Short Track Nationals Pre-Entry Deadline October 11

Lonnie Wheatley, LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 8, 2008) – Teams planning on competing in the upcoming 21st Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires at I-30 Speedway can save a few extra dollars by submitting entries by this Saturday, October 11.

Pre-entries submitted by October 11 for the 21st Annual Short Track Nationals are just $150.  Entries submitted after the October 11 pre-entry discount deadline will be $200.  Entry forms are available at http://www.i-30speedway.com/pdfs/STN%20FLYER.pdf or by calling the track at 501-455-4567.

The 21st Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires is set to take place at Little Rock's I-30 Speedway on October 23-25.  The STN championship feature event winner on October 25 will collect the posted $15,000 winner's share, with all championship feature starters earning a minimum of $2,100.

The potential winner's share could be as much as $20,000 with the COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge in effect.

The COMP Cams Gambler’s Challenge offers the pole sitter of the STN championship feature event the opportunity to pull a playing card that will grant a new starting position for the 40-lap finale.  Upon accepting the Gambler's Challenge, the driver will draw the fourth, sixth, eighth or tenth starting position.  If the driver can win from the starting position drawn, a $5,000 bonus will push the overall winner's take to $20,000.

If the pole sitter declines to draw a card, the outside front row starter will be presented with the same COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge.

Last year's edition of the Short Track Nationals attracted a record number of 108 competitors from throughout the nation and beyond, with California's Jason Meyers making a dramatic last-lap pass of Shane Stewart to become the 14th different winner of the prestigious event.

Meyers joined a prestigious list of Short Track Nationals champions, which includes Gary Wright, the only driver to win the STN on more than one occasion since the event became the nation's premier showcase in 1993.  Wright scored his first STN victory in 1995, then followed up with a second win in 1999.  "The Texan" extended his total of STN triumphs to four with back-to-back victory drives in 2003 and 2004.

Other past winners include Jason Johnson (2006), Tim Montgomery (2005), Paul McMahan (2002), Jason Sides (2001), Mike Ward (2000), Tim Crawley (1998), Wayne Johnson (1997), Pete Butler (1996), Terry Gray (1994) and John Gerloff (1993).

Steve Kinser (1988, ’89 and ’91) and Sammy Swindell (1990) claimed early renditions of the Short Track Nationals before the 1992 finale was rained out.

More information regarding the 21st Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires is available at www.i-30speedway.com or by calling the track at 501-455-4567.

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O'Reilly ASCoT Championship Chase – It's Not Over Yet…
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (October 8, 2008) – True, Jason Johnson carries a 91-point O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National points lead into this weekend's Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals near Fort Worth, TX.

But don't fill the Louisiana racer's name in on that $50,000 championship check just yet.  There's still some business to be taken care of.

And "The Ragin' Cajun" is well aware of that, echoing those sentiments during a Labor Day weekend of Gulf South domination along the Texas coast.  "We haven't got it yet, we've still got to get through a few nights."

This weekend's Cowtown Speedway double along with next weekend's Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals across the DFW Metroplex in Mesquite both offer up opportunities of varying degrees of good and bad.

In fact, the last feature that "The Ragin' Cajun" missed in series action came during the opening night of the Devil's Bowl Spring Nationals this March, when Johnson used a provisional to start the main event.

That put Johnson in a hole from the outset, one that he spent several months digging his way out of.  After runner-up ASCoT honors over each of the past two years, Johnson finally took the series points lead away from Gary Wright following a DNF for "The Texan" during Speedweek at Texarkana in July.  

And when a sheared distributor pin forced Wright to use a provisional three nights later, Johnson suddenly had some breathing room.  

It's that breathing room that Johnson takes into the final three weekends of the season that culminate on October 23-25 with I-30 Speedway's 21st Annual Short Track Nationals in Little Rock, AR, a marquee event that offers up $15,000 to win and $2,100 to start.

But it starts this weekend atop Cowtown Speedway's treacherous high banks.  The high speeds and close quarters combine to create some precarious predicaments, particularly for those with an eye on a handsome year-end points fund payout.

And to complicate matters for Jason Johnson, he's never turned a lap at Cowtown Speedway.  While the likes of Jason Johnson, Gary Wright and Wayne Johnson among others have earned their positions at the top of the Sprint Car charts by succeeding in unfamiliar territory, it's still a factor that can rear its ugly head at any time.  

And one mistake over the next couple of weekends could change the entire complexion of the ASCoT championship points race.  Missing one feature would erase Johnson's breathing room over Wright and revert the $50,000 chase to neck-and-neck status.

New Ground – While both Jason Johnson and Wayne Johnson (ranked first and third in points, respectively) will be taking to Cowtown for the first time, they're not that far behind on the track experience curve as the bulk of the top ten in points have limited time atop the Cowtown clay.

Gary Wright and Kenneth Walker each have Sprint Car start at Cowtown, with Zach Chappell, Garry Lee Maier and Nick Smith each making a pair of starts.  Also, Gary Taylor has a pair of Sooner Region starts this season to go along with last year's November Sprint Shootout appearance.

Those with the most Cowtown experience are Travis Rilat and Eric Baldaccini.  Rilat has spread 13 Cowtown starts over the past several seasons, while leading Rookie shoe Baldaccini spent a couple of seasons primarily in Cowtown weekly action before moving on to the Regional ASCS circuits.

Rilat has enjoyed the most Cowtown success among current top ten contenders with four past feature wins.  Nick Smith claimed a Sooner Region win at Cowtown last year, with Gary Taylor topping the Sooners at Cowtown this season.

Busy B4 – Eric Baldaccini has been busy this year, racking up a total of 41 overall American Sprint Car Series starts.  That's tops in ASCS starts amongst any driver in the nation, with 17-year-old Kathryne Minter next with 39 starts and then Zach Chappell with 34 starts.

The 20-year-old from Keller, TX, has taken in all 26 nights of ASCoT National action along with Jason Johnson, Gary Wright, Wayne Johnson, Zach Chappell, Garry Lee Maier and Kathryne Minter to rank sixth in National points while also mixing in 15 Regional starts as well.  Eleven of those starts have been in Sooner Region competition, where Baldaccini holds down ninth in points.  

The current leader in the Brodix Rookie of the Year chase finished second to Sooner title contender Kolt Walker in his last Cowtown outing on August 23.

Sooner Title on the Line – When Kolt Walker picked up that all-important first feature win on August 23 at Cowtown, it was versus the ASCS Gulf South Region.  Now, the Graham, TX, shoe will try to overtake Tulsa's Brian McClelland this weekend for the American Bank of Oklahoma Sooner Region championship.

Gunning for a second series title, Cowtown has proven beneficial to McClelland this season.  Holding just a seven point lead entering the weekend, McClelland has tallied 20 more points than Walker at Cowtown with finishes of 2nd, 10th and 3rd versus Walker's runs of 4th, 16th and 5th.

Recovering from a rough stretch over the middle portion of the season in which Walker tested too many top wings, Kolt was finished ahead of McClelland in four consecutive feature events to whittle the gap from 49 markers to seven.

A winner of three consecutive Sooner features in June and July, Oklahoma City's Joe Wood, Jr., is just 69 points out of the lead despite spotting his rivals a full night of action when he missed the season opener at Cowtown in April.  Wood has finished second to Gary Taylor and Brad Welborn in successive Sooner Cowtown outings in May and July.

Glenpool, Oklahoma's Matt Covington has a strong hold on fourth in Sooner points.  The 18-year-old has also taken in 16 of 26 possible National nights to rank 13th in ASCoT National points.

Flower Mound's Justin Melton enters the weekend just two points ahead of Lawton's Michael Brown in the battle for fifth in Sooner points.

Regional Champ in the House – While the Sooner Region champion will be determined over the weekend, an already-crowned 2008 ASCS Regional champion will be in action as Jack Dover takes to the Cowtown high banks.

Crowned the ASCS Midwest Region champion on September 7, the 18-year-old from Springfield, NE, enjoyed his reign as the youngest champion in ASCS history for all of six spectacular days before 17-year-old Derrik Ortega of Albuquerque claimed such honors by putting the clamps on the ASCS Rocky Mountain Region title.

Nonetheless, Dover has cracked ASCS victory lane eight times during 2008, a total topped only by Jason Johnson (16 overall), wingless Canyon Region star Jeremy Sherman (11) and New Mexico's Johnny Herrera (9) and matched by Michigan's Dustin Daggett.

Dover will try to add at least a second National win this weekend to previous scores in Midwest, Northern Plains, Gulf South and Rocky Mountain Regional action.

Home Turf – While Marvin Lough nipped Michael Lang for Cowtown Speedway championship honors, Kevin Ramey is the most likely "local" to knock off the traveling troops.

Among Ramey's 29 career Cowtown victories in the Sprint Car ranks is a $5,000 score last November, a winner's share that is matched in this weekend's Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals as nearly $40,000 will be distributed among the ASCoT ranks.

There's a slight hitch though.  While Ramey has reached Cowtown victory lane in weekly competition on four occasions this season, he is 0-for-22 in his 2008 ASCS starts.  And a winless season in ASCS competition is something that hasn't happened since 2000, as Ramey has piled up a total of 32 wins during the seven-year stretch from 2001 to 2007.

Following an attempt to defend the turf just a stone's throw or two from his house this weekend, Ramey will get another pair of shots at Devil's Bowl next weekend.  The Devil's Bowl clay oval is another joint that Ramey has enjoyed by taking several titles and racking up 49 career Sprint Car feature wins.

Along with Ramey and top Cowtown point finishers Lough and Lang, some other local contenders that could mix things up include George White (five Cowtown wins this season), Oklahoma teen Trey Robb (two Cowtown wins) and Johnny Miller (one Cowtown win).

Starting Over – Following a 12th-place finish in the ASCS Knoxville Nationals finale on August 2, Jason Johnson will try to begin a new top-ten streak this weekend.  That run outside the top ten due to a wheel problem ended Johnson's series record run of 44 top-ten feature finishes in a row in ASCS National Tour competition, eclipsing the mark of 40 established by Terry Gray a decade earlier.  

Both streaks ended in the Knoxville money race nearly ten years to the day.  Gray's 40th top ten in a row came with a third-place Knoxville preliminary run on July 30, 1998, while Johnson's 44th consecutive top ten came with a Knoxville preliminary win on July 31, 2008.

With Johnson's streak severed, the current active streak of top tens belongs to Travis Rilat at eight in a row.

Other Streaks - Gary Wright, an ASCS National Tour runner-up finisher to Jason Martin three years ago in his only Cowtown Sprint Car start, carries streaks of 181 consecutive ASCS National Tour feature starts and 192 consecutive ASCS National Tour events competed-in into the weekend.  The 181 features in a row is a record that extends with each additional start, while Wright is just 20 events shy of Toby Brown's record of 212 consecutive events competed in.

Momentum – Since capturing the $10,000 winner's share in the ASCS Knoxville Nationals in August, Wayne Johnson has stayed busy.  Following a third-place finish behind Shane Stewart and Roger Crockett in the ASCS Northwest Region's $10,092-to-win Fred Brownfield Memorial at Washington's Grays Harbor Raceway Park, the Oklahoma City shoe crossed the northeast border to pocket the $8,000 top prize at Ohsweken's Canadian Nationals on September 27.

The only driver to make each ASCoT feature event this year without the aid of a provisional, Wayne Johnson's title hopes took a hit with three DNF's including a pair of early exits during the final three legs of a pivotal Toyota Tundra ASCS Speedweek.

Wayne Johnson enters the weekend 140 points off of Jason Johnson's lead pace and just 30 points ahead of Talala, Oklahoma's Zach Chappell.

Practice – Teams will have a chance to tune up for the Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals with a Thursday night practice session at Cowtown Speedway from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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O'Reilly ASCoT: Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals This Weekend!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (October 6, 2008) – The O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series fires back into action in grand fashion with this coming weekend's invasion of the high-banked, ¼-mile Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, TX, for the Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals.

The nation's premier touring Sprint Car series takes to the Cowtown high banks near Fort Worth for two full nights of racing action this Friday and Saturday, kicking off the final three weekends of competition for the series in 2008.  

A regularly featured stop on the ASCS Sooner Regional Tour in recent years, the Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals will mark just the second time for the ASCoT National series to take to the Cowtown oval and first time since 2005.

Leading the way into the Cowtown Sprint Nationals is Louisiana's Jason Johnson, who is closing in on the $50,000 series championship.  Johnson has amassed a lead of 91 points over four-time and reigning series champion Gary Wright entering the final three weekends of the 2008 season.

Johnson, "The Ragin' Cajun", has posted ten series feature wins this season to move into sole possession of second on the series career win charts with 38 victories.  With three triumphs this season, Hooks, TX, ace Wright has pushed his series' best career win total to 122.

Oklahoma City's Wayne Johnson, the 2000 ASCS National champion, enters the Cowtown Sprint Nationals ranked third in points after posting a $10,000 score in the ASCS Knoxville Nationals, with 2001 ASCS National champion Zach Chappell of Talala, OK, and 1992 ASCS National champion Garry Lee Maier of Cimarron, KS, rounding out the current top five in points.

Twenty-year-old Eric Baldaccini of Keller, TX, enters the event ranked sixth, with the balance of the current top ten including Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK), Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK), Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) and Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK).  Seventeen-year-old Kathryne Minter of Bedford, TX, is just outside the top ten in points in eleventh.

Baldaccini is leading the Brodix Rookie of the Year chase with other Rookie contenders including Walker, Taylor and Minter.

The O'Reilly ASCoT National contenders will be bolstered by the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region forces, which will complete the 2008 season with the Cowtown Sprint Nationals.  Tulsa's Brian McClelland, vying for a second straight Sooner crown, will try to fend off Graham, TX, shoe Kolt Walker in the Sooner season finale.

McClelland holds just a seven-point advantage over Walker in the Sooner title race entering the Cowtown Sprint Nationals, with Joe Wood, Jr., Matt Covington and Justin Melton rounding out the balance of the current top five in Sooner points.

Following this weekend's Cowtown Sprint Nationals, which will likely draw a field of approximately 50 entries, the O'Reilly ASCoT National series finishes off the 2008 campaign with the 35th Annual Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals in Mesquite, TX, on October 17-18 and then the $15,000-to-win 21st Annual Short Track Nationals at Little Rock's I-30 Speedway on October 23-25.

The Series:  

O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour (ASCoT)

When & Where:  

Friday, October 10 – Cowtown Speedway at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 11 – Cowtown Speedway at 7:00 p.m.

Track Information:

Cowtown Speedway (Kennedale, TX) – ¼-mile, high-banked dirt oval located near Fort Worth off of I-20 Exit 442-A, then 1.7 miles southeast on Mansfield Hwy., then 1.4 miles southwest on New Hope Road.  Track phone: 817-478-9952.

O’Reilly ASCoT Cowtown Speedway History:

A regular stop on the ASCS Sooner Regional tour in recent years, Cowtown has hosted the ASCS National Tour on just one previous occasion.  In that event, Liberal, KS, racer Jason Martin held off Gary Wright to capture his lone career National Tour feature win.

Cowtown Speedway ASCS National winners include:  Jason Martin 1.

Cowtown O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners: Jason Martin (6/25/05).

Current O’Reilly ASCoT Points (After 27 Nights):

Drivers Top Fifteen:  1. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 3,259, 2. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 3,168, 3. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 3,119, 4. Zach Chappell (Talala, OK) 3,089, 5. Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS) 2,888, 6. Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) 2,685, 7. Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK) 2,584, 8. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 2,373, 9. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 2,275, 10. Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK) 2,152, 11. Kathryne Minter (Bedford, TX) 2,010, 12. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 1,798, 13. Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK) 1,473, 14. Aaron Berryhill (Broken Arrow, OK) 1,174, 15. Jason Sides (Bartlett, TN) 1,130.

2008 O’Reilly ASCoT Feature Winners:
Jason Johnson 10, Wayne Johnson 3, Gary Wright 3, Tony Bruce, Jr., 2, Gary Taylor 2, Kenny Adams 1, Aaron Berryhill 1, Jack Dover 1, Danny Lasoski 1, Terry McCarl 1, Nick Smith 1, Skip Wilson 1.

O'Reilly ASCoT – A Look Ahead:

October 18-19 – Devil's Bowl Speedway Winter Nationals (Mesquite, TX)

October 23-25 – I-30 Speedway Short Track Nationals (Little Rock, AR)

The O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series is currently slated for approximately 35 nights of racing action at nearly 20 different tracks throughout a dozen different states, with more than $1,000,000 in purse money and point fund to be distributed during the 2008 season.

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USA Octoberfest this Saturday for ASCS Canyon Region

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (October 6, 2008) – The Discount Tire Co. American Sprint Car Series Canyon Region takes to Tucson's United Sports Arizona Race Park for the final time in 2008 this Saturday night.

The wingless forces of the ASCS Canyon Region headline Saturday night's Octoberfest event at USA Race Park in the series third and final Tucson appearance of the year.

The top two ranked drivers in the series, Jeremy Sherman and Charles Davis, Jr., have split the series previous pair of visits to USA Race Park with Davis victorious on April 19 and then Sherman striking for the win on July 12.

Sherman is batting just over .500 with eleven feature wins in 21 events this season.  Finishing outside the top five on just three occasions and no lower than ninth, the Surprise, AZ, shoe has amassed a 128-point advantage over Davis in his pursuit of a second consecutive ASCS Canyon Region crown.

Davis holds a 108-point edge over Yuma's Mike Martin in the race for second, with Martin just 30 markers ahead of Phoenix shoe R.J. Johnson.  Another 16 points back, Goodyear's Nathan High rounds out the current top five with the balance of the top ten including Andrew Reinbold, Mike Leslie, Josh Pelkey, Justin Fisher and Thomas Ogle.

Certificates will be awarded to each of Saturday night's heat race winners, with Racing Optics sponsoring heat race one, MPD Race Products sponsoring heat race two, Winters Performance sponsoring heat race three and Sunoco sponsoring heat race four.  Arizona Race Mart sponsors the Trophy Dash, while Sunoco will also award a certificate to each "B" Main winner in ASCS Canyon Region action this year.  Parker Store sponsors the Roll for Inversion.

Saturday's Discount Tire Co. ASCS Canyon Region action at Tucson's USA Race Park is set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

United Sports Arizona Race Park is located east of Tucson off I-10 Exit 268, then 1.6 mile south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales.  For more information, contact the track at 520-574-8515.

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Bryan Howland Looks for “Triple Crown” During Super DIRT Week XXXVII
 
Rich Vleck, TULSA, Okla. (October 6, 2008)- In most instances, if things go well for Bryan Howland Friday at Cayuga County, they would need to rent a moving van to get all of his hardware home.  Luckily for him, he could practically walk back home to Auburn if things go right in front of the hometown crowd.

Howland, 21, of Auburn, NY, has a very real possibility at capturing the “Triple Crown of the ASCS Patriots” this Friday Night at the season finale at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in front of a slew of friends and family.  Such a feat would include the overall championship, the King of CNY and the hard charger of the season.  If he could accomplish all of those tasks, it would mark the second year in a row where a driver winning his second title captured a sweep of the ASCS Patriots’ most coveted titles.

Last season, Chuck Hebing was sure of the overall championship heading into the final night, but the other two portions were in serious doubt.  As it would turn out, he would have all three pieces of the puzzle.  Howland is hoping this year it is his turn.

Bryan only needs to start the A-Main Friday to lock up his second ASCS Patriot Championship.  This will be easier said than done though as the prospects of potentially the toughest field is being assembled for a full point Patriot race ever.

The second task will be to lock up the A-Verdi Storage Containers King of CNY Series Crown.  If he makes the feature, Howland will need to finish within 14 spots of defending King of CNY Chuck Hebing to lock up this point battle.

The final challenge, the Bear Paw Hard Charger of the Season will undoubtedly be the toughest as he currently trails Scott Kreutter by a single point.  This title will be decided partly on luck as his starting positions throughout the night will maximize or limit his ability to score hard charger points.  Howland has shown time and time again at CCFS that he can move his car forward, and will need to do it again Friday to get the Triple Crown.

The fourth winningest driver in ASCS Patriot History, Howland has a pair of wins this season, coming in succession back in July at Ohsweken and Brewerton.  His most recent run was also solid, as he finished in third at the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Finale.

For more information, visit www.ASCSracing.com.

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$2,008 Up For Grabs Friday at Cayuga County in 2008 ASCS Patriot Championship Event

Rich Vleck, TULSA, Okla. (October 6, 2008)- As a historic season comes to a close for the ASCS Patriots, the final points race of the year will look at a break a number of records in one of the largest events of the season.

The Cayuga County Fair Speedway will host the 2008 ASCS Patriot Finale, an event that will commemorate the season with a $2,008 top prize.  This purse, along with the great stage Super DIRT Week can provide, is sure to make this one of the highest car counts of the season.

The Weedsport, NY oval has been a staple on the Patriot schedule since the inception of the series in 2003, but never before has an event been run outside of summer, especially as part of Super DIRT Week.

Rolling Wheels has hosted a sprint car event each Saturday immediately preceding Columbus Day dating back to 1996; that will continue again this year, with the ASCS Patriots as part of that event on a non-points basis.  With over 60 cars expected in Elbridge on Saturday, you can expect to see many of them just seven miles up the road in Weedsport the night before.

Not only will the race pay $2008 to the winner, additions to the purse for second and third have also been made to make this the second-highest paying ASCS Patriot race in New York State this season.  With the large car count expected, 24 cars will take the green flag in the final feature of the season.

George Suprick snared the first race at CCFS in 2008 back in July.  The 2004 series champion from Clarks Summit, PA lead all 25 laps over second year standout Scott Kreutter and current point leader Bryan Howland for his 12th career ASCS Patriot win.

Howland, who lives just down the road from CCFS in Auburn, NY, will attempt to lock up his second career ASCS Patriot Title (His first coming in 2005) on Friday.  The 21-year-old needs to just qualify for the A-Main, something that will be easier said than done with a massive car count expected on the tight 3/8-mile facility.

All of the past Patriot Cayuga County winners are expected to be on hand.  Along with Suprick, 2007 winner Jeff VanDusen will be piloting the potent Guy Howie No. 19H.  2004 and 2006 winner Chuck Hebing will feature a new look on Friday with the snakeskin moving over to the Bud Burlew No. 28.  Rick Wilson, who captured his first Patriot win at CCFS in 2003, will return in his Riverside Bar and Grill No. 42w.  Riverside will once again sponsor the Four Laps of Fame Dash on Friday.

Ontario, Quebec, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey are expected to be represented, along with the possibility of drivers from a number of other states out there.  

ASCS Patriot rules and regulations will be in effect, including the spec right and left rear tires and a 1” wicker bill being permitted.  Racing will begin at 7:30 on this special Friday event.  For more information, visit www.ASCSracing.com. 

ASCS Patriot History at Cayuga County
Races: 5
6/29/2003- Rick Wilson
7/4/2004- Chuck Hebing
7/3/2005- Chuck Hebing
7/29/2007- Jeff VanDusen
7/27/2008- George Suprick
 
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Herrera Hustles Up ASCS Southwest Win in USA Fall Classic Prelim
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TUCSON, Ariz. (October 3, 2008) – Johnny Herrera kicked off the USA Fall Classic at United Sports Arizona Race Park by racing to victory lane in Friday night's American Sprint Car Series Southwest Region main event.

Herrera worked forward from the eighth starting position to nab his first ASCS Southwest Region win of the season and eighth overall including seven previous scores in Rocky Mountain Region action.

Herrera was chased to the line by early leader Rick Ziehl, with Shawn Sander, Kyle McCutcheon and Jessica Van Dyke rounding out the top five.

Sander, Ronnie Clark and Joshua Williams topped heat race action.

“A” Feature:  1. Johnny Herrera, 2. Rick Ziehl, 3. Shawn Sander, 4. Kyle McCutcheon, 5. Jessica Van Dyke, 6. Joshua Williams, 7. Rick Boughan, 8. Mike Rux, Jr., 9. Cody Cambensy, 10. Derrik Ortega, 11. Ronnie Clark, 12. Steve Lohn, 13. John Gaston, 14. Davey Johnson, 15. T.K. Lindahl, 16. Bobby Collister, 17. Brian O'Donnell, 18. Ben Gregg, 19. Steve Stone, 20. Dennis Riley, 21. Jerry Williams, 22. Dennis Krob. DNS: Koty McGullam.

ASCS Southwest Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Rick Ziehl 1,554, 2. Shawn Sander 1,532, 3. Cody Cambensy 1,490, 4. Ronnie Clark 1,474, 5. Joshua Williams 1,450, 6. Ben Gregg 1,446, 7. Mike Rux, Jr. 1,410, 8. Jessica Van Dyke 1,379, 9. John Gaston 1,306, 10. Steve Lohn 1,185.

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Ream Rolls to ASCS Canyon Win in Arizona Fall Classic
 
Lonnie Wheatley, PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 27, 2008) – Bob Ream, Jr., reeled in his first Discount Tire Co. American Sprint Car Series Canyon Region feature win of the year by winning the wingless portion of Saturday night's ASCS Arizona Fall Classic atop Manzanita Speedway's 1/3-mile clay oval.

The past Arizona state champ outdueled Mike Martin to secure his first triumph under the ASCS banner aboard the Advanced Engine-powered Lubrication Equipment Co./Parker Store No. 8 Buckley.

Ream and Martin traded the point before Ream took command for keeps.  Martin settled for runner-up honors, with current series points leader Jeremy Sherman advancing from 12th to take the show position.

Charles Davis, Jr., advanced a half dozen positions to claim fourth, with Nathan High rounding out the top five.

Mike Leslie, Bobby Taylor, Andrew Reinbold, Thomas Ogle and Seainn Hendricsen completed the top ten.

R.J. Johnson won the Trophy Dash, with Davis, Sherman and High winning the heat races.

“A” Feature (30 Laps):  1. 8-Bob Ream, Jr., 2. 16-Mike Martin, 3. 77-Jeremy Sherman, 4. 50-Charles Davis, Jr., 5. 12-Nathan High, 6. 76-Mike Leslie, 7. 26az-Bobby Taylor, 8. 19-Andrew Reinbold, 9. 48-Thomas Ogle, 10. 11-Seainn Hendricsen, 11. 00-Ken Caskey, 12. 5x-Jody Wirth, 13. xxx-Zach Sawyers, 14. 25-Jesse Dunham, 15. 15-R.J. Johnson, 16. 44-Jeremy Reagles, 17. 74-Daniel Williams, 18. 96-Carson Ditsch, 19. 5-Robert King, Jr., 20. 0-Stevie Sussex, 21. 8x-Bryan Swinehart, 22. 78m-Leland Michael, 23. 34-Josh Pelkey, 24. 6-Rex Calderwood, 25. 60-Stephen Harms.

Discount Tire Co. ASCS Canyon Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Jeremy Sherman 3,070, 2. Charles Davis, Jr. 2,942, 3. Mike Martin 2,834, 4. R.J. Johnson 2,804, 5. Nathan High 2,788, 6. Andrew Reinbold 2,717, 7. Mike Leslie 2,694, 8. Josh Pelkey 2,556, 9. Justin Fisher 2,129, 10. Thomas Ogle 2,097.

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Gregg Back in ASCS Southwest Victory Lane
 
Lonnie Wheatley, PHOENIX, Ariz. (September 27, 2008) – Ben Gregg captured his first career feature win atop Manzanita Speedway's ½-mile clay oval by topping the American Sprint Car Series Southwest Region portion of the track's ASCS Arizona Fall Classic on Saturday night.

Gregg took his seventh ASCS Southwest Region win of the season in front of current series points leader Rick Ziehl, who charged from 12th to claim runner-up honors, with Brian O'Donnell, Joshua Williams and John Gaston rounding out the top five.

Gregg, Mike Rux, Jr., and O'Donnell topped heat race action.

“A” Feature:  1. 22b-Ben Gregg, 2. 33-Rick Ziehl, 3. 5m-Brian O'Donnell, 4. 41-Joshua Williams, 5. 22J-John Gaston, 6. 66-Jessica Van Dyke, 7. 20-Andrew Reinbold, 8. 94T-Cody Cambensy, 9. 94-Ronnie Clark, 10. 11T-Steve Lohn, 11. 48-Shawn Sander, 12. 34-Josh Pelkey, 13. 00-Davey Johnson, 14. 4c-Billy Chester III, 15. 22-Mike Rux, Jr., 16. 2-Alex Pettas.

ASCS Southwest Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Rick Ziehl 1,408, 2. Shawn Sander 1,388, 3. Cody Cambensy 1,358, 4. Ronnie Clark 1,346, 5. Ben Gregg 1,332, 6. Joshua Williams 1,312, 7. Mike Rux, Jr. 1,276, 8. Jessica Van Dyke 1,239, 9. John Gaston 1,182, 10. Steve Martin 1,171.

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Jason Johnson Best in ASCS Gulf South Season Finale!

Lonnie Wheatley, BAYTOWN, Texas (September 27, 2008) – Jason Johnson continued his winning ways by racing to victory lane in Saturday night's season-ending 25-lap main event for the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region at Houston Raceway Park.

After early leader Channin Tankersley went up in smoke, Johnson wrestled the lead away from Travis Rilat on the sixth round and led the rest of the way to post the $3,000 triumph aboard Lanny Row's Wesmar-powered The Shop Motorsports No. 41 Eagle.

While Johnson notched his 16th overall ASCS feature win of the season, Brandon Berryman captured his second consecutive ASCS Gulf South Region championship despite an early exit and 23rd place finish on the final night of the Gulf South season.

While Johnson started the feature from the fourth row outside, it was Tankersley gunning from third to first on the opening circuit and pacing the initial four circuits before losing power.

Rilat assumed the lead upon Tankersley's departure, only to surrender the point to "The Ragin' Cajun" one lap later.

Johnson led the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag in front of Rilat, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Travis Elliott and Greg Rilat.

Berryman was credited with a 23rd place finish after tagging the turn four wall in the early rounds.  Berryman escaped with the title by just nine points over Greg Rilat, who settled for series runner-up honors for the fourth time.

Aaron Reutzel, Tankersley and Travis Rilat topped heat race action, with Bean Elliott winning the "B" Main.

"A" Feature (25 Laps):  1. 41-Jason Johnson, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 41-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 15T-Travis Elliott, 5. 35-Greg Rilat, 6. 85-Jerry Bell, 7. 37-Tracey Cearley, 8. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 9. 74-Brandon Corn, 10. 20-Terry Monroe, 11. 51-Wes Miller, 12. 3-Gary Watson, 13. 79h-Ryan Hall, 14. 8tw-Kent Lewis, Sr., 15. d20-David Noker, 16. 5-Jack Spencer, 17. 36-Bean Elliott, 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 19. 02-Harry Yerrington, 20. 14e-Todd Evans, 21. 71-Channin Tankersley, 22. 69h-Larry Howery, 23. 31-Brandon Berryman, 24. 80-Michael McNeil.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Brandon Berryman 2,668, 2. Greg Rilat 2,659, 3. Gary Watson 2,650, 4. Tommy Bryant 2,552, 5. Travis Elliott 2,477, 6. Channin Tankersley 2,369, 7. (tie) Brandon Corn and Chris Sweeney 2,170, 9. Travis Knighton 1,910, 10. Michael McNeil 1,761.

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Tiffany Too Tough for ASCS Rebels at Screven Motor Speedway
 
Lonnie Wheatley, SYLVANIA, Ga. (September 27, 2008) – Matt Tiffany tallied his second American Sprint Car Series Rebel Region feature win of the season by racing to victory lane in Saturday night's 25-lap feature at Screven Motor Speedway.

The 19-year-old Daytona Beach hotshoe gunned into the lead at the outset and never looked back en route to posting the victory aboard the Don Ott-powered Independent Printing No. 19T Shaw.

Tiffany was chased to the stripe by Gavin Thomas, with Bryn Gohn, Tyler Godwin and Red Stauffer rounding out the top five.  Current ASCS Rebel Region points leader Kenny Adams was sixth.

Adams and Thomas topped heat race action.

"A" Feature (25 Laps):  1. 19t-Matt Tiffany, 2. 29-Gavin Thomas, 3. 4b-Bryn Gohn, 4. 4c-Tyler Godwin, 5. 2-Red Stauffer, 6. 4a-Kenny Adams, 7. 92-Matt Kurtz, 8. 67-Brian Thomas, 9. 17-Samantha Taylor, 10. X-Tommy Denton, 11. 83-Bob Auld, 12. 21-Amanda Ferguson, 13. 2-Daniel Grimes, 14. 17d-Bruce Durden.

ASCS Rebel Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Kenny Adams 2,040, 2. Matt Tiffany 1,972, 3. Bryn Gohn 1,938, 4. Samantha Taylor 1,880, 5. Gavin Thomas 1,752, 6. Red Stauffer 1,598, 7. Michael Miller 1,492, 8. Tyler Godwin 1,332, 9. Danny Martin, Jr. 862, 10. Matt Kurtz 857.

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Spoerl Tops ASCS Sooner Region at Devil's Bowl
 
Lonnie Wheatley, MESQUITE, Texas (September 27, 2008) – Justin Spoerl picked up his first career American Sprint Car Series feature win by wiring the field in Saturday night's 20-lap American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region feature at Devil's Bowl Speedway.

Spoerl fought off Joe Wood, Jr., in the early stages and then held off two-time series champion Kevin Ramey over the final half of the race to secure the victory.

Ramey settled for runner-up honors, with Wood, Kolt Walker and Matt Covington rounding out the top five.

Brian McClelland maintained a narrow seven-point lead over Walker by finishing sixth.

Ramey, Walker and Spoerl topped heat race action.

"A" Feature (20 Laps):  1. 6-Justin Spoerl, 2. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 3. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 4. 45k-Kolt Walker, 5. 95-Matt Covington, 6. 87-Brian McClelland, 7. 25-Robert Sellers, 8. 72-Charlie Brown, 9. 3-Cy Conditt, 10. 20-Chad Wilson, 11. 13-Kathryne Minter, 12. 87x-Billy Melton, 13. 45-J.P. Bailey, 14. b4-Eric Baldaccini, 15. 1s-Trey Robb, 16. 14-Michael Lang, 17. 31-Matt Clevenger, 18. 76-John Ricketts.  DNS: 39-Marvin Lough, 45x-Martin Edwards, 11-Justin Melton.

American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Brian McClelland 2,251, 2. Kolt Walker 2,244, 3. Joe Wood, Jr. 2,182, 4. Matt Covington 2,112, 5. Justin Melton 1,820, 6. Michael Brown 1,818, 7. Gary Taylor 1,782, 8. Sherman Davis 1,543, 9. Eric Baldaccini 1,381, 10. Sheldon Barksdale 1,162.

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Solwold Scores ACSS Northwest Win at Yakima

YAKIMA, Wash. (September 26, 2008) – Jason Solwold posted his first career American Sprint Car Series feature win by topping Friday night's 30-lap ASCS Northwest Region feature event at the Yakima Dirt Track.

Solwold took the checkered flag in front of Colton Heath, with Jayme Barnes, Brock Lemley and Barry Martinez rounding out the top five.

Shane Broers, Danielle Huson, Henry VanDam and Chad Groves topped heat race action for Friday night's 31-car field, with Dan Dunlap and Seth Bergman winning the "B" Mains.

Barnes carries an eight point lead over Jared Ridge into Saturday night's ASCS Northwest Region season finale at the Yakima Dirt Track, with Roger Crockett falling 38 points off the lead pace after being forced pitside one lap into Friday night's main event.

“A” Feature (30 Laps):  1. 39c-Jason Solwold, 2. 7o-Colton Heath, 3. 9-Jayme Barnes, 4. 4-Brock Lemley, 5. 66m-Barry Martinez, 6. 12-Jared Ridge, 7. 0j-Jay Cole, 8. 33v-Henry VanDam, 9. 9p-Jared Peterson, 10. 23-Seth Bergman, 11. 94-Natalie Sather, 12. 25c-Chad Groves, 13. 15-Dan Dunlap, 14. 73-Danielle Huson, 15. 5d-Josh DeWitt, 16. 98m-Mitch Olson, 17. 38-Jason Bloodgood, 18. 11-Shane Broers, 19. 7n-Roger Crockett, 20. 9j-J.J. Dishneau.

ASCS Northwest Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Jayme Barnes 1,608, 2. Jared Ridge 1,600, 3. Roger Crockett 1,570, 4. Jay Cole 1,504, 5. Seth Bergman 1,478, 6. Brock Lemley 1,458, 7. Jared Peterson 1,379, 8. Chad Groves 1,347, 9. Henry VanDam 1,346, 10. Rob Held 1,249.

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Big Month of October Looms for O'Reilly ASCoT National Series!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 24, 2008) – With the month of October around the corner, the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series is gearing up to put the wraps on the 2008 season with three consecutive blockbuster weekends of competition.

With the $50,000 championship hanging in the balance, three tracks will play host to the nation's premier touring Sprint Car series for multiple day events during October.

The action gets under way at Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, TX, on October 10-11, moves across the DFW Metroplex to Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX, on October 17-18 and then wraps up at Little Rock's I-30 Speedway on October 23-25.

The monster month of October ignites with the Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals in Kennedale, TX, on October 10-11, as the ASCS National Tour takes to the "Fastest Lil' Track in Texas" for the first time since 2005.  Additional information regarding the Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals is available at http://www.cowtownspeedway.com/nationals.html.

The following Thursday, October 16, serving as a prelude to the Devil's Bowl event, Smiley's Racing will host the Second Annual Steve King Foundation golf tournament at the Buffalo Creek Golf Club in Rockwall, TX.  A bar-b-que dinner will follow the tournament at Smiley's in Mesquite, TX.  Additional information regarding the golf tournament is available at http://www.smileysracing.com/steve-king-golf.php.

Then, the racing action heats up once again with the 35th Annual Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals in Mesquite, TX, on Friday and Saturday, October 17-18, an event that Jason Johnson swept in 2007 to deliver car owner Lanny Row his first Winter Nationals triumph.  Additional information regarding the Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals is available at http://www.devilsbowl.com/2008/headlines/101708.html.

The O'Reilly ASCoT season concludes the following weekend with the nation's premier Sprint Car racing event, I-30 Speedway's 21st Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires.  The three-night extravaganza in Little Rock, AR, on October 23-25 culminates with the Short Track Nationals championship feature event, which offers up a $15,000 winner's share and a hefty $2,100 to start the main event.  Additional information regarding the Short Track Nationals, including the entry form, is available at http://www.i-30speedway.com/pdfs/STN%20FLYER.pdf.

Closing in on a first ASCS National championship, Louisiana's Jason Johnson holds a 91-point advantage over four-time and reigning series champion Gary Wright entering the final three-weekend stretch of racing action.

"The Ragin' Cajun" has amassed his lead on the strength of ten ASCoT National feature wins this season, picking up a second career Toyota Tundra ASCS Speedweek championship along the way.

Wright, who has picked off three series wins this season to run his career total to a series best 122, holds the second position by 49 markers over Oklahoma City native Wayne Johnson, who added a second ASCS Knoxville Nationals title in August.

Talala, Oklahoma's Zach Chappell holds down the fourth position, just 30 points behind Wayne Johnson, with Garry Lee Maier of Cimarron, KS, rounding out the current top five.

Eric Baldaccini is the top-ranked Brodix Rookie of the Year contender by sitting sixth in points, with the balance of the current top ten including Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK), Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK), Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) and Washington-native Gary Taylor.  Seventeen-year-old Bedford, TX, shoe Kathryne Minter is just outside the top ten in eleventh.

The Series:  

O’Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour (ASCoT)

What, When & Where:  

October 10-11:  Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals, Cowtown Speedway (Kennedale, TX).

October 17-18:  35th Annual Devil's Bowl Winter Nationals, Devil's Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX).

October 23-25:  21st Annual Short Track Nationals – I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR).

Track Information: Cowtown Speedway (Kennedale, TX) – ¼-mile, high-banked dirt oval located near Fort Worth off of I-20 Exit 442-A, then 1.7 miles southeast on Mansfield Hwy., then 1.4 miles southwest on New Hope Road.  Track phone: 817-478-9952.

Devil's Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX) – ½-mile, high-banked clay oval located six miles east of Dallas' I-635 on US 80, then three miles south on Lawson Road.  Track phone: 972-222-2421.

I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR) – ¼-mile, high-banked clay oval located seven miles southwest of Little Rock off I-30 Exit 126 (Alexander Road).  Track phone: 501-455-4567.

O’Reilly ASCoT Cowtown Speedway History: A regular stop on the ASCS Sooner Regional tour in recent years, Cowtown has hosted the ASCS National Tour on just one previous occasion.  In that event, Liberal, KS, racer Jason Martin held off Gary Wright to capture his lone career National Tour feature win.

Cowtown Speedway ASCS National winners include:  Jason Martin 1.

Cowtown O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners: Jason Martin (6/25/05).

O’Reilly ASCoT Devil’s Bowl History: Devil’s Bowl Speedway has been hosting the O’Reilly ASCS National Tour since 1994, with 20 different drivers scoring at least one victory in 54 feature events.  Gary Wright has claimed 18 of his 122 career ASCS National wins at Devil’s Bowl, including his first Spring Nationals triumph in March and then a Speedweek victory in July.  

Jason Johnson swept last year's Winter Nationals and added his fifth career Bowl score in series action in the Devil's Bowl leg of May's Red River Shootout.

Devil’s Bowl ASCS National winners include:  Gary Wright 18, Jason Johnson 5, Wayne Johnson 4, Danny Jennings 3, Kevin Ramey 3, Shane Carson 2, Terry Gray 2, Garry Lee Maier 2, Mike Peters 2, Travis Rilat 2, Sammy Swindell 2, Tony Bruce, Jr. 1, Tim Crawley 1, Edd French 1, Johnny Herrera 1, Larry Neighbors 1, Alan Payne 1, Jake Peters 1, Shane Stewart 1, Mike Ward 1.

Devil’s Bowl O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners:  Shane Carson (6/21/94), Alan Payne (5/12/95), Mike Ward (7/23/95), Mike Peters (9/1/95), Sammy Swindell (9/2/95), Sammy Swindell (9/3/95), Wayne Johnson (6/18/96), Terry Gray (7/6/96), Terry Gray (11/1/96), Johnny Herrera (11/2/96), Shane Carson (4/5/97), Wayne Johnson (6/18/97), Edd French (10/31/97), Mike Peters (11/1/97), Gary Wright (6/19/98), Gary Wright (10/3/98), Garry Lee Maier (10/4/98), Gary Wright (7/8/99), Garry Lee Maier (7/30/99), Gary Wright (10/1/99), Gary Wright (10/2/99), Gary Wright (7/21/00), Gary Wright (10/6/00), Larry Neighbors (4/20/01), Gary Wright (7/20/01), Gary Wright (10/6/01), Travis Rilat (4/19/02), Jason Johnson (6/7/02), Wayne Johnson (10/4/02), Gary Wright (10/5/02), Kevin Ramey (4/18/03), Tim Crawley (10/17/03), Gary Wright (10/18/03), Shane Stewart (10/23/04), Danny Jennings (3/18/05), Danny Jennings (3/19/05), Danny Jennings (6/9/05), Gary Wright (10/21/05), Gary Wright (10/22/05), Kevin Ramey (6/24/06 – Spring Nationals makeup feature), Kevin Ramey (6/24/06 – Summer Nationals), Gary Wright (7/13/06), Jason Johnson (10/13/06), Travis Rilat (10/14/06), Wayne Johnson (3/16/07), Jake Peters (3/17/07), Gary Wright (5/12/07), Gary Wright (7/19/07), Jason Johnson (10/12/07), Jason Johnson (10/13/07), Tony Bruce, Jr. (3/14/08), Gary Wright (3/15/08), Jason Johnson (5/10/08), Gary Wright (7/12/08).  

O’Reilly ASCoT I-30 Speedway History: Since hosting the first official ASCS National Tour event in 1993, I-30 Speedway has hosted the series 38 times with 15 different drivers reaching victory lane at least once.

Gary Wright has enjoyed the most ASCoT success at I-30 Speedway with eleven victories, including a Speedweek win in July.  The Texan's son-in-law, Nick Smith, scored his first I-30 win in April ASCoT action.

Jason Meyers bested a record total of 108 competitors to become the 14th different Short Track Nationals champion in 2007.

I-30 Speedway ASCS National winners include:  Gary Wright 11, Garry Lee Maier 4, Tim Crawley 3, Terry Gray 3, Mike Ward 3, Jason Johnson 2, Wayne Johnson 2, Travis Rilat 2, Shane Stewart 2, Pete Butler 1, Ricky Logan 1, Jason Meyers 1, Eric Sandage 1, Tim Shaffer 1, Nick Smith 1.

I-30 Speedway O’Reilly ASCoT Race-by-race Winners:  Mike Ward (5/15/93), Tim Crawley (6/24/94), Terry Gray (7/17/93), Garry Lee Maier (6/18/94), Garry Lee Maier (8/13/94), Terry Gray (5/20/95), Ricky Logan (6/24/95), Gary Wright (7/15/95), Mike Ward (5/18/96), Garry Lee Maier (6/15/96), Garry Lee Maier (8/3/96), Mike Ward (5/17/97), Gary Wright (6/14/97), Wayne Johnson (9/26/97), Wayne Johnson (9/27/97), Gary Wright (5/16/98), Terry Gray (6/13/98), Eric Sandage (8/25/01), Pete Butler (6/22/02), Gary Wright (7/13/02), Gary Wright (9/21/02), Gary Wright (6/21/03), Tim Crawley (7/12/03), Shane Stewart (9/6/03), Gary Wright (6/5/04), Travis Rilat (7/10/04), Gary Wright (8/28/04), Tim Crawley (6/11/05), Gary Wright (7/9/05), Travis Rilat (10/1/05), Jason Johnson (7/29/06), Jason Johnson (4/28/07), Gary Wright (7/14/07), Shane Stewart (10/25/07), Tim Shaffer (10/26/07), Jason Meyers (10/27/07), Nick Smith (4/26/08), Gary Wright (7/12/08).

Current O’Reilly ASCoT Points 1. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 3,259, 2. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 3,168, 3. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 3,119, 4. Zach Chappell (Talala, OK) 3,089, 5. Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS) 2,888, 6. Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) 2,685, 7. Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK) 2,584, 8. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 2,373, 9. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 2,275, 10. Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK) 2,152, 11. Kathryne Minter (Bedford, TX) 2,010, 12. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 1,798, 13. Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK) 1,473, 14. Aaron Berryhill (Broken Arrow, OK) 1,174, 15. Jason Sides (Bartlett, TN) 1,130.

2008 O’Reilly ASCoT Feature Winners: Jason Johnson 10, Wayne Johnson 3, Gary Wright 3, Tony Bruce, Jr., 2, Gary Taylor 2, Kenny Adams 1, Aaron Berryhill 1, Jack Dover 1, Danny Lasoski 1, Terry McCarl 1, Nick Smith 1, Skip Wilson 1.

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McClelland Carries Slim ASCS Sooner Point Lead to Devil's Bowl
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 22, 2008) – In his pursuit of a second consecutive American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region championship, Brian McClelland has been in the driver's seat over much of the season.

But, as the series takes to the famed Devil's Bowl Speedway clay oval in Mesquite, TX, on Saturday night, the Tulsa area driver's lead is a precarious one after dwindling to just eleven points over the past weekend.

Nipping at McClelland's heels is Kermit, TX, native Kolt Walker, who held the series lead in the early stages of the season.  After some midseason struggles, the west Texas shoe has rebounded to bring McClelland back within striking distance.

Saturday's card at Devil's Bowl is just one of three remaining nights of action for the ASCS Sooner Region in 2008.  Following this weekend's action, the series wraps up the season by joining forces with the O'Reilly ASCoT National series on the other side of the DFW metroplex on October 10-11 for the Inaugural Cowtown Sprint Nationals.

While McClelland holds a slim 11-point lead over Walker entering Saturday's card, Oklahoma City's Joe Wood, Jr., is just 75 points off the lead pace despite missing the opening event of the season.  Matt Covington of Glenpool, OK, holds down the fourth position in points, with Lawton's Michael Brown rounding out the current top five.

Gary Taylor, sixth in points despite missing several events, picked up a series' best fourth win of the season this past weekend at Creek County Speedway.

Saturday's card, which gets under way at 8:00 p.m., is a makeup of the August 23 event that was rained out.  

The ½-mile high-banked Devil's Bowl Speedway clay oval is located six miles east of Dallas’ Loop I-635 on US 80, then three miles south on Lawson Road.  For more information, contact the track at 972-222-2421.

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ASCS Rebels at Sceven Motor Speedway on Saturday!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 22, 2008) – The American Sprint Car Series Rebel Region is set for its lone stop of the season atop Sylvania, Georgia's high-banked, 3/8-mile Screven Motor Speedway this Saturday night.

Saturday's feature event atop the Screven County clay oval offers up a $2,000 winner's share with $300 to start.

Leading the way into Saturday's action is "The Malabar Missile", Kenny Adams.  Adams has posted five ASCS Rebel Region wins and finished among the top five in all 13 series events this season to amass an 80-point advantage in the championship points chase.

Adams' closest challenger is fellow Floridian Matt Tiffany of Daytona Beach.  Tiffany's lone series win of the season came within the state of George with a June triumph at Swainsboro.

Bryn Gohn, an Ocala winner in April, enters the night ranked third in points, with Washington native Samantha Taylor and Gavin Thomas rounding out the current top five in points.

Saturday's hot laps at Screven Motor Speedway get under way at 6:00 p.m. with racing action to follow.

Screven Motor Speedway is located northwest of Savannah in Sylvania, GA, 3.2 miles northwest of SR 24 on SR 21.  For more information, contact the track at 912-857-4884 or 912-754-5882.

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ASCS Northwest Title on the Line with Yakima Double!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 22, 2008) – The inaugural American Sprint Car Series Northwest Region championship is on the line when the series takes to Washington's Yakima Dirt Track for two full nights of action on Friday and Saturday.

And with eleven nights in the books, the series championship race couldn't be any closer as the season culminates atop the Central Washington State Fairgrounds clay.

A mere six points separate the lead trio entering the weekend double, with inaugural Northwest Region event winner Jayme Barnes of Marysville, WA, just two markers ahead of Snohomish shoe Jared Ridge.  

Medford, Oregon's Roger Crockett, a winner of series events this season and the ASCS Northwest Speedweek title, is just six points behind Barnes as he continues to make up ground from a season opening miscue.

While all eyes will be on the three way duel for championship honors between Barnes, Ridge and Crockett over the course of the weekend, other battles for position among the top will shake out as well.

Jay Cole of Shelton, WA, enters the double ranked fourth in points, 20 markers ahead of Snohomish racer Seth Bergman.  Bellingham's Brock Lemley is sixth, with the balance of the top ten including Rob Held (Sutherlin, OR), Jared Peterson (Stanwood, WA), Chad Groves (Bend, OR) and Henry VanDam (Enumclaw, WA).

Racing action is slated to get under way at 6:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

Washington's Yakima Dirt Track is located at the Central Washington State Fairgrounds off I-82 Exit 34, then 0.2 miles west on SR 24, then north on S. 18th St.

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Manzanita Gears Up for ASCS Arizona Fall Classic This Saturday Night!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 22, 2008) – Sprint Car fans in the state of Arizona get the best of both worlds this Saturday night, as Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix plays host to the ASCS Arizona Fall Classic which features a pair of separate American Sprint Car Series Regional tours.

Both the wingless Discount Tire Co. ASCS Canyon Region and the winged ASCS Southwest Region will be in action over the course of the night at the storied Manzanita facility.

The wingless forces of the ASCS Canyon Region will be slinging the clay on the 1/3-mile, while the winged troops of the ASCS Southwest Region will blaze around the big ½-mile clay oval.

In the series' respective championship points races, Jeremy Sherman's Canyon Region lead entering the ASCS Fall Classic is as sturdy as Rick Ziehl's Southwest lead is tenuous.

Riding a winning streak of four in a row and reaching victory lane in eight of the last nine events, Sherman has extended his Canyon Region points lead to 126 points over Charles Davis, Jr.  Mike Martin holds a four-point edge over R.J. Johnson in the battle for third, with Nathan High rounding out the current top five.

In the inaugural ASCS Southwest Region chase, Las Cruces, NM, shoe Ziehl enters the ASCS Arizona Fall Classic with a scant two-point edge over El Paso's Shawn Sander.  Tucson teen rookie Cody Cambensy rides into Saturday's action ranked third in points, with Ronnie Clark and Ben Gregg rounding out the current top five.

Saturday's ASCS Arizona Fall Classic at Manzanita Speedway is set to go green at 7:30 p.m.

Manzanita Speedway is located in Phoenix, AZ, off I-10 Exit 141, then four miles south on 35th Avenue to West Broadway.  For more information, contact the track at 602-276-7575.

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ASCS Gulf South Season Finale Saturday Night at HRP!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 22, 2008) – The American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region puts the wraps on its seventh season of competition with Saturday night's season finale at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, TX.

Saturday's season ender offers up a $3,000 winner's share, with at least $300 for all main event starters.

While Houston Raceway Park escaped serious damage from Hurricane Ike, Golden Triangle Raceway Park in nearby Beaumont wasn't as fortunate.  With cleanup still under way at GTRP, the event originally slated for Friday night has been cancelled.

The Beaumont cancellation leaves Brandon Berryman of Missouri City, TX, just one night away from his a second consecutive ASCS Gulf South Regional championship.  Berryman carries a 40-point lead into Saturday night's action and can secure the crown by finishing 19th or better in the main event.

Beaumont's Gary Watson, the 2006 series champion, enters the season finale second in points, just five markers ahead of three-time series runner-up Greg Rilat of Texas City.

Tommy Bryant enters Saturday's action ranked fourth, with rookie contender Travis Elliott rounding out the current top five.

The balance of the current top ten includes Channin Tankersley, Chris Sweeney, Brandon Corn, Travis Knighton and Michael McNeil.

Saturday's ASCS Gulf South Region season finale at Houston Raceway Park is set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then three miles south on State Road 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565.  For more information, contact the track at 281-383-7223.

The 2008 slate for the ASCS Gulf South Region consisted of 24 nights of racing action at ten different tracks throughout Texas and Louisiana.

The nation's most prominent Sprint Car sanctioning body with a dozen different Regions throughout the United States in addition to the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series, the American Sprint Car Series' (ASCS) 17th year of activity will include approximately 250 nights of racing at more than 100 different race tracks throughout 28 different states and Canada.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Houston Raceway Park:
6/21/08 Michael Dupuy
5/10/08 Brandon Berryman
3/1/08 Jack Dover
9/29/07 Brandon Berryman
8/18/07 Travis Rilat
5/19/07 Johnny Miller
9/30/06 Ray Allen Kulhanek
8/19/06 Brad Best
6/24/06 Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/8/06 Travis Rilat
8/20/05 Lane Whittington
6/18/05 Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/10/04 Kevin Ramey

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Shane Stewart Snares ASCS Northwest Honors in Brownfield Memorial Sprint Challenge
 
Lonnie Wheatley, ELMA, Wash. (September 19, 2008) – Shane Stewart enjoyed a triumphant reunion with the Doyle's Harley-Davidson mount and crew chief Paul Silva by posting his first American Sprint Car Series Northwest Region triumph in Friday night's 25-lap Fred Brownfield Memorial Sprint Challenge at Grays Harbor Raceway Park.

Stewart survived a wild night to take top honors over Mitch Olson, with Jayme Barnes charging from 17th to take the show position. 

Shawn Rice was fourth, while Roger Crockett took advantage of a free pass via a Jason Solwold DQ in "B" Main action to race from 19th to round out the top five.

Seth Bergman, Glenn Borden, Tayler Malsam, current series points leader Jared Ridge and Rob Held completed the top ten.

Randy Pierce, Joe Ramaker, Seth Bergman, Wayne Johnson and Ridge topped heat race action with Danielle Huson, Malsam and Barnes winning the "B" Mains.

“A” Feature (30 Laps):  1. Shane Stewart, 2. Mitch Olson, 3. Jayme Barnes, 4. Shawn Rice, 5. Roger Crockett, 6. Seth Bergman, 7. Glenn Borden, 8. Tayler Malsam, 9. Jared Ridge, 10. Rob Held, 11. Brendan Boyce, 12. Dan Dunlap, 13. Danielle Huson, 14. J.J. Hickle, 15. Jay Cole, 16. Chad Groves, 17. Wayne Johnson, 18. Randy Pierce, 19. Joe Ramaker, 20. Josh DeWitt.

ASCS Northwest Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Jared Ridge 1,350, 2. Jayme Barnes 1,334, 3. Roger Crockett 1,312, 4. Brock Lemley 1,241, 5. Jay Cole 1,240, 6. Seth Bergman 1,234, 7. Jared Peterson 1,172, 8. Rob Held 1,123, 9. Chad Groves 1,089, 10. Henry Van Dam 1,078.

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Herrera Handles ASCS Rocky Mountain Region in Aztec Prelim
 
Lonnie Wheatley, AZTEC, N.M. (September 19, 2008) – Not even a price on his head could shake Johnny Herrera, as he raced to victory lane in Friday night's 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain Region feature to open the 29th Annual Floyd Reynolds Memorial at Aztec Speedway.

The triumph marked Herrera's sixth series win of the year and eleventh consecutive ASCS Rocky Mountain triumph in New Mexico dating back to 2005 and brought him half way to collecting the $1,000 bounty placed on him for the weekend.

Any driver that can defeat Herrera in Saturday night's ASCS Rocky Mountain Region finale can collect the $1,000 bonus.  If Herrera defies his foes for a twelfth time in a row, the extra greenbacks are in his pocket.

While Herrera started Friday's feature from the front row outside, it was second row starter Rickey Hood leading the opening round. 

It was all that the veteran shoe would lead though, as Herrera took command on the second lap and never relinquished control despite a pair of late cautions that gave Hood newfound hope.

The final caution set up a green-white-checkered run to the stripe with Hood on Herrera's tailtank, but Herrera was up to the task with Hood settling for runner-up honors.

Seventeen-year-old Derrik Ortega clinched the 2008 ASCS Rocky Mountain Region championship by claiming the show position, with Colt Treharn and past series champ Patrick Bourke rounding out the top five.

Dustin Hall was sixth, with Bob Schaeffer, Ben Gregg, Chad Corken and Billy Page completing the top ten.

Hood, Schaeffer, Treharn and Bourke topped heat race action for the 33-car field, with Jordan Mattson and Joshua Hodges victorious in "B" Main competition.

“A” Feature (25 Laps):  1. Johnny Herrera, 2. Rickey Hood, 3. Derrik Ortega, 4. Colt Treharn, 5. Patrick Bourke, 6. Dustin Hall, 7. Bob Schaeffer, 8. Ben Gregg, 9. Chad Corken, 10. Billy Page, 11. James High, 12. Brett Ream, 13. Bud Goodwin, 14. -Joshua Hodges, 15. Ricky Montgomery, 16. Jesse Baker, 17. Jordan Mattson, 18. Jody Williams, 19. Julee Jamison, 20. Kyle McCutcheon.

ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Derrik Ortega 2,006, 2. Jeremy McCune 1,738, 3. Colt Treharn 1,734, 4. Bob Schaeffer 1,720, 5. Chad Corken 1,715, 6. Danielle Ossenfort 1,645, 7. Jake Ossenfort 1,626, 8. Dustin Hall 1,482, 9. Justin Wolf Medlock 1,300, 10. Mark Sweet 1,282.

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ASCS Northwest Region Ready for Fred Brownfield Memorial!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 15, 2008) – The American Sprint Car Series Northwest Region gears up for its most lucrative event of the season with this weekend's Second Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial at Grays Harbor Raceway Park in Elma, WA.

Two full nights of racing action on Friday and Saturday conclude with Saturday night's main event, which offers up a hefty winner's share of $10,092, with $492 to start Saturday's main event.

The stout contingent of ASCS Northwest competitors will have their hands full with a number of invaders drawn in by the sizable purse.

Among those expected to take on the ASCS Northwest Region this weekend are Oklahoma's Shane Stewart, current ASCoT title contender Wayne Johnson, 2007 ASCS Midwest Region champion Natalie Sather, Knoxville's Joe Beaver and California king Jonathan Allard.

Jared Ridge of Snohomish, WA, leads the ASCS Northwest contenders as he tries to close in on the series title, while ASCS Northwest Speedweek champion Roger Crockett shoots for a sixth series win of the season.

Ridge enters the weekend with a 28-point advantage over Jayme Barnes, who won the inaugural ASCS Northwest event in May.  Crockett has climbed back up to third in points, with Brock Lemley and Jay Cole rounding out the current top five.

The balance of the current top ten in ASCS Northwest points includes Jared Peterson, Seth Bergman, Henry Van Dam, Rob Held and Chad Groves.

Racing action gets under way at 7:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

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ASCS Canyon Region Ready for Manzy Half-Mile on Saturday!

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 15, 2008) – The Discount Tire Co. American Sprint Car Series Canyon Region shits back to Manzanita Speedway's ½-mile clay oval in Phoenix, AZ, for this Saturday night's Hall of Fame Vintage Classic event.

Saturday's card marks the fifth of six scheduled events for the ASCS Canyon Region atop Manzanita's ½-mile clay oval.

Current series points leader Jeremy Sherman of Surprise, AZ, has posted three of his ten overall series wins this season on the ½-mile oval, with Andrew Reinbold reaching victory lane in the other series outing on the big track.

Sherman, a winner of seven of the past eight Canyon Region events, and the rest of the sturdy ASCS Canyon Region contingent will face some added competition this Saturday night, as Manhattan Beach, California's Garrett Hansen is set to make his series debut.

Hansen, a past Wild Card Award winner at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, currently ranks among the top contenders in USAC/CRA circles with a pair of wins this season and sits second in points.

Hansen will try to add his name to the list of 2008 ASCS Canyon Region feature winners that includes Sherman, Charles Davis, Jr., Casey Shuman, Reinbold and R.J. Johnson.

Sherman enters Saturday's action with a 122-point edge over Buckeye's Charles Davis, Jr., in the series championship race, with Yuma's Mike Martin in third.  Martin is just 16 markers ahead of Phoenix shoe R.J. Johnson, with Goodyear's Nathan High another 32 points back in fifth.

Peoria's Josh Pelkey is currently sixth, with the balance of the top ten including Chandler's Andrew Reinbold, Litchfield Park's Mike Leslie, Glendale's Justin Fisher and Chandler's Steve Tellas.

Certificates will be awarded to each of Saturday night's heat race winners, with Racing Optics sponsoring heat race one, MPD Race Products sponsoring heat race two, Winters Performance sponsoring heat race three and Sunoco sponsoring heat race four.  Arizona Race Mart sponsors the Trophy Dash, while Sunoco will also award a certificate to each "B" Main winner in ASCS Canyon Region action this year.  Parker Store sponsors the Roll for Inversion.

Saturday's Discount Tire Co. ASCS Canyon Region action at Manzanita Speedway is set to go green at 7:30 p.m.

Manzanita Speedway is located in Phoenix, AZ, off I-10 Exit 141, then four miles south on 35th Avenue to West Broadway.  For more information, contact the track at 602-276-7575.

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ASCS Rocky Mountain Championship Double at Aztec!
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 15, 2008) – The American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain Region is set to put the wraps on the 2008 season with Aztec Speedway's 29th Annual Floyd Reynolds Memorial this Friday and Saturday in Aztec, NM.

And, while 17-year-old Derrik Ortega has virtually locked up the series championship, a price has been put on the head of Johnny Herrera, who has reached ASCS Rocky Mountain Region victory lane in ten consecutive New Mexico starts.

Albuquerque's Ortega is set to become the eighth different series champion in as many years, as he enters the weekend double with a 199-point lead over Billings, MT, racer Jeremy McCune.  Ortega can secure the crown simply by showing up on both nights, and can put the title away one night early by making the feature cut on Friday night.

Behind the lead pair in points, the battle for position is intense as only 41 points separate the handful of drivers ranked third through seventh, including 18-year-old Colt Treharn (Los Lunas, NM), Bob Schaeffer (New Castle, CO), 19-year-old Chad Corken (Highlands Ranch, CO), 19-year-old Danielle Ossenfort (Rapid City, SD) and 16-year-old Jake Ossenfort (Rapid City, SD).

While there are two full nights to shake out the final top-ten rankings, all eyes will be on Johnny Herrera.  Undefeated in the last ten ASCS Rocky Mountain Region events contested in the "Land of Enchantment", dating back to 2005, a bounty of $1,000 has been put into effect.

The first driver that can deny Herrera victory lane in "A" Main competition over the weekend will collect a $1,000 bonus.  If Herrera can successfully sweep the weekend, something he's done in the least three ASCS Rocky Mountain Region weekend doubles at Aztec, he will collect the $1,000 bonus.

Aztec Speedway is located in Aztec, NM, 1.2 miles south of US 550 on SR SR 544, then 0.2 miles east on Legion.  For more information, contact the track at 505-334-2023.

The eighth year of action for the American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain Region is slated to consist of 16 events at seven tracks throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska in 2008.

Past ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Feature Winners at Aztec Speedway:
5/31/08 – Johnny Herrera
5/30/08 – Johnny Herrera
9/15/07 – Johnny Herrera
9/14/07 – Johnny Herrera
6/3/06 – Johnny Herrera
6/2/06 – Johnny Herrera
6/4/05 – Johnny Herrera
6/3/05 – Jason Martin
6/5/04 – Jason Martin
6/4/04 – Jason Martin
* 7/3/03 – Darren Stewart
6/7/03 – Randi Miller
6/6/03 – Jason Martin
6/1/02 – Nick Haygood
5/31/02 – Rickey Hood
6/2/01 – Lonnie Cox
6/1/01 – Rickey Hood

* - Denotes event held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

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ASCS Sooner Region Set for Creek County
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 15, 2008) – After an early cancellation due to Hurricane Ike this past weekend, the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region resumes action with this Saturday night's stop at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, OK.

Saturday marks the second Sooner card of the season atop the ¼-mile Creek County clay oval near Tulsa, as Sean McClelland came from nine rows deep for the first of two series wins this season during the June event at Creek County.

McClelland's younger brother, Brian McClelland, holds the series lead entering Saturday night's action as he vies for a second consecutive ASCS Sooner Region championship.  The McClelland siblings have combined to win all three Sooner events contested at Creek County over the past three seasons, with Brian victorious there last season.

Brian McClelland, from nearby Broken Arrow, holds a slim 29-point lead over Graham, TX, racer Kolt Walker, with Oklahoma City's Joe Wood, Jr., 18-year-old Glenpool shoe Matt Covington and Lawton's Michael Brown rounding out the current top five in points.

The balance of the current top ten includes Washington native Gary Taylor, Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX), Sherman Davis (Sand Springs, OK), Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) and Sheldon Barksdale (Norman, OK).

Saturday's action at Creek County Speedway is set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Creek County Speedway is located southwest of Tulsa off I-44 Exit 211, then 0.3 miles south on SR 33, then one mile west on SR 66.  For more information, contact the track at 918-247-6675.

The American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region is slated for 20 nights of racing action at ten different tracks throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas in 2008.

The nation's most prominent Sprint Car sanctioning body with a dozen different Regions throughout the United States in addition to the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series, the American Sprint Car Series' (ASCS) 17th year of activity will include approximately 250 nights of racing at more than 100 different race tracks throughout 28 different states and Canada.

Past ASCS Sooner Region Feature Winners at Creek County Speedway:
6/7/08 – Sean McClelland
9/22/07 – Brian McClelland
5/20/06 – Sean McClelland
7/19/03 – Kevin Ramey (non-wing)
5/10/03 – Travis Rilat (non-wing)
3/22/03 – Kevin Ramey
9/28/02 – Danny Jennings
7/20/02 – Jason Martin
3/30/02 – Jamie Passmore
9/22/01 – Larry Neighbors
8/11/01 – Nick Smith
6/23/01 – J.P. Bailey
4/14/01 – Wayne Johnson

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ASCS Patriots Headline Apple Festival Nationals at Sharon

Over $35,000 in purse paid out over weekend

Rich Vleck, TULSA, Okla. (September 15, 2008)- As the 2008 season winds down, the intensity and payout heat up this weekend with a massive pair of events at the famed Sharon Speedway.

The 3/8-mile facility located on the Ohio/Pennsylvania Border and partially owned by Dave Blaney will run their first ever Patriot point races this Saturday and Sunday as part of the Apple Festival Nationals.

Saturday will kick off the weekend, with a complete card for the Patriots, including a $1,500-to-win feature to round out the night on the track.  After the dust settles, focus will turn towards the pits with a 30-minute meet’n’greet with the stars of the Patriots.  A band and much more will accompany this party in the pits.

Sunday will be a quick-moving show, starting with hot laps at 4:00 p.m.  Another full show will be on hand for the Patriots, with the 30-lap A-Main rewarding $3,000 to the winner and $300 to all A-Main starters.  The pure stocks and modified will only be running features on Sunday so the entire program should be completed in no time.

Not only have the payouts been increased at the top, non-qualifier pay has also been inflated.  $250 will go to any competitor that attempts both Saturday and Sunday’s races but fails to qualify for either A-Main.

Both events will also pay a bonus to the top-four Canadian Competitors that travel into the states for a beautiful weekend.

Bryan Howland is closing in on his second-career ASCS Patriot title, holding a 90-point advantage over Jared Zimbardi.  Howland was the leader of the Patriots back in June when 50 cars invaded Sharon for the first leg of the Ollie’s 360 Challenge, when he finished in fourth in a race won by Donny Schatz.

Zimbardi was a second-place finisher at Sharon up against the 410s back in May.  With equal power this weekend, this may be time when “The Juice” breaks into ASCS Patriot Victory Lane for this first time in 2008.  Kyle Moffit and Chris Shuttleworth are other 360 regulars that have spent plenty of time at Sharon.

Scott Bonnell heads up a group of locals that will attempt to defend their turf.  The Fairview, PA driver won a 410 race at Sharon in August and has been a top runner with the Patriots in each of his starts.  John Schuyler and Lernerville Champion Kevin Schaeffer are some of the other drivers that have run during Sharon’s weekly Saturday Night program that are expected to be on hand.

Drivers and teams are coming from far in wide, including commitments from Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Ontario and even Australia.

All of the action from the weekend can be heard LIVE on www.SharonSpeedway.com.  For more information, visit www.ASCSracing.com or www.ASCSpatriotsprints.com.

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Dover Adds ASCS Rocky Mountain Win at Black Hills Speedway
 
Lonnie Wheatley, RAPID CITY, S.D. (September 13, 2008) – Nebraska's Jack Dover delivered a win with yet another American Sprint Car Series Regional Tour by racing to victory lane in Saturday night's 25-lap ASCS Rocky Mountain Region main event at Black Hills Speedway.

Crowned the 2008 ASCS Midwest Region champion less than one week earlier, the 18-year-old took command on the second round and never looked back en route to his eighth overall ASCS feature win of the season aboard the Eckley-powered 3D Auto Transport No. 53 Eagle.

Weathering a pair of red flags at the outset, Dover charged from sixth to take the lead away from Bob Schaeffer on the second lap.  Dover then checked out to post his first career win in ASCS Rocky Mountain Region action, adding to previous 2008 wins in Gulf South, Midwest and Northern Plains Regional action as well as an O'Reilly ASCoT National triumph.

Dover took the checkered flag in front of Utah's Dustin Hall, with Brent Kronfuss and Kevin Ingle next across the stripe.  Seventeen-year-old Derrik Ortega moved one stop closer to the series championship by advancing from 21st to round out the top five.

Jeremy McCune was sixth, with 22nd-starter Willy Hernandez, Danielle Ossenfort, 24th-starter D.J. Brink and 26th-starter Jake Ossenfort completing the top ten.

Chad Corken, Schaeffer, Dover and Matt Heinzerling topped heat race action, with Ortega winning the "B" Main.

“A” Feature (25 Laps):  1. 53-Jack Dover, 2. 74u-Dustin Hall, 3. 9k-Brent Kronfuss, 4. 2-Kevin Ingle, 5. 35-Derrik Ortega, 6. 0j-Jeremy McCune, 7. 1m-Willy Hernandez, 8. 10-Danielle Ossenfort, 9. 21-D.J. Brink, 10. 99-Jake Ossenfort, 11. 1-Nick Haygood, 12. 77x-Colt Treharn, 13. 32-Jamie Turpin, 14. 4-Adam Speckman, 15. 77-Mark Sweet, 16. 57-Don Stoutner, 17. 93-Bob Schaeffer, 18. 2x-Chad Peterson, 19. 88-Brian Fuchs, 20. 4m-Randi Miller, 21. 22-Matt Heinzerling, 22. 0x-Shane Liebig, 23. 74-Zach Merritt, 24. 11-Chad Corken, 25. 1x-Robbie Wolfgang, 26. 9a-Clint Anderson.

Note: Jake Ossenfort and Zach Merritt started the feature event via Promoter's option.

ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Points (Top Ten):  1. Derrik Ortega 1,862, 2. Jeremy McCune 1,663, 3. Colt Treharn 1,592, 4. Bob Schaeffer 1,584, 5. Chad Corken 1,583, 6. Danielle Ossenfort 1,570, 7. Jake Ossenfort 1,551, 8. Dustin Hall 1,344, 9. Justin Wolf Medlock 1,225, 10. Mark Sweet 1,207.

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Ike Forces ASCS Sooner Cancellation at Cowtown

KENNEDALE, Texas (September 12, 2008) – With Hurricane Ike set to douse most of Texas over the next 24 hours, American Sprint Car Series officials and Cowtown Speedway management agreed early Friday afternoon that it would be in the best interest of all concerned to cancel Saturday night's scheduled American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region event atop the high-banked, ¼-mile dirt oval.

With the cancellation, the ASCS Sooner Region will now join forces with the O'Reilly ASCoT National series for the Cowtown Sprint Nationals on October 10-11, with the event awarding both National and Sooner points on both nights.

The ASCS Sooner Region fires back to action next Saturday night, September 20, at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, OK.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

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Sunday ASCS Patriot Event at Humberstone Cancelled

Rich Vleck, TULSA, Okla. (September 11, 2008)- With a poor weather forecast and the inability to guarantee that there would be no conflicts, the decision has been made by Humberstone Speedway to forego running the ASCS Patriot Makeup this weekend.

Originally scheduled for August 24, the rained out Patriot show was thought to be a good fit as part of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals Weekend, running Friday and Saturday just down the road at Ohsweken.  It has now become apparent that the weather is likely to affect this plan.

If it became necessary for Ohsweken to exercise their Sunday rain date, the 1:00 p.m. start time would make running at Humberstone that night a virtual impossibility for all parties involved.  With that in mind, an advanced announcement was vital for teams, fans and officials.

A new date to round out the sprint car season at Humberstone is currently under review and will be announced in the days to come.  The remainder of the card planned at Humberstone is still on.

All events are still on as scheduled for the Arrow Express Canadian Sprint Car Nationals.  Friday night is a non-points event for the ASCS Patriots with Saturday’s portion paying 60 show up points to each ASCS Patriot team.

For more information, visit www.ASCSracing.com or www.ASCSpatriotsprints.com.

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ASCS Midwest Postponed to Saturday at Rising City

RISING CITY, Neb. (September 5, 2008) – The American Sprint Car Series Midwest Region will get its championship weekend of events under way a day later than planned, as wet grounds have forced the postponement of Friday night's scheduled event at the Butler County Motorplex in Rising City, NE.

The ASCS Midwest Region event at the Butler County Motorplex has been reset for Saturday night, with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and racing action getting under way at 7:00 p.m.

The ASCS Midwest Region will then put the wraps on the weekend, as well as the 2008 season, with Sunday night's Nebraska Cup at Eagle Raceway, which fires off at 6:00 p.m.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

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Mann Wins ASCS Sprints on Dirt King of Michigan Event at Hartford
 
T.J. Buffenbarger, HARTFORD, Mich. (September 5, 2008) – Brett Mann continued his strong finish to the season on Friday night by winning the  ASCS Sprints on Dirt King of Michigan feature event at Hartford Motor Speedway.

Mann inherited the lead when Steve Irwin went pit side under caution with a flat right rear tire and pulled away during several restarts to capture the victory and extend his point lead in the season long standings in the Rowlee and Frohlich owned Campbell powered Maxim chassis.

“This is a race I’ve wanted to win for a long time, and we finally got it,” exclaimed Mann in victory lane.  “I have to thank my car owners Bill Rowlee and Herb Frochlich and my brother in law for busting his butt on this race car.”

Irwin and Joe Bares started on the front row for the King of Michigan main event.  Irwin pulled into the early lead.  Then on lap four defending King of Michigan winner Dustin Daggett slammed into the wall in turn four to bring out the caution flag.  At the same time former King of Michigan winner Tim Allison slowed with a broken rocker arm.  Both drivers retired from the event.

Under caution Irwin developed a flat tire and relinquished the lead to change it in the pit area.  Quick work by his crew got Irwin back on the track before the restart.

From there Mann, Bares, and Blair pulled away from the rest of the field through several restarts.  Then with four laps to go Bares front wing blew off as the caution flag flew for debris on the track.  Even without the front wing Bares held onto second, but it was all Mann up front taking the feature win over Bares, Blair, Tim Norman, and Irwin from the back of the field to round out the top five.

Tim Champlin had a rear end explode in hot laps going down the backstretch and tipped over.  Then in the Lane Automotive/Comp Cams heat race #2 Darren Long and Mark Grabill made contact off the second corner with Long rolling over several times.  Both drivers emerged from their cars uninjured.

“A” Feature (25 Laps):  1. Brett Mann, 2. Joe Bares, 3. Ron Blair, 4. Tim Norman, 5. Steve Irwin, 6. Ben Rutan, 7. Sean Robinson, 8. Dain Naida, 9. Gary Fast, 10.  Aaron Shaffer, 11. Louie Carufel, 12. Jim Lingar, 13. Mark Grabill, 14. Andy Teunessen, 15. Dustin Daggett, 16. Tim Allison, 17. Ryan Grubaugh.  DNS:  Darren Long, Tim Champlin.

Lap Leaders: Irwin 1-4, Mann 5-25.

ASCS Sprints Point Standings (Top Ten):  1. Brett Mann 2,616, 2. Ben Rutan 2,574, 3. Dain Naida 2,516, 4. Tim Norman 2,452, 5. Ryan Grubaugh 2,433, 6. Gregg Dalman 2,172, 7. Joe Bares 2,167, 8. Louie Carufel 2,038, 9. Dustin Daggett 1,944, 10. Gary Fast 1,779.

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2009 Point Fund for Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Series is Set
 
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 3, 2008) – The breakdown of the lucrative $250,000 point fund for the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters for the 2009 season has been determined.

And, at next season's end, the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series champion will collect the $60,000 championship share, with the top ten in final points each earning a minimum of $10,000 and 15th in points collecting $5,000.

"This distribution of the quarter of a million dollar point fund makes for a very substantial season-ending payout to each of the top fifteen teams that support the series over the entire year," commented ASCS President and Founder Emmett Hahn.

"This point fund combined with the standard one-night purse of $6,000 to win and $500 to start along with the tow money package will establish the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters as the most attractive touring Sprint Car series in the nation from a financial standpoint."

The complete breakdown of the 2009 point fund for the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters is as follows:  1st - $60,000; 2nd - $30,000; 3rd - $25,000; 4th - $22,000; 5th - $18,000; 6th - $16,000; 7th - $14,000; 8th - $12,000; 9th - $11,000; 10th - $10,000; 11th - $8,500; 12th - $7,000; 13th - $6,000; 14th - $5,500, 15th - $5,000.

The formation of the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, an enhancement of the existing ASCS National Tour, was announced in August during the Knoxville Nationals.

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