dirt4madmin
05-08-2008, 07:51 AM
CORONA, CA (May 7, 2008) - It's getting closer to Showtime as the Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" are set to take place this weekend at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. Defending race winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA is set to take on the nations best dirt late model drivers seeking to grab the $40,000 first place prize that is up for grabs.
Birkhofer comes into the race having won two of the first three Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events held at "The Diamond of Dirt Tracks" and is considered one of the favorites heading into this weekends' event that carries a total purse in excess of $133,000.
On the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour on Tuesday Night Birkhofer said he was looking forward to returning to Lucas Oil Speedway and defending his race win. "I really like going there, I run good there, but this will be the first time with my new car racing at Wheatland." said the 36-year-old driver who has claimed major wins in the World 100, USA Nationals and the Knoxville (IA) Late Model Nationals and hopes to add another diamond ring to his collection for winning this year's event.
But Birkhofer knows it won't be easy when he takes on the best from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the O'Reilly MLRA Late Model Series which are co-sanctioning the race. "On this new car the way we built the front end it has felt real good in the races we've run it in." said "Birky" who along with Jimmy and Chris Mars put their ideas together and came up with their own chassis design. "The first time out we ran second at Davenport (IA), but that's a track I've run a lot and then we went to Monett (MO) and won the World of Outlaws race on Sunday Night, so we're real confident heading to the SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend."
Joining Birkhofer at the SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend is scheduled to be the top 15 in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings including 3-time and defending series champion, Earl Pearson, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL who won last July's Lucas Oil Series race at the speedway.
Pearson heads into this weekend with a 45 point margin over Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN. Pearson despite driving last weekend for the first time with a fractured right wrist that is continuing to heal will feature a new red paint scheme for this weekend's special event which will be taped by the cameras of SPEED Channel.
Trailing Pearson and Casebolt in the championship standings is Terry Casey of New London, WI, Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, KY and Bart Hartman of Zanesville, OH.
The rest of the top ten in the LOLMDS championship points standings include Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI, Billy Drake of Bloomington, IL, Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN and Wayne Chinn of Bradford, OH.
In positions 11-15 and expected to make the trip to Wheatland include Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN, John Mason of Millersburg, OH, Freddy Smith of Seymour, TN, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Matt Miller of Waterville, OH.
Casey and Billy Moyer come into the race tied with three Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victories this season. Casey's three wins have come at three different tracks (East Bay, Brownstown and Swainsboro) while Moyer's wins all came at East Bay. Moyer who is expected to be on hand for the SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend has ten feature triumphs this season which leads all of dirt late model racing.
The competition on the LOLMDS this season has been second to none with eight different winners in the first twelve races this season. There have been 276 different drivers that have already raced with the series at least once in 2008.
"This event is shaping up to be one of the best of the season for not only the drivers, but the fans," commented Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director, Ritchie Lewis. "For those that have not been to Lucas Oil Speedway they have a 20 x 30 foot Jumbotron, a Bose Sound System, Musco Lighting, 21 luxury suites and all kinds of things to do for grandparents all the way down to the kids, it is truly a magnificent place to visit and watch a race," said Lewis who is in his second year in charge of the nation's top touring series for dirt late models.
The marquee event at unquestionably the best dirt track facility in the country is about to take place. The Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" at the immaculate Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO is drawing attention from the top dirt late models drivers in America who plan on attending the $40,000 to win event on Friday and Saturday, May 9th and 10th. Not only is the first place prize money inviting to any driver, but the race pays $20,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Just to make the event guarantees a driver $2,000.
There will be an open practice on Thursday Night, May 8th. On Friday Night, May 9th the action gets underway with hot laps and qualifying for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and O'Reilly MLRA Late Models. An added bonus on Friday Night will be the Integra Shocks Late Model Crew Chief Challenge.
On Saturday, May 10th a special autograph session for the drivers will be held beginning at 5:15 PM. The LOLMDS and O'Reilly MLRA drivers will then take to the track at 7:00 PM for their heat races which will be followed by B-Mains and then the $40,000 to win 100 Lap SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" feature event.
Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit pass $10)
Pit Pass includes Special Welcome Dinner for Race Teams Only
Dinner Served 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot Track Practice 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Pill Draw Opens at 1 p.m. (entry fee $100)
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit passes $25)
Spectator Gates Open at 4 p.m.
Driver's Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Hot Laps ("A" Mods and Late Models) 7:00 p.m.
"A" Modified Heat Races
Late Model Qualifying
"A" Modified B Features
Integra Shocks Late Model Crew Chief Challenge
"A" Modified 20 Lap Feature $1000 to Win, $275 to Start
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit passes $30)
Spectator Gate Open at 4 p.m.
Sports Cards Driver Autograph Session 5:15 p.m.
Driver's Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Hot Laps "A" Mods ONLY 6:45 p.m.
Late Model Heat Races 7:00 p.m.
First Half "A" Modified B Features
Late Model B Features
Second Half "A" Modified B Features
SuperClean Diamond Nationals Late Model 100 Lap Main Event
"A" Modified 30 Lap Main Event ($2000 to win, $325 to Start)
Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" Payoff: $40,000, $20,000, $10,000, $7,500, $6,000, $4,000, $3,500, $3,000, $2,600, $2,550, $2,500, $2,450, $2,400, $2,350, $2,300, $2,250, $2,200, $2,100, $2,050, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000
Tire Rule: American Racer - SD44, SD48, MD56 and Hoosier Tire - 1300, 1350, LM20, 1600, LM40, D55(Shoulder Plated)
Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Randy Lajoie will be on hand both days with his Safer Racer Tour and is scheduled to drive an "A" Modified. Also the Lucas Oil Race'n Ride Late Models will be in action following racing both nights. For more information or to purchase reserve seats go to www.LucasOilSpeedway.com (http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com).
For up-to-date information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can point your browser to www.lucasdirt.com (http://www.lucasdirt.com) or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Birkhofer comes into the race having won two of the first three Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events held at "The Diamond of Dirt Tracks" and is considered one of the favorites heading into this weekends' event that carries a total purse in excess of $133,000.
On the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour on Tuesday Night Birkhofer said he was looking forward to returning to Lucas Oil Speedway and defending his race win. "I really like going there, I run good there, but this will be the first time with my new car racing at Wheatland." said the 36-year-old driver who has claimed major wins in the World 100, USA Nationals and the Knoxville (IA) Late Model Nationals and hopes to add another diamond ring to his collection for winning this year's event.
But Birkhofer knows it won't be easy when he takes on the best from the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the O'Reilly MLRA Late Model Series which are co-sanctioning the race. "On this new car the way we built the front end it has felt real good in the races we've run it in." said "Birky" who along with Jimmy and Chris Mars put their ideas together and came up with their own chassis design. "The first time out we ran second at Davenport (IA), but that's a track I've run a lot and then we went to Monett (MO) and won the World of Outlaws race on Sunday Night, so we're real confident heading to the SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend."
Joining Birkhofer at the SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend is scheduled to be the top 15 in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings including 3-time and defending series champion, Earl Pearson, Jr. of Jacksonville, FL who won last July's Lucas Oil Series race at the speedway.
Pearson heads into this weekend with a 45 point margin over Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN. Pearson despite driving last weekend for the first time with a fractured right wrist that is continuing to heal will feature a new red paint scheme for this weekend's special event which will be taped by the cameras of SPEED Channel.
Trailing Pearson and Casebolt in the championship standings is Terry Casey of New London, WI, Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, KY and Bart Hartman of Zanesville, OH.
The rest of the top ten in the LOLMDS championship points standings include Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI, Billy Drake of Bloomington, IL, Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN and Wayne Chinn of Bradford, OH.
In positions 11-15 and expected to make the trip to Wheatland include Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN, John Mason of Millersburg, OH, Freddy Smith of Seymour, TN, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Matt Miller of Waterville, OH.
Casey and Billy Moyer come into the race tied with three Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victories this season. Casey's three wins have come at three different tracks (East Bay, Brownstown and Swainsboro) while Moyer's wins all came at East Bay. Moyer who is expected to be on hand for the SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend has ten feature triumphs this season which leads all of dirt late model racing.
The competition on the LOLMDS this season has been second to none with eight different winners in the first twelve races this season. There have been 276 different drivers that have already raced with the series at least once in 2008.
"This event is shaping up to be one of the best of the season for not only the drivers, but the fans," commented Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director, Ritchie Lewis. "For those that have not been to Lucas Oil Speedway they have a 20 x 30 foot Jumbotron, a Bose Sound System, Musco Lighting, 21 luxury suites and all kinds of things to do for grandparents all the way down to the kids, it is truly a magnificent place to visit and watch a race," said Lewis who is in his second year in charge of the nation's top touring series for dirt late models.
The marquee event at unquestionably the best dirt track facility in the country is about to take place. The Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" at the immaculate Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO is drawing attention from the top dirt late models drivers in America who plan on attending the $40,000 to win event on Friday and Saturday, May 9th and 10th. Not only is the first place prize money inviting to any driver, but the race pays $20,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Just to make the event guarantees a driver $2,000.
There will be an open practice on Thursday Night, May 8th. On Friday Night, May 9th the action gets underway with hot laps and qualifying for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and O'Reilly MLRA Late Models. An added bonus on Friday Night will be the Integra Shocks Late Model Crew Chief Challenge.
On Saturday, May 10th a special autograph session for the drivers will be held beginning at 5:15 PM. The LOLMDS and O'Reilly MLRA drivers will then take to the track at 7:00 PM for their heat races which will be followed by B-Mains and then the $40,000 to win 100 Lap SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" feature event.
Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit pass $10)
Pit Pass includes Special Welcome Dinner for Race Teams Only
Dinner Served 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot Track Practice 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Pill Draw Opens at 1 p.m. (entry fee $100)
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit passes $25)
Spectator Gates Open at 4 p.m.
Driver's Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Hot Laps ("A" Mods and Late Models) 7:00 p.m.
"A" Modified Heat Races
Late Model Qualifying
"A" Modified B Features
Integra Shocks Late Model Crew Chief Challenge
"A" Modified 20 Lap Feature $1000 to Win, $275 to Start
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit passes $30)
Spectator Gate Open at 4 p.m.
Sports Cards Driver Autograph Session 5:15 p.m.
Driver's Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Hot Laps "A" Mods ONLY 6:45 p.m.
Late Model Heat Races 7:00 p.m.
First Half "A" Modified B Features
Late Model B Features
Second Half "A" Modified B Features
SuperClean Diamond Nationals Late Model 100 Lap Main Event
"A" Modified 30 Lap Main Event ($2000 to win, $325 to Start)
Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" Payoff: $40,000, $20,000, $10,000, $7,500, $6,000, $4,000, $3,500, $3,000, $2,600, $2,550, $2,500, $2,450, $2,400, $2,350, $2,300, $2,250, $2,200, $2,100, $2,050, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000
Tire Rule: American Racer - SD44, SD48, MD56 and Hoosier Tire - 1300, 1350, LM20, 1600, LM40, D55(Shoulder Plated)
Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Randy Lajoie will be on hand both days with his Safer Racer Tour and is scheduled to drive an "A" Modified. Also the Lucas Oil Race'n Ride Late Models will be in action following racing both nights. For more information or to purchase reserve seats go to www.LucasOilSpeedway.com (http://www.LucasOilSpeedway.com).
For up-to-date information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can point your browser to www.lucasdirt.com (http://www.lucasdirt.com) or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.