JAMAICA , VA – July 13, 2007 – Virginia Motor Speedway’s ‘Fantastic Friday’ series will reach a whole new level of importance on July 20.
Traditionally a Saturday-night track, Bill Sawyer’s pristine half-mile is offering fans seven special Friday-night programs in 2007 – and none will be bigger than the July 20 ‘Summer Sizzler 50’ for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.
A $10,000 top prize will be up for grabs on Fri., July 20, with a star-studded field of WoO LMS standouts and regional talents expected to chase the check.
“This year we decided to try running some Friday nights on weekends that have Nextel Cup races on Saturday night and I’m pleased with the results so far,” said charismatic track owner Bill Sawyer, whose speedway has run three ‘Fantastic Friday’ cards to date. “The World of Outlaws will be our first big Late Model touring show on a Friday night, so I’m excited to see how the night goes.”
Going with a Friday date at VMS sets up an attractive weekend of competition for WoO LMS and Mid-Atlantic regional travelers alike. The WoO LMS will be in action on Sat., July 21, at Hagerstown ( Md. ) Speedway , a reasonable 180-mile drive to the Northwest of VMS.
“With two Outlaw races back-to-back in the same general area, it should help the car count for both tracks,” said Sawyer. “It’ll be a nice weekend for the racers and the fans.”
This will also be the first time that the WoO LMS makes two appearances in a single season at VMS, a top-notch facility that has hosted the tour since 2005. Earlier this year, on April 14, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua , Ill. , won the WoO LMS ‘Rumble on the River III’ event in his first career appearance at the track, and he expects to return in hopes of remaining undefeated there.
“The World of Outlaws always put on a great show at Virginia Motor,” said Sawyer. “We’re just hoping having the Outlaws here in July for the first time (all previous events have been held in April) will bring us some great weather.”
With the WoO LMS being idle since July 3 at Missouri ’s Lebanon I-44 Speedway, the tour’s red-hot points race will resume at VMS. Steve Francis of Ashland , Ky. , holds a slim edge over Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (-10 points) and Clint Smith of Senoia , Ga. (-34), with Rick Eckert of York , Pa. , Josh Richards of Shinnston , W.Va. , and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., all within striking distance as the series enters its second half.
Other WoO LMS travelers with plans to invade VMS are Darrell Lanigan of Union , Ky. , and Rookie of the Year contenders Tim Fuller of Watertown , N.Y. , and Brian Shirley of Chatham , Ill.
A host of well-known regional dirt Late Model talents are expected to challenge the Outlaws, including defending MACS tour champ Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa. , Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., Bo Feathers of Winchester, Va., Gary Stuhler of Greencastle, Pa., Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., Ronnie DeHaven of Winchester, Va., and Sean Cosgrove of Catharpin, Va.
VMS’s gates will open at 5 p.m. on Fri., July 20. On-track activities are set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The track’s Late Model, Sportsman and Modified divisions will also be on the card.
General admission tickets will cost $22 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and military, $10 for students (13-17) and $5 for children 7-12, with kids under 6 admitted free. A family pass (two adults, two children 12 and under) is available for $44, and pit passes will be $25.
Fans can also visit the track website at www.vamotorspeedway.com to find more information and print out a $2-off coupon for the ‘Summer Sizzler.’
For more info on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Traditionally a Saturday-night track, Bill Sawyer’s pristine half-mile is offering fans seven special Friday-night programs in 2007 – and none will be bigger than the July 20 ‘Summer Sizzler 50’ for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.
A $10,000 top prize will be up for grabs on Fri., July 20, with a star-studded field of WoO LMS standouts and regional talents expected to chase the check.
“This year we decided to try running some Friday nights on weekends that have Nextel Cup races on Saturday night and I’m pleased with the results so far,” said charismatic track owner Bill Sawyer, whose speedway has run three ‘Fantastic Friday’ cards to date. “The World of Outlaws will be our first big Late Model touring show on a Friday night, so I’m excited to see how the night goes.”
Going with a Friday date at VMS sets up an attractive weekend of competition for WoO LMS and Mid-Atlantic regional travelers alike. The WoO LMS will be in action on Sat., July 21, at Hagerstown ( Md. ) Speedway , a reasonable 180-mile drive to the Northwest of VMS.
“With two Outlaw races back-to-back in the same general area, it should help the car count for both tracks,” said Sawyer. “It’ll be a nice weekend for the racers and the fans.”
This will also be the first time that the WoO LMS makes two appearances in a single season at VMS, a top-notch facility that has hosted the tour since 2005. Earlier this year, on April 14, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua , Ill. , won the WoO LMS ‘Rumble on the River III’ event in his first career appearance at the track, and he expects to return in hopes of remaining undefeated there.
“The World of Outlaws always put on a great show at Virginia Motor,” said Sawyer. “We’re just hoping having the Outlaws here in July for the first time (all previous events have been held in April) will bring us some great weather.”
With the WoO LMS being idle since July 3 at Missouri ’s Lebanon I-44 Speedway, the tour’s red-hot points race will resume at VMS. Steve Francis of Ashland , Ky. , holds a slim edge over Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (-10 points) and Clint Smith of Senoia , Ga. (-34), with Rick Eckert of York , Pa. , Josh Richards of Shinnston , W.Va. , and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., all within striking distance as the series enters its second half.
Other WoO LMS travelers with plans to invade VMS are Darrell Lanigan of Union , Ky. , and Rookie of the Year contenders Tim Fuller of Watertown , N.Y. , and Brian Shirley of Chatham , Ill.
A host of well-known regional dirt Late Model talents are expected to challenge the Outlaws, including defending MACS tour champ Jason Covert of York Haven, Pa. , Jeremy Miller of Gettysburg, Pa., Bo Feathers of Winchester, Va., Gary Stuhler of Greencastle, Pa., Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., Ronnie DeHaven of Winchester, Va., and Sean Cosgrove of Catharpin, Va.
VMS’s gates will open at 5 p.m. on Fri., July 20. On-track activities are set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The track’s Late Model, Sportsman and Modified divisions will also be on the card.
General admission tickets will cost $22 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and military, $10 for students (13-17) and $5 for children 7-12, with kids under 6 admitted free. A family pass (two adults, two children 12 and under) is available for $44, and pit passes will be $25.
Fans can also visit the track website at www.vamotorspeedway.com to find more information and print out a $2-off coupon for the ‘Summer Sizzler.’
For more info on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
