JAMAICA, VA - April 13, 2009 - The ‘battle' will continue even after the checkered flag falls on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Rumble on the River V' this Saturday night (April 18) at Virginia Motor Speedway.
Providing fans an exciting added attraction themed on the rich history of the area surrounding the half-mile dirt track, costumed Civil War reenactors will greet the winner of Saturday night's 50-lap A-Main with a flurry of musket and pistol fire in Victory Lane.
Reenactors dressed in both Union and Confederate uniforms will assemble around the winning car on the speedway's homestretch, giving the evening's star dirt Late Model driver a unique – and loud – salute using their authentic Civil War-era firearms.
In addition, the command to start engines prior to the Rappahannock Tractor ‘Rumble on the River V' presented by Dixie Chopper will be punctuated by an ear-splitting Civil War cannon shot.
All the pre- and post-race action will also be captured by the television cameras of the SPEED cable network, which is taping the evening's racing action for later broadcast.
“We're always looking for new ways to entertain the fans and make a night at Virginia Motor Speedway a special experience,” said track owner Bill Sawyer, who is kicking off his facility's 40th season of action by hosting the nationally-renowned WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive year. “Drawing on the historical significance of our region with a Civil War-themed Victory Lane ceremony will certainly make Saturday night's ‘Rumble on the River V' more memorable for everyone in attendance.”
Virginia, of course, was at the center of America's Civil War from 1861-1865. The city of Richmond, which sits less than a hour's drive west of Virginia Motor Speedway, served as the capital of the Confederacy throughout the conflict, and the countryside slightly west of the track – stretching from Washington, D.C., through Richmond to Petersburg, Va. – and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains was the site of fierce fighting that took the lives of thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers.
The area immediately around Virginia Motor Speedway itself harbors many historic Civil War sites, including the nearby Rappahannock River for which Saturday's event gets its ‘Rumble' name. Waterways like the Rappahannock in Virginia's Tidewater Region played key strategic roles in the war.
A star-studded group of drivers is expected to compete for Saturday night's $10,000 top prize – not to mention a photo opportunity with the Civil War reenactors.
Leading the WoO LMS charge will be points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who at 21 is busting out as one of the country's biggest dirt Late Model stars, and defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who sits second in the current points standings.
Also headed for VMS (in order of current WoO LMS points ranking) are Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Rookie of the Year leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. Joining Bland on the WoO LMS rookie roster are Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who got his dirt-track start at VMS, Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.
Drivers with plans to challenge the WoO LMS travelers include Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., who won last year's ‘Rumble on the River' event; recent Circle K Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; three-time MACS tour champion Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa.; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C.; Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del.; and Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va.
Pit and spectator gates will open on Sat., April 18, at 4 p.m. There will be a BB&T ‘Meet and Greet' with the Outlaws drivers from 5-6 p.m., and on-track activities will commence at 6:30 p.m. with hot laps.
The WoO LMS will be accompanied on the program by VMS's Truckin' Thunder Sportsman and the Budweiser Modified divisions. The Sportsman and Modifieds will run hot-lap time trials and features only.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, $10 for students 13-17, $5 for children 7-12 and free for kids 6-and-under. Pit passes will be $30.
The Speedway also offers a ‘Family Pack' (two adults and two children 12-and-under) for only $60, and $5-off discount coupons on adult, senior and military tickets can be printed by visiting the track's website at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
For more information call the VMS office at 804-758-1VMS.
The WoO LMS visits VMS as part of a doubleheader weekend that begins on Fri., April 17, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.
Providing fans an exciting added attraction themed on the rich history of the area surrounding the half-mile dirt track, costumed Civil War reenactors will greet the winner of Saturday night's 50-lap A-Main with a flurry of musket and pistol fire in Victory Lane.
Reenactors dressed in both Union and Confederate uniforms will assemble around the winning car on the speedway's homestretch, giving the evening's star dirt Late Model driver a unique – and loud – salute using their authentic Civil War-era firearms.
In addition, the command to start engines prior to the Rappahannock Tractor ‘Rumble on the River V' presented by Dixie Chopper will be punctuated by an ear-splitting Civil War cannon shot.
All the pre- and post-race action will also be captured by the television cameras of the SPEED cable network, which is taping the evening's racing action for later broadcast.
“We're always looking for new ways to entertain the fans and make a night at Virginia Motor Speedway a special experience,” said track owner Bill Sawyer, who is kicking off his facility's 40th season of action by hosting the nationally-renowned WoO LMS for the fifth consecutive year. “Drawing on the historical significance of our region with a Civil War-themed Victory Lane ceremony will certainly make Saturday night's ‘Rumble on the River V' more memorable for everyone in attendance.”
Virginia, of course, was at the center of America's Civil War from 1861-1865. The city of Richmond, which sits less than a hour's drive west of Virginia Motor Speedway, served as the capital of the Confederacy throughout the conflict, and the countryside slightly west of the track – stretching from Washington, D.C., through Richmond to Petersburg, Va. – and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains was the site of fierce fighting that took the lives of thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers.
The area immediately around Virginia Motor Speedway itself harbors many historic Civil War sites, including the nearby Rappahannock River for which Saturday's event gets its ‘Rumble' name. Waterways like the Rappahannock in Virginia's Tidewater Region played key strategic roles in the war.
A star-studded group of drivers is expected to compete for Saturday night's $10,000 top prize – not to mention a photo opportunity with the Civil War reenactors.
Leading the WoO LMS charge will be points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who at 21 is busting out as one of the country's biggest dirt Late Model stars, and defending champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., who sits second in the current points standings.
Also headed for VMS (in order of current WoO LMS points ranking) are Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Rick Eckert of York, Pa., Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., Rookie of the Year leader Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y. Joining Bland on the WoO LMS rookie roster are Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va., who got his dirt-track start at VMS, Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio, Dustin Hapka of Grand Forks, N.D., 14-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., and Chas Shellenberger of Winfield, Pa.
Drivers with plans to challenge the WoO LMS travelers include Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., who won last year's ‘Rumble on the River' event; recent Circle K Colossal 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; three-time MACS tour champion Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa.; Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.; Chris Madden of Gaffney, S.C.; Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del.; and Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va.
Pit and spectator gates will open on Sat., April 18, at 4 p.m. There will be a BB&T ‘Meet and Greet' with the Outlaws drivers from 5-6 p.m., and on-track activities will commence at 6:30 p.m. with hot laps.
The WoO LMS will be accompanied on the program by VMS's Truckin' Thunder Sportsman and the Budweiser Modified divisions. The Sportsman and Modifieds will run hot-lap time trials and features only.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, $10 for students 13-17, $5 for children 7-12 and free for kids 6-and-under. Pit passes will be $30.
The Speedway also offers a ‘Family Pack' (two adults and two children 12-and-under) for only $60, and $5-off discount coupons on adult, senior and military tickets can be printed by visiting the track's website at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
For more information call the VMS office at 804-758-1VMS.
The WoO LMS visits VMS as part of a doubleheader weekend that begins on Fri., April 17, at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.
