Lonnie Wheatley, TAMPA, Fla. (February 24, 2012) – Shane Stewart is rapidly establishing himself as an unstoppable force at East Bay Raceway Park’s 36^th Annual Winter Nationals as he raced to victory lane for the second time in as many nights of 14^th Annual “King of the 360’s” competition atop the 1/3-mile clay oval.

After winning Thursday night’s opener, the Bixby, OK, native slid past Tim Crawley in turns three and four on the third round and led the rest of the way in Friday’s 25-lapper to make it two-for-two aboard the Gaerte Engines/DDNi/GLR Investments No. 3g. 

With a sweep of preliminary feature action on Thursday and Friday, Stewart has earned the pole position for Saturday night’s $10,000-to-win Ronald Laney Memorial. (more…)

Lonnie Wheatley, TAMPA, Fla. (February 23, 2012) – Bixby, Oklahoma native Shane Stewart kicked off East Bay Raceway Park’s 14^th Annual “King of the 360’s” Nationals by racing to victory lane in Thursday night’s 25-lap feature at the 36^th Annual Winter Nationals.

Stewart worked traffic on the 1/3-mile clay oval to his advantage by racing from third to first on the 11^th round en route to victory lane aboard the Gaerte-powered XYZ Machining No. 3g. 

While Stewart gridded the feature field inside the third row, pole starter Lou Kennedy, Jr., outgunned fellow front row starter and 2006 “King of the 360’s” Terry McCarl for the lead at the drop of the green flag.  (more…)

James Essex, Public Relations Coordinator

TAMPA, FL (February 18, 2012) – Steve Francis of Ashland, KY outdueled defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN in an exciting finish at East Bay Raceway Park. Francis picked up $10,000 for his win in the finale of the 36th Annual DART Winternationals. He scored his second win of the week, in doing so. The duo was followed by Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; and Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL.   Erb earned the week-long DART Winternationals Championship. He won $5,000 for his efforts. 

He had to withstand Owens’ repeated efforts over the last four laps after a caution came out for Jason Riggs. On the restart Owens tried the inside of Francis several times, but Francis repelled him at each turn. Francis also won the Thursday night installment of the Winternationals. O’Neal was able to get by Bloomquist on the 60th and final lap to claim third after pitting for fresh tires on lap 27. (more…)

TAMPA, FL (February 17, 2012) – Battling back from an early caution, Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, IL had the fans on their feet as he captured Friday night’s exciting 50-lap DART Winternationals event. Erb took the lead on lap 48 and roared to the finish in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned race. 

Erb originally started 14th on the grid, but tangled with Austin Hubbard on lap three. This brought out the first caution of the race. Erb pitted, changed a tire, and restarted in 23rd position. He then charged through the field, and passed Randy Korte of Highland, IL on lap 47. Erb got around both Korte and Tyler Reddick at the same time. He powered away and took his Bloomquist Race Cars #28 to victory lane for the second time in his career at East Bay. (more…)