Two-Time Champ Richards Announces He’s Departing Series As Regular To Pursue NASCAR Career

CONCORD, NC – April 26, 2012 – Tim Fuller’s life as a World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular has gotten an 11^th-hour reprieve.

With two-time series champion Josh Richards announcing on Wednesday that he’s decided to end his eight-year run on the national tour and move south to pursue a NASCAR driving career, Watertown, N.Y.’s Fuller has been tapped as Richards’s replacement behind the wheel of the iconic Rocket Chassis house car. Fuller will be in the blue No. 1 machine for this weekend’s WoO LMS events at North Alabama Speedway in Tuscumbia, Ala. (April 27) and Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway (April 28).

While Richards’s father and career-long dirt Late Model owner, Mark, has not committed to fielding his familiar car beyond this weekend’s doubleheader, Fuller is appreciative of the offer to drive for one of the full-fender division’s most high-profile teams and hopes it will allow him to resuscitate his lagging racing fortunes.

Fuller, 44, had already confirmed after the Illini 100 on March 31 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway that he would not enter his own struggling, cash-strapped team in WoO LMS events at North Alabama and Tazewell, so the Rocket house car ride provides him an unexpected chance to continue following the circuit.

“It’s quite an opportunity,” said Fuller, who has been a loyal WoO LMS traveler since winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2007. “Mark could’ve picked a couple hundred drivers (to step in for his son), and I feel real fortunate that he picked me to do it.

“There’s nothing lacking with this team at all. Mark has the best of the best of everything. Basically, to put it into terms, you got the Jimmie Johnson ride and Rick Hendrick called you, so there are no excuses. You gotta produce, and that’s what I’m going to try my hardest to do for him.”

A former champion in the DIRTcar Big-Block Modified division, Fuller has experienced a nightmarish opening to the 2012 season with his self-owned dirt Late Model operation, failing to record a single top-10 finish in seven WoO LMS A-Mains and not even starting the Illini 100 because he had already exhausted his supply of emergency provisional spots for the season. He is currently mired in 15^th in the points standings, 288 points behind leader Darrell Lanigan.

But Fuller is just three years removed from a breakout 2009 WoO LMS season that saw him finish a personal-best fourth in the points standings while registering career highs in wins (seven), top fives (17), top 10s (24) and earnings ($172,150). He tied the tour’s consecutive-win record of four and captured all seven of his victories over an 11-race span from July 25-Sept. 6 – a prolific checkered-flag stretch exceeded in WoO LMS history by only one driver, Rick Eckert, who in 2006 won seven times in 10 races.

A variety of obstacles have prevented Fuller from recapturing his ’09 magic, however. In 2010 he won just twice and slipped to eighth in the points standings as he found himself hampered by his Gypsum Express team’s transition to a new engine program and a mid-season bout with appendicitis, and last year he split with car owner John Wight early in the season and struggled to a 10^th-place finish in the standings campaigning just a single car from his own stable.

Fuller began the ’12 season with hopes of a rebound thanks to assistance from former WoO LMS team owner Dale Beitler, who provided him a backup car. But with no positive moments through the first seven events, Fuller admitted that the time had come to step off the tour and regroup his effort.

Now Fuller has a shot at rebuilding his morale and his reputation with a team that has won two WoO LMS championships (Josh Richards in 2009 and ’10) and 41 A-Mains (37 with Richards from 2005-2012, four with Bart Hartman in ’04).

“I’ve been kicked for about a year, and yeah, it hurts my pride and ego – and ego is a lot of this game,” said Fuller, who is tied for 10^th on the WoO LMS win list since 2004 but last reached Victory Lane on June 17, 2010, at Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Ont. “But you still know you can do it. I’ve been through tough times before in the Modified, when things weren’t right, and then you get into a good ride and you go. It comes down to equipment and ability, and I still have the ability to do it. I’m not questioning that.”

Fuller made his debut in the Mark Richards Racing Enterprises mount on April 20 at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa. He used a qualifying provisional to start the 50-lap A-Main and recorded a pedestrian 16^th-place finish, but he was encouraged by the outing.

“I felt really good after last week even though we bombed with our finish,” said Fuller, who is looking to end a 65-race winless streak on the WoO LMS. “It’s a big step to jump into somebody else’s car and actually be comfortable, and their cars are actually quite a bit different than mine as far as how they react to everything. But by the end of the night I was actually comfortable in the car, so I think getting one race under our belt to break me in with them was a good thing.

“Now we’re gonna go to North Alabama and Tazewell with me already having some laps in the car.”

Fuller would love to run the remainder of the 2012 WoO LMS for Mark Richards, but he has no illusions about the future.

“We’ve talked about several things for the rest of the year, but I know the situation,” said Fuller. “It all comes down to, You better produce. Mark’s never said that, but I know Mark Richards enough that he wants his driver to produce.

“Hopefully I’m in it for the rest of the year,” he added, “because that means everything’s going good.”

Josh Richards, meanwhile, will this weekend be absent from a WoO LMS event for the first time since Sept. 5, 2004, at Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park – 278 races ago. He departs the tour sitting second in the points standings, 36 points behind Lanigan, and with more wins (38) since ’04 than any other driver. All but one of his triumphs have come driving for his father, who has fielded at least one car in every WoO LMS event since ’04 except June 18, 2012, at Winchester (Va.) Speedway, where his son steered the Ernie Davis-owned No. 25 to victory.

After running a limited schedule of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events last season for Kyle Busch Motorsports, Richards had hoped to go fulltime on the pavement circuit in 2012. A ride didn’t materialize so he continued on the dirt, but the 24-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., still felt a longing to chase his NASCAR dreams so he recently decided to move to the Charlotte, N.C., area in order to devote himself to that effort.

“I’ve decided that I’m going to make a full attempt to pursue my career in NASCAR and make a jump fulltime,” Richards told DirtonDirt.com, which broke the news of Richards’s decision. “It’s a lot to give up. To give up not only, you know, the team that we have, I mean, everyone that I have behind me, my whole support group, between all my family, my friends, all my sponsors that have been behind me from the start, and without a doubt all my fans – it’s, really, really, really hard.

“It’s been a real tough decision, and without a doubt the fire inside of me to move on has always been there, and the only way to put it out or keep it going is to try to pursue it. It’s a decision I’ve made the last couple of weeks.”

Richards plans to make occasional dirt Late Model starts for the remainder of the season, but his focus will be on a NASCAR ride that he expects to announce within the next week.

“We’re certainly going to miss Josh, but all of us with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series wish him well with his NASCAR dreams,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We’ve all watched Josh grow up racing on the series and become a great ambassador for the World of Outlaws, and our hope is that he’ll continue to bring recognition to the series by becoming a star in the NASCAR world.”

Information on this weekend’s WoO LMS events at North Alabama Speedway and Tazewell Speedway is available by logging on towww.northalabamaspeedway.com and www.tazewellspeedway.com.

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.

 

Gary Hall Ready To Welcome Circuit’s Stars To His Blazing-Fast, High-Banked Track

TAZEWELL, TN – April 19, 2012 – The 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Promoter of the Year is ready to welcome the national tour’s stars back to his facility.

Gary Hall’s Tazewell Speedway will host the ‘Outlaw Sizzler 50’ presented by Rusty Wallace Cadillac-GMC-Kia of Morristown on Sat., April 28 – the first WoO LMS visit to the high-banked, one-third-mile oval since Hall was honored as last year’s standout track operator on the renowned full-fender circuit.

WoO LMS officials will take a moment during the $10,000-to-win event to recognize Hall’s lofty achievement in front of his home fans, but don’t expect the low-key promoter to bask in any cheers that come his way. His focus will be on ensuring the success of Tazewell’s third World of Outlaws program in as many years.

Hall, 59, is a modest sort who doesn’t promote Tazewell Speedway to earn accolades and adulation, which would explain his reaction when his name was announced as the recipient of the 2011 WoO LMS Promoter of the Year award during last November’s awards banquet in Concord, N.C.

“I was totally surprised and shocked about it,” said Hall, the first promoter of a Tennessee track to win the World of Outlaws’ top-promoter honor. “I’m not good at speeches anyway, so I was just speechless when I got up there on that stage (to accept the trophy). I didn’t know what to say.

“But believe me, I really appreciate it. To me, to get an award like that when I know how many different tracks the Outlaws go to every year, it’s an awesome honor.”

And well deserved. A former dirt Late Model driver who is entering his seventh season as owner of Tazewell Speedway, Hall was singled out by WoO LMS officials for organizing one of the 2011 season’s biggest events, the two-day, $20,000-to-win ‘Outlaw Sizzler 101’ that ran over the Independence Day weekend. The race was the richest ever contested at the track, which opened in 1965, and drew a near-capacity crowd.

Last year’s 101-lapper was a reputation-building event for Hall, who is still a relative newcomer to the racetrack promotion business. He retired from driving dirt Late Models in early 1996 – following a 19-year career that saw him enjoy most of his success at the now-closed Atomic Speedway in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he was a track champion and won a Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA series event in 1990 – and had no immediate desire to continue toiling in the sport in any capacity. He didn’t even attend a race until his son, Brad, began running a Late Model in 1999.

After a few years helping his son, however, Hall started getting an itch to try his hand at the helm of a track. When he learned in the mid-2000s that Tazewell – the track where he ran his first Late Model race in 1977 (but never won a feature) – was available for purchase, his interest was piqued.

“I had always thought I could do it (operate a track),” said Hall, the longtime owner of Gary Hall Motors in his hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. “But I never gave it any real serious thought until Tazewell popped up for sale. Before that I had thought about buying Atomic, but that got too expensive to buy (and) keep a racetrack.

“When Tazewell was for sale, I thought about it for a year. I talked myself into it and then talked myself out it – and then talked myself back into it again. I just never did get it out of my mind and I finally did buy it (prior to the 2006 season).”

Running a weekly dirt track has proven to be a challenging endeavor for Hall. In fact, simply preparing the Tazewell surface “takes a lot more effort than other tracks” because of the speedway’s extremely steep banking. But he’s come to enjoy “everything it takes to make a racetrack work,” no matter the stress all of it can produce.

Hall decided to test his maturation as a promoter and his track’s drawing power by scheduling last year’s ‘Outlaw Sizzler 101.’ With the Fourth of July falling on a Monday in 2011, he felt the calendar laid out perfectly for a two-day holiday-weekend special on Saturday and Sunday nights.

“I always wanted to do a big two-day show at Tazewell and last year felt like the right time to go ahead with one,” said Hall. “It was the biggest purse the racetrack ever had and we had a real good crowd. I was real happy with it and I’m glad we did it.”

Hall never intended for the extra-distance race to become an annual event, noting that the intense July heat in eastern Tennessee makes a two-day show extremely grueling for his staff, the racers and fans. He’s not ruling out running another big-money weekend spectacular in the future if the right fit materializes, but for now he thinks a single-night springtime show will provide more than enough thrills to satisfy his clientele.

“I think everything is in place for the fans to see a real good race being it’s early in the year,” said Hall, who credits his wife, Shirlene, race director/right-hand man Rick Brooks and his loyal employees for making his tenure at Tazewell so successful. “The lower temperatures and the sun going down earlier (than in July) will help make the surface a lot better. The moisture is gonna stay in the track a lot better, and that’s gonna help us give the fans a great show.”

Hall also expects a star-studded field to enter the April 28 program, including more than a dozen WoO LMS travelers and some high-profile challengers from Tennessee and other surrounding states.

The WoO LMS brigade will be led to Tazewell by 2008 champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who sits atop the tour’s points standings through seven events. He’s followed in the standings by two-time titlist Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., defending champ Rick Eckert of York, Pa., 2010 Tazewell WoO LMS winner Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.

Other series regulars expected include 2006 champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn. (a former feature winner at Tazewell), John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and 2012 Rookie of the Year contenders Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss., Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Ark., and Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind.

Drivers who will likely present the biggest threats to the Outlaws include 2011 ‘Outlaw Sizzler 101’ winner Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C., track record-holder Steve Smith of Powell, Tenn., Vic Hill of Morristown, Tenn., and Billy Ogle Jr. of Seiverville, Tenn. Hall said former WoO LMS champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., is a possible entrant as well.

Tazewell’s April 28 card, which features Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, heat races, B-Mains and the ‘Outlaw Sizzler 50,’ will also include racing for the Modified Streets, Classic Cars and Four-Cylinders.

Tickets for the WoO LMS event are $26, with children 10-and-under admitted free of charge. Pit passes are $38.

Pit gates open will open at 2 p.m. and grandstand gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. On-track action is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tazewell Speedway is located just two miles northwest of Tazewell, Tenn. Going north on US 25-E, turn right and then left onto Bacchus Rd., travel 1.8 miles north and .8 miles west and the racetrack is located on the left.

Additional information can be obtained by logging on to www.TazewellSpeedway.net or calling 865-626-2222.

The Tazewell Speedway event will be preceded by a WoO LMS program on Fri., April 27, at North Alabama Speedway in Tuscumbia, Ala.

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie Has High Hopes For Success In Tour’s First Visit To Tuscumbia Track Since 2007

TUSCUMBIA, AL – April 11, 2012 – Bub McCool understands that the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event on Fri., April 27, at North Alabama Speedway presents him with a unique opportunity.

As a Rookie of the Year candidate on the national tour, McCool is unfamiliar with a majority of the tracks on the circuit’s 2012 schedule. But that’s not the case with North Alabama, a one-third-mile oval at which the Vicksburg, Miss., driver possesses more experience than any of his WoO LMS rivals.

McCool, 34, hasn’t raced at North Alabama since September 2009, but over a three-year span beginning with the track’s one and only previous WoO LMS program, on March 25, 2007, he entered 15 special events. His NAS performance record includes a victory in a 2008 Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series feature, five top-five and nine top-10 finishes – stats that send him into the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main on April 27 with a good feeling about his prospects.

“We’ve run pretty good there in the past so hopefully we can continue that in the Outlaw show,” said McCool, whose home is about five-and-a-half hours southwest of North Alabama. “We’re not gonna run a track we know any better this year, so we better be on our game and take advantage of our knowledge of the place.

“Of course, racing with this Outlaw bunch, I don’t know if you can ever have a real advantage. But if you know the racetrack a little bit, I guess it helps.”

McCool forecasts an exciting evening of action at the Jeff Greer-promoted track, which many observers say produces some of the best racing in the Southeast.

“It’s one of those little paper-clip, tight bullrings,” said McCool, who failed to qualify for the 2007 WoO LMS event at North Alabama that was won by Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla. “Come feature time it cleans up and you can race all over it. You can run two- or three-wide.

“I think it’ll be a good show. I’m looking forward to it.”

McCool will enter the North Alabama event, which leads off a WoO LMS doubleheader that also includes an April 28 date at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway, as the tour’s highest-ranked rookie but in desperate need of a slump-busting run. He sits a respectable ninth in the points standings through seven A-Mains, but he plummeted from sixth after a 28^th-place finish in the last event, the Illini 100 on March 31 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway.

The affable McCool began his first season as a WoO LMS regular on a strong note, matching his career-best tour finish of 11^th in the ‘Winter Freeze’ opener on Feb. 11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and then bettering that by a country mile with a solid third-place run on Feb. 17 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. He also finished ninth on Feb. 18 at BRP and eighth on Feb. 23 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

But McCool’s momentum was dulled in the season-opening swing’s finale on Feb. 25 at Volusia, where his family’s primary Victory Circle machine was sidelined by engine problems discovered during afternoon maintenance and then his backup car was slowed by more terminal maladies under the hood. He was able to start the A-Main with a points provisional but could only baby the mount to a 22^nd-place finish.

“We were tickled to death with how we started, but we’ve run into some problems the last couple shows,” said McCool, who entered the 2012 season having entered 16 WoO LMS events since 2007. “We have to get back on track.”

McCool, who won a MSCCS event on March 24 at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, Miss., between his last two WoO LMS starts, realizes that there are no shortcuts to success with the World of Outlaws. But he’s confident that he has the equipment, manpower, ability and desire to capture the Rookie of the Year honor over a first-year driver group that currently includes Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Ark., and Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind.

“Winning this rookie deal is our goal,” said McCool, who lists racing as his occupation but also helps out when needed at his family’s McCool Logging business. “If we could do that along with finishing top-10 in points and maybe winning a show or two, we’d be satisfied. We know how hard this is.”

McCool’s assault on the WoO LMS this season continues his steady climb onto the national dirt Late Model stage. While he debuted in the division as a 13-year-old, won his first feature the week before his 15^th birthday and traveled the old Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA series as a teenager in 1996, he’s actually a relative newcomer to the class. He spent nearly seven years out of the cockpit after a serious January 1997 highway accident near his home left him with a badly broken left hip among other injuries, and it wasn’t until 2006 that he began racing extensively again.

“We’ve gotten bigger each year since getting back into it,” McCool said of his racing schedule since ’06. “I’ve always wanted to try the World of Outlaws one year and felt like this was the best time to take a shot at it.

“To make yourself better, you gotta get out here and run with these national guys. That’s what we’re trying to do this year.”

The WoO LMS event on Fri., April 27, at North Alabama Speedway is scheduled to kick off with hot laps at 7:30 p.m. Also on the program will be the track’s Late Model Stock and Modified Street divisions.

Grandstand admission will be $25 with children ages 12-and-under admitted free of charge. Pit passes will cost $35 (ages 13-and-up) and $20 (ages 7-12), with kids 6-and-under free.

North Alabama Speedway is located one mile south of US Rt. 72 on SR 247, a few miles south of Florence, Ala.

More information on North Alabama Speedway is available by logging on to www.northalabamaspeedway.com or calling the track office at 256-381-5051.

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.

Series Officials Send Best Wishes To Hard-Working Michigan Track Operator

HARTFORD, MI – April 4, 2012 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for July 20 at Hartford Motor Speedway has been cancelled due to track promoter Jim Borden’s health concerns.

Borden announced on Monday that he was stepping down as Hartford’s promoter for the 2012 season in order to focus on treatment of his medical issues. His daughter and son-in-law, Becky and J.R. Hotovy, have assumed the operational reigns of the facility for the upcoming campaign, but their desire to concentrate on weekly racing programs led to the cancelation of the half-mile oval’s mid-summer WoO LMS card.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim, his wife Patty and the entire Borden family as Jim is treated for his health concerns,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We’re hopeful that Jim will make a full recovery and we’ll be able to visit with him at Hartford Motor Speedway sometime during the 2013 season.”

Hartford’s 2012 DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned racing schedule is set to kick off on Fri., May 4. More information on the track’s season is available by logging on to www.hartfordmotorspeedway.net.

The WoO LMS, which made its first-ever stop at Hartford in 2011, still has three Michigan events on its 2012 calendar. The national tour will contest a Wolverine State doubleheader on Aug. 17 at Winston Speedway in Rothbury and Aug. 18 at Merritt Raceway in Lake City, and a second trip will bring the series to Berlin Raceway in Marne, which will have clay put down on its paved surface for a historic 100-lap, $20,000-to-win A-Main on Sept. 21-22.

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis

Series Officials Send Best Wishes To Hard-Working Michigan Track Operator

HARTFORD, MI – April 4, 2012 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for July 20 at Hartford Motor Speedway has been cancelled due to track promoter Jim Borden’s health concerns.

Borden announced on Monday that he was stepping down as Hartford’s promoter for the 2012 season in order to focus on treatment of his medical issues. His daughter and son-in-law, Becky and J.R. Hotovy, have assumed the operational reigns of the facility for the upcoming campaign, but their desire to concentrate on weekly racing programs led to the cancelation of the half-mile oval’s mid-summer WoO LMS card.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim, his wife Patty and the entire Borden family as Jim is treated for his health concerns,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We’re hopeful that Jim will make a full recovery and we’ll be able to visit with him at Hartford Motor Speedway sometime during the 2013 season.”

Hartford’s 2012 DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned racing schedule is set to kick off on Fri., May 4. More information on the track’s season is available by logging on to www.hartfordmotorspeedway.net.

The WoO LMS, which made its first-ever stop at Hartford in 2011, still has three Michigan events on its 2012 calendar. The national tour will contest a Wolverine State doubleheader on Aug. 17 at Winston Speedway in Rothbury and Aug. 18 at Merritt Raceway in Lake City, and a second trip will bring the series to Berlin Raceway in Marne, which will have clay put down on its paved surface for a historic 100-lap, $20,000-to-win A-Main on Sept. 21-22.

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis

Anticipation High For $20,000-To-Win World of Outlaws Late Model Series Spectacular

FARMER CITY, IL – March 28, 2012 -

LOCAL HERO:‘Feger Nation’ will be out in full force this weekend (March 30-31) for the ‘Illini 100’ at Farmer City Raceway – and their hero would like to give them something to celebrate.

Just imagine the post-race scene if the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event’s $20,000 first-place check were to be claimed by Jason Feger, a DIRTcar UMP circuit star from Bloomington, Ill., who considers Farmer City his home track.

“There would be a big party, that’s for sure,” said Feger, who will bid to become the first Land of Lincoln driver to win the Illini 100. “(Farmer City) is close to our home area and we got a lot of great fans, so I’m sure we’ll have a lot of them there. I’m hoping that we can make them proud.”

Feger, 33, has spent the last month with a laser-focus on the Illini 100, which begins with Ohlins Shocks Time Trials and heat races on Fri., March 30, and culminates with B-Mains and the 100-lap headliner on Sat., March 31. He wants to have his Bob Pierce-built car at full strength for his first home-state start of the 2012 season.

“We haven’t been anywhere since Florida (last month’s two weeks of racing in the Sunshine State),” said Feger. “We’ve just been home working on our stuff, preparing everything. We got a new motor put in for (the Illini 100), so I’m looking forward to getting over there Thursday night and shaking it down (at practice).”

Feger hasn’t made a serious run at victory in any of the three previous Illini 100s at Farmer City, but he has performed progressively better. After failing to make the A-Main cut for the inaugural event in 2008 (he suffered a flat tire while running in a heat-race transfer spot), he finished eighth in ’09 (despite being hampered by a suspension problem) and sixth in ’10.

“I’m real excited (for the Illini 100),” said Feger, who displayed his car and met fans on Tuesday night during the Illini 100 Kick-Off Party & Car Show at the Bob Evans restaurant in Champaign, Ill. “(Farmer City is) a great place. I’ve been going there since I was a little kid.

“I got a lot of laps there so I’m really excited to have (the Illini) back there. That’s the biggest race we have in Illinois and it’s back where it needs to be.”

To hear more of Feger’s thoughts on the Illini 100 – as well as comments from 2009 Illini 100 winner Shane Clanton and defending WoO LMS champion Rick Eckert – check out the event preview that is part of this week’s edition of 4Wide.TV.

CHASING A HAT TRACK: Billy Moyer has never lost an Illini 100. He’s also never been involved in a ho-hum race.

The 54-year-old dirt Late Model legend and three-time WoO LMS champion is undefeated in two Illini 100 appearances, winning the 2008 and 2010 editions. Both victories came in down-to-the-wire thrillers over Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.

Moyer’s triumph in the inaugural Illini 100 was a classic that’s still remembered by all in attendance. In a wildly competitive race that featured eight lead changes among five drivers, he overtook Babb, who had started last in the 24-car field because he changed two tires after reporting to the track for the A-Main lineup, for the lead on lap 85. Babb regained command the following circuit, but Moyer used the inside groove to slip in front on lap 99 and then repelled Babb’s final-corner challenge to cross the finish line less than a half car length ahead.

Two years later Moyer once again dashed Babb’s hopes of an emotional home-turf checkered flag. While his victory margin wasn't quite as narrow, Moyer grabbed the lead on lap 72 when Babb slipped over the turn-one berm while negotiating lapped traffic and then had to repel several frantic late-race challenges from his hard-charging protégé.

Both Moyer and Babb will enter Victory Circle by Moyer cars in this weekend’s Illini 100. Moyer has already won six features this season – in Arizona, Florida and Arkansas – while Babb is winless and will see his first action since last month’s Georgia/Florida Speedweeks.

Babb, 38, holds the distinction as the only driver to finish among the top five in all three Illini 100s. His pair of runner-up finishes sandwich a fifth in 2009.

THE CHAMPS: The four former WoO LMS titlists who are current tour regulars – Eckert, Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. – share a common thread: none have ever won at Farmer City.

Eckert, the 46-year-old reigning champ from York, Pa., has probably had the worst Illini 100 luck of the decorated group. His finishes are seventh in 2008, 10^th in ’09 and 25^th in ’10.

“It’s about time to change that,” Eckert said of his poor Illini 100 fortunes. “Last time we were there we weren’t too bad, but we blew up. Year before I had to change a motor before the feature.

“So as a car owner,” he joked, “I’m not really looking forward to going there. Hopefully we can change our luck.”

McCreadie, meanwhile, has a formidable performance record in the Illini 100. He didn’t compete in the 2009 event while recovering from a back injury, but he finished fourth (from the 20^th starting spot) in ’08 and third (from 17^th) in ’10.

Richards has never finished outside the top 10 in the Illini 100 (sixth in ’08, third in ’09, 10^th in ’10) while Lanigan, who enters the weekend leading the WoO LMS points standings, placed eighth in ’08, seventh in ’09 and 17^th in ’10.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: The only driver who has led at least one lap in each of the Illini 100s is Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, who will make his 2012 season debut this weekend.

Birkhofer appeared to be the dominant force in the 2008 event when he grabbed the top spot on lap 10, but he caught a rut in turn four and spun out of the lead – and the race – on lap 50. He came back to lead the first 93 laps of the 2009 race before Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., slipped by to take the win and leave Birky second, and in ’10 he nosed into the lead for laps 44-46 but settled for a fourth-place finish.

ROOKIE TO WATCH: For Brandon Sheppard, the Illini 100 could serve as a springboard in his pursuit of the 2012 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award.

Sheppard, 19, of New Berlin, Ill., is eyeing the national’s top-rookie honor – and he’s off to a decent start, entering this weekend’s competition with one top-10 finish and ranked 11^th in the points standings. There’s also no track on the series schedule that he knows better than Farmer City, a quarter-mile oval where he outdueled Babb to win a DIRTcar Summer Nationals event last year.

The son of veteran DIRTcar UMP Late Model racer Steve Sheppard Jr. has entered all three previous Illini 100s. He didn’t qualify in 2008 and ’09, but he finished 21^st in ’10 as a 17-year-old high-school junior.

Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss., who will enter the Illini 100 for the first time, currently leads the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year battle and is sixth in the overall points standings. Sheppard is second in the rookie race, followed by Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Ark., Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., and Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind.

Hawkins, Robinson, Moyer, Sullivan and Johnson have never entered an Illini 100, but only Hawkins will be making his first career start at the track this weekend.

JAMMED PITS: More than 50 cars are expected to enter this weekend’s Illini 100, including WoO LMS regulars Clanton, Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., and Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Other notable drivers with plans to participate include Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, and Illinois standouts Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Brian Shirley of Chatham, Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Eric Smith of Bloomington, Mike Spatola of Manhattan, Daren Friedman of Forrest, Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Frankie Heckenast Jr. of Orland Park and Donny Walden of Towanda.

INFO: This year’s Illini 100 weekend will also include an open practice session from 6-9 p.m. on Thurs., March 29; a $5,000-to-win DIRTcar UMP Modified event (heats on Fri., March 30, and B-Mains and 50-lap feature on Sat., March 31); and racing for Farmer City’s weekly support classes. The DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets will run complete programs on Friday evening, and the Pro Late Models and Street Stocks will return on Saturday night to battle in regular racing cards.

Pit gates are scheduled to be unlocked at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s practice and 12 noon on Friday and Saturday, with hot laps set to start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday and qualifying to immediately follow.

The ‘Will Call’ window for ticket pickup will open at 5 p.m. on Thursday and 11:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and the front gates will open at 12 noon on both Friday and Saturday.

Illini 100 ticket prices (reserved and general admission) are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets (ages 12-and-under) priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Pit passes are $25 on Thursday, $30 on Friday and $40 on Saturday with a two-day band available for $65 and a three-day band (including Thursday’s practice) offered for $85. DIRTcar members receive a $5 discount on pit-admission packages.

With the deadline for purchasing tickets in advance now passed, all tickets sold at the track will be general admission.

Reserved trackside parking spots are sold out, event officials said.

More information on Farmer City Raceway is available by logging on to www.farmercityracing.com or calling 217-552-0432 (main line) or 217-552-0434 (promoter Jeff Hammer).

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.

Mid-Week Promotion Sets Stage For $20,000-To-Win World of Outlaws Late Model Series Spectacular On March 30-31

 

FARMER CITY, IL – March 24, 2012 – The fourth running of the ‘Illini 100’ will rock Farmer City Raceway on March 30-31, but the build-up to the $20,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series spectacular will begin on Tues., March 27, about a half-hour’s drive southeast of the quarter-mile clay oval.

Farmer City promoter Jeff Hammer has organized the inaugural Illini 100 Kickoff Party & Car Show for 4-8 p.m. on March 27 at the Bob Evans restaurant on 1813 N. Neil Road in Champaign, Ill., providing both diehard and casual fans an opportunity to see some of the cars and drivers that will compete in the track’s blockbuster event.

“The Illini 100 is the biggest race of the year at Farmer City Raceway and we’re trying to get the word out in a real good market for us,” said Hammer, who is beginning his second year at the helm of the fairgrounds facility’s weekly action. “The Champaign Bob Evans has joined us as a partner at the speedway this year and they’re giving us a new avenue to expose the track and the Illini 100 weekend in a very busy area just off Interstate 74 near the Market Place Mall.”

Dozens of race cars will be on display in the Bob Evans parking lot on March 27, including dirt Late Models driven by former DIRTcar UMP national champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., teenage sensation Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., Donny Walden of Towanda, Ill., and Jim (‘MoonMan’) Moon of Mt. Auburn, Ill. Hammer said WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., also might bring his machine to the Kickoff Party.

The drivers will be with their cars to meet fans and sign autographs throughout the affair, which will also feature a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, special giveaways, driver apparel sales and awards for participants (Best Appearing Car, Bob Evans Guest Pick and Longest Tow).

“It should be a fun night for everyone who comes out and a great way to stir up some excitement about the Illini 100,” said Hammer, noting that the Bob Evans restaurant will offer free dinner to kids during the Kickoff Party. “By the end of the night, hopefully everyone who stops by will be ready to go racing at Farmer City Raceway.”

The anticipation level has been rising steadily for the Illini 100 weekend, which includes Ohlins Shocks Time Trials and qualifying heat races on Fri., March 30, and B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main on Sat., March 31. An open practice session from 6-9 p.m. on Thurs., March 29 – with free grandstand admission for fans who would like to get a taste of the racing to come – will begin the weekend, which returns to its traditional ‘home’ after a one-year hiatus.

“Everyone’s excited,” Hammer said of the feeling around the Farmer City racing community. “The weather has been so great around here lately – and knock on wood, it’s looking good right through the Illini 100 now too – it’s getting everybody pumped up for some racing. I think you’re gonna see a jump this week in ticket sales, internet talk and general buzz – and then, if the weather cooperates, the weekend will be huge.

“I’ve had so many calls from fans in Iowa, Indiana and Wisconsin who plan on coming down. It seems like since there wasn’t a World of Outlaws race here last year, everybody is real hungry for the Illini to be back.”

A sign of what fans can expect came on March 18 when Farmer City’s first open practice day attracted more than 135 cars spread over the track’s regular divisions. Race teams got a taste of the bullring’s new surface and were impressed.

“We started rebuilding the surface last year,” said Hammer. “We started by getting the banking back to its original conditions, and this year we added new clay to help with moisture control. Our surface is hard, smooth and fast, and I think that’s gonna make for a great Illini 100 weekend.”

Hammer’s preparations for the weekend also include an overhaul of all the track’s bleachers with blue and orange paint – the colors of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, of course.

“We’re just giving the place a little TLC,” Hammer said of the venerable facility. “The stands needed to be repainted and it just made sense to do them blue and orange for the Illini 100.”

A star-studded field of dirt Late Model racers is expected to chase the event’s $20,000 top prize, including former Illini 100 winners Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. (2008 and ’10) and WoO LMS regular Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. (’09).

Former WoO LMS champions Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., will join Clanton in leading the national tour’s traveling contingent against a talented array of national, regional and local talent.

“We have some real good central Illinois boys who can really give the Outlaws a run for the money,” said Hammer, pointing to drivers like Feger, Pierce, Walden, Sheppard, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua (a near-winner of the Illini 100 in 2008 and ’10), defending DIRTcar UMP national champion Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Brian Shirley of Chatham, Kevin Weaver of Gibson City and Eric Smith of Bloomington.

This year’s Illini 100 weekend will also include a $5,000-to-win DIRTcar UMP Modified event (heats on Fri., March 30, and B-Mains and 50-lap feature on Sat., March 31) and racing for Farmer City’s weekly support classes. The DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets will run complete programs on Friday evening, and the Pro Late Models and Street Stocks will return on Saturday night to battle in regular racing cards.

Pit gates are scheduled to be unlocked at 4 p.m. for Thursday’s practice and 12 noon on Friday and Saturday, with hot laps set to start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday and qualifying to immediately follow.

The ‘Will Call’ window for ticket pickup will open at 5 p.m. on Thursday and 11:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and the front gates will open at 12 noon on both Friday and Saturday.

Illini 100 ticket prices (reserved and general admission) are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets (ages 12-and-under) priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day tickets cost $40 (adults) and $20 (children) if purchased in advance, while pit passes are $25 on Thursday, $30 on Friday and $40 on Saturday with a two-day band available for $65 and a three-day band (including Thursday’s practice) offered for $85. DIRTcar members receive a $5 discount on pit-admission packages.

Seats can be reserved in advance for both nights on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606. Pre-race reserved-seat ticket sales will conclude at 5 p.m. on Wed., March 28, and then all tickets will be general admission.

Reserved trackside parking spots are sold out, event officials said.

More information on Farmer City Raceway is available by logging on to www.farmercityracing.com or calling 217-552-0432 (main line) or 217-552-0434 (promoter Jeff Hammer).

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis

Huge World of Outlaws of Late Model Series Event Back At Demanding Quarter-Mile Oval After One-Year Absence

FARMER CITY, IL – March 21, 2012 – Shane Clanton sure is pleased that the Illini 100 will end a one-year absence from Farmer City Raceway’s schedule on March 30-31.

No surprise there, of course. The standout driver from Fayetteville, Ga., is a former winner of the marquee World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at the quarter-mile oval, capturing the race’s $20,000 top prize in 2009.

“I hated that we didn’t get to go to Farmer City last year,” Clanton said of a bullring known for its intense action. “It’s not only where I got one of the biggest wins of my career, but it’s also a real cool place that I like running at. I’m glad we’re going back.”

The Illini 100 is returning to its birthplace, rekindling memories of the exciting competition that prevailed when Farmer City hosted the event from 2008-2010. Uncertainty with the track’s promotional team forced WoO LMS officials to schedule the 2011 Illini 100 at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway (inclement weather ultimately caused the cancelation of the race), but now Jeff Hammer is firmly at the helm of the venerable speedway and ready to bring the blockbuster weekend ‘home.’

And with this week’s arrival of Spring bringing temperatures approaching 80 to central Illinois, anticipation is building among fans and teams for two huge nights of WoO LMS racing at Farmer City. Advance-sale tickets are selling fast and are available on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606.

Clanton, 36, is one of the racers itching to get to Farmer City. He will enter the Illini 100 on a high note, buoyed by a strong start to the 2012 WoO LMS campaign (third in the points standings with four top-five and five top-10 finishes in six A-Mains) and hot off his first win since joining the Kennedy Motorsports team.

“I feel real confident about our chances at Farmer City because we’ve been running good,” said Clanton, who broke into Victory Lane on March 17 in the Jimmy Thomas Memorial at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Ala. “We’ve had a fast, top-five car every time we’ve unloaded this year. To have that is pretty exciting. You can’t wait to get to the next race when you’re running like that.

“And it seems like the longer the run, the better we get, so I feel really good about going 100 laps at Farmer City.”

Clanton also knows how to get the job done at Farmer City. He’s one of just two drivers to win the Illini 100, joining ’08 and ’10 victor Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.

The Peach State star’s 2009 Illini 100 triumph came in dramatic fashion – a trademark of the early-season event, which has gone to the wire with the outcome in doubt in each of its three editions. Clanton spent most of the distance chasing Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, before finally slipping by to grab the lead on lap 94.

“The most memorable part of it for me was sitting there hounding Birkhofer for so many laps,” said Clanton, who beat Birkhofer to the finish line by less than a car length. “He finally messed up just a little bit to let me get by him. He pushed in (turns) three and four and I drove by him down the front straightaway on the bottom. Then I just got back to the top and held on from there.”

Clanton was his usual demonstrative self during the post-race ceremonies, pounding his fists on the roof of his car and whooping it up with his crew. It wasn’t the richest or most prestigious win of his career – he won dirt Late Model racing’s top crown jewel, the DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, in 2008 – but it was an important checkered flag.

“It ranks up there in the top three or four wins that I’ve had,” said Clanton, who has also won 100-lap WoO LMS events at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (2010 Firecracker 100) and Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (2006 Pittsburgher 100). “The World 100 definitely is my greatest win, but the Illini is one of the biggest races of the year for the World of Outlaws so that makes it special. It’s also cool just to be able to win in Illinois, which has some of the best Late Model racing in the country.”

Farmer City is at the epicenter of the full-fender competition in the Land of Lincoln. It’s a venerable fairgrounds track that presents a unique challenge to all entrants hoping to collect the Illini 100’s $20,000 first-place check.

“It’s probably one of the most demanding racetracks that we go to,” said Clanton, who this year is driving Capital Race Cars for Kennedy Motorsports as a teammate to John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., after spending nearly a decade with Ronnie Dobbins’s RSD Enterprises team. “To finish any 100-lapper is tough, but to get through 100 laps there, with how fast and small the racetrack is, is an accomplishment.

“You gotta be up on the wheel the whole hundred laps at Farmer City. It’s so intense. You have to be careful you don’t drive off the (wall-less) back straightaway if you’re running the top, and if you’re running the bottom you can slip up and lose ground real easy.”

According to Clanton, adding even more luster to the Illini 100 weekend is Farmer City’s down-home atmosphere.

“The fans always are excited to see us there,” said Clanton, who has traveled the country as a WoO LMS regular since 2005. “There are always certain places in the country you go to that are what I call real ‘fan-friendly,’ and Farmer City is one of them. It’s just a neat place, from the covered grandstand to the way the track is laid out to let fans park their cars and campers all the way around turns one and two.”

*****

The Illini 100 weekend at Farmer City Raceway will feature time trials and heat races on Fri., March 30, and B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main on Sat., March 31. The big addition to the weekend this year will be a 50-lap DIRTcar UMP Modified feature offering a $5,000 top prize, with the open-wheel division running heat races on Friday evening and B-Mains and the extra-distance headliner on Saturday night.

This year’s Illini 100 weekend will also include racing for Farmer City’s weekly support classes. The DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets will run complete programs on Fri., March 30, and the Pro Late Models and Street Stocks will return on Sat., March 31, to battle in regular racing cards.

An open practice session will be held on Thurs., March 29, from 6-10 p.m. Pit gates are tentatively scheduled to open at 4 p.m.

Pit gates are scheduled to be unlocked at 12 noon on Friday and Saturday, with hot laps set to start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday and qualifying to immediately follow.

The ‘Will Call’ window for ticket pickup will open at 5 p.m. on Thursday and 11:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and the front gates will open at 12 noon on both Friday and Saturday.

Illini 100 ticket prices (reserved and general admission) are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets (ages 12-and-under) priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day tickets cost $40 (adults) and $20 (children) if purchased in advance, while pit passes are $25 on Thursday, $30 on Friday and $40 on Saturday with a two-day band available for $65 and a three-day band (including Thursday’s practice) offered for $85. DIRTcar members receive a $5 discount on pit-admission packages.

Seats can be reserved in advance for both nights on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606. Pre-race reserved-seat ticket sales will conclude at 5 p.m. on Wed., March 28, and then all tickets will be general admission.

Reserved trackside parking spots are sold out, event officials said.

More information on Farmer City Raceway is available by logging on to www.farmercityracing.com or calling 217-552-0432 (main line) or 217-552-0434 (promoter Jeff Hammer).

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis

New York Track Set To Host Renowned National Tour For First Time

CONCORD, NC – March 15, 2012 – Little Valley Speedway will host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for the first time on Wed., Aug. 29, track and series officials announced on Thursday.

The New York track’s 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event replaces the WoO LMS program that had previously been scheduled for the same date at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa.

“All of us with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series are looking forward to visiting Little Valley Speedway for the first time,” said tour director Tim Christman. “Circumstances are preventing us from returning to McKean County Raceway this season, but competing at Little Valley Speedway will allow us to bring the stars and exciting action of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to the great motorsports fans in New York’s Southern Tier and the northern portion of western Pennsylvania.”

Owned and operated by the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society, Little Valley Speedway is a half-mile oval that sits on a historic, well-maintained fairgrounds property. The facility is located just over an hour’s drive south of Buffalo, N.Y., and about 30 minutes north of Bradford, Pa.

While auto races were first held on the oval in 1932, the speedway did not operate consistently for many years. The track was improved dramatically with modern walls, new fencing and a refurbishment of the 3,000-plus seat covered grandstand for the 1997 racing season and it has hosted an annual special-event schedule each year since then.

No race at Little Valley has been as high-profile and lucrative as the WoO LMS event promises to be on Aug. 29. The blockbuster show will create a buzz-worthy evening of competition at the down-home, small-town track.

“Everyone here at Little Valley Speedway is excited and pleased to have the World of Outlaws Late Model Series participating on our half-mile dirt track this year,” said John Charlesworth, the president of the Cattaraugus County Agricultural Society Board of Directors. “This partnership will bring great racing to the area along with our other classes of loyal racers. The board and myself hope everyone can join us for this spectacular event.”

Little Valley’s long straightaways will be new territory for most of the WoO LMS’s touring stars, including defending champion Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and two-time titlist Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. But the track has been visited by series regulars Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga.; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., whose first career dirt Late Model feature win came on Sept. 9, 2007, at Little Valley; and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

In addition, veteran racer Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., who followed the WoO LMS in 2011 and finished second in the Rookie of the Year points standings, owns several feature wins at Little Valley, including two last year.

The mid-week Little Valley event, which will also include racing for the BRP CanAm 360 Late Model Series and the E-Mod division, is part of a 2012 WoO LMS schedule that currently lists 49 race dates comprising 44 A-Mains at 35 tracks in 20 states and three Canadian provinces.

More information on the inaugural WoO LMS stop at Little Valley Speedway can be obtained by logging on to www.littlevalleyspeedway.com or calling 716-938-9146.

The next action for the WoO LMS is the $20,000-to-win ‘Illini 100’ on March 30-31 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway. Advance tickets are available for purchase at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets.

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.

Tennessee Racer Hopes To Continue Head-Turning Start To ’12 In ‘Illini 100’ On March 30-31 At Farmer City Raceway

CONCORD, NC – March 13, 2012 – Mike Marlar is confident that he has the talent, experience and racing program to make some noise as a first-time follower of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

But does he have the other intangibles necessary to be a season-long success on the prestigious national tour? That’s what the 34-year-old driver from Winfield, Tenn., hopes to find out in 2012.

“We’d like to do the whole World of Outlaws deal this year and our owner would like for us to do it,” said Marlar, who is looking to broaden his dirt Late Model horizons in his first full season driving for Norman Bryson’s burgeoning team. “I also know the reality of everything. It’s a tough, tough deal, with a lot of great drivers and teams.

“You can feel like you’re experienced and have a lot of talent, but running up front consistently and winning races on this level comes down to a lot of different variables. Ultimately, it’s going be a matter of just how hard we want to work and how bad we want it.”

As the WoO LMS heads to Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway on March 30-31 for the fourth running of the $20,000-to-win ‘Illini 100,’ Marlar has already proven that he can be a serious contender. Last month he recorded two top-five finishes – and flirted with two more, including his first career WoO LMS A-Main victory – during the tour’s season-opening six-race swing through Georgia and Florida.

While finishes of fourth (Feb. 16) and fifth (Feb. 17) at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., were Marlar’s best of the trip, he was actually in position to string together four top-fives in a row. He was solidly in the top five midway through the 60-lap ‘Winter Freeze’ season opener on Feb. 11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., when a scrape sent him bouncing through the infield and out of the race (he finished 25^th), and in BRP’s 60-lap finale on Feb. 18 he led laps 1-42 and was bidding to regain command from Rick Eckert on the final circuit when he found himself squeezed into the turn-three wall (and left with a heartbreaking 18^th-place finish).

Marlar struggled in the two WoO LMS events run during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., soldiering to a 13^th-place finish on Feb. 23 and failing to qualify for the A-Main on Feb. 25 due to suspension problems. But he still left the Sunshine State sitting 11^th in the points race, putting him in position to receive series travel benefits reserved for the top 12 drivers in the standings when he enters the Illini 100.

“We could’ve been in real good shape if we didn’t drop out at Screven and didn’t crash on the last lap at Ocala,” said Marlar, who trails points leader Darrell Lanigan by 184 points but is less than 100 points behind fifth-place Chub Frank. “That would’ve been a great start for us, but we can’t change things now. Hopefully we got our bad luck out of the way.”

The Georgia and Florida disappointments certainly didn’t dull Marlar’s enthusiasm for the 2012 campaign. While he’s an accomplished racer with more than 80 career dirt Late Model feature wins – including three $20,000-plus triumphs that factored into his WoO LMS Rookie of the Year application being voted down by the tour’s panel of veteran drivers and media members – he considers his pairing with Bryson to be his long-awaited Big Chance for national stardom.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to race with a program that’s a hundred percent about what we think we need to do to win races,” said Marlar, who has bounced between family-owned equipment and other rides since moving to dirt Late Models in 2003 following a four-year run in the UMP Modified division that saw him win over 100 features. “I’ve kind of had a rocky road, but it’s also been good for me. We’ve had a lot of tough circumstances we’ve had to deal with, but it’s made us stronger and more experienced.

“I feel like I’m maybe a little later than some people in getting my opportunity (for a top-notch fulltime ride), but now that I’ve got it I feel like I’m ready for it.”

Marlar hooked up with Bryson late last summer after chatting with Bryson’s brother, Earl, during the North-South 100 weekend at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky. With a solid recommendation from shock guru Gary Winger of GW Performance, Bryson decided to give Marlar a shot with his growing team that already included young Georgian Chip Brindle.

It didn’t take long for Marlar to flash his ability to Bryson. In his third start – and first behind the wheel of a new Rocket car – Marlar shined in the WoO LMS ‘Black Diamond 125’ on Sept. 3 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., setting fast time, winning a heat race, finishing second in a 40-lap Qualifying Feature and placing a career tour-best third in the 45-lap ‘Sweet Sixteen’ finale.

Just six months later, Marlar is firmly entrenched as Bryson Motorsports’ primary driver following Brindle’s recent release from the team. He finds himself in an enviable situation, maintaining Bryson’s quality equipment (two Rocket cars, one Barry Wright mount, three Clements engines, one Hendren powerplant) at his own Volunteer State shop with the assistance of fulltime crewmembers Brian Imler and Josh Davis. Both mechanics live within minutes of Marlar and are experienced hands – Imler has spent time working on the road with several dirt Late Model teams, and Davis has been by Marlar’s side for much of the driver’s career.

“We talked about basing the team at my place and Mr. Bryson was all for it,” said Marlar. “He wants everybody to be in their comfort zones and that’s what we’re looking for too. To race and run good everybody has to have their home and family time too, not just be all racing all the time, and we’re trying to do that.”

Marlar speaks with reverence about the 44-year-old Bryson, whose Douglasville, Ga.-based company, SEG, provides a unique blend of maintenance and design/building services to commercial companies. Some of the firm’s specialties include reconstruction of truck stops and sales, service and installation of fluid-handling equipment for petroleum in retail, commercial and industrial markets.

“It’s been a blessing,” Marlar said of his opportunity to race for Bryson. “He’s a really, really good guy, and he’s got his heart in the right place on everything. He just wants us to have the best equipment, and he’s also worried about everybody’s personal situations. He kind of looks out for us and has done well for us.

“We’ve basically built a new team with him,” he continued. “He had some things to get started with, but we’ve just been building ever since we got together. He’s really stepped up to the plate and made a lot of sacrifices to get us everything we need to race.”

The future appears bright for Marlar, who sees all the elements for long-term success in Bryson Motorsports.

“There’s a few teams in the World of Outlaws that are just really, really strong,” said Marlar, who recently celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Stacy, a high school math teacher. “It’s hard to just whip a team like that up overnight, especially since those guys put every waking minute into being as good as they are. But I feel like we can get there. I don’t how fast, but I definitely think we have the potential.

“And Norman’s definitely got his heart in it. He wants to be one of those guys. He wants to be a guy who has a top-level team.”

Marlar’s next opportunity to show his team’s strength comes March 30-31 at Farmer City, a quarter-mile bullring that he’s visited just once previously. He finished 11^th in the track’s 2007 DIRTcar Summer Nationals event.

“I’m looking forward to going back there,” said Marlar, who entered the 2012 season with 21 career WoO LMS A-Mains starts to his credit. “I don’t remember too much about the place because that was the year we ran the Summer Nationals and we raced so much it was hard to remember a lot of places, but I do remember that it seemed to be racy.

“I like Midwest racetracks and I’ve also heard about some really good races happening (at Farmer City), so I’m excited to run there.”

*****

The Illini 100 weekend at Farmer City Raceway will feature time trials and heat races on Fri., March 30, and B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main on Sat., March 31. The big addition to the weekend will be a 50-lap DIRTcar UMP Modified feature offering a whopping $5,000 top prize, with the open-wheel division running heat races on Friday evening and B-Mains and the extra-distance headliner on Saturday night.

This year’s Illini 100 weekend will also include racing for Farmer City’s weekly support classes. The DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets will run complete programs on Fri., March 30, and the Pro Late Models and Street Stocks will return on Sat., March 31, to battle in regular racing cards.

Hot laps are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday, with qualifying to immediately follow.

Illini 100 ticket prices (reserved and general admission) are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets (ages 12-and-under) priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day tickets cost $40 (adults) and $20 (children) if purchased in advance, while pit passes are $30 on Friday and $40 on Saturday with a two-day band available for $65.

Advance tickets are available for purchase at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606.

An open practice session will be held on Thursday evening, March 29. Pit passes will be $25 for the practice night, but Thursday’s pit admission can be included in an $85 three-day band.

More information on Farmer City Raceway is available by logging on to www.farmercityracing.com or calling 217-552-0432 (main line) or 217-552-0434 (promoter Jeff Hammer).

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), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Factory Value Parts; in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gaskets, Comp Cams, Dominator, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filter, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue and Warrior Chassis.

I-77 Raceway Park, North Central Speedway & Independence Motor Speedway Join National Tour

CONCORD, NC – March 5, 2012 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is now poised to match its record for A-Mains contested in a single season following Monday’s announcement that three dates have been added to the 2012 schedule.

With 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events inked for I-77 Raceway Park in Ripley, W.Va., on May 27, North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., on July 14 and Independence (Iowa) Motor Speedway on Aug. 6, the national tour’s slate currently lists 49 race dates comprising 44 A-Mains in 20 states and three Canadian provinces. The completion of 44 A-Mains would tie the 2007 and 2010 campaigns as the busiest in series history.

“Coming off last month’s extremely successful season-opening swing through Georgia and Florida, we’re excited to continue building the 2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule,” said tour director Tim Christman. “Adding events in three distinct markets will allow us to bring memorable racing programs to even more fans in 2012.”

I-77 Raceway Park will hold a WoO LMS event for the first time, while the tour is set to make its second visit to both North Central and Independence. Defending WoO LMS champion Rick Eckert of York, Pa., was victorious at NCS in 2006 and two-time tour titlist Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., captured last year’s inaugural World of Outlaws event at Independence.

The 50-lapper at I-77 on Sun., May 27, replaces an event at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells that was originally scheduled for the date. With WVMS’s reconstruction still incomplete, I-77 co-owners Kenney Newhouse and Craig Givens stepped up to make their burgeoning track the host venue for the anchor leg of a WoO LMS Memorial Day weekend tripleheader that also includes a May 25 date at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio, and the $25,000-to-win ‘Jackpot 100’ on May 26 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.

Located just off Interstate 77 about a half-hour south of WVMS and 40 minutes north of Charleston, W.Va., I-77 Raceway Park is a three-eighths-mile oval that has undergone a dramatic transformation since its purchase in 2009 by Newhouse and Givens. The WoO LMS event will represent the most high-profile show presented to date by the new ownership team.

“I-77 Raceway Park has gone through a complete facility facelift,” said I-77 promoter Shon Parsons, who is positioning the WoO LMS invasion as the centerpiece of the track’s two-day ‘Ripley Race Fest Weekend.’ “All the hard work that Kenney, Craig and many others have put into the track is allowing us to host the World of Outlaws for the first time.”

The current off-season has been filled with renovation projects at I-77, including a doubling of the pit area’s size; erection of a complete new stadium-style general admission area; construction of a new women’s restroom; and the application of a new clay surface on the racetrack.

“We’ve worked so hard and we are so happy to feature the World of Outlaws for our dedicated fans,” said Givens.

North Central Speedway will bring the WoO LMS back after a six-year absence (a scheduled 2008 event was rained out) as part of the circuit’s ‘Wild West Tour,’ which currently boasts five races in three states and one Canadian province over a nine-day period. The three-eighths-mile NCS oval is slated to present the finale of the swing on Sat., July 14.

The ‘Wild West Tour’ also includes events on July 6 at Amsoil Speedway in Superior, Wis.; July 7 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.; July 12 at Red River Co-op Speedway in Winnipeg, Manitoba; and July 13 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. A WoO LMS program scheduled for July 17 at Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, N.D., has been canceled by track promoter Danny Schatz due to logistical problems associated with clean-up from the Red River Valley Fair that ends on July 15.

“The demand right now for a big special Late Model show is this area is huge,” said K.T. Torbert, who promotes the North Central Speedway facility that is owned by Cliff Sasker. “It’s been the biggest request we’ve had from our fans, so we decided if we’re gonna do something big, let’s go real big and go with the World of Outlaws.

“We’re real excited to have the World of Outlaws Late Model Series back on our schedule and we really hope we can impress all the World of Outlaws drivers. I want everybody to leave here after the race and say, ‘Man, we want to go back there to race.’”

Dondelinger Automotive Company and Charter Media are signed as sponsors for the Saturday-night summer showdown at North Central, which had a new clay surface laid down in the spring of 2011.

The three-eighths-mile Independence Motor Speedway, meanwhile, returns to the WoO LMS trail for the second consecutive year with the ‘Dirt Late Model Magazine 50’ on Mon., Aug. 6. The event, which also includes the ‘Dirt Modified Magazine 25’ for the IMCA A-Modifieds, will be promoted by Three Wide Promotions of Independence, Iowa, and has a rain date of Tues., Aug. 7.

The Independence date will immediately follow the $50,000-to-win WoO LMS USA Nationals on Aug. 3-4 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., which sits three-and-a-half hours due north of Independence Motor Speedway.

“We are very excited to bring the World of Outlaws Late Model Series back to Independence for the second consecutive year,” said Rick Hartzell, the CEO of Three Wide Promotions and husband of WoO LMS traveler Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa. “In conjunction with Darren Burco, the new promoter at Independence Motor Speedway, and the Buchanan County Fair Board, we feel strongly that we have a date that works well for this event and we expect all the stars of the World of Outlaws series plus other national, regional and local Late Model drivers to show up and put on a great show.

“We are committed to keeping open-motor Late Model racing alive in Iowa and to help promote the outstanding racing and facility at Independence. This will be the only show of its type for any national Late Model series in the state this year, and we are hopeful that the great racing fans of the Independence/Waterloo/Dubuque and Cedar Rapids area, as well as those across the state and Midwest, will come out and support this terrific event.

“We had a good night with this event last year (the WoO LMS program was rescheduled for the Monday after Cedar Lake’s USA Nationals following a rainout on its original mid-July date) and we are hoping this event will be even better this season.”

More information about the newest tracks on the WoO LMS is available by visiting the speedway websites at www.racei77.com, www.racencs.net and www.independencemotorspeedway.com.

The next action for the WoO LMS is the $20,000-to-win ‘Illini 100’ on March 30-31 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway. Advance tickets are available for purchase at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets.

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.

Dennis Erb Jr. Crowned Champion Of Late Model Week At Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 25, 2012 – Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., capped the 41^st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment with a stirring victory in Saturday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park.

The 54-year-old dirt Late Model legend grabbed the lead in memorable fashion on lap 32, bursting past Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., and Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., with a power move down the inside of the backstretch. He then turned back a brief late-race challenge from O’Neal en route to collecting the race’s $10,000 top prize.

Moyer became the lone two-time winner during the six-race Late Model portion of the 2012 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit. He also won Tuesday night’s 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned feature.

“I made some adjustments on the hot rod today that I should’ve made a couple days ago,” Moyer said of his Clements-powered Victory Circle Chassis. “It was right back where it should’ve been.”

O’Neal settled for a runner-up finish – 2.850 seconds behind Moyer – after leading laps 3-31 driving Larry Moring’s MasterSbilt car. Clanton advanced one position to finish third in the Kennedy Motorsports Capital Race Car, while seventh-starter Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., placed fourth in a Rocket to remain the WoO LMS points leader and polesitter Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who led laps 1-2, was fifth in the Barry Wright house car.

Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., finished seventh and was crowned the Late Model points champion of the 2012 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit, earning him a unique gator-shaped trophy. He won the week’s first WoO LMS event on Thursday night.

Moyer, who started ninth, mastered a track surface that he said “couldn’t have been more racy.”

“Earlier in the night I thought it was going to be one of those married-to-the-top deals because it looked like there was a treacherous berm,” said Moyer. “It turned out that, when we put the harder tires on, we were able to run everywhere on it, wherever you felt the car was the best at. I think I run the top, the bottom, the middle – a little bit everywhere.”

It was Moyer’s strength running the inside groove that proved key to his division-leading ninth win at Volusia since 1998. When he approached battling frontrunners O’Neal and Clanton, he simply stuck low and drove by them.

“Them guys were racing hard up there,” said Moyer. “I could tell Shane just wanted to give (O’Neal) a slide job and get on by him, (but) I don’t think anyone could circle around the bottom like I could. I just stayed with what I was doing and it worked out for us.”

Moyer’s win was the 38^th of his career on the WoO LMS, including 22 he registered in 1988-89 during the first incarnation of the national tour run under the auspices of late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson. He moved back into a tie for the alltime WoO LMS victory lead with Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished a quiet 16^th in Saturday night’s A-Main.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., who made a solid charge forward from the 18^th starting spot; Erb, who slipped backward from the fifth starting slot; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who started 21^st; and John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., who won the previous night’s 40-lap DIRTcar UMP Late Model feature.

Three caution flags dotted the event, all for slowed cars: Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa. (lap two), Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. (lap six) and Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis. (lap 16).

Fifty-four cars were entered in the sixth WoO LMS event of 2012.

Francis was quickest in Ohlins Shock Time Trials with a lap of 16.024 seconds. It was his 25^th career WoO LMS fast-time honor and made him just the second driver to time fastest at least once in each season since 2004, joining Richards.

Heat winners were Francis, Clanton, Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Erb and O’Neal. McCreadie and WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., captured the B-Mains.

Next on the WoO LMS schedule is the fourth running of the Illini 100 on March 30-31 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway. The $20,000-to-win event is returning this year to the exciting quarter-mile oval after a one-year absence.

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 .

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment’ Night 2 at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

 

1. (9) Billy Moyer/50 $10,200

2. (3) Don O’Neal/50 $5,500

3. (4) Shane Clanton/50 $3,050

4. (8) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,650

5. (1) Steve Francis/50 $2,100

6. (18) Jimmy Owens/50 $1,750

7. (5) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $1,450

8. (11) Dale McDowell/50 $1,300

9. (21) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,350

10. (7) John Blankenship/50 $1,100

11. (6) Scott Bloomquist/50 $1,150

12. (14) Rick Eckert/50 $1,200

13. (12) Frankie Heckenast Jr./50 $950

14. (17) Clint Smith/50 $1,000

15. (24) Bobby Pierce/50 $900

16. (19) Josh Richards/50 $1,000

17. (20) Brady Smith/50 $770

18. (28) Vic Coffey/50 $100

19. (25) Chub Frank/50 $780

20. (27) Tim Fuller/49 $50

21. (22) Brandon Sheppard/49 $700

22. (26) Bub McCool/49 $700

23. (27) Morgan Bagley/49 $700

24. (15) Donnie Moran/49 $725

25. (23) Jason Feger/40 $700

26. (2) Jimmy Mars/30 $700

27. (13) Dennis Franklin/26 $700

28. (16) Pat Doar/15 $750

29. (10) Dan Stone/2 $700

* Earnings include cash contingency award bonuses

 

Time of Race: 25 Mins., 43.186 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 2.850 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 2, 6, 16)

Lap Leaders: Francis (1-2); O’Neal (3-31); Moyer (32-50)

Provisional Starters: Frank, McCool (WoO); Bagley (DCN); Coffey, Fuller

Rookie of the Race: Sheppard

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 16.024

2. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 16.117

3. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 16.219

4. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 16.259

5. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.338

6. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 16.368

7. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 16.375

8. 37c-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 16.397

9. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.418

10. 99M-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 16.440

11. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 16.466

12. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 16.525

13. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 16.541

14. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 16.550

15. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 16.553

16. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 16.569

17. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 16.576

18. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 16.623

19. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 16.628

20. 1d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IL 16.636

21. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 16.667

22. 13-J.R. Hotovy/Covert, MI 16.671

23. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 16.691

24. 5L-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 16.736

25. 25z-Mason Zeigler/Chalk Hill, PA 16.743

26. 14M-Morgan Bagley/Longview, TX 16.764

27. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.796

28. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 16.825

29. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.841

30. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 16.846

31. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 16.848

32. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.854

33. 32P-Bobby Pierce/Oakwood, IL 16.862

34. 28L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.872

35. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 16.877

36. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 16.907

37. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.908

38. 21Jr-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 16.934

39. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 16.938

40. 16b-Tyler Bruening/Decorah, IA 16.984

41. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.986

42. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 17.013

43. 12-Hunter Peacock/Macon, GA 17.095

44. 49-Greg Johnson/Bedford, IN 17.106

45. 90-Lance Matthees/Winona, WI 17.125

46. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 17.329

47. 57s-Charlie Sandercock/Belleville, ONT 17.345

48. 15A-Phil Ausra/Dowagiac, MI 17.450

49. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 17.556

50. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 17.611

51. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 18.240

52. 33-Don Gordon/Chatham, ONT 21.278

53. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY N/T

54. 24-Ryan Unzicker/El Paso, IL N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Francis, Bloomquist, McDowell, Doar, Feger, Bagley, Hawkins, Hammerle, George, Fuller (DNS) McCool

 

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Blankenship, Heckenast, C. Smith, McCreadie, Hotovy, Sandercock, Frank, Robinson, Coffey

 

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Mars, Lanigan, Franklin, Owens, Pierce, Moyer Jr., Babb, Peacock, Ausra, Marlar, Satterlee

 

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Erb, Moyer, Eckert, Richards, Sheppard, Johnson, Lobb, Wells, McBride, Landers

 

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): O’Neal, Stone, Moran, B. Smith, Zeigler, Sullivan, Decker, Matthees, Bruening, Hollenbeck

 

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): McCreadie, Feger, Hawkins, Frank, Hotovy, Moyer Jr., Coffey, Sandercock, Peacock, Hammerle, Bagley, George, McCool (DNS) Robinson, Fuller, Marlar

 

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Sheppard, Pierce, Johnson, Babb, Sullivan, Decker, Lobb, Wells, Matthees, Bruening, Ausra, Hollenbeck, Zeigler (DNS) McBride, Landers, Satterlee

 

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

 

Arizona Sport Shirts ($100 product certificate to 23^rd-place finisher I n A-Main or next highest w/decal): Shannon Babb

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer

Cometic Gasket ($50 cash to 12^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams ($50 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer

Dominator ($50 cash to 6^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jimmy Owens

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer Jr./Bobby Pierce

Gravely ($50 cash to 7^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.

JE Pistons ($50 cash to 16^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

JE Pistons (one compete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 21^st-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Bub McCool

MSD Ignition ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Donnie Moran

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): Shane Clanton

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Steve Francis

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bobby Pierce

Roush-Yates Performance Products ($50 cash to 4^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

Roush-Yates Performance Products (carburetor repair kit to 18^th-place finish in A-Main or next highest w/decal - $100 value): Chub Frank

Roush-Yates Lap Leader Award (one pair of Wiley X Sunglasses to driver who leads most laps in A-Main):

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

SuperFlow ($50 cash to 14^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to 9^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one VP 5-gallon container to fastest qualifier who misses A-Main or next highest with decal - $30 value): Billy Decker

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

Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner if decal displayed - $200 value): Shane Clanton

XS Power ($50 cash to 3^rd-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bobby Pierce

XS Power ($60 product certificate to 8^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bobby Pierce

XS ‘Power Move of the Race’ ($60 product certificate): Billy Moyer

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 25 – 6 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

 

1. Darrell Lanigan 864

2. Josh Richards 836 (-28)

3. Shane Clanton 822 (-42)

4. Rick Eckert 814 (-50)

5. Chub Frank 778 (-86)

6. Bub McCool 752 (-112)

7. Vic Coffey 738 (-126)

8. Clint Smith 732 (-132)

9. Tim McCreadie 730 (-134)

10. Pat Doar 688 (-176)

11. Mike Marlar 680 (-184)

12. Brandon Sheppard 676 (-188)

13. Billy Moyer 656 (-208)

14. Jared Hawkins 654 (-210)

15. Tim Fuller 638 (-226)

16. John Lobb 628 (-236)

17. Jason Feger 610 (-254)

18. Kent Robinson 602 (-262)

19. Billy Moyer Jr. 586 (-278)

20. Gregg Satterlee 564 (-300)

 

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.

Illinois Driver Wins For First Time During UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 23, 2012 – Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., tamed a demanding track to capture Thursday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park.

The 39-year-old DIRTcar UMP veteran overtook WoO LMS standout Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., for the lead on lap 28 and never looked back in the national tour’s first event of the 41^st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment. He pocketed $10,000 for his first-ever triumph at the half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach.

It was Erb’s third career win on the WoO LMS. Both of his previous victories came in a one-week span of May 2007.

“This is a big win for us,” said Erb, a longtime owner/operator who campaigns a Team Zero by Bloomquist car with a Vic Hill engine under the hood. “The car’s been working real good the last couple nights and to get here in Victory Lane at Volusia for the first time really makes me excited.”

Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who swept last year’s pair of WoO LMS A-Mains run during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit, passed Frank on lap 48 and went on to finish second. He crossed the finish line 1.935 seconds behind Erb.

Frank, who raced off the outside pole starting spot to lead laps 1-27, settled for a third-place finish in his Rocket machine. Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., started and finished fourth in the Barry Wright house car and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., advanced from the 11^th starting spot to place fifth.

Erb, who started from the pole position but was outgunned for the top spot by Frank at the race’s initial green flag, chased the 50-year-old WoO LMS regular through six caution flags and one red flag before finally making his winning move. He ducked underneath Frank exiting turn two and was in front for good as lap 28 was scored.

“We were just sitting back there trying to get a run on him,” Erb said of Frank. “We were looking for the right time to get by him. We were able to get up underneath him, and then after that I knew it was gonna be pretty tough to beat us because we had a pretty good car.”

Erb, who preceded his victory with finishes of second (Monday) and fifth (Tuesday) in DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned 30-lappers at Volusia, built a straightaway-plus advantage before the field was tightened on lap 47 by the the race’s seventh and final caution flag. Frank was unable to offer a challenge on the restart and ultimately lost second to Bloomquist on lap 48.

“I couldn’t get through (turns) one and two,” said Frank, who is winless on the WoO LMS since Aug. 22, 2009 (a span of 87 races). “I was horrible unless I hit it just right. I was trying to cut across the bottom, but it would just wash out because I was too tight.

“We’re tickled though. I wanna win, but we’ll take a top three at this place for the points.”

Bloomquist, 48, spent most of the distance running in third place. He reached the spot on lap 18 after starting sixth.

“We tightened our car up – and even though it wasn’t much, it was just too much,” said Bloomquist. “I just thought the couple adjustments I made would be alright, but it was just miserable tight.

“Considering that, I’m happy for Dennis to win, and I’m happy to run second.”

With heavy, extremely fast track conditions prevailing after a rainout of Wednesday’s UMP-sanctioned program and several showers through early afternoon on Thursday, the race proved tough on equipment.

The event was just three laps old when a multi-car accident in turn four swept up Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y. Fuller and Mars were eliminated from competition.

The A-Main’s most significant incident occurred on lap nine. Mid-pack jostling caused a pileup that saw defending DIRTcar UMP national champion Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., roll onto his roof. Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Frankie Heckenast Jr. of Orland Park, Ill., were also involved in the tangle.

Unzicker climbed out of his car and gingerly walked to the ambulance for a check-up.

Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., moved from the 16^th starting spot to sixth at the finish in a Team Dillon car. Defending WoO LMS champ Rick Eckert of York, Pa., was seventh after using a provisional to start 25^th because a last-lap heat-race tangle with the lapped car driven by St. Charles, Mo.’s Mike Hammerle knocked him from a transfer spot. Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., was eighth, WoO LMS points leader Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., finished a quiet ninth and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., faded to 10^th at the finish after climbing as high as third.

Richards, who started 10^th, got as high as third and was still running fifth when he brought out the race’s last caution flag on lap 47. He slowed because he had used all his helmet tear-offs and could barely see through his mud-caked shield. He made a quick pit stop to change a flat right-rear tire, which was cut by a hit he absorbed as he slowed, and exchange his helmet.

Seventy-nine cars were signed in for the event – the biggest dirt Late Model field of the 2012 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit.

Clanton registered the quickest lap in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, blazing around the tacky surface in 15.446 seconds. It was his 15^th career fast-time honor on the WoO LMS but first since 2010.

Heat winners were Erb, Moyer, Chub Frank, Bloomquist, Francis and Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. The B-Mains were captured by John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., Dennis ‘Rambo’ Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., and Mars.

Three dirt Late Model events remain on the schedule of the 2012 UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit, beginning with a huge UMP-sanctioned doubleheader on Friday featuring a 30-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Main in the afternoon (start time 12:30 p.m.) and a 40-lap, $10,000 feature at night (7:30 p.m.). A 50-lap WoO LMS A-Main paying $10,000 to win will close out the week’s full-fender action on Saturday evening (Feb. 25).

The Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds will join the dirt Late Models on the card of all three UNOH DIRTcar Nationals programs.

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 .

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment’ Night 1 at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

 

1. (1) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $10,000

2. (6) Scott Bloomquist/50 $5,100

3. (2) Chub Frank/50 $3,550

4. (4) Steve Francis/50 $2,600

5. (11) Jimmy Owens/50 $2,000

6. (16) Dale McDowell/50 $1,700

7. (25) Rick Eckert/50 $2,050

8. (10) Josh Richards/50 $1,950

9. (13) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,850

10. (7) Shane Clanton/50 $1,650

11. (19) John Blankenship/50 $1,050

12. (27) Clint Smith/49 $850

13. (17) Mike Marlar/49 $1,450

14. (18) Frankie Heckenast Jr./49 $900

15. (15) Bub McCool/49 $850

16. (26) Vic Coffey/45 $1,350

17. (3) Jason Feger/31 $770

18. (14) Tim McCreadie/ $1,400

19. (22) Earl Pearson Jr./23 $730

20. (9) Steve Isenberg/17 $700

21. (12) Don O’Neal/16 $700

22. (29) Pat Doar/16 $550

23. (30) John Lobb/15 $0

24. (20) Dennis Franklin/13 $700

25. (5) Billy Moyer/8 $800

26. (8) Ryan Unzicker/8 $700

27. (24) Tyler Reddick/8 $700

28. (21) Jimmy Mars/2 $700

29. (28) Tim Fuller/2 $550

30. (23) Brady Smith/0 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

 

Margin of Victory: 1.935 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 7 (Laps 3, 5, 5, 13, 16, 24, 47); 1 Red Flag (Lap 9)

Lap Leaders: Frank (1-27; Erb 28-50)

Provisional Starters: Eckert, Coffey (WoO); C. Smith, Fuller, Doar, Lobb (WoO emergency)

Rookie of the Race: McCool

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

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

 

1. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.446

2. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 15.447

3. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.555

4. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.588

5. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.603

6. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 15.638

7. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 15.651

8. 13-J.R. Hotovy/Covert, MI 15.678

9. 9i-Steve Isenberg/Marshfield, WI 15.680

10. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 15.752

11. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 15.752

12. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 15.753

13. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.785

14. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.797

15. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 15.809

16. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.820

17. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 15.854

18. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.861

19. 15d-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 15.865

20. 24U-Ryan Unzicker/El Paso, IL 15.868

21. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.872

22. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 15.885

23. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 15.888

24. 16R-Aaron Ridley/Chatsworth, GA 15.896

25. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 15.897

26. 14M-Morgan Bagley/Longview, TX 15.902

27. 12-Hunter Peacock/Macon, GA 15.910

28. 18b-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 15.914

29. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 15.918

30. 1d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 15.943

31. 5L-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 15.957

32. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 15.959

33. 1W-Dillon Wood/DaytonaBeach, FL 15.971

34. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 15.990

35. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.999

36. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 16.018

37. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 16.030

38. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 16.038

39. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 16.059

40. 37c-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 16.072

41. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.114

42. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 16.131

43. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 16.134

44. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 16.135

45. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.147

46. 32P-Bobby Pierce/Oakwood, IL 16.155

47. 42-Terry Casey/New London, WI 16.173

48. 99M-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 16.219

49. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 16.222

50. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.269

51. 21J-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 16.286

52. 27Y-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 16.290

53. 5J-Eric Jacobson/Seacliff Beach, CA 16.296

54. 201-Billy Ogle Jr./Knoxville, TN 16.318

55. 8-John Lowrey/Bakersfield, CA 16.359

56. 25z-Mason Zeigler/Chalk Hill, PA 16.371

57. 18d-Danny Mitchell/Clarksburg, WV 16.373

58. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.398

59. 90-Lance Matthees/Winona, MN 16.402

60. 49-Greg Johnson/Bedford, IN 16.410

61. 16b-Tyler Bruening/Decorah, IA 16.437

62. 81-Scott James/Bright, IN 16.480

63. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.488

64. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 16.496

65. c4-Freddie Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 16.504

66. 72-Michael Norris/Sarver, PA 16.627

67. 15A-Phil Ausra/Dowagiac, MI 16.664

68. 87-Duane Harbaugh/Hedgesville, WV 16.771

69. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.808

70. 28L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.820

71. 76-Shelby Miles/Bloomington, IN 16.858

72. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 16.916

73. 27-Jeff Beyers/Pana, IL 16.978

74. 21F-Todd Frank/Green Bay, WI 16.981

75. 57s-Charlie Sandercock/Belleville, ONT 17.228

76. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 17.935

77. 15F-Alan Fink/Brewerton, NY 17.965

78. 54-Chris Nash/Kalamazoo, MI 18.187

79. 81K-Randy Korte/Highland, IL N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Erb, Clanton, Lanigan, Davenport, Blankenship, Landers, Pearson, George, Lowery, Garvin, Bruening, J. Beyers, Ausra (DNS) Korte

 

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Moyer, Unzicker, McCreadie, Robinson, Bagley, Hotovy, Stone, McBride, Zeigler, Harbaugh, James, Hollenbeck, T. Frank

 

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): C. Frank, Isenberg, McCool, B. Smith, Peacock, Wood, Mitchell, Sheppard, Fuller, Hubbard, Moyer Jr., Sandercock, Davies,

 

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bloomquist, Richards, McDowell, Franklin, Babb, Yoder, Coffey, Lobb, Eckert, Pierce, Hammerle, Sullivan, Shirley

 

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Francis, Owens, Marlar, Decker, C. Smith, Miles, Satterlee, Doar, Carpenter, Casey, Fink (DNS) Jacobsen, Matthees

 

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Feger, O’Neal, Heckenast, Mars, Reddick, Ridley, Moran, Wells, Hawkins, Johnson, Norris, Nash, Ogle

 

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Blankenship, Pearson, Robinson, Bagley, Bruening, Hotovy, George, Ausra, McBride, Lowery, Hollenbeck, Davenport, Landers, J. Beyers (DNS) Stone, Zeigler, Garvin, Harbaugh, James, T. Frank, Korte

 

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Franklin, B. Smith, Fuller, Sullivan, Yoder, Coffey, Sheppard, Sandercock, Lobb, Moyer Jr., Peacock, Hammerle, Pierce, Eckert, Babb (DNS) Wood, Mitchell, Hubbard, Davies, Shirley

 

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Mars, Reddick, Decker, C. Smith, Moran, Wells, Hawkins, Miles, Doar, Ridley, Carpenter, Johnson, Ogle, Norris, Matthees, Satterlee (DNS) Casey, Fink, Jacobsen, Nash

 

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 23 – 5 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

 

1. Darrell Lanigan 722

2. Josh Richards 718 (-4)

3. Rick Eckert 688 (-34)

4. Shane Clanton 678 (-44)

5. Chub Frank 666 (-56)

6. Bub McCool 646 (-76)

7. Vic Coffey 624 (-98)

8. Mike Marlar 620 (-102)

9. Clint Smith 610 (-112)

10. Tim McCreadie 598 (-124)

11. Pat Doar 594 (-128)

12. Brandon Sheppard 568 (-154)

13. Jared Hawkins 564 (-158)

14. John Lobb 546 (-176)

15. Kent Robinson 542 (-180)

16. Ron Davies 530 (-192)

17. Tim Fuller 528 (-194)

18. Jason Feger 510 (-212)

19. Billy Moyer 506 (-216)

20. Gregg Satterlee 504 (-218)

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.

Marlar’s Last-Lap Bid For Victory Ends Against Turn-Three Wall

OCALA, FL – Feb. 18, 2012 – Rick Eckert figured out Bubba Raceway Park just in time to score a stirring victory in Saturday night’s 60-lap Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals A-Main.

The defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion from York, Pa., found his rhythm in the finale of the national tour’s inaugural three-race meet at the central Florida oval. He surged into the lead on lap 44 and held on for the remainder of the distance, reaching the checkered flag first after Mike Marlar’s last-lap bid ended with the Winfield, Tenn., driver smacking the turn-three wall.

Eckert, 46, earned $12,250 for his first WoO LMS win of 2012 and the 25^th of his career. It also marked his first top-five finish in five career A-Main starts at BRP, including two (10^th and 11^th-place runs) in the preceding days.

“I was saying it would take a month of me racing here before I’d win a race,” said Eckert, who ranks fourth on the WoO LMS career win list since 2004. “We struggled here for the last couple days, but we kept working and making changes and we did finally get it done.”

Eckert brought an end to the first-place stranglehold on the Winter Nationals held by Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who settled for finishes of second and third, respectively. Lanigan won Thursday night’s 40-lap opener over Richards and Richards beat Lanigan to the checkered flag in Friday evening’s 50-lap headliner.

Eighth-starter Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., finished fourth in Saturday night’s A-Main – his second top-five finish of the tripleheader – and 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., registered a career-best tour finish of fifth after starting from the pole position.

Eckert started sixth in the 25-car event, but he slipped to eighth almost immediately and was still running in that position when the race’s second caution flag flew on lap 20 for the slowing Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. His Team Zero by Bloomquist machine came alive soon after, reaching fourth place when the next caution was needed, on lap 42 for a turn-one spin by WoO LMS rookie Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind.

Then the race heated up. Lanigan grabbed second from Richards on the restart and nosed ahead of Marlar, who started second and had led from the initial green flag, to assume command on lap 43. Moments later, however, Lanigan’s car slid sideways in turn two and lost significant momentum, dropping him to fifth and allowing Eckert to vault into the lead at lap 44.

“They were wrestling pretty hard for the lead there, Darrell and the five car (Marlar),” said Eckert. “I think they might’ve touched (on lap 43) and they slid up the racetrack. I just stuck that bottom and got by ‘em.”

After rookie Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., spun in turn four to bring out the race’s fourth and final caution flag on lap 47, Eckert built an edge of over one second on second-place Marlar. But over the final five circuits Eckert noticeably slowed his pace and Marlar drew his Bryson Motorsports Rocket car to Eckert’s rear bumper.

On the final lap, Marlar attempted to squeeze between Eckert and the outside wall entering turn three. The space closed up, however, and contact with Eckert sent Marlar into the guardrail.

As Marlar sat against the wall, Eckert went on to win the A-Main under a yellow-checkered condition by 2.044 seconds over Richards. Marlar was able to drive his damaged car across the finish line in 18^th place.

“I was like everybody – I was running out of tires,” said Eckert. “I was getting loose off (turn) two, so I’d just let my car drift out there. I drifted out there the last lap like I did every lap, and apparently Mike had a run and I got him in the wall.

“I know they’re all mad – and I’d be mad too,” he continued, speaking of Marlar and his crew. “But I surely didn’t try that. I didn’t try to crash the guy.”

Marlar, 33, was disappointed to come so close to his first-ever WoO LMS victory but gracefully accepted his fate.

“(Eckert) didn’t give me room, but it is hard to see out of these cars,” said Marlar, who hopes to follow the WoO LMS for the first time in 2012. “I’m not gonna say he wrecked me or, ‘He did this,’ or, ‘He did that.’ I definitely knew the chances (of trying an outside pass), and I took them. Our team’s strong and we got good equipment, so I just went for it – and unfortunately, I got bit.

“But we come to win. We have that win hunger, and when it comes to situations like that I guess we’re just gonna tear up some stuff because we’re not backing off.”

Marlar looked wistfully at the lap-42 restart when he lost the lead.

“It’s my fault I got passed,” said Marlar. “I kept pulling the front wheels of the ground scooting through the corner on those restarts. I had done it two or three times, and I was trying my best for that not to happen (on lap 42) so I went in and stood on it with all I could so it wouldn’t. But that made it even worse, and when I pushed it cost us the lead.”

Richards, 23, was in the middle of all the late-race action.

“It got crazy fast with everybody running so close together,” said Richards, who started third. “Everybody was going for the win.

“We had a great all night, but we weren’t quite set up for that (track) condition when it slowed down. I was pretty much holding on at the end.”

Lanigan, 41, saw an opportunity for his third win in four WoO LMS events this season slip through his fingers.

“We got the lead there for a second, but I don’t know if we got loosened up or just got too loose getting in there and somebody got in the back of me,” said Lanigan. “We got it corrected and come back out in fifth, so to get third – I guess that’s not too bad.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was DIRTcar UMP Late Model star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., who started fourth and ran as high as second early in the event; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; top WoO LMS rookie Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss.; and Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa.

Lanigan was quickest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, topping the 49-car field with a lap of 13.998 seconds. It was his third fast-time honor of the young season.

Heat winners were Lanigan, McCool, Eckert and Richards. Dillon Wood of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Jason McBride of Carbondale, Ill., captured the B-Mains.

All of the A-Main starters posed for a photo during the pre-race introductions with professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who served as the Grand Marshall of the event. He is a close friend of BRP owner Bubba ‘The Love Sponge’ Clem, a nationally-syndicated radio show host.

The WoO LMS will conclude its season-opening southern swing during the 41^st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., contesting 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events on Thurs., Feb. 23, and Sat., Feb. 25.

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 .

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ Night 3 at Bubba Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

 

1. (6) Rick Eckert/60 $12,250

2. (3) Josh Richards/60 $6,150

3. (7) Darrell Lanigan/60 $4,650

4. (8) Shane Clanton/60 $3,550

5. (1) Pat Doar/60 $3,050

6. (4) Jason Feger/60 $2,600

7. (9) Chub Frank/60 $2,050

8. (10) Vic Coffey/60 $1,750

9. (5) Bub McCool/60 $2,100

10. (12) Gregg Satterlee/60 $1,350

11. (19) Dan Stone/60 $1,300

12. (14) Tim Fuller/60 $1,250

13. (16) Brandon Sheppard/60 $1,150

14. (18) Jason McBride/60 $1,100

15. (21) Billy Moyer Jr./60 $1,100

16. (24) Kent Robinson/60 $1,100

17. (25) John Lobb/60 $150

18. (2) Mike Marlar/60 $900

19. (17) Dillon Wood/59 $850

20. (15) Clint Smith/59 $850

21. (22) Jared Hawkins/49 $800

22. (20) Greg Johnson/40 $800

23. (23) Ron Davies/24 $850

24. (13) Billy Moyer/19 $925

25. (11) Tim McCreadie/15 $950

* Earnings include cash contingency award bonuses

 

Margin of Victory: 2.044 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 11, 20, 42, 47)

Lap Leaders: Marlar (1-42); Lanigan (43); Eckert (44-60)

Provisional Starters: Davies, Robinson (WoO); Lobb (WoO emergency)

Rookie of the Race: Bub McCool

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

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

 

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.998

2. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 14.089

3. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.116

4. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.130

5. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 14.162

6. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 14.232

7. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.241

8. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.267

9. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.278

10. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.288

11. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.300

12. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.302

13. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.331

14. 21Jr.-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 14.371

15. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.380

16. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.419

17. 8-John Lowery/Bakersfield, CA 14.466

18. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.468

19. 13-J.R. Hotovy/Covert, MI 14.470

20. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.472

21. 1W-Dillon Wood/Daytona Beach, FL 14.480

22. 28-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 14.498

23. 25z-Mason Zeigler/Chalk Hill, PA 14.501

24. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 14.508

25. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 14.510

26. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 14.519

27. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 14.564

28. 99Jr.-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 14.565

29. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 14.582

30. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 14.613

31. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 14.673

32. 49-Greg Johnson/Bedford, IN 14.685

33. B12-Kevin Weaver/Gibson City, IL 14.691

34. 47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL 14.691

35. 80-Nick Lyons/Centralia, IL 14.736

36. 35-Christian Augsperger/Palm Beach Gardens, FL 14.750

37. 57-Charlie Sanderock/Belleville, ONT 14.782

38. 11K-Austin Kirkpatrick/Ocala, FL 14.790

39. 77M-Jay Morris/Watseka, IL 14.795

40. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 14.859

41. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 14.942

42. 4G-Bob Gardner/Matamoras, IL 14.950

43. 48-Tim Lance/Brimfield, IL 14.998

44. 38G-John Gardner Jr./Germantown Hills, IL 15.031

45. 15-Alan Fink/Brewerton, NY 15.341

46. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 15.624

47. 33-Don Gordon/Chatham, IL 16.581

48. 33F-Jim Fletcher/Chatham, IL 16.967

49. 22x-Jay Sessoms/Stanley, NC N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Clanton, Frank, Moyer, Wood, Stone, Roberts, Fink, Sandercock, Lowrey, George, Weaver (DNS) Sessoms

 

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): McCool, Marlar, Coffey, Fuller, Moyer Jr., Lobb, Kirkpatrick, Ivey, Sullivan, Robinson, B. Gardner, Hammerle

 

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Doar, McCreadie, C. Smith, Decker, Hawkins, Lyons, Hotovy, Lance, Morris, Gordon, Zeigler

 

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Feger, Satterlee, Sheppard, McBride, Johnson, Davies, Heckenast, Augsperger, Garvin, J. Gardner, Fletcher

 

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Wood, Stone, Moyer Jr., Lobb, Sullivan, Kirkpatrick, Ivey, Robinson, Fink, Sandercock, B. Gardner, Hammerle (DNS) Roberts, Lowrey, Weaver, Sessoms, George

 

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McBride, Johnson, Hawkins, Decker, Davies, Heckenast, Augsperger, Lyons, Hotovy, Garvin, Lance, Morris, J. Gardner, Gordon, Fletcher (DNS) Zeigler

 

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

 

Arizona Sport Shirts ($100 product certificate to 23^rd-place finisher I n A-Main or next highest w/decal): Mason Zeigler

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

Cometic Gasket ($50 cash to 12^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim Fuller

Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams ($50 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dan Stone

Dominator ($50 cash to 6^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Dan Stone/Jason McBride

Gravely ($50 cash to 7^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool

JE Pistons ($50 cash to 16^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Kent Robinson

JE Pistons (one compete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Dan Stone

JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 21^st-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Greg Johnson

MSD Ignition ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer

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 finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer Jr.

Roush-Yates Performance Products ($50 cash to 4^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dan Stone

Roush-Yates Performance Products (carburetor repair kit to 18^th-place finish in A-Main or next highest w/decal - $100 value): Greg Johnson

Roush-Yates Lap Leader Award (one pair of Wiley X Sunglasses to driver who leads most laps in A-Main): Mike Marlar

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

SuperFlow ($50 cash to 14^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Kent Robinson

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to 9^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool

VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one VP 5-gallon container to fastest qualifier who misses A-Main or next highest with decal - $30 value): John Lowrey

WIX Filters ($50 cash to 13^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer Jr.

Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner if decal displayed - $200 value): Josh Richards

XS Power ($50 cash to 3^rd-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

XS Power ($60 product certificate to 8^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool

XS ‘Power Move of the Race’ ($60 product certificate):

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 18 – 4 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

 

1. Darrell Lanigan 590

2. Josh Richards 584 (-6)

3. Rick Eckert 552 (-38)

4. Shane Clanton 548 (-42)

5. Bub McCool 526 (-64)

6. Chub Frank 522 (-68)

7. Vic Coffey 506 (-84)

8. Mike Marlar 496 (-94)

9. (tie) Brandon Sheppard 488 (-102)

9. (tie) Pat Doar 488 (-102)

11. (tie) Tim McCreadie 484 (-106)

11. (tie) Jared Hawkins 484 (-106)

11. (tie) Clint Smith 484 (-106)

14. Ron Davies 470 (-120)

15. Kent Robinson 454 (-136)

16. (tie) John Lobb 442 (-148)

16. (tie) Gregg Satterlee 442 (-148)

18. Tim Fuller 436 (-154)

19. Billy Moyer Jr. 428 (-162)

20. Dan Stone 408 (-182)

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.

West Virginian Becomes Alltime Winningest Driver On World of Outlaws Late Model Series

OCALA, FL – Feb. 17, 2012 – Josh Richards got the best of Darrell Lanigan on Friday night, ending his friendly rival’s domination of World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Bubba Raceway Park with a hard-fought victory in the 50-lap Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals A-Main.

Richards, 23, of Shinnston, W.Va., made WoO LMS history in the process, becoming the national tour’s alltime winningest driver. He won for the 38 ^th time in his career, moving him out of tie for first with Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., on the checkered flag list that includes races run in the modern era (2004-present) and the original 1988-89 seasons contested under late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson.

“That’s really crazy,” said Richards, who earned $10,100 for his first win of the 2012 WoO LMS campaign. “To look back at what we’ve accomplished (since 2004) is phenomenal. To win that many races against these guys, I couldn’t be more proud.”

Richards’s milestone score appeared headed toward a repeat of Thursday night’s Winter Nationals opener, however, when Union, Ky.’s Lanigan, who started outside of Richards on the front row for the second consecutive night, surged into the lead at the initial green flag. But Richards turned up the wick on his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car after falling to third place and rallied to grab the top spot from Lanigan for good on lap 26.

Lanigan, 41, settled for a runner-up finish in his Rocket mount, flashing under the checkered flag several car lengths behind Richards after his last-ditch bid fell short. It was the first WoO LMS defeat of 2012 for Lanigan, who followed his $20,000-plus victory in the season opener on Feb. 11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., with a wire-to-wire win on Thursday evening.

WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss., finished third in a Victory Circle by Moyer car. He marched forward from the 12 ^th starting spot to register a career-best placing on the tour, bettering his previous high by eight positions.

Moyer drove his Victory Circle mount to a fourth-place finish after climbing as high as second and falling as far as fifth, and Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., was fifth in the Bryson Motorsports Rocket to earn a top-five finish for the second consecutive night.

Richards gained a dose of redemption for his near-miss on Thursday night, when he finished second to Lanigan after having his bid for the lead turned back with two laps remaining. He didn’t let his opportunity to overtake Lanigan slip through his fingers this time.

“We got off to a little bit of a slow start again,” said Richards, who fell back to third by lap eight. “I kept hitting the black with a 20 on the right front and shoving across the center, and Billy (Moyer) got by me. I just had to get back up on it and get back by.

“Once we got some heat in the right front tire we were able to gain some speed and get up on top and roll. That was the key to getting by Darrell. He runs a really aggressive, wide line, and it’s hard to get clear. I knew when I passed him on the front straightaway (on lap 26) it was a make-or-break deal to try and squeeze up through there.”

Beating Lanigan to the finish line was a satisfying development for Richards, whose team parked alongside Lanigan’s in the BRP pit area.

“It was cool to get the 29 behind us,” smiled Richards.

Lanigan, meanwhile, wore a frustrated scowl following the race. The ultra-competitive driver was disappointed that he couldn’t hold on for another victory.

“Our right-rear (tire) sealed over for some reason,” said Lanigan. “I don’t know why, but it did. It happened under the (lap-15) caution. When we went back racing, it felt like we had an old tire on it. I thought we had a flat.”

Lanigan managed to close within a car length of Richards on lap 47, but his hopes evaporated when he bobbled on the cushion in turns one and two that circuit.

“We just got up there and started winging it on the top,” said Lanigan, who ended the night leading the WoO LMS points standings by eight markers over Richards. “We just missed it one lap and lost too much ground to make up.”

DIRTcar UMP star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., finished sixth after taking the green flag from the fifth spot. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who switched to his backup car after failing to qualify through his heat, used a provisional to start the A-Main and then came alive, charging forward from the 25^th spot to place seventh. WoO LMS rookie contender Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., recorded a career-best tour finish of eighth, while Sweeteners Plus teammates Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who used a provisional and started 24^th, and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., placed ninth and 10^th, respectively.

Four caution flags slowed the event. Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., was involved in two incidents, slowing on lap 15 and later tangling on the backstretch with Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., on lap 36. Defending BRP Late Model champion Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., slowed with a smoking car on lap 32 and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., relinquished second place on lap 40 due to a cut right-rear tire.

Lanigan was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials for the second time in three 2012 events, besting the 51-car field with a lap of 13.938 seconds. He established a new track record, nipping Richards’s one-day-old mark of 13.994 seconds.

Heat winners Lanigan, Richards, Clanton, Feger and Moyer. The B-Mains were captured by Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., and Frankie Heckenast Jr. of Orland Park, Ill.

The Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals will conclude on Saturday night (Feb. 18) with a 60-lap A-Main paying $12,000 to win. Hot laps are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. each day and racing is set to get the green flag at 7 p.m.

More information on the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals is available by logging on to www.bubbaracewaypark.com or calling 352-622-9400.

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 .

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ Night 2 at Bubba Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

 

1. (1) Josh Richards/50 $10,150

2. (2) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,150

3. (13) Bub McCool/50 $3,550

4. (4) Billy Moyer/50 $2,600

5. (7) Mike Marlar/50 $2,000

6. (3) Jason Feger/50 $1,750

7. (25) Chub Frank/50 $1,450

8. (6) Brandon Sheppard/50 $1,400

9. (24) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,350

10. (10) Vic Coffey/50 $1,150

11. (8) Rick Eckert/50 $1,200

12. (14) Clint Smith/50 $1,050

13. (18) Dillon Wood/50 $950

14. (5) Shane Clanton/50 $1,000

15. (21) Jared Hawkins/50 $850

16. (11) Pat Doar/50 $850

17. (19) Jason McBride/50 $770

18. (17) Frankie Heckenast Jr./50 $750

19. (15) Billy Moyer Jr./50 $730

20. (20) Kent Robinson/50 $700

21. (27) John Lobb/49 $0

22. (9) Ron Davies/35 $750

23. (23) Dan Stone/35 $700

24. (12) Ivedent Lloyd Jr./31 $725

25. (22) John Lowery/15 $700

26. (16) Casey Roberts/15 $700

27. (26) Tim Fuller/1 $50

* Earnings include cash contingency award bonuses

 

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 15, 32, 36, 40)

Lap Leaders: Lanigan (1-25); Richards (26-50)

Provisional Starters: McCreadie, Frank (WoO); Fuller, Lobb (WoO emergency)

Rookie of the Race: McCool

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

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

 

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.938 (NTR)

2. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.023

3. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 14.027

4. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.070

5. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.114

6. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.115

7. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 14.116

8. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.126

9. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.157

10. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.167

11. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.197

12. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.217

13. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 14.225

14. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.275

15. 21Jr.-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 14.297

16. 1W-Dillon Wood/Daytona Beach, FL 14.304

17. 81-Ivedent Lloyd Jr./Ocala, FL 14.319

18. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 14.321

19. 11-Austin Kirkpatrick/Ocala, FL 14.335

20. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 14.354

21. 25x-Mason Ziegler/Chalk Hill, PA 14.373

22. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.397

23. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 14.407

24. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 14.431

25. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 14.472

26. 80-Nick Lyons/Centralia, IL 14.503

27. 28-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 14.526

28. 13-J.R. Hotovy/Covert, MI 14.535

29. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 14.553

30. B12-Kevin Weaver/Gibson City, IL 14.602

31. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.607

32. 47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL 14.651

33. 49-Greg Johnson/Bedford, IN 14.702

34. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.709

35. 35-Christian Augspurger/Palm Beach Gardens, FL 14.737

36. 48-Tim Lance/Brimfield, IL 14.739

37. 8-John Lowery/Bakersfield, CA 14.799

38. 3C-Mike Collins/Carter Lake, IA 14.834

39. 57-Charlie Sandercock/Belleville, ONT 14.875

40. 77M-Jay Morris/Watseka, IL 14.886

41. 38G-John Gardner Jr./Germantown Hills, IL 14.894

42. 4G-Bob Gardner/Matamoras, IL 14.973

43. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 14.974

44. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 15.149

45. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 15.413

46. 15-Alan Fink/Brewerton, NY 15.814

47. 33-Don Gordon/Chatham, ONT 16.389

48. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN N/T

49. 6-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV N/T

50. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV N/T

51. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 14.560 (DQ – technical violation)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lanigan, Sheppard, Doar, Wood, Lyons, Ziegler, Frank, Fink, J. Gardner (DNS) Shirley

 

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, Marlar, Lloyd, Ivey, McCreadie, Satterlee, Lowery, Lobb, Gordon (DNS) B. Gardner

 

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Eckert, McCool, McBride, Roberts, Hotovy, Johnson, George, Robinson, Collins

 

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Feger, Davies, C. Smith, Sullivan, Fuller, Decker, Garvin, Sandercock, Kirkpatrick (DNS) Shaver

 

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Moyer, Coffey, Moyer Jr., Stone, Heckenast, Augspurger, Hawkins, Weaver, Morris (DNS) Hammerle

 

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Roberts, Wood, Robinson, Lowery, Johnson, Lobb, Lyons, Fink, Ziegler, B. Gardner, J. Gardner, Satterlee, Frank, Gordon, McCreadie, Ivey (DNS) Lance, Shirley

 

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Heckenast, McBride, Hawkins, Stone, Fuller, Hotovy, Garvin, Sullivan, Decker, Augspurger, George, Morris, Weaver, Sandercock, Hammerle, Kirkpatrick (DNS) Collins, Shaver

 

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

 

Arizona Sport Shirts ($100 product certificate to 23^rd-place finisher I n A-Main or next highest w/decal): Casey Roberts

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool

Cometic Gasket ($50 cash to 12^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey

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

Dominator ($50 cash to 6^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Casey Roberts/Frankie Heckenast Jr.

Gravely ($50 cash to 7^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Brandon Sheppard

JE Pistons ($50 cash to 16^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

JE Pistons (one compete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 21^st-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Ron Davies

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

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ivedent Lloyd Jr.

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

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

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Mike Marlar

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

Roush-Yates Performance Products ($50 cash to 4^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Brandon Sheppard

Roush-Yates Performance Products (carburetor repair kit to 18^th-place finish in A-Main or next highest w/decal - $100 value): Frankie Heckenast Jr.

Roush-Yates Lap Leader Award (one pair of Wiley X Sunglasses to driver who leads most laps in A-Main): Josh Richards

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

SuperFlow ($50 cash to 14^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to 9^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one VP 5-gallon container to fastest qualifier who misses A-Main or next highest with decal - $30 value): Gregg Satterlee

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

Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner if decal displayed - $200 value): Darrell Lanigan

XS Power ($50 cash to 3^rd-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool

XS Power ($60 product certificate to 8^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Brandon Sheppard

XS ‘Power Move of the Race’ ($60 product certificate): Josh Richards

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 17 – 3 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

 

1. Darrell Lanigan 446

2. Josh Richards 438 (-8)

3. Shane Clanton 406 (-40)

4. Rick Eckert 402 (-44)

5. Bub McCool 394 (-52)

6. Chub Frank 386 (-60)

7. Tim McCreadie 384 (-62)

8. Mike Marlar 382 (-64)

9. Jared Hawkins 376 (-70)

10. Clint Smith 374 (-72)

11. Vic Coffey 372 (-74)

12. Ron Davies 366 (-80)

13. Brandon Sheppard 364 (-82)

14. Pat Doar 348 (-98)

15. Kent Robinson 336 (-110)

16. John Lobb 326 (-120)

17. Gregg Satterlee 312 (-134)

18. Tim Fuller 310 (-136)

19. Billy Moyer Jr. 308 (-138)

20. Billy Moyer 304 (-142)

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.

Kentucky Star Remains Undefeated In Three Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series Starts At Bubba Raceway Park

OCALA, FL – Feb. 16, 2012 – Darrell Lanigan owns Bubba Raceway Park.

The 41-year-old star from Union, Ky., emerged victorious in Thursday night’s 40-lap Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals opener, remaining undefeated in three career World of Outlaws Late Model Series starts at the three-eighths-mile oval.

Lanigan drove off the outside pole starting spot to lead the A-Main from flag-to-flag, but his third win at BRP in as many years did not come without a fight. He had to stave off a strong late-race challenge from Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., to preserve a triumph worth $8,700.

The race also gave Lanigan back-to-back wins to start the 2012 WoO LMS campaign and was his 28^th career checkered flag on the national tour, tying him with Steve Francis for second on the win list since 2004.

“This new (Rocket) chassis out of the box has been awesome,” said Lanigan, who won the WoO LMS season opener on Feb. 11 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. “And a brand-new Cornell motor – man, he’s putting the power down. I think we got some motor for ‘em this year.”

Richards, 23, slid to the inside of Lanigan rounding turns one and two on lap 38, but his bid was thwarted when Lanigan pulled ahead down the backstretch. The two-time WoO LMS champion settled for a runner-up finish in his father’s Rocket car, 1.174 seconds behind Lanigan.

Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., finished third in the Kennedy Motorsports Capital Race Car after climbing as high as second from the fifth starting spot. Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., who hopes to follow the WoO LMS for the first time in 2012, placed fourth in the Bryson Motorsports Rocket and Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., advanced from the 11^th starting spot to complete the top five in a Rocket machine.

Lanigan, who outgunned the pole-sitting Richards for the lead at the initial green flag, nearly become too conservative with the finish in sight.

“I looked at Josh’s tires under that last caution (lap 30) and I saw they were blistered,” said Lanigan. “I thought mine were gonna blow out, so I was trying to take it a little easy and I almost got passed (by Richards on lap 38).

“It got interesting there. He got in there real hard (in turns one and two), but he raced me real clean and I really got to thank him a lot.”

Richards, who slipped to fifth on the opening lap, battled back to second place by lap 14. It took him until lap 38 to draw close enough to Lanigan to make a serious bid for the lead.

“I kind of killed my tires trying to get back up through there, but I gave it all I had those last few laps,” said Richards, who has two runner-up finishes, a fourth and a fifth in four career starts at BRP. “I drove off in there (in turns one and two) and I knew I left just enough room where (Lanigan would) be fine. If he messed up just a little bit I could’ve prevailed, but he held us off.”

Clanton, 36, briefly threatened Lanigan early in the A-Main before losing contact with the leader. He settled into third place for the final 26 circuits to secure his second top-five finish in as many starts this season.

“I thought I had something for Darrell, but he found that bottom where he could just get off of turn four,” said Clanton. “He was better than me in one and two also and Josh was able to slip by us for second, so we just maintained the rest of the way. But I feel good about the car. To keep pace with these two, it feels good right now.”

Marlar, 33, saw his hopes of registering his first-ever WoO LMS victory effectively evaporate once two caution flags and one red flag flew between laps 27 and 30. Prior to that, he appeared ready to challenge the leaders.

“I put a harder right-rear tire on than they had,” said Marlar, who started fifth and was attempting to overtake Clanton for third when the race’s first caution flag was needed on lap 27. “It took me about 20 laps to get going, so right before that first caution flag came out I was able to get to them. But after the caution and then that red (on lap 28), we just weren’t the same.”

Satterlee, 25, cracked the top five on a lap-28 restart and stayed there to the finish. He fell one spot short of matching his career-best finish on the WoO LMS.

Young BRP Late Model regular Dillon Wood of Daytona Beach, Fla., finished sixth, earning a best-ever placing in WoO LMS competition. Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., moved forward from the 16^th starting spot to finish seventh, followed by Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., reigning BRP Late Model champion Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., and defending WoO LMS titlist Rick Eckert of York, Pa.

The race’s two caution flags were caused by Rookie of the Year contender Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., who slowed with a flat left rear tire on lap 27, and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who stopped on lap 30 while running 10^th and pitted to change his car’s bald right-rear tire.

The most serious accident occurred on lap 28 when Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., clipped the outside wall between turns one and flip and barrel-rolled. He escaped the accident uninjured and said his car sustained mostly body damage.

With 51 cars signed in for action, Richards was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. He turned a blistering lap of 13.994 seconds on a track that sported steeper banking and a wider surface than it did when the WoO LMS last visited in March 2011.

Richards established a new track record, shattering the former standard of 14.873 seconds set by Austin Hubbard on March 25, 2011.

Heat winners were Richards, Marlar, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Lanigan and Clanton. The B-Mains were captured by Clint Smith and WoO LMS rookie Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss.

With the five-heat WoO LMS format producing a 25-car field, Keyser’s Port City Racing and Integra Shocks provided backing for the extra starting spot.

The Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals continue on Friday (Feb. 17) with a 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win and Saturday (Feb. 18) with a 60-lap grand finale offering a $12,000 top prize. Hot laps are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. each day and racing is set to get the green flag at 7 p.m.

More information on the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals is available by logging on to www.bubbaracewaypark.com or calling 352-622-9400.

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 .

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ Night at Bubba Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

 

1. (2) Darrell Lanigan/40 $8,650

2. (1) Josh Richards/40 $4,700

3. (4) Shane Clanton/40 $3,250

4. (5) Mike Marlar/40 $2,800

5. (11) Gregg Satterlee/40 $2,000

6. (6) Dillon Wood/40 $1,700

7. (16) Clint Smith/40 $1,950

8. (7) Chub Frank/40 $1,850

9. (9) Ivedent Lloyd Jr./40 $1,250

10. (13) Rick Eckert/40 $1,750

11. (12) Ron Davies/40 $1,600

12. (21) Brandon Sheppard/40 $900

13. (15) Pat Doar/40 $1,450

14. (17) Bub McCool/40 $850

15. (8) Jared Hawkins/40 $750

16. (20) Jason Feger/40 $750

17. (24) Vic Coffey/40 $1,210

18. (10) Tim McCreadie/40 $1,190

19. (22) Tim Lance/40 $620

20. (14) Billy Moyer Jr./40 $610

21. (25) John Lobb/40 $600

22. (19) Kent Robinson/39 $600

23. (23) Tyler Ivey/39 $600

24. (3) Billy Moyer/29 $725

25. (18) Tim Fuller/28 $1,150

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

 

Margin of Victory: 1.174 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 27, 30); 1 Red Flag (Lap 28)

Lap Leaders: Lanigan (1-40)

Provisional Starters: Coffey, Lobb

Rookie of the Race: Sheppard ($250)

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

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

 

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 13.994 (NTR)

2. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 14.127

3. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 14.164

4. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.195

5. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 14.256

6. 1W-Dillon Wood/Daytona Beach, FL 14.334

7. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.360

8. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.401

9. 21Jr.-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 14.409

10. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.410

11. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.415

12. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.495

13. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 14.502

14. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 14.503

15. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.519

16. 49-Greg Johnson/Bedford, IN 14.538

17. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 14.541

18. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.544

19. 81-Ivedent Lloyd Jr./Ocala, FL 14.556

20. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 14.571

21. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.595

22. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.696

23. 25Z-Mason Ziegler/Chalk Hill, PA 14.715

24. 8-John Lowery/Bakersfield, CA 14.728

25. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 14.737

26. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.758

27. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.764

28. 11K-Austin Kirkpatrick/Ocala, FL 14.809

29. 80-Nick Lyons/Centralia, IL 14.825

30. 6-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 14.844

31. 35-Christian Augspurger/Palm Beach Gardens, FL 14.867

32. 48-Tim Lance/Brimfield, IL 14.873

33. 47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL 14.890

34. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.892

35. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 14.940

36. B12-Kevin Weaver/Gibson City, IL 14.943

37. 3C-Mike Collins/Carter Lake, IA 15.026

38. 13-J.R. Hotovy/Covert, MI 15.094

39. 38G-John Gardner Jr./Germantown Hills, IL 15.095

40. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 15.127

41. 28-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 15.159

42. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.252

43. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 15.307

44. 77M-Jay Morris/Watseka, IL 15.374

45. 57-Charlie Sandercock/Belleville, ONT 15.391

46. 4G-Bob Gardner/Matamoras, IL 15.521

47. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 15.598

48. 15-Alan Fink/Brewerton, NY 15.867

49. 33F-Jim Fletcher/Chatham, ONT 17.021

50. 33-Don Gordon/Chatham, ONT N/T

51. 75-Larry Plummer Jr./Warsaw, IN N/T

 

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, Wood, Satterlee, Johnson, Fuller, Coffey, Weaver, Augspurger, Lobb, B. Gardner (DNS) Plummer

 

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Marlar, Frank, Davies, C. Smith, Feger, Lance, George, Garvin, Collins (DNS) Hammerle

 

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Moyer, Hawkins, Eckert, McCool, Kirkpatrick, Ivey, Decker, Hotovy, Ziegler, Fink

 

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lanigan, Lloyd, Moyer Jr., Sheppard, Robinson, Morris, J. Gardner, Fletcher, Lyons, Lowery

 

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, McCreadie, Doar, McBride, Shaver, Sullivan, Shirley, Stone, Sandercock, Gordon

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): C. Smith, Fuller, Feger, Lance, Coffey, Decker, George, Lobb, Ziegler, B. Gardner, Hammerle, Augspurger, Kirkpatrick, Weaver (DNS) Johnson, Garvin, Collins, Plummer

 

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): McCool, Robinson, Sheppard, Ivey, Sullivan, Shaver, Stone, Hotovy, Sandercock, McBride, Morris, J. Gardner, Fletcher, Gordon (DNS) Shirley, Lyons, Fink, Lowery

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of - A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

 

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

 

Arizona Sport Shirts ($100 product certificate to 23^rd-place finisher I n A-Main or next highest w/decal): Mason Ziegler

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Mike Marlar

Cometic Gasket ($50 cash to 12^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Pat Doar

Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Comp Cams ($50 product certificate to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

Dominator ($50 cash to 6^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dillon Wood

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool/Mason Ziegler

Gravely ($50 cash to 7^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Clint Smith

JE Pistons ($50 cash to 16^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger

JE Pistons (one compete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Ron Davies

JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 21^st-place finisher or next highest w/decal - $285 value): Kent Robinson

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

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Billy Moyer

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

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

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dillon Wood

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey

Roush-Yates Performance Products ($50 cash to 4^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ivedent Lloyd Jr.

Roush-Yates Performance Products (carburetor repair kit to 18^th-place finish in A-Main or next highest w/decal - $100 value): Brandon Sheppard

Roush-Yates Lap Leader Award (one pair of Wiley X Sunglasses to driver who leads most laps in A-Main): Darrell Lanigan

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

SuperFlow ($50 cash to 14^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Bub McCool

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to 9^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Ron Davies

VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one VP 5-gallon container to fastest qualifier who misses A-Main or next highest with decal - $30 value): Greg Johnson

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

Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner if decal displayed - $200 value): Darrell Lanigan

XS Power ($50 cash to 3^rd-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dillon Wood

XS Power ($60 product certificate to 8^th-place finisher in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

XS ‘Power Move of the Race’ ($60 product certificate): Clint Smith

 

2012 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 16 – 2 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

 

1. Darrell Lanigan 300

2. Josh Richards 288 (-12)

3. Shane Clanton 284 (-16)

4. Rick Eckert 274 (-26)

5. Ron Davies 260 (-40)

6. Jared Hawkins 256 (-44)

7. Tim McCreadie 252 (-48)

8. (tie) Bub McCool 250 (-50)

8. (tie) Chub Frank 250 (-50)

10. Clint Smith 248 (-52)

11. (tie) Vic Coffey 242 (-58)

11. (tie) Mike Marlar 242 (-58)

13. Gregg Satterlee 236 (-64)

14. (tie) Pat Doar 230 (-70)

14. (tie) Brandon Sheppard 230 (-70)

16. Kent Robinson 226 (-74)

17. Steve Shaver 222 (-78)

18. John Lobb 218 (-82)

19. (tie) Jack Sullivan 214 (-86)

19. (tie) Tim Fuller 214 (-86)

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.

Fourth Running Of World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Will Also Include $5,000-To-Win UMP Modified Special

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 15, 2012 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Illini 100’ is back at Farmer City Raceway this season – and if the past is any indication, demand for tickets to the fourth running of the race on March 30-31 will be high.

Reserved seat and general admission tickets are set to go on sale for the $20,000-to-win weekend spectacular, which developed into one of the country’s most hailed events when it was contested from 2008-2010 at the high-banked, quarter-mile oval. The Illini 100 was scheduled to be run last year at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway but was canceled due to inclement weather for the first time in its short history.

Beginning on Mon., Feb. 20, fans can purchase reserved seat and general admission tickets on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606.

The return of the Illini 100 to Farmer City will feature the event’s customary format, with Ohlins Shocks Time Trials and heat races on Fri., March 30, and B-Mains and the 100-lap headliner on Sat., March 31.

The big addition to the weekend will be a 50-lap DIRTcar UMP Modified feature offering a whopping $5,000 top prize. The open-wheel division will run heat races on Friday evening and B-Mains and the extra-distance A-Main on Saturday night.

“We’re very excited to once again run the Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “The event was born there and the previous races are remembered by many as some of the most exciting 100-lappers in the history of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. We’re expecting nothing less when cars hit the quarter-mile bullring on March 30 and 31.”

Former WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., has captured two of the three Illini 100 championships – both in dramatic fashion. He beat Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., to the finish line in down-to-the-wire thrillers in 2008 and 2010.

WoO LMS regular Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., won the 2009 edition of the Illini 100, pulling off a late-race pass of Muscatine, Iowa’s Brian Birkhofer to reach Victory Lane.

This year’s Illini 100 weekend will also include racing for Farmer City’s weekly support classes. The DIRTcar UMP Pro Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets will run complete programs on Fri., March 30, and the Pro Late Models and Street Stocks will return on Sat., March 31, to battle in regular racing cards.

Hot laps are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday, with qualifying to immediately follow.

Illini 100 ticket prices (reserved and general admission) are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets (ages 12-and-under) priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day tickets cost $40 (adults) and $20 (children) if purchased in advance, while pit passes are $30 on Friday and $40 on Saturday with a two-day band available for $65.

An open practice session will be held on Thursday evening, March 29. Pit passes will be $25 for the practice night, but Thursday’s pit admission can be included in an $85 three-day band.

A total of 39 reserved drive-in parking spots along the fence ringing turns one and two are also available for purchase. The 16-foot spots cost $75 each and will be numbered 1-39. Spectators can reserve a spot on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling 877-395-8606.

More information on Farmer City Raceway is available by logging on to www.farmercityracing.com or calling 217-552-0432 (main line) or 217-552-0434 (promoter Jeff Hammer).

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

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

Inaugural ‘Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals’ Stretches From Feb. 16-18

OCALA, FL – Feb. 13, 2012 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series has stopped at Bubba Raceway Park before – once in each of the last two years, in fact.

But that doesn’t mean the stars of the nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour will be totally familiar with the central Florida facility when they invade Feb. 16-18 for the inaugural Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals.

The three-eighths-mile track now has a new name (it was called Ocala Speedway when the WoO LMS visited), a new look (wider surface and steeper banking) and, perhaps most notably, a unique, revitalized atmosphere under the ownership of nationally-syndicated radio show host Bubba ‘The Love Sponge’ Clem.

A life-long dirt-track racing enthusiast, Clem, 45, has brought an unmistakable edge to the action at BRP since purchasing the property with agent Tom Bean in the spring of 2011. From his attention-grabbing promotions (like free admission to ladies 18-and-over who come to the track wearing Daisy Duke shorts and cowboy boots) to his unabashed championing of BRP in public, in the press and on his daily radio show, he’s made it clear that this is not the same old Ocala Speedway.

Coming off a successful debut season at the helm of the track, Clem is ready to take BRP to new heights with three consecutive nights of WoO LMS action. The tripleheader will not only mark just the second time that one track presents three full WoO LMS programs paying progressively larger purses (BRP’s schedule goes 40 laps/$8,000 to win on Thurs., Feb. 16; 50 laps/$10,000 on Fri., Feb. 17; and 60 laps/$12,000 on Sat., Feb. 18), it will rank as the richest three-race stretch in the long history of the Ocala speedplant.

There’s no doubt that Clem is pumped up for the highest-profile event of his short tenure at BRP. He already called the WoO LMS “the UFC of dirt-track racing” after announcing in December that the tour would sanction his Late Model Winter Nationals, and he’s continued upping the ante as the big meet approaches.

On Sunday, Clem set the stage for this week’s spectacular with a simple message on his Twitter feed: “yea the real studs coming 2 town. The woo dirt late models.”

All entrants will face the challenge of taming an egg-shaped bullring that had proved difficult to master even before it was tweaked as part of Clem’s $300,000-plus renovation project. Clem, who on most afternoons can be found working on the BRP surface in a water truck or grader, figures that more racing room (the speedway’s width has been increased 20 to 30 feet) and banking (the pitch of the corners has more than doubled to 18 degrees) should enhance the competition and certainly jeopardize the one-lap Super Late Model track record (14.873 seconds by Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., on March 25, 2011).

“I think the average racer has heard a little bit of a buzz about Bubba Raceway Park,” said Clem, who grew up in Warsaw, Ind., and attended many dirt tracks as a youngster. “And hopefully people up north will come down, check us out and have a good experience.”

MAN TO BEAT: As if Darrell Lanigan’s convincing triumph in the 2012 WoO LMS season opener on Saturday night at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., didn’t install him as a favorite to reach Victory Lane in the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals, there’s also this: he’s undefeated in World of Outlaws action at BRP.

Lanigan, 41, of Union, Ky., won both the 2010 and 2011 WoO LMS stops at BRP after grabbing the lead early in each A-Main. He fought off several challenges in the ’10 event and outran Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., to the checkered flag in ’11.

The 2008 WoO LMS champion’s performance at Screven certified that he’s ready to battle for another title this season. He emerged victorious driving a brand-new Rocket Chassis machine and with an entirely new three-man crew – Kentucky racer Jason Jameson, former Billy Moyer employee Timmy Lucas and young Alabaman Adam Logan – preparing his equipment.

ON THE DOORSTEP: Richards has raced at BRP three times in his career and has been in contention for victory in each A-Main, but he’s settled for finishes of fourth (WoO LMS ’10), fifth (DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event in ’11) and second (WoO LMS ’11).

The 23-year-old sensation will look to finish the job in the Winter Nationals, during which he can become the alltime winningest driver on the WoO LMS. His 37 career victories already top the tour’s win list since 2004, but he enters the tripleheader tied with Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., for top-winner status when the original 1988-89 WoO LMS seasons are included.

GOING FOR TWO: Rick Eckert of York, Pa., kicked off his WoO LMS title defense with an impressive outing at Screven, charging forward from the 12^th starting spot to finish third. It was his best ever at the Peach State track, where he had a top finish of fifth in three previous starts.

That would seem to bode well for Eckert’s chances at BRP. His best performance in three career appearances is a sixth in last year’s WoO LMS A-Main.

BUBBA’S BUDDY: Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., knows Bubba Clem well. He’s even driven Clem’s crate Late Model to victory in a special event at Florida’s East Bay Raceway Park.

So the 37-year-old would love to meet Clem in Victory Lane at BRP, a track he’s raced at twice in WoO LMS action with finishes of second (’10) and 10 ^th (11^th). He enters the weekend after driving his Warrior Chassis mount to a sixth-place finish in the ’12 lidlifter at Screven.

HARD HIT: McCreadie’s Sweeteners Plus teammate, Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., saw his 2012 WoO LMS campaign start in rough fashion when he slammed Screven’s turn-one wall during hot laps on Friday night. The contact was so heavy that it twisted the rear clip of Coffey’s car and bent a rib brace on his seat.

Coffey escaped the accident with only some residual soreness. He ultimately had to use an emergency provisional to start the A-Main in his backup car – thus forfeiting the race’s $1,500 start money – but salvaged a 12^th-place finish.

The 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year’s crashed car was stripped down in the Screven pit area and won’t be serviceable for the remainder of his trip south. But Coffey will have a second car at his disposal because he arranged for another machine to be transported to him from the team’s Avon, N.Y., shop in time for the events at BRP.

Coffey’s two career starts at BRP include an 11^th-place finish in the 2011 WoO LMS event and a DNQ for last year’s DIRTcar UMP program.

STRONG CLASS: The record eight-driver WoO LMS rookie crop made noise in the opener at Screven.

Six of the hopeful tour travelers qualified for the 60-lap ‘Winter Freeze’ A-Main. Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., led the rookie procession with a seventh place finish, followed by Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss. (11^th), Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark. (13^th), Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind. (15^th), Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill. (23^rd) and Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind. (26^th). Only Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Ark., and Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., failed to qualify.

McCool, Sheppard and Sullivan are the lone rookies with previous experience at BRP, all in last year’s DIRTcar UMP event. McCool finished seventh and Sheppard was 12^th in the 50-lap A-Main, while Sullivan failed to qualify.

DEFENDING THEIR TURF: BRP’s local contingent is expected to be headed by Ivedent Lloyd Jr., a hometown Ocala star who pocketed $7,500 for winning the 2011 Late Model track title.

Lloyd has performed admirably against the Outlaws at BRP, finishing eighth in both the 2010 and ’11 A-Mains. He was especially strong in 2010, setting fast time and leading laps 1-2 of the feature before fading.

Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Fla., who finished seventh in the 2010 WoO LMS A-Main at BRP, and Christian Augspurger of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., are among the other Sunshine State drivers to watch.

NEWCOMER: DIRTcar UMP standout Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., didn’t enter the WoO LMS opener at Screven but is planning to make his season debut in the Bubba Army Winter Nationals. He finished fourth in last year’s WoO LMS event at BRP.

HULKAMANIA: Professional Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan – a close friend of Clem’s – is scheduled to serve as the Grand Marshall of Saturday night’s Winter Nationals finale at BRP. He will wave the green flag to start the 60-lap A-Main.

Clem said he will also have a “Hulk Hogan-themed surprise” for all 24 starters in Saturday evening’s headliner.

PREP TIME: On-track action will begin on Wed., Feb. 15, with an open practice session beginning at 6 p.m. Pit admission is $12.

WINTER NATIONALS TICKET INFO: Gate pricing for Thurs., Feb. 16, is $35 (reserved), $30 (adult general admission), $20 (G.A. children 6-12) and $35 (pits), and on Fri., Feb. 17, and Sat., Feb. 18, tickets cost $40 (reserved), $35 (adult G.A.), $25 (G.A. children 6-12) and $40 (pits).

Three-day passes are available for $100 (reserved seats), $90 (adult G.A.), $60 (G.A. children 6-12) and $110 (pits).

SKED: On each day of the Winter Nationals, pit gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. and grandstand gates at 4 p.m. Practice set to get the green flag at 6 p.m. with time trials to follow, and heat racing is slated for a 7 p.m. green flag.

The Florida Mini-Sprint Association will race on the undercard each evening.

INFO:More information on the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals is available by logging on to www.bubbaracewaypark.com or calling 352-622-9400.

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.

Fine Field Of 56 Late Models Enter World of Outlaws Late Model Series Season Opener

SYLVANIA, GA – Feb. 10, 2012 – Shane Clanton debuted a new car in sparkling fashion on Friday night, driving to a convincing heat-race victory during the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Winter Freeze’ qualifying program at Screven Motor Speedway.

A strong field of 56 was signed in for the national tour’s season-opening weekend, which will conclude on Saturday night (Feb. 11) with a 60-lap A-Main paying $20,000 to win.

Clanton, 36, Fayetteville, Ga., established himself as a favorite to collect the big money in the ‘Winter Freeze’ finale with his Friday-night performance. He dominated the second of five 15-lap heat races, turning the fastest lap of the preliminary events en route to beating Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., to the finish line by over a straightaway margin.

Joining Clanton as heat-race victors were 2008 WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who outran two-time tour titlist Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in the first prelim; Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., who hopes to chase the WoO LMS for the first time in 2012; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.

Clanton’s triumph came in his first start since destroying a car in a grinding crash while leading the Jan. 18 feature during the unsanctioned Wild West Shootout at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. The accident forced him and Kennedy Motorsports teammate John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., to head home early from the six-race series and hastily assemble a new Capital Race Car for the start of the WoO LMS campaign.

Friday’s heat-race triumph made a grueling stretch of hard work well worth the effort.

“We stayed up a couple days to get enough cars and enough equipment built up to run for two-and-a-half weeks here,” said Clanton, who won just two heats all season en route to a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2011 points standings. “We worked probably the hardest in the pit area the last two-and-a-half weeks.”

Clanton won’t be satisfied with his visit to Screven, however, unless he’s in the mix for victory in Saturday’s ‘Winter Freeze’ headliner. He has a good idea about what it will take to collect the big money in his home state.

“Tire management is gonna be key,” said Clanton, who will redraw for the top-five starting spots in the A-Main with Friday night’s other heat-race winners. “We hurt tires tonight in 15 laps, so the car’s gonna have to be good but we’re gonna have to save some equipment for the end of the race also.”

Lanigan, 40, was fastest in Friday night’s Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, clocking a circuit of 14.305 seconds around promoter Redd Griffin’s three-eighths-mile red-clay oval. It was his 21^st career fast-time honor on the WoO LMS.

Defending WoO LMS champion Rick Eckert of York, Pa., transferred to the A-Main with a third-place finish in the second heat. He will start 12 ^th in the ‘Winter Freeze.’

Also making the cut through Friday night’s heats was three of the eight drivers who were recently approved as 2012 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contenders. Greg Johnson of Bedford, Pa., Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., and Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., each scored a third-place finish to crack the A-Main lineup.

Saturday night’s racing program features B-Mains and the lucrative Winter Freeze finale for the WoO LMS as well as a $5,000-to-win UNOH All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car show and a $2,500-to-win crate Late Model headliner.

Screven’s gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Hot laps are set to start at 5 p.m. with on-track competition to immediately follow.

Admission (including pits) is $35 for adults, $15 for children 7-12 and free for kids 6-and-under. Each ticket also provides access Gee Chee Creek Mudd Drags and Gamecock Speedway go-kart races that will take place on Saturday afternoon elsewhere on the speedway property.

More information on the Winter Freeze is available by logging on to www.screvenmotorspeedway.com or calling 912-228-5886.

Screven Motor Speedway is located between Mile Markers 6 and 7 on GA Route 21 in Screven County, Ga., about 45 minutes Northwest of Savannah.

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 .

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

 

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.305

2. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 14.400

3. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 14.480

4. 41-Josh McGuire/Grayson, KY 14.549

5. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.561

6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.707

7. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.715

8. 27c-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 14.744

9. 53-Ray Cook/Brasstown, NC 14.746

10. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 14.753

11. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 14.788

12. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.791

13. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 14.795

14. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.811

15. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.819

16. 3-Chesley Dixon/Swainsboro, GA 14.841

17. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.852

18. 98-Casey Barrow/Savannah, GA 14.858

19. 6-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 14.861

20. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 14.891

21. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.891

22. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.895

23. 76-Brandon Overton/Evans, GA 14.923

24. 1N-Jordy Nipper/Gray, GA 14.945

25. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.950

26. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 14.956

27. 1d-Brent Dixon/Elberton, GA 14.967

28. 27-Jeff Fortner/Vidalia, GA 14.983

29. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.984

30. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 15.036

31. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.036

32. 121-Benji Cole/Cannon, GA 15.038

33. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 15.046

34. 81-Scott James/Bright, IN 15.069

35. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 15.072

36. 09-Johnny Pursley Jr./Clover, SC 15.075

37. 10-Scott Shirey/Swansea, SC 15.104

38. 21Jr.-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 15.112

39. 2x-John Henderson/Aiken, SC 15.125

40. 5-Sean Meeks/Guyton, GA 15.126

41. 16-Brian Nuttall Jr./Claxton, GA 15.153

42. 28-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 15.161

43. 3c-Mike Collins/Carter Lake, IA 15.167

44. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 15.180

45. 21F-Todd Frank/Green Bay, WI 15.184

46. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.192

47. G4-Garrett Shurling/Black Creek, GA 15.193

48. 49-Greg Johnson/Bedford, IN 15.233

49. 12-Hunter Peacock/Macon, GA 15.327

50. 3p-Philip Pittman/Vidalia, GA 15.362

51. 54-Dillan White/Crofton, KY 15.391

52. 33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA 15.428

53. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 15.474

54. 50-Scott Phillips/Marlette, MI 15.531

55. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 15.624

56. 21b-Royce Bray/Hull, GA N/T

Heat No. 1 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lanigan, Richards, Roberts, C. Dixon, Satterlee, Coffey, Stone, White, Nuttall, Pursley, George (DNS) Bray

 

Heat No. 2 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, McCreadie, Eckert, B. Dixon, C. Frank, Lobb, Fuller, Shirey, Reese, Cole (DNS) Shurling

 

Heat No. 3 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Marlar, Garvin, Johnson, Franklin, Moyer Jr., Collins, Hollenbeck, Overton, Barrow, McBride, Fortner

 

Heat No. 4 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Cook, Shaver, Robinson, Sheppard, Hubbard, James, McGuire, Nipper, Peacock, Phillips, Henderson

 

Heat No. 5 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Babb, Davies, Hawkins, McCool, Moyer, Sullivan, C. Smith, Doar, Meeks, Pittman, T. Frank

 

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.