Babb, Schlieper, and Edwards Highlight Tonight's Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour

CORONA, CA (May 5, 2008) - With the long-awaited, highly-anticipated Second Annual SuperClean Diamond Nationals this weekend, the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour will preview the $40,000 to win event with defending Diamond Nationals Champion Brian Birkhofer, Kentucky Lake winner Brady Smith, and Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Kevin Greven.

Muscatine, IA's Brian Birkhofer will join the show as the defending Diamond Nationals Champion to talk about the new Mars/Birkhofer Chassis, Sunday's WoO win at Monett, last year's Diamond Nationals Championship, and what it will take to win this weekend's race.

Fresh off his first ever Lucas Oil win at Kentucky Lake, Brady Smith will also appear on the broadcast.  A native of Solon Springs, WI, Smith will talk about Kentucky Lake as well as last year's Knoxville Nationals win, Bloomquist Race Cars, and this weekend's 2nd Annual SuperClean Diamond Nationals.

Also joining the program will be Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager Kevin Greven. Greven will look ahead to this weekend's SuperClean Diamond Nationals and will talk about the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks", Lucas Oil Speedway, and what to expect this weekend as well as changes made to the facility during the offseason.

The Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour, hosted by Dustin "DJ" Jarrett, airs LIVE at 8:00pm eastern/7:00pm central Tuesday nights on www.RaceTalkLive.com. Fans are encouraged to instant message their questions to DJ via the AOL Instant Messenger screen name "LucasDirtDJ". Emails are also welcome at djarrett@lucasdirt.com.

For more information on the Lucas Oil Motorsports Hour or the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.LucasDirt.com.

CORONA, CA (May 6, 2008) - Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Randy LaJoie is scheduled to attend the Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO on Friday and Saturday, May 9^th and 10^th.  LaJoie will present a Safer Racer Tour both days.

"I've traveled to tracks across the United States and it amazes me to see the complete disregard for safety," LaJoie said.  "They have (seat) belts with a lot of slack in them, the seats aren't bolted properly. The materials used aren't always the best."

LaJoie has been on the Safer Racer Tour traveling around the country meeting fans, putting on safety seminars, and promoting his "Joie of Seating" custom fitted seats that are among the strongest and safest in racing.

"We are really excited to have Randy present his Safer Racer Tour at Lucas Oil Speedway," said Kevin Greven, Track General Manager.  "You may even see him try out his seat in person in our "A" Modified Specials running during the SuperClean Diamond Nationals."

"The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is trying to be proactive in safety for not only the drivers that run our series, but for all of racing," said Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director, Ritchie Lewis.  "Having Randy LaJoie coming out to the SuperClean Diamond Nationals shows his commitment to safety concerns, and hopefully the drivers will listen to his suggestions about their own safety equipment that they utilize on a weekly basis and learn from what he has to say."

The marquee event at unquestionably the best dirt track facility in the country is just a few short days away. The Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" at the immaculate Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO is drawing attention from the top dirt late model drivers in America who plan on attending the $40,000 to win event on Friday and Saturday, May 9^th and 10^th.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series along with the O'Reilly MLRA Late Model Series are co-sanctioning the event that carries a total purse in excess of $133,000. Not only is the first place prize money inviting to any driver, but the race pays $20,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Just to make the event guarantees a driver $2,000.

Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA is the defending SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" champion taking the first annual event last May. Birkhofer pocketed $10,000 for that win but Lucas Oil Speedway is upping the ante this year with the second biggest first place payoff offered so far in the 2008 racing season for dirt late models. In the inaugural running of the event 60 late models took part in the race program.

There will be an open practice on Thursday Night, May 8^th. On Friday Night, May 9^th the action gets underway with hot laps and qualifying for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and O'Reilly MLRA Late Models. An added bonus on Friday Night will be the Integra Shocks Late Model Crew Chief Challenge.

On Saturday, May 10^th a special autograph session for the drivers will be held beginning at 5:15 PM.  The LOLMDS and O'Reilly MLRA drivers will then take to the track at 7:00 PM for their heat races which will be followed by B-Mains and then the $40,000 to win 100 Lap SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" feature event.

Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Spectator Grandstands Open to Public (Free of Charge)
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit pass $10)
Pit Pass includes Special Welcome Dinner for Race Teams Only
Dinner Served 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Hot Track Practice 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday, May 9, 2008
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit passes $25)
Spectator Gates Open at 4 p.m.
Driver's Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Hot Laps ("A" Mods and Late Models) 7:00 p.m.
"A" Modified Heat Races
Late Model Qualifying
"A" Modified B Features
Integra Shock Late Model Crew Chief Challenge
"A" Modified 20 Lap Feature $1000 to Win, $275 to Start

Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pit Gates Open at 4 p.m. (pit passes $30)
Spectator Gate Open at 4 p.m.
Sports Cards Driver Autograph Session 5:15 p.m.
Driver's Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Hot Laps "A" Mods ONLY 6:45 p.m.
Late Model Heat Races 7:00 p.m.
First Half "A" Modified B Features
Late Model B Features
Second Half "A" Modified B Features
SuperClean Diamond Nationals Late Model 100 Lap Main Event
"A" Modified 30 Lap Main Event ($2000 to win, $325 to Start)

Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" Payoff:  $40,000, $20,000, $10,000, $7,500, $6,000, $4,000, $3,500, $3,000, $2,600, $2,550, $2,500, $2,450, $2,400,

$2,350, $2,300, $2,250, $2,200, $2,100, $2,050, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000, $2,000,

$2,000, $2,000, $2,000

 

CALVERT CITY, KY (May 3, 2008) - Brady Smith of Solon Springs, WI captured his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win on Saturday Night at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway winning the Third Annual "99" Extravaganza. Smith grabbed the lead away from Darren Miller on a lap 20 restart and then went on to lead the rest of the way to secure the win which was worth $9,999. Billy Drake of Bloomington, IL, who took a series provisional and pulled out a back-up car rallied from the 24^th starting spot to finish second followed by Miller of Chadwick, IL, Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN and current series points leader Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL who placed fifth despite driving with a fractured right wrist.

Bart Hartman and Darren Miller got the 50 lap main event off on a resounding start as Hartman would nip Miller by inches to score the first lap of the race that would go the first ten laps without a caution flag. On the second circuit Miller would take over the point as Hartman slipped to second. Smith, who started third, remained in that position with Matt Miller and '07 UMP Late Model Champion Dennis Erb Jr. in fifth.

Darren Miller would start to open up the lead over the field in the early going as the second place battle was getting real interesting as Hartman and Smith raced side-by-side for two circuits until Smith cleared Hartman to take over second. Erb then moved up one spot sliding into the fourth spot by Matt Miller.

The first caution appeared right after the tenth lapped was scored as it was for a slowing Kevin Claycomb. With the fast and furious action on the track slowed for the first time 23 of the original 24 starters were still on the race track with Kevin Cole being the only driver out of the race.

On the restart Darren Miller exploded to a six car length advantage over Smith and Hartman who put on quite a spirited race for second. The race shaped up to be a dandy as two and three wide racing toke place throughout the field. The second caution came out on lap 19 for fourth-place running Matt Miller who slowed and headed pit side for a tire change returning in time for the restart.

The great racing action the fans were witnessing saw a dramatic turn of events up front on the ensuing restart. With 22 of the 24 starters still around and all on the lead lap, Smith made a bold move in turn two as Darren Miller slipped up the track ever so slightly allowing Smith to get by to take over the lead.

With Smith now holding the point the race went eight consecutive laps of green flag racing with Darren Miller hanging on for second with Hartman, Erb and Jimmy Owens in hot pursuit. The fourth caution came out on lap 28 for Scott James who stopped up against the retaining wall heading into turn number one.

On the restart Don O'Neal who started dead last after missing the 10-minute lineup call roared through the field and with the help of caution flags and double-file restarts he was up to second by lap 29 challenging Smith for the lead as Erb moved into third.

With 20 laps to go the running order were Smith, O'Neal, Erb, Darren Miller and Earl Pearson Jr. who was driving in his first race since suffering a fractured wrist back on April 19^th calmly running in the fifth slot.

With 31 terrific laps of racing in the books the race turned into a caution-fest starting with the completion of lap 32. O'Neal's strong run to the front went go by the wayside as he suffered a flat tire. There were four straight yellows waving trying to restart for lap 33.

While all of this was going on, Smith kept his lead with Darren Miller moving back into second place as Erb, Pearson and now 24^th starting Billy Drake in fifth. On the green flag restart Darren Miller slipped two spots back to fourth as Erb and Drake now set their sights on Smith as they grabbed the second and third positions in a New York minute.

But Darren Miller was not giving up as easily as he stormed back to second after a side-by-side tussle with Erb and Drake as Justin Rattliff made his first appearance in the top five for the first time nabbing fifth from Pearson.

With 40 laps in the books Bart Hartman brought out caution number eleven as he spun his mount in turn number four while running in sixth. Two laps laterBrad Neat slowed, bringing out caution number ten with 42 scored and upon restart fourth place runner Wayne Chinn broke, ending a solid run on his part.

An eight lap shootout to the finish was now set up for Smith. With a clear race track in front of him, he still had to look over his shoulder as Drake, Darren Miller, Casebolt and Pearson took their final jabs at him.

With Smith's car handling any groove he wanted, and despite a valiant effort by Drake, he would hold the field off to secure his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.  With his victory at KLMS, Smith becomes the eight different winner in the first 12 events the series has conducted in 2008.

"It's been a long-time coming," said the 30-year-old racer after the race as he stood in the Lucas Oil victory lane.  "I first off want to thank the series for doing such a great job and Lucas Oil for their involvement in the sport, I've got to thank AMSOIL, Big Red Motorsports and Mid-States Equipment for their support of the race team, it's great to win a race like this against the competition that was here tonight."

"Darren Miller is a great race car driver and he pushed up their a little bit in turn two and we were able to get around him," commented Smith on the pass for the lead of the race which he never would relinquish.  "The track conditions were really impressive considering all the rain they had here yesterday (Friday), you could run anywhere out there and again we're glad to be in the winner's circle."

Smith, who captured the WDRL title back in 2004, concluded by recalling a tip from his chassis builder (Scott Bloomquist), "I talked to him earlier in the evening and he gave me some set-up tips and they worked to perfection and I also have to thank my engine builder Vic Hill for such a great powerplant."

Besides the aforementioned sponsorship help Smith's number two ride is also sponsored by Willow River Saloon, Rick Gondik Attorney, Hood Loaders and Slashers, McFarland Pain Clinic, Como Oil and Propane, Matthees Enterprises and VP Racing Fuels.

Drake's brilliant run for his provisional starting 24^th spot came aboard his Creative Kitchens and Baths/Mullvain Motorsports/MasterSbilt GTO.  Miller in his NAPA/Pro Power Engines/Moyer Victory Circle Chassis led 18 laps during the race came home third followed by Casebolt, who pitted several times during the race but recovered nicely for a fourth place finish in his Dixie Chopper/Cornett Engines/Rocket GTO.  Pearson maintains his points lead over Casebolt as he took fifth in the Bobby Labonte Racing/LifeLong Locks/MasterSbilt Dodge Charger.

Completing the top ten were Terry English, Matt Miller, Wes Steidinger, Justin Rattliff and Jimmy Owens.

In preliminary action Dan Schlieper set fast time in the PRC Time Trials with a lap of 15.259 seconds.  Bart Hartman, Darren Miller, Matt Miller and Brady Smith won heat races with Wes Steidinger and Terry English capturing B-main triumphs.

The next Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event is slated for Friday and Saturday, May 9^th and 10^th with the $40,000 to win Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals" at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO.  With a purse exceeding $133,000 the event is drawing interest from all the top racers in dirt late model racing.  For more information on the Second Annual SuperClean "Diamond Nationals," or the open practice session for all competitors slated for Thursday, May 8^th, go to www.LucasOilSpeedway.com or check out www.lucasdirt.com.