Contact: Chris Dolack
World of Outlaws/DIRTcar Public Relations
cdolack@dirtcar.com | 704-795-7223
World of Outlaws Late Models Invading Volunteer State This Weekend
Championship leader Darrell Lanigan carries momentum heading Friday into Duck River Raceway Park and Saturday into Tazewell Speedway
By Chris Tilley, CT Marketing & Motorsports Services
WHEEL, Tenn. – April 8, 2014 – The World of Outlaws Late Model Series invades the Volunteer State of Tennessee on Friday at Duck River Raceway Park and Saturday at Tazewell Speedway.
Through the first six events of the season, no driver has repeated but two-time champion Darrell Lanigan, of Union, Ky., is atop the championship standings thanks in part to a victory at Bubba Raceway Park plus five top-five finishes. He has a 22-point advantage over Brandon Sheppard, of New Berlin, Ill., who is piloting Josh Richards’ three-time champion Rocket car. Chasing Lanigan and Sheppard are Rick Eckert, of York, Pa.; Shane Clanton, of Zebulon, Ga.; and Tim McCreadie, of Watertown, N.Y.
Other series invaders that will take to the track this weekend include rookie-of-the-year contender Chase Junghans, of Manhattan, Kan., as well as Rick ‘Boom’ Briggs, of Bear Lake, Pa., who travels with fellow Pennsylvanian Chub Frank.
On Friday, April 11, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series travelers will visit the Bob Harris-owned Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., for a 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event. The 2-Barrel/Crate Late Models, Pure Pony, Pure Stock, Modified Street and Outlaw Pony Classes will all be on the racing card. During last season’s visit to Duck River, Eric Wells of Hazard, Ky., captured a $10,000 payday in a thrilling race over Lanigan and McCreadie. Gates open at noon and racing will begin at 7:00 p.m. with all times Central for Friday at Duck River. Adult General Admission is $25.00 while Pit Passes are $40.00.
Tanner English, of Benton, Ky., is the most recent winner at Duck River Raceway Park, picking up the victory on April 5. English, the son of Western Kentucky racer Terry English, along with defending Deep Fried 75 Champ Josh Putnam, of Florence, Ala.; Daniel Miller, of Shelbyville, Tenn.; Brad Skinner, of Springhill, Tenn.; David Seibers, of Petersburg, Tenn.; Jason Hiett, of Oxford, Ala.; Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind.; Billy Ogle Jr., of Knoxville, Tenn.; Riley Hickman of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Skylar Marlar, of Winfield, Tenn.; Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth, of Northport, Ala.; Eric Hickerson, of Linden, Tenn.; Caleb Ashby, of Cunningham, Tenn., and National Stars Ray Cook, of Brasstown, N.C., and Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., are expected to be in attendance for one of the largest events the track will host all season.
Lanigan owned the track record of 11.97 set in 2013 during the visit by the Outlaws, but David Seibers, of Petersburg, Tenn., broke that mark this past Saturday night and turned a blistering 11.96 second lap. English claimed the event win at Duck River over Eric Hickerson, Daniel Miller, Mark Fields and Seibers.
On Saturday night, April 12, the Outlaws will face off with the East Tennessee hot shoes at Gary Hall’s Tazewell Speedway for another 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event presented by Scion of Knoxville. The Sportsman, Modified Street, Classic Cars and Four Cylinders will also be on tap for the evening’s activities. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. with all times Eastern on the Tazewell event. Admission prices and other information can be found on the Tazewell Speedway website. Tazewell Motor Lodge is the official host hotel for the track. Call (423) 626-7229 for more information.
Along with the World of Outlaws stars, East Tennessee hot shoes Billy Ogle Jr., of Knoxville; Tommy Kerr, of Maryville; Jeff Wolfenbarger of Clinton; Steve Smith, of Powell; and other regional competitors are expected to tear up the high banks of the 1/3-mile Saturday. Ogle is fresh off a $6,000 victory in the Ray Cook Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals Series event at Smoky Mountain Speedway last Saturday, April 5. Former World of Outlaws winners at Tazewell Speedway include Bub McCool, Chris Madden and Shane Clanton.
A full show of Practice, Time Trials, Heat Races, Last Chance Showdowns and 50-lap mains will be on tap each night for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series competitors.
For the Duck River/Tazewell swings, competing teams will be restricted to using Hoosier 1300, 1350, 1450, 1600 and 55-compound tires or American Racer 44-, 48- and 56-compound rubber. All of the tires will be required to punch a minimum ’40’ reading when checked with a durometer.
Information regarding Duck River Raceway Park can be obtained by calling the track at (931) 684-8200 or (931) 205-8150 or log on to www.duckriverracewaypark.com . Duck River Speedway is located at 1100 Haskins Chapel Road in Lewisburg, TN 37091.
Further information on Tazewell Speedway can be obtained by calling the track at (423) 626-2222 or visit www.tazewellspeedway.net . Tazewell Speedway is located at 1400 Bacchus Rd., Tazewell, TN 37879, which is located just two miles northwest of Tazewell. Going north on US 25-E, turn right and then left onto Bacchus Rd, and then 1.8 miles north, then .8 miles west and the race track is located on the left.