WAYCROSS, GA (October 15, 2014) – The season long points battle for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion and the Rookie of the Year titles comes down to this weekend’s final event in Portsmouth, OH on October 17th and 18th. Both titles will depend on the outcome at the 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts. Never in the history of the LOLMDS have both titles been undetermined – heading into the series finale.
Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN and driver of the Clint Bowyer Racing car #5 leads three-time and defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion, Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN in the Mike Reece owned #20 car by a slim 75 points. Not only will O’Neal be looking to capture this weekend’s Dirt Track World Championship and the $50,000 first place prize, but he will be focused on winning his first ever LOLMDS championship and the $75,000 that comes with winning the national title. If O’Neal finishes 8th or better in the feature event this Saturday, he will clinch the LOLMDS Championship – no matter where Jimmy Owens finishes. If both drivers would happen to finish tied in series points, following the conclusion of Saturday’s event, then Owens would be declared the series champion based on the tie-breaker rule. The driver that won the most series events during the year would be the tie-breaker with Owens having 8 wins to O’Neal’s 7 wins in 2014.
In the chase for the Dunn-Benson Ford Rookie of the Year title, this weekend’s Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship-Presented by NAPA Auto Parts will determine the 2014 LOLMDS Rookie of the Year. Jason Hughes of Westville, OK holds a slim 35 point lead over fellow rookie contender, Jason Papich of Arroyo Grande, CA, heading into this weekend’s season finale. Both drivers have battled against some of the toughest competition all season long on the tour, while competing at new venues for both drivers for most of the season. The driver that earns the most series points (after Saturday’s event), will be crowned the 2014 Dunn-Benson Ford Rookie of the Year and will receive a $10,000 cash award at the series awards banquet. The runner-up will receive a $2,500 cash award. Both drivers will also receive various product awards at the awards banquet for competing in this years Rookie of the Year program. Chris Davis of Midwest Sheet Metal has also posted a cash award at every LOLMDS event to the highest finishing Rookie at each race. Midwest Sheet metal will also present product awards to the rookies at the awards banquet.
“Were excited to have the series championship and rookie of the year titles come down to the final race of the year. The atmosphere and intensity will be even more magnified for these drivers this weekend and all the great fans of the series will be on the edge of their seats all weekend to see who will come out on top. We look forward to a thrilling finish to what has been a great year for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2014”, stated Ritchie Lewis, Series Director.
Activities for the 34th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts will get underway on Thursday, October 16th with Modified Qualifying, Heat Races and Consolation races. On Friday, October 17th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will take to the track for Hot-Laps, Miller Welders Time Trials and Heat Races. Also on Friday night there will be a Non-Qualifiers race for the Modifieds. Then on Saturday, October 18th the schedule will include the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series B-Mains, the Modified Feature event, the $3,000 to Win Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifiers Race-Presented by DirtonDirt.com and the $50,000 to win/$2,000 to start DTWC 100-lap feature.
To purchase tickets for this weekends event visit www.dirttrackworldchampionship.net/tickets.htm or call 740-858-6661. To learn more about the event go to www.dirttrackworldchampionship.net or visit the track website at www.portsraceway.com. If you have any questions, contact the DTWC office at (740) 858-6661 or you can email Carl Short at carlshort2007@gmail.com or call at (865) 945-3423 or (865) 712-9303.
To learn more about the title sponsor of the Rookie of the Year program, Dunn-Benson Ford visit their website at www.dunnbensonford.com. To learn more about the associate sponsor of the Rookie of the Year program, Midwest Sheet Metal, visit www.msmfab.com.
For the latest breaking news about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the 2014 tour schedule, TV schedule, drivers, sponsors and all the information about the series visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.
Follow the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on the social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and https://twitter.com/lucasdirt
For the latest breaking news about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the 2014 tour schedule, TV schedule, drivers, sponsors and all the information about the series visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.
Follow the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on the social media outlets at www.facebook.com/lucasdirt and https://twitter.com/lucasdirt
ABOUT LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES
Founded in 2005, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is the nations’ premier dirt late model sanctioning organization. In 2014 the LOLMDS will sanctions 47 events in 19 states. The series is owned by the parent company Lucas Oil Products Inc. and receives national exposure through a TV package filmed, produced and edited by Lucas Oil Production Studios. LOLMDS events will be broadcasted on four TV Networks in 2014 including CBS, NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and MAVTV American Real Network. For more information about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit the official website at www.Lucasdirt.com.
ABOUT MAVTV AMERICAN REAL NETWORK
MAVTV was founded in 2002 by four former Showtime Networks executives and was originally geared towards a male dominated audience. In 2011, Lucas Oil Products, an automotive lubricant manufacturer with a history in television production, purchased MAVTV. Lucas Oil was eager to employ the same growth strategies to transform MAVTV into a premier cable network that it employed to grow the lubricants business. MAVTV aims to become a broader scoped network, geared towards the modern American family. Lucas Oil is investing in programming, an updated on-air look, and increased production quality, all to add more value to the viewer experience. MAVTV is an acronym that stands for Movies, Action and Variety. MAVTV brings you plenty of never-before-seen high definition exclusives, including Comedy, Movies, Action Sports, Adventure and More, all in fantastic HD detail. MAVTV is no ordinary television network. It’s a 24/7, high-definition entertainment extravaganza, featuring everything from blockbuster films, high octane motorsports, MMA fighting, gaming, gut busting comedy, original reality shows and scripted dramas. Learn more about MAVTV American Real go to www.mavtv.com.
ABOUT PROTECT THE HARVEST
The animal rights movement in America, led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), has evolved into a wealthy and successful attack group determined to end the consumption of meat, threaten consumer access to affordable food, eliminate hunting, outlaw rodeos and circuses, and even ban animal ownership (including pets) altogether.Protect The Harvest was created to fight back and defend American families, farmers, sportsmen and animal owners from the growing threat posed by the radical animal rights movement. We believe Americans deserve the truth. These radical groups are intent on restricting the abilities of our food producers who already face the significant challenge of feeding a growing world population. It’s our mission to ensure that American farmers are able to meet that challenge so that consumers at home and abroad have access to safe, affordable and healthy food. To learn more go to www.ProtectTheHarvest.com.
ABOUT LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS
Founded in 1989 by Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, Lucas Oil Products, Inc. has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket, featuring a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. Through innovative product research and development, along with aggressive marketing programs, Lucas Oil has established itself as a worldwide leader in the lubrication industry. Motorsports has always been part of the Lucas Oil culture and the cornerstone of the company’s marketing strategy. Such passion for motorsports has inspired Lucas Oil to sponsor many race teams, events and series at all levels, including, NHRA, IRL, ASCS, NASCAR, IHRA and many more. Lucas Oil has also taken ownership and operational control of a number of high profile racing properties, such as: Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. and the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway in Blythe, CA.
In 2007 Lucas Oil founded its own production house, Lucas Oil Production Studios, dedicated to producing high action motorsports television. Currently Lucas Oil Production Studios produces over 300 hours of original programming for networks such as CBS, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and MAVTV. More information about Lucas Oil Products, Inc. visit the company website at www.lucasoil.com.