News Feed
Sept. 12, 2011
BY DAVE GRAYSON
The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, will be bringing their high energy racing show to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway's three-eighths of a mile oval known as "The Bullring" for the September 17th running of the Lucas Oil Products Inc 75. This highly anticipated event is a full 75 green flag laps, the series does not count yellow flag laps, and it's expected to mirror the high level of competition that has been prevalent in the series all season long.
That high level of competition turned up five different winners in the first five races of the 2011 season. Driver Austin Barnes finally broke the chain by becoming the first multiple winner last month at the Toyota Speedway At Irwindale. Even the six lap Dart Machinery Trophy Dashes have been highly competitive. Six of these dashes has seen six different winners take the $200 bonus home.
With three races remaining in the season, championship points are now the focus for the teams. They will be racing just a little harder to insure they earn everything they can get from the series' Hoosier Tire West/Lucas Oil post season points fund. Those post season bonus pay outs extends to the top 15 in the final season points standings so look for some intense action among the mid pack teams in the current top 15.
Going into Saturday night's race at the Las Vegas Bullring, Jim Mardis, the series' current points leader and defending champion seems to be on track towards claiming a second, consecutive, title. He currently holds a 26 points advantage over Austin Barnes. Mardis has been a model of consistency this year and has compiled a feature win along with six top five finishes.
That feature win came at Las Vegas, back on May 14th, and Mardis has made it clear he will be in town this weekend to claim another trip to the series' J E Piston/Roush Yates Parts victory lane. "I'm really excited to take our Rockstar Energy Drink/
Makita Power Tools modified back to Las Vegas," he said adding "we've got a really good package for Vegas and I feel like we have figured out all of our motor issues from the past. I can't wait to get there, I'm really excited."
Meanwhile expect Austin Barnes to arrive at Las Vegas with a well prepped race car and a master plan to eradicate some of the points lead held by Mardis. The Escondido-California teen driver has been on a series hot streak as of late. In his last three races he has two wins and a fourth. Barnes also qualifies very well. In the the last six races he has collected the $100 bonus four times after setting the Budweiser fast time.
Third in the standings is Las Vegas driver Aaron McMorran who has compiled two top five and four top ten finishes. This is a driver who understands how to find the fast way around the Las Vegas Bullring. He's a former modified track champion there.
Four points behind McMorran is Burbank-California's Tim Morse who has a consistent three top five finishes this year. Morse won a series race at Las Vegas last year and is another driver who understands how to get the job done there.
In points positions five through seven are drivers Brian Collins, Doug Hamm, another Las Vegas driver who knows the way to the Bullring's victory lane, and Doug Carpenter. There are only six points separating this trio of drivers and they are a prime example of how close the points standings, among the entire roster of drivers, is going to get before the season ends.
There's a lot more than just championship points on the line at Las Vegas Saturday night. There's a pretty hefty payday waiting for these drivers as well. The Lucas Oil Products Inc 75 has a $10,000 purse with $1,500 going to the winner. A driver is guaranteed at least $300 for just taking the green flag during the feature.
Series Race Director Bill Rozhon is also very excited about their return to the Las Vegas Bullring Saturday night and said "I'm confident that our drivers are going to be able to keep up the racing momentum that we've seen all season long. However, I am a little worried about fuel mileage with our teams racing 75 laps on that large and fast three eighths mile track there." Rozhon's concern is justified. Fuel mileage has been an issue during past events at Las Vegas.
Series Promoter Greg Scheidecker said "the last time we went to the Las Vegas Bullring it turned out to be somewhat of a crash festival. I'm hoping that the drivers get to the mentality level we have seen during our last two races. Overall, it's been a teriffic season and I'm looking forward to a big finish to our series points profile. There's going to be a lot of competitive racing over the next three events especially among drivers who will be looking for a solid top 15 finish in the final points standings. That's how you collect the bonus money at the annual awards banquet."
The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, is strongly supported by a highly potent marketing concept known as "Team Lucas." Team members include Lucas Oil Products Inc, Magnaflow Exhaust Products, E3 Spark Plugs, General Tire, K&N Performance Filters, GEICO, CANIDAE All Natural Pet Food, MAV-TV, Dart Machinery LTD, Rockstar Energy Drink and Master Craft Safety Equipment.
The series is also powered by a group of contingency sponsors featuring: Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tire West, Budweiser, Blue Water Resort and Casino, Sunoco Race Fuels, Frank's Radio, Racing Plus, Speedco, Roush Yates Performance Parts and J E Pistons.
