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Pearson Powers to Lucas Oil Victory Lane at East Bay

TAMPA, FL (February 16, 2013) – Earl Pearson Jr. rallied from a flat tire to win the $10,000 DART Winternationals finale for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at East Bay Raceway Park. Pearson pitted on lap 37 after suffering a right rear flat and restarted from the tail. He charged through the field, taking the lead from Don O’Neal on lap 52 and led the remainder of the race.

Driving for NASCAR’s Bobby Labonte, Pearson took the Lucas Oil Products and MAVTV sponsored Longhorn Chassis Chevrolet to Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the first time since July of 2010 at Tri-City (IL) Speedway. “It’s been a longtime, no doubt,” said the 4-time series champion who was all smiles from ear-to-ear. “This deal with Kevin Rumley came together just a few months ago and we have come out of the box running much better! I have to thank Steve Shaver, he was my crew chief this week, and everybody at Lucas Oil and MAVTV for their support! It feels great to be back in victory lane!”

Pearson’s win was the third of his career at East Bay and his 25th on the LOLMDS tour. Scott Bloomquist wound up second followed by O’Neal, Jared Landers, and Steve Francis.

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By Scott|2013-02-17T05:10:54-05:00February 17th, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

Owens Overtakes O’Neal, Wins Day Race at East Bay

TAMPA, FL (February 16, 2013) – Jimmy Owens passed race leader, Don O’Neal on lap 16 and went on the take the $7,000 main event at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday afternoon. The race was originally scheduled for Thursday Night, but was rained out. The win marks the second victory at EBRP for the 2-time and reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion.

O’Neal and Dennis Erb Jr. battled it out for the first 15 laps, with Erb officially leading lap 9. Erb had a flat on lap 15, bringing out the first caution of the race. Owens, who started fifth passed O’Neal on the outside after the restart. Owens then led the rest of the race and picked up his second career win at East Bay and the 37th series win of his career. O’Neal came home in second, followed by Eric Jacobsen, John Blankenship, and Vic Coffey.

“For a day race, the track was really great! The crew went out and worked it after the rain delay and there were enough crumbs out there to give everybody traction for the first part of the race,” said the driver of the Mike Reece-owned, Reece Monument Company, Bloomquist Race Cars Ford. “From where we started, I figured that I needed to get to the front before the track took rubber. I saw Erb running up top and I don’t know what happened to him. John (Blankenship) and I had a really good race for second. I was finally able to clear him and was able to catch O’Neal and pass him for the lead.” (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-16T21:28:41-05:00February 16th, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

Pittman Roars to World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Season-Opening Victory

UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by SummitNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit continues Saturday evening

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 15, 2013 – There were hugs, smiles and high fives. Then, a hop onto the back of his car, where Daryn Pittman let out a yell that reached the edges of Volusia County as the confetti blanketed his new ride.
An extremely happy Pittman gave his NASCAR-star boss, Kasey Kahne, a grin as they celebrated on the frontstretch at Volusia Speedway Park Friday night following Pittman’s World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series season-opening victory in front of packed grandstands.

“We were stout from the time we unloaded and we were just lucky enough to come out on top,” Pittman said. “I’m as happy as I’ve ever been driving a race car.”

The 42nd annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment was the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series season debut for Pittman, who got the call near the end of last season to compete for Kasey Kahne Racing.

“They built a really strong team over the offseason and it’s fun to watch,” Kahne said. “I’m glad we were able to get him in our car. I think he’s done really well for a long period of time and now hopefully he can do really well all year for us.

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By Scott|2013-02-16T08:30:37-05:00February 16th, 2013|Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, Featured, Front Page News, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Hoffman Wheels to UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit Victory Friday Night

Defending Gator Champion Holds off Charging Florida Native Kyle Bronson to Claim Modified Money

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 15, 2013 – Nick Hoffman inherited the lead after Matt Cooper of McKenzie, Tenn., had mechanical issues on lap 11, and drove to his first win of the 2013 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Friday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

“I got a pretty good draw and I’m not usually good at the draw deal, said Hoffman, of Mooresville, N.C. “Cooper got the jump on me and he was running right through the middle, but once I found the cushion I knew we’d be in pretty good shape. It was just hard to keep control of it and hit your marks every lap.”

Hoffman, who drew the pole position for the 20-lap main event, battled side-by-side with Kyle Bronson of Brandon, Fla., for the victory with Bronson finishing second. Bronson started 10th and charged to third in only four laps. Bronson also finished as the runner-up to Rodney Sanders on Tuesday’s opening night of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals.

“We got pretty lucky he showed me the top,” Hoffman said. “The next restart I just went up top and blazed the cushion and I felt like it was pretty much game over after that.”

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By Scott|2013-02-16T08:11:01-05:00February 16th, 2013|Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, Featured, Front Page News, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Lanigan STILL On A Roll In The World Of Outlaws

Jim Rouse, BRP Media Ocala, FL – It’s the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Bubba Army Hobby Stocks presented by Ferrea Racing Components turn to take to the 3/8 mile track of Bubba Raceway Park and the action is as hot as Darrell Lanigan’s 2012 season.

Our Hobby Stock drivers sent what Grady Christian called “6 of the best in Florida” and they all went at it for a $1000 prize. Kevin Durden dominated the first 13 laps but when it came to crunch time he had plenty of good company on his back. Going into turn 3 Sean Monoghan dove for 2nd and lost it all as his #51 broke loose to set-up the Green White Checkers. Durden had Tim Gay, winner last time out, and “Shady” Grady Christian trailing and when Gay fell off the pace it let Christian squeeze right into 2nd from starting position #6. Gay actually brought the yellow out as he was unable to exit the track which left “Big KD” to hold off “Shady Grady” and Brian Morgan. Christian seized the opportunity and forgot about the berm in turn 1, held his ground, and escaped the leader. Car #36 led just half a lap but it was the most important part and Grady Christian earned a cool $1000. Durden was a disappointing 2nd while Brian Morgan, Hunter Gustafson, and Devin Walker rounded out the top 5, respectively.

For the 6th time the World of Outlaws Late Models made the trip to Bubba Raceway Park and every driver was trying to make the trip worth it, especially with $7000 on the line. Action started off quickly when Josh Richards, Mike Marlar, and Darrell Lanigan all broke the track record set by Lanigan 364 days ago. Richards won the Ohlen Racing Shocks Fast Qualifer Award with a 13.771 (98.03 MPH) that probably won’t last very long with the way the track has been progressing. The 4 heat races were quite simple as the top 4 of each would lock-in to the A Main feature- Richards, Marlar, and Lanigan all won their heats from pole and Brady Smith won the fourth from the outside pole. The B Main races were quite entertaining as local driver and WoO Rookie of the Year candidate Dillon Wood charged to 2nd and earned the 20th starting spot. Wood joined Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. and Mark Whitener as the Local Representatives. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-16T06:48:31-05:00February 16th, 2013|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off

Don O’Neal Dazzles at East Bay, Wins Main Event

[imagebrowser id=24]TAMPA, FL (February 15, 2013) – Don O’Neal captured his 15th career win at East Bay Raceway Park tonight after taking the lead on lap 39. Doug Drown and O’Neal had a hard fought battle, exchanging the lead several times during the main event. O’Neal captured $10,000 for winning the first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points event of the season.

Drown led the majority of the 50-lap main event and held the top spot until O’Neal chased him down in lapped traffic. Drown fought back hard, closing to within a car length of O’Neal near the end of the race, but came up short in his bid for a first ever LOLMDS win. Pierce; the 16-year-old, second generation driver; held his own, finishing third. He was followed by the Optima Batteries Hard Charger, Earl Pearson Jr., who drove his way from the 18th starting spot to claim fourth, just ahead of Dennis Erb Jr.

“That was a thrilling race, the fans could not have asked for a better feature! We changed so many things on this car, and it was perfect in the end,” said the winner, O’Neal. “I got up to second and we (Drown) raced hard for the lead, I would get by him, then he would come back around me”. The 48-year-old O’Neal piloted the Optima Batteries and Jay Dickens-powered MasterSbilt House Car.

Drown is racing at East Bay for the first-time in his career this week and was excited with his runner-up finish. “Hats off to Don, he drove a great race! I thought we were going to get it for a moment. I looked over at the scoreboard and saw the 71 behind me, and I thought maybe I could him hold him off, but he is obviously one of the best drivers in the country. Just to run with these guys is quite an honor,” exclaimed the elated driver. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-16T06:37:37-05:00February 16th, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

MATT COOPER LEADS ALL 75 LAPS IN EAST BAYS OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS SATURDAY

Jean Lynch for East Bay Raceway Park – Pulling off the biggest win of his career, Matt Cooper out of McKenzie TN drove the race of his life, staring out in front of the 26 car field through 11 caution periods and a mandatory fuel stop Saturday night to close out the 14th Annual Open Wheel Modified portion of the 37th East Bay Raceway Park Winternationals.

“This is the biggest win of my life,” he said in victory lane collecting the $5,000 check for his first-ever win at East Bay driving for his father Ronnie Cooper sponsored by Ronnie Cooper Trucking.

His brand new Mark Bush Racing Bandit car with a Mullins engine was the class of the field, performing flawlessly staying in front all the way having no trouplle pulling away on each and every restart and seemingly getting faster as the laps couned down to 75.

Even more remarkable on the lap 37 fuel mandatory fuel stop, his pit crew surprised him with the news that his Hoosiers had such good tire wear, that he could run as hard as he wanted to the end. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-10T22:03:56-05:00February 10th, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Donny Schatz Brings Out The Broom At Bubba Raceway Park!

Jim Rouse, BRP Media, Ocala, FL – The UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions and UMP DirtCar Modifieds made it an exciting week-end for fans with 3 different winners in 4 feature races. Kyle Strickler was quickest of the week-end in the Modifieds and set a record of 16.244 (83.11 MPH) around the 3/8 mile while Donny Schatz was Kistler Engines Fast Qualifier for the ASCOC at 11.982 (112.67 MPH). Over the course of the week-end Strickler and Daryn Pittman set new track records when Pittman went 11.840 (114.02 MPH) and Strickler set his 16.244.
In feature race action Kyle Strickler made easy work of pole sitter Nick Hoffman and went to work setting the pace. A couple of minor cautions kept the field bunched up but drivers such as Jeff Mathews found themselves a lap down by night’s end. On lap 22 of 30 Dalton Meyers spun his #33X in turn 1 with Strickler and team-mate Nate Caruth in front of Hoffman, Friday night winner Rodney Sanders, and Dave Hess, Jr. The top 4 stayed the same to the checkers but Matt Westfall jumped into the top 5 as Hess fell to 6th. Strickler, “The High Side Tickler” went to work and made some donuts before going to Coors Light Winners Circle $5000 richer!
Dale “Lowrider” Blaney won the Dash for the All Stars and took a massive lead from his pole position. Tim Shaffer led a lap for a brief moment before Blaney used lapped traffic, which had just slowed him down, to take a lead bigger than what he had before. However, with 10 to go “The King” Steve Kinser saw a right rear tire go flat- adding to his woeful 2 nights at Bubba Raceway Park- and he hindered Blaney as he tried to exit the track. Donny Schatz seized the chance to overtake Shaffer and Blaney and he pulled away in his STP #15. Shaffer would stay 2nd while Tony Stewart jumped into 3rd. Schatz nearly lost the lead in traffic but Shaffer couldn’t attack and allowed 5-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz to sweep the week-end at Bubba Raceway Park and grab a cool $7000. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-10T21:57:00-05:00February 10th, 2013|Artic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Winners Circle Sees Some New Faces

The Punta Gorda Speedway put on a great night of racing action for the great fans that continue to support the track. Even a visit from NBC 2, to find out what the future is for the speedway and the see the many supporters it has.

T.Q Midgets took to the track first and ran for twenty five laps with young Chris Gimmler holding off the cars from start to finish. Mike Belusar tried to get by Gimmler several times even putting the cross over move on him once but washed up the track and Gimmler took back the lead when they crossed the lined. When the checkers flew it was Chris Gimmler first, Mike Belusar second and Jimmy Wilkens III was third.

Pro 4 car came out and and Skyler Null had the first couple laps scored as the leader and was fast right from the start. Lap five, Paul Richards Jr battled Null to take over first but Null hung on and was digging hard to stay right with Richards till something broke on the 87 machine and Null had to retire to the pits. With the field lined back up, not sure who was caught sleeping but Jessica Ostrovskis was wide awake and jumped to the inside and passed the field and took over the lead and went on to win her first race. Paul Richards Jr settled for second place while Ryan Collver was third. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-10T21:50:43-05:00February 10th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Punta Gorda Speedway|Comments Off

Competition is Stout at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

The five-day sprint car event begins on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 6, 2013 – The Florida freeways are littered with a variety of multicolored rigs headed for the sun to kick off the 2013 season.

Approximately 40 sprint cars are expected at Volusia Speedway Park for the 42^nd annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, which starts with a practice session on Tuesday, Feb. 12, before two nights of UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions competition and three nights of World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series action on the world’s fastest half mile.

While the usual Outlaws are set to begin another chase at the championship, a group of top-notch talent from across the country isn’t racing for points. They’re after the loot and the unique gator trophy.

Former World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion Danny Lasoski heads the drivers who will compete on the tour sparingly. Lasoski, who claimed two of the five features and the series’ season opener last year, has earned a record 19 feature victories at Volusia Speedway Park.

“I don’t know if its pep in our step, but it’s definitely confidence,” he said. “You’ve been cooped up all winter and you’re just excited to be here. As luck would have it we run pretty well there, too.

“Mostly, the race track fits my driving. I love the big, fast half miles.”

Lasoski isn’t the only former winner headed to Volusia Speedway Park.

Dale Blaney won twice last season – the Commonwealth Clash at Lernerville Speedway and the Sixth annual PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals Presented by NAPA Auto Parts at The Dirt Track at Charlotte – to give the 1998 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year eight career victories. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-07T00:36:29-05:00February 7th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off