|
James Essex
CORONA, Calif. (June 16) - The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is set to invade the Carolinas this weekend, as they bring their 2008 tour to Cherokee Super Speedway in Gaffney, SC and Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, NC. The series is coming off of the 2008 "Southern Swing," where it saw three different winners in three nights, Shane Clanton at Duck River Speedway (TN), Dan Schlieper at North Georgia Speedway (GA), and Chris Madden at Talladega Short Track (AL).
The last time the series was at the place "Where Three Wide is a Given," Cherokee Super Speedway, the last time around it was the Helmsman of Team Zero, Scott Bloomquist, taking home the top prize in dominating fashion, but this time, there will be a big change; the track is a lot smaller this go round. The last time the series was here, the track was ½ mile, this time around the track it is a much different track at only 3/8 mile.
This year's event will honor Grassy Smith, father of series regular, Freddy Smith, as the "10th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial" will be held at Cherokee Super Speedway on June 20th, 2008. "It's just an honor to hold the Grassy Smith here at Cherokee this year, and it really turned out to be a great fit between the speedway, Freddy, Jeff [Smith], and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series," said Lennie Buff, promoter of the famed Cherokee Super Speedway, "we are really excited about this weekend and are getting ready for some great wall to wall racing." Cherokee Super Speedway is located just off of Exit 96 on Interstate 85 in Gaffney, SC; for more information on Cherokee Super Speedway, log onto www.cherokee-speedway.com.
Last year's trip to Fayetteville Motor Speedway saw Jeff Smith, son of series regular, Freddy Smith, take home the $10,000 after a hard-fought battle with Jimmy Owens, marking his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. The series will "Do It in the Dirt" again this weekend at the Larry Norris/Ed Longhany promoted facility in Fayetteville, NC on June 21st, 2008. This year's $10,000 "Dunn Benson Ford 50" will be the main event this weekend at the track, which is located just off of Exit 46 on Interstate 95. For more information, log onto www.fayettevillemotorspeedway.net.
Going into the Carolinas, Steve Casebolt holds a 15 point lead over Earl Pearson Jr. in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points. Following the two in Championship Points are Justin Rattliff, Bart Hartman, Dan Schlieper, Billy Drake, Scott James, Terry Casey, Wayne Chinn, and Freddy Smith.
Terry Casey leads Wayne Chinn in Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings by 145 points heading into this weekend.
The tire rule will be the same for both events: Hoosier 1300, 1350, LM20, 1600, and LM40 along with American Racer SD44, SD48, and SD56.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log onto www.lucasdirt.com.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
1) Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) 2970
2) Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) 2965
3) Justin Rattliff (Campbellsville, KY) 2735
4) Bart Hartman (Zanesville, OH) 2720
5) Dan Schlieper (Sullivan, WI) 2555
6) Billy Drake (Bloomington, IL) 2545
7) Scott James (Lawrenceburg, IN) 2375
8) Terry Casey (New London, WI) 2325
9) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) 2215
10)Freddy Smith (Seymour, TN) 2155
Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) 2325
2) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) 2215
3) John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) 745
4) Tony Knowles (Tyrone, GA) 425
5) Eric Jacobsen (Seacliffe Beach, CA) 245
|
