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World of Outlaws Late Model Series Stars To Battle At Charter Raceway Park
BEAVER DAM, WI – May 3, 2007 – The Sprint Car stars of the World of
Outlaws have been enjoying annual visits to the gorgeous Charter Raceway Park
for much of the past decade.
Now the full-fender standouts of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will
finally get a chance to experience the spectacular one-third-mile, high-banked
clay oval as well.
The WoO LMS will visit Charter Raceway Park for the first time ever on Sat.,
May 12, giving fans a rare opportunity to see national-level Super Late Model
competition at the widely-acclaimed Southeastern Wisconsin track.
“A lot of people are excited about the World of Outlaws Late Model Series
coming to Charter Raceway Park,” said Rex Melius, the general manager of the
speedway. “It’s been a long time since there was a big Super Late Model
race here.”
Exactly how long has it been since the biggest stars in the Late Model world
toured Charter Raceway Park? Try nearly seven years. It was Aug. 7, 2000, when
Scott Bloomquist, the 2004 WoO LMS champion, won a Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA (later
called Xtreme DirtCar Series) event at the track.
That fact alone makes the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win A-Main on May 12 unique, but
there’s more. The event is the only scheduled appearance for the Super Late
Model class during the 2007 season at Charter Raceway Park, which features
open-wheel Modifieds on its weekly card.
“One chance,” proclaimed WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “That’s all
fans will have this year to see the best Late Model drivers in the country
race at one of the top short tracks in the country.”
Only a handful of WoO LMS travelers – specifically, Rick Eckert of York,
Pa., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa –
will enter the May 12 event with a significant number of laps around Charter
Raceway Park under their belts from previous visits.
WoO LMS co-points leaders Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Clint Smith of
Senoia, Ga.; 19-year-old sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; Chub
Frank of Bear Lake, Pa.; 2006 points runner-up Shane Clanton of Locust Grove,
Ga.; Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky.; first-time tourer Chris Madden of Gray
Court, S.C.; 2006 Rookie of the Year Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va.,
and leading ’07 rookie contender Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. – they’re
all Outlaws who will have to figure out the track once they finally see it.
Of course, even the drivers who have raced at CRP in the past will take a
close look at the place after they pull through the pit gates. That’s
because Wisconsin Motorsports & Entertainment (WME), LLC, has been making
improvements to the speedway every year since taking over in 2000.
Charter Raceway Park, which was completely rebuilt in 1993, has become an even
more impressive showplace under WME. Improvements for the 2007 season include
a revamped pit area and a new pit-area concession stand.
“We’re always trying to upgrade to be more driver- and fan-friendly,”
said Melius.
The May 12 program, which will also include action for the track’s
Johnsonville Brats Modifieds, is expected to draw a banner field of regional
and local Late Model drivers to battle the WoO LMS stars for a share of the
$50,000 purse. Drivers who are not ranked in the top 12 of the WoO LMS point
standings and have never won a tour feature will be eligible to pocket the
$500 ‘World of Outlaws Bonus Bucks’ award, which goes to the feature’s
highest finisher meeting that criteria.
Among the notable drivers expected to enter the event are Adam Hensel of
Barron, Wis., a rising 19-year-old star chasing 2007 WoO LMS Rookie of the
Year honors; Jimmy Mars of Menomonee, Wis., who has finished as high as second
this season in WoO LMS action; Terry Casey of New London, Wis.; Brady Smith of
Solon Springs, Wis.; John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.; Dennis Erb
Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill.; and Ryan Dauber of Tonica, Ill.
Pit gates are scheduled to open on May 12 at 2 p.m. and general gates at 3
p.m. Racing is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Adult general-admission tickets for the event are $25 if purchased in advance
and $30 the day of the race. Pre-race adult chair-back reserved seats are $30.
Pit passes on race day will be $40, but a pit pass/ticket combo purchased in
advance is $30.
Charter Raceway Park is also offering special VIP ticket packages for the
event. Space can be reserved in the track’s VIP suite at a cost of $100 per
person or $180 per couple, with perks including a meal voucher, access to a
private viewing area, cash bar and restroom, and a general admission voucher
to one of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car events (Aug. 3 or 4) at the track.
Interested parties can also reserve a VIP table in front of the tower for $200
(seats four adults).
For ticket reservations and information, call the track office at 920-887-1600
or logo on to www.wismotorsports.net.
Tickets for the Aug. 3-4 World of Outlaws Sprint Car doubleheader at Charter
Raceway Park go on sale Mon., May 14.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
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