Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929
World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Delaware International Speedway/Hagerstown Speedway Doubleheader
CONCORD, NC - May 17, 2010 -
OPPOSITE FATES: Josh Richards was perfect. Tim McCreadie was snakebit.
And as a result, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship battle took a dramatic turn during the national tour's East Coast doubleheader.
McCreadie entered the swing to Delaware International Speedway (May 13) and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway (May 15) leading the WoO LMS standings by 10 points over Richards, but by the time everyone headed home after Saturday night's action the two former champions were no longer in a neck-and-neck battle for the top spot. Richards won both 50-lappers while McCreadie absorbed a pair of
disastrous DNFs, leaving Richards atop the standings by 56 points over Darrell Lanigan and 70 over McCreadie.
After flashing virtually mirror-image consistency over the season's first 12 events, Richards and McCreadie saw their fates go in different directions last weekend. Richards was almost shocked to end the weekend as the first driver to lead the WoO LMS standings by greater than 50 points since Lanigan capped his 2008 championship season with a record 160-point margin.
"McCreadie didn't have a very good weekend, but it could happen to any of us," said the 22-year-old Richards, who leads all drivers with four wins (no one else has won more than once), 10 top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 14 A-Mains contested to date this season. "We're just trying to enjoy this and win as many races as we can. We're off to a great start this year, but our luck can
change in a heartbeat."
Just ask McCreadie. The 36-year-old from Watertown, N.Y., was searching for answers after running into trouble while in contention for at least a top-five finish in both events.
McCreadie's troubles began on lap 23 of the 'First State 50' at Delaware International when he slowed with a cut right-rear tire while running fifth. He returned after a pit stop and raced back to 10th place before a broken jackshaft eliminated him on lap 43, forcing him to settle for a 16th-place finish.
Things got worse at Hagerstown for McCreadie, who was holding sixth place on lap 20 of the 'Conococheague 50' when he pulled to the inside of the homestretch to bring out a caution flag. He quickly crawled out of his cockpit and hopped around in obvious pain; hot fluid from a cut oil line had been spraying on his right leg for several laps before he finally had to abandon ship. McCreadie
reported afterward that he escaped the incident virtually unscathed, noting that his skin didn't even blister from the heat of the oil.
"We broke a jackshaft and cut an oil line in back-to-back races – that's just plain bad luck," said McCreadie, who was credited with a 24th-place finish at Hagerstown. "It's gonna be hard to make up all the points we lost this weekend, especially with the way Josh is running. But we can't worry about it. There's still a long way to go – and anyway, I just want to get running better so we
can win some races."
VACATION DAY: The off-day between the Delaware International and Hagerstown events once again provided many WoO LMS travelers an opportunity to hit the beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun.
The Outlaw teams of Steve Francis, Chub Frank, Clint Smith, Tim Fuller, Rick Eckert, Brady Smith, Shane Clanton, Russell King and Jill George all invaded the nearby seaside resort of Ocean City, Md., on Friday. Ocean temperatures were still too low for any swimming, but the series regulars enjoyed warm weather, cold drinks at the Purple Moose Saloon and other establishments, volleyball
on the beach, the boardwalk and other shore staples.
GIRLS GALORE: Delaware International's 40-car field included three machines driven by females – WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidate Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, as well as DIS regulars Staci Warrington of Milton, Del., and Amanda Whaley of Millsboro, Del.
Whaley, a 15-year-old dirt Late Model rookie about to complete her freshman year of high school, made the biggest impression. The daughter of former DIS dirt Late Model regular Rick Whaley, Amanda became the third female driver in the history of the WoO LMS to start an A-Main, qualifying through a B-Main in what was her first-ever Outlaw appearance and just the fifth Super Late Model
start of her burgeoning career.
"I want to race in the World of Outlaws someday," said Whaley, who completed 33 laps to record a 19th-place finish in the 'First State 50.' "That's what I want to do. That's my goal."
The 19-year-old Warrington, meanwhile, shined early in the night, registering the ninth-fastest lap in time trials. But she missed transferring through the first B-Main by two spots.
If Warrington had qualified for the A-Main, it would have marked the first time that three female drivers competed in the same WoO LMS feature. George gained entry to Delaware's 50-lapper thanks to a provisional and finished 23rd, retiring on lap 13 after her new Rocket car sustained damage when she was clipped under caution by Ricky Elliott, who had stopped in turn four to bring out a
caution and did not realize that George was passing by when he gunned his car around to head to the pits.
BUSY DAY: WoO LMS rookie Austin Hubbard's visit to Delaware International – the track closest to his home in Seaford, Del. – had him in the spotlight before he even arrived at the half-mile oval.
Hubbard, 18, spent two hours early in the afternoon at the Seaford heardquarters of his longtime sponsor Trinity Transport, meeting many of the trucking company's 100-plus employees and posing alongside his Beitler Motorsports No. 19 for pictures. A special 'Hubbard Homecoming' t-shirt was also produced for the occasion.
While Hubbard's evening at DIS appeared to be headed toward disappointment when he struggled in his heat race, he rallied from the 19th starting spot to finish fourth in the A-Main. It was his sixth top-five finish of 2010; only former series champions Richards, McCreadie, Lanigan and Steve Francis currently match or exceed Hubbard's total.
QUICK ON THE CLOCK: Rick Eckert had no peer in Ohlins Shock Time Trials during the doubleheader as he set fast time at both tracks, including a New Track Record effort (18.096 seconds) at Hagerstown.
But Eckert's early-evening speed didn't translate into success in the A-Mains. He finished a quiet sixth at Delaware International after running in the top five for most of the distance, and a broken rearend ended his night at Hagerstown on lap 39 as he ran fifth.
Eckert raced with a heavy heart on Saturday after the passing of his paternal grandfather, who died on Friday at the age of 99.
SOLID RUN: Nick Dickson knew he had no reason to hang his head after finishing a WoO LMS career-best fifth in the 'Conococheague 50' at Hagerstown, but he couldn't help feeling just a tinge of disappointment. After all, the 29-year-old from Lewistown, Pa., spent most of the distance running in third place – and on a lap-39 restart, he even slid around the outside of Steve Francis to
momentarily move to second place and get visions of an upset victory dancing in his dreams.
Alas, Dickson settled for fifth in his father's Rocket car after being overtaken on the final lap by Jason Covert. The move earned Covert, who started 11th in Barry Klinedinst's Rocket, the $500 WoO LMS 'Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't among the top 12 in the points standings.
"It was a little blow to my esteem when Covert drove by me on the last lap," said the personable Dickson, whose car was shod with America Racer tires. "I would've loved to have been the first 'local' guy across the line, but Covert is a real good, hard racer and he always runs good in these Outlaw shows.
"Really, though, it was awesome to race near the front with a bunch of professionals. I was giving it everything I had."
NEXT UP: The WoO LMS is off until Memorial Day weekend when the tour visits Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on Fri., May 28, and West Virginia Motor Speedway on May 29-30. Bedford will host a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event, while WVMS's 'RaceFest' weekend includes an $8,000-to-win program on Sat., May 29, and a $10,000-to-win show on Sun., May 30.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard
Charger Award) and Chizmark & Larson Insurance; in addition to contingency sponsors Eibach Springs, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pink Carburetors, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.
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Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929
Just Enough Power: Richards Holds Off Brady Smith To Capture 'First State 50' At Delaware International Speedway
DELMAR, DE - May 13, 2010 - Josh Richards had just enough power left under the hood of his Rocket Chassis house car to capture Thursday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series 'First State 50' at Delaware International Speedway.
Running more than half the A-Main's distance on what he said was seven cylinders, Richards managed to turn back a furious late-race challenge from Brady Smith to record his series-leading third victory of the 2010 WoO campaign. He is the only driver who has won more than once in the national tour's 13 events contested to date.
Richards, 22, of Shinnston, W.Va., led the rough-and-tumble 50-lapper from start-to-finish, never faltering on the restarts that followed the race's nine caution flags. The defending WoO LMS champion crossed the finish line 0.244 of a second ahead of Solon Springs, Wis.'s Smith, whose runner-up placing in his Team Zero by Bloomquist mount was his best since he won the tour's second event
of '10 on Feb. 13 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.
The victory also moved Richards back into the WoO LMS points lead by 22 points over Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who fell from the catbird's seat in the standings following a dismal 16th-place finish. McCreadie cut a right-rear tire while running fifth on lap 23 and later retired on lap 43 with apparent jackshaft problems after climbing back to 10th place.
"Luck was definitely on our side tonight," said Richards, who earned $10,675 for his 23rd career triumph on the WoO LMS. "We ran good in our heat, drew the outside pole (starting spot for the A-Main), were able to run up front and keep in clean air the whole way in the feature, and survived an engine problem. I guess it was just meant to be tonight."
Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., lost second place to Smith on a lap-23 restart and battled an overheating engine for much of the distance, but he held on to finish third in his Valvoline Rocket car. Teenage Rookie of the Year contender Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del. – racing at a track just minutes from his home – advanced from the 19th starting spot to finish fourth in Dale Beitler's
Rocket car, while 11th-starter Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., completed the top five in NASCAR star Clint Bowyer's Warrior Chassis after ceding fourth to Hubbard on a lap-48 restart.
The road to victory was certainly nerve-racking for Richards, who thought his tough luck in WoO LMS action at the half-mile oval was about to continue when his Cornett engine began to sour as he set the pace. His previous disappointments at DIS included a tangle with a lapped car after leading the first 20 laps of the 2007 event and a first-lap incident in 2009 that forced him to run the
remainder of the distance one lap down in an extremely beat-up machine.
"I don't know what happened exactly, but I felt something change in the engine just before halfway," said Richards. "When it happened I thought we were done, because we were definitely down huge on power all of a sudden. But after 10 or 15 laps I was still leading and I really hadn't heard anybody, so I was like, 'I must be O.K.'
"Actually, being down on power might have helped because I could roll through the corner, run wide open and the car stuck. I could keep all my momentum up."
Richards was chased throughout the race's second half by Smith, who started fourth. Smith closed right up on the rear bumper of Richards's car exiting turn two several times during the final laps and stuck his machine's nose under Richards after a lap-48 restart, but he couldn't pull off a pass.
Less than one week after Richards saw a potential victory at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway slip through his fingers because he tangled with a lapped car on the last lap and was then nipped at the finish line by Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., the young sensation made it all the way to the checkered flag first.
"I saw (Smith) with like two (laps) to go," said Richards. "I slipped in three and four and I saw him flash under me for a second, but I had enough momentum to pull him off the corner. Then I just tried to hold on for the last lap.
"This track bit us a couple times in the past, so it's nice to come out here and finally get a win."
Smith, who turns 33 on May 31, wore a satisfied smile despite falling short of victory.
"I gave it all I had, and I'm sure (Richards) was giving it all he had," said Smith. "It was a good race. It was fun.
"I really thought I was gonna be able to run under him coming through (turns) three and four on that last lap, but I just over-charged the corner because I was trying not to leave anything on the racetrack and do everything I could to win.
"We'll take second," he added. "Oh my god, we needed a paycheck worse than you could ever imagine. We've had a great race car and my guys have been working hard, but we just haven't had things fall into place this year."
Among the WoO LMS stars who ran into trouble during the event were good buddies Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. Both drivers brought out caution flags after their cars' noses were bent under from digging into the racetrack – Smith on lap nine after he had started from the pole position and run second for laps 1-8, and Fuller on lap 48 when slid off the track
in turn one while holding 11th place.
Finishing in positions 6-10 was fifth-starter Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who climbed as high as fourth; Clanton, who started 15th; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who started and finished in the same spot; 17th-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who registered his first top-10 finish of the 2010 season.
DIS regular Donald Lingo Jr. of Millsboro, Del., who finished 12th, received the $500 WoO LMS 'Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.
Forty cars were signed in for the event, which was run on an overcast evening with no threat of rain.
Eckert was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 18.377 seconds (97.949 mph). It was his first fast-time honor of 2010.
Heat winners were Eckert, Francis, McCreadie and Brady Smith. The B-Mains were captured by Frank and Mark Byram of Georgetown, Del.
Millsboro, Del.'s Amanda Whaley, a 15-year-old Late Model rookie at Delaware International Speedway, finished third in the second B-Main to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main in her first-ever appearance on the tour. She placed 19th in the 50-lapper, completing 33 laps before retiring.
Whaley became just the third female driver to start a WoO feature, joining WoO rookie Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who finished 23rd in the First State 50 after gaining entry to the field thanks to a provisional, and April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn. Both George and Farmer broke the tour's gender barrier during the 2009 season.
The WoO LMS moves on to Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway for the 29th annual 'Conococheague 50' on Sat., May 15.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Results of WoO Late Model Series 'First State 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):
1. (2) Josh Richards/50 $10,675
2. (4) Brady Smith/50 $5,500
3. (3) Steve Francis/50 $3,600
4. (19) Austin Hubbard/50 $3,300
5. (11) Dale McDowell/50 $2,000
6. (5) Rick Eckert/50 $2,250
7. (15) Shane Clanton/50 $1,900
8. (8) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,900
9. (17) Chub Frank/50 $1,700
10. (20) Russell King/50 $1,600
11. (1) Clint Smith/50 $1,550
12. (16) Donald Lingo Jr./50 $1,500
13. (21) Brent Robinson/50 $950
14. (18) Mark Byram/50 $900
15. (13) Tim Fuller/50 $1,350
16. (6) Tim McCreadie/43 $1,400
17. (14) Kenny Pettyjohn/40 $770
18. (10) Jamie Lathroum/37 $750
19. (22) Amanda Whaley/33 $730
20. (9) Jeremy Miller/28 $700
21. (24) Ross Robinson/24 $700
22. (7) Vic Coffey/15 $700
23. (23) Jill George/13 $725
24. (12) Ricky Elliott/12 $700
* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses
Time of Race: 42 Mins., 39.881 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.244 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 9 (Laps 9, 13, 16, 23, 25, 27, 42, 44, 48)
Lap Leaders: Richards (1-50)
Provisional Starters: George, R. Robinson
Rookie of the Race: Hubbard ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Donald Lingo Jr. ($500)
Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):
1. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.377
2. 6-Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD 18.508
3. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 18.543
4. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.545
5. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 18.578
6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.586
7. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 18.698
8. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 18.715
9. 20-Staci Warrington/Milton, DE 18.737
10. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 18.765
11. 7-Darryl Hills/Great Mills, MD 18.789
12. 55L-Donald Lingo Jr./Millsboro, DE 18.801
13. 1M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 18.844
14. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 18.893
15. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.914
16. 88-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 18.942
17. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 18.954
18. 5K-Kirk Ryan Jr./Lewisberry, PA 18.989
19. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.016
20. 45-Mark Byram/Georgetown, DE 19.035
21. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.061
22. 57-Derrike Hill/Trappe, MD 19.079
23. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 19.103
24. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.139
25. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.174
26. 7R-Ross Robinson/Georgetown, DE 19.211
27. 75-David Hill/Trappe, MD 19.262
28. 44W-Amanda Whaley/Millsboro, DE 19.291
29. 8-Mark Pettyjohn/Milton, DE 19.311
30. 38s-Kenny Pettyjohn/Millsboro, DE 19.313
31. 99L-Dale Lingo IV/Millsboro, DE 19.490
32. 5M-Herb Tunis/Georgetown, DE 19.741
33. 84-Ray Davis Jr./Millsboro, DE 19.819
34. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 20.094
35. 8x-Eddie Pettyjohn/Milton, DE 20.221
36. 59-Kelly Putz/Georgetown, DE 20.418
37. 35-Mike Parsons/Lewes, DE 20.571
38. KB-Kerry King/Delmar, DE 21.001
39. 100-Hal Browning/Lewes, DE 27.212
40. 22*-G.R. Smith/Cornelius, NC N/T
Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Richards, J. Miller, Fuller, Frank, B. Robinson, Warrington, M. Pettyjohn, Davis, Parsons
Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, C. Smith, Lathroum, K. Pettyjohn, Hubbard, George, Derrike Hill, Ryan, R. Robinson (DNS) K. King
Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): McCreadie, Coffey, McDowell, Clanton, David Hill, E. Pettyjohn, Browning, Dale Lingo, Covert (DNS) Hills
Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): B. Smith, Lanigan, Elliott, Donald Lingo Jr., Byram, R. King, Whaley, Tunis, Putz (DNS) G.R. Smith
B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Frank, Hubbard, B. Robinson, Davis, Warrington, Parsons, R. Robinson, M. Pettyjohn, George (DNS) Derrike Hill, Ryan, K. King
B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Byram, R. King, Whaley, David Hill, Tunis, E. Pettyjohn, Putz, Browning (DNS) Dale Lingo, Covert, Hills, G.R. Smith
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:
Arizona Sports Shirts ($50 product certificate): Staci Warrington/Herb Tunis
Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Dale McDowell
Eibach Springs (one free spring): Brent Robinson/Mark Byram
MSD Ignition ($75 cash award): Josh Richards
MSD Ignition ($25 cash award): Jill George
Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash award to fastest qualifier w/decal): Rick Eckert
Pink Carburetors ($100 product certificate): Rick Eckert
Pink Carburetors ($50 product certificate): Mark Byram
Quartermaster ($100 product certificate): Josh Richards
Quartermaster ($50 product certificate): Dale McDowell
Quartermaster ($25 product certificate): Tim Fuller
R2C Performance: Shane Clanton
STP ($50 cash award): Austin Hubbard
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Jason Covert
Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of May 13 – 13 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):
1. Josh Richards 1828 (-0)
2. Tim McCreadie 1806 (-22)
3. Darrell Lanigan 1776 (-52)
4. Steve Francis 1714 (-114)
5. Austin Hubbard 1704 (-124)
6. Tim Fuller 1690 (-138)
7. Brady Smith 1662 (-166)
8. Rick Eckert 1656 (-172)
9. Chub Frank 1634 (-194)
10. Shane Clanton 1624 (-204)
11. Clint Smith 1594 (-234)
12. Russell King 1474 (-354)
13. Brent Robinson 1380 (-448)
14. Jill George 894 (-934)
15. Brian Birkhofer 830 (-998)
16. Dale McDowell 748 (-1080)
17. Billy Moyer 696 (-1132)
18. Shannon Babb 682 (-1146)
19. Dan Schlieper 660 (-1168)
20. Tony Knowles 638 (-1190)
FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from
the tour.
To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.
LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, they can experience the excitement of the nation’s premier tour live on DIRTvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.
To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.
Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail customerservice@dirtvision.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard
Charger Award) and Chizmark & Larson Insurance; in addition to contingency sponsors Eibach Springs, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pink Carburetors, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.
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Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929
World of Outlaws Late Model Series 'First State 50' On Thursday (May 13) At Delaware International Speedway Serves As Homecoming For Austin Hubbard
DELMAR, DE - May 13, 2010 - Call it 'Homecoming 2010' for Austin Hubbard.
When the World of Outlaws Late Model Series visits Delaware International Speedway on Thursday night (May 13) for the sixth time in the last seven years, the national tour's sensational young rookie will naturally attract a very large portion of the spotlight.
While Hubbard, 18, has never been a regular competitor at the half-mile oval during his six-year dirt Late Model career, he's still the local boy who's made good. He hails from nearby Seaford, Del., so Thursday's $10,000-to-win 'First State 50' gives him the rare opportunity to perform in his backyard rather than the usual hundreds, or thousands, of miles away from home.
"It'll be nice to be racing 15 minutes from the shop," said Hubbard, who is following a grueling 2010 WoO LMS schedule that currently boasts 48 events at 41 tracks in 19 states and two Canadian provinces. "My family is gonna be there, a lot of my friends, all of my sponsors from the area. It adds a little pressure because you want to run good in front of them, but I like having a chance
to hang out with them.
"With so many people I know coming out, it makes it a more home-type atmosphere."
Hubbard's 'Homecoming 2010' will actually start 14 miles north of the speedway on Thursday when he makes a public appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the headquarters of Trinity Transport, located on Alternate Rt. 13 in Seaford, Del. He will visit with many of his longtime sponsor's 100-plus employees, and fans are invited to stop by to meet Hubbard, snap pictures of his Beitler
Motorsports No. 19 race car and hauler and purchase special-edition t-shirts produced to commemorate his return to Delaware as an Outlaw.
Hubbard enters Thursday's program as one of the country's hottest up-and-coming talents in the dirt Late Model division, not to mention a trailblazer for short-track racers from the First State. He's not only the first resident of Delaware to compete as a regular on the renowned WoO LMS, but also the first driver from the state to win an A-Main on the tour after breaking into Victory
Lane in just his fourth start of the season, on March 20 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga.
The teenager known as the 'Delaware Destroyer' understands how fortunate he is to be in such an enviable position, racing professionally for a high-profile team owned by Dale Beitler of West Friendship, Md., while many of his buddies are still in classrooms finishing up their school years.
"Delaware's pretty small, but there's been some good drivers (from the state) – like Ricky Elliott and Kenny Pettyjohn – who have won a lot of races and shown they can run with the best guys (in the dirt Late Model division)," said Hubbard, who accelerated his senior-year studies at Sussex Tech with night classes so he could receive his high-school diploma ahead of schedule in order to
concentrate on racing. "Those guys have just never gotten the opportunity to branch out and run across the country.
"I'm glad I've gotten the chance, and I feel like we've definitely capitalized on it."
And he's proud to carry the torch for Delaware's dirt Late Model drivers on a national level.
"I feel like I gotta represent for the chickens, the Blue Hens," quipped Hubbard, referencing one of the state's nicknames.
Currently ranked sixth in the WoO LMS points standings through 12 events (he's been as high as fourth) with one win, five top-five and seven top-10 finishes, Hubbard has already shown more than enough speed this season to qualify as a legitimate threat for victory in Thursday's 'First State 50.' His competition will feature an array of heavy hitters such as former WoO LMS champions Tim
McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (the tour's current points leader), Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. (defending champ), Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (the only two-time WoO LMS winner at Delaware International) and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (who appeared headed to victory in last year's 'First State 50' driving Beitler's car until a late-race flat tire dive-bombed his bid), but Hubbard
isn't intimidated by any of them.
"Dale gives me equipment that's second-to-none and 'Hog' (crew chief Robby Allen) always has it prepared great," said Hubbard, who has totaled $38,620 in earnings on the WoO LMS this season. "It's up to me to drive it to the best of my ability."
Hubbard has raced at Delaware International Speedway less than a dozen times in his career, with a single feature win to his credit in a weekly race during the 2007 season. His finishes in WoO LMS A-Mains at the track include a 21st in 2007 and 17th in 2009 (after setting the third-fastest time in qualifying).
"It would be so cool to win an Outlaw show at Delmar," said Hubbard, who spent most of his formative Saturday nights early in his career racing at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica. "Winning in front of so many people who support me so much but don't get to see me race a lot anymore – that would be so exciting."
And don't worry – if Hubbard happens to pull off a triumph on Thursday night, he'll certainly celebrate his accomplishment in the uniquely unbridled manner that has quickly become his trademark. After his victory two months ago at Screven he delighted fans with an uninhibited "I'm on fire!" impersonation of Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights, running down the homestretch wearing nothing but
his helmet, fireproof socks and long underwear.
Perhaps a victory would even get Hubbard excited enough to just run out the track exit and right up Rt. 13 to his front door. That's certainly something he couldn't do at any other speedway on the WoO LMS schedule.
Delaware International Speedway's gates are scheduled to open on Thurs., May 13, at 4 p.m. The program, which also includes action for the Little Lincolns division, will kick off with hot laps at 7 p.m.
General admission is $26 (adults) and $5 for children ages 7-13, with reserved seats available for an additional $4. Pit passes are $35 and $10 (ages 7-13).
More info on the 'First State 50' is available by logging on to www.delawareracing.com or calling the track office at 302-875-1911.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard
Charger Award) and Chizmark & Larson Insurance; in addition to contingency sponsors Eibach Springs, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pink Carburetors, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.
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