The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, will drop the green flag on the second, and final, round of their Dart Machinery LTD North-South Shootout, August 13th, at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, the fastest half mile oval in the southwest.
This highly lucrative two race shootout pits the talents of teams from the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, currently racing in southern California, Arizona and Nevada, against their counterparts from northern California, Idaho and Washington. Hence the name North-South Shootout.
The creation of the Dart Machinery LTD North-South Shootout was the result of several months of planning by officials from the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, the Madera Speedway the site of the round one race and the Toyota Speedway At Irwindale. Everyone involved thought it would be a great idea to create a special racing series that combined the open wheel modified talents of drivers from two distinct areas of the western states. Dart Machinery LTD loved the idea so much they stepped up in a very big way and sponsored the two race shootout.
This special racing series generated a lot of attention long before the green flag fell on the first race. That's because the Dart Machinery LTD North-South Shootout is a very lucrative proposition. The 75 lap main events, featuring a very full field of cars, is backed with a combined purse of $10,000, with $1,500 going to the driver who parks his car in the Sunoco Race Fuels victory lane. Any driver in the main event field is guaranteed $300 for just taking the green flag.
In addition to the highly lucrative purse from these two races, the driver who scores the highest amount of points in the Shootout will receive a set of small block heads from Dart Machinery for either a Ford or Chevrolet engine. Additionally the points champion will receive his choice of either a set of of PRO-1 or Iron Eagle Heads, steel or aluminum. The value of this special prize is approximately $1,000. In the event of a tie in the final points results, and that is very possible, the tie breaker will be based on the highest finisher at the August 13th race at the Toyota Speedway At Irwindale according to a recent announcement from Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series Promoter Greg Scheidecker.
Recognizing that the overall state of the national economy has brought increases in travel expenses, the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series this year implemented a tow money program. The teams in the Winner's Circle Program, those who are in top ten of the series's points standings, will receive $200. Teams in points positions 11 through 20 will receive $150. Additionally Scheidecker announced this week that the modified teams from the north will also receive $150 in tow money to help with the expenses of the long journey from the northern areas to Irwindale.
In the extremely exciting July 16th debut of the series, held at the Madera Speedway, Rich Lindgren, and his Sacramento based Fire House Racing team, scorched the competition and led all 75 laps of the feature. However he didn't have an easy time of it. During the final eight laps of this race modified veteran Scott Winters, another north driver, caught the race leader. Coming off of the final turn of the final lap, with the checkers waving in the air, the two drivers were literally door to door with southern California's Jim Mardis right behind them. The Madera fans, many of whom were seeing the Lucas Oil Modified Series for the first time, were literally on their feet jumping up and down from the excitement of this race.
Imagine what the excitement level is going to be August 13th at the Toyota Speedway At Irwindale, the fastest half mile oval in the southwest. This state of the art racing facility, located near Los Angles, has long straightaways and sweeping turns. It's very conducive for passing and that's going to mean plenty of side by side action.
Greg Scheidecker announced that there will be a needed change to his series' standard racing format for the Irwindale race. Traditionally the series runs 75 full green flag laps and does not count yellow caution flag laps. However taking into consideration the larger size, and faster speeds, that comes with racing at Irwindale, yellow flag laps will be counted during the August 13th 75 lap feature. This is to insure that the element of fuel mileage doesn't impact the final outcome of the event.
"I think our 75 lap event at Irwindale is going to be a great race," Scheidecker said. "We are going to count yellow flags there even though that's not the normal procedure for our modified series. But since it's our first time going 75 laps on that large of a track, we want to make sure that everybody has enough fuel. We're not a pit stop style of racing. With that in mind, we're doing a lot of things to raise the comfort level. I'm looking forward to going to Irwindale and I think we'll upwards of 25 and maybe even 30 cars", he added.
For more information regarding round two of the Dart Machinery LTD North-South Shootout, dial up the series official website at www.lucasoilmodifieds.com.
The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, is strongly supported by a highly potent marketing concept known as "Team Lucas." Team members include: Lucas Oil Products Inc, Magnaflow Exhaust Products, E3 Spark Plugs, General Tire, K&N Performance Filters, GEICO, CANIDAE All Natural Pet Food, MAV-TV, Dart Machinery LTD, Rockstar Energy Drink and Master Craft Safety Equipment.
The series is also powered by a group of contingency sponsors featuring: Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tire West, Budweiser, Blue Water Resort and Casino, Sunoco Race Fuels, Frank's Radio, Racing Plus, Roush Yates Performance Parts and J E Pistons.
