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ASCS 360 SPRINT CARS:
Lonnie Wheatley, ASCS Editor
– TULSA, Okla. (August 19, 2002) – After three weekends off, action for the
United Expressline American Sprint Car Series national tour resumes this Friday
night, August 23, at State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City then moves on Joplin
(MO) 66 Motor Speedway on Saturday night. Both events are also point races for
the Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores ASCS Sooner Region.
Based in Oklahoma City, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is the title
sponsor for the ASCS Sooner Region. Friday night’s race marks the kickoff of
Love’s fund-raising efforts for the Children’s Miracle Network. Love’s
goal is to raise $150,000 nationwide through the month of September for the
Children’s Miracle Network. In conjunction with Friday night’s race in
Oklahoma City, drivers Travis Rilat and Michael Dupuy will make appearances on
race day at separate Love’s locations in the Oklahoma City area.
Two-time ASCS national champion Tim Crawley of Mabelvale, AR, enters the race
atop the ASCS national championship points chase, with a 54 point advantage over
Michael Dupuy of Amite, LA. Defending series champion Zach Chappell of Talala,
OK, is currently third, with the series’ initial champion, Garry Lee Maier of
Cimarron, KS, in fourth. Toby Brown of Carthage, MO, rounds out the current top
five in ASCS national points. Other top national drivers expected to be on hand
include Travis Rilat, Gary Wright, Jason Johnson, Wayne Pennington, Darren
Stewart, Kevin Ramey and the series’ leading Brodix Rookie of the Year
contender, sixteen year-old Cody Branchcomb of Sapulpa, OK. Pennington and Ramey
were victorious in the previous two ASCS events in Oklahoma City this season,
while Maier won the May event at Joplin.
Danny Jennings of Norman, OK, leads the Love’s Travel Stops & Country
Stores Sooner Region regulars into this weekend’s action. The Sooner Region
has been competitive thus far, with eight different winners in as many events.
Jennings currently holds a 50 point advantage over Gavin Punch of Collinsville,
OK, with Tulsa’s Roy Larkin just two more points back in third.
Collinsville’s Kevin Risley is just 16 more points back in fourth, with
Amarillo’s Derek Drown rounding out the current top five. Completing the
current top ten are James Shoun, Marcus Jackson, Robert Sellers, Steve Ochs and
Joel Howard.
A number of State Fair Speedway’s top weekly competitors are expected to be on
hand Friday night as well, including current track point leader Mike Peters of
Wichita, KS. Michelle Decker, who recently won her first two-barrel sprint car
feature, is also expected to make her second appearance in a fuel-injected
Sprint Car, as car owner Don Strawn will equip her car to run with the ASCS on
Friday night.
Fans will have an opportunity to meet with a couple of the series’ top drivers
on Friday before the races. Travis Rilat, who recently picked up a $30,000
victory by topping the prestigious NWWC Ultimate Challenge in Oskaloosa, IA,
will be at the Love’s in north Oklahoma City at I-35 and N.E. 122nd, while
Michael Dupuy will be in west Oklahoma City at the Love’s at I-40 and Morgan
Road. Both appearances will run from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
State Fair Speedway is located at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, off of North
May Avenue just north of I-40. For more information, contact the track at (405)
948-6796 or by e-mail at info@statefairspeedway.com.
Joplin 66 Speedway is located off of I-44 at Exit 4. Turn left on Schilferdecker
Drive, then left on 7th Street, where the track will be to the left. For more
information contact the track at (417) 782-0660.