summer Nationals for the Eighth Straight Year

Eighth Annual Tour for DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will see Teams have a Chance to Race in 33 Shows

CONCORD, NC — Dec. 7, 2017 — For the eighth consecutive year, the cars and stars of the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will join the most grueling and intimidating tour in short track racing. The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will mirror the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour in 2018 by joining their DIRTcar Late Model counterparts for 28 races in 32 days in seven states. Then the Modifieds will conclude their own version of the Summer Nationals with five additional events held as part of the 29^th annual Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury American Legion Speedway on Friday-Saturday, July 27-28, 2018. The top Modified drivers in the country will chase after a minimum of $1,000 each night and a $5,000 prize for winning the 2018 Summit Modified Nationals Championship as well as bonuses and contingencies totaling almost $50,000.

It all begins on Wednesday, June 13 at Peoria Speedway as the UMP Modifieds kick off their eighth Summit Modified Nationals with their eighth-ever appearance at the track and first of 17 races in the state of Illinois. Then on Thursday, June 14, it’s a return trip to Kankakee County Speedway for the ninth all-time race there. The second-ever appearance at Sycamore Speedway is next for the Mods on Friday, June 15 before the first-ever appearance at the immaculate Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL on Saturday, June 16. The first week concludes on Sunday, June 17 with a return trip to Plymouth Speedway and the first of four races in the state of Indiana.

The second week of Summit Modified Nationals competition starts at Belle-Clair Speedway, followed by trips to Jacksonville Raceway, Spoon River Speedway and Tri-City Speedway on Tuesday-Friday, June 19-22. On Saturday, June 23, the track that has hosted the most races in the tour’s history, the popular Fairbury American Legion Speedway is next. This event will be the 15^th race in Summit Modified history and first of six in 2018. The second week ends on Sunday, June 24 with a trip back to the Hoosier State and the milestone 10^th all-time race at Tri-State Speedway

The third week of the Summit Modified Nationals starts on Tuesday, June 26 at Charleston Speedway. Then for the first time since 2013, Paducah International Raceway, located just south of the Indiana/Kentucky state line in Paducah, KY returns to the Summit Modified schedule on Wednesday, June 27 for the lone trip to the Blue Grass State in 2018. Also returning to the schedule, after a year off, is LaSalle Speedway on Thursday, June 28. Then it’s right back to Indiana on Friday, June 29 at Terre Haute Action Track. On Saturday, June 30, the month ends with the long trip to the Show Me State for the fifth time in Summit Modified history at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. The third week ends on Sunday, July 1 with the fifth all-time race at Lincoln Speedway.

“Coming off a thrilling end to the 2017 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals tour, we can’t wait to get the 2018 tour underway,” said Summit Racing Equipment Motorsport and Events Manager Jim Greenleaf. “The grueling test that it takes to run this tour is one thing but to have the level of competition to go along with it is a true testament to DIRTcar UMP Modifieds.”

The Summit Modified Nationals roll into the fourth week of competition with the lone Volunteer State invasion on Tuesday, July 3 and the fifth all-time appearance at Clarksville Speedway. The next race will see the Summit Modified Nationals celebrate the United States of America’s 242^nd birthday with the eighth-ever event at Fayette County Speedway on Wednesday, July 4. Next on the schedule is Thursday, July 5 at Macon Speedway, while Farmer City Raceway is on Friday, July 6 with the sixth ever appearance there. On Saturday, July 7 the road weary teams will head to Highland Speedway for the seventh-ever race there. Week four concludes on Sunday, July 8^th with the fifth-ever Summit Modified race at Quincy Raceways.

The fifth week of the Summit Modified Nationals starts with the tour’s first-ever appearance at Shadyhill Speedway in Medaryville, IN on Tuesday, July 10. Then the next night, Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, MI will try again to host its first-ever Summit Modified Nationals event on Wednesday, July 11. In 2017, the originally scheduled first-ever Summit Modified race at the 1/3-mile circular shaped/semi-banked dirt oval located along the Lake Michigan shoreline, was rained out. Then it’s time for the traditional doubleheader weekend at Oakshade Raceway on Friday-Saturday, July 13-14 with the milestone 10^th (Friday) and 11^th (Saturday) all-time appearances.

The Summit Modified Nationals teams will get some time off before they conclude their 2018 schedule on Friday-Saturday, July 27-28 back at Fairbury American Legion Speedway for the tour finales. On Friday, four Feature races will set the field for Saturday’s $5,000-to-win headliner. This event will showcase the 16-20^th races in Summit Modified Nationals history at #FALS (the most at any track) and the final five races in 2018, crowning the 2018 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Champion.

To see the full schedule and for more information about the 2018 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, visit modifiednationals.com. You can also follow the tour throughout the off-season and into race month by visiting the DIRTcar Summer Nationals social channels. Just search for “Summer Nationals” on both Facebook and Twitter for the very latest updates. Every night of the 2018 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will be joined by the headlining DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour for DIRTcar Late Models. Information on the Late Models can be found at: thehelltour.com.

–By: Matt Prieur

DIRTcar PR

By Scott|2017-12-08T17:20:09-05:00December 8th, 2017|Racing News, Upcoming Events, World of Outlaws|Comments Off

FASTRAK Racing Series gears up for Championship Weekend at Screven Motor Speedway

Carnesville, GA – The FASTRAK Racing Series is gearing up for the 2017 Championship Weekend, a two-night event at Screven Motor Speedway, November 17th and 18th. The first night of Championship Weekend will be a $2,000 to win feature event with the second night paying $3,000 to win.
The 2017 FASTRAK Racing Series has seen a competitive points battle all season long. The Championship will be decided after the second night of Championship Weekend. Benji Hicks, of Mt. Airy, NC, currently leads the FASTRAK Racing Series with 392 points. Hicks has picked up four wins during the 2017 campaign. A run of four consecutive top-fives helped stretched his points lead to 22 points heading into the final two races of the season. He has finished in the top-five in eight races this season.
Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, TN, currently sits second in the Championship fight with 370 points. Ford has one victory this season, winning the June 17th race at Toccoa Raceway, and four top-fives.
Defending Champion, Cla Knight of North Augusta, SC is in third with 369 points. Knight picked up a win at the Rebel Yell in FASTRAK’s last visit to Screven Motor Speedway on July 22nd. He has piloted his way to four top-five finishes on the FASTRAK Racing Series tour.
Ronda, NC’s Matthew Nance sits fourth in the FASTRAK Racing Series points with 366. Nance has four top-five finishes this season and notched his first career FASTRAK Racing Series win on July 3rd at Lavonia Speedway.
Ron Parker of Belwood, NC rounds out the top five in points with 349. Parker has driven to four top-five finishes during the 2017 FASTRAK Racing Series season.
The total purse for the FASTRAK Racing Series Championship Weekend is over $25,000. FASTRAK’s sister series, the ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series will also host their championship event at Screven Motor Speedway with a $5,000 to win event on November 18th.
Additionally, the FASTRAK Racing Series will try a new format at Screven Motor Speedway. Teams will be divided into two groups, A and B, for qualifying by pill draw. Teams’ qualifying efforts will lock them into heat races within their groups.
“Several of our teams have said they would like to see a new format,” said Stan Lester of FASTRAK, “We try to listen to our teams and although I disagree with them on this one, I am willing to try it and see if we are not seeing something they are. As long as it still brings the competitive racing we always see in the FASTRAK late model series events, because our fans are happy as well, then we will consider it for 2018”.

Full purse for Friday, November 17:
1) $2,000; 2) $1,000; 3) $700; 4) $600; 5) $500; 6) $450; 7) $400; 8) $375; 9) $350; 10) $325; 11) $315; 12) $300; 13) $275; 14) $265; 15-24) $250

Full Purse for Saturday, November 18:
1) $3,000; 2) $1,500; 3) $900; 4) $650; 5) $600; 4) $500; 5) $450; 6) $425; 7) $400; 8) $365; 9) $340; 10) $325; 11) $300; 12-24) $275

Check out the official website for the FASTRAK Racing Series at www.fastrakracing.com and continue to follow our social media networks for the FASTRAK Racing Series. Like and Follow our Fan Page on Facebook plus follow @FASTRAK_SE and/or @FASTRAK_MOV on Twitter to get up to the minute news and details as they become available.

The 2017 marketing partners for the FASTRAK Racing Series are Chevrolet Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Beyea Headers, Rocket Chassis, TNT Race Cars, Arizona Sport Shirts, Simpson Safety Equipment, Safecraft Fire Suppression Systems, Rockauto.com, RacingJunk.com and Thomas Clarke Performance.

—FASTRAK PR

By Scott|2017-10-30T21:32:29-04:00October 30th, 2017|Fastrak Late Model Series, Racing News, Regional, ULTIMATE Super Late Model Seires|Comments Off

Hudson O’Neal Emerges as Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year

BATAVIA, OH (October 30, 2017) Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville, IN has quickly established himself as a future star in dirt late model racing. O’Neal wrapped up the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season in ninth place in the final championship standings and officially clinched the 2017 Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year – Presented by Hot Rod Processing.

“I’ve accomplished so much this year and learned a lot,” O’Neal exclaimed. “I didn’t meet all my expectations, but I learned more than I could ever have imagined, and had the time of my life doing it! I’m already looking forward to the 2018 season.”

O’Neal ended his rookie season with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series with seven (7) top five finishes, seventeen (17) top ten performances and he will collect over $10,000 in cash and other prizes at the year-end awards banquet.

O’Neal attributes his success this season to his team and the support of his sponsors. “I want to thank Todd Burns for this opportunity, I can’t say enough about this team and how hard they’ve worked all season. I’m so grateful to my sponsors: Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Tarpy Trucking, Sub-Surface of Indiana, West Side Tractor Sales Co, Kimball Midwest by Krissie, Mark Martin Automotive and Penske Racing Shocks.”

Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry. Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company’s marketing strategy. Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more. Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as: Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, CA. For more information about Lucas Oil Products, Inc. visit: www.lucasoil.com.

Hot Rod Processing powered by Mann Merchant Processing Systems, LLC is one of the leading providers of credit and debit card processing for the motorsports industry. They enable merchants to accept payments for their merchandise and services by providing transaction processing, risk management, fraud detection, 24 hours / 7 days a week merchant assistance, support and chargeback services. Hot Rod Processing works with and services some of the largest merchants in the nation, accounting for over $9.3 billion dollars in card processing. Hot Rod Processing has extensive relationships with multiple banks and processors and interfaces with every management operating system and processing platform, including hardware/software applications providing merchants with tailor-made applications and enabling the most cost-effective processing solutions. Hot Rod Processing can provide credit card services for practically any and all merchants. For more information about Hot Rod Processing, visit: www.hotrodprocessing.com.

By Scott|2017-10-30T19:54:48-04:00October 30th, 2017|Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National, Racing News|Comments Off

Super Late Models will Compete for the Sport’s Largest Winning Prize in Inaugural Mega-Event August 24th & 25th, 2018!

MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Super Late Model division will have a new mega-event next year with the introduction of the “Dirt Million” on Aug. 24-25, 2018, at Mansfield Motor Speedway, track promoter Cody Sommer announced.

Super Late Model drivers will compete for a minimum of $100,000 to win and $2,000 to start in the inaugural Dirt Million at the 4/10-mile oval, but the purse will continue to increase throughout the 2018 calendar year via a unique format and promotion that allows dirt racing families, friends, sponsors, fans and teams everywhere in the world to play a role in building the feature’s payoff. The total purse for the event can climb to a spectacular $1 million, which would result in the weekend’s A-main offering a $500,000 winner’s prize and $10,000 just to take the green flag. Under a unique format, the Dirt Million will be a part of the 2018 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule.

The Dirt Million becomes the latest addition to Sommer’s growing promotional resume. This year Sommer spearheaded the transformation of Mansfield Motor Speedway from an asphalt track that hosted crowds of over 20,000 fans for NASCAR Truck Series races to a world-class dirt facility by presenting several special events, including a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series program in July.

Sommer sees the creation of the Dirt Million and its unprecedented purse-building setup as possibly being a snapshot into the future of the sport.

“We live in a world today where individual people are more social, expressive and impactful than ever before,” Sommer said. “This event is catered to that fact and it will be very rewarding to watch the sport rally together, unified with one common goal.

“This event is truly one that rewards individuals for showing their support and getting behind something – literally the more it escalates the more it helps everyone, especially how it gives back to the racer.”

Sommer has billed the Dirt Million as an event “for the racers, by the fans.” He said virtually every aspect of the blockbuster will have a contributing element.

For starters, every driver registering for the event will become part of the event’s contribution system through a profile page at DirtMillion.com. Anyone who decides to support the race – by buying an event ticket, event merchandise, making a cash contribution directly to the purse or even paying a driver’s entry fee or pit pass – can specify the driver in whose name they’re contributing; the drivers who receive the most support will be in line for event benefits, including possible provisional starting spots for the headliner.

In addition, a portion of every ticket, camping reservation, VIP suite and pay-per-view video package sold will go directly to the growing purse, making the payoff ever-more lucrative. Simply stated, the more fans that attend the Dirt Million, the bigger the purse will be, providing incentive for drivers and teams to promote, endorse and support the event because their own fans’ investment in purchasing a ticket will help them as racers directly.

“If I was to explain this in the simplest way possible to a racer right in front of me, it’s this: The more you yourself, sponsors and fans support this event, the more money you are going to be able to race for,” Sommer said. “What is extremely ironic and not normal at all is that I am essentially putting a rev-limiter on the promoter side. There are plenty of events where a promoter packs the place and walks out with substantially more money than the guy that won the race, and the bottom line is this event is just not one of those events and it is not going to be through its design.”

Sommer said the guaranteed $100,000-to-win/$2,000-to-start purse totals $200,000 but the final payoff come race day will rise even higher. Each position in the 28-car field will increase by a corresponding percentage of the financial contributions that accumulate for the event, meaning that for every dollar contributed 50 percent will be added to the winner’s payoff; 10 percent to second place; 5 percent to third place; 3 percent to fourth place; 2 percent to fifth place; and downward to 1 percent for last place.

“So let’s say a fan says, ‘Man this is cool, I want to donate $5 to this,'” Sommer said. “They know that $2.50 (50%) of that $5 is going to the winner of that race and 1% is going to the guy that started the race. It’s the same for contributions of $10, $100 or whatever.”

If an additional $350,000 is raised, the purse would grow to $275,000 to win, $55,000 for second, $27,500 for third and down to $5,500 to start. If enough money is generated to reach the full $1 million payout goal, the $500,000 going to the race winner would be followed by such payouts as $100,000 for second, $50,000 for third and $10,000 to start the main event.

In the coming months additional details for the event will be released. Also soon to come will be the launch of DirtMillion.com, which will be the hub for the sport to watch the event’s purse grow in real time and include the registered driver profile pages amongst many other unique features.

Dirt Million event management is encouraging all fans and teams to follow their social pages on Twitter @DirtMillion and Facebook.com/DirtMillion. The event website will be launched soon at www.DirtMillion.com.

–LODLMS PR

By Scott|2017-10-26T21:20:10-04:00October 26th, 2017|Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National, Racing News|Comments Off

DIRTcar Nationals Just Got Bigger

Now five nights of Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block action and four nights of World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Models — Feb 6-17, 2018 at Volusia Speedway Park

CONCORD, NC — Oct. 25, 2017 — The 2018 racing calendar just got more exciting…what better way to start a new season than with 12 nights of racing in Florida in February. Major changes to the event program highlight the new and exciting schedule for the 47th annual DIRTcar Nationals as the racing season kicks off Feb. 6 through 17, 2018.

New to the 2017 DIRTcar National schedule is added nights for the premier dirt racing series in the Northeast, the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds and the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series where Every Night is a Shootout. The DIRTcar UMP Modified all feature night featuring Triple-20’s has been moved up earlier in the week to Friday, Feb. 9. The All Star Circuit of Champions kick off five straight nights of Sprint Car action on Feb. 7th and 8th, while the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be in action from Friday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 11. The 12-nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park will conclude with five days of action for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds and four nights for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Models on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Over the course of the 12 action-packed nights, drivers in their respective divisions will be competing for one the most sought-after trophies in racing, the Big Gator. This past winter Nick Hoffman in the Modifieds, David Gravel in the Sprint Cars, Brett Hearn in the Big-Block Modifieds, and Shane Clanton in the Late Models all wrangled the competition to take home the Big Gator prize to kick off the racing season.

The historic DIRTcar Nationals is the most accessible motorsports event in Florida in February. Every ticket to DIRTcar Nationals is a hot pass, so fans can get up close and personal to all the action — and to their favorite drivers.

Volusia Speedway Park, located in Barberville, Florida, is a half-mile, high-banked, clay oval, known as the World’s Fastest Half Mile. The track opened as a quarter-mile oval in 1968 and then expanded to a three-eighths-mile in 1969, and then once again expanded to a half-mile in 1972. The clay oval was paved in 1989 and was then converted back to dirt in 1997 and has been dirt ever since.

To see the full schedule breakdown, visit DIRTcarNationals.com. Tickets for DIRTcar Nationals start at just $20 and are on sale now by calling 844-DIRT-TIX (347-8849), or by visiting www.DIRTcarNationals.com. Follow DIRTcar Nationals on Twitter.

—DIRTcar Nationals PR

By Scott|2017-10-26T17:29:28-04:00October 26th, 2017|National, Racing News, Super DirtCar Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

CARS Tour Announces 2018 Season Schedule and Unprecedented Competitor Incentive Programs

Mooresville, NC 8/24/17 – The CARS Tour announced the 2018 schedules for both the Super Late Model Tour and the Late Model Stock Car Tour during a press conference at South Boston on Friday evening, along with several incentive programs that the series hopes will boost car counts and loyalty amongst teams in the future.

For the first time in CARS Tour history, the SLM and LMSC Tours will not run identical schedules, as the Late Model Stock Car Tour will run 12 races in 2018, while the Super Late Model Tour will only run nine races. Both divisions will still share seven races with each other during the 2018 season, including the Mid-Atlantic Classic at Orange County Speedway, the Throwback 276 at Hickory Motor Speedway, and the season finale at South Boston Speedway.

The CARS Tour will also venture to five new tracks for the 2018 season. The CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour will make stops at Wake County Speedway, Ace Speedway, Carteret County Speedway and Kingsport Speedway for the first time in the series’ history. The Super Late Model Tour will travel to Tennessee on April 7th to participate in a combination race with the Championship Racing Association and Southern Super Series at Fairgrounds Speedway.

Changes to the purses in both divisions were also announced in Friday’s press conference. The CARS LMSC Tour purse, which is based on a 28-car field, will be increased by 12% in 2018, with the average purse for each race being $32,450 in comparison to the $28,875 spread out amongst the drivers in 2017. A driver who wins a CARS LMSC Tour race in 2018 will earn $6,000 instead of $5,000, and any driver who starts a race will automatically earn $700.

The purse for the Super Late Models in 2018 will also be based on a 28-car starting field, with one major change being that the purse for SLM events will be aligned with other SLM sanctioning bodies. Unlike the LMSC Tour, four races in the SLM Tour will award $10,000 to the winner of the event, which will be the races at Myrtle Beach Speedway, Anderson Motor Speedway, the Mid-Atlantic Classic, and a race that has yet to be announced for May 20, 2018.

The CARS Tour also announced the Touring Twelve program for the Late Model Stock Car Tour, which is a loyalty program that will consist of twelve Late Model teams that plan to compete in every points event for the 2018 season. There will be several benefits for Touring Twelve teams that will include a reduced entry fee of $825, and a guaranteed minimum of $1,000 in earnings for each race. Touring Twelve teams will also receive two sets of discounted Hoosier tires, four complimentary race tickets to all CARS LMSC Tour points races, and an opportunity to be featured on CARS Tour merchandise.

In order for teams to participate in the Touring Twelve program, CARS LMSC Tour teams must sign an agreement to participate in all regular season races and complete driver and owner registrations by March 2, 2018. Drivers will be required to have their name and likeness used on CARS Tour branding and merchandise, and must be committed to participate in limited driver appearances throughout the season, along with running a special throwback scheme at the Throwback 276 on August 4, 2018.

There will also be a loyalty program for CARS LMSC Tour competitors who do not participate in the Touring Twelve program. Any car owner in the division that competes in three consecutive races will receive a $500 bonus as a part of their winnings for the third event, which could result in an additional $2,000 in winnings for the 2018 season. A driver who participates in this program is not required to start in the season opener at Tri-County, and can run any three consecutive LMSC Tour races of their choice.

Other programs announced by the CARS Tour include a Hometown Hero bonus, in which any non-CARS LMSC Tour regular who is in the top three in a track’s LSMC points prior to the CARS Tour arrival will receive free Hoosier Tires for the CARS Tour race at that track. Information regarding finances and fees for CARS Tour teams will remain the same with the exception of late fees, which will drop to $100 in 2018 as opposed to the $250 late fee implemented in 2017.

For additional information on the CARS Late Model Stock Tour and the CARS Super Late Model Tour visit www.carsracingtour.com. Be sure to stay active and social with the tour by liking “CARS Tour” on Facebook, following @CARSTour on Twitter, and scrolling through photos on Instagram cars_tour. Additional series information can be obtained by calling the CARS Tour series office, located in Mooresville, NC, at 704.662.9212.

2018 CARS Tour Schedule:
March 3 Tri-County Speedway Hudson, NC Open Practice/SRI Performance Media Day
March 10 Tri-County Speedway Hudson, NC LMSC $10,000 to win.
March 24 Myrtle Beach Speedway Myrtle Beach, SC SLM $10,000/LMSC
April 7 Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville, TN SLM w/CRA and SSS
April 7 Wake County Speedway Raleigh, NC LMSC
April 21 Mid-Atlantic Classic Rougemont, NC SLM $10,000/LMSC
May 5 Hickory Motor Speedway Hickory, NC SLM/LMSC
May 20 TBA TBA SLM $10,000/LMSC
June 9 Ace Speedway Altamahaw, NC LMSC
June 9 Anderson Motor Speedway Williamston, SC SLM w/SSS $10,000
June 23 Carteret County Speedway Swansboro, NC LMSC
July 14 Kingsport Speedway Bloomingdale, TN LMSC
August 4 Throwback 276 Hickory, NC SLM/LMSC
Sept 8 Orange County Speedway Rougemont, NC SLM/LMSC
Oct 13 South Boston Speedway South Boston, VA SLM/LMSC

—CARS Press Release

By Scott|2017-10-25T17:15:17-04:00October 25th, 2017|CARS Racing Tour, Racing News, Regional|Comments Off

Richards Wins Dirt Track World Championship; Clinches First Lucas Oil Title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 21, 2017) – Josh Richards completed a dream night at Portsmouth Raceway Park on Saturday night. The West Virginia native won his first-career Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by Optima Batteries, worth $100,000, and the 2017 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship, worth $75,000.

Richards became the fourth different leader of the race when he passed race leader and defending DTWC winner, Brandon Sheppard for the lead after a lap 46 restart. Richards led the rest of the way to take his tenth series win of the season over Sheppard, Jonathan Davenport, Mike Marlar, and Jared Hawkins.

Jonathan Davenport started on the pole and led early on. Sheppard took over the point on lap 36, and then began pulling away from the field until a caution on lap 46 slowed his pace. On the restart, Richards; who was running third; went around Sheppard to take over the lead and stayed in front until the checker flag waved.

Tim McCreadie entered the race as the series point leader by 40 points over Richards and 75 ahead of Bloomquist. During the race McCreadie suffered two flat tires and Bloomquist had a tire go down while running second to Richards. Bloomquist finished the race in 12th and McCreadie was credited with a 17th place finish.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane after the biggest win of his career, the 29-year-old was emotional when being interviewed. “I have to collect my thoughts right now. I can’t thank everyone enough for this opportunity. I made a tough decision last year to switch teams. We didn’t know what was going to happen. We started the year off well, and then we went to a bunch of new tracks and kind of fell off a little. We struggled a little bit, but so did those other guys. We got on a hot streak in July though.”

“Coming into this weekend we felt pretty good and I know Scott [Bloomquist] and Timmy [McCreadie] did too. Thanks to Best Performance Motorsports, Eric and Kelly Brock for giving me this opportunity.
It’s been a crazy year. Randall Edwards has done such a great job as crew chief. There are so many people behind this team and that supported me. I felt everything in the last four or five laps. I have been through this scenario enough to know. I knew the tires were slipping away, but fortunately they held up to the end.”

The Best Performance Motorsports, Rocket Chassis entry is powered by an Andy Durham Racing Engine and sponsored by: Bulk Material Lift.com, Corey Frazier-State Farm Insurance, Alexander Lawn and Landscaping, Ultimate Firepit, Sunoco, Integra, Keyser, Riggs Motorsports, and Valvoline.

Sheppard, the runner-up and defending DTWC winner, joined Richards in Victory Lane with another podium finish in the crown jewel event. “We had a pretty good car. Josh got around me on that restart and he did a good job out in front. I look up to him a lot. I drive for his dad. It’s been a dream come true driving for Mark [Richards], we have had a great year. Being able to learn from Josh has been great. We would have liked to get the win tonight, but there’s nobody else I’d like to finish second to than Josh.”

Davenport, who was sporting the Flintstone Flyer scheme commemorating the late Mike Duvall, came home in third in the G.R. Smith-owned, Rocket Chassis entry. “Congrats to Josh and Brandon on their run tonight. We were good early on. I just don’t have this place down pat yet for some reason. We keep getting closer.”

Completing the top ten were Zack Dohm, Chub Frank, Brandon Overton, Darrell Lanigan, and Dennis Erb Jr.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday, October 21st, 2017
RhinoAg Dirt Track World Championship – presented by Optima Batteries
Portsmouth Raceway Park – Portsmouth, OH

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 – ROUND ONE Finish: Hudson O’Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Kyle Bronson, Josh Bocook, Lee Logan, Mark Frazier, Jared Miley, Byron Meeks, Ronnie Whitt

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 – ROUND ONE Finish: Scott Bloomquist, Dennis Erb, Jr., Gregg Satterlee, Eric Wells, Tyler Erb, Colton Flinner, Jason Montgomery , RJ Conley, Corey Conley

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 – ROUND ONE Finish: Jackie Boggs, Devin Gilpin, Ben Adkins, Doug Drown, Zack Dohm, Kyle Hardy, Kirk Phillips, Jeff Arnold, Clint Keenan

QA1 Heat Race #4 – ROUND ONE Finish: Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Brandon Overton, Rod Conley, Jason Feger, Jason Jameson, Chris Hackett, Stephen Breeding, Brandon Fouts

ASi Racewear Heat #5 – ROUND ONE Finish: Jared Hawkins, Jimmy Owens, Chub Frank, Steve Francis, Audie Swartz, Billy Staker, Shane Hitt, Billy Gullion, Frank Heckenast, Jr.

DirtOnDirt.com Heat #6 – ROUND ONE Finish: Tim McCreadie, Michael Brown, Mike Marlar, Tyler Carpenter, Darrell Lanigan, Robbie Scott, Dale McDowell, Larry Holbrook, Steve Stollings

Rhino Ag Heat #7 – ROUND ONE Finish: Brandon Sheppard, Josh Richards, Mason Zeigler, Chris Ferguson, Devin Moran, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Mike Benedum, Dave Hornikel, Jason Perry

Optima Batteries Heat #8 – ROUND ONE Finish: Delmas Conley, Jason Covert, Steve Casebolt , Boom Briggs, Tim Dohm , Shannon Thornsberry, Kevin Wagner, Charlie Jude, Craig Wolford

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 – ROUND TWO Finish: Eddie Carrier, Jr., Earl Pearson, Jr., Brandon Sheppard, Scott Bloomquist, Jared Hawkins, Ben Adkins, Craig Wolford, Steve Stollings, Ronnie Whitt

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 – ROUND TWO Finish: Dale McDowell, Jason Perry, Shannon Thornsberry, Jason Montgomery , Jason Feger, Michael Brown, Kirk Phillips, Byron Meeks, Frank Heckenast, Jr.

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 – ROUND TWO Finish: Jimmy Owens, Steve Casebolt , Tyler Carpenter, Jared Miley, Jason Jameson, Colton Flinner, Jeff Arnold, Dave Hornikel, Billy Gullion

QA1 Heat Race #4 – ROUND TWO Finish: Rod Conley, Josh Richards, Boom Briggs, Don O’Neal, Kyle Bronson, Jackie Boggs, RJ Conley, Audie Swartz, Darrell Lanigan

ASi Racewear Heat #5 – ROUND TWO Finish: Doug Drown, Mike Marlar, Chris Ferguson, Gregg Satterlee, Devin Gilpin, Chris Hackett, Billy Staker, Kevin Wagner, Lee Logan

DirtOnDirt.com Heat #6 – ROUND TWO Finish: Zack Dohm, Brandon Overton, Steve Francis, Devin Moran, Tyler Erb, Hudson O’Neal, Dennis Erb, Jr., Jason Covert, Robbie Scott

Rhino Ag Heat #7 – ROUND TWO Finish: Jonathan Davenport, Brandon Fouts, Chub Frank, Tim McCreadie, Josh Bocook, Delmas Conley, Eric Wells, Mike Benedum, Kyle Hardy, Optima Batteries

Heat #8 – ROUND TWO Finish: Tim Dohm , Mark Frazier, Shane Hitt, Clint Keenan, Stephen Breeding, Larry Holbrook, Charlie Jude, Mason Zeigler, Corey Conley

Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (Top 2 Transfer): Tim Dohm, Tyler Carpenter, Kyle Bronson, Devin Moran, Delmas Conley, Kyle Hardy, Steve Stollings, Chris Hackett, Craig Wolford, Clint Keenan, Kirk Phillips, Jared Miley, Jason Jameson, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Josh Bocook, Robbie Scott, Shane Hitt, Jason Perry, Frank Heckenast, Jr.

Fast Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (Top 2 Transfer): Chris Ferguson, Dennis Erb, Jr., Jason Covert, Dale McDowell, Boom Briggs, Tyler Erb, Jason Feger, Dave Hornikel, Audie Swartz, Hudson O’Neal, Gregg Satterlee, Billy Staker, Darrell Lanigan, Jason Montgomery , Larry Holbrook, Jeff Arnold, Mike Benedum-DNS, Billy Gullion-DNS, Corey Conley-DNS

Sunoco B-Main #3 Finish (Top 2 Transfer): Devin Gilpin, Eric Wells, Jackie Boggs, Steve Francis, RJ Conley, Mark Frazier, Michael Brown, Lee Logan, Colton Flinner, Kevin Wagner, Byron Meeks, Brandon Fouts, Charlie Jude, Mason Zeigler, Shannon Thornsberry, Ronnie Whitt, Ben Adkins-DNS, Stephen Breeding-DNS

Non-Qualifiers Race Finish: Jackie Boggs, Jason Covert, Mason Zeigler, Boom Briggs, RJ Conley, Kyle Bronson, Kyle Hardy, Jason Feger, Michael Brown, Kirk Phillips, Mark Frazier, Tyler Erb, Chris Hackett, Craig Wolford, Colton Flinner, Jason Jameson, Dale McDowell, Byron Meeks, Dave Hornikel, Audie Swartz, Steve Stollings, Clint Keenan, Larry Holbrook, Lee Logan

Feature Finish (100 Laps):
FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN EARNINGS
1 5 1R Josh Richards Shinnston, WV $100,800
2 4 1S Brandon Sheppard New Berlin, IL $20,000
3 1 F1 Jonathan Davenport Williamston, SC $10,000
4 9 157 Mike Marlar Winfield, TN $7,000
5 14 11H Jared Hawkins Fairmont, WV $5,000
6 15 17D Zack Dohm Cross Lanes, WV $3,500
7 16 1* Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA $3,200
8 11 116 Brandon Overton Evans, GA $3,000
9 23 14 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY $3,500
10 21 26 Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL $3,200
11 20 28C Tyler Carpenter Parkersburg, WV $2,450
12 6 18 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN $3,400
13 10 71R Rod Conley Wheelersburg, OH $2,350
14 24 71HU Hudson O’Neal ® Martinsville, IN $3,100
15 28 B1 Josh Bocook Wheelersburg, OH $2,250
16 22 18E Eric Wells Hazard, KY $2,200
17 8 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY $2,950
18 27 81F Brandon Fouts Kite, KY $2,100
19 18 22F Chris Ferguson Mount Holly, NC $2,075
20 7 71 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN $2,860
21 13 C9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN $2,050
22 2 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN $2,840
23 3 28 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL $2,830
24 17 6T Tim Dohm Cross Lanes, WV $2,020
25 26 15 Steve Francis Bowling Green, KY $810
26 25 22 Gregg Satterlee ® Rochester Mills, PA $800
27 19 1G Devin Gilpin Columbus, IN $2,000
28 12 240 Doug Drown Wooster, OH $2,000
29 29 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY $2,000

Race Statistics
Entrants: 67
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport (Laps 1 – 34); Brandon Sheppard (Laps 35 – 46); Josh Richards (Laps 47 – 100)
Cautions: Gregg Satterlee (Lap 12); Hudson O’Neal, Brandon Fouts (Lap 16); Devin Gilpin, Jackie Boggs, Hudson O’Neal, Tim McCreadie, Brandon Overton (Lap 16); Gregg Satterlee (Lap 18); Jimmy Owens, Gregg Satterlee (Lap 40); Jimmy Owens (Lap 42); Tim Dohm (Lap 45); Earl Pearson Jr. (Lap 46); Jimmy Owens (Lap 53); Tyler Carpenter (Lap 67); Chris Ferguson (Lap 83); Scott Bloomquist (Lap 92); Tim McCreadie (Lap 92)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Darrell Lanigan, Hudson O’Neal
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: Gregg Satterlee, Steve Francis
Wrisco Feature Winner: Josh Richards
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Darrell Lanigan (Started: 23rd; Finished: 9th; Advanced 14 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Tim McCreadie
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Mike Marlar
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Josh Richards
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Hudson O’Neal
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Randall Edwards (Josh Richards)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Jonathan Davenport (Lap #31 – 15.3499 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Josh Richards (54 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Jonathan Davenport
Time of Race: 79 minutes 28 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:
POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS EARNINGS
1 1R Josh Richards Shinnston, WV 8345 $321,050
2 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY 8280 $286,550
3 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 8230 $268,925
4 5 Don O’Neal Martinsville, IN 7675 $165,935
5 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 7665 $169,365
6 14 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY 7495 $138,950
7 1 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 7400 $141,145
8 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL 6985 $108,100
9 71 Hudson O’Neal ® Martinsville, IN 6915 $104,310
10 22 Gregg Satterlee ® Rochester Mills, PA 6795 $123,835
11 15 Steve Francis Bowling Green, KY 6610 $86,640
12 99B Boom Briggs ® Bear Lake, PA 5910 $68,100

*Points are unofficial until Close of Business on the Tuesday following Race Day*

—LOLMDS Press Release

By Scott|2017-10-25T17:04:00-04:00October 25th, 2017|Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National, Racing News|Comments Off

Dirt Track World Championship – Preliminary Results

PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 20, 2017)- The battle for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Championship all comes down to Saturday. In the final event of the 2017 season, the final sixteen heat races are in the books for the 37th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship – presented by Optima Batteries. Tonight’s program saw drivers competing in two rounds of heat races, racing for a combined passing points total, all to determine the starting grid for Saturday night’s 100-lap main event.

Round one saw leading Rookie of the Year candidate, Hudson O’Neal win the first heat race. Other heat race winners in round one were: Scott Bloomquist, Jackie Boggs, Don O’Neal, Jared Hawkins, Tim McCreadie, Brandon Sheppard, and Delmas Conley.

The second round of heat races started off with a bang, as Eddie Carrier Jr. took home the win in the first heat after a hard-fought battle with Earl Pearson Jr. Other heat race winners in the second round were: Dale McDowell, Jimmy Owens, Rod Conley, Doug Drown, Zack Dohm, Jonathan Davenport, and Tim Dohm

After all the passing points were tallied, the fastest lap between the top-two drivers determined the pole position. Jonathan Davenport will start on the pole of the main event. Jimmy Owens was just a few tenths of a second shy of earning the pole position, and will start on the outside of the front row. Earl Pearson Jr., Brandon Sheppard, and Josh Richards round out the top-five for Saturday night’s DTWC main event.

Action at the track on Saturday will start with a Dirt Racing Outreach Service at 3:30pm in the Turn 4 grandstands. A Driver Autograph Session will take place at 4:30PM, followed by a silent auction to benefit Hurricane relief efforts at 5:00PM. Hot Laps will begin at 6:00PM, and the first B-Main will begin at 7:00PM. Rounding out events on the track will be the Open Wheel Modifieds main event, the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race, and the 37th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship – presented by Optima Batteries, 100-Lap, $100,000-to-win main event.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Friday, October 20th, 2017
RhinoAg Dirt Track World Championship – presented by Optima Batteries
Portsmouth Raceway Park – Portsmouth, OH