Late Model River Series And Double Points To Highlight Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway Action This Saturday
BY DAVE GRAYSON
The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway will open its gates this Saturday, February 27th, for the latest round of their 2009-2010 Winter Blast Racing Series. The quarter mile paved oval, located at the Colorado River Fairgrounds in Blythe-California, will treat the fans to a full evening of racing from the Gene Price Motorsports Late Model River Series who will be running for double points on this night. Also scheduled on this night is racing action from the street stocks, factory fours, Arizona mini winged sprints as well as the lady drivers from the factory stock division.
The racing evening is sponsored by Extreme Auto Body and Subway Restaurants. The speedway will also be saluting local education and has declared the evening Blythe Schools and College Night.
The Late Model River Series is a special eight race event presented by both the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway and the Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City-Arizona. The Series is sponsored by the Parker-Arizona based Gene Price Motorsports whose operation features all things related to racing including car fabrication to engine parts and everything in between.
Highlighting the series' 50 lap main event will be the fact that the teams will be racing for double points. This is good news for drivers who have spent the winter racing season chasing points leader "Awesome" Austin Murphy. The young Lancaster-California driver, in five series events, has two wins and five top finishes. But his current lead of 26 points over the entire field of drivers in the series will be a target when the green flag falls on the main event Saturday night.
Those points seeking hopefuls include the likes of Bobby Keirns, Mark Schriner and Jerry Snell. That list also includes the newest member of the series' victory lane club. Las Vegas driver Dylan Kwazweski won the 50 lap feature, February 20th, at the Havasu 95 Speedway and became the series' fourth different winner.
The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway's street stock action is expected to once again feature drivers Bryant Sutterfield and Richard Selph as the major players Saturday night. Sutterfield has three feature wins, during the current winter season, along with four top five finishes. He has won three of the last four division features, including the February 13th double points race, and now leads the standings with 332 points. Sutterfield is also seeking his second, consecutive, division championship this year.
Meanwhile Richard Selph, the 2005-2006 winter season street stock champion, is surprisingly still looking for his first win of the season. But he has been highly consistent with all of his appearances this season resulting in top five finishes. Going into Saturday night, Selph is only 12 points out of first.
Making a special guest appearance at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway Saturday night will be the factory four division. This division features American made compact trucks and cars, 2000 year models or older, powered with four cylinder engines. What they may lack in horsepower is made up by their light weight and that often translates into extremely exciting side by side racing.
Also on the special guest list Saturday night will be the Arizona Mini Sprint Association. These high flying winged sprint cars will be presenting their first annual Mini Sprint Madness at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway Saturday night. The series promoter is expecting a good car count largely based on the fact that this special event pays $750 to the winner.
Also adding to the excitement level will be the high flying, racing is rubbing, fan favorite factory stock division. But on this particular night the division will be presenting a special twist: the cars will be occupied by lady drivers only. Before anyone starts dishing out lady driver jokes, it needs to be pointed out that, over the years, there are lady factory stock drivers who can out drive their male counterparts on any given Saturday night.
The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway weekend actually begins on Friday, February 26th, with a special test and tune session for the racing teams from 6 to 9 pm. The practice session is free to spectators.
On Saturday race day the spectator gates will open at 4pm with the racing getting underway at 6 pm. General admission tickets are $10 while tickets for seniors, 55 plus, military personnel and the handicapped are priced at $8. Teen tickets, for ages 13 to 17, are $5 while kids tickets, ages six to 12, are $3. Kids five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. The speedway offers a family package for $20 which admits two adults and two kids. Students from Palo Verde High School can received a one dollar discount by presenting their ASB cards.
For out of town race teams and fans the Best Western "Flying J" is the official motel of the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway. They offer beautiful and spacious rooms at very affordable rates. For reservations call toll free at 800 292 9711. Reservations can also be made online.