WAYCROSS, GA (August 28, 2012) – With a huge Labor Day weekend of racing quickly approaching the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is preparing for stops at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park on Saturday night, September 1st for the $10,000 to win Pepsi 50 River Days Rumble. Then, on Sunday night, September 2nd, the series will sanction the nation’s oldest dirt late model event the 44th Annual Hillbilly 100 at a new venue this year, I-77 Raceway Park in Ripley, WV. The crown-jewel event will pay $25,000 to win.
The visit to PRP on Saturday Night will mark the series’ eighth visit to the Donna Rayburn-promoted facility, located along the Ohio River. There will be a complete show with Red Buck Cigar Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains and the 50-lap $10,000 to win/$800 to start feature event. Drivers looking to dial in their cars for the big show on Saturday can get some track time on Friday night, August 31st, as PRP will run a non-sanctioned $5,000 to win event for Late Models. For more information you can call (740) 354-3278 or visit the track’s website atwww.portsraceway.com
Sunday will be the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series’ inaugural visit to I-77 Speedway, located approximately 40 miles south of Parkersburg, WV at the Fairplain exit. What may be one of racings most talked about events, the 44th Annual Hillbilly 100 will be held this year at the “new” totally remodeled I-77. Kenney Newhouse and associates have worked hard on the facility upgrades, making I-77, one of, if not the nicest dirt racing facility in the hillbilly state of West Virginia. The Hillbilly 100 will be the biggest event in the history of the track with a first place prize of $25,000 to the winner of the 100-lap main event. Hillbilly 100 promoter, Carl Short is bringing back the traditional event to the state of West Virginia after a year’s absence. For more information you can call (304) 373-1110 or check out the track’s website atwww.racei77.com.
“We’re excited about this weekend’s events and look forward to seeing all the great fans in Southern Ohio and West Virginia. Both events should provide the fans with some great racing and an enjoyable weekend to camp out and tailgate at both venues. We’re honored to be a part of the tradition and history that surrounds the Hillbilly 100 and bring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series back to the state of West Virginia”, stated Ritchie Lewis, Series Director.
Reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion and current points leader, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN will lead the group of series regulars into PRP and I-77 this weekend. Owens is coming off his fourth series win of the year, after this past Saturday night at Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway. Joining Owens will be the 2012 Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 winner, Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN, 2-time series champion and Hall of Fame driver, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN, 2012 COMP Cams Topless 100 winner, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY and 2-time LOLMDS winner this year, John Blankenship of Williamson, WV.
Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, the 4-time LOLMDS champ will be on hand, along with leading Quarter Master Rookie of the Year candidate, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA; 16-yar-old phenom, Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA; last year’s series rookie of the year, Jared Landers of Batesville, AR and up and coming driver, Eric Wells of Hazard, KY.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series log onto:www.lucasdirt.com.
To keep up with all the action “Live” as it happens, click on Roush Yates Performance Parts live timing and scoring page atwww.lucasdirt.com/live.
Be sure to visit the series on our social media outlets as well at: http://www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and http://twitter.com/#!/lucasdirt
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
1. Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) – 5940
2. Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 5615
3. Steve Francis (Ashland, KY) – 5520
4. Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) – 5500
5. John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) – 5050
6. Earl Pearson Jr. (Jacksonville, FL) – 5005
7. Jonathan Davenport (Blairsville, GA – 4920
8. Tyler Reddick (Corning, CA) – 4765
9. Jared Landers (Batesville, AR) – 4660
10. Eric Wells (Hazard, KY) – 4660