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James Essex
CORONA, Calif. (April 10) - The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rolls into Jim Nier's K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, OH for the $10,000 to win "Glockner 50" this Saturday Night, April 12th and four drivers from the Buckeye State who are following the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2008 have their eyes set on the first place prize.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series last visited K-C Raceway back in 2005 and with Saturday's return engagement nearing Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Oh, Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH, Wayne Chinn of Bradford, OH and John Mason of Millersburg, OH look to break through with a victory lane celebration before the cameras of SPEED Channel who will be on hand to tape the event.
Hartman, who is in his first season of following the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour comes into K-C the highest ranked Ohio driver in points. Hartman currently runs fifth in the championship points standings as he sits behind points leader, Terry Casey of New London, WI, three-time champion, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, reigning Eldora Dream winner Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN and 2007 LOLMDS "Rookie of the Year" Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, KY.
Moran, who won the last time the series raced at K-C will be on hand seeking to end a streak that dates back to September 18, 2005 when he won the "Pittsburgher 100" that's the last time he won a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event. Moran, who has finished third (twice) and fourth place (last year) in the Lucas Oil Series Championship Points Standings comes into this weekend's race at K-C locked in a sixth place tie with Scott James the championship points race.
Chinn, who has hit the road with the Lucas Oil series in '08, rests just outside the top ten in points in the 11th position, just five points behind Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN who holds down tenth place. Chinn comes into the event at K-C second to Casey in the Quarter Master "Rookie of the Year" standings.
Mason, whom like Hartman and Moran is a former Dirt Track World Championship event winner in his career heads into K-C 14th in the championship points standings after last weekend's Georgia road trip. Mason like Chinn will be seeking his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win in trying to defend his home turf.
Owner and Promoter Jim Nier, who took over the track after one event in 2002 has done a lot of work to the facility over the off-season. "We've put a lot of work into the facility this winter when the weather permitted. We've added additional lighting to the track, added some clay, remodeled the pit concessions, and purchased some new equipment in an effort to make this year our best yet. We are looking forward to seeing the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race at K-C on April 12 and I'm sure it's going to be very exciting," said Nier, who still races a sprint car on occasions when his busy schedule permits.
In 2005 K-C Raceway also became the host to one of dirt late model racings' crown jewel events as Carl Short brought his "Dirt Track World Championship" race to K-C. The annual $50,000 to win event has become a must see over the years for race fans and Saturday's visit by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series gives drivers additional track time on the high banks leading up to the annual October showcase event.
The series trip to K-C featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be the next event that 20 drivers will be eligible for the "Winners Circle Program" and the "Jasper Engines Road to Wheatland bonus monies. This is an incentive program that will pay the top ten drivers in the 2008 Championship Points an extra $600 each with perfect attendance throughout 2008. The "Jasper Engines Road to Wheatland" Program will also pay an additional $600 to each of the ten highest points drivers from the final 2007 Championship Points standings that follow the Road to Wheatland with perfect attendance but are not in the current top ten in points. The SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO is slated for May 9th and 10th and will pay $40,000 to win this year.
On Saturday April 12th at K-C pit gates will open at 4:00 pm with grandstand gates opening at 4:30 PM. Hot laps are set to begin at 6:30 PM with PRC Time Trials for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series to start at 7:00 PM. General grandstand admission will be $25 with children ages 7-12 admitted for $5 with kids 5 and under free. Pit passes will be $35.
K-C Raceway is located 12 miles south of Chillicothe, OH on State Road 23, two miles off of Blain Highway in Alma, OH. For more information you can visit www.kc-raceway.com or call the track office at (740) 663-4141.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tire rule for the race will be Hoosier 1300, 1425 - D35, 1600 and LM20/40 and American Racer SD44, SD48 and MD56. For more information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can go to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) - 1070
2) Earl Pearson Jr (Jacksonville, FL) - 1005
3) Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) - 980
4) Justin Rattliff (Campbellsville, KY) - 940
5) Bart Hartman (Zanesville, OH) - 930
6) Scott James (Lawrenceburg, IN) - 870
7) Donnie Moran (Dresden, OH) - 870
8) Dan Schlieper (Sullivan, WI) - 825
9) Billy Drake (Bloomington, IL) -715
10) Don O'Neal (Martinsville, IN) - 695
11) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) - 690
12) Freddy Smith (Seymour, TN) - 645
13) Ray Cook (Brasstown, NC) - 825
14) John Mason (Millersburg, OH) - 605
15) Damon Eller (Crumpler, NC) - 585
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) - 1070
2) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) - 690
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series April Racing Schedule
April 12 - KC Raceway-Chillicothe, OH ($10,000 to win)
April 25 - Bedford Speedway-Bedford, PA ($7,000 to win)
April 26 - Hagerstown Speedway-Hagerstown, MD ($10,000 to win)
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