Bristol Motor Speedway
Notebook: Pike County preparing for WoO visit
From series and special reports
Pike County Speedway's first attempt to run its first-ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series event was spoiled by rain last July, but the Magnolia, Miss., track is hoping for better weather for its March 28-29 WoO event. The 100-lap feature offers a $20,000 top prize and $1,500 to start from a total purse just shy of $100,000.
Energetic Pike County Speedway owner J.F. Gasquet has hosted some big dirt Late Model shows since purchasing the track three years ago, but he's expecting his best field ever from defending WoO champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., to Pike County’s 2007 Jambalaya 100 winner Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., to regional favorite Chris Wall of Holden, La.
Adding even more intrigue to the weekend, it will mark the first time a national touring series has visited Pike County Speedway in nearly 13 years. The Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series the last of its three events over a two-year span at Pike County on July 22, 1995, with Terry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., emerging victorious.
“I’m real excited about this race,” said Gasquet, who had planned to host the WoO LMS for the first time last July but saw the Freedom 100’ weekend washed out by rain. “The fans are going to see an unbelievable group of drivers in competition, including some great drivers who have never raced before at Pike County Speedway. We’re going to do whatever we can to put on a show that packs the house.”
Gasquet, a 60-year-old resident of Louisiana who owns the Tri-State Oil Co., has dug deep into his pockets during his short reign to refurbish the facility and entertain nationally-known series like the World of Outlaws, all in hopes of attracting attention to the track.
The renovation project Gasquet has overseen includes new cement walls all the way around the track; a doubling of the pit area’s size; a new sidewalk in front of the grandstand that seats 4,500; a 10-position scoreboard; some new lights; new catch fencing around the speedway; new concession and souvenir stands; new bathrooms in the pits; a new grader for track preparation; and the erection of a giant lighted billboard facing the traffic passing by on I-55. He’s also starting work on a new two-story official’s and VIP tower and clubhouse boxes.
“Pike County has always been a well-known track in the South, but it’s gonna be becoming one of the premier tracks in the country,” Gasquet predicted. “It’s got a great location, right smack-dab along the interstate, and we’re making improvements and bringing in the best drivers so the fans will want to come here. Hopefully a lot of fans will come down to see everything we’re doing down here.” — Kevin Kovac
PEARSON RETURNS WITH SAFER CAR: Feeling "healed and ready" after getting banged up in a scary rollover accident during Florida Speedweeks, three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Earl Pearson Jr. plans to compete March 13-15 at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City, Ky. Pearson, however, will compete in a safer car after car owner and NASCAR star Bobby Labonte took special interest in safety improvements, some adapted from NASCAR technology. Changes include an on-board fire extinguisher, additional roll-bar padding and extra seat protection for Pearson's head and neck. Pearson will also be wearing a HANS device, one of the head-and-neck restraint systems mandated by NASCAR. — Wayne Castleberry
McDANIELS CASE SET FOR SENTENCING: Eight-time O'Reilly NCRA champion Larry McDaniels of Valley Center, Kan., on Jan. 31 pleaded no contest to sex crimes involving a teenage girl related to an August 2006 incident, the Ark Valley News reported. The plea acknowledges the state has enough evidence to win conviction if the 52-year-old McDaniels had faced trial. The defendant's attorney recommended a plea bargain that included probation for McDaniels, who was convicted of indecent liberties with a child and attempted solicitation, but that was denied. Judge Jeff Goering was scheduled to sentence McDaniels on March 12. — Ark Valley News
LUCAS OIL GETS GENERAL TIRE SPONSORSHIP: General Tire has been named the official tire of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. — From series reports
