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TWO NEW LUCAS OIL SHOOTOUT CHAMPIONS DECLARED
AS CHEVALIER AND MCGINNIS EARN LOWEST POINT TOTALS –
FOCUS NOW ON IMAGEFACTOR.ca APPLEFEST
WEEKEND AT BRIGHTON
For Immediate Release August 16, 2007 - From Erica Bicknell - Lucas Oil Shoot Out Public Relations - 905-892-8266
THOROLD, Ontario (August 16) For the second straight season, Southern Ontario and Western New York race fans saw quite a fresh and unique series develop in with two new drivers sharing the spotlight with the least amount of points as champions of the Lucas Oil Shoot Out by dirttrackdigest.com for both DIRT Northeast Sportsmen and 358 Modified divisions
Port Colborne Ontario driver Chad Chevalier won the Sportsmen Series with consistency the key while second generation driver Jeff McGinnis of Ransomville NY took home the 358 Modified Title in his rookie season.
“The Shoot Out showcased our local drivers in a very unique way,” relates Merrittville GM Erica Bicknell, “ Chad continues to battle for top spot in our Dirt Weekly Racing Series Sportsmen Standings Saturday Nights trying to earn the most points … but in the Lucas Oil Shoot Out – he won the title with the least.”
In the Sportsmen portion, 71 different drivers competed in events at Friday Night tracks Ohsweken and Ransomville Speedways, Saturday Night tracks Genesee and Merrittville Speedways and the lone Sunday Night race place – the New Humberstone Speedway almost equaling last year’s mark of 77 while 42 different 358 Modified drivers participated at the same facilities – up from last year’s 38.
“Once again local race fans saw some awesome events at each track,” informs DirtTrackDigest.com’s Adam Ross, “two drivers had a shot at the Sportsmen title in the Ransomville finale while the same held true for 358 Modifieds at Ohsweken … local Dirt Racing is what we’re all about – we’re just as excited about how both Shoot Outs unfolded … one and three point differentials … it just doesn’t get any better.”
For the Sportsmen it all started at the Humberstone Speedway with a 50 lap event Sunday May 27th and Don Spatorico came home the winner. Spatorico also won on two other occasions – at Merrittville July 21st and in the finale at Ransomville August 10th.
Between those events, some on track drama unfolded as Chevalier would win the Genesee Speedway Event even though Spatorico was the hard charger – advancing 17 spots to take the runner-up spot. At the June 22nd Ohsweken 50 lapper, Mike Bowman miraculously scored the win despite running the latter part of the race with a flat left front tire. Chevalier wound up in 4th while Spatorico settled for 9th.
For McGinnis, the Championship run began May 26th at his home track Ransomville Speedway with a 6th place finish and through the 5 events had a series best finish of second at Genesee to total 34 points.
Like the Sportsmen Series on track events unfolded as Scott Wood was on his way to a possible repeat win at Genesee before a flat tire left him with a 10th place finish. Tim Jones would go on to win his first 358 Modified Feature there while Pete Bicknell would visit Victory Lane on two occasions – at Humberstone and in the finale at Ohsweken. Scott Kerwin and Chad Brachmann won single events – at Ransomville and Merrittville respectively.
“It was definitely a highlight of our season … hosting the 358 Mod Finale,” informs Ohsweken , “ and the performance of Mike Bowman in winning the Sportsmen event … it was just awesome.”
“It’s something all of our facilities needed,” relates Ransomville’s Joel Friesen, adding, “it brought some new fans and drivers to all of our tracks … each event provided some incredible racing.”
“We’re really looking forward to next year’s edition,” adds Humberstone GM and Race Director Bob Davidson, “with the help of Lucas Oil and Dirt TrackDigest.com … both rookie drivers and veterans were able to share the spotlight in both divisions … but the score for both divisions isn’t settled yet.”
When announcing the details for the 2007 Lucas Oil Shoot Outs at the DirtTrackDigest.com Winter Meetings – the enormous Lucas Oil Cup was unveiled and it will be contested for Friday September 21st between the top 20 drivers from the 2007 Sportsmen Point Standings in a major addition to the 5 track series.
Part of the Brighton Speedway Image Factor Apple Fest Weekend, the September 21st event will carry a $7800 purse and while it is open to any Sportsmen Race Team – the Top 20 Lucas Oil Shoot Out Drivers that make the trip to the Eastern Ontario track will be guaranteed to start somewhere in the top 20 at the neutral facility.
Sportsmen Race Teams declared a home track before the series began at Humberstone Speedway and not only will the Brighton Winner earn a $1000 Bonus from their declared home track – that track will host a special Lucas Oil Event in 2008.
“It just amazes Ang and I,” adds Brighton Speedway’s Mark Rinaldi, “ since it was first announced seven months ago … our Applefest Event has been the talk of the track … now that the 20 drivers are set I can’t wait to present the Lucas Oil Cup … but to who?”
Chad Chevalier listed Merrittville Speedway as his home track while Don Spatorico put his name to Humberstone. 7th place points finisher Mark Dixon is the top driver to represent Ohsweken while second generation driver Steve Schumacher will carry Genesee Speedway colors. 2007 rookie Steve Miller was the highest Ransomville Speedway registered driver.
358 Modified Drivers McGinnis, Wood and third place finisher and rookie Chris Steele also have something to settle in the Lucas Oil Clash for Cash that puts the best of the west against the best of the east in the 15 lap event that will pay the winner $1500.
The three will be joined by the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Canadian Series that visits Autodromes Granby, Drummond and Edelweiss as well as the Brockville and Cornwall Speedways. Laurent Ladouceur, Brian McDonald and Mario Clair are the top three.
“Seeing the top drivers from these two great series compete at Brighton Speedway in the “Lucas Oil Clash for Cash” will be one of my 2007 highlights” claims Rinaldi. “There has been a lot of cooperation between promoters to put together these series and events but Lucas Oil is a big part of making this all happen with their support of dirt racing!”
For further information on Brighton Speedway’s Image Factor Applefest Weekend – race fans and teams can visit www.brightonspeedway.com or call 1-613-475-1102.
On behalf of Lucas Oil and DirtTrackDigest.com, Ohsweken, Ransomville, Merrittville, Genesee and Humberstone Speedways would like to thank the race fans and race teams that supported the second Shoot Outs for the Sportsmen and 358 Modified Divisions.
For information on the 2008 Lucas Oil Shoot Out featuring events at Ohsweken, Ransomville, Genesee , Merrittville and Humberstone Speedways … contact your local Dirt Track or visit dirttrackdigest.com.
Lucas Oil Products is one of the fastest growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry featuring a premium line of oils, greases and problem-solving additives.
Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil Products has established itself as the top selling additive in the industry.
Lucas Oil Products was established by Forrest Lucas in 1989 in the United States and wasn’t introduced in Canada until 1997.
Race fans can look for Lucas Oil Products in Canada at all PartSource locations, in Ransomville and Batavia NY at Advance Auto Parts or on line at either www.lucasoil.ca or www.lucasoil.com.
Since 1999, DirtTrackDigest.com has been one of the few racing news web sites to have a professional feel, easy navigation, fast loading and high content – DTD presents a unique experience for users.
DirtTrackDigest.com features all the news on DIRT Northeast including sanctioned tracks – Ohsweken, Ransomville, Merrittville, Genesee and Humberstone. In addition to breaking news and features by some of the top internet columnists, Dirt TrackDigest.com also features Photos, Classifieds, Links, Contests and more.
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