LUCAS OIL I 10 SPEEDWAY TO HEAT UP THANKSGIVING WEEKEND THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
BY DAVE GRAYSON
The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway will open its gates this Saturday, November 24th, for the latest round of the 2012-2013 Winter Blast Racing Series. The quarter mile paved oval, located at the Colorado River Fairgrounds in Blythe-California, will be presenting the Thanksgiving $1,000, the traditional holiday race, featuring their legend, street stock and bandolero divisions. Local racing fans need to note the special starting time for this event. This is a day race. The spectator gates will open at 2pm with racing getting underway at 3pm.
The legend cars will be making their Winter Blast debut Saturday night to officially launch their 11th season at the speedway. Powered by motorcycle engines, these cars greatly resemble a scale model of roadsters from the 1930's and 1940's era. Their appearance alone makes them a fan favorite. Another reason legend car racing is so popular with the fans is the fact that these lightweight cars generates very fast lap times that are often compatible to a full sized late model stock car. That, in turn, creates very exciting wheel to wheel racing.
The legend cars will be making their season debut Saturday night in a very big way: a 50 lap main event that pays $500 to win. The drivers in the 20 car field are guaranteed at least $125 just for starting the main event feature. Qualifying will set the first 16 positions in the starting line up. A 20 lap B main, with the top four finishers transferring to the big money show, will complete the line up.
However, before the legend drivers takes to the track for their special main event, speedway Promoter and General Manager Greg Scheidecker has some unfinished business to take care from the previous Winter Blast season. During the half time activities Saturday night, Scheidecker will present awards to the top three drivers in the points standings. That includes a $200 check and a trophy to Justin Irwin, A $150 check to Dustin Ash and a $100 check to Chad Schug.
Making their third appearance of the season Saturday night will be the speedway's street stock division who will also be running a 50 lap main event with $500 going to the winner. In the two races so far this season, the street stock racing picture can be summed up with one name: Almquist. Kirk Almquist leads the division's championship standings with 100 points based on his two feature wins. Steve Almquist is right behind him just six points from the top. Also in the division's championship profile is the consistent Rick Boone who is ranked third in the standings and only ten points away.
Also making their official Winter Blast season debut Saturday night will be those youngsters in their small, but very swift, bandolero cars. This outstanding driver development program for young racers is also a fan favorite at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway and these youngsters are noted for close quarter, very exciting, racing. Local race fans will be presented two opportunities to see these youngsters Saturday night: the bandoleros will be racing twin, 20 lap, main events. Remind yourself of an important aspect while watching these young people race: you may be seeing the development of the next NASCAR Sprint Cup champion.
The bandolero drivers will also be a part of the special awards series Saturday night. Scheidecker will present trophies to the top three in points from last season to Ricky Lewis, Troy Wesolowski and Matthew Davey.
The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway's annual Thanksgiving weekend event will actually begin on Friday afternoon with a test and tune session for all of the racing divisions from 1 to 4 pm. This practice session is free to spectators.
Following the test and tune, from 5 to 7 pm, the speedway will host its annual pit pass bar b que dinner. This event is one of the many ways used by the speedway to say thank you to their racing teams for their support of the Winter Blast racing program in Blythe. The food is always first class and Scheidecker promises that there will be no left over turkey on his buffet table.
On Saturday race day general admission tickets are $10 and $8 for seniors, age 55 plus, as well as military personnel and the handicapped. Teen tickets, age 13 to 17, are $5. Palo Verde High School students can receive a one dollar discount on their tickets by presenting their ASB cards. Kids tickets, age six to 12, are $3. Kids five and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paid adult. The speedway also offers a budget value family package for $20 which admits two adults and two kids age 17 and under.
For out of town race teams and fans Americas Best Value Inn is the official motel of the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway and is located in the Blythe downtown area at 850 West Hobsonway. They offer beautiful and spacious rooms at very affordable rates. Call 760-922 5145 for reservations which can also be made online at www.americabestvalueinn.com. When making reservations mention the discount code: LUCAS OIL.
For more information regarding the speedway's 2012-2013 Winter Blast Racing Series, dial up their official website atwww.i10speedway.com.