Francis and Madden on COMP Cams Topless 100 Front Row

LOCUST GROVE, AR (August 17, 2012) – Steve Francis of Ashland, KY and Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC will make up the front row for Saturday Night’s 20th Annual COMP Cams Topless at Batesville Motor Speedway. Both drivers won their respective heat races in Friday Night’s preliminary action for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

Francis captured Wiles Driveshafts heat race number one as he got by race leader, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN with two laps to go. Bloomquist got boxed in behind a lapped car heading into turn number three and Francis took full advantage by zipping past the Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier. Bloomquist finished second followed by 4-time Topless 100 winner, Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR and first-time Topless 100 starter Todd Hall of Charleston, MO.

In the U. S. Steel heat number two, Jared Landers of Batesville, AR inherited the lead when racer leader, Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA broke an axle tube and flipped in turn number four. Reddick, who was dominating the heat race escaped uninjured in the incident. Landers, the 2010 Topless 100 winner then ran off to capture the win. He will start third in tomorrow night’s main event.   Former Topless 100 champ, Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA finished second to Landers, followed by John Blankenship of Williamson, WV and Morgan Bagley of Longview, TX. (more…)

By |2012-08-18T05:38:41-04:00August 18th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Race Results|Comments Off on Francis and Madden on COMP Cams Topless 100 Front Row

Haudenschild Finds Red River to His Liking

W. FARGO, N.D. (Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012)By Brian Liskai – Jac Haudenschild might have to change his nickname from “The Wild Child” to “The Rough Rider,” the moniker of North Dakota, where the Wooster, Ohio native dominated the University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions event at Red River Valley Speedway Wednesday.

The win is Haudenschild’s first with the UNOH All Stars since 2006 and is his 23rd overall with the series, moving him into 24th on the all-time win list just one way away from tying Sammy Swindell and Keith Kauffman.  Haudenschild becomes the 19th different UNOH All Star winner in 2012 with his first series win of 2012.  “I have to thank Tom Liedig for putting me in this car,” said Haudenschild beside the Auto Electric Jupiter/Motter Equipment/Dan and Ruth Motter backed Maxim. “The car was really quick tonight on an awesome race track. I didn’t know if Paul (McMahan) or anyone was coming, so I just ran it as hard as I could and we ended up on top.” (more…)

By |2012-08-17T22:51:56-04:00August 17th, 2012|Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off on Haudenschild Finds Red River to His Liking

Daniel Hemric Scores Seventh Win In 11 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Starts

Knack for adapting to new tracks quickly continues at Auto City Speedway 

Clio, Michigan (Thursday, August 16th, 2012): The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance made its first ever visit to the 0.393 mile semi-banked uniquely-shaped paved oval of Auto City Speedway, located north of Flint in Clio, Michigan for the running of the BRAD 100 Presented by JEGS.com. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star, Brad Keselowski was in attendance and served as Grand Marshall for the event as the JEGS/CRA Teams went head to head with the tracks weekly LaFontaine Performance Center Super Stocks division who utilize the JEGS/CRA rulebook for their weekly competitors.

The weekly competitors turned in a valiant effort but in the end the results were the same as they’ve been for seven of the 11 JEGS/CRA races held as Kannapolis, North Carolina standout, Daniel Hemric was the driver standing in victory lane as the driver of the #54 Jack Link’s Beef Jerky / Scott Neal Racing / Chevrolet passed race leader Brent Downey with just five laps to go to secure the victory and extend his already healthy points lead. (more…)

By |2012-08-17T22:44:42-04:00August 17th, 2012|CRA Racing Series, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off on Daniel Hemric Scores Seventh Win In 11 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Starts

GM 604 Crate Engine Becomes IMCA Modified Option in 2013

It’s official: IMCA Modified History Will be Made Under the Hood Next Race Season

VINTON, Iowa – Jan. 1, 2013 marks the introduction of division-wide allowance of the GM 604 crate engine by IMCA Modifieds. It will be the first time in the 35-year history of the class that an engine which cannot be claimed is allowed in sanctioned competition.

“We have tested the crate motor the last two months on different tracks and different conditions,” IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root said. We’ve tweaked minimum weight and spoiler options. While we don’t know the combination of weight and spoiler yet, we do know the GM 604 crate motor will be an option in our 2013 Modified engine rules.”

Modified drivers can continue competing with a claim engine.

Both affordability and drivers’ reluctance to claim engines prompted IMCA to study crate options and to begin testing. (more…)

By |2012-08-17T21:23:14-04:00August 17th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, IMCA, Racing News|Comments Off on GM 604 Crate Engine Becomes IMCA Modified Option in 2013

Pittman dominates Front Row Challenge for UNOH All Star win

OSKALOOSA, Iowa   It s been a tough year for Daryn Pittman. But the Front Row Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway provided just the rest medicine for him and his team.

The Owasso, Oklahoma native led all 25 laps to earn his 7th career University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions victory and second series win of 2012. Pittman leads the UNOH All Stars Eastern Region points,

This belt just saved my job. My car owner (Mike Heffner) is adamant about trophies and after the year we ve had I really wanted to get this for him,  said Pittman of his Lelands.com, Pasquariello s, Danny s Auto Salvage backed #27.  I pulled probably the biggest bone head moves of the season at the 360 nationals and killed a brand new car. But, my crew worked their butts off to build this car. They have worked hard all year and this is the best medicine for this team.  (more…)

By |2012-08-17T18:15:28-04:00August 17th, 2012|Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off on Pittman dominates Front Row Challenge for UNOH All Star win

Richards Returns To World of Outlaw’s Tour For Michigan Swing

CONCORD, NC – Aug. 16, 2012 – HE’S BACK: Josh Richards has watched from afar this season as Darrell Lanigan has supplanted him as the most winning driver on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series since 2004.

This weekend, though, Richards will return to the national tour that made him a star with hopes of dulling Lanigan’s domination – and maybe even reclaiming the number one spot on the alltime win list.

Absent from the WoO LMS since deciding in April to pursue a NASCAR career by running the Nationwide Series, Richards, 24, of Shinnston, W.Va., will drive one of his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house cars in NAPA Auto Parts-sponsored events on Friday night (Aug. 17) at Winston Speedway and Saturday evening (Aug. 18) at Merritt Raceway. The pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events in Michigan will mark Richards’s first WoO LMS starts since March 31 when he finished sixth in the Illini 100 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway. (more…)

By |2012-08-17T17:25:29-04:00August 17th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Racing News|Comments Off on Richards Returns To World of Outlaw’s Tour For Michigan Swing

Hearn Returns for Super DIRTcar Series Win at Lebanon Valley

Starting 23rd, Brett Hearn Beats out Jimmy Phelps for Victory

WEST LEBANON, N. Y. – August 17, 2012 – Brett’s back. And Brett “the Jet” Hearn’s return to the Super DIRTcar Bit-Block Modified Series did not disappoint.

Sudden illness kept Hearn from competing in last week’s series events at Merrittville and I96 Speedways, but he made up for his absences with a stunning victory at Lebanon Valley Speedway’s $17,500-to-win “Mr. DIRT Track USA” Thursday, Aug. 16.

After starting 23rd, even Hearn, seven-time Super DIRTcar Series champion and regular racer of Lebanon Valley’s high-banked half-mile, was surprised to find himself leading the field through the checkered flag.

“I’m totally in shock,” said Hearn in victory lane. “I really didn’t know what to expect tonight.”

Hearn had made the fast time with a 19.673-second lap, nearly setting a new track record. However, a broken set of gears forced him to the pits early in his qualifier, causing him to finish tenth in the heat. His team prepped the backup car and Hearn powered it to second place in a last-chance qualifier, putting him 23rd in the starting grid. (more…)

By |2012-08-17T17:16:56-04:00August 17th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Super DirtCar Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Hearn Returns for Super DIRTcar Series Win at Lebanon Valley

Nine-Time ARCA Champ Kimmel Appearing at Menards Stores in Springfield

(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) – This weekend, the stock cars of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will compete on the dirt mile at the Illinois State Fair, and nine-time ARCA champion and seven-time Springfield winner Frank Kimmel will be front and center.

Kimmel, driver of the No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota for ThorSport Racing, will appear at two Menards stores in Springfield to promote Sunday’s race.

Saturday, Kimmel will appear at the North store, located at 2701 Marketplace Dr. – near Exit 100B from I-55 – from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  Later that afternoon, he will be at the South store, located at 3325 S. Veterans Pkwy. – near Exit 93 from I-72 – from 2-3:30 p.m. The 75-time ARCA race winner will meet and greet fans, sign autographs, and pose for pictures next to his No. 44 show car. Guests who purchase a pair of Ansell gloves inside the store will receive a voucher for a free second pair of gloves, presented by Kimmel outside the store. (more…)

By |2012-08-17T17:12:28-04:00August 17th, 2012|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Nine-Time ARCA Champ Kimmel Appearing at Menards Stores in Springfield

The GEICO Battle by the Beach Presented by Sunoco to Air on SPEED This Saturday August 18th at 4PM EST

WAYCROSS, GA (August 17, 2012) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned event from Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL, held July 13th, will air on SPEED Channel this Saturday, August 18th at 4PM EST. The GEICO Battle by the Beach, Presented by Sunoco was filmed for broadcast in High Definition by Lucas Oil Studios, a division of Lucas Oil Products, Inc.

Fans will want to tune in to watch this event that saw several drivers challenge for the first place prize that paid $10,000. In front of a huge spectator crowd, this event drew a stellar field of drivers from all over the country. Numerous camera angles, driver interviews, in-car cameras, technical segments, along with the 50-lap feature event, will be included in the SPEED Channel broadcast.

“We want to encourage all of our great fans to watch the LOLMDS event on SPEED this Sunday. Lucas Oil Products and all of our Team Lucas partners have made it possible to bring dirt late model racing to TV’s across the globe in 2012. We have a tremendous amount of quality within our shows and that’s a direct reflection of the leadership within Lucas Oil and Lucas Oil Studios, which makes for the best dirt racing on TV,” stated Ritchie Lewis, Series Director. (more…)

By |2012-08-17T17:03:39-04:00August 17th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Racing News|Comments Off on The GEICO Battle by the Beach Presented by Sunoco to Air on SPEED This Saturday August 18th at 4PM EST

Illinois Drivers Invade ARCA at Springfield Mile Dirt

(TOLEDO, Ohio – August 16, 2012) – As the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards entry list continues to build momentum for this Sunday’s 50th Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds mile dirt in Springfield, so too does the interest from the locals.

Last check, eight drivers from Illinois are shaking off the dust on their ARCA cars. Apparently, the lure of racing with ARCA’s finest fulltime competitors, combined with the tradition of this historic race in their home state, is just too much to avoid.

El Paso, Illinois’s Ryan Unzicker leads the charge. Unzicker, driving for fellow Illinoisan Bill Hendren, is the 2011 UMP Late Model National Champion and has a strong contingent of fans that follow his career. In two career ARCA starts at Springfield, Unzicker finished a career-best sixth in 2003. (more…)

By |2012-08-16T19:20:11-04:00August 16th, 2012|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Illinois Drivers Invade ARCA at Springfield Mile Dirt