Media Contact: Trenton Berry
Wheatland, MO (April 10, 2014) – For the second year in a row Sunoco Race Fuels will back the Lucas Oil MLRA Rookie of the Year program. The winner will receive six barrels of Sunoco Race Fuel for the 2015 season and a nice cash payout in addition to other point fund money and contingencies. The top rookie will pocket $2,500, with second earning $1,500 and third place will offer a $500 bonus.
“Sunoco Race Fuels have been a great partner to the Lucas Oil MLRA for many years,” commented Series Director Dan Robinson. “We got a lot of positive feedback from the implementation of this program last year, and we are so glad to be able to offer it again this season.”
There are two solidly confirmed drivers vying for the honor as of this time. Over the winter, Henderson, Colorado’s Scott Lewis was the first to commit. Last weekend, at I-80 Speedway, Griswold, Iowa’s JC Wyman confirmed his intentions as well.
Lewis has twenty years behind the wheel, but the majority of it has come in his home region. “It was really just time for a change in our racing scene and program,” said Lewis. “I need to make myself better and to do that I need to see unfamiliar places and new competitors.” Lewis began with just less than a season in the Factory Stock division and has been in the Late Model division since that point.
2010 was a big year for Lewis as he won the Colorado Motorsports Park championship and the DIRTcar Western Region title too. He knocked down 14 of his approximately 30 career wins during that stretch. He scored the CDM Late Model title in 2011 and same DIRTcar Western Region title in 2013 again. Lewis is appreciative of the help he receives from; Gypsum Express, All Pro Automotive Machine, Mesilla Valley Transportation, BLT Trucking and Custom Race Engines. He pilots the #19 and #99 MasterSbilt Race Car.
JC Wyman is heading into his 15th season on dirt, but only his third in a Late Model. He got started in a modified and raced it until the end of the 2011 season.”We really wanted to just get a change of pace in our racing for 2014,” commented Wyman. “We wanted to travel and see some new places. The majority of the tracks on the Lucas Oil MLRA schedule, I’ve never even seen. I’m really looking forward to seeing Lucas Oil Speedway this weekend. I’ve always wanted to race there.”
Wyman captured the 2012 Adams County Speedway Late Model crown, and like Lewis, estimates he has around 30 feature wins total. He wheels a GRT Race car with help from; Jack McKee & family, JD Wyman Motorsports, Wyman’s Carquest and Kirchoff Welding and Fabrication.
“I’ve had my eye on these two drivers for the past few years,” commented MLRA Race Director Ernie Leftwich. “We’re tickled to have them jump on board and run with us. They both do a really good job and are fun to have at our races. I also want to thank Sunoco Race Fuels for helping make our rookie program possible.”
Practice for the Inaugural Fox 22 Spring Nationals Presented by RacingJunk.com is this evening from 6-9 PM at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. Racing will commence with hot laps at 7:00 PM both Friday and Saturday. Friday will pay $2,000 to win and Saturday the top prize is $3,000.
Lucas Oil MLRA Top Ten Standings
1. Terry Phillips
2. Chad Simpson
3. Brian Birkhofer
4. Brad Looney
5. Travis Dickes
6. Chase Junghans
7. Chris Simpson
8. Bill Leighton
9. Tommy Weder Jr.
10. Dave Eckrich
Lucas Oil Speedway Information Friday 4/11/14 & Saturday 4/12/14
Gates: 5:00 PM Grandstand (Both Days)
Racing: 7:00 PM Hot Laps, 7:30 PM Racing (Both Days)
Admission: Adults $15, Seniors $12, Youth (6-15) $5, Kids (5 and under) FREE Family Pass $30, Pit Pass $30 (Friday), Adults $20, Seniors $15, Youth (6-12) $5, Kids (5 and under) FREE Family Pass $40, Pit Pass $35 (Saturday)
Support Classes: USRA Modifieds and Factory Stocks
Website: LucasOilSpeedway.com