Bristol Motor Speedway
Winter TV schedule for Lucas Oil announced
From series and correspondent reports
Fans of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series can spend Saturday nights this winter reliving the 2007 season. The series announced the telecast dates for 12 series events and a season recap show on Speed Channel. The programs produced by Newave Productions are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday evenings in December, January, February and March.
"This is a great way to build momentum for next season," said series director Ritchie Lewis. "The exposure we gain on Speed for our series drivers, sponsors, promoters and our fans really showcases Lucas Oil's commitment to making this the top series in the country."
Televised coverage begins Dec. 1 with action from East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. Speedway, available to more than 70 million North American homes, is available through cable systems nationwide, DISH Network (Channel 150) and DIRECT TV (Channel 607). — James Essex
Speed Channel telecast schedule
WoO points chase coming to a close
The Race To The World Finals has one more stop — and it’s a big one. Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., will host the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Tennessee Fall Brawl 100 on Oct. 12-13, setting the stage for the season-ending World Finals on Nov. 1-3 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.
The two-day event is highlighted by a Saturday-night 100-lapper that pays $20,000 to win. It’s the second big-money, extra-distance WoO spectacular at Volunteer in two months, following the Aug. 23 Scorcher 100 that gave Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., $20,000.
For the WoO regulars, the race will be the last chance to gain ground in the points standings before the final series weekend.
Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., holds a 40-point edge over Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., but if Frank can shave a few more points off the advantage at Volunteer, then things will be very interesting the final series weekend.
Francis, 40, has said repeatedly during the tour’s stretch run that he’s entering every race with the goal of winning it, not to simply collect points. He’s pretty much made good on that declaration, as evidenced by his recent hot streak in which he’s scored two of his three 2007 wins over the past month.
The 45-year-old Frank, meanwhile, knows his 40-point deficit will be tough to overcome in the season’s final three events, but he’ll give it his best shot.
“I just need to finish ahead of (Francis) at Bulls Gap,” Frank said. “The more spots, the better, but I just need to get a little closer to put a little pressure on him. I want to at least have a chance at Lowe’s, because that’s a place where you can have two bad nights real easily.” — Kevin Kovac
Hall of Famers to be revealed at DTWC
The Class of 2008 for the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame will be announced during the 27th annual Dirt Track World Championship weekend at K-C Raceway near Chillicothe, Ohio.
“What better place to announce the inductees to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame than at one of the sport's most famous and historical Dirt Late Model races,” said executive director Bill Holder.
The announcement is tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 prior to the racing program. For more information, visit www.dirtlatemodelhalloffame.com. — Doc Lehman
