CORONA, CA (June 17, 2009) – In what has turned out to be a highly competitive Summer Sizzler Tour, three stops remain on the docket. Action packed racing will continue this Thursday Night, June 18th with a stop at Swainsboro Raceway in Swainsboro, GA followed by a Friday Night, June 19th trip to Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC; then the tour concludes on Saturday Night, June 20th at Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, NC.
With three races in the books for the ’09 Summer Sizzler Tour, there have been three different winners with two of those drivers earning their first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victories. Series regular Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY won for the first time last Thursday at Duck River Speedway in Wheel, TN and young Jake Knowles of Tyrone, GA nabbed his first ever series win Tuesday Night at Cleveland (TN) Speedway. Joe Armes of Petros, TN was the winner last Friday Night at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, GA as it marked his second career triumph with the LOLMDS.
Large crowds have been the theme so far at the first three tracks the series has competed at so far. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has averaged 42 cars per event. The series did suffer a rainout on Saturday at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL. Officials of the series and track are working on a re-scheduled date.
Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; despite not winning a series race so far in 2009; continues to lead the points due to his consistent finishes. He leads 4-time series champion Earl Pearson Jr of Jacksonville, FL; Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN; Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA; and Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC into this upcoming three-race weekend.
Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN, a two-time series runner-up in points, is currently sixth followed by Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN; Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Josh McGuire of Grayson, KY; and Eric Jacobsen of Seacliffe Beach, CA.
John Blankenship of Williamson, WV currently leads the Quarter Master “Rookie of the Year” point’s standings followed by David Breazeale of Four Corners, MS; Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, MI; and Michael Walker of Franklin, TN.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has sanctioned 18 events this year with 14 different winners. There are 15 drivers that have maintained perfect attendance and 337 different drivers have raced with the series at least once in ’09.
The event at Swainsboro Raceway in Swainsboro, GA this Thursday Night, June 18th will be a rain-out makeup from April. There will be complete show for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series with PRC Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains and the $7,000 to win main event. For more information, log onto www.swainsbororaceway.com or call the track at (478) 289-9640.
“We are excited to be coming to Swainsboro Raceway as part of the 2009 edition of the Summer Sizzler Tour, Paul and his crews have done a lot of work to the track to get it ready for this Thursday’s event. They have really improved their drainage system for the track in turn one,” stated Ritchie Lewis, LOLMDS Series Director, “They have also been working hard to keep the track ultra competitive, and we are looking forward to a great race with lots of passing on the improved surface at Swainsboro.”
On Friday Night, June 19th, the series and Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC are proud to host the 11th Annual “Grassy Smith Memorial” paying $7,000 to win. Series regular Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI is the defending race winner. For more information on this special event, visit www.cherokee-speedway.com or call the track at (864) 489-1969.
The 2009 Summer Sizzler Tour will make its conclusion on Saturday Night, June 20th, at Fayetteville Motor Speedway in Fayetteville, NC. This will made a stop at the Fayettville, NC facility. The stars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take to the track for a full show, starting with PRC Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and the $10,000 to win feature event. More information is available at www.fayettevillemotorspeedway.net or by calling track at (910) 223-7223.
The tire rule for the remaining events of the 2009 Southern Sizzler tour will be American Racer SD44, SD 48, and MD56 along with the Hoosier Racing Tires 1300, 1350, 1600, and LM40.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, go to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
- Scott Bloomquist (Mooresburg, TN) – 2740
- Earl Pearson Jr (Jacksonville, FL) – 2415
- Jimmy Owens (Newport, TN) – 2410
- Dale McDowell (Chickamauga, GA) – 2365
- Ray Cook (Brasstown, NC) – 2350
- Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 2310
- Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) – 2220
- Brad Neat (Dunnville, KY) – 2165
- Josh McGuire (Grayson, KY) – 2095
- Eric Jacobsen (Seacliffe Beach, CA) – 1975
Current Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
- John Blankenship (Williamson, WV) – 1965
- David Breazeale (Four Corners, MS) – 1695
- Jeep VanWormer (Pinconning, MI) – 1590
- Michael Walker (Franklin, TN) - 1315
