World of Outlaws Late Model Series Set For First Modern-Era Visit To South Dakota Facility

RAPID CITY, SD – July 9, 2012 – Rick Eckert has fond memories of his last visit to Black Hills Speedway nearly a decade ago. He’s hoping his return to the facility on Tuesday night (July 10) for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Black Hills 50’ will produce more fun times.

Because make no mistake – Eckert, 46, of York, Pa., could use a major pick-me-up in the wake of arguably the most nightmarish two-week stretch of his distinguished racing career.

“We need a lot of positive stuff to happen,” bottom-lined the defending WoO LMS champion, who won the last national touring-series event held at Black Hills Speedway (Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA series on May 16, 2003). “We need to make some money to help pay for the stuff we’ve torn up and what we’ve broke the last couple weeks.”

Indeed, Eckert went through a meat grinder during the June 22-30 WoO LMS swing through Canada, New York and Pennsylvania that preceded the ‘Wild West Tour,’ which began on Saturday night at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., and continues with the circuit’s first modern-era (2004-present) stop at Black Hills on Tuesday evening. He not only experienced major mechanical trouble with the Freightliner hauler he uses to transport his racing equipment, but also broke three engines in a two-race span. (more…)

Clanton Holds Off McCreadie & Lanigan For Thrilling Victory In NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 At Deer Creek Speedway

By Kevin Kovac, WoO LMS P.R. Director

SPRING VALLEY, MN – July 7, 2012 – Shane Clanton showed some true NAPA Know How on Saturday night at Deer Creek Speedway.

The standout driver from Fayetteville, Ga., made all the right moves in the final laps of the 33rd annual NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 Charity Late Model Race, holding off the two hottest drivers on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to earn a thrilling victory before a standing-room-only crowd.

Clanton, 36, raced three-wide for the lead with Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., off turn two on the last lap before making a timely dive to the inside of the three-eighths-mile oval entering turn three, dulling his challengers’ momentum and preserving his first triumph of 2012 on the WoO LMS. His win in the kickoff event of the circuit’s ‘Wild West Tour’ was worth $11,650, including a $1,000 bonus from NAPA. (more…)