FOUR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS ANNOUNCED FOR
2006 LUCAS OIL KNOXVILLE LATE MODEL NATIONALS
by: Thomas J Schmeh

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (March 1, 2006) - Four regional qualifiers will be held for the $2,000-to-start Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals, beginning with the inaugural “Colossal 100” southern states qualifier on April 21-22 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The other three qualifiers will the “Best of the West Late Model Shootout” western states qualifier on June 16-17 at the Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, Kansas, the World of Outlaws (WoO) eastern states qualifier on August 4 at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania, and the “USA Nationals” northern states qualifier on August 4-5 at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin.

The overall winner of each of these events, as determined by the individual event promoter, will earn a guaranteed starting spot at the rear of the 30-car field for Knoxville’s third annual 100-lap open competition national championship event. According to Knoxville’s director of racing Ralph Capitani, “We are reaching out this year, in all directions, to provide quality teams with plenty of incentives to come to Knoxville on September 28-29-30. We feel these partnerships with other world-class venues and sanctioning affiliates will only strengthen our Speed-televised event, and it will also generate more excitement at their events throughout the racing season!”

The southern states qualifier, the $50,000-to-win Circle K Colossal 100, will be held on April 21-22 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Tickets and pit passes for Roger Slack’s $200,000 Circle K Colossal 100 can be purchased online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-704-455-3200

The western states qualifier, the “Best of the West Late Model Shootout”, will be held on June 16-17 at the Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, Kansas. The show is expected to be supported by drivers from the following affiliates: Colorado Late Model Association, National Championship Racing Association, Pacific Coast Fast Track Series, Rio Grande Super Late Model Series, Topless Outlaw Racing Association, Western Dirt Late Model Tour, and the Western Dirt Racing Association. Tickets for Mike Mathis’ special Best of the West challenge race can be purchased online at www.dodgecityraceway.com or by calling 1-620-225-3277.

The eastern states qualifier, a World of Outlaws-sanctioned show, will be held on August 4 at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania. Tickets for Gary Risch’s event at the DIRT MotorSports facility can be purchased by calling 1-724-353-1511.

The northern states qualifier, the 19th annual $50,000-to-win “USA Nationals”, will be held on August 4-5 at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Tickets for Bob Kaufman’s $200,000 event may be purchased by calling 1-715-248-7119 or visiting the track’s web site at www.cedarlakespeedway.com.

Scott Bloomquist claimed $35,000 in winning last year’s 100-lap Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals, while native Iowan Brian Birkhofer won the inaugural event in 2004. Those seeking tickets, entry forms or technical/procedural rules on the $35,000-to-win Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals are encouraged to visit the track’s web site at www.knoxvilleraceway.com. All other Knoxville event information can be gathered by calling Ralph Capitani, or director of business development Bruce Neimeth, at 1-641-842-5431.