HIGHLANDS, TX – March 9, 2010 – What’s the biggest selling point Battleground Speedway owner Mike Walling has going for him leading into his track’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Lone Star 50′ on Fri., March 26?

That would most certainly be last year’s inaugural appearance by the national full-fender tour at the three-eighths-mile oval located 12 miles east of Houston.

“It was an awesome show,” raved Walling, a 35-year-old Texan now in his second year at the helm of Battleground Speedway. “People around here are still talking about, so all that word-of-mouth is my best advertising. It was the definitely the kind of race that makes people want to come back this year and bring some friends this time.”

Indeed, the 2009 WoO LMS program served as a grand coming-out party for the high-banked track, which Walling reopened last year after it had sat dormant for nearly three seasons. Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., emerged victorious in a hard-fought, high-energy A-Main that saw cars jockeying for position throughout the 100-lap distance — and immediately after the checkered flag fell, Babb donned a cowboy hat and happily hopped on a 1,300-pound Texas Longhorn steer as part of a unique, Lone Star State-themed Victory Lane ceremony that had the big crowd buzzing.

“The best Late Model drivers in the country were racing all over the track from the first lap to the 100th lap last year,” said Walling, who was so pumped up after Battleground’s ’09 WoO LMS spectacular that he offered free admission to all the fans who returned for the track’s regular racing program the following week. “Darrell Lanigan (the 2008 WoO LMS champion from Union, Ky.) went to the back (of the field) twice and still finished second — that’s how racy the track was. It was the show of the year at Battleground Speedway.”

The return engagement for the nation’s premier dirt Late Model tour will pack all the punch of last year’s two-day, extra-distance event into one frenzied evening on March 26. A 50-lap A-Main paying $10,000 to win will headline Battleground’s card this year, allowing the WoO LMS to contest a first-ever two-track Texas doubleheader by moving about 200 miles north on Sat., March 27, to Lonestar Speedway in Kilgore.

And of course, Walling is once again planning to punctuate the night by having the ‘Lone Star 50′ winner meet up with a snorting Texas Longhorn in Victory Lane. The steer that starred in last year’s post-race ceremonies, Hondo, was tragically killed late in 2009 in a highway accident, but Walling is arranging to have another Longhorn brought in to continue building the tradition.

“Nobody left the stands after last year’s race when they saw that big Longhorn come out of the pits and start walking down the homestretch,” said Walling, whose uncle, Red Walling, was involved in local racing in the past with the former Big H Speedway dirt track in Houston and now assists in the marketing and operation of the new-look Battleground Speedway. “It was a pretty neat deal, especially when Shannon went over and gave it a kiss on the head. The crowd really got into it and I want to keep it going as something everyone can look forward to when the World of Outlaws come to town.”

The scrum to get up-close-and-personal with a Longhorn will feature a talent-laden roster of WoO LMS regulars led by defending champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who finished fourth in last year’s event at Battleground on the eve of his 21st birthday. He won last month’s 2010 WoO LMS season opener at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. — the fourth consecutive year he’s captured the tour’s lidlifter.

Other committed Outlaw travelers ready for action in Texas include Lanigan (last year’s crowd-pleasing runner-up at Battleground); Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (finished fifth in the 2009 event); Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y. (sixth); Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga. (seventh); Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga. (eighth); current points leader Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis. (10th); 2009 Rookie of the Year Russell King of Bristolville, Ohio (13th); Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (19th); 2007 champion Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky. (23rd); and 2010 Rookie of the Year candidate Austin Hubbard of Seaford, Del. (did not enter last year’s race).

Several other racers will trek to Battleground in hopes of building momentum to join the established Outlaws as 2010 regulars, including 2006 champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., rookie candidates Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va., Tony Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., and Jill George of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and ’09 rookie contender Brent Robinson of Smithfield, Va.

Among the drivers expected to challenge the Outlaws are Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, who finished third in last year’s event; Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kans. (11th in ’09) and his car owner Bill Koons of Omaha, Neb. (DNQ); Ray Moore of Shreveport, La. (ninth); Kevin Sitton of Baytown, Texas (22nd); and Chris Brown of Cleveland, Texas (DNQ).

The ‘Lone Star 50′ is currently the lone dirt Late Model event scheduled at Battleground in 2010.

“We’re telling all the local fans to come out and catch the Late Models while they can,” said Walling, whose track headlines open-wheel Modifieds on Saturday nights. “This is their only chance to see them at Battleground this year, so it’s definitely a show not to be missed.”

Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. and racing will begin at 7 p.m. on March 26.

General admission is $32 and pit passes cost $38 for the program, which also includes racing for the track’s Limited Modified, Hobby Stock and Pure Stock classes.

For more information on Battleground Speedway, call the track at 832-421-RACE or visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net.

Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by visiting 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), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel) and DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Eibach Springs, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, Pink Carburetors, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM ASCS!

Lonnie Wheatley, HIGHLANDS, Texas (March 6, 2010) – Missouri rivals Brian Brown and Jesse Hockett hooked up in an epic duel along the Gulf Coast Saturday night as Sprint Cars returned to the 3/8-mile Battleground Speedway for the first time in nearly ten years.

And, when the checkered flag flew upon the Third Annual Gulf Coast Nationals, it was Brown coming away with the $3,000 winner’s share in the capper of season-opening weekend competition for the ASCS Gulf South Region.

After trading the top spot a handful of times over the final ten circuits, Brown held the point the final two times around in the scheduled 25-lapper to take the win aboard the FVP No. 21 Maxim entry.

“Jesse and I have had a lot of good battles, it’s a lot of fun to race with him like that,” Brown commented in victory lane.

Had it not been for a late-race caution, eleventh-starting Oklahoma shoe Brady Bacon may very well have played the role of spoiler.

“I really should probably thank Brady for that one,” Brown explained. “I kept pounding the cushion and then he showed the low side just when that caution came out, that made all the difference.”

Gridding the main event outside row two, Brown chased pole starter Wayne Johnson and second-starter Hockett in the early rounds.

Hockett and Johnson diced for the point until “The Rocket” took command on the fifth round. Johnson’s run aboard a former Jason Johnson mount now owned by Joe Zierolf was cut short when a power steering line blew ten laps in.

Johnson’s misfortune nearly proved disastrous for Brown as well, with contact in turn four as Johnson checked up. “I hit him, I was lucky my race didn’t end right there,” Brown surmised.

Back under way, Brown kept the pressure on Hockett’s Don Ott-powered VKCC Motorsports No. 75 A.R.T. as Bacon and Tony Bruce, Jr., mixed it up for third.

Brown slipped by Hockett for the official lead on the 18th lap, with Hockett returning the favor a lap later. As the lead duo made another couple or so unofficial lead changes in the corners, Bacon broke free from Bruce and was about to dispose of Brown for second when a caution flew for Channin Tankersley’s stalled mount.

With Bacon’s hand tipped, Brown raced to the low side and ultimately battled past Hockett to post a narrow win.

A disappointed Hockett settled for runner-up honors, commenting that, “I never even saw the white flag. My hat’s off to Brian though, he did a good job.”

Bacon settled for third in the Tel-Star Communications No. 99 Triple-X, with Bruce, Jr., and 19th-starter Travis Rilat rounding out the top five.

Tommy Bryant was sixth, with Ray Allen Kulhanek in seventh. The night’s top passing points earner in heat race action, Ricky Logan returned from an opening lap stop on the track to claim eighth with Eric Baldaccini and Aaron Reutzel completing the top ten.

After Logan’s stop on the initial start of the feature, Klint Angelette, Scottie McDonald, Travis Knighton and Travis Elliott were eliminated in a wild turn four skirmish on the second try.

Brandon Berryman, Wayne Johnson, Hockett and Bryant topped heat race action for Saturday night’s 34-car field, with Travis Rilat winning the “B” Main.

American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region Results from Battleground Speedway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 31-Brandon Berryman, 2. 19-Klint Angelette, 3. 93x-Dustin Morgan, 4. 99-Brady Bacon, 5. 9x-Gary Wright, 6. 71-Channin Tankersley, 7. 15T-Travis Elliott, 8. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr. DNS: 74-Brandon Corn.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. C41-Wayne Johnson, 2. 21-Brian Brown, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 88-Scottie McDonald, 5. 00-Michael Dupuy, 6. 29-Travis Rilat, 7. 51w-Wes Miller, 8. 87x-Billy Melton, 9. 55r-Rooster Boone.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 75-Jesse Hockett, 2. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 28-James Cooper, 6. 76-John Ricketts, 7. 52-Roger Oakes, 8. 93-Chris Sweeney.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 85-Tommy Bryant, 2. 10-Ricky Logan, 3. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 4. 61-Travis Knighton, 5. 14-Michael Lang, 6. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 7. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 8. 51s-Beau Smith.

“B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 14-Michael Lang, 3. 71-Channin Tankersley, 4. 51w-Wes Miller, 5. 15T-Travis Elliott, 6. 87x-Billy Melton, 7. 76-John Ricketts, 8. 12b-Logan Bledsoe, 9. 52-Roger Oakes, 10. 51s-Beau Smith, 11. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 12. 28-James Cooper. DNS: 9x-Gary Wright, 55r-Rooster Boone, 93-Chris Sweeney, 74-Brandon Corn.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown, 2. 75-Jesse Hockett, 3. 99-Brady Bacon, 4. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 5. 29-Travis Rilat, 6. 85-Tommy Bryant, 7. 21T-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 8. 10-Ricky Logan, 9. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11. 35-Greg Rilat, 12. 87x-Billy Melton, 13. 71-Channin Tankersley, 14. 51w-Wes Miller, 15. 31-Brandon Berryman, 16. 14-Michael Lang, 17. 00-Michael Dupuy, 18. C41-Wayne Johnson, 19. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 20. 93x-Dustin Morgan, 21. 19-Klint Angelette, 22. 88-Scottie McDonald, 23. 61-Travis Knighton, 24. 15T-Travis Elliott.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jesse Hockett 272, 2. Brian Brown 269, 3. Travis Rilat 267, 4. Brady Bacon 257, 5. Tony Bruce, Jr. 255, 6. Ricky Logan 251, 7. Tommy Bryant 220, 8. Brandon Berryman 216, 9. (tie) Gary Wright and Wes Miller 215.

On Friday night, the series fires to 2010 life at Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park with the Prelude to the Gulf Coast Nationals.  Then, on Saturday night, it’s on to Highlands’ Battleground Speedway for the Third Annual Gulf Coast Nationals.

The pair of 3/8-mile ovals makes for an interesting opening weekend combination for the Gulf South forces.  While the high-banked Golden Triangle Raceway Park gumbo clay oval has been a regular stop on the Gulf South Regional trail in recent years, the high-banked Battleground Speedway dirt oval hosts the series for the first time on Saturday night.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park has been the site of at least a pair of ASCS Gulf South events each year since 2004.  And, while 2008 Lucas Oil Sprint Car National Champion Jason Johnson of Eunice, LA, has enjoyed the most success with six triumphs in the 28 Gulf South events contested at GTRP, four-time Lucas Oil champ Gary Wright was the only driver to post a pair of wins in seven Beaumont outings last year.  While Wright scored twice, including a win in the Prelude to the Gulf Coast Nationals, other 2009 winners at GTRP included Johnson, Channin Tankersley, Aaron Reutzel, Travis Rilat and Tommy Bryant.

While the Gulf South forces will be at the advantage in terms of familiarity at Golden Triangle, Battleground will be an entirely different beast as it has been nearly ten years since winged sprint cars have slung the dirt at the Highlands oval that hosts the Gulf Coast Nationals for the first time as well.

Nebraska’s Jack Dover captured the inaugural rendition of the Gulf Coast Nationals at Houston Raceway Park in 2008, with Texan Gary Wright reigning as Gulf Coast Nationals champion after topping the event at Cleveland’s 105 Motor Speedway in 2009.

Nineteen-year-old Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, home of the annual Great Texas Mosquito Festival, is the reigning ASCS Gulf South champion.  However, with both Reutzel and 2009 series runner-up Channin Tankersley (also 19) both reportedly shifting to the Lucas Oil National Sprint Car trail in 2010, the door could be wide open for a new Gulf South champion in 2010.

The Gulf South forces, expected to include the likes of two-time champ Brandon Berryman and one-time champions Ray Allen Kulhanek and Gary Watson along with Gulf South Iron Man Greg Rilat, Tommy Bryant, Klint Angelette and Bruce Griffith, Jr., among others, will likely take on a number of invaders over the weekend.

Along with last weekend’s East Bay competition, several Lucas Oil ASCS National contenders will also use this weekend as a “Spring Training” of sorts in preparation for the Lucas Oil National season opener at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX, on March 19-20.

Texas shoes Gary Wright and Travis Rilat were among at least seven Lucas Oil contenders that competed in Florida’s East Bay events this past weekend.  Others included Jesse Hockett, Tony Bruce, Jr., Darren Long, Joe Ramaker and Michael Dupuy.  Several of those and others could make their way to southeast Texas for this weekend’s action.

Friday’s racing action at Golden Triangle Raceway Park goes green at 7:45 p.m., while Saturday’s card at Battleground Speedway fires off at 7:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX.  For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Highlands’ Battleground Speedway is located east of Houston off I-10 exit 787, then four miles north.  For more information, contact the track at 832-421-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 nights of racing action at ten different tracks throughout Texas in 2010.

In its 19^th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing, the American Sprint Car Series brings the best of Sprint Car racing to approximately 100 different tracks throughout 30 states and Canada.  Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of eleven different Regions throughout the nation.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Golden Triangle Raceway Park:

10/2/09 – Channin Tankersley

9/18/09 – Jason Johnson

7/17/09 – Aaron Reutzel

6/19/09 – Travis Rilat

5/16/09 – Gary Wright

5/16/09 – Tommy Bryant (4/24 Makeup Feature)

3/6/09 – Gary Wright

8/15/08 – Channin Tankersley

7/18/08 – Gary Watson

5/9/08 – Channin Tankersley

2/29/08 – Jason Johnson

9/28/07 – Jason Johnson

6/22/07 – Michael Dupuy

5/18/07 – Brandon Berryman

4/6/07 – Jason Johnson

9/29/06 – Kevin Ramey

8/18/06 – Jason Johnson

6/23/06 – Gary Watson

8/19/05 – Ray Allen Kulhanek

6/17/05 – Ray Allen Kulhanek

4/15/05 – Travis Rilat

9/18/04 – Kelly Angelette

7/9/04 – Stephen Chevallier

* 9/28/02 – Michael Dupuy

* 9/27/02 – Tim Crawley

7/5/02 – Buddy Bodden

5/24/02 – Jason Johnson

* 4/5/02 – Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Battleground Speedway:

None – First ASCS Gulf South event at Battleground.

* – Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Highlands, Tx., (March 21st, 2009) As day number two kicked off for the Lone Star 100, World of Outlaws Late Model Series driver lined up along the Spectator area for their customary autograph session. Fans were able to meet and greet their favorite WoO Late Model drivers which is always a big hit with the kids in the crowd.

Racing action would resume for the WoO Late Models, with the top four from each of Friday’s heats already in the show. Each of the top two would redraw for top eight starting spots. Two 12-lap B-mains would fill the final six spots(top three from each) available for the $20,000 to win, Lone Star 100. Seventeen drivers would be vying for those chosen few spots, with two provisionals available.

Also back on the track were the local Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, plus the Hobby Stocks making their appearance for the weekend, with all three classes running full programs.

Brian Birkhofer, who set fast time Friday night and won his heat drew the number four pill for second row outside. “Our car was pretty consistent and the dirt is comparable to the tracks I grew up running on in the midwest. We just went out there and busted the best lap we could. It felt pretty good in hot laps. I figured I’d be in the hunt(for fast time),but didn’t think I’d break the track record.”

“It’s going to be 100 laps, so it’s a duration deal. Hopefully you can stay with whomever is setting the pace. If you stay within a straightaway of the leader and work lapped traffic, you hope at the end of the race you’ll have something for them.”

“You’re going to need a good car,” said Rick Eckert who drew the pole for the Lone Star 100. “The starting position isn’t that important because the track is real racy. Drawing the pole is nice because you’ve got clean race track, but sometimes that will get you in a bind. If you’re leading in one lane, someone could find a different line and get by you.”

“Hopefully we can get going, get out there and lose them. If we fall back early we won’t panic. It’s a 100 laps race and you can pick back up. You just have to get your act together a drive back through there.”

Shannon Babb used a different tire strategy, and line to pocket the $20,000 to win, Lone Star 100 and a ride on Hondo, a 1,300 pound longhorn, dubbed as the race mascot. Babb picked off the lead from Darrell Lanigan near halfway after Lanigan cut a tire. Using the softer compound tire and riding the cushion, Babb fought of the challenges from Brian Birkhofer, who actually got nose ahead twice. In the latter stages Babb then ran off, slicing his way through traffic, to take the checkers with a ½ straightaway lead over Lanigan, who battled his way back after a pit stop.

The near 3/4 capacity crowd rose to it’s feet as the four-wide, WoO Late Model, 24-car field rolled by, before the start of the Lone Star 100. As green waved and the field roared to life, Jimmy Mars got the best of Rick Eckert coming out of turn 2 for the lead. Eckert, Birkhofer, Babb and Lanigan quickly fell in line behind Mars. Eckert made a quick look inside Mars on lap 1, with Babb and Lanigan now side by side for fourth as drivers picked their early lines.

Eckert could get along side Mars in the corners, but Mars had the momentum coming off to hold Eckert at bay. Babb and Lanigan continued to duke it out until Lanigan finally got the spot on lap 5. Vic Coffey then got by Babb as the top six began to check out. Eckert got along side Mars again on lap 8 as the duo ran up on traffic.

With the lead group now in traffic, Lanigan got beside Birkhofer, while Coffey and Babb swapped fifth. The first yellow waved on lap 17 when Coffey tangled with the lapped car of James Ward sending Ward around on the back stretch. On the restart, Steve Francis spun in the front half the field collecting several other cars in the melee. Damage to Francis’ car ended his night putting the points leader on the hauler. Once back to green Eckert made another run at Mars, with Babb getting fourth from Lanigan.

Local hero, Howard Willis got by Coffey on lap 18 for sixth. As Babb and Birkhofer battled for fourth, Birkhofer pushed coming out of turn 2. Babb got the spot with Al Purkey getting by for fifth. As Birkhofer gathered it back up, Willis, Coffey and Josh Richards all got by. Just as Mars and Eckert were starting to pull away from Lanigan, Eckert slipped in turn 2, giving Lanigan a run to grab second. Coffey got back by Willis on lap 29 for fifth followed by Richards, who was charging from his 15th starting spot.

Willis’ trouble got worse when he slowed on lap 32 with a flat to bring out the yellow. When the green waved again, Eckert and Lanigan began a scrap for second as they swapped the spot several times per lap. Mars found tricky turn 2 to be his downfall as he slipped, with Lanigan getting past for the lead on lap 36. Behind them Eckert slapped the back stretch wall and Coffey jumped the turn 3 cushion ending up on top of the wall to bring caution out.

On the restart, Babb got around on the high side, while Richards got under Birkhofer for fourth. Babb caught Lanigan and was mounting a challenge when Lanigan cut down a tire and stopped to bring about a caution. With Babb now leading the way on lap 41, Chub Frank had a good run up top, but Willis found the turn 2 wall to bring yellow quickly back out. When the racing finally resumed, Mars lost second to Richards who gave Babb a peek inside.

Mars fought back with Richards with the duo running side by side for several laps before Birkhofer got around Richards. At the crossed flags it was Babb, Mars, Birkhofer, Richards and Frank in the top five. Chris Wall had the first of a few spins on lap 51 to slow the action. Once back under green, Mars gave Babb a challenge low, but ended up giving second to Birkhofer.

Birkhofer, on the bottom, turned up the heat on Babb with two dicing it out for the lead. Birkhofer would get the nose ahead on lap 55, but Babb would get the point back on lap 56. Behind the leaders, Mars, Richards and Frank had their own personal war raging for third. Babb had just started to ease ahead of Birkhofer when Wall spun again to bring out the yellow on lap 65.

Back under green, Birkhofer showed Babb the nose again in turn 3. Frank tried to get by Richards low for third, but ended up giving fourth to Lanigan. Lanigan then got third from Richards on lap 68. After a short slip, Birkhofer was back on Babb for the lead. Birkhofer inched the nose out front once again on lap 70, before Babb got his momentum on the high side taking the lead back on lap 71.

As the top five began to sort out, Clint Smith moved into sixth. Birkhofer lost some ground to Babb when lapped traffic slowed him up enough for Lanigan to close the gap. Lanigan suffered the same fate on lap 82 when he got hung behind slower cars. Babb had his biggest scare on lap 83 when Brady Smith spun in front of him in turn 4 with the caution coming out for Smith. Again under green Birkhofer was able to stick the nose in on the bottom, but Babb would get the run off the corners high, holding him off. Richards got back around Frank for fourth.

With Babb now starting to run off, Birkhofer decided to give the high side a try. Probably a bad move as he gave up second to Lanigan on lap 87. Babb was stretching out his lead, when lightning almost struck again as Purkey squeezed Babb on the back straight. Once clear Babb continued to build his margin over Lanigan. As the white flag waved, Babb had nearly a half straightaway advantage over Lanigan. From there Babb, the Moweaqua(Ill.) Missle, in the Sheltra and Sons Construction, Petroff Towing, Donley Trucking, All-Stars, Integra Shocks, Hoosier , VP Fuels, Rocket Chassis, cruised on to the victory.

“We we’re perfect by any means,” said the elated Babb. “The race track just fell into our hands. We were able to twist it up there and had the tires on it. It was a heck of a race. Sometimes you’ve just got to stab and steer. There’s lots of good competitors out there.”

” I gambled, I really gambled with a softer tire and it helped me run the cushion. You never can tell you’re either going to be a hero or zero. The rest of these ran pretty good too. If anyone had swapped spots with me, they probably would have won it.”

“We had the tire get slashed and had to go to the tail,” said runner-up Lanigan. “We came back up to second, but we had a good car. It’s kind of disappointing. You have to change your thinking some at the back. Try to go where everyone else isn’t.”

“I did some set up stuff I wish I hadn’t,” stated Birkhofer. “I wish we had the car we had Friday night, but that’s racing. It was all about tire management. I could got inside, but Shannon(Babb) would fire off the top. It’s hard to beat that guy on the cushion. The fans got see one heck of a show, that’s what’s important.”

Lone Star 100

Pos/Car/Driver/Hometown/Start
1. 18 Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.(3)
2. 29 Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky(6)
3. 15b Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa(4)
4. 1 Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.V.(15)
5. 1* Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa.(10)
6. 19T Tim Fuller, Watertown, N.Y.(14)
7. 44 Clint Smith, Senoia, Ga.(12)
8. 25 Shane Clanton, Locust Grove, Ga.(23)*
9. 93 Ray Moore, Shreveport, La.(16)
10. 2 Brady Smith, Solon Springs, Wisc.(11)
11. 33 Al Purkey, Coffeyville, Ks.(13)
12. 12 Jordan Bland, Campbellsville, Ky.(21)
13. 56K Russell King, Bristolville, Ohio(17)
14. 18H Dustin Hapka, Grand Forks, N.D.(24)*
15. 71 Chris Wall, Holden, La.(5)
16. 28 Jimmy Mars, Menomonie, Wisc.(2)
17. A1 Duke Whiseant, Texarkana, Ark.(20)
18. 6R Robbie Stuart, DeRidder, La.(19)
19. 24 Rick Eckert, York, Pa.(1)
20. 23 Howard Willis, Dayton, Tx.(9)
21. 32c Vic Coffey, Caledonia, N.Y.(8)
22. 20 Kevin Sitton, Baytown, Tx.(18)
23. 19 Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.(7)
24. w3 James Ward, Leftworth, La.(22)

*=provisional

World Of Outlaws B-mains(top three transfer)

In the first of two WoO Late Model B-mains, to fill the field, Russell King got out front on green and would lead wire to wire. In the pack, local driver, Chris Brown tried making his way forward but spun after contact with Rob Litton. After the restart, Robbie Stuart and Jordan Bland fought it for second as the field sorted out. King took the checkers with Stuart edging out Bland for second, leaving Shane Clanton to take a provisional. Dustin Hapka picked up the last provisional spot.

B-main #1
56 Russell King
6R Robbie Stuart
12 Jordan Bland
25 Shane Clanton
21 Chris Brown
68 Rob Litton
18H Dustin Hapka
29K Bill Koons

Fourteen year old, Tyler Reddick grabbed the lead, with another hometown driver Kevin Sitton in pursuit. Reddick made a slip on lap 5 giving Sitton the opening to lead lap 6. As Reddick continued to fade, Duke Whiseant moved to second after a three-wide battle with Jame Ward and Brent Robinson. In the final laps Ward and Robinson battled side by side for the final transfer spot. Sitton easily took the win over Whiseant and Ward who held off Robinson for third.

B-main #2
20 Kevin Sitton
A1 Duke Whiseant
W3 James Ward
3R Brent Robinson
11 Tyler Reddick
56s Chas Shellenberger
25H Chuck Hummer
5C Michael Coleman

Brown blasts Modified field for Main win

Despite disappointment in Late Model B-main, Chris Brown bounced back in the 20-lap Modified main. Brown got by early leader Corey Babbitt near half way then put some distance on the field and negotiated traffic in the late laps to grab the checkers.

With a unique invert dice roll by a youngster from the crowd, the top 6 rows were inverted for the start of the main. On the initial start Chad Comer spun in turn 1, with Kevin Batterbee suffering a cut tire, and Marcus Berndt spinning in turn 2. The young Babbitt got the jump on the 23-car field leading into turn 1. Art Rodriguez, Keith Wright, Brown and Tommy Stanley fell in line behind Babbitt.

Comer spun again on lap 1, sending Kv. Batterbee spinning into the pit exit road. Once back to green, Wright and Brown got past Rodriguez, leaving a three wide battle for fourth. Jeff Wood and David Horner were next to get by Rodriguez for fourth and fifth. Horner then charged past Wood and Wright for third. Brown had just caught Babbitt when yellow waved for a spin on the back stretch.

On the restart, Brown put the pressure on Babbitt for the lead, while Horner was challenging Brown for second. Brown got the lead on lap 6, as Phil Dixon moved by Wright for fourth. At the crossed flags it was Brown, Horner, Babbitt, Dixon and Wright in the top five. As the top five separated out, Wood, Kenny Batterbee and Frank Kitchenhoff battled for sixth.

With five to go Brown had build a ¼ straightaway lead over Horner, who had a big gap back to Babbitt. Brown caught up to lapped traffic in the final laps, but never missed a beat as he sliced his way through. At the checkers it was Brown in the Delta Flange, EEGI, JD’s Bodyworks, Performance Graphics, Smileys Racing Products,Hwy. 105 Machine powered, Skyrocket Chassis taking the win with a comfortable margin.

“Patience and not over driving the car, was the key,” replied Brown. “We finally made the right adjustments. Last night we didn’t make the right choices and tonight things started coming together. It slicked of some, but the there was still some moisture and traction.”

“We try to prepare everything at the shop the best we can, so we can run good and not worry about who is going to show up. No matter who it is the idea is to out-run them.”

“We were really disappointed about not making the Late Model field. I felt if we could et the handling properly that I could drive it. We finally got in handling pretty decent and I go and mess it up. It was so disappointing because the guys worked so hard on the car. All you want to do is get it in the show, so can see all their hard work pay off. I didn’t keep up my end of the bargain this time.”

Modifieds

21 Chris Brown

56 David Horner

29 Corey Babbitt

A1 Phil Dixon

10 Kenny Batterbee

07 Keith Wright

13 Frank Kitchenhoff

51 Jeff Wood

110 N/A

95 Pete Sagmiller

4 Kalif Sellier

24 Tommy Stanley

17 John Baker

22 Art Rodriguez

122 Perry Johnson

44 Marcus Berndt

30 N/A

998 Jeff Whitehead

98 Markus Elder

23 Chris Jewell

151 Kevin Batterbee

711 Rich Harmon

3 Chad Comer

11 Danny Mayes—DNS

71 Mike Belge—DNS

77 Phillip French—DNS

Modified heat winners, 15 Kevin Batterbee, 17 John Baker, 95 Pete Sagmiller

Mueller out-muscles Limited Modified field for win

Jeff Mueller wired the field in the 20-lap Limited Modified main going flag to flag. The road to winners circle wasn’t easy as he had to hold off hard chargers, Mike Martin and Brad Ball, who got together fighting for second. After a late restart Mueller eased away from Ed Clancy for the victory.

On the first start Mueller beat Clancy out of turn, but a mid-pack stack up left Derek Rashall turned the wrong way to bring out the yellow. On the next attempt, Mueller repeated his charge out of turn 2, with Clancy, Troy Baugh, Ball and Martin in pursuit. As Ball and Martin battled for fourth, Derek Ross slipped by Martin on lap 1. Martin retook the spot on lap 3.

Ball began putting the pressure on Baugh on lap 6 and got by on the high side for third, with Martin getting under Baugh on the low side. Ball and Clancy then ran side by side for second, with Ball getting the spot on lap 8. Martin then moved along side Clancy for third, while Baugh and Kevin Sellers ran wheel to wheel for fifth.

At the halfway point it was Mueller, Ball, Martin, Clancy and Sellers in the top five. Martin got under Ball on lap 10 for second and with a good run was challenging Mueller. Ball slipped back another spot on lap 11 giving third to Clancy. Ball wasted little time getting back around Clancy and in on Martin for second.

Martin tried to duck inside Mueller on lap 14 going into turn 1 with Ball looking for a way around Martin high. Ball and Martin made contact in turn 3 sending Martin around to bring out the yellow. Ball was charged with caution and sent to the back, Martin would have retained his place, but was unable to continue.

On the restart a multi-car melee occurred when the pack hit some moisture left behind in turn 3, with several cars suffered mostly cosmetic damage. Once back to green the top 5 got away clean with Greg Tolleson getting by Roy Catlin for sixth. Mueller inched ahead by a couple car lengths on Clancy. In the final laps Sellers got past Clancy for second, but had nothing for Mueller who took the checkers in the Spillers Automotive, Trinity Bay, Evolution Chassis.

“You’ve got to be patient,” said Mueller, “It takes some courage and stuff. I was pretty nervous out there, but I just had to take my time and stay calm. You just try to be smooth and go around the track. Slow is fast.”

“It goes though your mind about who’s behind you, but I didn’t have any worries I knew no one was going to get below me. I was holding the bottom and no one was going to get by me.”

Limited Modifieds

43 Jeff Mueller

2 Kevin Sellers

128 Ed Clancy

24 Derek Ross

88 Troy Baugh

86 Justin Collins

46 Randy Bridges

420 Eric Cigielski

114 Roy Catlin

31 Tyler King

8 Chris Blaszak

66 Jim Asher sr.

388 Steve Burrow

28 Michael McDonald

51 Greg Tolleson

64 Thomas Downey

26 Wesley Ross

47 Andy Wojtasczk

78 Brad Ball

5 Mike Martin

281 Morris Arnold

19 David Lege jr.

188 Derek Rashall

71 Chase Breese

Limited Modified B-main(top 8 transfer)

86 Justin Collins

26 Wesley Ross

64 Thomas Downey

8X Chris Blaszak

66 Jim Asher sr

28 Michael McDonald

388 Steve Burrow

420 Eric Cegielski

———————————————————

17m Jesse McNorton

148 Tommy Moore

30 Bradley Willims

27 Randy Lewis

36 Steve Hoppe

Limited Modified heat winners, 128 Ed Clancy, 43 Jeff Mueller, 78 Brad Ball, 88 Troy Baugh

Hortch hustles to Hobby Stock honors

John Hortch used track experience and patience to get the 15-lap Hobby Stock win. Hortch worked his way past early leader Nathan Renfro, then held off Bubba Seals in the latter stages of the race for another Battleground Speedway checkers.

Renfro got the early jump as green waved on the 13-car field, but Grant Brown spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the second try Renfo and Keith Wenschel stayed door to door with Renfo finally securing he lead. Seals got by Wenschel on lap 1, just as yellow waved for Roger Hellman who got turned around by John Hodge. Hodge was sent to the tail.

On the restart, Hortch got inside Wenschel for second, with Seals falling back to fourth after sliding too high. Seals worked his way back past Wenschel on lap 2 for third. Renfro got loose coming out of turn 2 on lap 4, giving Hortch and Seals a run to get by, with Hortch snagging the point on lap 5.

Seals caught Hortch on lap 6 for the lead, while Hodge worked his way back up to sixth. Seals took several looks low on Hortch as the top two were able to put some distance on the field. Hodges run back to the front ended on lap 12 with a flat tire. In the final laps Seals again gave Hortch some pressure, but Hortch was able to hold steady for the win.

Hobby Stocks

63 John Hortch

19 Bubba Seals

4 Nathan Renfro

60 Kelly Andrus

50 Keith Wenschel

3 Roger Hellman

00 Grant Brown

66 Jim Asher jr.

46 Richard Gildart

13 Scott Madison

52 John Hodge

75 N/A

7 Tommy Page

27 Paul Vanderpool—DNS

1 Brad Hellman—DNS

Hobby Stock heat winners, 19 Bubba Seals, 63 John Hortch

Thunder on the coast

Highland, Tx.,(March 20th, 2009) For the first time since 2004 the World of Outlaws hit the Texas state line, with last race date held at at Lone Star Speedway(Kilgore). New Battleground Speedway promoter, Mike Walling wanted to do something special for the reopening of the track which has sat dormant since 2006. Special it was, as he signed the always popular, World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Originally scheduled as a one day event, with the second race held in Louisiana, Walling was quick to jump on the second day when the date opened up. Once again proving everything is bigger in Texas, Walling put up $20,000 to win for the “Lone Star 100″, with a total purse of $100,000.

Leading the charge of ground pounding, slick looking, 800HP, WoO Late Models was current points leader and 2007 WoO LM champion Steve Francis and last years champ, Darrell Lanigan. Drivers from literally coast to coast, border to border from 17 states signed for the chance to make the 24-car, Saturday night, Lone Star 100 field.

A strong field of “Rookie of the Year” contenders was also on hand, with six drivers committing to run for the title, including 14-year old Tyler Reddick making his first foray into Late Model racing after graduating from the Stock and Sprint Car ranks.

Friday night’s racing card included time trials and heats for the WoO Late Models as well as heats, a B-main and features in the Modifieds, Limited Modifieds and Pure Stocks.

Saturday night’s action concludes the qualifying for the WoO Late Models through B-main(s) and a full program in the local classes.

Thirty-three drivers took their shots at the 3/8 mile, semi-banked, black gumbo clay oval in time trials with Brian Birkhofer in the Daufelt Trucking, McDonalds, J&J Steel, Simon Trucking, ASI Racewear, Port City Racing, Bailegh Industrial, M-B Custom Chassis setting the fast time of 15.471 besting the old track record of 1.523. Francis, Lanigan, 2008 Rookie of the Year, Vic Coffey and Chris Wall rounded out the top five qualifying spots.

World of Outlaws Late Model Qualifying
15b Brian Birkhofer, 15.471 NTR
19 Steve Francis, 15.543
29 Darrell Lanigan, 15.559
32c Vic Coffey, 15.582
71 Chris Wall, 15.586
28m Jimmy Mars, 15.595
1 Josh Richards, 15.604
25 Shane Clanton, 15.610
23 Howard Willis, 15.727
1* Chub Frank, 15.791
24 Rick Eckert, 15.805
18 Shannon Babb, 15.806
12b Jordan Bland, 15.865
19T Tim Fuller, 15.882
2b Brady Smith, 15.926
44 Clint Smith, 16.024
33 Al Purkey, 16.112
20 Kevin Sitton, 16.160
w3 James Ward, 16.163
68 Rob Litton, 16.214
6R Robbie Stuart, 16.231
18H Dustin Hapka, 16.232
56k Russell King, 16.262
93 Ray Moore, 16.270
A1 Duke Whiseant, 16. 278
29k Bill Koons, 16.307
5c Michael Coleman, 16.499
11 Tyler Reddick, 16.596
25H Chuck Hummer, 16.670
5 Jon Mitchell, 17.564
3R Brent Robinson—DNT(dropped driveshaft)
21 Chris Brown—DNT(crash in hot laps)
56s Chas Shellenberger—DNT(crash in hot laps)

WoOMLate Model heats(Top 4 transfer, top 2 redraw)

The first heat saw Brian Birkhofer quickly jump into the lead with Chris Wall and Al Purkey side by side for second. As Birkhofer pulled away, Wall secured second over Purkey with Howard Willis in the fourth spot. Chuck Hummer and Robbie Stuart tangled in turn 1 to bring out the yellow on lap 3. On the restart, Wall took a quick look inside Birkhofer, while Willis got past Purkey for third. Jordan Bland got into Purkey fighting for the last transfer spot and spun on lap 7. Birkhofer got away clean once back to green going on to take the win. Wall, Willis and Purkey grabbed the other transfer spots.

Heat 1
15 Brian Birkhofer
71 Chris Wall
23 Howard Willis
33 Al Purkey
12 Jordan Bland
6R Robbie Stuart
25H Chuck Hummer
A1 Duke Whiseant

Steve Francis snagged the point in heat 2 as the green waved with Jimmy Mars, Chub Frank, Tim Fuller and Kevin Sitton in pursuit. Mars kept the pressure on Francis as the top two pulled away. In the final laps Sitton was challenged by Dustin Hapka, until he spun on lap 8. Once back to green, Francis took a big lead over Mars, while Sitton tried to find a way around Fuller for fourth. Francis easily took the checkers over Mars, Frank and Fuller, while Sitton came up one spot short.

Heat 2
19 Steve Francis
28 Jimmy Mars
1* Chub Frank
19T Tim Fuller
20 Kevin Sitton
5 Jon Mitchell
18h Dustin Hapka
29k Bill Koons

The third heat started with Josh Richards leading into turn 1, and Darrell Lanigan, challenging. Richards did a half spin on lap 1 giving up the lead to Lanigan on lap 2 and falling to fifth. Rick Eckert then moved in to put the heat on Lanigan, as Richards tried to get by Russell KIng for fourth. Michael Coleman brought out the yellow on lap 3 with a spin . Eckert got into turn 1 first on the restart, but Lanigan fought back for the lead in turn 2.

Richards banged off Brady Smith in the battle for third, falling back to sixth. Richards got back by James Ward on lap 5 as the top two pulled away. Smith, Richards and King then waged war for the final spot with King and Richards exchanging paint, positions and unpleasantries. Up front Lanigan and Eckert cruised to the checkers with Smith and Richards getting he final two spots.

Heat 3
29 Darrell Lanigan
24 Rick Eckert
2 Brady Smith
1 Josh Richards
56k Russell King
w3 James Ward
5 Michael Coleman
3R Brent Robinson

Vic Coffey and Shane Clanton stayed door to door on lap 1 of the final heat until Clanton bicycled in turn 1 and went head on into the wall ending his night. On the restart, Clint Smith got around Shannon Babb briefly, but Babb charged back getting by Smith then Coffey for the lead on lap 2. Once clear, Babb easily motored away, as the top four spots were secure. Tyler Reddick spun on lap 9 to bring out the caution and give Chris Brown one last shot at Ray Moore in fourth. With Babb away on green, Brown gave Moore a try in turn 1 but spun. Babb, Coffey, Smith and Moore took the transfer spots.

Heat 4
18 Shannon Babb
32 Vic Coffey
44 Clint Smith
93 Ray Moore
11 Tyler Reddick
21 Chris Brown
25 Shane Clanton
68 Rob Litton

White adds another win to his total

Former USAC Silver Crown National Champion, All-Star Modified and NASCAR Sunbelt Regional Champ, Paul White already has an impressive racing resume. White, who started sixth in the 25-car main, out-raced a stellar field of Modifieds to add yet another win to that total. White worked his way by Kenny Batterbee at halfway, then ran out to a good lead. A late race caution rebunched the field, but White was able to hold off Robert Metz jr. in the finals laps for the victory.

Kn. Batterbee beat Howard Willis into turn 1 for the lead of the 20-lap Modified main event. David Horner, Kevin Batterbee fell in line, while Kalif Sellier and White ran side by side for fifth. Yellow was out early on lap 1 when Art Rodriguez slowed and stopped in turn 1. On the restart, Horner and White both got by Willis for second and third, leaving him wheel to wheel with Kv. Batterbee for fourth.

Kn. Batterbee and Horner started to ease away, while Kv. Batterbee moved past White for third and Willis slipped high falling back to seventh. Willis got back around Sellier for sixth on lap 5. Kv. Batterbee was able to run down Horner for second and they tried to go three wide past a lapped car the trio made contact sending Horner around and into the back stretch wall to bring out a yellow.

Once back to green, White made a charge up top getting to Kn. Batterbee for the top spot. Kv. Batterbee ducked under White to get second back, while Willis and Chris Brown ran side by side for fourth. As White and Kv. Batterbee battled for second, Kv. Batterbee got loose, with Willis and Brown both sneaking past.

Willis then closed in on White and was looking inside going into turn 3 when something looked to break sending him straight into the turn 3 wall. When green waved again, White tried the low side and got under Kn. Batterbee on back stretch, with Johno Whittington. moving up to third passing Brown. At the crossed flags it was White, Kn. Batterbee, Whittington, Brown and Kv. Batterbee in the top five.

White then began to put some distance on the three car battle between Whittington, Brown and Kn. Batterbee for second. Metz got the spot on lap 13 when Kn. Baterbee got hung by a lapped car, while Phil Dixon was working his way to top five after starting 23rd. White pulled out to nearly a half straight lead over Whitington, while Sellier and Pete Sagmiller ran side by side for seventh. White’s biggest scare came on lap 18 when John Baker spun in front of him in turn 4.

Once back to green, White got a good jump but Whitington closed the gap, while Sagmiller took sixth from Kv. Batterbee. White held Whittington at bay in the final laps by a car length and grabbed the checkers in the Bridwell Motorsports, Motors by Adan, Dust Devil Chassis.

“It was real tough,” replied White. “There were a couple ruts getting into turn 1, there was a few times it got a little choppy up and had to watch what we were doing. It ended up ok for us. The track was about as fast as you can get tonight. It was plenty heavy and plenty fast. You could blast around there, just ‘nut up’ and go.”

“We’ve won two feature on the same night a few times. It just doesn’t happen as much now as it used to. Back in the Winged Modified days we’d get after them pretty good. With this Limited and Modified we’ve done it here and there.”

Modified
2W Paul White
91 Johno Whittington
21 Chris Brown
10 Kenny Batterbee
A1 Phil Dixon
95 Pete Sagmiller
151 Kevin Batterbee
3c Chad Corner
561 David Horner
4$ Kalif Sellier
89 John Neff
16 Tom Hameka
24 Tommy Stanley
11 Danny Mayes
07 Keith Wright
17 John Baker
32 Brandon Nicholas
112 Jason Stevenson
44 Marcus Berndt
13 Frank Kitchenhoff jr
01 Howard Willis
99 Mike Wickham
51 Jeff Wood
18 Tim Jones
22 Art Rodriguez
12 Corey Babbitt—DNS
955 Robert Metz—DNS
122 Perry Johnson—DNS
198 Marcus Elder—DNS
77 Phillip French—DNS

Modified heat winners, 01 Howard Willis, 10 Kenny Batterbee, 151 Kevin Batterbee, 561 David Horner

White doubles his pleasure
It’s not often that one driver has the chance to score two race wins in one night, let alone accomplish it. Paul White showed his moxie, with some serious moves early, then adapting his line at the end to get past early leader Brad Ball for his second victory of the night.

The start of the 21-car, Limited Modified feature got off to a scary start, when Mark Greiner got turned from a three wide battle at the back of the pack, sending him hard into the wall head on. Greiner’s car banked off the wall and rolled several times before to coming to rest. Geiner was able to walk away sore, but otherwise uninjured.

Once back to racing Ball and Donny Wyble stayed wheel to wheel until Ball came out of turn 2 with the lead. Wyble, Derek Ross, Jeff Mueller and White fell in line behind Ball. Mueller got by Ross on lap 1, with White following in his wake. Using a classic high/low move White then picked off third from Mueller on lap 2. Up front Wyble was putting the pressure on Ball getting inside going into turn 1. Ball held his line and had the momentum coming off turn 2 to hold the lead.

White used the same move to snag second from Mueller on lap 4. In the pack, Doug Maxwell snared a top five spot getting by Travis Hudnall on lap 5. Back up front White turned up the heat on Ball diving low out of turn 2 on several laps and getting along side Ball. Ball would hold off the veteran on the back stretch. Wyble’s top run ended on lap 9 when he came to a stop on the back straight from third.

On the restart, Morris Arnold and Maxwell slugged it out for fourth, with the two making contact in between turns 3-4. The mid-pack stack caused a chain reaction melee with numerous cars getting involved. Once back to green, the crafty White changed his line running low through turn 1 getting beside Ball, and taking the point on te back stretch to lead lap 10.

Debris on the track brought out a quick yellow on lap 11. White got a good jump on the restart, but Mueller spun in turn 1 with a flat collecting Hudnall and Ross. Finally back under way, White inched ahead of Ball, while Barry Moody grabbed at top five spot from Hudnall, after coming from the B-main.

Moody then closed in on Ross and after running wheel to wheel on lap 12 got the spot on lap 13. Up front, White was taking the white flag holding a three car length lead over Ball in the time shortened event. At the checkers it was White scoring the ‘Daily Double’ in the Bridwell Motorsports, Motors by Adan, Dust Devil Chassis.

“I don’t think you should be writing about my line for everyone else,” added White jokingly. “I was just really searching(for the fast line), and back in the field like I was I moved around. It was a little bit slow to do it that way, but I could get a pretty good run across there as long as someone wasn’t right on me.”

“In both cars, I had a good enough car to run the top or the bottom. So I was able to change my line on Brad(Ball). If he picked one, I was going to the other. I felt just as sure that I could pull something off in whatever line he gave me. It’s just he track being racy like it was tonight.”

“After that last wreck in turns 3-4 it left some moisture on the track. It worked alright on my restarts, but it also moved the line up. That put a lot of moisture up in my groove that I really didn’t want. It made me a little tight, but I all worked out alright.”

Limited Modifieds
216 Paul White
78 Brad Ball
281 Morris Arnold
90 Barry Moody
24 Derek Ross
444 Travis Hudnell
47 Andy Wojtasczk
8X Chris Blaszak
18 Donny Wyble
31T Tyler King
71 Chase Breeze
5 Brian Poulter
43 Jeff Mueller
2 Kevin Sellers
91 James Buckley
128 Ed Clancy
191 Doug Maxwell
911 Michael Peevey
124 Jeremy Richardson
64 Thomas Downey
88 Troy Baugh
08 N/A
93 Mark Greiner

Limited Modified B-main(top 9 transfer)
64 Thomas Downey
90 Barry Moody
08 N/A
8 Chris Blaszek
124 Jeremy Richardson
31 Tyler King
93 Mark Greiner
91 James Buckley
5 Brain Poulter
—————————————–DNT/DNS—not in order
15 Chris Goodman
17 Jesse McNorton
46 Randy Bridges
000 Joe Horn
388 Steve Bumow
127 Dalton Faulkner
27 Randy Lewis
26 Wesley Ross
39 Chad Cambron
23 Billy Gould
86 Justin Collins
05 Mike Martin
30 Bradley Williams
28 Michael McDonald
188 Derek Rashall
98 Markus Elder
19 David Lege
40 Jeff Wood
114 Roy Catlin
36 Steve Hoppe

Limited Modified heat winners, 78 Brad Ball, 18 Donny Wyble, 43 Jeff Mueller, 24 Derek Ross, 444 Travis Hudnall

Hellman outlasts Pure Stock field
Literally. Brad Hellman, who looked to have them covered anyway, was close to the last man standing at the end of the 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Hellman ran to the front, then got sideways and fell back, only to work his way back to the point. At one point during the final laps, drivers in th top five dropped like flies, as Hellman was running on to the win.

Kasey Garvin got he early lead of the 15-car feature with Josh Ellender, Hellman and Chance Mekalip taking up the chase. Ronnie Mekalip got by C. Mekalip on lap 1 for fourth. Hellman got by Ellender for second on lap 2 and was quickly on Garvin, who would slow on the straightaway. Hellman got sideways trying to get by Garvin on the bottom, falling back to ninth.

Ellender and R. Mekalip began to ease away from Garvin who couldn’t get up to speed and continued to fall back. R. Mekalip and Ellender were door to door for the lead with R. Mekalip getting the spot briefly on lap 6. Ellender fought of the charge to hold on to the top spot. Further back, Hellman had worked his way back up to fourth, then getting by Daniel Seals for third on lap 9. Hellman continued his march to the front, taking second from R. Mekalip.

Seals and Tommy Page got by R. Mekalip on lap 11 for third and fourth, as Steve Hoppe spun in turn 3 to bring out a caution. Under yellow, Seals went through the read/yellow area but never stopped, but R. Mekalip made the pit stop, along with Garvin. On the restart, Hellman was slow to go, with Seals and C. Mekalip getting around for second and third. Hellman wasted little time retaking the spots on lap 12.

Hellman then closed on Ellender for the lead getting by on the back stretch to lead lap 15. Ethan Cossey got by Chris Barnes to pick up a top five spot. Then the attrition hit the top five. First it was Seals who slowed and pulled to he infield with overheating issues. Lap 17 saw C. Mekalip spin from, third, Cossey pull to the infield and Ellender’s car give up from second. Hellman now had Chris McCarty on his bumper for the final laps, but McCarty never could get close enough for a serious challenge as Hellman took the victory.

Pure Stocks
1H Brad Hellman
99 Chris McCarty
10 Ronnie Mekalip
7 Tommy Page
34 Chris Barnes
11 Bobby Finney
129 Kasey Garvin
56 Jimmy Gibson
50 Josh Ellender
21 Chance Mekalip
29 Daniel Seals
17 Ethan Cossey
5 Eddie Thibodeaux
36 Steve Hoppe
361 Danny Pitman
13 Steve Grissom—DNS
84 Randell Page—DNS
179 Donald Cain jr—DNS

Pure Stock heat winners, 129 Kasey Garvin, 21 Chance Mekalip, 1H Brad Hellman

Everything is big in Texas.

So it’s no surprise that the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will return to the state for the first time since 2004 as the headliner of a blockbuster program – the $20,000-to-win ‘Lone Star 100’ on March 20-21 at Battleground Speedway.

The two-day spectacular will serve as a grand coming-out party for the track, a high-banked, three-eighths-mile oval located 12 miles east of Houston that is reopening under new ownership in 2009 after sitting dormant for most of the last three seasons.

“My goal is to make Battleground Speedway the premier facility for dirt-track racing in Southeast Texas,” said Mike Walling, who took over as promoter and general manager after purchasing the complex in September 2008. “A big show for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will definitely generate plenty of excitement and put the track back on the map.”

Originally listed on the WoO LMS schedule as a one-day event, the Battleground visit was enlarged to a two-day, extra-distance special to make the long haul to Texas more attractive for dirt Late Model racing’s stars. A talent-laden field filled with the WoO LMS regulars and a host of regional hotshoes is expected for the historic program.

“We were planning to make the Texas trip part of a doubleheader weekend with a race at another track, but Battleground’s management decided to keep everyone in one place for a huge weekend of World of Outlaws Late Model Series racing,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “We’re excited to help usher in a new era of racing at Battleground Speedway with one of the biggest dirt Late Model events ever run in the state of Texas.”

The announcement of the Lone Star 100 has dirt Late Model fans across Texas buzzing as well. The WoO LMS has not competed in Texas since contesting a two-day program at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore on April 16-17, 2004, and Battleground Speedway, which prior to Walling’s arrival was in operation from 1984-2001 and 2004-2006, last hosted a major touring series event in 1993, for the defunct Hav-A-Tampa/UDTRA Series.

“There hasn’t been anything approaching a World of Outlaws race for dirt Late Models in Texas for a long time, so a lot of people are really excited about the Lone Star 100,” said Walling. “We’ve already been getting calls from people all over Texas asking about how to get here and how to buy tickets in advance.”

A detailed schedule of events for the Lone Star 100 weekend will be released in the near future, but Battleground and WoO LMS officials are working together to produce an entertaining experience for fans. The WoO LMS itinerary will feature time trials and heat races on Friday night, March 20, with B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main highlighting the show on Saturday night, March 21. The track’s support divisions will see action during the weekend and several fan-friendly activities are planned, including a giant driver autograph session prior to Saturday night’s competition and a unique Texas-themed Victory Lane ceremony following the Lone Star 100.

Lone Star 100 attendees will see a Battleground Speedway that has been virtually rebuilt since its last green flag waved during the 2006 campaign.

“We’re renovating the place 100 percent before we reopen,” said the 34-year-old Walling, whose uncle, Red Walling, was involved in the past with the former Big H Speedway dirt track in Houston and is assisting in the marketing of the new-look Battleground Speedway. “A lot of things will be brand-new, and what’s not new will be rebuilt.”

The facility boasts a 4,000-seat grandstand, which will be topped by a new press/sponsor tower when the track’s gates fly open again. The former press box was blown off the stands and landed in the nearby woods when Hurricane Ike rocked the area last September – just four days after Walling assumed ownership of the track.

Walling has scheduled a grand reopening date of Feb. 28 for Battleground Speedway. Open-wheel Modifieds will headline the multi-division Saturday-night shows at the track, which already has over 100 cars registered for competition in 2009.

The Lone Star 100 won’t mark the first time that a series running under the World Racing Group banner has raced at Battleground Speedway. The company’s World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series made 15 appearances at the track from 1986-1999, and the WRG’s Northeast-based DIRTcar big-block Modifieds ran an event there on March 8, 1989, during the last of the division’s three Texas/Louisiana tours from 1987-1989.

For ticket information on the Lone Star 100, call the track at 832-421-RACE or visit www.battlegroundspeedway.net.

The Lone Star 100 will be part of a lucrative early-season ‘Month of Money’ for the WoO LMS. A total of $109,000 in first-place cash will be on the line in five tour races over a four-week period, beginning with a doubleheader on March 13-14 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala. ($7,000 to win on Friday, $12,000 to win on Saturday) and continuing with the Lone Star 100 on March 20-21; the Circle K Colossal 100 on March 27-28 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. ($50,000 to win); and the Illini 100 on April 3-4 at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway ($20,000 to win).