$2,000 to win Late Models April 13th at Southern Ohio Speedway

[Layne]

Event Preview: Opening Night, April 13th

WHEELERSBURG, OH-The Southern Ohio Speedway will officially begin the 2012 season on Friday, April 13th with “Opening Night.” The action packed night will include Late Models paying $2,000 to win, the Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds paying $600 to win, the GCP Engines Sport Mods, and an Enduro at the end of the night that will pay $200 to win.

Numerous facility improvements have been made at the track over the offseason. The biggest of the facility improvements was a resurfacing of the entire track. Over 7,500 cubic feet of new clay was put on the track. The new clay holds moisture well and no sand content. The result will be a faster, much more racier track surface that should produce great racing each week. Track officials were very impressed with how well the clay held up during the April 7th Test N’ Tune. Other facility improvements include new lighting for the backstretch.

Late Model Preview
The biggest storyline heading into Opening Night in the Late Model division is if Jackie Boggs can continue his impressive winning streak into the 2012 season. Boggs won the final four races of the 2011 season and will look to put his winning streak up to five in a row on Friday. There will be lots of other drivers looking to end his winning streak however. Some of the favorites to do that include last years Opening Night winner Eddie Carrier, last year’s track champion R. J. Conley, SOS Hall of Famer Delmas Conley, former Southern 100 winner Rod Conley, and fourth place points finisher last season Billy Gullion among many others. Sixth place points finisher last year Tim Dohm knocked on the door of victory lane many times last season and will also be fast if he is in attendance on Opening Night.

With a weekly purse of $2,000 to win and $175 to start, the Southern Ohio Speedway is the highest paying Friday night Late Model track in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. This payout is expected to bring in a strong field of cars for Opening Night.

Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modified Preview
With six different winners in seven races, the Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modified division was wide open last year and is wide open heading into Opening Night. Many of the top runners from last season such as defending track champion Adam Colley, Jake Keaton, Luke Jordan, Todd Robinson, and Brian Skaggs among others were at Test N’ Tune on April 7th and all looked very fast. With the K-C Raceway not opening last season, several Modifieds from that area are expected to join an already fast field of SOS regulars. One thing is for sure, the action on Friday will be fast and furious in the Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds.

GCP Engines Sport Mods Preview
History was made last season when the GCP Engines Sport Mod division made it’s debut in the southern Ohio region. With a strong, diverse field of cars this season, there is much anticipation for the exciting racing that is expected to be seen in this class. 13 Sport Mods were in attendance at Test N’ Tune so a good car count is expected on Opening Night. With a rules package designed to keep costs down and competition close, the class is wide open as to who will visit victory lane each and every week.

Enduro Preview
Enduro races are some of the most fun races held at SOS each year. In 2012, a total of four Enduro races will be held. The first Enduro on Opening Night will run under the same format ran last season. The cars will run for 30 minutes and then all the cars that are left will be put on the same lap for a 10 lap shootout to determine the race winner. A good field of cars is expected in what should be a very exciting race.

Times and Admission Prices
Gates will open on Friday at 4:00 pm with hot laps starting the nights action at 7:30 pm. General admission is $12 for ages 17 and up, $5 for teens ages 13-16, $2 for kids ages 7-12, and FREE for kids ages 6 and under. Pit passes are $25 for ages 13 and up, $15 for ages 7-12, and FREE for ages 6 and under.

If weather would happen to cause a cancelation for Friday’s races, Opening Night will be rescheduled for the following night on Saturday, April 14th.

For more information visit www.southernohiospeedway.com.

[HomerD]

Looking forward to racing there!