|
Lowes's PR
CONCORD, N.C. (February 28) - Dirt late model legend Scott Bloomquist will be among nearly 100 drivers chasing one of the most unique prizes in motorsports April 18-19 when The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway hosts the third annual Circle K Colossal 100.
In addition to a check for $50,000, the winner of the 100-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series event will also receive a ceremonial version of a Medieval knight's helmet and a 50-inch Macleod Medieval sword.
The museum-quality helmet is a late 15th century replica, handcrafted from 14-gauge carbon steel with brass accents. It features an artistic visor that pivots and a fanciful bevor to protect the chin and lower face. The sword is one of the biggest versions of the Macleod Sword ever made. It has a 39-inch stainless steel blade and the handle is made of rough leather wrapped by a silver steel wire.
Having won the first two Circle K Colossal 100s, Bloomquist already has a pair of Medieval helmets and swords at his Mooresburg, Tenn., race shop.
"Those helmets and swords are something we're really proud of," Bloomquist said. "It's unusual to get something so classy and they have a lot of meaning. There are a lot of unique things that you enjoy getting besides another trophy, but that sword and helmet for winning the Colossal are definitely at the top of the list."
Roger Slack, vice president of events for Lowe's Motor Speedway, originated the idea of presenting the Circle K Colossal 100 winner with the Medieval items.
"I wanted to award the winner with something more than just a store-bought trophy and wanted it to be something to promote the event's Romanesque theme," Slack explained. "To make this a truly Colossal event, we needed a colossal prize. It needed to be something the other drivers would look at and think to themselves, 'I'm going to get that next year.'"
With nearly 30 years of dirt-track experience, Bloomquist understands how to promote the sport and believes the Medieval helmet and sword help separate the Circle K Colossal 100 from other marquee late model
events.
"When we got there last year, they had a three-story tall shot of us in victory lane holding that sword on the track's elevator shaft," Bloomquist said. "Our expression, the way it went off, the whole thing made a great promotion.
"It's never going to be easy to win that race, so there's always going to be a lot of prestige in having a sword and one of those helmets," added Bloomquist, noting that the two Medieval helmets already in his collection actually fit. "That's not a bad thing because you never know when you might want to wear one."
With four career victories at The Dirt Track, Bloomquist has to be considered among the favorites heading into the third running of the Circle K Colossal 100 on April 18-19.
"Obviously, we run really good there," Bloomquist said. "We ran good in the fall at the World of Outlaws show and I definitely feel like we can win the Colossal for a third time. But we've got a number of guys that race our cars who also ran good there last time, and at the Colossal too. Those guys will be some of my toughest competition, but we'll come prepared."
The Friday night portion of the Circle K Colossal 100 features group time trials and heat races. The top two finishers in each heat will secure a spot in the 100-lap finale and a draw will determine the starting lineup.
Saturday night's program begins with a driver autograph session and the on-track action includes at least four additional qualifying races prior to the main event. The race is part of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, but The Dirt Track's traditional format, including the extremely popular Delaware-style restarts, will be utilized.
If purchased in advance, reserved tickets for both Friday and Saturday nights are just $39 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under. Two-day pit passes are $60 in advance.
Tickets and pit passes for the April 18-19 Circle K Colossal 100 can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS.
The Fleetwood RV Camping Resort is located adjacent to The Dirt Track and full-service camping spots can be reserved by calling (704) 455-4445.
|
