2011 Dirt Motorsports / WoOLMS News

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

A Final Look Back: Facts, Figures & Statistical Notes From The 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 31, 2011 – As the new year arrives, here’s a final look back at facts, figures and statistical notes from the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series...

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Rick Eckert’s seven-year pursuit of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series title finally ended in 2011 – with a thoroughly dramatic finish, no less.

The only thing surprising about the York, Pa., star’s accomplishment, of course, was that it took him so long to etch his name on the national tour’s championship trophy.

When the WoO LMS was reborn in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner, Eckert was one of the marquee drivers among the ‘Dirty Dozen’ group that was contracted to run the circuit. Just two years removed from winning back-to-back touring crowns on the UDTRA/Xtreme DirtCar Series, he appeared primed for more championship glory.

But while Eckert quickly established himself as a prolific WoO LMS winner, realizing his championship expectations proved to be more difficult. After coming close in 2004 – he remained in title contention through the season finale before settling for third in the standings, 60 points behind champion Scott Bloomquist – he was unable to maintain title hopes for an entire campaign again until ’11. He finished fourth in the ’05 standings (-76 points); seventh in ’06 (154 points behind despite leading the series with eight victories); fifth in ’07 (-232 points); seventh in ’08 (-334 points); fifth in ’09 (-200 points); and fifth in ’10 (-332 points).

Everything changed in 2011 for Eckert, who, at age 45 and in his second year fielding his own equipment following the November 2009 passing of his longtime car owner Raye Vest, put together the solid start-to-finish season that had eluded him in World of Outlaws competition. He grabbed the points lead after winning his first A-Main of the season on May 7 at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway – it was, believe it or not, the first time he found himself atop the WoO LMS standings since mid-June 2006 – and refused to give it up for the remainder of the schedule.

An edge that grew as large as 60 points in early August shrank to just two points over two-time defending champ Josh Richards entering the season-ending Lowes Foods World Finals A-Main on Nov. 5 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C., putting the pressure on Eckert. But Richards’s dreams were dashed by a flat tire on the last circuit of the 50-lap feature, allowing Eckert, who was four spots behind Richards at the time, to slide by and clinch the $100,000 title with the most spectacular 12th-place finish of his career.

By no means did Eckert dominate the 2011 season, but championships are earned with a combination of consistent speed, true grit and good fortune, and the driver known as ‘Scrub’ had no peers in those categories. His hard stats show three wins, 16 top-five finishes (third-most behind Richards’s 22 and Darrell Lanigan’s 17) and 25 top-10s (second to Richards’s 26); look closer at his season and you see the deciding factors in the championship battle. He was incredibly steady – he had to run a B-Main just four times in 32 events; he didn’t use a single provisional starting spot all season; he strung together a series-best streak of 19 consecutive top-10 finishes; and he was the only driver to complete all 1,587 laps of the season’s 30 full-points A-Mains.

Eckert’s lone DNF of 2011 – a 21st-place finish on Aug. 6 in the 100-lap USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. – showed he had Lady Luck on his side as well. The race was one of two on the WoO LMS schedule that offered only show-up points because it did not follow the tour’s normal format, so Eckert didn’t take a hit in the standings.

The worst finish Eckert tallied in a full-points A-Main was 16th, on Aug. 20 at Merritt Raceway in Lake City, Mich. Richards, meanwhile, suffered four finishes of 16th or worse in full-points shows, including his only DNF (21st place on July 15 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.)

THE SEASON: The 2011 WoO LMS was comprised of 32 A-Mains at 27 tracks in 18 states.

Pennsylvania once again was the site of the most tour events, hosting six races at four tracks. There were three events held in Florida, Michigan and North Carolina; two in Georgia, Virginia and Wisconsin; and one each in Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Just three tracks presented multiple WoO LMS events: Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (three), The Dirt Track at Charlotte (three) and Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. (two).

Weather and other unexpected factors caused the cancelation of at least 10 scheduled events in ‘11, shrinking the total number of WoO LMS A-Mains run to the lowest number since the 30-race 2006 season. Three events – April 1-2 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway, Sept. 4 at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., and Sept. 16 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. – were stopped by weather conditions and could not be rescheduled. Events scheduled at five other venues, meanwhile, were canceled by track management: Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. (rain out on March 26 and promoter’s decision on Nov. 2); West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells (track reconstruction not completed); Amsoil Speedway in Superior, Wis. (date conflict with fair); Beckley (W.Va.) Motor Speedway (track closure); and Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. (track closure).

Four races – at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Winchester (Va.) Speedway and Independence (Iowa) Motor Speedway – were postponed by rain and reset for another date.

The 2011 schedule also included events at Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa., McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa., and Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., that were added by officials during the course of the season.

CHECKERED FLAGS: Richards maintained his stranglehold on WoO LMS top-winner status in 2011, leading the tour in victories for the fourth season in a row. His nine triumphs gave him the honor outright for the third consecutive year; he finished the 2008 campaign tied with Steve Francis, with six triumphs.

Richards’s nine wins – all of which came over the final 22 races of ’11 – left him tied for the tour’s single-season victory record with Bloomquist (2004). He had two opportunities during the Lowes Food World Finals to overtake Bloomquist for sole possession of the standard but fell short.

A total of 14 drivers reached Victory Lane on the WoO LMS in 2011. Four drivers won multiple events – Richards, Lanigan (seven), Eckert (three) and Bloomquist (three) – and only Jared Hawkins was a first-time winner on the tour.

ANOTHER NAILBITER: Eckert’s 14-point championship margin over Richards was tied for the fourth-closest in WoO LMS history, matching the difference between champion Richards and runner-up Steve Francis in 2009.

Four drivers spent time at the top of the points standings. Eckert led the way after 25 events, followed by Richards (three), Bloomquist (two) and Billy Moyer (two).

The largest points lead a driver was able to muster was Eckert’s 60-point edge following the 22nd and 23rd A-Mains of the season, on Aug. 3 at Shawano (Wis.) Speedway and Aug. 6 at Cedar Lake.

Eckert’s lowest position in the standings was 13th (after the season opener on Feb. 17 at Volusia Speedway Park) and his largest deficit was 36 points, when he was seventh in the standings following Race No. 2 on Feb. 19 at Volusia.

DEFYING THE EXPERTS: Eckert’s championship campaign came as a surprise to members of the dirt Late Model press, who showed him little love in the fourth annual WoO LMS Pre-Season Media Poll.

Eckert was predicted to finish in the top five of the ’11 points standings by just seven of the 40 media members who participated in the poll, which awarded points to drivers named on the ballots using a 5-4-3-2-1 system. He received two third-place, one fourth-place and four fifth-place votes, good for 12 points to tie him with Tim Fuller for seventh in the final tabulation that installed Richards (161 points) as the favorite to win the title.

Midwest-based photographers Rich Edwards and Jason Durst gave Eckert his highest predicted points finishes. Both men picked Eckert to finish third.

Columnist Don Davies of Area Auto Racing News and veteran free-lance photographer Ron Skinner were the only media members to correctly predict three of the top-five points finishers. Both hit on Richards as the runner-up, Lanigan as the third-place finisher and Tim McCreadie as the fourth-place finisher.

The poll also asked the media to predict the season’s winningest driver (including number of victories) and the winners of three marquee events – the Commonwealth 100 at Virginia Motor Speedway, the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway.

Thirteen respondents predicted that Richards would lead the tour in A-Main triumphs (including Davies and Skinner), but only Michael Rigsby of DirtonDirt.com and photographer Lee Smith nailed his final total of nine triumphs.

In the special-event category, only Dennis Michelson of RaceTalkRadio.com and photographer Joe Secka correctly predicted Richards as the winner of the USA Nationals. Not a single media member successfully envisioned the victors of the Commonwealth 100 (Steve Shaver) or Firecracker 100 (Jimmy Mars).

DYNAMIC DUO: With Steve Francis failing to win a WoO LMS A-Main in 2011 (he was not a tour regular for the first time during its World Racing Group era), Lanigan and Shane Clanton now stand as the only drivers who have won at least one feature event in each World of Outlaws campaign since 2004.

TOP OF THE LIST: With his first win of 2011 on June 18 at Winchester (Va.) Speedway, Richards broke a tie with Francis for winningest-driver status on the WoO LMS since 2004. By the end of the season Richards had pushed his career win total to 37, opening a healthy advantage over Francis (28 wins) on the victory chart.

Lanigan now ranks third on the win list since 2004 with 26 triumphs, followed by Eckert (24) and Bloomquist (22).

Richards’s big ’11 season also pulled him into a tie with Billy Moyer as the alltime winningest driver on the WoO LMS, including the tour’s original seasons (1988-89) run under the auspices of late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson. Moyer’s 37 overall wins include 22 earned in 1988-89 and 15 more since ’04.

FULL PITS: The average field for a WoO LMS event in 2011 was 43.5 cars, up more than four from the previous season.

The season-high turnout of 87 cars was for the ‘Black Diamond 125’ on Sept. 3 at Tyler County Speedway. In all, nine events drew 50 or more cars and 16 attracted over 40 entrants. Just five races produced fields below 30 cars.

A total of 495 drivers representing 32 states and three Canadian provinces entered at least one WoO LMS event in 2011, and 200 drivers started an A-Main.

The state from which the most WoO LMS competitors hailed was Pennsylvania, with 65 drivers. Michigan was next with 52 entrants, followed by Georgia, Illinois, New York and Ohio (each with 24).

THE OUTLAWS: Thirteen drivers had perfect attendance on the 2011 tour: Eckert, Richards, Lanigan, McCreadie, Chub Frank, Austin Hubbard, Clanton, Clint Smith, Vic Coffey, Fuller, Pat Doar, Ron Davies and John Lobb.

Richards, McCreadie and Clanton were the only drivers to start all 32 A-Mains. Missing one A-Main, meanwhile, was Eckert (did not start the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale of the ‘Black Diamond 125’ at Tyler County); Lanigan (absent from the season opener due to health issues); Frank (DNQ for USA Nationals 100 at Cedar Lake); Hubbard (DNS Tyler County’s ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale); and Fuller (DNQ for USA Nationals 100).

CASH: Over $2.3 million was paid out to drivers during the 2011 WoO LMS, including just over $400,000 in points-fund and post-season bonus cash.

Richards led the money-won list with $265,410 in event and points-fund earnings. He was followed by Eckert ($219,600), Lanigan ($193,280), McCreadie ($117,295), Clanton ($94,100), Frank ($93,185), Hubbard ($87,775), Smith ($84,785), Coffey ($74,105) and Fuller ($73,070). Bloomquist was the top non-WoO regular on the list, coming in 11th with $68,575 in earnings for just 10 starts.

ROOKS: Doar, a veteran racer from New Richmond, Wis., who has spent most of his two-decade-long career running spec-motor dirt Late Model events in the Upper Midwest, became the oldest winner of the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award in 2011. He captured the honor at the age of 47, supplanting Fuller, who was 40 when he was the top rookie in 2007.

While Doar won the Rookie of the Year prize by a substantial 104-point margin over Ron Davies, 53, of Warren, Pa., and 314 points over John Lobb, 42, of Frewsburg, N.Y., and led the first-year travelers with seven top-10 finishes, it was Davies who had the best A-Main run of the trio. Davies registered a fifth-place finish on July 26 at Dog Hollow Speedway, besting Doar’s top outing of sixth.

Doar did, however, record a $10,000 victory in one of the 40-lap Qualifying Features during the ‘Black Diamond 125’ on Sept. 3 at Tyler County. The race did not count as a WoO LMS A-Main triumph.

MAKING THE CUT: Richards was the most consistent qualifier among the fulltime travelers, leading the way with an average time-trial placing of 8.36.

Eckert was second on the average time-trial list at 10.0, followed by Hubbard (12.19), Lanigan (13.43), McCreadie (16.26), Clanton (16.58), Smith (16.74), Fuller (17.32), Frank (18.13), Doar (19.45), Coffey (19.48), Davies (19.77) and Lobb (29.42).

Richards also was nearly perfect in heat-race action, failing to transfer through a heat just once in 32 events. Eckert was second-best with four B-Main appearances, followed by Lanigan (six); Hubbard (eight); McCreadie and Fuller (nine); Smith (11); Clanton, Coffey and Frank (12); Doar (15); Davies (16); and Lobb (27).

For the second straight season Richards and Eckert were the only regulars who did not use a single provisional spot to start an A-Main. Hubbard and Doar fell back on a provisional just one time each, while Lanigan used two; Coffey, Davies and Smith used three; Fuller used five; Clanton, Frank and McCreadie used six; and Lobb used nine. Jill George, who entered 23 races in 2011, also used nine provisionals.

Eckert failed to qualify for one A-Main in 2011: the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale of the ‘Black Diamond 125’ at Tyler County. He did not finish among the top eight in one of the twin 40-lap Qualifying Features to earn a transfer spot to the $20,000-to-win, 45-lap A-Main.

With no provisionals available for the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ headliner, Eckert sat out a WoO LMS A-Main for the first time in his career. Thus he ended the season having started 312 of the 313 A-Mains contested from 2004-2011.

ON THE CHARGE: The deepest in the starting field from which a driver advanced to win a WoO LMS A-Main in 2011 was 19th – Lanigan’s starting spot when he pulled off a stirring $20,000 victory on March 19 in the inaugural ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway.

Eight A-Mains were won by drivers starting from the pole position, but only three of those victors led the event from flag-to-flag.

The average starting spot for a WoO LMS A-Main winner in 2011 was 3.59. The most common starting spot for a race winner was fourth, on nine occasions.

MUST BE ON THE FRONT ROW: WoO LMS regulars accounted for 17 pole position starts in A-Mains during the 2011 season, but they turned those prime spots into just six triumphs – a modest success rate of 35 percent.

Eckert enjoyed the most pole position starts (five), but he converted just one into a victory. He roared off the pole to win on May 7 at Swainsboro.

The best winning percentage for pole starts was shared by Richards and Lanigan, who both were two-for-two when taking the green flag from inside the front row. Clanton was victorious in one of his two pole starts, while drivers who failed to capitalize on pole starting positions were Hubbard (three), Coffey (two) and Fuller (one).

MANUFACTURER BATTLE: Six dirt Late Model chassis companies claimed victories in WoO LMS A-Mains during the 2011 season.

Rocket Chassis once again led the way with 19 wins, divided among Richards, Lanigan, Clint Smith, Steve Shaver and Jared Hawkins.

Team Zero by Bloomquist Chassis finished second on the win list with nine victories (Bloomquist, Eckert, Chris Madden, Brady Smith and Jimmy Smith). MB Customs (Jimmy Mars), Victory Circle (McCreadie), Capital Race Cars (Clanton) and Barry Wright Race Cars (Jonathan Davenport) each claimed one checkered flag.

A total of 10 engine builders, meanwhile, laid claim to a WoO LMS A-Main triumph in 2011. Cornett Racing Engines led the way with 13 victories, split among Richards, Lanigan, Madden and Owens. Roush-Yates was second on the list with eight triumphs divided among Richards, who began running the brand late in the season, and Bloomquist.

Other engine builders with multiple victories were Jay Dickens (three) and ProPower (two), while single wins went to Custom, Clements, Vic Hill, Malcuit, Lee Roy Rumley and RaceTek.

FAST RACES: There were three caution-free A-Mains in 2011 – April 30 at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky.; July 26 at Dog Hollow Speedway; and Nov. 4 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Four more features were slowed by just a single caution flag.

An average of 3.44 caution flags flew per A-Main during the ’11 campaign. The most caution-plagued events were the Commonwealth 100 on April 17 at Virginia Motor Speedway (11 yellow flags) and the ‘Outlaw Sizzler 101’ on July 3 at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway (nine).

Two red flags were displayed for significant wrecks during A-Mains in 2011 – on Feb. 19 at Volusia (Jack Sullivan flip) and June 24 at Lernerville Speedway (Brady Smith rollover).

ETCETERA:

* Twenty drivers earned a WoO LMS fast-time honor in 2011. Eckert and Lanigan led the way with four apiece; Richards had three; Hubbard, Jason Feger, Jonathan Davenport and Mike Marlar each earned two; and 13 drivers had a single fast time.

* Eckert ended the season with 28 career fast-time awards – more than any other driver since 2004. Richards sits second on the list with 27.

* Richards and Francis are the only drivers who have registered at least one fast-time honor in every season since ’04.

* Forty-eight drivers won at least one heat race on the tour in ’11. Richards led the list with 19 prelim victories, with Lanigan (13) and Hubbard (10) the only others to crack double figures.

* Richards and Lanigan both recorded their 100th career heat-race victories in ’11. They closed the season with 102 and 100 triumphs, respectively, well behind Francis’s alltime-best total of 119.

* Twelve drivers have won at least one heat race in every season since ’04: Francis, Richards, Lanigan, Eckert, McCreadie, Clanton, Moyer, Frank, Clint Smith, Shannon Babb, Dale McDowell and Brian Birkhofer.

* There were 45 B-Main winners, with Clint Smith’s five checkered flags setting the pace. He owns the most B-Main victories since 2004, with 24.

* Twenty-four drivers led at least one A-Main lap in 2011. Richards led the most (405 laps), followed by Lanigan (276), Eckert (148), Shaver (102) and Madden (101). Rounding out the top 10 on the lap-leader list was Bloomquist (89), Jason Rauen (77), Davenport (75), Mars (74) and Coffey (55).

Other WoO LMS regulars who led laps were Clanton (42), Fuller (33), Clint Smith (30), McCreadie (20), Davies (16) and Frank (three).

* Three drivers won consecutive A-Mains, topped by Richards’s August streak of three in a row. Richards also had a two-race win streak earlier in the season, while Lanigan scored back-to-back victories three times and Bloomquist did it once.

* Richards completed the most A-Main laps on the 2011 tour: 1,692 of a possible 1,732. Eckert was second on the list (1,624 of a possible 1,687), followed by Lanigan (1,588/1,682), Hubbard (1,583/1,687), Frank (1,577/1,632), Clanton (1,575/1,732), McCreadie (1,567/1,732), Clint Smith (1,475/1,587), Fuller (1,455/1,632), Coffey (1,209/1,387), Davies (1,168/1,257), Doar (1,129/1,477) and Lobb (933/1,082).

* Eckert was tops on the list of most consecutive lead-lap finishes in 2011, rolling up 22 in a row. McCreadie was next with 16 straight, followed by Richards (15), Lanigan (12), Clanton (11), Frank (11), Hubbard (11), Smith (11), Fuller (nine), Coffey (seven), Doar (four), Davies (four) and Lobb (three).

* Eckert and Richards tied for the lead in the fewest DNFs category in 2011, suffering just one each. Frank failed to finish two A-Mains, followed by Lanigan and Hubbard (three); Clanton, Davies, Lobb and Smith (four); Coffey and McCreadie (five); Fuller (seven); and Doar (nine).

* Richards put up the longest streak of consecutive top-five finishes: eight races, stretching from the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake on Aug. 6 (his first-ever crown-jewel victory) through his last win of the season on Oct. 12 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Lanigan registered six top-fives in a row, followed by McCreadie (five); Eckert (four); Clanton, Coffey and Frank (two); and Davies, Fuller, Hubbard and Smith (one).

* Eckert’s 19 top-10 finishes were the most in the category. McCreadie had 14 straight, followed by Lanigan (11); Richards (nine); Coffey (seven); Clanton, Doar, Frank, Hubbard and Smith (three); Fuller (two); and Davies and Lobb (one).

* Richards had the best average A-Main finish in 2011, at 5.75. He was followed by Eckert (6.06), Lanigan (7.42), Frank (10.52), McCreadie (10.69), Hubbard (11.26), Clanton (11.53), Coffey (11.96), Smith (12.3), Fuller (14.26), Doar (15.62), Davies (15.88) and Lobb (17.73).

* Richards ended the 2011 season with a tour-best average A-Main starting position of 5.75 – exactly the same as his average finishing position. Eckert was next with an average starting position of 8.13, followed by Lanigan (9.19), Hubbard (10.07), Coffey (11.59), Smith (12.8), Fuller (12.84), McCreadie (13.34), Doar (14.52), Clanton (14.78), Frank (15.29), Davies (16.24) and Lobb (21.05).

* The WoO LMS career win lists now show 43 drivers have won an A-Main since 2004 and 53 drivers own tour victories when the 1988-89 seasons are included.

* Since 2004, there have been 313 WoO LMS A-Mains contested at 122 different tracks in 30 states and three Canadian provinces.

*****

The 2012 WoO LMS season will begin with the $20,000-to-win ‘Winter Freeze’ on Feb. 10-11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. A busy month of February for the tour also includes the inaugural ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ on Feb. 16-18 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., and the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 23 and 25 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws .

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Eckert Named 2011 Eastern Motorsport Press Association Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion Adds Another Accolade To Memorable Season

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 23, 2011 – Rick Eckert’s memorable World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship season has earned a resounding stamp of approval from the media.

The veteran star from York, Pa., has been named the winner of the 2011 Eastern Motorsport Press Association Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year Award, a prestigious honor voted upon by the organization’s membership.

Eckert, who turned 46 on Dec. 14, will receive his Northeast Driver of the Year trophy on Jan. 7 during EMPA’s annual convention at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa. He will stand in the spotlight with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, who was voted the winner of the EMPA Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year Award.

“Winning this award means a lot to me,” said Eckert, who broke through to capture his first WoO LMS title this season after following the national tour religiously since its re-launch in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. “It’s very humbling to sit back and realize that the media members who cover racing felt that our season stood out above a bunch of great drivers from the Northeast. I will definitely cherish this award.”

Eckert becomes the first dirt Late Model driver to win the EMPA Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year Award since its birth in 1998. The only other dirt Late Model competitor to receive marquee recognition from EMPA is Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who was voted the EMPA Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year in 2006 after winning the WoO LMS championship that season.

A fulltime professional racer who ranks as one of the Northeast’s most decorated short-track drivers, Eckert earned the 2011 WoO LMS crown in the most dramatic fashion imaginable during last month’s season-ending Lowes Foods World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C. He appeared resigned to a second-place finish in the points standings until two-time defending series champ Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., slowed with a flat tire on the last lap of the campaign’s final A-Main, opening the door for Eckert to glide by Richards for a 12th-place finish and a 14-point title margin.

Eckert won the $100,000 championship in his second season fielding his own dirt Late Model team following the November 2009 passing of his longtime car owner Raye Vest. He dedicated the championship to Vest during the emotional post-race celebration on The Dirt Track’s homestretch.

Being feted by EMPA will certainly not come amid the type of raucous atmosphere that accompanied his clinching of the World of Outlaws championship, but it will be no less meaningful to Eckert. He is looking forward to joining the select group of drivers who have won the EMPA Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year Award, which is named in honor of a legendary New York short-track star who dominated the asphalt Modified division before losing his life in a tragic accident in 1985 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Evans, the 1980 winner of EMPA’s National Driver of the Year Award, is a 2012 inductee to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

“Winning an award that has Richie Evans’s name on it is real special,” said Eckert. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a dirt or asphalt racer – everyone in short-track racing knows that orange-and-black No. 61 that (Evans) drove. He was an alltime great of short-track racing and I’m honored to win an award given in his memory.”

The 2012 WoO LMS season will begin with the $20,000-to-win ‘Winter Freeze’ on Feb. 10-11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. A busy month of February for the tour also includes the inaugural ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ on Feb. 16-18 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., and the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 23 and 25 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws .

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

McCreadie Focused On Reclaiming World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship In 2012

New York Star Announces Partnership With Warrior Chassis For National Tour’s Upcoming Season

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 16, 2011 – Tim McCreadie has already set his goal for the 2012 season.

“We’re focusing on the World of Outlaws (Late Model Series) championship,” said McCreadie, who won the national tour’s lucrative points title in 2006. “It’s not gonna be like the last couple years where we went to the races at the beginning of the season and then decided we were gonna do the whole series. We have a plan this year.”

That plan is highlighted by a dramatic revamping of McCreadie’s program under the Sweeteners Plus Racing team banner. He announced last week that his operation has forged a partnership with Sanford Goddard’s Knoxville, Tenn.-based Warrior Chassis – a deal McCreadie hopes will provide the type of intimate manufacturer support that propels him back into the headlines.

McCreadie, 37, of Watertown, N.Y., is coming off a rough 2011 campaign that saw him finish fourth in the WoO LMS points standings with only one A-Main win. He struggled at the start of the season to get his new Rocket cars up to speed and failed to catch fire after switching to Victory Circle machines that had been sitting in his team’s shop for two years, prompting the competitive professional to consider another option for ’12.

“I think working with Warrior is a perfect deal for us,” said McCreadie, whose 2011 stint in Victory Circle cars marked the first time in his eight-year dirt Late Model career that he did not concentrate on driving Rocket Chassis iron. “I need to get with a company that I’m comfortable with and can be a little more hands-on with us, and after sitting down with Sanford and seeing his boys down there at his shop I felt like Warrior was where we need to be with our team to be successful.”

McCreadie got his first taste of a Warrior mount when he accepted Goddard’s offer to run the house car in the unsanctioned National 100 on Nov. 13 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Ala. The trial outing resulted in a solid fifth-place finish that left McCreadie impressed with the car’s potential.

“The car shined all weekend,” McCreadie said of his National 100 effort. “We timed up front, won a heat and were competitive with a real good field of cars in the feature even though I didn’t know how to adjust the car to where I wanted it. Knowing what we did to the car and where we finished, I felt like if we could’ve started the race over again we would’ve been even better.

“I already knew that Warrior had a great car because it seems like everybody who’s gotten into the house car runs good, which tells me it’s a chassis design that’s built to be able to handle different driving styles. I could tell it has a pretty good sweet spot after spending a weekend driving it, and working with Sanford really gave me more to think about.”

After consulting with Sweeteners Plus team owner Carl Myers and his teammate Vic Coffey upon his return to the Empire State, McCreadie decided to talk further with Goddard. They soon reached an agreement in which Myers would purchase Warrior cars for McCreadie and Goddard would provide McCreadie and Co. valuable technical support. (Caledonia, N.Y.’s Coffey also plans to follow the WoO LMS again but will continue to run the Rocket Chassis cars in which he has developed a comfort zone.)

While McCreadie is not a Warrior house car driver, the small size of Goddard’s chassis manufacturing business opens the door for McCreadie to enjoy an extremely attractive level of personalized assistance. Goddard, in fact, plans to attend many of McCreadie’s events in 2012, buoying McCreadie’s assault (he figures to be the only WoO LMS regular in a Warrior chassis) while also helping to grow Warrior’s national profile.

“With Sanford being able to get out there on the road and go to most of the races, we’re going to have a program more along the lines of some other successful teams when it comes to on-track support,” said McCreadie, who will also share technical notes with Warrior chassis driver Dale McDowell and McDowell’s veteran mechanic brother Shane. “Really, our program is gonna be no different from what (two-time WoO LMS champ) Josh (Richards) has with his father (Mark) and their guys (with the Rocket Chassis house car team) and Don O’Neal has with MasterSbilt (the manufacturer’s house-car program). We’re not a house-car deal, but we’re a team that’s traveling more so part of our deal with Sanford is to get him out on the road with us to lend his advice and expertise in trying to go faster.

“I think the thing about working with Sanford that I’m really looking forward to is that if we’re struggling, now we’ll have an extra set of eyes and seven or eight people back in the (Warrior) shop who can help try to make us better.”

Goddard is as excited as McCreadie to begin the new partnership.

“It’s good to have Tim McCreadie on board with the Warrior race team,” Goddard told DirtonDirt.com. “We’re really looking forward to just racing with somebody with his caliber, just to be able to go out and show what we have in our product. I’ve never raced (with the World of Outlaws) for a full season, but I’m looking forward to racing with Tim and trying to win a championship.”

The $100,000 WoO LMS title is obviously on McCreadie’s mind. Running a series that feels “like home” to him, he wants to erase any lingering memories of a 2011 season that didn’t meet his expectations.

“Last year was probably the most frustrating season I’ve had in a long time,” said McCreadie, who finished a strong third in the 2010 WoO LMS points standings (his first season as a regular since he won the championship in ’06) but disappointingly slipped to fourth in the ’11 points race. “We’re just gonna throw that whole year in the garbage and not take anything out of it. After Charlotte (the season-ending Lowes Foods World Finals in November), I said we were gonna immediately start fixing our program and I think we’re on the right track.”

McCreadie is hoping to make his 2012 debut in a Warrior car next month with a cross-country trip to Tucson, Ariz., for the Wild West Shootout on Jan. 18 and 20-22 at USA Raceway. He sees the four-race mini-series as a perfect forum to get acclimated to his new equipment.

“We should have two cars ready to go to Arizona,” said McCreadie. “That deal is a unique opportunity to start the season early and learn some things about running on hard tires. I think it could really help us.”

The 2012 WoO LMS season will begin with the $20,000-to-win ‘Winter Freeze’ on Feb. 10-11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. A busy month of February for the tour also includes the inaugural ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ on Feb. 16-18 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., and the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 23 and 25 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws .

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Schedule Released At Performance Racing Industry Trade Show

Busy Month Of February In Georgia & Florida Kicks Off National Tour’s Ninth Season Under World Racing Group Banner

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 2, 2011 – An unprecedented stretch of February racing will serve as the kickoff for the 2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule, which was released on Thursday during the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, Fla.

Forty-six race dates comprising 42 A-Mains at 32 tracks in 17 states and Canada are currently confirmed as part of the national tour’s 2012 slate, headed by a season-opening burst of six events in Georgia and Florida during the month of February.

The ninth consecutive WoO LMS campaign under the World Racing Group banner commences with the $20,000-to-win, 60-lap ‘Winter Freeze’ on Feb. 10-11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. Action then moves to Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., for the inaugural ‘Winter Nationals’ on Feb. 16-18 – three full nights of racing with progressively higher winner’s purses of $8,000, $10,000 and $12,000 – and the traditional two-race meet during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., on Feb. 23 and 25.

Screven’s blockbuster lidlifter is one of a half-dozen big-money shows dotting the 2012 schedule. The list of marquee events also features the $50,000-to-win USA Nationals on Aug. 3-4 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.; the sixth annual Firecracker 100 on June 28-30 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.; the fourth annual Illini 100 on March 30-31 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway; and a pair of holiday-weekend specials (May 26 and Sept. 1) at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.

The ’12 season will conclude for the sixth straight year with the Lowes Foods World Finals doubleheader on Nov. 1-3 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C. The $100,000 WoO LMS championship battle has gone down to the final lap of The Dirt Track’s huge weekend in each of the past two years.

“The most February racing in the history of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be a great way to start off another thrilling season of competition,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We’re really looking forward to kicking off the year in a big way at Screven, Bubba Raceway Park and Volusia. Running at the three tracks is going to send us into the remainder of the schedule with plenty of momentum.”

Christman is bullish on the 2012 WoO LMS, which will bring the tour’s stars to a mix of stalwart facilities and new venues across the dirt-track landscape.

“It’s shaping up to be our most interesting season ever,” Christman said of the ’12 schedule. “With the help of some of dirt Late Model racing’s best racetrack operators and race teams, the World of Outlaws will provide exciting action and another dramatic points race to thousands of fans across the United States and Canada.”

Christman said he is working to solidify nearly a dozen – and perhaps more – additional dates on the 2012 schedule, which could potentially better the tour’s alltime single-season highs of 44 A-Mains (2007 and 2010) and 38 different tracks (2010).

The richest event in 2012 remains Cedar Lake Speedway’s 100-lap USA Nationals on Aug. 3-4. The crown-jewel program, which will be showcased on the World of Outlaws trail for the third consecutive year and sixth time overall in its 25-year history, offers a purse of nearly a quarter-million dollars.

Lernerville’s Firecracker 100, meanwhile, will boast three full nights of competition for the third year in a row. An early-summer spectacular known for its fan-pleasing excitement both on and off the track, the Firecracker weekend begins with 30-lap, $6,000-to-win preliminary features on Thurs., June 28, and Fri., June 29, before ending with the traditional 100-lap headliner offering $30,000 for first place on Sat., June 30.

The WoO LMS’s third century-grind event is the Illini 100, which returns to its original home, Farmer City Raceway, on March 30-31 after last year’s edition was scheduled for LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway but never contested due to weather. A $20,000 top prize will be on the line at the quarter-mile bullring that is known for providing fans memorable competition.

Two more high-dollar programs will be presented at Tyler County Speedway, a competitive quarter-mile oval that drew the largest field of the 2011 WoO LMS (87 cars) for its ‘Black Diamond 125.’ The third annual ‘Black Diamond 125’ – a unique event that includes two $10,000-to-win Qualifying Features and a 45-lap ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale offering a gargantuan $20,000 first-place booty – returns to the WoO LMS sked in ’12 on Sat., Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend). Making the Mountaineer State track an even bigger hotbed for World of Outlaws action in 2012 will be a second special event – a Memorial Day weekend show on Sat., May 26, that promoter Frank Wilson promises will turn heads when its details are announced in the near future.

The season’s longest swing will be July’s ‘Wild West Tour,’ which currently shows five events over a 12-day period but is likely to expand with two TBA dates still to be filled. Amsoil Speedway in Superior, Wis., which returns to the series after a one-year absence, is scheduled to start the western trek on July 6, with subsequent races set for July 7 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. (the eighth straight year that the ‘Gopher 50’ will be part of the WoO LMS but first time it will be run on a Saturday night); July 12 at Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg, Manitoba (the tour’s first-ever trip to the Canadian province); July 13 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.; and July 17 at Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, N.D., a three-eighths-mile oval that last hosted the WoO LMS in 2005 when it was a sprawling half-mile track.

Other highlights of the 2012 schedule include:

* A visit for the third consecutive season to Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway on Sat., April 28. The steeply-banked, one-third-mile oval is operated by 2011 WoO LMS Promoter of the Year Gary Hall.

* A Southeastern doubleheader on May 4 at 311 Motor Speedway in Pine Hall, N.C., and May 5 at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway. While the WoO LMS will compete at Swainsboro for the third straight year, it will make its first-ever appearance at 311.

* The WoO LMS ends a one-year absence from the state of Ohio with an event on May 25 at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, which last hosted the tour in 2006. Wayne County will join with Tyler County (May 26) and West Virginia Motor Speedway (May 27) to form an attractive Memorial Day weekend tripleheader.

* The traditional spring midweek event at Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, which hosts the WoO LMS for the eighth time in nine years on Thurs., May 31. The trip to the First State once again coincides with the NASCAR weekend at nearby Dover International Speedway.

* Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway has set a Sat., June 16, date after being absent from last year’s tour – the first time in the history of the WoO LMS that Hagerstown did not schedule an event.

* Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., will present its sixth annual WoO LMS 50-lapper on Sun., June 17, one month earlier than in past years.

* Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway will host a return engagement of the World of Outlaws, bringing the tour back for a second consecutive season on Fri., July 20. Series travelers will stop at the big half-mile oval en route home from the Wild West Tour.

* Shawano (Wis.) Speedway will continue its midweek date preceding the USA Nationals when it presents the World of Outlaws for the third year in a row on Wed., Aug. 1.

* This past year’s successful summer doubleheader in the Wolverine State will return in ’12 with visits on Aug. 17 to Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Mich., and Aug. 18 to Merritt Raceway in Lake City, Mich.

* Winchester (Va.) Speedway will anchor a late-summer weekend of competition, hosting the tour on Sat., Aug. 25. One or two events will be paired with the one-third-mile track, which ran its first-ever WoO LMS race in 2011.

* McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa., which drew a standing-room-only crowd to its first-ever WoO LMS event in 2011, will give fans another opportunity to see the tour on Wed., Aug. 29.

* A late-season doubleheader in the Midwest on Fri., Sept. 14, at Farmer City and Sat., Sept. 15, at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., which will continue its popular 55-lap A-Main format.

* A visit to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, N.Y., on Thurs., Oct. 4, as part of Super DIRT Week, the annual showcase of Northeast DIRTcar Modified racing at the nearby one-mile New York State Fairgrounds.

Among the dates still to be announced is a pre-Firecracker 100 Northern swing through New York and Canada. Events are planned for June 20 and 26 in the Empire State and June 22 and 23 in Canada; the host tracks will be announced after negotiations are complete, said Christman.

Five facilities are scheduled to host multiple WoO LMS A-Mains in 2012. Tracks set to run three races are Bubba Raceway Park, Lernerville and The Dirt Track at Charlotte, which also presents the mid-week World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown on Oct. 10 as part of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s NASCAR weekend. Two events will be contested at Tyler County and Farmer City, which hosts a 50-lap event on Sept. 14 in addition to the Illini 100.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Schedule (as of Dec. 2, 2011)

Date – Day – Track/Location – Event - To Win - Laps

Feb. 10-11 - Fri./Sat. - Screven Motor Speedway/Sylvania, Ga. (Winter Freeze) - $20,000 – 60L

Feb. 16 – Thurs. - Bubba Raceway Park/Ocala, Fla. (LM Winter Nationals) - $8,000 – 40L

Feb. 17 – Fri. - Bubba Raceway Park/Ocala, Fla. (LM Winter Nationals) - $10,000 – 50L

Feb. 18 – Sat. - Bubba Raceway Park/Ocala, Fla. (LM Winter Nationals) - $12,000 – 60L

Feb. 23 – Thurs. - Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, Fla. (DIRTcar Nationals) - $10,000 – 50L

Feb. 25 – Sat. - Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, Fla. (DIRTcar Nationals) - $10,000 -50L

March 30-31 - Fri./Sat. - Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway (Illini 100) - $20,000 – 100L

April 27 – Friday – TBA

April 28 – Sat. - Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway - $10,000 – 50L

May 4 – Fri. - 311 Motor Speedway/Pine Hall, N.C. - $10,000 – 50L

May 5 – Sat. - Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway - $10,000 – 50L

May 25 – Fri. - Wayne County Speedway/Orrville, Ohio - $10,000 – 50L

May 26 – Sat. - Tyler County Speedway/Middlebourne, W.Va. – TBA

May 27 – Sun. - West Virginia Motor Speedway/Mineral Wells, W.Va. - $10,000 – 50L

May 31 – Thurs. - Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, Del. - $10,000 – 50L

June 16 – Sat. – Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway - $10,000 – 50L

June 17 – Sun. - Eriez Speedway/Hammett, Pa. - $10,000 – 50L

June 20 – Wed. - TBA (New York)

June 22 – Fri. - TBA (Canada)

June 23 – Sat. - TBA (Canada)

June 26 – Tues. - TBA (New York)

June 28 – Thurs. - Lernerville Speedway/Sarver, Pa. (Firecracker 100) - $6,000 – 30L

June 29 – Fri. - Lernerville Speedway/Sarver, Pa. (Firecracker 100) - $6,000 – 30L

June 30 – Sat. - Lernerville Speedway/Sarver, Pa. (Firecracker 100) - $30,000 – 100L

July 6 – Fri. - Amsoil Speedway/Superior, Wis. (Wild West Tour) - $10,000 – 50L

July 7 – Sat. - Deer Creek Speedway/Spring Valley, Minn. (Wild West Tour) - $10,000 – 50L

July 10 – Tues. – TBA (Wild West Tour)

July 12 – Thurs. - Red River Co-op Speedway/Winnipeg, MAN (Wild West Tour) - $10,000 – 50L

July 13 – Fri. - River Cities Speedway/Grand Forks, N.D. (Wild West Tour) - $10,000 – 50L

July 14 – Sat. – TBA (Wild West Tour)

July 17 – Tues. - Red River Valley Speedway/Fargo, N.D. (Wild West Tour) – TBA

July 20 – Fri. – Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway - $10,000 – 50L

July 21 – Sat. – TBA

Aug. 1 – Wed. - Shawano (Wis.) Speedway - $10,000 – 50L

Aug. 3-4 - Fri./Sat. - Cedar Lake Speedway/New Richmond, Wis. (USA Nationals) -$50,000 – 100L

Aug. 6 - Mon. – TBA

Aug. 17 – Fri. - Winston Speedway/Rothbury, Mich. - $10,000 – 50L

Aug. 18 – Sat. - Merritt Raceway/Lake City, Mich. - $10,000 – 50L

Aug. 24 – Fri. – TBA

Aug. 25 – Sat. - Winchester (Va.) Speedway - $10,000 – 50L

Aug. 26 – Sun. – TBA

Aug. 29 – Wed. - McKean County Raceway/E. Smethport, Pa. - $10,000 – 50L

Sept. 1 - Sat. - Tyler County Speedway/Middlebourne, W.Va. (Black Diamond 125) - $30,000* - 45L

Sept. 14 – Fri. - Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway - $10,000 – 50L

Sept. 15 – Sat. - I-55 Raceway/Pevely, Mo. - $10,000 – 55L

Oct. 4 – Thurs. - Rolling Wheels Raceway Park/Elbridge, N.Y. - $10,000 – 50L

Oct. 10 – Wed. - The Dirt Track at Charlotte/Concord, N.C. (WoO LM Showdown) – TBA – 50L

Nov. 1 – Thurs. - The Dirt Track at Charlotte/Concord, N.C. (World Finals) – Qualify

Nov. 2 – Fri. - The Dirt Track at Charlotte/Concord, N.C. (World Finals) - $10,000 – 50L

Nov. 3 - Sat. - The Dirt Track at Charlotte/Concord, N.C. (World Finals) - $10,000 – 50L

Schedule subject to change. Check WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest information.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Clanton Joins Kennedy Motorsports For 2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Campaign

After Leaving RSD Enterprises Seat, Georgia Driver Will Follow National Tour As Teammate To New York’s John Lobb

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 30, 2011 – Shane Clanton will close one chapter in his dirt Late Model life and begin a new one in 2012.

The 36-year-old driver from Fayetteville, Ga., decided on Monday to make a dramatic change in his career path, leaving Ronnie Dobbins’s RSD Enterprises team to join the fledgling Kennedy Motorsports operation as a teammate to 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year contender John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

Clanton will remain a regular on the WoO LMS for the eighth consecutive season, but that will be the only thing ordinary about ’12 for the hard-charger known as ‘Coconut.’ He has, after all, entered every event on the national tour since 2005 behind the wheel of a car owned by Dobbins, a Peach State businessman who has fielded dirt Late Models for decades.

“It’s gonna be emotional for sure because I’ve never been on the road without Ronnie,” said Clanton, who began a rise from standout regional racer to national stardom when Dobbins hired him in 2003. “This was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.”

But according to Clanton, it was a decision he had to make. Since reaching a high point with Dobbins in 2008 when he set WoO LMS career highs in victories (four) and top-five finishes (22) and won the prestigious DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned World 100 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, Clanton has not met his own expectations. He hasn’t cracked the top five in the WoO LMS points standings for three straight seasons and in 2011 managed just one win and four top-five finishes on the circuit, forcing him to seriously reevaluate where he was headed.

“Ever since I started driving for Ronnie, he’s said, ‘There always comes a time in motorsports for a change,’” remarked Clanton, whose seventh-place finish in the 2011 WoO LMS points standings was his worst since 2005, when he placed 10th after missing seven races due to a shoulder injury. “For me and Ronnie, it seems to be the time for that change. We hit a wall – we weren’t performing up to what either one of us felt our potential was, so it’s best that we do something now rather than wait until later.”

With an attractive fulltime ride offer from Kennedy Motorsports owner John Kennedy sitting in front of him, Clanton spoke with Dobbins on Monday and went ahead with a headline-grabbing move.

“Believe me, this decision was tough,” said Clanton, who was afforded the opportunity to race for a living by Dobbins. “It felt like it just happened overnight, but I thought long and hard about what I needed to do. Ronnie gave me some advice when we sat down and had a long conversation about the whole deal, and then we decided to part ways.”

Clanton asserted that his separation from Dobbins was “business” and won’t diminish the close bond the two men have forged.

“Our friendship is way more important,” said Clanton, who habitually called Dobbins after all of his races to report his results. “There’s nothing that you can say bad about Ronnie. I hate that he’s not gonna be part of my team anymore, but I hope he’s part of my life.

“The friendship that me and him built over the past nine years is pretty special to me. I mean, Ronnie and his wife Janice knew me as a kid growing up, so it’s more than just him being my boss, you know what I’m saying? Him being my car owner developed into more of a friendship than a business, and that’s the way I want to keep it.

“We both feel it’s time to do something different,” he added, “and the opportunity came for me to do something different.”

During the 2011 season Clanton became friendly with Lobb, a 42-year-old veteran of the western Pennsylvania-area dirt Late Model wars who followed the WoO LMS for the first time with Kennedy’s backing. Lobb received some guidance from Clanton, and Kennedy, who served as Lobb’s crew chief before moving west to Phoenix in 1998, approached Clanton to discuss the possibility of joining forces.

“I guess they liked the way I approached things and did things,” said Clanton, whose 15 career WoO LMS triumphs places him in a tie for eighth on the tour’s win list since 2004. “(Kennedy) asked me if I’d be interested in doing something, and I said, ‘I’m not really interested in talking about it until I get done with this season.’ Well, he came to me after Charlotte (the Lowes Foods World Finals on Nov. 3-5) when our season was over and we put this deal together, and now we’re gonna move forward.”

Kennedy, who heads a Phoenix-based company, Kennedy Partners, which handles a variety of capital improvement construction projects (solar, new schools, etc.), will essentially launch a new team to bring Clanton into the fold. Clanton will oversee Kennedy Motorsports’ expansion from a familiar place – a shop in Georgia that his late father, Billy Clanton, used during his legendary racing career – while Lobb’s effort will be based in his own garage in the Empire State.

Both Clanton and Lobb, who finished 13th in the 2011 WoO LMS points standings, will campaign Core Construction-sponsored Capital Race Cars, the chassis that Clanton co-developed with former dirt Late Model driver Marshall Green and debuted in 2011. Clanton struggled to get his Capital machine up to speed – while he scored his only WoO LMS victory of ’11, on July 19 at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway, in a Capital car, he spent most of the season’s second half driving his battle-tested Rocket – but he’s confident that further refinement will lead to better results in 2012.

“John (Lobb) and I will be full-fledged teammates sharing notes,” said Clanton, who will continue to use his customary No. 25 that he inherited from his father. “Hopefully I can help pick up his program and I can benefit from his input on the cars as well.”

The off-season will be a whirlwind for Clanton, who currently has the Capital car he drove in ’11 (he obtained it from Dobbins) but little other equipment. He needs to build more cars – for himself and Lobb – assemble his crew and put together all the spare parts and other items necessary to run a big-time dirt Late Model schedule.

“We’re building a new team here, so it’s gonna take some time to do it,” said Clanton, one of just two drivers with at least one WoO LMS A-Main in every season since 2004 (Darrell Lanigan is the other). “We’d like to go to Arizona in January (the four-race Wild West Shootout on Jan. 18 and 20-22 at USA Raceway in Tucson) if we can get our cars done because John (Kennedy) and most of our sponsors are based out there, but the big picture is the World of Outlaws so we gotta be ready for (the season opener) at Screven (Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., on Feb. 10-11).”

Clanton understands the challenge facing him. He’s departed an established team to start virtually from scratch with an operation that Kennedy launched just over one year ago, but he’s confident he can be a success.

“If everything falls in place, I think we can get back to where we were a couple years ago,” said Clanton, whose top WoO LMS points finishes are second (2006) and fourth (’07 and ’08). “It’s gonna take a lot of hard work, but I’m excited to have the opportunity I’ve gotten from Kennedy Motorsports. I’m not saying it’s a short road, but eventually we’re gonna get back on top.”

Kennedy, 42, is certainly enthused about his upcoming two-driver WoO LMS assault.

“I’m very excited about Shane joining Kennedy Motorsports,” said Kennedy, who kept in touch with Lobb for more than a decade after relocating before deciding to start his own team. “I have enjoyed getting to know Shane and his crew over the course of the last year and he brings an awful lot of talent and experience to the team.

“We’re also very excited about the change to Capital Race cars and the opportunity to work with Marshall Green. We’re really looking forward to 2012.”

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Mike Harrison Deserves ‘Mr. DIRTcar UMP Modified’ Distinction After Winning Second Straight National Title In 2011

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 28, 2011 - Go ahead and call Mike Harrison ‘Mr. DIRTcar UMP Modified.’ He’s earned the distinction.

Following a spectacular 2011 season that saw the 37-year-old from Highland, Ill., win both the DIRTcar UMP Modified national championship for the second straight year and the inaugural DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals title, there’s no doubt he’s established himself as the open-wheel division’s preeminent chauffeur.

Statistics don’t lie, and Harrison has some pretty impressive ones to show off. Most tellingly, he became just the third driver in 18 years to win back-to-back UMP Modified national crowns and, with his third career championship, moved within one of matching the circuit-record four national titles owned by Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., who is now a dirt Late Model star.

For his milestone national title, Harrison will receive a $20,000 points-fund check and championship trophy during the 28th annual DIRTcar UMP ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet on Jan. 7, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Ill.

“To win one (national title) was great, and now to say I’ve won three of them – I just don’t know what to say,” Harrison, whose first championship came in 2004, said in a post-season interview with Dave Seay of DirtCast.com. “To be creeping up there to the Jimmy Owens area (in championships), I never would’ve thought I could’ve done something like that. But you never know. Everything can be done.”

A UMP Modified regular since 1996 whose impressive racing resume boasts 337 career wins and six track championships, Harrison proved that he’s at the top of his game in ’11. After outdueling four drivers in a dramatic down-to-the-wire points battle for the 2010 national championship, he picked up right where he left off when the ’11 campaign began. Harrison won his first start of the season, on March 18 at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., and never slowed down en route to joining Owens (2000-02) and Danny Yanders (1995-96) as national champs in consecutive years.

In all, Harrison won 24 DIRTcar-sanctioned features in ’11 – second only to the 25 logged by Quincy, Ill.’s Michael Long – at 11 tracks in four states. His checkered-flag tour included triumphs at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill. (five wins); his hometown’s Highland Speedway (four); Belle-Clair (three); Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway, I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind., and Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. (two at each); and LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway, Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway, Peoria (Ill.) Speedway and Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind. (one at each).

Eight of Harrison’s victories came on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, a new series run in conjunction with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ for Late Models.

The Summit Modified Nationals was actually the first goal of ’11 for Harrison and his team, which is owned by Craig and Mary Kay Maskal of Lebanon, Ill. Setting off on the road with the series to add some variety to his racing schedule, Harrison emerged as its dominant force, failing to reach Victory Lane just three times in the 11 starts he made from mid-June through mid-July. He romped to the title, beating Jeff Curl of Forrest, Ill., by 209 points (750-541) in standings determined using drivers’ 10 best finishes.

“That was a big deal for us,” Harrison said of the Summit Modified Nationals. “Traveling around to different tracks – it was a lot of fun, I’ll tell you that.”

It also served as a springboard to the UMP Modified national championship. The tour’s big fields allowed Harrison to earn the maximum bonus points toward the circuit’s overall title at virtually every event, putting him atop the national points race midway through the summer.

Harrison didn’t waltz to the national crown, however. The points standings, which were determined using drivers’ best 25 finishes/points nights over the course of a season ending with the DIRTcar UMP Nationals on Oct. 8-9 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, tightened considerably down the stretch. Several challengers rose up, including Long and Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind., and Harrison took notice.

“I usually don’t let that stuff worry me, but I found myself with about a month to go really following what those guys were doing,” Harrison told DirtCast.com. “Then I got into farming and that really helped. When it gets into the (prime) farming time, it takes a toll on me working 14 to 15 hours a day, so for the last month-and-a-half (of the points season) I was counting on my guys to work on the car. I was just going home, going to bed and getting up and going to work again.

“That actually helped me because it let me just show up at the track and focus on that.”

Harrison, who makes his living hauling grain, driving a tractor and doing other assorted farm jobs for Rinderer Farms in Trenton, Ill. (which is also a sponsor of his team), clinched the championship with a flourish, winning his final feature of the season on Sept. 30 at Tri-City. The triumph allowed him to run stress-free in the following week’s DIRTcar UMP Nationals at Eldora, where he placed ninth and ended the points season with a 17-point (1,924-1,907) edge over Long.

After celebrating his national championship in front of the Eldora crowd, Harrison deflected praise for his achievement from himself to the people who shared the stage with him and the sponsors who helped them get there. His list of appreciation included his car owners; his wife and the wives of his crewmen; Rinderer Farms (“For letting me have time off to go out and do it”); Kehrer Brothers Roofing; Aggressive Graphics; Wick Racing Fuels; Larry Shaw Race Cars; and Dargie Race Engines.

“It’s just not all me,” asserted Harrison. “There’s a lot behind-the-scenes.”

Yes, a guy doesn’t become Mr. DIRTcar UMP Modified on talent alone – although as Harrison shows every time he gets behind the wheel, it’s definitely a requirement.

*****

Ticket order forms for the annual DIRTcar UMP ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet on Jan. 7, 2012, at the Crown Plaza in Springfield, Ill., are available on-line at www.dirtcar.com under ‘Downloadable Forms’ or by calling the UMP office at 618-450-2072.

Harrison will be one of eight DIRTcar UMP national champions honored during the gala, joining Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill. (Late Models), Dustin Griffin of Quincy, Ill. (Pro Late Models), Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind. (Sportsman), Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill. (Limited Modifieds), Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars), Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lakes, Mich. (Factory Stocks) and Jeremy Callahan of Mt. Vernon, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

For more information on DIRTcar Racing and to see the complete final points standings for all UMP-sanctioned divisions, visit www.dirtcar.com.

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified National Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1924

2. Michael Long 25 1907

3. Nick Allen 25 1886

4. Jacob Poel 25 1875

5. Ken Schrader 25 1871

6. Todd Sherman 25 1862

7. Ray Bollinger 25 1860

8. Clayton Miller 25 1834

9. Doug Adkins 25 1831

10. Jamie Lomax 25 1827

11. Danny Crane 25 1820

12. Scott Weber 25 1814

13. Tim Hancock 25 1791

14. John DeMoss 25 1779

15. Brian Lynn 25 1769

16. Jeff Leka 25 1766

17. Joe Rokos 25 1763

18. Mark Anderson 25 1759

19. Jim Farris Sr. 25 1755

20. Randle Sweeney 25 1747

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Missouri State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Danny Crane 25 1820

2. Steven Delonjay 25 1731

3. Michael Long 25 1725

4. Jason Russell 24 1516

5. Dave Wietholder 25 1514

6. Vance Wilson 25 1416

7. Jake Griffin 25 1282

8. Gary Blackburn Jr. 23 1247

9. Jared Schlipman 18 1080

10. Richard Foster 19 995

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Ohio State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Doug Adkins 25 1831

2. Jerry Bowersock 25 1537

3. David McWilliams 25 1527

4. Brian Post 25 1343

5. Zach Schroeder 18 1080

6. Bill Keeler 23 1071

7. Weasel Rhoades 17 1054

8. Dave Jamison 20 1029

9. Jimmy Lennex Jr. 24 1010

10. Mark Kaetzel II 25 999

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Kentucky/Tennessee State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Clayton Miller 25 1834

2. Randle Sweeney 25 1732

3. Trent Young 25 1680

4. Dustin Isom 25 1668

5. Justin Story 25 1525

6. Ronnie Falloway 25 1500

7. Paul Miles 25 1396

8. Kyle Robertson 25 1260

9. JR Mason 25 1253

10. Bryce Jewell 23 1232

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Midwest States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Michael Bolyard 25 1540

2. Gabe Menser 25 1511

3. Kelby Simmons 25 1405

4. Larry Anderson 25 1389

5. Tim Lewis Jr. 23 1086

6. Billy Lewis 25 1054

7. Cole Hussong 25 1028

8. Stan Beadles 20 983

9. Bill Wagoner 21 956

10. Will Krup 20 903

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Eastern States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Todd Sherman 25 1715

2. Derek Losh 25 1661

3. Jake Ruefer 25 1604

4. JR Ruefer 25 1385

5. Aaron Orr 24 1343

5. Andy Bishop 25 1343

7. Zeke Mckenzie 25 1286

8. Tony Anderson 22 1235

9. Ryan Cripe 25 1123

10. Bruce Takach 17 1096

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Northwest States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Troy Foulger 25 1544

2. Chris Shannon 22 1304

3. Bobby Hogge IV 15 933

4. Scott Busby 14 740

5. Mike Salazar 14 612

6. Randy McDaniel 12 598

7. Chester Kniss 14 553

8. Sean Ogara 12 543

9. Nick Decarlo 10 542

10. Dereck Colvin 13 536

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Deep South State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Jeff Mathews 25 1710

2. Kyle Bronson 23 1254

3. Garrett Stewart 22 1118

4. Larry Burkins 23 1105

5. Scott Mooers 25 1086

6. Jared Allison 16 960

7. Dale Murray 22 940

8. Dave Barber Jr. 18 879

9. Jim Passino 16 765

10. Ronnie Chance 17 705

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Indiana State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Clint Demoss 25 1721

2. Richie Lex 25 1596

3. Derek Groomer 23 1471

4. Paul Bumgardner 25 1449

5. Kenny Carmichael Sr. 25 1379

6. Schuyler Nahre 25 1304

7. John DeMoss 18 1180

8. Brian Hayden 19 1117

9. Wes Mcclara 24 1091

10. Carlos Bumgardner Sr. 24 1076

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Michigan State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Jacob Poel 25 1875

2. Joe Rokos 25 1763

3. Mark Anderson 25 1759

4. Rich Robinson Jr. 25 1605

4. Andrew Sprague 25 1605

6. Stan Dodds 25 1483

7. Jeff Erickson 25 1412

8. David Mielke 25 1361

9. Cody Bauer 25 1337

10. Steve Mcclees 25 1303

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Northern Illinois State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Ray Bollinger 25 1804

2. Jamie Lomax 25 1784

3. Nick Allen 25 1761

4. Jim Farris Sr. 25 1755

5. Lance Dehm 25 1677

6. Steven Brooks 25 1640

7. Jeff Leka 25 1622

8. Jay Ledford 25 1571

9. Justin Delong 25 1546

10. Jeff Curl 25 1536

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Modified Southern Illinois State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Tim Hancock 25 1791

2. Scott Weber 25 1763

3. Dean Hoffman 25 1736

4. Mike Harrison 25 1664

5. Steve Lach 25 1596

6. Brian Lynn 25 1579

7. Guy Taylor 25 1577

8. Ray Walsh 25 1518

9. Brian Diveley 25 1498

10. Brett Korves 25 1464

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Chris Dolack, VP Media/PR

cdolack@dirtcar.com | 704-795-7223

DIRTcar UMP Modifieds Invading Four Florida Tracks for 15 Nights in February

DIRTcar Late Models, Super DIRTcar Big-Blocks also hitting Sunshine State to kick off 2012 racing season

CONCORD, N.C. - Nov. 26, 2011 - Anchored around the 41^st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park, 15 nights of DIRTcar UMP Modified racing at four Florida racetracks kick start the 2012 action in February, plus seven nights of DIRTcar Late Models and four nights of Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.

The racing heats up in Florida beginning Feb. 2 for three nights at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, then slides across the state to East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton for three more nights. Both tracks will feature $5,000-to-win finales before invading Volusia Speedway Park Feb. 14 in Barberville for eight nights of racing in the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, including the $5,000-to-win Gator Championship and the final night of Twin or Triple 25's depending on car count. That final night will get a makeover this season, too, with the top point drivers competing in one race while the next group in points will compete in the second race and finally a third group in points, if necessary, in a final feature. All three races will pay $700 to win with the Top 10 in points in each group being inverted.

Following the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will wrap up their Florida tour with three nights at North Florida Speedway beginning Feb. 23 in Lake City.

The UNOH DIRTcar Nationals will feature six nights of DIRTcar Late Models, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20, and competing two nights in conjunction with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. The final three nights of DIRTcar Late Models will be racing for $10,000-to-win.

The UNOH DIRTcar Nationals also serves as the winter break for Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds each year. The four-night Florida Tour for the Big-Blocks begins Wednesday, Feb. 22.

For tickets to the 41^st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals, call 877-395-8606 or click DIRTcarNationals.com and click the link for tickets. For more information on Bubba Raceway Park, click BubbaRacewayPark.com. For more on East Bay Raceway Park, click EastBayRacewayPark.com. For more on North Florida Speedway, click NorthFloridaSpeedway.com.

DIRTcar UMP Modifieds

Date	Winner's Share	Track	Location
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012	$1,500	Bubba Raceway Park	Ocala, FL
Friday, Feb. 3, 2012	$1,750	Bubba Raceway Park	Ocala, FL
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012	$5,000	Bubba Raceway Park	Ocala, FL
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012	$1,500	East Bay Raceway	Gibsonton, FL
Friday, Feb. 10, 2012	$1,500	East Bay Raceway	Gibsonton, FL
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012	$5,000	East Bay Raceway	Gibsonton, FL
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012	$1,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012	$1,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012	$1,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Friday, Feb. 17, 2012	$1,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012	$700 (half field)	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012	$700 (half field)	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Monday, Feb. 20, 2012	$5,000/$250 start	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012	$700 all features	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012	$1,000	North Florida Speedway	Lake City, FL
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012	$1,000	North Florida Speedway	Lake City, FL
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012	$2,000	North Florida Speedway	Lake City, FL

DIRTcar Late Models

Date	Winner's Share	Track	Location
Monday, Feb. 20, 2012	$7,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012	$7,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012	$7,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012	$10,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012	$10,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2011	$10,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

Date	Winner's Share	Track	Location
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012	$2,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012	$2,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012	$2,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2011	$5,000	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville FL

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Eckert’s Wild 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship Celebration Was A Long Time Coming

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 23, 2011 - Rick Eckert had never experienced a moment quite like the one that immediately followed the final night of the fifth annual Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

But of course, no one around dirt Late Model racing had ever seen anything like it.

After Eckert clinched his first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship on Nov. 5 in dramatic fashion – when Josh Richards slowed with a flat tire on the final circuit of the tour’s season-ending 50-lap A-Main, Eckert swooped by to snatch the title – an unforgettable scene swept over the facility. The resolution of a tense, nip-and-tuck points battle had come so suddenly that emotions – from Eckert, from Eckert’s team, from Eckert’s fans, from every last person in the capacity crowd of over 14,000 – simply exploded with a nuclear bomb’s ferocity.

Eckert, 45, of York, Pa., was mobbed by well-wishers when he stopped his car on the homestretch for the post-race ceremonies. Tears of joy flowed freely among those closest to the veteran driver, whose own eyes welled up a bit after he came to the realization that he had not only pocketed a $100,000 points-fund check for his self-owned team but finally reached the pinnacle of a series he has followed religiously since 2004 when it was re-launched under the World Racing Group banner.

“It means a lot to win this thing because we were here since the beginning,” said Eckert, who became the seventh different driver in eight years to raise the WoO LMS championship trophy. “Not everybody who’s been here (since ’04) has won a championship, but after doing it for so long I was like, ‘I’d really like to win this before we can’t do the whole series anymore.’

“Truthfully, there would’ve been a void if we never won it. It feels great to finally put one of these on our list.”

The significance of Eckert’s accomplishment was written all over his face when he emerged from his car. Wearing a smile wider than his orange race car hauler, he pumped his fists in the air to acknowledge the roar of an energized crowd – all of whom had risen to their feet as the race’s last lap unfolded – and was then swallowed up by a mass of humanity.
Like a basketball player who won a championship with a buzzer-beating jumper, Eckert found himself in the middle of a raucous hug-fest. His wife, Kristal, grabbed him while sobbing uncontrollably – and admitted later that the final lap happened so fast, she had to be told that her husband had won the title. His 22-year-old daughter, Courtney, wept as she thrust her arms around dear old Dad. His chief mechanic and longtime friend, Bob Miller, and his quiet crewman, Danny White, who joined Eckert’s team on a fulltime basis in 2011, bear-hugged their driver. And his army of family members and supporters who had watched from the grandstands and the suites also joined the celebration, including his father Junior, a former racer who faithfully follows his son’s racing exploits; his mother, who attended the race while battling cancer because her doctors postponed a scheduled chemo treatment; and Barbara Vest, the wife of Eckert’s former car owner Raye Vest, who passed away during the 2009 World Finals.

More than a half-hour after the checkered flag had fallen, Eckert was still on The Dirt Track’s homestretch, savoring the electric atmosphere.

“This is cool,” Eckert said in an interview for WorldofOutlaws.com while standing amidst dozens of people. “This is cool that they do (Victory Lane) on the front straightaway so all these fans can come down.”

Seconds later Eckert was inundated – on camera – by four screaming fans from Pennsylvania who were dressed up as Teletubbies, those colorful characters that were once the stars of a show for pre-schoolers. Shortly thereafter Eckert climbed back in his car and drove to his trailer in the pit area, where he received a hero’s welcome and then partied until the wee hours – with a group that, of course, included the costumed Keystone Staters.

*****
While Eckert’s championship would have been popular regardless of how he secured it, the unique circumstances that brought him the title on the final lap of the season’s final race made it truly historic. While his championship margin of 14 points over Richards only tied for the fourth-closest in WoO LMS history, no points battle was ever decided in more dramatic fashion and in front of more fans.

Eckert entered the World Finals doubleheader with a 14-point advantage over Richards, who was seeking his unprecedented third consecutive championship. The difference shrank to just two points after Richards finished sixth and Eckert was 12th in the weekend’s first 50-lap A-Main on Nov. 4, setting up a Saturday-night showdown in which the driver who placed highest would win the crown.

“Me and Josh were talking before the (Saturday night) race, and he says, ‘Can we make this any harder?’” recalled Eckert, who mentored Richards early in the 23-year-old driver’s career. “I said, ‘No, there’s no possible way. We’re making it great for the fans, but usually what’s great for them isn’t good for us.’”

After both drivers struggled in qualifying, Richards started 17th and Eckert took the green flag from 20th in the feature, bunching them together for the deciding event. They proceeded to run the entire distance always in sight – and often within inches – of each other.

Eckert moved ahead of Richards at mid-pack for the first time on lap 25, two circuits after the race’s first caution flag flew. Richards briefly fell three spots behind Eckert before tossing his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car to the outside of the four-tenths-mile oval and regaining the upper hand on lap 28.

When a caution flag flew on lap 37, Richards sat 14th and Eckert was 15th – a dead-heat in the points race, though Richards held the tie-breaker with his series-leading nine wins versus Eckert’s three. They resumed their battle on the restart but later that lap were nearly swept up in a multi-car tangle between turns three and four. Eckert escaped the incident unscathed on the outside while Richards pressed on despite clipping the sliding car of Darrell Lanigan with the right-rear corner of his machine.

Richards and Eckert were 11th and 12th, respectively, for the ensuing restart, but two circuits later Richards was up to 10th and Eckert had fallen to 13th. Richards picked up another spot on lap 42 and, with Eckert still wallowing in 13th, settled into a groove that seemed likely to bring him a championship threepeat.

While Eckert hadn’t given up the fight, he knew his title dreams were drifting away.

“I had burnt my stuff down, burnt my tires off,” said Eckert, whose previous best WoO LMS points finish was third, in 2005. “I knew I just had to race hard from the drop of the green. Normally in a condition like (Charlotte was) where it’s wearing tires, I would’ve driven a little easier early and had tire left at the end, but I couldn’t do that. My personal opinion was that I needed to get in front of (Richards) and stay in front of him in case the racetrack locked down. I did get by him at one point, but the track never really locked down in a single lane and he came back by me.

“I was still running as hard as I could, but I didn’t really have anything left and I knew we were running out of laps.”

Alas, fortune was on Eckert’s side. As Richards slid through turns three and four with the white flag flying, his car suddenly lost speed. A flat right-rear tire was visible as he passed the start/finish line and he slowed drastically through turns one and two.

“I seen him slip off of four there,” Eckert recalled of the championship-turning moment. “He slipped up the racetrack, and I thought, That’s an odd place to slip up the racetrack like that. Then he went down the front straightaway and he started lifting the left front, and I was like, ‘Holy s---, I think he’s getting a flat!’

“The flagstand at (Charlotte) is really high – you have to look up for it – so after I looked at (Richards) I looked up and I seen the flagman was throwing the white (flag). I was like, ‘If he’s getting a flat I have to get after it.’ So I floored into the top of one and two so I could cross him back over as he went up the racetrack. I went by him off two and then all I could think of was that I might blow out (a tire) in three and four.”

Eckert made it to the checkered flag, finishing a distant but very rewarding 12th as Richards limped to an 18th-place finish. In barely a 20-second span, Eckert’s emotions literally flipped from dejection to elation.

“I was happy when I crossed the finish line,” said Eckert. “Then I started thinking, Did this really just happen?”

Indeed it had – in the most unlikely manner imaginable.

“If you had told me coming into the (World Finals) weekend that we could’ve run 12th twice and won the championship, I would’ve said you were crazy,” said Eckert. “I was figuring I would have to be in the top three both nights because Josh is so good (at Charlotte).

“But you never know what can happen,” he added. “We got lucky, but I’ve always said I’d rather be lucky than good.”

*****

The World Finals finale was a virtual microcosm of the 2011 WoO LMS season, which followed a familiar script: every time Richards appeared to be on the verge of overtaking Eckert for the points lead, a bad break would push Richards back.

Richards topped Eckert in all the major statistical categories during the 32-race World of Outlaws campaign, including wins (9-3), top-fives (22-16) and top-10s (26-25). But after Richards ceded the points lead to Eckert following the May 7 event at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway – Eckert won his first A-Main of ’11 that evening while Richards lost eight laps repairing a folded front bumper and finished 19th – the two rivals remained one-two in the standings for the remainder of the season.

The difference? Eckert was solid and indestructible, finishing worse than 13th just once (a 16th-place run on Aug. 20 at Michigan’s Merritt Raceway) while completing all 1,637 possible laps in the season’s 30 full-points A-Mains. Richards, meanwhile, experienced five subpar finishes (14th, 16th, 18th, 19th and 21st) and completed 1,597 of 1,637 laps in full-points A-Mains.

“We didn’t win nearly as many races as we would’ve liked to, but we were consistent,” said Eckert, whose only blemishes on an otherwise sparking performance record came in the two WoO LMS events that offered show-up points (mechanical trouble left him with a DNF/21st in the USA Nationals on Aug. 6 at Wisconsin’s Cedar Lake Speedway and he failed to qualify for the 16-car ‘Black Diamond 125’ headliner on Sept. 3 at West Virginia’s Tyler County Speedway). “We didn’t drop out of races and we ran in the top five a lot more than we have the last couple years.”

The most startling aspect of Eckert’s best WoO LMS season since 2006 (when he won eight A-Mains but finished sixth in the points standings) was that he wasn’t even sure he could run the entire schedule. Coming off a rough ’10 season that saw him face the financial realities of fielding his own equipment after a 15-year run driving for Vest, Eckert conceded that ’11 could be the end of his stint as a series regular.

“If I was a betting guy, I would’ve bet against me finishing the season out,” Eckert said when asked about his mindset entering 2011. “So with that said, it really was unexpected for us to end up winning the championship.

“At the beginning of the year I looked at the (WoO LMS) schedule and it wasn’t as geographically friendly to where I live as it had been in the past. I made up my mind that we would see where we were at in the points before the Wild West Tour (in early July), and if we weren’t good then we’d just fall off and not make that whole trip.”

When that moment of truth arrived, however, Eckert found himself sitting atop the points standings. Hot off a superb three-night visit to Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., for the Firecracker 100 weekend (runner-up finishes in the two preliminary A-Mains and a third-place run in the 100-lapper) and a fourth-place finish in the ‘Outlaw Sizzler 101’ on July 3 at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway, he understood that he had to press on.

The holiday-weekend run at Tazewell, in fact, had provided Eckert his first inkling that something special was brewing with his 2011 season.

“I’ll be honest – the first time it struck me that we had a shot (at the championship) was when we were at Tazewell,” said Eckert, whose primary sponsor in ’11 was his brother-in-law Joe Darrah’s J&K Salvage. “Tire wear was really an issue there, and during cautions I saw that Josh’s dad kept stopping him (having him pull low and drive slowly) to look at his right-rear tire. I was like, ‘Man, they should know better than that, because when these tires are about bald the last thing you want to do is slow down like that because they’ll start to go flat.’ Well, after the third caution he did it and when he pulled back out in line his tire was going flat.”

Richards slowed with a flat tire and finished 16th after running fourth for most of the distance at Tazewell. Eckert moved up to place fourth, expanding his points lead from 16 to 40 points with one of those quiet but crucial types of performances that every champion has on their resume.

“We probably had a seventh-place car, but Josh and some other guys got to blowing out tires and we got to fourth,” said Eckert. “I was like, ‘If we can keep pulling this off, if things can keep going our way like this, we might have a shot.’”

Eckert did the three-race Wild West Tour. He came home from Gillette, Wyo., with an even larger edge of 52 points over Richards, who suffered a DNF/21 st-place finish on July 15 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., while Eckert placed a steady fifth.

For Richards, the deficit would be too much to completely overcome. He was the hottest driver of summer and early fall on the WoO LMS, winning seven times in the 15 events leading into the World Finals. But Eckert didn’t wilt under the pressure; maintaining his focus, he registered four of his six overall runner-up finishes in a six-race stretch in late July and early August and scored a critical victory on Oct. 6 at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, N.Y. – a triumph that not only got him back in the winner’s circle for the first time since May 12 at Delaware International Speedway, but also extended his points lead from 16 to 22 markers.

One month later, Eckert was sitting on top of the World of Outlaws universe. If there is such a thing at Karma, then Eckert had it in 2011.

“I believe in it,” said Eckert, who sits fourth on the WoO LMS win list since 2004 with 24 career victories. “Sometimes you work hard and things work out, and sometimes you run terrible. This year things seemed to work out for us. It was our year.”

Perhaps Eckert even had some assistance from above that made his championship drive possible. Two years after Vest – a man Eckert considered a second father – died at his home during the World Finals, Eckert could feel Vest riding with him in the season-ending race at The Dirt Track.

“Anytime we won Raye would say, ‘Man, I’m tired. I was helping you drive the whole race,’” Eckert said with a smile. “Well, I’m sure he helped me win that championship.”

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Goal Accomplished: Unzicker On Top Of World After Claiming 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model National Championship

Rising Illinois Driver Will Receive $20,000 Points-Fund Prize At DIRTcar UMP Awards Banquet On Jan. 7

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 22, 2011 - Ryan Unzicker wasn’t going to let the 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model national championship slip through his fingers.

Not after leading the points standings for more than four months. Not with his dream so close to being realized.

Unzicker, 30, of El Paso, Ill., wanted the national title more than he’s wanted anything in his racing career and, thanks to a dramatic final-month surge, he got it. After losing the points lead with just over one month left in the season, Unzicker roared back to win the $20,000 crown by 49 points (2,551-2,502) over defending champion Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich.

“It’s just so satisfying that we were able to pull it off after setting a goal of winning the championship,” said Unzicker, who will receive his points-fund check and championship trophy during the 28th annual DIRTcar UMP ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet on Jan. 7, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Ill. “We live right in the middle of UMP country and I’ve been racing with UMP ever since I started, so winning the national championship was my ultimate goal when I first got in the Late Model. Anytime you can achieve your goal, it’s a pretty good accomplishment.”

Securing the crown with style added even more significance to Unzicker’s breakthrough campaign, which put him at the pinnacle of DIRTcar UMP’s weekly racing program in just his seventh season of dirt Late Model competition. He responded to Schlenk’s late-summer rally by flashing true championship mettle, going on a hot streak with his family-owned team that dwarfed any he had previously experienced in his career.

After Unzicker’s once 300-plus-point edge turned into a deficit of nine, and then 37, points to Schlenk over a two-week period in late August and early September, his championship hopes appeared to be on life support. But over the next two weekends he was almost perfect, finishing second on Sept. 9 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway and then ripping off a career-high four consecutive wins, on Sept. 10 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway, Sept. 11 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., Sept. 16 at Kankakee and Sept. 17 at LaSalle.

By the end of the win streak, Unzicker found himself back on top of the national standings by 33 points over Schlenk after falling as far back as third. He finished no worse than seventh in his next six starts and clinched the title with his 17th victory of the season on Oct. 1 at Kankakee, allowing him to enter the ensuing weekend’s season-ending DIRTcar UMP Nationals at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, with no points pressure hanging over his head.

“We had a couple or three bad weeks, but we just knew the points were gonna get close toward the end of the year with the throw-out numbers,” Unzicker said of the national standings, which were determined using driver’s best 35 finishes/points nights. “When (Schlenk) came on and passed us, we all knew we had to step up. It was a lot of pressure, but we knew we could still do it.

“We just buckled down and kept digging. We put some new parts on the car and spent extra time in the garage because we didn’t want to take chances with anything. We made sure everything was right, and what we did the last month showed that we put in our homework.”

The tight points race forced Unzicker to bypass several major events, including the World 100 at Eldora, that he would have otherwise entered in favor of chasing points in weekly shows closer to home, but the sacrifice ended up being well worth it.

“We didn’t want to skip races like the World 100, but we had to this year to reach our goal,” said Unzicker, whose ambitious 84-race ’11 season included 37 top-five and 56 top-10 finishes. “It all worked out in our favor in the end.”

The importance of claiming DIRTcar UMP’s marquee national title was not lost on Unzicker. He was, after all, born and raised in El Paso, a small town just a half-hour west of the longtime DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway, and his first racing championship came in the DIRTcar UMP Street Stock division at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway in 2003.

“When I started running the Late Model stuff I knew there were a lot of names around this area that had won the national championship,” said Unzicker, who did some pavement racing on the ARCA and ASA series in 2003-04 before shifting his focus to dirt Late Model. “I wanted to be on that list. I wanted to be there forever. To accomplish it, it’s really neat. Now I can go to all my hometracks and just feel good about myself.

“We put so much heart, effort and work into it, and it’s great to see that stuff like that pays off. There are a lot of racers and people who put a lot of time and money into racing and they don’t get what they plan on getting, so I feel good that we were able to accomplish our goal. Hopefully we can proceed and keep going to even bigger things.”

The future certainly appears bright for Unzicker. A relative newcomer to the motorsports game – he didn’t begin his driving career until 2003 after graduating from Eureka (Ill.) College with a degree in Business Administration – his career arc is still very much on an upward trajectory.

Unzicker has shown steady shown progress in each season since he began running a heavy DIRTcar UMP schedule in 2008. His final national points standing has gone from 11th (’08) to sixth (’09) to third (’10) and finally this year’s title, while his finish in the grueling DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ standings has leaped from 12th in ’08 to seventh in ’09, fifth in ’10 and fourth this season. He nearly doubled his previous single-season high win total in 2011 (his victories came at eight different tracks in Illinois, including Fairbury, where he won three straight Saturday-night events during the summer), and he’s won a Summer Nationals feature in each of the last two years. Unzicker also has finished second in the Northern All-Stars Late Model Series points standings for two consecutive seasons.

A cerebral married man who makes his living as the safety director at his family’s RJR Transportation company, Unzicker and his family have assembled a formidable team that has plenty of room to grow. He sees the potential there to eventually meet any goal he can set.

“We want to keep building our program,” said Unzicker, who campaigns MasterSbilt cars powered by Rhyne Competition Engines. “We keep improving every year, getting our cars and motors a little bit better. It’s a long process, but we’re seeing results and we think we can do a little better next year.”

While Unzicker, who also won the DIRTcar UMP Illinois State Championship points race in 2011, would love to test his talents on a national tour like the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in the future if he can obtain sufficient sponsorship, he anticipates that the Midwest’s DIRTcar UMP circuit will remain his focus in ’12.

And wherever Unzicker appears with his familiar No. 24 machine – whether it be in a local weekly show, a Summer Nationals headliner or a regional special – he’ll receive plenty of attention. After becoming the 19th driver to win the DIRTcar UMP Late Model national title since 1984, he’s earned it.

*****

Ticket order forms for the annual DIRTcar UMP ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet on Jan. 7, 2012, at the Crown Plaza in Springfield, Ill., are available on-line at www.dirtcar.com under ‘Downloadable Forms’ or by calling the UMP office at 618-450-2072.

Unzicker will be one of eight DIRTcar UMP national champions honored during the gala, joining Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill. (UMP Modifieds), Dustin Griffin of Quincy, Ill. (Pro Late Models), Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind. (Sportsman), Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill. (Limited Modifieds), Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars), Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lakes, Mich. (Factory Stocks) and Jeremy Callahan of Mt. Vernon, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

For more information on DIRTcar Racing and to see the complete final points standings for all UMP-sanctioned divisions, visit www.dirtcar.com.

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model National Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2551

2. Rusty Schlenk 35 2502

3. Jon Henry 35 2465

4. Shannon Babb 35 2415

5. Jason Feger 35 2397

6. Brandon Thirlby 35 2346

7. Brandon Sheppard 35 2295

8. Randy Korte 35 2277

9. Eric Spangler 35 2243

10. Bobby Pierce 35 2192

10. Mike Provenzano 35 2192

12. Mike Spatola III 35 2187

13. Eric Smith 35 2080

14. Brian Ruhlman 35 2079

15. Dennis Erb Jr. 35 2028

16. Mark Voigt 35 2005

17. Steve Lance Jr. 35 1999

18. Michael Kloos 35 1990

19. Scott Schmitt 35 1976

20. Brian Shirley 35 1961

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Michigan State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Eric Spangler 35 2232

2. Brandon Thirlby 35 2168

3. Richard Neiser 30 1801

4. Adam Thrush 35 1595

5. Bill Bray 31 1518

6. Zach Olger 26 1445

7. Kevin Nelson Jr. 24 1289

8. Rob Taylor 27 1271

9. Kathy Jarvis 35 1252

10. Tom Sprague Jr. 23 1213

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Midwest States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Randy Korte 35 2219

2. Mark Voigt 35 1949

3. Chad Zobrist 34 1789

4. Dewayne Kiefer 35 1729

5. Michael Kloos 33 1700

6. Mike Schulte 35 1659

7. Frankie Martin 32 1594

8. Mike Hammerle 33 1583

9. Rick Salter 30 1324

10. Rickey Frankel 29 1309

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Illinois State Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2397

2. Mike Provenzano 35 2192

3. Eric Smith 35 2080

4. Bobby Pierce 35 2066

5. Mike Spatola III 35 1989

6. Scott Schmitt 35 1922

7. Brandon Sheppard 31 1889

8. Steve Lance Jr. 30 1768

9. Kevin Weaver 35 1738

9. Scott Bull 32 1738

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Western States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Garrett Alberson 25 1451

2. Justin Wells 23 1394

3. Dave Deetz 25 1200

4. Brad Looney 19 1192

5. Jeff Whyman 21 1053

6. Ronnie Bell 22 1049

7. Ron Frazier 18 1014

7. Gary Gorby 16 1014

9. Terry Phillips 16 995

10. Sherman Barnett 19 975

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Northwestern States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Trevor Glasier 17 986

2. Rob Mayea 11 705

3. Rick Wyatt 9 528

4. Richard Papenhausen 7 468

5. Brian Cronk 9 455

6. Jeremy Shank 8 441

7. Trent Elliott 10 430

8. Mark Carrell 8 426

9. Russ Sell 8 382

10. Mike Miller 9 374

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Eastern States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Jon Henry 31 1868

2. Rusty Schlenk 24 1571

3. Jared Miley 27 1454

4. Mike Johnson 30 1451

5. Brian Ruhlman 27 1438

6. Casey Noonan 28 1410

7. Dusty Moore 32 1361

8. John Garvin Jr. 32 1341

9. Ryan Missler 28 1285

10. Lynn Geisler 29 1261

Official Final 2011 DIRTcar UMP Late Model Southern States Championship Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points/Races Counted):

1. Terry English 28 1797

2. Caleb Ashby 28 1724

3. Jeff Walston 35 1586

4. Charles Zimmerman 27 1358

5. Levi Ashby 28 1246

6. Tanner English 23 1150

7. Carnell Parker III 22 1109

8. Dillan White 21 1092

9. Gavin Schmidt 24 1027

10. Tim Brown 18 966

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Owens Wins Lowes Foods World Finals Finale For Third Straight Year As Eckert Claims First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Title

Richards’s Flat On Final Lap Propels Eckert To $100,000 Championship Celebration At The Dirt Track At Charlotte

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 5, 2011 – Jimmy Owens enjoyed another up-close look at a World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship celebration following Saturday night’s fifth annual Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom Snack’s, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

After capturing the 50-lap World Finals finale for the third consecutive year, the standout driver from Newport, Tenn., witnessed a raucous Victory Lane scene involving Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who clinched his first-ever WoO LMS title in dramatic fashion.

“This is pretty amazing to be standing here again,” the 39-year-old Owens said after earning $10,275 for his first WoO LMS victory of 2011 and the fifth of his career. “We kind of have to share the spotlight, but we know that winning a championship is just awesome. It’s a real cool accomplishment – especially in front of this (capacity) crowd (of 14,000-plus) and in front of everyone watching on TV (on SPEED) – so hat’s off to Rick Eckert and all his guys.”

Eckert, 45, appeared resigned to finishing second in the national tour’s points standings until Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who entered the event trailing Eckert by just two points, slowed with a flat right-rear tire heading to the white flag. Richards, 23, was running ninth – four spots ahead of Eckert – when he fell off the pace, allowing Eckert to sail by through turns one and two and finish a very rewarding 12th.

With Richards limping to an 18th-place finish, Eckert claimed the coveted $100,000 WoO LMS championship by a 14-point margin. A series regular since the circuit was re-launched in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner, Eckert became the seventh driver to win the points crown.

“We’ve been here (on the World of Outlaws trail) since the beginning so we wanted to get (a championship),” said Eckert, whose previous best points finish was third in 2005. “It was cool to get it.”

Securing the title certainly tested Eckert’s resolve, however. When Richards sliced Eckert’s edge to two points after Friday night’s A-Main, the veteran driver found himself on the verge of relinquishing the top spot in the standings for the first time since he assumed command with his first triumph of the season, on May 7 at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway.

Richards started 17th and Eckert took the green flag from 20th in the Saturday’s feature, setting up a nip-and-tuck battle for World of Outlaws glory. They ran the entire distance always in sight – and often within inches – of each other.

Eckert moved ahead of Richards at mid-pack for the first time on lap 25, two circuits after the race’s first caution flag flew for the slow car driven by Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. Richards briefly fell three spots behind Eckert before tossing his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car to the outside of the four-tenths-mile oval and regaining the upper hand on lap 28.

When a caution flag flew on lap 37 for Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Richards sat 14th and Eckert was 15th – a dead-heat in the points race, though Richards held the tie-breaker with his series-leading nine wins versus Eckert’s three. They resumed their battle on the restart but later that lap were nearly swept up in a tangle between turns three and four that involved, among others, a spinning Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. Eckert escaped the incident unscathed on the outside while Richards pressed on despite clipping the sliding car of Union, Ky.’s Darrell Lanigan with the right-rear corner of his machine.

Richards and Eckert were 11th and 12th, respectively, for the ensuing restart, but two circuits later Richards was up to 10 th and Eckert had fallen to 13th. Richards picked up another spot on lap 42 and, with Eckert wallowing in 13th, settled into a groove that seemed likely to bring him an unprecedented third championship in a row.

But as Richards slid through turns three and four with the white flag flying, his car suddenly lost speed. A flat right-rear tire was visible as he passed the start/finish line and he slowed drastically through turns one and two, leaving him unable to turn back Eckert’s surge to the championship.

It all happened so quickly for Eckert and his army of family and friends watching from the pits, stands and suites. In one lap, he went from a dejected runner-up in the standings to an overjoyed champion.

“I was pretty down because (Richards) got away from me towards the end there,” Eckert said of the race’s deciding circuit. “I killed my left-rear tire (and thus was holding on), but then I seen his car lay down – and just as I seen his car lay down, I looked at the flagman and seen it was the white flag. I was like, ‘Oh, s---. I gotta get to him.’

“I just wanted to get by him without crashing, and we did. Then I was like, ‘This is not really happening.’ I couldn’t really believe it was happening.”

Eckert was met on The Dirt Track’s homestretch by dozens of celebrating people, including his weeping wife Kristal and 22-year-old daughter Courtney; his father, Junior, and mother, who is battling cancer but was able to attend Saturday’s race because her doctors postponed a scheduled chemo treatment; and Barbara Vest, the wife of Eckert’s longtime car owner Raye Vest, who passed away during the 2009 World Finals.

“This is great,” said Eckert, who has fielded his own Team Zero by Bloomquist cars for the last two seasons. “There’s a bunch of teams on this circuit that aren’t overly funded and we’re one of them, so (winning the championship is) great for all the little guys that don’t have all that stuff.”

Richards, meanwhile, was gracious after absorbing a heartbreaking defeat. He held his head high and hailed Eckert, who served as a trusted mentor to Richards early in his career.

“I’m not disappointed at all in the year we had,” said Richards, who tied the single-season WoO LMS win record of nine set in 2004 by Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn. “We fought hard all year, but every time we would get close to the points, boom! – something would happen.

“Circumstances all year long put us behind and we couldn’t quite overcome it all. I feel like we had a championship year, but it just didn’t work out.

“It could not get any closer,” he added. “We lined up side-by-side on restarts, he was ahead of me, I tried to get him back. Then I was like, ‘I think I finally got him,’ and I just tried to ride it out. But we didn’t make it. We did have a gash in our tire so maybe that’s what it was, but I don’t know.”

Richards paused, and then said, “It just wasn’t meant to be our year I guess. Eckert and his guys did a great job all year. They did what they had to do and they deserved to win – congratulations to them.”

Owens has his own post-race party of the periphery of the Eckert celebration. His Lowes Foods World Finals victory topped off a memorable season in which he won the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championship and the DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

The race’s fourth starter, Owens made his way into the lead on lap nine when he overtook Friday-night A-Main winner Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., who started from the pole position. Owens was nosed out for the top spot on lap 13 by Bloomquist, but he had his Mike Reece-owned Team Zero by Bloomquist car in front again the following circuit and never looked back.

Owens crossed the finish line 2.497 seconds ahead of Bloomquist, who registered his seventh top-five finish in 10 WoO LMS A-Main starts this season. Davenport settled for third in the Barry Wright house car, Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., placed fourth in the K&L Rumley Rocket and Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., was fifth in a Team Zero by Bloomquist mount.

“I figured the track was gonna be a little drier tonight and we made a good tire choice for the conditions,” said Owens, a four-time DIRTcar UMP Modified national champion. “That really helped us out, but we also got down to the bottom (groove) at the right time. I could see Scott nosing under me there, so I thought, I better move down. There was some rubber down there and we were a lot better there.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 were John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., who ran in the top five for much of the distance; Frank, who was able to spin around and continue without stopping in the middle of the lap-37 tangle; Lanigan, who started 22nd; Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., who earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and wasn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Heat winners were Davenport, Bloomquist, Shaver, Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., Blankenship and Owens. The B-Mains were captured by Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., Eckert and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.

The stars of the 2011 WoO LMS will be honored during the tour’s annual awards banquet on Sunday night (Nov. 6) at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C.

For more information of the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own Race No. 2 (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Jimmy Owens/50 $10,275

2. (5) Scott Bloomquist/50 $5,150

3. (1) Jonathan Davenport/50 $3,050

4. (6) Steve Shaver/50 $2,500

5. (8) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $2,000

6. (3) John Blankenship/50 $1,700

7. (13) Chub Frank/50 $1,500

8. (22) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,400

9. (15) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $1,200

10. (8) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $1,600

11. (2) Will Vaught/50 $1,050

12. (20) Rick Eckert/50 $1,050

13. (14) Tyler Reddick/50 $950

14. (10) Dennis ‘Rambo’ Franklin/50 $900

15. (19) Dale McDowell/50 $950

16. (21) Vic Coffey/50 $850

17. (26) Austin Hubbard/50 $820

18. (17) Josh Richards/50 $900

19. (24) Chris Madden/50 $730

20. (18) Tim Fuller/50 $750

21. (16) Morgan Bagley/47 $700

22. (9) Shane Clanton/37 $750

23. (12) Clint Smith/37 $750

24. (25) Tim McCreadie/37 $850

25. (11) Steve Francis/36 $800

26. (28) Pat Doar/21 $1,000

27. (23) Jeremy Miller/20 $700

28. (27) Ron Davies/9 $750

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 25 Mins., 30.086 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 2.497 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 23, 37, 37)

Lap Leaders: Davenport (1-8); Owens (9-12); Bloomquist (13); Owens (14-50)

Provisional Starters: McCreadie, Hubbard (WoO); Davies (pre-entry speed); Doar (early entry)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Carrier ($500)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Jonathan Davenport, 2. Eddie Carrier Jr., 3. Chub Frank, 4. Dale McDowell, 5. Chris Brown, 6. Gregg Satterlee, 7. John Lobb, 8. Dan Stone, 9. Ron Davies, 10. Mike Gault, 11. Don Gordon

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Scott Bloomquist, 2. Dennis Erb Jr., 3. Tyler Reddick, 4. Jared Landers, 5. Darrell Lanigan, 6. Mike Marlar, 7. Brandon Sheppard, 8. Pat Doar, 9. Jason Feger, 10. Denny Fenton, 11. Jim O’Hara

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Steve Shaver, 2. Shane Clanton, 3. Earl Pearson Jr., 4. Rick Eckert, 5. Jeremy Miller, 6. Chris Ferguson, 7. Matt Westfall, 8. Tim Allen, 9. Luke Roffers, 10. Chuck Harper (DNS) Brian Hubbard

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Will Vaught, 2. Dennis Franklin, 3. Morgan Bagley, 4. Vic Hill, 5. Russell King, 6. Kenny Moreland, 7. Dane Burns, 8. Dale Planck, 9. Donald Bradsher, 10. Tim Dohm, 11. Tim McCreadie

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. John Blankenship, 2. Steve Francis, 3. Josh Richards, 4. Chris Madden, 5. Austin Hubbard, 6. Jeff Smith, 7. Dan Schlieper, 8. Doug Drown, 9. Chad Hollenbeck, 10. Jill George (DNS) Brent Dixon

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Jimmy Owens, 2. Clint Smith, 3. Tim Fuller, 4. Vic Coffey, 5. Jared Hawkins, 6. Johnny Pursley, 7. Jay Sessoms, 8. John Henderson, 9. Thomas Baker, 10. Brian Ledbetter (DNS) Eric Jacobsen

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Dale McDowell, 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Jason Feger, 4. Chris Brown, 5. Gregg Satterlee, 6. John Lobb, 7. Jared Landers, 8. Dan Stone, 9. Pat Doar, 10. Ron Davies, 11. Brandon Sheppard, 12. Mike Gault, 13. Denny Fenton, 14. Jim O’Hara, 15. Don Gordon, 16. Mike Marlar

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Rick Eckert, 2. Jeremy Miller, 3. Chris Ferguson, 4. Vic Hill, 5. Russell King, 6. Tim Allen, 7. Kenny Moreland, 8. Chuck Harper, 9. Matt Westfall, 10. Dale Planck, 11. Tim McCreadie, 12. Dane Burns, 13. Tim Dohm (DNS) Luke Roffers, Donald Bradsher, Brian Hubbard

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Vic Coffey, 2. Chris Madden, 3. Austin Hubbard, 4. Jared Hawkins, 5. Dan Schlieper, 6. Doug Drown, 7. Jeff Smith, 8. John Henderson, 9. Jay Sessoms, 10. Chad Hollenbeck, 11. Johnny Pursley, 12. Brian Ledbetter, 13. Jill George (DNS) Thomas Baker, Brent Dixon, Eric Jacobsen

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Ron Davies

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Eddie Carrier Jr.

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): John Lobb/Tim Allen/Doug Drown

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Owens

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Morgan Bagley

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Owens

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Ron Davies

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Owens

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Jonathan Davenport

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Dale McDowell

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Jimmy Owens (certificate)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Gregg Satterlee

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dale McDowell

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Owens

Final 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings – 32 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 4472

2. Josh Richards 4458 (-14)

3. Darrell Lanigan 4304 (-168)

4. Tim McCreadie 4178 (-294)

5. Chub Frank 4174 (-298)

6. Austin Hubbard 4140 (-332)

7. Shane Clanton 4134 (-338)

8. Clint Smith 4064 (-408)

9. Vic Coffey 3966 (-506)

10. Tim Fuller 3948 (-524)

11. Pat Doar 3758 (-714)

12. Ron Davies 3654 (-818)

13. John Lobb 3444 (-1028)

14. Jill George 2272 (-2200)

15. Jason Feger 1932 (-2540)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 5,600 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac

World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director

kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Red-Hot Davenport Dominates Friday Night’s Lowes Foods World Finals Action At The Dirt Track at Charlotte

Richards Closes Within Two Points Of Eckert In World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship Standings

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 4, 2011 – Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., extended his sizzling autumn surge to The Dirt Track at Charlotte with a runaway victory in Friday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main during the fifth annual Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snack, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own.

The 28-year-old star roared off the outside pole to lead from start-to-finish in the caution-free event, which was contested before a huge crowd of over 14,000 fans. He was never seriously challenged en route to a $10,000 triumph that pushed his earnings over the past seven weeks to $65,000.

“This just feels great,” said Davenport, who has won six times since his Barry Wright Race Cars factory team debuted a new house car in late September. “This hot streak has just been a huge confidence booster for myself and the team. We finally got our stuff back on track and now we’re rolling.”

Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., hustled forward from the eighth starting spot to finish second in the K&L Rumley Rocket machine, a distant 5.761 seconds – more than a straightaway – behind Davenport at the checkered flag. He passed Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., for the runner-up spot on lap 27 but couldn’t get close to Davenport.

McDowell settled for third in NASCAR star Clint Bowyer’s Rocket, followed by Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., in a Team Zero by Bloomquist mount and 19-year-old WoO LMS regular Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who started from the pole position in Dale Beitler’s Rocket.

Two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., finished a quiet sixth, but the run pulled him within two points of York, Pa.’s Rick Eckert in the tour standings. Eckert, who finished 12^th, will attempt to hold off Richards for his first-ever World of Outlaws title in Saturday night’s season-ending World Finals program.

Davenport captured the first full-fender event of the Lowes Foods World Finals doubleheader for the second consecutive year. His victory in the 2010 opener marked his first-ever win in WoO LMS competition.

The driver known as ‘Superman’ was flawless in romping to his second career win. He outgunned Hubbard for the lead at the initial green flag and simply dominated a race that took just over 14 minutes to complete.

“Our car was really good,” said Davenport, who registered his fifth top-five finish in 10 WoO LMS A-Main starts this season. “I don’t know of anything I would change. But tires were a big deal too, and I think we had everybody out-tired. We were quite a bit harder than everybody else.”

While Davenport will bid on Saturday night to become the first driver in Lowes Foods World Finals history to sweep both WoO LMS features, he will share the stage with the dramatic battle between Eckert and Richards for the national tour’s $100,000 title. The veteran and accomplished young gun ended Friday’s action separated by just a single position.

Eckert entered Friday’s show with a 14-point advantage on Richards, but it appeared that Richards was in the driver’s seat when he started the A-Main from the fifth spot and Eckert took the green flag from 18^th. Richards was unable to gain any ground, however, while Eckert managed to pick up a half-dozen positions without the benefit of a field-tightening caution flag, allowing Eckert to maintain a points lead he has held since early May.

“It would’ve been nice if we had a caution, but that’s the way it goes some nights,” said Eckert, who avoided falling into a tie for the points lead when he reached 12^th place with a lap-41 pass of Corning, Calif.’s Tyler Reddick. “My car was good, and I think my tire choice was better than most. As the race went on, we progressively got better.”

Eckert said he will go into Saturday’s deciding program with a no-pressure approach.

“If we tie, (Richards) wins (on the A-Main-wins tie-breaker), so we gotta beat him,” said Eckert, who is seeking his first national title since winning the UDTRA series crown in 2002. “It’s pretty simple, and we’re confident we can do it. We’re as prepared as we can be, so we just have to go out there and give it our best shot.”

Richards, who has come out on top of close points races during the last two World Finals, is also ready to battle it out with Eckert for the championship.

“Whatever happens tomorrow is meant to happen,” said Richards. “We’re gonna race hard not matter what. This might be my last shot at it (he is expected to run fulltime on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2012), so hopefully we can win it. I know Eckert really deserves it too, but I’m gonna do everything I can to win it.”

Finishing in positions 7-10 were sixth-starter Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who moved to fourth on the opening lap but lost several position when he slipped high on lap three and never recovered; Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.

Heat winners were Richards, Davenport, Hubbard, McDowell, Madden and Bloomquist. The B-Mains were captured by Morgan Bagley of Longview, Texas, Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., and 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis.

The 2011 Lowes Foods World Finals conclude on Saturday night with a tripleheader featuring the WoO LMS, the WoO Sprint Car Series and the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds. Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and racing is set to begin at 5 p.m.

Saturday night’s World Finals program will be televised live by the SPEED cable network beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Jonathan Davenport/50 $10,000

2. (8) Steve Shaver/50 $5,000

3. (4) Dale McDowell/50 $3,000

4. (3) Chris Madden/50 $2,500

5. (1) Austin Hubbard/50 $2,725

6. (5) Josh Richards/50 $2,350

7. (6) Scott Bloomquist/50 $1,550

8. (9) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $1,300

9. (10) Vic Coffey/50 $1,750

10. (13) Jimmy Owens/50 $1,150

11. (17) Steve Francis/50 $1,150

12. (18) Rick Eckert/50 $1,550

13. (25) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,600

14. (15) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $900

15. (7) Tyler Reddick/50 $1,350

16. (11) Shane Clanton/49 $1,350

17. (22) Jared Landers/49 $770

18. (20) Mike Marlar/49 $750

19. (14) Chub Frank/49 $1,280

20. (23) Vic Hill/49 $700

21. (29) Clint Smith/49 $550

22. (12) Dennis ‘Rambo’ Franklin/49 $700

23. (28) Russell King/49 $700

24. (16) Tim Fuller/49 $1,250

25. (19) Morgan Bagley/48 $700

26. (21) Pat Doar/48 $1,500

27. (24) Ron Davies/21 $1,250

28. (27) Gregg Satterlee/14 $700

29. (26) Tim McCreadie/8 $1,350

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 14 Mins., 6.856 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 5.761 Secs.

Yellow Flags: None

Lap Leaders: Davenport (1-50)

Provisional Starters: Lanigan, McCreadie (WoO points); C. Smith (WoO emergency provisional); Satterlee, King (track – early entry)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Reddick ($500)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Josh Richards, 2. Tyler Reddick, 3. Jimmy Owens, 4. Morgan Bagley, 5. Jared Landers, 6. Will Vaught, 7. Mike Gault, 8. Brian Ledbetter, 9. Luke Roffers, 10. Dale Planck (DNS) Denny Fenton

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Jonathan Davenport, 2. Steve Shaver, 3. Chub Frank, 4. Jared Hawkins, 5. Gregg Satterlee, 6. Chris Ferguson, 7. Eric Jacobsen, 8. Tim Allen, 9. Kenny Moreland, 10. Thomas Baker, 11. Tim Dohm

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Austin Hubbard, 2. Dennis Erb Jr., 3. Earl Pearson Jr., 4. Mike Marlar, 5. Clint Smith, 6. Dan Schlieper, 7. John Henderson, 8. Jim O’Hara, 9. Brandon Sheppard, 10. Dane Burns, 11. Jeremy Miller

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Dale McDowell, 2. Vic Coffey, 3. Tim Fuller, 4. Vic Hill, 5. Eddie Carrier Jr., 6. Johnny Pursley, 7. Doug Drown, 8. Donald Bradsher, 9. Jill George, 10. Jason Feger (DNS) Brian Hubbard

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Chris Madden, 2. Shane Clanton, 3. Steve Francis, 4. Pat Doar, 5. Chuck Harper, 6. Chris Brown, 7. Darrell Lanigan, 8. John Blankenship, 9. Dan Stone, 10. Chad Hollenbeck, 11. Don Gordon

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Scott Bloomquist, 2. Dennis Franklin, 3. Rick Eckert, 4. Ron Davies, 5. Tim McCreadie, 6. John Lobb, 7. Jeff Smith, 8. Russell King, 9. Brent Dixon, 10. Matt Westfall (DNS) Jay Sessoms

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Morgan Bagley, 2. Jared Landers, 3. Gregg Satterlee, 4. Jared Hawkins, 5. Chris Ferguson, 6. Dale Planck, 7. Luke Roffers, 8. Tim Dohm, 9. Tim Allen, 10. Kenny Moreland, 11. Mike Gault, 12. Brian Ledbetter, 13. Denny Felton, 14. Will Vaught, 15. Eric Jacobsen, 16. Thomas Baker

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Mike Marlar, 2. Vic Hill, 3. Clint Smith, 4. Eddie Carrier Jr., 5. Doug Drown, 6. Jason Feger, 7. Dan Schlieper, 8. Brandon Sheppard, 9. Donald Bradsher, 10. Jill George, 11. John Henderson, 12. Jim O’Hara, 13. Johnny Pursley, 14. Jeremy Miller (DNS) Dane Burns, Brian Hubbard

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Pat Doar, 2. Ron Davies, 3. Chris Brown, 4. Dan Stone, 5. John Blankenship, 6. Russell King, 7. John Lobb, 8. Brent Dixon, 9. Chuck Harper, 10. Chad Hollenbeck, 11. Matt Westfall, 12. Jeff Smith, 13. Don Gordon (DNS) Tim McCreadie, Darrell Lanigan, Jay Sessoms

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22^nd fastest qualifier): Ron Davies

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

Comp Cams (certificate to 10^th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dale Planck/Doug Drown/Pat Doar

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Clint Smith

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Jonathan Davenport

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place or next highest w/decal): Tyler Reddick

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Jonathan Davenport (certificate)

STP ($50 cash to 2^nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Owens
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jeremy Miller

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jonathan Davenport

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Nov. 4 – 31 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 4346

2. Josh Richards 4344 (-2)

3. Darrell Lanigan 4170 (-176)

4. Tim McCreadie 4076 (-270)

5. Chub Frank 4038 (-308)

6. Shane Clanton 4028 (-318)

7. Austin Hubbard 4024 (-322)

8. Clint Smith 3960 (-386)

9. Vic Coffey 3848 (-498)

10. Tim Fuller 3838 (-508)

11. Pat Doar 3660 (-686)

12. Ron Davies 3560 (-786)

13. John Lobb 3360 (-986)

14. Jill George 2200 (-2146)

15. Jason Feger 1842 (-2504)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 5,600 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing
Chris Dolack, VP Media/PR
704-795-7223 / cdolack@dirtcar.com

Tim McCreadie Charges to Lowes Foods World Finals Victory

Sheppard overtakes Decker for Super DIRTcar Series points lead heading into Saturday night's finale

By Mike Kerchner

CONCORD, N.C. - Nov. 4, 2011 - Tim McCreadie earned his second consecutive Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified triumph in Friday's Lowes Foods World Finals presented by Tom's Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature's Own at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, but Matt Sheppard vaulted into the point lead heading into Saturday night's season finale.

McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., passed Sheppard on lap 19 and led the final 22 laps to win Friday night's Modified portion of the tripleheader event at the four-tenths-mile oval, banking $6,000 for his first Super DIRTcar Series triumph of the season.

Having won last year's season finale at the World Finals driving for Vinnie Salerno, McCreadie returned to the seat of the No. 4 Bicknell and raced to the front from eighth starting spot.

"Anytime you can race in front of this many people it is fun," said McCreadie. "Most of us here are sports fans and we go to the big time events to be part of the atmosphere and I know what some of those players go through because when we come here it is a big-time atmosphere."

Tim Fuller took the early lead from the pole, but Sheppard, who was the fast qualifier on Thursday, zoomed to the front on lap four and led until McCreadie made his winning move past Sheppard's JB Motorsports Bicknell No. 9s on lap 19.

Sheppard said it was his mistake that helped McCreadie to the lead.

"We got right to the lead quick and I think that actually hurt me a little bit because I didn't know that top lane in three and four had come in and Timmy drove right around me up there," Sheppard said. "Then I moved up there and I said to myself, 'You dummy if you had been running up there in the first place you might have won this race.'"

McCreadie said he was simply picking the lane his competitors left open.

"You can't follow all night," McCreadie said. "I started eighth and I had to go where they weren't and the cushion is always fast if you can get up on it and bend through it. It is a matter of getting your car right and we were really too tight to be up there."

From there Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., chased McCreadie through lapped traffic for the remainder of the 40-lap race, finishing .981 seconds behind the second-generation hotshoe.

But at the end of the day Sheppard, who entered the race 39 points behind Billy Decker in the race for a second consecutive Super DIRTcar Series championship, was the big winner.

After Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., blew an engine in hot laps and went to a back-up car, he struggled to a 13^th-place finish and Sheppard grabbed a 10-point (2,399 to 2,389) heading into Saturday night's program, which will include heat races and another 40-lap feature.

"Whatever (lead) we got is a lot better than what we came in here with," said Sheppard. "We came in here 53 behind and now it is pretty much a one-race shootout.

"It changes it a little bit. We came down here to win and not hold anything back and that is what we have been doing. Now, that we have the point lead, we still have to run hard because Billy (Decker) will be right up there tomorrow night. We need to be either right in front of him or right behind him, one or the other."

Fuller of Edwards, N.Y., finished third with Neshanic Station, N.J., veteran Jimmy Horton rolling from 16^th to finish fourth. Fifth went to Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, N.Y.

The Lowes Foods World Finals Presented by Tom's Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature's Own continues Saturday night with features for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds, World of Outlaws Late Model Series and World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.

Remaining tickets can be obtained by clicking www.CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com or calling 1-800-455-FANS.

For more information on the Super DIRTcar Series, click www.SuperDIRTcarSeries.com .

Super DIRTcar Series Statistical Report; Lowes Foods World Finals Presented by Tom's Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature's Own; The Dirt Track at Charlotte; Nov. 4, 2011

Feature (40 laps)

1. Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.

2. Matt Sheppard, Waterloo, N.Y.

3. Tim Fuller, Edwards, N.Y.

4. Jimmy Horton, Neshanic Station, N.J.

5. Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, N.Y.

6. Justin Haers, Phelps, N.Y.

7. Gary Tomkins, Clifton Springs, N.Y.

8. Kenny Tremont, Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.

9. Billy Dunn, Watertown, N.Y.

10. Brett Hearn, Sussex, N.J.

11. Larry Wight, Phoenix, N.Y.

12. Pete Britten, Brisbane, Australia

13. Billy Decker, Unadilla, N.Y.

14. Carey Terrance, Hogansburg, N.Y.

15. Rob Bellinger, Dexter, N.Y.

16. Rick Laubach, Hellertown, Pa.

17. Matt DeLorenzo, Cropseyville, N.Y.

18. Tim Currier, Auburn, N.Y.

19. Tim Kerr, Picton, Ontario

20. Randy Chrysler, Tuscarora, N.Y.

21. Dave Rauscher, Waterloo, N.Y.

22. Rich Scagliotta, Bound Brooks, N.J.

23. Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, Ohio

24. Roger Chrysler, Tuscarora, N.Y.

25. Danny Johnson, Rochester, N.Y.

26. Billy Pauch, Frenchtown, N.J.

27. Mike Adderley, Charlotte, N.C.

28. Rex King, Bristolville, Ohio

29. Jerry Higbie, Goshen, N.Y.

30. Tom Sears, Jr., Clay, N.Y.

Time Trials (Held Nov. 3)

1. Matt Sheppard, 15.553

2. Tim McCreadie, 15.634

3. Brett Hearn, 15.785

4. Jimmy Phelps, 15.798

5. Tim Fuller, 15.849

6. Billy Pauch, 15.855

7. Billy Decker, 15.872

8. Gary Tomkins, 15.983

9. Rob Bellinger, 16.013

10. Pete Britten, 16.015

11. Larry Wight, 16.026

12. Mike Adderley, 16.028

13. Justin Haers, 16.036

14. Billy Dunn, 16.191

15. Matt DeLorenzo, 16.205

16. Jimmy Horton, 16.262

17. Tim Kerr, 16.262

18. Tom Sears, Jr., 16.311

19. Danny Johnson, 16.321

20. Jerry Higbie, 16.355

21. Dave Rauscher, 16.357

22. Randy Chrysler, 16.397

23. Rex King, Jr., 16.402

24. Carey Terrance, 16.407

25. Rex King, 16.424

26. Tim Currier, 16.521

27. Kenny Tremont, Jr., 16.566

28. Rick Laubach, 17.043

30. Roger Chrysler, 18.295

31. Corey Ziegler, no time.

First Heat (8 laps): Phelps, Britten, Scagliotta, Sears, Higbie, Tremont, King.

Second Heat (8 laps): Fuller, Dunn, Decker, Wight, Haers, Johnson, Currier, Roger Chrysler.

Third Heat (8 laps): Hearn, Tomkins, DeLorenzo, Laubach, Randy Chrysler, Terrance, Kerr, Bellinger.

Fourth Heat (8 laps): Sheppard, McCreadie, Pauch, Horton, Adderley, Rauscher, King, Jr.

Super DIRTcar Series Points (Race 14 of 15)

Top 15

1. Matt Sheppard, 2,399

2. Billy Decker, 2,389

3. Jimmy Phelps, 2,241

4. Brett Hearn, 2,197

5. Danny Johnson, 2,074

6. Justin Haers, 2,037

7. Rob Bellinger, 1,885

8. Pete Britten, 1852

9. Larry Wight, 1,820

10. Tom Sears, Jr., 1,766

11. Rich Scagliotta, 1,760

12. Tim Currier, 1,680

13. Gary Tomkins, 1,678

14. Billy Dunn, 1,474

15. Kenny Tremont, Jr., 1,417

The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, GM Performance Parts, Nationwide Insurance and Safety-Kleen. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio and Chizmark Larson Insurance. Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bert Transmissions, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Comp Cams, Intercomp, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Ignition, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, R2C, Super Flow, Vicci Racing Apparel, WIX Filters, Wrisco Industries, Xtreme Lubricants and Extreme Mufflers.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards & Davenport Earn Fast Time Honors On Wet Kellogg’s Qualifying Night At The Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 3, 2011 – Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., shared fast-time honors during Thursday night’s wet Kellogg’s Qualifying Night at the Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own.

A star-studded field of 66 dirt Late Models signed in for action in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, which is part of a blockbuster season-ending tripleheader at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. The rain-plagued program also drew 55 machines for the companion World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series meet and 30 entries for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified action.

The evening’s original schedule called for two separate rounds of Ohlins Shocks Time Trials for the WoO LMS – the first to line up Friday night’s heat race and the second to align Saturday night’s preliminaries. But forecast rain struck the four-tenths-mile oval midway through the second round of WoO Sprint Car time trials, forcing officials to end the competition early.

With the second round of WoO LMS qualifying wiped out, officials announced that Round 1 results would be used to set the weekend’s heat-race lineups. Friday’s heats will be lined up from drivers’ first-lap times and Saturday’s prelims will utilize entrants’ lap-two clockings.

Richards, who enters the weekend’s pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains trailing WoO LMS standings leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., by 14 points as he seeks an unprecedented third consecutive tour championship, clicked off a lap of 15.126 seconds during his first trip around the track to secure his third fast-time award of 2011. The 23-year-old star will start Friday night’s first 10-lap heat race from the pole position in his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car.

Davenport, who turned 28 on Oct. 31, turned the fastest overall lap of the qualifying session when he stopped the clock at 15.057 seconds on his second lap. His second WoO LMS fast time of the season earned him the pole starting spot in Saturday night’s opening heat race driving the Barry Wright house car.

Arguably the hottest dirt Late Model driver in the country after blazing through the month of October with four special-event victories worth a combined $50,000, Davenport will seek a repeat of his performance at last year’s Lowes Foods World Finals. He set fast time in both rounds of qualifying, won both his heat races and scored a victory (his first-ever on the WoO LMS) and a runner-up finish in the twin feature events.

Davenport was one of two drivers to secure pole starting spots in heats on both Friday and Saturday, joining Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn. Other pole position winners for Friday’s program were Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., while Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., will start Saturday heats from the inside of Row 1.

Richards managed only the 17th-fastest lap for Saturday’s program, giving him the third starting spot in the fifth heat. Eckert, meanwhile, authored qualifying efforts of 18th and ninth, putting him third in the sixth heat on Friday night and second in the third heat on Saturday evening.

The Lowes Foods World Finals continue on Friday and Saturday, with gates opening at 3 p.m. and hot laps scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. each day. Friday’s program will begin with the held-over second round of WoO Sprint Car Series time trials before shifting to the regularly-scheduled tripleheader action, while Saturday’s card will kick off with Thursday’s four postponed Super DIRTcar Series heat races before the regular competition gets the green flag.

Saturday night’s World Finals program will be televised live by the SPEED cable network from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight ET.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Results of Kellogg’s Qualifying Night at the Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own:

Round 1 Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results For Fri., Nov. 4 Heat Races (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.126

2. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 15.208

3. 5-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 15.299

4. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 15.300

5. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.312

6. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 15.313

7. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.321

8. 6-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 15.345

9. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.390

10. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 15.395

11. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.401

12. 27c-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 15.416

13. 1G-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 15.442

14. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 15.490

15. 28E-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 15.499

16. 09-Johnny Pursley/Clover, SC 15.506

17. 44M-Chris Madden/Gray Court, SC 15.522

18. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.561

19. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 15.575

20. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.599

21. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 15.602

22. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.619

23. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 15.636

24. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 15.637

25. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 15.679

26. 22F-Chris Ferguson/Mt. Holly, NC 15.700

27. 1M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 15.704

28. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.706

29. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.731

30. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.772

31. 14M-Morgan Bagley/Longview, TX 15.796

32. 1GT-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 15.796

33. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 15.804

34. 93-Donald Bradsher/Burlington, NC 15.867

35. 21b-Chris Brown/Cleveland, TN 15.874

36. 18M-Jeff Smith/Gastonia, NC 15.912

37. 21R-Luke Roffers/Concord, NC 15.940

38. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 15.951

39. s9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 16.002

40. 1DJ-Doug Drown/Wooster, OH 16.013

41. 2-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.019

42. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.037

43. 17G-Mike Gault/Gaffney, SC 16.038

44. 5-Eric Jacobsen/Sea Cliff Beach, CA 16.090

45. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.109

46. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 16.213

47. 00H-Chuck Harper/Beverly, WV 16.221

48. 1d-Brent Dixon/Elberton, GA 16.222

49. 77x-Dale Planck/Homer, NY 16.359

50. 17-Tim Allen/Kannapolis, NC 16.380

51. 2x-John Henderson/Aiken, SC 16.442

52. 1v-Vic Hill/Morristown, TN 16.446

53. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 16.496

54. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 16.497

55. 07-Brian Ledbetter/Dallas, NC 16.499

56. 24M-Kenny Moreland/Waldford, MD 16.543

57. 10*-Dane Burns/New London, NC 16.680

58. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 16.905

59. 33-Don Gordon/Chatham, ONT 16.981

60. 20-Matt Westfall/Pleasant Hill, OH 17.114

61. 55-Denny Fenton/Clearfield, PA 17.136

62. 3-Thomas Baker/Wooster, OH 17.467

63. 44J-Jim O’Hara/Covington, PA 17.743

64. 00-Brian Hubbard/Troutman, NC 19.731

65. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 16.523-DQ

66. 84-Jay Sessoms/Stanley, NC N/T

Round 2 Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results For Sat., Nov. 5 Heat Races (Position/Driver/Best Lap):

1. Jonathan Davenport 15.057

2. Mike Marlar 15.215

3. Shane Clanton 15.253

4. Will Vaught 15.263

5. John Blankenship 15.265

6. Jimmy Owens 15.368

7. Gregg Satterlee 15.374

8. Scott Bloomquist 15.378

9. Rick Eckert 15.398

10. Dennis Franklin 15.405

11. Austin Hubbard 15.420

12. Vic Coffey 15.451

13. Dale McDowell 15.465

14. Dennis Erb Jr. 15.499

15. Earl Pearson Jr. 15.501

16. Morgan Bagley 15.503

17. Josh Richards 15.506

18. Tim Fuller 15.518

19. Eddie Carrier Jr. 15.543

20. Tyler Reddick 15.555

21. Steve Shaver 15.569

22. Donald Bradsher 15.599

23. Steve Francis 15.611

24. Jared Hawkins 15.630

25. Ron Davies 15.634

26. Pat Doar 15.639

27. Luke Roffers 15.655

28. Tim Dohm 15.661

29. Chris Madden 15.680

30. Johnny Pursley 15.682

31. Chris Brown 15.700

32. Jason Feger 15.711

33. Chris Ferguson 15.714

34. Vic Hill 15.714

35. Brent Dixon 15.717

36. Clint Smith 15.727

37. Chub Frank 15.733

38. Brandon Sheppard 15.742

39. Jeremy Miller 15.760

40. Russell King 15.762

41. Jeff Smith 15.772

42. Eric Jacobsen 15.851

43. Dan Stone 15.861

44. Darrell Lanigan 15.871

45. Chuck Harper 15.887

46. Tim McCreadie 15.906

47. Doug Drown 15.919

48. John Henderson 15.976

49. John Lobb 15.994

50. Jared Landers 16.105

51. Tim Allen 16.168

52. Kenny Moreland 16.182

53. Dan Schlieper 16.194

54. Brian Ledbetter 16.432

55. Mike Gault 16.441

56. Denny Fenton 16.458

57. Matt Westfall 16.493

58. Dane Burns 16.650

59. Jill George 16.788

60. Thomas Baker 17.180

61. Don Gordon 17.360

62. Jim O’Hara 17.538

63. Brian Hubbard 19.913

64. Dale Planck N/T

65. Chad Hollenbeck 16.167-DQ

66. Jay Sessoms N/T

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

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: Previewing The Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals At The Dirt Track At Charlotte

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 2, 2011 –

ON A ROLL: Jonathan Davenport nearly pulled off an unprecedented sweep of last year’s Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own. This weekend (Nov. 3-5) he returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte looking like a driver who just might get out the broom and finish the job.

Blairsville, Ga.’s Davenport enters the World of Outlaws Late Model Series portion of the fifth annual World Finals – a three-day festival of speed that also includes the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds – as arguably the hottest full-fender competitor in the country. His sizzling, season-turning month of October featured four special-event victories in five weekends – a surge that brought him and car owner Barry Wright a cool $50,000 in first-place earnings.

“We struggled the beginning of the year,” Davenport said after his latest triumph on Oct. 29 in the unsanctioned Cotton Pickin’ 100 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss., “but we’ve come on strong here at the end.”

Davenport, who turned 28 on Oct. 31, was virtually flawless during the 2010 World Finals. He set fast time in both rounds of WoO LMS time trials, won his heat race for both the Saturday afternoon and evening programs (a day-night doubleheader was set up by a rainout on Friday) and scored a win and a second-place finish in the A-Mains. If he had won last year’s nightcap, he would have become the first driver to enjoy a perfect run through the World Finals.

For most of the 2011 season, of course, Davenport didn’t look like a racer capable of playing another starring role in the World Finals. He was unable to find a consistent rhythm with Wright’s house car team during his travels – until autumn arrived, that is. He gained some momentum with a $5,000 triumph on Sept. 24 at Virginia’s Wythe Raceway and then went absolutely wild in October, rolling up four five-figure checkered flags: an Ultimate Series event on Oct. 2 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City ($10,000); the Raye Vest Memorial on Oct. 15 at Winchester (Va.) Speedway ($10,000); the Fall Classic on Oct. 22 at Whynot Speedway in Meridian, Miss. ($15,000); and last Saturday night’s 100-lapper at Magnolia ($15,000).

Davenport, whose first – and still only – career WoO LMS win came in last year’s World Finals opener, has four top-five finishes in nine A-Main starts on the tour this season. His best outing was a runner-up finish in the ‘Outlaw Sizzler 101’ on July 3 at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway.

SETTING THE SCENE: For the third consecutive year the WoO LMS championship battle will conclude in dramatic fashion during the World Finals, which kick off with Kellogg’s Qualifying Night on Thursday (Nov. 3) featuring two rounds of time trials for the Late Models and Sprint Cars and two sets of heats for the Big-Block Modifieds. The programs on Friday (Nov. 4) and Saturday (Nov. 5) boast 50-lap A-Mains for the Late Models, 40-lappers for the Modifieds and 30-lap contests for the Sprints.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., sits on the precipice of his first-ever WoO LMS crown, leading the standings by 14 points over two-time defending champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. The 45-year-old veteran can clinch the $100,000 title – regardless of the 23-year-old Richards’s performance – if he finishes at least third in both A-Mains.

Richards owns the more formidable record at The Dirt Track in general and the World Finals in particular. For starters, he’s the only WoO LMS regular who has won an A-Main during the World Finals (the Saturday race in 2008) and he’s finished outside the top 10 just once in eight features since the event’s launch in 2007 (he was fifth and 11th in ‘07; 10th and first in ‘08; fifth and seventh in ’09; and 12th and fourth in ’10). He also has dealt with the pressure of nip-and-tuck title races the last two years (he beat Steve Francis by 14 points in ’09 and Darrell Lanigan by four markers in ’10), and he’s won the track’s October World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown three years in a row (including a dominant victory in this season’s version three weeks ago).

Richards will also be gunning for the WoO LMS single-season win record this weekend. His nine victories in 2011 currently has him tied with Scott Bloomquist’s standard-setting 2004 campaign.

Eckert, meanwhile, has never won at The Dirt Track, but he’s certainly no slouch at the four-tenths-mile oval. His World Finals finishing records shows sixth and 12th in ‘07; 17th and 12th in ‘08; third and eighth in ’09; and second and 13th in ’10. He also finished a solid fourth in last month’s World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown.

BUSY WEEKEND: The World Finals will mean more than WoO LMS competition for tour regulars Tim McCreadie and Tim Fuller, who will both pull double-duty by adding a return to their DIRTcar Big-Block Modified roots to their itineraries.

McCreadie, 37, and Fuller, who turned 44 on Oct. 28, will drive their familiar Late Models in the full-fender action – McCreadie will run the Sweeteners Plus No. 39 and Fuller will go to the post in his own BPG Inc. No. 19 – and also steer Big-Block Mods for Empire State-based teams that they hook up with for selected events that fit their schedules. McCreadie’s Modified ride is the Vinnie Salerno-owned Four Star Racing mount – a machine he drove to victory in last year’s World Finals Super DIRTcar Series nightcap – and Fuller will campaign the J&S Racing No. 74.

While the two drivers from Watertown, N.Y., have never won a WoO LMS event at Charlotte, both have reached Victory Lane there in Super DIRTcar Series shows during their Big-Block Modified careers. McCreadie was triumphant on April 6, 2002, before adding a second triumph last year, and Fuller hit paydirt on May 25, 2005.

McCreadie, who sits fourth in the WoO LMS points standings, has come close to the winner’s circle at The Dirt Track in World of Outlaws competition, having finished second in the 2009 World Finals finale and the 2010 Showdown event. He also had a second-place run going in last year’s World Finals opener until a flat tire knocked him out late in the distance and left him 23rd in the final rundown. His other World Finals finishes are fourth and 11th in ’08; 27th in the ’09 opener; and fifth in last year’s finale (he didn’t enter the 2007 edition).

Fuller, who ranks ninth in the WoO LMS points standings and needs a victory this weekend to avoid his first-ever winless season since becoming a tour regular in 2007, has only a single memorable run at the World Finals – a third-place finish from deep in the field in the finale of the 2007 twinbill. He failed to qualify for the first A-Main in ‘07 and then scored finishes of 14th and 15th in ‘08; 17th and 13 th in ‘09; and 15th and 24th in ’10.

DIFFERENT FEELING: One year after engaging Richards in a thrilling, down-to-the-last-lap battle for the WoO LMS title, Union, Ky.’s Darrell Lanigan returns to The Dirt Track without championship hopes but fairly secure as the third-place man in the points standings. He also can claim a share of the tour’s single-season win record by sweeping the pair of A-Mains to match Richards and Bloomquist at nine victories.

Lanigan has never won at Charlotte, but he’s been solid in the World Finals with finishes of 11th and fifth in ‘07; 11th and seventh in ‘08; a pair of fourths in ’09; and fourth and third (from the 25th starting spot) in ’10.

IN SIGHT: Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., enters this weekend’s action facing the prospect of a second straight winless season on the WoO LMS, but he nonetheless can claim a sense of accomplishment by locking down his first top-five finish in the points standings since 2008.

The 49-year-old Frank currently holds fifth in the rankings thanks to a steady but unspectacular 2011 season in which he’s scored five top-five and 16 top-10 finishes. He leads sixth-place Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., by just 16 points, seventh-place Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., by 42 and eighth-place Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., by 74.

The Dirt Track, of course, hasn’t been kind to Frank. While he didn’t compete in the 2009 World Finals doubleheader because of the fractured cheek and orbital bones he suffered on the eve of the event when an apparent clod of hard-packed clay struck him in the helmet during qualifying for the rescheduled WoO LMS Showdown, his finishes in the other three editions of the event have been pedestrian: 14th and 24th in ’07; 12th and sixth in ’08; and 25th and 26th in ’10.

WIN ONE FOR DALE: Austin Hubbard craves a victory in the World Finals not only to avoid a winless sophomore season on the WoO LMS, but also so he can give his car owner, Dale Beitler, a big send-off.

After four years of fielding his familiar blue-and-white No. 19 on the World of Outlaws circuit – 2008-09 with Steve Francis behind the wheel and the last two seasons with Hubbard driving – Beitler recently announced that he plans to disband his racing team after this weekend’s action. The Maryland resident has owned race cars for more than two decades.

The 19-year-old Hubbard will need to turn around his past performance at The Dirt Track in order to put Beitler in Victory Lane, however. The 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year entered the ‘07, ‘08 and ‘09 World Finals programs but did not qualify for an A-Main, while last year he managed finishes of just 18th and 14th.

OUTLAWS AT THE WORLD FINALS: Other WoO LMS regulars and their World Finals finishing histories include:

* Shane Clanton: 10th and ninth in ‘07; 25th and 18th in ‘08; 11th and 16th in ’09; and 16 th and 11th in ’10.

* Clint Smith: 26th and 23rd in ‘07; 23rd and 17th in ‘08; 13th and sixth in ’09; and seventh and 10th in ’10.

* Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.: DNQ and 22nd in ’08; 23rd and DNQ in ’09; and 14th and 15th in ’10.

* Ron Davies of Warren, Pa.: DNQ for both events in 2010.

* John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.: DNQ for both events in 2010.

TOP ROOKIE: Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., who will look to put the finishing touches on his 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year campaign this weekend, has never entered the World Finals. His first appearance at The Dirt Track came in last month’s WoO LM Showdown when he finished 21st.

VICTORS: No driver has enjoyed more success in the Lowes Foods World Finals than Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who won the opening-night 50-lapper in 2007, ’08 and ‘09. He was uncharacteristically a non-factor last year, however, finishing 10th and 20th in the A-Mains.

Joining Bloomquist, Richards and Davenport as World Finals A-Main winners are Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn. (2009 and 2010 finales) and Donnie Moran (2007 finale).

CARS, CARS, CARS: The Lowes Foods World Finals dirt Late Model field has averaged 79 cars in its four-year run – a record 82 in 2007, 78 in ‘08, 80 in ’09 and 76 in ’10. Another huge turnout is expected to pack The Dirt Track’s pit area this weekend.

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: The Lowes Foods World Finals program on Saturday night (Nov. 5) will once again be broadcast live on the SPEED cable network – this year as a four-hour spectacle beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The show will see popular SPEED personality Dave Despain serve as host for the fifth consecutive year. The broadcast team also includes well-known commentator Ralph Shaheen, who will work with hall-of-famer Brad Doty during the Sprint Car action and Super DIRTcar Series announcer Shane Andrews during the Late Model and Big-Block events, and pit reporters Bobby Gerould and Roger Slack.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: The Lowes Food World of Outlaws World Finals begin on Thurs., Nov. 3, with the big Kellogg’s Qualifying Night featuring two rounds of Late Model and Sprint Car time trials and two sets of Big-Block Modified heats. Each division’s first round of qualifying will apply to Friday’s program and the second round to Saturday’s racing card.

In addition to practice and qualifying on Thursday, the Modifieds of the NDRA Modz ‘Road Show’ presented by Roush Yates Performance Parts will compete in their final race of the season. The 30-lap feature was rescheduled from Oct. 12 due to weather. Fans can bring in their ticket stub from the Oct. 12 race and get a discount on their Thursday ticket.

The Late Models and Sprint Cars will compete in full programs (heats, Last Chance Races, A-Mains) on both Fri., Nov. 4, and Sat., Nov. 5, while the Big-Block Modifieds will contest Last Chance Races and 40-lap features each evening.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 3, and 3 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 4, and Sat., Nov. 5. Racing action is scheduled to get the green flag at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

GET YOUR SEATS: Tickets are still available but going fast for the three-day spectacular that has already become one of the biggest dirt racing events of the year. Capacity crowds are once again expected to pack The Dirt Track’s 14,000-plus seat grandstand as well as expanded pit-area seating.

Single-day tickets are still available for the World Finals. Adult tickets are just $20 for Thursday and $39 each day for Friday and Saturday. Tickets for children 12-and-under are just $10 on Thursday and $15 each day for Friday and Saturday. Fans can also upgrade their ticket to include a pit pass for just $15 each day.

For more details on the World Finals or to purchase tickets, call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or go online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac

World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director

kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Screven Motor Speedway Management Cancels World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Set For Wed., Nov. 2

SYLVANIA, GA – Oct. 24, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for Wed., Nov. 2, at Screven Motor Speedway has been canceled, track owner Redd Griffin announced on Monday.

The national tour was set to compete at the three-eighths-mile oval as part of the track’s rescheduled ‘Winter Freeze’ program, a doubleheader featuring dirt Late Models and the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series that was rained out on its original date in February. Griffin added a World of Outlaws sanction to the full-fender portion of the twinbill after the WoO LMS’s lone 2011 visit to Screven on March 26 was washed out by thunderstorms.

Griffin scheduled a blockbuster program for Nov. 2 – upping the normal WoO LMS first-place prize to $12,000 to go along with an All-Star Sprint Car A-Main paying $10,000 to win – but reluctantly decided to cancel the event after market forces combined with the mid-week date forced him to reevaluate its financial viability.

“I would like to apologize for making a very bad rescheduling decision on our inaugural Winter Freeze (event) rain-out back in February 2011,” Griffin told fans and racers in an open letter announcing the cancelation. “Unfortunately, the (Nov. 2) show will be cancelled due to many fans expressing that a Wednesday night will be impossible to support. November 2 is a work night – and most of all a school night for the kids – and without that support running this show would be a bad financial decision for the track.

“I understand that this may upset many fans that were planning to come down to attend this show prior to the World Finals at (The Dirt Track at) Charlotte (on Nov. 3-5). At first, this seemed to be the best time to catch the 410 Sprinters that rarely make their way south. However, from the response that I have received through phone, e-mails and personal contact, most have said that it is too difficult to plan to attend a show on a week night (in November).”

Griffin said that fans and racers holding rainchecks from February’s ‘Winter Freeze’ and/or the rained-out WoO LMS event on March 26 will be able to use them for entrance for any remaining events in 2011 at Screven or for the bigger-and-better 2012 version of the ‘Winter Freeze,’ which will run from Feb. 9-11 and headline the WoO LMS in a season-opening 60-lap, $20,000-to-win A-Main.

Complete details of the 2012 ‘Winter Freeze’ are still being formulated, but Griffin has announced that the weekend will also include the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series running $5,000-to-win events on both Fri., Feb. 10, and Sat., Feb. 11. WoO LMS time trials and heat races will take place on Friday evening and last-chance events and the ‘Winter Freeze’ A-Main will run on Saturday night.

Additional info on Screven Motor Speedway can be obtained by logging on to www.screvenmotorspeedway.com.

With the cancelation of the Nov. 2 card at Screven, the WoO LMS now heads into the season-ending Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own on Nov. 3-5 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C., with Rick Eckert of York, Pa., leading the circuit’s standings by 14 points over two-time defending champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. A pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains comprise the Late Model portion of the World Finals, which also includes doubleheaders for the WoO Sprint Car Series and the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Contact: Eric Westendorf
Lernerville Speedway Public Relations
ewestendorf@dirtcar.com | 724-664-1075

Worth the Wait! Stampede kicks off with heat race action!
2011 Track Champions Hess, Shingledecker and Miller win heats
Other notable heat race winners include Holtgraver, Lutz, Weller, Murdick, CMac, Kelley and Schneider

Sarver, PA (October 22, 2011) The DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede saw the green flag almost 48 full hours late, but it was worth the wait! Over 200 cars packed the pits and once again spilled over into the pits for just the second time in the rich 40+ year history of Don Martin’s Lernerville Speedway.

The night started with a shock as Ti22 Sprint car future Hall of Famers Ed Lynch Jr. and Dale Blaney flipped in tandem in turn two on the opening lap of the weekend’s first heat race. With Lynch and Blaney off the track, 2010 Track Champion Danny Holtgraver ran away with the win by over half a lap. Mike Lutz did the same thing in heat two behind the wheel of the iconic Ferkel Circle.

PPMS star Brandon Burgoon won his heat after leader Jared Miley broke midrace. Dave Hess Jr. held off a fierce challenge by Tommy Beck, now behind the wheel of the Pitkavish #1. In the final Precise Late Model heat race, Chad Valone used a late race restart to take the win over Garrett Krummert.

The Diehl Mods action this weekend is also the BRP Modified Tour finale, and while Rex King Sr. clinched his fifth BRP crown, it was Jim Weller Jr., 2011 Lernerville Track Champion Jeremiah Shingledecker and Dave Murdick taking heat race victories.

The Pic-A-Part Sportsman heats were won by a Who’s Who of 2011 Lernerville feature winners as Corey McPherson, Joe Kelley, Chris Schneider and Mike Miller all took checkers in their respective heat races. This Fab Four of Fab Four Racing won 11 of the 13 features this season.

Heat race winners in other divisions were Colton Flinner, Mike Laughard and Josh Double in the UMP Pro Late Models; Sean Shingledecker, Dave Hess Jr., Bill Taylor and Joel Watson in the UMP/UEMS EMods; Chris Hickok and Adam Pletcher in the 4-Cylinders; and Doug Williams, Jeff Teeters and Cody Bova in the Mod Lites.

Tomorrow’s action kicks off at 3:00 with hot laps followed by consolation races, features and capped off with a 100-lap Enduro.

The Lernerville Speedway would like to thank Precise Racing Products for donating $200 in Gift Cards which will be awarded to heat race winners of the Fab Four Racing divisions and all eight feature winners tomorrow afternoon.

We’d also like to congratulate former Pure Stock Champion Mike Pegher Jr., pilot of Lynn Geisler’s #1 Cochran FASTRAK Late Model, for winning tonight’s $30,000 FASTRAK Grand National Championship in Bulls Gap, TN. Super Late Model star Robbie Blair took second, solidifying a solid representation for FASTRAK Northeast and Western PA race fans! Congrats Mike and Robbie!!

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards Ready For Another Championship Battle With A Mentor At Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals Nov. 3-5

This Year Rick Eckert Stands Between Richards And A Third Straight World of Outlaws Late Model Series Title At The Dirt Track At Charlotte

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 21, 2011 – Josh Richards has already outdueled two of his racing mentors for World of Outlaws Late Model Series championships. Can he down another to grab an unprecedented third title in a row?

The 23-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., will get his chance Nov. 3-5 during the fifth annual Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own, which closes the national full-fender tour’s 2011 campaign with a pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

This year’s spectacular season-ender – a unique extravaganza of speed that also includes the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds – features Richards’s third straight championship face-off with a veteran driver who provided him valuable advice early in his career. After defeating Steve Francis in 2009 and Darrell Lanigan in 2010, Richards has Rick Eckert standing between him and crown No. 3.

Eckert, 45, of York, Pa., currently leads the WoO LMS points standings by 14 points over Richards entering the tour’s rescheduled $12,000-to-win event on Wed., Nov. 2, at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., that precedes the World Finals.

“It’s kind of crazy to race for a championship three years in a row with guys who have all helped me in their own way,” said Richards, who ran a limited WoO LMS schedule in 2004 as a 16-year-old before going fulltime the following season and winning Rookie of the Year honors. “It doesn’t change our approach though. Our goal is always to try to beat everybody, no matter how close we are to them.”

Eckert is certainly close to Richards. While Eckert now runs a self-owned Team Zero by Bloomquist chassis, through the end of the 2006 season he was a loyalist of Rocket Chassis, the Shinnston, W.Va.-based business co-owned by Richards’s father and team owner, Mark. During his long stint campaigning Rocket cars fielded by the late Raye Vest, Eckert worked closely with Mark Richards and literally watched Josh Richards grow up.

“Before I even raced anything Rick let me practice his car once at Interstate (79 Speedway),” said Richards, recalling laps he took around the quarter-mile oval across the street from the Rocket Chassis headquarters. “I remember a whole bunch of guys were there testing one day – Eckert, Francis, Chub (Frank) and some other guys – and Rick asked me if I wanted to take his car out.”

When the teenage Richards began climbing behind the wheel of one of his father’s Rocket Chassis house cars to go racing for real, Eckert was one of the voices offering him driving and technical pointers. To this day Richards credits Eckert for playing a key role in his first-ever WoO LMS A-Main win, on Aug. 15, 2005, at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y.

“He helped me hold on to win that race,” said Richards, who with that victory became the first driver to win an A-Main and the Rookie of the Year award in the same season. “Rick was giving me hand signals from the inside of the track because he had blown up when he was up front. He was signaling me to use four-wheel brake, to straighten up my corner entry. I’ll always remember that.”

Six years later, Richards rolls into the final three events of 2011 with 37 career WoO LMS wins – more than any other driver since the tour’s reincarnation under the World Racing Group banner in 2004 – and seeking not only his third consecutive title but also a single-season victory record. His triumph in the World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown on Oct. 12 at The Dirt Track was his ninth of 2011, tying him with Scott Bloomquist (’04) for the single-season standard.

Of course, if Richards pulls off a championship hat trick during the World Finals, that would also mean he prevented Eckert from capturing his coveted first WoO LMS title. But as much as he’d like to see Eckert join him as a World of Outlaws champion, his focus is on his own championship aspirations.

“It’s cool and a lot of fun to race for a championship against him,” Richards said of Eckert. “He’s had a phenomenal year and if he comes out on top he definitely deserves the championship, but we’re gonna race as hard as we can to win it. I feel like is our last shot to get us another one – at least for a while – because of our plans to do the NASCAR stuff next year (he’s hoping his limited schedule driving for Kyle Busch this season on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will turn into a fulltime deal in ’12), so we don’t want to leave anything on the track.”

Unless Richards overtakes Eckert for the points lead in the pre-World Finals program at Screven, the two-time defending tour champ will hit The Dirt Track’s surface just like he has in every race since early May: sitting second behind Eckert in the points standings. Eckert grabbed the top spot in the standings from Richards with a victory on May 7 at Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway and has refused to relinquish it.

But Richards has chipped away at Eckert’s edge over the past six races, turning a 60-point deficit into his current 14-point shortfall entering the mid-week program at Screven. He’s put the pressure on Eckert by going on a hot streak, posting six consecutive top-five finishes (including four wins) in full-points shows.

The difference in the points race has been Eckert’s superior consistency. While Richards leads the tour in wins, top-five finishes (22) and earnings ($201,660), Eckert, who has three wins (including a crucial Oct. 6 score at New York’s Rolling Wheels Racing Park), matches Richards in the top-10s category (25) and has only one finish worse than 13th (a 16th-place run on Aug. 20 at Michigan’s Merritt Raceway) compared to four for Richards (finishes of 14th, 16th, 19th and 21st).

Richards’s uncharacteristic stumbles have forced him into the role of chaser in the points standings this season. During his two previous championship seasons he was atop the points after more than half the events and never was more than 44 points out of first place.

“I feel like this whole year we’ve had a phenomenal car but we hit a lot of speed bumps, especially the first part of the year,” analyzed Richards, who entered the ’09 World Finals trailing Francis by four points (he won by 14) and began the ’10 doubleheader leading Lanigan by 22 points (he won by a scant four-point margin). “It wasn’t looking that promising for us for awhile, but now we’re definitely in the hunt.

“The biggest thing with these last races is to just keep on racing like we have all year – just like it’s another race, and with the goal of winning the race. I’m sure Rick’s gonna be contention for a win every night too, so we just have to try to finish ahead of him. That’s our gameplan.”

Richards will take to the four-tenths-mile Charlotte oval with a sense of quiet confidence. He has, after all, been through two dramatic, tense points battles during the World Finals – last year’s with Lanigan wasn’t determined until the final lap – and he also happens to love racing at The Dirt Track. His successful performance record at Charlotte includes one win in each of the last four seasons; Eckert, meanwhile, has never won at Charlotte but has authored several very strong runs, including a third-place finish (from the 18th starting spot) in the opener of the 2009 World Finals, a runner-up finish in last year’s first World Finals A-Main and a fourth-place outing in the Oct. 12 WoO LMS Showdown.

Celebrating a WoO LMS championship in front of a sell-out crowd of over 14,000 fans and a live television audience on the SPEED cable network is a thrill Richards is ready to experience again.

“There’s no other place I’d rather end the season,” Richards said of the state-of-the-art speedway. “There are a lot of great racetracks out there, but being at the Dirt Track at Charlotte – man, it’s an awesome track and a great facility, and it’s in the heart of stock car racing. It’s also one of the few tracks capable of holding an event so big and doing it justice.

“The World Finals is my favorite weekend of the year,” he continued. “In my opinion, it’s become the biggest show of the year in terms of a whole short-track event. It’s really fun for a driver and especially a fan – there’s just so much going on in every class. I love just being a part of it.”

Win or lose, Richards will enjoy every minute of his latest bid for the $100,000 WoO LMS title.

“I felt like ’09 was a stellar year for us, last year was a little bit better and this year has been awesome except for a few problems that put us behind in the points,” said Richards. “I feel like we’ve come a long way even from our first championship year to now. We’re that much more mature of a team. Everybody gets along so well. We all know each other, and I’ve learned a lot myself the last few years. I feel like we’re competitive at more tracks than we’ve been, and that definitely helps a championship run.

“A championship would certainly top this year off. If we can win three in a row, it’ll be awesome, but whatever happens, it’s been a great year.”

The Lowes Food World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Tom’s Snacks, Coca-Cola and Nature’s Own, begin on Thurs., Nov. 3, with the big Kellogg’s Qualifying Night featuring two rounds of Late Model and Sprint Car time trials and two sets of Big-Block Modified heats. Each division’s first round of qualifying will apply to Friday’s program and the second round to Saturday’s racing card.

The Late Models and Sprint Cars will compete in full programs (heats, Last Chance Races, A-Mains) on both Fri., Nov. 4, and Sat., Nov. 5, while the Big-Block Modifieds will contest Last Chance Races and 40-lap features each evening.

Racing action is scheduled to get the green flag at 6:05 p.m. on Thurs., Nov. 3, and 5 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 4, and Sat., Nov. 5.

Saturday’s racing program will also be broadcast live on SPEED starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Tickets for the Lowes Foods World of Outlaws World Finals can be obtained by logging on to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or calling 1-800-455-FANS. Three-day packages are available for the bargain price of $69 and $24 for children 12-and-under.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Eric Westendorf
Lernerville Speedway Public Relations
ewestendorf@dirtcar.com | 724-664-1075

Precise Racing Offers ‘Steel City Stampede’ Special for Racers
Stampede Sale Runs Thursday through Saturday Trackside and In-Store

Sarver, PA (October 17, 2011) – Precise Racing Products has announced that the racing retailer will hold a Stampede Special for racers and fans alike with pricing discounts and giveaways in conjunction with Lernerville Speedway’s upcoming Steel City Stampede! The sale will run throughout the event, from Thursday, October 20 through Saturday, October 22.

Precise Racing will offer a discount of 10% on all racing parts and an unprecedented 5% off of all Hoosier Racing Tires to be used during the Stampede. The store will also offer a 50% discount on all closeout merchandise, making it the perfect time to stock up before the offseason!

Precise Racing will also provide gift cards to be given away to 20 lucky race teams and fans! Gift cards can be used on any available products, including popular Hoosier Tire racing apparel that will be on hand at the track.

Stampede Special pricing will be honored both at the retail store and the trackside parts trailers throughout the sale.

About Precise Racing Products: Precise Racing Products is located at 110 S. Pike Road in Sarver, PA, one mile south of Lernerville Speedway on Route 356. For more information, call 724-360-8000 or log on to www.PreciseRacing.com.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

From the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series’ National Open Run to All The Action From Super DIRT Week, 4Wide.TV is Packed with News and Video From the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing

CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 14, 2011 – This week’s episode of 4Wide.TV includes all the highlights from Super DIRT Week XL plus news and notes from around the racing world.

Click here to begin our coverage of the 40th Annual Super DIRT Week from the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. We kick it all off with highlights from the 358-Modifieds at Weedsport Speedway on Wednesday night, followed by the 358s and the World of Outlaws Late Models from Rolling Wheels on Thursday night. Then, we bring you coverage from the Twin 20s and the Triple 20s, featuring the 358-Modifieds and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds at the Moody Mile. We then move to Williams Grove Speedway where the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series headed Friday night to run the National Open. We bring coverage back to the fairgrounds for the 358-Modifieds’ Nationwide 150. Coverage goes back to Rolling Wheels for highlights from the Sprint Car Series on Saturday night, then we head back to the fairgrounds with the SEF 200 presented by Snapper and Ferris and wrap up coverage with highlights from Wednesday’s World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. 4Wide.TV brings you six full days of racing highlights! You can’t get a recap like this anywhere else!

In addition to all the highlights from the weekend, there are the hotly discussed Power Rankings plus the Hot Thread of the Week and the dirt track racing Twitter feed that brings you non-stop news and notes from around the racing world. The Video of the Week recalls the UMP Nationals courtesy of Eldora Speedway and the Photo of the Week comes from Friday Night Lights at Super DIRT Week from high atop the front stretch tower!

All that and more in only 20 minutes – check it out at 4Wide.TV, which now includes a new home page module to help share the video with your friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Record-Tying Victory At The Dirt Track At Charlotte Pulls Richards Closer To World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Lead

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 12, 2011 – Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., ran away with an important victory in Wednesday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

The $10,875 triumph was Richards’s ninth of the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series campaign, matching the national tour’s single-season win record established by Scott Bloomquist in 2004. It also was his 37th overall A-Main checkered flag, moving him into a tie with Billy Moyer atop the circuit’s alltime win list (1988-89, 2004-present).

In addition, Richards pulled closer in the ’11 WoO LMS championship battle to points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who finished fourth. The two-time defending tour titlist left Charlotte trailing Eckert by a mere 14 points with three events remaining on the schedule.

And perhaps most notably, the victory allowed Richards to honor a fallen family member.

“This win goes to my Uncle Roger,” Richards said of his father Mark’s older brother, who passed away last week. “He got my father started in racing and he was a huge fan and a huge supporter of our racing. I’m sure he’s still watching us.”

Richards, 23, left no doubt that he possessed the stoutest machine in Wednesday evening’s field. He roared off the outside pole starting spot to lead the entire A-Main in his father’s Rocket Chassis house car without facing a single challenge.

Richards took the checkered flag 4.362 seconds – a full straightaway – ahead of Vienna, W.Va.’s Steve Shaver, who grabbed second on lap 27 from a high-sliding Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., and stayed there to the finish in the K&L Rumley Rocket.

WoO LMS regular Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., advanced from the 12th starting spot to place third in his Rocket, holding off Eckert during the final circuits. Polesitter Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., a 15-year-old talent who ran for WoO LMS Rookie of the Year in 2009, held on to take fifth for a career-best tour finish.

“The car was awesome and this Roush-Yates engine is one bad-ass piece,” Richards said of the potent combination he employed to win Charlotte’s World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown for the second consecutive year. “I was able to get out front right at the start, keep the car in clean air and run the line I wanted to.”

Richards, who won for the ninth time in the last 20 WoO LMS events and the fifth time in his last eight starts, completed a perfect night of competition at the immaculate four-tenths-mile oval. He also set fast time and led every lap of his heat race

“He was in a class of his own,” runner-up Shaver said of Richards, who easily pulled away from Shaver following late-race restarts on laps 36 and 37. “I was just hanging on for dear life. We were just trying to maintain the top three and not blow the tires off it.”

Smith, 46, was involved in the race’s most intense battle to the finish, racing hard for third with Eckert almost every circuit after the sixth and final caution flag flew on lap 37.

“When we got racing there at the start the track was wide-open and kind of hit-and-miss rough, but around lap 17 or 18 the rain started coming pretty good and I think that kind of slicked the top back up,” said Smith, referencing the light precipitation that fell during the A-Main’s second half. “The last 25 laps you could run around the top and my car was good up there. I think I ran the top side-by-side with Rick Eckert for the last 10 laps.

“It was an excellent race with Eckert,” he continued. “I tried to give him plenty of room to not interfere with the points battle, but yet race hard because I’m trying to race for money too.”

Eckert, 45, was satisfied with a fourth-place finish on a racing surface made heavy and fast by rain that deluged the track early in the week. It was enough to keep his points lead in double-digits with the finish of the season in sight.

“We’re here to win (the championship) and we’re not gonna give up till the end,” said Eckert, who is seeking his first WoO LMS points crown. “If we lose, it’s not from lack of effort.”

Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., finished sixth while racing with a swollen right thumb that he injured in a tangle last Saturday night at Georgia’s Dixie Speedway. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., placed seventh, followed by Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who started fifth, and 18th-starter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.

The race’s caution flags were caused by John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., who slowed on lap eight; a turn-two tangle on lap eight that involved Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., and former WoO LMS champs Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.; Donald Bradsher of Burlington, N.C. (turn-two wall on lap nine); Rookie of the Year points leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., who stopped on lap 14; Landers, whose car tossed its right-rear wheel as he held third place on lap 36; and Dennis ‘Rambo’ Franklin of Gaffney, S.C. (mechanical trouble while running third on lap 37).

Richards was quickest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, topping the 27-car session with a lap of 14.966 seconds. It was his second fast-time honor of the 2011 season.

Heat winners were Richards, Reddick (his first-ever WoO LMS heat-race victory) and Shaver, who celebrates his 48th birthday on Oct. 14. Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., captured the B-Main.

The next action for the WoO LMS is a season-ending tripleheader – a rescheduled $12,000-to-win event on Wed., Nov. 2, at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and the fifth annual World Finals on Nov. 3-5 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown’ at The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Josh Richards/50 $10,875

2. (3) Steve Shaver/50 $5,000

3. (12) Clint Smith/50 $3,550

4. (4) Rick Eckert/50 $3,050

5. (1) Tyler Reddick/50 $2,550

6. (7) Shane Clanton/50 $2,250

7. (10) Chub Frank/50 $1,950

8. (9) Chris Madden/50 $1,300

9. (5) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,750

10. (18) Tim Fuller/50 $1,650

11. (17) Ron Davies/50 $1,850

12. (14) Tim McCreadie/49 $1,650

13. (23) Darrell Lanigan/48 $1,600

14. (8) Dennis Franklin/36 $900

15. (6) Jared Landers/35 $850

16. (13) Chip Brindle/35 $800

17. (22) Austin Dillon/23 $770

18. (20) Ty Dillon/20 $750

19. (21) John Lobb/18 $730

20. (19) Vic Coffey/14 $1,250

21. (15) Pat Doar/13 $1,250

22. (11) Dale McDowell/8 $700

23. (16) Donald Bradsher/8 $700

24. (25) Kyle Pierce/2 $725

DNS: Jonathan Davenport

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 35 Mins., 38.253 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 4.362 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 6 (Laps 8, 8, 9, 14, 36, 37)

Lap Leaders: Richards (1-50)

Provisional Starters: Lanigan, Davenport (WoO); Pierce (track)

Rookie of the Race: Davies ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Reddick ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.966

2. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 14.978

3. 6-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 15.086

4. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 15.233

5. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.254

6. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.259

7. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.276

8. 47c-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 15.283

9. 44M-Chris Madden/Gray Court, SC 15.287

10. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.293

11. 3-Austin Dillon/Welcome, NC 15.308

12. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.315

13. 21B-Chip Brindle/Chatsworth, GA 15.424

14. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.425

15. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.434

16. 93-Donald Bradsher/Burlington, NC 15.439

17. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 15.489

18. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.646

19. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 15.657

20. 41-Ty Dillon/Welcome, NC 15.722

21. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.736

22. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.925

23. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 15.968

24. 10*-Dane Burns/New London, NC 16.461

25. 281-Kyle Pierce/Statesville, NC 18.844

26. 87-Ross Bailes/Clover, SC N/T

27. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 16.172 (DQ – no report to scales)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, Landers, Clanton, Frank, Brindle, Bradsher, Coffey, Lobb, Pierce

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Reddick, Eckert, Franklin, McDowell, McCreadie, Davies, T. Dillon, A. Dillon (DNS) Bailes

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Shaver, Hubbard, Madden, C. Smith, Doar, Fuller, Burns, Lanigan, Davenport

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Coffey, T. Dillon, Lobb, A. Dillon, Davenport, Burns, Pierce, Lanigan, Bailes

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Vic Coffey

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Kyle Pierce

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jared Landers

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): John Lobb

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Ron Davies

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Ron Davies

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Kyle Pierce

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Tyler Reddick

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Steve Shaver

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Tyler Reddick

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Jared Landers

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ross Bailes

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Oct. 12 – 30 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 4220

2. Josh Richards 4206 (-14)

3. Darrell Lanigan 4046 (-174)

4. Tim McCreadie 3984 (-236)

5. Chub Frank 3926 (-294)

6. Shane Clanton 3910 (-310)

7. Austin Hubbard 3884 (-336)

8. Clint Smith 3852 (-368)

9. Tim Fuller 3736 (-484)

10. Vic Coffey 3716 (-504)

11. Pat Doar 3562 (-658)

12. Ron Davies 3464 (-756)

13. John Lobb 3276 (-944)

14. Jill George 2122 (-2098)

15. Jason Feger 1756 (-2464)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 5,500 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

Midweek World of Outlaws Late Models, Followed by Saturday Night Sprint Car Action on DIRTVision.com

World of Outlaws Late Model Series – Wednesday, October 12th @ The Dirt Track at Charlotte

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Saturday, October 15th @ Fremont Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 12, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is back in action tonight at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, where they kick off the NASCAR weekend at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with the Late Model Showdown. Rick Eckert is coming off a huge win at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Thursday night, regaining the points lead by just 22 points over defending champion Josh Richards. With only five races left to decide the 2011 championship, it’s a two man race for the top spot. Will Richards make it three in a row? Or will the veteran break through and win that elusive title for the first time in his career? You can listen to free audio from the event at DIRTVision.com, but for only $9.99, you can watch live video from The Dirt Track. Every night is a showdown, and as the series approaches the end of the season, the stakes are high and the racing is closer than ever! Rick Eshelman brings you all the action from the Dirt Track beginning at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Head over to DIRTVision.com to subscribe to see the best late model racing on dirt!

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series heads to the Buckeye State on Saturday night as they take on the Fremont Speedway for the first time in almost a decade. With four wins in a row, Jason Meyers and his Elite Racing team are showing they are on a mission to make it two championships in a row. With only five races remaining to decide the 2011 championship, it’s going to be a wild race to the World Finals in November. DIRTVision.com will have live audio from the event, as Johnny Gibson brings fans all the action from hot laps to victory lane! Racing is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. Eastern!

Looking ahead, the next DIRTVision video Cybercast will be the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, Late Models and the Super DIRTcar Series at the World Finals in Charlotte. For the full Cybercast schedule, click the 2011 Cybercast Schedule at DIRTVision.com.

Fans can follow DIRTVision on Twitter by clicking http://twitter.com/dirtvision.

For technical questions about DIRTVision, please e-mail DIRTVision@dirtcar.com.

DIRTVision.com is brought to fans around the world by several important sponsors and partners, including ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems and Aggressive Hydraulics.

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: Eckert/Richards Championship Battle Heads To Charlotte On Wednesday Night (Oct. 12)

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 11, 2011 –

HEADED TO CAROLINA: The path to the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship now runs through The Dirt Track at Charlotte – and the two combatants for the $100,000 crown are ready to hit the immaculate four-tenths-mile oval at full strength.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., leads the WoO LMS standings by just 22 points over Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., entering the World of Outlaws Showdown on Wednesday night (Oct. 12) at The Dirt Track, which is set to host three of the tour’s last four events this season.

After a rescheduled program at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., is contested on Nov. 2, the WoO LMS will close out the 2011 schedule with the World Finals doubleheader on Nov. 3-5.

Eckert, 45, will arrive at Charlotte on Wednesday carrying plenty of momentum in his pursuit of a first-ever WoO LMS title. He won the tour’s last A-Main, on Oct. 6 at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, N.Y., to get back on track after a five-race stretch in which his edge on the streaking Richards shrunk from 60 to 16 points.

The 23-year-old Richards wasn’t far off Eckert’s pace at the Wheels, finishing third to continue a run of five consecutive top-five finishes (including three wins) in full-points shows. Those sizzling stats are what added so much importance to Eckert’s badly-needed victory.

“It’s great for us to win, but as far as the points deal, Josh ran third and he’s won the last five or six – I quit counting, he’s won so many,” Eckert said with a smile. “That’s a really great team (Richards’s Rocket Chassis house car operation) and we’re doing the best with what we got (a self-owned effort). We’re gonna race him here to the end. If we can win two or three of these last four, we’ll keep ourselves in it for sure.

“(Richards has) been winning every race, so he makes it easy on me – I know where I gotta finish. I gotta win, because that’s the only way he’ll be behind the way he’s running.”

Eckert’s triumph at Rolling Wheels came with a fresh Jay Dickens engine under the hood of his Team Zero by Bloomquist car. He’ll use that bullet again on Wednesday night, buoying his hopes for a final push to the championship finish line.

“That motor we just got back from Jay Dickens – that thing runs good,” said Eckert, who followed his Wheels score with a $5,000 win in the unsanctioned National Open on Oct. 8 at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway. “Going down to Charlotte, it takes motor, so I think we’ll be O.K.”

Richards does have the advantage in past performance at The Dirt Track with three wins to his credit – one in each of the last three seasons, including last year’s World of Outlaws Showdown. Eckert has never won at Charlotte but has authored several very strong runs, including a third-place finish (from the 18th starting spot) in the opener of the 2009 World Finals and a runner-up finish in last year’s first World Finals A-Main.

Eckert’s 22-point advantage in the standings roughly amounts to 11 finishing positions. The WoO LMS points system awards 150 points to an A-Main winner, 146 to second place and then two points less for every remaining position.

OPEN WHEEL WEEKEND: The three WoO LMS regulars with DIRTcar Big-Block Modified roots – Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., and Sweeteners Plus Racing teammates Tim McCreadie, also of Watertown, N.Y., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. – shifted their focus to the open-wheel division’s biggest week of the season following their visit to Rolling Wheels.

The Rolling Wheels event was part of Super DIRT Week XL, DIRTcar Northeast’s annual showcase of Modified racing at the one-mile New York State Fairgrounds oval in Syracuse, N.Y. The World of Outlaws trio entered both the headline Big-Block Modified SEF Small Engine Fuel 200 presented by Ferris & Snapper and the Nationwide Insurance 150 for 358-Modifieds.

In Sunday’s $50,000-to-win SEF 200 – a race that Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., won for the second straight year over sometime-dirt Late Model competitor Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y. – all three WoO travelers were in contention for top-five as the race wound down. But only former SEF 200 winners Coffey (third place) and Fuller (fourth place) completed top-five runs; McCreadie, who has never won the prestigious event, settled for a 14th-place finish after his Sweeteners Plus car ran out of gas as he ran fifth on lap 187 due to a prolonged fuel leak. McCreadie’s bad break capped a rough Big-Block week for the 2006 WoO LMS champ, whose team had to completely rebuild his car after a right-front suspension failure sent him hard into the turn-one wall on the opening lap of Friday night’s first 20-lap heat race.

Fuller, who ran both long-distance races at the Syracuse Mile for the J&S Racing team, enjoyed the best combined finishes, placing fourth as well in Saturday’s 358-Modified Nationwide Insurance 150. McCreadie recovered from an early flat left-front tire to finish third driving the 4-Star Racing machine while Coffey retired on lap 74 and finished 36th.

WORLD of OUTLAWS SHOWDOWN EVENT INFO: The Dirt Track at Charlotte’s pit gates are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. and spectator gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 12. Early-arriving fans will be greeted by a WoO LMS driver autograph session that is slated to begin at 5 p.m. on the speedway concourse.

Hot laps are set to get the green flag at 6 p.m., followed by time trials and a full program of heats, B-Mains and the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main. NDRA Modifieds are also on the evening’s docket.

Adult admission to the event, which kicks off Bank of America 500 week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, is $25 and children 12-and-under will be admitted for $10. All seats are reserved.

Additional info is available by logging on to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or calling 1-800-455-FANS.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac

World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director

kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Convincing Victory At Rolling Wheels Pads Eckert’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Lead

ELBRIDGE, NY – Oct. 6, 2011 – Rick Eckert knows that the best way to maintain his lead in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series points standings is to win races.

So that’s what the veteran driver from York, Pa., did on Thursday night, snapping a nearly five-month checkered flag drought with a powerful triumph in the national tour’s 50-lap A-Main at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.

Racing at a five-eighths-mile track where he had finished second in his only two previous WoO LMS starts, Eckert passed race-long pacesetter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., for the lead on lap 34 and never looked back. He dominated the remainder of the distance, pulling away after the event’s lone caution flag flew on lap 37 to cross the finish line 3.483 seconds ahead of Thompson, Pa.’s Dan Stone.

The $11,325 score was Eckert’s third of the 2011 WoO LMS season and extended his points lead to 22 points over two-time defending champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished third after surviving a white-flag scrape on the homestretch with Fuller. Teenager Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., placed fourth after slipping by Fuller, who led laps 1-33 but settled for a fifth-place finish because he slowed on the final due to a flat left-rear tire sustained in the incident with Richards.

Eckert, who recorded his 24^th career series win and first since May 12 at Delaware International Speedway, was ecstatic after parlaying his affinity for Rolling Wheels into a crucial victory. He had seen his edge on Richards in the WoO LMS standings shrink from 60 to 16 points over the previous five events.

“I love this place,” Eckert said of Rolling Wheels, where he previously registered runner-up finishes in WoO LMS A-Mains during the 2010 and 2005 seasons. “I guess there’s something about this track that just suits me.”

Eckert, 45, started fourth in a mid-week affair that was run as part of Super DIRT Week XL, the annual showcase of DIRTcar Modified racing encompassing action at the one-mile New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y., and other nearby short tracks like the Wheels. He overtook Stone for second on lap 22 and then steadily chased down Fuller, who had raced off the outside pole to build a half-straightaway advantage.

“I couldn’t run with (Fuller) and Dan (Stone) out in the open,” said Eckert, whose self-owned Team Zero by Bloomquist car was powered by a freshened Jay Dickens engine. “I think they had their cars freed up enough to where they could run out there. I was a little tighter, but my car came to me and they got a little bit looser in traffic.”

Eckert, who is seeking his first career WoO LMS championship in his eighth full season following the circuit, dedicated the triumph to his ailing mother.

“She’s fighting cancer and she had a really bad week,” said Eckert, whose parents are big supporters of his racing career. “Hopefully this will cheer her up some.”

Stone, 34, earned his second consecutive runner-up finish in WoO LMS competition, matching his run on Sept. 3 in the finale of the ‘Black Diamond 125’ at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. He drove Leo Milus’s Super Deuce Rocket on Thursday night after running his family’s car at Tyler County.

The Super Deuce machine that Stone steers in selected special events is maintained by noted DIRTcar Big-Block Modified crew chief Randy Kisacky of Johnson City, N.Y., who is well-versed in the vagaries of racing at Rolling Wheels thanks to his decades of experience running there with the Northeast’s popular open-wheel class.

“He really has a good grasp of what the track’s doing,” Stone said of Kisacky, who arrived at Rolling Wheels shortly before the start of hot laps after spending the afternoon working with DIRTcar Big-Block Modified driver Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, N.Y., at the Syracuse Mile. “I probably would’ve over-tightened the car – and really, as it was, we were already a little too tight.”

Stone passed Fuller for second place on lap 38 but never got close enough to threaten Eckert.

“The car was solid and it’s fun to run good in these big races,” said Stone, who won a WoO LMS A-Main in 2007 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. “But man, when you’re that close (to a victory), it’s frustrating too.”

Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., finished sixth after slipping by Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., following the race’s lone restart on lap 37. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. – behind the wheel of brand-new Rocket car – also passed Coffey late in the distance to finish seventh, leaving Coffey to settle for eighth. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., rallied after bringing out the caution flag on lap 37 (he slowed and pitted because he thought he had a flat tire) to finish ninth and DIRTcar Modified standout Dale Planck of Homer, N.Y., rounded out the top 10.

Planck, who made his first WoO LMS start of the season in a dirt Late Model fielded by the same team for which he drives DIRTcar Big-Block and 358-Modifieds, earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who has never won a WoO A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings.

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who won last year’s WoO LMS A-Main at Rolling Wheels, was running fifth on lap 12 when he dropped out due to an apparent burnt piston in his car’s engine.

Eckert was quickest in the 31-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials session, clicking off a lap of 19.266 seconds. It was his fourth fast-time honor of 2011, tying him with Lanigan for the lead in the category.

Heat winners were Richards, Stone and Fuller. Ross Robinson of Georgetown, Del., who has worked as WoO LMS rookie John Lobb’s chief mechanic since mid-May, captured the B-Main.

The WoO LMS will return to action on Wed., Oct. 13, contesting the annual World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Rick Eckert/50 $11,325

2. (1) Dan Stone/50 $5,050

3. (6) Josh Richards/50 $4,150

4. (3) Austin Hubbard/50 $3,550

5. (2) Tim Fuller/50 $3,050

6. (8) Shane Clanton/50 $2,750

7. (10) Chub Frank/50 $2,450

8. (12) Vic Coffey/50 $2,350

9. (14) Tim McCreadie/50 $2,350

10. (15) Dale Planck/50 $1,600

11. (13) Ricky Elliott/50 $1,050

12. (5) Pat Doar/50 $2,300

13. (11) Russell King/49 $950

14. (16) Ron Davies/49 $1,950

15. (22) Dave Zona/49 $850

16. (18) John Lobb/48 $800

17. (23) Chad Hollenbeck/47 $770

18. (24) Alan Fink/40 $750

19. (19) Lee Gill/34 $730

20. (9) Clint Smith/23 $1,750

21. (22) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/23 $700

22. (7) Darrell Lanigan/12 $1,850

23. (19) Ross Robinson/8 $700

24. (21) Alan Sagi/4 $725

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 21 Mins., 22.174 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 3.483 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 37)

Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-33); Eckert (34-50)

Provisional Starters: Hollenbeck, Fink

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Planck ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 19.266

2. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.282

3. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 19.283

4. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.292

5. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.324

6. 2-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 19.374

7. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.380

8. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.447

9. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 19.451

10. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.468

11. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 19.577

12. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.578

13. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 19.688

14. 77x-Dale Planck/Homer, NY 19.740

15. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 19.750

16. 88-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 19.767

17. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 19.880

18. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 19.881

19. 15-Alan Fink/Central Square, NY 20.096

20. 7R-Ross Robinson/Georgetown, DE 20.101

21. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 20.110

22. 7-Lee Gill/Lafargeville, NY 20.419

23. 66x-Carey Terrance/Akwesasne, NY 20.496

24. 24J-Jon Rohacevich/Prattsville, NY 20.548

25. 13b-Alan Sagi/Hagerstown, MD 20.679

26. 25B-Greg Belyea/Frankford, ONT 20.898

27. R1-Dale Caswell/Central Square, NY 21.733

28. 70-Michael Trapp/Gouverneur, NY 21.748

29. 29P-Philip Potts/Frankford, ONT 22.093

30. 98-Rick Miller/Fulton, NY 22.144

31. 99z-Dave Zona/Montrose, PA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, Eckert, Lanigan, Frank, Elliott, Davies, Gill, Sagi, Zona, Fink, Trapp

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Stone, Doar, Clanton, King, McCreadie, Briggs, Caswell, Miller, Rohacevich, Hollenbeck

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Fuller, Hubbard, Smith, Coffey, Planck, Lobb, Robinson, Belyea, Potts (DNS) Terrance

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Robinson, Gill, Sagi, Zona, Hollenbeck, Potts, Trapp, Belyea, Miller, Fink, Rohacevich, Caswell (DNS) Terrance

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22^nd fastest qualifier): Jon Rohacevich

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Dan Stone

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams (certificate to 10^th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dave Zona

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Pat Doar

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Alan Sagi

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place or next highest w/decal): John Lobb

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Rick Eckert (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2^nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dan Stone

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Greg Belyea

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ron Davies

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Oct. 6 – 29 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 4078

2. Josh Richards 4056 (-22)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3922 (-156)

4. Tim McCreadie 3858 (-220)

5. Chub Frank 3790 (-288)

6. Shane Clanton 3772 (-306)

7. Austin Hubbard 3752 (-326)

8. Clint Smith 3708 (-370)

9. (tie) Vic Coffey 3606 (-472)

9. (tie) Tim Fuller 3606 (-472)

11. Pat Doar 3454 (-624)

12. Ron Davies 3336 (-742)

13. John Lobb 3164 (-914)

14. Jill George 2122 (-1956)

15. Jason Feger 1756 (-2322)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 5,300 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.com/.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Preview: Super DIRT Week Special At Rolling Wheels Raceway Park On Thurs., Oct. 6

ELBRIDGE, NY – Oct. 4, 2011 –

CHASE HEATS UP: Rick Eckert has finished second in both of his previous World of Outlaws Late Model Series starts at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park. Josh Richards has struggled in his two visits to the five-eighths-mile oval.

So does that spell Advantage, Eckert, in the battle for the 2011 points championship when the national tour returns to Rolling Wheels on Thursday night (Oct. 6) for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event during the Northeast’s racing spectacular known as Super DIRT Week?

Eckert, 45, of York, Pa., won’t go that far. The current WoO LMS points leader knows the trend lines at the Wheels clearly favor him, but he’s also a veteran driver who understands that past performance isn’t always the biggest factor in a race’s outcome.

“Rolling Wheels has been pretty good for us,” said Eckert, who owns runner-up finishes in both the 2005 and 2010 WoO LMS A-Mains at the central New York facility. “We’ve had some success there so that gives us some confidence, but you never know what can happen when you go back to a place. Josh is on a pretty good roll right now so we’re gonna have to step it up if we want to hold him off.”

Richards, a 23-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., is seeking his unprecedented third consecutive WoO LMS title. He leads the ’11 tour in wins (eight), top-five finishes (23) and earnings ($186,635), but he sits second in the points standings, trailing Eckert by 16 points with five crucial events remaining on the schedule.

Eckert has led the points standings since early May, parlaying two wins and a remarkable level of consistency (14 top-fives and 23 top-10s -- with no finish worse than 16th – in 28 events) into a bid for his first-ever WoO LMS points crown. But Richards, who has three finishes of 16 th or worse, has been pecking away at Eckert’s points advantage, slicing his deficit from 60 to 16 points over the past five races.

Richards has scored all eight of his ’11 wins over the last 18 A-Mains – a hot streak very reminiscent of Eckert’s scorching eight wins in 17 starts during the first half of the 2006 season – and has captured four of the last six tour events. But if he’s going to roll on with his pursuit of Eckert this Thursday night he’ll have to flip his history at Rolling Wheels, a track that hasn’t provided memorable moments for the young charger.

In Richards’s first appearance at Rolling Wheels, as a WoO LMS rookie in 2005, he used a provisional to start the A-Main and finished a quiet 11 th. His visit to the Wheels in August 2010 was even rougher; while he finished a respectable eighth in the headliner, he had to hastily jump into his backup car for time trials after damaging the nose of his primary machine during hot laps and then – after returning to the seat of his repaired primary car – he dropped out of his heat because he again bent his mount’s nosepiece.

“Rolling Wheels last year was frustrating for me,” said Richards. “We knocked two nosepieces off, had two cars unloaded, ended up taking a provisional. We salvaged the night with a top 10 and got a few points, but it was a real tough night.

“I’m excited to go back to Rolling Wheels because I do like the place, but hopefully we won’t have a night like we had last year again.”

Richards knows he’s running out of races to overtake Eckert, but the race for the $100,000 points title isn’t going to change his strategy.

“We’re not really worried about points right now,” said Richards, who can tie the WoO LMS single-season victory record (Scott Bloomquist’s nine in 2004) with a triumph at Rolling Wheels. “You do kind of have them in the back of your mind, sure, but we go in to every race each and every week trying to win. We’ve been pretty successful for the past few months and won quite a few races so we have that momentum going for us.”

BUSY DRIVERS: Thursday’s program brings the WoO LMS back to Super DIRT Week – the annual showcase of DIRTcar Modified racing encompassing action at the one-mile New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y., and other nearby short tracks like the Wheels – for the first time since a weekend event in 2004 at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway.

The midweek show, which will run in conjunction with a Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series event, sets up a heavy racing schedule for three WoO LMS regulars with roots in the Northeast’s DIRTcar Modified division. New Yorkers Tim McCreadie, Tim Fuller and Vic Coffey will pull double-duty, competing not only in Thursday’s full-fender action but also in the open-wheel DIRTcar Modified competition at the famed Syracuse Mile. The big track hosts the Big-Block Modified division’s 40th annual SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented By Ferris and Snapper on Sun., Oct. 9, and the Nationwide Insurance 150 for 358-Modifieds on Sat., Oct. 8, with qualifying for both event scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 6 (time trials during the afternoon) and Fri., Oct. 7 (five 20-lap heat races during the evening).

McCreadie and Coffey will be teammates under their familiar Sweeteners Plus Racing banner in Syracuse’s Big-Block Modified wars. Coffey, who won the SEF 200’s $50,000 top prize in 2002 and 2007, will also run a Sweeteners Plus car in the 358-Modified class; McCreadie, who has finished as high as second in both the SEF 200 and Nationwide Insurance 150, will drive a 4-Star Racing machine in the 358-Modified bracket at Syracuse and in Thursday’s undercard at Rolling Wheels.

Fuller, who won the SEF 200 in 2004, will compete in both Syracuse events for the J&S Racing team.

The trio will sign in at Rolling Wheels on Thursday after spending the afternoon practicing and qualifying at the Syracuse Mile. They all have competed in both previous WoO LMS events at the Wheels, with Fuller scoring finishes of fourth (’10) and 13th (’05); McCreadie placing ninth (’10) and eighth (’05); and Coffey registering finishes of 10th in ’10 (after leading the first 11 laps until he was forced to pit because his car’s radiator cap came off) and 22nd in 2005.

DRIVER TO BEAT: Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., stood in the spotlight the last time the WoO LMS invaded Rolling Wheels, rolling to victory in the August 2010 event. He inherited the lead when Coffey pitted and never looked back.

A seven-time winner who is currently third in the WoO LMS points standings, Lanigan can match Richards for top-victor status on this year’s tour with a triumph on Thursday night.

FRESH EQUIPMENT: Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who won the inaugural WoO LMS A-Main at Rolling Wheels in 2005 with one of the most dominant performances in tour history (he lapped all but the second- and third-place finishers), will bid for another checkered flag on Thursday night behind the wheel of a brand-new Rocket car.

The 49-year-old Frank, who since the last WoO LMS event on Sept. 17 scored a $13,000 triumph in a ULMS show on Sept. 24 at Pennsylvania’s McKean County Raceway, spent the past week putting the finishing touches on his new mount. The car will be powered a Roush-Yates engine, the brand he began campaigning last month.

TOUGH PLACE: Rolling Wheels hasn’t been kind to Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., the only WoO LMS regular who has entered both previous tour events at the track but failed to record even a single top-10 finish. He placed 16th in 2010 and 17th in 2005.

WELCOME TO CENTRAL NEW YORK IN THE FALL: Five WoO LMS travelers – Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y. – will make their first career competitive starts in an event during Super DIRT Week on Thursday night.
the quintet haven’t experienced Super DIRT Week’s charged racing atmosphere, Rolling Wheels will be new territory for only Doar (the tour’s Rookie of the Year points leader) and Lobb. Clanton entered both previous WoO LMS events at the Wheels (15th in ‘10/ninth in ’05); last year Hubbard placed 11th and Davies was 13th.

Lobb will actually bring two entries to the track in his Kennedy Motorsports hauler. His chief mechanic, Ross Robinson of Georgetown, Del., has one of his own dirt Late Models stored alongside Lobb’s equipment and will get a chance to run it at the Wheels.

CHALLENGERS: The Rolling Wheels field will also include such drivers as former WoO LMS A-Main winners Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., and Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del.; Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa.; Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series championship contender Dale Planck of Homer, N.Y., who has a dirt Late Model of his own after turning heads last year in two WoO LMS starts behind the wheel of Briggs’s backup car; and former DIRTcar Modified regular Lee Gill of Lafargeville, N.Y., who last month registered a $5,000 crate Late Model victory at Brighton (Ont.) Speedway.

ROLLING WHEELS EVENT INFO: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and grandstand gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m. Race time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Adult reserved seat tickets for the WoO LMS/Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified doubleheader are available for $39 by logging on to http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com or calling 315-834-6606. Discounted student (ages 10-17) and children (9-and-under) pricing is available for reserved sections (children 9-and-under are free in General Admission seating).

SUPER DIRT WEEK INFO: Ticket information and details on all the action during Super DIRT Week, which runs from Oct. 5-9 at the Syracuse Mile, is available at www.superdirtweekonline.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Unzicker (Late Models), Harrison (Modifieds) Take Points Leads Into Final Weekend Of Weekly Action

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 30, 2011 – Ryan Unzicker’s sizzling September has put him on the brink of clinching his first-ever DIRTcar UMP Late Model national championship.

The rising 28-year-old star from El Paso, Ill., caught fire after his long stint at the top of the points standings ended in late August. Since Sept. 9 he has authored a spectacular nine-race run highlighted by four wins and three runner-up finishes, allowing him to head into this weekend’s final weekend of weekly DIRTcar UMP points racing leading the national battle by a solid 54-point margin (2,531-2,477) over defending national champ Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich.

With the DIRTcar Late Model points standings determined by drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights and Unzicker passing that threshold weeks ago, he could only add points to his total this month by finishing well inside the top five. He responded with a surge of first- and second-place finishes that gave him points in seven of his nine starts since Sept. 9, including a pair of bridesmaid outings last week, on Sept. 24 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., and Sept. 25 at Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway.

Unzicker’s closest challengers in the national standings simply haven’t been able to match his performance in recent weeks. Schlenk, who led the points race for two weeks before ceding it back to Unzicker, has gained points in just three of his seven starts since Sept. 9, while Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, who briefly reached second in the standings, registered points-padding finishes in just two of his six starts over the same span and has fallen 94 points behind Unzicker.

But Unzicker hasn’t locked up the national title. Schlenk remains alive for a second consecutive crown, but only if he can win at least two features and finish among the top four in another race – all with full car-count bonus points – while Unzicker fails to finish well enough to earn a single point.

Both Unzicker and Schlenk plan to compete in this weekend’s two-day ‘ROCKtoberfest’ at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway, which features a $1,000-to-win event on Friday (Sept. 30) and a $2,000-to-win race on Saturday (Oct. 1). They will also enter the Late Model division’s points-season finale, the DIRTcar UMP Nationals on Oct. 7-8 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., meanwhile, enters this weekend’s action leading the DIRTcar UMP Modified national standings by 15 points (1,922-1,907) over Michael Long of Quincy, Ill. Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind., sits third in the standings, 36 points behind Harrison.

All three drivers are still in contention for the title, but Long and Allen have no margin for error. With the drivers long past the 25-race mark upon which the UMP Modified standings are determined, finishing high enough to replace their worst nights is a tough chore.

Long’s hopes rest on his winning three features at full points over the next two weekends – the UMP Modified are also part of the Oct. 7-8 DIRTcar UMP Nationals at Eldora – while Harrison fails to earn a point, creating a tie for the points lead. Long would then win the title on a tie-breaker because he would have more feature wins than Harrison.

Unofficial calculations by DIRTcar UMP officials indicate that Allen can claim the championship by recording three full-points feature wins and finishing in the top three at Eldora – provided, of course, that Harrison or Long do not add to their points totals.

As determined unofficially by DIRTcar UMP officials, current national points situations for DIRTcar UMP’s six other divisions are as follows:

* Pro Late Models: Dustin Griffin of Camp Point, Ill., holds a commanding 35-point lead over Nick Bauman. The points season for DIRTcar UMP’s crate Late Model class officially ends with the running of the DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Model Championship on Oct. 15 at Tri-City Speedway.

* Sportsman: Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind., appears headed to the title.

* Limited Modifieds: Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill., has unofficially clinched the championship because there are not enough races left for anyone to overcome his lead.

* Stock Cars: Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill., appears to have the division’s national crown sewn up.

* Factory Stocks: Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lake, Mich., has effectively locked up the title, but second place remains up for grabs between Rob Sternberg and Jake Hewitt.

* Sport Compacts: Jeremy Callahan of Mt. Vernon, Ill., leads the standings, but with only 26 points separating the top four drivers there are various scenarios still in play.

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of Sept. 25, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2531

2. Rusty Schlenk 35 2477

3. Jon Henry 35 2437

4. Shannon Babb 35 2415

5. Jason Feger 35 2374

6. Brandon Thirlby 35 2341

7. Brandon Sheppard 35 2294

8. Randy Korte 35 2241

9. Eric Spangler 35 2218

10. Mike Provenzano 35 2186

11. Bobby Pierce 35 2156

12. Mike Spatola III 35 2149

13. Eric Smith 35 2080

14. Brian Ruhlman 35 2019

15. Mark Voigt 35 2005

16. Steve Lance Jr. 35 1986

17. Scott Schmitt 35 1976

18. Dennis Erb Jr. 35 1970

19. Brian Shirley 35 1961

20. Michael Kloos 35 1931

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1922

2. Michael Long 25 1907

3. Nick Allen 25 1886

4. Todd Sherman 25 1862

5. Jacob Poel 25 1860

6. Ray Bollinger 25 1854

7. Doug Adkins 25 1831

8. Jamie Lomax 25 1825

9. Clayton Miller 25 1824

10. Danny Crane 25 1820

11. Ken Schrader 25 1817

12. Scott Weber 25 1807

13. Tim Hancock 25 1791

14. John DeMoss 25 1764

15. Mark Anderson 25 1759

16. Joe Rokos 25 1758

17. Brian Lynn 25 1749

18. Randle Sweeney 25 1747

19. Jeff Leka 25 1746

20. Jim Farris Sr. 25 1740

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dustin Griffin 20 1505

2. Nick Bauman 20 1470

3. Credence Mott 20 1411

4. Mark Oller 20 1405

5. Clayton Miller 20 1398

6. Jerry Lierly 20 1397

7. Bobby Martintoni 20 1325

8. Evan Fink 20 1310

9. Brad Denney 20 1300

10. Randy Myers 20 1280

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeremy Hines 20 1496

2. Troy Clark 20 1459

3. Dan Flessner 20 1434

4. Jeff Herzog 20 1412

5. Joey Ladouceur 20 1387

6. Dave Crawley Jr. 20 1358

7. Nick Macklin 20 1325

8. Jocelyn Roy 20 1317

9. Jake Simmons 19 1311

10. Kenny Carmichael Sr. 20 1285

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mark Anderson 20 1420

2. Todd Bates 20 1388

3. Haley Westerfield 20 1188

4. Jeff Lawson 20 1177

5. John Wyble 20 1096

6. Christopher Geary 20 1065

7. Johnny Holden 20 1038

7. Josh Smith 20 1038

9. Clay Settles 20 1036

10. Billy Hawes 20 1010

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nate Zimmer 20 1512

2. Mike Hodges 20 1480

3. John Farris 20 1470

4. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1450

5. Dan Dykman 20 1421

6. Derek Poland 20 1413

7. Andrew Funk 20 1395

8. Joeseph Hamm 20 1378

9. Joel Funk 20 1374

10. Darrel Dick 20 1356

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dennis Bringedahl 20 1396

2. Rob Sternberg 20 1371

3. Jake Hewitt 20 1370

4. Dan Wilson 20 1313

5. Mark Farber 20 1309

6. Jeff Buss 20 1194

6. Tom Hughes 19 1194

8. Spike Grega 20 1181

9. Ben Welch 20 1128

10. TJ Eilers 20 1119

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeremy Callahan 20 1512

2. Kenny Butterfield 20 1506

3. Rob Shaw 20 1494

4. Matt Maier 20 1486

5. Paul Namey 20 1460

6. Earl Pryor 20 1451

7. Trevor Isaak 20 1436

8. Jacob Rexing 20 1425

9. Bradley McGhee 20 1400

10. Vince Shehorn 20 1394

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar Western Region Update: Budweiser Fall Classic Doubleheader Rocks California’s Antioch & Merced Speedways This Weekend (Oct. 1-2)

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 30, 2011 –

HUGE TWINBILL: It’s the biggest weekend of the fall racing season in central and northern California – so naturally, the Pacific Coast’s brightest DIRTcar Late Model and DIRTcar West UMP Modified stars have their eyes fixed on the Antioch and Merced speedways.

The Budweiser Fall Classic is set to roll off this weekend at a pair of sister tracks, rocking Antioch Speedway on Saturday night (Oct. 1) and Merced Speedway on Sunday evening (Oct. 2). Each track will host a DIRTcar Western All-Stars Late Model Series presented by VP Racing Fuels event paying $3,000 to win and a DIRTcar West UMP Modified feature offering a $2,000 top prize.

With several standout Californians planning to pull double-duty this weekend – including former Western All-Stars champions Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas and Chris Shannon of Merced as well as Richard Papenhausen of Chico – the possibility exists for one driver to pocket $10,000 in first-place cash.

“This is an awesome weekend of racing for California’s fans and racers,” said Chris Morgan, Director of Western Operations for World Racing Group/DIRTcar. “DIRTcar is very proud to be involved in an event of this stature. One of our objectives with the DIRTcar Western Region is to work with promoters to establish special events that bring increased attention and recognition to the Late Model and UMP Modified divisions and the Budweiser Fall Classic is certainly a prime example of a weekend that has the racing community talking.”

Promoter John Soares, who oversees the operation of both Antioch and Merced, and his staff have worked hard to bring added value to the unique two-track, two-division Budweiser Fall Classic. They have secured an impressive list of sponsors for the weekend, including:

* Budweiser, which has added $2,000 to the Western All-Stars purse ($1,000 at Antioch and $1,000 t Merced Speedway).

* Trophy providers Jim’s Auto Body of Antioch, Concord and Walnut Creek, Calif. (Antioch Late Models); Shannon Pump Co. of Merced, Calif. (Merced Late Models); All-Flow Muffler and Auto Repair in Martinez, Calif. (Antioch Modifieds); and Mike’s Radiator and Muffler of Merced, Calif. (Merced Mods). (Jim’s Auto Body has also posted a $100 fast-time award for Antioch’s Late Model event.)

* Sign-Me-Up Graphix of Martinez, Calif., which will produce the oversized souvenir checks handed out to the winners.

* 8th Amendment Bail Bonds of Antioch, Calif. ($100 Hard Luck Award for Late Models and Modifieds at Antioch).

* Sound Encounters of Merced, Calif., which has posted a $100 Hard Luck Award for the Late Models and Modifieds at Merced as well as a $100 prize for the driver who receives the “loudest cheer from the stands” on Sunday evening.

* Pro Motorsports in Oakley, Calif., which is donating a case of Schaeffer’s Synthetic Racing Oil to the Hard Charger in Antioch’s Modified feature and the last-place qualifier for Sunday’s Modified action at Merced.

* Diversity Driving School of Antioch, Calif. ($100 Hard Charger Award for Late Models at Antioch).

* Volvo Rents of Merced, Calif. ($100 Modified Hard Charger Award).

The Budweiser Fall Classic programs begins at 7 p.m. on Sat., Oct. 1, at Antioch Speedway and at 5 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 2, at Merced Speedway.

Antioch Speedway is located on the Contra Costa Fairgrounds, 1201 W. Tenth St. in Antioch, Calif. The three-eighths-mile oval is about an hour’s drive from San Francisco.

Merced Speedway sits on the Merced County Fairgrounds at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced, Calif.

For more information on the tracks visit www.antiochspeedway.com and www.racemerced.com.

GOING FOR THE CROWN: The last two DIRTcar Western All-Stars Late Model Series champions – Hogge (2009) and Shannon (2008) – will see a lot of each other during the Budweiser Fall Classic. Both drivers plan to compete in the Late Model and UMP Modified events.

Hogge enters the weekend leading the Western All-Stars points standings by 17 points over Shannon. The two good friends figure to battle it out for the tour title, which will be determined after the season-ending ‘Chowtown Pacific Dirt Nationals’ doubleheader on Oct. 15-16 at Chowchilla (Calif.) Speedway.

The tour’s alltime winningest driver, Hogge owns one Western All-Stars triumph in four events this season. He has won two WAS A-Mains at Antioch, taking the checkered flag first in 2009 and 2008.

In DIRTcar West UMP Modified competition this season, Hogge owns victories at Antioch (one) and Merced (three). Shannon is winless in Western All-Stars competition in 2011 but has driven his UMP Modified to Victory Lane seven times – all at Merced, where last week he clinched the division’s points championship.

While Hogge and Shannon sit atop the Western All-Stars points standings, neither driver can overlook third-place Papenhausen, who is just 25 points behind Hogge. Papenhausen, who won a WAS event at Antioch on June 25, is coming off a big victory in the ‘Battle at the Border’ DIRTcar Northwest I-5 Late Model Series season finale on Sept. 24 at Southern Oregon Speedway in Medford, Ore.

Another two-division entrant this weekend, Papenhausen has made four DIRTcar West UMP Modified starts this season at Antioch but hasn’t finished better than sixth.

DEFENDING HIS TURF: Troy Foulger of Martinez, Calif., is hoping to put a cherry on top of his spectacular DIRTcar West UMP Modified season during this weekend’s Budweiser Fall Classic at Antioch and Merced.

A rising 21-year-old talent, Foulger has won five features this season (including two at Antioch and two at Merced) and recently clinched the open-wheel division’s points title at Antioch. He also sits on the verge of winning the DIRTcar West UMP Modified Northwestern States championship.

Foulger enters this weekend’s doubleheader leading the UMP Northwest States points standings by 267 points (1,516-1,249) over Shannon. With drivers’ best 25 finishes/points nights used to determine the UMP Modified standings, Foulger has already passed the benchmark and is replacing his worst races while Shannon has made 21 starts.

The DIRTcar West UMP Modified and DIRTcar Late Model Northwestern States points battle – which for both encompasses all DIRTcar-sanctioned events in California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada – run through the weekend of Oct. 15-16. Drivers in the Northwestern States classification won’t receive national UMP points after the weekend of Oct. 1-2 – the specified cut-off date for the circuit’s weekly points program – but a special exemption allows the Northwestern States points to continue for two more weeks.

The DIRTcar Late Model and DIRTcar West UMP Modified Northwestern States points carry a $2,000 champion’s prize from a total points fund of $5,860 available to the top 15 finishers.

Trevor Glasier of Tangent, Ore., leads the DIRTcar Late Model Northwestern States points standings.

THE CHAMP: Jeremy Shank of Salem, Ore., clinched the 2011 DIRTcar Northwest I-5 Late Model Series championship with a fourth-place finish on Sept. 24 at Southern Oregon Speedway.

Shank, 32, survived a lap-one tangle that forced him to the rear of the field in the season-ender, rallying to bag a top-five finish and secure his second straight series title. He is the third driver to win at least two Northwest I-5 Series points crowns.

For more information on DIRTcar’s Western Region, contact Chris Morgan, Director of Western Operations for World Racing Group/DIRTcar, at 805-637-1426 or cmorgan@DIRTcar.com.

Additional info on all of the series, sanctioning and member tracks of DIRTcar Racing is available at www.DIRTcar.com.

DIRTcar Western All-Stars Late Model Series presented by VP Racing Fuels Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points):

1. Bobby Hogge IV 612

2. Chris Shannon 595

3. Richard Papenhausen 587

4. Clarke Guigliemoni 543

5. Paul Guigliemoni 521

6. Matt Michelli 458

7. Jeff Decker 420

8. Dennis Souza 388

9. Anthony Restad 342

10. Ken Michelli 336

11. Bud Walberg 321

12. Clay Daly 308

13. Rob Sanders 306

14. Randy Shafer 305

15. Nick Bartels 293

DIRTcar UMP Northwestern States Points Standings (After Week 35 – races through Sept. 25):

Late Models (Rank/Driver/Races/Points):

1. Trevor Glasier 17 986

2. Rob Mayea 11 705

3. Rick Wyatt 9 528

4. Brian Cronk 9 455

5. Jeremy Shank 8 441

6. Mark Carrell 8 426

7. Russ Sell 8 382

8. Mike Miller 9 374

9. Randy Boyd 9 370

10. Casey Vitale 7 365

11. Mike George 8 359

12. John Campos 9 358

13. John Kauffman 7 330

14. Steve Moore 7 324

15. Richard Papenhausen 5 323

DIRTcar West UMP Modifieds ((Rank/Driver/Races/Points):

1. Troy Foulger 25 1516

2. Chris Shannon 21 1249

3. Bobby Hogge IV 13 799

4. Scott Busby 13 681

5. Mike Salazar 14 612

6. Randy McDaniel 11 557

7. Bill Egleston 13 531

8. Chester Kniss 13 518

9. Sean Ogara 11 508

10. Dereck Colvin 12 502

11. Ryan McDaniel 8 473

12. Nick Decarlo 9 468

13. Robbie Jeppesen 10 464

14. Bob Williamson 10 451

15. Vance Beltran 8 434

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

World of Outlaws Sprints Take On Rival, Pennsylvania Posse At Williams Grove, Listen Live Tonight at DIRTVision.com

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Friday, September 30th @ Williams Grove Speedway

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Saturday, October 1st @ Williams Grove Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. – Sept. 30, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is entering the homestretch of their grueling 2011 season, and the fight for the championship is heating up. However, this weekend, it’s more than just fighting for a championship, it’s all about the rivalry as the series heads to Williams Grove Speedway, in Pennsylvania Posse country. Earlier in the season, the Outlaws showed their strength with Jason Meyers winning night #2 of the Summer Nationals and Jason Sides bringing the Morgan Cup home to Charlotte. This weekend, the rivalry continues to boil over, and the Posse will be ready to defend their home turf. Friday and Saturday night the series will run the 49 th annual National Open, with Saturday night’s event paying $50,000 to win, a pay day that everyone will be gunning for.

Jason Meyers sits at the top of the standings, 147 points ahead of Donny Schatz and 165 points ahead of Steve Kinser. With only five races on the schedule leading up to World Finals, the stakes are high and the racing is closer than ever before. Will the Outlaws be able to hold off the Posse and sweep the weekend? Friday night you can get LIVE video from the event for only $9.99 exclusively at DIRTVision.com. For only a third of the price of a ticket for the race, you can see all the action from the comfort of your own home. If you can’t make it to the track, this is the next best thing. Click here to subscribe to the event!

Johnny Gibson will also bring FREE live audio on both Friday and Saturday night from Williams Grove. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Eastern both nights, with racing set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. You don’t have to miss a lap, with live audio coverage from hot laps to victory lane, only at DIRTVision.com.

Looking ahead, the next DIRTVision video Cybercast will be the Super DIRTcar Series,World of Outlaws Sprint Car and Late Model Series at Super DIRT Week XL October 5th-9th. For the full Cybercast schedule, click the 2011 Cybercast Schedule at DIRTVision.com.

Fans can follow DIRTVision on Twitter by clicking http://twitter.com/dirtvision.

For technical questions about DIRTVision, please e-mail DIRTVision@dirtcar.com.

DIRTVision.com is brought to fans around the world by several important sponsors and partners, including ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems and Aggressive Hydraulics.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Super DIRT Week Visit To Rolling Wheels Raceway Park On October 6 Brings Back Memories For Mark Richards

Father Of Two-Time World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champ Josh Richards Has Some History At Central New York’s Big Racing Week

ELBRIDGE, NY – Sept. 28, 2011 – When the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ends a six-year absence from the Super DIRT Week schedule with a visit to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on Thurs., Oct. 6, Mark Richards will renew his own connection to central New York’s huge fall festival of speed.

The father/car owner of two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards might be a life-long dirt Late Model loyalist, but he also happens to possess some under-the-radar history at the biggest event of the year for the Northeast’s DIRTcar Modified division.

“I’ve been up there a few times over the years,” said the 50-year-old Richards, a well-known figure in the full-fender industry as the co-owner of Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, W.Va. “I know what that deal is about. For all those Modified people in New York, Canada and throughout the Northeast, it’s their Super Bowl weekend.”

Richards made his first trip to Super DIRT Week – the annual showcase of DIRTcar Modified racing encompassing action at the one-mile New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y., and other nearby short tracks like the Wheels – in October 1979 when he was the teenage crew chief of the Ed Howe house car driven by Rodney Combs. The period’s vaguely-written DIRTcar Big-Block Modified rules allowed Richards and Combs to enter Howe’s dirt Late Model in the open-wheel class’s marquee race at the menacing Moody Mile.

One year later Richards returned to Super DIRT Week with Combs, this time to run a satellite National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) Late Model event at Rolling Wheels. They also ended up at the big track, where they found themselves with a front-row seat for one of the most controversial moments in the history of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified racing.

Today Richards is well aware of Super DIRT Week’s lofty stature in the short-track racing world – the Big-Block Modified division’s 40th annual SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented By Ferris and Snapper on Sun., Oct. 9, pays $50,000 to win – but he was largely oblivious to the event when he drove through the pit gate of the Syracuse Mile as Combs’s fresh-faced right-hand-man in ’79.

“I’d been to Northeast Big-Block Modified races around home at places like Lernerville, Motordrome and Latrobe, but never a race like Syracuse,” said Richards, who is 10 years younger than Combs. “I’d never even seen a track that big, so for me it was a new experience.”

It was Howe, a respected Beaverton, Mich.-based chassis guru in both dirt and asphalt Late Model racing, who pointed Richards and Combs toward Syracuse that year. With big money on the line (’79 SEF 200 winner Jack Johnson pocketed $23,380) and independent front suspension dirt Late Models legal for competition with some modifications, the race was very attractive.

“Ed said, ‘They’re having a big race in Syracuse that we should go run,’” remembered Richards. “Ed explained to us that it’s a Modified race, but if we take the fenders off we can go. So we stripped the car down, made a hood for it and went up there. We unloaded and right off the bat we were one of the quicker cars, but they slowed us down all week. They made us take off our spoiler, raise our roof and do some other stuff

“Larry Moore was there with us with Howe’s other car and I remember that we both made the big race, but Larry blew up in practice the day before the race and we blew up in the last round of practice before the race. Neither of us had another motor so we didn’t get to run.”

Richards and Combs were back at Super DIRT Week in 1980, but in this case expressly to run a mid-week NDRA tour show at Rolling Wheels. It marked the first time that a major dirt Late Model event was part of the multi-day DIRTcar Modified extravaganza, and Combs piloted a Tri-City Aluminum car to victory in the evening’s feature.

While racing at the Wheels that year, Richards and Combs crossed paths with Floridian Gary Balough, a superstar short-track driver who had already won the Syracuse 200 Big-Block Modified event three times. Balough mentioned to Richards and Combs that he was running an exotic Big-Block Modified at the Mile – a cutting-edge machine that would literally shake the foundation of the division – and he invited them to check it out.

“We’d actually been talking to Gary that year about running some Late Model races with us so we knew him,” recalled Richards. “He told us, ‘Hey, we got this car that’s pretty wild. Why don’t you guys come take a look at it?’ So we went over and saw it, and it was really bad-ass trick.

“Then Gary said, ‘You guys coming to the (Modified) race (at the Mile)? You can help pit or whatever, and I’ll let Rodney drive the other (Modified) I have up here.’”

So Richards and Combs went to the big track and were there for Balough’s history-making performance in the ‘Batmobile,’ a black Lincoln-bodied No. 112 that featured a high roof and ground-effects aerodynamics. Built in secret by a band of mechanical talents that included the late Kenny Weld, the car stretched the division’s thin rulebook to the max and ended up being the class of the field. Balough dominated the week en route to winning his fourth career Syracuse 200 in a runaway; Combs, meanwhile, drove Balough’s conventional backup car, the Billie Harvey-owned No. 31, but didn’t start the main event.

“That car Gary drove was unbelievably fast compared to anything else out there,” said Richards. “It was something to see. I’ll always remember that year. That car made (the DIRTcar Modified division) come up with more rules so that things wouldn’t get any further out of hand to where the regular short-track Modified guys would be unable to compete there (at Syracuse).”

Richards has made four Super DIRT Week appearances since his memorable visit in ’80. He returned in ’81 for another NDRA Late Model program at Rolling Wheels, then participated in back-to-back STARS Late Model Series events at the Syracuse Mile in 1995-96 (Tim Hitt drove Richards’s Rocket Chassis house car both years) and a WoO LMS show at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway in 2004 (Bart Hartman and Josh Richards ran as Rocket Chassis house car teammates).

This year’s 50-lap, $10,000-to-win WoO LMS A-Main at Rolling Wheels – part of an exciting Thursday-evening doubleheader with the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series – will give Richards an opportunity to taste the unique Super DIRT Week atmosphere once again. He said that after putting in a hard night’s work at the Wheels with his 23-year-old son – Josh enters the race second in the WoO LMS points standings (16 markers behind leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa.) and with an opportunity to tie the tour’s single-season win record (nine) – he might even stop his team’s hauler at the Syracuse Mile on Friday to take in some DIRTcar Big-Block Modified racing.

Richards would recommend a visit to the Mile to any dirt Late Model fan who might be interested in making the trip to Rolling Wheels. Full-fender followers will even have a rooting interest at the big track with three WoO LMS regulars – 2006 tour champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. – running Big-Block and 358-Modifieds during this year’s Super DIRT Week.

“I think it’s just a good experience for any fan,” Richards said of Super DIRT Week. “There’s a lot of activity going on up there around the big race and it’s a fair-type atmosphere. It’d be good for any real race fan to go up there and watch a different type of racing at the end of the year.”

On Thurs., Oct. 6, at Rolling Wheels, pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and grandstand gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m. Race time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Adult reserved seat tickets are available for $39 by logging on to http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com or calling 315-834-6606. Discounted student (ages 10-17) and children (9-and-under) pricing is available for reserved sections (children 9-and-under are free in General Admission seating).

Ticket information and details on all the action during Super DIRT Week, which runs from Oct. 5-9, is available at www.superdirtweekonline.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

Saldana’s Dominant Return, A Full Weekend of WoO Sprint Cars And The Latest From the UMP Late Model Series, 4Wide.TV Has Your News and Video from the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing

CONCORD, N.C. – Sept. 28, 2011 – This week’s episode of 4Wide.TV includes the highlights from Joey Saldana’s triumphant return to World of Outlaws Sprint Car competition plus video highlights from DIRTcar racing in the Midwest.

Click here to see Saldana’s first race back at Hartford Motor Speedway on Wednesday night, where fellow drivers and fans saw the “Brownsburg Bullet” at his best. The #9 machine rode the cushion to victory, his first time behind the wheel in two months as he recovered from injuries sustained at the Kings Royal back in July. However, Friday the series took on the high banks of Eldora Speedway, a track that has brought Saldana some of his greatest wins and harshest wrecks. Not fear, nerves or even the retaining wall could trump Saldana’s confidence behind the wheel, and for the second event in a row, the Kasey Kahne Racing Red Bull #9 was back in victory lane. The series then headed east to Lernerville Speedway on Saturday night for the Commonwealth Clash. Saldana couldn’t make it three for three, but defending champion Jason Meyers made his fifth trip of the season to victory lane. You won’t want to miss these highlights, because as the schedule dwindles down, the racing heats up! We’ve got all your news and video from the WoO Sprint Car Series right here at 4Wide.TV.

We wrap up this week’s race coverage with highlights from the 22nd Annual $10,000 to win Prairie Dirt Classic for the UMP Late Models from Fairbury American Legion Speedway in Illinois. This is an event you won’t want to miss seeing, so click here to check it out at 4Wide.TV.

In addition to all the highlights from the weekend, there are the hotly discussed Power Rankings plus the Hot Thread of the Week that discusses fan opinions surrounding this weekend’s showdown between the World of Outlaws and the PA Posse at the National Open at Williams Grove and the dirt track racing Twitter feed that brings you non-stop news and notes from around the racing world. The Video of the Week recalls the Champion Spark Plugs Sprint Nationals at Super DIRT Week XXIV back in 1995 and the Photo of the Week comes from Lernerville Speedway where we see the top two championship contenders battling side by side for position!

All that and more in only 15 minutes – check it out at 4Wide.TV, which now includes a new home page module to help share the video with your friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Red-Hot Unzicker Extends National Late Model Lead, Harrison Maintains UMP Modified Edge

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 23, 2011 – Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., remained red-hot on the DIRTcar UMP Late Model circuit last weekend, winning twice to extend his lead in the division’s national points standings.

Unzicker, 28, scored back-to-back victories on Sept. 16 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway and Sept. 17 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway, pushing his late-season winning streak to four in a row. His surge added 28 points to his edge, putting him 33 points (2,498-2,465) in front of Jackson, Mich.’s Rusty Schlenk after Week 34 of the DIRTcar UMP campaign.

Unzicker has gotten hot at just the right time. After grabbing the points lead early in the spring, he maintained control until Schlenk overtook him in late August. Schlenk’s run at the top lasted only two weeks, however, before Unzicker regained command.

A 16-time feature winner in 2011, Unzicker is seeking his first DIRTcar UMP national title. Schlenk, a 25-year-old whose only points-earning finish last weekend was a third on Sept. 16 at Kankakee, is bidding for a second consecutive national crown.

Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, sits third in the standings after Week 34, trailing Unzicker by 61 points. He earned points in both his starts last weekend – a fourth at Kankakee and a third at LaSalle.

Unzicker, Schlenk and Henry already began their head-to-head shootout in Week 35 on Thursday night (Sept. 22) at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., where all three drivers traveled to compete in the first of three consecutive nights of Late Model racing as part of the track’s ‘Summit Modified Mania’ event. Unzicker finished seventh, Schlenk was eighth and Henry was 17th in the opener, which did not alter the points standings.

The DIRTcar UMP points standings are determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights.

Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., meanwhile, remained 20 points (1,922-1,902) ahead of Quincy, Ill.’s Michael Long in the DIRTcar UMP Modified national standings after Week 34.

Neither drivers added points to their totals last weekend. Harrison placed 19th on Sept. 17 at Peoria (Ill.) Raceway, while Long did not log a start.

Both Harrison and Long are in action in Tri-City’s ‘Summit Modified Mania’ event this weekend.

The UMP Modified standings are determined using drivers’ 25 best finishes/points nights.

Other divisional national points leaders through Week 34 are Dustin Griffin of Camp Point, Ill., who was victorious last Saturday night at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill., to maintain his edge in the Pro Late Model standings; Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind. (Sportsman); Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill. (Limited Modifieds); Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars); Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lake, Mich. (Factory Stocks); and Jeremy Callahan of Mt. Vernon, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

Weekly DIRTcar UMP points end following the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 2, but the Late Model and UMP Modified points races culminate with the running of the DIRTcar UMP Nationals on Oct. 8-9 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of Sept. 18, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2498

2. Rusty Schlenk 35 2465

3. Jon Henry 35 2437

4. Shannon Babb 35 2320

5. Brandon Thirlby 35 2307

6. Brandon Sheppard 35 2277

7. Jason Feger 35 2274

8. Eric Spangler 35 2205

9. Randy Korte 35 2151

10. Mike Provenzano 35 2143

11. Bobby Pierce 35 2131

12. Mike Spatola III 35 2095

13. Mark Voigt 35 2005

14. Eric Smith 34 2000

15. Brian Ruhlman 35 1980

16. Scott Schmitt 35 1962

17. Steve Lance Jr. 34 1931

18. Dennis Erb Jr. 35 1927

19. Dillan White 35 1858

20. Mike Hammerle 35 1849

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1922

2. Michael Long 25 1902

3. Nick Allen 25 1867

4. Todd Sherman 25 1862

5. Ray Bollinger 25 1854

6. Jacob Poel 25 1853

7. Jamie Lomax 25 1825

8. Clayton Miller 25 1814

9. Danny Crane 25 1810

10. Scott Weber 25 1807

11. Doug Adkins 25 1801

12. Tim Hancock 25 1791

13. Mark Anderson 25 1759

14. Jeff Leka 25 1746

15. John DeMoss 25 1744

16. Joe Rokos 25 1741

17. Brian Lynn 25 1739

18. Clint Demoss 25 1736

18. Dean Hoffman 25 1736

20. Ken Schrader 24 1731

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dustin Griffin 20 1505

2. Nick Bauman 20 1465

3. Mark Oller 20 1405

4. Credence Mott 20 1401

5. Jerry Lierly 20 1392

6. Clayton Miller 20 1383

7. Evan Fink 20 1305

8. Brad Denney 20 1300

9. Bobby Martintoni 20 1299

10. Randy Myers 20 1280

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeremy Hines 20 1496

2. Troy Clark 20 1459

3. Dan Flessner 20 1434

4. Joey Ladouceur 20 1387

5. Jeff Herzog 20 1365

6. Dave Crawley Jr. 20 1358

7. Nick Macklin 20 1325

8. Jocelyn Roy 20 1317

9. Jake Simmons 19 1311

10. Kenny Carmichael Sr. 20 1285

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mark Anderson 20 1406

2. Todd Bates 20 1373

3. Haley Westerfield 20 1198

4. Jeff Lawson 20 1166

5. John Wyble 20 1096

6. Christopher Geary 20 1065

7. Johnny Holden 20 1038

8. Clay Settles 20 1028

9. Josh Smith 19 1004

10. Billy Hawes 20 1002

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nate Zimmer 20 1498

2. Mike Hodges 20 1480

3. John Farris 20 1470

4. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1450

5. Dan Dykman 20 1421

6. Derek Poland 20 1413

7. Andrew Funk 20 1395

8. Joel Funk 20 1374

9. Joeseph Hamm 20 1363

10. Darrel Dick 20 1356

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dennis Bringedahl 20 1396

2. Rob Sternberg 20 1371

3. Jake Hewitt 20 1370

4. Dan Wilson 20 1313

5. Mark Farber 20 1309

6. Tom Hughes 19 1194

6. Jeff Buss 20 1194

8. Spike Grega 20 1181

9. Ben Welch 20 1128

10. TJ Eilers 20 1110

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeremy Callahan 20 1507

2. Kenny Butterfield 20 1506

3. Rob Shaw 20 1494

4. Matt Maier 20 1486

5. Paul Namey 20 1460

6. Earl Pryor 20 1451

7. Trevor Isaak 20 1436

8. Jacob Rexing 20 1425

9. Bradley McGhee 20 1400

10. Evan Gaultney 20 1390

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar Western Region Update: 2011 DIRTcar Northwest I-5 Late Model Series Concludes This Weekend (Sept. 23-24) At Southern Oregon Speedway

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 23, 2011 –

DOWN TO THE WIRE: One big weekend of racing at Southern Oregon Speedway stands between Jeremy Shank and a second consecutive DIRTcar Northwest I-5 Late Model Series championship.

Shank, 32, of Salem, Ore., sits atop the points standings entering the tour’s season finale, the two-day ‘Battle at the Border’ set for Friday (Sept. 23) and Saturday (Sept. 24) at the three-eighths-mile oval in Medford, Ore. He holds a 27-point edge over Rob Mayea of Bend, Ore., and a 36-point advantage over Rick Wyatt of Salem, Ore.

But while Shank has some cushion in the race for the title, he knows that he can’t take a single lap off during the doubleheader. He won the last Northwest I-5 Series crown in 2009 – the tour was dormant in ’10 – by just one point in a dramatic showdown that wasn’t determined until the final circuit of the season.

Shank is winless in the four races that have comprised the 2011 Northwest I-5 Series to date, so he’s eyeing the $2,500 top prize that has been posted for Saturday night’s feature at Southern Oregon. A victory would certainly provide a flourish to a championship campaign for the talented driver, who owns two career wins on the tour and is bidding to become the third two-time titlist of a series that formed in 2001.

Mayea, meanwhile, will attempt a final-weekend comeback to register his fourth career Northwest I-5 Series championship but first since 2007, when he captured the last of three in a row. Wyatt has never won the series championship.

For more information on this weekend’s ‘Battle at the Border,’ visit www.sospeedway.com.

FOUR MORE: A pair of doubleheader weekends remain on the 2011 schedule for the DIRTcar Western All-Stars Late Model Series presented by VP Racing Fuels.

The tour begins its stretch drive next weekend, visiting sister tracks Antioch (Calif.) Speedway on Sat., Oct. 1, and Merced (Calif.) Speedway on Sun., Oct. 2. Both Western All-Stars events during the ‘Budweiser Fall Classic’ will pay $3,000 to win.

The season finale is scheduled for Oct. 15-16 at Chowchilla (Calif.) Speedway, which headlines the Western All-Stars during the ‘Chowtown Pacific Dirt Nationals.’ A $2,000 first-place payoff has been posted for the main event on Sun., Oct. 16.

Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas, Calif., is in the driver’s seat to cop a second consecutive Western All-Stars title. He enters the deciding October stretch of action leading the standings by 22 points over 2008 champion Chris Shannon of Merced, Calif., and 31 points over Richard Papenhausen of Chico, Calif.

Hogge, who has one win in four Western All-Stars events this season, captured the tour’s last title in 2009. The series was idle last year.

More information on the upcoming Western All-Stars shows is available by logging on to www.antiochspeedway.com, www.racemerced.com and www.racechowchilla.com.

REGIONAL RACES: The battles for the DIRTcar UMP Northwestern States points titles in the DIRTcar Late Model and DIRTcar West UMP Modified divisions are coming down the homestretch.

Each division’s Northwestern States points battle – which for both encompasses all DIRTcar-sanctioned events in California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada – will run through the weekend of Oct. 15-16. Drivers in the Northwestern States classification won’t receive national UMP points after the weekend of Oct. 1-2 – the specified cut-off date for the circuit’s weekly points program – but a special exemption allows the Northwestern States points to continue for two more weeks.

The DIRTcar Late Model and DIRTcar West UMP Modified Northwestern States points carry a $2,000 champion’s prize from a total points fund of $5,860 available to the top 15 finishers.

Trevor Glasier of Tangent, Ore., leads the DIRTcar Late Model Northwestern States standings by a healthy 347-point margin (930-583) over Mayea. Glaser has 15 starts (he has eight wins at four different tracks) to nine for second-place Mayea in a points race that is determined using driver’s best 35 finishes/points nights.

Troy Foulger of Martinez, Calif., sits on top of the DIRTcar West UMP Modified Northwestern States rankings, leading Shannon by 287 points (1,461-1,174). With drivers’ best 25 finishes/points nights used to determine the UMP Modified standings, Foulger has already passed the benchmark while Shannon has made 20 starts.

For more information on DIRTcar’s Western Region, contact Chris Morgan, Director of Western Operations for World Racing Group/DIRTcar, at 805-637-1426 or cmorgan@DIRTcar.com.

Additional info on all of the series, sanctioning and member tracks of DIRTcar Racing is available at www.DIRTcar.com.

DIRTcar Northwest I-5 Late Model Series Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points):

1. Jeremy Shank 619

2. Rob Mayea 592

3. Rick Wyatt 583

4. Steve Moore 520

5. Mike Miller 519

6. Casey Vitale 510

7. Trevor Glaser 487

8. Brian Cronk 474

9. John Duty 396

10. Russ Sell 379

11. Mike George 370

12. Mike Johnson 324

13. John Campos 319

14. Joey Tanner 307

15. Tony Brakeall 305

DIRTcar Western All-Stars Late Model Series presented by VP Racing Fuels Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Points):

1. Bobby Hogge IV 612

2. Chris Shannon 595

3. Richard Papenhausen 587

4. Clarke Guigliemoni 543

5. Paul Guigliemoni 521

6. Matt Michelli 458

7. Jeff Decker 420

8. Dennis Souza 388

9. Anthony Restad 342

10. Ken Michelli 336

11. Bud Walberg 321

12. Clay Daly 308

13. Rob Sanders 306

14. Randy Shafer 305

15. Nick Bartels 293

DIRTcar UMP Northwestern States Points Standings (After Week 34 – races through Sept. 18):

Late Models (Rank/Driver/Races/Points):

1. Trevor Glasier 15 930

2. Rob Mayea 9 583

3. Rick Wyatt 9 528

4. Brian Cronk 9 455

5. Russ Sell 8 382

6. Mike Miller 9 374

7. Randy Boyd 9 370

8. Casey Vitale 7 365

9. Jeremy Shank 6 320

10. Mark Carrell 6. 295

11. John Campos 7 293

12. Chris Mott 9 289

13. Rob Campos 8 277

14. Kyle Frick 6 275

14. Clay Daly 4 275

DIRTcar West UMP Modifieds ((Rank/Driver/Races/Points):

1. Troy Foulger 25 1461

2. Chris Shannon 20 1174

3. Bobby Hogge IV 13 799

4. Scott Busby 13 681

5. Mike Salazar 13 575

6. Randy McDaniel 10 523

7. Bill Egleston 12 485

8. Chester Kniss 12 476

9. Ryan McDaniel 8 473

10. Robbie Jeppesen 10 464

11. Dereck Colvin 11 458

12. Bob Williamson 10 451

13. Sean Ogara 10 438

14. Nick Decarlo 8 418

15. Norman Beck 9 397

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Coffey Eyes Breakthrough World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory In Super DIRT Week Special October 6 At Rolling Wheels Raceway Park

ELBRIDGE, NY – Sept. 20, 2011 – Vic Coffey’s greatest moments as a DIRTcar big-block Modified driver have come during Super DIRT Week. He’s hoping that this year’s edition of DIRTcar Northeast’s premier event will provide his crowning achievement behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model as well.

With the World of Outlaws Late Model Series headed to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on Thurs., Oct. 6, for its first Super DIRT Week date since 2004, Coffey can’t help but feel that the stars might be lining up perfectly for his full-fender breakthrough.

Winless in 106 career WoO LMS A-Main starts with several near-misses dotting his performance record, Coffey is overdue for a victory – and the time and place for that milestone is in front of him. Rolling Wheels, of course, is familiar turf for Coffey, and Super DIRT Week – the annual showcase of DIRTcar Modified racing encompassing events at the one-mile New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y., and other nearby short tracks like the Wheels – has been very good to him.

“If it happens at Rolling Wheels, during Super DIRT Week, it would be really cool,” Coffey said when asked to consider the possibility of his coveted first-ever WoO LMS triumph coming in the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event at Rolling Wheels. “It’s a track I’ve always gone good at, and it sure would be nice to win our first Outlaw show with all our family and friends there. That would be really special.”

Coffey, 40, of Caledonia, N.Y., knows what it feels like to celebrate on the high-profile Super DIRT Week stage with those closest to him. The only two Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified victories of his career have come in the week’s – and the division’s – marquee race, the SEF Small Engine Fuel 200 Presented By Ferris and Snapper, a prestigious $50,000-to-win blockbuster at Syracuse’s famed ‘Moody Mile’ that this year is scheduled to take the green flag at 2 p.m. on Sun., Oct. 9.

Becoming just the fifth driver to win the SEF 200 at least three times in its 40-year history will once again be Coffey’s goal for Super DIRT Week 2011, but the addition of the satellite WoO LMS event at Rolling Wheels provides him a second focus. He’s concentrated this year on dirt Late Model racing like never before – while running the complete WoO schedule for the first time (he missed a handful of shows during his ’08 Rookie of the Year season), he’s made just three big-block Modified starts – and craves a triumph to give his full-fender pursuits a stamp of approval.

“It’s getting more frustrating to still be without an Outlaws win,” said Coffey, whose career-best WoO LMS finish is second, on Sept. 2, 2009, at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway. “Everybody keeps saying, ‘Hey, you’re running good, you’ll get one,’ but here we are now in the middle of September and I still haven’t got a win so you start looking back and thinking how you let a couple get away. That’s where the frustration comes from.”

Indeed, Coffey, who is ninth in the current WoO LMS points standings, has been in the mix for World of Outlaws glory several times over the past three seasons only to fall short. In 2009, he blew a tire while leading on the final lap at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and had a late-race caution flag cost him a likely victory at Brewerton. In 2010, he led the first 11 laps at Rolling Wheels before being forced to pit because his car’s radiator cap came off. This year he was knocked from the lead at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., due to a tangle with a lapped car and was overtaken for the top spot by two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., late in a 40-lap A-Main at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa.

“The opportunities to win don’t come every day with this deal, so when you’re up front you gotta cash in,” said Coffey, who ran selected dirt Late Model events from 2001-2007 before increasing his participation in the division. “That’s why a race like Needmore was so hard to take. When you get a chance like that – the track’s rubbered up, you draw the pole, the car’s good, you get right out to the lead – they’re the ones you gotta get.”

Last year’s late-summer WoO LMS at Rolling Wheels ranks high on Coffey’s list of disappointments since it was “kind of a freak deal” that ended his bid. “That was the first time I ever lost a radiator cap,” he said. But the outing certainly provides him confidence for the tour’s first Super DIRT Week visit to the five-eighths-mile oval.

“I’m looking forward to going back there,” said Coffey, who rallied to finish 10th in the 2010 WoO LMS 50-lapper at the Wheels after pitting. “We were fast last year – I feel like we were fast enough to win – and we’re gonna go back with the same package. I’ll have my bigger cubic-inch motor in to run there, and hopefully the conditions will be the same and we’ll be good again.”

Rolling Wheels will be one part of a very busy week for Coffey and his Sweeteners Plus team, which will set up camp inside the expansive Syracuse Mile. He plans to drive cars from his operation’s stable in both the big-block Modified SEF 200 and the 358-Modified Nationwide Insurance 150 (a $20,000-to-win event scheduled for Sat., Oct. 8); practice starts at the big track on Wed., Oct. 5, with time trials for both divisions on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6, and 20-lap heat races (three for big-blocks, two for 358-Modifieds) on Friday evening, Oct. 7.

The WoO LMS event will slightly change his usual itinerary for Super DIRT Week. He will bring his Modifieds to the Fairgrounds on Wednesday in a 48-foot enclosed trailer so his dirt Late Models can be hauled to Rolling Wheels in the Featherlite trailer they’ve been transported in all season. After Thursday’s action at the Wheels, he’ll likely drop his dirt Late Models for the remainder of the week at the Syracuse shop of his buddy Ernie Kreis, allowing his team to use the bigger, better-equipped rig during the Modified competition.

“We’re ready for DIRT Week with the Modifieds,” said Coffey, who won the SEF 200 in 2002 with help from other drivers running out of fuel and then repeated in 2007 with a convincing performance. “I’ve only run three Modified shows this year, but I don’t think that means much since Syracuse is such a different deal. We know what it takes to win there and hopefully we’ll have some luck on our side to do it again.”

Coffey will be one of three WoO LMS regulars pulling Late Model/Modified double-duty during Super DIRT Week, joining his Sweeteners Plus teammate Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. McCreadie will run a Sweeteners Plus car in the SEF 200 and a Four-Star Racing machine in the 358-Modified event – he’s looking for his first career win in both Syracuse races – while Fuller, who won the SEF 200 in 2004, will drive for the Smith Brothers Concrete team in both races.

The WoO LMS event at Rolling Wheels on Thurs., Oct. 6, will be part of a gigantic doubleheader with the DIRTcar 358-Modified Series. Pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and grandstand gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m., with race time set for 7:30 p.m.

Adult reserved seat tickets are available for $39 by logging on to http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com or calling 315-834-6606. Discounted student (ages 10-17) and children (9-and-under) pricing is available for reserved sections (children 9-and-under are free in General Admission seating).

Fans who purchase their reserved-seat tickets for the doubleheader by Sept. 23 will also receive a FREE pit pass, giving them behind-the-scenes access during their visit to Rolling Wheels.

Ticket information and details on all the action during Super DIRT Week, which runs from Oct. 5-9, is available at www.superdirtweekonline.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

From Joey Saldana’s Return to Jimmy Phelps’ First Win of 2011, 4Wide.TV Is Packed with News and Video from the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing

CONCORD, N.C. – Sept. 21, 2011 – This week’s episode of 4Wide.TV includes breaking news plus video highlights from around the country.

First, click here for news about Kasey Kahne Racing star Joey Saldana’s plan to return to the driver’s seat tonight in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event Hartford Motorsports Park in Michigan. Then, the episode showcases all of the highlights from last weekend’s action at Clay County Fair Speedway and Deer Creek Speedway as the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars took to the Midwest over the weekend. Then, 4Wide features video highlights from World of Outlaws Late Model Series racing at I-55 Raceway plus Super DIRTcar Series action from Mohawk International Raceway in the series’ last run before Super DIRT Week XL.

In addition to all the highlights from the weekend, there are the hotly discussed Power Rankings plus the Hot Thread of the Week that discusses the top picks for Super DIRT Week XL and the dirt track racing Twitter feed that brings you non-stop news and notes from around the racing world. The Video of the Week recalls the World of Outlaws Sprint Car event from Antioch Speedway earlier this month and the Photo of the Week comes from Mohawk International Raceway as Jimmy Phelps celebrates his first series win of the 2011 season!

All that and more in only 15 minutes – check it out at 4Wide.TV, which now includes a new home page module to help share the video with your friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards Rolls To Eighth World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory Of Season In Pepsi Nationals At I-55 Raceway

Two-Time Defending Tour Champion Inches Closer To Eckert In Points Standings With Flawless Effort

PEVELY, MO – Sept. 17, 2011 – Josh Richards continued his assault on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series record book – and the top spot in the points standings – with a convincing victory in Saturday night’s 29th annual Pepsi Nationals at I-55 Raceway.

The national tour’s two-time defending champion was flawless in the 55-lap A-Main. He roared off the outside pole to grab the lead at the start and never looked back, controlling the entire distance without facing a single serious challenge.

Richards, 23, of Shinnston, W.Va., beat fourth-starter Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., to the finish line by 1.635 seconds. It was his eighth win of the season, breaking him out of a tie with Lanigan for top-winner status on the series in 2011.

DIRTcar UMP star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., placed third, over three seconds behind Richards at the finish. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., charged forward from the 11th starting spot to place fourth – despite racing with a broken right thumb suffered on Sept. 10 in a heat-race tangle during the World 100 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway – and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., was fifth.

Richards earned $10,875 for a score that moved him within one triumph of matching both the single-season WoO LMS record of nine established in 2004 by Scott Bloomquist and the tour’s alltime victory standard. Already the winningest driver of the circuit’s ‘modern’ era (2004-present) with 36 checkered flags, Richards is one win from tying Billy Moyer atop the alltime win list that includes the tour’s original 1988-89 campaigns.

Adding even more significance to Richards’s success, he inched closer to points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., in the WoO LMS points standings. With Eckert, who has led the battle for the tour’s $100,000 title since early May, settling for a sixth-place finish, Richards shaved 12 points off his deficit to leave the high-banked, one-third-mile oval trailing Eckert by just 16 markers with five events remaining on the 2011 schedule.

“I’m very grateful for that,” Richards said of his opportunity to make WoO LMS history. “No matter what happens, I feel like we’ve had a great year. To still be there in the hunt and have a shot at (the championship) really means a lot to me and really shows how strong our team is.”

Richards registered his first-ever win at I-55, a speedy bullring promoted by NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader and Mike Marler that he called “a mini-Eldora.” He mastered the track behind the wheel of his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house – though he had some doubts at the start.

“Whenever we lined up on the front row, I looked over and saw (polesitter Randy) Korte had some softer tires on than us,” said Richards, who has four of the last six WoO LMS A-Mains. “I was kind of nervous because we kind of gambled on tires a little bit. We didn’t really know what to do.

“I was trying to get some heat in my tires, and (then) we fired off on the start and got to the lead. Everything worked out for us.”

Four caution flags between laps 10 and 22 slowed Richards’s pace, but he easily pulled away on each restart. His biggest obstacle was negotiating heavy lapped traffic during the 33-lap run of green-flag racing that closed the race.

“My car was awesome tonight,” said Richards, whose machine was powered by a Roush-Yates Ford engine. “I was able to maneuver and have the car to be able to keep the momentum up to get by the lapped traffic. That was definitely key to winning tonight.”

Lanigan, 40, simply couldn’t match Richards’s moves through the pack of slower cars.

“Our cars were pretty close, pretty equal,” said Lanigan, whose last WoO LMS victory came six races ago, on Aug. 3 at Shawano (Wis.) Speedway. “He was a little bit better in (the turns) because I was a little bit tighter, but there wasn’t much difference.

“He just got through lapped traffic a little better than I could. Right when I started to get closer to him he got by a couple (lapped) cars quicker than I did and I got stuck back there behind them for a few laps.”

The 33-year-old Feger, meanwhile, was able to climb as high as second after passing Lanigan on lap 16, but he lost the position to Lanigan on a lap-22 restart and ran in third for the remainder of the distance. He held off a late bid from Frank to record his fourth top-five finish in 12 A-Mains starts on the 2011 WoO LMS.

Feger felt fortunate, however, to preserve a third-place finish. He struggled throughout the race with an ill-handling Pierce car.

“I don’t know if we had a rack going bad or what, but it felt like my steering was coming in-and-out,” said Feger, who started third. “I had my hands full just trying to keep it out of the wall and from spinning out. I had to try to anticipate the car, so I had to drive it a lot more sideways than I would’ve liked to just to make sure it would turn.”

Eckert, who started eighth, spent the race’s late stages battling for sixth with Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., before finally securing the spot on lap 49. Shirley placed seventh, followed by 17th-starter Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.; 21st-starter Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga.; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who won last year’s WoO LMS Pepsi Nationals but was never a factor on Saturday despite starting seventh.

The event’s four caution flags were all caused by minor problems. Mark Voigt of Marine, Ill., slowed on lap 10 after tagging the wall; 18-year-old Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., fell off the pace on lap 12 with front-end damage sustained in a scrape with Nick Lyons of Centralia, Ill.; Korte slowed and retired on lap 14 after slapping the wall while running seventh; and Lyons slowed on lap 22 with a heavily damaged rear spoiler.

Babb was quickest in the 42-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials session with a lap of 12.096 seconds – just off the track record of 12.031 seconds. It was his first WoO LMS fast-time honor of 2011 and the 13th of his career.

Heat winners were Babb, Lanigan, Richards and Shirley. The B-Mains were captured by McCreadie and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

The program was completed despite being a day-long threat of rain. While showers struck just south of the track, only a few brief spits of drizzle fell at the speedway.

The next action for the WoO LMS will come on Thurs., Oct. 6, when the tour visits Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, N.Y., for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event as part of the annual Super DIRT Week activities in and around Syracuse, N.Y.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Pepsi Nationals’ at I-55 Raceway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Josh Richards/55 $10,875

2. (4) Darrell Lanigan/55 $5,650

3. (3) Jason Feger/55 $3,000

4. (11) Chub Frank/55 $3,050

5. (6) Jimmy Mars/55 $2,000

6. (8) Rick Eckert/55 $2,250

7. (5) Brian Shirley/55 $1,400

8. (17) Tim McCreadie/55 $1,950

9. (21) Shane Clanton/55 $1,750

10. (7) Shannon Babb/55 $1,200

11. (14) Dennis Erb Jr./55 $1,050

12. (13) Bub McCool/54 $1,500

13. (18) Clint Smith/54 $1,500

14. (23) Vic Coffey/54 $1,450

15. (24) Tim Fuller/54 $1,500

16. (19) Austin Hubbard/54 $1,350

17. (10) Brandon Sheppard/54 $770

18. (12) Ron Davies/54 $1,550

19. (16) Jason McBride/53 $730

20. (20) Jack Sullivan/52 $700

21. (15) Frankie Heckenast Jr./44 $700

22. (9) Nick Lyons/21 $700

23. (1) Randy Korte/13 $700

24. (22) Mark Voigt/9 $700

25. (25) Jeff Johns/1 $425

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 22 Mins., 55.246 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 1.635 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 10, 12, 14, 22)

Lap Leaders: Richards (1-55)

Provisional Starters: Coffey, Fuller (WoO); Johns (track)

Rookie of the Race: Davies ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: McCool ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 12.096

2. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 12.237

3. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 12.239

4. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 12.291

5. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 12.325

6. 00-Randy Korte/Highland, IL 12.356

7. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 12.390

8. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 12.486

9. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 12.489

10. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 12.493

11. 30-Mark Voigt/Marine, IL 12.530

12. 6K-Michael Kloos/Trenton, IL 12.563

13. 2x-Nick Lyons/Centralia, IL 12.570

14. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 12.573

15. 21JR-Billy Moyer Jr.//Batesville, AR 12.586

16. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 12.608

17. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 12.617

18. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 12.621

19. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.679

20. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 12.691

21. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.734

22. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 12.761

23. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 12.783

24. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 12.834

25. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 12.854

26. 88-Wendell Wallace/Batesville, AR 12.874

27. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 12.895

28. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 12.927

29. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 12.947

30. 4J-Scott Weber/Festus, MO

31. 33F-Ricky Frankel/Quincy, IL 13.083

32. 0-Dewayne Kiefer/St. Genevieve, MO 13.168

33. 3c-Mike Collins/Council Bluffs, IA 13.350

34. 78-Mark Miner/Arnold, MO 13.362

35. 95-Jeff Johns/Belleville, IL 13.392

36. 23-Dylan Sharp/Pevely, MO 13.433

37. 2J-David Jumper/Fenton, MO 13.438

38. 86-Jason Crump/St. Genevieve, MO 13.672

39. 66-Chris Hall/Sikeston, MO 14.048

40. 26-Randy Estes/Pevely, MO 15.076

41. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 12.495 (DQ-light)

42. 1HR-Ron McQuerry/St. Albans, MO 13.647 (DQ-technical)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Babb, Feger, Lyons, McCool, Hubbard, Fuller, Clanton, Collins, Moyer, Doar, Jumper

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Korte, Sheppard, Erb, McCreadie, Wallace, Weber, Coffey, McQuerry, Crump (DNS) Miner

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Mars, Frank, Heckenast, Smith, Voigt, Moyer Jr., Frankel, Johns, Hall

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Shirley, Eckert, Davies, McBride, Sullivan, Kiefer, Lobb, Sharp, Kloos, Estes

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McCreadie, Hubbard, Clanton, Wallace, Moyer, Weber, Fuller, Doar, Coffey, Collins, McQuerry, Jumper, Crump

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Smith, Sullivan, Voigt, Moyer Jr., Kiefer, Miner, Lobb, Frankel, Johns, Hall, Sharp, Estes (DNS) Kloos

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Vic Coffey

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jason Feger

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer/Jack Sullivan

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Dennis Erb Jr.

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Mark Voigt

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Jeff Johns

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Shannon Babb

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Ron Davies

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Shannon Babb
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Michael Kloos

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 17 – 28 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3928

2. Josh Richards 3912 (-16)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3816 (-112)

4. Tim McCreadie 3726 (-202)

5. Chub Frank 3654 (-274)

6. Shane Clanton 3634 (-294)

7. Austin Hubbard 3610 (-318)

8. Clint Smith 3598 (-330)

9. Vic Coffey 3472 (-456)

10. Tim Fuller 3466 (-462)

11. Pat Doar 3328 (-600)

12. Ron Davies 3214 (-714)

13. John Lobb 3046 (-882)

14. Jill George 2122 (-1806)

15. Jason Feger 1756 (-2172)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 5,100 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Pesky Showers Wash Out Friday Night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stop At Tri-City Speedway

PONTOON BEACH, IL – Sept. 16, 2011 – Light showers began falling during time trials and would not cease to allow the completion of Friday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Kehrer Brothers Roofing 50’ at Tri-City Speedway.

Track promoter Kevin Gundaker was finally forced to cancel the evening’s action after waiting in vain for the precipitation to clear the area at a reasonable time.

Gundaker will talk with WoO LMS officials to determine if a new date for the event can be arranged. Any news will be released on www.worldofoutlaws.com.

It was the second consecutive and eighth overall weather-related cancelation or postponement of the 2011 season for the WoO LMS. The tour’s last scheduled event, on Sept. 4 at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., was also washed out by rain.

Thirty-seven cars were signed in for Friday night’s program, which would have marked the first WoO LMS event at Tri-City since Gundaker shortened the former half-mile oval to a three-eighths-mile oval prior to the 2008 season.

Just six drivers were still left to take qualifying laps during Ohlins Shocks Time Trials when the rain arrived and stopped the session.

The evening did not end early enough for Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., whose time-trial effort was short-circuited when his car’s right-rear wheel broke and flew off on his first qualifying lap. He bounced to a stop in turn one and was towed off.

Frank was racing with a special protective cast on his right thumb, which he broke in a tangle during heat racing for the World 100 on Sept. 10 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway.

The WoO LMS will return to action on Saturday night (Sept. 17) at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. The Pepsi Nationals will pay $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Drivers signed in for Friday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series program at Tri-City Speedway:

00-Randy Korte/Highland, IL

1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV

1-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR

1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY

1s-Rick Salter/Aviston, IL

1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA

2x-Mark Lyons/Centralia, IL

3c-Mike Collins/Carter Lake, IA

3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL

4J-Scott Weber/Festus, MO

B5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL

7L-Jerry Lierly/Camp Point, IL

11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI

18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL

19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY

19-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE

21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR

21Jr-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR

24-Rick Eckert/York, PA

25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA

25-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL

27-Rodney Melvin/Benton, IL

28-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL

28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI

29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY

32-Bobby Pierce/Oakwood, IL

32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY

33F-Ricky Frankel/Quincky, IL

39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY

44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA

57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS

71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA

77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL

78-Chad Zobrist/Highland, IL

81c-Kevin Cole/Christopher, IL

88-Wendell Wallace/Batesville, AR

99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

From Ted Christopher to Kyle Larson, This Week’s 4Wide.TV Loaded with News Plus World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing Video Highlights

CONCORD, N.C. — Sept. 16, 2011 — This week’s episode of 4Wide.TV includes breaking news plus video highlights from around the country.

First, click here and listen as versatile star racer Ted Christopher reveals his plans to compete in the SEF Small Engine Fuel 200 Presented by Ferris & Snapper Mowers during Super DIRT Week XL. Then, the episode showcases video highlights from Super DIRTcar Series action at Autodrome Drummond plusWorld of Outlaws Sprint Cars in the Gold Cup Race of Champions wrapping up their West Coast swing and the DIRTcar UMP Late Models in the crown jewel World 100 at Eldora Speedway.

In addition to all the highlights from the weekend, there are the hotly discussed Power Rankings plus the Hot Thread of the Week that discusses Brandon Sheppard's in-car video of his B-Main run at the World 100, and the dirt track racing Twitter feed that brings you non-stop news and notes from around the racing world. The Video of the Week recalls a controversial Super DIRT Week from 1980 and finally the Shot of the Week showcases young Kyle Larson as he seals his win on Saturday night with a kiss in victory lane.

All that and more in only 15 minutes – check it out at 4Wide.TV, which now includes a new home page module to help share the video with your friends at Facebook and followers on Twitter.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Unzicker Regains National Late Model Lead, Harrison Steadies Modified Edge

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 15, 2011 – A nearly perfect weekend got Ryan Unzicker back on track – and back on top of the DIRTcar UMP Late Model national points standings.

With a second-place finish on Sept. 9 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway and back-to-back victories on Sept. 10 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway and Sept. 11 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., El Paso, Ill.’s Unzicker vaulted forward from third place to reclaim a points lead he had relinquished two weeks earlier. He ended Week 33 of the circuit’s season with a scant five-point edge (2,458-2,453) over defending national champion Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich.

Unzicker, 28, led the national standings from the spring until late August, when Schlenk’s sure-and-steady climb in the rankings finally reached the top spot. A rough Labor Day weekend for Unzicker – he didn’t score a top-10 finish in three starts, so he failed to gain any points in a battle that’s determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights – dropped him to third in the standings.

But the young driver roared back last weekend, adding points with all three of his starts. His pair of triumphs pushed his 2011 win total to 14.

The 25-year-old Schlenk, meanwhile, made two UMP-sanctioned starts last weekend but only earned points in one of them – a third-place finish on Sept. 9 at Cherry Raceway in Fife Lake, Mich. He placed 16th on Sept. 10 at Thunderbird Raceway in Muskegon, Mich.

Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, fell from second to third in the national points standings. But while his deficit to the leader expanded from 29 to 52 points after he was unable to finish well enough in his single start to add points to his total, he nonetheless was happy with his weekend performance – he qualified for the prestigious World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, finishing 28th.

With three weekends of weekly points racing plus the season-ending DIRTcar UMP Nationals on Oct. 7-8 at Eldora remaining, the chase for the $20,000 Late Model national title figures to heat up this weekend. Unzicker plans to compete at Kankakee (Sept. 16), LaSalle (Sept. 17) and Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway (Prairie Dirt Classic on Sept. 18), while Schlenk’s tentative schedule includes visits to Kankakee, Macon (Ill.) Speedway (Sept. 17) and Fairbury. Henry had not yet posted his plans as of Thursday night.

Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., added three points to his lead in the UMP Modified national standings, ending Week 33 with a 20-point advantage (1,922-1,902) over Michael Long of Quincy, Ill.

Harrison’s weekend included a win (Sept. 9) and a second (Sept. 10) at Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind., and a fifth-place finish on Sept. 11 at Tri-City, but only his 23rd victory of 2011 earned him points. The UMP Modified standings are determined using drivers’ 25 best finishes/points nights.

Long was victorious in both of his starts last weekend – Sept. 9 at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Mo., and Sept. 10 at his hometown’s Quincy Raceways – but only added points to his total with his first triumph.

Other divisional national points leaders through Week 32 are Dustin Griffin of Camp Point, Ill., who scored back-to-back wins last weekend at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill., and Tri-City Speedway to maintain his edge in the Pro Late Model standings; Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind., who overtook Troy Clark of North Vernon, Ind., for the top spot in the Sportsman standings; Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill. (Limited Modifieds); Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars); Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lake, Mich. (Factory Stocks); and Kenny Butterfield of Glassford, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

Weekly DIRTcar UMP points end following the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 2, but the Late Model and UMP Modified points races culminate with the running of the DIRTcar UMP Nationals on Oct. 8-9 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of Sept. 11, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2458

2. Rusty Schlenk 35 2453

3. Jon Henry 35 2406

4. Shannon Babb 35 2313

5. Brandon Thirlby 35 2279

6. Brandon Sheppard 35 2277

7. Jason Feger 35 2245

8. Eric Spangler 35 2190

9. Randy Korte 35 2150

10. Bobby Pierce 35 2131

11. Mike Provenzano 35 2111

12. Mike Spatola III 35 2071

13. Eric Smith 34 2000

14. Mark Voigt 35 1966

15. Brian Ruhlman 35 1956

16. Scott Schmitt 35 1926

17. Dennis Erb Jr. 35 1924

18. Steve Lance Jr. 33 1896

19. Dillan White 35 1858

20. Mike Hammerle 35 1822

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1922

2. Michael Long 25 1902

3. Todd Sherman 25 1862

4. Nick Allen 25 1849

5. Ray Bollinger 25 1839

6. Jacob Poel 25 1823

7. Jamie Lomax 25 1817

8. Danny Crane 25 1810

9. Clayton Miller 25 1809

10. Scott Weber 25 1807

11. Tim Hancock 25 1786

12. Doug Adkins 25 1776

13. Mark Anderson 25 1751

14. Jeff Leka 25 1746

15. Brian Lynn 25 1739

16. Dean Hoffman 25 1736

17. Ken Schrader 24 1731

18. Randle Sweeney 25 1727

19. John DeMoss 25 1724

20. Clint Demoss 25 1712

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dustin Griffin 20 1505

2. Nick Bauman 20 1465

3. Mark Oller 20 1405

4. Credence Mott 20 1401

5. Jerry Lierly 20 1385

6. Clayton Miller 20 1383

7. Evan Fink 20 1305

8. Brad Denney 20 1300

9. Bobby Martintoni 20 1299

10. Randy Myers 20 1280

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeremy Hines 20 1481

2. Troy Clark 20 1450

3. Dan Flessner 20 1424

4. Joey Ladouceur 20 1380

5. Dave Crawley Jr. 20 1358

6. Jocelyn Roy 20 1317

7. Kenny Carmichael Sr. 20 1283

8. Nick Macklin 19 1270

9. Chris Hillman 20 1269

10. Stephane Lemire 20 1266

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mark Anderson 20 1391

2. Todd Bates 20 1358

3. Haley Westerfield 20 1159

4. Jeff Lawson 20 1131

5. John Wyble 20 1096

6. Christopher Geary 20 1065

7. Johnny Holden 20 1038

8. Clay Settles 20 1012

9. Josh Smith 18 967

10. Billy Hawes 19 916

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nate Zimmer 20 1491

2. Mike Hodges 20 1470

2. John Farris 20 1470

4. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1450

5. Dan Dykman 20 1406

6. Derek Poland 20 1398

7. Andrew Funk 20 1395

8. Joel Funk 20 1369

9. Joeseph Hamm 20 1363

10. Darrel Dick 20 1356

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dennis Bringedahl 20 1396

2. Rob Sternberg 20 1361

3. Jake Hewitt 20 1360

4. Mark Farber 20 1286

5. Dan Wilson 20 1276

6. Jeff Buss 20 1194

7. Spike Grega 20 1181

8. Ben Welch 20 1128

9. Tom Hughes 18 1119

10. TJ Eilers 20 1110

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Kenny Butterfield 20 1506

2. Jeremy Callahan 20 1502

3. Rob Shaw 20 1494

4. Matt Maier 20 1486

5. Paul Namey 20 1449

6. Earl Pryor 20 1436

7. Trevor Isaak 20 1431

8. Jacob Rexing 20 1425

9. Bradley McGhee 20 1371

10. Vince Shehorn 20 1354

10. Blayne Ellis 20 1354

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Tri-City Speedway’s Kevin Gundaker: Not Just A World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Promoter

Twenty-Two Years After Capturing A WoO LMS A-Main, Gundaker Hosts National Tour At His Tri-City Oval This Friday Night (Sept. 16)

PONTOON BEACH, IL – Sept. 14, 2011 – Tri-City Speedway promoter Kevin Gundaker will stand in Victory Lane this Friday night (Sept. 16) and present a $10,000 check to the winner of his track’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Kehrer Brothers Roofing 50.’

And Gundaker will completely understand the triumphant driver’s joy over capturing a World of Outlaws event. He has, after all, experienced it.

A standout dirt Late Model racer at tracks across the Midwest before shifting his focus to operating Tri-City Speedway in 2005, Gundaker is one of just two promoters of facilities on the 2011 WoO LMS schedule who has won an A-Main on the renowned tour.

Gundaker’s big WoO LMS moment came on Aug. 4, 1989, at Sante Fe Speedway, a short half-mile oval in Hinsdale, Ill. (outside Chicago) that closed following the 1995 season and was sold shortly thereafter to make way for a housing development. He won during the tour’s short-lived original incarnation organized by late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson, who ceased his full-fender circuit’s operation after two seasons (1988-89). The series sat silent until resuming action in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

“I remember that race,” said Gundaker, now 56 and hailing from St. Charles, Mo. “I have 392 career wins, but that World of Outlaws win stacks right up there near the top.”

Gundaker always lists his best race and worst race as the 1980 World 100 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, where he finished second to Charlie Swartz by about three feet. (“Let’s face it,” he said, “at the World they don’t remember who runs second. Swartz has that globe sitting there in his trophy room and I don’t.”) But his World of Outlaws success at Sante Fe holds a special place in his personal highlight reel.

“We led the whole thing, but Billy Moyer and I had a heck of a battle the whole way,” Gundaker said of his score in a World of Outlaws feature that ran over the 40-lap distance. “He got by me on the white-flag lap, but I was able to get right back by him and went on to win it. When it was all over and done with, I couldn’t have been happier.”

Driving his own Bullit Chassis No. 11 at the time, Gundaker led Moyer, John Provenzano, Gibby Stenhouse and Bob Pohlman Jr. across Sante Fe’s finish line. If his memory is correct, he believes he earned $4,000 for what would be the lone WoO LMS victory of his career.

Gundaker didn’t enter all 21 WoO LMS events contested in 1989, but he ran enough to finish fifth in the points standings behind Moyer, who won the championship for the second straight season, Steve Francis, Willy Kraft and Rick Aukland. He registered one other top-five finish that season, placing second behind Donnie Moran in a preliminary to the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.

While Gundaker tended to pick-and-choose his starts rather than points-race with series during the 18 years he made his living as a dirt Late Model driver, he thought the WoO LMS had potential to continue growing through the ‘90s if Johnson hadn’t decided to shut it down. “There’s no doubt it could’ve gotten bigger,” said Gundaker, who cited Johnson’s desire to focus on his WoO Sprint Car Series following a challenge from a rival touring series as a major factor in the full-fender tour’s early termination.

A 2011 inductee of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, Gundaker hasn’t raced regularly since 2005 but asserts that he’s not “officially retired.”

“I still want to race. I still have the desire,” said Gundaker, who whet his appetite for speed by hot-lapping Randy Korte’s dirt Late Model after a mid-July program at Tri-City. “But now with us running a racetrack (he shares operational duties at Tri-City with his wife Tammy), you’re very limited in the time you have to focus toward a race car and a racing program.

“I really miss driving, but I just don’t have the time to do it anymore. We’re really busy with the racetrack.”

Gundaker does plan to climb back behind the wheel for competition in the near future. He has two sons in racing – Dane, 28, runs a UMP Modified, and Gordy, 19, is a UMP Pro (crate) Late Model racer who will make his full-blown Late Model debut during the Sept. 22-24 ‘Modified Mania’ program at Tri-City – and they want a piece of dear old dad.

“My boys are wanting me to compete against them and I promised them I would,” said Gundaker. “They’ve been talking that smack on me, how they’re gonna whip me and all that. But it’s kind of like I told them – I taught them everything they know, but I didn’t teach them everything I know.”

Gundaker is one of 53 drivers with at least one A-Main victory over the history of the WoO LMS, including the 1988-89 seasons and the modern era (2004-present). The only other promoter of a track on this year’s series able to claim a WoO LMS win is Johnny Stokes of Columbus (Miss.) Speedway, who was victorious on July 8, 1988, at Enid (Okla.) Speedway.

At least 16 former WoO LMS victors are expected to compete Friday night (Sept. 16) in the tour’s first-ever event on Tri-City’s three-eighths-mile layout, which was shortened by Gundaker from its original half-mile distance prior to the 2008 season.

Batesville, Ark.’s Moyer, who owns a record 37 alltime WoO LMS triumphs, and modern-era win leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. (35 victories) top the list of World of Outlaws winners eyeing Tri-City’s checkered flag. Others planning to join them are Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (26 wins), points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (23), Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (17), Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (16), Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. (15), Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (12), Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (12), Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill. (10), Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa (seven), Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis. (four), Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill. (two), Austin Hubbard (two), Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. (one) and Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill. (one).

Pit gates are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. CT and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 3 p.m. on Friday. Hot laps are set to begin at 6:30 p.m. with competition getting the green flag at 7 p.m.

With racing for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Pro Late Models and Street Stocks also on Friday night’s agenda, general admission is $30. Children 12-and-under will be admitted free of charge.

Pit passes are $35, but a special deal grants support-class drivers and three of their crew members entry to the pits for $25 each provided they all sign in at the same time.

For more information on the Kehrer Brothers Roofing 50, visit www.tricityspeedway.net or call 636-448-9111.

Tri-City Speedway is located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Mo., in Pontoon Beach, IL. Take Exit 4 off I-270 and go a half-mile south on SR 203.

Friday’s program kicks off a big weekend doubleheader in the St. Louis area for the WoO LMS. The tour heads to I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., for the Pepsi Nationals on Saturday evening (Sept. 17).

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Chris Dolack, VP Media/PR

(704) 795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

SUPER DIRT WEEK XL DIGEST: Time Running Out to Gain Behind-the-Scenes Access to World of Outlaws Events at Rolling Wheels

WEEDSPORT, N.Y. - Sept. 13, 2011 - Fans looking for a behind-the-scenes experience with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series or the World of Outlaws Late Model Series have until Wednesday to reserve their chance to see the drivers and crews throughout the races at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park during Super DIRT Week.

Fans who purchase tickets by Wednesday to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series race on Thursday, Oct. 6, or the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event on Saturday, Oct. 8, will receive a free fan pit pass, allowing unprecedented access to World of Outlaws events at Rolling Wheels.

To act quickly, click DIRTcar.com/tickets, or call DIRTcar Racing's Northeast office at 315-834-6606. For news and information about Super DIRT Week XL, click SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com.

News & Notes

Dig Safely New York Increases Support: Long-time DIRTcar Racing and Super DIRTcar Series partner Dig Safely New York is expanding its sponsorship of Super DIRT Week XL events. Dig Safely, which is a major supporter of the last chance events, is adding bonus money to the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified and DIRTcar Pro Stock Last Chance races.

Also, in support of Dig Safely New York's 811 campaign, which encourages residents to call 811 before digging in their yards, the eighth-place finisher and 11^th-place finisher in the DIRTcar Pro stock race will be awarded bonus money.

For more information on Dig Safely New York, click http://www.DigSafelyNewYork.com.

Wheels and Wings: The Syracuse Quaker Steak & Lube, with its Best Wings in America, returns to the 40^th Super DIRT Week as a big supporter of the event, providing meals for everybody from the media to the SPEED broadcast team. Always one of the most popular post-event places to dine, Quaker Steak & Lube is just minutes from the New York State Fairgrounds at 3535 Walters Rd in Syracuse. Click Quaker Steak & Lube for directions, contact information and even their menu.

And Then There Were Three: As of Monday afternoon, only three reserved camping spots were left for Super DIRT Week XL at the New York State Fairgrounds. Spots can be purchased online by going to SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com and clicking the Buy Tickets button. Better hurry!

Lap Sponsorship: Parties interested in sponsoring a lap during Super DIRT Week XL can go to SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com and click the "Lap Sponsor App" button in the right column to print out the form for details on how to sponsor a lap.

Enter to Win: Looking to win tickets to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series events at Rolling Wheels Raceway, or Super DIRT Week XL at the New York State Fairgrounds? Fans can enter a contest at DirtTrackDigest.com for a chance to win tickets to any of those events. Go to DirtTrackDigest.com and click the button at the top.

Free Super DIRT Week 40^th Anniversary Lapel Pin Available: A limited supply of commemorative 40^th Anniversary Lapel Pins are available to race fans during SDW events. In order to qualify for the gift, fans must purchase tickets to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and World of Outlaws Sprint Car events at Rolling Wheels Raceway, purchase a multi-day ticket to Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds, or purchase a ticket for the SEF Small Engine Fuel 200 on Sunday, Oct. 9. Supplies are limited, get your tickets now!

Pre-Ordered Super DIRT Week Pit Passes Available: Pit passes, which are good for all events at the New York State Fairgrounds during Super DIRT Week XL, are now available for purchase online by clicking DIRTcar.com/tickets . For DIRTcar members the 5-day pit pass is $100, and for non-members the price is $130. DIRTcar members must call DIRTcar Northeast Headquarters at 315-834-6606 to confirm your license. Along with the pit-pass, race tickets for Super DIRT Week are also available on DIRTcar.com/tickets.

Media conference calls: Matt Sheppard will participate in a media conference call on Tuesday, Sept. 13, to preview Super DIRT Week XL. Click to follow @SuperDIRTcar on Twitter for updates during the media conference call.

Super DIRT Week Media Credentials: Media members who desire access to Super DIRT Week XL must apply for credentials no later than Friday, Sept. 21. Credential requests should be made by the supervising editor on company letterhead, indicate the medium represented, the area of access required and provide contact information (address, phone and e-mail). If approved, media members will receive a voucher that will need to be turned in and verified with photo ID at the Gate 6 ticket office to receive access. Credential requests for events at the New York State Fairgrounds and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park can be submitted to DIRTcar Racing c/o Amanda Hirko at 1 Speedway Drive, Weedsport, NY 13166, or a PDF on letterhead can be e-mailed to ahirko@dirtcar.com.

For more information about Super DIRT Week, including ticket orders and vendor space availability; please contact DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region Headquarters during the week at 315-834-6606. More news can be found at www.superdirtcarseries.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com while tickets can be ordered online at www.dirtcar.com/tickets .

DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners; including Hoosier Racing Tire; VP Racing Fuels; GM Performance Parts and Safety-Kleen. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio and Chizmark & Larson Insurance. Contingency sponsors are ASI; Bert Transmissions; Bicknell Racing Products; Bilstein Shocks; Brodix; ButlerBuilt; Comp Cams; Intercomp; JE Pistons; KSE Racing Products; Motorsports Safety Systems; MSD Ignition; Penske Shocks; Racing Electronics; R2C; Super Flow; Vicci Racing Apparel; WIX Filters; Wrisco Industries; Xtreme Lubricants and Extreme Mufflers.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Points Leader Rick Eckert Begins World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stretch Drive This Weekend At Tri-City Speedway (Sept. 16) & I-55 Raceway (Sept. 17)

St. Louis-Area Tracks Provide Attractive Action-Packed Doubleheader For Fans & Teams

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 12, 2011 – Rick Eckert has tried all season to avoid thoughts of the $100,000 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship prize, but he can no longer simply disregard the obvious.

When the national tour invades the Midwest this weekend for a huge doubleheader at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., on Friday night (Sept. 16) and I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., on Saturday evening (Sept. 17), Eckert’s focus will be set squarely on doing what it takes to top a points battle that he has led since early May.

“At this point you have to think about it,” Eckert said when asked if visions of a career-first WoO LMS title have begun dancing in his head. “When you’re down to the last seven races, the championship has to be on your mind.”

Eckert, 45, of York, Pa., carries a precarious 28-point lead over two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., into this weekend’s action, which features the Kehrer Brothers 50 at Tri-City and the 29th annual Pepsi Nationals at I-55. Both races will pay $10,000 to win.

The WoO LMS stretch drive promises to be a tense affair for Eckert. He maintained a healthy edge of 42 to 60 points over Richards for a nine-race summer stretch, but the gap became a little too close for the veteran’s comfort after he recorded a season-worst finish (16th) in the tour’s last full points show, on Aug. 20 at Merritt Raceway in Lake City, Mich.

“We haven’t run good the last couple races, so we’re gonna have to pick the pace up,” said Eckert, whose remarkably steady 2011 performance record shows two wins, 14 top-five and 22 top-10 finishes in 27 WoO LMS events. “Josh isn’t making it easy for us. He’s gonna either win or run up front, so we know where we gotta finish – up front.

“It isn’t like we’re racing a guy for the championship who isn’t running good. He’s running real good right now. The only thing we can do is keep our heads up and keep getting after ‘em.”

This weekend’s St. Louis-area twinbill should provide Eckert an opportunity to jump-start his run toward the points crown. He likes both tracks and has run well at both in the past, buoying his confidence for the trip to the Midwest with his Team Zero by Bloomquist cars.

Friday’s program at Tri-City will mark the track’s first WoO LMS event since promoter Kevin Gundaker shortened it from a sprawling half-mile to a three-eighths-mile oval prior to the 2008 season. Eckert, who placed seventh in a WoO LMS A-Main run on Tri-City’s old half-mile on Aug. 1, 2004, got a taste of the more compact layout last year when he finished fourth in a mid-September DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned show.

“I think the racing there is way better since Gundaker made it smaller,” said Eckert. “Gundaker doesn’t do anything half – he did everything first-class when he redid it. It’s a real neat little place, a real fun place to race. It can be wide open, and then you flip a switch and it can change to icy-slippery. It can throw some curves at you.”

Eckert has made four WoO LMS appearances since 2005 at I-55, a high-banked, 11/32nd-mile oval that is co-promoted by NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader and Ray Marlar. His finishes have gotten progressively worse – he was fourth in the ’05 event and then fell to sixth in ’07, seventh in ’08 and 12th in ’10 – so he’ll be looking to reverse that trend on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old Richards, meanwhile, will make his first start on Tri-City’s three-eighths-mile and his fifth career visit to I-55. His best WoO LMS runs at I-55 have come in his most recent appearances; after finishes of 14th in ’05 and 13th in ’07, he was a contending third in ’08 and sixth last year.

Richards also heads into the weekend with more World of Outlaws momentum than Eckert. Since experiencing a season-low 21st-place finish on July 15 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., he’s won four of his seven 2011 A-Mains and has finished outside the top-five just once (an 11 th-place finish) in 10 races.

But while Eckert has struggled in his last two WoO LMS starts – he followed up his subpar outing at Merritt by failing to qualify for the 45-lap ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale of the unique ‘Black Diamond 125’ event on Sept. 3 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. (an event that offered only show-up points) – he’s certainly not in a slump. In the 17 races since he scored his second win of the season on May 12 at Delaware International Speedway, he has six runner-up finishes and has placed worse than eighth just twice.

Eckert is enjoying his best WoO LMS campaign since 2006 when he recorded a tour-leading eight wins and was in the thick of the title chase until August. He faltered down the stretch that season (finishing seventh in the points standings) and did not seriously challenge for a championship over the next four years, fueling his desire to capitalize on the opportunity currently staring him in the face.

“Winning the championship would be a great thing to experience and it would be great for our program,” said Eckert, who is in his second season of fielding his own equipment following a 15-year run driving for the late Raye Vest. “I know after the last championships we won (back-to-back UDTRA national titles in 2001-02) we were able to get some extra product help for the next year or two, and since we’re on our own now that would be a huge boost for us. The extra income would be really nice too now that I own everything.

“We’re gonna take it one race at a time and race as hard as we can,” he continued. “It’s not a secret that each race (the points pursuit) does get a little more stressful, but we’ve been there before (with the UDTRA title battles) and there’s really nothing we can change. We just gotta go to every race left and run the best we can.

“It’s not like we’re going anywhere and saying, ‘If we finish top 10, we’re good.’ We know how good Josh is running, so we have to go to every race knowing we most likely have to be in contention to win.”

*****

This weekend’s Tri-City/I-55 swing is expected to rank as arguably the most talent-laden doubleheader on the 2011 WoO LMS schedule.

Eckert and Richards will pace a star-studded roster of WoO LMS regulars that features former champions Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (winner of the ’04 WoO event on the Tri-City half-mile) and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (victor in a DIRTcar UMP special last September at Tri-City). Other Outlaw travelers include Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. (’08 winner at I-55), Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (’07 winner at I-55), Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and Rookie of the Year contenders Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

The list of drivers planning to enter both events includes former WoO LMS champ Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., and his budding son Billy Moyer Jr.; DIRTcar Summer Nationals champ Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill. (last year’s WoO LMS victor at I-55); Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis.; Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa; Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill.; Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.; Wendell Wallace of Batesville, Ark.; Randy Korte of Highland, Ill.; and Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Midwest Swing Event Information:

Fri., Sept. 16, at Tri-City Speedway: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. CT and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 3 p.m. Hot laps are set to begin at 6:30 p.m. with competition getting the green flag at 7 p.m.

With racing for the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Pro Late Models and Street Stocks is also on Friday night’s agenda, general admission is $30. Children 12-and-under will be admitted free of charge.

For more information on the Kehrer Brothers Roofing 50, visit www.tricityspeedway.net or call 636-448-9111.

Tri-City Speedway is located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Mo., in Pontoon Beach, IL. Take Exit 4 off I-270 and go a half-mile south on SR 203.

Sat., Sept. 17, at I-55 Raceway: All gates will open at 4 p.m. for the Pepsi Nationals, which also boasts competition for the UMP Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro-4 Stocks. Hot laps are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., followed by WoO LMS time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Reserved-seat tickets are $32 and general admission will be $30, with kids 12-and-under admitted free in general admission sections. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets.

Pit passes are $35, but a special deal grants support-class drivers and three of their crew members entry to the pits for $25 each provided they all sign in at the same time.

More details on the Pepsi Nationals can be obtained by logging on to www.i55raceway.com or calling 636-479-3219.

I-55 Raceway is located 30 minutes south of downtown St. Louis, off Pevely exits 180 and 178 of Interstate 55.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

California World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Stars Get One More Shot at Golden State Glory, Listen Live Tonight at DIRTVision.com

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Monday, Sept. 12 @ Antioch Speedway

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Friday, Sept. 16 @ Clay County Fair Speedway

World of Outlaws Late Model Series – Friday, Sept. 16 @ Tri-City Speedway

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series – Saturday, Sept. 17 @ Deer Creek Speedway

World of Outlaws Late Model Series – Saturday, Sept. 17 @ I-55 Raceway

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds – Saturday, Sept. 17 @ Mohawk International Raceway

CONCORD, N.C. – Sept. 12, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is back in action tonight as it make its first trip to Antioch Speedway, a 3/8-mile high-banked oval in Antioch, Calif. Tonight’s race kicks off another action-packed week for the Outlaws after Paul McMahan’s and Kyle Larson’s big wins over the weekend at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. McMahan seems to be the man to beat tonight, and as a previous track record holder at the speedway, he claims Antioch Speedway is one of his favorite tracks. With four wins already on the season, he could be the one to find his way to victory lane in tonight’s showdown. However, current champion and point leader Jason Meyers has also run on the high banks in the past. The points could tighten up even more as the series battles at Antioch tonight and prepares for weekend events on Friday at Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer, Iowa, and Saturday at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. Fans can follow all three nights for FREE by clicking DIRTVision.com as Johnny Gibson calls the action from hot laps to victory lane. Racing is scheduled to begin tonight at 7 p.m. Pacific, Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Central and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Central.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is also in action this weekend as the series heads Friday to Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., and Saturday to the Pepsi Nationals at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. After coming off a wild weekend at the World 100, Darrell Lanigan is riding a fourth-place finish into a full weekend schedule. Lanigan sits third in the point standings, 120 points behind leader Rick Eckert. Josh Richards, only 20 points behind Eckert, is still on fire with seven wins this season and an average finish of 2.4 in his past five series events as he battles for his third consecutive title. If you can’t be there in person, follow both nights LIVE at DIRTVision.com. Racing is scheduled to begin Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. Central.

The Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds are also back at it this weekend as they head to Mohawk International Raceway in Akwesasne, N.Y., the final tune-up before Super DIRT Week XL in Syracuse, N.Y. It was Super Matt Sheppard who found his way to victory lane Saturday night at Autodrome Drummond, winning his third feature of the season as he takes aim at his second consecutive championship. Billy Decker is second with Brett Hearn in third. All of the action Saturday night can be heard exclusively at DIRTVision.com, where Shane Andrews will be there to deliver live audio from Mohawk International Raceway. Racing is set to begin at 7:45 p.m. Eastern.

Looking ahead, the next DIRTVision video Cybercast will be the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Commonwealth Clash on Sept. 24. For the full Cybercast schedule, click the 2011 Cybercast Schedule at DIRTVision.com.

Fans can follow DIRTVision on Twitter by clicking http://twitter.com/dirtvision.

For technical questions about DIRTVision, please e-mail DIRTVision@dirtcar.com.

DIRTVision.com is brought to fans around the world by several important sponsors and partners, including ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems and Aggressive Hydraulics.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Owens Comes Out On Top Of Thrilling Late-Race Battle To Earn Second Career World 100 Triumph At Eldora Speedway

ROSSBURG, OH – Sept. 10, 2011 – Jimmy Owens was in a league of his own for most of Saturday night’s 41st annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway.

The final 10 laps, however, were a dogfight for the 39-year-old from Newport, Tenn., who had to turn back challenges from Darrell Lanigan, Don O’Neal and Eddie Carrier Jr. to secure his second career victory in the prestigious DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event.

With his once flawless Team Zero by Bloomquist car slowed by damage it sustained in a late-race bout with the half-mile oval’s cushion, Owens used every bit of his ample ability to remain in front during a frenetic run to the finish that had the massive crowd roaring. He earned a $44,000 first-place check after beating Salt Rock, W.Va.’s Carrier to the checkered flag by 0.635 of a second.

Martinsville, Ind.’s O’Neal, who won Eldora’s $100,000 Dream in June, finished third. Union, Ky.’s Lanigan settled for fourth after nearly overtaking Owens on at least two occasions, and John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., registered a career-best World 100 finish of fifth.

“To win (the World 100) once was an achievement,” said Owens, whose previous triumph came in 2007. “To do it again is unbelievable. You know, if we never win another race in our life, we’re proud of where we’re at right now.”

A four-time DIRTcar UMP Modified national champion who has been racing dirt Late Models fulltime for less than decade, Owens appeared headed to a runaway victory after he advanced from the fourth starting spot to pass polesitter Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., for the lead on lap 13. He effortlessly glided away from the field following six restarts between laps 39 and 67, building straightaway advantages in short order.

But something changed after the race’s seventh and final caution flag, on lap 82 for a turn-four incident that eliminated the third- and fourth-place drivers, Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., and a charging Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. With the 10-to-go mark approaching, Lanigan, who had passed McDowell for second on lap 76, began edging noticeably closer to Owens’s Mike Reese-owned car.

“I guess when I jumped the cushion (in turn one) it knocked the bracing loose from my (right-side) door and that really slowed us down quite a bit,” said Owens, the current points leader of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. “When I would get within about six cars (lengths) of a lapped car, I would start losing it. All the air getting under the car (the door was bent) was just making the car ‘skatey.’ We couldn’t stick no more, where early in the race it didn’t faze us none.”

By lap 92, Lanigan was close enough to stick the nose of his Rocket car underneath Owens. The World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular was primed to sail by Owens to assume command in one quick burst.

“But when I caught him,” said Lanigan, “he actually caught them lapped cars at the same time and that kept me from doing a slide job. And that let O’Neal catch up too.”

O’Neal, who started eighth but ran inside the top five for the entire distance, slid under Lanigan rounding turns three and four on lap 93. The two drivers spent the ensuing laps swapping second place – and trading paint – to the benefit of Owens.

The deciding moment came on lap 98 when Lanigan dived to the inside of O’Neal through turns one and two and appeared to have plenty of momentum built up to pass Owens. But Lanigan ran up on Owens too fast in turn two and had to check up, causing a scramble with O’Neal that allowed Carrier to scoot into second on the inside and Owens to open enough room to carry him to the finish line.

“I knew we were hurting and a sitting duck,” said Owens. “But we were able to hold on and hold ‘em off.”

Carrier, 40, made a last-ditch bid to steal the lead from Owens rounding turns three and four on the final lap, but the Mountain State standout fell short. He still recorded by far his best finish in three career World 100 and pocketed $15,000.

“It got pretty wild there at the end,” said Carrier, who started 12th in Carl Grover’s Rocket car. “I seen Donnie and Lanigan start battling (for second), and then they kind of got together and lost some time over (in turn two), and I said, ‘Here’s my shot to get second.’

“Then Jimmy was kind of stuck behind the lapped cars and I caught him a little bit. I didn’t know if I had anything for him, but going in that last corner I just took a last dive at it to see if I could clear him. But I didn’t have him cleared and I wasn’t gonna drive through him. It’s the World 100, but it’s just not my deal to race like that. I wasn’t gonna run over a guy to get here.”

Owens realized that Carrier got precariously close on the last circuit.

“I seen Eddie below me,” said Owens. “My hat’s off to him for a good run.”

The victory was Owens’s third overall in Eldora’s pair of annual dirt Late Model majors, joining his 2009 success in the $100,000 Dream. This one tops his list of checkered flags at the high-banked track, however.

“Tonight was a whole lot more sentimental than the first (World 100 win),” said Owens, who ended a string of 10 consecutive first-time World 100 winners. “The first time we won we were still more of a Modified racer and when we won the Dream it just didn’t hit home to what we had done.

“Now that we’ve been in Late Models for awhile and been competitive, you realize the prestige of these races a whole lot more. This second one is a whole lot better than the first one. When you see what it means to all the other drivers and the fans, then you realize, ‘Hey, this is a pretty big deal. It’s pretty cool.’”

O’Neal, 47, was 0.917 of a second behind Owens at the finish line. While still winless in 11 career World 100 starts, the third-place finish was his fourth top-five.

Lanigan, 40, also remained winless in 18 career World 100 starts. The fourth-place finish was shy of his career-best runner-up outing in 1999 and a third in 2007.

The 30-year-old Blankenship, who started 14th in a Rocket machine, broke into the top five on lap 84 when 21st-starter Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., relinquished the spot after slapping the turn-two wall. Blankenship’s previous World 100 finishes were 21st in 2009 and 11th in 2010.

Madden, who led laps 1-12, faded to sixth at the finish. Filling out the remainder of the top 10 spots was three-time World 100 winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who started 13th and never climbed into serious contention; Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., who got as high as sixth from the 10th starting spot; NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular Austin Dillon of Welcome, N.C., who pitted on lap 62 after flattening a right-rear tire against the turn-one wall; and Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn.

Dillon brought out the race’s fifth caution flag when he got into the outside guardrail. Other drivers who triggered cautions included Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., who slowed with right-front damage on lap 33; R.J. Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio (stopped on lap 39); Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, who slapped the turn-one wall on lap 48; Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., who slowed on lap 58 while running sixth.

The only multi-car tangle occurred on lap 82 when McDowell and Richards went spinning in turn four. McDowell, who started second and never ran lower than third in NASCAR star Clint Bowyer’s car, was slowed late in the distance by a nosepiece he bent after hitting the cushion but hung on to third until the plastic folded back and locked up his right-front wheel on lap 82. He thus slowed abruptly against the turn-four cushion – unfortunately at the same time Richards was sliding ahead of O’Neal for third place. With a head of steam Richards, who started 19th, was unable to avoid McDowell’s stricken car, sending them both spinning out of the race.

Among the early casualties was Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who retired from fifth place on lap 39 shortly after breaking a right-front shock, and defending World 100 champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who started fifth but never climbed higher before dropping out on lap 56.

Bloomquist was fastest in Friday’s qualifying session with a lap of 15.009 seconds. It was his fourth career World 100 fast-time honor and first since 2004.

Heat winners on Saturday night were McCreadie, Moyer, Owens, Lanigan, McDowell and Madden. The B-Mains were captured by Landers and Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss.

A total of 112 cars were signed in for the event. Drivers represented 17 states, Canada and Australia.

For more information on DIRTcar Racing, visit www.dirtcar.com.

World 100 A-Main Results (Finish/Start/Driver/Lap Completed/Earnings):

1. (4) Jimmy Owens/100 $44,000

2. (12) Eddie Carrier Jr./100 $15,000

3. (8) Don O’Neal/100 $10,000

4. (3) Darrell Lanigan/100 $7,500

5. (14) John Blankenship/100 $6,000

6. (1) Chris Madden/100 $5,000

7. (13) Scott Bloomquist/100 $4,000

8. (10) Jeep VanWormer/100 $3,500

9. (7) Austin Dillon/100 $3,000

10. (20) Mike Marlar/100 $2,500

11. (30) Jimmy Mars/100 $2,250

12. (16) Mike Spatola III/100 $2,000

13. (24) R.J. Conley/99 $1,900

14. (28) Dennis Erb Jr./98 $1,800

15. (26) Dustin Neat/98 $1,750

16. (29) Brandon Sheppard/98 $1,725

17. (21) Jared Landers/89 $1,700

18. (2) Dale McDowell/81 $1,675

19. (19) Josh Richards/81 $1,650

20. (9) Scott James/75 $1,645

21. (5) Billy Moyer/56 $1,640

22. (18) Jon Henry/48 $1,635

23. (25) Chris Ferguson/39 $1,630

24. (6) Tim McCreadie/37 $1,625

25. (23) Gregg Satterlee/35 $1,620

26. (15) Earl Pearson Jr./32 $1,615

27. (17) Steve Shaver/32 $1,610

28. (11) Shannon Babb/24 $1,605

29. (22) Bub McCool/22 $1,600

30. (27) Kent Robinson/21 $1,600

Lap Leaders: Madden (1-12); Owens (13-100)

Caution Flags: 7 (Laps 33, 39, 48, 58, 62, 67, 82)

Fast-Time Provisional Starters: Richards, Marlar

Heat 1 Finish (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer to A-Main/4-11 to B-Main): 1. 39-Tim McCreadie [2]; 2. 3-Austin Dillon [1]; 3. 0-Scott Bloomquist [3]; 4. 25-Jason Feger [4]; 5. 22-Chris Ferguson [6]; 6. 7r-Kent Robinson [8]; 7. 12-Doug Drown [7]; 8. 32-Chris Simpson [5]; 9. 95j-Jerry Bowersock [11]; 10. 25-Steve Lance Jr. [9]; 11. 49-Victor Lee [15]; 12. 101-Casey Roberts [14]; 13. 44-Jeff Watson [16]; 14. 11-Mike Hill [12]; 15. 69-John Mayes Jr. [18]; 16. 14-Terry Wolfenbarger [17]; 17. 9-Larry Greer [13]; 18. 20h-Jacob Hawkins [10] (DNS) 48-Tim Lance [19]

Heat 2 Finish (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer to A-Main/4-11 to B-Main): 1. 21-Billy Moyer [1]; 2. 71-Don O'Neal [3]; 3. 23-John Blankenship [4]; 4. 5b-Mike Marler [2]; 5. 22-Gregg Satterlee [7]; 6. 11-Jeff Babcock [13]; 7. 49-Brian Ruhlman [12]; 8. b5-Brandon Sheppard [9]; 9. 14-Tyrel Todd [14]; 10. 6m-Dona Marcoullier [15]; 11. 99g-Jacob Grizzle [11]; 12. 15-Steve Francis [6]; 13. 1-Duane Chamberlain [10]; 14. 8-Keith Gentz [17]; 15. 9r-Curtis Roberts [8]; 16. 8r-Carl Ries [16]; 17. rh21-Greg Haskell [18]; (DQ – light) Steve Casebolt, (DNS) Justin Chance

Heat 3 Finish (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer to A-Main/4-11 to B-Main): 1. 20-Jimmy Owens [3]; 2. 81-Scott James [5]; 3. 44-Earl Pearson Jr. [4]; 4. 777-Jared Landers [1]; 5. 98-Jason Rauen [6]; 6. 44-Clint Smith [8]; 7. 4b-Jackie Boggs [10]; 8. 18r-Chris Ross [12]; 9. 38-Chase Washington [9]; 10. 91-Terry Babb [15]; 11. 16-Justin Rattliff [14]; 12. 21h-David Hilliker [16]; 13. 11-DJ Wells [7]; 14. 99b-Boom Briggs [11]; 15. 5-Klint Byars [2]; 16. 302-Robert Stutts [18]; 17. 34-Ky Harper [17]; 18. 17-Shannon Thornsberry [13] (DNS) Dan Schlieper

Heat 4 Finish (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer to A-Main/4-11 to B-Main): 1. 29-Darrell Lanigan [4]; 2. 55-Jeep Van Wormer [2]; 3. 89-Mike Spatola III [1]; 4. 71c-Rj Conley [12]; 5. 28-Dennis Erb Jr. [5]; 6. 1-Josh Richards [3]; 7. 28-Jimmy Mars [11]; 8. 1*-Chub Frank [8]; 9. b12-Kevin Weaver [15]; 10. 13-JR Hotovy [13]; 11. 75-Dusty Moore [16]; 12. 72-John Mason [10]; 13. 8-Anthony Adams [17]; 14. 16-Bill Lewis [18]; 15. 41-Brad Neat [7]; 16. 21-Jason Montgomery [9]; 17. 81-Brandon Fouts [14]; 18. 1-Vic Hill [6] (DNS) David Breazeale

Heat 5 Finish (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer to A-Main/4-11 to B-Main): 1. 17m-Dale McDowell [1]; 2. 18-Shannon Babb [3]; 3. 6-Steve Shaver [2]; 4. 57j-Bub Mccool [5]; 5. 19-Austin Hubbard [4]; 6. 6-Brian Shirley [6]; 7. 41-Ty Dillon [11]; 8. 25h-Bart Hartman [7]; 9. 23v-Ryan VanderVeen [12]; 10. 15b-Brian Birkhofer [10]; 11. 10-Leon Henderson [15]; 12. 25-Jared Breeding [16]; 13. 25-Shane Clanton [9]; 14. 0-Geoff Phillips [17]; 15. 33-Don Gordon [18]; 16. 26-Tony Knowles [8]; 17. 11b-Stacy Boles [13] (DNS) Jerry Rice

Heat 6 Finish (15 laps - Top 3 Transfer to A-Main/4-11 to B-Main): 1. 44-Chris Madden [3]; 2. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr. [10]; 3. 15-Jon Henry [7]; 4. 25-Dustin Neat [1];5. 24-Rick Eckert [4]; 6. 99jr-Frank Heckenast Jr. [6]; 7. 88-Andrew Reaume [9]; 8. 20-Matt Westfall [16]; 9. 1-Jack Sullivan [11]; 10. 3-Steve Smith [8]; 11. 93-Jay Johnson [13]; 12. 21jr-Billy Moyer Jr. [14]; 13. 22-Jill George [17]; 14. 99-Donnie Moran [2]; 15. 5-Stephen Breeding [15]; 16. 11x-Tom Ramey [18]; 17. 18-Eric Wells [5]; 18. 46-Tim Rivers [12]

B-Main No. 1 Finish (20 laps – Top 5 Transfer): 1. 777-Jared Landers [3]; 2. 22-Gregg Satterlee [2]; 3. 22-Chris Ferguson [4]; 4. 7r-Kent Robinson [7]; 5. b5-Brandon Sheppard [11]; 6. 11-Jeff Babcock [5]; 7. 14-Tyrel Todd [14]; 8. 49-Brian Ruhlman [8]; 9. 18r-Chris Ross [15]; 10. 25-Steve Lance Jr. [19]; 11. 38-Chase Washington [18]; 12. 95j-Jerry Bowersock [16]; 13. 4b-Jackie Boggs [12]; 14. 99g-Jacob Grizzle [20]; 15. 6m-Dona Marcoullier [17]; 16. 98-Jason Rauen [6]; 17. 49-Victor Lee [22]; 18. 12-Doug Drown [10]; 19. 32-Chris Simpson [13]; 20. 15-Steve Francis [23]; 21. 91-Terry Babb [21]; (DQ – light) 44-Clint Smith [9] (DNS) 23. 25-Jason Feger [23]; 16-Justin Rattliff [24]

B-Main No. 2 Finish (20 laps – Top 5 Transfer): 1. 57j-Bub Mccool [2]; 2. 71c-Rj Conley [1]; 3. 25-Dustin Neat [3]; 4. 28-Dennis Erb Jr. [4]; 5. 28-Jimmy Mars [7]; 6. 24-Rick Eckert [6]; 7. 6-Brian Shirley [8]; 8. 41-Ty Dillon [11]; 9. 1*-Chub Frank [10]; 10. 99jr-Frank Heckenast Jr. [9]; 11. 15b-Brian Birkhofer [20]; 12. 25h-Bart Hartman [14]; 13. 1-Jack Sullivan [18]; 14. 88-Andrew Reaume [12]; 15. 72-John Mason [22]; 16. b12-Kevin Weaver [13]; 17. 20-Matt Westfall [15]; 18. 75-Dusty Moore [19]; 19. 93-Jay Johnson [24]; 20. 23v-Ryan VanderVeen [17]; 21. 19-Austin Hubbard [5]; 22. 13-JR Hotovy [16]; 23. 3-Steve Smith

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Schlenk Extends Late Model National Points Lead As Henry Moves Up To Second

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 9, 2011 – Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., extended his lead in the DIRTcar UMP Late Model national points standings after Week 32 of the circuit’s season, but he now has a new face sitting as his closest pursuer.

One week after overtaking longtime points leader Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., for the top spot in the national standings, Schlenk holds a 29-point edge (2,435-2,406) over Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio. That’s a 20-point increase in his advantage from a week ago.

Schlenk, 25, added to his points total with a victory on Sept. 2 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway – his 17th UMP-sanctioned checkered flag of the 2011 season. He also finished 19th on Sept. 19 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park but earned no points for the outing because the Late Model standings are determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights.

Henry, meanwhile, finished second on Sept. 2 at Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway, gaining him enough points to pass Unzicker for second in the national standings. It is the highest ranking of the season for Henry, whose sixth-place finish on Sept. 3 at Attica snapped his streak of six consecutive first- or second-place runs.

Unzicker experienced a rough Labor Day weekend, failing to accumulate any points in his two races that were reported for the week. He finished 16 th on Sept. 2 at Kankakee and 18th on Sept. 4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway, dropping him to third in the national standings and expanding his deficit to Schlenk from nine to 37 points.

Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., remained atop the UMP Modified national standings, but his edge over Michael Long of Quincy, Ill., shrunk slightly, falling from 22 to 17 points (1,913-1,896).

Harrison enjoyed a strong Labor Day weekend, winning his 22nd feature of 2011 on Sept. 2 at Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway and recording finishes of second on Sept. 3 at Farmer City and third on Sept. 1 at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway. Only his Peoria run did not add points to his total in the UMP Modified standings, which are determined using drivers’ 25 best finishes/points nights.

Long won twice Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill. – on Sept. 2 and 4 – to gain points. His third-place finish on Sept. 2 at Fairbury was his only run that did not add to his points total.

Just 74 points separate first from fifth in the UMP Modified standings. Todd Sherman of Churubusco, Ind., is third (51 points behind Harrison), Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind. (-64) and followed by Ray Bollinger of Kewanee, Ill. (-74).

Other divisional national points leaders through Week 32 are Dustin Griffin of Camp Point, Ill. (Pro Late Models); Troy Clark of North Vernon, Ind. (Sportsman); Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill. (Limited Modifieds); Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars); Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lake, Mich. (Factory Stocks); and Kenny Butterfield of Glassford, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

Weekly DIRTcar UMP points end following the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 2, but the Late Model and UMP Modified points races culminate with the running of the DIRTcar UMP Nationals on Oct. 8-9 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of Sept. 4, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Rusty Schlenk 35 2435

2. Jon Henry 35 2406

3. Ryan Unzicker 35 2398

4. Brandon Sheppard 35 2274

5. Shannon Babb 34 2258

6. Brandon Thirlby 35 2251

7. Jason Feger 35 2205

8. Randy Korte 35 2107

9. Bobby Pierce 35 2095

10. Eric Spangler 34 2080

11. Mike Spatola III 35 2058

12. Mike Provenzano 35 2011

13. Eric Smith 34 2000

14. Mark Voigt 35 1947

15. Dennis Erb Jr. 35 1916

16. Scott Schmitt 35 1909

17. Brian Ruhlman 35 1887

18. Dillan White 35 1822

19. Mike Hammerle 35 1821

20. Jack Sullivan 35 1815

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1913

2. Michael Long 25 1896

3. Todd Sherman 25 1862

4. Nick Allen 25 1849

5. Ray Bollinger 25 1839

6. Jacob Poel 25 1813

7. Jamie Lomax 25 1803

8. Danny Crane 25 1800

9. Clayton Miller 25 1799

10. Scott Weber 25 1797

11. Tim Hancock 25 1776

11. Doug Adkins 25 1776

13. Jeff Leka 25 1746

14. Mark Anderson 25 1740

15. Brian Lynn 25 1739

16. Dean Hoffman 25 1731

17. Randle Sweeney 25 1727

18. John DeMoss 25 1724

19. Trent Young 25 1687

20. Clint Demoss 25 1682

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dustin Griffin 20 1500

2. Nick Bauman 20 1465

3. Mark Oller 20 1405

4. Credence Mott 20 1393

5. Clayton Miller 20 1380

6. Jerry Lierly 20 1375

7. Evan Fink 20 1305

8. Brad Denney 20 1300

9. Bobby Martintoni 20 1292

10. Randy Myers 20 1280

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Troy Clark 20 1450

2. Jeremy Hines 20 1443

3. Dan Flessner 20 1424

4. Dave Crawley Jr. 20 1358

5. Joey Ladouceur 20 1315

6. Chris Hillman 20 1282

7. Nick Macklin 19 1270

8. Jocelyn Roy 19 1267

9. Stephane Lemire 20 1264

10. Jeff Herzog 19 1262

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mark Anderson 20 1362

2. Todd Bates 20 1358

3. Haley Westerfield 20 1156

4. Jeff Lawson 20 1131

5. Christopher Geary 20 1065

6. John Wyble 19 1048

7. Clay Settles 20 1012

8. Johnny Holden 19 983

9. Josh Smith 17 917

10. Billy Hawes 19 916

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nate Zimmer 20 1486

2. John Farris 20 1470

3. Mike Hodges 20 1465

4. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1450

5. Derek Poland 20 1398

6. Dan Dykman 20 1391

7. Andrew Funk 20 1390

8. Joel Funk 20 1369

9. Darrel Dick 20 1356

10. Joeseph Hamm 20 1348

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dennis Bringedahl 20 1396

2. Rob Sternberg 20 1351

3. Jake Hewitt 20 1340

4. Mark Farber 20 1286

5. Dan Wilson 20 1242

6. Jeff Buss 20 1164

7. Spike Grega 20 1156

8. Ben Welch 20 1128

9. Tom Hughes 18 1119

10. TJ Eilers 20 1071

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Kenny Butterfield 20 1506

2. Matt Maier 20 1481

3. Rob Shaw 20 1479

4. Paul Namey 20 1444

5. Jeremy Callahan 20 1435

6. Trevor Isaak 20 1426

7. Jacob Rexing 20 1425

8. Earl Pryor 20 1421

9. Blayne Ellis 20 1354

10. Bradley McGhee 20 1349

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

Go Coast-to-Coast by Clicking 4Wide.TV for World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Video Highlights from New York and West Virginia to Washington and Oregon

CONCORD, N.C. – Sept. 8, 2011 – A remarkable weekend on dirt tracks around the country saw two drivers earn their first World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series victories on Saturday night while in the Northeast one of Lebanon Valley Speedway’s stars defended his home “dirt” for the second consecutive season.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series invaded Skagit Speedway on Friday and Saturday. The back-to-back nights of racing north of Seattle in Alger, Wash., provided lots of excitement for fans as they watched Craig Dollansky take the checkered flag for the eighth time this season on Friday, and on Saturday saw Sam Hafertepe Jr. earn his first trip to World of Outlaws victory lane. The Sprint Car action continued down the Pacific Coast to Cottage Grove Speedway in Oregon on Monday night. Kraig Kinser out-dueled his father, 20-time champion Steve Kinser, for his first win of the season. Fans can see the highlights by clicking 4Wide.TV.

The action on 4Wide continues with coverage of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Black Diamond 125 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. A unique split-field, three-feature format provided fans with an incredible bang for their buck. Saturday night’s feature winner Jared Hawkins wound up on top, collecting $20,000 for the first World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory of his career. Click 4Wide.TV to see the highlights from qualifying races all the way to the Sweet 16 main event.

Finally, this week’s episode highlights the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds in the Mr. DIRT Track USA event from Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. Track crews worked countless hours all week to get the track ready after Hurricane Irene rolled up the Atlantic Coast. For the second consecutive year, JR Heffner earned the $17,500 winner's check, taking the checkered flag in the historic 33rd running of the event. See how Heffner pulled out the win by clicking 4Wide.TV.

In addition to all the highlights from the weekend, there are the hotly discussed Power Rankings plus the Hot Thread of the Week that discusses whether Football or Racing is better, and the dirt track racing Twitter feed that brings you non-stop news and notes from around the racing world. The Video of the Week recalls Stewart Friesen’s historic victory in last year’s SEF Small Engine Fuel 200 and finally the Shot of the Week showcases Saturday night’s first-time World of Outlaws winners.

All that and more in only 15 minutes – check it out at 4Wide.TV, which now includes a new home page module to help share the video with your friends at Facebook and followers on Twitter.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards Shoots For Another Crown-Jewel Victory This Weekend (Sept. 9-10) In World 100 At Eldora Speedway

Confident Young Star Eyes $44,000 Top Prize In Dirt Late Model Racing’s Most Prestigious Event

ROSSBURG, OH – Sept. 6, 2011 – Josh Richards finally joined the exclusive fraternity of crown-jewel dirt Late Model event winners one month ago.

But while that means the 23-year-old star from Shinnston, W.Va., no longer must answer the questions of when he’ll capture his first Big One, he still craves a victory in the division’s Biggest One – this weekend’s 41st annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway.

“Winning Cedar Lake (Speedway’s USA Nationals on Aug. 6) was obviously huge, but winning the World would be even more awesome,” said Richards, whose long-awaited breakthrough in a dirt Late Model major came in last month’s 100-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at the Cedar Lake oval in New Richmond, Wis. “The World is our biggest race of the year and definitely the race I consider the toughest, so winning it would be the greatest feeling.”

Richards does admit that having the USA Nationals – a $50,000-to-win blockbuster – in his back pocket provides him a certain sense of relief as he prepares to chase the World 100’s $44,000 top prize. But the success isn’t changing his approach to Eldora’s DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned spectacular, which features time trials and non-qualifiers’ races on Friday night (Sept. 9) and heats, last-chance events and the 100-lap A-Main on Saturday evening (Sept. 10).

“It will probably be a little easier to focus on what you need to do,” Richards said of his mindset entering an event that attracts the most talent-laden field in dirt Late Model racing. “I guess there’s a little bit less pressure (after winning a crown-jewel). But at the same time, you want to win just as much as ever. Anytime you’re in a tight battle for anything your competitive nature comes out – like even though we won the World of Outlaws championship the last two years, we still want to win it a third time. There’s no less effort being put into it – actually, you probably put in more because after you get a taste of (winning) you want to win again and again.”

Finding the route to Victory Lane in the USA Nationals and the World 100 are also two distinctly different challenges. Yes, Richards got the crown-jewel monkey off his back at Cedar Lake – in his eighth season behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model – but there’s only so much from that performance he can translate over to the menacing Big E.

“Cedar Lake is really fast and short and there’s a lot of stuff going on there,” said Richards, whose only 100-lap triumph prior to the USA Nationals was a WoO LMS event in September 2010 at Mohawk International Raceway in Akwesasne, N.Y. “Eldora is just bigger and faster and has a different type of surface. Where Cedar Lake was more about saving your car in a hundred-lapper, Eldora is definitely more of a tire-conservation game.

“And track position is big at Eldora. If you slip up a little bit and lose your momentum, it could be bad. It’s hard to charge by cars and make up ground fast at Eldora unless you’re really, really good.”

Richards is confident that his Cedar Lake score signals he’s ready to take the next step at Eldora, a track he’s visited for its two annual majors since 2005 when, at 17, he became the youngest driver in history to qualify for both June’s $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream and the World 100 in a first attempt. While his lone top-five finish in the two races is a fourth in the 2006 World 100, he’s been one of the most consistent qualifiers for both events over the past seven years; he’s missed the Dream starting field twice (’06 and ’08) and the World 100 A-Main just once (’08).

“I feel like we deserved to win that one (at Cedar Lake) – I felt real good about our chances going in there,” said Richards, who won the USA Nationals in his third career start. “I don’t know if it’s our time to win the World or not, but I feel real good about going there this year. Eldora is always a real crapshoot – you only get two or three hot laps, you have to qualify in the right spot, you have to get the right breaks in your heat and make the right decisions for the feature. We haven’t been able to pull everything together there yet, but I feel like this year might be our best shot yet to do it.

“I feel like our qualifying efforts (at Eldora) have been as good as anybody’s and we’re usually pretty good in the heats – that part we have going for us. We just have to get the feature conditions figured out to where we can pass a little better.”

Richards will bring a potent Rocket car from his father Mark’s racing stable to Eldora, where he’ll compete for the first time with a Roush-Yates Ford engine under the hood. He has plenty of momentum as well, with seven WoO LMS wins to his credit this season, including three in six starts since debuting the Roush-Yates powerplant one month ago.

“Our car’s been really phenomenal this year and the Roush-Yates Ford engine is really running good, so I feel good about our chances,” said Richards, who sits second in the WoO LMS points standings (28 points behind Rick Eckert of York, Pa.) with seven events remaining on the 2011 schedule. “I’m excited to get back there to Eldora. I feel like we’ve worked on a lot of things this year that have made us better as a team and our cars have gotten better. We just have to race smart, keep digging and hopefully we’ll figure out how to win there.”

Richards has certainly flirted with victory in the World 100, never more so than the 2006 edition when he was in the middle of a frenetic multi-car, late-race battle for the lead. He fell short, however, in what many observers consider one of the most exciting Worlds ever, finishing fourth largely, he said, because he was a green teenager still learning the ropes.

“Man,” said Richards, “every time I look back and watch that race (from ’06), I really feel that with the car we had – and knowing what I know now – we could have won the race. I moved to the bottom and made some moves, but I didn’t stay there like I should’ve. I don’t know if (eventual winner) Earl (Pearson Jr.) saw me or what, but him and everybody else starting moving down there to that little bit of brown and then they kept going right by me.

“I just wasn’t that good at moving down (to run the inside lane) at that point in my career. Not that I’m an expert now or anything, but I just feel like the race experience I have now would’ve made a difference in that race. Knowing your limits, knowing where to put your car to keep the guy behind you from sliding you – that just comes over time.

“I wish I could have that race back,” he added. “But ‘could’ve’ doesn’t count. We just have to go back and get it all done.”

Richards would love to finish the job this weekend – because in the final analysis, this could represent his final stab at the World 100 as a fulltime dirt Late Model driver. He’s currently in the middle of running an 11-race NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule in a Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota and it’s possible that he’ll go pavement racing fulltime in 2012.

“We’ll see what the future brings,” said Richards, whose lone career Eldora victory came in a 2008 American Late Model Series event. “Right now I just want to do everything we can to win the World. With the atmosphere and prestige that race has, winning it would be second-to-none.”

Complete World 100 event and ticket information can be found on the track’s website at www.eldoraspeedway.com.
Additional info on all of the series, sanctioning and member tracks of DIRTcar Racing is available at www.DIRTcar.com.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Rain Washes Out Sunday Night’s ‘Joy Mining Machinery 50’ At Roaring Knob Motorsports Park

MARKLEYSBURG, PA – Sept. 4, 2011 – Heavy rain struck Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex late Sunday afternoon, forcing the cancelation of the evening’s ‘Joy Mining Machinery 50.’

The downpour hit shortly before the drivers’ meeting was scheduled to begin in advance of the first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at the three-eighths-mile oval. With the pit area and racetrack quickly swamped by the deluge and forecasts calling for more rain in the coming hours, officials made the decision to call off the night’s action.

It was the seventh weather-related cancelation or postponement of the 2011 season for the WoO LMS.

Event promoters will discuss the possibility of rescheduling the WoO LMS event this season. If the date is not reset, information concerning refunds for grandstand tickets and pit passes will be posted at www.worldofoutlaws.com.

The WoO LMS will return to action on Sept. 16 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., and Sept. 17 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.
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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster,

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Home State Crowd Cheers Jared Hawkins To $20,000 Victory In ‘Sweet Sixteen’ Finale Of ‘Black Diamond 125’ At Tyler County Speedway

Qualifying Feature Triumphs Worth $10,000 Go To World of Outlaws Rookie Pat Doar & West Virginia’s Steve Shaver

MIDDLEBOURNE, WV – Sept. 3, 2011 – Jared Hawkins lived a fairy tale on Saturday night.

Racing in front of his home-state fans on a track he knows well, the rising young star from Fairmont, W.Va., rolled to the biggest win of his career in the 45-lap ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale of the second annual Black Diamond 125 at Tyler County Speedway.

Hawkins, 25, earned a huge $20,000 paycheck for his victory in the unique World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, which pitted the top-eight finishers from a pair of 40-lap Qualifying Features held earlier in the night. He placed third in the second preliminary (from the 12th starting spot) and then dominated the evening’s headline race after passing Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., for the lead on lap four.

Click here to watch a post-race interview with Hawkins.

The triumph capped a spectacular weekend at the quarter-mile oval for Hawkins, who also scored an $8,000 triumph in Friday night’s 51-lap UFO Series ‘West Virginia State Championship’ event. That stood as the richest win of his seven-year dirt Late Model career – for exactly 24 hours.

“This is unreal,” said Hawkins, who became the 43rd driver to win a WoO LMS A-Main since 2004. “I’m waiting to wake up from this. I’ve dreamed about (winning a major race) my whole life, and to win here in my home state at my favorite track with all these guys here – the 20-grand’s nice, but beating these guys feels so damn good.”

After WoO LMS Rookie of the Year leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., and veteran Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., bagged $10,000 victories in the Qualifying Features, Hawkins seized the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ spotlight. He quickly hustled his Bobby Lake Motorsports Rocket forward from the fourth starting position and was never seriously challenged en route to the checkered flag.

Hawkins did have to deal with a single caution flag – on lap 26 when Davey Johnson of Imperial, Pa., slowed in turn four – but he scarcely missed a beat following the restart. He spent the remainder of the distance maintaining an edge of about one second over Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., who grabbed second from Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., on lap 28.

“I was just trying to protect,” Hawkins said of his steady run to the finish. “I figured at any minute somebody was gonna be rolling by me, so I just tried to run a smooth line. I got a little excited when I saw the two-to-go (signal) and almost threw (the race) away, but I was able to hold on.”

Hawkins was greeted in Victory Lane by his overjoyed car owner Bobby Lake, who in 11 years in the dirt Late Model business had never won a race paying more than $5,000 to win. The West Virginian praised his hired gun.

“I think I got me a gem here,” Lake said of Hawkins, who is in his seventh year behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model but first driving for Lake. “He’s doing a heck of a job.”

Stone, 34, settled for a $6,000 second-place finish in his family-owned car – four years and one day since his memorable upset WoO LMS victory at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. He thought he might have had a shot to battle Hawkins if not for the race’s lone caution flag.

“I think we had a different tire than just about everybody out there and that caution killed us,” said Stone, who started fifth. “Man, that thing was locked to the racetrack before that caution. It was effortless to drive.

“But I’ll tell you what – this is great for these guys,” he continued, gesturing toward the celebrating Hawkins and Lake team. “Hometown guys winning – it couldn’t happen to nicer people.”

Marlar finished third driving a new Rocket car owned by Norman Bryson. Two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., came from 12th to place fourth – and visited his good buddy Hawkins in Victory Lane to offer his congratulations – and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., completed the top five after starting 15th in the 16-car field.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Tim Senic of Elkins, W.Va.; Doar, who started third but wasn’t a factor; Chris Meadows of Crab Orchard, W.Va.; Butch McGill of West Union, W.Va., and Shaver, who pitted on lap 26.

Shaver was flawless in the second Qualifying feature, leading the event from wire-to-wire in the K&L Rumley Rocket car. He survived four caution flags and turned back a late-race bid from Richards to secure the five-figure payday.

Richards, who started sixth, reached second with a lap-22 pass of Stone but couldn’t find a way by Shaver. He crossed the finish line 0.201 of a second behind Shaver.

Hawkins placed third, fading slightly during the second half after appearing primed to glide straight to the front when he needed just 10 laps to move from 12th to fourth. McCreadie was fourth after starting 11th and Stone slipped to fifth at the checkered flag.

The 46-year-old Doar, meanwhile, was the lone driver from outside West Virginia’s borders to crack the winner’s circle during the Black Diamond 125. He pulled off the most dramatic win of the night, outdueling Davey Johnson and Marlar in a tense three-car shootout that had the big crowd howling.

Doar raced off the pole position to lead laps 1-23 before being overtaken by Johnson. The first-year WoO LMS traveler refused to give in, however, and found new life after a lap-30 caution flag, using the high side of the Bullring to regain command on lap 34.

Moments later Marlar, who started fifth but had fallen to seventh when the caution flag flew on lap 30, found a fast way around the outside of the track. He caught Doar and Johnson on lap 36 and for the next three circuits the trio ran three-wide at times for the lead.

The battle was stalled on the final lap when a caution flag was needed for a multi-car tangle in turn three – an incident that occurred directly in front of the on-rushing leaders. Doar had to spin to avoid the crashed machines, but his Mars car sustained only slight rear bodywork damage and he was permitted to restart at the front of the pack because the yellow lights were already on when he slid into the accident scene.

Doar took advantage of the second chance, firing off on the restart to defeat Johnson by 0.145 of a second. Marlar finished a close third, followed by McGill and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.

“We’ve been running all over the country this summer and we’ve run pretty ugly some nights,” said Doar. “Tonight it just went good. I like it here at Tyler County. It’s a pretty big moment for me.”

With 87 cars signed in for the action, Marlar was quickest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 13.306 seconds. It was his second WoO LMS fast-time honor of 2011 and the third of his career.

The results of time trials were used to split the field for the two qualifying-feature programs – odd-numbered qualifiers to the first program, even-numbered timers to the second set of preliminaries.

Heat winners for the first qualifying program were Marlar, Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va., Doar and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. The B-Mains were captured by Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Cody Parker of Zanesville, Ohio.

Heats for the even-numbered time-trialers were claimed by Jacob Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., Stone, Richards and Chris Meadows of Crab Orchard, W.Va. The B-Mains were won by Corey Conley of Wellsburg, W.Va., and Chris Carpenter of Parkersburg, W.Va.

The WoO LMS will complete its Labor Day doubleheader on Sunday night (Sept. 4) at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa. A $10,000 top prize will be on the line in the three-eighths-mile track’s inaugural ‘Joy Mining Machinery 50.’

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Black Diamond 125 Sweet Sixteen Finale’ at Tyler County Speedway – 45 laps (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Jared Hawkins/45 $20,000

2. (5) Dan Stone/45 $6,000

3. (6) Mike Marlar/45 $4,000

4. (12) Josh Richards/45 $3,000

5. (15) Tim McCreadie/45 $2,000

6. (13) Tim Senic/45 $1,800

7. (3) Pat Doar/45 $1,500

8. (7) Chris Meadows/45 $1,400

9. (11) Butch McGill/45 $1,300

10. (10) Steve Shaver/45 $1,200

11. (16) Shane Clanton/44 $1,150

12. (1) Zack Dohm/36 $1,100

13. (2) Chub Frank/32 $1,075

14. (14) Davey Johnson/25 $1,050

15. (8) Darrell Lanigan/24 $1,025

16. (9) Tim Fuller/19 $1,000

Time of Race: 12 Mins., 40.060 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.816 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 26)

Lap Leaders: Frank (1-3); Hawkins (4-45)

Results of WoO Late Model Series Black Diamond 125 Qualifying Feature No. 1 (odd-numbered time-trialers) – 40 laps/Top 8 Transfer to ‘Sweet Sixteen Finale’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Pat Doar/40 $10,500

2. (5) Mike Marlar/40 $3,000

3. (2) Davey Johnson/40 $2,000

4. (9) Butch McGill/40 $1,200

5. (3) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,600

6. (7) Shane Clanton/40 $1,300

7. (10) Tim Senic/40 $700

8. (16) Chub Frank/40 $1,100

9. (4) Rick Williams/40 $1,000

10. (17) Clint Smith/40 $1,500

11. (11) Keith Barbara/40 $1,000

12. (22) Freddie Carpenter/40 $1,000

13. (14) Jonathan Davenport/40 $1,000

14. (12) Mike Benedum/40 $1,000

15. (18) Cody Parker/40 $1,000

16. (13) Donnie Moran/40 $1,000

17. (15) Gregg Satterlee/40 $1,000

18. (21) John Lobb/39 $1,000

19. (23) John Garvin/39 $1,000

20. (8) Tim Dohm/38 $1,000

21. (6) Paul Wilmoth Jr./38 $1,000

22. (19) Austin Hubbard/38 $1,500

23. (20) Dwight Henry/34 $1,000

24. (24) Wayne Maffett Jr./28 $1,000

* Earnings include Winners Circle program

Time of Race: 17 Mins., 40.405 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.145 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 30, 39)

Lap Leaders: Doar (1-23); Johnson (24-33); Doar (34-40)

Provisional Starters: Garvin (WoO); Maffett (track)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 1): Marlar, Williams, McGill, Donnie Moran, Hubbard, Garvin, Devin Moran, Delano, S. Merkel, Armstrong, T. Carpenter

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 1): T. Dohm, Johnson, Senic, Davenport, Smith, Hitt, Lobb, Prosser, Brown, Coffman, Thomas

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 1): Doar, Lanigan, Barbara, Satterlee, Bradsher, S. Wilmoth, Henry, Rogers, Tish, Baumberger, Klepinger

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 1): Clanton, P. Wilmoth, Benedum, Frank, Parker, F. Carpenter, Corbett, R. Conley, Southern, Lily (DNS) Miley

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 1): Smith, Hubbard, Lobb, Devin Moran, Garvin, Hitt, Brown, Delano, S. Merkel, T. Carpenter, Armstrong, Prosser, Coffman, Thomas

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 1): Parker, Henry, F. Carpenter, Corbett, R. Conley, Southern, Tish, Lily, Klepinger, Rogers, S. Wilmoth, Baumgardner (DNS) Bradsher, Miley

Results of WoO Late Model Series Black Diamond 125 Qualifying Feature No. 2 (even-number time-trialers) – 40 laps/Top 8 Transfer to ‘Sweet Sixteen Finale’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Steve Shaver/40 $10,000

2. (6) Josh Richards/40 $3,600

3. (12) Jared Hawkins/40 $2,000

4. (11) Tim McCreadie/40 $1,800

5. (3) Dan Stone/40 $1,000

6. (4) Chris Meadows/40 $800

7. (19) Tim Fuller/40 $1,200

8. (1) Zack Dohm/40 $600

9. (8) Rick Eckert/40 $1,500

10. (9) Devin Friese/40 $1,000

11. (18) Chris Carpenter/40 $1,000

12. (17) Corey Conley/40 $1,000

13. (7) Jacob Hawkins/40 $1,000

14. (16) Jason Covert/40 $1,000

15. (23) Vic Coffey/40 $1,500

16. (10) Steve Weigle/40 $1,000

17. (14) Dusty Hamrick/40 $1,000

18. (13) Harold Redman Jr./39 $1,000

19. (21) Kyle Thomas/23 $1,000

20. (5) Ron Davies/4 $1,500

21. (20) Sonny Conley/4 $1,000

22. (15) Jamie Lathroum/4 $1,000

23. (22) Mark Banal/3 $1,000

24. (24) Steve Wilmoth/3 $1,000

* Earnings include Winners Circle program

Time of Race: 17 Mins., 08.648 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.201 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 0, 4, 4, 29)

Lap Leaders: Shaver (1-40)

Provisional Starters: Coffey (WoO); S. Wilmoth (track)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 2): Jacob Hawkins, Davies, Friese, Redman, Coffey, Brunty, Fuller, Frazier, Cline, Powers, Ferguson

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 2): Stone, Eckert, Weigle, Hamrick, C. Conley, Thomas, K. Merkel, Beck, Sampson, D. Conley, Bostic

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 2): Richards, Shaver, McCreadie, Lathroum, Watts, Mitchell, Maffett, Jeff, Dobnak, Watson, Maloney

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 2): Meadows, Z. Dohm, Jared Hawkins, Covert, C. Carpenter, Banal, S. Conley, Dodd, Wilbin, Clevenger

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 2): C. Conley, Fuller, Thomas, Cline, Brunty, K. Merkel, Beck, Powers, Frazier, Sampson, Ferguson, D. Conley (DQ) Coffey (DNS) Bostic

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer to Qualifying Feature No. 2): C. Carpenter, S. Conley, Banal, Jett, Watts, Wilbin, Watson, Maffett, Dobnak, Mitchell, Maloney, Clevenger (DNS) Dodd

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 5B-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 13.306

2. 28R-Harold Redman Jr./Cross Lanes, WV 13.427

3. s2-Tim Senic/Elkins, WV 13.436
4. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.506

5. 17B-Keith Barbara/South Park, PA 13.507

6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 13.520

7. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 13.538

8. 33-Chris Meadows/Crab Orchard, WV 13.584

9. 99M-Devin Moran/Dresden, OH 13.589

10. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, OH 13.597

11. 1J-Davey Johnson/Latrobe, PA 13.617

12. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 13.627

13. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 13.639

14. 6s-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 13.642

15. B1-Paul Wilmoth Jr./Clarksburg, WV 13.646

16. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 13.652

17. 12W-Rick Williams/Beckley, WV 13.653

18. 20H-Jacob Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 13.696

19. 6T-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 13.705

20. 14-Corey Conley/Wellsburg, WV 13.710

21. 32-Greg Baumberger/Jacksonburg, OH 13.722

22. 39-Tim McCeadie/Watertown, NY 13.760

23. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 13.764

24. 17z-Zack Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 13.766

25. 1MC-Butch McGill/West Union, WV 13.782

26. 30-Josh Brunty/Beckley, WV 13.792

27. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.793

28. 117-Kyle Merkel/Gilbertsville, PA 13.798

29. s1-Steve Wilmoth/Clarksburg, WV 13.809

30. 6L-Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD 13.813

31. 25B-Mike Benedum/Salem, WV 13.813

32. 18CC-Chris Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 13.819

33. 0d-Ron Delano Jr./Stoystown, PA 13.826

34. 4c-D.J. Cline/St. Clairsville, OH 13.831

35. 54-Billy Brown/Clarksburg, WV 13.843

36. 75-Steve Weigle/Middlebourne, WV 13.856

37. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.861

38. 88M-Charley Maloney/Belmont, OH 13.884

39. C4-Freddie Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 13.886

40. 5*-Mark Banal/St. Clairsville, OH 13.889

41. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 13.891

42. 0F-Richard Frazier/Mt. Claire, WV 13.893

43. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 13.897

44. X-Dusty Hamrick/Clarksburg, WV 13.902

45. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 13.902

46. 04-David Watts/Buchanan, VA 13.918

47. 63-Cody Parker/Zanesville, OH 13.920

48. 1X1-Sonny Conley/New Martinsville, WV 13.940

49. J4-John Garvin/Sarver, PA 13.955

50. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 13.957

51. 2*-Shane Hitt/Buchannon, WV 13.964

52. 57T-Kyle Thomas/Pennsboro, WV 14.002

53. 93-Donald Bradsher/Burlington, NC 14.009

54. 18d-Danny Mitchell/Clarksburg, WV 14.022

55. 18RC-Rick Conley Jr./Wellsburg, WV 14.043

56. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 14.047

57. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.083

58. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.121

59. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 14.224

60. 91-Tommy Beck/Jeanette, PA 14.246

61. 60-Dwight Henry/Marietta, OH 14.259

62. 42b-Matt Dobnak/W. Mifflin, PA 14.266

63. 45-Nick Corbett/Waverly, WV 14.268

64. 12d-Doug Dodd/Cambridge, OH 14.293

65. 21A-Rick Armstrong/Bloomingdale, OH 14.313

66. 50-L.C. Powers/Mt. Morris, PA 14.319

67. 88c-Josh Coffman/Grafton, WV 14.347

68. 24R-Robbie Bostic/Kenna, WV 14.361

69. 23R-Derek Rogers/Spelter, WV 14.430

70. 137-Shawn Jett/Pennsboro, WV 14.458

71. K2-Kris Southern/Janelew, WV 14.530

72. 64-Marshall Wilbin/Charleston, WV 14.544

73. 28c-Tyler Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 14.456

74. 4M-Melvin Ferguson/Proctor, WV 14.551

75. 7JR-Danny Thomas/Middlebourne, WV 14.566

76. 12s-Tracie Sampson/Lumberport, WV 14.726

77. 77T-Keith Tish/Millersburg, OH 14.750

78. 51-John Watson/Middlebourne, WV 14.835

79. 17L-Jeff Lily/Beckley, WV 14.946

80. 2P-Ron Clevenger/Clarksburg, WV 15.009

81. 118M-Sean Merkel/Pottstown, PA 15.088

82. 12F-Devin Friese/Chambersburg, PA 15.104

83. 77-Joel Prosser/New Martinsville, WV 15.293

84. 57C-Don Conley/Navarre, OH 15.732

85. 28-Tom Klepinger/Salem, WV 16.398

86. 40-Wayne Maffett Jr./Mansfield, OH 14.298 (DQ – light)

87. H1-Jared Miley/South Park, PA N/T

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 3 – 27 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3730

2. Josh Richards 3702 (-28)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3610 (-120)

4. Tim McCreadie 3532 (-198)

5. Chub Frank 3452 (-278)

6. Shane Clanton 3442 (-288)

7. Austin Hubbard 3432 (-298)

8. Clint Smith 3414 (-316)

9. Vic Coffey 3290 (-440)

10. Tim Fuller 3286 (-444)

11. Pat Doar 3184 (-546)

12. Ron Davies 3040 (-690)

13. John Lobb 2902 (-828)

14. Jill George 2122 (-1608)

15. Jason Feger 1552 (-2178)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 5,000 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Defending Champ Schlenk Finally Catches & Passes Unzicker For Late Model National Points Lead

CONCORD, NC – Sept. 2, 2011 – Rusty Schlenk’s relentless march to the top of the DIRTcar UMP Late Model national points standings is now complete, but his ultimate mission is far from accomplished.

The circuit’s defending national champion finally caught and passed Ryan Unzicker for the 2011 points lead last weekend, putting him in prime position to repeat as the title battle heads into its deciding final month of competition.

Schlenk, 25, of Jackson, Mich., got off to a slow start this season, but the full-fender owner-operator has been slowly-but-surely moving up in the points standings with each week’s results. He reached second place behind El Paso, Ill.’s Unzicker one month ago and last weekend overtook the longtime points leader, parlaying a runner-up finish on Aug. 26 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway and a victory (his 16th of 2011) on Aug. 27 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio, into the catbird’s seat.

Unzicker, 28, won the Aug. 26 feature at Kankakee, giving him 12 UMP-sanctioned triumphs in ’11. But that was his only points-earning event in four starts during Week 31, allowing Schlenk to make his move and grab a nine-point edge (2,407-2,398) in the standings.

The DIRTcar UMP Late Model points battle is determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights. Unzicker reached the 35-race plateau several weeks before Schlenk.

Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, is also in the thick of the Late Model points battle. A 14-time winner this season after scoring back-to-back victories last weekend on Aug. 26 at Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway and Aug. 27 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park, he sits third in the standings, 29 points behind Schlenk and 20 behind Unzicker.

Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., meanwhile, heads into the Labor Day weekend of action leading the DIRTcar UMP Modified national points standings.

Coming off a weekend that saw him score his 21st win of 2011 on Aug. 25 at Highland (Ill.) Speedway, Harrison holds a 22-point advantage (1,898-1,876) over Michael Long of Quincy, Ill. Long is the division’s hottest driver after running his winning streak to seven with triumphs last weekend on Aug. 26 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., and Aug. 27 at Quincy (Ill.) Raceways.

The top five in the UMP Modified national standings are separated by just 74 points. Todd Sherman of Churubusco, Ind., is third (65 points behind Harrison), followed by Ray Bollinger of Kewanee, Ill. (-69) and Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind. (-75).

Other divisional national points leaders through Week 31 are Dustin Griffin of Camp Point, Ill. (Pro Late Models); Troy Clark of North Vernon, Ind. (Sportsman); Mark Anderson of Canton, Ill. (Limited Modifieds); Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars); Dennis Bringedahl of Twin Lake, Mich. (Factory Stocks); and Kenny Butterfield of Glassford, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of Aug. 29, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Rusty Schlenk 35 2407

2. Ryan Unzicker 35 2398

3. Jon Henry 35 2378

4. Brandon Sheppard 35 2274

5. Brandon Thirlby 35 2251

6. Jason Feger 35 2170

7. Shannon Babb 32 2133

8. Bobby Pierce 35 2061

9. Mike Spatola III 35 2056

10. Eric Spangler 33 2015

11. Randy Korte 35 1975

12. Mike Provenzano 34 1946

13. Mark Voigt 35 1926

14. Scott Schmitt 35 1909

15. Eric Smith 32 1904

16. Dennis Erb Jr. 35 1892

17. Brian Ruhlman 35 1887

18. Dillan White 35 1822

19. Mike Hammerle 35 1821

20. Steve Lance Jr. 31 1810

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1898

2. Michael Long 25 1876

3. Todd Sherman 25 1833

4. Ray Bollinger 25 1829

5. Nick Allen 25 1824

6. Scott Weber 25 1797

7. Jacob Poel 25 1793

7. Jamie Lomax 25 1793

9. Clayton Miller 25 1779

10. Tim Hancock 25 1754

11. Jeff Leka 25 1746

12. Danny Crane 25 1743

13. Brian Lynn 25 1734

14. Dean Hoffman 25 1731

15. Randle Sweeney 25 1727

16. Doug Adkins 25 1721

17. Mark Anderson 25 1720

18. John DeMoss 25 1707

19. Clint Demoss 25 1674

20. Trent Young 25 1672

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dustin Griffin 20 1495

2. Nick Bauman 20 1460

3. Mark Oller 20 1400

4. Credence Mott 20 1387

5. Clayton Miller 20 1380

6. Jerry Lierly 20 1370

7. Bobby Martintoni 20 1290

8. Brad Denney 20 1285

8. Evan Fink 20 1285

10. Randy Myers 20 1280

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Troy Clark 20 1436

2. Jeremy Hines 20 1423

3. Dan Flessner 20 1419

4. Dave Crawley Jr. 20 1358

5. Chris Hillman 20 1282

6. Nick Macklin 19 1270

7. Joey Ladouceur 19 1267

8. Stephane Lemire 20 1233

9. Joel Funk 20 1199

10. Steve Hollars 20 1196

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mark Anderson 20 1362

2. Todd Bates 20 1358

3. Haley Westerfield 20 1156

4. Jeff Lawson 20 1131

5. Christopher Geary 20 1065

6. John Wyble 19 1048

7. Clay Settles 20 1012

8. Johnny Holden 19 983

9. Josh Smith 17 917

10. Billy Hawes 19 916

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nate Zimmer 20 1477

2. John Farris 20 1470

3. Mike Hodges 20 1455

4. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1450

5. Derek Poland 20 1381

6. Dan Dykman 20 1376

7. Joel Funk 20 1369

8. Andrew Funk 20 1366

9. Darrel Dick 20 1356

10. Joeseph Hamm 20 1348

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dennis Bringedahl 20 1376

2. Rob Sternberg 20 1351

3. Jake Hewitt 20 1320

4. Mark Farber 20 1266

5. Dan Wilson 20 1222

6. Jeff Buss 20 1109

7. Ben Welch 20 1083

8. Tom Hughes 17 1079

9. TJ Eilers 20 1046

10. Mike Epplett 20 1044

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Kenny Butterfield 20 1506

2. Rob Shaw 20 1479

3. Matt Maier 20 1476

4. Paul Namey 20 1439

5. Trevor Isaak 20 1426

6. Jacob Rexing 20 1425

7. Earl Pryor 20 1396

8. Bradley McGhee 20 1349

9. Jordan Suhre 20 1340

10. Blayne Ellis 20 1323

Contact: World Racing Group
Chris Dolack, VP Media/PR
704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com

SPEED to Air 51st Goodyear Knoxville Nationals at Noon Sunday

Emotions high as World of Outlaws invade Sprint Car racing’s biggest event

CONCORD, N.C. - Sept. 2, 2011 - The World of Outlaws 51st Goodyear Knoxville Nationals was full of drama from the first night of qualifying to the $150,000 checkered flag, and through it all SPEED captured the emotion of Sprint Car racing's biggest week, showcasing what Knoxville means to every competitor and now bringing it to the fans at Noon on Sunday, Sept. 4, in a two-hour special broadcast.

Daring passes and scary crashes led to heartbreaking moments and pure jubilation at the million-dollar event. Hall of Fame racers try to come through the storied alphabet from the E-main to the A-main for one more shot at glory while rising stars battle for their place on center stage. Some will make it, some will be left to wonder what might have been. See it all Sunday, exclusively on SPEED.

(CLICK TO SEE SPEED'S GOODYEAR KNOXVILLE NATIONALS PREVIEW)

The HD broadcast with Ralph Sheheen calling the action, Brad Doty providing unparalleled expertise and Bobby Gerould and Tony Bokhoven delivering all of the stories from the pits details Sprint Car racing's biggest week of the year.

The two-hour show begins at Noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific Sunday on SPEED. Click here for a link to upcoming World of Outlaws broadcasts on SPEED.

For more on the World of Outlaws, click WorldofOutlaws.com , follow the Outlaws on Twitter @WorldofOutlaws or click to find the Outlaws on Facebook at WorldRacing .

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Chizmark & Larson Insurance, Factory Motor Parts, VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel); in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, RacingJunk.com KSE Race Products, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and R2C Performance; Engine Builder's Challenge participants Don Ott Racing Engines, Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines; and Chassis Builder's Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Jason Covert On The Joy Mining Machinery 50 Sunday (Sept. 4) At Roaring Knob: It’s Shaping Up As ‘One Of The Best Races Of The Year’

Regional Star Says First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Visit To Pennsy Track Is A Can’t-Miss Event

MARKLEYSBURG, PA – Sept. 1, 2011 – Jason Covert has a pretty straightforward message for any fan contemplating a visit to Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex for the ‘Joy Mining Machinery 50’ this Sunday night (Sept. 4).

Don’t miss it!

“It’s gonna be one of the best races of the year,” the regional dirt Late Model standout said of the first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at the three-eighths-mile oval. “I guarantee it.”

Covert, 40, of York Haven, Pa., isn’t speaking in hyperbole when he talks up Roaring Knob’s $10,000-to-win holiday-weekend spectacular. He’s well qualified to praise the western Pennsylvania track – after all, he’s been running special events there since 2006 and has won five times, including a Three-State Flyers Series event less than three weeks ago.

A personable driver who is considered one of the top threats to upset the World of Outlaws stars when the national tour invades facilities in and around his native Keystone State, Covert is ecstatic that the series is headed to a speedway he ranks as one of his favorites.

“It’s an awesome racetrack,” said Covert, who lives just over three hours to the east of Roaring Knob. “As far as just plain racing, it’s one of the best racetracks I’ve ever been to. If your car’s good, you can go to the front. There’s plenty of room and you can run all over it.

“I’ve won races there on the bottom (groove) and I’ve won races with the right side of the car dragging the (outside) guardrail all the way around. When you can do that, you know it’s a fun place.”

Everything about Roaring Knob appeals to Covert – its unique D-shape (“Once you turn into one you never really stop turning until you get back over through three and four”), its picturesque location in the hills near the Pennsylvania/Maryland border (“I grew up in the mountains so it’s kind of like going home for me”), its atmosphere (“People sit in their chairs on the grass or watch the race from their cars on the side of the hill”), its staff (“You get treated right”). In case you haven’t figured it out, he’s an unabashed proponent of the track.

“We love going there,” said Covert, who won twice at Roaring Knob in 2010. “I’m just tickled that the Outlaws got a show there. I think it will be huge.”

Roaring Knob also happens to be a speedway where Covert probably has a better than average chance to break through for his coveted first career WoO LMS A-Main triumph. He counts it as one of stronger tracks – a fact he proved earlier this year when he went toe-to-toe for first place in the Knob’s Appalachian Mountain Speedweek event with World of Outlaws regulars Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.

“That Speedweek race was Josh, me and Austin racing up front until Austin got a flat tire,” said Covert, who finished second behind Richards, the two-time defending WoO LMS champion, in the June 6 race. “The three of us were just absolutely having at it. Josh just whipped us in the end, but it was a ball running with them and gives us some confidence for the Outlaw show.”

A three-time title-holder with the defunct Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) and the defending champ and current points leader of the Three-State Flyers Series, Covert has been in contention for World of Outlaws glory in the past. He has eight top-five finishes in 23 A-Main starts since 2005; a runner-up finish on June 2, 2007, at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway is his career high.

“We’ve had some good Outlaw runs, but I’ve laid eggs in Outlaw shows too,” said Covert, who has four WoO LMS top-fives at Hagerstown, two at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., and one each at Virginia Motor Speedway and Delaware International Speedway. “Roaring Knob is a place I feel that we can go and at least be at ‘Outlaw pace.’ This is going to be a good measuring stick for us.”

Covert, who has driven Pennsylvanian Barry Klinedinst’s Rocket No. 43A since 2006, understands the supreme challenge facing him at Roaring Knob. While he may be a top regional racer, he must pick up his game to an even higher level to defeat the Outlaws.

“I feel our equipment’s as good as Outlaw equipment, but the guys are Outlaws because they’re the best,” said Covert, who has made three WoO LMS A-Main starts this season with a best finish of fifth (at Delaware International on May 12) to his credit. “Josh, (Darrell) Lanigan, (points leader Rick) Eckert, (Tim) McCreadie, all the Outlaws – they’re there because they’re the best at what they do. Not all of those guys are gonna have a bad night at the same time, which kind of tells you how hard it is to beat them.

“I feel like we can run with them from time to time, but their consistency is what makes them so good. They’re gonna be fast in all conditions. They’re not gonna fall off because, well, the track’s a little bit wetter or a little bit drier than usual. They adjust to things, they drive better, they know how to do their tires better, they know what they want with their shocks and their car, they’ve seen all the conditions they can see, and they’ve got more experience. This is a tough sport to begin with, then to try and beat professionals at it – it’s like a high school team going up against an NFL team. It just kind of leaves you speechless thinking about it.”

But as Covert certainly knows, the Outlaws aren’t unbeatable. He’s seen three of his Pennsylvania/Maryland contemporaries – Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., and Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, Md. – pull off upset victories in WoO LMS events and the significance of their accomplishments is not lost on him.

“When Stoney (Dan Stone) won (at Pennsy’s Tri-City on Sept. 3, 2007), we were driving home from Portsmouth (Ohio) that night after winning a $10,000 MACS race,” recalled Covert. ‘When we heard that Stoney won we were almost happier for him than we were for ourselves. We were like, ‘Stoney beat the Outlaws!’ We were just tickled to death for him – and we just off winning 10-grand!

“If we can’t win, we always love to see a regional guy win an Outlaw show. We race the other regional guys so hard all year that we kind of become fans of them ourselves, so if one of us is lucky enough to win an Outlaw show it’s a big deal.

“Hey, I know what it’s like to win a national race,” added Covert, who has captured a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event. “It makes you feel legitimate, like maybe you can live the dream a little a bit – like if you could, you would go out there and run fulltime.”

No, Covert won’t be hitting the road with the World of Outlaws. He’s married with two kids and makes his living working for Verizon as the on-site phone and fiber-optics technician at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Londonderry Township, Pa., so a regional Weekend Warrior is what he will stay.

Covert would just like to join that select group of hobby racers with a WoO LMS victory under their belt.

“We’re gonna give ‘er heck,” said Covert, who has nine feature wins this season. “We’re not gonna back down. We’re there for a reason, and that’s to try and win the race. It won’t be easy, but if everything goes our way maybe we can pull it off.”

Sunday’s historic WoO LMS event at Roaring Knob carries title sponsorship from Joy Mining Machinery, the Warrendale, Pa.-based manufacturer of surface and underground mining machinery that has entered the motorsports scene this season as the sponsor of Josh Richards’s debut with Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Richards, who enters this weekend’s WoO LMS doubleheader at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. (Black Diamond 125 on Sat., Sept. 3) and Roaring Knob trailing Eckert by 28 points in the tour standings, is scheduled to drive Busch’s Toyota in Friday night’s Truck Series event at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m., time trials are set to begin at 7 p.m. and racing will get the green flag at 7:30 p.m. Roaring Knob’s FASTRAK crate Late Models will also be in action in a $1,000-to-win event on Sunday night.

Tickets for the Joy Mining Machinery 50 are $30 for general admission, with kids 10-and-under admitted free of charge with a paying adult. Pit passes will be $40.

More details are available by logging on to www.RoaringKnob.com.

Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex is located near the Pennsylvania/Maryland border along Route 40, just southeast of Uniontown, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

ABOUT JOY MINING MACHINERY

Joy Mining Machinery has over 90 years of experience as a global leader in the development, manufacture, distribution and service of underground mining machinery for the extraction of coal and other bedded materials. Headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, Joy Mining Machinery employs over 8,000 employees worldwide. For additional information, visit www.joy.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: World Racing Group
Chris Dolack, VP Media/PR
cdolack@dirtcar.com • 704-795-7223

World Racing Group Mourns Passing of Motorsports Writer Jerry Reigle

CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 30, 2011 - The World Racing Group, World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing are saddened to learn of Jerry Reigle's passing today.

An outstanding motorsports journalist with a love for Sprint Car racing, Jerry, 43, had the respect of everybody at World Racing Group for his professional reporting from his time at the Harrisburg Patriot-News to his position as Assistant Editor at Area Auto Racing News.

More than his columns and stories, Jerry was a great friend to many of us at World Racing Group. His opinions were valued, and his efforts to improve motorsports coverage, in particular the coverage of dirt track racing, were highly regarded through his work with the Eastern Motorsports Press Association.

We were first heartbroken and then inspired by his battle against cancer. Despite dire predictions, Jerry was upbeat and positive throughout his fight, never wavering from his stance that he would win. His appearances at our events were always appreciated as much for the stories he would write as for the stories we would share.

"Motorsports journalism lost one of its biggest supporters and contributors this morning in Jerry Reigle," said Chris Dolack, WRG VP of Media/PR. "I was honored to have known him and call him a friend. I respected the way he worked and his unbiased reporting. He did things the right way and I can't offer any higher praise than that. Even knowing him and his spirit, I was amazed how positive he remained while fighting cancer, and I'm glad he can now put down his pen and rest. He will be greatly missed."

Details of a Celebration of Life for Jerry are being finalized. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111 or the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, PO Box 688, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
Word of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Preview: ‘Black Diamond 125’ This Saturday Night (Sept. 3) At Tyler County Speedway

One Driver Can Pocket $30,000 In First-Place Cash During Saturday’s Action At West Virginia Quarter-Mile

MIDDLEBOURNE, WV – Aug. 29, 2011 –

CAN’T MISS THIS: The ‘Black Diamond 125’ this Saturday night (Sept. 3) at Tyler County Speedway hasn’t been dubbed “Dirt Racing’s Newest and Coolest Crown Jewel” for nothing.

With a unique split-field, three-feature format that spreads the wealth to race teams and provides fans incredible bang for their buck...with Saturday’s program alone giving one competitor a chance to ride off with $30,000 in first-place winnings...with more than 135 drivers entered as of Monday afternoon...with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series banner flying over the event for the first time...with an action-packed, quarter-mile ‘Bullring’ serving as the venue – yes, it’s easy to see why the second annual Labor Day weekend spectacular is one of the most anticipated shows on the 2011 dirt Late Model calendar.

“The ‘Black Diamond 125’ is shaping up to be an unbelievable event,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman, who last month signed a deal with Circle Track Management Group’s Frank Wilson to add World of Outlaws sanction to the fast-growing, big-money race. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of a weekend that offers such a lucrative payoff for the teams and so much excitement for the fans. There’s a buzz around the ‘Black Diamond’ that puts it in rarified air.”

A total of over $157,000 will be on the line for Super Late Model competitors during Tyler County’s ‘Black Diamond 125’ weekend, which includes the 51-lap, $8,000-to-win ‘West Virginia State Championship’ for the UFO Series on Fri., Sept. 2. Practice for Late Model teams will also be held on Thurs., Sept. 1, as part of the weekend’s opening night action that features support-division racing.

Saturday, of course, is the anchor of the weekend. The ‘Black Diamond 125’ field will be split into two groups following Ohlins Shocks Time Trials (odd-numbered qualifiers in one group, evens in the other) and a full racing program – 15-lap heats, 15-lap B-Mains and 24-car, 40-lap preliminary A-Mains paying $10,000 to win – will be run for each. The top-eight finishers in each preliminary feature will move on to the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale, a 45-lap showdown that offers a gargantuan $20,000 first-place prize.

Each 40-lap preliminary feature and the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale boasts a full purse, including cool $1,000 payoffs for last place. Forty-eight drivers are guaranteed to earn at least $1,000.

The Sweet Sixteen’ race will carry even more significance than it did during the inaugural ‘Black Diamond’ weekend in 2010. After last year’s program featured a winner-take-all, $10,000-to-win ‘Sweet Sixteen’ event following preliminary A-Mains that paid $20,000 to win each, track officials have assured fans a dramatic weekend-ending battle by not only making the 45-lap finale Saturday’s highest-paying race but also posting a solid payoff for every finishing position.

Click here to view the latest pre-entry list for the ‘Black Diamond 125.’

STREAKING MOUNTAINEER: The hottest driver on the WoO LMS entering Saturday’s action happens to be someone who would count a ‘Black Diamond’ victory as one of the most cherished of his career – and not merely because of the event’s huge payoff.

A checkered flag at Tyler County would have special sentimental value for two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards, who has won three of the last four tour A-Mains. The 23-year-old sensation, after all, hails from Shinnston, W.Va., but he’s still never won a dirt Late Model feature of any kind in his home state.

“It’s cool to run a big World of Outlaws show in West Virginia,” said Richards, whose seven triumphs on this year’s series places him in a tie with Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., for top-winner status. “I’ve never really had too many chances to run in West Virginia during my career, so I’m looking forward to Tyler County. It would mean a lot to win a race like that so close to home.”

While the Tyler County oval is just a little over an hour’s drive from Richards’s residence, he’s made only two career starts there. He finished 12 th in the 2004 Hillbilly 100 during his first season of dirt Late Model racing and placed sixth in the track’s lone previous WoO LMS event, a 40-lapper on May 31, 2009.

“I’ve watched a lot of races there though,” said Richards, who often visited Tyler County as a teenager to serve as a crewman for his uncle, Robbie Scott. “It’s definitely a unique racetrack. It’s a racer’s racetrack. It’s not the prettiest place and it’s only a quarter-mile, but the racing there is hard.

“It’s a great place to go if you like racing – and it’s definitely a track that I like racing at.”

Richards sits second in the current WoO LMS points standings, trailing Rick Eckert of York, Pa., by just 28 points after cutting Eckert’s edge in half during the tour’s Michigan doubleheader on Aug. 19-20. But there will be no change in the points battle at Tyler County; the ‘Black Diamond 125’ offers only show-up points because it does not follow the normal series format.

RECORD IN SIGHT: Darrell Lanigan’s hopes of a 2011 WoO LMS championship might be flickering (he’s 120 points behind Eckert in third place), but there’s still one headline-grabbing feat well within his reach: the tour’s single-season win record.

Both Lanigan and Richards are just two wins away from matching Scott Bloomquist’s 2004 standard of nine WoO LMS victories. The two close friends have scrawled their names all over the ’11 season, combining to win 14 of the tour’s 26 A-Mains to date, including seven of the last eight.

anigan’s last start at Tyler County, in the ’09 WoO LMS event, resulted in a fifth-place finish.

VETERAN WINNERS: WoO LMS stalwarts Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., would like to relive old times at Tyler County this Saturday night. Both drivers won the Hillbilly 100 when it was run at the Mountain State track – Frank in 2003, and Smith in 2005.

Frank, 49, heads into this weekend’s action riding a frustrating 76-race winless streak on the WoO LMS (his last victory came on Aug. 22, 2009, at Ohio’s K-C Raceway), but he’s fifth in the current points standings and is coming off a win in last Friday night’s weekly DIRTcar UMP Late Model feature at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. He set fast time and finished 10th in the 2009 WoO LMS event at Tyler County.

The 46-year-old Smith, who finished 20th in his last appearance at Tyler County (’09 WoO LMS), also enters the ‘Black Diamond 125’ on a winning note. Last Saturday night he made a triumphant return to his hometown’s New Senoia Speedway after a 25-year absence, driving Laddie Fulcher’s No. 29 Limited Late Model to victory in the finale of the Senoia Summer Nationals II Weekend.

CHASIN’ CASH: Rick Eckert doesn’t have to worry about protecting his WoO LMS points lead during the ‘Black Diamond 125’ festivities (all entrants will receive 60 show-up points), so he’ll have just one thing on his mind: padding his bank account.

A big night at Tyler County could provide a welcome late-season boost for Eckert, who is chasing his first-ever WoO LMS title with his own racing equipment. He’s craving a return to Victory Lane – since his last series win, on May 12 at Delaware International Speedway, he’s registered six runner-up finishes.

Eckert, 46, has visited Tyler County just once over the past seven years, finishing 14th in the ’09 WoO LMS event.

IS THERE MAGIC IN HIS CAR?: Nineteen-year-old WoO LMS standout Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., has never competed at Tyler County, but his car owner, Dale Beitler, knows what it feels like to reach Victory Lane at the ‘Bullring.’

In the track’s 2009 WoO LMS event, Beitler watched his familiar blue-and-white No. 19 flash under the checkered flag first with Steve Francis behind the wheel.

BACK FOR MORE: Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., is the only ’11 WoO LMS regular who entered last year’s inaugural Black Diamond 125, which drew a 77-car field. He finished 18th in the second preliminary feature (50 laps in ’10), missing the cut for the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale that was run over the 25-lap distance.

The 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year also competed in the tour’s ’09 event at Tyler County, finishing 15th. He enters this weekend’s action still seeking his first career series win after 105 A-Main starts.

ONE-TIMERS, FIRST-TIMERS: Four WoO LMS regulars will make their second career starts at Tyler County – Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (2005 Hillbilly 100 his only previous appearance); Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (seventh in ’09 WoO LMS event); Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. (ninth in ’09 WoO LMS); and Rookie of the Year contender Ron Davies of Warren, Pa. (he remembers running there once about a decade ago).

Travelers who will attack Tyler County for the first time are rookies Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

SUPERMAN: Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., made a mark on last year’s Black Diamond 125, finishing third in the first preliminary feature and then charging forward from the 10th starting spot in the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ shootout to capture the $10,000 top prize.

The 27-year-old is planning a return to Tyler County with the Barry Wright house car team. He has four top-five finishes in nine WoO LMS A-Main starts this season.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Dirt Late Model superstar Donnie Moran or Dresden, Ohio, and his teenage son Devin plan to enter the Black Diamond 125 for the second consecutive year.

Donnie, of course, would love to repeat his 2010 effort; he won the first of the 50-lap preliminary features for a $20,000 payday and finished fifth in the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale. Devin, meanwhile, hopes to improve upon his 22nd-place finish in last year’s second preliminary feature.

HOME STATE HOPEFULS: Richards is just one of dozens of West Virginia drivers who will aim to keep the Black Diamond 125 money from leaving the state.

The group includes Steve Shaver of Vienna, who earlier this year won the WoO LMS Commonwealth 100 at Virginia Motor Speedway; Paul Wilmoth Jr. of Clarksburg, who scored a WoO LMS career-best finish of fourth in Tyler County’s ’09 tour event; Steve Wilmoth of Clarksburg, whose car will sport a special graphics scheme honoring the 29 coal miners killed in the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine disaster near Montcoal, W.Va.; brothers Jared and Jacob Hawkins, both of Fairmont; the father-son combo of Tim and Zack Dohm of Cross Lanes; Chuck Harper of Beverly; Butch McGill of West Union; Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes; Corey Conley of Wellsburg; Robbie Scott of Shinnston; and Mike Benedum of Bristol.

KEYSTONE STATE INVADERS: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be well represented at Tyler County with expected appearances by Jason Covert of York Haven, a 10-time feature winner across the region this season; Devin Friese of Chambersburg, who was in contention for a Black Diamond preliminary feature win last year before tangling with Jimmy Mars; Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., who has a 2007 WoO LMS victory at Pennsylvania’s Tri-City Speedway under his belt; Gregg Satterlee of New Richmond; Alex Ferree of Saxonburg; Ron Delano Jr. of Stoystown; Keith Barbara of South Park; Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg; and Jared Miley of South Park.

SATURDAY SKED: Tyler County’s pit gates will open at 2 p.m. and the grandstands will be unlocked at 3 p.m.

The remainder of Saturday’s schedule of events includes driver registration/qualifying pill draw from 3-6:30 p.m., drivers’ meeting at 6:30 p.m. and hot laps at 6:45 p.m., followed by WoO LMS Ohlins Shocks Time Trials; track prep and opening ceremonies; two sets of WoO LMS heat races and heats for the TSMA Modifieds; B-Mains for the WoO LMS and TSMA Modifieds; the pair of 40-lap WoO LMS Qualifying features; a redraw of the top-eight finishers from each feature to determine the lineup for the 45-lap ‘Sweet 16’ finale; the 30-lap TSMA Modified West Virginia State Championship (30 minute time limit); and the $20,000-to-win ‘Sweet 16’ event.

THE UNDERCARD: The weekend will kick off on Thurs., Sept. 1, with a complete show for the TSMA Modifieds and STARS Modified Lites and prelims for the Hot-Mods and 4-Cylinders. On ‘Black Lightning Thursday’ gates will open at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands), with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and opening ceremonies commencing at 7:15 p.m.

‘Black Gold Friday’ – Fri., Sept. 2 – will feature the UFO Series West Virginia State Championship, a 51-lap, $8,000-to-win event that gives the full-fender teams an opportunity to tune up for the Black Diamond 125. Also on the card will be the FASTRACK Northeast Touring Series Late Models vying for $3,000 to win; another complete show of STARS Modified Lites; and the West Virginia State Championship features in the Hot-Mod and 4-Cylinder divisions.

Gates will open on Friday at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands). Hot laps are scheduled to get the green flag at 6:30 p.m. and opening ceremonies are set to begin at 7:15 p.m.

OFF-TRACK FUN: The Black Diamond 125 weekend will be filled with extracurricular activities. Some of the highlights:

* The ‘2011 Black Diamond Launch Party’ following Thursday night’s racing program will feature an appearance of the official Girls Gone Wild party bus and D.J. (as seen on T.V.). The nationally-known entertainment brand will help welcome fans to the speedway as part of its cross-country ‘Search for the Hottest Girl in the USA.’

* Mike Martin of Think Pink Motorsports will provide D.J. entertainment that rocks the hills of West Virginia after the Friday and Saturday night action.

* A driver autograph session is slated to begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

GET YOUR TICKETS: Discount three-day tickets for the event can be purchased in advanced for $50 (general admission) and $60 (pits). Three-day tickets for children ages 7-12 are $15, and reserved seats in the top four rows of bleachers are available by adding $5 per seat to any ticket (grandstand/child/pit).

Tickets may be purchased online at www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com or by phone at 304-758-2660 or 304-665-1118.

At the gate during race weekend three-day general admission tickets will be $55 for adults and $15 for children ages. Weekend pit passes will cost $65.

Individual tickets will be available at the gate as well. General admission is $10 on Thursday, $25 on Friday and $35 on Saturday.

THE TRACK: Tyler County Speedway is located at the Tyler County Fairgrounds, three miles south of Middlebourne, W.Va., on State Route 18. The track sits 18 miles east of the Ohio River; halfway between Parkersburg, W.Va., to the south and Wheeling, W.Va., to the north; two hours from Pittsburgh and Charleston, W.Va.; and three hours from Columbus, Ohio.

INFO: Log on to www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com or www.blackdiamond125.com. To stay up to date with the latest-breaking Black Diamond 125 news via Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/blackdiamondwv.

ONE MORE SHOW: The WoO LMS will close out the Labor Day weekend on Sunday evening (Sept. 4) with the running of the ‘Workforce 50’ at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Brady Smith Sweeps To Victory In First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stop At Michigan’s Merritt Raceway

LAKE CITY, MI – Aug. 20, 2011 – Brady Smith scrawled his name all over Saturday night’s first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Merritt Raceway.

The 34-year-old driver from Solon Springs, Wis., was perfect at the quarter-mile oval, sweeping the program in convincing fashion. He set fast time, won a heat race and dominated the Lane Automotive/All-Star Performance 50 from start-to-finish.

Smith was never seriously challenged en route to his first WoO LMS triumph since Feb. 13, 2010, at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. It was his fourth career triumph overall on the national tour.

“This was our first time here and it couldn’t have gone any better,” said Smith, who earned $10,050 for becoming the 11th different winner in 26 WoO LMS A-Mains this season. “We unloaded pretty fast, set fast time, won the heat, drew the pole and won the feature. That’s a great night.”

Smith pulled off just the second complete sweep of a WoO LMS show in 2011, joining his chassis builder Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who accomplished the hat trick on June 24 in the second Firecracker 100 preliminary program at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.

DIRTcar UMP standouts Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., chased Smith from the second and third positions, respectively, for the entire distance and finished in those spots. Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., started and finished fourth and two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., advanced from the 12th starting spot to place fifth.

Richards, who reached fifth on a lap-39 restart when he slipped underneath Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., fell short of a series-record-tying fourth consecutive win but pulled within striking distance of points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa. Eckert’s season-worst 16th-place finish allowed Richards to slice his deficit in the standings from 50 to 28 points with nine events remaining on the ’11 schedule.

Eckert experienced a rare off night on the ’11 tour, qualifying through a B-Main for the first time since March 19 at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway and finding himself a lap down to Smith on lap 12. A caution flag on lap 13 put him back on the lead lap thanks to the ‘Outlaw Pardon,’ but he was unable to take advantage of the break; after stopping on the track to bring out a caution on lap 23 and then pitting, he ran quietly at the back end of the top 20 and needed the final-lap miscue of Watertown, N.Y.’s Tim McCreadie, who slid off the track in turn four and relinquished 11th place, to salvage 16th.

Smith, who parked alongside Eckert – a fellow member of Bloomquist’s Team Zero chassis campaigners – in the pit area, had no such problems. He built leads of as much as three secondsover Erb during the 50-lapper before ultimately crossing the finish line with an 0.878 of a second margin.

“I didn’t really know what anyone else had for tires, so I was trying to conserve yet still set a good pace,” said Smith, who kicked off his 2011 season with back-to-back runner-up finishes in February’s WoO LMS A-Mains at Volusia. “When I got to (lapped) traffic I thought I was getting through it pretty good, but some yellows certainly didn’t hurt me. They got me open track again.

“Everything worked out for us,” he continued. “With the way we’ve been running our program this year we’re not hitting the road as much as we were and the $10,000 wins are hard to come by. It’s been too long since we’ve had one, so we’re happy to be in World of Outlaws Victory Lane. It’s definitely an honor.”

Erb, 38, was unable to pull his Team Zero by Bloomquist machine close enough to threaten Smith.

“I thought I was gonna start closing on him a little bit when we got into lapped traffic, but then a caution came out and opened it up a little bit again,” said Erb, who recorded his best finish in seven WoO LMS starts this season. “He rolled around there good when he got out in open track. I knew my tires were giving out at the end, so I was just holding on for second.”

Clanton settled for a sixth-place finish after hustling from the ninth starting spot to fifth by lap 24. Eighth-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., climbed as high as fifth before slipping back to seventh at the checkered flag, while Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., placed eighth to move past Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., for ninth in the WoO LMS points standings; Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., finished ninth; and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., who started his career racing Street Stocks at Merritt, rounded out the top 10.

Four caution flags slowed the event, which was run before a near-capacity crowd despite a threat of rain during the afternoon.

Brady Smith paced the 46-car field in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 14.473 seconds. It was his first WoO LMS fast-time honor of 2011 and the sixth of his career.

Heat winners were Brady Smith, Feger, Erb and Frank. The B-Mains were captured by Eric Spangler of Lake City, Mich., and WoO LMS rookie Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis.

Richards kicked off the program with a victory in the 10-lap Merritt Raceway ‘Race of Champions,’ a special event reserved for former WoO LMS and Michigan dirt Late Model champions. He drew the pole position and led the entire distance, beating Lanigan to the checkered flag for a $1,000 bonus.

The WoO LMS is idle until Labor Day weekend when it visits Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., on Sept. 3 for the ‘Black Diamond 125’ and Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., on Sept. 4.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Lane Automotive/All-Star Performance 50’ at Merritt Raceway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Brady Smith/50 $10,050

2. (2) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $5,050

3. (3) Jason Feger/50 $3,050

4. (4) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,225

5. (12) Josh Richards/50 $2,650

6. (9) Shane Clanton/50 $2,250

7. (8) Chub Frank/50 $1,950

8. (10) Vic Coffey/50 $1,850

9. (7) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,750

10. (5) Jeep VanWormer/50 $1,100

11. (15) Clint Smith/50 $1,600

12. (6) Tim Fuller/50 $1,550

13. (18) Pat Doar/50 $1,750

14. (17) Eric Spangler/50 $1,400

15. (11) David Hilliker/50 $850

16. (19) Rick Eckert/50 $1,350

17. (21) Dona Marcoullier/50 $770

18. (16) Ron Davies/50 $1,300

19. (22) Richard Neiser/50 $730

20. (13) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,300

21. (23) John Lobb/39 $700

22. (14) Curtis Roberts/20 $700

23. (24) Jill George/13 $725

24. (25) Bob Hammar/11 $700

25. (20) Jimmy Mars/4 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 25 Mins., 25.498Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.878Secs.

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 13, 23, 39, 39)

Lap Leaders: B. Smith (1-50)

Provisional Starters: Lobb, George (WoO); Hammar (track)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Spangler ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.473

2. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.515

3. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 14.529

4. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.536

5. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.541

6. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.591

7. 21H-David Hilliker/Midland, MI 14.595

8. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.623

9. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.634

10. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.688

11. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.692

12. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.727

13. 27-Eric Spangler/Lake City, MI 14.745

14. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 14.767

15. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.817

16. 91-Adam Thrush/Farwell, MI 14.825

17. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 14.842

18. 9R-Curtis Roberts/Coleman, MI 14.886

19. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.907

20. 87-Joshua Knoll/Lake, MI 14.927

21. 85-Mark Anderson/Blanchard, MI 14.958

22. 0-Kris Patterson Jr./St. Johns, MI 14.958

23. 25b-Chris Brindley/W. Branch, MI 14.997

24. 21s-Tom Sprague Jr./Muskegon, MI 15.021

25. 7-Adam Erickson/Traverse City, MI 15.032

26. 23-Craig Foster/Lake City, MI 15.055

27. 111-Curt Spalding/Hartford, MI 15.059

28. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 15.074

29. 22J-Kevin Jusola/Muskegon, MI 15.078

30. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 15.085

31. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.095

32. 1R-Rail Rokos/Traverse City, MI 15.135

33. 21-Bob Hammar/Boone, MI 15.164

34. 92-Dave DeKam/Felmouth, MI 15.221

35. 3-Jeremy Tulick/Cadillac, MI 15.309

36. 28s-Sammy Epling/Perry, MI 15.336

37. 42-Bruce Vance/Midland, MI 15.368

38. 6M-Dona Marcoullier/Houghton Lake, MI 15.481

39. 87N-Richard Neiser/Fruitport, MI 15.572

40. 73-Steve Nieuwenhuis/Copemish, MI 15.661

41. 8-Keith Gentz/Grant, MI 15.760

42. 29H-Dan Hersey/Traverse City, MI 16.088

43. 18-Merv Hudson/Algier, MI 16.774

44. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 16.984

45. 52x-Brad Harden/Ovid, MI N/T

46. 50-Scott Phillips/Marlette, MI N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): B. Smith, Fuller, Clanton, McCreadie, Spangler, Anderson, Hammar, Jusola, Vance, Gentz, Erickson (DNS) Harden

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Feger, VanWormer, Coffey, Roberts, Eckert, Marcoullier, Lobb, Patterson, Foster, Hersey, Phillips, DeKam

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Erb, Hubbard, Hilliker, C. Smith, Mars, Doar, Neiser, Spalding, Brindley, Hudson, Tulick

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Frank, Lanigan, Richards, Davies, Epling, George, Thrush, Knoll, Rokos, Nieuwenhuis, Sprague

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Spangler, Eckert, Marcoullier, Lobb, Anderson, Jusola, Hammar, DeKam, Hersey, Phillips, Gentz, Patterson, Vance, Erickson, Foster (DNS) Harden

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Doar, Mars, Neiser, Spalding, Epling, George, Knoll, Thrush, Hudson, Rokos, Brindley, Tulick, Nieuwenhuis (DNS) Sprague

Merritt Raceway Race of Champions Finish (10 laps): 1. Josh Richards, 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Eric Spangler, 4. Richard Neiser, 5. Curtis Roberts, 6. Bruce Vance, 7. Adam Thrush, 8. Dona Marcoullier, 9. Sammy Epling, 10. Kevin Jusola, 11. Rail Rokos, 12. Tim McCreadie

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Tom Sprague Jr.

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dona Marcoullier/Pat Doar

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Clint Smith

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): John Lobb

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Jill George

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Brady Smith

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Jason Feger (certificate)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Tim Fuller
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Adam Thrush

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Brady Smith

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 20 – 26 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3670

2. Josh Richards 3642 (-28)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3550 (-120)

4. Tim McCreadie 3472 (-198)

5. Chub Frank 3392 (-278)

6. Shane Clanton 3382 (-288)

7. Austin Hubbard 3372 (-298)

8. Clint Smith 3354 (-316)

9. Vic Coffey 3230 (-440)

10. Tim Fuller 3226 (-444)

11. Pat Doar 3124 (-546)

12. Ron Davies 2980 (-690)

13. John Lobb 2842 (-828)

14. Jill George 2122 (-1548)

15. Jason Feger 1552 (-2118)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Nearly 5,000 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards Rolls To Third Straight World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory Friday At Winston Speedway

West Virginia Star Will Attempt To Tie Tour’s Consecutive Win Record On Saturday Night At Michigan’s Merritt Raceway

ROTHBURY, MI – Aug. 19, 2011 – Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., rolled to his third straight victory on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, dominating Friday night’s inaugural ‘Keyser Manufacturing 50’ before a standing-room-only crowd at Winston Speedway.

The two-time defending series champion made short work of the field, vaulting forward from the fifth starting spot to grab the lead from Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., on lap 14. He wasn’t challenged the remainder of the distance en route to a triumph worth $10,875.

Richards, 23, beat Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, to the finish line by a commanding 4.213-second margin for his seventh win of the 2011 WoO LMS season. The checkered flag tied him with Lanigan for top-winner status through 25 events and put him within reach of two series records: most consecutive wins (four) and most wins in a single season (nine).

Points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished third, maintaining a 50-point edge over Richards with his third top-three finish in his last four starts. Lanigan settled for a fourth-place finish after starting from the outside pole and leading laps 1-13, and 13th-starter Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., placed fifth thanks to a last-lap pass of Bear Lake, Pa.’s Chub Frank.

Richards’s 35th career win on the WoO LMS – more than any driver since 2004 – came in his first-ever visit to Tom Sprague Sr.’s one-third-mile oval in western Michigan. The track’s fast, moist condition surprised his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis team, but he handled the physical racing with aplomb.

“They kept talking about how slippery it is and how slow it is,” Richards said of the scouting report he heard on Winston Speedway. “(Then) you come here and it’s wet and wide open and you can race all over it. It was a fun race.”

Richards was on the charge as soon as the race was green-flagged, hustling his No. 1 to the front. He reached second with a lap-eight pass of Eckert and shortly thereafter drove around the outside of Lanigan to assume command for good.

“On a track like that where there’s traction, you just try to use it to your advantage,” said Richards, who built leads of as much as a straightaway once he took the point. “You just try to keep your momentum up and get your car pointed to where if someone slips up, you can go.

“Luckily enough we had the right tire combination and had the car right to where I was able to do that.”

Birkhofer, 39, was certainly no match for Richards. He came on strong during the race’s second half to secure second from Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., on lap 40, but he never drew close to Richards.

“Josh was obviously the best car,” said Birkhofer, who started seventh in his MB Customs machine. “He got out there and took off. We just were consistent.”

Eckert, who started third but fell back as far as fifth, rallied in the final circuits to grab the show finishing position. His Team Zero by Bloomquist remained just a bit off Richards’s torrid pace.

“If Josh keeps winning races like this he’s gonna get us (in the points) so we’re gonna have to pick our pace up,” said Eckert, whose two wins this season came in May. “We’re running well but just not as good as Josh right now.”

Richards will go for a record-tying fourth consecutive WoO LMS victory on Saturday night (Aug. 20) at Merritt Raceway in Lake City, Mich. Only Eckert (2006) and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (2009) have won four A-Mains in a row on the tour.

“I don’t want to think about that,” said Richards, who had never won three straight WoO LMS events until Friday night. “We just go in each night and try to race hard. You try to win the race everywhere you go. You try not to put any extra pressure on yourself.”

Fuller finished sixth in Friday’s A-Main, rallying after he brought out the first caution flag of the race on lap three when he bounced in the air and slid to a stop in turn four. The event’s fourth starter had to restart from the rear of the field.

Frank placed seventh after losing two spots on the final lap. Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., was eighth and earned the $250 bonus as the highest-finishing WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., finished ninth after starting from the pole position; and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., completed the top 10 after using a provisional to start 23rd.

Four caution flags slowed the race – all for drivers who have followed the WoO LMS this season. Following Fuller’s early misfortune, rookie Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., stopped between turns one and two on lap 24; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., stopped in turn three on lap 31; and Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, spun in turn two on lap 33.

Mars, who climbed as high as second from the eighth starting spot, was running fifth when he pulled off the track on lap 46. His car’s right-front lower control arm broke because he slapped the turn-four wall.

Eckert bested the 40-car field in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, establishing a new track record with a circuit of 13.568 seconds. The tour’s alltime fast-time award leader earned his third quick-lap honor of 2011.

Heat winners were Lanigan, Fuller, Coffey and Doar. The B-Mains were captured by Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.

The WoO LMS’s doubleheader in Michigan ends on Saturday night (Aug. 20) at Merritt Raceway in Lake City with a 50-lap event paying $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Keyser Manufacturing 50’ at Winston Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (5) Josh Richards/50 $10,875

2. (7) Brian Birkhofer/50 $5,050

3. (3) Rick Eckert/50 $3,550

4. (2) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,150

5. (13) Shane Clanton/50 $2,550

6. (4) Tim Fuller/50 $2,250

7. (12) Chub Frank/50 $1,950

8. (11) Ron Davies/50 $1,850

9. (1) Vic Coffey/50 $1,750

10. (23) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,750

11. (18) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,600

12. (15) John Lobb/50 $1,500

13. (17) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $1,000

14. (19) Curt Spalding/49 $900

15. (8) Jimmy Mars/45 $850

16. (10) Jason Feger/43 $800

17. (22) Casey Noonan/43 $770

18. (9) Jeep VanWormer/38 $750

19. (21) Kevin Nelson Jr./35 $730

20. (24) Jill George/33 $700

21. (20) Clint Smith/30 $1,250

22. (6) Pat Doar/22 $1,250

23. (14) Brady Smith/16 $700

24. (16) Curtis Roberts/10 $725

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 28 Mins., 48.767 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 4.213 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 3, 24, 31, 33)

Lap Leaders: Lanigan (1-13); Richards (14-50)

Provisional Starters: McCreadie, George

Rookie of the Race: Davies ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Lobb ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.568 (NTR)

2. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 13.662

3. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 13.683

4. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 13.692

5. 34-Alan Vochaska/South Haven, MI 13.772

6. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 13.821

7. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 13.861

8. 9R-Curtis Roberts/Coleman, MI 13.908

9. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.916

10. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.918

11. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 13.930

12. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 13.984

13. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 13.998

14. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 13.998

15. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.002

16. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.022

17. 13-J.R. Hotovy/Hartford, MI 14.034

18. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 14.048

19. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.083

20. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.084

21. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 14.172

22. 0N-Kevin Nelson Jr./Muskegon, MI 14.228

23. 1N-Casey Noonan/Sylvania, OH 14.271

24. 6M-Dona Marcoullier/Houghton Lake, MI 14.275

25. 85-Mark Anderson/Blanchard, MI 14.339

26. 87-Richard Neiser/Fruitport, MI 14.349

27. 07-Shawn Reed/Grant, MI 14.396

28. 99-Mike Wilburn/Muskegon, MI 14.545

29. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 14.571

30. 28s-Sammy Epling/Perry, MI 14.582

31. 94-Bill Bray/Spring Lake, MI 14.748

32. 44T-Rob Taylor/Muskegon, MI 14.750

33. 111-Curt Spalding/Hartford, MI 14.958

34. 05-C.J. Heskett/Muskegon, MI 14.983

35. 28JM-John McDonald/Muskegon, MI 15.085

36. 55P-Matt Pickard/Grant, MI 15.100

37. 3-Scott Wenell/Muskegon, MI 15.637

38. 21-Tom Sprague Jr./Muskegon, MI 18.791

39. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA N/T

40. 50-Scott Phillips/Marlette, MI N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Eckert, VanWormer, Clanton, Hotovy, Spalding, Vochaska, Anderson, George, Wenell

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Mars, Feger, B. Smith, Erb, Noonan, Heskett, Sprague, Epling, Neiser

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Coffey, Richards, Davies, Lobb, Hubbard, C. Smith, Bray, Noonan, Reed, McDonald

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Doar, Birkhofer, Frank, Roberts, McCreadie, Marcoullier, Pickard, Wilburn, Phillips, Taylor

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Erb, Spalding, Nelson, Hotovy, Sprague, Anderson, Vochaska, Neiser, George, Heskett, Wenell, Epling

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hubbard, C. Smith, Noonan, Pickard, Taylor, Reed, Wilburn, Phillips, McDonald, Bray, Marcoullier (DNS) McCreadie

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Shawn Reed

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Tom Sprague Jr./Rob Taylor

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Austin Hubbard

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Clint Smith

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Curtis Roberts

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Casey Noonan

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Alan Vochaska

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of August 19 – 25 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3552

2. Josh Richards 3502 (-50)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3408 (-144)

4. Tim McCreadie 3362 (-190)

5. Chub Frank 3256 (-296)

6. Shane Clanton 3244 (-308)

7. Austin Hubbard 3240 (-312)

8. Clint Smith 3226 (-326)

9. Tim Fuller 3100 (-452)

10. Vic Coffey 3096 (-456)

11. Pat Doar 3000 (-552)

12. Ron Davies 2866 (-686)

13. John Lobb 2734 (-818)

14. Jill George 2018 (-1534)

15. Jason Feger 1408 (-2144)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Nearly 5,000 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTVision.com
Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator
kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

Goodyear Knoxville Nationals Video Highlights Dominates 4Wide.TV This Weeke

CONCORD, N.C. – Aug. 19, 2011 – The 51st Goodyear Knoxville Nationals last week displayed the best of the best in sprint car racing, with four full days of racing. Wednesday and Thursday the field was split into two groups, as the drivers qualified, ran heat races, a B-main and an A-main, working to secure their position for Saturday night’s 50-lap main event. Friday night included a full feature for drivers outside the Top 50 in points, a Race of Champions and the World Challenge. The drama and intensity all came down to Saturday night, where drivers gave their best shots of winning the historical race.

It was a week of Cinderella stories for some while others left scratching their heads in disbelief as they sat on the outside looking in. Now, 4Wide.TV recaps the entire week, delivering all of the best highlights in a 15-minute show. See cars come from the back to the front, see cars barrel rolling sky high, plus some gutsy, breathtaking moves, all exclusively at 4Wide.TV.

In addition to all the highlights from Knoxville, the hotly discussed Power Rankings lead off with Goodyear Knoxville Nationals champion Donny Schatz while the Hot Thread of the Week discusses the happenings at Knoxville, plus there’s the dirt track racing Twitter feed which is bringing in non-stop news and notes from around the racing world, the Video of the Week showcases the Kasey Kahne Racing team with on-board cameras and finally the shot of the week, which comes from a Knoxville campground.

All that and more in only 15 minutes — check it out at 4Wide.TV, which now includes a new home page module to help share the video with your friends at Facebook and followers on Twitter .

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

VanWormer Ready To Challenge World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars On His Michigan Turf This Weekend

Wolverine State Doubleheader Takes National Tour To Winston Speedway (Aug. 19) & Merritt Raceway (Aug. 20)

CONCORD, NC – Aug. 15, 2011 – Jeep VanWormer is ready for what just might be the biggest weekend of dirt Late Model racing his home state of Michigan has ever seen.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is set to invade the Wolverine State this weekend for a huge doubleheader on Friday night (Aug. 19) at Winston Speedway in Rothbury and Saturday evening (Aug. 20) at Merritt Raceway in Lake City – and naturally, Pinconning, Mich.’s VanWormer feels a special duty to defend his turf against the national tour’s stars.

“Definitely,” said VanWormer, a 36-year-old standout who has arguably become Michigan’s most recognizable dirt Late Model driver. “Anytime there’s a big show in your area you want to put your best foot forward and show everybody what you can do.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he added, considering the pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win WoO LMS events ahead of him. “There’s never been a weekend like this in Michigan for Late Models. It’s exciting to have a chance to run two big shows without having to drive more than two hours (from home).”

VanWormer, of course, usually travels long distances from his residence in north-central Michigan to battle the country’s best dirt Late Model racers. This weekend the big boys are coming to him, contesting a rich swing that will put Michigan in the rarified air of the division’s national spotlight.

“I hope it all turns out well and we get a gold star for Michigan Late Model racing out of this,” said VanWormer, analyzing the significance of the inaugural WoO LMS twinbill. “We haven’t had many big Late Model shows up here, so hopefully this will open the door to more in the future.”

A hard-charger who is annually a top contender on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ and in the crown-jewel events at Ohio’s famed Eldora Speedway, VanWormer knows the level of personal satisfaction and circuit-wide respect that comes with winning a WoO LMS A-Main. He is one of 42 drivers to reach Victory Lane on the tour since 2004, accomplishing the feat on Sept. 16, 2007, at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway.

The past WoO LMS success, however, doesn’t mean VanWormer expects to be listed as a favorite in this weekend’s Keyser Manufacturing 50 at Winston and the Lane Automotive/All-Star Performance 50 at Merritt. He’s confident but also realistic about his chances of winning one for the home team – after all, the 2011 season to date hasn’t been overly memorable for VanWormer, and it’s not like he owns an especially large experience edge over the World of Outlaws travelers at either track.

“I’d love to say that I feel like I’m gonna go in there and stomp their ass at both racetracks, but I know that’s not likely,” said VanWormer, whose only previous WoO LMS start this season came on April 29 at Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway (he finished 21st after retiring because he hit the wall while moving into contention). “I feel like I’m gonna have a real good chance at Winston because we usually run good there, but I’m going to be as puzzled as the next guy when we get to Merritt.”

VanWormer has made only four starts at Tom Sprague’s three-eighths-mile Winston Speedway over the past five seasons, but he’s been triumphant in two of them (2007 and 2010). He’s visited Merritt even less frequently in recent years, entering just two races there since ’07.

Merritt was once a regular stop for VanWormer, but that was at the very start of his racing career. He made his competitive debut at the three-eighths-mile oval in 1997 in the Street Stock class, won the division’s championship the following season and ran open-wheel Modifieds there for two more years before moving to dirt Late Models and broadening his horizons to more far-flung tracks.

“I’ve never won in a Late Model at Merritt, but I’ve only run one there about a half-dozen times,” said VanWormer, who is in his 11th season of dirt Late Model action. “Really, I wouldn’t say I have any advantage there. When guys come up to me and ask what tire (compound) to run there, I’m not gonna have an answer because I’m going to be trying to figure that out myself.”

VanWormer comes into this weekend’s doubleheader less than one month removed from his first – and still only – feature win of 2011, the American Late Model Series ‘Lane Automotive 47’ on July 22 at Hartford. It’s been a frustrating season for VanWormer, who campaigns family-owned equipment under the Iron Motorsports banner.

“We haven’t been able to break into that win column very good,” said VanWormer, who has six runner-up finishes this season. “I feel like we’re headed in the right direction now, though. We had some motor problems early in the season but we got that worked out since we started working with (engine builder) Jay Dickens just before the Dream (in June at Eldora).”

VanWormer will enter this weekend’s action on the heels of what likely will be a long night of preparation in his shop. He will be away from home on business this week from Monday through Thursday – in his fulltime position as an inspection technician for his family’s Bayline Fire Protection Inc., he is traveling to Texas to help complete the installation of a sprinkler system at a Fed-Ex facility – so his race car won’t be touched until he returns.

“I’m a one-man band right now,” said VanWormer, who does not have a fulltime mechanic this season. “I’m not gonna have a lot of time to prepare for Winston and Merritt, but we’ll be ready. We’ll have to be if we expect to compete with the guys who will be there.”

VanWormer will face off with a star-studded field in this weekend’s events, including current WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and former tour champions Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. (riding a two-race win streak), Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (the tour’s leading A-Main winner in ’11) and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (a winner of the ‘Who 55’ at Merritt in 2008).

The WoO LMS roster also boasts Georgians Shane Clanton and Clint Smith; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; 19-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; and 2011 Rookie of the Year contenders Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

Among the Michigan drivers expected to join VanWormer at the two tracks are Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City (fifth in the DIRTcar UMP national points standings), Brian Ruhlman of Clarklake, David Hilliker of Midland, Curtis Roberts of Coleman and Eric Spangler of Lake City.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Michigan Swing Event Information:

Fri., Aug. 19, at Winston Speedway: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps are set to begin at 6:30 p.m. with time trials and racing to follow.

Admission is $25 and $10 for children 12-and-under. Reserved seats are available for $30 and pit passes are $35.

For more information visit www.winstonspeedway.net or call 231-893-3023.

Sat., Aug. 20, at Merritt Raceway: Gates will open at 4 p.m. and hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $35 and include admission to the grandstand and an all-access pit pass. Children ages 6-12 will be charged $10 and kids 5-and-under are admitted free.

More info can be obtained by visiting www.merrittraceway.com or calling 231-328-RACE.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards Repels Eckert For Second Straight World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory Monday At Independence Motor Speedway

INDEPENDENCE, IA – Aug. 8, 2011 – Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., backed up his USA Nationals triumph in fine fashion, closing a three-race World of Outlaws Late Model Series swing through the Upper Midwest with a victory in Monday night’s 50-lap A-Main at Independence Motor Speedway.

The two-time defending series champion’s sixth win of 2011 came just two days after he pocketed $50,000 for capturing his first-ever crown-jewel dirt Late Model event at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.

Richards, 23, survived a late-race scare to top the inaugural WoO LMS event at the three-eighths-mile Independence oval. After pacing the race from the initial green flag, he slipped out of the groove off turn four on lap 36, allowing WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., to dive underneath and lead the circuit.

But Richards managed to turn back Eckert’s bid, sliding ahead through turns one and two and then maintaining a steady edge for the remainder of the distance. He drove his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car under the checkered flag 0.611 of a second in front of Eckert’s Team Zero by Bloomquist machine.

Eckert, 45, settled for his fourth runner-up finish in the last six WoO LMS events and sixth overall of the season. He maintained a healthy 56-point lead over Richards in the circuit’s standings with 11 A-Mains remaining on the 2011 schedule.

Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., finished third after advancing from the 10th starting spot in the same Rocket car that he flipped onto its roof during a USA Nationals B-Main on Saturday night. It was his third top-five finish of the season.

Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, started and finish fourth – though he ran third until being overtaken by Smith on lap 25 – in his MB Customs mount and 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., was fifth in Dale Beitler’s Rocket car to tally his first top-five finish since July 15 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.

Richards, who started second and outgunned polesitter Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., for the lead at the start, knew he was fortunate to escape with the checkered flag after leaving the door open for Eckert on lap 36.

“Once we found the groove (of rubber) low I was just trying to get through lapped traffic and I slipped (high off turn four),” said Richards, who made his third straight start with a Roush-Yates Ford engine under the hood of his familiar No. 1. “I pretty much almost gave the race away. If I would’ve run second I would’ve deserved to just because I slipped up out of the groove.

“Eckert came down (to the inside on the homestretch) and I knew the only shot I had was to pinch him down into one – he said he would’ve done the same thing. The track just had so much grip in the bottom (lane) from the middle to the end (of the race), and luckily we were able to get back to it and hold on for the win.”

Eckert wasn’t quite in position to take advantage of Richards’s slip.

“I was pretty good before (the surface) rubbered (near the halfway point),” said Eckert, who started fifth. “I got right up through there to second, and then it started rubbering. I would’ve liked to have a shot there at Josh before it did.

“After it rubbered I was running right there on him on, just trying to stay close in case he slipped, and then one lap I come off four and the oil pressure went to zero and the red light came on. I just eased over and left off (the gas), and then it popped back up and I wheeled back out there.

“That just happened to be the lap he drove out of the rubber off (turn) four, so I was back too far,” he continued. “If I’d have been close to him, I could’ve just drove right by him.”

Eckert still was able to charge up the inside of the homestretch and nip Richards at the start/finish line to lead lap 36, but he couldn’t pull completely ahead.

“He come left into one to get back in the rubber,” said Eckert. “I was past his number, but if I was leading I’d have come left too. I guess it would’ve been nice if the straightaway was a little longer.”

Another bridesmaid finish didn’t disappoint Eckert, who continues to march toward his first-ever WoO LMS points crown.

“If we could’ve beat him to the front, maybe we could’ve won the race,” said Eckert. “But I’ll take a second every race to the end of the year if I have to. When you’re paying your own bills, second pays better than third.

“I come to the race to win – it isn’t like we get to second and give up. I was trying hard and really wanted to win, but tonight we just we didn’t have a whole lot of racetrack left once we got to second.”

Richards, meanwhile, hopes his hot streak – two straight wins and three in his last five starts – will continue, giving him at least a shot at catching Eckert in the points standings.

“It’s obviously hard to gain points when he’s running second,” Richards said of Eckert. “He’s really running good this year, but so are we. We’re not going to give up. We’re gonna keep chasing that orange car and see what happens.”

Smith, 46, enjoyed a solid comeback from his weekend-ending rollover at Cedar Lake, ending his trip on a high note.

“We like the rubber better than anybody here, but we were actually better in the slick condition early in the race,” said Smith. “I was rolling when it was slick and got right up to third behind those guys (Richards and Eckert). We were just too tight there at the end and rolling over too much. I still could’ve run them hard, but I was afraid I would blow my right-rear tire.

“After barely getting this car we flipped ready to go on the racetrack today and starting 10th, we’ll take a third.”

Three caution flags slowed the race, all for incidents involving WoO LMS standouts. Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., slowed with a dead battery on lap four and did not continue; Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., got the worst of a lap-21 accident in turn one; and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., slowed with a cut left-rear tire on lap 22.

The incident that swept up McCreadie was the worst of the night. He was running ninth when the lapped car driven by WoO LMS rookie John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., was sent spinning in turn one directly in front of McCreadie, who slammed Lobb’s car hard. McCreadie’s Sweeteners Plus Victory Circle machine came to rest backwards in turn one, its right side sporting significant damage.

McCreadie, who was sore but otherwise injured after the wreck, was eliminated from further action. Also forced out due to the wreck was Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, whose car was hit in its left side by Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. Simpson retired immediately while Fuller ran five more laps before calling it a night.

Moyer, who ran second for the race’s first 13 laps, tumbled to sixth by lap 24 and finished in the position. Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., placed seventh, followed by 20th-starter Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., who was the event’s highest-finishing WoO LMS rookie; 19th -starter Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who passed Fuller for ninth in the tour points standings; and Lanigan, who rallied after his mid-race pit stop.

Chad Simpson established a new track record in the 34-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials session, blistering the bullring in 14.665 seconds. It was his first career fast-time honor on the WoO LMS.

Heat winners were Hubbard, Eckert, Richards and Feger. Frankie Heckenast Jr. of Orland Park, Ill., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., captured the B-Mains.

Rain that fell through the morning and early-afternoon hours threatened the event, but the skies cleared abruptly and racing went on as scheduled in front of a near-capacity crowd at the fairgrounds track.

The WoO LMS is off for one weekend before returning to action with a doubleheader in Michigan, making first-ever stops on Aug. 19 at Winston Speedway in Rothbury and Aug. 20 at Merritt Raceway in Lake City. Both 50-lap A-Mains will pay $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Independence Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Josh Richards/50 $10,825

2. (5) Rick Eckert/50 $5,650

3. (10) Clint Smith/50 $3,550

4. (4) Brian Birkhofer/50 $2,550

5. (3) Austin Hubbard/50 $2,550

6. (1) Billy Moyer/50 $1,800

7. (6) Jason Feger/50 $1,450

8. (20) Pat Doar/50 $2,100

9. (19) Vic Coffey/50 $1,750

10. (12) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,750

11. (18) Chub Frank/50 $1,600

12. (16) Chip Brindle/50 $1,500

13. (21) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $950

14. (22) Ron Davies/49 $1,450

15. (24) Jill George/40 $850

16. (14) Jason Rauen/38 $800

17. (17) Frankie Heckenast Jr./25 $770

18. (8) Tim Fuller/25 $1,300

19. (7) Tim McCreadie/20 $1,380

20. (9) Chad Simpson/20 $700

21. (13) Jason Utter/19 $700

22. (23) John Lobb/19 $700

23. (15) Chris Simpson/17 $725

24. (11) Shane Clanton/4 $1,250

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 24 Mins., 11.726 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.611 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 4, 21, 22)

Lap Leaders: Richards (1-35); Eckert (36); Richards (37-50)

Provisional Starters: Lobb, George

Rookie of the Race: ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 14.665 (NTR)

2. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.783

3. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.792

4. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.793

5. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.834

6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.838

7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.883

8. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.892

9. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.928

10. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.968

11. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.010

12. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.051

13. 45-Curt Martin/Independence, IA 15.093

14. 98-Jason Rauen/Farley, IA 15.098

15. 32-Chris Simpson/Oxford, IA 15.126

16. 21B-Chip Brindle/Chatsworth, GA 15.196

17. 31-Jason Utter/Columbus Jct., IA 15.209

18. 1d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 15.239

19. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.304

20. 16-Tyler Bruening/Decorah, IA 15.334

21. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 15.336

22. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.340

23. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.423

24. 78-Rick Wendling/Hazleton, IA 16.426

25. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 15.511

26. 50-Denny Eckrich/Tiffin, IA 15.588

27. 93-Jay Johnson/Farley, IA 15.652

28. 11x-Ace Ihm/Hazelgreen, WI 15.667

29. 28-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 15.682

30. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.771

31. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 15.791

32. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.072

33. 15H-Jeremiah Hurst/Dubuque, IA N/T

34. 38s-Darin Sires/Cedar Falls, IA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hubbard, Birkhofer, Chad Simpson, Utter, Heckenast, Martin, McBride, Erb (DNS) Hurst

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Moyer, Smith, Rauen, Eckrich, Coffey, George, O’Neal

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, McCreadie, Clanton, Chris Simpson, Frank, Doar, Johnson, Davies

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Feger, Fuller, Lanigan, Brindle, Bruening, Lobb, Ihm, Wendling

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Heckenast, Coffey, Erb, Eckrich, O’Neal, Martin, McBride, George, Sires (DNS) Hurst

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Frank, Doar, Davies, Lobb, Bruening, Johnson, Wendling, Ihm

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Vic Coffey

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Curt Martin

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Chub Frank

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): John Lobb

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Chris Simpson

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Jason Rauen

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Brian Birkhofer
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Curt Martin

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ron Davies

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of August 8 – 24 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3408

2. Josh Richards 3352 (-56)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3266 (-142)

4. Tim McCreadie 3232 (-176)

5. Chub Frank 3120 (-288)

6. Clint Smith 3118 (-290)

7. Austin Hubbard 3112 (-296)

8. Shane Clanton 3104 (-304)

9. Vic Coffey 2964 (-444)

10. Tim Fuller 2962 (-446)

11. Pat Doar 2894 (-514)

12. Ron Davies 2732 (-676)

13. John Lobb 2608 (-800)

14. Jill George 1908 (-1500)

15. Steve Francis 1350 (-2058)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,800 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Richards Makes Saturday’s USA Nationals At Cedar Lake Speedway His Long-Awaited First Crown-Jewel Victory

NEW RICHMOND, WI – Aug. 6, 2011 – Josh Richards finally has a victory in a crown-jewel dirt Late Model event on his resume.

The 23-year-old star’s breakthrough performance came on Saturday night in the 24th annual USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel at Cedar Lake Speedway, a three-eighths-mile oval that will forever be close to his heart.

“It hasn’t even sunk in yet,” Shinnston, W.Va.’s Richards said when asked to describe his emotions following a 100-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series triumph worth $50,125. “This place has always been real special to me. Back in 2000 whenever Davey Johnson was driving for us (his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car) I remember coming here and watching the (USA Nationals). I was just in awe. I just fell in love with this track at a young age.

“To finally get (a crown-jewel win) – and here at Cedar Lake – it really means a lot.”

Richards, who witnessed his father’s familiar No. 1 reach Victory Lane in the 2000 USA Nationals with Johnson behind the wheel, returned his dad to the spotlight at Cedar Lake with a savvy performance. He spent more than half the distance chasing polesitter Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa – a 31-year-old seeking a monumental upset win in his first-ever USA Nationals and WoO LMS starts – before diving underneath the upstart to grab the lead on lap 78.

The remainder of the distance served as a valedictory ride for Richards, who beat two-time USA Nationals winners Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., to the finish line despite driving a car that sported significant left-side body damage from a lap-65 tangle that nearly ended his bid. It was his fifth WoO LMS win of 2011 and the 33rd of his career.

Rauen, who led laps 1-77, settled for a fourth-place finish, nearly a half-lap behind Richards at the checkered flag. WoO LMS regular Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., completed the top five after starting 18th, nursing home a car that was hampered by an overheating engine caused by a hole in its radiator.

Richards’s long-awaited first win in one of dirt Late Model racing’s biggest events came in his eighth year of action in the full-fender division. After several near-misses in majors, he seemed to finally uncover the secret to success on a grand extra-distance stage, pushing his machine just hard enough to stay within striking distance of the leader and then making his move in the race’s late stages.

“That track condition is definitely what I prefer,” Richards said of Cedar Lake’s fast surface, which was left heavy after a late-afternoon thunderstorm caused a one-hour delay in the start of the evening’s program. “You gotta be aggressive, but yet somewhat smooth. Momentum is the biggest key on a track like that. You gotta do your best to try to get a rhythm that’s comfortable, but yet you’re fast and not killing your tires.”

Richards, who started fourth, swapped second place twice with Mars early in the 100 before securing the spot on lap 30. The two-time defending WoO LMS champion then found a formidable foe in Rauen, who had the capacity crowd thinking upset as he maintained command with cushion-pounding style.

But Richards wasn’t going to be denied a milestone victory.

“I knew that (turns) one and two was getting treacherous, so I just figured there was enough brown off the bottom of two that if I could stick down there and (Rauen) made a mistake, then we could go,” said Richards, whose father’s car was powered by a Roush-Yates Ford engine for the second straight WoO LMS event. “I think when we moved down, he started to move down and he slipped up one time off two. I was able to get a run off of two (and grab the lead).

“I wasn’t gonna let up from then on. I just kept looking at the scoreboard and counting the laps down.”

Richards wasn’t challenged once in front, driving away to defeat Birkhofer by 2.009 seconds. But the two drivers did get close midway through the race while battling for second – an encounter that provided Richards his most notable scare.

On lap 65, Birkhofer drove to the inside of Richards entering turn one. Contact between the two cars caused Richards to slide sideways in turn two, triggering a chain-reaction scramble that ended with Richards’s good buddy, Jared Hawkins of Fairmount, W.Va., hitting Richards in the left-side door and then rolling to a stop on the inside of the track.

The race’s eighth and final caution flag was put out for Hawkins, who was running fifth at the time but was unceremoniously towed off. Richards managed to keep his car moving and was thus able to restart in second place.

During the caution period Richards drove alongside Birkhofer to express his displeasure with the contact that nearly knocked him from the race. He proceeded to briefly lose second to Birkhofer on the ensuing restart before regaining the position with an outside thrust off turn four on lap 66.

“I have a lot of respect for Brian Birkhofer,” Richards said of the incident. “I guess he just thought that I crowded him up on that restart, but when you’re the second-place guy that’s always your goal – to hold the guy up as long as possible and turn left. I guess he thought I held him up too far and he showed it that next restart and drove in there.

“He’s going for the win just as much as we were, so I can understand. But I guess he kind of lit a fuse a little bit. From then on the only thing I was focused on was that eagle (the wooden USA Nationals trophy), and we finally got it.

“I’ve always wanted to win this race,” he added. “It means a lot to me. We got this one, but there’s a few more on the (crown-jewel) list that I’d definitely like to win.”

Birkhofer, 39, wasn’t happy about the situation with Richards, but he spoke with Richards following the race and conceded that the young standout was a deserving victor.

“I didn’t like how he wasn’t giving me any room on those restarts, so I kinda went in there...I got into him for a reason,” said Birkhofer, who drove his MB Customs car forward from the 24th starting spot to a $20,000 runner-up finish after gaining entry to the A-Main thanks to a provisional berth he held from winning Thursday night’s Dart Corn Belt Clash Series event. “You give me some room, I’ll give you some room. Hey, he did a great job racing, but all I was wanting was a little bit of respect for my space.

“Me and Josh had a good talk afterward, so as far as I’m concerned there’s no problem.

“We just had to better,” he continued. “I got to where I was a little too tight on entry. I got up there and Josh had the better car.”

The 39-year-old Mars, meanwhile, appeared to be a contender for a third USA Nationals crown after starting second and tussling with Richards for the spot during the race’s first half. But one miscue cost him dearly, contributing to his third-place finish.

“I had a really good car and I went and jumped the cushion and wrecked a right-front shock,” said Mars, recalling his slip early in the race that allowed Richards to grab second place. “I don’t know what happened to it, but after that I was never right. I couldn’t drive up on the top like I was. I felt real good up on the top before that.

“But no excuse – I screwed up, so I gotta live with it.”

Rauen crossed the finish line 8.456 seconds – more than a half-lap – behind Richards after pacing the field for 77 circuits. He was understandably disappointed to fall short of a historic upset victory, but fourth place was still a better finish than he ever could have imagined.

“When I started that last restart (on lap 65) I didn’t do what I was doing,” said Rauen. “I started kind of in the middle, and I kind of buzzed the tires and they got a run on me. Then they showed their nose and I tried too hard. It was a little inexperience.”

Rauen paused, and then added, “I thought and thought of it (winning), but of course it didn’t happen. But against this caliber of cars, this is like a win for us. We do this for a hobby, so this is great.”

Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., finished sixth, settling for the position after losing fifth to Lanigan on lap 96. Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., was seventh; defending USA Nationals winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., was a quiet eighth after starting 23rd; Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, took ninth after pitting on lap 44; and Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., was the first driver one lap down at the finish in 10 th.

Among the notable early retirees was WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who was running fourth on lap 37 when his car slowed in a cloud of smoke due to a busted oil line, and 18-year-old Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., who was in fifth place (after climbing as high as third) when a broken fuel pump caused him to stop on lap 64.

Saturday’s program kicked off with a pair of 20-lap B-Mains won by Shirley and Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., captured the 15-lap Last Chance Race to transfer to the USA Nationals.

During the second B-Main WoO LMS regular Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., was involved in a turn-two tangle that caused his car to flip onto its roof. He suffered a minor injury to his left big toe but was otherwise uninjured.

The WoO LMS will remain in the Midwest for one more night of racing on Monday evening (Aug. 8) at Independence (Iowa) Motor Speedway. The 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event was postponed by rain on its original July 12 date.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘24th annual USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel’ at Cedar Lake Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Josh Richards/100 $50,125

2. (24) Brian Birkhofer/100 $20,100

3. (2) Jimmy Mars/100 $10,000

4. (1) Jason Rauen/100 $6,500

5. (18) Darrell Lanigan/100 $5,050

6. (16) Brian Shirley/100 $4,500

7. (12) Steve Francis/100 $4,300

8. (23) Scott Bloomquist/100 $4,000

9. (9) Chris Simpson/100 $3,750

10. (7) Dennis Erb Jr./99 $3,500

11. (13) Frankie Heckenast Jr./99 $3,250

12. (6) Ronny Lee Hollingsworth/99 $3,050

13. (17) Jason Feger/81 $2,850

14. (14) Jared Hawkins/65 $2,650

15. (10) Brandon Sheppard/63 $2,500

16. (15) Jared Landers/62 $2,400

17. (11) Brady Smith/48 $2,300

18. (3) Chad Simpson/47 $2,200

19. (20) Austin Hubbard/43 $2,150

20. (19) Dan Schlieper/37 $2,075

21. (5) Rick Eckert/37 $2,100

22. (22) Pat Doar/37 $2,075

23. (21) Billy Moyer/25 $2,060

24. (26) Shane Clanton/24 $2,050

25. (25) Tim McCreadie/24 $2,050

26. (8) A.J. Diemel/2 $2,025

* Earnings include cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 46 Mins., 29.169 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 2.009 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 8 (Laps 3, 25, 37, 44, 48, 63, 64, 65)

Lap Leaders: Rauen (1-77); Richards (78-100)

Provisional Starters: Birkhofer (Thursday Corn Belt Clash A-Main); McCreadie, Clanton (WoO)

B-Main No. 1 (20 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Brian Shirley, 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Austin Hubbard, 4. Shane Clanton, 5. Scott Bloomquist, 6. Pat Doar, 7. Mike Spatola, 8. Daren Friedman, 9. Don O’Neal, 10. Kent Robinson, 11. Randy Korte, 12. Jill George, 13. Brian Birkhofer, 14. Andrew McKay, 15. Chub Frank, 16. Tim Fuller, 17. Tim McCreadie, 18. Stew Hayward, 19. John Lobb

B-Main No. 2 (20 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Jason Feger, 2. Dan Schlieper, 3. Billy Moyer, 4. Jonathan Davenport, 5. Tyler Reddick, 6. Lance Matthees, 7. Eric Smith, 8. Dustin Hapka, 9. Ron Davies, 10. Ray Moore, 11. Bryan Wennen, 12. Clint Smith, 13. Jimmy Dehm, 14. Ross Bailes, 15. Vic Coffey, 16. Chip Brindle (DNS) Jason Utter, Tim Isenberg, Shannon Babb

Last Chance Race (15 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Pat Doar; 2. Scott Bloomquist; 3. Tyler Reddick ($1,000); 4. Kent Robinson ($800); 5. Lance Matthees ($600); 6. Jonathan Davenport ($500); 7. Daren Friedman ($475); 8. Eric Smith ($450); 9. Mike Spatola ($425); 10. Dustin Hapka ($410); 11. Ron Davies ($400); 12. Jill George ($400); Shane Clanton-DNS; Don O’Neal-DNS; Ray Moore-DNS

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Don O’Neal

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Comp Cams (certificate to 11th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar/Billy Moyer

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Brandon Sheppard

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Rick Eckert

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): A.J. Diemel

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Brian Shirley

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Jared Landers

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Brian Birkhofer

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Steve Francis

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Ronny Lee Hollingsworth
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jonathan Davenport

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 6 – 23 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3262

2. Josh Richards 3202 (-60)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3136 (-126)

4. Tim McCreadie 3120 (-142)

5. Shane Clanton 3002 (-260)

6. Chub Frank 2992 (-270)

7. Clint Smith 2974 (-288)

8. Austin Hubbard 2972 (-290)

9. Tim Fuller 2848 (-414)

10. Vic Coffey 2832 (-430)

11. Pat Doar 2760 (-502)

12. Ron Davies 2610 (-652)

13. John Lobb 2502 (-760)

14. Jill George 1788 (-1474)

15. Steve Francis 1350 (-1912)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,800 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Iowa’s Jason Rauen Pulls Off Surprise Sweep Of Qualifying Night To Earn Pole Starting Spot In USA Nationals At Cedar Lake Speedway

NEW RICHMOND, WI – Aug. 5, 2011 – Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa, surprised even himself with a clean sweep of Friday night’s qualifying program for the USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel at Cedar Lake Speedway.

An upstart 31-year-old dirt Late Model driver making just his third career appearance at the high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval, Rauen was fastest in the 54-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials session, won a heat race and captured the 10-lap dash to earn the pole position starting spot in Saturday night’s 24th annual 100-lap, $50,000-to-win A-Main. He will lead the field to the green flag in what will be both his first-ever start in the USA Nationals and a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.

“I had no idea we would do this tonight,” said an awestruck Rauen, who operates a precision machine shop alongside his father in their home town of Farley, Iowa. “Our goal was just to make the show. Then we timed good, came out of the heat good with a win and won the dash.

“I don’t want to have a big head, but it feels good. We’ve had a tough last month of racing with a lot of issues and problems, so this is a great rebound. Hopefully we can keep it up tomorrow night and come out of here with a good finish.”

Rauen started third in the dash, which pitted the top-two finishers from each of the night’s five 15-lap heat races in a sprint to determine the alignment of the first five rows in Saturday evening’s USA Nationals. He was moved to the pole, however, when Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, was penalized two spots for starting the race too early and took advantage of the break, leading the entire distance with his MB Customs/ProPower combination.

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., passed Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, with two laps remaining in the dash to finish second and secure the outside pole starting spot in the 100-lapper. Mars, who also was a runner-up in his heat, is a two-time winner of the USA Nationals.

Chad Simpson held on to finish third, followed by two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and current WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa. All three drivers won heat races and will start the USA Nationals from the positions they placed in the dash.

Rounding out the top 10 in the dash was first-heat winner Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Newport, Ala.; Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.; A.J. Diemel of Bonduel, Wis., who used a steel-block engine; Chris Simpson; and 18-year-old Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill.

Rauen, whose qualifying lap of 13.484 seconds fell short of the Cedar Lake track record (12.972 seconds) he established on June 17 during the speedway’s DIRTcar Summer Nationals event, knows he has a supreme challenge ahead of him on Saturday night.

“We know our team’s working and our cars and everything are clicking,” said Rauen, whose car is wrenched by Eckert’s former chief mechanic Zach Frields. “But 100 laps is a long race when you have the best in the business behind you. The guys starting behind me have been around this place a lot more than I have – I mean, Jimmy (Mars) has thousands of laps here – so if we can hold them off it’ll be a hell of an accomplishment.”

Mars and Eckert were the only previous USA Nationals winners to crack Saturday’s starting field through a heat race. Five-time victors Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., and Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in the third heat, and two-time champion Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, missed transferring by two positions in the second preliminary.

Birkhofer is guaranteed a starting berth in the USA Nationals, however, because he won Thursday’s Dart Corn Belt Clash Series feature at Cedar Lake. The highest finisher in that race who does not qualify for the 100-lapper will receive a provisional spot.

The qualifying heats were tough on several contenders, including:

* Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., who was knocked out of the second heat with left-front damage sustained in a lap-10 scrape with Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., as they battled for the final transfer position.

* Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who pulled off the track during the pace lap of the second heat due to a broken brake caliper.

* Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., and who tangled in turn two while running second and third, respectively, on lap six of the fourth heat. Clanton spun while Davenport was forced to the pit area to change a cut left-rear tire; both drivers continued but Clanton was nipped for fourth by Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., and Davenport placed sixth.

Saturday’s grand finale program, which includes B-Mains, a last-chance race and the 100-lap USA Nationals plus a full show for Cedar Lake’s NASCAR Late Models, is scheduled to begin with hot laps at 6:30 p.m.

Additional details and ticket info on the USA Nationals can be obtained by logging on to www.cedarlakespeedway.com.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 98-Jason Rauen/Farley, IA 13.484

2. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 13.530

3. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 13.679

4. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.701

5. 89F-Daren Friedman/Forrest, IL 13.724

6. 89-Mike Spatola/Manhattan, IL 13.737

7. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 13.771

8. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 13.868

9. 15B-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 13.868

10. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 13.871

11. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 13.894

12. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 13.898

13. 32-Chris Simpson/Oxford, IA 13.899

14. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 13.950

15. 18RH-Ronny Lee Hollingsworth/Northport, AL 13.952

16. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 13.955

17. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 13.960

18. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 13.964

19. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.998

20. 93-Ray Moore/Shreveport, LA 14.014

21. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.032

22. 1d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 14.049

23. 1s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 14.066

24. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.077

25. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 14.094

26. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 14.106

27. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.113

28. 90-Lance Matthees/Winona, MN 14.151

29. 21B-Chip Brindle/Chatsworth, GA 14.170

30. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.177

31. 58-A.J. Diemel/Bonduel, WI 14.177

32. 18b-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 14.191

33. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.200

34. s9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 14.217

35. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.263

36. 33x-Adam Hensel/Barron, WI 14.282

37. 71-Andrew McKay/Edina, MN 14.290

38. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 14.301

39. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.305

40. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.337

41. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.352

42. 9-Eric Smith/Bloomington, IL 14.368

43. 9T-Tim Isenberg/Marshfield, WI 14.402

44. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 14.402

45. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.433

46. 00-Randy Korte/Highland, IL 14.459

47. 31-Jason Utter/Columbus Jct., IA 14.566

48. 99J-Jimmy Dehm/Lexington, IL 14.593

49. 87-Ross Bailes/Clover, SC 14.675

50. 40-Bryan Wennen/Lindstrom, MN 14.686

51. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.752

52. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 14.858

53. 27H-Stew Hayward/Calgary, Alberta 14.884

54. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.095

Heat No. 1 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hollingsworth, Diemel, B. Smith, Fuller, Reddick, Hubbard, Moore, Friedman, Hapka, Hensel, Korte

Heat No. 2 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Eckert, Mars, Francis, Feger, Birkhofer, E. Smith, McKay, Utter, O’Neal, Lobb (DNS) Babb

Heat No. 3 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Chad Simpson, Chris Simpson, Heckenast, Shirley, Moyer, Bloomquist, Matthees, McCreadie, Isenberg, Dehm, Hayward

Heat No. 4 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, Sheppard, Hawkins, Schlieper, Clanton, Davenport, Doar, Brindle, Robinson, George, Bailes

Heat No. 5 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Rauen, Erb, Landers, Lanigan, C. Smith, Frank, Coffey, Spatola, Davies, Wennen

Dash Results (10 laps): Rauen, Mars, Chad Simpson, Richards, Eckert, Hollingsworth, Erb, Diemel, Chris Simpson, Sheppard

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Red-Hot Lanigan Rolls To Seventh Victory Of 2011 In Wednesday-Night Visit To Shawano Speedway

SHAWANO, WI – Aug. 3, 2011 – Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., continued his mid-summer surge, rolling to victory in Wednesday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Shawano Speedway.

The 41-year-old former series champion overtook Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, for the lead on lap 26 and cruised to his second straight and seventh overall win of the 2011 season. He matched his single-season career-high win total on the national tour and moved within two triumphs of equaling Scott Bloomquist’s WoO LMS record of nine victories in 2004.

“We’ve just been doing our own little thing and it’s definitely been working,” said Lanigan, whose $10,775 win was his third in four starts over an eight-day span. “Our car’s been awesome.”

WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished second for the third time in the last four tour A-Mains, ending the race 0.924 of a second behind Lanigan after a lap-48 caution period gave him a chance to make a last-ditch bid. The green-white-checkered finish was necessitated by the misfortune of Simpson, who led laps 1-25 and appeared headed to a career-best WoO LMS finish until his car’s rearend gears broke as he held second place.

Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., placed third in Larry Moring’s car after slipping as far back as seventh from the fourth starting spot. He earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings.

Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., charged forward from the 23rd starting spot to finish fourth after using a provisional to gain entry to the A-Main. A heat-race scrape and flat tire prompted him to park his Rocket car and drive his Capital Race Car in the B- and A-Mains.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., placed fifth after starting seventh. He was overtaken for fourth by Clanton racing toward the white flag.

Lanigan started on the pole position in his GottaRace.com Rocket, but he watched Simpson blast off the outside of the front row to assume command at the initial green flag. Simpson, 32, controlled the race’s first 25 laps before finally ceding the top spot to Lanigan, who ducked to the inside of the backstretch to make his winning move.

“He ran a good heat heat race and I knew he was gonna be the one to beat on the outside pole,” Lanigan said of Simpson. “We had a little bit harder tire than some of the people. I knew I was gonna be better the second half of the race, so I was kind of just biding my time (behind Simpson). As long as I could stay with him, I knew I could get around him there at the end.”

Lanigan was slowed by three of the race’s five caution periods after he grabbed the lead, but he never faltered on a restart. He held on for his 26 th career win on the WoO LMS and his third set of back-to-back victories on this year’s tour.

Simpson was unable to keep pace with Lanigan after losing the top spot but still had a firm grip on runner-up money until slowing with two laps to go.

“I was a little tight in the middle (of the corners), but other than that the car was rolling around there pretty good,” said Simpson, who was credited with a 17th-place finish. “I don’t know if the right-front (tire) gave up or what, but as the race went on I just got tighter in the middle of the corner and then I couldn’t rotate.”

How disappointed was he after his lap-48 misfortune?

“Flat out, it sucks,” said Simpson. “We had the best car we’ve ever had in a big show like this. We know we’re good enough to run with these guys but just never put the whole package together. We put it together tonight but got snakebit.”

Eckert, 45, took advantage of Simpson’s mechanical woes to add another bridesmaid finish to his ’11 ledger. With his closest pursuer in the points standings, two-time defending champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., finishing 11th after relinquishing third place to a cut left-rear tire on lap 33, Eckert extended his edge to 60 points through 22 events.

“Second pays the bills,” said Eckert, who started fifth. “We come to win, but if we can’t win second’s the next best thing. If we keep this up we might be able to pull something (his first-ever WoO LMS title) off.

“We had a car good enough to pass tonight, but I never really got a chance to run with Darrell,” he added. “From the two laps I was behind (following the lap-48 restart), I think I might have been as good as him through (turns) one and two, but I lost a little time getting into three because I had my shocks a little messed up to run through that choppiness and I’d get myself loose.

Richards was one of four WoO LMS regulars who ran into trouble during the A-Main. He was joined by Austin Hubbard of Seaford, who retired from the race on lap 12 when his Dale Beitler-owned car suffered terminal engine problems as he ran ninth; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who gave up ninth place to motor woes on lap 40; and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who held fourth when a broken right-rear shock mount knocked out his Victory Circle car and ended his streak of 12 consecutive top-10 finishes.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., whose advance from the 16th starting spot was assisted by attrition; 17th-starter Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis.

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who finished third in last year’s WoO LMS A-Main at Shawano, was running sixth on lap 26 when a broken right-front lower control arm forced him out of the race.

Francis topped the 37-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials session with a lap of 19.284 seconds. His first fast-time honor of 2011 earned him a $100 bonus from Mid-States Hydraulics and made him the second driver to record a fast time in every WoO LMS season since 2004, joining Richards in the elite group.

Heat winners were Francis, Richards, Lanigan and Simpson. The B-Mains were captured by Coffey and Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, Ga.

Among the non-qualifiers were Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who won last year’s WoO LMS A-Main at Shawano, and DIRTcar UMP star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. Both drivers dropped out of the first B-Main – Moyer due to an overheating engine and Feger after spinning in a late-race tangle.

Next on the WoO LMS schedule is the 24th annual USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel on Aug. 4-6 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. After a Cornbelt Clash Series event kicks off the weekend on Thurs., Aug. 4, the WoO LMS takes center stage with USA Nationals time trials, heats and a dash on Fri., Aug. 5, and then last-chance events and the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win A-Main on Sat., Aug. 6.

Details on the USA Nationals are available by logging on to www.cedarlakespeedway.com.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Shawano Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Darrell Lanigan/50 $10,775

2. (5) Rick Eckert/50 $5,650

3. (4) Don O’Neal/50 $3,500

4. (23) Shane Clanton/50 $3,050

5. (7) Steve Francis/50 $2,300

6. (9) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $1,700

7. (16) Chub Frank/50 $1,950

8. (17) Vic Coffey/50 $1,850

9. (14) Clint Smith/50 $1,750

10. (13) Dan Schlieper/50 $1,100

11. (3) Josh Richards/50 $1,700

12. (15) Pat Doar/50 $1,800

13. (11) Frankie Heckenast Jr./50 $950

14. (24) Ron Davies/50 $1,450

15. (19) Doug Blashe/50 $900

16. (21) John Lobb/50 $800

17. (2) Chad Simpson/48 $770

18. (6) Tim McCreadie/44 $1,300

19. (12) Tim Fuller/40 $1,280

20. (18) Chip Brindle/32 $700

21. (20) A.J. Diemel/31 $700

22. (8) Jimmy Mars/25 $700

23. (22) Brady Smith/25 $700

24. (10) Austin Hubbard/11 $1,250

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 34 Mins., 11.880 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.924 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 6 (Laps 12, 26, 33, 40, 44, 48)

Lap Leaders: Simpson (1-25); Lanigan (26-50)

Provisional Starters: Clanton, Davies

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: O’Neal ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 19.284

2. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 19.304

3. 99Jr-Frank Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 19.402

4. 1d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 19.451

5. 28E-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 19.469

6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.499

7. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 19.514

8. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 19.524

9. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 19.530

10. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.532

11. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.535

12. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.569

13. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.692

14. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 19.712

15. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 19.760

16. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.774

17. 21M-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 19.781

18. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 19.788

19. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 19.850

20. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 19.963

21. 9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 19.999

22. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 20.014

23. 21B-Chip Brindle/Chatsworth, GA 20.027

24. 9T-Tim Isenberg/Marshfield, WI 20.105

25. 1b-Doug Blashe/Marion, WI 20.180

26. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 20.211

27. 10-Pete Parker/Kaukauna, WI 20.229

28. 58-A.J. Diemel/Bonduel, WI 20.301

29. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 20.399

30. 8-Robert Cullen/Chilton, WI 20.576

31. 72-Justin Ritchie/New London, WI 20.602

32. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 20.640

33. 51-Chris Oertel/Marshfield, WI 20.860

34. 0-Jim Rychtik/Port Washington, WI 21.092

35. 81-Troy Springborn/Shawano, WI 21.673

36. 32-Nick Anvelink/Navarino, WI N/T

37. 21F-Todd Frank/Seymour, WI N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Eckert, Erb, Schlieper, Moyer, Coffey, Oertel, Blashe, Lobb, T. Frank

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Mars, Hubbard, C. Smith, Robinson, Rychtik, Cullen, Clanton, Feger

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, McCreadie, Heckenast, Doar, Brindle, Davies, Springborn, Parker, Ritchie

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Simpson, O’Neal, Fuller, C. Frank, Diemel, Isenberg, B. Smith, Anvelink, George

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Coffey, Blashe, Lobb, Oertel, Cullen, Clanton, Robinson, Feger, Rychtik, Moyer, T. Frank

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Brindle, Diemel, B. Smith, Anvelink, Isenberg, Springborn, Parker, Ritchie, George, Davies

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Doug Blashe

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Doug Blashe/Chip Brindle

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): A.J. Diemel

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Steve Francis

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): John Lobb

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Darrell Lanigan (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Steve Francis
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Doug Blashe

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 3 – 22 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3202

2. Josh Richards 3142 (-60)

3. Darrell Lanigan 3076 (-126)

4. Tim McCreadie 3060 (-142)

5. Shane Clanton 2942 (-260)

6. Chub Frank 2932 (-270)

7. Clint Smith 2914 (-288)

8. Austin Hubbard 2912 (-290)

9. Tim Fuller 2788 (-414)

10. Vic Coffey 2772 (-430)

11. Pat Doar 2700 (-502)

12. Ron Davies 2550 (-652)

13. John Lobb 2442 (-760)

14. Jill George 1728 (-1474)

15. Steve Francis 1290 (-1912)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,700 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Rivalry Renewed: Mars Ready For Showdown With Bloomquist This Weekend (Aug. 4-6) In USA Nationals At Cedar Lake Speedway

Star Drivers Face Off For First Time Since Bloomquist Protested Mars’s Tires Following Firecracker 100

NEW RICHMOND, WI – Aug. 3, 2011 – Jimmy Mars has a pretty good idea what people will be talking about when he rolls into the pit area at Cedar Lake Speedway this weekend (Aug. 4-6) for the 24th annual USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel.

It’ll be something to do with Mars and Scott Bloomquist facing off...right, Jimmy?

“Yeah,” smiled Mars. “I would imagine that will be a big topic of conversation.”

Indeed, Cedar Lake’s $50,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series event will match Mars and Bloomquist for the first time since Bloomquist’s decision to protest two tires on Mars’s winning car following the national tour’s Firecracker 100 on June 25 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. Bloomquist’s protest sparked strong words from Mars in media interviews and lit up dirt Late Model pit areas and internet messageboards with speculation for the two-and-a-half weeks that the results remained unofficial while Mars’s tires underwent laboratory testing.

Mars, 39, of Menomonie, Wis., was finally vindicated on July 13 when WoO LMS officials announced that his tires had not been illegally altered and declared him the winner of the Firecracker 100. The Mars-Bloomquist discussion then died down, but it will certainly roar back to life this weekend when Mars crosses paths – and likely races side-by-side – with the man who protested him.

For his part, the low-key Mars has pledged to pay little mind to his Cedar Lake reunion with Mooresburg, Tenn.s’s Bloomquist. His comments on the SPEED television broadcast of the Firecracker 100 and on DirtonDirt.com detailed his feelings about Bloomquist and made it clear that he won’t let the legendary dirt Late Model driver get in his head.

“I know who he is and what he’s like,” Mars said of Bloomquist, “and I am who I am. We just come to race. There’s going to be a lot more people to worry about (at Cedar Lake) than just him.”

Mars and Bloomquist, of course, will be two of the favorites to capture the lucrative top prize in Saturday night’s 100-lap USA Nationals headliner. Mars is a two-time winner of the event while Bloomquist owns a record-tying five USA Nationals victories, including a dramatic, survival-of-the-fittest triumph in last year’s edition of the race.

The USA Nationals ranks as one of the most important, highly-anticipated events on Mars’s annual racing schedule. The speedway, after all, sits less than an hour’s drive from his home and he’s won plenty of features there during his career.

“I’ve had a lot of success, had a lot of fun and done a lot of cool things up there,” Mars said of Cedar Lake Speedway. “We’ve won the Topless (100 in Batesville, Ark.) twice, the Firecracker 100 twice, the Dream (at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway), the North-South (100 at Kentucky’s Florence Speedway) – a lot of big races – but our two USA Nationals wins definitely are special to me. The track is right close to home where I grew up and I watched all the big guys come in there and race when I was a kid, so every year I get excited about having the chance to be involved in it.

“I’ll never forget winning my first one,” he continued, thinking back to his $29,000 triumph in the 1996 USA Nationals. “It was one of my biggest career wins at that point. In my book it was my first crown-jewel win, so it was pretty cool to do it close to home with my family and friends watching.”

Surprisingly, Mars didn’t repeat as a USA Nationals champion until 2009. Between his victories he started every USA Nationals feature except one (1999), but his best finishes were fourth (’00, ’04 and ’06) and fifth (’98 and ’03).

“I definitely know how hard it is to win it,” said Mars. “The first time I won it I was kind of a punk kid and just thought, ‘Hey, it’s a big race. I won it. Cool. Let’s drink some beer.’ I didn’t really realize how tough it was to win one of those races – until it took so long to win it again.

“Thirteen years between wins is a long time. I mean, so many things changed in my life between 1996 and 2009 – I got married, I had two kids, I got a pretty good-sized manufacturing deal going with our race cars and stuff.”

Mars made a run at a third USA Nationals checkered flag last year, leading laps 32-59 before an overheating engine forced him to pull off during a caution period. He settled for a 14th-place finish.

“The (temperature) gauge was trying to come around for some more,” Mars said of his car’s overheating condition caused by a radiator that became caked with mud. “I pulled in before something could happen to the engine. It was just kind of a heartbreaker because I felt like we had one of the cars to beat.”

Mars will attempt to erase memories of last year’s disappointment during this weekend’s USA Nationals spectacular, which kicks off on Thurs., Aug. 4, with a $5,000-to-win Cornbelt Clash Series program before continuing with WoO LMS time trials, heats and a dash on Fri., Aug. 5, and last-chance events and the 100-lapper on Sat., Aug. 6. He will bid to join Bloomquist and Billy Moyer as only the third three-time winners of an event he raves about to anybody who will listen.

“It’s pretty laid back weekend, especially if you’re into just kicking back, having a few beers and enjoying some great racing,” said Mars. “It’s definitely unique compared to some of the races we go to. I think it’s turned into more of an event instead of just a race.

“I’m probably not the spotlight-style driver who needs to get introduced like they do at the Nationals, with the cars coming out of the pits with the lights out and the smoke. When I get introduced like that, I’m probably the one who’s gonna hang my head and act like, ‘Yeah...whatever.’

“But it’s pretty cool for the fan aspect,” he added. “It’s kind of got a little of the Monster Jam-type-intro thing to get the crowd revved up. I think tracks with race deals like the USA Nationals need to do that kind of stuff more to get everybody excited.”

The 2011 USA Nationals weekend will also feature complete shows each night for Cedar Lake’s NASCAR Late Models with the winners walking away with $2,500.

Plenty of off-track activities will give once again give the USA Nationals a more-than-just-a-race feeling. Cedar Lake officials will accent the racing with an exciting array of pre- and post-race entertainment, including a Saturday-morning golf scramble at the nearby New Richmond Links Golf Course; a Ladder Ball competition in the wooded camping area at 12 noon on Friday; the popular Apple River Tubing expedition during the afternoons before the races; the ‘FansFund’ Luncheon on Saturday afternoon that allows contributors an opportunity to meet the drivers they helped bring to the USA Nationals; a driver autograph/meet-and-greet session prior to Saturday night’s first green flag; go-karts in the backstretch parking lot; and the ‘Party in the Pits’ under the Big White Tent following the Thursday and Friday programs.

Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and on-track action at 6:30 p.m. each day.

Advanced tickets for the USA Nationals are available by calling 612-363-0479 or by visiting www.cedarlakespeedway.com. Regular camping is sold out but additional spots have been added and can be purchased by calling the number above.

Fans who can’t make the trip to Cedar Lake can still catch all the action through a live pay-per-view broadcast of the event over the web produced by DirtonDirt.com. Log on to www.dirtondirt.com for details.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Looking Forward To Big-Track Showdown This Wednesday Night (Aug. 3) At Shawano Speedway

SHAWANO, WI – Aug. 2, 2011 – Most of the stars of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series got their first taste of the sprawling Shawano Speedway last year.

What was the traveling standouts’ consensus opinion of the half-mile fairgrounds oval? They seemed to enjoy their visit – and that’s why they’re looking forward to the national tour’s return to Shawano this Wednesday night (Aug. 3) for another mid-week spectacular topped by a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main.

“Shawano is probably one of the better bigger racetracks that we go to,” pronounced tour stalwart Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., who finished fifth in last year’s WoO LMS headliner. “I like any racetrack you can race on, and Shawano is one of those places where you can race two- and three-wide in the feature.”

Last year’s WoO LMS event – the tour’s first since 1989 at the tradition-laden Badger State track – was dominated by three-time series champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who put on a clinic in setting a new track record during qualifying, winning a heat race and leading every lap of the A-Main without facing a serious threat. Behind Moyer, however, was plenty of close competition to keep the attention of the evening’s capacity crowd, including tense, race-long battles for second and fourth and a methodical march through the pack by 2006 World of Outlaws titlist Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.

The war for the runner-up spot in 2010 was waged between Wisconsin drivers Brady Smith of Solon Springs and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie. Smith held on to take the bridesmaid position in what was his first-ever start at Shawano, while Mars, who won a major WISSOTA Late Model event at Shawano in 2008, settled for third.

Fourth place in last year’s A-Main, meanwhile, was claimed by two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who slipped by Clanton for the spot on lap 41 with an outside move off the fourth corner. The race for position helped make both drivers fans of the Shawano layout.

“That’s a good place to race,” said Richards, who enters Wednesday’s action sitting second in the ’11 WoO LMS points standings with four wins to his credit. “It’s smooth and fast, and you can pass if your car is working and you find the right line. We found a good line (to overtake Clanton last year) but there weren’t enough laps left (to advance further).”

“It raced real nice,” added Clanton, whose two top-five finishes in a struggle-filled ’11 season have come in the tour’s last four events. “The line was kind of right against the cushion in qualifying and then it widened out a little bit in the heats – and then it really widened out in the feature to where you could race all over it. It’s single-file down the straightaway because you’re running so fast and the draft takes effect there, but you can run from top-to-bottom in the corners.”

McCreadie was the Outlaw who put the biggest charge into Shawano’s fans last year. He discovered a unique outside/inside line around the track during the caution-free second half of the A-Main, allowing him to pick up four spots over that stretch and net a respectable seventh-place finish after starting 16th in his Sweeteners Plus car.

The run gave McCreadie a good impression of Shawano, a challenging speedway he sees as a good proving ground for setups he would like to use in upcoming major events.

“I want to run good on hard tires and an icy-slick track – like Shawano – because that’s where the money’s won,” said McCreadie, alluding to prestigious high-dollar shows contested on slick ovals like the DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned World 100 on Sept. 9-10 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. “Look at who won (at Shawano) last year. Look at how Moyer handled the place and what he’s done in his career.”

Of course, McCreadie, who plans to run a Victory Circle chassis that Moyer helped design on Wednesday night, is hoping that he doesn’t have to work quite as hard to get to the front of the pack in his second appearance at Shawano. He needs a much better qualifying effort (he was 20th -fastest in time trials last year) to put himself in position to do more damage.

“After the race last year I said to Al (Stevens, then his chief mechanic), ‘I had to do that just to get to seventh. Just imagine if we could actually start up front with those guys and do what we did to put us over the top,’” said McCreadie, who is third in the WoO LMS points standings and carries a streak of 12 consecutive top-10 finishes into Wednesday’s program. “We’ve been in the same kind of rut lately (qualifying poorly, starting deep in the A-Main field and then rallying to finish well), but I feel like we’re getting close to putting it all together earlier in the night so we don’t have to work so hard at the end just to get up there into contention.

“I’ve been working with this car (he’s run the Victory Circle since mid-May) and I know in my heart it’s really good. We’re getting it balanced, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do with it (at Shawano).”

Several WoO LMS regulars mention Shawano when asked for a list of favorite tracks they’ve visited on the tour, including 2008 champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (the eighth-place finisher in last year’s event tends to prefer bigger ovals) and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., a one-time bullring lover who has come to appreciate the challenge of racing on a “big superspeedway-type racetrack” like Shawano.

“Earlier in my career I was always intimidated by the bigger places because, coming from the south, all of our tracks are three-eighths (mile) or smaller usually so I just never got used to running big tracks,” said Smith, who has entered all 302 WoO LMS events run since the World Racing Group restarted the tour in 2004 following a 15-year hiatus. “But now, running the big tracks is easier than the small tracks for me. We’ve adapted our driving to the high speeds and the bigger tracks seem to suit our Rocket cars.

“I really like Shawano. It’s a super-good racetrack as far as passing, and it’s a super-nice facility too.”

Smith just hopes he fares better on Wednesday than he did a year ago. He suffered race-ending engine problems midway through the A-Main and finished 22 nd, but he’s buoyed by the fact that he felt strong navigating the track (he charged forward in his heat to finish third) before mechanical trouble set in.

Other WoO LMS followers ready to tackle Shawano for the second straight year include points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (finished 11th in the ’10 A-Main); 19-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del. (17th); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (13th); Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (10th) and Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa (19th). Series regulars who will make first-ever starts at Shawano are Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and Rookie of the Year contenders Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., while current rookie points leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., will return to a track that he’s run before in WISSOTA competition.

Some top-notch talent is expected to face off with the World of Outlaws racers, including Wisconsion’s Brady Smith, Mars, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Kerry Hansen of Spencer, Nick Anvelink of Navarino, A.J. Diemel of Bonduel, Tim Isenberg of Marshfield, Troy Springborn of Shawano and Joe Reuter of Shawano as well as DIRTcar UMP stars Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind.

Wednesday’s program, which also includes action for the IMCA Stock Cars, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $25 for ages 12-and-over, with children 11-and-under admitted free of charge. Seats in rows 10-29 of the track’s covered grandstand can be reserved in advance by calling Shawano Speedway at 715-526-7069 or 715-584-0819. Pit passes will be $40.

Shawano Speedway is located about 45 minutes northwest of Green Bay and three-and-a-half hours east of Cedar Lake Speedway, where the WoO LMS heads for the 24th annual USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel on Aug. 4-6.

Additional information about Shawano Speedway is available by visiting www.shawanospeedway.net.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Resets Labor Day Weekend Doubleheader For Tyler County Speedway & Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex

Tyler County’s ‘Black Diamond 125’ & First-Ever WoO LMS Event At Roaring Knob Replace Two-Day Show Scheduled For PA’s Closed Tri-City Speedway

CONCORD, NC – Aug. 1, 2011 – World of Outlaws Late Model Series officials have reset the national tour’s schedule for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, inking dates at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., on Sat., Sept. 3, and Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., on Sun., Sept. 4.

The new events were announced on Monday to replace the circuit’s originally scheduled Oil Region Labor Day Classic on Sept. 3-4 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., which was closed indefinitely by its owners late last week.

The cancellation of Tri-City’s doubleheader has actually produced an even richer holiday weekend for the WoO LMS, which will headline the lucrative second annual ‘Black Diamond 125’ that was already scheduled for Sept. 3 at Tyler County. A unique event billed as “The Coolest Crown Jewel on the Planet,” the three-part ‘Black Diamond 125’ provides an opportunity for a driver to earn $30,000 in a single night.

Roaring Knob’s WoO LMS show on Sept. 4, meanwhile, will feature a 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win. It will mark the tour’s first-ever visit to the three-eighths-mile oval.

“We were very disappointed when we learned last week that Tri-City Speedway was closing and would not be able to host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for the seventh consecutive year,” said tour director Tim Christman. “But we quickly became extremely excited when we realized the level of interest the newly-open holiday-weekend dates generated among promoters in the region. Within two days of Tri-City’s announcement we were able to put together a doubleheader at Tyler County and Roaring Knob that will be very attractive for our racers and fans alike.

“We’re especially thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Black Diamond 125’ at Tyler County. It offers an exceptional purse for the teams, and we’re looking forward to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series adding more excitement and value to the most unique and fan-friendly race in the country.”

The ‘Black Diamond 125’ will lead off the holiday weekend on Sept. 3, bringing the WoO LMS back to the hardscrabble quarter-mile oval for the first time since May 2009. The event will deviate from the traditional WoO LMS format – and thus award all drivers show-up points in the championship battle – but offer one of the richest payoffs of the 2011 series schedule.

Over $157,000 will on the line for Super Late Model competitors during Tyler County’s ‘Black Diamond 125’ weekend, which also includes the 51-lap, $8,000-to-win ‘West Virginia State Championship’ for the UFO Series on Fri., Sept. 2. Practice for Late Model teams will also be held on Thurs., Sept. 1, as part of the weekend’s opening night action that features support-division racing.

After a successful inaugural event in 2010 that drew one of the largest fields of Super Late Models anywhere in the country, the ‘Black Diamond 125’ will once again be comprised of three races in one night. The event’s field will be split into two groups and a full racing program – 15-lap heats, 15-lap B-Mains and 24-car, 40-lap preliminary A-Mains paying $10,000 to win – will be run for each. The top-eight finishers in each preliminary feature will move on to the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale, a 45-lap showdown that offers a gargantuan $20,000 first-place prize.

Each 40-lap preliminary feature and the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale boasts a full purse, including cool $1,000 payoffs for last place. Tow money will also be available for non-qualifiers and no entry fee will be charged for competitors who pre-enter by Aug. 15.

“We’re real excited to add the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to the ‘Black Diamond 125,’” said Circle Track Management Group’s Darren Dodd, who promotes the Tyler County oval alongside Frank Wilson. “We think having the World of Outlaws join the ‘Black Diamond 125’ is something that’s going to bring more attention to the event and help it continue to grow. The fans loved the format we introduced last year, and adding more well-known national names to the mix of regional and local drivers should produce great racing for everyone on hand.

“Frank (Wilson) and I are looking at this as a great opportunity to build a long relationship with the World of Outlaws that will benefit Tyler County Speedway and the ‘Black Diamond 125’ for years to come.”

A raindate of Mon., Sept. 5 – Labor Day – has been established for the ‘Black Diamond 125,’ reserving the Sunday date for the WoO LMS invasion of Roaring Knob.

Roaring Knob’s program on Sun., Sept. 4, will have some interesting wrinkles of its own. The evening’s action will be sponsored by Joy Mining Machinery, the sponsor of the Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Tundra that two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., is driving in 11 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events this season. Joy Mining Machinery is headquartered outside Pittsburgh in Warrendale, Pa., about two hours northwest of Roaring Knob.

More news on Roaring Knob’s inaugural WoO LMS will be released as the date draws closer.

For more details on the ‘Black Diamond 125’ weekend, including advance-sale ticket information, visit www.blackdiamond125.com or tylercountyspeedwayonline.com or call 304-665-1118 on weekdays.

Additional info on Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex can be obtained by logging on to www.roaringknob.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Lanigan Holds Off Richards For World of Outlaws Late Model Series Triumph At Eriez Speedway

HAMMETT, PA – July 31, 2011 – Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., capped the three-race World of Outlaws Late Model Series swing through western Pennsylvania in fine fashion, mastering Eriez Speedway to capture Sunday night’s 50-lap A-Main.

The 2008 WoO LMS champion led from start-to-finish to register his first-ever victory at the one-third-mile oval outside Erie. He drove away from Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., following a late-race restart en route to his series-leading sixth win of the 2011 season behind the wheel of his self-owned GottaRace.com Rocket car.

“Eriez is not one of my better tracks, but the car was awesome tonight,” said the 41-year-old Lanigan, who earned $10,775 for his efforts. “Getting to draw the front row (outside pole starting spot) definitely helped out, but the car was unbelievable. We did a few things different than we usually do here and it worked.”

The checkered flag was Lanigan’s second of the national tour’s month-ending tripleheader in the Keystone State. He also won on July 26 at Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa. – a race that was the milestone 300th contested on the WoO LMS since 2004.

Richards, 23, hustled his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car forward from the fifth starting spot to second by lap 23. But after overtaking Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., for the runner-up slot his ascension effectively stalled thanks to a faulty spark plug wire, leaving him 0.990 of a second behind Lanigan at the finish line.

Clanton, who started from the pole position, settled for a third-place finish in his RSD Enterprises Rocket mount. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., advanced from the 14th starting position to place fourth in a Victory Circle machine and his Sweeteners Plus teammate Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., completed the top five in a Rocket.

Lanigan, whose pair of Pennsy victories sandwiched a ninth-place finish on July 27 at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport (he went to the rear of the field after clipping the wall and sliding to a stop between turns one and two), outgunned Clanton for the lead at the initial green on Sunday and never looked back. He was well aware that Richards was lurking in second throughout the race’s second half but figured it would take a spectacular move for his young rival to unseat him.

“I knew (Richards) was back there, but I didn’t where he was,” said Lanigan, who registered his 25th career win on the WoO LMS. “I knew if anyone did pass me on the outside, he was gonna have a helluva ride out there. It got dirty out there and it was hard to get anything going, so I didn’t see how anybody could pass me out there.

“I just kept running the same line I did the whole race. I wasn’t gonna get off the bottom unless I had to.”

Richards managed to come within inches of Lanigan’s right-rear quarter-panel when he lunged into turns one and two following the race’s third-and-final restart, on lap 41, but that was as close as he got to the lead.

“We gave it all we had,” said Richards, who was shooting for a second consecutive WoO LMS victory after winning the ‘Penn Gold 40’ at McKean County. “We had a real good car, but we broke a plug wire and I couldn’t quite get the car loaded (through the corners) like we needed to. The motor would just stumble and I’d lose that little extra bit of ground when I needed to be on the gas and going.

“I really feel like if we could’ve run a clean line we would’ve had a good shot to win the race, but we’re happy with second. Darrell and his guys did a great job and deserved to win.”

Clanton, 35, recorded just his second top-five finish in 21 WoO LMS starts this season. He got back on track after back-to-back frustrating finishes at Dog Hollow and McKean County.

“We worked pretty hard this week,” said Clanton, who decided to pull out his Rocket car for Sunday’s action after struggling with his Capital Race Car in the other Pennsylvania events. “We wanted to go racing Friday and Saturday but we didn’t. We took some time off to try and concentrate on this race.”

McCreadie, 37, was the most notable hard charger for the third consecutive WoO LMS A-Main, but that fact had him a bit perturbed following the race.

“I just don’t qualify or heat race good,” said McCreadie, who briefly took third from Clanton lap 47 before ceding the spot back the following circuit. “We had a really good car for the feature – again – but the problem is, when you start so far back and have to pass all them guys, you just use a lot of your stuff up. Once you get there in contention like we did tonight, there just isn’t enough left.”

Coffey, who turned 40 on July 25, cracked the top five for the second consecutive race. He also threatened to take third from Clanton midway through the A-Main before he fell back to fifth place.

“I was probably a little bit too tight right in the center to run the bottom,” said Coffey, who is still searching for his first career WoO LMS victory in 101 A-Mains starts. “I finally moved up to the middle in (turns) three and four about halfway through the race and actually drove right to Clanton and got beside him a couple times, but then he kind of adjusted his line a little bit and I went down there and missed once and slid and Timmy went driving on by (for fourth on a lap-37 restart).”

WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished sixth after nearly slipping out of the top 10 following a lap-23 restart. He left Eriez with a 42-point advantage over Richards.

“I tightened my car up too much,” said Eckert. “I was too tight to roll through the center, and on the one restart I pushed off the corner and whoa...I was in trouble. They were steady driving by me.

“That last restart I got something back. We salvaged a decent finish out of it, so we’ll keep after ‘em as hard as we can and hopefully we’ll be there at the end (in the championship battle).”

Finishing in positions 7-10 was third-starter Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., who earned the $500 ‘Bonus Buck’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa.; Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., who ran as high as sixth; and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who started 22nd after earning the final transfer spot in the second B-Main with a last-corner pass of Corry, Pa.’s Chris Hackett.

Bump Hedman of Sugar Grove, Pa., topped the 36-car field in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, turning a lap 16.051 seconds to earn his first-ever fast-time honor in WoO LMS competition. He was an early retiree from the A-Main, however, finishing 23rd after stopping on the track to bring out a caution flag on lap 37.

Heat winners were Clanton, Lanigan, Stone and Richards. John Volpe of Lakewood, N.Y., and WoO LMS rookie Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., captured the B-Mains.

Next on the WoO LMS schedule is a three-race trip to the Upper Midwest highlighted by the $50,000-to-win USA Nationals on Aug. 4-6 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. The 100-lap event will be sandwiched by 50-lap, $10,000-to-win programs on Wed., Aug. 3, at Shawano (Wis.) Speedway and Mon., Aug. 8, at Independence (Iowa) Motor Speedway.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Eriez Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Darrell Lanigan/50 $10,775

2. (5) Josh Richards/50 $5,750

3. (1) Shane Clanton/50 $3,550

4. (14) Tim McCreadie/50 $3,150

5. (4) Vic Coffey/50 $2,550

6. (7) Rick Eckert/50 $2,250

7. (3) Mike Knight/50 $1,950

8. (10) Robbie Blair/50 $1,300

9. (8) Dan Stone/50 $1,200

10. (22) Chub Frank/50 $1,650

11. (12) Pat Doar/50 $1,850

12. (23) Clint Smith/50 $1,550

13. (13) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,500

14. (15) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/50 $900

15. (16) Andy Boozel/50 $850

16. (6) Dave Hess Jr./50 $800

17. (17) John Volpe/50 $770

18. (11) Tim Fuller/50 $1,300

19. (18) Ron Davies/50 $1,280

20. (21) John Lobb/50 $700

21. (25) Dave Lyon/49 $700

22. (20) Scott Gurdak/37 $700

23. (9) Bump Hedman/36 $750

24. (24) Steve Francis/2 $700

25. (19) Jason Dupont/0 $725

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 26 Mins., 38.036 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.990 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 23, 37, 41)

Lap Leaders: Lanigan (1-50)

Provisional Starters: Smith, Francis (WoO); Lyon (track)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Knight ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 16.051

2. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 16.135

3. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 16.169

4. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.233

5. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 16.275

6. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 16.320

7. 2-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.345

8. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.384

9. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.389

10. 2V-Chad Valone/Jamestown, NY 16.394

11. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.453

12. 9K-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 16.504

13. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.505

14. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 16.514

15. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.514

16. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.517

17. 14B-Dick Barton/Ashville, NY 16.531

18. 28L-Randy Lobb/Jamestown, NY 16.557

19. 76-Andy Kania/Waterford, PA 16.589

20. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 16.591

21. 53-John Volpe/Lakewood, NY 16.592

22. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 16.604

23. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.612

24. 12B-Andy Boozel/16.620

25. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.629

26. NO7-Jason Dupont/Cyclone, PA 16.643

27. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.650

28. 9-Scott Gurdak/Bear Lake, PA 16.665

29. 26G-Dutch Davies/Warren, PA 16.674

30. 55H-Dave Lyon/Corry, PA 16.679

31. 33-Chris Hackett/Corry, PA 16.694

32. 1g-Rich Gardner/Waterford, PA 16.795

33. 22-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 16.820

34. 71L-Dennis Lunger/Albion, PA 16.841

35. 03-Doug Eck/Corry, PA 16.897

36. 16*-Dereck Frank/Jamestown, NY 17.232

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Eckert, Hedman, Hubbard, Volpe, J. Lobb, Oakes, D. Davies, Barton

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Hess, Blair, McCreadie, Dupont, Valone, R. Lobb, Lyon, Lunger

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Stone, Coffey, Fuller, Briggs, R. Davies, Hackett, Eck, C. Frank, Kania

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Knight, Doar, Boozel, Gurdak, Gardner, Smith, D. Frank, Francis

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Volpe, Dupont, J. Lobb, D. Davies, Lunger, R. Lobb, Oakes, Valone, Lyon (DNS) Barton

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): R. Davies, Gurdak, C. Frank, Hackett, Eck, Francis, Smith, Kania, D. Frank (DNS) Gardner

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Tim McCreadie

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Mike Knight

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): John Lobb/Chris Hackett

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Pat Doar

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Dave Lyon

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Jason Dupont

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Bump Hedman

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): John Lobb

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Darrell Lanigan (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Mike Knight

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chad Valone

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 31 – 21 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 3056

2. Josh Richards 3014 (-42)

3. Tim McCreadie 2946 (-110)

4. Darrell Lanigan 2926 (-130)

5. Austin Hubbard 2810 (-246)

6. Shane Clanton 2800 (-256)

7. Chub Frank 2796 (-260)

8. Clint Smith 2782 (-274)

9. Tim Fuller 2676 (-380)

10. Vic Coffey 2638 (-418)

11. Pat Doar 2574 (-482)

12. Ron Davies 2428 (-628)

13. John Lobb 2324 (-732)

14. Jill George 1648 (-1408)

15. Jonathan Davenport 1288 (-1768)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,700 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Ready Like Never Before: Pat Doar Confident Heading Into USA Nationals On Aug. 4-6 At Cedar Lake Speedway

Chasing World of Outlaws Late Model Series In 2011 Has Veteran Racer Tuned Up For His Hometown Track’s Marquee Event

NEW RICHMOND, WI – July 29, 2011 – Pat Doar has always been sort of an interloper in his hometown track’s biggest dirt Late Model race of the season – specifically, a small-engine specialist trying to make noise in an open-motor extravaganza.

But that won’t be the case for the 24th annual USA Nationals presented by U.S. Steel at Cedar Lake Speedway, a 100-lap, $50,000-to-win spectacular on Aug. 4-6 that ranks as the highest-paying event on the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

The 47-year-old Doar, whose home in New Richmond, Wis., sits just five miles from Cedar Lake, is crisscrossing the country this season as a first-time WoO LMS regular. It’s the most sustained open-competition dirt Late Model racing he’s ever done since debuting in the full-fender division in 1994, so he’ll enter the USA Nationals with his confidence buoyed, if not exactly soaring.

“It’s always been the same for us at the (USA) Nationals – we run there for three days with the big motor and by the time everybody’s done and driving out the pit gate (after the 100-lapper), I’m like, ‘We’re just starting to get the hang of this big-motor stuff,’” said Doar, who currently leads the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points standings over fellow veterans-turned-national-travelers Ron Davies, 53, of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb, 41, of Frewsburg, N.Y. “This year I know I’ll be better prepared than I normally am. Now when I unload I know I’ll be ready for time trials and the heats and I’ll be more comfortable running the big motor because we’ve been doing it all summer.”

The USA Nationals, which kicks off on Thurs., Aug. 4, with a $5,000-to-win Cornbelt Clash Series program before continuing with WoO LMS time trials, heats and a dash on Fri., Aug. 5, and last-chance events and the 100-lapper on Sat., Aug. 6, presents a quandary to Doar. While he’s an acknowledged standout at Cedar Lake with four career dirt Late Model championships and dozens of feature wins to his credit, all of his success has come in the track’s weekly series that utilizes a more restrictive engine-rules package than the open-motor specs that are in place for the USA Nationals. As a result, Doar has annually found himself at a disadvantage in his home track’s marquee show – either due to his inexperience with open-motor racing or, in some cases, sheer horsepower.

“A lot of years we didn’t have any open (competition) engines so we’d try to qualify for the Nationals with the smaller motor to get the starting pay,” said Doar, who fields his own racing equipment. “We got in the show like that several times, but not recently. Open motors have gotten that much better, so it’s not really a contest anymore. You have to run a big motor if you expect to even have a chance.”

Doar has qualified for the USA Nationals A-Main seven times, but he hasn’t recorded a single top-10 finish. His career-best finish was 13th in 1996; since then he’s run 19th (’97), 23rd (’99), 22nd (’03), 23rd (’05), 20th (’06) and 23 rd (’07). He fell three spots short of transferring into last year’s USA Nationals, which flew the WoO LMS banner for the first time since 2005.

Perhaps the most memorable USA Nationals performance for Doar came in 2003, when he was a race-long contender for a top-five finish despite running his small motor. He couldn’t make it to the checkered flag, however.

“It was a 75-lapper that year (sanctioned by the old UDTRA/Hav-A-Tampa Series) and I ran out of fuel on like lap 67,” recalled Doar. “We were (running) on alcohol and just couldn’t make it on fuel. We were pretty good in that one. That was our best shot at it.”

Doar’s history in the USA Nationals is filled with early retirements – usually because his underpowered car made pulling off the sensible option. On one occasion, however, he experienced a painful DNF.

“A few years ago – 2006, I think – I started in the back and was just gonna mind my own business and see how far I could go,” said Doar. “The next thing I know, an official was asking me if I was alright. I asked him, ‘What are you doing out here on the track?’ I apparently got hit in the head with a clod of mud and didn’t know what was going on for a second. I was knocked out and hit the wall a little bit.”

Doar is hoping that this year’s edition of the $250,000-plus weekend in his backyard will turn out better. He’s not expecting anyone to list him as a favorite to win the 50-grand, but he would like to believe the open-motor education he’s received on the WoO LMS this season will put him in the mix for a top-10 finish.

“You never know...things could go my way,” said Doar, who sits 11th in the current WoO LMS points standings with a rookie-leading five top-10 finishes on his ledger (a sixth-place finish is his best outing to date). “But I think realistically, and I don’t think I’ve raced enough with the open-motor stuff yet to be going for a win in the Nationals. It’s a tall order to beat these (WoO LMS) guys. They’re the best in the country and you just don’t go out and beat ‘em. You gotta put some time in and learn how to do it.

“For the last 10 or 15 years we’ve been traveling a lot through the Upper Midwest, and I did race a little bit (in open-motor events) with Jimmy Mars so I knew it wasn’t gonna be easy coming out here (on the WoO LMS) and racing with these guys. I just figured, If I can stay around long enough to kind of weather the storm, it’ll get better. And we are getting better. We still have to get the whole night together, but there’s usually at least a part of each night now where I feel like I run well.

“I think it’s gonna take a little more time for me to learn what all needs to be done in a 100-lap deal,” he continued. “I haven’t hardly ever run many 100-lappers. We’ve run some over the years (he’s won three small-motor 100s at Cedar Lake since 1999), but we’ve mostly just done 40- or 50-lappers. One-hundred laps is a whole different deal.

“In the Firecracker (100) at Lernerville (Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on June 25), we started out and got a flat right away and went to the tail. I was passing cars and got up to about mid-pack, and then about lap 60 I just totally fell off. I don’t know if it was me or my car, but I was like, ‘Oh, man, I got some learning to do on these longer races.’”

Whether Doar can figure out the secret to success in the USA Nationals 100 will be determined on Aug. 6. He’s looking forward to the challenge of facing off on home turf with WoO LMS stars like Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., as well as former USA Nationals winners Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., and Brian Birkhofer of Mucastine, Iowa.

“I think I’ve pretty much been there for all of them,” said Doar, who was a race fan and crew member when the USA Nationals began in 1988. “I’ve sat and watched a bunch of them, so in theory I know what you gotta do. But it’s easier said than done. It’s like watching Tiger Woods hit a golf ball – that looks pretty easy, but it ain’t.

“It’s going to be pretty fun going to Cedar for the Nationals this year,” he added. “It’s one of the biggest races in the country and it’s right by my house, so it’s exciting to go in feeling a little better about our chances.

“I think this year, with traveling around like we’ve done, maybe I’ll be better because I won’t be so nervous or worked up about the race like I have in years past. We’ve been racing bigger races all over, so hopefully it’ll let me think better and things will go better.”

The 2011 USA Nationals weekend will also feature complete shows each night for Cedar Lake’s NASCAR Late Models with the winners walking away with $2,500.

Plenty of off-track activities will give once again give the USA Nationals a more-than-just-a-race feeling. Cedar Lake officials will accent the racing with an exciting array of pre- and post-race entertainment, including a Saturday-morning golf scramble at the nearby New Richmond Links Golf Course; a Ladder Ball competition in the wooded camping area at 12 noon on Friday; the popular Apple River Tubing expedition during the afternoons before the races; the ‘FansFund’ Luncheon on Saturday afternoon that allows contributors an opportunity to meet the drivers they helped bring to the USA Nationals; a driver autograph/meet-and-greet session prior to Saturday night’s first green flag; go-karts in the backstretch parking lot; and the ‘Party in the Pits’ under the Big White Tent following the Thursday and Friday programs.

Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and on-track action at 6:30 p.m. each day.

Advanced tickets for the USA Nationals are available by calling 612-363-0479 or by visiting www.cedarlakespeedway.com. Regular camping is sold out but additional spots have been added and can be purchased by calling the number above.

Fans who can’t make the trip to Cedar Lake can still catch all the action through a live pay-per-view broadcast of the event over the web produced by DirtonDirt.com. Log on to www.dirtondirt.com for details.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster,

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com 704-254-7929

Richards Overtakes Coffey For ‘Penn Gold 40’ Victory In Front Of Overflow Crowd At McKean County Raceway

EAST SMETHPORT, PA – July 27, 2011 – Josh Richards – and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series – sparkled on Wednesday night at McKean County Raceway.

Racing in front of a standing-room-only crowd that ranked as the biggest in the history of the one-third-mile oval, Shinnston, W.Va.’s Richards overtook Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., for the lead on lap 27 and marched on to victory in the ‘Penn Gold 40.

The two-time defending WoO LMS champion pocketed $8,875 for his fourth win of 2011 on the national tour. It was his 32nd career World of Outlaws triumph – more than any other driver since 2004.

“It’s very special to win the first time here at McKean (for the WoO LMS),” said Richards, a 23-year-old who had never previously competed at McKean County. “With so many people here, it was cool to come out with a win. It was awesome to see such a great crowd show up to see us.”

WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished second, about a half-straightaway behind Richards at the checkered flag. Eckert grabbed the runner-up spot from Coffey on a lap-29 restart but never made a serious bid for the lead, leaving him a bridesmaid for the second consecutive night after starting from the pole position.

Coffey, who turned 40 on Monday, raced off the outside pole to lead laps 1-26 but settled for a season-high finish of third. He fell short of finally breaking through for his first career win on the WoO LMS in what was his 100th career A-Main start.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., inched forward from the seventh starting spot to finish fourth in his BPG Inc. Rocket car, giving him his long-awaited first top-five finish of the 2011 WoO LMS. Nineteen-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., advanced from the ninth starting position to place fifth in Dale Beitler’s Rocket, helping him erase memories of a frustrating lap-down, 18th-place finish the previous evening at Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa.

Richards, who started fourth, slid into second at the initial green flag and chased Coffey for more than half the distance before finally assuming command. Coffey slipped high in turn two on the 26th lap, allowing Richards to drive his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house underneath and move in front for good as lap 27 went on the scoreboard.

“Vic was doing a great job,” said Richards, who will make his third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start for Kyle Busch Motorsports on Friday night at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. “The track was a little dirty and he got caught up in the dust (to lose traction) and that opened the door for me.

“When he slid up the track and I got by him, I hated that for him. I know Vic’s really hungry for a win and he’s gonna get one here before too long.

“But at the same time, we’re trying to win,” he added. “We’ve had a fast car all year. I feel like we could’ve won six or seven races this year, but we’ve just had some tough breaks. We haven’t stopped working hard, though, and it shows with a night like this.”

Eckert, 45, failed to convert a pole position start into a victory – or even a lap in the lead – for the second straight night. His Team Zero by Bloomquist mount was good but not quite good enough.

“Josh has been running good,” said Eckert, who left McKean County leading the WoO LMS points standings by 50 markers over Richards. “He’s been able to pass in the race. We’ve been good up till the race, then we just miss by a little bit. Hopefully we’ll figure out something here to finish the night off.”

Coffey was the evening’s heartbreak kid, absorbing another tough defeat on the WoO LMS.

“We needed to tighten the car up a little bit more,” said Coffey. “I talked to Josh right before the race and he told me where he was at (with setup). We were pretty close, but he had done a couple adjustments I didn’t do. I was scared that I was already too tight, but then I talked to him and I was like, ‘Man, maybe we need to make some adjustments.’ Then (the WoO LMS officials) blew the (eight-minute) horn and we just decided, ‘Let’s go with what we got.’

“We probably should’ve been a little tighter. We got a little loose at the end.”

Coffey might have been able to salvage a second-place finish had he not made a do-or-die choice following the race’s fourth and final caution flag, on lap 29.

“On that last restart I probably should’ve picked the bottom (lane in the ‘Delaware’ double-file alignment),” said Coffey. “But I honestly thought my only shot to get the lead back was if I took the top and Josh went to the bottom in turn one and I hit it right down there. I guess it was either gonna be first or third. I wasn’t real interested in second.”

Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., finished sixth, matching his career-best WoO LMS finish and earning the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a series A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Rounding out the top 10 was Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.; 12th-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who restarted at the rear of the field on lap 11 after bringing out a caution flag when he clipped the homestretch and then slid to a stop between turns one and two while holding fourth place; and Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa.

McCreadie’s seventh-place finish was a respectable ending to his very rough evening. His troubles began with a broken driveshaft in his Victory Circle car during hot laps, forcing him to hastily pull out his backup Rocket machine for time trials. He returned to the seat of his Victory Circle for heat action after making repairs and qualified, but he relinquished the 17th starting spot in the A-Main and took the green flag from the rear because he had to pit on the pace laps due to power-steering woes.

“I really feel like we had a top-five car,” said McCreadie, who came through the pack one night after an 18th-to-fourth charge at Dog Hollow. “We just had too many cars to pass again.”

Blair was quickest of the 28 drivers who participated in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, turning a lap of 14.666 seconds. It was his fifth career fast-time honor on the WoO LMS.

Heat winners were Eckert, Richards and Coffey. Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., won the B-Main, but the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader was an early retiree from the headliner.

The WoO LMS completes its three-race swing through western Pennsylvania on Sunday evening (July 31) with a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main at Eriez Speedway in Hammett. It will mark the fifth consecutive year that the tour has visited the one-third-mile oval.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Penn Gold 40’ at McKean County Raceway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Josh Richards/40 $8,875

2. (1) Rick Eckert/40 $4,600

3. (2) Vic Coffey/40 $3,250

4. (7) Tim Fuller/40 $2,850

5. (9) Austin Hubbard/40 $2,550

6. (5) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/40 $2,100

7. (17) Tim McCreadie/40 $2,050

8. (12) Clint Smith/40 $1,850

9. (6) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,850

10. (10) Robbie Blair/40 $1,150

11. (15) Mike Knight/40 $1,000

12. (8) Jason Dupont/40 $900

13. (13) Dick Barton/40 $850

14. (16) Ron Davies/40 $1,600

15. (18) Chub Frank/40 $1,300

16. (20) John Lobb/39 $700

17. (21) Shane Clanton/39 $1,210

18. (24) Paul Grigsby/33 $640

19. (23) Greg Oakes/29 $620

20. (22) Dutch Davies/29 $610

21. (11) Gregg Satterlee/25 $600

22. (19) Pat Doar/17 $1,150

23. (14) Chad Valone/17 $600

24. (3) Bump Hedman/3 $625

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 3, 8, 11, 29)

Lap Leaders: Coffey (1-26); Richards (27-40)

Provisional Starters: Oakes, Grigsby

Rookie of the Race: Davies ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Briggs ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 14.666

2. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.674

3. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.683

4. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.761

5. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 14.807

6. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 14.858

7. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.914

8. N07-Jason Dupont/Cyclone, PA 14.942

9. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.957

10. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.965

11. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.966

12. 24G-Paul Grigsby/Springville, NY 15.062

13. 14B-Dick Barton/Ashville, NY 15.083

14. 2v-Chad Valone/Jamestown, NY 15.084

15. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.139

16. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.153

17. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.271

18. 26G-Dutch Davies/Warren, PA 15.273

19. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 15.290

20. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.291

21. 9K-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 15.323

22. 32-Jeff Hoffman/Clarendon, PA 15.370

23. 55-Denny Fenton/Clearfield, PA 15.395

24. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.397

25. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 15.472

26. 16*-Dereck Frank/Jamestown, NY 15.487

27. 12B-Andy Boozel/Clymer, NY 15.681

28. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.565

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Eckert, Lanigan, Fuller, Blair, Barton, R. Davies, Doar, Lobb, Oakes, Hoffman

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, Hedman, Dupont, Satterlee, Valone, McCreadie, Clanton, Fenton, D. Frank

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Coffey, Briggs, Hubbard, C. Smith, Knight, C. Frank, D. Davies, Boozel, Grigsby

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Doar, Lobb, Clanton, D. Davies, Boozel, Oakes, Hoffman, Grigsby, Fenton, D. Frank

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Greg Oakes

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Robbie Blair

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Jason Dupont

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Pat Doar

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Bump Hedman

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): John Lobb

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Robbie Blair
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dereck Frank

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ron Davies

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 27 – 20 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 2918

2. Josh Richards 2868 (-50)

3. Tim McCreadie 2804 (-114)

4. Darrell Lanigan 2776 (-142)

5. Austin Hubbard 2686 (-232)

6. Chub Frank 2666 (-252)

7. (tie) Shane Clanton 2656 (-262)

7. (tie) Clint Smith 2656 (-262)

9. Tim Fuller 2562 (-356)

10. Vic Coffey 2498 (-420)

11. Pat Doar 2446 (-472)

12. Ron Davies 2316 (-602)

13. John Lobb 2214 (-704)

14. Jill George 1648 (-1270)

15. Jonathan Davenport 1288 (-1630)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Nearly 4,600 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Lanigan Regains Winning Rhythm In Milestone World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At Dog Hollow Speedway

‘Laurel Highlands 40’ Marks 300th A-Main Contested By National Tour Since 2004

STRONGSTOWN, PA – July 26, 2011 – Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., rediscovered his winning form on a milestone night for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, capturing Tuesday’s ‘Laurel Highlands 40’ at Dog Hollow Speedway.

The 41-year-old star ended a nearly three-month checkered-flag drought in a memorable way, inking his name in the record book as the winner of the 300 th A-Main contested by the national tour since it was reincarnated in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

“It’s pretty cool to win the 300th World of Outlaws feature,” said Lanigan, who has entered all but two WoO LMS events since ’04. “We’ve been running this deal for a long time so it feels good to win a race like this.”

Racing before a big crowd that turned out to witness the biggest dirt Late Model race in Dog Hollow’s history, Lanigan surged forward from the fourth starting spot to grab the lead from Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., on lap 15 and never looked back. He beat WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., to the finish line by 1.693 seconds in a caution-free 40-lapper that took just under 12 minutes to complete.

Two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., finished third after starting eighth. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., made a spectacular charge from the 18th starting spot to place fourth, and Davies slipped back to fifth at the finish after leading racing off the outside pole to lead laps 1-14.

Lanigan earned $8,775 for his series-leading fifth win of 2011 but first since April 30 at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky. He was the tour’s hottest driver early in the season with four victories in a five-race span before falling into a slight slump.

“We struggled there a little bit for a couple months and got our program off a little bit,” said Lanigan, who pushed his career win total on the WoO LMS to 24. “We put our program back together pretty much similar to where we had it the beginning of the year and the car’s pretty good right now.

“You get caught up in what everybody else is doing and then you get off of your own stuff. You need to just stick with what you’re doing. We kind of parked by ourselves tonight, did our own thing and kind of gambled on tires, and I think it paid off.”

Driving his GottaRace.com Rocket in Dog Hollow’s first-ever WoO LMS event, Lanigan wasn’t challenged after slipping underneath Davies for the top spot. For most of the race’s second half he maintained an edge of about two seconds over Eckert, who overtook Davies for second on lap 18.

“The car was awesome tonight,” said Lanigan. “I could put it anywhere I wanted to. We had to get around the lapped traffic, but once I got around it I knew they’d (his pursuers) would have to get around it too.”

Eckert, 45, started from the pole position but couldn’t convert the prime spot into his third win of the season. He concluded that his tire-compound choice on his Team Zero by Bloomquist car contributed to his loss.

“I’ve never been here before, so I went with tires that the Hoosier guys were saying (to run),” said Eckert, who is the only driver in WoO LMS history to start all 300 A-Mains contested since 2004. “(Lanigan) snuck by us at the beginning with a little softer left-rear tire, and then when I got mine going I came back towards him at the end but I couldn’t get close enough to challenge him.

“Track position was everything. I probably should’ve gambled on tires.”

The 23-year-old Richards made a solid advance in his father Mark’s Rocket house car, reaching third on lap 22 and running there to the finish. He drew within one second of Eckert in the final laps.

“I gave it everything I had there at the beginning just trying to get positions,” said Richards. “I definitely think we had a car that was good enough to win, but we got strung out. I was hoping for a caution to get everything cooled back down and get everybody bunched up, but we never got one.”

No one made more moves than McCreadie, who hustled his Sweeteners Plus Victory Circle car forward using primarily the outside groove around Jim Michny’s four-tenths-mile oval. He picked up five spots on the opening circuit and was 10th by lap 12, but it took him until lap 26 to break into eighth. He spent the remainder of the distance chasing down the cars ahead of him, finally reaching fourth with a lap-38 pass of Davies.

“I could see Josh once I got near the front, so I think that must mean I was at least as good as he was,” said the 37-year-old McCreadie, who ended the race over six seconds behind Richards. “I think a lot of guys didn’t even know there was something up there (on the outside), so I think I surprised them a little to move forward.

“I didn’t work on the car enough after qualifying and in the heat we were terrible, so we just went to work on it. I’m learning that these cars are definitely different than my old (Rocket) cars. It’s a learning process.”

Davies, 53, led a WoO LMS A-Main for the second time in his last three starts but couldn’t maintain that position to the finish in his Mars race car. His fifth-place finish was his best of the season and made him the first 2011 Rookie of the Year contender to crack the top five.

Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., finished sixth, earning the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings. Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., placed seventh, Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., was eighth, Jared Miley of South Park, Pa., took ninth and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., rounded out the top 10.

Richards was the quickest qualifier in the 33-car field, topping Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 16.782 seconds. His first WoO LMS fast-time honor of 2011 established a new dirt Late Model track record at Dog Hollow.

Heat winners were Richards, Davies, Lanigan and Covert. The B-Mains were captured by Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., and McCreadie.

The WoO LMS continues its three-race swing through western Pennsylvania with the ‘Penn Gold 40’ on Wednesday night (July 27) at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport and a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event on Sunday evening (July 31) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Laurel Highlands 40’ at Dog Hollow Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Darrell Lanigan/40 $8,775

2. (1) Rick Eckert/40 $4,700

3. (8) Josh Richards/40 $2,750

4. (18) Tim McCreadie/40 $2,950

5. (2) Ron Davies/40 $2,800

6. (3) Jason Covert/40 $2,100

7. (5) Tim Fuller/40 $1,950

8. (9) Vic Coffey/40 $1,850

9. (11) Jared Miley/40 $1,200

10. (6) Clint Smith/40 $1,650

11. (7) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/40 $1,000

12. (10) Pat Doar/40 $1,450

13. (12) Chub Frank/40 $1,400

14. (20) Corey Conley/40 $800

15. (13) Gregg Satterlee/40 $750

16. (17) Shane Clanton/40 $1,250

17. (14) Ron Delano Jr./39 $660

18. (22) Austin Hubbard/39 $1,190

19. (15) Devin Friese/39 $620

20. (24) Mike Johnson/39 $610

21. (16) Robbie Blair/39 $600

22. (21) John Lobb/39 $600

23. (19) Ken Schaltenbrand/24 $600

24. (23) Davey Johnson/6 $625

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 11 Mins., 56.940 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 1.693 Secs.

Yellow Flags: None

Lap Leaders: Davies (1-14); Lanigan (15-40)

Provisional Starters: D. Johnson, M. Johnson

Rookie of the Race: Davies ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Covert ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.782 (NTR)

2. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.824

3. 12-Devin Friese/Chambersburg, PA 16.831

4. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 16.852

5. 5-Mike Blose/New Bethlehem, PA 16.970

6. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.973

7. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 16.998

8. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 17.008

9. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 17.100

10. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 17.126

11. H1-Jared Miley/South Park, PA 17.132

12. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 17.155

13. 56B-Denton Boyer/Punxsutawney, PA 17.187

14. 0-Ron Delano Jr./Stoystown, PA 17.188

15. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 17.201

16. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 17.202

17. 1d-Dane Laraway/Irwin, PA 17.227

18. 20H-Jacob Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 17.229

19. 2s-Sam Stile/Charleroi, PA 17.248

20. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 17.282

21. 29s-Ken Schaltenbrand/Sarver, PA 17.314

22. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 17.342

23. 1J-Davey Johnson/Latrobe, PA 17.363

24. 28c-Clate Copeman/Greensburg, PA 17.406

25. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 17.440

26. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, PA 17.461

27. 14-Corey Conley/Wellsburg, WV 17.469

28. 47-Mike Johnson/Imperial, PA 17.471

29. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 17.500

30. 12G-Sam Gindelesperger/Johnstown, PA 17.523

31. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 17.549

32. 33-Bern Whiteford/Hastings, PA 17.609

33. 55T-Rodney Phillips/Punxsutawney, PA 17.766

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Fuller, Coffey, Satterlee, Schaltenbrand, Boyer, Phillips, Laraway (DNS) Blose

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Davies, Eckert, Doar, Delano, Hawkins, Clanton, Lobb, Gindelesperger

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Briggs, Miley, Friese, Conley, Stile, Hubbard, D. Johnson

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Covert, C. Smith, Frank, Blair, McCreadie, Copeman, M. Johnson, Whiteford

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Schaltenbrand, Lobb, Hawkins, Phillips, Boyer, Laraway, Gindelesperger (DNS) Blose

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McCreadie, Conley, Hubbard, Stile, Copeman, M. Johnson, D. Johnson, Whiteford

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): John Lobb

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jason Covert

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams (certificate to 10th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): John Lobb/Bern Whiteford

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): John Lobb

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Davey Johnson

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Jason Covert

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Darrell Lanigan (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim Fuller

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Mike Blose

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 26 – 19 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 2772

2. Josh Richards 2718 (-54)

3. Tim McCreadie 2668 (-104)

4. Darrell Lanigan 2644 (-128)

5. (tie) Austin Hubbard 2546 (-226)

5. (tie) Chub Frank 2546 (-226)

7. Shane Clanton 2540 (-232)

8. Clint Smith 2522 (-250)

9. Tim Fuller 2420 (-352)

10. Vic Coffey 2354 (-418)

11. Pat Doar 2340 (-432)

12. Ron Davies 2194 (-578)

13. John Lobb 2096 (-676)

14. Jill George 1648 (-1124)

15. Jonathan Davenport 1288 (-1484)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,500 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Set To Contest 300th A-Main Since 2004 On Tuesday Night (July 26) At Dog Hollow Speedway

STRONGSTOWN, PA – July 25, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is set to reach a milestone in its history on Tuesday night (July 26) at Dog Hollow Speedway.

With sunny skies and a break in the heat wave forecast for Tuesday, the ‘Laurel Highlands 40’ at Jim Michny’s four-tenths-mile oval appears destined to become the 300th WoO LMS A-Main contested since the national tour was restarted in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

“We’re excited to celebrate a major benchmark in World of Outlaws Late Model Series history,” said Tim Christman, who is in his fifth season as the director of the renowned full-fender series. “There are a lot of drivers, race teams, officials and sponsors who have worked hard to bring the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to this point. They all will deserve special recognition for their efforts when we hit the 300-race mark.”

The WoO LMS initially ran in 1988 and ’89 under the auspices of late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson but then sat dormant for 15 years. The WRG returned it to the short-track scene in a new-and-improved form in 2004 and has steadily built the circuit over the past eight seasons.

While Tuesday’s 40-lap, $8,000-to-win A-Main at Dog Hollow will mark the tour’s first-ever visit to the track, it’s fitting that the 300th WoO LMS event is in line to be run at a Pennsylvania facility. The Keystone State, after all, holds a prominent place in the modern era of the series, which has contested 47 A-Mains at 12 different tracks in Pennsylvania. No other state has hosted as many WoO LMS events at as many different speedways.

The Pennsylvania theme could be stretched even further if the 300th race were to be won by current WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert, a resident of York, Pa., who happens to be the only driver to start all 299 WRG-era A-Mains that have been run to date. The 45-year-old veteran is seeking his first career WoO LMS championship.

Some other notes and statistics surrounding the impending 300th A-Main in WoO LMS history:

* Dog Hollow is scheduled to become the 118th track to present a WoO LMS A-Main since 2004.

* The WoO LMS has run races in 30 states and three Canadian provinces while waving the WRG flag.

* Ohio has been the site of the second-most WoO LMS A-Mains (25), followed by Florida (21), New York (19), North Carolina (18), Tennessee (14), Illinois (12), Maryland (12), Missouri (11), Minnesota (10) and North Dakota (10).

* The WoO LMS has run at 11 tracks in New York, putting the state second behind Pennsylvania. Ohio and Tennessee have each had eight tracks host tour events and Missouri has had six tracks run shows.

* Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., has hosted the most WoO LMS A-Mains: 19, including the inaugural event of the WRG era on Feb. 3, 2004. Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., is second on the list (18 races), followed by The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C. (15), Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway (10) and Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. (10).

* Volusia and Lernerville are the only tracks that have booked at least one WoO LMS A-Main every season since ’04.

* Eckert and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., are the only drivers who have entered all 299 WoO LMS programs to date. Smith does not have a perfect A-Main start record, however, because he failed to qualify for a single feature, on Feb. 19, 2006, at Volusia Speedway Park.

* Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., has entered 297 of 299 WoO LMS events to date; his only absences were the 2009 World Finals doubleheader at The Dirt Track at Charlotte after he was sidelined by a facial injury suffered during qualifying for the oval’s postponed WoO LM Showdown. The Showdown (Nov. 4, 2009) and the WoO LMS event on March 14, 2004, at Atomic Speedway in Oak Ridge, Tenn., are Frank’s only career DNQs in World of Outlaws action.

* Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., has entered all but two WoO LMS events since ’04 – July 3, 2007, at Missouri’s Lebanon I-44 Speedway and this season’s opener on Feb. 17 at Volusia – but he has six DNQs on his performance record.

* Car owner Mark Richards has had one of his machines start 298 of the 299 WoO LMS A-Mains to date. Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, drove Richards’s familiar Rocket Chassis No. 1 in every feature in ’04, and Richards’s son, two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards, has run his dad’s mount in every A-Main since 2005 except one – last month’s event at Winchester (Va.) Speedway, where Josh steered the Ernie Davis-owned No. 25 to victory.

* The 299 WoO LMS A-Mains run since ’04 have been won by 42 different drivers.

Dog Hollow Speedway will kick off this week’s three-race swing through western Pennsylvania for the WoO LMS. The Tuesday-evening event will be followed by the ‘Penn Gold 40’ on Wed., July 27, at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport and a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event on Sun., July 31, at Eriez Speedway in Hammett.

More information on this week’s WoO LMS can be obtained by logging on to www.dog-hollow.net, www.mckeancountyraceway.com and www.eriez-speedway.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Good Buddies, Fellow Rookies: Davies & Lobb Eagerly Await This Week’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Action On Home Turf

National Tour’s Pennsy Tripleheader Visits Dog Hollow (July 26), McKean County (July 27) & Eriez (July 31)

CONCORD, NC – July 24, 2011 – Ron Davies and John Lobb are longtime buddies. They share the same race shop. They’re spending the 2011 season caravanning together across the country as rookies on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

And of course, they’re both eagerly anticipating the coming week. The WoO LMS, after all, will contest a three-race swing on the veteran drivers’ familiar Keystone State turf.

After logging thousands of miles this year on the renowned national tour, Davies and Lobb will get a chance to face off with the World of Outlaws stars at a trio of tracks that sit virtually in their backyards. The series is scheduled to make first-ever visits to Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown, Pa., on Tuesday night (July 26) and McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa., on Wednesday evening (July 27) before returning for the fifth consecutive year to Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., on Sun., July 31.

Dog Hollow’s ‘Laurel Highlands 40’ and McKean County’s ‘Penn Gold 40’ carry top prizes of $8,000, while the annual 50-lap event at Eriez boasts a $10,000 winner’s share.

Davies and Lobb understand what’s at stake for them this week. Both have found the going tough in their first year on the road with the Outlaws, so they must take advantage of some home cooking.

“If we’re really going to have a shot to capitalize and get a win anywhere, it’s going to be these places coming up,” said Davies, a 53-year-old from Warren, Pa., who decided to broaden his racing horizons to a national level this season after focusing on local and regional racing for three decades. “These tracks should be good for us – especially Smethport (McKean County) and Eriez. We’ve won a lot of races at both places over the years.”

“This is where we have to shine – no question about it,” emphasized the 41-year-old Lobb, who lives just north of the Pennsylvania border in Frewsburg, N.Y. “McKean and Eriez have been my hometracks for years, so this is our best shot.”

Dog Hollow, a four-tenths-mile oval located near Indiana, Pa., is the lone track from this week’s swing that neither Davies nor Lobb know intimately. Davies’s only career start there came roughly a decade ago when he drove for an Ohio-based team (he remembers running at the back end of the top 10); Lobb entered a race there several years ago but never even took a lap around the speedway before the event was rained out.

Davies and Lobb possess much deeper histories at McKean County and Eriez. They have won features at both tracks and Davies even scored his career-best WoO LMS finish at Eriez, finishing second to two-time defending tour champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in last year’s event despite racing with his left thumb heavily bandaged due to a cut tendon he suffered in a mishap away from the track.

Beating experienced World of Outlaws standouts like Richards (three-time winner in ’11 and currently second in the points standings), points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (’09 series victor at Eriez), Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (series-leading four wins this season), Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (third in the points and closing after winning for the first time this season on July 15 in Grand Forks, N.D.) and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (a local legend who cut his teeth at Eriez and McKean County and has won at Dog Hollow) anywhere is a chore, but Davies and Lobb believe they can use their knowledge of the Pennsy tracks to pull off an upset. And while they enter this week’s swing ranked only 12th (Davies) and 13th (Lobb) in the WoO LMS points standings through 18 events – putting them behind Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis. (11 th in the points) in the battle for the tour’s Rookie of the Year award – they feel buoyed by the recent strides they’ve made with their performance on the ultra-competitive series.

Davies, in fact, is just one race removed from his run of the year. On July 15 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., he passed Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., for the lead on lap five of the 50-lap A-Main and appeared primed to bid for victory. He made a heartbreaking miscue on lap six, however, sliding over the turn-three bank to remove himself from contention (he finished 12th).

“We haven’t really had the finishes that we were wishing for (as a WoO LMS rookie), but all in all we haven’t really tore up much stuff and we’ve have some opportunities to capitalize and just didn’t do it,” said Davies, whose season-best finish is a sixth, on May 8 at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga. “The one at Grand Forks – man, that’s the one that will be hard to forget. I knew we were good there. We took off and got by Jimmy for the lead so I felt pretty sure we had at least a top-five car. I just made a mistake and drove off the track.”

There’s no room for error on the WoO LMS – a fact Lobb has learned as well.

“It’s tougher than I even could have thought it would be,” Lobb said of the challenge he took on campaigning the Kennedy Motorsports cars on the WoO LMS. “You have to be on the gas all the time. Racing with these guys you learn that you gotta race harder than you ever thought you could run.

“It’s quite a learning curve,” he continued, “but when we go home and race (weekly shows), we’re better now. We find ourselves just driving so much harder than the local guys.”

Lobb hopes his recent improvement on tour will translate over to the homefront this week.

“We’ve struggled really bad (on the series),” said Lobb, whose single top-10 finish this season is a ninth, also at Needmore. “We had some motor problems early and got that ironed out, and we got off our page from what we’ve done in the past by trying some new stuff that just didn’t suit me. In the past couple weeks we’ve gone back to what we used to do – back to last year’s plan – and even though our finishes don’t show it, we’ve been much better our last few times out.

“I really thought the other night at Grand Forks we had a top-five race car, but we lost our brakes with about 15 to go (and finished 13th). A run like that is encouraging and it’s why I’m looking forward to the season from here on out.”

Racing in front of dozens of family members and friends should help Lobb’s psyche even more.

“I’m definitely excited about these shows,” said Lobb, who since April has been preparing his cars in Davies’s shop in Warren, Pa., as he makes plans to build a new garage of his own. “I get text messages all the time from people at home saying how they can’t wait until we run at our hometracks.”

Davies also has an army of backers anxious to see him return to his native territory as an Outlaw. He wants to give them all something to cheer about.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Davies said of the tour’s western Pennsylvania tripleheader. “We have a lot of fans around the area and all of our sponsors are from around the Erie area. They’re all behind us so much. I mean, I contacted all of our sponsors at the beginning of the year and told them I was gonna do the Outlaw deal instead of racing locally, and every one of them said, ‘We’re on board with you.’ That kind of support makes it even more exciting to come back home and race because they’ll all be there to see us. Hopefully we’ll have a good showing for them.”

In the same manner that the gentlemanly Davies is savoring his first trip around the WoO LMS loop – “I’m glad we’ve done it,” he said. “I have no regrets at all about trying this” – he will enjoy having a week of Outlaw racing so close to his front door. He expects to host several WoO LMS travelers at his shop during the stretch, including his future son-in-law Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., and Doar, who has developed a friendship with Davies and Lobb and taken to traveling from race-to-race with his Rookie of the Year rivals. Davies even accompanied Doar to a pair of WISSOTA Late Model events in Minnesota and South Dakota on off-nights during the recent WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour,’ helping the veteran from the Upper Midwest in the pits and “rooting for him” from the stands.

“It’ll be nice to race by the house,” said Davies, whose sponsor, Penn Gold, is serving as the title backer of Wednesday’s event at McKean County. “Dog Hollow two-and-a-half hours from us and Eriez and McKean are one hour, so we’re pretty much right in the middle of everything. We’ll be able to go back to the shop and work every day and we’re going to bring a few guys back with us.

“It seems like everyone wants to go see the oil stuff that we do (he makes his living operating Weldbank Energy, an oil- and gas-producing firm). They’re all intrigued by that, so it’ll be fun to take them around and show them during the off days of the swing.”

*****

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Pennsylvania Swing Event Information:

Tues., July 26, at Dog Hollow Speedway: Gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. (pits) and 3:30 p.m. (grandstands), with hot laps getting the green flag at 7 p.m. The FASTRAK Late Models will also be in action.

Admission is $25, with children ages 12-15 charged $5 and kids 11-and-under admitted free of charge. A Family Pass (two adult tickets and up to three kids 15-and-under plus vouchers for free hot dogs and drinks) is available for $60 and pit passes will be $38.

For more information visit www.dog-hollow.net or call 814-948-4252 (office) or 814-948-6812 (raceday).

Wed., July 27, at McKean County Raceway: Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. and practice is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. with time trials to follow. Full programs for the ULMS E-Mod Series and MCR Street Stocks will also be part of the evening’s card.

Admission is $25 for fans ages 16-and-over and $12 for youths ages 8-15. Kids 7-and-under will be admitted free, and pit admission is $35.

More info can be obtained by logging on to www.mckeancountyraceway.com or calling 814-362-6909 (daily) or 814-887-2600 (raceday).

Sun., July 31, at Eriez Speedway: Gates open at 4 p.m. and hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Admission is $30 (adults) and $15 (kids), and pit passes will be $35.

Info is available by visiting www.eriez-speedway.com or calling 814-825-5661.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Unzicker (Late Models) & Harrison (UMP Modifieds) Maintain National Points Leads After Week 25

CONCORD, NC – July 23, 2011 – Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill. (Late Models) and Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill. (UMP Modifieds) maintained their leads in the DIRTcar UMP national points standings after Week 25 of the circuit’s 2011 season.

Unzicker, 28, closed out the ’11 DIRTcar Summer Nationals with a solid week of action, scoring a top-10 finish in each of the five ‘Hell Tour’ A-Mains contested between July 11-17. His best run was a third on July 15 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park, but he also registered sixth-place finishes on July 12 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway and July 13 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway; an eighth on July 16 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio; and a ninth on July 14 at Spoon River Speedway in Banner, Ill.

Unzicker, who finished fourth in the Summer Nationals points standings, extended his edge in the national Late Model rankings to 237 points (2,169-1,932) over Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., who did not record a UMP-sanctioned start in Week 25. Feger dropped off the Summer Nationals trail last week in an effort to regroup his struggling team.

Eighteen-year-old Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., closed to within one point of Feger in the national standings during a week that saw him max out with a third-place finish in Spoon River’s Summer Nationals event. Defending national champion Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., remained fourth in the standings after his two Summer Nationals starts in Week 25 produced finishes of 12th at Brownstown and seventh at Oakshade.

Summer Nationals champion Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., ended Week 25 sitting sixth in the national standings. He has made only 27 UMP-sanctioned starts this season, however; the Late Model national standings are determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights – a benchmark that Unzicker, Feger and Sheppard have already reached.

Harrison, the defending UMP Modified national champion, saw his edge in the open-wheel division’s standings slip from 89 to 83 points (1,821-1,738) over Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind.

Harrison booked just one start in Week 25 – a victory in the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals event on July 13 at LaSalle. Allen, meanwhile, made four starts, topped by a second-place finish on July 16 at Shadyhill Speedway in Medaryville, Ind., and a third-place outing on July 12 at Brownstown.

Other national points leaders after Week 25 in UMP-sanctioned divisions included Dustin Griffin of Quincy, Ill., who moved to the top of the Pro Late Model standings; Troy Clark of North Vernon, Ind. (Sportsman); Kentucky’s Jeff Lawson (Limited Modifieds); Chuck Barnes Jr. of East Peoria, Ill. (Stock Cars); Jake Hewitt of Troy, Ill. (Factory Stocks); and Kenny Butterfield of Glassford, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of July 17, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2169

2. Jason Feger 35 1932

3. Brandon Sheppard 35 1931

4. Rusty Schlenk 32 1876

5. Mike Spatola III 34 1815

6. Shannon Babb 27 1800

7. Brandon Thirlby 33 1767

7. Bobby Pierce 35 1767

9. Scott Schmitt 35 1667

10. Jon Henry 26 1613

11. Dillan White 35 1607

12. Dennis Erb Jr. 31 1601

13. Michael Kloos 31 1587

14. Dewayne Kiefer 35 1579

15. Mike Hammerle 32 1522

16. Jeep Van Wormer 27 1517

17. Donny Walden 34 1478

18. Mark Voigt 26 1476

19. Kevin Weaver 34 1430

20. Jack Sullivan 29 1422

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1821

2. Nick Allen 25 1738

3. Ray Bollinger 25 1697

4. Tim Hancock 25 1673

5. Brian Lynn 25 1647

6. Jamie Lomax 25 1646

7. Todd Sherman 25 1618

8. Scott Weber 25 1617

9. Randle Sweeney 25 1611

10. Clayton Miller 25 1586

11. Jeff Leka 25 1581

12. John DeMoss 25 1574

13. Danny Crane 25 1562

14. Clint Demoss 25 1558

15. Dean Hoffman 25 1549

16. Jay Ledford 25 1548

17. Steve Lach 25 1540

18. Brian Bielong 25 1502

19. Allen Weisser 25 1501

20. Mckay Wenger 25 1491

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Dustin Griffin 20 1372

2. Nick Bauman 20 1348

3. Clayton Miller 20 1298

4. Evan Fink 20 1255

5. Credence Mott 20 1246

5. Mark Oller 20 1246

7. Randy Myers 20 1243

8. Bobby Martintoni 20 1231

9. Jerry Lierly 19 1200

10. Daniel Heck 20 1016

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Troy Clark 20 1355

2. Dan Flessner 20 1244

3. Jeremy Hines 19 1226

4. Nick Macklin 18 1200

5. Dave Crawley Jr. 18 1185

6. Dustin Mounce 20 1024

7. Chris Hillman 18 1021

8. Jeff Herzog 15 967

9. Dave Bissonnette 18 925

10. Rod Rusher 19 868

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeff Lawson 20 1079

2. Haley Westerfield 20 1015

3. Christopher Geary 20 988

4. Todd Bates 16 971

5. Clay Settles 18 892

6. Mark Anderson 14 883

7. John Wyble 15 834

8. Johnny Holden 15 809

9. Billy Hawes 14 680

10. Josh Tyler 13 635

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1415

2. Nate Zimmer 20 1412

3. Mike Hodges 20 1407

4. John Farris 20 1368

5. Dan Dykman 20 1253

6. Darrel Dick 20 1246

7. Andrew Funk 20 1234

8. Derek Poland 19 1214

9. Joel Funk 20 1192

10. Joeseph Hamm 20 1187

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jake Hewitt 20 1226

2. Rob Sternberg 19 1210

3. Dennis Bringedahl 19 1111

4. Mark Farber 20 1010

5. Mike Epplett 17 912

6. Bobby McQueen 16 889

7. Jeff Buss 16 885

7. Tom Hughes 14 885

9. Jarid Bisson 18 882

10. Drue Bouwman 16 820

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Kenny Butterfield 20 1459

2. Matt Maier 20 1394

3. Jacob Rexing 20 1391

4. Trevor Isaak 20 1360

5. Bradley McGhee 20 1290

6. Jordan Suhre 20 1279

7. Jeremy Reed 20 1229

8. Blayne Ellis 20 1169

9. Logan Brown 19 1158

10. Michael Rittenberry 20 1136

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Clanton Snaps Year-Long Victory Drought In ‘Cowboy 50’ At Gillette Thunder Speedway

Georgia Driver Outduels Lanigan To End ‘Wild West Tour’ On Winning Note

GILLETTE, WY – July 19, 2011 – Shane Clanton wasn’t going to be denied a slump-busting victory in Tuesday night’s ‘Cowboy 50’ at Gillette Thunder Speedway.

Refusing to concede defeat after being overtaken for the lead midway through the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour’ finale, Clanton mounted a stirring rally to outduel Darrell Lanigan and snap a 37-race winless streak on the national tour.

The $10,775 triumph was a season-turner for Clanton, a 35-year-old standout from Fayetteville, Ga., who has struggled to get his new Capital Race Cars machine running up to his exacting standards. He had not registered a single top-five finish in a WoO LMS A-Main until breaking through on Tuesday at the one-third-mile oval in eastern Wyoming.

“I feel ecstatic,” said Clanton, whose last WoO LMS win came on July 3, 2010, at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway. “Me and (former racer) Marshall Green have worked our butts off to try to develop a race car and it’s took this long to get where we can race with these guys on a week-in, week-out basis. It feels good to win a World of Outlaws race with it.”

Clanton, who started from the pole position, found an extra gear in his Ronnie Dobbins-owned car after his race-long stint at the head of the pack ended when Union, Ky.’s Lanigan passed him on lap 27. Clanton went to the outside line, pinned Lanigan behind the lapped car driven by John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., and surged into the lead for good on lap 35.

Lanigan, 41, could only watch from afar as Clanton sailed to the checkered flag. The 2009 WoO LMS victor at Gillette settled for runner-up money in his Rocket mount, crossing the finish line 1.121 seconds behind Clanton.

Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., finished a distant third in the Sweeteners Plus Victory Circle chassis, roughly a half-lap behind Clanton. He spent most of the distance running just in front of two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who settled his father Mark’s Rocket house car into fourth on a lap-12 restart and stayed there to the finish.

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., completed the top five in his Rocket. He overtook 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., for fifth on lap 37 and ran alone in the position for the remainder of the race.

Clanton became the 10th different winner in 18 WoO LMS A-Mains this season. He let loose in Victory Lane with one of his customary loud screams of joy and, of course, donned a cowboy hat for Gillette’s traditional post-race photos.

“I was about content just riding second and having a good race (after losing the lead to Lanigan),” said Clanton, who recorded his 15th career win on the WoO LMS. “But then I seen where (Lanigan) just started twitching a little bit just off the corner. He was trying to get lower and lower, and I said, ‘Heck, he’s leaving me the whole outside,’ so I just went out there and it stuck.

“I just made the move, stuck with it and John (Lobb) luckily just turned a little sideways and held Darrell up for a minute so I could drive by him on the outside.”

Lanigan, whose four WoO LMS wins this season leads all drivers, had no answer for Clanton’s late-race speed.

“We got tight as soon as it started to rubber, but Shane had a good car,” said Lanigan, who started fifth. “He could run anywhere on the racetrack, so we wound up second.

“I couldn’t run up there on the top because I just got way too tight, and then those lapped cars held me up on the bottom so he just drove around me.”

McCreadie, 37, completed a solid three-race ‘Wild West Tour’ swing. He finished third twice and captured his first win of 2011 on July 15 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.

“It’s been a real good trip for us,” said McCreadie, who ran his streak of consecutive top-10 finishes to 11. “I wish the first restart (on the opening lap) could’ve went because I don’t think anybody knew there was traction up on the outside there so I might have been able to snooker them, but we’ll take third. Shane – man, he was just good when (the track) really started to latch up.”

Two caution flags slowed the A-Main, including one that aborted the original start and sent 2008 Gillette WoO LMS winner Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., to the rear of the field. Fuller, who started third, appeared primed for his best run of 2011 but had his hopes dashed when a tap to his car’s right-rear corner sent him spinning in turn four.

Fuller initially thought contact from Lanigan had turned him around – he pulled in front of Lanigan’s car during the caution period to express displeasure – but he learned later that Lanigan was not responsible for his misfortune. WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who started second, visited Fuller following the race and apologized for getting into him.

The event’s second caution flag flew on lap six for Eddie Kirchoff of Gillette, Wyo., who spun to a stop high in turn four. A winner of three of this season’s four DIRTcar Late Model features at Gillette, Kirchoff timed second-fastest in qualifying but was running outside the top 10 at the time of his problem.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Doar, who scored a career-best finish on the WoO LMS; Eckert, who slipped backward but nevertheless ended the ‘Wild West Tour’ leading the tour’s standings by 52 points over Richards; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; 17th-starter Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis.; and Tony Leiker of Gillette, Wyo., who advanced from the 18th starting spot to earn the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who has never won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader entered the event in a Clint Smith’s second car and finished 11th in the A-Main.

With 32 cars signed in for action, Eckert turned a lap of 14.682 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials to set fast time. It was his second such honor of 2011 and the 26th of his career on the WoO LMS – more than any other driver since 2004.

Heat winners were Eckert, Richards, Fuller and Lanigan. The B-Mains were captured by Mars and Leiker.

The WoO LMS will head back east for a triple-play in Pennsylvania, visiting Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown on Tues., July 26; McKean County Raceway in East Smethport on Wed., July 27; and Eriez Speedway in Hammett on Sun., July 31.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Cowboy 50’ at Gillette Thunder Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Shane Clanton/50 $10,775

2. (5) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,650

3. (4) Tim McCreadie/50 $3,650

4. (6) Josh Richards/50 $3,150

5. (9) Chub Frank/50 $2,550

6. (7) Pat Doar/50 $2,500

7. (2) Rick Eckert/50 $2,000

8. (13) Clint Smith/50 $1,850

9. (17) Jimmy Mars/50 $1,200

10. (18) Tony Leiker/50 $1,600

11. (14) Ken Schrader/50 $1,050

12. (11) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,550

13. (3) Tim Fuller/50 $1,500

14. (8) Eric Mass/50 $900

15. (22) Ron Davies/49 $1,350

16. (10) Eddie Kirchoff/49 $800

17. (16) John Lobb/49 $770

18. (23) John Bey/49 $750

19. (20) Scott Lewis/47 $730

20. (19) Will Brack/35 $700

21. (12) Chris Johnson/24 $700

22. (24) Rich Herman II/17 $700

23. (21) Jason Schierkolk/7 $700

24. (15) Vic Coffey/0 $1,250

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 15 Mins., 16.290 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 1.121 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 0, 6)

Lap Leaders: Clanton (1-26); Lanigan (27-34); Clanton (35-50)

Provisional Starters: Bey, Herman

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Leiker ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.682

2. 00-Eddie Kirchoff/Gillette, WY 15.218

3. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.238

4. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.262

5. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.285

6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.400

7. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.460

8. 44M-Eric Mass/Rapid City, SD 15.508

9. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.641

10. 82-John Bey/Sturgis, SD 15.736

11. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.741

12. 4-Rich Herman II/Billings, MT 15.774

13. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.803

14. 44s-Ken Schrader/Concord, NC 15.841

15. 97-Dan Henrikson/Rapid City, SD 15.917

16. 1-Chris Johnson/Rapid City, SD 15.924

17. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 15.947

18. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.965

19. 18-Tony Leiker/Gillette, WY 15.987

20. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.245

21. 19W-Will Brack/Meade, CO 16.253

22. 0-Chris Dunn/Great Falls, MT 16.332

23. 99-Scott Lewis/Henderson, CO 16.395

24. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.411

25. 12s-Jason Schierkolk/Casper, WY 16.416

26. 7-Mike Stadel/Rapid City, SD 16.466

27. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.469

28. F16-Scott Anderson/Spearfish, SD 16.772

29. 6-Jeff Gorsuch/Gillette, WY 16.943

30. 55-Erin Wood/Rapid City, SD 16.958

31. 2-Darryn Waldo/Billings, MT 17.032

32. 47-Lynn Amick/Rapid City, SD 17.425

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, McCreadie, Frank, C. Smith, Mars, Brack, Schierkolk, Gorsuch

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Doar, Kirchoff, Schrader, Bey, Dunn, Wood, Stadel

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Clanton, Hubbard, Coffey, Leiker, Lewis, Henrikson, Waldo

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Mass, Johnson, Lobb, Davies, Anderson, Herman, Amick

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Mars, Brack, Schierkolk, Bey, Dunn, Stadel, Gorsuch, Wood

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Leiker, Lewis, Davies, Anderson, Henrikson, Herman, Amick, Waldo

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Chris Dunn

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

Comp Cams (certificate to 11th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ken Schrader

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Will Brack/Scott Lewis

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Ken Schrader

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Rich Herman II

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Vic Coffey

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Ron Davies

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Shane Clanton (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dan Henrikson

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim Fuller

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 19 – 18 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 2626

2. Josh Richards 2574 (-52)

3. Tim McCreadie 2526 (-100)

4. Darrell Lanigan 2494 (-132)

5. Austin Hubbard 2432 (-194)

6. (tie) Chub Frank 2422 (-204)

6. (tie) Shane Clanton 2422 (-204)

8. Clint Smith 2392 (-234)

9. Tim Fuller 2284 (-342)

10. Vic Coffey 2220 (-406)

11. Pat Doar 2214 (-412)

12. Ron Davies 2054 (-572)

13. John Lobb 1990 (-636)

14. Jill George 1648 (-978)

15. Jonathan Davenport 1288 (-1338)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,500 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Ongoing Reconstruction Project Forces Cancelation Of West Virginia Motor Speedway’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event On July 30

CONCORD, NC – July 18, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for Sat., July 30, at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells has been canceled because the ambitious project to shorten the track is not yet complete, series and Mountain State Motorsports Promotions officials announced on Monday.
Construction work to transform the sprawling five-eighths-mile WVMS oval into a more fan- and competitor-friendly three-eighths-mile layout began in April, but a rain-filled month caused delays in the project that led to the postponement of the WoO LMS ‘RaceFest’ scheduled for May 28-29. Mountain State Motorsports Promotions hoped to complete the reconstruction effort in time to unveil the new track to fans and racers with a one-day WoO LMS show on July 30 but further delays made that deadline impossible to meet.

This year’s WoO LMS event at WVMS will not be rescheduled, but Mountain State Motorsports Promotions’ partners plan to bring the national tour to the track in 2012 for a two-day ‘RaceFest’ spectacular over Memorial Day weekend.

“Our World of Outlaws Late Model Series weekend last year was as successful an event as we’ve ever had at West Virginia Motor Speedway so it’s pretty disappointing to not be able to have it this year after having two opportunities to get it in,” said Scott Strode, who co-promotes the facility. “We felt like we built a lot of momentum with the World of Outlaws race on the big track last year and were really looking forward to running it on the new (smaller) track, but unfortunately the construction work has taken much longer than we had anticipated and we won’t be able to host the World of Outlaws this year. We’ll have to work to reclaim that momentum in 2012.”

Strode said WVMS management apologizes to fans and race teams for the length of the track reconstruction project but they remain committed to finishing the new-and-improved speedway in the near future.

“There’s some things that we could have done to help (speed the construction) but only saw in hindsight and there are some things that were beyond our control – the whole month of April being one of those,” said Strode. “Just to be set back that far, that quick, gets you behind the eight-ball with a big project like this.

“We were still confident that we would have the shorter track ready by our rescheduled World of Outlaws date on July 30, but it didn’t work out. I’ll be honest – we left down there on June 25 after having the Monster Jam event and saw what was done...everything was very nice and I was really, really excited about what I saw with the layout and the design. But in the back of my mind I just knew there wasn’t enough done. At the rate it was going, it was gonna have to really speed up to be ready in time (for July 30). After seeing the progress that made over the next couple weeks, we knew it wasn’t gonna be done in time.

“When it’s done, it’s gonna be fabulous. It’s just not done enough right now.”

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Schroeder Claims Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Finale at Oakshade

WAUSEON, Ohio - July 16, 2011 - Zach Schroeder of Leipsic, Ohio made it a role reversal with previous night winner Brian Ruhlman during the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals stop Saturday night at Oakshade Raceway.

(For the latest breaking news on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, click here to follow along on Twitter with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

Schroeder quickly jumped to the lead from the outside front row starting spot and would never relent, holding off Ruhlman of Clark Lake, Mich., over the course of 25 laps to claim the finale of the Modified Nationals worth $1,000. The win was redemption for Schroeder who earned a runner-up finish behind Ruhlman the night before at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park. Ruhlman settled for second after driving forward from 11^th, to finish ahead of Tyler Boggs of Warsaw, Ind. Brent Hole crossed the line fourth while Brad Roberts of Stockbridge, Mich., climbed from 16^th to round out the top five.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

Mike Harrison clinched the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals title maintaining a 209 marker advantage over Jeff Curl of Forrest, Ill., with Mckay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., third in the final standings 243 points out.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Oakshade Raceway ; Wauseon, Ohio; July 16, 2011

A -Main (25-Laps): 1. 55 Zach Schroeder ($1,000), 2. 49 Brian Ruhlman, 3. 11 Tyler Boggs, 4. ZERO Brent Hole, 5. 17 Brad Roberts, 6. 78 Terry Stratton, 7. 8C Corey Bevard, 8. 00 John Brooks, 9. 67 Eddie Shaner, 10. 5 Bryant Dickinson 11. 1s Jeff Sayles, 12. 18N Derrick Noffsinger, 13. K9 Scott Gerdeman, 14. 66 Jack Waldfogel, 15. 79 Shane Unger, 16. 19 Ryan Ordway, 17. 555 Justin Coulter, 18. 73 Ryan Gokee, 19. 71 Doug McLachlan, 20. 1M John McClure, 21. X Jeremy Berwanger.

2011 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Ken Schrader (39)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Ryan Gustin (52)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Ken Schrader (37)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Mike Harrison (35)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Mike Harrison (41)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Jacob Poel (31)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Mike Harrison (34)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ken Schrader (24)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Lucas Lee (16)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Mike Harrison (26)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Mike Harrison (37)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Ray Bollinger (40)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Mike Harrison (23)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Chad Kinder (30)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Randle Sweeney (16)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Mike Harrison (39)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	John Demoss (20)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Mike Harrison (22)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	Jay Ledford (41)
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio	Brian Ruhlman (27)
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio	Zach Schroeder()

The DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Summit Racing Equipment, Hoosier Racing Tires, GM Performance Parts, University of Northwestern Ohio, Aero Race Wheels, ASI Racewear, Auto Meter, Bell Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, Bilstein Shocks, Fast Shafts, Fusion Graphics & Sign Company, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, Vicci, Chizmark Larson Insurance, KSE Racing Products, MSD Ignition, QA1 Motorsports, Quarter Master, R2C Competition Series Air Filters, RacingJunk.com, Willy's Carburetor & Dyno Shop, VP Racing Fuels.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Dominant Babb Earns Oakshade Victory; Celebrates Summer Nationals Championship

WAUSEON, Ohio. - July 16, 2011 - Shannon Babb ended his DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour in style, claiming the $10,000 'Hell Tour' finale Saturday night at Oakshade Raceway.

(For the latest breaking news from the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, click here to follow along on Twitter.)

Babb, a champion in '05 and '06, started third and swept to the outside of polesitter Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, on the ninth circuit to take the lead and held off an advancing Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., to claim his sixth straight and ninth overall Summer Nationals win. Van Wormer charged from sixth place to finish second, his third consecutive runner up finish to Babb. Former DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champion Dennis Erb Jr., of Carpentersville, Ill., climbed from his ninth-place starting spot to finish third. Moran crossed the line fourth ahead of fellow buckeye Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

Babb, who claimed his third 'Hell Tour' championship by 342 points over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., was a model of consistency throughout the month-long series. Babb posted nine wins and 18 top five finishes, eight more than Van Wormer, and 12 more than James who posted six over the course of the month long tour. Babb also collected 20 top ten finishes and 13 heat race wins, all best marks on the Summer Nationals.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Statistical Report; Oakshade Raceway; Wauseon, Ohio; July 16, 2011

A-Main (60-Laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($10,000), 2. Jeep Van Wormer, 3. Dennis Erb Jr., 4. Donnie Moran, 5. Jon Henry, 6. Matt Miller, 7. Rusty Schlenk 8. Ryan Unzicker, 9. Scott James, 10. Chris Ross, 11. Craig Vosbergen, 12. Rick Delong, 13. Brian Ruhlman, 14. Andrew Reaume, 15. Dusty Moore, 16. Jack Sullivan, 17. Dillan White, 18. Casey Noonan, 19. Tom Ordway, 20. Doug Drown, 21. Brandon Sheppard, 22. Alan Vochaska. Fast qualifiers (among 51 cars): Van Wormer, Miller, Babb, Erb, Noonan. Heat race winners: Henry, Babb, Miller, Schlenk, Moran. C-main winners: White, Steve Kester. B-main winner: Sullivan. Provisional starters: White, Ruhlman, Moore, Vosbergen.

2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "The Hell Tour" Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Mike Spatola (37)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Scott James (29)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July 13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Scott James (50)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Jason Feger (48)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Dan Schlieper (52)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Shannon Babb (46)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Shannon Babb (22)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ryan Unzicker (32)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Mike Spatola (30)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Ray Cook (40)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Billy Moyer (41)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (35)
July 4	34 Raceway	Burlington, Iowa	Brian Birkhofer (26)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Shannon Babb (38)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (41)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Wendell Wallace (44)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Shannon Babb (35)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	Shannon Babb (40)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Shannon Babb (29)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	Shannon Babb( 38)
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio	Shannon Babb (38)
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio	Shannon Babb(51)

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tires, GM Performance Parts, ASI Racewear, Comp Cams, Intercomp Racing, JE Pistons, QuarterMaster, Superflow, Wix Filters, Wrisco Aluminum, the University of Northwestern Ohio, R2C Competition Series Air Filters, VP Racing Fuels, Racing Electronics, ButlerBuilt, MSD Ignition, Chizmark Larson Insurance, Vicci Apparel, Beyea Custom Headers, Fusion Graphics & Sign Company, Dyer's Rods, and Ohlins Shocks.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Former ‘Cowboy 50’ Victors Fuller & Lanigan Lead World of Outlaws Late Model Series Back To Wyoming’s Gillette Thunder Speedway On Tuesday (July 19)

GILLETTE, WY – July 17, 2011 – Tim Fuller has fond memories of Gillette Thunder Speedway. So does Darrell Lanigan.

They are, after all, the only drivers who have happily donned a cowboy hat after winning the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Cowboy 50,’ which returns to the competitive one-third-mile Wyoming oval’s schedule this Tuesday night (July 19) after a one-year hiatus.

Tuesday’s event – the farthest west that the WoO LMS will trek during the 2011 season – offers a $10,000 top prize. There’s also the now-traditional post-race photo of the winner wearing a cowboy hat, adding some levity to the intense action.

Both Fuller, 43, of Watertown, N.Y., and Lanigan, 41, of Union, Ky., are looking forward to their shot at reprising the ‘cowboy’ role at Gillette. Fuller won the track’s inaugural WoO LMS show in 2008 and Lanigan captured the second engagement in 2009.

“I’d like to wear the hat again,” said the low-key Lanigan, who did some guns-blazing motions with his hands for the photographers after his cowboy-hat coronation in ’09. “Whatever it takes to get the money – I’m good with it.”

“I’ll do anything for that 10-grand,” added Fuller, who is winless on this year’s WoO LMS. “I’d just like to be able to keep (the hat) this time.”

Fuller and Lanigan know that earning Gillette’s unique Victory Lane photo opportunity won’t be easy. They fought hard for their triumphs at Gillette, a track that holds a high ranking for competitiveness among the national tour’s regulars.

“It’s a good, racy, black-slick racetrack,” analyzed Fuller, who backed up his ’08 win with a solid fourth-place finish in Gillette’s ’09 WoO LMS A-Main. “It’s one of those places where if you’re going good, it don’t matter – you can get to the front. It’s so wide, I think you can always march to the front from wherever you start if your car’s right.

“I really like the place. The surface there is a lot like some tracks back home (in the Northeast), so I feel pretty comfortable there.”

Fuller’s victory in the ’08 Cowboy 50 represented a dramatic debut at Gillette for the WoO LMS. The race was a down-to-the-wire thriller that saw Fuller outduel Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., for the checkered flag.

After Fuller was overtaken for the lead by Mars on lap 42, he lost ground and it appeared he was headed to a runner-up finish. But a caution flag on lap 46 put him back in the game, bringing his tires to life for a last-ditch bid that brought the capacity crowd to its feet.

Working the middle line around the track, Fuller raced side-by-side with Mars for two laps before nosing ahead with the white flag flying. He held on to beat Mars by a mere 0.257 of a second.

“Actually, Jimmy Mars picked the right tire (compound) that night, but I had the caution fall at the right time for my tires,” recalled Fuller, who owns 12 career WoO LMS A-Mains but has not recorded a single top-five finish so far in 2011 as he battles to get his newly self-owned racing effort on track. “My tires cooled off (under caution) and they worked good again just long enough for me to roll around Mars. It was a heck of a race.”

Lanigan’s drive to the checkered flag in ’09 wasn’t quite so tense, but it was no runaway. He spent more than half the distance chasing Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., before finally finding a route by to assume command on lap 34.

“The racetrack was excellent,” Lanigan raved after climbing from his car in ‘09. “You could run all over it, and it’s a place where you don’t tear stuff up. I like tracks like this.”

Lanigan, who won the WoO LMS championship in 2008, expects similar conditions for Tuesday’s action.

“It’s been awhile since we were there, but it’s a wide track and has a good surface so I’m sure it’ll be a good race again,” said Lanigan, who has won a series-leading four A-Mains in 2011. “It really seems to slick up and widen out for the feature so you can race top-to-bottom, and that’s the way I like it.”

While most of the WoO LMS regulars have previous experience at Gillette, the circuit’s most recent winner, Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., will perform in front of the Wyoming fans for the first time. The 2006 series champion, who captured the ‘Wild West Tour’ event on Friday night at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., was not a World of Outlaws traveler in 2008 and ’09.

Other WoO LMS followers who will make first-ever starts at Gillette are 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who sits fifth in the current points standings, and Rookie of the Year contenders Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y. A third ’11 rookie challenger, Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., has competed at Gillette in the past, most notably the ’09 event when he set fast time and finished 12th in the A-Main.

Two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., will attempt to shake the black cloud that has hovered over him at Gillette. He failed to crack the top 10 in both of his previous visits, finishing 13th in 2008 and 11th in ’09 after suffering a flat tire late in each A-Main.

The WoO LMS drivers’ roster on Tuesday night will also include current points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., whose previous Gillette finishes were eighth (from 20th) in ’08 and seventh in ’07; Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. (seventh in ’08/third in ’09); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (third/ninth); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (sixth/fifth); and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. (10th in ’08).

Mars (second in ’08 and eighth in ’09 at Gillette) will head the list of challengers to the WoO LMS stars – a group that will also feature NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader. Schrader, who is on a month-long tour of dirt tracks throughout the Upper Midwest and Canada with his open-wheel Modified, is scheduled to drive Clint Smith’s second dirt Late Model in Tuesday night’s program.

The biggest local threat to the Outlaws will be Gillette’s Eddie Kirchoff, who has won three of the four DIRTcar Late Model features contested this season at his hometown track. Eric Mass of Rapid City, S.D., who also plans to enter Tuesday’s action, is the only other driver to reach Victory Lane in ’11 at Gillette.

One of the top dirt Late Model drivers in the Rocky Mountain region, Kirchoff earned up-front starting spots in both previous WoO LMS events at Gillette (sixth in ’08, fifth in ’09), but he wasn’t a factor in either A-Main. He picked the wrong tire compound in ’08 and finished 15th, and in ’09 he faded immediately after the green flag was thrown due to a “tight” setup and was credited with a 24th-place finish after he retired because his car’s front end was damaged in a tangle.

Gillette’s grandstand gates will open at 4:30 p.m. MT on Tues., July 19, with hot laps scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. MT. Time trials are set to start at 7 p.m.

Race-day admission is $35 and pit passes are $40. Reduced-priced tickets can be purchased in advance until noon Tuesday at Tire Rama in Gillette for $30.

Additional info is available by logging on too www.gillettespeedway.com.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Ruhlman Races to Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Victory at Attica

ATTICA, Ohio - July 15, 2011 - Brian Ruhlman of Clark Lake, Mich., was the class of the field during the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals stop Friday night at Attica Raceway Park.

(For the latest breaking news on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, click here to follow along on Twitter with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

The win was Ruhlman's first Modified Nationals win worth $600. Zach Schroeder of Leipsic, Ohio finished second ahead of B-Main winner Jeremy Berwanger of Murray City, Ohio. John McClure of Clarksville, Mich., finished fourth and Terry Hull of Columbia City, Ind., rounded out the top five.

Mike Harrison has clinched the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals title maintaining a 209 marker advantage over Jeff Curl of Forrest, Ill., with Mckay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., 243 points out.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will wrap up 2011 competition Saturday night at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Attica Raceway Park; Attica, Ohio; July 15, 2011

A -Main (30-Laps): 1. 49 Brian Ruhlman ($600), 2. 55 Zach Schroeder, 3. X Jeremy Berwanger, 4. 1M John McClure, 5. 40 Terry Hull, 6. 17 Brad Roberts, 7. 73 Rick Gokee, 8. 20 Bill Keeler, 9. 45 Brian Post, 10. 1s Jeff Sayles 11. ZERO Brent Hole, 12. 67 Eddie Shaner, 13. 1 Brian Przepiora, 14. 00 John Brooks, 15. 55 Jeremy Hoene, 16. 6X Brandon Crouse, 17. 31 Ray Jackson, 18. 5X Jerry Bowersock, 19. 04 Bill Griffin, 20. 555 Justin Coulter.

2011 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Ken Schrader (39)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Ryan Gustin (52)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Ken Schrader (37)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Mike Harrison (35)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Mike Harrison (41)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Jacob Poel (31)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Mike Harrison (34)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ken Schrader (24)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Lucas Lee (16)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Mike Harrison (26)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Mike Harrison (37)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Ray Bollinger (40)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Mike Harrison (23)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Chad Kinder (30)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Randle Sweeney (16)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Mike Harrison (39)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	John Demoss (20)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Mike Harrison (22)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	Jay Ledford (41)
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio	Brian Ruhlman (27)
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Streaking Babb Gets Fifth Consecutive ‘Hell Tour’ Victory at Attica

ATTICA, Ohio. - July 15, 2011 - Shannon Babb wants to win every DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour event he enters, evidenced by him winning his fifth consecutive race Friday night at Attica Raceway Park.

(For the latest breaking news from the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, click here to follow along on Twitter.)

Babb, who will be crowned DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champion for the third time in his career after Saturday night's event at Oakshade Raceway, started fourth in the main event and battled with Pinconning, Mich., driver Jeep Van Wormer and current DIRTcar Late Model National point leader Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., through heavy lapped traffic to earn his eighth win of the 2011 tour worth $5,000. Van Wormer settled for second, his second consecutive runner-up finish to Babb. Unzicker crossed the line in third ahead of Greenbriar, Ark., driver Jack Sullivan and home state driver Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

Babb, who has clinched his third 'Hell Tour' championship, extends his point lead heading into the final event of the 2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals to 311 points over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and 377 points over Erb. Major point races within the top seven drivers on tour are still to be decided with no driver outside of Babb being more than 74 points ahead of their closest competitor. Only 11 points separate fifth-place Sullivan from sixth-place Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals wrap up the 2011 tour Saturday night with the 13^th Annual 'Birthday Race' at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Statistical Report; Attica Raceway Park; Attica, Ohio; July 15, 2011

A-Main (40-Laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Jeep Van Wormer, 3. Ryan Unzicker, 4. Jack Sullivan, 5. Jon Henry, 6. Dennis Erb Jr., 7. Scott James, 8. Matt Miller, 9. Doug Drown, 10. Scott Riggs, 11. Rody Schroyer, 12. Casey Noonan, 13. Dillan White, 14. Dusty Moore, 15. Ryan Missler, 16. Craig Vosbergen, 17. Steve Kester, 18. Brandon Sheppard, 19. Devin Shiels, 20. Brain Ruhlman, 21. Rick Delong, 22. Matt Furman. Fast qualifiers (among 38 cars): Unzicker, Sheppard, Miller, Van Wormer. Heat race winners: Unzicker, Van Wormer, Sullivan, Babb. C-main winner: Justin Chance. B-main winner: Ruhlman. Provisional starters: Vosbergen, Shiels, Missler, Kester.

2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "The Hell Tour" Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Mike Spatola (37)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Scott James (29)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July 13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Scott James (50)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Jason Feger (48)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Dan Schlieper (52)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Shannon Babb (46)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Shannon Babb (22)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ryan Unzicker (32)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Mike Spatola (30)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Ray Cook (40)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Billy Moyer (41)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (35)
July 4	34 Raceway	Burlington, Iowa	Brian Birkhofer (26)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Shannon Babb (38)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (41)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Wendell Wallace (44)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Shannon Babb (35)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	Shannon Babb (40)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Shannon Babb (29)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	Shannon Babb( 38)
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio	Shannon Babb(38)
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

McCreadie Snaps Year-Long World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory Drought In Dramatic ‘Wild West Tour’ Event At River Cities Speedway

GRAND FORKS, ND – July 15, 2011 – ‘Top Side Timmy’ is back.

Tim McCreadie flashed vintage form on Friday night, snapping a year-long victory drought on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series with a dramatic, cushion-pounding drive to the checkered flag in the 50-lap ‘Wild West Tour’ A-Main at River Cities Speedway.

McCreadie, 37, of Watertown, N.Y., began running the extreme outside lane of the high-banked, quarter-mile oval midway through the race and proceeded to vault forward. He passed Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., for the lead on lap 31 and spent the remainder of the distance battling to stay out front in an event that saw four drivers in contention for the win on the final lap.

“This place is a bad-ass, racy little joint,” said McCreadie, who ended a 35-race winless streak since his last WoO LMS victory on July 7, 2010, at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. “It’s long ways away from home, but it’s fun to come here. If you sleep for a lap or take it easy for a lap, the next thing you know you’re getting passed.

“Man, I’m whipped,” he added after earning $10,875 for triumphing on a hot and humid summer evening. “I can’t do this like I did when I was in my early 30s, that’s for sure. I just ran as hard as I could the whole time.”

McCreadie, who started ninth, crossed the finish line 0.649 of a second ahead of Mars to register his first victory behind the wheel of the Sweeteners Plus-sponsored Victory Circle car that he began campaigning in mid-May. It was his 17th career win on the WoO LMS.

Mars started from the pole and led laps 1-4 and 7-30 in his MB Customs machine, but he then slipped back to fourth. He rallied on the final lap to nip Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., for the runner-up spot by a mere 0.049 of a second.

The 19-year-old Hubbard, who won last year’s rain-shortened WoO LMS A-Main at River Cities, settled for third place in Dale Beitler’s Rocket car. Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., fell from second to fourth on the last circuit in his Rocket mount, and WoO LMS points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., quietly advanced from the 12th starting spot to place fifth in his Team Zero by Bloomquist machine.

McCreadie, who matched his season-best WoO LMS finish of third in the ‘Wild West Tour’ opener on July 13 at Deer Creek, credited his decision to utilize the outside groove for propelling him to victory.

“(Tim) Fuller showed me (the cushion) was there early and I found it before most of them could,” said McCreadie. “We just got lucky tonight that nobody was where I was at up on the cushion when I got to the lead.”

Maintaining the lead, however, was a difficult chore for McCreadie. With the race running caution-free from lap 26 to the finish, he spent the final circuits mired in heavy lapped traffic with Hubbard, Lanigan and Mars all biting at his heels.

“Lapped traffic was tough,” said McCreadie, who nearly tangled with slower cars on several occasions. “I saw Jimmy (Mars) back beside with like three to go and I said, ‘Dammit, he’s gonna drive right on by me.’ But he’s a class act and left me enough room and we held on.

“It was just my night for a change,” he continued. “It’s been a pretty crappy year up until about a month ago, but we’ve turned it around. I told my guys the other day that if we could start somewhere up near the front, we’re gonna have a shot. We’re learning every time this Victory Circle car is on the track, and Bill (Schlieper) from Pro-Power (Engines) moved the power curve down on this thing a little and it’s been lights-out ever since.”

Mars, 39, attached his fate to the inside lane and fell short in the frenetic race.

“When I go to tracks with no guardrails (like River Cities), I tend to favor the bottom,” said Mars, who won the WoO LMS ‘Firecracker 100’ on June 25 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. “I’m just not real good on the top when there’s not a wall. I was good on the bottom and was just trying to keep up a pace that I was comfortable with, but then McCreadie passed me on the top so I had to step it up a little bit. When I did I ended up screwing up and getting passed, but we were able to get back to second.

“As close as it was at the end, one more lap I could’ve won or finished fourth,” he added. “It was getting crazy out there. If the crowd didn’t get their money’s worth tonight, I don’t know what else they would’ve wanted.”

Hubbard, who started fifth, was tired following the physically-demanding event but satisfied with his third-place finish. It was his first top-five finish since a fifth on April 30 at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky.

“That was definitely one of the best races we’ve put on this year and I’m just happy to have been a part of it,” said Hubbard, who matched his season-high finish of third in the ’11 WoO LMS opener on Feb. 17 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. “I probably could’ve moved up (to the top groove) earlier, but I started fifth and got to second on the bottom so I figured, ‘I’ll just ride down here.’

“It kind of seemed boring for the first 20 laps – I was thinking, Well, we’re gonna run second to Jimmy. Then all of a sudden it just turned up. Right when Pat (Doar) and Darrell split me right before that caution (on lap 26), I realized it’s about to get on.”

Lanigan, 41, largely used the inside groove and that left him in a bind when slower traffic entered the picture in the race’s closing stages.

“Lapped cars there at the end just kind of got us in trouble,” said Lanigan. “I was best in the bottom if I could just stay there, but them lapped cars made us get off the bottom. I tried to split those two cars on the last lap and it cost me second and maybe a chance to win.”

Five caution flags slowed the event, including two for Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who had a promising outing go awry when he was forced over the turn-three bank on lap six while battling for fifth place. He continued after making a pit stop, but front-end woes caused him to slow and bring out a second caution on lap 26.

Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., also took a heartbreaking trip over the turn-three bank, sliding off the track on lap six while leading the race. The 53-year-old WoO LMS rookie, who passed Mars for the top spot on lap five, rallied to finish 12th.

Two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., started fourth and battled Hubbard for second early in the distance, but a faulty distributor forced him to slow and bring out a caution flag on lap 19. He limped into the pit area and did not return, absorbing a rare DNF (21 st place) that dropped him 58 points behind Eckert in the WoO LMS standings.

“We had a fast race car,” said Richards, who now is just 50 points in front of third-place McCreadie in the standings. “I don’t know if we were good enough to win, but I really think we would’ve been all right. McCreadie was really good on top and I was up there early and felt pretty good.

“As soon as we pulled in I went up and watched the end of the race and it was awesome to watch. I just wish we could’ve been in it.”

Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., finished sixth, coming on late after starting 16th. Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who won the ’08 WoO LMS event at River Cities, moved from the 15th starting spot to place seventh; McCreadie’s Sweeteners Plus teammate, Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., was eighth; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., finished ninth after running as high as fifth early; and Rookie of the Year points leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., rounded out the top 10 after climbing as high as third just before the race’s midway point.

Lanigan was quickest in the 28-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, clicking off a lap of 12.292 seconds. It was his series-leading fourth fast-time honor of the season.

Heat winners were Lanigan, Mars and Clint Smith, and Bill Koons of Omaha, Neb., captured the B-Main.

Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, nearly made history in the B-Main, falling just two laps short of becoming the first female driver to win a WoO LMS qualifying event. She led the 12-lap race from the start until her bid ended with a slap of the turn-one wall with the two-to-go signal out. Her car was repaired in time for her to start the A-Main using a provisional and finish 17th.

The WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour’ concludes on Tues., July 19, with the third running of the ‘Cowboy 50’ at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway. A $10,000 top prize will be awarded to the winner.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at River Cities Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (9) Tim McCreadie/50 $10,875

2. (1) Jimmy Mars/50 $5,000

3. (5) Austin Hubbard/50 $3,550

4. (3) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,150

5. (12) Rick Eckert/50 $2,550

6. (16) Shane Clanton/50 $2,250

7. (15) Brady Smith/50 $1,450

8. (11) Vic Coffey/50 $1,850

9. (8) Tim Fuller/50 $1,750

10. (7) Pat Doar/50 $1,900

11. (14) Chub Frank/50 $1,600

12. (2) Ron Davies/50 $1,550

13. (17) John Lobb/50 $1,500

14. (13) Brad Seng/50 $900

15. (18) Dustin Hapka/49 $850

16. (21) Steffen Snare/49 $800

17. (23) Jill George/48 $770

18. (22) Cole Schill/46 $750

19. (10) Ricky Weiss/39 $780

20. (6) Clint Smith/25 $1,250

21. (4) Josh Richards/18 $1,350

22. (20) Troy Schill/11 $700

23. (19) Bill Koons/10 $700

24. (24) Joey Pederson/5 $725

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 22 Mins., 19.176 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.649 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 5 (Laps 0, 6, 6, 19, 26)

Lap Leaders: Mars (1-4); Davies (5-6); Mars (7-30); McCreadie (31-50)

Provisional Starters: George, Pederson

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Lobb ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 12.292

2. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 12.328

3. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 12.366

4. 7-Ricky Weiss/Winnipeg, MAN 12.377

5. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.414

6. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 12.421

7. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 12.481

8. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 12.492

9. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 12.513

10. 12-Brad Seng/E. Grand Forks, MN 12.525

11. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 12.537

12. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 12.549

13. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 12.573

14. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 12.577

15. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 12.666

16. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 12.726

17. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.751

18. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 12.752

19. 11s-Troy Schill/Grand Forks, ND 12.821

20. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 12.838

21. 7p-Joey Pederson/E. Grand Forks, MN 12.843

22. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 12.998

23. 71-Steffen Snare/Hallock, MN 13.170

24. T1-Tom Corcoran/E. Grand Forks, MN 13.638

25. 84x-Josh Johnson/Harwood, ND 13.676

26. 44s-Cole Schill/W. Fargo, ND 13.693

27. 4*-Harold Schill Jr./W. Fargo, ND 13.848

28. 007-Jason Johnson/Karlstad, MN 14.132

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Lanigan, Davies, Doar, Weiss, Seng, Clanton, Koons, T. Schill, Jason Johnson, Josh Johnson

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Mars, Richards, Fuller, Coffey, Frank, Lobb, George, Snare, C. Schill

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): C. Smith, Hubbard, McCreadie, Eckert, B. Smith, Hapka, Pederson, H. Schill, Corcoran

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Koons, T. Schill, Snare, C. Schill, H. Schill, Corcoran, Jason Johnson, Josh Johnson, George, Pederson

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Tom Corcoran

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brad Seng

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Comp Cams (certificate to 11th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Cole Schill

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Chub Frank

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Joey Pederson

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Ricky Weiss

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Dustin Hapka

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Tim McCreadie (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Brady Smith

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Harold Schill

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): John Lobb

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim McCreadie

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 15 – 17 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 2490

2. Josh Richards 2432 (-58)

3. Tim McCreadie 2382 (-108)

4. Darrell Lanigan 2348 (-142)

5. Austin Hubbard 2306 (-184)

6. Chub Frank 2282 (-208)

7. Shane Clanton 2272 (-218)

8. Clint Smith 2258 (-232)

9. Tim Fuller 2160 (-330)

10. Vic Coffey 2118 (-372)

11. Pat Doar 2076 (-414)

12. Ron Davies 1934 (-556)

13. John Lobb 1874 (-616)

14. Jill George 1648 (-842)

15. Jonathan Davenport 1288 (-1202)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,500 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

DIRTcar UMP Weekly Points Update: Unzicker’s Late Model Edge Shrinks, Harrison Grabs Top Spot In UMP Modified National Standings

CONCORD, NC – July 15, 2011 – Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill. saw his lead shrink in the Late Model standings while Mike Harrison of Highland, Ill., grabbed the top spot in the UMP Modified rankings following Week 24 of the battle for the 2011 DIRTcar UMP national points championships.

Unzicker, 28, had his advantage in the Late Model standings nearly cut in half during Week 24 action, which includes all UMP-sanctioned events run from July 4-10. He entered the stretch with a 352-point lead over Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., but ended it with a 171-point edge over the circuit’s 2009 national champion.

Week 24 wasn’t memorable for Unzicker, who made five starts on the DIRTcar Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour.’ He managed just a pair of top-10 finishes – sixth on July 10 at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind., and ninth on July 9 at Clarksville (Tenn.) Speedway.

Feger didn’t fare much better in his five Summer Nationals appearances – he had one top five (fifth on July 4 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa) and three top 10s to go along with finishes of 20th at Clarksville and 21st at Tri-State – but he did join Unzicker in reaching the 35-race plateau for the season. The Late Model standings are determined using drivers’ best 35 finishes/points nights.

Eighteen-year-old sensation Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., meanwhile, pulled to within 215 points of Unzicker in third place during a week in which he reached the 35-start mark and also earned the biggest win of his career. He pocketed $10,000 for capturing the Summer Nationals event on July 8 at Farmer City.

Defending Late Model national champion Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., who sits fourth in the points standings, also narrowed his deficit to Unzicker, closing to within 288 points. His three-start week included fifth-place finishes on July 8 at Kankakee (Ill.) County Speedway and July 9 at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

Harrison vaulted into the UMP Modified national points lead with a nearly perfect performance in Week 24. He won two DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals events (July 6 at Illinois’s Peoria Speedway and July 10 at Tri-State), finished second in the tour event on July 8 at Farmer City and won a weekly feature on July 9 at Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway.

Harrison, the defending UMP Modified national champion, went from 26 points behind Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind., to 89 points ahead (1,795-1,706) following his spectacular week. Allen made three starts over the span, topping out with a second on July 8 at Kankakee.

Other national points leaders after Week 24 in UMP-sanctioned divisions included Nick Bauman of New Berlin, Ill. (Pro Late Models), Troy Clark of North Vernon, Ind. (Sportsman); Kentucky’s Jeff Lawson (Limited Modifieds); Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, Ill. (Stock Cars); Jake Hewitt of Troy, Ill. (Factory Stocks); and Kenny Butterfield of Glassford, Ill. (Sport Compacts).

Log on to www.DirtCar.com for more information on DIRTcar Racing’s UMP circuit and to view complete points standings for all divisions, including the current State points rankings.

New for 2011, the weekly DIRTcar UMP points update is powered by www.MotorStats.com. DIRTcar’s affiliation with the Durham, N.C.-based Web site is providing fans and competitors a more timely and detailed look at the points standings. National and State points standings for all divisions are typically updated by Thursday each week, and new features allow visitors to click on each driver’s name to see a complete race-by-race review of their finishes to date.

DIRTcar Racing UMP National Points Standings (as of July 10, 2011):

Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Ryan Unzicker 35 2101

2. Jason Feger 35 1930

3. Brandon Sheppard 35 1886

4. Rusty Schlenk 30 1813

5. Brandon Thirlby 32 1697

6. Michael Kloos 31 1657

7. Bobby Pierce 33 1606

8. Mike Spatola III 29 1561

9. Dewayne Kiefer 34 1540

10. Jon Henry 24 1493

11. Scott Schmitt 32 1492

12. Mike Hammerle 31 1475

12. Dillan White 34 1475

14. Shannon Babb 22 1400

15. Mark Voigt 24 1358

16. Donny Walden 31 1328

17. Dennis Erb Jr. 26 1307

18. Randy Korte 26 1306

19. Eric Spangler 21 1275

20. Kevin Weaver 31 1269

UMP Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Mike Harrison 25 1795

2. Nick Allen 25 1706

3. Tim Hancock 25 1634

4. Brian Lynn 25 1625

5. Jamie Lomax 25 1587

6. Randle Sweeney 25 1579

7. Ray Bollinger 25 1574

8. Clayton Miller 25 1559

9. Clint Demoss 25 1532

10. Jeff Leka 25 1525

11. Todd Sherman 24 1502

12. Steve Lach 25 1499

13. McKay Wenger 25 1491

14. Scott Weber 25 1479

15. Dave Wietholder 25 1467

16. Jay Ledford 25 1454

17. Gabe Menser 25 1452

18. John DeMoss 23 1433

19. Dean Hoffman 24 1424

20. Allen Weisser 25 1416

Pro Late Models (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nick Bauman 20 1299

2. Dustin Griffin 19 1255

2. Evan Fink 20 1255

4. Clayton Miller 20 1220

5. Randy Myers 20 1200

6. Credence Mott 20 1192

7. Bobby Martintoni 20 1156

8. Jerry Lierly 18 1125

9. Mark Oller 20 1070

10. Daniel Heck 20 962

Sportsman (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Troy Clark 20 1336

2. Jeremy Hines 18 1151

3. Dan Flessner 18 1137

4. Nick Macklin 17 1130

5. Dave Crawley Jr. 16 1045

6. Chris Hillman 17 956

7. Dustin Mounce 18 919

8. Jeff Herzog 14 893

9. Dave Bissonnette 17 855

10. Robbie Eilers 16 807

Limited Modifieds (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jeff Lawson 20 1027

2. Haley Westerfield 18 859

3. Todd Bates 14 838

4. John Wyble 15 834

5. Johnny Holden 15 809

6. Christopher Geary 17 806

7. Clay Settles 15 746

8. Mark Anderson 12 740

9. Josh Tyler 12 593

10. Billy Hawes 12 575

Stock Cars (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Nate Zimmer 20 1412

2. Chuck Barnes Jr. 20 1395

3. Mike Hodges 20 1338

4. John Farris 20 1280

5. Andrew Funk 20 1192

6. Darrel Dick 20 1180

7. Joeseph Hamm 20 1139

8. Dan Dykman 18 1136

9. Derek Poland 17 1120

10. Joel Funk 20 1090

Factory Stocks (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Jake Hewitt 20 1176

2. Rob Sternberg 17 1084

3. Dennis Bringedahl 17 975

4. Mark Farber 17 916

5. Mike Epplett 17 912

6. Bobby McQueen 16 889

7. Jeff Buss 15 846

8. Tom Hughes 13 825

9. Jarid Bisson 16 783

10. Brian Crawford 17 739

Sport Compacts (rank/driver/races/points):

1. Kenny Butterfield 20 1446

2. Jacob Rexing 20 1376

3. Matt Maier 20 1322

4. Trevor Isaak 20 1321

5. Bradley McGhee 20 1282

6. Jordan Suhre 20 1200

7. Jeremy Reed 20 1172

8. Blayne Ellis 20 1157

9. Michael Rittenberry 20 1126

10. Logan Brown 18 1093

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Babb Runs Win Streak to Four at Spoon River Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ Event

CANTON, Ill. - July 14, 2011 - Shannon Babb obviously didn't think three consecutive DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour wins was enough, capturing Thursday night's event at Spoon River Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news from the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, click here to follow along on Twitter.)

Babb started the race on the pole, but Steve Lance Jr., of Peoria, Ill., jumped to the early lead using the preferred low groove of the Illinois oval. Babb stalked Lance over the course of the events first five laps before moving under Lance, who slid out of the racing line on lap six to take command. Babb rolled on to victory leading the rest of the way to claim the $5,000 top prize, his fourth consecutive and seventh overall victory of the 2011 'Hell Tour'. Pinconning, Mich., driver Jeep Van Wormer climbed from his fourth place starting spot courtesy of a second heat race win, to finish second behind Babb. Brandon Sheppard, a tour winner at Lincoln and Farmer City, finished third ahead of Lance who settled for fourth. Jack Sullivan of Greenbriar, Ark., finished fifth, his third consecutive fifth-place finish.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

Babb, who is seeking his third 'Hell Tour' championship, extends his point lead heading into the final three events of the 2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals to 285 points over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and 352 points over Erb.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals return to action Friday, July 15 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Statistical Report; Spoon River Speedway; Canton, Ill.; July 14, 2011

A-Main (40-Laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Jeep Van Wormer, (3) Brandon Sheppard, (4) Steve Lance Jr., (5) Jack Sullivan, (6) Donny Walden, (7) Jim Moon, (8) Matt Miller, (9) Ryan Unzicker, (10) Dennis Erb Jr., (11) Rickey Frankel, (12) Kevin Weaver, (13) Mark Voigt, (14) Scott James, (15) Mike Spatola, (16) Dillan White, (17) Bobby Pierce, (18) Scott Schmitt, (19) Evan Fink, (20) Tim Lance, (21) Joe Harlan, (22) Eric Smith. Fast qualifiers (among 38 cars): Frankel, Van Wormer, Sheppard, Moon. Heat race winners: S. Lance, Van Wormer, Sheppard, Babb. C-Main winner: Doug Drown. B-Main winner: Harlan. Provisional starters: White, E. Smith, Fink, Spatola.

2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "The Hell Tour" Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Mike Spatola (37)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Scott James (29)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July 13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Scott James (50)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Jason Feger (48)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Dan Schlieper (52)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Shannon Babb (46)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Shannon Babb (22)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ryan Unzicker (32)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Mike Spatola (30)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Ray Cook (40)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Billy Moyer (41)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (35)
July 4	34 Raceway	Burlington, Iowa	Brian Birkhofer (26)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Shannon Babb (38)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (41)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Wendell Wallace (44)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Shannon Babb (35)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	Shannon Babb (40)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Shannon Babb (29)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	Shannon Babb(38)
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Ledford Charges to Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Win at Spoon River

CANTON, Ill. - July 14, 2011 - Jay Ledford etched his name into the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals history books Thursday night by earning the win at Spoon River Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, click here to follow along on Twitter with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

Ledford, of Pontiac, Ill., would battle with Butch Weisser over the course of the 30-lap main event, making a final move to the lead with five laps remaining to score his first Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals win worth $1,000. Weisser finished second ahead of Lincoln Speedway Modified Nationals winner Ray Bollinger of Kewanee, Ill. Former DIRTcar UMP Modified National Champions Gary Cook Jr. of Deer Creek, Ill. and Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Ill., finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Mike Harrison continues to lead the Summit Racing Equipment Modified National by 209 markers over Curl with Mckay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., 243 points out.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will return to action Friday, July 15 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Spoon River Speedway; Canton, Ill.; July 14, 2011

A -Main (30-Laps): 1. 7L Jay Ledford ($1,000), 2. 25 Butch Weisser, 3. 77 Ray Bollinger, 4. 64 Gary Cook, 5. 3L Jeff Leka, 6. 32 Donovan Lodge, 7. C12 Jeff Curl, 8. 31 Mark Anderson, 9. 26 JD Beal, 10. 49 Todd Bates 11. O5 Dave Wietholder, 12. 14 Richie Biswell, 13. 242 Gabe Menser, 14. 12J Kevin Morrow, 15. 1JR Floyd Jordan, 16. 292 Bobby Allen, 17. 21 Joe Wagner, 18. 25 Allen Weisser, 19. 32 Tommy Duncan, 20. 128 Brian Harris, 21. 28 Jim Hisber.

2011 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Ken Schrader (39)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Ryan Gustin (52)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Ken Schrader (37)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Mike Harrison (35)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Mike Harrison (41)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Jacob Poel (31)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Mike Harrison (34)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ken Schrader (24)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Lucas Lee (16)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Mike Harrison (26)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Mike Harrison (37)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Ray Bollinger (40)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Mike Harrison (23)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Chad Kinder (30)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Randle Sweeney (16)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Mike Harrison (39)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	John Demoss (20)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Mike Harrison (22)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	Jay Ledford(41)
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Harrison Earns Eighth Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Victory at LaSalle

LaSalle, Ill. - July 13, 2011 - Mike Harrison displayed his dominance once again at the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals stop Wednesday night at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, click here to follow along on Twitter with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

Harrison fought to take the lead from fellow front row starter and Lincoln Speedway Modified Nationals winner Ray Bollinger over the first half of the 30-lap main event before taking command on lap 16, leading the rest of the distance to claim his eighth win of the 2011 tour worth $1,000. Bollinger settled for second. Butch Weisser of Peoria, Ill., finished third ahead of Jeff Curl of Forrest, Ill. Jay Ledford of Pontiac, Ill., rounded out the top five.

Mike Harrison continues to lead the Summit Racing Equipment Modified National by 227 markers over Curl with Mckay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., 243 points out.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will return to action Thursday, July 14 at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; LaSalle Speedway; LaSalle, Ill.; July 13, 2011

A-Main (30-Laps): 1. 24 Mike Harrison ($1,000), 2. 77 Ray Bollinger, 3. 25 Butch Weisser, 4. C12 Jeff Curl, 5. 7L Jay Ledford, 6. 25 Allen Weisser, 7. 32 Donovan Lodge, 8. 25 Dave Porth, 9. 05 Steven Brooks, 10. 64 Gary Cook Jr., 11. B1 Jeff Larson, 12. 21 Nick Allen, 13. T9 Ryan Thomas, 14. 23 Matt Gemminger, 15. 26 Derick Doerr, 16. 21 Justin McCoy, 17. 4M Mike Marden, 18. 18 Austin Hewitt, 19. 14 Tom Knippenberg, 20. 11 Kevin Hughes, 21. 42 Mckay Wenger.

2011 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Ken Schrader (39)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Ryan Gustin (52)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Ken Schrader (37)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Mike Harrison (35)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Mike Harrison (41)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Jacob Poel (31)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Mike Harrison (34)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ken Schrader (24)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Lucas Lee (16)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Mike Harrison (26)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Mike Harrison (37)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Ray Bollinger (40)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Mike Harrison (23)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Chad Kinder (30)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Randle Sweeney (16)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Mike Harrison (39)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	John Demoss (20)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Mike Harrison(22)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Babb Dominates LaSalle Speedway Summer Nationals for Third Straight Win

LASALLE, Ill. - July 13, 2011 - Shannon Babb dominated the field Wednesday night at LaSalle Speedway much like he has the rest of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour.

(For the latest breaking news from the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, click here to follow along on Twitter.)

Babb started the race on the pole, but Frank Heckenast Jr., of Frankfort, Ill., jumped to the early lead using the high groove. Babb meticulously rolled around the bottom, moving into the lead on lap 16 as the track's surface slicked off. Babb went on to build leads as large as a half-straightaway over second place en route to his sixth victory on the 2011 'Hell Tour' worth $5,000. Former DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., slipped past Heckenast after the midpoint, while Waterville, Ohio native Matt Miller got by on the final circuit to finish third and relegate Heckenast to a fourth place finish. Jack Sullivan of Greenbriar, Ark., finished fifth, his second consecutive top-five.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

Babb, who is seeking his third 'Hell Tour' championship, extends his point lead heading into the final three events of the 2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals to 245 points over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and 318 points over Erb.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals will return to action Thursday, July 14 at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Statistical Report; LaSalle Speedway; LaSalle, Ill.; July 13, 2011

A-Main (40-Laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Kevin Weaver, 3. Matt Miller, 4. Frank Heckenast Jr., 5. Jack Sullivan, 6. Ryan Unzicker, 7. Bret Sievert, 8. Donny Walden, 9. Ryan Dauber, 10. Dennis Erb Jr., 11. Mike Spatola, 12. Mike Provenzano, 13. Dillan White, 14. Rich Bell, 15. Jeep Van Wormer, 16. Scott James, 17. Brandon Sheppard, 18. Nathan Balensiefen, 19. Scott Schmitt, 20. Mike Glynn, 21. Pete Parker, 22. Dan Schlieper, 23. Keith Piano.Fast qualifiers (among 29 cars): Weaver, Unzicker, Walden. Heat race winners: Weaver, Babb, Heckenast. Consolation winner: Bell. Provisional starters: James, Schmitt, Piano, Spatola, Balensiefen.

2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "The Hell Tour" Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Mike Spatola (37)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Scott James (29)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July 13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Scott James (50)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Jason Feger (48)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Dan Schlieper (52)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Shannon Babb (46)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Shannon Babb (22)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Michael Kloos (32)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Mike Spatola (30)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Ray Cook (40)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Billy Moyer (41)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (35)
July 4	34 Raceway	Burlington, Iowa	Brian Birkhofer (26)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Shannon Babb (38)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (41)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Wendell Wallace (44)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Shannon Babb (35)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	Shannon Babb (40)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	Shannon Babb(29)
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Opening-Lap Surge Propels Richards To ‘Gopher 50’ Triumph At Deer Creek Speedway

SPRING VALLEY, MN – July 13, 2011 – Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., made a spectacular surge to the front on the opening lap and never looked back en route to capturing Wednesday night’s 32nd annual NAPA Auto Parts ‘Gopher 50’ Charity Late Model Race at Deer Creek Speedway.

The 23-year-old superstar vaulted from the fourth starting to the lead at the initial green flag, capping the explosion by splitting front-row starters Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., rounding turns three and four. He turned back a late challenge from Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, to register his third victory of the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season and first-ever at the Queensland family’s three-eighths-mile in southern Minnesota.

“It’s just awesome to finally get a win here at Deer Creek,” said Richards, whose $11,850 in earnings included a $1,000 bonus from NAPA Auto Parts. “These guys do a phenomenal job with this place. It’s one of my favorite tracks to come to every year.”

Driving his father Mark’s Seubert Calf Ranches/Kentucky Fuel Corporation Rocket No. 1, Richards paced the entire distance in front of a standing-room-only crowd that turned out for the prestigious co-promoted by the Blooming Prairie (Minn.) Lions Club and Deer Creek Speedway to raise money for Jaycee and Lions projects. The two-time defending WoO LMS champion was victorious for the third time in his last six starts on the national tour.

Birkhofer, 39, passed Eckert for second on a lap-16 restart and drew close to Richards in the final circuits but settled for the runner-up spot in his MB Customs car. The two-time Gopher 50 winner crossed the finish line 0.537 of a second behind Richards.

Defending Gopher 50 champ Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., finished nearly two seconds behind Birkhofer in third after charging forward from the 12 th starting spot in the Sweeteners Plus Victory Circle mount. He matched his best finish of the season on the WoO LMS.

Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, recorded a career-best WoO LMS finish of fourth – and earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won an A-Main on the series and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings – and ninth-starter Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., recovered from a slow start that dropped him out of the top 10 to place fifth.

Richards, who made his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut for Kyle Busch Motorsports on July 7 at Kentucky Speedway, used his head-turning move on the opening lap to propel himself to the checkered flag in the opening event of the WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour.’

“The car just took off on the start and I couldn’t waste the momentum,” said Richards, who pushed his WoO LMS-leading career win total since 2004 to 31. “The track was getting drier and drier and Brian was on harder tires than we were, so I had to use every bit of the brown (moisture) that I could. I couldn’t really stick in the bottom too well so I just tried to use all of the track and get through there the best I could.

“If we would’ve hit it wrong just a little bit, Brian no doubt would’ve won the race.”

Birkhofer appeared to be in position to steal the race from Richards when he ducked underneath the leader in turns one and two with two laps remaining, but Richards managed to overtake the slower Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., entering turn three and hold on for one more tense circuit.

“It was a fun race,” said Birkhofer, who started third. “The lapped traffic was what it was. I knew Josh was gonna slide Davies, and when he got by him I got all screwed up for a second behind him and that probably cost me.”

The 37-year-old McCreadie, meanwhile, was upbeat despite seeing his year-long winless streak reach 35 races. He reached third place with a lap-36 pass of Simpson but never caught a caution flag that might have given him a shot at the leaders.

“To be second to these two guys in the slick like this – especially where we started – I’m happy,” said McCreadie, who last victory on the WoO LMS came in the 2010 Gopher at Deer Creek. “Since I got in this (Victory Circle) car (in mid-May) we’ve gone forward. It’s a matter of getting qualified a little better through a heat. It just seems like, for me personally, when you draw a bad (time-trial) pill you can’t overcome it like you could a few years ago.

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” he added when asked about his recent improvement. “We’re still making gains. Hopefully these other guys like Josh are where they’re gonna be and we can keep gaining and gaining. I know there’s more left in this car if we can just tweak it to find it.”

Chris Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, finished sixth, falling just short of his brother Chad in the final rundown. Eckert faded to seventh at the finish after starting from the pole position – causing his WoO LMS points lead to shrink to 26 points over Richards – while Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., was eighth (from the 19th starting spot), WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., was ninth and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., climbed from the 17th starting spot to 10th.

Two caution flags slowed the event – for spins by John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., on lap six and Nick Herrick of Kenyon, Minn., on lap 16.

With 37 cars on hand, Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., was quickest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 14.365 seconds. It was his second fast-time of 2011 and the sixth of his career on the WoO LMS.

Heat winners were Hubbard, Clint Smith, Birkhofer and Doar; each received a $100 bonus from NAPA Auto Parts. The B-Mains were captured by Clanton and Tyler Breuning of Decorah, Iowa.

The WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour’ continues on Fri., July 15, at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., and Tues., July 19, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway. Both events feature 50-lap A-Mains paying $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50’ at Deer Creek Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Josh Richards/50 $11,825

2. (3) Brian Birkhofer/50 $5,000

3. (12) Tim McCreadie/50 $3,700

4. (5) Chad Simpson/50 $3,000

5. (9) Jimmy Mars/50 $2,050

6. (8) Chris Simpson/50 $1,700

7. (1) Rick Eckert/50 $2,000

8. (19) Chub Frank/50 $1,850

9. (6) Pat Doar/50 $2,000

10. (13) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,750

11. (7) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,600

12. (17) Shane Clanton/50 $1,550

13. (11) Vic Coffey/50 $1,500

14. (2) Clint Smith/50 $1,450

15. (15) Tim Fuller/50 $1,400

16. (10) Ron Davies/49 $1,350

17. (21) Mike Prochnow/49 $770

18. (16) Andrew McKay/49 $750

19. (22) John Lobb/49 $730

20. (24) Lance Matthees/49 $700

21. (18) Tyler Breuning/49 $700

22. (23) Jill George/48 $700

23. (20) Kerry Hansen/37 $700

24. (25) Nick Herrick/15 $725

25. (14) Brady Smith/6 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 20 Mins., 23.473 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.537 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 6, 16)

Lap Leaders: Richards (1-50)

Provisional Starters: George (WoO); Matthees (time); N. Herrick (track)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Chad Simpson ($500)

Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 19-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.365

2. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.430

3. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.489

4. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.491

5. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.517

6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.532

7. 32-Chris Simpson/Oxford, IA 14.547

8. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 14.552

9. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.581

10. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.582

11. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.588

12. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.638

13. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.653

14. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.660

15. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.698

16. 71-Andrew McKay/Edina, MN 14.732

17. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 14.748

18. 90-Lance Matthees/Winona, MN 14.767

19. 16-Tyler Breuning/Decorah, IA 14.790

20. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 14.857

21. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.861

22. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.875

23. 25H-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 14.994

24. 9T-Tim Isenberg/Marshfield, WI 15.021

25. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.061

26. 01-Kyle Jumbeck/Houston, MN 15.099

27. 1-Nick Beyenhof/Rock Rapids, IA 15.105

28. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 15.172

29. 6-Nick Herrick/Kenyon, MN 15.179

30. 68-Mike Prochnow/Menomonee, WI 15.202

31. 00-Andy Altenburg/Truman, MN 15.345

32. 7-Dennis Hillson/Blooming Prairie, MN 15.748

33. 7E-Neal Eckhart/Rochester, MN 15.788

34. 33-Joe Ludemann/Grand Meadow, MN 15.839

35. 9-Roger Herrick/W. Concord, MN 16.003

36. 35-Jerry Bloom/Grand Meadow, MN 16.323

37. 96-Doug Herrick/W. Concord, MN N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hubbard, Richards, Mars, Lanigan, Clanton, Hapka, George, N. Herrick, Eckhart (DNS) D. Herrick

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): C. Smith, Eckert, Davies, B. Smith, Frank, Matthees, Prochnow, Jumbeck, Ludemann

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Birkhofer, Chris Simpson, Coffey, Fuller, Breuning, Hansen, Beyenhof, Altenburg, R. Herrick

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Doar, Chad Simpson, McCreadie, McKay, Lobb, Koons, Isenberg, Bloom, Hillson

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Frank, Prochnow, Matthees, N. Herrick, Jumbeck, George, Hapka, Ludemann, Eckhart (DNS) D. Herrick

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Breuning, Hansen, Lobb, Isenberg, Koons, Beyenhof, Bloom, Hillson, R. Herrick, Altenburg

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22nd fastest qualifier): Kerry Hansen

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Chad Simpson

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Comp Cams (certificate to 11th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Mike Prochnow/John Lobb

JE Pistons ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Austin Hubbard

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Jill George

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Nick Herrick

Ohlins Pole Award ($50 cash to fast qualifier or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5th-place or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Mars

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15th-place or next highest w/decal): Tim Fuller

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards (cash)

STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Mars
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Kerry Hansen

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 13 – 16 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Rick Eckert 2350

2. Josh Richards 2324 (-26)

3. Tim McCreadie 2232 (-118)

4. Darrell Lanigan 2206 (-144)

5. Austin Hubbard 2162 (-188)

6. Chub Frank 2154 (-196)

7. Clint Smith 2148 (-202)

8. Shane Clanton 2134 (-216)

9. Tim Fuller 2028 (-322)

10. Vic Coffey 1984 (-366)

11. Pat Doar 1946 (-404)

12. Ron Davies 1808 (-542)

13. John Lobb 1750 (-600)

14. Jill George 1532 (-818)

15. Jonathan Davenport 1288 (-1062)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can 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.

Over 4,400 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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 http://www.dirtvision.com/welcome.php and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

BLOGGING: WoO LMS fans can now read interesting stories from the road by checking out two blogs –‘Life As An Outlaw’ by series announcer Rick Eshelman and ‘The Scoop With Scoop’ by tour P.R. director Kevin Kovac. Both blogs can be accessed by clicking on the preceding links or the specific ‘Blog’ buttons on the right-hand side of http://www.woolms.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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: Kevin Kovac

World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director

kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

Fuller Hopes Lightning Can Strike Him A Second Time At River Cities Speedway On Friday Night (July 15)

New Yorker Returns To Site Of First Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win Looking To Change His Fortunes

GRAND FORKS, ND – July 13, 2011 – Tim Fuller had lightning struck once at River Cities Speedway. Why can’t it happen again?

The 43-year-old driver from Watertown, N.Y., certainly isn’t ruling out the possibility of another magical visit to the North Dakota track.

Racing at the quarter-mile oval where he broke through to capture his first career World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main in 2007, Fuller is hopeful of breaking down a different barrier when the national tour contests its sixth annual 50-lap, $10,000-to-win ‘Wild West Tour’ event on Friday night (July 15). He hasn’t won on the full-fender circuit in over a year and has yet to score a single top-five finish since debuting his own team three months ago.

Considering Fuller’s struggle to get rolling in 2011, his chances of reaching Victory Lane at River Cities on Friday might not seem very strong. But then few people – not even Fuller himself – thought he would go out on June 12, 2007, at River Cities and capture his first-ever WoO LMS checkered flag so early in his rookie season, so maybe there are some parallels to boost his hopes of a slump-busting triumph four years later.

“No matter when or where you get a first win, it’s always a little bit of a surprise,” said Fuller, a regular on the Northeast’s DIRTcar Big-Block Modified trails before shifting his focus to the WoO LMS. “But winning my first Outlaw race at Grand Forks? All the way up in North Dakota? Yeah, that was a surprise.

“I would say it would be a surprise to win again there (this year) with the way our year has been going,” he continued. “But if we start up front and get some breaks, I think we could win. We pulled it off before when we didn’t expect it so we know it’s possible.”

Fuller will never forget his milestone victory at River Cities, a track that has become known for producing exciting, drama-filled WoO LMS events. He put on a spectacular display of traffic driving, slipping by West Virginia’s Eddie Carrier Jr. for the lead while negotiating a flurry of lapped cars with just four laps remaining.

“It was a heck of a race between me and Carrier,” recalled Fuller. “We were in lapped traffic racing for the lead, and that’s wild because at Grand Forks everything’s happening in a hurry. It’s a fast, racy place with really good clay.

“Really, though, we picked the right tires that night – that was the whole key. We had on 1300-1400 (compound Hoosier rubber) and nobody else did, so we were just right-on. Sometimes having the right tire like that is all it takes.”

Fuller hasn’t hit on the hot combination in the last three WoO LMS stops at River Cities – he was 10^th in ’08 and 20^th in ’09, and last year he limped to a 16^th-place finish racing at less-than-full-strength just four days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. But in ’07 he had shown only fleeting signs of success before busting out at River Cities, and this year he’s flashed only fleeting signs of success through the first 15 events of the season, so...

Maybe Fuller, whose stint driving John Wight’s Gypsum Express equipment ended in mid-April when he secured sponsorship from Chad Sinon’s North Wales, Pa.-based BPG Inc. and purchased one of Wight’s Rocket cars, is ready to come alive. The driver who owns 12 career WoO LMS wins – including a personal-best seven victories in ’09 – has been inching his way back into contention on the tour.

“We got a late start on this deal so we’re never gonna be totally caught up until the season is over,” said Fuller, who is riding a 41-race winless streak since his last WoO LMS triumph, on June 17, 2010, at Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Ont. “I only have one car and I don’t have an endless supply of tires, parts and spares, but I do have two motors now (he recently began running a new powerplant constructed by noted DIRTcar Big-Block Modified engine builder Kevin Enders of Phoenix, N.Y.) so we’re improving our program. We’re gaining on it.

“And I’m having more fun than I was,” he added. “At least you’re working for yourself now rather than somebody else. Before (racing for Wight) I was paying all the expenses and only getting half the (purse) money; now I’m getting 100 percent of the money and still paying all the expenses.”

Fuller’s top finish on the WoO LMS this season is sixth, on May 12 at Delaware International Speedway. He has only two other top-10 finishes (seventh on June 24 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and 10^th on May 8 at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga.), hasn’t led an A-Main lap and ranks a distant ninth in the points standings.

“Right now, I’ll be happy with a top-five (finish) any night,” said Fuller. “Not to cry the blues, but we’re just a little under-gunned in terms of equipment.

“I still think we can win one this year, though,” he continued. “It would be neat if it happened on this (‘Wild West’) trip.”

Fuller will face a star-studded roster of WoO LMS drivers on Friday night, including two-time defending champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. (’09 winner at River Cities); current points leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (’06 winner at River Cities); 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who was declared the winner of last year’s rain-shortened Outlaw A-Main at River Cities; Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and ’11 Rookie of the Year contenders Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

Other drivers expected to challenge the Outlaws include ’08 River Cities WoO LMS victor Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., and recent Firecracker 100 winner Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., as well as a host of River Cities regulars, including Brad Seng of Grand Forks, N.D., Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, Man., Ricky Weiss of Headingley, Man., Troy Schill of Grand Forks, N.D., Steve Anderson of Grand Forks, N.D., and Joey Pederson of East Grand Forks, Minn.

Hot laps are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m. on Fri., July 15, at River Cities, which also has its weekly NOSA 410 Sprint Cars on the program.

Reserved seats are $28 in advance and $30 on race day, and general admission is $25 with kids 12-and-under admitted for $15.

Additional info on River Cities Speedway is available by logging on to www.rivercitiesspeedway.com or calling 701-780-0999 or 218-773-3002 (tickets).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Babb Claims Brownstown Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ Win

BROWNSTOWN, Ind. - July 12, 2011 - Shannon Babb is becoming quite the familiar face in Victory Lane starting the final week of DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour competition after winning Tuesday night at Brownstown Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news from the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, click here to follow along on Twitter.)

Babb started second and ran third behind early leader Jeep Van Wormer before contact between Van Wormer and Dream 100 winner Don O'Neal sent O'Neal pit side and left Van Wormer with an ill handling car. Babb would capitalize with 10 laps remaining, leading the remaining distance to earn the win worth $5,000. Babb's win is his fifth of the tour, winning all three events held in the Hoosier state in 2011. Former DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champion Dennis Erb Jr., of Carpentersville, Ill., would finish second after being involved in a lap one caution, which the winner Babb was also caught in. Dunville, Ky., driver Dustin Neat finished third ahead of fellow Kentuckian Dillan White of Crofton. Jack Sullivan rounded out the top five climbing from his 11^th place starting spot.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

Babb, who is seeking his third 'Hell Tour' championship, extends his point lead heading into the final four events of the 2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals to 206 points over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and 286 points over Erb.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals will return to action Wednesday, July 13 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Statistical Report; Brownstown Speedway; Brownstown, Ind.; July 12, 2011

A-Main (40-Laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Dennis Erb Jr., 3. Dustin Neat, 4. Dillan White, 5. Jack Sullivan, 6. Ryan Unzicker, 7. Jeep Van Wormer, 8. Matt Miller, 9. Bobby Pierce, 10. Scott James, 11. Justin Rattliff, 12. Donny Walden, 13. Mike Spatola, 14. Chad Stapleton, 15. Chris Streeval, 16. Tanner English, 17. Craig Vosbergen, 18. Don O'Neal 19. Steve Casebolt, 20. Joe Janowski, 21. Brandon Sheppard, 22. Mike Jewell. Fast qualifiers (among 40 cars): Sheppard, Babb, Erb, Van Wormer,. Heat race winners: Neat, Babb, O'Neal, Van Wormer. C-main winner: Jeremy Hines. B-main winner: Unzicker. Dash winner: Stapleton. Provisional starters: Sheppard, Vosbergen, English, Stapleton.

2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "The Hell Tour" Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Mike Spatola (37)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Scott James (29)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July 13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Scott James (50)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Jason Feger (48)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Dan Schlieper (52)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Shannon Babb (46)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Shannon Babb (22)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Michael Kloos (32)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Mike Spatola (30)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Ray Cook (40)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Billy Moyer (41)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (35)
July 4	34 Raceway	Burlington, Iowa	Brian Birkhofer (26)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Shannon Babb (38)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (41)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Wendell Wallace (44)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Shannon Babb (35)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	Shannon Babb(40)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

John Demoss Races to Brownstown Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Win

Brownstown, Ind. - July 12, 2011 - John Demoss became the eighth different winner on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals tour Tuesday night at Brownstown Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, click here to follow along on Twitter with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

Demoss held of DIRTcar UMP Modified Standouts Devin Gilpin and Nick Allen over the course of 30 laps to win his first race of the 2011 tour. Columbus, Ind., native Gilpin, who was runner up in the Nationals UMP Modified point standings in 2010 finished second ahead of current Nationals point leader Allen of Wheatfield Ind. Demoss' brother Clint finished fourth and Jacoby Hines of Ninveh, Ind., rounded out the top five.

Mike Harrison continues to lead the Summit Racing Equipment Modified National by 199 markers over Mckay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., with Jeff Curl of Forrest, Ill., 233 points behind.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will return to action Tuesday, July 13 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Brownstown Speedway; Brownstown, Ind.; July 12, 2011

A-Main (30-Laps): 1. 79 John Demoss ($800), 2. 1G Devin Gilpin, 3. 21 Nick Allen, 4. 78 Clint DeMoss, 5. 115 Jacoby Hines, 6. 7 Richie Lex, 7. 24 Jared Bailey, 8. 8 Levi Kissinger, 9. 49 Frankie Coomer, 10. 05 Steven Brooks, 11. 25 JP Hume, 12. 31 Matt Bex, 13. 6B Dave Baldwin, 14. B4 Larry Booher, 15. 55 Sam Lee, 16. 66 Webb Lee, 17. 00 Jeremy Owens, 18. T9 Ryan Thomas, 19. 97 Mike Bechelli, 20. 22 Dennis Boknecht.

2011 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Ken Schrader (39)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Ryan Gustin (52)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Ken Schrader (37)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Mike Harrison (35)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Mike Harrison (41)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Jacob Poel (31)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Mike Harrison (34)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ken Schrader (24)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Lucas Lee (16)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Mike Harrison (26)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Mike Harrison (37)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Ray Bollinger (40)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Mike Harrison (23)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Chad Kinder (30)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Randle Sweeney (16)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Mike Harrison (39)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	John DeMoss(20)
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: Kevin Kovac
World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director
kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour’ Gets Off To Wet Start On Tuesday At Independence Motor Speedway

Rain Postpones Iowa Track’s First-Ever Tour Event To Mon., Aug. 8

INDEPENDENCE, IA – July 12, 2011 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour’ got off to wet start with the postponement of Tuesday night’s event at Independence Motor Speedway.

Intermittent rain intensified into steady showers later in the afternoon, forcing co-promoters Cam Granger and Rick Hartzell to reschedule the three-eighths-mile oval’s first-ever WoO LMS program to Mon., Aug. 8. The race will now immediately follow the $50,000-to-win USA Nationals on Aug. 4-6 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.

“We were ready for a great night of World of Outlaws racing at Independence but Mother Nature had other ideas,” said Hartzell, the husband of WoO LMS follower Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa. “Fortunately we were able to work with World of Outlaws officials to find a new date that fits well into the tour schedule, so we’ll regroup and try to build even more interest for August 8.”

Tuesday marked the sixth weather-related postponement of a WoO LMS event during the rain-plagued 2011 season.

The ‘Wild West Tour’ will continue with the 32nd annual NAPA Auto Parts ‘Gopher 50’ on Wednesday night (July 13) at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. The swing also includes events on Fri., July 15, at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., and Tues., July 19, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway.

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), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Harrison Gets Seventh Win of Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals at Tri-State

HAUBSTADT, Ind. - July 10, 2011 - Mike Harrison has no doubt left other drivers shaking their heads much like he did Sunday night during the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals stop at Tri-State Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news on the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, click here to follow along on Twitter with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.)

Harrison, the defending DIRTcar UMP Modified National Champion, claimed his seventh win of the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals with the win worth $1,000. Zach Fair of Petersburg, Ind., finished second to Harrison. Owensboro, Ky., driver Tyler Nicely finished third ahead of fellow Owensboro native Ronnie Falloway. Brian Shaw of Robinson, Ill., rounded out the top five.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR MORE PICTURES FROM TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY COURTESY OF STLRACING.COM

Heat race wins were claimed by Stan Beadles of Princeton, Ind., Owensboro, Ky., native Paul Miles, Nicely, and Harrison. Drivers Jesse Snyder of Palestine, Ill., and Pike Co. Ind., driver Dave Beck captured Last Chance Showdowns.

Mike Harrison continues to extend his lead in the Summit Racing Equipment Modified National increasing it to 199 markers over Mckay Wenger of Fairbury, Ill., with Jeff Curl of Forrest, Ill., 233 points behind.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.

The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will return to action Tuesday, July 12 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway to make up the tour's opener that was postponed due to weather.

DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Statistical Report; Tri-State Speedway; Haubstadt, Ind.; July 10, 2011

A-Main (30-Laps): 1. 24 Mike Harrison ($1,000), 2. 95Z Zach Fair, 3. 25 Tyler Nicely, 4. 99 Ronnie Falloway, 5. 1 Brian Shaw, 6. 78C Clint DeMoss, 7. 28 Paul Miles, 8. 1H Trent Young, 9. 18 Brandon McDowell, 10. 05 Steven Brooks, 11. 79D John DeMoss, 12. 66 Michael Fox, 13. X Jesse Snyder, 14. 90R Kyle Robertson, 15. 129 Rob Penny, 16. 7X Joe Melton, 17. 84 Stan Beadles, 18. 182 Randle Sweeney, 19. 71X Dave Beck, 20. 808 Kelby Simmons, 21. 0 Cliff Tooley.

2011 DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Ken Schrader (39)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Ryan Gustin (52)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Ken Schrader (37)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Mike Harrison (35)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Mike Harrison (41)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Jacob Poel (31)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Mike Harrison (34)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Ken Schrader (24)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Lucas Lee (16)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Mike Harrison (26)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Mike Harrison (37)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Ray Bollinger (40)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Mike Harrison (23)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Chad Kinder (30)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Randle Sweeney (16)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Mike Harrison(39)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: DIRTcar Racing

Kellen Burns, Public Relations

704-795-7223 • kburns@dirtcar.com

Babb Streaks to Tri-State Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ Triumph

HAUBSTADT, Ind. - July 10, 2011 - Shannon Babb showed why he's at the top of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour by winning Sunday night at Tri-State Speedway.

(For the latest breaking news from the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, click here to follow along on Twitter.)

Babb had no easy task starting seventh, but masterfully navigated traffic using the high side of the quarter-mile oval to pass Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind. with four laps remaining to score his fourth victory of the 'Hell Tour' worth $5,000. James finished second ahead of Pinconning, Mich., driver Jeep Van Wormer who he had battled early on in the main event. Rodney Melvin of Benton, Ill., a former DIRTcar Late Model National Champion finished fourth. Young Bobby Pierce, son of Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame driver Bob Pierce, finished fifth, his best finish on tour to date.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR MORE PICTURES FROM TRI-STATE SPEEDWAY COURTESY OF STLRACING.COM

Babb will extend his point lead to 173 markers over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind., and to 293 points over defending DIRTcar Summer Nationals Champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., who finished 21st.

Click this link for more news and information about the DIRTcar Summer Nationals.

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals will return to action Tuesday, July 12 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway to make up the tour's opener that was postponed due to weather.

Kloos Penalty Appeal

A penalty was issued to Michael Kloos related to the tires he used to win the Hell Tour event June 29 at Belle Clair Speedway. Kloos has appealed the penalty.

DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Statistical Report; Tri-State Speedway; Haubstadt, Ind.; July 10, 2011

A-Main (40-Laps): 1. Shannon Babb ($5,000), 2. Scott James, 3. Jeep Van Wormer, 4. Rodney Melvin, 5. Bobby Pierce, 6. Ryan Unzicker, 7. Matt Miller, 8. Dillan White, 9. Kent Robinson, 10. Dennis Erb Jr., 11. Randy Korte, 12. Mike Spatola, 13. Jack Sullivan, 14. Chad Zobrist, 15. Victor Lee, 16. Donny Walden, 17. Brandon Sheppard, 18. Jason Riggs, 19. Chad Stapleton, 20. Jeff Walston, 21. Jason Feger, 22. Michael Kloos. Fast qualifiers (among 35 cars): James, Sullivan, Van Wormer, Miller. Heat race winners: James, Pierce, Van Wormer, Melvin. B-main winner: Riggs. Provisional starters: Sheppard, Walston, Lee, Spatola.

2011 DIRTcar Summer Nationals "The Hell Tour" Schedule

Date	Track	Location	Winner (Cars)
June 15	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.	PPD/July 12
June 16	Kankakee County Speedway	Kankakee, Ill.	Mike Spatola (37)
June 17	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Scott James (29)
June 18	Cedar Lake Speedway	Cedar Lake, Wis.	Canceled Rain
June 20	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.	PPD/July 13
June 21	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.	PPD/July 14
June 22	Highland Speedway	Highland, Ill.	Scott James (50)
June 23	Fayette County Speedway	Brownstown, Ill.	Jason Feger (48)
June 24	Tri-City Speedway	Pontoon Beach, Ill.	Dan Schlieper (52)
June 25	Fairbury American Legion Speedway	Fairbury, Ill.	PPD/July 23
June 26	I-96 Speedway	Lake Odessa, Mich.	Shannon Babb (46)
June 28	Lincoln Park Speedway	Putnamville, Ind.	Shannon Babb (22)
June 29	Belle Clair Speedway	Belleville, Ill.	Michael Kloos (32)
June 30	Clay Hill Motorsports Park	Atwood, Tenn.	Mike Spatola (30)
July 1	Paducah International Raceway	Paducah, Ky.	Ray Cook (40)
July 2	I-55 Raceway	Pevely, Mo.	Billy Moyer (41)
July 3	Lincoln Speedway	Lincoln, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (35)
July 4	34 Raceway	Burlington, Iowa	Brian Birkhofer (26)
July 6	Peoria Speedway	Peoria, Ill.	Shannon Babb (38)
July 7	Macon Speedway	Macon, Ill.	PPD/July 21
July 8	Farmer City Raceway	Farmer City, Ill.	Brandon Sheppard (41)
July 9	Clarksville Speedway	Clarksville, Tenn.	Wendell Wallace (44)
July 10	Tri-State Speedway	Haubstadt, Ind.	Shannon Babb (35)
July 12	Brownstown Speedway	Brownstown, Ind.
July 13	LaSalle Speedway	LaSalle, Ill.
July 14	Spoon River Speedway	Canton, Ill.
July 15	Attica Raceway Park	Attica, Ohio
July 16	Oakshade Raceway	Wauseon, Ohio

Contact: Kevin Kovac

World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director

kkovac@dirtcar.com | 704-254-7929

McCreadie Aims For Second Straight ‘Gopher 50’ Victory This Wednesday (July 13) At Deer Creek Speedway

New York Star Hasn’t Won On World of Outlaws Late Model Series Since Last Year’s Visit To Minnesota Track

SPRING VALLEY, MN – July 11, 2011 – Tim McCreadie sure would like to duplicate the feeling he experienced last year at Deer Creek Speedway when the World of Outlaws Late Model Series returns to the Minnesota track this Wednesday night (July 13) for the 32^nd annual NAPA Auto Parts ‘Gopher 50’ Charity Late Model Race.

McCreadie, of course, won the 2010 Gopher 50 at the three-eighths-mile oval. He hasn’t been victorious on the national tour since then.

It’s an uncharacteristic slump for the 37-year-old star from Watertown, N.Y., who was the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year in 2004, its winningest driver in ’05 and its champion in ’06. His winless streak on the circuit currently sits at 34 races since he nipped Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., by a mere 0.047 of a second in the thrilling finish to last year’s Gopher 50, a unique event co-promoted by the Blooming Prairie (Minn.) Lions Club and Deer Creek Speedway’s Queensland family to raise money for Jaycee and Lions projects.

Certainly no one who saw McCreadie celebrate at Deer Creek last year could have predicted that he would fall into a prolonged checkered-flag drought. At the time he was seemingly on top of the world, having won three times in a five-race span to pull within 16 points of the lead in the WoO LMS championship standings.

“I thought we had everything going the way we wanted it when we won at Deer Creek last year,” said McCreadie, who also celebrated his girlfriend Karen’s delivery of his first child, Gavin Chase, just two days before his Gopher 50 triumph on July 7. “We had a nice stretch where we knocked off a few wins, so at that point in time I really thought we were gonna win the whole thing (WoO LMS title).”

But as McCreadie described, “We just couldn’t carry it to the end.” He faded from championship contention over the second half of the season, ultimately settling for a third-place finish in the points standings.

Now, as the schedule brings the WoO LMS back to Deer Creek and McCreadie finds himself still searching for a winning combination, he’s reminded of his 53-week run without a victory no matter how much he’d like to avoid the fact.

“I hadn’t realized it had been that long, but what can you do?” said McCreadie, responding to an inquiry about the length of time since his last World of Outlaws score. “Looking at the past gets you nowhere. You’ve gotta go forward.

“Now, if I go two or three years without winning anything, then I guess it’ll be time to look for another profession. But I don’t think right now is any time to panic.”

McCreadie’s confidence isn’t shaken. He maintains the belief that an end to his absence from Victory Lane on the World of Outlaws trail isn’t far off.

“Our whole program has been better the last two, three weeks,” said McCreadie, who began running the Sweeteners Plus team’s ’08 Victory Circle Chassis machine in mid-May and has been steadily learning its intricacies after campaigning only Rocket cars throughout his dirt Late Model career. “People might look at the results and say, ‘He’s not running any good.’ But I know, from what we’ve done and what we’ve changed, we’re on the right track. I know for a fact that we’re better than we were before we went to Winchester and Lernerville (on June 18 and 23-25).

“I really think we’re closer than anybody knows, but that’s just me.”

Actually, McCreadie’s recent WoO LMS results seem to back up his claim. After getting off to a horrible start in 2011 – just two top-10 finishes (a fourth and a 10^th) in the first seven A-Mains of the season – he’s been steady, albeit unspectacular, in the last eight events, accumulating four top-fives (including a season-high third on May 12 at Delaware International Speedway) and never placing outside the top 10. In addition, over the last eight races he’s time-trialed no worse than 13^th and qualified through a heat race every night.

While McCreadie still hasn’t led a single A-Main lap this season, he’s up to third in the point standings thanks to his current string of consistency. He trails leader Rick Eckert of York, Pa., by 126 points and two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., by 86, but the season hasn’t yet reached its halfway mark so there’s plenty of time left to close the gap if McCreadie can get hot.

“I’m fortunate that because a lot of other guys have had some bad luck I’m still up in the points where it pays some good money,” said McCreadie, who did not chase the WoO LMS as a regular from 2007-2009. “Now we have to take advantage of the break we’ve gotten and go out and try to better ourselves.

“Hey, we might never run better than fifth the rest of the year, but I feel like we can do better than that. I think we’ve fixed some issues with some things on the (Victory Circle) car that I felt were holding us back and I’ve learned way more over the past month than I did in the first three, so I’m happy. I think once we find something, it’s gonna work everywhere.

“You know, you gotta get to the top-five and then the top-threes and -twos before you can win anything – you just don’t luck into a win on this deal. You’ve gotta be fast and on your game. You look at anybody who started winning again this year after struggling – they showed signs first. Take Clint Smith for example – before he won his first race this year (after a nearly three-year drought), he showed signs by being in the top five.

“I think we’re starting to show signs,” he added. “I’m not planning a parade or anything yet, but we’re on the right track.”

McCreadie could prove his intuition correct with a repeat victory in the Gopher 50, which offers a base $10,000 top prize plus a $1,000 bonus if the winner’s car carries a NAPA Auto Parts sticker. He’s certainly looking forward to competing at a speedway that he holds in high regard.

“It’s one of those tracks where usually, if you’re fast enough, nobody can hold you back,” raved McCreadie, who earned his first career win at Deer Creek in last year’s Gopher 50. “That’s the kind of track we like to line up on.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been there when it hasn’t been a great crowd and the racing isn’t really good. Last year Darrell (Lanigan) and I had a great race that went right down to the finish and I wouldn’t expect anything less this year.

“It’s a great track, it has a great atmosphere and they (the promoters) treat you good, so it’s a place we love to go to,” concluded the winner of 16 career WoO LMS A-Mains. “I just hope we can pay them back with some good racing again.”

McCreadie is one of many high-profile drivers to win the NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50, which was contested at Chateau Speedway in Austin, Minn. (1980-1981) and the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatanna, Minn. (1982-2004) before settling in at Deer Creek in 2005. The race, which has been overseen since its inception by Blooming Prairie Lions Club member Jerry Ingvalson and has raised over $300,000 for Jaycee and Lions projects, will be part of the WoO LMS for the seventh consecutive year.

Former Gopher 50 winners expected to enter the 32^nd annual event on July 13 include WoO LMS regulars Lanigan (’05 and ’09), Eckert (’06) and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (’07) and Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa (’04 and ’08). Other drivers headed for the race include World of Outlaws followers Richards (never a winner at Deer Creek), Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., and Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, as well as top challengers such as Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Adam Hensel of Barron, Wis., Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa.

A special price of $25 on pre-sale tickets for fans ages 13-and-over remains available until 5 p.m. CT on July 11 through www.deercreekspeedway.com or by calling 1-877-DCS-RACE. On race day tickets are $30 and $15 for kids 12-and-under. Reserved seats are available.

The pit and grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. CT on July 13, with on-track action set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

An added attraction for fans attending the Gopher 50 will be an appearance by ARCA Racing Series star Steve Arpin, a native of Fort Frances, Ont., who has his racing roots in Deer Creek’s open-wheel Modified class. The Mike’s Hard Lemonade Chevrolet Silverado No. 32 that Arpin is driving in selected NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events this season will be on display and Arpin will both sign autographs for fans and climb into the cockpit at the speedway; he is scheduled to drive a Tom Paulson-owned car in the evening’s supporting $2,000-to-win United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) program.

Deer Creek Speedway is located 15 miles south of Rochester, Minn., on Highway 63.

Additional info on the Gopher 50 can be obtained by logging on to www.deercreekspeedway.com or calling 1-877-DCS-RACE.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Alltime ‘Gopher 50’ Event Winners (1980-81 at Chateau Speedway in Austin, Minn.; 1982-2004 at Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatanna, Minn.; 2005-present at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.):

1980 – Leon Plank

1981 – Steve Kosiski

1982 – Steve Kosiski

1983 – Joe Kosiski

1984 – Willy Kraft

1985 – Leon Plank

1986 – Tom Steuding

1987 – Willy Kraft

1988 – Steve Kosiski

1989 – Billy Moyer

1990 – Scott Bloomquist

1991 – Rick Egersdorf

1992 – Bob Hill

1993 – Billy Moyer

1994 – Willy Kraft

1995 – Bill Frye

1996 – Billy Moyer

1997 – Rick Aukland

1998 – Jay Johnson

1999 – Scott Bloomquist

2000 – Billy Moyer

2001 – Billy Moyer

2002 – Shannon Babb

2003 – Scott Bloomquist

2004 – Brian Birkhofer

2005 – Darrell Lanigan (WoO LMS)

2006 – Rick Eckert (WoO LMS)

2007 – Chub Frank (WoO LMS)

2008 – Brian Birkhofer (WoO LMS)

2009 – Darrell Lanigan (WoO LMS)

2010 – Tim McCreadie (WoO LMS)