Contact: World Racing Group
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
704-254-7929 • kkovac@dirtcar.com
World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Fuller’s Cost-Saving Move
CONCORD, NC – March 10, 2008 –
DOLLARS & ‘SENSE’: Tim Fuller is currently home in upstate New York.
The two Gypsum Express Racing dirt Late Models he has at his disposal, meanwhile, are nearly 1,100 miles away in Georgia.
What’s the deal? Just call it a shrewd, cost-saving logistical move by the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year.
Since the end of last month’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., Fuller’s hauler and red No. 19 Rocket cars have been parked at fellow WoO LMS regular Clint Smith’s shop in Senoia, Ga. They won’t return to Fuller’s garage in the Empire State’s Northcountry until after the next WoO LMS event, the $20,000-to-win ‘March Through Dixie 100’ on March 28-29 at Pike County Speedway in Magnolia, Miss.
“With the high price of fuel and way the weather is up here (in New York’s snow belt), we figured it’s worthwhile to leave the cars and the hauler at Clint’s for a month,” Fuller said on Monday from his shop, which was under more than a foot of snow following a weekend storm. “We’re saving a bunch of money on fuel, plus we don’t have to winterize the camper (toter-home), we won’t get it covered with salt and sand from driving it on the roads up here, and we’re just plain saving a lot of wear-and-tear on it.”
While Fuller, 40, of Watertown, N.Y., stayed in Florida the week after the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals to vacation with his family (it was his three-year-old daughter Ainsley’s first trip to Disney World), his chief mechanic, Mike ‘Smoke’ Countryman, drove the hauler to Smith’s estate. Countryman and DIRTcar big-block Modified driver Billy Dunn, who provided pit-area assistance to Fuller throughout the southern excursion, spent several days working on Fuller’s cars before heading home to New York in a Gypsum Express pickup truck that Dunn drove from Florida to Georgia.
Fuller is saving nearly 2,700 miles on his sponsor John Lazore’s race car transporter by parking it at Smith’s, taking into account trips of roughly 1,250 miles from Volusia to Watertown, N.Y. (it was 400 miles to Smith’s place) and 1,400 miles from upstate New York to Southern Mississippi (the haul to Pike County Speedway from Smith’s shop is about 475 miles).
What’s more, Fuller will get a chance to keep his dirt Late Model skills sharp during the break from WoO LMS by entering two shows this weekend within a couple-hour drive of Smith’s shop. Fuller and Countryman are flying down to Atlanta on Thursday and will run special events on Friday night (March 14) at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth and Saturday night (March 15) at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway.
After flying back home following the weekend, Fuller will borrow a truck and trailer from Lazore and haul his DIRTcar big-block Modified to Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Sat., March 22, to compete in the season-opening Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series 100. Then he’ll hop a plane again to retrieve his dirt Late Model operation from Smith’s garage in advance of Pike County’s WoO LMS show.
STUCK AT HOME: With rain and cold weather causing the cancellation of several dirt Late Model events in Tennessee, Georgia and Maryland, no WoO LMS regulars saw action over the past weekend.
BIG HONOR: WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman took advantage of the tour’s break to attend Sunday’s 2008 regular-season opener at Talladega (Ala.) Short Track and ended up adding a memorable moment to his announcing career.
After accepting an invitation to grab a microphone as a guest announcer, Eshelman was thrilled to call 70-something short-track legend Red Farmer’s drive to victory in the oval’s crate Late Model feature.
DATE CHANGE REMINDER: WoO LMS officials have announced that a previously-scheduled tour date at Lebanon I-44 Speedway has been moved back one week, to Sat., May 3, and an event has been added at Monett Speedway on Sun., May 4, setting up two consecutive nights of Outlaws action in Missouri.
HELP THEM MAKE A COMEBACK: Josh Richards, Clint Smith and former WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer are still seeking votes from fans in the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest, which awards a $12,000 prize to the top vote-getter among the 18 drivers who won features during last month’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park.
Victories in the Super Late Model A-Mains at Volusia put Richards, Smith and Moyer on the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star ballot. They need a final-week surge in the voting to pull out the big money.
Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on March 16 to vote for their favorite full-fender star at www.AlltelAllStar.com. They can vote once per day, and with each vote cast they are entered in a contest to win a $500 gift card from Alltel Wireless.
NEXT UP: The 2008 WoO LMS gets rolling again on March 28-29 with the ‘March Through Dixie 100’ at Pike County Speedway.
Arguably the biggest early-season dirt Late Model event ever run in the state of Mississippi, the big weekend will include time trials and qualifying heats on Fri., March 28, and B-Mains and the $20,000-to-win 100-lap A-Main on Sat., March 29. The first-ever WoO LMS show at the three-eighths-mile oval will also feature a driver autograph session in the spectator area from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, visit www.pikecountyspeedway.com.
INFO: To learn more about the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
For Immediate Release
March 9, 2008
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Announces Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Candidates, Additional Sponsors
CORONA, CA (March 9, 2008) -The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is excited to announce five drivers that have officially declared their intentions of running for the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year award on the series in 2008. The five drivers that will be battling for the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year include: John Blankenship, Terry Casey, Wayne Chinn, Eric Jacobsen and Tony Knowles. "The series is very pleased to have such a quality group of drivers competing for the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year in 2008. We look forward to watching these drivers compete on the series and feel this is the strongest group of drivers to compete for the rookie of the year to date", stated Ritchie Lewis series director.
All five drivers competing for this year's Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Quarter Master "Rookie of the Year" are coming off of their best career finishes in Lucas Oil Series competition at the recently held DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL.
Blankenship, 26 of Williamson, WV is coming off of a fifth place A-main finish on February 8th at East Bay which marked the highest finish of his career with the Lucas Oil Series. Blankenship who scored his first career win in a late model back in 2003 and has relocated his racing operation to Tennessee where he will be based while competing on this year's edition of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drives the Don Blankenship owned #23 Bloomquist Race Cars Monte Carlo SS. His car sponsored by Busch Beer, Fast Lane and Hilton Head National a Scratch Golf Property. The driver who scored the biggest win of his career on July 2, 2005 at Stateline Speedway is Busti, NY has a Pro Power Engine under the hood of his Team Zero car.
Casey, 38 of New London, WI has announced his candidacy for the 2008 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Quarter Master "Rookie of the Year" award. Casey made five out of six feature events during this year's edition of the DART Winternationals at East Bay with the most important one for Casey coming on February 7th when he captured his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. Now Casey has his sights set on the $10,000 first place money up for grabs to the winner of this year's "Rookie of the Year" chase. Casey's C.J. Rayburn Race Cars #42 is sponsored by Arnie Ranta Motorsports, Brewer Concrete Construction and Arnie's Sleds and Trailers has a Bill and John Schlieper Pro Power Engine providing the horsepower.
Chinn, 27 of Bradford, OH is known throughout the racing community as "The Sniper" came into his own as a dirt late model driver in 2007 when he finished fourth in arguably the most prestigious race for late models the "World 100" at Eldora Speedway. He was the 2007 "Rookie of the Year" for the IRS Racing Series and in 2005 won the "Most Improved Driver" for the Battle of the Bluegrass Series and finished second in the "Rookie of the Year" points. Chinn began his racing career running Karts in 1995 advancing to Midgets, Open Wheel Modifieds and eventually Late Models in '05. He scored his best finish ever in Lucas Oil Series competition at East Bay finishing 11th in the main event on February 6th. The James Chinn Motorsports/C.J. Rayburn Dodge Charger with power from Dargie Racing Engines is sponsored by Sugar Creek Packing, Erwin's Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Klingshirn and Sons Trucking, Hendricks Auto Service, J.B Enterprises, Sunoco Race Fuels, Thienman's Sportsman Bar and Grill and AWP of Ohio Equipment rentals.
Jacobsen, 38 of Seacliffe Beach, CA picked up a third place finish in the feature at East Bay back on February 8th marking his best career run in LOLMDS competition. Jacobsen made five out of the six features at East Bay during the 2008 DART Winternationals and like Blankenship, Casey, Chinn and Tony Knowles has his sights set on capturing the Quarter Master "Rookie of the Year" honors as the winner will join Scott James (2005), Steve Casebolt (2006) and Justin Rattliff (2007) in winning the top rookie honors for the series. Jacobsen's Bloomquist Race Cars number 5 has a Pro Power Engine under the hood with sponsorship from VP Racing Fuels, Bell Helmets and Hoosier Tire South.
Knowles, 22 from Tyrone, GA has put his hat in the ring to run for the '08 Quarter Master "Rookie of the Year" program. His best career finish in Lucas Oil Series competition was a tenth place finish in 2007 at North Alabama Speedway. Knowles will be behind the wheel of a Rocket Chassis with a Custom Engine with sponsorship from SAE Parts, Inc., RSD Enterprises, VP Racing Fuels, Hunter Electric and All-Star Graphix. Knowles will also be sporting a new car number this year going with number 26 switching from his familiar #66.
Quarter Master has signed on as the title sponsor of the "Rookie of the Year" program in 2008 and will make the special presentation at the year end banquet to the top Rookie on the series for 2008. The rookie of the year program for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series continues to get bigger every year for racers who elect to run the series and this years program offers both cash and several product awards to the top rookies of the series in 2008. This year's program will pay $10,000 to the winner of the Rookie of the Year, with the runner up receiving $2,500 at the year end banquet. Other awards that have been posted for the rookies include a product award from Quarter Master, a new Tiger Rearend form Tiger Rearends, one set of connecting rods from Dyers Rods, 10 sheets of pre-finished aluminum from Wrisco Industries, $500 product award from Wiles Driveshafts, one set of Duralite Racing Wheels from Duralite, $100 Ohlins Shocks product award at every race to the highest finishing rookie, and a complete new MD3 nose combo package from Performance Bodies.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is also pleased to announce several new sponsors to the series in 2008. Dyers Top Rods has signed on as a contingency sponsor for the series in 2008 offering drivers an opportunity to earn a free set of connecting rods to both the series champion and the series "Rookie of the Year" at the year end banquet. Dyers Top Rods located in Forrest, IL has numerous Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers running their products and will use the series as a tool to further their presence in the dirt late model industry. To learn more about Dyers Top Rods visit their website at www.dyersrods.com.
Another new sponsor to the series in 2008 is Victory Circle Chassis. Victory Circle Chassis has signed on as part of the Chassis Builders Challenge on the series in 2008. Victory Circle Chassis located in Bakersfield CA is joining the series in hopes of winning the top chassis builder on the series in 2008. Victory Circle Chassis is currently 3rd in the series chassis builders points category only 2 points out of first place. Victory Circle Chassis is working closely with current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point's leader Billy Moyer in the design and development of their chassis. Marc Lundgren owner of Victory Circle Chassis is excited to be a part of the series in 2008. "The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is the premier national touring series and a great opportunity for our company to use the series to help build brand awareness for our company and hopefully to sell more cars to racers all over the country", stated Marc Lundgren. To learn more about Victory Circle Chassis visit their official website at www.victorycircle.com.
Duralite Racing Wheels has also signed on as a contingency sponsor on the series in 2008. Duralite Racing wheels will post a contingency award at every series event in 2008 and will give a set of four Duralite Racing Wheels to the Rookie of the Year on the series at the year end banquet as well. Duralite Racing Wheels is located in Ada, OK and their official website can be found at www.duralitewheels.com.
To learn more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit their official website at www.lucasdirt.com.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings (After February 9, 2008)
1) Billy Moyer (Batesville, AR) - 250
2) Terry Casey (New London, WI) - 230
3) Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) - 220
3) Josh Richards (Shinnston, WV) - 220
5) Donnie Moran (Dresden, OH) - 205
6) Matt Miller (Waterville, OH) - 200
6) Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) - 200
8) Mike Marlar (Winfield, TN) - 190
9) Earl Pearson, Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) - 185
10) Tim McCreadie (Watertown, NY) - 180
Current Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) - 230
2) John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) - 140
3) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) - 125
4) Tony Knowles (Tyrone, GA) - 75
5) Eric Jacobsen (Seacliffe Beach, CA) - 75
AMP Late Model Series will return to Monticello Speedway on Mar. 29, 2008
AMP Series Release
www.ampseries.com
March 10, 2008
ALEXANDER, Ark. — AMP Late Model Series will return to the site of one of its most exciting races last season for its first ‘in state’ event of the of 2008 at Monticello Speedway on Mar. 29.
This will be the first trip back to the speed plant since August 2007, when the AMP Series saluted to the fans during its first year of competition with the series’ first-year Topless 40 event.
The AMP Series will visit Monticello Speedway three times during the calendar year of ’08. One of the visits will again salute the wonderful staff and fans with another Topless event later this fall.
Fans who attended the AMP race at Monticello last fall witnessed a spectacular shootout for local bragging rights, as Texarkana hot shoes Jon ‘Catman’ Mitchell and Duke Whisenant battled it out for most of the race until Mitchell eventually won going away on his way to winning the inaugural AMP championship.
Several talented in-state drivers are expected to be on hand. The racing will be close on the very large quarter mile track, providing exciting racing action from the heat races through the 30-lap feature event.
Joe Garrison of Team GRT will provide the fast qualifier gift certificate award for the sum of $100.00 to the lucky racer who wins the start on the pole position for the feature event, and will also provide a “Mystery Card” to spin off into the 10th – 20th field.
Larry Shaw Racing will provide a $100.00 gift certificate award for hard charger. The lucky driver who charges through the field to, advance the most positions will win the award.
AMP Series would like to thank our Marketing Partners and encourage all racer, fans and friends to visit with them during the 2008 race season.
The “Official Graphics” of the AMP Series, www.racewrapz.com : Blue Ridge Trailers Inc., www.blueridgeliftgate.com Team GRT, Larry Shaw Racing, Mike McNay DBA – SnapOn Tool’s, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Tire Southwest, Duralite Wheels, Wulff Pumps, William Gould Racing, Race on Driving Experience, Kenny Morden Racing. LuvRacin.com, Clampedup.com, Victory Lane Web Design
Eddie Mckenzie
www.msdirt.com
North Mississippi Speedway, Corinth, MS
North Alabama Speedway, Tuscumbia, AL
“Battle of the States” Coming Soon
On March 21st and 22nd the AMP and the MSCCS Late Models series will clash in the “Battle of the States” at both North Alabama Speedway in Tuscumbia, AL and North Mississippi Speedway in Corinth, MS. On Friday, March 21st, North Alabama Speedway will be hosting the first leg of the “Battle of the States” in a $2,000 to win AMP vs MSCCS super late model feature event.
On Saturday night, March 22nd the action will move across the state line to the North Mississippi Speedway in Corinth, MS, which will include a $2,500 to win, $300 to start Super Late Model event. MSCCS rules will apply both nights.
Admission for both nights will be $15.00 for grandstand, $30.00 for pits, and kids twelve and under are free.
For more information visit NAS online at www.northalabamaspeedway.com, or NMS online at www.northmississippispeedway.com. AMP can be found online at www.ampseries.com and the MSCCS is online at www.stateseries.com