O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars set to kick off northern schedule at Attica

By Brian Liskai

ATTICA, Ohio – The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars will kick off the northern part of their schedule during the always-anticipated HD Supply Spring Nationals at Attica Raceway Park on Friday and Saturday, April 9 and 10.

“Ohio’s Finest Racing” speedplant kicked off its 2010 schedule in impressive style Friday, April 2, with a standing-room-only crowd witnessing fantastic racing, setting the stage for the weekend doubleheader.

Attica’s Spring Nationals’ win list reads like a “who’s who” of sprint car racing. Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Crew Chief Frank Kerr, three-time All Star Champion Dale Blaney and two-time All Star Champion Greg Wilson each have three wins during the nationals. Mark Keegan, a 12-time Attica champion, has two Nationals wins, as does four-time All Star Champion Chad Kemenah, Danny Smith and Jeff Shepard. Other National winners include Joey Saldana, Danny Smith, Gary Wright, Butch Schroeder, Bobby Teeple, Kenny Jacobs, Craig Dollansky, Byron Reed, Stevie Smith, Lance Dewease, Terry McCarl and Brock Mayes.

Last year, after having the first night of the Nationals washed out, the fans were treated to a dandy! Early in the race, Shaffer and Rob Chaney would fight for the lead. Starting from the 16th spot, it was Blaney who was on the move. By the halfway point of the race, he had charged into the top five. With race-leader Shaffer stuck in lapped traffic, Blaney would pick off position after position until he had caught Shaffer. Coming to the white flag, Blaney would duck under Shaffer in turn 4 to take the lead and would go onto the victory. Shaffer, Wilson, Kemenah and Lee Jacobs would round out the top five.

Dewease leads the All Star point standings coming into the Nationals, with an 11-point lead over Daryn Pittman. Defending All Star Champion Tim Shaffer – fresh off his win at Attica on April 2 – sits third with Blaney and Wilson rounding out the top five. Cap Henry, who lives just 15 miles north of Attica Raceway Park, leads the All Star’s Rookie of the Year battle by 108 points over Jared Ridge, and current sits 7th in the total point standings.

Besides the All Star contingent and the tough Attica regulars, up-and-coming star Jessica Zemken is expected to compete, piloting one of Tony Stewart’s machines.

Friday’s program pays $3,000 to win for the All Star sprints with the Fultz Fabrications and Speed Shop UMP Late Models also in competition, Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with racing underway at 7:40 p.m. On Saturday, the All Star Sprints will battle for a $5,000 payday with the Fremont Fence 305 Sprints also in competition. Gates will open Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with racing underway at 7 p.m. Should weather force the cancellation of Friday’s racing, the UMP late models will be added to Saturday’s program for a three division night of racing.

General admission tickets for Friday are $18 for adults; $15 for senior citizens, $10 for teens 11-15 years of age; and kids 10 and under are free. Pit passes are $30 each. Saturday’s ticket prices are $22 for adults; $20 for senior citizens; $10 for teens 11-15 years of age; and kids 10 and under are free. Pit passes are $30 each.

For more information log onto www.atticaracewaypark.com