2009

A Final Look Back: Facts, Figures & Statistical Notes From The 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series

CONCORD, NC - Dec. 31, 2009 - As a new year arrives, here's a final look back at facts, figures and statistical notes from the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series...

SELECT GROUP: With his 2009 championship, Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., entered an exclusive club of superstar drivers with WoO LMS points titles to their credit. He joined Billy Moyer (1988, 1989, 2005), Scott Bloomquist (2004), Tim McCreadie (2006), Steve Francis (2007) and Darrell Lanigan (2008) – and what's more, became the sixth different driver in as many years to win the crown since the national tour was reincarnated in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

HE'S ARRIVED: At 21, Richards is by far the youngest driver to ever win the WoO LMS championship – Moyer was 30, 31 and 48 years old when he clinched his titles, while Bloomquist and Francis were 40, Lanigan was 38 and McCreadie was 32.

In addition, Richards is the youngest chauffeur in dirt Late Model history to capture a national touring series championship.

But the cool, calm standout didn't perform in 2009 like a driver who just reached the legal drinking age. His championship was the product of an incredibly steady campaign that belied his years.

Richards was spectacularly consistent, most evidenced by the fact that he used just one provisional starting spot while qualifying through a heat race for 39 of the '09 season's 40 A-Mains. (Only points runner-up Francis could make the same claim.) He also completed a series-leading 99.7% of the A-Main laps run in 2009 (2,154 of a possible 2,160 circuits); he wasn't running at the checkered flag in just a single race, on April 17 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway when he tangled with the slowing car driven by Vic Coffey on the final lap.

Proving he could win races as well as he could finish them, Richards's career-high eight victories made him the tour's winningest driver in ‘09, leaving him as the first driver since Bloomquist in 2004 to top the points battle and the victory chart. The racer formerly known as ‘Kid Rocket' also led the series with six fast-time awards (Francis and Lanigan tied for second with five); 34 top-10 finishes (Francis was second with 33); an average A-Main finish of 5.65 (Francis was next at 5.88); and the most consecutive top-10 finishes (16 in a row to end the season, nearly doubling Lanigan's second-best total of nine straight). He was second to Francis, meanwhile, in several other categories, including average time-trial placing (7.4, behind Francis's 5.93), average A-Main starting position (6.8 to Francis's 5.65), consecutive lead-lap finishes (25-22 in favor of Francis), heat wins (25-17 Francis) and A-Main laps led (272, tied with Tim Fuller behind Francis's 306).

CHECKERED FLAGS: Richards claimed top-winner status for the second consecutive season, albeit this time without having to share the honor. He finished the 2008 campaign tied with Francis with six triumphs.

A total of 18 drivers reached Victory Lane on the WoO LMS in 2009 – three short of the single-season record of 21 winners set in '08.

Six drivers recorded two or more wins, and there were five first-time WoO LMS winners in 2009: Jeff Smith, Jason Feger, Jamie Lathroum, Jimmy Mars and Steve Shaver.

WHAT A BATTLE: Following two seasons in which the WoO LMS points race turned into a runaway (both Lanigan and Francis clinched their crowns in the next-to-last events of the '07 and '08 campaigns), the 2009 battle was tight from start-to-finish.

Of course, Richards's 14-point championship margin over Francis was the third-closest in WoO LMS history, but that only tells part of the story. There was an epic, season-long struggle at the top of the points standings; the points lead changed hands or ended up tied after 20 events, with Richards seizing control for the final time following Race No. 39 (of 40) on Nov. 6 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Richards was one of four drivers who held at least a share of the top spot in the points standings during the campaign. He was atop the standings after the most events (25), followed by Francis (12), Lanigan (five) and Shane Clanton (one).

There were three ties for the points lead over a five-race span early in the summer – after Race 18 on June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway (Francis/Lanigan), Race 19 on June 24 at Pennsylvania's Big Diamond Raceway (Richards/Lanigan) and Race 22 on July 8 at Minnesota's Big Diamond Raceway (Richards/Francis). The largest points lead a driver was able to muster was Francis's 34-point edge after the 14th A-Main of the season, on May 31 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.

PROVING THEM RIGHT: Richards certainly lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him by dirt Late Model press members, who voted him the overwhelming favorite to win the 2009 title in the second annual WoO LMS Pre-Season Media Poll.

Richards received 17 of the 24 first-place votes in the poll, which included writers, photographers and broadcasters who cover the WoO LMS. The participants were asked to predict the top-five finishers in the tour's 2009 points standings.

Two writers – D.J. Johnson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Don Davies of Area Auto Racing News – were spot-on with four of their top-five selections. Both missed on their fourth-place picks – Johnson incorrectly listed Clanton and Davies voted for Frank.

Joining Johnson and Davies in correctly predicting the top-three finishers in the '09 WoO LMS points standings were DirtonDirt.com cohorts Michael Rigsby and Todd Turner. The other media members who nailed at least three of the top-five finishers in the correct order were Jerry Reigle of Area Auto Racing News (Richards, Francis and fifth-place Eckert) and Lou Long of Area Auto Racing News (Richards, Lanigan and Eckert).

The poll also asked the media to predict the season's winningest driver, including their number of victories. Fifteen entrants selected Richards in that category, but only Long, Walt Wimer of RPM Racing News, Thomas Pope of the Fayetteville Observer and Scott Jackson of LateModelRacer.com correctly hit on his eight-win total.

NOW IT'S FOUR: With Billy Moyer failing to win an A-Main in five tour starts during the 2009 season, Francis, Lanigan, Clanton and Chub Frank are now the only drivers who have won at least one A-Main in each WoO LMS campaign since 2004.

EXTENDING HIS EDGE: Six victories in '09 left Francis with 26 career WoO LMS triumphs since 2004, lengthening his lead on the tour's World Racing Group-era win chart. He now leads Richards, who moved into second on the win list with 20 victories, Rick Eckert (19), Bloomquist (18) and Chub Frank (16).

Moyer is the alltime winningest driver on the WoO LMS. He owns 35 career triumphs, including 22 during the tour's original incarnation (1988-89) under late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson.

BUSY SEASON: The 2009 WoO LMS was comprised of 40 A-Mains at 33 tracks in 19 states and one Canadian province.

Pennsylvania was the site of the most tour events, hosting eight races. There were five events held in North Carolina; four in Ohio; three in New York; two in Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Ontario; and one each in Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Eight scheduled events were canceled and not rescheduled. Rain washed out shows at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. (March 14), Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway (May 16), 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa (May 23), Quebec's Autodrome Drummond (June 20), Fayetteville Motor Speedway (Aug. 28), I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. (Sept. 19) and La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (Sept. 20), while the July 9 event at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., was canceled by track management.

Six events were postponed by rain and rescheduled at a later date during the rainy 2009 season – the Colossal 100 and Hungry Man Showdown at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway, plus races at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio (Buckeye 100), Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (Showdown in Sarvertown), Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, and Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa. The Eriez program was finally completed on the tour's third trip to the track.

FULL PITS: The average field for a WoO LMS event in 2009 was 43.6 cars.

The season-high turnout of 82 cars was for the Hungry Man Showdown on Nov. 4 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. In all, 11 events drew 50 or more cars.

A total of 524 drivers representing 35 states, three Canadian provinces and Australia entered at least one WoO LMS event in 2009, and 216 drivers started an A-Main.

CASH: Over $2.6 million was paid out to drivers during the 2009 WoO LMS schedule, including nearly $400,000 in points-fund cash.

Eight drivers topped the six-figure mark in race and points-fund earnings on the '09 tour, led by Richards ($286,170), Francis ($227,885), Lanigan ($211,326), Fuller ($172,150), Eckert ($133,325), Chub Frank ($120,800), Clanton ($120,420) and Brady Smith ($107,915).

HARD CHARGER: The deepest in the starting field that a driver came from to win a WoO LMS A-Main in 2009 was 18th – Jimmy Mars in the Firecracker 100 on June 27 at Lernerville Speedway. Making that run even more impressive is the fact that he pitted to change a flat tire early in the distance and restarted at the rear of the pack.

Nine A-Mains were won by drivers starting from the pole position, but only one of those victors led the event from flag-to-flag. There were a total of seven flag-to-flag race winners, with six of those races were captured by drivers starting from the outside pole.

The average starting spot for a WoO LMS A-Main winner in 2009 was 3.55.

ROOKS: Russell King, 20, of Bristolville, Ohio, topped the biggest rookie crop in WoO LMS history, earning the $10,000 Rookie of the Year award by defeating Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

King, who became the fourth driver with DIRTcar big-block Modified roots in the last six years to win the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Award, registered eight top-10 finishes en route to the title. Bland (three) and Robinson (one) were the only other rookies to crack the top 10 in an A-Main.

MANUFACTURER BATTLE: Five dirt Late Model chassis companies claimed victories in WoO LMS A-Mains during the 2009 season.

Rocket Chassis led the way with 31 wins, divided among Richards, Fuller, Francis, Lanigan, Frank, Clanton, Shannon Babb, Earl Pearson Jr., Jeff Smith and Steve Shaver. The domination of Victory Lane brought Rocket its sixth straight victory in the WoO LMS Chassis Builders' Challenge.

Team Zero by Bloomquist Chassis finished second on the win list with six victories (Eckert, Bloomquist, Chris Madden and Jimmy Owens), followed by single triumphs for Bob Pierce Chassis (Jason Feger), MasterSbilt (Jamie Lathroum) and MB Customs (Mars).

A total of 11 engine builders, meanwhile, laid claim to a WoO LMS A-Main triumphs in 2009. Cornett Racing Engines – the winner of the tour's Engine Builders' Challenge for the second consecutive year – led the way with 17 victories, split among Richards, Francis, Lanigan and Owens.

Other motor builders with multiple victories were Custom Race Engines (10), Dickens (three), Pro Power (three) and Vic Hill (two). Single race victors included Dargie, Larry Wallace, Gaerte, Clements, Eatmon Ford and Malcuit.

ETCETERA...

* Thirteen drivers had perfect attendance on the 40-race '08 tour: Richards, Francis, Lanigan, Fuller, Eckert, Clanton, Brady Smith, Clint Smith and rookies King, Bland, Robinson, Hapka and Reddick. Frank didn't enter every show because he was sidelined for the two season-ending World Finals events due to a facial injury he suffered during qualifying for the Hungry Man Showdown, but as a contracted driver he received ‘hardship' show-up points for both races.

* Seven drivers started all 40 A-Mains: Richards, Francis, Lanigan, Fuller, Eckert, Clanton and Clint Smith.

* How rock-solid steady were Richards and Francis in '09? Consider this: while both drivers failed to qualify through a heat just once in 40 events, next-best on the list was Lanigan, who missed the cut in heat action six times.

* Twenty-two different drivers earned a WoO LMS fast-time honor in 2009.

* Fifty-two different drivers won at least one heat race on the tour in '09, led by Francis's amazing 25 victories. He surpassed the 100 heat-race win mark for his WoO LMS career.

* There were 47 different B-Main winners, with Brady Smith and Bland tying for the lead with five last-chance victories apiece.

* Thirty different drivers led at least one A-Main lap in '09. Francis led the most (306 laps) for the second consecutive year, followed by Fuller and Richards (272 apiece), Lanigan (172) and Frank (132)

* Fuller enjoyed the longest winning streak in '08, capturing four straight events to tie Eckert's modern-era record for consecutive wins set in 2006. Three other drivers scored back-to-back wins during the campaign: Francis (twice), Richards (twice) and Frank.

* Richards won the season-opener at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., for the third consecutive year.

* Richards is actually just two freak last-lap incidents away from being able to claim that he's been running at the checkered flag of every WoO LMS A-Main for the past two years. His lone official DNF in 2008 came when he was swept up in a final-lap tangle in turn two at Ohio's Sharon Speedway – virtually an identical situation to his single '09 DNF at Fayetteville.

* Francis led the tour in top-five finishes (25) and most consecutive top-five finishes (six).

* There was one caution-free A-Main in '09 – Aug 20 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. Eight A-Mains were slowed by just a single caution flag, however.

An average of 3.55 caution flags flew in WoO LMS features during the '09 campaign. The most caution-plagued event was the 50-lap ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' on June 25 at Lernerville (11 caution flags) – one of just two races that saw a double-figure yellow-flag total (the other was Lernerville's Firecracker 100, with 10), and one of eight A-Mains slowed by five or more caution periods.

* Three red flags were needed for significant wrecks during A-Mains in 2009 – on May 28 at Delaware International Speedway, June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway and Sept. 1 at Eriez Speedway.

* Slump-busters: drivers who snapped long, frustrating winless streaks on the WoO LMS in '09 included Eckert (36 races), Lanigan (46), Fuller (46) and Frank (62).

* The WoO LMS career win lists now show 39 drivers have won an A-Main since 2004 and 49 drivers own tour victories when the 1988-89 seasons are included.

* Francis and Eckert remain the only drivers who have started all 237 WoO LMS A-Mains contested since 2004.

COMING SOON: The 2010 WoO LMS season kicks off on Feb. 11 and 13 with a pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events during the 39th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

CONCORD, NC - Dec. 2, 2009 - Clint Smith might not be Santa Claus, but he helped spread some holiday cheer over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The veteran World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular stepped out of the cockpit to serve as the grand marshal of an annual Christmas parade last Saturday night in Haralson, Ga., a quiet hamlet about 40 miles south of Atlanta.

As a local hero from the nearby town of Senoia, Smith was asked by parade organizer Eric Spencer to fill the grand marshal role. The 44-year-old fulltime professional driver proudly accepted the opportunity.

“That was a first for me,” Smith said of his unique turn in the spotlight. “I've shown my cars at elementary schools and stuff like that, but I've never been in a parade.”

Smith waved to spectators watching the parade along Haralson's streets while standing in the back of a pickup truck. The racer known as ‘Cat Daddy' was joined for the ride by his 16-year-old daughter, Jenna, and two of her friends.

Immediately after the parade, Smith participated in the town's Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a reception at the Haralson City Hall, where he met young and old residents and signed autographs. He was given an opportunity to speak to the parade attendees but kept his remarks brief, saying only, “Merry Christmas.”

Smith enjoyed playing grand marshal for a night, but don't ask him if he felt like a celebrity. This was a down-home affair, after all.

“It's a small town – a real small town,” Smith quipped with a smile, alluding to Haralson's tiny population (144 as of the last census).

Smith would have liked to brought along one of his JP Drilling No. 44 dirt Late Models to the parade, but he simply didn't have a machine ready for display. He's hard at work preparing for 2010 after making a major change in his racing program late in the 2009 season.

After spending four years exclusively running GRT cars, Smith debuted a Rocket Chassis mount in October and will focus his '10 efforts on campaigning cars built by the Shinnston, W.Va.-based manufacturer. He returned to the Rocket fold with assistance from West Virginia's Ernie Davis, who owns the No. 25 cars that 2009 WoO LMS champion Josh Richards drives in most of his non-Outlaws starts.

“When we were down at East Bay (Raceway in Gibsonton, Fla.) racing (in February) I got to know Ernie and his family pretty well,” said Smith. “Ernie's wife and daughter set up their Wii (video game) in my truck, and after the races when we had the barbeque out Ernie got to eating shrimp with us and we talked a lot.

“At the end of the year at Eldora, Ernie said to me, ‘You know, if you want to do something with Rocket, I'll help you.' I thought about it, and then we talked again and decided to do something.”

Being part of the Rocket Chassis ‘team' while on the road appeals to Smith, who is coming off one of the most frustrating seasons of his career. The chassis switch allows him to share technical and setup information with the army of traveling drivers in Rocket cars.

“I've worked with Joe Garrison and GRT for a long time and they've been real good to me,” said Smith, who will continue to field his own operation in 2010 with Ernie D's Enterprises prominently displayed on the bodywork of his cars. “But it's time to try something different. It can be tough being the only GRT out there at a lot of shows. If I learn something better, I'm better than everybody – but if I don't, I can be a 15th-place car.

“I'm looking forward to working with Mark (Richards) and the Rocket bunch. They're competitive, but they're a good bunch of people. They've already helped me a lot while I've been running a GRT, so I know what they're like.”

Smith wants to erase memories of 2009, which saw him win six features but none in WoO LMS action. A regular on the national tour since its rebirth under the World Racing Group banner in 2004, Smith went without a WoO LMS triumph for the first time since that inaugural season.

Just two years removed from a 2007 season that saw him win four times and finish a career-high third in the WoO LMS points standings (after leading the points race for almost half the campaign), Smith struggled mightily in 2009. He managed just four top-five finishes (his best: a third on Aug. 13 at Pennsylvania's Grandview Speedway) and had 18 top-10 runs in 40 A-Main starts en route to placing ninth in the points standings.

In addition, Smith won just a single heat race on the 2009 WoO LMS. But that victory came behind the wheel of his new Rocket car in the season finale on Nov. 7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. – a prelude to his solid sixth-place finish in the evening's World Finals 50-lapper – and thus gave him a much-needed boost of confidence heading into his busy off-season.

The 2010 WoO LMS campaign kicks off on Feb. 11 and 13 with a pair of events as part of the 39th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship Means The ‘World' To Josh Richards

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 30, 2009 - How much did winning the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series points title mean to Josh Richards?

One glance at the young superstar's face immediately after the season finale on Nov. 7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway told that story.

Normally a cool, calm customer who shows little emotion, Richards had tears of joy welling up in his eyes when he reached Victory Lane for his champion's coronation. On top of the dirt Late Model world at the age of 21 after downing one of his racing mentors, Steve Francis, in a dramatic title showdown, he was simply overcome by the moment.

“I couldn't even get out of the car,” recalled Richards, who became the sixth different – and by far the youngest – WoO LMS champion since the national tour was rekindled in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. “I remember (apparel producer) Ron Slavic was the first guy to come over to me when I stopped, and I was breathless. It took me awhile to get myself together.

“It's been my dream ever since I was a little kid to do this, so to work so hard at it, to win the championship on the last night, to beat (Steve) Francis in front of all those people (in the packed grandstand) and (watching) on live (SPEED) T.V. – all that was going through my mind. I still felt like I was dreaming. I thought I was going to wake up and be laying in bed somewhere.”

The $100,000 title capped a march to stardom that Richards began with his first practice laps behind the wheel of his father Mark's Rocket Chassis house car in 2003. He has literally grown up on the road with the WoO LMS, maturing from the tour's shy, quiet Rookie of the Year in 2005 to its confident champion and winningest driver in 2009.

After getting his feet wet on the WoO LMS in 2004 by entering about half of the season's 41 events as a teammate to his father's hired-gun chauffeur Bart Hartman, Richards went fulltime with the Outlaws in '05 and has been one of the tour's signature regulars ever since. He has started 202 consecutive A-Mains (dating back to Sept. 25, 2004) and shown steady improvement each season – eighth in the 2005 points standings (with one win), ninth in '06 (one win), sixth in '07 (four wins), second in '08 (six wins) and, finally, first in '09 (a series-best eight wins).

“To gain on it every year and come out with a championship – it's really neat to be a part of that progression,” said Richards, who won his first WoO LMS A-Main as a rookie on Aug. 15, 2005, at New York's Lebanon Valley Speedway and now owns 20 career victories to rank second behind Francis on the win list since 2004. “When you first start (racing), you're trying to do the best you can but also gain respect from everybody and fit in. You learn along the way and gain confidence, and then you start to become one of the better guys and people start to look up to you.

“The whole mental game is such a big part of this sport, as far as learning to race smart and race consistent. You don't pick those things up overnight, but once you start to get the mental thing figured out, other things start to come easier. Eventually you come to realize that if you run bad or something happens, you can't let it bother you – you learn to worry about the things you can control and not the things you can't.”

Richards proved repeatedly in 2009 that he had come of age. Coming off a tight battle for second place in the '08 points standings with Francis and Shane Clanton that provided him valuable experience racing under points pressure and helped make him this year's title favorite (17 of 24 participants in a pre-season media poll picked him to win the crown), Richards experienced few off nights and, on the rare occasions he did, roared right back with championship aplomb.

A heat-race qualifier in an amazing 39 of 40 WoO LMS events in 2009 (the only provisional he used came on April 18 at Virginia Motor Speedway following a heat tangle), Richards rang up 23 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes and completed 2,154 of 2,160 possible A-Main laps. He didn't drop out of a single feature due to mechanical failure, and the only race in which he wasn't running at the checkered flag came on April 17 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, where Richards got tangled up with the slowing Vic Coffey on the final circuit.

The Fayetteville event, not surprisingly, was the first test of Richards's championship mettle. He was cruising toward a solid third-place finish that would pad his growing points lead until race-long leader Coffey blew a tire heading to the white flag; Richards came together with Coffey's limping racer when he tried to sneak by in turn two and the two cars slid to a stop. Richards tumbled to a 23rd-place finish in the blink of an eye – and after another rough outing the following night at VMS, he found himself third in the points standings.

But Richards didn't dwell on his disappointment; he was back in the points lead two races later. He made similar rallies after a frustrating 17th-place finish with a temperamental new car on May 30 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway dropped him from first to a season-low fifth in the points standings; a flat-tire-filled evening on June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway caused a fall from first to third; and, most famously, two disappointing runs during the Oil Region Labor Day Classic at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., sent him into the homestretch of the schedule trailing Francis in the points race.

Richards entered the holiday-weekend doubleheader at Tri-City leading the standings by 12 points over Francis (defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan, who made the points battle a three-man race during the summer, had fallen from serious contention) and with six wins and no finish worse than 11th in the 22 A-Mains contested since his Hagerstown debacle. But after allowing Francis to pass him for the win on the final lap of Tri-City's first feature on Sept. 5 and struggling to a ninth-place finish in the second 50-lapper the next night, Richards was suddenly four points behind Francis.

“After Tri-City I was so sick to my stomach that I slipped up and let Steve by and then didn't come back with a good run the next night,” said Richards. “But that just made me open my eyes.”

After a mid-September doubleheader in the Midwest was washed out and not rescheduled, Richards had nearly two months to stew over his points position until the season-ending World Finals at The Dirt Track. The countdown to the championship-deciding events proved to be tough on Richards.

“I'll be honest – the last three weeks (leading up to the World Finals), my nerves were tight,” said Richards. “It was hard for me to sleep, hard for me think – I was miserable. You think about winning the championship and know that it's possible, but you also think about being so close and the points turning out the other way.”

When the November showdown finally arrived, however, Richards's anxiety leveled off. Winning the postponed Hungry Man Showdown – a WoO LMS special event that offered only show-up points – on Nov. 5 to kick off the World Finals meet soothed his nerves even more.

“We went into Charlotte with an open mind,” said Richards. “Having a show-up points race first off helped us prepare mentally and get our program together, and when we won the race it obviously built confidence for us. Steve (Francis) still finished third and looked good so I knew it wasn't gonna be easy, but it calmed me down a little bit.

“And actually, on Friday night (Nov. 6 for the first World Finals A-Main), I was relaxed. Then on Saturday night – I think that was the most relaxed race I ran all year. I know it's weird to say that, but I really had a calm feeling the whole night.”

Well, at least until the scoreboard closed in on lap 50 with Richards in position to claim the title. After overtaking Francis to grab a four-point lead thanks to a fifth-place finish on Friday night (Richards had to rally from a pit stop for a flat tire while running third on lap 43; Francis finished ninth with power-steering woes), Richards slipped by Francis early in Saturday's A-Main and stayed several spots in front of his rival throughout the distance.

“The last couple laps of that race are something I'll never forget the rest of my life,” said Richards, who finished seventh versus Francis's 12th-place result to clinch the championship by 14 points. “Knowing that we were a few laps from winning a championship – man, what a feeling. When that checkered flag finally came out, it was one of the greatest feelings I've ever had in my life.

“You try to accomplish things throughout your career, and, of course, winning a championship is the ultimate for a driver and a team,” he added. “When you realize it's really happened, it really shows you can do anything. If you set your mind to it and your heart's in it, you can accomplish anything.”

The well-wishers who congratulated Richards in Victory Lane after his championship included Francis and Richards's father Mark, who celebrated his first points title since 1983 when he and Rodney Combs co-owned the car that Combs drove to the National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) series crown.

“My dad was pretty much speechless too,” commented Richards, who has made every start of his WoO LMS career in his father's familiar No. 1 machines. “He's pretty quiet and doesn't get very emotional – I take after him a little bit. We both kinda just let out a big sigh of relief. We just knew that we finally did it.

“He just shook my hand and said, ‘Good job, as always.' It wasn't much, but just by him saying that I could see how special winning the championship was for him.”

Richards paused, and then added, “I wouldn't be where I am today without my dad. He's given me the opportunity to do what I love to do. A lot of people have just always thought – because of the name and everything – that he pushed me to do this and pushed me to do that, but that's not true. This is what I've always wanted to do. He's just been kind of steering me where I need to be because he's lived it his entire life.”

Speaking with so much more polish – and in so many more words – than when he began his career, Richards also hailed his on-the-road crewmen, Matt Barnes and Jimmy Frye, and all the shop help and sponsorship assistance he received to make the title possible.

“Obviously, since I've started racing, this has been the goal,” said Richards. “Everything has to fit together to get here - from racing hard and racing smart, to getting a feel for the car, to having a good setup, to having a good crew, to having the sponsors that let us do this.

“I'm just a small component in what it takes to win a championship. Everything's always been there for me, and this year I just had to put it all together and sort everything out. That's why we're here today.”

Where Richards finds himself is a pretty nice place. He's like so many other 21-year-olds who still live at home, but that's where the similarities end. How many young adults his age can say they earned over $300,000 (including $286,170 just on the WoO LMS) in 2009? How many have such a bright future ahead of them?

“Oh yeah, I'm definitely living a dream,” said Richards, who expects to chase a second straight WoO LMS crown in 2010 unless his success springboards him to an opportunity with a NASCAR or ARCA stock car ride on pavement. “It's crazy – I look in the mirror and I still feel like I haven't changed a lot. I still feel like I'm a little kid going to the races, digging in the dirt and watching races. To be one of the best dirt Late Model drivers now is a dream come true.”

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Well Represented in AARWBA All-America Team Voting

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 25, 2009 - Voting is under way for the annual American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association All-America Auto Racing Team, with both the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series represented in the “Short Track Category.”

Donny Schatz, the four-time and defending World of Outlaws champion, is on the ballot for the fourth consecutive season. He has earned First Team honors in each of the last three seasons. Schatz was victorious 12 times in 2009, including picking up his 100th career World of Outlaws A-Feature win at Dacotah Speedway in his home state of North Dacotah, to become just the fifth driver in the 30-plus year history of the series to accomplish this feat. In winning his fourth title, he became just the second driver other than 20-time series champion Steve Kinser to win at least four championships and became the only other driver other than Kinser to win four consecutive championships. In addition, Schatz also became just the second driver ever to win the Knoxville Nationals four times in a row, joining Kinser on that list as well.

Young full-fender star Josh Richards, meanwhile, appears on the ARWBA All-America Auto Racing Team ballot for the first time in his burgeoning career after winning the 2009 WoO LMS championship in dramatic fashion. The 21-year-old from Shinnston, W.Va., outdueled one of his racing mentors, 2007 WoO LMS titlist and former ARWBA All-America Auto Racing Team nominee Steve Francis, to capture the championship by a mere 14-point margin and become the sixth different WoO LMS champ in as many years and youngest in tour history. Driving his father Mark's Rocket Chassis house car, Richards led the series with eight victories – moving him to second on the tour's alltime win list since 2004 behind Francis – and six fast-time awards, scored 23 top-five and 34 top-10 finishes in 40 A-Mains and earned nearly $300,000, including the $100,000 championship prize.

Jason Meyers, who won nine times in 2009 and finished just 19 points behind Schatz in closest ever battle for the World of Outlaws title, appears on the ballot for the second consecutive year. The native of Clovis, California was named to the All-America Team Second Team in 2008 after finishing as the runner-up in the World of Outlaws standings. Meyers was victorious at nine different tracks this past season including winning the opener of the World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. He also visited Victory Lane during the Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in his home state of California, as well picking up a $20,000 win at Skagit Speedway.

Joey Saldana, who won 21 overall times this past season to lead the World of Outlaws, appears on the All-America Team ballot for the second time in his career. He was named to the Second Team in 2007. The native of Brownsburg, Indiana became just the fifth driver in World of Outlaws history to win at least 20 A-Feature events in a single season. Saldana won at 15 different tracks in 2009, including his second $50,000 Gold Cup Race of Champions title, as well as twice at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway live on SPEED including in the finale of the third annual World Finals. He finished the season third in points, in what was the closest three-way battle for the title in series history.

The AARWBA has been naming an All-America Auto Racing Team since 1970, and since the Outlaws Sprint Car Series was founded in 1978, the series has been represented in 29 of those years.

Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws Champion, holds the record of being named to the All-America Auto Racing Team 23 times, including an unprecedented 18 berths on the First Team.

The annual All-America Team vote is conducted by the over 300 members of the media who are part of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. The top driver from each of seven categories on the ballot will be named to the First Team and honored at the 40th annual AARWBA banquet Jan. 16 in Brownsburg, Indiana. The winner of the Jerry Titus Award will also be announced at the banquet. The Titus Award honors the team's top driver, which is the one earning the most votes in the balloting regardless of category.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Bloomquist Receives Penalties For Using Illegally-Altered Tire During World of Outlaws World Finals

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 24, 2009 - Dirt Late Model veteran Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., has been fined and suspended from World of Outlaws Late Model Series and DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned events after forensic laboratory tests determined he used an illegally-altered tire during the recent World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series officials followed post-qualifying inspection procedures at The Dirt Track, inspecting the tires of the top-six qualifiers. Citing “reasonable suspicion” based on odor, officials confiscated the left-rear tire Bloomquist used for the second round of World Finals time trials on Nov. 5 and the tire was sent to an independent laboratory for detailed analysis. Test results showed the tire was treated with a foreign substance that is not allowed under World of Outlaws Late Model rule 15.11-G.

As a result of the rule violation, Bloomquist has been assessed the following penalties:

* Forfeiture of his winnings from the World Finals events on Nov. 6 and 7, totaling $11,350.

* A fine equal to his forfeited winnings of $11,350, which must be paid prior to his return to competition.

* A suspension from all World of Outlaws Late Model Series and DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned events for a period of six months, effective from Nov. 5, 2009, through May 5, 2009.

* Loss of 1,000 points from Bloomquist's total in the 2009 WoO LMS point standings.

As a DIRTcar Racing member in good standing, Bloomquist may appeal the penalties.

Pending any appeal and the result, effected positions for both World Finals events (including points and purse) would be adjusted. Fines collected are contributed to the World of Outlaws Driver Benevolent Fund.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Car Owner Dale Beitler Hires Young Star Austin Hubbard To Drive No. 19 On 2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 19, 2009 - Car owner Dale Beitler will be back chasing the World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule in 2010 with a fresh, young face behind the wheel of his familiar No. 19 machines.

Less than two weeks after his two-year relationship with former series champion Steve Francis ended following a close runner-up finish in the 2009 WoO LMS points standings, Beitler announced that he's hired 17-year-old sensation Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., to campaign his equipment next season on the renowned national tour.

Saying that he enjoys racing “too much to stay at home,” Beitler, 52, decided to keep his team on the road with the Outlaws shortly after reaching a late-season agreement to part ways with Ashland, Ky.'s Francis, who is making a return to his own racing operation in 2010. He will forever relish his two successful years with Francis but feels the up-and-coming Hubbard, who aspires to win the 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award, is a perfect fit for Beitler Enterprises.

“With Austin, I think I'm going to be able to have a little more fun,” said Beitler, who has fielded dirt Late Models for more than 15 years. “Logistically everything will work well – he's only about an hour-and-a-half away from my shop (just outside Baltimore in West Friendship, Md.), so I can have that closeness with a driver that I'm looking for. I also feel it's going to be fun working with a younger driver with a real bright future ahead of him.

“I got to know Austin this year traveling to some (WoO LMS) shows with his team and I saw how hard he works and how much talent he has. He has a lot of energy, and I appreciate how much he loves the sport and has fun every time he's at the track.”

Hubbard joins Beitler's Reliable Painting team coming off a season in which he emerged as one of the country's top teenage talents. After spending the 2005-2008 campaigns running primarily at Virginia Motor Speedway – where he debuted in the Late Model division as a 13-year-old and won a championship in 2007 at the ripe age of 15 – he branched out in 2009 with his father Mike's Rocket cars, entering 28 WoO LMS events and more than two-dozen other regional and national specials. He turned heads in WoO competition by recording three top-five and eight top-10 finishes as well as a fast-time award, and he gained more attention when he became the second-youngest driver to qualify for the World 100 at Ohio's Eldora Speedway and registered the overall fastest lap for the Dirt Track World Championship at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.

“Obviously he has a lot of talent,” Beitler said of Hubbard, who scored his lone victory of 2009 in October at Ohio's Midway Speedway. “He's come a long way in a short time, and everyone is looking for big things from him. He's got a ton of potential.

“I think he can be as good as Josh (Richards, the 2009 WoO LMS champion who debuted on the tour in 2004 at the age of 16). He just might follow in Josh's footsteps.”

Beitler will provide his full arsenal to Hubbard, including one brand-new Rocket car and a pair of 2008 mounts. With four fresh Cornett engines also sitting ready to go, Beitler confidently said, “I'm probably more prepared to run next year than I've ever been.”

Making Beitler feel even more comfortable, his operation will be overseen by respected mechanic Robby Allen, who served as Hubbard's racing mentor this season. Allen will head out on the WoO LMS road fulltime in 2010 for the first time since he left Rick Eckert's side following the 2006 campaign.

“Robby worked real closely with Austin (in 2009) and brought him a long way,” said Beitler, who plans to attend as many of his team's events as his business commitments allow. “As any young driver does, Austin was making a lot of mistakes on the racetrack, but Robby talked to him and pointed things out and you could see the difference as the year went on. Austin listened to Robby and learned from him.”

Of course, Beitler isn't putting any pressure on Hubbard as the youngster embarks on his first national tour driving a well-known car that Francis piloted to 12 WoO LMS victories and points finishes of third and second over the past two years.

“There's no expectations,” said Beitler, whose resume as a car owner also includes many big triumphs with such drivers as Davey Johnson, Gary Stuhler and Steve Casebolt. “He has nothing to live up to. We're just gonna go out and do the best we can and have a good time doing it.”

Hubbard, meanwhile, is anxious to take advantage of the biggest break of his burgeoning career. After he completes two night classes in the next couple of weeks that will allow him to graduate early from Sussex Tech High School, the ‘Teenage Terror' will be free to focus on his new status as a fulltime driver.

“I really appreciate the opportunity that Dale Beitler has given me,” Hubbard said in a team press release announcing the deal. “It is an honor to be able to race with his team and crew chief Robby Allen. The team that we have is one of the best in the business and I am looking forward to being behind the wheel of the No. 19 for my first season following a national series.

“Robby and I were able to start learning one another's styles this year, so I think that will help us in 2010 and especially as I compete at many tracks for the first time.”

Hubbard understands the challenge facing him on the WoO LMS.

“I just love to race,” said Hubbard, who will also have cars owned by his father and Delaware's Charles Jarvis at his disposal for non-WoO LMS events that Beitler doesn't enter. “And in order to be the best, you have to be able to compete with them and learn from them. I haven't ever seen most of these tracks on the (WoO LMS) schedule, but I still will show up to each race with the intent to win. Rookie titles, championships and all are nice, but I want to be able to be competitive and be a better racer after every single event.”

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Chub Frank Gets Good News About Injury That Sidelined Him For World of Outlaws World Finals

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 15, 2009 - After sitting out last weekend's World of Outlaws World Finals due to a painful facial injury, Chub Frank was certainly in need of some good news.

The veteran World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular got a dose of it – relatively speaking – on Wednesday afternoon.

Frank, 47, of Bear Lake, Pa., visited a specialist near his home and was informed that he would not need surgery for his injuries, which included fractures in his right cheek and orbital bone. He suffered the injuries during the first heat of the WoO LMS Hungry Man Showdown on Nov. 4 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway when an apparent clod of thick, hard-packed clay entered his car's cockpit and smashed into his helmet.

“It's definitely a relief to know I don't need surgery,” Frank said by phone from his race shop on Friday afternoon. “We have a lot of work to do to get ready for next year and I wasn't looking forward to taking time out for surgery.”

According to Frank, the specialist he consulted upon returning from North Carolina looked at his x-rays and determined that “all the bones are lined up and will heal on their own.” He had been told that an operation might be necessary after an initial examination by doctors at a Charlotte-area hospital, where he was transported following the incident.

Frank, who was back at The Dirt Track by midnight the evening of his incident, said the significant swelling he sported on the right side of his face for several days was virtually gone just over one week later. Some bruising and a bloodshot right eye remained as well as slight soreness, but he hasn't been deterred from diving into his off-season preparation.

“It was just a freak deal I guess,” said Frank, who didn't race for the rest of the weekend but was seen socializing in the pit area after each night's action and also attended the 2009 WoO LMS Awards Banquet on Nov. 8 in Concord, N.C. (wearing sunglasses to cover his bruised-and-bloodied eye). “There ain't nothing you can do about it now, so we'll just start thinking about next year. I'm just glad it's over with and I can look forward to getting my stuff ready for what I hope is going to be a better year.”

Frank finished a disappointing seventh in the 2009 WoO LMS points standings, earning a $24,000 points-fund check. He maintained that spot in the final rankings despite having to sit out both halves of the World Finals doubleheader; as a contracted WoO LMS driver unable to compete due to injury, he received 75 ‘hardship' (show-up) points for each program. (The Hungry Man Showdown offered only show-up points to all drivers.)

The injury did bring an inauspicious end to Frank's near-perfect record career starting record on the WoO LMS. When he failed to take the green flag in the Hungry Man Showdown, it marked the first time he did not participate in a tour A-Main since March 14, 2004, at Atomic Speedway in Oak Ridge, Tenn., snapping his consecutive-start streak at 227 races. Frank's single previous WoO LMS A-Main DNS prior to his three misses last weekend came in the sixth event of the tour's 2004 comeback season under the World Racing Group banner.

The only drivers with career WoO LMS starting records entering the World Finals that exceeded or matched Frank's were Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa. – the lone racers who have started every series A-Main run since 2004 (a total of 237 races with the completion of the 2009 season) – and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who has missed just one Outlaw A-Main (on Feb. 19, 2006).

In an ironic sideline to Frank's injury, Smith and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. – two of Frank's closest friends on the WoO LMS – also absorbed blows to the helmet from apparent flying clods of clay during qualifying events for the Hungry Man Showdown at The Dirt Track. But they were more fortunate than Frank – Fuller was left with a cut above his nose and a welt on his cheek after taking a hit during the sixth heat, while Smith was momentarily stunned from a hard impact during a B-Main but escaped with little visible facial damage and a sore shoulder.

Neither Smith nor Fuller required a hospital visit, and both used provisional spots to start the postponed Hungry Man Showdown A-Main when it was run the next day and competed in the World Finals.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master, Wrisco Aluminum and Bill Pink Carburetors; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Wisconsin's Jimmy Mars Set To End Spectacular Season In Silver State DIRTcar Championships Nov. 20-21 At Las Vegas Motor Speedway

LAS VEGAS, NV – Nov. 11, 2009 – How does Jimmy Mars plan to cap one of the most spectacular seasons any dirt Late Model driver has ever enjoyed?

With a racing vacation to Sin City, of course.

Mars, 37, of Menomonie, Wis., is headed to The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Nov. 20-21 for the inaugural ‘Silver State DIRTcar Championships,' a two-day meet featuring a 50-lap ‘topless' DIRTcar Late Model A-Main that pays $5,000 to win.

UMP DIRTcar Modifieds are also part of the weekend, contesting a 30-lap headliner with a $2,000 top prize alongside the Late Model feature on Sat., Nov. 21. Both divisions will compete in complete preliminary programs on Fri., Nov. 20, to kick off the festivities.

After last month becoming the first driver in dirt Late Model racing history to capture three $50,000-to-win events in a single season, Mars certainly brings the highest national profile to a weekend extravaganza that will see him take on the best competitors from DIRTcar Racing's Western Allstars, Northwest I-5 and Southwest Dirt Racing Association (SWDRA) series.

“I'm excited to go out there,” Mars said of the gorgeous half-mile oval that's more than a 25-hour drive (1,700-plus miles) from his shop in the Badger State. “That track is so fun to race on, so when I saw the race was scheduled I figured, ‘Let's go out and enjoy ourselves a little.'

“We're looking at the trip as more of a celebration of our season than anything. Obviously we want to win, but this is more about having a little fun in Vegas and going racing at a real top-notch facility too.”

Mars and his wife actually had a getaway to a Mexican resort planned for the weekend before Thanksgiving, but they canceled those reservations and booked flights to Vegas following the announcement of the Silver State DIRTcar Championships. They are flying out to Vegas early with several friends to spend a couple days on the Strip before Mars meets his self-owned race team at The Dirt Track on Fri., Nov. 20.

Yes, Mars is bringing his own potent MB Custom No. 28 to LVMS for the first time. He entered three two-day events at the track over the 2007-2008 seasons – winning four of the six features he started – but all those runs came behind the wheel of a Wyoming-based machine that he showed up to drive with helmet in hand.

“I have a sponsor who will cover the fuel (cost) to travel out there and a couple of guys who help us here said they'd drive the hauler out,” said Mars. “I want to try our new car out there on that big track and see how it goes, and everything worked out for us to make the trip.”

Mars enters the Silver State DIRTcar Championships as arguably the hottest dirt Late Model driver in the country this season. He has 17 wins in 44 overall starts in 2009, including the unprecedented trio of $50,000 scores in the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.; the North-South 100 at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky.; and the Dirt Track World Championship at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway. His '09 resume also sports a $30,000-plus victory in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and a $10,000 triumph in the UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway.

What's more, Mars owns a sparkling performance record at the state-of-the-art, half-mile LVMS. He swept a double-feature card sanctioned by the Western Allstars DIRTcar Late Model Series in March 2007; finished first and second in twin ‘Duel in the Desert' A-Mains in November 2007; and captured a Western Allstars event in February 2008 (a 22nd-place finish in that weekend's other WAS feature is the only blemish on his LVMS ledger).

“I love racing at Vegas,” said Mars, whose career year has come driving cars he designed with his brother Chris and superstar dirt Late Model driver Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa. “And with everything else there is to do for fun out there, you can't ask for a better weekend.”

The Silver State DIRTcar Championships will mark the first time in the history of LVMS that Super Late Models will compete without fiberglass roofs, allowing fans a clear view of the drivers wrestling their 800-horsepower machines.

The top-four finishers in the feature events on Fri., Nov. 20 ($1,000-to-win for Late Models, $400-to-win for Modifieds) will transfer directly to Saturday night's dashes, which will determine starting spots in the Championship A-Mains.

Action on Sat., Nov. 21, will include a slate of qualifying events leading up to the 50-lap Silver State DIRTcar Championship for the Super Late Models, which pays $500 to start, and the UMP DIRTcar Modified Western Shootout – the first-ever UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Modified event at LVMS.

The weekend of racing, which also includes support-division events for the INEX Legends cars and LVMS Bombers, carries a two-day ‘Super Saver' general-admission ticket for the price of $29. Two-day passes are $24 for Seniors/Military and $9 for Juniors (ages 6-12), with kids 5-and-under admitted free.

Single-day general admission tickets are available for $19 (adults), $15 (Seniors/Military) and $5 (Juniors).

Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.lvms.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. each evening.

For competitor entry-form information, visit www.DIRTcar.com or www.westernallstars.com.

Additional info on all of the series, sanctioning and member tracks of DIRTcar Racing is available at www.DIRTcar.com.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Working With Chris Francis Memorial Benevolent Fund To Raise Money For Jeff Cooke

South Carolina Driver Now Home Recovering From Injuries Suffered Nov. 4 At Lowe's Motor Speedway

CONCORD, NC – Nov. 10, 2009 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is working with the Chris Francis Memorial Benevolent Fund in an effort to raise money toward the recovery of injured driver Jeff Cooke.

Cooke, 31, of Spartanburg, S.C., suffered facial injuries in an incident during the first heat race of the postponed WoO LMS Hungry Man Showdown on Nov. 4 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. He received treatment at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., and was released on Tuesday to continue his recovery at home.

The Chris Francis Memorial Benevolent Fund (CFMBF) was set up in memory of 2007 WoO LMS champion Steve Francis's younger brother and longtime crew chief, who passed away unexpectedly in August 2001. Donations to the fund, which is administered by Bill and Debbie Reed, have been used to assist racers in need for nearly a decade and Cooke will be the latest to benefit.

“The racing community always comes together to help their own in a time of need,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We look at all participants in a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event as being a part of our World of Outlaws family, and utilizing a benevolent fund that exists in the memory of our former champion's brother is a great way to help the Cooke family and rejuvenate the foundation.”

All contributions to Jeff Cooke can be sent to the CFMBF at 4920 Raccoon Valley Road, Knoxville, TN, 37920. Checks should be made out to the Chris Francis Memorial Benevolent Fund and earmarked for Jeff Cooke; all proceeds collected in Cooke's name will go directly to the Cooke family.

The 2005 O'Reilly Southern Nationals tour champion and a two-time runner-up in the O'Reilly Southern All-Star Series points standings, Cooke faces an arduous recovery process. Christman spoke with Cooke's wife, Sandy, on Tuesday and she said that Jeff thanks everyone in the racing community for their thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time but he also requests no visitors or calls until he feels up to receiving them.

“It is great news that Jeff Cooke is now home from the hospital,” said Christman, “and we ask that everyone in the racing fraternity keep the Cooke family in their thoughts and prayers.”

Cards can be sent to Jeff Cooke in c/o Clements Automotive, 6011 Melvin Drive, Spartanburg, SC, 29303.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Richards Collects $100,000 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship Check At Sunday's ‘Night of Champions' Awards Banquet

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 9, 2009 - Josh Richards didn't look – or sound – like ‘Kid Rocket' on Sunday night.

When the 21-year-old superstar from Shinnston, W.Va., stood behind the podium to accept his 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship accolades during the tour's ‘Night of Champions' Awards Banquet at the Great Wolf Lodge, he struck the pose of a confident, mature man.

“This has been my goal ever since I started racing,” said Richards, who ran a partial WoO LMS schedule as a 16-year-old rookie in 2004 and has entered every event since 2005. “It's a dream come true.”

Richards received a $100,000 check as well as a custom-made championship ring and trophy for becoming the sixth different champion in as many years since the WoO LMS was reincarnated in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. He clinched the prestigious title just 24 hours earlier one mile up the street at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway, where his seventh-place finish in the season-ending World Finals A-Main left him with a 14-point margin over 2007 WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.

Nearly $400,000 in points-fund cash was handed out during Sunday's sixth annual gala affair, which for the first time was held immediately after the World Finals in conjunction with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series awards banquet. Awards ceremonies for each series were conducted simultaneously in separate rooms and then the evening concluded with teams and sponsors from both tours mingling at a post-banquet party.

Quiet and shy when he won the 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year, Richards showed how much he's grown up when he addressed the crowd of over 150 banquet attendees. He calmly expressed his emotions and thanked the supporters who helped facilitate his rapid rise to the top of the nation's premier dirt Late Model tour.

“I'm one of the luckiest guys in the business to be able to do what I love to do,” said Richards, who has made every start of his WoO LMS career behind the wheel of his father Mark's familiar Rocket Chassis house car. “My whole life has been racing – racing isn't just a hobby, it's a lifestyle. There's a lot of things you have to sacrifice to do this, but it's the life I've chosen and it's been an awesome ride.

“There's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to do this, and Steve (Francis) put up a hard battle all year. To come out on top over a guy like Steve makes it that much more special.”

Richards, whose share of the points fund pushed his total 2009 earnings on the WoO LMS to over $286,000, showed appreciation to a long list of backers, including sponsors Seubert Calf Ranches, Cornett Racing Engines, ACE Metal Works, Ernie D's Enterprises, Petroff Towing, MCB Motorsports, Tony Stewart Racing, Ron Slavic, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire and Integra Racing Shocks.

In addition, Richards singled out his parents Mark and Tina and younger sister Morgan; Rocket Chassis co-owner Steve Baker and his wife Sherri; crewmen Matt Barnes, Jimmy Frye and Joey Pinkleton and the staff at Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, W.Va.; and last, but certainly not least, several WoO LMS regulars who have provided guidance to Richards throughout his career.

“I wouldn't be here without a bunch of these guys in this room,” said Richards, who led the WoO LMS with eight victories this season and now ranks second on the tour's win list since 2004 with 20 triumphs. “Steve (Francis), Chub (Frank), Darrell (Lanigan), Tim (Fuller), Clint (Smith), Rick (Eckert) who's not here (because he left to attend his car owner Raye Vest's funeral) – everybody's been behind me from the start.”

Mark Richards accompanied his son to the stage to receive the champion car owner trophy. After saying, “To do this with your kid is unbelievable,” Mark directed heartfelt thanks to many of his boy's friendly rivals.

“There's a bunch of drivers in this room who have been a big part of this – especially Steve, Darrell and Chub,” said Mark Richards, who enjoyed his first points championship as a car owner since he partnered with driver Rodney Combs to win the 1983 NDRA Late Model tour title. “I don't know what to say to you guys, except, ‘Thanks for helping make Josh into a champion.'”

It was with some irony that the driver Richards outdueled for the WoO LMS title was the 42-year-old Francis, whom Mark Richards called “the biggest supporter and mentor throughout Josh's career.” Francis acknowledged his long-standing relationship with Richards after walking to the stage with car owner Dale Beitler to accept his runner-up trophy and $60,000 points-fund check.

“I always wanted to see Josh win this championship – but like I said on TV (during the World Finals broadcast), just not necessarily at my cost,” said Francis, who settled for his fourth career second-place in the WoO LMS points standings (1989, 2004, 2005). “It came out that way in the end.”

Francis, who recently revealed that his two-year stint as Beitler's driver has come to an end and he plans to return to the WoO LMS in 2010 with his own equipment and help from Kentucky car owner Tim Logan, hailed Richards's accomplishment.

“Congratulations Josh,” said Francis, nodding toward the driver he watched take his first laps in a dirt Late Model. “I know how it feels to be where you're at, and I know how hard you worked all year. We tried to keep you honest and make you earn it.”

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., collected a $40,000 check for finishing third in the points standings after a late-season slump dropped him out of a three-way title battle with Richards and Francis. It marked the second straight season that the tour's defending champion settled for third place in the points race.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., received $35,000 for finishing a career-high fourth in the points standings, while Rick Eckert of York, Pa., pocketed $30,000 for placing fifth.

Eckert was the lone driver among the 14 with perfect attendance on the 40-race '09 WoO LMS who was not in attendance on Sunday night. He headed home after Saturday night's program to attend memorial services for his longtime car owner Raye Vest, who passed away last Wednesday and was remembered with prayers during the World Finals and Sunday's banquet.

Rounding out the top 10 in the '09 points standings was Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. ($25,000); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. ($24,000), who sported a badly bruised-and-bloodied right eye and cheekbone that was the product of being struck in his helmet by an apparent clod of clay during last Wednesday night's Hungry Man Showdown qualifying at The Dirt Track (he sat out the World Finals action due to the injury); Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. ($23,000); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. ($22,000); and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio ($21,000).

King, 20, added another $10,000 to his banquet take-home pay for winning the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award. He also received a $2,500 credit toward the purchase of a Rocket Chassis in a surprise presentation made by Steve Baker, who announced that the manufacturer plans to offer the prize to the highest-finishing Rocket Chassis campaigner in future Rookie of the Year points races.

The fourth WoO LMS Rookie of the Year in six years with roots in the Northeast's DIRTcar big-block Modified ranks, King outdistanced Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., in the rookie standings, which were determined using drivers' best 30 finishes on the tour.

King's fellow rookies were called to the stage for acknowledgement and each received a cash award.

“This is definitely a career moment,” said King, who was joined at the banquet by his parents/car owners Rex Sr. and Sis. “I have to thank Josh (Richards), Mark (Richards) and Steve (Baker) for helping me out as much as they could, along with guys like Fuller, ‘Smoke' (Fuller's chief mechanic Mike Countryman) and Chub. I don't know for what reason, but those guys kinda took me under their wing and it means a lot to me.”

Countryman made his own appearance on stage, receiving recognition as the 2009 Integra Racing Shocks Crew Chief of the Year. Integra rep Brian Daugherty presented a specially-designed wrench-shaped trophy and a $1,000 check to ‘Smoke,' who came out on top in balloting conducted among his fellow crew chiefs and WoO LMS officials.

Rocket Chassis of Shinnston, W.Va., was recognized as the winner of the 2009 WoO LMS Chassis Builders' Challenge – the sixth straight year that the company has earned the nod. Eleven drivers won WoO LMS A-Mains using Rocket cars this season, giving the manufacturer 31 victories in 40 events.

Cornett ‘Thunder & Lightning' Racing Engines in Somerset, Ky., was announced as the winner of the 2009 WoO LMS Engine Builders' Challenge. It was the second consecutive honor for company owner Jack Cornett, whose customers swept the top three spots in the points standings for the second year in a row.

Longtime Cornett engine user Lanigan accepted the award for Cornett, who was not able to attend Sunday's banquet.

WRG President Tom Deery presented the 2009 WoO LMS Promoter of the Year Award to the Queensland family of Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., and the Blooming Prairier (Minn.) Lions Club. The track and club members combined to promote the unique 30th annual ‘Gopher 50' Charity Race in July – an event from which Darrell Lanigan went home $20,000 richer because he claimed the 10-grand ‘past champions' bonus that was posted for the milestone running of the show.

VP Racing Fuels provided a pair of special awards, giving the 14-year-old Reddick a 54-gallon drum of Late Model Plus fuel for winning the most VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs' awards (a pair of fuel jugs to the fastest time-trialer who doesn't qualify for each event) and Richards $500 in cash for winning the most A-Mains in 2009.

VP's Executive Director of Marketing & Communications Steve Scheidker told the crowd that there was a certain idea to the award that went to Richards: “We want to start a World of Outlaws tradition with this award – the money is for the driver with the most wins to buy drinks at the bar for all his friends and family after the banquet.”

Among the WRG officials who addressed those in attendance were Deery, Chief Executive Officer Brian Carter and Chief Marketing Officer Ben Geisler. WoO LMS director Tim Christman also gave a review of the 2009 season, thanked the tour's hard-working road crew (race director Bret Emrick, announcer and banquet host Rick Eshelman, tech director Terry Watson, scorer Sandy Holt, pit steward Kris Underwood and P.R. director Kevin Kovac) and looked ahead to the upcoming 2010 campaign.

“I think we have a great 2010 in store,” Christman said after highlighting several major events that will be contested next season. “One thing I always say is that I think we're in the infant stages of where we're gonna end up. I think we'll continue to grow because this is the future of dirt track racing.”

Christman said Sunday's announcement that the rich $50,000-to-win USA Nationals on Aug. 6-7 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., will be part of the WoO LMS in 2010 is just the start of exciting news to come from the tour. He said the 2010 WoO LMS special-event dates will be released in the coming days with a complete schedule announcement to follow soon after.

The 2010 WoO LMS season will kick off with two programs (Feb. 11 and 13) during the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Cedar Lake Speedway's USA Nationals Returns To World of Outlaws Late Model Series Schedule In 2010

NEW RICHMOND, WI - Nov. 8, 2009 - A bit of history promises to add thrills and intrigue to the 2010 USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway.

Scheduled for Aug. 6-7, 2010, the 23rd annual USA Nationals will conjure memories of its inaugural running by returning as a highlighted stop on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

The prestigious $50,000-to-win, 100-lap event, which debuted in 1988 as part of the original incarnation of the WoO LMS, will be sanctioned by the renowned national tour for the first time since 2005.

“For 22 years the USA Nationals has been a wildly successful event for Cedar Lake Speedway whether it's been sanctioned or unsanctioned,” said Bob Kaufman, who co-owns the high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval with his brothers Chuck and Steve and Brad Both. “But we're always looking for ways to make the weekend more interesting for the fans, so we're excited about bringing a ‘Back to the Future' theme to a historic event with the return of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

“There's no doubt that the 2010 USA Nationals is going to be bigger and better than ever.”

All the factors that have made the USA Nationals so popular with dirt Late Model fans and teams will continue in 2010, including a format featuring a qualifying night (time trials and heats) on Fri., Aug. 6, and last-chance events preceding the 100-lap A-Main on Sat., Aug. 7; a gargantuan purse of nearly $250,000; and an array of entertaining off-track activities (golf scramble, Ladder Ball competition, Apple River Tubing expedition, driver autograph session, post-race parties under the Big White Tent in the pits) that give a more-than-just-a-race feeling to the event.

The weekend will also once again kick off with a full preliminary program on Thurs., Aug. 5, before the WoO LMS banner is unfurled for the Friday-Saturday action.

“The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the 2010 USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “It's an honor to be associated with an event of this magnitude. The USA Nationals is already well-established as a crown-jewel dirt Late Model race and we're looking forward to working with Cedar Lake's management to bring even more attention and excitement to a spectacular weekend.”

With the full roster of touring WoO LMS superstars joining a host of national and regional standouts in chasing the 2010 USA Nationals trophy, arguably the most talented field in Cedar Lake Speedway history will fill the track's pit area. All the entrants will compete for the richest purse on the 2010 WoO LMS – an impressive payoff that not only boasts a $50,000 check for first place, but also $20,000 for second, $15,000 for third and $2,000 to start.

“Considering Cedar Lake's northern location (about 30 minutes east of Minnesota's Twin Cities), it's always been a challenge getting the top guys from down south and the Northeast to come up here for the USA Nationals,” said Kaufman. “The ‘FansFund' (a unique program in which fans vote on drivers they'd most like to see at the Nationals and raise tow money to bring the racers to the event) has helped strengthen the field the last two years and will continue in 2010, and we feel that partnering with the World of Outlaws allows us the opportunity to bring in more talented drivers from across the country to give our fans the best show possible.”

The WoO LMS will actually be one of three entities owned by the Concord, N.C.-based World Racing Group that appear on the 2010 schedule at Cedar Lake Speedway. The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will continue to make a traditional visit to the Badger State facility, and the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals dirt Late Model tour will compete at Cedar Lake for the first time since 1996.

“We're not only excited about the USA Nationals, but also about expanding our relationship with the entire (World Racing Group) organization,” said Kaufman. “We've historically hosted a World of Outlaws Sprint Car event and we will have one again in 2010 (on July 11), and next season we also will present the opening weekend of the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals with two complete programs on June 18 and 19 to headline our 12th annual ‘Masters' events.”

Immediately preceding the start of the USA Nationals, the WoO LMS will bring more action to Wisconsin's fans with a visit to Shawano Speedway on Wed., Aug. 4. It will mark the tour's first-ever appearance at the half-mile oval outside Green Bay in eastern Wisconsin.

Additional info on the 2010 USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway is available by logging on to www.cedarlakespeedway.com or calling the track office at 866-4CLS-FUN.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Owens Captures Saturday's World Finals Finale As Richards Clinches First World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 7, 2009 - Jimmy Owens earned plenty of adulation with a powerful drive to victory in Saturday night's 50-lap World of Outlaws World Finals A-Main at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

But the standout racer from Newport, Tenn., shared the post-race spotlight with Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who clinched his first career World of Outlaws Late Model Series points championship with a seventh-place finish in the season-ending event.

Richards, 21, entered the evening's action holding a narrow four-point edge over 2007 WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and extended it to a final margin of 14 points by making a smooth, steady advance from the 14th starting spot. Francis was never a factor, slipping backward from the 10th starting position and finishing 12th to leave him the tour's points runner-up for the fourth time in his career.

“This is just a dream come true,” said Richards, who overtook Francis for the points lead on Friday night and held on to secure the prestigious $100,000 crown. “I've always watched all these (WoO LMS) guys run and I know how good they are, so being a World of Outlaws champion is just awesome.”

A regular on the WoO LMS since winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, Richards became the sixth different series champion since the tour was reincarnated in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. He has driven his father Mark's Rocket Chassis house car throughout his career.

Owens, 37, was certainly an interested observer of the championship showdown. He asked WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman who had won the title before beginning his post-race interview.

“Congratulations to Josh and his guys,” Owens said while standing on the winner's stage in front of a standing-room-only crowd and a national television audience on SPEED. “He had a great season and deserves the championship.”

Owens was the deserving winner of Saturday's headliner, roaring forward from the eighth starting spot to pass race-long pacesetter Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., for the lead on lap 34. The four-time UMP DIRTcar Modified national champion ran unchallenged for the remainder of the distance in his Mike Reece-owned Team Zero by Bloomquist car.

Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., overtook Babb on lap 45 and finished second, 2.599 seconds behind Owens at the checkered flag. Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., came alive following a lap-40 restart to finish third, 2008 WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., was fourth and Babb fell back to fifth.

Owens made a solid comeback from a forgettable outing on Friday night. He failed to qualify after contact with another car during a heat race broke his machine's right-rear axle tube.

“We got us a new rearend and got the car put back together,” said Owens, who registered his second career triumph on the WoO LMS. “We were able to pick up where we left off.”

A savvy Hoosier tire choice paid dividends for Owens, who had little trouble moving into contention. He overtook McCreadie for second on lap 23 and spent several circuits battling for the top spot with Babb before gaining control for good.

“As soon as we walked up and watched the consies we had it set in our minds what we were gonna do (with tires),” said Owens. “There were some different combinations out there and we were able to pick the right one I guess. As soon as we fired off it was going good.

“I'm real happy. Winning in front of all these people is a great way to end the weekend.”

McCreadie, 35, likely saw his chances for victory take a major hit when he opted for a different tire compound than Owens.

“He had a harder tire on and that might have been the difference,” said McCreadie, who started third in the Sweeteners Plus Rocket. “I wanted to put that tire on, but I talked myself out of it.

“I was hoping we could get a yellow at the end (after grabbing second from Babb) to see what we could do with Owens, but I'm happy. We haven't run very good down here in a long time, so it's fun to run up front again.”

Pearson, 37, came on strong in the final laps, steering the Bobby Labonte Motorsports MasterSbilt around Lanigan and Babb on lap 47 to snare third place. He crossed the finish line more than four seconds behind Owens, however.

“We just picked too hard a tire,” said Pearson, who started sixth but lost several spots on the opening lap when he slid high in turn two. “The right-front (tire) was hard and just wouldn't steer until it got some heat in it, so it killed me at the start.

“At the end we had that restart (on lap 40) and I just said, ‘I'm going to the top to see what I can do.' It paid off for me down here in (turns) one and two, so we'll take third.”

Just two caution flags slowed the event, both for stopped cars in turn four. Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C., slowed on lap three and Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Tenn., came to rest on lap 40.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who started from the pole position after winning a heat race for the first time in 2009; Richards; Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who started fourth but was unable to move forward; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; and Friday-night World Finals winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who never recovered after being penalized one row when officials ruled that he did not fire correctly as the polesitter of the first heat.

Winners of the 10-lap heat races on Saturday night, which were aligned by the results of Thursday's second-round time trials, were McCreadie, Eckert, Clint Smith, Pearson, Lanigan and Babb. The B-Mains were captured by Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., and Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky., who went on to finish 15th and earn the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a series A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the tour points standings.

Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, entered the program having already clinched the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award. The 20-year-old racer finished 20th in Saturday night's A-Main.

The 2009 WoO LMS campaign will be celebrated – and nearly $400,000 in points-fund cash will be distributed – on Sunday night (Nov. 8) during the tour's awards banquet at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series World Finals Night 2 (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (8) Jimmy Owens/50 $10,100
2. (3) Tim McCreadie/50 $5,100
3. (6) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $3,000
4. (5) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,600
5. (2) Shannon Babb/50 $2,000
6. (1) Clint Smith/50 $1,700
7. (14) Josh Richards/50 $1,400
8. (4) Rick Eckert/50 $1,300
9. (11) Dale McDowell/50 $1,200
10. (13) Scott Bloomquist/50 $1,250
11. (7) Chris Madden/50 $1,050
12. (10) Steve Francis/50 $1,100
13. (17) Tim Fuller/50 $950
14. (9) Brady Smith/50 $900
15. (21) Brad Neat/50 $1,350
16. (12) Shane Clanton/50 $800
17. (22) John Blankenship/50 $770
18. (24) Mike Knight/49 $750
19. (15) Gregg Satterlee/49 $730
20. (25) Russell King/49 $950
21. (27) Dan Schlieper/49 $700
22. (28) Ken Schrader/49 $700
23. (20) Jason Feger/48 $700
24. (26) Brent Robinson/48 $700
25. (18) Tommy Kerr/48 $700
26. (19) Jordan Bland/47 $700
27. (23) Matt Lux/38 $700
28. (16) Chris Ferguson/2 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 22 Mins., 17.752 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.599 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 3, 40)
Lap Leaders: Babb (1-33); Owens (34-50)
Provisional Starters: King, Robinson (WoO); Schlieper, Schrader (track)
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Neat ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Fox (Owens)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Tim McCreadie, 2. Chris Madden, 3. Scott Bloomquist, 4. Jordan Bland, 5. Eric Jacobsen, 6. Vic Coffey, 7. Booper Bare, 8. Jeremy Miller, 9. Bo Feathers, 10. Al Shawver Jr., 11. Justin Labonte

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Rick Eckert, 2. Jimmy Owens, 3. Josh Richards, 4. Eric Wells, 5. John Blankenship, 6. Randy Korte, 7. Jared Landers, 8. Dan Stone, 9. Doug Horton, 10. Jeep VanWormer, 11. Ben Faircloth, 12. Spencer Liggon

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Clint Smith, 2. Brady Smith, 3. Gregg Satterlee, 4. Matt Lux, 5. Jeremy Faircloth, 6. Rick ‘Boom' Briggs, 7. Will Vaught, 8. Petey Ivey, 9. Ricky Elliott, 10. Chuck Harper, 11. Larry Blankenship, 12. Dustin Mitchell

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Earl Pearson Jr., 2. Steve Francis, 3. Chris Ferguson, 4. Jason Feger, 5. Tim Dohm, 6. Russell King, 7. Johnny Pursley, 8. Brian Ruhlman, 9. Donnie Moran, 10. Eddie Carrier Jr., 11. Cruz Pedregon, 12. Jim Yoder

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Darrell Lanigan, 2. Dale McDowell, 3. Tim Fuller, 4. Brad Neat, 5. Mike Knight, 6. Ken Schrader, 7. Mike Gault, 8. Jeff Rine, 9. Brent Robinson, 10. Bob Gordon, 11. Trey Martin, 12. Dan Schlieper

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Shannon Babb, 2. Shane Clanton, 3. Tommy Kerr, 4. Tyler Reddick, 5. Austin Hubbard, 6. Dennis Franklin, 7. Austin Dillon, 8. Adam Hensel, 9. Devin Friese, 10. D.J. Wells, 11. Walker Arthur

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Jordan Bland, 2. John Blankenship, 3. Eric Wells, 4. Randy Korte, 5. Vic Coffey, 6. Jeep VanWormer, 7. Eric Jacobsen, 8. Bo Feathers, 9. Booper Bare, 10. Dan Stone, 11. Doug Horton, 12. Al Shawver Jr., 13. Justin Labonte, 14. Spencer Liggon, 15. Jared Landers (DNS) Jeremy Miller, Ben Faircloth

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Jason Feger, 2. Matt Lux, 3. Tim Dohm, 4. Russell King, 5. Brian Ruhlman, 6. Rick ‘Boom' Briggs, 7. Donnie Moran, 8. Will Vaught, 9. Jim Yoder, 10. Dustin Mitchell, 11. Petey Ivey, 12. Chuck Harper, 13. Jeremy Faircloth (DNS) Johnny Pursley, Ricky Elliott, Eddie Carrier Jr., Larry Blankenship, Cruz Pedregon

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Brad Neat, 2. Mike Knight, 3. Austin Hubbard, 4. Tyler Reddick, 5. Austin Dillon, 6. Adam Hensel, 7. Ken Schrader, 8. Mike Gault, 9. Dennis Franklin, 10. Jeff Rine, 11. Bob Gordon, 12. Devin Friese, 13. Brent Robinson, 14. Walker Arthur, 15. Trey Martin, 16. D.J. Wells (DNS) Dan Schlieper

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Vic Coffey, Brian Ruhlman, Austin Dillon
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Brad Neat
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Owens
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Scott Bloomquist
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Clint Smith
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Jordan Bland, Jason Feger, Brad Neat
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Scott Bloomquist
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Owens
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brad Neat
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Jimmy Owens
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Eric Wells
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Owens

Final 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings – 40 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/events/A-Main starts/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 40-40-8-23-34-$186,170-5420 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 40-40-6-25-33-$167,885-5406 (-14)
3. Darrell Lanigan 40-40-2-19-31-$171,326-5340 (-80)
4. Tim Fuller 40-40-7-17-24-$137,150-5240 (-180)
5. Rick Eckert 40-40-3-14-27-$103,275-5220 (-200)
6. Shane Clanton 40-40-1-9-26-$95,420-5156 (-264)
7. Chub Frank 38-37-2-7-23-$96,800-5018 (-402)
8. Brady Smith 40-39-0-12-19-$84,915-4981 (-439)
9. Clint Smith 40-40-0-4-18-$66,350-4918 (-502)
10. Russell King 40-34-0-0-8-$50,480-4428 (-992)
11. Jordan Bland 40-29-0-0-3-$46,160-4229 (-1191)
12. Brent Robinson 40-25-0-0-1-$31,170-4009 (-1411)
13. Dustin Hapka 40-17-0-0-0-$16,540-3647 (-1773)
14. Tyler Reddick 40-14-0-0-0-$14,215-3467 (-1953)
15. Vic Coffey 29-25-0-3-9-$39,260-3346 (-2074)
16. Austin Hubbard 28-22-0-3-8-$29,825-3098 (-2322)
17. Gregg Satterlee 17-17-0-1-5-$19,140-2015 (-3405)
18. Matt Lux 20-13-0-0-1-$15,170-1988 (-3432)
19. Tim McCreadie 15-11-1-6-9-$35,210-1788 (-3632)
20. Shannon Babb 15-12-1-5-8-$44,940-1760 (-3660)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Bloomquist Opens World of Outlaws World Finals With Friday-Night Victory For Third Straight Year

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 6, 2009 - Scott Bloomquist has the Friday-night portion of the World of Outlaws World Finals down pat.

The 2004 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion opened the tour's season-ending doubleheader at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway with a victory for the third consecutive year, capturing Friday's 50-lap A-Main in front of a packed grandstand.

Bloomquist, 45, of Mooresburg, Tenn., proved to be a survivor on a fast, challenging track surface. While contenders Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., and Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., were struck by misfortune just as they appeared to be in position to win, Bloomquist stayed steady and smooth to score his first WoO LMS triumph since last year's World Finals.

“It really is a fine art figuring out if you want to push it and risk tearing something up,” said Bloomquist, who recorded his 19th career WoO LMS triumph and pushed his alltime-best dirt Late Model win total at The Dirt Track to six. “The cushion in (turns) one and two was really tricky to mess with, but the car was really great and it allowed us to move all over on the racetrack.”

Pearson did take the lead on lap 23 after Bloomquist had raced off the outside pole to set the pace from the start, but the 2009 Circle K Colossal 100 winner's stint in front was short-lived. Terminal engine trouble sidelined Pearson on lap 28, handing the lead back to Bloomquist for good.

Feger, who clinched his first career UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national title one month ago, reached Bloomquist's rear bumper on lap 40 after electrifying the huge crowd with an outside charge from the 19th starting spot to second in his Pierce car. But moments later a flat left-rear tire forced Feger to slow and bring out a caution flag, leaving Bloomquist home free for the remainder of the distance.

“Earl got us in traffic there (for the lead), but I was pretty confident that we had plenty left,” said Bloomquist, whose victory was worth $10,200. “There were too many laps left for me to get too excited.

“If Jason was closing, I'm sure he was just wide open on the top,” he added when asked about Feger's challenge. “I don't think he cut a tire; I think he jerked it off the wheel. That's the kind of chances you take (running the cushion).”

Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., who runs a Team Zero by Bloomquist car and is second on The Dirt Track's career win list with four victories, inherited second place from Feger and stayed there to the finish. He advanced from the 11th starting spot but never made a serious bid for the win, ending the race a distant 2.834 seconds behind Bloomquist.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., hustled forward from the 18th starting spot to finish third, securing a sweep of the top-three positions for Team Zero by Bloomquist cars. Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who started 13th, and seventh-starter Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in Rocket machines.

Feger, meanwhile, came back from a pit stop to finish sixth. The 31-year-old talent impressed observers with his performance just two days after laying eyes on the four-tenths-mile oval for the first time, but an untimely flat tire robbed him of a shot at a popular upset victory.

“I was trying to be smooth – as smooth as you could be in that cushion,” said Feger, who won a B-Main after losing a transfer spot in a heat late in the distance. “But when it's choppy like that, it's hard for these tires to stay under you.

“We got right to (Bloomquist's) back bumper there in (turns) three and four (on lap 40), and then the next lap is when the tire just disintegrated. It just wasn't our night, but me and the guys are happy that we're up to speed. I think we showed what we have.”

Richards, 21, made a stirring late-race rally to salvage a top-five finish after slowing with a flat right-rear tire on lap 43 while in contention for third place. The save allowed Richards to turn a four-point deficit in the WoO LMS points standings into a four-point lead over Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who ran as high as third before power-steering problems that developed just before the halfway mark caused him to fade to ninth at the finish.

Richards and Francis will bring their dramatic battle for the $100,000 WoO LMS points title to an end in Saturday night's 50-lap World Finals A-Main, which will be part of a live broadcast on the SPEED cable network from 8-11 p.m. ET.

Bloomquist is hoping that he can repeat his success in front of the SPEED cameras and, in the process, become the first driver to sweep the two A-Mains that make up the three-year-old World Finals. But he's already quite satisfied with a visit to The Dirt Track that includes his World Finals victory, a second-place finish in Thursday night's postponed 50-lap Hungry Man Showdown – and, more generally, his role in helping create more dirt Late Model fans.

“One thing that's kind of nice about this (World Finals) deal is that every year we've had so many comments from people about how we kinda converted some Sprint Car fans (to dirt Late Model racing),” said Bloomquist. “Our racing is, I think, a little more competitive and a little bit better racing than these people who were Sprint fans realize.

“I think a lot of people saw enough of the Late Models the last couple years that they knew (Friday's A-Main) was gonna be a good show, and it obviously turned out to be one.”

Five caution flags slowed the event, but only one was for an accident. Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., were involved in a backstretch tangle on lap 30.

The race's first caution flag flew on lap 25 for 12th-starter Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., who ran as high as fourth before slowing with a flat left-rear tire. He did not return.

Finishing in positions 7-10 were Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich.; Eric Jacobsen of Sea Cliff Beach, Calif., who earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't in the top 12 of the points standings; Francis; and Austin Dillon of Welcome, N.C., who is the 19-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.

Winners of Friday night's heat race, which were aligned by the results of the first-round time trials on Thursday, were Francis, Bloomquist, Dillon, Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., Pearson and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who fell from fourth place to 11th on the final lap of the A-Main due to a broken axle. The B-Mains were captured by Feger, Booper Bare of Rockbridge Baths, Va., and Brady Smith.

Qualifying was marred by a wild crash involving Jerry Rice of Verona, Ky., whose car bicycled into a series of snap rolls between turns three and four on lap one of the fourth heat. The 42-year-old Rice climbed out of the destroyed machine under his own power, but he was later transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

The World Finals continue on Saturday (Nov. 7) with the second and final night of WoO Late Model and Sprint Car activity. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. with racing getting the green flag at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series World Finals Night 1 (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Scott Bloomquist/50 $10,200
2. (11) Chris Madden/50 $5,000
3. (18) Rick Eckert/50 $3,500
4. (13) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,150
5. (7) Josh Richards/50 $2,500
6. (19) Jason Feger/50 $1,700
7. (15) Jeep VanWormer/50 $1,400
8. (10) Eric Jacobsen/50 $1,800
9. (4) Steve Francis/50 $1,800
10. (6) Austin Dillon/50 $1,200
11. (1) Shane Clanton/50 $1,550
12. (5) Ricky Weeks/49 $1,000
13. (25) Clint Smith/49 $1,450
14. (8) Gregg Satterlee/49 $900
15. (23) Brad Neat/48 $850
16. (14) Adam Hensel/42 $800
17. (22) Tim Fuller/34 $1,270
18. (26) Russell King/34 $1,500
19. (9) Dan Schlieper/30 $730
20. (21) Brady Smith/30 $1,200
21. (3) Earl Pearson Jr./28 $700
22. (16) Tim Dohm/28 $700
23. (24) Vic Coffey/27 $700
24. (12) Dale McDowell/25 $700
25. (28) Ken Schrader/15 $700
26. (20) Booper Bare/13 $700
27. (17) Tim McCreadie/11 $800
28. (27) Eric Wells/9 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 30 Mins., 10.282 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.834 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 5 (Laps 25, 28, 30, 40, 43)
Lap Leaders: Bloomquist (1-22); Pearson (23-28); Bloomquist (29-50)
Provisional Starters: C. Smith, King (WoO); Wells, Schrader (track)
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Jacobsen ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Tommy Hicks (Bloomquist)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Steve Francis, 2. Josh Richards, 3. Darrell Lanigan, 4. Jeremy Miller, 5. Tim Fuller, 6. Ricky Elliott, 7. Randle Chupp, 8. Donnie Moran, 9. Ken Schrader, 10. Justin Labonte, 11. Rick ‘Boom' Briggs, 12. John Winge, 13. Brian Birkhofer (DNS) Chad Ruhlman

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Scott Bloomquist, 2. Gregg Satterlee, 3. Adam Hensel, 4. Jason Feger, 5. Jordan Bland, 6. Mike Knight, 7. Chuck Harper, 8. Johnny Pursley, 9. Ben Faircloth, 10. Cruz Pedregon, 11. Tommy Kerr, 12. Russell King, 13. Dan Stone (DNS) Dustin Hapka

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Austin Dillon, 2. Dan Schlieper, 3. Jeep VanWormer, 4. Randy Korte, 5. John Blankenship, 6. Clint Smith, 7. Jared Landers, 8. Mike Gault, 9. Jeff Rine, 10. Tyler Reddick, 11. Larry Blankenship, 12. Bob Gordon, 13. D.J. Wells

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Ricky Weeks, 2. Eric Jacobsen, 3. Tim Dohm, 4. Booper Bare, 5. Brad Neat, 6. Eric Wells, 7. Shannon Babb, 8. Bo Feathers, 9. Jeremy Faircloth, 10. Spencer Liggon, 11. Dustin Mitchell, 12. Jimmy Owens, 13. Jerry Rice

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Earl Pearson Jr., 2. Chris Madden, 3. Tim McCreadie, 4. Dennis Franklin, 5. Steve Shaver, 6. Austin Hubbard, 7. Ray Cook, 8. Matt Lux, 9. Brian Ruhlman, 10. Jim Yoder, 11. Doug Horton, 12. Devin Friese (DNS) Chad Hollenbeck

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Shane Clanton, 2. Dale McDowell, 3. Rick Eckert, 4. Brady Smith, 5. Vic Coffey, 6. Eddie Carrier Jr., 7. Chris Ferguson, 8. Brent Robinson, 9. Will Vaught, 10. Walker Arthur, 11. Petey Ivey, 12. Trey Martin, 13. Al Shawver Jr.

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Jason Feger, 2. Tim Fuller, 3. Jordan Bland, 4. Mike Knight, 5. Ricky Elliott, 6. Chuck Harper, 7. Donnie Moran, 8. Ben Faircloth, 9. Johnny Pursley, 10. Tommy Kerr, 11. Dan Stone, 12. Ken Schrader, 13. Cruz Pedregon, 14. Justin Labonte, 15. Randle Chupp, 16. Russell King, 17. Rick ‘Boom' Briggs, 18. John Winge, 19. Jeremy Miller (DNS) Brian Birkhofer, Chad Ruhlman, Dustin Hapka

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Booper Bare, 2. Brad Neat, 3. Randy Korte, 4. Jared Landers, 5. John Blankenship, 6. Jeff Rine, 7. Bo Feathers, 8. Tyler Reddick, 9. Shannon Babb, 10. Bob Gordon, 11. Spencer Liggon, 12. Eric Wells, 13. Mike Gault, 14. Larry Blankenship, 15. Clint Smith, 16. D.J. Wells (DNS) Jeremy Faircloth, Dustin Mitchell, Jimmy Owens, Jerry Rice

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Brady Smith, 2. Vic Coffey, 3. Austin Hubbard, 4. Eddie Carrier Jr., 5. Dennis Franklin, 6. Ray Cook, 7. Matt Lux, 8. Will Vaught, 9. Brian Ruhlman, 10. Doug Horton, 11. Jim Yoder, 12. Al Shawver Jr., 13. Walker Arthur, 14. Steve Shaver, 15. Petey Ivey, 16. Brent Robinson, 17. Trey Martin, 18. Chris Ferguson (DNS) Devin Friese

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Ricky Elliott, John Blankenship, Dennis Franklin
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Eric Jacobsen
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Austin Dillon
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Austin Dillon
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Jason Feger, Booper Bare, Brady Smith
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brad Neat
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Scott Bloomquist
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Jimmy Owens
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Nov. 6 – 39 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 5284 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 5280 (-4)
3. Darrell Lanigan 5198 (-86)
4. Tim Fuller 5116 (-168)
5. Rick Eckert 5086 (-198)
6. Shane Clanton 5038 (-246)
7. Chub Frank 4943 (-341)
8. Brady Smith 4859 (-425)
9. Clint Smith 4780 (-504)
10. Russell King 4318 (-966)
11. Jordan Bland 4131 (-1153)
12. Brent Robinson 3907 (-1377)
13. Dustin Hapka 3572 (-1712)
14. Tyler Reddick 3392 (-1892)
15. Vic Coffey 3271 (-2013)
16. Austin Hubbard 3023 (-2261)
17. Gregg Satterlee 1903 (-3381)
18. Matt Lux 1892 (-3392)
19. Dan Stone 1676 (-3608)
20. Tim McCreadie 1642 (-3642)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Richards Repels Bloomquist For $12,750 Score In Thursday Night's Postponed Hungry Man Showdown At Lowe's Motor Speedway

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 5, 2009 - Josh Richards is ready to battle for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship.

The 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., tuned up for his World Finals showdown with Steve Francis in fine fashion on Thursday night, repelling a late restart challenge from Scott Bloomquist to capture the postponed 50-lap Hungry Man Showdown at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Richards remained four points behind Francis in the WoO LMS standings because the special event, which was rescheduled to the end of the World Finals qualifying night due to difficult track conditions and the late hour on Wednesday, offered only show-up points. But with a powerful performance, Richards picked up plenty of momentum in his pursuit of a first career tour title.

“This is definitely a big confidence booster,” said Richards, who registered his series-leading eighth victory of the 2009 season. “We're still second in the points and I know it's gonna be tight for the rest of the weekend, but this gets the whole crew pumped up.”

The triumph was Richards's first since July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., and was worth a cool $12,750, including a $2,000 ‘passing bonus' for winning from the second starting spot. It was his 20th career WoO LMS victory, moving him out of a tie with Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and into sole possession of second place on the tour's win list since 2004.

In an A-Main that was run with conventionally-bodied cars after officials decided to scrap the planned ‘topless' format following the postponement, Richards raced off the outside pole to grab the lead from Francis on lap 12. He built more than a straightaway lead before caution flags on laps 47 and 48 – the only slowdowns of the event – allowed Mooresburg, Tenn.'s Bloomquist to mount a last-ditch bid.

Bloomquist, who turns 46 on Nov. 14, appeared primed to overtake Richards one circuit after the lap-47 restart, but another caution flag on lap 48 stopped the challenge. Richards then dominated the ensuing restart, steering his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car away from Bloomquist's Team Zero machine to beat the 2004 WoO LMS champion by 0.844 of a second.

Francis, who led laps 1-11 after starting from the pole position, settled for third place in Dale Beitler's Reliable Painting Rocket. He lost the runner-up position to Bloomquist on the lap-47 restart that followed a caution flag for the stopped car driven by Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.

Defending Showdown winner Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., finished fourth and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., placed fifth after his advance from the 11th starting spot stalled over the final 22 laps.

Richards was both hindered and helped by the late caution flags. The first nearly cost him the race, and the second likely saved it for him.

“My right-rear tire gave up with about seven (laps) to go,” said Richards, who recorded his second career WoO LMS win at The Dirt Track. “I was leaning on it pretty hard trying to get by lapped cars because I didn't know how much of a lead I had. Then all of a sudden it just died – like instantly. I was just skating around. It felt like I fell off a half-second.”

After Richards saw his huge lead wiped out by the caution flag on lap 47, Bloomquist charged around Francis on the restart and had his car outside of Richards's machine heading down the backstretch on lap 48. But the circuit wasn't completed because Eric Jacobsen of Sea Cliff Beach, Calif., spun on the homestretch to bring out another caution flag, and Richards powered away when the green flag returned.

“I just ran it harder and wider after the last restart,” said Richards. “I figured I was either gonna win or just kill the tires. I gave it all I had and it worked out.”

Richards credited his successful run to his crew members, who scrambled to get his No. 1 machine ready for the A-Main after he ran into trouble during his World Finals second-round qualifying laps a short time before the Hungry Man Showdown.

“I let off the gas at the end of my second (time trial) lap and about knocked the whole front end off the car,” said Richards. “All the guys at the trailer worked hard to fix what I did. We barely got it ready for the feature.”

Austin Dillon of Welcome, N.C. – the 19-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress – scored a WoO LMS career-best finish of sixth. The run earned him the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who had never won a tour A-Main and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., slipped backward from the fourth starting spot, finishing seventh. Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., finished eighth, followed by Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., and Randle Chupp of Troutman, N.C.

Missing from the Hungry Man Showdown starting field was WoO LMS regular Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who was sidelined for the weekend after suffering a facial injury in what he called “a freak deal” during the event's first heat race on Wednesday night. A blow to Frank's helmet from a flying clod of clay left him with a badly swollen and bruised right eye and cheekbone.

After being treated and released from a local hospital, Frank was back at the track on Wednesday night before the A-Main was postponed. He said doctors found some cracks and fractures in the bones under his eye and in his cheek; he plans to see a specialist for further evaluation when he returns home.

Frank's absence from Thursday's Showdown lineup marked just the second WoO LMS A-Main since 2004 that he has not started. The only previous A-Main he did not start was on March 14, 2004, at Atomic Speedway in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Jeff Cooke of Spartanburg, S.C., who suffered facial injuries in a separate incident during Wednesday night's first heat, remained at a North Carolina hospital on Thursday undergoing treatment.

The World Finals continue on Friday and Saturday at The Dirt Track, with hot laps scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. and racing set to take the green flag at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Hungry Man Showdown' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Josh Richards/50 $12,750
2. (3) Scott Bloomquist/50 $5,000
3. (1) Steve Francis/50 $3,600
4. (5) Chris Madden/50 $2,500
5. (11) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $2,000
6. (9) Austin Dillon/50 $2,200
7. (4) Brady Smith/50 $1,900
8. (8) Jonathan Davenport/50 $1,300
9. (6) Jeep VanWormer/50 $1,200
10. (12) Randle Chupp/50 $1,200
11. (16) Rick Eckert/50 $1,550
12. (15) Ray Cook/50 $1,000
13. (22) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,550
14. (7) Jeremy Miller/50 $900
15. (10) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $850
16. (21) Chris Ferguson/50 $800
17. (18) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $770
18. (17) Eric Jacobsen/50 $750
19. (13) Gregg Satterlee/50 $730
20. (19) Dennis Franklin/49 $700
21. (20) Tyler Reddick/49 $950
22. (23) Jimmy Owens/49 $700
23. (28) Russell King/49 $1,200
24. (24) Dan Schlieper/46 $700
25. (14) Austin Hubbard/45 $700
26. (27) Clint Smith/20 $1,200
27. (26) Shane Clanton/14 $1,200
28. (25) Tim Fuller/14 $1,200

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 22 Mins., 53.100 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.844 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 47, 48)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-11); Richards (12-50)
Provisional Starters: Fuller, Clanton, C. Smith, King
Rookie of the Race: Tyler Reddick ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Austin Dillon ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Matt Barnes (Richards)

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Jordan Bland, Donnie Moran, Mike Gault
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Austin Dillon
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Randle Chupp
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Brady Smith
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Dennis Franklin, Tyler Reddick, Chris Ferguson
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Josh Richards
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Shannon Babb
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Nov. 5 – 38 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 5148 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 5144 (-4)
3. Darrell Lanigan 5056 (-92)
4. Tim Fuller 5000 (-148)
5. Rick Eckert 4942 (-206)
6. Shane Clanton 4910 (-238)
7. Chub Frank 4868 (-280)
8. Brady Smith 4749 (-399)
9. Clint Smith 4656 (-492)
10. Russell King 4204 (-944)
11. Jordan Bland 4056 (-1092)
12. Brent Robinson 3832 (-1316)
13. Dustin Hapka 3497 (-1651)
14. Tyler Reddick 3317 (-1831)
15. Vic Coffey 3167 (-1981)
16. Austin Hubbard 2948 (-2200)
17. Matt Lux 1817 (-3331)
18. Gregg Satterlee 1781 (-3367)
19. Dan Stone 1601 (-3547)
20. Tim McCreadie 1546 (-3602)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Lanigan & Bloomquist Share Fast-Time Honors As Third Annual World Finals Opens Thursday Night With 80-Car Dirt Late Model Turnout

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 5, 2009 - Former World of Outlaws Late Model Series champions Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., shined on Thursday night, sharing fast-time honors in the two rounds of time trials that kicked off the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

A massive field of 80 dirt Late Models jammed the pit area for the blockbuster doubleheader, which also attracted 57 machines for the companion World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series meet. It was a record two-division total for the fall event.

Lanigan, 39, earned the pole position for the first heat race on Friday night by registering the fastest lap in the first round of Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. His clocking of 16.185 seconds just nipped Bloomquist, who led a group of his Team Zero by Bloomquist chassis mates in taking four of the top-five spots in the opening round of qualifying.

The fast-time award was Lanigan's fifth of the 2009 WoO LMS season behind the wheel of his Rocket car.

Bloomquist, who turns 46 on Nov. 14, roared back in the second round of time trials, touring the four-tenths-mile oval in 15.912 seconds to register the fastest overall lap of the evening. The 2004 WoO LMS titlist's performance earned him the pole starting spot in Saturday night's first heat race as he seeks to win a World Finals A-Main for the third consecutive year.

Thursday's first round of time trials set the lineups for Friday night's heats, while the second round of qualifying was used to align Saturday night's heats.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. – the main combatants in this weekend's battle for the $100,000 WoO LMS championship – were separated by less than a tenth of a second in both qualifying rounds. Francis timed seventh and 22nd, while Richards was 13th and 20th on the time-trial charts.

Francis enters the pair of 50-lap World Finals A-Mains holding a narrow four-point lead over Richards. Lanigan is 92 points behind Francis in third place and remains mathematically alive in the title hunt, but he will need Francis and Richards to experience bad luck in both races to repeat as champion.

Ironically, the top-three drivers in the WoO LMS points standings will start from the first three starting spots in Friday night's first heat race. Lanigan and Francis will share the front row with Richards starting third.

The World Finals continue on Friday and Saturday, with hot laps scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. and racing set to take the green flag at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday night's World Finals program will be televised live by the SPEED cable network from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

Round 1 Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results For Fri., Nov. 6 Heat Races (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 16.185
2. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 16.214
3. s9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 16.309
4. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 16.340
5. 44M-Chris Madden/Gaffney, SC 16.344
6. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 16.358
7. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.359
8. 44H-Adam Hensel/Barron, WI 16.369
9. 3d-Austin Dillon/Welcome, NC 16.380
10. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 16.398
11. 44p-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 16.399
12. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 16.407
13. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.417
14. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 16.466
15. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 16.480
16. 18b-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 16.482
17. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 16.488
18. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.497
19. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 16.504
20. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 16.507
21. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.508
22. 17T-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 16.541
23. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 16.542
24. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 16.556
25. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.577
26. 4T-Tommy Kerr/Maryville, TN 16.582
27. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 16.594
28. 41-Brad Neat/Dunnville, KY 16.597
29. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.604
30. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 16.618
31. 15B-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 16.624
32. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 16.633
33. 00K-Randy Korte/Highland, IL 16.634
34. 1W-Ricky Weeks/Rutherfordton, NC 16.636
35. 49R-Brian Ruhlman/Clarklake, MI 16.637
36. 22F-Chris Ferguson/Mount Holly, NC 16.644
37. 6-Randle Chupp/Troutman, NC 16.649
38. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 16.679
39. 17-Mike Gault/Gaffney, SC 16.691
40. 5-Eric Jacobsen/Sea Cliff Beach, CA 16.697
41. 21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 16.717
42. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.728
43. 88-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 16.766
44. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 16.772
45. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 16.782
46. 11J-Jerry Rice/Verona, KY 16.784
47. 12F-Devin Friese/St. Thomas, PA 16.786
48. 1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 16.796
49. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 16.799
50. 09-Johnny Pursley/Clover, SC 16.804
51. 2J-Jeff Rine/Danville, PA 16.815
52. 00F-Bo Feathers/Winchester, VA 16.819
53. 53-Ray Cook/Brasstown, NC 16.820
54. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 16.828
55. 9s-Ken Schrader/Concord, NC 16.835
56. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.838
57. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.843
58. 00b-Booper Bare/Rock Bridge Baths, VA 16.871
59. 2F-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 16.889
60. 87-Walker Arthur/Forest, VA 16.909
61. 20R-Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY 16.916
62. 75-Cruz Pedregon/Brownsburg, IN 16.926
63. 32-Larry Blankenship/Mooresville, NC 16.965
64. 4-Jeremy Faircloth/Swainsboro, GA 17.037
65. 27-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 17.041
66. 75H-Petey Ivey/Shelby, NC 17.072
67. 99B-Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 17.137
68. 27-Ben Faircloth/Swainsboro, GA 17.159
69. 31-Bob Gordon/Keyser, WV 17.254
70. d8-Dustin Mitchell/Princeton, NC 17.262
71. 1G-Doug Horton/Bruceton Mills, WV 17.272
72. 1M-Trey Martin/Charleston, WV 17.320
73. 44L-Justin Labonte/Trinity, NC 17.369
74. 00H-Chuck Harper/Beverly, WV 17.402
75. 11W-D.J. Wells/Wooton, KY 17.588
76. 18L-Spencer Liggon/Lexington, NC 17.707
77. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 17.887
78. 215-Al Shawver Jr./Hampstead, MD 18.038
79. 17J-John Winge/Ringgold, GA 18.068
80. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND N/T
NOTE: 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA – N/T (WoO LMS regular – injured, unable to compete; receives 75 hardship points for Friday event)

Round 2 Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results For Sat., Nov. 7 Heat Races (Position/No./Driver//Best Lap):

1. Scott Bloomquist 15.912
2. Rick Eckert 16.185
3. Gregg Satterlee 16.231
4. Chris Ferguson 16.317
5. Darrell Lanigan 16.335
6. Shane Clanton 16.363
7. Tim McCreadie 16.365
8. Jimmy Owens 16.368
9. Clint Smith 16.385
10. Earl Pearson Jr. 16.398
11. Dan Schlieper 16.423
12. Shannon Babb 16.470
13. Chris Madden 16.478
14. Eric Wells 16.479
15. Jeremy Faircloth 16.483
16. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr. 16.493
17. Dale McDowell 16.498
18. Tommy Kerr 16.500
19. Eric Jacobsen 16.501
20. Josh Richards 16.502
21. Brady Smith 16.519
22. Steve Francis 16.525
23. Tim Fuller 16.537
24. Steve Shaver 16.562
25. Tyler Reddick 16.577
26. Jordan Bland 16.578
27. John Blankenship 16.610
28. Rick ‘Boom' Briggs 16.638
29. Johnny Pursley 16.647
30. Mike Knight 16.660
31. Dennis Franklin 16.676
32. Vic Coffey 16.678
33. Jeep VanWormer 16.700
34. Matt Lux 16.715
35. Russell King 16.718
36. Brad Neat 16.725
37. Austin Dillon 16.727
38. Jeremy Miller 16.754
39. Dan Stone 16.760
40. Petey Ivey 16.783
41. Brian Birkhofer 16.803
42. Jason Feger 16.815
43. Randle Chupp 16.816
44. Mike Gault 16.818
45. Austin Hubbard 16.833
46. Ricky Weeks 16.841
47. Randy Korte 16.860
48. Will Vaught 16.869
49. Tim Dohm 16.889
50. Ken Schrader 16.895
51. D.J. Wells 16.895
52. Booper Bare 16.903
53. Ray Cook 16.917
54. Jared Landers 16.917
55. Jerry Rice 16.921
56. Larry Blankenship 16.941
57. Donnie Moran 16.957
58. Brent Robinson 16.960
59. Devin Friese 16.989
60. Chad Ruhlman 17.036
61. Justin Labonte 17.048
62. Ben Faircloth 17.055
63. Ricky Elliott 17.062
64. Brian Ruhlman 17.080
65. Jeff Rine 17.086
66. Adam Hensel 17.090
67. Bo Feathers 17.168
68. Doug Horton 17.266
69. Chuck Harper 17.272
70. Jim Yoder 17.308
71. Bob Gordon 17.312
72. Walker Arthur 17.349
73. Al Shawver Jr. 17.422
74. Spencer Liggon 17.571
75. Dustin Mitchell 17.657
76. Cruz Pedregon 17.792
77. Trey Martin 17.876
78. Chad Hollenbeck 17.991
79. John Winge 18.284
80. 18H-Dustin Hapka N/T
NOTE: 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA – N/T (WoO LMS regular – injured, unable to compete; receives 75 hardship points for Saturday event)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Mourns Passing Of Veteran Car Owner Raye Vest

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 5, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series lost a treasured supporter on Wednesday with the passing of longtime team owner Raye Vest.

A stalwart on the WoO LMS with driver Rick Eckert since the national tour's reincarnation in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner, Vest died at his home in White Plains, Md., on Wednesday afternoon due to complications from health problems he had been battling for several years. He was 76.

Eckert, who is completing his 14th consecutive season driving for Vest, learned of Vest's death while at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., preparing for Wednesday night's Topless Showdown event. He had talked to a weak Vest earlier in the day, and just minutes before Vest passed away Eckert had called Vest's wife to relay the time-trial number he picked for Wednesday's program.

The sad news soon began to circulate through a pit area filled with people who knew Vest well, casting a pall over the evening's activities. A moment of silence was observed in Vest's honor prior to the start of the racing card.

“Raye and Rick were the first two people I met at my first World of Outlaws Late Model Series show in 2004,” said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. “I could tell instantly that Raye was a man who cared deeply about racing and cared about creating a family within the team. I'm glad I had the opportunity to present him the (WoO LMS) Outstanding Contribution to the Sport award (following the 2007 season). The entire racing community will miss him.”

No one will miss Vest more than Eckert, a 43-year-old dirt Late Model superstar from York, Pa., whose career reached its greatest heights behind the wheel of the familiar orange Raye Vest Racing No. 24 machines.

“He's like a second father,” an emotional Eckert said of Vest as he stood solemnly in his trailer on Wednesday afternoon. “He was the best car owner a driver could ever ask for – he loved racing more than anybody I've ever known.”

A hard-working, self-made man, Vest attended his first dirt-track race in 1949 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway – he was raised in the mountains of western Virginia, about two miles from the home of NASCAR pioneer Curtis Turner – but didn't become actively involved in the sport until later in life. Nearly 25 years ago he began helping driver George Moreland after his children had grown up and his business, Raye Vest Excavating, had become well-established. He soon developed into a full-fledged team owner.

Vest first met Eckert during the early ‘90s. He grew more friendly with the then rising young driver when Eckert and Vest's team (with driver Nathan Durboraw) often traveled together on the former STARS tour, and in 1995 Vest phoned with a ride offer.

“Raye and Nathan had split and he started the year with Rodney Franklin,” said Eckert. “I think it was halfway through the year and (Vest and Franklin) split up. Raye called me up and asked if I was interested in driving his car. I told him, ‘Sure,' so he said, ‘Why don't you drive down here and we'll talk about it?'

“I drove down to his house and – well, it was sort of strange. We were talking, sitting in his living room. We had everything hashed out, everything's looking good, and his wife walks in and says, ‘Hi, I'm Barb. I just want to tell you that I hate racing. I hate race cars. They don't make any sense to me.' She walked back out of the room and I said to Raye, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? He was like, ‘Yep, I'm sure.'”

Mrs. Vest eventually came around to her husband's beloved hobby.

“Over the years we've got to where Barb and all of us are like family,” said Eckert, who with his wife, Kristal, has often vacationed with Vest and his wife at Vest's off-season home on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. “She was never overly thrilled with the racing until she seen how much he loved it. When he retired (after selling his business in 2003), she really loved it because it gave him something to keep him going.

“Matter of fact, I remember one thing Barb said a couple years ago, right here at Charlotte,” he continued. “Every year for the past five years it's been rumored that Raye was quitting, and we were there in his camper when Nathan Durboraw climbed in and asked him, ‘Raye, I hear you're quitting.' Raye said, ‘Where'd you hear that at?' and Nathan told him, ‘I heard it in the pits.'

“Then Barb piped up and said, ‘He ain't quitting. I ain't letting him quit. He ain't quitting probably until he takes his last breath.”

Eckert's voice trails off for a moment. Fighting back tears, he added, “Turns out, that is what happened.”

Vest had, in fact, informed Eckert earlier this year that the 2009 season would bring an end to their amazingly long and successful run as owner and driver. With his failing health preventing him from attending no more than a handful of races in recent years, he decided that the time had come to shut down his race team.

“The last couple years he could get to four or five races, but this year he barely got to any,” said Eckert. “It just got to where it was so hard for him to go, so when he said he was gonna quit, I totally understood.”

Nevertheless, it had to be a gut-wrenching decision for Vest, who enjoyed his greatest racing days with Eckert. Over the past six years they were easily the most recognizable owner-driver combination on the WoO LMS, entering every event (221 going into this week's action at The Dirt Track) and rolling up 19 victories (tied for second on the tour win list since 2004) and points finishes of third (‘04), fourth (‘05), seventh (‘06), fifth (‘07) and seventh (‘08).

Eckert has also brought Vest plenty of glory away from the WoO LMS. His record with Vest includes back-to-back UDTRA/Xtreme DirtCar Series titles (2001-2002); $100,000 payoffs for winning the 1999 ‘Dream' at Ohio's Eldora Speedway and the UDTRA/Xtreme ‘Great Northern Challenge' in 2002; major-event victories in the Dirt Track World Championship at Kentucky's Bluegrass Speedway (2004), Scorcher 100 at Volunteer Speedway (2005) and National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway (2004 and 2005); and even a handful of ARCA Series superspeedway starts in the ‘90s. He gave Vest a final checkered flag on Oct. 25, winning the Octoberfest 100 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway, a half-mile oval that was Vest's hometrack.

Vest cherished all the memorable moments that Eckert provided him, but he cared even more for the personal relationship he developed with his hired gun.

“There aren't many people like Rick Eckert,” Vest said two years ago after receiving the WoO LMS Outstanding Contribution to the Sport. “He's a very honest man, a good man, a good boy.

“He's also a hard worker, and that's what you're looking for as a car owner. He's treats my stuff like it's his, which is one of the main reasons him and I have been together so long.”

And one of the reasons why Vest made sure Eckert's future would remain solid upon his departure as a car owner.

“After Raye told me (of his decision to leave racing), he said, ‘Well, what do you think I oughta do with all this racing stuff?'” commented Eckert. “I told him, ‘Somehow, I'd like to buy it or somehow take it over to where I can keep racing it.' He said, ‘Well, O.K., we'll work something out.'

“In a matter of a week or so we hashed everything out. He didn't really want anyone to know, and I didn't care if anybody knew either. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, he said, ‘You can probably start telling people now that I'm not gonna be back.' I thought, It's not that big a deal. Let's just wait until the end of the year.”

Vest's passing prompted Eckert to reveal the news with three races still remaining on the 2009 WoO LMS schedule. He then admitted that this weekend's meet at The Dirt Track, which includes the season-ending World Finals on Nov. 5-7, would be the toughest races he's ever run in his life.

“I probably would think about loading up and going home right now,” Eckert said while still coming to grips with Vest's passing on Wednesday afternoon. “But I know he would say, ‘Get out there and race.'”

So Eckert will run one more weekend with Raye Vest officially listed as his car owner. Vest will always, after all, remain in Eckert's heart.

“Once we settled what we were doing (with Vest's equipment), he said to me, ‘I still want to be able to call the shop,'” said Eckert, his voice beginning to crack. “I told him, ‘I wouldn't expect you not to, you know?'”

Eckert paused. With his wife hugging him from behind and a tear rolling down his cheek from behind a pair of dark sunglasses, Eckert said of Vest, “He calls the shop every day...every day.”

No longer will Eckert hear Vest's distinctive southern drawl on the other end of those daily phone calls, but the car owner's memory will certainly live on.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Track Conditions Force Postponement Of Topless Showdown A-Main To Thursday Night (Nov. 5) At The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 4, 2009 - Difficult track conditions and the late hour prompted the postponement of Wednesday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Topless Showdown by Hungry Man' A-Main at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

As the midnight hour approached with track crews still working to get the four-tenths-mile oval's surface ready for feature action, LMS and WoO LMS officials decided to reschedule the evening's 50-lap headliner to Thursday night (Nov. 5). The event will be run following the completion of Late Model and Sprint Car time trials for the World of Outlaws World Finals.

“In the interests of the fans and competitors, we decided that the best course of action was to postpone the Topless Showdown feature event to Thursday night,” said Seamus Curley, the short-track racing manager at Lowe's Motor Speedway. “We battled the track conditions all night, and with curfew being an issue we just didn't have enough time to get the surface right.

Rainchecks and pit bands from the Topless Showdown by Hungry Man will be accepted for entry on Thursday.

A massive 82-car field signed in for the Wednesday night's program, which was moved to the eve of the World Finals after rain washed out the event on its original Oct. 14 date.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., was the Topless Showdown fast qualifier for the second consecutive year, logging a lap of 14.674 seconds during single-lap time trials that was just two-thousandths of a second off the dirt Late Model track record held by Billy Moyer.

Heat winners were Richards, WoO LMS points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., and Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C. The B-Mains were captured by Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C.

Francis drew the pole position for the A-Main. Richards, who sits second in the WoO LMS points standings, will start alongside his championship rival on the front row of the Topless Showdown.

Separate incidents during the evening's first heat sent WoO LMS regular Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and former Carolina Clash champion Jeff Cooke of Spartanburg, S.C., to a local hospital for evaluation. Frank was back at the speedway when the postponement announcement was made after receiving treatment for a facial injury, while Cooke remained at a hospital under observation.

Thursday's World Finals program features two rounds of time trials for both divisions – one to set the heat lineups for Friday's action, one to align Saturday's heats. Complete programs of heats, B-Mains and A-Mains will highlight the cards on Fri., Nov. 6, and Sat., Nov. 7, with the WoO LMS standouts chasing a first-place prize of $10,000 in each evening's 50-lap A-Main.

Saturday's competition will be aired live on the SPEED cable network starting at 8 p.m. ET.

World Finals ticket information is available by calling 1-800-455- 3267 or visiting www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

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

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.674
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.676
3. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.694
4. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 14.712
5. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 14.725
6. 44M-Chris Madden/Gaffney, SC 14.742
7. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.771
8. 18b-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 14.772
9. 3d-Austin Dillon/Welcome, NC 14.776
10. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 14.812
11. 6-Randle Chupp/Troutman, NC 14.873
12. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.874
13. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 14.912
14. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 14.922
15. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.925
16. 53-Ray Cook/Brasstown, NC 14.933
17. 22F-Chris Ferguson/Mount Holly, NC 14.934
18. 44p-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 14.945
19. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 14.984
20. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 15.011
21. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.025
22. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.025
23. 4T-Tommy Kerr/Maryville, TN 15.059
24. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.083
25. 32-Larry Blankenship/Mooresville, NC 15.090
26. 41-Brad Neat/Dunnville, KY 15.144
27. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 15.152
28. 75x-Petey Ivey/Shelby, NC 15.153
29. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 15.156
30. 5J-Eric Jacobsen/Sea Cliff Beach, CA 15.169
31. 12F-Devin Friese/St. Thomas, PA 15.177
32. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 15.182
33. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.194
34. 4-Jeremy Faircloth/Swainsboro, GA 15.231
35. 33-Chris Meadows/Crab Orchard, WV 15.236
36. 9s-Ken Schrader/Concord, NC 15.248
37. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.287
38. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 15.290
39. 15B-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 15.294
40. 1G-Doug Horton/Bruceton Mills, WV 15.327
41. 27-Ben Faircloth/Swainsboro, GA 15.329
42. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA15.351
43. 2J-Jeff Rine/Danville, PA 15.374
44. 99M-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 15.377
45. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.394
46. 00K-Randy Korte/Highland, IL 15.459
47. 87-Walker Arthur/Forest, VA 15.504
48. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 15.517
49. 11J-Jerry Rice/Verona, KY 15.544
50. 2F-Dennis Franklin/Gaffney, SC 15.556
51. 00b-Booper Bare/Rock Bridge Baths, VA 15.601
52. 99B-Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 15.623
53. 44H-Adam Hensel/Barron, WI 15.624
54. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.641
55. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.643
56. 27-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 15.668
57. 49R-Brian Ruhlman/Clarklake, MI 15.692
58. 00F-Bo Feathers/Winchester, VA 15.759
59. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 15.837
60. 98G-David Gilliland/Mooresville, NC 15.921
61. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 16.024
62. 45-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.053
63. D8-Dustin Mitchell/Princeton, NC 16.313
64. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 16.357
65. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 16.403
66. 17g-Mike Gault/Gaffney, SC 16.429
67. 00H-Chuck Harper/Beverly, WV 16.568
68. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 16.575
69. 17J-John Winge/Ringgold, GA 16.734
70. 44L-Justin Labonte/Trinity, NC 17.060
71. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 18.205
72. 84-Randy Smith/Fort Mill, SC 18.438
73. 99c-Jeff Cooke/Spartanburg, SC N/T
74. 1w-Ricky Weeks/Rutherfordton, NC N/T
75. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR N/T
76. 17T-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV N/T
77. 9s-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI N/T
78. 10*-Dane Burns/New London, NC N/T
79. 25M-Brett Miller/Greenville, TN 15.733 (DQ)
80. 1M-Trey Martin/Charleston, WV 16.199 (DQ)
81. 75-Cruz Pedregon/Brownsburg, IN 16.297 (DQ)
82. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA N/T (DQ)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, J. Miller, Satterlee, Knight, Lanigan, Friese, Rine, Rice, Martin, L. Blankenship, Cooke, Frank, Harper (DNS) Wells

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Francis, McDowell, VanWormer, Hubbard, Neat, Franklin, Moran, Pedregon, Yoder, Roberts, Babb, Shaver (DNS) Landers, Weeks

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, Dillon, Eckert, Reddick, Owens, Birkhofer, King, Coffey, Bare, Ruhlman, Hollenbeck, Winge, Mitchell (DNS) Moyer

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bloomquist, Erb, Cook, Ivey, Horton, Korte, Feathers, Briggs, Burns, Labonte, McCreadie, J. Faircloth, Feger, Dohm

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Davenport, Chupp, Carrier, Ferguson, Stone, Hensel, Arthur, Kerr, B. Faircloth, J. Blankenship, Robinson (DNS) Meadows, Schlieper

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Madden, Pearson, Jacobsen, C. Smith, Bland, Gilliland, B. Miller, Gault, Hapka, R. Smith, Clanton, Schrader, Fuller

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Franklin, Lanigan, Friese, Rine, Moran, Rice, Pedregon, Harper, L. Blankenship, Knight, Martin (DNS) Neat, Yoder, Roberts, Babb, Cooke, Shaver, Frank, Landers, Weeks, Wells, McDowell

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Reddick, Owens, Birkhofer, Horton, Ivey, Ruhlman, Hollenbeck, King, Winge (DNS) Korte, Feathers, Coffey, Briggs, Bare, Burns, Labonte, McCreadie, J. Faircloth, Mitchell, Feger, Moyer, Dohm

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Ferguson, Schlieper, Hensel, Gilliland, Gault, B. Miller, Robinson, Bland, C. Smith, Stone, Arthur (DNS) Neat, Kerr, B. Faircloth, Hapka, Blankenship, R. Smith, Clanton, Meadows, Schrader, Fuller

Topless Showdown A-Main Lineup:

Row 1: Steve Francis/Josh Richards
Row 2: Scott Bloomquist/Brady Smith
Row 3: Chris Madden/Jeep VanWormer
Row 4: Jeremy Miller/Jonathan Davenport
Row 5: Austin Dillon/Dennis Erb Jr.
Row 6: Earl Pearson Jr./Randle Chupp
Row 7: Gregg Satterlee/Austin Hubbard
Row 8: Ray Cook/Rick Eckert
Row 9: Eric Jacobsen/Eddie Carrier Jr.
Row 10: Dennis Franklin/Tyler Reddick
Row 11: Chris Ferguson/Darrell Lanigan
Row 12: Jimmy Owens/Dan Schlieper
Row 13: Tim Fuller/Shane Clanton
Row 14: Clint Smith/Russell King

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing The Topless Showdown (Nov. 4) & World Finals (Nov. 5-7)

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 3, 2009 -

GRAND FINALE: The 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season concludes with a blockbuster four-day meet at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway, beginning on Wednesday night (Nov. 4) with the postponed ‘Topless Showdown by Hungry Man' and continuing with the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7.

With the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series also part of the World Finals, the four-tenths-mile oval is the only track where fans can see the two WoO tours race together on the same program in 2009.

THE FORMAT: Thanks to Mother Nature washing out the Topless Showdown on its original Oct. 14 date, the World Finals has a thrilling dirt Late Model lead-in for the second consecutive year.

Wednesday night's Topless Showdown – the only WoO LMS event this season in which teams will remove their cars' fiberglass roofs to give fans a clear view of the drivers working the steering wheel – will include a normal tour program of time trials, heat races, B-Mains and a 50-lap A-Main. But there's a wrinkle thrown in that makes this show stand out from the crowd.

The Topless Showdown features a unique bonus program and starting-position draw. It offers a base purse of $10,000 for first place in the A-Main, but if the winning driver submitted an official entry form prior to deadline they will also receive a ‘passing' bonus in an amount equal to $1,000 multiplied by their starting position – a perk that could push the winner's take-home pay to as much as $30,000.

In addition, the heat-race qualifiers will participate in the ‘Southern Fried Scramble' draw that gives them a chance to play it safe or roll the dice in pursuit of the maximum $20,000 bonus prize. The draw will consist of five buckets holding four starting-spot pills each – positions 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 and 17-20. When the drivers are called up to draw in the order of their heat finishes (winners first, etc.), they'll have the option of selecting a pill from any of the buckets. Essentially they can guarantee themselves a starting spot in the first two rows of the A-Main by staying conservative and sticking their hand in the first bucket – or they can go for a position further back in the field that would set them up to claim a huge paycheck if they win the Showdown.

After Wednesday's action gets fans heated up, the World Finals kicks off on Thursday night with time trials for both the WoO LMS and Sprint Car Series. Both tours will contest two separate rounds of qualifying – the first to line up Friday night's heat races, the second to align Saturday night's heats.

The Friday and Saturday cards will feature a full series of qualifying events and A-Mains for both divisions. The WoO LMS A-Main is scheduled to run last on Friday night and the WoO Sprint Car headliner is set to close out Saturday night's competition.

THE DRAMA: After 37 WoO LMS A-Mains this season, Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., holds a mere four-point lead over Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in the battle for the $100,000 tour championship.

Wednesday night's Topless Showdown offers only WoO LMS show-up points, so the title will be determined in the pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win headliners on Friday and Saturday nights.

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., is third in the standings and still has flickering hopes of repeating. But with a 92-point deficit to Francis, Lanigan can only make a miraculous comeback if both drivers in front of him experience major problems in each A-Main.

That leaves Francis, 43, and Richards, 21, in a one-on-one face-off for the points crown. A win is worth 150 points, second place is 146 and then each remaining position drops two points, so every spot will be critical.

Does one of the championship combatants have an edge at The Dirt Track? Not really. Both drivers have one career win at the speedway – Francis the 2008 Colossal 100, Richards last year's World Finals finale.

What's more, both drivers have performed well in the two previous World Finals. Richards preceded his victory last year with a 10th-place finish, and in 2007 he finished fifth and 11th in the two A-Mains. Francis, meanwhile, didn't take the green flag in last year's Friday-night A-Main due to a busted transmission during the pace laps, but that's the only time he's placed outside the top five in the World Finals – he was fifth in last year's Saturday-night 50-lapper, and in '07 he was fourth (from the 18th starting spot) on Friday and second on Saturday.

Earlier this year, in the Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track, Richards finished third and Francis took fourth.

HOW THEY'VE FARED: Of the 14 WoO LMS regulars who have entered every tour event in 2009, Richards is the only driver who has won a World Finals A-Main over the past two years and Francis is the lone Outlaw with a runner-up finish in a Finals feature.

Here's the career-best World Finals finishes for '09 WoO LMS regulars: Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (third – from the 22nd starting spot – on Saturday in 2007); Lanigan (fifth on Saturday in ‘07); Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (sixth on Friday in ‘07); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (sixth on Saturday in '08); Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (ninth on Saturday in ‘07); and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (17th on Saturday in '08).

Rookie of the Year contender Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., entered the 2007 and 2008 World Finals but did not qualify for an A-Main, while Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., will be making their first-ever World Finals appearances.

The 20-year-old King, who qualified for the Colossal 100 in his first start at The Dirt Track earlier this season, enters the weekend on the verge of clinching the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year crown. With King holding a 148-point edge over Bland in a points race determined using the rookies' best 30 finishes, the only way King can lose the crown is if he fails to finish 20th or better in at least one of the 50-lap A-Mains and Bland wins the two headline races in an unprecedented sweep.

HOW MANY CARS?: Big fields of dirt Late Models have been the rule for the World Finals and this year's edition figures to continue the tradition.

With more than 50 drivers pre-entered for the Topless Showdown and World Finals and many more with the events on their schedules, it's expected that the car count will approach, if not exceed, the turnout of the past two years. There were 82 cars signed in for qualifying in 2007 and 78 in 2008, and last year's Topless Showdown on the eve of the Finals drew a sterling 81-car field.

ROYAL FIELD: All five former WoO LMS champions are entered in this week's action – Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. (1988-89, 2005), Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn. (2004), Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (2006), Francis (2007) and Lanigan (2008).

Bloomquist is the only two-time winner in World Finals action after capturing the Friday-night A-Main in each of the past two seasons. McCreadie, meanwhile, scored a top finish of fourth in his lone Finals appearance in 2008, and Moyer is planning to run the event for the first time.

ROUND 2: The two drivers who produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the 2008 WoO LMS season – and have won the last two Topless Showdowns – will be back at The Dirt Track to reprise their battle.

Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., won last year's Topless Showdown over a charging Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., by a mere 0.077 of a second. It was Madden's fourth career triumph at The Dirt Track and he pocketed a cool $16,150, including a $6,000 ‘passing' bonus.

Babb won the 2007 Showdown, which was run three weeks before the World Finals and with roofs on the cars. He earned $18,225, including an $8,000 ‘passing' bonus.

PREPPING FOR '10: Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., and Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa. – two rising young talents who have expressed interest in applying for Rookie of the Year status on the 2010 WoO LMS – have filed entries for this week's race-fest.

Hubbard, 17, has entered more than half of this year's WoO LMS events and owns three top-five finishes. He recently turned heads by qualifying for the World 100 and Dirt Track World Championship in his first crack at both events.

The 24-year-old Satterlee, meanwhile, has one top-five finish in his 14 WoO LMS starts this season. He won 12 features in 2009 on the western Pennsylvania circuit.

TALENT GALORE: Other standout drivers expected to compete this week include 2009 UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill.; Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., who scored finishes of second and third in last year's World Finals; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., who set fast time in both rounds of qualifying during the '07 Finals; 2009 Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, who won the Saturday-night Finals A-Main in 2007; and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich.

STRAIGHT-LINE STAR POWER: An intriguing addition to this week's dirt Late Model field is two-time and reigning NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon, who will transition from flying down the drag strip at speeds of more than 300 mph to maneuvering a full-fender machine around The Dirt Track.

Pedregon purchased a dirt Late Model this season to run in selected events around his NHRA schedule and has quickly become a contender. He won his first career dirt Late Model feature on Aug. 8 at Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, Ind.

GET YOUR AUTOGRAPHS: A special autograph session featuring several WoO LMS stars and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ryan Newman will be held under The Dirt Track's grandstand at 5 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the start of the Topless Showdown.

Newman competed in last year's Topless Showdown, but after surviving a wild flip in Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Talladega Superspeedway he will stay out of the cockpit and instead sign autographs alongside his Steve Francis-prepared dirt Late Model.

OFF-TRACK ENTERTAINMENT: The Souvenir Village located just outside the front grandstand gate of The Dirt Track will be bustling with activity throughout the week.

In addition to the Late Model and Sprint Car merchandise trailers that will be open for business, a stage erected in the middle of the area will be a focal point for fans. A special free concert and party will be held there beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday night, and a pre-race show hosted by Virginia Motor Speedway announcer Dave Seay and reporter Ashlee Sieveke will put star drivers and noted track promoters in front of the crowd from 3-5 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

And on Saturday night, the national anthem will be sung by Broken Bow Records country music recording artist Ash Bowers.

TRAVEL ADVISORY: All fans and participants planning to travel to The Dirt Track through western North Carolina on I-40 should be aware that a portion of the highway is closed indefinitely due to a rockslide that occurred on Oct. 25.

The rockslide, which covered the highway at mile marker 2.6 in North Carolina, near the Tennessee state line, has closed I-40 from mile marker 451 in Tennessee to mile marker 20 in North Carolina.

An alternate route has been outlined for those travelling to Lowe's Motor Speedway from the Tennessee area. Travelers should take I-40 to I-81 North to Asheville. Take exit 57A to I-26 East. Exit to I-240 East, then take a left exit to I-40 East toward Statesville.

SCHEDULE: For the Topless Showdown on Wednesday, grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. and qualifying is set to commence at 6:45.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. for all three days of the World Finals. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday and 6:20 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

NATIONAL AUDIENCE: The finale of the World Finals on Sat., Nov. 8, will air live on the SPEED cable network beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Shane Andrews and former Lowe's Motor Speedway short-track manager Roger Slack will provide the commentary from the booth on the WoO LMS portion of the program.

Fans who can't make it to the track can also watch all the action leading up to Saturday's SPEED telecast on DIRTVision. Live video coverage of the Topless Showdown and first two nights of the World Finals through www.DIRTVision.com for a special World Finals subscription price of $12.99.

GET YOUR TICKETS: Tickets for Wednesday's World of Outlaws Topless Showdown are $25 for adults and $5 for children 12-and-under. Three-day passes for the World of Outlaws World Finals are just $59 for adults and $19 for children 12-and-under, and single-day tickets are also available.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings – 37 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 5073 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 5069 (-4)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4981 (-92)
4. Tim Fuller 4925 (-148)
5. Rick Eckert 4867 (-206)
6. Shane Clanton 4835 (-238)
7. Chub Frank 4793 (-280)
8. Brady Smith 4674 (-399)
9. Clint Smith 4581 (-492)
10. Russell King 4129 (-944)
11. Jordan Bland 3981 (-1092)
12. Brent Robinson 3757 (-1316)
13. Dustin Hapka 3422 (-1651)
14. Tyler Reddick 3242 (-1831)
15. Vic Coffey 3092 (-1981)
16. Austin Hubbard 2873 (-2200)
17. Matt Lux 1817 (-3256)
18. Gregg Satterlee 1706 (-3367)
19. Dan Stone 1526 (-3547)
20. Tim McCreadie 1471 (-3602)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model National Champ Jason Feger Heads For Lowe's Motor Speedway To Top Off Spectacular Season

CONCORD, NC - Nov. 2, 2009 - Jason Feger won't be an anonymous first-time visitor to The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway when he drives through the pit gate for the postponed Topless Showdown by Hungry Man (Nov. 4) and the World of Outlaws World Finals (Nov. 5-7).

Once a driver wins a prestigious title, after all, he becomes impossible to overlook.

So it is with Feger, a 31-year-old from Bloomington, Ill., who is heading for the big stage of The Dirt Track to top off a spectacular 2009 season that saw him emerge as the UMP DIRTcar Racing Super Late Model national champion.

“Since we won the championship we've gone to some tracks where fans have never seen us much before,” said Feger, who clinched the crown one week before the UMP DIRTcar points season ended with the organization's Nationals on Oct. 9-10 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. “A lot of fans came up to talk to me and I heard a lot of compliments, so you realize that winning the championship is a pretty big deal. More people know who you are.”

Feger figures to find himself in much the same situation at The Dirt Track. With his national title and 23 feature wins (at a remarkable 13 different tracks in four states) stamping him as one of the country's most successful dirt Late Model drivers in '09, he'll have plenty of eyes focused on him throughout the four days of competition for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Yes, expectations will be high for Feger, but he's ready for the challenge. Though this will be the first time he's ever seen the gorgeous four-tenths-mile oval in person, he plans to do his best to live up to the hype.

“I'm going to run as hard as I can, just like I always do,” said Feger, a personable racer whose distinctive style has earned him the nickname the ‘Highside Hustler.' “Everybody I talk to (about The Dirt Track) says I'm gonna like it, so that makes me feel good about going there. But if we're gonna do well we have to make the right decisions on tires (compounds) – that's what it's gonna come down to.

“We've had a great season in our area but this is going to be a whole new deal for us,” he continued. “We'll be running against the best drivers in the country, so it's going to be a real test. Talent-wise I feel I can go down there and run with them because we've done it this year around home, but when those guys come out here (to the Midwest) they play by our rules (using UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tires). It's a different story (during the World Finals) – we'll be on open tires, so you know it's gonna be a learning curve.

“We need to get better (running) on open tires. We haven't done that too much, and that's one of the reasons we want to go to Charlotte. We're trying to learn more and make our program better.”

Feger has certainly mastered the tough UMP DIRTcar circuit. Now in his eighth season behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model after excelling in UMP DIRTcar Sportsman action, Feger went from being named UMP DIRTcar's Most Improved Driver in 2008 to national champion in '09.

And Feger reached the promised land after a dramatic late-season showdown for the $20,000 points title with 37-year-old Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., who was bidding to sweep the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour and national championships for the third consecutive season. Feger held off Erb down the stretch to win the crown by 31 points.

“I think beating Dennis really makes the championship more special,” said Feger, who finished third in the 2008 national points battle. “A lot of people know how good Dennis is. He's good in the big shows and can win against anybody, and he's definitely the guy to beat around here. Whenever you roll into a racetrack – especially for the last three years – night and night out, Dennis is the guy you know you're gonna have to beat to win. You very rarely see that guy (finish) out of the top five.

“Racing against Dennis makes you focus to really stay up on your game. He's a competitor who hates to lose, so I think people know (the title) wasn't given to us or anything. We had to earn it.”

Feger feels honored to follow Erb as the UMP DIRTcar national champion since he sees a bit of himself in the gritty owner-operator known as the ‘One Man Band.' The two drivers have decidedly different personalities – while Feger is talkative and outgoing, Erb tends to be quiet and reserved – but they have scratched and clawed their way to the top of UMP DIRTcar Racing in much the same manner.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Feger said of Erb. “I feel like the way he's done it is kinda the way I've done it. He's a self-made guy who's worked his butt off to get where he is. I probably have a little more help in the pit (crew) department than him, but we come from the same ranks.”

Indeed, Feger and his family have slowly-but-surely assembled a championship-caliber operation. His entire rise has come driving Late Models under the banner of Feger Brothers Racing (that's Jason and his 29-year-old brother/crew chief Austin), though he credits his more recent associations with chassis builder Bob Pierce (Feger began running Pierce cars midway through the 2007 season), powerplant constructor Rhyne Engines and sponsors Stearn Ironworks and Jaxon Chase Steel Detailing with giving him that final push.

“To be kind of self-made and win the championship is a big deal in my mind,” said Feger, who works for his family's Absolute Apparel business when he's not racing (or getting ready to race) more than 80 nights a season. “It's not like we just had somebody give us money and we went out and used it. We've gotten our program really built up over time.

“It's definitely tough to do it this way,” he added. “It's a lot of hard work, but we're proof it can be done.”

Now Feger will try to continue his success story this week in front of a packed Lowe's Motor Speedway grandstand and a national television audience on the SPEED cable network, which will televise the World Finals Late Model/Sprint Car doubleheader on Saturday (Nov. 7) starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Considering his '09 resume, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Feger make some noise at The Dirt Track with his green-and-white, ‘tumbling dice' No. 25. He's excelled on some pretty big stages this season – he won a heat race for June's UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned $100,000 Dream at Eldora, thrilled the fans with outside charges during qualifying for the Dirt Track World Championship last month at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway and, of course, scored his first career WoO LMS triumph with a flawless flag-to-flag run on May 24 at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Feger lists his WoO LMS victory, which came in a race co-sanctioned by UMP DIRTcar (both entities are owned by the World Racing Group), as a career highlight and confidence-booster heading into the World Finals.

“I had never been to Beaver Dam before, so to be able to show up and beat those Outlaw guys was an incredible feeling,” said Feger, who has entered four WoO LMS events this season. “I really like racing with those guys and I have a whole lot of respect for them. I just hope that win gives them a little more respect for me – you know, solidifies me a little more in their minds.”

The World of Outlaws World Finals – the only time this season fans can see the WoO Late Models and Sprint Cars compete on the same card – begins on Thurs., Nov. 5, with two separate rounds of time trials for both divisions to set the heat race lineups on Friday and Saturday. The Late Models will battle in a 50-lap A-Main on Friday and Saturday and the Sprint Cars will run a 30-lap headliner each evening.

The fun at The Dirt Track actually will kick off on Wed., Nov. 4, with the postponed WoO LMS ‘Topless Showdown by Hungry Man.' The 50-lap event offers a base purse of $10,000 for first place, but if the driver who wins the A-Main submitted an official entry form prior to deadline they will also receive a ‘passing' bonus in an amount equal to $1,000 multiplied by their starting position – setting up a possible winner's prize of as much as $30,000.

Tickets for Wednesday's World of Outlaws Topless Showdown are $25 for adults and $5 for children 12-and-under. Three-day passes for the World of Outlaws World Finals are just $59 for adults and $19 for children 12-and-under. Single-day tickets are also available.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws World Finals Puts Rick Eckert On Same Program As His Rising-Star Nephew Cody Darrah

Eckert Chases Late Model Cash, Darrah Looks For Sprint Car Glory With Kasey Kahne Racing At Lowe's Motor Speedway Nov. 5-7

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 28, 2009 – Rick Eckert will be a racer and a race fan during the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

As soon as Eckert finishes his World of Outlaws Late Model Series duties throughout the blockbuster weekend, catching a glimpse of the companion WoO Sprint Car Series action will be on his mind. He will, after all, have a rooting interest in the winged competition.

Eckert's nephew, rising young star Cody Darrah, is scheduled to drive the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 19 Sprinter in the World Finals – a rare instance in which the relatives will practice their respective racing disciplines on the same program.

“Hopefully we don't have any problems with our stuff and I'll have enough time to get up to the fence and see him when he's out there (on the four-tenths-mile oval),” Eckert said of Darrah, who enters the World Finals as one of the country's top Sprint Car prospects. “I really enjoy watching him run whenever I can.”

Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., has been a witness to Darrah's development from a wide-eyed kid in awe of his uncle's accomplishments to the confident, talented 20-year-old he is today. A younger brother of Darrah's mother Kitty, Eckert remembers being unsure if Darrah even wanted to race while growing up, but then he saw Darrah “get serious about it” when he went Micro-Sprint racing as a teenager and he hasn't looked back since.

“When Cody and his dad (Joe) talked about going Sprint Car racing (in 2006), I was like, ‘You're doing what?'” said Eckert, who often accompanied Darrah to local Micro-Sprint events and drove a second team car when his schedule allowed. “But he picked up the Sprint Car deal amazingly fast. He just understands how to race. A lot of young guys will get themselves in bad positions – and he did that originally too, don't get me wrong – but he's learned the right way to race now and his results are showing it. He's already won more races than some guys do in their whole career.

“He's got good crew guys and good equipment, but a lot of guys have that and don't win races. And he's a likeable kid too, so he can go far.

“I know one thing – he's already a better Sprint Car driver than I ever thought about being,” added a smiling Eckert, who ran Sprint Cars in central Pennsylvania for a short time before his career path took him to dirt Late Models.

A resident of Red Lion, Pa., Darrah owns six victories this season, including a career-first WoO Sprint Car score (worth $20,000) in the rescheduled Summer Nationals event on Oct. 3 at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa. His breakout campaign in family-owned equipment helped earn him a chance to serve as a fill-in driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing Sprinter on Oct. 10 at Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge, N.Y., and again in the World Finals – and, of course, a shot at earning a fulltime ride with KKR in 2010 to hit the road with the Outlaws.

“It's a heck of an opportunity and an absolute honor to drive for these guys,” said Darrah, who arrived at the KKR shop outside Charlotte on Tuesday and will remain there for the next week to help the team prepare for the World Finals. “It definitely puts the pressure on you because with this kind of team you're expected to win, but that's a good thing. I want that pressure.”

Darrah is eyeing a long career as a race car driver. He would love to follow in his Uncle Scrub's footsteps, albeit not necessarily behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model.

“He's the guy I grew up watching and I know his lifestyle inside and out,” said Darrah, who has never tested one of Eckert's orange dirt Late Models (which happen to carry sponsorship from the Darrah family's J&K Salvage business) but would like to take a few laps in a full-fender machine someday. “Seeing how he's done it gives me that drive to succeed.”

Not surprisingly, Darrah considers Eckert to be the biggest influence on his burgeoning career. While it's been two decades since Eckert drove a Sprint Car, the general racing savvy he provides Darrah during visits to the track (Eckert attends as many of Darrah's events as he can fit in his schedule) and in conversations at the shop, by cell phone and during family gatherings is invaluable.

“His knowledge of what makes a car go around a track is absolutely priceless to have on your side some nights,” Darrah said of his uncle. “He might not be the greatest Sprint Car mechanic, but he has such a great eye for what's happening with the racetrack. He can see how a track is changing and point that out to me, which is such a big help.”

Eckert and Darrah will certainly find time to swap ideas about the fast, demanding Lowe's dirt track during the World Finals, which include two rounds of qualifying for Late Models and Sprint Cars on Thurs., Nov. 5, and complete season-ending programs (heats, B-Mains, A-Mains) for both divisions on Friday and Saturday nights (Nov. 6-7).

And uncle and nephew will have plenty of familiar faces watching their every move from The Dirt Track's massive grandstand. A throng of their relatives and friends are planning to travel down from Pennsylvania for the weekend, including Eckert's parents (Darrah's grandparents).

“It's going to be like a family reunion for us in Charlotte,” said Darrah. “We have a real big family, but we don't have picnics. We go to the races. That's where everybody gets together.”

Just imagine the scene if both Eckert and Darrah are able to thrill their partisan backers with victories during the World Finals. But do they believe a family double is possible?

“I think our odds are good,” asserted Darrah, whose debut at The Dirt Track one year ago resulted in solid finishes of fifth and ninth in the twin World Finals Sprint Car A-Mains. “I definitely have some of the best equipment in the country under me running for Kasey Kahne Racing, so I'm going there with the expectation that I can win. (KKR) has the confidence to put me in the car, so I can't think any other way.

“And Rick is coming off a win at Hagerstown (on Oct. 25 in the Maryland track's Octoberfest event) and those Bloomquist cars he runs always seem to run great at Charlotte, so I know he can win one.”

Indeed, Eckert is carrying some momentum into the World Finals. He's pocketed a $10,000 check after each of his last two starts – for a third-place finish in the Dirt Track World Championship on Oct. 18 at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway and his third career Octoberfest 100 victory at Hagerstown – and his three WoO LMS triumphs this season represent his first multiple-victory campaign on the tour since 2006.

Eckert has some confidence – and with his longtime car owner, Raye Vest, ailing with some health problems that are threatening to cancel his planned trip to The Dirt Track, the veteran driver also has some extra incentive to reach Victory Lane.

“We've got our stuff going pretty good lately, so I think I have a shot,” said Eckert, who sits fifth in the WoO LMS points standings. “We've always been pretty fast at Charlotte but haven't had a lot of luck, so hopefully we'll catch a few breaks. Cody was pretty good (at The Dirt Track) last year for his first time there, so I think he could pull (a win) off too.

“That would definitely be a good time if we both won. With all our family there, we'd have a ball after the race.”

Ticket information on the World of Outlaws World Finals – the only event this season fans can see the WoO Late Models and Sprint Cars compete on the same card – is available by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

The fun at The Dirt Track actually will begin on Wed., Nov. 4, with the postponed WoO LMS ‘Topless Showdown by Hungry Man.' The 50-lap event offers a base purse of $10,000 for first place, but if the driver who wins the A-Main submitted an official entry form prior to deadline they will also receive a ‘passing' bonus in an amount equal to $1,000 multiplied by their starting position – setting up a possible winner's prize of as much as $30,000.

The finale of the World Finals will air live on the SPEED cable network on Sat., Nov. 7, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Friendly Battle: Francis & Richards Chase 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Title In Nov. 5-7 World Finals

CONCORD, NC - Oct. 21, 2009 - Steve Francis was there when Josh Richards drove a dirt Late Model for the first time.

Now, six-and-a-half years later, Francis and Richards are battling for the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series title.

Francis vs. Richards. The 42-year-old veteran from Kentucky vs. the 21-year-old young gun from West Virginia. The proven champion vs. the hopeful champion. The mentor vs. the student.

A season spent criss-crossing the country comes down to two racers who know each other well – very well – in a virtual dead-heat for a $100,000 championship prize entering the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

“It's definitely a different situation to be racing for a championship against somebody you're so close to,” said Francis, who has known Richards's father, Mark, for two decades and has watched Josh grow from a shy kid to a confident dirt Late Model superstar. “With Josh, I kind of feel like a father would in that I'm proud to have played a little part in seeing him get to where he is so fast. I want to see him do good and I'd like to see him win the championship – but not at my expense, which is where the mixed emotions come in.”

Richards is experiencing the same type of conflicted feelings as his friendly war with Francis heads to its dramatic conclusion.

“He's been one of the biggest helpers I've had in my career,” Richards said of Francis. “He's been mentoring me since I started. He's taught me a lot, so it's kind of weird that we'll be trying to use some of that knowledge to beat him for the championship.”

Francis brings a scant four-point WoO LMS points lead over Richards into The Dirt Track's season-ending spectacular, which actually kicks off on Nov. 4 with the postponed ‘Topless Showdown.' The topless event offers only tour show-up points, however, so the two 50-lap A-Mains that comprise the World Finals will determine the '09 champion.

“We're going there tied is what it amounts to in my mind,” said Francis, who overtook Richards for the points lead in the last WoO LMS event contested, on Sept. 6 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. “Four points is just a couple (finishing) positions, so there's basically no difference. There's no scenarios to think about – you just put your helmet on and go racing.

“Hopefully it doesn't come down to bad luck for either of us and we can race it out.”

Considering the nip-and-tuck nature of the '09 WoO LMS points race, it's very likely that the two drivers will take their battle right down to the last lap of the Nov. 7 A-Main. They have, after all, produced remarkably similar performance records. Richards has seven wins, Francis six. Francis has nine runner-up finishes, Richards six. Francis has 24 top-five finishes in 37 events, Richards 21. Richards pulled off a late-race pass of Francis to win on July 16 at Huron, S.D., and Francis returned the favor on Sept. 5 at Tri-City. Both drivers have 31 top-10 finishes, five fast-time honors and failed to qualify through a heat race just once (resulting in the lone provisional starting spots each has used this season). Richards has held at least a share of the points lead after 23 events, Francis after 11 – and they were tied for the top spot after the July 8 ‘Gopher 50' at Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway.

“It seems like we've been married to each other all year,” Francis said of their nearly mirror-image stats and penchant for running close together. “I'm sure that's the way it will be again (during the World Finals). We'll probably be parked right beside each other like we have been most of the season, and I'm sure we'll talk and help each other all weekend like we always have.

“This is not a rivalry-type thing,” he added. “I feel like I've had a part in his development.”

Indeed, throughout Richards's march from little kid tagging along to the races with his father to the brink of a WoO LMS title, Francis has been there. Francis has long run cars built by Rocket Chassis, the Shinnston, W.Va.-based business co-owned by Mark Richards, and in 2002-2003 Francis drove the Mark Richards Racing Enterprises/Rocket Chassis house car that Josh now campaigns.

“I remember when Josh was 10, 11 years old, he was a shy, quiet kid who would barely say anything,” said Francis. “You didn't know if he had that much interest in (driving), but by the time I left (as the Rocket house driver) he was getting into it. I could tell where he was headed.”

In fact, in the spring of 2003, Francis stood in awe at I-79 Raceway – a now-shuttered quarter-mile oval across the street from the Rocket shop that Mark Richards used to co-promote – when Josh took his first laps behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model. With Josh, then 15, downtrodden because his high-school classes meant he couldn't head out on a road trip with his dad and Francis, Mark Richards tried to cheer his son up by offering him a chance to hot-lap Francis's backup car. Josh jumped right in and almost immediately got the machine up to speed.

“I told Mark right there, ‘When I get done, there's your next driver,'” recalled Francis.

By 2005, Richards was the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year. He's improved every season since then, finishing ninth in the 2006 points standings, sixth in 2007 and second in 2008. Now he's attempting to continue his progression by winning the championship over Francis, who won the title in 2007 and is bidding to become the first repeat champ since the WoO LMS was rekindled in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

Francis, who is chasing this year's points crown driving for Maryland's Dale Beitler after winning the '07 title with his own equipment, isn't surprised that Richards is contending for a championship on a series that he calls “the top echelon of the sport.”

“I did think it could happen,” Francis said when asked if he expected Richards to be going for a title just six years after debuting in the division. “He has the ability to drive a race car, he works on his race car, he understands his race car, and he has as good a group of people behind him as you could ever have.

“Josh takes a lot of grief sometimes about having this-and-that handed to him, but I've been to the shop and seen him working at midnight or 1 o'clock. It's not like he didn't earn his shot at a championship.”

For his part, the polite, easy-going Richards modestly deflects the praise thrown his way by Francis. He almost feels like he's crashing a party by running neck-and-neck with Francis for a WoO LMS title.

“I've always looked up to him,” Richards said of Francis. “I'm real honored to be up there racing for the World of Outlaws championship with him. I never would've thought it was possible, but I dreamed it. I had it in my mind before I started (racing) that if you set your mind to it, if you have the passion and desire to do it, if you have the support and just believe in yourself, you can have success pretty quickly.”

Richards knows he faces the challenge of his racing career during the World Finals. He's pitted against a driver who's been racing for more years than he's been alive, a battle-tested chauffeur who's been in series points races that have literally come down to the last lap of the season – in 2005, Francis lost the WoO LMS title to Billy Moyer on a tie-breaker after being passed for position by Moyer on the final circuit of the Gator 100 at Florida's Volusia Speedway Park.

“Francis isn't gonna let up,” said Richards, who outdueled Francis during last year's World Finals to finish second in the WoO LMS points standings (one spot ahead of Francis). “He's gonna give it 120 percent on every lap, in every corner. He's been through everything before, so you know if you can beat him it will definitely mean a lot.”

Richards, of course, has never entered the final event of a season in position to win a points title. His father Mark, meanwhile, hasn't enjoyed a championship celebration since 1983, when he and Rodney Combs co-owned the car that Combs drove to the National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) series crown, so there figures to be plenty of anxiousness in the Richards pit during the World Finals.

Can the young Richards handle the pressure? His cool, calm personality should have him equipped for the mental aspect of the weekend, but it's still a new experience for him.

“I've always been pretty relaxed at the track, but this is definitely gonna test my limits,” said Richards. “I'm sure where (Francis) is at is always gonna be in the back of my mind all weekend, but he'll be thinking the same way. He's been in the situation before where he's lost close points battles and he doesn't want to let it happen again, so we'll have to be on top of our game.”

Ticket information on the World of Outlaws World Finals – the only event this season fans can see the WoO Late Models and Sprint Cars compete on the same card – is available by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com

Buoyed By Strong Run In Dirt Track World Championship, Brady Smith Looks Toward World of Outlaws World Finals

CONCORD, NC - Oct. 19, 2009 - Brady Smith has put together a pretty impressive season for a first-time follower of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

But the 32-year-old talent from Solon Springs, Wis., won't consider his 2009 Outlaws campaign complete unless he can score a victory – and with just three A-Mains remaining on the schedule, he knows he's running out of time to correct that glaring goose-egg on his performance record.

Fortunately for Smith, he's heading into the tour's season-ending spectacular at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway – the postponed Topless Showdown on Nov. 4 and the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7 – carrying plenty of momentum. He finished second in Sunday's unsanctioned Dirt Track World Championship at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, just falling short of stealing the prestigious 100-lap event from fellow Wisconsin resident Jimmy Mars with a late-race pass.

“Charlotte has never been very good to me, but we've been fast there,” Smith said on Monday afternoon after returning from his successful weekend in the Hoosier State. “We've gotten ourselves going in the right direction lately, so if we can put a complete night together I feel like we'll have a good shot to win one down there. I'm actually pretty excited to go there.”

Smith's late-summer WoO LMS slump seemed a distant memory as he bid for a dramatic $50,000 triumph under a bright sun at Lawrenceburg. A quiet seventh on lap 74, Smith discovered an inside line following a restart a couple circuits later and rode it to the brink of his second career triumph in a big-money, crown-jewel dirt Late Model event.

After passing WoO LMS points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for second place on lap 87, Smith quickly caught Mars and came within inches of leading lap 90. Smith actually pulled his Team Zero by Bloomquist car ahead of Mars on the backstretch, but Mars thwarted the challenge by dipping lower on the three-eighths-mile track and held on for the remainder of the distance.

“When I found that traction on the bottom, the car felt so good I thought we were just gonna keep rolling by everybody,” said Smith, who was attempting to add a DTWC score to his $35,000 victory in the 2007 Knoxville Late Model Nationals. “It's not a track where you can just blow your way by somebody, though, and (Mars) saw me before I got him cleared. He's a smart enough driver to know he had to do something, so he started moving down and that affected how I had to enter the corner. Once he got back in front of me and took my line, I was done.

“I'm very disappointed we didn't win the race,” he continued. “It's just such a huge financial difference from second to first (Smith earned $15,000) – that's what's on my mind. We race for a living, and for our team, my fans, my sponsors, my family, the win would've done so much for us.

“But there's nothing to be ashamed about finishing second to Jimmy, and it feels good to run up front again. We struggled for awhile, so we definitely needed a run like this.”

Indeed, Smith hasn't been very happy with his performance since late July – more specifically, since the WoO LMS event on July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio. That evening Smith appeared headed to a fourth-place finish in the 50-lap A-Main when a broken rearend forced him out with just eight laps to go. He would have moved to a season-high fifth in the tour points standings if he had maintained his position to the checkered flag; instead he fell to seventh in the rankings and never recovered.

After registering an impressive 11 top-five finishes in the season's first 26 events – the fourth-best total of series drivers during that span – Smith has just one top-five and two top-10 finishes in the last 11 A-Mains. In addition, four of his six DNFs this season have come over the last 11 races.

“Sharon was the beginning of our downfall,” said Smith, who enters the World Finals virtually assured of an eighth-place finish in the WoO LMS points standings. “After that, we just couldn't do anything right.”

Smith said he could chalk up much of his late-season frustration as part of the natural learning curve for a WoO LMS newcomer. Running new tracks, adapting to different surfaces, maintaining equipment far from home, living on the road for extended stretches – no driver can truly be prepared to handle the demands of a national touring schedule until experiencing it first-hand.

“With the World of Outlaws tour, guys who have done it before have a definite advantage,” said Smith, who decided to go out fulltime with the Outlaws in 2009 after making a name for himself in selected major events across the country in recent years. “We had some mechanical failures (this year), and we realized there's some things we should've done differently with our equipment (to possibly avoid them). We learned that to be successful you do everything you can do to prevent mechanical failures.

“Now we know what to do. We didn't before running with these guys.”

When asked to grade his initial season traveling with the Outlaws, Smith paused for a moment and responded with “B-minus,” mainly because he hasn't met his expectation of reaching Victory Lane at least once. The personable, level-headed racer has certainly come close to winning, however, recording three runner-up finishes and twice seeing potential triumphs stolen from him by flat tires – one that knocked him from the lead on the final lap of the May 22 event at Missouri's U.S. 36 Raceway, and another that ended his stirring late-race charge on July 16 at Huron, S.D., just as he was about to grab second place.

Despite the heartbreaks and morale-testing struggles, Smith knows the knowledge and experience he gained this season on the WoO LMS has set him up for a bright future – and more sterling runs like he enjoyed in Sunday's DTWC.

“I think it's forced me to be a better driver,” Smith said of following the tour. “It's forced us to work a little harder too, so it's definitely made us better as a team.”

*****

Smith was one of 10 WoO LMS regulars to enter the DTWC at Lawrenceburg. Eight of the tour fulltimers made 26-car starting field.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished third after an up-and-down outing that saw him lead lap 64 and slip as far back as fifth. Francis climbed as high as second but settled for fifth driving Tim Logan's No. 11, while Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., was sixth; Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., was seventh; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., was 12th, Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., was 18th (after slowing to bring out a caution on lap 74); and rookie Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., was 25th.

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, meanwhile, failed to qualify, finishing ninth and 10th, respectively, in the second consolation. Frank's weekend went downhill in Saturday's second heat when he spun twice.

Austin Hubbard, a 17-year-old from Seaford, Del., who has entered 25 WoO LMS events this season in preparation for a fulltime assault on the tour in 2010, turned heads by setting the overall fastest time in Saturday's group qualifying session. He transferred through a heat race and finished 21st in the DTWC.

*****

Ticket information on the World of Outlaws World Finals – the only event this season fans can see the WoO Late Models and Sprint Cars compete on the same card – is available by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Weather Postpones Wednesday's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Topless Showdown' At Lowe's Motor Speedway To Wed., Nov. 4

Unique Event Will Now Lead Off World of Outlaws ‘World Finals' For Second Straight Year

CONCORD, NC – Oct. 13, 2009 – A large swath of wet, cool weather rolling across the Southwest and toward the Charlotte area prompted the postponement of Wednesday night's scheduled World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Topless Showdown by Hungry Man' at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

While the announcement marks the 13th rainout of a precipitation-plagued 2009 season for the WoO LMS, there's good news amid the dark clouds. The ‘Topless Showdown' has been rescheduled for Wed., Nov. 4, to serve as a grand kickoff of the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals for Late Models and Sprints that are set for Nov. 5-7 at the four-tenths-mile oval.

This is the second consecutive year that rain has moved the Topless Showdown from its scheduled date during the Lowe's Motor Speedway's NASCAR Banking 500 week to the eve of the World Finals.

“We never want to make an early cancellation of an event, but with the very poor weather forecast for Wednesday we came to the conclusion that this decision is in the best interests of all the fans and race teams,” said Seamus Curley, the short-track racing manager at Lowe's Motor Speedway. “Running the Topless Showdown on Wednesday, Nov. 4, will now add more action and excitement to the huge World of Outlaws World Finals weekend at The Dirt Track.”

Last year's Topless Showdown proved to be a big hit as a lead-in to the World Finals. A massive field of 81 cars was signed in for the event, and Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., held off a furious last-lap challenge from Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., to pocket a $16,000 top prize.

The Topless Showdown features a unique passing bonus that could push the first-place prize of the 50-lap A-Main to as much as $30,000. It offers a base purse of $10,000 for first place, but if the driver who wins the A-Main submitted an official entry form prior to deadline they will also receive a ‘passing' bonus in an amount equal to $1,000 multiplied by their starting position.

The same event schedule that was planned for Wednesday night will be used on Nov. 4, track and series officials announced.

Ticket information on the Topless Showdown and World of Outlaws World Finals is available by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Star Tim Fuller Experiences Up-And-Down Super DIRT Week At Syracuse Mile

Former WoO LMS Champ Tim McCreadie Finishes Second In Rite Aid 200 Big-Block Modified Headliner

SYRACUSE, NY – Oct. 12, 2009 – Sure, Tim Fuller's return to his DIRTcar big-block Modified roots for Super DIRT Week XXXVIII at the Syracuse Mile was fairly profitable.

But while the red-hot World of Outlaws Late Model Series star capped his week of open-wheel action in upstate New York with a solid third-place finish in Sunday's Rite Aid 200 big-block Modified spectacular, he couldn't help thinking about the hefty chunk of change that slipped through his fingers.

Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., lost second place in the 200 to 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie on a late-race restart and had a certain runner-up finish in Saturday's 358-Modified Syracuse 150 snatched from his grasp when his car's fuel tank ran dry on the final lap. The 11th-hour heartbreakers cost him nearly $15,000 in purse earnings.

“Don't remind me about that money,” quipped Fuller, a former winner of both marquee Super DIRT Week events. “We were so close to a couple second-place finishes, so from that standpoint it's disappointing. But I can't complain too much because we were able to get out of here with a top-three (finish in the 200), which is never easy.”

Driving for the J&S Racing No. 74 Modified team that fielded cars for him in selected DIRTcar Modified shows throughout the 2009 season, Fuller did pocket over $20,000 for his efforts racing close to home on an off-weekend from WoO LMS competition. His take included $15,000 for third-place in the Rite Aid 200, $3,000 for winning the event's pole position (for the second straight year) and nearly $2,000 in lap money.

Fuller, who led laps 1-72 of the 200 before making his first of two scheduled pit stops, appeared to be in perfect position to bid for victory when a caution flag flew on lap 192. With longtime race leader Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, N.Y., who had relinquished the top spot to Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., just two laps earlier, forced pitside with a blown right-rear tire, Fuller found himself sitting in second place right on Sheppard's rear bumper.

Unfortunately, while Fuller had nearly a half-lap deficit to Sheppard erased by the caution flag, he would have rather seen Phelps get his stricken car to pit row without slowing the race.

“I didn't want to see any restarts,” said Fuller, who drove the same Teo-Pro car that he's run in the last four Rite Aid 200s (it's his own mount but carried the J&S team's numbers and colors this year). “I knew I was dead meat on the restarts. I was horrible on cold tires. It took seven or eight laps to get my tires warmed up and then I'd pick up a whole second (on the stopwatch).

“They (his crew) came on the radio (during the final caution period) and said, ‘Hey, you got a shot at Sheppard,'” he continued. “I said, ‘Look it, I need to hang on to second – and I don't think I can,' because (the car) was just so much of a handful in the corners (after restarts). I couldn't keep it down (in the groove). It was just pushing and loose.”

Indeed, Fuller couldn't hold off McCreadie when the green flag flew for the final time with four laps remaining. McCreadie blasted by Fuller entering turn one and tried to run down Sheppard as Fuller struggled to avoid falling even further.

Sheppard, a 26-year-old who made his dirt Late Model debut on Sept. 2 in the WoO LMS event at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway, held on to capture the $50,000 Rite Aid 200 check for the first time in his career. McCreadie settled for second, 2.682 seconds behind Sheppard.

“It was just unfortunate to lose second,” said Fuller, who won the 200 in 2004 and was the runner-up in 2006. “That was probably a $10,000 spot (difference between second and third place) that I lost there with a few laps to go, but it is what it is.”

At least Fuller didn't tumble completely out of the money in the 200. He did just that on Saturday, when an empty fuel tank on the last circuit of the 358-Modified Syracuse 150 left him with a 15th-place finish as his good buddy Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., who enters selected WoO LMS events as Fuller's Gypsum Express Racing teammate, celebrated a $20,000-plus triumph in the event for the second consecutive season.

Fuller blamed his 358-Modified disappointment on a communication problem with his pit crew. His two-way radio malfunctioned early in the race and thus he wasn't aware that he was close on fuel and needed to conserve a bit more as the race wound down.

Fuller left the New York State Fairgrounds on Sunday evening ready to shift his focus back to dirt Late Model racing. He is headed to The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., on Wednesday night (Oct. 14) for the Topless Showdown presented by Hungry Man, a roof-less 50-lap WoO LMS event that could be worth as much as $30,000 to its winner depending on starting position.

“I'm looking forward to the Topless race,” said Fuller, who sits fourth in the WoO LMS points standings. “I haven't been in a Late Model in awhile, so I'm anxious to get back to it and try to pick up where we left off about a month ago.”

Fuller won the last WoO LMS A-Main contested, on Sept. 6 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. – his seventh win in the last 11 tour events – and finished 25th in the following week's UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Rain washed out Fuller's planned Outlaw weekend in the Midwest on Sept. 19-20, and since then he's run only DIRTcar Modified events in New York.

“You gotta get your mindset back to (dirt Late Model racing) – especially after you come here and run 140 miles per hour for 200 laps,” Fuller said when asked about the challenge awaiting him at The Dirt Track. “You have to go down there and jump in a different animal. With no roof (for Wednesday's special), it'll be even more different.”

The Topless Showdown features a unique bonus program and starting-position draw. It offers a base purse of $10,000 for first place, but if the driver who wins the A-Main submitted an official entry form prior to deadline they will also receive a ‘passing' bonus in an amount equal to $1,000 multiplied by their starting position.

In addition, the heat-race qualifiers will participate in the ‘Southern Fried Scramble' draw that gives them a chance to play it safe or roll the dice in pursuit of the maximum $20,000 bonus prize. The draw will consist of five buckets holding four starting-spot pills each – positions 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16 and 17-20.

When the drivers are called up to draw in the order of their heat finishes (winners first, etc.), they'll have the option of selecting a pill from any of the buckets. Essentially they can guarantee themselves a starting spot in the first two rows of the A-Main by staying conservative and sticking their hand in the first bucket – or they can go for a position further back in the field that would set them up to claim a huge paycheck if they win the Showdown.

With Fuller standing as one of the country's hottest dirt Late Model drivers, will he go for the highest starting-position bucket if he has the opportunity?

“I will be a pussy and draw from the one through four (bucket),” asserted Fuller with a sheepish grin. “A bird in a hand is better than two in a bush. I'd love to win more money, but I'll go for the better starting spot.”

McCreadie, meanwhile, enjoyed the most successful Super DIRT Week of his career. In his first competitive appearance at the Syracuse Mile since 2005, the 35-year-old DIRTcar Modified-turned-dirt Late Model superstar placed second in the Rite Aid 200 to collect over $25,000.

“It feels great just to finally finish this race,” said McCreadie, who had never been running at the end of the Rite Aid 200 in his nine previous starts. “But I would've liked to have won it. If we would've gotten a couple breaks we might've been able to pull it off.”

Driving a big-block Modified from the stable of the same Sweeteners Plus team that supplies his dirt Late Model equipment, McCreadie had moved up to fifth place from the 28th starting spot when every lead-lap car remaining on the track came down pit road on lap 121 to fulfill their mandatory post-lap 100 pit stop requirement. But he lost valuable track position during his stop when he got boxed in behind the car driven by New Jersey's Ryan Godown and restarted 14th, forcing him to spend the remainder of the distance battling to get back into contention.

But while McCreadie fell one spot short of joining his legendary father, ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie, as a Rite Aid 200 winner, a bridesmaid finish was pretty noteworthy considering how his Super DIRT Week began. During Thursday's morning practice he hit a hole that developed in turn one so hard that his car's nose folded under.

McCreadie and Co. had to make an amazing repair job just to get their only car race-ready in time for time trials two-and-a-half hours later. They cut off the car's bent front clip and replaced it with a clip from a used Bicknell frame that was in a nearby racer's shop. After doing some quick welding work and piecing the front end back together, McCreadie was on the track in his assigned qualifying spot.

McCreadie also ran the Super DIRT Week 358-Modified events for the Four Star Transmissions team, an operation owned by New Yorker Vinnie Salerno that is still rebuilding after losing two cars, two engines and countless spare parts and tools to thieves who stole the Four Star hauler from a Drummondville, Que., hotel parking lot last month. T-Mac brought the team a much-needed jolt of joy when he won last Thursday night's Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series 100 at Brewerton Speedway, but he finished 30th in Saturday's Syracuse 150 after sustaining front-end damage in a mid-race scrape.

McCreadie's Sweeteners Plus teammate, 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., also participated in Super DIRT Week activities. The two-time Rite Aid 200 had a week to forget, however, failing to qualify for the 358-Modified Syracuse 150 after his car's engine blew during a Saturday practice session and finishing 41st in the Rite Aid after retiring early due to power-steering problems.

Another personality well-known in dirt Late Model pit areas, Integra Shocks technical representative Brian Daugherty, was in attendance at Super DIRT Week for the first time to help his boss Scott Keyser service the company's DIRTcar Modified customers. Daugherty was seen smiling with Keyser in Victory Lane on Sunday because the top-four finishers in the Rite Aid 200 – Sheppard, McCreadie, Fuller and Frank Cozze of Wind Gap, Pa. – used Integra Shocks.

The 2009 Rite Aid 200 is scheduled for broadcast on the SPEED cable network on Sat., Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Looking For More: Streaking Fuller Ready For DIRTcar Modified Assault On Super DIRT Week Oct. 7-11 At Syracuse Mile

SYRACUSE, NY - Oct. 7, 2009 - Tim Fuller is undoubtedly the hottest driver on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Now the Watertown, N.Y., star is hoping all his sweet full-fender vibes will transfer to his DIRTcar Modified assault on Super DIRT Week XXXVIII, which runs Oct. 7-11 at the Syracuse Mile on the New York State Fairgrounds.

With wins in seven of the last 11 WoO LMS A-Mains – including the last tour event contested on Sept. 6 at Pennsylvania's Tri-City Speedway – Fuller is riding high as he returns to his Modified roots for the Northeast open-wheel circuit's biggest show of the season. He'll race for nearly $75,000 in first-place cash during the extravaganza of speed, which is headlined by the $50,000-to-win Rite Aid 200 for DIRTcar big-block Modifieds on Sunday (Oct. 11).

“It sure would be nice to keep things going at Syracuse,” said Fuller, who will also enter the $20,000-to-win 358-Modified Syracuse 150 on Saturday (Oct. 10) and a 100-lap Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series event that offers a $4,000 top prize on Thursday night (Oct. 8) at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway. “There's a lot of money on the line and I'd like to get some of it.”

Fuller, 41, will make all his Super DIRT Week starts at the Syracuse Mile in equipment fielded by the Smith Brothers Concrete team, a long-running big-block Modified operation from the Middletown, N.Y., area that is co-owned by Steve Hastings and Joe Knoth. Fuller joined the team earlier this season to run selected big-block Modified events that fit into his busy dirt Late Model schedule.

But while Fuller's cars will sport the No. 74 that Hastings and Knoth have displayed on their Modifieds for years, the machine he's set to run in the Rite Aid 200 is actually his own proven Syracuse car. Fuller has entered the 2006 Teo-Pro mount in the last three Rite Aid 200s, finishing seventh (2006), second (2007) and fifth (2008) and winning the pole position with a fast time-trial lap in both '06 and '08.

Hastings and Knoth agreed to make Fuller's car a Smith Brothers No. 74 for Syracuse duty early in their partnership. They took the Mod to car builder Bobby Hearn's northern New Jersey shop for updating several months ago and recently installed a new big-block engine that they had constructed by New York's Precision Engine Service.

“We'll be good (with the big-block car),” stated a confident Fuller, who spent the past few days making final preparations on the car in his shop. “The big thing is that I'm not going into the week in a car I don't know. I know I have a good, fast car that works well at Syracuse.”

Fuller, who will run the 358-Modified Syracuse 150 in a separate Smith Brothers No. 74 and Brewerton's midweek satellite event in a small-block owned by central New Yorker Joe Beyea, won the Rite Aid 200 in 2004 and 358-Modified Syracuse 150 in 2005 while making his living as a fulltime DIRTcar Modified driver. He'd love to repeat in both races – not only for his own bank account, but to provide Hastings and Knoth a huge highlight for their careers as car owners and reward them for backing him in 2009.

Earlier this year, on Aug. 8, Fuller captured a Super DIRTcar Series event at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway – the first win Hastings and Knoth enjoyed on the Northeast's premier big-block Modified tour in two decades. They have not realized great success in limited Super DIRT Week appearances over the years, so Fuller has a chance to bring them a second rare experience in his first season as their driver.

“Racing for these guys has been perfect,” Fuller said of his '09 Modified outings, which also included a spring victory in the DIRT Challenge Cup at Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge, N.Y., and a second-place finish in the inaugural $20,000-to-win DIRTcar All-Star 100 in July at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y. “I couldn't ask for a better deal. They're out to run good but also have a good time, so they fit my program real well.

“They're giving me everything you need to win at Syracuse and hopefully we can get the job done for them.”

Fuller has been a Super DIRT Week fixture since 1992, when he finished 33rd in his first start in the 358-Modified event. He's started every Rite Aid 200 since 1996, with his average finish of 12th ranking among the best of all drivers during that span.

And even as he continues to develop into a true national dirt Late Model star, he can't fathom spending Columbus Day weekend doing anything but running a Modified on the famed ‘Moody Mile' in Syracuse.

“I enjoy going (to Super DIRT Week) because it's still one of the premier events in the country,” said Fuller, a former champion of the overall Mr. DIRTcar big-block Modified (2005) and Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified (1993 and 2003) points races. “I really enjoy race day (of the Rite Aid 200) and the challenge of trying to win the race. I've always said that you haven't made it in Modifieds until you've won it.”

Fuller will be back behind the wheel of his Gypsum Express No. 19 dirt Late Model just three days after the Rite Aid 200 when he enters the WoO LMS ‘Topless Showdown' on Wed., Oct. 14, at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The unique 50-lap event boasts a top prize of as much as $30,000, depending on the starting position of the winner.

Currently ranked fourth in the WoO LMS points standings and tied with Josh Richards for the most wins (seven), Fuller will close out the tour's 2009 season on Nov. 5-7 with the third annual running of the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track.

For more information about Super DIRT Week, including ticket info, contact DIRTcar Racing Northeast Headquarters at 315-834-6606. Further newsworthy items can be found at www.superdirtcarseries.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com, while tickets can be ordered on-line by logging into https://syracuse.ticketdirector.com.

Additional information on the WoO LMS can be obtained by visiting www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Developing Talents: World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookies Russell King & Jordan Bland Score Victories During Off-Weekend Action

CONCORD, NC - Oct. 5, 2009 - Racing alongside the country's best full-fender drivers in 2009 has clearly paid dividends for a pair of 20-year-old World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year contenders.

During an off-weekend from the national tour schedule, Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who is on the verge of clinching the '09 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year title, and his closest pursuer in the standings, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., scored victories in regional dirt Late Model action.

Flashing the talent they've developed following the series this season, King registered his first-ever dirt Late Model triumph in Saturday night's Priority Care RaceFans 50 at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa., while Bland shined at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Ky., by capturing Friday night's Fall Classic Weekend preliminary feature and finishing second in Saturday night's 50-lap Bill Pierce/Trenton Rayborn Memorial.

King struck the biggest blow for the Outlaw upstarts, pocketing a whopping $12,000 paycheck for his win in a United Late Model Series (ULMS) event that was postponed one week by rain. He unabashedly attributed his breakthrough success to the education he's received on this year's challenging WoO LMS.

“Running with the Outlaw guys has definitely made me a better driver,” said King, who launched his dirt Late Model career last season after spending four years in the big-block Modified division. “You have to be ball's-out when you're in an Outlaw race, run every lap 100 percent or you're going backwards. Those guys just don't make mistakes so you have to raise your level.

“If I ran an Outlaw race at McKean County I would've been happy with a top 10 (finish), but when you go from running with the Outlaws to a regional show like this (at MCR) you feel like you have a shot to win. I don't consider myself the caliber of the Outlaw guys, but there were some real good guys at McKean – guys who have run up front in Outlaw races – and I feel like I can race with them because of everything I've learned this season.”

King entered Saturday's program having recorded a top 10 finish in four of the last five WoO LMS A-Mains – a surge that pushed his Rookie of the Year edge over Bland to a nearly insurmountable 148 points – and just one week removed from a solid fourth-place finish in the preliminary feature of McKean County's ULMS weekend. His confidence was further boosted when both WoO LMS veteran Chub Frank and 2009 All-Star Late Model Series points runner-up Rick ‘Boom' Briggs – two Pennsylvania drivers who attended McKean's preliminary show but did not return on Saturday for the rescheduled finale – told King after the rainout was announced that “we'd have a legitimate shot to win if we went back (to MCR),” said the hard-nosed young racer.

Proving two of his mentors right, King ran the race of his life to reach Victory Lane. He inherited the lead on lap 30 when Chad Valone spun due to a flat tire and never looked back, holding off a late threat from New York veteran Dick Barton, who won a WoO LMS A-Main in 2006, to preserve the checkered flag.

“Considering I just got a $9,000 motor bill one week ago, I was pretty pumped (to win),” said King, who has eight top 10 finishes in 31 WoO LMS A-Main starts this season (he's entered all 37 events). “And winning a race that Boom and Chub have won – guys I really look up to – means a lot to me.

“I'm real excited,” he continued. “As much as we've struggled sometimes this year, it's great to get a big win like this. It makes everyone on the team feel good.”

Not surprisingly, Frank and Briggs were among nearly two-dozen people who sent King congratulatory wishes soon after the race ended.

“The news definitely travels fast,” King said with a smile. “My (cell) phone went dead at the track, but when I got it back on I already had like 20 text messages.

“It felt good to hear from those guys we race with (on the WoO LMS),” he added. “I know those guys want me to do good because I love this stuff. This is what I want to do.”

King's recent success has him looking forward to this season's three remaining WoO LMS events, all at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. First up on Wed., Oct. 14, is the ‘Topless Showdown' – a 50-lap, roof-less event that could pay as much as $30,000 to win depending on the victor's starting position – and then on Nov. 5-7 there's the World of Outlaws World Finals.

“I'm pumped about going back to Charlotte,” said King, who drives family-owned Rocket cars. “We made the Colossal (100) on our own (in March) in our first time there, so hopefully we'll run well again.”

Bland, meanwhile, made his presence known at Ponderosa, a three-eighths-mile oval where he ran often early in his six-year dirt Late Model career. Just one bad break might have prevented him from sweeping the entire weekend.

After setting fast time and bagging a $2,500 payoff for winning Friday night's preliminary feature (the race was shortened to 23 laps from a scheduled 30 due to rough track conditions), Bland roared back on Saturday night with the quickest qualifying lap and an early pass of Don O'Neal to grab the lead on lap eight of the 50-lap A-Main. But both Bland and O'Neal ran into trouble on lap 13, getting swept up in a multi-car tangle that occurred in front of them.

“We had almost a straightaway on O'Neal and then the track got blocked from a wreck,” said Bland, who drives his father Jeff's Team Zero by Bloomquist car. “The caution lights were shorted out, so I didn't see the caution was out and I went in there wide-open and got into the cars that wrecked. O'Neal did too.”

While O'Neal was eliminated from further action, Bland managed to continue and restart as the leader, albeit with damage. His car sported dented bodywork, a bent tie-rod and an upper control arm that lodged between the shock and spring – and, most significantly, no brakes.

Despite the handicaps, Bland drove out to a straightaway edge until lapped traffic entered the picture. He struggled to pass the slower machines and was overtaken for the lead on lap 40 by Mike Marlar, who went on to the $7,500 victory as Bland settled for second.

“I could pull away without a problem when I could use the whole racetrack to maneuver around,” said Bland, whose two previous dirt Late Model feature wins came last year at Ponderosa and Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky. “But once I got into lapped traffic, without brakes I couldn't turn and get under anybody.

“I really think we could've straightaway-ed ‘em if we didn't lose the brakes, but what can you do? It was still a heck of a weekend for us.”

Bland, who has three top 10 finishes on the WoO LMS this season, heads to the tour's season-ending events at The Dirt Track with his Rookie of the Year hopes flickering on life support. With the ‘Topless Showdown' offering just show-up points, the two World Finals A-Mains will close the points races – and the only way Bland can win the rookie crown is if he wins both 50-lappers and King fails to finish 20th or better in at least one of them.

The WoO LMS Rookie of the Year is determined using drivers' best 30 finishes of the season, so Bland's hopes of a comeback were dive-bombed when the tour's Midwest doubleheader on Sept. 18 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., and Sept. 19 at La Salle (Ill.) Speedway was rained out and not rescheduled.

“I was really looking forward to those two races,” said Bland. “I've run at Pevely and La Salle as much as anywhere the last few years, so they were about the closest things I would have had to hometracks on the series this year.”

Information on the upcoming events at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway can be obtained by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Coffey Returns To Big-Block Modified Action In Search Of Third Rite Aid 200 Win During Super DIRT Week Oct. 7-11 At Syracuse Mile

SYRACUSE, NY - Oct. 3, 2009 - Vic Coffey has experienced the thrill of winning the world's richest DIRTcar big-block Modified event – twice.

Maybe that's why the 2008 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year doesn't have any butterflies floating in his stomach as he prepares to make another assault on the Rite Aid 200, which headlines Super DIRT Week XXXVIII Oct. 7-11 at the famed Syracuse Mile on the New York State Fairgrounds.

“You always want to win that race so bad because it's the biggest big-block Modified race of the year,” Coffey said of a $50,000-to-win event that he captured in 2002 and 2007. “Even after you win it once, you still want to win it again. But once you win it, it does take that pressure off. You're not thinking, ‘Can I do it this year?' because you've already done it.

“After you've won it,” he continued, “if things go bad for you – like they went bad for us last year when we broke a spindle about 20 laps into the race (and finished 45th) – you can deal with the disappointment a little better. But if you've never won it before and you have trouble, it seems like it takes 3,000 days for the year to go by so you'll have another shot at it. You just can't stop thinking about getting back there again to try to get that first win.”

Coffey, 38, of Caledonia, N.Y., might now carry himself with the confident posture of a former Syracuse champion, but that doesn't mean he'll enter the 2009 Super DIRT Week activities totally free of concerns. He has, after all, entered just a half-dozen DIRTcar big-block Modified events this season due to his focus on dirt Late Model racing and will be debuting a brand-new, limited-edition machine built by Troyer Race Cars in Rochester, N.Y.

Heading out on the intimidating ‘Moody Mile' in an untested car wasn't Coffey's original plan. He decided a couple months ago to turn over the proven Bicknell car that he's driven in the last three Rite Aid 200s (including his '07 triumph) to his Sweeteners Plus Racing teammate Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. – the 2006 WoO LMS champion who is returning to Super DIRT Week competition this year for the first time since 2005 – and ready his team's existing Troyer car to run at Syracuse. But Coffey destroyed the mount earmarked for ‘Cuse duty in a wild series of flips during a heat race on Aug. 29 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway, forcing him to order a new car for the annual autumn showdown that this year culminates the week on Sun., Oct. 11.

Coffey's Modified wasn't constructed specifically for Syracuse – it's a short-track frame with a body that's been beefed up to withstand the rigors of the high-speed mile – but it sports enough new ideas, including a different motor placement, to make it quite unique.

“I'm not worried about running the new car, just a little unsure about it,” said Coffey, whose only top-10 finishes in 13 career Rite Aid 200 starts are, amazingly, his pair of victories. “Running this car is a little bit of a gamble. Troyer has only built a few of these type cars and I think we'll have the only one at Syracuse, so it could be a big advantage for us or it could be a struggle if we can't get it figured out right away.”

Coffey sees pure speed as probably being more important than gas mileage this year in the Rite Aid 200, thanks to a new rule DIRTcar Racing officials have instituted. Teams must make two mandatory pit stops – one before lap 100 and one after the halfway point – for the first time in an event that usually sees its winner push the fuel envelope well over 100 laps.

“I think it's a good rule,” said Coffey, who won the 2002 Rite Aid 200 when leader Kenny Tremont ran out of gas on the final lap. “Now everybody should be able to run hard rather than worry about conserving fuel. It should make the race more fun and exciting.”

With Coffey currently on a week-long Midwestern dirt Late Model trip that ends on Saturday night (Oct. 3) with the Knoxville Late Model Nationals at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, he's dispatched two volunteers to pick up his Syracuse car at the Troyer shop. Troyer workers assembled most of the machine, leaving Coffey and Co. with only some final preparations, including engine installation, when they return to their team headquarters in Avon, N.Y., most likely sometime on Sunday.

Despite the car being largely race-ready, “we're gonna have a couple late nights in the shop,” said Coffey. In addition to finishing the big-block car, Coffey must also swap the dirt Late Model parts in his new Featherlite trailer, which he picked up last week in Iowa, for Modified paraphernalia and load up the car he'll run in the DIRTcar 358-Modified Syracuse 150. He's not sure if he'll make it to the Fairgrounds in time for ‘Happy Hour' hot laps at 3 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 7), so his practice time might be limited before Rite Aid 200 time trials begin on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 8).

The segment of Super DIRT Week that has Coffey most jazzed is the 150-lap 358-Modified event on Sat., Oct. 10. He's come close to winning the event several times, including last year when he crossed the finish line second but was later disqualified because the backup car he hadn't planned to use was found to have a cylinder head infraction.

“I feel more anxious about the small-block (358) deal,” admitted Coffey, who will make his 13th start in the 358-Modified show that headlines Saturday's Super DIRT Week program. “We've had a good shot at winning that thing three or four times, so I'd really like to get that race.

“I think we have a real good shot at it. We're going there with the same (358) package that we've run the last few years (a Bicknell car with a Mopar engine) and we know it's fast. It's going to be a matter of catching the right breaks.”

Coffey expects to be back in his dirt Late Model following Super DIRT Week, perhaps for the WoO LMS ‘Topless Showdown' on Wed., Oct. 14, at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and certainly for the World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track. Though he dropped off the WoO LMS as a regular midway through the season, in 26 tour A-Main starts this year he's registered more top-five finishes (three, including a career-best second-place run on Sept. 2 at New York's Brewerton Speedway) and the same number of top-10s (nine) that he did in 34 A-Main outings in 2008.

For more information about Super DIRT Week, including ticket info, contact DIRTcar Racing Northeast Headquarters during the week at 315-834-6606. Further newsworthy items can be found at www.superdirtcarseries.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com, while tickets can be ordered on-line by logging into https://syracuse.ticketdirector.com.

Additional information on the WoO LMS can be obtained by visiting www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Tim McCreadie Returns To Big-Block Modified Roots For Super DIRT Week Oct. 7-11 At Syracuse Mile

SYRACUSE, NY - Sept. 29, 2009 - Last year Tim McCreadie watched the Rite Aid 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds from the press box as a color commentator for the SPEED cable network's broadcast of the race.

But this year the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion will happily be back in the middle of the action during Super DIRT Week XXXVIII, chasing a $50,000-plus victory in the world's richest DIRTcar big-block Modified event.

For the first time since 2005, McCreadie will be a competitor in the prestigious autumn spectacular that runs from Oct. 7-11 at the famed Syracuse Mile.

“Doing the television thing was neat and I had a good time with it, but it wasn't like being part of the show,” said McCreadie, who starred in the DIRTcar big-block Modified ranks before emerging as a full-fender standout when he won the 2004 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award. “I've missed running (Super DIRT Week) the last few years so I'm real excited to have a chance to do it again.”

McCreadie, 35, of Watertown, N.Y., is returning to the Super DIRT Week scene in a big way. In addition to entering the Rite Aid 200 in a big-block Modified from the same Sweeteners Plus Racing team that supplies his familiar dirt Late Model equipment, T-Mac has secured a 358-Modified ride with Vinnie Salerno's Four-Star Transmissions Motorports operation for the Syracuse 150 on Sat., Oct. 10, and satellite events on Thurs., Oct. 8, at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway and Fri., Oct. 9, at Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge, N.Y.

Certainly McCreadie's abbreviated 2009 racing season – he was sidelined for five months while recovering from a back injury suffered in a January crash during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. – has him anxious to get in as many starts as possible during Super DIRT Week. But that's not the primary reason he'll be so active.

“If I'm going to be there, I want to be part of the whole show,” said McCreadie. “I don't want to just run the big-block race. I want to get out there and race all week in the 358 stuff too, and fortunately Vinnie (Salerno) is giving me an opportunity to do that.”

McCreadie will go for the gold in the Rite Aid 200, which culminates the week on Sun., Oct. 11, behind the wheel of a Bicknell big-block Modified that has a proven track record at the ‘Moody Mile.' He was a contender for victory with the car in both the 2004 and 2005 events before experiencing mechanical trouble, and his Sweeteners Plus teammate, 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., drove the machine to his second career Rite Aid 200 triumph in 2007. Coffey also ran the car in last year's Rite Aid 200 (he dropped out early due to broken right-front spindle), but he decided to turn the mount over to McCreadie this year and prepare a new car for himself.

McCreadie and his crewmen, Al Stevens and Mike Amell, worked last week at the Sweeteners Plus shop in Avon, N.Y., to get the big-block Modified ready for Syracuse duty before hitting the road for a week-long dirt Late Model trip. When they return from this weekend's Knoxville Late Models at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway – McCreadie is the defending champion of the $40,000-to-win 100-lapper – they will only have to install a fresh CC Performance big-block engine in the Modified and switch over some equipment in their hauler.

Super DIRT Week's on-track action starts on Wed., Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. with a ‘Happy Hour' practice session that will prove very valuable for McCreadie. After all, he hasn't taken a lap around the intimidating one-mile oval since 2005 – his planned assault on the 2006 event was dive-bombed when a WoO LMS race was rescheduled for the same weekend; he was a spectator in 2007 because his short-lived pavement deal with Richard Childress Racing took him to Talladega Superspeedway; and last year he opted to work with the television crew after deciding that his late-season return to fulltime dirt-track racing didn't leave him enough time to put together a serious Syracuse effort.

“That ‘Happy Hour' will be important for us because I think it will take a little while for me to get comfortable in a Modified again,” said McCreadie, who has made one appearance in a Modified this season. “The (Super DIRT Week) schedule is also a little different from what I've been used to. ‘Happy Hour' is Wednesday instead of Tuesday and there's only one day of time trials now, so there's not as much time to get everything right as there used to be.

“I feel good about our chances. I'm used to the speed (of the mile) because we go to a lot of high-speed places with the Late Model, so I think if we can get the car comfortable for me and setup right we should be O.K.”

Finding some Syracuse luck might be McCreadie's most formidable challenge. The place has been a house of horrors for him since he made his first appearance there in 1996; he has, in fact, never even finished the Rite Aid 200 in nine career starts. While he's run up front numerous times and in 2001 started from the pole position, his finishes (in order from 1997-2005) are forgettable – 26th, 25th, 40th, 38th, 38th, 33rd, 34th, 23rd, 23rd.

McCreadie has posed in Victory Lane at Syracuse, but it was as a 12-year-old when his legendary father, ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie, won the Rite Aid 200 in 1986. He yearns to shed his history of Super DIRT Week disappointment and join his dad as a winner of the event.

“It would be huge if I could win it,” said McCreadie, whose victories this year include an emotional WoO LMS triumph in front of his father on June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway. “I grew up with Syracuse always being the big deal every year. All the major Modified guys over the years have won it, so it's definitely one of the things I look at that I'd like to put on my resume.

“We're going there to win it. Like Carl (Myers, McCreadie's car owner) said, ‘Hey, let's put our best effort into it and see if we can pull it off.'”

For more information about Super DIRT Week, including ticket info, contact DIRTcar Racing Northeast Headquarters during the week at 315-834-6606. Further newsworthy items can be found at www.superdirtcarseries.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com, while tickets can be ordered on-line by logging into https://syracuse.ticketdirector.com.

Additional information on the WoO LMS can be obtained by visiting www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Ohio's Russell King Closing In On World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Honors

CONCORD, NC - Sept. 28, 2009 - Russell King is closing in on a grand reward for his long, tough season spent getting a dirt Late Model education on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

With just three events remaining on the 2009 WoO LMS schedule following the wash-out of last weekend's Midwestern doubleheader, the hard-nosed King finds himself on the verge of clinching the tour's Rookie of the Year award.

King, 20, of Bristolville, Ohio, holds a 148-point lead (3,604-3,456) over Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., in the Rookie of the Year standings, which are determined using drivers' 30 best finishes of the '09 campaign. The only way King can lose the crown is if he fails to finish 20th or better in at least one of the 50-lap A-Mains that comprise the season-ending World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and Bland wins the two headline races in an unprecedented sweep.

Yes, King is so close to the rookie laurels, he can taste them. But while clinching the honor over a tour-record five-driver rookie class will bring him plenty of attention, he'll be just as proud to finish 10th in the WoO LMS points standings – the last spot that offers a share of the tour's nearly $400,000 points fund.

“Our goal this year is the Rookie of the Year, but we also want to finish 10th in the points,” said King, who is guaranteed the coveted 10th-place position provided he enters the ‘Topless Showdown' on Oct. 14 at The Dirt Track (an event that offers only WoO LMS show-up points and thus won't affect the rookie battle) and starts one of the World Finals A-Mains. “Winning the Rookie deal and finishing 10th in the points means over $30,000 to us. After driving around all season to do this, you want to go home with something substantial like that.”

King stands to pocket $10,000 for the Rookie of the Year crown plus another $21,000 for rounding out the top 10 in the star-studded WoO LMS points standings – a huge chunk of change for a young lion who entered the 2009 season with less than two-dozen dirt Late Model starts under his belt. His six-year career has mostly come behind the wheel of a big-block Modified, the Northeast-based division that his father, Rex Sr., has run for more than 20 years and his younger brother, Rex Jr., now regularly competes in.

King is bidding to become the third consecutive and fourth overall driver with big-block Modified roots to win the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award since 2004. He would join New Yorkers Tim McCreadie (2004), Tim Fuller (2007) and Vic Coffey (2008).

“We've learned a lot this year,” said King, who drives family-owned equipment. “I wish we would've run better, but we know coming into this that it was gonna be tough to run against the best guys in the country at tracks we've never seen. Hopefully what we learned this year will help us down the road.”

King has certainly showed that he's catching on to the dirt Late Model game. After getting off to a slow start with five DNQs in the season's first nine events, he's started 27 of the last 28 A-Mains. He's been especially solid during the critical stretch run; in the seven A-Mains contested since the schedule reached the 30-race mark and the rookies began replacing their worst finishes, King hasn't missed a feature and has recorded four of his rookie-leading eight top 10 finishes.

Though King passed Bland for the rookie points lead and 10th place in the standings after the June 24 event at Big Diamond Raceway in Forestville, Pa., and has never relinquished the positions, it's his strength over the last seven shows that has allowed him to pull away. He enters the ‘Topless Showdown' with a top-10 finish in four of his last five starts, including a 10th on Sept. 6 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., that came after his second-place heat run put him in the A-Main redraw for the first time in his career.

King, whose top finish of '09 is a ninth on July 10 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., has already replaced his six 75-point DNQs with better finishes in the Rookie of the Year points computations. The worst remaining finish on his 30-race ledger is a 21st place (108 points).

The 20-year-old Bland, meanwhile, boasts the best single finish by a rookie to date this season – seventh on June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway – but he's separated from King by his fewer top 10 finishes (three) and more DNQs (nine). His hopes of putting some pressure on King entering the World Finals were dashed when last weekend's rainouts at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., and La Salle (Ill.) Speedway robbed two races from him.

But while Bland will be disappointed if he falls short of the rookie trophy with his family-owned team, he asserted that the experience he gained following the WoO LMS this season has made him a better driver.

“It was definitely hard trying to figure out a new chassis (Team Zero by Bloomquist) while racing against the best drivers in the country at a new track every night,” said Bland, who has firm control of 11th in the points standings. “The flip (a wicked crash on June 21 at Ontario's Cornwall Motor Speedway that forced Bland to visit a local hospital for a check-up before returning to run the A-Main) set us back too, but I've learned more this year than I ever have in my career. Being able to watch these (WoO LMS) guys every night – their good laps and their bad laps – helps you so much.”

Joining King and Bland as Rookie of the Year candidates with perfect attendance on the '09 WoO LMS are Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Robinson, 21, has shown flashes of brilliance in his family's red-white-and-blue cars, but he couldn't quite challenge King and Bland. He's third in the rookie race and 12th in the overall WoO LMS points standings, with a ninth-place finish at Ohsweken standing as his lone top 10 of the season.

No rookie has had a more eventful campaign than Robinson, who's fought through such obstacles as his studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.; a late-spring bout with mononucleosis and kidney stones; and a variety of travel headaches that produced late arrivals to tracks. His dedication was evident when he used a dualie and enclosed trailer to tow his car to the postponed event on Sept. 1 at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., and had only his mother, Elaine, for crew help because his father Dean – the driver of the team's normal big rig – couldn't make the trip.

A newcomer to open dirt Late Model racing in 2008, Hapka, 26, decided to hit the highways immediately this season and sits fourth in the rookie and 13th in the overall standings. He has started 17 of 37 A-Mains and has a top finish of 12th, at Ohsweken.

Reddick, who at 14 years old is the most fresh-faced rookie contender and ranks 14th in the overall points standings, burst onto the WoO LMS scene in dramatic fashion when he qualified through a heat for the season opener on Feb. 12 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., to become the youngest driver in tour history to start an A-Main. He experienced plenty of growing pains after that spectacular debut – he's started just 13 of 37 A-Mains and has a top finish of 13th, at River Cities – but the cool-headed driving and natural talent that he's displayed stamps him as one of the hottest teenage racers in the country.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Points Standings (drivers' best 30 finishes through 37 events):

1. Russell King 3,604
2. Jordan Bland 3,456 (-148)
3. Brent Robinson 3,124 (-480)
4. Dustin Hapka 2,897 (-707)
5. Tyler Reddick 2,717 (-887)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Midwestern Washout: Rain Claims Sunday's Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals At La Salle Speedway

LA SALLE, IL - Sept. 20, 2009 - Showers overtook central Illinois early Sunday afternoon, forcing the cancellation of the evening's World of Outlaws Late Model Series Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle Speedway.

The wet weather caused a complete washout of the weekend's WoO LMS doubleheader in the Midwest. Rain also wiped out Saturday night's Pepsi Nationals at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.

In addition, it marked the second straight year that the Illinois Fall Nationals has been rained out at the quarter-mile La Salle oval.

WoO LMS officials will discuss the possibility of rescheduling the events with I-55 co-promoters Ken Schrader and Ray Marler and Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises, Inc., who promoted the Illinois Fall Nationals.

Sunday's rainout marked the 12th weather-related cancelation or postponement during the rain-plagued 2009 WoO LMS season.

Three A-Mains remain on the 2009 WoO LMS schedule – all at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The Topless Showdown is set for Oct. 14, followed by the World Finals on Nov. 5-7.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Rain Washes Out Saturday's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Pepsi Nationals' At I-55 Raceway

PEVELY, MO - Sept. 19, 2009 - Saturday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Pepsi Nationals' at I-55 Raceway was washed out by rain.

A slow-moving band of precipitation reached the one-third-mile oval late Saturday afternoon and radar indicated little chance of imminent clearing, forcing I-55 Raceway co-promoters Ken Schrader and Ray Marler to pull the plug on the track's 27th annual special event.

It was the 11th time that a WoO LMS event has been either canceled or postponed during the rain-plagued 2009 season.

Track and series officials are discussing the possibility of a new date for a WoO LMS visit to I-55 Raceway. For more information about rainchecks and the status of the event visit www.i55raceway.com.

The WoO LMS will move on to La Salle (Ill.) Speedway on Sunday night (Sept. 20) to contest the 18th annual Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals. A 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win will top the program.

More information on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Plenty Of Points Title Drama Will Spice Up Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals On Sunday (Sept. 20) At La Salle Speedway

LA SALLE, IL - Sept. 18, 2009 - La Salle Speedway will be swirling with points-title drama on Sunday night (Sept. 20) during the 18th annual Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals.

From the two-driver face-offs for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and UMP DIRTcar Racing national Super Late Model championships to the battle for the UMP DIRTcar national Modified crown, the quarter-mile oval's season-ending event promises to be a crucial big-picture evening for several competitors.

The evening's headline 40-lap, $7,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main will have two points-race storylines spinning simultaneously – Steve Francis and Josh Richards are locked in a neck-and-neck stretch run for the $100,000 Outlaw title, while homestate stars Jason Feger and Dennis Erb Jr. are rolling toward the end of a memorable struggle for a UMP DIRTcar national championship worth $20,000.

What's more, UMP DIRTcar Modified national points leader Gary Cook Jr. of Deer Creek, Ill., and defending national champion Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Ill., who won the 2007 Illinois Fall Nationals Modified event at La Salle, are among the title contenders expected to compete in the division's supporting 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature.

Get out the calculators – the Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals promise to be exciting for more than the night's first-place prizes.

“I think it's great for the fans to have an opportunity to see this many different points battles play out at one facility on a single night,” said veteran Midwestern promoter Bob Sargent, whose Track Enterprises, Inc. is presenting the Illinois Fall Nationals for the second time at La Salle after a 17-year run on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. “There's a lot on the line for the championship contenders. Every position will count, so fans are going to have plenty to watch.”

Highlighting the program will be the Francis-Richards war for 2009 WoO LMS supremacy. With the two drivers having distanced themselves from defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., in the points standings, it appears they will decide the title between themselves.

Francis, 42, of Ashland, Ky., leads Richards, a 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., who drives the Rocket Chassis house car that is fielded by his father Mark and was campaigned by Francis earlier this decade, by a mere four points entering this weekend's WoO LMS Midwest doubleheader at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. (the Pepsi Nationals on Sat., Sept. 20) and La Salle. A WoO LMS champion in 2007 and runner-up on three previous occasions, Francis grabbed the points lead from Richards in the last tour event, on Sept. 6 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa.

Richards, who is gunning for his first-ever WoO LMS title after finishing second last season, is hoping for better luck at La Salle than he experienced in the last Outlaw event there on Sept. 16, 2007. In an Illinois Fall Nationals 40-lapper that saw Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., emerge victorious and Francis finish fifth after running as high as second, Richards had to pit on the opening lap due to nosepiece damage from hitting an inside tractor tire and could only manage a 13th-place finish.

Just three events remain on the WoO LMS schedule after this weekend's shows – and all three are at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

With La Salle's WoO LMS action carrying a UMP DIRTcar co-sanction and being run under UMP DIRTcar's Hoosier LM20, LM30 and LM40 tire-compound rule, the event is a full UMP DIRTcar points race. Feger, 31, of Bloomington, Ill., holds a slim 10-point lead over Carpentersville, Ill.'s Erb in the national standings with just three weekends of weekly racing and the Oct. 9-10 UMP DIRTcar Nationals at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, remaining in the circuit's points season.

The UMP DIRTcar national Super Late Model standings are determined using drivers' best 40 finishes/points nights and include bonus points for car count, so with a strong field expected on Sunday both Feger and Erb will have an opportunity to gain points with a finish near the front of the pack. They figure to be serious contenders in the event, considering that both drivers have turned many laps at La Salle and have proven their ability to win on the WoO LMS.

Feger, who is shooting for his UMP DIRTcar national championship and also to end Erb's two-year run as the national titlist, captured his first career WoO LMS A-Main earlier this year at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis. A winner of 18 features at 13 different tracks this season, Feger finished 17th in the 2007 WoO LMS event at La Salle and two months ago raced to a 13th-place finish in the track's UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals program.

Erb, meanwhile, owns two career WoO LMS A-Mains victories, with both coming in 2007. He finished sixth in the 2007 Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle and scored a third-place finish in this year's UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals show at the track.

The WoO LMS and UMP DIRTcar title contenders will headline a star-studded field of dirt Late Model drivers expected to invade La Salle.

The traveling Outlaw roster will also include Lanigan, who finished second in the 2007 Illinois Fall Nationals; the red-hot Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who has won seven of the last 11 tour events and placed fourth in '07 at La Salle; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who ran La Salle's cushion hard to finish third in '07; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Other drivers planning to enter the Illinois Fall Nationals include Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Terry Casey of New London, Wis.

Last year's Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle was rained out and not rescheduled, so this will mark the track's first WoO LMS event in two years.

Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 20. Practice is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., followed by time trials at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $25 with children 11-and-under $5. All pit passes will cost $35.

La Salle Speedway is centrally located in Illinois, sitting 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford and 60 miles north of Bloomington.

For additional information or to purchase advanced general admission tickets, visit www.lasallespeedway.com; www.trackenterprises.com; or contact Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or La Salle Speedway at 815-223-6939.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Clanton Looks To Regain Winning Rhythm With Return To I-55 Raceway For ‘Pepsi Nationals' On Saturday Night (Sept. 19)

PEVELY, MO - Sept. 16, 2009 - One year ago Shane Clanton was the hottest dirt Late Model driver in the country when he visited I-55 Raceway – and he just got hotter with a stirring victory in the track's World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.

But when the national tour returns to the one-third-mile oval on Saturday night (Sept. 19) for the 27th annual Pepsi Nationals, Clanton will be looking to recapture the winning rhythm he flashed through the late-summer and early-fall of 2008.

Clanton, 34, of Locust Grove, Ga., entered the 2009 campaign as a driver expected to contend for the $100,000 WoO LMS points championship, but he didn't pick up right where he left off last year. He has just one win this season – a $20,000-plus score way back on April 4 in the Illini 100 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway – and sits a distant sixth in the points standings.

“Last year everything just flowed, especially later in the season,” said Clanton, whose career-best '08 campaign included four wins and a fourth-place finish in the WoO LMS points race plus a dozen triumphs in non-series events. “It didn't matter what we did; we seemed to hit things right more often than not. But this year has been a different story.”

Clanton pulled into I-55 Raceway last September literally on top of the world – he had, after all, won the prestigious UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, the previous week. He cemented his status as a national superstar with a victory in the 50-lap A-Main at the well-known Missouri facility owned by NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader and Ray Marler, advancing from the seventh starting spot to cap an impressive run of three wins in six WoO LMS events over a five-week span.

The I-55 checkered flag even ended Clanton's personal struggles in Missouri, a state he had taken to calling ‘Misery' because of his inability to win there over the years.

Clanton started the 2009 WoO LMS schedule decently enough, with a string of top-10 finishes and his Illini 100 triumph helping push him into the points lead after the season's seventh event, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway. But then the bottom fell out; he was replaced atop the points rankings the next night and never got close to the lofty position again.

“It's pretty frustrating, but what can you do?” Clanton said of his '09 season, which shows nine top-five and 26 top-10 finishes in 37 events (he had 22 top-five and 32 top-10 finishes in 43 races last year). “You just keep working, trying different things. We've been all over the map trying to find things that fit me and fit the race car and just haven't hit on it yet.

“We've tried changing just about everything except the driver – and we've thought about that,” he added with a smile. “I don't blame (the struggles) on one particular thing. It's just that everyone is always changing things and some guys have gotten a little bit better than us this year, so we have to catch up.

“We're still trying, that's for sure. We're all trying to work together to get everything back in a row. When we do that, we'll start winning races again.”

Clanton feels as if he's getting his RSD Enterprises Rocket cars closer to where they need to be, but he's not there yet. He recorded back-to-back top-five finishes in the last WoO LMS A-Mains contested two weeks ago at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., but he followed that up by failing to qualify for last weekend's World 100 after starting his visit to Eldora in a manner that would seem to sum up his season: he discovered a broken valve in his primary engine while changing valve springs after unloading on Thursday, forcing him to install a backup.

“When you work as hard as you can, you see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Clanton, who turned 34 on Aug. 29. “We're starting to see more light.”

A repeat of his '08 effort at I-55 Raceway would be a nice way for Clanton to get his groove back. He's confident that the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event at the high-banked track can serve as his tonic for a disappointing season.

“I feel good about going there,” Clanton said of I-55, where he preceded his victory last year with WoO LMS finishes of eighth in 2007 and 15th in 2005. “They do a good job of preparing the racetrack. It gets slick, but it's also the shape and size of two of the favorite racetracks I go to back around home – Talladega (Ala.) and North Georgia – so I like it.”

Clanton will face plenty of competition at I-55 Raceway – from his fellow WoO LMS stars as well as a host of tough customers from across the Midwest.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., leads the WoO LMS points standings by four points over Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., entering Saturday's action. The traveling Outlaw roster will also include the red-hot Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who has won seven of the last 11 tour events; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., the 2007 Pepsi Nationals winner; defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Meanwhile, Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., who finished fourth in last year's Pepsi Nationals, and two-time defending UMP DIRTcar national champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., will continue their neck-and-neck battle for the 2009 UMP DIRTcar national points crown at I-55. Saturday's event is co-sanctioned by UMP DIRTcar and will be run using the organization's Hoosier LM20, LM30 and LM40 compound tires.

Other drivers planning to enter the Pepsi Nationals include Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., former WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., 2009 I-55 champion Bryan Collins of Elsberry, Mo., and 2008 I-55 titlist Billy Faust of Lebanon, Ill.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 19). Practice is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., followed by time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

The big program will also include a $1,000-to-win special for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and a UMP DIRTcar Sportsman event paying $500 to win.

Seats in the top three rows of the frontstretch grandstands are reserved and can be purchased in advance for $32 each by calling the track office at 636-479-3219. General admission tickets are $27, with kids 12 years old and younger admitted free in the general admission sections. Pit passes will be $35 for all ages.

Additional info on the Pepsi Nationals is available by logging on to www.i55raceway.com.

I-55 Raceway is located 30 minutes south of downtown St. Louis, off Pevely exits 180 and 178 of Interstate 55.

The Pepsi Nationals kicks off a Midwest doubleheader for the WoO LMS, which will visit La Salle (Ill.) Speedway on Sunday night (Sept. 20) to contest the Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Richards Top Outlaw In World 100; Red-Hot Fuller Cools Off At Eldora

CONCORD, NC - Sept. 14, 2009 -

A LITTLE MOMENTUM: Josh Richards wasn't able to finally add a victory in a crown-jewel dirt Late Model event to his rapidly-expanding resume on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

But while he was clearly disappointed to remain atop the list of ‘Best Drivers Yet To Win A Big One' after the checkered flag fell on the prestigious UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned World 100, the 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., gracefully accepted a sixth-place run that left him as the race's highest-finishing World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular.

“At least we were closer tonight than we've been the last couple years,” said Richards, who finished 19th in the 2007 event and failed to qualify in 2008. “If I couldn't win I wanted a top five (finish), but I'm happy to run sixth here. With 172 cars (entered), running sixth is definitely awesome.”

Richards, whose best finish in five career World 100 attempts is a fourth in 2006, enjoyed a solid, if not spectacular weekend at NASCAR star Tony Stewart's famed half-mile oval. He turned the fourth-fastest lap in Friday night's time trials, finished second in a 15-lap heat race on Saturday night and quietly moved forward from the 10th starting spot to place sixth in the A-Main.

If there was anything Richards would like to do over, it would be fast-timer Dan Schlieper's heat-race inversion redraw on Friday night. Schlieper picked a six, giving Richards a starting spot outside the third row in the fourth heat.

“We got up to second in our heat, but it took us a little too long to get there from sixth,” said Richards. “I think in another lap or two we might've passed (Dennis) Erb (for the win) – we were catching him, and that would've put us in a lot better position for the feature.”

Indeed, a heat-race triumph would have aligned Richards third for the start of the World 100. Considering the fact that passing became difficult about one-third of the way through the event because the surface took some rubber, Richards might have found himself in the mix up front if he had been able to overtake Erb earlier in the night.

“The track was so dry and rubbered up so hard, so early, you just had to sit and ride the best you could,” said Richards, who earned $5,000 for his World 100 performance. “We got Earl (Pearson) for sixth on that last restart (lap 83) and I was trying to get (Jimmy) Owens (for fifth) at the end, but I just couldn't find a way by him.

“The Dream (in June) was very frustrating for us, so this weekend shows we're gaining on it here,” added Richards, who set fast-time for the $100,000-to-win Dream but finished a disappointing 22nd. “We got some good laps in the feature and hopefully we learned some things that will help us when we come back here next year.”

Richards did visit Victory Lane following the World 100 to congratulate winner Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, who happens to be the last driver Richards's father Mark hired to run the familiar Rocket Chassis house car before Josh took over its seat fulltime in 2005. Hartman ran the No. 1 machine on the entire WoO LMS in 2004 – the same year that Richards made his debut behind the wheel as Hartman's teammate in a selected number of Outlaw events.

“Congratulations to Hartman,” said Richards. “For a guy who I guess almost passed out after his heat race (due to a splitting headache) and didn't even know if he could make a lap – to go out there and win the World 100, I'm sure he's feeling a lot better after that.

“He finally won this thing after coming here for so many years. We just gotta keep coming here and digging like he has for so long.”

Richards now shifts his attention to this weekend's WoO LMS events in the Midwest, on Saturday night (Sept. 19) at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., and Sunday night (Sept. 20) at La Salle (Ill.) Speedway. He enters the critical swing – the last WoO LMS races of the 2009 season not being held at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. – sitting second in the points standings, a mere four points behind 2007 champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.

“I feel comfortable at both tracks,” said Richards, who is seeking his first-ever WoO LMS points crown. “I didn't run too great at La Salle when we were there a couple years ago, but I think we'll have a better idea about what to do when we go back this time. And last year we were good at Pevely and I like that place, so I like our chances.

“I feel pretty confident (about resuming WoO LMS action) after coming (to Eldora) and running sixth. It helps the team morale a little bit going into the (Midwest) weekend. We just gotta not let anything bother us and go out there and do the best we can.”

Richards finished 13th in his lone WoO LMS start at La Salle in 2007. He has made three tour appearances at I-55, finishing progressively better in each race (14th in '05, 13th in '07, third in '08).

COOLING OFF: The red-hot Tim Fuller – a winner of seven of the last 11 WoO LMS A-Mains – seemed to still have good fortune on his side at Eldora when his 32nd-fastest time-trial lap gave him the pole position for the second heat thanks to the six-car invert.

Making his first career appearance at the World 100 extravaganza, Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., finished second in his heat to earn the eighth starting spot in the A-Main. But soon after a caution flag flew on lap 21 as Fuller was bidding to overtake Owens for third, the engine in his Gypsum Express Rocket car began to skip. Fuller fell to seventh before retiring on lap 52 with a terminal motor problem, leaving him 25th in the final rundown.

“I think we might have had a third-place car,” said Fuller. “I don't think we would've had anything for Hartman and (runner-up Brian) Birkhofer, especially after (the track) rubbered, but I felt like we were good enough for third.”

WORLD 100 OUTLAWS: Richards and Fuller were among a group of seven WoO LMS regulars who made the World 100 starting field.

The group included Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. (finished 13th), who pulled off one of the weekend's most thrilling moves when he split two cars off turn two to surge into third place during the sixth heat; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (14th), who finished the 100 sporting damage to his car's right-rear spoiler; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (15th), who won a B-Main; Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (17th), who started 28th and lost a lap early but passed Owens moments later to get back on the lead lap; and Steve Francis (24th), who started 27th and was never a factor before retiring midway through the 100 while one lap down.

NO MAGIC THIS TIME: One year after standing tall on Eldora's stage after winning the World 100 for the first time, WoO LMS standout Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., was a spectator for Saturday night's A-Main.

Clanton, 33, never quite found his rhythm while attempting to defend his World 100 title. He missed the heat-race inversion with a 41st-fastest time-trial lap, then missed transferring to the headliner by three spots in his heat and two in a B-Main.

Clanton's DNQ made him the seventh driver in the 39-year history of the World 100 who did not start the feature event the year after his triumph, joining Verlin Eakers (1972 winner), Joe Merryfield (1975), Charlie Hughes (1976), Ken Walton (1978), Donnie Moran (1992) and Earl Pearson Jr. (2006).

FORGETTABLE EVENING: Senoia, Ga.'s Clint Smith experienced a double-dose of misery during Saturday night's program at Eldora.

After earning himself a third-place starting spot in a heat race when he ripped off the 21st-fastest circuit on his second time-trial lap on Friday, Smith missed transferring to the A-Main by two spots in his heat. He then scratched from the B-Main due to a broken motor in his new GRT car, which he debuted at Eldora.

Smith still had another horse in Saturday's race because 2007 Dream winner Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind., was behind the wheel of Smith's backup car, but a heavily-smoking machine forced Casebolt to pull out of his B-Main during the pace laps. Casebolt, who became friendly with Smith in recent years while they vacationed together on the annual ‘Cruise With The Champions,' landed a ride with Smith at the 11th hour after relating that two blown engines had left him without a powerplant for his own car.

THE ROOKS: Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., represented the five-driver 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year class at the World 100, but neither driver made the A-Main starting field.

The 20-year-old Bland, who qualified for the World 100 last year, appeared to be in good shape for back-to-back feature appearances after he avoided an opening-lap tangle and then surged into second place on the restart. But his car's right-rear spoiler was damaged when he clipped the outside wall several circuits later and he faded to a seventh-place finish. He never threatened to grab a transfer spot in a B-Main, finishing ninth.

Hapka, meanwhile, made the cut for the heat races in his first-ever World 100 appearance but finished 15th in the third prelim, ending his weekend early.

STRONG DEBUT: Rising teenage star Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who has entered 25 WoO LMS events this season and plans to apply as a Rookie of the Year candidate for the 2010 campaign, was impressive in his first-ever visit to Eldora.

The 17-year-old timed 17th-fastest and finished third in the fifth heat to become the second-youngest driver to qualify for the World 100. Josh Richards was one month younger than Hubbard when he made the World 100 starting field in 2005.

Hubbard was understandably in awe after cracking the elite feature event.

“I never imagined I would make the show tonight,” said Hubbard, who hadn't even seen Eldora Speedway prior to arriving on Wednesday night to watch NASCAR regular Aric Almirola drive his car in the Prelude to the Dream. “I've probably never been so scored in my life.”

Hubbard went down a lap early in the 100, but he proceeded to gain valuable seat time at Eldora by running the remainder of the distance en route to a 19th-place finish.

TIRE UPDATE: WoO LMS have announced that UMP DIRTcar's Hoosier 20-, 30- and 40-compound tires will be the only rubber permitted for use in this weekend's tour events at I-55 Raceway and La Salle Speedway.

Ken Schrader's I-55 Raceway will host the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win Pepsi Nationals on Saturday night (Sept. 19), while Bob Sargent's Track Enterprises Inc. will present the 18th annual 18th Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals (40 laps/$7,000 to win) on Sunday night (Sept. 20.)

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Streaking Fuller Leads World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Into This Weekend’s Prestigious World 100 At Eldora Speedway

ROSSBURG, OH - Sept. 10, 2009 - For a driver who’s never even entered the World 100, Tim Fuller will sure have plenty of eyes focused on him during the prestigious UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned event this weekend (Sept. 11-12) at Eldora Speedway.

In fact, with Fuller charging into the famed half-mile oval on a month-and-a-half-long hot streak that has seen him win seven of the last 11 World of Outlaws Late Model Series events and finish second in a 100-lap crown-jewel race, he’s being talked up as a – dare it be said? – favorite to capture the coveted World 100 globe.

It’s a pretty mind-blowing situation for the 41-year-old from Watertown, N.Y., who’s in just his third year of dirt Late Model competition after excelling in the Northeast’s DIRTcar big-block Modified ranks.

“I don’t want more attention, but that goes with the territory when you’re on a roll like we are,” said the modest Fuller, acknowledging the respect his summertime run has brought him. “To roll in there (to Eldora) and be considered a favorite – man, that’s great. Sure, it’s some extra pressure, but it’s better to be thought of in the group of guys who can win the race than the alternative.”

While Fuller’s experience at Eldora amounts to four dirt Late Model starts and a couple DIRTcar big-block Modified appearances, he’s very confident that the magic he’s found with his Gypsum Express Rocket car will translate to the fast, high-banked track.

“I’m looking forward to the World,” said Fuller, whose recent headline-grabbing success includes a WoO LMS record-tying four consecutive wins and a second-place finish in the USA Nationals 100 on Aug. 1 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. “I think we’re going there with a pretty decent car. If it’s slippery like the place is known to get I think we can have one of the best cars, but if it takes rubber we might be in trouble.”

Fuller has an understanding of Eldora’s big-race format from his assaults on the $100,000 Dream event the past two Junes. He finished 22nd in the 2008 A-Main but failed to qualify for this year’s version three months ago, missing a transfer spot by two positions in the B-Main after advancing from 20th to sixth in impressive fashion.

“I think we’ll be alright in the race, but we gotta get there first,” said Fuller, who skipped the World 100 the past two years to run big-block Modified events close to his upstate New York home. “I know from running the Dream that it’s time trials that are so tough. You have one lap (to get up to speed) and it better be a good one, so you gotta go around there wide open.

“With so many good cars (in the field), it’s tough to come back from a bad time-trial (lap). I’d like to be able to start up front (in a heat) and see what happens.”

Fuller, who will have a fresh Custom engine under the hood of his car this weekend, might actually have some good vibes on his side. He’s coming off a victory on Sept. 6 in the finale of the WoO LMS Oil Region Labor Day Classic at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. – the same race that Shane Clanton won last year one week before capturing his first-ever World 100.

Eleven of the 14 drivers who have entered all 37 WoO LMS events this season have plans to complete in this weekend’s World 100, including former event winners Clanton, Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.

Locust Grove, Ga.’s SHANE CLANTON will attempt to become the first driver to win back-to-back World 100s since Donnie Moran in 1996-1997. He just wishes he was bringing as much momentum to Eldora as he did one year ago.

Clanton, 33, entered the 2008 World 100 as one of the country’s hottest drivers – and with a solid third-place finish in that year’s Dream 100 already under his belt. But he’s struggled to find his way this season, winning just once to date on the WoO LMS (April’s Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway) and failing to qualify for June’s Dream after a heat-race tangle with veteran Delmas Conley.

After winning last year’s World 100 in what was just his third career start in the prestigious event (he previously qualified in 2004 and 2005), Clanton will go for a repeat after showing some signs of life with top-five finishes in both ends of Tri-City’s Oil Region Labor Day Classic last weekend. The RSD Enterprises Rocket car he ran at Tri-City was the same machine he drove to victory in the ’08 World 100, but he plans to enter this weekend’s action behind the wheel of a mount with fewer laps on its odometer.

WoO LMS points leader STEVE FRANCIS enters the World 100 in much the same way he did last year: hot off a victory in the opener of the Oil Region Labor Day Classic at Tri-City.

Francis, 41, is hoping for some better results in his division’s big show, however. The 1999 World 100 winner finished 14th in the ’08 event.

The ‘Kentucky Colonel’ is making his second World 100 bid driving for Maryland car owner Dale Beitler, who has never enjoyed much success in Eldora’s September biggie but did win the 2007 Dream with Richmond, Ind.’s Steve Casebolt steering his familiar blue-and-white No. 19.

CHUB FRANK is taking a back-to-basics approach to this year’s World 100.

For starters, after drawing plenty of attention the past two years with unique, limited-edition World 100 graphics schemes but failing to qualify for the A-Main both times, the 47-year-old star is sticking to his normal look this year. He also will be behind the wheel of a 2005-vintage Rocket car he borrowed from western Pennsylvania racer Chad Valone last month and refuses to give back – because, of course, it’s helped get his struggle-filled season back on track.

Frank, who was eliminated from World 100 starting-field contention by heat-race accidents in both 2007 and 2008, finished 12th in June’s Dream 100.

Defending WoO LMS champion DARRELL LANIGAN of Union, Ky., will chase his first-ever World 100 checkered flag in a Rocket car that he debuted just two weeks ago. He got the machine cranking last weekend, registering finishes second and third in the two 50-lappers at Tri-City.

Lanigan has been on the cusp of winning a major event this season, scoring runner-up finishes in the Lone Star 100 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, the Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and a third-place finish in June’s Dream 100 (after starting 18th).

The 39-year-old has a Dream victory on his resume but is among the group of drivers with the most World 100 starts who has yet to win the Big One; he’s made all but four World 100 A-Mains since 1990 with a top finish of second, in 1999.

JOSH RICHARDS of Shinnston, W.Va., who sits just four points behind Francis in the WoO LMS standings with five events remaining on the 2009 schedule, will once again attempt to break through for his first career crown-jewel triumph.

The youngest World 100 qualifier ever when he made the 2005 field at the age of 17, Richards transferred to the A-Main for three straight years (finishing a career-best fourth in 2006) before ending up as a DNQ in 2008. He would like to forget last year’s World 100; his car shut off due to a faulty battery as he held a transfer spot on the final lap of a heat and wouldn’t fire up for the B-Main.

Richards had his father Mark’s Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket honking during qualifying for June’s Dream 100, setting fast time in the Friday-night time-trial session. But he was never a factor in the A-Main, losing a lap before blowing a right-rear tire on lap 51 and slapping the turn-one wall to leave him 22nd in the final rundown.

With a fresh Cornett Chevy engine bolted inside one of his Raye Vest Racing Team Zero by Bloomquist cars, RICK ECKERT of York, Pa., has his eyes squarely set on his first World 100 victory.

Eckert, 43, has won the Dream, but his best finish in 10 career World 100 feature starts is fourth, in 1999. A three-time winner on this year’s WoO LMS, he made a late charge to finish eighth in June’s Dream 100 and hopes the speed he found will carry over to this weekend.

CLINT SMITH of Senoia, Ga., last qualified for the World 100 in 2006 when he placed a late-charging sixth. Adding insult to injury, last year he suffered a broken bone in his wrist in a heat-race crash that ended his weekend early.

The 44-year-old Smith also missed the cut for June’s Dream, so he’s hoping to find a better combination for the Eldora clay. His car builder, GRT’s Joe Garrison, was scheduled to bring him a new car to run in this weekend’s meet.

BRADY SMITH of Solon Springs, Wis., who has turned heads in his first season as a WoO LMS regular, is taking a laid-back approach to this year’s World 100. He’ll bid to make his second A-Main start, hoping to improve upon his 15th-place finish in the 2007 event.

JORDAN BLAND of Campbellsville, Ky., and DUSTIN HAPKA of Grand Forks, N.D., will represent the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contenders in this year’s World 100.

Bland, 20, is looking to make the World 100 A-Main for the second consecutive season (he finished 19th last year) with his family-owned Team Zero by Bloomquist equipment, while the 26-year-old Hapka plans to bolt a new Pro Power engine in his Rocket car for his first-ever World 100 assault.

WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader RUSSELL KING of Bristolville, Ohio, has opted to bypass this year’s World 100 to prepare for the tour’s stretch run. Fellow rookies BRENT ROBINSON of Smithfield, Va., and TYLER REDDICK of Corning, Calif., are also not expected to compete.

Time trials and non-qualifiers events for the World 100 are scheduled for Fri., Sept. 11. Heat races, last-chance events and the World 100 final will be run on Sat., Sept. 12.

Visit www.worldofoutlaws.com this weekend for an update on the results of the WoO LMS drivers in the World 100, and visit www.eldoraspeedway.com for more information on the huge dirt Late Model event.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway Announces Plans For $25,000-To-Win ‘Commonwealth 100’ On April 16-17, 2010

Blockbuster World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Will Offer Total Purse Exceeding $125,000

JAMAICA, VA - Sept. 7, 2009 - Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway is already considered one of the country’s top dirt-track facilities.

In 2010, the gorgeous half-mile oval in Virginia’s Tidewater Region will also boast a dirt Late Model mega-event to match its stature.

The inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Commonwealth 100’ will be contested on April 16-17, 2010, at VMS, track and series officials announced on Monday.

A $25,000 prize is earmarked for the winner of the two-day blockbuster, which will offer a cash purse totaling over $125,000. The Commonwealth 100 will pay $2,000 to start, and a 30-lap Non-Qualifiers’ Race will boast a $3,000 first-place award from a purse of nearly $16,000.

Time trials and heat races will be run on Fri., April 16, with last-chance races and the headline Commonwealth 100 dominating the program on Sat., April 17. A raindate of Sun., April 18, has been established for the event.

“We feel it’s time for us to step up to the plate and offer to run the biggest show in the history of Virginia Motor Speedway,” said track owner Bill Sawyer, who is in his 10th season at the helm of the dirt-track showplace. “We have a premier facility and we want to create a premier event that showcases our track to fans and race teams from across the country.

“We’re very excited about building the Commonwealth 100 into a marquee event that everyone automatically puts on their calendars every season. After running various touring events and seeing what’s going on in the short-track world, it’s become clear that a major event like this is what we need to do to get the fans and racers excited.”

Sawyer said plans are in the works to make the Commonwealth 100 weekend “more than just a race.” Details will be announced in the future, but he indicated that there will be plenty of auxiliary fun for attendees, including a giant driver autograph session, post-race entertainment following Friday’s action and ear-splitting festivities prior to the 100-lap A-Main (think the Civil War-themed pre- and post-race activities during April’s WoO LMS event at VMS that included multiple cannon and pistol shots by costumed re-enactors).

“I can’t think of a better place to host a huge new World of Outlaws Late Model Series event than Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway,” said World Racing Group Chief Operating Officer Tom Deery. “Bill Sawyer and has staff have built a beautiful racetrack that deserves a signature race like the Commonwealth 100 on its schedule. With the facilities available at Virginia Motor and the great racing that the track is known for, the sky’s the limit for the Commonwealth 100.”

VMS has been a staple track on the WoO LMS, presenting at least one tour event each season since 2005. The Commonwealth 100 will bring all the WoO LMS stars – plus dozens more national and regional standouts – to the facility for a race that will go down in VMS and series history.

“We’ve been talking to Bill Sawyer about running a major event at Virginia Motor Speedway for a couple years so we’re thrilled that he’s decided to go all-out in 2010,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “The Commonwealth 100 is going to be one of the centerpieces of the 2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule. I’m sure it will generate the same sort of excitement that we’ve seen for events like the Firecracker 100 (at Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway) and Illini 100 (at Illinois’s Farmer City Raceway) that have become part of the World of Outlaws tour in recent years.”

More information on the Commonwealth 100 weekend – including ticket prices, camping info and a complete weekend schedule – will soon be released by VMS management.

Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway is a half-mile dirt oval located on U.S. Route 17 in Jamaica, Va., eight miles north of Saluda and 25 miles south of Tappahannock. The speedway, which boasts spacious 8,000-seat aluminum grandstand, beautiful sponsor suites, MUSCO lighting, a pit area treated with a tar-and-gravel mixture and over 20 acres of parking, is just a short drive from the Richmond, Fredericksburg, southern Maryland and Hampton Roads areas.

For more information about Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway, visit www.vamotorspeedway.com or call the speedway office at 804-758-1VMS.

The Commonwealth 100 will be one of the major events highlighting the 2010 WoO LMS schedule, which is being formulated for release later this year.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Seventh Heaven: Fuller Holds Off Late Challenge From Lanigan For Victory In Oil Region Labor Day Classic Finale At Tri-City Speedway

FRANKLIN, PA - Sept. 6, 2009 - Tim Fuller’s hot streak on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series is still going strong.

Making amends for a tire choice that cost him a shot at victory the previous night, Fuller roared back to win Sunday’s 50-lap finale of the Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic at Tri-City Speedway.

It was the seventh triumph in the last 11 WoO LMS events for the sizzling 41-year-old standout from Watertown, N.Y., who moved into a tie with Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., for winningest-driver status on the 2009 tour. Both drivers have won seven times.

“I thought (the run of success) was ending last night after I made a bad decision,” said Fuller, who led laps 1-13 of the weekend’s opening A-Main before an overheated right-rear tire sent him tumbling to a sixth-place finish. “But tonight we put on the same tires as everybody else did and we got right back on track.

“I hope it doesn’t end. I like it the way it is.”

Fuller steered his Gypsum Express Rocket car forward from the seventh starting spot, passing Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for the lead on lap 28 and never looking back. Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who started alongside Fuller in eighth, overtook Francis for second on lap 37 and made a late bid to unseat Fuller but settled for second place in his one-week-old Rocket mount.

Francis, who raced off the pole position to lead laps 1-27 in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket, held on to finish third. He fell short of sweeping the weekend after capturing his sixth victory of 2009 the previous evening, but the run allowed him to regain the WoO LMS points lead by four points over Richards, who finished a quiet ninth.

Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., advanced from the ninth starting spot to place fourth in Barry Klinedinst’s Rocket car. It was his second top-five run of the Oil Region Labor Day Classic and once again earned him the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the tour points standings.

Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., completed the top five in the RSD Enterprises Rocket after starting third. He joined Francis, Lanigan and Covert as drivers with a top-five finish in both halves of the Classic.

Fuller’s latest checkered flag was arguably his most satisfying of the season.

“You can win from the front row and feel good,” said Fuller, who registered his 10th career victory on the WoO LMS. “But when you do it like we did tonight – when you start further back and pass everybody you need to pass – it’s a way better feeling.”

Fuller had to withstand a stiff challenge from Lanigan, who sailed his car hard to the outside of Fuller rounding turns three and four on lap 44. Lanigan wasn’t able to get around Fuller, however, and that proved pivotal in the outcome of the race, which was slowed by just a single caution flag, on lap 34 when Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., stopped in turn four with mechanical trouble.

When the low-running Fuller saw Lanigan’s car above him, he immediately adjusted his groove higher on the track and proceeded to pull away over the remaining circuits.

“I showed him my nose too quick,” said Lanigan, who finished 0.995 of a second behind Fuller. “He saw me out there and knew to move up. He’s running smart right now.”

Lanigan, 39, nearly surprised Fuller, who thought the inside was the lane of choice.

“It seemed like I was so slow going in there down on the bottom,” said Fuller, who earned $10,600 to push his total WoO LMS earnings to over $130,000 this season. “I was thinking, I can’t believe no one is running over me. But ‘Smoke’ (Fuller’s chief mechanic Mike Countryman) was telling me (with hand signals from the infield) to stay on the bottom, so that’s what I did.

“Then Lanigan showed me the nose. I saw him out there out of the corner of my eye and fortunately he didn’t make it sick. I knew right then that I had to get back up in the middle of the corner where I could keep my momentum up.”

Francis, 41, could only watch Fuller and Lanigan battle it out for the win during the race’s late stages.

“I was a little softer on the right front (tire) than Fuller and Darrell,” said Francis. “As the race went on I just couldn’t turn through the corners like they could anymore. I had to start bending it into the corners and was just losing time to them.”

Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., was sixth – and pushing Clanton for fifth – at the finish after starting 18th for the second consecutive night. Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., placed seventh, followed by fourth-starter Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., who ran second for laps 4-16; Richards, who started fifth; and Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who recorded his fourth top-10 finish in the last five events after a second-place heat finish put him in the A-Main redraw for the first time in his career.

Sunday night’s field numbered 46 cars – all 41 of Saturday’s entries plus five new additions.

Richards ripped off a lap of 17.940 seconds during Ohlins Shocks Time Trials to record his fifth fast-time honor of 2009, tying Francis for the series lead in the category.

Heat winners were Richards, Francis, Fuller and Miller. The B-Mains were captured by David Scott of Garland, Pa., and McCreadie.

The WoO LMS will have one weekend off – though most of the tour’s regulars will compete in the prestigious UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned World 100 on Sept. 11-12 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio – before resuming action with a doubleheader in the Midwest. I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., hosts the ‘Pepsi Nationals’ on Sat., Sept. 19, and La Salle (Ill.) Speedway will present the Illinois Fall Nationals on Sun., Sept. 20.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic’ Night No. 2 (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (7) Tim Fuller/50 $10,600
2. (8) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,600
3. (1) Steve Francis/50 $3,600
4. (9) Jason Covert/50 $3,000
5. (3) Shane Clanton/50 $2,500
6. (18) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,800
7. (10) Clint Smith/50 $1,900
8. (4) Jeremy Miller/50 $1,300
9. (5) Josh Richards/50 $1,750
10. (6) Russell King/50 $1,950
11. (21) Vic Coffey/50 $1,050
12. (12) Chub Frank/50 $1,500
13. (13) Austin Hubbard/50 $950
14. (16) Robbie Blair/50 $900
15. (19) Brady Smith/50 $1,350
16. (20) Gregg Satterlee/50 $800
17. (11) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/50 $770
18. (15) Dave Hess Jr./50 $750
19. (23) Rick Eckert/50 $1,230
20. (22) Jordan Bland/49 $1,200
21. (14) Matt Lux/33 $700
22. (2) D.J. Myers/29 $700
23. (17) David Scott/17 $700
24. (24) Brent Robinson/13 $1,200

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 21 Mins., 8.396 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.995 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 1 (lap 34)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-27); Fuller (28-50)
Provisional Starters: Eckert, Robinson
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Covert ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Jonathan Owensby (Clanton)

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

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 17.940
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 18.373
3. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 18.405
4. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 18.521
5. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 18.555
6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.725
7. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.725
8. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 18.747
9. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.771
10. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 18.789
11. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 18.793
12. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 18.863
13. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 18.864
14. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 18.888
15. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 18.897
16. 17-Nick Dickson/Lewistown, PA 18.915
17. 56b-Denton Boyer/Punxsutawney, PA 18.924
18. 21*-David Scott/Garland, PA 18.935
19. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 18.960
20. 28b-Dick Barton/Ashville, NY 18.993
21. 22b-Darrell Bossard/Centerville, PA 19.010
22. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 19.020
23. 40-Dutch Davies/Warren, PA 19.036
24. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 19.041
25. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 19.070
26. 119M-Chad McClellan/Stoystown, PA 19.092
27. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 19.097
28. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 19.121
29. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 19.145
30. 04-Bob Close/Eldred, PA 19.146
31. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 19.188
32. 07R-Brent Rhebergen/Clymer, NY 19.255
33. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 19.314
34. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 19.327
35. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 19.379
36. 90-Wally Fox/Cooperstown, PA 19.453
37. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.475
38. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 19.503
39. 53-John Volpe/Lakeland, NY 19.510
40. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 19.517
41. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.556
42. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 19.662
43. 12b-Andy Boozel/Clymer, NY 19.677
44. M1-Mickey Wright/Albion, PA 19.728
45. 0-Ryan Scott/Garland, PA 20.231
46. 32-Terry Porter/Erie, PA 20.633

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Clanton, Covert, Hubbard, Stone, Bossard, Coffey, Eckert, Robinson, Knight, Boyer, R. Scott

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Myers, C. Smith, Lux, D. Scott, Reddick, B. Smith, Hedman, Close, McClellan, R. Davies, Porter

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Lanigan, Briggs, Hess, McCreadie, Bland, D. Davies, Volpe, Knowles, Boozel, Hapka

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): J. Miller, King, Frank, Blair, Satterlee, Barton, Dickson, Oakes, Rhebergen, Fox, Wright

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): D. Scott, B. Smith, Coffey, Eckert, Knight, Bossard, Close, Hedman, Robinson, Boyer, R. Scott, Reddick, McClellan, Stone, Porter (DNS) R. Davies

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McCreadie, Satterlee, Bland, D. Davies, Dickson, Barton, Knowles, Oakes, Rhebergen, Volpe, Fox, Hapka, Wright, Boozel

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Mike Knight, Nick Dickson
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Jason Covert
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): David Scott, Tim McCreadie
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brady Smith
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Steve Francis
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Dick Barton
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 6 – 37 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 5073 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 5069 (-4)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4981 (-92)
4. Tim Fuller 4925 (-148)
5. Rick Eckert 4867 (-206)
6. Shane Clanton 4835 (-238)
7. Chub Frank 4793 (-280)
8. Brady Smith 4674 (-399)
9. Clint Smith 4581 (-492)
10. Russell King 4129 (-944)
11. Jordan Bland 3981 (-1092)
12. Brent Robinson 3757 (-1316)
13. Dustin Hapka 3422 (-1651)
14. Tyler Reddick 3242 (-1831)
15. Vic Coffey 3092 (-1981)
16. Austin Hubbard 2873 (-2200)
17. Matt Lux 1817 (-3256)
18. Gregg Satterlee 1706 (-3367)
19. Dan Stone 1526 (-3547)
20. Tim McCreadie 1471 (-3602)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Francis Slips By Richards Heading To White Flag For Dramatic Victory In Oil Region Labor Day Classic Opener At Tri-City Speedway

FRANKLIN, PA - Sept. 5, 2009 - Steve Francis is a bridesmaid no more.

The veteran from Ashland, Ky., ended his rewarding-but-frustrating run of second-place finishes on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in dramatic fashion, slipping underneath Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., for the lead heading to the white flag to capture Saturday night’s 50-lap Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic opener at Tri-City Speedway.

Francis, 41, entered the weekend action at the half-mile oval with seven runner-up finishes in the last 12 tour A-Mains – and without a victory since scoring his fifth win of the season on May 31 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.

“It’s definitely a relief to finally win again,” said Francis, who started third in Dale Beitler’s Reliable Painting Rocket car. “When we’re finishing second, we’re making a living and maintaining in the points, but it’s still not a win.

“Anytime you win it feels good. That’s we come to do, and it had been awhile since we did it last.”

Francis earned $10,700 for his sixth triumph of the season on the WoO LMS. It was his 26th career series win – the most of any driver on the tour since 2004 – and gave him a victory in the first half of Tri-City’s Oil Region Labor Day Classic for the third consecutive year.

The 2007 WoO LMS champion’s joy came at the expense of Richards, who appeared headed to his series-leading eighth win of the season after passing Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., for the lead on lap 14. Richards turned back repeated challenges from Francis during a race that was slowed by only a single caution flag on lap 31, but he made a fatal slip on the 48th circuit that sent Francis to Victory Lane.

Richards, 21, settled for second place in his father Mark’s Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket after starting from the pole position, keeping him winless on the WoO LMS since he overtook Francis to win on July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D. He also saw his points lead over Francis shrink even smaller – to a mere eight points with six events remaining on the 2009 schedule.

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who trails Richards and Francis in the points standings, followed the series leaders across the finish line in third place. He advanced from the eighth starting spot to third by lap 17 in his one-week-old Rocket car, but he couldn’t climb higher.

Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., moved up one position to finish fourth in the RSD Enterprises Rocket and sixth-starter Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., placed fifth in Barry Klinedinst’s Rocket. Covert earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hadn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and wasn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Fuller, who had won six of the last nine WoO LMS events including Wednesday night’s ‘Dirt Demon 50’ at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway, faded to a sixth-place finish after outgunning Richards from the outside pole to lead laps 1-13. His soft-compound right-rear tire overheated, dooming his chances.

Francis felt fortunate to bring his 20-race WoO LMS winless streak to an end.

“We were pretty equal,” said Francis, who reached second with a lap-16 pass of Fuller. “I felt like I could gain on Josh in (turns) one and two, but he could gain in three and four. I don’t think I’m passing him if he doesn’t slip up.

“When he ran in there (in turn three with two laps remaining) he just sort of misjudged where the rubber was and where his car needed to be. He slipped off the bottom and I was lucky enough to be there.”

Richards sat sullenly on the back step of his trailer after the race, replaying lap 48 over and over in his mind.

“I just slipped up,” said Richards. “I have to admit it. I gave the race away. There was only one groove to be (at the end) and I got out of it.

“We caught ‘Boom’ (Rick Briggs) with two-to-go and I tried to slow the pace down. He entered way, way low going into three. I entered just a little bit wider, I got my right-rear tire out of the rubber, and I just slipped. I left the door open for Steve.

“It was my fault,” he continued. “It’s just disappointing. The team’s worked so hard for this and we were in position to win, and I screwed up. It’s still good to run second, but we’re trying to beat Steve (in the points race) and Steve won.”

Finishing in positions 7-10 was Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who was coming off a career-high second-place WoO LMS finish at Brewerton; 18th-starter Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who was never a factor after starting seventh; and Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who scored his third top-10 finish in the last four events.

Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., brought out the race’s lone caution flag on lap 31 when he slowed in turn four. He continued and finished on the lead lap in 17th place.

A field of 41 cars was signed in for the program, which was run under clear, postcard-perfect weather conditions.

Austin Hubbard, 17, of Seaford, Del., registered the second WoO LMS fast-time honor of his young career with a lap of 18.328 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. But he failed to qualify for the A-Main after fading out of a transfer spot in his heat and running into trouble during the first B-Main.

Hubbard’s problems in the last-chance race began when he was penalized one row by officials from his pole starting slot for jumping the initial green flag. He then tangled on the homestretch with Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa., and Bob Close of Eldred, Pa., while battling for second, sending him sliding through the infield. The youngster was left with a flat right-front tire and could only rally to finish sixth after making a pit stop.

Heat winners were Lanigan, Frank, Clanton and Covert, and the B-Mains were captured by Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.

The Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic continues on Sunday night (Sept. 6) with another complete WoO LMS program topped by a 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic’ Night No. 1 (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Steve Francis/50 $10,700
2. (1) Josh Richards/50 $5,500
3. (8) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,600
4. (5) Shane Clanton/50 $3,000
5. (6) Jason Covert/50 $2,500
6. (2) Tim Fuller/50 $2,200
7. (11) Vic Coffey/50 $1,400
8. (18) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,400
9. (7) Chub Frank/50 $1,700
10. (9) Russell King/50 $1,950
11. (10) Gregg Satterlee/50 $1,050
12. (15) Rick Eckert/50 $1,500
13. (14) Nick Dickson/50 $950
14. (12) Brady Smith/50 $1,400
15. (4) Robbie Blair/50 $850
16. (19) Bob Close/50 $800
17. (20) Clint Smith/50 $1,270
18. (23) Jordan Bland/50 $1,250
19. (13) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/50 $730
20. (16) Dan Stone/42 $700
21. (24) Brent Robinson/18 $1,200
22. (22) Brent Rhebergen/18 $700
23. (17) Matt Lux/13 $700
24. (21) Jeremy Miller/12 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 19 Mins., 11.023 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.667 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 1 (lap 31)
Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-13); Richards (14-48); Francis (49-50)
Provisional Starters: Bland, Robinson
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Covert ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Bobby Bachman (King)

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

1. 11h-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 18.328
2. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 18.411
3. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.433
4. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.612
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 18.670
6. 17-Nick Dickson/Lewistown, PA 18.674
7. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 18.684
8. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 18.837
9. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.905
10. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 18.909
11. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.976
12. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 19.027
13. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 19.032
14. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 19.055
15. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.085
16. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 19.116
17. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 19.161
18. 56b-Denton Boyer/Punxsutawney, PA 19.166
19. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 19.181
20. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 19.195
21. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 19.202
22. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 19.218
23. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 19.240
24. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 19.255
25. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.296
26. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 19.321
27. 21*-David Scott/Garland, PA 19.416
28. 07R-Brent Rhebergen/Clymer, NY 19.458
29. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.508
30. 04-Bob Close/Eldred, PA 19.592
31. 90-Wally Fox/Cooperstown, PA 19.638
32. 119M-Chad McClellan/Stoystown, PA 19.690
33. M1-Mickey Wright/Albion, PA 19.800
34. 53-John Volpe/Lakeland, NY 19.839
35. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 19.901
36. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 20.033
37. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 20.037
38. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 20.197
39. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 20.203
40. 0-Ryan Scott/Garland, PA 20.742
41. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 21.091

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Fuller, King, Briggs, Hubbard, Hess, J. Miller, Hapka, Robinson, Wright, Knowles

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Frank, Blair, Satterlee, Dickson, Lux, Close, Oakes, Hedman, Volpe, Boyer

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Richards, Coffey, Eckert, C. Smith, D. Scott, Bland, Knight, Reddick, Fox

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Covert, Francis, B. Smith, Stone, McCreadie, Rhebergen, Myers, Davies, McClellan, R. Scott

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lux, Close, J. Miller, Oakes, Robinson, Hubbard, Wright, Hedman, Knowles, Volpe, Hapka, Boyer, Hess

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McCreadie, C. Smith, Rhebergen, Bland, D. Scott, Myers, Reddick, Knight, McClellan, Fox, R. Scott, Davies

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Brent Robinson, David Scott
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Jason Covert
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Matt Lux, Tim McCreadie
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jason Covert
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Robbie Blair
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Tim Fuller
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Dave Hess Jr.
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 5 – 36 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 4937 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 4929 (-8)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4835 (-102)
4. Tim Fuller 4775 (-162)
5. Rick Eckert 4755 (-182)
6. Shane Clanton 4695 (-242)
7. Chub Frank 4667 (-270)
8. Brady Smith 4554 (-383)
9. Clint Smith 4445 (-492)
10. Russell King 3999 (-938)
11. Jordan Bland 3871 (-1066)
12. Brent Robinson 3655 (-1282)
13. Dustin Hapka 3347 (-1590)
14. Tyler Reddick 3167 (-1770)
15. Vic Coffey 2964 (-1973)
16. Austin Hubbard 2749 (-2188)
17. Matt Lux 1709 (-3228)
18. Gregg Satterlee 1588 (-3349)
19. Shannon Babb 1470 (-3467)
20. Dan Stone 1451 (-3486)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Hometown Racer Matt Lux Definitely Focused On This Weekend’s Oil Region Labor Day Classic At Tri-City Speedway

FRANKLIN, PA - Sept. 4, 2009 - Matt Lux is definitely focused on this weekend’s Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic at Tri-City Speedway.

“I was lying in bed (on Wednesday night) and I couldn’t sleep,” said Lux, an up-and-coming regional dirt Late Model racer whose home in Franklin, Pa., is just a few miles south of the half-mile oval. “I just kept thinking, What do I need to do to the car?

“It would really mean a lot to me if I could run well in the biggest races of the year at my hometrack. A bunch of my family members are going to be there watching – some of them who don’t even know anything about all this racing I do – so it would be nice to put a decent show on in front of them.”

Lux, 35, enters the two-day World of Outlaws Late Model Series spectacular – which features complete shows topped by 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains on both Saturday and Sunday nights (Sept. 5-6) – at the tail end of the most ambitious season of his seven-year dirt Late Model career. He’s hit the road to enter 16 of the 35 WoO LMS events contested to date – a trial by fire that he hopes has prepared him for the tour’s invasion of his home turf.

“We really haven’t been super-successful this year, but we’ve learned a lot,” Lux said of his World of Outlaws endeavors. “When you run with the Outlaws, if you’re off just a little bit they’ll make you look real bad – and believe me, we’ve experienced that this year. But running different tracks is how you hone your skills quicker, so hopefully it will all pay off for us somewhere down the road.

“Maybe everything will come together for us this weekend. If there’s any place things could click, it’s Tri-City. I have enough laps around that place where I can have a car that’s a little off and still be O.K.”

A winner of 11 E-Mod features (and the 2005 track title) and nine Pro-Stock races (all during the 1999-2000 seasons) at Tri-City, Lux would love to make one of this weekend’s A-Mains his first dirt Late Model victory at the Venango County facility, which hasn’t hosted the class on a weekly basis since 1997. He knows the Outlaws can be turned back at Tri-City after Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., pulled off a storybook upset triumph in the second half of the 2007 Classic, but in the same vein Lux admits he’s not riding high with confidence about his chances.

“We’re not running real well right now,” said Lux, whose three dirt Late Model starts this season at Tri-City show two fifth-place finishes in ULMS events and a sixth in an O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Series show. “It’s been a tough year and we’re still struggling to find out what works for us, so I’m not going in (this weekend) thinking I can win, that’s for sure. We’re gonna try our best, but a win is so far out there. I think at least one top-five (finish) is within the realm of possibility if everything goes right.”

Lux has found the WoO LMS stars to be very willing to answer his technical questions during his ’09 tour excursions, which included June’s ‘Great Northern Tour’ that had Lux with the Outlaws for 10 straight days. He’s just found that it isn’t easy to sift through all the information to find what fits him best.

“Our knowledge isn’t quite to the point yet where we can absorb what they’re telling us,” said Lux, whose M3 Autosports team carries primary sponsorship from the Alturnamats company (where he also works as Operations Production Manager). “Chub (Frank) is a guy who’s helped us a lot, but I don’t drive like Chub so what works for him isn’t always gonna work for me.

“We have to find something that works for us. When you’re struggling pretty soon you have 15 different people telling you 15 different things and then you’re all screwed up, so we’re going to start from square one this weekend and see if we can get back on track.”

Lux has only one top-10 finish in the 10 WoO LMS A-Mains he’s qualified for this season (a seventh on July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio), but he’s shown his potential by making the starting fields of several major tour events, including the Colossal 100 (finished 28th), the Illini 100 (13th) and the Firecracker 100 (13th). His lack of positive results hasn’t made him second-guess his decision to test his talents against the country’s best drivers.

“We’re taking small steps right now,” said Lux, who counts visiting new tracks as the most exciting part of his WoO LMS travels. “I know we can run with these (WoO) guys because we have before (his career-best tour finish is a fifth on Aug. 4, 2006, at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.), but we’re in ‘searching’ mode. As soon as we figure some things out we’re gonna turn that corner.”

Lux has started five WoO LMS A-Mains at Tri-City, with his top finish of ninth coming in the first 50-lapper of last year’s Classic.

More than 100 motorhomes and campers were already parked in Tri-City’s parking lot on Thursday, awaiting the start of a huge weekend of action on the track and fun off of it.

The Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic has rapidly developed into one of the region’s most popular multi-day short-track events since its launch in 2006 as a WoO LMS doubleheader by former Tri-City owners Mike Graham and Roger Crick. The tradition continues this weekend under H&H Motorsports partners Rich Hetrick and Roy Hill, who purchased the track in January.

Tri-City’s new management team is bringing back the tried-and-true elements (including the Ray's Racing Specialties/Engles Trucking Services ‘Ghetto South’ Party – a bash that will be rocked by a band – after Saturday night’s racing) and adding some new twists (most notably an additional night of competition on Fri., Sept. 4, for the BRP Big-Block Modified Tour, Detroit Iron Pro Stocks and Thundercars).

Joining the WoO LMS on the Saturday and Sunday programs will be the ULMS E-Mod Series, Fastrak Northeast Late Model Tour Series and Pro Stocks. The FASTTrack Late Models and Pro Stocks will run heats on Saturday and B-Mains and features on Sunday.

Action is scheduled to begin on Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. with WoO LMS hot laps and time trials.

The raindate for the Saturday or Sunday programs is Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7.

For ticket information and more details about the Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic, log on to www.tricityspeedway.com or call the speedway at 814-676-1681 (track) or 814-676-0477 (office).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Late Caution Helps Fuller Steal ‘Dirt Demon 50’ Victory From Coffey Wednesday Night At Brewerton Speedway

BREWERTON, NY - Sept. 2, 2009 - Tim Fuller had a bunch of reasons to smile after winning Wednesday night’s inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Dirt Demon 50’ at Brewerton Speedway.

It continued his torrid summer on the national tour. It came at a one-third-mile oval that he used to call home during his days as a DIRTcar big-block Modified regular. His car owner, John Wight, was looking on from the tower of the track he purchased earlier this year.

And Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., happened to earn his $10,600 victory in truly dramatic fashion.

Battling forward from the eighth starting spot in the Gypsum Express Rocket, Fuller took advantage of a late caution flag to grab the lead from Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., on lap 45 and hold on for his sixth triumph in the last nine WoO LMS events.

“It’s just incredible to win one at my car owner’s track in front of a crowd like this,” said Fuller, gesturing toward the bleachers that were filled to capacity for Brewerton’s first-ever WoO LMS program. “For awhile it seemed like I could only win (dirt Late Model) races in the West, so it’s a nice change to win close to home.”

In a showdown of former DIRTcar big-block Modified regulars who have won the last two WoO LMS Rookie of the Year awards, Fuller beat Coffey’s Sweeteners Plus Rocket car to the finish line by a scant 0.833 of a second to record his ninth career win on the tour – and deny Coffey a coveted first career Outlaws victory.

Polesitter Rick Eckert of York, Pa., placed third in the Raye Vest Racing Team Zero by Bloomquist mount, just a couple car lengths behind Coffey at the finish. Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., advanced from the 14th starting spot to finish fourth in his Team Zero by Bloomquist machine – his first top-five since July 24 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park – and 21st-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., made a late charge to snare a fifth-place finish in his Rocket.

Former WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who competed in Brewerton’s big-block Modified ranks before going full-fender racing, finished sixth after being overtaken by Frank in the final laps.

Coffey, 38, appeared headed to a milestone victory after racing forward from the seventh starting spot to take the lead on lap 13 from Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. He pulled away when green-flag conditions prevailed for an extended period – as evidenced after Fuller came on following a lap-31 caution flag to lead lap 36 but then dropped back, losing the top spot to Coffey on lap 37 and falling nearly a straightaway behind by lap 44.

Moments later, however, a busted driveshaft from the car driven by 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., was spotted on the inside of the homestretch, bringing out the race’s fourth and final caution flag. The turn of events gave Fuller new life and proved to be Coffey’s undoing.

Fuller fired off quickly on the restart, pulling to the outside of Coffey and taking the lead on lap 45. One lap later Fuller surged ahead of Coffey to snatch the inside line that Coffey had been using so successfully throughout the race.

“Under a long green (flag) he was supersonic – I couldn’t run with him,” Fuller said of Coffey. “As his tires got hot he got better, and as mine got hot I got slower.

“It all played out in my favor when that caution came out with six (laps) to go. I got one more shot at him and I felt my chances were pretty good. My tires were so good cold.

“I wasn’t positive I could pull it off (a pass) after the caution because I didn’t make it work 15 laps prior to that,” added Fuller, who owns 26 career DIRTcar big-block Modified feature wins at Brewerton. “But my car stuck in that center (lane) and I was able to clear him and get to the bottom. Then I was just hoping I could last to the end.”

The caution flag came out at the worst possible time for Coffey, who couldn’t match Fuller’s speed over a short sprint.

“I definitely didn’t want to see that caution because I knew (Fuller) was good for three, four, five laps, maybe a tick better than me,” said Coffey. “He got alongside me the restart before that and I was able to fight him off, but I knew when the caution came out with six to go that if he could stick (the center lane) twice and drop down in front of me, there’s nothing I would be able to do about it. And that’s what he did.

“Obviously he’s on a roll right now, there’s no doubt about it. He’s getting the breaks he needs and taking advantage of them.”

While Coffey scored a career-best WoO LMS finish and earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a tour A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings, he was disappointed to remain winless at Brewerton during his career. He had previously absorbed heartbreaking late-race losses on at least three occasions in big-block and 358-Modified events at the track.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., maintained his WoO LMS points lead despite being forced to restart at the rear of the field following an incident on the race’s original start. The 21-year-old sensation started fifth but he got sideways between turns one and two and was nicked by Coffey, cutting Richards’s left-rear tire.

With a caution flag thrown for the multi-car, chain-reaction stack-up that occurred behind Richards, the young driver was able to pit for a tire change. He rallied to finish eighth – just one spot behind his closest pursuer in the points standings, Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who ran quietly just outside the top five throughout the A-Main and left Brewerton trailing Richards by 12 points.

Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., a Brewerton big-block Modified regular and another member of Wight’s Gypsum Express team, finished ninth, while Clanton faded to a 10th-place finish (after starting second and leadings laps 1-12) thanks to a broken right-front fender flare that hampered his car’s handling.

A field of 30 cars assembled for the event, which was run on a cool, crystal-clear evening.

Richards registered his fourth fast-time award of 2009 with a lap of 14.324 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials.

Heat winners were Richards, Francis and Eckert, and Greg Oakes of Franklinville, N.Y., captured the B-Main.

With his preliminary triumph, Francis became the first driver to reach 100 career heat-race wins since the WoO LMS was launched under the World Racing Group banner in 2004.

The WoO LMS closes out a busy week with the Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic on Saturday and Sunday nights (Sept. 5-6) at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. Complete shows both evenings will be topped by 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Dirt Demon 50’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (8) Tim Fuller/50 $10,600
2. (7) Vic Coffey/50 $5,500
3. (1) Rick Eckert/50 $3,500
4. (14) Brady Smith/50 $3,000
5. (21) Chub Frank/50 $2,500
6. (4) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,800
7. (6) Steve Francis/50 $2,000
8. (5) Josh Richards/50 $1,850
9. (3) Billy Decker/50 $1,200
10. (2) Shane Clanton/50 $1,700
11. (9) Dan Stone/50 $1,050
12. (10) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,600
13. (16) Russell King/50 $1,700
14. (13) Brent Robinson/50 $1,400
15. (11) Clint Smith/49 $1,350
16. (12) Matt Sheppard/49 $800
17. (15) Jordan Bland/48 $1,270
18. (18) James Cornell/47 $750
19. (23) Dustin Hapka/47 $730
20. (17) Austin Hubbard/44 $700
21. (24) Tyler Reddick/44 $700
22. (19) Greg Oakes/26 $700
23. (22) Tony Knowles/15 $700
24. (20) Jimmy Bernheisel $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 24 Mins., 46.475 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.833 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 0, 16, 31, 44)
Lap Leaders: Clanton (1-12); Coffey (13-35); Fuller (36); Coffey (37-44); Fuller (45-50)
Provisional Starters: Hapka, Reddick
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Coffey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Brandon Bender (Brady Smith)

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

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.324
2. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.355
3. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.380
4. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.385
5. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.495
6. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 14.541
7. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.571
8. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.578
9. 9s-Matt Sheppard/Waterloo, NY 14.579
10. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.581
11. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.581
12. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 14.594
13. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 14.606
14. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.630
15. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 14.638
16. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 14.649
17. 22-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 14.831
18. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 14.834
19. 99z-Dave Zona/Montrose, PA 14.848
20. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.864
21. 13b-James Cornell/Harpersville, NY 14.915
22. 119J-Jimmy Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA 14.938
23. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.944
24. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 14.970
25. R19-Dale Caswell/Central Square, NY 15.070
26. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.073
27. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 15.107
28. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.123
29. 99L-Larry Wight/Baldwinsville, NY 15.301
30. 16-Aaron Jacobs/Frankfort, NY 16.044

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, Clanton, Coffey, Lanigan, Robinson, King, Bernheisel, Zona, Reddick, Caswell

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Francis, McCreadie, Fuller, C. Smith, B. Smith, Hubbard, Oakes, Frank, Wight, Hapka

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Eckert, Decker, Stone, Sheppard, Bland, Cornell, Knowles, Briggs, Jacobs, Knight

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Oakes, Bernheisel, Frank, Knowles, Zona, Knight, Briggs, Reddick, Wight, Caswell, Hapka, Jacobs

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Dave Zona
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Greg Oakes
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Shane Clanton
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 2 – 35 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 4791 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 4779 (-12)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4691 (-100)
4. Tim Fuller 4637 (-154)
5. Rick Eckert 4629 (-162)
6. Shane Clanton 4553 (-238)
7. Chub Frank 4535 (-256)
8. Brady Smith 4432 (-359)
9. Clint Smith 4329 (-462)
10. Russell King 3869 (-922)
11. Jordan Bland 3757 (-1034)
12. Brent Robinson 3547 (-1244)
13, Dustin Hapka 3272 (-1519)
14. Tyler Reddick 3092 (-1699)
15. Vic Coffey 2828 (-1963)
16. Austin Hubbard 2674 (-2117)
17. Matt Lux 1605 (-3186)
18. Shannon Babb 1470 (-3321)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1460 (-3331)
20. Dan Stone 1341 (-3450)

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Points Standings (drivers’ best 30 finishes):

1. Russell King 3,494 (-0)
2. Jordan Bland 3,382 (-112)
3. Brent Robinson 3,172 (-322)
4. Dustin Hapka 2,897 (-597)
5. Tyler Reddick 2,717 (-777)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Eckert Romps To Third Victory Of Season In Twice-Postponed World of Outlaws Late Model Series 50 At Eriez Speedway

HAMMETT, PA - Sept. 1, 2009 - Rick Eckert didn’t mind making three trips to Eriez Speedway this season.

Not after he won the one-third-mile oval’s twice-postponed World of Outlaws Late Model Series event on a clear, cool Tuesday night.

Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., dominated the 50-lap A-Main at Bob and Kathy Rohrer’s track, blasting off the outside pole to lead the entire distance for his third victory of the season on the national tour.

“This makes coming here three times worth it,” Eckert said after pocketing $10,600 for capturing a race that was postponed by rain on July 26 (near the end of time trials) and Aug. 23 (after heat races). “This is great for (car owner) Raye (Vest), great for the team and great for me. It’s been awhile since we won one of these races.”

Indeed, Eckert’s last WoO LMS triumph came on June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in Lafargeville, N.Y. What’s more, with his earlier 2009 victories worth $7,000 apiece, he collected a five-figure first-place prize for the first time in over 14 months.

Eckert’s only threat at Eriez came from Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who made a bid for the lead as Eckert worked lapped traffic with his Team Zero by Bloomquist car midway through the A-Main. But Eckert pulled away once he got into open track, leaving the fourth-starting Francis to settle for his seventh runner-up finish in the last 11 WoO LMS events behind the wheel of the Beitler Motorsports Rocket.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., started and finished third in the Gypsum Express Rocket, but he had to battle hard to outduel Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., for the show position. Richards, who started from the pole position, finished fourth in the Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket to maintain his points lead by 14 markers over Francis, and Eriez regular Chad Valone of Warren, Pa., scored a career-best WoO LMS finish of fifth in a Rocket machine.

Eckert’s winning move proved to be his opening-lap slide by Richards to assume command. He went on to record his 19th career WoO LMS victory, which ironically tied him with Richards for second on the tour’s win list since 2004.

“I knew the start was gonna be pretty close,” said Eckert, who sits fifth in the series points standings. “(Richards) was in the traction down on the bottom, but when we were out there riding around (on the pace laps) I saw that there was some moisture at the top so I just stayed wide and kept my right-side tires in it.

“We fired at the same time, but I probably had a little better lane through (turns) one and two. I could run down in there and carry some speed – and usually with these cars, if you can be beside a guy on corner entry on a start, you’re gonna beat him off of two.”

After three caution flags and one red flag (for a homestretch rollover on lap five that left Scott Gurdak of Spring Creek, Pa., shaken but otherwise uninjured) during the race’s first five circuits, Eckert controlled the remaining 45 laps that ran caution-free.

“One time in (lapped) traffic I got behind guys who were side-by-side and I seen Steve (Francis) get under me, so I was like, ‘I gotta get going here,’” said Eckert. “I couldn’t find my crew guys through the fence, so I just ran as hard as I could because I thought they were right on me. I had no idea I was pulling away.”

Francis, 41, could only mutter “second again” after falling just short of his sixth victory of ’09. The 2008 WoO LMS winner at Eriez crossed the finish line 4.066 seconds behind Eckert.

“I thought I was gonna get (Eckert),” said Francis, who showed his car’s nose to Eckert on lap 24. “Then, all of a sudden, my car just died. I don’t know if I overheated the tires or what, but all I could do (the second half of the A-Main) was drive around and try not to make any dumb mistakes.”

Fuller, 41, was rapidly closing on Francis during the race’s final laps but ran out of time. He fell back to fifth early in the race and spent nearly 30 laps attempting to power around the outside of Richards for third before finally completing the pass on lap 38.

“I needed to get by Josh 20 laps earlier to have a shot at Francis,” said Francis, who had won five of the last seven WoO LMS events. “It was just hard to make a clean pass – and (Richards is) in a points battle, so I didn’t want to rough him up or do something that might take him out.”

The 21-year-old Richards did all he could to hold off Fuller but conceded that he had a fourth-place car.

“We were off a little bit,” said Richards, who won the 2007 WoO LMS A-Main at Eriez. “The car was a little bit too tight. I couldn’t drive it in as aggressively as I wanted to.”

Valone, 37, started sixth and hung tough for a milestone top-five finish. He earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and wasn’t ranked among the top 12 in the tour points standings.

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who has turned his season around over the past two weeks since borrowing a 2005 Rocket car from Valone, finished a fast-closing sixth. Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., advanced from 14th to seventh, ahead of Franklinville, N.Y.’s Greg Oakes, who scored a career-best WoO LMS finish of eighth; defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who stared 23rd after using a provisional; and Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio.

Ohlins Shocks Time Trials and four heat races were completed on Aug. 23, so two B-Mains kicked off Tuesday night’s program. Clanton and Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., were victorious in the last-chance events.

The WoO LMS continues a busy summer-ending stretch on Wednesday night (Sept. 2) at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway and Saturday and Sunday nights (Sept. 5-6) at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. All three evenings feature 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains, including both halves of Tri-City’s Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Eriez Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Rick Eckert/50 $10,600
2. (4) Steve Francis/50 $5,600
3. (3) Tim Fuller/50 $3,500
4. (1) Josh Richards/50 $3,050
5. (6) Chad Valone/50 $2,500
6. (9) Chub Frank/50 $2,200
7. (14) Clint Smith/50 $1,900
8. (13) Greg Oakes/50 $1,300
9. (23) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,800
10. (10) Russell King/50 $1,950
11. (5) Mike Knight/50 $1,050
12. (7) Tony Knowles/50 $1,000
13. (17) Shane Clanton/50 $1,450
14. (18) Austin Hubbard/50 $900
15. (16) John Lobb/50 $850
16. (24) Brady Smith/49 $1,300
17. (11) Ron Davies/49 $770
18. (22) Dennis Lunger/49 $750
19. (15) Bump Hedman/49 $730
20. (21) Dick Barton/41 $700
21. (20) Brent Rhebergen/30 $700
22. (19) Chris Hackett/10 $700
23. (8) Robbie Blair/5 $700
24. (12) Scott Johnson/5 $700
25. (25) Doug Eck/5 $700
26. (26) Scott Gurdak/5 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 31 Mins., 19.529 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 4.066 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 3 (laps 2, 5, 5); 1 red flag (lap 5)
Lap Leaders: Eckert (1-50)
Provisional Starters: Lanigan, B. Smith (WoO); Eck, Gurdak (track)
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Valone ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Zach Frields (Eckert)

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Shane Clanton, 2. Chris Hackett, 3. Dick Barton, 4. Scott Gurdak, 5. Bruce Hordusky, 6. Mike Coyle, 7. Jordan Bland, 8. Brady Smith, 9. Doug Eck, 10. Brent Robinson, 11. Nathan Short, 12. Jason Morell

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Austin Hubbard, 2. Brent Rhebergen, 3. Dennis Lunger, 4. Merle Terry, 5. Dave Hess Jr., 6. Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs, 7. David Lyon, 8. Rich Gardner, 9. Tyler Reddick, 10. Andy Kania, 11. Dustin Hapka, 12. Darrell Lanigan, 13. Randy Lobb

Drivers who entered the event on July 26 and/or Aug. 23 but did not return on Tuesday: Ryan Scott, Jared Miley, Matt Urban, Andy Boozel, Chad Ruhlman, Matt Lux, Tim McCreadie, Dutch Davies, Vic Coffey, David Scott, John Volpe, George LaBarbera, Doug Ricotta

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Bruce Hordusky, Dave Hess Jr.
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Chad Valone
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Mike Knight
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton, Austin Hubbard
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chad Valone
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): John Lobb
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Rick Eckert
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Rich Gardner
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 1 – 34 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 4657 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 4643 (-14)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4565 (-92)
4. Tim Fuller 4487 (-170)
5. Rick Eckert 4485 (-172)
6. Shane Clanton 4423 (-234)
7. Chub Frank 4395 (-262)
8. Brady Smith 4290 (-367)
9. Clint Smith 4209 (-448)
10. Russell King 3745 (-912)
11. Jordan Bland 3641 (-1016)
12. Brent Robinson 3425 (-1232)
13. Dustin Hapka 3160 (-1497)
14. Tyler Reddick 2984 (-1673)
15. Vic Coffey 2682 (-1975)
16. Austin Hubbard 2564 (-2093)
17. Matt Lux 1605 (-3052)
18. Shannon Babb 1470 (-3187)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1460 (-3197)
20. Dan Stone 1213 (-3444)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing The Final Summer Swing To New York & Pennsylvania

CONCORD, NC - Aug. 31, 2009 -

BIG ENDING: Call it the last blast of summer for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

The national tour heads toward the Labor Day holiday with a busy – and very critical – swing of four events this week, competing on Tuesday night (Sept. 1) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.; Wednesday night (Sept. 2) at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway; and Saturday and Sunday nights (Sept. 5-6) at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa.

Each program will be topped by a 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win, including both halves of Tri-City’s Armstrong Cable Oil Region Labor Day Classic.

This stretch of racing will mark the final time that the WoO LMS visits the Northeast this season. Only two events in the Midwest (Sept. 19 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., and Sept. 20 at Illinois’s La Salle Speedway) and three races at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (Oct. 14 and the World Finals on Nov. 5-7) will remain on the schedule.

ONE MORE TRY: With clear skies forecast for Tuesday night in Northwest Pennsylvania, it’s looking like the WoO LMS’s third visit to Eriez in 2009 will finally be the charm.

The series is returning to Bob and Kathy Rohrer’s one-third-mile oval near Lake Erie to complete a card that was originally scheduled as the finale of Ohio Late Model Speedweek on July 26. Rain with two cars left to time-trial forced officials to postpone the program and restart it from scratch on Aug. 23 – and then more pesky precipitation struck after qualifying and heat races were run on the second date, pushing the balance of the action to Sept. 1.

A big crowd was on hand Aug. 23 to watch a 46-car field battle it out. Josh Richards of Shinnston, W. Va., who carries the WoO LMS points lead into this week’s competition, set fast time and heat winners were Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., Chad Valone of Warren, Pa., Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., and Outlaw title contender Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.

At the start of Tuesday’s show, the four heat winners will be joined by the second-place finishers in each heat on Aug. 23 – Richards, Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. – in a redraw for the top-eight starting spots in the 50-lap headliner. Two B-Mains will also be contested to firm up the remainder of the A-Main field.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED: Nearly 13 years after a wild Super Late Model practice session got Brewerton Speedway’s fans fired up for full-fender racing, the WoO LMS will finally give the track’s faithful what they’ve been waiting to see.

Francis, the 2007 WoO LMS champion, was one of four drivers who hot-lapped dirt Late Models at the high-banked, one-third-mile oval during Super DIRT Week in October 1996 in preparation for a scheduled STARS Renegade DirtCar Series event. The race was rained out the next night and the tour never returned to central New York, but memories of Francis and Co. twisting their machines around the track in electric fashion still live on.

And now, with everyone knowing that Wednesday night’s field will be stacked with not only WoO LMS superstars but a host of drivers who have made their name running central New York’s DIRTcar big-block Modified circuit, anticipation couldn’t be higher for the inaugural ‘D-Shaped Dirt Demon 50.’

A capacity crowd is expected to converge on Brewerton, a stalwart DIRTcar big-block Modified track that was purchased earlier this year by trucking company magnate and multi-race team owner John Wight. Wight, whose racing operation includes the Gypsum Express dirt Late Models driven by red-hot WoO LMS regular Tim Fuller, has even installed a new section of bleachers to accommodate the influx of fans.

Fuller (26 career DIRTcar big-block Modified wins at Brewerton) will arrive at his former hometrack as the hottest driver on the WoO LMS. Sitting fourth in the series points standings entering the holiday-week swing, he recently tied the tour’s consecutive-win record of four and won for the fifth time overall in the last series event, on Aug. 29 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga.

The DIRTcar big-block Modified contingent in Wednesday’s event will also include 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (11 career wins at Brewerton), 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., defending track champion Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y. (44 career wins) and 16-year-old Larry Wight of Baldwinsville, N.Y. (son of track owner John Wight and a Friday-night regular).

In addition, current Brewerton DIRTcar big-block Modified points leader Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., is hoping to make his dirt Late Model debut on Wednesday night. The 26-year-old standout’s team owner, Jeff Brownell Sr., recently purchased a Rocket car formerly driven by Fuller, but an unexpected problem with the C.C. Performance engine Brownell obtained from the Sweeteners Plus operation has Sheppard uncertain if he’ll be ready to challenge the Outlaws.

“We got the motor in the car and fired it up for the first time on Friday, but the intake started leaking,” said Sheppard, who leads the DIRTcar big-block Modified division with 16 feature wins this season. “We sent the intake back to C.C. on Saturday. Hopefully we’ll get it back in time to make it to Brewerton so we can get some laps.

“We’re gonna take it slow,” he added when asked about his future dirt Late Model plans. “We haven’t talked about any big plans.”

BIG WEEKEND: The WoO LMS will once again headline Tri-City’s Oil Region Labor Day Classic, a doubleheader that has grown each year since its inception in 2006.

H&H Motorsports partners Rich Hetrick and Roy Hill, who purchased the fast half-mile oval in January, are continuing the holiday-weekend tradition started by former track owners Mike Graham and Roger Crick. Tri-City’s grounds will be swamped by motorhomes and campers for the event, which includes the popular Ray's Racing Specialties/Engles Trucking Services ‘Ghetto South’ Party – a bash that will be rocked by a band – after the Saturday-night program.

The Classic, which features complete WoO LMS programs on both Saturday and Sunday, has produced some memorable WoO LMS A-Mains. There was final-lap drama in both 50-lappers run in 2006 (Chub Frank passed Billy Moyer to win the first night, then Shane Clanton captured the finale after leader Darrell Lanigan had a white-flag run-in with a lapped car), and in 2007 Thompson, Pa.’s Dan Stone pulled off the biggest upset in series history when he passed every Outlaw regular in the field en route to a wildly-popular victory that earned him two standing ovations.

H&H Motorsports has actually expanded the Classic weekend this season, adding a show on Friday night (Sept. 4) that headlines the BRP big-block Modified Tour. A 40-lap feature paying $3,000 to win is on the agenda.

One Outlaw regular will be very interested in Friday’s action at Tri-City: Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, a 20-year-old whose racing career started in the big-block Modified division. King will be in Tri-City’s pit area to watch his father, former Tour champion Rex King Sr., and younger brother Rex King Jr. continue their pursuit of the 2009 series title – and if Russell can land a ride, he might even join his family members in the big-block Modified field.

GOOD TIME TO BE HOT: Chub Frank has broken out of his season-long struggles at a perfect time.

With two wins and a third-place finish in his last three starts, the 47-year-old veteran from Bear Lake, Pa., is carrying plenty of momentum to three tracks where he already has a history of success. Eriez, of course, was his Sunday-night hometrack for many seasons earlier in his career (he’s scheduled to start ninth in Tuesday night’s A-Main there after qualifying through a heat on Aug. 23); he owns five career wins at Tri-City; and while he’s never competed at Brewerton, he has a knack for central New York racetracks as evidenced by his four WoO LMS victories at tracks in the area from 2005-2007.

THE OUTLAWS: Josh Richards and Steve Francis have distanced themselves from third-place Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., in the WoO LMS points standings heading into this crucial four-race stretch.

Richards now leads the battle by 18 points over Francis. Lanigan, meanwhile, is 82 points behind Richards, leaving him with flickering hopes for a repeat title.

The top seven drivers in the current WoO LMS points standings have won 24 of the season’s 33 A-Mains to date, led by Richards’s seven victories. Francis (five), Fuller (five), Lanigan (two), Frank (two), Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (two) and Clanton (one) account for the other checkered flags claimed by WoO LMS regulars.

WoO LMS travelers who have entered all 33 events this season but are still looking for their first win include Clint Smith and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., as well as Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

JOINING IN: The list of regional drivers from the Northeast with plans to run all four WoO LMS events includes O’Reilly All-Star Late Model Series points leader Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa.; Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., a 17-year-old coming off his eighth top-10 WoO LMS finish of the season on Saturday at Screven Motor Speedway; 22-year-old Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., who is in the redraw for A-Main starting spots at Eriez; and Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., a top contender to upset the Outlaws at Eriez.

ERIEZ SPEEDWAY EVENT INFORMATION: Fans who don’t have rainchecks for entry into Tuesday night’s held-over program at Eriez can purchase a ticket for $15 to watch the remainder of the action, which includes two B-Mains and the 50-lap A-Main plus features for the track’s E-Mod and Limited Late Model divisions.

Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30 p.m. and racing will begin at 7 p.m.

Additional info is available by logging on to www.eriez-speedway.com or calling 814-434-4370 or 814-440-2859.

BREWERTON SPEEDWAY EVENT INFORMATION: All gates will open at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday (Sept. 2), with hot laps scheduled to start at 6:20 p.m., WoO LMS time trials at 6:45 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

General admission is $30 for persons over 14 and $10 for children 14-and-under, and pit passes will be $40. Fans who want to avoid waiting in the ticket lines can purchase advance-sale tickets at the regular price at the speedway box office all day Tuesday (Sept. 1) and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, but no blankets can be put down to save seats until after the gates open at 4:30 p.m. The only reserved seats are those painted orange for season-pass holders.

Brewerton’s Mod Lite class will also be on hand to run a 25-lap championship feature during the evening of competition, which has a raindate of Thursday night (Sept. 3).

For more information visit www.brewertonspeedway.com or call

TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY EVENT INFORMATION: Following a 7:30 p.m. start for Friday’s opening night of the Oil Region Labor Day Classic, on-track action will begin at 4 p.m. with WoO LMS hot laps and time trials on both Saturday (Sept. 5) and Sunday (Sept. 6).

The ULMS E-Mod Series, Fastrak Northeast Late Model Tour Series and Detroit Iron Pro Stocks will be part of both WoO LMS programs. The FASTTrack Late Models and Pro Stocks will run heats on Saturday and B-Mains and features on Sunday.

The fun-filled weekend will also include a bonfire and DJ music after Friday night’s racing; the fifth annual ‘Ghetto South’ party featuring the band ‘Intent’ after Saturday’s action; the first annual H&H Corn Hole Tournament at 11 a.m. on Saturday (think horseshoes with corn sacks and a board with a hole); a mechanical bull and Velcro wall; racing simulators; and a pit stop challenge.

Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday programs are $30 (adults), $15 (students 12-15) and free for kids 12-and-under. Two-day Saturday/Sunday passes are $50 (adults) and $25 (students 12-15), while three-day passes that include admission to Friday’s program are $75 (adults) and $35 (students 12-15). Pit passes are $40 on both Saturday and Sunday, $70 for a two-day pass or $100 for a three-day pass.

The raindate for the Saturday or Sunday programs is Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7.

More information is available by logging on to www.tricityspeedway.com or calling 814-676-1681 (track) or 814-676-0477 (office).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 29 – 33 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 7-19-27-$157,870-4515 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 5-21-27-$139,985-4497 (-18)
3. Darrell Lanigan 2-15-26-$151,926-4433 (-82)
4. Tim Fuller 5-14-20-$107,330-4343 (-172)
5. Rick Eckert 2-11-23-$80,595-4335 (-180)
6. Shane Clanton 1-7-23-$83,720-4299 (-216)
7. Chub Frank 2-6-20-$88,400-4257 (-258)
8. Brady Smith 0-11-17-$74,365-4172 (-343)
9. Clint Smith 0-4-15-$56,080-4073 (-442)
10. Russell King 0-0-5-$39,780-3615 (-900)
11. Jordan Bland 0-0-3-$40,520-3566 (-949)
12. Brent Robinson 0-0-1-$25,450-3350 (-1165)
13. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$15,480-3085 (-1430)
14. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$12,015-2909 (-1606)
15. Vic Coffey 0-2-7-$30,500-2607 (-1908)
16. Austin Hubbard 0-3-8-$26,195-2442 (-2073)
17. Matt Lux 0-0-1-$12,960-1530 (-2985)
18. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,830-1470 (-3045)
19. Gregg Satterlee 0-1-5-$14,910-1460 (-3055)
20. Dan Stone 0-1-1-1213 (-3302)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Fuller Returns To Winning Ways On Saturday Night At Georgia’s Screven Motor Speedway

SYLVANIA, GA - Aug. 29, 2009 - It didn’t take Tim Fuller long to get back to his winning ways on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Just two starts after seeing his record-tying four-race win streak come to an end, Fuller roared back into the spotlight with a victory in Saturday night’s Dorsey Commercial Tire 50 at Screven Motor Speedway.

Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., inherited the lead when Benji Cole of Canon, Ga., went pitside with a cut left-rear tire during a lap-six caution period and never looked back. He repelled a late-race challenge from WoO LMS points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., en route to his fifth win in the last seven tour events driving John Wight’s Gypsum Express Rocket car.

“It feels good to get right back on track,” said Fuller, who rebounded from a 23rd-place finish due to a broken engine in the ‘Buckeye 100’ on Aug. 22 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio. “Hopefully we can get on another roll.”

Richards, 21, settled for his second consecutive runner-up finish, steering his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket under the checkered flag 1.072 seconds behind Fuller.

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., started and finished third, ending his two-race WoO LMS win streak. He once again drove the 2005-vintage Rocket car that he obtained from western Pennsylvania racer Chad Valone.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., placed fourth in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket after surviving a 360-degree spin in a lap-32 incident that also involved defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who was forced to restart at the rear of the field because he spun his car to a stop. Rick Eckert of York, Pa., completed the top five in the Raye Vest Racing Team Zero by Bloomquist car after starting 14th.

Fuller started from the pole position – the third time he’s drawn the number-one spot during his hot streak – and had plenty of racing luck on his side. Not only did he watch Cole develop a flat tire on his Starrette Trucking mount after leading laps 1-6, but he also caught a caution flag at just the right time when Richards was making a serious bid for the lead.

Richards, who started fifth, pulled inside of Fuller and came within inches of leading lap 34. The young sensation was still side-by-side with Fuller when the race’s fourth and final caution flag flew on lap 34 for the spinning car driven by Rookie of the Year candidate Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.

“If that caution doesn’t come out I was probably gonna be screwed,” said Fuller, who pocketed $10,600 to push his 2009 WoO LMS earnings over the $100,000 mark. “I was running that top, so I had no idea the bottom was taking rubber like it was. When Josh got under us he showed me that rubber was where I needed to be – and fortunately a caution came out before he got ahead of me.

“I might’ve been able to pinch him down (entering turn one) and get into that rubber to stay in front of him, but I’m not sure. I think it was more likely that I would’ve had to fall in behind him and then there would’ve been no way for me to pass him back.

“That’s just the way things are going for us,” concluded Fuller, who registered his eighth career WoO LMS triumph. “We’re getting the breaks.”

Richards was disappointed that the untimely caution cost him his best opportunity to execute a winning pass, but he was still satisfied with a run that pushed his points lead to 18 markers over Francis.

“I found that rubber on the bottom before (Fuller) did,” said Richards. “I used it to get up beside him on the homestretch and I thought we might have him, but once that caution came out I knew he’d get back down in front of us because I showed him where the rubber was.

“But I’m happy to get out of here with a second and the car in one piece. There’s still a long way to go (to secure the $100,000 WoO LMS championship), but we took another step tonight.”

The 47-year-old Frank battled at the front of the pack with Fuller and Richards early in the distance but couldn’t maintain that pace.

“We didn’t have it quite right,” said Frank, who recorded his sixth top-five finish of the season. “We probably could’ve tightened up a little bit more.”

Francis, meanwhile, pulled off the save of the night when he spun completely around in turn two on the 32nd lap and continued. His twirl came after he got sideways in front of Lanigan, causing Lanigan to spin out of fourth place as he took evasive action.

“I just misjudged where Chub was going and started spinning – it was either hit Chub or spin,” Francis said of the incident. “I just hate that Lanigan got the worst of it. I was able to keep my wheels turning as I spun and drove away, but I guess Darrell spun to a stop.”

Lanigan was on the move before the bad break, advancing from the 12th starting spot to battle Francis for fourth. He finished 14th, dropping him 82 points behind Richards in the points standings.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who ran fifth for much of the race’s first half; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and wasn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; 19th-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., who used a provisional to start 23rd but rallied to grab a $250 bonus as the race’s top-finishing rookie; and Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio.

Among the early retirees was WoO LMS regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who was running eighth when he exited on lap 26 with rearend problems.

A field of 32 cars was signed in for the event, which followed a rainout the previous evening at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

It appeared that the unheralded John Henderson of Aiken, S.C., had upset the Outlaws in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials to register his first-ever fast-time honor after stopping the clock at 14.398 seconds. But a post-qualifying inspection found that he had used an illegally-treated tire, forcing WoO LMS officials to disqualify him for the remainder of the night and suspend him from further tour competition for a period of 30 days.

Henderson’s disqualification elevated Francis to his series-leading fifth fast-time award of 2009. Francis’s lap of 14.425 seconds earned him a $50 bonus.

Heat winners were Hubbard, Richards, Clanton and Frank.

The B-Mains were captured by defending Screven champion Chesley Dixon of Swainsboro, Ga., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif. Both drivers later slowed on the track during the A-Main to bring out caution flags – Dixon on lap six, Reddick on lap 28.

The WoO LMS now heads back north for a big week of action in the Northeast, beginning on Tuesday night (Sept. 1) with the completion of the twice-postponed 50-lap event at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa. The tour then visits Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway on Wednesday night (Sept. 2) before wrapping up the swing on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 5-6) with the Oil Region Labor Day Classic (separate 50-lap programs each evening) at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Screven Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Tim Fuller/50 $10,600
2. (5) Josh Richards/50 $5,500
3. (3) Chub Frank/50 $3,500
4. (7) Steve Francis/50 $3,150
5. (14) Rick Eckert/50 $2,500
6. (8) Shane Clanton/50 $2,200
7. (4) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,900
8. (19) Clint Smith/50 $1,800
9. (23) Jordan Bland/50 $1,950
10. (16) Russell King/50 $1,700
11. (9) Casey Roberts/50 $1,050
12. (10) Jonathan Davenport/50 $1,000
13. (15) Royce Bray/50 $950
14. (12) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,500
15. (25) Jeremy Faircloth/50 $850
16. (20) Scott Shirey/50 $800
17. (11) Steven Howard/50 $770
18. (24) Brent Robinson/50 $1,250
19. (22) Michael Akeson/47 $730
20. (13) Henry Carter/31 $700
21. (18) Tyler Reddick/27 $700
22. (6) Brady Smith/26 $1,200
23. (21) Ben Faircloth/13 $700
24. (2) Benji Cole/6 $700
25. (17) Chesley Dixon/5 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

NOTE: Jonathan Davenport, Henry Carter and Scott Shirey were penalized to the rear of the field for the start after reporting late to the staging area

Time of Race: 28 Mins., 37.365 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.072 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 6, 28, 32, 34)
Lap Leaders: Cole (1-6); Fuller (7-50)
Provisional Starters: Bland, Robinson (WoO); J. Faircloth (track)
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Hubbard ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Kevin Cox (Bland)

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

1. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.425
2. 1- Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.575
3. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.586
4. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.740
5. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 14.743
6. 27-Ben Faircloth/Swainsboro, GA 14.797
7. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.820
8. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.833
9. 3d-Chesley Dixon/Swainsboro, GA 14.843
10. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.859
11. 21H-Steven Howard/Bloomingdale, GA 14.898
12. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.927
13. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.972
14. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 14.994
15. 21b-Royce Bray/Hull, GA 14.995
16. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.030
17. 20-Henry Carter/Kite, GA 15.086
18. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.097
19. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.137
20. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.190
21. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.299
22. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 15.317
23. M31-Michael Akeson/Augusta, GA 15.332
24. 10-Scott Shirey/Swansea, GA 15.512
25. 104-Monk Gulledge/Batesburg, SC 15.526
26. 22-Benji Cole/Canon, GA 15.660
27. 2d-Bob Robertson/Mooresville, NC 15.670
28. 07-Wilson Griffis/Homerville, GA 15.940
29. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 16.520
30. 4-Jeremy Faircloth/Swainsboro, GA 16.889
31. 98-Casey Barrow/Savannah, GA N/T
32. 2x-John Henderson/Aiken, SC 14.398 (DQ – tire)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hubbard, Francis, Roberts, Carter, Dixon, Bland, Gulledge, Hapka

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Cole, Davenport, Eckert, B. Faircloth, C. Smith, J. Faircloth, Knowles

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, B. Smith, Howard, Bray, Reddick, Akeson, Robertson

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Frank, Fuller, Lanigan, King, Robinson, Shirey, Griffis

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Dixon, C. Smith, B. Faircloth, J. Faircloth, Bland, Knowles, Gulledge, Hapka

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Reddick, Shirey, Akeson, Robertson (DNS) Robinson, Griffis, Barrow

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Jordan Bland, Brent Robinson
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Chesley Dixon, Tyler Reddick
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jeremy Faircloth
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Benji Cole
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Tony Knowles
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 29 – 33 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 4515 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 4497 (-18)
3. Darrell Laniga 4433 (-82)
4. Tim Fuller 4343 (-172)
5. Rick Eckert 4335 (-180)
6. Shane Clanton 4299 (-216)
7. Chub Frank 4257 (-258)
8. Brady Smith 4172 (-343)
9. Clint Smith 4073 (-442)
10. Russell King 3615 (-900)
11. Jordan Bland 3566 (-949)
12. Brent Robinson 3350 (-1165)
13. Dustin Hapka 3085 (-1430)
14. Tyler Reddick 2909 (-1606)
15. Vic Coffey 2607 (-1908)
16. Austin Hubbard 2442 (-2073)
17. Matt Lux 1530 (-2985)
18. Shannon Babb 1470 (-3045)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1460 (-3055)
20. Dan Stone 1213 (-3302)

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Points Standings (drivers’ best 30 finishes):

1. Russell King 3390 (-0)
2. Jordan Bland 3341 (-49)
3. Brent Robinson 3125 (-265)
4. Dustin Hapka 2860 (-530)
5. Tyler Reddick 2624 (-766)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Weather Prompts Fayetteville Motor Speedway Officials To Cancel Friday’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – Aug. 28, 2009 – Weather concerns prompted Fayetteville Motor Speedway officials to cancel the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for Friday night at the four-tenths-mile oval.

The program, which was slated to be the national tour’s second appearance of 2009 at FMS, will not be rescheduled.

The WoO LMS will contest the second half of its Southeast swing on Saturday night (Aug. 29) at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. A 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win will headline the three-eighths-mile oval’s biggest show of the season.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing This Weekend’s Southeast Swing To Fayetteville & Screven

CONCORD, NC - Aug. 26, 2009 -

HEADED SOUTH: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series returns to the southern states this weekend for the first time since mid-April, visiting Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway on Friday night (Aug. 28) and Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., on Saturday night (Aug. 29).

Absent from Dixie since an April 17-18 doubleheader at Fayetteville and Virginia Motor Speedway, the national tour will contest a pair of 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events to close out a busy month of competition.

Fayetteville is hosting the WoO LMS for the second time this season – making the four-tenths-mile oval one of just six tracks with multiple tour events scheduled in 2009 – and third time in series history, while the three-eighths-mile Screven has an Outlaw date for the second time. Both tracks were part of the WoO LMS for the first time in 2008.

WHO’S HOT: No driver enters the weekend with more momentum than Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who has won the last two WoO LMS A-Mains.

Frank, 47, busted out of 15-month-long, 62-race winless slump on the tour with back-to-back victories last week, on Aug. 20 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio (the Pepsi 40) and Aug. 22 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio (a $20,600 score in the Buckeye 100). His checkered-flag explosion came after he decided to park his newest equipment in favor of a 2005-vintage Rocket chassis borrowed from western Pennsylvania racer Chad Valone – a machine he’ll continue to drive this weekend.

The driver known as ‘Chubzilla’ will attempt to build the first three-race win streak of his WoO LMS career at Fayetteville, a track where he’s enjoyed success in the past. He won a Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA event there on April 21, 2001, and finished third in the speedway’s inaugural WoO LMS event on Oct. 7, 2008.

Frank didn’t fare as well at FMS earlier this season, finishing a quiet 10th on April 17. He also struggled at Screven in his only previous appearance there, placing 12th in the tour’s 50-lapper on Aug. 16, 2008.

WHO’S COLD: Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., is experiencing a rare slump – and if he hopes to hold his title, he needs to get back on track this weekend.

Since finishing third on Aug. 14 at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway, Lanigan has seen his deficit to the WoO LMS points leader swell from 14 to 58 points. He has just one top 10 in his last three starts, which include a frustrating lap-down, 17th-place finish on Aug. 15 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway and a 15th-place run in last Saturday night’s Buckeye 100 after retiring on lap 61 because a leaking oil line caused his car’s motor to seize up.

Lanigan, who still sits third in the points standings, has WoO LMS finishes of 11th (2008) and 13th (April 2009) at Fayetteville. He was much stronger in last year’s event at Screven, finishing second in the A-Main.

HOMETRACK ADVANTAGE: Former Fayetteville track champion Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C., turned back the Outlaws earlier this season, scoring one of the biggest victories of his career on April 17 when he was handed the lead heading to the white flag as a result of New Yorker Vic Coffey’s flat tire.

Can the 43-year-old Smith do it again with Mike Menscer’s Star Leasing Rocket? He should have plenty of confidence based on his solid 2009 season, which includes nine overall feature wins (four at Fayetteville) and the current FMS points lead.

REDD’S PLACE: James ‘Redd’ Griffin, who owns and promotes Screven Motor Speedway and the adjoining Savannah River Dragway, continues to build his oval’s stature in the dirt Late Model world by bringing in the WoO LMS for a return engagement.

Last year’s inaugural Outlaw show was a blockbuster for the high-banked, red-clay oval. A capacity crowd filled the track’s bleachers – including a new section that had just been erected for the event – and watched Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., sweep the evening, setting fast time, winning a heat race and capturing the A-Main in his first-ever start at Screven.

The local fans had plenty to cheer about last year thanks to some strong performances by Screven favorites, including Chesley Dixon of Swainsboro, Ga., who led laps 1-5 of the A-Main but finished 20th after spinning out of third place on lap 16, and Jeremy Faircloth, also of Swainsboro, Ga., who led laps 6-10 and finished fourth. Both drivers are expected to challenge the Outlaws once again on Saturday night.

HOMESTATE DEFENDERS: Shane Clanton and Clint Smith – the two WoO LMS regulars who reside in Georgia – weren’t happy with the outcome of last year’s tour stop at Screven.

With Locust Grove’s Clanton finishing third and Senoia’s Smith placing 13th, it marked the first time in WoO LMS history that Clanton or Smith didn’t emerge victorious when the tour raced at a Georgia track. The two drivers had defended their territory well when they got the rare opportunity to run a WoO LMS show in their backyard; Clanton won tour A-Mains on May 1, 2004, at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth and Oct. 26, 2005, at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, and Smith was best in a season-opening program on Feb. 4, 2006, at Golden Isles.

POINTS BATTLE: Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., leads the WoO LMS points standings by a slim 14-point margin over Francis with 11 A-Mains remaining on the 2009 schedule.

The 21-year-old Richards won last year’s tour event at Fayetteville, charging from the 18th starting spot to get the job done. His last visit to FMS in April, however, was a race he’d like back; he was attempting to clear Coffey’s slowing car on the final lap to secure a second-place finish but got tangled with the New Yorker and dropped all the way to 23rd in the final rundown. Richards finished fifth, meanwhile, in last year’s A-Main at Screven.

Francis is one-for-one at Screven, but he’s had no luck in his last two starts at Fayetteville. Mechanical trouble left him with a 23rd-place finish last year, and in April he settled for 19th place after a late-race flat tire knocked him from fifth.

WINNERS: The top seven drivers in the current WoO LMS points standings have won 23 of the season’s 32 A-Mains to date, led by Richards’s seven victories. Francis (five), Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (four), Lanigan (two), Frank (two), Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (two) and Clanton (one) account for the other checkered flags claimed by WoO LMS regulars.

WoO LMS travelers who have entered all 32 events this season but are still looking for their first win include Clint Smith and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., as well as Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

YOUNG TALENT: Joining the Outlaws for both weekend events will be Austin Hubbard, 17, of Seaford, Del., and Tony Knowles, 22, of Tyrone, Ga., two drivers who have flashed their potential on WoO LMS road trips this season and have their eyes on following the entire tour in the future.

Hubbard has entered 20 events this season, with an impressive three top-five and seven top-10 finishes to his credit. Knowles, who races under the same RSD Enterprises banner as WoO LMS regular Shane Clanton, owns three top-10 finishes in seven ’09 starts.

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., meanwhile, also plans to enter both events in the Barry Wright House Car. He won a heat race for last weekend’s Buckeye 100 at K-C Raceway but was eliminated in an early tangle.

FAYETTEVILLE MOTOR SPEEDWAY EVENT INFORMATION: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. and the grandstands at 3 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 28, with on-track action set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

General admission is $30, with children 5-12 charged $10 and kids under 5 admitted free of charge. Pit passes are $40.

FMS’s regular classes will also be in action.

For more information visit www.fayettevillemotorspeedway.net or call 910-223-RACE.

SCREVEN MOTOR SPEEDWAY EVENT INFORMATION: Gates will open at 3 p.m., hot laps are scheduled for 6 p.m. and racing is set for an 8 p.m. start time.

Admission to the grandstands is $25, with children 12-and-under admitted free of charge. Pit passes are $35 and $15 (children 12-and-under).

Screven’s Moonrunner (Super Street), Mini-Stock, Road Warrior and Renegade 4 divisions are also slated for action.

Screven Motor Speedway is located between Mile Markers 6 and 7 on GA Route 21 in Screven County, GA

For more information visit www.screvenmotorspeedway.com or call 912-547-1777 (‘Redd’ Griffin) or 912-754-5882 (track).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Four-Night Swing To Ohio & Pennsylvania

CONCORD, NC - Aug. 24, 2009 -

HE’S BACK: Chub Frank entered the four-night swing of rescheduled World of Outlaws Late Model Series events – Aug. 20 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, Aug. 21-22 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio and Aug. 23 at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa. – riding a 15-month-long, 62-race winless streak and with just three top-five finishes in 30 A-Mains this season.

Yes, the tour’s fifth-winningest driver since 2004 has been in a full-fledged slump.

But Frank, 47, of Bear Lake, Pa., got his groove back in dramatic fashion. He won the 40-lap A-Main at Muskingum County on Thursday night and roared back to capture Saturday night’s ‘Buckeye 100’ at K-C, bringing him $28,200 in dearly-needed earnings.

The key to Frank’s sudden turnaround? A 2005-vintage Rocket chassis he “borrowed” from western Pennsylvania racer Chad Valone.

In search of something to jerk him out of his struggles, Frank decided that parking his new-model machines in favor of an older style he’s familiar with might be the ticket. He remembered that Valone still had an ’05 chassis sitting in his garage, so he placed a call on Monday afternoon.

“He’s got two new cars he’s been racing this year, so I just told him I was taking it (the ’05 car),” Frank cracked when asked about his conversation with Valone, who bought the chassis through Frank four years ago. “We went over to his shop to get it and then we put it together with our stuff. We started on it Monday night and finished it up Thursday morning before leaving (for Muskingum).

“I had to go back to something I knew,” he continued. “Your confidence gets down when you struggle. You’re making mistakes all the time – on what to choose for tires, what setup to run, whatever you’re doing – and you just keep getting further behind. Doing this, it just gets you back in the game.”

That’s certainly an understatement. With Frank returning to the WoO LMS limelight with an ’05 machine, he has no interest in relinquishing it.

“I told (Valone), ‘Good luck getting that car back,’” Frank said with a mischievous smile. “I feel so comfortable in it. I’d like to find a few more (older) cars like it.”

Valone, who crossed paths with Frank during Sunday night’s rain-doomed program at Eriez, said he was happy to help out a veteran driver who has provided him plenty of assistance over the years.

“You can just see in his face that the old Chub is back,” said Valone. “He’s been struggling, and that’s not like him. He just needed something to get his confidence back and that old car did it.”

DARN RAIN: There were plenty of disappointed people after showers following heat action forced the postponement of Sunday night’s show at Eriez Speedway to Tues., Sept. 1, but Valone and 2007 Eriez champion Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., were probably a bit more perturbed at Mother Nature.

Valone, 37, of Warren, Pa., and the 22-year-old Knight timed second- and third-fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials and both drivers won heat races. They were anxiously awaiting the redraw for starting spots in the A-Main, but now they’ll have to spend two weeks stewing over their fates.

Knight entered Sunday’s program one week after making a hospital visit north of the border. He crashed hard into the turn-four wall at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway on Aug. 16 during the finale of a three-race Canadian weekend with the Ontario Dirt Late Model Series, ringing his bell and leaving him with some neck pain. Track safety workers decided to transport him to a nearby hospital for tests, but no problems were found and he was discharged in less than two hours with a diagnosis of a mild concussion.

TWO-HORSE RACE?: The WoO LMS points battle remained tight after the Muskingum County and K-C events – but now there’s two drivers neck-and-neck rather than three.

Josh Richards ended the weekend leading the standings by 14 points over Steve Francis, but defending champion Darrell Lanigan fell 58 points out of first place after finishing 15th in the Buckeye 100 because a leaking oil line caused his car’s motor to seize up.

Richards had the steadiest swing, following up a quiet eighth-place finish at Muskingum County with a solid runner-up outing in the Buckeye 100. He’s swapped the points lead with Francis after each of the last three WoO LMS A-Mains.

Francis arrived at K-C with the points lead after finishing second at Muskingum County – his sixth bridesmaid finish in the last eight events – but experienced a rough weekend. A broken oil-pump belt on Francis’s Beitler Motorsports No. 19 knocked him from the lead in a Friday-night qualifying heat and necessitated an engine change, and on Saturday he had to use a provisional to start the A-Main and struggled to a 12th-place finish (last car on the lead lap) in the Buckeye 100.

COOLED OFF: Tim Fuller wasn’t disappointed after his WoO LMS win streak ended at a record-tying four in-a-row with a third-place finish at Muskingum County, but he had a long look on his face after the Buckeye 100.

The Watertown, N.Y., driver was running just outside the top 15 when his car’s engine broke a rod on lap 21, prompting him to slide off the track in turn three to get away from the onrushing pack. Flames belched from the motor, which had carried Fuller to all four of his recent victories.

Despite seeing his hot streak crash-and-burn with a 23rd-place finish, Fuller gladly ceded the title of Hottest World of Outlaws Driver to his good buddy Frank. Fuller freely admitted that he provided Frank some valuable insight into the secrets of his successful run – assistance for which Frank thanked Fuller during his Victory Lane comments.

“I have no problem helping Chub get going again with some stuff we’ve been doing,” said Fuller. “He was really the first one who helped me along when I got started (in dirt Late Model racing), so it’s like repaying a favor.”

ETCETERA:

* Vic Coffey had a rough weekend at K-C Raceway. After a heat-race scrape with R.J. Conley while battling for the final transfer spot left him spun in turn four on the final lap, the 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year came back to qualify through a B-Main but was eliminated after being involved in a multi-car tangle on lap 21.

“It was like (Jimmy) Mars dropped from the sky on top of my front end,” said Coffey, whose car sustained a significantly crushed nose in the incident. “Somebody lifted his rearend off the ground and I went right underneath him.”

* Russell King was the lone WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender to qualify for the Buckeye 100. His 14th-place finish allowed him to extend his lead in the rookie standings to 51 points over Jordan Bland.

* The 20-year-old Bland had to return to Rowan Cabarrus Community College in Concord, N.C., to take an exam on Monday morning.

* Following another frustrating trip that included an early departure from the Buckeye 100 due to his involvement in the lap-21 wreck and a heat-race tangle at Eriez that will force him to run a B-Main on Sept. 1, WoO LMS regular Brady Smith immediately headed home to Solon Springs, Wis., to attend his daughter’s third birthday party.

* Rookie Brent Robinson loaded up and left K-C Raceway on Friday night after his backup car was sidelined by a broken engine piston during hot laps. The malfunction came after the powerplant in his primary machine over-revved due to a broken pinion shaft as he led a B-Main on Thursday night at Muskingum County.

With no backup engine available, Robinson did not return to Eriez for Sunday’s rescheduled event. He’s hoping to regroup in time for this Friday night’s show at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, a track he’s run often during his young career.

* Two sons of winning dirt Late Model racers – 14-year-old Devin Moran (son of Donnie) and 20-year-old Zach (son of Tim) – qualified for the Muskingum County A-Main in their first-ever WoO LMS starts. Devin finished 16th and Dohm placed 24th.

NEXT UP: The WoO LMS now heads south for dates on Fri., Aug. 28, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Sat., Aug. 29, at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. Both events feature 50-lap A-Mains paying $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Rain After Heats Forces Another Postponement of Eriez Speedway’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Date

HAMMETT, PA - Aug. 23, 2009 - Hopefully the third try will be the charm for the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series visit to Eriez Speedway.

Rain struck the one-third-mile oval in Northwest Pennsylvania after qualifying heats were completed on Sunday night, forcing officials to postpone the tour’s stop at Bobby and Kathy Rohrer’s track for the second time this season.

The WoO LMS will return to Eriez Speedway to complete two B-Mains and the 50-lap A-Main on Tues., Sept. 1 – the night before the tour is scheduled to visit Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway for the first time. The rescheduled program, which will also include held-over features for the track’s weekly open-wheel Modified and Limited Late Model divisions, will begin at 7 p.m.

Sunday night’s rescheduled event was necessitated because showers ruined the original July 26 date with Ohlins Shocks Time Trials nearly completed. A new session of time trials and heat races were spun off on Sunday before rain red-flagged the proceedings.

Rain that rolled in off Lake Erie doused the speedway shortly after heat-race action ended. The precipitation stopped within a half-hour and the track crew soon began reworking the surface, but another pop-up shower shortly after 9 p.m. soaked the surface and stopped any thought of further competition.

“We were close to having the track ready to go when the rain hit again,” said Eriez Speedway promoter Bobby Rohrer. “We had a great crowd on hand to see the Outlaws, but we just can’t catch a break with the weather. Hopefully we’ll have clear skies when we try again on Sept. 1.”

Rohrer said all rainchecks and pit bands from Sunday’s program will be accepted on Sept. 1. He added that fans without rainchecks can witness the remainder of the racing program for $15.

A field of 46 cars was signed in for the show, including four drivers who weren’t in attendance on the original event date last month. Eight drivers who entered the scheduled Ohio Late Model Speedweek finale on July 26 did not return on Sunday night.

WoO LMS points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., tallied his third fast time honor of 2009 with a lap of 16.231 seconds during Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. He nipped Chad Valone of Warren, Pa., who was just two cars away from earning his first-ever WoO LMS fast-time award when rain washed out qualifying on July 26.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who sits second in the WoO LMS points standings, was the lone tour regular to win one of the evening’s four 10-lap heat races. His victory in the fourth prelim followed triumphs by well-known Eriez drivers Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., Valone and Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y.

The top two finishers in each heat race will redraw on Sept. 1 for the first eight starting spots in the 50-lap A-Main.

The heats proved problematic for WoO LMS regulars Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. Lanigan, the defending series champion, retired from the first heat on lap one after his car’s nose was crunched in a chain-reaction jam-up, while Smith failed to qualify in the second heat after an opening-lap tangle left his car with a battered right-front corner.

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., a former Eriez regular who brought a two-race WoO LMS win streak into Sunday’s action, finished third in the first heat. He is scheduled to start ninth in the A-Main on Sept. 1.

The WoO LMS now heads south for dates on Fri., Aug. 28, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Sat., Aug. 29, at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. Both events feature 50-lap A-Mains paying $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

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

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.231
2. 2V-Chad Valone/Warren, PA 16.297
3. 9K-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 16.367
4. 2J-Scott Johnson/Wattsburg, PA 16.380
5. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 16.380
6. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 16.391
7. 17L-Dennis Lunger/Cherry Hill, PA 16.396
8. 28J-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.403
9. 21*-David Scott/Garland, PA 16.404
10. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 16.413
11. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.473
12. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.485
13. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.489
14. 28b-Dick Barton/Ashville, NY 16.499
15. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 16.500
16. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.518
17. 40-Dutch Davies/Warren, PA 16.531
18. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.536
19. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.545
20. 07R-Brent Rhebergen/Clymer, NY 16.550
21. 22-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 16.614
22. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 16.621
23. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.625
24. 00-Rich Gardner/Waterford, PA 16.633
25. 9-Scott Gurdak/Spring Creek, PA 16.641
26. 53-John Volpe/Lakewood, NY 16.655
27. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 16.671
28. 28L-Randy Lobb/Jamestown, NY 16.687
29. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.708
30. 8-Jason Morell/Northeast, PA 16.723
31. 55H-David Lyon/Corry, PA 16.724
32. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.728
33. 03-Doug Eck/Corry, PA 16.748
34. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, PA 16.750
35. 4-Merle Terry/Erie, PA 16.764
36. 76-Andy Kania/Waterford, PA 16.768
37. 33-Chris Hackett/Erie, PA 16.771
38. N8-Nathan Short/Jamestown, NY 16.801
39. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 16.841
40. 99b-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 16.873
41. 3-Bruce Hordusky/Erie, PA 16.880
42. 26G-George LaBarbera/Sugar Grove, PA 16.912
43. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 16.957
44. 01-Doug Ricotta/Warsaw, NY 16.993
45. 79-Mike Coyle/Jamestown, NY 17.024
46. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 17.145

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Blair, Richards, Frank, Oakes, Eck, Hackett, Coffey, Hordusky, Coyle, Scott, D. Davies, Gurdak

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Valone, Knowles, King, C. Smith, Clanton, Bland, Barton, B. Smith, Short, Volpe, LaBarbera, Morell

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Knight, Eckert, R. Davies, Hedman, Hubbard, Lunger, Terry, Hess, Lyon, Hapka, Lanigan

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Fuller, Johnson, J. Lobb, Rhebergen, R. Lobb, Kania, Ricotta, Briggs, Gardner, Reddick

Drivers who entered the event on its original July 26 date but did not return on Sunday: Ryan Scott, Jared Miley, Matt Urban, Brent Robinson, Andy Boozel, Chad Ruhlman, Matt Lux, Tim McCreadie

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Change Of Fortune: Suddenly-Streaking Chub Frank Makes ‘Buckeye 100’ At K-C Raceway His Second Straight Victory

ALMA, OH - Aug. 22, 2009 - How quickly fortunes can change on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

With a lucrative victory in Saturday night’s ‘Buckeye 100’ at K-C Raceway, Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., continued his sudden transformation from struggling traveler to red-hot racer.

Frank, 47, captured his second consecutive WoO LMS A-Main – just two days after snapping a frustrating 15-month-long, 62-race winless streak on the national tour with a triumph at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. His $20,600 payoff also marked the first time he earned a five-figure race check since October 2007 when he pocketed $50,000 for winning the Dirt Track World Championship at the three-eighths-mile K-C oval.

“It’s funny how fast things can turn around,” said Frank, who registered his 16th career WoO LMS victory. “But I’m glad they did. We needed this bad. Now I’ll be able to pay some bills and make some people happy.”

A 2005-vintage Rocket car borrowed from western Pennsylvania driver Chad Valone has vaulted Frank back into the limelight, dramatically turning around his moribund campaign.

“Last week (a dismal three-race Mid-Atlantic swing) wasn’t good and that’s why we had to do something different,” Frank said of his decision to put together an older-style chassis that had been sitting in Valone’s shop. “It’s great that we’ve made it work. I just feel so comfortable in this car.”

Yes, Frank is fast again and getting some critical breaks, which was clear in Saturday night’s 100-lapper.

Frank drew the outside-pole starting spot and led the race’s first 41 laps before being overtaken by Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa. But on lap 55 Birkhofer slowed in turn one with a flat right-rear tire and was clipped slightly by Doug Drown of Wooster, Ohio, ending his bid and putting Frank back in front for good.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., chased Frank for the remainder of the distance, but the 21-year-old never mounted a serious challenge and settled for second place in his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket. The runner-up finish moved Richards back into the WoO LMS points lead by 14 points over Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who finished 12th after using a provisional spot to start 23rd in the A-Main.

Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, marched forward from the 16th starting spot to finish third in his Rocket car. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., advanced from the ninth starting spot to place fourth in the Sweeteners Plus Rocket and polesitter Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., hung on to complete the top five in the RSD Enterprises Rocket.

“I think Birkhofer probably had the best car,” admitted Frank. “He found the bottom (groove) a little quicker than I did and he was driving off a little bit until he got that flat.

“I don’t think I could’ve got back by him, but I was happy that we could run with him. Last year he lapped us here (in the DTWC) and just drove off big-time, so I would’ve felt good about finishing second to him.”

Frank ended up holding the trophy in Victory Lane, however, after surviving at least one tense moment while trying to negotiate lapped traffic late in the race.

“The track took a little bit of rubber,” said Frank. “I got out of that rubber and tried to go on the outside of Francis (to lap the 2007 WoO LMS champion on lap 83) and about spun out (in turn four). That scared me until I looked (to the left) and nobody was there, so I was able to get back down in the rubber.”

Richards, who started eighth, saw Frank’s bobble but couldn’t take advantage of it.

“He slipped up out of the rubber in (turns) three and four when he was behind Francis,” said Richards, whose march to the front reached third on lap 37 and second when Birkhofer dropped out. “That was the chance I was hoping for, but I just wasn’t close enough to get under him.

“I felt like we had a great car, but once Darrell (Lanigan) leaked oil on the track (from a hole in his car’s oil line) it was just instant rubber (condition) out there. I could tell there was rubber down when I was warming up my tires under caution (on lap 55), and the rest of the race you just had to stay in that line.”

Richards once again fell short of his coveted first big-money, 100-lap victory. It was the second time he finished second to Frank in a major event at K-C Raceway.

“It was almost like déjà vu from the Dirt Track (World Championship) here a couple years,” said Richards, recalling the 2007 crown jewel. “I was remembering following Chub around here in that race, trying to get close enough to make a move.”

The oil from the car driven by Union, Ky.’s Lanigan, who was running just outside the top 10 when the leaking oil line finally caused his engine to seize up on lap 61, also dulled Hartman’s impressive charge.

“Up until about lap 60 the track was real racy,” said Hartman, who passed McCreadie for fourth on lap 53 and moved to third two circuits later with Birkhofer’s departure. “My car was real good and I was just easing my way up through there. I thought we might have had a shot, but then I guess Lanigan dumped a bunch of oil down and that caused the track to rubber up.”

Four caution flags slowed the event, including a multi-car tangle in turn two on a lap-21 restart that knocked out several contenders. The incident began when Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., came together, sending Davenport sideways and causing Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., among others, to make contact. Davenport was towed off the track while Mars, Coffey and Smith retired after being unable to repair damage during pit stops.

Earlier, 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., brought out a caution flag on lap nine when he slapped the homestretch wall and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., saw his WoO LMS hot streak officially end on lap 21 when a broken rod in his car’s engine sent him spinning off turn three.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., who earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who has never won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; R.J. Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio; Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; and 22nd-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

Saturday’s program began with a pair of 12-lap B-Mains that were won by Eckert and Fuller.

The WoO LMS concludes a busy four-day period with a rescheduled 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event on Sunday night (Aug. 23) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Buckeye 100’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Chub Frank/100 $20,600
2. (8) Josh Richards/100 $10,500
3. (16) Bart Hartman/100 $6,000
4. (9) Tim McCreadie/100 $5,100
5. (1) Shane Clanton/100 $4,500
6. (12) Eddie Carrier Jr./100 $3,500
7. (15) R.J. Conley/100 $2,750
8. (4) Gregg Satterlee/100 $2,500
9. (17) Rick Eckert/100 $2,800
10. (22) Clint Smith/100 $2,700
11. (19) Matt Miller/100 $1,900
12. (23) Steve Francis/100 $2,400
13. (14) Brandon Kinzer/98 $1,700
14. (24) Russell King/78 $2,400
15. (21) Darrell Lanigan/61 $2,200
16. (7) Jeep VanWormer/56 $1,580
17. (3) Brian Birkhofer/55 $1,560
18. (13) Doug Drown/54 $1,540
19. (6) Jonathan Davenport/21 $1,520
20. (10) Jimmy Mars/21 $1,500
21. (5) Brady Smith/21 $2,000
22. (20) Vic Coffey/21 $1,500
23. (18) Tim Fuller/20 $2,000
24. (11) Austin Hubbard/9 $1,500

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 41 Mins., 30.042 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.756 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 9, 21, 21, 55)
Lap Leaders: Frank (1-41); Birkhofer (42-55); Frank (56-100)
Provisional Starters: Francis, King
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Carrier ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Austin Hargrove (Hartman)

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Rick Eckert, 2. Matt Miller, 3. Darrell Lanigan, 4. Steve Francis, 5. Delmas Conley, 6. Jordan Bland, 7. Rod Conley, 8. Tony Knowles, 9. Matt Pistole

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Tim Fuller, 2. Vic Coffey, 3. Clint Smith, 4. Russell King, 5. Zack Dohm, 6. Dustin Hapka, 7. Tyler Reddick, 8. Brian Whiteman

Drivers who competed on Friday but did not return to run a B-Main: Eric Wells, Steve Shaver, Keith Berner, Paul Davis, Greg Oliver, Doug Dodd, Donnie Moran, Rick Combs, Rick Aukland, Brent Robinson

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Delmas Conley, Zack Dohm
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Eddie Carrier Jr.
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert, Tim Fuller
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Rick Combs
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Chub Frank
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Outside Looking In’ Award (free 54-gallon drum of VP-113 or Late Model Plus racing fuel to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Tony Knowles
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank

2009 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):

1. Josh Richards 4369 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 4355 (-14)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4311 (-58)
4. Rick Eckert 4195 (-174)
5. Tim Fuller 4193 (-176)
6. Shane Clanton 4161 (-208)
7. Chub Frank 4113 (-256)
8. Brady Smith 4066 (-303)
9. Clint Smith 3939 (-430)
10. Russell King 3485 (-884)
11. Jordan Bland 3434 (-935)
12. Brent Robinson 3236 (-1133)
13. Dustin Hapka 3010 (-1359)
14. Tyler Reddick 2801 (-1568)
15. Vic Coffey 2607 (-1762)
16. Austin Hubbard 2306 (-2063)
17. Matt Lux 1530 (-2839)
18. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2899)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1460 (-2909)
20. Dan Stone 1213 (-3156)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Buckeye 100 Qualifying Night At K-C Raceway Not Kind To Steve Francis & Other World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars

ALMA, OH - Aug. 21, 2009 - Friday night’s ‘Buckeye 100’ qualifying program at K-C Raceway wasn’t kind to World of Outlaws Late Model Series points leader Steve Francis.

But on an evening that saw four of the top-five drivers in the tour points standings fail to qualify through a heat race, Francis certainly wasn’t alone in his misery.

The lone qualifier among the racers highest in the WoO LMS points battle was second-place Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who trails Francis by six points entering the $20,000-to-win spectacular. He finished second in the fourth 12-lap heat despite racing more than half the distance with nosepiece damage that his car sustained when it dug into the track surface in turn three.

It was a tough night all around for the WoO LMS regulars. The only series traveler to win a heat race was Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who was joined by Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., on the list of preliminary victors.

Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., was the highest profile casualty on the opening night of the Buckeye 100 weekend. Racing at a three-eighths-mile oval located just over an hour’s drive from his home, the 2007 WoO LMS champion slowed on lap four of the third 12-lap heat when his Beitler Motorsports was stricken with a broken oil-pump belt as he set the pace.

The mechanical malfunction forced Francis and his Chris Burton-led crew to pull out a backup engine and make a powerplant swap before turning in for the night.

“It was just a fluke deal,” said Francis, who has finished second in six of the last eight WoO LMS A-Mains. “I haven’t had an oil-pump belt break since (a race at) Brownstown (Ind.) four years ago.

“But that’s racing. All we can do now is race as hard as we can tomorrow and see what happens.”

Francis faces a starting spot deep in a B-Main on Saturday night, but he remains confident about his chances to capture the big money in the Buckeye 100 and continue his pursuit of a second WoO LMS title.

“If the track’s like it was tonight,” said Francis, “I can win the race from 23rd (starting spot).”

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who sits third in the points standings, also missed the cut in Friday night’s heat races. He started second in the first heat but struggled to a seventh-place finish.

The list of heat non-qualifiers also included Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who sit fourth and fifth, respectively, in the WoO LMS points standings. Fuller, whose streak of four consecutive tour wins ended on Thursday night at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, was unable to overtake Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, for the final transfer spot in the fourth heat.

The evening’s turn of events would seem to put Richards in the driver’s seat in the championship battle. He’s among the eight drivers – the top two finishers in each heat – who will redraw for the top eight starting spots in the Buckeye 100 on Saturday night.

A field of 43 cars assembled on qualifying night for the Buckeye 100, which was postponed by rain on its original date in early May.

Rick Combs, 34, of Bethel, Ohio, was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, turning a lap of 14.184 seconds to secure his first-ever fast-time honor on the WoO LMS. But his fortunes turned in his heat race when he spun between turns three and four after falling from the pole to seventh and failed to qualify.

Twin B-Mains and the Buckeye 100 headline the program on Saturday night (Aug. 22) at K-C Raceway. A complete open-wheel Modified show will also be presented.

Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m., with racing set to begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.kc-raceway.com.

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

1. 11H-Rick Combs/Bethel, OH 14.184
2. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.260
3. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.339
4. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 14.387
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.388
6. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.393
7. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 14.401
8. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.429
9. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.442
10. 15B-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.459
11. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 14.464
12. 28c-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 14.465
13. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.494
14. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.511
15. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 14.533
16. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.552
17. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.568
18. 12A-Rick Aukland/Zanesville, OH 14.584
19. 11A-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.623
20. 75-Bart Hartman/Zanesville, OH 14.644
21. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.701
22. 18K-Brandon Kinzer/Allen, KY 14.738
23. 71c-R.J. Conley/Wheelersburg, OH 14.744
24. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 14.749
25. 12x-Doug Drown/Wooster, OH 14.780
26. 96F-Keith Berner/Millersburg, OH 14.781
27. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.797
28. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 14.831
29. 12d-Doug Dodd/Cambridge, OH 14.857
30. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 14.861
31. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.898
32. 47-Greg Oliver/Jackson, OH 14.929
33. 71-Delmas Conley/Wheelersburg, OH 14.930
34. 71R-Rod Conley/Wheelersburg, OH 14.936
35. 7M-Matt Miller/Waterville, OH 14.939
36. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 14.965
37. 17T-Zack Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 14.976
38. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 15.154
39. 16-Paul Davis/Pilgrim, KY 15.189
40. 79c-Brian Whiteman/McArthur, OH 15.372
41. 00-Matt Pistole/West Portsmouth, OH 16.066
42. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA N/T
43. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA N/T

Heat No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Satterlee, Frank, McCreadie, Drown, Eckert, D. Conley, Lanigan, Dohm, Dodd, Combs, Pistole

Heat No. 2 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Birkhofer, Mars, Kinzer, King, C. Smith, Berner, Rod Conley, Hapka, Reddick, Aukland

Heat No. 3 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Davenport, B. Smith, Hubbard, R.J. Conley, Miller, Wells, Coffey, Davis, Knowles, Francis (DNS) Robinson

Heat No. 4 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): VanWormer, Richards, Carrier, Hartman, Fuller, Shaver, Bland, Oliver, Moran, Whiteman

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Back To Basics, Back To Victory Lane For Chub Frank On Thursday Night At Muskingum County Speedway

ZANESVILLE, OH - Aug. 20, 2009 - Chub Frank went back to basics.

And as a result, the veteran from Bear Lake, Pa., went back to Victory Lane on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Driving a 2005-vintage Rocket car borrowed from Pennsylvania racer Chad Valone, Frank ended a 62-race winless streak on the national tour with a flag-to-flag triumph in Thursday night’s caution-free ‘Pepsi 40’ at Muskingum County Speedway.

Frank’s $7,600 triumph in a rescheduled event that was threatened all night by rain also snapped the four-race win streak of Watertown, N.Y.’s Tim Fuller, whose third-place finish left him tied with Rick Eckert of York, Pa., for the WoO LMS modern-era consecutive win record.

Ironically, Frank said he got his groove back thanks to a big assist from Fuller.

“Fuller has helped me a lot,” remarked Frank, who recorded his first WoO LMS win since May 18, 2008, at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway. “He’s basically the one who said I should go back to the old stuff, run something I know and feel comfortable in. I’m glad I listened to him.”

Seeking an answer for his frustrating season-long slump, Frank, 47, decided on Monday afternoon to call Valone, who had an ’05 Rocket sitting in his shop. Valone agreed to loan the car to Frank, who spent the next three days assembling the machine and re-skinning it with his familiar No. 1* and sponsors, including Corry Rubber, Hino Toyota and Lake Shore Paving.

“I just had to do something different,” said Frank, who entered Thursday’s program ranked eighth in the WoO LMS points standings with just three top-five finishes in 30 events. “We weren’t getting it done with the new stuff (2009 cars) – it ain’t that the new stuff is bad, we just were struggling with it. I had to go back to something I knew.”

Frank hit paydirt his first night out with the car, roaring off the outside pole to lead the entire A-Main. He built as much as a three-second advantage before crossing the finish line a modest 0.962 of a second in front of Ashland, Ky.’s Steve Francis, who regained the WoO LMS points lead with his sixth runner-up placing in the last eight events driving the Beitler Motorsports Rocket.

Fuller settled for third in the Gypsum Express Rocket after starting seventh. Eighth-starter Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, was just a couple car lengths behind Fuller in fourth with his Rocket, and polesitter Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., hung on to finish fifth in a Rocket after running second for the race’s first 28 laps.

“It feels great to get back into Victory Lane,” said Frank, who registered his 15th career win on the WoO LMS. “It’s been a long time. We needed this more than anyone can believe.”

Francis, 41, never seriously challenged Frank after finally overtaking Shaver for second on lap 28. He drew within 0.8 of a second of Frank with five laps remaining but couldn’t get closer.

“I think I had just as good a car as Chub, but by the time we got up there to second late in the race it was hard to pass,” said Francis, who started sixth. “We also kinda killed our right-rear tire trying to get by Shaver, and then when I started closing on Chub I tried to drive harder because I knew the race had to be about over and I ended up losing ground.”

Grabbing the points lead back from Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished a quiet eighth, seemed to be little consolation for Francis. He was frustrated to once again play the bridesmaid, which stretched his winless streak to 17 races since he scored his fifth victory of 2009 on May 31 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.

The 41-year-old Fuller, meanwhile, gracefully accepted his streak-busting third-place finish. He couldn’t pull off any late-race dramatics after reaching third on lap 32 with a neat turn-two split of Shaver and Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., who finished sixth and earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who has never won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

“It was good while it lasted,” Fuller said of his streak. “I wouldn’t change a thing. It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my career.

“I think we were good enough to win if we had the starting position in our favor, but I have no complaints. I’m glad to see Chub get a win. He really needed one.”

Carrier settled for sixth after his last-lap bid to pass Shaver fell short. Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., placed seventh, followed by the 11th-starting Richards, Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., who slipped backward from the fourth starting spot, and fifth-starter Doug Dodd of Cambridge, Ohio, a multi-time winner this season at Muskingum County.

A field numbering 41 cars assembled for the event, including five drivers not on hand when the program was postponed on July 23. Nine entered drivers did not return, but they received WoO LMS non-qualifier points because they signed in on the original date.

Another postponement appeared to be a distinct possibility when a line of thunderstorms closed in on the area late in the afternoon, but only a short period of light rain fell, causing a slight delay in the start of hot laps. More storms began to threaten the track during heat action, but once again only light precipitation fell and officials kept the program moving in rapid-fire fashion to beat the weather.

“Ronnie Moran and his staff deserve plenty of credit for getting the show in tonight,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Ronnie is a classic old-school promoter who will do everything necessary to beat the elements. All the racers and fans appreciate the effort.”

Hartman was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials at his hometown track. The 2004 WoO LMS regular turned a lap of 16.191 seconds.

Heat winners were Hartman, Shaver, Dodd and Francis. The B-Mains were captured by Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., and Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., who went on to earn the $250 Rookie of the Race bonus with his 18th-place finish in the Pepsi 40.

Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio – the teenage son of dirt Late Model legend Donnie Moran and grandson of Muskingum County owner Ronnie Moran – qualified through a heat race in his first career WoO LMS start. He became the second 14-year-old in WoO LMS history to start an A-Main, joining 2009 Rookie of the Year contender Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

The younger Moran went on a lead-lap finish of 16th in the A-Main – six spots better than his father, who qualified through a B-Main and finished one lap down in 22nd.

The WoO LMS remains in Ohio for two more days of action at K-C Raceway in Alma, which hosts the $20,000-to-win ‘Buckeye 100’ on Fri., Aug. 21 (time trials and heat races) and Sat., Aug. 22 (B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main). The tour’s busy weekend of rescheduled events concludes on Sun., Aug. 23, with a visit to Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Pepsi 40’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Chub Frank/40 $7,600
2. (6) Steve Francis/40 $3,600
3. (7) Tim Fuller/40 $2,500
4. (8) Bart Hartman/40 $1,750
5. (1) Steve Shaver/40 $1,550
6. (3) Eddie Carrier Jr./40 $1,800
7. (10) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,800
8. (11) Josh Richards/40 $1,600
9. (4) Jeep VanWormer/40 $1,000
10. (5) Doug Dodd/40 $1,000
11. (13) Austin Hubbard/40 $850
12. (9) Tony Knowles/40 $800
13. (19) Brandon Kinzer/40 $750
14. (12) Gregg Satterlee/40 $740
15. (16) Clint Smith/40 $1,210
16. (14) Devin Moran/40 $680
17. (17) Brady Smith/40 $1,150
18. (18) Jordan Bland/40 $1,280
19. (23) Rick Eckert/40 $1,120
20. (22) Russell King/40 $1,110
21. (24) Shane Clanton/40 $1,100
22. (20) Donnie Moran/39 $600
23. (15) Doug Drown/39 $600
24. (21) Zach Dohm/39 $600
25. (25) Cody Parker/39 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 11 Mins., 43.664 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.962 Secs.
Yellow Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Frank (1-40)
Provisional Starters: Eckert, Clanton (WoO); Parker (track)
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Carrier ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Brandon Bilskie (Frank)

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

1. 75-Bart Hartman/Zanesville, OH 16.191
2. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 16.256
3. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.292
4. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.316
5. 17T-Zach Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 16.364
6. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 16.375
7. 12d-Doug Dodd/Cambridge, OH 16.379
8. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 16.447
9. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.449
10. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 16.456
11. 12x-Doug Drown/Wooster, OH 16.464
12. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.466
13. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 16.471
14. 99d-Devin Moran/Dresden, OH 16.476
15. 12A-Rick Aukland/Zanesville, OH 16.495
16. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 16.504
17. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 16.520
18. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.527
19. 11B-Kyle Bates/Kimbolton, OH 16.537
20. 43d-Don Shrigley/Pataskala, OH 16.543
21. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.544
22. 18K-Brandon Kinzer/Allen, KY 16.550
23. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.556
24. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 16.563
25. 11A-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.605
26. 12H-Weston Hutchinson/New Concord, OH 16.608
27. 11H-Rick Combs/Bethel, OH 16.623
28. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 16.706
29. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 16.733
30. 63-Cody Parker/Zanesville, OH 16.744
31. 33M-Bob Moskey/St. Clairsville, OH 16.762
32. 33b-Steve Bigley/Guysville, OH 16.783
33. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 16.803
34. 18c-Chris Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 16.811
35. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 16.857
36. 59-Tracy Fritter/Zanesville, OH 16.865
37. 21W-Bryan Casey/Coshocton, OH 16.876
38. 83-Steve Prince/Newark, OH 17.119
39. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 17.219
40. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 18.345
41. 88d-Eric Dixon/Newark, OH 19.956

Drivers entered on July 23 who did not return: Craig Vosbergen, Steve Casebolt, Mike Knight, Robbie Blair, Jason Montgomery, Jill George, Tim Dohm, Russ Frohnopfel, Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hartman, Frank, Knowles, Hubbard, B. Smith, Z. Dohm, Casey, Dixon, Clanton, Eckert, Hawkins

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Shaver, Carrier, Lanigan, Devin Moran, Kinzer, Parker, Hutchinson, Carpenter, Prince, Reddick

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Dodd, Fuller, Richards, Drown, Robinson, Aukland, Bates, Combs, Moskey, Hapka

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, VanWormer, Satterlee, C. Smith, Bland, King, Donnie Moran, Bigley, Fritter, Shrigley

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, Kinzer, Z. Dohm, Parker, Carpenter, Hutchinson, Eckert, Clanton, Casey, Reddick, Dixon, Prince (DNS) Hawkins

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bland, Donnie Moran, King, Bigley, Moskey, Fritter, Hapka, Combs, Robinson (DNS) Aukland, Bates, Shrigley

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Chris Carpenter, Bob Moskey
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Eddie Carrier Jr.
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Doug Dodd
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Doug Dodd
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Brady Smith, Jordan Bland
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Bart Hartman
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Chub Frank
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Rick Aukland
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 20 – 31 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 4229 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 4223 (-6)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4191 (-38)
4. Tim Fuller 4089 (-140)
5. Rick Eckert 4063 (-166)
6. Shane Clanton 4021 (-208)
7. Chub Frank 3963 (-266)
8. Brady Smith 3958 (-271)
9. Clint Smith 3809 (-420)
10. Russell King 3363 (-866)
11. Jordan Bland 3359 (-870)
12. Brent Robinson 3161 (-1068)
13. Dustin Hapka 2935 (-1294)
14. Tyler Reddick 2726 (-1503)
15. Vic Coffey 2501 (-1728)
16. Austin Hubbard 2204 (-2025)
17. Matt Lux 1530 (-2699)
18. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2759)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1326 (-2903)
20. Dan Stone 1213 (-3016)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

This Weekend’s $20,000-To-Win Buckeye 100 At K-C Raceway Excites Title Contender Steve Francis

ALMA, OH - Aug. 19, 2009 - Locked in a titanic three-way battle for the $100,000 World of Outlaws Late Model Series points title, Steve Francis couldn’t pick a better place to visit this weekend than Schrader’s K-C Raceway.

After all, Francis considers the three-eighths-mile oval one of his hometracks – and he gets a chance to chase a whopping $20,000 top prize for winning the ‘Buckeye 100’ that headlines the two-day racing spectacular.

Postponed by rain on its original date in early May, the Buckeye 100 will bring a big event from K-C Raceway’s past back to the forefront. Time trials and qualifying heats are scheduled for Friday night (Aug. 21), with B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main featured on Saturday night (Aug. 22).

Francis, 41, lives just over an hour’s drive southeast of K-C Raceway in Ashland, Ky., making this weekend a rare opportunity for him to perform in front of familiar faces. In the midst of a long season on the WoO LMS road with the Beitler Motorsports team, he’s hoping a little home cooking can go a long way.

“This is the closest we race to home all year on the Outlaw circuit, so we’re looking forward to it,” said Francis, the 2007 WoO LMS champion and a tour regular since its reincarnation under the World Racing Group banner in 2004. “A lot of my family and friends will come to watch us. That always is kind of special and makes you feel comfortable.”

Francis also has a pretty long and successful history at K-C. It was among the first tracks that he competed at as a 16-year-old dirt Late Model rookie and he’s made plenty of Victory Lane appearances there, including after numerous regular-show scores early in his career.

The driver known as the ‘Kentucky Colonel’ has already made one start at K-C this season, finishing third in the 50-lap ‘Night The Stars Come Out’ event on July 3.

“The K-C now is not the K-C I raced on early in my career,” described Francis, who finished second to Rod Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio, in last year’s 50-lap WoO LMS A-Main at K-C. “They’ve moved that backstretch way out and made it more circular than when I first started running there, but it’s an excellent place to race. I always enjoy running there.

“I’m not sure what to expect with a hundred-lapper because the weather effects that racetrack quite a bit, so a lot is gonna depend of whether it’s a real hot day or if it’s cloudy. But I know (promoter Jeff Schrader and his crew) have been doing an excellent job preparing the place this year, so I know it’ll be racy.”

Francis enters this week’s WoO LMS action, which also includes rescheduled events on Thursday night (Aug. 20) at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, and Sunday night (Aug. 23) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., sitting second in the points standings. He’s just six points behind 21-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who regained the points lead last Saturday night at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway after Francis suffered a blown right-rear tire running third with just six laps remaining and finished 10th.

With defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., a mere 34 points behind Richards in third place, it’s clear the 2009 points race is set to go down to the wire. Thirteen events remain on the tour schedule.

“We all know this thing – as close as me, Josh and Darrell are – it’s gonna come down to luck,” Francis said of the championship battle. “We’re all running too even for luck to not decide this thing. Something dumb is gonna happen to one or two of us, and the other guy is gonna be the winner.”

Of course, Francis would seem to have an advantage on his championship rivals in that he’s been involved in multiple nip-and-tuck, down-to-the-wire points races during his career. While this is Richards’s first real experience with a tight title pursuit and Lanigan ran away with last year’s crown by a series-record points margin, Francis knows the tension involved with a close points fight. Francis finished a heartbreaking second in both the 2004 and 2005 WoO LMS points battles; he actually finished dead-locked in the ’05 standings with Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., but Moyer was declared the champ on a tie-breaker (runner-up finishes).

“Not taking anything away from what they got going on, but maybe I understand (a close points race) a little different than they do,” said Francis, who has five tour wins this season but last reached Victory Lane on May 31 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. “Sometimes you can get a little ‘tight’ and think about the points too much.”

With a championship prize of 100-grand on the line and every finishing position critical in a three-driver race, the pressure definitely builds. Francis admitted that he got to thinking about points in the last WoO LMS event at Hagerstown – a pitfall he hopes to mostly avoid as the season continues down its homestretch.

“I can’t say we got too ‘tight’ (at Hagerstown), but we just didn’t gamble as much as we could have,” remarked Francis. “(Tim) Fuller (who blew out the field for his record-tying fourth consecutive WoO LMS victory) gambled on a tire choice that I had in my head that I wanted to do. I told four or five people (during the night) that I wanted to do it, but I ended doing what I said I wasn’t gonna do – for some stupid reason, I started points racing. Fuller put on the softer right-rear tire that I had in my head all night, and I stayed with a harder, safer choice.

“Now we still would’ve gotten out of (Hagerstown) with a second or third if we didn’t get the flat tire, which wouldn’t have been the end of the world. But I said I was gonna gamble on winning this year and not worry about the points, and we didn’t do that. I know that the (Hoosier) 1600 or LM-40 is the tire of choice (at Hagerstown) – always has been – so what Fuller put on was a big gamble. He could’ve won the race or been a 10th place car, but I knew the tire we ran was gonna get us a top-five no matter what.”

With a $20,000 first-place check up for grabs at K-C, Francis said he plans to go with his “first instinct” in hopes of depositing that money in his bank account.

Francis, Richards and Lanigan will face plenty of competition in the Buckeye 100, starting with arguably the two hottest dirt Late Model drivers in the country: Watertown, N.Y.’s Fuller and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis. Fuller carries a four-race tour win streak into this week’s action, while Mars has scored $50,000 victories in the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. (where he led Fuller under the checkered flag) and the North-South 100 at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky., over the past three weeks.

The traveling WoO LMS roster will feature Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who won the 2007 Dirt Track World Championship 100 at K-C; defending World 100 winner Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Also expected are a host of well-known national and regional talents, including 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., 2006 DTWC winner Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, 2006 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., 17-year-old sensation Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Brandon Kinzer of Allen, Ky., Josh McGuire of Grayson, Ky., Ben Adkins of West Portsmouth, Ohio, and the three-driver Conley team (father Delmas, who leads K-C’s points standings, and his sons Rod and R.J.) from Wheelersburg, Ohio.

The Buckeye 100 – a traditional event at the Southeastern Ohio track during the ‘60s and into the ‘70s – will include complete shows for the open-wheel Modified and Hobby Stock divisions on Fri., Aug. 21, and another full program for the open-wheel Modifieds on Sat., Aug. 22.

Two-day tickets for the Buckeye 100 weekend are $40. Single-day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (6-12) on Friday night, and $35 for adults and $15 for kids (6-12) on Saturday night.

Pit passes are $25 for Friday and $40 for Saturday, with two-day passes costing $60.

Free overnight camping is allowed on the K-C Raceway grounds for the weekend.

Pit gates are scheduled to open at 3:30 p.m., with racing set to start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

K-C Raceway is located 12 miles south of Chillicothe, Ohio, in Alma, two miles off SR 23 on Blain Highway.

For more information on K-C Raceway and the Buckeye 100 visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Drive For Five: Fuller Goes For World of Outlaws Late Model Series Consecutive-Win Record Thursday (Aug. 20) At Muskingum County Speedway

ZANESVILLE, OH - Aug. 18, 2009 - Can anyone stop Tim Fuller on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series?

That question will be answered on Thursday night (Aug. 20) at Muskingum County Speedway, where Fuller will bid to set the tour’s modern-era (2004-present) consecutive win record in the rescheduled ‘Pepsi 40.’

Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., is on an absolute roll, carrying a four-race win streak into the $7,000-to-win mid-week event. His runaway victory last Saturday night at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway allowed him to equal the WoO LMS record of four wins in a row established in 2006 by Rick Eckert of York, Pa.

The 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year feels confident that he can make Outlaw history.

“I never would’ve thought we would win four in a row, so anything’s possible,” said Fuller, a veteran DIRTcar Racing Northeast big-block Modified standout who switched his focus to dirt Late Model racing in 2007. “It would be great if we beat the record, but if we don’t, we don’t. We’ll just move on to the next race.”

Muskingum County would seem to be a great place for Fuller to chase the mark. He proved he can get around Ronnie Moran’s three-eighths-mile oval in the first-ever WoO LMS event held there in 2008, charging from the 18th starting spot to finish second. In addition, before rain postponed this year’s ‘Pepsi 40’ on its original July 23 date, he qualified 10th-fastest among 45 cars in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials.

With WoO LMS rules dictating that Thursday’s program will start from scratch, Fuller will have a whole new set of time trials to perhaps put him in even better position for a fifth straight checkered flag.

“I feel pretty good about going there,” Fuller said of Muskingum County. “We were pretty good there last year – we gambled on a tire (compound) in the feature and it worked out for us – and I think we were gonna be O.K. there last month if it wouldn’t have rained.

“But it’s no secret how you win these races. You gotta time trial well. You gotta draw (starting spots for the A-Main) well. You gotta make good choices.

“Right now everything we’re doing is right,” he added. “For some reason all my dials are pointing up. We’re just gonna try to keep riding the wave as long as we can.”

Fuller started his sizzling summer streak with his first WoO LMS win of the season on July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio. He went on to enjoy a big weekend at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. – winning a WDRL event on July 30 and scoring a $20,000 second-place finish in the USA Nationals 100 on Aug. 1 – before sweeping last weekend’s three-race WoO LMS Mid-Atlantic swing, which made him the first driver in the tour’s modern era to win A-Mains at three different tracks on consecutive nights.

Throw in Fuller’s two lucrative DIRTcar big-block Modified outings on off weekends – a $6,000 runner-up finish on July 19 in the All-Star 100 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y., and a $6,000 victory on Aug. 8 in the Super DIRTcar Series 100 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway – and his earnings for the past five weeks total over $76,000.

“My best stretch of racing ever was in 2004 when I won the Victoria 200 (at New York’s Fulton Speedway) and Syracuse (the Rite Aid 200 at the one-mile New York State Fairgrounds) in the same week,” said Fuller, remembering back-to-back big-block Modified triumphs worth $25,000 and $50,000-plus, respectively. “But as far as racing at this level, against the best dirt Late Model drivers in the country, nothing tops what we’re doing right now.”

How did Fuller and his Gypsum Express team suddenly get on such a roll? He has no real answer for that question.

“We have been good since Ohsweken (Ontario on June 18) but just hadn’t been able to close the deal,” said Fuller, whose outburst has moved him to fifth in the WoO LMS points standings, just six points behind fourth-place Eckert. “I think we had a good enough car to win at Ohsweken but we broke a shock. We broke leading at Canandaigua (on June 23). We were fast at Lernerville (the Firecracker 100 on June 27) but got tangled up with (Brian) Birkhofer.

“Now we have luck on our side, we’re getting all the breaks. I don’t know what changed. Why do you win on a slot machine? It’s just your time. When it’s on, it’s on.”

Fuller will face a star-studded lineup of drivers at Muskingum County, including the top three in the current WoO LMS points standings – leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., last year’s MCR winner Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and defending tour champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.

Other World of Outlaws travelers ready for Muskingum’s raindate include Eckert, Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

MCR’s talented field is also expected to include O’Reilly All-Star Late Model Series points leader Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, Rick Aukland of Zanesville, Ohio, Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., Doug Dodd of Cambridge, Ohio, and Doug Drown of Wooster, Ohio.

And of course, dirt Late Model legend Donnie Moran and his 14-year-old son Devin – the son and grandson, respectively, of track owner Ronnie Moran – will be ready to defend their home turf. Donnie has several victories at MCR this season and Devin recently captured his first career win behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model at the track.

Thursday’s program, which also includes Muskingum’s Modified and Pure Stock classes, will see pit gates open at 2 p.m. and the spectator gates unlocked at 4 p.m. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

General admission is $25, with kids 6-11 admitted for $5 and children 5-and-under free of charge. Reserved seats are available in the top two rows of the grandstand, and pit passes will be $40.

For more information, visit www.mcspeedway.20m.com or call 740-754-9199 (track) or 740-763-3991 (office).

The event kicks off four straight nights of racing for the WoO LMS, which will contest the $20,000-to-win ‘Buckeye 100’ on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 21-22) at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio, and a rescheduled Ohio Speedweek show on Sunday (Aug. 23) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Three-Race Mid-Atlantic Swing

CONCORD, NC - Aug. 17, 2009 -

WINNING DECISION: Tim Fuller has made plenty of on-the-money decisions during his current World of Outlaws Late Model Series win streak, which swelled to a record-tying four in-a-row with his sweep of last weekend’s three-race Mid-Atlantic Region swing.

But the Watertown, N.Y., star’s shrewdest call might have come before Saturday night’s 50-lap A-Main at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway – when he made a Hoosier tire choice that ultimately helped propel him to a runaway victory.

Fuller, 41, carefully considered his options before finally going with a softer tire-compound selection that snookered his competition.

“We had 40s (compound tires) ready for the right side and a 1450 and 1425 (compounds) ready for the right side,” Fuller said of his pre-race thought process for the half-mile oval. “We finally put the (softer) 1450 and 1425 on. After we dropped the car down (off the jack), Bob (Wirts of Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic) came over to me and said, ‘What did you go with?’ I said, ‘1450 and 1425,’ and then he said, ‘You sure?’ I just told him, ‘God hates a coward.’

“Bob said, ‘You know, you can change (the tires) right now because everybody’s going with (harder) 1600s,’ but I said, ‘I don’t care. I’m going for it.’ We aren’t in a points battle for the championship (Fuller is fifth in the WoO LMS standings, 144 points behind leader Josh Richards), so you gotta know the top three guys (Richards, Steve Francis and Darrell Lanigan) are going a little on the conservative side. They don’t think they are, but they are.”

After decimating the field to equal Rick Eckert’s modern-era WoO LMS consecutive win record of four (set in 2006), Fuller was congratulated in Victory Lane by an obviously pumped Wirts.

“He was happy because (Hagerstown) has been known as an American Racer racetrack and he wants everybody to see that running a (Hoosier) 1450 can work,” said Fuller. “Guys haven’t dared (use a 1450) because they thought they’d get beat – and now I win on a 1450, so it’s kind of a selling point for him.”

PLEASING THE BOSS: Fuller’s 40-lap triumph last Thursday night at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., was extra special to him personally because his car owners, upstate New York trucking company magnate and major racing supporter John Wight and his wife Laura, were on hand for the event.

It marked the first time in three years of dirt Late Model racing that Fuller was victorious in front of the Wights, who also fielded Late Models at Grandview that were driven by DIRTcar big-block Modified superstar Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y. (he finished 15th after his night was set back by a broken right-front shock during heat action) and their 16-year-old son Larry Wight (DNQ after being involved in a B-Main tangle).

“Winning in front of our owners is a first,” Fuller said with a smile in Grandview’s pit area. “They have so much going on with their Modified teams (including cars for Decker, Wight and New Yorker Pat Ward) and the racetracks (they now own central New York’s Brewerton and Fulton speedways), the only time they really ever see me race (the Late Model) is on the (WoO LMS Great) Northern Tour and down in Florida (in February).

“It was great to have them here. They spend all their hard-earned money to see their car do something eventually, so it’s great to win one for them.”

Fuller had also expected to visit at Grandview with his former DIRTcar big-block Modified owner, Bob Faust, whose home is Slatington, Pa., is about 35 miles north of the track. But the animated Faust didn’t show up – and Fuller let his old boss have it for skipping the event. While still standing in Victory Lane, Fuller used a friend’s cell phone to leave a message that busted Faust’s stones.

“He said he was coming, but he got scared of the rain,” quipped Fuller, who drove for Faust from 1999-2005. “Of course, it stopped raining here by noon – the clear blue sky chased the rain out of here. You could’ve got a suntan today, but Bob was scared of the rain.”

HAGERSTOWN TURNAROUNDS: The performance of WoO LMS title contenders Josh Richards and Darrell Lanigan at Hagerstown Speedway last Saturday night was 180 degrees different than their previous tour appearance there on May 30.

For Richards, that was a good thing. For Lanigan, that was bad.

Back in the spring 50-lapper, Lanigan finished second and Richards struggled to a 17th-place finish (one lap down). They basically flipped fortunes on Saturday night – Richards was a solid runner-up in the A-Main, while Lanigan finished 17th (one lap down) after using a provisional to get in the headliner.

“I’m just ecstatic with second,” said Richards, who regained the points lead after Francis blew a right-rear tire running third with six laps remaining and settled for a 10th-place finish. “We struggled so bad with a new car in the last Outlaw race here, so we came in here tonight with our minds clear and did our own thing.

“That last time here was bad, probably our worst night of the year. I felt exactly the way Darrell does after leaving here tonight. We were just out to lunch.”

Lanigan experienced arguably his most frustrating outing of the season. His chief mechanic, Randall Edwards, said the team “got behind the eight-ball at the start of the night – and at a place like this, you’re not gonna catch up.”

SUCCESSFUL RELATIVES: While Edwards’s weekend ended on a sour note with Lanigan’s difficult night at Hagerstown, he received great family news the previous evening when he learned that his nephew by marriage, Brit Miller, enjoyed a spectacular NFL debut playing for the San Francisco 49ers in a pre-season game.

An All-Big 10 middle linebacker at the University of Illinois last season, Miller was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers but was cut on June 30. He was picked up off waivers one week later by the 49ers, converted to a fullback and played in the team’s pre-season opener last Friday night against the Denver Broncos. Miller promptly caught a pair of touchdown passes – a three-yard score in the second quarter and a 40-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter that gave the 49ers a 17-16 victory.

Miller, whose mother is a sister of Edwards’s wife Lauri, called Edwards on Sunday and said he had watched the telecast of Lanigan’s ‘Gopher 50’ victory at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., the previous day on SPEED. The conversation, of course, also moved to the details of Miller’s performance at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

“I said to him, ‘Were you nervous?’” related Edwards, who watched Miller’s second touchdown run on the satellite television in Lanigan’s hauler after Friday night’s race at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway. “He told me, ‘I didn’t have enough time to be nervous. I thought I was supposed to only play the second half, but halfway through the first quarter they called my name and said, Brit, get your ass in there.’”

Edwards said that Miller, a native of Decatur, Ill., is a big race fan. This year, in fact, Miller attended the WoO LMS ‘Illini 100’ at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway along with several of his teammates from the University of Illinois.

Another familiar face on the WoO LMS scene this season, Rookie of the Year contender Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., also had a relative do some big things away from the racetrack in recent weeks. Bland’s 19-year-old sister, Jefra, finished sixth in the Miss Teen USA 2009 pageant held on July 31 at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

With the WoO LMS idle the week of the contest, Bland traveled to the Bahamas to see his sister compete. He said Jefra, a University of Kentucky student and aspiring auto racing broadcaster who gained entry to the national competition by winning the Miss Kentucky Teen USA pageant, threw out a dirt Late Model reference during the question-and-answer segment on stage.

“They asked her, ‘What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?” said Bland. “She said, ‘Watch my brother make the World 100 (in 2008 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway).’”

MAJOR LETDOWN: The WoO LMS schedule seemed to favor Rick Eckert with back-to-back events at Bedford Speedway (where he won four consecutive dirt Late Model championships) and Hagerstown Speedway (where he’s scored many big wins, including two WoO LMS events).

But when the weekend was over, Eckert had finishes of 24th at Bedford and 14th at Hagerstown to his credit. He wasn’t a factor in either A-Main, leaving him very frustrated.

“The last two nights were definitely disappointing,” said Eckert, who entered the three-race swing 72 points out of first in the WoO LMS standings and ended it trailing points leader Richards by 138 points (and ahead of fifth-place Fuller by a mere six markers). “We were looking forward to running two places close to home that we know pretty well, but we weren’t any good both nights.”

Using a new-style engine at Bedford, Eckert struggled during qualifying and was an early A-Main retiree due to problems under the hood. He won a heat race at Hagerstown and drew the fifth starting spot for the A-Main, but he tumbled backward with an ill-performing machine and went down a lap to Fuller by lap 36.

YOUNGSTERS TO WATCH: Austin Hubbard and Gregg Satterlee – two up-and-coming drivers who are possible WoO LMS Rookie of the Year applicants in 2010 – flashed some of their vast potential during the Mid-Atlantic swing.

Hubbard, a 17-year-old from Seaford, Del., who will soon start his senior year of high school, registered his third top-five finish of the ’09 tour with a fifth-place run on Thursday night at Grandview. He scored his first career WoO LMS fast-time honor on Friday at Bedford Speedway and finished sixth in the A-Main, and then on Saturday night he placed a solid eighth at Hagerstown to join Fuller, Francis, Richards and Vic Coffey as drivers with a top-10 finish in all three events.

Satterlee, meanwhile, was impressive at Bedford, leading laps 1-27 and finishing a WoO LMS career-best fifth. The 24-year-old from Rochester Mills, Pa., was only slightly disappointed to slip backward after pacing more than half the distance.

“I’m real happy with a fifth,” said Satterlee, who competed at Bedford with his father as his only crewman. “I went a little too soft with my left-rear (American Racer tire) so the car didn’t stick as good in the turns as the race went on, but I’m still pretty satisfied. I haven’t really run that many 50-lappers yet so we’re still learning.”

ETCETERA:

* All the cars in action Friday at Bedford carried stickers that read ‘Get Well Soon Mary Ann’ in honor of Bedford co-promoter J.R. Keifer’s wife, who was seriously injured in a highway motorcycle crash on Aug. 9. With Mary Ann in a Pittsburgh hospital recovering from leg, wrist, elbow and back injuries, J.R. was by her side and missing from Bedford’s program.

Drivers collected over $5,100 for Mary Ann’s recovery when they went through the stands with their helmets prior to the start of the A-Main, and several competitors donated such items as race car doors and firesuits that will be auctioned off to raise more money for Mary Ann’s medical treatment.

* Four-time Bedford Speedway champion and current points leader Jack Pencil saw his hopes for a magical night at his hometrack evaporate with the wave of his heat race’s green flag. After timing sixth-fastest to earn an outside-pole starting spot in the second heat, Pencil pulled up lame in turn two on the opening lap with terminal motor trouble.

Pencil did get a chance to start the A-Main using a track provisional thanks to WoO LMS regular Chub Frank, who pulled out his backup car for Pencil to use. Ironically, both Pencil and Frank have experienced shop fires that leveled their garages – Frank in 2005, and Pencil five months ago.

* Brady Smith was still searching for his first win as a WoO LMS regular in 2009 after lagging through a three-race Mid-Atlantic swing that he called “a trip from hell.” His only top 10 was a ninth at Grandview, and he had to change motors after breaking a powerplant at Bedford.

UP NEXT: The WoO LMS returns to action on Thursday night (Aug. 20), contesting the rescheduled Pepsi 40 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. Then the tour moves to K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio, for the $20,000-to-win Buckeye 100 on Friday and Saturday nights (Aug. 21-22) and runs a rescheduled 50-lap event on Sunday night (Aug. 23) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Four In A Row: Fuller Continues World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win Streak With Dominant Performance At Hagerstown Speedway

HAGERSTOWN, MD - Aug. 15, 2009 - And the streak continues.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., captured his fourth World of Outlaws Late Model Series win in a row on Saturday night, rolling to a dominant victory in the 50-lap A-Main at Hagerstown Speedway.

The $10,600 triumph was historic for the 41-year-old Fuller, who equaled Rick Eckert’s modern-era (2004-present) WoO LMS consecutive-win record of four established in 2006. He will attempt to set a new mark on Aug. 20 when the tour visits Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio.

“This is just unbelievable,” said Fuller, who pushed his WoO LMS career win total to seven by completing a sweep of the three-race Mid-Atlantic swing. “I don’t know what to say. No one would’ve ever expected this after our rough start in Late Model racing in 2007.

“To be able to tie Rick Eckert – who’s done so many things in Late Model racing – for a World of Outlaws record just blows my mind. This ranks right up there at the top of my accomplishments, that’s for sure.”

Fuller showed just how things are going his way when he drew the pole position for the A-Main for the second consecutive night. He was outgunned for the lead at the initial green flag by front-row mate Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., but he used the outside lane through turns three and four to sail by Richards and gain control for good on lap eight.

Not a single driver threatened Fuller’s Gypsum Express Rocket car for the remainder of the race, which was slowed by a single caution flag, on lap 44, when Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., relinquished third place – and the WoO LMS points lead – due to a blown right-rear tire.

Richards, 21, settled for a distant runner-up finish in the Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket, 2.623 seconds behind Fuller. The performance elevated Richards back into the WoO LMS points lead by six points over Francis, who finished 10th after pitting to change his car’s tire.

Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., climbed forward from the 11th starting spot to place third in Barry Klinedinst’s Rocket, earning the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hadn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and wasn’t ranked among the top 12 in the tour points standings. He picked up two spots running the outside groove after the lap-44 restart.

D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa., finished fourth in Greg Gunter’s PPM Chassis, matching his career-best WoO LMS finish established just two nights earlier at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., was fifth in the RSD Enterprises Rocket after charging forward from the 14th starting spot to crack the top five with a lap-49 pass of Greencastle, Pa.’s Gary Stuhler.

Fuller credited his powerful run to the softer-compound Hoosier tires that he decided to bolt on his car. He knew his choice was correct when his machine stuck like glue to the high side of the half-mile oval.

“I was following Josh until I got up on the top (on lap eight) and dragged him in (to turn three) about three car lengths,” said Fuller, who uses a Custom Chevy engine. “When my car stayed up there, I said, ‘This is over.’ He sealed his tire up a little bit and mine just kept eating up there in the loose stuff (cushion).”

Fuller pulled away to lead by as much as a full straightaway even while dealing with lapped traffic. He lapped up to the 12th-place car.

“And I could’ve went faster too – that’s the sad part,” Fuller said with a sheepish grin. “Smoke (his crew chief Mike Countryman) kept calming me down (with infield signals), and trying to save my tires. We had gone softer with our tire, so I didn’t know what it was gonna look like.”

Richards simply had no answer for Fuller’s onslaught.

“I felt like we had a really good car,” said Richards. “But when we were leading the race I knew as good as Fuller’s been that he’d be coming, and sure enough he passed me.

“After the race I found out he was on a little bit softer tires, but honestly, the way he’s been going, I don’t think tires would’ve made a difference. I’m just ecstatic with second.”

Richards felt pressure for second from Francis just before the race’s halfway mark, but mechanical trouble hampered Francis’s Beitler Motorsports Rocket and ultimately popped his tire.

“We broke a birdcage when I got on the outside of Josh and made that big run,” said Francis, who started seventh. “The right-rear wheel got to running back-and-forth, and eventually it got back into the body and the quarter-panel cut the tire down.

“I knew what was going on when I came back out, so I kinda had to take it easy to make it to the finish. At least we were able to salvage a 10th.

“We all know that as close as this points deal is between me, Darrell (Lanigan) and Josh, it’s gonna come down to a little bit of luck,” he added. “Maybe I had my bad luck tonight and that’s the worst it’ll get.”

Union, Ky.’s Lanigan, meanwhile, experienced a rare off-night. He used a provisional to start the A-Main and was never a factor, going down a lap to Fuller on lap 19 and finishing 17th to fall 34 points behind Richards.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Stuhler, who had Paul Crowl’s No. 7 in the top five for most of the distance; Nick Dickson of Lewistown, Pa.; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.; 17th-starter Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; and Francis.

A field of 43 cars assembled for the second WoO LMS event of 2009 at Hagerstown.

Richards was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials for the second time on the three-race Mid-Atlantic swing, turning a lap of 18.742 seconds.

Heat winners were Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Stuhler, Fuller and Myers. The B-Mains were captured by Coffey and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.

The WoO LMS will return to action on Thursday night (Aug. 20), contesting the rescheduled Pepsi 40 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. Then the tour moves to K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio, for the $20,000-to-win Buckeye 100 on Friday and Saturday nights (Aug. 21-22) and a rescheduled 50-lap event on Sunday night (Aug. 23) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Hagerstown Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Tim Fuller/50 $10,600
2. (2) Josh Richards/50 $5,550
3. (11) Jason Covert/50 $3,500
4. (3) D.J. Myers/50 $2,500
5. (14) Shane Clanton/50 $2,500
6. (4) Gary Stuhler/50 $1,750
7. (10) Nick Dickson/50 $1,400
8. (12) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,300
9. (17) Vic Coffey/50 $1,200
10. (7) Steve Francis/50 $1,800
11. (6) Frankie Plessinger/50 $1,050
12. (13) Jim Yoder/50 $1,000
13. (18) Brady Smith/49 $1,450
14. (5) Rick Eckert/49 $1,400
15. (20) Jordan Bland/49 $1,600
16. (19) Darryl Hills/49 $800
17. (23) Darrell Lanigan/49 $1,370
18. (24) Russell King/49 $1,250
19. (9) Les Hare/49 $730
20. (21) Chub Frank/49 $1,200
21. (8) Andy Anderson/43 $700
22. (16) Ronnie DeHaven Jr./34 $700
23. (15) Jeremy Miller/33 $700
24. (22) Clint Smith/25 $1,200
25. (25) Roy Deese Jr./22 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 21 Mins., 21.832 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.623 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 44)
Lap Leaders: Richards (1-7); Fuller (8-50)
Provisional Starters: Lanigan, King (WoO); Deese (track)
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Covert ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Brian Klinedinst (Covert)

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

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 18.742
2. 9-Frankie Plessinger/Big Cove Tannery, PA 18.744
3. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.772
4. 3s-Rusty Sites/Chambersburg, PA 18.778
5. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.821
6. 7-Gary Stuhler/Greencastle, PA 18.821
7. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.825
8. 1D-Ronnie DeHaven Jr./Winchester, VA 18.854
9. 8-Les Hare/Felton, PA 18.885
10. 7H-Darryl Hills/Great Mills, MD 18.905
11. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.919
12. 46-Marvin Winters/McConnellsburg, PA 18.922
13. 27-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 18.927
14. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 18.944
15. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 18.959
16. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 19.007
17. 215-Al Shawver Jr./Hampstead, MD 19.021
18. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.083
19. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 19.084
20. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.126
21. B2-Brian Booze/Marion, PA 19.148
22. 17-Nick Dickson/Lewistown, PA 19.157
23. 24-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 19.159
24. 05-Roy Deese Jr./Laurel, MD 19.171
25. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.174
26. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 19.194
27. 88J-Keith Jackson/Odenton, MD 19.224
28. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.228
29. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.244
30. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 19.331
31. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 19.348
32. 91A-Andy Anderson/Bunker Hills, WV 19.367
33. 74-Tyler Hershey/Mercersburg, PA 19.379
34. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 19.470
35. 06-Mike Lupfer/Shermansdale, PA 19.479
36. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 19.783
37. 73-Al Cheney/Hamilton Square, NJ 19.859
38. 81-Scott Cross/Centerville, MD 19.897
39. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.975
40. 43-Bryan Wright/Front Royal, VA 20.010
41. 1-J.T. Spence/Winchester, VA 20.129
42. 88E-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 18.978 (DQ – no scales)
43. 92-Harold Dorsey Jr./Essex, MD 19.530 (DQ – light)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Richards, Hare, Yoder, Coffey, Frank, Booze, Spence, Shawver, Hershey, Cheney

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Stuhler, Plessinger, Dickson, Clanton, Hills, Lux, Elliott, Stone, Robinson, Cross, Reddick

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Francis, Covert, Miller, B. Smith, Bland, King, Jackson, Lupfer, Dorsey, C. Smith

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Myers, Anderson, Hubbard, DeHaven, Lanigan, Sites, Deese, Winters, Hapka, Wright

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Coffey, Hills, Frank, Elliott, Booze, Spence, Stone, Shawver, Robinson, Hershey, Cross, Cheney, Lux, Reddick

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, Bland, C. Smith, Winters, Sites, Deese, Dorsey, Hapka, King (DNS) Lanigan, Jackson, Lupfer, Wright

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Brian Booze, Rusty Sites
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Jason Covert
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Francis
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Vic Coffey, Brady Smith
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Gary Stuhler
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jordan Bland
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Josh Richards
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Brent Robinson
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 15 – 30 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 4089 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 4083 (-6)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4055 (-34)
4. Rick Eckert 3951 (-138)
5. Tim Fuller 3945 (-144)
6. Shane Clanton 3913 (-176)
7. Brady Smith 3842 (-247)
8. Chub Frank 3813 (-276)
9. Clint Smith 3689 (-400)
10. Russell King 3253 (-836)
11. Jordan Bland 3245 (-844)
12. Brent Robinson 3086 (-1003)
13. Dustin Hapka 2860 (-1229)
14. Tyler Reddick 2651 (-1438)
15. Vic Coffey 2501 (-1588)
16. Austin Hubbard 2076 (-2013)
17. Matt Lux 1530 (-2559)
18. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2619)
19. Dan Stone 1213 (-2876)
20. Gregg Satterlee 1204 (-2885)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Fuller Extends World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win Streak To Three With Friday-Night Victory At Bedford Speedway

BEDFORD, PA - Aug. 14, 2009 - Tim Fuller continued his World of Outlaws Late Model Series hot streak on Friday night at Bedford Speedway.

But in order to register a third consecutive victory on the national tour, the 41-year-old from Watertown, N.Y., had to work extra hard in the half-mile fairgrounds oval’s 50-lap A-Main.

Coming off back-to-back flag-to-flag triumphs, Fuller appeared primed for another dominant performance after he drew the pole position. But he was outgunned for the lead at the start by Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., and shortly thereafter lost second to defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.

Fuller dug deep, however, rallying to pass Satterlee for the lead on lap 28 and then march on to a win worth $10,650. He became just the fifth driver since 2004 to capture three straight WoO LMS A-Mains.

“It’s hard to win just one World of Outlaws race, so to win three in a row – man, I never expected to do this,” said Fuller, a former Mr. DIRTcar big-block Modified champion in his third season as a WoO LMS regular. “But this is what it’s all about – for the crew guys that work so hard, the car owners who pour so much money into this, and for me. I’m making some money that I didn’t make in the spring when we were having some bad luck.”

Fuller will attempt to equal the WoO LMS modern-era (2004-present) record of four consecutive wins – set in 2006 by Rick Eckert of York, Pa. – on Saturday night (Aug. 15) at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

Fuller steered his Gypsum Express Rocket car across the finish line 1.232 seconds ahead of Ashland, Ky.’s Steve Francis, who was a runner-up in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket for the second consecutive night and fifth time in the last six events.

Lanigan settled for third place in his Lanigan Autosports Rocket – the same position in which he started – and seventh-starter Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., placed fourth in the Mark Richards Racing Enterprises Rocket, keeping the WoO LMS points standings razor-close for another race. Francis left Bedford leading the standings by 10 points over Richards and 14 points over Lanigan.

Satterlee, meanwhile, faded to a fifth-place finish in his family-owned Rocket car after leading laps 1-27. It was a career-best WoO LMS finish for the rising 24-year-old, who wished he had selected a bit harder American Racer tire compound but was happy with his performance nonetheless.

A possible WoO LMS Rookie of the Year applicant next season, Satterlee proved to be a formidable foe for Fuller.

“The first 15 laps or so (Satterlee) was just locked down to the ground and I said, ‘There’s no way I’m gonna pass him,’” said Fuller, the 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year. “Satterlee just kept drawing away and I was driving over my head just to try and keep up with him, so I overheated my (Hoosier) tires and that’s when Lanigan got me (for second on a lap-nine restart).

“I just had to calm down a little bit and let things come to me. On the next restart (lap 14) I was a little bit more on the ball and I got Lanigan back, and then Satterlee started to slow down and I drew in on him. You could see he was starting to ‘hang’ in the corners and that’s how I got under him (for the lead on lap 28).”

Fuller’s biggest late-race obstacle wasn’t the lap-48 caution flag for Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., who pulled up lame in turn four with a flat right-rear tire and charging from the 21st starting spot to fifth place, but rather a hairy moment in lapped traffic.

“Russ King (the race’s highest-finishing rookie) really cut me a break when I was lapping him,” said Fuller, who recorded his sixth career WoO LMS win. “I pinched him off hard to get to that bottom (in turn one) because that’s where you had to be, so he could’ve easily turned me. It could’ve been ugly, but he got out of there hard and didn’t race me. A move like that is why I hope he wins the Rookie of the Year.”

Francis, 41, slipped by Lanigan for third on lap 30 and grabbed second from Satterlee on lap 33, but the 2007 WoO LMS champion never got close enough to Fuller to make a serious bid for his sixth victory of the season.

“I think we had a shot at (Fuller) until me and Darrell (Lanigan) hit going into three (on lap 20),” said Francis, who started sixth. “It knocked all the bracing out of the right-front (bodywork) of my car, so it kept catching on the right-front wheel and I couldn’t run two consistent laps in a row.

“But really, if I was gonna pass Fuller, it would’ve been a deal where I would’ve had to catch him in lapped traffic or when he jumped over that cushion in turn four. Fuller’s just a little better than us right, so we’ll take second and go on.”

Four caution flags slowed the event, including one on lap nine for a spin in turn two by Rookie of the Year contender Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and another on lap 14 for the slowing car driven by Eckert, who pulled into the pits with terminal problems under the hood.

Joining Eckert in the pit area before the checkered flag was his fellow Team Zero by Bloomquist campaigner, Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who retired on lap 33 with a broken motor.

Austin Hubbard, 17, of Seaford, Del., finished sixth, nipping Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., at the checkered flag by mere inches. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., was a quiet eighth, followed by Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.

A field of 44 cars assembled for the event, which was run before a large crowd on a gorgeous summer evening.

Missing from Bedford’s staff on Friday night was track co-promoter J.R. Keifer, who was at his wife Mary Ann’s hospital bed in Pittsburgh. Mary Ann suffered serious elbow, wrist and leg injuries in a motorcycle crash near Bedford on Sunday night.

Hubbard was quickest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, earning his first career WoO LMS fast-time honor with a lap of 19.684 seconds.

Heat winners were Elliott, Fuller, Francis and Richards. The B-Mains were captured by Bland and Eckert.

Time trials were marred by a wild accident involving Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, Md., whose car dug into the track surface and flipped over the outside guardrail between turns three and four. His machine landed on its wheels and he quickly climbed out under his own power without injury.

Lathroum, who won his first career WoO LMS A-Main on May 28 at Delaware International Speedway, had his badly-battered car hauled back to the pit area dangling between two wreckers.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Bedford Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Tim Fuller/50 $10,650
2. (6) Steve Francis/50 $5,600
3. (3) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,600
4. (7) Josh Richards/50 $3,000
5. (2) Gregg Satterlee/50 $2,500
6. (9) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,750
7. (4) Chub Frank/50 $1,900
8. (16) Shane Clanton/50 $1,800
9. (8) Ricky Elliott/50 $1,200
10. (14) Vic Coffey/50 $1,200
11. (19) Nick Dickson/50 $1,050
12. (10) D.J. Myers/50 $1,000
13. (20) J.T. Spence/50 $950
14. (23) Russell King/49 $1,650
15. (12) Clint Smith/49 $1,350
16. (17) Jordan Bland/49 $1,300
17. (15) Tyler Reddick/49 $770
18. (24) Brent Robinson/49 $1,250
19. (21) Jason Covert/47 $730
20. (5) Jeremy Miller/43 $700
21. (22) Jeff Miller/41 $700
22. (11) Brady Smith/33 $1,200
23. (13) Matt Lux/23 $700
24. (18) Rick Eckert/14 $1,200
25. (25) Jack Pencil/8 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

NOTE: Jack Pencil started the A-Main driving Chub Frank's backup car after his own machine was sidelined by engine problems.

Time of Race: 28 Mins., 01.317 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.232 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 9, 14, 43, 48)
Lap Leaders: Satterlee (1-27); Fuller (28-50)
Provisional Starters: King, Robinson (WoO); Pencil (track)
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Satterlee ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Mike (‘Smoke’) Countryman (Fuller)

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

1. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.684
2. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.727
3. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 19.733
4. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.759
5. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 19.851
6. 14-Jack Pencil/Bedford, PA 19.874
7. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 19.899
8. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 19.914
9. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 19.971
10. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 20.008
11. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 20.030
12. 91-J.T. Spence/Winchester, VA 20.036
13. 88-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 20.049
14. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 20.086
15. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 20.103
16. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 20.120
17. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 20.131
18. 27-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 20.142
19. 39-Greg Fetters/Bedford, PA 20.144
20. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 20.161
21. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 20.165
22. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 20.170
23. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 20.241
24. 33-Scott Haus/Hamburg, PA 20.285
25. 74-Tyler Hershey/Mercersburg, PA 20.289
26. 92-Jeff Rine/Danville, PA 20.305
27. 5-Chuck Clise/Frostburg, MD 20.350
28. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 20.354
29. 7-Gary Stuhler/Greencastle, PA 20.373
30. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 20.397
31. 50E-D.J. Troutman/Hyndman, PA 20.449
32. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 20.452
33. 17-Nick Dickson/Lewistown, PA 20.473
34. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 20.479
35. 57-Jeff Miller/Huntingdon, PA 20.484
36. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 20.498
37. 15E-Steve Everhart/Williamsburg, PA 20.527
38. 32-Dylan Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 20.644
39. 8L-Scott LeBaron/Dover, PA 20.693
40. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 20.751
41. 83R-Scott Rhodes/Somerset, PA 20.768
42. 8A-Alan Sagi/Hagerstown, MD 20.801
43. 43d-Tom Decker Jr./Tyrone, PA 20.873
44. 6- Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top Transfer): Elliott, Satterlee, Hubbard, Lux, Moran, Dickson, Stuhler, Hershey, Everhart, Covert, Rhodes

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top Transfer): Fuller, Jeremy Miller, Myers, Coffey, Bland, J. Yoder, Sagi, D. Yoder, Rine, Hapka, Pencil

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top Transfer): Francis, Frank, B. Smith, Reddick, Clise, Jeff Miller, Troutman, Fetters, LeBaron, Stone, Decker

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top Transfer): Richards, Lanigan, C. Smith, Clanton, Eckert, Spence, Haus, Robinson, Briggs, King

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top Transfer): Bland, Dickson, Covert, J. Yoder, Stuhler, Everhart, Rine, Moran, Hershey, Sagi, Hapka, D. Yoder (DNS) Rhodes, Pencil

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top Transfer): Eckert, Spence, Jeff Miller, Clise, Troutman, Haus, Stone, Robinson, LeBaron, Briggs, Decker, Fetters, King (DNS) Lathroum

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Gary Stuhler, D.J. Troutman
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Gregg Satterlee
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Jordan Bland, Rick Eckert
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Greg Satterlee
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Gregg Satterlee
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Chuck Clise
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 14 – 29 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 3953 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 3943 (-10)
3. Darrell Lanigan 3939 (-14)
4. Rick Eckert 3829 (-124)
5. Tim Fuller 3795 (-158)
6. Shane Clanton 3773 (-180)
7. Brady Smith 3718 (-235)
8. Chub Frank 3703 (-250)
9. Clint Smith 3587 (-366)
10. Russell King 3139 (-814)
11. Jordan Bland 3125 (-828)
12. Brent Robinson 3011 (-942)
13. Dustin Hapka 2785 (-1168)
14. Tyler Reddick 2576 (-1377)
15. Vic Coffey 2369 (-1584)
16. Austin Hubbard 1942 (-2011)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2483)
18. Matt Lux 1455 (-2498)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1204 (-2749)
20. Dan Stone 1138 (-2815)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Fuller’s Red-Hot Summer Continues With Victory In Inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At Grandview Speedway

BECHTELSVILLE, PA - Aug. 13, 2009 - Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., continued his red-hot summer on Thursday night, rolling to a flag-to-flag victory in the 40-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Traffic Jam’ A-Main at Grandview Speedway.

It was the second consecutive dominant win on the national tour for Fuller, who picked up right where he had left off in the last WoO LMS event nearly three weeks earlier. He scored his first series triumph of 2009 on July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio.

“We were fast on that whole Northern Tour (in mid- to late-June) but just had some problems that kept us from getting a win,” said Fuller, who earned $7,750 for his fifth career WoO LMS win. “Now we’re getting some breaks and it’s just taking off. Everything is going good and we’re having fun.”

Adding to his enjoyment, Fuller moved to fifth in the WoO LMS points standings and emerged victorious for the first time in front of his car owners John and Laura Wight, who were on hand to watch three of their Gypsum Express team cars in action. Fuller’s teammates, Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., and Larry Wight of Baldwinsville, N.Y. (John and Laura’s 16-year-old son), also entered the event.

Fuller, 41, was never seriously challenged during the first-ever WoO LMS program at the high-banked, one-third-mile oval. Taking advantage of his outside-pole starting spot, the 2007 series Rookie of the Year outgunned polesitter D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa., for the lead at the initial green flag and never looked back.

Two caution flags (on laps 16 and 19) and some late-race lapped traffic didn’t hamper Fuller, who smoothly guided his Gypsum Express Rocket car to a 2.683-second margin of victory – nearly a full straightaway – over Ashland, Ky.’s Steve Francis in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket.

Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., registered a season-best finish of third in his J.P. Drilling GRT car, and Myers held on for a career-high WoO LMS placing of fourth in Greg Gunter’s PPM chassis machine to earn the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t in the top 12 in the tour points standings.

Seventeen-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., meanwhile, started and finished fifth in his family’s Seaside Builders Rocket to record his third top-five finish of the season. He slipped by Myers for fourth on lap 14 but lost the spot on a restart two circuits later.

Racing at a 358-Modified track where he won a Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified feature in 2005, Fuller seemed to have a better handle on the tricky speedway than his rivals.

“Me and Billy (Decker, another former Super DIRTcar Series winner at Grandview who was in Thursday’s field) were more familiar with this place from running the Modified here,” said Fuller, the only WoO LMS regular who had previously competed at Grandview. “But is that why we won? I don’t think so.

“It might’ve helped me in time trials (he was sixth-fastest), but once (the surface) turned black-slick it was just another track. I didn’t have any advantage because these (WoO) guys adapt fast.”

Francis, 41, slipped by Smith for second on a restart that followed the lap-16 caution flag for a turn-two tangle involving Scott Haus of Hamburg, Pa., and WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio. But the 2007 tour champion, who started third, never threatened the fleet Fuller and settled for his fourth runner-up finish in the last five series A-Mains.

“We weren’t as good as Fuller was,” said Francis, who grabbed the WoO LMS points lead with his performance. “When we got to lapped cars he could move around better than I could, so obviously his car was just better than mine. He was just rolling around there.”

The 44-year-old Smith ran second behind Fuller from lap six – when he overtook Myers – until Francis used the outside lane to gain control of the position. Smith later blamed himself for giving Francis the opportunity to seize second, but he didn’t complain about his first podium finish of 2009.

“I actually thought we were coming to Fuller before the caution came out (on lap 16),” said Smith, who started fourth. “Then on the restart I chose the bottom (groove) because I thought it was better, and it wasn’t. The next restart (on lap 19 following a turn-three spin by Danny Snyder of Green Lane, Pa.) Francis chose the top again, so he had me.

“We had the third-best car – and that’s better than we have been. I think the new stuff we got going is working pretty well, but we’ll see tomorrow night (Aug. 14 at Pennsylvania’s Bedford Speedway). We’ve gotta back up a good run with another good run to prove we’re getting somewhere.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who couldn’t move forward from his sixth starting spot and lost the WoO LMS points lead to Francis; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who fell 12 points behind Francis; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.

A field of 41 cars was entered in the event, including a dozen Grandview 358 Late Model regulars.

And a large crowd packed the track’s bleachers for the historic evening, pleasing event co-promoter Bob Miller. He let out a sigh of relief following the program after watching a day that began with heavy morning rain turn into a picture-perfect night.

Richards was fastest in Ohlins Shock Time Trials with a lap of 15.177 seconds –a mere one-thousandth of a second better than Myers.

Heat winners were Richards, Fuller, Francis and Coffey. The B-Mains were captured by Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who was scheduled to start third in the first heat but was penalized to the rear of the field because he reported late to the lineup, and Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa.

Coffey also pocketed a $1,000 bonus for winning the BPG Racing Late Model vs. Big-Block Modified Challenge, a six-lap dash that was to pit the WoO LMS and big-block Modified heat winners. Richards and Francis opted to sit out the event, however, putting Eckert and Clint Smith into the field.

Charging off the outside pole, Coffey grabbed the lead from the polesitting big-block Modified driven by Rick Laubach of Richlandtown, Pa., and never looked back. He crossed the finish line with a comfortable advantage over Laubach, who held of Eckert to place second.

Eckert settled for third, followed by Fuller, who started seventh, Clint Smith and Modifieds drivers Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, N.J., and Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, Pa.

The WoO LMS continues a three-race Midwest swing on Friday night (Aug. 14) at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway and Saturday night (Aug. 15) at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Traffic Jam 40’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Tim Fuller/40 $7,750
2. (3) Steve Francis/40 $3,600
3. (4) Clint Smith/40 $2,600
4. (1) D.J. Myers/40 $2,200
5. (5) Austin Hubbard/40 $1,500
6. (6) Josh Richards/40 $1,850
7. (8) Rick Eckert/40 $1,900
8. (10) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,700
9. (11) Brady Smith/40 $1,500
10. (7) Vic Coffey/40 $2,000
11. (17) Shane Clanton/40 $1,350
12. (14) Chub Frank/40 $1,300
13. (9) Jimmy Bernheisel/40 $750
14. (13) Jordan Bland/40 $1,490
15. (22) Billy Decker/40 $710
16. (12) Chuck Schutz/40 $680
17. (18) Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/40 $650
18. (19) Dan Stone/40 $630
19. (23) Russell King/40 $1,120
20. (16) Brent Robinson/39 $1,110
21. (15) Scott Haus/39 $600
22. (20) Tyler Reddick/38 $600
23. (24) Dustin Hapka/38 $600
24. (21) Danny Snyder/38 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 18 Mins., 01.538 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.683 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 16, 19)
Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-40)
Provisional Starters: King, Hapka
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Myers ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Darrell (‘Don Vito’) Cooper (Clint Smith)

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

1. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.117
2. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 15.118
3. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.157
4. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.181
5. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.182
6. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.239
7. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 15.261
8. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.270
9. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 15.285
10. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.290
11. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.313
12. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 15.342
13. 119-Jimmy Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA 15.345
14. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.409
15. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.424
16. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.432
17. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.448
18. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 15.526
19. 76-Scott Haus/Hamburg, PA 15.612
20. ONE-Chuck Schutz/Pottstown, PA 15.657
21. 22R-Randall Paxton/Factoryville, PA 15.721
22. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.746
23. 72-Wayne Pfeil/Mohnton, PA 15.766
24. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 15.792
25. 73-Al Cheney/Hamilton Square, NJ 15.805
26. 4s-Danny Snyder/Green Lane, PA 15.853
27. 80-Bill Henning/Lansdale, PA 15.855
28. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.900
29. 19R-Rob Ormsbee/Wall, NJ 15.917
30. 118-Randy Stoudt/Pottstown, PA 16.014
31. 117-Kyle Merkel/Gilbertsville, PA 16.032
32. 33s-Bryan Sipe/Hamburg, PA 16.135
33. 78T-Tracy Gregory/Dalton, PA 16.154
34. 44M-Jason Miller/Germansville, PA 16.275
35. 57-Mike Kellner/Lansdale, PA 16.276
36. 18F-Jonathan Favinger/Birdsboro, PA 16.479
37. 99L-Larry Wight/Baldwinsville, NY 16.524
38. 99z-Dave Zona/Montrose, PA 16.556
39. 3K-Ron Kline/Salford, PA 16.724
40. 51-Dave Garber/Boyertown, PA N/T
41. 13b-James Cornell/Harpersville, PA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, C. Smith, Bernheisel, Bland, Clanton, Wight, Cheney, Ormsbee, Gregory (DNS) Paxton, Cornell

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Myers, Lanigan, Frank, King, Snyder, Stone, Stoudt, Zona, Miller

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Eckert, B. Smith, Haus, Kellner, Merkel, Henning, Pfeil, Kline, Decker

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Coffey, Hubbard, Schutz, Robinson, Reddick, Briggs, Hapka, Sipe, Favinger (DNS) Garber

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Stone, Snyder, King, Cheney, Stoudt, Ormsbee, Miller, Zona, Wight, Gregory (DNS) Paxton

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Briggs, Reddick, Decker, Merkel, Pfeil, Henning, Kline, Kellner, Favinger, Sipe, Hapka (DNS) Graber

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Al Cheney, Wayne Pfeil
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): D.J. Myers
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton, Rick Briggs
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Billy Decker
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Tim Fuller
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Rob Ormsbee
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 13 – 28 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 3807 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 3801 (-6)
3. Darrell Lanigan 3795 (-12)
4. Rick Eckert 3727 (-80)
5. Tim Fuller 3645 (-162)
6. Shane Clanton 3639 (-168)
7. Brady Smith 3612 (-195)
8. Chub Frank 3567 (-240)
9. Clint Smith 3467 (-340)
10. Russell King 3017 (-790)
11. Jordan Bland 3007 (-800)
12. Brent Robinson 2897 (-910)
13. Dustin Hapka 2710 (-1097)
14. Tyler Reddick 2460 (-1347)
15. Vic Coffey 2239 (-1568)
16. Austin Hubbard 1804 (-2003)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2337)
18. Matt Lux 1351 (-2456)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1064 (-2743)
20. Dan Stone 1063 (-2744)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower’ on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing The Mid-Atlantic Swing To Grandview Speedway, Bedford Speedway & Hagerstown Speedway

CONCORD, NC - Aug. 11, 2009 -

BACK IN BUSINESS: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series ends a two-and-a-half-week break with a three-race swing through the Mid-Atlantic region, making stops on Thursday night (Aug. 13) at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa.; Friday night (Aug. 14) at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway; and Saturday night (Aug. 15) at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

Grandview’s mid-week date is headlined by a 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win, while the Bedford and Hagerstown programs boast 50-lap A-Mains with $10,000 top prizes on the line.

FIRST TIME: Veteran Northeast racing official/publicist Bob Miller has provided fans a wide variety of thrills since 1990 when he began co-promoting the ‘Thunder on the Hill’ special-event series with Grandview Speedway owner Bruce Rogers.

Just look at the divisions and series that Miller has featured at Grandview – a mix that includes 410 Sprint Cars (Pennsylvania Posse, World of Outlaws, All-Star Circuit of Champions, CRA, SCRA and USAC wingless), big-block Modifieds (open competition and Super DIRTcar Series), NASCAR 358-Modifieds, 360 Sprint Cars (URC and KARS), 358 Late Models, ARDC Midgets, Legends Cars and Mini-Sprints.

But on Thurs., Aug. 13, Miller will bring a brand-new attraction to the high-banked, one-third-mile oval: the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Making the ‘Traffic Jam’ program even more exciting, a 40-lap, $4,000-to-win feature for the big-block Modifieds will give fans an opportunity to see two huge headline divisions on the same night.

“I’m really excited to bring the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to Grandview for the first time and pair the event up with a race for the big-block Modifieds,” said Miller, who also serves as an official with the URC Sprint Car Series. “We always try to come up with Thunder on the Hill events that are unique and different, and this doubleheader definitely fits the bill.”

Grandview has long run 358 Late Models as a weekly Saturday-night division alongside its headline NASCAR 358-Modifieds, but Thursday’s WoO LMS event will mark the first race in track history for full-blown dirt Late Models.

Several Grandview 358 Late Model standouts are expected to challenge the WoO LMS stars on Thursday, including current points leader Randy Stoudt of Pottstown, Pa.; two-time ’09 winner Chuck Schutz of Pottstown, Pa., who has entered WoO LMS events in the past; Brian Shuey of Shoemakersville, Pa; Kyle Merkel of Gilbertsville, Pa.; and Dan Snyder of Green Lane, Pa.

BATTLE OF DIVISIONS: An added attraction on Grandview’s Aug. 13 schedule is the BPG Racing/Chad Sinon Motorsports Big-Block Modified vs. Late Model Challenge Dash, which will pit the winners of the WoO LMS and big-block Mod heats in a six-lap battle for a $1,000 top prize.

Which car would WoO LMS regular – and longtime DIRTcar big-block Modified standout – Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., rather be in for the Challenge sprint?

“Right now I’d want to be in my Late Model no matter what,” said Fuller, who won a Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified event at Grandview on July 19, 2005. “That doesn’t mean I don’t think a Modified could win it. It’s just that I really feel good about how my Late Model is running right now.”

Indeed, Fuller enters the Mid-Atlantic swing on a real hot streak. He won the last WoO LMS A-Main, on July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, and over the past two weeks he enjoyed a great dirt Late Model weekend at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. (he won a WDRL feature on July 30 and scored a $20,000 second-place finish in the unsanctioned USA Nationals 100 on Aug. 1) and registered a $6,000 Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified victory on Aug. 8 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway.

FANTASTIC FAIRGROUNDS: Bedford Speedway hosts the WoO LMS for the third consecutive season on Fri., Aug. 14 – and track management is expecting the big event to continue a very successful season at the half-mile oval.

“We’re really looking forward to the Outlaw show,” said J.R. Keifer, who co-promotes the fairgrounds facility with Jim Maybury and Dr. Dave Horne under the DKM, Inc. banner. “This season has been the best we’ve had in eight years (operating the track), and we’re really tickled with the track preparation and surface (new clay was applied prior to the 2008 campaign).”

Unfortunately, Bedford’s third WoO LMS event (Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., won the 2007 A-Main and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., captured last year’s show) will be run with the track’s staff missing one familiar face. Keifer’s wife, Mary Ann, is currently in a Pittsburgh hospital being treated for serious injuries she suffered in a motorcycle accident on Sunday night in West Saint Clair Township, Pa.

The thoughts of the racing community are with the Keifer family for the recovery of Mary Ann, whose injuries include a broken wrist, dislocated elbow and injured right leg that will require surgery.

FAMILIAR STOP: Few tracks are more a part of the WoO LMS fabric than Hagerstown Speedway, which brings the tour back on Sat., Aug. 15, for a second 2009 appearance.

The half-mile oval has hosted at least one WoO LMS event in seven of the tour’s eight seasons, including the first incarnation of the WoO LMS under late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson (1988-1989) and the modern version that has been operated since 2004 by the World Racing Group. Eight drivers have scored victories in the 10 WoO LMS A-Mains contested at Hagerstown – Les Hare (1988), Gary Stuhler (1989), Rick Eckert (two wins in 2004), Tim McCreadie (two wins in 2005), Clint Smith (2006), Shannon Babb (2007), Josh Richards (2007) and Steve Francis (2008). The only WoO LMS season that has not included a race at Hagerstown is 2008, when the track’s May 31 event was rained out and not rescheduled.

Hagerstown is one of just six tracks scheduled to present more than one WoO LMS event in 2009. The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., has four races scheduled, while Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., have two dates on the sked.

DRAMA RESUMES: This weekend’s tripleheader continues the titanic battle for the $100,000 WoO LMS points championship, which currently sees three drivers separated by a mere two points. Richards, 21, of Shinnston, W.Va., leads the standings by two markers over Francis and defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who are tied for second.

Sixteen of the season’s 43 scheduled A-Mains remain, but 11 of those races will be run over a 25-day span beginning on Aug. 13 at Grandview.

BIG WINNERS: The top six drivers in the current WoO LMS points standings have won 18 of the season’s 27 A-Mains to date, led by Richards’s seven victories. Francis (five), Lanigan (two), Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (two), Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (one) and Fuller (one) account for the other checkered flags claimed by WoO LMS regulars.

WoO LMS travelers who have entered all 27 events this season but are still looking for their first win include Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., as well as Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

King leads the Rookie of the Year points race by 20 points over Bland and 118 points over Robinson, but the standings could soon become closer. Saturday’s Hagerstown show is scheduled to be the 30th A-Main of the season – so with the Rookie of the Year determined using a driver’s best 30 finishes, the first-year racers are on the verge of beginning to replace their worst outings.

SWINGERS: Several well-known regional drivers plan to run all three events of the Mid-Atlantic swing, including O’Reilly All-Star Late Model Series points leader Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., a cousin of Chub Frank who was named the 2004 WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year while working for Frank; Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., a 17-year-old sensation who has two top-five finishes this season on the WoO LMS (including a fifth at Hagerstown on May 30); and former WoO LMS A-Main winners Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa. (2008 at Virginia Motor Speedway) and Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa. (2007 at Tri-City Speedway).

MODIFIED FACES: Tim Fuller will be joined by two Gypsum Racing teammates on Thursday night at Grandview Speedway.

DIRTcar big-block Modified regulars Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., and Larry Wight of Baldwinsville, N.Y., are expected to enter their Gypsum Racing dirt Late Models in the historic event at Grandview. Decker is the defending Mr. DIRTcar big-block Modified champion, while the 16-year-old Wight – the son of Gypsum Racing owner John Wight – is a rising young star on the Northeast scene.

Decker, who was the best man at Fuller’s wedding, owns two career big-block Modified wins at Grandview, the latest coming in last year’s Super DIRTcar Series event.

GRANDVIEW EVENT INFORMATION: Gates will open on race night at 5:30 p.m., with WoO LMS Ohlins Shocks Time Trials scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m.

General Admission tickets are $30, with children 6-11 charged $10 and kids under 6 admitted free. Pit passes are $35.

Grandview Speedway is located 10 miles north of Pottstown, Pa., on Passmore Road, just off Route 100.

Additional info is available by visiting www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com and www.grandviewspeedway.com or by calling the track office at 610-754-7688.

BEDFORD EVENT INFORMATION: Spectator gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m., with hot laps set to begin at 6:45 p.m. and time trials at 7:15 p.m.

General admission is $30, with kids 5-12 charged $5 and children 4-and-under admitted free. Pit passes are $40.

A raindate of Sun., Aug. 16, has been established for the event.

Additional info is available by visiting www.bedfordspeedway.com or calling 814-623-0500.

HAGERSTOWN EVENT INFORMATION: Hagerstown’s pit gates are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and the spectator gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m., with hot laps set to begin at 7 p.m.

General admission is $30 and reserved seats are $35, with children 12-and-under admitted free of charge. Pit passes are $40.

Additional information is available by logging on to www.hagerstownspeedway.com or calling the track office at 301-582-0640.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Maryland Car Owner Dale Beitler Happy To Visit Hagerstown Speedway On Aug. 15 With His Driver In Thrilling World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Battle

HAGERSTOWN, MD - Aug. 6, 2009 - Dale Beitler always looks forward to seeing his familiar No. 19 dirt Late Model slide around Hagerstown Speedway.

“Anytime you can race close to home, it’s a good thing,” said Beitler, a resident of West Friendship, Md., whose potent cars are driven by national star Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. “After traveling all over the country, it’s nice to have a race in your backyard.”

It’s even nicer for a team owner to visit one of his hometracks with his driver bidding for a prestigious championship, which will be the position Beitler finds himself when the World of Outlaws Late Model Series makes its second stop of 2009 at Hagerstown Speedway for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event on Sat., Aug. 15.

The 52-year-old Beitler, whose race shop outside Baltimore is less than 60 miles from the half-mile Hagerstown oval, is getting the thrill of his racing career this season watching Francis battle for a WoO LMS title worth $100,000 in points-fund cash. One of the closest multi-driver points races in tour history shows Francis tied for second in the current standings with defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., just two points behind leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., with 27 of a scheduled 43 events completed.

Being involved in such a tense points battle – all three drivers have led the standings and there’s been a two-way tie for the top spot on three occasions – might rankle the nerves of many team owners and/or drivers, but not so with Beitler. He’s loving every minute of the dance.

“I’m just glad to be part of it,” said Beitler, who is in his second season fielding a car for Francis on the WoO LMS (Francis finished third in the 2008 points standings). “We’re out here racing with the best drivers in the country – a great group of guys who know how to race – and I feel so lucky to be in the middle of a points race that’s so exciting.

“I have never liked the stress of racing for points locally, which is why I’ve always said I didn’t want to do it. But this (WoO LMS) battle has been so fun, it’s like we’re not even really racing for points. I consider these guys (Richards, Lanigan and their team members) friends of mine, and that’s what makes this so much different than some local Street Stock deal where somebody you’re running (for a championship) with is happy when you have a problem and wouldn’t think of helping you.

“Really, this is almost stress-free racing for me. Last year was stressful when we were trying to catch up to Darrell (who ran away with the title). This year I can’t believe how exciting it is to be running like this, with everybody so equal.

“Last week I went on the World of Outlaws website and saw a picture of us (Francis, Lanigan and Richards) running right together three-wide (for second at Ohio’s Attica Raceway Park on July 24) and I thought, That’s pretty awesome,” continued Beitler. “That just shows how interesting this season has been. There’s three great drivers going for a championship, so we’re just hoping a little luck falls our way because that’s probably what it’s gonna take to win the thing.”

Beitler has been involved with dirt-track racing as a driver and car owner for more than 30 years, but he’s never been engaged in a points battle quite like this one. He won a Street Stock points crown in his rookie year driving, in 1978, at the long-closed Dorsey (Md.) Speedway and in 2004 Pennsylvanian Davey Johnson drove his dirt Late Model to a title on the short-lived Northern Xtreme DirtCar Series, but that’s the extent of his championship laurels.

A dirt Late Model driver from 1984-1986 and then off-and-on until a end-over-end flip in 1990 at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway rang his bell and convinced him to become solely a car owner, Beitler dreams of winning a WoO LMS championship.

“It would be the pinnacle,” said Beitler, the owner and operator of Reliable Painting in Jessup, Md. “You can’t do much more than that in this sport. It’s not just (winning) one race. It’s the product of a season of commitment and strategy, a whole team coming together, doing their part and being prepared.”

Demonstrating his team’s focus on the big WoO LMS prize, Beitler has chosen to take this weekend (Aug. 7-8) off rather than enter the North-South 100 at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky. Francis will run the $50,000-to-win event in Tim Logan’s car while Beitler and his chief mechanic, Chris Burton, remain in the Beitler Enterprises shop to gear up for a crucial stretch of 11 races over a 25-day span beginning on Aug. 13 at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa.

“My team isn’t racing this weekend so we can take some time to get everything tightened up,” said Beitler, whose biggest victories as a car owner include the $100,000 Dream in 2007 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway (with Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind.) and a $50,000 score in the 2008 Circle K Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (with Francis). “We want to make sure our maintenance on the cars is second-to-none so hopefully we’re not the ones falling out of a race, and we’ll have time to build some spare bodies and stock the trailer so we’ll be ready for anything that can happen the rest of the year.”

The stretch run to the title kicks off with a three-race swing through the Northeast anchored by Hagerstown’s show on Aug. 15. Beitler likes the makeup of the tour’s first action in two-and-a-half weeks – a first-ever stop at Grandview (Francis historically performs well when he visits a track for the first time), then races at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on Aug. 14 (Francis won last year’s WoO LMS event there) and Hagerstown (Francis scored a convincing victory in the A-Main held there on May 30).

Hagerstown, of course, is Beitler’s favorite stop. The show will give him a night of competition with a large contingent of his family and friends on hand, including his three-year-old grandson, and he has fond memories of Francis’s flawless performance in the WoO LMS ‘Conococheague 50’ earlier this season at the Frank Plessinger-owned track.

“That (May race) was fun,” said Beitler, who has five WoO LMS wins with Francis in 2009. “Our car was so good that night, we were just trying to slow (Francis) down. Hopefully we can get our car running like that again (on Aug. 15).”

Hagerstown’s WoO LMS program, which also includes racing for the Pure Stock division, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

General admission is $30, reserved seats are $35 and pit passes are $40.

Additional information is available by logging on to www.hagerstownspeedway.com or calling the track office at 301-582-0640.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Five Months After Shop Fire, Jack Pencil Riding High Entering Aug. 14 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Date At Bedford Speedway

BEDFORD, PA - Aug. 5, 2009 - Nearly five months ago Jack Pencil saw his best-laid plans for the 2009 racing season seemingly evaporate as his three-year-old race shop went up in flames before his eyes.

But the determined veteran from Bedford, Pa., has bounced back from the brink – so impressively, in fact, that he holds both the points lead and top-winner status at Bedford Speedway entering his hometrack’s big World of Outlaws Late Model Series event on Fri., Aug. 14.

A 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win headlines the national tour’s third visit to the five-eighths-mile fairgrounds oval in as many years.

“The night of the fire, I didn’t even know if we’d get to race this year at all,” admitted Pencil, a 46-year-old whose accolades include four points crowns at Bedford (2000, 2002, 2004, 2007) and the 2002 Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) title. “But thanks to the help of a lot of people, we picked ourselves up and we’ve actually had a pretty good season.”

Indeed, Pencil has been the star of ’09 at Bedford, winning four features (no other driver has won more than once) and racking up seven top-five finishes to put him in position for another track championship. His fifth title would tie him with Tom Peck for the most dirt Late Model championships in speedway history.

“I feel as confident as I ever have in my career to run against the Outlaws,” said Pencil, whose personal-best finish in a limited number of WoO LMS starts is 10th, in the 2007 event at Bedford. “Robby Allen (a noted mechanic who traveled the WoO LMS from 2004-2006 as Rick Eckert’s crew chief) has helped us out this year and he advised us to run one car, so we’ve concentrated on getting one car running right and now I feel like I know exactly what it’s gonna do. I’m comfortable in it, and the (Cresap) motor in it is as good as any motor I’ve ever had.

“I know the World of Outlaws is a great series with a lot of great drivers, and everything has to go right to win a race. But I feel like if we can qualify well and get ourselves (running) in the top five, then anything can happen.”

A personable racer who makes his living as an eighth-grade algebra teacher at Bedford Middle School, Pencil will go to the post in Bedford’s WoO LMS event behind the wheel of the workhouse 2006 Rocket car he calls ‘The Survivor.’ It’s an appropriate nickname since the machine was pulled from the flames of Pencil’s burning shop on March 20.

Pencil’s father, Jack Sr., and team crew chief Benny Foor were transferring fuel from a race car cell to jugs when a light bulb crashed onto the shop floor, igniting spilled fuel. Fire quickly engulfed the shop, destroying the building beyond repair and ruining Pencil’s toterhome and various parts and tools worth thousands of dollars. In addition, Pencil’s father was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment of first- and second-degree burns on his hands and one ear as well as smoke inhalation.

Quick-thinking neighbors helped pulled Pencil’s trailer to safety, and his primary car was removed from the inferno and immediately taken to Bedford co-promoter J.R. Keifer’s nearby shop. The next morning Pencil examined his race car and found that it had escaped the ordeal with only relatively minor damage to its body and wiring.

Less than one month later, Pencil had the car parked in Bedford’s Victory Lane after winning the season opener.

“It still had that whiff of a burnt-fire smell (in the cockpit) when I got in it,” said Pencil, who estimated that the fire caused $300,000-$500,000 in damages. “In May and June I was still getting a whiff of that smell.”

Pencil said his father was released from the hospital three days after the fire and has made a “very good recovery” from his injuries, and Pencil is just a couple weeks away from moving his racing equipment back into his own shop. “The new building is up and the floor has been poured,” said Pencil, who has been working out of Keifer’s garage since the fire.

Celebrating his 20th anniversary as a race car driver in 2009, Pencil had hoped this season “would be pretty special.” But the campaign has ended up being memorable for more than just his performance on the track.

“It’s been a very humbling experience,” Pencil said of the fire’s aftermath. “The graciousness of what people in the racing community have done for us is just amazing. I can’t thank everyone enough.”

With no dirt Late Model racing on this Friday night’s agenda at Bedford, Pencil’s next competitive appearance will be the WoO LMS program on Aug. 14. After spending part of the off-week recharging his mental batteries by vacationing in Williamsburg, Va., with his wife and three-year-old son, he plans to put his full focus on the Outlaws’ invasion.

Pencil will certainly have to turn back plenty of talented racers – from WoO LMS points leaders Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (the winner of last year’s tour event at Bedford), to Outlaw stars with proven Bedford track records like four-time track champ Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (Bedford’s ’07 WoO LMS victor), to emerging regional standouts like All-Star Late Model Series points leader Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs of Bearl Lake, Pa., D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa. (a recent feature winner at Bedford), Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., and Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa.

“It’s gonna be a tough field, but if I didn’t feel we could win on the 14th we wouldn’t be going,” said Pencil, who ranks third on Bedford’s alltime dirt Late Model win list with 23 career victories. “I figure the date of the race is my car number (14), so hopefully that’s a good omen.”

Bedford’s WoO LMS show on Aug. 14 will also include racing for the All-American Outlaws Classic Car division. Spectator gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m., with hot laps set to begin at 6:45 p.m. and time trials at 7:15 p.m.

General admission is $30, with kids 5-12 charged $5 and children 4-and-under admitted free. Pit passes are $40.

A raindate of Sun., Aug. 16, has been established for the event.

Additional info on the event is available by visiting www.bedfordspeedway.com or calling 814-623-0500.

Bedford’s date is the middle race of a three-night Northeast swing for the WoO LMS, which visits Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., on Thurs., Aug. 13, and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Sat., Aug. 15.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Streaking Fuller Can’t Wait For First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At Grandview Speedway On Thurs., Aug. 13

BECHTELSVILLE, PA - Aug. 3, 2009 - Tim Fuller is on a roll, so naturally he can’t wait for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to end a mid-summer break and get cranking again with the ‘Thunder on the Hill Traffic Jam’ program on Thurs., Aug. 13, at Grandview Speedway.

But throw in the fact that Fuller happens to be the only fulltime WoO LMS regular who’s ever raced at the Pennsylvania track, and it’s no surprise that he has the national tour’s first-ever visit to Grandview as a red-circle date on his calendar.

“Truthfully, I’m looking forward to any track we go to right now,” said Fuller, who for more than a decade has made almost annual appearances at the high-banked, one-third-mile oval to run Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified events. “But I’m probably looking forward to running Grandview a little bit more.

“I always like going to Grandview because Bob Miller (who since 1990 has organized the ‘Thunder on the Hill’ special events with track owner Bruce Rogers) is a real good promoter and I try to support him whenever I can. And really, it’s a ‘local’ show for me because I’ve run the Modified there and the fans there know me from Modified racing.”

Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., will certainly attract plenty of attention from Grandview’s clientele thanks to his DIRTcar Modified roots. Grandview, of course, headlines 358-Modifieds on its weekly Saturday-night cards – and while 358 Late Models are also a regular attraction, the speedway has never hosted a full-blown dirt Late Model show.

Grandview’s fans will see an army of WoO LMS superstars tackle the tough bullring for the first time, including points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; former champions Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; and Pennsylvania travelers Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; defending World 100 winner Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; former Knoxville Late Model Nationals victor Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

But the Hill’s faithful have already seen Fuller, who was the 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year, standing on the track’s checkeredboard square as the winner of a 100-lap Super DIRTcar Series feature on July 19, 2005.

Fuller, whose last big-block Modified start at Grandview came in July 2007, returns to the track with his Gypsum Express dirt Late Model riding arguably the best stretch of his young full-fender career. He won his first WoO LMS A-Main of ’09 (and the fourth of his career) in the tour’s last event, on July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, and last weekend he shined in his first-ever trip to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., with a victory in a WDRL series show on July 30 and a second-place finish in the unsanctioned ‘USA Nationals 100’ on Aug. 1.

Fuller fell just short of making Cedar Lake’s $50,000-to-win ‘USA Nationals’ his initial triumph in a crown-jewel dirt Late Model event, settling for a $20,000 runner-up payoff to Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., after leading until lap 57.

“I feel like we’ve been good almost everywhere we’ve gone for the last month-and-a-half to two months,” said Fuller, who sits sixth in the WoO LMS points standings. “We’ve really hit on something with our (Rocket Chassis) car. The only places where we’re really lacking are at tracks that are so heavy (wet) or tracks that take rubber. Anytime it’s black-slick or an intermediate surface, we’re pretty good – and nine times out of 10, that’s the kind of tracks we see.”

Fuller expects Grandview’s surface to fit into the latter category, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he also expects to continue his hot streak. He knows enough about racing there to never take anything for granted.

“Grandview is in a league all its own,” said Fuller. “That’s a tough, high-contact place. It’s narrow with high-banked, paper-clip turns, and you’ve really got to be aggressive there. It’s not one of those free-flowing tracks where you can’t be cool and just ride around.

“It’s going to be an interesting race. I really don’t know what to expect with a Late Model show there.”

Grandview’s 40-lap, $7,000-to-win WoO LMS event might also provide Fuller a night with a familiar face – and booming voice – in his pit. His animated former DIRTcar big-block Modified owner, Bob Faust, lives in Slatington, Pa., about 35 miles north of the track, and will likely pay a visit.

“He keeps up with what I’m doing with the Late Model,” said Fuller, whose successful stint driving Faust’s B&F General Machine DIRTcar Modifieds from 1999-2005 included a $50,000 victory in the 2004 Rite Aid 200 at the Syracuse (N.Y.) Mile and the 2005 Mr. DIRTcar big-block Modified championship. “We just talked last week and I asked him if he was coming to Grandview. He said he wasn’t sure, but I’ll get him there.”

The historic ‘Thunder on the Hill Traffic Jam’ event at Grandview will also include a 40-lap feature for the big-block Modified division, marking the first time that the WoO LMS will comprise a doubleheader with the Northeast’s popular open-wheel class since February’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. Fuller said it remains possible he’ll pull double-duty and enter the $4,000-to-win big-block Mod program behind the wheel of the New York-based Smith Brothers No. 74, a machine he drives in selected events that fit his schedule (including upcoming Super DIRTcar Series shows at New York’s Brewerton Speedway on Aug. 7 and Canandaigua Speedway on Aug. 8).

An added attraction on the Aug. 13 schedule is the BPG Racing/Chad Sinon Motorsports Big-Block Modified vs. Late Model Challenge Dash, which will pit the winners of the WoO LMS and big-block Mod heats in a six-lap battle for a $1,000 top prize.

Gates will open on race night at 5:30 p.m., with WoO LMS Ohlins Shocks Time Trials scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m.

General Admission tickets are $30, with children 6-11 charged $10 and kids under 6 admitted free. Pit passes are $35.

Fans can still purchase tickets in advance by sending a check or money order (payable to Grandview Speedway) and a self-addressed/stamped envelope to Thunder Series 2009, 11747 Winding Creek Drive, Berlin, Md., 21811. Advanced ticket holders will be permitted to enter the grandstand area at 5 p.m. on Aug. 13, a half-hour prior to general admission tickets going on sale.

Grandview Speedway is located 10 miles north of Pottstown, Pa., on Passmore Road, just off Route 100.

Additional info is available by visiting www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com and www.grandviewspeedway.com or by calling the track office at 610-754-7688.

Grandview’s event will kick off a three-race swing through the Northeast for the WoO LMS, which heads to Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on Fri., Aug. 14, and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Sat., Aug. 15.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Razor-Close 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Battle Heads Down Homestretch After Mid-Summer Break

CONCORD, NC - July 30, 2009 - The three headliners in the titanic battle for the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship reflexively say after each race that they're not counting points.

But the truth is, Josh Richards, Darrell Lanigan and Steve Francis definitely have points on their minds. How can they not when the standings are so razor-close, every finishing position could be critical in determining a prestigious title worth $100,000?

The hot-running trio – all WoO LMS stalwarts who are as close off the track as they have been on it this year – find themselves at the center of what is shaping up to be arguably the tightest points race in tour history. With the series now quiet for a mid-summer break until making a first-ever visit to Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., on Thurs., Aug. 13, they sit in a near dead-heat atop the standings.

Through 27 of a scheduled 43 events, Richards holds a two-point edge over both Lanigan and Francis, who are tied for second. That's one position in the WoO LMS points breakdown, which awards 150 points for a win, 146 points for second, and then drops two points per spot.

“It doesn't look like anyone's running away with this deal this year,” bottom-lined Francis, a 41-year-old star from Ashland, Ky., whose 25 career WoO LMS wins (including five this season) leads the tour's alltime victory chart since 2004. “This one's going right down to the end (the World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.).”

After the 2004-2006 seasons produced a succession of dramatic points-championship endings (including Francis's heartbreaking loss of the '05 title to Billy Moyer on a tie-breaker), the last two years have gone down the homestretch with one driver head-and-shoulders above the pack. Francis won the 2007 crown by 126 points over Chub Frank, and Lanigan cruised to last year's title by a record 160-point margin over Richards.

What's more, by the time the series reached 27 events the last two seasons, the eventual champion had already begun separating himself from the competition for what would basically become an extended coronation. Francis held a 22-point lead at this point in '07 and just kept expanding it, while Lanigan was already up 120 points after 27 A-Mains in '08 and never saw his advantage drop below 112 points for the remainder of the season.

The development of this year's points race has “thrilling finish” written all over it. There have already been three ties for the points lead (between Francis/Lanigan, Richards/Lanigan and Richards/Francis), and the largest points lead a driver has built this season is the 34-point advantage that Francis held after winning the May 31 event at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. – and he proceeded to see that edge fall to just two points when he ran into trouble in the very next race.

“It seems like every time somebody looks like they're getting ready to pull away a little (as the leader), they have a problem and we're right back close together,” said Richards, the 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., who leads the tour in A-Main wins this season (seven) and is seeking his first career WoO LMS crown. “It's crazy. Everybody is so good, the difference could end up being who has luck on their side.”

Richards has spent the most time atop the standings, holding at least a share of the points lead after 17 events. Francis, meanwhile, has had at least a share of the lead after seven races, and Union, Ky.'s Lanigan, who has won twice and leads the series in earnings with $139,756 (with help from runner-up finishes in the Lone Star 100, Colossal 100 and Firecracker 100), has had at least a share of the top spot after five races. (Shane Clanton is the only other driver to lead the standings.)

No driver has led the standings for more than five consecutive races (Richards) – a clear signal that the game of hopscotch the threesome has been playing is likely to continue.

“It's gonna be fun,” said Francis, who knows the pressure of a late-season points battle more than his chief rivals. “At least for the guy who ends up winning the championship.”

Seventeen races remain on the 2009 WoO LMS schedule to decide that honor. But 11 of those 17 events will be contested over a 25-day span beginning with Grandview's 40-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Main on Aug. 13, making teams' preparation over the current break from action more crucial than ever.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who sits 72 points behind Richards in fourth place in the WoO LMS standings, would seem to be the only driver who can still crash the Richards/Lanigan/Francis party. He'll try to get back in the hunt during the tour's upcoming swing through his home Northeast region – Grandview, Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on Aug. 14 and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Aug. 15.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 25 – 27 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 7-15-21-$129,870-3663 (-0)
2. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 2-14-23-$139,756-3661 (-2)
2. (tie) Steve Francis 5-17-22-$119,835-3661 (-2)
4. Rick Eckert 2-10-20-$69,675-3591 (-72)
5. Shane Clanton 1-5-19-$70,270-3511 (-152)
6. Tim Fuller 1-9-15-$63,230-3495 (-168)
7. Brady Smith 0-11-16-$65,865-3480 (-183)
8. Chub Frank 0-3-16-$52,300-3441 (-222)
9. Clint Smith 0-3-12-$45,220-3323 (-340)
10. Russell King 0-0-4-$30,550-2905 (-758)
11. Jordan Bland 0-0-2-$32,290-2885 (-778)
12. Brent Robinson 0-0-1-$20,510-2787 (-876)
13. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$14,330-2606 (-1057)
14. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$9,615-2354 (-1309)
15. Vic Coffey 0-2-4-$24,600-2109 (-1554)
16. Austin Hubbard 0-2-4-$17,395-1664 (-1999)
17. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,830-1470 (-2193)
18. Matt Lux 0-0-1-$12,150-1351 (-2312)
19. Gregg Satterlee 0-0-3-$9,170-1064 (-2599)
20. Jimmy Mars 1-4-5-$48,740-1062 (-2601)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up Ohio Speedweek

CONCORD, NC - July 27, 2009 -

FAMILY AFFAIR: Tim Fuller's convincing victory in Saturday night's ‘Buckeye Bash' at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, meant more to him than the end of his year-long, 46-race winless streak on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

It happened to mark the first time that his wife Lori and four-year-old daughter Ainsley had an opportunity to celebrate a dirt Late Model triumph with him.

The five previous wins in Fuller's three years as a steady dirt Late Model driver – including the three career WoO LMS A-Mains he captured over the two seasons in the far-off locales of North Dakota and Wyoming – came with his family not in attendance. But both of his girls were at Sharon and met him in Victory Lane.

“They've been there when I won (DIRTcar big-block) Modified races, but they never saw me win a Late Model show,” said Fuller. “It feels great to finally win one of these things with them here. Now I don't have to just tell them about it.”

Fuller, whose $10,600 victory came less than one week after he pocketed $6,000 for finishing second in the inaugural DIRTcar Racing All-Star 100 for big-block Modifieds on July 19 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y., started off Ohio Speedweek with an eventful outing the previous night at Attica Raceway Park. He used a provisional to start 24th in Attica's A-Main after relinquishing the lead on the final lap of the first B-Main because his car's starter broke bolt off and caused a vibration that busted the driveshaft. Quick work by his crew got him to the starting line with the same machine and he planted it in the outside groove to charge forward for a satisfying seventh-place finish.

WHAT A PRESENT: Steve Shaver also enjoyed a special family moment after winning his first-ever WoO LMS A-Main on Friday night at Attica.

“Today is my son's birthday,” Shaver told WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman after emerging from his car in Victory Lane. “So happy birthday!”

Shaver then hugged his eight-year-boy Dylan, who said to his dear old dad, “Nice present!”

“He asked me if I was gonna win for him tonight because it was his birthday,” Shaver said of his son. “I told him I was gonna do my best. I'm glad I was able to get it done for him.”

Buoyed by his strong run at Attica, Shaver was itching to continue on the Ohio Speedweek trail to Saturday night's stop at Sharon. But the 45-year-old had to bypass the event because he was committed to attending a high school reunion back in West Virginia.

WHAT A GUY: WoO LMS veteran Clint Smith proved he's a class act during Saturday night's show at Sharon.

Despite experiencing a frustrating evening that saw him plagued by a sour-running motor, Smith didn't flinch when Iowa's Jill George approached him just minutes before the start of the A-Main and asked if she could take the green flag in his backup car. Smith had his chief mechanic, Darrell (‘Don Vito') Cooper, hastily pull out the second machine for George, who was scheduled to start 24th in the 50-lapper (track officials decided to put all 26 entered cars in the A-Main) but was without a ride after her car was sidelined by terminal mechanical trouble during heat action.

“I can't thank Clint enough for letting me start the race in his car,” said George, who became the first female to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main through a heat race on July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D. “When I walked over to him he put his arm around me and said, ‘What can I do for you?' I asked him if I could take his backup car out for a lap and he just said, ‘Sure.'”

“She needed some help,” Smith said of George. “I've needed help before, so I helped her out.”

George was credited with a 26th-place finish, while Smith struggled to a 16th-place run.

OUCH: Darrell Lanigan was so focused on trying to win Saturday night's A-Main at Sharon, it took him awhile to realize that he had a problem with his left hand.

“A rock came up off the track and hit my (middle) finger about lap 10,” said Lanigan, the defending WoO LMS champion. “I didn't realize my finger was bleeding until I started feeling some blood on the steering wheel.”

Lanigan, who was not wearing driving gloves, ran the remainder of the distance with his finger bleeding from a cut. He held his bloodied hand out the window of his car during a caution period to show his crew that he had been injured; later, after Lanigan climbed out of the machine following a second-place finish, blood was visible splattered throughout his cockpit (and a chunk of his car's rock-guard was missing where it was hit by the rock).

“It's O.K.,” Lanigan said of his finger, which he wrapped with a bandage in his hauler after the race. “It's no big deal.”

Lanigan had another interesting experience during the A-Main. When the race's first caution flag flew, on lap 29, he was running second but mistakenly thought he was in the lead. He had to be directed during the caution period to catch up to the pace car and leader Fuller, who had been ahead by nearly a half-lap.

“I saw a 19 (Fuller) up on the scoreboard as the leader, but I had just passed a 19 (Steve Francis) and I thought that maybe they hadn't changed the board yet,” said Lanigan. “Fuller was so far ahead I couldn't even see him.”

NECK-AND-NECK: Following an Ohio Speedweek that saw two races completed (Attica and Sharon) and two shows postponed by rain during qualifying (Thursday's show at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, was rescheduled for Aug. 20 and Sunday's program at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., was reset for Aug. 23), the battle for the WoO LMS points lead is nearly a three-man dead-heat.

Josh Richards (fourth at Attica, fifth at Sharon) headed into the tour's two-and-a-half-week break leading the standings by a mere two points – over both Lanigan (third at Attica, second at Sharon) and Steve Francis (second at Attica, third at Sharon), who are tied for second.

HOME TURF: The place to be following Saturday night's show at Sharon was Russell King's hauler, where a big crowd of the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender's family and friends gathered to spend some rare time with their favorite long-distance traveler.

The 20-year-old King won his first career big-block Modified feature in 2005 at Sharon, which sits less than a 20-minute drive from his family-owned team's shop in Bristolville, Ohio. Thus he had been anxiously awaiting the tour's stop at his hometrack after traipsing all over the country since February.

King wasn't satisfied with his performance, but his 14th-place finish did earn him the $250 bonus for being the event's highest-finishing WoO LMS rookie contender. He also extended his lead in the Rookie of the Year standings to 20 points over Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky.

Joining King at Sharon were his father, Rex Sr., and younger brother Rex Jr. (‘Cooter'), both of whom didn't expect to attend Saturday's show. King's father and sibling are big-block Modified regulars and were scheduled to compete in a BRP Modified Tour event on Saturday night at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., but the card was canceled by rain early in the afternoon when they were just 20 minutes away from the track. Rex Sr. turned the King Bros. Racing Modified hauler around and drove it straight to Sharon, pulling into the pit area shortly before hot laps began.

WHERE'S THE EXIT?: Brent Robinson's excellent adventure as a WoO LMS rookie took another interesting ‘turn' after Friday night's program at Attica.

With the track lights turned off, Robinson's father, Dean, had a tough time driving the team's hauler out of the pit area. He ended up following the cinder horse track that rings the one-third-mile oval rather than going through the pit exit off turn three – a mistake he realized when he looked to his left while driving the opposite direction on the cinder track's backstretch and saw a wall and fence. The mistake was compounded when he reached the cinder track's homestretch and had to stop because a wire was hanging too low for him to pass through with his rig.

After a track worker got the wire out of the way, Mr. Robinson was able to complete his lap of the horse track and exit the pit area properly.

COMING CLOSE: Brady Smith knows that if he just keeps knocking on the door to Victory Lane, he'll eventually break it down.

But that doesn't make it any easier for the impressive first-year WoO LMS regular from Solon Springs, Wis., to accept the fact that he remains winless on the 2009 tour. He craves a win – and he's arguably been fast enough to capture two of the last three races, including Friday night's 50-lapper at Attica.

Coming off a crushing disappointment in the Wild West Tour finale on July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway (Smith was making a stirring outside charge to the front when contact with Fuller forced him to pit with a left-rear flat as he ran third with 11 laps remaining), the talented Outlaw newcomer made another exciting come-from-behind bid for victory at Attica. He advanced from the 17th starting spot to a fifth-place finish; he thought he could've pulled off a win “if the race was 10 more laps.”

Smith conceded that his car wasn't fast enough to win on Saturday at Sharon, but he was headed to a probable fourth-place finish when its rearend broke with eight laps remaining. He was in line for his 12th top-five of the season – a number exceeded by only the top-three drivers in the points standings.

ETCETERA:

* Former WoO LMS champ Tim McCreadie debuted a new Sweeteners Plus Rocket car at Attica, but he experienced a rough night. He had to make a charge to transfer through a B-Main after being hit by a flat right-rear tire in heat action, and he finished 20th in the A-Main after retiring on lap 27 when he decided that his lap-17 tire change wasn't helping his cause.

McCreadie came back to finish fourth at Sharon, where his teammate, Vic Coffey, entered his first WoO LMS event in a month. Coffey had a forgettable evening, pulling up powerless in a heat race while running second due to a battery malfunction and then exiting the A-Main early after noticing his car's oil-pressure light popping on way too much.

* Chub Frank entered Ohio Speedweek coming off his first win in over a year – an O'Reilly All-Star Late Model Series event on July 18 at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway – but the momentum didn't help him at Attica or Sharon. He had to use a provisional to start the A-Main at Attica after a B-Main scrape sent him into the turn-four wall (he salvaged a 13th-place finish), and he finished a quiet 11th at Sharon.

* Frank's cousin and former chief mechanic, All-Star Late Model Series points leader Rick ‘Boom' Briggs, enjoyed his best WoO LMS outing ever at Sharon. His finish of sixth earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks' cash that goes to the highest-finishing driver who has never won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings.

Briggs spent the final laps of the race in a battle for the ‘Bonus Bucks' with Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., who settled for seventh place after being passing by Briggs on lap 45. Lux was very satisfied with his strong run, however; it was his first top 10 in 13 WoO LMS starts this season.

* Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa. – a potential WoO LMS Rookie of the Year applicant in 2010 – made everyone take notice of his talent at Attica and Sharon. While he didn't lead any laps after starting both A-Mains from the pole position, he finished a respectable eighth at Attica and ran second at Sharon until his car's handling became hampered by a broken nosepiece brace that finally forced him to pit for repairs on lap 36.

“I was pretty excited to be second for half the race (at Sharon),” said the 24-year-old Satterlee, who rallied to finish 13th. “I think we're getting closer. Running these Outlaw races (he's made nine starts this season) is helping us.”

* Sunday night's rainout at Eriez Speedway came after some truly unusual weather. The track dodged waves of thunderstorms that continually rolled through the area, but with just two cars left to time-trial a cloudburst soaked the track and ultimately led to the event's postponement.

What was so unique about the downpour was that the sun shined through most of it, creating a brilliant rainbow that at one point appeared to arc from the pit area to the middle of the infield.

NEXT UP: The WoO LMS will be until making a three-race swing in the Northeast from Aug. 13-15. Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., leads off the tripleheader with its first-ever tour event on Thurs., Aug. 13, followed by stops on Fri., Aug. 14, at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway and Sat., Aug. 15, at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Can't Beat Mother Nature: Rain Postpones World of Outlaws Late Model Series Ohio Speedweek Finale At Eriez Speedway To Sun., Aug. 23

HAMMETT, PA - July 26, 2009 - Just when it looked like Sunday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series Ohio Speedweek event at Eriez Speedway might beat Mother Nature, the skies opened up to force a postponement of the evening's action.

The one-third-mile oval's program was rescheduled for Sun., Aug. 23, setting up a huge late-summer swing for the WoO LMS. Eriez Speedway's 50-lap, $10,000-to-win show will top off four nights of racing that includes the rescheduled Ohio Speedweek event at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, on Thurs., Aug. 20, and the $20,000-to-win ‘Buckeye 100' at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio, on Aug. 21-22.

Eriez narrowly dodged the waves of thunderstorms that rolled along the coast of Lake Erie throughout Sunday afternoon; only some periodic drizzle was felt at the track. But light rain began to fall late in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials and turned into a full-fledged cloudburst as the 50-car session's final qualifiers – Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., and Rick ‘Boom' Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa. – were on the racetrack.

When Briggs spun in turn one on the slick surface, officials stopped the time-trial session. The rain ceased about 15 minutes later and track officials were hopeful that the show could resume, but the decision to postpone the program was made around 8:30 p.m. when it became apparent that the racing surface could not be dried in a reasonable amount of time – and radar indicated that more storms had developed in the area.

“We had a super field of 50 cars and a great crowd turned out despite the threat of rain,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We were looking forward to an exciting show to close out Ohio Speedweek, but unfortunately the weather just wouldn't cooperate.

“(Eriez promoter) Bob Rohrer and his staff did everything they could, but we finally had to concede that even if there was no more rain we couldn't complete the program without running far too late on a Sunday night.”

The WoO LMS program will start from scratch on Aug. 23 with a new set of Ohlins Shocks Time Trials.

The rain certainly disappointed Chad Valone of Warren, Pa., who was just moments away from celebrating his first career fast-time honor in WoO LMS competition. His lap of 15.832 seconds was the fastest through 48 of 50 time-trialers but was stricken from the recordbooks by the rain.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., was sitting second on the qualifying chart when the rain arrived, followed by Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., and Ron Davies of Erie, Pa.

Rainchecks and pit bands from Sunday's program will be accepted for entry on Aug. 23.

The WoO LMS will be idle for two-and-a-half weeks before making a three-race swing in the Northeast from Aug. 13-15. Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., leads off the tripleheader with its first-ever tour event on Thurs., Aug. 13, followed by stops on Fri., Aug. 14, at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway and Sat., Aug. 15, at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Drivers signed in for Sunday night's program at Eriez Speedway included:

0-Ryan Scott/Garland, PA
00-Rich Gardner/Waterford, PA
1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV
1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA
H1-Jared Miley/South Park, PA
1U-Matt Urban/Northeast, PA
2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI
2J-Scott Johnson/Wattsburg, PA
2V-Chad Valone/Warren, PA
3H-Bruce Hordusky/Erie, PA
3R-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, PA
03-Doug Eck/Corry, PA
4-Merle Terry/Erie, PA
07R-Brent Rhebergen/Clymer, NY
8-Jason Morrell/Northeast, PA
N8-Nathan Short/Jamestown, PA
9-Scott Gurdak/Spring Creek, PA
9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY
11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA
won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA
12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY
12b-Andy Boozel/Clymer, NY
17L-Dennis Lunger/Cherry Hill, PA
18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND
19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY
19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY
20-Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY
21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA
21*-David Scott/Garland, PA
22-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY
B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA
24-Rick Eckert/York, PA
25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA
26G-George LaBarbera/Sugar Grove, PA
28J-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY
28L-Randy Lobb/Jamestown, NY
29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY
32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY
33-Chris Hackett/Erie, PA
39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY
40-Dutch Davies/Warren, PA
44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA
44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA
53-John Volpe/Lakewood, NY
55H-David Lyon/Corry, PA
56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH
71d-Ron Davies/Erie, PA
76-Andy Kania/Waterford, PA
79-Mike Coyle/Jamestown, PA
99b-Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/Bear Lake, PA

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Fuller Dominates Saturday's Ohio Speedweek Stop At Sharon Speedway For First World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win Of 2009

HARTFORD, OH - July 25, 2009 - Everything finally fell into place for Tim Fuller on Saturday night at Sharon Speedway.

Ending a year-long victory drought on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the 41-year-old driver from Watertown, N.Y., flexed some serious muscle in dominating the 50-lap WFMJ-TV ‘Buckeye Bash' that served as the second stop of Ohio Speedweek.

Fuller surged off the outside pole to grab the lead from front-row mate Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., at the initial green flag and never looked back. He led by as much as a half-lap before three caution flags during the race's second half forced him to hold off defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., to secure the $10,600 payday.

Lanigan settled for second place after starting 12th. Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., placed third, followed by Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., whose WoO LMS points lead shrunk to just two points over both Lanigan and Francis.

“It's great to get this monkey off our back,” said Fuller, who snapped a 46-race WoO LMS winless streak dating back to his last triumph, on July 16, 2008, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway. “We've been fast and maybe could've had a win three or four times this year, but the stars just didn't line up right in my favor.

“It was getting frustrating, but I said to John Wight (his car owner), ‘We're gonna hang around in this top five long enough and get a win.' When you're fast a win will eventually come, and we got one tonight.”

Fuller simply had no peer at the three-eighths-mile oval co-owned by NASCAR veteran and former World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion Dave Blaney. The 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year wasn't even concerned when the race's first caution flag, on lap 29 for a flat left-rear tire on the car driven by rookie Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., wiped out his commanding advantage.

“Those cautions actually helped me,” said Fuller, who also dealt with restarts after yellow flags on lap 36 (for Satterlee's stopped car) and lap 42 (when Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., relinquished fourth place due to a broken rearend). “I had on a softer right-rear (Hoosier) tire than most people, so I could fire better (after cautions).”

Lanigan, 39, got the nose of his Fusion Energy Rocket car up to the rear deck of Fuller's Gypsum Express Rocket several times entering turn one, but Fuller never flinched.

“There was one preferred groove and I didn't move out of that,” said Fuller, who became the 15th different winner in 27 WoO LMS A-Mains this season. “Once I got in the lead I knew it was gonna be tough to pass me as long as I didn't have a tire problem.”

The victory was the fourth of Fuller's career on the WoO LMS but first in his home time zone. His previous triumphs came in 2007 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., and in 2008 at Gillette and North Dakota's Williston Basin Speedway.

Lanigan, who ran the same soft-compound tires as Fuller, reached second place on lap 27 when he passed Satterlee. But he couldn't overtake Fuller, leaving him with his sixth runner-up finish of the 2009 WoO LMS season.

“He had that momentum line running up front,” Lanigan said of Fuller. “I could get up close to him, but it was just too hard to clear him.”

Lanigan ran virtually the entire distance with blood flowing from the middle finger on his left hand after it was struck by a rock that entered his cockpit. Lanigan, who was not wearing gloves, wrapped his finger in gauze following the race.

Francis, 41, saw his streak of three consecutive runner-up finishes come to an end when he drove his Beitler Motorsports Rocket under the checkered flag about one second behind Lanigan. He took third on lap 30 from a fading Satterlee, who pitted six laps later to repair a broken nosepiece brace that was getting into his tire.

“We went a little harder on our right-rear tire and I think that was our problem,” said Francis, who started fifth. “But I don't know if we would've had anything for Fuller. His car was good all night and he was due.”

McCreadie, 35, and Richards, 21, were also hampered by their tire choices, leaving them fourth and fifth, respectively, at the finish. McCreadie, who started third, said his Sweeteners Plus Rocket was shod with a right-rear tire that was too hard and a left-rear that was too soft, while the sixth-starting Richards was too hard with his rubber selection.

Rick ‘Boom' Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., finished a WoO LMS career-best sixth to earn the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks' cash that goes to the highest-finishing driver who has never won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings. He secured the extra cash when he grabbed sixth on lap 45 from Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., who was also eligible for the money.

Lux settled for seventh, followed by Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa.

Russell King, 20, of Bristolville, Ohio, whose shop is less than 20 minutes from Sharon, finished 14th to grab the $250 bonus as the highest-finishing WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender. He spent the 2005-2007 seasons as a big-block Modified regular at the track.

A 26-car field was signed in for the event, which was run under a threat of rain. Forecasts called for as much as an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms in the area from noon to midnight, but the only significant precipitation was a short burst of rain that slickened the track surface with four laps completed in the third heat race. The prelim restarted after a 34-minute delay and the night's final checkered flag flew shortly before 9:15 p.m.

Francis turned the fastest lap in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, earning a $50 bonus for his clocking of 15.615 seconds.

Heat winners were Fuller, McCreadie and Richards. No B-Main was run because Sharon officials decided to start all the night's entrants in the A-Main.

The WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek concludes on Sunday night (July 26) with a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Buckeye Bash' at Sharon Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Tim Fuller/50 $10,600
2. (12) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,600
3. (5) Steve Francis/50 $3,650
4. (3) Tim McCreadie/50 $2,650
5. (6) Josh Richards/50 $2,500
6. (9) Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/50 $2,200
7. (8) Matt Lux/50 $1,400
8. (10) Rick Eckert/50 $1,800
9. (11) Shane Clanton/50 $1,700
10. (7) Robbie Blair/50 $1,200
11. (15) Chub Frank/50 $1,550
12. (16) Mike Knight/50 $1,000
13. (1) Gregg Satterlee/50 $950
14. (13) Russell King/50 $1,650
15. (14) Brent Robinson/50 $1,350
16. (19) Clint Smith/49 $1,300
17. (25) Jared Miley/49 $770
18. (22) Chad Ruhlman/49 $750
19. (20) Tyler Reddick/49 $730
20. (18) Dustin Hapka/49 $700
21. (23) Dave Hess Jr./48 $700
22. (4) Brady Smith/42 $1,200
23. (21) Jordan Bland/42 $1,200
24. (26) Vic Coffey/28 $700
25. (17) Donnie Moran/27 $700
26. (24) Jill George/1 $700

NOTE: Donnie Moran was penalized to the rear of the field for the start for reporting late to the pre-race lineup staging on the racetrack, and Jill George fell to the rear because she started the A-Main in Clint Smith's backup car

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 23 Mins., 31.668 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.548 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 29, 36, 42)
Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-50)
Provisional Starters: None
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Briggs ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Mike ‘Smoke' Countryman (Fuller)

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

1. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.615
2. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.647
3. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 15.670
4. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.678
5. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.728
6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.757
7. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 15.761
8. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.775
9. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.838
10. 20-Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY 15.839
11. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.845
12. 99B-Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 15.933
13. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.975
14. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 15.994
15. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.031
16. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.042
17. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 16.097
18. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 16.158
19. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 16.194
20. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 16.236
21. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 16.236
22. H1-Jared Miley/South Park, PA 16.243
23. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 16.307
24. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 16.319
25. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 16.408
26. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.655

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Fuller, Francis, Blair, Eckert, King, Knight, C. Smith, Ruhlman, Miley

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): McCreadie, B. Smith, Lux, Clanton, Robinson, Moran, Reddick, Hess, Coffey

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, Satterlee, Briggs, Lanigan, Frank, Hapka, Bland, George

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Rick ‘Boom' Briggs
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Robbie Blair
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brent Robinson
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Tim Fuller
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim Fuller

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 25 – 27 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 3663 (-0)
2. (tie) Steve Francis 3661 (-2)
2. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 3661 (-2)
4. Rick Eckert 3591 (-72)
5. Shane Clanton 3511 (-152)
6. Tim Fuller 3495 (-168)
7. Brady Smith 3480 (-183)
8. Chub Frank Bear 3441 (-222)
9. Clint Smith 3323 (-340)
10. Russell King 2905 (-758)
11. Jordan Bland 2885 (-778)
12. Brent Robinson 2787 (-876)
13. Dustin Hapka 2606 (-1057)
14. Tyler Reddick 2354 (-1309)
15. Vic Coffey 2109 (-1554)
16. Austin Hubbard 1664 (-1999)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2193)
18. Matt Lux 1351 (-2312)
19. Gregg Satterlee 1064 (-2599)
20. Jimmy Mars 1062 (-2601)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Shaver Holds Off World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars For Ohio Speedweek Victory At Attica Raceway Park

ATTICA, OH - July 24, 2009 - The final statistics will show that Steve Shaver led from flag-to-flag to win Friday night's 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series Ohio Speedweek A-Main at Attica Raceway Park.

But don't think for a minute that the $10,600 triumph came easy for the veteran driver from Vienna, W.Va.

Shaver, 45, worked hard for his money, holding off a battling group of WoO LMS superstars throughout the distance to record his coveted first career win on the national tour – and provide his son, Dylan, a memorable eighth birthday present.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. – the top three drivers in the WoO LMS points standings – all got close to the lead, but Shaver never wavered during the frenetic race around the high-banked, one-third-mile oval.

“I was looking down to my left and could see them on entry (to the turns),” Shaver said of his Outlaw challengers. “But I never saw ‘em off (the corners), so I figured I didn't have to change my line. I was running kind of a unique line of my own and I had plenty of momentum as long as I didn't catch lapped traffic at the wrong time.”

Shaver calmly disposed of two potentially dangerous slower machines rounding turns one and two on the final lap, giving him a cushion he carried to the finish line. He drove his Drywall Systems Inc. Rocket car under the checkered flag 0.741 of a second ahead of Francis, who slipped by Lanigan heading down the backstretch on the last circuit to register his third consecutive runner-up finish on the WoO LMS.

Lanigan settled for third, followed by Richards, who won last year's inaugural WoO LMS event at Attica, and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who started 17th and was charging around the outside of the track during the race's closing stages. Smith momentarily moved ahead of Richards for fourth but fell back to fifth on the final lap when his Team Zero by Bloomquist machine became boxed in behind a lapped car.

Shaver, who started second, outgunned polesitter Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., for the lead at the initial green flag and never looked back. He credited his savvy tire choice for keeping him at the front of the pack.

“We had harder tires on than most of those guys,” said Shaver, who became the 14th different winner in 26 WoO LMS A-Mains this season. “I was leaning toward a hard tire before the race because I knew I wanted to run my right-rear in the black (groove), but it was my crew chief, Casey Marshall (the winner of the Integra Shocks Wrench of the Race Award), who thought we should run a 1400 (Hoosier compound).

“The tire worked perfect for us. I had plenty of traction the whole race.”

An entrant in selected WoO LMS events since 2004, Shaver finished second to Francis in the tour's stop on May 31 at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. He was thrilled to finally break through to join the list of winners on the series.

“It means a lot just to be able to contend with (the Outlaws), let alone beat them,” said Shaver, whose earnings included the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who had never won a tour A-Main and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings. “It's a great feeling to win one of these races.”

Shaver's triumph overshadowed the titanic tussle for second place between the tour's top title contenders. Lanigan (fifth starting spot), Francis (ninth) and Richards (10th) found themselves running 2-4 by lap 24, and, with the event going caution-free from lap 20 to the finish, they engaged in a thrilling display of non-stop competition for second place.

At times racing three-wide a few car lengths behind Shaver, the trio of Rocket chassis campaigners kept the big Attica crowd buzzing. Lanigan managed to secure second from Richards on lap 33, but he couldn't find the speed to pull even with Shaver and ultimately lost the position to Francis on the final lap.

Francis, 41, was able to close the gap on Shaver rolling through turns three and four for the last time, leaving him wishing for a slightly longer race.

“My car was exceptional,” Francis said of his Beitler Motorsports mount. “But Josh and Darrell were racing side-by-side in front of me and it just took me too long to find a way by them. I zigged and zagged, but I just couldn't get by them until it was too late.”

The race further tightened the WoO LMS points standings. Richards left Attica leading the standings by six points over Francis and eight points over Lanigan.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who started 13th, finished sixth after Brady Smith knocked him from the top five on lap 44. Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who used a provisional to start 24th after breaking a starter bolt and driveshaft while leading on the final lap of the first B-Main, charged forward to salvage a seventh-place finish. Satterlee, Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., and top-rookie finisher Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., completed the top 10.

Three caution flags slowed the A-Main within a four-lap window. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., stopped in turn three on lap 17; rookie Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., spun in turn two on lap 19; and Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, spun in turn two on lap 20 in an incident that also marginally involved Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.

Fifty-four cars were entered in the evening's action – the fourth-largest field of the 2009 WoO LMS.

Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va., recorded the fastest lap in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, blistering the track in 14.514 seconds to earn a $50 bonus. He was later the first retiree in the A-Main, pulling to the infield with mechanical trouble on lap four.

Heat winners were Satterlee, Lanigan, Shaver and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich. The B-Mains were captured by Brady Smith and Moran.

Ohio Speedweek for the WoO LMS continues on Sat., July 25, at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, and Sun., July 26, at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Attica Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Steve Shaver/50 $10,600
2. (9) Steve Francis/50 $5,600
3. (5) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,650
4. (10) Josh Richards/50 $3,000
5. (17) Brady Smith/50 $2,500
6. (13) Rick Eckert/50 $2,200
7. (24) Tim Fuller/50 $1,900
8. (1) Gregg Satterlee/50 $1,300
9. (14) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $1,200
10. (12) Jordan Bland/50 $1,950
11. (6) Robbie Blair/50 $1,050
12. (7) Mike Knight/50 $1,000
13. (25) Chub Frank/50 $750
14. (18) Donnie Moran/50 $900
15. (11) Austin Hubbard/50 $850
16. (4) Jeep VanWormer/49 $800
17. (23) Shane Clanton/49 $1,270
18. (22) Dustin Hapka/49 $750
19. (19) Brent Robinson/49 $1,230
20. (20) Tim McCreadie/27 $800
21. (15) Matt Miller/26 $700
22. (16) Clint Smith/20 $1,200
23. (8) Doug Drown/10 $700
24. (21) Jerry Bowersock/8 $700
25. (3) Tim Dohm/4 $750

NOTE: Jeep VanWormer and Doug Drown were penalized to starting spots at the rear of the field for reporting late to the pre-race lineup staging on the racetrack

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 21 Mins., 54.648 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.741 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 17, 19, 20)
Lap Leaders: Shaver (1-50)
Provisional Starters: Clanton, Fuller, Frank
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Shaver ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Casey Marshall (Shaver)

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

1. 17T-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 14.514
2. 12d-Doug Drown/Wooster, OH 14.629
3. 7-Matt Miller/Waterville, OH 14.648
4. 99B-Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 14.657
5. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.663
6. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.663
7. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.804
8. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 14.812
9. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.840
10. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 14.862
11. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 14.883
12. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 14.937
13. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 14.939
14. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.950
15. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.969
16. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 15.000
17. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.005
18. 64-Jerry Bowersock/Wapakoneta, OH 15.019
19. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 15.038
20. 99M-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 15.044
21. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.056
22. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.062
23. c9-Steve Casebolt/Richmond, IN 15.104
24. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.104
25. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.105
26. 21M-Jason Montgomery/Jackson, OH 15.110
27. 1H-Jon Henry/Ada, OH 15.119
28. 12b-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.138
29. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.190
30. 49-Brian Ruhlman/Clarklake, MI 15.193
31. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.193
32. 21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 15.296
33. 40WD-Dusty Moore/Swanton, OH 15.319
34. 5M-Ryan Markham/Ashland, OH 15.333.
35. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.515
36. 15B-Mike Bores/Bellevue, OH 15.560
37. 40M-Wayne Maffett Jr./Mansfield, OH 15.567
38. 5H-Ernie Haynes/Rising Hill, OH 15.641
39. 93T-Jeff Esbenslade/Ashland, OH 15.758
40. 50Y-Ryan Missler/Bellevue, OH 15.809
41. 2d-Curtis Deisenroth/Oak Harber, OH 15.826
42. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergen/Perth, AUSTR 15.827
43. 27-Ken Hahn/Gibsonburg, OH 15.885
44. 83-Noah Wagner/Fremont, OH 15.892
45. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.937
46. 51-Devin Shiels/Britton, MI 15.978
47. 48-John Bores/Bellevue, OH 16.019
48. 12s-Michael Stiltner II/Green Springs, OH 16.092
49. 3R-Chuck Roelle/Fostoria, OH 16.196
50. 69-John Mayes Jr./Clyde, OH 16.227
51. 50L-Chuck Hummer/Ottawa Lake, MI 16.583
52. 41-Randy Pollock/Seville, OH 16.749
53. 99s-Steve Sabo/Fremont, OH 16.978
54. 15M-Justin McNeil/Houghton Lake, MI 17.474

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Satterlee, Dohm, Francis, Eckert, Fuller, Frank, King, Moore, George, Maffett, Robinson, Deisenroth, Roelle, Sabo

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Drown, Richards, Carrier, B. Smith, Montgomery, Bowersock, Ruhlman, Markham, Vosbergen, McNeil, Haynes, Mayes, Shiels

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Shaver, Knight, Hubbard, M. Miller, Hapka, Casebolt, Henry, Reddick, McCreadie, Hahn, J. Bores, Hummer, Esbenslade

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): VanWormer, Blair, Bland, C. Smith, Moran, Lux, Missler, Briggs, Clanton, M. Bores, Pollock, Wagner, Stiltner

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, Robinson, Bowersock, Montgomery, Ruhlman, Moore, McNeil, Vosbergen, George, Haynes, Shiels, Roelle, Mayes, Fuller, King, Deisenroth, Moffett, Frank, Markham, Sabo

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Moran, McCreadie, Hapka, Clanton, Henry, Briggs, Reddick, Hahn, Missler, M. Bores, Esbenslade, Pollock, Hummer, Lux, Wagner, Casebolt, J. Bores, Stiltner

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Brian Ruhlman, Jon Henry
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jordan Bland
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Brady Smith, Donnie Moran
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Tim Dohm
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brady Smith
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Steve Shaver
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Rick ‘Boom' Briggs
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Shaver

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 24 – 26 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 3523 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 3517 (-6)
3. Darrell Lanigan 3515 (-8)
4. Rick Eckert 3457 (-66)
5. Shane Clanton 3379 (-144)
6. Brady Smith 3374 (-149)
7. Tim Fuller 3345 (-178)
8. Chub Frank 3313 (-210)
9. Clint Smith 3205 (-318)
10. Russell King 2783 (-740)
11. Jordan Bland 2781 (-742)
12. Brent Robinson 2667 (-856)
13. Dustin Hapka 2496 (-1027)
14. Tyler Reddick 2242 (-1281)
15. Vic Coffey 2007 (-1516)
16. Austin Hubbard 1664 (-1859)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-2053)
18. Matt Lux 1215 (-2308)
19. Jimmy Mars 1062 (-2461)
20. April Farmer 975 (-2548)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

‘Boom' Briggs Riding High Entering World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At Eriez Speedway On Sunday Night (July 26)

HAMMETT, PA - July 26, 2009 - Rick ‘Boom' Briggs has been around Eriez Speedway for virtually his entire life.

He's watched his father, Rick Sr., and famous cousin Chub Frank win plenty of dirt Late Model races there. He ran his first competitive laps there in 1988 behind the wheel of a Cadet car. He even won his first-ever dirt Late Model feature there in 2006 during his rookie season in the division.

So it's not hard to imagine how excited the personable driver from Bear Lake, Pa., would become if he were to win the 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for this Sunday night (July 26) at the one-third-mile oval.

“It would mean so much if I could win an Outlaw show at Eriez,” said Briggs, who will chase a $10,000 top prize in Sunday's program at the Bob and Kathy Rohrer-promoted track. “It would definitely be the biggest win of my career.”

Briggs certainly stands as one of the biggest threats to the World of Outlaws stars on Sunday – a fact that he has a hard time grasping, but it's warranted. In just his fourth season as a dirt Late Model driver, the late-blooming Briggs, who turns 38 on July 29, has arrived as a guy to reckon with in more than local events.

After breaking out with some big victories around home late last season, Briggs has gained serious attention in 2009 with his performance on the new O'Reilly All-Star Late Model Series. He won the tour's first two events – in April at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio – and later added another victory at Butler, Mich., to help stake himself to the current points lead.

Briggs credits his rapid rise to Frank, a WoO LMS regular since the tour's reincarnation in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. Briggs, who ran Cadets and Limited Late Models from 1988-1992 but then climbed out of the cockpit for 14 years to start a family and concentrate on work at his family's Briggs Transport business, worked as a Frank crewman while not racing and has shared a shop with Frank since he entered the dirt Late Model ranks.

“He's really just a pain in my ass,” Briggs jokes when discussing his second-cousin Frank (Frank's mother and Briggs's paternal grandmother were sisters). “We're cousins, but we fight like we're brothers.

“But really, Chub's done a lot for me. I wouldn't be where I am today without him. I've told a lot of people that being around Chub for so long has made it easier for me.

Briggs, who took over his family's No. 99b dirt Late Model in 2006 after his father's driving career was curtailed by a heart attack and neck surgery, served as Frank's chief mechanic for a decade. Frank won four STARS/Renegade DirtCar Series championships with Briggs's assistance, and in 2004 Briggs was named the WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year.

“You learn so much from just being around these (national touring) guys and seeing so much racing,” Briggs said of his experience on the road with Frank. “I feel like it was a big advantage for me when I finally started racing myself. I had already learned so much about what it takes to be successful, I just had to hone my skills to what I'd watched all these years.”

Briggs will put all his acquired talent and knowledge to the test on Sunday at Eriez. He downplays the talk that he's a contender to capture the checkered flag, but he certainly hopes to be in the mix more than he was in the previous two WoO LMS events held at the track. He failed to qualify for the Eriez WoO LMS A-Mains in 2007 (he was involved in a heat-race crash) and 2008 (he was in his first weekend back from being sidelined for a month due to a concussion suffered in a wild flip at Ontario's Cornwall Motor Speedway and admits that he wasn't 100 percent mentally and physically).

“I'm really just hoping to make the show,” said the modest Briggs, who will make his first start of 2009 at Eriez. “If I can go to Eriez and get a top 10, it'll be like a win for me. These Outlaw guys are so good, and whenever they come to race in our area the competition is very, very tough because there's so many good guys around here.”

The WoO LMS roster Briggs will face at Eriez includes Frank, who has WoO LMS finishes of seventh (2007) and 13th (2008) at Eriez; points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who won the tour event at Eriez in 2007; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who was victorious last year; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Other drivers expected to compete include 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who charged from deep in the field to finish fourth in last year's event; Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., who finished second last year; Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., who is coming off a victory in last Sunday's dirt Late Model feature at Eriez; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa.; Ron Davies of Erie, Pa.; and Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa.

All of Sunday's entrants will go to work on an Eriez track surface that has been extremely racy all season, according to track promoter Bob Rohrer.

“For 10 weeks of racing the track has been almost perfect,” said Rohrer, who purchased the track with his wife in 2006. “We've been working hard on the surface since we bought the place and we've finally figured out how to do it and what kind of clay to put on it.

“We re-clayed it last fall and we put in a little more banking this year to make more three-wide racing – and from the racing we've had this year, it looks we're headed in the right direction. We're real excited about the World of Outlaws show.”

Gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. with racing set to begin at 6 p.m.

Additional info is available by logging on to www.eriez-speedway.com or call 814-434-4370 or 814-440-2859.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Rain During Qualifying Postpones Muskingum County Speedway's Ohio Speedweek Event To Thurs., Aug. 20

ZANESVILLE, OH - July 23, 2009 - Rain struck Muskingum County Speedway during qualifying on Thursday night, forcing officials to postpone the opening event of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Ohio Speedweek.

The ‘Pepsi 40' has been rescheduled for Thurs., Aug. 20, setting up three huge nights of late-summer WoO LMS racing in Ohio. Muskingum County's program will lead into the $20,000-to-win ‘Buckeye 100' on Aug. 21-22 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio.

A track-soaking shower before the start of Thursday night's second heat race proved to be too much to overcome. MCS owner Ronnie Moran had his track crew attempt to grade the three-eighths-mile oval's racing surface shortly after the precipitation ended, but he realized the effort was a losing battle and made the decision to call off the evening's action at 9:40 p.m.

“The track was just too wet,” said Moran, who has owned the track since 1980. “We couldn't get it run-in in a reasonable amount of time, so the best thing to do for the racers and fans is to come back and try again next month.”

While time trials and one heat race were completed before the rain, the Aug. 20 program will start from scratch. WoO LMS rules state that a new program must be run if an event is postponed to a later date without all heat races being completed.

A banner field of 45 cars was signed in for the event, which brought the WoO LMS to Muskingum County for the second consecutive season.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who won last year's WoO LMS event at MCS, established a new track record of 15.132 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. He earned a $150 bonus ($100 from Creno's Pizza and $50 from Ohlins Shocks) for his fast time, which bettered the MCS mark of 15.246 seconds that Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, had held since May 27, 2000.

Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., won the first heat after outgunning Francis for the lead at the initial green. Moments later, as the second heat headed onto the track, rain began to fall.

The postponement was a godsend to Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who entered the night tied for second with Francis in the WoO LMS points standings. Lanigan suffered a flat left-rear tire during his time-trial laps, leaving him last in the qualifying rundown.

MCS officials said rainchecks and pit bands from Thursday's program will be accepted on Aug. 20.

Ohio Speedweek continues for the WoO LMS on Fri., July 24, at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park; Sat., July 25, at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio; and Sun., July 26, at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa. All three programs are headlined by 50-lap A-Mains paying $10,000 to win.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

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

1. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.132 (NTR)
2. 11H-Rick Combs/Bethel, OH 15.149
3. 75-Bart Hartman/Zanesville, OH 15.190
4. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 15.254
5. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 15.277
6. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.323
7. 99B-Rick ‘Boom' Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 15.382
8. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 15.436
9. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.436
10. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 15.447
11. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.457
12. 11A-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.464
13. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.468
14. 12d-Doug Dodd/Cambridge, OH 15.485
15. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.500
16. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.551
17. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 15.604
18. 18h-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 15.629
19. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 15.674
20. 12x-Doug Drown/Wooster, OH 15.687
21. c9-Steve Casebolt/Richmond, IN 15.687
22. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 15.694
23. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 15.702
24. 12A-Rick Aukland/Zanesville, OH 15.773
25. 17T-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 15.803
26. 18c-Chris Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 15.806
27. 63-Cody Parker/Zanesville, OH 15.864
28. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.900
29. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 15.951
30. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.958
31. 21M-Jason Montgomery/Jackson, OH 16.094
32. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.124
33. 1DJ-Craig Vosbergen/Perth, AUSTR 16.159
34. 11B-Kyle Bates/Kimbolton, OH 16.208
35. 22G-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 16.224
36. 12H-Weston Hutchinson/New Concord, OH 16.268
37. 33-Steve Bigley/Guysville, OH 16.276
38. 99d-Devin Moran/Dresden, OH 16.381
39. 43d-Don Shrigley/Pataskala, OH 16.521
40. 21W-Bryan Casey/Coshocton, OH 16.670
41. 45-Russ Frohnopfel/Columbus, OH 16.741
42. 67-Tracy Fritter/Zanesville, OH 17.153
43. 88d-Eric Dixon/Newark, OH 17.583
44. 83-Steve Prince/Newark, OH 18.534
45. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.202

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Francis, Bland, Eckert, Blair, Donnie Moran, Dohm, Lanigan, Casebolt, Frohnopfel, Vosbergen, Bigley

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Hometrack Visit: World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Leader Russell King Heads To Sharon Speedway On Saturday (July 25)

HARTFORD, OH - July 22, 2009 - Russell King will be like a college student home for the weekend from his far-off place of higher learning when he visits Sharon Speedway this Saturday night (July 25).

Only in this case, King will bring his classmates and mentors along with him. And he won't be hanging out and having fun, but rather continuing his ‘education.'

King, 20, of Bristolville, Ohio, is set to return to his hometrack as the Rookie of the Year points leader with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the renowned national tour that invades the three-eighths-mile Sharon oval for the sixth consecutive year on Saturday evening. The third stop of the four-race Ohio Speedweek will be headlined by the 50-lap WFMJ-TV ‘Buckeye Bash' paying $10,000 to win.

A regular on the grueling series this season driving family-owned equipment, King is anxious to run a rare event at a track he knows well. Sharon Speedway is less than a 20-minute drive from his shop and also happens to be the site of his first-ever feature win, in 2005 when he was a teenage big-block Modified racer.

“I'm excited about Sharon because I grew up going to races there and I like racing there,” said King, whose father, Rex King Sr., is a former big-block Modified champion at the track. “Most of all, it's close to home and so many people I know are going to be there – my grandpa and grandma, relatives, friends, people who work at the mill (his family's King Bros. Ready-Mix Concrete).

“Everybody around home has only heard second-hand about what we've been doing all year because we've been running so far away, so it's gonna be fun to race in front of them.”

King's supporters will get a chance to hear his stories from the WoO LMS road during Saturday's program at Sharon, a track the burly youngster ran regularly in the big-block Modified division from 2005-2007.

And as a rookie Outlaw, King certainly has plenty of stories to tell – though much to the competitive racer's dismay, he doesn't have a long list of memorable finishes to describe to his visitors at Sharon. As he said last week, “We'll have one good race, then we'll struggle for like five – just enough good runs to keep our morale up and keep us coming back.”

Through WoO LMS 25 events in 17 states and two Canadian provinces, King has started 20 A-Mains and recorded a rookie-best four top-10 finishes, with a top finish of ninth, on July 10 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. He sits 10th in the overall WoO LMS points standings and leads the rookie points battle, which will be determined using drivers' best 30 finishes, by 57 points over Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and 153 points over Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.

King would love to be putting up more impressive stats, but he understands that he's “running against the best drivers in the country” and thus this is his season of hard knocks. Rookies rarely jump onto the WoO LMS and set the world on fire – especially a true dirt Late Model upstart like King, who made less than 20 starts in the division last year – so the first year on the trail is all about soaking up as much experience and knowledge as possible.

In that vein, King can consider his '09 campaign a success. He has developed a close relationship with WoO LMS veteran Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who got the King family started in dirt Late Model racing last year by selling them two cars and a hauler, and he's found the rest of the traveling stars to be very accommodating as well.

“One of the things that has maybe surprised me a little bit is that all the Outlaw guys are a lot nicer than you might think,” said King, who has two Rocket cars and three Custom engines at his disposal. “Anybody here in the pits will give you the shirt off their back if you need it. Being our first year, I didn't really expect people to treat us like that, but I'm pretty sure I could ask anybody for anything and they would give it to me.”

Being right in the mix with the nation's premier drivers has proven to be the biggest benefit of King's assault on the WoO LMS.

“When you're out here racing with these guys, (technical) stuff's changing constantly,” said King. “Stuff that the locals might be doing now is stuff the traveling guys were doing in Florida in February. You can pick up (the new information) fast out here on the road because guys like (Mark) Richards (of Rocket Chassis) and them guys are coming up with it and you're out here with them.

“I think we're getting better,” he continued. “We were watching the (race) tapes on the way (to the recent ‘Wild West Tour' events), and seeing what I was doing early in the year to what I'm doing now, I think I'm more aggressive. I think we race around these guys a little harder because I'm more confident in myself that I'm not gonna roll into the corner and not run into them.”

It's definitely been a season that King will never forget. While taking the first step in what he hopes will be a fulltime career as a dirt Late Model driver, he's also seen places and things all across the great U.S.A. King's mother, Sis, has been on the road with him – and doing the majority of the hauler driving – for most of the season, and she's made sure that Russell and his crew guys have experienced more than just the racetrack culture. In between races they've visited such sites as the U.S.S. Alabama battleship in Mobile, Ala.; the aquarium in Atlanta; NASCAR race shops in Charlotte; and, most recently, the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse memorials in South Dakota.

“We're more tourists than we are racers,” joked King, whose father has only seen a handful of Russell's WoO LMS starts in person because he's stayed home to work and race his big-block Modified. “We've gone everywhere. I could care less about all that stuff, but mom and Bob (Bachman, his crew chief) like doing it – and as long as they're happy, I'm happy.”

King, whose father will unfortunately miss Saturday's show at Sharon due to a conflicting BRP Modified Tour event at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., will be even happier if he can soon bag his first top-five of the season. A run like that would go a long way in propelling him toward his goal of winning the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award.

“We're going to some of my favorite tracks – like Sharon and Tri-City (Speedway in Franklin, Pa., on Sept. 5-6) – so hopefully we have at least one top-five in us,” said King, who has attended a couple Saturday-night shows this season at Sharon to assist the big-block Mod efforts of his father and younger brother Rex Jr. “I know my cars are good enough. It's just a matter of whether I can drive it up there.”

*****

King will be joined by a star-studded field of WoO LMS stars on Saturday night at Sharon, including points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and former champions Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who are tied for second in the standings entering the tour's Ohio Speedweek.

Other Outlaws headed to NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney's Sharon facility include Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (2007 WoO LMS winner at Sharon) and Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (2006 winner); Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and King's fellow Rookie of the Year contenders Bland, Robinson, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Former Sharon WoO LMS A-Main winners Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio (2008) and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (2005) are also expected, along with such standouts as Rick ‘Boom' Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., and Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa.

Spectator gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m., with on-track action set to begin at 6 p.m.

Adult admission is $27, while students (9-13) are $12 and kids 8-and-under) will be admitted free.

Additional info is available by logging on to www.sharonspeedway.com or calling 330.-772-5481.

In addition to Saturday's show at Sharon, the WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek also competes on Thurs., July 23, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio; Fri., July 24, at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park; and Sun., July 26, at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Fourteen Months After Memorable Win, World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Leader Josh Richards Returns To Attica Raceway Park On Friday Night (July 24)

ATTICA, OH - July 22, 2009 - Josh Richards turned a corner in his career when he won last year's World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Attica Raceway Park.

Fourteen months later, the 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., will return to the one-third-mile oval on Friday night (July 24) with his racing fortunes flying even higher.

With the WoO LMS headed to Attica on Friday for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main that is scheduled as the second stop of the four-race Ohio Speedweek, Richards sits atop the tour's points standings and 2009 win list. He's flashing true championship form – the elusive combination of speed and smarts he showed he was capable of when he captured last year's inaugural series event at the high-banked track in the center of the Buckeye State.

Richards drew raves for his '08 performance at Attica. Racing at a bullring he had never before seen, the 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year demonstrated a veteran's poise as he patiently chased fellow Outlaw Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., until finally pulling off a high-side move to assume command with six laps remaining.

It was a hallmark night for Richards. Yes, he had won seven WoO LMS A-Mains before reaching Victory Lane at Attica, but his eighth career triumph was just different. Something seemed to click in the youngster's head that evening. He didn't force the issue, didn't wear out his tires, didn't get over-anxious. He just calmly waited for his inevitable opportunity to pass Frank, who had gone too soft with his tire choice, and seized it.

“My car felt really good the whole race,” Richards said after his win on May 16, 2008. “I knew (Frank) couldn't pull away, so I thought if I just maintained, there would be a chance that I could get by him.

“He looked a little too tight to run the top, and my car was just balanced well. I don't know if he was fading just a little to where he had to search (for a line), but when he moved down (on lap 44) I snuck around the outside of him and got the lead.”

Frank, a hard-nosed 47-year-old whose racing career has stretched nearly a decade longer than Richards's life, led the chorus of observers hailing Richards after the event.

“Josh did a very good job,” said Frank. “He was very patient. He didn't do anything that would've wrecked either one of us. He took his shots when he thought he had ‘em, and when he couldn't clear me on those ‘sliders' he got out of the gas and let me go.

“I think that was very good for him to see that patience sometimes is better than being aggressive.”

While Richards hasn't been perfect since that spring night at Attica, he's certainly emerged as a serious championship contender. He went on to finish second in last year's points standings and tie Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for the most wins on the '08 tour, and this season he's stepped up to threaten the tour's modern-day (2004-present) single-season win record and thrust himself into a tight title battle with former champions Francis and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. – two drivers Richards calls “the best point racers in the country.”

Driving his father Mark's familiar Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket No. 1, Richards enters the WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek on a major tear. He's won six of the last 11 tour A-Mains – including a victory in the last series event, on July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., during which he used his head and well as his right foot to survive a surface that wore tires – to leave him just two wins shy of matching Scott Bloomquist's single-season win standard (nine victories in 2004).

In addition, since last year's Attica event, no driver has won more WoO LMS A-Mains than Richards, whose 11 victories over the past 58 races have pushed him to second on the tour's modern-day win list, with 19 wins.

What's more, Richards is gaining national notoriety beyond the dirt tracks. Earlier this year he made his NASCAR asphalt debut in a Camping World East Series event, and last Saturday night he ran his first ARCA superspeedway race at Kentucky Speedway.

“Hopefully we can keep up our momentum on the Ohio swing,” said Richards, who holds a 10-point lead over both Francis and Lanigan entering the WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek. “I'm definitely looking forward to going back to Attica. That race last year was one of the most fun races I've ever run. It's a real racy track.”

Frank will be one of the WoO LMS drivers looking to slow down Richards at Attica. Last year's second-place finisher at ARP, the veteran comes into Ohio Speedweek riding a frustrating 14-month, 57-race winless streak on the tour.

Lanigan, who finished third last year at Attica, and Francis (eighth place) will arrive in Ohio just below Richards on the ‘Who's Hot' scale. Lanigan won two of the four A-Mains on the recent WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour,' while Francis is second to Richards with five wins this season and owns runner-up finishes in the last two WoO LMS events.

Other World of Outlaws travelers ready for Ohio Late Model Speedweek include Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

An impressive influx of regional and local drivers are expected to challenge the Outlaws at Attica, which runs UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Models as part of its weekly shows. Last year's WoO LMS field numbered a healthy 52 cars.

Several drivers have listed all the Ohio Speedweek events on their schedules, including Rick ‘Boom' Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., and Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y.

Other drivers expected at Attica include 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio, Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., Wayne Chinn of Tipp City, Pa., Matt Miller of Waterville, Ohio, Rusty Schlenck of Jackson, Mich., Jon Henry of Ada, Ohio, Doug Drown of Wooster, Ohio, and Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind.

Friday's show will offer show-up points and some bonus cash for Attica's weekly UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model competitors. The top 20 drivers in Attica's points standings are eligible to collect a $1,000 bonus if they win the WoO LMS A-Main; if an Attica driver doesn't pull off the upset, then the highest-finisher in the A-Main who's ranked among the top 20 in the Attica points will receive $500.

In addition, there's the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash that goes to the highest-finishing driver in the A-Main who has never won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings.

Friday's program, which also includes a complete show for Attica's regular 410 Sprint Car division, will see racing action begin at 7:45 p.m. Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for teens 11-15 and free for kids 10-and-under. Pit passes are $35.

Additional info on Attica's WoO LMS event is available by logging on to www.atticaracewaypark.com.

The WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek kicks off on Thurs., July 23, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. After Attica, the swing will also visit Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, on Sat., July 25, and Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., on Sun., July 26.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Ohio Speedweek Launches Thursday Night (July 23) At Muskingum County Speedway

Track Owner Ronnie Moran, Racers Donnie & Devin Moran Will Welcome National Stars

ZANESVILLE, OH – July 20, 2009 – Three generations of Moran men will greet the World of Outlaws Late Model Series when the renowned national tour kicks off Ohio Speedweek on Thursday night (July 23) at Muskingum County Speedway.

First there is Ronnie Moran, the 72-year-old family patriarch who has owned the three-eighths-mile oval since 1980 and promoted it since 1992. He'll be the one worrying about whether all goes well for the big influx of racers and fans that is expected to witness the evening's 40-lap, $7,000-to-win event.

Then there is Donnie Moran, a 46-year-old dirt Late Model legend who happens to be Ronnie's son. An increasingly larger figure in the facility's operation, Donnie will put his day-to-day duties at Muskingum aside to welcome the World of Outlaws and try to beat the tour's stars at his hometrack.

And finally there is Devin Moran, Donnie's 14-year-old son. Devin will look to continue his impressive rookie season behind the wheel of a full-blown dirt Late Model with his first career WoO LMS start.

It will be up to Donnie and Devin to keep some of Thursday night's A-Main purse from leaving the family – and both father-and-son are ready to take on the Outlaws challenge.

Donnie Moran, who ranks as one of the dirt Late Model division's alltime greats, enters Thursday's action with a decidedly different racing outlook than in past years. He's no longer traipsing all across the country with his Donnie Moran Racing operation, preferring instead to race a more localized schedule that allows him to spend more time working at the racetrack and with the budding young talent who lives under his roof.

“I've tried to stay closer to home this year to help my father with the speedway and teach my son to race,” said Donnie, who need only walk over a hill to reach MCS from his residence in Dresden, Ohio. “I've been doing more than I ever have at the speedway – everything from cutting grass to the maintenance of equipment to prepping the track (surface) early in the week – and I've been at almost all of my son's races.

“I'm so glad I've done this,” he added, calling the time he's spent with his son “priceless.”

Donnie feels good about the rapid progression of his son, who has run a MasterSbilt car owned by his grandfather only at Muskingum County. So far this season Devin – the second of Donnie's five children (four boys and a girl) – has earned a fast-time honor, finished as high as second in a feature and started a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series A-Main (finishing 18th) at his hometrack.

“Everything I've learned in my 30 years of racing, I've tried to teach him in the last six months,” Donnie said of Devin. “He wants to learn, and he knows that if he wants to race he's going to have to give up a lot. When our other kids go to the swimming pool (this summer), he'll be in the garage working on his car by himself.”

Devin has led the last two features contested at Muskingum County, but he's fallen short of Victory Lane on both occasions. Last Saturday night he ceded the top spot when he momentarily slid off the track, and on July 11 he settled for runner-up money after being passed for the win by...his dear old Dad.

“He had a lot of fans behind him (on July 11) because they wanted him to beat his old man, but I'm not gonna cut him any slack,” said Donnie. “He's gonna have to earn his first win. It'll only make him stronger.”

Donnie has four wins in six starts this season at Muskingum, giving him plenty of momentum for the WoO LMS invasion. But he has no illusions about his chances; he's still trying to work the bugs out of his new car – the last machine constructed by late chassis builder Ray Callahan before his passing earlier this year – and realizes the level of competition he'll be facing.

“I think I have a good shot, but I'm not gonna say I'll come out and blow the doors off the Outlaws,” said Donnie, who has the equipment (jigs, benders, etc.) in his shop to begin producing cars for sale if his Callahan-designed mount takes off. “You just don't do that. Those guys are too good.

“In today's world of racing, everything is so competitive that nobody knows who's gonna hit it right on any given night. I'd like to win in front of the hometown crowd, but I'm just gonna go out there and set my goals as the night goes on.”

Donnie, who owns four career WoO LMS victories and finished sixth in last year's inaugural WoO LMS event at Muskingum, will face plenty of competition on Thursday night.

The star-studded WoO LMS roster is led by points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who has won six of the last 11 series A-Mains and is looking to improve upon his 13th-place finish in last year's tour stop at Muskingum. He leads the standings by a scant 10 points over former champions Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who won last year's 40-lapper at Muskingum, and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who finished fourth at MCS in 2008.

Other World of Outlaws travelers ready for Ohio Late Model Speedweek include Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who charged from 18th starting spot to finish second in last year's WoO LMS show at MCS; Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (finished 17th last year); Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (finished 15th); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (finished 23rd); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (finished 18th); Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. (did not qualify last year); and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Muskingum's talented field is also expected to include drivers who have listed all the Ohio Speedweek events on their schedules – Rick ‘Boom' Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa., 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, Pa., and Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa. – plus racers such as Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, Rick Aukland of Zanesville, Ohio, Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., Jared Miley of South Park, Pa., and Doug Dodd of Cambridge, Ohio.

Thursday's program, which also includes Muskingum's Modified and Pure Stock classes, will see pit gates open at 2 p.m. and the spectator gates unlocked at 4 p.m. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

General admission is $25, with kids 6-11 admitted for $5 and children 5-and-under free of charge. Reserved seats are available in the top two rows of the grandstand, and pit passes will be $40.

For more information, visit www.mcspeedway.20m.com or call 740-754-9199 (track) or 740-763-3991 (office).

The WoO LMS Ohio Speedweek will also make stops on Fri., July 24, at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park; Sat., July 25, at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio; and Sun., July 26, at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: A Final Look Back At The ‘Wild West Tour'

CONCORD, NC - July 20, 2009 - Herewith is a final look back at memorable moments from the four-race, four-state World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour,' which took the traveling caravan to Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. (July 8), River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. (July 10), Wyoming's Gillette Thunder Speedway (July 14) and Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D. (July 16)...

FIRST LADIES: WoO LMS history of a female persuasion was made during the Wild West Tour.

April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., began the historic week for the fairer sex at Deer Creek when she became the first-ever female driver to start a WoO LMS A-Main. A series points provisional put her into the ‘Gopher 50,' which she finished in the 24th position.

The soft-spoken Farmer, who carries the nickname ‘Rocket Mom,' went on to start the remaining three Wild West Tour A-Mains (finishing 14th at River Cities, 20th at Gillette and 17th at DSFS), but she used a points provisional to crack the lineup each night. That opened the door for more history to be made by Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who earned the distinction of being the first female driver to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main through a heat race in the swing's finale at DSFS.

Farmer, who turns 30 on July 24, and the 30-year-old George were seen chatting in the pit area at Dakota State Fair Speedway after making the ‘Great Plains 50' the first WoO LMS A-Main to feature a pair of lady starters. Ironically, both drivers dropped out of the event with problems in the rearend of their cars – George finished 20th after retiring on lap 11 due to broken quick-change gears, and Farmer completed 33 laps before a busted rearend knocked her out.

The Wild West Tour marked the second consecutive regional WoO LMS swing that included Farmer, who headed west after her bid to become the national tour's first female A-Main starter fell short during last month's Great Northern Tour. She made this trip accompanied only by her husband/crew chief Chris, leaving her five- and two-year-old daughters in the care of their grandparents for the week. April and Chris actually celebrated their wedding anniversary the day of the ‘Cowboy 50' at Gillette.

Farmer has been a revelation during her stint on the World of Outlaws road, consistently drawing big crowds of fans to her trailer after each event. She reported that she ran out of autograph cards and sold more t-shirts than she ever had in her career.

HEADLINERS: Josh Richards, Darrell Lanigan and Steve Francis cemented their status as the Big Three of this year's WoO LMS, separating themselves a bit more from their rivals in the points standings with solid performances on the Wild West Tour.

After the swing's checkered flags were dominated by Lanigan (Deer Creek and Gillette) and Richards (River Cities and DSFS) and Francis scored back-to-back runner-up finishes at Gillette and DSFS, the series headed east to Ohio Late Model Speedweek (July 23-26) with Richards leading the points battle by 10 markers over both Lanigan and Francis. Falling 62 points behind Richards was fourth-place Rick Eckert – the only driver still within 100 points of the top three.

The 21-year-old Richards is the only member of the points-leading trio who hasn't won a WoO LMS championship. He noted after his victory in Huron, S.D., that while he appears to be in the driver's seat with six triumphs in the last 11 series events, he knows he's in for a battle over the season's final 18 scheduled races.

“To win seven Outlaw races is just unthinkable,” said Richards, who is primed to challenge the modern-day (2004-present) WoO LMS single-season win record of nine established by Scott Bloomquist in '04. “We have a long way to go, but hopefully we can stay up front and keep getting consistent finishes because Darrell and Francis are the best point racers in the country. It's going to take a lot to beat them.”

AUSSIE INVASION: For the second straight year Clint Smith received pit-crew assistance during the Wild West Tour from the Land Down Under.

Jay Cardy, a 22-year-old dirt Late Model racer from West Perth, Australia, once again flew to the U.S. to spend his holiday helping Smith – and this time he brought along his father, a veteran Australian chassis builder and speed shop owner. The Cardys joined Smith's chief mechanic, Darrell (‘Don Vito') Cooper, in Smith's hauler for the trip.

Cardy hooked up with Smith last year when Smith was the only WoO LMS driver who responded to Cardy's e-mails offering extra manpower for the western swing. Cardy said the experience he gained working with Smith was a big reason why he was able to win the 2008-2009 dirt Late Model points championship at the gorgeous Perth Motorplex near his hometown.

Smith seemed to turn a corner during the Wild West Tour, enjoying his best outings of the 2009 season. He finished progressively better, placing ninth at Deer Creek, sixth at River Cities and fifth at both Gillette and DSFS (where he ran virtually the entire distance without power steering).

“This whole trip was top 10s for us,” said Smith, who cracked the top five for just the second and third times this season on the WoO LMS. “I'm satisfied with that because it makes me feel like our program is headed in the right direction.”

Smith demonstrated his newfound strength when he stopped at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway on Saturday night en route home to Georgia from the western swing. He came from the 15th starting spot to pull off a last-lap victory in a Southern All-Stars Series event.

R&R: No scheduled back-to-back nights of racing during the nine-day Wild West Tour gave the WoO LMS travelers a chance to enjoy some off-track fun. They didn't let the opportunity pass by.

Some highlights of the Outlaws' escapades:

* On July 9 during the off-day between the Deer Creek and River Cities events, an army of more than a dozen WoO LMS haulers invaded the gargantuan Mall of America outside Minneapolis. Some of the racers rode rollercoasters in the mall's marquee ‘Nickelodeon Universe' amusement area. (Rookie contender Jordan Bland smiled when he said the sensation he experienced on one whirling-dervish coaster made him feel “exactly like I was going over the edge at Cornwall,” the Ontario track where he flipped wildly last month). Some posed with Nickelodeon characters like Sponge Bob Square Pants. (That would be rookie Brent Robinson and friends.) Some went to see a movie. (Steve Francis was among a group that took in the gut-busting flick The Hangover.) And just about everyone stopped at the mall's Silicon Speedway to run some simulated races.

* An impromptu game of Wiffleball broke out in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn in Fargo, N.D., on the eve of the River Cites event. A group that included Francis, his car owner Dale Beitler and their crew; Shane Clanton and his crew; Lanigan's crew; Eckert's crew; and Farmer and her husband came out of their rigs to participate in the fun, which lasted until nearly 2 a.m. under the parking-area lights.

Three days later, on a race-less Sunday, the same cast of characters (save Lanigan's clan) was joined by the Clint Smith, Tim Fuller, Russell King and Jordan Bland teams in a spirited game of volleyball inside the world famous Knuckle Saloon in Sturgis, S.D.

* The Old West town of Deadwood, S.D., was overrun by dirt Late Model haulers on Sunday night and Monday. The teams that played ball in Sturgis plus those of Richards, Lanigan, Robinson, Chub Frank, Dustin Hapka, Jimmy Mars and Pat Doar stopped in Deadwood en route to Gillette, Wyo. Most were there to try their luck on the slot machines and/or gaming tables of the town's many casinos, but the full-fender gang also enjoyed such activities as the Wild West gunfights on main street, the daily recreation of Wild Bill Hickok's shooting in the Old Style Saloon No. 10 and go-kart racing.

* Rookie of the Year points leader Russell King and his team headed to South Dakota's famed Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments on Monday morning – but not before their visit was delayed four hours by mechanical problems with their hauler. King's mother Sis, who does most of the truck driving on their trips, thought she had cooked the rig's motor when its radiator belts came off as they were headed up a hill, but no serious damage was done and they were able to continue on after repairs were made.

WILD WEST WEATHER: Maybe everyone should have known that this year's WoO LMS excursion to Wyoming would be unique after several teams – most notably the Rick Eckert and Chub Frank operations – witnessed a tornado touch down just a couple hundred yards off Interstate 90 as they traveled to Gillette on Monday evening.

When the teams unloaded their cars in Gillette's pit area on Tuesday afternoon they faced some truly extreme conditions. The skies were clear and sunny, but there was a steady wind of 30 mph, with gusts exceeding 40 mph, whipping across the landscape. There was no escaping the wind, which rocked haulers and blew huge clouds of dust through the pits (and, of course, into every nook-and-cranny of everyone's trailers). Several crewmen, including Richards's father Mark and Lanigan's chief mechanic Randall Edwards, wore goggles and wrapped bandanas around their faces to ward off the dust as they worked on their cars.

Fortunately, the wind died down as predicted as the evening wore on, allowing the show to go on in front of the biggest crowd to attend a race at Gillette this season.

FRUSTRATION: The lone WoO LMS regular who didn't stay on the road for the entire Wild West Tour was first-year traveler Brady Smith, who decided to head back to his shop in Solon Springs, Wis., after both the Deer Creek and River Cities events.

Though a third-place finish at River Cities was Smith's only top-five run of the swing, he came oh-so-close to enjoying a spectacularly successful week. He experienced two especially disconcerting outings – he started from the pole in the opener at Deer Creek but faded to a 14th-place finish thanks to a loss of brakes, and at Dakota State Fair Speedway he put on a show driving forward from the 13th starting spot before his charge stalled on lap 39 due to a left-rear tire that was cut one circuit earlier from contact with Tim Fuller while battling for third place.

NEXT UP: The WoO LMS kicks off the four-race Ohio Speedweek on Thurs., July 23, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. The swing will also visit Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park on Fri., July 24; Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, on Sat., July 25; and Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., on Sun., July 26.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Seventh Heaven: Richards Closes ‘Wild West Tour' With Victory At Dakota State Fair Speedway

HURON, SD - July 16, 2009 - Josh Richards closed the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour' in fine fashion, scoring a hard-fought victory in Thursday night's ‘Great Plains 50' at Dakota State Fair Speedway.

The 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., regained the points lead with his second win of the four-race western swing and series-leading seventh triumph of the season – a $10,600 checkered flag he earned using equal parts speed and smarts.

Running on a fast half-mile oval that produced significant tire wear, Richards calmly overtook Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for the lead on lap 33 and maintained command for the remainder of the distance. He survived the race's sixth and final caution flag, on lap 39, to defeat Francis by 1.404 seconds.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who started from the outside pole and led early in the A-Main, settled for third place. Polesitter Rick Eckert of York, Pa., placed fourth and ninth-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., took fifth.

“You had to think about this race,” said Richards, who bettered his personal single-season high of six WoO LMS wins in 2008. “It was just like running on pavement. You could run around there wide-open if you wanted to pretty much all the way from the bottom to the middle because you're stuck so hard (to the track surface), but you had to conserve a little bit if you wanted to make it to the finish.

“I knew the (Hoosier) tire we had on could take some abuse, but you still had to be careful. So when I was behind Francis (after he passed Fuller for second on a lap-21 restart), I just started cruising around there, running half-throttle, giving it the gas on the straightaways and coasting through the corners.”

Richards, who started fourth in his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car, got the jolt he needed to step on the gas when he saw Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., appear to his outside just before a caution flag flew on lap 32. Smith had made a stirring charge from the 13th starting spot to the verge of second place by running slightly higher on the track – an advance that ultimately ended after Smith pitted during a lap-39 caution period to change a left-rear tire that had been flattened from turn-four contact with Fuller one circuit earlier.

“When I saw Brady run his nose up on me before that caution, I knew the outside was good,” said Richards. “So on the restart, Francis was going so slow (in the lead), I just rolled around him (on the outside of turn three) and figured I could try to maintain a steady pace the rest of way.

“It was definitely a nerve-racking last 20 laps,” he continued. “I kept seeing guys getting flats, so I tried to keep conserving the best I could. I figured that if I saw anybody, I could always pick the pace back up.”

Richards survived to register his 19th career WoO LMS victory, moving him past Eckert into sole possession of second on the tour's win list since 2004. He left the track shortly after the race to head to the airport in Omaha, Neb., where he was scheduled to fly out early in the morning in order to make his ARCA superspeedway debut this weekend at Kentucky Speedway.

Francis, whose 25 victories since 2004 leads all WoO LMS drivers, couldn't stop Richards from adding another victory to his ledger. The 2007 series champion led laps 9-11 and 13-32 en route to his second consecutive runner-up finish, following his bridesmaid outing on Tuesday night at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway.

“It sucks to lose when you have a car as good as we did,” said Francis, who started sixth in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket. “We just got to conserving and running too slow on the bottom. Once everybody behind us saw Brady move up and pass cars, they realized they had to be wider on entrance (to the corners) and we were a sitting duck.”

Fuller, meanwhile, led laps 1-8 and also nosed ahead of Francis to pace lap 12, but he knew he was in trouble when Richards slipped by his Gypsum Express Rocket for second on the lap-21 restart.

“I was done after Josh got by me,” said Fuller, who recorded his best finish of the season. “I got up to Francis (in the closing stages), but he was playing defense and I couldn't get by him.”

Eckert had to be satisfied with a fourth-place finish after slipping backward at the drop of the green flag from his pole starting spot. He watched Brady Smith step to the outside to march forward but couldn't duplicate that maneuver with his Team Zero by Bloomquist mount.

“Brady's car was just good,” said Eckert. “That rubber (on the track) that Brady was in was there for anybody, but your car had to be good to use it. I was too tight to go out there.”

Clint Smith completed the top five despite racing virtually the entire distance without power steering in his GRT car.

“I couldn't race anybody,” said Smith, who enjoyed his second consecutive fifth-place finish. “I had to rest my left arm going down the straightaways so I could tug on the steering wheel with all the strength in my left arm every time I went into the corners.”

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., finished a quiet sixth, while defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., placed seventh after running in the top five before a flat left-rear tire forced him to pit on lap 30. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., slipped from a third-place starting spot to eighth at the finish, ahead of Brady Smith, who rallied after pitting on lap 39, and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who earned a $250 bonus for being the highest-finishing WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender.

A field of 29 cars was entered in the event, which brought the WoO LMS back to the Dakota State Fair Speedway for the first time since 2005.

Fuller registered his second fast-time honor of the season with a lap of 17.887 seconds – just a tenth of a second off the track record.

Heat winners were Fuller, Francis and Richards, and 14-year-old WoO LMS rookie Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., captured the B-Main for the second consecutive night.

The WoO LMS will take a short break before kicking off the four-race Ohio Speedweek on Thurs., July 23, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio. The swing will also visit Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park on Fri., July 24; Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, on Sat., July 25; and Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., on Sun., July 26.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Great Plains 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Josh Richards/50 $10,600
2. (6) Steve Francis/50 $5,650
3. (2) Tim Fuller/50 $3,550
4. (1) Rick Eckert/50 $3,000
5. (9) Clint Smith/50 $2,500
6. (7) Chub Frank/50 $2,200
7. (5) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,000
8. (3) Shane Clanton/50 $1,800
9. (13) Brady Smith/50 $1,700
10. (10) Russell King/50 $1,850
11. (12) Jordan Bland/50 $1,550
12. (11) Al Purkey/50 $1,500
13. (22) Dustin Hapka/49 $950
14. (15) Eric Mass/49 $900
14. (22) Dustin Hapka/48 $900
15. (14) Jason Hughes/38 $850
16. (8) Jimmy Mars/35 $800
17. (23) April Farmer/33 $770
18. (16) Brent Robinson/29 $1,250
19. (18) Bill Koons/16 $730
20. (17) Jill George/11 $700
21. (20) Brian Diede/10 $700
22. (21) Kent Arment/10 $700
23. (24) Zach Johnson/3 $700
24. (19) Tyler Reddick/0 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 31 Mins., 43.798 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.404 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 6 (Laps 0, 21, 30, 32, 34, 39)
Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-8); Francis (9-11); Fuller (12); Francis (13-32); Richards (33-50)
Provisional Starters: Farmer, Z. Johnson
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Purkey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Mike ‘Smoke' Countryman (Fuller)

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

1. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 17.887
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.955
3. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.166
4. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.325
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 18.361
6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 18.378
7. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.494
8. 33-Al Purkey/Coffeyville, KS 18.567
9. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 18.570
10. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 18.675
11. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 18.697
12. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 18.734
13. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 18.748
14. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 18.754
15. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.821
16. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 18.823
17. 57-Chad Williamson/Watertown, SD 18.844
18. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 18.934
19. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 18.965
20. 23-Jason Hughes/Westfield, OK 18.993
21. 73-Zach Johnson/Kensington, MN 19.173
22. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 19.176
23. U2-Scott Daly/Elk Horn, NE 19.399
24. 44M-Eric Mass/Rapid City, SD 19.411
25. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.816
26. 9-Kent Arment/Aberdeen, SD 19.842
27. 7c-Chad Chenoweth/Huron, SD 19.867
28. 7s-Mike Stadel/Rapid City, SD 20.017
29. 1d-Brian Diede/Aberdeen, SD 20.140

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Fuller, Eckert, Frank, King, B. Smith, Robinson, Reddick, Doar, Hapka, Stadel

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Francis, Lanigan, Purkey, Mars, Hughes, George, Arment, Diede, Daly, Williamson

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, Clanton, C. Smith, Bland, Mass, Koons, Farmer, Johnson, Chenoweth

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Reddick, Diede, Arment, Hapka, Johnson, Chenoweth, Williamson, Stadel, Farmer (DNS) Doar, Daly

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Zach Johnson
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Al Purkey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Tyler Reddick
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jason Hughes
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Tim Fuller
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Chad Chenoweth
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 16 – 25 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 3381 (-0)
2. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 3371 (-10)
2. (tie) Steve Francis 3371 (-10)
4. Rick Eckert 3319 (-62)
5. Shane Clanton 3263 (-118)
6. Brady Smith 3234 (-147)
7. Tim Fuller 3209 (-172)
8. Chub Frank 3189 (-192)
9. Clint Smith 3099 (-282)
10. Russell King 2708 (-673)
11. Jordan Bland 2651 (-730)
12. Brent Robinson 2555 (-826)
13. Dustin Hapka 2382 (-999)
14. Tyler Reddick 2167 (-1214)
15. Vic Coffey 2007 (-1374)
16. Austin Hubbard 1544 (-1837)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-1911)
18. Matt Lux 1140 (-2241)
19. Jimmy Mars 1062 (-2319)
20. April Farmer 975 (-2406)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Wild West Roll: Lanigan Captures Tuesday Night's ‘Cowboy 50' At Gillette Thunder Speedway

GILLETTE, WY - July 14, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour' has proven to be the perfect tonic for Darrell Lanigan's frustration.

Winless on the 2009 WoO LMS entering the four-race western swing, Lanigan registered his second victory in his last three starts on Tuesday night, capturing the ‘Cowboy 50' presented by Coors Light at Gillette Thunder Speedway.

The low-key defending series champion from Union, Ky., happily donned a cowboy hat for the Victory Lane ceremonies after pocketing $10,700 in prize money. He grabbed the lead from Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., on lap 34 while negotiating lapped traffic and never looked back.

Lanigan, 39, regained the WoO LMS points lead by four points over Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished 11th after a flat right-rear tire on lap 34 forced him to the rear of the field. Francis, who settled for second place in the A-Main after racing off the pole position to lead laps 1-33, sits third in the standings just 10 points behind Lanigan.

“We have a real good car and now we're getting some of the breaks we didn't get earlier this year,” said the 39-year-old Lanigan, who had five runner-up finishes before breaking through for his first win of the season in the ‘Wild West Tour' opener on July 8 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. “Everything's come together on this trip. I think that if we didn't have a few problems the other night (July 10 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.), we could've won all three of these races.”

Lanigan, who finished seventh at River Cities after leading early in the 50-lapper, drove his Fusion Energy Rocket car across Gillette's finish line with a 1.319-second advantage over Francis's Beitler Motorsports Rocket.

Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., advanced from the ninth starting spot to place third in the RSD Enterprises Rocket. He moved into the position on lap 46 after sliding underneath the Gypsum Express Rocket driven by eighth-starter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who finished fourth one year after winning the inaugural ‘Cowboy 50' at the high-banked, one-third-mile oval in Northeastern Wyoming.

Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., was the evening's hard charger, steering his GRT mount to a fifth-place finish after starting 21st. He had to qualify through a B-Main after a broken jackshaft sidelined him during heat-race action.

Lanigan, who started third, gained control of second from outside-polesitter Rick Eckert of York, Pa., early in the distance. He then chased Francis between six caution periods during the race's first 24 laps before seizing an opportunity amidst slower traffic to assume command rounding turns three and four on the 34th tour.

“He got trapped there in lapped traffic,” said Lanigan said of Francis. “I knew we were better on the outside and he was committed to the bottom, so I just kept rolling that top and finally it paid off when a lapped car slowed (Francis) down.”

After a seventh and final caution flag, on lap 34 for Richards, Lanigan ran virtually unchallenged for the remainder of the event. He calmly handled lapped traffic on the smooth, multi-grooved surface to keep Francis at bay.

“The racetrack was excellent,” said Lanigan, who recorded his 12th career victory on the WoO LMS. “You could run all over it, and it's a place where you don't tear stuff up. I like tracks like this.”

Francis, 41, admitted that he was surprised by Lanigan's winning move, but he wasn't disappointed with the outcome.

“I didn't even know (Lanigan) was there,” Francis said of the deciding 34th lap. “So looking back, maybe I should've just turned (the lapped car) and went on my way instead of trying to be careful. But with the tires we put on, I was locked down to (running) the bottom.

“I would've liked to win, but with the way our luck's been out here (on the ‘Wild West Tour') we'll take a second and go on to the next race.”

There were no major incidents in the ‘Cowboy 50,' which saw WoO LMS regulars sweep the top seven finishing positions.

Track regular Eddie Kirchoff of Gillette, Wyo., who entered the night with six wins in eight starts this season at his hometown speedway, started fifth in the A-Main but was never a factor. He fell back almost immediately after the green flag flew with a car he deemed “too tight” and was eliminated when a tangle on lap 22 left his machine with a bent left-front spindle.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who ran as high as fourth; Eckert; seventh-starter Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who climbed up to third but faded during the race's second half due to an improper tire choice; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; and Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., who earned the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash (highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings) for the third time in as many ‘Wild West Tour' events.

A field of 37 cars signed in for the event, which was contested on a cool, breezy evening. Steady winds of 30 mph – with gusts reaching nearly 40 mph – blew clouds of dust through the pit area throughout the afternoon, but the winds gradually diminished to more comfortable levels as the night went on.

Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., was quickest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, ripping off a lap of 13.971 seconds to register his first career fast-time honor in WoO LMS competition.

Heat winners were Lanigan, Francis, Eckert and Mars. The B-Mains were captured by WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contenders Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio.

The 14-year-old Reddick's victory in the first B-Main marked his first checkered flag of any kind on the WoO LMS. He went on to finish one lap down in 15th in the A-Main.

King, 20, placed 12th in the A-Main, earning him the $250 bonus as the highest-finishing rookie.

The WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour' concludes on Thursday night (July 16) with the ‘Great Plains 50' at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Cowboy 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Darrell Lanigan/50 $10,700
2. (1) Steve Francis/50 $5,650
3. (9) Shane Clanton/50 $3,500
4. (8) Tim Fuller/50 $3,000
5. (21) Clint Smith/50 $2,500
6. (4) Brady Smith/50 $2,200
7. (2) Rick Eckert/50 $1,900
8. (7) Jimmy Mars/50 $1,300
9. (14) Chub Frank/50 $1,700
10. (10) Al Purkey/50 $1,700
11. (11) Josh Richards/50 $1,550
12. (6) Pat Doar/50 $1,050
13. (18) Russell King/50 $1,700
14. (12) Brent Robinson/50 $1,400
15. (17) Tyler Reddick/49 $850
16. (13) Jordan Bland/49 $1,300
17. (15) Dustin Hapka/49 $770
18. (16) Eric Mass/49 $750
19. (22) Matthew Sheesley/48 $730
20. (23) April Farmer/37 $700
21. (24) Bill Koons/34 $700
22. (20) John Bey/26 $700
23. (19) Kelly Boen/22 $700
24. (5) Eddie Kirchoff/21 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 34 Mins., 33.717 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.319 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 7 (Laps 5, 7, 11, 20, 22, 24, 34)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-33); Lanigan (34-50)
Provisional Starters: Farmer, Koons
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Purkey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Jonathan Owensby (Clanton)

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

1. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 13.971
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 13.978
3. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.125
4. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.179
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.187
6. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.203
7. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.207
8. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 14.212
9. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.267
10. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.293
11. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.320
12. 00-Eddie Kirchoff/Gillette, WY 14.411
13. 07-Kelly Boen/Henderson, CO 14.562
14. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.621
15. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 14.723
16. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 14.765
17. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 14.771
18. 33-Al Purkey/Coffeyville, KS 14.808
19. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.875
20. 44M-Eric Mass/Rapid City, SD 14.889
21. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 14.998
22. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 15.027
23. 82-John Bey/Deadwood, SD 15.207
24. 1K-John Kuchar/Brighton, CO 15.232
25. 4G-David Garmann/Milliken, CO 15.317
26. 7-Mike Stadel/Rapid City, SD 15.385
27. 12s-Jason Schierkolk/Casper, WY 15.559
28. 1M-Matthew Sheesley/Rapid City, SD 15.596
29. 99-Scott Lewis/Henderson, CO 15.703
30. 4H-Rich Herman II/Billings, MT 15.863
31. 71-Morris Oberle/Lead, SD 16.136
32. 25c-Scott Cimfl/Commerce City, CO 16.158
33. 62-Kim Horn/Gillette, WY 16.246
34. 25R-Bryan Renken/Gillette, WY 16.250
35. 5E-Erik Elmer/Buffalo, WY 16.302
36. 23s-Dylan Schmer/Lingle, WY 16.443
37. 61-James Botts/Broomfield, CO 16.445

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Doar, Clanton, Bland, Reddick, Boen, Lewis, Garmann, Horn, Botts

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, B. Smith, Purkey, Frank, Koons, Stadel, Renken, Herman, C. Smith

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Fuller, Richards, Hapka, King, Bey, Elmer, Schierkolk, Oberle

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Mars, Kirchoff, Robinson, Mass, Sheesley, Cimfl, Kuchar, Farmer (DNS) Schmer

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Reddick, Boen, C. Smith, Stadel, Lewis, Garmann, Koons, Renken, Horn, Botts, Herman

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): King, Bey, Sheesley, Farmer, Schierkolk, Kuchar, Cimfl, Elmer, Oberle (DNS) Schmer

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Scott Lewis, Jason Schierkolk
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Al Purkey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Al Purkey
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Tyler Reddick, Russell King
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Pat Doar
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Tyler Reddick
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Steve Francis
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): John Kuchar
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 14 – 24 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Darrell Lanigan 3235 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 3231 (-4)
3. Steve Francis 3225 (-10)
4. Rick Eckert 3177 (-58)
5. Shane Clanton 3129 (-106)
6. Brady Smith 3102 (-133)
7. Tim Fuller 3065 (-170)
8. Chub Frank 3051 (-184)
9. Clint Smith 2959 (-276)
10. Russell King 2578 (-657)
11. Jordan Bland 2523 (-712)
12. Brent Robinson 2441 (-794)
13. Dustin Hapka 2258 (-977)
14. Tyler Reddick 2065 (-1170)
15. Vic Coffey 2007 (-1228)
16. Austin Hubbard 1544 (-1691)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-1765)
18. Matt Lux 1140 (-2095)
19. Dan Stone 949 (-2286)
20. Jimmy Mars 944 (-2291)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Four Years After Historically Thrilling Event, World of Outlaws Late Model Series Returns To Dakota State Fair Speedway On Thursday Night (July 16)

HURON, SD - July 13, 2009 - Orville Chenoweth, the promoter of Dakota State Fair Speedway, clearly remembers the last time the World of Outlaws Late Model Series visited the three-eighths-mile oval.

So does everyone else who witnessed the spectacle in South Dakota – an event that was arguably the most thrilling in WoO LMS history.

“That was one heck of a race,” said Dakota Promotions' Chenoweth, thinking back to June 5, 2005, when Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., tore around DSFS to win the 50-lap A-Main from the last starting spot. “Everyone here still talks about it.”

Chenoweth is hoping that another unforgettable moment will be produced when the WoO LMS makes a grand return to Dakota State Fair Speedway this Thursday night (July 16) for the ‘Great Plains 50' presented by KOKK Radio and Red Wilk Construction. A $10,000 top prize has been posted for the event, which concludes the WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour' through Minnesota, North Dakota, Wyoming and South Dakota.

“If (Thursday's race) even approaches the show McCreadie put on here (in 2005),” said Chenoweth, “then everybody is going to go home happy.”

McCreadie's performance was simply legendary. Forced to start at the rear of the field (24th starting spot) after switching to his backup car because terminal motor problems sidelined his primary machine following a heat win, McCreadie found the thick cushion to his liking and marched through the field.

“He got up on that wall and just kept picking ‘em off every lap,” recalled Chenoweth. “It was a lot of fun to watch.”

A caution flag with two laps remaining gave McCreadie his chance to complete a storybook run. Placed on the rear bumper of leader Darrell Lanigan for the restart, McCreadie tossed his car to the outside of the track and grabbed the lead from Lanigan heading to the white flag. Moments later T-Mac was in Victory Lane, celebrating a stirring triumph that made him the first driver to win a WoO LMS A-Main after starting last.

Can fans expect to see some sort of similar charge on the DSFS clay this Thursday night? Considering the fine condition of the track surface throughout the 2009 season, Chenoweth is confident that side-by-side racing will by plentiful.

“I would say that this season the surface has consistently been the best we've had here in a few years,” said Chenoweth, who is in his 14th season promoting the weekly action at DSFS. “It's been smooth and real racy, so the conditions should be there for another great race.”

The weather forecast for Thursday – sunny skies and high temperatures around 80 degrees – also has Chenoweth feeling good about the return of the Outlaws. DSFS's 2005 WoO LMS event was plagued by wet weather; heavy rain postponed the program one day, and drizzly conditions prevailed for much of the new race day. Chenoweth and his officials even had to set up a makeshift pit area on the paved parking lot behind the grandstand because the normal pits were too soft and muddy to handle race haulers.

McCreadie won't be in Thursday night's field; less than a month into his return from the back injury he suffered in a January crash during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., the Watertown, N.Y., driver is still keeping his racing schedule relatively close to home.

But a star-studded roster of WoO LMS drivers will fill the DSFS pits, led by red-hot points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. The 21-year-old sensation, who finished eighth in the 2005 WoO LMS event at DSFS, is coming off his series-leading sixth win of 2009 in Friday night's ‘Wild West Tour' event at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.

Other Outlaws headed to Dakota State Fair Speedway include Union, Ky.'s Lanigan, the defending champion and disappointed runner-up in the 2005 ‘Great Plains 50'; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (finished seventh in 2005); Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (third in '05); Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (did not compete in '05 event due to injury); Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., a new tour regular in 2009; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (first-time visitor to DSFS); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (13th in '05); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (fourth in '05); and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

The field is also expected to include Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who won the WoO LMS Firecracker 100 on June 27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.; Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., who led the first WoO LMS A-Main laps of his career last Friday night at River Cities Speedway; April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., who last week became the first female driver to start a WoO LMS A-Main; Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan.; and DSFS regulars such as Chad Becker, Curt Gelling and Kent Arment (all from Aberdeen, S.D.) and Huron, S.D.'s Chad Chenoweth.

WISSOTA Super Stocks and Midwest Modifieds will also be part of the mid-week program, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Pit gates will open at 4 p.m. and spectator gates will be unlocked at 6 p.m.

Adult tickets for the ‘Great Plains 50' are $25 in advance and $30 on race day. Tickets for youngsters above 50 inches in height are $12, with kids under 50 inches admitted free.

Additional information is available at www.dakotapromotions.com or by calling 605-352-4848.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Kirchoff Seeks To Defend Home Turf In World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Cowboy 50' Tuesday Night (July 14) At Gillette Thunder Speedway

GILLETTE, WY - July 12, 2009 - Eddie Kirchoff has been spectacular this season at Gillette Thunder Speedway, winning six of the track's eight dirt Late Model features en route to a commanding points lead.

But if the hometown boy is going to make his record seven-for-nine on Tuesday night (July 14), he'll have to run the race of his life.

Kirchoff, 26, of Gillette, Wyo., knows it's going to take a flawless effort to turn back the invading World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars in Tuesday's ‘Cowboy 50,' a $10,000-to-win event that highlights the high-banked, one-third-mile oval's schedule for the second consecutive year.

“These (WoO) guys race for a living, so you have to bring your best ‘A' game if you're going to have any chance of beating them,” said Kirchoff, whose success at the Wyoming facility stamps him as the local crowd's greatest hope for upsetting the Outlaws. “It's definitely going to be a challenge. We're familiar with the track, but we'll be running against the best guys in the country and it doesn't take them long to figure a place out.”

Kirchoff performed admirably in last year's inaugural WoO LMS event at Gillette, finishing 15th (last driver on the lead lap) in a thrilling ‘Cowboy 50' that tour regular Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., won after a dramatic late-race battle for the lead with Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis. He qualified 11th of 36 cars in time trials, transferred through a heat race and was the highest-finishing Gillette regular in the A-Main, but he wasn't satisfied with his final result.

“We guessed wrong on tires (compound choice) for the feature,” said Kirchoff, who started sixth in the 50-lapper but gradually faded from contention. “Playing that tire game is the toughest thing for us when the Outlaws come in (to Gillette). All we ever run is (Hoosier) 55s, but the Outlaws have an open tire rule so picking tires takes a little time for us to get used to.”

While selecting the correct tire compound for Tuesday's action might prove challenging for Kirchoff, he certainly has the equipment to battle the Outlaws. He'll make his third start of the season with his ‘open motor' package: a new MasterSbilt by Mars car powered by a Jay Dickens-built engine.

Buoying Kirchoff's hopes, he'll receive some setup assistance on Tuesday from Mars, the standout Midwestern racer from whom Kirchoff purchased his new car. Mars, who finished second to Fuller in last year's ‘Cowboy 50,' will enter this year's edition as one of the country's hottest dirt Late Model drivers.

“It will be great to have Jimmy there to talk about setups and stuff,” Kirchoff said of Mars, who pocketed over $30,000 for winning last month's WoO LMS Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. “He came over to my car last year and really helped me out with some ideas.”

Kirchoff, who also has a victory this season at Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, S.D., sees the WoO LMS as the elite level of dirt Late Model racing that he would someday like to reach. But while Kirchoff got a taste of life on the road when he followed the grueling, month-long UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour in 2007, he said it will be several years before he seriously considers taking his family-owned team far from home to battle the sport's top stars.

At the moment, Kirchoff is content racing on weekends while concentrating on his job as an engineer at Jacob Ranch Mine, a coal mine in Wright, Wyo., about 45 minutes south of Gillette. He took the position after graduating last December with an industrial engineering degree from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, S.D.

“I'd love to race on a national series like the World of Outlaws someday,” said Kirchoff, whose father, Ed, leads the Gillette Racing Club that operates Gillette Thunder Speedway. “But I thought it would be better for me to get through school and get some experience at my job before thinking about racing more. We'll see where my career goes in the future.”

Yes, Kirchoff's job comes first right now. He's shown the talent for accomplishing bigger things behind the wheel, but work is never far from his mind.

In fact, if Kirchoff happens to pull off a huge win on Tuesday night in front of his home crowd, you won't see him celebrating until the wee hours.

“I have to be in work the next day,” smiled Kirchoff. “I head out by 6:30 in the morning.”

*****

The ‘Cowboy 50' on Tues., July 14, will feature 14 WoO LMS regulars, led by red-hot points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. The 21-year-old sensation is coming off his series-leading sixth win of 2009 in Friday night's ‘Wild West Tour' event at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.

Other Outlaws headed to Gillette are Fuller, who sits seventh in the current points standings; defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., a new regular in 2009 who will make his first visit to Gillette; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who finished third in last year's ‘Cowboy 50'; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

A capacity crowd is expected for the event, which also includes action for Gillette's WISSOTA A- and B-Modified divisions.

“We're really excited about the race,” said the elder Ed Kirchoff, who heads the Gillette Racing Club's promotional efforts. “We've had racers and fans calling from as far away as Oregon and Washington.”

Grandstand gates will open at 4:30 p.m. MT, with hot laps scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $35 for ages 13-and-up, $15 for ages 6-12 and free for children 5-and-under. Pit passes are $40.

Additonal info is available by logging on too www.gillettespeedway.com.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Make It A Half-Dozen: Richards Survives Scare In Lapped Traffic To Win ‘Wild West Tour' A-Main At North Dakota's River Cities Speedway

GRAND FORKS, ND - July 10, 2009 - Josh Richards breathed a sigh of relief after winning Friday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Seven Clans Casino 50' at River Cities Speedway.

In order to make the ‘Wild West Tour' event at the high-banked, quarter-mile oval his series-leading sixth victory of the 2009 season, grab sole possession of the WoO LMS points lead and pocket a check worth $10,600, Richards had to survive a decidedly hairy moment in lapped traffic on lap 31.

Richards, 21, of Shinnston, W.Va., was fighting back a bid for the lead by Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., when the slower car driven by Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., spun sideways across turn four in front of the pacesetters. Frank bounded over Richards's nose and into the infield berm, sending up a thick cloud of dust from which both Richards and Francis slowly emerged with damage evident to the hoods of their cars.

With the caution flag thrown for the dangerous situation caused by Frank's spin, Richards and Francis maintained their positions at the front of the field for the ensuing restart. Richards stayed there for the remainder of the distance without receiving a serious challenge, while Francis, who entered the evening tied with Francis for the WoO LMS points lead, gradually faded before a lap-44 pit stop to change a right-rear flat tire left him 12th at the finish.

“It was a fast track tonight and I just tried to keep my nose clean, but obviously I got scraped up,” said Richards, gesturing toward the crinkled hood on his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket that resulted from contact with Frank's sliding machine. “Chub got bent and came across the track right in front of me, so I had nowhere to go. I just tried to keep rolling the best I could and luckily we got out it.”

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who won the recent Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., slipped by Francis's ill-handling Beitler Motorsports car for second place on lap 38 and chased Richards to the finish line. He couldn't mount a challenge after two caution flags flew on lap 44 and settled for the runner-up spot in his MB Customs mount, 1.292 seconds behind Richards.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., finished third in his Team Zero by Bloomquist car after his late attempts to overtake Mars fell short. The 32-year-old Smith, who scored his first career WoO LMS victory in last year's event at River Cities, moved up from the fifth starting spot to register his 10th top-five finish of his first touring season.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., advanced from the eighth starting spot to place fourth in Raye Vest's Team Zero by Bloomquist car, and 12th-starter Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., passed Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., on the final circuit to complete the top five.

Richards, who started third, felt fortunate to escape the Frank incident with his car largely intact.

“I was pretty frustrated after it happened,” said Richards, who grabbed the lead for good with a lap-11 pass of Union, Ky.'s Darrell Lanigan. “(Frank) came right over my nose, so I didn't know how much damage there was. It rolled around O.K. under caution, but I was nervous driving up into (turn) one on the restart. I was worried that some of the body might get into the tire or something.

“The breaks just went our way tonight. We had some bad luck a couple nights ago (an eighth-place finish at Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway after sustaining a flat tire), but it turned around tonight.

“It feels good to already match what we did last year,” he added, referring to equaling the six victories he totaled during the 2008 campaign. “But we've still got a long way to go.”

The victory was the fifth in the last nine WoO LMS A-Mains for Richards. It was also his 18th career triumph, breaking him out of tie for third with Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., on the national tour's win list since 2004.

In addition, Richards left North Dakota with an 18-point lead over Lanigan, who started from the pole and led laps 6-10 but fell to seventh at the finish. Francis tumbled to third in the standings, 24 points behind Richards.

Mars, meanwhile, gladly accepted his $5,000 bridesmaid finish.

“I'm happy with second,” said Mars, who started fourth. “Josh was fast and ran a good race. My car just got so tight.”

Mars also had no qualms with the officials' decision that kept Richards and Francis at the front of the pack after they jammed up in the wake of Frank's spin. The incident did produce some varied opinions that led to post-race debate.

Though Mars stood to gain the most if officials ruled Richards and Francis had to restart at the rear of the field – after all, he would have been elevated to the lead – the 37-year-old “didn't have a problem with it,” he asserted. “The leaders need to have some sort of protection in a situation like that with a lapped car.”

Four cautions flags and one red flag slowed the event.

The race's most significant crash occurred on a lap-14 restart when a mid-pack scramble caused River Cities regular Brad Seng of Grand Forks, N.D., who had won the track's last two features, to roll over off turn four. Seng's car came to rest on its roof, but he climbed out of the cockpit uninjured after safety crews righted the machine.

Other drivers towed off due to damage sustained in Seng's crash were Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colo., and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who recorded his first career WoO LMS win at River Cities in 2007 but struggled on Friday night. Fuller had to use a provisional to start the A-Main after being struck down by a flat tire while leading a B-Main.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Clint Smith, who started 10th; Lanigan; Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., who earned the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who earned a $250 bonus as the race's top Rookie of the Year contender; and Frank, who survived the lap-31 incident and two trips to the pit area to salvage a top-10 finish.

Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., raced off the outside pole to lead laps 1-5, but he retired during a lap-14 caution period due to a broken lower shaft on his car's rearend.

Thirty-five cars were signed in for the evening's action.

After the track surface was made faster by a short burst of light rain that delayed the start of hot laps, Eckert established a new dirt Late Model track record with a lap of 11.756 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. He bettered the standard of 11.950 seconds set by Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., on June 12, 2007.

Heat winners were Eckert, Francis, Richards and Mike Balcaen of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The B-Mains were captured by WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contenders Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.

The WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour' will continue on Tues., July 14, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway and Thurs., July 16, at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at River Cities Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Josh Richards/50 $10,600
2. (4) Jimmy Mars/50 $5,000
3. (5) Brady Smith/50 $3,500
4. (8) Rick Eckert/50 $3,050
5. (12) Shane Clanton/50 $2,500
6. (10) Clint Smith/50 $2,200
7. (1) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,000
8. (13) Al Purkey/50 $1,800
9. (16) Russell King/50 $1,950
10. (21) Chub Frank/50 $1,700
11. (17) Jordan Bland/50 $1,550
12. (7) Steve Francis/50 $1,650
13. (14) Tyler Reddick/48 $950
14. (24) April Farmer/47 $900
15. (11) Dustin Hapka/44 $850
16. (18) Brent Robinson/17 $1,300
17. (2) Pat Doar/14 $770
18. (9) Brad Seng/14 $750
19. (15) Kelly Boen/14 $730
20. (23) Tim Fuller/14 $1,200
21. (6) Mike Balcaen/13 $700
22. (20) Joey Pederson/8 $700
23. (19) Ricky Weiss/6 $700
24. (22) Tom Corcoran/1 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 24 Mins., 59.924 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.292 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 14, 31, 44, 44)
Red Flags: 1 (Lap 14)
Lap Leaders: Doar (1-5); Lanigan (6-10); Richards (11-50)
Provisional Starters: Fuller, Farmer
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Purkey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Darrell (‘Don Vito') Cooper (Clint Smith)

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

1. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 11.756 (NTR)
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 11.778
3. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 11.785
4. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 11.816
5. 12s-Brad Seng/Grand Forks, ND 11.899
6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 11.904
7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 11.918
8. 10-Mike Balcaen/Winnipeg, MAN 11.939
9. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 11.944
10. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 11.952
11. 73-Zach Johnson/Kensington, MN 11.960
12. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 12.059
13. 33-Al Purkey/Coffeyville, KS 12.114
14. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 12.116
15. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 12.150
16. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 12.198
17. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.210
18. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 12.244
19. 7P-Joey Pederson/E. Grand Forks, MN 12.360
20. 11s-Troy Schill/Grand Forks, ND 12.368
21. 7W-Ricky Weiss/Winnipeg, MAN 12.378
22. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 12.391
23. 07-Kelly Boen/Henderson, CO 12.477
24. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 12.508
25. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.551
26. 99-Doyle Erickson/Baglen, MN 12.592
27. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 12.649
28. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 12.681
29. 19b-Brandon Burke/Grand Forks, ND 12.756
30. 14J-Todd Johnson/Petersburg, ND 12.806
31. T1-Tom Corcoran/E. Grand Forks, MN 13.063
32. 9-Steve Anderson/Grand Forks, ND 13.140
33. 12A-Matt Aukland/Fargo, ND 13.303
34. 5G-Scott Greer/E. St. Paul, MN 13.324
35. 4-Harold Schill Jr./W. Fargo, ND N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Lanigan, Seng, Purkey, Fuller, Weiss, Frank, Burke (DNS) Aukland

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, B. Smith, C. Smith, Reddick, Bland, Erickson, Koons, T. Johnson, Greer

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Mars, Hapka, Boen, Robinson, Pederson, Corcoran, Z. Johnson

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Balcaen, Doar, Clanton, King, T. Schill, Farmer, Anderson, George

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bland, Weiss, Frank, Koons, Burke, Fuller, Erickson, T. Johnson (DNS) Greer, Aukland

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Robinson, Pederson, Corcoran, Farmer, T. Schill, George, Anderson (DNS) Z. Johnson

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Brandon Burke, Troy Schill
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Al Purkey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Jordan Bland, Brent Robinson
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Dustin Hapka
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Jimmy Mars
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Troy Schill
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of July 10 – 23 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 6-12-18-$112,220-3103 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 1-11-19-$117,806-3085 (-18)
3. Steve Francis 5-13-18-$99,285-3079 (-24)
4. Rick Eckert 2-9-16-$60,775-3041 (-62)
5. Shane Clanton 1-4-16-$62,000-2985 (-118)
6. Brady Smith 0-10-13-$58,265-2964 (-139)
7. Tim Fuller 0-6-11-$44,180-2923 (-180)
8. Chub Frank 0-3-14-$46,100-2919 (-184)
9. Clint Smith 0-1-10-$37,720-2819 (-284)
10. Russell King 0-0-3-$24,740-2454 (-649)
11. Jordan Bland 0-0-1-$26,290-2405 (-698)
12. Brent Robinson 0-0-1-$15,280-2319 (-784)
13. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$11,160-2142 (-961)
14. Vic Coffey 0-2-4-$23,900-2007 (-1096)
15. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$7,225-1945 (-1158)
16. Austin Hubbard 0-2-4-$16,545-1544 (-1559)
17. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,830-1470 (-1633)
18. Matt Lux 0-0-0-$10,640-1140 (-1963)
19. Dan Stone 0-1-1-$7,220-949 (-2154)
20. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$14,550-829 (-2274)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Lanigan Ends Year-Long Victory Drought With $20,700 Score In 30th Annual NAPA Gopher 50 At Deer Creek Speedway

SPRING VALLEY, MN - July 8, 2009 - One thought ran through Darrell Lanigan's mind after Brian Birkhofer passed him for the lead in Wednesday night's 30th annual NAPA Gopher 50 Charity Late Model Race at Deer Creek Speedway.

“I wasn't gonna run second,” asserted the defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion. “Not again.”

A runner-up five times already this season and riding a frustrating 46-race winless streak on the WoO LMS, Lanigan simply refused to lose. The 39-year-old from Union, Ky., roared back in fine fashion, grabbing the top spot from Muscatine, Iowa's Birkhofer on lap 37 and holding on for a hard-earned victory in the opener of the four-race ‘Wild West Tour.'

Lanigan pocketed $20,700 for his first WoO LMS triumph of 2009, including an additional $10,000 check for capturing the ‘Past Champions Bonus' that was posted to celebrate the 30th running of the event. He was also the 2005 winner of the Gopher 50, which benefits the Blooming Prairie (Minn.) Lions Club.

“We've needed this for awhile,” said Lanigan, wearing a broad smile while receiving congratulatory handshakes in the pit area. “We've been fast this year, but we haven't had any luck. We finally had some things go our way tonight.

“Pulling this off with the $10,000 bonus on the line just makes it an even sweeter payoff.”

Lanigan steered his Fusion Energy Rocket car across the finish line 0.850 of a second ahead of Birkhofer, who settled for second place after leading laps 32-36 in his MB Customs machine. A two-time Gopher 50 winner, Birkhofer was also eligible for the 10-grand bonus.

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., advanced from the eighth starting spot to finish third in another MB Customs car, which he and his brother Chris designed in a collaborative effort with Birkhofer. He reached third shortly after Birkhofer passed Lanigan for the lead, but he never drew close enough to seriously challenge the race's top stars.

Outside-polesitter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., led laps 1-16 but slipped to fourth at the finish in his Gypsum Express Rocket, and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., completed the top five in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket after outdueling Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., in a tight battle over the race's final 10 laps.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who entered the event leading the WoO LMS points standings, finished eighth after a blown right-rear tire on lap 21 forced him to rally from the rear of the field. He ended the night tied for the points lead with Francis, who installed a backup engine after his heat win, and just four points ahead of third-place Lanigan.

Points, of course, weren't a concern for Lanigan following the Gopher 50. He was just relieved to win on the WoO LMS for the first time since June 25, 2008, at Big Diamond Raceway in Forestville, Pa.

But Lanigan certainly experienced some anxious moments on his way to Victory Lane. Though he quickly marched forward from the sixth starting spot to overtake race-long pacesetter Fuller for the lead on lap 17, he saw his hopes flash in front of his eyes when Birkhofer snuck by him in lapped traffic on lap 32.

“I knew we still had a car that was good enough to come back,” said Lanigan, who registered his 11th career WoO LMS win (and third at Deer Creek). “I just had to get up on the wheel and get it done.

“We were just a little bit better up on the (outside) cushion than (Birkhofer) was. I saw he was pushing up there when I got back to him, and then he pushed real bad one time (in turn four on lap 37) and I went by him.”

Birkhofer, 37, made several bids to regain command while tearing through heavy lapped traffic, but the night belonged to Lanigan.

“That was a helluva race,” summed up Birkhofer, the defending Gopher 50 race winner. “(Lanigan) got me back the same way I got by him for the lead – he got pinned behind a lapped car one lap, and then I got pinned behind a lapped car and pushed a few laps later.

“I feel like I was a little soft on the left-rear (tire choice) and that hurt me a little bit, but Darrell was good. He made the right moves in traffic and won the race.”

Four caution flags slowed the event, all during the race's first 21 laps. There were no serious incidents.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Clanton, who struggled late in the distance with a blistered right-rear tire; Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., who earned the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; Richards; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who climbed as high as seventh from the 13th starting spot; and Will Vaught of Crane, Mo.

Former Gopher 50 winners in the field who chased the $10,000 bonus were Lanigan, Birkhofer, Rick Eckert (a quiet 11th-place finisher) and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (ended up spun in turn two on lap 18 and finished 17th). Five other drivers – Mars, Francis, Clanton, Richards and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who started from the pole position but faded to a 14th-place finish after losing his car's brakes on lap five – were also eligible for the bonus after being selected by former Gopher 50 winners who were on hand for the 30th annual event but are no longer active entrants in full-blown dirt Late Model events.

The group of former Gopher 50 winners who attended the event as spectators included Leon Plank (inaugural winner), Steve Kosiski, Joe Kosiski, Tom Steuding and Rick Egersdorf. Each of them stood to pocket a $1,000 check if the driver they picked had won the A-Main.

A field of 44 dirt Late Models was signed in for the Gopher 50, which was part of the WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive year.

Francis set a new track record during Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 14.130 seconds. He topped the Brady Smith's existing standard of 14.27 seconds, which had stood since July 28, 2006.

Heat winners were Francis, Birkhofer, Richards and Lanigan. The B-Mains were captured by Frank and Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D.

April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., was involved in a tangle that knocked her out of the second B-Main, but she earned a points provisional to become the first-ever female driver to start a WoO LMS A-Main. She retired after 20 laps, finishing 24th.

The WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour' continues on Friday night (July 10) at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.; Tues., July 14, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway; and Thurs., July 16, at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series NAPA ‘Gopher 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (6) Darrell Lanigan/50 $20,700
2. (3) Brian Birkhofer/50 $5,050
3. (8) Jimmy Mars/50 $3,000
4. (2) Tim Fuller/50 $3,000
5. (4) Steve Francis/50 $2,650
6. (7) Shane Clanton/50 $2,200
7. (10) Al Purkey/50 $1,900
8. (5) Josh Richards/50 $1,800
9. (13) Clint Smith/50 $1,700
10. (12) Will Vaught/50 $1,200
11. (9) Rick Eckert/50 $1,550
12. (15) Jordan Bland/50 $1,750
13. (14) Chad Simpson/49 $950
14. (1) Brady Smith/49 $1,400
15. (19) Brian Shirley/49 $850
16. (21) Russell King/49 $1,300
17. (17) Chub Frank/49 $1,270
18. (22) Brent Robinson/49 $1,250
19. (11) Tim Isenberg/48 $730
20. (20) Zach Johnson/48 $700
21. (18) Dustin Hapka/48 $700
22. (23) Tyler Reddick/45 $700
23. (16) Chris Simpson/27 $700
24. (24) April Farmer/20 $700
25. (25) Justin Sass/4 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 20 Mins., 37.494 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.850 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 0, 18, 18, 21)
Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-16); Lanigan (17-31); Birkhofer (32-36); Lanigan (37-50)
Provisional Starters: Reddick, Farmer (WoO)l; Sass (track)
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Purkey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Randall Edwards (Lanigan)

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

1. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.130 (NTR)
2. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 14.298
3. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.355
4. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.379
5. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.381
6. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.406
7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.427
8. 10-Mike Balcaen/Winnipeg, MAN 14.437
9. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.459
10. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.461
11. 9T-Tim Isenberg/Marshfield, WI 14.469
12. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.477
13. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.501
14. 33-Al Purkey/Coffeyville, KS 14.523
15. 73-Zach Johnson/Kensington, MN 14.530
16. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.590
17. 55c-Chad Mahder/Marshfield, WI 14.613
18. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 14.614
19. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.617
20. 68-Mike Prochnow/Menomonie, WI 14.634
21. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.662
22. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 14.688
23. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 14.727
24. 32-Chris Simpson/Oxford, IA 14.737
25. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 14.782
26. 25H-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, IA 14.825
27. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 14.891
28. 1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 14.904
29. 44H-Adam Hensel/Barron, WI 15.024
30. 71-Andrew McKay/Edina, MN 15.034
31. 55K-Kevin Kuehn/Winona, MN 15.104
32. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 15.218
33. 24s-Justin Sass/Rochester, MN 15.245
34. 33L-Joe Ludemann/Grand Meadow, MN 15.439
35. 40-Nick Kramer/Pine Island, MN 15.516
36. 65-Lucas Peterson/Stockholm, WI 15.606
37. 00-Andy Altenburg/Truman, MN 15.670
38. 19R-Dustin Reeh/Rochester, MN 15.801
39. 35-Jerry Bloom/Grand Meadow, MN 15.931
40. 7H-Dennis Hillson/Blooming Prairie, MN 15.968
41. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 16.430
42. 95-Keith Foss/Winona, MN 17.360
43. 6-Nick Herrick/Kenyon, MN N/T
44. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Clanton, Eckert, C. Smith, Frank, King, Hensel, Mahder, George, Altenburg, Sass

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Birkhofer, B. Smith, Purkey, Chad Simpson, Shirley, Hansen, Farmer, McKay, Ludemann, Reeh (DNS) Foss

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Mars, Isenberg, Bland, Z. Johnson, Robinson, Kuehn, Kramer, Bloom, Herrick, Doar

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Fuller, Vaught, Chris Simpson, Hapka, Balcaen, Koons, Prochnow, Reddick, Hillson, Peterson

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Frank, Shirley, King, Hensel, George, Sass, Ludemann, Reeh, Altenburg, Farmer, Mahder, Hansen (DNS) McKay, Foss

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hapka, Johnson, Robinson, Koons, Prochnow, Reddick, Kuehn, Herrick, Kramer, Balcaen, Bloom, Hillson (DNS) Doar, Peterson

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Jill George, Mike Prochnow
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brian Birkhofer
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Al Purkey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Will Vaught
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank, Dustin Hapka
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Brian Birkhofer
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brian Shirley
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Tim Fuller
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Chad Mahder
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of - A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. (tie) Josh Richards 2953 (-0)
1. (tie) Steve Francis 2953 (-0)
3. Darrell Lanigan 2949 (-4)
4. Rick Eckert 2899 (-54)
5. Shane Clanton 2845 (-108)
6. Brady Smith 2820 (-133)
7. Tim Fuller 2813 (-140)
8. Chub Frank 2789 (-164)
9. Clint Smith 2681 (-272)
10. Russell King 2322 (-631)
11. Jordan Bland 2277 (-676)
12. Brent Robinson 2201 (-752)
13. Dustin Hapka 2022 (-931)
14. Vic Coffey 2007 (-946)
15. Tyler Reddick 1821 (-1132)
16. Austin Hubbard 1544 (-1409)
17. Shannon Babb 1470 (-1483)
18. Matt Lux 1140 (-1813)
19. Dan Stone 949 (-2004)
20. Dale McDowell 829 (-2124)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

After Chasing World of Outlaws Late Model Series All Season, Rookie Dustin Hapka Gets Hometown Date Friday (July 10) At River Cities Speedway

GRAND FORKS, ND - July 8, 2009 - The long, winding World of Outlaws Late Model Series road finally brings Dustin Hapka home this Friday night (July 10).

An upstart rookie on the grueling national tour, Hapka will race just blocks from his front door in Grand Forks, N.D., when the renowned series makes its annual stop at River Cities Speedway for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main.

After traipsing all across the country to enter the first 21 events of the 2009 WoO LMS season, Hapka can't wait to drive his rig through the pit gate of his hometrack.

“I've been telling myself all year that I'm gonna approach (the River Cities show) like it's just another race,” said Hapka, who estimates that he's already traveled over 25,000 miles as a WoO LMS regular this season. “But the truth is, there's been an asterisk next to the (July 10) date on our calendar all year.

“I want this race on Friday night to be our best finish of the season – hopefully even our first World of Outlaws top-10 finish. It's been a tough year for us so far, but I think we know what to do with the car (at River Cities) so this will be our best shot at it.”

Hapka, 26, has gone through the WoO LMS School of Hard Knocks in 2009. He made a formidable jump this season, deciding to hit the highways with the World of Outlaws stars after just three seasons of WISSOTA Late Model racing – and with barely a dozen open-motor starts under his belt, all during the second half of the 2008 campaign.

Running family-owned Rocket cars sponsored by Sure Step/Enviro Shield Products, Inc., Hapka has experienced far more struggle than success while taking on the dirt Late Model division's biggest talents. He's entered every WoO LMS event in 2009 but started only nine A-Mains, with a 12th-place finish on June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway his best finish to date (his second-fastest lap in qualifying at the Canadian oval was also a season high). He enters the four-race WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour,' which kicks off on July 8 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., before visiting River Cities, ranked 14th in the overall points standings and fourth in the battle for the Rookie of the Year crown (an honor determined by contenders' best 30 finishes).

“Our performance has been a little below the expectations of what we wanted to accomplish this year,” admitted Hapka, who made his full-blown dirt Late Model debut when he followed last year's WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour.' “But we've learned a bunch this year, especially with tires. I'd say that I've learned more during the first half of this season than I have in my entire career combined.

“We haven't had a lot of success and that can get you down sometimes, but I feel like you've gotta get out there and learn sometime if you want to get better at this. That's what we're doing, and hopefully we'll see the benefits in the future.”

A crewman for such well-known River Cities Speedway dirt Late Model drivers as the late John Seitz and Brad Seng before entering the WISSOTA Late Model ranks in 2005 after two-year stints in the Street Stock and Super Stock divisions, Hapka comes into the swing through his home region with his race team buoyed by the addition of an experienced mechanic. Last week he hired a new chief wrench in 2007 WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year Brad Baum, whose three-year run as Chub Frank's right-hand man ended shortly after the Firecracker 100 on June 27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. Baum joins Cale Jopp, who has assisted Hapka all season, on the road.

“We've been a little short-handed with just me and Cale at most of the races, so having Brad working for us now will really help,” said Hapka, who makes his living as a Master Distributor for Interlake Chemicals International's Sure Step product, a non-slip chemical treatment for hard mineral floors and porcelain/enamel bathtubs.

Hapka failed to qualify for the WoO LMS event at River Cities in 2006 and 2007, but last year he finished 21st in the A-Main after turning the 19th-fastest lap in time trials and finishing second in a B-Main.

Hot laps are scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m. on Fri., July 10, at River Cities Speedway, which also has its weekly NOSA Sprint Cars on the program.

Reserved seats are $28 in advance and $30 on race day, and general admission is $25 with kids 12-and-under admitted for $15.

Additional info on River Cities Speedway is available by logging on to www.rivercitiesspeedway.com or calling 701-780-0999 or 218-773-3002 (tickets).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

‘Wild West Tour' Takes World of Outlaws Late Model Series To Four Tracks With History Of Action-Packed Racing

CONCORD, NC - July 7, 2009 - There's a common theme surrounding the four tracks that comprise this year's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour.

Each facility, of course, has hosted some truly outstanding World of Outlaws events in the past.

“You'll be hard-pressed to find four tracks that have a better track record for producing great World of Outlaws Late Model Series action than the speedways we're visiting over the next week,” said series director Tim Christman. “If a fan wants to see some exciting, unpredictable racing, this year's ‘Wild West Tour' definitely fits the bill.”

The four-race, four-state swing kicks off on Wednesday night (July 8) with the 30th annual NAPA ‘Gopher 50' at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., followed by stops on Fri., July 10, at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.; Tues., July 14, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway; and Thurs., July 16, at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D.

All of the A-Mains will be run over the 50-lap distance and pay $10,000 to win. Deer Creek's event could bring one driver a $20,000 top prize, including a $10,000 bonus that goes to the victor if they are a former Gopher 50 winner or a driver who has been selected to race for the extra cash by an inactive past winner.

Will this year's ‘Wild West Tour' events top the memorable WoO LMS moments that have already occurred at the four tracks? Consider some of these unforgettable races from recent seasons:

* A fixture on the WoO LMS schedule since 2005, the Queensland family's finely-manicured, three-eighths-mile Deer Creek Speedway was the scene of a dramatic Gopher 50 on June 1, 2006. After early leader Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., slowed with a broken fifth-coil midway through the A-Main (but still manhandled his car to a third-place finish), Rick Eckert of York, Pa., came on to pass Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., for the lead with just seven laps remaining to record the second of what would become his series-record four wins in a row.

* The high-banked, quarter-mile River Cities Speedway has seen drivers score first career WoO LMS victories in consecutive years – and in thrilling fashion. On June 12, 2007, Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., sliced through heavy lapped traffic to steal the lead from Salt Rock, W.Va.'s Eddie Carrier Jr. with just four laps remaining en route to a chest-thumping triumph (over Carrier and charging 23rd-place-starter Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.). One year ago, on July 11, 2008, Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., one-upped Fuller on the excitement meter, outdueling Babb to win a race that ended with Babb's car climbing the homestretch wall just before the flagstand when his last-ditch bid ran out of room outside of Smith and a lapped car.

* Gillette Thunder Speedway was virtually unknown to the WoO LMS stars prior to last year's inaugural ‘Cowboy 50,' but the high-banked, one-third-mile oval drew rave reviews after Fuller pulled off a heart-stopping win on July 16, 2008. He overtook Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., for the lead as the white flag was flying and moments later stood celebrating in Victory Lane with a cowboy hat on his head.

* No race stands out more in the WoO LMS history books than the only tour event ever contested at Dakota State Fair Speedway, on June 5, 2005. It was on that evening that McCreadie did the unthinkable, becoming the first – and still only – driver to win a WoO LMS A-Main from the last starting spot. Forced to take the green flag from 24th after switching to a backup car following his heat-race win, he marched through the field using mostly the top side of the three-eighths-mile oval, finally passing Lanigan for the lead with just one lap remaining.

A star-studded group of WoO LMS travelers is ready to make some more memories on this year's Wild West Tour, led by points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who has won four of the last seven series A-Mains but is winless at the four tracks on the western swing.

The Outlaws roster also includes defending champion Lanigan; Eckert, a two-time winner this year; Fuller, whose three career WoO LMS wins have come in the Upper Midwest; Brady Smith, who sits sixth in the points standings in his first year as a series regular; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who is tied with Richards as the tour's winningest driver in 2009 (five apiece); Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who won the Gopher 50 in 2007; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Mars, who pocketed $30,950 for winning the WoO LMS Firecracker 100 on June 27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and Zach Johnson of Kensington, Minn., are among the drivers who plan to join the Outlaws caravan for the entire four-race swing.

Other racers expected to run parts of the Wild West Tour include Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colo. (River Cities and Gillette); April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., who will enter the Deer Creek and River Cities shows in an attempt to become the first female to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main; Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa (Deer Creek); and Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill. (Deer Creek).

For more information on the ‘Wild West Tour':

* Deer Creek Speedway on Wed., July 8: Visit www.deercreekspeedway.com or call 1-877-DCS-RACE.

* River Cities Speedway on Fri., July 10: Visit www.rivercitiesspeedway.com or call 701-780-0999.

* Gillette Thunder Speedway on Tues., July 14: Visit www.gillettespeedway.com or call 307-682-7290.

* Dakota State Fair Speedway on Thurs., July 16: Visit www.dakotapromotions.com or call 605-352-4848.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Adds Date At New York's Brewerton Speedway On Wed., Sept. 2

BREWERTON, NY - July 5, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will make a first-ever visit to Brewerton Speedway on Wed., Sept. 2, track and series officials have announced.

A 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win will top the late-summer evening program, which gives central New York DIRTcar big-block Modified fans one more chance to see the full-fender stars of the national tour in 2009.

John Wight, a trucking company magnate who owns Brewerton Speedway and nearby Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway and also fields big-block Modified and dirt Late Model teams under the Gypsum Racing banner, is in the process of increasing the seating capacity of the one-third-mile Brewerton oval in preparation for the highly-anticipated WoO LMS event.

“As soon as I bought the tracks (in March) I was thinking about having a World of Outlaws Late Model Series race at Brewerton,” said Wight. “Harvey (Fink, who manages Brewerton and Fulton for Wight) said Brewerton didn't have enough seating to run an Outlaw show, so we went out and got more bleachers to make it happen.

“We're very excited about the race. We had fans asking if they could buy reserved tickets as soon as we announced the date during one of our Friday-night shows, so I think we're going to need every one of those new seats.”

Wight said work crews are currently pouring the foundation for the new grandstand, which will be positioned outside turn four and add approximately 1,000 seats to the track's capacity.

Fink, a former owner and promoter of both Brewerton and Fulton speedways whom Wight summoned from his home in Florida to once again run the two tracks, has been waiting for more than a decade to see dirt Late Models battle at Brewerton. He scheduled a STARS Renegade DirtCar Series event for Super DIRT Week 1996 at Brewerton, but the race was rained out and not rescheduled.

Several dirt Late Model drivers did, however, test their cars at Brewerton during a DIRTcar 358-Modified program run the night before the scheduled STARS event in October 1996. Fink fondly recalls those exciting dirt Late Model laps on the track known as the ‘D-Shaped Dirt Demon.'

“That practice session was awesome,” said Fink. “The Late Models were out there twisting and lifting up their left-front wheels. It had everybody talking, but unfortunately we never got to run the show because of the rain.

“Anybody who saw that practice knows how exciting (a WoO LMS) show will be at Brewerton.”

The WoO LMS event will feature plenty of drivers familiar to Brewerton's weekly faithful, including 2006 tour champion Tim McCreadie and current WoO LMS regular Tim Fuller, a pair of Watertown, N.Y., residents who starred in the track's DIRTcar big-block Modified ranks before moving to the national dirt Late Model scene. McCreadie owns 11 career Modified feature wins at Brewerton (his legendary father, ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie, is the track's alltime winningest driver with 82 victories), while Fuller ranks sixth on Brewerton's career win list with 26 triumphs.

Fuller drives dirt Late Models from Wight's Gypsum Racing stable. He will be one of three Gypsum Racing drivers in Brewerton's WoO LMS event, joining DIRTcar big-block Modified superstar Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., who ranks fourth on the track's career win list with 44 victories, and rising DIRTcar big-block Modified star Larry Wight of Baldwinsville, N.Y., John Wight's 16-year-old son who recently made his first-ever WoO LMS A-Main starts.

Both Decker and Larry Wight provided a taste of what's in store on Sept. 2 when they made some exhibition laps around the track with their dirt Late Models during Brewerton's June 26 racing program. Decker turned laps in the high 13-second bracket while Wight topped out at 14.2 seconds on the stopwatch.

Fink said Brewerton Speedway will not sell advance reserved-seat tickets to the WoO LMS event, but plans are being made to open the track's ticket windows early on Sept. 2 to accommodate the influx of fans. More information will be made available in the coming weeks.

The event will carry a raindate of Thurs., Sept. 3.

Following the stop at Brewerton, the WoO LMS will head to Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., for the two-day Oil Region Labor Day Classic on Sept. 5-6.

Information on Brewerton Speedway is available by logging on to www.brewertonspeedway.com.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Unique Bonus Program Provides Select Drivers Shot At $20,000 Payday In 30th Annual Gopher 50 On July 8 At Deer Creek Speedway

SPRING VALLEY, MN - July 2, 2009 - Deer Creek Speedway and the Blooming Prairie (Minn.) Lions Club wanted to make the milestone 30th annual NAPA ‘Gopher 50' Charity Late Model Race a truly memorable show.

With a unique promotion that headlines the 17 former Gopher 50 winners, gives fans a shot at a cash prize and could bring one driver a whopping $20,000 payday, the co-promoters of the historic event have fulfilled their desires.

To celebrate the 30th edition of the Gopher 50 on Wed., July 8, at the Queensland family's Deer Creek oval, all previous winners of the race are eligible to compete for lucrative bonus money as part of the ‘Past Champions Challenge.' A victory in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main by a former Gopher winner will earn that driver an additional $10,000 on top of the posted 10-grand first-place prize – and making the night even more intriguing, several drivers who haven't won the race will be picked to run for the $10,000 bonus by inactive Gopher 50 winners, who stand to collect a $1,000 check if their stand-in selection bags the checkered flag.

All the evening's action will be taped by the SPEED television cameras for broadcast on Sat., Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. ET on the cable network.

“We were coming home from a meeting with NAPA when we came up with this idea to market the 30th annual Gopher 50,” said Ryan Queensland, the p.r. and marketing director of Deer Creek Speedway. “It's something different that we hoped would bring the former winners back and it looks like it's really gone over great.

“Pre-race ticket sales have been strong and the buzz around here from fans and racers has been unbelievable. Now we just need a sunny, 80-degree day and we'll rock the house.”

Part of the WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive year, the Gopher 50 was founded in 1980 as a fundraiser for the Blooming Prairie Jaycees. It was held that year at Chateau Speedway in Austin, Minn., and offered a $3,000 top prize from a $12,000 purse.

The event was moved to the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatanna, Minn., in 1982 and ran there until settling at the gorgeous, three-eighths-mile Deer Creek Speedway in 2005, the same year that the Blooming Prairie Lions Club assumed promotion of the event. In excess of $300,000 has been raised for Jaycee and Lions projects over the lifetime of the Gopher 50.

“I can't believe it's already been 30 years for the Gopher,” said Jerry Ingvalson, the Blooming Prairie Lions Club member who has overseen all aspects of the Charity Race since its inception in 1980. “When we started this race we didn't know if we'd make it through the first year. Nobody would have thought the race would get this large to where it's on national television.”

Ingvalson has sought to contact all of the former Gopher 50 winners to extend them invitations to Wednesday night's event. He expects more than half of them to on hand.

The group of Gopher 50 champions includes WoO LMS regulars Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (2005), Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (2006) and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (2007). Two-time Gopher 50 winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, who captured last year's event, also has the race listed on his schedule.

Active dirt Late Model drivers with Gopher 50 triumphs on their resumes include Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. (five wins), Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn. (three), Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill. (2002), Jay Johnson of West Burlington, Iowa (1998), Rick Aukland of Zanesville, Ohio (1997), Bill Frye of Greenbrier, Ark. (1995), Rick Egersdorf of St. Paul, Minn. (1991) and Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb. (1983).

Ingvalson said several former winners who are no longer active behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model have confirmed their plans to attend the 30th annual event, including inaugural Gopher 50 winner Leon Plank, a Wisconsin native who now lives in Marco Island, Fla.; three-time winner Steve Kosiski of Omaha, Neb.; Tom Steuding of Altoona, Wis., who topped the 1986 event; and three-time victor Willy Kraft, a Minnesota native who now makes his home in Mico, Texas.

Those inactive drivers will have a big decision to make when they're introduced to the crowd prior to the start of Wednesday's racing program. They'll be asked to select a driver who hasn't won the Gopher 50 to go for the $10,000 bonus in their stead.

Will they pick Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., the 21-year-old sensation who leads the WoO LMS points standings? Or Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., a former WoO LMS champ and five-time winner on this year's tour? Or Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who won a WoO show at Deer Creek in 2006? Or Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who finished fourth in last year's Gopher 50? Or Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., whose three career WoO LMS victories have all come at tracks in the Upper Midwest? Or Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., an impressive new tour regular who has enjoyed success at Deer Creek in the past?

Or will they pick '06 series champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who tentatively plans to enter the event? Or Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who is coming off a $30,000-plus victory in the Firecracker 100 at Pennsylvania's Lernerville Speedway and has known Plank and Steuding for years?

You can bet the former winners making the picks will receive plenty of overtures from contenders hoping for a chance to chase that extra cash.

“We've invited all the former winners to our pre-race ‘feed' on Wednesday afternoon,” said Queensland, referring to the annual Windsor Chops lunch that is provided to the teams prior to the Gopher 50 at Deer Creek. “I have a feeling that the drivers who want to race for that $10,000 bonus will be doing some politicking while they're eating.”

Fans will also have a chance to share in the bonus money by registering for a special contest at participating NAPA Auto Parts Stores in the area or Miner's Outdoor Rec in Blooming Prairie, Minn. On race night names will be drawn to pair fans with the drivers who will be seeking the $10,000 Past Champions Bonus – and if a lucky fan's driver wins the Gopher 50, they'll take home a $2,000 check.

Pit gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. on Wed., July 8, and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. Time trials are set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Deer Creek's USRA Modifieds will also be part of the program.

Pre-sale reserved tickets are $25 for ages 13-and-up and $15 for ages 12-and-under. Pit combo packages are also available for $35 (includes reserved seat with pit access).

Reserved seats are available on-line at www.deercreekspeedway.com or by calling 877-DCS-RACE or 507-754-6107.

Deer Creek Speedway is located 15 miles south of Rochester, Minn., on Highway 63.

The Gopher 50 kicks off the four-race ‘Wild West Tour,' which also visits River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., on July 10; Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway on July 14; and Dakota State Fair Speedway on July 16.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Alltime ‘Gopher 50' Event Winners (1980-81 at Chateau Speedway in Austin, Minn.; 1982-2004 at Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatanna, Minn.; 2005-present at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.):

1980 – Leon Plank
1981 – Steve Kosiski
1982 – Steve Kosiski
1983 – Joe Kosiski
1984 – Willy Kraft
1985 – Leon Plank
1986 – Tom Steuding
1987 – Willy Kraft
1988 – Steve Kosiski
1989 – Billy Moyer
1990 – Scott Bloomquist
1991 – Rick Egersdorf
1992 – Bob Hill
1993 – Billy Moyer
1994 – Willy Kraft
1995 – Bill Frye
1996 – Billy Moyer
1997 – Rick Aukland
1998 – Jay Johnson
1999 – Scott Bloomquist
2000 – Billy Moyer
2001 – Billy Moyer
2002 – Shannon Babb
2003 – Scott Bloomquist
2004 – Brian Birkhofer
2005 – Darrell Lanigan (WoO LMS)
2006 – Rick Eckert (WoO LMS)
2007 – Chub Frank (WoO LMS)
2008 – Brian Birkhofer (WoO LMS)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Scheduled For July 9 At Minnesota's North Central Speedway Canceled By Track

CONCORD, NC - July 1, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour' event scheduled for Thurs., July 9, at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., has been canceled, series officials announced on Wednesday.

Track promoter Tim Boeder made the surprise announcement that he would not host the event just over one week before the tour was set to make its first appearance since 2006 at the one-third-mile oval.

“We're very disappointed for the fans and racers that our World of Outlaws Late Model Series show at North Central Speedway has been canceled so close to the scheduled race date,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Tim Boeder contacted us just eight days before the event to say he wanted to cancel a program that has been on our schedule since we first released it last December.

“It's an unfortunate that the series will now have a day off on Thursday, but our ‘Wild West Tour' will still go on with visits to four very exciting racetracks. Hopefully the World of Outlaws fans from the North Central Speedway area will make the drive to see our shows at Deer Creek Speedway or River Cities Speedway.”

The WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour' will kick off on Wed., July 8, with the 30th annual ‘Gopher 50' at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. The swing continues on Fri., July 10, at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.; Tues., July 14, at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway; and Thurs., July 16, at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: A Final Look Back At The Great Northern Tour

CONCORD, NC - June 30, 2009 - With the running of last Saturday night's Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., the World of Outlaws Late Model Series completed the ‘Great Northern Tour,' a grueling 10-day swing of races through Canada, upstate New York and Pennsylvania.

The northern excursion featured an unprecedented seven consecutive nights of WoO LMS action from June 21-27 (the tour had never before run more than four days in a row), a total of seven A-Mains (there was one rainout) – and, of course, a whole bunch of interesting stories, some of which are related here...

WHAT A WEEK: No driver had a better Great Northern Tour than Josh Richards, the 21-year-old sensation who caught fire during the swing.

Richards won four of the Tour's seven A-Mains, scoring back-to-back victories twice (a Canadian double on June 18 at Ohsweken Speedway and June 21 at Cornwall Motor Speedway, and June 24 at Pennsy's Big Diamond Raceway and June 25 at Lernerville) and never finishing worse than 11th (on June 23 at New York's Canandaigua Speedway).

Ranked third in the WoO LMS points standings, 44 points behind leader Steve Francis, entering the Great Northern Tour, Richards ended it as the points leader by six markers over Francis. He knows what it will take to stay on top of the standings during the season's second half.

“Everybody's gotta do their part,” said Richards, “from the guy who's maintaining the car and looking over everything to the guy who's doing the tires on the car to me as far as doing the driving on the track. Everything just has to go together – and then you need some luck. If you don't have luck, you just can't win.”

SETTING A DATE: While Francis failed to capture a Great Northern Tour A-Main for the second consecutive year after riding a two-race win streak into the swing, he did fare much better than he had in '08 (he called that frustrating trip his “worst ever”) and had his spirits raised by a nugget of personal off-track news he happily shared.

Just before the recent $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream event at Ohio's Eldora Speedway, Francis became engaged to Amanda Ferrell, whose parents promote Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky. Francis said he and Ferrell are tentatively planning their wedding for a weekend just after next February's racing activities in Florida.

SHINER: Shane Clanton sported a black right eye throughout the Great Northern Tour after an apparent clod of clay hit the front of his helmet on the 10th lap of the swing's opening event on June 18 at Ohsweken.

Running fourth at the time, Clanton absorbed the hard blow and immediately spun off turn four. He was hit by Clint Smith and needed a few moments to collect himself after coming to rest.

“I wasn't knocked out,” said Clanton, “but I was knocked silly.”

The incident was the start of an unspectacular trip for Clanton, whose lone top-five finish was a fifth in the held-over A-Main on June 25 at Lernerville. After beginning the tour 46 points out of the WoO LMS lead (in fourth place), he headed home ranked fifth and facing a hefty 112-point deficit.

BIG NIGHT: It was hard to top the electricity that was in the air on June 22 for the first-ever WoO LMS event at Can-Am Motorsport Park in LaFargeville, N.Y., which drew a standing-room-only crowd that locals called the track's largest since the late ‘80s.

Many fans, of course, came to see local hero Tim McCreadie, the 2006 WoO LMS champion from nearby Watertown, N.Y. The crowd went wild when McCreadie and his father, DIRTcar big-block Modified legend ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie, were the last drivers to walk off a bus that brought the entire starting field to the homestretch for pre-race introductions; Timmy started from the pole position, while Bob, who hasn't raced since suffering a broken leg and other injuries in a 2005 motorcycle accident, was the event's grand marshal and waved the green flag for the A-Main.

Alas, T-Mac couldn't provide his faithful a storybook victory. He finished second to Rick Eckert, who praised the sweeping half-mile oval operated by brothers Billy and Charlie Caprara (who also made it clear that they want a return engagement for the WoO LMS in 2010).

“The racetrack's beautiful,” said Eckert. “It's a big, huge place. Man, there were so many lanes. I'd have bet big money at the start of the night that it would've rubbered, but that wasn't the case. That track crew worked hard on the surface all day, watering it and watering it because it was windy, and all that work paid off.”

A VICTORY: Chub Frank got his first WoO LMS win of the 2009 season during the Great Northern Tour – well, in a manner of speaking.

The Bear Lake, Pa., standout didn't actually snap a 13-month winless drought on the series – though he did show signs of breaking out, including a second-place finish on June 25 at Lernerville – but he did enjoy the thrill of victory. ‘Chubzilla' was part of the winning team in the third annual Firecracker 100 Horseshoes Tournament on June 27 at Lernerville.

A participant in the horseshoes competition for the first time, Frank split the $200 first prize with Jack Ayers of Elkton, Md. Ayers was one of 12 fans who won the chance to pair up with a driver for the horseshoes tourney that highlighted the Saturday-afternoon activities during the Firecracker 100 weekend.

Frank and Ayers advanced through the brackets with wins over Russell King (with fan Travis Norman), Clint Smith (with Howie Lyon) and Brent Robinson (with Andy Hummel). They clinched the tournament title by defeating Steve Francis (with John Sorge) in the final, 23-15.

“I haven't thrown horseshoes in like 15 years,” claimed Frank, who appeared to be a natural at the game.

Other drivers who participated in the horseshoes tournament included Lernerville champ Lynn Geisler (with fan Rich Friberg), whose reign as the only winner of the Firecracker competition came to an end when his team lost to Team Francis in the second round; Rick ‘Boom' Briggs (with Tom Roth); Scott Bloomquist (with Kelly Miner); Brian Birkhofer (with Jeremy Speicher); Tim Fuller (with Chuck Werner); Rick Eckert (with Jim Hurtle); and Brady Smith (with Bill Leroy).

DESERVED HONOR: A special ceremony following the Firecracker 100 draw for positions on June 27 honored Walter Burson, the WoO LMS technical director from 2004 until his diagnosis with cancer forced him off the road earlier this season.

A well-known figure in dirt Late Model racing for decades, Burson became the second recipient of a WoO LMS Lifetime Achievement Award, joining car owner Raye Vest (2007). Series director Tim Christman and race director Bret Emrick, who previously worked with Burson on the STARS Renegade DirtCar Series, made the presentation to Burson, and members of all the regular WoO LMS teams joined Burson for a photo.

Making his first visit to a WoO LMS event since beginning cancer treatments four months ago, Burson was in good spirits while making the rounds of the pit area. He was also his usual rough, tough self.

Said Christman, “He told me, ‘You better not have any surprises planned – because if you do, I'm either gonna start crying and hug you or kick your ass.'”

OUTLAWS FOR A WEEK: Several regional drivers got a taste of life on the road with the WoO LMS by following the Great Northern Tour, including:

* Austin Hubbard. The 17-year-old from Seaford, Del., continued his breakout campaign, emerging as a serious contender virtually every night of the swing with noted mechanic Robby Allen overseeing his assault. A fifth-place finish at Cornwall was his top run, but he led the opener at Ohsweken until his car's motor expired and he ran as high as third on June 25 at Lernerville before another broken powerplant eliminated him – the type of performances that give legs to his desire to chase the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year title in 2010.

* Gregg Satterlee. Another up-and-comer who is contemplating the possibility of making a play for the 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year honor, the 24-year-old from Rochester Mills, Pa., showed some grit and determination on the Great Northern Tour. His involvement in Clanton's crash at Ohsweken forced him to return home to make repairs, but he hooked back up with the tour at Cornwall (he would have missed the June 20 event at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond had it not been rained out) and ran the remainder of the swing. A ninth-place run at Canandaigua was his top finish.

* Tony Knowles. Yet another driver with hopes of someday following the WoO LMS, the 21-year-old hauled north from Tyrone, Ga., to follow the Great Northern Tour for the second consecutive year. He entered every event except those at Lernerville, with a sixth-place run at Ohsweken the best of his three top-10 finishes.

* Dan Stone. A memorable WoO LMS winner in 2007 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., the Thompson, Pa., racer trekked to Canada with the series for the third consecutive year and continued on to enter all the remaining Great Northern Tour shows. A fifth-place finish at Ohsweken was his best outing.

* Matt Lux. Though some bad breaks prevented the 34-year-old from Franklin, N.Y., from registering a top-10 finish while entering every event on the swing, he missed just one A-Main (the opener at Ohsweken after a heat-race tangle) and didn't finish worse than 15th. He topped his week off by scoring a lead-lap finish of 13th in the Firecracker 100.

* April Farmer. The 29-year-old from Livingston, Tenn., was a surprise participant in the entire swing, making the long trip in hopes of becoming the first-ever female to start a WoO LMS A-Main. She failed to crack a feature lineup, but she came close, most notably at Can-Am, where she seemed to be in control of the final transfer spot in the B-Main until a late caution flag caused her tires to seal up and left her a non-qualifier.

* Greg Oakes. Missing only the Big Diamond show, the upstart dirt Late Model driver from Franklinville, N.Y., said he used his vacation days from work expressly to follow the swing as a “learning experience.”

* Mike Knight. The 22-year-old from Ripley, N.Y., was snake-bit by mechanical breakdowns throughout the swing, which he decided to follow just two weeks before the Great Northern Tour was set to begin.

FINALLY A WINNER: What did capturing the Firecracker 100 mean to Jimmy Mars?

Well, the $30,950 in cash that he collected sure was nice, as was another crown-jewel victory for his resume. But there was something else...

“I don't get the ‘Bonus Bucks' anymore,” quipped Mars, feigning disappointment over his first career WoO LMS victory making him ineligible for the $500 bonus that goes to the highest-finishing driver in every event who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings. “That was a long-running joke. I thought they were gonna have to make an amendment on that (‘Bonus Bucks') rule because I was collecting more $500 bonuses than anybody else.”

Mars's close-but-no-cigar runs in WoO LMS competition ended with his Firecracker 100 triumph – which, by the way, earned him the ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for the final time.

ETCETERA:

* Solon Springs, Wis.'s Brady Smith continued his solid first season as a WoO LMS regular, registering four top-five finishes (including his third runner-up placing of 2009, at Ohsweken) during a trip that saw him visit all but one track (Lernerville) for the first time in his career. His nine top-five finishes ranks behind only Francis (12), Richards (11) and Lanigan (10) in that category, and he's sixth in the points standings despite failing to qualify for the season opener at Florida's Volusia Speedway Park.

* Darrell Lanigan experienced few engine malfunctions or flat tires while rolling to last year's WoO LMS championship, but the 2009 season has been a different story. When he ceded the lead in the June 25 A-Main at Lernerville, it marked the second time this season that he's dropped out of a race due to a motor failure while contending.

* Port Colbourne, Ont.'s Adam Ferri, who entered the three Canadian shows plus the midweek race at Canandaigua, had a forgettable experience at a French-Canadian gas station after the Autodrome Drummond event was rained out. A “lost in translation” moment caused Ferri to put over $300 worth of unleaded fuel in his hauler rather than the diesel it needed, forcing him to spend more than an hour draining the gasoline into a drum he obtained from a nearby resident before getting back on the road.

* WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Tyler Reddick's father, Clarence, visited a Canadian hospital on June 19 after slicing his left hand while cutting bodywork in a Cornwall truckstop. He needed roughly a dozen staples to close the gaping wound, which he covered with thick bandages for the remainder of the swing.

* Bristolville, Ohio's Russell King took over the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points lead during the Tour and also moved to 10th in the overall points standings. The only rookie to qualify for the Firecracker 100 (he finished 16th after breaking an oil-pump pulley), he ended the swing with a 53-point lead over Jordan Bland in the rookie battle.

* Crew changes: Brandon Bilskie, who began the Great Northern Tour as Shane Clanton's fulltime mechanic, ended it working out of Clint Smith's hauler. Clanton, meanwhile, flew in his former crewman Jonathan Owensby for the Firecracker 100; Owensby started the 2009 season with Smith but has been off the racing circuit for much of the campaign.

* Money was flying around the Lernerville pits in advance of the Integra Shocks ‘Crew Chief Challenge' that followed the Firecracker 100 qualifying-night action. Clint Smith organized two pools for the competition at $50-a-pop to pick a two-crewman team out of the hat; the holders of the winning Team Lanigan ticket picked up a cool $500 prize.

NEXT UP: The WoO LMS is idle until kicking off the five-race ‘Wild West Tour' with the 30th annual ‘Gopher 50' on July 8 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. The swing also includes stop on July 9 at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn.; July 10 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.; July 14 at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway; and July 16 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

Team Lanigan's Edwards & Fulwood Capture Integra Shocks Crew Chief Challenge During Firecracker 100 Weekend

SARVER, PA - June 29, 2009 - Randall Edwards and Eric Fulwood made their boss proud during last weekend's Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway.

The mechanics for defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Darrell Lanigan not only helped prepare a car that Lanigan drove to a fast-time honor, heat-race victory and second-place finish in the 100-lap A-Main, but also combined to win Friday night's Integra Shocks ‘Crew Chief Challenge.'

Performing right-rear tire changes on Lernerville's homestretch in front of a big crowd that remained in the grandstands after Friday's qualifying heat action, Edwards and Fulwood earned $1,000 for capturing the tournament-style competition that gave crewmen a rare moment in the spotlight during the long WoO LMS campaign.

A total of 15 two-member teams participated in the Challenge – representatives of the top 13 drivers in the WoO LMS points standings, plus two non-Outlaw regulars whose chief mechanics won Integra Shocks ‘Wrench of the Race' awards on the tour this season. The crew duos faced off in a series of one-on-one eliminations; the team that changed their driver's right-rear tire and then ran across a white finish line first was declared the winner of each round.

Edwards and Fulwood marched through the first three rounds of the Challenge brackets, defeating Team Clint Smith (Darrell ‘Don Vito' Cooper and Brandon Bilskie) in Round 1; Team Josh Richards (Matt Barnes and Jimmy Frye) in the quarterfinals; and Team Brady Smith (Brandon Bender and Jack Haskins) in the semis. They completed their run by scoring a narrow victory over Team Tim Fuller (Mike ‘Smoke' Countryman and Barry Knapp) in the finals.

While the 34-year-old Edwards's acknowledged ability to quickly change a tire had him pegged as a pre-Challenge favorite by many pit-area observers, he shot down any notion that he took extra tire-changing reps in advance of the competition.

“Everybody thinks I practice for these (crew competitions), but I don't,” Edwards said with a smile. “I just try to be more prepared than the next guy, which is the same philosophy we have with our race cars.

“In between every round tonight I cleaned and oiled my studs (on the wheel of Lanigan's Fusion Energy Rocket car). I don't know if that made any difference, but I didn't see anybody else doing it between rounds.”

The four-round, single-elimination tournament certainly provided a stiff test for the winning team.

“I'm worn out,” laughed Edwards after posing for photos with Fulwood. “I'm used to changing one tire when we have a flat and then sending the car back out, not changing a tire four times, one right after the other, like we did tonight.”

A native of Alexandria, La., who now lives near Lanigan's shop in Union, Ky., Edwards returned this season to serve as Lanigan's head wrench after working for the ‘Bluegrass Bandit' off-and-on from 2001-2003 and fulltime from 2004 through the middle of the 2007 season. Fulwood, 31, of Lake City, Fla., is in his first year as a crewman for Lanigan.

Joining Team Lanigan as first-round winners was Team Fuller over Team Jordan Bland (Richie Davis and Kevin Cox); Team Chub Frank (Brad Baum and Ian Landry) over Team Brent Robinson (Dean Robinson and Jonathan Hornsby); Team Tim McCreadie (Al Stevens and Mike Amell) over Team Steve Francis (Dale Beitler and Chris Burton); Team Rick Eckert (Zach Frields and Chad Curran) over Team Vic Coffey (Johnny Cocco and Matt McKiernan); Team Richards over Team Austin Hubbard (Matt Singleton and Kevin Bryan); Team Russell King (Nick Hoover and Shane Winans) over Team Shane Clanton (Jonathan Owensby and Carl Chapman); and Team Brady Smith, which earned an automatic pass to the second round when Team Eddie Carrier Jr. did not participate as scheduled.

Winners of quarterfinal matchups were Team Lanigan over Team Richards; Team Fuller over Team Frank; Team McCreadie over Team Eckert; and Team Brady Smith over Team King. In the semis, Team Lanigan took down Team Brady Smith and Team Fuller defeated Team McCreadie in a battle of former DIRTcar big-block Modified racers.

The Integra Shocks Crew Chief Challenge was a new addition to Lernerville's ever-expanding Firecracker 100 weekend, which already is a race fan's delight with two nights of nothing but thrilling dirt Late Model racing and off-track entertainment such as a post-race concert, a horseshoes tournament and weenie roast and a driver autograph session.

Brian Daugherty, who represents Integra Shocks on the dirt Late Model scene, hopes to make the Challenge a big part of the Firecracker 100 festivities in years to come.

“I think this year's Challenge was a huge success and we want to continue growing it in the future,” said Daugherty, a dirt Late Model crewman himself before accepting a position with the Integra Shocks division of Port City Racing in Muskegon, Mich. “The crowd enjoyed it and everyone with the teams had a great time. That's what we want from the competition.”

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Mars Recovers From Early Flat Tire To Register Dramatic Firecracker 100 Victory Worth $30,950 At Lernerville Speedway

SARVER, PA - June 27, 2009 - Jimmy Mars was unstoppable in Saturday night's third annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway.

After being angered by a scrape with another competitor that forced him to the pit area with a flat left-rear tire on lap 27, Mars stormed through the field to register a dramatic victory in the blockbuster $140,000 World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.

Mars, 37, of Menomonie, Wis., completed his stirring rally by passing defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., for the lead on lap 94. He had no trouble over the remaining distance, pulling away from Lanigan with ease after a final caution flag flew on lap 95.

“My emotions were running pretty wild (after sustaining the flat tire),” said Mars, who had advanced his M-B Custom Chassis car from the 18th starting spot to eighth by lap 27. “If I wouldn't have been in a car, I probably would've strangled somebody as mad as I was.

“But I calmed myself back down and said, ‘I'm gonna make something happen here.' I was gonna do my best to try to win it (after restarting at the rear of the field), and obviously it worked out.”

The triumph, worth $30,950 including lap money and other awards, was the first of Mars's career on the WoO LMS. His best previous finish on the tour was second on two occasions, including his first-ever appearance at Lernerville on April 17, 2007.

Lanigan, 39, settled for a runner-up finish in the Firecracker 100 for the second year in a row, driving his Fusion Energy Rocket under the checkered flag 2.472 seconds behind Mars. In a near carbon-copy of his 2008 Firecracker run, the race's polesitter fell short after leading the most laps – a total of 82 circuits this time.

Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., who started 20th, made a late charge to finish third in his Bobby Labonte Motorsports MasterSbilt car. WoO LMS regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., placed fourth in his Team Zero by Bloomquist mount, and Francis faded to fifth at the finish after starting from the outside pole and leading laps 1-9 and 11-12 in the Beitler Motorsports Rocket, which was hampered by a brake caliper that kept locking up.

For much of the distance it appeared that Lanigan would avenge his '08 Firecracker defeat at the hands of Muscatine, Iowa's Brian Birkhofer. He secured the lead from Francis on lap 13 and went on to build as much as a half-straightaway edge during periods of extended green-flag racing.

But Mars simply wasn't to be denied. He methodically worked his way forward after pitting, reaching eighth on lap 62, cracking the top five with an inside pass of Pearson on lap 70 and sliding by Birkhofer for second on lap 81.

Lanigan put up a gallant fight once Mars caught him on lap 86, but he couldn't repel the driver known as the ‘Ice Man.'

“I was doing everything I could to hold (Mars) off,” said Lanigan, who led laps 1-69 in last year's Firecracker 100. “I just kept getting loose up off the corner at the end and his car was stuck to the ground. He got a run on me on the outside and that was all.”

Mars tried several different routes by Lanigan before finally making a move stick off turn two.

“He was making his car wide,” Mars said of Lanigan. “It was gonna be hard to get by him on the top, so I figured if I could stuff it around on the outside of him just enough to show him that I was there, that would allow the bottom to get a little bit wider and give me a chance to get by him.

“Basically I made a cross pass coming out of (turns) one and two. He kinda made his car wide coming out of there and I was able to turn down and grab the traction down the back straightaway.”

Mars praised the performance of his car, which he and his brother, Integra Shocks ‘Wrench of the Race' winner Chris Mars, built in collaboration with Birkhofer.

“My car would just get into the corner so good,” said Mars, whose previous Firecracker 100 assaults resulted in a 15th-place finish in 2007 and a DNQ last year. “When we came back out (after the pit stop) and the track cleaned off and kept wider and wider, and I could run where I needed to. It was so much fun.”

Lanigan's mood wasn't quite so happy after the race despite the cool $18,156 (including lap money) that he earned for his night's work before a massive crowd. The frustration of remaining without a win on the 2009 WoO LMS was evident in the sullen face of the veteran driver, who has a series-leading five runner-up finishes this season.

Just two nights earlier Lanigan had led the postponed ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' A-Main at Lernerville until terminal engine problems short-circuited his bid.

“It's aggravating, real aggravating,” said Lanigan, who ended the ‘Great Northern Tour' ranked third in the points standings but also riding a 46-race winless streak on the series. “I have plenty of luck (this year), but it's all bad. We just can't catch a break.”

Pearson, meanwhile, appeared to be closing on Lanigan and Mars after he grabbed third from Birkhofer on lap 86, but he didn't threaten either driver after the race's 10th and final caution flag flew on lap 95.

“My car got extremely tight at the end,” said Pearson, who parked the Rocket car he has been running this year in favor of an older MasterSbilt car. “I don't know if a tire gave up or what, but we just couldn't stay at the bottom like I did early in the race.”

Birkhofer failed to defend his '08 Firecracker title, finishing sixth in his M-B Custom machine. He started ninth and ran second from lap 67-80 but faded during the final circuits.

Eldora Dream winner Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., finished seventh after starting 15th. WoO LMS points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., placed eighth and ninth, respectively, after struggling with tire-compound choices that were a bit too hard, and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who used a provisional spot to start 25th in the 100, completed the top 10 after rallying from a lap-15 pit stop to fix a broken left-rear shock bolt.

The race was plagued by caution flags, especially during its early stages. Seven cautions flew in the first 27 laps, though none were for serious incidents.

Among the contenders who ran into trouble was Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who came together with Birkhofer on the homestretch while bidding for third place on lap 23. The contact blew the left-rear tire and broke the left-rear shock on Fuller's car, costing him two laps while repairs were made.

Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who won the inaugural Firecracker 100, started fourth but was never a factor in the 100. He pitted for tire changes during caution periods on laps 13 and 20, but the work was for naught as he was lapped by Lanigan on lap 42 and retired several circuits later.

WoO LMS rookie Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., won Saturday night's 10-lap C-Main, and the twin 20-lap B-Mains were captured by Mike Blose of New Bethlehem, Pa., and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.

Robbie Blair of Titusville, Pa., salvaged his weekend with a victory in the ‘Uncle Sam 30' non-qualifiers' race, holding off the race-long challenges of Caledonia, N.Y.'s Vic Coffey to pocket a $3,000 consolation prize.

Blair, who passed Coffey for the lead on lap two, survived a scare on lap 19 when contact with the lapped car driven by April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., sent him sliding off the backstretch. Blair kept his car moving, however, as Farmer spun to draw a caution flag, allowing him to remain in the lead for the restart.

Blair's victory came after a broken motor had knocked him from the lead in the fifth heat race on Friday night. He switched to his backup car for Saturday's action and finished second in the C-Main and then fifth in the second B-Main, falling short of transferring to the Firecracker 100 by two spots.

Coffey settled for second in the Uncle Sam 30, followed by 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., 17th-starter Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., and Dave Murdick of Slippery Rock, Pa.

After contesting seven events in two states and two Canadian provinces over a 10-day period, the WoO LMS teams will have a welcomed break before heading out on the Wild West Tour. The five-race western swing kicks off on Wed., July 8, with the 30th annual ‘Gopher 50' at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (18) Jimmy Mars/100 $30,950
2. (1) Darrell Lanigan/100 $18,156
3. (20) Earl Pearson Jr./100 $8,000
4. (10) Brady Smith/100 $6,000
5. (2) Steve Francis/100 $5,325
6. (9) Brian Birkhofer/100 $4,500
7. (15) Jimmy Owens/100 $4,000
8. (6) Josh Richards/100 $3,500
9. (13) Rick Eckert/100 $3,000
10. (25) Shane Clanton/100 $3,000
11. (22) Steve Shaver/100 $2,800
12. (16) Chub Frank/100 $2,700
13. (21) Matt Lux/100 $2,700
14. (3) Jamie Lathroum/99 $2,500
15. (7) Tim Fuller/98 $2,400
16. (26) Russell King/92 $2,650
17. (8) Jared Miley/90 $2,200
18. (24) Clint Smith/73 $2,100
19. (12) Dale McDowell/66 $2,150
20. (14) Coleby Frye/64 $2,000
21. (17) Keith Barbara/51 $2,000
22. (19) Mike Blose/50 $2,000
23. (11) Rick Briggs/48 $2,000
24. (4) Scott Bloomquist/43 $2,000
25. (23) Dave Hess Jr./41 $2,000
26. (28) Alex Ferree/41 $2,000
27. (27) Gregg Satterlee/22 $2,000
28. (5) Doug Horton/19 $2,000

* Earnings include lap money and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 1 Hour, 5 Mins., 25.180 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.472 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 10 (Laps 5, 13, 15, 20, 23, 24, 27, 65, 76, 95)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-9); Lanigan (10); Francis (11-12); Lanigan (13-93); Mars (94-100)
Provisional Starters: Clanton, King (WoO); Satterlee, Ferree (track)
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Mars ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Mars (Mars)
Top Local Finisher (in memory of Joe Pitkavish): Matt Lux ($100)
Hard Luck Award (courtesy Mr. Motorsports 2009 Alyssa Sharman): Dale McDowell ($100)
Hard Charger Award (courtesy Mr. Motorsports 2009 Alyssa Sharman): Jimmy Mars ($100)
Fast Time Award (courtesy R2C Competition Filters): Darrell Lanigan ($500)
Lap Money Awards: Lanigan ($2,606); Francis ($275); Mars ($250)
Top Ohio Finisher in Firecracker 100 (courtesy JMS Pro Photo): Russell King ($100)
Fastest Ohio Qualifier (courtesy JMS Pro Photo): John Mason ($25)
Ohio Driver Hard Luck (courtesy JMS Pro Photo): John Mollick ($50)

C-Main (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer to B-Mains): 1. Jordan Bland, 2. Robbie Blair, 3. Vic Coffey, 4. Dave Murdick, 5. Michael Norris, 6. Nick Reges, 7. Peter Mantha Jr., 8. Jason Fosnaught, 9. Todd Bachman, 10. John Mollick, 11. Tim McCreadie, 12. Ken Schaltenbrand, 13. Dustin Hapka (DNS) Gregg Satterlee

B-Main No. 1 (20 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Mike Blose, 2. Matt Lux, 3. Dave Hess Jr., 4. Vic Coffey, 5. Brandon Kinzer, 6. Brent Robinson, 7. Ron Davies, 8. Bump Hedman, 9. Greg Oakes, 10. Jordan Bland, 11. Lynn Geisler, 12. Eddie Carrier Jr., 13. Russell King, 14. Herman Bertolini, 15. Dan Stone, 16. John Mason

B-Main No. 2 (20 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Earl Pearson Jr., 2. Steve Shaver, 3. Clint Smith, 4. Shane Clanton, 5. Robbie Blair, 6. Austin Hubbard, 7. Tyler Reddick, 8. Mike Knight, 9. Gary Lyle, 10. Dave Murdick, 11. Tony Burke, 12. April Farmer, 13. Jeremy Miller, 14. Tony Musolino, 15. John Garvin, 16. Alex Ferree

Uncle Sam 30 Non-Qualifiers' Race Finish (30 laps): 1. Robbie Blair ($3,000); 2. Vic Coffey ($2,000); 3. Austin Hubbard ($1,500); 4. Dan Stone ($1,200); 5. Dave Murdick ($1,000); 6. Brandon Kinzer ($800); 7. Greg Oakes ($700); 8. Ron Davies ($600); 9. Bump Hedman ($500); 10. Lynn Geisler ($400); 11. Gary Lyle ($300); 12. Brent Robinson ($300); 13. Michael Norris ($300); 14. Tyler Reddick ($300); 15. Tony Burke ($300); 16. Herman Bertolini ($300); 17. Tony Musolino ($300); 18. Todd Bachman ($300); 19. Jason Fosnaught ($300); 20. Nick Reges ($300); 21. Mike Knight ($300); 22. April Farmer ($300)

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Michael Norris, Robbie Blair
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Mike Blose, Earl Pearson Jr.
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Darrell Lanigan
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Outside Looking In' Award (free 54-gallon drum of VP-113 or Late Model Plus racing fuel to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Robbie Blair
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jimmy Mars

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 27 – 21 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 5-11-16-$99,820-2819 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 5-12-17-$94,985-2813 (-6)
3. Darrell Lanigan 0-10-17-$95,106-2799 (-20)
4. Rick Eckert 2-8-15-$56,175-2771 (-48)
5. Shane Clanton 1-3-14-$57,300-2707 (-112)
6. Brady Smith 0-9-12-$53,365-2698 (-121)
7. Chub Frank 0-3-13-$43,130-2673 (-146)
8. Tim Fuller 0-5-10-$39,980-2671 (-148)
9. Clint Smith 0-1-8-$33,820-2549 (-270)
10. Russell King 0-0-2-$21,490-2204 (-615)
11. Jordan Bland 0-0-1-$22,990-2151 (-668)
12. Brent Robinson 0-0-1-$12,730-2087 (-732)
13. Vic Coffey 0-2-4-$23,900-2007 (-812)
14. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$9,610-1914 (-905)
15. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$5,575-1715 (-1104)
16. Austin Hubbard 0-2-4-$16,545-1544 (-1275)
17. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,830-1470 (-1349)
18. Matt Lux 0-0-0-$10,640-1140 (-1679)
19. Dan Stone 0-1-1-$7,220-949 (-1870)
20. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$14,550-829 (-1990)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Leaders Shine, McCreadie Flips During Firecracker 100 Qualifying Night Action

SARVER, PA - June 26, 2009 - The top three drivers in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series points standings shined during Friday night's heat-race action for the third annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. – who rank 1-3, respectively, in the tour's hotly-contested points battle – scored victories in the series of six 15-lap heats that kicked off western Pennsylvania's premier dirt Late Model event.

A stellar field of 61 cars was signed in for the qualifying program, which also saw 2007 Firecracker 100 winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, Md., and Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., register heat-race triumphs.

The six heat winners will redraw for the top-six starting positions in Saturday night's Firecracker 100, which tops off a full day of entertainment at Lernerville.

Former WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., meanwhile, barrel-rolled his car twice in a tangle off turn four during Friday's second heat. Making just his fifth start since returning last week from a back injury suffered in a Jan. 15 crash during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., McCreadie slid up the track when he hit a spot of water along the inside berm, made contact with Jared Miley of South Park, Pa., and then was hit by his Sweeteners Plus teammate Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.

The shove from Coffey sent McCreadie's car into a pair of flips. It came to rest on its wheels and McCreadie gingerly climbed out of the cockpit, sore but otherwise uninjured. He expects to drive his backup car on Saturday night in an attempt to qualify for the Firecracker 100.

Richards, 21, put his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket machine back at the front of the pack 24 hours after winning the postponed WoO LMS ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' A-Main at the four-tenths-mile oval. The tour points leader raced to a convincing victory in the fourth heat on a slick track surface that was completely different than the heavy one he mastered on Thursday night.

“I think that's as slick as (the surface) will get tomorrow (in the Firecracker 100), so I feel pretty good about our chances,” said Richards, a five-time WoO LMS winner this season who is hoping to make Saturday's $30,000-to-win blockbuster his first-ever victory in a crown-jewel event. “Usually when it's slick and I'm creeping around, nothing feels good (on the car). But tonight I actually had a good feel in that condition and that gives me some confidence.”

Both Francis and Lanigan won heats after installing backup engines in their cars earlier in the day. Francis found a broken lifter in the powerplant of his Beitler Motorsports Rocket after finishing fourth in Thursday night's A-Main, while Lanigan's Fusion Energy Rocket was sidelined by terminal motor problems as he led the ‘Showdown in Sarvertown.'

Lanigan enjoyed a perfect qualifying night, preceding his win in the first heat with the fastest lap in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. He toured the track in 17.754 seconds to record his series-leading fourth fast-time honor of the 2009 season.

Lanigan, who finished second in last year's Firecracker 100 after leading laps 1-69, will seek to end a frustrating 45-race winless streak on the WoO LMS in Saturday night's headliner.

Bloomquist drove his Team Zero by Bloomquist car to victory in the third heat over defending Firecracker 100 winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa. Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., who earlier this month won the UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream event at Ohio's Eldora Speedway, grabbed the third-and-final transfer spot in the preliminary.

The evening's upset heat winners were Lathroum, who captured his first career WoO LMS A-Main victory last month at Delaware International Speedway, and Horton. Lathroum's triumph came in his first-ever appearance at Lernerville.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who sits fourth in the WoO LMS points standings, grabbed the final transfer position in the first heat when he slid around the outside of New Bethlehem, Pa.'s Mike Blose exiting turn four with the checkered flag waving.

“I just threw it in on the top,” said Eckert. “It was the last lap and I didn't want to run the B-Main.”

Friday's program ended with Lanigan's crewmen, Randall Edwards and Eric Fulwood, earning a $1,000 check for winning the Integra Shocks Crew Chief Challenge. They survived four rounds of head-to-head battles in the tire-changing competition, beating Tim Fuller's wrenches, Mike ‘Smoke' Countryman and Barry Knapp, in the final.

Fifteen two-crewman teams participated in the tournament-style event, which was contested on the track's homestretch. The crews had to change the right-rear tires on their cars in each round.

The Firecracker 100 weekend continues on Saturday with a full day of activities, starting at 12 noon with a driver/fan horseshoe tournament, a Weenie Roast and a driver question-and-session session in front of the fans. A driver autograph session is scheduled for underneath the grandstand from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by B-Mains, the $3,000-to-win Uncle Sam 30 for non-qualifiers and the main event — the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Firecracker 100 and the WoO LMS, visit www.lernerville.com or www.worldofoutlaws.com.

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

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 17.754
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.767
3. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 17.804
4. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 17.830
5. won11-Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 17.966
6. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 18.007
7. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.015
8. H1-Jared Miley/South Park, PA 18.028
9. 71d-Ron Davies/Erie, PA 18.038
10. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.060
11. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 18.069
12. 46-Doug Horton/Bruceton Mills, WV 18.080
13. 5-Mike Blose/New Bethlehem, PA 18.108
14. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 18.208
15. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 18.213
16. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.244
17. 6-Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD 18.250
18. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.253
19. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.254
20. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 18.256
21. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 18.266
22. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 18.291
23. 99B-Rick Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 18.317
24. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 18.321
25. 72M-John Mason/Millersburg, OH 18.337
26. 44p-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 18.345
27. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 18.362
28. 2J-Mike Johnson/Imperial, PA 18.377
29. 4J-John Mollick/Toronto, OH 18.431
30. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 18.434
31. 18K-Brandon Kinzer/Allen, KY 18.455
32. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 18.544
33. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 18.571
34. 10-Gary Lyle/Hyde Park, PA 18.574
35. 29s-Ken Schaltenbrand/Sarver, PA 18.612
36. 4-Alex Ferree/Saxonburg, PA 18.630
37. 38R-Nick Reges/Butler, PA 18.666
38. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 18.667
39. 1c-Lynn Geisler/Cranberry Twp., PA 18.748
40. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 18.814
41. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 18.818
42. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 18.824
43. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 18.868
44. F1-Coleby Frye/Dover, PA 18.914
45. 1J-Dave Murdick/Slippery Rock, PA 18.917
46. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 18.975
47. 17-Keith Barbara/South Park, PA 19.012
48. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 19.034
49. 66-Todd Bachman/Natrona Heights, PA 19.054
50. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, PA 19.062
51. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 19.132
52. J4-John Garvin/Sarver, PA 19.222
53. 7x-Herman Bertolini/Creighton, PA 19.290
54. 1M-Peter Mantha Jr./Gatineau, QUE 19.342
55. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.353
56. 23-Tony Burke/Sarver, PA 19.372
57. 72N-Michael Norris/Sarver, PA 19.415
58. 21M-Tony Musolino/Scott Twp., PA 19.704
59. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 19.862
60. J19-Jason Fosnaught/Creighton, PA 20.529
61. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND N/T

Heat No. 1 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lanigan, Fuller, Eckert, Blose, Kinzer, Stone, Robinson, Mason, Hapka, Bachman, Reges

Heat No. 2 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Francis, J. Miley, Frye, Pearson, Reddick, Knight, Burke, Farmer, McCreadie, Coffey

Heat No. 3 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bloomquist, Birkhofer, Owens, Carrier, Davies, King, Oakes, Geisler, Norris, Murdick

Heat No. 4 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, B. Smith, Frank, C. Smith, J. Miller, Lyle, Musolino, Garvin, Satterlee (DNS) M. Johnson

Heat No. 5 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lathroum, Briggs, Barbara, Hess, Lux, Hedman, Bertolini, Schaltenbrand, Mollick, Blair

Heat No. 6 (15 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Horton, McDowell, Mars, Hubbard, Shaver, Clanton, Ferree, Bland, Mantha, Fosnaught

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Red-Hot Richards Takes Advantage Of Lanigan's Misfortune To Bag ‘Showdown In Sarvertown' At Lernerville Speedway

SARVER, PA - June 25, 2009 - The ‘Great Northern Tour' has been very good to Josh Richards.

Continuing the hottest stretch of his World of Outlaws Late Model Series career, Richards rolled to his second straight and fifth overall victory of the season in Thursday night's postponed 50-lap ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' at Lernerville Speedway.

Richards, 21, of Shinnston, W.Va., took advantage of the misfortune suffered by defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who started from the pole position and led laps 5-33 before engine problems ended his hopes during a caution period. The turn of events handed the top spot to Richards and he never looked back over the remaining distance.

The $10,600 triumph in a caution-plagued race held-over by rain from May 5 gave Richards four wins in six starts on the Great Northern Tour, which concludes on Friday and Saturday (June 26-27) with the Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville. It also gave him sole possession of the WoO LMS points lead, pulling him out of a tie with Lanigan.

“Things have been going our way, but it can change at any time,” said Richards, whose 17th career WoO LMS A-Main victory tied him with Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., for third on the tour's win list since 2004. “I've seen it happen before, so we're going to enjoy this.

“We're just on a roll right now. We haven't been getting crazy with our adjustments like we have in the past and we've been doing better.”

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., chased Richards after Lanigan's departure but was unable to mount a serious challenge. He settled for second place, 2.277 seconds – nearly a full straightaway – behind Richards at the checkered flag.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., survived a near-spin in turn four on the 20th lap to finish third in his Team Zero by Bloomquist mount, less than a car length ahead of Ashland, Ky's Steve Francis, who rallied from the rear of the field after contact on a lap-10 restart sent his Beitler Motorsports Rocket spinning into the infield on the backstretch. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who straightened Smith's car with a glancing hit on lap 20, placed fifth in his RSD Enterprises Rocket to register just his third top-five finish on the 2009 tour.

Richards, who started third, was looking forward to a late-race showdown with Lanigan but gladly drove through the open door to Victory Lane.

“When I moved up to Lanigan's lane (high on the track), I was running right up over top of him,” said Richards, who continued his successful week with the new Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car that he debuted on June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway. “I was really hoping to race for the win with him, but he blew up right in front of me. That's unfortunate for him, but we'll take what we can get.”

A hot, humid night created vision problems for Richards (his helmet shield continually fogged up) and had him concerned about overheating his Cornett engine if there happened to be an extended green-flag run on the hammer-down racing surface (11 caution flags prevented that, however).

But his most anxious moment might have come on the final lap when he tangled with the track's ample cushion in turn four.

“Off four the cushion just kept getting taller and taller, and I just had to make sure I was bent before I got to it so I could just brush it off the corner,” said Richards. “But on the last lap I jumped over it and I didn't think I was gonna be able to make it to the checkered flag.”

Fortunately for Richards, he held a commanding edge on Frank, who started second but fell as far back as fourth after leading laps 1-4. The 47-year-old Frank had nothing for Richards but was satisfied after recording just his third top-five finish of the season and best finish since a runner-up on Sept. 13, 2008, at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.

“The only way I was gonna pass (Richards) was if he broke,” said Frank, who is riding a 52-race winless streak on the WoO LMS. “But I'm happy – I'm happy to get a (substantial) paycheck. I haven't gotten one in awhile.

“We made the right move when we changed (Rocket) cars after hot laps,” he added. “That (first) car was set up for the slick and I knew (the surface) was gonna be wide open.”

After tying Francis for the '09 WoO LMS win lead with his fifth victory, Richards immediately turned his attention to this weekend's $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100. He would love to bag his coveted first crown-jewel event win at Lernerville, a track where he made his first-ever WoO LMS start in 2004 and scored his first tour top-five finish in 2005.

“I know I'm capable of doing it (winning the Firecracker), but we still have a lot to learn with our 100-lap program,” said Richards. “We've been fast in all these 50-lap shows, but a hundred laps is a whole different story. You gotta get yourself in position in time trials and heat races, and then the rest is driving conservative and being there at the end.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was 14th-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who came from the rear of the field after pitting to make a tire-compound change on lap 10; Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., who earned the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; Rick Briggs of Bear Lake, Pa.; and provisional-starter Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who brought out the race's first caution flag on lap four with a spin in the fourth turn.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., salvaged an 11th-place finish after breaking an axle flange on his car while bidding for a top-five spot on lap 39. His crew managed to make repairs and get him back on the track in time to remain on the lead lap.

Joining Lanigan as contenders who ran into engine trouble during the rough-and-tumble event were 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who ran in the top five until retiring on lap 33, and Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., who stopped on the track on lap 19.

The race was run under a threat of rain, forcing drivers to consider the possibility of a shortened event. But while lightning flashed in the sky repeatedly and light rain fell during the race's first 20 laps, the entire distance was completed.

Thunderstorms did strike Lernerville Speedway after about 40 minutes of open practice for the Firecracker 100 were run.

Heat races and the first of two B-Mains for the ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' were completed on the original May 5 date. The second B-Main kicked off Thursday night's program with Lynn Geisler of Cranberry Twp., Pa., emerging victorious.

The Firecracker 100 weekend rolls on Friday (June 26) with time trials and heat races for the WoO LMS, plus a post-race concert in the parking lot. The Saturday-night (June 27) program will include last-chance races, the $3,000-to-win Uncle Sam 30 non-qualifiers' race and the Firecracker 100.

For more information on the Firecracker 100 and the WoO LMS, visit www.lernerville.com or www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Josh Richards/50 $10,600
2. (2) Chub Frank/50 $5,500
3. (11) Brady Smith/50 $3,500
4. (5) Steve Francis/50 $3,150
5. (9) Shane Clanton/50 $2,500
6. (14) Clint Smith/50 $2,200
7. (10) Rick Eckert/50 $1,900
8. (8) Doug Horton/50 $1,800
9. (13) Rick Briggs/50 $1,200
10. (23) Vic Coffey/50 $1,700
11. (12) Tim Fuller/50 $1,550
12. (18) Lynn Geisler/50 $1,000
13. (24) Jordan Bland/50 $1,700
14. (16) Russell King/49 $900
15. (21) Brent Robinson/40 $850
16. (1) Darrell Lanigan/33 $1,450
17. (4) Austin Hubbard/33 $770
18. (22) Jared Miley/33 $750
19. (17) Alex Ferree/31 $730
20. (7) Jason Covert/18 $700
21. (15) Gregg Satterlee/13 $700
22. (25) John Garvin/13 $700
23. (6) Steve Shaver/10 $700
24. (20) Dave Hess Jr./10 $700
25. (19) Matt Lux/9 $700
DNS: Bob Wearing Jr.

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 43 Mins., 35.845 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 2.277 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 11 (Laps 4, 8, 10, 10, 16, 19, 20, 33, 39, 40, 40)
Lap Leaders: Frank (1-4); Lanigan (5-33); Richards (34-50)
Provisional Starters: Coffey, Bland
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Horton ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Brad Baum (Frank)

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Lynn Geisler, 2. Dave Hess Jr., 3 Jared Miley, 4. Gary Lyle, 5. Vic Coffey, 6. Bob Wearing Jr., 7. Mike Johnson, 8. Ken Schaltenbrand (DNS) Shannon Babb, Davey Johnson, Doug Drown, Jamie Neiman, Jeremy Miller

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains):
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Doug Horton
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Doug Horton
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Alex Ferree, Lynn Geisler
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brent Robinson
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Chub Frank
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Dustin Hapka
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 25 – 20 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 2685 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 2673 (-12)
3. Darrell Lanigan 2653 (-32)
4. Rick Eckert 2639 (-46)
5. Shane Clanton 2577 (-108)
6. Brady Smith 2556 (-129)
7. Tim Fuller 2551 (-134)
8. Chub Frank 2547 (-138)
9. Clint Smith 2435 (-250)
10. Russell King 2086 (-599)
11. Jordan Bland 2076 (-609)
12. Brent Robinson 2012 (-673)
13. Vic Coffey 1932 (-753)
14. Dustin Hapka 1839 (-846)
15. Tyler Reddick 1640 (-1045)
16. Shannon Babb 1470 (-1215)
17. Austin Hubbard 1469 (-1216)
18. Matt Lux 1016 (-1669)
19. Dan Stone 874 (-1811)
20. Dale McDowell 717 (-1968)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Richards Pulls Off Late-Race Pass Of Jeremy Miller To Capture Wednesday Night's ‘Coal Country 40' At Big Diamond Raceway

FORESTVILLE, PA - June 24, 2009 - Josh Richards finally finished what he had started at Big Diamond Raceway.

One year after leading more than half of the three-eighths-mile oval's inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series event but falling short of victory, the 21-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., returned to the track on Wednesday night and pulled off a late-race pass of Gettysburg, Pa.'s Jeremy Miller to win the Jack Rich Inc. ‘Coal Country 40.'

“This is definitely better than last year,” said Richards, who finished third after leading laps 1-29 of the tour's 2008 A-Main at Big Diamond. “I was pretty frustrated after losing that race, so it feels good to come back here and get a win.”

Richards registered his third triumph in five WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' events, following his back-to-back wins in the two Canadian shows that kicked off the busy swing. It was his fourth overall victory of the 2009 season, moving him within one win of Ashland, Ky.'s Steve Francis for the series lead in that category.

The $7,600 checkered flag also gave Richards a share of the WoO LMS points lead with defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who finished third. Richards had entered the evening's action third in the points race, six points behind the dead-locked due of Lanigan and Francis, who slipped to third in the standings after finishing fifth.

Richards, who started fifth, secured second behind Miller when he passed Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., on a lap-three restart. He chased the race-long pacesetter until tossing his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car to the outside of the track on lap 34, executing a powerful sweep to grab the top spot from Miller for good.

“When Jeremy started slowing down I knew I had to go to the top to pass him,” said Richards, who donned a coal-miner's helmet for the post-race photos following his 16th career WoO LMS win. “It was rough up there, so I was either gonna go up there and pass him or I was gonna roll the bumper under the car. Fortunately when I went up there I found a spot where it was smooth enough for me to make some time and the move worked out.”

Miller, 38, settled for runner-up money in his USA Spares Inc. Victory Circle M1 Chassis, 1.726 seconds behind Richards at the finish. It was Miller's first top-five finish in WoO LMS competition since he recorded his only tour win on April 11, 2008, at Virginia Motor Speedway.

“I was just a little bit softer (on tire-compound choice) than (the other top finishers) and it cost us,” said Miller, who started from the pole position. “If the black (line) doesn't come (on the track) we're heroes, but it did start coming around lap 20 and I knew we were in trouble. I started slowing way down and I was just waiting for someone to pass me.

“But honestly, I'm very happy to finish second against the caliber of drivers you run with in an Outlaw race. We're the lone soldier here running a Victory Circle car, American Racer tires and a Bullock engine, so I have to be happy with how tonight turned out.”

Lanigan, who started seventh, had to be satisfied with a third-place finish after a lap-35 caution flag for the stopped car driven by Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., short-circuited the bid for the lead that he appeared to be mounting. He ran the last 15 laps with brake problems hampering his Fusion Energy Rocket.

The 41-year-old Fuller finished fourth in his Gypsum Express Rocket, right on Lanigan's rear bumper at the conclusion of the A-Main. Fuller grabbed second at the initial green flag from his inside second-row starting spot and was challenging Miller for the lead when a caution flag flew on lap four for a spin by Chad McClellan of Stoystown, Pa., but he struggled on restarts, losing positions to Richards and Lanigan (lap seven).

The eighth-starting Francis ran quietly in fifth from lap seven to the finish, giving him a series-leading 11th top-five performance this season in his Beitler Motorsports Rocket.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who earned the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who started 17th; Jim Yoder of Selinsgrove, Pa.; and fourth-starter Jeff Rine of Danville, Pa.

Four caution flags slowed the race, but there were no serious incidents.

A field of 46 cars assembled for the event – an increase of a dozen entries from Big Diamond's inaugural ‘Coal Country 40' in 2008.

Rine turned the fastest lap during Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, circling the track in 16.448 seconds. The regular at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway earned a $50 bonus for his first-ever WoO LMS fast-time honor.

Heat winners were Rine, Fuller, Richards and Jeremy Miller. The B-Mains were captured by Frank and NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader of Concord, N.C., who was never a factor in the A-Main before retiring on lap 22.

The WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' will conclude with three spectacular evenings of competition at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. The postponed ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' (a B-Main and 50-lap A-Main held-over from May 5) will be completed on Thurs., June 25, and the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com will take center stage on June 26-27.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Coal Country 40' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (5) Josh Richards/40 $7,600
2. (1) Jeremy Miller/40 $3,000
3. (7) Darrell Lanigan/40 $2,600
4. (3) Tim Fuller/40 $2,250
5. (8) Steve Francis/40 $2,100
6. (2) Austin Hubbard/40 $1,800
7. (12) D.J. Myers/40 $1,200
8. (17) Chub Frank/40 $1,600
9. (13) Jim Yoder/40 $1,000
10. (4) Jeff Rine/40 $1,050
11. (10) Matt Lux/40 $850
12. (21) Shane Clanton/40 $1,300
13. (23) Brady Smith/40 $1,250
14. (19) Rick Eckert/40 $1,240
15. (9) Scott Haus/40 $710
16. (20) Russell King/40 $1,430
17. (22) Brent Robinson/40 $650
18. (24) Clint Smith/40 $1,130
19. (15) Gregg Satterlee/33 $620
20. (14) Bryan Sipe/28 $610
21. (18) Kenny Schrader/22 $600
22. (11) Dan Stone/20 $600
23. (16) Rob Ormbsee/20 $600
24. (6) Chad McClellan/19 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 22 Mins., 01.695 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.726 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 5 (Laps 4, 7, 11, 20, 35)
Lap Leaders: Jeremy Miller (1-33); Richards (34-40)
Provisional Starters: Brady Smith, Clint Smith
Rookie of the Race: King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Hubbard ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Matt Barnes (Richards)

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

1. 2J-Jeff Rine/Danville, PA 16.448
2. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.456
3. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.487
4. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 16.500
5. 119M-Chad McClellan/Stoystown, PA 16.556
6. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.564
7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.681
8. 9-Kenny Schrader/Concord, NC 16.686
9. 76-Scott Haus/Hamburg, PA 16.726
10. 33s-Bryan Sipe/Hamburg, PA 16.812
11. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.821
12. 19R-Rob Ormsbee/Wall, NJ 16.886
13. 27-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 16.887
14. 32-Dylan Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 16.910
15. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 16.930
16. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 16.948
17. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 16.948
18. ONE-Chuck Schutz/Pottstown, PA 16.967
19. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 16.974
20. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 17.018
21. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 17.055
22. 44M-Jason Miller/Germansville, PA 17.080
23. 119B-Bryan Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA 17.094
24. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 17.102
25. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 17.188
26. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 17.198
27. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 17.204
28. 119-Jim Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA 17.214
29. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 17.379
30. 118-Randy Stoudt/Pottstown, PA 17.457
31. 23-Mike Bingaman/Selinsgrove, PA 17.514
32. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 17.520
33. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 17.563
34. 78T-Tracy Gregory/Dalton, PA 17.578
35. 8-Tim Fedder/Millerstown, PA 17.579
36. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 17.652
37. 15-Luke Hoffner/Turbotville, PA 17.664
38. 73-Al Cheney/Hamilton Square, NJ 17.699
39. 4-Danny Snyder/Green Lane, PA 17.717
40. 115-Troy Miller/Tower City, PA 17.745
41. 88-Randall Croop/Berwick, PA 17.860
42. 7-Josh Young/Berwick, PA 18.168
43. 13b-Jame Cornell/Harpersville, NY 18.235
44. 99z-Dave Zona/Montrose, PA 18.354
45. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 20.077
46. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Rine, McClellan, Haus, J. Yoder, Clanton, Frank, Eckert, Knowles, Bland, Hoffner, Reddick, Croop

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Hubbard, Lux, Sipe, Schutz, Cheney, Jason Miller, B. Smith, Young, Gregory, D. Yoder, Stoudt

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Francis, Stone, Satterlee, Hapka, Robinson, Snyder, Bingaman, B. Bernheisel, Cornell, Fedder

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Jeremy Miller, Lanigan, Myers, Ormsbee, Schrader, King, Farmer, C. Smith, T. Miller, J. Bernheisel, Zona

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Frank, Eckert, Clanton, B. Smith, Bland, Knowles, Gregory, Cheney, Hoffner, Young, Jason Miller, Schutz, Reddick, Croop, D. Yoder (DNS) Stoudt

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Schrader, King, Robinson, Farmer, C. Smith, Bingaman, Snyder, Cornell, Hapka, T. Miller, Fedder, B. Bernheisel, J. Bernheisel (DNS) Zona

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Jordan Bland, Clint Smith
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jeremy Miller
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jeff Rine
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank, Kenny Schrader
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Jeff Rine
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Scott Haus
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Jeremy Miller
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Chuck Schutz
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 24 – 19 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 2535 (-0)
1. (tie) Josh Richards 2535 (-0)
3. Steve Francis 2531 (-4)
4. Rick Eckert 2503 (-32)
5. Shane Clanton 2437 (-98)
6. Tim Fuller 2423 (-112)
7. Brady Smith 2412 (-123)
8. Chub Frank 2401 (-134)
9. Clint Smith 2297 (-238)
10. Russell King 1964 (-571)
11. Jordan Bland 1952 (-583)
12. Brent Robinson 1892 (-643)
13. Vic Coffey 1802 (-733)
14. Dustin Hapka 1764 (-771)
15. Tyler Reddick 1565 (-970)
16. Shannon Babb 1395 (-1140)
17. Austin Hubbard 1353 (-1182)
18. Matt Lux 916 (-1619)
19. Dan Stone 874 (-1661)
20. Dale McDowell 717 (-1818)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Preview: ‘Coal Country 40' On Wednesday Night (June 24) At Big Diamond Raceway

FORESTVILLE, PA - June 24, 2009 -

ALL SYSTEMS GO: Sunny with temperatures in the mid-80s during the day. Mostly clear with comfortable temps in the low 60s at night.

And virtually no chance of precipitation.

That's the beautiful forecast for Wednesday (June 24) in the Minersville, Pa., area – very welcomed news for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and Big Diamond Raceway, which have both been plagued by rain far too often this season.

The expected Chamber of Commerce weather is pumping up the anticipation level for Wednesday evening's $7,000-to-win ‘Coal Country 40' at Big Diamond, which is set to host the WoO LMS for the second straight season as part of the national circuit's ‘Great Northern Tour.' Last year's full-fender event attracted one of the track's largest crowds of the season and provided fans some memorable competition.

After rain last Friday night forced Big Diamond Raceway co-promoters Buddy Biever, Barry Bashore and Dave Dissinger to call off racing for the third time in the last four weeks, the three-eighths-mile oval's fans are itching to see some action. Biever said his track crew has been working overtime for the last two days to make sure the WoO LMS can provide the spectators what they crave.

“We're ready for the Outlaw race,” said Biever. “We finished up working on the track around 11 o'clock (on Monday) and it was in great shape. I've never seen the track look as good as it did, so I'm excited about how things will turn out on Wednesday.”

HOPING TO REPEAT: Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., won last year's inaugural Coal Country 40 and wore a coal miner's helmet for the Victory Lane ceremonies – a post-race tradition that will be continued on Wednesday night.

And believe it or not, while the 39-year-old Lanigan went on to capture the 2008 WoO LMS points championship, he hasn't captured an A-Main on the tour since his score on June 25, 2008, at Big Diamond. He enters Wednesday's program riding a frustrating 43-race winless streak on the WoO LMS.

Lanigan has been knocking on the door of Victory Lane all season, however. He owns a series-leading four runner-up finishes and is in the thick of the battle for the $100,000 points title once again.

SCENE OF SUCCESS: Senoia, Ga.'s Clint Smith is one driver who's looking forward to a return trip to Big Diamond – and not only because he finished second in last year's Coal Country 40.

The veteran driver has struggled for much of the 2009 season, but he appears to be coming out of his doldrums after registering a fifth-place finish in Monday night's Great Northern Tour event at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y. It was Smith's first top-five finish of the campaign and it came behind the wheel of a 1999-vintage GRT car that he brought out in hopes of getting himself back in rhythm.

Smith would dearly love to at least match his '08 Diamond run on Wednesday night. His best finish since placing second last year at Big D is third, achieved three times last year.

FINISH THE JOB: Josh Richards – a winner of two Canadian races on the Great Northern Tour – led more than half of last year's Coal Country 40 but didn't reach the checkered flag first.

A lap-29 scrape with Moweaqua, Ill.'s Shannon Babb sent the 21-year-old Richards high in turn two, costing him several positions and effectively dashing his hopes for what would have been his third victory in a row. He will try to complete the job he started last year when he returns to Diamond.

PENNSY FAVORITE: There's no Pennsylvania-based WoO LMS regular more well-known to Big Diamond's fans than Rick Eckert, whose home in York is just an hour-and-a-half drive from Diamond.

Eckert, who finished fifth in last year's Coal Country 40, is coming off a Great Northern Tour victory on Monday at Can-Am. It was his second WoO LMS triumph of the season.

MOD MAN: Watertown, N.Y.'s Tim Fuller already has a Big Diamond start under his belt this year after competing in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event for big-block Modifieds. He set fast time in qualifying but wasn't a factor in the 75-lap feature, retiring late in the distance after being unable to climb forward from his 10th starting spot.

A driver with DIRTcar Modified roots who is well-known to Diamond's fans, Fuller will try to erase memories of his disappointing '08 WoO LMS outing at the track. He was involved in an early-race accident and finished 22nd.

OTHER OUTLAWS: The WoO LMS roster at Big Diamond will also include 2007 champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (finished sixth in last year's Coal Country 40), Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (fourth last year), Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (ninth) and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., an impressive first-year tour traveler who will make his first-ever visit to Diamond.

In addition, five Rookie of the Year contenders will make their first starts at Big Diamond: Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., former big-block Modified regular Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

SPECIAL GUEST: NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader will be in Wednesday night's field driving his own Federated Auto Parts No. 9. He has entered four WoO LMS events this season, including last Thursday night's Great Northern Tour show at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway (he finished eighth).

Special VIP tickets are still available for a private meet-and-greet with Schrader. The $100 ticket allows early gate entry to the event and also covers admission to the pits and a pre-race visit with Schrader. A limited number of tickets are still available by calling the speedway business office at 570-385-0744.

OUTLAW CHALLENGERS: Several drivers who have been competing in Great Northern Tour events are expected to continue on the road with the WoO LMS to Big Diamond, including Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., and April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn.

Also expected are such Pennsylvania standouts as Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Scott Haus of Hamburg (a winner off 22 Limited Late Model, five 358-Modified and one URC Sprint Car features at Diamond), Jeff Rine of Danville and Jimmy and Bryan Bernheisel of Lebanon.

INFO: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and the grandstands gates will open at 5 p.m., with action set to begin at 7 p.m.

Admission to the stands is $25, with kids 12-and-under are admitted free. Pit passes are available for $30 for BDR license holders and $35 for others.

For more information on Big Diamond Raceway, visit www.bigdiamondraceway.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by visiting www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Welcome Back, T-Mac: McCreadie Scores Emotional Victory In Front Of Partisan Crowd Tuesday Night At Canandaigua Speedway

CANANDAIGUA, NY - June 23, 2009 - Tim McCreadie is back.

The sensational driver from Watertown, N.Y., quickly validated his return from a back injury that had sidelined him since January, winning Tuesday night's 40-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Great Northern Tour' A-Main at Canandaigua Speedway.

It was an emotional triumph for McCreadie, who thrilled the partisan crowd that packed the stands of the half-mile oval he called home during much of his DIRTcar big-block Modified career. The 2006 WoO LMS champion was swamped in Victory Lane by a horde of happy well-wishers, including his father, legendary DIRTcar big-block Modified driver ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie.

McCreadie's victory came in just his fourth start since returning from the fractured vertebra he suffered on Jan. 15 in a wild crash during qualifying for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

“This is just amazing,” said McCreadie, who pocketed $7,200 for his 12th career WoO LMS win. “To win here, in front of these people at one of my hometracks, and with my dad here – it's such a cool feeling.

“It's just so great to be back racing. Like I've told a lot of people – it's been six months (on the sidelines), but it feels like it's been 10 years.”

McCreadie broke through after finishing second the previous two nights in Great Northern Tour events at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway and Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y., a track just north of his hometown.

“I wanted (to win) last night (at Can-Am) real bad, but we finished second because (Rick) Eckert out-drove us and had a better car,” said McCreadie. “That was disappointing, but tonight I think we did the same.”

Indeed, McCreadie, 35, was the class of the field at Canandaigua. After inheriting the lead when another former DIRTcar big-block regular, polesitter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., retired with a broken driveshaft during a lap-four caution period, McCreadie was untouchable over the final 36 circuits of non-stop racing.

Former WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., briefly nosed his Beitler Motorsports Rocket inside McCreadie's Sweeteners Plus Rocket on lap 14, but McCreadie proceeded to build a commanding edge. McCreadie crossed the finish line 6.182 seconds – more than a full straightaway – ahead of Francis.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., finished third in his Team Zero by Bloomquist mount, right on Francis's rear bumper at the checkered flag. York, Pa.'s Eckert settled for fourth place with a tight-handling Team Zero by Bloomquist car after starting from the outside pole, and former Canandaigua big-block Modified regular Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., held on to finish fifth despite battling brake issues with his Sweeteners Plus Rocket.

Defending WoO LMS titlist Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and 14th-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., finished sixth and seventh, respectively – the last drivers on the lead lap at the finish.

McCreadie kept his machine snug to the inside of the track throughout the distance, running a line perfected by several big-block Modified stars who have dominated at the track known as the ‘Land of Legends.'

“I think I spent seven years watching guys like Bob McCreadie and Alan Johnson get in that hub, get in that hub,” said McCreadie, who won 14 DIRTcar big-block Mod features at Canandaigua from 1999-2002, “and damn if I didn't do it one time right.”

McCreadie said those words in Victory Lane and then walked over to hug his father, who hasn't raced since suffering a broken leg and other injuries in a 2005 motorcycle accident. Moments later ‘Barefoot' Bob brought down the house when WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman mentioned the fact that the leader McCreadie's career win total at Canandaigua stands at 99.

“Well, it's 100 (wins) now,” said Bob McCreadie, beaming after watching his son win a WoO LMS A-Main in person for the first time.

The feel-good nature of the race was not lost on the drivers who futilely chased McCreadie.

“If I have to run second, I couldn't find a better place to do it than here tonight,” said Francis, who asserted that he “had nothing” for McCreadie. “Coming back and winning this race is a special deal for Timmy. He's a close personal friend of mine and I'm happy to see him back racing.”

The 32-year-old Smith, meanwhile, was in awe of the post-race scene.

“I think it's so cool to see him win here in front of all his fans,” said Smith, a first-year WoO LMS regular who made his first-ever start at Canandaigua. “Timmy's a great guy, and I'm glad to see him back in a race car and doing what he loves.”

Finishing one lap down in positions 8-10 was 13th-starter Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., who scored a top-10 finish at Canandaigua for the second consecutive year; Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, N.Y., who registered his second straight top-10 run on the Great Northern Tour; and 16th-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who entered the night leading the WoO LMS points standings, experienced a tough outing, bringing out two of the race's three caution flags. He slowed on lap three with what he thought was a flat tire, then slowed again on lap four when his car's left-rear tire did go flat. The 21-year-old rallied to salvage an 11th-place finish.

The evening ended with Francis and Lanigan tied for the WoO LMS points lead. Richards slipped to third (-6 points) and Eckert sits fourth (-10 points) in the hotly-contested battle through 18 events.

A field of 33 dirt Late Models was signed in for the evening's program, which marked the second consecutive year that the WoO LMS has invaded Canandaigua.

Coffey turned a lap of 17.599 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials to register his second career fast-time honor on the WoO LMS. He pocketed a $50 bonus for his first quick-time since July 13, 2008, at North Dakota's Williston Basin Speedway.

Heat winners were Coffey, Francis and Fuller, and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., captured the B-Main.

The WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' continues on Wednesday night (June 24) at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., before heading to Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., for a spectacular three-day finale. The postponed ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' (a B-Main and 50-lap A-Main held-over from May 5) will be completed on Thurs., June 25, and the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com will take center stage on June 26-27.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Canandaigua Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Tim McCreadie/40 $7,200
2. (4) Steve Francis/40 $3,650
3. (5) Brady Smith/40 $2,500
4. (2) Rick Eckert/40 $2,200
5. (6) Vic Coffey/40 $2,050
6. (8) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,900
7. (14) Chub Frank/40 $1,700
8. (13) Tony Knowles/39 $1,100
9. (9) Gregg Satterlee/39 $1,000
10. (16) Clint Smith/39 $1,500
11. (10) Josh Richards/39 $1,350
12. (17) Dan Stone/39 $800
13. (19) Shane Clanton/39 $1,250
14. (11) Billy Decker/39 $740
15. (12) Matt Lux/39 $710
16. (23) Jordan Bland/38 $1,430
17. (18) Mike Knight/38 $650
18. (20) Russell King/ $1,130
19. (21) Brent Robinson/38 $1,120
20. (22) Larry Wight/38 $610
21. (24) Dustin Hapka/38 $600
22. (15) Rick Briggs/18 $600
23. (1) Tim Fuller/4 $1,100
24. (7) Austin Hubbard/4 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 20 Mins., 34.212 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 6.182 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 0, 5)
Lap Leaders: Fuller (1-4); McCreadie (5-40)
Provisional Starters: Bland, Hapka
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Coffey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Johnny Coco (Coffey)

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

1. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 17.599
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.942
3. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 17.971
4. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 18.009
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 18.074
6. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.081
7. 07R-Brent Rhebergen/Clymer, NY 18.150
8. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.158
9. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 18.287
10. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 18.291
11. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 18.340
12. 99B-Rick Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 18.436
13. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 18.437
14. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 18.511
15. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 18.602
16. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.608
17. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 18.641
18. 9K-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 18.689
19. 1F-Adam Ferri/Port Colbourne, ONT 18.738
20. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 18.769
21. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 18.832
22. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.877
23. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.905
24. 99L-Larry Wight/Baldwinsville, NY 19.030
25. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.118
26. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 19.130
27. 1M-Peter Mantha Jr./Gatineau, QUE 19.146
28. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 19.210
29. R19-Dale Caswell/Central Square, NY 19.424
30. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 19.704
31. 13b-James Cornell/Harpersville, NY 19.863
32. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 19.910
33. 16-Aaron Jacobs/Frankfort, NY N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Coffey, B. Smith, Hubbard, Richards, Knowles, C. Smith, Rhebergen, Robinson, Ferri, Bland, Cornell

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Francis, Eckert, Lanigan, Decker, Frank, Stone, Clanton, King, Oakes, Caswell, Hapka

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Fuller, McCreadie, Satterlee, Lux, Briggs, Knight, Wight, Mantha, Reddick, Farmer (DNS) Jacobs

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, King, Robinson, Wight, Oakes, Mantha, Farmer, Bland, Cornell, Caswell, Ferri, Hapka, Reddick, Jacobs, Rhebergen

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Greg Oakes
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Matt Lux
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Tim Fuller
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Adam Ferri
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Tim McCreadie

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 23 – 18 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 2391 (-0)
1. (tie) Steve Francis 2391 (-0)
3. Josh Richards 2385 (-6)
4. Rick Eckert 2381 (-10)
5. Shane Clanton 2311 (-80)
6. Brady Smith 2288 (-103)
7. Tim Fuller 2281 (-110)
8. Chub Frank 2267 (-124)
9. Clint Smith 2183 (-208)
10. Jordan Bland 1877 (-514)
11. Russell King 1846 (-545)
12. Vic Coffey 1802 (-589)
13. Brent Robinson 1776 (-615)
14. Dustin Hapka 1689 (-702)
15. Tyler Reddick 1490 (-901)
16. Shannon Babb 1395 (-996)
17. Austin Hubbard 1215 (-1176)
18. Matt Lux 788 (-1603)
19. Dan Stone 768 (-1623)
20. Dale McDowell 717 (-1674)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Eckert Turns Back Hometown Favorite McCreadie To Capture ‘North Country 40' At Can-Am Motorsports Park

LAFARGEVILLE, NY - June 22, 2009 - Rick Eckert was apologetic to the standing-room-only crowd that watched him win Monday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘North Country 40' at Can-Am Motorsports Park.

The 43-year-old from York, Pa., had, after all, dashed what would have been a wildly popular victory party for Tim McCreadie, the local-boy-who's-made-good from nearby Watertown, N.Y.

“I know I beat the hometown favorite,” said Eckert, who passed McCreadie en route to the front of the field and crossed the finish line 1.439 seconds ahead of the 2006 WoO LMS champion. “But we're buddies, so I don't think it's that bad. Hopefully nobody's mad at me for winning tonight.”

The huge throng of fans that attended the first-ever WoO LMS event at the half-mile oval didn't have a problem with Eckert, who registered his second triumph of 2009 on the national tour. He became the third driver with multiple victories on this year's series, joining Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (five wins) and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. (three wins, including the previous two on the ‘Great Northern Tour').

Driving his familiar Raye Vest Racing/J&K Salvage Team Zero by Bloomquist car, Eckert marched methodically forward from the fifth starting spot in a race that was slowed by just two caution flags during the first five laps. He grabbed the lead from a fading Francis on lap 28 and never looked back on his way to a paycheck worth $7,650.

McCreadie, 35, overtook Francis for second one circuit later and soon closed within a couple car lengths of Eckert, but he lost ground once Eckert cleared lapped traffic and settled for a runner-up finish in the Sweeteners Plus Rocket. It was the second consecutive bridesmaid finish for McCreadie, who returned to the cockpit last Thursday night after being sidelined for five months with a back injury.

T-Mac's Sweeteners Plus teammate, 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., made a late charge to finish third in his Rocket car, less than a car length behind McCreadie at the checkered flag. It was a career-best WoO LMS run for the 2007 DIRTcar big-block Modified champion at Can-Am, who started sixth but didn't come alive until his machine's hard tires heated up.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. – like McCreadie, a North Country native who spent the early days of his racing career competing in Can-Am's DIRTcar 358-Modified division – finished fourth in his Gypsum Express Rocket and 11th-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., scored a season-best finish of fifth after overtaking Francis for the position on lap 37.

Francis, who started second and outgunned the polesitting McCreadie for the lead at the initial green flag, fell to sixth in the final rundown after leading laps 1-27. He built an advantage that reached nearly three seconds before a run-in with a lapped car sent him high in turn two on lap 22 and his soft-compound tires gave up on the hard surface.

Eckert nailed his tire selection, using hard-compound Hoosier rubber that proved to be perfect for the conditions. It took plenty of deliberation, however, before Eckert bolted on the tires.

“It was tough for everybody because we were at a racetrack where nobody's ever raced with open tires,” said Eckert. “We kept going back-and-forth on our tire choice. We changed the tires three times before going on the track – twice after the (eight-minute lineup) horn (was blown).

“It took about 10 laps until I knew we made the right decision. I wasn't spectacular (at the start), but then I started getting better and better and I was like, ‘Man, they're sort of in my way now.'”

Using the inside lane, Eckert slid by McCreadie for third on lap eight and overtook Fuller for second on lap 27. One circuit later Eckert surged past Francis to gain control of the A-Main, but he never relaxed.

“I kept looking at the scoreboard and I saw that ‘39' (of McCreadie) of there in second,” said Eckert. “One thing about Tim McCreadie is he gets better every lap, so I knew I couldn't make any mistakes.”

While the partisan crowd's hopes of a dramatic McCreadie victory were raised when he got close to Eckert in lapped traffic, McCreadie didn't have enough speed to please his public.

“That lapped traffic held him up and let me get close,” said McCreadie, who also finished second the previous night at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway. “Once he got clear of traffic at the end, he got back out to a lead. He had a harder right-rear (tire) than we did. That might have been the difference, but he was good all night so I can't complain too much.

“But second place isn't as much fun as I thought it would (after being sidelined for so long) – especially here.”

Eckert's victory was the 18th of his WoO LMS career, giving him him sole possession of second on the tour's win list since 2004. He had been tied with 2004 WoO LMS champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., since capturing his first triumph of 2009 on May 17 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway.

The race's pair of caution flags were caused by minor incidents. Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., was eliminated in an opening-lap tangle between turns three and four that also involved teenagers Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., and Larry Wight of Baldwinsville, N.Y., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., slowed the action on lap five when he stopped on the inside of turn two.

Finishing in positions 7-10 was Josh Richards, who maintained his points lead despite struggling with an incorrect tire choice; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who started fourth; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; and Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa.

The event's $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash was claimed by Coffey, who slipped out of the top 12 in the points standings after missing the two Canadian stops of the ‘Great Northern Tour.' The ‘Bonus Bucks' go to the highest-finishing driver who has never won a tour A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points.

A field of 31 cars assembled for the historic event at the track located just 15 minutes south of the Canadian border.

Eckert was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, earning a $50 bonus for his lap of 18.939 seconds. He was the only driver to break into the 18-second bracket.

Heat winners were Eckert, Lanigan and McCreadie, and Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., captured the B-Main.

The WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' continues on Tuesday night (June 23) at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘North Country 40' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (5) Rick Eckert/40 $7,650
2. (1) Tim McCreadie/40 $3,100
3. (6) Vic Coffey/40 $2,500
4. (3) Tim Fuller/40 $2,200
5. (11) Clint Smith/40 $2,000
6. (2) Steve Francis/40 $1,900
7. (8) Josh Richards/40 $1,700
8. (4) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,750
9. (7) Shane Clanton/40 $1,500
10. (14) Gregg Satterlee/40 $1,000
11. (9) Billy Decker/40 $850
12. (10) Austin Hubbard/40 $800
13. (13) Dan Stone/39 $750
14. (17) Brady Smith/39 $1,240
15. (19) Matt Lux/39 $710
16. (15) Chub Frank/39 $1,180
17. (20) Larry Wight/39 $650
18. (18) Mike Knight/39 $630
19. (23) Jordan Bland/39 $1,370
20. (16) Russell King/38 $1,110
21. (24) Brent Robinson/38 $1,100
22. (22) Dustin Hapka/38 $600
23. (21) Tyler Reddick/38 $600
24. (12) Tony Knowles/0 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 16 Mins., 03.842 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.439 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 0, 5)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-27); Eckert (28-40)
Provisional Starters: Bland, Robinson
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Coffey ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Al Stevens (McCreadie)

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

1. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.939
2. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 19.281
3. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 19.344
4. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.373
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.384
6. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.394
7. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 19.409
8. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.422
9. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.493
10. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.643
11. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 19.847
12. 99L-Larry Wight/Baldwinsville, NY 19.849
13. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.850
14. 1M-Peter Mantha Jr./Gatineau, QUE 19.900
15. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 19.903
16. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 19.907
17. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 19.959
18. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 19.982
19. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 19.983
20. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 20.076
21. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 20.248
22. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 20.358
23. 16-Aaron Jacobs/Frankfort, NY 20.500
24. 9K-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 20.529
25. R19-Dale Caswell/Central Square, NY 20.807
26. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 20.914
27. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 20.921
28. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 20.973
29. 28-Mike Burdick/Mannsville, NY 21.154
30. 18J-Mack Webb/Brownville, NY 21.259
31. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Eckert, Fuller, Clanton, Hubbard, Stone, King, Lux, Caswell, Farmer, Reddick, Robinson

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Lanigan, Francis, Richards, C. Smith, Satterlee, B. Smith, Mantha, Hapka, Jacobs, Burdick

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): McCreadie, Coffey, Decker, Knowles, Frank, Knight, Wight, Oakes, Bland, Webb

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lux, Wight, Reddick, Hapka, Oakes, Farmer, Jacobs, Robinson, Bland, Burdick, Caswell, Webb, Mantha

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Greg Oakes
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Gregg Satterlee
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Matt Lux
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Matt Lux
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product):
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Peter Mantha Jr.
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 22 – 17 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 2257 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 2253 (-4)
3. Steve Francis 2245 (-12)
4. Rick Eckert 2239 (-18)
5. Shane Clanton 2187 (-70)
6. Tim Fuller 2177 (-80)
7. Brady Smith 2144 (-113)
8. Chub Frank 2131 (-126)
9. Clint Smith 2053 (-204)
10. Jordan Bland 1759 (-498)
11. Russell King 1732 (-525)
12. Brent Robinson 1664 (-593)
13. Vic Coffey 1662 (-595)
14. Dustin Hapka 1581 (-676)
15. Tyler Reddick 1415 (-842)
16. Shannon Babb 1395 (-862)
17. Austin Hubbard 1113 (-1144)
18. Dale McDowell 717 (-1540)
19. Matt Lux 668 (-1589)
20. Dennis Erb Jr. 657 (-1600)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Wild Flip & Hospital Visit Couldn't Stop World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie Jordan Bland From Racing At Cornwall

CONCORD, NC - June 22, 2009 - Jordan Bland wasn't going to let a wild flip and a hospital visit stop him from racing in Sunday night's 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway.

The leader of the national tour's Rookie of the Year points race made his intentions perfectly clear to the doctors who examined him after a spectacular heat-race accident in the ‘Great Northern Tour' event sent him to the nearby Hotel Deux Hospital for observation.

“After the x-rays they took of my neck came up negative, a doctor wanted to give me some pain medicine,” said Bland, a 20-year-old from Campbellsville, Ky. “I said to him, ‘If you give me that stuff, I'm gonna have you on the ground. I have a feature to run.'”

The doctor promptly put away the needle and huffed at Bland, “Then you deal with it (the pain).” Bland did just that, putting aside the soreness in the left side of his neck to make an unexpected return to the quarter-mile oval just in time to use his provisional spot to start the A-Main – and, in another unlikely turn of events, calmly drive to a 16th-place finish that earned him a $250 bonus for being the highest-finishing WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender.

Few people at Ron Morin's well-manicured Canadian facility thought Bland would take the green flag in the feature after witnessing his hellacious wreck on the opening lap of the second heat. His Team Zero by Bloomquist car bounced over the high-banked track's outside berm in turn one and cartwheeled into the air, coming to rest on its roof on the run-off area beyond the wall-free corners.

“I remember seeing (Rick Eckert) check up in front of me and then I got out of the gas,” said Bland, who was coming off a career-best WoO LMS finish of seventh in the ‘Great Northern Tour' opener on June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway. “The next thing I know, my right-rear got over the banking and I was flipping over.”

Though dazed by the ferocity of the crash, Bland managed to squeeze out of his badly-damaged car's cockpit with the assistance of safety workers. He sat on the ground and talked with the paramedics, who decided to strap him to a backboard and transport him by ambulance to the hospital after Bland complained of pain in his neck.

After doctors performed a battery of x-rays and tests on Bland and found no serious injuries, he was discharged and – still wearing his racing uniform – jumped in a borrowed rental car with his mother and girlfriend, Angie Jannsen, to head back to the track. His crew unloaded the team's backup car and pushed it onto the frontstretch during the pre-race driver introductions to await his arrival.

“My girlfriend ran about three red lights to get us back to the track,” said Bland, who credited the HANS Device that he has worn for the past year with saving him from serious injury. “I walked across the track just as they were announcing Josh (Richards) and Timmy (McCreadie) – the guys starting on the front row.”

Bland was the last driver introduced and received a hearty welcome-back cheer from the crowd. He then completed 49 of the 50 laps without incident to end his night on a better note and maintain his lead in the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year standings.

And Bland did return to the hospital following the race for that shot of pain medication to dull the pain in his swollen neck muscles.

“But when I went back the doctor brought out a bigger needle,” smiled Bland. “I think they remembered I had given them a hard time about the pain medicine, so they probably figured, ‘We'll show him. Let's use a bigger needle this time.'”

Bland was set to continue the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' on Monday night (June 22) at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y. He'll continue with the swing on June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Sizzling Brian Birkhofer Ready To Defend Firecracker 100 Crown On June 26-27 At Lernerville Speedway

SARVER, PA - June 22, 2009 - Brian Birkhofer certainly ran great in last year's Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway.

But the defending race champion feels he can perform even better when he returns for the 2009 version of the blockbuster $30,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series event this weekend (June 26-27).

That could be bad news for the talented array of drivers hoping to unseat Birkhofer. He was already so impressive in rolling to a convincing victory in the '08 Firecracker 100, which was actually run on July 29 after rain washed out the feature-event program on its original late-June date.

“The Firecracker was one of the first big-money wins we had with our new cars,” said Birkhofer, who is in his second season campaigning MB Custom Chassis machines that he built in a collaborative effort with Wisconsin racer Jimmy Mars and Mars's brother Chris. “I was just kind of getting in a rhythm of what was going on with the car when we won that race. Now, with more than a year under our belts with these cars, I feel like we're as good, or better, than we were then.

“I'll bring the same car I won with last year (to Lernerville), so I'm looking forward to getting back there.”

Birkhofer, 37, of Muscatine, Iowa, will enter this weekend's third annual Firecracker 100 as arguably the hottest dirt Late Model driver in the country. While he's cooled off slightly in recent weeks, his '09 ledger shows five wins, 10 top-three and 12 top-five finishes in 15 starts, including three in WoO LMS competition (a second and two thirds).

And there's simply no full-fender chauffeur who has performed better in high-dollar special shows over the past year than the superstar known as ‘Birky.'

Last year's Firecracker 100 triumph (worth $40,000 in honor of Lernerville's 40th racing season) was one of a series of lucrative extra-distance wins for Birkhofer, joining his scores in the '08 Diamond Nationals ($40,000) and Dirt Track World Championship at Ohio's K-C Raceway ($50,000) and this year's Diamond Nationals ($30,000) and Show-Me 100 ($40,000). He'd like to add another major score at Lernerville, a four-tenths-mile oval that Birkhofer gives a high grade.

“It's definitely a place where who's leading at lap 40 isn't guaranteed of winning the race,” said Birkhofer, who started fourth in last year's Firecracker 100 but patiently ran second behind Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., until grabbing the top spot on lap 70. “It's a racy place. If you're good, put the right tires on and take care of your stuff, you can start towards the rear and win.”

Lernerville Speedway is a favorite of Birkhofer's for several other reasons, not the least of which is its location in western Pennsylvania. He's a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so he loves being around so many like-minded individuals. In fact, he waved a Steelers' Terrible Towel in Victory Lane after winning last year's Firecracker, and he recently changed the color scheme of his No. 15b machine to Steelers black-and-gold.

What's more, the fun-loving side of Birkhofer enjoys the exciting, big-race atmosphere of the Firecracker 100 weekend at Lernerville. There's so much more to the event than the thrilling on-track action – from a post-race concert after Friday night's qualifying program to a Weenie Roast, Firecracker Horseshoes Tournament, on-stage driver Q&A and autograph session on Saturday afternoon.

“It's fan-friendly,” said Birkhofer. “There's great racing and that's why the crowd there is spectacular, but it's also a real fun weekend for everybody. They give you something to do after the qualifying night is over, something to let you un-stress a little bit and have some fun.”

Last year Birkhofer participated in what is becoming one of the weekend's traditions. He was one of the eight drivers who paired up with fans to compete in the Saturday-afternoon Firecracker Horseshoes Tournament, but his performance didn't match what he did on the track.

“I tried to play,” he said, shaking his head. Then he smiled and added with a laugh, “Let's have a beer-drinking contest. Maybe I can do better at that.”

The third annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com begins with time trials and heat races on Fri., June 26. Last-chance races, the $3,000-to-win ‘Uncle Sam 30' for non-qualifiers and the Firecracker 100 will be run on Sat., June 27.

Time trials are scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. on Friday night, and Saturday's racing program is set to get the green flag at 7:30 p.m.

Two-day reserved seat ticket prices are $42 (adults), $40 (seniors) and $37 (students 17-and-under), while two-day general admission tickets are priced at $39 for adults, $36 for seniors, $34 for students 11-17 and free for children 10-and-under.

Two-day pit passes are $45 for DIRTcar members and $50 for non-members.

This year's Firecracker 100 weekend will actually begin on Thurs., June 25, with the completion of the WoO LMS ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' that was postponed by rain on May 5 with one B-Main and the $10,000-to-win, 50-lap A-Main still left to run.

For fans who do not have rainchecks or pit passes from the May 5 program (those tickets and wristbands will be honored on June 25), general admission to the bonus night of racing is $14 for adults, $10 for seniors, $7 for students 11-17 and free for kids 10-and-under, with pit passes $20 for DIRTcar members and $30 for non-members.

Fans can purchase tickets in advance by calling the Lernerville Speedway office Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 724-353-1511. Advance ticket purchases will include a FREE Friday night-only pit-pass upgrade and priority access to the driver autograph session on Saturday afternoon. Tickets will also be sold on the day of the event.

For more information on the Firecracker 100, visit www.lernerville.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Mr. Canada: Richards Rolls To Second Straight Victory North Of The Border On Sunday Night At Cornwall Motor Speedway

CORNWALL, ONT - June 21, 2009 - Just call him Mr. Canada.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., continued to shine in World of Outlaws Late Model Series events run north of the border, holding off Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., to capture Sunday night's 50-lap ‘Triple Crown of Racing' A-Main at Cornwall Motor Speedway.

The $10,650 triumph was Richards's third of 2009 on the WoO LMS and gave him a sweep of the two ‘Great Northern Tour' shows run in Canada. He also won the swing's opening event on Thursday night at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway.

“I like it up here,” smiled Richards, whose maple-leaf momentum was slowed only by the rainout of Saturday night's scheduled program at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond.

Richards, 21, was victorious before a big crowd at Ron Morin's quarter-mile, high-banked Cornwall oval for the second straight season – and just like his win in the track's inaugural WoO LMS event one year ago, he overtook McCreadie for the lead and beat the 2006 series champion to the finish line.

Only a few details of Richards's march to Cornwall's checkeredboard square were different from 2008. For the second consecutive year he started from the pole position and failed to lead the first lap, but he didn't have to pull off any late-race dramatics as he did last year. This time he passed McCreadie for the top spot on lap 15 and never looked back.

“We did the same exact things we did last year here,” said Richards, who was behind the wheel of the new Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car that he debuted at Ohsweken. “Even though our car was a little different style than the one we used, we ran the same setup and the same tires and it drove better than it did last year.”

McCreadie, making just his second start in the Sweeteners Plus Rocket car since returning to the cockpit on Thursday from a back injury that sidelined him for five months, challenged Richards several times during the closing circuits but settled for second place. The race's third and final caution flag, on lap 48, gave McCreadie a final opportunity, but he crossed the finish line 0.713 of a second behind Richards.

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., finished third, keeping him winless through 16 events this season. He needed just 11 laps to hustle from the seventh starting spot to third, but after threatening the leaders briefly his Fusion Energy Rocket car couldn't quite keep pace.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., steered his Gypsum Express Rocket forward from the 11th starting spot to finish fourth at a track he's won at in DIRTcar 358-Modified competition, and 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., rallied to finish fifth in his Seaside Builders Rocket mount after falling from the third starting spot to ninth in the early laps.

Hubbard, who earned his second top-five finish of the 2009 WoO LMS season, pocketed the tour's $500 ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a series A-Main and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Richards did experience some anxious moments as the race wound down. He slowed drastically on lap 43 when Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., slid off the backstretch and then came back on the track in front of Richards in turn three, and he had to deal with a caution flag on lap 48 after Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., was sent spinning into turn one.

“I got real scared when Gregg ran back on the track right in front of me,” said Richards, whose 15th career WoO LMS victory moved him into sole possession of fourth place on the tour's win list since 2004. “I was committed to the bottom, so I had to slow down so much. I thought McCreadie was going to roll right by me on the top.

“That restart with two-to-go had me real nervous. I knew McCreadie would try everything he could to win, so I just told myself to keep running my line.”

McCreadie, 35, was simply happy to grab a second-place finish in the first A-Main appearance of his comeback. He failed to qualify at Ohsweken after being struck by a flat tire in his heat and B-Main.

“I was just too loose,” said McCreadie. “If we had it to do over, we would've tightened the car up. I couldn't maneuver around the way I needed to.

“We just got beat by a better car. I think if Josh had started on the outside pole he would've led the whole race.”

Richards's victory vaulted him back into the WoO LMS points lead, which he had lost to Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., after the May 24 event at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis. Francis entered Sunday's action sitting atop the standings by two points over Lanigan, but he finished 10th after pitting to change a flat right-rear tire on lap 32.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., ran outside the top 10 for much of the distance but came on late to finish sixth, just ahead of Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who started 16th. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., was penalized to the rear of the field for the start after leaving the A-Main lineup to return to the pit area, but he rallied to finish eighth. Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., was ninth after running as high as sixth and Francis came back from his pit stop to salvage 10th.

Thirty cars were signed in for the evening's action at the spic-and-span Canadian facility.

At the start of the night Francis registered his second fast-time honor of the season, earning a $50 bonus after turning a blistering lap of 12.429 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. The circuit established a new dirt Late Model track record, bettering the lap of 13.017 seconds that Billy Decker ran last year.

Heat winners were Francis, Richards and Hubbard. The B-Main was captured by

Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., who entered the night leading the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points race, was transported to Hotel Diex Hospital in Cornwall after riding out a wild flip on the first lap of the second lap. His Team Zero by Bloomquist car bounced over the berm in turn one and cartwheeled through the air, landing on its roof in the run-off area.

Bland squeezed out of the cockpit and sat on the ground talking to safety workers, but he complained of some neck pain so he was taken away for medical attention. About two hours later – after doctors found no injuries – he left the hospital and made it back to the track just in time to jump in his backup car and start the A-Main with his provisional spot.

The 20-year-old then stayed out of trouble en route to finishing one lap down in 16th – good enough to earn him a $250 bonus as the top rookie in the race.

The WoO LMS now returns to the United States for six more evenings of non-stop Great Northern Tour action beginning on June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y., and continuing on June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Cornwall Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Josh Richards/50 $10,650
2. (2) Tim McCreadie/50 $5,100
3. (7) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,600
4. (11) Tim Fuller/50 $3,000
5. (3) Austin Hubbard/50 $2,500
6. (8) Rick Eckert/50 $2,200
7. (16) Brady Smith/50 $1,900
8. (13) Chub Frank/50 $1,800
9. (10) Tony Knowles/50 $1,200
10. (4) Steve Francis/50 $1,850
11. (5) Shane Clanton/50 $1,550
12. (12) Clint Smith/50 $1,500
13. (9) Matt Lux/50 $950
14. (17) Gregg Satterlee/49 $900
15. (19) John Mason/49 $850
16. (23) Jordan Bland/49 $1,550
17. (15) Billy Decker/48 $770
18. (18) Russell King/48 $1,250
19. (14) Dustin Hapka/48 $730
20. (24) Brent Robinson/48 $700
21. (20) Gregg Oakes/30 $700
22. (21) Mike Knight/22 $700
23. (6) Dan Stone/20 $700
24. (22) Peter Mantha Jr./9 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 22 Mins., 47.577 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.713 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 24, 32, 48)
Lap Leaders: McCreadie (1-14); Richards (15-50)
Provisional Starters: Robinson, Reddick
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Hubbard ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Matt Singleton (Hubbard)

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

1. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 12.429
2. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 12.650
3. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 12.693
4. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 12.767
5. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.774
6. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 12.831
7. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.914
8. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 12.928
9. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 13.020
10. 1F-Adam Ferri/Port Colbourne, ONT 13.030
11. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.056
12. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 13.065
13. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 13.090
14. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 13.113
15. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.163
16. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 13.225
17. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 13.235
18. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 13.261
19. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 13.366
20. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 13.374
21. 72-John Mason/Millersburg, OH 13.605
22. 99L-Larry Wight/Baldwinsville, NY 13.607
23. 1M-Peter Mantha Jr./Gatineau, QUE 13.686
24. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 13.748
25. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 13.793
26. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 13.895
27. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 13.938
28. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.425
29. 11s-Jim Stine/Selinsgrove, PA N/T
30. 7-Jeff Dayman/Welland, ONT N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Francis, Stone, Lanigan, Knowles, Frank, B. Smith, Robinson, Ferri, Wight, Reddick

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Richards, McCreadie, Eckert, Fuller, Hapka, Satterlee, Oakes, Mantha, Bland

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Hubbard, Clanton, Lux, C. Smith, Decker, King, Mason, Knight, Farmer

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Mason, Oakes, Knight, Mantha, Ferri, Farmer, Wight, Robinson, Reddick (DNS) Bland

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Adam Ferri
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Tim McCreadie
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Francis
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): John Mason
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): John Mason
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Tim McCreadie
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Adam Ferri
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 21 – 16 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 2121 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 2119 (-2)
3. Steve Francis 2107 (-14)
4. Rick Eckert 2089 (-32)
5. Shane Clanton 2055 (-66)
6. Tim Fuller 2035 (-86)
7. Brady Smith 2022 (-99)
8. Chub Frank 2013 (-108)
9. Clint Smith 1913 (-208)
10. Jordan Bland 1647 (-474)
11. Russell King 1622 (-499)
12. Brent Robinson 1556 (-565)
13. Vic Coffey 1518 (-603)
14. Dustin Hapka 1475 (-646)
15. Shannon Babb 1395 (-726)
16. Tyler Reddick 1311 (-810)
17. Austin Hubbard 987 (-1134)
18. Dale McDowell 717 (-1404)
19. Dennis Erb Jr. 657 (-1464)
20. Chris Madden 615 (-1506)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Rain Forces Cancellation Of Saturday Night's ‘Great Northern Tour' Program At Quebec's Autodrome Drummond

CORNWALL, ONT - June 20, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series couldn't shake the wet-weather bug by crossing the border.

Continuing a rain-plagued campaign for the series, pesky showers forced the cancellation of Saturday night's ‘Great Northern Tour' program at Autodrome Drummond.

A field of 26 cars was signed in for the third annual ‘Quebec 50,' but drizzle that had been falling periodically throughout the day intensified to a steady rain as hot laps concluded. About one hour later officials made the decision to cancel the night's action when it became apparent that clearing would not come soon enough for the show to be completed at a reasonable time.

The highly-anticipated event will be not be rescheduled this season, but Drummond promoter Yan Bussiere plans to bring the WoO LMS back to the four-tenths-mile oval in 2010.

“There's nothing more disappointing than experiencing a rainout at a track where the fans are so excited to see a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Yan Bussiere and his staff at Autodrome Drummond always put on a memorable, entertaining show for the French-Canadian fans when we come to town, so it's unfortunate that everything they had planned will have to wait until 2010.”

Saturday's cancellation was the fifth complete washout of 2009 for the WoO LMS. Rain also brought an early end to the May 5 event at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., with one B-Main remaining.

The teams left muddy Drummond and headed for Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway, a quarter-mile oval roughly two hours to the southwest where the Canadian swing of the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' concludes on Sunday night (June 21).

Following Sunday's 50-lap event at Cornwall, the series will return to the United States for six more evenings of non-stop Great Northern Tour action beginning on June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y., and continuing on June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Drivers signed in for Saturday night's program at Autodrome Drummond included:

1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV
1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA
1*CFR-Peter Mantha Jr./Gatineau, QUE
1F-Adam Ferri/Port Colbourne, ONT
2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI
3R-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA
7-Jeff Dayman/Welland, ONT
9K-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY
11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA
11-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE
12b-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, OH
14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN
18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND
19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY
19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY
21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA
21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA
22-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY
24-Rick Eckert/York, PA
25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA
26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA
29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY
39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY
44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA
56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH
72-John Mason/Millersburg, OH

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Richards Scores Again On Canadian Soil In Thursday Night's ‘Six Nations 50' At Ohsweken Speedway

OHSWEKEN, ONT - June 18, 2009 - A trip to Canada – and a brand-new car – got Josh Richards back on the winning track with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Richards, 21, of Shinnston, W.Va., marched to his second tour triumph of the season on Thursday night at Ohsweken Speedway, holding off Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., in a nail-biting finish to capture the second annual ‘Six Nations 50.'

A victor on the WoO LMS for the first time since topping the 2009 season opener on Feb. 12 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., Richards became just the second driver to win more than once on this year's tour. He joined five-time winner Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who saw his two-race winning streak end and points lead almost completely evaporate after absorbing a 19th-place finish because he hit the turn-four wall while running fourth on lap 14.

“We've been off a little bit lately with our stuff, but we got back on track with this new car,” said Richards, who debuted a fresh Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket mount in the opening event of the WoO LMS Great Northern Tour. “They (the Rocket Chassis staff) built it in like three days. It's a twin to the (Ernie Davis-owned) 25 car (that Richards has driven to six non-WoO victories this season), and it worked great tonight.

“Hopefully this will help us build some momentum up and win some more races. It's a great way to start this trip.”

The $10,600 victory was also Richards's second on Canadian soil, making him the first repeat winner in six WoO LMS events run north of the border since 2007. He won last year's race at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway.

Richards, who started ninth, made some early moves on the physical, traction-filled three-eighths-mile oval to sit second when a flat left-front tire forced Lanigan to relinquish the lead during a lap-five caution period. The former WoO LMS Rookie of the Year then inherited the top spot on lap 15 when 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who had taken control with Lanigan's misfortune, slowed with terminal engine problems on a restart.

The remainder of the distance belonged to Richards, but it was anything but an easy drive to his 14th career WoO LMS victory. He held as much as a straightaway edge midway through the race, but some formidable lapped traffic in the closing circuits allowed Smith to draw within striking distance.

But while Smith, 32, pulled his Team Zero by Bloomquist car up to Richards's rear bumper, he settled for second place in his first-ever visit to Ohsweken. He was 0.429 of a second behind Richards at the checkered flag and less than a hood's length ahead of the hard-charging Lanigan, who erased more than a full straightaway deficit to the leaders over the final 15 laps with his fleet Fusion Energy Rocket car.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished a distant fourth in his Raye Vest Racing Team Zero by Bloomquist car after starting 10th, and fourth-starter Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., placed fifth in his Rocket for his best WoO LMS run since scoring an upset win in 2007 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa.

Only the top-five finishers were on the lead lap at the finish of the rough-and-tumble A-Main. The event lasted nearly 45 minutes thanks to four caution flags for minor incidents and one red flag for a lap-10 crash in which Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., was sent spinning out of fourth place in turn four, collecting Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., in the process.

Richards survived the tough track conditions, which were left tacky and fast by overnight rain and damp, overcast day.

“I was pretty much commiteed to the top,” said Richards, who tied Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., for fourth on the WoO LMS career win list since 2004. “I really couldn't maneuver that well. The last five or six laps I was dead off turn two – my left-rear tire just died – but I was lucky enough to stay up front.”

Smith registered the third second-place finish of his first full WoO LMS season, following runner-up outings on Feb. 14 at Volusia Speedway Park and May 28 at Delaware International Speedway. He remains winless on the '09 tour.

“I honestly couldn't go any faster than I was going,” said Smith, who started eighth. “It was a very physically demanding race. I was shook up like I don't know what.

“I felt like I might have been a little better on this end (pointing to turns one and two) than Josh, but on the other end there were ruts and I just couldn't find a way to get around there and be fast enough to get around him, over him, through him – whatever.”

Lanigan, the defending WoO LMS champion who turned 39 on June 3, once again fell short of his first tour victory of the season after making a gallant rally. He could only shake his head after running out of laps.

“Maybe one more lap,” said Lanigan, who started from the pole position and led laps 1-5. “That's all I might have needed.”

Lanigan did close to within two points of Francis in the WoO LMS points standings. Richards sits third, just six points behind Francis.

Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., finished a WoO LMS career-best sixth after a B-Main victory gave him the 18th starting spot. The 21-year-old pocketed the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour A-Main and wasn't ranked among the top-12 in the series points standings.

Finishing in positions 7-10 was Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., whose career-best WoO LMS finish earned him the $250 Rookie of the Race bonus; NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader of Concord, N.C.; rookie Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who scored a career-best series finish driving a newly-bodied car that sported a Canadian Maple Leaf on its left-side door; and rookie Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio.

A field of 42 cars was signed in for the evening's action, including a strong contingent of dirt Late Model racers from the UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned South Buxton (Ont.) Raceway about two hours to the west.

Lanigan registered his third fast-time honor of the 2009 season, setting a new dirt Late Model track record of 14.718 seconds in Ohlins Shock Time Trials. He led an army of 31 drivers who topped the previous one-lap standard of 16.094 seconds established last year by Clint Smith.

Heat winners were Lanigan (by a mere 0.020 of a second over Richards), Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Clanton and Francis. The B-Mains were captured by King and Knowles.

Former WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., made his long-awaited return to the cockpit from a back injury suffered in a January accident during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla. But the winner of the tour's '08 event at Ohsweken experienced a frustrating evening, failing to qualify after being forced pitside by flat tires while holding a transfer spot in both the third heat and second B-Main.

McCreadie, 35, returned to the B-Main after pitting and was bidding for the final transfer position with two laps remaining when his Sweeteners Plus car bounced in turn four, breaking the rear suspension and ending his hopes.

The Canadian stretch of the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' continues this weekend, visiting Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Que., on Saturday night (June 20) and Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway on Sunday night (June 21).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Six Nations 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (8) Josh Richards/50 $10,600
2. (9) Brady Smith/50 $5,500
3. (1) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,650
4. (10) Rick Eckert/50 $3,000
5. (4) Dan Stone/50 $2,000
6. (18) Tony Knowles/49 $2,200
7. (15) Jordan Bland/49 $2,150
8. (6) Kenny Schrader/49 $1,300
9. (12) Brent Robinson/49 $1,200
10. (17) Russell King/48 $1,200
11. (7) Tim Fuller/48 $1,600
12. (23) Dustin Hapka/47 $1,000
13. (13) Clint Smith/46 $1,450
14. (11) Peter Mantha Jr./22 $900
15. (14) Chub Frank/16 $1,350
16. (24) Tyler Reddick/16 $800
17. (2) Austin Hubbard/14 $770
18. (19) Greg Oakes/14 $750
19. (5) Steve Francis/13 $1,330
20. (21) Adam Ferri/10 $700
21. (3) Shane Clanton/9 $1,200
22. (16) Gregg Satterlee/9 $700
23. (20) Brent Rhebergen/2 $700
24. (22) Chris Ross/1 $700

NOTE: Russell King and Brent Rhebergen started from the rear of the field after changing cars; King went to a backup car after the B-Main, and Rhebergen took the green flag in Mike Knight's No. 9K after mechanical trouble in his own machine at the end of the B-Main

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 42 Mins., 49.874 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.429 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 5, 7, 14, 16)
Red Flag: 1 (Lap 10)
Lap Leaders: Lanigan (1-5); Hubbard (6-14); Richards (15-50)
Provisional Starters: Hapka, Reddick
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Tony Knowles ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Brandon Bender (Brady Smith)

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

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.718 (NTR)
2. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.807
3. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.936
4. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.951
5. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 14.973
6. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.999
7. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 15.002
8. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 15.005
9. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.029
10. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.035
11. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.077
12. 18R-Chris Ross/Wallaceburg, ONT 15.085
13. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.122
14. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.155
15. 9-Kenny Schrader/Concord, NC 15.220
16. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 15.238
17. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.246
18. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 15.275
19. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.301
20. 22s-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 15.339
21. 1A-Brad Authier/Chatham, ONT 15.437
22. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.454
23. 07R-Brent Rhebergen/Clymer, NY 15.474
24. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.518
25. 1F-Adam Ferri/Port Colbourne, ONT 15.548
26. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.554
27. 1*CFR-Peter Mantha Jr./Gatineau, QUE 15.566
28. 60-Dale Glassford/Thomasville, ONT 15.846
29. 22G-Greg Oakes/Franklinville, NY 15.919
30. 38-Kirk Hooker/Chatham, ONT 16.026
31. RH21-Gregg Haskell/Chatham, ONT 16.086
32. 88-Andrew Reaume/Blenheim, ONT 16.104
33. 77-Brett Reaume/Blenheim, ONT 16.238
34. 05-Mike Lewis/Wallaceburg, ONT 16.935
35. 92-Adam West/Ridgetown, ONT 17.422
36. 26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA 17.768
37. 81-Tim Mackenzie/Chatham, ONT 18.904
38. 9k-Mike Knight/Ripley, NY 24.583
39. 78-Rick Baker/Ridgeway, ONT N/T
40. 90-Mark Glassford/Goderich, ONT N/T
41. 00-Jim Dale Jr./Shrewsbury, ONT N/T
42. 7-Jeff Dayman/Welland, ONT N/T (DQ – light)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Richards, B. Smith, C. Smith, Ferri, Oakes, Authier, Mackenzie, B. Reaume, Hess, Dale

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Hubbard, Eckert, Frank, Knight, King, Hapka, Farmer, Dayman, Hooker, Lewis

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Schrader, Mantha, Bland, Rhebergen, McCreadie, Haskell, Baker, Reddick (DNS) West

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Stone, Robinson, Satterlee, Knowles, A. Reaume, D. Glassford, M. Glassford, Ross, Lux

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): King, Oakes, Ferri, Authier, B. Reaume, Dayman, Hooker, Lewis, Dale, Farmer, Knight (DNS) Hapka, Mackenzie, Hess

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Knowles, Rhebergen, Ross, D. Glassford, A. Reaume, McCreadie, M. Glassford (DNS) Haskell, Baker, Reddick, West, Lux

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Brett Reaume, Andrew Reaume
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Dan Stone
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Tony Knowles
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Russell King, Tony Knowles
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Darrell Laniganh
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Dan Stone
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Brady Smith
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Tim McCreadie
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of June 18 – 15 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 5-9-11-$77,010-1977 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-7-12-$65,650-1975 (-2)
3. Josh Richards 2-8-11-$64,420-1971 (-6)
4. Rick Eckert 1-6-10-$37,985-1951 (-26)
5. Shane Clanton 1-2-11-$46,200-1927 (-50)
6. Tim Fuller 0-2-7-$27,480-1893 (-84)
7. Brady Smith 0-6-8-$36,975-1886 (-91)
8. Chub Frank 0-2-9-$28,650-1879 (-98)
9. Clint Smith 0-0-5-$23,390-1787 (-190)
10. Jordan Bland 0-0-1-$16,180-1529 (-448)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-1-15,650-1518 (-459)
12. Russell King 0-0-2-$13,020-1508 (-469)
13. Brent Robinson 0-0-1-$8,010-1446 (-531)
14. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,330-1395 (-582)
15. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$7,310-1363 (-614)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$4,235-1236 (-741)
17. Austin Hubbard 0-1-2-$8,575-847 (-1130)
18. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-1260)
19. Dennis Erb Jr. 0-1-1-$5,010-657 (-1320)
20. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-1362)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Grand Homecoming For McCreadie & Fuller During World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Monday (June 22) At Can-Am Motorsports Park

LAFARGEVILLE, NY - June 18, 2009 - The inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Can-Am Motorsports Park on Monday night (June 22) officially carries the ‘North Country 40' title.

But as far as Tim McCreadie and Tim Fuller are concerned, it might as well be called ‘Homecoming 2009.'

The two DIRTcar Modified-turned-dirt Late Model standouts will be the clear-cut stars of the big show at Can-Am, a half-mile oval that is located just minutes north of their homes in Watertown, N.Y. Both drivers launched their DIRTcar 358-Modified careers at the track but have been infrequent visitors since they began running a national schedule in the dirt Late Model division.

“Everyone around here is buzzing about McCreadie and Fuller running a World of Outlaws race in their backyards,” said Chip Burdick, who manages Can-Am for well-known North Country car dealers Charlie and Billy Caprara. “We're thrilled to have the World of Outlaws at Can-Am to give everybody up here a chance to see McCreadie and Fuller in their Late Models.”

Both hometown heroes are excited about having a rare opportunity to perform in front of their local fans, friends and family members.

“It's always nice to come home to race,” said McCreadie, who won the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award in 2004, led the tour in victories in ‘05 and captured the points championship in '06. “We've had a few (WoO) races close to Watertown in the past (in central New York and Canada), but Can-Am is right up the road for us. There's a lot of people who are probably going to see us run the Late Model for the first time.”

“Racing close to home makes it easier on everyone (with the team),” said Fuller, the 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year who travels the circuit with crewmen Mike (‘Smoke') Countryman and Barry Knapp. “You know you'll have plenty of crew (help) because everybody you grew up with and their brother will be there – and of course, you can sleep in your own bed at night.”

The appearance of McCreadie has the Watertown faithful especially excited. The son of Watertown's DIRTcar big-block Modified legend ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie, the 35-year-old fulltime professional racer is returning to the cockpit this week for the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour' after being sidelined since January by a back injury he suffered in a crash during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

“It's been a long year for me so far because I haven't been able to race,” said McCreadie, who pronounced himself ready to compete again after testing his Sweeteners Plus-sponsored dirt Late Model on Tuesday at the Caprara-promoted Thunder Alley Speed Park in Evans Mills, N.Y. “The people up here around Watertown have been so good to me since I've been hurt, so they're excited to see me come back at a track close to home and I'm excited to be able to race in front of them. It's going to be a fun night.”

McCreadie, who competed at Can-Am regularly during his rookie season of DIRTcar 358-Modified action in 1996 and won his first career big-block Modified feature there in 1997, thinks Monday's WoO LMS competition will certainly please the track's expected capacity crowd.

“Like most of the (WoO LMS) shows we run in the Northeast, (Can-Am) will race good,” said McCreadie. “I've been in some real good Modified races there over the years so I don't see why a Late Model show won't be just as exciting.”

Fuller, meanwhile, sees a WoO LMS program at Can-Am in much the same light as McCreadie.

“I think it'll be a pretty big hit (with the fans),” said Fuller, who drives a Gypsum Express-sponsored Late Model fielded by former Can-Am Motorsports Park owner John Wight. “It's my belief that we have the best racetracks in the Northeast, and Can-Am is one of ‘em. The Northeast is where the best racing goes on because of the way the tracks are configured and the clay that's on ‘em.”

A native of the North Country hamlet of Edwards, Fuller, 41, hopes his knowledge of Can-Am intricacies – he's won numerous DIRTcar 358-Modified features there – helps lead him to a triumph in Monday's 40-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Main.

“It'd be great to just get a win anywhere in the Northeast,” smiled Fuller, whose three career WoO LMS victories have come far from Watertown, in North Dakota (two) and Wyoming. “All those people from up home just read in the paper that you won here, won there, but then you never do nothing when you come back to your local tracks (for Late Model events) and everybody wonders, What's up?

“We haven't always run good with the Late Model at the tracks we're familiar with, but I think that has a lot to do with being new to the deal. We've been at it for a few years now and I think we have a better handle on it, so hopefully we'll show everybody at home that we can be fast in these things.”

McCreadie and Fuller will face plenty of tough competition from the roster of WoO LMS stars, which includes 2007 champion and current points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; defending champ Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; 21-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who won back-to-back A-Mains during last year's Great Northern Tour at tracks he had never previously seen; and 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., a former DIRTcar big-block Modified track champion at Can-Am.

Other WoO LMS standouts to watch include Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and new '09 regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., as well as 2009 Rookie of the Year contenders Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Other drivers with plans to enter Can-Am's action include defending Mr. DIRTcar Modified champion Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., who races out of the same Gypsum Express stable as Fuller; Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa.; Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa.; Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa.; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.; 21-year-old Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga.; Greg Oakes of Franklinville, N.Y.; and April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., who is hoping to become the first female driver to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main during the Great Northern Tour.

Can-Am's ‘North Country 40,' which is sponsored by Clarence Henry Coach, Syracuse Frame Service, State Farm Insurance Agent Laura D'Penasek-Whitney and WWNY-TV7, will also include racing for the DIRTcar Sportsman and Street Stocks.

The pit and grandstand gates will open at 4 p.m., with racing starting at 7 p.m.

Advance-sale tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students (ages 10-14). Race-day tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students (ages 10-14) and free for kids 9-and-under.

For more information, visit www.canammotorsports.com or call 315-778-3407 (office) or 315-658-4431 (race day).

The Can-Am event is part of the WoO LMS Great Northern Tour, which barnstorms across the Northeast through the end of the month. The swing begins at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway on June 18 and also includes stops on June 20 at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond; June 21 at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway.; June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Late Model Fan: Cornwall Motor Speedway Owner Ron Morin Anxious For World of Outlaws Encore At His Quarter-Mile On Sunday Night (June 21)

CORNWALL, ONT - June 17, 2009 - Cornwall Motor Speedway owner Ron Morin is an unabashed fan of dirt Late Model racing.

“I'll go out of my way to see a good Late Model show,” pronounced Morin, who always has a long drive to full-fender events since his home in the Thousand Islands region of Ontario is far from the heart of dirt Late Model country.

But this Sunday night (June 21), the division will come to Morin when his gorgeous quarter-mile oval hosts the World of Outlaws Late Model Series as part of the ‘Great Northern Tour' for the second consecutive year.

Morin is looking for a repeat of last year's spectacular 50-lap ‘Triple Crown of Racing' A-Main, which drew a standing-room-only crowd to the high-banked track and saw young WoO LMS sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., outduel former tour champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., for a dramatic victory.

“That race was probably even more exciting that I expected,” said Morin, who has built Cornwall into a showplace DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned facility during his more than quarter-century at the helm. “It was such a great race, there were people saying they wanted to pay again on their way out (of the track)!”

Morin, of course, wasn't surprised that his clientele, which is accustomed to DIRTcar 358-Modified racing, got so jazzed up watching WoO LMS action. After all, dirt Late Models commanded his interest as soon as he saw them for the first time back in the early ‘80s, when the old NDRA series visited central New York's Rolling Wheels Raceway.

More recently, Morin has quenched his thirst for dirt Late Model racing by attending numerous events. He's seen WoO LMS shows close to home at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond and New York's Rolling Wheels and Fulton Speedway. He also annually takes in dirt Late Model events during February's Florida Speedweeks at Volusia Speedway Park and East Bay Raceway Park and often makes a springtime trip to Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway for a Late Model/Modified doubleheader.

“I guess I got the bug for Late Model racing,” said Morin, who oversees one of the most successful Sunday-night tracks in North America. “I just love watching them race. I think it's the way they lift up the left-front corner and slide so hard in the turns. They're just so exciting.”

After finally landing a coveted WoO LMS date for Cornwall last year, Morin is anxiously counting the days until the tour's return engagement. A 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win headlines Sunday's card, which also includes Cornwall's featured DIRTcar 358-Modified class and the Speedsters division.

“I'm ready for the Outlaws to come back,” said Morin. “I'm going to working on the track every day to make sure we give them the best track possible to race on.”

The 21-year-old Richards will lead the WoO LMS contingent back to Morin's finely-manicured speedway, where last year he passed McCreadie for the lead with 10 laps remaining en route to his first-ever win on Canadian soil.

McCreadie, who finished second in last year's 50-lapper, is also expected to be in Sunday night's field. A former DIRTcar Modified standout who scored his first major 358-Modified victory at Cornwall in 1996, McCreadie is returning to dirt Late Model competition this week after being sidelined since January due to a back injury he suffered in a crash during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

Other WoO LMS stars returning to Cornwall after debuting there in '08 are Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (finished third in last year's event); defending tour champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (fourth); Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (fifth); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (ninth); '07 champ and current points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (10th); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (11th); and '07 Rookie of the Year and former DIRTcar Modified regular Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (13th).

WoO LMS travelers looking to make their first-ever starts at Cornwall include Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who won a tour event in Saskatchewan last year, and 2009 Rookie of the Year contenders Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

Other drivers with plans to cross the border for Drummond's action include defending Mr. DIRTcar Modified champion Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y.; Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa.; Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa.; Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa.; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.; 21-year-old Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga.; Greg Oakes of Franklinville, N.Y.; and April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., who is hoping to become the first female driver to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main.

Cornwall's pit gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. on Sun., June 21, and the spectator gates will be unlocked at 3:30 p.m. Reserved seats are not being sold, but the track gates will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for fans to save grandstand spots with blankets.

Time trials are slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. with racing to get the green flag at 7 p.m.

For more information visit www.cornwallspeedway.com or call 613-938-3945.

The Cornwall event is part of the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour,' which barnstorms across the Northeast through the end of the month. The swing begins at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway on June 18 and also includes stops on June 20 at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond; June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y.; June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

After Practice Session, McCreadie's Return Is On For ‘Great Northern Tour' Opener Thursday Night (June 18) At Ontario's Ohsweken Speedway

CONCORD, NC - June 17, 2009 - Tim McCreadie climbed behind the wheel of a race car for the first time in five months on Tuesday.

And after that practice session, the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion pronounced himself ready for his long-awaited return to dirt Late Model competition.

Sidelined since suffering a back injury on Jan. 15 in a crash during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., McCreadie will make his first full-fender start of the season on Thursday night (June 18) when the WoO LMS opens its ‘Great Northern Tour' with the ‘Six Nations 50' at Ontario's Ohsweken Speedway.

McCreadie, 35, of Watertown, N.Y., spent nearly seven hours on Tuesday testing his Sweeteners Plus Rocket No. 39 dirt Late Model at Thunder Alley Speedpark in Evans Mills, N.Y., just a few miles north of Watertown.

“I'm a little tired and sore (after practicing), but that's to be expected after not doing anything for so long,” McCreadie said on Wednesday morning after returning from a visit with a local chiropractor. “Everything went smooth and I feel like I'm ready to go.

“I'm excited to get back to racing. Hopefully we'll be able to get out there and have some good runs in these races coming up.”

McCreadie, who won last year's inaugural WoO LMS event at Ohsweken, tentatively plans to follow the remainder of the Great Northern Tour after Thursday night's lidlifter. The busy swing also includes dates on June 20 at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond; June 21 at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway; June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in Lafargeville, N.Y.; June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway (the completion of a held-over WoO LMS show is set for June 25 and the Firecracker 100 will be contested on June 26-27).

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Eckert Looking To Enjoy Another Raucous Victory Lane Celebration On Saturday Night (June 20) At Quebec's Autodrome Drummond

DRUMMONDVILLE, QUE - June 16, 2009 - Rick Eckert knows how much fun it is to win the ‘Quebec 50' at Autodrome Drummond.

That's one big reason why the standout racer from York, Pa., would love to pull off another victory this Saturday night (June 20) when the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Great Northern Tour' visits the French-Canadian facility for the third consecutive year.

Eckert, 43, found himself in the middle of a memorably raucous scene following his triumph in last year's World of Outlaws A-Main at Drummond, a four-tenths-mile oval that has drawn one of the tour's biggest crowds for two years in a row.

“It's a cool place to go to a race and a real cool place to win a race,” said Eckert, who held off 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., to capture the '08 Quebec 50. “When I got out of the car (in Victory Lane) there was all kinds stuff going on.”

For starters, Eckert stood on the roof of his orange Raye Vest Racing No. 24 and waved to the thousands of cheering fans packed into the huge, steep grandstand that stretches the length of the speedway's homestretch. It was the type of post-race reception that gets a driver's adrenalin pumping.

Then, as Eckert hugged his wife Crystal and high-fived his crewmen, music blared from Drummond's loudspeakers and colorful rockets went off in the sky. Eckert's victory interview had to wait until the end of the fireworks display, which was lengthened by the fact that the fireworks planned for the pre-race pageantry weren't fired to save time with a threat of rain looming.

Eckert stood in awe while watching the spectacle that is a major event at Drummond, which has developed a well-deserved reputation for providing hip, exciting entertainment under the leadership of promoter (and DIRTcar 358-Modified racer) Yan Bussiere.

“The whole night is a real big shindig there,” Eckert said of Drummond. “They put a show on. They really do a great job of getting their fans into the racing and making the night fun.”

Saturday evening's WoO LMS program will once again feature plenty of crowd-pleasing fun, including the house D.J. who spins pulse-pounding music in his personal tower room throughout the night; the roving Autodrome Drummond mascot; the Bud Girls firing up the fans with free prizes; and elaborate pre-race driver introductions that include spotlighted drivers, ear-splitting cannon shots, sirens, fireworks and mood-setting music.

While the Quebec 50 is clearly more than just a race, Eckert hopes that he can give the French-speaking fans plenty to scream about with his actions on the track. He's confident that he can repeat his '08 performance at the longtime DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned oval.

Of course, Eckert will have to slow down the WoO LMS assault of 2007 series champion and current points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who won the inaugural tour event at Drummond in ‘07. Francis enters the Great Northern Tour riding a two-race series win streak and, with five victories overall, is the only driver with more than one checkered flag to his credit on this year's schedule.

Eckert, who owns a single WoO LMS victory this season, isn't worrying about Francis's hot streak.

“You don't worry about slowing (Francis) down,” said Eckert, whose '08 triumph at Drummond snapped his frustrating 71-race winless streak on the WoO LMS. “You worry about picking yourself up. I'm not much worried about what he does, because he's doing what he's supposed to be doing. It's our job to get our stuff working like it's supposed to, to get it faster so I can beat him. You can't let whatever he does bother you.

“Right now he can't do anything wrong,” he continued. “You go through spells like that, when you win races where you say, ‘Man, I should've never won that race.'”

Eckert and Francis will lead a star-studded group of WoO LMS points-chasers to Drummond. The traveling roster also includes defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., a winner of two Great Northern Tour A-Mains in '08; former tour rookies of the year Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who have run DIRTcar Modified events at Drummond in the past; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga; and 2009 Rookie of the Year candidates Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

McCreadie, meanwhile, is expected to be in action at a track where he's well known – barring any setbacks in his recovery from a back injury that has sidelined him since January.

Other drivers with plans to cross the border for Drummond's action include Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., 21-year-old Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., Greg Oakes of Franklinville, N.Y., and April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., who is hoping to become the first female driver to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main. Veteran John Mason of Millersburg, Ohio, who entered the 2007 WoO LMS show at Drummond, is also contemplating traveling north to run at least the Drummond and Cornwall events, which would allow him to visit with his close friend Bert Robidoux, the owner of Bert Transmission in Saint Constant, Que.

The French Canadian crowd will also have a home-province driver to root for in Peter Mantha Jr. of Gatineau, Que., who is in his third season entering selected dirt Late Model events in a car maintained by Outlaw Chub Frank.

Action at Autodrome Drummond on Sat., June 20, is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. The track's DIRTcar 358-Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks are also on the program.

For more information on the ‘Quebec 50' visit www.autodrome-drummond.com or call the track office at 819-474-2222.

Autodrome Drummond is located about 45 minutes northeast of Montreal, off Exit 177 of Autoroute 20.

The Drummond stop is part of the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour,' which barnstorms across the Northeast through the end of the month. The swing begins at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway on June 18 and also includes stops on June 21 at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway; June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y.; June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (the postponed Showdown in Sarvertown on June 25 at the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Begins Unprecedented ‘Great Northern Tour' On Thursday Night (June 18) At Ontario's Ohsweken Speedway

Tour's Stars Geared Up For Nine Nights Of Racing Over 10-Day Period In Northeast

CONCORD, NC - June 15, 2009 - The stars of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series have had two-and-a-half weeks to gear up for the ‘Great Northern Tour.'

And considering the grueling dirt-track odyssey that lies ahead of them, they've needed every bit of the break.

The WoO LMS is about to embark on the busiest swing in its six years under the World Racing Group banner. A whirlwind trip to the Northeast jammed with nine nights of action over a 10-day period – including an unprecedented eight consecutive evenings of racing – kicks off this Thursday (June 18) at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway.

“This is (UMP DIRTcar) Summer Nationals-type racing,” said 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., comparing the Great Northern Tour to the annual month-long Super Late Model ‘Hell Tour' of the Midwest. “It's going to be tough on everybody, but as long as you don't have troubles, you'll be fine. If you can get going good on this swing, it can give you the momentum to keep going good for the rest of the summer.”

The Great Northern Tour is poised to obliterate the record for WoO LMS events run on consecutive nights, doubling the existing standard of series competition on four straight days. There will be no rest for weary Outlaws; after an off-day following Ohsweken's ‘Six Nations 50,' the travelers (and several regional standouts who plan to follow the entire Great Northern Tour) will go to work for eight evenings in a row.

Following the post-Ohsweken travel day, the WoO LMS schedule features northern-tier stops on June 20 at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Que.; June 21 at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway; June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in Lafargeville, N.Y.; and June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway. The swing then heads south to Pennsylvania for a June 24 date at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville and a three-day visit to Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, which hosts the completion of the postponed ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' on June 25 and the third annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com on June 26-27.

The virtual non-stop activity of the Great Northern Tour certainly presents a daunting mechanical and physical challenge to the racers, but they're also looking at it as a rare opportunity.

“The good thing about it is if you have a bad night, you get to come right back the next night and redeem yourself,” said WoO LMS standout Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who never finished outside the top five in the five A-Mains that were completed during last year's Great Northern Tour. “When you're racing every night, there's no time to think about it.

“Of course, if you have a lot of bad nights – well, then things can snowball and you dig yourself a big hole (in the WoO LMS points race),” he added. “I'm just hoping that we'll have a great Northern Tour again. There's some nice, racy racetracks (on the swing), so I'm looking forward to it.”

Those Great Northern Tour host tracks include:

* Ohsweken Speedway, a well-manicured, three-eighths-mile oval located on the Six Nations Indian Reserve about 65 miles southwest of Toronto and 75 miles west of Niagara Falls. Last year's inaugural WoO LMS event at the Glenn Styres-owned track was won by 2006 tour champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who is planning to make Thursday night's $10,000-to-win event his return to action after being sidelined since January by a back injury. The field will also include NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader and a contingent of drivers from the UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned South Buxton (Ont.) Raceway.

* Autodrome Drummond, a circular four-tenths-mile speedway that sits in French-speaking Quebec and has become known for its high-energy atmosphere. The first Canadian track to bring in a WoO LMS event in 2007, Drummond is expected to draw another capacity crowd into its steep, expansive grandstand for Saturday night's $10,000-to-win ‘Quebec 50.' Former WoO LMS winners at Drummond include Eckert (2008) and current tour points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (2007).

* Cornwall Motor Speedway, which attracted a standing-room-only crowd to its spectacular first-ever WoO LMS event one year ago. Twenty-one-year-old series sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., outdueled McCreadie to capture last year's 50-lapper and will return on Sun., June 21, to take a shot at grabbing the $10,000 top prize posted by the showplace Canadian track's promoter, huge dirt Late Model fan Ron Morin.

* Can-Am Motorsports Park, a wide, sweeping half-mile oval that is probably the largest track on the Great Northern Tour. The $7,000-to-win ‘North Country 40' on Mon., June 22 – the first-ever WoO LMS program at Can-Am – will be a grand homecoming race for Fuller and McCreadie, who call nearby Watertown home and began their DIRTcar 358-Modified careers at the track.

* Canandaigua Speedway, a stalwart DIRTcar Racing Northeast track that is set to entertain the WoO LMS for the second straight season on Tues., June 22, with a 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win. Last year a huge crowd watched Richards race to victory over a field that included 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who will be looking to enjoy some home cooking at a half-mile oval where he's enjoyed DIRTcar big-block Modified success.

* Big Diamond Raceway, the mainstay of eastern Pennsylvania 358-Modified racing that attracted an impressive crowd for its inaugural WoO LMS ‘Coal Country 40' in 2008. Defending series champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., won last year's A-Main and wore a coal miner's helmet during the Victory Lane ceremonies – a tradition that will continue after the $7,000-to-win event is completed on Wed., June 23. NASCAR's Schrader will be one of the drivers looking to unseat the Outlaws at Diamond.

* Lernerville Speedway, the popular four-tenths-mile oval in western Pennsylvania that will become a WoO LMS fan's Mecca from June 25-27. As if the Firecracker 100 weekend – time trials and heats on Fri., June 26, and last-chance races, the ‘Uncle Sam 30' non-qualifiers' race and the $30,000-to-win 100-lap A-Main on Sat., June 27 – weren't enough excitement, the action now extends to Thurs., June 25, with the running of the remaining B-Main and 50-lap WoO LMS A-Main that were stopped by rain on May 5.

As many as 20 drivers could run every event that comprises the Great Northern Tour, including 15 WoO LMS regulars. The roster of series points-chasers includes standings leader Francis, who enters the swing with a tour-leading five wins in '09; Eckert, who won last year's event at Drummond; Richards, a winner of two Great Northern Tour A-Mains in '08; Lanigan; Fuller; Coffey; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga; and 2009 Rookie of the Year candidates Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

McCreadie, meanwhile, is hoping to get his dirt Late Model groove back by following the Great Northern Tour, as are regional talents Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., and 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.

Among the drivers expected to enter multiple events on the Great Northern Tour are DIRTcar big-block Modified star Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y. (Cornwall, Drummond, Can-Am, Canandaigua); 21-year-old Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga. (through Big Diamond); April Farmer of Livingston, Tenn., who plans to race through Canandaigua in hopes of becoming the first female driver to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main; and Greg Oakes of Franklinville, N.Y. (Canada and New York races). Veteran John Mason of Millersburg, Ohio, is also contemplating traveling north to run at least the Drummond and Cornwall events, which would allow him to visit with his close friend Bert Robidoux, the owner of Bert Transmission in Saint Constant, Que.

For more information on the ‘Great Northern Tour':

* Ohsweken Speedway on Thurs., June 18: Visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com or call 1-888-720-7223.

* Autodrome Drummond on Sat., June 20: Visit www.autodrome-drummond.com or call 819-474-2222.

* Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sun., June 21: Visit www.cornwallspeedway.com or call 613-938-3945.

* Can-Am Motorsports Park on Mon., June 22: Visit www.canammotorsports.com or call 315-658-4431 (race day) or 315-778-3407 (office).

* Canandaigua Speedway on Tues., June 23: Visit www.canandaiguaspeedway.com or call 315-834-6606.

* Big Diamond Raceway on Wed., June 24: Visit www.bigdiamondraceway.com or call 570-385-0744.

* Lernerville Speedway on June 25-27: Visit www.lernerville.com or call (724)353-1511.

More info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

McCreadie Eyeing ‘Great Northern Tour' Opener On June 18 At Ohsweken Speedway For His Return From Back Injury

CONCORD, NC - June 8, 2009 - Tim McCreadie is ready to get back behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model.

Barring any setbacks in his recovery from a back injury, the sensational driver from Watertown, N.Y., plans to make his long-awaited return to competition in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Great Northern Tour' opener on Thurs., June 18, at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway.

McCreadie, 35, has been sidelined from pursuing his fulltime occupation since Jan. 15 when a wild, flipping crash during qualifying for the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., left him with a fractured T-3 vertebra and floating bone fragments in his back.

“The last five months have definitely been frustrating,” said McCreadie, who has spent the majority of his recuperation time at the Watertown home of his father, legendary DIRTcar big-block Modified driver ‘Barefoot' Bob McCreadie. “When you're used to always being busy and around racing, it's hard to be stuck in a house just waiting to heal up. I can't wait to get back out there and do what I love to do.”

McCreadie traveled to Indianapolis the first week in May for a checkup with Dr. Terry Trammell, the renowned Orthopedic Surgeon who has helped many injured drivers over the years. A clean bill of health from Trammell allowed the 2006 WoO LMS champion to finally shed the wraparound back brace he had been wearing since the accident, with his return to racing hinging upon how quickly he could whip himself back into satisfactory physical shape to wrestle his 800-horsepower Sweeteners Plus No. 39.

After his long period of inactivity, McCreadie has been slowly rounding his body into racing trim. He's been heading off to the gym each day to follow an exercise program provided to him by a sports trainer and has experienced plenty of soreness, especially in his back muscles, but he's hopeful that the rehabilitation pain will soon fade away.

“I had planned on racing again at the end of May (starting with a WoO LMS event at Delaware International Speedway), but I just wasn't ready yet,” said McCreadie. “It's frustrating when you're still sore and feel like you're not getting better, but I'm getting there. It just takes time.

“I'm shooting to come back at Ohsweken and then run the (Great) Northern Tour races,” continued the driver known as ‘T-Mac,' who hopes to turn some test laps at a local track before heading across the border on June 18. “All the races are at tracks we're pretty familiar with and they're all close to home – and I really want to get some races in so I'll feel like I'm ready to run for some big money (at the end of the swing) when we go to Lernerville (Speedway in Sarver, Pa.) for the ($30,000-to-win) Firecracker 100 (on June 26-27).”

The three-eighths-mile Ohsweken oval is the only track on the eight-race Great Northern Tour that McCreadie has run just once in his career, but his single appearance there resulted in a victory. He captured last year's inaugural WoO LMS ‘Six Nations 50' at Ohsweken, which sits about 65 miles southwest of Toronto and 75 miles west of Niagara Falls.

McCreadie possesses much more experience on the other tracks that comprise the Great Northern Tour. The swing's lidlifter at Ohsweken will be followed by events on June 20 at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond; June 21 at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway, where McCreadie won his first Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series show as a rookie in 1996; June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in Lafargeville, N.Y., which is just minutes from his family's home; June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway, where he spent several years as a DIRTcar big-block Modified regular; June 24 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway (the completion of a held-over WoO LMS show is set for June 25 and the Firecracker 100 will be contested on June 26-27).

One of the country's hottest dirt Late Model drivers at the end of the 2008 season, McCreadie is confident that he'll be able to regain his winning form following his long layoff.

“You always have your ability,” said McCreadie, who owns 11 career WoO LMS A-Main triumphs. “The only issue I see is sharpness. You don't get sharp sitting around for months on end, but I'll look at it like I'm starting the season off in Florida after not racing for the winter.

“I don't think we'll be missing anything with our cars. I've been talking to some people about stuff that's working on their cars and it's the same stuff that we were doing at the end of last year.”

McCreadie, who has attended just a handful of upstate New York DIRTcar big-block events as a spectator since returning from his February trip south to watch the annual dirt Late Model shows in Florida, is anxious to put the most disheartening period of his career behind him. But in the same vein, he can't help but acknowledge the outpouring of support he's received since his crash from the racing community and beyond.

“So many people have helped me out,” said McCreadie. “There were two benefits for me (to raise money for his medical bills) that helped me a lot, and I've just been amazed by how many people have been interested in how I'm doing.

“I haven't really been in Watertown much for the past four years, but I've had people I don't even know come up to me on the street and ask how I was doing.”

In fact, a couple weeks ago McCreadie was approached in downtown Watertown by a man who apologized for not attending one of his benefits. McCreadie wasn't sure if he had met previously met the man, who informed McCreadie that his son was Kenny Nims, a Watertown native who stars for the national champion Syracuse University lacrosse team.

“I guess it feels good to know people like that know who I am and I'm respected as a sports figure in the area,” said McCreadie.

For more information on the ‘Six Nations 50' at Ohsweken Speedway, visit www.ohswekenspeedway.com or call 888-720-7223.

Additional info on the Great Northern Tour and the WoO LMS can be obtained by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Lanigan's Third-Place Finish Leads The Tour's Entrants In Dream XV At Eldora Speedway

ROSSBURG, OH - June 7, 2009 -

CLOSE AGAIN: Defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Darrell Lanigan made another impressive charge in a big-money race on Saturday night, rallying from the 15th starting spot to finish third in the UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned ‘Dream XV' at Eldora Speedway.

But pocketing $10,000 and ending up as the highest-finishing WoO LMS regular in the 100-lap A-Main was little consolation for the no-nonsense racer from Union, Ky., who is sick and tired of falling short in extra-distance specials this season.

Lanigan, who turned 39 on June 3, summed up his Dream effort thusly: “We needed to start up front. If we would've been in front of Scott (Bloomquist, who finished second), I don't know if he would've gotten by us. (Jimmy) Owens (the eventual winner) – well, he was good and would've been tough to beat even if we started up front, so I'm not saying we would've won it with a better starting spot. But I know that we could've run second.”

It took Lanigan until lap 40 to crack the top 10. He was up to eighth when the race's lone caution flag flew on lap 51, and by lap 63 he was fourth and closing on the lead trio of Tony Stewart, Bloomquist and Owens.

Alas, after Lanigan overtook Stewart for third on lap 78, he couldn't summon quite enough speed in his Fusion Energy Rocket to run down Bloomquist with the Dream running clean-and-green to the checkered flag.

“I ran ‘em down like a straightaway and just about got to ‘em,” Lanigan said of Stewart, Bloomquist and Owens. “But once I got close my stuff (tires) was so hot, I was done.”

Lanigan's Dream run fits alongside his performances earlier this year in the Lone Star 100 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, and the Circle K Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. He started both events from the sixth starting spot, but flat tires – on lap 40 at Battleground and lap 14 at The Dirt Track – forced him to make spectacular rushes from the rear of the field in order to salvage a pair of hard-earned second-place finishes.

The low-key driver at least hopes that his outing in the Dream – a race he finished among the top-10 for the 10th time in 11 career A-Main starts (including an '03 victory and two runner-up performances) – gives him some momentum for the upcoming WoO LMS Great Northern Tour.

Lanigan is winless on the '09 WoO LMS but sits second in the points standings entering the Great Northern Tour, which features eight A-Mains and nine nights of action over a 10-day period. The swing kicks off on June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway and continues on June 20 at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond; June 21 at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway; June 22 at Can-Am Motorsports Park in Lafargeville, N.Y.; June 23 at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway; June 24 at Big Diamond Racing in Minersville, Pa.; and June 25-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (completion of a held-over program from May 5 on June 25 and the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27).

COOLED OFF: Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., didn't carry his WoO LMS hot streak to the Dream, finishing one lap down in 12th.

Early in the A-Main, however, it appeared that Francis just might be a serious factor. He hustled Dale Beitler's Rocket car from the 18th starting spot to eighth by lap 49, but the caution flag that came out two circuits later effectively sealed his fate.

“On the restart with all that dust flying, it was like somebody put water under my tires,” said Francis, who was ninth when the caution flew. “I backed up to like 15th and I never got back up there in the mix. I guess we just overheated the right-rear tire.

“Starting 18th, we knew we had to gamble a little bit, so we did some things we probably wouldn't have normally done and we didn't hit it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. I can't be real disappointed, but I can be a little aggravated.”

LATE MOVES: At one point midway through the 51-lap stretch of green-flag racing that opened the Dream A-Main, Rick Eckert was within a couple cars of being lapped.

But the York, Pa., driver's Team Zero by Bloomquist mount gradually improved as the laps clicked off, allowing him to quietly secure an eighth-place finish in the race he won in 1999.

“At the beginning of the race I was terrible,” said Eckert, who started 17th. “But just before the caution (on lap 51) I changed my line and found something through (turns) one and two that worked for me. I still struggled in three and four, but I kept running the same line in one and two for the rest of the race and I just kept picking off cars.”

MYSTERY MALADY: Chub Frank's Dream weekend went pretty well – for the length of his heat race, which he finished in the second spot, and the first 10 laps of the A-Main.

After that the former World 100 winner from Bear Lake, Pa., found himself flailing around on the half-mile oval, unable to make any noise. He faded out of the top 15 by lap 40 and finished 19th after pulling off late in the distance.

“The car wasn't bad in the heat race and it started out good in the feature for about eight or 10 laps,” said Frank, who pitted for some adjustments to his Rocket mount during the lap-51 caution perioid. “But then it just went away. I don't know what happened – the thing just started bouncing, like it got bound up in the corners.”

OFF THE PACE: The Dream was a bitter disappointment for 21-year-old WoO LMS sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who fell miserably short of victory in a crown-jewel event after raising his hopes by setting fast time on Friday night.

Richards started seventh in the 100 after a second-place finish in his heat, but he lost six spots on the opening lap and never stopped free-falling. He was lapped by Bloomquist moments before the right-rear tire blew on his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket on lap 51, sending him into the turn-one wall and leaving him 22nd in the final rundown.

“It felt like the right-rear tire just never touched the ground the whole time I was out there,” said Richards, shaking his head as he munched on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in his team's hauler following the race. “Something was wrong from the start – maybe something with how we siped the tire. It's very frustrating because we thought we had a car that could run up front.”

ENJOYABLE EVENING: Richards spent the second half of the race standing atop his team's trailer to watch the Dream victory bid of NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Tony Stewart, who entered his track's rich dirt Late Model event for the first time in a Rocket car prepared by Richards, Richards's father Mark and the Rocket Chassis crew.

Stewart, who shuttled by air between Eldora and his NASCAR commitments at Pennsylvania's Pocono Raceway, decided to run the event after his scheduled star-filled ‘Prelude to the Dream' program was postponed by rain on Wednesday night.

“Mark (Richards) sent me a text message on Wednesday sometime after they had figured I hadn't hung myself (due to the Prelude's postponement) and asked me if I wanted to run the car (in the Dream),” said Stewart. “They busted their butt to get the car ready (for the Prelude) and obviously we didn't get a chance to run it, so I said, ‘Yeah, let's do it.'”

Stewart's 24th-fastest lap on Friday proved to be perfect when Josh Richards picked a four for the heat-race invert number, putting Stewart on the pole for the sixth heat. He won that prelim to earn the pole position for the Dream, then led laps 10-37 and 61-72 before fading to a sixth-place finish.

“I guess we had the tires siped up too much,” Stewart said while unwinding in the Richards team's hauler after the 100. “About 15 laps before Scott (Bloomquist) caught us the first time the tire gave up a little bit. The tire thing is such a critical game here so you gotta find the sweet spot (with siping), and we just missed it a little bit.”

Nevertheless, Stewart was riding high on adrenalin following his outing in his No. 14 car, which carried sponsorship from Old Spice, Office Depot and Bass Pro Shops.

“I had a blast,” said Stewart. “If I didn't have to go to work tomorrow (at Pocono), we'd be here all night wide awake. I told (Josh and Mark) that my goal was just to be able to make the A-Main tonight, so we definitely beat that.

“I've been a nervous wreck the last two nights,” he added. “This is something I've wanted to do for a long time – and obviously if you're gonna do it, you wanna do it with Mark and Josh because you know you'll have the best opportunity to win. I have to thank them and the great bunch of people who helped us with this car tonight.”

‘B' BOYS: Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., saw their Dream efforts end in Saturday night's B-Main.

After both drivers transferred to the last-chance event through the C-Main – Fuller finished second and Smith was third – they went opposite directions in the 20-lap B-Main. Smith remained mired deep in the field and finished 17th, while Fuller made a stirring charge from the 20th starting spot to finish sixth.

Fuller, who made his first career Dream A-Main start in 2008, fell short of qualifying for the second straight year by just two positions in the B-Main. He made his move forward without the benefit of a caution flag.

SOUTHERN ANGER: Shane Clanton's first visit to Eldora since his World 100 victory last September didn't go as he planned.

The Locust Grove, Ga., driver was running fourth – one spot from transferring – in the fifth heat when a hard shot from 67-year-old Delmas Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio, sent him spinning into the wall between turns three and four on lap 11.

Clanton, who had swapped paint with Conley earlier in the heat, gestured angrily at the veteran driver as he passed by the accident scene under caution. He then sullenly rode back to the upper pit area to load up his damaged RSD Enterprises Rocket car.

DISAPPOINTMENT: First-year WoO LMS regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., knows he let a golden opportunity for Dream success slip through his fingers.

Smith found himself blessed with an outside-pole starting spot in the sixth heat, the prelim that puts its winner on the pole for the A-Main. But he slipped to fifth at the initial green flag and found himself spun off turn four on lap seven, effectively ending his hopes.

Though the 32-year-old made a strong march forward from deep in the field during the C-Main, he never caught a caution flag to help his cause and finished eighth, two spots short of transferring to the B-Main.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: WoO LMS Rookie of the Year points leader Jordan Bland might have experienced one of the most frustrating weekends of anyone in the Dream field.

The 20-year-old from Campbellsville, Ky., brought plenty of confidence into the event after qualifying for last September's World 100 at The Big E, but he left with plenty of broken equipment.

Bland's problems started when his primary Team Zero by Bloomquist No. 12 was sidelined by engine maladies during Friday's hot laps. He jumped into his backup car – a machine that still carried the orange Home Depot colors and No. 20 of NASCAR rookie Joey Logano, who was slated to drive it in Wednesday night's rained-out Prelude to the Dream – and promptly crashed it into the turn-one wall on his first time-trial circuit.

Adding insult to injury, Bland lasted just a couple of laps in his heat on Saturday. His No. 20 car sustained significant body damage in a first-lap scrape and he retired for the night.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Star Josh Richards Set For Appearance Tonight (June 7) On SPEED's ‘Wind Tunnel With Dave Despain'

CONCORD, NC - June 7, 2009 - World of Outlaws Late Model Series star Josh Richards will be the featured guest tonight (Sun., June 7) on SPEED's ‘Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain' show.

Richards, 21, of Shinnston, W.Va., will appear on ‘Wind Tunnel' live via satellite to answer questions posed by Despain, one of the country's most popular motorsports journalists. It will mark the young sensation's first live appearance on the weekly show.

‘Wind Tunnel' can be seen tonight at 9 o'clock ET on the SPEED cable network. Check local listings for additional re-air times for the show.

Fans can submit questions for Richards on-line at www.speedtv.com, by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 866-WTUNNEL.

The WoO LMS will also be featured today (June 7) on SPEED at 3 p.m. ET, when the network airs the tour's 2008 Firecracker 100 from Lernerville Speedway in a one-hour format. As a primer for the upcoming third annual $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27, fans can see all 100 laps of last year's event, including the Josh Richards/Shane Clanton duel and Brian Birkhofer's pursuit of Darrell Lanigan.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Buckeye 100' Rescheduled For Aug. 21-22 At Ohio's K-C Raceway

ALMA, OH - June 6, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will take another shot at beating Mother Nature this season at K-C Raceway.

Series and track officials have announced that the Buckeye 100, which was washed out by rain last month, has been rescheduled for Aug. 21-22 at the three-eighths-mile oval in southern Ohio.

The two-day WoO LMS spectacular will begin with time trials and heat races on Fri., Aug. 21, and conclude with B-Mains and the $20,000-to-win Buckeye 100 on Sat., Aug. 22.

“We're thrilled that we've been able to work with K-C Raceway promoter Jeff Schrader to reschedule the Buckeye 100 on an open weekend on our schedule,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “It was a big disappointment when we had to cancel the event (on May 1-2) because of heavy rain, so it's very exciting that the show will now go on.

“We've heard all about the exciting races that Jeff Schrader has been overseeing this year and we're looking forward to the opportunity to add more memorable moments to his first season at the helm of K-C Raceway.”

Anticipation was high for last month's Buckeye 100, a traditional event at the track during the ‘60s and into the ‘70s that was reincarnated as a major WoO LMS weekend. The event was last run in 1971 when the facility was known as Atomic Speedway.

The Buckeye 100 post-race ceremonies will feature the placing of a specially-designed winner's wreath on the shoulders of the big-money victor. The wreath includes Buckeye nuts (from the state tree), cardinals (state bird) and red carnations (state flower).

More details about the Buckeye 100 weekend, including support-division action and a time schedule, will be released in the near future.

For more information on K-C Raceway and the Buckeye 100 visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

K-C Raceway is located 12 miles south of Chillicothe, Ohio, in Alma, two miles off SR 23 on Blain Highway.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Red-Hot Francis Leads World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingent Into $100,000 ‘Dream' At Eldora Speedway

ROSSBURG, OH - June 4, 2009 - Steve Francis is the hottest driver on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

This weekend the veteran from Ashland, Ky., would like to extend his sizzling stretch of success to the UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned ‘Dream XV' at Eldora Speedway.

A winner of two straight and three of the last five WoO LMS A-Mains, Francis is riding high entering a weekend of action at NASCAR star Tony Stewart's famed half-mile oval that has a $100,000 check awaiting the ‘Dream' champion.

Time trials and non-qualifiers' races are scheduled for Friday night (June 5), with the heats, last-chance events and ‘Dream 100' set for Saturday night (June 6).

“We're doing everything that we need to do right now,” said Francis, who leads the WoO LMS in 2009 victories (five) and sits atop the tour's points standings in search of his second career title. “This is one helluva momentum deal going into the Dream at Eldora, that's for sure. You can't ask for a better time to be on a roll.”

Francis, 41, has never won the 100-lap ‘Dream,' which offers the single largest race paycheck a dirt Late Model driver will collect this season. The only other 100-grand check available to the division in '09 is the payoff due the WoO LMS champion.

The ‘Dream' has actually been a source of frustration to Francis in recent years. While he's qualified for 12 of the previous 14 ‘Dream' A-Mains, his two DNQs have come in the past five years (2005 and 2008) and he hasn't registered a top-10 finish since 2003 (a career-high fourth).

After falling short of last year's ‘Dream' headliner thanks to a blown tire in a heat race, Francis returns this weekend with plenty of confidence. He plans to run the Dale Beitler-owned Reliable Painting/Valvoline Rocket car that he drove to victory in the WoO LMS event on Feb. 14 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., but hasn't raced since.

“It's been in the front of the trailer since Volusia,” Francis said of his ride for the ‘Dream.' “(The team's other car) is running real good right now, but we want to take a little time to get it refurbished for the Outlaw shows we have coming up and we know (the Volusia winner) is a good piece.”

While Francis's biggest Eldora moment came when he won the prestigious World 100 in 1999, Beitler has experienced the thrill of victory in the ‘Dream.' The 52-year-old team owner from West Friendship, Md., watched Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind., steer his familiar blue-and-white No. 19 to the $100,000 win in 2007.

Joining Francis in the ‘Dream' field will be 10 WoO LMS regulars, including (in order of current tour points standing):

* Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., whose 10 career ‘Dream' A-Main starts ranks him second to Francis among Outlaw drivers. A winner of the event in 2003, Lanigan also has a pair of runner-up finishes (1998 and 2002) and has finished outside the top 10 just once (22nd in 2000). He suffered a rare DNQ last year, however, after experiencing engine trouble during a heat race.

* Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., the 21-year-old sensation who is generally considered the next driver most likely to join the fraternity of crown-jewel event winners. He's qualified for two ‘Dream' A-Mains (seventh in 2005, 16th in 2007); last year he missed the cut after being involved in several heat-race scrapes that tore up his Mark Richards Racing Enterprises Rocket.

* Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who stamped himself as a serious contender at Eldora last year when he set fast time for the ‘Dream' and led laps 4-23 en route to a third-place finish in his fourth career A-Main start. The 33-year-old came back three months later to win the World 100, proving that he deserves favorite status whenever he lines up at the high-banked track.

* Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who won the ‘Dream' in 1999 but has struggled at Eldora in recent years. A six-time A-Main starter, he's failed to qualify for the ‘Dream' in each of the last two years but is energized for this weekend's activity because it will mark his first appearance at the track in a Team Zero by Bloomquist car.

* Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., the 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year who made his first ‘Dream' A-Main last year, finishing 22nd. He's shown speed at Eldora in the past, finishing fourth in the track's 2007 WoO LMS event.

* Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who owns a 2004 World 100 triumph but is still searching for big-buck ‘Dream' score. His A-Main starts show three top-five and four top-10 finishes, including a career-best third in 2007 and a ninth last year.

* Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., a new WoO LMS traveler in 2009 who has shown his ability by racking up five top-five finishes on the tour to date. Smith, who turned 32 on May 31, has one career ‘Dream' A-Main start (seventh in 2007) and will go to the post this weekend driving a Team Zero by Bloomquist car that has proven its strength at Eldora.

* Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who has a top finish of fourth (1997) in his four career ‘Dream' A-Main starts. He's hoping his visit to Eldora this weekend goes better than his run in last September's World 100 – he suffered a broken hand in a heat-race accident that swept up Chub Frank.

* Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., the 2009 Rookie of the Year points leader through 14 events. The 20-year-old driver of a Team Zero by Bloomquist mount is looking to qualify for his first ‘Dream' A-Main, but he did make last year's World 100 starting field.

Five WoO LMS regulars do not plan to enter the ‘Dream,' including 2008 Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. With the WoO LMS off until the start of the Great Northern Tour on June 18 at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway, Coffey is using the break to get his own hauler ready for the remainder of the season; he's been using the rig of his sidelined Sweeteners Plus teammate Tim McCreadie, who is hoping to make the Ohsweken event his return from the back injury he suffered in a January Chili Bowl Midget wreck.

The other WoO LMS drivers with perfect attendance so far in 2009 who are not headed to Eldora this weekend are all rookies: Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Three-Race Eastern Swing

CONCORD, NC - June 1, 2009 -

ON CLOUD NINE: If not for a cut tire with six laps remaining in last Thursday night's ‘First State 50' at Delaware International Speedway, Steve Francis would have swept the three-race World of Outlaws Late Model Series eastern swing that closed the month of May.

Nevertheless, with consecutive victories on Saturday night at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway and Sunday night at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., the 41-year-old from Ashland, Ky., stands as the hottest driver on the national tour. He's captured three of the last five races and five A-Mains in all this season – no other driver has won more than once – and leads the points standings by 34 markers over defending champion Darrell Lanigan.

Not surprisingly, Francis is loving life. He was virtually bubbling over with enthusiasm after Sunday night's program at the Tyler County quarter-mile.

“I'm just happy with everything right now,” said Francis, who mitigated the disappointment of his late-race flat at Delaware International by charging back to finish third. “I'm just real comfortable, relaxed and enjoying racing.

“Nobody (on the Beitler Motorsports team) is uptight. We're not counting points. We're just going out and racing. We're gambling on things, doing things to the car that we normally might not do. What we're trying might win us a race, or might make us run eighth. So far – knock on wood – we've been hitting it right.”

Francis knows he couldn't be in rhythm at a better time. This weekend (June 5-6) is the annual UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Dirt Late Model Dream event at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, a 100-lap race that pays a whopping $100,000 to win.

THE BIG ONE: Multi-car, metal-crunching wrecks are a rarity on the WoO LMS – and that's a good thing after a long line of teams found themselves with serious repair work thanks to a huge homestretch crash on lap two of the ‘First State 50' at Delaware International.

More than half of the race's 24 starters were involved in the wild restart accident, which began when the fifth-running Rick Eckert ended up over the cushion in turn four and then came in contact with Austin Hubbard as he battled to control his car off the corner. Eckert's machine lurched side-to-side and was clipped by Jeremy Miller, Ricky Elliott, Lanigan and Vic Coffey, whose car bounced into the air when he slid into the middle of the melee near the flagstand. Several other drivers were involved, including Shane Clanton, rookie Brent Robinson, Kerry King and 72-year-old Delaware veteran Hal Browning, whose second-place heat-race finish earlier in the night had made him the oldest driver to ever make a WoO LMS A-Main redraw.

Amazingly, Eckert, Lanigan, Clanton and Robinson all returned after pitting – albeit with battle-scarred cars. Robinson's car appeared to be hampered the least by the incident; he was able to push his machine hard and climbed up to sixth place before a bumper bar got into his tire, forcing him out on lap 12. Lanigan and Eckert, meanwhile, managed to soldier on with patched-up cars to salvage points-saving finishes of seventh and eighth, respectively, while Clanton ran 11 more laps with his car missing its hood and fenders before retiring and settling for 15th place.

BY THE SEASIDE: The destruction during the ‘First State 50' took its toll on one of the annual highlights of the tour's visit to Delaware International: a Friday of R&R in nearby Ocean City, Md.

Nearly a dozen regular WoO LMS teams had indicated plans to spend Friday at the beach, including Eckert, who owns a rental condo in Ocean City, Clanton and Coffey. But Thursday's carnage forced the trio to focus on repairing their cars on Friday – Eckert returned to his shop in York, Pa., Clanton joined Francis at Dale Beitler's shop in West Friendship, Md., and Coffey's Sweeteners Plus gang headed to teenager Austin Hubbard's garage in Seaford, Del., to fix their mangled mount.

The WoO LMS's Ocean City tradition was kept alive, however, by the Chub Frank, Tim Fuller, Clint Smith, Dustin Hapka and Tyler Reddick teams. Frank, Fuller, Smith, Hapka and their crews were seen playing pool and bench racing at the Purple Moose Saloon on the boardwalk and later at the open-air Caribbean Beach Bar (where Smith played a mean air-guitar while listening to a band), while Reddick – at 14, obviously a bit too young to hang with the boys at a bar – enjoyed the town with his family.

Frank, Fuller, Smith and Hapka ended their day in the OC with a memorable bus trip back to the Park ‘n Ride across the bay bridge, where they parked their haulers. After getting on the bus just as a strong storm unleashed on the town, they were headed toward the bridge when a car struck the side of the bus just below where Frank was sitting. Damage was minimal and no one was injured, but the racers were kept on the bus for a short time upon arrival at the Park ‘n Ride so they could provide statements about the incident to authorities.

UNDER THE WEATHER: No one experienced a rougher three-race swing than Rookie of the Year contender Brent Robinson, who probably should have been home in bed rather than racing.

Robinson, 21, of Smithfield, Va., arrived at Delaware International last Thursday already looking ragged because he was suffering from a case of strep throat and the pain of a kidney stone. His condition worsened on Friday, and he awoke on Saturday morning feeling like he couldn't breathe because his throat was so inflamed. As a result, his mother took him to the emergency room of the local hospital, where doctors determined he had contracted mononucleosis.

After being released from the hospital, Robinson jumped in his family-operated team's hauler and rested during the trip to Hagerstown. They arrived in time for hot laps, but that ended up being a bad thing because a mechanical malfunction sent Robinson spinning into the turn-three guardrail. Robinson's primary car was sidelined with significant left-rear damage and his crew was unable to get his backup machine running for time trials or a qualifying event, so he didn't start the A-Main.

While still far from 100 percent on Sunday at Tyler County, Robinson did finally have something go his way after getting in the A-Main on a points provisional. He finished 13th to earn the $250 Rookie of the Race bonus.

NEW CAR BLUES: Josh Richards, Chub Frank and Brady Smith decided to debut new cars on Saturday night at Hagerstown – and all three drivers experienced some trials and tribulations getting them up to speed.

Richards had the worst evening of the bunch. Pressing his new Rocket into service after the car he drove on Thursday at Delaware was found to need a new front clip (he was involved in a first-lap accident but returned one lap down with a hastily-repaired car and salvaged an 11th-place finish), the 21-year-old was a non-factor all night and finished one lap down in 17th.

“I was confident coming in here – I'm always confident at Hagerstown because I've had a lot of success here,” Richards said after his poor night dropped him from first to fifth in the points standings. “But we just couldn't do anything. We were missing something and we gotta figure out what it was.”

Frank also struggled with his new Rocket, qualifying through a B-Main (he won it) and finishing a quiet 12th in the A-Main.

Smith, meanwhile, busted out a new Team Zero by Bloomquist mount and promptly spun in hot laps, during time trials and early in his heat race. He figured out what was causing his handling problems, however; he won the first B-Main and advanced from the 17th starting spot to finish ninth in the A-Main.

ETCETERA:

* What a difference a night makes: Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, Md., was on top of the world on Thursday after winning his first-ever WoO LMS event at Delaware International Speedway, but on Saturday he struggled and failed to qualify at Hagerstown.

* Richard Jarvis Jr. of Ocean City, Md., who entered Thursday's ‘First State 50' with high hopes coming off a win the previous Saturday night at Delaware International, timed fourth-fastest to earn an outside-pole starting spot in the first heat. But on the opening lap of the prelim he was struck in the helmet by something kicked up by Steve Francis's car – a jarring blow that shook his jaw and momentarily stunned him.

Jarvis regained his faculties and held on to finish fifth in the heat. Bad luck returned late in the A-Main, however, in the form of a tossed right-rear wheel that eliminated his Nuttel No. 11J on lap 42 as he held seventh place.

* Eckert's team owner Raye Vest was able to travel to Thursday's program at Delaware International, but he had to skip Saturday's action at Hagerstown – the WoO LMS track closest to his Maryland home – in order to attend his granddaughter's wedding.

* Austin Hubbard, 17, continued his impressive '09 outings on the WoO LMS on Saturday at Hagerstown, finishing a tour career-best fifth in the ‘Conococheague 50.' Crediting his success this season (he also scored a top 10 at Virginia Motor Speedway on April 18) to the addition of former Rick Eckert crew chief Robby Allen to his family's team, Hubbard is planning to hook back up with the WoO LMS to run the Great Northern Tour from June 18-27.

* Tyler County Speedway's A-Main field proved that West Virginia is definitely Rocket Chassis country. The Shinnston, W.Va.-based chassis manufacturer swept the top 11 finishing positions and claimed 19 of the 24 starters in the 40-lapper.

* BDS Racing Promotions, which operates Tyler County Speedway, continued its fan-friendly guarantee that the Super Late Model feature will be on the track by 9:30 p.m. each week with Sunday's WoO LMS program.

The WoO LMS A-Main field was indeed doing parade laps around the quarter-mile oval just before 9:30 p.m. A fast-paced event saw the checkered flag drop before 9:45 p.m. – and the usefulness of the early finish was evidenced by the throng of youngsters and adults alike who swarmed winner Steve Francis when he brought his car to the checkeredboard square area behind the grandstand following the Victory Lane ceremonies.

With the fans still energized after seeing a crisply-run WoO LMS show and the clock just approaching 10, they were more than willing to stay a few more minutes to meet the night's victor.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Francis Continues World of Outlaws Late Model Series Hot Streak With Sunday-Night Victory At Tyler County Speedway

MIDDLEBOURNE, WV - May 31, 2009 - Steve Francis just wants to keep letting the good times roll.

The hottest driver on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series completed a nearly-perfect eastern swing on Sunday night, capturing the 40-lap ‘Legends of the Ring' A-Main that highlighted the tour's first-ever stop at Tyler County Speedway.

It was the second consecutive and fifth overall WoO LMS triumph of the season for Ashland, Ky.'s Francis, whose only loss in three starts over four days came last Thursday night when he cut a tire while leading with six laps remaining at Delaware International Speedway. He salvaged a third-place finish in that event and roared back on Saturday night to score a dominating win at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

“I'm just enjoying every minute of this,” Francis said of his hot streak, which has pushed him into the tour points lead by 34 points over defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. “When that dial's at 12 o'clock you ride it, because you don't know when it's gonna fall to six.”

Sunday night's program at the wide quarter-mile fairgrounds oval – the WoO LMS's first event in West Virginia since October 2004 – was a prime example of how Francis and the Beitler Motorsports team have gotten completely in synch.

Francis, 41, vaulted from the fourth starting spot to second on the race's opening lap. He chased 2006 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., until grabbing the lead on lap 18, then turned back a mid-race challenge from Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., before pulling away following the A-Main's only caution period on lap 26.

Shaver finished nearly a full straightaway behind Francis's Reliable Painting/Valvoline Rocket, settling for a second-place finish in the Cosgrove Racing Rocket. It was his first WoO LMS start of the season.

Carrier, who led laps 1-17, faded to third in the Carl Grover Motorsports Rocket. Polesitter Paul Wilmoth Jr. of Clarksburg, W.Va., scored a career-best WoO LMS finish of fourth and Lanigan placed fifth after steering his Fusion Energy Rocket forward from the 14th starting spot and passing Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., for position on the final lap.

The timing of the race's lone caution flag, which came after Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., stopped on the inside of turn four, effectively propelled Francis to a series-best 25th career Victory Lane appearance since 2004.

“I seen somebody under me, but I wasn't sure who it was,” said Francis, who was threatened by Shaver after the halfway mark. “I figured it might be Shaver. I thought I knew what Shaver had put on for tires (hard-compound rubber), so it made sense that he would be coming on during a long green-flag run.

“But then the caution fell right when I needed it to. It was just the right time for me – (Shaver's) hard tires were taking off, and my soft tires were backing up.

“That just shows how everything's going well for us,” he concluded after pocketing $7,700 to move his season earnings to over $75,000. “That's all you can say about it.”

Shaver was well aware that the caution flag doomed his chances of cooling off Francis.

“I needed green-flag laps for my hard tires,” said Shaver, who earned the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour event and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings. “After that caution my tires didn't really fire until the last five laps. By that time it was too late.”

Richards, who competed in a tour event in his homestate for the first time since becoming a WoO LMS regular in 2005, was unable to climb higher than fifth before settling for a sixth-place finish. Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., finished seventh after battling back from a four-spot drop when he was knocked high on lap two moments after cracking the top five; Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va., was eighth in Tracey Seymour's No. 17; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., placed a quiet ninth; and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., limped across the finish line in 10th with a crunched hood and busted radiator after Dohm bounced onto his car on the final circuit.

The fast-paced race took just over 12 minutes to complete.

A field of 39 cars was signed in for the event, which was run on a clear, cool evening in the northern hills of West Virginia.

Frank was fastest in Ohlins Shock Time Trials with a lap of 12.591 seconds. He earned a $50 bonus for his first fast-time honor on the WoO LMS since Sept. 16, 2007, at La Salle (Ill.) Speedway.

Heat winners were Francis, Shaver, Fuller and Carrier. The B-Mains were captured by Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., and Butch McGill of West Union, W.Va.

The WoO LMS will be idle until June 18, when a visit to Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway kicks off the Great Northern Tour. Eight races in a 10-day span will comprise the swing, which includes tracks in Ontario, Quebec, New York and Pennsylvania, and concludes with the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Tyler County Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Steve Francis/40 $7,700
2. (3) Steve Shaver/40 $3,550
3. (2) Eddie Carrier Jr./40 $2,000
4. (1) Paul Wilmoth Jr./40 $1,700
5. (14) Darrell Lanigan/40 $2,100
6. (7) Josh Richards/40 $1,800
7. (5) Tim Fuller/40 $1,700
8. (9) Tim Dohm/40 $1,100
9. (10) Shane Clanton/40 $1,500
10. (6) Chub Frank/40 $1,500
11. (17) Jared Hawkins/40 $850
12. (11) Brady Smith/40 $1,300
13. (23) Brent Robinson/40 $1,000
14. (12) Rick Eckert/40 $1,240
15. (8) Vic Coffey/40 $1,210
16. (18) Butch McGill/40 $680
17. (20) Mike Benedum/40 $650
18. (15) Joe Loudin/40 $630
19. (19) Doug Horton/40 $620
20. (13) Clint Smith/39 $1,110
21. (21) Russell King/38 $600
22. (16) Jordan Bland/32 $1,100
23. (22) Steve Weigle/25 $600
24. (24) Dustin Hapka/14 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 26)
Lap Leaders: Carrier (1-17); Francis (18-40)
Provisional Starters: Robinson, Hapka
Rookie of the Race: Robinson ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Shaver ($500)

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

1. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.591
2. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 12.663
3. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 12.729
4. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 12.740
5. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 12.764
6. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 12.791
7. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.821
8. B1-Paul Wilmoth/Clarksburg, WV 12.891
9. 17T-Tim Dohm/Cross Lanes, WV 12.892
10. 12W-Rick Williams/Beckley, WV 12.893
11. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 12.959
12. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 12.972
13. 42-Chris Garnes/Evans, WV 12.993
14. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 13.000
15. 75-Steve Weigle/Middlebourne, WV 13.003
16. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.003
17. 46-Doug Horton/Bruceton Mills, WV 13.003
18. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.009
19. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 13.032
20. 25B-Mike Benedum/Salem, WV 13.032
21. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.079
22. 18d-Danny Mitchell/Clarksburg, WV 13.134
23. 1MC-Butch McGill/West Union, WV 13.163
24. D1-Robbie Scott/Shinnston, WV 13.195
25. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 13.246
26. 15-Donnie Dotson/West Union, WV 13.253
27. 5-Joe Loudin/Buckhannon, WV 13.272
28. 13-Steve Wilmoth/Clarksburg, WV 13.291
29. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 13.303
30. 7-Dan Morrison/Newport, OH 13.373
31. 45-Nick Corbitt/Waverly, WV 13.426
32. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 13.514
33. K2-Kris Southern/Jane Lew, WV 13.534
34. 37-Jared Hawkins/Fairmont, WV 13.577
35. 32-Greg Baumberger/Jacksonburg, OH 13.577
36. 64-Marshall Wilbin/Charleston, WV 14.124
37. 18c-Chris Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 14.288
38. 12s-Tracie Sampson/Lumberport, WV 14.597
39. 28T-Tyler Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 15.105

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Frank, Dohm, C. Smith, Horton, King, Garnes, Hapka, Southern, C. Carpenter

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Shaver, Coffey, Clanton, Lanigan, Hawkins, Dotson, Mitchell, Morrison, Williams, Sampson

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Richards, B. Smith, Loudin, McGill, Reddick, Baumberger, Weigle, Corbitt, T. Carpenter

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Carrier, P. Wilmoth, Eckert, Bland, Scott, Benedum, Robinson, S. Wilmoth, Wiblin

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hawkins, Horton, King, Dotson, Morrison, Garnes, C. Carpenter, Southern, Sampson, Mitchell, Hapka (DNS) Williams

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McGill, Benedum, Weigle, Wiblin, Corbitt, Baumberger, Robinson, S. Wilmoth, Scott, T. Carpenter, Reddick

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Dan Morrison, Nick Corbitt
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Jared Hawkins, Butch McGill
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Shaver
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Chub Frank
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Eddie Carrier Jr.
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Tyler Reddick
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of May 31 – 14 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 5-9-11-$75,680-1865 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-6-11-$62,000-1831 (-34)
3. Josh Richards 1-7-10-$53,820-1821 (-44)
4. Shane Clanton 1-2-11-$45,000-1819 (-46)
5. Rick Eckert 1-5-9-$34,985-1809 (-56)
6. Tim Fuller 0-2-7-$25,880-1765 (-100)
7. Chub Frank 0-2-9-$27,300-1759 (-106)
8. Brady Smith 0-5-7-$31,475-1740 (-125)
9. Clint Smith 0-0-5-$21,940-1663 (-202)
10. Vic Coffey 0-0-1-$15,650-1518 (-347)
11. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,330-1395 (-470)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$14,030-1393 (-472)
13. Russell King 0-0-1-$11,820-1378 (-487)
14. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$6,810-1314 (-551)
15. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$6,310-1237 (-628)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$3,435-1118 (-747)
17. Austin Hubbard 0-1-2-$7,805-731 (-1134)
18. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-1148)
19. Dennis Erb Jr. 0-0-1-$5,010-657 (-1208)
20. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-1250)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Francis Dominates World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Conococheague 50' At Hagerstown Speedway

HAGERSTOWN, MD - May 30, 2009 - Steve Francis rolled to victory in Saturday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Conococheague 50' at Hagerstown Speedway.

No luck needed. No luck involved.

Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., was simply the class of the field in the half-mile oval's 28th annual event, roaring off the pole position to lead the entire 50-lap distance without facing a single serious threat. He pocketed $10,750 for his tour-best fourth triumph of the 2009 WoO LMS season and the 24th of his career.

“Tonight I could just kinda float around wherever I wanted to go,” said Francis, who has won more WoO LMS A-Mains than any other driver since 2004. “If a guy went wide, I just went wider. My car was just about perfect.”

Two days after seeing an apparent win at Delaware International Speedway slip through his fingers when a cut right-rear tire knocked him from the lead with six laps remaining, Francis had his Dale Beitler-owned Reliable Painting/Valvoline Rocket car in a league of its own. He easily pulled away after each of the race's four restarts and defeated defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., by 3.815 seconds – nearly a full straightaway margin.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., advanced from the eighth starting to finish a solid third in Raye Vest's Team Zero by Bloomquist mount. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., started and finished fourth – though he climbed as high as second – in his RSD Enterprises Rocket, and 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., registered a career-best WoO LMS finish of fifth in his family-owned Rocket.

“Out of a season, you might have a car this good two or three times,” said Francis, who is the only driver with more than one win in the 13 WoO LMS A-Mains contested this year. “You don't get that kind of feel (inside a car) and also have everything go right – like winning a heat and drawing the pole – very often, so you just take it when you can get it.

“We might go to Tyler County (Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.) tomorrow (May 31) and run 20th. That's the way racing is, so we'll enjoy this as much as we can.”

Francis did have flashbacks to his heartbreaking loss at Delaware International as the Conococheague 50 wound down, but his Cornett-powered dirt Late Model kept running on four filled tires.

“You're always worried the whole time you're racing,” said Francis. “So when I looked up at the (score) board and saw 42 laps were in, I just was thinking, ‘Let's get the last eight laps in here without getting a flat.' I just wanted the race to end.”

Francis won the Conococheague event for the second time in his career, 13 years after his initial triumph in a 1996 race sanctioned by the defunct Renegade/STARS series. He also gave Beitler, whose home in West Friendship, Md., is about an hour's drive from Hagerstown, a victory at his hometrack for the first time in five years.

In addition, Francis moved into the WoO LMS points lead by 24 points over Lanigan. He entered the event two points behind leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who struggled to a 17th-place finish (one lap down) in a brand-new Rocket car and fell all the way to fifth in the points standings.

Lanigan, who turns 39 on June 3, steered his Fusion Energy Rocket past Clanton for second on a lap-18 restart and held the position for the remainder of the distance. But he wasn't able to offer Francis a challenge.

“Francis had more traction,” said Lanigan, who recorded his fourth runner-up finish (without a victory) of the '09 WoO LMS campaign. “If we just would've tightened up a little bit I think we could've run with him, but our car was pretty good in the heat so we didn't change it as much as we should have.”

The 43-year-old Eckert, meanwhile, also slightly missed the optimum setup for the A-Main, which was run on a smooth, slick surface.

“Francis was the best car that I could see,” said Eckert, who moved into a tie with Clanton for third in the points standings. “I could just about run with Lanigan, but we needed to be a little tighter.”

Keith Jackson of Odenton, Md., scored a WoO LMS career-best finish of sixth. Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., marched forward from the 16th starting spot to grab seventh place, while Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., rallied to finish eighth after falling from the 13th starting spot to last on the track when he nearly spun on the opening circuit and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., moved from 17th to ninth. Hagerstown regular Andy Anderson of Bunker Hill, W.Va., completed the top 10.

The race's four caution flags were all caused by single-car incidents. Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and Kirk Ryan Jr. of Lewistown, Pa., each spun on lap two to bring out separate cautions, while J.T. Spence of Winchester, Va., stopped on lap 18 and D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa., pulled up lame on lap 27 after twice coming together with Brady Smith while battling for ninth place.

A field of 41 cars was signed in for the event, which was run under brilliantly clear skies.

Fuller was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials for the first time this season, lapping the oval in 19.082 seconds. He earned a $50 bonus for his effort.

Heat winners were Francis, Eckert, Lanigan and Hubbard, whose A-Main performance earned him the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a WoO LMS event and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings. The B-Mains were captured by Brady Smith and Chub Frank.

The WoO LMS completes a three-race eastern swing on Sunday night (May 31) with a 40-lap, $7,000-to-win event at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. It will mark the tour's first-ever visit to the quarter-mile oval.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Conococheague 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Steve Francis/50 $10,750
2. (3) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,600
3. (8) Rick Eckert/50 $3,550
4. (4) Shane Clanton/50 $3,000
5. (5) Austin Hubbard/50 $2,500
6. (10) Keith Jackson/50 $1,700
7. (16) Jason Covert/50 $1,400
8. (13) Tim Fuller/50 $1,850
9. (17) Brady Smith/50 $1,700
10. (15) Andy Anderson/50 $1,200
11. (25) Frankie Plessinger/50 $1,050
12. (18) Chub Frank/50 $1,500
13. (2) Dan Stone/50 $950
14. (14) Clint Smith/50 $1,400
15. (7) Vic Coffey/50 $1,350
16. (21) Darryl Hills/50 $800
17. (11) Josh Richards/49 $1,270
18. (24) Russell King/48 $1,000
19. (23) Jordan Bland/48 $1,230
20. (6) Alan Sagi/40 $700
21. (12) D.J. Myers/26 $700
22. (20) Jeremy Miller/18 $700
23. (9) J.T. Spence/16 $700
24. (22) Roy Deese Jr./10 $700
25. (19) Kirk Ryan Jr./2 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 28 Mins., 53.258 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 3.815Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 2, 2, 18, 27)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-50)
Provisional Starters: King, Bland (WoO); Plessinger (track)
Rookie of the Race: Russell King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Austin Hubbard ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Mike ‘Smoke' Countryman (Fuller)

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

1. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.082
2. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 19.206
3. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.208
4. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.251
5. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 19.305
6. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 19.315
7. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.433
8. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 19.470
9. 8A-Alan Sagi/Hagerstown, MD 19.573
10. 88-Keith Jackson/Odenton, MD 19.581
11. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.614
12. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 19.633
13. 5K-Kirk Ryan Jr./Lewistown, PA 19.656
14. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 19.686
15. 25A-Andy Anderson/Bunker Hill, WV 19.687
16. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 19.728
17. 91-J.T. Spence/Winchester, VA 19.729
18. B2-Brian Booze/Marion, PA 19.730
19. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.766
20. 27-Jim Yoder/Selinsgrove, PA 19.784
21. 6-Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD 19.786
22. 9-Frankie Plessinger/Big Cove Tannery, PA 19.847
23. 05-Roy Deese Jr./Laurel, MD 19.874
24. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 19.925
25. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.935
26. 46-Marvin Winters/McConnellsburg, PA 19.954
27. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 20.014
28. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 20.033
29. 3s-Rusty Sites/Chambersburg, PA 20.084
30. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 20.099
31. 12F-Devin Friese/St. Thomas, PA 20.116
32. 06-Mike Lupfer/Shermansdale, PA 20.141
33. 7-Darryl Hills/Great Mills, MD 20.317
34. 8L-Scott LeBaron/Dover, PA 20.613
35. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 20.636
36. 14W-Bryan Wright/Front Royal, VA 20.649
37. 73-Al Cheney/Hamilton Square, NJ 20.671
38. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 20.746
39. 43-Troy Erickson/Martinsburg, WV 21.474
40. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA N/T
41. 31G-Steve Gibney/Mt. Airy, MD N/T (DQ – no scales)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Sagi, Spence, Fuller, Ryan, Hills, King, Sites, Lathroum, Cheney (DNS) Gibney

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Clanton, Jackson, C. Smith, B. Smith, LeBaron, Winters, Booze, Plessinger, Reddick

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Coffey, Richards, Anderson, Frank, Deese, Lux, Friese, Hapka, Erickson

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hubbard, Stone, Myers, Covert, Miller, Yoder, Lupfer, Bland, Wright, Robinson

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, Ryan, Hills, King, Plessinger, LeBaron, Booze, Lathroum, Sites, Cheney, Reddick, Winters (DNS) Gibney

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Frank, J. Miller, Deese, Lux, Yoder, Lupfer, Bland, Hapka, Wright, Friese (DNS) Erickson, Robinson

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Frankie Plessinger, Jim Yoder
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Andy Anderson
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Brady Smith, Chub Frank
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Austin Hubbard
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Steve Francis
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Brian Booze
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of May 30 – 13 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 4-8-10-$67,980-1715 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-5-10-$59,900-1691 (-24)
3. (tie) Shane Clanton 1-2-10-$43,500-1687 (-28)
3. (tie) Rick Eckert 1-5-9-$33,745-1687 (-28)
5. Josh Richards 1-7-9 -$52,020-1683 (-32)
6. (tie) Chub Frank 0-2-8-$25,800-1629 (-86)
6. (tie) Tim Fuller 0-2-6-$24,180-1629 (-86)
8. Brady Smith 0-5-7-$30,175-1614 (-101)
9. Clint Smith 0-0-5-$20,830-1553 (-162)
10. Vic Coffey 0-0-1-$14,440-1398 (-317)
11. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,330-1395 (-320)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$12,930-1287 (-428)
13. Russell King 0-0-1-$11,220-1270 (-445)
14. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$5,810-1190 (-525)
15. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$5,710-1135 (-580)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$3,325-1043 (-672)
17. Austin Hubbard 0-1-2-$7,805-731 (-984)
18. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-998)
19. Dennis Erb Jr. 0-0-1-$5,010-657 (-1058)
20. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-1100)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

West Virginia's Josh Richards Finally Gets A Homestate Date Sunday Night (May 31) At Tyler County Speedway

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Leader Will Race Just An Hour From His Shop

MIDDLEBOURNE, WV – May 28, 2009 – Since 2005 Josh Richards has traipsed across the country as a regular with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

But the born-and-bred West Virginian hasn't had a chance to perform in a tour event in his homestate – until this Sunday night (May 31), that is.

Richards, 21, will finally enjoy a WoO LMS date in his native Mountaineer State on Sunday. The national tour is set to visit Tyler County Speedway, a quarter-mile oval less than an hour's drive west of the young sensation's residence in Shinnston, W.Va.

A 40-lap ‘Legends of the Ring' A-Main paying $7,000 highlights the first-ever WoO LMS program at Tyler County Speedway.

“Everybody I know at home is always asking me, ‘When are you gonna race around here?'” said Richards, who ended the WoO LMS's Memorial Day Weekend action in Missouri and Wisconsin leading the points standings. “I've never gotten to run an Outlaw race in West Virginia since I've been a regular, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's nice to have something close to the house for a change.

“There's going to be a lot of people I know there – a lot of family and friends who rarely get to see me race. That adds a little bit of pressure because you want to do good in front of everybody you know, but we're just gonna try to stay focused like we've been all year and do the best we can.”

The last time the WoO LMS competed in West Virginia was Oct. 1-2, 2004, at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells. Richards participated in WVMS's two-day show, but he was a first-year dirt Late Model driver who entered only selected WoO LMS events that year.

Richards has only made one career start at Tyler County, winning a B-Main and finishing 12th in the 2004 Hillbilly 100 as an up-and-coming 16-year-old. But he's very familiar with the facility.

“I've watched a lot of races there,” said Richards, whose father, Mark, fields Josh's No. 1 cars and co-owns the Rocket Chassis shop in Shinnston. “I used to go there as a kid with my uncle Robbie Scott, who I'm sure will be racing (on Sunday). I'd help out, do whatever needed to be done. And a couple years ago I went there to help my buddy Jared Hawkins.

“It's definitely a unique racetrack,” he continued, focusing on the Tyler County bullring. “It's a racer's racetrack. It's not the prettiest place and it's only a quarter-mile, but the racing there is hard.

“It's a great place to go if you like racing – and it's definitely a track that I like racing on.”

Richards will have to defeat his typically tough band of Outlaws rivals on Sunday, including former Hillbilly 100 winners Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.

Other WoO LMS stars headed for Tyler County include defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; 2008 World 100 winner Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who scored his first Outlaws victory of the season on May 17 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. Five 2009 Rookie of the Year candidates will also be in the field: Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who finished third in a 2007 BRP Tour big-block Modified event at Tyler County, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

A strong contingent of West Virginia drivers are expected to challenge the Outlaws, including defending Tyler County champion Paul Wilmoth Jr.; Butch McGill, who has claimed the last two dirt Late Model features at the track; Steve Shaver, who won the ‘Topless 50' at the track; opening-night winner Jared Hawkins; Tim Dohm; Doug Horton; and Robbie Scott.

Sunday night's card will also include special events for the FASTRAK Late Models,Pure Stocks, Junkyard Warriors and Mini-Wedge divisions.

Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m., with hot laps scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.

General admission is $25, with children 7-12 admitted for $10 and kids 6-and-under free of charge. Pit passes will be $35.

Located in the scenic hills of northern West Virginia, Tyler County Speedway is located just four miles south of Middlebourne on State Route 18 at the fairgrounds.

For more information, visit www.tylercountyspeedway.net or call 304-758-2660 (race day) or 304-758-2934/304-771-5661 (office numbers).

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Flat Tire For Francis Sends Jamie Lathroum To First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win In Wild ‘First State 50' At Delaware International Speedway

DELMAR, DE - May 28, 2009 - Jamie Lathroum's eyes got real wide when Steve Francis pulled up lame with a flat tire on lap 44 of Thursday night's ‘First State 50' at Delaware International Speedway.

Six circuits later, the red-hot driver from Mechanicsville, Md., wore a wide smile in Victory Lane after capturing his first career World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main.

Lathroum, 30, assumed command when Ashland, Ky.'s Francis stopped in turn two with a cut right-rear tire to bring out the ninth and final caution flag of the marathon, rough-and-tumble event. He pulled away from WoO LMS regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., on the ensuing restart to become the second consecutive first-time winner on the national tour, following Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., who won on May 24 at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

“It feels great to beat the professionals at something that's your hobby,” said Lathroum, a third-year dirt Late Model racer who makes his living as a plumber for a contractor in the Washington, D.C. area. “When I'm thinking about doing my job at work they're thinking about making their race cars go faster, so it's real satisfying to win against them.”

Lathroum's triumph – worth a career-high $10,650, including the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hadn't previously won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top-12 in the points – was his fourth special-show victory this season in the Mid-Atlantic region. He also won last November's Delaware State Dirt Track Championship event at Delaware International.

The breakthrough checkered flag came in the ninth career WoO LMS A-Main start for Lathroum, who fields his own MasterSbilt car with a Harold Eatmon-built engine supplied by sponsor Three Mules Welding Supplies.

Smith, who turns 32 on May 31, settled for a second-place finish in his first-ever appearance at DIS. It was the third top-five run in a row for Smith, who started from the outside pole and led laps 1-6 in his Team Zero by Bloomquist car.

Francis made a frantic rally after pitting for a new tire to finish third in Dale Beitler's Rocket. He led laps 7-44 in his bid for a series-best fourth win of 2009.

Completing the top five was Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who pitted on lap six to change a broken left-rear shock, and Lathroum's brother-in-law, Darryl Hills of Great Mills, Md., who recorded a career-best WoO LMS finish.

Hills actually helped pave the way for Lathroum's march to the promised land. After Lathroum's car was struck by a broken driveshaft during hot laps, it was Hills who loaned him a replacement to get through the night.

Without any practice laps, Lathroum went on to time second-fastest behind Francis in Ohlins Shock Time Trials and win the second heat. He then drew the pole position for the A-Main, but he fell to fourth after being passed by Smith and Francis at the initial green flag and Hills on a lap-six restart.

With the race's first 12 laps slowed by seven caution flags and one red flag, Lathroum found little rhythm. But when the event finally settled down his machine picked up speed, helping him overtake Hills for third on lap 21 and Smith for second on lap 28.

“It was pretty tight to start with,” Lathroum said of his car. “It just wouldn't steer, but then we found something that started working and it came back to us.”

Lathroum was just over one second behind Francis on lap 44 when the race fell into his lap.

“I was just trying to concentrate on making my car as fast as it could be and hit my marks,” recalled Lathroum. “Next thing I know, I seen (Francis) go up the track. I said, ‘I don't think he'd do that,' so I knew something must have broke or he got a flat.”

Indeed, it was a punctured right-rear tire that did in Francis, who started fourth and appeared to have the race well in hand.

“I guess I ran over something during that caution (on lap 42) and put a hole in the tire,” said Francis. “When the car rolled over on the right-rear on the front straightaway on the restart, I knew there was a problem.

“I guess I won one last week (at Missouri's U.S. 36 Raceway) because of a tire (Brady Smith's last-lap flat), and now I lost one because of a tire.”

Francis, 41, did make a big gain in the WoO LMS points standings, moving to second place, just two points behind Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. Richards was involved in a first-lap accident that damaged his car's nose, but a multi-car pileup on a lap-two restart that caused a lengthy red flag allowed his crew to get him back on the track just one lap down and he salvaged an 11th-place finish with a damaged machine.

Smith, meanwhile, had nothing for Lathroum following the race's final restart.

“I was tight (handling), so I wasn't in position to even think about making any moves,” said Smith. “I left the car a little freer than I should have. If I would've done a few things different, I think we could've won the race.”

The A-Main took over one hour to complete, largely due to a series of wild accidents in the opening laps.

Nearly half the field was involved in the biggest crash, which came on the lap-two restart. Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who started fifth, was pushed high rounding turn four and came together with Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., triggering a homestretch melee that saw Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., all make contact with Eckert's sliding mount.

Several other cars were involved in the wreck, including Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and Kerry King of Delmar, Del. But there were no injuries, and Eckert, Lanigan, Clanton and Robinson all returned after pitting – albeit with battle-scarred cars.

Robinson, a 21-year-old Rookie of the Year contender, climbed highest, reaching sixth place before retiring on lap 12 when his car's bumper bar got into its tire. Clanton ran several laps at reduced speed with a car that was missing its hood and nosepiece, while Eckert and Lanigan salvaged top-10 finishes with hastily-repaired cars.

Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., avoided all the mayhem to finish sixth. Lanigan and Eckert were seventh and eight, respectively, while DIS regular Ray Davis Jr. of Millsboro, Del., placed ninth and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who pitted after being involved in a turn-four tangle on a lap-six restart, was 10th.

Just 11 cars were running at the finish, with seven on the lead lap.

Thirty-two cars were signed in for the event, which was threatened by rain. A light shower hit the track around 5 p.m. and radar showed the likelihood of heavier rain coming, but the precipitation dissipated as it crossed the Chesapeake Bay and never reached DIS.

Francis was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, rounding the track in 18.982 seconds to pick up a $50 bonus.

Heat winners were Francis, Lathroum and Brady Smith. Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., captured the B-Main.

The WoO LMS continues this weekend on Saturday night (May 30) at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway and Sunday night (May 31) at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘First State 50' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Jamie Lathroum/50 $10,650
2. (2) Brady Smith/50 $5,500
3. (4) Steve Francis/50 $3,650
4. (17) Tim Fuller/50 $3,000
5. (7) Darryl Hills/50 $2,000
6. (11) Clint Smith/50 $2,200
7. (23) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,000
8. (5) Rick Eckert/49 $1,800
9. (18) Ray Davis Jr./49 $1,200
10. (15) Chub Frank/49 $1,700
11. (10) Josh Richards/48 $1,550
12. (13) Richard Jarvis Jr./41 $1,000
13. (3) Donald Lingo Jr./33 $950
14. (6) Hal Browning/17 $900
15. (12) Shane Clanton/13 $1,350
16. (20) Brent Robinson/12 $1,050
17. (9) Austin Hubbard/9 $770
18. (24) Russell King/6 $750
19. (14) Ricky Elliott/2 $730
20. (21) Jeremy Miller/2 $700
21. (22) Vic Coffey/2 $1,200
22. (16) Kerry King/2 $700
23. (8) Ross Robinson/1 $700
24. (19) Jordan Bland/1 $1,200

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 1 Hour, 7 Mins., 46.581 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.595 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 9 (Laps 1, 1, 2, 6, 6, 11, 12, 42, 44); 1 Red Flag (Lap 2)
Lap Leaders: Brady Smith (1-6); Francis (7-44); Lathroum (45-50)
Provisional Starters: Lanigan, Russell King
Rookie of the Race: Brent Robinson ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Jamie Lathroum ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Huey Wilcoxon (Lathroum)

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

1. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 18.982
2. 6-Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD 19.015
3. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 19.017
4. 11J-Richard Jarvis Jr./Ocean City, MD 19.066
5. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 19.124
6. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 19.190
7. 7H-Darryl Hills/Great Mills, MD 19.210
8. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 19.215
9. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 19.218
10. 55L-Donald Lingo Jr./Millsboro, DE 19.247
11. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 19.255
12. 100-Hal Browning/Seaford, DE 19.309
13. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 19.336
14. 7R-Ross Robinson/Georgetown, DE 19.342
15. 84-Ray Davis Jr./Millsboro, DE 19.354
16. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 19.426
17. 45-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 19.435
18. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 19.459
19. KB-Kerry King/Delmar, DE 19.510
20. 75-David Hill/Trappe, MD 19.519
21. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 19.546
22. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 19.553
23. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.603
24. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 19.633
25. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 19.693
26. 20-Staci Warrington/Milton, DE 19.729
27. 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 19.886
28. 118-Rob Schirmer/Milton, DE 19.946
29. 38s-Kenny Pettyjohn/Millsboro, DE 19.978
30. 80-David Pettyjohn/Millsboro, DE 20.159
31. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 20.291
32. 57-Derrike Hill/Trappe, MD 21.159

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Francis, Lingo, Hills, Richards, Jarvis, K. King, J. Miller, Bland, Reddick, Schirmer, Lanigan (DQ – did not report to scales)

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Lathroum, Eckert, R. Robinson, C. Smith, Elliott, Fuller, David Hill, R. King, Warrington, K. Pettyjohn, Derrike Hill

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): B. Smith, Browning, Hubbard, Clanton, Frank, Davis, B. Robinson, Coffey, D. Pettyjohn, Hapka

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Bland, B. Robinson, J. Miller, Coffey, R. King, K. Pettyjohn, D. Pettyjohn, Warrington, Derrike Hill, Reddick, Hapka, Schirmer (DNS) Lanigan, David Hill

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Russell King
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jamie Lathroum
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Jamie Lathroum
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Jamie Lathroum
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Brady Smith
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Jordan Bland
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Jamie Lathroum
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Jamie Lathroum
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Darryl Hills
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Brady Smith
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Dustin Hapka
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jamie Lathroum

2009 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):

1. Josh Richards 1-7-9-$50,750-1567 (-0)
2. Steve Francis 3-7-9-$57,230-1565 (-2)
3. (tie) Shane Clanton 1-1-9-$40,500-1545 (-22)
3. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 0-4-9-$54,300-1545 (-22)
5. Rick Eckert 1-4-8-$30,195-1543 (-24)
6. Chub Frank 0-2-8-$24,300-1503 (-64)
7. Tim Fuller 0-2-5-$22,330-1495 (-72)
8. Brady Smith 0-5-6-$28,475-1482 (-85)
9. Clint Smith 0-0-5-$19,430-1431 (-136)
10. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,330-1395 (-172)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-1-$13,090-1278 (-289)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$11,700-1175 (-392)
13. Russell King 0-0-1-$10,220-1156 (-411)
14. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$5,810-1115 (-452)
15. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$5,600-1060 (-507)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$3,215-968 (-599)
17. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-850)
18. Dennis Erb Jr. 0-0-1-$5,010-657 (-910)
19. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-952)
20. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$1,145-600 (-967)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Confident Jason Covert Looks To Upset The World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Saturday Night (May 30) At Hagerstown Speedway

HAGERSTOWN, MD - May 27, 2009 - Jason Covert is anxiously counting down the hours to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Conococheague 50' this Saturday night (May 30) at Hagerstown Speedway.

“I can't wait for Saturday,” said Covert, a 38-year-old from York Haven, Pa., who has become one of the Northeast's top regional dirt Late Model racers. “I always look forward to the Outlaws coming to Hagerstown. It's one of my favorite races of the year.”

Covert, of course, has a good reason to be excited about Saturday's $10,000-to-win show. With two special-event victories under his belt this season at Hagerstown and a history of strong WoO LMS runs there, he can realistically dream of upsetting the national tour's stars.

“The confidence factor is high for us at Hagerstown,” said Covert, who has won three consecutive Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) points titles. “We feel pretty good about racing on that red clay; we've been running well in that type of condition. And our American Racers (tires) seem to work real good at Hagerstown, so I feel like we should have something for ‘em.”

Covert enters Saturday's action coming off a triumph in last Saturday night's Three-State Flyers Series event at Hagerstown. He also won a Three-State Flyers feature there on April 11 – a race in which he took the lead from Outlaws regular Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who has captured two WoO LMS A-Mains at Hagerstown (both in 2004).

But while passing Eckert was certainly an impressive achievement and buoys Covert's confidence, Covert knows that move will mean nothing come Saturday night.

“When all the Outlaws are together, they take it to a whole different level,” said Covert, who helped Eckert as a crewman before breaking out as a dirt Late Model regular. “It's gonna be tough with all those boys coming in. We're gonna have to be about flawless to beat the Outlaws – and have some racing luck on our side.”

Now in his fourth year driving Pennsylvania car owner Barry Klinedinst's Rocket No. 43A, Covert proved two years ago that he could run neck-and-neck with the Outlaws at Hagerstown. He finished second to Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., on June 2, 2007 – his career-best finish in WoO LMS competition – and he charged forward from the 16th starting spot to place third on July 21, 2007.

With a large group of Covert's family and friends expected to make the short drive to Hagerstown on Saturday, a Conococheague 50 victory would be extra sweet for the personable chauffeur. But win or lose, Covert will leave Hagerstown's pit area with a smile on his face.

“I'm excited beyond belief just to have a chance to win a World of Outlaws race,” said Covert, who makes his living working for Verizon as the on-site phone and fiber-optics technician at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Londonderry Township, Pa. “It's a dream for me to race these cars. I mean, this is my love, my passion, and I'm lucky enough to be able to do it because I have a great car owner.”

Covert will have to outrun plenty of top-notch racers on Saturday night, including four WoO LMS travelers who have won tour events at Hagerstown – Eckert, Babb, Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and current points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.

Last year's WoO LMS event at Hagerstown was canceled due to rain and not rescheduled – marking the first year since the tour's rebirth in 2004 that the series did not visit the half-mile oval – so anticipation is high for Saturday's return engagement. A typically solid field is expected; the average car count for the track's two WoO LMS shows in 2007 was a robust 48.

Pit gates are set to open at 4 p.m. and the grandstand gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., followed by WoO LMS time trials and racing.

General admission is $30, with children 12-and-under admitted free of charge. Reserved seats are available for $35 and pit passes are $40.

Hagerstown Speedway is located on Route 40 just south of the Maryland/Pennsylvania border, four miles west of Interstate 81 Exit 6B.

For more information, visit www.hagerstownspeedway.com or call the track office at 301-582-0640.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Favorite Stop: World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Look Forward To Another Delaware International Speedway Visit On Thursday Night (May 28)

Chance To Enjoy A Day At Nearby Beach Makes ‘First State 50' A Red-Circle Date On The Tour Schedule

DELMAR, DE - May 26, 2009 - World of Outlaws Late Model Series teams always look forward to visiting Delaware International Speedway, which hosts the national tour's ‘First State 50' this Thursday night (May 28).

But their reasons for making DIS a red-circle date on the series schedule go beyond what happens on the half-mile, semi-banked oval.

While the WoO LMS stars give Charlie Cathell's Delaware International Speedway high rankings for its typically racy surface and superb facilities, it's the track's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean that gets them a bit more excited to steer their haulers there.

Thursday night's 50-lap, $10,000-to-win program will mark the fifth time in the last six years that the WoO LMS has competed at Delaware International – and as most of the tour's teams have done after the previous four events, a large contingent of Outlaws will head to the beach in Ocean City, Md., on Friday to enjoy some rare rest and relaxation in the midst of a busy racing schedule.

It's become a tradition for the WoO LMS racers – battle hard on the Delaware International clay, then make the 45-minute drive over to Ocean City for an off-day filled with fun. More than half of the 16 teams that have entered every tour event this season plan to gather at the beach this Friday.

Well, they'll make a run to the seashore as long as they don't experience any catastrophes on Thursday night.

“At Delaware (International), you're thinking, ‘Keep the fenders on the car so we can go to the beach,'” smiled 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who paid his first visit to Ocean City with the Outlaws clan after last year's show at DIS. “You definitely want to be able to spend a nice, relaxing day at the beach without thinking, ‘I have a car in the trailer that's all wadded up.'”

Coffey and his Sweeteners Plus Racing crew are primed and ready to tear up Ocean City this Friday. Other WoO LMS drivers who have indicated they plan to join Coffey and Co. in the OC include Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who owns a rental home in the town; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.; and Rookie of the Year contenders Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, and Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D.

In addition, new '09 WoO LMS regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., has been asking what all the fuss is about Ocean City, and 14-year-old rookie Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., appeared ready to press his parents to make the trip over after hearing about the bustling beach.

The only WoO LMS regulars who haven't said they're considering a trip to Ocean City are points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who won WoO LMS events at DIS in 2005 and 2008; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who will likely spend Friday at his car owner Dale Beitler's shop in Maryland; and rookie Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who plans to return to his garage after Thursday's action.

Yes, Ocean City will be invaded by Outlaws on Friday. As in past visits, you can expect them to gather in the morning along the Ocean City boardwalk, where they'll choose sides for a marathon session of volleyball in the sand (“The World of Outlaws Beach Volleyball Tour,” quipped Coffey) and get some periodic refreshment at the Purple Moose Saloon. They'll also probably race some go-karts, play a round of miniature golf and eat tasty beach food before turning their attention to Saturday night's racing program at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

It's a day of camaraderie among the competitive-but-friendly Outlaws, a welcome respite from the tour's grueling travel schedule.

“We try to have a good time anywhere we go,” said Frank, the 47-year-old standout who won the 2007 WoO LMS ‘First State 50' at Delaware International. “It's a little easier (to have fun) after we run at Delaware. I know my wife and crew are always excited for the Delaware race because that means we'll probably go to the beach.”

The Ocean City excursion will be even more enjoyable for a driver coming off a victory at Delaware International Speedway, and that's what all the WoO LMS stars will be shooting for on Thursday night. Competition has been fierce on this year's tour, with Francis standing as the only driver with more than one win (he's captured three A-Mains) through 11 events.

The Outlaws will face off with a strong group of Mid-Atlantic racers led by Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., who has come close to winning the WoO LMS event at the track just 20 minutes from his home. Others expected include Richard Jarvis Jr. of Ocean City, Md., whose two wins this season at DIS include last Saturday night's feature; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who scored a WoO LMS career-high finish of seventh in his last A-Main start on April 18 at Virginia Motor Speedway; Kenny and David Pettyjohn of Georgetown, Del.; David Hill of Trappe, Md.; Donald Lingo Jr. of Millsboro, Del.; Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa.; and Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, Md.

The ‘First State 50' comes at the start of the spring NASCAR weekend at Dover International Speedway, which sits just 50 miles north of the dirt track.

Gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. and racing is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

General admission is $26 for adults, $5 for children 7-13 and free for kids 6-and-under. Reserved seats are $30 for adults and $9 for children 7-13, and pit admission is $35 for adults, $10 for children 7-13 and free for kids 6-and-under.

For more information visit www.delawareracing.com or call the track office at 302-875-1911.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Tri-State Late Model Challenge

CONCORD, NC - May 25, 2009 -

NOT GOOD ENOUGH: Looking at the results sheets, Brady Smith had a pretty successful Tri-State Late Model Challenge – with a fourth-place finish on Friday night at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., and a third-place finish on Sunday night at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis., he was the only driver in the top five both evenings.

But while Smith got himself back in rhythm after going six consecutive World of Outlaws Late Model Series events without a top-five finish, he clearly wasn't satisfied with his weekend. He felt he could have won both A-Mains.

There's no doubt that Solon Springs, Wis.'s Smith, who turns 32 on May 31, had Friday night's 50-lapper at U.S. 36 slip through his fingers. After turning up the wick and grabbing the lead from Steve Francis on lap 44, Smith was on his way to his first WoO LMS victory of 2009 until he hit a hole in turn two on the final lap and tore his Bloomquist Team Zero Chassis car's left-rear tire off the rim, gifting the race to Francis. Smith did an amazing job of maintaining control of his disabled machine to salvage a fourth-place finish, but that was little consolation for the heartbreaking defeat.

What did Smith say to himself when the tire went down with the checkered flag so close? “You can't print it, I know that,” quipped Smith, a WoO LMS regular for the first time in his career.

On Sunday at Charter Raceway Park, Smith dearly wanted to score a win in his homestate. A large contingent of his family members and friends made the roughly four-hour drive south to the one-third-mile oval for the event, but he was unable to provide them a Victory Lane celebration. With passing in the A-Main made difficult by the moisture that remained in the extreme outside line and kept it loaded with traction, Smith's hopes likely took a critical hit when he drew the sixth starting spot. He fought tooth-and-nail to move up to third and he didn't get close to the leaders until a lap-34 caution flag – too little, too late.

WHAT A NIGHT: It appeared that UMP DIRTcar star Jason Feger's planned weekend of WoO LMS action might be done when he experienced terminal engine woes as he took the checkered flag in a heat-race transfer spot on Friday at U.S. 36 Raceway.

“This is the first time we ran this car and motor this year and the motor broke,” said a dejected Feger, who headed home to Bloomington, Ill., after taking the A-Main green flag in Jason Frankel's machine for start money. “We have the car we've run all year back in the shop, but it has a thousand laps on it so I don't know if it can do two more (WoO LMS) shows.”

Alas, Feger, 30, decided to press on with his battle-tested equipment. He was in the parking lot of 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, when Saturday night's program there was called off due to rain, and he made the tow to Charter on Sunday.

Feger certainly made the correct choice. Using the tired-but-still-strong Pro Power engine that he bought several years ago for $10,000 from fellow racer Ryan Dauber, Feger set fast time and came off the outside pole to lead the 40-lap A-Main from flag-to-flag for his first career WoO LMS triumph.

While the win was undoubtedly the biggest of his dirt Late Model career, Feger was also proud of the fact that he gave chassis builder Bob Pierce his first victory in WoO LMS competition.

“Bob Pierce has really helped me a bunch and now I think we've finally turned the corner with these cars,” said Feger. “It feels great to get Bob a World of Outlaws win, but I would've been just as excited if Stevie Sheppard (Jr.) was the first one to win (a WoO LMS event) with one of these cars. Stevie is one of my teammates, one of my sponsors and a real good friend, and he had a real good run Friday (at U.S. 36) with his (Pierce) car. I was jumping up-and-down on the sidelines rooting for him (until engines problems knocked Sheppard from contention).”

Feger hopes that his huge win will turn some heads and help fuel his desire to become a fulltime dirt Late Model driver in the future. His goal is to someday follow the WoO LMS.

“I think a lot of the World of Outlaws guys have respect for me,” said Feger. “I'm friends with most of them. We get along good, and they know I can race with them because we've done it before.

“I'd love to run with the World of Outlaws someday, but right now our program isn't at that level. I have real good equipment, but I don't have enough of it to get out and do it fulltime far from home.

“Maybe some people who were here tonight that hadn't seen me race might want to do something,” he continued. “But if nothing else comes from this win, it's more money to keep funding this deal myself.”

DOWN IN THE DUMPS: UMP DIRTcar stalwart Steve Sheppard Jr. and his 16-year-old son Brandon had a busy weekend of WoO LMS racing planned, but it ended abruptly when a promising night at U.S. 36 Raceway went horribly wrong.

The elder Sheppard saw what was shaping up to be the best WoO LMS performance of his career go south on lap 39. After leading laps 1-20 of the 50-lap A-Main and then moving back in to challenge eventual winner Steve Francis for the lead following a lap-33 caution flag, the New Berlin, Ill., driver pulled off with a burnt piston during a caution period.

With Brandon Sheppard already having dropped out of the B-Main due to engine trouble, Steve Sheppard was disconsolate in the pit area as his team loaded up. He said that Friday's troubles left him with five broken motors, so he had no choice but to abandon his hopes of following the three-race swing.

Sheppard could only wonder what might have been after flirting with WoO LMS glory.

“I don't know if I would've been able to get back by Francis, but I was gonna give ‘em all I had, I guarantee you that,” said Sheppard. “I think I had a shot, but we'll never know now.”

REAL WORKOUT: Anyone who wondered how physically-demanding the blazing-fast, high-banked U.S. 36 Raceway was needed only to visit the 21-year-old Josh Richards following the A-Main.

Sweaty and winded, Richards conceded that he was “worn out” after his run to a second-place finish. He had to battle his Rocket machine for the entire distance after miscalculating the direction the track surface would go.

“I was extremely tight to say the least,” said Richards, who started from the pole position but fell back as far as fifth. “We never expected the track to get wetter as the race went on, so we were off with the setup and that made it tough to get around the track.”

Richards regained the WoO LMS points lead with his run at U.S. 36. He registered a quiet ninth-place finish on Sunday at Charter, but he nevertheless maintained a 14-point edge over Shane Clanton in the standings.

ONE UP, ONE DOWN: Tim Fuller showed signs of coming alive during his visit to the Midwest. He scored a season-best fifth-place finish at U.S. 36 and backed that up with a sixth (after running as high as third) at Charter.

Before heading to Delaware, Fuller was planning to travel to Port City Racing in Muskegon, Mich., after Sunday's show to do some testing with Integra Shocks reps at the nearby Winston Speedway. He expected Clint Smith to join him in the test session.

The struggling Smith is hoping some extra laps will help him get back on track. He departed Charter with a downtrodden disposition after a tough weekend – his ninth-place finish at U.S. 36 came after engine woes as he finished a heat race in a transfer spot forced him to make a hasty motor change (he received help from Fuller, Rick Eckert and Al Purkey, among others), and he was never a factor en route to a 16th-place finish at Charter.

Smith's poor performance at Charter was a distinct contrast to the way he ran in his last visit there on May 12, 2007. He finished second that evening and left the track as the WoO LMS points leader (he's currently 10th in this year's standings).

BIG MESS: Hopes were high for a great Saturday-night of racing at the gorgeous 34 Raceway, but the program ended up being canceled after heavy rain struck late in the afternoon – a frustrating development for the rain-plagued WoO LMS because forecasts only called for a 30-percent chance of a shower.

The quick burst of precipitation turned the track's pit area into a muddy swamp. That was bad news for the more than 20 teams that were already unloaded and ready for action; just loading up their cars and pit carts left their trailers caked with far more mud than a typical night of racing. Backing up and driving the rigs out of the pit area proved to be a challenge as well; Shannon Babb was one of several drivers who had to be pulled out of the muck by a speedway tractor.

There was some fun to be had in the slop, however. Tim Fuller and Shane Clanton were seen throwing mud at each other, and Brady Smith's four-year-old son, Travis, frolicked shirtless in the mud, belly-flopping onto the ground and slapping chunks of mud on unsuspecting crewmen (with some coaxing from Rick Eckert).

ETCETERA...

* Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan experienced a rare occurrence: mechanical trouble in consecutive events.

After terminal engine problems knocked him out of U.S. 36 Raceway's A-Main on lap 20 as he ran fourth on lap 20 – and cost him the points lead – he detected a minor motor issue after time trials at Charter and decided to pull out his backup car. He drove to an 11th-place finish in his backup machine, a new Rocket that he's hauled around all season but didn't press into service until Sunday night

* Steve Francis's series-leading third win of the season on Friday at U.S. 36 Raceway was his first with his car owner Dale Beitler not in attendance. Beitler opted to remain home in Maryland to tend to some business so he'll be ready for this week's three-race swing to tracks in his neck of the woods: Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., on Thurs., May 28; Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Sat., May 30; and Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., on Sun., May 31.

* Chub Frank was real racy during his sixth-place run at U.S. 36 (he battled tooth-and-nail for fifth with Fuller), but he finished one lap down in 13th at Charter.

* Shane Clanton continued to pile up top-10 finishes, placing eighth at both U.S. 36 and Charter. He's second in the points standings on the strength of eight finishes between 6-10 in 11 events; his lone top-five run was his Illini 100 victory at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway.

* Shannon Babb hosted Fuller and Clint Smith at his Moweaqua, Ill., shop during the off-days prior to the Tri-State Late Model Challenge. He took them fishing, among other activities.

On the track, Babb charged around the outside groove to a third-place finish at U.S. 36 but was lapped en route to a 12th-place result at Charter. He ended the weekend sixth in the points standings (44 points behind leader Richards) and plans to enter this weekend's WoO LMS swing east.

* Vic Coffey, whose 10th-place finish at Charter marked his long-awaited first top-10 run of the 2009 season, visited Busch Stadium in St. Louis last Wednesday to take in a St. Louis Cardinals/Chicago Cubs baseball game with his Sweeteners Plus crew and Chub Frank's chief mechanic Brad Baum.

* Jordan Bland's 15th-place finish at Charter earned him the $250 Rookie of the Race bonus. The event also marked the first time the rookie points leader transferred through a heat or B-Main (he finished second in Sunday's B) since the March 21 event at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas.

* Charter Raceway Park was tough on rookies Russell King, who lost a motor in the B-Main and had to pull out a backup car to start the A-Main with a provisional; Brent Robinson, who qualified solidly in his heat but struggled in the A-Main with suspension problems; Dustin Hapka, whose lap-34 spin brought out the race's only caution flag; and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick, whose night ended when his car sustained significant front end damage when he made contact with the rear of Brady Smith's car while being lapped in a heat race.

* Two-time defending UMP DIRTcar national champ Dennis Erb Jr. couldn't repeat his 2007 WoO LMS victory at Charter Raceway Park. He retired on lap 33 and finished 23rd – two nights after engine problems forced him to relinquish third place on lap 33 of the A-Main at U.S. 36.

* NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader entered both events. He had his best run at Charter Raceway, where he timed third-fastest and finished one lap down in 14th.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Jason Feger Hustles Around High Side For First Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory At Charter Raceway Park

BEAVER DAM, WI - May 24, 2009 - Jason Feger lived up to his nickname on Sunday night at Charter Raceway Park.

Tossing his car around the extreme top of the one-third-mile oval, the ‘Highside Hustler' led the 40-lap Tri-State Late Model Challenge A-Main from flag-to-flag to record his first career victory on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Feger, 30, of Bloomington, Ill., outgunned polesitter Matt Miller of Waterville, Ohio, for the lead at the initial green flag and never looked back. The personable UMP DIRTcar Racing star turned back some challenges from Miller and survived a lap-34 caution flag to pocket a career-best race payoff of $7,650.

“I knew the outside would be good, but I didn't know how good and for how long,” said Feger, who started second in his family-owned Bob Pierce Chassis car. “I knew I had to try running it, though, so I just told the guys, ‘We're gonna hang on as long as we can hang on up there.'

“Luckily it stayed good enough up top for the whole race and the bottom wasn't quite quick enough. It all worked out in our favor.”

Miller settled for a career-high WoO LMS finish of second in Larry Moring's MasterSbilt machine. He couldn't stay with Feger after the race's lone restart on lap 34, finishing 1.318 seconds behind.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., battled forward from the fifth starting spot to finish third in his Bloomquist Team Zero Chassis, falling short of a victory in front of his homestate fans. Terry Casey of New London, Wis., placed fourth in his Rayburn mount and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., completed the top five in Raye Vest's Bloomquist Team Zero Chassis.

Feger, whose previous best WoO LMS finish was a fourth on Sept. 13, 2008, at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., was ecstatic when he reached Victory Lane on the speedway's homestretch. He high-fived and hugged his crew, which is led by Feger's brother Austin (the Integra Shocks ‘Wrench of the Race' Award winner), and acknowledged a loud cheer from the crowd.

“We've been thinking about winning one of these World of Outlaws races for a long time,” said Feger, who entered Sunday's UMP DIRTcar co-sanctioned event ranked second in the organization's national points standings. “We love racing with the World of Outlaws and we've come close a few times, but I didn't know if (a victory) was gonna happen – especially at a track we've never seen.

“But maybe racing at this place for the first time was to our advantage. We didn't know anything about it, so in this situation all you gotta do is get out there and race. That's what we did – and after we qualified good (recording fast time), that kinda set the tone for the whole night.”

Feger's triumph – a checkered flag he called “the biggest win of my career” – came after he experienced a dismal outing in Friday night's Tri-State Late Model Challenge opener at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo. He suffered a broken motor at the end of his heat race, forcing him to take the green flag in another car and then drive back to his shop in central Illinois to retrieve his backup car for the remainder of the weekend's action.

Miller, who made his first WoO LMS start of the 2009 season, never found the opportunity to overtake Feger that he hoped would materialize.

“After I couldn't slide up and get ahead of (Feger) at the start, I tried to bide my time behind him,” said Miller. “I know that he's pretty aggressive running the top – and if you attack that cushion, you can get in trouble. I wanted to be in position to take advantage of any bobble he might make, but I didn't stay close enough to him. When we got to (lapped) traffic it seemed like he'd clear a car and then I'd get hung up, and that just cost me too much ground.”

Brady Smith, meanwhile, dearly wanted to win for the dozens of family members and friends he had watching his only WoO LMS appearance of the season in Wisconsin, but the 31-year-old struggled to advance with the outside line the preferred way around the track. He gained control of third place on lap 14, but he found himself nearly a straightaway behind Miller and didn't pull within striking distance of the second-place runner until just before Grand Forks, N.D.'s Dustin Hapka spun in turn two to bring out the lap-34 caution flag.

“We had a really good car,” said Smith, who registered his second consecutive top-five finish on the WoO LMS. “But it was tough to pass because the top was dominant. We made some moves to go forward, but we couldn't get up there to challenge (Feger) and that was disappointing.”

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., finished sixth after running as high as third. Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., moved up three spots to place seventh, followed by 13th-starter Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., WoO LMS points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who recorded his first top-10 finish of the season.

Defending tour champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who switched to his backup car after his primary mount developed a minor engine problem during time trials, finished 11th.

A 32-car field was signed in for the program, which was run under clear and cool conditions. It was the first WoO LMS event at Charter since May 12, 2007.

Feger registered his first career WoO LMS fast-time award, topping the Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 14.535 seconds. He pocketed a $50 bonus for his effort.

Heat winners were Miller, Brady Smith, Eckert and Fuller. The B-Main was captured by Nick Anvelink of Navarino, Wis.

The WoO LMS now heads east for a three-race swing that visits Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., on Thurs., May 28; Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Sat., May 30; and Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., on Sun., May 31.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Charter Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Jason Feger/40 $7,650
2. (1) Matt Miller/40 $3,000
3. (5) Brady Smith/40 $2,550
4. (3) Terry Casey/40 $1,700
5. (7) Rick Eckert/40 $2,000
6. (4) Tim Fuller/40 $1,800
7. (12) Steve Francis/40 $1,800
8. (13) Shane Clanton/40 $1,600
9. (14) Josh Richards/40 $1,500
10. (10) Vic Coffey/40 $1,450
11. (15) Darrell Lanigan/40 $1,450
12. (8) Shannon Babb/39 $1,300
13. (19) Chub Frank/39 $1,250
14. (6) Kenny Schrader/39 $740
15. (18) Jordan Bland/39 $1,460
16. (20) Clint Smith/39 $1,180
17. (17) Nick Anvelink/39 $650
18. (9) Kerry Hansen/39 $630
19. (23) Russell King/38 $620
20. (11) Brent Robinson/38 $610
21. (21) Tim Buhler/38 $600
22. (22) Bret Sievert/33 $600
23. (16) Dennis Erb Jr./33 $600
24. (24) Dustin Hapka/32 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 15 Mins., 24.684 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.318 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 34)
Lap Leaders: Feger (1-40)
Provisional Starters: King, Hapka
Rookie of the Race: Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Feger ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Austin Feger (Feger)

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

1. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.535
2. 42-Terry Casey/New London, WI 14.618
3. 9-Kenny Schrader/Concord, NC 14.657
4. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 14.767
5. 7M-Matt Miller/Waterville, OH 14.798
6. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.802
7. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.804
8. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.833
9. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.855
10. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.878
11. 5-Bret Sievert/Mukwanago, WI 14.931
12. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.964
13. 25H-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 14.966
14. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.974
15. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 14.976
16. 28-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 14.983
17. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.994
18. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 15.061
19. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.065
20. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.082
21. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.107
22. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 15.218
23. 9z-Jayme Zidar/Greenfield, WI 15.283
24. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.413
25. 7B-Tim Buhler/Glenbeulah, WI 15.535
26. 73-Zach Johnson/Kensington, WI 15.599
27. 10s-George Scheffler/Waukesha, WI 15.661
28. 1M-Mike Mataragas/Dekalb, IL 15.878
29. d1-Turk Letizia/Milwaukee, WI 16.084
30. 15-Nick Anvelink/Navarino, WI 16.162
31. 40-Nick Kramer/Pine Island, MN 16.418
32. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA N/T (light)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Miller, Feger, Hansen, Clanton, Bland, C. Smith, Buhler, Letizia

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): B. Smith, Casey, Coffey, Richards, Anvelink, Z. Johnson, Hapka, Reddick

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Schrader, Robinson, Lanigan, Sievert, Zidar, Scheffler, Kramer

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Babb, Francis, Erb, Frank, King, Mataragas, George

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Anvelink, Bland, Frank, C. Smith, Buhler, Sievert, Z. Johnson, Zidar, Mataragas, Hapka, Letizia, Kramer, George, Scheffler, King (DNS) Reddick

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Tim Buhler
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jason Feger
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Jason Feger
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Jason Feger
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Nick Anvelink
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Brady Smith
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Jason Feger
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Jason Feger
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jordan Bland
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Jason Feger
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Tyler Reddick
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jason Feger

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of May 24 – 11 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 1-7-9-$49,200-1439 (-0)
2. Shane Clanton 1-1-9-$39,150-1425 (-14)
3. Steve Francis 3-6-8-$53,580-1421 (-18)
4. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 0-4-8-$52,300-1409 (-30)
4. (tie) Rick Eckert 1-4-7-$28,395-1409 (-30)
6. Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$42,330-1395 (-44)
7. Chub Frank 0-2-7-$22,600-1373 (-66)
8. Tim Fuller 0-1-4-$19,330-1353 (-86)
9. Brady Smith 0-4-5-$22,975-1336 (-103)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-4-$17,230-1293 (-146)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-1-$11,890-1170 (-269)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$10,500-1073 (-366)
13. Russell King 0-0-1-$9,470-1042 (-397)
14. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$4,760-997 (-442)
15. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$5,490-985 (-454)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$3,105-893 (-546)
17. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-722)
18. Dennis Erb Jr. 0-0-1-$5,010-657 (-782)
19. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-824)
20. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$1,145-600 (-839)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Thunderstorms Wash Out Saturday Night's Tri-State Late Model Challenge Event At Iowa's 34 Raceway

WEST BURLINGTON, IA - May 23, 2009 - Thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Saturday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at 34 Raceway, continuing the run of wet weather that has plagued the series for the past month.

The three-eighths-mile oval in eastern Iowa was set to host the second leg of the holiday weekend's Tri-State Late Model Challenge, but an unexpectedly strong series of thunderstorms formed late in the afternoon and drenched the showplace facility.

WoO LMS officials expect to talk with track owners Jeff and Amy Laue and SLS Promotions, who teamed up to promote the event, about rescheduling the tour's date at 34 Raceway for later this season.

“Everyone with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series was looking forward to running at one of the most beautiful tracks in the country,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Unfortunately, we just can't seem to catch a break from Mother Nature lately. It's a huge disappointment when we get rained out after waking up to a forecast that shows no rain expected.”

Saturday's cancellation was the fourth complete washout of 2009 for the WoO LMS. Rain also brought an early end to the May 5 event at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., with one B-Main remaining.

In all, four of the last six WoO LMS programs have been rain-affected.

The Tri-State Late Model Challenge is scheduled to conclude on Sunday night (May 24) with a 40-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Main at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Francis Wins Inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At U.S. 36 Raceway After Tire Dooms Brady Smith On Final Lap

OSBORN, MO - May 22, 2009 - In one dramatic minute on Friday night at U.S. 36 Raceway, Steve Francis went from cursing himself for making a crucial mistake to celebrating his third World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory of the season.

Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., thought he had let the first-ever WoO LMS event at the high-banked oval slip through his fingers when Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., charged under him for the lead on lap 44 of the 50-lap A-Main. But moments later the race fell back into his lap when Smith slowed off turn two on the final lap with a flat left rear tire, handing the checkered flag to Francis.

“I'd rather be lucky than good any day,” said Francis, the only driver with multiple wins on the 2009 WoO LMS. “We'll take ‘em any way we can get ‘em. We feel like we've given a couple away this year, so maybe we got one back by accident tonight.”

Francis pocketed $10,700 for his 23rd career WoO LMS victory – the most of any driver on the national tour since 2004. It came in his initial start at the blazing-fast three-eighths-mile oval and made him eligible for the $10,000 Tri-State Late Model Challenge bonus if he can win Saturday night (May 23) at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, or Sunday night (May 24) at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who started from the pole position but fell to fifth in three laps due to an “extremely tight” Rocket car, emerged as the runner-up for the second consecutive WoO LMS event. He finished 1.023 seconds behind Francis and took over the tour's points lead from defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who finished 21st after retiring with engine problems while running fourth on lap 20.

Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., battled forward from the 11th starting spot to place third in his Sheltra Motorsports/Petroff Towing Rocket. Smith managed to complete the last half-lap of the race on a flat tire to salvage a fourth-place finish in his Bloomquist ‘Team Zero' car, and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., registered his first top-five finish of the season by outdueling Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., for fifth in his Gypsum Express Rocket.

The memorable finish was set up after Francis, who took the lead for the first time on lap 21 when he passed race-long pacesetter Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill., made a misstep in lapped traffic. When Francis kept his Dale Beitler-owned Rocket car in the high groove rounding turns three and four as he approached the slower machine driven by Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Smith stuck to the bottom of the track and snatched the top spot.

“I just got a little too cautious with a couple lapped cars and screwed myself up,” said Francis, who started third. “I got to easing in there instead of just blasting in there like (Smith) was and it cost me. In that type of situation, it's much better to be running second than leading.”

Smith, who turns 32 on May 31, appeared on his way to a slump-busting victory. He took the white flag with an edge of several car lengths on Francis, but that disappeared in a flash in turn two.

“I hit a hole the wrong way and the left-rear tire just came off the rim,” mourned Smith, who started sixth. “It was just a bad break.

“I guess we were fortunate to still get fourth. Considering that we've been a 10th-place car for the last few races, that's not too bad. But it's a major disappointment to lose the lead on the last lap when it looks like you're going to win the race.”

And Smith definitely felt that his first win as a WoO LMS regular (he won twice in limited tour appearances last year) was in his grasp.

“I hate to say it, but I thought we were going to win,” said Smith, who scored his first top-five finish since he was fourth on March 13 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. “Everybody knows, though, that it's not over till it's over. They don't write out the check on the white-flag lap.”

Three caution flags slowed the race, all after the halfway point. Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., triggered the first slowdown, on lap 32, when he stopped his car on the inside of turn three. One circuit later Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., saw his strong third-place run end when terminal engine woes caused him to stop on the track, and on lap 39 Coffey blew a right-rear tire off turn four.

Sheppard, meanwhile, made a strong bid for his first career WoO LMS win, leading laps 1-20 off the outside pole and challenging Francis after the lap-33 restart. But he relinquished second place during the lap-39 caution period due to a motor malfunction.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Frank, who swapped fifth several times with Fuller; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who started fourth but lost a half-dozen spots when he slipped over the cushion between turns one and two on the first lap; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who changed motors after qualifying through a heat; and Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who topped Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., in a close battle to grab the $250 Rookie of the Race bonus.

King, who became the first WoO LMS rookie to record a top-10 finish this season, also earned the tour's $500 Bonus Bucks cash because he was the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a WoO LMS A-Main and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the series points standings.

A field of 30 cars was signed in for the event, which served as the 2009 season opener at U.S. 36 Raceway.

Erb Jr. earned a $50 bonus for setting a new dirt Late Model track record in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, blistering the oval in 12.463 seconds. It was his first career WoO LMS fast-time honor.

Heat winners were Francis, Brady Smith and Steve Sheppard Jr. The B-Main was captured by Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill.

The WoO LMS ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' continues on Saturday night (May 23) at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, and Sunday night (May 24) at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at U.S. 36 Raceway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Steve Francis/50 $10,700
2. (1) Josh Richards/50 $5,500
3. (11) Shannon Babb/50 $3,500
4. (6) Brady Smith/50 $3,050
5. (9) Tim Fuller/50 $2,500
6. (15) Chub Frank/50 $2,200
7. (8) Rick Eckert/50 $1,900
8. (4) Shane Clanton/50 $1,800
9. (12) Clint Smith/50 $1,700
10. (16) Russell King/50 $1,950
11. (13) Brent Robinson/50 $1,050
12. (18) Vic Coffey/49 $1,500
13. (19) Mark Burgtorf/49 $950
14. (10) Kenny Schrader/49 $900
15. (23) Jordan Bland/49 $1,350
16. (22) Dustin Hapka/48 $800
17. (24) Tyler Reddick/48 $770
18. (17) Al Purkey/42 $750
19. (2) Steve Sheppard Jr./39 $830
20. (5) Dennis Erb Jr./33 $750
21. (7) Darrell Lanigan/20 $1,300
22. (21) Denny Woodworth/10 $700
23. (20) Zach Johnson/7 $700
24. (14) Jason Feger/6 $700

NOTE: Jason Feger fell to the rear of the field for the start of the A-Main because he parked his car (engine trouble) and took the green flag driving Jason Frankel's No. 33

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 19 Mins., 32.178 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.023 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 32, 33, 39)
Lap Leaders: Sheppard (1-20); Francis (21-43); B. Smith (44-49); Francis (50)
Provisional Starters: Bland, Reddick
Rookie of the Race: Russell King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Russell King ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Chris Burton (Francis)

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

1. 28-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 12.463 (NTR)
2. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 12.524
3. 5s-Steve Sheppard Jr./New Berlin, IL 12.566
4. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 12.578
5. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 12.579
6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 12.602
7. 9-Kenny Schrader/Concord, NC 12.696
8. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 12.752
9. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 12.758
10. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 12.787
11. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 12.806
12. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.830
13. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 12.859
14. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 12.884
15. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 12.892
16. 73-Zach Johnson/Kensington, MN 12.911
17. 25s-Chris Smyser/Lancaster, MO 12.913
18. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.922
19. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 12.928
20. 33P-Al Purkey/Coffeyville, KS 12.971
21. 45DW-Denny Woodworth/Mendon, IL 13.035
22. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 13.072
23. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.093
24. B5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 13.104
25. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 13.358
26. 33F-Ricky Frankel/Quincy, IL 13.577
27. 29K-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE 15.929
28. 62-Kim Horn/Gillette, WY N/T
29. 7-Mark Burgtorf/Quincy, IL N/T
30. 22-Allen Vaughn/ N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Francis, Erb, Lanigan, Schrader, Robinson, King, Z. Johnson, Hapka, Bland (DNS) Horn

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): B. Smith, Richards, Eckert, Babb, Feger, Purkey, Burgtorf, Smyser, Frankel, Reddick

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): S. Sheppard, Clanton, Fuller, C. Smith, Frank, Coffey, Woodworth, B. Sheppard, Vaughn, Koons

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Burgtorf, Z. Johnson, Woodworth, Hapka, Smyser, Bland, Frankel, Vaughn, Koons, Reddick, B. Sheppard (DNS) Horn

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Chris Smyser
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Russell King
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Steve Sheppard Jr.
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Mark Burgtorf
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Brady Smith
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr.
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Tim Fuller
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jordan Bland
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Steve Sheppard Jr.
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Chris Smyser
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of May 22 – 10 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 1-7-8-$47,700-1307 (-0)
2. Shane Clanton 1-1-8-$37,550-1291 (-16)
3. Steve Francis 3-6-7-$51,780-1285 (-22)
4. Darrell Lanigan 0-4-8-$50,850-1281 (-26)
5. (tie) Rick Eckert 1-3-6-$26,395-1269 (-38)
5. (tie) Shannon Babb 1-4-7-$41,030-1269 (-38)
7. Chub Frank 0-2-7-$21,350-1249 (-58)
8. Tim Fuller 0-1-3-$17,530-1215 (-92)
9. Brady Smith 0-3-4-$20,425-1192 (-115)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-4-$16,050-1175 (-132)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$10,440-1040 (-267)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$9,040-953 (-354)
13. Russell King 0-0-1-$8,850-930 (-377)
14. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$4,150-887 (-420)
15. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$4,890-883 (-424)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$3,105-818 (-489)
17. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-590)
18. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-692)
19. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$1,145-600 (-707)
20. Dennis Erb Jr. 0-0-1-$4,410-553 (-754)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

WORLD OF OUTLAWS ( Race #10 )
US 36 Raceway / Osborn, Missouri
22 May 2009 ( 30 cars )
** did not make A-Main

TIME TRIALS
------------------
01)...12.463...DENNIS ERB JR
02)...12.524...Brady Smith
03)...12.566...Steve Sheppard Jr
04)...12.578...Steve Francis
05)...12.578...Josh Richards
06)...12.602...Clint Smith
07)...12.696...Kenny Schrader
08)...12.752...Rick Eckert
09)...12.758...Shane Clanton
10)...12.787...Darrell Lanigan
11)...12.806...Shannon Babb
12)...12.830...Tim Fuller
13)...12.859...Brent Robinson
14)...12.884...Tyler Redd1ck
15)...12.892...Vic Coffey
16)...12.911...Zach Johnson
17)...12.913...Chris Smyser
18)...12.922...Chub Frank
19)...12.928...Dustin Hapka
20)...12.971...Al Purkey
21)...13.035...Denny Woodworth
22)...13.072...Russell King
23)...13.093...Jason Feger
24)...13.104...Brandon Sheppard
25)...13.358...Jordan Bland
26)...13.577...Ricky Frankel
27)...15.929...Bill Koons
28)...99.999...Kim Horn
29)...99.999...Mark Burgtorf
30)...99.999...Alan Vaughn
--------------------------------------------------------------
HEAT #1 ( lineup )

01) Dennis Erb Jr - Steve Francis 02)
03) Kenny Schrader - Darrell Lanigan 04)
05) Brent Robinson - Zach Johnson 06)
07) Dustin Hapka - Russell King 08)
09) Jordan Bland - Kim Horn 10)

FINISH, Heat #1
----------------------
01) ..........redraw
02) ..........redraw
03) ..........starts 7th in A-Main
04) ..........starts 10th in A-Main
05) ..........starts 13th in A-Main
06) ..........starts 16th in A-Main
07)
--------------------------------------------------------------
HEAT #2 ( lineup )

01) Brady Smith - Josh Richards 02)
03) Rick Eckert - Shannon Babb 04)
05) Tyler Redd1ck - Chris Smyser 06)
07) Al Purkey - Jason Feger 08)
09) Ricky Frankel - Mark Burgtorf 10)

FINISH, Heat #2
----------------------
01) ..........redraw
02) ..........redraw
03) ..........starts 8th in A-Main
04) ..........starts 11th in A-Main
05) ..........starts 14th in A-Main
06) ..........starts 17th in A-Main
07)
-------------------------------------------------------------
HEAT #3 ( lineup )

01) Steve Sheppard Jr - Clint Smith 02)
03) Shane Clanton - Tim Fuller 04)
05) Vic Coffey - Chub Frank 06)
07) Denny Woodworth - Brandon Sheppard 08)
09) Bill Koons - Alan Vaughn 10)

FINISH, HEAT #3
------------------------
01) ..........redraw
02) ..........redraw
03) ..........starts 9th in A-Main
04) ..........starts 12th in A-Main
05) ..........starts 15th in A-Main
06) ..........starts 18th in A-Main
07)
-------------------------------------------------------------
B-MAIN #1 ( lineup ) top 4 qualify

01) 02)
03) 04)
05) 06)
07) 08)
09) 10)
11) 12)

FINISH, B-MAIN #1
-------------------------
01) ..........starts 19th in A-Main
02) ..........starts 20th in A-Main
03) ..........starts 21st in A-Main
04) ..........starts 22nd in A-Main
05)
--------------------------------------------------------------
STARTING LINEUP
---------------------------
01) 02)
03) 04)
05) 06)
07) 08)
09) 10)
11) 12)
13) 14)
15) 16)
17) 18)
19) 20)
21) 22)
23) 24)
-------------------------------------------------
FINAL FINISHING RUNDOWN
----------------------------------------
01)

WORLD OF OUTLAW POINT STANDINGS ( for provisional starting spots 23 & 24 )

1) Darrell Lanigan 2) Josh Richards 3) Shane Clanton 4) Steve Francis 5) Rick Eckert 6) Shannon Babb 7) Chub Frank 8) Tim Fuller 9) Brady Smith 10) Clint Smith 11) Vic Coffey 12) Jordan Bland 13) Russell King 14) Dale McDowell 15) Dustin Hapka 16) Brent Robinson 17) Tyler Redd1ck

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Regular Brady Smith Finally Gets A Wisconsin Date This Sunday (May 24) At Charter Raceway Park

BEAVER DAM, WI - May 21, 2009 - What a relief it is for Brady Smith to have the World of Outlaws Late Model Series stop at Charter Raceway Park in his homestate this Sunday night (May 24).

A resident of Solon Springs, Wis., Smith has been traipsing all over the country in his first season as a WoO LMS regular. Now he finally gets an event in his backyard.

Well, Charter Raceway Park is at least relatively close to Smith's home.

“We still have about a four-and-a-half drive to get down there (to Beaver Dam),” said Smith, who hails from the far Northwest corner of Wisconsin. “But that's nothing compared to how far we've had to drive to all these other tracks this year.”

Indeed, Smith, who turns 32 on May 31, has to relish a WoO LMS show that's roughly 300 miles from his doorstep. Of the nine tracks he's visited so far this season with the WoO LMS, six were more than 1,000 miles from his home (speedways in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia); one was nearly 900 miles away (in Pennsylvania); and two were just over 500 miles away (both in central Illinois).

“I'm looking forward to it,” Smith said of Charter's 40-lap, $7,000-to-win program that closes a three-state holiday-weekend tripleheader for the WoO LMS. “Being on the road so much is tough because it takes you away from your family, so it's gonna be nice to race pretty close to home. My wife (Jenni) and kids (daughters Mariah and Rowan, son Travis) are coming to the race (they haven't seen Smith in action together since they traveled to Florida in February for a few events), and I'm sure I'll have some family and friends there too.”

Smith just wishes he had a true hometrack advantage at Charter. He has one career start at the one-third-mile oval, a 14th-place finish on May 12, 2007, in the track's only previous WoO LMS event.

“Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of experience (at Charter) even though it's close to my house,” said Smith, who cut his dirt Late Model teeth competing at tracks in the northern part of the state. “I didn't run very well there in '07, but that was very early in our days with these Bloomquist (Team Zero Chassis) cars. I was inexperienced with them, and I made a mistake putting the wrong right-front shock on and left it on too long.”

Smith's lone appearance at Charter Raceway Park certainly impressed him, though.

“It's absolutely a beautiful track,” raved Smith, who operates his own race team with primary support from Big Red Motorsports and Mid-State Equipment Hydraulics. “It's a real nice facility, and the racetrack seemed real racy. (Dennis) Erb started back (in the 11th spot) and came up through to win that night, so that tells you it's a good racetrack.”

Smith is hopeful that this weekend's Tri-State Late Model Challenge – a three-race WoO LMS swing that also includes events on Fri., May 22, at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., and Sat., May 23, at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa – will get him back on track along the Outlaws trail. He's struggled since finishing second on Feb. 14 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., and fourth on March 13 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala.

“We haven't been running terrible,” said Smith, who ranks ninth in the WoO LMS points standings entering this weekend's action. “We just need to start running better.

“Obviously doing this Outlaw deal is a big step up for us, a very big commitment. We're still a fairly young team, so we knew coming in that we'd have some tough stretches. I'm just taking the advice I've heard and keeping my head up. When I get in a slump, I just have to dig deep within myself and find some encouragement from the people who are important to me.”

A winner of back-to-back WoO LMS A-Mains last year at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., and Estevan (Sask.) Motor Speedway, Smith knows he can get the job done against the tour's big stars. He just needs to find his rhythm on the road over the long haul.

“If you want to make a living in racing, you have to make the commitment to do a national tour like this,” said Smith, who has built a new Bloomquist Chassis car with his crew this month and expects to debut it this weekend. “It seems like all the guys who won big races last year were touring drivers at one time or another. Experience-wise, this is the best thing for us.”

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., leads the tour's points standings entering this weekend's tripleheader, which features a $10,000 bonus posted by SLS Promotions for a driver who can win two of the three A-Mains. He charged to a sixth-place finish after starting 23rd in his 2007 appearance at Charter Raceway Park.

Josh Richards, 21, of Shinnston, W.Va., currently sits second in the points standings. The eighth-place finisher in the '07 WoO LMS A-Main at Charter, his team carries primary sponsorship from Seubert Calf Ranches in Dorchester, Wis., about 180 miles northwest of Beaver Dam.

Other WoO LMS contenders headed for Charter include Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who finished fourth in the track's '07 event; Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who scored his first Outlaws victory of the season on May 17 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., the runner-up at Charter in '07; and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. Five 2009 Rookie of the Year candidates will also be in the field: Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

The list of drivers planning to challenge the Outlaws on Sunday includes NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader of Concord, N.C.; two-time defending UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., whose first career WoO LMS victory came in the '07 event at Charter; rising UMP DIRTcar star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill.; and Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill.

Gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands) on Sunday, with hot laps set for 6 p.m., time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

Reserved-seat tickets for the May 24 event at Charter Raceway Park are priced at $32 for the chairback seating in the top two rows of sections B-C and $30 for the top 10 rows without chairbacks in sections A-B-C-D. An advance-sale offer of $35 for a reserved seat and a pit pass is also available, while general admission will be $25 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 and free for kids 5-and-under (children in reserved seats pay the full ticket price).

For ticket information, call SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT) or Charter Raceway Park at 920-887-1600.

All three Tri-State Late Model Challenge programs this weekend will be run as co-sanctioned UMP DIRTcar events with the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tire rule (10-20-30-40 compounds) in effect.

For more information visit www.slspromotions.com or www.wismotorsports.net.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Babb Hopes 34 Raceway Still Suits Him When World of Outlaws Late Model Series Visits Iowa Track This Saturday Night (May 23)

WEST BURLINGTON, IA - May 20, 2009 - Most observers would say that 34 Raceway is Shannon Babb's kind of track.

Babb doesn't dispute that he felt right at home the last time he visited the three-eighths-mile oval. He just hopes that he'll be equally as comfortable on the Hawkeye State clay when he returns this Saturday night (May 23) for the track's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' event.

“Right now, I don't even know what a Shannon Babb track is anymore,” Babb said with a smile when asked if 34 Raceway fits his style. “I supposedly know (Illinois's Lincoln Speedway) pretty well, but I made the wrong adjustments for the feature (in the track's WoO LMS event on May 17) and got myself all jacked up. You just can't take anything for granted in this sport.”

Babb, 35, of Moweaqua, Ill., simply blazed around a moist, multi-grooved 34 Raceway in his last appearance there on July 12, 2006, scoring a powerful flag-to-flag victory in a 40-lap UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event. He registered that triumph, which virtually assured him of a second consecutive Summer Nationals points championship, driving a car owned by Iowa's Billy Moyer Sr.

Now campaigning dirt Late Model equipment out of his own shop with key support from Sheltra Motorsports and Petroff Towing, Babb is looking forward to his first start at 34 Raceway in nearly three years. He has high praise for the top-notch speedplant carved out of Iowa cornfields.

“The times I've been there it's been real racy,” said Babb, who has one career win at 34 Raceway. “I've always enjoyed running there. It's a beautiful facility – all lit up, big grandstands, big, fast racetrack. It's just a real cool place.”

Saturday's 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main – the first WoO LMS event at 34 Raceway since the national tour was reincarnated in 2004 by the World Racing Group – holds some special meaning for Babb beyond the fact that he was victorious in his last trip there. The show brings him to the hometown of ailing former 34 Raceway owner Johnny Johnson, a longtime dirt Late Model competitor who has supported many drivers – including Babb – through his J&J Steel business.

Johnson literally rebuilt 34 Raceway during his decade-long stint at the track's helm, turning the now 43-year-old facility into a showplace that features, among other amenities, a sparkling 4,000-capacity aluminum grandstand with chair-back seats; 22 VIP suites above the bleachers and a separate ‘Suite 34' for larger parties outside turn four; bright Musco lights; new concession stands and restrooms; a spongy track surface; and finely manicured grounds. He sold the track in December 2006 to Jeff and Amy Laue, who have joined with SLS Promotions to bring the WoO LMS to town.

“He's a great guy,” Babb said of Johnson, who is battling health problems. “He's helped a lot of racers out over the years and everyone appreciates what he's done. He sponsored me in the past, and last year he even let us use his hauler at the beginning of the year while we were getting our new one ready.

“Times are tough for him with his health right now, so I don't think he'll be at the race. But I think his family will be – and if everything works out, we might be able to get by his place and see him while we're there.”

Babb enters this weekend's ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' tripleheader, which also includes events on Fri., May 22, at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., and Sun., May 24, at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis., ranked sixth in the WoO LMS points standings (48 points out of first) with one win in 2009. He has not committed to running the entire tour after starting up his own team following a 2008 season that saw him drive NASCAR star Clint Bowyer's dirt Late Model to a sixth-place finish in the WoO LMS points standings, but with him in the thick of the points battle he's shown no signs of abandoning the schedule.

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., leads the WoO LMS points standings by just 12 points over 21-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., entering this weekend's action. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., complete the top five.

Other WoO LMS contenders headed for 34 Raceway include Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who finished fourth in the track's 2006 Summer Nationals event, Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., as well as 2009 Rookie of the Year candidates Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

The list of drivers planning to challenge the Outlaws at 34 Raceway includes NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader of Concord, N.C., two-time defending UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., rising UMP DIRTcar star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill., Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, and Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., who won last Saturday night's dirt Late Model feature at 34 Raceway.

Gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands) on Saturday, with hot laps set for 6 p.m., time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

In addition, a meet-and-greet autograph session with Kenny Schrader and WoO LMS drivers is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Advanced ticket sales through the track office (319-752-343) end at 10 p.m. CT on Wed., May 20. After that time, pre-sale general admission tickets will be available for $25 through Friday at noon at Electric Rayz Tanning on 3220 Division St. in Burlington, Iowa.

On race day reserved-seat tickets will cost $35 for rows 13-16 and $30 for rows 9-12. Race day general admission (rows 1-8 and all of sections I, J and K) is $30. In addition, reserved seats for children 12-and-under are $15, while general admission for kids 6-12 is $15 and free for youngsters 5-and-under.

All three Tri-State Late Model Challenge programs this weekend will be run as co-sanctioned UMP DIRTcar events with the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tire rule (10-20-30-40 compounds) in effect. SLS Promotions has posted a $10,000 bonus for any driver who can win two of the three A-Mains runs over the holiday weekend.

For more information visit www.slspromotions.com or www.34raceway.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Inside Info: Eckert Preps For Friday's World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stop At U.S. 36 Raceway By Calling Missouri Sprint Car Star Danny Lasoski

OSBORN, MO - May 19, 2009 - U.S. 36 Raceway is uncharted territory for all the followers of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

So what would be a good way for a World of Outlaws star to gather some inside information on the high-banked track in advance of the national full-fender tour's first-ever visit for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main this Friday night (May 22)? Dialing up the cell phone of a famed Missouri racer from the other side of the Outlaws aisle would seem to be a smart move.

That's the thought process of WoO LMS stalwart Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who called Show-Me State Sprint Car standout Danny (‘The Dude') Lasoski on Monday for a driver-to-driver conversation about U.S. 36 Raceway. A former World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, Lasoski lives about an hour-and-a-half from the track and has raced there in WoO and other Sprint Car competition.

“All these guys (WoO LMS regulars) are good and can figure out a track we've never been to pretty quick,” said Eckert, who won his first WoO LMS A-Main in nearly 11 months on Sunday night at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway. “You're never gonna get some big advantage on them, but it can't hurt to talk to a guy like Lasoski who's raced (at U.S. 36) before.”

Eckert, 43, picked Lasoski's brain for generalities about U.S. 36 Raceway more than specific setup ideas.

“The main thing would be to know what tires to run, but it's hard to transfer what the Sprint Cars do to our Late Model deal because they normally run softer (compounds) than us,” said Eckert. “But from talking to (Lasoski) you can learn some things, like what gear to run, what the racetrack does during the night and if it's usually rough or smooth.

“He told me that it's normally wet and wide-open all night long, and it's banked pretty good so it's real fast. He said the Sprint Cars really fly around the place.”

Indeed, the track boasts some of the lowest lap times on the WoO Sprint Car Series, which ran at U.S. 36 Raceway in 2006 and 2007. (The 2008 Sprint Car event was rained out.) Listed at three-eighths-of-a-mile with banking of 21 degrees in the turns and 10 degrees on the straightaways, the WoO Sprint Car track record was set in '06 by Paul McMahan at a blistering 9.846 seconds.

There's plenty of anticipation concerning the lap times that will be turned by the dirt Late Models, a rare attraction at the track that sits less than an hour from Kansas City, Mo. The track's last touring-series event for the division was a Midwest Late Model Racing Association show in 2006.

Friday's program will be the biggest dirt Late Model event in the history of U.S. 36 Raceway – both in purse ($50,000) and the level of talent that takes to the track.

Coming off a 17th career win on Sunday that moved him into a tie with Scott Bloomquist for second on the WoO LMS win list since 2004, Eckert will lead the tour's traveling contingent to U.S. 36 Raceway. He hopes his pre-race talks with Lasoski will help him gather a victory that would give him his first multiple-win WoO LMS season since 2006, when he led the tour with eight wins.

“It would be nice to win two in a row,” said Eckert, who sits fifth in the WoO LMS points standings entering this weekend's ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' tripleheader at U.S. 36 Raceway, 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa (Sat., May 23) and Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis. (Sun., May 24). “Then we won't have to hear everybody keep talking about how long it's been since we've won a race.”

A longtime friend of Lasoski's, Eckert plans to spend Wednesday with Lasoski at the Sprint Car driver's home in Higginsville, Mo. Lasoski doesn't have a WoO Sprint Car Series event on his schedule until Friday in Concord, N.C., so he invited Eckert, who stayed on the road following Sunday's race in Illinois, to visit and play some golf at a nearby course.

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., leads the WoO LMS points standings by just 12 points over 21-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., entering the weekend. Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., sit third and fourth, respectively, in front of Eckert.

Other WoO LMS contenders with U.S. 36 Raceway in their crosshairs on Friday include Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., as well as 2009 Rookie of the Year candidates Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

The list of drivers planning to challenge the Outlaws at U.S. 36 Raceway includes NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader of Concord, N.C., two-time defending UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national champion Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., rising UMP DIRTcar star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., and Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill.

SLS Promotions is offering an advance-purchase deal for Friday's program at U.S. 36 Raceway that includes a reserved seat in the top two rows of the grandstand (rows 20-21) and a pit pass for $35. Other reserved seats are $30 (adults) and $15 (children 12-and-under).

Fans can purchase tickets by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT).

U.S. 36 Raceway's gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands), with hot laps set for 6 p.m., time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

All three Tri-State Late Model Challenge programs will be run as co-sanctioned UMP DIRTcar events with the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tire rule (10-20-30-40 compounds) in effect. SLS Promotions has posted a $10,000 bonus for any driver who can win two of the three A-Mains runs over the holiday weekend.

To get to U.S. 36 Raceway from Interstate 35, take U.S. 36 West approximately seven miles and turn north on State Rt. 33. A sign for the track will be on the right 500 feet down the road.

For more information, visit www.slspromotions.com or www.us36raceway.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The ‘Land of Lincoln 40' At Lincoln Speedway

LINCOLN, IL - May 18, 2009 -

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Some hard work paid off for Rick Eckert.

After prepping for the weekend's World of Outlaws Late Model Series action with a test session near his York, Pa., home last Wednesday, Eckert fired on all cylinders Sunday night to win the ‘Land of Lincoln 40' at Lincoln Speedway.

The $7,600 triumph was Eckert's first on the WoO LMS since June 21, 2008, at Quebec's Autodrome Drummond – a winless span of 36 races – and his long-awaited first victory behind the wheel of a ‘Team Zero' Bloomquist Chassis car he began running at the start of the '09 season.

“The things we learned this week really helped tonight,” said Eckert, who put in more than four hours of practice last Wednesday at Susquehanna Speedway Park in Newberrytown, Pa. “We tested shocks, springs, radius rods – everything we could think of. We've been just a tad off this year, and I think all that testing we did got us to where we need to be. We found that little bit extra you need to win.”

Eckert's score also brought joy to his 75-year-old team owner Raye Vest, who has been battling health problems that forced him to spend some time in the hospital recently. Vest was at his home in Maryland on Sunday and listened on his computer to the DIRTVision.com audio broadcast of Eckert's triumphant performance.

TIRE DEAL: Tires played an integral role in Sunday night's A-Main – albeit not the kind of tires you would normally expect.

While teams carefully considered which compounds to use in a race run under the UMP DIRTcar 10-20-30-40 Hoosier tire rule, it was the uke tires marking the inside of the quarter-mile Lincoln oval that attracted the most attention. Two of those tires were knocked slightly out of position during the 40-lapper, causing drivers to change their lines and adding intrigue to the event.

Early in the A-Main, Eckert clipped the uke tire in turn two. He escaped without damage to his car, but, with the tire repositioned a few feet farther up the track surface, several drivers actually began running below the tire in an effort to make time. The tire was ultimately pushed back down to its original position by officials during the race's lone caution period, on lap 24.

During that caution period the uke tire on the inside of turn three ended up getting pushed a bit higher. As a result, drivers who had been running in a moisture ring tight to the bottom of the track had to adjust their lines for the remainder of the distance to avoid the repositioned tire.

With the bottom-feeders not as fast anymore because they couldn't get as much traction running higher on the track, the beneficiary was Chub Frank. The veteran slipped from the outside-pole starting spot to seventh at the lap-24 caution flag, but he went to work on the outside of the track after the restart and charged all the way to third at the finish. Frank threatened both Eckert and runner-up Josh Richards rounding turns three and four on the final lap but couldn't get enough grip off the corner to beat either driver to the checkered flag.

“After we got the (top of the) track cleaned up because they weren't running so low and throwing that ---- out there on the racetrack, I just kept my momentum up around the racetrack and drove by guys,” said Frank. “I think most of those guys in front of me ran soft tires, so when they got out in that black (because the higher uke tire in turn three kept them out of the moisture) they couldn't get any traction. We had hard tires on so we could run up there.”

NO BOSS: Sunday was a rare event for Steve Francis, who went racing without his car owner Dale Beitler in attendance.

Beitler stayed home in Maryland to attend his daughter Candi's graduation from Frostburg (Md.) State University on Saturday. The car owner will hook up with his team this weekend for the tour's three-race swing through Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Candi Beitler, meanwhile, was at Lincoln on Sunday night. After her graduation ceremony she flew to Illinois with her fiancée Brian Shirley, the racer from Chatham, Ill., who entered Sunday's program and finished 12th in the ‘Land of Lincoln 40.' Candi spent the night updating her father by cell phone.

UNDER THE WEATHER: Just six weeks removed from a $20,000 ‘Illini 100' victory at Farmer City Raceway in his last visit to central Illinois, Shane Clanton experienced a forgettable night at Lincoln.

Battling a cold that had him sniffling, coughing and sleeping in his hauler for much of the day, Clanton's evening got off to a bad start when he failed to record a time-trial lap. He slapped the wall between turns one and two on his initial qualifying circuit, filling his car's right-rear wheel with so much mud that he immediately headed to the pit area.

Clanton had to use a provisional to start the A-Main and was lapped early by Eckert, but he slipped by Eckert to regain his lap and salvaged a 14th-place finish. He fell from second to third in the points standings, but he's still only 16 points behind leader Darrell Lanigan.

NOT HIS TRACK: No driver had a more miserable night than WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Jordan Bland, who tore up both Bloomquist Chassis cars he brought to Lincoln.

Racing at the speedway where he destroyed a car in a heat-race crash during last year's UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event, Bland parked his primary machine after hitting the wall between turns one and two during his second time-trial lap. A fire even flared up under the hood of the car as he sat on the scales in the infield.

Later, during a B-Main, Bland slapped the concrete even harder in virtually the same place. His backup car was towed back to the pit area with significant damage.

Bland had company on the night's DNQ list – the other four WoO LMS rookies on hand all failed to transfer to the A-Main. Brent Robinson came closest to making the field, finishing fifth in the second B-Main after challenging for the third-and-final qualifying spot. Russell King, meanwhile, was collected in Bland's wreck; 14-year-old Tyler Reddick spun while battling for a heat-race transfer spot and was knocked out of his B-Main due to hood damage his car sustained in an original-start jam-up; and Dustin Hapka's hopes were dashed by a busted transmission at the end of his heat (he did jump in a borrowed crate Late Model to run a B-Main).

BBQ AT BABB'S: After the cancellation of Saturday night's scheduled WoO LMS event at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, the place to be was Shannon Babb's shop in Moweaqua, Ill.

The Josh Richards, Clint Smith and Tim Fuller teams spent the evening with Babb, who hosted a little get-together for his Outlaw friends. Smith grilled up some food, Babb got out the margarita machine, and a good time was had by all.

Babb was hoping to carry over the good vibes to Lincoln, which sits just over an hour's drive from his home. But for the second consecutive year he struggled in the track's A-Main, finishing a quiet 10th in front of a partisan crowd.

ETCETERA...

* Josh Richards was the runner-up in Lincoln's WoO LMS event for the second consecutive year. The run moved the 21-year-old to second in the tour's points standings, just 12 points behind Lanigan.

* Brady Smith made a strong recovery from a dismal qualifying lap to transfer through a heat race, but he just spun his wheels in the A-Main. Incorrect adjustments left Smith's Bloomquist Chassis mount off the pace and he ultimately pulled off the track at the halfway mark.

* Two familiar faces in the WoO LMS pit area recently departed their positions as fulltime crewmen: Kevin Miller left his job as the chief mechanic for Dale Beitler's team last month, and Mark (‘Head') Lloyd saw his run as Clanton's right-hand man end two weeks ago.

Chris Burton, who won the 2008 WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year Award while working with Lanigan, has been handling the preparation of Beitler's cars for Francis since Miller left the team. Francis had hired Burton earlier this year to work on his equipment and provide additional manpower on the road, but now Burton has shifted to working out of Beitler's shop in Maryland.

Clanton, meanwhile, expects to soon have a second fulltime crewman working alongside Brandon Bilskie, who is in his first season with Clanton.

* The WoO LMS teams will remain in the Midwest this week to contest a tripleheader over Memorial Day Weekend. The Tri-State Late Model Challenge visits U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., on Fri., May 22; 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, on Sat., May 23; and Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis., on Sun., May 24.

A $10,000 bonus has been posted by event organizers SLS Promotions for a driver who can win two of the three holiday weekend A-Mains.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Eckert Ends Nearly Year-Long Absence From Victory Lane With Sunday-Night Triumph At Lincoln Speedway

LINCOLN, IL - May 17, 2009 - A smooth and steady run led Rick Eckert to a slump-busting victory in Sunday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Land of Lincoln 40' at Lincoln Speedway.

Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., shot forward from the fifth starting spot to grab the lead from Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., on lap three and never looked back. Racing snug to the quarter-mile track's inside groove, Eckert stayed firmly in front to pocket $7,600 for his first win on the national tour since June 21, 2008, at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Que.

“This is great for me and the whole team,” said Eckert, whose 17th career WoO LMS A-Main victory tied him with Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., for second on the series win list since 2004. “We've run better this year, but we hadn't won a race and that can get everyone down. Everybody wants to get their picture taken (as a winner).”

Driving the Raye Vest Racing ‘Team Zero' Bloomquist Chassis that he debuted earlier this year, Eckert snapped a 36-race winless streak on the WoO LMS. It was also his first series victory on American soil since July 8, 2006, at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, where he won the last of his tour-best eight A-Mains that season.

Eckert crossed the finish line a couple car lengths ahead of Shinnston, W.Va.'s Josh Richards, who started from the pole position but lost several spots at the initial green flag. The 21-year-old Richards moved back to second on lap four and stayed there for the remainder of the distance in his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car.

Frank, 47, finished a close third in his Corry Rubber Rocket after his head-turning late-race charge around the outside of the track carried him from the seventh position to the brink of a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Seemingly out of contention after fading from the second starting spot to seventh, the veteran came alive following the race's lone caution flag – for debris on lap 24 – and actually threatened Richards and Eckert rounding turns three and four on the final circuit.

Completing the top five was seventh-starter Dale McDowell of Chickamagua, Ga., who ran as high as third in NASCAR star Clint Bowyer's Warrior machine, and ninth-starter Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., in NASCAR veteran Bobby Labonte's Rocket.

No one could match the moves of Eckert, who rode the inner lane to a satisfying score.

“On the pace laps I looked and saw there was moisture right down there on the bottom,” said Eckert. “I figured, Well, I'll run around down there at the start. When the guys in front of me all got to charging too hard and slid out (in the early laps), I just drove right by them.”

Eckert didn't dare budge from the inside.

“I think I might have actually had a better car,” he said. “I probably could've moved out on the racetrack and carried some speed, but there was moisture right down there on the bottom and I didn't want to just give it up and let somebody drive by me.

“If they drove by on the top, I was gonna get back up there and try to make some time, but I never needed to do that. I could hear guys close to me hitting the throttle in the middle of the corner, but I just kept hitting my marks and nobody ever drove around me.”

Richards got the closest to Eckert, drawing within striking distance just before the caution flag slowed the race on lap 24. The young sensation couldn't mount a challenge after the restart.

“I feel like I overran the first part of the race and I think it might have cost me,” said Richards, who finished in the runner-up position at Lincoln for the second consecutive year. “I got up to (Eckert) at one point, but the caution just killed us. I think if the caution wouldn't have come out I could've got him around the top, but I felt like my left-rear (tire) sealed up after that.”

Frank was the show in the closing stages with his outside assault. On the last lap he slid across the track in turns three and four and pulled alongside Richards, but he couldn't maintain enough traction off turn four to beat Richards back to the finish line.

“I knew I wasn't gonna get (Richards and Eckert), but I figured I'd slide ‘em and make it look good,” said Frank, who won last year's WoO LMS event at Lincoln. “If there would've been a cushion to get ahold of rather than that (outside) wall, maybe I could've got Josh. But I was just trying not to crash when I came off that corner.

“Maybe one more lap,” he added. “That's all I needed.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill., who earned the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top 12 of the points standings; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who challenged McDowell for third at mid-race before slipping back; 16th-starter Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who maintained his WoO LMS points lead; 17th-starter Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who started sixth but was never a factor.

Forty-three cars were signed in for the event – exactly the same turnout as last year's WoO LMS event at Lincoln. A standing-room-only crowd attended the program.

Pearson established a new track record in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, blistering the quarter-mile oval in 13.022 seconds to surpass Jason Feger's existing standard of 13.316 seconds. It was the second WoO LMS fast time of 2009 for Pearson, who picked up a $50 bonus.

Heat winners were Bloomington, Ill.'s Feger, Shannon Babb, McDowell and Frank. The B-Mains were captured by Erb and Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.

The WoO LMS will swing back into action with a tripleheader in the Midwest over Memorial Day Weekend. The tour will visit U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., on Fri., May 22; 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, on Sat., May 23; and Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis., on Sun., May 24.

Billed as the Tri-State Late Model Challenge, a $10,000 bonus has been posted by event organizers SLS Promotions for a driver who can win two of the three holiday weekend A-Mains.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Land of Lincoln 40' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (5) Rick Eckert/40 $7,600
2. (1) Josh Richards/40 $3,500
3. (2) Chub Frank/40 $2,500
4. (7) Dale McDowell/40 $1,700
5. (9) Earl Pearson Jr./40 $1,550
6. (4) Steve Sheppard Jr./40 $1,800
7. (10) Steve Francis/40 $1,800
8. (16) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,700
9. (17) Dennis Erb Jr./40 $1,000
10. (6) Shannon Babb/40 $1,550
11. (3) Jason Feger/40 $850
12. (18) Brian Shirley/40 $800
13. (12) Tim Fuller/40 $1,250
14. (23) Shane Clanton/40 $1,240
15. (14) Vic Coffey/40 $1,210
16. (24) Clint Smith/40 $1,180
17. (8) Eric Smith/40 $650
18. (22) Brad Neat/39 $630
19. (21) Daren Friedman/39 $620
20. (19) Brandon Sheppard/39 $610
21. (15) Richie Hedrick/38 $600
22. (11) Brady Smith/25 $1,100
23. (13) Denny Woodworth/24 $600
24. (20) Steve Lance Jr./13 $600

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 24)
Lap Leaders: Frank (1-2); Eckert (3-40)
Provisional Starters: Clanton, C. Smith
Rookie of the Race: Brent Robinson ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Steve Sheppard Jr.($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Zach Frields (Eckert)

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

1. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 13.022
2. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 13.245
3. 0-Richie Hedrick/Urbana, IL 13.280
4. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 13.302
5. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.327
6. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 13.369
7. 5s-Steve Sheppard Jr./New Berlin, IL 13.445
8. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 13.500
9. 45DW-Denny Woodworth/Mendon, IL 13.545
10. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.575
11. 41-Brad Neat/Dunnville, KY 13.632
12. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.665
13. 9-Eric Smith/Bloomington, IL 13.726
14. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 13.733
15. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 13.759
16. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 13.798
17. 89-Daren Friedman/Forrest, IL 13.799
18. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 13.852
19. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 13.875
20. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 13.940
21. 30-Mark Voigt/Marine, IL 13.947
22. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.971
23. 99J-Jimmy Dehm/Lexington, IL 14.003
24. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.006
25. B5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.066
26. 33H-Roben Huffman/Clinton, IL 14.107
27. 25L-Steve Lance Jr./Cuba, IL 14.125
28. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 14.136
29. 24U-Ryan Unzicker/El Paso, IL 14.149
30. 6K-Michael Kloos/Trenton, IL 14.192
31. 91-Terry Babb/Decatur, IL 14.276
32. 95-Aaron Ricketts/Fairbury, IL 14.325
33. 10-Scott Schmitt/Tonica, IL 14.344
34. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 14.364
35. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 14.385
36. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 14.642
37. Z-Joe Harlan/El Paso, IL 14.688
38. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 14.890
39. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.027
40. 82-Roger Brickler/Springfield, IL 15.713
41. F15-Jeremy Conaway/Springfield, IL 15.978
42. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA N/T
43. z45-Paul Zehr/Fisher, IL N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Feger, E. Smith, Pearson, Woodworth, Friedman, B. Sheppard, Unzicker, Voigt, Harlan, Conaway, Schmitt

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): S. Babb, Eckert, Francis, Coffey, Erb, C. Smith, Kloos, Clanton, Hammerle, Huffman, Hapka

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): McDowell, S. Sheppard, B. Smith, Hedrick, Lance, Neat, Robinson, T. Babb, Reddick, Dehm (DNS) Zehr

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Frank, Richards, Fuller, Lanigan, Shirley, Ricketts, Kings, Heckenast, Bland, Brickler

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Erb, B. Sheppard, Friedman, Voigt, Unzicker, Clanton, C. Smith, Harlan, Hammerle, Hapka, Kloos, Huffman, Schmitt (DNS) Conaway

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Shirley, Lance, Neat, Ricketts, Robinson, Dehm, Brickler, Heckenast, T. Babb, Bland, King, Reddick

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Ryan Unzicker, Brent Robinson
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Dale McDowell
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Steve Sheppard Jr.
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Dale McDowell
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Dennis Erb Jr., Brian Shirley
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Vic Coffey
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Chub Frank
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Tyler Reddick
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Rick Eckert

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of May 17 - 9 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Darrell Lanigan 0-4-8-$49,550-1173 (-0)
2. Josh Richards 1-6-7-$42,200-1161 (-12)
3. Shane Clanton 1-1-7-$35,750-1157 (-16)
4. Steve Francis 2-5-6-$41,080-1135 (-38)
5. Rick Eckert 1-3-5-$24,495-1133 (-40)
6. Shannon Babb 1-3-6-$37,530-1125 (-48)
7. Chub Frank 0-2-6-$19,150-1111 (-62)
8. Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$15,030-1075 (-98)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$17,375-1050 (-123)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-3-$14,350-1043 (-130)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$8,940-914 (-259)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$7,190-833 (-340)
13. Russell King 0-0-0-$6,900-800 (-373)
14. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$4,090-765 (-408)
15. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$3,100-759 (-414)
16. Dale McDowell 0-2-3-$12,400-717 (-456)
17. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$2,335-702 (-471)
18. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-558)
19. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$1,145-600 (-573)
20. Austin Hubbard 0-0-1-$4,535-475 (-698)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can now keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via the Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Updates are provided to Twitter ‘followers' of the WoO LMS throughout each race night, and fans also receive breaking news and interesting notes from the tour.

To sign-up as a WoO LMS ‘follower' on Twitter to receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Saturated Grounds Force Cancellation Of Saturday Night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Whiskey 50' At Lawrenceburg Speedway

LAWRENCEBURG, IN - May 16, 2009 - Heavy overnight rain and more precipitation in the morning proved to be too much for Lawrenceburg Speedway's grounds, forcing the cancellation of Saturday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Whiskey City 50.'

Track promoter Dave Rudisell made the decision to call off the evening's scheduled action shortly before noon after surveying the facility's saturated pit area.

Rudisell will talk with WoO LMS officials about the possibility of rescheduling the event later this season.

The rainout marked the second straight year that the WoO LMS lost a planned event at Lawrenceburg Speedway. Last year's race was canceled because the track's off-season reconstruction project, which transformed the speedway from a circular quarter-mile to a high-banked three-eighths-mile oval, was not yet completed.

The WoO LMS will continue on Sunday night (May 17) with the ‘Land of Lincoln 40' at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway. A $7,000 top prize will be on the line at the quarter-mile oval.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

NASCAR Veteran Kenny Schrader Will Spend Memorial Day Weekend Racing With World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Return To Wisconsin's Charter Raceway Park On May 24 Highlights Schrader's Participation in Tri-State Late Model Challenge

CONCORD, NC - May 15, 2009 - Kenny Schrader will become an Outlaw over Memorial Day Weekend.

The NASCAR veteran is ready to hit the road for a busy holiday swing through the Midwest, hooking up with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to compete in the ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' that visits tracks in Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The WoO LMS tripleheader features events on Fri., May 22, at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo.; Sat., May 23, at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa; and Sun., May 24, at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis. A $10,000 bonus has been posted by SLS Promotions for a driver who can win two of the three A-Mains.

“I'm definitely excited about it,” Schrader said of his upcoming excursion with the Outlaws. “I haven't run the Late Model that much this year, so I'm looking forward to getting out there and racing it three nights in a row.”

Of course, Schrader, who turns 54 on May 29, realizes he'll have to quickly get his Federated Auto Parts/Red Baron Frozen Pizza No. 9 in the fast groove if he expects to enjoy any success during the weekend.

“Running three nights at three different places with these (WoO LMS) guys is definitely going to be a challenge,” said Schrader, who maintains an ambitious schedule of dirt Late Model and Modified racing while still appearing in selected NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Truck Series and ARCA events. “I'll be racing against the best guys in the country for sure, and that means we better be on top of our game or we'll get left behind.

“I'm gonna have fun no matter what happens. I've always liked running three nights at different tracks because every time you pull through the pit gate it's a fresh start.”

The swing will mark the first time that Schrader has gone on an extended road trip with the Outlaws. He's made periodic starts with the WoO LMS since its rebirth in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner – this year he's entered two tour events, finishing 20th in the Circle K Colossal 100 on March 29 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and failing to qualify on April 17 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway – and he's friendly with most of the series regulars, but he's never rolled down the highway with them.

You can bet that Schrader's hauler will fall in line after each Tri-State Late Model Challenge event with the traveling WoO LMS caravan led by the Mark Richards Racing Enterprises rig, which is normally seen pacing the Darrell Lanigan, Steve Francis and Shannon Babb haulers from race-to-race.

Schrader is especially close with team owner/Rocket Chassis proprietor Mark Richards and Mark's son Josh Richards, the 21-year-old WoO LMS sensation from Shinnston, W.Va. Schrader will be behind the wheel of a new Rocket car during the swing, and last month Josh made his NASCAR Camping World East Series debut at South Carolina's Greenville-Pickens Speedway in a Ken Schrader Racing machine.

“Mark and Josh have helped me out a lot with my Late Model stuff,” said Schrader, who has ownership stakes in I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., and Macon (Ill.) Speedway. “In fact, my crew just went up there to Rocket Chassis and Mark and Josh helped them put together a new car that we'll run next weekend.”

A native of Fenton, Mo., who now makes his home in Concord, N.C., Schrader has never competed at U.S. 36 Raceway and 34 Raceway, which will both host 50-lap events paying $10,000 to win. But he's very familiar with Charter Raceway Park, a one-third-mile oval that will close the weekend with a 40-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Main.

Schrader experienced one of the most memorable nights of his open-wheel racing career at Charter Raceway Park (then called Beaver Dam Raceway) on July 31, 1982, sweeping a USAC Sprint Car and Midget program. He also won an IMCA Modified feature there on Aug. 8, 2001, and his two UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Late Model starts at Charter resulted in finishes of third (1998) and sixth (2001).

The weekend of action will also provide Schrader some information and anecdotes to use when he dons a headset to call the WoO LMS races broadcast on the SPEED cable network. This year Schrader is serving as the color commentator for the SPEED telecasts alongside announcer Shane Andrews.

“I enjoy all the TV work I do for SPEED,” said Schrader, who often appears as an analyst on the This Week In NASCAR show. “But I really enjoy doing the Outlaw races. It's more like the racing I grew up with. I feel like there's nothing more exciting than dirt-track racing.”

Schrader hopes his first-hand knowledge of the dirt Late Model division will help make SPEED's WoO LMS broadcasts more interesting for fans.

“I feel like I can bring a driver's and owner's perspective to the broadcasts,” said Schrader, who made his debut alongside Andrews when Virginia Motor Speedway's WoO LMS event was broadcast by SPEED on May 8. “I know what it takes to keep these things going and make them go fast and how talented all these drivers are.

“I had fun in the booth calling the first race (from VMS) with Shane – and from what I've found before, if you had fun when you called the race then it probably will come across good to the fans.”

Schrader will participate in an autograph session with WoO LMS drivers prior to each night of racing during the Tri-State Late Model Challenge, which will be run with the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tire rule (10-20-30-40 compounds) in effect and utilize the same time schedule. Each day gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands), with hot laps set for 6 p.m., time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for the events. Fans can purchase tickets for all three races in advance by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT). Tickets to the 34 Raceway and Charter Raceway Park shows can also be purchased by calling the track offices – 319-752-3434 (34 Raceway) and 920-887-1600 (Charter Raceway Park).

For more information on the Memorial Day Weekend tripleheader, visit www.slspromotions.com, www.us36raceway.com, www.34raceway.com or www.charterraceway.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Lincoln Speedway Hosts World of Outlaws Late Model Series For Third Consecutive Year On Sunday Night (May 17)

LINCOLN, IL - May 14, 2009 - Lincoln Speedway will host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for the third consecutive year this Sunday night (May 17).

And if history is an indicator, the third running of the ‘Land of Lincoln 40' will be bigger and better than the previous editions at the quarter-mile oval in central Illinois.

With a field that's expected to feature the top 16 drivers in the WoO LMS points standings and a host of talented racers from Illinois and beyond, Sunday's $7,000-to-win event has the makings of the grandest dirt Late Model show ever presented at the fairgrounds track.

“This World of Outlaws Late Model Series race at Lincoln Speedway just keeps growing every year,” said track promoter Don Hammer, a 36-year-old from Clinton, Ill., who has operated Lincoln since June 2006 and Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway since 2005. “We've had great crowds and memorable races the past two years, and we're expecting an even more exciting night with all the drivers who have indicated their intentions to run on Sunday.”

Lincoln's bleachers were packed to capacity for both of its previous WoO LMS events, which were also run in May. The 2007 event saw Brian Shirley, of nearby Chatham, Ill., score his emotional first career WoO LMS triumph in front of family and friends, and last year WoO LMS star Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., survived a mid-race scrape with UMP DIRTcar national champ Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and relentless pressure from Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., to emerge victorious.

Those four principals from Lincoln's previous WoO LMS events hope to figure in the outcome again on Sunday. Frank and Richards return as WoO LMS regulars – the 46-year-old Frank seeking his first tour victory since last May at Lincoln (he's riding a 40-race winless streak), and the 21-year-old Richards looking to continue his bid for a career-first series title (he's currently third in points) – while Shirley and Erb will attempt to keep the ‘Land of Lincoln 40' trophy from leaving the state.

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., is the tour's points leader entering the doubleheader weekend of racing, which begins with a visit to Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway on Saturday night (May 16). Winless so far in 2009, he owns finishes of fourth (2008) and eighth (2007) at Lincoln.

Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who sits second in the standings just four points behind Lanigan, will try for his first top-five finish at Lincoln. He started from the pole position in last year's A-Main but faded to a sixth-place finish.

The WoO LMS traveling roster also includes 2007 champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who finished third last year at Lincoln; Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who was fifth at Lincoln in 2008; '07 Rookie of the Year Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (best Lincoln finish: 12th in 2007); Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. (won a heat last year but finished 25th without completing a lap); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (best finish: ninth in 2007); and '08 Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. (finished 15th in his only Lincoln appearance last year).

Shannon Babb, whose lives just an hour's drive from Lincoln in Moweaqua, Ill., hasn't committed to following the entire WoO LMS in 2009 but currently ranks fifth in the points standings. A winner of a UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Lincoln in 2005, Babb hasn't had much luck in WoO action at the track that's virtually in his backyard, finishing 11th in 2008 and 17th in 2007.

The WoO LMS will also bring five Rookie of the Year contenders to Lincoln, including points leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky.; Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio; Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D.; Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.; and 14-year-old Tyler Reddick, who hails from Corning, Calif., but attends school in DuQuoin, Ill.

Lincoln's event promises to provide the WoO LMS contingent some of their toughest competition of the season. The central Illinois area, of course, is home to some of UMP DIRTcar Racing's top stalwarts – rock-solid racers like Jason Feger of Bloomington, 2007 Lincoln champion Matt Taylor of Springfield, Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Eric Smith of Bloomington and Ryan Unzicker of El Paso are among the expected entrants. In addition, nearly a dozen well-known standouts from across the country have the ‘Land of Lincoln 40' marked on their schedules, including the red-hot Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa; 2005 WoO LMS champ Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.; recent Circle K Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis.; Scott James of Greendale, Ind.; Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich.; Terry Casey of New London, Wis.; and Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky.

The UMP DIRTcar 10-20-30-40 compound Hoosier tire rule will be in effect for the WoO LMS event.

Lincoln Speedway's gates are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. on Sunday, with hot laps set for 6 p.m., time trials for 6:30 p.m. and racing to follow. Crate Late Models and Mini-Sprints will run on the WoO LMS undercard.

Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for ages 6-15 and free for kids 5-and-under. Pit passes are $35 for adults, $15 for ages 4-11 and free for children 3-and-under.

Lincoln Speedway sits in an easily-accessible central Illinois location, about 30 miles northeast of Springfield, 35 miles southwest of Bloomington/Normal and 45 miles southeast of Peoria.

For more information on Lincoln Speedway, visit www.lincolnspeedway.org or call 217-735-1833 (track) or 217-737-7134 (promoters).

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Returns To Reconstructed Lawrenceburg Speedway For ‘Whiskey City 50' This Saturday Night (May 16)

LAWRENCEBURG, IN - May 12, 2009 - Technically speaking, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series is returning to Lawrenceburg Speedway this Saturday night (May 16) after a year's absence.

But in reality, Saturday's ‘Whiskey City 50' might as well be considered the tour's debut at the eastern Indiana track.

That's how much has changed at Lawrenceburg Speedway, which has been completely transformed from a circular, quarter-mile bullring to a high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval since the WoO LMS last visited on July 26, 2007.

Lawrenceburg setup notes from 2007 will be of no use to the WoO LMS regulars on Saturday night. Every tour traveler will get their first taste of the ‘new' Lawrenceburg with the exception of 2007 champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who finished second in a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at the refurbished track last August, and 2009 Rookie of the Year points leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., who competed in last June's UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals show.

And actually, experienced gained at Lawrenceburg last year might not be that much of an advantage. Lawrenceburg promoter Dave Rudisill said the track isn't quite the same as it was in 2008, thanks to the off-season application of 400 truckloads of new clay and a slight reshaping of the banking in the turns.

“We gave the track a more progressive banking,” said Rudisill, who is in his third season at the helm of the venerable track. “We wanted to open up more racing grooves out there, and so far it seems to have worked (the speedway has been running its usual weekly open-wheel Sprint Car events for the past month). The racing this year has been great.”

Lawrenceburg Speedway was already one of the top dirt-track facilities in the country when the WoO LMS made its first and only appearance there in 2007; the rustic fairgrounds track was completely leveled after the 2001 racing season and rebuilt to a minor-league baseball stadium level thanks to over $2 million in funding from the town. But now the speedplant is even bigger and better after the town invested another $4 million following the 2007 season to enlarge the track to three-eighths-of-a-mile, erect a concrete wall around the entire oval, add more seating and lighting and generally make the speedway a showplace.

The WoO LMS was scheduled to compete at Lawrenceburg Speedway in May 2008, but the event had to be canceled because the ambitious reconstruction project wasn't yet completed.

“I'm very excited to have the World of Outlaws coming back to Lawrenceburg,” said Rudisill. “It was very disappointing for us to lose the Outlaw show last year, so everyone is pumped up (for Saturday night).

“The three-eighths-mile track seems like it's perfect for the Late Models and I'm sure we're going to see that when the Outlaws get here.”

Saturday's WoO LMS invasion will be led by Francis, who sits fourth in the points standings, and defending series champion and current points leader Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who lives just a half-hour drive from the track. Lanigan finished second to Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown, Fla., in the 2007 WoO LMS A-Main contested on the quarter-mile.

The star-studded WoO LMS roster also includes (in current points order) Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; 21-year-old sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.

A half-dozen WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contenders are also expected, including the 20-year-old Bland, who finished 13th in last year's UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals event at Lawrenceburg; Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio; Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D.; Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.; 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.; and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.

The list of drivers with plans to challenge the Outlaws at Lawrenceburg includes Wayne Chinn of Tipp City, Ohio, who has been on a victory tear in recent weeks at short tracks in the Buckeye State; 2006 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va.; 2008 K-C Raceway track champ Ben Adkins of West Portsmouth, Ohio; Brandon Kinzer of Allen, Ky.; and Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa.

A $10,000 first-place check will on the line in Saturday's 50-lap A-Main, but the winner will also receive a special event-themed prize in Victory Lane: a bottle of whiskey. The race is named the ‘Whiskey City 50' in a nod to the longtime nickname of the town of Lawrenceburg, which was once home to at least a half-dozen distilleries but now only claims one – the Joseph E. Seagram & Sons distillery that is visible from the speedway grounds.

An $800-to-win event for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds will share Saturday's racing program. Pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and spectator gates will be unlocked at 5 p.m., with hot laps set for 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

General admission is $25 for adults, $7 for kids 7-12 and free for children 6-and-under. Pit passes cost $35, and backstretch drive-in parking is available for $10 (cars, trucks and SUVs) and $20 (RVs). Camping on the fairgrounds is free of charge, including access to the nearly 100 spots with electric and water hookups.

The speedway is located 1.5 miles west of Interstate 275 on US 50, about 25 miles from Cincinnati.

For more information on the ‘Whiskey City 50,' visit www.lawrenceburgspeedway.com.

Saturday's WoO LMS event will be followed by a tour date on Sun., May 17, at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Arizona Sport Shirts Announced As Official Apparel Company Of The World of Outlaws Late Model Series

CONCORD, NC - May 12, 2009 - Arizona Sport Shirts returns as the “Official Apparel Company of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series” for the 2009 and 2010 racing seasons, series officials have announced.

An Indianapolis-based firm specializing in stock wearables for the motorsports industry, Arizona Sport Shirts maintains a contingency program with the WoO LMS and staffs a merchandise trailer at all tour events.

“We're thrilled to be associated with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series once again this season,” said Arizona Sport Shirts' Gerald Newton. “Our involvement with the series has been very beneficial in the past and we expect to grow even more as a company in 2009 as we bring our products to fans across the country with the World of Outlaws.”

As part of its agreement with the WoO LMS, Arizona Sport Shirts provides a $50 gift certificate toward the purchase of company services to the fifth-place finishers in every tour B-Main this season. The company has also provided a set of crew apparel to all fulltime WoO LMS teams that are current customers of Arizona Sport Shirts.

The WoO LMS/Arizona Sport Shirts merchandise trailer is a familiar site in the spectator area of all series events. The trailer is stocked with a wide selection of WoO LMS apparel and souvenirs as well as driver shirts for WoO LMS regulars Darrell Lanigan, Steve Francis, Rick Eckert, Clint Smith, Brady Smith, Tyler Reddick and Brent Robinson.

“Gerald, Karl and everyone at Arizona Sport Shirts are always great to work with,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Arizona is a leader in the industry and they have put together a great selection of apparel for our fans and drivers this year.”

The next stop for the WoO LMS/Arizona Sport Shirts merchandise trailer is this weekend's Midwestern doubleheader for the tour, at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway on Sat., May 16, and Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway on Sun., May 17.

Known as “High-Performance Shirt Specialists,” Arizona Sport Shirts offers custom art, crew gear, casual wear and custom and contract embroidery work to the motorsports industry. The company is celebrating its 35th year of business in 2009.

For more information visit www.arizonasportshirts.com or call 1-800-922-9918.

Additional information on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World Racing Group Announces Just Plugs Official World of Outlaws and Summer Nationals Partner

Just Plugs develops, manufactures and sells ornamental hearing protection. In a quest to make hearing protection fun and functional, Just Plugs continues to develop unique and effective designs. Just Plugs is committed to promoting the importance of hearing protection and delivering a product that is “desirable” to wear. The product can also be customized with corporate logos.

Rain At Start Of Second B-Main Postpones Lernerville Speedway's ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' Until Thurs., June 25

SARVER, PA - May 5, 2009 - Mother Nature defeated the ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' on Tuesday night, dumping rain on Lernerville Speedway that forced track and World of Outlaws Late Model Series officials to postpone the second B-Main and 50-lap headline event until Thurs., June 25.

Some good will come from the disappointing weather, however. The remainder of Tuesday night's program will now serve as a lead-in to the third annual Firecracker 100 on June 26-27 at Lernerville, adding more excitement to an action-packed weekend that culminates with the $30,000-to-win 100-lapper.

A field of 40 cars was signed in for Tuesday's show. Morning forecasts calling for dry evening weather seemed to indicate that the event would be unaffected by precipitation, but a slight chance of evening showers was added to the outlook later in the day and ultimately arrived to doom the program.

Drizzle began falling during heat-race competition and intensified as the second B-Main came to the green flag. After rain fell steadily for more than an hour and an expanding batch of drizzle across western Pennsylvania made the possibility of a rapid track surface reconditioning impossible, officials decided to reschedule the remainder of the program to June 25.

Before the postponement announcement, a blazing-fast four-tenths-mile provided plenty of heat-race action. Winners of the 10-lap preliminaries included Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., who outgunned fast-timer Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., for the lead; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who built up the night's largest victory margin; 17-year-old Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., who outdueled Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.

Lanigan, who earned a $50 bonus for registering his second WoO LMS fast time award of 2009 after turning a lap of 15.272 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, picked the pole position for the 50-lap ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' in a draw that included the top-two finishers of each heat. Frank will start from the outside pole on June 25.

Lernerville regular Alex Ferree of Saxonburg, Pa., won the first 12-lap B-Main. The second B-Main was red-flagged before a full lap was completed.

All rainchecks and pit bands from Tuesday night's ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' will be accepted for entry on Thurs., June 25.

The WoO LMS will be off this weekend before returning to action to contest a doubleheader in the Midwest on May 16 at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway and May 17 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

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

1. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.272
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY15.273
3. 11-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 15.333
4. 46-Doug Horton/Bruceton Mills, WV 15.345
5. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 15.421
6. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 15.425
7. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.467
8. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.496
9. 43A-Jason Covert/York Haven, PA 15.524
10. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.525
11. 22G-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 15.534
12. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, PA 15.567
13. 21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 15.570
14. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, PA 15.575
15. 17J-Davey Johnson/Latrobe, PA 15.579
16. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 15.592
17. 99b-Rick Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 15.603
18. 3R-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.606
19. 2b-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 15.639
20. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.658
21. 11-Tyler Riddick/Corning, CA 15.694
22. 4-Alex Ferree/Saxonburg, PA 15.722
23. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 15.752
24. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 15.768
25. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 15.804
26. B22-Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA 15.831
27. H1-Jared Miley/South Park, PA 15.849
28. 1c-Lynn Geisler/Cranberry Twp., PA 15.886
29. 12b-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 15.979
30. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 16.017
31. 2J-Mike Johnson/Imperial, PA 16.057
32. 10-Gary Lyle/Hyde Park, PA 16.108
33. 0-Coleby Frye/Dover, PA 16.135
34. 5- Mike Blose/New Bethlehem, PA 16.138
35. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 16.161
36. 67-Ken Schaltenbrand/Sarver, PA 16.198
37. 72-Michael Norris/Sarver, PA 16.392
38. 66-Todd Bachman/Natrona Heights, PA 16.540
39. 111-James Neiman/ Wiconisco, PA 19.312
40. 12d-Doug Drown/Wooster, OH (DQ – light)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Covert, Lanigan, Clanton, Briggs, Lux, Hapka, Bland, Frye, Reddick, Norris

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Shaver, Eckert, C. Smith, Ferree, Robinson, Hedman, Blose, Garvin, Bachman

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hubbard, Frank, B. Smith, Satterlee, Babb, D. Johnson, Miley, M. Johnson, Neiman, J. Miller

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Horton, Fuller, King, Hess, Geisler, Lyle, Dodd, Coffey, Schaltenbrand

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Ferree, Lux, Robinson, Hedman, Frye, Hapka, Reddick, Bland, Norris, Garvin Jr., Bachman (DNS) Blose

B-Main No. 2 Line-Up (To be run on June 25):

Row 1: Babb/Hess
Row 2: D. Johnson/Geisler
Row 3: Miley/Lyle
Row 4: M. Johnson/Drown
Row 5: J. Miller/Coffey
Row 6: Neiman/Schaltenbrand

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Saturated Grounds Force Cancellation Of Saturday Night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At K-C Raceway

ALMA, OH - May 1, 2009 - Heavy rain moved across Southcentral Ohio on Friday evening and saturated K-C Raceway's grounds, forcing World of Outlaws Late Model Series and track officials to cancel the 50-lap, $12,000-to-win tour event scheduled for Saturday night (May 2).

After precipitation that struck the three-eighths-mile on Thursday led officials to cancel Friday night's scheduled Buckeye 100 qualifying night and condense the weekend into a one-day show, a relatively dry Friday afternoon raised hopes that the grounds would dry sufficiently to allow racing on Saturday night. But a strong line of storms that began inundating the area around 9 p.m. nixed any chance for WoO LMS competition.

A raindate was not immediately announced, but WoO LMS and track officials are discussing the possibility of rescheduling the tour's visit to K-C Raceway.

“We were encouraged when the rain missed us all afternoon,” said Jeff Schrader, who is in his first year as the owner of K-C Raceway. “But we got a gully-washer around 9 o'clock that dropped an inch of rain in about 45 minutes, and that was it. It looked like a creek was running through the pit area and the parking lot was saturated, so we knew there wouldn't be enough time for the grounds to dry up by Saturday night.

“You're at the mercy of Mother Nature in this sport. Hopefully we'll find a suitable date to bring the World of Outlaws back to K-C Raceway and get some better weather.”

This marks the third time in the last four years that a WoO LMS event has been rained out at K-C Raceway. The opening night of a two-day show was lost in 2006, and in 2007 a late-summer program was washed out and not rescheduled.

The WoO LMS will return to action on Tues., May 5, at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. The 50-lap ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' will be taped for later broadcast on the SPEED cable network.

For more information on K-C Raceway, visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Weather Forces World of Outlaws Late Model Series To Use Contingency Plan For Buckeye 100 Weekend At K-C Raceway

ALMA, OH - April 30, 2009 - World of Outlaws Late Model Series officials have decided to use their contingency plan for the Buckeye 100 at K-C Raceway, canceling the qualifying program scheduled for Friday night (May 1) and condensing the weekend to a one-day show on Saturday night (May 2) topped by a 50-lap A-Main paying $12,000 to win.

The decision was made late Thursday afternoon after the three-eighths-mile oval was hit by rain and forecasts for Friday continued to call for a high probability of more precipitation.

“We wanted to act as quickly as we could for the sake of all the race teams and fans with plans to travel to K-C Raceway this weekend,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “With the rain that's already fallen at the track and more expected tomorrow, we felt the best scenario for everyone involved would be to cancel Friday's program and run a 50-lap event on Saturday that pays more than the regular World of Outlaws purse for that distance.

“We were looking forward to a fun two-day weekend for the racers and fans, but the conditions won't let us go forward as planned. Instead, we'll put our focus on one exciting night of racing on Saturday.”

Saturday's program will include time trials, heat races, B-Mains and the 50-lap A-Main for the WoO LMS, plus full cards for K-C Raceway's open-wheel Modified and Hobby Stock divisions.

General admission will now be $30, with kids admitted for $15. Racing is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

For more information on K-C Raceway, visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

With Wet Weather Possible On Friday, World of Outlaws Late Model Series Announces Contingency Plan For Buckeye 100 Weekend At K-C Raceway

ALMA, OH - April 29, 2009 - With forecasts calling for a high chance of wet weather in Southeastern Ohio on Friday, World of Outlaws Late Model Series officials have announced a contingency plan for this weekend's Buckeye 100.

Should conditions wash out the qualifying program scheduled for Friday night (May 1), the three-eighths-mile oval's WoO LMS event will be condensed to a one-day show on Saturday night (May 2) topped by a 50-lap A-Main paying $12,000 to win.

“We hope that the weather allows us to run the entire Buckeye 100 weekend as scheduled,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Unfortunately, Mother Nature isn't dealing us a very promising forecast for Friday, so for the sake of all the race teams and fans traveling great distances to K-C Raceway we want to have a plan in place if we are unable to run the qualifying program.

“Saturday's forecast looks much better so we're confident there will be at least one day of World of Outlaws Late Model Series racing this weekend at K-C Raceway. If we run only one day we'll have to condense the program to a 50-lap feature, but we'll offer a payout that's larger than the regular World of Outlaws purse for that distance to make the event more attractive to the teams.”

Friday's racing card is scheduled to include time trials and heat races for the WoO LMS plus complete shows for K-C Raceway's open-wheel Modified and Hobby Stock divisions. If Friday's program is canceled, the Modifieds and Hobby Stocks will support the WoO LMS on Saturday night and new admission prices will be announced.

WoO LMS and K-C Raceway officials will continue to monitor the weather conditions in hopes of announcing the status of Friday night's program as soon as possible.

For more information on K-C Raceway, visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

After Destroying Car In Weekend Crash, Chub Frank Looks To Turn Around Fortunes At K-C Raceway & Lernerville Speedway

CONCORD, NC - April 27, 2009 - Chub Frank went racing on an off-weekend from the World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule in an attempt to shake himself out of a slump.

Instead, the superstar from Bear Lake, Pa., destroyed his favorite car – and by all accounts, narrowly escaped serious injury.

Frank, 47, experienced arguably the worst crash of his 31-year racing career on Saturday night at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway, the half-mile oval he invaded for the 28th annual Stanley Schetrompf Classic that was part of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. His car's entire front clip was ripped away when a steering failure sent him careening into an opening in the track's inside guardrail entering turn three.

Though Frank was also hit by Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., as his disabled Corry Rubber Rocket car slid up the track, he quickly climbed out of the demolished machine under his own power. He walked gingerly due to a bruised foot, but he was otherwise uninjured.

“I'm pretty much O.K.,” the hard-nosed Frank said on Monday afternoon from his shop in Northwestern Pennsylvania. “I'm still a little sore, but that's basically because I had muscles stretching in ways I know they're not supposed to stretch.”

Frank was leading a B-Main when his car's steering malfunctioned as he raced down the high-speed backstretch. He immediately knew he was in major trouble.

“I was just trying to keep going straight,” said Frank. “I was running three-wheel brakes, so I knew if I hit the brake I'd go to the left and hit the wall head-on. I was hoping I could make it to the end of the straightaway and then spin it out in the corner, but the car kept pulling left and I ended up catching the wall right at the opening.”

Hard contact with the steel guardrail literally sheared off all the frame rails of Frank's car from the firewall forward. Parts – radiator, air cleaner, left-front wheel, shocks, springs, bodywork, etc. – went flying in all directions as Frank spun back across the track. After sliding into the path of Miller, Frank's car came to rest with its rearend against the outside wall and flames smoldering from an engine that was still connected to the motor plate by only a single bolt. The mangled mess of metal tubing that had been Frank's front clip was in turn four after being hit by Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., as it fell from the sky.

Hagerstown's safety crew had to use three tow trucks to get Frank's ravaged equipment back to the pit area – one to haul the disengaged front clip that still had the right-front tire attached, plus two more for the remainder of the car.

Frank waxed nostalgic about his wiped-out car, a 2006-vintage mount that he had dubbed ‘Old Faithful' after running it for much of his six-win '07 season on the WoO LMS and then repairing it after a wild flip in the 2008 Circle K Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. He also credited it with keeping him safe in the seat.

“That opening ripped the front of the car apart, but the car did its job,” said Frank, who wears a Safety Solutions R-3 head-and-neck restraint system. “The cockpit held up the way it's supposed to in a crash. That's one of the reasons I run a Rocket car. I've got 100-percent faith in the safety of Rocket cars.”

Frank was uncertain about the extent of the damage to his very valuable Custom Race Engine, which had its headers ripped off, valve covers crushed and virtually all its lines torn asunder. It also apparently absorbed a hit from Miller's car. Frank sent the engine south with Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., who competed in Saturday's event, so Custom's Larry Clark could pick it up and bring it back to his shop in Knoxville, Tenn.

With another of Frank's engines already at Custom for freshening, Frank's powerplant supply is now down to one entering the WoO LMS's $20,000-to-win Buckeye 100 this weekend (May 1-2) at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio. He does have three cars ready to go, however, and if he does not get the freshened motor back before the weekend his backup car will be the identically-lettered machine he prepares and houses for his Canadian buddy Peter Mantha Jr.

Sitting seventh in the WoO LMS points standings with a top finish of fifth in eight E-Mains so far this season, Frank certainly hopes he can put his early-season doldrums behind him when the tour visits K-C Raceway this weekend and Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on Tues., May 5. He's enjoyed plenty of success at both tracks – he pocketed $50,000 for winning the 2007 Dirt Track World Championship at K-C and has two career WoO LMS victories at Lernerville – so the eternally optimistic Frank is confident the next two events could begin his resurgence.

“Racing can knock you down in a hurry and right now things aren't going very well for us,” said Frank, whose last win on the WoO LMS came on May 18, 2008, at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway. “We've been struggling for the last year. We have a fast car once in awhile, but we haven't been consistently fast.

“I have faith that everything will turn around and we'll get going. You just gotta keep plugging along and keep working.

“I like 100-lappers (like K-C's extra-distance affair this weekend) and Lernerville is one of my favorite tracks,” he added, “so hopefully these can be a couple good races for us.”

For more information on the Buckeye 100 on May 1-2 at K-C Raceway and the ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' on May 5 at Lernerville Speedway, visit www.kc-raceway.com and www.lernerville.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS can be obtained by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.After Destroying Car In Weekend Crash, Chub Frank Looks To Turn Around Fortunes At K-C Raceway & Lernerville Speedway

CONCORD, NC - April 27, 2009 - Chub Frank went racing on an off-weekend from the World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule in an attempt to shake himself out of a slump.

Instead, the superstar from Bear Lake, Pa., destroyed his favorite car – and by all accounts, narrowly escaped serious injury.

Frank, 47, experienced arguably the worst crash of his 31-year racing career on Saturday night at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway, the half-mile oval he invaded for the 28th annual Stanley Schetrompf Classic that was part of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. His car's entire front clip was ripped away when a steering failure sent him careening into an opening in the track's inside guardrail entering turn three.

Though Frank was also hit by Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., as his disabled Corry Rubber Rocket car slid up the track, he quickly climbed out of the demolished machine under his own power. He walked gingerly due to a bruised foot, but he was otherwise uninjured.

“I'm pretty much O.K.,” the hard-nosed Frank said on Monday afternoon from his shop in Northwestern Pennsylvania. “I'm still a little sore, but that's basically because I had muscles stretching in ways I know they're not supposed to stretch.”

Frank was leading a B-Main when his car's steering malfunctioned as he raced down the high-speed backstretch. He immediately knew he was in major trouble.

“I was just trying to keep going straight,” said Frank. “I was running three-wheel brakes, so I knew if I hit the brake I'd go to the left and hit the wall head-on. I was hoping I could make it to the end of the straightaway and then spin it out in the corner, but the car kept pulling left and I ended up catching the wall right at the opening.”

Hard contact with the steel guardrail literally sheared off all the frame rails of Frank's car from the firewall forward. Parts – radiator, air cleaner, left-front wheel, shocks, springs, bodywork, etc. – went flying in all directions as Frank spun back across the track. After sliding into the path of Miller, Frank's car came to rest with its rearend against the outside wall and flames smoldering from an engine that was still connected to the motor plate by only a single bolt. The mangled mess of metal tubing that had been Frank's front clip was in turn four after being hit by Matt Lux of Franklin, Pa., as it fell from the sky.

Hagerstown's safety crew had to use three tow trucks to get Frank's ravaged equipment back to the pit area – one to haul the disengaged front clip that still had the right-front tire attached, plus two more for the remainder of the car.

Frank waxed nostalgic about his wiped-out car, a 2006-vintage mount that he had dubbed ‘Old Faithful' after running it for much of his six-win '07 season on the WoO LMS and then repairing it after a wild flip in the 2008 Circle K Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway. He also credited it with keeping him safe in the seat.

“That opening ripped the front of the car apart, but the car did its job,” said Frank, who wears a Safety Solutions R-3 head-and-neck restraint system. “The cockpit held up the way it's supposed to in a crash. That's one of the reasons I run a Rocket car. I've got 100-percent faith in the safety of Rocket cars.”

Frank was uncertain about the extent of the damage to his very valuable Custom Race Engine, which had its headers ripped off, valve covers crushed and virtually all its lines torn asunder. It also apparently absorbed a hit from Miller's car. Frank sent the engine south with Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., who competed in Saturday's event, so Custom's Larry Clark could pick it up and bring it back to his shop in Knoxville, Tenn.

With another of Frank's engines already at Custom for freshening, Frank's powerplant supply is now down to one entering the WoO LMS's $20,000-to-win Buckeye 100 this weekend (May 1-2) at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio. He does have three cars ready to go, however, and if he does not get the freshened motor back before the weekend his backup car will be the identically-lettered machine he prepares and houses for his Canadian buddy Peter Mantha Jr.

Sitting seventh in the WoO LMS points standings with a top finish of fifth in eight E-Mains so far this season, Frank certainly hopes he can put his early-season doldrums behind him when the tour visits K-C Raceway this weekend and Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on Tues., May 5. He's enjoyed plenty of success at both tracks – he pocketed $50,000 for winning the 2007 Dirt Track World Championship at K-C and has two career WoO LMS victories at Lernerville – so the eternally optimistic Frank is confident the next two events could begin his resurgence.

“Racing can knock you down in a hurry and right now things aren't going very well for us,” said Frank, whose last win on the WoO LMS came on May 18, 2008, at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway. “We've been struggling for the last year. We have a fast car once in awhile, but we haven't been consistently fast.

“I have faith that everything will turn around and we'll get going. You just gotta keep plugging along and keep working.

“I like 100-lappers (like K-C's extra-distance affair this weekend) and Lernerville is one of my favorite tracks,” he added, “so hopefully these can be a couple good races for us.”

For more information on the Buckeye 100 on May 1-2 at K-C Raceway and the ‘Showdown in Sarvertown' on May 5 at Lernerville Speedway, visit www.kc-raceway.com and www.lernerville.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS can be obtained by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO- With one of its biggest racing weekends on the horizon, K-C Raceway in conjunction with the World of Outlaws has announced a format update for the May 1 and 2 Buckeye 100 weekend. Advanced Services Modifieds will run complete shows both nights. Hobby Stocks will run a complete show only on Friday.
For many years, K-C Raceway--then Atomic Speedway--paid homage to its local racers and outside stars with the annual running of the "Buckeye 100". Dirt Motorsports and K-C Raceway owner Jeff Schrader have joined forces to reincarnate this historic event which will pay $20,000 to the winner on Saturday, May 2.
The past winners of the Buckeye 100 beginning with the inaugural winner in 1964 were Dean Knittel, 1965 Sam Erwin, 1966 Dean Knittel, 1967 Dean Knittel, 1968 Larry "Boom Boom" Cannon, 1969 Audie Swartz, 1970 Spike Spears, and 1971 Jr. Smalley. In 1972 the race was called the "Shrine Championship" won by George Harbour. At that time the race was a major in the sprint/supermodified world, but as more sprint cars came upon the scene to replace the supers, and racing began a trend to downsize, the "Buckeye 100" fell by the wayside.
Friday night, May 1 K-C will host qualifying and heat races for the World of Outlaw Late Models, and have a full show for the Advanced Services Modifieds ($700 to win), and full show for the K-C Hobby Stocks. All Late Model B-Mains and Features, including the Buckeye 100 will be run on Saturday, May 2 along with a full program and $1,000-to-win Advanced Services Modifieds special.
Friday tickets for Adults 13 and-up are only $10, with Kids 6-12 $5, and Pits $25.
Saturday night admission is Adults 13-up $35, Kids 6-12, $15; and Pits $40. All kids under 6 are free. Two Day Passes are 2-day adult general admission $40 and 2-day pit pass $60.
K-C Raceway is located 12 miles South of Chillicothe, OH, three miles out Blain Highway of SR 23 at Alma. Fans may call the track phone or visit the track website for more information at www.kc-raceway.com.

Memorial Day Weekend Tripleheader Grows Bigger With $10,000 ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' Bonus Up For Grabs

CONCORD, NC - April 23, 2009 - Memorial Day Weekend has become even bigger for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Next month's holiday tripleheader in the Midwest will now be highlighted by the ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge,' an incentive program offering a $10,000 bonus to a driver who can win two of the weekend's three WoO LMS A-Mains.

The lucrative bonus cash has been posted by SLS Promotions, which is presenting the three-race swing that visits U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., on Fri., May 22; 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, on Sat., May 23; and Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis., on Sun., May 24.

“We wanted to dangle a carrot out there to make the weekend even more attractive for the drivers,” said Larry Hillerud of SLS Promotions, a respected promotional team that annually organizes more than a dozen WoO Sprint Car Series events. “We hope the ‘Tri-State Late Model Challenge' will encourage more teams to enter all three races – and if a different driver wins the first two features, it will definitely set up a real exciting finale at Charter Raceway Park with two drivers going after the $10,000 bonus.”

With the 50-lap A-Mains at U.S. 36 Raceway and 34 Raceway paying $10,000 to win and the 40-lap headliner at Charter Raceway Park boasting a $7,000 top prize, a weekend sweep could earn one driver a whopping $37,000 with the 10-grand Tri-State Late Model Challenge bonus included.

WoO LMS history reveals that there's slightly less than a 50 percent chance of a driver winning two A-Mains during a swing that visits three different tracks in as many days. The WoO LMS has contested exactly three events at three different tracks on consecutive days a total of eight times since the World Racing Group reformed the tour in 2004; no driver has ever swept such a tripleheader, but three drivers (Rick Eckert of York, Pa., in 2006, Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in 2007 and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., in 2008) have captured two-out-of-three A-Mains.

Both U.S. 36 Raceway and 34 Raceway will host the WoO LMS for the first time in the tour's WRG era. Charter Raceway Park, meanwhile, returns to the series schedule after a one-year absence; Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., won the one-third-mile track's inaugural WoO LMS A-Main on May 12, 2007.

All three Tri-State Late Model Challenge programs will be run with the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tire rule (10-20-30-40 compounds) in effect and utilize the same time schedule. Each day gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. (pits) and 4 p.m. (grandstands), with hot laps set for 6 p.m., time trials at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for the events. Fans can purchase tickets for all three races in advance by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT). Tickets to the 34 Raceway and Charter Raceway Park shows can also be purchased by calling the track offices – 319-752-3434 (34 Raceway) and 920-887-1600 (Charter Raceway Park).

SLS Promotions is offering an advance-purchase deal for the May 22 program at U.S. 36 Raceway that includes a reserved seat in the top two rows of the grandstand (rows 20-21) and a pit pass for $35. Other reserved seats are $30 (adults) and $15 (children 12-and-under).

At 34 Raceway on May 23, the top-eight rows (9-16) will be reserved seats. Tickets for rows 13-16 are $30 in advance (including a pit pass) and $35 on raceday; rows 9-12 are $25 in advance and $30 on raceday; and general admission (rows 1-8 and all of sections I, J and K) is $25 in advance and $30 on raceday. Reserved seats for children 12-and-under are $15, while general admission for kids 6-12 is $15 and free for youngsters 5-and-under.

Reserved-seat tickets for the May 24 event at Charter Raceway Park are priced at $32 for the chairback seating in the top two rows of sections B-C and $30 for the top 10 rows without chairbacks in sections A-B-C-D. An advance-sale offer of $35 for a reserved seat and a pit pass is also available, while general admission will be $25 for adults, $15 for children 6-12 and free for kids 5-and-under (children in reserved seats pay the full ticket price).

All orders taken by phone for the three events are subject to a $2 handling fee per ticket.

For more information on the Memorial Day Weekend tripleheader, visit www.slspromotions.com, www.us36raceway.com, www.34raceway.com or www.charterraceway.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Buckeye 100 Returns To K-C Raceway On May 1-2 As $20,000-To-Win World of Outlaws Late Model Series Weekend

ALMA, OH - April 22, 2009 - A blast from K-C Raceway's storied past will return on May 1-2.

The Buckeye 100 – a traditional event at the Southeastern Ohio track during the ‘60s and into the ‘70s – has been reincarnated as a major World of Outlaws Late Model Series weekend.

Last run in 1971 when the three-eighths-mile oval was known as Atomic Speedway, the Buckeye 100 roars back onto the K-C Raceway schedule offering a $20,000 first-place check from a total purse of nearly $100,000.

The two-day extravaganza kicks off on Fri., May 1, with WoO LMS time trials and qualifying heats plus complete shows for the open-wheel Modified and Hobby Stock divisions. On Sat., May 2, last-chance races and the Buckeye 100 will be joined by a full program for the open-wheel Modifieds topped by a feature paying $1,000 to win.

“We're excited to bring the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to K-C Raceway for the first big-money weekend of dirt Late Model racing in the state of Ohio this season,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “The Buckeye 100 will be a great way to showcase the World of Outlaws to the Ohio fans for the first time in 2009 and rekindle a historic event from K-C Raceway's past.”

The Buckeye 100 will mark the WoO LMS's second visit to K-C Raceway for a two-day, 100-lap show with a $20,000 top prize. Jackie Boggs of Grayson, Ky., earned that lucrative haul for winning the Veterans Appreciation 100, which was run on June 17-18, 2005.

The WoO LMS has also contested a pair of 50-lap A-Mains at K-C since the tour's resumption in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., was victorious on July 22, 2006, and Rod Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio, scored a popular win in front of his local fans in the tour's last appearance, on Aug. 23, 2008.

This will be the first WoO LMS event at K-C Raceway under new track promoter Jeff Schrader, who recently purchased the track from the Nier family. The Niers had operated the facility since late in the 2002 season.

As is customary for WoO LMS events held in Ohio, a strong field of national, regional and local dirt Late Model driving talent is expected to participate in the Buckeye 100.

Leading the charge to K-C Raceway will be the WoO LMS regulars who are engaged in a tight early-season battle. Defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., enters the weekend holding a slight four-point edge over Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and less than 90 points separates third-place from 10th in the standings.

Twenty-one-year-old sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished second in the 2007 Dirt Track World Championship 100 at K-C Raceway, sits third in the standings, ahead of multi-time K-C winner Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; 2006 DTWC winner Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; 2007 DTWC victor Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.

A half-dozen 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contenders are also expected to compete, including points leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., who qualified for last year's DTWC at K-C Raceway.

Two-day tickets for the Buckeye 100 weekend will cost $40. Single-day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids (6-12) on Fri., May 1, and $35 for adults and $15 for kids (6-12) on Sat., May 2.

Pit passes are $25 for Friday and $40 for Saturday, with two-day passes costing $60.

Free overnight camping is allowed on the K-C Raceway grounds for the weekend.

Racing is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

K-C Raceway is located 12 miles south of Chillicothe, Ohio, in Alma, two miles off SR 23 on Blain Highway.

For more information on K-C Raceway and the Buckeye 100 visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Doubleheader At Fayetteville Motor Speedway and Virginia Motor Speedway

CONCORD, NC - April 20, 2009 -

HEARTBREAK: Vic Coffey was so close to his first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series triumph last Friday night at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, he could taste it.

So when the 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year relinquished his race-long lead thanks to a flat right-rear tire coming down to the white flag, the sweetness of victory turned immediately into a sick feeling in his stomach.

“I wanted to throw up,” Coffey said when asked how he reacted when the worn-through tire caused his Sweeteners Plus Rocket to slow with just over one lap remaining in the 50-lap A-Main. “To lose it at the bitter end like that – man, it's just hard to take.

“These things (WoO LMS events) are hard enough to even put yourself in position to have a shot at winning. A lot of times you're just happy to qualify, so you hate to see a chance to win slip through your fingers.”

Coffey, who scored one of his two WoO LMS career-best finishes of fourth last year at Fayetteville, fell to 22nd in the final rundown because he didn't make it to the checkered after tangling with Josh Richards in turn two. The 37-year-old from Caledonia, N.Y., said he got a bit low in turn two while fighting to maintain control of his car and collected Richards, who ended up hooked together with Coffey and tumbled from third place to 23rd.

DRAMATIC CHANGE: Richards went from a commanding points lead to playing catch-up in the blink of an eye at Fayetteville.

Yes, the four-tenths-mile oval's wild final lap was a shot in the gut to the 21-year-old star from Shinnston, W.Va.

A solid third for the entire distance, Richards, who entered the event leading the WoO LMS points standings, backed off in the closing laps to conserve his tires in hopes of maintaining the show position. With many of his championship rivals struggling, he saw a golden opportunity to pad his 16-point edge.

But then Coffey slowed in front of Richards with the white flag flying. Richards tried to go underneath Coffey in turn two but ran out of room, leaving the two cars stricken on the inside of the corner as the race ended.

“I slowed down to get under Vic, but he was going so slow and we just got caught together,” said Richards, shaking his head. “I was just out there trying to save my tires at the end because I knew we could take advantage of a lot of guys (in the points battle) having bad nights, but it didn't work out.”

If Richards had cleanly passed Coffey to finish second, he would have pushed his points lead to nearly 40 points and put many drivers in deep holes. Instead, he fell to third in the points standings behind Shane Clanton and Darrell Lanigan, and the rankings tightened to the point that just 66 points separated first from eighth.

Richards's weekend didn't get better on Saturday night at Virginia Motor Speedway. After a heat-race tangle with Coffey damaged his car's nose and forced him to use a provisional spot to start the A-Main, he finished a quiet 13th and headed home third in the points standings, 24 markers behind Lanigan.

FRONT-ROW SEAT: Former WoO LMS regular Dale McDowell benefited handsomely from Fayetteville's last-lap mayhem, vaulting from a likely sixth-place finish to runner-up money.

The jam-up caused by Coffey's slow car allowed McDowell to sneak NASCAR star Clint Bowyer's machine by Chris Madden and Dennis ‘Rambo' Franklin on the backstretch. He hesitated for a moment rounding turns three and four thinking a caution was out, but he realized that the race would end under a caution/checkered condition because the last lap had begun and the Coffey/Richards incident did not present a safety issue.

“I'd actually backed off in three and four, but I saw (the starter) waving the caution and the checkered so I went ahead and throttled back up,” said McDowell, whose. “I know the rule, but I just wasn't thinking. Madden got up alongside me, and we both throttled up and drag-raced to the finish.

“We just got a little luck, but we also had bad luck drawing seventh (for the A-Main) so I guess everything evened out.”

FAST AT FAYETTEVILLE: Jeff Smith's home in Dallas, N.C., is a three-hour drive from Fayetteville, but he's an adopted son of the 39-year-old track.

“This track has been so good to me over the years,” Smith said after taking advantage of Coffey's misfortune to register his first career WoO LMS victory. “I don't know if I have a niche here, or if I'm just lucky, but we've won a lot of races at this track – and this one ranks right up there at the top.”

Smith, 43, is off to a good start in his first full season driving for Star Leasing's Mark Menscer, whose grandfather, Big Al Menscer, is a former racer who was one of the 50 original members of NASCAR. The number 18 on Smith's car is the same one used by Big Al during his racing days.

HE'S SMILING: No one had a better weekend than Chris Madden, who followed his third-place finish at Fayetteville with a dominant victory at VMS.

Madden, who has five career WoO LMS wins (at least one in each of the past four years), was hampered during February's Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway in Barberville, Fla., by the broken hand he suffered in a late-January incident at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga. But since he healed up, he's been rolling.

“This is the best I've ever started a season in my career by far,” said Madden. “Usually I don't win races until late-April/early-May, and I think I've already won five this year.

“It's all about hard work – the guys working hard during the week and being prepared. And having Scott (Bloomquist, the dirt Late Model legend and car builder) in my corner is a great advantage.”

Madden ran the first half of the WoO LMS in 2007 and proved to be a serious contender wherever he raced, but he had to drop off as a regular following the premature birth of his son (now a healthy toddler approaching the age of two) and other issues. He still hopes to put together a program to take on the tour fulltime in the future.

“Right now I don't have the financial backing and the guys that it takes to do it,” the 33-year-old Madden said of the WoO LMS. “The guys who help me have jobs, so it's hard to just up and leave and stay gone for three weeks or a month at a time.

“But I've only been doing this for 13 years, and a lot of these other guys have been racing for 25-plus years. So I still have time to do (the WoO LMS) someday.”

BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS: The last two WoO LMS titlists – Steve Francis (2007) and Darrell Lanigan (2008) – spent the second half of VMS's A-Main in a close-quarters race for second place.

At one point the action got too close; late-race contact between the pair left a deep gash in Lanigan's right-side door. Francis held on to finish second, just over a half-second ahead of third-place Lanigan.

The podium finishes helped both drivers forget disappointing outings at Fayetteville. Lanigan had the better finish – 13th after using a provisional to get in the A-Main – but Francis was faster, running fifth until a flat right-rear tire on lap 39 relegated him to a 19th-place finish.

OFF THE PACE: Rick Eckert's hopes of making a bid for victory at VMS were dive-bombed by ignition problems that plagued his Raye Vest Racing Bloomquist car for virtually the entire distance.

“On lap four I was going through (turns) three and four and my car just died,” said Eckert, who started ninth. “Brady (Smith) hit me because I just stopped dead in front of him. I quick switched to the second ignition and kept going, but something was wrong with that one too. My motor was just popping and carrying on the whole race.”

With the problem leaving Eckert's car underpowered on six cylinders, he nearly decided to pull in. But he pressed on and salvaged a 12th-place finish.

TOP ROOK: The only WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender to qualify for an A-Main during the doubleheader was Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who used his knowledge of Fayetteville to make the A-Main through a heat race.

Robinson, 21, went on to finish 11th – the best finish by a rookie this season.

With some momentum finally behind him, Robinson was confident about his chances at VMS, the track where he started his dirt-racing career as a 14-year-old in the Limited Late Model division. But he was hampered throughout the night by problems with a crank trigger and failed to qualify.

ETCETERA:

* VMS's A-Main began with a “bang” on Saturday – four ear-splitting, grandstand-shaking blasts of a Civil War-era cannon that was detonated on pit road by the Civil War reenactors who later joined the Victory Lane festivities. “When we first rolled out on the track and I was lining up, that big cannon shot off and I went, ‘Holy crap!'” said Chris Madden. “I jumped in my seat.”

* When Shane Clanton took over the points lead after Friday's stop at Fayetteville, it marked the first time he had been atop the WoO LMS standings since following the April 14, 2007, event at Virginia Motor Speedway. His stint at the helm lasted just one race, however, because Darrell Lanigan took over after Saturday's visit to VMS, giving the tour three different points leaders in as many races.

* Brady Smith walked around gingerly all weekend, suffering from a sore back that he tweaked away from the track.

* The pace laps for Fayetteville's A-Main left the pole position open in a “missing man” formation for the late Ed Gibbons of Manning, S.C., a Fayetteville standout who lost his life on Feb. 1 in a highway accident. The 46-year-old Gibbons finished fifth in last October's WoO LMS show at the track.

* Shannon Babb reported that he was scheduled to stop at Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, W.Va., Illinois to pick up a new car on his way home to Illinois. The new machine will likely be at Babb's disposal by his next WoO LMS appearance, the Buckeye 100 on May 1-2 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio.

* Jonathan Davenport is another driver with a trip to Rocket for a new car on his upcoming itinerary. The Blairsville, Ga., racer, passed along the news after setting fast time and finishing fifth at VMS – 24 hours after scratching from Fayetteville's program due to a broken rocker arm during hot laps. After the mechanical trouble, Davenport accompanied his D&L Rumley team back to their shop in Greensboro, N.C., and they worked until 2 a.m. to install a new engine.

* WoO LMS rookie contender Jordan Bland visited the medical crew at Fayetteville to have his left eye flushed after a piece of debris flew up off the track during a preliminary race and hit his helmet shield.

* Gettysburg, Pa.'s Jeremy Miller was unable to repeat his emotional victory in last year's WoO LMS event at VMS. Still learning his new Victory Circle by Moyer car, he qualified through a heat race on Saturday but finished 24th after retiring on lap 17 because he “made the wrong adjustments.”

* WoO LMS regulars Chub Frank and Tim Fuller had similarly distasteful weekends. Frank salvaged a 10th-place finish at Fayetteville (he picked up a couple spots in the last-lap scramble) after securing the last transfer spot in the B-Main when local Chris Blackwell slid high rounding the final corner, but he finished one lap down in 16th at VMS; Fuller finished 17th in both events.

* Fuller actually would have used a provisional to start both races if rookie candidate Russell King hadn't been penalized for jumping a last-lap restart in VMS's second B-Main. King slipped by a slowing Fuller at the finish line to grab the final transfer spot, but his jumping penalty moved him back two positions and left him a DNQ.

* Clint Smith went through the weekend down one crewman after the recent departure of Jonathan Owensby, who has taken a job in Georgia away from racing. Smith, who would have likely scored a pair of top-10s if he hadn't blown a tire on lap 37 at Fayetteville, said he's planning to press on with Darrell (‘Don Vito') Cooper as his sole mechanic. “Money's tight, so I'm not hunting anybody right now,” said Smith.

* Fayetteville, N.C.'s Lance West didn't qualify on Friday night after suffering mechanical trouble during heat action. He then headed home for a few hours of sleep before hopping on a plane to begin a 16-hour flight back to his job in Iraq, where he has four more months left on his contract as a mechanic for a U.S. contractor.

* Longtime WoO LMS technical inspector Walter Burson has stepped off the road this season to receive treatment for cancer, which doctors diagnosed earlier this year. He has been weakened by the treatments, but his spirits remain high and he's hoping to travel from his Ohio home to visit with friends at the track next month.

Notes of cheer can reach Burson at 609 McKinley Ave., Brewster, OH, 44613, or by e-mail at [email protected].

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Dixie Star: Madden Runs Away With Victory In Saturday's ‘Rumble On The River V' At Virginia Motor Speedway

JAMAICA, VA - April 18, 2009 - Chris Madden won one for Old Dixie on Saturday night at Virginia Motor Speedway.

With Civil War reenactors dressed in Union and Confederate uniforms on hand to salute the evening's star driver in a special Victory Lane themed to the historic area surrounding the track, Gaffney, S.C.'s Madden pleased the Southern soldiers by dominating the 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Rumble on the River V' event.

Madden, 33, ran away with the A-Main after outdueling Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., to assume command for good on lap 12. He was never seriously challenged in a race that was slowed by just a single caution flag, on lap 15 for the turn-four spin of Gettysburg, Pa.'s Jeremy Miller, who won last year's WoO LMS show at VMS.

The post-race celebration was certainly a unique experience for Madden, who registered his fifth career win in WoO LMS competition. He had a Confederate hat placed on his head as he was interviewed by tour announcer Rick Eshelman, and the soldiers feted him with a flurry of loud, smoky gunfire from their Civil War-era pistols.

“That was pretty cool,” Madden said of the Victory Lane festivities. “I've never seen anything like that before. That kind of stuff makes winning a race even more fun.”

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., hustled Dale Beitler's Reliable Painting/Valvoline Rocket from the eighth starting spot to second place in 13 laps and chased Madden for the remainder of the distance, but he was 5.549 seconds behind the winner's Century Plastics Bloomquist Chassis machine at the checkered flag. The 2007 WoO LMS champion spent the race's closing circuits fighting off the Fusion Energy Rocket driven by defending tour titlist Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who regained the points lead with a third-place run after starting seventh.

Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., made a strong advance from the 12th starting spot to finish fourth in the Charles Jarvis-owned Rocket, earning him the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hadn't previously won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings. Fifth place was claimed by Davenport, who started from the pole position in the D&L Rumley Rocket and led laps 1-3, 5-9 and 11 during his early battle with Madden.

The $10,100 triumph made Madden the seventh different winner in eight WoO LMS A-Mains this season. It also gave him a win in each of his last two appearances at VMS, following his score in a co-sanctioned MACS/Carolina Clash event on Aug. 9, 2008.

“We've had a lot of success here,” said Madden, whose '08 victory at VMS came in a special ‘topless' race. “This place doesn't have the banking that Gaffney (South Carolina's Cherokee SuperSpeedway) used to have, but it has some similarities to that place. There's some driving I learned at Gaffney that I use here, and it's working for me.”

Madden, who started third, demonstrated his complete mastery of Bill Sawyer's pristine half-mile oval once he wrestled the lead from Davenport.

“We had a great race,” Madden said of his early battle with Davenport. “I got ahead of him at the (start/finish) line a couple times (laps four and 10), but he kept getting back by me because I was having to check up pretty hard in the middle and couldn't leave the corner like I wanted to.

“I felt like I had a better car, so I think it was just a matter of me getting to the clean air. Once I cleared him and we got to clean air, we were great. Scott (Bloomquist) has built a helluva race car when it comes to speed and driving straight and fast and that got us the win tonight.”

Francis, 41, had no answer for Madden's speed. He closed within a few car lengths of Madden shortly after the halfway mark, but his car's handling was too tight and he gradually lost ground while negotiating thick lapped traffic as the race wound down.

Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., finished sixth after battling with Davenport in the closing laps. Austin Hubbard, a 17-year-old from Seaford, Del., with extensive experience at VMS, scored a career-best WoO LMS finish of seventh, followed by Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who entered the event as the tour points leader but exited trailing Lanigan by four points; Jamie Lathroum of Mechanicsville, Md.; and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who lost the WoO LMS points lead the previous night at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, ceded more ground with a subpar outing. A heat-race tangle forced him to use a provisional to start the A-Main and he struggled to a 13th-place finish.

A field of 46 cars assembled for the event – the largest turnout ever for a WoO LMS show at VMS.

Twenty-four hours after scratching from Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway's WoO LMS program due to a broken rocker-arm during practice, Davenport came back strong by recording the fastest lap in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. His circuit of 17.416 seconds earned him a $50 bonus.

Heat winners were Davenport, Francis, Madden and Dennis Franklin of Cowpens, S.C. Franklin went on to draw the sixth starting spot for the A-Main, but he had to relinquish the position and take the green flag from the rear because he had to park his Barry Wright house car with terminal engine problems and jump in Scott Neighbors's machine.

The evening's B-Mains were captured by Roland Mann of Chaptico, Md., and D.J. Myers of Greencastle, Pa.

All of the action was captured by cameras from the SPEED cable network, which will broadcast the ‘Rumble on the River V' on Fri., May 8, at 8 p.m. ET.

The WoO LMS will be off for one weekend before resuming on May 1-2 with the ‘Buckeye 100' at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio. Time trials and heat races are scheduled for Fri., May 1, and last-chance races and the $20,000-to-win Buckeye 100 will be contested on Sat., May 2.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Rumble on the River V' at Virginia Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Chris Madden/50 $10,100
2. (8) Steve Francis/50 $5,650
3. (7) Darrell Lanigan/50 $3,600
4. (12) Ricky Elliott/50 $3,000
5. (1) Jonathan Davenport/50 $2,050
6. (10) Shannon Babb/50 $2,200
7. (5) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,400
8. (4) Shane Clanton/50 $1,800
9. (2) Jamie Lathroum/50 $1,200
10. (15) Clint Smith/50 $1,700
11. (16) Brady Smith/50 $1,550
12. (9) Rick Eckert/50 $1,500
13. (23) Josh Richards/49 $1,450
14. (18) D.J. Myers/49 $900
15. (19) Doug Horton/49 $850
16. (13) Chub Frank/49 $1,300
17. (21) Tim Fuller/49 $1,270
18. (20) Daryl Hills/49 $750
19. (11) Ronnie DeHaven Jr./49 $730
20. (24) Vic Coffey/49 $1,200
21. (17) Roland Mann/47 $700
22. (6) Dennis Franklin/26 $700
23. (22) Dale McDowell/25 $700
24. (14) Jeremy Miller $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

NOTE: Dennis Franklin parked his No. 2F due to engine problems after winning a heat and started at the rear of the field in Scott Neighbor's No. 5

Time of Race: 18 Mins., 31.194 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 5.549 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 1 (Lap 15)
Lap Leaders: Davenport (1-3); Madden (4); Davenport (5-9); Madden (10); Davenport (11); Madden (12-50)
Provisional Starters: Richards, Coffey
Rookie of the Race: Russell King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Ricky Elliott ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Jamie Owens (Madden)

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

1. 6d-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 17.416
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.422
3. 44M-Chris Madden/Gaffney, SC 17.606
4. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 17.673
5. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 17.726
6. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 17.756
7. 1D-Ronnie DeHaven Jr./Winchester, VA 17.802
8. 2F-Dennis Franklin/Cowpens, SC 17.802
9. 6L-Jamie Lathroum/Mechanicsville, MD 17.803
10. 24M-Jeremy Miller/Gettysburg, PA 17.804
11. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 17.829
12. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 17.848
13. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 17.906
14. 55-Roland Mann/Chapitco, MD 17.932
15. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 17.947
16. 45-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 17.952
17. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 17.969
18. 88-Keith Jackson/Odenton, MD 17.976
19. 7H-Daryl Hills/Great Mills, MD 17.980
20. 17-Nick Dickson/Lewistown, PA 17.983
21. 0-Ray Tucker/Greensboro, NC 18.000
22. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 18.005
23. 70J-D.J. Myers/Greencastle, PA 18.007
24. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 18.010
25. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.016
26. 07-David Williams/Charlotte Hall, MD 18.030
27. 21-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 18.056
28. 38-Kenny Pettyjohn/Millsboro, DE 18.071
29. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 18.079
30. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 18.102
31. 8-Jeff Pilkerton/Loveville, MD 18.167
32. 49-Mark Pettyjohn/Milton, DE 18.183
33. 00H-Chuck Harper/Beverly, WV 18.243
34. 46-Doug Horton/Bruceton Mills, WV 18.269
35. 87-Walker Arthur/Forest, VA 18.277
36. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 18.308
37. 56K-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 18.314
38. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 18.325
39. 47-Matt Quade/Mechanicsville, MD 18.473
40. 44G-Dean Guy/Clements, MD 18.527
41. 5-Scott Neighbors/Spring Lake, NC 18.685
42. 72*-Jared Teegarden/Chesterfield, VA 18.860
43. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 18.963
44. 56$-Chas Shellenberger/Winfield, PA 19.047
45. 00-Tom Cohick/Gloucester, VA 19.138
46. 09-Brad Rigdon/Chesapeake, VA 19.909

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Davenport, Lathroum, Eckert, Frank, Tucker, Coffey, Fuller, King, Harper, Neighbors, Cohick, Richards

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Lanigan, Babb, J. Miller, Mann, Horton, Robinson, Teegarden, Williams, Rigdon, Jackson, Bland

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Madden, Clanton, DeHaven, C. Smith, Myers, Hills, Lux, Pilkerton, Arthur, Hapka (DNS) Quade

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Franklin, Hubbard, Elliott, B. Smith, McDowell, Reddick, Dickson, Guy, M. Pettyjohn, K. Pettyjohn, Shellenberger

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Mann, Horton, Fuller, Williams, King, Bland, Harper, Tucker, Rigdon, Coffey, Neighbors, Cohick, Richards, Robinson (DNS) Teegarden, Jackson

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Myers, Hills, McDowell, Lux, K. Pettyjohn, Arthur, Reddick, Pilkerton, M. Pettyjohn, Shellenberger, Hapka, Dickson, Guy, Quade

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Russell King, Kenny Pettyjohn
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Chris Madden
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Ricky Elliott
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Chris Madden
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Clint Smith
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Chris Madden
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Roland Mann, D.J. Myers
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Chris Madden
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Doug Horton
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Chris Madden
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Ray Tucker
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Chris Madden

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of April 18 – 8 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Darrell Lanigan 0-4-7-$47,850-1039 (-0)
2. Shane Clanton 1-1-7-$34,510-1035 (-4)
3. Josh Richards 1-5-6 -$38,700-1015 (-24)
4. Steve Francis 2-5-5-$39,280-999 (-40)
5. Shannon Babb 1-3-5-$35,980-995 (-44)
6. Rick Eckert 0-2-4-$16,895-983 (-56)
7. Chub Frank 0-1-5-$16,650-967 (-72)
8. Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$13,780-951 (-88)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$16,275-944 (-95)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-3-$13,170-925 (-114)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$7,730-794 (-245)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$7,080-758 (-281)
13. Russell King 0-0-0-$6,790-725 (-314)
14. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$3,980-690 (-349)
15. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$2,740-684 (-355)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$2,225-627 (-412)
17. Chris Madden 1-3-3-$20,000-615 (-424)
18. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$1,145-600 (-439)
19. Dale McDowell 0-1-2-$10,700-575 (-464)
20. Austin Hubbard 0-0-1-$4,535-475 (-564)

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Coffey's Flat Tire On Final Lap Propels Jeff Smith To First Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win At Fayetteville Motor Speedway

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - April 17, 2009 - As Jeff Smith celebrated, Vic Coffey sulked.

That was the story of Friday night's 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main at Fayetteville Motor Speedway, where Smith captured a dramatic victory at his longtime hometrack thanks to Coffey's heartbreak.

Smith, 43, of Dallas, N.C., grabbed the lead with the white flag waving when Coffey slowed with a flat right-rear tire, ending the Caledonia, N.Y., driver's race-long run in the top spot. Moments later Smith crossed the finish line with the checkered and caution flags waving simultaneously to register his first career WoO LMS triumph.

Coffey, who started from the pole position, didn't make it back around the four-tenths-mile oval to finish the race because he tangled in turn two with third-place-runner Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., while fighting to maintain control of his car. The 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year was scored 22nd in the final rundown after losing his bid for a career-first win on the national tour, while Richards tumbled to a 23rd-place finish and lost the WoO LMS points lead in the process.

“My heart goes out to (Coffey) because I've led to the last lap here before and popped a tire myself,” said Smith, whose $10,650 in earnings included the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hadn't previously won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings. “Unless he really messed up bad – and he wasn't going to, because he's good enough – there was no way I was going to pass him the way the track was tonight.”

But Smith happily accepted the gift-wrapped triumph, which he secured behind the wheel of Mike Menscer's Star Leasing Rocket a comfortable distance ahead of the wild, down-to-the-wire battle for the runner-up position.

Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., finished second in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Clint Bowyer's machine, nipping Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., and Dennis ‘Rambo' Franklin of Cowpens, S.C., in a three-wide race across the finish line. McDowell slipped by both drivers going down the backstretch on the final lap in the scramble that followed the Coffey/Richards incident.

Madden took third in his Bloomquist Chassis and Franklin was fourth in the Barry Wright house car, while Rick Eckert of York, Pa., took advantage of the eventful final circuit to sneak his Raye Vest Racing Bloomquist car into fifth.

Smith, who started second, spent the race's late stages patiently waiting for something to happen to Coffey's well-worn right-rear tire.

“During that last caution (on lap 39) I looked at (Coffey's) right-rear when the lights hit it right and I could see it didn't have any tread,” said Smith, who ran American Racer tires that were a slightly harder compound than the Hoosiers on Coffey's Sweeteners Plus Rocket. “I thought he was having trouble after the restart, but I also had a little concern with my tire so I was in conserve mode. I tried to keep a little pressure on him but also take of my tires, and it worked out for us.”

Smith, who won Fayetteville's track championship in 2007 and ‘Crazy Eights' Series title in 2008, immediately put Friday's victory high on his career list of accomplishments.

“This is right there at the top,” said Smith. “Anytime we can make a good showing with the guys who are traveling for a living, it makes us feel real good.”

Coffey, meanwhile, could only mourn his missed opportunity following the race.

“With about four (laps) to go I slipped pretty good in (turns) one and two, but I thought I might've just missed the line,” said Coffey, whose fourth-place finish in last year's WoO LMS A-Main at FMS remains tied for the best outing of his career on the tour. “When I did the same thing again the next lap I knew it was my tire.

“I had seen a few guys bring out cautions with flats, so I figured mine were pretty worn out too. I thought I'd be O.K. because I was keeping the car as straight as I could, but it was bald and couldn't make it to the end.”

Coffey, 38, felt bad that his misfortune also collected the 21-year-old Richards, whose Rocket car hooked together with Coffey's as he tried to overtake the slowing machine. Both Coffey and Richards, who started third and ran quietly in the position throughout the event, were left sitting in turn two as the remainder of the field raced to the checkered flag.

Richards fell to third in the WoO LMS points standings, behind new leader Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who salvaged a ninth-place finish after transferring through a B-Main, and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who used a provisional to start the A-Main but managed to climb forward from the 23rd starting spot to finish 13th.

Four caution flags slowed the race, including three for cars slowing with flat tires. The victims were Travis Hair of Fayetteville, N.C., and Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., on lap 34; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., on lap 37 (as he ran 12th); and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., on lap 39 (as he held fifth).

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C.; Randle Chupp of Troutman, N.C., who drove Fayetteville regular Scott Autry's car; young Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C.; Clanton; and 22nd-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who slipped into the top 10 on the final lap.

The only WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender to make the A-Main was Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., whose 11th-place finish was his career-best on the tour and earned him his first $250 Rookie of the Race bonus.

Thirty-nine cars were signed in for the action, which was run before a large crowd on a comfortable, crystal-clear spring evening.

McDowell turned the fastest lap in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. His circuit of 17.777 seconds earned him $50 from Ohlins plus a $100 bonus from Woodberry Homes in Green Sea, S.C.

Heat winners were Franklin, Jeff Smith, Ferguson and Francis. The B-Mains were captured by Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Hubbard.

The WoO LMS moves four to the north on Saturday night (April 18) to contest the ‘Rumble on the River V' at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va. SPEED's television cameras will record the event for later broadcast on the cable network.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Fayetteville Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (2) Jeff Smith/50 $10,650
2. (7) Dale McDowell/50 $5,150
3. (6) Chris Madden/50 $3,000
4. (4) Dennis Franklin/50 $2,500
5. (9) Rick Eckert/50 $2,500
6. (11) Ricky Weeks/50 $1,700
7. (12) Randle Chupp/50 $1,400
8. (8) Chris Ferguson/50 $1,300
9. (20) Shane Clanton/50 $1,700
10. (22) Chub Frank/50 $1,700
11. (10) Brent Robinson/50 $1,300
12. (15) Brady Smith/50 $1,500
13. (23) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,550
14. (17) Shannon Babb/50 $1,400
15. (25) Chris Blackwell/50 $850
16. (19) Ray Tucker/50 $800
17. (24) Tim Fuller/50 $1,270
18. (18) Austin Hubbard/50 $750
19. (5) Steve Francis/50 $1,330
20. (13) Clint Smith/50 $1,200
21. (14) Scott Neighbors/50 $700
22. (1) Vic Coffey/49 $1,200
23. (3) Josh Richards/49 $1,200
24. (16) Travis Hair/34 $700
25. (21) Benji Cole/30 $700

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 0, 34, 37, 39)
Lap Leaders: Coffey (1-48); J. Smith (49-50)
Provisional Starters: Lanigan, Fuller (WoO); Blackwell (track)
Rookie of the Race: Brent Robinson ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Jeff Smith ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Team 18 (Jeff Smith)

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

1. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 17.777
2. 18M-Jeff Smith/Dallas, NC 17.795
3. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 17.800
4. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.825
5. 2F-Dennis Franklin/Cowpens, SC 17.859
6. 44M-Chris Madden/Gaffney, SC 17.932
7. 22F-Chris Ferguson/Mount Holly, NC 18.046
8. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 18.100
9. 18b-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 18.130
10. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 18.230
11. 25b-Shawn Beasley/Lumber Bridge, NC 18.238
12. A1-Randle Chupp/Troutman, NC 18.247
13. 22c-Benji Cole/Canon, GA 18.262
14. 9-Ken Schrader/Concord, NC 18.270
15. 1W-Ricky Weeks/Rutherfordton, NC 18.325
16. 27-Travis Hair/Fayetteville, NC 18.335
17. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 18.351
18. 91-D.J. Tyndall/Dunn, NC 18.359
19. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 18.370
20. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 18.375
21. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 18.395
22. 0-Ray Tucker/Greensboro, NC 18.422
23. 6b-Chris Blackwell/Grays Creek, NC 18.453
24. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 18.520
25. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 18.565
26. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 18.571
27. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 18.636
28. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 18.644
29. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 18.827
30. 5-Scott Neighbors/Spring Lake, NC 18.830
31. 11M-Michael Ray Mason/Spring Lake, NC 18.850
32. 44L-Justin Labonte/Trinity, NC 18.852
33. 360-Craig Shuffield/Fayetteville, NC 18.891
34. d8-Dustin Mitchell/Princeton, NC 19.073
35. 56K-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 19.188
36. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 19.287
37. 4-Lance West/Fayetteville, NC 19.327
38. 56s-Chas Shellenberger/Winfield, PA 19.403
39. 6d-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Franklin, McDowell, Eckert, C. Smith, Babb, Cole, Fuller, Bland, Shuffield, West

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): J. Smith, Madden, Robinson, Neighbors, Tucker, Schrader, Mitchell, Reddick, Tyndall, Shellenberger

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Ferguson, Richards, Weeks, B. Smith, Blackwell, Frank, King, Mason, Beasley (DNS) Davenport

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Coffey, Chupp, Hair, Hubbard, Clanton, Lanigan, Labonte, Hapka

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Babb, Tucker, Cole, Schrader, Fuller, Bland, Reddick, Shuffield, Shellenberger, Tyndall (DNS) Mitchell, West

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hubbard, Clanton, Frank, Lanigan, Blackwell, King, Mason, Labonte, Hapka (DNS) Beasley, Davenport

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Tim Fuller, Chris Blackwell
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Jeff Smith
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Jeff Smith
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Jeff Smith
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Chris Ferguson
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Shannon Babb, Austin Hubbard
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Jeff Smith
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Dale McDowell
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Jeff Smith
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chris Blackwell
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Vic Coffey
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award' (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Jordan Bland
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Jeff Smith

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of April 17 - 7 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Shane Clanton 1-1-6-$32,710-901 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-3-6-$44,250-895 (-6)
3. Josh Richards 1-5-6 -$37,250-891 (-10)
4. (tie) Shannon Babb 1-3-4-$33,780-857 (-44)
4. (tie) Rick Eckert 0-2-4-$15,395-857 (-44)
6. Steve Francis 2-4-4-$33,630-853 (-48)
7. Chub Frank 0-1-5-$15,350-849 (-52)
8. Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$12,510-835 (-66)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$14,725-816 (-85)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-2-$11,470-795 (-106)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$6,530-684 (-217)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$6,470-683 (-218)
13. Russell King 0-0-0-$6,680-650 (-251)
14. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$3,870-615 (-286)
15. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$2,630-609 (-292)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$2,115-552 (-349)
17. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$1,035-525 (-376)
18. Dale McDowell 0-1-2-$10,000-471 (-430)
19. Chris Madden 0-2-2-$9,900-465 (-436)
20. (tie) Dan Schlieper 0-1-1-$5,670-445 (-456)
20. (tie) Scott Bloomquist 0-0-2-$7,130-445 (-456)

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing This Saturday's ‘Rumble on the River V' At Virginia Motor Speedway

JAMAICA, VA - April 16, 2009 -

ONE YEAR LATER: Jeremy Miller will never forget his visit to Virginia Motor Speedway on April 11, 2008.

The Gettysburg, Pa., racer is hoping that his return to the half-mile oval this Saturday night (April 18) for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series 50-lap ‘Rumble on the River V' goes just as well.

It was that spring evening just over one year ago at Bill Sawyer's tremendous facility that Miller achieved a career milestone, capturing his first career WoO LMS A-Main.

“That win definitely is right at the top of things I've done,” said Miller, who emerged triumphant after he had several bids for a WoO LMS victory fall short in heartbreaking fashion over the previous two years. “These Outlaw races are so competitive it's hard to even put yourself in position to win, so when you have a chance you have to seal the deal. We finally were able to do that.”

Miller, 38, will attempt to repeat his '08 success at VMS on Saturday with a different package than he used last year. No longer racing for longtime car owner Charles Buckler – the excitable Marylander who went wild after Miller's WoO LMS triumph – because Buckler has disbanded his operation, Miller is fielding his own program this season thanks to increased backing from Stewart Byers of USA Spares Inc. in Carlisle, Pa. Miller's number remains 24, but after an extended stint driving Rocket cars he is now behind the wheel of a Victory Circle by Moyer chassis.

Can Miller win another WoO LMS A-Main at VMS? He's confident, but also realistic, about his chances.

“I'm gonna try to win again,” said Miller. “But I don't know if I'm in the best position right now to do it. I've only run two races so far this year, and I'll be racing against some really good guys who already have in, what, 30 races? That makes them tough to beat.”

Miller has been impressed with his Victory Circle mount in his limited action this season.

“We're trying to find the sweet spot for myself,” he said of his work with the Victory Circle car. “It's a lot different from what I'm used to, but we're figuring it out. I feel like we're just missing one or two things that could make it really good.”

REGULAR STOP: VMS is hosting the WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive year, making the Tidewater Region track one of the stalwarts of the six-year-old tour.

This will be the sixth A-Main overall contested at VMS (there were two races in 2007). There has not been a repeat winner in the five previous WoO LMS events.

All five previous WoO LMS victors will be in action on Saturday night, including Miller; Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (2007); Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (2006); and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (2005).

STILL SEARCHING: It's logical to think that WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., is due for a win at VMS, which stands as one of the few track he's raced at multiple times without visiting Victory Lane.

Francis, who leads all drivers with 22 WoO LMS wins since 2004, has fared progressively better at VMS. He scored dismal finishes of 20th (2005) and 17th (2006), but he placed fourth and fifth in the pair of '07 shows and ran a close second to Miller in last year's 50-lapper.

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., is another WoO LMS regular who hasn't broken through at VMS. His lone top-five finish in five starts was a second in the thrilling July 2007 affair won by Clanton.

THE ROOKS: Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., is the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender most looking forward to Saturday's show.

A 21-year-old who got his dirt-racing start at the age of 14 in VMS's Limited Late Model division, Robinson will have a decided advantage over his rookie brethren on Saturday. He's hoping he can use his experience at VMS – and at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, which hosts Friday night's WoO LMS stop – to advance from the fourth spot in the RoY points battle.

Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, is the only other rookie who has previously driven a Super Late Model at VMS. He finished 22nd in a MACS/Carolina Clash event on Aug. 22, 2008.

The other rookie contenders – points leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa. – have never competed at Fayetteville.

POST-RACE ‘BATTLE': Providing fans an exciting added attraction themed on the rich history of the area surrounding VMS, costumed Civil War reenactors will greet the winner of Saturday night's 50-lap A-Main with a flurry of musket and pistol fire in Victory Lane.

Reenactors dressed in both Union and Confederate uniforms will assemble around the winning car on the speedway's homestretch, giving the evening's star dirt Late Model driver a unique – and loud – salute using their authentic Civil War-era firearms.

In addition, the command to start engines prior to the Rappahannock Tractor ‘Rumble on the River V' presented by Dixie Chopper will be punctuated by an ear-splitting Civil War cannon shot.

NATIONAL ATTENTION: Saturday's program will be the first WoO LMS event of 2009 taped for later broadcast on the SPEED cable network.

An air date for the race will be announced.

CHALLENGING THE OUTLAWS: Several well-known dirt Late Model standouts are planning to make VMS the second half of their WoO LMS doubleheader after competing at Fayetteville on Friday night, including Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., who won last August's topless MACS/Carolina Clash event at VMS; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Circle K Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla; and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga.

Other drivers expected to enter VMS's action include three-time MACS champion Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa., Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., and Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va.

VMS INFO: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. and spectator gates at 4 p.m. on Sat., April 18. There will be a BB&T ‘Meet and Greet' with the Outlaws drivers from 5-6 p.m., and on-track activities will commence at 6:30 p.m. with hot laps.

The WoO LMS will be accompanied on the program by VMS's Truckin' Thunder Sportsman and the Budweiser Modified divisions. The Sportsman and Modifieds will run hot-lap time trials and features only.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, $10 for students 13-17, $5 for children 7-12 and free for kids 6-and-under. Pit passes will be $30.

The Speedway also offers a ‘Family Pack' (two adults and two children 12-and-under) for only $60, and $5-off discount coupons on adult, senior and military tickets can be printed by visiting the track's website at www.vamotorspeedway.com.

For more information call the VMS office at 804-758-1VMS.

WoO LMS ON TWITTER: Fans can now receive news, updates and other behind-the-scenes information about the WoO LMS by following the tour's official feed on Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website.

Fans can view the latest text posts and subscribe as “followers” of the WoO LMS at http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing Friday Night's Visit To Fayetteville Motor Speedway

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - April 15, 2009 -

MEMORABLE RUN: Josh Richards dreaded returning to Fayetteville Motor Speedway last October for the completion of a postponed World of Outlaws Late Model Series program.

But after the young sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., won that evening's A-Main with one of the top performances of the 2008 season, his feelings for the four-tenths-mile oval took a 180-degree turn for the better.

Now Richards can't wait to visit Fayetteville Motor Speedway, which hosts the first of its two scheduled WoO LMS events in 2009 this Friday night (April 17). A 50-lap feature paying $10,000 to win headlines Friday's card.

“I'm excited to go back to Fayetteville,” said the 21-year-old Richards, who enters the weekend leading the WoO LMS points standings on the strength of one win and five top-five finishes in six events this season. “I didn't want to go back (for last year's postponed event) after the way we ran before it rained the first time we were there (heats were completed in August and Richards failed to qualify), but we ended up with an awesome car and had an unreal night.”

Starting 18th in the 50-lap A-Main (which was run on Tues., Oct. 7) after winning a B-Main, Richards put on an electric show. Weaving smoothly through traffic “almost like a video game” as he said later, “Kid Rocket” grabbed the lead from Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., on lap 31 and never looked back.

No driver came from further back in a starting field to win a WoO LMS event in 2008 than Richards did at FMS. In fact, he was the only driver all season to capture a tour event after qualifying through a B-Main.

Richards returns to Fayetteville six days after making an impressive debut in NASCAR Camping World East Series competition at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C. He drove a Ken Schrader Racing Chevy to a fourth-place finish in last Saturday night's 150-lap event at the historic paved track.

HOT AGAIN: Shane Clanton will arrive at Fayetteville this Friday night much like he did for last October's WoO LMS show – on a roll.

Last year the 33-year-old Clanton took the green flag at FMS riding a two-race WoO LMS win streak and coming off his first career victory in the UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned World 100 at Ohio's Eldora Speedway. This time he's two weeks removed from his initial WoO LMS triumph of 2009, a $20,600 score in the Illini 100 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway.

Clanton finished second in last October's WoO LMS A-Main at FMS after leading laps 5-30.

HOME TURF: WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Brent Robinson is hoping that a visit to FMS will provide him a much-needed boost in the tight points battle among the tour's upstart travelers.

Ranked fourth in the current RoY standings, the 21-year-old from Smithfield, Va., will go to the post at the track he's most familiar with. He tuned up for Friday's program by running FMS's ‘Prelude to the Outlaws' event last Saturday night and flashed some definite speed before dropping out with front-end damage from a slap of the inside guardrail; he was second when he pitted for what he thought was a flat tire after contact with another car, then rallied to fifth place before retiring.

The tour's other Rookie of the Year contenders – Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa. – have never competed at Fayetteville.

PAST SUCCESS: WoO LMS regulars Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., know what it feels like to stand in Victory Lane at FMS after a touring series event.

Frank, who finished third in last year's WoO LMS 50 at FMS, won the track's Hav-A-Tampa/Xtreme DirtCar Series event on April 21, 2001. Eckert, who finished 12th (11 laps down) last October, was triumphant in a HAT/Xtreme show on April 20, 2000.

TOUGH LUCK: Last year's WoO LMS event at Fayetteville featured one of the most unusual occurrences of the 2008 season – a bad night for Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who experienced few hiccups en route to winning the tour points title.

Lanigan started from the pole position and led laps 1-4 of FMS's A-Main, but he slipped back slightly and finished 11th after losing three laps late in the distance while repairing a broken right-rear shock mount on his car. He enters this weekend's action second in the points standings, still looking for his first win of the season after three runner-up finishes in six starts.

Despite his '08 misfortune at FMS, Lanigan did effectively clinch the championship that night because his closest pursuer in the points at the time, 2007 champ Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., retired with distributor trouble on lap 12 and finished 23rd. Francis is currently fourth in the WoO LMS points standings but is the tour's only repeat winner so far this season.

CAROLINA CONNECTION: WoO LMS standout Clint Smith hails from Senoia, Ga., but he has ties to the Fayetteville area in former team owner Carlton Lamm of Benson, N.C.

Smith did a stint behind the wheel of Lamm's familiar Dunn-Benson Ford dirt Late Models – and at last year's WoO LMS event at Fayetteville, Smith recognized Lamm with a special graphics scheme that displayed the Dunn-Benson Ford logo on the side of his car.

The driver known as ‘Cat Daddy' finished eighth in last year's A-Main at FMS. He also fielded a car that was driven to a 20th-place finish by fellow WoO LMS regular Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who had kept his own hauler in the Empire State in order to fill it with his DIRTcar big-block Modified equipment for the big Super DIRT Week activities in Syracuse, N.Y., that followed the mid-week date at Fayetteville. Fuller, who is tied for sixth in the WoO LMS points standings, will bring his usual Gypsum Express No. 19 to Fayetteville on Friday.

HE LIKES FAYETTEVILLE: Caledonia, N.Y.'s Vic Coffey is anxious to get back in action at FMS after scoring a fourth-place finish in last year's Outlaws feature – a run that matched the 2008 Rookie of the Year's best performance in a WoO LMS event.

ON HIS WAY: Shannon Babb has not committed to running the entire WoO LMS in 2009, but he's currently fifth in the points standings and plans to keep his perfect attendance intact by competing this weekend at Fayetteville and Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va. (Sat., April 18).

LITTLE DIFFERENT: First-time '09 visitors to FMS will notice some slight changes that were made to the 39-year-old oval since last year's WoO LMS event, including the application of new clay and a redesign of the banking to help produce more side-by-side racing.

MISSING MAN: Fayetteville's WoO LMS field will unfortunately not include Ed Gibbons of Manning, S.C., a veteran racer who on Feb. 1 lost his life at the age of 46 in a highway accident.

It was just six months ago that Gibbons stood in Fayetteville's pit area smiling broadly among a group of well-wishers, relishing his career-best WoO LMS finish of fifth. His charge forward from the 20th starting spot – with a brand-new Clements engine under the hood of his car – earned him the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks' cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hadn't won a WoO LMS A-Main since 2004 and wasn't ranked among the top 12 in the tour points standings.

The popular driver was honored during Fayetteville's season-opening Ed Gibbons Memorial race on April 4, and he will be remembered again prior to the start of Friday night's WoO LMS action.

LONG ‘HAUL': No driver in Friday's WoO LMS field will have covered more miles to enter the event than Lance West.

While the 24-year-old driver makes his home in nearby Turnbull, N.C., he works in Iraq as a truck mechanic for a U.S. contractor. The former asphalt Limited Late Model racer took the dangerous-but-well-paying job last year to earn money to buy a Super Late Model team, which he purchased over the winter from a competitor near Richmond, Va., after finding a great deal while scouring racing classifieds on the Internet.

West arranged his two-week vacation from work so he could compete in three races at Fayetteville, topped by Friday's WoO LMS events. He failed to qualify for the April 4 feature (he was hampered by a donated racing seat more suited for asphalt superspeedway racing) and finished 17th in the April 11 event.

West's 16-hour one-way return flight to Iraq (via Atlanta and Dubai) will begin on Saturday morning. He will work in the country's boiling summer heat until his contract is completed on Aug. 3, after which he'll return home in time to finish the racing season.

West's entire story was documented in a story by motorsports writer Thomas Pope that appeared in the April 14 edition of the Fayetteville Observer.

READY FOR THE BATTLE: Several well-known dirt Late Model standouts are planning to challenge the WoO LMS stars on Friday night, including Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C.; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Circle K Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga.; and Dennis ‘Rambo' Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., who won Fayetteville's season-opening Carolina Clash event on April 4.

A healthy contingent of local talent is also expected to enter the event, including Scott Autry of Autryville, N.C., who won last Saturday night's feature at FMS; defending track champion Jeff Smith of Gastonia, N.C., who has finishes of second and third this season at Fayetteville; and David Taylor of Fayetteville, N.C.

EVENT INFO: Pit gates are scheduled to open at 2 p.m. and spectator gates at 3 p.m. on Fri., April 17, with on-track action set to get underway at 6:30 p.m.

For more information visit www.fayettevillemotorspeedway.net or call 910-223-RACE.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News, Updates & More Now Available Through Twitter

CONCORD, NC - April 15, 2009 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series has joined Twitter Nation – and you're invited to jump on board.

News, updates and other information about the renowned national tour is now available through the WoO LMS's official feed on Twitter, the internet's fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website.

Fans can view the latest text posts and subscribe as “followers” of the WoO LMS at http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

“Followers” of the WoO LMS on Twitter can receive “tweets” via the Twitter website or as text messages through their cell phones. The service is free to use over the internet, but “followers” can be subject to standard text-message rates depending on their cell-phone service plans.

While the WoO LMS Twitter feed will provide basic updates, quick results and reminders of upcoming tour events, “followers” can also expect to receive periodic behind-the-scenes information from WoO LMS P.R. Director Kevin Kovac about drivers and life on the road with the Outlaws. In addition, star WoO LMS drivers might even send out some short thoughts about their racing efforts or travel adventures away from the track.

To enhance your connection with the WoO LMS for the 2009 season – and have access to tour information wherever you are – visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels today.

The WoO LMS will be in action this weekend on Friday night (April 17) at Fayetteville (N.C. ) Motor Speedway and Saturday night (April 18) at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va.

More information on the WoO LMS is available at www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

‘Battling' Civil War Reenactors Will Greet This Saturday Night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series Winner At Virginia Motor Speedway

JAMAICA, VA - April 13, 2009 - The ‘battle' will continue even after the checkered flag falls on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Rumble on the River V' this Saturday night (April 18) at Virginia Motor Speedway.

Providing fans an exciting added attraction themed on the rich history of the area surrounding the half-mile dirt track, costumed Civil War reenactors will greet the winner of Saturday night's 50-lap A-Main with a flurry of musket and pistol fire in Victory Lane.

Reenactors dressed in both Union and Confederate uniforms will assemble around the winning car on the speedway's homestretch, giving the evening's star dirt Late Model driver a unique – and loud – salute using their authentic Civil War-era firearms.

In addition, the command to start engines prior to the Rappahannock Tractor ‘Rumble on the River V' presented by Dixie Chopper will be punctuated by an ear-splitting Civil War cannon shot.

All the pre- and post-race action will also be captured by the television cameras of the SPEED cable network, which is taping the evening's racing action for later broadcast.

“We're always looking for new ways to entertain the fans and make a night at Virginia Motor Speedway a special experience,” said track owner Bill Sawyer, who is kicking off his facility's 40th season of action by hosting the nationally-renowned WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive year. “Drawing on the historical significance of our region with a Civil War-themed Victory Lane ceremony will certainly make Saturday night's ‘Rumble on the River V' more memorable for everyone in attendance.”

Virginia, of course, was at the center of America's Civil War from 1861-1865. The city of Richmond, which sits less than a hour's drive west of Virginia Motor Speedway, served as the capital of the Confederacy throughout the conflict, and the countryside slightly west of the track – stretching from Washington, D.C., through Richmond to Petersburg, Va. – and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains was the site of fierce fighting that took the lives of thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers.

The area immediately around Virginia Motor Speedway itself harbors many historic Civil War sites, including the nearby Rappahannock River for which Saturday's event gets its ‘Rumble' name. Waterways like the Rappahannock in Virginia's Tidewater Region played key strategic roles in the war.

A star-studded group of drivers is expected to compete for Saturday night's $10,000 top prize – not to mention a photo opportunity with the Civil War reenactors.

Leading the WoO LMS charge will be points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who at 21 is busting out as one of the country's biggest dirt Late Model stars, and defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who sits second in the current points standings.

Also headed for VMS (in order of current WoO LMS points ranking) are Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Rookie of the Year leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. Joining Bland on the WoO LMS rookie roster are Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who got his dirt-track start at VMS, Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.

Drivers with plans to challenge the WoO LMS travelers include Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., who won last year's ‘Rumble on the River' event; recent Circle K Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; three-time MACS tour champion Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa.; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C.; Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del.; and Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va.

Pit and spectator gates will open on Sat., April 18, at 4 p.m. There will be a BB&T ‘Meet and Greet' with the Outlaws drivers from 5-6 p.m., and on-track activities will commence at 6:30 p.m. with hot laps.

The WoO LMS will be accompanied on the program by VMS's Truckin' Thunder Sportsman and the Budweiser Modified divisions. The Sportsman and Modifieds will run hot-lap time trials and features only.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, $10 for students 13-17, $5 for children 7-12 and free for kids 6-and-under. Pit passes will be $30.

The Speedway also offers a ‘Family Pack' (two adults and two children 12-and-under) for only $60, and $5-off discount coupons on adult, senior and military tickets can be printed by visiting the track's website at www.vamotorspeedway.com.

For more information call the VMS office at 804-758-1VMS.

The WoO LMS visits VMS as part of a doubleheader weekend that begins on Fri., April 17, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie Brent Robinson Hopes Racing On Familiar Turf Gets Him Rolling

CONCORD, NC - April 10, 2009 - A weekend of racing on home turf has never looked so appealing to Brent Robinson.

After absorbing some hard knocks during his first six races this season as a World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year contender, the 21-year-old from Smithfield, Va., welcomes the tour's doubleheader in his backyard on Fri., April 17, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Sat., April 18, at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va.

“These two shows are going to be real big for us,” said Robinson, a personable young talent who campaigns family-owned Rocket cars sponsored by Steeltech Industrial Fabrication of Chesapeake, Va., and Terry Heating & Air Conditioning. “We've been traveling all over the country and every track we've run at I've seen for the first time, so I'm excited to finally get a chance to race close to home at two tracks I know.”

One of seven drivers signed up to chase the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Award (the honor is determined using drivers' 30 best finishes), Robinson currently ranks fourth in the rookie battle and 15th in the tour's overall points standings. He's entered all six of the national tour's events this season but has qualified for only one A-Main, finishing 22nd on March 13 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala.

Hitting the road extensively for the first time in his five-year dirt Late Model career has been quite a learning experience for Robinson. As if competing against the country's biggest dirt Late Model stars at unknown racetracks in Florida, Alabama, Texas and Illinois hasn't been difficult enough, he's also had to fight through some horrendous racing luck and balance his responsibilities as a student at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.

But the preternaturally positive Robinson takes all the obstacles in stride, recognizing that early struggles are necessary to realize a bright future.

“It's been very frustrating to drive long distances and not be able to run the feature,” said Robinson, whose longest trip from his home in Virginia's Tidewater region has been a 1,350-mile trek to Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, just outside Houston. “It's tough to keep everyone's morale up when we're not getting the results we want, but we just have to keep going. We've had ups and downs, but that's racing.

“We knew it was gonna be tough to do this,” he added. “We knew what we were getting into.”

Robinson's primary problem: starting off too many racing programs behind the eight-ball. In three of his last four WoO LMS appearances, he's been unable to get through hot laps and time trials cleanly, effectively handicapping himself to starting spots at the back of heat races on a circuit where drivers can't cede any advantages to their competition.

On March 13 at Deep South Speedway, Robinson suffered a flat tire during time trials and didn't get a qualification lap. The following week, at Battleground Speedway, a broken driveshaft as he headed on the track for qualifying left him with no time-trial lap again. And on April 3 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway, Robinson arrived late for the ‘Illini 100' qualifying night, so he got no practice and had to rush out for one time-trial lap without even having a chance to eyeball the quarter-mile oval.

“I'll be glad when school's over so I can concentrate a lot more on racing,” said Robinson, who has just a few more weeks of classes and exams before finishing his junior year as a civil engineering major at Old Dominion. “The biggest thing is, we'll be able to get to the tracks early instead of being behind from the start. That's really hurt us, especially (at Farmer City).”

Indeed, Robinson's class schedule has forced him to delay the departure of his team's hauler for races on all but one occasion this year (he was on Spring Break for the Alabama trip), but the Farmer City excursion was the most frustrating. Robinson's concrete-design class test at 4 p.m. on Thurs., April 2, meant his team finally headed for Illinois at 7 p.m., which wasn't that big of an issue until the rig was slowed by heavy rain and strong winds in the West Virginia mountains and rush-hour traffic in Louisville, Ky. – turning an expected 15-hour drive into a nearly 24-hour marathon.

Robinson won't have to worry about long-haul travel problems when the WoO LMS contests 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events at Fayetteville Motor Speedway and Virginia Motor Speedway, the two tracks he's run more than any others during his dirt-racing career. He made his first dirt starts at VMS as a 14-year-old Limited Late Model racer, and in recent years Fayetteville's bevy of dirt Late Model special events has made the four-tenths-mile oval his home-away-from home.

In fact, Robinson plans to visit Fayetteville this Saturday night (April 11) to tune up in the track's $2,000-to-win ‘Prelude to the Outlaws' event.

“Virginia Motor is only 45 minutes from home, but we've actually got more laps at Fayetteville (in a Super Late Model) than any other track even though it's three-and-a-half hours from our house,” said Robinson, who has four career Super Late Model victories but none at FMS or VMS. “A third in a (Carolina) Clash show in 2007 was our best finish at Fayetteville, and it's where we made our first World of Outlaws race (a 21st-place finish on Oct. 7, 2008).

“I've got pretty high expectations for both tracks. We're familiar with them, and we've got this new motor this year (built by Clements) that I'm anxious to see what we can do with at tracks we've been to before.

“With the (WoO LMS) rookie deal taking your best 30 races, having some good finishes (at FMS and VMS) would really be great for our chances.”

The April 18 ‘Rumble on the River' event at the half-mile Virginia Motor Speedway will be especially exciting for Robinson, who will have plenty of support from family and friends watching in the grandstands.

“We have a ton of people we know coming to Virginia Motor,” said Robinson. “I'll probably have about 20 of my friends from high school and college coming to see me race. Everybody seems to have said, ‘We'll be at that one.'”

For more information on the April 17-18 WoO LMS weekend at Fayetteville Motor Speedway and Virginia Motor Speedway, visit www.fayettevillemotorspeedway.net and www.vamotorspeedway.com.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The ‘Illini 100' At Farmer City Raceway

FARMER CITY, IL - April 6, 2009 -

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Yes, Shane Clanton was thrilled to add another big-money victory to his rapidly expanding resume after capturing Saturday night's second annual ‘Illini 100' at Farmer City Raceway.

Surprisingly, however, that wasn't the part of his triumph that he was most excited about.

“It's more relieving to win on black dirt,” said Locust Grove, Ga.'s Clanton, noting the distinctive clay surface on the quarter-mile Midwestern oval. “I've struggled so much on this black dirt in my career, so finally winning a big race on this stuff is a pretty big deal for me.

“Normally I get so loose and over-work the tires on this kind of surface, but this weekend we changed some stuff on the car and I just bided my time tonight so I wouldn't use up the tires. I knew I had a good car, so I just said, ‘You just gotta be patient and if (leader Brian Birkhofer) makes a mistake, take advantage of it.'

“For the last 25 laps I ran as hard as I could,” added Clanton, who registered his first World of Outlaws Late Model Series win of 2009. “Then once I got the lead, I said, ‘Now just be conservative.'”

SO CLOSE: Settling for a second-place finish after leading the first 93 laps of the Illini 100 certainly didn't sit well with Brian Birkhofer, but he was graceful in defeat.

After all, pocketing a $10,100 runner-up payoff was better than Birky's fate in last year's inaugural Illini 100. He finished 20th after he spun out of the lead on lap 50 with mechanical trouble that resulted from his car catching a rut.

“I do this for a living,” said Muscatine, Iowa's Birkhofer. “I own everything on my own, so it's a lot better to get a good paycheck like this at the end of the night. My race car might need a little bodywork and maintenance, but other than that it's ready to go for the next race.

“I hate to lead so many laps and lose, but I gotta give Shane credit. He was up on the wheel in abundance trying to get through three and four and he passed me. I've just never been able to back my car on the slick (surface) into a curb (cushion) like that.

“It was fun racing with Shane – and I'll get him back somewhere else,” he added with a smile.

COMING OF AGE: Josh Richards registered a third-place finish that just might have demonstrated he's ready to become a WoO LMS champion.

While the 21-year-old from Shinnston, W.Va., slipped by Clanton for second and challenged Birkhofer briefly on a lap-37 restart, he lost the runner-up spot to Clanton after another caution period six circuits later and then settled into third for the remainder of the distance. He spoke afterward like a maturing driver looking at the big picture.

“I knew at that point (following the lap-43 restart) there was no way I could get back by them because they were both really good,” said Richards, who thought his hopes were hampered by a right-front tire choice that was a bit too hard. “So I was just trying to hold on to what I had for the rest of the race. There was a point (late in the race) where I maybe could've pushed the issue and tried to get up there, but I was in third and didn't want to do anything crazy to jeopardize what I had so I just points-raced the rest of the way.”

Richards ended up extending his WoO LMS points lead to 16 points over defending champion Darrell Lanigan, who finished a quiet seventh, with the smart run.

With the WoO LMS off this weekend, Richards will shift surfaces and try his hand in a NASCAR Camping World East Series event on Sat., April 11, at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C. He will attempt to qualify for the NASCAR Home Tracks 150 driving a No. 52 Chevrolet from the Ken Schrader Racing stable.

FALLING SHORT: Steve Francis's Dale Beitler-owned car just kept shaking and shaking, and finally, with less than 10 laps remaining in the Illini 100, it succumbed to the abuse.

With his No. 19 laying down on its rear suspension due to a broken left-rear tracking rod, Francis limped around the track at reduced speed for the final circuits. He fell from what appeared to be a fifth-place finish to 15th in the final rundown, one lap down (and about to lose a second lap) at the checkered flag.

“The right-rear axle tube broke around lap 20 and I was running with no brakes after that,” said Francis. “Because I didn't have brakes I kept hitting the cushion to slow the car down, and that filled the right-rear wheel with mud. That caused a vibration – I mean, for 60-some laps the thing was vibrating so bad I couldn't even see the straightaway, and that just caused other things to break.”

It was a disappointing fate for Francis, who called his three-race-old Rocket car “really good” and thought he could've been in the mix at the front of the pack.

FAMILY DAY: The Illini 100 weekend provided Dale Beitler an opportunity to spend time with his daughter, Candi, and his future son-in-law Brian Shirley, the Chatham, Ill., driver who is engaged to Candi.

Candi Beitler rode out to the Midwest with her father, who reported that his daughter is scheduled to graduate on May 16 from Frostburg (Md.) State University.

NOT PLEASED: One year after nearly pulling off a dramatic last-to-first charge to victory in the Illini 100, Shannon Babb was only able to advance two positions from his seventh starting spot.

The Farmer City favorite from nearby Moweaqua, Ill., wasn't happy about settling for a quiet fifth-place finish.

“It's a major disappointment,” said Babb. “You just couldn't run all over the place like last year. The top was just too dominant.”

Babb isn't committed to following the entire WoO LMS in 2009, but he indicated that he'll probably maintain his perfect attendance on this year's tour (he's currently fifth in the points standings) by entering the next WoO LMS shows on April 17 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and April 18 at Virginia Motor Speedway.

TOUGH LUCK: Chub Frank could only think of what might-have-been after finishing ninth in the Illini 100.

“Tonight could've been a different story if we don't get that flat (right-rear tire) leading the heat (on Friday night),” said Frank, who had to rally just to grab the third and final transfer spot in the heat race. “I don't know if we could've won the race, but if we would've been in the draw (for the six heat winners) I'm pretty confident that I could've stayed up in the top five.”

As it was, Frank had to battle forward from the 18th starting spot in the 100-lapper. He picked up most of his positions on the event's two mid-race restarts.

WRONG DIRECTION: WoO LMS stalwart Rick Eckert won Friday's sixth heat after Frank slowed with a flat and started fifth in the Illini 100, but he lost several spots early in the A-Main and never recovered, finishing 10th in the Raye Vest Racing Bloomquist car.

Eckert changed the motor in his machine on Saturday afternoon after discovering a broken valve spring in his primary powerplant during morning maintenance.

TWIRLING AROUND: The wildest moment of the otherwise incident-free Illini 100 came on lap 43 when WoO LMS traveler Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., spun in turn four while attempting to control his car with a left-front flat tire.

Smith, whose machine was narrowly avoided by passing cars as it spun, developed the flat tire after banging together with Bloomington, Ill.'s Jason Feger off turn four on lap 42. The two drivers had been battling for eighth place.

While Smith returned to the event after a pit stop but ultimately finished one lap down in 14th place, Feger gave his legion of hometown fans something to cheer about with a solid eighth-place finish.

“We'll take it,” said Feger, who drew one of the loudest cheers of the night from the standing-room-only crowd. “We didn't go backwards, and that's a good thing against this kind of competition.”

BETTER RESULT: What a difference a year made for Richie Hedrick, the hard-charger from Urbana, Ill., who won a heat race and registered a career-best WoO LMS finish of sixth in the Illini 100 despite running much of the A-Main distance with right-rear body damage on his Pierce mount.

Hedrick experienced a nightmarish qualifying night during last year's inaugural weekend. He flipped his primary car in hot laps, then brought out his backup and nearly rolled again in a heat-race crash that left him with a hand injury.

ROUGH WEEKEND: Vic Coffey couldn't catch a break at Farmer City.

After sustaining body damage in a heat-race spin on Friday night that left him mired with a starting spot deep in Saturday's B-Main, the 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year appeared on his way to transferring through the second 12-lap last-chance race until disaster struck on lap six. As Coffey made a bid for third place, 16-year-old Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., who was running second, had his car's air cleaner and driveshaft fly onto the track almost simultaneously, causing Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., to check up and reflexively turn to the left to avoid the flying debris. Unfortunately, Coffey was inside Unzicker, sending Coffey spinning into turn one, where he was struck by at least two cars, including Brian Shirley.

Coffey's Sweeteners Plus crew managed to patch up his car, which surprisingly sustained only bodywork damage, and he gained a berth in the Illini 100 by utilizing one of the two ‘emergency' provisional starting spots available in 2009 to each of the drivers who committed to running the WoO LMS at the start of the season. He finished one lap down in 16th.

LONG TRIP: Twenty-one-year-old rookie contender Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., arrived late on Friday night, missing hot laps and taking one qualifying lap at the end of time trials after a marathon 900-mile haul to the track.

Robinson had to delay his team's departure for Farmer City until 7 p.m. on Thursday, after he finished a concrete design exam at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., where he is a junior majoring in civil engineering. His trip west was slowed by heavy storms in the West Virginia mountains and traffic in Louisville, Ky. – and as a result, he had to hurriedly unload his No. 3 and head onto the high-banked bullring for time trials without ever having seen the track.

Though Robinson made a gallant bid for a transfer spot in a Saturday B-Main after being involved in an early tangle, the young talent failed to qualify.

ETCETERA: Jordan Bland, 21, of Campbellsville, Ky., submitted his application for WoO LMS Rookie of the Year status during the weekend and was approved as a candidate for the award. He finished 16th in the Illini 100 and earned the $250 Rookie of the Race bonus... Some observers still might not believe it considering his status as a top contender whenever he runs a WoO LMS event, but Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., has never won an A-Main on the national tour. As a result, Mars, who has a second-place finish to his credit in each of the past two WoO LMS campaigns, parlayed a fourth-place run in the Illini 100 into the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings... Tim Fuller was certainly glad that Kris (‘Big Sexy') Underwood is the WoO LMS official whom drivers report to in turn four for bodywork issues. The right-rear corner of Fuller's car was pushed up in a heat-race tangle, but the brawny Underwood was able to squash the bodywork back into place and Fuller went on to gain a transfer spot in the prelim... It appeared that Brian Birkhofer had run into trouble when he stopped on the homestretch during a lap-43 caution period and removed his helmet, but there were no mechanical issues with his car. His RACEceiver earpiece had fallen out, prompting him to pull over and put it back in so he could hear directions from WoO LMS race director Bret Emrick... Franklin, Pa.'s Matt Lux turned in a strong run in his first career start at Farmer City, finishing one lap down in 13th after running on the lead lap until late in the distance... Clint Smith was the last driver on the lead lap at the finish of the Illini 100, placing 12th... WoO LMS rookie Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, was joined at the track for the first time since February by his father Rex King Sr., who was coming off his first big-block Modified win of the season the previous week in Mercer, Pa.... Fourteen-year-old WoO LMS rookie Tyler Reddick fell short of qualifying for the Illini 100, but the weekend gave him a chance to race at a track less than four hours north of his adopted home of Du Quoin, Ill. A native of Corning, Calif., Reddick's family has a residence and race shop in Du Quoin to put them in the middle of the Midwest's dirt-track action and Reddick attends a private school there...

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Clanton Overtakes Birkhofer In Final Laps For Dramatic ‘Illini 100' Victory At Farmer City Raceway

FARMER CITY, IL - April 4, 2009 - Shane Clanton kept trying and trying to overtake Brian Birkhofer for the lead in Saturday night's second annual ‘Illini 100' at Farmer City Raceway.

Finally, on lap 94, Clanton's persistence paid off – to the tune of a $20,600 paycheck for winning the blockbuster World of Outlaws Late Model Series event in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

In an incident-free race that ran caution-free from lap 43 to the finish, Clanton pressured Birkhofer relentlessly until sliding underneath the race-long pacesetter through turns three and four to assume command with six circuits remaining.

“I said, ‘If I ever get to his quarter-panel and I can turn left and be by him through (turns) three and four, I got him,'” described Clanton, who registered his first WoO LMS victory of the 2009 season. “He finally made a bobble off turn two and pushed, and I turned under and went by him.”

Clanton, 33, of Locust Grove, Ga., made the right moves in lapped traffic over the final circuits to steer his Custom-powered RSD Enterprises Rocket across the finish line less than a car length ahead of Muscatine, Iowa's Birkhofer, who drove an MB Custom machine.

WoO LMS points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., finished third in the Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket, about a half-straightaway behind the leaders. He started fourth and climbed as high as second on a lap-37 restart.

Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., placed fourth in the Deppe Enterprises MB Custom mount, earning the $500 WoO LMS Bonus Bucks cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn't won a tour event and isn't ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Farmer City favorite Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., completed the top five in the Sheltra Motorsports Rocket. He grabbed the spot with less than 10 laps remaining when Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., fell off the pace with suspension problems.

Clanton started from the pole position, but he was outgunned for the lead at the initial green flag by front-row mate Birkhofer. The Peach State star lost second momentarily to Richards on a lap-37 restart before regaining the position from the 21-year-old following the race's second and final caution flag six laps later.

While Clanton stepped up his attack on Birkhofer at the event's three-quarter mark, he thought his hopes might have been dashed when Birkhofer burst past three slower cars racing down the backstretch on lap 85. Clearing the lapped machines gave Birkhofer a sudden half-straightaway edge on Clanton.

“I thought, ‘I gotta go now if I'm gonna have any chance,' so I just ran as hard as I could to try to run him down,” said Clanton. “I didn't know if I'd be able to catch him, but in five laps I was right back on him so I knew I had a fast car. I just didn't know if he was just riding in the lead, not taking a chance.”

Birkhofer, 37, never considered himself home-free after his slick move in lapped traffic.

“I knew Clanton or Josh (Richards) was sitting there behind me,” said Birkhofer, who led laps 10-50 of last year's Illini 100 before dropping out with mechanical trouble after catching a rut in turn four. “I kept telling myself, ‘I can't make any mistakes.'

“Well, I got bottled up there trying to get by a lapped guy (on lap 94). I figured I was gonna be a sitting duck, and then, all of a sudden, there (Clanton) was.”

Birkhofer tipped his hat to Clanton for pulling off an inside pass for the lead on the high-banked, quarter-mile oval, which developed a preferred line around the cushion at the top of the track.

“He just drove ‘er hard when he needed to,” Birkhofer said of Clanton. “He drove in there and backed into the cushion. He passed me and won the race, so congratulations to him.

“I'm gonna take second place (worth $10,050) and go home.”

Clanton was a very excited winner when he reached Victory Lane. And with good reason – the triumph was his first top-five finish in six WoO LMS A-Mains this season, and it added another major-event score to his expanding resume that includes a 2008 World 100 win at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

“Anytime you can win a race it's good for your career,” said Clanton, who recorded his 11th career WoO LMS victory. “I just want to keep winning as many races as I can. I know that if we can get on a roll like we did (late) last year, it's gonna be tough to beat me this year.”

The race's only caution flags came on lap 37 for Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., who stopped on the inside of turn two, and on lap 43 for Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who spun in turn four with a left-front flat tire that resulted from contact the previous lap with Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Richie Hedrick of Urbana, Ill., who registered a career-best run in WoO LMS competition; defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Feger, who advanced from the 14th starting spot; 18th-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who slipped backward from the fifth starting spot.

The evening's action began with two B-Mains won by Eric Smith of Bloomingon, Ill., and Erb.

Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., captured the ‘Farmer City 30' for non-qualifiers, leading from flag-to-flag to pocket the $1,000 top prize.

The WoO LMS will have a short break before action resumes with a Southern doubleheader on April 17 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and April 18 at Virginia Motor Speedway.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Illini 100' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Shane Clanton/100 $20,600
2. (2) Brian Birkhofer/100 $10,050
3. (4) Josh Richards/100 $6,500
4. (3) Jimmy Mars/100 $5,500
5. (7) Shannon Babb/100 $4,550
6. (6) Richie Hedrick/100 $3,000
7. (10) Darrell Lanigan/100 $3,350
8. (14) Jason Feger/100 $2,500
9. (18) Chub Frank/100 $2,800
10. (5) Rick Eckert/100 $2,700
11. (17) Tim Fuller/100 $2,400
12. (13) Clint Smith/100 $2,300
13. (11) Matt Lux/99 $1,700
14. (12) Brady Smith/99 $2,150
15. (8) Steve Francis/99 $2,200
16. (25) Vic Coffey/97 $80
17. (9) Joe Harlan/96 $1,560
18. (19) Eric Smith/96 $1,540
19. (23) Jordan Bland/96 $2,270
20. (24) Russell King/96 $1,750
21. (20) Dennis Erb Jr./65 $1,500
22. (16) Will Vaught/36 $1,500
23. (15) Zach Johnson/17 $1,500
24. (21) Scott Bull/12 $1,500
25. (22) Ryan Unzicker/10 $1,500

* Earnings include WoO LMS Winner's Circle program bonuses and cash contingency awards

Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 37, 43)
Lap Leaders: Birkhofer (1-93); Clanton (94-100)
Provisional Starters: Bland, King, Coffey
Rookie of the Race: Jordan Bland ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks' Winner: Jimmy Mars ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Mark Lloyd (Clanton)

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Eric Smith, 2. Scott Bull, 3. Daren Friedman, 4. Jimmy Dehm, 5. Brent Robinson, 6. Jordan Bland, 7. Chas Shellenberger, 8. Derek Chandler, 9. Gary Cook Jr., 10. Steve Sheppard Jr., 11. Jill George, 12. Adam Mefford, 13. Jeremy Conaway, 14. Kerry Mathew

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): 1. Dennis Erb Jr., 2. Ryan Unzicker, 3. Kevin Weaver, 4. Donny Walden, 5. Ted Loomis, 6. Russell King, 7. Eric Vaughan, 8. Dustin Hapka, 9. Mike Mataragas, 10. Roben Huffman, 11. Brandon Sheppard, 12. Vic Coffey, 13. Tyler Reddick, 14. Brian Shirley

Drivers Not Starting B-Mains (did not return on Saturday): Paul Zehr, Rich Bell, Russ Adams, Cory Daugherty, Jon Rogers

Non-Qualifiers Race Finish (30 laps): 1. Kevin Weaver($1,000); 2. Daren Friedman ($700); 3. Ted Loomis ($500); 4. Derek Chandler ($400); 5. Mike Mataragas ($325); 6. Donny Walden ($275); 7. Jimmy Dehm ($250); 8. Tyler Reddick ($225); 9. Jeremy Conaway ($200); 10. Chas Shellenberger ($175); 11. Jill George ($150); 12. Eric Vaughan ($150); 13. Roben Huffman ($150); 14. Steve Sheppard Jr. ($150); 15. Kerry Mathew ($150); 16. Gary Cook Jr. ($150); 17. Brent Robinson ($150); DNS - Adam Mefford, Brian Shirley, Brandon Sheppard, Dustin Hapka

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Brent Robinson, Ted Loomis
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brian Birkhofer
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Rick Eckert
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Jimmy Mars
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Eric Smith, Dennis Erb Jr.
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Brian Birkhofer
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Steve Francis
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product): Brian Birkhofer
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Outside Looking In' Award (free 54-gallon drum of VP-113 or Late Model Plus racing fuel to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Jimmy Dehm
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Shane Clanton

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of April 4 - 6 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 1-5-6 -$36,050-787 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-3-6-$42,700-771 (-16)
3. Shane Clanton 1-1-5-$31,010-769 (-18)
4. Steve Francis 2-4-4-$32,300-741 (-46)
5. Shannon Babb 1-3-4-$32,380-735 (-52)
6. (tie) Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$11,240-719 (-68)
6. (tie) Chub Frank 0-1-4-$13,650-719 (-68)
8. Rick Eckert 0-1-3-$12,895-717 (-70)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$13,225-690 (-97)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-2-$10,270-685 (-102)
11. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$5,860-608 (-179)
12. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$5,330-578 (-209)
13. Russell King 0-0-0-$6,570-575 (-212)
14. Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$3,760-540 (-247)
15. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$1,330-481 (-306)
16. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$2,005-477 (-310)
17. Chas Shellenberger 0-0-0-$925-450 (-337)
18. (tie) Dan Schlieper 0-1-1-$5,670-445 (-342)
18. (tie) Scott Bloomquist 0-0-2-$7,130-445 (-342)
20. (tie) Billy Moyer 0-1-2-$8,000-434 (-353)
20. (tie) Brian Birkhofer 0-3-3-$18,100-434 (-353)

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Richards's Heat-Race Victory Over Babb Among Highlights Of Illini 100 Qualifying Night At Farmer City Raceway

FARMER CITY, IL - April 3, 2009 - Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., did what few drivers are able to do at Farmer City Raceway on Friday night – outrun Moweaqua, Ill.'s Shannon Babb.

But while Richards beat the master of the quarter-mile oval to capture a heat race for Saturday night's second annual World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Illini 100,' the 21-year-old knows he has a tough road ahead of him in the weekend's $20,000-to-win finale.

“Shannon is always fast here and he'll be the guy to beat (on Saturday night),” said Richards, who leads the WoO LMS points standings entering the season's sixth event. “I just was able to get ahead of him at the start of the heat because the top (groove) was the preferred line and that's where I started (alongside Babb on the front row).”

Richards was certainly pleased with the performance of his Rocket Chassis house car, giving him high hopes that he can pull off the richest victory of his career at a bullring he loves to visit.

“My car felt like it was pretty good,” said Richards, who has a top-five finish in four of the five WoO LMS A-Mains contested to date. “We wanted to come here and have a solid qualifying night and we did that, and now we'll concentrate on (the Illini 100) and hopefully we'll have everything go our way.

“I'm excited,” he continued. “This place is fun to race. It's usually fast early in the night and by feature time you can really move all over. I think that's what it'll be like (on Saturday night), so we'll have to be fast to stay up front.”

Babb, who registered the fastest lap of the 51 drivers taking time-trial circuits on Friday night (12.179 seconds), settled for second place in the first 10-lap heat. He'll start seventh in the Illini 100, behind the six Friday-night heat winners who will redraw for positions 1-6 in the feature event.

Other heat winners were Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Richie Hedrick of Urbana, Ill., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa.

Eckert's triumph in the final heat came after his fellow WoO LMS regular, Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., relinquished the lead on lap five due to a flat right-rear tire. Frank made a crowd-pleasing charge after pitting for a new tire, grabbing the third and final transfer spot by overtaking Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., and Donny Walden of Towanda, Ill., on the last lap.

The evening's most serious accident occurred during hot laps when Jon Rogers of German Valley, Ill., flipped his car between turns one and two. He escaped the ordeal without injury, but his badly damaged machine was sidelined for the weekend.

A huge crowd is expected to pack the fairgrounds track for Saturday night's Illini 100. The program, which kicks off at 6 p.m., includes two B-Mains, a 25-lap Non-Qualifiers' Race and the Illini 100 plus a $750-to-win show for the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds.

Ticket information is available at www.farmercityraceway.net or by calling the speedway at 217-828-0078.

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

1. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 12.179
2. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 12.231
3. 28-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 12.305
4. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 12.328
5. 0-Richie Hedrick/Urbana, IL 12.347
6. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 12.408
7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 12.434
8. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 12.471
9. 9-Eric Smith/Bloomington, IL 12.523
10. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 12.537
11. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 12.543
12 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.552
13. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 12.554
14. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 12.584
15. 35-Derek Chandler/Pontiac, IL 12.601
16. 1v-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 12.672
17. 5s-Steve Sheppard Jr./New Berlin, IL 12.698
18. 24U-Ryan Unzicker/El Paso, IL 12.721
19. 99J-Jimmy Dehm/Lexington, IL 12.732
20. 25-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 12.752
21. Z-Joe Harlan/El Paso, IL 12.765
22. 28-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 12.783
23. 21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 12.800
24. 2b-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 12.836
25. 89-Daren Friedman/Forrest, IL 12.862
26. b12-Kevin Weaver/Gibson City, IL 12.889
27. 83-Scott Bull/Fairbury, IL 12.903
28. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 12.940
29. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 12.964
30. 1W-Donny Walden/Towanda, IL 13.040
31. 14-Kerry Mathew/Rensselaer, IN 13.053
32. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 13.089
33. 73-Zach Johnson/Kensington, MN 13.095
34. 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 13.103
35. F15-Jeremy Conaway/Springfield, IL 13.294
36. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 13.302
37. 3R-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 13.308
38. 96-Cory Daugherty/Blue Mound, IL 13.352
39. 36-Eric Vaughan/Fairbury, IL 13.356
40. 21B-Rich Bell/Sheffield, IL 13.409
41. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 13.425
42. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 13.656
43. 1M-Mike Mataragas/Dekalb, IL 13.756
44. 7M-Adam Mefford/Jacksonville, IL 13.767
45. 64-Gary Cook Jr./Deer Creek, IL 13.806
46. 56s-Chas Shellenberger/Winfield, PA 13.940
47. 74-Russ Adams/Princeville, IL 14.009
48. 33H-Roben Huffman/Clinton, IL 14.193
49. z45-Paul Zehr/Fisher, IL 14.626
50. 23L-Ted Loomis/Kingston, IL N/T
51. 61-Jon Rogers/German Valley, IL N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, Babb, C. Smith, Dehm, Mathew, Friedman, Robinson, Mataragas, Zehr

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Birkhofer, Francis, Feger, B. Sheppard, King, Weaver, Loomis, Mefford, Daugherty

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Mars, Harlan, Z. Johnson, E. Smith, Bull, Chandler, Cook, Vaughan (DNS) Rogers

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Lanigan, Vaught, Erb, Shirley, Reddick, Bell, Shellenberger

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hedrick, Lux, Fuller, Bland, Conaway, S. Sheppard, Coffey, Adams

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Eckert, B. Smith, Frank, Unzicker, Walden, Hapka, George, Huffman

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Bloomington, Ill.'s Jason Feger Looking To Spin Some Hometrack Magic In 'Illini 100' At Farmer City Raceway

By Kevin Kovac, WoO LMS P.R. Director

Farmer City, IL - April 2, 2009 - What would a victory in this weekend's second annual ‘Illini 100' at Farmer City Raceway mean to rising central Illinois star Jason Feger?

Well, the first thing that popped into the Bloomington, Ill., driver's mind when asked that question was purely financial. The blockbuster World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, after all, pays $20,000 to win from a total purse of $100,000.

“It means I'd be able to buy a new motor,” quipped Feger, who has carved out a growing regional reputation campaigning family-owned dirt Late Model equipment without big-money backing.

Dig a little deeper with the personable Feger, however, and out bursts the true significance of a triumph in his homestate's biggest dirt Late Model event, which kicks off with time trials and qualifying heats on Friday night (April 3) and concludes with B-Mains, a Non-Qualifiers' Race and the Illini 100 on Saturday night (April 4).

“It would be just crazy to win it,” said Feger, shaking his head at the possibility. “There's gonna be so many great cars and drivers there, and I'm going to have a lot of family and friends there watching. Feger shirts should be everywhere, so winning the biggest race of my career in front of everybody I know would be an unbelievable feeling.”

An outgoing 30-year-old known for his cool race car graphics (his schemes feature tumbling dice), cutting-edge hip-ness (Feger and his younger brother Austin wore colorful Mohawk hairdos to UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals events last year) and hard-charging driving style (he's called the ‘Highside Hustler'), Feger would be the center of a huge post-race celebration if he could pull off a win.

“There probably wouldn't be enough beer in Farmer City for the party we'd have,” Feger said with a laugh. “I think we might just stay in the pits for a few days.”

Feger's familiarity with the quarter-mile Farmer City oval is certainly his ace in the hole, but it's not the only reason plenty of observers are looking at him as a serious contender for glory in the Illini 100. He enters the weekend riding plenty of momentum, thanks to the strong finish he had to his career year in 2008 and an impressive $7,500 victory last month in a UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned event at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City, Ky.

The 2008 season ended with Feger's ledger showing 13 feature wins at seven different tracks, including two victories at Farmer City. He finished third in the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national points standings, placed second in the Northern Allstars Late Model Series points race and registered a WoO LMS career-high finish of fourth in September at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. – a body of work that made him an easy choice for the 2008 UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model Most Improved Driver Award.

“Things started clicking real good last year,” said Feger, who launched his dirt Late Model career in 2001 after spending four years in the Sportsman division. “I've changed chassis brands quite a few times in the past few years, but last year we really got settled into Pierce cars and found a nice baseline setup that's worked for us.”

Feger knows that he'll have to be on top of his game this weekend if he expects to turn back a cross-section of the country's best dirt Late Model drivers.

“I always feel like I have something to prove being a low-budget guy,” said Feger, who works at his family's Absolute Apparel business but hopes to someday go racing fulltime and chase the WoO LMS. “I know I can run with (the sport's national stars), but I have to have the same focus as those guys. These (WoO LMS) guys run every lap like it's their last – they're always searching for new lines around the track and changing how they drive if their car starts to not feel right.

“And all these guys know how to be patient in a 100-lap race. That's one of the things I'm still learning.”

Last year Feger didn't even get a chance to strut his stuff in the inaugural Illini 100. He failed to qualify after a flat tire knocked him out of a transfer spot in his heat and he came up two positions short in a B-Main, though he did win the 25-lap Non-Qualifiers' Race that followed last year's Illini 100.

“It was really depressing to miss last year's (Illini 100),” said Feger. “We were running right behind (2007 WoO LMS champion Steve) Francis when we got the flat in the heat, and Francis went out and finished third in the feature. And our lap times in the Non-Qualifiers' Race were about the same as (Billy) Moyer and (Shannon) Babb (the winner and runner-up, respectively, in the dramatic race).

“I know our car was fast enough last year, but whether I could've done it for 100 laps, I don't know. Hopefully this year we'll be there at the end.”

The Illini 100 weekend kicks off with an open practice from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thurs., April 2. Grandstand admission will be free, with pit passes $20 for adults, $10 for children 4-10 and free for kids 3-and-under.

On Friday night, April 3, time trials and heat races will be contested for the Illini 100 along with a regular show for Farmer City's UMP DIRTcar Modified, Pro Late Models and Street Stocks. The finale on Saturday night, April 4, will include a $750-to-win UMP DIRTcar Modified A-Main plus the Illini 100 B-Mains, a 25-lap Non-Qualifiers' Race offering Farmer City's regular weekly UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model purse ($1,000 to win/$150 to start) and the 100-lap headliner.

Ticket prices for adults are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children's tickets priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day adult tickets cost $40, while pit passes are $30 on Friday and $35 on Saturday or $60 for a two-day combo.

Reserved seat tickets can be purchased through Thurs., April 2, by calling TruSpeed Inc. at 217-828-0078. The tickets will be held for pickup at the racetrack will-call window.

All tickets bought on Friday and/or Saturday will be general admission seating, which includes a new 1,000-seat grandstand that has been erected on the track's backstretch off turn two to accommodate more fans.

Gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

More information on Farmer City Raceway is available at www.farmercityraceway.net.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

After Last Year’s Charge From Rear Fell Short, Babb Hopes To Thrill Hometown Fans With ‘Illini 100’ Victory At Farmer City Raceway

www.worldofoutlaws.com

Record Crowd Expected This Weekend For Quarter-Mile Oval’s Second Annual $20,000-To-Win Spectacular

FARMER CITY, IL – Shannon Babb fell mere feet short of scoring a storybook victory in last year’s inaugural ‘Illini 100’ at Farmer City Raceway.

This weekend the favorite son of Moweaqua, Ill., will attempt to close the deal for his hometown fans in the second annual running of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series mega-event.

Time trials and qualifying heats are scheduled for Friday night (April 3), with B-Mains, a non-qualifiers’ race and the $20,000-to-win Illini 100 headlining the action on Saturday night (April 4).

“We’re excited to go back and give it another shot,” said the 35-year-old Babb, a nationally-known dirt Late Model star who got his start in the sport racing at the venerable Farmer City fairgrounds track. “We were close (to winning the Illini 100) last year but couldn’t get it done, so hopefully this time we’ll get that win. There’s going to be a lot of people I know there and it would be fun to put a show on for them.”

Babb certainly authored a thrilling display of driving for his partisan faithful in the 2008 Illini 100, which drew a record crowd to Farmer City Raceway. He started last in the race’s 24-car field and charged forward to grab the lead just after the halfway mark, only to lose a dramatic final-lap battle with dirt Late Model legend Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.

Scheduled to start 19th in last year’s Illini 100 after winning a B-Main, Babb decided to relinquish the spot and take the green flag from the final position in order to make a last-minute tire change. WoO LMS rules state that a driver must start last if a tire change is made after the car is presented on the starting lineup.

Babb thought the gamble was necessary to give him a shot at the big money.

“Standing there from the outside looking in (prior to driver introductions), it didn’t look like (the track surface) had that much moisture in it,” said Babb, recalling his decision one year later. “But when we pulled up on the racetrack and got in line you could see (the moisture) was gonna be there for awhile, so we said, ‘Let’s put on two softer tires (left-rear and right-front) and go for it.’”

Babb, who drove a car owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Clint Bowyer in last year’s Illini 100, made a memorable charge through the pack, finally passing 2007 WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for the lead on lap 55. Babb momentarily lost the top spot to Francis (lap 79) and Moyer (lap 85), but after regaining command from Moyer on the 86th circuit he appeared on his way to becoming just the second driver since 2004 to win a WoO LMS A-Main from the last starting spot.

Alas, Moyer found a way to slip underneath Babb for the lead coming down to the white flag and held on over a tense final circuit to beat his protégé by less than a half car length.

Babb accepted the defeat with class. While it had to be a trying moment for an Illinois driver to come so close to winning the biggest dirt Late Model event ever contested in the state, he stood in Victory Lane afterward smiling and laughing as he rehashed the race with Moyer.

“It was a little disappointing to come that close, but it was a fun run,” said Babb, who won a 50-lap WoO LMS A-Main at Farmer City in 2007. “It was one of them all-out racing deals – if you would’ve zigged or zagged at the right time, you might’ve come out the winner."

“Sure, I would’ve liked to win it, but I don’t ever like to run bad. I always want a good finish, and we got one that night. It doesn’t kill me to come that close because I respect all these guys I race with. There are a lot of dang good people out here working just as hard as I am, so if you run second, you’ve had a good day.”

Babb returns to Farmer City this weekend as a decided favorite, but with some caveats. After spending the 2008 season as the hired gun of Bowyer’s Welcome, N.C.-based team, he’s back running his own racing operation out of his central Illinois shop with help from Sheltra Motorsports, Petroff Towing and Donley Trucking. In addition, he’s now running Rocket Chassis cars fulltime and thus will make his first-ever start at Farmer City in one of the well-known machines.

“The only question I have (about the weekend) is that we’ve never been around (Farmer City) in a Rocket Chassis before,” said Babb. “There’s still a few things about running the Rocket there that I’ve got to figure out what to do and when to do it. These cars are running real strong for me everywhere we go, though, so I don’t have any doubts.”

And of course, Babb has already proven that his new team can get the job done. He pocketed $20,100 on March 21 for winning the inaugural WoO LMS ‘Lone Star 100’ at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas – an emotional victory that prompted him to celebrate by climbing on the back of a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn that was brought in to create a Texas-themed Victory Lane ceremony.

“Battleground basically had the same style of dirt and the same style of racing that Farmer City has,” analyzed Babb. “Winning there gives us confidence for Farmer City.”

Babb will have to outduel an expected field of 50-plus dirt Late Model talents, including defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and current points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. Other WoO LMS standouts headed for Farmer City include Francis, 2008 World 100 winner Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.

Also expected for the Illini 100 are Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, who was leading last year’s event when he dropped out with mechanical trouble after hitting a hole on the track; Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis.; and Illinois stars Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Jason Feger of Bloomington, Eric Smith of Bloomington, Brian Shirley of Chatham, Matt Taylor of Springfield, Scott Bull of Fairbury and Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin.

The weekend kicks off with an open practice from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thurs., April 2. Grandstand admission will be free, with pit passes $20 for adults, $10 for children 4-10 and free for kids 3-and-under.

On Friday night, April 3, time trials and heat races will be contested for the Illini 100 along with a regular show for Farmer City’s UMP DIRTcar Modified, Pro Late Models and Street Stocks. The finale on Saturday night, April 4, will include a $750-to-win Ump DIRTcar Modified A-Main plus the Illini 100 B-Mains, a 25-lap Non-Qualifiers’ Race offering Farmer City’s regular weekly UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model purse ($1,000 to win/$150 to start) and the 100-lap headliner.

Ticket prices for adults are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day adult tickets cost $40, while pit passes are $30 on Friday and $35 on Saturday or $60 for a two-day combo.

Reserved seat tickets can be purchased through Thurs., April 2, by calling TruSpeed Inc. at 217-828-0078. The tickets will be held for pickup at the racetrack will-call window.

All tickets bought on Friday and/or Saturday will be general admission seating, which includes a new 1,000-seat grandstand that has been erected on the track’s backstretch off turn two to accommodate more fans.

Gates are scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Pearson Celebrates $50,100 Circle K Colossal 100 Victory As Lanigan's Charge From Rear Falls Short

By Kevin Kovac, WoO LMS P.R. Director

Earl Pearson Jr. couldn't have picked a better place to score the richest victory of his career.

Surviving a leaking right-front tire and Darrell Lanigan's relentless charge from the rear of the field, the 37-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla., held on to capture Sunday's postponed Circle K Colossal 100 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

“This is a dream come true,” said Pearson, who pocketed $50,100 for becoming the third driver to win the four-year-old World of Outlaws Late Model Series event. “Lowe's Motor Speedway is a special track for me because I've spent a long time running for teams from North Carolina, so it feels good to finally win one here.”

Now driving NASCAR Sprint Cup star Bobby Labonte's locally-based Lucas Slick Mist Rocket No. 44, Pearson grabbed the lead from Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., on lap nine and was never headed. He turned back a challenge from Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., after the halfway mark and stayed ahead of Union, Ky.'s Lanigan down the stretch to ring up his fifth career WoO LMS triumph.

Lanigan, who pitted to change a flat left-front tire on lap 12, settled for a fast-closing second place finish in his Fusion Energy Rocket after his memorable rally fell short. The defending WoO LMS champion finished 0.670 of a second behind Pearson in the incident-free race, which was condensed to a one-day show because rain enveloped the Charlotte area on Friday and Saturday.

Richards, 21, placed third in his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket after starting eighth. Defending Colossal 100 winner Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., finished fourth after taking the green flag from the third slot in Dale Beitler's Reliable Painting/Valvoline Rocket, and fifth went to the 25-year-old Davenport, who outgunned the polesitting Pearson at the initial green flag and paced laps 1-8 in Kevin and Leroy Rumley's Rocket.

In a race slowed just three times by caution flags – the last coming on lap 53 – Pearson knew the checkered flag flew just in time.

“We had a great race car, but at the end of the race my car got loose and I was like, ‘What in the world is going on?'” related Pearson, whose machine carried an engine built by Larry Wallace and ran on Hoosier tires. “We came to find out the right-front tire had a great big hole in it. When we got back to the pits (after the Victory Lane ceremonies), it was flat.”

Pearson was able to repel a threat from Richards, who slid by Davenport for second and momentarily pulled underneath Pearson on the lap-53 restart. He gradually opened some breathing room when Richards slowed while attempting to lap John Anderson of Omaha, Neb., with less than 20 circuits remaining, but he realized he was far from home free.

“I saw on the scoreboard that Lanigan was coming in a hurry, and boy, I was getting worried about that,” said Pearson. “At the beginning of the race I saw (Lanigan's No. 29) up there (in third place by lap 11) and I was thinking, He's been running pretty good, so he's gonna be tough to deal with. Then I seen him go in the pit area (one circuit later) and come out last, so I had my doubts that he could come from the back on an afternoon track (surface).

“But with about 20 laps to go I seen him back up on the board (Lanigan reached fifth place on lap 71), and he kept climbing higher. I was just praying for no caution at the end because I know he probably would've just drove right by me.

“To come from the back like that, he had to have the best car here,” added Pearson. “If a caution came out, he would've definitely had the upper hand on me. He was coming, and we had a harder right-front tire so it would take me about three laps to get some heat in it and get going after a restart.”

Lanigan, 38, slid by Richards for second on lap 90 with a door-rubbing inside pass in turn two and needed just three circuits to slice Pearson's full straightway advantage in half. But just when it appeared that Lanigan was ready to make a dramatic bid for the win in the race's final moments, he lost about 10 car lengths to Pearson on lap 96 by sliding slightly sideways in turn four while trying to lap Michael England of Glasgow, Ky. He didn't have enough time to recover.

“We just fell short again,” mourned Lanigan, who quietly accepted his third runner-up finish in five WoO LMS A-Mains this season. “That was the best car I've ever had here. We just cut across the center of the corner and pulled guys, but there were a couple of them lapped cars that hurt me and cost me too much ground.

“A couple more laps would've been nice.”

Lanigan could only laugh when asked if the outcome would have been different had he not been forced pitside to change a cut tire while running third on lap 12.

“I think we could've half-tracked the field,” he said, describing the victory margin he felt was within his reach. “The car was just excellent.”

The race's three caution flags were caused by stopped cars – WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, on lap 12; Davey Johnson of Latrobe, Pa., on lap 33; and Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Tenn., on lap 53.

Finishing in positions 6-10 were Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., who lost fifth to Lanigan on lap 71; two-time Colossal 100 winner Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who started 22nd; Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va.; Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colo.; and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., who slipped out of the top five following the lap-53 restart.

The field of 63 cars that assembled for the event featured drivers hailing from 21 different states.

Bloomquist was fastest in the multi-car Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, earning a $50 bonus for his lap of 16.962 seconds.

Heat winners were Pearson, Davenport, Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Lanigan, Francis and Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C. The twin 20-lap B-Mains were captured by Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis.

Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., rolled to victory in the ‘Charlotte 30,' an inaugural event for non-qualifiers that ended the day's activities. He pocketed $2,000 as a consolation prize for falling short of the Colossal 100 starting field in his first career start at the four-tenths-mile oval.

The WoO LMS is scheduled to close out its ‘Month of Money' on April 3-4 with the second annual $20,000-to-win ‘Illini 100' at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Circle K Colossal 100' (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Earl Pearson Jr./100 $50,100
2. (6) Darrell Lanigan/100 $20,000
3. (8) Josh Richards/100 $10,000
4. (3) Steve Francis/100 $7,000
5. (2) Jonathan Davenport/100 $6,050
6. (11) Chris Madden/100 $5,000
7. (22) Scott Bloomquist/100 $4,050
8. (10) Steve Shaver/100 $3,800
9. (9) Kelly Boen/100 $3,600
10. (7) Jeep VanWormer/100 $3,500
11. (15) Eddie Carrier Jr./100 $3,200
12. (24) Billy Moyer/100 $3,000
13. (19) Dale McDowell/100 $2,800
14. (29) Jimmy Owens/100 $2,600
15. (13) Jared Landers/100 $2,400
16. (4) Ray Cook/99 $2,375
17. (14) Rambo Franklin/99 $2,350
18. (23) Michael England/99 $2,300
19. (21) Austin Hubbard/97 $2,275
20. (34) Ken Schrader/96 $2,250
21. (30) Donnie Moran/95 $2,225
22. (12) John Anderson/85 $2,200
23. (35) Brady Smith/59 $2,175
24. (25) Chub Frank/56 $2,150
25. (18) Rick Eckert/53 $2,125
26. (27) Tim Fuller/53 $2,100
27. (16) Tommy Kerr/53 $2,090
28. (28) Matt Lux/51 $2,080
29. (26) Dan Schlieper/48 $2,070
30. (5) Shane Clanton/39 $2,060
31. (32) Davey Johnson/38 $2,050
32. (20) Casey Roberts/35 $2,040
33. (17) Shannon Babb/23 $2,030
34. (33) Clint Smith/11 $2,020
35. (31) Russell King/11 $2,010

* Earnings include cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 49 Mins., 56 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.670 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 12, 33, 53)
Lap Leaders: Davenport (1-8); Pearson (9-100)
Provisional Starters: Brady Smith (WoO); Clint Smith, Ken Schrader (track)

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

1. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 16.962
2. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 17.003
3. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 17.084
4. b1-Michael England/Glasgow, KY 17.113
5. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 17.129
6. 44M-Chris Madden/Gaffney, SC 17.140
7. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 17.150
8. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 17.172
9. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 17.204
10. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 17.223
11. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 17.224
12. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 17.285
13. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 17.285
14. 6-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 17.365
15. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 17.394
16. 22-Randle Chupp/Troutman, NC 17.404
17. 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.432
18. 2R-Rambo Franklin/Cowpens, SC 17.466
19. 2J-John Anderson/Omaha, NE 17.470
20. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 17.477
21. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 17.482
22. 07x-Kelly Boen/Henderson, CO 17.505
23. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 17.522
24. 53-Ray Cook/Brasstown, NC 17.553
25. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 17.569
26. s9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 17.571
27. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 17.572
28. 17x-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 17.599
29. 3d-Austin Dillon/Welcome, NC 17.601
30. 11-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 17.619
31. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 17.645
32. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 17.17.673
33. 4T-Tommy Kerr/Maryville, TN 17.691
34. 21L-Matt Lux/Franklin, PA 17.707
35. 19T-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 17.710
36. 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 17.732
37. 9-Ken Schrader/Fenton, MO 17.732
38. 18e-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 17.754
39. 32-Larry Blankenship/Mooresville, NC 17.846
40. 17-Davey Johnson/Latrobe, PA 17.856
41. 45-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 17.924
42. 41-Josh McGuire/Grayson, KY 17.978
43. 16r-Justin Rattliff/Campbellsville, KY 18.017
44. 1v-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 18.037
45. 11T-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 18.064
46. 00H-Chuck Harper/Beverly, WV 18.127
47. 50-Larry McDaniels/Mooresville, NC 18.132
48. 99-Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 18.162
49. 21R-Luke Roffers/Concord, NC 18.221
50. 10-Scott Shirey/Swansea, SC 18.247
51. 18H-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND 18.355
52. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, WV 18.465
53. 9z-Jayme Zidar/Greenfield, WI 18.502
54. 02-Tommy Weder Jr./Woodward, OK 18.714
55. 07-Brian Ledbetter/Dallas, NC 18.810
56. 16-Daniel Baggerly/Rural Retreat, VA 18.820
57. 75-Petey Ivey/Shelby, NC 18.834
58. 14-April Farmer/Livingston, TN 19.008
59. 6P-Raymond Pennington/Creston, NC 19.158
60. 56s-Chas Shellenberger/Winfield, PA 19.353
61. D8-Dustin Mitchell/Pine Level, NC 19.392
62. 04-Carl Powell/Emporia, VA 19.965
63. 1H-Vic Hill/Morristown, TN N/T (DQ – light)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Pearson, Anderson, Babb, Bloomquist, Frank, King, Schrader, Rattliff, Mitchell, Roffers, Ledbetter

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Davenport, VanWormer, Eckert, Moyer, Schlieper, B. Smith, Vaught, Wells, Shirey, Baggerly, Powell

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top Transfer): Clanton, Shaver, Kerr, Roberts, L. Blankenship, Owens, Hill, Hapka, Reddick, C. Smith, Ivey

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Boen, Landers, England, Lux, Chupp, Davey Johnson, Robinson, Harper, Farmer

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Richards, Carrier, McDowell, Fuller, Elliott, Zidar, McDaniels, Dillon, Pennington

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Cook, Madden, Franklin, Hubbard, Moran, Weder, Bland, McGuire, J. Blankenship, Shellenberger

B-Main No. 1 (20 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Frank, Fuller, Owens, King, Dillon, C. Smith, Elliott, Hill, Reddick, Hapka, Mitchell, McDaniels, Ledbetter, L. Blankenship, Roffers, Schrader, Rattliff, Zidar

B-Main No. 2 (20 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Schlieper, Lux, Moran, Davey Johnson, Chupp, B. Smith, Vaught, Weder, McGuire, Wells, Bland, Farmer, Harper, Baggerly, Shirey, Shellenberger, Robinson, Powell

‘Charlotte 30' Finish: 1. Will Vaught ($2,000); 2. Josh McGuire ($1,000); 3. Vic Hill ($750); 4. Tommy Weder Jr. ($700); 5. Eric Wells ($600); 6. Austin Dillon ($550); 7. Tyler Reddick ($500); 8. Daniel Baggerly ($475); 9. April Farmer ($450); 10. Larry Blankenship ($425); 11. Luke Roffers ($400); 12. Dustin Hapka ($350); 13. Brian Ledbetter ($340); 14. Dustin Mitchell ($330); 15. Larry McDaniels ($320); 16. Chas Shellenberger ($310); 17. Raymond Pennington ($305); 18. Carl Powell ($300); 19. Scott Shirey ($295); 20. Jayme Zidar ($290)

Did Not Start ‘Charlotte 30': Randle Chupp ($250), Ricky Elliott ($250), Jordan Bland ($250), Chuck Harper ($250), Justin Rattliff ($250), Brent Robinson ($250), Petey Ivey ($250), John Blankenship ($250)

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Austin Dillon, Randle Chupp
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks' winner w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jeep VanWormer
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Shane Clanton
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Chub Frank, Dan Schlieper
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Scott Bloomquist
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jonathan Davenport
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Jared Landers
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race' (one case of product):
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Outside Looking In' Award (free 54-gallon drum of VP-113 or Late Model Plus racing fuel to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): John Blankenship
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of March 29 - 5 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 1-4-5-$29,550-643 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-3-5-$39,350-635 (-8)
3. Steve Francis 2-4-4-$30,100-621 (-22)
4. Shane Clanton 0-0-4-$10,410-619 (-24)
5. Shannon Babb 1-2-3-$27,830-595 (-48)
6. Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$8,840-591 (-52)
7. (tie) Rick Eckert 0-1-2-$10,195-587 (-56)
7. (tie) Chub Frank 0-1-3-$10,850-587 (-56)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$11,075-568 (-75)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-2-$7,970-559 (-84)
11. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$3,590-496 (-147)
12. (tie) Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$3,400-465 (-178)
12. (tie) Russell King 0-0-0-$4,820-465 (-178)
14. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$5,250-460 (-183)
15. (tie) Dan Schlieper 0-1-1-$5,670-445 (-198)
15. (tie) Scott Bloomquist 0-0-2-$7,130-445 (-198)
17. Billy Moyer 0-1-2-$8,000-434 (-209)
18. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$1,180-406 (-237)
19. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$1,780-402 (-241)
20. Tommy Weder Jr. 0-0-0-$2,860-382 (-261)

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Wet Weather Prompts Rescheduling Of Complete Circle K Colossal 100 Program To Sunday Afternoon (March 29)

By Kevin Kovac, WoO LMS P.R. Director

Widespread wet weather has prompted the rescheduling of this weekend's complete Circle K Colossal 100 program at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway to Sunday afternoon (March 29), track and World of Outlaws Late Model Series announced early Friday afternoon.

Originally planned as a two-day show on Friday and Saturday (March 27-28), the entire fourth annual, $50,000-to-win event will now be contested on Sunday. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., followed by time trials, heat races, B-Mains, the inaugural ‘Charlotte 30' for non-qualifiers and the headlining Circle K Colossal 100.

With foggy, drizzly conditions prevailing on Friday morning and a dire forecast calling for a high probability of rain on both Friday and Saturday, officials from Lowe's Motor Speedway and the WoO LMS agreed to push the complete blockbuster program to Sunday. Dry weather and afternoon temperatures in the mid-60s are predicted for Sunday.

“Considering the difficult weather conditions, we feel that rescheduling the Circle K Colossal 100 for Sunday is the best option for the race teams and the fans,” said Seamus Curley, the short-track racing manager at Lowe's Motor Speedway. “An event of this magnitude deserves to be run in the best possible conditions and Sunday will provide them. Now the fans can make plans to see a huge program on Sunday at The Dirt Track, and the racers can focus on chasing over $200,000 in cash and contingency awards rather than battling the weather for two straight days.”

Pit gates will open at 9 a.m. and the grandstand gates will open at 12 noon.

Due to the weekend being condensed to a one-day show, the pre-race Circle K Autograph Party scheduled for Saturday has been canceled. The induction of dirt Late Model veteran Mike Balzano into The Dirt Track's ‘Walk of Fame,' meanwhile, is tentatively scheduled for 6:50 p.m.

All tickets for Sunday's program will be $39. Saturday's single-day tickets will be honored on Sunday, and Friday tickets can be redeemed for a credit towards the $39 ticket.

Tickets are still available for the Circle K Colossal 100. Visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/colossal for more information.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing The Circle K Colossal 100 At The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway

By Kevin Kovac, WoO LMS P.R. Director

LOOKING FOR A REPEAT: Steve Francis's nearly year-long reign as champion of the Circle K Colossal 100 will end this weekend (March 27-28) with the fourth annual running of the blockbuster World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Well, that's if the 41-year-old star from Ashland, Ky., falls short of a second straight victory in the 100-lap spectacular that pays $50,000 to win.

“Me and Scott (Bloomquist) are the only two guys so far who have gotten to wear that helmet and hold that sword,” said Francis, noting the traditional Medieval armor and weapon that the Colossal 100 winner poses with in Victory Lane. “Hopefully we can win it again and have two like Scott.”

Francis led every lap of last year's rough-and-tumble A-Main, turning back several challenges along the way. It was his first WoO LMS triumph teamed with Maryland car owner Dale Beitler and “a real memorable moment for me in my career.”

Though Francis is coming off a rare DNF due to an accident in last Saturday night's WoO LMS ‘Lone Star 100' at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, he's won two of the tour's four A-Mains contested so far this season.

THIS COULD BE THE ONE: Josh Richards is hoping that this weekend he can finally take his name off the list of the best drivers who haven't won a crown-jewel dirt Late Model event.

“We've been close to winning a big one but haven't been able to get it done,” said the 21-year-old Richards, who has been in position to win the Colossal 100 as well as the World 100, Dirt Track World Championship and Knoxville Nationals. “Maybe we can pull it off at Charlotte.”

Richards has likely never entered a prestigious, high-dollar race with more momentum than he's currently carrying. He's won six overall features already this season (including last month's WoO LMS opener), leads the WoO LMS points standings and returns this weekend to a four-tenths-mile oval at which he visited Victory Lane in his last appearance.

The sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., doesn't plan to run the same Rocket Chassis house car that he steered to the checkered flag in last fall's VAULT World Finals finale at The Dirt Track, but that nationally-televised triumph has him feeling good about his chances for a Colossal 100 score.

“I'm pumped up,” said Richards, who finished third in last year's Colossal 100. “I kinda want to run the old car we won with (at Charlotte) last year, but out new cars are a little bit better so I think we'll have something that can run up front.”

HE WANTS IT: The only thing missing from Darrell Lanigan's impeccable 2008 WoO LMS championship campaign was a signature victory in a major event.

That's something the Union, Ky., standout would like to change in '09 – preferably this weekend.

“It would've been nice to win a big one last year to kind of top off our season,” said Lanigan. “We came close a couple times, like in the Colossal (he dropped out with a broken rearend while running second with 10 laps remaining) and at Lernerville (second place in the Firecracker 100), but for whatever reason we couldn't get the job done.

“Our goal right now is to win more races this year, especially a big one. The Colossal would be a good place to get that first one.”

Lanigan, who won twice on last year's WoO LMS, has two runner-up finishes in four tour A-Mains this season.

SCENE OF THE FLIP: Chub Frank's outing in the 2008 Circle K Colossal 100 was memorable, but for the wrong reason.

While running in 11th place on lap 45, Frank's car dug into the track surface and flipped wildly in turn four. It was the first time in the veteran driver's 30-year career that he had gotten upside down in a race.

“The track was smooth, but it just had a big cushion built up and I got into it on a bad angle,” said Frank, who escaped injury in the wreck and had his damaged ‘Old Reliable' Rocket machine back in action a few weeks later. “When I did, the car caught and just started tumbling.”

The Bear Lake, Pa., star returns to The Dirt Track hoping for better results this weekend. He also noted that he'll miss having Roger Slack, the former director of Lowe's Motor Speedway's short-track events, in charge to serve as his foil. Slack, who left his position at Lowe's Motor Speedway three months after the 2008 Colossal 100, spent several years trading good-natured barbs about The Dirt Track's shows and surface.

“It definitely ain't gonna be the same without Roger and Humpy (Wheeler, the former Lowe's Motor Speedway president) there anymore,” smiled Frank. “I liked going back-and-forth with Roger. He liked doing it too and played it up.”

TIME WITH SOME FRIENDS: Clint Smith isn't looking forward to the Colossal 100 because of his past success in the race – he's qualified for all three previous A-Mains but has yet to be running at the finish of one – but rather the track's location.

“Jeff Gordon has driven my car at the Prelude to the Dream (at Ohio's Eldora Speedway) the last two years so now we have a relationship with guys from his team,” said Smith. “A lot of his shop guys will come over for the Colossal to hang out with us, so it'll be pretty cool and special if we could win a big one like that at a track so close to the Gordon establishment.”

BETTER LUCK THIS TIME: Thanks to a broken wheel during time trials and a couple heat-race scrapes, last year's Colossal 100 was the only WoO LMS A-Main that Shane Clanton did not start in 2008. It didn't hinder his points-chasing, however, because the event only offered show-up points toward the tour title (as it will this year's version).

Clanton, who registered his first career crown-jewel triumph in last September's World 100 at Eldora Speedway, would like to have a little better fortune on his side this weekend. But he also realizes that he's never had much good luck in the Colossal 100, finishing 36th in 2006 (he lasted just four laps) and 15th in 2007 (after using a provisional to start the A-Main).

WINNING COMBINATION?: Rick Eckert had a strong car in the last two runnings of the Colossal 100 but didn't have a good finish to show for it – in 2007 a shove from behind when a caution flag came out sent him into the backstretch wall and ended his bid after just three laps, and last year he had just grabbed fourth place on lap 82 when a busted oil line knocked him out.

The York, Pa., racer enters this weekend's action with his hopes riding high. Very pleased with his new Bloomquist Chassis cars this season, he feels this could be the race that busts him out of a frustrating slump in which he's won just once in the last 104 WoO LMS A-Mains.

“I'm excited to go there with a Bloomquist car,” said Eckert, noting that Scott Bloomquist has won the event twice. “The last time we were there (for last fall's VAULT World Finals) Scott won one night and (Chris) Madden won the topless race (in a Bloomquist car), so I know these cars can win there.”

TEAM ZERO MEMBER: New WoO LMS regular Brady Smith also will bring a Bloomquist Chassis mount to The Dirt Track with visions of turning around his tough luck in the Colossal 100.

Smith, who has a pair of top-five finishes on the 2009 WoO LMS and sits ninth in the points standings, owns Colossal 100 finishes of 18th (2006) and 19th (2008). He failed to qualify for the 2007 event after a heat-race incident sent him crashing into a marker tire on the homestretch.

CAN HE MAKE IT?: Tim Fuller has tasted success at The Dirt Track in the past, as evidenced by his victory in an Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified event and a run from deep in the field to finish third in the 2007 VAULT World Finals finale.

But Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., hasn't started a Colossal 100 A-Main. He missed the 2007 show early in his run to the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year crown and was a non-qualifier last year after sliding into the turn-one wall at the start of a B-Main on a track surface still slick following a rain delay

“I've won there in a Modified, so I know how great it is to win at that place,” said Fuller, who is currently sixth in the WoO LMS points standings. “I have no doubts that with the right circumstances, we can win there. I'm just not real good in that rough, fast stuff, so I'm hoping for a slower track.”

HIS TURN?: Last Saturday night Shannon Babb climbed on the back of a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn steer to celebrate his $20,000 victory in the WoO LMS ‘Lone Star 100' at Battleground Speedway.

The Moweaqua, Ill., driver would like nothing better than partaking in another unique Victory Lane ceremony – the Medieval helmet and sword photos – after Saturday's Colossal 100.

No driver has been more consistent in the Colossal 100 than Babb, who owns three top-10 finishes. He was sixth in 2006 annd fifth in 2007 driving a Billy Moyer Sr.-owned car, and last year he placed sixth again in a Clint Bowyer Motorsports machine. He returns this weekend with his own team backed by Sheltra Motorsports, Petroff Towing and Donley Trucking.

THE ROOKS: Of the six drivers confirmed as 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidates, only Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., has entered the Colossal 100 in the past. The 21-year-old failed to qualify for the 2008 edition.

Rookies planning first career Colossal 100 assaults include Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa., and Chuck Hummer of Ottawa Lake, Mich.

LOTS OF CARS: The Circle K Colossal 100 pre-entry list numbers nearly 70 drivers from 21 different states.

The WoO LMS regulars head the list, which also includes such names as dirt Late Model legends Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., and Donnie Moran of Dresden, Ohio; southern stars Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., and Dennis ‘Rambo' Franklin of Cowpens, S.C.; and Midwest standouts Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich., Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., John Anderson of Omaha, Neb., Terry Casey of New London, Wis., and Tommy Weder Jr. of Woodward, Okla.

DOUBLE-DUTY: Also on the entry list is NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader, who is planning a busy weekend shuttling between The Dirt Track and his NASCAR Truck Series commitments at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. He'll use Rusty Wallace's helicopter to fly into Charlotte after Friday's Truck practice and Saturday's Truck race.

HIGH HONOR: Retired dirt Late Model standout Mike Balzano of Parkersburg, W.Va., will be inducted into The Dirt Track's ‘Walk of Fame' during a special ceremony scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Balzano, a former STARS/Renegade and MACS tour champion and winner of the inaugural Armour Vienna Sausage Showdown in 2004 at The Dirt Track, retired from competition at the completion of the 2009 season.

MEET THE STARS: Circle K will host the annual Colossal 100 autograph party featuring all entered drivers starting at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (March 28) and stretching to 6 p.m. In order to gain early admission to the Circle K Autograph Party, fans must present an event ticket along with a Thirst Buster Cup of any size, which can be purchased at any area Circle K store.

The first 1,000 fans at the autograph party will receive a Circle K Colossal 100 commemorative poster.

ALL SYSTEMS GO: Responding to inquiries concerning weekend weather forecasts, Lowe's Motor Speedway officials announced on Wednesday afternoon that the Circle K Colossal 100 weekend is still scheduled to run as scheduled.

According to track officials, if inclement weather cancels Friday's events, those activities will shift to Saturday. If the weather persists and cancels Saturday's planned festivities, the Circle K Colossal 100 program will be held in its entirety on Sun., March 29.

Check www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/colossal for further updates.

GET YOUR TICKETS: Reserved tickets for both Friday and Saturday nights of the Circle K Colossal 100 are $39 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Single-day adult tickets are $15 for Friday and $35 for Saturday, and children are admitted for $5 on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/colossal.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of March 21 - 4 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 1-3-4 -$19,550-568 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-2-4-$19,350-560 (-8)
3. Steve Francis 2-3-3-$23,100-546 (-22)
4. Shane Clanton 0-0-4-$8,350-544 (-24)
5. Shannon Babb 1-2-3-$25,800-520 (-48)
6. Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$6,740-516 (-52)
7. (tie) Rick Eckert 0-1-2-$8,070-512 (-56)
7. (tie) Chub Frank 0-1-3-$8,700-512 (-56)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$8,900-493 (-75)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-2-$5,950-484 (-84)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$5,250-460 (-108)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$3,340-421 (-147)
13. (tie) Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$3,050-390 (-178)
13. (tie) Russell King 0-0-0-$2,820-390 (-178)
15. (tie) Dan Schlieper 0-1-1-$3,600-370 (-198)
15. (tie) Scott Bloomquist 0-0-1-$3,080-370 (-198)
17. Billy Moyer 0-1-2-$5,000-359 (-209)
18. Tyler Ivey 0-0-0-$2,110-334 (-234)
19. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$930-331 (-237)
20. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$1,280-327 (-241)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Lone Star 100 At Battleground Speedway

POST-RACE VISITOR: When Shannon Babb climbed out of his car after winning Saturday night's inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series Lone Star 100 at Battleground Speedway, the fans in the nearly-packed grandstands roared their approval of his exciting, cushion-pounding drive.

As Babb donned a cowboy hat and spoke with WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman in Victory Lane, Hondo, a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn from the LaBuff Bucking Bulls ranch in nearby Ames, Texas, was being led by his handlers toward the post-race celebration. The brown-and-white steer came into clear view of the fans when he reached the turn-one exit gate and began strolling down the homestretch.

The ecstatic Babb, who had already jumped for joy atop the roof of his car, didn't think twice when Eshelman asked if he was ready to kiss and climb on Hondo. “Yeah, I'll kiss him,” said Babb, who proceeded to march over to Hondo and plant a wet one on his head.

Babb's kiss prompted Hondo to swing his head slightly and let out a deep grunt, but Babb avoided the steer's six-and-a-half-foot horn spread. He then happily climbed on Hondo's back with a boost from the beast's handlers, waved his cowboy hat to the cheering crowd and called on his chief mechanic, Jay Hunt, to try Hondo on for size as well. Hunt accepted the challenge, hopping on Hondo for another photo that drew the fans' applause.

Hondo's appearance was a definite hit – and Battleground Speedway promoter Mike Walling pledged that a Texas-themed photo opportunity with a Longhorn will become a traditional part of the Lone Star 100, which he plans to make an annual highlight of the track's schedule.

The 34-year-old Walling was so thrilled with the blockbuster turnout for the two-day show – just the third weekend of competition at the Houston-area track since Walling purchased and reopened it last month after three years of inactivity – that he was already talking with WoO LMS director Tim Christman about the tour's return in 2010. In addition, Walling took to the microphone during the Victory Lane ceremonies and thanked the throng of fans who made the event such a success by offering everyone with a Lone Star 100 ticket stub free admission to Battleground's March 28 program. “The next race is on me,” Walling said to a hearty cheer.

FEELING GOOD: Babb's $20,100 triumph came at a track that immediately reminded him of his hometracks in the Midwest when he eyeballed its thick black clay.

“Yeah, it resembled some places in my area,” said Babb. “It was different every night we were here (practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday and Lone Star 100 on Saturday), and at the beginning (of the 100) I didn't feel good at all. But once we started running that cushion I could just twist it up there and it felt like racing back home.”

The victory was also Babb's first with his new '09 program, which he is operating out of his own shop in Moweaqua, Ill., with help from, among others, Sheltra Motorsports, Petroff Towing and Donley Trucking. He followed the complete WoO LMS for the first time in 2008 and finished sixth in the points standings driving for NASCAR Sprint Cup star Clint Bowyer, but he decided to leave Bowyer's outfit at the end of the season.

“I think a lot of people were disappointed when I quit Clint's deal, but life goes on,” said Babb. “I just had so much going on at my house, it felt like the right move for me. Life's short, and you gotta do what you gotta do.”

Babb left Battleground ranked fifth in the WoO LMS points standings, 48 points out of first. He has noted that he's not planning to run the entire schedule, but he will enter at least the next two events – and beyond that, who knows?

RARE SIGHT: Darrell Lanigan went through his entire 2008 WoO LMS championship campaign without being struck by flat tires, but he's already experienced two this season – in a heat race on March 13 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala., and on lap 40 of Saturday's Lone Star 100 as he raced in the lead.

The Union, Ky., driver has recovered nicely from both misfortunes. He came back to transfer through the heat at Deep South and rallied to finish second at Battleground, which he called “one of the best tracks” the tour will visit all season.

“It was excellent,” he said of Battleground's multi-groove surface. “Anytime you can go to the back (after pitting) and come back up to finish second, you know it's a good track. You could race all over the track for all 100 laps.”

RELIEVED: A fourth-place finish – and his ascension to the WoO LMS points lead – was more than Josh Richards could have imagined for himself when the Lone Star 100 began.

“After practice tonight I wasn't confident at all,” said Richards, who was saddled with the 15^th starting spot after a rough-and-tumble heat-race run on Friday night. “In hot laps I felt terrible, so we changed so much stuff for the feature, I didn't know how the car would react.”

To Richards's surprise, he climbed as high as second before settling for a solid fourth-place finish.

“After all the scuffles we were able to get to second behind Babb and I thought we'd be able to race him a little bit,” said Richards. “But I think him and Darrell (Lanigan) were a little bit softer on tires. At the end I couldn't run the top as well as they could, but I'm more than happy with fourth. Starting where I was I just wanted to get a good, solid top-five finish for the points, and we came out with one and the car's in one piece.”

Richards also praised the Battleground oval: “For a hundred laps, it couldn't get any better than that. I had so much fun tonight. As far as race-ability for a hundred laps, it's probably the best track I've ever raced on. You could pass the whole way.”

Shortly after the checkered flag of the Lone Star 100, Richards reported that he had unwound by drinking his first legal beer. He turned 21 on Sunday, so with the clock past midnight Eastern Time when he finished a post-race briefing with his crew, he took his sip of suds.

The Bear Lake, Pa., star was pleased with his season-best finish of fifth in the Lone Star 100, of course. He nearly grabbed fourth from Richards on the final lap, but an apparent fuel-pickup problem dive-bombed his bid.

“With about seven, eight laps to go, the engine started missing like it was running out of fuel,” said Frank. “On the last lap I was all the way up beside Josh out of (turn) four and it quit. We have some sort of problem when the (cell) gets down on fuel, but I don't know what it is yet.”

Frank, 47, also did some profitable wheeling-and-dealing off the track, selling virtually every t-shirt he brought along in his hauler, a bunch of equipment and tires to local drivers and even an old door from one of his cars. He was so busy handling t-shirt sales and talking with locals seeking his advice (Texans Chris Brown and Kevin Sitton both ran former Frank cars in the weekend's action), he was still in his uniform long after the Lone Star 100 ended.

CHANGE OF FORTUNE: Steve Francis saw his bid to author just the fifth three-race WoO LMS win streak since 2004 come to an unceremonious end on a lap-17 restart of the Lone Star 100.

Seventh when the green flag flew, Francis was in the middle of close-quarters racing when his Dale Beitler-owned car went sideways off turn two. His prone machine was clipped by at least two passing cars, inflicting front and rearend damage that left him with a 23^rd-place finish.

“Me, Shannon (Babb) and whoever started behind me all got into that slime on the inside of the track,” described Francis, who headed directly for Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, W.Va., following the event to have a new front clip put on the car. “I happened to be up at Shannon's right-rear corner, and at the same time I had somebody against my left-rear corner. It just so happened that when I got off Shannon, (the other car was) still against me and it just kind of hung me sideways in the middle of the racetrack. Then I killed the motor and I was a sitting duck.

“I really think we had a top-three, top-four, top-five car, but woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't pay the bills.”

Francis, who spent Saturday entertaining a group of his cousins who live in Texas and took advantage of a rare opportunity to see him race in person, fell from first to third in the WoO LMS points standings.

“We don't want to start the kind of trend we had last year – you know, win two, then run 23^rd,” said Francis. “We're all gonna have weekends like this. The guy who wins the points is gonna be the guy who has the fewest weekends like this.”

TOO MANY CHANGES: Muscatine, Iowa's Brian Birkhofer had a pretty good idea of what might have cost him a better shot at victory in the Lone Star 100.

“I wish I would've left my car like it was last night,” said Birkhofer, who nosed ahead of Babb to lead laps 56 and 71 but couldn't complete a pass and fell to third at the finish. “We've been doing certain things since the end of last year, but I didn't stick with that tonight.”

ILL-HANDLING: Menomonie, Wis.'s Jimmy Mars led laps 1-35 of the Lone Star 100, but he began to struggle shortly after ceding the top spot to Lanigan. A broken spring strip in the right-front corner of his machine left him unable to turn effectively, forcing him to retire on lap 65 after losing third place to Richards.

GOOD SAVE: Shane Clanton salvaged an eighth-place finish out of a weekend that began with a harrowing ride on the first lap of Friday night's fourth heat.

Clanton's car bicycled on its right-front wheel when he caught the cushion in turn one during the prelim. He avoided a devastating flip, but he pounded the wall and his car required several hours' worth of front-end repair work to be ready for Saturday's action.

The Locust Grove, Ga., driver used a provisional to start 23^rd in the A-Main. He steadily moved forward, but choosing a tire compound that was harder than most of his rivals kept him from climbing higher than eighth.

PIT SERVICE: Clint Smith finished seventh in the Lone Star 100 despite pitting during each of the two caution periods on lap 40 – the first time to bolt on a softer right-rear tire, then to change helmets.

Smith lost all of his helmet tear-offs early in the race due to a broken pin on his shield, leading to a clay-caked shield that nearly obscured his vision. The backup helmet his crew retrieved for him to strap on helped, but he still faced poor visibility because the second helmet had a tinted shield for use in sunny daylight conditions.

DUAL DISAPPOINTMENT: Rick Eckert and Vic Coffey both saw very promising nights end abruptly when they tangled off turn two on lap 36.

The two Northeasterners were racing right behind leaders Lanigan and Mars when Eckert's car appeared to slide up the track slightly in turn two – directly into the path of Coffey, who was charging hard off the cushion. Coffey made contact with the rearend of Eckert's machine, sending Eckert against the backstretch wall and breaking the front suspension of Coffey's mount (unable to steer, he climbed the wall in turn three).

Eckert, who started from the pole position and actually slid ahead of Mars a couple times early in the race without officially leading a lap, attempted to return laps down but retired before the halfway mark.

Coffey, meanwhile, mourned the premature finish of what might have been his most impressive WoO LMS outing ever.

“That was probably the best I've felt in a Late Model,” said Coffey. “We were going forward and I think we had as good a shot to finish up front as anybody.

“I had a good run on the outside of Rick (on lap 36) when he came up the hill. He didn't know I was there coming off the cushion so hard, so by the time I realized we were gonna get together, we were together.”

SURVIVOR: Brady Smith finished 10^th – the last driver on the lead lap – with a car that was thoroughly beat up from his involvement in the early scramble caused by Francis's spin.

Among the damage to Smith's machine: crushed right-rear sheet metal plus a bent rearend, shock and lower A-frame.

THE ROOKS: Bristolville, Ohio's Russell King earned the $250 bonus as the highest-finishing WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender, placing 13^th in the Lone Star 100.

King, who celebrated his 20^th birthday on March 18, earned his spot in the headliner by winning his second career WoO LMS B-Main. He struggled in the 100 but gained plenty of experience by completing 98 laps.

Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., was the other rookie contender in the A-Main field. He finished 14^th (five laps down) after using a provisional (highest driver in the 2008 points standings not to qualify) to start 24^th.

Rookie candidates Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., suffered heartbreaking fates in Saturday's second B-Main. Robinson charged from the rear of the field to bid for the final transfer spot but fell just short on the last lap, while the 14-year-old Reddick raced in a transfer position until slipping high off turn four on a restart with two laps to go and falling to fifth.

Robinson's DNQ came after he experienced a frustrating Friday night at Battleground. His car's driveshaft broke as he headed on the track for his time-trial laps and he dropped out of his heat race.

Rookies Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa., and Chuck Hummer of Ottawa Lake, Mich., also failed to qualify. Shellenberger scratched from Friday's heat action after a hot-lap accident left his primary car with significant damage; he returned for Saturday's B-Main after swapping the bent car's engine into his backup mount but didn't threaten for a transfer spot. Hummer, who made the haul south for the Alabama/Texas swing with his car on an open trailer, experienced a flat tire in his heat and was off the pace in the B-Main.

ANOTHER ROOK?: Jordan Bland, 21, of Campbellsville, Ky., stayed on the road with the Outlaws, entering the Lone Star 100 while he continues to contemplate throwing his name into the Rookie of the Year conversation.

Bland, who finished one lap down in 12^th place, has until the Illini 100 on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway to apply for Rookie of the Year status with the WoO LMS.

LONE STAR LEGEND: No driver received a more rousing ovation during the Lone Star 100 driver introductions than Howard Willis, a well-known veteran from nearby Dayton, Texas.

“I was proud of those people,” smiled Willis, a 55-year-old who won five SUPR series dirt Late Model events at Battleground between 1992 and 1997. “When I heard that I told Chub (Frank), ‘They like me tonight.'”

Willis, 55, gave his home crowd a show, moving from the 11^th starting spot to fifth by lap 22. But he slowed with a flat left-rear tire on lap 32 and later smacked the wall between turns one and two on lap 40, ending his night with a 20^th-place finish.

“The car was fast,” said Willis. “We were cruising out there. I think we were even back up to 10^th when I hopped the cushion on that (lap-40) restart.”

Willis drove a MasterSbilt car owned by Tony Flynn of Oklahoma City, Okla., who also provided the engine that was bolted inside the car driven by another local favorite, Kevin Sitton of Baytown, Texas. Sitton won a B-Main but was involved in the Francis incident and dropped out later.

Willis said his 2009 schedule will consist mostly of open-wheel Modified and dirt Late Model events close to home, but he might venture farther away for some bigger dirt Late Model shows when Flynn is available to travel. Flynn maintains a five-weeks-home, five-weeks-out-of-the-country work schedule as a senior drilling manager of Transocean, Inc., the world's largest off-shore drilling company. He currently oversees the operation of more than a dozen drilling rigs off the coast of India.

TOUGH NIGHT: Chris Wall of Holden, La. – the Gulf Coast star known as the ‘Intimagator' – began his weekend in promising fashion with the fifth-fastest lap in time trials and a second-place finish in his heat.

But after drawing the fifth starting spot for the A-Main, a hard-tire choice contributed to his early fall well outside the top 10. He pitted after getting caught up in the tangle surrounding Francis's lap-17 spin, but he returned and by the halfway mark was battling for sixth place. Alas, he spun on laps 51 and 65 and retired shortly thereafter, finishing 15^th.

ON THE ROAD: The traveling WoO LMS teams found some time to have a little fun along the Gulf Coast during the off days between the Deep South and Battleground events.

A group that included Francis, Clanton, Eckert, Brady Smith and Bland visited Chris Wall's Louisiana compound. The received a tour of Wall's C&M Gator Farm – a complex where he is currently raising over 20,000 gators – that included an exciting ride on the air boats that he uses to collect gator eggs in the Louisiana bayous and also raced radio-control cars on a dirt track on Wall's property.

Meanwhile, Coffey and his Sweeteners Plus Racing boys hooked up with the Birkhofer and Mars teams for stops at the beach in Pensacola, Fla., and a wild bead-tossing night on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Chub Frank spent an evening in New Orleans with his wife and chief mechanic Brad Baum, and Eckert took his wife and crewmen Zach Frields and Chad Curren for a sun-splashed day on the sand in Galveston, Texas.

NEXT UP: The WoO LMS continues its ‘Month of Money' on March 27-28, visiting The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., for the fourth annual Circle K Colossal 100. A $50,000 top prize will be on the line from a total purse of $250,000.

Time trials and heat races will be contested on Fri., March 27, with B-Mains, the ‘Charlotte 30' for the top-28 non-qualifiers and the Circle K Colossal 100 set for Sat., March 28.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Cowboy Up: Babb Rides Texas Longhorn After $20,100 Lone Star 100 Victory At Battleground Speedway

Shannon Babb rode the wild-and-wooly cushion to a $20,100 victory in Saturday night’s inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Lone Star 100’ at Battleground Speedway.

Then he rode Hondo – a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn – in Victory Lane.

Babb, 35, of Moweaqua, Ill., celebrated his hard-fought triumph in style, donning a cowboy hat and climbing on the back of the brown-and-white steer that was brought in from a local ranch to lend a Texas-accent to the post-race ceremonies. He responded to the cheers of the three-eighths-mile track’s near-capacity crowd with a wave of his hat.

“I had my doubts (about sitting on Hondo) after I gave him a kiss and he grunted back at me,” said Babb, who registered his ninth career win on the WoO LMS. “But I’m sure if his owners had any question about it they wouldn’t have let me try to get up on him, so I climbed right on him. I’ll do anything for $20,000.”

Babb drove his heart out before meeting up with Hondo, taming the outside groove to score his first victory since starting his own team this season with the help of Sheltra Motorsports, Petroff Towing and Donley Trucking. He inherited the lead when defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., slowed with a flat right-rear tire on lap 40 and held off repeated challenges from Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, en route to the checkered flag.

In an eventful race that featured six lead changes among four drivers and stretched over an hour in length thanks to nine caution flags, Babb steered his Dargie-powered Rocket car across the finish line 1.285 seconds ahead of Lanigan, who rallied from the rear of the field after pitting for a new tire on his Fusion Energy Rocket.

Birkhofer nosed in front of Babb to lead laps 56 and 71, but he couldn’t complete a pass and settled for third place in his Birkhofer-Mars Chassis.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., finished fourth in his Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket after climbing as high as second from the 15th starting spot. With Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who entered the Lone Star 100 as the WoO LMS points leader, finishing 23rd after he spun off turn two on lap 17 and was clipped by several cars, Richards moved to the top of the standings after four events.

Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who started 10th, placed fifth in his Corry Rubber Rocket. It was his first top-five run of the 2009 WoO LMS.

Babb, who started third, flashed his vintage cushion-pounding form in rolling to his first WoO LMS triumph since July 18, 2008, at Brown County Speedway in Aberdeen, S.D.

“It was kinda ugly, but we got up there and got it done,” said Babb. “The cushion came in for us and we took advantage of it.”

Babb found that the extreme outside of the high-banked track was prime real estate for him following a lap-36 incident involving polesitter Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. The two WoO LMS regulars tangled exiting turn two while battling for third place, sending Eckert against the backstretch wall and Coffey into the guardrail between turns three and four.

“At the beginning it wasn’t any good on top, so I was planning on running the bottom,” said Babb. “But it was so slimy on the bottom I couldn’t steer down there. My car would just push up in the middle in front of those guys, so I was struggling. Then, after Rick and Vic got together, I restarted on the outside and found something up there.

“I just tried to make long straightaways out of it and follow the cushion around the rest of the way.”

Birkhofer, 37, became Babb’s toughest challenger. After slipping as far back as eighth from the fourth starting spot, Birkhofer moved back to second on lap 53 and made several attempts to run the inside lane past Babb.

While Birkhofer was able to nip Babb at the start/finish line for the lead twice, Babb maintained his top-side momentum and turned back the threat.

“When you’re up on that cushion, you can’t let the thing straighten out too much on you or you’ll jump the cushion,” said Babb. “Every lap’s a hairy lap when you’re up there, so I just tried to forget about (Birkhofer) down there and keep making my good laps on the top.”

Birkhofer, who lost ground after being overtaken for second by Lanigan on lap 88, recorded his second consecutive third-place finish on the WoO LMS. He finished in the same spot on March 13 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala.

“I tried everything I could to pass him on the bottom,” said Birkhofer. “But hey, that was Shannon Babb running that cushion. I couldn’t run up there like that.”

Lanigan, meanwhile, felt the first WoO LMS event in Texas since 2004 might have slipped through his fingers. He appeared in prime position after marching forward from the sixth starting spot to grab the lead on lap 36 from race-long pacesetter Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis.

“I feel like we could’ve won that race,” said Lanigan, who never got close enough to challenge Babb over the final 12 circuits. “My car was good enough to move around, so we could’ve gotten up there and run the top like Babb. We just had a bad break (with the cut tire).”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who rallied after pitting to change a broken left-rear shock on lap 51; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who started 23rd after using a provisional; Ray Moore of Shreveport, La., who earned the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who has never won a tour race and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings; and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who soldiered on with a damaged car after being involved in the scramble that followed Francis’s lap-17 spin.

Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, and Kevin Sitton of Baytown, Texas, split Saturday night’s pair of B-Mains. King went on to finish 13th and capture the $250 WoO LMS Rookie of the Race bonus.

The WoO LMS continues its ‘Month of Money’ on March 27-28, visiting The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., for the fourth annual Circle K Colossal 100. A $50,000 top prize will be on the line from a total purse of $250,000.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Lone Star 100’ at Battleground Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Shannon Babb/100 $20,100
2. (6) Darrell Lanigan/100 $10,600
3. (4) Brian Birkhofer/100 $6,050
4. (15) Josh Richards/100 $5,500
5. (10) Chub Frank/100 $4,500
6. (14) Tim Fuller/100 $3,500
7. (12) Clint Smith/100 $3,250
8. (23) Shane Clanton/100 $3,000
9. (16) Ray Moore/100 $2,800
10. (11) Brady Smith/100 $2,200
11. (13) Al Purkey/99 $1,900
12. (21) Jordan Bland/99 $1,800
13. (17) Russell King/98 $1,950
14. (24) Dustin Hapka/95 $1,650
15. (5) Chris Wall/68 $1,600
16. (2) Jimmy Mars/65 $1,580
17. (20) Duke Whiseant/51 $1,560
18. (19) Robbie Stuart/47 $1,540
19. (1) Rick Eckert/42 $2,020
20. (9) Howard Willis/40 $1,500
21. (8) Vic Coffey/36 $2,000
22. (18) Kevin Sitton/30 $1,500
23. (7) Steve Francis/17 $2,100
24. (22) James Ward/16 $1,500

* Earnings include WoO LMS Winner’s Circle program bonuses and cash contingency awards

Time of Race: 1 hour, 4 Mins., 20.233 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 1.285 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 9 (Laps 17, 17, 32, 36, 40, 40, 51, 65, 83)
Lap Leaders: Mars (1-35); Lanigan (36-40); Babb (41-55); Birkhofer (56); Babb (57-70); Birkhofer (71); Babb (72-100)
Provisional Starters: Shane Clanton, Dustin Hapka
Rookie of the Race: Russell King ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Ray Moore ($500)
Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race: Jay Hunt (Shannon Babb)

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Russell King, 2. Robbie Stuart, 3. Jordan Bland, 4. Shane Clanton, 5. Chris Brown, 6. Rob Litton, 7. Dustin Hapka, 8. Bill Koons

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Kevin Sitton, 2. Duke Whiseant, 3. James Ward, 4. Brent Robinson, 5. Tyler Reddick, 6. Chas Shellenberger, 7. Chuck Hummer, 8. Michael Coleman

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Tyler Reddick, Chris Brown
* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal):
* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Ray Moore
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to A-Main winner w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Brady Smith
* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan
* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Russell King, Kevin Sitton
* Fusion Energy ($50 cash award to Heat 2 winner w/decal): Steve Francis
* Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash award to fast qualifier w/decal): Brian Birkhofer
* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Shannon Babb
* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chub Frank
* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Chris Wall
* Super Clean ‘Start of the Race’ (one case of product): Shane Clanton
* VP Racing Fuels ‘Outside Looking In’ Award (free 54-gallon drum of VP-113 or Late Model Plus racing fuel to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Rob Litton
* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Shannon Babb

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of March 21 - 4 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Josh Richards 1-3-4 -$19,550-568 (-0)
2. Darrell Lanigan 0-2-4-$19,350-560 (-8)
3. Steve Francis 2-3-3-$23,100-546 (-22)
4. Shane Clanton 0-0-4-$8,350-544 (-24)
5. Shannon Babb 1-2-3-$25,800-520 (-48)
6. Tim Fuller 0-0-2-$6,740-516 (-52)
7. (tie) Rick Eckert 0-1-2-$8,070-512 (-56)
7. (tie) Chub Frank 0-1-3-$8,700-512 (-56)
9. Brady Smith 0-2-3-$8,900-493 (-75)
10. Clint Smith 0-0-2-$5,950-484 (-84)
11. Vic Coffey 0-0-0-$5,250-460 (-108)
12. Jordan Bland 0-0-0-$3,340-421 (-147)
13. (tie) Dustin Hapka 0-0-0-$3,050-390 (-178)
13. (tie) Russell King 0-0-0-$2,820-390 (-178)
15. (tie) Dan Schlieper 0-1-1-$3,600-370 (-198)
15. (tie) Scott Bloomquist 0-0-1-$3,080-370 (-198)
17. Billy Moyer 0-1-2-$5,000-359 (-209)
18. Tyler Ivey 0-0-0-$2,110-334 (-234)
19. Brent Robinson 0-0-0-$930-331 (-237)
20. Tyler Reddick 0-0-0-$1,280-327 (-241)

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

VP Racing Fuels Announces 2009 Award Programs For World of Outlaws Late Model Series

CONCORD, NC – March 21, 2009 – VP Racing Fuels officials announced today the company’s complete awards program for the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

The Official Racing Fuel of the nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour has established three attractive incentives for the 2009 season – two that will benefit close-but-no-cigar non-qualifiers, and one that will reward the campaign’s most prolific winner.

Already activated is the VP Racing ‘Nice Jugs Award,’ which is presented to one driver at every regular 40- or 50-lap WoO LMS event. The fastest qualifier in time trials who does not transfer to the night’s A-Main through heats, B-Mains, provisional spots or alternate status and displays a VP Racing decal receives two brand-new five-gallon fuel jugs from VP Racing. As an added bonus, the driver who wins the most fuel jugs over the course of the season will receive a product certificate from VP Racing Fuel redeemable for enough racing fuel of their choice to fill their jugs.

VP Racing Fuels will up the ante for one non-qualifier when the big money is on the line in the tour’s extra-distance 100-lap races, presenting the VP Racing ‘Outside Looking In Award’ to the fastest qualifier in time trials who does not transfer to the A-Main through heats, consolations, provisional spots or alternate status. The award winner will receive a complimentary 54-gallon drum of VP-113 or Late Model Plus racing gasoline courtesy of VP Racing, provided that they display the VP decal, use VP and don't display any competitive decals on their car.

The VP Racing ‘Outside Looking in Award’ will be presented for the first time during the inaugural $20,000-to-win ‘Lone Star 100’ this weekend (March 20-21) at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas. Other extra-distance races that will feature the cash award include the Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.; the Illini 100 on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway; the 100-lap spectacular on May 1-2 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio; and the Firecracker 100 on June 26-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.

VP Racing will also present the VP Racing ‘Checkered Champion Award’ to the driver who wins the most WoO LMS A-Mains during the 2009 season. Representatives from VP Racing will be on hand at the 2009 WoO LMS Awards Banquet to hand out $500 cash to the recipient of this award.

Last month VP Racing Fuels signed a multi-year agreement with the World Racing Group to be the Official Racing Fuel of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, all 12 divisions of DIRTcar Racing and UMP DIRTcar Racing along with a number of regional touring series that fall under the DIRTcar banner.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Birkhofer Sets Fast Time, Wins Heat On Opening Night Of Lone Star 100 Weekend At Battleground Speedway

HIGHLANDS, TX – March 20, 2009 – Brian Birkhofer was perfect during Friday night’s Lone Star 100 qualifying program at Battleground Speedway.

But the Muscatine, Iowa, standout knows that his Ohlins Shocks Fast Time Award and heat-race victory will become a moot point if he can’t back up his performance with a $20,000 triumph on Saturday night in the three-eighths-mile oval’s inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.

“I felt pretty good tonight,” said Birkhofer, who established a new dirt Late Model track record of 15.471 seconds in time trials and led the first 10-lap heat from flag-to-flag. “But tomorrow night will be a new night. I think the track will be a little bit different.”

Birkhofer, 37, appeared to have no trouble adjusting his Birkhofer-Mars Chassis machine to Friday night’s tacky, fast conditions after practicing on a hard, slick surface the previous evening. He’s ready to refine his setup again for the Lone Star 100.

“They got more water down in the track tonight and I think tomorrow night’s feature will be better because of it,” said Birkhofer. “Tonight the track was sticky and you could drive the hell out of it, but I think it will slick up more tomorrow and slow down. One-hundred laps ought to be a lot of fun.”

Joining Birkhofer on Friday night’s list of heat winners was WoO LMS points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., defending tour champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who hustled his Sheltra Motorsports car around the outside of Caledonia, N.Y.’s Vic Coffey to capture the final prelim.

The top-two finishers in each of Friday night’s heat races will redraw on Saturday for positions 1-8 in the Lone Star 100.

The fourth heat was rough for Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who enters the weekend ranked fourth in the WoO LMS points standings. He was battling for the lead with Coffey on the first lap when the right side of his car dug into the track surface entering turn one, sending the machine bicycling on two wheels before coming back to earth and nosing into the outside wall.

“I thought I was going over,” said Clanton, whose car was towed to the pit area. “I thought it was gonna be a good one.”

Clanton and his crew pulled the thoroughly crunched nosepiece off the car and immediately started working to repair it for Saturday night’s action. Several WoO LMS travelers came over to help Clanton, including Chub Frank, team owner/chassis builder Mark Richards and car owner Dale Beitler.

Thirty-three cars were signed in for the first WoO LMS event in Texas since 2004.

Saturday’s program will kick off with a driver autograph session in the grandstand area at 5 p.m., followed by a B-Main and the Lone Star 100. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The Lone Star 100 will conclude with perhaps the most unique Victory Lane ceremony in WoO LMS history. Hondo, a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn with a six-and-a-half-foot horn spread, is being brought in from the LaBuff Bucking Bulls ranch in nearby Ames, Texas, to lend a Lone Star State accent to the Victory Lane proceedings. The race winner will pose for photos with Hondo – maybe even while sitting on the steer’s back.

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Birkhofer, Wall, Willis, Purkey, Bland, Stuart, Hummer, Whiseant (DNS) Shellenberger

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Mars, Frank, Fuller, Sitton, Mitchell, Hapka, Koons

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, Eckert, B. Smith, Richards, King, Ward, Coleman, Robinson

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Babb, Coffey, C. Smith, Moore, Reddick, Brown, Clanton, Litton

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Previewing The ‘Lone Star 100' At Battleground Speedway

A BIG DEAL: This weekend's inaugural ‘Lone Star 100' at Battleground Speedway, which kicked off with a practice session on Thursday night that included just over 30 cars, is a truly special event in so many ways.

* The two-day spectacular (time trials and heats on Fri., March 20, and last-chance races and the $20,000-to-win A-Main on Sat., March 21) brings the renowned World of Outlaws Late Model Series back to Texas for the first time since 2004, when the tour made its only previous appearance in the state early in its first season under the World Racing Group banner. Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore hosted two complete programs that were won by then WoO LMS regulars Dale McDowell (April 16) and Bart Hartman (April 17).

* This will serve as the first major event of a new era at Battleground Speedway, a high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval that reopened three weeks ago after sitting dormant since early 2006. Texan Mike Walling, 34, purchased the silent facility last September and has big aspirations for the track, which previously operated from 1984-2001 and 2004-2006.

* The track last hosted a national-level dirt Late Model touring series event on March 5, 1993, when the defunct Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA Series sanctioned a non-points show won by Bill Frye of Greenbrier, Ark. What's more, there hasn't been a regional touring series program at Battleground since June 20, 1998, when the Southern United Professional Racing (SUPR) series made its last of 15 visits from 1992-1998.

* With a first-place prize of $20,000 and total purse in the neighborhood of $100,000 for Saturday night's Lone Star 100 headliner, this is arguably the biggest weekend of dirt Late Model racing ever staged in the great state of Texas. Only one other dirt Late Model event held in Texas has offered a $20,000 winner's check – a Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA Series show on Sept. 28-29, 2000, at the Texas Motor Speedway dirt track (won by Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis.) – and during the 2000s the state has hosted just five races paying $10,000 or more to win, with none since the WoO LMS's last visit in 2004.

* Saturday night's post-race celebration will be perhaps the most unique in WoO LMS history. Hondo, a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn with a six-and-a-half-foot horn spread, is being brought in from the LaBuff Bucking Bulls ranch in nearby Ames, Texas, to lend a Lone Star State accent to the Victory Lane proceedings. The race winner will pose for photos with Hondo – maybe even while sitting on the steer's back.

LOOKING FOR TEXAS GLORY: Not a single WoO LMS regular has ever competed at Battleground Speedway, but several have made starts in the state.

In fact, three Outlaws scored top-five finishes in the tour's 2004 A-Mains at Lone Star Speedway. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., finished second in the April 17 event, while the April 16 preliminary feature saw 2007 series champion and current points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., finish third and defending tour champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., place fifth.

Other current WoO LMS regulars who competed in the 2004 doubleheader in Texas included Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. Hartman's victory in the weekend's second event, meanwhile, came behind the wheel of the Mark Richards Racing Enterprises Rocket Chassis house car – the machine that is now driven by young WoO LMS sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who will make his first career A-Main start in the state of Texas on Saturday and celebrate his 21^st birthday on Sunday.

TEXAS CONNECTION: WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidate Dustin Hapka travels the tour from his home base in Grand Forks, N.D. – just 60 miles from the Canadian border – but he has a tie to Texas.

Hapka, who turned 26 on March 9, was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. He moved to North Dakota by the time he was one, but his father, Steve, still lives in Galveston, Texas. As a result, with Hapka on the road along the Gulf Coast all week after competing in last Friday night's WoO LMS event at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. (where he earned Rookie of the Race honors), the upstart racer had a chance to spend Wednesday fishing with his father in the Galveston area.

Believe it or not, though Hapka has been racing in various divisions since 2001, his father has only seen him race on television or on the internet. And even with this weekend's show so close to Galveston, Hapka's father won't be able to watch his son slide around the Battleground oval in person because his job doing designing and engineering work for oil refineries is taking him on a trip to Saudi Arabia.

HEAT CHECK: A glance at the WoO LMS racers who enter the weekend riding high or low waves:

Who's Hot – Steve Francis will attempt to pull off just the fifth three-race win streak on the WoO LMS since 2004 (and become the first driver to win three in-a-row twice); Richards captured the tour's season opener last month in Florida and sits second in the points standings; Brady Smith failed to qualify for the WoO LMS lidlifter but finished second and fourth in the next two A-Mains.

Who's Not – Clint Smith scored a ninth-place finish last Friday at Deep South Speedway but ranks 14^th in the points standings thanks to a pair of dismal outings in Florida last month; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., is one spot ahead of Smith in the points standings but is the only driver from the top 10 in last year's points who doesn't have a top-10 finish yet this season.

OUTLAW TIES: Two drivers from the Houston area with plans to enter the Lone Star 100 have a connection to WoO LMS stalwart Chub Frank.

Chris Brown of Cleveland, Texas, and Kevin Sitton of Baytown, Texas, both will campaign Rocket Chassis cars this weekend that came from Frank's Pennsylvania shop. Last year Brown sold a car that he had purchased from Frank to Sitton, who is in his second year of dirt Late Model racing. This year Brown called on Frank again, buying a car that Frank had prepared in his garage for Canadian Peter Mantha; he commissioned Frank to set it up – complete with a new Custom engine that Brown had delivered to Frank's shop – and send it out to Brown on a car carrier.

MID-WEEK VISIT: Chris Wall of Holden, La. – the Gulf Coast star known as the ‘Intimagator' – pulled into Battleground Speedway for Thursday night's practice after hosting several WoO LMS travelers at his shop earlier this week.

Francis, Clanton, Eckert, Brady Smith and Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., pulled their haulers into Wall's compound, not only to work but also for a little fun during their off days. Wall gave the drivers a tour of his C&M Gator Farm – a complex where he is currently raising over 20,000 gators – that included an exciting ride on the air boats that he uses to collect gator eggs in the Louisiana bayous.

The boys also spotted the dirt track for radio-controlled cars that sits on Wall's property and started an impromptu R.C. race. After packing down some grass that had grown on the track surface during a year of inactivity, Wall got out some R.C. cars (Clanton had his own truck along) and went racing with his visitors.

“Well, these guys might have me on this track here,” Wall said, pointing to the Battleground high banks. “But I had their number at my track. I had the hometrack advantage.”

LOOKING TO REPEAT PAST GLORY: No driver in the pit area for Thursday night's practice session could claim more success in dirt Late Model series events at Battleground than Howard Willis of Dayton, Texas, who won five SUPR tour features at the track between 1992 and 1997.

HOT-LAPPING: Drivers on hand for Thursday night's practice session included...A1-Duke Whiseant/Texarkana, AR; 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV; 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 2b-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI; w3-James Ward/Lettsworth, LA; 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA; 5-Jon Mitchell/Greenbrier, AR; 6R-Robbie Stuart/DeRidder, LA; 11-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA; 12-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY; 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA; 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL; 18-Dustin Hapka/Grand Forks, ND; 19-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY; 20-Kevin Sitton/Baytown, TX; 21-Chris Brown/Cleveland, TX; 23-Howard Willis/Dayton, TX; 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA; 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 25-Chuck Hummer/Ottawa Lake, MI; 28-Jimmy Mars/Menominie, WI; 29-Bill Koons/Omaha, NE; 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY; 33-Al Purkey/Coffeyville, KS; 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH; 56-Chas Shellenberger/Winfield, PA; 68-Rob Litton/Alexandria, LA; 71-Chris Wall/Holden, LA; 93-Ray Moore/Shreveport, LA.

RACE INFORMATION: Gates will open at 3 p.m. on both Fri., March 20, and Sat., March 21, with practice scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. each day.

Saturday's schedule will include a driver autograph session in the grandstand area from 4-5 p.m., giving fans a chance to meet all the competitors in the field.

Battleground Speedway is located 12 miles east of Houston, just four miles north of Interstate 10 Exit 787 on FM 2100.

For ticket information and other info on the Lone Star 100, visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net or call 832-421-RACE.

Local Favorite Kevin Sitton Excited To Challenge World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars This Weekend (March 20-21) At Battleground Speedway

HIGHLANDS, TX – March 17, 2009 – Kevin Sitton lives just minutes away from Battleground Speedway and calls the three-eighths-mile oval his favorite track, so his feelings about this weekend’s inaugural Lone Star 100 aren’t a mystery.

Yes, Sitton is pumped up to challenge the national stars from the World of Outlaws Late Model Series at the reopened facility.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Sitton said of the $100,000 two-day event, which begins on Fri., March 20, with time trials and heat races and concludes on Sat., March 21, with a driver autograph session, last-chance races and the $20,000-to-win 100-lapper. “Seeing the track reopen this year (after being idle since early 2006) was a great thing – and then when somebody said something about a World of Outlaws Late Model Series race happening, everybody just went nuts.

“This is a real big deal for this area, this state. There’s never been a dirt Late Model show this big around here and everybody is excited about it.”

A 26-year-old driver from Baytown, Texas, who’s in his second year of dirt Late Model racing, Sitton will make his first career attempt to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main. He has no illusions about how tough it will be to crack the starting field with so much top-rated talent from across the country in attendance.

“The Outlaw guys are the best of the best,” said Sitton. “I just hope they don’t whoop up on me too bad.”

Coming off an impressive debut campaign in the dirt Late Model ranks that saw him emerge as the Southern United Professional Racing (SUPR) tour’s Rookie of the Year, Sitton is looking at the Lone Star 100 as an invaluable educational experience for his burgeoning career. He relishes the rare opportunity to rub shoulders – and sheet metal – with the fulltime traveling professionals of the WoO LMS.

“You can see these guys racing on television (on the SPEED cable network) and in videos on the internet, but it’s not the same as seeing them in person,” said Sitton, who finished second in the 2008 SUPR points standings and won three features. “When you race with them, you can see how they drive the track and how they handle different situations. And you can walk down and talk to them.

“It’s gonna be a great thing for us to have a chance to talk to guys like Chub Frank, Steve Francis, Josh Richards and the rest of the Outlaws. I just want to learn some things about tires and setups from them.”

Sitton already has a long-distance relationship with Frank, the 47-year-old WoO LMS veteran from Bear Lake, Pa. Last year Sitton made his dirt Late Model debut after his family purchased an ’05 Rocket car from fellow Baytown resident Chris Brown – a machine that Brown had obtained from Frank. Sitton is still driving the same car and has been regularly calling Frank for setup tips over the past year.

“This will be the first time I’ve met Chub in person,” said Sitton, whose No. 20 car will carry a Wall 2 Wall Performance open engine borrowed from Tony Flynn of Oklahoma City, Okla. “I might have to buy a case a beer and bring it over to him for helping me out with my setup questions so many times.”

Sitton is thrilled that promoter Mike Walling has resurrected Battleground Speedway, a local facility that holds a special place in his heart. The track previously operated from 1984-2001 and 2004-2006.

“Battleground is my favorite track mostly because of the memories I have of growing up there,” said Sitton. “I can remember being in the pits there with my father (veteran racer Tim Sitton), scraping mud and learning about setups. Then when I got a Bomber to start racing (in 2000), we used to get a case of beer for the guy who worked on the track (surface) and he’d water it so I could go over there and practice.”

A points champion at Battleground in 2004 competing in the Late Model Stock division, Sitton expects spectacular racing this weekend.

“It has a real nice black-gumbo (clay) surface,” Sitton said of Battleground. “I went out there two weeks ago (for the track’s second program under Walling) and watched from the stands and (the surface) stayed heavy all night. People were racing two- and three-wide, and I think you’ll see the same thing this weekend.

“Battleground is one of the few tracks I’ve been to where you can run the bottom or the top (grooves) without a problem. It’s going to be a great show.”

There will be certainly be plenty of Sitton fans on hand to see the weekend action, which brings the WoO LMS to Texas for the first time since 2004. The field will feature series regulars Frank; Ashland, Ky.’s Francis, who is riding a two-race win streak and leads the points standings; Shinnston, W.Va.’s Richards, a 20-year-old who won the tour’s season opener last month in Florida; defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y.; and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.

A healthy contingent of WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidates is also expected, including Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D.; Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio; Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.; 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.; Chuck Hummer of Ottawa Lake, Mich.; and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.

And the field will also include a cross-section of well-known names from far away (Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., and Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan.) and along the Gulf Coast (Chris Brown of Baytown, Texas, Howard Willis of Dayton, Texas, Chris Wall of Holden, La., James Ward of Lettsworth, La., Ray Moore of Shreveport, La., and Rob Litton of Alexandria, La.).

All the entrants will compete not only for the $20,000 top prize – just the second dirt Late Model race held in Texas to offer that much money to win – but also a post-race visit with Hondo, a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn. The A-Main winner will pose with the 14-year-old steer in a Texas-themed Victory Lane.

The Lone Star 100 weekend will kick off on Thurs., March 19, with an open practice session from 6-9 p.m. Fans can enter the grandstands free of charge to get a preview of the action, while pit admission will be $20.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. on both Fri., March 20, and Sat., March 21, with practice scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. each day.

Saturday’s schedule will include a driver autograph session in the grandstand area from 4-5 p.m.

For ticket information and other info on the Lone Star 100, visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net or call 832-421-RACE.

Battleground Speedway is located 12 miles east of Houston, just four miles north of Interstate 10 Exit 787 on FM 2100.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ At Deep South Speedway

MILESTONE: Friday night’s 40-lap ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ headliner at Deep South Speedway was the 200^th A-Main contested since the World of Outlaws Late Model Series restarted in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.

The 200 A-Mains have been run at 99 different tracks in 30 states and three Canadian provinces – which means another milestone will be reached with the running of the inaugural ‘Lone Star 100’ this weekend (March 20-21) at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas. The high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval outside Houston is poised to become the 100^th track to host a WoO LMS event during the tour’s WRG era.

FORGETTABLE: Rick Eckert still can’t quite recapture his winning magic from the 2004-2006 WoO LMS seasons.

Coming off a strong southern trip in February that ended on Feb. 14 with a third-place finish in the tour’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH finale at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park, the York, Pa., veteran seemed primed to rise all the way back to the top when he set fast time for Friday night’s program at Deep South. It was, after all, just his second top-qualifier honor since April 2006.

But Eckert’s hopes were dashed in the first heat faster than you can say, “Red clay oval.” Aware that he would have to quickly get to the faster top lane of the track from his pole position start if he expected to win the preliminary, he attempted to move up but tangled between turns one and two with Shane Clanton and Brady Smith, breaking the left-front suspension of his Bloomquist Chassis machine and causing a chain-reaction pileup behind him. Later, in the first B-Main, he was involved in an opening-lap scrape that flattened both of his car’s rear tires, but he returned to the race and moved forward to grab the third and final transfer spot.

Saddled with the 21^st starting spot in the A-Main, Eckert managed to salvage a 12^th-place finish. It was the first time in his 16 overall starts this season that he failed to place in the top 10.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” said Eckert. “We had a real fast car, but we just couldn’t put it all together. You don’t expect to get crashed out starting on the pole in a heat, but it happened to us and that put us behind for the rest of the night.”

RARE SIGHT: Something that wasn’t seen very often in 2008 happened during Friday night’s first heat race – a flat tire on Darrell Lanigan’s car.

The defending WoO LMS champion went through the entire ’08 campaign without experiencing a flat tire, but it took just three races for the misfortune to strike him this season. He was running second to Clanton on the seventh lap of the preliminary when his machine’s right-rear tire shredded, bringing out a caution flag and sending him to the pit area.

But Lanigan showed his championship mettle by charging back to qualify in the heat. He went on to advance from the 13^th starting spot to an eighth-place finish in the A-Main, which saw him survive several laps of intense bump-and-run action with fellow WoO LMS regular Chub Frank.

CLOSE CALL: A sixth-place finish (after timing fourth-fastest in qualifying) didn’t exactly thrill the 47-year-old Frank, but he gladly accepted it in the wake of his disappointing visit to Volusia last month.

Plus, ‘Chubzilla’ felt fortunate to see the checkered flag on Friday after one particularly scary scrape with Lanigan on lap 10.

“He thought he had me clear (entering turn three), but he hit me in the door,” said Bear Lake, Pa.’s Frank. “It about crashed us both. I thought for a second that I was going right in the wall, but I held on.

“I was mad at the time and we’ll talk about it, but I know he didn’t mean it. He doesn’t drive like that.”

THE REPORTER: Clint Smith provided a pretty simple – and slightly humorous – analysis of Friday night’s feature to a WoO LMS official.

“(Billy) Moyer jumped out to the lead, (Steve) Francis passed him (for the win) – and ‘Cat Daddy’ finished ninth in a World of Outlaws race,” said Smith, pointing out his own performance. “The way we ran in Florida (last month), a top-10 is an accomplishment.”

Senoia, Ga.’s Smith registered by far his best WoO LMS finish of the young season behind the wheel of a GRT car he debuted in Southern races during the tour’s four-week break. He made an engine change following Thursday night’s practice in search of more horsepower.

RALLYING: Brady Smith’s first season with the WoO LMS as his primary focus didn’t start off well (he failed to qualify for the opener at Volusia following a heat-race accident), but the 31-year-old from Solon Springs, Wis., has proven his talent with a pair of comeback top-fives.

Backing up his runner-up finish in the finale at Volusia, Smith registered a steady fourth-place finish on Friday at Deep South.

“We’re very happy with fourth,” said Smith, who started third in his Bloomquist Chassis car. “The outside was the preferred line to start in and we were on the inside (for the initial green flag), so I knew it would be tough to stay ahead of (Brian) Birkhofer and he was able to get in front of us. We never got another opportunity to get by him.”

ONE FOR THE POINTS RACE: Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., entered the weekend as the country’s hottest dirt Late Model driver – he scored his sixth overall win the previous week driving the Ernie Davis-owned No. 25 in the season opener at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway – but he settled for a solid fifth-place finish on Friday night.

“I think we were better than Brady (Smith),” Richards said of his Rocket Chassis house car, “but I ran behind him the whole race. I could get under him in (turns) one and two, but I couldn’t carry enough speed off the corner to pass him.”

Richards, by the way, will celebrate his 21^st birthday the day after the Lone Star 100 at Battleground Speedway.

RACIN’ & SIGHTSEEIN’: Muscatine, Iowa’s Brian Birkhofer made the long tow to Deep South Speedway to kick off his 2009 racing season with a third-place finish on Friday night.

The outing came after Birkhofer snuck away from the track on Friday afternoon to be a tourist, visiting the Battleship USS Alabama in nearby Mobile Bay. He no doubt enjoyed himself after Saturday night’s rainout as well – Saturday, after all, was his 37^th birthday.

PIT ACTION: The crews of several WoO LMS teams sported new faces at Deep South…

* Chris Burton, who won the 2008 WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year Award working for Lanigan’s championship operation but split with the Kentucky driver before the ’09 campaign began, resurfaced with Steve Francis. Burton was hired by Francis to work on the Ashland, Ky., star’s equipment (including the cars that will be driven in selected events by NASCAR Sprint Cup star Ryan Newman), and he’ll also accompany Francis on the road to add manpower to car owner Dale Beitler’s effort.

* Jonathan Owensby, who spent the past two seasons working for Shane Clanton, returned to the pit area as a member of Clint Smith’s team. Owensby left Clanton’s RSD Enterprises effort because he planned to relocate from Georgia to West Virginia and get a non-racing job, but the move fell through and Smith offered him an opportunity to go back out on the road.

* Lanigan’s operation featured a brother act at Deep South – Randle Edwards, who returned as Lanigan’s chief mechanic prior to last month’s opener at Volusia after a one-year separation, was joined by his older Keith Edwards. Keith said he was recently laid off from his job working with dirt Late Model standout Earl Pearson Jr. on the North Carolina-based Bobby Labonte Motorsports team and agreed to help Lanigan and his brother for the remainder of the month.

STOP AT HOME: With the WoO LMS moving west from Deep South to Texas, the Edwards brothers were planning a mid-week visit with family and friends in their native Alexandria, La.

Lanigan was scheduled to fly home on Sunday, but the Edwards siblings were staying out with the Lanigan Autosports hauler. They headed for their other brother’s home to spend several days working on Lanigan’s equipment before going on to Battleground Speedway.

REINFORCEMENTS: Vic Coffey is relishing some extra help on the road – with his Sweeteners Plus Racing teammate Tim McCreadie sidelined indefinitely by the back injury he suffered two months ago in a Chili Bowl Midget Nationals wreck, the 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year has McCreadie’s mechanics, Al Stevens and Mike Amell, assisting his regular wrench Johnny Coco.

The availability of Stevens, who doubles as McCreadie’s hauler driver, has bought Coffey some time to find a fulltime truck driver for the season. His ’08 truck driver, Dave (‘Frog’) Griepsma, is not planning to return this year.

LOCAL CONNECTION: Former WoO LMS champion Scott Bloomquist didn’t make the haul to Deep South Speedway merely to race. The event actually afforded him an opportunity for a couple days of R&R.

Bloomquist’s wife, Katrina, has ties to the area, having lived just south of the track for about 10 years and worked at the famed Live Bait bar and restaurant in Orange Beach, Ala. She still has family and friends in southern Alabama, and many of them met her at Deep South Speedway to attend Friday night’s event. The Bloomquists also planned to stick around the area after the weekend to enjoy a quick vacation with their daughter, Ariel, in a family member’s condo on the beach.

FLEEING THE NORTH: No one was happier to spend time in 70-degree temperatures along the Gulf Coast than Dustin Hapka, who earned the WoO LMS Rookie of the Race bonus with a 16^th-place finish on Friday night.

When Hapka left his hometown of Grand Forks, N.D., to begin the 1,525-mile journey to Deep South Speedway, the temperature was slightly below zero. He also was barely an hour ahead of a snowstorm that ended up closing many roads in the Upper Midwest.

Hapka, who celebrated his 26^th birthday on March 9, expects to be away from home until at least the completion of the Illini 100 weekend on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway.

PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS: Rookie of the Year candidate Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., couldn’t help but feel snakebitten at Deep South.

First, during Thursday night’s practice session, he had to replace his car’s radiator after the fan went through it. Then, at the start of his qualifying lap on Friday night, a left-rear flat tire left him without a time and a starting spot at the rear of a heat. The 21-year-old rallied to win a B-Main, but he retired 20 laps into the A-Main with what he thought was engine trouble.

After Saturday’s rainout Robinson and his traveling companions, which included his mother and father, headed west to park their hauler at Gulf Coast star Chris Wall’s shop in Holden, La. They arranged to leave the rig there, fly home for the week (Robinson has classes to attend at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.), and then return on Thursday to retrieve the equipment and head to Texas.

THE INTIMAGATOR: Wall’s first career appearance at Deep South Speedway was a short one. After taking an unplanned trip through the track’s infield early in his heat, engine problems several circuits later ended his night.

Wall, who is planning to enter this weekend’s Lone Star 100 at Battleground Speedway, is still feeling the effects of the broken right hand he suffered in an accident earlier this year. He only wears a brace on the hand while racing, but he made sure to offer his left hand to greet people because he didn’t “want to take the chance that somebody will have a strong grip,” he said.

FRESH LOOK: Teenage Rookie of the Year contender Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., debuted a new Rocket car that carried prominent sponsorship from Gatorz Precision Built Eyewear.

There was one problem: when Reddick climbed into the machine for the first time (it was put together in upstate New York and hauled south by WoO LMS regular Tim Fuller), he found the seat to be too close to the steering wheel. The 14-year-old lost some practice time on Thursday while the seat was repositioned.

Reddick missed qualifying for Friday night’s A-Main by one position in a B-Main.

ON THE ROAD WITH MOM: Rookie of the Year candidate Russ King made the long haul from Bristolville, Ohio, to Deep South accompanied only by his mother Sis, who also drove the team’s hauler.

King’s brother and chief mechanic, Bobby Bachman, flew down on Friday to meet up with the team. They watched King, who turns 20 on March 18, qualify for his first A-Main of ’09, but an overheating engine forced him to retire.

A GOOD CAUSE: Two fans –Vernon Johnson, 63, of Hammond, La., and Cameron Paul, 18, of Pensacola, Fla. – won once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience the start of Friday night’s A-Main from inside the cockpit of two-seat dirt Late Models.

Local racers Frank Wilson and Nathan Ingersoll drove the cars that were used in the unique raffle/promotion, which raised $486 for the families of the victims in last week’s tragic shootings in a nearby Alabama county. They thrilled Johnson and Paul by participating in the four-wide parade lap and taking the green flag from the back of the pack before immediately pulling into the infield.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Red-Hot Steve Francis Is Having A Ball On The World of Outlaws Late Model Series
‘Kentucky Colonel’ Will Go For Rare Three-Race Win Streak In March 20-21 ‘Lone Star 100’ At Battleground Speedway

CONCORD, NC – March 15, 2009 - Steve Francis was bubbling like a little kid on Christmas morning after capturing Friday night’s 40-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ A-Main at Deep South Speedway.

Just consider the first words from the Kentucky Colonel’s mouth when he emerged from his Dale Beitler-owned car in Victory Lane: “I’m having more fun than I ever have in my life.”

Yes, the 41-year-old from Ashland, Ky., is living it up on the WoO LMS. With two consecutive wins and a fourth-place finish to his credit so far in 2009 giving him the points lead by 16 markers over Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., he’s off to arguably his best start ever on the national tour.

What’s more, Francis feels completely comfortable campaigning as Beitler’s hired gun. Now in his second season driving for Beitler after running his own equipment in a majority of WoO LMS events from 2004-2007, Francis is relishing the opportunity to concentrate on winning races.

“For some reason, I’m relaxed right now and just enjoying going racing,” said Francis, who has steered Beitler’s familiar Valvoline/Reliable Painting Rocket No. 19 to eight of his series-best 22 career wins since 2004. “Dale has given me whatever I’ve asked for to go racing with, so I can’t complain about anything right now.”

According to Francis, a couple new wrinkles to his pairing with Beitler that went public at Deep South brought further focus and strength to the team’s effort. Most notably, Francis won Friday’s open-tire event on Hoosier rubber rather than the American Racer tires the team used last year – and Beitler has agreed to stick exclusively with Hoosier Tires for the remainder of the season. In addition, Francis has hired 2008 WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year Chris Burton, who split last month with defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., to work on his own equipment (including the dirt Late Models that NASCAR Sprint Cup star Ryan Newman will drive in selected events this season) and provide assistance on the road to Beitler’s chief mechanic Kevin Miller and consultant Robby Allen.

“We’ve just put a whole group of guys together who have one thing in mind, and that’s to try to win every race we can win,” said Francis. “We know that’s not gonna happen, but that’s our goal – to put 100 percent into every race.”

Rain moved in and washed out Saturday night’s scheduled 60-lap, $12,000-to-win program at Deep South Speedway, denying Francis a shot at a rich weekend sweep. But with the 2007 WoO LMS champion so pumped up after his $7,700 triumph on Friday night before the largest crowd in the five-year history of the high-banked oval, there’s no doubt he’ll carry plenty of momentum into the tour’s upcoming big-money events on March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas ($20,000-to-win Lone Star 100); March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway ($50,000-to-win Circle K Colossal 100); and April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway ($20,000-to-win Illini 100).

“This is kind of a ‘Month of Money’ coming up for us, so it feels good to be on a roll,” said Francis, who led the WoO LMS in purse earnings last year and has already cracked the $20,000 mark this season. “We’re just gonna go out there and see how far we can take this.”

Francis paused, and then rattled off the arsenal at his disposal that gives him plenty of confidence: “This is a brand-new car (he debuted on Friday night), and the car in the front of the trailer is the car we won with at Volusia (Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., last month when it was new). And Robby (Allen) has another brand-new car at home that he’s starting to put together. We’re getting all our equipment in place.”

Next up for Francis is Battleground Speedway, where he’ll attempt to post just the fifth three-race win streak on the WoO LMS since 2004. He previously won three in-a-row in 2005, making him one of only four drivers (Rick Eckert, Tim McCreadie and Billy Moyer are the others) to pull off a three-peat on the ultra-competitive tour.

The Lone Star 100, which includes time trials and heat races on Friday night (March 20) and B-Mains and the extra-distance A-Main on Saturday night (March 21), will mark Francis’s first appearance in the state of Texas since a WoO LMS doubleheader on April 16-17, 2004, at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore. He scored finishes of third and 21^st in the two events.

For more information on the first-ever WoO LMS program at Battleground Speedway, visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net or call 832-421-RACE.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Rain Forces Cancellation Of Saturday Night’s ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ Finale At Deep South Speedway

LOXLEY, AL – March 14, 2009 – A historic World of Outlaws Late Model Series weekend at Deep South Speedway that began with a flourish came to an anticlimactic end due to rain.

Steady precipitation began to fall late Saturday afternoon, forcing officials to call off the evening’s ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ finale at the high-banked, four-tenths-mile oval.

No announcement of a new date for Saturday night’s scheduled 60-lap, $12,000-to-win event was announced, but WoO LMS and Deep South Speedway officials plan to discuss the possibility of the tour’s return later in the 2009 season if a suitable place on the schedule can be found.

After Friday night’s inaugural WoO LMS program – won by 2007 tour champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. – attracted the largest crowd in Deep South Speedway’s five-year history, anticipation was running high for Saturday’s grand finale.

“We had the track ready to go and we were so excited to finish the weekend with a great show,” said Bill Webb, who operates the facility with his wife Karen. “We were thrilled with the turnout of cars and fans last night, but unfortunately the weather wouldn’t let us finish the biggest weekend ever at Deep South Speedway.”

WoO LMS director Tim Christman was disappointed that Mother Nature ruined Saturday night’s big-money finale, but he’s confident that the abbreviated weekend will serve as a springboard to making Deep South Speedway a regular stop on the nation’s premier tour.

“It was a pleasure to work with Bill and Karen Webb, Ozzie Altman (track events manager) and the entire staff of Deep South Speedway,” said Christman. “They have a superb facility and welcomed all the teams and officials from the World of Outlaws Late Model Series with open arms. We’re looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Deep South Speedway.”

The WoO LMS will return to action on March 20-21 with a first-ever visit to Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, for the ‘Lone Star 100.’ The inaugural event offers a $20,000 top prize from a purse of $100,000.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Sizzling Francis Overtakes Moyer To Capture Opening Night Of Inaugural ‘Showdown On The Gulf’ At Deep South Speedway

LOXLEY, AL – March 13, 2009 – Steve Francis is riding high on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

And after capturing Friday night’s 40-lap ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ opener at Deep South Speedway, the red-hot star from Ashland, Ky., has no intention of slowing down.

“I’m just gonna go out and try to win every race we can win,” said Francis, who registered his second straight WoO LMS victory and extended his points lead three races into the tour’s grueling 48-event schedule. “For some reason, I’m relaxed right now and just enjoying going racing.”

Francis, 41, topped a battle of former WoO LMS champions, overtaking Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., for the lead on lap 19 of the tour’s first-ever A-Main at the high-banked, four-tenths-mile oval. Driving a brand-new Valvoline/Reliable Painting Rocket car owned by Dale Beitler, Francis held on through two more caution flags to add $7,700 to his bank account.

The 51-year-old Moyer settled for second place, 0.671 of a second behind Francis after leading laps 1-18. He was behind the wheel of a car from the stable of Woodward, Okla.’s Tommy Weder Jr., a young dirt Late Model rookie who is campaigning Victory Circle machines built by Moyer.

Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, who started fourth in his Mars/Birkhofer car, quietly ran in third place from start-to-finish. He finished nearly four seconds behind the leaders.

Completing the top five was third-starter Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., in his Big Red Motorsports Bloomquist Chassis and sixth-starter Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in the Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket.

Francis started from the pole position, but he was outgunned for the lead at the initial green flag by fellow front-row starter Moyer. Any uneasiness he had about his chances of regaining command from Moyer quickly disappeared.

“I was (doubtful) the first three laps, and then I wasn’t,” said Francis. “I realized how married (Moyer’s) car seemed to be to that top (groove), and then I was just kinda waiting to pick a spot when we got to lapped traffic. Passing him in wide-open track was gonna be hard, but we had a good car and were able to maneuver better than he was.

“I figured just from watching where he was having to run on the racetrack that he had committed a little softer on tires than I had. I knew when we got to lapped cars that I was able to turn and come down the bank a lot better than he could.”

Francis made his move exiting turn two on the 18^th circuit, ducking underneath Moyer’s green-and-black mount with slower cars ahead. He had his Cornett Chevy-powered No. 19 in front for good as lap 19 was scored.

Moyer, who accepted an offer to run Weder’s brand-new No. 02 after his own Banner Valley Hauling No. 21 was sidelined by motor trouble during Thursday night’s practice session, would have liked to call a do-over on the 18^th lap.

“I feel like I gave the race away myself,” said Moyer, who earned $3,100 for his night’s work. “I hit that hole (in the surface) and kinda made the wrong decisions, and Steve ran a great race. He did what he needed to do.

“It wasn’t the car’s fault. It was good. I set the car up just like mine, so really it should run as good as mine.”

Francis and Moyer had a hairy moment on lap 20, when they momentarily got bottled up on the backstretch behind the slowing car driven by WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidate Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va. They escaped the episode unscathed and Francis controlled the remainder of the distance.

“It feels like you’re going MACH-3 around this place,” said Francis, whose career WoO LMS win total of 22 leads all drivers during the tour’s World Racing Group-era (2004-present). “Things happen here in a hurry, and we had a close call there.”

Four caution flags slowed the event, which was run before the biggest crowd ever to attend a dirt Late Model event at the five-year-old Deep South Speedway.

Cautions were caused by the turn-two spins of Winston, Ga.’s Travis Pennington (lap four) and William Thomas of Phenix City, Ala. (lap nine), and the slow machines of Watertown, N.Y.’s Tim Fuller (flat left-rear tire as he ran 10^th on lap 26) and WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio (overheating engine on lap 28).

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who transferred to the A-Main through a heat race despite pitting to change a blown left-rear tire; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.

Weder, 23, drove his team’s primary car to an 11^th-place finish, earning him the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who had never won a tour A-Main and wasn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., earned the $50 Ohlins Shocks Fast Time Award, blistering the oval in 15.304 seconds to establish a new track record.

But Eckert’s fortunes dive-bombed when he was involved in a tangle between turns one and two on the opening lap of the first heat, forcing him out of the preliminary with left-front suspension damage. He qualified through a B-Main (despite pitting to change a left-rear flat tire) and salvaged a 12^th-place finish in the A-Main.

A total of 25 drivers topped Deep South’s standing dirt Late Model track record of 16.062 seconds, set by Pennington in November 2008.

Heat winners were Clanton, Richards, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who dropped out of the A-Main while running sixth on lap 31 due to an overheating engine, and Frank. The B-Mains were captured by Robinson and Thomas.

The ‘Showdown on the Gulf’ continues on Saturday night (March 14) with a grand finale highlighted by a 60-lap A-Main paying $12,000 to win.

Grandstand gates will open at 3 p.m. on Saturday, with practice scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Additional info can be obtained by visiting www.deepsouthspeedway.com or calling the speedway office at 251-964-6953.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

* Earnings include Winner’s Circle program bonuses for WoO LMS Platinum Team members and cash contingency award bonuses

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, B. Smith, Ward, Lanigan, Hoomes, Jones, Groves, Coffey, Eckert, Fortner, King

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Francis, C. Smith, Ivey, Robinson, Slay, Hapka, Shellenberger, Daughtry, Reddick, Bland

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Bloomquist, Birkhofer, Babb, Weder, Thomas, Mars, Schlieper, F. Smith, Phillips, Hummer (DNS) Ussery

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Frank, Moyer, Fuller, Pennington, Trosclair, Moyer Jr., Little, Day, Wall (DNS) Lucas, Grice

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Robinson, King, Eckert, Reddick, Hoomes, Shellenberger, Daughtry, Hapka, Slay, Coffey, Jones, Groves, Bland (DNS) Fortner

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Thomas, Mars, Schlieper, Trosclair, F. Smith, Little, Moyer, Phillips, Day, Hummer (DNS) Wall, Lucas

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Chris Hoomes, Freddy Smith

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

* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Tommy Weder Jr.

* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Shannon Babb

* Crane Cams ($100 product certificate to Heat 3 winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Brent Robinson, William Thomas

* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Josh Richards

* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Tyler Ivey

* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Jordan Bland

* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of March 13 - 3 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

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 www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Thursday-Night Practice Session Kicks Off Deep South Speedway’s Big World of Outlaws Late Model Series Weekend

LOXLEY, AL – March 12, 2009 – Thirty drivers from 19 different states participated in Thursday night’s open practice session at Deep South Speedway to kick off the Gulf Coast track’s first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series doubleheader.

The impressive turnout for the test-and-tune points to a big weekend at the four-tenths-mile oval, which will host complete tour programs on both Friday (March 13) and Saturday (March 14). A 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win tops Friday night’s card, while Saturday night’s 60-lap finale offers a $12,000 top prize.

An army of WoO LMS travelers participated in Thursday night’s hot laps, including 10 championship hopefuls and five Rookie of the Year candidates. The practice group also included former WoO LMS champions Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., and Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., and ’08 tour regular Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.

Still more drivers are expected to join the weekend action at Deep South, potentially swelling the most talented field ever to compete at the track to 50 or more entries.

Several of Thursday’s early arrivals were clocked turning laps in the low 15-second bracket around the high-banked, four-tenths-mile oval. No dirt Late Model driver has ever turned an official circuit under 16 seconds at the facility owned by Bill and Karen Webb.

One of the fastest drivers on the stopwatches was WoO LMS regular Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., but he knows he still has plenty to prove.

“I can always win practice,” smiled Clanton, who is making his first career appearance at Deep South Speedway. “It’s race time that I can struggle with, but as good as we were tonight, I feel pretty good about our chances this weekend.”

The majority of drivers on hand took their first-ever laps around the red-clay track. In fact, only two WoO LMS regulars have previously visited the speedway: Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who caravanned to the track to run an unsanctioned special in March 2008.

Grandstand gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the pit area will be unlocked at 12 noon each day. WoO LMS time trials are scheduled to begin at 6:15 each night.

General Admission adult tickets are priced at $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday, with kids 6-12 charged $5 for entrance each night. Children five years of age and under will be admitted free into the grandstand area each day when accompanied by an adult, and pit passes will cost $30 each day.

Deep South Speedway is located on Alabama Hwy 59, four miles north of Exit 44 off Interstate 10 or 16 miles south of I-65 Exit 37.

For more information, visit www.deepsouthspeedway.com or call the speedway office 251-964-6953.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Battleground Speedway’s Lone Star 100 Winner Will Receive Victory Lane Visit From 1,300-Pound Texas Longhorn

‘Hondo’ Adds Spice To Ceremonies Following $20,000-To-Win World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event On March 20-21

HIGHLANDS, TX – March 12, 2009 – The winner of the inaugural Lone Star 100 on March 21 at Battleground Speedway will partake in the usual Victory Lane dance of interviews, hugs, handshakes and photos.

And then the champion of the three-eighths-mile oval’s first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event will meet Hondo.

Odds are good that the triumphant driver will have never celebrated with a post-race visitor quite like Hondo, an impressive brown-and-white Texas Longhorn steer who weighs in at over 1,300 pounds. The 14-year-old animal is being brought in from the LaBuff Bucking Bulls ranch in nearby Ames, Texas, to add an interesting bit of Texas flavor to arguably the biggest dirt Late Model show ever contested in the Continental U.S.’s largest state.

A $20,000 top prize from a total purse of $100,000 will be on the line in the Lone Star 100, which begins with time trials and heat races on Fri., March 20, and concludes with a driver autograph session, last-chance races and the extra-distance headliner on Sat., March 21.

“This is going to be a huge weekend that really puts Battleground Speedway back on the map,” said promoter/general manager Mike Walling, who purchased the complex in September 2008 and recently reopened the speedway for its first action since 2006. “We wanted to do something to entertain the fans and make the event even more memorable. Having the winner of the Lone Star 100 pose for pictures with a genuine Longhorn seemed to be a perfect way to blend a slice of Texas history into the post-race celebration.

“We’re definitely going to get some unique Victory Lane photos. Maybe the winner will even be happy enough to climb on Hondo’s back!”

Despite the steer’s intimidating six-and-a-half-foot horn spread and ring-pierced nose, Hondo will be more than willing to let the victorious driver hop on him for a photo opp. Texas Longhorns are known for their innate gentle dispositions and intelligence and Hondo fits that description. The animal’s owner, Twila Strickland, takes him to rodeos and fairs across the region, where kids and adults alike enjoy having their pictures taken while sitting on a saddle placed on his back.

“He’s very used to people,” said Strickland, who will haul Hondo to a racetrack for the first time. “He’s been going to rodeos and fairs all over since he was two years old, so crowds don’t bother him at all.”

The question is – which expected entrant in the Lone Star 100 should fans root for to win the race and meet Hondo? Who would relish an up-close-and-personal encounter with a Texas Longhorn?

“This will be a driver’s chance to really play up the moment and have some fun,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Whoever wins $20,000 is going to be pumped up, but will they get the crowd going by hopping up on Hondo in Victory Lane? We’ll see if the winner of the Lone Star 100 will be a showman.”

Would normally reserved celebrators like defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., ’07 titlist Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and red-hot 20-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., warm up to Hondo? Would outgoing Outlaws like Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and 2008 Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., frolic with the Longhorn? Would cool-customer tour regulars like Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., and Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., smile through a photo shoot with Hondo? How would even-keeled new WoO LMS regular Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., handle the situation?

And what about the famously affable Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, a jokester who has actually worn an Elvis mask to a WoO LMS driver’s meeting – would he jump on Hondo and try to ride him around the track? Would focused standouts like Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., let loose in the presence of the beast? What kind of interaction with Hondo would fans see from Chris (‘The Intimagator’) Wall of Holden, La., who has been known to climb catch fences to celebrate victories? Or local favorites like Kevin Sitton and Chris Brown, two drivers from Baytown, Texas, who, if either happened to pull off an upset win, would already have brought down the house before even reaching Hondo?

The Lone Star 100 weekend – the first WoO LMS event in Texas since 2004 – will kick off on Thurs., March 19, with an open practice session from 6-9 p.m. Fans can enter the grandstands free of charge to get a preview of the action, while pit admission will be $20.

Gates will open at 3 p.m. on both Fri., March 20, and Sat., March 21, with practice scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. each day.

Saturday’s schedule will include a driver autograph session in the grandstand area from 4-5 p.m.

For ticket information and other info on the Lone Star 100, visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net or call 832-421-RACE.

Battleground Speedway is located 12 miles east of Houston, just four miles north of Interstate 10 Exit 787 on FM 2100.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

History To Be Made This Weekend At Deep South Speedway: Four Race Fans Will Start World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Mains In Two-Seat Cars

Raffle For Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity Part Of Charitable Effort To Support Families Of Victims Slain In Tuesday’s Alabama Tragedy

A new ‘first’ in the world of American Stock Car Racing will be unveiled this weekend when the World of Outlaws Late Model Series rumbles into Deep South Speedway for a special two-day event weekend on the high-banked, four-tenths mile oval near the Gulf Coast.

Deep South Speedway officials, in a cooperative effort with the World Racing Group and

Domino’s Pizza, announced Wednesday morning that a never-before-attempted promotion will occur during the two nights of WoO LMS action at the exciting racing facility located halfway between Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola, Fla.

With a busy racing schedule ahead for Deep South Speedway this weekend, a special cause will also take center stage in the form of a unique charitable effort to help the victims of Tuesday’s shooting tragedy in Geneva and Samson, Ala.

When the green flag waves in the weekend’s ‘Battle of the Gulf’ A-Mains on Friday night (March 13) and Saturday night (March 14), four race fans will actually have the opportunity of a lifetime and start the feature events as passengers in two-seat dirt Late Model race cars.

You didn’t misread the previous sentence – yes, two race fans each night will be strapped into dirt Late Model race cars for the start of the features. These history-making racing fans will literally start at the tail of the feature events.

All fans attending this weekend’s WoO LMS action at Deep South Speedway will have the opportunity to make a charitable donation of one dollar or more to the families who suffered great losses in Tuesday’s Geneva County tragedy. Donations made on Friday will give fans a chance at winning one of two seats in the specially-prepared dirt Late Models to start the evening’s 40-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Main, and donations made on Saturday will provide fans a shot at two open seats in the cars for the evening’s 60-lap, $12,000-to-win finale.

The winning fans will suit up and experience the start of a WoO LMS A-Main from a vantage point right in the middle of the action. With an experienced racer steering them around the track, they will be a part of the field during the tour’s famed four-wide parade laps and then actually take the green flag at the start of each A-Main before pulling off the racing surface as the field exits turn two on the opening lap.

The special, unprecedented promotion will be a part of the activities during one of the biggest stock car programs ever held along the coastal region of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.

“We wanted to do something thrilling for the race fans that make this sport what it is,” said Speedway manager Ozzie Altman of the unique fund-raising promotion. “This week’s tragic events down the road forced us to see what we could do to help out the immediate needs of some folks that are facing life-changing circumstances and grief. As their neighbors we need to help them out, and we can involve all the race fans in the assistance effort as well during an event of the magnitude that we have this weekend at Deep South Speedway.”

Karen Webb, a lead partner in Deep South Speedway’s ownership team, is a graduate of Auburn University, as is U.S. Congressman Bobby Bright, whose district includes the communities of Samson and Geneva, Ala. Webb, along with her husband Bill, are accustomed to quick response and aid to communities through their BKW, Inc. response and recovery business, which the government calls upon for disaster relief.

“Just to be strapped into a real racecar as the starting field of American racing legends takes pace laps around the track for opening ceremonies – and then to actually take the green flag with the field – is something that race fans across the nation have never had the opportunity to do,” stated Altman. “Bill Webb (of Deep South Speedway) and I have talked about this deal for a lot of years, and we have recently spoken with the officials of the World of Outlaws to make it become a reality.

“The most important issues surrounding the promotion are to make certain that we do not jeopardize the safety of anyone involved, while also not creating any interference with the actual race itself. It is unheard of, but it is also a great method to raise much-needed funds for such a worthy cause and the folks with the World of Outlaws are behind the promotion one-hundred percent.”

Along with the promoters of the event, the new-age online media outlet DirtOnDirt.com is a part of the effort to give race fans a radical manner to participate in the sport that they so dearly love. In addition to the winning pair of race fans in each night’s raffle, consolation prize winners will be given the opportunity to wave the green flag to start each feature event and also win year-long subscriptions to www.dirtondirt.com. DirtOnDirt.com will also be on hand to document the history-making nights of the four fortunate race fans

Action gets underway this week at Deep South Speedway with a ‘Welcome Party/Media Night that features an open practice session for all racecars on Thursday (March 12) from 6-9 p.m. Pit Gates will open at 5 p.m.

On Friday, pit gates will open at 12 noon and grandstand gates will open at 4 p.m., and on Saturday afternoon pit gates will again open at 12 noon and grandstand gates will swing open at 3 p.m. ahead of pre-race festivities featuring a performance by the band “7th Green” from 4-6 p.m.

WoO LMS time trials are scheduled to begin at 6:15 each night, with each night’s opening ceremonies slated for 7:10 p.m. Feature racing will immediately follow.

Adult pit passes are $30 each night, with adult grandstand ticket pricing set at $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday night. Grandstand admission for kids 6-12 years of age is $5 each night, with children 5-and-under admitted free into the grandstand area when accompanied by a paying adult.

Complete WoO LMS programs will be presented on both Fri., March 13, and Sat., March 14, including time trials, heats, B-Mains and an A-Main. Local divisions will also be in action each evening.

Deep South Speedway is located on Alabama Hwy 59, four miles north of Exit 44 off Interstate 10 or 16 miles south of I-65 Exit 37.

For more information, visit www.deepsouthspeedway.com or call the speedway office 251-964-6953.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Big Group Of Rookie of the Year Candidates Headed For This Weekend’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Doubleheader At Deep South Speedway

CONCORD, NC – March 9, 2009 – When the World of Outlaws Late Model Series roars back into action this weekend (March 13-14) at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala., the pit area will be teeming with upstart full-fender drivers seeking to carve out a national name for themselves.

At least a half-dozen 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidates are expected to attack the blockbuster doubleheader at the four-tenths-mile Gulf Coast oval – by far the largest rookie crop in tour history.

The rookies will help swell the WoO LMS traveling contingent at Deep South Speedway, which will host two complete programs (40 laps/$7,000 to win on Fri., March 13, and 60 laps/$12,000 to win on Sat., March 14) as part of the biggest weekend of dirt Late Model racing in the track’s five-year history. Among the WoO LMS regulars ready for the tour’s first-ever visit to Deep South are defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and former series Rookie of the Year award winners Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va. (2005), Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (2007) and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. (2008).

The ’09 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidates represent a cross-section of drivers, ranging from fresh-faced youngsters on the rise to veteran local racers looking to realize lifelong dreams of racing alongside the sport’s top stars at tracks across the country. They will all chase a top-rookie honor – worth a minimum of $10,000 – that is to be determined using each driver’s best 30 finishes on the WoO LMS, which currently lists 48 events at 39 tracks in 21 states and three Canadian provinces.

Drivers who have already applied for and received Rookie of the Year contender certification include:

* Dustin Hapka, 26, of Grand Forks, N.D., who has advanced through the Street Stock, WISSOTA Super Stock and WISSOTA Late Model classes since beginning his career in 2001 at his hometown’s River Cities Speedway. The operator of a SureStep (non-slip floor treatment) franchise, Hapka made his full-blown dirt Late Model debut last summer when he followed the eight-race WoO LMS Wild West Tour behind the wheel of family-owned equipment.

* Chuck Hummer, 34, of Ottawa Lake, Mich., a fifth-year dirt Late Model racer who has raced mostly at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio, and Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park. The operator of Wynn’s Service Drive Solutions, Hummer was diagnosed with lymphoma last August but is responding so well to continued treatments that he’s primed to attempt the busiest, most far-flung schedule of his career. Thanks to backing from Love’s Travel Stops’ John Gardine of Salt Lake City, Utah, he now has the equipment to do something he’s “always wanted to do.”

* Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, who will seek to continue the DIRTcar big-block Modified-to-WoO LMS RoY pipeline that includes Fuller, Coffey and 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. The son of eastern Ohio/western Pennsylvania big-block Modified standout Rex King, the soon-to-be 20-year-old (he celebrates his birthday on March 18) debuted in a big-block Mod when he was 15 and won the division’s BRP Modified Tour title in 2007 before moving to dirt Late Model competition last season.

* Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., who at 14 became the youngest driver in WoO LMS history to qualify for an A-Main when he grabbed a heat-race transfer spot for the 2009 season opener on Feb. 12 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. An eighth-grader whose slight size belies his precocious ability behind the wheel, Reddick has made more than 650 feature starts during a 10-year racing career that has seen him run go-karts, outlaw karts, Mini-Sprints and, most recently, Midgets and wingless 410 Sprint Cars in the Midwest. The ‘California Kid’ will campaign family-owned equipment on this year’s WoO LMS that is prepared by tour regular Tim Fuller.

* Brent Robinson, 21, of Smithfield, Va., a junior civil engineering student at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., who is making his fifth year of dirt Late Model competition the most ambitious of his career. The 2007 Carolina Clash Series Rookie of the Year, Robinson has recorded four career feature wins in his family-backed, red-white-and-blue cars – all at tracks in North Carolina.

* Chas Shellenberger, 44, of Winfield, Pa., a longtime contractor who plans to “live the dream” by spending a season on the renowned WoO LMS. Shellenberger, who has raced locally (Selinsgrove Speedway is his hometrack) off-and-on since 1989 and is still searching for his first career dirt Late Model feature win, said help from legendary driver and chassis builder C.J. Rayburn has made it possible for him to hit the road in 2009.

In addition, Jeff Isabell Jr., 17, of Pennellville, N.Y., plans to make his 2009 WoO LMS debut at Deep South Speedway and formally submit his Rookie of the Year application. The younger brother of 2008 Rookie of the Year runner-up Joe Isabell – a 19-year-old who plans another season of WoO LMS action in ’09 – Jeff Jr. got his first taste of dirt Late Model racing last year by running the second half of the WoO LMS schedule as a teammate to his sibling.

Another possible Rookie of the Year applicant is Jeff Isabell Sr., the 38-year-old father of Joe and Jeff Jr. and owner of the JIR Motorsports team. A veteran DIRTcar big-block Modified competitor, the elder Isabell made just a handful of dirt Late Model starts in 2008 but hopes to significantly increase his participation in WoO LMS events this season if he can arrange his work schedule accordingly.

Drivers have until the ‘Illini 100’ on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway to submit a Rookie of the Year application to WoO LMS officials for consideration by a six-person panel of drivers and media members.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., was the lone driver whose application for RoY status was voted down by the tour’s panel during last month’s season-opening Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park. A 31-year-old talent who has never run a full national tour but owns two WoO LMS wins in 32 career A-Main starts since 2005 and counts a 2007 Knoxville Nationals triumph among his strong runs in major dirt Late Model events, Smith is geared up to run the WoO LMS for the first time and already has a runner-up finish in the Feb. 14 feature at Volusia under his belt.

As an incentive for Rookie of the Year candidates, the highest-finishing rookie in each WoO LMS event receives a $250 bonus.

For more information on this weekend’s doubleheader at Deep South Speedway, visit www.deepsouthspeedway.com or call the speedway office at 251-964-6953.

Deep South Speedway is located on Alabama Hwy 59, four miles north of Exit 44 off Interstate 10 or 16 miles south of I-65 Exit 37.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Points Standings (as of Feb. 14) – Best 30 Finishes Used To Determine Standings (each driver’s series starts to date in parenthesis)

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Rush Is On To Purchase Reserved Seat Tickets For April 3-4 ‘Illini 100’ At Farmer City Raceway
Demand Is High After Last Year’s Thrilling Inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event

FARMER CITY, IL – March 6, 2009 – Last year’s inaugural ‘Illini 100’ was a classic, down-to-the-wire thriller.

Can the second annual version on April 3-4 at Farmer City Raceway be any better? Fans are already scrambling to make sure they’re on hand to find out.

Reserved seat tickets are on sale and going fast for the $20,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series spectacular, which was widely hailed as one of the best country’s best dirt Late Model events in 2008.

Former WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., pocketed a total of $20,150 – the biggest dirt Late Model prize ever paid out in the state of Illinois – for winning last year’s wildly competitive Illini 100. He led just three laps, including the final two after he slipped ahead of Moweaqua, Ill.’s Shannon Babb, whose bid to win the race from the 24^th starting spot (he went to the rear by rule because he decided to change two tires after reporting to the track for the A-Main lineup) fell less than a half car length short at the checkered flag.

A record crowd witnessed last year’s titanic Illini 100 battle (eight lead changes among five drivers) at the quarter-mile fairgrounds oval – a fact that has kept the phone lines to the Truspeed, Inc. office very busy since tickets to next month’s encore went on sale earlier this week.

“I’ve heard everyone tell me over and over how awesome last year’s race was,” said Truspeed, Inc.’s Don Hammer, who operates Farmer City Raceway with his wife Bonny. “Everyone says that if this year’s race is just half as good as last year’s, it will still be great.

“We love to hear talk like that, but we’re not expecting anything less than the exciting show fans saw last year. We’re working hard to give the fans and racers an action-packed weekend as we continue to build the Illini 100 into a springtime tradition in the Midwest.”

Hammer has increased the number of reserved seats available for this year’s Illini 100, adding the grandstands alongside the beer tent to the pre-sale. The top 10 rows of six bleacher sections, including the two that comprise the main covered grandstand, are currently designated as reserved, but more rows will be sold if demand warrants it.

In addition, Hammer said the fairboard has obtained another seat of bleachers to erect on the backstretch, making 1,000 more general-admission seats available on race day.

The weekend kicks off with an open practice on Thursday night, April 2. Grandstand admission will be free, with pit passes $20 for adults, $10 for children 4-10 and free for kids 3-and-under.

On Friday night, April 3, time trials and heat races will be contested for the Illini 100 along with competitior for the weekly Farmer City divisions. The finale on Saturday night, April 4, will include B-Mains, a 25-lap Non-Qualifiers Race offering Farmer City’s regular weekly UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model purse ($1,000 to win/$150 to start) as well as UMP DIRTcar points, and the 100-lap headliner.

Ticket prices for adults are $15 (Friday) and $30 (Saturday), with children’s tickets priced at $5 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday). Two-day adult tickets cost $40, while pit passes are $30 on Friday and $35 on Saturday or $60 for a two-day combo.

For reserve seat and drive-in parking spots (outside turns one and two), call Truspeed Inc. at 217-828-0078.

The Illini 100 will culminate a huge ‘Month of Money’ for the WoO LMS that also includes a doubleheader on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. ($7,000 to win on Friday, $12,000 to win on Saturday); the inaugural ‘Lone Star 100’ paying $20,000 to win on March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas; and the fourth annual $50,000-to-win Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. A total of $109,000 in first-place cash and over a half-million dollars in purses will be on the line in the five races over a four-week period.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Canandaigua Speedway’s ‘Wings & Warriors Tour’ Features World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and World of Outlaws Late Models

Rolling Wheels’ World of Outlaws Sprint Car Race Now Oct. 10 During Super DIRT Week

CONCORD, N.C. — March 6, 2009 — The 2009 New York Outlaw Invasion is a blockbuster. The inaugural “Wings & Warriors Tour” at Canandaigua Speedway will feature the world’s most prolific dirt track racers from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on May 25 and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series on June 23.

Plus, the superstars of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and their jet-like race cars will be featured during the 38^th Annual Super DIRT Week festivities when they race Saturday, Oct. 10, at Rolling Wheels Raceway, giving New York its biggest stake in the series’ championship battle in years.

Beginning today, fans who purchase the $65 Wings & Warriors Tour advance reserved combo ticket package for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars on May 25 and the World of Outlaws Late Models on June 23 will receive a pit pass to each event. That’s a savings of $80 over purchasing the same tickets on race day. Tickets can be reserved at the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region office by calling 315-834-6606.

“Last year the World of Outlaws Late Model Series came to Canandaigua Speedway and put on an incredible show in front of a packed house,” GM Jack Deery said. “Ours fans asked for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars to come back, too. We’re thrilled we can make that happen, and offer our fans an affordable combo ticket with the opportunity to get a pit pass for free to both events. I believe the Wings & Warriors Tour will be the biggest thing Canandaigua Speedway has seen in a long, long time.

“On top of that, to have the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars be part of Super DIRT Week again is very exciting. It will no doubt make Central New York the focal point of dirt track racing in October.”

In addition to the World of Outlaws series, DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will also be featured at the May 25 event with the BRP Late Models racing on June 23, making that night one of the biggest Dirt Late Model shows in New York history.

Stevie Smith captured the most recent World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series feature in 1999 at Canandaigua. Jac Haudenschild set a track record of 14.773 seconds at 121.844 mph in 1997. Steve Kinser has won four World of Outlaws A-mains at Canandaigua, more than any other driver.

Josh Richards won the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event last season at Canandaigua Speedway. The Wings & Warriors Tour will mark the series’ second appearance there.

For more information on Canandaigua Speedway, visit www.canandaiguaspeedway.com or call 315-834-6606. To learn more about the World of Outlaws, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Deep South Speedway’s Biggest Weekend Ever: World of Outlaws Late Model Series Invades March 13-14 For Two-Day Shootout

LOXLEY, AL – March 4, 2009 – Deep South Speedway has never hosted an event quite like this.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is set to invade the burgeoning four-tenths-mile oval for a two-day shootout on March 13-14 – by far the biggest show that has ever been scheduled at the Gulf Coast facility.

With a 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win topping the Friday-night program and a $12,000 first-place prize on the line in Saturday night’s 60-lap headliner, over $100,000 in purses will be paid out during the blockbuster weekend.

And with the entry list expected to boast drivers from nearly two dozen different states, an unprecedented field of dirt Late Model talent will perform on the Deep South Speedway high banks.

“It’s going to be explosive,” promised Ozzie Altman, a veteran short-track racing announcer and publicist who oversees the operation of Deep South Speedway. “This has to be one of the biggest weekends of racing ever around this part of the Gulf Coast – and not just for dirt Late Models. The Snowball Derby (a well-known asphalt Late Model event at Five Flags Speedway in nearby Pensacola, Fla.) doesn’t even pay this much money.”

Located midway between Pensacola and Mobile, Ala., and just 25 miles north of the Alabama resort towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Deep South Speedway is a newcomer to the national dirt Late Model scene. The track was built five years ago, but it wasn’t until the husband-and-wife team of Bill and Karen Webb bought the facility prior to the 2008 season that it began to gain widespread recognition.

The Webbs, whose Pensacola-based business, BKW, Inc., is one of the first called by the federal government to assist with the critical recovery needs of areas hit by severe storms, are longtime racing enthusiasts with an especially deep background in the dirt Late Model ranks. A decade ago they spent time as the owners of Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway and, more recently, they fielded the dirt Late Model that Rick Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., drove to the 2008 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series championship, so they couldn’t resist purchasing Deep South when they stumbled upon the track on a Sunday afternoon in 2007 and discovered it was for sale.

After green-lighting the most ambitious schedule in Deep South Speedway last season, Bill and Karen Webb gave the directive to make the 2009 campaign even more spectacular. A visit by the WoO LMS on March 13-14 was arranged to serve as the season’s marquee event.

“We were all very pleased with how the 2008 season went, so the decision was made to really put the place on the map this year,” said Altman. “We are just so excited to kick off the new season with a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event of this magnitude.

“Deep South Speedway is an ultra-competitive place, and with the quality of the drivers that will be on hand there’s no doubt fans are going to see a thrilling show.”

According to Altman, around 50 drivers from across the country have indicated their plans to enter the WoO LMS doubleheader at the red-clay oval, which boasts such amenities as grass-terraced grandstand seating (lawnchairs and blankets allowed), air-conditioned restrooms and spacious camping areas.

Leading the talent-laden charge to Deep South will be the roster of WoO LMS stars, including defending tour champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; young sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va; ’07 champ Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; Peach State standouts Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; and former Rookies of the Year Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (2007) and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. (2008).

The WoO LMS banner will also be waved by Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who has announced plans to chase the series for the first time in 2009; sophomore traveler Joe Isabell of Pennellville, N.Y.; and ’09 Rookie of the Year candidates Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D.; Chuck Hummer of Ottawa Lake, Mich.; Jeff Isabell Sr. and Jr., both of Pennellville, N.Y.; Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio; 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.; Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.; and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.

Former WoO LMS champions Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., are among the nationally-known names expected to invade Deep South Speedway for the first time, heading a list that also includes Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colo., Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., and Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis.

Others on Deep South’s list of expected entries include Terry Casey of New London, Wis., Randle Chupp of Troutman, N.C., Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Fla., Shep Lucas of McKenzie, Ala., Travis Pennington of Winston, Ga., Rick Rogers of Knoxville, Tenn., William Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., and James Ward of Lettsworth, La.

The weekend will actually begin on Thurs., March 12, with a special WoO LMS Welcome Party and Media Night at the track. Local print and electronic media members have been invited to the speedway to interview the drivers, who will enjoy an extended practice session from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as well as complimentary Gulf Coast cuisine and refreshments.

Complete WoO LMS programs will be presented on both Fri., March 13, and Sat., March 14, including time trials, heats, B-Mains and an A-Main. Local divisions will also be in action each evening.

Grandstand gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the pit area will be unlocked at 12 noon each day.

Deep South Speedway is located on Alabama Hwy 59, four miles north of Exit 44 off Interstate 10 or 16 miles south of I-65 Exit 37.

For more information, visit www.deepsouthspeedway.com or call the speedway office 251-964-6953.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Adds Summer Dates At New York’s Can-Am Motorsports Park & South Dakota’s Dakota State Fair Speedway

Wild West Tour Visit To Wyoming’s Gillette Thunder Speedway Changed To Tues., July 14

CONCORD, NC – March 2, 2009 – The 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule continues to expand.

Series officials announced Monday that summer dates have been added at Caprara’s Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y., and Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., pushing the ’09 WoO LMS slate to a record 48 events at 39 tracks in 21 states and three Canadian provinces.

The DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned Can-Am Motorsports Park will join the WoO LMS ‘Great Northern Tour,’ hosting the ‘North Country 40’ presented by FX Caprara Car Companies on Mon., June 22. A first-place prize of $7,000 has been posted for the half-mile oval’s inaugural dirt Late Model event.

Dakota State Fair Speedway returns to the WoO LMS for the first time since 2005 as part of the second annual ‘Wild West Tour,’ presenting the $10,000-to-win ‘Great Plains 50’ on Thurs., July 16.

In a related schedule change, the previously announced Wild West Tour event at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway has been moved up one day to Tues., July 14. The date change will provide race teams a travel day on Wednesday to make the 450-mile haul to Dakota State Fair Speedway.

Can-Am’s mid-week show will serve as a blockbuster dirt Late Model homecoming for two well-known WoO LMS names with deep roots at the track: 2006 tour champion Tim McCreadie and 2007 Rookie of the Year Tim Fuller. Both DIRTcar big-block Modified-turned-dirt Late Model drivers live in Watertown, N.Y., which sits mere minutes south of Can-Am, and have won Modified features at the track.

McCreadie, 34, is currently sidelined by a back injury suffered in a crash during January’s Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., but he is expected to be back behind the wheel in time to enter the first-ever full-fender special at the track located in his backyard. Fuller, 41, is a WoO LMS regular for the third consecutive year driving for upstate New York trucking company magnate John Wight, who owned and promoted Can-Am from 2001-2003.

In addition, 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who is chasing the tour again this season, has tasted success at Can-Am. He won the track’s 2007 DIRTcar big-block Modified points title.

“I’ve been working at Can-Am for 25 years, and this is going to be the biggest thing to ever hit the place,” said Chip Burdick, who manages Can-Am Motorsports Park for co-owners Billy and Charlie Caprara. “It’s a dream come true – for me and all of Can-Am’s longtime employees and fans – to finally have a World of Outlaws event here.

“With Tim McCreadie and Tim Fuller having a chance to run their Late Models in front of their local fans and other big-block Modified stars like Vic Coffey and Billy Decker (the defending Mr. DIRTcar Modified champ) now driving Late Models as well, the interest in a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Can-Am is just off the charts.”

Burdick said ticket information will be forthcoming on Can-Am’s North Country 40, which is slotted into the WoO LMS Great Northern Tour between a Sunday-night (June 21) event at Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway and a Tuesday-night (June 23) stop at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway. Information will be available at www.canammotorsports.com or by calling the track office at 315-778-3407.

The Great Plains 50, meanwhile, will bring the nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour back to a three-eighths-mile oval that can boast of holding arguably the most thrilling A-Main in WoO LMS history. On June 5, 2005, Dakota State Fair Speedway fans watched in awe as McCreadie authored a stirring charge to become the first – and still only – driver to win a WoO LMS feature from the last starting spot.

McCreadie actually set fast time and won a heat race that memorable evening at DSFS, but a blown engine during the dash relegated him to the 24^th starting position in a backup car. He proceeded to blow through the field, finally grabbing the lead from Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., as the white flag was waved.

“Everybody still remembers how Tim McCreadie came from the back to win the last time the World of Outlaws Late Model Series was at Dakota State Fair Speedway,” said Orville Chenoweth of Dakota Promotions, who is beginning his 14^th season at the track’s helm. “That was an incredible performance and our fans are anxious to see if someone can do it again.”

The lone 2009 appearance in South Dakota for the WoO LMS, the Great Plains 50 will be contested at the tail-end of the region-hopping Wild West Tour that now numbers six events. WISSOTA Super Stocks and Midwest Modifieds will also be part of the mid-week program.

Ticket information for the Great Plains 50 will soon be available at www.dakotapromotions.com or by calling 605-352-4848.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Half-Million Dollar ‘Month of Money’ For World of Outlaws Late Model Series Begins March 13-14 At Alabama’s Deep South Speedway

Drivers Ready To Chase $109,000 In First-Place Cash At Four Tracks Over Four Consecutive Weekends

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 27, 2009 – Five races. Four tracks. Four-hundred feature laps. Four consecutive weekends. A total of $109,000 in first-place cash. Over a half-million dollars in purse awards.

The unprecedented early-season stretch of major events kicks off on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala., an emerging four-tenths-mile oval along the Gulf Coast that will make a WoO LMS doubleheader the biggest show of its five-year existence. Two complete programs will be presented – a 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win on Fri., March 13, and a 60-lap finale with $12,000 earmarked for the victor on Sat., March 14.

Three more weekends featuring two-day, extra-distance WoO LMS spectaculars will follow the tour’s first-ever visit to Deep South Speedway. The inaugural $20,000-to-win ‘Lone Star 100’ is set for March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, followed by the fourth annual Circle K Colossal 100 ($50,000 to win) on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and the second annual ‘Illini 100’ ($20,000 to win) on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway.

“The World of Outlaws Late Model Series has never before had so much money on the line over four consecutive weekends in the spring,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Thanks to the track promoters of Deep South Speedway, Battleground Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Farmer City Raceway, we’ve been able to put together a huge month of racing that really gets the attention of the race teams and fans.

“A ‘Month of Money’ is just a great way to get the teams rolling full-speed ahead into a record-breaking 2009 schedule of events for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.”

The stars of the WoO LMS certainly realize the significance of the next four weekends on the tour’s slate.

“If you can win two or three of these big shows coming up, you can put yourself money-ahead for the whole year,” said 2007 WoO LMS champion Steve Francis, who enters the ‘Month of Money’ leading the points standings coming off a victory in the tour’s second event of ’09, on Feb. 14 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. “It sure would be nice if we can put ourselves in that situation.”

Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., experienced a huge early-season win one year ago, capturing the 50-grand Circle K Colossal 100 prize. But that was his first WoO LMS victory with new car owner Dale Beitler and he didn’t win again on the tour until late July, so heading into this season’s rich stretch of action with a triumph already under his belt has him confident about his chances of quickly pumping up his bank account.

“I know we have a fast car that’s capable of winning any of these big races if everything goes our way,” said Francis, who will make his first career starts at both Deep South and Battleground. “But there’s going to be a lot of guys who come to these races with plenty of confidence and ready to go. I know Josh (Richards) has to have all the confidence in the world after winning at Volusia (the WoO LMS season opener on Feb. 12) and a bunch of other races in Florida. (Darrell) Lanigan (the defending WoO LMS champion) is comfortable and confident with his new car after running well at Volusia.

“We won the last race so we get to be the ‘winner’ for four weeks until we get to Alabama, but we’ll forget about that win when we get back on the track. We just take everything one race at a time.”

The WoO LMS will make a first-ever appearance at both Deep South and Battleground, which is reopening this season after being shuttered since early 2006. The Circle K Colossal 100 will be one of four WoO LMS events at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the third consecutive year, and Farmer City will host the nation’s premier tour for the fourth season in a row.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Inaugural ‘Charlotte 30’ Gives Circle K Colossal 100 Non-Qualifiers A Shot At Sweet Consolation Prize

Early-Entry Deadline Approaching For March 27-28 Spectacular At The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 24, 2009 – Only 36 drivers from a star-studded field will earn coveted starting spots in the fourth annual Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

But thanks to the introduction of the ‘Charlotte 30’ to the two-day World of Outlaws Late Model Series spectacular, 28 other entrants will have an opportunity to chase a sweet consolation prize.

Fourteen non-qualifiers from each of two scheduled B-Mains on Sat., March 28, will line up in the ‘Charlotte 30’ prior to the headlining $50,000-to-win Circle K Colossal 100. A total purse of $12,830 has been posted for the added 30-lap attraction, including a cool $2,000 earmarked for the winner and $250 for the 28th-place finisher.

“With the large number of cars expected sure to make the qualifying races very tough, a lot of very talented drivers will fall short of the starting field for the Circle K Colossal 100,” said Seamus Curley, the short-track manager at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “We figured that those competitors would like a chance to go back on the track, hammer it out for a few more laps and earn some extra money, so we’ve created the first-ever ‘Charlotte 30’ for them.

“Plus, the ‘Charlotte 30’ will add a little more flavor to the weekend. The fans will see even more racing before the big finale.”

The Circle K Colossal 100 becomes the third major extra-distance WoO LMS event to boast a lucrative Non-Qualifiers’ race, joining the $20,000-to-win Illini 100 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway (second annual event scheduled for April 3-4) and the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (third annual weekend scheduled for June 26-27).

“The Non-Qualifiers’ Race at the Illini 100 and the ‘Uncle Sam 30’ at the Firecracker 100 have been big hits,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “The extra races provide an incentive to the race teams who might be on the fence about entering – and with the quality of the fields for these events, it’s like the fans get to see another feature for their ticket price.”

Even drivers who fall short of the ‘Charlotte 30’ won’t leave empty-handed, with $200 payoffs reserved for racers who do not transfer from the C-Mains (which will be run either on Friday or Saturday night, depending on car count) to the B-Mains. The non-qualifier money is part of the $250,000 in cash and contingency awards that have been posted by Lowe’s Motor Speedway officials for the prestigious weekend.

“We’ve really put it all out there for the competitors,” said Curley. “Hopefully the magnitude of the event we’re putting on will resonate with the drivers and fans and we’ll continue to see the Circle K Colossal 100 build in significance this year.”

Time is running out for dirt Late Model teams to take advantage of the event’s early-entry deadline. Entries post-marked by March 7 are $150 and include a pit pass for the driver, while late entries after that date and at the pit gate on race day will cost $250 without a driver pit pass included.

Top names in dirt Late Model racing are already entered, including the first two winners of the 2009 WoO LMS season – defending Circle K Colossal 100 champ Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and 20-year-old star Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; reigning WoO LMS titlist Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; two-time Colossal 100 victor and 2004 WoO LMS champion Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn.; former WoO LMS champ Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.; and NASCAR veteran Kenny Schrader of Fenton, Mo.

Two exciting days of activities are in store for attendees of the Circle K Colossal 100, beginning with group time trials and heat races on Fri., March 27. The top-three finishers in each heat will secure a spot in Saturday night’s 100-lap finale and a draw will determine the starting lineup.

The Saturday-night (March 28) program begins with the Circle K Driver Autograph Party, which allows fans to meet every driver in the field underneath the grandstand from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The first 1,000 ticketed fans that come to the autograph session will receive a free Circle K Colossal 100 commemorative poster.

Saturday night’s on-track action includes last-chance events, the ‘Charlotte 30’ and the huge Circle K Colossal 100.

If purchased in advance, reserved tickets for both Friday and Saturday nights are just $39 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Two-day pit passes are $60 in advance.

Tickets and pit passes for the March 27-28 Circle K Colossal 100 can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS.

All event information, including printable entry forms, the current entry list and the weekend time schedule, can be found by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/schedules/the_dirt_track/circle_k_colossal_100/.

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

Richards & Francis Hope To Win Alltel DIRTcar All-Star Cash For McCreadie
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Seek Contest Victory To Help Recovering Driver

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 20, 2009 – Two World of Outlaws Late Model Series standouts are eligible for the $10,000 prize that goes to the winner of the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest.

But neither Josh Richards nor Steve Francis is thinking about buying new toys for themselves if they’re fortunate enough to collect that cool, hard cash when text-message and on-line (www.alltelallstar.com) voting ends at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Both drivers just want an Alltel DIRTcar All-Star victory so they can help out a racing buddy in need: 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who is sidelined until at least April with a back injury.

After Richards and Francis earned berths in the lucrative contest by winning last week’s season-opening WoO LMS events during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., they were asked why fans should cast votes for them. Both made it clear that they intend to transfer money to a support fund that has been set up for McCreadie, who faces mounting medical bills – with little insurance to pay them – after suffering a fractured T3 vertebra in a crash on Jan. 14 during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

Richards, 20, of Shinnston, W.Va., was the first dirt Late Model driver to pledge Alltel DIRTcar All-Star money toward McCreadie’s treatment after he captured the WoO LMS lidlifter on Feb. 12 for the third consecutive year. The young sensation known as ‘Kid Rocket’ is close with the 34-year-old McCreadie, who preceded Richards as the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year (McCreadie in 2004, Richards in 2005) and has offered Richards much guidance on and off the track.

“If I win this thing, I’ll give the money to McCreadie,” said Richards, who backed up his Volusia WoO LMS score with a $10,000 UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model triumph the following evening. “He’s helped me a lot and he definitely keeps the racing exciting. I’d like to see him out here racing with us right now.”

Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., seconded Richards’s assertion when he claimed the WoO LMS 50-lapper on Feb. 14 that ended the 2009 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. Not only have Francis, the 2007 WoO LMS champion, and McCreadie been friendly rivals since 2004, last year McCreadie drove Francis’s car in two major events early in the season.

“If we can win it, we’ll give part of it to Timmy to help pay for some of his medical bills,” Francis said of the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest. “I think I heard Austin Dillon (the teenage grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress and a two-time UMP DIRTcar Modified winner during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH) say that the other night, too. Timmy is a stand-up guy and that’s the best thing I can think to do with (the money).”

McCreadie attended the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, spectating from the hauler of his Sweeteners Plus Racing teammate Vic Coffey. He was almost speechless after hearing his friends Richards, Francis and Dillon think of him first when asked about winning a possible $10,000 prize.

“I really do appreciate what everybody’s done,” said McCreadie, who must wear a wraparound back brace until doctors give him a clean bill of health. “I know everybody means well and I thank them for thinking of me.”

Richards and Francis are currently trailing in the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star voting, which includes the 14 drivers who won features in four divisions (dirt Late Models, 410 Sprint Cars, DIRTcar big-block Modifieds and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds) during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. But there’s still plenty of time for them to come back with help from dirt Late Model fans, who can vote once a day through Feb. 28.

And even if a driver from another division tops the voting to pocket the $10,000, the highest vote-getters in the three non-winning classes will pocket $1,000 apiece.

To vote, fans can text-message 247253 plus their favorite driver’s letter code or visit www.alltelallstar.com and click on their favorite driver’s photo. One voting fan will win a $500 Alltel gift card.

The final list of Alltel DIRTcar All-Star candidates and their text message letter cods are Dirt Late Models – Richards (k), Francis (m), Darren Miller (g), Earl Pearson Jr. (h) and Dan Schlieper (j); 410 Sprint Cars – Donny Schatz (b), Stevie Smith (d) and Joey Saldana (f); big-block Modifieds – Pat Ward (i), Jamie Mills (L) and Brett Hearn (n); and UMP DIRTcar Modifieds – Jared Landers (a), Austin Dillon (c) and Randy Hall (e).

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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

World of Outlaw Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The 38^th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH

TIP OF THE HAT: Steve Francis was beaming after closing the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH with a powerful victory in Saturday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, but he had no illusions about who was the star of the week at Volusia Speedway Park.

The Kentucky Colonel hailed his fellow WoO LMS regular Josh Richards, who set the half-mile oval on fire by capturing the tour’s season opener on Thursday night and a $10,000-to-win UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model special on Friday night.

“We might have won the last race, but nobody is gonna forget about Josh’s performance here,” said Francis. “He comes out of here the ‘King of Florida.’ They had a phenomenal Florida trip.”

Richards, 20, couldn’t complete a sweep of the week’s three $10,000-to-win events, finishing a relatively quiet seventh in Saturday night’s WoO LMS finale. He advanced a modest five positions from his 12^th starting spot.

“The track was a little bit different tonight after the (one-hour) rain delay,” Richards said following Saturday’s action. “Francis was a little bit softer on tires, so he could lean on the cushion and gain some time. Everyone else was pretty much equal and had a hard time passing.”

NICE FINISH: Disappointed after failing to qualify for the WoO LMS lidlifter on Thursday night due to a heat-race crash and learning that his application for Rookie of the Year status on the 2009 WoO LMS had been denied by vote of a panel of six veteran drivers and media members, Brady Smith turned his emotions around with a sterling second-place finish in Saturday night’s A-Main.

The 31-year-old headed home to Solon Springs, Wis., with a clear understanding of where his program needs to be improved before the next WoO LMS event, on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala.

“We have some work to do,” said Smith, who led laps 1-35 of Saturday’s feature. “We have to get a second car ready that works consistently. This one we ran (on Friday and Saturday) is our ‘old reliable’ (Bloomquist Chassis) car. It’s like my ‘honey car’ – she’s always reliable, always there for me. We need to get another one running just like it.”

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: Judging by the race results down south, the Rick Eckert who won 15 WoO LMS A-Mains from 2004 through mid-2006 – including eight of the first 17 events in ’06 – is thisclose to making a huge return to the scene.

Armed with new Bloomquist Chassis cars for the 2009 campaign, Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., appears rejuvenated after being mired in a two-and-a-half-year slump. He failed to win an A-Main during the six-night Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, but he finished as high as second (in a UMP DIRTcar event) and third (in Saturday’s WoO LMS finale) during a three-week, season-opening swing through Georgia and Florida that proved his current victory drought on the WoO LMS (one win in the last 102 races) will undoubtedly come to an end.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t win,” said Eckert, who never finished outside the top 10 in his 15 starts in Georgia and Florida. “But I can look back at the last few years we were down here and think about how bad we ran, so the way we’ve run does make us happy.

“I’m just excited to go to the next race now. This gets us pumped up for the rest of the year.”

ROUGH START: No WoO LMS driver experienced a more frustrating visit to Volusia Speedway Park than Clint Smith, a veteran tour regular who gained attention only for jumping in-and-out of the three cars at his disposal and two near-disastrous incidents.

One year after scoring his first career victory at VSP in the $10,000-to-win UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model finale, Smith was never a factor in the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. His top finish was a 17^th in the week’s first UMP DIRTcar A-Main; he failed to qualify for the ensuing three UMP DIRTcar shows and used provisional spots to start both WoO LMS features, with dismal finishes of 20^th and 22^nd sending him home 22^nd in the points standings, already 76 points behind leader Francis.

Smith, who drove two of his own GRT mounts and a GRT owned by Mississippi’s Don Cliburn, narrowly escaped major problems during qualifying for two UMP DIRTcar programs. On Wednesday night he got squeezed into the outside wall on the homestretch early in a heat race and rode the concrete for what seemed like an eternity; he said he avoided flipping by cutting the steering wheel hard to the left to pull the car off the wall, but he had to retire with suspension damage after completing one more lap. Later, on Friday night, he pulled to the infield during time trials with flames shooting from under his car’s hood due to a flare-up caused by a loose fuel line to the carburetor, but again damage was minimal.

MISERABLE WEEK: WoO LMS star Chub Frank has enjoyed plenty of success at VSP over the years, but that wasn’t the case last week.

Frank, 47, entered the week saddened after one of his two trusty Chihuahuas, Champ, was killed a few days earlier when it was hit in a Wal-Mart parking lot where Frank’s hauler was parked. He didn’t put the despair behind him with a strong performance at VSP, struggling throughout the meet and recording disappointing WoO LMS finishes of ninth (Thursday) and 24^th (after using a provisional to start the A-Main, spinning and then retiring from action on lap 24).

THEY’LL TAKE IT: Shane Clanton and Tim Fuller left Volusia in much better shape in the WoO LMS points standings than they did one year ago.

Last season both drivers dug themselves big holes in the points race, running into trouble in the two WoO LMS events while in contention for top-five finishes. Fuller headed home tied for 16^th in the standings (62 points out of the lead), while Clanton was 19^th in the rankings (-84 points).

With Clanton scoring a pair of top-10 finishes in this year’s WoO LMS shows and Fuller finishing eighth and 14^th, Clanton sits tied for fourth in the standings (-18 points) and Fuller is tied for seventh (-36 points).

Fuller made an especially respectable recovery on Saturday night. He used a provisional spot and started 28^th in the A-Main after an incorrect tire choice prompted him to drop out of his heat race, but he inched his way forward to finish on the lead lap in 14^th place.

The Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH continued Fuller’s new-for-’09 deal serving as a mentor for teenage racer Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif. Reddick, who plans to chase the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award, turned heads – and impressed Fuller – by qualifying through a heat race in his first-ever WoO LMS event on Thursday night (he finished two laps down in 24^th), but a blown engine left the ‘California Kid’ a non-qualifier on Saturday.

SMOKE SCREEN: Vic Coffey thought he had his new Sweeteners Plus Rocket car cruising into Saturday night’s headliner with a solid hold on second place in the first B-Main after the rain delay.

Well, the 2008 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year crossed the finish line to place second. But when he stopped in the infield just short of the scales, a huge cloud of smoke and steam billowed from the engine compartment of his car, filling the cockpit and prompting him to bail out until it dissipated.

“The motor blew up,” said Coffey, who went on to finish 20^th in the A-Main after his crew scrambled to prepare his backup car. “It was running great until the last lap. Then it started to skip so I switched to the second ignition after the race because I thought that might be the problem, but it was the motor.”

ON THE MEND: Coffey’s teammate, former WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie, was seen in the VSP pit area throughout the week, assisting Coffey and visiting with friends while continuing to recover from the fractured vertebra he suffered in a vicious wreck on Jan. 14 during the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla.

McCreadie, 34, sported a wraparound back brace and walked gingerly, but he was in good spirits despite watching from the sidelines. He said he’s hoping to get a clean bill of health from his doctors to go racing again by late April/early May, and he expressed deep appreciation to everyone in the racing community who has donated to the recovery fund that has been established to assist with his medical expenses.

DIFFICULT TRIP: WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Dustin Hapka saw his season get off to a bad start – before he even arrived at Volusia Speedway Park.

The 25-year-old’s long haul to Florida from Grand Forks, N.D., was plagued by problems at truck stops. First, when the team fueled up in Illinois, his mother’s credit card number was apparently obtained by someone there and used to make over $2,000 in purchases. (Fortunately, Mrs. Hapka had reported the possibility of a problem to her credit-card company after feeling uneasy about the transaction at the truck stop.) Shortly thereafter, in broad daylight at a truck stop in Kentucky, one of Hapka’s crewman was cornered between trucks by assailants while away from his group and robbed of his money.

Hapka didn’t qualify for an A-Main during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, but he chalked the week up as a “valuable learning experience” and is looking forward to the remainder of his first busy season in the full-bore Late Model division.

HEARTBREAK: Nineteen-year-old Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio, who is considering a run at the 2009 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award if his family-owned team can obtain sufficient sponsorship, suffered a demoralizing fate on Saturday night.

Flashing his potential, the son of veteran big-block Modified driver Rex King appeared headed to a B-Main victory over veterans Jimmy Owens and Dale McDowell when his car’s engine shut off with just two laps remaining.

THANKS, TEACH: WoO LMS Rookie of the Year candidate Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., arrived at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH late on Wednesday, but it could have been later if not for a cooperative professor.

Robinson, who turns 21 on Feb. 17, is a junior majoring in civil engineering at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. He had a test in a Soils & Foundations class scheduled for Wednesday, but his instructor allowed him to reschedule the exam so he could get on the road to Florida.

Though Robinson fell short of qualifying for a feature during the week, the fourth-year Super Late Model racer is excited about chasing the WoO LMS in ’09 with his family-backed team.

NEW AWARD: John Anderson of Omaha, Neb., and former WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., received consolation prizes after failing to qualify for the week’s WoO LMS A-Mains, becoming the first winners of the VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs’ Award.

As the fastest qualifiers in each night’s Ohlins Shocks Time Trials who did not transfer to the A-Main, Anderson and Moyer received two five-gallon fuel containers from officials representing the official fuel of the WoO LMS. Anderson, who was impressive throughout the DIRTcar Nationals, missed a heat-race transfer spot by one position on Thursday before failing to finish the B-Main, and Moyer dropped out of his heat on Saturday night with terminal engine trouble.

GET OUT THE VOTE: The week’s four Super Late Model A-Mains winners – Francis, Richards, Darren Miller and Earl Pearson Jr. – are eligible for the $10,000 top prize in the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest.

The 14 feature winners during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH earned berths in the contest, which combines on-line and text-message voting. Fans can vote for their favorite driver once a day through Feb. 28 either on-line at www.alltelallstar.com or by texting 247253 and entering their favorite driver’s letter code.

The overall winner as determined by fan votes will receive the $10,000 grand prize, while the top vote-getter in the other three divisions will earn $1,000. Over the 12 consecutive nights of the event that began Feb. 3, 410 Sprint Cars, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, dirt Late Models and big-block Modifieds all competed.

NEXT UP: The WoO LMS is idle until diving into an early-season ‘Month of Money’ beginning with a two-day show on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. Complete programs will be contested both nights at the high-banked oval – a 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win on Fri., March 13, and a 60-lap, $12,000-to-win finale on Sat. March 14.

A total of $109,000 in first-place cash will be on the line over a four-week period of WoO LMS action that begins at Deep South and continues with the inaugural ‘Lone Star 100’ on March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas ($20,000 to win win); the Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. ($50,000 to win); and the ‘Illini 100’ on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway ($20,000 to win).

INFO: More information on the WoO LMS is available at www.worldofoutlaws.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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 14, 2009 — Steve Francis and Brett Hearn, two of the most storied competitors in their respective divisions, wrapped up the 38^th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH on Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park by earning their first victories on the finale of the 12-day event.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series star Francis, of Ashland, Ky., and Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series star Hearn, of Sussex, N.J., became the 13^th and 14^th different drivers to become eligible for the $10,000 grand prize, voted on by fans. There are 13 different states represented in this year’s contest: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Fans can vote via text message to 247253 and enter their favorite driver’s letter code, or by visiting AlltelAllStar.com and casting a ballot. Votes will be tallied daily until Feb. 28. The overall winner as determined by fan votes will receive the $10,000 grand prize, while the top vote-getter in the other three divisions will earn $1,000. Over the 12 consecutive nights of the event that began Feb. 3, 410 Sprint Cars, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Dirt Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds all competed.

Francis, the 2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion, ran down Brady Smith and pulled away to capture the checkered flag. Like many of the other winners during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, Francis would help out injured racer Tim McCreadie should the fans vote for him to be the event’s Alltel All-Star.

“Timmy McCreadie was hurt a little while back,” Francis said. “He drove my Dirt Late Model for a little bit. If we can win it, we’ll give part of it to Timmy to help pay for some of his medical bills. I think I heard Austin Dillon say that the other night, too. Timmy is a stand-up guy and that’s the best thing I can think to do with it.”

Hearn, who year in and year out is one of the strongest Big Block Modified teams to compete at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, waited until the final feature of the event to get his victory this time around. He chased down Andy Bachetti before finally taking the lead with eight laps to go in the 50-lap conclusion to the 12-day event.

“I think it adds a level of recognition to the cars and the guys who do this. It raises the level of professionalism of the event. This whole event is just an awesome event. It’s unbelievable racing every night. We were blessed with beautiful weather. It’s a blast. I really appreciate Alltel being here.”

Through all 12 nights of competition at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, the Alltel All-Star contenders and their text message Letter Codes (in parenthesis) include:

Sprint Cars — Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. (b); Stevie Smith, Broken Arrow, Okla. (d); Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind. (f).

UMP DIRTcar Modifieds — Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark. (a); Austin Dillon, Lewisville, N.C. (c); Randy Hall, Olean, N.Y. (e).

Dirt Late Models — Darren Miller, Chadwick, Ill. (g); Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. (h); Dan Schlieper, Sullivan, Wis. (j); Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va. (k); and Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky. (m).

Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series — Pat Ward, Genoa, N.Y. (i); Jamie Mills, Milford, Del. (L); and Brett Hearn, Sussex, N.J. (n).

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 14, 2009 – Steve Francis saved his best for the last night of the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

With a stirring drive forward from the eighth starting spot to win the 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main that ended the 12-night mid-winter racing extravaganza at Volusia Speedway Park, Francis headed home to Ashland, Ky., with a smile on his face and $10,100 in his pocket.

“I shouldn’t say, ‘It was about time,’ because no racetrack ever owes you anything,” said Francis, whose best finish in the week’s five other Super Late Model events was a fourth in Thursday night’s WoO LMS season opener. “But when you struggle as much as we have down here, it just makes you feel good when you leave here with a win.

“Now we get to be the guy who won the last race – and we get a month to think about it.”

Francis, 41, nailed the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tire choice for his Dale Beitler-owned Rocket car after a post-heat race shower dampened the half-mile oval and delayed the program for one hour. He reached second with a lap-20 pass of Jacksonville, Fla.’s Earl Pearson Jr. and then chased down race-long pacesetter Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., finally grabbing the top spot for good on lap 36.

Smith, who started from the outside pole in his Bloomquist Chassis mount, settled for a runner-up finish, 1.878 seconds behind Francis. The $5,000 outing came after the hopeful 2009 WoO LMS regular failed to qualify for the tour’s lidlifter on Thursday night due to a heat-race accident.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished third in the Raye Vest Racing Bloomquist car, giving him four top-five finishes in six events during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Completing the top five was fifth-starter Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colo., who enjoyed his best finish of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, and Pearson, who ran as high as second after starting sixth. Both drivers were behind the wheel of Rocket cars.

Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who entered the evening’s action with back-to-back $10,000-plus victories in WoO LMS (Thursday) and UMP DIRTcar (Friday) competition, saw his hot streak end with a seventh-place finish. He started 12^th.

Francis credited his 21^st career WoO LMS triumph – the most of any driver on the national tour since 2004 – to his starting spot and tire choice.

“With the (heat) inverts (in the four UMP DIRTcar events) and how everything has played out, we haven’t been able to see the front of the field much this week,” said Francis, who previously won WoO LMS A-Mains during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH in 2004 (the first WoO LMS event under the World Racing Group banner) and 2006. “Tonight we were finally able to start closer to the front and it made a big difference. We just didn’t have to kill our car the first 20 laps to get into contention. We were able to save some tires and some car.

“We went a little soft on tires because of the showers. I was afraid that after three or four laps we’d start seeing a black line, but I just saw some spotty black spots so I knew we could just keep chasing that cushion because we had on a little softer tires. Then we were able to save enough so we could go to the bottom and pass Brady (for the lead).”

Smith, 31, mourned the pair of caution flags that slowed the race, on lap 24 (for the stopped car of Batesville, Ark.’s Wendell Wallace) and lap 25 (a homestretch spin by Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.).

“After the last restart I didn’t go as good,” said Smith, who built as much as a half-straightaway lead during the race’s first half. “I got some wheel spin, so I believe my right-rear sealed over. We actually had on a harder tire than (Francis), but that tire has got a tendency to seal over.

“I think if the race would’ve went all green we might’ve been able to hold on, but you always have ifs, ands or buts. We’re just happy we had a good run here to end our Speedweeks.”

“I think Steve was a little bit softer on tires than us,” said Eckert. “I didn’t think the softer tires would’ve kept going the whole way, but those two cautions probably helped him more than us because his soft tires cooled down and it took me a while to get going after the restarts.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who surged to fourth following the lap-25 caution flag but slipped backward because he couldn’t hold the outside groove; Richards; defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; 18^th-starter Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn.; and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.

Lanigan’s quiet run left him winless during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, but his steady week – topped by three runner-up finishes – earned him the week’s overall points championship.

Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 16.125 seconds.

Heat winners were Madden, Boen, Eckert, Pearson, Wallace and Brady Smith. The B-Mains were captured by Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, Ky., Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Fla., and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.

The WoO LMS will be idle until diving into an early-season ‘Month of Money’ beginning with a two-day show on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. Complete programs will be contested both nights – a 40-lap A-Main paying $7,000 to win on Friday and a 60-lap, $12,000-to-win finale on Saturday.

A total of $109,000 in first-place cash will be on the line over a four-week period that begins at Deep South and continues with the inaugural ‘Lone Star 100’ on March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas ($20,000 to win win); the Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. ($50,000); and the ‘Illini 100’ on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway ($20,000).

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

NOTE: Vic Coffey switched to a backup car for the A-Main and started from the rear of the field

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Madden, Clanton, Schlieper, Coffey, Stone, Briggs, Hill, Hapka, Mantha, Fuller

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Boen, Francis, Wood, Rattliff, Babb, Buckingham, Johnson, Carrier Jr., Hammerle, George

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Eckert, Erb Jr., Bland, Breazeale, James, Anderson, Hubbard, Robinson, Reddick

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Pearson, Blankenship, Miller, Ivey, Kinzer, C. Smith, Isabell, Shellenberger, Moyer

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Wallace, Lanigan, Decker, King, Lloyd, Frank, Pettyjohn, Kirkpatrick, Kendall

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, Richards, Bloomquist, Weder, McDowell, Owens, McBride, Rihn, Hummer

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Rattliff, Coffey, Stone, G. Johnson, Hapka, Briggs, George, Hammerle, Hill, Babb (DNS) Carrier, Fuller, Buckingham, Mantha

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Ivey, James, Kinzer, C. Smith, Anderson, Hubbard, Robinson, Shellenberger, Isabell, Reddick (DNS) Breazeale, Moyer

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Owens, McDowell, Lloyd, McBride, Weder, Hummer, Kendall, Rihn, King, Frank, Kirkpatrick, Pettyjohn

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Dustin Hapka, John Anderson, Tommy Weder

* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Brady Smith

* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Darren Miller

* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Dale McDowell

* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Justin Rattliff, Tyler Ivey, Jimmy Owens

* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Earl Pearson Jr.

* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Darren Miller

* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): Billy Moyer

* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Steve Francis

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 14 - 2 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including VP Racing – the Official Racing Fuel of the WoO LMS; Fusion Energy – the Official Energy Boost of the WoO; and contingency sponsors Armor All, Champ Pans, Crane Cams, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Quarter-Master, Super Clean and Wrisco Industries.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: 38^th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH Night 1

HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Josh Richards made the press members who recently voted him the overwhelming favorite to win the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship look very good with a victory in Thursday night’s 50-lap season opener at Volusia Speedway Park.

But even after receiving 17 of 24 first-place votes in the second annual WoO LMS Pre-Season Media Poll and capturing the tour’s lidlifter for an unprecedented third consecutive year, Richards isn’t looking ahead at a potential title.

“It’s way too early,” the 20-year-old Richards said when asked about championship possibilities while signing autographs for fans following Thursday night’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH program. “I think October is too early (to think about the points). We’re just gonna race, not try to force too much, do our best and maybe get it.”

Richards is honored to be considered the favorite for the $100,000 crown, however.

“That’s pretty crazy,” said Richards, who recorded his 50^th career WoO LMS heat-race win on Thursday night. “It’s awesome that everybody expects big things from us. Hopefully I don’t let everybody down.

“I know our equipment is awesome and we have an awesome crew, so as long as we stay focused and work together as a team, I think we can pull it off.”

REUNITED: Darrell Lanigan began his WoO LMS title defense on Thursday night with a familiar face back at his side in the pit area: his former chief mechanic Randall Edwards, who worked for Lanigan off-and-on from 2001-2003 and fulltime from 2004 through the middle of the 2007 season.

Edwards, 34, has returned to lead the Union, Ky., star’s effort after spending the 2008 campaign with the Bobby Labonte Motorsports team and driver Earl Pearson Jr. The Louisiana native replaces Chris Burton, who was voted the 2008 WoO LMS Crew Chief of the Year in his only season with Lanigan’s operation.

The Lanigan/Edwards pairing has certainly clicked so far in 2009. Lanigan’s second-place finish was his third bridesmaid run in four events during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, proving that the reigning champ’s off-season moves have kept him at the top of his game. He debuted all kinds of new stuff at Volusia – a Rocket car, a Cornett Chevy engine program (after more than a decade using Cornett Fords), an Integra Shocks deal and a gorgeous, sparkling black hauler and trailer.

NEW WRENCH: WoO LMS standout Shane Clanton has hired Brandon Bilskie, 25 of McDonough, Ga., as his second fulltime crewman working alongside chief mechanic Mark (‘Head’) Lloyd.

Bilskie comes to the RSD Enterprises team after spending six years as a crewman with Clanton’s brother Joey’s asphalt efforts.

BACK ON TRACK: Making his debut with a self-operated team backed by Sheltra Motorsports, Shannon Babb struggled with “new car blues” during the first three nights of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

But after making a motor change on Thursday afternoon – a switch suggested by his teammate Patrick Sheltra, the 22-year-old ARCA/dirt Late Model driver whose plans to compete at Volusia were ended by the fractured vertebra he suffered in an ARCA crash on Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway – Babb’s Rocket car was reinvigorated. He led the A-Main’s first 13 laps and finished a strong third.

“We were just trying to find the right combination,” said Babb. “Patrick (who was in attendance Thursday) gave his opinion that we probably had another motor that was better, so we put it in the car. It’s a Darge engine with a little different head style. It’s a little more aggressive engine – we went with it thinking there would be water down (on the track) with a cushion, and we were right.”

Babb, 35, of Moweaqua, Ill., finished sixth in the 2008 points standings in his first season as WoO LMS regular, but he’s not planning to chase the entire tour in ’09 after leaving the Bowyer Dirt Motorsports operation and basically launching a new team out of his own shop with the help of Sheltra Motorsports and Petroff Towing, among others. He does, however, expect to enter early-season WoO LMS events at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. (March 13-14), Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas (Lone Star 100 on March 20-21), The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. (Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28) and Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway (Illini 100 on April 3-4).

OLD SCHOOL: Volusia’s action prompted Steve Francis and car owner Dale Beitler to bust out a Rocket that sported a new graphics scheme – not something drastically different from the team’s 2008 style, but a “throwback” to what Beitler’s machines looked like when Pennsylvania star Gary Stuhler drove for him a decade ago. A sparkling blue No. 19 serves as the mount’s eye-catching centerpiece.

Francis kicked off the ’09 WoO LMS season with a solid fourth-place finish on Thursday night, but he felt he could have placed even higher if not for a frustrating motor issue that plagued him throughout the evening. His powerplant stumbled on restarts, costing him time and positions that he had to fight to make up.

“The motor just has no acceleration on restarts,” said Francis. “It’s fine once we get rolling, but I can’t keep up on the starts. We’ve changed carburetors three times but it hasn’t helped, so it must be something electrical inside the car. We’ll go over everything (on Friday) and try to find it.”

TOUGH START: Brady Smith began a season he plans to make his first as a WoO LMS regular in ugly fashion: as a non-qualifier due to a heat-race accident.

Smith, 31, of Solon Springs, Wis., was battling for a transfer spot on the opening lap of his heat race when contact from Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., who was driving the No. 33 car steered earlier in the week by his team owner Clint Bowyer of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fame, sent his Bloomquist Chassis No. 2b into the outside wall off turn four. His machine was towed back to the pit area with significant front-end damage and he did not report for the B-Main in a backup car.

FIRST-TIMERS: Three young drivers – Tommy Weder, 23, of Woodward, Okla., Tyler Ivey, 20, of Tallahassee, Fla., and Tyler Reddick, 14, of Corning, Calif. – qualified for their first-ever WoO LMS A-Main on Thursday night. They finished two laps down in consecutive positions, with Ivey taking 22^nd, Weder placing 23^rd and Reddick finishing 24^th.

Reddick was one of the night’s big stories. Thursday night actually marked the first dirt Late Model A-Main that he transferred into during his three-week debut stretch with the full-fender division in Georgia and Florida. With WoO LMS regular Tim Fuller serving as his mentor, the fresh-faced teenager plans to chase the tour in his Incredible Pizza No. 11 after racing Sprint Cars and Midgets last season.

Showing his rapid growth behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model, Reddick qualified 11^th-fastest in time trials on Thursday night and finished a solid third in his heat to make the A-Main field. A large crowd gathered around Reddick’s car in the pit area to catch a glimpse of him after his preliminary-race success, and then he stayed out of trouble throughout the feature to gain valuable seat-time.

ONE MORE: The WoO LMS returns to action on Saturday night (Feb. 14) with a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win program that closes the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Mr. Opening Night: Josh Richards Captures World of Outlaws Late Model Series Lidlifter For Third Straight Year

Josh Richards continued his mastery of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series season opener during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, capturing the tour’s lidlifter for the third consecutive year on Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

Though the 20-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., initially had some doubts about extending his unprecedented streak, he turned up the wick on his Rocket car to take the lead from Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., on lap 14 and march to a triumph worth $10,600.

“I ran the first couple laps and didn’t know if we could pull off three in a row off,” said Richards, who started third after winning his heat race despite suffering some electrical problems with his car’s motor. “I fell back to fourth, but then the car just came on.

“Winning the opener three years in a row – it’s just crazy. It’s a great feeling.”

With the race slowed by only a single caution flag on lap five, Richards dominated the uninterrupted action once he sailed by Babb’s Sheltra Construction Rocket for the lead. He built an edge of more than a full straightaway before late-race lapped traffic helped shrink his final victory margin to 2.013 seconds over defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who cut a half-straightaway off Richards’s advantage after overtaking Babb for second on lap 41.

Babb, who started from the outside pole in his new ride for ’09, settled for third place after leading laps 1-13. Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., drove Dale Beitler’s Rocket forward from the ninth starting spot to place fourth and polesitter Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., who won the previous night’s UMP DIRTcar Late Model feature, finished fifth in his Wild Chassis.

Richards, who in 2008 finished a career-high second in the WoO LMS points standings and tied Francis as the tour’s winningest driver, struggled the first three nights of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, finishing no better than seventh in UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned competition. But a change for Thursday’s program to a car he drove to three WoO LMS victories last season got him back to his old self at the sweeping, half-mile oval.

“We just hit everything right tonight,” said Richards, who registered his 13^th career win on the WoO LMS. “When this track is like this, I love every second out there. It just fits my driving style. You can get in the black, and you can get in the traction. You don’t have to worry about being on the cushion the whole race.”

Lanigan, 38, recorded his third runner-up finish in four starts during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. He ran out of time in his advance from the seventh starting spot with his Fusion Energy Rocket car.

“We had a good enough car to win, but starting behind so many good cars makes it tough,” said Lanigan. “It’s just hard to get past them all. It’s frustrating (to fall short again), but we’ve been running good, so the wins will come.”

The 35-year-old Babb, meanwhile, was satisfied with a third-place run that shook him out of some “new car blues.” An engine change earlier in the day got him back on track, albeit not good enough to hold off the top two drivers in last year’s WoO LMS points standings.

“Josh had a real good driving car and so did Darrell,” said Babb. “I had a fast car, but I just got tighter as the race went on. We gotta get it a little freer.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who ran as high as third early in the distance; fifth-starter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who slipped into the top 10 late in the race; and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who rallied back from a left-rear tire change after tangling in turn four with Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., in the event’s only caution-causing incident, on lap five.

Sixty-one cars were signed in for the start of the sixth WoO LMS campaign under the World Racing Group banner.

Lanigan was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, topping the field with a lap of 15.946 seconds.

Heat winners were Fuller, Clanton, Moyer, Schlieper, Richards and Babb. The B-Mains were captured by Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Fla., Eckert and Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn.

The Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH continue on Friday night (Feb. 13) with a doubleheader featuring the $10,000-to-win finale for the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Models and the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds. WoO LMS action returns on Saturday night (Feb. 14), concluding the 12-night meet with a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main that shares the card with a 50-lap big-block Modified special.

For more information on the WoO LMS or the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com or www.dirtcarnationals.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

* Earnings include Winner’s Circle program bonuses for WoO LMS Platinum Team members and cash contingency award bonuses

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Fuller, Lanigan, McDowell, Ivey, Blankenship, James, Erb, Hess, Shannon, Hammerle, B. Smith

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, Decker, Boen, Coffey, Wood, Stone, Briggs, Collins, McBride, George

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Moyer, Francis, D. Miller, Eckert, Madden, C. Smith, Jacobsen, G. Johnson, Robinson, Walker

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Schlieper, Owens, Weder, Anderson, Pearson, Breazeale, Kinzer, D. Johnson, Beyers, Mantha

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Richards, Frank, Reddick, Bland, Pettyjohn, Hubbard, King, Hapka, Shellenberger, Rihn

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Babb, Lloyd, Rattliff, Bloomquist, Carrier, Wallace, Kirkpatrick, Isabell, Hummer, Kerr

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Ivey, Coffey, Blankenship, Erb, Stone, McBride, Shannon, Collins, James, Briggs, George, Hammerle, Hess, Wood (DNS) B. Smith

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Eckert, Madden, Pearson, Jacobsen, C. Smith, Kinzer, Beyers, Mantha, Robinson, D. Johnson, Anderson, G. Johnson (DNS) Breazeale, Walker

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Bloomquist, Bland, Carrier, King, Pettyjohn, Shellenberger, Isabell, Kirkpatrick, Hapka, Hummer, Wallace (DNS) Hubbard, Rihn, Kerr

* Arizona Sport Shirts ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in B-Mains): Dan Stone, Clint Smith, Mark Pettyjohn

* Armor All (case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Shannon Babb

* Champ Pans ($50 product certificate to ‘Bonus Bucks’ winner w/decal): Billy Decker

* Crane Cams ($100 cash award to 10^th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Rick Eckert

* Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner w/decal): Tyler Ivey, Rick Eckert, Scott Bloomquist

* Quarter-Master ($100 product certificate to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

* Quarter-Master ($50 product certificate to fifth-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Dan Schlieper

* Quarter-Master ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place finisher in A-Main w/decal): Dale McDowell

* VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (two free VP five-gallon containers to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main if decal is displayed): John Anderson

* Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Josh Richards

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

Josh Richards Voted Overwhelming Favorite To Win 2009 Championship In Second Annual World of Outlaws Late Model Series Pre-Season Media Poll

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 9, 2009 – Josh Richards is ready to reach the mountaintop of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

That’s the press contingent’s consensus opinion of the 20-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., who was voted the overwhelming favorite to win the national tour’s 2009 points championship in the second annual WoO LMS Pre-Season Media Poll.

Two-dozen writers, photographers and broadcasters who cover the WoO LMS participated in the poll, which asked the press members to predict the top-five finishers in the tour’s 2009 points standings. Points were distributed to each driver named on the media ballots using a 5-4-3-2-1 system.

Richards tallied 106 points in the poll, including an impressive 17 first-place votes. No other driver received more than three first-place selections and Richards appeared on all 24 media ballots – a clear sign of the good feelings swirling around the young driver entering the 2009 WoO LMS campaign, which kicks off on Feb. 12 and 14 with a pair of programs during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

Coming off a breakout 2008 season that saw him win a career-high six A-Mains (tied for the series lead) and finish second in the points standings, Richards carries plenty of momentum into the new year. He captured the tour’s ’08 season finale during the VAULT World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and tuned up for the WoO LMS by winning three features last week in other Florida action.

The 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year is set to make his fifth fulltime assault on the tour behind the wheel of his father Mark’s Seubert Calf Ranches-sponsored Rocket Chassis house car. Prior to his runner-up finish in last year’s points battle, he placed eighth (2005), ninth (2006) and sixth (2007) in the standings.

One media member provided a comment that neatly sums up the general feeling about Richards’s prospects in 2009.

“He kicked off 2008 with a win (at Volusia) and closed it with a win,” wrote the journalist. “This year he’ll be good the whole year – ‘Kid Rocket’ becomes ‘King Rocket.’”

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who won the 2007 WoO LMS championship but settled for third place in the ’08 standings, finished second in the Pre-Season Media Poll. The 41-year-old driver of Maryland car owner Dale Beitler’s familiar No. 19 was also listed on all 24 top-five surveys, accumulating 79 points on the strength of one first-place vote and 12 second-place picks.

Finishing third in the poll was Shane Clanton, 33, of Locust Grove, Ga., who won a personal-best four A-Mains and finished fourth in the 2008 points standings. He appeared on 19 ballots and registered 56 points, including three first-place votes – the second-highest total behind Richards.

Rick Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., placed fourth in the poll with 46 points, including two first-place votes. One of only two drivers (Francis is the other) who has started all 197 WoO LMS A-Mains since 2004, Eckert has just one win in his last 100 tour starts but enters the ’09 campaign with renewed vigor thanks to his move to Bloomquist Chassis cars – a switch that one media type believes “is going to pay off quite nicely for Scrub.”

Defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., completed the top five in the poll, picking up 43 points. He appeared on 19 ballots but did not receive a first-place vote.

Of course, Lanigan, 38, defied the media’s expectations in 2008, rolling to his first career title after receiving just a single top-five vote (fourth place) in the inaugural poll. He is aiming to become the first driver to repeat as WoO LMS champion since the tour came under the World Racing Group’s banner in 2004.

Chub Frank, 47, of Bear Lake, Pa., was the only other driver to receive a first-place vote, picking up one. He earned fifth-place votes on 10 of the 13 ballots in which his name appeared, giving him 20 points and a sixth-place finish in the poll.

Rounding out the drivers earning votes in the poll were Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., who received two fourth-place votes; Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who tallied one third-place vote; and Rookie of the Year applicant Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who earned one fourth-place nod.

As part of the poll, media members were also asked to predict who will win the most WoO LMS A-Mains in 2009 as well as the victors of the $50,000-to-win Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the $30,000-to-win Firecracker 100 on June 26-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.

After tying Francis for the WoO LMS win lead in 2008, Richards was far-and-away the top choice of the media to lead the tour in victories this season. He received 15 votes in the top-winner category, besting Francis (five), Clanton (three) and Frank (one).

Media members predicted that Richards will lead the tour with as many as 11 wins or as few as six.

The runaway Media Poll favorite to win the Circle K Colossal 100 was Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who captured the first two editions of the event in 2006-2007. He received 13 votes.

Eckert was the only other driver selected multiple times as a potential Colossal 100 winner, with two votes. Receiving single votes was Clanton, Francis, Richards, Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C., Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.

Frank received the most votes in the Firecracker 100 poll, picking up six selections. Bloomquist, who won the inaugural event in 2007, and Eckert were next with four votes apiece, followed by Francis (three), defending race champion Birkhofer (two), Richards (two), Clanton (one), Lanigan (one) and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., (one).

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Pre-Season Media Poll (Driver/first pl. votes/2nd pl/3rd pl/4th pl/5th pl/total points on 5-4-3-2-1 tabulation system):

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Season Preview: The Stories Everyone Will Be Watching
New Season Kicks Off This Thursday & Saturday (Feb. 12 & 14) During Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 8, 2009 – With the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series set to kick off this Thursday and Saturday nights (Feb. 12 and 14) during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., here’s the new season’s stories that everyone will be watching closely…

CAN HE REPEAT?: Darrell Lanigan put together the most spectacularly consistent campaign in WoO LMS history in 2008, rolling to his first career championship by a record points margin not because of regular Victory Lane stops (he won just twice) but thanks to his steadiness (including an unprecedented streak of 15 consecutive top-five runs).

So the question is: Can the 38-year-old standout from Union, Ky., continue avoiding DNFs and posting top-five finishes at an amazing clip with the turn of the calendar?

Lanigan is certainly ready to take his shot at becoming the first driver to repeat as WoO LMS champion since the tour was rekindled in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. He hasn’t rested on his laurels during the off-season. Rather than return to defend his title with his self-owned, Fusion Energy-sponsored team status-quo, he’s made a noteworthy change with his engine program, switching to Chevy powerplants after being a Ford devotee for more than a decade. Lanigan’s longtime engine builder, Jack Cornett, said the move isn’t a gamble for Lanigan because development advances now allow him to build Chevy and Ford motors with virtually the same horsepower numbers.

THE NEXT STEP: All the pre-season buzz has centered around Josh Richards – and that was even before he made himself the hottest driver in the country entering the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH with three tune-up victories over the past week at East Bay Raceway Park outside Tampa.

Shinnston, W.Va.’s Richards, who sheds his ‘Kid Rocket’ nickname when he turns 21 on March 22, took a giant leap forward in 2008 by sharing WoO LMS top-winner status with Steve Francis (six wins apiece) and placing a career-high second in the points standings. He won the season opener (at Volusia) and finale (at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway), and his October victory at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway came from the 18^th starting spot – the deepest a driver came from to win a WoO LMS A-Main in ’08.

Richards seems to be the hot pick to break through as the 2009 champion – and why not? He has the equipment (his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car, which sports a new color scheme in ’09), a strong crew (his dad, Jimmy Frey and Matt Barnes) and experience (he’s entering his fifth full season on the tour). What’s more, he has proven to be the most consistent qualifier on the WoO LMS over the past two seasons, using just a single provisional spot to start an A-Main in the last 102 tour events.

What will put Richards over the top in 2009? Eliminating those small A-Main setup mis-calls that left him with a few too many finishes outside the top 10 last year.

TOGETHER AGAIN: Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., failed to repeat as WoO LMS champion in 2008, but a third-place finish and a share of the season win lead wasn’t too shabby for his first year as Maryland car owner Dale Beitler’s hired gun. He also became the tour’s winningest driver since 2004, pushing his career checkered-flag total to 20.

Back for another run down the Outlaws road with Beitler, the 41-year-old Francis is confident he can regain the crown he earned for the first time in 2007. The team has made no major changes in equipment or manpower, giving Francis a great comfort level. He’s just looking to avoid the mid-season lull and late-season misfortune that proved fatal to his title hopes.

HE’S READY: Shane Clanton announced his arrival as a big-time WoO LMS star in 2008, winning four times – all in the last 17 races of the season – and falling just short in several other events after making thrilling bids for victory.

But the 33-year-old from Locust Grove, Ga., finished fourth in the points standings, leaving him to wonder what might have been had he not gotten off to such a horrible start. Mechanical malfunctions knocked him out of the two season-opening events at Volusia Speedway Park while he was in contention, putting him in an 84-point hole that he couldn’t recover from.

Clanton spent the winter months preparing his Ronnie Dobbins-owned Rocket cars with a complete season in mind. With a career-high finish of second in the WoO LMS points standings under his belt (2006), there’s no doubt he deserves serious consideration in any championship talk.

LOOKING TO REBOUND: The 2008 season was totally unsatisfactory to Chub Frank. Eyeing a title after leading the tour in A-Main wins and finishing a career-high second in the points standings in 2007, the Bear Lake, Pa., star won just once and tumbled to fifth in last year’s points battle.

Frank, 47, returns this season without Lester Buildings sponsoring his team after a four-year association, but he’s bullish about his chances for a strong comeback. He felt he built some momentum late in the ’08 campaign and expects to carry that speed into the new year.

ALL EYES ON HIM: Perhaps the most intriguing WoO LMS regular in 2009 will be Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who will look to regain his ’06 magic (a tour-leading eight wins that year but only one since) with a switch to Bloomquist Chassis cars.

Easily the most veteran, accomplished dirt Late Model driver to join 2004 WoO LMS champion Scott Bloomquist’s ‘Team Zero’ group, the 43-year-old Eckert and team owner Raye Vest have hopped between MasterSbilt, GRT and Rayburn machines since leaving the Rocket fold following the 2006 season. He’s searching for a combination that will return him to championship contention after a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2008 points standings.

There wasn’t a WoO LMS regular who ran a Bloomquist Chassis in 2008, but the chassis brand nevertheless ranked second on the tour’s manufacturers’ win chart with five victories among four drivers.

FORGET ’08: All the long hours Clint Smith and his crew put in during the off-season at his Senoia, Ga., shop were focused on erasing memories of a frustrating 2008 campaign.

After contending for the ’07 WoO LMS title before settling for a career-high third-place finish in the points standings, Smith, 43, slipped to eighth in last year’s rankings. He won just once, down from his four victories the previous year.

The driver known as ‘Cat Daddy’ will once again take his own GRT cars into battle, making him the standard-bearer on the tour for the Arkansas manufacturer.

STRONGER, FASTER: Tim Fuller had his moments in 2008 – specifically, a two-race win streak in North Dakota and Wyoming in July – but a ninth-place finish in the points standings fell well short of the ’07 Rookie of the Year’s expectations.

Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., candidly conceded that he struggled to find consistency because he wasn’t prepared quite enough for last year’s WoO LMS grind. He’s retooled for ’09, remaining with John Wight’s Gypsum Express team but with a pumped-up engine program and a bigger crew.

This year Fuller is also serving as a mentor for teenager Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., a budding talent who is moving into the dirt Late Model ranks after running Sprint Cars and Midgets last season. Reddick plans to spend the 2009 season following the WoO LMS alongside Fuller, perhaps as a Rookie of the Year contender.

SOPHOMORE SEASON: Vic Coffey didn’t begin the 2008 campaign with specific plans to chase the entire WoO LMS schedule, but he ended up missing only a handful of events en route to winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

Coffey, 37, of Caledonia, N.Y., returns this season much more prepared for the grueling test of man and machine. After running much of the ’08 sked with only one car available from the Sweeteners Plus Racing shop, he has two new Rocket machines ready to go. He also will no longer have to find hotel rooms following events because his hauler now sports living quarters.

HITTING THE ROAD: Brady Smith proved he can win on the WoO LMS last season when he captured back-to-back Wild West Tour events at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., and Estevan (Sask.) Motor Speedway.

But can the 31-year-old from Solon Springs, Wis., make similar noise as a fulltime follower of the WoO LMS? He’ll take a shot in 2009.

Smith has made plans to hit the road with a national tour for the first time in his young career. A Bloomquist Chassis campaigner, he’s applied to compete for the Rookie of the Year Award.

THEY’RE BACK: The upstate New York-based JIR Motorsports team was the unexpected addition to the 2008 WoO LMS – a newcomer to the dirt Late Model world that jumped right into the fire, following virtually the entire national tour and entering as many four cars in an event.

JIR Motorsports is returning to the WoO LMS scene in ’09, but with what team owner (and possible Rookie of the Year contender) Jeff Isabell Jr. calls “a stronger, more organized effort.” Gone from the team are DIRTcar big-block Modified legend Danny Johnson and Sean Beardsley, who both ran roughly half the 2009 schedule. Instead, JIR will be all family this year, with Isabell’s sons Joe, who was runner-up in the ’09 Rookie of the Year battle and finished 11^th in the overall points standings, and Jeff Jr., who began entering WoO LMS events in June, the focus of the operation.

With the team now concentrating on running Rocket cars, Joe Isabell, 19, and Rookie of the Year hopeful Jeff Isabell Jr., 17, will have greater access to setup information on the road. Jeff Isabell Sr., who turned 38 on Jan. 21, also plans to race in more than the handful of WoO LMS shows he entered in ’08.

STEPPING IT UP: Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., got a taste of life on the road with the WoO LMS when he followed the Wild West Tour last summer – an eight-race stretch that marked his debut in full-bore dirt Late Model racing.

The 25-year-old has decided to go fulltime with the WoO LMS in 2009. The first North Dakota driver to chase the tour since Fargo’s Rick Aukland in 2004, Hapka will pursue the Rookie of the Year honor with his family-operated team.

FIRST-TIMERS: Joining Brady Smith, Hapka, and the Isabells (father and son) in the large crop of potential Rookie of the Year candidates are 19-year-old Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio, who has designs on becoming the third straight driver with DIRTcar big-block Modified roots to capture the WoO LMS Rookie honor; Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., a former Carolina Clash Series Rookie of the Year; and Chuck Hummer of Ottawa Lake, Mich., and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa., two unheralded drivers who are hoping to live out their dreams of touring with the WoO LMS.

FOR STARTERS: This week’s season-opening WoO LMS events on Thursday and Saturday nights (Feb. 12 and 14) during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at the half-mile Volusia Speedway Park will both feature 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Mains.

The Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will also include UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model action on Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 13. The first three shows will boast 30-lap features paying $7,000 to win, and the 50-lap finale on Feb. 13 will pay $10,000 to win.

All-Star Group Of Drivers Commit To Chasing 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 2, 2009 – A familiar group of all-star drivers have committed to following the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series schedule, series officials announced on Monday.

Nine of the top 10 finishers in the 2008 WoO LMS points standings are returning to chase the national tour’s prestigious championship trophy this season, assuring fans of another intense points battle among the most talented dirt Late Model drivers in the country.

Led by defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., the 2009 traveling-driver lineup is filled with standout chauffeurs. The contracted racers represent a combined 96 career WoO LMS A-Main victories and occupy seven of the top 10 spots on the tour’s win list since 2004, when the series began its modern era under the World Racing Group banner.

In addition, the drivers own a combined 23 touring-series titles, six Dirt Track World Championship triumphs, three World 100 wins and two $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream checkered flags.

“It’s a great sign for the stability and future of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to have virtually all of last year’s top-10 drivers coming back for another season of competition,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman, who is entering his third season at the helm of the tour. “They know the benefits that come with being the headliners of a national tour and they do a tremendous job representing the series everywhere we go.

“The quality of the drivers and teams who have signed on as regulars is the reason why the World of Outlaws Late Model Series continues to gain strength in the minds of fans, racetrack operators and sponsors.”

The touring drivers are set to follow a 2009 WoO LMS schedule that boasts a record number of events. There are currently 45 confirmed events at 37 tracks in 20 states and three Canadian provinces, including first-time visits to at least a half-dozen new speedways.

The 2009 WoO LMS kicks off with 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events on Feb. 12 and 14 as part of the 38t^h annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

* Lanigan, 38, of Union, Ky., who is coming off a spectacularly-steady 2008 campaign that made him a WoO LMS champion for the first time by the largest points margin in tour history. The owner-operator known as the ‘Bluegrass Bandit’ has 10 career WoO LMS victories to his credit, and his resume boasts triumphs in such dirt Late Model mega-events as the $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream and Dirt Track World Championship.

* Josh Richards, 20, of Shinnston, W.Va., who last year continued his growth from 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year to serious championship contender by finishing a career-best second in the points standings. No driver surpassed the six A-Main victories that Richards accumulated on the ’08 tour, pushing his career total to 12 and cementing his status as dirt Late Model racing’s brightest young star.

* Steve Francis, 41, of Ashland, Ky., the well-known ‘Kentucky Colonel’ who followed up his long-awaited 2007 WoO LMS points crown with a solid third-place finish in last year’s standings during his first season driving for Maryland car owner Dale Beitler. A three-time STARS/Renegade Series champ and former winner of the World 100 and Dirt Track World Championship events, Francis became the winningest driver on the WoO LMS since 2004 (20 career wins) while tying Richards for the most checkered flags earned on the ’08 trail.

* Shane Clanton, 33, of Locust Grove, Ga., who established himself as a true national star with a memorable 2008 season behind the wheel of Ronnie Dobbins’s yellow No. 25. He won a personal-best four WoO LMS A-Mains last season (upping his career total to 10) and finished fourth in the points standings, and a victory in the UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned World 100 classic at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway was among the dozen triumphs he earned away from the tour.

* Chub Frank, 47, of Bear Lake, Pa., the popular driver known as ‘Chubzilla’ who has finished as high as second (2007) in the WoO LMS points standings. A sometimes-frustrating 2008 season saw him win just once and finish fifth in the standings, but the veteran owner-operator is poised for a return to the form that has brought him 14 career WoO LMS wins as well as four STARS/Renegade Series titles and victories in crown-jewel shows such as the World 100, Dirt Track World Championship and North-South 100.

* Rick Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., the third-winningest driver (16 victories) on the WoO LMS since 2004 and one of only two drivers (Francis is the other) to start all 197 tour A-Mains contested over the past five years. The two-time UDTRA/Hav-A-Tampa Series champion, whose major-event victories include the $100,000 Dirt Late Model Dream and the Dirt Track World Championship, ended a uncharacteristically-long winless slump last season with one victory en route to a seventh-place finish in the points standings and returns for the ’09 schedule armed with Bloomquist Chassis for the first time.

* Clint Smith, 43, of Senoia, Ga., one of the country’s busiest dirt Late Model drivers and a WoO LMS stalwart since 2004. The veteran known as ‘Cat Daddy’ slipped to eighth in the 2008 points standings with only one win after placing a career-high third the previous season, so he’s been hard at work during the off-season in hopes of adding to a resume that features 11 career WoO LMS A-Main victories, a UDTRA/Hav-A-Tampa Series championship and four titles with the Southern All-Stars Series.

* Tim Fuller, 41, of Watertown, N.Y., a DIRTcar big-block Modified superstar who has established himself as a serious dirt Late Model contender since capturing the 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Award and becoming a regular in the full-fender division. The former Mr. DIRTcar Modified titlist and winner of the prestigious Rite Aid 200 big-block Modified spectacular at the Syracuse (N.Y.) Mile won twice (giving him three career victories) and finished ninth in the 2008 WoO LMS points standings.

* Vic Coffey, 37, of Caledonia, N.Y., who made dirt Late Model racing his focus for the first time in 2008 and ran off with the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Award while driving for the same Sweeteners Plus team that carried Tim McCreadie to the tour’s 2006 championship. Following the big-block Modified-to-dirt Late Model path set by McCreadie and Fuller, Coffey – a two-time victor of DIRTcar big-block Modified racing’s marquee $50,000-to-win Rite Aid 200 at the Syracuse Mile – entered 38 of the last year’s 43 events and finished 10^th in the points standings.

Three more slots in the WoO LMS ‘Winner’s Circle’ travel program remain open and will be determined early in the season by attendance and points standing.

Drivers aiming for those additional ‘Winner’s Circle’ travel-benefits spots include 2008 Rookie of the Year runner-up Joe Isabell of Pennellville, N.Y., who finished 12^th in the points standings, and more than a half-dozen racers who have indicated they would like to pursue the 2009 Rookie of the Year award.

Among the expected Rookie of the Year applicants are Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who has announced plans to make his first national-tour assault after winning two WoO LMS events last year in limited appearances; Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., who made his WoO LMS debut during the ’08 Wild West Tour; 18-year-old Jeff Isabell Jr. of Pennellville, N.Y., who ran half of the ’08 schedule; Isabell’s father and team owner Jeff Isabell Sr., who made a handful of series starts last year; Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.; Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.; Chuck Hummer of Ottawa Lake, Mich.; and teenagers Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio, and Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif.

“The competition on the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series is rising to an even higher level,” said Christman, who is finalizing the addition of several more dates on the ’09 schedule. “There hasn’t been a repeat champion in the last five years and there are plenty of drivers who are hungry to keep that trend going by becoming the sixth different champ.”

Richards Owns World of Outlaws Late Model Opener At Volusia
‘Kid Rocket’ goes for third straight lidlifter win at Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Feb. 1, 2009 — Josh Richards truly came of age on Feb. 17, 2007, when he captured the season-opening World of Outlaws Late Model Series event during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

And on Feb. 14, 2008, the young sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., accentuated his building stardom, winning the national tour’s lidlifter for the second consecutive year at the sweeping half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach.

Can Richards kick off the 2009 WoO LMS campaign with an unprecedented third straight opening-night victory? The question will be answered soon during the Feb. 3-14 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which features two WoO LMS events (Feb. 12 and 14) among its six consecutive nights of dirt Late Model action.

Richards, who turns 21 on March 22, made his Volusia and Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH debut as a 16-year-old WoO LMS rookie on Feb. 16, 2005, with a sixth-place finish in a UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned event. Two years later — in his first racing season after graduating from high school the previous year — he announced his status as a championship contender by winning the 2007 WoO LMS season opener.

The 2007 triumph came in dominant fashion. Richards led the 50-lap A-Main from flag-to-flag, holding off a mid-race challenge from Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., to take the checkered flag by a comfortable margin. The $10,000 win also earned Richards the ’07 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH points title.

Richards had to sweat a bit more to win last year’s WoO LMS opener. He had to battle hard from start-to-finish to secure a victory that set him off on a 2008 season in which he finished a career-high second in the tour points standings and tied Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., as the campaign’s winningest driver.

Richards started third in the 50-lap A-Main, but he didn’t reach the lead until lap 31. He had just disposed of Newport, Tenn.’s Jimmy Owens for second place and was beginning to challenge Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., for the lead when Clanton pulled up lame on the 31st circuit with a broken right-rear axle tube.

After a lap-46 caution flag put three-time WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., on Richards’s rear bumper, Richards flexed his muscle on the restart. He went on to win the event by 1.262 seconds over Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who drove forward from the 24^th starting spot to finish second.

Richards is ready for this year’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which he’ll enter with a new blue-and-black color scheme adorning his father Mark’s familiar Rocket Chassis house car No. 1. He’s always carries some extra confidence into races at Volusia Speedway Park.

“Volusia definitely ranks up there as one of my favorite tracks,” said Richards. “I like wide-open places where you can carry a lot of momentum, and that’s how you race there. It just fits my style.”

Thousands of fans are expected to witness Richards make a run at a WoO LMS season-opener ‘threepeat’ at VSP, which will also host four nights of UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Super Late Model competition (Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 13) during the traditional February extravaganza of speed.

Volusia management is offering special ‘Super Ticket’ deals for all the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH events contested by each headline division, including the six-night dirt Late Model meet; the six Sprint Car events (All-Star Circuit of Champions on Feb. 3-5, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Feb. 6-8); eight nights of UMP DIRTcar Modified action (Feb. 3-10); and four Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar big-block Modified dates (Feb. 11-14).

And with infield trailer heights limited to 9 feet, 6 inches, there are no bad seats in the grandstands at Volusia Speedway Park, which sits merely 15 miles inland from Ormond Beach on State Road 40.

Battleground Speedway Set To Roar Back On Scene With World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Lone Star 100’ On March 20-21

$20,000-To-Win Blockbuster Brings National Tour To Texas For First Time Since 2004

So it’s no surprise that the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will return to the state for the first time since 2004 as the headliner of a blockbuster program – the $20,000-to-win ‘Lone Star 100’ on March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway.

The two-day spectacular will serve as a grand coming-out party for the track, a high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval located 12 miles east of Houston that is reopening under new ownership in 2009 after sitting dormant for most of the last three seasons.

“My goal is to make Battleground Speedway the premier facility for dirt-track racing in Southeast Texas,” said Mike Walling, who took over as promoter and general manager after purchasing the complex in September 2008. “A big show for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will definitely generate plenty of excitement and put the track back on the map.”

Originally listed on the WoO LMS schedule as a one-day event, the Battleground visit was enlarged to a two-day, extra-distance special to make the long haul to Texas more attractive for dirt Late Model racing’s stars. A talent-laden field filled with the WoO LMS regulars and a host of regional hotshoes is expected for the historic program.

“We were planning to make the Texas trip part of a doubleheader weekend with a race at another track, but Battleground’s management decided to keep everyone in one place for a huge weekend of World of Outlaws Late Model Series racing,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We’re excited to help usher in a new era of racing at Battleground Speedway with one of the biggest dirt Late Model events ever run in the state of Texas.”

The announcement of the Lone Star 100 has dirt Late Model fans across Texas buzzing as well. The WoO LMS has not competed in Texas since contesting a two-day program at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore on April 16-17, 2004, and Battleground Speedway, which prior to Walling’s arrival was in operation from 1984-2001 and 2004-2006, last hosted a major touring series event in 1993, for the defunct Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA Series.

“There hasn’t been anything approaching a World of Outlaws race for dirt Late Models in Texas for a long time, so a lot of people are really excited about the Lone Star 100,” said Walling. “We’ve already been getting calls from people all over Texas asking about how to get here and how to buy tickets in advance.”

A detailed schedule of events for the Lone Star 100 weekend will be released in the near future, but Battleground and WoO LMS officials are working together to produce an entertaining experience for fans. The WoO LMS itinerary will feature time trials and heat races on Friday night, March 20, with B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main highlighting the show on Saturday night, March 21. The track’s support divisions will see action during the weekend and several fan-friendly activities are planned, including a giant driver autograph session prior to Saturday night’s competition and a unique Texas-themed Victory Lane ceremony following the Lone Star 100.

Lone Star 100 attendees will see a Battleground Speedway that has been virtually rebuilt since its last green flag waved during the 2006 campaign.

“We’re renovating the place 100 percent before we reopen,” said the 34-year-old Walling, whose uncle, Red Walling, was involved in the past with the former Big H Speedway dirt track in Houston and is assisting in the marketing of the new-look Battleground Speedway. “A lot of things will be brand-new, and what’s not new will be rebuilt.”

The facility boasts a 4,000-seat grandstand, which will be topped by a new press/sponsor tower when the track’s gates fly open again. The former press box was blown off the stands and landed in the nearby woods when Hurricane Ike rocked the area last September – just four days after Walling assumed ownership of the track.

Walling has scheduled a grand reopening date of Feb. 28 for Battleground Speedway. Open-wheel Modifieds will headline the multi-division Saturday-night shows at the track, which already has over 100 cars registered for competition in 2009.

The Lone Star 100 won’t mark the first time that a series running under the World Racing Group banner has raced at Battleground Speedway. The company’s World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series made 15 appearances at the track from 1986-1999, and the WRG’s Northeast-based DIRTcar big-block Modifieds ran an event there on March 8, 1989, during the last of the division’s three Texas/Louisiana tours from 1987-1989.

For ticket information on the Lone Star 100, call the track at 832-421-RACE or visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net.

The Lone Star 100 will be part of a lucrative early-season ‘Month of Money’ for the WoO LMS. A total of $109,000 in first-place cash will be on the line in five tour races over a four-week period, beginning with a doubleheader on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. ($7,000 to win on Friday, $12,000 to win on Saturday) and continuing with the Lone Star 100 on March 20-21; the Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. ($50,000 to win); and the Illini 100 on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway ($20,000 to win).

The 2009 WoO LMS season kicks off on Feb. 12 and 14 with two events during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

2008 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Crew Chief of the Year Chris Burton Lived A Dream With Champion Darrell Lanigan

Tour’s Top Mechanic Ready To Start Another Title Chase At Upcoming Alltell DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH

CONCORD, NC – Jan. 29, 2009 – Chris Burton still can’t believe how magical 2008 was for him.

Back as a fulltime dirt Late Model mechanic after spending three years away from the sport’s top levels, Burton helped guide Darrell Lanigan to a career-first World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship and was voted the tour’s 2008 Crew Chief of the Year.

“It was a dream year,” said Burton, who watched Lanigan roll to the ’08 WoO LMS crown by a record points margin. “Darrell gave me a chance to go out on the road again and everything just clicked better than I ever could have imagined.”

A championship in his first campaign with Lanigan was mind-blowing enough for Burton. But earning the tour’s top wrench-turner award – by a vote of his fellow chief mechanics and series officials – left the modest 36-year-old even more speechless than usual when he accepted the laurels during the 2008 WoO LMS Awards Banquet on Dec. 11 in Orlando, Fla.

“I’m not much on words, which is kind of a prerequisite for the team I’m with,” joked Burton, alluding to Lanigan’s quiet, reserved demeanor. “But I appreciate this award so much. It’s a real honor.

“If it was up to see, all the guys who work on these (WoO LMS) crews would win this award. We all sacrifice a lot to do this, so it means a lot to know these guys think enough of you to give you that honor.”

Just as some observers were surprised by Lanigan’s ’08 title run (he had never finished higher than fifth in the standings over the previous four years), Burton’s emergence as the tour’s standout mechanic was slightly unexpected as well. But while Burton was new to Lanigan’s operation and had been absent from the national dirt Late Model scene since 2004, he was certainly not unknown in the pit area when he joined Lanigan’s team two races into the season. He’s been working on dirt Late Models for the better part of the last decade.

A regular attendee of local dirt-track races with his family while growing up outside Cincinnati, Burton got his hands dirty for the first time when he began helping some friends with their go-kart racing after graduating from high school. Shortly thereafter he entered the dirt Late Model realm, assisting locals Joe and Jimmy Stricker with their racing efforts.

Motivated to take a shot at toiling as a fulltime dirt Late Model mechanic, Burton got some help down that road from the Strickers in 1998. They phoned Rocket Chassis co-owner Mark Richards and asked if he knew of any drivers looking for a crewman.

“Mark checked around and then Steve Francis called me,” said Burton, recalling his first contact with a nationally-known dirt Late Model star. “I started going to meet Steve and his brother (the late Chris Francis) to help them on weekends (in 1998). That was the last year they ran with the STARS (Renegade) series, and then the next year they ran the Hav-A-Tampa (Xtreme DirtCar) Series and I got my first actual fulltime job working with them.”

After one season with Francis, Burton spent part of the 2000 campaign working for Kentucky’s Thomas Ware. He was with Donnie Moran when the Ohio driver won the Eldora Million event in 2001, then moved over to assist Earl Pearson Jr. and the Dunn-Benson Ford team in 2002 and dirt Late Model legend Billy Moyer in 2003 (winning the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals title). In 2004 he traveled much of the WoO LMS while maintaining Illinois car owner Larry Moring’s equipment, which Francis used in roughly half that year’s Outlaws events.

Burton pulled back from the rigors of the dirt Late Model road in 2005, opting to remain in Illinois and take some non-racing jobs. “I regrouped myself,” said Burton, who kept his hand in the sport by helping some local racers in Illinois and Iowa.

Sufficiently recharged, Burton decided to get back in the game in 2008. He spent Florida Speedweeks helping Indiana’s Steve Casebolt, but upon returning home he spoke with Lanigan and received an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“I’ve known Darrell for a while and we talked here and there about doing some stuff, but we never really got together,” said Burton. “I finally talked with Darrell after Florida. He needed some help and I thought it was a helluva opportunity, because his shop (in Union, Ky., near Cincinnati) is close to where I’m from. All my family and my kids (Kyle, 15, and Lindsey, 13, both from an earlier marriage) are there, so working for Darrell meant I could move close to home and do what I love to do.”

Burton meshed seamlessly with Lanigan, who has been a WoO LMS stalwart since the tour’s resumption in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. Lanigan achieved an amazing level of consistency with his Fusion Energy/GottaRace.com Rocket cars, at one point stringing together a WoO LMS-record 15 consecutive top-five finishes that signaled ’08 was going to be his season.

“Me and Darrell got along all year,” said Burton, who lives in an apartment in Florence, Ky. “Neither one of us says a whole lot, so I guess that kinda works. We talk when we need to. He does what he wants, I listen, and a little of what we both know goes together.”

Burton also gave credit for the team’s success to his fellow Lanigan Autosports crewman Thomas McDowell, who joined the team early in the season. McDowell isn’t returning to the operation this year, however, after starting a new job in December.

“Thomas came from working on (open-wheel) Modifieds, so he was new to Late Models,” said Burton. “But what he lacked in knowledge about the cars, he made up for with everything else he did – like work hard every night and drive the truck a lot, which helped keep me and Darrell a little more fresh.

“Really, once (McDowell) came along and started helping us, we started running in the top-five consistently. We had been running decent, but about that time we found that little extra to run up-front. I think having another guy got things to the point where Darrell could walk away, watch the track and make a little better tire choice.”

And of course Burton hailed Lanigan -- not only for giving him the opportunity to rekindle his career as a dirt Late Model mechanic, but also pushing him to be the best he could be.

“I’ve been real fortunate since I started doing this that I’ve been able to work with some top guys like Darrell,” said Burton. “You might get your butt reamed a lot, but they drill the stuff in your head and you learn. You put that together with what you’ve learned from experience along the way, and it pays off in the long run.”

Now Burton’s challenge is to help keep Lanigan atop the WoO LMS heap. They have spent the short off-season hard at work in the shop – making some changes to the cars, switching the team’s engine program from Cornett Fords to Cornett Chevys and organizing a new truck and trailer – to prepare for a run at a second straight title in 2009.

“It definitely will be tough to have another year like we did (in ’08),” said Burton, “but we’re gonna try.”

Lanigan will take his first step in a bid to become the first repeat WoO LMS champion of the tour’s WRG era on Feb. 12 and 14 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., where the series kicks off its 2009 schedule with two programs during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Date	Title
2/12/2009	Volusia Speedway Park (38th Annual ALLTEL DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH)
2/14/2009	Volusia Speedway Park (38th Annual ALLTEL DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH)
3/13/2009	Deep South Speedway
3/14/2009	Deep South Speedway
3/20/2009	Battleground Speedway (Heats)
3/21/2009	Battleground Speedway (100 laps)
3/27/2009	The Dirt Track at Lowes Motor Speedway (COLOSSAL 100)
3/28/2009	The Dirt Track at Lowes (COLOSSAL 100)
4/3/2009	Farmer City Raceway (ILLINI 100)
4/4/2009	Farmer City Raceway (ILLINI 100)
4/17/2009	Fayetteville Motor Speedway
4/18/2009	Virginia Motor Speedway
5/1/2009	K-C Raceway
5/2/2009	K-C Raceway
5/5/2009	Lernerville Speedway
5/16/2009	Lawrenceburg Speedway
5/17/2009	Lincoln Speedway
5/22/2009	US 36 Raceway
5/23/2009	34 Raceway
5/24/2009	Charter Raceway Park
5/28/2009	Delaware International Speedway
5/30/2009	Hagerstown Speedway
5/31/2009	Tyler County Speedway
6/18/2009	Ohsweken (ONT) Speedway (Great Northern Tour)
6/20/2009	Autodrome Drummond (Great Northern Tour)
6/21/2009	Cornwall Motor Speedway (Great Northern Tour)
6/23/2009	Canandaigua Speedway (Great Northern Tour)
6/24/2009	Big Diamond Raceway (Great Northern Tour)
6/26/2009	Lernerville Speedway (FIRECRACKER 100)
6/27/2009	Lernerville Speedway (FIRECRACKER 100)
7/8/2009	Deer Creek Speedway (Wild West Tour)
7/9/2009	North Central Speedway (Wild West Tour)
7/10/2009	River Cities Speedway (Wild West Tour)
7/11/2009	Estevan Motor Speedway (Wild West Tour)
7/15/2009	Gillette Thunder Speedway (Wild West Tour)
7/23/2009	Muskingum County Speedway (ALLTEL Ohio Late Model Speedweek)
7/24/2009	Attica Raceway Park (ALLTEL Ohio Late Model Speedweek)
7/25/2009	Sharon Speedway (ALLTEL Ohio Late Model Speedweek)
7/26/2009	Eriez Speedway (ALLTEL Ohio Late Model Speedweek)
8/13/2009	Grandview Speedway
8/14/2009	Bedford Speedway
8/15/2009	Hagerstown Speedway
8/28/2009	Fayetteville Motor Speedway
8/29/2009	Screven Motor Speedway
9/5/2009	Tri-City Speedway -Franklin,PA (Oil Region Labor Day Classic)
9/6/2009	Tri City Speedway -Franklin,PA (Oil Region Labor Day Classic)
9/19/2009	I-55 Raceway (Pepsi Nationals)
9/20/2009	LaSalle Speedway (Illinois Fall Nationals)
10/14/2009	The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway
11/5/2009	The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway (WORLD FINALS)
11/6/2009	The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway (WORLD FINALS)
11/7/2009	The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway (WORLD FINALS)

Tickets Now On Sale For Holiday-Weekend World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event On May 23 At Iowa’s 34 Raceway

WEST BURLINGTON, IA – Jan. 22, 2009 – Anticipation is already building for a holiday weekend World of Outlaws Late Model Series spectacular in the Hawkeye State.

Tickets are now on sale for the full-fender Outlaws’ invasion of Iowa’s 34 Raceway on Sat., May 23 – a $10,000-to-win event that will bring national-level Super Late Model racing back to one of the Midwest’s top facilities for the first time in several seasons.

Great deals on advance-sale seats are available for the Memorial Day weekend program, which will be highlighted by a 50-lap A-Main.

The blockbuster event will mark the first appearance at 34 Raceway for the WoO LMS during the tour’s ‘modern’ era, which began in 2004 when the World Racing Group brought the series back to life after a 15-year hiatus. The series did, however, visit 34 Raceway during its initial two-year run (1988-89) under late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson, contesting a program on June 29, 1989, that saw three-time WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., emerge victorious.

This year’s WoO LMS show is arguably the biggest – and perhaps richest – ever scheduled for the Super Late Model division at the three-eighths-mile, high-banked oval, which was purchased by the husband-and-wife team of Jeff and Amy Laue in December 2006.

The last time a major full-blown Late Model touring series competed at 34 Raceway was July 12, 2006, when the grueling UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour made the last of its five alltime appearances. Beyond the Summer Nationals and ’89 WoO LMS date, the track’s limited history hosting high-profile touring series includes two defunct organizations: the STARS/Renegade Series (2002) and short-lived USAC Late Model Series (1987-88).

Few tracks, of course, are better suited to be part of the renowned WoO LMS than 34 Raceway. The track hard by U.S. Route 34 in eastern Iowa is celebrating its 43^rd season of action in 2009, but its physical appearance rivals, if not surpasses, that of a brand-new speedway.

Johnny Johnson, a veteran racer whose J&J Steel company in West Burlington, Iowa, is well-known for sponsoring many dirt Late Model teams across the country, literally rebuilt the entire facility during his decade-long stint as owner. Before selling to the Laues following the 2006 season, Johnson’s investment in 34 Raceway included the erection of a sparkling 4,000-capacity aluminum grandstand with chair-back seats; 22 VIP suites above the bleachers and a separate ‘Suite 34’ for larger parties outside turn four; bright Musco lights; new concession stands and restrooms; a spongy track surface; and the development of spic-and-span grounds.

The Laues have continued 34 Raceway’s growth since assuming ownership, steadily adding more exciting events to the track’s schedule. In fact, last year Jeff Laue, a dirt Late Model driver who has competed on Midwestern ovals for more than 20 years, and his wife joined with SLS Promotions to present a wildly-successful first-ever WoO Sprint Car Series event at the oval. In the wake of the Sprint Car winner, the Laues will once again work with SLS Promotions in 2009 to offer fans a double-dip of WoO LMS and WoO Sprint Car shows (the winged warriors return to 34 Raceway on Wed., July 8).

SLS Promotions is a respected promotional team that annually organizes more than a dozen WoO Sprint Car Series events. The group has scheduled 15 WoO Sprint Car races at 12 different tracks in 2009 plus a three-event foray into WoO LMS event promotion, with the 34 Raceway date sandwiched by Memorial Day weekend tour shows on Fri., May 22, at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., and Sun., May 24, at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Advance-sale tickets for 34 Raceway’s WoO LMS event on May 23 are $25 for grandstand rows 1-12 and $30 for rows 13-16. Fans who purchase advance tickets in rows 13-16 will also receive a pit pass to check out the WoO LMS teams up-close-and-personal, adding more value to securing a ticket early.

Tickets on race day will be $30 for rows 1-12 and $35 for rows 13-16. Pit passes will cost $35.

Tickets for both the WoO LMS and WoO Sprint Car Series events can be purchased by calling 34 Raceway at 319-752-3434 or SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. Advance tickets are also available for purchase locally at Electric Rayz Tanning, located on 3220 Division St. in Burlington, Iowa.

The 2009 WoO LMS kicks off on Feb. 12 and 14 with two dates during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Eckert Displays Car In Atlantic City; Tim McCreadie Injury Update

BY THE SEASHORE: Rick Eckert’s familiar orange No. 24 dirt Late Model spent last weekend on display just blocks from the ocean waves in Atlantic City, N.J.

As for Eckert himself…he didn’t make the trip to attend the Len Sammons Productions Motorsports 2009 auto racing show held inside the gambling mecca’s sparkling convention center. The driver known as ‘Scrub’ simply had too much work left – and too few days to spare – to get ready for the rapidly approaching season.

Eckert, 43, of York, Pa., had a member of his Raye Vest Racing team haul his 2008 Rayburn machine to the Atlantic City Convention Center, where it was positioned prominently in the World Racing Group’s DIRTcar Racing Northeast booth for the show’s Friday-Saturday run. The World of Outlaws Late Model Series standout remained at his newly-built shop – a facility that just had its phone lines installed last week by MACS tour champion Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa. – to continue prepping the pair of new ‘Team Zero’ Bloomquist Chassis cars he’ll take into battle this season.

Preparation for the 2009 campaign has been rolling along at breakneck pace for Eckert, who has had the new Bloomquist machines in his garage for barely a week. He headed to Bloomquist’s shop in Mooresburg, Tenn., with his crewmen on Jan. 6 and spent the next several days putting together the cars and learning the vehicles’ intricacies from Bloomquist. The cars were lettered with new graphics packages last Friday; orange will remain the primary color of Eckert’s mounts, but some different wrinkles will be visible.

Eckert is anxious to climb behind the wheel of the Bloomquist cars for the first time. He’s just days away from leaving home to begin a three-week racing excursion in Georgia and Florida, which includes six nights of dirt Late Model competition during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., highlighted by the season-opening WoO LMS events on Feb. 12 and 14.

“I tried to get Scott’s cars a couple years ago but they were too busy building his cars and getting really geared up,” said Eckert, who has bounced among MasterSbilt, GRT and Rayburn chassis since departing the Rocket fold following the 2006 season. “Then (in August 2008) I stayed at John Blankenship’s shop (which is on Bloomquist’s property) while we were at Bulls Gap (Tennessee’s Volunteer Speedway) and got to talking with Scott. Talking with him was easier than I ever thought it would be and we ended up making a deal to get me in his cars.

“The whole thing about his cars is that I think they’ll fit my driving style well. You can drive those cars straight – well, at least the guys I’ve seen running them do. I can’t wait to get out there and try one out. I’m real excited about working with Scott.”

Eckert is looking to return to championship-contender status on the WoO LMS after an uncharacteristically up-and-down run on the tour for the past two-and-a-half years. Since winning eight of the first 17 WoO LMS A-Mains in 2006, he’s won just once in his last 100 series starts (June 21, 2008, at Quebec’s Autodrome Drummond) and scored points finishes of seventh (’06 and ‘08) and fifth (’07) that haven’t met his expectations.

“The worst part of it is, whether people believe it or not, you work even harder when you run bad,” Eckert said of his recent struggles to run up-front consistently. “How we’ve run the last couple years is definitely not from lack of labor. I’ve worked hard, my crew’s worked hard. It just seems that when you run bad you get to racing with guys further back and you tend to tear more stuff up, so you get staying busy fixing stuff you tore up instead of trying to get better.

“We’ve gotta get out of that hole for sure. I’m confident we will (in 2009).”

ON THE MEND: Former WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie is currently in Indianapolis awaiting an appointment with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Terry Trammell after suffering a back injury while competing in last week’s Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.

McCreadie, 34, of Watertown, N.Y., had his fifth career appearance in the famed Chili Bowl indoor event at Tulsa (Okla.) Expo Raceway cut short when a broken right-rear axle sent his Wilke-Pak Midget flipping over the turn-one fence as he led last Wednesday night’s first ‘A’ qualifier. He was found to have a fractured T-3 vertebra and floating bone fragments in his back.

A winner of both the WoO LMS title and Chili Bowl ‘Golden Driller’ trophy in 2006, McCreadie was fitted in a back brace and discharged from a Tulsa hospital on Friday evening. He was driven to a nearby hotel by his close friend James Spink, who works as USAC’s Developmental Series Coordinator, and spent the remainder of Friday and Saturday resting there in pronounced pain.

McCreadie and Spink were flown to Indianapolis on Sunday morning by NASCAR Sprint Cup star Tony Stewart, who graciously provided the use of his private plane so McCreadie could make the trip more comfortably. Now resting at Spink’s home, McCreadie has a Wednesday-afternoon examination scheduled with Trammell, who is well-known for his treatment of injured IndyCar drivers.

A Tulsa specialist informed McCreadie on Friday that he had no serious ligament damage; the front of his vertebra is shattered but its rear is still intact; and none of the bone fragments entered the cerebral canal. All indications are that McCreadie does not need surgery, but he will visit with Trammell for a second opinion before proceeding with treatment.

McCreadie’s recovery time remains uncertain, but said he knows he has an extremely long road ahead. He noted that he’s learned from the 1988 back injury suffered by his father, legendary DIRTcar big-block Modified driver ‘Barefoot’ Bob McCreadie, and will not rush his return to racing.

Donations to assist with McCreadie’s medical and recovery expenses can be made to the Tim McCreadie Support Fund c/o USAC, 4910 West 16^th St., Speedway, IN, 46224. More information can be found by visiting McCreadie’s website at www.timmccreadie.com.

COMING UP: The 2009 WoO LMS season, which sports a schedule listing a record number of events, kicks off with two 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

WoO LMS action will take center stage at the half-mile oval on Thurs., Feb. 12, and Sat., Feb. 14. The week also includes UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model competition on Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 13.

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Jan. 15, 2009 — No one was surprised when veteran superstar Billy Moyer captured the 2005 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season opener during that year’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

But everyone certainly had to look twice when the record books revealed that the legendary driver from Batesville, Ark., had ended an eight-year absence from Victory Lane at the half-mile oval near Daytona Beach, Fla.

Yes, Moyer’s $10,000 WoO LMS triumph on Feb. 17, 2005, was his first at VSP since he won two UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned events during the 1997 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. In only 19 days, Moyer will once again take aim at the stout field of Dirt Late Models that will descend on the high-speed track only 15 miles inland on State Road 40 from Ormond Beach.

Moyer put his long Volusia checkered-flag drought behind him in impressive fashion, rolling to a convincing victory in the 50-lap A-Main over Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., Scott James of Greendale, Ind., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. The next night he backed up his performance with another $10,000 win, taking the 50-lap finale of the four-night UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned meet.

Make no mistake: after a subpar 2004 season that saw him win just once on the WoO LMS and finish a disappointing eighth in the championship standings, Moyer unloaded his familiar No. 21 for action in the 2005 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH with a renewed focus. Then 47 years old, Moyer had spent the off-season not only gearing up his race team but also getting himself in better shape, dropping pounds off his frame with a regular workout program that he kept up with at Volusia by doing pushups in his motorhome every day.

The hard work paid off. Moyer carried the momentum he gained at Volusia for the remainder of the season, rolling to five WoO LMS A-Main victories and claiming the tour’s points championship for the third time in his career (first of the World Racing Group era that began in 2004).

In fact, Moyer clinched the 2005 title in dramatic fashion during the season-ending ‘Gator 100’ held at Volusia, passing Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., on the final lap to finish second and pull into a points-race tie with Francis. The title went to Moyer thanks to the second WoO LMS tie-breaker — second-place finishes (5-2 in favor of Moyer).

Moyer won’t be looking to snap any Volusia winless slide during this year’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which features our UMP DIRTcar programs (Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 13) and two WoO LMS cards (Feb. 12 and 14). He won three (two UMP DIRTcar, one WoO LMS) of the five Super Late Model A-Mains contested during last year’s mid-winter racing extravaganza.

To see who emerges as a star in the 38^th running of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, make sure to reserve your favorite seats in advance. With infield trailer heights limited to 9 feet, 6 inches, there are no bad seats in the grandstands at Volusia Speedway Park.

Take advantage of special ‘Super Ticket’ deals that offer seats for all the events contested by each headline division, including the six-night dirt Late Model meet; the six Sprint Car events (All-Star Circuit of Champions on Feb. 3-5, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Feb. 6-8); eight nights of UMP DIRTcar Modified action (Feb. 3-10); and four Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar big-block Modified dates (Feb. 11-14).

In 21 days, Francis aims to repeat inaugural series win at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Jan. 13, 2009 — A new era of Dirt Late Model racing dawned during the 2004 running of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

With the cutting of a ceremonial ribbon on the half-mile oval’s homestretch and the waving of a green flag, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series roared back onto the dirt-track scene on Feb. 3, 2004. In only 21 days, the series with veteran stars like champions Darrell Lanigan and Steve Francis, World 100 champion Shane Clanton and rising star Josh Richards will return for the sixth consecutive year to begin the 2009 season.

Dormant since a brief two-year run under late World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson ended following the 1989 season, the WoO LMS was brought back to life — bigger and better — for the 2004 campaign by the World Racing Group. A four-event meet as part of Volusia’s annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH was scheduled to kick off what would quickly become the nation’s premier Dirt Late Model tour.

Fifty-four cars were signed in for the historic inaugural WoO LMS program under the WRG banner — and the star of the show ended up being a driver who had finished second in the tour’s 1989 points standings as a fast-rising 22-year-old and was among the 12 star racers who signed up to follow the WoO LMS in ’04.

Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., made Feb. 3, 2004, a memorable moment in Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH history with a perfect performance. He swept the night, setting fast time, winning a heat race and leading the 30-lap A-Main from flag-to-flag to pocket the $5,000 top prize. The only pressure he received was provided by Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who offered a challenge before a cut right-front tire forced him pitside on lap 20.

It was a personally fulfilling and emotional victory for Francis, who emerged triumphant in his first start behind the wheel of his own familiar No. 15 machine since 2001. After spending the 2002 and 2003 seasons driving Mark Richards’s Rocket house car, Francis returned to his own equipment in ’04 — albeit without the help of his younger brother Chris, who had served as Francis’s crew chief until dying suddenly in August 2001.

Ironically, Francis crossed the finish line in the landmark WoO LMS A-Main ahead of Zanesville, Ohio’s Bart Hartman, who was driving the Rocket house car as Francis’s replacement. Shannon Babb, of Moweaqua, Ill., finished third, followed by Dale McDowell, of Chickamauga, Ga., and Wendell Wallace, of Batesville, Ark.

Three more WoO LMS events were contested during the 2004 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, all with a different winner: Hartman, Babb and Scott Bloomquist, of Mooresburg, Tenn.

Francis — the tour’s 2007 champion and one of only two drivers (Eckert is the other) who has started all 197 WoO LMS A-Mains run from 2004-2008 — returned to Victory Lane in WoO LMS competition during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH on Feb. 18, 2006. He stands as one of only three drivers (others: Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.) with more than one triumph in the 11 all-time WoO LMS wars waged during Volusia’s traditional February extravaganza of speed.

There will be two WoO LMS programs during next month’s 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH — 50-lap, $10,000-to-win events on Thurs., Feb. 12, and Sat., Feb. 14.

To see who emerges as a star in the 38^th running of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, make sure to reserve your favorite seats in advance. With infield trailer heights limited to 9 feet, 6 inches, there are no bad seats in the grandstands at Volusia Speedway Park, merely 15 miles inland from Ormond Beach on State Road 40. Take advantage of special “Super Ticket” deals that offer seats for all the events contested by each headline division, including the six-day Dirt Late Model races, the six-day Sprint Car events, eight nights of UMP DIRTcar Modified action, and four Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Big-Block Modified races.

Long Road To World of Outlaws Late Model Series & UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model National Titles Begins With Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH

BARBERVILLE, FL – Jan. 8, 2009 – The long, grueling road to national dirt Late Model glory in 2009 starts next month with the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

For the stars of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, two nights of competition (Feb. 12 and 14) at the sweeping half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach will set them off on a map-crossing chase for the prestigious tour’s $100,000 championship prize.

For the titans of the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model division, four programs (Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 13) during the traditional winter meet will serve as the first step in a season-long racing whirlwind through the Midwest to determine the organization’s national champ.

Yes, optimism for the ’09 campaign will be boundless throughout Volusia’s pit area when the green flag drops on the dirt Late Model portion of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Leading the charge to sunny Florida, of course, will be the defending champions of the World Racing Group sister circuits: WoO LMS titlist Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and UMP DIRTcar national king Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.

Lanigan, 38, parlayed a remarkable string of consistency during the 2008 season into his first-ever WoO LMS points crown. The owner-operator is hard at work in his shop gearing up for the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, having announced at last month’s WoO LMS awards banquet that he’s in search of a second consecutive title with a series that currently boasts a 2009 schedule of 45 confirmed events at 37 tracks in 20 states and three Canadian provinces.

While Lanigan has not won a WoO LMS A-Main at Volusia, he pocketed a $10,000 check for winning the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model finale during the 2007 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals.

The 36-year-old Erb, meanwhile, is a mainstay in the field at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH but has never visited Volusia’s Victory Lane. He ranks among the drivers most likely to break through with a triumph in ’09 after sweeping UMP DIRTcar’s marquee Super Late Model championships – the national points race and the Summer Nationals ‘Hell Tour’ – for the second straight season.

Although drivers do not begin earning weekly points toward the UMP DIRTcar national title until the first week of April, Erb and his UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model rivals can get a slight head-start on their championship aspirations by competing in the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. Drivers will be able to use their best finish of the week at Volusia as an event toward the total starts that will determine the division’s 2009 national champion.

In addition, the overall high-points earner in the six dirt Late Model A-Mains that comprise the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will be recognized as a 2009 UMP DIRTcar champion under the circuit’s ‘State’ points program. The top-10 finishers in the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH divisional points race are eligible to receive points-fund cash from UMP DIRTcar.

The UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model portion of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will include 30-lap, $7,000-to-win A-Mains on Feb. 9, 10 and 11 (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights) and a 50-lapper offering a $10,000 winner’s check on Feb. 13 (Friday night). Two complete WoO LMS cards topped by 50-lap, $10,000-to-win headliners will be contested on Feb. 12 and 14 (Thursday and Saturday nights).

This will mark the sixth consecutive year that the dirt Late Model portion of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will include both WoO LMS and UMP DIRTcar action.

Tickets are currently on sale for the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. Fans can purchase tickets for each individual night or take advantage of the ‘Super Ticket’ deals that offer seats for all the events contested by each headline division, including the six-day dirt Late Model meet; the six-day Sprint Car portion (All-Star Circuit of Champions on Feb. 3-5, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Feb. 6-8); eight nights of UMP DIRTcar Modified action (Feb. 3-10); and four Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar big-block Modified dates (Feb. 11-14).

Josh Richards Already Eyeing February’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH At Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, FL – Dec. 21, 2008 – It’s never too early for a driver to start thinking about an upcoming event at a track where he excels.

So it goes with Josh Richards, the young World of Outlaws Late Model Series sensation who heads into the holidays with visions of February’s 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park dancing through his head.

Richards, 20, has a sparkling performance record at the fast half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach, which hosts 12 consecutive nights of DIRTcar racing from Feb. 3-14. Dirt Late Models will headline six programs, including four UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned events (Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 13) and two World of Outlaws Late Model Series shows (Feb. 12 and 14).

“Volusia definitely ranks up there as one of my favorite tracks,” said Richards, a product of Shinnston, W.Va., who won the 2008 WoO LMS season opener at Volusia en route to a career-high second-place finish in the national tour’s points standings. “I like wide-open places where you can carry a lot of momentum, and that’s how you race there. It just fits my style.”

That would be an understatement. From his first laps at the well-known speedplant, it was apparent that Richards had a special ability to hustle around the D-shaped track.

Richards made his Volusia debut as a 16-year-old WoO LMS rookie on Feb. 16, 2005, in a UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned event. After missing the first two nights of that year’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals because he had to minimize his missed days of high-school classes, ‘Kid Rocket’ promptly won his heat race and finished a noteworthy sixth in the 30-lap feature.

Two nights later Richards turned heads again, roaring from the ninth starting spot in the 40-lap UMP DIRTcar finale of the 2005 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals to run second behind the legendary Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., before a blown engine on the final lap relegated him to a heartbreaking 13^th-place finish. He also set fast time during the following evening’s WoO LMS program, but mechanical problems left him with a 17^th-place finish in the A-Main.

And over the past two years few drivers have been more on their game at Volusia than Richards. In his last four WoO LMS starts there he hasn’t finished worse than fourth, and he has a second-place finish in UMP DIRTcar competition during each of the past two Alltel DIRTcar Nationals meets.

Richards scored his first top-five finish at VSP on Oct. 14, 2006, placing fourth in the WoO LMS season-ending Gator 100. He followed that with a victory in the 2007 WoO LMS season-opener (the only Outlaw show completed during that year’s Alltel DIRTcar Nationals) and a win and third-place finish in the tour’s portion of the February 2008 Nationals.

“I’ve always felt comfortable there,” Richards said of the sweeping track. “I can’t wait to get back there in February. It gives you a lot of confidence when you start the (WoO LMS points) season at a track where you know you’ve had a lot of success in the past.

“I know it’s crazy that we’ve won the (WoO LMS) opener two years in a row, but we’re gonna try to do it again.”

Richards is certainly working toward a strong burst out of the ’09 starting gate at Volusia. In fact, he’s already built two new Rocket cars with his crew in the month-and-a-half since the 2008 campaign concluded.

Noteworthy is the news that Richards will have a new blue, black and silver color scheme on his Mark Richards Racing Enterprises No. 1 machines when the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals kicks off. It will mark the first significant redesign of the graphics package on his father’s familiar Rocket house cars in seven years.

“We thought it was time to change the look of the cars,” said Richards, who has spent his entire career racing with a blue-and-yellow color scheme on his father’s machines. “(Ron) Slavic has already lettered the new cars and I think they look pretty cool. The only colors on them other than blue, black and silver will be in the product decals.”

Tickets are currently on sale for the 38th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. Fans can purchase tickets for each individual night or take advantage off the ‘Super Ticket’ deals that offer seats for all the events contested by each headline division, including the six-day dirt Late Model meet (Feb. 9-14); the six-day Sprint Car portion (Feb. 3-8); eight nights of UMP DIRTcar Modified action (Feb. 3-10); and four Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar big-block Modified dates (Feb. 11-14).

2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Schedule Released At Performance Racing Industry Trade Show

CONCORD, NC – Dec. 11, 2008 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be bigger and better than ever in 2009.

A record number of events are listed on the national tour’s 2009 schedule, which was released on Thursday during the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, Fla.

The action-packed season will blaze new territory with first-time visits to at least a half-dozen tracks and feature several big-money, extra-distance races, highlighted by the $50,000-to-win Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., and the third annual Firecracker 100 on June 26-27 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.

The sixth consecutive WoO LMS campaign under the World Racing Group banner kicks off on Feb. 12 and 14 with two 50-lap A-Mains during the 38^th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. It will end for the third straight year with the World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

“We’re proud to put together a schedule that is attractive for our fulltime traveling teams and brings World of Outlaws Late Model Series racing to more race fans across the country,” said Tim Christman, the director of the WoO LMS. “We continue to build the series by visiting new markets and tracks and developing fresh, exciting events.

“We still plan to add at least seven more events, which will push the 2009 schedule to over 50 dates. That will be a record number of events for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and more proof that the demand for races from track promoters just continues to grow.”

Forty-five confirmed events at 37 tracks in 20 states and three Canadian provinces currently comprise the 2009 WoO LMS schedule.

The WoO LMS will notably end long absences from the racing scenes in Texas and West Virginia, contesting events in each state for the first time since 2004. Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas, is scheduled to host the tour on March 20 and Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va., will bring full-fender Outlaws competition to the Mountaneer State – home to 20-year-old WoO LMS star Josh Richards – on May 31.

In addition, the series will return to Alabama (Deep South Speedway in Loxley on March 13-14), Iowa (34 Raceway in West Burlington on May 23) and Wisconsin (Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam on May 24) after a one-year hiatus. Deep South, which has scheduled a two-day show paying $7,000 to win on Friday and $12,000 on Saturday, will host the WoO LMS for the first time, while 34 Raceway is on the tour schedule for the first time since 1989 and Charter is back after holding its lone series event in 2007.

Three extended swings that filled the summer schedule in 2008 will be reprised in ’09, beginning with the ‘Great Northern Tour’ through the Northeast from June 18-27. The stretch includes Canadian events at Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway on June 18, Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Que., on June 20 and Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway on June 21, followed by stops at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Speedway on June 23, Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., on June 24 and the blockbuster Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway on June 26-27. A June 16 date, meanwhile, is listed as ‘To Be Announced.’

After a 10-day break the WoO LMS will commence its longest, most far-flung swing of the season. The ‘Wild West Tour’ begins on July 8 with the annual ‘Gopher 50’ at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., which will be part of the WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive season. Also scheduled are events on July 9 at North Central Speedway in Brainerd, Minn. (last year’s race there was rained out and not rescheduled); July 10 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., which hosts the series for the fourth year in a row; July 11 at Estevan (Sask.) Motor Speedway (second straight year the tour will cross the Canadian border to race at the three-eighths-mile oval); and July 15 at Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway (the ‘Cowboy 50’).

The WoO LMS will close out a busy month of July by heading east for another series-within-a-series: the four-night Alltel Ohio Late Model Speedweek that appears on the schedule for the third straight season. A visit to Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, on July 23 starts the stretch of racing, followed by engagements on July 24 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park, which hosted its first-ever WoO LMS event in May 2008; July 25 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio; and July 26 at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa.

Two $20,000-to-win 100-lappers will join the Firecracker 100 and Circle K Colossal 100 as high-dollar specials on the ’09 schedule: the ‘Illini 100’ on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway, which drew rave reviews following the inaugural two-day spectacular in 2008, and a new extra-distance shootout on May 1-2 at K-C Raceway in Alma, Ohio, which hosted a late-summer WoO LMS event in 2008.

Other tracks that will hold WoO LMS events for the first time in 2009 include U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo. (May 22) and Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa. (Aug. 13).

Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway will return to the WoO LMS sked on May 16 after a one-year absence, albeit in a different form. The track has been enlarged from a quarter-mile bullring to a high-speed three-eighths-mile oval – a reconstruction project that was not completed in time for a scheduled May 2008 WoO LMS date to take place.

Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., is back on the WoO LMS docket after hosting the tour for the first time in 2008. The three-eighths-mile track has an event scheduled for Aug. 29.

The WoO LMS will also visit several stalwart tracks, including Virginia Motor Speedway (April 18); Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (May 17); Delaware International Speedway in Delmar (May 28); Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway (May 30 and Aug. 15); Bedford (Pa.) Speedway (Aug. 14); Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. (Sept. 5-6); I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. (Sept. 19); and La Salle (Ill.) Speedway (Sept. 20).

Hagerstown, of course, has hosted a WoO LMS event every season of the tour’s existence except 2008, when rain washed out a scheduled event and it could not be reset. What’s more, VMS and Tri-City have been on the tour each year since 2005; Delaware International will conduct a race for the fifth time in six years; I-55 will hold its fourth tour show in six years; Lincoln is part of the series for the third consecutive season; and La Salle is set to present Outlaws action for the second time in three years (a planned 2008 date was rained out).

Seven tracks are scheduled to host multiple WoO LMS events in 2009. The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway leads the list with four dates (including the mid-week Showdown on Oct. 14, which could pay its winner as much as $30,000 with a passing bonus), while two races will be held at Volusia, Deep South, Hagerstown, Tri-City (the Oil Region Labor Day Classic), Lernerville (May 5 and June 26-27) and Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway (April 17 and Aug. 28).

Lernerville’s traditional springtime mid-week date has not only been pushed back from April to May 5, but will also boast some extra intrigue. The event will serve as a qualifier for the track’s Firecracker 100.

Feb. 12 – Thurs. – Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL – Alltel DIRTcar Nationals - $10,000 – 50L

Feb. 14 – Sat. – Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL – Alltel DIRTcar Nationals - $10,000 – 50L

March 27-28 – Fri./Sat. – The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway/Concord, NC – COLOSSAL 100 - $50,000 – 100L

April 3-4 – Fri./Sat. – Farmer City (IL) Raceway – ILLINI 100 - $20,000 – 100L

May 28 – Thurs. – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, DE - $10,000 – 50L

June 18 – Thurs. – Ohsweken (ONT) Speedway – Great Northern Tour - $10,000 – 50L

June 20 – Sat. – Autodrome Drummond/Drummondville, QUE – Great Northern Tour - $10,000 – 50L

June 21 – Sun. – Cornwall Motor Speedway/Cornwall, ONT – Great Northern Tour - $10,000 – 50L

June 23 – Tues. – Canandaigua (NY) Speedway – Great Northern Tour - $7,000 – 40L

June 24 – Wed. – Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, PA – Great Northern Tour - $7,000 – 40L

June 26-27 – Fri./Sat. – Lernerville Speedway/Sarver, PA – FIRECRACKER 100 - TBA – 100L

July 8 – Wed. – Deer Creek Speedway/Spring Valley, MN – Wild West Tour - $10,000 – 50L

July 9 – Thurs. – North Central Speedway/Brainerd, MN – Wild West Tour - $10,000 – 50L

July 10 – Fri. – River Cities Speedway/Grand Forks, ND – Wild West Tour - $10,000 – 50L

July 11 – Sat. – Estevan Motor Speedway/Estevan, SAS – Wild West Tour - $10,000 – 50L

July 15 – Wed. – Gillette Thunder Speedway/Gillette, WY – Wild West Tour - $10,000 – 50L

July 23 – Thurs. – Muskingum County Speedway/Zanesville, OH – Alltel Ohio LM Speedweek - $7,000 – 40L

July 24 – Fri. – Attica (OH) Raceway Park – Alltel Ohio LM Speedweek - $10,000 – 50L

July 25 – Sat. – Sharon Speedway/Hartford, OH – Alltel Ohio LM Speedweek - $10,000 – 50L

July 26 – Sun. – Eriez Speedway/Hammett, PA – Alltel Ohio LM Speedweek - $10,000 – 50L

Sept. 5 – Sat. – Tri-City Speedway/Franklin, PA – Oil Region Labor Day Classic - $10,000 – 50L

Sept. 6 – Sun. – Tri-City Speedway/Franklin, PA – Oil Region Labor Day Classic - $10,000 – 50L

Sept. 19 – Sat. – I-55 Raceway/Pevely, MO – Pepsi Nationals - $10,000 – 50L

Sept. 20 – Sun. – La Salle (IL) Speedway/Illinois Fall Nationals - $7,000 – 50L

Oct. 14 – Wed. – The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway/Concord, NC - $10,000 ($30,000 possible) – 50L

Nov. 5 – Thurs. - The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway/Concord, NC – WORLD FINALS (Time Trials)

Nov. 6 – Fri. - The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway/Concord, NC – WORLD FINALS - $10,000 – 50L

Nov. 7 – Sat. - The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway/Concord, NC – WORLD FINALS - $10,000 – 50L

* Schedule subject to change (check www.worldofoutlaws.com for the latest information)