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Short Track Nationals Record in Jeopardy?
by: Lonnie Wheatley
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 20, 2009) – Some would insist that records are
made to be broken. Some might be right, as all indications would suggest
that the Short Track Nationals record count of 108 competitors established
in 2007 could very well be eclipsed when the 22nd edition of the event
unfolds next weekend at I-30 Speedway.
With the pre-entry discount deadline expiring over the weekend, the entry
count surged to a staggering total of 102 by the close of business on Monday
with even more expected before the event fires to life next Thursday,
October 29.
The complete entry list will reportedly be unveiled this Thursday, October
22.
Set for October 29-31 after a Test 'N Tune session on Wednesday, October 28,
the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires at
Little Rock's I-30 Speedway is the next stop on the Lucas Oil Sprint Car
Series presented by K&N Filters trail.
The event offers up $15,000 to win and $2,200 to start the STN championship
main event. And, race fans will be treated to perhaps the most star-studded
field in the history of the prestigious event, as entries from 22 different
states from New York to Washington State and points in between have been
filed.
STN patrons will see plenty of familiar faces, including defending race
winner Tony Bruce, Jr., along with other past winners including Jason
Johnson, Paul McMahan and Wayne Johnson.
There will be an abundance of new faces in the mix as well, with the likes
of Cody Darrah, Terry McCarl, Randy Hannagan, Sean Becker, Kyle Hirst,
Jessica Zemken, Darren Long, Chad Corken and Seth Bergman among a loaded
crop of STN rookie contenders.
Four-time Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series champion Gary Wright, not among the
102 entries, ranks as the only driver to top the Short Track Nationals on
more than one occasion since 1993. Tony Bruce, Jr., became the event's 15th
different winner last year.
While the pre-entry discount deadline of October 17 has come and gone,
post-entries for the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by
Hoosier Tires may still be filed for $250 by calling the track at
501-455-4567 or at http://www.i-30speedway.com/stn.html.
Fans can purchase advance tickets by calling 501-455-4567. Advance tickets
are just $45 for all three nights of wild racing action.
Pertinent Short Track Nationals Information:
The What: 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier
Tires.
The Where: I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR). I-30 Speedway is located seven
miles southwest of Little Rock off I-30 Exit 126 (Alexander Road).
The When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 29-31, 2009. $15,000 to win
the STN finale on October 31, with $2,200 to start the STN championship
feature. Race time is 7:30 p.m. each night. Rain date is November 5-7. Test
'N Tune session on Wednesday night, October 28.
The Past Winners: Tony Bruce, Jr. (2008), Jason Meyers (2007), Jason Johnson
(2006), Tim Montgomery (2005), Gary Wright (2004, 2003, 1999 and 1995), Paul
McMahan (2002), Jason Sides (2001), Mike Ward (2000), Tim Crawley (1998),
Wayne Johnson (1997), Pete Butler (1996), Terry Gray (1994), John Gerloff
(1993), Steve Kinser (1991, ’89 and ‘88) and Sammy Swindell (1990). 1992
finale was rained out.
The Series: The premier stop on the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by
K&N Filters trail, Shane Stewart has moved 24 points ahead of Jason Johnson
in the $60,000 championship chase with Gary Wright just another 16 points
back in third. After the Short Track Nationals, the Lucas Oil Sprint Cars
will finish off the season with USA Raceway's 42nd Annual Kronik Energy
Western World Championships presented by Old Tucson Studios in Tucson, AZ,
on November 19-21.
Current top 20 in Lucas Oil Sprint Car points: 1. Shane Stewart (Bixby, OK)
2,278, 2. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 2,254, 3. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX)
2,238, 4. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 2,117, 5. Paul McMahan (Hendersonville,
TN) 2,066, 6. Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) 2,043, 7. Danny Wood (Norman, OK)
2,020, 8. Tony Bruce, Jr. (Liberal, KS) 1,982, 9. Jack Dover (Springfield,
NE) 1,963, 10. Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO) 1,961, 11. Sean McClelland (Tulsa,
OK) 1,694, 12. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 1,628, 13. Darren Long (Elida,
OH) 1,519, 14. Chad Corken (Highlands Ranch, CO) 1,487, 15. Gary Taylor
(Snohomish, WA) 1,471, 16. Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA) 1,397, 17. Gavin
Punch (Collinsville, OK) 1,344, 18. Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) 1,215,
19. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 1,118, 20. Ricky Logan (Little Rock,
AR) 974.
The Format: A version of the popular Sprint Bandits format of heats and
qualifying races will be in place for all three nights of competition. Each
night, Heat Races will be aligned according to the pre-race draw, with the
2009 passing points system in effect.
Approximately half of the STN entrants will battle through Thursday's
qualifying program, with the other half racing through Friday night's
qualifying program. Those not locked in after the first two nights (top
three from each night) will race through a full card of Heats, Last Chance
Races and Qualifying Races on Saturday night to fill out the October 31 STN
championship finale.
With six cars locked into Saturday’s $15,000-to-win, $2,200-to-start main
event, the top twelve drivers in combined passing points from Saturday’s
Heats, Qualifiers and Last Chance Races will fill positions seven through
eighteen. The final two slots of the STN finale will be awarded to the two
remaining drivers that have accumulated the most points through Heat,
Qualifying, Last Chance and Feature racing action over their qualifying
night and Saturday night.
Drivers must compete in either Thursday’s prelim or Friday’s prelim to be
eligible for passing points on Saturday.
Saturday's Odus Pack Building Materials Dash for Cash will be aligned by a
pill draw conducted in “Cheater’s Day” fashion. Thursday’s winning driver
will draw the first pill then give that pill to the driver of his choice.
Friday’s winner will draw the second pill and give that pill to one of the
remaining drivers, and so on until the lineup is determined.
The COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge: The COMP Cams Gambler’s Challenge offers
the pole sitter of the STN championship feature event the opportunity to
pull a playing card that will grant a new starting position for the 40-lap
finale. Upon accepting the Gambler's Challenge, the driver will draw the
fourth, sixth, eighth or tenth starting position. If the driver can win from
the starting position drawn, a $5,000 bonus will push the overall winner's
take to $20,000.
If the pole sitter declines to draw a card, the outside front row starter
will be presented with the same COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge.
The driver that takes the COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge is assured an extra
$1,000 regardless of finishing position.
The Josh Howard Determination Award: Bossier City, Louisiana's Shed Road
Auto Parts will present a top wing and nose wing from Lightning Wings to a
driver that battles through adversity over the course of the intensely
competitive weekend.
The Trade Show & Midway: This year’s rendition of the Short Track Nationals
will also include the Fifth Annual Short Track Nationals Trade Show &
Midway. Fans, drivers & crews will have the opportunity to visit vendor
displays, which opens at noon on Thursday and then at 9 a.m. on both Friday
and Saturday. The deadline for guaranteed vendor space is Monday, October
26.
The Tickets: Advance tickets are on sale through Wednesday, October 28, no
advance sales after that. Tickets ordered in advance are just $45 for all
three nights. Day of show prices are $15 on Thursday and Friday and $25 on
Saturday. To order tickets in advance or for more information, call the
track at 501-455-4567 or e-mail orders to racing@I-30speedway.com.
Children's tickets will be available at the event for just $2 on both
Thursday and Friday and then $5 on Saturday. There is a $1 per ticket
surcharge for orders placed via credit/debit cards. Pit passes are $30 on
both Thursday and Friday and $35 on Saturday.
For more information regarding the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track
Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires, contact I-30 Speedway at 501-455-4567.
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