Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Back in Action Fourth of July Weekend in Ohio

WAYCROSS, GA (June 22, 2011) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be back in action during the Fourth of July Weekend with events at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH on July 2nd and a date at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH on July 3rd. The event scheduled for July 1st at Beckley (WV) Motorsports Park has been canceled.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will run a complete show at both Portsmouth and Muskingum County with Red Buck Cigar Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains and a $10,000 to win feature event.

The cancellation of the event at Beckley Motorsports Park was due to the fact that the facility has ceased operations. “It is with a heavy heart, that we have to cancel the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at Beckley,” said promoter Jim Williams. “The economy and weather in our area has really put a damper on our car and fan count this year, and we felt it was in the best interest to cease operations, I want to sincerely apologize to Ritchie Lewis (series director) and the series as a whole, and to the drivers and fans,” said Williams, who’s facility hosted the LOLMDS for the first time last season.

Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN currently leads the LOLMDS Championship Points Standings heading into the Fourth of July Weekend of events in the Buckeye State. Owens, the 2011 DART Show-Me 100 winner leads two-time series champ, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN by 120-points. The 2011 Dream Winner, Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN has climbed to within 50-points of Bloomquist as he currently sits third in the championship standings.

Steve Francis of Ashland, KY a regular on the series tour for the first time in his career stands fourth in the points followed by top rookie contender, Jared Landers of Batesville, AR; Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC; 4-time series champ, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN; and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA, the big $20,000 winner last September at PRP.

Other drivers expected to be on hand at both Portsmouth and Muskingum County include; Bub McCool of Vicksburg, MS; 15-year-old sensation, Tyler Red(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word) of Corning, CA; John Blankenship of Williamson, WV; Chris Wall of Springfield, LA; Eric Wells of Hazard, KY, Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN and Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, IL.

The series visit on Saturday Night, July 2nd to the Donna Rayburn-promoted Portsmouth Raceway Park located along the scenic Ohio River will be the first of two this season. In the previous five trips to the facility there have been five different winners with Steve Francis, Josh McGuire, Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr. and Dale McDowell recording wins. For more info go to www.portsraceway.com.

When the series rolls into Muskingum County Speedway on Sunday Night, July 3rd, not only will the fans see the stars and cars of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in town for the Budweiser 50, but the area’s finest fireworks display to celebrate the independence holiday will light up the skies. In the previous six appearances at the Ronnie Moran-promoted facility there have been six different drivers enter the Lucas Oil Victory Lane including; Don O’Neal, Steve Shaver, Steve Casebolt, Dan Schlieper, Jason Covert and Earl Pearson Jr. For more info the track’s website address is www.themuskingumcountyspeedway.com.


So far this season on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour there have been 10 different winners in the first 16 events held this season and 17 drivers have maintained perfect attendance in 2011.

Also both PRP and Muskingum County there will be an ApplianceZone.com autograph session and fans still have the opportunity to register to win the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car that will be on display at both venues. To register go to www.appliancezone.com.

For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series click on www.lucasdirt.com or you can call the series office at (951) 532-2503.