Contact: DIRT MotorSportsT
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com

World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes: Wrapping Up The Farmer City
Raceway/Lake Ozark Speedway Doubleheader

NORMAN, OK - Aug. 18, 2006 -

HAPPY IN THE HEARTLAND: Count Billy Moyer as one driver who would like to see more World of Outlaws Late Model Series events in the Midwest.

That's not merely because he got his groove back during the tour's doubleheader at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway (Aug. 14) and Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo., winning both 50-lap features to vault from fifth to second in the points standings.

Racing in the Midwest obviously cuts down on the highway miles logged by Moyer, who must haul his equipment 18 hours or more from his Batesville, Ark., home to compete in events in such states as  Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. His years chasing the grueling UMP Summernationals also give him more laps at tracks in the area, including Farmer City, than he has at some  East Coast ovals on the WoO LMS.  And being a bit closer to home gives his family members a rare opportunity to see him race. In attendance at Lake Ozark was Moyer's mother, who lives in Nebraska, and his brother Greg.

"I didn't realize it had been so long until she told me, but I hadn't seen my mother in 11 months," said Moyer, noting that some back problems have prevented his mother from traveling. "And this was the first time my brother  Greg's seen us race all year."

Moyer paused, and then said of his brother with a chuckle, "He came over because he has a house down here on the lake (nearby Lake of the Ozarks). He lives like you're supposed to live."

But while Greg Moyer might not have the hectic racing lifestyle of his brother, he's not one of the country's best dirt Late Model drivers. Billy Moyer is - and after back-to-back wins he's right back in the battle for the $120,000 WoO LMS points championship, which he knows would be a nice reward
for all the time he devotes to racing.

CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE: WoO LMS points leader Tim McCreadie hailed the Hammers, who promote Farmer City Raceway, for whipping up a great track surface for the tour's visit.
 
"I give the Hammmers a lot of credit," McCreadie said after his second-place finish in the feature. "I know them from a couple years ago at the Chili Bowl (in Tulsa, Okla.) when they helped me out with my Midget. We talked a little, and they believe what I do - if you do a lot of track prep, the track will be racy. 

"We were all worried that the track would rubber up tonight, but the last two times we were here (before rain postponed the shows) Don (Hammer) told me, 'Don't worry, we'll dig it up and have a good track for you guys.'
 

 "He was right. You couldn't ask for a better racetrack then we had tonight."

DISAPPOINTING NIGHT: Perhaps the biggest cheer during the Farmer City
program went up for two-time UMP Summernationals champion Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who grew up racing at the quarter-mile oval.

It appeared the 32-year-old would really give the fans something to get excited about when he took the lead from Steve Francis with an outside charge in turn one on lap 14, but he never officially led a lap. A flat right-rear tire moments later dive-bombed his effort.

"We had a good race car at the beginning, but then we ran over something and got a flat," said Babb. "As soon as I got the lead, it just blowed out."

Babb returned after a quick pit stop, but "we didn't put our wheel-cover back on," he said. "A few laps later I went into turn three and hit the cushion, and that packed the wheel full of mud. Then it got to shaking, and I couldn't run hard (he finished 11th)."

READY FOR A FINAL CHARGE: Steve Francis and Darrell Lanigan, who finished third and fourth, respectively, in Lake Ozark's main, left the Midwest prepared to make a push for the $120,000 WoO LMS title.
 

"We're just gonna keep doing exactly what we we've been doing," said Francis, who sits fourth in the standings, 26 points behind McCreadie. "We had a pretty good points week (with a pair of third-place finishes). We haven't won one in awhile -- although we could've won a couple - but the breaks haven't fallen our way.

"Hopefully we're due to catch some breaks. When everybody is so close, luck plays a big part in it."

Lanigan, who fell from second to third in the points standings but is only 20 points behind McCreadie, is eyeing the championship.
 

"It's definitely getting tight," said Lanigan, who broke a four-link rod 10 laps into the Lake Ozark main but held on to finish fourth with some help from the rubbered-up, one-lane track surface. "You got to think points if you're going for the big picture. You go to every race wanting to win it, but now you don't take any stupid chances - you don't gamble on tires, just go with what everybody else does.

"The tracks coming up should be decent for us. They're bigger tracks, and I usually run better on bigger tracks - although lately I've been getting top fives on the bullrings too."

ETCETERA:

* Fourth-year dirt Late Model driver Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., had an eventful swing with the WoO LMS.

Debuting a new Rayburn car at Farmer City, Shirley was swept up in Eddie Carrier Jr.'s spin (he somehow avoided making contact with Carrier's car) in his heat but rallied to run third before a broken oil line forced him to the pits. Later, in the second B-Main, he was bidding for the final transfer
spot when a scrape with Kevin Weaver caused both drivers to spin in turn two and miss the feature.
 
Shirley fared better at Lake Ozark, timing third-fastest, winning a heat and finishing sixth in the 50-lap main.
 

* After finishing a season-high second in Lake Ozark's feature, Josh Richards and his Rocket House Car team gave Shirley's car owner, Ed Petroff, a ride back to his St. Louis-area home in their hauler. Kid Rocket and Co. spent some time at Petroff's shop cleaning up and working on their car
before heading for the weekend's Jackson 100 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway.

* The only casualty of the Lake Ozark 50 was Dale McDowell, whose bad luck on the '06 WoO LMS continued when a broken axle knocked him out of seventh place on lap 46.

* WoO LMS regular Eric Jacobsen of Santa Cruz, Calif., enjoyed his best outing of the 2006 tour at Farmer City, finishing a strong sixth. He missed a top five by inches, getting edged out at the finish line by Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.

"I was out there thinking, This is just like racing back home,'" said Jacobsen. "I raced on a lot of small quarter-miles in California."

* Jacobsen wasn't the only Californian in the field at Lake Ozark. He was joined by two other drivers from the Golden State: Zack Forster and Robert Sanders, both of Bakersfield, Calif.

Partners in a company called West Coast Boring, Forster and Sanders race regularly at California tracks such as Bakersfield and Santa Maria. Both are new to the sport - Forster has about 20 career starts in a dirt Late Model, and Sanders has eight - but they decided to take a "racing vacation" to the
Midwest. On their itinerary was Lake Ozark and the weekend's Topless 100 at Batesville (Ark.) Speedway.

"We wanted to come race with the big boys," said Forster, who finished 16th in the main.

* With a short field at Lake Ozark, three teams unloaded backup cars and entered them with crewmen behind the wheel.

Clint Smith's second car was driven by his chief mechanic Johnny Cloer Jr., who races a dirt Late Model in the Southeast; Shane Clanton's backup was steered by mechanic Shane Thompson, who competes in a Late Model Sportsman in Alabama; and Shirley's second No. 3s was run by his crewman Craig Smith,
who races locally in Illinois.

Cloer had the best night, finishing ninth - two spots ahead of Smith.

* Centerview, Mo.'s Jason Bodenhamer was all smiles after finishing fifth in the Lake Ozark 50.

"This is just our second time running with the Outlaws, so I'm tickled to death," said Bodenhamer, a 31-year-old who has been racing dirt Late Models for 15 years. "This is the best I've ever run in a big show like this, and what makes it even better is our car owner, Warsaw Building Center, is from
the area."

* Another WoO LMS newcomer making a good showing during the swing was Wes Steidinger, 23, of Fairbury, Ill., who recorded the second-fastest lap in time trials and won a heat race at Farmer City.

"This is my first World of Outlaws race ever," said Steidinger, who drove his father's Rayburn car to an 18th-place finish in the main after being involved in a lap-31 tangle. "This is my fifth year in a Late Model and we've been staying close to home. We're pretty pumped about how things have
gone tonight."

LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can't get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com  and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo. 

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels  International, COESfx, TheUniversity of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.

Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com

Land Dispute Issue Forces Cancellation of Aug. 25 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event at Western Kentucky Speedway

 

NORMAN, OK – Aug. 17, 2006 - The World of Outlaws Late Model Series event scheduled for Fri., Aug. 25, at Western Kentucky Speedway in Madisonville,  Ky., has been canceled by the track promoter, DIRT MotorSports officials announced.

The cancellation came after Western Kentucky Speedway officials could not resolve a land dispute issue.

The event will not be rescheduled this season.

“Everyone with DIRT MotorSports and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series was excited to make a second visit to Western Kentucky Speedway this year,” said Ben Geisler, DIRT MotorSports Executive VP of Operations. “But the speedway unfortunately was forced to cancel the event because they
encountered a land dispute issue with respect to the area used for spectator parking at high-profile events.

“Without the expanded parking area it would be impossible for Western Kentucky Speedway officials to accommodate the large crowd expected for a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.”

The WoO LMS visited Western Kentucky Speedway earlier this year, on June 16, for a 50-lap event won by Rick Eckert of York, Pa.

Just five events remain in the red-hot 2006 WoO LMS points battle, beginning on Sat., Aug. 26, with the ‘Battle at the Bullring 50’ at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway.

Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., enters the Columbus event holding a slim 16-point lead over defending WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., is only 20 points behind McCreadie in the tightly-contested standings, followed by Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.  (26 points behind) and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (38 points back).
 

Contact: DIRT MotorSportsT
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
 
Defending Champ Billy Moyer Now Faces Uphill Battle In World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Race

NORMAN, OK - Aug. 10, 2006 - In the wake of a weekend he could only label "pretty bad," Billy Moyer finds himself in unusual territory on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

No longer is Moyer the hunted on the tour. Now he's the hunter.

The defending WoO LMS champion tumbled from first to fifth in the points standings following subpar outings last weekend at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway, ending his month-long run atop the rankings.

But despite the precipitous drop, Moyer hasn't hit the panic button.

"I think it might be better to have to come back," said Moyer, who trails leader Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., by 34 points with eight events remaining on the 2006 schedule. "We've been trying to  protect, protect, protect (the points lead), just play defense for the last month or whatever.  But when you're behind, all you can do is go for it.

"Now we'll go for it, and probably the results will be better I bet."

Moyer, 48, of Batesville, Ark., assumed the WoO LMS points lead after the July 1 event at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y. He remained there for six races before relinquishing the position to McCreadie after the Aug. 4 show at Lernerville, where he finished one lap behind in 15th place largely because a mid-race scrape poked a hole in his car's nosepiece and caused torturous handling problems.

The following night's Conococheague 50 at Hagerstown was even more frustrating for Moyer, who was hampered by suspension woes throughout the feature and finished a dismal 16th. His car's left-front  shock disengaged once and right-rear-rear shock came off twice.

"I thought (Lernerville and Hagerstown) would've been good for us," Moyer dejectedly said after Hagerstown's action. "We've run good at Lernerville just about every time we've been there, and we've had success at Hagerstown.

"But we had a lot of problems. We're just in a bad slump right now."  Indeed, since finishing fifth on July 25 at Missouri's Lebanon I-44 Speedway, Moyer has just one top-10 finish in his last four starts on the
WoO LMS - a dramatic departure from his sparkling performance record over the season's first 19 events. Entering the Heartland Nationals on July 28-29 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., Moyer was winless but had 10 top-five and 18 top-10 finishes, and he was the only driver who had
completed all 950 laps of competition to that point.

Moyer's momentum was dulled at Deer Creek. He finished 16th (losing a lap for the first time in 2006) in the opening-night event and managed just a quiet seventh-place run in the second 50-lapper.

Then came the forgettable Lernerville/Hagerstown trip that has left Moyer and his BMR team searching for answers to right their listless ship.

"I think we were a little conservative on setups (while leading the points)," said Moyer, analyzing his slump. "We've also made some mistakes on tires (compound selections) that we shouldn't of.

"Actually, tires have been a lot of our problem all year. With how long we've been doing this, we shouldn't make the mistakes we make on tires all the time."

Moyer's struggles led him to debut a brand-new Rayburn car at Hagerstown. It sports a decidedly different rear suspension than the Rayburn mount he's been running all season, however, so that adds a learning curve for even one of dirt Late Model racing's all time greats.

"This year I've just been staying with one car I'm accustomed to - a swing-arm car," said Moyer. "I  know it's not the best car to have at a lot of places, but it's what I've felt more comfortable running.

"We have to find something to get better, though, so we dragged this (new car) out (at Hagerstown) and it's a whole different deal. It's more similar to these four-link suspensions that a lot of guys are running. I've run 'em before, but everything's changed so much (with the combination) in the last few years and I just haven't stayed on top of it.

"I just have to learn it all," he added, "and to learn (while racing) with this bunch is a pretty tough feat."

In that vein, Moyer left Hagerstown with plans to "get home, get regrouped, and see if we can get where we need to be." His focus: gear up for the mid-week WoO LMS events at Farmer City (Ill.) Speedway (Aug. 14) and Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo. (Aug. 15) in hopes of launching a late-season
push to repeat as the tour's champion.

Moyer's desire to get back on track is evidenced by his racing schedule this weekend. He scrapped plans to compete in the North/South 100 at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky. - a $50,000-to-win event that will draw most of the WoO LMS regulars - in favor of racing closer to home.

Moyer will stay under the DIRT MotorSports banner and enter the company's MARS/UMP Clash events on Friday (Aug. 11) at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway and Saturday (Aug. 12) at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.
 

"We've been traveling so much, I don't feel like going all the way back out for the North/South," said Moyer, who had a 1,000-mile haul back to Arkansas following the Hagerstown program. "And we're trying to get used to this new car, so we can use the two (MARS/UMP) shows as a test session to learn some things."

Moyer, a legendary short-track racer with over 700 career wins, knows that buckling down and finding the root of his struggles is the way to get back to the top of the WoO LMS points standings.

"The guy who works the hardest usually gets the job done," said Moyer. "I've always been a believer in that. You can get on these rolls where everything's going right and you run good for awhile, but if you're gonna consistently be good, it's just a lot of work."

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.

Contact: DIRT MotorSportsT
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com

World of Outlaws Late Model Series At A Glance: Farmer City & Lake Ozark

NORMAN, OK - Aug. 9, 2006 -

WHAT:

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series begins its stretch run to the championship with a mid-week Midwestern doubleheader at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway and Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo. Just six feature event will remain on the 2006 schedule after this critical swing - the last scheduled hows at different tracks on successive nights.

WHEN:

* On Mon., Aug. 14, the WoO LMS makes a third attempt to run the $10,000-to-win 'Farmer City 50' at the fast fairgrounds quarter-mile oval. The tour's previous visits to Farmer City Raceway this year were stopped by wet weather - shortly before hot laps were set to begin on May 12, and after practice sessions were completed on July 26.
 
Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. and spectator gates at 5 p.m. Warmups are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and time trials at 7 p.m.

* The WoO LMS makes its first-ever appearance at Lake Ozark Speedway on Tues., Aug. 15, to compete in the 'Lake Ozark 50' paying $10,000 to win. The pit gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. CT and spectator gates will open at 5 p.m., with hot laps starting at 6:30 p.m. and time trials set for 7 p.m. The track's box office window will open at 11 a.m. so fans can purchase tickets before the gates open.

WHERE:

* Farmer City Raceway is located midway between Bloomington/Normal and Champaign/Urbana. To get to the track, take I-74 to exit 159, then go 0.6 miles south on State Route 54, then 0.7 miles west on U.S. Route 150. The speedway is located at the DeWitt County Fairgrounds.

* Lake Ozark Speedway is a three-year-old, one-third-mile track located near the popular Lake of the Ozarks resort area. Take U.S. 54 to SR 52, then go 0.1 mile east, then 0.5 mile north on Twiggy Lane (frontage road).

TICKETS:

* At Farmer City, fans and racers holding rainchecks from May 12 or July 26 can present them for admission on Aug. 14. General admission ticket prices on race day will be $25 for adults and $10 for students (ages 7-15), with children ages 6 and under free of charge. Pit admission will be $35.
 

Fans and competitors holding rainchecks from the postponed events at Farmer City who are unable to return on Aug. 14 can receive a full refund by sending their tickets or pit wristbands to DIRT MotorSports, 3600 W. Main St., Suite 150, Norman, OK, 73072.

* Reserved seats (top 10 rows of the grandstand) are available for the Lake Ozark 50 at a cost of $30. General admission is $28, and children under 12 will receive free general admission. Pit passes will be $35.

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

* Neither Farmer City Raceway nor Lake Ozark Speedway has hosted a WoO LMS event in the past.

INFORMATION:

* For more info on the Farmer City 50, visit www.farmercityraceway.net. 

* Additional information on the Lake Ozark 50 can be obtained by visiting www.lakeozarkspeedway.com  or calling 573-302-4499.

WHAT THE WoO DRIVERS THINK:

* Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who leads the WoO LMS points standings, on his impressions of Farmer City Raceway after hot-lapping there on July 26: "I think if they can keep it that wet, then it's probably gonna be a  good little racetrack. Usually the smaller the track is, the better the racing is, but the size of the track doesn't matter to me -- I just like good, racy tracks, and if the tracks are prepared right, they're all fun."

* McCreadie on making three trips to Farmer City thi s year due to the weather: "It's a little frustrating to drive all the way out there for a third time, but that's what we do. If the promoters want to have us, we have to come. If we get the fan turnout like there was gonna be the last time we were there, then everybody will happy."

* Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., the 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year and a featured driver on last month's "Dirt Track Warriors" dirt Late Model documentary that was broadcast nationally on CNN, on racing at Farmer City: "It's a lot different than what we're used to. We learned some things in the hot laps we ran there (on July 26), so we're gonna be back there with a different suspension package than we had for warm-ups before it rained. I worked on another car for four days last week getting it ready."

* Richards on the challenge of visiting Lake Ozark Speedway for the first time: "I just like going out to different tracks; it's just more of a learning curve. I enjoy going to a new track, because usually I run better at a racetrack when I go to it for the first time than I do at some I've already been to."

STORYLINES:

* Can defending WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., get back on track after falling from first in the standings to fifth after last weekend's events at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and Hagerstown  (Md.) Speedway?

* Will Rick Eckert of York, Pa., draw closer to Scott Bloomquist's WoO LMS single-season win record set in 2004? Eckert has eight victories in '06, but he's winless since July 8 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio (a span of six races).

* Can Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., remain the hottest driver on the WoO LMS? He's captured two of the last four events and has four victories overall this season.

EXTRA CASH:

DIRT MotorSports has posted a $1,000 non-touring/local driver bonus for Monday's Farmer City event. The cash will be divided up by three competitors who are not currently ranked in the top 20 of a national touring series and have never won a WoO LMS event in the past. The first driver across the
finish line who fits the criteria will receive a $500 bonus, the second $300 and the third $200.

NOTABLE:

* Farmer City Raceway's WoO LMS event will will be co-sanctioned by the United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Late Model Series, which is also owned by DIRT MotorSports. As a result, UMP's tire rule -- Hoosier LM M20 or M40 compound 11" x 88", 90" or 92" tires -- will be utilized, and UMP points will be awarded. UMP Modifieds will also be on the program, racing for $1,000 to win.

Several dirt Late Model standouts who competed in last month's UMP Summernationals were among the 40 drivers on hand for the doomed July 26 event and are expected to return on Monday, including UMP Summernationals champion Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville,
Ill., Darren Miller of Miledgeville, Ill., Brian Shirley of Springfield, Ill., and Billy Drake of Bloomington, Ill.
 ON THE INTERNET: If fans can't get to a track to see the tour, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com  and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.

2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Standings (after 8-5-06) and Statistical Update (Pos.- river-Residence-Races Entered-Feature Starts-Wins-Top 5's-Top 10's-Fast Times-Heat Wins-Dash Wins-B' Wins-Earnings-Points-Trail By):

1. Tim McCreadie/Watertown,NY 23-23-2-10-17-4-7-0-1-$74,800-3,148-0

2. Darrell Lanigan/Union,KY 23-23-2-12-18-0-11-5-1-$66,900-3,126-22

3. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove,GA 23-23-0-10-18-2-8-2-1-$50,600-3,120-28

4. Steve Francis/Ashland,KY 23-23-2-10-18-1-10-0-1-$78,600-3,116-32

5. Billy Moyer/Batesville,AR 23-23-0-10-19-2-8-1-2-$50,200-3,114-34

6. Chub Frank/Bear Lake,PA 23-23-2-7-17-1-4-1-1-$63,600-3,102-46

7. Rick Eckert/York,PA 23-23-8-11-14-1-7-2-1-$101,800-3,088-60

8. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga,GA 23-23-0-7-16-1-4-1-0-$43,600-3,024-124

9. Clint Smith/Senoia,GA 23-22-4-8-14-0-4-4-2-$67,210-2,993-155

10. Josh Richards/Shinnston,WV 23-23-0-3-13-2-3-1-2-$30,800-2,914-234

11. Eddie Carrier Jr.R/Salt Rock,WV 22-21-0-1-2-0-1-0-2-$18,010-2,591-557

12. John Blankenship/Williamson,WV 23-19-0-1-6-0-1-0-2-$23,040-2,580-568

13. Eric JacobsenR/Santa Cruz,CA 23-19-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-$14,940-2,478-670

14. Garrett DurrettR-Simsboro,LA 23-19-0-0-1-0-0-0-4-$14,910-2,462-688

15. Mike Balzano/Parkersburg,WV 9-7-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-$6,220-998-2,150

Aug. 3, 2006

Contact: DIRT MotorSportsT
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com

Fifteen Months After Suffering Injury That Short-Circuited His 2005 Season, Shane Clanton Returns To Lernerville Speedway As World of Outlaws Late Model Series Title Contender

NORMAN, OK - Aug. 3, 2006 - Shane Clanton isn't especially fond of Lernerville Speedway.

It's not because he has a problem with the DIRT MotorSports-owned track.  Actually, like most drivers, Clanton considers the half-mile oval among the top venues on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

The mere mention of the western Pennsylvania facility, which hosts the WoO LMS on Friday night (Aug. 4), just happens to make Clanton recall the moment that short-circuited his 2005 season.

Clanton, 30, of Locust Grove, Ga., saw his first campaign as a WoO LMS regular come to a sudden halt on April 29, 2005, when he suffered a dislocated left shoulder during a tour event at Lernerville. He's still not sure if the injury resulted from contact with another car or a jump over the cushion that awkwardly twisted his body, but he definitely knew immediately that it was serious.

A few weeks earlier Clanton's left shoulder had popped out of its socket during a race in Georgia, but the gritty southerner was able to shove it back in place and continue racing. He couldn't do that at Lernerville, so one week later he underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

Clanton was told by doctors that he faced a two-month recovery period, sidelining him from racing as the season was beginning to heat up.

"It was real disappointing," recalled Clanton. "Here we were ready to run with the Outlaws for the first time, and after a few shows we can't race."

Finally healed and cleared to compete, Clanton returned to WoO LMS action on June 27, 2005, at Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway and promptly recorded a fourth-place finish. He salvaged the season by running respectably over the final 26 events, rolling up four top-five and 12 top-10 finishes, including
a victory on Oct. 26, 2005, at Golden Isles Speedway in Waycross, Ga.

With help from the 'hardship' points he received by WoO LMS rules during his recovery, Clanton finished 10th in the '05 standings. That wasn't bad considering the circumstances, but he couldn't help thinking what might have been.

"If I hadn't hurt my shoulder, where could we have finished in the points?"  Clanton wistfully said. "We did O.K. when we came back, but we were playing catch-up."

This season Clanton is showing what he's capable of doing on the nation's premier dirt Late Model tour. He's in the thick of the championship battle entering this weekend's doubleheader at Lernerville and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway, sitting fifth in the standings, just 32 points behind leader Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.

When the season began, the prospect of winning the WoO LMS title was a pie-in-sky thought for Clanton, who acknowledged that he was hoping to "finish top-five in points with a couple wins." But with 10 events left on the 2006 schedule and first place in the standings so close, Clanton can dream of capturing the $120,000 points crown - the biggest single check any dirt Late Model driver in the country will receive this year.

"It would mean a lot to us to win it," said Clanton, who has been racing dirt Late Models fulltime since only 2002. "We're racing against the toughest guys out there. The championship would be a big deal."
 
Clanton realizes, however, that his pursuit of the title is an uphill battle. He's still trailing some drivers who are more accomplished and experienced in the division than he is.

"Every race is a new experience for us," said Clanton, who is in his fourth year driving Atlanta car owner Ronnie Dobbins's RSD Enterprises Custom/Rocket No. 25. "I haven't run at half the tracks (on the schedule), so it's tough. It seems like the second time I go to a racetrack the better off I am, but you have to be good the first time if you're gonna win the championship."

Clanton also continues to chase his first win of the 2006 season. While his impressive '06 resume includes nine top-five finishes (only three drivershave more), 16 top-10s (just two drivers have more), two fast-time awards (one driver has more), eight heat wins (one driver has more), two dash victories (two drivers have more) and 1,047 of 1,050 possible laps completed, he doesn't want to go through the entire campaign without an appearance in COESfx Victory Lane.

"We have to win a couple," asserted Clanton, who has two career WoO LMS triumphs (his first came on May 8, 2004, at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, Ga.). "We've had a good year so far and we've had our chances to win - like at North Central (Speedway in Brainerd, Minn., on May 31) when we
had a tire go down (while) leading - but we haven't gotten the breaks we need."

Maybe Clanton, who has six wins this season in other series and independent competition, can bag his first WoO LMS triumph this weekend. He hasn't enjoyed much success at either track - he owns finishes of 23rd, 14th and 17th in his last three Lernerville starts, and 20th and eighth in his two Hagerstown runs - but he's not going to uncharted territory.

And he has some demons to exorcise at Lernerville.
 

For more information on this weekend's WoO LMS  events visit www.dirtmotorsport.com; www.lernerville.com;  www.hagerstownspeedway.com;  or call 724-353-1511 (Lernerville Speedway) or 301-582-0640 (Hagerstown Speedway).

 The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.

Contact: DIRT MotorSportsT
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com

WoO Late Model Series At A Glance: Lernerville Speedway & Hagerstown Speedway

WHAT:

* The World of Outlaws Late Model Series heads to the Northeast this weekend for events at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

"For us, this is one of the best doubleheaders we have," said series regular Chub Frank, whose shop in Bear Lake, Pa., is about a two-hour drive from Lernerville. "It's close to home, and they're both good racetracks. When everybody comes up (for the weekend), we can brag about our racetracks a little bit, show 'em how good they are in the Pennsylvania and Maryland area."

WHEN:

* On Fri., Aug. 4, the WoO LMS visits the DIRT MotorSports-owned Lernerville Speedway for the 'Summer Showdown in Sarver Town 50.' Pit gates will open at 4 p.m. and spectator gates at 5 p.m. Hot- aps are scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m., with time trials at 7:15 p.m. and racing at 8 p.m.

* The WoO LMS will headline the '25th Silver Anniversary Conococheague 50' on Sat., Aug. 5, at Hagerstown Speedway. Pit gates will open at 4 p.m. and spectator gates at 5 p.m. Hot laps are set to commence at 7 p.m., followed by time trials at 7:30 p.m. and racing afterward.

WHERE:

* Lernerville Speedway is a half-mile, high-banked oval located north of Pittsburgh. To get to the track, take Exit 48 off the PA Turnpike (I-76), travel north on SR 28 to Exit 17, then 4.6 miles north on SR 356.

* Hagerstown Speedway is a half-mile, semi-banked oval located just below the Mason-Dixon Line. Take I-81 to Exit 6B, then travel 5.3 miles west on SR 40.

TICKETS:

* At Lernerville, general admission for adults (ages 17 and up) is $27, senior citizens is $24, students (ages 11-16) is $13 and under 10 is free.  Reserved seats are available for $29 (adults), $26 (senior citizens) and $14 (youths ages 16 and under). Pit admission is $25 for DIRT members and $34 for non-members.

* Hagerstown's program offers adult general admission for $30 and adult reserved seats for $35, and children 12 years of age receive free general admission. Pit passes are $35.

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

* There have been five WoO LMS events contested at Lernerville Speedway. Chub Frank has two wins (April 23, 2004, and Aug. 12, 2005), and single  ictories have been claimed by Dale McDowell (Aug. 13, 2004), Billy Moyer (April 29, 2005) and Rick Eckert (April 18, 2005).

* Hagerstown Speedway has hosted four WoO LMS programs. Rick Eckert won the two events in 2004 (April 24 and July 24), and Tim McCreadie captured the two races run in 2005 (July 8 and July 9).

INFO:
 
* For more information on Lernerville's event, visit www.lernerville.com  or call 724-353-1511.

* To find out more about Hagerstown's show, visit www.hagerstownspeedway.com  or call 301-582-0640.

WHAT THEY THINK:

* Chub Frank on Lernerville Speedway: "It's one of the best prepared tracks in the country. You go there and you know you're gonna have a track to race on. They (the track crew) do a great job, and the place has good clay. The only time it gets close to being a one-lane racetrack is if it gets way too big a cushion - and even then you can still pass, but it's a little more difficult."

* Frank on the discontinued Hoosier tires that he has stashed away and still uses with great success at Lernerville: "That 35 (compound) tire definitely works good there. I still got a few left. 

"Everybody can get them tires; they just act like they can't get 'em."

* Rick Eckert on competing at Lernerville: "The racetrack is awesome. You get there and it's wide-open fast, and by the last lap of the feature it's so slow you can almost walk around it faster. That means it's just a real racy place. Anytime you can go to a racetrack like that, it's a lot of fun.

"I've never seen a bad track there. There's never any chance of it rubbering up (becoming one-lane)."

* Eckert on his victory at Lernerville earlier this year: "It was icy-slippery and I was the only one to 'get in the infield' - I mean, get low enough to get in the traction. The racetrack was a little different than
it's been in the past. There was just a little more moisture, and that's why Chub's tires didn't work like they usually do. Chub usually dominates that place; he's tough there."

* Eckert on racing in front of family and friends at Hagerstown, which hosts the WoO LMS event that is closest to his home in York, Pa.: "I like to get a chance to race close to home. The old man (Rick's father Junior) will bring a bus load of people (24 or more) to the race. I think they have as good a time on the way down and back as they do at the track."

WEEKEND STORYLINES:

* Will WoO LMS points leader Billy Moyer finally break through for his first tour victory of the season?

* Will Rick Eckert sweep the weekend to tie Scott Bloomquist's WoO LMS single-season win record of 10 (established in 2004)?

* Can the very competitive regulars at Lernerville and Hagerstown shoot down the WoO LMS invaders?

ON THE INTERNET: If fans can't get to a track to see the tour, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com  and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.

ON TELEVISION: The Friday-night action at Lernerville Speedway will be captured by the SPEED cameras for broadcast on the network on Sun., Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. EST.

The SPEED coverage of World of Outlaws Late Model Series action -- hosted by lead commentator Rick Benjamin along with color man Shane Andrews and pit reporter Mark Kenyon - has seven Sunday-night airdates left in 2006.

2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Standings & Statistical Update - after 7-29-06 (Pos.- river-Residence-Races Entered-Starts-Wins-Top 5s-Top 10s-Fast Times-Heat Wins-Dash Wins-B-Main Wins-Earnings-Points-Trail By)

1. Billy Moyer-Batesville,AR-21-21-0-10-19-2-8-1-1-$48,800-2,876-0
2. Tim McCreadie-Watertown,NY-21-21-1-9-16-4-7-0-0-$63,800-2,870-6
3. Darrell Lanigan-Union,KY-21-21-2-11-17-0-9-4-1-$60,100-2,856-20
4. Rick Eckert-York,PA-21-21-8-11-14-1-7-2-1-$100,200-2,850-26
5. Shane Clanton-Locust Grove,GA-21-21-0-9-16-2-8-2-1-$46,500-2,844-32
6. Steve Francis-Ashland,KY-21-21-2-9-16-1-8-0-1-$70,600-2,832-44
7. Chub Frank-Bear Lake,PA-21-21-2-6-15-1-4-1-1-$58,100-2,820-56
8. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga,GA-21-21-0-5-14-0-3-1-0-$37,900-2,736-140
9. Clint Smith-Senoia,GA-21-21-3-7-12-0-3-3-2-$55,410-2,707-169
10. Josh Richards-Shinnston,WV-21-21-0-3-12-2-2-1-1-$28,300-2,678-198
11. Eddie Carrier Jr.R-Salt Rock,WV-20-19-0-1-2-0-1-0-2-$16,610-2,369-507
12. John Blankenship-Williamson,WV-21-17-0-1-6-0-1-0-2-$21,640-2,350-526
13. Eric JacobsenR-Santa Cruz,CA-21-18-0-0-1-0-0-0-1-$14,130-2,291-585
14. Garrett DurrettR-Simsboro,LA-21-18-0-0-1-0-0-0-4-$14,100-2,271-605
15. Mike Balzano-Parkersburg,WV-9-7-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-$6,220-998-1,878

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.

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Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com

July 31, 2006

 

Deer Creek Speedway Heartland Nationals: World of Outlaws Late Model Series
News & Notes

STILL ON TOP: Defending WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer uncharacteristically
remained winless on this year’s tour after last week’s three-event Midwest
swing.

But even after experiencing his worst outing of the season on Friday night
(July 28) at Deer Creek Speedway and momentarily falling into a tie for the
points lead with Tim McCreadie, Moyer left Minnesota on Saturday night with
sole possession of the top spot in the standings.

On Friday night Moyer was lapped by eventual winner Darrell Lanigan on lap
43 of the 50-lap main – the first time this season that Moyer failed to
complete the entire distance of a WoO LMS event. After the subpar run, his
performance record showed he had completed 999 of 1,000 possible laps in 20
features.

Moyer pulled out his newer Rayburn car for Saturday’s action at Deer Creek
and registered a seventh-place finish.

FRUSTRATING NIGHT: McCreadie relished having an opportunity to assume the
points lead on Saturday night at Deer Creek, but he couldn’t take advantage
of it.

In the final analysis, however, he felt fortunate to end the evening
trailing Moyer by only six points.

McCreadie’s night went bad right from the start. After deciding to run his
more freshly-skinned Sweeteners Plus No. 39 – the car he raced on Friday
night sported many battle scars, including a flapping number decal on its
left-side door – the machine developed fuel pickup problems during time
trials. The mechanical trouble led him to drive directly to his trailer
following his qualifying laps – a move that earned him a DQ from time trials
for not going to the scales.

McCreadie tried to run the problematic car in a heat after his crew worked
on it, but the fuel-pickup issue returned on the opening lap and knocked him
out. He then qualified the car he used on Friday through the B-Main, but
terminal engine trouble (an apparent broken lifter) with that mount cropped
up in the final laps and forced his team to hastily ready the car they had
just parked.

No further problems hampered McCreadie in the feature, which he finished a
respectable 10th.

“We salvaged the night,” said McCreadie, who was scheduled to fly home early
Sunday morning to compete in a televised DIRT Modified event that evening at
Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport, N.Y. “We could’ve taken a big hit
in the points, but we stayed close to Moyer.”

MORE CAR SWAPPING: Rick Eckert, who entered Saturday’s program at Deer Creek
trailing Moyer by just 10 points, slapped the outside concrete barrier
between turns three and four during his second time-trial lap.

He wasn’t a factor for the remainder of the show.

“I just drove ‘er in the wall,” mourned Eckert. “It broke the A-frame and
some other stuff.”

Eckert ran the repaired No. 24 in a heat, but he failed to qualify. He
switched to his backup car and transferred through the B-Main, but was
involved in a lap-10 tangle in the feature and struggled to a 15th-place
finish.

ROUGH START, GREAT FINISH: Clint Smith began his weekend at Deer Creek
Speedway with a thud – while playing some football with fellow tour
travelers upon arriving at the track on Thursday, he hit his head on the
ground and knocked himself silly.

After shaking out the cobwebs, Smith returned to his early-season form with
two spectacular performances. He drove from the 18th starting spot to a
third-place finish in Friday’s main, then dominated Saturday’s feature to
win for the first time since he captured two of the first four WoO LMS
events in 2006.

Plenty of hard work was behind Smith’s success.

On Friday, Smith’s crew discovered that a head-gasket had started seeping
and fouled a spark-plug during the B-Main. As a result, his chief mechanic,
Johnny Cloer, “changed the (engine’s) rocker arms and swapped the plugs,”
said Smith, “and then we poured a can of stop-leak in it right before the
feature.”

The motor powered Smith to a third-place finish from deep in the field, but
it still didn’t feel right to him. So Smith and Cloer spent Saturday
afternoon changing engines in the blazing sun – with the payoff being a
$10,000 first-place check.

The sweat-filled day and evening had Smith ready for some rest.

“It’s been a long day,” he said while signing autographs at his hauler, “and
it’s gonna be a short night because we’re not going far.”

BACK ON TRACK: Steve Francis snapped out of a slump with a second-place
finish on Saturday after spending the afternoon analyzing his recent
problems.

“Tommy Grecco (McCreadie’s chief mechanic) was down here a little bit with
us today,” said Francis. “He kinda went through some things with us, and we
talked about some things. It was a real helpful discussion. Sometimes you
just have to get a little different perspective on what you’re missing.”

After Grecco departed, “We pulled out last year’s notebook and made sure
we’re doing everything we’ve been doing in the past,” said Francis.

GREAT WEEKEND: Rising Upper Midwest dirt Late Model racer Brady Smith got
the attention of the WoO LMS big boys at Deer Creek.

Smith, 29, of Salon Springs, Wis., kicked off his weekend by setting a new
track record on Friday to record his first career fast-time award on the
tour. A penalty for jumping the initial start of the first heat definitely
hampered him the rest of the night – he placed fourth in the heat and thus
started 13th in the feature – but he still finished a respectable eighth.

Things went better for Smith on Saturday. He won a heat and drove to a
head-turning third-place finish in the main, which improved his best-ever
WoO LMS run he had authored just the previous night.

“We’re not accustomed to running on an open tire rule,” said Smith, who
began racing dirt Late Models in 2001 and is in his second season as a
fulltime competitor in the division. “But we’re learning. I think we’re
getting better at choosing the right tires.”

Smith, whose homebase in northern Wisconsin makes for long hauls to most
events, plans to enter a few more WoO LMS and/or DIRT MotorSports-affiliated
shows this season. One race he wants to enter is the Sept. 8-9 World 100 at
Ohio’s Eldora Speedway, which is sanctioned by DIRT’s UMP division, but he
can’t commit to it because his wife Jenni is due to give birth to the
couple’s third child the week before the race.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: The WoO LMS’s visit to Deer Creek gave teenage
sensation Josh Richards a chance to race reasonably close to the
headquarters of his team’s major sponsor, Seubert Calf Ranches in
Dorchester, Wis.

But the company’s owner, Mike Seubert, didn’t make the three-and-a-half-hour
trip to Deer Lake for the weekend. Richards’s father, Rocket Chassis
co-owner Mark Richards, said Seubert prefers to attend only races close to
his home.

Seubert, who has sponsored Josh’s efforts since the youngster launched his
dirt Late Model career in 2004, is a big supporter of the sport. He fields a
dirt Late Model team for Kerry Hansen of Spencer, Wis., who entered last
weekend’s action at Deer Creek, and sponsors numerous racers.

ETCETERA…

* Friday’s feature was the first caution-free WoO LMS headliner since May 30
at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.Dak. – a race that was also won
by Darrell Lanigan.

* Chub Frank made some of the most exciting moves of Saturday night’s
feature, tossing his car around the extreme outside of the track following a
lap-10 caution period. His attempts to reprise the daredevil antics he
displayed in his earlier visit this season to Deer Creek – in that event, he
climbed the wall one lap but continued racing – got him as high as fifth
place, but the top went away after a few green-flag circuits and he settled
for a finish of sixth.

* WoO LMS regular John Blankenship was eliminated from Saturday’s feature
after he slammed into Eric Jacobsen’s spinning car between turns one and two
on lap 10. Moisture from Blankenship’s busted radiator dripped down the
banking during the cleanup.

* WoO LMS rookie of the year contender Garrett Durrett was scheduled to fly
home to Simsboro, La., on Sunday so he could help put together a new Rocket
car for this weekend’s tour doubleheader at Pennsy’s Lernerville Speedway
and Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

Durrett, whose chief mechanic was headed to Darrell Lanigan’s shop in Union,
Ky., with the team’s hauler after Deer Creek, is planning to tow the new car
north after it’s completed.

* Wisconsin’s Jimmy Mars was happy to finish fourth in Saturday’s main after
experiencing a frustrating Friday night at Deer Creek. He dropped out of a
heat and the B-Main due to problems with his car’s electrical system, then
managed just a 13th-place finish after getting into the feature thanks to a
provisional starting spot.

* Aspiring dirt Late Model driver Billy Moyer Jr., the teenage son of the
reigning WoO LMS champ, spent last week’s Midwest Tour assisting his
father’s effort.

The younger Moyer reported that he’s set to begin his first year of college
at Arkansas State University. He told WoO LMS officials on Saturday that he
expects to have a good year at school because his semester “starts on August
21” – which happens to be his father’s trademark number.

* Visitors to Deer Creek Speedway can’t help but notice the spic-and-span
facility’s unique watering system.

Rather than use a typical water truck to moisten the surface, Deer Creek’s
track-prep team employs a giant ‘Terra-Gator’ agricultural tractor that is
equipped with a retractable crop-sprayer. The crop-sprayer apparatus unfolds
behind the tractor to cover the track’s entire width with a steady stream of
water.

* DIRT MotorSports posted $1,000 in non-touring driver bonus bucks each
night. The cash was split up both nights among 10 drivers who haven’t won
WoO LMS feature events or weren’t ranked in the top 20 of a national series.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country
by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire;
Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The
University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART
Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master,
Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.

Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com



Pole Position Start Propels Clint Smith To Convincing Victory In World of Outlaws Late Model Series Heartland Nationals Finale At Deer Creek Speedway



SPRING VALLEY, MN – July 29, 2006 - A problem-free qualifying effort helped put Clint Smith on the pole position for Saturday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Heartland Nationals’ finale at Deer Creek Speedway.

And that spelled a convincing victory for the driver known as ‘Cat Daddy,’ who dominated the 50-lap feature 24 hours after making a sterling charge from 18th to third in the weekend’s opening event.

“We didn’t get behind early in the night,” said Smith, who had to play catch-up on Friday after breaking a left-rear brake rotor during time trials. “That was the difference tonight. We qualified good (sixth-fastest), and that put us up front.”

Smith, 41, of Senoia, Ga., was outgunned for the lead at the initial green flag by outside-polesitter Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., but that was his only hiccup in the race. He nipped Francis for the top spot on lap 10 – seconds before a caution flag flew – and held firm control for the remainder of the distance.

Francis finished a half-straightaway behind Smith in second place. Brady Smith of Salon Springs, Wis., was third, followed by Jimmy Mars of Menominee, Wis., and Friday-night winner Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.

With the main running without interruption after three caution flags were needed on lap 10, Clint pulled away from Francis and cruised alone in front. He was never seriously challenged en route to his third WoO LMS triumph of the 2006 season and first-ever at Deer Creek.

It was Smith’s first series win since March 17 at Baton Rouge (La.) Raceway. He also won the season opener, on Feb. 4 at Golden Isles Speedway in Waycross, Ga.

”This whole (Midwest) trip we picked it up every night,” said Smith, who earned $10,000 for his fifth career win on the country’s premier dirt Late Model tour. “Last night was a big turnaround, and now I think we got a good car and motor combination for next weekend (WoO LMS events at Pennsy’s Lernerville Speedway and Maryland’s Hagerstown Speedway).”

Despite his strong performance on Friday, Smith changed the motor in his GRT No. 44 for the finale. He craved more power, and he got it.

“This one has about 120 more horsepower,” said Smith, who made the engine change with his crewman Johnny Cloer in sweltering Saturday-afternoon heat that approached 100 degrees. “It’s a powerhouse.”

Smith’s stout RaceTek motor – and his tire choice – gave him the confidence to easily overcome his slow start.

“When I felt like I was hanging with (Francis) for the first five laps, I thought I’d be alright,” analyzed Smith, who co-owns his J.P. Drilling-backed team with Jerry Passmore. “I knew my car was coming in, so I just had to be patient.

“Once I got out front I could use the whole racetrack and that helped me get away. My guy (Cloer) gave me signals (from the infield) and told me where to go.”

Francis, 38, had no answer for Smith’s speed.

“Actually, I was just a tad harder on the right-rear (tire compound) than he was,” said Francis, who drove his familiar Mopar Performance Rocket No. 15. “But we didn’t have anything for Clint. He just had a really, really good car.

“We knew after seeing how good (Smith) was last night that we were gonna have our hands full.”

A $6,000 runner-up finish was satisfying to Francis, whose recent struggles have dropped him to sixth in the WoO LMS points standings.

“We just needed a good finish,” said Francis, who noted that his car’s tight condition allowed Smith to get inside of him for the lead. “We were probably a little conservative on everything because we have been struggling so much -- we could’ve probably put a little more gear in to run that bottom – but we’re just happy to turn things around.”

Quietly authoring a noteworthy run behind Smith and Francis was Brady Smith, a 29-year-old making his eighth appearance of the season with the WoO LMS.

Smith, who set fast time on Friday with a new-track-record circuit around the three-eighths-mile oval, inherited third place on lap 10 when Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, slowed with brake problems as he was closely tailing Francis and Clint Smith. Brady stayed there to the finish, solidly holding the position about a half-straightaway behind Francis.

It was easily Smith’s best career finish in WoO LMS competition. His previous best was the eighth place he scored on Friday night.

“We’re real happy,” said Smith, who drove his Amsoil/Big Red Motorsports No. 2. “These guys are some of the best, so to run third against them is a big accomplishment for us.”

PRELIMINARIES: Birkhofer’s lap of 14.54 seconds was best in time trials for the show, which attracted a field of 30 cars.

Heat winners were Brady Smith, Lanigan and Clint Smith. Lance Matthees won the B-Main and Clint Smith topped the pole dash.

POINTS BATTLE CHANGES: Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., broke out of a tie for the points lead with Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., using a seventh-place finish to build a six-point edge over McCreadie.

McCreadie was fortunate to remain second in the standings after a frustrating night in which he was disqualified from his time-trial lap for failing to report to the scales and changed cars twice. He salvaged a 10th-place finish after starting 22nd.

Title contender Rick Eckert of York, Pa., also struggled. He hit the outside wall between turns three and four during his time-trial bid, then went to a backup car before the feature and finished a dismal 15th.

Eckert’s subpar outing dropped him to fourth in the points standings, behind the surging Lanigan.

Results of WoO Late Model Series(Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won): 1. (1) Clint Smith/50 $10,000; 2. (2) Steve Francis/50 $6,000; 3. (4) Brady Smith/50 $3,500; 4. (10) Jimmy Mars/50 $2,500; 5. (5) Darrell Lanigan/50 $2,200; 6. (9) Chub Frank/50 $2,000; 7. (6) Billy Moyer/50 $1,800; 8. (15) Dale McDowell/50 $1,600; 9. (7) Josh Richards/50 $1,400; 10. (22) Tim McCreadie/50 $1,200; 11. (8) Shane Clanton/50 $1,000; 12. (12) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $900; 13. (18) Garrett Durrett/50 $800; 14. (3) Brian Birkhofer/50 $700; 15. (21) Rick Eckert/50 $700; 16. (14) Justin Fegers/49 $700; 17. (16) Eric Jacobsen/49 $700; 18. (11) Kerry Hansen/49 $700; 19. (20) Gary Webb/48 $700; 20. (24) Barry Underdahl/43 $700; 21. (19) Lance Matthees/25 $700; 22. (25) Jerry Bloom/14 $700; 23. (17) Chad Simpson/10 $700; 24. (13) John Blankenship/10 $700; 25. (23) Andrew McKay/8 $700.

Yellow Flags: 3 (all on Lap 10)
Lap Leaders: Francis (1-9); C. Smith (10-50)
Provisional Starters: McKay, Underdahl, Bloom

Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.54
2. 15-Steve Francis/Ashhland, KY 14.66
3. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 14.77
4. 2-Brady Smith/Salon Springs, WI 14.80
5. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 14.83
6. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.84
7. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.85
8. 25H-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 14.85
9. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 14.87
10. 28m-Jimmy Mars/Menominee, WI 14.87
11. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.89
12. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.94
13. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 14.95
14. F15-Justin Fegers/Mound, MN 14.96
15. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 15.01
16. 5-Eric Jacobsen/Santa Cruz, CA 15.09
17. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 15.09
18. 58c-Garrett Durrett/Simsboro, LA 15.15
19. 71-Andrew McKay/Edina, MN 15.16
20. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 15.19
21. 90-Lance Matthees/Winona, MN 15.30
22. 95-Keith Foss/Winona, MN 15.44
23. 3-Barry Underdahl/Cannon Falls, MN 15.47
24. 56-Gary Webb/Bluegrass, IA 15.50
25. 55-Kevin Kuehn/Winona, MN 15.83
26. 79k-Nick Kramer/Pine Island, MN 16.61
27. 35-Jerry Bloom/Grand Meadow, MN 16.89
28. 33-Joe Ludemann/Grand Meadow, MN 17.21
29. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY N/T-DQ
30. 177-Troy Brand/Winona, MN N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps - Top 6 Transfer): B. Smith, Birkhofer, Richards, Mars, Blankenship, Jacobsen, Foss, Kuehn, Ludemann (DNS) McKay.

Heat No. 2 (10 laps - Top 6 Transfer): Lanigan, Francis, Clanton, Hansen, Fegers, Simpson, Eckert, Underdahl, Kramer, McCreadie.

Heat No. 3 (10 laps - Top 6 Transfer): C. Smith, Moyer, Frank, Carrier, McDowell, Durrett, Matthees, Webb, Bloom (DNS) Brand.

B-Main (12 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Matthees, Webb, Eckert, McCreadie, McKay, Underdahl, Kramer, Kuehn, Bloom, Ludemann (DNS) Foss, Brand.

Dash (6 laps): C. Smith, Francis, Birkhofer, B. Smith, Lanigan, Moyer.

WoO Late Model Series Points Standings (after July 29): 1. Billy Moyer 2,876; 2. Tim McCreadie 2,870; 3. Darrell Lanigan 2,856; 4. Rick Eckert 2,850; 5. Shane Clanton 2,844; 6. Steve Francis 2,832; 7. Chub Frank 2,820; 8. Dale McDowell 2,740; 9. Clint Smith 2,707; 10. Josh Richards 2,678; 11. Eddie Carrier Jr. 2,369; 12. John Blankenship 2,350; 13. Eric Jacobsen 2,291; 14. Garrett Durrett 2,271; 15. Mike Balzano 998; 16. Brady Smith 953; 17. Jimmy Mars 932; 18. Brian Birkhofer 877; 19. Ricky Elliott 849; 20. Billy Decker 783.

LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.


 

Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com



Lanigan’s Latest Deer Creek Speedway Win Comes In Caution-Free World of Outlaws Late Model Series Heartland Nationals Opener



SPRING VALLEY, MN – July 28, 2006 - There’s something about Deer Creek Speedway that agrees with Darrell Lanigan.

The Union, Ky., star emerged victorious at the track for the second time in three World of Outlaws Late Model Series visits over the past two seasons, capturing Friday night’s 50-lap opener of the ‘Heartland Nationals.’

“We just run good here,” a smiling Lanigan said after coming out on top of a hard-fought, caution-free feature. “It’s the type of racetrack I like. I hate the one-lane tracks, and at this place if you’re fast, you can pass on the top or bottom.”

Lanigan’s Cornett Ford-powered Rocket car had plenty of speed in it on Saturday -- as evidenced by his victory margin of nearly a full straightaway over Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who finished ahead of hard-charging 18th-starter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.

But getting to the finish line first for the second time this season on the WoO LMS was a real battle for Lanigan.

Lanigan, 36, raced off the outside pole to grab the lead from Clanton at the initial green flag and paced the main’s first 26 laps. His hopes appeared to be fading, however, after Rick Eckert of York, Pa., who had relentlessly pressured Lanigan for the top spot since lap five, overtook him to assume command on the 27th circuit.

Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., followed Eckert past Lanigan, and on lap 28 the surging McDowell snared the lead from Eckert.

“We went a little harder on tires (compounds) than most guys, so I thought I’d still have enough to come back and win if my tire would ever come in,” analyzed Lanigan, whose previous WoO LMS triumph at Deer Creek came on June 6, 2005, in the three-eighths-mile oval’s annual ‘Gopher 50’ event. “I thought I could maybe run them back down.”

Two twists of fate made that a moot point for Lanigan.

First, on lap 28, Lanigan and Eckert came together in turn one. Eckert somehow kept his Raye Vest-owned car from spinning, but after getting out of shape and bounding over the infield berm he found himself in fifth place.

Eckert, who started fourth, never recovered. Hampered by a left-rear tire that got “tore up pretty good” from rubbing bodywork, he faded to a ninth-place finish.

“We were changing lanes awful fast, we really were,” said Eckert, whose WoO LMS-best eight wins in ’06 have him two away from Scott Bloomquist’s single-season record of 10. “I was wide on the straightaway and wanted to go to the bottom of the corner, and Darrell apparently already stuck his nose in there and we got together.

“I don’t think it was anything he tried. It just wasn’t our day.”

Lanigan felt bad about the contact that knocked Eckert from contention.

“He was turning and I was coming in on the bottom,” said Lanigan. “I got him in the door and almost spun myself out.

“I apologize to Eckert. It was nothing intentional.”

Lanigan sent the ensuing laps trying in vain to keep pace with McDowell, who was gunning for his first WoO LMS win of the season. Lanigan finally regained the point when McDowell’s frustrating campaign continued thanks to a leaking oil line that forced him to retire on lap 37.

“A fitting cracked or something,” mourned McDowell, whose Rocket No. 17M began showing smoke on lap 30. “After the (warning) light came on and the oil pressure started to fluctuate, I shut it down. I looked up at the board and saw there was still 15 laps left, and I knew it wasn’t gonna make it.”

The strong run did raise McDowell’s spirits, however.

“You hate to break when you’re up there,” he said, “but it’s better than breaking (while) in the back.”

Lanigan gladly accepted the free pass back to the front.

“It took a little luck to get the lead,” said Lanigan, who registered his sixth career win on the WoO LMS. “But we’ve had bad luck the last month, so maybe it’s time it turned around a little bit.”

With Lanigan cruising alone at the head of the pack, Clanton spent the final laps fighting hard to maintain second place. He managed to match his season-high finish of second, achieved on May 5 at Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Peebles, Ohio.

“We had a good car tonight, but just went a little too soft on the right-rear (tire),” said Clanton, who drove the RSD Enterprises Rocket No. 25. “And the lap Dale (McDowell) dropped out, we broke a right-side header. I had just gotten up to Lanigan when it happened.

“You probably lose 50 or 60 horsepower when a header breaks, so we’re tickled to death with a second-place finish. We need that (first) win (of 2006), but we’re not that far from it.”

Smith, 41, was the race’s biggest mover. He started deep in the field after qualifying through the B-Main because a broken left-rear brake rotor dive-bombed his time-trial effort, but smoothly made his way forward.

The driver know as ‘Cat Daddy’ cracked the top five with just over 10 laps remaining. He reached third on the final lap, passing Birkhofer with some help from an unlikely lapped car.

“We were passing them the whole race, but we just didn’t get noticed,” said Smith. “We got up to fifth, and it was like, Where did this guy come from?

“I caught Birkhofer real fast, but he kinda had the sweet part of the racetrack. Then we caught (Blly) Moyer on the last lap, and that held up Birkhofer enough for me to clear him at the flagstand.”

PRELIMINARIES: Brady Smith of Salon Springs, Wis., recorded fast-time honors in WoO LMS competition for the first time in his career after turning a lap of 14.27 seconds. He broke the track record set by Moyer on June 1, 2006.

Heat winners were Clanton, Eckert, Lanigan and McDowell. Eric Jacobsen of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Clint Smith captured the B-Mains, and Clanton topped the pole dash.

STANDINGS GET TIGHTER: Moyer’s worst outing of the ’06 season – he was 16th and failed to complete the entire feature distance for the first time in 20 events – erased his entire 20-point lead over Tim McCreadie.

Moyer and McCreadie ended the night tied atop the WoO LMS points standings. Eckert found himself 10 points back in third, and Lanigan and Clanton moved into a tie for fourth place (24 points out of first).

Results of WoO Late Model Series(Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won): 1. (2) Darrell Lanigan/50 $10,000; 2. (1) Shane Clanton/50 $6,000; 3. (18) Clint Smith/50 $3,500; 4. (8) Brian Birkhofer/50 $2,500; 5. (9) Josh Richards/50 $2,200; 6. (7) Tim McCreadie/50 $2,000; 7. (11) Chub Frank/50 $1,800; 8. (13) Brady Smith/50 $1,600; 9. (4) Rick Eckert/50 $1,400; 10. (12) Steve Francis/50 $1,200; 11. (5) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $1,000; 12. (6) Justin Fegers/50 $900; 13. (23) Jimmy Mars/50 $800; 14. (20) Garrett Durrett/50 $700; 15. (16) John Blankenship/50 $700; 16. (15) Billy Moyer/49 $700; 17. (17) Eric Jacobsen/49 $700; 18. (22) Mike Prochnow/49 $700; 19. (21) Lance Mathees/43 $700; 20. (3) Dale McDowell/37 $700; 21. (25) Barry Underdahl/27 $700; 22. (24) Gary Webb/16 $700; 23. (10) Keith Foss/9 $700; 24. (19) Kerry Hansen/7 $700; 25. (14) Andrew McKay/3 $700.
Yellow Flags: NoneLap Leaders: Lanigan (1-26); Eckert (27); McDowell (28-37); Lanigan (38-50).
Provisional Starters: Mars, Webb, Underdahl


Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 2-Brady Smith/Salon Springs, WI 14.27
2. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.42
3. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.48
4. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 14.49
5. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 14.56
6. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 14.57
7. 29-Darrel Lanigan/Union, KY 14.65
8. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 14.67
9. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 14.67
10. F15-Justin Fegers/Mound, MN 14.69
11. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AK 14.72
12. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 14.77
13. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.78
14. 95-Keith Foss/Winona, MN 14.78
15. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.83
16. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 14.90
17. 25H-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 14.91
18. 90-Lance Mathees/Winona, MN 14.96
19. 58c-Garrett Durrett/Simsboro, LA 14.96
20. 25s-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 14.97
21. 5-Eric Jacobsen/Santa Cruz, CA 15.08
22. 71-Andrew McKay/Edina, MN 15.21
23. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.23
24. 68-Mike Prochnow/Menominee, WI 15.26
25. 177-Troy Brand/Winona, MN 15.37
26. 56-Gary Webb/Bluegrass, IA 15.52
27. 51-Joel Cryderman/Thunder Bay, ONT 15.68
28. 55-Kevin Kuehn/Winona, MN 15.84
29. 35-Jerry Bloom/Grand Meadow/MN 16.17
30. 79K-Nick Kramer/Pine Island, MN 16.88
31. 33-Joe Ludemann/Grand Meadow, MN 16.890
32. 22-Jill George/Cedar Falls, IA (DQ-Light)
33. 3-Barry Underdahl/Cannon Falls, MN (N/T)

Heat No. 1 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Carrier, Richards, B. Smith, Jacobsen, Hansen, Bloom, Underdahl, Brand.

Heat No. 2 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Eckert, Fegers, Foss, McKay, Mathees, Webb, Mars, Kramer.

Heat No. 3 (10 laps - Top 4 Transfer): Lanigan, McCreadie, Frank, Moyer, C. Smith, Durrett, Cryderman, Ludemann.

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): McDowell, Birkhofer, Francis, Blankenship, Simpson, Prochnow, Kuehn, George.

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Jacobsen, Hansen, Mathees, Webb, Underdahl, Brand, Kramer, Bloom (DNS) Mars.

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): C. Smith, Durrett, Prochnow, Cryderman, Simpson, Kuehn, Ludemann, George.

Dash (6 laps): Clanton, Lanigan, McDowell, Eckert.

WoO Late Model Series Points Standings (after July 28): 1. (tie) Tim McCreadie 2,740; 1. (tie) Billy Moyer 2,740; 3. Rick Eckert 2,730; 4. (tie) Shane Clanton 2,716; 4. (tie) Darrell Lanigan 2,716; 6. Steve Francis 2,686; 7. Chub Frank 2,682; 8. Dale McDowell 2,606; 9. Clint Smith 2,557; 10. Josh Richards 2,546; 11. John Blankenship 2,248; 12. Eddie Carrier Jr. 2,243; 13. Eric Jacobsen 2,175; 14. Garrett Durrett 2,147; 15. Mike Balzano 998; 16. Ricky Elliott 849; 17. Brady Smith 809; 18. Jimmy Mars 790; 19. Billy Decker 783; 20. Brian Birkhofer 755.

LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com  and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.



 

Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com



K-C Raceway/July 22, 2006: World of Outlaws Late Model Series News & Notes



CHILLICOTHE, OH – July 22, 2006 –



BACK ON TRACK: Tim McCreadie and his Sweeteners Plus Racing crew had become sick of seeing a big, fat ‘0’ in their win column on this year’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

So they dedicated themselves to changing that stat during the tour’s recent off week – and the result was McCreadie’s first WoO LMS victory of 2006 in Saturday night’s 50-lap Veterans Appreciation Weekend at Jim Near’s K-C Raceway.

“We worked hard last week changing the car around,” McCreadie said of his Rocket machine. “We decided to go with a whole different shock package to see if it would help, and it must be working well.”

McCreadie, who entered four races in three different states from July 13-16 to help get his groove back for the remainder of the WoO LMS schedule, is now confident he’s ready to make a serious run at the points title.

“At least we’re back in the game,” he said. “We’ve been struggling, but I think we’ve found something.”

STILL SEARCHING: The frustration of being winless on the ’06 WoO LMS was evident in points leader Billy Moyer’s post-race demeanor at K-C.

After settling for third place in a race that had seen him make several bids for the lead, Moyer climbed out of his Rayburn No. 21, leaned against a cabinet inside his enclosed trailer and stared stoically at his mount. The dirt Late Model superstar was trying to figure out what he must do to break through like McCreadie just had.

“The wins will come I think,” he said, still aware that his 17 top-10 finishes in 18 events have him in the driver’s seat for a second straight championship. “It seems like we’ve gotten better at mid-season. We still have to step our program up a little bit more, but we’re close.”

TOUGH NIGHT: Dale McDowell, who won three WoO LMS events last season, remained without a triumph in ’06 after experiencing another headache-inducing evening.

The Chickamauga, Ga., standout seemed primed to snap out of his funk after registering the second-fastest lap in K-C’s time trials, but he failed to transfer in his heat race despite starting from the pole position. He then dropped out of the B-Main due to a broken spur gear on his Rocket No. 17M.

McDowell and Co. hastily fixed the problem and he used a provisional to start the feature, but more mechanical trouble sidelined him after 33 laps. His 23rd-place finish dropped him further out of title contention; he’s in eighth place, 132 points behind Moyer.

FALLING: Steve Francis, last year’s WoO LMS championship runner-up by virtue of a tie-breaker, needs to right his ship with alacrity if he plans to claim the title in 2006.

Saturday night marked the second straight subpar outing for Francis, who has gone from third in the standings (10 points behind) to sixth place (58 points in arrears) in that span.

Francis, who lost the final transfer position in the third heat to local Mark Frazier of Chillicothe, Ohio, on the last lap, won the B-Main but discovered a broken rocker arm in his car’s engine afterward. He pulled out his backup car and started last in the feature, which he finished in the 17th spot.

OFF-WEEK ACTIVITY: Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., who extended his lead in the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year battle with a 16th-place finish in Saturday’s 50-lapper, didn’t use the tour’s open date on July 15 to turn some extra laps.

Instead, Carrier attended his car owner Carl Grover’s wedding in Milton, W.Va.

COMING ON STRONG: A new car has seemingly made all the difference for 18-year-old Josh Richards.

The 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year set fast time in qualifying and finished fourth in the main on Saturday night. His second consecutive top-five finish – his only top-fives of the season, in fact – came in the same Rocket House Car he debuted in the last WoO LMS show, on July 8 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio.

“I don’t know what it is about the car,” said Richards. “Sometimes you just get a car that you feel real comfortable in.”

Richards survived a couple close calls in K-C’s feature. On lap 20 he nearly spun off turn two after coming together with former Rocket House Car driver Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Ohio, while battling for fourth, and one lap later his machine sustained right-side bodywork damage when he got a piece of Aaron Bapst’s spun car in turn four.

FORMER OUTLAW: Hartman, who was a regular on the WoO LMS during its inaugural campaign in 2004, made his fifth appearance with the tour this season. He started and finished sixth in his familiar yellow No. 75, but he fell to the edge of the top 10 before making a strong rally late in the distance.

Hartman said he’d love to travel the WoO LMS again in the future, but currently he can only race locally due to manpower and business constraints. With the recent departure of his team’s fulltime mechanic, getting a car ready to race has become more difficult for Hartman, whose position as a construction site foreman has been taking him to a job two hours away in West Virginia every day.

ETCETERA: Rick Eckert wasn’t able to draw closer to Scott Bloomquist’s WoO LMS single-season win record of 10 (set in 2004). His fifth-place finish kept him at eight victories with 16 scheduled events left…

Red-hot Seaford, Del., driver Ricky Elliott steered Butch Warrington’s No. 91 to a 12th-place finish in his seventh WoO LMS appearance of the season. He’s 16th in the tour points standings – the second-highest ranked driver who’s not a regular with the series.

Elliott has a total of 10 dirt Late Model feature wins in 2006. He’s in a battle with Eckert, who has 11 overall victories, to be the Northeast’s winningest dirt Late Model driver…

Davey Johnson of Latrobe, Pa., spun in turn four on the last lap of the first heat seconds after Richards passed him for second place. Johnson’s Dale Beitler-owned team then loaded up and headed home without running a B-Main…

Andrew Reaume, 22, of Blenheim, Ont., crossed the border to compete with his Rocket No. 88. One of just two Canadians to enter a WoO LMS event this season, Reaume also ran with the tour earlier this year in Florida.

A fourth-year dirt Late Model driver who lives about one hour east of Detroit, Reaume has three wins this season at South Buxton (Ont.) Speedway. The two cars in his stable were purchased from the Sweeteners Plus team – one formerly driven by Tim McCreadie, the other by Vic Coffey of Leicester, N.Y…

Veteran racer Delmas Conley and the rest of his racing clan received a big thank-you on Saturday from WoO LMS officials. Conley had a service team from his Ohio trucking company visit the track to help put a new tire on the WoO LMS operations hauler, which blew a shoe en route to the speedway…

Following Friday night’s washout, Saturday brought much improved weather to the spic-and-span K-C Raceway. The dry, sunny conditions helped draw a very large crowd to the event, which offered free admission to all military veterans…

*****

LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com  and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail webmaster@dirtvision.com.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including Series sponsor Hoosier Tire; Promotional sponsors AMB i.t., Choice Hotels International, COESfx, The University of Northwest Ohio and Snap-on. Contingency sponsors include DART Machinery, Holley Performance Products Inc., MSD Ignition, Quarter Master, Ohlins and Wrisco Industries.


 

Contact: DIRT MotorSports™
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
405-488-8234 • kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com



McCreadie Ends World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory Drought Saturday at K-C Raceway

CHILLICOTHE, OH – July 22, 2006 – Tim McCreadie no longer has to obsess about being winless in 2006 on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

The Watertown, N.Y., star snapped his frustrating victory drought on Saturday night, capturing the tour’s 50-lap Veterans Appreciation Weekend event at Jim Near’s K-C Raceway.

McCreadie, who led the WoO LMS with eight wins in 2005, overtook race-long pacesetter Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va., for the lead on lap 41 and never looked back en route to a very satisfying $10,000 triumph.

“When you win as much as we did last year, it’s not that you expect to win,” McCreadie said after celebrating in COESfx Victory Lane. “You just want to keep rolling, and we haven’t done that. We’ve struggled this year. We’ve just been fortunate to get some seconds and thirds to keep our points (standing) up.

“So yeah, it’s a relief – and it’s exciting – to finally win.”

Shaver, who started from the pole position after winning the dash, settled for second place, 0.908 of a second behind McCreadie.

Defending WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., finished third, keeping him in the points lead by a mere two markers over McCreadie. Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and Rick Eckert of York, Pa., completed the top five.

The key to McCreadie’s ninth career WoO LMS win might have been the race’s lone caution flag, which flew on lap 21 after Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky., spun in turn four a short distance in front of the approaching leaders.

At that point McCreadie, 32, was clinging to third place, watching longingly at the torrid battle for the lead between Shaver and Moyer. He didn’t feel like his Carl Myers-owned Sweeteners Plus Rocket car could carry him to victory.

“I was loose everywhere until that yellow came out,” said McCreadie, who started second but lost the position to Moyer on lap five. “I was just sliding around. I thought I’d finish about third – and I started worrying that I wouldn’t even do that when I saw Josh (Richards) trying to pass me.”

But McCreadie ended up with a seemingly new machine when the race restarted. He used the outside lane to grab second from Moyer and steadily closed the gap on Shaver.

“I dialed in some front brake during the caution, which is about the only thing I can change from inside the car,” said McCreadie. “It must have made a difference. I went from being loose in the middle of the corners to being straight off them.

“I felt like my car definitely got better after the yellow. Tommy (Grecco, McCreadie’s chief mechanic) said we picked up two-tenths (of a second).”

McCreadie caught Shaver’s Dry Wall Systems/Waco Oil Rocket No. 30 on lap 35. He made several bids before ducking underneath Shaver off turn two on the 40th lap and sliding ahead between turns three and four, giving him the lead for good when lap 41 went on the scoreboard.

“I think he got behind a lapped car off (turn) two and didn’t know which way to go,” McCreadie said of Shaver. “He left some room on the bottom and I got under him.

“I thought I had him cleared in three, but then I felt a rub. I shut it down a little so I wouldn’t rail him, but I was able to come across the track in front of him.”

Shaver, who drove a car owned by fellow dirt Late Model racer Sean Cosgrove, felt no contact when McCreadie glided by. He graciously conceded the race to McCreadie.

“I knew he was coming because I was watching the scoreboard and I could hear somebody behind me,” said Shaver. “I just tried to run as good a line as I could, but I left a lane open and he drove underneath me.

“I really wanted to win, but he put a good move on me – good and clean. He’s a great race car driver and I have a lot of respect for him.”

Shaver acknowledged that the racy, three-eighths-mile K-C oval “is a tough place to lead at because there’s so many grooves,” but other factors also played into his defeat.

“I’m not sure if his car got better or mine got worse,” said Shaver, who made his third WoO LMS appearance of 2006. “But my car didn’t seem as good after the caution. I think my tires might have sealed over.”

That was also likely the fate suffered by Moyer, who is still shooting for his first WoO LMS victory of the season. He got underneath Shaver several times before the caution period, but he couldn’t pull ahead and wasn’t able to resume his challenge when the race restarted.

“I felt like my tires glazed up,” said Moyer, who started third in his J&J Steel Rayburn. “I was way, way loose, and I don’t know if that made the tires seal up. But I just wasn’t any good after the caution.”

The apparent tire headaches that plagued Shaver and Moyer were much-needed breaks for McCreadie, whose first career win at K-C Raceway sent him down the road feeling good about the remainder of the season.

“It there’s a place I struggle at, it’s a real slick track where you run hard tires,” said McCreadie, who scored his first WoO LMS victory since Sept. 24, 2005, at the Clarksville (Tenn.) Racing Complex. “Hopefully tonight is a sign that we’re getting a handle on it because there’s a lot of big races coming up on these kind of tracks.”

PRELIMINARIES: The 18-year-old Richards registered his second fast-time award of the season, turning a lap of 14.028 seconds (96.236 mph) to lead the 48-car time-trial session.

Heat winners were Shaver, Moyer, McCreadie and Aaron Scott of Newark, Ohio, whose apparent first career WoO LMS fast-time award on Friday night was wiped from the record books by the rain that cancelled the program.

The B-Mains were captured by Jackie Boggs of Grayson, Ky., won last year’s WoO LMS Veterans Appreciation 100 at K-C, and Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.

After winning the second B-Main, Francis and his Mopar crew discovered a broken rocker arm in his car’s engine. They pulled out a backup car for the feature, which Francis started from the last position.

EXTRA MONEY: Three racers – Shaver, Scott (eighth place) and Rod Conley of Wheelersburg, Ohio (14th) – shared the $1,000 non-touring driver bonus money that was posted by DIRT MotorSports.

Shaver collected an additional $500, while Scott pocketed $300 and Conley earned $200.

Results of WoO Late Model Series(Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won): 1. (2) Tim McCreadie/50 $10,000; 2. (1) Steve Shaver/50 $6,500; 3. (3) Billy Moyer/50 $3,500; 4. (5) Josh Richards/50 $2,500; 5. (7) Rick Eckert/50 $2,200; 6. (6) Bart Hartman/50 $2,000; 7. (8) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,800; 8. (4) Aaron Scott/50 $1,900; 9. (10) Shane Clanton/50 $1,400; 10. (11) Chub Frank/50 $1,200; 11. (16) Clint Smith/50 $1,000; 12. (18) Ricky Elliott/50 $900; 13. (17) Jackie Boggs/50 $800; 14. (9) Rod Conley/50 $900; 15. (20) Brad Neat/50 $700; 16. (19) Eddie Carrier Jr./50 $700; 17. (24) Steve Francis/50 $700; 18. (14) Eric Jacobsen/50 $700; 19. (21) Jason Montgomery/50 $700; 20. (12) Barry Bragdon/50 $700; 21. (15) Mark Frazier/49 $700; 22. (22) John Blankenship/49 $700; 23. (23)