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64 Speedway Central Mississippi Speedway Clayhill Motorsports Park Columbus Speedway I-30 Speedway Jackson Motor Speedway Malden Speedway Milan Speedway Moulton Speedway North Alabama Speedway North Mississippi Speedway Riverside Speedway St. Francois County Speedway Volunteer Speedway Whynot Motorsports Park

Contact: Shawn Miller
Inside Line Promotions
Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Herrera Holds onto Lead at Hartford to Claim ASCS National Victory

Inside Line Promotions - HARTFORD, Mich. (June 7, 2016) - Johnny Herrera made the trip east worthwhile last Friday when he scored his second win of the season during the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour's debut at Hartford Speedway.

Herrera led all 25 laps and survived a late rally from Sam Hafertepe Jr. to pocket the victory and extend his lead in the championship standings. It also marked Herrera's series-leading seventh top five in eight races this season.

"After raining out two we needed to win to make a little money," he said. "Winning sure did help."

With two other races in Indiana rained out last week the event in Michigan was the lone stop on a trip that took approximately 12 hours from Herrera's shop in Oklahoma.

"We drew decent and luckily we got that heat race win," he said.

Herrera's charge from fourth to claim a heat race locked him into the feature redraw.

"Fortunately we drew the No. 2 rather than No. 6 or No. 8," he said. "Josh Baughman started on the pole and I knew whoever could get to the corner first would probably win the race. We went down the straightway together. He hit a hole and bounced from one hole to another and I about got into him."

The race took multiple attempts to get going, but when it did Herrera stayed in front.

"Fortunately we got the jump," he said. "(Hafertepe Jr.) made several runs at me. Once we got rolling we seemed to hold our own. It was pretty much one lane around the bottom. He made a last corner charge. I blew the bottom and missed it. I hung myself in the middle. If I would have tried to go back down he'd go around the outside. I let it go across the top and I blocked his progress. He got into the back of me and it was a drag race to the finish line."

Herrera's narrow triumph gives the team plenty of momentum entering the 24th annual Sizzlin' Summer Speedweek, which features six races in eight days beginning this Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas. It will be Herrera's debut at the track.

"Winning the Speedweek would be great, but the big picture is the end of the year," he said. "We just have to continue doing what we're doing. So far everything has been working out and we've done the right thing."

QUICK RESULTS -

June 3 - Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Mich. - Heat race: 1 (4); Feature: 1 (2).

SEASON STATS -

25 races, 2 wins, 11 top fives, 11 top 10s, 12 top 15s, 14 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas, for the start of the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Speedweek

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.JohnnyHerreraRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnnyHerrera2

APPAREL -

Herrera has t-shirts available for sale at his race trailer and at http://www.johnnyherreraracing.com/shopping.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Champion Brands

Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for more than 58 years. Champion also produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets. For more information, visit http://www.ChampionBrands.com.

"I've been with Champion for several years and they have been one of my biggest supporters," Herrera said. "They are great people to work with and their products are second to none."

Herrera would also like to thank Morton Excavating, Competition Suspension Inc., Mesilla Valley Transportation, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Ostrich Racing Engines, FK Rod Ends, Hoosier Racing Tire, Schoenfeld Headers, Maxim Chassis, Schroeder Torsion Bars, Simpson Race Products, Outlaw Wings, Weld Wheels, Finish Line Coatings, Semi-Crazy Truck Wash, Smiley's Racing Products and Heidbreder Foundation Services for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS -

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.

To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.

Contact: Shawn Miller

Inside Line Promotions

Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Hanks Ready for ASCS National Speedweek and Debut at Route 66 Motor Speedway

Inside Line Promotions - BURLISON, Tenn. (June 7, 2016) - Brandon Hanks is fresh from a weekend off as he prepares to tackle the 24th annual Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Sizzlin' Summer Speedweek.

The event, which encompasses six races in eight days, begins on Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas, where Hanks will make his debut.

"I'm not afraid to go to new tracks now because we've shown we can win on them," he said. "We won during our debut at Missouri State Fair Speedway (in Sedalia, Mo.) and in our second career race at Cotton Bowl Speedway (in Paige, Texas) this year."

This marks the third straight season Hanks has participated in the Speedweek, which also includes races on June 14 at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas; on June 15 at Lawton Speedway in Lawton, Okla.; on June 16 at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla.; on June 17 at Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo.; and on June 18 at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.

"It's a getaway vacation, but it still requires work," he said. "We've won at some of the race tracks we're going to. I love Creek County Speedway. Lawton Speedway is another good track for us. We've had some good runs at Devil's Bowl Speedway. I think as long as we do our part and I'm on my 'A' game I think we'll do pretty good."

Hanks said he is eyeing consistency during the grueling week of competition.

"I'm hoping for top 10s each night, but I want to win all of them if I can," he said. "I don't put a whole lot of pressure on myself. I just play it day by day. I'm having fun, but at the same time I'm there to win. All the same I'm trying to enjoy this. This is a blessing to get to do this."

SEASON STATS -

20 races, 3 wins, 8 top fives, 12 top 10s, 13 top 15s, 16 top 20s

UP NEXT -

Saturday at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas, for the start of the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Speedweek

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.HanksMotorsports.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brandon_K_Hanks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hanks-Motorsports/135263046488177

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - Walls Paint and Body Shop

Walls Paint and Body Shop is an auto repair and paint business located in Covington, Tenn.

"They've been good friends of ours since I was a kid," Hanks said. "I want to thank them for everything they have done and for making the cars look incredible every year."

Hanks would also like to thank Performance Powder Coating, D&B Farms, Wesmar Racing Engines, R.E. Enterprises, Penske Racing Shocks, Acme Graphix, Hinchman Racewear, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems and J-R1 for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS -

Contact: Shawn Miller

Inside Line Promotions

Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com | (541) 510-3663

Hagar Crowned USCS Speedweek Champion after Earning Podium in Every Race

Inside Line Promotions - EASTABOGA, Ala. (June 7, 2016) - Derek Hagar garnered his second USCS Speedweek championship in the last three years last weekend with a runner-up performance at Talladega Short Track on Thursday.

Hagar advanced from fifth to third place in the dash and from fifth to second place in a heat race. That lined him up on the outside of the front row for the main event.

"We fell back to third on the first lap and had a couple of cautions," he said. "I ended up falling to fourth and got back to second. I think the tires sealed up and I didn't have the drive I was looking for. I had to move around and wait for lapped traffic to play a role in it. I had to make my moves in traffic."

The second-place result gave Hagar podium finishes during all five USCS Speedweek races that were contested. The final two shows were rained out.

"We weren't out of the top three so this shows how strong this team is," he said. "We had a couple of wins and some good runs. There's a lot of people that would kill to have a week like that. This team has been real consistent this year."

Hagar has earned 20 top-five finishes in 23 sprint car races this season. He also has captured nine consecutive podium finishes.

Hagar will take this weekend off before returning to action on June 17-18 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phoenix City, Ala., with the USCS Series.

QUICK RESULTS -

June 2 - Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. - Dash: 3 (5); Heat race: 2 (5); Feature: 2 (2).

SEASON STATS -

25 races, 8 wins, 20 top fives, 21 top 10s, 22 top 15s, 23 top 20s

UP NEXT -

June 17-18 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phoenix City, Ala., with the USCS Series

MEDIA LINKS -

Website: http://www.DerekHagarRacing.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HagarDerek

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT - J&J Auto Racing

Located in McKenzie, Tenn., J&J Auto Racing has manufactured sprint car chassis and racing parts for more than 40 years. For more information, visit http://www.JandJAutoRacing.com.

"They've been in the family since J&J Auto Racing started building cars," Hagar said. "My stepdad's dad owned race cars back in the Riverside days. They are good, safe, dependable race cars and great people to deal with."

Hagar would also like to thank B&D Towing, Dynotech Performance, DHR Suspension, Xtreme Race Graphics, FSR Radiators, Fragola Performance Systems, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Hinchman Racewear, Wings Unlimited, FK Rod Ends and Ti64 for their continued support.

INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS -

Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.

To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.

Clauson Storms Eastward after Capturing Midget Week Title

Lonnie Wheatley, KOKOMO, Ind. (June 7, 2016) – It was an unprecedented eight-day stretch in auto racing history. But, then again, Bryan Clauson’s entire “Circular Insanity” Tour pursuit of 200 races is unprecedented, so little surprise that unheard of feats are accomplished along the way.

Over the course of eight days, Clauson led laps at the Indianapolis 500, racked up five non-wing Sprint Car feature wins and collected his third USAC Indiana Midget Week championship. Not too bad for a week’s work.

“It’s been a really cool eight days,” Clauson commented. “I haven’t really had time to sit down and think about it yet but it has been special to have the opportunity to do what we’ve been doing.”

Now, after a Monday off to regroup, it’s back at it with another nine races over six nights beginning with Tuesday night’s USAC National Sprint Car “Eastern Storm” opener at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA.

With 18 wins already amongst the mix, “Circular Insanity” is at 69 races and counting. And counting quite quickly. Now to pick up the race-by-race narrative where we last left off after Race 56…

Race 57

The final race before Clauson’s third Indianapolis 500 was the Thursday night, May 26, USAC Silver Crown “Hoosier Hundred” at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Cancer Treatment Centers of America/ Jonathan Byrd’s Restaurant and Hospitality Group No. 6 Silver Crown car. Clauson notched his first USAC Silver Crown top-five of the season by racing to a fourth-place finish.

“We had a strong car and actually got up to second at one point. A gremlin crept up in the middle of the race and slowed us down, fortunately we had an open red with about 30 laps to go and the guys were able to get it patched up. We had fallen back to seventh and clawed our way back up to fourth.”

Race 58

Next up was the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, where Clauson led several mid-race laps aboard the Dale Coyne/Jonathan Byrd’s Racing No. 88 Cancer Treatment Centers of America entry before finishing the day out in 23rd.

“Overall it was a pretty solid day for us. It was cool to lead a few laps, I was as confident going into the 500 as I have ever been there. We just had one big hiccup in the pits that trapped us there late and put us a lap down. It was good to be there at the end and have a solid day. We had really good speed and were able to stay on the lead lap while racing.”

Race 59

Clauson finished off “The Double” in style by hustling up to Kokomo Speedway on Sunday night after the 500 and driving the Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s Restaurant & Hospitality Group No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car to victory lane.

“That really is how you dream it up, to run the Indianapolis 500 in the day and then go win a Sprint Car feature that night. It was a cool opportunity to follow up our best 500 run with a group of people that are close to me, the fans at Kokomo.”

Race 60

After one day off, action picked up with the opening night of USAC’s Indiana Midget Week at Montpelier Motor Speedway on Tuesday night, May 31, where Clauson kicked things off on a strong note with a runner-up finish in the Dooling Machine/Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s Restaurant & Hospitality Group No. 63 Midget.

“We started on the front row with Kyle (Larson) and kinda settled in. We were racing with him and Tanner (Thorson) for the lead, I made a bid and about fell off the track in one. I was able to get back by Tanner, then I took a shot at Kyle but couldn’t capitalize. It was a lot of fun racing with those guys, it felt like 2011 again racing with Kyle like that.”

Race 61

Clauson finished off Tuesday night at Montpelier by racing to his 15th win of the year and second in a row in the Non-Wing Sprint Car.

“We were able to get out front and cruise. It was pretty technical so I had to make sure not to overdrive it, we were able to do what we needed to get the win.”

Race 62

Indiana Midget Week Round Two was at Gas City I-69 Speedway on Wednesday night, June 1, with Clauson racing to a runner-up finish for the second night in a row.

“They reworked the track before the feature and made it a little more one lane. We were able to get to second, taking advantage of some mistakes. Kyle was a little better than us, we were able to hold on for second. We were hoping for a little better, but happy to start the week with a couple of good finishes.”

Race 63

The Gas City night finished the same as Montpelier the previous night with Clauson driving the non-wing Sprint Car to victory lane after the runner-up Midget finish.

“We had a good racecar and got to racing Brady (Bacon) and Scotty (Weir) for the lead. I was trying to be patient, working the bottom. We finally got by Brady to seal the deal.”

Race 64

Action shifted to Putnamville’s Lincoln Park Speedway on Thursday night with Clauson reeling off a third consecutive USAC Indiana Midget Week runner-up finish.

“The car was a little tight early, it took a little bit to get going. We got Rico (Abreu) for second with about five or six to go and then started chasing Tanner (Thorson) down but ran out of laps.”

Race 65

The recurring theme of placing second in Midget Week action and then finishing out the night with the Sprint Car in victory lane continued at Lincoln Park Speedway with Clauson reeling off his fourth consecutive non-wing Sprint Car feature win.

“We were racing pretty hard early with (Shane) Cockrum and KT (Kevin Thomas, Jr.). We were good enough on the bottom to sneak by five or six laps in. Once we got up top, we were able to get away.”

Race 66

Friday night at Bloomington Speedway proved to be the biggest test of Indiana Midget Week for Clauson and crew. After early problems, Clauson rallied from the tail of the “B” Main to earn a transfer position and then raced to a third-place finish in the feature to maintain the Midget Week points lead.

“We had some early gremlins and had to start last in the “B”. We were able to go 19th to fifth; that was huge to save our week. We were able to get third in the feature then, we were just trying to be sure that we didn’t throw away what we had worked for all week.”

Race 67

Friday’s Sprint Car feature at Bloomington finally ended Clauson’s streak of victories with a sixth-place finish.

“We started eighth and never really got going. There were guys two-wide in front of us and no real place to go. We were just kind of mired back there.”

Race 68

After a Saturday rainout at Lawrenceburg, Clauson put the finishing touches on his third USAC Indiana Midget Week championship by driving the Dooling Machine/Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Midget to a sixth-place finish in Sunday night’s finale at Kokomo Speedway.

“It wasn’t really my cup of tea, it was super heavy and super rough. We didn’t want to throw away Midget Week, we just needed to finish. I just tried to be careful and manage the race and we got what we needed out of it.”

Race 69

With the Indiana Midget Week title in the bank, Clauson put an exclamation point on the week by adding his 18th win of the season in Sunday night’s Sprint Car feature at Kokomo Speedway aboard the Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car.

“We redrew the two but fell back to third early. We started working the bottom in a little bit and then got the lead. It’s definitely a good way to head into Eastern Storm.”

Five wins in the last six non-wing Sprint Car starts, not a bad way to go into Eastern Storm at all with a couple of ARDC Midget events and a USAC Silver Crown outing mixed in along the way as well.

2016 Circular Insanity Tour Quick Stats: 69 races, 18 wins, 37 top-fives, 52 top-tens.

Up Next:

Tuesday – USAC Sprint Car “Eastern Storm” at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car )

Wednesday - USAC Sprint Car “Eastern Storm” at Lincoln Speedway Abbottstown, PA plus makeup feature from 2015 (Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car )

Thursday - USAC Sprint Car “Eastern Storm” at New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, NJ (Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car )

Friday – USAC Silver Crown and ARDC Midgets at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America/ Jonathan Byrd’s Restaurant and Hospitality Group No. 6 Silver Crown car and Dooling Machine/Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Midget)

Saturday - USAC Sprint Car “Eastern Storm” at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car )

Sunday - USAC Sprint Car “Eastern Storm” and ARDC Midgets at Susquehanna Speedway Park in Newberrytown, PA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Non-Wing Sprint Car and Dooling Machine/Cancer Treatment Centers of America/Jonathan Byrd’s No. 63 Midget )

Keep Track: Keep track of Bryan Clauson’s 2016 Circular Insanity Tour at www.bryanclauson.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bryanclausonracing/?fref=ts and on Twitter at @bryanclausoninc.

If you would like Bryan Clauson “Circular Insanity Tour” press releases e-mailed directly to you, send your e-mail address to Lonnie Wheatley at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.

Penning the recurring series of “The Wheatley Chronicles” articles on www.sprintcarmania.com, Lonnie Wheatley provides media, public relations and more for select tracks, drivers and events. For more information, Wheatley may be contacted at lonniewheatley@gmail.com.

Josh Richards Eager to Add $100,000 Dream Win to His Already Impressive Season
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Models Series Points Leader Ready To Battle Nation’s Best This Weekend

By Andrea Cleveland

ROSSBURG, Ohio (June 8, 2016) – Three-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series Champion Josh Richards hopes his successful start to the 2016 season will help propel him to a victory this weekend in the Dirt Late Model Dream presented by Ferris Mowers at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

To say Richards has accomplished a lot during his illustrious and relatively short career is an understatement. At just 28 years old, the West Virginia native has amassed more than 100 dirt late model victories and has claimed three national championships among many other accolades. Even with that success, Richards has yet to win one of the sport’s crown jewels, the famed Dirt Late Model Dream. That is something Richards hopes to change this weekend.

“I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of big races,” said Richards. “The Dream has always seemed to allude me. It’s one of the sport’s most prestigious races and the race with the biggest purse of the year. To be able to add my name on the list of drivers who have won a crown jewel at Eldora Speedway would be a huge accomplishment. Winning the Dream is definitely something I’d like to check off my bucket list.”

Adding to his confidence, Richards is off to a red-hot start this year with 11 wins and 22 top-five finishes. Impressively, Richards has posted a top-10 finish in every race this season and the young driver is hoping that momentum can help secure him the biggest race win of his career on Saturday night.

“We’ve had a phenomenal year so far,” explained Richards. “We have a new car design with our XR1 Rocket Chassis and it’s really picked up our program. My crew has been working hard and we have been on the same page all year. I feel very comfortable in the car. It took a while to get caught back up after having to take 2014 off. I just feel really blessed to have had such a great start to the season and I’m hoping that success carries into this weekend.”

Though Richards has had some consistent runs in the Dirt Late Model Dream, bringing home three top-10 finishes in six-career starts, he has also been plagued by heartbreak and bad luck.

“We’ve had some good runs in the past at Eldora,” said Richards. “We’ve always qualified well, but the heat inverts have not always worked in our favor. Last year, I got caught up in a wreck during one of the B-Mains and our car was destroyed. In 2013, I won a preliminary Feature, but had to take a fast-time provisional for the Dream. That said, I have really high hopes of turning our luck around and contending for a win in Saturday night’s finale.”

With seven of his 11 wins this year coming during Florida/Georgia Speedweeks where Richards competed against the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series regulars as well as his fellow World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series competitors, he is eager to get back in action with the likes of Scott Bloomquist and Jonathan Davenport on what is arguably the sport’s biggest stage.

“I’m excited to race with the best of the best this weekend,” exclaimed Richards. “There will be a lot of great competitors and I’m going to do my best to come out on top. We raced with those guys earlier this season and I was able to get some wins, so I’m hoping to do the same at the Dream. It would be awesome to be able to hold up that $100,000 check in Victory Lane.”

About Eldora Speedway:
Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Celebrating its 63nd season in 2016, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 22nd annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 33rd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on dirt – the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby; and the 46th annual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora’s 63rd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc.