WAYCROSS, GA (June 26, 2013) - The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 2013 season is shaping up to be the most competitive season in the history of the series. Coming off of a dramatic finish at this past weekend's event at Wythe Raceway in VA, the series certainly continues to provide the most exciting and entertaining racing action for the great race fans all across the country. Record spectator crowds have seen eighteen (18) stellar events completed thus far in 2013, with ten (10) different drivers visiting victory lane. Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL lead the series with the most wins with four (4) victories apiece. John Blankenship of Williamson, WV and Earl Pearson Jr of Jacksonville, FL both have two (2) wins on the series in 2013. Drivers with single victories on the tour this year include: Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN; Eddie Carrier Jr, of Salt Rock, WV; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, WI; Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN and Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC.
Jimmy Owens, the two-time defending series champion and driver of the Mike Reece owned #20, Bloomquist Chassis - powered by a Cornett Race Engine, leads the championship points standings in 2013. Owens has seen his points lead dwindle in recent weeks, as John Blankenship has chopped the points lead down to a mere 85 points. Blankenship, driver of the family owned, America's Coal #23, Rocket Chassis, using both Cornett and Jay Dickens Engines in 2013, has emerged as a title contender on the series this year with some great runs and consistency. Blankenship and the entire #23 Racing Team have really stepped up their program this year, as the competition level on the series continues to get more intense at each and every event. Seven (7) drivers in the top eleven (11) positions - in the series points standings, have taken home a win in 2013. It's only a matter of time before Francis and Landers will find victory lane on the tour in 2013, as both won series events in 2012.
In the season long battle for the series championship, there are only 225 points separating the top six drivers in the series championship points standings. Steve Francis, driving the Clint Bowyer Racing, Georgia Boot #15, Barry Wright Chassis - powered by a Clements Racing Engine - sits in third place. Don O'Neal - driving the #71 Optima Batteries, MasterSbilt House Car - powered by a Jay Dickens Engine, sits fourth. And Dennis Erb in the self-owned #28, Bloomquist Chassis - powered by a Kuntz Racing Engine, rounds out the top five in the series championship points standings. Sixth through tenth (6th -10th) in the series points standings include: Earl Pearson Jr., driver of the Bobby Labonte #44, Lucas Oil Longhorn Chassis - powered by a Rumley Race Engine; Jared Landers, driver of the #5, Clint Bowyer Racing, Peak Motor Oil, Barry Wright Chassis - powered by a Clements Race Engine; Eddie Carrier Jr., driving the #28, Grover Motorsports Rocket Chassis - powered by a Grover Race Engine; Billy Moyer Jr., driving the self-owned #21, Victory Circle by Moyer - powered by a Pro Power Racing Engine and Jerry Lierly, driving the self-owned #7, JL Scrap Metals, Bloomquist Chassis - powered by a Roush-Yates Engine. www.lucasdirt.com .
In the chase for the JRi Shocks Rookie of the Year - Presented by Dunn-Benson Ford, Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, AR leads the rookie points standings. Moyer Jr. is currently in ninth (9th) place in the series championship points standings and continues to improve each week, racing against the nation's toughest drivers at tracks he has never visited until this year. www.jrishocks.com ,www.dunnbensonford.com.
As the premier national touring series heats up for the summer, many of the series special point categories are in the midst of tight battles. Below is a summary of the current standings of these many points categories supporting the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.
Jimmy Owens leads both the ASi Crown Jewel Cup - Presented by DirtonDirt.com and the SWEET Mfg. TV Challenge - Presented by E3 Spark Plugs point standings. After two qualifying events completed for each category, Owens has a slim lead over Dennis Erb. To see the current points standings and learn more about the ASi Crown Jewel Cup - Presented by DirtonDirt.com and the SWEET Mfg. TV Challenge - Presented by E3 Spark Plugs, go to:
http://www.lucasdirt.com/point-standings/dirtondirt-com-crown-jewel-cup/ and http://www.lucasdirt.com/point-standings/e3-spark-plugs-challenge/
For more information about the companies sponsoring these bonus programs, visit their respective websites at www.asiwear.com, www.dirtondirt.com, www.sweetmfg.biz, www.E3sparkplugs.com
The Sunoco Race for Gas points standings is also led by Jimmy Owens (TN) over Earl Pearson Jr. (FL). Drivers using Sunoco Race Fuels earn points at each event based on finishing position. www.sunocoinc.com .
Owens also leads the Keyser Mfg. Point Leader Challenge Points standings. This new point category awards cash and points to the driver that is leading the series points standings in each event and the driver that displays the Day-Glo Orange Point Leader Spoiler at the most events will receive a $2,500 cash and $2,500 product award at the year-end banquet, compliments of Keyser Manufacturing. www.keysermanufacturing.com .
Earl Pearson Jr. (FL) leads the points standings for the Allstar Performer of the Year in a tight battle with John Blankenship (WV). Both drivers have posted several top performances this year on the tour and both drivers are looking to challenge for the series championship as the series heads into the heat of summer. www.allstarperformance.com.
In the battle for the most RED BUCK Fast Time Awards, Bobby Pierce (IL) leads this category with three (3) Fast Time awards in 2013. RED BUCK awards the driver that sets fast time at each LOLMDS event a $100 cash award and the driver that earns the most RED BUCK Fast Time Awards receives a cash bonus at the year-end awards banquet. www.redbuck.com .
Mike Marlar (TN) leads the Optima Batteries Hard Charger points standings. The driver that passes the most cars during the feature event earns the Optima Battery Hard Charger of the Race at each event and the driver that earns the most Hard Charger awards during the season will be crowned the Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Year. www.optimabatteries.com .
In the battle for the Wiles Drive Shafts heat race winners, two drivers both Don O'Neal (IN) and Steve Francis (KY) are tied for the most heat race wins. The driver that earns the most Wiles Drive Shaft points during the year will earn a special award at the year-end awards banquet. www.wilesdriveshafts.com .
The Outerwears Crew Chief of the Year points standings is a tight battle between three crew chiefs on the tour. Tom Buckingham, crew chief for John Blankenship, Chris Fox, crew chief for Jimmy Owens and the only female crew chief on the tour, Heather Lyne - for Dennis Erb are in a tight battle to see which crew chief will take home the Outerwears Crew Chief of the Year and the $1,500 cash award at the year-end awards banquet. www.outerwears.com.
In the quest for the OHLINS Shocks Chassis Builder of the Year, Bloomquist Race Cars leads the points standings with a slim margin over Rocket Chassis, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Barry Wright Race Cars, Longhorn Chassis, Pierce Race Cars and Rayburn Chassis. www.ohlins.com.
In a tight battle for the COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Award, Cornett Race Engines leads the points standings followed by Roush Yates Engines, Jay Dickens Race Engines, Pro Power, Kuntz Race Engines, Gaerte Engines and Race Engine Design. www.compcams.com.
To view all the current special category point standings and who is leading each category go to http://www.lucasdirt.com/point-standings/ .
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, visit the series' website at www.lucasdirt.com.
Follow the series on the social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and www.twtitter.com/#!/lucasdirt.
About Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series: Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is the nations' premier dirt late model sanctioning organization. It currently sanctions 47 events in 21 states in 2013 and receives national exposure through taped-delayed series events that are shown on CBS, CBS Sports, SPEED, NBC Sports and MAVTV.www.lucasoil.com.
About MAVTV - American Real : MAVTV is the independent cable television network owned and operated by Lucas Oil Products, Inc. an international lubricant manufacturer with a long history in action-themed television production and distribution. Recognized as America's fastest growing independent cable network, MAVTV is committed to delivering "American Real." It's all about real people living out their American life stories. Aired entirely in vibrant HD, the network's unique programming focuses on shows the entire family can enjoy from blockbuster movies - both modern day and classic - as well as animated series, music and action to top-level motorsports competition from every corner of the country. For more information about MAVTV visit the website at www.mavtv.com.
About Lucas Oil Products: Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry. Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company's marketing strategy. Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more. Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as: Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, CA.
In 2007 Lucas Oil founded its own production house, Lucas Oil Production Studios, dedicated to producing high action motorsports television. Currently Lucas Oil Production Studios produces over 300 hours of original programming for networks such as CBS, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, SPEED, and MAVTV. More information about Lucas Oil Products, Inc. visit the company website at
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