By Brian Liskai
OCALA, FL. (1-14-11) – It’s time to throw off those heavy
winter coats and warm up with the hot racing of the O’Reilly Auto Parts All
Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars as they begin the 28th Annual Winter
Nationals in Florida with a two-day event at the tough Ocala Speedway.
The Feb. 4 and 5 events mark the third straight year the All Stars will
compete at the uniquely shaped three-eighths mile oval. The Friday night
event pays the feature winner $3,000 while Saturday’s victor will take home
$5,000.
There will be an open practice night for race teams on Thursday, Feb. 3,
and spectators can pay $15 admission, wander the pit area, and view the on
track activities from the turn 1 bleacher area.
More importantly, the exciting entertainment won’t be hard on the
pocketbook as Ocala Speedway will offer the most affordable ticket price of
the Winter Nationals at just $20 for adults on Friday and $25 for the
Saturday night finale.
Who could forget last year’s exciting battle at Ocala! On the last lap,
Cale Conley and Brad Sweet were battling for the win with three-time All
Star champ Dale Blaney, two-time and defending All Star titlist Tim Shaffer
and Danny “The Dude” Lasoski in tow. But, going into turn three on the
final lap, Sweet made his move going high to try and pass Conley, and the
two made contact, sending both tumbling and bringing out the red flag.
During the green-white-checkered finish, Lasoski was able to hold off
Shaffer and Blaney for the win with Pennsylvania Posse member Fred Rahmer
fourth and California driver Tim Kaeding rounding out the top five.
Two years ago, Shaffer and Terry McCarl picked up the All Star wins at
Ocala.
With the Ocala Speedway racing being part of the All Star’s new Eastern
Regional points system – which will reward the champion $20,000 at year’s
end – some of the nation’s best sprint car drivers are expected to compete,
including All Star “regulars” and Pennsylvania Posse members. Also look for
some World of Outlaw teams to shake off the rust as they prepare for their
2011 campaign that kicks off a week later for the DIRTcar Nationals at
Volusia Speedway Park.
These 1,400-pound, alcohol-burning, 800+ horsepower machines and their
brave drivers will be put to the test at the unique D-shaped gumbo clay
track. Ocala features sweeping turns 1 and 2 leading to an almost
continuous turn down the backstretch to a tight turns 3 and 4 and a very
long, fast straightaway. This will mark the track’s 59th year of racing,
making it the oldest track in the State of Florida.
Joining the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars
on Feb. 4 and 5 will be the Florida Mini-Sprint Association for an all
open-wheel spectacular. These little winged machines are powered by 600 to
750 cc engines, weigh in at around 800 to 900 lbs, and can generate speeds
of over 130 mph.
Ocala Speedway is located just off of I-75 in Marion County. Fans traveling
to Ocala Speedway for the Winter National events are reminded that plenty
of accommodations are available in the area, and camping is available on
site for $10. For directions to Ocala Speedway, or for more information on
this and other Winternationals events, go to www.OcalaSpeedway.com, or
call the track at 352-622-9400.