Dirt, Dust and Speed News and Information
Burlington Iowa - The Sprint Invaders board of directors is proud to announce its partnership with BROCKWAY MECHANICAL & ROOFING Company for the title sponsorship of the series in 2012. BROCKWAY, with locations in Burlington & Grimes, Iowa is known for their customer service and dedication to ensure complete quality projects.
Board member Chris McGraw, and other Board members are really pumped to have Brockway Mechanical & Roofing sign on as the heart blood of the series.
Brockway Mechanical & Roofing offers their customers the knowledge, ability, and performance to meet all their modern mechanical, sheet metal, plumbing, and roofing needs. They have a management staff and field team of more than 100 dedicated professionals. Their design team members coordinate with different trades to ensure compatibility and efficiency in all steps of your projects. Brockway’s proven fast-track construction process offers safe, fast, quality, and cost-effective building processes.
Mark Brockway stated “Sprint Invaders brings positive family entertainment to race fans of all ages. Partnering with the group will bring good things for both BROCKWAY MECHANICAL & ROOFING, the INVADERS, and the racing community.”
The SIA will begin its 11th season of sprint car racing action on April 14th at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.
For more information go to www.sprintinvaders.com
-----
Later starting date, but Fab Four Racing still the bread & butter!!
Sarver, PA (January 23, 2012) The 2012 schedule at Lernerville Speedway will once again feature Crown Jewel events in the 6th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com and the 21st annual installment of the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup, both featuring and sanctioned by the World of Outlaws.
But our bread and butter continues to be the best weekly show in America; Fab Four Racing. All four division sponsors are back for 2012, so Fab Four Racing will once again feature the Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprints, Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models, Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modifieds and Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman.
The biggest change for 2012 is a later starting date. For years, Lernerville Speedway has scheduled one of the earliest “Opening Nights” in the region; traditionally the last Friday in March. But with Mother Nature carrying a winning percentage of greater than 75% over the past five seasons, Lernerville Speedway management has decided to move Opening Night 2012 to Friday, April 20 and Budweiser Points will start right off the bat!
Even with the later starting date, 17 Fast Fridays of Fab Four Racing are scheduled between Opening Night on April 20 and Championship Night on August 24.
Before the green flag flies, however, Lernerville’s preseason begins with the Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 3 at the Days Inn on Route 8 in Butler, followed by cars shows at the Clearview Mall in Butler (March 8-10) and the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills (March 15-17). After a month to bear down and get ready for the 2012 season, the action will move to the track on Saturday, April 14 for the Test & Tune practice session.
As mentioned above, the Crown Jewel events will be the highlight of the 2012 season as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series roll into Sarvertown for a three-night mega event in late June for the 6th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com and the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars invade the Action Track in mid-July for the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XXI Twin 30s.
The Firecracker 100 is scheduled for Thursday-Friday-Saturday, June 28-29-30 and the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17. The World of Outlaws Sprints will also visit the Sarver Speedplant on Saturday, September 22 for the Commonwealth Clash. Tickets for all three events are on sale at www.Lernerville.com by clicking the “Buy Tickets” icon or by calling the speedway office Monday-Thursday 9:00AM-4:00PM at (724) 353-1511.
2012 Fab Four Racing promotional events include Silver Jacket Night on April 27, Cinco de Mayo Night on May 4, Breast Cancer Awareness Night on May 11, Armed Forces Night on May 18, Ladies Night/80s Night on May 25, Nostalgia Night on June 1, Fire/EMS/Police Night on June 8 and the Mid-Season Championships on June 15. Holiday Races with Fireworks on #1 Cochran Fan Appreciation Night on June 22 will lead us into the 6th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by www.GottaRace.com.
The promotions continue to roll after the Firecracker with Youth Sports Night on July 6 and Friday the 13th Night featuring $13 admission on July 13.
After the Silver Cup, Fab Four Racing will take a mid-summer vacation as the ULMS Late Models will make their Action Track debut on the Friday, July 20 along with the UEMS E-Mods (which debuted at the 2011 DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede) and the Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman/Stock. The ULMS Lates will be racing for $2,500-to-win, while the UEMS Mods will race for $1,000-to-win.
Fab Four Racing resumes on July 27 with the Joe Pitkavish Memorial for the Diehl Mods, followed by ARCH Fan Club Night on August 3, Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night on August 10, Scout Night on August 17 and the 2012 Fab Four Racing season will conclude with Championship Night on Friday, August 24. A more detailed explanation of the different features of each promotion will be announced closer to the start of the 2012 season.
Lernerville’s postseason will begin with the with the traditional Labor Day weekend lid lifter featuring the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints on Friday, August 31. The 305 Sprints return to the card in 2012 along with the Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman.
Our Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman will once again take center stage on Saturday, September 8 in Sportsman/Stock Spectacular during Autumn-Motive Fest 2012; switching dates with the “Back to School” School Bus & Kid’s Bike Races which will now be run on the weekend after Autumn-Motive Fest; on Saturday, September 15. School Bus and Kid’s Bike races will also be run on Tuesday, August 7 along with Enduro 100 and Trailer Races on the “Summer Vacation” card.
The BRP Modified Tour will come to a dramatic conclusion during the three-day DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede for a third straight season with the Kodiak Memorial Feature being run on Saturday, October 27.
Speaking of the DIRTcar Round Up, in its third season, the Steel City Stampede continued to grow into the pre-eminent end-of-season event in Western PA in 2011! The 2012 edition will expand to nine fast divisions all three nights, headlined by Fab Four Racing’s Ti22 Sprints, Precise Lates, Diehl Mods and Charapp Sportsman/Stock. Joining the Steel City Stampede lineup for the first time will be the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series. The “Crate Lates” have been on the card since the inaugural event, but this will be the first time this race will be FASTRAK sanctioned. The 305 Sprints will also make their Stampede debut in 2012 after debuting at the speedway in 2011 along with the All Star Sprints. The UEMS/UMP Mods, Mod Lites and 4-Cylinders will also return, along with the Saturday Night finale Enduro 100.
Lernerville Speedway management continues to work with DIRTcar Northeast and the Sharon Speedway on the recently announces mini-series between the two tracks for the Big Block Modifeds, dates and details should be released in the near future.
The 2012 Lernerville Speedway schedule can be downloaded for printing at www.Lernerville.com by clicking the “2012 Schedule/Pricing” link or pick one up at the Banquet or either car show!
----------
Lucas Oil Once Again to Sponsor Earl Pearson Jr. and No. 44 Team
Trinity, N.C. (January 10, 2012) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) announced today that the team will once again return to the national dirt late model circuit in 2012 with driver Earl Pearson Jr. driving the familiar No. 44 Dodge. Lucas Oil will continue its long-standing sponsorship of Pearson Jr. and joins BLR for its sixth consecutive season. The team will operate as a single-car entry this race season with veteran BLR crew member Matt Langston stepping up as crew chief. Former general manager and crew chief Jason Fitzgerald has moved back to Florida with his family while Brad Neat will race out of his home state of Kentucky.
The team will continue to race its in-house Longhorn Chassis and is currently developing a new chassis that the team will debut early this season. Pearson Jr. will then compete in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series as well as select World of Outlaw events and non-sanctioned national events throughout the year.
"There have been some changes to the team over the winter, but we're still focused on winning races," said team owner Bobby Labonte. "We want to return Earl back to victory lane and make sure the Longhorn Chassis is a consistent winner for not only us, but our customers. We're proud to have the great support from Lucas Oil this season. They have been very loyal supporters of Earl and us since the start. We are still looking for additional partners to join the team this season to help continue to grow the organization."
One of the biggest changes during the winter months has been Matt Langston stepping up to replace Fitzgerald. Langston has been with team since the inception of BLR. He is very familiar with Pearson Jr. and the daily operations of the race shop and tracks where the team competes.
"After taking the winter months to formulate our plan for the season, I'm more ready than ever," said Pearson Jr. "Although we are all disappointed to see Jason (Fitzgerald) move back to Florida, I have complete confidence in Matt and his abilities. We're working hard on the Longhorn Chassis to make it better for this race season. We're all anxious to get back to racing and seeing our progress. I'm proud to have Lucas Oil again as a sponsor. We're also hopeful that more companies may want to partner with the team and Bobby this season as well."
Pearson Jr. and his BLR team competed in 57 different events in 2011 with 25 top-10 and 15 top-five finishes to their credit. The team will travel to Golden Isle Speedway in Brunswick, Ga., to kick-off its season February 12.
----------
Nightly Doubleheaders, Free Fan Pit Passes at Volusia
World of Outlaws, DIRTcar divisions highlight UNOH DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERVILLE, Fla. (December 21, 2011) - Did you know the biggest dirt racing event in February - the 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals - starts Feb. 14 and runs through Feb. 25 at Volusia Speedway Park near Daytona Beach? That means the event starts a week later than it has in recent years, and more importantly means the odds are the weather will be perfect to watch the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, the World of Outlaws Late Models, the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds, the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and DIRTcar Late Models.
Remember last winter? Plenty of dirt racing fans were stuck indoors in February as snow blanketed much of the country. But in Florida, the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals went off without a hitch, 12 consecutive nights of double-headers that saw Joey Saldana win the Sprint Car title, Clint Bowyer win the UMP Modified crown, Billy Moyer win the Late Model championship and Stewart Friesen top the Big-Block Modified field.
Every ticket is also a pit pass, making Volusia the place during the busy Speed Weeks to get up close to the cars and see the superstars from all the major dirt racing series. Plus, fan-favorite food vendors are returning once again, and the huge souvenir midway at Volusia gives fans the chance to see all the 2012 driver merchandise before the touring series begin traveling throughout the country.
It is the perfect way to kick off the 2012 season, whether it's with the blazing speeds and breathtaking passes by the Sprint Cars or the door-banging intensity of the Modifieds and Late Models, there's something for everybody at the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals.
The grandstands fill up fast, and the only way to guarantee a seat is to reserve it in advance by visitinghttp://www.DIRTcarNationals.com and clicking the "Buy Tickets" button in the upper right-hand corner. Fans can also call the ticket hotline at 877-395-8606.
Don't miss a chance to see all the biggest names in dirt racing during the 12 nights at Volusia. Tickets start at only $20, but week-long packages offer the best deals. Don't delay, make your plans today.
For more information, including directions, camping information and lodging locations, click http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com.
Rising Young Star A Driver To Watch Feb. 20-25 At Floridas Volusia Speedway Park
BARBERVILLE, Fla (January 18, 2012) - Brandon Sheppard fondly recalls the final night of last years UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park after all, he led a star-studded World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main field to the green flag from the pole position as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.
Perhaps the end result that evening wasnt what Sheppard had hoped for (he fell back immediately and finished two laps down in 21st place), but winning a heat race and starting from the front row in a World of Outlaws event certainly represented a breakthrough outing for the third-generation racer from New Berlin, Ill.
And thus, when Sheppard returns to Volusia to compete in the dirt Late Model portion of the 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit from Feb. 20-25, hell be secure in the knowledge that he can make some noise against the countrys best drivers.
That was definitely a huge confidence builder for me, said Sheppard, who took time off from his senior year of high school to enter last years UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit. Its pretty nerve-racking to start a World of Outlaws feature on the pole for the first time, but Im glad we got to do it. It was a pretty big moment in my career, something Ill never forget.
We kind of messed up on tires a little, which was disappointing. We went too hard (on compound choice), and right from the start I knew we were in trouble because the track (surface) didnt blow off as much as I thought it would. But it was still a great night for us, and hopefully we learned some things that will help us when we go back.
Sheppard is undeniably now a more serious contender than when he last toured the half-mile Volusia oval, which will host four nights of DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Late Model action (Feb. 20, 21, 22 and 24) and two WoO LMS programs (Feb. 23 and 25) as part of the 12-night UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit. He established himself as a rising star in the division during the 2011 season.
The teenager broke through in a big way in 11, putting up a double-figure win total including some very notable victories on the DIRTcar UMP circuit and capturing the Northern All-Stars Late Model Series championship.
In his fifth season of action in the countrys marquee full-fender class, Sheppard proved that hes bound for plenty of glory in the future.
Things really started to click for us (in 2011), said Sheppard, whose father, Steve Sheppard Jr., was a top DIRTcar UMP Late Model contender through much of the 2000s. After racing for a few years, I realized that what you want is to go to every track and start off decent, and then work from there. We got a lot better at that (in 11) and it showed with our performance.
Sheppards true coming-of-age moment in 11 and the key to his NALMS points title came on June 4 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. While he had already won four features during the spring, including back-to-back NALMS events on May 27 at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway and May 30 at Macon (Ill.) Speedway, his victory in I-55s Tri-State Challenge NALMS special was a milestone in his budding career. The races $5,000 top prize represented Sheppards richest triumph ever and he earned it in dominant fashion, blasting from the fifth starting spot to the lead on the opening lap and then running away to a half-lap advantage. When Sheppard took the checkered flag, he was about to lap dirt Late Model legend Billy Moyer, who happened to start ahead of Sheppard.
Sheppard ultimately made the 11-race NALMS his career-first touring championship, winning the crown by 36 points (725-689) over eventual DIRTcar UMP national champion Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill.
The championship meant a lot to me, said Sheppard, who registered three wins, eight top-five and 10 top-10 finishes on the 11 NALMS and pocketed $5,000 for the points crown. Me and the team worked real to win it, so it was a big deal for us. Hopefully it will be the first of many more championships for us.
The NALMS success wasnt Sheppards only highlight from 11, however. He gained plenty of attention during the summer when he won a pair of DIRTcar Summer Nationals A-Mains in a five-day span, grabbing a $5,000 score on July 3 at Lincoln and backing it up with a career-best $10,000 victory on July 8 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway. Sheppard, who outdueled eventual Summer Nationals champion Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., for both triumphs, became the youngest driver in history to win a feature on the grueling, month-long Hell Tour.
Those two wins probably meant the most to me this year, said Sheppard, who entered all 22 Summer Nationals points races and finished sixth in the final standings. To be as young as I am and already have two Summer Nationals wins man, thats just an incredible feeling. I mean, my dad only got to win one Summer Nationals race ever.
Sheppard also turned heads on two of dirt Late Model racings biggest stages in 11, qualifying for a pair of crown-jewel events, the WoO LMS USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., and the DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. He climbed as high as third midway through the 100-lap USA Nationals before a broken fuel-pump knocked him out and finished a respectable 16th in the World 100 after starting 29th.
Now Sheppards challenge is to continue his rise in the dirt Late Model world. In that regard he has the full support of his father, who at 36 has stepped out of the cockpit to focus on his sons budding career, and grandfather, who has given him the green light to concentrate on racing now that hes out of school.
He lives and breathes racing now, Steve Sheppard Jr. said of his son. Grandpa said, Go for it! so hes getting his chance to race for a living. Grandpa said well give it a few years to see how everything goes, and if the racing doesnt work out he can always work for the (family) business (Sheppard Car Crushing).
The youngest Sheppard is appreciative of the situation hes been presented: a top-notch team that in 2012 will include not only a new Rocket Chassis, but also a Roush-Yates Chevy engine. Sheppards grandfather decided to purchase the powerplant during Brandons November trip to the Lowes Foods World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C.
They've given me the opportunity to see if I can do it for a living, so Im gonna take advantage of it, said Brandon, who finished seventh in the 2011 DIRTcar UMP national points standings following a season that saw him record 28 top-five and 44 top-10 finishes in 73 starts. I want to make everything I can out of it.
Sheppard has been hard at work this off-season prepping his equipment, which also includes the Pierce cars and Mullins engines he campaigned in 2011. He will begin his racing schedule with WoO LMS events at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga. (Winter Freeze on Feb. 10-11) and Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. (Bubbas Army Late Model Winternationals on Feb. 16-18) before stopping at Volusia, where he will most likely debut his new Rocket machine.
When we show up at Volusia this year were gonna have our program better than its ever been, said Sheppard, who plans to follow the WoO LMS through the April 28 event at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway and then decide if his performance and sponsorship situation are strong enough to let him chase the national tours Rookie of the Year award. Im hoping we can keep improving and have some good runs.
The UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit is a 12-night short-track blockbuster that features nightly doubleheaders at a blazing-fast track located just a half-hour from Daytona Beach. Joining the DIRTcar UMP Late Models (30-lap A-Mains paying $7,000 to win on Feb. 20, 21 and 22 and a 40-lap, $10,000-to-win finale on Feb. 24) and WoO LMS (50-lap A-Mains for $10,000 to win on Feb. 23 and 25) on the schedule are the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 17-19); the UNOH All-Star Sprint Car Series (Feb. 15-16); the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds (Feb. 22-25); and the UMP Modifieds (Feb. 14-21).
For more information on the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit including special pricing on advance-sale tickets and details of the Free Pit Pass With Every Ticket offer that allows fans to get up-close-and-personal with the race teams every night of the DCN visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 704-795-7223, 386-985-4402 or 877-395-8606 (ticket hotline).
For more information on DIRTcar Racing and the WoO LMS, visit www.dirtcar.com and www.worldofoutlaws.com.