Lucas Oil Modified Series

BY DAVE GRAYSON

Heading into its final event of the 2009 season, the SuperClean Modified Racing Series has enjoyed another banner year since its inception back in 2007. This special series, featuring some of the finest west coast modified driving talent on tracks in three different states, has provided the fans with some intensely exciting wheel to wheel race during the course of their 75 lap main events all year long.

Now it all gets down to a single and final night.

That final race will be Saturday night, October 17th, at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway a quarter mile paved oval located at the Colorado River Fairgrounds in Blythe. It's championship night for the SuperClean Series and with that comes a points race between a trio of drivers that is still too close to call. At the end of the night will be the grand prize which includes $3,500 in cash and series sponsored merchandise.

Simi Valley-California's Andrew Phipps is the championship target going into this season finale. Phipps has 316 points based on a very consistent two wins and seven top fives. This is a driver who can honestly say that the series, and the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway, owes him one. Phipps was in this same position last year when a surprise mechanical failure cost him the championship everyone was convinced he was destined to win. Phipps has already said that the team will be going over their car from bumper to bumper double checking everything this weekend to insure they get he decent finish they need to secure the championship.

San Antonio-Texas driver James Cole is right behind Phipps in the standings just six points away. The 2009 series winner is well aware that he's going to have to finish five positions ahead of Phipps to take the title home to Texas. These two drivers will be the ones to watch Saturday night as they have been all season long.

Chris Gerchman is third in the standings 16 points out of first. The two time winner, from Lake Havasu City-Arizona has conceded that he's going to need some help to win the title. Had it not been for a DNF, did not finish, race last July Gerchman would be right in the thick of this points fight. He said he doesn't want to wish anyone bad luck, but acknowledges that Phipps and Cole are both going to have a bad night to send the title his way.

Riverside-California's Jim Mardis, fourth in the standings with 278 points, won his first ever series race last month at the Havasu 95 Speedway. He's made it clear that he's looking for a repeat win Saturday night at a track that he truly loves racing at. He could portray the role of spoiler in the championship run.

The only reason Burbank-California's Tim Morse isn't right in the thick of this championship battle is due to a couple of unlucky races at Las Vegas from earlier in the season. But there has been some strong runs since that time and Morse could also become a title spoiler while seeking that first series win that observers has said is just a matter of time.

Morse has an interesting theory about who's going to win Saturday night's race based on the pre race inversion ceremony after qualifying. He believes that if the inversion number places anyone of the series' hot shoes on the outside of the front row then that golden starting spot will determine who sees the checkers first.

On the topic of race spoilers the most formidable driver in that position could turn out to be the 2008 reigning champion Jimmy Dickerson. The El Cajon-California driver has only ran three races this year, due to commitments in other racing series, But those three starts has yielded a win and a second. There's also the matter that Dickerson is a former Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway modified champion and he definitely knows the fast way around this race track.

There will be a lot more to resolve Saturday night than just who wins the championship. The SuperClean Modified Racing Series awards post season bonuses to the top 15 drivers in the final points. There will be quite a few drivers looking to improve their standings Saturday night with many of these individual position battles being extremely close.

For example there is only an eight point difference between Tim Morse in fifth and series veteran Larry Gerchman in sixth. Gerchman is a multi time modified champion at three different speedways, including Blythe, and will be looking to advance his points and bonus cause by finishing the season in the top five.

Positions seven through ten could become a huge battle during the upcoming final race. Drivers Doug Carpenter, Doug Hamm and Austin Barnes each have 188 points. Nevada driver Craig Stewart is only eight points behind them in tenth place.

There are only two points separating Brian Collins and series veteran Dave Arce in 11th and 12th. Eight points behind Arce is Dennis Lovelady in 13th who is only two points ahead of David Gerchman Sr.

In a sheer note of irony the profile for the 15th position in the final points could provide more racing drama than the run for the championship. The 15th position is also very lucrative and awards post season dividends worth $700 in cash and sponsor products. Going into Saturday night's race two drivers are tied for 15th.

Dave Phipps, who came out of a ten year retirement this year to join the SuperClean Series, and Bryan Harrell each have 130 points. Making this matter even more interesting is the presence of Randy Ussery who sits in 17th but only six points away that coveted 15th position.

SuperClean Modified Racing Series co promoter Greg Scheidecker will be wearing two racing hats Saturday night because he's also the promoter of the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway. "Blythe being my home track gives me mixed emotions about what's coming up," Scheidecker said adding "we're going to have to be on our toes. We need to make sure we do a good job at the tech center and manage the race to the best of our ability because that points battle is so tight from first to third. In fact every position in the top 15, going into this last race, could change."

Head technical inspector Allan Brown agrees and noted that it's likely that the tech procedures at Blythe Saturday night will intensify a little bit. "We might do some different things, check some different areas we haven't looked at in awhile just to keep the guys on those toes," Brown said.

Sereis co promoter Bill Rozhon is equally excited about Saturday night's season finale and described the points picture between Phipps, Cole and Gerchman as amazing. "We've really got a good group of guys," Rozhon said adding "they really get along good and they show a lot of respect for each other. I'm very proud of our guys in the SuperClean Modified Racing Series."

In addition to its title sponsor the SuperClean Modified Racing Series is supported by a highly potent marketing concept known as "Team Lucas" which consists of: Lucas Oil Products, E3 Spark Plugs, R&L Carriers, Dixie Chopper, General Tire and K&N Performance Filters.

There is strong support from a group of official series sponsors that includes SuperClean Products, Hoosier Tire West, Budweiser, Blue Water Resort and Casino, Sunoco Fuel, Frank's Radio, DJ Safety, STR-Steve Teets of Short Track Cars, Poly Dome Plastic Products and Racing Plus.