Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Announces Record 3.2 Million Dollars Up for Grabs in 2012
 
WAYCROSS, GA (January 30, 2012) - Officials of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series are pleased to announce that the series will offer drivers over 3.2 million dollars in cash and contingencies in 2012. The amount is a new record for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Since its inception in 2005, the series maintains its place as the premier national touring dirt late model series in the country. In 2011, the series averaged an industry high of 49 cars per event. Record-breaking crowds watched many of the most exciting races of the year. The 2012 series schedule includes 46 events in 19 different states at some of the top racing facilities in the country.

Drivers that compete on the series in 2012 will be racing for more than 2.5 million in purse monies alone. The series also added a purse increase to all the $10,000 and $20,000 to win shows in 2012. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will pay out over $300,000 in cash awards to the top ten drivers in the national championship point's standings along with $10,000 cash awarded to the Quarter Master Rookie of the Year at the series year-end awards banquet.

The series will sanction a record thirteen (13) events paying $20,000 to win or more in 2012. They include: the Commonwealth 100 at Virginia Motor Speedway-$25,000 to win, Apr 13-14th; the Bad Boy 98 at Batesville Motor Speedway-$20,000 to win, May 18-19th; the DART Show-Me 100 at Lucas Oil Speedway-$30,000 to win, May 25-26th; the Clash at the Mag at Magnolia Motor Speedway-$20,000 to win, Jul 6-7th; the Silver Dollar Nationals at I-80 Speedway-$25,000 to win, Jul 20-21st; the Sunoco North/South 100 at Florence Speedway-$50,000 to win, Aug 10-11th; the COMP Cams Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway-$40,000 to win, Aug 17-18th; the River Days Rumble at Portsmouth Raceway Park-$20,000, Aug 31-Sep 1; Hillbilly Hundred-$25,000 to win, Sep 2nd; the USA 100 at Virginia Motor Speedway-$20,000 to win, Sep 14-15th; the Jackson 100 at Brownstown Speedway-$20,000 to win, Sep 21-22nd; the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Speedway-$40,000 to win, Sep 27-29th; and the season finale, the Dirt Track World Championship -$50,000 to win, Oct. 19-20th.

"The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is very proud of the growth we have made in our over-all program in a few short years. The record prize money, large car counts and our TV package are just a few of the things that will continue to elevate the level of competition in our program. Our fans, race teams, track promoters, and marketing partners will be the ones to benefit as we continue this steady growth pattern. We are very thankful that we have so many promoters, sponsors, and racers that believe in our program and continue to support us each year," stated Ritchie Lewis, Series Director.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will kick off the season at the famed "Clay by the Bay" for the 8th consecutive year. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction the 36th Annual DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL from Sunday, February 12th through Saturday, February 18th.

For more information on the 36th Annual East Bay "DART Winternationals", log onto the track's website at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.

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CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS AMONG MULTIPLE HONORS AT ELDORA AWARDS CELEBRATION

Capacity Crowd Cheers On Recipients

ROSSBURG, OH (January 30) – With the recent staging of Eldora Speedway’s Awards Celebration, and the crowning of the divisional champions, the 2011 auto racing season has officially drawn to a close.

Before a capacity crowd, championship honors were bestowed upon Rob Trent (Stock Cars) and Jerry Bowersock (Modifieds), as well as Brian Ruhlman and Jon Henry who shared the Late Model title as the result of a tie in the final point standings.

In addition to their trophies and point fund disbursements, the champions received personalized Eldora Speedway jackets from Oakley and custom driver uniforms from Simpson Race Products.

Earlier in the evening, a drawing for drivers with perfect attendance resulted in David Smith winning a 32” JVC television courtesy of the Celina, OH Aaron’s Sales & Lease store, while Andrew Reaume was the last driver standing in the reverse raffle for the Bert transmission.

Specialty awards were the highlight of the fun-filled evening with Jeep VanWormer receiving the most coveted of them, the Chick Hale Sportsman of the Year Award.

Rookie of the year honors were bestowed upon Amanda Smith (Stock Car), John Phlipot, Jr. (Modified) and Matt Westfall (Late Model).  Named as the Most Improved Drivers were Dean Pitts (Stock Car), Josh Morton (Modified) and J.R. Hotovy (Late Model), while Hard Luck Awards were distributed to Casey Barr (Stock Car), Shaun Smith (Modified) and Andrew Reaume (Late Model).   Voted to have the Best Appearing Cars were Eric Sandlin (Stock Car), Nick Ketterhenry (Modified) and Jon Henry (Late Model).

The championship drivers, and their courts, were not alone when it came to recognition.

Named as the Owner of the Year was Mike Dirksen, while Allan Phillippi was awarded the Mechanic of the Year award.  Jeff August of Plymouth, WI was announced as the Fan of the Year, while photographer Nancy Lane-Feldner was the recipient of the Woman of the Year plaque.

Roger Slack was introduced to the crowd as the new General Manager and released the exciting 2012 slate of events for Eldora’s famed one-half mile clay oval.  The schedule, which is also available online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com, includes all of the traditional major events, including the Feed The Children Prelude to the Dream (June 6), Dirt Late Model Dream, (June 8 & 9), Kings Royal Weekend (July 13 & 14) and the World 100 (September 7 & 8)

Tickets for Eldora Speedway’s major events may be purchased by calling the speedway office (937) 338-3815 during normal business hours or around the clock online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com.   The ticketing staff is busy prepping the online system for the balance of the scheduled events and camping reservations, as well.

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