10/15/2014
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion and Rookie of the Year to be Decided this Weekend
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
Submitted By: Jeremy Shields
