2011woo

2011woo.htm

Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
[email protected]
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Unfavorable Weather Forecast Prompts Cancellation Of This Weekend’s Illini 100 At LaSalle Speedway

LASALLE, IL – March 29, 2011 – An unfavorable weather forecast that includes rain, snow and cold temperatures has prompted an early cancellation of this weekend’s fourth annual World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Illini 100’ at LaSalle Speedway.

A collaborative effort among Tru-Speed Enterprises promoter Don Hammer, the World Racing Group and the Izzo family that owns the quarter-mile clay oval, the Illini 100 was scheduled to begin on Thursday night (March 31) with an open practice session. Time trials and heat races were set for Friday evening (April 1) with Saturday night (April 2) reserved for B-Mains and the $20,000-to-win, 100-lap headliner.

Event officials are discussing options to reschedule WoO LMS action for later this season at LaSalle, which was primed to host the Illini 100 for the first time following its three-season run at Farmer City Raceway.

“It’s never an easy decision to call off a race early in the week, but considering the weather conditions forecast for the weekend we felt this was in the best interests of the race teams and fans,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “The Illini 100 is a huge undertaking and it’s supposed to be filled with fun both on and off the track, but with the area experiencing freezing temperatures all week and wintry weather possible to kick off the weekend the anticipation and excitement for the event will undoubtedly be affected.

“We’ve faced cold temperatures before during the Illini 100, but the possibility of rain and snow as well this weekend creates the potential for an event that won’t be able to live up to its traditional high standards. We’re disappointed, but we’ve also already had some race teams call and thank us for deciding early in the week and saving them from making long drives all the way to LaSalle under the prospect of an unfavorable forecast.”

“Running a big event like the Illini 100 in central Illinois in early spring is always a gamble with the weather,” added Don Hammer, the former Farmer City Raceway promoter who has worked with the World Racing Group to present the Illini 100 since its spectacular inception in 2008. “We’ve been blessed with favorable conditions on both Friday and Saturday of the Illini for the past three years, but unfortunately this year we don’t have the same positive outlook for the weekend and that makes it difficult to press forward.”

Christman said that postponing the Illini 100 to next weekend (April 8-9) was discussed but ultimately tabled.

“We looked at rescheduling for next weekend,” said Christman. “But with so many tracks in the Midwest set to start racing we felt running the Illini 100 would take away from their season openers by forcing racers and fans to choose between events.”

Fans who purchased advance tickets for the Illini 100 weekend will be receiving e-mails with information and instructions concerning their options.

The next competition for the WoO LMS is scheduled for April 15-16 at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va., a showplace half-mile oval that will host the second annual Commonwealth 100. A $25,000 top prize has been posted for the blockbuster 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), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors Comp Cams, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance, Superflow Dynos, Wix Filters and Wrisco Aluminum.

First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event At Needmore Speedway Falls To Rain On Sunday

Tour Will Return To Georgia Track For Second Try On Sunday, May 8

NORMAN PARK, GA – March 27, 2011 – Needmore Speedway officials battled the elements on Sunday night but rain ultimately forced the postponement of the Georgia track’s first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.

WoO LMS director Tim Christman and Needmore Speedway owner Chris Hunnicutt agreed to reschedule the 40-lap, $8,000-to-win show for Sun., May 8. The race will cap a tripleheader weekend in the Southeast for the WoO LMS, which is set to visit Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway on May 6 and Swainsboro (Ga.) Raceway on May 7.

While severe thunderstorms swept across much of southern Georgia for much of the day on Sunday, the rough weather largely avoided Hunnicutt’s three-eighths-mile oval save for a brief downpour around 12:30 p.m. But two lighter periods of rain – the first at 5:15 p.m. as local-division cars were running in the surface and another at 6:50 p.m. moments after Hunnicutt had scraped the track with a grader – proved impossible to overcome.

“Chris Hunnicutt and his staff deserve plenty of credit for all the hard work they put in to give the racers and fans a great show despite the tough conditions we were dealt,” said Christman. “Unfortunately the weather wouldn’t quite cooperate, but we’ll look forward to returning to Needmore Speedway on Sunday, May 8.”

A field of 26 cars was signed in for Sunday night’s racing program. Rainchecks and pit bands from the event will be honored on May 8.

Sunday marked the second postponement in as many nights for the WoO LMS, which was also rained out on Saturday night at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga.

The WoO LMS will head north for its next action, traveling to LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway for the fourth annual Illini 100 on April 1-2. A $20,000 top prize will be on the line in the 100-lap spectacular at the high-banked, quarter-mile oval.

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

Drivers signed in for Sunday night’s event at Needmore Speedway:

1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV

1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY

1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO

1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA

3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA

10-Adam Giles/Moultrie, GA

11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI

15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY

19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY

19-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE

21b-Chip Brindle/Chatsworth, GA

21J-Kelly Walker/Moultrie, GA

21L-Ivedent Lloyd/Ocala, FL

22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA

24-Rick Eckert/York, PA

25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA

25-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL

26-Tony Knowles/Tyrone, GA

29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY

32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY

33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA

39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY

44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA

47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL

49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA

71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA

Rainout Leads To Even Bigger Return Engagement To Screven Motor Speedway For World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Promoter Redd Griffin Posts $12,000 Top Prize For Rescheduled ‘Winter Freeze’ Event On Nov. 1 or 2

SYLVANIA, GA – March 26, 2011 – Saturday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series program at Screven Motor Speedway was washed out by strong spring storms, but the cancelation will bring an even bigger return engagement for the national tour.

Screven promoter Redd Griffin reached an agreement with WoO LMS officials to reschedule the circuit’s annual visit to the three-eighths-mile oval for Nov. 1 or 2. Griffin will also pump up the A-Main’s first-place prize to $12,000, creating a huge lead-in to the season-ending World Finals on Nov. 3-5 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

The new date for Screven’s WoO LMS event is tentatively set for Wed., Nov. 2 – the same evening for which Griffin previously rescheduled his ‘Winter Freeze’ program, a doubleheader featuring dirt Late Models and the O’Reilly All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series that was rained out last month. Griffin will reset the WoO LMS card to Tues., Nov. 1, however, if wet weather would force the World of Outlaws Showdown on Oct. 12 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to be postponed to Nov. 2 in conjunction with the World Finals.

Saturday night’s postponement decision came around 7:45 p.m. when a second round of heavy rain struck the facility. Screven officials had just allowed support division cars to begin running in the racing surface, which was hit with a shorter shower several hours earlier.

More than 30 dirt Late Model teams were in the pit area for Saturday’s action.

“Redd Griffin and his staff did everything they could to run Saturday night’s show for the racers and fans who came out despite the weather forecast,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “Unfortunately we couldn’t beat Mother Nature, but Redd suggested running his rescheduled ‘Winter Freeze’ event under the World of Outlaws Late Model Series banner and we were thrilled to work with him to make it happen.

“The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is honored to be associated with a promoter like Redd Griffin who’s so willing to step up and give the teams and fans a big end-of-the-year event. We’re looking forward to returning to Screven Motor Speedway in November for a race that will play a critical role in determining the 2011 series champion.”

The WoO LMS is scheduled to complete its weekend in the Southeast on Sunday night (March 27) with a first-ever trip to Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga. A 40-lap A-Main paying $8,000 to win tops the evening’s agenda.

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

Lanigan Outruns Richards For Victory In Friday’s ‘Sunshine 50’ At Ocala Speedway

Kentucky Star Remains Undefeated In Two Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series Starts At Florida Track

OCALA, FL – March 25, 2011 – Darrell Lanigan has really taken a liking to Ocala Speedway.

The 40-year-old star from Union, Ky., emerged victorious for the second time in as many career starts at the egg-shaped track, capturing Friday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Sunshine 50.’

“Our car runs pretty good here,” said the modest Lanigan, who won the national tour’s inaugural event at Ocala almost exactly one year ago. “We definitely like coming to this place.”

Continuing his torrid comeback in the wake of missing last month’s WoO LMS season opener at Volusia Speedway Park due to a medical issue, Lanigan scored his second A-Main triumph in a row to join Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., as the tour’s only victors in four 2011 events. He pocketed $10,675 just six days after earning over $20,000 for winning the ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway.

Lanigan, who started fifth, steered his self-owned Rocket car into third place by the second lap. The 2008 WoO LMS champion drove underneath Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., for second on lap 13 and made the same move to overtake race-long pacesetter Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., for the lead on lap 18.

The remainder of the distance belonged to Lanigan, who kept Richards at arm’s length and survived a lap-49 caution flag that necessitated a green-white-checkered conclusion.

Richards, who started third, settled for a season-best finish of second in his Rocket mount. He nearly passed Davenport for the lead on lap 12 but skirted high in turns one and two the following circuit, losing the runner-up spot to Lanigan.

Davenport, who started from the pole position, relinquished second to Richards on a lap-18 restart but held on to place third in the Barry Wright house car. Reigning DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., ran among the top five for the entire distance and finished fourth in his Bob Pierce-built machine, and WoO LMS veteran Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., was fifth for his first top-five run of 2011 in his Rocket car.

“The track was a little one-lane tonight, but it was still racy at the beginning and you had to get there (to the front) – and we had the best car to get there,” said Lanigan, who recorded his 21^st career win on the WoO LMS since 2004. “I knew I didn’t have too long to get to the front. We got to third quick, and then those two guys (Richards and Lanigan) slipped up a little and we were able to get by ‘em.”

Lanigan maintained a half- to full-second edge over Richards throughout the green-flag run stretching from lap 18 to 49. He had just taken the white flag when the race’s third and final caution flag flew after Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., spun out of eighth place in a chain-reaction scramble caused by the slowing car of Seaford, Del.’s Austin Hubbard, who was struck by a flat right-rear tire while holding fifth place.

Richards, 23, was unable to offer a challenge on the ensuing two-lap sprint to the finish. He acknowledged that he had effectively allowed his opportunity to reach Victory Lane for the first time in 2011 slip through his fingers when his bid to unseat Davenport fell short early in the distance.

“When I was up beside of Davenport (on lap 12) he did what he had to do – he got wide and tried to run me out a little,” said Richards, who has won the last two WoO LMS championships. “When we slipped up (in turns one and two), Darrell got by. That was our shot right there. I knew from then on that there wouldn’t be much passing and Darrell was good, so it would be tough to get back by him.

“I took a chance. I probably should’ve waited because Davenport was softer on tires, but you never know. I knew the bottom was getting rubbered up and I knew we had tire at the beginning, so I figured if we were gonna make a move I probably should try it. It didn’t work out this time, but we still had a good car and it was a good night for us.”

Richards vaulted from fifth to second in the WoO LMS points standings with his performance, closing within two points of Moyer, who remained the leader despite tumbling to 20^th in the finish. Lanigan, meanwhile, cracked the top 10 for the first time this season, reaching ninth place, 56 points in arrears of Moyer.

Both of the A-Main’s early cautions involved Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, Ga., a crate Late Model standout making his first-ever WoO LMS start. He spun in turn four on lap five as part of a tangle that included Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who ran a backup car after a B-Main accident forced her to use a provisional to start the headliner, and 2011 Rookie of the Year contender Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Ga., and the upstart spun again on the backstretch on lap 18.

Rick Eckert of York, Pa., finished sixth and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., placed seventh despite racing the final two laps with a virtually flat right-rear tire. Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., made his home track fans proud by advancing from the 17^th starting spot to finish eighth – and earn the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-placing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main and isn’t ranked among the top 12 in the points standings – while Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie, whose night went downhill after he fell from second to fifth with two laps remaining in his heat race because he clipped the inside tractor tire in turn two, rounded out the top 10.

Hubbard established a new track record in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials, blazing around the track in 14.873 seconds for his first quick-time honor of 2011. He was one of six drivers in the 28-car field to surpass the former one-lap standard of 15.041 seconds set by Richards on Feb. 13, 2011.

Heat winners were Hubbard, Lanigan and Davenport, and Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., topped the B-Main.

The WoO LMS continues its Southeastern tripleheader on Saturday night (March 26) at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and Sunday night (March 27) at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga.

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

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Sunshine 50’ at Ocala Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (5) Darrell Lanigan/51 $10,675

2. (3) Josh Richards/51 $5,750

3. (1) Jonathan Davenport/51 $3,000

4. (6) Jason Feger/51 $2,500

5. (8) Chub Frank/51 $2,550

6. (9) Rick Eckert/51 $2,250

7. (13) Shane Clanton/51 $1,950

8. (17) Ivedent Lloyd Jr./51 $1,800

9. (11) Steve Francis/51 $1,850

10. (15) Tim McCreadie/51 $1,750

11. (10) Vic Coffey/51 $1,100

12. (19) Brent Robinson/51 $1,000

13. (20) Pat Doar/51 $1,250

14. (16) Ron Davies/51 $900

15. (14) Tim Fuller/51 $1,400

16. (18) Clint Smith/51 $1,350

17. (22) John Lobb/51 $770

18. (23) Brian Reese/51 $750

19. (2) Austin Hubbard/51 $1,280

20. (7) Billy Moyer/51 $800

21. (24) Jill George/34 $1,200

22. (12) Tyler Ivey/33 $700

23. (21) Chip Brindle/17 $775

24. (4) David Breazeale/11 $700

NOTE: Race distance went to 51 laps due to green-white-checkered finish

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 21 Mins., 35.568 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.803 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 5, 18, 49)

Lap Leaders: Davenport (1-17); Lanigan (18-50)

Provisional Starters: Reese, George

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

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

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

1. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.873 (NTR)

2. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 14.881

3. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 14.907

4. 21B-Chip Brindle/Chatsworth, GA 14.921

5. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.941

6. 54-David Breazeale/Four Corners, MS 14.950

7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.045

8. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.085

9. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.104

10. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 15.109

11. 21L-Ivedent Lloyd Jr./Ocala, FL 15.123

12. 47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL 15.166

13. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 15.169

14. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 15.194

15. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.198

16. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.206

17. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 15.261

18. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 15.311

19. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 15.387

20. 35-Christian Augspurger/Palm Beach Gardens, FL 15.445

21. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.550

22. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 15.614

23. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 15.751

24. 16-Brian Nuttall Jr./Claxton, GA 15.761

25. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 15.893

26. 33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA 16.172

27. 10-Leon Henderson/Laurel, MS 16.565

28. 1*K-John Koller/Grand Island, FL 17.500

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Hubbard, Richards, Moyer, Coffey, Clanton, Davies, George, Brindle, Doar, Koller

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Lanigan, Feger, Frank, Francis, Fuller, Lloyd, Lobb, Augspurger, Reese

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 6 Transfer): Davenport, Breazeale, Eckert, Ivey, McCreadie, Smith, Robinson, Henderson, Nuttall

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Robinson, Doar, Brindle, Lobb, Reese, Nuttall, Augspurger, George, Henderson (DNS) Koller

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22^nd fastest qualifier): Ron Davies

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

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

Comp Cams (certificate to 11^th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Tim McCreadie

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Brent Robinson

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

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Vic Coffey

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Jill George

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Chip Brindle

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

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

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place or next highest w/decal): Tim Fuller

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Josh Richards

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

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Shane Clanton

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Vic Coffey
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Christian Augspurger

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

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of March 25 – 4 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Billy Moyer 536

2. Josh Richards 534 (-2)

3. Rick Eckert 530 (-6)

4. Austin Hubbard 528 (-8)

5. (tie) Tim McCreadie 492 (-44)

5. (tie) Shane Clanton 492 (-44)

5. (tie) Jason Feger 492 (-44)

8. Steve Francis 490 (-46)

9. Darrell Lanigan 480 (-56)

10. Chub Frank 476 (-60)

11. Clint Smith 468 (-68)

12. Tim Fuller 456 (-80)

13. Brent Robinson 430 (-106)

14. Scott Bloomquist 424 (-112)

15. Pat Doar 412 (-124)

16. Vic Coffey 410 (-126)

17. Jonathan Davenport 372 (-164)

18. Ron Davies 364 (-172)

19. Brian Reese 356 (-180)

20. John Lobb 350 (-186)

FOLLOW THE ACTION ON TWITTER: Fans can keep up-to-date with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series online and through text messages on cell phones via 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.

More than 3,300 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and 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.

Georgia’s Needmore Speedway Enters Spotlight With First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event This Sunday (March 27)

NORMAN PARK, GA – March 24, 2011 – Chris Hunnicutt literally carved Needmore Speedway out of farm land behind his home and opened it for business last year.

This Sunday evening (March 27) the sophomore racetrack promoter thrusts his fledgling facility squarely into the national spotlight, hosting a 40-lap, $8,000-to-win event for the renowned World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

“I’m excited to bring the Outlaws in,” said Hunnicutt, who operates one of the newest dirt tracks in the Southeast. “I hope the race will help put the track on the map. We want to take this and build off it.”

The richest, most talent-laden dirt Late Model program in Needmore Speedway’s short history will cap a whirlwind 21-month span for Hunnicutt, an unexpected track owner if ever there was one. He was not especially interested in racing while growing up, but when his teenage son, Austin, expressed a desire to drive a race car, Hunnicutt began a steady climb into the sport.

First there was a race car for Hunnicutt’s son, a machine for Austin to run in events under the National Late Model Series banner. Then in June 2009 Hunnicutt, looking for a way to get his son more practice laps, decided to cut out an oval dirt track on a portion of the 700-plus acres on which he farms cotton and peanuts. A few months later he heard talk indicating that there might be enough interest in the southern Georgia to support a track, so he jumped all-in and began the process of turning his practice oval into a full-fledged, ready-for-business speedway.

After several months of construction, Needmore Speedway’s gates were opened last year for the first time in August. The night’s action was ultimately rained out, but Hunnicutt said more than 4,500 fans and 135 race cars turned out for the lidlifter – proving to him that yes, this racetrack on his property just might work out after all.

“It’s definitely been more work than I ever could have imagined,” said Hunnicutt, who opened his track’s 2011 season two weeks ago. “But everyone’s working hard at it and we’ve gotten a lot of support for what we’re doing. We’re new to this, but we’re learning fast.”

A three-eighths-mile, semi-banked oval sporting 90-foot-wide turns, Needmore hosted a handful of events during the final months of 2010. None of them quite matched the magnitude of this Sunday night’s WoO LMS show, which will introduce a group of the dirt Late Model division’s top stars to a new track and is expected to draw a huge crowd to the speedway.

Needmore will be neutral ground for virtually all Sunday’s entrants, including the trio of WoO LMS followers who hail from Georgia, Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Clint Smith of Senoia and 2011 Rookie of the Year contender Brian Reese of Sharpsburg. None of the drivers have ever visited the track, though they will certainly have plenty of built-in support from their home state faithful.

The Peach State Outlaws will be joined by a star-studded roster of tour regulars led by former champions Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. Other WoO LMS travelers headed to Needmore include 2010 Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del. – a teenager well-known to Georgia fans after celebrating his first-ever series win last year at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania by running down the homestretch like Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights – Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 2011 Rookie of the Year contenders Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., and John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y.

In addition, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., a three-time WoO LMS champion who leads the tour’s points standings entering this weekend’s action but is not planning to follow the entire schedule, confirmed on Wednesday that he plans to compete in this weekend’s WoO LMS tripleheader that includes Needmore and events on Fri., March 25, at Ocala (Fla.) Speedway and Sat., March 26, at Screven Motor Speedway. He will be joined at all three events by Henderson Motorsports teammates Leon Henderson of Laurel, Miss., and David Breazeale of Four Corners, Miss.

Needmore’s WoO LMS event is also listed on the schedules of such drivers as 2010 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., and Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Fla.

Needmore Speedway’s gates are scheduled to open at 1 p.m. on Sunday and hot laps are slated to begin at 4 p.m.

General admission is $25 (children 10-and-under will be admitted free of charge), and pit passes will be $40.

Needmore’s local Limited Late Model, Super Street and 4-Cylinder divisions will also be in action during the evening.

Needmore Speedway is located at 1060 John Vickers Rd. in Norman Park, Ga. It sits less than eight miles off Interstate 75 and about 50 miles north of the Florida border.

More information on Sunday’s event is available by logging on to www.needmorespeedway.com or calling the track office at 229-769-5611.

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

Hubbard Hopes To Provide Fans Another Memorable Performance This Saturday Night (March 26) At Screven Motor Speedway

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Returns To Site Of Teenager’s First Career Win

SYLVANIA, GA – March 23, 2011 – With a milestone victory and a wild-and-crazy post-race celebration, Austin Hubbard made last year’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at Screven Motor Speedway unforgettable for every fan in attendance.

Can the teenage sensation from Seaford, Del., produce an encore when the national tour returns to the three-eighths-mile Georgia oval this Saturday night (March 26) for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main? He’s sure going to try.

Hubbard, 19, has a deep affinity for the track where he earned his first career WoO LMS triumph – and performed a Ricky Bobby-in- Talladega-Nights run down the homestretch after climbing out of his race car and firesuit – almost exactly one year ago, so he’s as confident about his chances for success there as anywhere he’ll visit this season.

“I’m definitely ready to go to Screven,” said Hubbard, who rolled to the 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award driving veteran Maryland car owner Dale Beitler’s familiar blue-and-white Reliable Painting Rocket No. 19. “It’s one of my favorite tracks for sure. I liked it the first time we were there in our own car (for the 2009 WoO LMS event), and I loved it when we went back last year with Dale’s car.”

Last year’s WoO LMS show at Screven was a magical evening for Hubbard – and those watching from the packed grandstands. He added his name to the tour’s alltime win list in impressive fashion, sweeping the program by setting fast time, winning a heat race and capturing the A-Main after passing 2007 WoO LMS champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. – the veteran driver Hubbard replaced in Beitler’s equipment – for the lead on lap 30.

With World of Outlaws announcer Rick Eshelman informing the fans that Hubbard might do something spectacular in Victory Lane if he were to win, the crowd rose and cheered the energetic kid to the checkered flag. Hubbard commented later that he could literally feel how much the fans were on his side.

“I heard the crowd when I took the lead,” said Hubbard, who held off reigning WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in the final laps of the race. “I could hear everybody clapping and see everybody standing. I waved out the window to ‘em when I saw them all standing.”

Hubbard paid homage to the patrons again with his entirely unique celebration. Overjoyed after breaking through for his first win in just the fourth event of the national tour’s 2010 schedule, he scrambled out of his cockpit after stopping on the homestretch, removed his fireproof uniform, long-sleeve shirt and shoes and – harkening Will Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby character in Talladega Nights – ran down the homestretch wearing only his long underwear, helmet and socks.

Screven’s fans roared as Hubbard rolled in the mud on the inside of the track and then jogged along the homestretch wall to high-five them through the catch fence. Dozens of fans then headed to the souvenir area and waited patiently for Hubbard to pay a visit to the ASI Racewear trailer for an impromptu autograph session.

“The fans were just awesome,” said Hubbard. “I couldn’t have asked for a better crowd that night. They were so supportive and everybody was so nice, and everybody loved the Ricky Bobby thing and had a lot of fun. It was just an awesome night.”

Screven’s owner and promoter, Redd Griffin, was one of the spectators swept up in the memorable moment.

“That was cool,” Griffin said of Hubbard’s uninhibited antics. “I remember congratulating him after he did his little celebration and he told me, ‘Man, I didn’t know that Georgia red clay is that hard!’ He said he about knocked the wind out of himself when he rolled around on the track.

“That kid got everybody around here talking about Screven Motor Speedway. Everybody’s gonna want to see if he can win and do it again – and I think he can. He can wheel around Screven.”

Indeed, Hubbard has a sterling performance record at Screven. In addition to his victory, he finished sixth in the 2009 WoO LMS event as a 17-year-old driving his father Mike’s car and last month he won a heat race during the oval’s ‘Winter Freeze’ program before it was postponed by rain.

“It’s a challenging place and I like that,” said Hubbard. “(Turns) one and two are different from three and four. In one and two, you gotta get this nice angle getting in and you can gas right across the whole turn. It’s cool trying to figure out which angle is right; you’re going so fast down the straightaway and then you gotta completely shut it down for that turn. Three and four are like a big, sweeping turn where you can run through it pretty wide open; I like being in the gas, so it kind of fits me.”

Hubbard enters this weekend’s action as a driver who appears to be taking a step forward in his development. He has two top-five finishes in three WoO LMS A-Mains – including a solid fifth-place run in last Saturday night’s ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway – and is the highest-ranked tour regular in the current points standings, sitting third overall.

While Hubbard won a second WoO LMS A-Main last year en route to a seventh-place finish in the points standings, that triumph, in July at North Dakota’s River Cities Speedway, came in a rain-shortened race that had no Victory Lane ceremony. He didn’t have a chance to provide fans a Ricky Bobby display that evening, so he’s more than ready to show some skin again.

“After that (first win) last year everybody asked every night what I’d do if we won, so I’m sure I’ll get that all night at Screven when we go back,” said Hubbard. “I’d love to do something again for the fans, but first we gotta worry about trying to win a race. Hopefully (a Ricky Bobby celebration) is overdue.”

Hubbard will battle a star-studded field at Screven that includes former WoO LMS champions Richards, Francis, Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. The roster of Outlaw travelers also will include Georgians Shane Clanton of Fayetteville and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., and 2011 Rookie of the Year contenders Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., and Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Ga.

Other drivers with the event on their schedules are 2010 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla., and area standouts such as Chesley Dixon of Swainsboro, Ga., Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., and brothers Ben and Jeremy Faircloth of Swainsboro, Ga.

In addition, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who leads the WoO LMS points standings after three events but is not planning to follow the entire schedule, said he is considering entering this weekend’s WoO LMS tripleheader that includes Screven and events on Fri., March 25, at Ocala (Fla.) Speedway and Sun., March 27, at Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga.

Screven’s gates will open at 3 p.m. on Sat., March 26. Practice is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., with WoO LMS time trials following at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $20 and children 12-and-under will be admitted free for a program that also includes Screven’s Street Stock V8, Mini-Stock and Renegade divisions. With the economical ticket price, Griffin has established the event as one of the biggest bargains of the 2011 WoO LMS.

Pit passes will be $35 for adults and $20 for children 12-and-under.

More information about the event is available by logging on to www.screvenmotorspeedway.com or calling 912-228-5886 or 912-857-4884 (race day).

Screven Motor Speedway is located between mile markers 6 and 7 on Hwy 21 North near Sylvania, Ga.

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

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars Prepare For Challenge Of Uniquely-Shaped Ocala Speedway This Friday Night (March 25)

OCALA, FL – March 22, 2011 – World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars have seen it all during their travels around the country.

But the celebrated road warriors’ vast experience doesn’t make their job any easier when they visit the uniquely-contoured Ocala Speedway, which hosts the national tour for the second straight spring this Friday night (March 25).

A three-eighths-mile track that’s laid out more like an egg than an oval, Ocala will present one of the stiffest tests of the 2011 season to drivers chasing the $10,000 top prize in Friday evening’s ‘Sunshine 50.’

“There’s no other track shaped like Ocala that I’ve raced on,” said two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished fourth in last year’s inaugural tour event at the oldest motorsports facility in Florida. “It’s a weird place. Both ends are totally different, which definitely makes it challenging for a racer.”

And great for the fans, who came out in record numbers for last year’s WoO LMS show to watch the nation’s best full-fender competitors attempt to tame the speedway.

“That’s Ocala,” said owner Mike Peters, who purchased the then-paved facility in late 2005 and ran it as an asphalt track for two seasons before returning the speedway to its dirt-surface roots in 2008. “Because of the shape, the racing is always real exciting. It’s really easy for drivers to make a mistake and get passed by the guy behind them before they can recover.”

Yes, getting around Ocala Speedway can be a tricky proposition. Consider a description of the track by Rick Eckert of York, Pa., one of two drivers who have started all 284 WoO LMS A-Mains contested since 2004.

“It’s really D-shaped,” said Eckert, who finished 13^th in last year’s WoO LMS A-Main at Ocala. “I’ve been to D-shaped racetracks, but that’s the most D-shaped track I’ve ever seen. I tested one time a few years ago at New Egypt (N.J.), and that’s as close as I’ve come to seeing a track like Ocala.

“It has two different ends – two drastically different ends. You got corner one, and then corner two basically goes all the way to (turn) four. There’s really no third turn because it’s so rounded down the backstraightaway. It’s a difficult place, because there’s not a lot of room down the backstraightaway and that’s most of the track. The one time you straighten up is when you go down that front straightaway.”

How does a driver devise a car setup for Ocala? According to Eckert, that’s a mystery.

“I think you have to pick an end,” said Eckert. “You have to get your car good at one end and just man up at the other end. Now last year Darrell (Lanigan) was good on both ends, so it’s possible. If you get your car good, you can survive on both ends.”

Union, Ky’s Lanigan, the 2008 WoO LMS champion, won last year’s 50-lapper at Ocala, fighting off challenges from eventual runner-up Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and third-place finisher Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., in a tense, crowd-pleasing race. But when asked how he was able to hit on a setup that worked at both ends of the track, he could only respond with a joke.

“We got a switch we flip halfway down the straightaway,” laughed Lanigan, who enters this weekend’s action coming off a convincing $20,000-plus victory from the 19^th starting in last Saturday night’s ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway. “Nah...really, you basically have to be good in one corner and manage the other one. It’s pretty different, real challenging.”

Adding to Ocala’s degree of difficulty for the barnstorming Outlaws is the track surface, a uniquely light-colored, tacky clay that can confound the most savvy dirt veterans the first time they lay eyes on it.

“The surface is different itself, I guess because of that Florida dirt,” said Richards, who comes into Ocala’s event tied with 2007 champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., as the winningest driver on the WoO LMS since 2004, with 28 victories. “I think one thing that keeps the moisture in the track and keeps it fast is that the surface isn’t really deep. I think it’s only like 18 inches deep in some places on top of that pavement, so the water stays in there and the moisture keeps coming back up there all night long. You might think it’s gonna dry out, but that moisture just keeps coming back up and keeps the track real fast.

“I think that’s why you see good racing there all the time,” added the sensational 23-year-old. “It’s a really fast place, and the last (special Late Model) race there (a DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event on Feb. 13 that saw Hubbard and Richards run one-two until both popped tires with four laps remaining) definitely showed you can put on great races there even if it’s a little rough.”

“The surface is 80 percent clay,” said Peters, a former airline pilot who oversees track prep at Ocala. “It’s very responsive to water, so it doesn’t need as much water put down on it as other tracks in Florida do. This is our fourth year working with it and we’ve gotten a good handle on it.”

Peters anticipates that he’ll be able to whip up a typically racy track for the ‘Sunshine 50,’ an event he is awaiting with baited breath.

“I’m thrilled about having the World of Outlaws back again,” said Peters, who attended high school in Ocala with current WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “To me, it’s an honor to have the best Late Model racers in the country come to Ocala.

“The speed of the Late Models, the skill level of the drivers – it’s just amazing. There was a battle for the lead the whole race last year and I would expect the same thing again.”

Richards, Lanigan, Eckert, McCreadie, Hubbard and Francis are among the World of Outlaws regulars headed for Ocala. The roster of travelers will also include Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and 2011 Rookie of the Year contenders Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., and Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Ga.

Other drivers with the event on their schedules are 2010 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., and Florida standouts Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, who set fast time and led the first two laps of last year’s WoO LMS event at his hometrack, Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Mark Whitener of Middleburg and Christian Auspurger of Palm Beach Gardens.

In addition, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who leads the WoO LMS points standings after three events but is not planning to follow the entire schedule, said he is considering entering Ocala’s ‘Sunshine 50’ as well as this weekend’s subsequent tour stops at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., on Saturday night (March 26) and Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., on Sunday evening (March 27).

Ocala’s pit gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands will be unlocked at 5 p.m. on Fri., March 25. Practice is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and racing is set to start at 8 p.m.

General admission tickets to the WoO LMS program, which will also include action for the track’s Amsoil Thunder Stocks division, will be $30 (adults), $15 (ages 6-15) and free for kids under 6. All tickets for this year’s event are actually ‘all-access’ passes, allowing entrance to the pit area as well so fans can get a close-up look at the WoO LMS cars and meet the invading stars.

More information on Ocala Speedway is available by logging on to www.ocalaspeedway.com or calling 352-622-9400.

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

Feger Aiming To Keep Illini 100 Trophy In Its Home State On April 1-2 At LaSalle Speedway

DIRTcar UMP Star Confident As Fourth Annual World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event Moves To His Old Stomping Grounds

LASALLE, IL – March 20, 2011 – Jason Feger might have to travel just a bit farther this year to compete in the Illini 100, but that’s not a problem. He knows the way to – and around – LaSalle Speedway.

The reigning DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion has a pretty solid history at LaSalle, the high-banked, quarter-mile oval that will host the fourth annual World of Outlaws Late Model Series weekend for the initial time on April 1-2. He’s hoping that knowledge allows him to become the first home-grown driver to win the Illini 100’s huge $20,000 top prize.

“I’ve always really liked LaSalle,” said Feger, a rising 32-year-old star from Bloomington, Ill., who’s known as the ‘Highside Hustler’ for his trademark style. “It’s one of the places where I started out (as a driver), running my (DIRTcar UMP) Sportsman there every week. I raced there every Saturday night for my first couple years in a Late Model (2002-2003).

“LaSalle’s only a little over an hour drive for me, so I know we’ll have a lot of our fans and sponsors and a lot of friends and family there. I’d love to win it in front of so many people I know. It would be a big deal to be the first Illinois guy to win the Illini – definitely my biggest win to date.”

The Illini 100 spectacular, which moves to LaSalle this season after running for the last three years 90 miles to the Southeast at Farmer City Raceway, features time trials and qualifying heat races on Fri., April 1, followed by B-Mains and the 100-lap headliner on Sat., April 2. It will mark the first WoO LMS appearance at LaSalle since 2007.

Feger spent the early years of his career competing regularly at both LaSalle and Farmer City, which is about 30 minutes from his home. He finished as high as second in the UMP Sportsman and fifth in the UMP Late Model points standings at LaSalle and has won features there in both divisions, but in recent seasons he’s turned many more laps at Farmer City than LaSalle.

“Since I’ve gotten more experience and feel like I’ve become a better driver, I haven’t been to LaSalle all that much,” said Feger, whose stature in the dirt Late Model world has steadily risen over the past four years. “I won a Monster Midwest Series race there in 2008, but, unfortunately, over the past few years a few shows we were planning to run there were rained out (including WoO LMS events in 2008 and ’09 and Summer Nationals shows two of the last three years). I’ve missed running at LaSalle so I’m excited to get back there for the Illini.”

An owner-operator who campaigns cars built by former DIRTcar UMP standout Bob Pierce, Feger sees LaSalle as a worthy site for the most prestigious dirt Late Model event in the Land of Lincoln. But while it’s a quarter-mile bullring like Farmer City, it will present its own unique challenges.

“It’s always a real good track and a real good atmosphere up there,” said Feger, who finished 17^th in the only WoO LMS A-Main previously run at LaSalle, on Sept. 16, 2007. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad race there. It takes a pretty aggressive driving style to get around the place, so there’s real tight action.

“I think (the Illini 100) at LaSalle is gonna be a little more of a survival thing than (at) Farmer City. If it’s graded all the way out to the wall you can run four-wide in the corner, but then the straightaways funnel to two-wide real quick. It definitely gets tight down the straightaways and that makes it challenging. I think the track record is like a 12.3 (seconds), so we definitely move there and if something happens in front of you it’s a lot harder to miss than Farmer City.

“But LaSalle is also a place where you can make up ground quick on double-file restarts, so I think (in the 100-lapper) you’re just gonna want to be there in the mix with like 20 or 30 (laps) to go and then see what happens. I would predict there will be a yellow within the last 30 laps and then it’ll be a sprint from then on.”

After failing to qualify for the inaugural Illini 100 in 2008, Feger has been a contender in the past two events at Farmer City. He finished eighth in 2009 despite being hampered by a broken lift-bar under the front nosepiece for half the distance, and last year he won a heat race and ran as high as fifth before settling for a sixth-place finish.

Buoyed by an enhanced engine program this season and a morale-building February trip to Florida that included some head-turning runs at Volusia Speedway Park (he finished second in a DIRTcar UMP feature and led another until breaking a rear axle tube), Feger appears primed for the first Illini 100 weekend at LaSalle. He’ll enter the event coming off a two-week southern swing with the WoO LMS; he just visited Columbus (Miss.) Speedway for the first time (finishing 19^th in Saturday night’s ‘Cash Cow 100’) and plans to stay on the road to compete in this weekend’s tripleheader at Ocala (Fla.) Speedway (March 25), Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. (March 26) and Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga. (March 27).

“I feel like we did real good in Florida,” said Feger, whose resume includes the 2009 DIRTcar UMP national championship and a WoO LMS A-Main victory (earned in 2009 at Wisconsin’s Beaver Dam Raceway) among his 70-plus career Late Model wins. “Our confidence was real high when we left Florida. We came home and decided to hit Columbus, Ocala, Screven and Needmore too and hopefully get some momentum rolling against a lot of the same competition we’ll see at LaSalle.

“You have to race up to your competition – and there’s definitely a whole lot at Outlaws shows. I felt running these early shows would help me.”

Feger will be part of a star-studded field of dirt Late Model drivers that is expected to compete in the $100,000-plus Illini 100 weekend, joining WoO LMS regulars (and former tour champions) Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and a host of other standouts from the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar UMP circuits.

Fans have until March 29 to take advantage of a discounted advance-sale price on two-day and single-day reserved seats for the Illini 100 weekend. Both reserved and general admission tickets can be purchased on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event ticket hotline at 877-395-8606.

Advance-sale two-day reserved-seat tickets (Friday-Saturday) for the Illini 100 cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

Single-day tickets are available in advance and on race day. Reserved seat and general admission tickets purchased on-line before March 29 are $15 for Friday and $30 for Saturday. On race day reserved seats (if still available) are $15 (Friday) and $32 (Saturday), and general admission prices are $15 (ages 16-and-over) and $5 (children 6-15) for Friday’s program and $30 (ages 16-and-over) and $10 (children 6-15) for Saturday’s finale. Kids 5-and-under will receive free general admission both days.

Pit passes will be sold only at the track for $25 on Friday, $40 on Saturday and $60 for a two-day pass. DIRTcar members will receive a $5 discount on pit admission.

The Illini 100 weekend will kick off on Thurs., March 31, with an open practice session from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT. Gates will open at 3 p.m. and pit admission will be $20, with fans permitted to enter the grandstands free of charge to watch the practice circuits.

On Fri., April 1, pit gates will open at 12 noon and spectator gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.

The schedule on Sat., April 2, calls for pit gates to re-open at 12 noon, with the front gates opening at 3 p.m. Practice will begin at 5 p.m. and racing is set to get the green flag at 6 p.m.

Other divisions on the weekend program are DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and DIRTcar Stock Cars. The UMP Modifieds will compete in separate events paying $500 to win (Friday) and $1,000 to win (Saturday), while the Stock Cars will be in action on Friday night.

LaSalle Speedway is located 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford and 60 miles north of Bloomington. It is on U.S. Route 6 just 1.5 miles east of Interstate 39 Exit 57.

More information on the Illini 100 weekend at LaSalle Speedway can be obtained by calling the track at 815-223-6900 or 815-223-6939 or logging on towww.lasallespeedway.com and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Illini-100.

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

Lanigan Roars Forward From 19th For $20,000-Plus Victory In ‘Cash Cow 100’ At Columbus Speedway

COLUMBUS, MS – March 19, 2011 – Darrell Lanigan broke through two levels of frustration on Saturday night at Columbus Speedway.

Simultaneously ending his long pursuit of an extra-distance victory on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and beginning a comeback from his disappointing start to the 2011 season, Lanigan drove forward from the 19^th starting spot to capture the inaugural ‘Cash Cow 100’ before a packed house of fans at The Bullring.

(Click here to see a video interview of Darrell Lanigan following the Cash Cow 100.)

Lanigan, 40, of Union, Ky., earned $20,675 for his first-ever win in a 100-lap WoO LMS event – after coming tantalizingly close to a checkered flag in numerous century grinds over the past three years. The 2008 tour champion did it the hard way, charging through the field on a demanding high-banked, one-third-mile oval to grab the lead for good on lap 64 with a pass of Crane, Mo.’s Will Vaught.

“The car was just awesome in the feature tonight,” said Lanigan, who gained entry to the weekend’s headliner by steering his GottaRace.com Rocket car to victory in the first B-Main on Saturday night. “We struggled a little bit last night in the heat races when we were trying a few things, but we made some changes today and man, it came on in the feature. To run the consie and come back and win is just unbelievable.”

Vaught, 24, finished second in his Victory Circle machine after starting fourth and leading laps 15-31 and 62-63. It was a career-best placing on the WoO LMS for the young talent, who overtook Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., for the runner-up spot coming to the white flag.

Moyer, who started third in his own Victory Circle car, settled for a third-place finish while his 23-year-old son, Billy Moyer Jr., advanced from the 13^th starting spot to register a career-high WoO LMS placing of fourth in another Victory Circle mount. Polesitter Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., completed the top five in Dale Beitler’s Rocket car after surviving a near-disastrous homestretch scrape with Vaught and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., on lap 11 as the trio battled for the lead.

Richards, 23, led more laps than any other driver, pacing the field for 44 circuits after starting from the outside pole. He led laps 1-14 before being overtaken by Vaught and then rallying to regain the top spot on lap 32, but his bid for a second consecutive 100-lap win on the WoO LMS effectively ended on lap 61 when he spun in turn two as a result of contact while attempting to lap Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

Richards restarted at the rear of the field, but the two-time defending WoO LMS champion could only climb to ninth at the finish.

“We were running for the win and finally I had to get by (Smith), so I let off, went to slow down to get in the corner and he ran into our left-rear,” said Richards, who earned his first-ever win in a 100-lap event in the last long-distance WoO LMS race, on Sept. 1, 2010, at Mohawk International Raceway in Akwesasne, N.Y. “I love Clint to death and I’m sure he probably didn’t mean it, but that’s what happened.

“It’s frustrating because we had a real awesome car. I don’t know if we could’ve held on for the win or not, but I felt like we could’ve been in contention.”

Lanigan, who had just begun to challenge Vaught for second when Richards lost control of his Rocket car, scored his 20^th career win on the WoO LMS win. It gave him a major boost in his uphill climb in the tour points race after he was forced to miss the season opener on Feb. 17 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., due to medical problems associated with a cyst on the base of his tailbone. He vaulted from 30^th to 14 ^th in the points standings, 96 points behind Moyer’s leading total after three events.

“We’re down a little bit in the points, but if we keep winning ‘em it’s gonna come back,” said Lanigan, who reported that his lower back was sore following the physical race.

Vaught, who earned the $500 ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who hasn’t won a WoO LMS A-Main, completed a memorable weekend with his bridesmaid finish. He finished second in a heat race on Friday night after being forced to start ninth due to a flat left-rear tire during time trials and was a contender throughout the Cash Cow 100.

“At the start of the race we had a real good car and got out to the lead, but we put a little too soft of a tire on,” said Vaught. “I knew it was giving up when I got to lapped traffic and couldn’t pass them. Then I was just trying to make it last a hundred laps.

“We ended up having a real good race with Billy Moyer – and to pass him for second right at the end was incredible.”

Moyer, 53, didn’t seem disappointed after losing second to Vaught with just one lap remaining. He wanted to talk less about his run and more about his son’s impressive performance.

“I’m real proud of Junior,” said Moyer, the winner of the last WoO LMS event at Columbus, in March 2007. “When he come trucking by me there (for fourth on lap 56) I think he had a better hot rod than I did. But as the track changed I don’t think he chased the track just right. He still ended up fourth – and with this crowd here, that’s a heck of a job for him.”

The race’s three caution flags all came within a three-lap span after Richards’s spin created the first slowdown. Friday night’s fast-timer, Chris Wall of Holden, La., stopped on the homestretch on lap 64, and on the ensuing restart Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., saw his bid to enter the top five end abruptly when his car’s right-rear wheel broke off between turns three and four.

Finishing in positions 6-10 were Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., who ran in the top five during the race’s first half; 21^st-starter Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; 22^nd-starter Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; Richards; and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., who broke into the top 10 late in the distance.

Saturday night’s program began with a pair of 20-lap B-Mains won by Lanigan and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who only managed a quiet 12 ^th-place finish in the Cash Cow 100.

The WoO LMS returns to action after a short break with a Southeastern tripleheader, visiting Ocala (Fla.) Speedway on March 25; Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., on March 26; and Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., on March 27.

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

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (19) Darrell Lanigan/100 $20,675

2. (4) Will Vaught/100 $10,550

3. (3) Billy Moyer/100 $6,100

4. (13) Billy Moyer Jr./100 $5,000

5. (1) Austin Hubbard/100 $4,550

6. (6) Mike Marlar/100 $3,000

7. (21) Earl Pearson Jr./100 $2,750

8. (22) Dale McDowell/100 $2,500

9. (2) Josh Richards/100 $3,000

10. (8) Steve Francis/100 $2,750

11. (19) Rick Eckert/100 $2,450

12. (18) Tim McCreadie/100 $2,450

13. (12) Scott Bloomquist/100 $1,700

14. (24) Clint Smith/100 $2,200

15. (11) Shane Clanton/100 $2,150

16. (9) Chris Wall/100 $1,630

17. (15) Ronny Lee Hollingsworth/98 $1,560

18. (23) Tim Fuller/98 $2,090

19. (7) Jason Feger/98 $1,520

20. (5) Chub Frank/64 $2,050

21. (20) Vic Coffey/58 $1,525

22. (16) Bub McCool/48 $1,500

23. (14) Rick Rickman/47 $1,500

24. (10) Klint Byars/10 $1,500

Note: Feger, Coffey and McDowell were penalized to the rear of the field for the start after reporting late to the pre-race staging area

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 38 Mins., 00.439 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 3.398 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 3 (Laps 61, 64, 64)

Lap Leaders: Richards (1-14); Vaught (15-31); Richards (32-61); Vaught (62-63); Lanigan (64-100)

Provisional Starters: Fuller, C. Smith

Rookie of the Race: Davies ($250)

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

B-Main No. 1 (20 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Darrell Lanigan, 2. Rick Eckert, 3. Earl Pearson Jr., 4. Clint Smith, 5. Brent Robinson, 6. Tim Fuller, 7. Scott Creel, 8. Dewayne Hottinger, 9. Wade Byars, 10. Greg Fore, 11. Brian Reese, 12. Jill George, 13. Brian Rickman, 14. Leon Henderson (DNS) Doug Showah

B-Main No. 2 (20 laps – Top 3 Transfer): 1. Tim McCreadie, 2. Vic Coffey, 3. Dale McDowell, 4. Kyle Beard, 5. Ron Davies, 6. Rodney Wing, 7. Pat Doar, 8. David Breazeale, 9. Dane Dacus, 10. John Lobb, 11. Chad Washington, 12. Chad Thrash, 13. Dwight Falcon, 14. Justin McRee

Did not return on Saturday night: Dan Schlieper, Jason Cliburn, Hunter Carroll, Brian Nuttall Jr.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22^nd fastest qualifier): Rick Eckert

Armor All (one case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main w/decal): Will Vaught

Comp Cams ($50 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Will Vaught

Comp Cams (certificate to 11^th place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Steve Francis

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Brent Robinson/Kyle Beard

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

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Vic Coffey

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

MSD Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Vic Coffey

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

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

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place or next highest w/decal): Dale McDowell

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

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Darrell Lanigan

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

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Josh Richards

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner of Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Chub Frank
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Dan Schlieper

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

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Darrell Lanigan

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of – A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Billy Moyer 426

2. Scott Bloomquist 424 (-2)

3. Austin Hubbard 416 (-10)

4. Rick Eckert 392 (-34)

5. Josh Richards 388 (-38)

6. Tim McCreadie 362 (-64)

7. Steve Francis 358 (-68)

8. Shane Clanton 356 (-70)

9. (tie) Jason Feger 350 (-76)

9. (tie) Clint Smith 350 (-76)

11. (tie) Chub Frank 336 (-90)

11. (tie) Tim Fuller 336 (-90)

13. Earl Pearson Jr. 332 (-94)

14. Darrell Lanigan 330 (-96)

15. Will Vaught 322 (-104)

16. Brent Robinson 304 (-122)

17. Mike Marlar 294 (-132)

18. Brady Smith 292 (-134)

19. Dan Schlieper 290 (-136)

20. Pat Doar 288 (-138)

More than 3,200 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Richards & Hubbard Among Heat Winners During ‘Cash Cow 100’ Qualifying Night At Columbus Speedway

COLUMBUS, MS – March 18, 2011 – World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., shared the spotlight on Friday night, authoring powerful drives to heat-race victories during qualifying for the inaugural ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus Speedway.

The national tour’s brightest young talents joined veterans Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., as winners of the 15-lap heats that transferred 16 competitors directly into Saturday evening’s $20,000-to-win 100-lapper at the high-banked, one-third-mile oval known as The Bullring.

Forty-nine drivers from 17 states signed in for the qualifying program, which provided fans a scintillating taste of the action expected in Saturday night’s extra-distance headliner.

Richards, 23, was responsible for the first burst of heat-race excitement. The two-time defending series champion recovered from a subpar time-trial performance to win the first preliminary from the fifth starting spot – a charge he completed by overtaking both Chris Wall of Holden, La., who began the night by earning his first career WoO LMS fast-time honor with a lap of 13.581 seconds, and Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., on a lap-six restart.

“We didn’t really show it with our starting spot in the heat, but we had an awesome car,” said Richards, who managed only the 17^th-fastest lap when he took to the track late in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. “We picked the right tires, were able to make the right moves at the right time and get up through there. I’m just looking forward to a hundred laps tomorrow.”

Hubbard, 19, dominated the second heat race, surging off the pole position to lead the entire distance. He pulled away from Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., following a late restart to triumph in his first-ever appearance at Columbus.

“We had a good car since we came out of the box here (during Thursday night’s practice session),” Hubbard said of his Dale Beitler-owned Rocket car. “In the heat I just tried to hit my marks and not burn my tires up and we got a win. Now we need to get a good redraw tomorrow, make a good tire decision and have a good run.”

Marlar and Moyer – both former winners of the Magnolia State 100 at Columbus – closed the evening with victories. Marlar raced off the outside pole and outdueled DIRTcar UMP star Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., to win the third heat while Moyer captured the fourth prelim from the fifth starting spot.

The heat winners and runners-up – Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Francis, Feger and Will Vaught of Crane, Mo. – will participate in a redraw on Saturday night to determine the first eight starting spots in the Cash Cow 100.

Frank, who did not attend Thursday night’s open practice, might have been the most fortunate of the heat-race qualifiers. His car lost power just as he crossed the finish line due to a busted fuel pump that also blew out the machine’s power-steering pump.

Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., finished third in the fourth heat, giving him the 12^th starting spot in the Cash Cow 100. He enters the weekend shooting for three consecutive WoO LMS victories after sweeping the tour’s season-opening pair of A-Mains during last month’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

The Cash Cow 100 weekend concludes on Saturday (March 19) with B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main. Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. CDT for advance ticket holders and 3:15 p.m. for all other fans, and action is set to get underway at 7 p.m.

General admission tickets for Saturday’s program cost $30 (ages 16-and-over) and $10 (children 6-15). Kids 5-and-under will be admitted free of charge.

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

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

1. 71W-Chris Wall/Holden, LA 13.581

2. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 13.664

3. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.718

4. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 13.720

5. 9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 13.776

6. 68-Rick Rickman/Columbus, MS 13.788

7. 36-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 13.797

8. 54b-David Breazeale/Four Corners, MS 13.823

9. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 13.837

10. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 13.869

11. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 13.872

12. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 13.914

13. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.922

14. 888-Jason Cliburn/Star, MS 13.929

15. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.957

16. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 14.003

17. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.037

18. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickmauga, GA 14.088

19. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.118

20. 21M-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.119

21. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 14.140

22. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.198

23. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.209

24. 86-Kyle Beard/Trumann, AR 14.226

25. 21Jr.-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 14.295

26. 5-Klint Byars/Carrollton, MS 14.300

27. 7-Brian Rickman/Columbus, MS 14.314

28. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.359

29. 33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA 14.384

30. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.411

31. 18-Ronny Lee Hollingsworth/Gulfport, AL 14.424

32. 54d-Dane Dacus/Lakeland, TN 14.446

33. 77-Greg Fore/Greenville, MS 14.470

34. 10W-Rodney Wing/Meridian, MS 14.517

35. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 14.535

36. 1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 14.655

37. 31-Scott Creel/Franklinton, LA 14.668

38. 25M-Justin McRee/Woodstock, AL

39. 05-Wade Byars/Carrollton, MS 14.712

40. 1c-Charles Thrash/Meridian, MS 14.732

41. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 14.792

42. 1L-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 14.897

43. 65-Dewayne Hottinger/Russellville, AR 15.000

44. F4-Dwight Falcon/Pine Grove, LA 15.050

45. d8-Doug Showah/Indianola, MS 15.092

46. 10H-Leon Henderson/Laurel, MS 15.216

47. 88H-Hunter Carroll/Columbus, MS 15.422

48. 17W-Chad Washington/Greenville, MS 16.336

49. 16-Brian Nuttall Jr./Claxton, GA N/T

Heat No. 1 (15 laps – 4 Top Transfer): Richards, Frank, Wall, Moyer Jr., Pearson, C. Smith, Creel, Reese, Fore, Schlieper, Showah (DNS) Robinson, Nuttall

Heat No. 2 (15 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Hubbard, Francis, K. Byars, R. Rickman, McDowell, Coffey, Wing, Doar, Lobb, Cliburn, McRee, Henderson

Heat No. 3 (15 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Marlar, Feger, Clanton, Hollingsworth, Eckert, Lanigan, Fuller, Hottinger, W. Byars, George, B. Rickman (DNS) Carroll

Heat No. 4 (15 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Moyer, Vaught, Bloomquist, McCool, McCreadie, Davies, Thrash, Dacus, Breazeale, Washington, Falcon, Beard

Well-Attended Practice Session Kicks Off ‘Cash Cow 100’ Weekend At Columbus Speedway

COLUMBUS, MS – March 17, 2011 – Forty-one drivers from 15 states attended Thursday night’s ‘Cash Cow 100’ practice session at Columbus Speedway, setting the stage for a spectacular weekend of World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition on The Bullring.

Stopwatch timing unofficially pegged 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., with turning the fastest laps during the over two-hour-long test. The 19-year-old sensation was captured roaring around the one-third-mile, high-banked oval at roughly 13.30 seconds near the start of hot laps when the outside groove was strongest.

Hubbard, who enters the weekend’s $20,000-to-win event as the highest-ranked WoO LMS regular in the points standings after a strong start in last month’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park, is making his first-ever start at Columbus behind the wheel of Dale Beitler’s Rocket No. 19. He felt right at home circling the challenging track.

“I like it,” Hubbard said of the speedway known as ‘The Baddest Bullring in the South.’ “It’s definitely aggressive, definitely high-speed. There’s no easing into the turns here.

“I think it ought to be a great show this weekend.”

Other drivers who stood out on the stopwatches included two-time defending tour champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who won the second A-Main of his WoO LMS career at Columbus in 2006; three-time series titlist Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., the victor in the tour’s last event at Columbus in 2007; 2008 series champ Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., a two-time Magnolia State 100 winner at Columbus; and 2010 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., who opened eyes by rolling the high-side of the track in his first visit to The Bullring.

The only incident of the evening came early in the practice session when 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., slapped the wall between turns three and four after hitting a hole in the surface. He wasn’t injured, but the damage done to his Mars-built car will force him to run his backup machine this weekend.

More drivers are expected to join the ‘Cash Cow 100’ field for time trials and qualifying heat races on Friday night (March 18), including WoO LMS regular Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.

On Fri., March 18, pit gates will open at 12 noon and spectator gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. for advance-ticket holders and 4:15 p.m. for race-day purchasers. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.

The schedule on Sat., March 19, calls for pit gates to open at 12 noon, with the front gates opening at 3 p.m. for advance ticket holders and 3:15 p.m. for all other fans. Racing is set to get the green flag at 6 p.m. on a program that includes B-Mains and the ‘Cash Cow 100’ headliner.

Other divisions on the weekend program are unsanctioned crate Late Models (running under NeSmith rules) and the Mississippi Street Stocks. The crate Late Models will compete in full programs for $600 to win on Friday and $1,000 to win on Saturday, while the Street Stocks will chase top prizes of $300 on Friday and $500 on Saturday.

Columbus Speedway is located in the northern half of Mississippi, just miles from the Alabama border and about two hours west of Birmingham.

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

Drivers on hand for Thursday night’s practice session:

1-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY

1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV

1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO

5-Clint Byars/Carrollton, MS

7-Brian Rickman/Columbus, MS

8-Jackson McCool/Millport, AL

9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI

10-Leon Henderson/Laurel, MS

10-Rodney Wing/Meridian, MS

11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI

12-Tim Davis/West Point, MS

15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY

15-Jason Milan/Guntown, MS

16-Brian Nuttall Jr./Claxton, GA

18-Ronny Lee Hollingsworth/Gulfport, AL

19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY

19-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE

21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR

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

22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA

24-Rick Eckert/York, PA

25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA

25-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL

25-Justin McRee/Cottondale, AL

29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY

31-Scott Creel/Franklinton, LA

32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY

33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA

39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY

44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA

54-David Breazeale/Four Corners, MS

54-Dane Dacus/Lakeland, TN

57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS

68-Rick Rickman/Columbus, MS

71-Chris Wall/Holden, LA

71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA

77-Kenneth Crowe/Port Allen, LA

86-Kyle Beard/Trumann, AR

88-Wendell Wallace/Batesville, AR

88H-Hunter Carroll/Columbus, MS

888-Jason Cliburn/Jackson, MS

Rickman Brothers Ready To Defend Home Turf In ‘Cash Cow 100’ This Weekend (March 18-19) At Columbus Speedway

Hometown Favorites Rick & Brian Rickman Dreaming Of World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event’s $20,000 Top Prize

COLUMBUS, MS – March 16, 2011 – The nation’s biggest dirt Late Model stars are coming to Rick and Brian Rickman’s hometown this weekend (March 18-19) for the inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Cash Cow 100’ at Columbus Speedway.

Are the Columbus, Miss., born-and-bred racers ready to defend their turf? Sure sounds like it.

“The best of the best will be there this weekend,” said Brian Rickman, at 34 the younger of the racing siblings. “It’s gonna be tough just to get in (the 100-lap A-Main), but we’re gonna give it our best shot. We jump off in there with both feet. We’re not scared.”

“A race like this always gives us a little more of a challenge because a lot of the (invading) guys do it for a living and we’re what you call Weekend Warriors,” added the 39-year-old Rick Rickman, the brother with the most dirt Late Model experience. “But we always tend to run pretty well with ‘em when they come in here, so I feel like we got a good shot at it.”

The Rickmans represent the best hope for the local fans to witness a storybook performance in the Cash Cow 100, which is not only the biggest dirt Late Model event anywhere in the country this month but will also serve as the 2011 season opener at The Bullring. Time trials and qualifying heats will be contested on Friday night (March 18), and last-chance B-Mains and the $20,000-to-win, long-distance feature headline the weekend finale on Saturday evening (March 19).

While Brian Rickman will be making his first career WoO LMS start this weekend, Rick Rickman has tested himself against the national tour’s stars in the past. A five-time Columbus dirt Late Model track champion with over 75 career wins at the track spread over several divisions, Rick entered the two previous World of Outlaws events held at Columbus, finishing eighth (after starting 24^th) in a 50-lapper in August 2006 and failing to qualify for the A-Main in March 2007.

As a veteran beginning his 25^th season behind the wheel, Rick Rickman is considered a driver to watch by all the outsiders who will fill the Columbus pit area for the Cash Cow 100 – a star-studded roster led by former WoO LMS champions Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. Rickman is hoping his experience at the one-third-mile, high-banked oval will allow him to live up to the expectations.

“We’ve been around awhile, so I’m gonna say we have at least a little bit of a hometown advantage,” said Rick, who won points titles last year at both Columbus and its sister track across town, Magnolia Motor Speedway. “We know the place, know it’s physically and mentally demanding because it’s so fast. It’s pretty draining because you’re on the edge all the time, just inches off the wall the whole time. You’re right up against the wall, against the cushion. Normally if you’re not up there, you’re not gonna be that fast.”

But Rick, who works alongside his sibling at Rickman Brothers Trucking in Columbus, certainly isn’t overconfident: “We only really ran (at Columbus) but eight times last year, so we don’t have quite the edge we maybe used to have when we ran every week. And those (touring) guys that are coming in race at so many different tracks, they always have notes from someplace to compare to this one.”

Brian Rickman, meanwhile, understands the challenge ahead of him. He’s coming off one of the strongest seasons of his dirt Late Model career (he’s spent about 15 of his 21 racing years in the full-fender class) and feels he has the equipment to contend, but he’ll have to run the race of his life to be in the mix for the big check.

“The biggest thing that hurts us is that (the traveling professionals) already got 500 laps under their belts and we ain’t even started yet this year,” said Brian, noting that the WoO LMS regulars and several other high-profile Cash Cow 100 entrants kicked off their seasons last month in Florida. “They’re already ahead of the ballgame and we ain’t even fired ‘em up yet. But being local, we’ll have about as good a shot as anybody here.

“If you get in the race, run up near the front and stay out of trouble, you never know what can happen at the end. We just need that ‘lucky dog’ on us.”

Brian, who will drive a MasterSbilt No. 7 car owned by Johnny Glasgow of Vernon, Ala., because his new family-owned machine isn’t yet ready, admits that he’s dreamed ever-so-slightly about standing in Victory Lane at his home track after the Cash Cow 100.

“Winning $20,000 here in your hometown – man, you don’t want to think about it because you don’t want to jinx yourself, but you can’t help it,” said Brian, who has never won a race worth more than $5,000. “It would be awesome to win it. We’d definitely have a big party.”

Rick is equally starry-eyed about the prospect of capturing Saturday night’s WoO LMS blockbuster. With his own new car also not ready for action, he will chase the checkered flag driving the family-owned MasterSbilt No. 68 that his semi-retired father, Eddie, will race in a limited number of local events this season.

“It would mean so much to win a big one here at home, especially because our sponsors are local,” said Rick, whose team’s Columbus-based backers include Advanced Logistics, J&J Tobacco Store and the 1250 Package Store. “Our whole family will be there too – our mom and dad, our wives, our kids, our crews’ families. We usually camp the whole weekend at the track when there’s a big race, so if we could win it we’ll be having fun at the camper after it’s over.”

Win or lose, proudly overseeing the Rickman clan throughout the weekend will be Eddie Rickman, the 60-year-old patriarch of one of the Southeast’s most well-known racing families. Eddie was the quickest qualifier for the last WoO LMS event at Columbus four years ago – and, at the age of 56, setting a still-standing record for the oldest driver to earn a fast-time award on the tour – but he doesn’t plan to compete this weekend.

“He’s been racing since ’68 and I guess he’s kind of burnt out to do it all the time,” Brian Rickman said of his father. “He’s rather sit up in the stands and tell us what we’re doing wrong.”

*****

General admission tickets – both multi- and single-day options – for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ weekend can be purchased on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606. Fans who buy a two-day weekend pass in advance will receive special perks, including a discounted price and the opportunity to enter the grandstand area 15 minutes prior to the general front-gate opening time for a show that is expected to pack the track’s grandstand.

Advance-sale two-day passes (Friday-Saturday) for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

Single-day tickets are available in advance and on race day. Friday ticket prices are $15 (ages 16-and-over) and $5 (children 6-15), while Saturday tickets cost $30 (ages 16-and-over) and $10 (children 6-15). Kids 5-and-under will be admitted free of charge both days.

Pit passes will be sold only at the track for $30 on Friday, $35 on Saturday and $60 for a two-day pass. DIRTcar members will receive a $5 discount on pit admission.

The ‘Cash Cow 100’ weekend will kick off on Thurs., March 17, with an open practice session from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CST. Pit admission will be $20, and fans will be permitted to enter the grandstands free of charge.

On Fri., March 18, pit gates will open at 12 noon and spectator gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. for early-ticket buyers and 4:15 for race-day purchasers. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.

Columbus Speedway is located in the northern half of Mississippi, just miles from the Alabama border and about two hours west of Birmingham.

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

A Rookie At 53: Ron Davies Heads Out On The Road With The World of Outlaws Late Model Series In 2011

CONCORD, NC – March 13, 2011 – Why has Ron Davies tossed his helmet in the ring as a challenger for this year’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year award – at the ripe age of 53?

Pose that question to the veteran driver from Warren, Pa., and he’ll fire back with a simple answer.

“I just want to go do it one time because I really like racing with the professional guys,” the personable Davies said of his ambitious plans to crisscross the country this season as a WoO LMS regular. “Not that I’m a professional (fulltime driver), but I like racing with them because your stuff doesn’t get torn up every night, they race hard and it’s good competition.

“I know I’ve only got a few years left because I don’t want to race until I’m 60, so as long as I feel I’m still competitive and I still love to race, why not do it? I couldn’t (travel) the way I wanted to back when I was younger, but I can now so I’m gonna do it.”

Financially secure with a solid self-owned business, equipped with top-notch racing equipment and just two-and-a-half-year years removed from surviving a bout with prostate cancer, Davies figures it’s now-or-never for him to hit the road with the Outlaws. He even has the opportunity to roll down the highways with his future son-in-law Shane Clanton, the WoO LMS star from Fayetteville, Ga., who proposed to Davies’s soon-to-be 23-year-old daughter, Michelle, last year.

Davies is, for all intents and purposes, seizing the moment – an attitude instilled deeper in him by the health scare that sidelined him for a portion of the 2008 season.

“When you go through that (prostate cancer) it makes you think, If you can do something, go do it,” reasoned Davies, who successfully underwent treatment and is now cancer-free.

Davies is one of four drivers listed as a 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender, joining Pat Doar, 47, of New Richmond, Wis.; John Lobb, 41, of Frewsburg, N.Y.; and Brian Reese, 29, of Sharpsburg, Ga. The next race for the quartet – along with the national tour’s star-studded roster of regulars – is the $20,000-to-win ‘Cash Cow 100’ extravaganza scheduled for this weekend (March 18-19) at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway.

None of the first-year travelers have been racing longer than Davies, who launched his career behind the wheel in 1976 in the Spectator class at sister tracks Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., and Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y. He moved to the Limited Late Model division the following season and then made his full-blown dirt Late Model debut in 1978. He’s been a dirt Late Model stalwart ever since, focusing his efforts primarily on the tracks around his western Pennsylvania home.

During his career Davies has accumulated a feature-win total well into triple-figures and earned distinction as one of his area’s most popular drivers (he’s known as the ‘Rim Rider’ for his cushion-pounding style), but the only time he tested his talent on a touring series was in 1989 when he followed the STARS circuit and won a single feature at Eriez. He has never attempted a national tour nor entered more than a handful of dirt Late Model racing’s crown-jewel events.

For most of the past two decades, Davies’s focus has been business first, racing second. In 1992 he founded WeldBank Energy, an oil- and gas-producing firm based in his hometown through which he owns and drills wells and leases 1,500 acres of property to companies in the industry. While he’s kept WeldBank small – he has only three employees including his 79-year-old uncle, who does all of Davies’s pumping – it’s been very successful; the nature of the business also allows him to shut down for spells to go racing and still maintain income with the operation of gas compressors, gas sales and land leases.

Davies will certainly take some time off this year for his WoO LMS excursions. With former Chub Frank mechanic Brandon (‘Chief’) Bilskie serving as his fulltime wrench-twister, Davies has two Bullock-powered ‘Mars’ cars built by Jimmy and Chris Mars ready for a World of Outlaws schedule that will see him visit more than two-dozen tracks for the first time.

“I’m excited,” said Davies, who returned to the seat of his own machines last year after running locally for a car owner in 2009. “We definitely want to win the Rookie (of the Year) deal (which is determined using the contenders’ best 30 finishes), but beyond that our goal is to be competitive and to try to run in the top 10 every night – and hopefully, when we get back around home to tracks we know, we’ll have a good shot to win a World of Outlaws race. We almost won one last year.”

Indeed, Davies enjoyed a superb WoO LMS outing on Aug. 1, 2010, finishing second to tour champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., in a 50-lap A-Main on his familiar turf of Eriez Speedway. He also set fast time and won a heat race that evening, putting him oh-so-close to a rare clean sweep of an Outlaw program.

The runner-up finish at Eriez was Davies’s best in eight career WoO LMS A-Main starts since 2004. An entrant in at least two series events every season from 2004-2010 (he made a total of 26 series attempts over that span), Davies’s previous best finishes were ninth on July 27, 2008, at Eriez (after earning his first-ever Fast Time honor) and 10^th on July 31, 2010, at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio.

Davies didn’t get his 2011 WoO LMS assault off to an uplifting start during last month’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., failing to qualify for the tour’s pair of season-opening events. But he showed he can compete with the nation’s top talents with a strong ninth-place finish in a DIRTcar UMP Late Model feature at Volusia, giving him confidence for the battles to come.

“As long as I can run wheel-to-wheel with all the professional guys, I’ll be happy,” said Davies, whose 26-year-old son, Dan, has been driving a DIRTcar UMP-type open-wheel Modified for the last three years. “This is kind of a different experience for me because I’m not making my living at this. I have still that competitiveness, but this is fun for me. I still get a little queasy before qualifying every night, if you know what I mean.”

*****

General admission tickets – both multi- and single-day options – for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ on March 18-19 at Columbus Speedway are now available for purchase on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event hotline at 877-395-8606. Fans who buy a two-day weekend pass in advance will receive special perks, including a discounted price and the opportunity to enter the grandstand area 15 minutes prior to the general front-gate opening time for a show that is expected to pack grandstand of the high-banked, one-third-mile track known as The Bullring.

Advance-sale two-day passes (Friday-Saturday) for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

Time trials and qualifying heat races are scheduled for Fri., March 18, and the B-Mains and 100-lap A-Main headline the featured program on Sat., March 19. An open practice will also be held from 6-9 p.m. CT on Thurs., March 17.

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

Get Your Tickets Now for the Illini 100 at LaSalle Speedway!‏

From:	World of Outlaws Late Model Series ([email protected]) on behalf of World of Outlaws Late Model Series ([email protected])
Sent:	Thu 3/10/11 11:58 AM
To:	[email protected]

Richards Returns To Scene Of Memorable Victory For ‘Cash Cow 100’ Weekend March 18-19 At Columbus Speedway

Two-Time Defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champ Was Triumphant As A Teenager Five Years Ago At ‘The Bullring’

COLUMBUS, MS – March 9, 2011 – Columbus Speedway might be over 750 miles from Josh Richards’s home in Shinnston, W.Va., but the Mississippi track will always hold a prominent place on his ever-growing career resume.

It was, after all, at the intense high-banked, one-third-mile oval known as The Bullring where Richards took a major step toward his current superstar status as the two-time defending World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion.

When Richards leads the WoO LMS contingent to Columbus Speedway on March 18-19 for the inaugural $20,000-to-win ‘Cash Cow 100’ weekend, the soon-to-be 23-year-old sensation will undoubtedly think back to the very memorable night he spent at the track nearly five years ago.

On Aug. 26, 2006, Richards won the first-ever WoO LMS event contested at Columbus. Then a rising 18-year-old talent fresh out of high school and in his second full season as a regular on the national tour, he pulled off a dramatic late-race pass of eventual ’06 series champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., to earn the second WoO LMS triumph of his budding career.

“I remember that race well,” said Richards, who celebrates his 23^rd birthday on March 22. “We won our heat and the dash (to earn the pole position for the 50-lap A-Main) and led (the feature) until McCreadie passed us. I had to pass him back and finally got by him with a few laps to go.

“Back at that stage of my career, that was a huge accomplishment for me. To pass a guy like McCreadie for the lead right at the end of the race – man, that was cool.”

The win at Columbus was the second in the first 93 starts of Richards’s WoO LMS career, which he launched in 2004 by running a partial schedule in his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis house car before going fulltime in ’05 and capturing the Rookie of the Year award. Since then he’s won 26 A-Mains in 177 starts – a veritable checkered-flag explosion on the competitive circuit that has him tied with Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., atop the tour’s win list since 2004, at 28 victories.

Columbus’s 2006 show will forever stand as a turning point for Richards, who proved that he had the ability to snatch victory from the throes of defeat. His first career WoO LMS win, on Aug. 15, 2005, at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y., came after two drivers in front of him experienced mechanical trouble; at Columbus, however, he pulled his seatbelts tight and rallied to steal a victory from one of the division’s biggest names.

Richards led the first 32 laps of that Columbus A-Main before McCreadie slid under him to assume command. But after a caution flag on lap 46 provided a final opportunity, Richards heeded the signals of his father Mark, who was watching the race from the track’s infield, and used the inside groove to regain the lead from McCreadie heading into turn three with two laps remaining.

“The track was kind of rough on the bottom that night,” recalled Mark Richards, 50. “Josh had actually run through the holes for awhile, but then he moved out of them and McCreadie caught up and got by him. Josh just got back up on the wheel, went through the holes and passed him back late in the race for the win.

“That was probably one of Josh’s first lessons in how aggressive you need to be to get the win,” Mark continued. “I’m sure that race showed him that if you want to win, you gotta get up on the wheel and drive a little harder to get it done. That’s been more or less his trademark throughout the last few years – when he has to be aggressive, he’s aggressive.”

Indeed, the younger Richards saw his future come into focus at Columbus. After breaking through with a hard-fought triumph, he went from a ninth-place finish in the 2006 points standings to sixth in 2007, second in 2008 and first in both 2009 and 2010, becoming the first driver in the modern era of the series to win the title twice.

“We kind of struggled from the beginning to the middle of ’06, but towards the end of the year we kind of picked up our program,” said Richards. “Our program had started to get on track, we were racing better together as a team everywhere we went and everything clicked that night (at Columbus). It’s a fast little bullring and I guess it just kind of fit my style. I’ve always liked places where you have to get up on the wheel and run hard.

“It definitely made me realize how hard you have to drive to win,” he continued, analyzing his performance at the ‘Baddest Bullring in the South.’ “Everybody that you race with is so tough and they’re all gonna give a 110 percent, so you just gotta be that person who goes a little harder.”

Richards is hopeful he can convert that extra desire into a big victory in the ‘Cash Cow 100,’ a blockbuster two-day program that brings him – and the WoO LMS – back to Columbus for the first time since March 2007. He captured the long-awaited first 100-lap win of his career last year at Mohawk International Raceway in Akwesasne, N.Y., and he’s ready to chase another at a furious, high-speed track that will present a supreme test to man and machine.

“I think it’s gonna be a real tough race,” said Richards, who struggled to a 15^th-place finish in his last WoO LMS start at Columbus, on March 24, 2007. “If the racing is like it was when we were there before, the racing is gonna be so hard it’s gonna be hard to manage your tires and your equipment for a hundred laps – especially if it’s got some traction to it.

“Somehow we’re gonna have to get a gameplan together where we can save our stuff a little. Hopefully that begins with starting up front. With the caliber of the guys that will be out there, if you start back in the pack you’ll have to race so hard early in the race just trying to move up. You might get yourself up to be in position to challenge the last 20 or 30 laps of the race, but by then your stuff is already wore out.

“I guess the key would be to get a good starting spot so we’ll be able to manage our equipment and have something left for the end.”

The trip to Columbus will mark the first action for the WoO LMS since the pair of season-opening events on Feb. 17 at 19 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. Richards, who saw his unprecedented streak of four consecutive wins in the tour’s lidlifter come to an end, recorded finishes of 14 ^th (after losing a wheel on the final lap) and eighth at Volusia to send him into the ‘Cash Cow 100’ ranked eighth in the points standings.

“I’m just ready to go racing again,” said Richards, who sits third in the points standings among drivers who plan to follow the entire WoO LMS schedule. “We’ve been off for a few weeks here and kind of in the snow a little bit, so we’re getting the itch to get back out there.

“I know Columbus is gonna be a cool little racetrack. I’m excited to get back there and I hope we can run up front.”

Advance-sale two-day passes (Friday-Saturday) for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

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

Wisconsin’s Pat Doar Eyes Pursuit Of 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year Award

CONCORD, NC – March 7, 2011 - When last month’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH began, Pat Doar was thinking about submitting an application for Rookie of the Year status on the 2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

By the time Doar left Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park, however, the veteran driver from New Richmond, Wis., hadn’t merely been approved as a rookie contender. He was talking openly about the prospect of an exciting season on the road and looking like a favorite to capture the national tour’s top-newcomer honor.

At the ripe age of 47 – and after spending nearly two decades primarily racing dirt Late Models under the more restrictive rules package of the Upper Midwest’s WISSOTA circuit – Doar feels the time is right to expand his horizons into the full-fender division’s open-competition realm with an assault on the WoO LMS.

“The old people say, ‘Don’t have any regrets,’” said Doar, an approachable type with a pronounced sense of humor. “That’s basically why I’m considering (chasing the Rookie of the Year award). You sit at home and think, Those guys (touring dirt Late Model stars) are the best and it would be great to run with them, so why not try do it before it’s too late?

“My mom always used to say, ‘You gotta have fun. Do what you want while you can.’”

Doar is one of four drivers listed as a 2011 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender, joining Ron Davies, 53, of Warren, Pa.; John Lobb, 41, of Frewsburg, N.Y.; and Brian Reese, 29, of Sharpsburg, Ga. The quartet – along with the tour’s star-studded roster of regulars – will end a month-long break from action with the $20,000-to-win ‘Cash Cow 100’ weekend on March 18-19 at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway.

Following last month’s pair of season-opening WoO LMS events at Volusia, Doar holds the early edge in the battle for the rookie crown, which will be determined using drivers’ 30 best finishes on this year’s series. While his finishes in the 50-lap A-Mains were rather pedestrian – 20^th on Feb. 17, 28^th on Feb. 19 – he was the lone rookie aspirant to qualify for a feature and he turned heads the first night by setting fast time with a sizzling track-record lap of 15.783 seconds around the half-mile oval.

The modest Doar was more than slightly surprised by his performance during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which he entered for the first time since 2005. He spent the week trying to get his mind adjusted to the ultra-high caliber of the competition.

“Back home I’m known as the guy who’s on the gas,” Doar said near the end of the six-night meet at Volusia. “Down here everybody’s on the gas. You just have to let it all hang out, every lap.

“I’m not even sure what the car’s doing down here because I’m going a bunch of miles an hour faster than what I’m used to,” he continued with a laugh. “One time when I came in Jimmy (Mars) said, ‘How’s your car?’ I said, ‘I don’t know. It’s better – I think – because I kept up a little better this time.’”

Doar admits that he’s out of his comfort zone when he goes full-blown dirt Late Model racing, a discipline he’s attempted only in short spurts since 1994. “A lot of years we didn’t even do any aluminum (open-competition engine) racing,” said Doar, whose bread-and-butter has always been the lower-horsepower, steel-block action of WISSOTA. He’s won the WISSOTA Late Model national championship twice (2000 and 2002) and the WISSOTA Late Model Challenge Series title five times, and he’s captured track crowns under WISSOTA-type rules at his hometown Cedar Lake Speedway (2000, ’05, ’06) and Superior (Wis.) Speedway (2005, ’06, ’10).

Of course, while the vast majority of Doar’s 150-plus career dirt Late Model feature wins have come in his WISSOTA equipment, he has enjoyed some shining moments in open-competition shows. His first-ever victory with an aluminum engine, in fact, was an upset score in February 1996 at Volusia’s now-silent three-eighths-mile dirt oval (the facility’s current half-mile was paved at the time). He also captured a WDRL event in 2003 at Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie, Wis., and owns feature wins in Arizona during the 2003 Early Thaw series (at Manzanita Speedway and Central Arizona Raceway) and this year’s Wild West Shootout (at USA Raceway in Tucson).

Doar’s main obstacle to success in open-competition racing has always been that he simply doesn’t do enough of it. The only crown-jewel event he annually enters is, naturally, the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake, which is just six miles from his home, and his experiences in the big show demonstrate his predicament.

“We’re usually one of the best cars with the little motor (at Cedar Lake), but when we put the big motor in there (for the USA Nationals) it’s always kind of a struggle for us,” said Doar, whose career-best finish in the event is 13^th, in 1996. “We run there for three days with the big motor and by the time everybody’s done and driving out the pit gate (after the 100-lapper), I’m like, ‘We’re just starting to get the hang of this big-motor stuff.’”

Doar plans to give himself an opportunity to develop an open-competition rhythm in 2011. His self-owned team is stocked with the most open-comp equipment he’s ever possessed – two ‘MB2’ cars built for him by Jimmy and Chris Mars and two aluminum engines constructed by ProPower’s Bill Schlieper – and he’s in a good place personally (he and his wife Nancy have no children) and financially (the sale of his family’s business several years ago has boosted his racing efforts), so he’s ready to branch out.

“I couldn’t really do any better in the equipment department right now,” said Doar, who largely races for a living but does spend some time as a truck driver during off-seasons. “Since we hooked up with Jimmy and Chris Mars my cars drive really good, and Bill Schlieper is great helping out with the motors.

“Four or five years ago I wouldn’t even consider doing this, but (Jimmy) Mars said to me, ‘You should do it.’ I guess we’ll see how it goes.”

Doar, whose moustache and lanky build have already earned him the nickname ‘Gunslinger’ from WoO LMS announcer Rick Eshelman, is looking forward to the thrill of racing with the country’s best drivers.

“When the Outlaws came up through the Dakotas and near us the last couple years we ran the shows and it was a lot of fun,” said Doar, who followed the WoO LMS ‘Wild West Tour’ in 2009 and 2010, scoring a career-best series finish of ninth last year at Superior Speedway. “I’m out there racing about as hard as I can race, and it’s like I’m not even going anywhere – jeez!

“But we’re all adrenalin junkies, so after you run a heat race chasing guys like Josh (Richards), (Tim) McCreadie and Jimmy (Mars), you get out of the car and you’re vibrating. Back home I don’t get that vibration no more because the motors don’t go that fast so you get accustomed to ‘em, but these aluminum motors – man, they’re fast, and it’s exciting to race ‘em.

“When we get a long way from home I’m like a fish out of water,” he continued. “I get around O.K. at the house, but it’s different out east. It’s gonna be a learning experience for me, but I’m hoping to learn and get better and consistently run top-10.”

*****

Advance-sale two-day passes (Friday-Saturday) for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

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

Columbus Speedway’s ‘Cash Cow 100’ On March 18-19 Will Provide Major Challenge To Nation’s Top Late Model Drivers

‘Baddest Bullring In The South’ Figures To Live Up To Its Nickname During World of Outlaws Late Model Series Spectacular

COLUMBUS, MS – March 2, 2011 – What kind of racetrack is Columbus Speedway, which hosts the inaugural World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Cash Cow 100’ on March 18-19?

That’s a question easily answered by two men – Columbus promoter Johnny Stokes and WoO LMS star Shane Clanton – who have special connections to the steeply-pitched, one-third-mile oval.

“It’s very wild,” summed up Stokes, a former racer who is beginning his 11^th season at the helm of his hometown Columbus Speedway. “It’s high-banked, intense, right-rear-up-against-the-wall, sparks-flying, hammer-down racing.”

Clanton, who in recent years has been one of the best big-race performers at Columbus, is even more direct with his appraisal of the speedway. He describes the track’s racing in one word: “Fierce.”

Indeed, Columbus Speedway – aka ‘The Bullring’ – has a well-deserved reputation among those in the dirt Late Model community for producing some of the division’s most fan-pleasing and driver-challenging racing. The competition can be likened to a rolling backyard brawl on a ribbon of Mississippi clay.

“They don’t call it the ‘Baddest Bullring in the South’ for nothing,” Stokes said with a laugh. “I didn’t give it that name. The fans did.”

That unique, tough-to-tame aura will be on display for two action-packed nights during the ‘Cash Cow 100’ weekend, which brings the WoO LMS back to Columbus for the first time since March 2007. Time trials and qualifying heat races are scheduled for Fri., March 18, and the B-Mains and 100-lap A-Main, which pays a whopping $20,000 to win, headlines the featured program on Sat., March 19.

Stokes, 57, is the man responsible for creating the track surface that puts Columbus on the map. He takes great pride in his work with blade and water.

“Shane Clanton told me I’m the hardest-working promoter on a racetrack he’s ever seen,” said Stokes, who, at the height of his racing career, won a WoO LMS A-Main on July 8, 1988, at Enid (Okla.) Speedway during the tour’s inaugural season organized by late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson. “Buy hey, you gotta go out there and work on it if you want a good track. I don’t want to see a bad race and neither do the fans and racers, so I’ll be out there from Monday until Saturday (of race week), from dawn to dusk at least, to do everything I can to make sure there’s a good track.”

Combine a meticulously-prepared surface with a high-banked, concrete-shrouded bullring that drivers usually whip around in 13 to 14 seconds, and the ingredients for a memorable extra-distance race are in place. The ‘Cash Cow 100’ figures to be an event run on fast-forward, a true test of man and machine.

“One-hundred laps at Columbus is a challenge,” said Stokes, currently the only promoter of a track on the 2011 WoO LMS schedule who has won a tour event. “It’s a very physical, demanding racetrack on a driver, so you better be in good shape to go the distance. A lot of times that really fast groove is right up there against that wall, and that ain’t for everybody.”

The hard-charging style necessary for success at Columbus has clearly been mastered by Clanton. A 35-year-old Outlaw stalwart from Fayetteville, Ga., he’s been the scourge of the track’s prestigious late-season event, the Magnolia State 100, over the last four years, winning it in 2007 and 2009, finishing second in 2010 (with a damaged car) and leading 86 laps of the 2008 edition before a flat tire with six circuits remaining relegated him to an eighth-place finish.

“I guess I just like the racetrack,” bottom-lined Clanton, who owns finishes of third (2007) and 12^th (2006) in the two WoO LMS A-Mains that have been contested at Columbus. “The shape of it, the speed, and just the way you gotta stay up on the wheel for the whole race – I guess it just fits my driving style.

“I like the little bullrings everywhere we go. They just seem to fit me better than the big tracks. The smaller the racetrack, the tighter the corners, the more demanding the racetrack...the better I seem to run.”

Clanton, who plans to enter his new Marshall Green-built Capital Race Cars machine in the ‘Cash Cow 100’ after making some front-end geometry changes to it following its abbreviated debut during last month’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park, knows what it takes to win a long-distance show at The Bullring.

“You gotta go all-out every lap,” said Clanton, who is tied for 11^th in the WoO LMS points standings entering the weekend at Columbus. “It don’t matter if it’s 50 laps or a hundred laps – there ain’t no riding there. You gotta go from lap one to lap 100.

“And at that place, you can go 70 or 80 laps of green-flag racing in a row so you gotta be in shape. If you’re not, you can go 50 laps and you’ll be tired. You’ll be falling out of the seat and they’ll drive right by you because it don’t matter when it is during the night – somebody’s gonna be tail-dragging you, or you’re gonna be in lapped traffic.”

Clanton will lead the WoO LMS contingent into the ‘Cash Cow 100,’ which stands as the biggest early-season event ever run at Columbus. His name will share the marquee with former tour champions Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who was just 18 when he won the August 2006 WoO LMS A-Main at Columbus, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. (winner of the last tour event at The Bullring in March 2007), Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.

The roster of Outlaw travelers will also include Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., a Columbus special-show veteran who won his first Southern All-Star Series event at the track in 1992, Rick Eckert of York, Pa., 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., and 2011 Rookie of the Year contenders Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., and Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Ga.

Dozens of talented drivers from far-and-wide are making plans to challenge the Outlaws in the country’s richest dirt Late Model event scheduled during the month of March. Among those expected to compete are Bobby Labonte Motorsports teammates Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., and Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky.; Chris Wall of Holden, La.; Dane Dacus of Lakeland, Tenn.; Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga.; Alabama’s Anthony Burroughs of Rogersville, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Gulfport and William Thomas of Phenix City; Arkansas chauffeurs Wendell Wallace of Batesville and Kyle Beard of Trumann; and a group of Mississippi racers that includes Bub McCool of Vicksburg, David Breazeale of Four Corners, Leon Henderson of Laurel, Chad Thrash of Meridan, Scott Flurry of Armory, Ross Camponovo of Clarksdale and Greg Fore of Greenville.

Advance-sale two-day passes (Friday-Saturday) for the ‘Cash Cow 100’ cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

Pit passes will be sold only at the track for $30 on Friday, $35 on Saturday and $60 for a two-day pass. DIRTcar members will receive a $5 discount on pit admission.

Columbus Speedway is located in the northern half of Mississippi, just miles from the Alabama border and about two hours west of Birmingham.

For more information, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com and www.columbusspeedway.net.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Lanigan’s Rare Absence From Action; Solid Starts For Eckert & Hubbard

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 23, 2011 -

TOUGH START: Darrell Lanigan’s blueprint for capturing the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship that eluded him by just four points in 2010 will be a little more difficult than he anticipated.

Health issues forced the 40-year-old driver to miss the tour’s 2011 season opener last Thursday night during the 40^th DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. – putting him in an immediate points hole that he knows will be a challenge to overcome.

Lanigan had his new hauler parked in Volusia’s pit area on Feb. 14 for the DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event that kicked off the six-night full-fender portion of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, but he surprisingly decided to leave the track by himself during the afternoon and fly back to his home in Union, Ky. He told his crewmen, Randall Edwards and D.J. Callon, that he wasn’t feeling well – the lower-back pain and general malaise that had plagued him throughout the off-season seemed to resurface after he spent a day testing his cars en route to Florida – so he wanted to get checked out by his own doctor before the WoO LMS lidlifter set for Feb. 17. Lanigan figured he would take it easy for a few days and return to Volusia on Thursday to reunite with his team and begin his pursuit of a second career WoO LMS title.

Unfortunately, after heading to the airport on Thursday morning as scheduled, Lanigan was unable to board a plane because he found that his blood pressure had become elevated. He headed to a hospital for immediate medical attention and was admitted for tests and observation, preventing him from entering the evening’s action at Volusia.

Lanigan’s absence from the Volusia field was impossible to overlook – not only because he’s coming off a near-championship 2010 season that saw him win a career-best seven series A-Mains, but also because he was one of the original 12 drivers signed to follow the WoO LMS when the tour was reincarnated under the World Racing Group banner in 2004. Thursday night’s opener – the 282^nd WoO LMS A-Main contested since ’04 – marked just the second tour event he did not enter in his eight years as a regular (his other no-show came on July 3, 2007, at Missouri’s Lebanon I-44 Speedway) and represented the seventh A-Main he did not start (he was a non-qualifier twice in 2004, once in ’05 and twice in ’07).

Lanigan was released from the hospital on Friday and by Saturday morning felt much better, so he took a morning flight to Florida. While preparing for hot laps to start that evening, he said doctors suggested his high blood-pressure reading might have resulted from a reaction to antibiotics he was prescribed for the initial treatment of a cyst found at the base of his tailbone – the apparent source of his lower-back discomfort.

There would be no storybook run to victory in Saturday night’s 50-lap WoO LMS A-Main for Lanigan, but he looked far from rusty in his first appearance of 2011. After timing 16^th-fastest he made a powerful outside move to pass Jimmy Mars for third and was challenging Tim McCreadie for second when his car’s battery shorted out exiting turn two on the final lap, dropping him off the pace. Lanigan’s car came back to life rounding turn four – just as third-place Mars slowed with an expired engine – and he nearly recovered to grab the final transfer spot, but he settled for fourth and qualified for the headliner by winning the B-Main.

Lanigan started 20^th in Saturday’s 50-lapper and was never a factor. He pitted during a lap-five caution period to loosen up his car and change the left-rear tire, but he ultimately was lapped on the 40^th circuit and finished 15^th. The race was the first WoO LMS A-Main in which Lanigan was running at the finish but not on the lead lap since Aug. 15, 2009, at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

While Lanigan received 60 “hardship” points for the Thursday-night event because he is a WoO LMS contracted driver, he still left Volusia tied for 30 ^th in the points standings, 120 points out of first place. On the positive side, however, he’s 96 points behind the highest-ranked driver who plans to follow the entire WoO LMS (Austin Hubbard) and he’s 76 points behind two-time defending champion Josh Richards.

Lanigan, who hopes to be 100 percent by the time the WoO LMS returns to action with the inaugural ‘Cash Cow 100’ on March 18-19 at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway, knows his margin of error will now be very small on this year’s tour. But considering that last year he fell as many as 78 points behind Richards midway through the season and rallied to briefly grab the points lead before settling for second in the standings, the ‘Bluegrass Bandit’ certainly isn’t out of the hunt.

CONFIDENCE-BUILDER: Rick Eckert came to life at the end of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH – just in time to save his trip south and send him into the 2011 WoO LMS schedule on a strong note.

Racing with the doors of his Team Zero by Bloomquist car largely blank to draw attention to his desperate need for sponsorship assistance, Eckert finished no better than 13^th in the week’s first four events (including a 13^th-place run in the WoO LMS opener) before scoring a runner-up finish in the 40-lap DIRTcar UMP finale on Feb. 18. He backed that up with a solid fifth-place outing in Saturday night’s WoO LMS 50-lapper, allowing him to leave Volusia feeling good about his position in the tour’s points standings.

Eckert, 45, of York, Pa., ended Saturday’s action tied for sixth in the points standings, just the fourth time in his eight years as a WoO LMS regular that he departed Volusia ranked among the top six. He’s second among expected Outlaw fulltimers, just 12 points behind Hubbard.

“We made some changes to our car while we were down here and it lets me drive it really hard,” said Eckert, who quipped that he hadn’t made “enough money to buy diesel fuel to get back home” before earning $7,050 over the final two nights. “We were lacking that for awhile, so hopefully we got something there now.”

Eckert felt he might have been able to contend for victory in Saturday’s Outlaw program if he had made a slightly different tire-compound choice, but he was pleased with his performance nonetheless.

“I had a little bit harder tire than the rest of the (top-running) guys because I was a little conservative,” said Eckert, who swapped motors on Saturday afternoon due to some ignition problems. “I probably needed a little softer tire like the rest of them guys had, but I wasn’t sure what the track was gonna do so I was trying to make sure I had enough tire because it was a points race.

“I wish Friday night’s race was an Outlaw show too, but we’re happy about how we’re leaving here.”

LEADER OF THE GANG: Austin Hubbard’s goal of improving upon his unprecedented 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year campaign seems on target after he enjoyed the best visit to Volusia of his young career.

After a week highlighted by his WoO LMS finishes of third (Thursday) and ninth (Saturday) behind the wheel of Dale Beitler’s familiar blue-and-white No. 19, Hubbard headed home as the highest-ranked Outlaw regular in the points standings, sitting in a tie for fourth overall.

“It’s been a good week except for a few motor issues we had,” said Hubbard, who also registered noteworthy finishes of seventh (Monday) and fifth (Friday) in DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned events. “It’s nice to start the points off with some good runs. There’s a lot of stuff that can go on the rest of the year, but it’s definitely way better to start off on top of the hill than on the bottom like we did last year.

“I’m really looking forward to the season. I think we have a great team this year and it’s shown so far.”

Hubbard’s third-place run in Thursday night’s WoO LMS opener – he ran as high as second early in the distance and briefly challenged eventual winner Scott Bloomquist for the lead – came after a motor from his father Mike’s stockpile was installed in his machine. After Hubbard used an engine borrowed from Mark Richards on Wednesday night, his father made a 12-hour overnight drive (accompanied by Delaware dirt Late Model veteran Kenny Pettyjohn) from Seaford, Del., to deliver his powerplant as a reinforcement.

“Austin called and asked if I could bring down one of my motors,” said Mike Hubbard. “I said, ‘Hey, it’s your birthday (Austin turned 19 on Feb. 17), so I’ll bring it down for you.’”

STREAK SNAPPED: Josh Richards ran hard – real hard – in a bid to win the WoO LMS season opener at Volusia for an unprecedented fifth straight year.

“I wanted to win that race so bad,” said Richards, who turns 23 next month. “I wanted to win it for five in-a-row, and I was trying to win that one for Darrell (Lanigan). That would’ve been our 29^th Outlaw win and we drew pill No. 29 (Lanigan’s number), so with him missing the show, if we would’ve won I was gonna dedicate it to him.”

Alas, after pulling off some breathtaking moves to put himself in the lead with a lap-29 pass of Bloomquist, Richards was unsuccessful in his Drive for Five. The standout from Shinnston, W.Va., lost momentum when he slammed the ample cushion between turns one and two on lap 41, ceded the top spot to Bloomquist and then saw his Rocket car’s right-rear wheel break off exiting turn two on the final lap as he attempted to hang on to second place. Richards limped across the finish line on three wheels and finished 14^th.

Richards finished a relatively quiet eighth in Saturday night’s WoO LMS A-Main, sending him home ranked eighth in the points standings, 44 points out of the lead and 20 markers behind leading Outlaw Hubbard. It’s the first time he hasn’t left Volusia either first or second in the points race since 2006, when he ended the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH sitting 10^th in the standings (76 points behind the leader).

FORGETTABLE: The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH weren’t kind to most of the drivers who followed the WoO LMS last year and are planning to chase the tour again in 2011. Consider the positions of these drivers in the points standings after Volusia:

* Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. (tied for 11^th in the standings, 64 points behind the leader) struggled all week with his new Sweeteners Plus Rocket cars, failing to score a single top-10 finish over the six nights. He placed 16^th in both WoO LMS A-Mains.

* Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga. (tied for 11th, 64 points behind) parked his new Capital Race Cars mount on Wednesday night (he said the changes he wants to make to the car must be done back at the shop) in favor of running his Rocket machine for the rest of the week. He used a provisional spot to start both WoO LMS A-Mains; he managed to finish ninth on Thursday’s A-Main but was 23^rd on Saturday after retiring early.

* Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (tied for 14th, 72 points behind) never got his Barry Wright-built cars running to his satisfaction during a frustrating week. He scored Outlaw finishes of 17^th (Thursday) and 19^th (Saturday after using a provisional).

* Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (tied for 14^th, 72 points behind) recorded WoO LMS finishes of 24th (Thursday) and 12^th (Saturday), but he did have one claim to fame: he won a B-Main four times in six nights during the week. “I was trying for the sweep, but I fell a little short,” joked Smith, who finished second and 11^th in his non-winning B-Main efforts.

* Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (tied for 18^th, 74 points behind) crossed the finish line 15^th (Thursday) and 22^nd (Saturday) in Outlaw action after using an emergency provisional to start both races, forcing him to give up start money.

* Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (tied for 21^st, 78 points behind) also used a pair of emergency provisionals to start the WoO LMS events and scored dismal finishes of 21^st (Thursday) and 18^th (Saturday).

* Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio (tied for 42^nd, 138 points behind) and Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa (tied for 51^st, 148 points behind) did not qualify for either WoO LMS A-Main.

THE NEW GUYS: Four drivers approved for WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender status – Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Ron Davies of Warren, Pa., John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., and Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Wis. – competed in all six nights of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Doar, 47, shined the brightest of the rookie hopefuls. A veteran full-fender racer on the Upper Midwest’s WISSOTA circuit who has never run open Late Models extensively, Doar was the only contender to qualify for a WoO LMS A-Main, making the cut for both 50-lappers. Though he only managed finishes of 20^th (Thursday) and 28^th (Saturday), he earned his first career Ohlins Shocks Time Trials fast-qualifier honor on Thursday night with a blistering new-track-record lap of 15.783 seconds around the half-mile oval.

Davies, a longtime competitor on the western Pennsylvania circuit who turned 53 on Feb. 18, had the rookie clan’s best finish of the week when he placed ninth in the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP feature on Feb. 16. Lobb, 41, and Reese, 29, did not transfer to an A-Main.

WEEK GONE BAD: Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., who is contemplating following the WoO LMS as a regular for the first time since winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2008, appeared primed for a big DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH after scoring a strong fourth-place finish in the DIRTcar UMP opener on Feb. 14.

Unfortunately, that was the lone highlight of Coffey’s stay at Volusia. He failed to qualify for another feature all week and headed home ranked 33 ^rd in the WoO LMS points standings.

UP NEXT: The WoO LMS heads to Mississippi for a huge weekend of competition on March 18-19 at Columbus Speedway, which hosts the $20,000-to-win ‘Cash Cow 100.’ A practice night on March 17 will kick off the tour’s first visit to Columbus since 2007.

General admission tickets – both multi- and single-day options – for the event are on sale at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets. Fans who purchase a two-day weekend pass in advance will receive special perks, including a discounted price and the opportunity to enter the grandstand area 15 minutes prior to the general front-gate opening time for a show that is expected to pack the high-banked, one-third-mile oval.

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

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 19 – 2 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Scott Bloomquist 300

2. Brady Smith 292 (-8)

3. Billy Moyer 282 (-18)

4. (tie) Austin Hubbard 276 (-24)

4. (tie) Don O'Neal 276 (-24)

6. Chris Madden 264 (-36)

7. Rick Eckert 264 (-36)

8. Josh Richards 256 (-44)

9. (tie) Jason Feger 238 (-62)

9. (tie) Dennis Erb Jr. 238 (-62)

11. (tie) Shane Clanton 236 (-64)

11. (tie) Tim McCreadie 236 (-64)

13. Dan Schlieper 230 (-70)

14. (tie) Steve Francis 228 (-72)

14. (tie) Tyler Reddick 228 (-72)

14. (tie) Jonathan Davenport 228 (-72)

14. (tie) Clint Smith 228 (-72)

18. (tie) Jared Landers 226 (-74)

18. (tie) Chub Frank 226 (-74)

18. (tie) Eddie Carrier Jr. 226 (-74)

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

Perfect Performance: Bloomquist Sweeps Pair Of World of Outlaws Late Model Series Events During DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 19, 2011 – Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., completed an unprecedented sweep of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series events during the 40^th DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio, holding off Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., to capture Saturday night’s 50-lap A-Main at Volusia Speedway Park.

Duplicating his triumphant performance in the national tour’s season opener on Thursday night, Bloomquist advanced from the fourth starting spot to pass Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., for the lead on lap 31 and was never headed. He spent the final 15 circuits repelling intense pressure from Smith to become the first driver to win both WoO LMS features that are annually part of the mid-winter racing extravaganza at the half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach.

“This is a tough field,” Bloomquist said after pocketing $10,000 for his 21^st WoO LMS victory since 2004. “This is a tough place this week – very demanding on the car, drivers, engines. It feels good to do what we’ve done this week.”

Smith, 33, settled for his second consecutive runner-up WoO LMS finish to the builder of his Team Zero by Bloomquist car. The winner of last year’s World of Outlaws finale during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH was just 0.637 of a second behind Bloomquist at the checkered – nearly two seconds closer than he was at the end of Thursday night’s 50-lapper.

The 53-year-old Moyer slipped to third in the final rundown after surging forward from the third starting spot to lead laps 1-30. Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., who started 13^th, scored a DCN-best placing of fourth, WoO LMS regular Rick Eckert of York, Pa., was fifth after starting seventh and 11^th-starter Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., finished sixth.

Of the top six finishers, only Moyer was not behind the wheel of a Team Zero chassis constructed by Bloomquist. That fact added even more significance to Bloomquist’s victory.

“It makes me feel good,” said Bloomquist, who owns four career WoO LMS wins at Volusia. “I think it pretty much takes any doubt away from anyone’s mind about the level that I try to help the guys who get our cars. I try to give as much advice and do as much as I can for them.

“If I would’ve gotten beat by one of my own cars – hey, so be it. I really like the group of guys that I’ve got and enjoy working with them, and I enjoy the respect that they give me back. I think when you see ‘Team Zero,’ you can see that it means something.”

Bloomquist, 47, had to withstand an especially strong assault from Smith, one of his customers/pupils. Smith, who started sixth, overtook Moyer for second on lap 33 and two circuits later began bidding for the lead.

Smith made repeated attempts to pass Bloomquist over the late stages of a race that ran caution-free from lap seven to the finish. He drew to the outside of Bloomquist at least twice and even got close enough to bump the rear bumper of the 2004 WoO LMS champion’s car rounding turn four on lap 37, but Bloomquist stuck to the inside groove and didn’t make a mistake.

“I think I was faster on that end (turns three and four) but on this end (one and two) he was a little bit better than I was,” said Smith. “I could get in and to the middle better than him, but just coming off the corner, if you were up the racetrack, there was nothing there compared to what the bottom was. When you were on the bottom you could just mash the gas coming off the corner. The bottom had more traction than the middle or the top.

“I drove as hard as I could – that’s how I race,” he added. “But he’s Scott Bloomquist – there’s a reason he’s the best. He’s not gonna be easy to pass. I felt like we had a car that could do it, but at the same time I feel like I did everything I could do so maybe we were the second-place car.”

Bloomquist enjoyed engaging in a tight, down-to-the-wire battle with one of his boys.

“I think they all will race me as hard as I’ll race them,” said Bloomquist, whose car was powered by a Roush-Yates Ford engine. “None of us are gonna give anybody nothing, and that’s what I like. But we’re also not gonna take somebody out or race in a fashion that we consider wrong. I feel comfortable when I’ve got one of my guys behind me, but I also know I better not make a mistake either.”

Four caution flags and one red flag slowed the race – all during by lap seven.

The most significant crash was a multi-car incident on lap seven in which Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., rolled once in turn four but wasn’t injured. WoO LMS regular Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., tour Rookie of the Year contender Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., and Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., were also involved in the tangle.

Finishing in positions 7-10 was Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., who started 18^th; two-time defending WoO LMS champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who climbed as high as third from the eighth starting spot before getting shuffled backward on a lap-seven restart; 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del.; and Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who was the last driver on the lead lap at the checkered flag.

A field of 60 was signed in for the final night of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Marlar led the way in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 16.142 seconds.

Heat winners were Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Bloomquist, teenager Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., Moyer, Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., and Brady Smith. The B-Mains were captured by Marlar, Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who returned to action after missing Thursday night’s WoO LMS opener because a health issue put him in the hospital, and Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., closed the evening’s action – and the 12 nights of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH – with a $300 victory in the 12-lap ‘Bulrush Dash’ for non-qualifiers.

The WoO LMS will be off for a month before returning to action at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway, which hosts the inaugural $20,000-to-win ‘Cash Cow 100’ on March 18-19. A special pre-sale ticket deal is available on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets.

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

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH’ Night No. 1 at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (4) Scott Bloomquist/50 $10,225

2. (6) Brady Smith/50 $5,000

3. (3) Billy Moyer/50 $3,200

4. (13) Dan Schlieper/50 $2,500

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

6. (11) Chris Madden/50 $1,700

7. (18) Don O’Neal/50 $1,900

8. (8) Josh Richards/50 $1,450

9. (22) Austin Hubbard/50 $1,250

10. (12) Brent Robinson/50 $1,150

11. (2) Eddie Carrier Jr./49 $1,050

12. (21) Clint Smith/49 $1,050

13. (24) Dennis Erb Jr./49 $950

14. (23) Jonathan Davenport/49 $900

15. (20) Darrell Lanigan/49 $1,000

16. (10) Tim McCreadie/49 $950

17. (14) Tyler Reddick/49 $770

18. (29) Tim Fuller/49 $50

19. (25) Steve Francis/49 $880

20. (5) Jason Feger/49 $750

21. (1) Brandon Sheppard/48 $700

22. (30) Chub Frank/48 $50

23. (26) Shane Clanton/32 $750

24. (9) Ricky Weiss/31 $700

25. (15) Dan Stone/6 $700

26. (28) Jack Sullivan/6 $700

27. (19) Mike Marlar/6 $700

28. (16) Pat Doar/6 $950

29. (27) Jimmy Mars/1 $700

30. (17) Ryan Unzicker/0 $825

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 32 Mins., 57.583 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 0.637 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 0, 0, 3, 5)

Red Flags: 1 (Lap 7)

Lap Leaders: Moyer (1-30); Bloomquist (31-50)

Provisional Starters: Francis, Clanton, Fuller, Frank (WoO); Mars (DCN); Sullivan (UMP)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

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

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

1. 36-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 16.142

2. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 16.175

3. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 16.195

4. 21M-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 16.206

5. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.260

6. 1d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 16.265

7. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 16.268

8. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 16.327

9. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.330

10. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 16.338

11. 44M-Chris Madden/Gray Court, SC 16.342

12. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 16.347

13. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.397

14. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.398

15. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 16.420

16. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 16.421

17. 28c-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 16.428

18. 2x-John Henderson/Aiken, SC 16.437

19. 9s-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 16.438

20. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.441

21. 7-Ricky Weiss/St. Francis Xavier, MAN 16.472

22. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 16.512

23. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 16.522

24. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 16.522

25. 19F-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.524

26. 1R-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.526

27. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 16.529

28. 1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 16.530

29. 24U-Ryan Unzicker/El Paso, IL 16.531

30. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 16.532

31. 54-Dillan White/Hopkinsville, KY 16.536

32. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.544

33. 25c-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 16.551

34. 11d-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 16.568

35. M14-Brandon Thirlby/Traverse City, MI 16.571

36. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 16.589

37. 33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA 16.624

38. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.664

39. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.675

40. 99L-Larry Wight/Phoenix, NY 16.684

41. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 16.693

42. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 16.706

43. 16b-Tyler Bruening/Decorah, IA 16.716

44. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.749

45. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 16.755

46. 25z-Mason Zeigler/Chalk Hill, PA 16.759

47. 16R-Justin Rattliff/Campbellsville, KY 16.760

48. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 16.779

49. 15H-Jon Henry/Ada, OH 16.792

50. 1JL-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.823

51. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 16.892

52. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 16.929

53. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 17.029

54. 47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL 17.034

55. 72M-John Mason/Millersburg, OH 17.096

56. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 17.143

57. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 17.199

58. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 17.444

59. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 18.111

60. 911-Jerry Perine/Cowell, OH 19.449

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Feger, Eckert, Schlieper, Marlar, Fuller, White, Bruening, Henry, Mason, Reese

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bloomquist, Richards, Reddick, Hubbard, Coffey, Landers, Francis, Sullivan, Lobb, Davies

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Sheppard, Weiss, Stone, Davenport, Clanton, Frank, K. Robinson, King, George, McBride

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Moyer, McCreadie, Doar, Lanigan, Vaught, Zeigler, Wight, Garvin, Hollenbeck, Mars

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Carrier, Madden, Unzicker, C. Smith, Wells, Pearson, Rattliff, Thirlby, Briggs, Hammerle

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): B. Smith, B. Robinson, O’Neal, Erb, Blankenship, McDowell, Ivey, Henderson, Perine (DNS) Roberts

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Marlar, Hubbard, Coffey, Bruening, Landers, Fuller, Francis, White, Reese, Mason, Lobb, Davies, Sullivan, Henry

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Lanigan, Davenport, Vaught, Frank, Clanton, Zeigler, Wight, K. Robinson, George, McBride, Hollenbeck, King, Garvin (DNS) Mars

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): C. Smith, Erb, McDowell, Blankenship, Wells, Ivey, Briggs, Henderson, Thirlby, Hammerle, Perine (DNS) Pearson, Rattliff, Roberts

‘Bulrush Dash’ Finish (12 laps): 1. Vic Coffey, 2. Tyler Ivey, 3. Kent Robinson, 4. Tyler Bruening, 5. Jill George, 6. John Henderson, 7. Chad Hollenbeck

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Arizona Sports Shirts ($100 apparel certificate to 22^nd fastest qualifier): Tim Fuller

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

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

Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Brian Reese/Kent Robinson/Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs

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

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 11^th-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Clint Smith

JE Pistons (one set of Pro Seal rings to 21st-place or next highest w/decal, redeemable w/next purchase of one complete set of rings): Brandon Sheppard

MSD Ignition ($75 cash to A-Main winner or next highest w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

MDS Ignition ($25 cash to last-place in A-Main or next lowest w/decal): Ryan Unzicker

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

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

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate to 5^th-place or next highest w/decal): Rick Eckert

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate to 15^th-place or next highest w/decal): Tyler Reddick

RacingJunk.com Hard Luck Award ($100 cash): Ryan Unzicker

R2C Performance ($100 certificate to highest-finishing driver w/decal or $100 cash if race winner is using R2C filter and decal is displayed): Billy Moyer

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

Superflow Dynos ($50 cash to 7^th-place in A-Main or next highest w/decal): Austin Hubbard

VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash to winner or Heat 1 or next highest w/decal): Jason Feger
VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier who does not make the A-Main or next highest w/decal): Russell King

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

Wrisco Aluminum (Three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

2011 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Feb. 19 – 2 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):

1. Scott Bloomquist 300

2. Brady Smith 292 (-8)

3. Billy Moyer 282 (-18)

4. (tie) Austin Hubbard 276 (-24)

4. (tie) Don O'Neal 276 (-24)

6. Chris Madden 264 (-36)

7. Rick Eckert 264 (-36)

8. Josh Richards 256 (-44)

9. (tie) Jason Feger 238 (-62)

9. (tie) Dennis Erb Jr. 238 (-62)

11. (tie) Shane Clanton 236 (-64)

11. (tie) Tim McCreadie 236 (-64)

13. Dan Schlieper 230 (-70)

14. (tie) Steve Francis 228 (-72)

14. (tie) Tyler Reddick 228 (-72)

14. (tie) Jonathan Davenport 228 (-72)

14. (tie) Clint Smith 228 (-72)

18. (tie) Jared Landers 226 (-74)

18. (tie) Chub Frank 226 (-74)

18. (tie) Eddie Carrier Jr. 226 (-74)

More than 3,000 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

Bloomquist Kicks Off World of Outlaws Late Model Series Campaign With Victory In DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH

Richards Jumps Cushion While Leading, Falls Short Of Fifth Consecutive Win In World of Outlaws Opener

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 17, 2011 – Scott Bloomquist brought an end to Josh Richards’s mastery of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series season opener on Thursday night at Volusia Speedway Park.

Racing through gritted teeth on a fast, physical track due to a sore shoulder and ribs, Bloomquist took advantage of Richards’s losing bout with the half-mile oval’s ample cushion to capture the 50-lap A-Main that was part of the 40^th annual DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio.

Bloomquist, 47, of Mooresburg, Tenn., regained command of the race on lap 42 after Shinnston, W.Va.’s Richards slammed the dirt curb between turns one and two and lost momentum. The 2004 WoO LMS titlist controlled the remainder of the distance to record his 20^th victory on the national tour since ’04.

Richards, who advanced from the seventh starting spot to take the lead from Bloomquist on lap 29, saw his bid for an unprecedented fifth consecutive win in the WoO LMS lidlifter end when his Rocket Chassis house car’s right-rear wheel broke off exiting turn two on the final circuit as he ran second. The 22-year-old, two-time defending series champion limped around the track on three wheels to cross the finish line in 14^th place.

Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., who drives a Team Zero car built by Bloomquist, finished second after starting 10^th. He flashed under the checkered flag 2.970 seconds behind Bloomquist’s Roush-Yates Ford-powered machine.

Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del., celebrated his 19^th birthday – and the start of his sophomore season as a WoO LMS regular – with a solid third-place finish in Dale Beitler’s Rocket car. Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., registered a WoO LMS career-best placing of fourth in NASCAR star Clint Bowyer’s Rocket and 13^th-starter Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., completed the top five in Larry Moring’s MasterSbilt mount.

Bloomquist, who started from the pole position, felt the effects of the tough conditions after pocketing $10,175 for his first triumph during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH since a WoO LMS event on Feb. 8, 2004.

“I’m wore out,” Bloomquist said following a race that was slowed by just two caution flags. “This track’s pretty demanding, and I tore my left shoulder muscle and bruised my ribs in that rough stuff at Ocala (Speedway) on Sunday so there was a little bit of pain involved. When you jump the cushion and you gotta grab a handful of (steering) wheel to give it all you got to get out of there, it hurts.

“But when you’re racing, you can overcome that. It’s afterwards when you feel it the most, but it’s all worth it to win the race.”

Bloomquist appeared headed to a runner-up finish, however, after Richards made a breathtaking move between him and a lapped car off turn four to take the lead on lap 29. Richards perched his machine in the outside groove and maintained a short edge over Bloomquist as the race wound down.

But when Richards hit the cushion working lap 41, Bloomquist seized the moment to grab the lead. Richards was unable to mount another challenge; his impact with the berm was so violent that it bent his car’s right-rear wheel, which eventually broke and flew off.

“He got in a little hot, didn’t get the car turned enough and got out in the stuff,” Bloomquist said of the moment that cost Richards. “He always seems to dance with the devil. The problem is, it’s hard to get out of (the cushion) once you get in it, and that’s all it took. He did get it out of it, but not in time.

“Once I got the lead back I was pretty sure I wasn’t gonna give it back again. When (Richards) got by us I tried running low and there just wasn’t enough to get up off the corner. The high line was better at that time of the race, but once he made that mistake we were pretty confident we weren’t gonna give it up again.”

Smith, who won last year’s WoO LMS finale during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, slipped by Richards for second on lap 45 but gave the spot back when he scrubbed the homestretch wall on the 48^th circuit. The 33-year-old driver avoided Richards – and Richards’s flying wheel – on the last lap to regain second place.

“I was driving as hard as I could,” said Smith, who spent much of the race’s second half battling for position with Hubbard. “But if I gotta take second, he’s (Bloomquist) the one I want to take second to. We’re happy and I know we got a helluva chance to get to Victory Lane here the next two nights.”

Hubbard, the 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year, ran as high as second early in the distance but couldn’t quite match the leaders’ pace.

“We were really good in the beginning but once we got some heat in the tires we started getting tighter,” said Hubbard, who started fourth. “I just couldn’t run that line I was running, sweeping across the bottom of three and four and riding up. We just got up on the cushion and kind of held on.”

The race’s only caution flags were produced by cars rolling slowly due to steaming engines – on lap 12 for Eric Jacobsen of Sea Cliff Beach, Calif., lap 29 for Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga.

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., who won Monday night’s DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned feature; 12^th-starter Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; outside-polesitter Eric Wells of Hazard, Ky.; WoO LMS regular Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., who started 26 ^th by virtue of a provisional; and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who won the previous evening’s UMP A-Main.

A sterling field of 69 cars was signed in to begin the 2011 WoO LMS campaign.

Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., registered his first career WoO LMS fast-time honor, setting a new track record of 15.783 seconds in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials. A Rookie of the Year hopeful on this year’s tour, the 47-year-old driver surpassed the one-lap Volusia standard of 15.813 seconds established 24 hours earlier by Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind.

Heat winners were Landers, Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., Bloomquist, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Hubbard and Wells. The B-Mains were captured by Clint Smith, 15-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga.

Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., captured the 12-lap ‘Bulrush Dash’ that was reserved for 15 of the evening’s non-qualifiers. He earned $300 for his night-ending effort.

Surprisingly absent from the evening’s action was 2008 WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who finished second in last year’s points standings. He flew home on Monday afternoon because he wasn’t feeling well and was planning to return for Thursday night’s program, but before he could get on a plane health issues forced him to remain in the Bluegrass State.

Two $10,000-to-win dirt Late Model events remain on the 2011 DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH schedule – a 40-lap UMP-sanctioned A-Main on Friday night (Feb. 18) and another 50-lap WoO LMS program on Saturday night (Feb. 19). Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified shows will also be part of both cards.

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

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH’ Night No. 1 at Volusia Speedway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Scott Bloomquist/50 $10,175

2. (10) Brady Smith/50 $5,000

3. (4) Austin Hubbard/50 $3,600

4. (6) Jared Landers/50 $3,000

5. (15) Don O’Neal/50 $2,000

6. (9) Billy Moyer/50 $1,800

7. (12) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $1,400

8. (2) Eric Wells/50 $1,300

9. (26) Shane Clanton/50 $1,750

10. (8) Jimmy Mars/50 $1,100

11. (3) Jason Feger/50 $1,100

12. (11) Chris Madden/50 $1,000

13. (23) Rick Eckert/50 $1,500

14. (7) Josh Richards/50 $1,550

15. (30) Chub Frank/50 $650

16. (25) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,450

17. (24) Steve Francis/50 $1,320

18. (27) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $750

19. (20) Tyler Reddick/49 $730

20. (22) Pat Doar/49 $1,050

21. (29) Tim Fuller/39 $550

22. (5) Jonathan Davenport/30 $700

23. (16) Tyler Ivey/28 $700

24. (19) Clint Smith/27 $1,250

25. (13) Dan Stone/25 $700

26. (14) Eddie Carrier Jr./23 $700

27. (21) Casey Roberts/18 $700

28. (18) Eric Jacobsen/11 $700

29. (17) Justin Rattliff/1 $700

30. (28) Ryan Unzicker/1 $800

* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses

Time of Race: 20 Mins., 41.082 Secs.

Margin of Victory: 2.581 Secs.

Yellow Flags: 2 (Laps 12, 29)

Lap Leaders: Bloomquist (1-28); Richards (29-41); Bloomquist (42-50)

Provisional Starters: McCreadie, Clanton, Fuller, Frank (WoO); Erb (DCN); Unzicker (UMP)

Rookie of the Race: Doar ($250)

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

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

1. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 15.783

2. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 15.902

3. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 15.912

4. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 16.030

5. 44M-Chris Madden/Gray Court, SC 16.091

6. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 16.134

7. 777-Jared Landers/Batesville, AR 16.158

8. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 16.204

9. 71d-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 16.210

10. 2-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 16.218

11. 19H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 16.219

12. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 16.230

13. 1R-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.241

14. 1s-Jack Sullivan/Greenbrier, AR 16.248

15. 21M-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 16.255

16. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 16.267

17. 16R-Justin Rattliff/Campbellsville, KY 16.268

18. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 16.286

19. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 16.310

20. 25c-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, GA 16.346

21. 24E-Rick Eckert/York, PA 16.347

22. 47-Tyler Ivey/Tallahassee, FL 16.365

23. 16b-Tyler Bruening/Decorah, IA 16.394

24. 3-Brent Robinson/Smithfield, VA 16.398

25. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 16.413

26. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 16.415

27. 54-Dillan White/Hopkinsville, KY 16.418

28. 1JL-John Lobb/Frewsburg, NY 16.429

29. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 16.440

30. 28E-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 16.456

31. 1V-Will Vaught/Crane, MO 16.457

32. 28c-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 16.462

33. 9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 16.466

34. 36-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 16.467

35. 15F-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 16.476

36. 5J-Eric Jacobsen/Sea Cliff Beach, CA 16.497

37. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 16.521

38. 18d-Danny Mitchell/Clarksburg, WV 16.524

39. M14-Brandon Thirlby/Traverse City, MI 16.544

40. 201-Billy Ogle Jr./Knoxville, TN 16.570

41. 21Jr.-Billy Moyer Jr./Batesville, AR 16.597

42. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 16.604

43. J4-John Garvin Jr./Sarver, PA 16.607

44. 7-Ricky Weiss/St. Francis Xavier, MAN 16.607

45. 24U-Ryan Unzicker/El Paso, IL 16.674

46. 4T-Tommy Kerr/Maryville, TN 16.683

47. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 16.720

48. 56-Russell King/Bristolville, OH 16.732

49. 99B-Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs/Bear Lake, PA 16.733

50. 25z-Mason Zeigler/Chalk Hill, PA 16.755

51. 19F-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.759

52. 11R-Tyler Reddick/Corning, CA 16.812

53. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 16.847

54. 9s-Ken Schrader/Concord, NC 16.850

55. 15H-Jon Henry/Ada, OH 16.850

56. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 16.856

57. 99L-Larry Wight/Phoenix, NY 16.863

58. 72M-John Mason/Millersburg, OH 16.880

59. 911-Freddie Carpenter/Parkersburg, WV 16.974

60. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA 17.228

61. 33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA 17.273

62. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 17.419

63. 77-Jason McBride/Carbondale, IL 17.459

64. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 17.910

65. 40-Joel Callahan/Dubuque, IA 18.026

66. 2x-John Henderson/Aiken, SC 18.255

67. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 18.430

68. 56J-Chuck Julien/Apopka, FL 18.743

69. 11-D.J. Wells/Wooton, KY N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Landers, Richards, Stone, Doar, Vaught, Briggs, Reese, Garvin, Henry, Hammerle, McDowell, Owens

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Feger, Mars, Carrier, C. Smith, Clanton, Coffey, Zeigler, Hollenbeck, Julien, Weiss, Mitchell, Sullivan

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Bloomquist, Moyer, O’Neal, Eckert, Schlieper, Wight, D. White, Fuller, Thirlby, McBride, Unzicker (DNS) D.J. Wells

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Davenport, B. Smith, Ivey, Reddick, Lobb, Sheppard, Kerr, Ogle, Mason, McCreadie, Marlar

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Hubbard, Madden, Rattliff, Francis, Bruening, Frank, Davies, K. Robinson, Carpenter, Callahan, Moyer Jr.

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): E. Wells, Pearson, Jacobsen, Roberts, B. Robinson, Erb, King, Blankenship, Schrader, George, Henderson

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): C. Smith, Doar, Vaught, Coffey, Briggs, Reese, Hollenbeck, Zeigler, Garvin, Henry, Clanton, Sullivan, Hammerle (DNS) Julien, Weiss, McDowell, Mitchell, Owens

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Reddick, Eckert, Schlieper, Kerr, Wight, White, Lobb, Thirlby, Sheppard, Mason, Fuller, Ogle, McCreadie, Unzicker (DNS) McBride, Marlar, D.J. Wells

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Roberts, Francis, Erb, King, Frank, Blankenship, B. Robinson, K. Robinson, Davies, Bruening, Schrader, Henderson, George, Callahan, Carpenter (DNS) Moyer Jr.

‘Bulrush Dash’ (12 laps): 1. Dan Schlieper, 2. Vic Coffey, 3. Tommy Kerr, 4. Will Vaught, 5. Brandon Sheppard, 6. Kent Robinson, 7. Brian Reese, 8. John Lobb, 9. Brandon Thirlby, 10. Ken Schrader, 11. Dillan White, 12. John Garvin, 13. John Henderson, 14. Chad Hollenbeck, 15. Larry Wight (DNS) Russell King, John Blankenship, Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs, Ron Davies, Tyler Bruening, Mason Zeigler

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners:

Ohlins Shocks Fast Time ($50 cash to fastest qualifier w/decal): Pat Doar

Arizona Sports Shirts 22^nd Fastest Qualifier ($100 apparel certificate): Clint Smith

Eibach Springs (one free spring to B-Main drivers): Pat Doar/John Lobb/Brent Robinson

VP Racing Fuels ‘Nice Jugs Award’ (one five-gallon plastic fuel jugs to fastest qualifier w/decal who does not make the A-Main): Jack Sullivan

VP Racing Fuels Heat 1 ($50 cash): Pat Doar

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

MSD Ignition ($75 cash): Scott Bloomquist

MSD Ignition ($25 certificate): Justin Rattliff

Wrisco Aluminum (three sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner w/decal): Scott Bloomquist

JE Pistons ($50 cash to top A-Main finisher w/decal): Austin Hubbard

JE Pistons (set of piston rings to A-Main driver): Rick Eckert

JE Pistons (set of piston rings to A-Main driver): Clint Smith

Quartermaster ($100 product certificate): Austin Hubbard

Quartermaster ($50 product certificate): Jimmy Mars

Quartermaster ($25 product certificate): Chub Frank

STP ($50 cash): Austin Hubbard

Super-Flow ($50 cash): Jason Feger

Comp Cams ($50 cash): Rick Eckert

Racing Junk Hard Luck Award ($100 cash): Ryan Unzicker

More than 3,000 fans are now WoO LMS ‘followers’ on Twitter. To sign-up and receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://twitter.com/WoOLateModels.

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

In Search Of Third Straight Title, Josh Richards Once Again Tops World of Outlaws Late Model Series Pre-Season Media Poll

CONCORD, NC – Feb. 17, 2011 – Josh Richards is ready to begin his chase of a third straight World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship.

And according to the dirt Late Model press corps, the odds are good that the young sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., will accomplish the unprecedented feat.

Richards, 22, was voted the favorite to win the national tour’s 2011 points title in the fourth annual WoO LMS Pre-Season Media Poll, marking the third consecutive year he has topped the voting. He was not, however, the overwhelming choice that he was a year ago as his prime pursuers in 2010, Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., received strong support.

More than three 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 2011 points standings. Points were distributed to each driver named on the media ballots using a 5-4-3-2-1 system.

Richards tallied 161 points, buoyed by a poll-best 14 first-place votes. His name appeared on 40 of the 41 ballots that were submitted and he was predicted to finish among the top three in the points standings by 39 of the 40 media types who selected him.

Last year Richards continued his rise to national prominence in the dirt Late Model world, becoming the first driver in the modern era of the WoO LMS to capture two titles. He kicks off his pursuit of a threepeat with his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis team at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., which hosts season-opening 50-lap, $10,000-to-win programs on Feb. 17 and 19 as part of the 40^th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH.

Richards, who has been a WoO LMS regular since winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, enters the 2011 season tied with Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., atop the tour’s A-Main victory list since 2004, with 28 wins. He is also seeking his fifth straight triumph in the WoO LMS season opener at Volusia.

McCreadie, 36, nipped the 40-year-old Lanigan by a single point, 131-130, to place second in the Pre-Season Media Poll. A solid third-place finisher in the 2010 WoO LMS points standings in his first season as a regular since winning the 2006 championship, McCreadie was listed on 34 ballots with 11 first-place and 13 second-place selections.

Lanigan, who lost the 2010 points crown to Richards by four points in a battle that went down to the final race, appeared on 38 ballots – four more than McCreadie – but finished third in the poll results. The 2008 WoO LMS champion garnered 10 first-place, five second-place and 14 third-place votes.

Francis, who won the WoO LMS title in 2007, finished fourth in the poll, earning five first-place votes among the 32 ballots on which his name appeared and tallying 89 points. The 43-year-old standout heads into the 2011 season with a Barry Wright-built car as his chassis of choice for the first time in 15 years.

Austin Hubbard, 19, of Seaford, Del., received substantial support from the media after his record-breaking march to the Rookie of the Year honor in 2010, finishing fifth in the poll. The teenage driver of Dale Beitler’s familiar No. 19 appeared on 20 ballots and totaled 39 points, highlighted by four second-place selections.

Shane Clanton, 35, of Fayetteville, Ga., was the only other driver to receive a first-place vote, picking up a single nod among the 20 ballots on which his name was listed and totaling 33 points to finish sixth in the poll. He placed sixth in the WoO LMS points standings last year – a campaign that started off in rough fashion for the tour stalwart because his recovery from a serious thumb infection relegated him to merely using provisional starting spots to collect last-place points in the season-opening Volusia events.

Rick Eckert, 45, of York, Pa., and Tim Fuller, 43, of Watertown, N.Y., finished in a tie for seventh in the poll, collecting 12 points apiece. Both drivers’ names appeared on seven ballots and were listed as high as third – Eckert earning two third-place selections and Fuller one.

Rounding out the drivers earning votes in the poll were Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who received three fifth-place selections for three points; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who earned two fifth-place picks; and Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., who picked up a single fourth-place vote from a media member who believes that the 39-year-old driver might opt to follow the 2011 series if he gets off to a strong start.

As part of the poll, media members were also asked to predict who will win the most WoO LMS A-Mains in 2011 as well as the victors of the season’s three richest events – the inaugural Commonwealth 100 ($25,000 to win) on April 15-16 at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Va.; the fourth annual Firecracker 100 ($30,000 to win) on June 23-25 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa.; and the 24th annual USA Nationals ($50,000 to win) on Aug. 5-6 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.

McCreadie and Richards were the top press choices in the biggest-winner category, with McCreadie receiving 16 votes and Richards earning 15. The only other drivers tapped for possible winningest-driver status in 2011 were Lanigan (five), Fuller (two) and Hubbard (two).

Media members predicted that the season’s most prolific winner will lead the tour with as many as 12 victories and as few as three. The single-season win record for the WoO LMS since 2004 is held by Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who captured nine A-Mains in ‘04.

Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., emerged as the favorite among the media to win the Commonwealth 100, which returns to the WoO LMS schedule after a memorable debut last season. Madden, who won the inaugural event in 2010, received nine votes in balloting for the race.

Other drivers earning multiple votes as potential Commonwealth 100 winners were McCreadie (eight), Richards (eight), Lanigan (four), Bloomquist (three), Clanton (two) and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn. (two). Receiving single votes were Eckert, Francis, Hubbard, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.

Bloomquist, who won the inaugural Firecracker 100 in 2007, topped the polling for this year’s fifth annual event, picking up eight selections. Other drivers receiving multiple votes were McCreadie (five), Richards (five), Eckert (four), Lanigan (four), 2010 winner Clanton (three), Moyer (three), 2008 winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa (two) and Frank (two), while single votes were cast for Francis, Hubbard and Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind.

Bloomquist and Mars emerged as the consensus favorites to win the 100-lap USA Nationals, which returns to the WoO LMS for the second straight season. The former event winners received nine votes each.

Also earning multiple votes for USA Nationals glory were Moyer (seven), Lanigan (four), Birkhofer (three), Richards (three) and McCreadie (two). Single votes were cast for Clanton, Eckert, Davenport and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill.

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

2011 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):

1. Josh Richards 14-15-10-0-1 = 161 points

2. Tim McCreadie 11-13-5-4-1 = 131 points

3. Darrell Lanigan 10-5-14-9-0 = 130 points

4. Steve Francis 5-3-8-12-4 = 89 points

5. Austin Hubbard 0-4-0-7-9 = 39 points

6. Shane Clanton 1-1-1-4-13 = 33 points

7. (tie) Rick Eckert 0-0-2-1-4 = 12 points

7. (tie) Tim Fuller 0-0-1-3-3 = 12 points

9. Clint Smith 0-0-0-0-3 = 3 points

10. (tie) Chub Frank 0-0-0-0-2 = 2 points

10. (tie) Jimmy Mars 0-0-0-1-0 = 2 points

Clanton Anxious To Start Season Strong In 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH At Volusia Speedway Park

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Star Was Still Recovering From Serious Thumb Infection During Last Year’s DIRTCar Nationals

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 10, 2011 – When Shane Clanton arrives at Volusia Speedway Park on Monday (Feb. 14) for the start of the dirt Late Model portion of the DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio, he’ll be thinking only about chasing checkered flags and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship.

Compared to his mindset heading into the 2010 edition of the mid-winter racing extravaganza, it’s a welcomed relief.

“Last year it was kind of scary for me about this time,” Clanton said last week while preparing for six straight nights of Florida full-fender action that features the season-opening WoO LMS events on Feb. 17 and 19. “I was in the hospital and I didn’t even know if I’d be able to get to Volusia.”

Clanton, 35, of Fayetteville, Ga., made it to the half-mile oval last year, but without his familiar RSD Enterprises No. 25. Unable to race competitively while still recovering from the major health issue that put him in an Atlanta-area hospital bed for eight days, he made the trip merely to start the week’s pair of WoO LMS A-Mains in teammate Tony Knowles’s car using emergency provisional spots, allowing him to salvage last-place points each night.

The lead-up to last year’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH was simply horrifying for Clanton, whose focus on the Sunshine State meet ceased abruptly after he suffered a minor cut on his left thumb while working in his shop on Jan. 26, 2010. His finger swelled at an alarming pace the next day so he visited a hospital emergency room; he was immediately admitted for treatment of what was diagnosed as a serious strep infection that had poisoned his blood and was literally eating away at the flesh of his thumb. Doctors told Clanton that if he hadn’t sought medical attention the night of Jan. 27 – the eve of his son Ryan’s seventh birthday – he likely “would’ve been dead in another 10 hours.”

When Clanton signed in for last year’s WoO LMS lidlifter at Volusia, he still had a PICC line in his left arm (so he could receive IV bags of powerful antibiotics every eight hours to combat the strep bacteria in his bloodstream) and gauze wrapped around his mangled left thumb (he had already undergone several surgeries to help eliminate the infection). His only appearance on the racetrack during the DIRTcar Nationals was for the pace laps of the tour’s 50-lap A-Mains; he pulled off as the races began and was credited with finishes of 29^th and 30^th, sending him home tied for 29^th in the points standings.

Saddled with a 112-point deficit in the points race after just two events, Clanton’s championship hopes were effectively dashed before the season had barely begun. He opted to remain a WoO LMS regular, however, after doctors deemed his bloodstream clear of the strep bacteria (he had time to recover with the tour off following Volusia until mid-March) and he put together a respectable campaign, winning three times (including the Firecracker 100 at Pennsylvania’s Lernerville Speedway) and finishing sixth in the points standings.

“We considered not running the series last year after I got hurt because we fell so far behind, but I’m glad we did it,” said Clanton, whose left thumb was left disfigured by the ravages of the infection. “We had a pretty good season and we learned a lot of stuff during the year that should put us further ahead than we would’ve been right now with this new car.”

Yes, Clanton is diving into 2011 with brand-new equipment. He’s made a dramatic change in his racing program, parking the Rocket Chassis machines he’s run since becoming a WoO LMS regular in 2005 in favor of a collaborative chassis-building deal with fellow Georgian Marshall Green, a former Dirt Track World Championship winner who is retired as a driver.

Green, who owns a machine shop and assists his in-laws in the operation of Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga., suggested last summer that he and Clanton should work together on a car and Clanton was intrigued. Clanton has enjoyed plenty of success with his Ronnie Dobbins-owned Rocket cars, including a triumph in the 2008 World 100 at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, but his increasingly deep conversations with Green convinced him that a partnership might just be for the best.

“I’ve known Marshall for a while, but about a year-and-a-half ago we crossed paths when I went to Dixie a couple times and we started talking more,” said Clanton, who built his own cars when he ran Limited Late Models early in his career and also briefly drove GRT chassis before connecting with Rocket. “About halfway through last year he said, ‘Why don’t we build a race car?’

“The main thing is, I’ve never been able to do to my Rocket car what all of the so-called Rocket people are doing. I’ve always done something a little bit different, basically because of my driving style. Me and Marshall talked about that, and we saw that his setup book versus my setup book look real similar as far as things we’ve done for different track conditions, so things kind of evolved from there. We got to talking about how we do different things than most people in the country, so we figured, Why not get together and build a car ourselves?”

The construction of their first dirt Late Model – dubbed a Capital Race Cars Chassis – began in Green’s shop last July. Progress was slow but steady before picking up after Clanton’s racing schedule ended in November, and Clanton will head to Volusia with two of the cars in his team’s trailer.

“It’s been an ongoing process because with me racing I couldn’t go up there (to Green’s shop at Dixie Speedway) all the time,” said Clanton. “I’ve been involved every step of the way – everything from the first piece of tubing ordered to where it is today.

“You’re always out to better yourself, and that’s what I think I can do with this deal. We feel like we’ll be able to better ourselves by being able to change things on the jig. If we want to move something a half-inch or so, we got a jig right here now to do it versus having to cut a Rocket apart and change something here or change something there that we want to try.

“I’m real excited to get started,” concluded Clanton, who noted that while he’s on the road this year Green will be in the shop building more cars, bumpers and other necessary pieces. “I can’t wait for the first race at Volusia. We’ve worked hard to be in the position we are, so hopefully everything works out and we’ll contend for a (WoO LMS) championship.”

Clanton is optimistic about getting off to a strong start at Volusia, a track that has provided him an ample share of frustration over the years. He’ll have three nights of DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Late Model action (30-lap A-Mains paying $7,000 to win on Feb. 14, 15 and 16) to use as tune-ups for the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win WoO LMS events on Thurs., Feb. 17, and Sat., Feb. 19, as well as a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win DIRTcar UMP show on Fri., Feb. 18.

“I’ve always liked Volusia,” said Clanton, whose career-best WoO LMS points finish is second, in 2006. “It’s one of my favorite tracks we go to all year, and I’ve been real fast there. It just seems like something always bites me. I’ve been top-five, top-three, and something happens.

“Hopefully this year we turn the page, have a little bit of luck on our side and we can win one of the Outlaw nights to start the year off in the right direction.”

In DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH competition at Volusia since 2005, Clanton has a top WoO LMS finish of third, in the first half of the ’05 doubleheader. He also owns solid finishes of fifth (second 2005 event), sixth (2009 finale) and seventh (2007 finale and 2009 opener). What’s more, in 2008 he was a serious contender in both WoO LMS A-Mains but headed home with nothing to show for his efforts – he finished 21^st in the opening event after breaking a left-rear axle while leading on lap 30, then placed 24^th in the finale because a broken left-rear wheel knocked him out after he had advanced from the 10^th starting spot to fourth.

The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is a 12-night short-track blockbuster just a half-hour drive from Daytona Beach that kicked off on Feb. 8 and runs through Feb. 19. Joining the Late Models on the meet’s remaining schedule are the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13); the O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Car Series (Feb. 10); the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds (Feb. 16-19); and the UMP Modifieds (Feb. 10-15).

Pit gates open at 1 p.m., grandstand gates are unlocked at 5 p.m. and racing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. each day of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which boasts a ‘Free Pit Pass With Every Ticket’ offer that allows fans to sign into the pits for an up-close-and-personal view of the race teams each night.

Additional information on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is available by logging on to www.DIRTcarNationals.com or calling 386-985-4402.

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), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series Set For Big Invasion Of Michigan In 2011

National Tour Making First-Ever Visits To Hartford Motor Speedway (April 29), Winston Speedway (Aug. 19) & Merritt Speedway (Aug. 20)

CONCORD, NC – Jan. 28, 2011 – Michigan will be a hotbed for World of Outlaws Late Model Series racing in 2011.

Ending a three-season absence from the Wolverine State, the national tour is set to contest three big events there this season. The full-fender World of Outlaws stars will invade for a springtime date at Hartford Motor Speedway on Fri., April 29, and return for a late-summer doubleheader at Winston Speedway in Rothbury on Fri., Aug. 19, and Merritt Speedway in Lake City on Sat., Aug. 20.

Each track will host the WoO LMS for the first time – and each 50-lap, $10,000-to-win program will represent the richest dirt Late Model race ever held at the three speedways.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to once again showcase the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in front of Michigan’s race fans,” said series director Tim Christman. “The promoters at Hartford, Winston and Merritt are welcoming the tour back to Michigan with open arms and giving fans all across the state a chance to see the country’s best dirt Late Model drivers in person.”

Hartford Motor Speedway will have the honor of hosting Michigan’s first WoO LMS event since 2007. A fast half-mile oval located in the Southwest corner of the state about 100 miles from both Detroit and Chicago, the track’s historic show was recently moved to April 29 after appearing as a mid-September date on the tour’s original 2011 schedule released in December.

“This is my fourth year with the track and this World of Outlaws race is going to open our biggest season yet,” said Hartford owner/promoter Jim Borden, whose track will precede a WoO LMS event on April 30 at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky. “We’ve built the track back up and we’re getting a pretty good car count for our weekly shows, so we decided this year we would step it up and have a real big Late Model race with the Outlaws.”

The barnstorming WoO LMS will roll back across the Michigan border in August, heading farther north to start the tour’s inaugural doubleheader in the state. Winston Speedway sits near the shores of Lake Michigan in the west-central part of the state, while Merritt Speedway is located about two hours to the northeast of Winston and about 45 miles southeast of Traverse City.

Winston’s event on Aug. 19 will be sponsored by Port City Racing/Integra Shocks, which is headquartered about 25 miles from the track. Integra Shocks representatives have conducted test sessions at Winston with numerous drivers in recent years, including several WoO LMS regulars.

Anticipation is already running high for Winston’s WoO LMS stop, which was announced in December.

“Every person I’ve talked to has just been so excited about what they’re expecting to see when the Outlaws come to town,” said Tom Sprague, a former dirt Late Model racer who is entering his fifth season as the promoter of Winston Speedway. “This will by far be the biggest race this area of Michigan has ever seen.”

Merritt Speedway, meanwhile, is the latest addition to the 2011 WoO LMS schedule, which currently list 41 events at 34 tracks in 20 states. WoO LMS officials and Merritt owner/promoter Rick Ancel jointly reached an agreement on the Aug. 20 date earlier this week.

Ancel, a 40-year-old who is beginning his fourth season at Merritt’s helm, is as thrilled as his fans and racers to have the World of Outlaws come to northern Michigan for the Lane Automotive/All-Star Performance 50.

“Our fans have gotten to see a few big guys run at Merritt here-and-there,” said Ancel, noting that 2006 WoO LMS champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., made a special appearance at Merritt in 2008 and pocketed over $8,000 for winning the special DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned ‘Who 55.’ “But they’ve never gotten to see a dozen of these big stars like they’ll see when the Outlaws come to town.

“We’re excited to bring in the World of Outlaws, our fans are excited to see them and our local drivers are excited to have a chance to run against them.”

All three Michigan tracks are considering advance ticket sales for the WoO LMS events. Ticket and other information can be obtained by logging on to the track web sites at www.hartfordmotorspeedway.net, www.winstonspeedway.net and www.merritt-speedway.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), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

Russell King Aims To Put Frustrating Sophomore Campaign On World of Outlaws Late Model Series Behind Him

Tour’s 2009 Rookie of the Year Ready To Start Fresh During 40^th DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH On Feb. 14-19 At Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, FL – Jan. 26, 2011 – Good riddance, 2010. Hello, 2011.

That’s Russell King’s simple mindset as he prepares for the upcoming World of Outlaws Late Model Series campaign, which kicks off with 50-lap events on Thurs., Feb. 17, and Sat., Feb. 19, during the 40^th DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

Coming off a miserable 2010 season in which he failed to show the progress he expected after winning the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award in 2009, King, 21, of Bristolville, Ohio, is staring squarely at what he considers a make-or-break year. He feels he must improve on the road with the Outlaws or begin considering another line of work.

“The first year (following the WoO LMS) we ran good sometimes even though we didn’t know a lot (about dirt Late Models),” said King, who excelled on the western Pennsylvania/eastern Ohio big-block Modified circuit before tackling the WoO LMS schedule with less than two-dozen career dirt Late Model starts under his belt. “We seemed to be making some strides at the end of the (2009) season so last year I thought we’d continue to get better because we actually knew some stuff, but we got worse. We had a horrible season.

“Last year was real frustrating,” he added. “I want to be way further ahead than where I am right now. My mom and dad spend a lot of money for me to do this deal, so we have to be more competitive this year if I’m going to keep doing this fulltime.”

King appeared to be on an upward trajectory in 2009, registering eight top-10 finishes – including a late-season stretch of four top 10s in five races – en route to the national tour’s top rookie honor. He capped his year with a $12,000 triumph away from the WoO LMS at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa., proving that his Outlaw education had served him well.

But King experienced a disheartening 2010 season. He managed just two top-10 finishes, led the circuit in DNFs (13) and finished out of the points-fund money (11^th in the standings). Only a shining moment in the mid-summer WoO LMS event at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park – he won his first-ever tour heat race and impressively led laps 1-11 of the A-Main before a scrape with a lapped car started him on a fall from contention – provided King some solace.

“Attica pretty much kept me from hanging myself off the lift-gate of my trailer halfway through the year,” quipped King, who settled for a 13 ^th-place finish at Attica after a mid-race tangle forced him to restart at the rear of the field.

Despite his demoralizing performance in 2010, King’s confidence is not shaken. He feels good about the state of his family-owned program, which features two Rocket cars (one he debuted last year and a brand-new machine) and a freshened stock of Custom engines.

“I’m staying positive and I’m real focused,” said King, who displayed his new King Bros. Racing. No. 56 in the DIRTcar Racing booth during last weekend’s Motorsports 2011 Race Car & Trade Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. “I feel like we’re the best prepared that we’ve ever been and I feel like I’m more serious mentally than I’ve ever been.

“The mental aspect is half of this deal right now because everybody’s got good race cars and good motors, but sometimes with the Late Model I don’t have that killer instinct to keep digging like I used to in the Modified. When I raced Modifieds I didn’t care who I lined up against or how the car felt – I just had that drive to keep going.

“I just want to get back to having fun like when I was racing Modifieds, just at a different level. It’s a big psychological deal for me.”

In an effort to make himself even sharper behind the wheel, King recently began working with a personal trainer to whip his burly frame into better condition. He’s also made a move to buoy him on the technical side, contracting veteran mechanic Robby Allen to provide valuable set-up assistance. Allen, who will remain crew chief for 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year Austin Hubbard this season, began working with King late last year and will continue advising the young driver in 2011.

“I’m excited about working with ‘Hog’ this year,” King said of Allen, who is best known for his successful stint as Rick Eckert’s chief mechanic. “He’s smart and he’s not afraid to answer my questions. The first night I worked with him last year we went to Roaring Knob (in Markleysburg, Pa., for a non-Outlaw event) and I ran fifth. I’ve been talking to him once or twice a week ever since, and last week he was at my shop and we scaled the cars.

“I feel like working with Robby has already helped us make a bunch of gains. I’m confident my race cars are better because he’s changed some stuff on them. You know, my car’s the same as Josh’s (WoO LMS champ Josh Richards) and all of them (with Rockets), but the problem is, Josh is like 160 pounds and I’m 260. We had to change things around to get the (weight) percentages where they needed to be without getting the car too heavy. I never really thought about that, but every little thing matters in dirt Late Model racing.”

King, who proposed to his high-school sweetheart, Ashley Jackson, last month in a manner that he admitted was “pretty romantic for a guy like me” (he popped the question on sleigh ride in Ohio’s Amish Country), does not currently have a fulltime mechanic. He’s content overseeing all aspects of his team’s preparation with help from, among others, his father, Rex Sr., and younger brother, Rex Jr. (both big-block Modified regulars); his cousin Mark Bates; and veteran crewman Bobby Bachman.

“I’m back to doing a lot of the stuff on the car myself like I did with the Modified,” said King, who has set an October 2012 wedding date. “It makes me feel better at night that I know what’s been done to my stuff.

“My goal this year is just to be competitive everywhere we go,” he continued. “I feel like we can do that.”

King will start his 2011 quest for redemption in the Sunshine State. He’ll hit the track for the first time on Sun., Feb. 13, in a DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event at Ocala (Fla.) Speedway before moving on for six consecutive nights of DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH action at the half-mile Volusia oval, which also hosts DIRTcar UMP shows on Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 18 in addition to the season-opening, $10,000-to-win WoO LMS programs on Feb. 17 and 19.

The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will provide a serious challenge for King, who recognizes that the event draws one of the most talented dirt Late Model fields of the season. While the track holds a special place in his heart – he made his big-block Modified debut there in February 2004, one month before his 15^th birthday – it hasn’t treated him well. He’s had an especially tough go in his two seasons of dirt Late Model competition at Volusia, entering 10 events (six UMP, four WoO LMS) but only making two A-Main lineups (a pair of 24^th-place WoO LMS finishes in 2010).

“Realistically, when there’s 75 to 80 good cars there, I’d just like to make all the shows and get a couple top 10s,” said King, whose career-best WoO LMS finish is a ninth, on July 10 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. “If we can get off to a good start like that, I think it would help set the tone for the rest of the season.”

The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is a 12-night short-track blockbuster that also includes the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13); the O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Car Series (Feb. 9-10); the Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds (Feb. 16-19); and the UMP Modifieds (Feb. 8-15).

For more information on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH – including special pricing on advance-sale tickets and details of the ‘Free Pit Pass With Every Ticket’ offer that allows fans to get up-close-and-personal with the race teams every night of the DCN – visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 704-795-7223 or 386-985-4402.

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), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

Teenage Sensation Austin Hubbard Begins Sophomore Season On World of Outlaws Late Model Series In DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH

BARBERVILLE, FL – Jan. 20, 2011 – Austin Hubbard’s standout rookie season on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series in 2010 earned him plenty of attention and adulation – and not only for his unique skin-flashing, Ricky Bobby-in-Talladega Nights Victory Lane celebration.

But the teenage sensation from Seaford, Del., knows his unprecedented march to the Rookie of the Year award could be quickly forgotten if he’s unable to deliver even more highlights during his sophomore WoO LMS campaign, which officially begins on Thurs., Feb. 17, and Sat., Feb. 19, with a pair of 50-lap tour events during the 40^th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

“I just want to keep improving this year,” said Hubbard, who will celebrate his 19^th birthday the evening of the WoO LMS season opener. “I learned a lot last year and now I have to use that experience to get better. I’m going to try to be more prepared and more serious, so if I don’t take another step forward, I’ll be disappointed.”

Hubbard certainly has all the tools to continue his rapid rise to stardom, starting with one of the top rides in the game. He’s back for a second consecutive season behind the wheel of the familiar Reliable Painting Rocket No. 19 cars owned by Dale Beitler, a veteran team owner from West Friendship, Md., who showed his confidence in Hubbard’s ability when he tapped the youngster to replace former WoO LMS champion Steve Francis as his driver in late November 2009.

A dirt Late Model racer since the age of 14, Hubbard opened Beitler’s eyes with several solid WoO LMS performances in his father Mike’s equipment during the 2009 season. He then lived up to the lofty expectations placed upon him in 2010, becoming the first driver to win two A-Mains in their rookie season and finishing a rookie-record seventh in the points standings. His impressive body of work on a national stage also brought him special recognition from the Eastern Motorsport Press Association, whose membership voted him the winner of the organization’s 2010 New England Race Fuels ‘Young Gun’ Award.

“Last year at this time, my realistic goal was to finish top-eight in points, win the rookie deal and win at least one race and my high standard was top-five in points and three wins,” said Hubbard, whose WoO LMS victories came on March 20 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and in a rain-shortened event on July 9 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. “The season fell right in the middle, so I’m pretty happy with that.”

Hubbard experienced some stretches of typical rookie struggles in 2010, but he still registered 11 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes in 44 WoO LMS A-Mains starts. He plans to apply the lessons he learned last season when he hits the track at Volusia to kick off another grueling year on the road with the Outlaws.

“I’m going to be more prepared for things I didn’t know about before (traveling the full schedule),” said Hubbard. “There’s a lot of little stuff I know now – like how to run on certain types of track surfaces, how to do some things so I don’t give as much track away, how to be better on restarts, how to be more focused and ready for qualifying.

“Realistically, if you want to win, you gotta be in the redraw consistently, so you can’t be messing up in qualifying or on restarts and giving spots away. I feel like I did that too much last year so it’s probably the spot where I want to improve the most.”

Hubbard has been in Beitler’s shop at least four days a week since the 2010 season ended in November, working alongside veteran crew chief Robby Allen on a Monday-Thursday schedule. Allen, who returned to the WoO LMS on a fulltime basis last season for the first time since ending his three-year run as Rick Eckert’s chief mechanic after the 2006 campaign, is back for a second year overseeing Beitler’s program with Hubbard. New to the team, meanwhile, is mechanic Nick Hoover, a former crewman for Russell King and Brady Smith; Hoover replaces Coleby Frye, who departed Beitler’s team just before Christmas in order to pursue his own career driving dirt Late Models and, in 2011, Legends Cars.

“We’re in good shape,” said Hubbard. “Everything is definitely clean, perfect and ready to go. We just got a new (Cornett) motor and we have some (freshened) motors coming back. We just have to drop the motors in, finalize the wraps and go racing.”

Looking ahead at the 2011 season, Hubbard set the bar high: “I want a top-five in the (WoO LMS) points and at least three wins. My top goal would be top-three (in the points) with at least five or six wins.

“I definitely want to win more races,” he continued. “That’s what it comes down to. I love to win, so whatever I gotta do, I’m gonna do it.”

A strong start in the Sunshine State during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, which also includes DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned events on Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 18, would go a long way in pushing Hubbard toward his goals. He got out of the box slowly last year, leaving Volusia ranked 13^th in the points standings (58 points behind) after two frustrating WoO LMS outings (as well as two even more stressful runs in DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned action).

“Last year we had a new motor we were trying and for some reason it really upset the car,” said Hubbard, who finished 22^nd and 10^th (from the 24^th starting spot) in the 2010 WoO LMS A-Mains during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH and recorded a DNQ and a 23 ^rd-place finish in the two nights of DIRTcar UMP competition. “We just battled it all week long at Volusia. We couldn’t do anything to get that car to turn.

“We’ve actually changed the block in the motor now, and we’re gonna go back to Volusia with it and hammer it out. I think we can get (the combination) right.”

Hubbard is itching for a breakout run at Volusia, a fast, sweeping half-mile oval that has proven to be a thorn in his side so far in his career. In his only previous appearances there, in 2009, he failed to qualify for two WoO LMS A-Mains and two DIRTcar UMP features; he finished 22^nd in his lone A-Main start (a UMP event).

“I like Volusia a lot,” said Hubbard. “I think it’s a pretty awesome track, but I just haven’t had any success there yet. Back in 2009 our week was just like a blur of crappy runs, and last year wasn’t much better.

“I definitely want to start out better this year. Volusia has one of the toughest fields of the year besides one of the crown-jewel (dirt Late Model events), but I think we’re capable of running up front.”

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

Richards Gearing Up For February’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH After Holiday-Week Trip To New Zealand

CONCORD, NC – Jan. 12, 2011 – Josh Richards enjoyed some off-season fun in the sun during his holiday-week trip to New Zealand.

Now it’s back to the regular grind for the 22-year-old sensation, who is just over one month away from beginning his chase of an unprecedented third consecutive World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship – as well as an amazing fifth straight season-opening victory – during the 40 ^th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

“Going to New Zealand was an awesome experience,” said Richards, who drove a Kiwi-owned Rocket Chassis car to victory on Dec. 27 in a Super Saloon division feature at the island nation’s Baypark Speedway. “It was a lot of fun and a great way to get away from everything for a week and relax. But it’s all over, so it’s time to focus on getting ready for the season.”

Richards said he’s been “wide open” preparing equipment in his team’s Shinnston, W.Va.-based shop since returning home from New Zealand in the early morning hours of Jan. 5. He did sleep in until nearly noon on the 5^th, but that was to recover from a 26-hour trip back to the U.S. and a healthy case of jet-lag. He was up earlier the next day and hasn’t wasted any hours since as he works hard to ready his Rocket Chassis house cars for the challenging campaign ahead.

There is, of course, a bull’s eye on Richards in 2011, and he knows it. As a two-time defending national champion he’s the driver every World of Outlaws traveler wants to unseat, so he can’t rest on his laurels if he intends to stay ahead of his hungry rivals. He needs to have his familiar No. 1 firing on all cylinders when the WoO LMS season kicks off with a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event on Thurs., Feb. 17, at Volusia – not only to prove that he’s primed for another title run, but also to position himself to extend one of the most noteworthy winning streaks in dirt Late Model racing.

Richards will see action six times during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH – in addition to WoO LMS shows on Feb. 17 and 19, the week-long full-fender extravaganza includes DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned events on Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 18 – but it’s the WoO LMS lidlifter that promises to bring him the most attention. He’s assumed ownership of the tour’s season opener at Volusia, winning it four years in a row to rightfully earn the nickname ‘Mr. Opening Night.’

Three different drivers won the first race of the WoO LMS season from 2004-2006 (only the ’06 opener wasn’t held at Volusia), but since 2007 Richards has made a habit of launching his campaign in triumphant fashion at the half-mile oval located 20 minutes outside of Daytona Beach. Not surprisingly, it’s a streak that blows his mind.

“I definitely consider it one of the biggest accomplishments of my career,” said Richards, who was still one month away from turning 19 when he captured the season opener for the first time. “There’s always so many great cars there and everybody has their best stuff ready to go. It’s one of the toughest fields any track will have all year – almost as tough as a crown-jewel (event) – so winning once when you’re running against that kind of competition is awesome. Winning the World of Outlaws opener four years in a row is unbelievable.”

Richards’s ‘Drive for Five’ can scarcely be more difficult than his memorable victory in the 2010 opener. After leading from flag-to-flag off the pole in 2007 and winning from the third starting spot in both 2008 (he took the lead when Shane Clanton broke on lap 30 and then held off Billy Moyer after a late restart) and 2009 (passed Shannon Babb for lead on lap 14 and never looked back), he started 17^th in last year’s 50-lapper. In one of the most impressive performances of his career, Richards charged through the pack to grab the top spot from Earl Pearson Jr. on lap 27 and rode off to the checkered flag.

“I didn’t think we could pull it off starting 17^th last year,” said Richards, who finished third in his opening-night heat in 2010 after winning a prelim in each of the three previous years. “But right from the start, I knew we had a great car. It was one of those rare nights where everything came together.”

Richards understands that good fortune has played a role in his season-opening success, but meticulous preparation and savvy-yet-aggressive driving has been the real difference.

“The luck factor is always involved,” said Richards, who enters the 2011 season tied with Steve Francis atop the WoO LMS win list since 2004, at 28 victories. “But you have to earn everything you get against the caliber of competition down there (at Volusia) and I think we have – especially last year, coming from 17^th to win.

“I’ve also always loved racing at Volusia,” he continued, declaring his affinity for the fast, sweeping track. “From the first time I ran there, I just felt comfortable. It can’t hurt when you really look forward to racing at a track. I guess the place just seems to fit my style.”

Can he pull off a fifth straight opening-night win on Feb. 17? Richards isn’t the bombastic type so he’s not making any guarantees, but he is confident about his chances.

“We’re gonna give it everything we have, that’s for sure,” said Richards. “It’s definitely a challenge to start the season at Volusia but we’ll be ready for it.”

There’s plenty of work left for Richards before he drives onto the Volusia clay next month, including the annual Rocket Chassis Open House and set-up seminar weekend on Jan. 21-22 during which he’ll offer attendees some of his technical expertise. But he heads into the 2011 season with his mind clear in the wake of his visit to New Zealand, a trip he made with his buddy, young dirt Late Model racer Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., who was recently hired to drive the Bobby Lake Motorsports No. 46 and plans to join Richards in the DIRTcar Nationals field.

Richards was scheduled to make two competitive appearances Down Under behind the wheel of a Rocket mount that veteran New Zealand racer Maurice Cowling purchased from Wisconsin’s Terry Casey, but he ended up making only one – a victorious run in the 20-lap Super Saloon division feature on Dec. 27. He was allowed to drive Cowling’s full-blown dirt Late Model against the more limited Super Saloon stockers to draw attention to dirt Late Model racing – and he did just that by charging from the 16^th starting spot to the lead in a handful of laps around the impressive Baypark Speedway, a quarter-mile oval located about 100 miles southeast of Auckland between the beach resort of Mount Maunganui and the city of Tauranga. But some competitors deemed the Rocket car too fast to participate in the Super Saloon Grand Prix on Jan. 1, so Richards only took some exhibition circuits that evening and watched Hawkins drive to a feature win in a Super Saloon ride he picked up at the last minute.

“It was all positive,” Richards said when asked about the impression his dirt Late Model performance left on the New Zealand fans. “I think we definitely put on a good show. A lot of guys want to try to get Late Model racing going over there so (Cowling) wanted to show everybody how cool these cars are.”

Richards filled the days between his racetrack visits with a whirlwind of sightseeing, including a plane ride with Baypark’s promoter over the White Island volcano about 30 miles off the New Zealand coast and several visits to the beach. He also got a taste of the wild New Year’s Eve scene in Tauranga’s ‘Strand’ entertainment area – though Richards and Hawkins called it a night early because they had a race to attend in less than 24 hours.

Tickets are available at www.DIRTcarNationals.com or by calling 704-795-7223.

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

A Final Look Back: Facts, Figures & Statistical Notes From The 2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series

CONCORD, NC - Dec. 31, 2010 - On the eve of a new year, here’s a final look back at facts, figures and statistical notes from the 2010 World of Outlaws Late Model Series...

WHAT A TALENT: Josh Richards unfailingly credits his powerhouse Rocket Chassis house car operation – featuring his father/team owner Mark Richards, car chief Matt Barnes, tire specialist Jimmy Frye and a host of other sponsors and supporters – for carrying him to a history-making second consecutive tour championship in 2010.

But the modest 22-year-old sensation from Shinnston, W.Va., deserves plenty of praise as well after becoming the first driver to repeat as WoO LMS champion since the circuit was reincarnated in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. His talent behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model has simply reached superstar caliber.

Already the youngest driver – by nearly a decade – to win the WoO LMS crown after he broke through with an incredibly steady campaign in 2009, Richards authored another age-defying performance record in ’10. Yes, he does run top-notch equipment prepared by experienced hands, but it still takes a smart, skilled racer to do the types of things that made Richards a champion – like, most notably, qualifying through a heat race for 43 of the season’s 44 A-Mains and finishing all but one event on the lead lap.

And of course, Richards also had luck on his side. That lone DNF he absorbed – a 23rd-place finish on Aug. 7 in the USA Nationals 100 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., due to engine problems that eliminated him on lap 19 – didn’t even hurt him in the championship battle because the race offered only show-up points.

The bottom line: Richards possesses the rare ability to merge aggressiveness with the level-headed approach necessary to collect points, as evidenced by the fact that he led the series in A-Main victories for the third consecutive season (he won eight times to match his career-high set in 2009) while also deftly avoiding race-ending calamities. He registered 27 top-five finishes (second to Darrell Lanigan’s 29) and 36 top-10s (second to Tim McCreadie’s 37) and finished worse than 12th just once in a full-points race (15th on June 20 at Ontario’s Cornwall Motor Speedway).

CHECKERED FLAGS: Richards continued to set the victory bar on the WoO LMS, claiming top-winner status for the third season in a row. He’s owned the honor outright the last two years after finishing the 2008 campaign tied with Steve Francis, with six triumphs.

A total of 18 drivers reached Victory Lane on the WoO LMS in 2010 – exactly the same number of winners as 2009. It’s three short of the single-season record of 21 winners set in ’08.

Twelve drivers recorded two or more wins in 2010 – double the number of repeat victors from the previous season – and there were three first-time WoO LMS winners in 2009: Austin Hubbard, Ricky Elliott and Jonathan Davenport.

TO THE WIRE: Richards’s scant four-point championship margin over Lanigan was the second-closest in WoO LMS history, trailing only the epic 2005 battle that Billy Moyer won over Francis in a tie-breaker (most second-place finishes).

In a campaign that saw the chase for the title go down to the final lap of the season-ending Lowes Foods World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Richards was one of four drivers who held at least a share of the top spot in the points race. He was atop the standings after the most events (38), followed by McCreadie (five), Lanigan (two) and Brady Smith (one).

There were two ties for the points lead, both featuring Richards and McCreadie. They were dead-locked after Race No. 8 at Virginia Motor Speedway and again after Race No. 11 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway.

The largest points lead a driver was able to muster was Richards’s 56-point edge after the 14th A-Main of the season, on May 15 at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway. He had grabbed the points lead from McCreadie after Race No. 13 and proceeded to hold it for 25 straight races, finally relinquishing the spot to Lanigan after Race No. 38 at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway.

Richards never slipped below second in the points standings. The biggest deficit he faced all season was 10 points, after Race No. 7 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway and again after Race No. 12 at Bluegrass Speedway in Bardstown, Ky.

HE WAS WORTHY: Richards once again lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him by dirt Late Model press members, who voted him the overwhelming favorite to win the 2010 title in the third annual WoO LMS Pre-Season Media Poll.

Richards received 15 of the 27 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 2010 points standings.

D.J. Johnson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was the only media member to nail three of the top-five points finishers, correctly predicting Richards as the champion, Lanigan as the runner-up and Rick Eckert as the fifth-place finisher. Eight other participants hit on two of the top five, including six who listed Richards and Lanigan one-two. (It should be noted that McCreadie, who finished third in the points standings, threw a variable into the media’s picks; he had not yet committed to running the series fulltime when the poll was taken, so only three press members rolled the dice and named him on their top-five ballots.)

The poll also asked the media to predict the season’s winningest driver (including number of victories) and the winners of three marquee events – the Commonwealth 100 at Virginia Motor Speedway, the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway and the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway.

Fifteen respondents predicted that Richards would lead the tour in A-Main triumphs, but only Thomas Pope of the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer, Ben Shelton of MidSouthRacing.com, Don Davies of Area Auto Racing News and Mike O’Connor of Dirt Late Model Magazine correctly hit on his final total of eight wins.

In the special-event category, DirtonDirt.com cohorts Michael Rigsby and Todd Turner were the only media types to correctly predict Chris Madden as the winner of the Commonwealth 100; Dale Terry of GeorgiaStockCarRacing.com and Paul Fletcher of Dirt Late Model Illustrated successfully tapped Shane Clanton as the winner of the Firecracker 100; and Rigsby, Scott Jackson of LateModelRacer.com, J.R. Kennerup of Area Auto Racing News and Dave Seay of DirtCast.com correctly picked Scott Bloomquist to capture the USA Nationals.

SELECT TRIO: With Chub Frank failing to win an A-Main during the 2010 season, Francis, Lanigan and Clanton are now the only drivers who have won at least one feature event in each WoO LMS campaign since 2004.

DEADLOCKED: Richards’s prolific win output over the past three years has pulled him into a tie with Francis for winningest-driver status on the WoO LMS since 2004. The two friendly rivals head into the 2011 season atop the tour’s World Racing Group-era victory chart with 28 career wins each.

Rick Eckert now ranks third on the win list since 2004 with 21 triumphs, while Bloomquist and Lanigan are tied for fourth with 19 wins.

Moyer, who won twice in 2010, is the alltime winningest driver on the WoO LMS. He owns 37 career triumphs, including 22 during the tour’s original incarnation (1988-89) under late WoO Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson.

BUSY SEASON: The 2010 WoO LMS was comprised of 44 A-Mains at 38 tracks in 19 states and two Canadian provinces.

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

Rain did not plague the 2010 season to the extent that it did in ’09, but Mother Nature still reared her head. Three scheduled events – Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on May 28, Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., on Aug. 18 and the first half of the doubleheader at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa., on Sept. 4 – were washed out and not rescheduled. In addition, races at five other tracks – Quebec’s Autodrome Drummond, Brewerton, Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio, Mohawk International Raceway in Akwesasne, N.Y., and the first half of the World Finals at The Dirt at Charlotte – were postponed by rain and reset for another date.

FULL PITS: The average field for a WoO LMS event in 2010 was 39.25 cars.

The season-high turnout of 76 cars was for the Lowes Foods World Finals. In all, 10 events drew 50 or more cars and 14 attracted over 40 entrants.

A total of 492 drivers representing 33 states, three Canadian provinces and Australia entered at least one WoO LMS event in 2010, and 239 drivers started an A-Main.

The state from which the most WoO LMS competitors hailed was Pennsylvania, with 73 drivers. Ohio was next with 44 entrants, followed by Illinois (35), North Carolina (33) and Tennessee (31).

CASH: Over $2.8 million was paid out to drivers during the 2010 WoO LMS, including just over $400,000 in points-fund and post-season bonus cash.

Ten drivers topped the six-figure mark in race and points-fund earnings on the ’10 tour, led by Richards with $293,210. He was followed by Darrell Lanigan ($265,260), Tim McCreadie ($204,840), Shane Clanton ($161,250), Steve Francis ($159,545), Austin Hubbard ($146,655), Rick Eckert ($143,285), Tim Fuller ($118,875), Clint Smith ($105,100) and Chub Frank ($104,192).

THE OUTLAWS: Eleven drivers had perfect attendance on the 2010 tour: Richards, Lanigan, McCreadie, Francis, Eckert, Clanton, Hubbard, Fuller, Clint Smith, Frank and Russell King. Of that group, only King did not start all 44 A-Mains; the 21-year-old sophomore driver was absent from the starting field on three occasions.

ROOKS: Austin Hubbard, 18, of Seaford, Del., ran away with the 2010 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year award, easily outdistancing Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, in a points race that was determined using the drivers’ best 30 finishes.

Hubbard established new rookie records with two A-Main victories and a seventh-place finish in the points standings. He started all 44 A-Mains behind the wheel of Dale Beitler’s familiar Reliable Painting Rocket No. 19.

Though Hubbard is just the third WoO LMS Rookie of the Year in seven years who did not compete in the DIRTcar big-block Modified division before arriving on the full-fender tour, the Northeast-based open-wheel class isn’t unknown to the teenager. His father, Mike, was involved in big-block Modified action at the nearby Delaware International Speedway when his son was growing up.

The 32-year-old George, meanwhile, became the first female to follow the WoO LMS. She entered 37 events and started 20 A-Mains, with a top finish of 14th on Aug. 23 at Autodrome Drummond.

MAKING THE CUT: Richards was the most consistent qualifier among the fulltime travelers, leading the way with an average time-trial placing of 6.84.

Francis was second on the average time-trial placing list at 9.21, followed by Eckert (9.86), McCreadie (10.86), Lanigan (11.3), Clanton (12.54), Hubbard (14.02), Clint Smith (14.26), Fuller (15.27), Frank (17.83), King (22.09) and George (30.81).

Richards also had an unmatched heat-race record, failing to transfer through a heat just once (Aug. 19 at New York’s Rolling Wheels Raceway) in 44 events. Francis was second-best with two heat-race DNQs, followed by Lanigan and McCreadie (four apiece); Eckert (seven); Clanton (nine); Hubbard and Clint Smith (13); Frank (14); Fuller (16); and King (23).

Richards and Eckert were the only regulars who did not use a single provisional spot to start an A-Main in 2010. Francis fell back on a provisional just once, while Lanigan and McCreadie each used two; Frank used five; Clanton and Clint Smith used six; Hubbard used seven; Fuller used eight; Jill George used 14; and King used 15.

CHARGING FORWARD: The deepest in the starting field from which a driver advanced to win a WoO LMS A-Main in 2010 was 19th – Scott Bloomquist’s starting spot when he pocketed $50,000 for capturing the USA Nationals on Aug. 7 at Cedar Lake Speedway.

Bloomquist’s victory was one of five earned in ’10 by drivers starting from double-digit positions in an A-Main lineup. Eckert charged forward from the 18th starting spot to win on July 30 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park (he also pitted at mid-race to change his car’s leaking radiator), while Richards accounted for the other three instances, winning from 17th on Feb. 11 at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park and 10th on both April 30 at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Sept. 1 at Mohawk International Raceway.

Eight A-Mains were won by drivers starting from the pole position, but only four of those victors led the event from flag-to-flag.

The average starting spot for a WoO LMS A-Main winner in 2010 was 4.23. The outside pole produced the most victors (15).

CATBIRD’S SEAT: WoO LMS regulars accounted for 28 pole position starts in A-Mains during the 2010 season, but that was no guarantee of victory. The Outlaws turned just seven pole starts into triumphs – a modest success rate of 25 percent.

Lanigan enjoyed the most pole position starts (seven), but he converted just one (Rolling Wheels) into a victory during a season that saw him capture a career-best seven A-Mains. Francis, meanwhile, had six pole starts and won twice – his only victories of the season.

The best winning percentages for pole starts belonged to Richards, who converted his only pole position start of the season into a victory at Eriez Speedway; Clanton, who was two-for-three (winning at Lincoln and Tazewell); and Hubbard, who was one-for-two (winning the rain-shortened event at River Cities). Failing to capitalize on pole starts were McCreadie (two), Eckert (two), Clint Smith (two), Chub Frank (two) and Fuller (one).

HEART-STOPPER: What was the most thrilling WoO LMS A-Main of 2010? Many observers will give that honor to the Pepsi Nationals, held on Sept. 18 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.

DirtonDirt.com recently named the Pepsi Nationals the Best Dirt Late Model Race of 2010. The event, won by Shannon Babb, was a 55-lap pulse-pounder that featured six lead changes among four drivers and saw Babb and Moyer battle right down to the checkered flag.

MANUFACTURER BATTLE: Five dirt Late Model chassis companies claimed victories in WoO LMS A-Mains during the 2010 season.

Rocket Chassis once again led the way with 32 wins, divided among Richards, Lanigan, McCreadie, Clanton, Francis, Hubbard, Fuller, Steve Shaver, Ricky Elliott and Shannon Babb. The domination of Victory Lane brought Rocket its seventh straight victory in the WoO LMS Chassis Builders’ Challenge.

Team Zero by Bloomquist Chassis finished second on the win list with seven victories (Eckert, Jimmy Owens, Bloomquist, Madden and Brady Smith). MB Customs (Jimmy Mars) and Victory Circle by Moyer (Billy Moyer) each claimed two triumphs, and Barry Wright Race Cars (Jonathan Davenport) earned one checkered flag.

A total of 11 engine builders, meanwhile, laid claim to a WoO LMS A-Main triumph in 2010. Cornett Racing Engines – the winner of the tour’s Engine Builders’ Challenge for the third consecutive year – led the way with 20 victories, split among Richards, Lanigan, Hubbard, Owens and Madden.

Other motor builders with multiple victories were Pro Power (seven); Clements and Malcuit (three); and Dickens, Custom, Lee Roy Rumley and Kevlar (two). Single wins were credited to Vic Hill, Russell Baker and Roush-Yates.

FAST RACES: There were four caution-free A-Mains in 2010 – May 7 at Lincoln Speedway, June 24 at Lernerville Speedway, July 31 at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, Ohio, and Aug. 1 at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa. Four more features were slowed by just a single caution flag.

An average of 3.98 caution flags flew in WoO LMS features during the ’10 campaign. The most caution-plagued events were the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake (13 yellows) and the Commonwealth 100 at VMS (12)

Four red flags were displayed for significant wrecks during A-Mains in 2010 – on July 3 at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway (Vic Hill flip); July 9 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. (Brian Birkhofer rollover); July 30 at Attica (massive multi-car incident in which Chub Frank tumbled); and Aug. 7 at Cedar Lake (Babb’s late-race flip).

ETCETERA:

* Twenty-four different drivers earned a WoO LMS fast-time honor in 2010, led by Richards’s six. He had one impressive streak of three consecutive fast times – July 10 at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, S.D., July 27 at Central PA Speedway in Clearfield, Pa., and July 29 at Sharon.

* Fifty-one different drivers won at least one heat race on the tour in ’10. Richards and McCreadie finished tied for the lead in the category, with 18 victories.

* There were 52 different B-Main winners, with Frank and Fuller tying for the lead with six last-chance victories apiece.

* Twenty-nine different drivers led at least one A-Main lap in 2010. Lanigan paced the most (417 laps), followed by Richards (342), McCreadie (286), Francis (163) and Moyer (144). Rounding out the top 10 on the lap-leader list was Mars (127), Fuller (106), Clanton (88), Owens (82) and Babb (73).

* The only Outlaw who entered every event in 2010 but did not lead an A-Main lap was Clint Smith, who saw his two-plus-year tour winless streak reach 114 races at the conclusion of the season. He did, however, record three runner-up finishes during the ’10 campaign.

* One year after Fuller tied Eckert’s modern-era record of four consecutive series wins, no driver captured more than two A-Mains in succession during the 2010 season. Four drivers strung together back-to-back victories: Lanigan (twice), Richards, Shaver and Fuller.

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

* Lanigan completed the most A-Main laps on the 2010 tour: 2,311 of a possible 2,336. Like Richards, the only race he did not finish on the lead lap was the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake, where he suffered his lone DNF due to engine woes.

Francis was second on the laps-completed list (2,283), followed by Richards (2,255), McCreadie (2,239), Frank (2,234), Hubbard (2,230), Eckert (2,200), Clint Smith (2,115), Clanton (2,100) and Fuller (2,074).

* Richards and Lanigan shared top billing on the list of most consecutive lead-lap finishes in 2010, rolling up 34 apiece. Fuller was next with 21 straight lead-lap finishes, followed by McCreadie (20), Clanton (20), Eckert (17), Francis (nine), Frank (nine), Clint Smith (eight), Hubbard (eight) and King (three).

* When Richards retired from August’s USA Nationals at Cedar Lake, it marked the first time he had failed to finish a WoO LMS A-Main due to terminal mechanical failure since the event on July 27, 2007, at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio – a span of 130 races.

* Richards, Lanigan and Francis tied for the lead in the fewest DNFs category in 2010, with just one each. Eckert failed to finish three A-Mains, followed by Frank and Hubbard (four); McCreadie and Clint Smith (five); Clanton and Fuller (seven); and King (13).

* Lanigan put up the longest streak of consecutive top-five finishes: nine races, including an unprecedented four straight runner-up placings during July’s Wild West Tour. Richards registered six top-fives in a row, followed by McCreadie and Clanton (four); Francis, Fuller and Hubbard (three); and Eckert, Frank and Clint Smith (two).

* Richards’s 15 straight top-10 finishes were the most in the category. Lanigan had 11, followed by McCreadie (10); Clanton (eight); Francis and Eckert (seven); Fuller (six); Frank (five); Hubbard (three); Clint Smith (two); and King (one).

* Lanigan had the best average A-Main finish in 2010, at 5.34. He was followed by Richards (5.73), McCreadie (6.68), Francis (7.96), Eckert (9.54), Clanton (9.66), Hubbard (10.45), Fuller (12.02), Frank (12.23), Clint Smith (12.54), King (17) and George (19.2).

* Richards ended the 2010 season with a tour-best average A-Main starting position of 6.57. Lanigan was next at 7.41, followed by McCreadie (7.64), Francis (8.07), Eckert (9), Clanton (11.18), Hubbard (13.05), Clint Smith (13.3), Fuller (13.64), Frank (14) and King (18.05).

* The WoO LMS career win lists now show 42 drivers have won an A-Main since 2004 and 52 drivers own tour victories when the 1988-89 seasons are included.

* Francis and Eckert remain the only drivers who have started all 281 WoO LMS A-Mains contested since 2004.

* The WoO LMS had its first-ever Australian A-Main qualifier in 2010 when West Perth’s Jay Cardy started the Aug. 23 event at Autodrome Drummond in Clint Smith’s backup car. The 23-year-old Australian dirt Late Model regular, who has flown over to the U.S. for three consecutive summers and provided Smith extra crew assistance, finished 21st in the 50-lapper.

The 2011 WoO LMS campaign is scheduled to kick off with a pair of 50-lap A-Mains on Feb. 17 and 19 as part of the 40th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. Ticket information for the blockbuster winter racing meet – which runs from Feb. 8-19 and also includes action for the DIRTcar UMP Late Models, WoO Sprint Car Series, O’Reilly All-Star Sprint Car Series, Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds and UMP Modifieds – is available at www.dirtcarnationals.com or by calling 386-985-4402.

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), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and Chizmark Larson Insurance; in addition to contingency sponsors Eibach Springs, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pink Carburetors, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis, R2C Performance and Wrisco Aluminum.

Get Your Tickets Now for the Illini 100 at LaSalle Speedway!‏