Courtesy Jim Irvine
Thorold, Ontario - Since the announcement of the new Lucas Oil Shootout presented by DirtTrackDigest.com, excitement has been building as each host track has opened their 2006 Seasons.
With the exception of Ohsweken Speedway that kicks off it's new season Friday May 19th, Ransomville, Genesee, Merrittville and Humberstone Speedways have all played host to some exciting early season action in the Sportsmen and 358 Modified Divisions.
"It's something all of our facilities need," relates Ransomville's Joel Friesen, adding, " with each series about to debut . will our race teams be able to keep up the pace . and for our fans . it should bring some real excitement to each track through the summer."
Ransomville Speedway will play host to the first Lucas Oil Shoot-out for the 358 Modified Division - Friday May 26th and what a start it has been at the Western New York facility.
In three Mighty Taco Feature Events - there has been three different winners. Boyd MacTavish topped the field in the season opener and since then Rich Vinson and Scott Kerwin have also made the trip to Victory Lane. MacTavish and Kerwin both scored their career firsts while for Vinson - it was his first Friday Night triumph since 2003.
At the Merrittville Speedway there has only been one L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified event after a rain-out Saturday May 13th - but what a finish the large opening night crowd saw.
Once again Boyd MacTavish was on top - this time in the Paul Ashton 3A - but at the stripe the second generation driver was edged by Larry Lampman - in a finish that only a transponder could decide.
Ransomville and Merrittville Speedways are the two tracks that host weekly 358 Modified Events. After the opener at the Big R, the next event heads to Batavia NY and the Genesee County Speedway Friday June 24th for a 35 lap main event. From there it will be the focus of the TRW Nostalgia Night activities at the Thorold track with a 55 lap feature at Merrittville followed by a visit to Humberstone Sunday July 23rd. The Lucas Oil 358 Modified Shootout concludes at the Ohsweken Speedway Friday August 11th.
"We're really looking forward to hosting the Sportsmen opener," adds Humberstone GM and Race Director Bob Davidson, " with the help of Lucas Oil and Dirt TrackDigest.com . all of us are looking forward to showcasing our drivers in a unique way."
When the Sportsmen portion of the new unique series launches at the Humberstone Speedway - Sunday May 28th - one driver will be looking for a home track advantage. Bill Bleich has won two of the three Trail End Sportsmen Events in the books at the Port Colborne track. Bleich and fellow winner Rob Knapp will be among the ones to watch in the 50 lap Series Opener.
Ransomville Fans have also enjoyed quite a start to their Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division as like the 358 Modifieds - there has also been three different winners to date. Don Spatorico won the season opener while Jeff McGinnis and Kevin Wills have also won. The Lucas Oil Sportsmen Shootout will wind up at Ransomville Friday August 11th.
In Merrittville Speedway's version of the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen - the single event to date saw Wayne Conn dominate in taking the win. Interestingly, although there have been three different winners at Ransomville, it is Conn that leads the Friday Night points also.
Merrittville's event will also celebrate it's 55th Season with a 55 lap event hosted by Avondale Food Stores - Saturday July 23rd.
In the two Genesee Sportsmen Bloch Industries feature events to date - Rob Pratt and Greg Mrzywka have each made trips to the Winner's Circle. Genesee will host the 40 lap Sportsmen event Saturday July 8th.
"With how unique the Lucas Oil Shootout is for both the 358 Modified and Sportsmen divisions," relates Genesee GM Dave McCready, " w thought that it should have a unique point system as well."
The Lucas Oil Shootout by DirtTrackDigest.com for both the Sportsmen and 358 Modified Divisions will crown an overall champion - but it will be the driver with the least amount of points not the one with the most that wins.
"Local race fans have never seen anything like it," informs DirtTrackDigest.com's Clint Geoffrey, speculating, " as the Shoot Out unfolds . the points should be so close . anyone will have a shot at the title . local Dirt Racing is what we're all about - we're just as excited about the possibilities . look what we've seen so far"
Race fans are encouraged to support their home track Shootout Events and follow their favorites when the Series visits another track.
"This new and exciting series gives our race teams a chance to participate in a lucrative series," says Merrittville GM Erica Bicknell, " with each of the tracks in close proximity . it should be very economical for them to experience other tracks and the fans too."
For each Shoot Out Series, a Point Fund will be awarded to the top 10 at the final event of each series. As an added bonus, drivers in each respective series that attend all 5 of their events will share in a 5 for 5 $2500 Series Bonus for their perfect attendance - for example if 10 Sportsmen drivers attend all 5 events - the 10 drivers each will earn $250.00. All point fund and bonus money will be in Canadian Funds.
Points at each series event will be awarded according to the driver's finishing position - i.e. if the driver finishes 1st - that driver will receive 1 point, for 10th - 10 points, 15th - 15 points etc. Drivers that miss an event will receive 30 points while drivers that don't qualify for the 24 car starting field will receive 25 points.
Between the 5 Series events for each Division, Point Fund and 5 for 5 Bonus Monies - the 2006 Lucas Oil Shoot Out by DirtTrackDigest.com will award Southern Ontario and Western New York Race Teams more than $70,000.
"It will definitely be a highlight of my first season . hosting the 358 Mod Finale," informs rookie Ohsweken GM Ken Pelkie, " it should be quite an event and of course we'll be updating Ransomville fans and vice versa fans at either track won't miss a lap of either finale."
For further rules and information on the Lucas Oil Shoot Out by DirtTrackDigest.com - race teams can contact Merrittville's Erica Bicknell at 905-892-8266. Ransomville's Jeff Anstett can be reached via e mail at jeff061@hotmail.com or visit www.DirtTrackDigest.com.
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