COMP Cams Super Dirt Series
February 25, 2015
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COMP Cams Super Dirt Series Banquet Recap

by Ben Shelton
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (February 25) – The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series (CCSDS) presented by Lucas Oil hosted their 2014 Night of Champions banquet on Saturday, February 21st, 2015 at the Holiday Inn at the Airport (Little Rock, Arkansas) as the tour drivers were recognized for their accomplishments.

Kyle Beard was recognized as the 2014 CCSDS Champion in his #86 Upton Motorsports/Bob Pierce Super Late Model.  The title marked the second-straight for the Trumann, Arkansas driver.

In his acceptance speech Kyle Beard thanked his supporters for making his championship run possible.

“I can’t thank my family, my sponsors and the Upton family enough for their support and the great equipment they give me each night.”  Beard concluded by noting, “We have so many great sponsors on our cars and without their support it would be hard to contend for championships, so I really have to thank them as well.” He concluded by saying, “Hopefully in 2015 we can become the first three-time series champion.

The balance of the top eight in the standings were recognized including Tommy Surrett, Clay Fisher, Brandon Smith, Shannon Scott, Rick Hearnsberger, David Payne, and Lynn Beach.

The Kuntz & Co. Rookie of the Year title went to Henryetta, Oklahoma’s Shannon Scott, who overcame a season long battle with Rick Hearnsberger to claim the title. He received $1,500 for his efforts. Hearnsberger finished second ($1,000) and Kody Mea finished ($500) third in the competition.

Special awards on the night included Tommy Surrett receiving $300 for being recognized as the GRT Race Cars top heat race winner. The New Vision Graphics Pole Award went to Surrett as well.  A three-way tie was found in the COMP Cams Winner Circle competition with Kyle Beard, Jack Sullivan, and Billy Moyer Jr. each winning two features. The drivers split a $500 purse.

Clay Fisher’s head mechanic, Alan Creech received the Mark Martin Automotive Crew Chief of the Year Award for his duties on Clay Fisher’s Super Late Model. He received $200 for the honor.

Joe Garrison from GRT Race Cars and Larry Shaw from Larry Shaw Race Cars each received special recognition for lifetime contributions to Dirt Late Model racing.

As part of an initiative to bring more contingency sponsors to the series, AR Bodies was on hand and presented each driver with a $100 product certificate. The CCSDS plans to vastly expand their contingency benefits to drivers for 2015.

CCSDS presented by Lucas Oil CEO, Chris Ellis, addressed the attendees with multiple announcements.  Ellis discussed the 2015 season, which is set to be the most lucrative schedule in the history of the tour, and also announced that for the second-straight year more money will be added to purses.

The series looks to incorporate more time trials into their events at the facilities, where it's an option. The remainder of the events will continue to be passing points. The series will continue to allow Hoosier LM40 and WRS55 tires, while continuing to incorporate the Lucas 1640 and Lucas 06. For some of the events in the state of Mississippi the Hoosier 1350 will also be allowed for the first time.

It was also announced that the entry fee for each driver for each race will be increased by $5. This money will be matched by the series and will go toward more thorough tire testing.

Ellis also welcomed new tracks to the 2014 campaign including and Outlaw Motor Speedway (Oktaha, Oklahoma), East Texas Speedway (Petty, Texas), Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi) and North Mississippi Speedway (Corinth, Mississippi).

The CCSDS presented by Lucas Oil warriors will embark on their 2015 season on March 28th as the tour co-sanctions a $10,000-to-win event with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) at Ark-La-Tex Speedway (Vivian, Louisiana).

For the latest information on the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series presented by Lucas Oil, please visit www.COMPDirt.com .