3/10/2010
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Series Announces Race Format Change
CORONA, CA (March 10, 2010) - The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series strives to provide the fairest racing possible while at the same time producing the most entertainment value for the race fans. The series is always reviewing it policies, formats, rules, and procedures on a constant basis. After carefully analyzing the series stance on heat race inversions and collecting data on what role the inversion plays in a series race outcome, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will amend its technique for the remaining events in 2010.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will continue to utilize its “Group A&B Method” to line up the heats after Red Buck Cigar Time Trials. The series will discontinue the use of the inversion wheel.
“This is something the series has monitored since June of 2007. We noticed as the talent pool continued to rise, the need for inverts has gone by the wayside” stated Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director, Ritchie Lewis. “Often times in the past, the series had a significant difference in time trials of the cars that were inverted. This provided great racing that the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series fans have come to expect. Now, that time differences have gotten so close, it just isn’t the same case today,” continued Lewis.
“We have carefully watched the inversion wheel and the role it’s played in the actual events,” stated Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Project Manager Rick Schwallie. “We found in most cases, the few times the inversion wheel actually inverted up to four cars, the drivers were able to somewhat overcome the inversion as long as track conditions were great. We never want to have a race on a track that has less than favorable conditions, but in the dirt environment, where so many variables make up a track’s conditions, it’s not totally avoidable, continued Schwalliie.
While assembling the 2010 schedule, the goal of series’ officials was to keep in mind as much as possible, to provide the series’ race fans with the most entertaining venues, while providing the competitors the most lucrative travel schedule.
“We’re confident that we’ve accomplished our goals and feel that at the top echelon of the sport, there isn’t a need to shuffle the starting line up to provide the best racing,” continued Schwallie
The series’ next stop is at the home of the “DirtOnDirt.com Race of the Year” Brownstown Speedway in historic Brownstown, Indiana. The series will once again kick off it first northern event of the season at the 13th Annual Indiana Icebreaker. Last year, race fans saw Earl Pearson Jr. win the 50 Lap “Indiana Icebreaker” in front of a standing room only crowd. In a heart-stopping event, Pearson took the lead on lap 20 after a five-car battle for the lead.
For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Submitted By: Jeremy Shields
