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CONCORD, N.C. (Feb. 28, 2008) - Dirt late model legend Scott
Bloomquist will be among nearly 100 drivers chasing one of the most
unique
prizes in motorsports April 18-19 when The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor
Speedway hosts the third annual Circle K Colossal 100.
In addition to a check for $50,000, the winner of the 100-lap World
of Outlaws Late Model Series event will also receive a ceremonial
version of
a Medieval knight's helmet and a 50-inch Macleod Medieval sword.
The museum-quality helmet is a late 15th century replica,
handcrafted from 14-gauge carbon steel with brass accents. It features
an
artistic visor that pivots and a fanciful bevor to protect the chin and
lower face. The sword is one of the biggest versions of the Macleod
Sword
ever made. It has a 39-inch stainless steel blade and the handle is
made of
rough leather wrapped by a silver steel wire.
Having won the first two Circle K Colossal 100s, Bloomquist already
has a pair of Medieval helmets and swords at his Mooresburg, Tenn.,
race
shop.
"Those helmets and swords are something we're really proud of,"
Bloomquist said. "It's unusual to get something so classy and they have
a
lot of meaning. There are a lot of unique things that you enjoy getting
besides another trophy, but that sword and helmet for winning the
Colossal
are definitely at the top of the list."
Roger Slack, vice president of events for Lowe's Motor Speedway,
originated the idea of presenting the Circle K Colossal 100 winner with
the
Medieval items.
"I wanted to award the winner with something more than just a
store-bought trophy and wanted it to be something to promote the
event's
Romanesque theme," Slack explained. "To make this a truly Colossal
event, we
needed a colossal prize. It needed to be something the other drivers
would
look at and think to themselves, 'I'm going to get that next year.'"
With nearly 30 years of dirt-track experience, Bloomquist
understands how to promote the sport and believes the Medieval helmet
and
sword help separate the Circle K Colossal 100 from other marquee late
model
events.
"When we got there last year, they had a three-story tall shot of us
in victory lane holding that sword on the track's elevator shaft,"
Bloomquist said. "Our expression, the way it went off, the whole thing
made
a great promotion.
"It's never going to be easy to win that race, so there's always
going to be a lot of prestige in having a sword and one of those
helmets,"
added Bloomquist, noting that the two Medieval helmets already in his
collection actually fit. "That's not a bad thing because you never know
when
you might want to wear one."
With four career victories at The Dirt Track, Bloomquist has to be
considered among the favorites heading into the third running of the
Circle
K Colossal 100 on April 18-19.
"Obviously, we run really good there," Bloomquist said. "We ran good
in the fall at the World of Outlaws show and I definitely feel like we
can
win the Colossal for a third time. But we've got a number of guys that
race
our cars who also ran good there last time, and at the Colossal too.
Those
guys will be some of my toughest competition, but we'll come prepared."
The Friday night portion of the Circle K Colossal 100 features group
time trials and heat races. The top two finishers in each heat will
secure a
spot in the 100-lap finale and a draw will determine the starting
lineup.
Saturday night's program begins with a driver autograph session and
the on-track action includes at least four additional qualifying races
prior
to the main event. The race is part of the World of Outlaws Late Model
Series, but The Dirt Track's traditional format, including the
extremely
popular Delaware-style restarts, will be utilized.
If purchased in advance, reserved tickets for both Friday and
Saturday nights are just $39 for adults and $10 for children ages 12
and
under. Two-day pit passes are $60 in advance.
Tickets and pit passes for the April 18-19 Circle K Colossal 100 can
be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling
1-800-455-FANS.
The Fleetwood RV Camping Resort is located adjacent to The Dirt
Track and full-service camping spots can be reserved by calling (704)
455-4445.
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