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Pearson Makes Late Race Pass on Cook to Win “Budweiser 50” at Muskingum County

ZANESVILLE, OH (July 3, 2010) – Overhauling race leader, Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC, with five laps remaining Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL went on to record his fourth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season on Saturday Night at Muskingum County Speedway.  Pearson, driving for NASCAR’s Bobby Labonte took home the $10,000 after winning the “Budweiser 50”. Following Pearson was Cook; point’s leader, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; defending track champion, Doug Dodd of Cambridge, OH; and Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN.

Cook and Jimmy Owens made up the front row before a packed house at the Ronnie Moran-promoted facility. Cook grabbed the early lead.  Bloomquist, who started eighth, made up some impressive ground on the first lap coming up to fourth. A lap later Bloomquist was in third behind the frontrunning Cook and John Blankenship. Cook started to build on his lead as a good battle for second was developing between Blankenship and Bloomquist. Pearson was running fourth followed by O’Neal.  The top three started to pull away from everyone as the leader started to pick-up the tail end of the field by the tenth circuit.
Both Blankenship and Bloomquist started to close on Cook in traffic as Cook was having trouble negotiating traffic.  Bloomquist made the pass for second on lap 15, climbing into the runner-up slot. Pearson then started on his patented bottom-line. He was able to track down and eventually pass Blankenship for third on lap 18.  Cook, who held as much as a 15-car length lead over the field, was having trouble getting past track provisional Shane McLaughlin, allowing both Bloomquist and Pearson to close the gap on him.

With 30 laps complete Cook still had almost a straightaway advantage over the last two series champions, but a caution came out for Doug Drown on lap 31. With 19 laps to go on the restart it was Cook, Bloomquist, Pearson, Blankenship, and O’Neal in the top five. The restart was exciting as Cook held the lead; Pearson jumped into second followed by Bloomquist. Dodd became a threat as he moved to fourth after starting tenth.  With tight battles all over the track, all eyes were on the race for the lead between Cook and Pearson and the race for third between Bloomquist and Dodd. Pearson tried the inside line for several laps to get by Cook, but Cook thwarted Pearson every time. Dodd then started to catch the two frontrunners as he was brought along Bloomquist, making it a four-car race for the win. Pearson was finally able to clear Cook for the lead on lap 45 as Dodd and Bloomquist were duking it out for third.  Pearson then pulled away in the final laps to record his 21st career win on the Lucas Oil lLate Model Dirt Series tour. Pearson is now second in all-time wins, behind Scott Bloomquist’s 22 victories.  Bloomquist, meanwhile, was able to overtake Dodd with two laps to go to gain the third position at the finish.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane, the 38-year-old second–generation racer was joined by his crew, his son Trey, and several fans joined in the celebration.   “I’ll tell you what, that was a lot of fun racing there with Ray Cook, we were good when we unloaded today, the Hoosier tires worked real well today, and hat’s off to my crew. They continue to work their tails off on this car. Look at this crowd here, there’s not an empty seat here tonight; I hope they enjoyed that race,” said the victorious Pearson. “On the restart Bloomquist took the bottom which kind of surprised me, but we restarted really well and then we caught up to Ray and ran with him side-by-side for several laps. We gave each other plenty of racing room out there, thanks to the track crew here, the Moran family for giving us a good track to race on. I probably wouldn’t have caught Ray without the yellow, Scott and I had a good race, but he was running my line and I couldn’t get by him, this is a nice recovery from Beckley. That was my fault what happened when I spun out there with eight laps to go and to come back here and run like we did it’s a credit to my crew,” which includes Matt Langston and team manager, Jason Fitzgerald who joined the winning driver in victory lane. Pearson’s Bobby Labonte Racing MasterSbilt Dodger Charger is powered by a Larry Wallace Racing Engine and sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Red Buck Cigars, PRC, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Asi Racewear and Ohlins Shocks.

Cook in the D&R Racing/Hicks and Ingle Company General Contracting/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS finished second followed by Bloomquist in his Miller Brothers Construction/Roush-Yates Racing Engines/Bloomquist Race Cars Monte Carlo SS.  Dodd was fourth in his Southeastern Equipment/Vic Hill Racing Engines/Rocket Chassis with O’Neal making it three MasterSbilt cars in the top five taking fifth in the Superior Cleaning/Jay Dickens Racing Engines Monte Carlo SS. Rounding out the top ten were Bart Hartman of Zanesville, OH, Steve Shaver of Vienna, WV, John Blankenship of Williamson, WV, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.

Race Summary

Saturday Night, July 3rd, 2010
Muskingum County Speedway – Dresden, OH

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Ray Cook / 16.435 seconds

Wiles Driveshaft’s First Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Ray Cook, Steve Shaver, Chris Wall, Cody Parker, Dan Schlieper,
Tim Isenberg, Zack Dohm, Rodney Kimes, Craig Vosberger

AFCO Racing Products Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): John Blankenship, Bart Hartman, Jason Covert, Kyle Bates, Steve Casebolt, Mark Banal, Bryan Casey, Doug Drown, Scott Shelhorn

Allstar Performance Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Jimmy Owens, Don O’Neal, Doug Dodd, Eric Wells, Tyler Reddick, Donnie Moran, Lance Elson, Cody Bartram, Russ Frohnapfel

SuperFlow Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Earl Pearson Jr., Scott Bloomquist, Dale McDowell, Brad Neat, Devin Moran, Anthony Kinkade, Shane McLoughlin, Rick Aukland-DNS

Hawk Brake First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Transfer): Dan Schlieper, Tim Isenberg, Steve Casebolt, Mark Banal, Bryan Casey, Zack Dohm, Craig Vosberger, Doug Drown, Scott Shelhorn, Rodney Kimes

Performance Rod and Custom (PRC) Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Transfer):  Tyler Reddick, Donnie Moran, Devin Moran, Lance Elson, Anthony Kinkade, Russ Frohnapfel, Cody Bartram, Shane McLoughlin, Rick Aukland-DNS

RACE STATISTICS:

Entrants: 35
Lap Leaders: Ray Cook (Laps 1-44); Earl Pearson Jr. (Laps 45-50)
Caution Flags: Doug Drown (Lap 31)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: none
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: none
Fast Time Provisionals: Doug Drown; Zack Dohm
Muskingum County Speedway Track Provisional: Shane McLoughlin
Hard Charger: Steve Casebolt (Start - 21 / Finish 10 / 11 positions)
Ohlin’s Shocks Performer of the Race: Scott Bloomquist
K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Earl Pearson Jr.
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Chris Wall
Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Larry Wallace Race Engines
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Jason Covert
DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Jason Fitzgerald (Earl Pearson Jr.)
Time of Race: 22 minutes, 06 seconds

Finish / Start / Car # / Name / Hometown

1 . (4) 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL
2 . (1) 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC
3 . (8) 0Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
4 . (10) 12d Doug Dodd Cambridge, OH
5 . (6) 71 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN
6 . (7) 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH
7 . (5) 6 Steve Shaver Vienna, WV
8 . (3) 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
9 . (2) 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN
10. (21) c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN
11. (9) 71w Chris Wall Holden, LA
12. (12) 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA
13. (14) 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY
14. (24) 17d Zack Dohm Cross Lanes, WV
15. (17) s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI
16. (16) 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY
17. (13) 63 Cody Parker Zanesville, OH
18. (15) 11b Kyle Bates Cambridge, OH
19. (19) 9t Tim Isenberg Marshfield, WI
20. (20) 99 Donnie Moran Dresden, OH
21. (18) 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA
22. (22) 99m Devin Moran Dresden, OH
23. (11) 43a Jason Covert York Haven, PA
24. (25) 9m Shane McLoughlin Nashport, OH
25. (23) 79 Doug Drown Wooster, OH

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Earl Pearson Jr. Claims Back to Back Lucas Oil Wins in Ohio

PORTSMOUTH, OH (July 4, 2010) - Four-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL took home his 22nd career series win in grabbing the $10,000 to win Independence 50 on Sunday Night at Portsmouth Raceway Park before a gigantic crowd. Pearson took the lead from Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, WV on lap three. He went on to his fifth series win of the year. Series point's leader, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN was second followed by Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; Steve Shaver of Vienna, WV; and John Blankenship of Williamson, WV. Pearson and Carrier made up the front row for the main event. The two second generation pilots went toe-to-toe for the first two laps of the race, crossing the start-finish line dead even. Pearson was able to forge ahead of Carrier on lap three as Bloomquist was in the third slot followed by Jason Covert and Josh McGuire. The 2009 Quarter Master Rookie of the Year for the LOLMDS, John Blankenship, then moved into the top five by lap after starting eighth. Up front, Pearson was starting to pull away from both Carrier and Bloomquist. He opened up a good-sized lead in the early stages of the race.

Carrier and Bloomquist were able to gain some time on Pearson as he was starting to pick-up the tail end of the field by the 12th circuit. Carrier and Bloomquist closed on him just as the first caution of the race came out for Steve Casebolt on lap 15. The restart saw Pearson work on extending his lead back out again as Carrier and Bloomquist were fighting hard for second. With 21 laps in the books, the second caution of the race flew for a slowing Eric Wells. The restart saw Pearson take off from Carrier and Bloomquist as Ray Cook was now in the hunt. He had moved from the tenth starting spot to fourth, just ahead of Blankenship. On the restart Carrier got shuffled back in the field and Bloomquist moved to second and brought Cook with him. At the halfway mark, Pearson was still showing the way as Bloomquist and Cook were dicing it out for second. The battle for second continued for several more laps as Pearson had extended his race-lead to eight car lengths over the duo.

Pearson then had his lead shrink in a hurry as lapped traffic began slowing his momentum. Both Bloomquist and Cook cut into in his lead in a matter of a few laps. What was a good-sized lead was now down to two car lengths with ten laps to go as the top three were close together with no lapped cars between them. The third caution of the race for defending track champion, Kenny Christy. This halted the action on lap 42. With eight laps to go, it looked like it was going to be a three-car shootout to the finish. Pearson was strong on the restarts and that allowed him to again build a comfortable margin over Bloomquist and Cook in the waning stages of the race. A caution for a 360 spin by Donnie Moran was due to contact from another car on lap 46. Shortly after the final restart Carrier pulled off and headed to the pits. Pearson led the field to the checkers and it was his all-time series tying 22nd career victory. The feat matched Scott Bloomquist atop the all-time list. Pearson's win also allowed him to keep pace with Bloomquist and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN; who finished sixth as all three now have five series wins in 2010.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane, Pearson completed the sweep of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Fourth of July Weekend in the state of Ohio. He won the night before at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH. A tired, but elated Pearson emerged from his car and with a few words of encouragement from his son, Trey waved to the huge throng of fans on hand for the race. "First off I want to dedicate this win to my teammate, Brad Neat, he flipped qualifying and took a pretty good ride, he's ok, but he had to go to a back-up car, what a way to celebrate the Fourth of July with this win and last night at Zanesville," said Pearson. "We started up there with Eddie Carrier Jr. and I knew when they watered the top of the track he was going to be tough, but we had a real good race for the lead there early on, the car worked extremely well, the track was in good shape, I saw that zero car (Bloomquist) up there on the scoreboard and Ray Cook there in third, so I knew I was in a for a tough race there, but the cautions helped us a few times when it cleared some lapped traffic that was in front of us, the car restarted well and we were able to hold them guys off," said Pearson who remains in third in the series championship points standings. Pearson who drives for 2000 NASCAR Cup Champion, Bobby Labonte drives a MasterSbilt Dodge Charger with a Larry Wallace Racing Engine and sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Red Buck Cigars, PRC, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Asi Racewear and Ohlins Shocks.

Bloomquist maintains his series points lead heading to the next series race in Columbus, MS next weekend took second for another good point's night in his Miller Brothers Construction/Roush-Yates Racing Engines/Bloomquist Race Cars Monte Carlo SS. Third went to Cook in the D&R Racing/A+ Moving and Storage/MasterSbilt Monte Carlo SS with fourth going to Shaver in the K&L Rumley/Styers Curbing/Rocket Chassis with Blankenship notching a top five in the Coal America's Energy/Custom Race Engines/Rocket Chassis entry. Completing the top ten were 12th starting Jimmy Owens, Jackie Boggs of Grayson, KY; Jason Covert of York Haven, PA; Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.

Race Summary
Saturday Night, July 4th, 2010
"Independence 50"
Portsmouth Raceway Park - Portsmouth, OH

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Tim Dohm / 14.742 seconds

Wiles Driveshaft's First Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Earl Pearson Jr., Josh McGuire, Don O'Neal, Dale McDowell, Tim Dohm, Zack Dohm, Wayne Chinn, Brandon Fouts, Billy Guillion, David Powers, Eric Wells, Rod Conley, Daniel Williams, Kenneth Howell

AFCO Racing Products Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Jason Covert, Steve Shaver, Ben Adkins, Donnie Moran,
Steve Francis, RJ Conley, Mark Frazier, Josh Bocook, Chris Wall, Craig Voxbergen, Paul Davis, Mick Sansom, Shawn Martin

Allstar Performance Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Eddie Carrier Jr., Jackie Boggs, Ray Cook, Matt Miller, Tim Isenberg, Tyler Reddick, Delmas Conley, D.J. Wells, Brett Wagner, Barry Doss, Devin Moran, Kenny Christy

SuperFlow Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, John Blankenship, Jimmy Owens, Steve Casebolt,
Dan Schlieper, Terry Hicks, Michael Howard, Chris Wilson, Dustin Linville, Nick Bocook, Shannon Thornsberry, Jamie Ferguson, Brad Neat

Hawk Brake First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Transfer): Steve Francis, RJ Conley, Zack Dohm, Wayne Chinn, Mark Frazier,
Josh Bocook, Craig Vosbergen, Rod Conley, Shawn Martin, Mick Sonsom, Billy Guillion, Kenneth Howell, Chris Wall, Tim Dohm, Paul Davis, Eric Wells, Daniel Williams, Brandon Fouts, David Powers-DNS

Performance Rod and Custom (PRC) Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Transfer): Tim Isenberg, Dan Schlieper, Terry Hicks,
D.J. Wells, Chris Wilson, Delmas Conley, Dustin Linville, Michael Howard, Nick Bocook, Kevin Wagner, Devin Moran,
Jamie Ferguson, Brett Kennard, Shannon Thornsberry, Kenny Christy, Brad Neat, Tyler Reddick, Barry Doss-DNS

FINISH / START / CAR # / DRIVER NAME / HOMETOWN
1. (1) 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. - Jacksonville, FL
2. (4) 0 Scott Bloomquist - Mooresburg, TN
3. (10) 53 Ray Cook - Brasstown, NC
4. (7) 6 Steve Shaver - Vienna, WV
5. (8) 23 John Blankenship - Williamson, WV
6. (12) 20 Jimmy Owens - Newport, TN
7. (6) 4b Jackie Boggs - Grayson, KY
8. (3) 43a Jason Covert- York Haven, PA
9. (9) 71 Don O'Neal - Martinsville, IN
10. (13) 17m Dale McDowell - Chickamauga, GA
11. (14) 7 Matt Miller - Waterville, OH
12. (23) 71w Chris Wall - Holden, LA
13. (24) 18e Eric Wells - Hazard, KY
14. (18) 9t Tim Isenberg - Marshfield, WI
15. (20) s9 Dan Schlieper - Sullivan, WI
16. (16) c9 Steve Casebolt - Richmond, IN
17. (22) 9 Terry Hicks - Grayson, KY
18. (26) 11t Tyler Reddick - Corning, CA
19. (2) 28 Eddie Carrier, Jr. - Salt Rock, WV
20. (15) 99 Donnie Moran - Dresden, OH
21. (21) 17d Zack Dohm - Cross Lanes, WV
22. (19) 71c RJ Conley - Wheelersburg, OH
23. (11) b7 Ben Adkins - West Portsmouth, OH
24. (25) c7 Kenny Christy - Vanceburg, KY
25. (5) 41 Josh McGuire - Grayson, KY
26. (17) 15 Steve Francis - Ashland, KY

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All Star Sprints and FASTRAK Late Models headline WVMS 'Governor's Cup Weekend' races

A star studded, 2 night twin bill of auto racing awaits fans as the West Virginia Motor Speedway welcomes back the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars and the FASTRAK Late Model National Touring Series for the inaugural 'Governor's Cup' race weekend, July 9th (Friday) and 10th (Saturday).

The Governor’s Cup weekend kicks off Friday with a $4000 to win affair featuring the “Almost Heaven 25” for Super Late Models and a companion $3,000 to win Night 1 main event for the O'Reilly Auto Parts All Star Sprints. The FASTRAK Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series late models will also compete for $1200 to win in a night before the big one tuneup.  Plus the FASTRAK racers will square off in a makeup feature from May 16th.  Additionally, the 'Jack Shutts Throwback 15’ $800 to win HotMod Invitational Race will be held, featuring NASCAR style driver introductions, pit road with mandatory pit stops and tire changes. Saturday’s event will pay the 'O'Reilly' All Star sprint feature winner $5000, with $10,000 going to the winner of the 'City Chevrolet' FASTRAK National late model event.  Sharing the under card on Saturday night will be the TSMA Modifieds, vying for $1200 to win their feature event, and the $800 to win 'Jack Shutts Throwback 15' for the Pure Stock division, which will be running under local area track (OVS/Skyline/TCS)rules.  The All Stars Sprint Cars helped christen the newly built West Virginia Motor Speedway in 1985 with Jack Hewitt taking the victory over Tim Green and Kelly Kinser.  The All Stars returned in 1991 when Chuck Ward took the win over Hewitt and Frank Kerr. In 1992, Kevin Huntley would take the victory over Rocky Hodges and Jeff Shepherd.  It would be 2004 before the All Stars would again return, with Kenny Jacobs securing the win over Chad Kemenah and Danny Smith.Tim Shaffer is the current 2010 All Star point leader, and will head a contingent of the east coast's finest 410 sprint drivers when the methanol burning, winged ground pounders return to the spacious high banks of the track known nationwide as ‘the speedplant’. 

Shaffer is coming off an outstanding 28th annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek, where the driver of the Kistler Engines, VRP Shocks, Technique Roofing sponsored # 83 visited victory lane 3 times in 9 nights and the 43 year old driver celebrated his birthday with a $10,000 win in the week ending finale.  Shaffer, along with nationally known sprint drivers such as Billy Rose, Steve Smith, Dean Jacobs, Brandon Wimmer and many more winged warriors will blister the high banks both nights in the area's only 2010 appearance for the nationally recognized series.  The Carnesville, Georgia based FASTRAK sanctioned Late Models will share the spotlight both evenings, with a Mid-Ohio Valley touring region event set for Friday night. Saturday night, the Rick Hendrick's City Chevrolet sponsored National Touring Series FASTRAK Late Models will do battle for a whopping $10k to win event.  FASTRAK racers from New York to the Carolina's and beyond have circled this date on their calendars for months in anticipation. Titusville, PA's Max Blair currently leads the FASTRAK National Weekly point standings, but a trio of Mountain State racers hold top positions in the standings, led by Pennsboro, WV's Kyle Thomas, currently third and just 38 markers out of first.  Greenwood, WV's Daniel Hill and Pennsboro's Shawn Jett hold down 11th and 12th in the standings.With the explosive growth of the FASTRAK series, and boasting one of the series largest paydays, anticipations of a record car count are easily justified. 

The Speedplant offers variety to both night's program, as well.  The Tri-State Modified Association will be represented by the recently introduced Hot Mod division on Friday night, while the always competitive TSMA open wheel modifieds will add to the Saturday night excitement.  Also on the docket that night will be the Mid-Ohio Valley area rules Pure Stock division cars.  Additionally, Saturday night will feature a pre-race autograph session from 5-5:30 p.m.Gates open both nights at 3 p.m., with hot laps scheduled to roll off at 7:00.  2 Day Advance General Admission tickets are $40, (Kids 6-11 $10) while a 2 Day Pit Pass is available for $55 by ordering your tickets securely on-line at the WVMS website @ www.wvspeedway.com.  Single day tickets are also available. For more information call 304-758-2934 or 304-771-5661 or on Raceday 304-489-0090.  The West Virginia Motor Speedway is a high banked 5/8 mile clay oval, with spacious terraced hill lawn chair frontstretch seating or backstretch bleacher seating available, either of which offer excellent sight lines.  Plenty of free parking, clean restrooms, and reasonably priced and tasty items can be found at the concessions locations. 

Come join the 25th anniversary of the Speedplant, as Mountain State Motorsports Promotions continue to present quality motorsports entertainment at the state's premier facility!

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Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney to compete in Lou Blaney Memorial on Wednesday


HARTFORD, Ohio (July 5, 2010) – While NASCAR fans will flock to Sharon Speedway's Lou Blaney Memorial Classic on Wed., July 7 to watch Sprint Cup stars Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Dave Blaney compete against the best 410 Sprint car drivers in the region, a very special group of individuals will be assembling in the speedway's FAN-tastic Zone.

Friends of Lou Blaney will again attend the race to help celebrate the life and accomplishments of the Hall of Fame driver, who won more than 600 feature victories during a five-decade career.

Dave and Dale Blaney, Stewart and Kahne will be competing in 410 Sprints. In 2009, Stewart made history at Sharon Speedway by recording his first win in a 410 Sprint at Sharon Speedway during the first Lou Blaney Memorial. Last year in the Lou Blaney Memorial, Dale Blaney finished fifth, one spot ahead of Dave Blaney.

Blaney's family, former crew members, car owners and builders will be in attendance, as well as former competitors, including: Johnny Axe, Jim Bickle, Buddy Cochran, Dale Johnson, Don Klug, Bobby Krause, Rex King Sr., Tommy Kristyak, Jack Lewis, Dave Lundy, Jerry Matus, Bob Stanford, Dick Swartzlander, Ralph Quarterson, Ed Lynch Sr. and Bob Wearing.

Also on hand will be long-time car owners Frank Crash and Bill Thomas, who put the wheels under Blaney for more than 40 years. Following a reunion dinner provided by the speedway, the retired drivers will speak with fans as well as watch a great night of 410 Sprints BRP Big Block Modified races. It was very important to the Blaney Family that these friends continue to be a part of this special evening.

Stewart, Kasey and the Blaneys will be available from 5:30 to 6 p.m. for autographs to raise awareness for Alzheimer's disease. The autographs will be on postcards and fans are asked to refrain from bringing souvenirs to the track. Autographs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 410 Sprints will race 30 laps in the $3,500-to-win feature.

The BRP Modifieds will also race 30 laps in the $2,000-to-win A-Main event.  The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour portion of the program will be broadcast by Shawn Wood of The Dirt Track Channel. It'll be available on thedirttrackchannel.com July 8 at 8 p.m.

Also on tap will be a VARC vintage race car display and exhibition, along with fireworks and the release of hundreds of red and white balloons in Lou Blaney's honor. Please stop by the Alzheimer's Association table to put your message on a balloon before we release them into the night.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. with racing to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $25 for a pit pass. Fans who purchase a ticket in advance will be able to enter the stands one hour early.

Tickets are available on sharonspeedway.com, at the speedway ticket windows, or by by calling (330) 772-5481 during office hours on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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KING THRILLS PARTISAN CROWD AT THE FAIR

Before a near capacity crowd at the 164th Trumbull County Fair, Rex King, Sr. scored his first win of the 2010 BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour. It was his second career Modified Tour win at Expo Speedway, the track where he cut his racing teeth. “It was extra special,” King said of his thirteenth career Mod Tour win. “It was during the fair.” King has strong ties to Expo Speedway. He lives but five miles from the track and his business is also located nearby. He started his racing career at Expo in the early 1980’s and he even promoted four races there during the 1995 season. “We had a lot of local people there, and I heard a lot of good comments,” he said. He heard even more of them afterwards, when he and runner-up Kevin Bolland took their cars out onto the carnival midway so the fans could see them. There were plenty of first-time spectators in the audience. “I think everybody there enjoyed it,” King said. “We put on a good show, a little bit of passing back and forth,” he explained. “That’s what we need to do (to get new fans interested in the sport). Maybe they liked what they saw and they will come out to Sharon (Speedway) or Mercer (Raceway Park) to see us again.”

King, who raced from twelfth to second in the early stages of the race, made strong outside moves on two restarts to grab the lead away from Kevin Bolland. As to the first lead change, King said with a laugh, “I went into one on the outside (and) I was either going to win it or I was going out to the ferris wheel or something because we went in there pretty good and it held and that is what we needed.” Then after Bolland returned the favor on an intervening restart, King was able to repeat the feat. “Kevin got a good run on me for five or eight laps (and) I was chasing him pretty hard. Then, on the next restart the tire came back, had a little heat generated in it, seemed like it came back to life for me,” King added. But, with just five laps remaining in the race, he had to fight off Bolland’s final challenge. “I thought that he might be able (to pull it off), but we got into one really good that time,” King said. “I hit my marks and I was just where I needed to be.” King was able to drive off the bottom of turn two, got some good bite, and managed to get in front of Bolland as they pair entered turn three. However, King explained that the key was his entry into the first turn. “I focused a lot on the very first entry. I wanted to make sure that I was where I needed to be.” He explained, “if I was up too high, the car was going to hang and get loose.” So, he drove in straight and then “bent” it to get around the corner.

 Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland garnered front row starting spots for the feature, which was shortened to 30 laps due to approaching darkness. Bolland fired first and led the thundering Modifieds down the long front stretch. The crowd roared with approval as Rex King, Jr. slipped into second, followed by rookie Chris Haines and his teammate, Shingledecker. King Sr. got a great start as well, moving from twelfth to eighth on the first circuit. While Bolland continued to lead, King Sr. methodically worked his way to the front. When the field realigned after the second caution of the race, Bolland had the pole and King Sr. was on his flank. On the restart, King Sr. made that strong outside move and gained the lead as the veterans came off turn two. King Sr. led the next six laps, until caution slowed the field once again. This time, it was Bolland’s turn to use the outside lane to wrestle the lead away from him. Bolland would lead the next three laps, but he was pressured by King Sr. During this stage of the race, Del Rougeux, Jr. worked his way into third, while Jim Rasey, Brad Rapp, Shingledecker, and Dave Murdick fought for other top five positions. Then, it was déjà vu all over again, as Yogi Berra would say. King used the outside line to take the lead away from Bolland on the lap 17 restart. Bolland kept pace with the new leader, while Rougeux, Rasey, Rapp continued to run in formation.

Bolland would get one last shot to overhaul the leader on a lap 25 restart. However, King was better prepared for the outside challenge, and held off Bolland the remainder of the way. Rougeux closed in on the lead pair as the laps wound down, but he could not get close enough to pose a serious threat to them. Rasey rode home in fourth and D. Murdick finished fifth. Tommy Kristyak came from fourteenth to sixth, followed by Gary Smoker, Shingledecker, Mark Flick and Kevin Hoffman.

Heat wins for the 31 car field went to King Sr., King, Jr., and Bolland.

There was no B Main, as the Trumbull County Fair Board graciously allowed all racers to start the feature event.

BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Round Three:  July 1, 2010:  Expo Speedway, Cortland, OH:  30 Laps: 
1. (65) Rex King, Sr., Bristolville, OH ($1500);
2. (777) Kevin Bolland, New Brighton, PA ($1000);
3. (20D) Del Rougeux, Jr., Frenchville, PA ($800);
4. (32) Jim Rasey, Southington, OH ($600);
5. (61) Dave Murdick, Slippery Rock ($550);
6. (26Z) Tommy Kristyak, Stoneboro, PA ($500);
7. (516) Gary Smoker, Mercer, PA ($450);
8. (37MD) Jeremiah Shingledecker, Polk, PA ($400);
9.(2) Mark Flick, Apollo, PA ($350);
10. (17H) Kevin Hoffman, Franklin, PA ($325);
11. (03) Mark Frankhouser, Phillipsburg, PA ($300);
12. (11R) Brad Rapp, Shippenville, PA ($290);
13. (35H) Chris Haines, Sandy Lake, PA ($280);
14. (333) Ron Eperthener, Jr., Grove City, PA ($270);
15. (6) Carl Murdick, Butler, PA ($260);
16. (75) Jeff Miller, Sarver, PA ($250);
17. (96) Mike Turner, Butler, PA ($240);
18. (45) Steve Feder, Butler, PA ($230);
19. (8J) Dean Pearson, Harrisville, PA ($225);
20. (X) Jeremy Paup, Polk, PA ($220);
21. (88) Shawn Fleeger, Butler, PA ($210);
22. (165) Rex King, Jr., Bristolville, OH ($205);
23. (69) Tommy Mattocks, Franklin, PA ($200);
24. (3E) Eric Gabany, Mercer, PA ($200);
25. (00) Rob Kristyak, Bristolville, OH ($200);
26. (B4) Ryan Hall, Grove City, PA ($200);
27. (71B) Don Brown, Butler, PA ($200);
28. (72) Mike Miller, Chicora, PA ($200).
DNS Jason Longwell ($100), Dave Reges ($100) and J.R. McGinley ($50).

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Tim Fuller’s Status For ‘Wild West Tour’ Uncertain After Emergency Appendectomy

CONCORD, NC - July 6, 2010 - Tim Fuller’s status for this week’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Wild West Tour’ is uncertain after he underwent an emergency appendectomy on Monday afternoon.

Fuller, 42, of Watertown, N.Y., was in his hauler Tuesday afternoon and headed to Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., for the opening event of the four-race swing on Wednesday night (July 7), but he said he would have to wait until race time to determine his ability to compete.

“Right now I’m not even sure I can make a lap (for last-place points),” said Fuller, who was still extremely sore 24 hours after the surgery. “My doctor said he wouldn’t recommend racing for a couple weeks, but he said, ‘You most likely aren’t gonna reinjure yourself, so it’s more a matter of if you can take the pain.’

“They only made three small cuts on me and went in with a scope (to remove the appendix), but they’re still moving your guts around so it’s painful. I’ll have to see how I feel (on Wednesday night) and then decide what I’m gonna do.”

Fuller began to experience pain on Sunday afternoon while at racer April Farmer’s shop in Livingston, Tenn., where Fuller and Shane Clanton headed to spend a couple days working on their equipment after Saturday night’s WoO LMS event at nearby Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway. He initially thought he was suffering from a case of food poisoning, but after spending a sleepless night doubled over in pain he asked Farmer and her husband, Chris, to take him to a local doctor’s office on Monday morning to find out if his problem was something more serious. Tests revealed that his appendix was inflamed and in danger of bursting, so he was told to immediately report to a nearby hospital and by 2 p.m. he was on an operating table undergoing an emergency appendectomy.

The surgery went well and doctors allowed Fuller to check himself out of the hospital at 8:30 on Monday night. He was able sleep in reasonable comfort in his hauler and left Farmer’s shop on Tuesday afternoon, bound for Minnesota with his crew and Clanton’s team.

“I guess I’m fortunate that this happened while we were at April’s place rather than somewhere on the road where we don’t know anybody,” said Fuller. “April and Chris were great shuttling me back-and-forth to the doctor and the hospital, and Shane and his girlfriend Michelle were at the hospital with me.

“Now all I can do is go to Deer Creek and play it by ear. Hopefully I’ll be able to race.”

Fuller currently ranks fifth in the WoO LMS points standings, 182 points behind leader Josh Richards and just six points ahead of sixth-place Austin Hubbard. He won twice and finished third in the first three events of the recent ‘Great Northern Tour’ to pull within 84 points of Richards, but in the five A-Mains since then he’s finished no better than 12th and lost 98 points in the standings.

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Mike Lutz leads 30 laps to win Sprint Feature at Lou Blaney Memorial, Jim Rasey wins third night of the 2010 BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour


HARTFORD, Ohio (July 7, 2010) – Local drivers and rookies came together for a jam-packed night of racing to honor dirt track racing's best. It was the Lou Blaney Memorial at Sharon Speedway and featured a $3,500-to-win Sprint A-Main event, part of the DirtCar Challenge Sprint Series, a collaboration of several area dirt tracks hosting a 10-race series. It was also the third night of the 2010 BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour, a $2,000-to-win feature with bonus lap money.

NASCAR driver Dave Blaney, one of the track's owners, says he and his brother, Dale, along with Kahne and Stewart, were there to have fun but they were going to try to win. “I'm actually looking to run sprints a little more,” Blaney said in a pre-race press conference. Blaney said he was humbled at the turnout for the Lou Blaney Memorial. “It's nice to see everyone again...it's been fun to get together for the past few years and hopefully we can keep doing this,” he said.

Rod George set out quickly to lead the B-Main Sprint event, but Dave Blaney split Aaron Shaffer and Jack Sodeman Jr. to take second. On lap number four, Blaney was able ot pass, leaving George to battle with Sodeman. Sodeman passed with two-to-go to take second. Williams dove in on the last lap to finish third, one spot ahead of George, rounding out the four who'd advance to the A-Main.

The 24-car, 30-lap Sprint feature at Sharon Speedway saw Mike Lutz (Mercer, Pa.) in his white Centerline Boring Inc. machine jump out to a commanding lead on the first lap. Brian Ellenberger (Butler, Pa.) fell to second, with Sheldon Haudenschild (Wooster, Ohio) dicing in on him. By lap five, Haudenschild was knocking on Lutz's door. It didn't take long for the leaders to get into lap traffic, running quick laps before a seventh lap caution. Dale Blaney was running fourth before that caution and Tony Stewart had moved up from starting 19th to tenth. On the restart, Haudenschild did an about-face in turn two, bringing out the caution and sending him to the back of the field. That pulled Ellenberger back into second, Blaney into third and put Tim Shaffer fourth and put Ed Lynch Jr. (Apollo, Pa.) in the top five for the first time in the feature. A fast restart saw Lynch jump up one spot before Haudenschild went end-over-end in turn three and bringing out a red flag.

Fans were still holding their breaths from a fast-paced restart that saw Dale Blaney when Eric Williams  (Greenville, Pa.) went flying through turn three on the ninth lap, ending upside down and bringing out another red flag. Lutz stayed out front with a commanding lead, with Ellenberger in second ahead of Shaffer as Blaney looked wide for a chance to take the position. Laps 12, 13 and 14 were exciting for Sharon Speedway fans with Stewart, Lynch and Bob Felmlee (Franklin, Pa.) in the World of Wheels Spring cars running wheel- to-wheel.

Dave Blaney pulled to the infield on the 17th lap, ending his night early. Lap number 25 saw brother Dale Blaney also come to the inside. With two to go, the field was quickly changing, with Shaffer getting within striking distance before Lutz set sail. Felmlee was rubbing the wall, losing valuable real estate and putting Stewart in the top five. Lutz led all 30 laps to win the A-Main event, with Shaffer coming in second, Ellenberger finishing third, Lynch fourth and Stewart rounded out the top five.

Stewart and Kahne did an interview in the Bob and Chuck Eddy pace truck with Mike Ackelson from WFMJ-21 during the intermission. Stewart, the winner of the first Lou Blaney Memorial, said it was “pretty cool” to have had raced against Lou Blaney in the past. “Of course, we didn't know then that we'd lose him so soon,” Stewart said. Stewart described Wednesday's race as a chance to get away, noting he ran two weeks ago in North Dakota. He said he and Kahne both own World of Outlaw Sprint cars.

Kahne said that he tries to run dirt track races as often as he can. “It's nice to be back because last year we had a lot of fun, good race, good crowd,” Kahne said. Don Gamble, a longtime racing insider, spoke of Lou Blaney's memory during an intermission presentation. “We lost Lou last January at age 69. He started out working on the Blaney farm and in their lumber mill. When he got into high school he became a basketball star and scored 1200 points when he played for Hartford High,” Gamble said. “He started racing in 1958, but if we go back a little bit, his father George Blaney had a few cars in the early 50s.” Gamble noted that Lou Blaney began racing in a coupe his father owned. “He was loved by so many of the fans,” Gamble said.

A representative of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Scott Oliver, presented Kate Blaney with money raised by several chapters in the name of Lou Blaney. The check was for $1,000 in the memory of Lou Blaney. Tony Stewart presented a family photo from last year's Lou Blaney Memorial to Dave Blaney to say thanks from the NASCAR drivers for getting to race at Sharon Speedway. Emma Blaney, Dave Blaney's daughter, presented the elder Blaneys with scrapbooks made with contributed photographs and memories from family, friends and fans.

Sprint heat winners were Mike Lutz, Dale Blaney, Brian Ellenberger and Kasey Kahne.

The first Big Block Modified B-Main saw rubbing and scrubbing among Kevin Fink, Jeff Miller, Gary Smoker and Dean Pearson, with the top two drivers advancing to the A-Main. Fink and Miller held off the challenges to advance. The second consi put Mike Turner (Butler, Pa.) out front, a few carlengths ahead of J.R. McGinley. Behind them, there was hot racing between Kevin Hoffman and Chris Haines, but it was in vain.: eight laps weren't enough for Haines or Hoffman to get into the A-Main.

Jim Rasey (Southington, Ohio) jumped out to a lead after starting the A-Main as the pole sitter, but Mike Turner (Butler, Pa.) flipped through the backstretch and brought out a complete restart. As Jim Weller Jr. (Hubbard, Ohio) and Rasey set the pace, the rest of the field shuffled through turn three with some trading paint. Weller made a move on Rasey to take first, but Rob Kristyak (Bristolville, Ohio) was looking inside and outside for his opportunity.  Rod Jones (West Middlesex, Pa.) held onto a secure fourth as Kevin Bolland (New Brighton, Pa.)  dodged and darted through the pack to move into fifth by the seventh lap. Jeremiah Shingledecker found an outside groove to run during laps seven and eight and started gaining momentum.

The 10th lap $100 bonus went to Rasey, holding off Weller. Shingledecker moved into third, as Kristyak and Dave Murdick were rubbing doors around the 3/8-mile dirt oval at Sharon Speedway. A 20th lap caution in turn three changed the game. It claimed Shingledecker and Weller. The restart saw Rasey stay on the lead, with Murdick, Kristyak, Bolland, Rex King Sr. behind for a single-file restart. It was the chance Bolland had needed, grinding on Kristyak's door, making a move on the front straight to take third and forcing Kristyak to fall to fifth. Just a few laps remained when Shingledecker passed Rex King Sr. Rasey took the checkered, followed by Murdick in second, Bolland in third, Shingledecker in fourth and Rex King Sr. rounded out the top five.

It was the first feature win of 2010 for Rasey. “I tell you what, this was the most important race I wanted to win all year long. This was for Lou. Had to win this one,” Rasey said. “I probably followed Lou a thousand laps here.”

BRP Modified heat winners were Rob Kristyak, Jim Weller Jr., Kevin Bolland and Dave Murdick.

Lou Blaney Memorial (July 7) results:

410 Sprints A-Main: 1.) Mike Lutz 2.) Tim Shaffer 3.) Brian Ellenberger 4.) Ed Lynch Jr. 5.) Tony Stewart 7.) Kasey Kahne
8.) Bob Felmlee 9.) Matt Reed 10.) Davey Sammons 11.) Pete Miller 12.) Paul Kish 13.) Brent Matus
DNF: Dale Blaney, Rod George, Dave Blaney, Cole Duncan, Sheldon Haudenschild, Jack Sodeman Jr.

410 Sprints B-Main: 1.) Dave Blaney 2.) Jack Sodeman Jr. 3.) Eric Williams 4.) Rod George 5.) Aaron Shaffer 6.) Nathan Stein
7.) Lindsay Enscoe 8.) Gale Ruth Sr. DNF: Jack Whitmore, Gale Ruth Jr., Andy Paden, Tim Kaeding

410 Sprints Heat 1: 1.) Mike Lutz 2.) Tim Shaffer 3.) Brandon Wimmer 4.) Jody Keegan 5.) Pete Miller 6.) Ruth Gale  Jr.
7.) Eric Williams DNF: Andy Paden

410 Sprints Heat 2: 1.) Dale Blaney 2.) Cole Duncan 3.) Paul Kish 4.) Matt Reed 5.) Brent Matus DNF: Rod George, Nate Stein,
Jack Sodeman Jr.

410 Sprints Heat 3: 1.) Brian Ellenberger 2.) Sheldon Haudenshild 3.) Ed Lynch Jr. 4.) Davey Sammons 5.) Tony Stewart
6.) Jack Whitmore DNF: Dave Blaney, Tim Kaeding

410 Sprints Heat 4: 1.) Kasey Kahne 2.) Bob Felmlee 3.) Danny Holtgraver 4.) Brandon Matus 5.) Bill Jones 6.) Aaron Shaffer
7.) Lindsay Enscoe DNF: Gale Ruth Sr.

BRP Modifieds A-Main: 1.) Jim Rasey 2.) Dave Murdick 3.) Kevin Bolland 4.) Jeremiah Shingledecker 5.) Rex King Sr.
6.) Paul Hebeck 7.) Rob Kristyak 8.) Mark Frankhouser 9.) J.R. McGinley DNF: Rod Jones, Brad Rapp, Jeremy Paup, Steve Barr, Jim Weller Jr., Jeff Miller, Skip Moore, Steve Feder, Ryan Hall, Dean Pearson, Kevin Hoffman, Rex King Jr., Tommy Kristyak,
Gary Smoker, Charlie Donk, Kyle Fink, Mike Turner

BRP Modifieds B-Main 1: 1.) Kevin Fink 2.) Jeff Miller 3.) Gary Smoker 4.) Eric Gabany 5.) Dean Pearon 6.) Carl Murdick
7.) Ron Eperthener 8.) Don Brown

BRP Modifieds B-Main 2: 1.) Mike Turner 2.) J.R. McGinley 3.) Kevin Hoffman 4.) Chris Haines 5.) Shawn Fleeger
DNF: Rodney Beltz

BRP Modifieds Heat 1: 1.) Rob Kristyak 2.) Brad Rapp 3.) Rod Jones 4.) Tommy Kristyak 5.) Del Rougeux 6.) Carl Murdick
7.) Don Brown 8.) Eric Gabany

BRP Modifieds Heat 2: 1.) Jim Weller Jr. 2.) Steve Feder 3.) Jeremiah Shingledecker 4.) Rick Hall 5.) Russ King 6.) Kyle Fink
7.) Gary Smoker 8.) Dean Pearson

BRP Modifieds Heat 3: 1.) Kevin Bolland 2.) Roger Habeck 3.) Jim Rasey 4.) Jeremy Paup 5.) Mark Frankhouser 6.) Shawn Fleeger 7.) Kevin Hoffman DNF: Kevin Green,

BRP Modifieds Heat 4: 1.) Dave Murdick 2.) Charlie Donk 3.) Skip Moore 4.) Steve Barr 5.) Rex “ Cooter” King 6.) Mike Turner
7.) J.R. McGinley 8.) Chris Haines

The Lou Blaney Memorial also featured an exhibition by the Vintage American Race Cars. The following drivers took their vintage horsepower to Sharon Speedway's 3/8-mile oval: Chuck Dillon (TQ Midget), Cliff LaJouness (1968 Edmunds Copy Sprint Chevy 283), John Lawhorn (Sprint), Jim McDermott and Terry Wells (Vega Modified), George Oliver (1937 East Coast Modified), Don Tarr (Sprint), Jim Reese (Sprint), Larry Reed (Sprint), Keith Sawyer (Midget), OJ Tucker (Stock), Jack Lemmo (Corvette Stock Car) and Tony Gullatta (6 cyl. Chevy Pinto Body).

The Lou Blaney Memorial, featuring Sharon Speedway announcer Jim Pollock, will be broadcast on www.thedirttrackchannel.com. The Modified portion of the broadcast will be live for public listening Thursday, July 8 and the Sprint portion will be uploaded and available on Friday. It'll be available for listening for one year.

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