2003 News archives
scroll down for the articles....they are in the same order as you see them here

*12/30/03- NARA Open Wheel Modified Series Announces Rules Meeting
*12/25/03- Rocket Chassis Press Release
*12/23/03- Bluegrass Bash II Press Release
*12/17/03- NALMS Returns in Grand Style
*12/04/03- NARA Announces new title sponsor for BoB Series
*12/01/03- North American Racing Association (NARA) Set to Debut in 2004
*12/01/03- NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series Set to Debut in 2004
*11/10/03- 17-year-old Allgaier speaks at Nation's Pentagon
*11/10/03- CHASE AUSTIN -TORA’s Most Improved Driver of the Year
*10/23/03- UMP Announces new hire
*10/19/03- Allgaier's Race Against Drugs heads to Pentagon
*09/14/03- DARRELL LANIGAN WINS THE TURBO BLUE ILLINOIS FALL NATIONALS
*09/08/03- Notes from the 53rd Horn Memorial at DuQuoin
*09/03/03- Tony Stewart wins DuQuoin ARCA race
*08/23/03- BOB PIERCE HEADED TO DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME
*08/19/03- FRANK KIMMEL WINS FOURTH IN A ROW - ARCA - AT SPRINGFIELD, IL
*06/01/03- SHANNON BABB POCKETS $40,000 IN TRI-STATE SHOOTOUT
*03/16/03- 2003 BoB SERIES PREVIEW
*02/10/03- FLORIDA SPEEDWEEKS REPORTS BY SMASH
*11/24/02- THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME CHANGES MADE on this website
*12/01/02- OPEN LETTER FROM BOB MEMMER

NARAmodrulesmeeting12-30-03

NARA Open Wheel Modified Series Announces Rules Meeting Date and Frankland Racing Products as Series Sponsor 

NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified officials has announced that there will be an organizational rules meeting at 2pm Sunday January 4^th, at Wayne Bowen Racing Supply in Harrodsburg, Ky. During this meeting officials, drivers and car owners will have the opportunity to discuss the new series for Open Wheel Modifieds set to debut in 2004. Topics of discussion will be general rules, tire rule, schedule, procedural rules as well as other topics of interest.  

Wayne Bowen Racing Supply is located at 574 Paradise Camp Road in Harrodsburg, KY. For directions, please call 859-748-9408. Any driver that has an interest in running the series is urged to attend. 

NARA officials would also like to announce that Frankland Racing Products recently became a sponsor of the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series. Frankland Racing Products is one of the nations leading manufacturers of Quick Change Rear Ends. Steel-Tube Quick Change rear ends will be legal in the newly formed series as an option for competitors. Driver members will also be eligible for points accumulation, contingencies and bonus, as well as being covered in the NARA Insurance Benefit Package. 

Frankland Racing Supply has agreed to give a free Steel-Tube Quick Change rear end to one of the first 50 member drivers that join the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series.  Once the 50^th membership application is received, a drawing will be held among those drivers and the lucky member will receive a free steel-tube quick change rear end courtesy of Frankland Racing Products. Membership Applications are being accepted now and will be available at the meeting on January 4^th or are available for download from the series website at www.naradirtcar.com/indexmod.html.  

Additional information can be obtained by calling NARA office at 859-271-4501 or email at [email protected] or [email protected].

12-25-03Rocket

Rocket Chassis    

PO Box 69    

Shinnston, WV  26431

Mark Richards & Steve Baker - Owners

Phone: 304-592-3200     

Fax: 1-888-ROCKET-5

Website: www.RocketChassis.com

December 24, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

ROCKET CHASSIS TO REEMPHASIZE CUSTOMER & TECH SERVICE

Shinnston, WV --- Rocket Chassis and Mark Richards Racing will usher in the 2004 racing season with a renewed commitment to customer and technical service with a greater emphasis on customer relations, testing and innovative approaches to technology and manufacturing. These moves by one of the premier dirt Late Model chassis builders comes after realigning the Rocket Chassis House Car program according to Rocket Chassis President Mark Richards who also stated that Rocket Chassis, as in years past, will continue to support all of the Rocket Chassis customers regardless of what tracks or sanctioning bodies they compete with.

      “Our customers can take comfort in knowing that this year there will be a renewed commitment and emphasis on customer service and testing that comes with a reevaluation of our house car program,” stated Richards. “We have changed the Rocket Chassis house car program along with the operations at Interstate 79 Speedway to allow for additional testing time and to provide a controlled testing facility.”

      “This year the technical support should be enhanced greatly with the limited schedule we are planning to run and that will allow us more time to advance our product.”

During the past two racing seasons the Rocket Chassis house car was driven by Steve Francis and sponsored by Valvoline and Mopar on the UDTRA/Xtreme Dirt Car Series. In 2004 the Seubert Calf Ranches / Imler’s Poultry / Cornett Racing Engines / MCB Motorsports Rocket House Car will be driven by Bart Hartman and the team will be running an independent schedule that will see them competing with a variety of series and sanctioning bodies across the United States.

“When we were on the road following a series it took too much time away from the development and technical aspects of our program,” explained Richards. “But with our scheduling this year we will be more available than we have been in the past couple of years and that will allow us more time to interact with our customers at the track and throughout the week.”

Richards also took the opportunity to squelch some rumors and make a clarification regarding Rocket Chassis’ commitment to the various sanctioning bodies that are now operating throughout the country.

“Rocket Chassis understands some drivers will elect to go with certain series and we have no problem with that,” stated Richards emphatically. “We will work hard to test with all the different tire brands to be able to supply important information to our customers.”

“Contrary to rumor that Rocket Chassis is against a particular tire brand we will support our customers no matter what series or tire they run and we will continue to support racers with technical support and service.”

“I will however state that the Rocket Chassis house car will be running Hoosier Racing Tires due to a number of factors, the most important of which is loyalty. Back around 1979 myself and then-partner Rodney Combs went to Hoosier and picked up some of the first tires they manufactured in Lakeville, IN to use at a race in Iowa. We were one of the first teams to use Hoosier Dirt Late Model tires and we have used Hoosier brand exclusively since that time.”

“Loyalty is important to us and we cannot turn our back on a company that has supported us all these years. However, that has no bearing on what particular brand our customers choose to use. That is their prerogative and we support all of our customers in their decisions. Our first priority is to our customers and what works for them.”

Rocket Chassis and Mark Richards Racing support all Rocket Chassis customers and their decisions pertaining to track and/or series selection. During the 2003 racing season series championship titles were won by racers using Rocket Chassis across the country, including Chub Frank (Renegade), Kyle Berck (Polydome/WDRL), Alan Vaughn (MLRA) and John Duty (Pacific Coast). Rocket Chassis also won manufacturers titles with the Renegade Dirt Car Series, Xtreme Dirt Car Series and the Polydome Super Series/WDRL. In addition, Rocket Chassis cars found victory lane in numerous high profile national events, including Darrel Lanigan’s THE DREAM victory at Eldora Speedway and the DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, among many others, including over 40 track championships.

“I cannot emphasize enough our commitment in the new year to improve, develop and provide our customers with a superior product,” said Richards. “And we will continue to support any Rocket racers and their choices in tracks or series to run. Our only goal is to get them into victory lane.”

For more information on Rocket Chassis and Mark Richards racing visit their website at: www.rocketchassis.com

2004BluegrassBashII12-23-03

The time is drawing near for the first big Modified event in the Midwest, as the Second Annual "Bluegrass Bash" takes place on March 12th and 13th of 2004. The Bash will take place at the Windy Hollow Speedway, located in Owensboro, Kentucky. Owensboro is located right past the Indiana state line, on the Ohio River. This event will be a UMP Sanctioned Event paying $5,000 to the winner, and will be run 40 laps.

The First running of the Bash looked like a whos who of Modifieds around the country. 65 Modifieds on hand, a couple from as far away as California made the trip to compete at the Soggy Bottoms Speedway, the location for the 2002 Bash. Coming out on top of the heap was the 2002 UMP National Modified Champion, Jimmy Owens, That was one of the early victories for the Newport, TN native en route to his 2002 National Title. His victory was no cakewalk, however, as the top five included: Mike Marlar, Chad Ogle, Everett Bradham, and Earl Plessinger. Other finishers included Jeff Leka of Illinois, Bob Pohlman Jr(2002 East Bay Champion), Ricky Arms(2003 UMP National Champion), Josh Lucas(2003 Bluegrass Speedway Champion), Denny Schwartz(2003 National Runner-Up), and Jason Lakey of Illinois.

The 2004 format will consist of an open practice on Friday, March 12th from 6-10PM. There will be a $10 admission for the pits, and a $2 admission for the grandstands. However, if the driver is pre-entered, there will be no charge to practice. On Saturday, March 13th, gates will open at 8:00 AM, with tech inspection starting at 8:30AM. Qualifying will begin at 11:00AM with the "EZ Buy Auto Sales Quick Six Dash" immediately following. This dash will pay at least $250 to the winner. The seventh fastest qualifier will recieve $100 from Soggy Bottom Speedway Inc. Heats will follow shortly there after. The 2004 Bluegrass Bash field will consist of 24 cars, 26 if the car count is high enough.

If you are looking for lodging and accomodations, the host hotel of the Bluegrass Bash is the Owensboro Holiday Inn Express, which you can make reservations by calling 270-685-2433.

As always, an event of this magnitude could not be possible without the sponsors. The 2004 Bluegrass Bash sponsors are: Texas Roadhouse(Official Steakhouse), Pepsi(Official Soft Drink), DNJ Auto Parts, EZ Buy Auto Sales, Martin Custom Building, JD's, Steve Hagan Painting, 4D Enviromental, Booker's Citgo, Yellow Banks Lawn and Landscape, Miles Racing, Soggy Bottom Speedway, Taylors Bar and Grill, The SpeedZeum, Affordable Auto Sales, Holiday Inn Express, Windy Hollow Speedway, Power Rock 93.9 WKTG and more to come!

If you want to arrive to the Pre Bash Bash in style on Friday, Taylors Bar & Grill will be giving free Limo rides from your hotel to the bar for the festivities. There will be a live band performing for your listening pleasure. On Saturday morning, the Owensboro SpeedZeum will hold a racers breakfast at the SpeedZeum in downtown Owensboro. Cost of breakfast will include a trip through the SpeedZeum which is a 8,000 sq. ft. exhibit of Owensboro's motorsports heritage with cars, bikes and hydroplanes inside.

If you want to purchase an Bluegrass Bash T-Shirt by Duck Graphics of North Carolina, they will be available at the cost of $15. Speaking of costs, General Admission for this $5,000 to win event is ONLY $10 for adults, and children 6-12 will be admitted for $5. Anyone under the age of six, will be admitted free with a paying adult. Pit admission is $30

Remember the time is coming fast for the first BIG EVENT of the Midwestern Modified season, and it is the Second Annual Bluegrass Bash at the Windy Hollow Speedway. Drivers should get their pre-entries through promotor Billy Egeler at [email protected] or by calling 270-302-8882. Pre entry is $85 for driver and car.

Prepared by Chris Nunn for use by Bluegrass Bash

NARA-12-04-03

December 4, 2003

For Immediate Release

LEXINGTON, KY— The Lexington, Kentucky based North American Racing Association (NARA) announced today that O’Reilly Auto Parts based in Springfield, MO has been named the title sponsor for the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sport Shirts as well as the Official Auto Parts Store of the NARA DirtCar Series for the 2004 racing season. 

The O'Reilly Auto Parts NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series sanctions dirt late model racing in the states of Kentucky and Tennessee and will be entering its third year of operation in 2004.  In 2003 the series enjoyed great success with 25 events held at 14 different race tracks with 246 drivers participating in the series events this year.

NARA is a new sanctioning body that will be holding its inaugural season in 2004.The NARA DirtCar Series will focus on premier racing facilities in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

"We are pleased to be associated NARA and the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass" said Kevin Greven, a spokesman for O'Reilly Auto Parts.  "We are looking for continued growth in the area they will be racing in and we certainly hope to raise the awareness of the O'Reilly name to the race fans and participants that follow the series." 

Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, O’Reilly Auto Parts is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. Earlier this year O'Reilly Auto Parts opened their 1,000th store and are now located in 17 contiguous states.  In the Bluegrass State of Kentucky there are currently 19 O'Reilly Auto Parts locations.

For more information regarding O'Reilly Auto Parts please log on to their website at www.oreillyauto.com and for continued updates on the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series presented by Arizona Sports Shirts visit their new website at www.naradirtcar.com.

12/01/2003

December 1, 2003 

North American Racing Association (NARA) Set to Debut in 2004 

 LEXINGTON, KY-- The North American Racing Association (NARA) will make its debut on the stock car scene in 2004.  NARA is a new racing sanctioning body designed to promote Dirt Track Stock Car racing.  Spearheaded by Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series founder Spencer Wilson along with other influential members within the sport of Dirt Late Model racing world, NARA is designed with the premise of enforcing fair, consistent, and equal rules among competitors.  Wilson, along with James Essex, will steer NARA with similar direction and values that have proven successful with the Battle of the Bluegrass Series. 

To handle the marketing duties of NARA, Cornerstone Multi-Media has been appointed to handle the day to day marketing activities.  This union has already proven successful, as the NARA and Cornerstone have secured commitments to bring NARA DirtCar Racing broadcasts to ESPN2.  Additionally, Lucas Oil Products has signed as a major sponsor, as well as being the Official Oil of the NARA.  Cornerstone Multi-Media’s client list includes the American Tractor Pullers Association (ATPA), General Motors, Jasper Engines and Transmissions and many others. 

Initially, NARA will be offering to drivers, fans and promoters the NARA DirtCar Series, a premier DirtCar touring series giving the best quality competition and racing to everyone.  The NARA DirtCar Series will focus on premier racing facilities in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.  

"We feel the atmosphere and timing is right for the North American Racing Association and we’ve already been in contact with several promoters, drivers and sponsors that have the same feelings about the new series." stated Wilson.  While seeing the need for a more broad-reaching touring sanctioning body, Wilson also confirms the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series is a strong as ever and their 2004 schedule will be announced soon. 

NARA will also provide sanctioning for regional touring series bringing them under similar rules and formats to promote competition and uniformity in the sport of Dirt Late Model racing. The first regional series under this banner will be the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar and Open Wheel Modified Series.  To be known as the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series and the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series, two Kentucky based touring series that have chosen to adhere to NARA’s mission of enforcing fair, consistent, and equal rules, which provides an exciting brand of entertainment for the spectators.    

Positioning itself as a price conscious sanctioning body, NARA understands the needs of the fans, racers, promoters and the sanctioning body should all to be taken into account. NARA will offer packages that allow the tracks and promoters to be successful, pay reasonable purses to its drivers without straining the race fans’ pocketbook.  

"The Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series was formed and has been successful with the idea that local drivers can travel a relatively short distance to race in their region for a good purse.  NARA is being formed with the nationally traveling racers in mind to give them an opportunity to race for some good money at some of the best tracks."  said Essex who has more than 25 years of experience as a promoter, announcer and PR director.  

The tire rule for the NARA DirtCar Series will follow the same standards Wilson has set with the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series and allow tires from the three major dirt tire manufacturers to compete.  The schedule, rules and point fund are currently being put together and will be released in the near future.  The series already has a new website up and running at www.naradirtcar.com for more series information and updates. 

We’ve been in contact with several tracks and sponsors and we’re hoping to make what is shaping up to be a really good thing a really great thing.”  said Wilson.  “We’ve already got the backing from Lucas Oil and we’re working with several other really good companies to try to make the even more solid. 

For more information regarding the NARA, contact Spencer Wilson at 859-271-4501 or log onto www.naradirtacar.com for regular updates and press releases. 

For marketing opportunities within NARA please contact Cornerstone Multi-Media at 812-752-7323. 

Copyright 2003 NARA, all rights reserved.

NARA-modified12-01-03

December 1, 2003 

NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series Set to Debut in 2004  

LEXINGTON, KY--The 2004 racing season will see the debut of the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series. “We have been planning and anticipating this addition since the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series was formed 2 years ago, there are a lot of quality drivers in the Open Wheel Modified class and they deserve a touring series that mirrors what has been accomplished with the DirtCars, “ states NARA and Battle of the Bluegrass Series’ Director Spencer Wilson.  

The touring series featuring the popular open wheel stock cars will have approximately 12-15 events scheduled for the 2004 season in Kentucky and surrounding areas. 

The NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified series will closely follow the race format and procedure of the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Late Model series.  Each event will pay a minimum of $1500 to win and $125 to start.   

Rules will be released soon and will mirror other sanctioning bodies in most general areas. However, NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified competitors will be given the option to utilize a steel tube quick change rear end and an 8” spoiler.  The tire rule featuring specific compounds will be announced shortly and all three major tire companies including American Race Tires, Hoosier Racing Tires and Goodyear Race Tires will be utilized in the series.   

Wilson has also announced that Tim Sharp has been named the race director for the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series.  “For a couple years now James Essex and I have searched for the right person to handle this position with the Open Wheel Modifieds, we think Tim will do an outstanding job and he will have the full support of the current staff at his disposal to produce a well-ran event.” 

Schedules, rules and purse information will be announced in the next few weeks. As more information becomes available, it will be post on the Series new website which can be found on the NARA official website at www.naradirtcar.com, there you will be able to find information on NARA DirtCars, NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCars, and well as the official site of the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modifieds. 

Additional information can be attained by calling the NARA Series office at 859-271-4501.

11-10-03AllgaierPentagon
Direct from www.ARCARacing.com

WASHINGTON DC - In celebration of National Red Ribbon Week, 17-year-old ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Justin Allgaier spoke recently at our nation's Pentagon in Washington DC. Allgaier, on behalf of Race Against Drugs (RAD), participated in the RAD exhibit, one of several recognizing and celebrating drug prevention programs and initiatives throughout the United States.

In addition to signing autographs and his speaking engagement, Allgaier's beautiful 2003 Hoosier Tire Midwest-Law Automotive-RAD Pontiac Grand Prix was on display in the inner courtyard of the Pentagon.

11/10/03Chase Austin TORA

PRESS RELEASE

Austin Racing Enterprises, Inc.
Motorsports Division
[email protected]
Marci McDaniels, Public Relations
316-250-3967

CHASE AUSTIN
TORA’s Most Improved Driver of the Year

Fourteen year old Chase Austin was awarded the Pro Motorsports “Most Improved Driver” award at the recent TORA banquet in Wichita Kansas.  The banquet was held Saturday, November 8th at the residence of three-time TORA points champion, Larry McDaniels.  Mr. McDaniels presented the award on behalf of TORA and Pro Motorsports.  The young racer also received an award for his eleventh place points finish in the overall point standings.

“It was a honor to get the most improved award,” Chase said, with a smile during the festivities after the awards ceremony.   “Not just the award, but it meant a lot to me that Larry presented it, because he and Lonnie Smith, (TORA promoter) have helped me so much,” stated Chase.  “Larry won the points championship, and he should have been talking about that, but instead he started talking about my career and he presented me with that award.”

Although he has received several offers to run in some South-Eastern series, Chase has elected to run the TORA series full time in 2004.  “We will probably hit some MARS and quite a few Xtreme races on our off weeks, but we felt like it was important to make a commitment to TORA this year.  We want to try to pay back Lonnie and Larry for giving us an opportunity last year.  No one thought a 13 year old kid could run a late model, but Lonnie and Larry believed in me and gave me that chance,” said Chase.

Chase plans to run two more years in dirt late models before moving up to Hoosier Pro Cup or possibly ARCA.  “We will have to wait and see,” stated Chase.  “We are trying to find some sponsors that kind of want to grow with me.  I don’t know if that will happen, but I know that we need to get involved with some larger companies to reach our goals.  I think we have a lot to offer because we will be running several different regional series and some national stuff, even some TV,” said Chase.

Chase was also recently presented with plaques for "Rookie of the Year” and “Favorite Late Model Driver” by "Inthepits.net" web site.   “Those In The Pits guys have kind of watched me from the beginning.  It was neat to have them give me the Rookie award,” said Chase.

With numerous feature wins in Karts and Micro Sprints, Chase has a room in the race shop devoted to trophies and plaques.   “It was great to be able to add quite a few Late Model wins to the trophy room this year,” said Chase.  “Especially the big trophy I won at the Future DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.  When asked if he had run out of wall space for awards Chase commented, “No, I'm only fourteen, I just started, I think we are going to have to get a bigger room.”
 

October 23, 2003 
UMP Announces New Hire