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Lehman Motorsports
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio (March 5) - With the 2008 Ohio dirt racing season inching closer and closer to starting popular central Ohio dirt Late Model racer George 'The General' Lee of Loudonville, OH is looking forward to competing at a wide variety of dirt tracks all across the state of Ohio in 2008 driving his Rocket Chassis/Malcuit Racing Engines #21 sponsored by Maibach Ford of Orrville, OH, Valvoline Oil, Bishop Collision Repair Center, American Payroll Advance, Cowen Truck Lines, Hague Crystal Clear Water, Mason Racin', Bert Transmission, Hoosier Racing Tire & Reliable Mold.
"We are currently putting the final touches up our cars for the 2008 season," revealed Lee, the 2007 Hilltop Speedway champion. "Due to obligations with Tim Cowen, I am going to be busy with a Craftsman Truck test in Martinsville, Va the middle of March then we are going to run the truck race at the end on March. So I don't really see us getting the car out to any tracks until the season opener at Hilltop on April 11th. If the weather permits, we might get to shake it down at April 5th practice at Hilltop."
"We really don't have a set schedule in mind for '08, we are just going to look at the 3-4 hour window of traveling to races around us and see what works with all of our work schedules."
Lee has served as crew chief for NASCAR Truck and Busch East driver Tim Cowen for a number of years in addition to his own busy dirt Late Model schedule. "Tim is planning on running some Bush East races this year, as well as a few Craftsman Truck races, so we are going to have another busy summer," commented Lee.
"We have not really set a specific schedule as of today. We are going to get up and running and then look at the local area and what races we can get to with me and my crews' work schedule. There are such a lot of good races that are going to be in our area again this year, between the IRS series, World of Outlaws, Lucas Oil, MACS and unsanctioned races at our local tracks, it is building up to be a great season."
A new Rocket Chassis will also be among the arsenal at Lee's disposal this season.
"After our bad crash at Hilltop last October, we lost a race car," said Lee. "We were not planning on having to build another car, but the guys in the shop have worked their butts off putting together a new Rocket Chassis. Things are getting close to being finished."
"This winter we were able to pick up a truck and trailer that we feel will help out our racing program. My van is getting tired and 3-4 hour trips were getting harder and harder to make so now we can make the longer trips with little more ease. And when we have to spend the night, we can sleep in the hauler & not at hotels."
Lee appears extra motivated this season after a championship year, multiple wins at multiple tracks and two weeks in Florida for Speedweeks working in his capacity as manager of Mason Racin'. "This year I went to Florida again for Speedweeks at East Bay and Volusia and man, I am ready to race!"
"One thing that I came home fired up about was the safety issue with our cars. With the wrecks that we saw in Florida, it only backs up our thinking about containment seats. I had installed one in my car last year and man what a difference. Sure it is tough getting into and out of the car but after the crash at Hilltop in October, I sure was thankful I had it. Everyone reading this should really stop and think about putting one into their car."
"I have told a lot of people this winter about them and I have heard a lot of racers say 'we don't need them' and 'we should not be spending money on a seat'. Well, I feel that it is money well spent. You cant put a price on safety."
Team GLR still has merchandise available. "We still have some 2007 Team GLR racing shirts left as well as hoodie sweatshirts," said Lee. "You can contact me via my website www.georgeleeracing.com to purchase yours."
Lee's championship crew consists of Jeff (Root) Long, Dave Hazelet, Kerrissa Darr, Aaron Hullett, Mark & Ed Hagen and Sherri Lee.
Despite a championship season and a personal best in feature wins, Lee and the team are not resting on their laurels.
"The competition is so tough today that even if you are off the slight least bit, someone else is there to pounce because they were just a little better than you at that time," commented Lee. "Our goal is to prepare our cars like we did last winter, then keep focus as we enter the '08 season because I have raised the bar for me and my crew and I really would like to have a better season in '08 for them and my sponsors."
For more on George 'The General' Lee visit: www.georgeleeracing.com
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