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– EASTON, Calif. (Aug. 14) – It’s getting to be that time for Tommy Tarlton.
That’s right, it’s championship time. With a handful of races remaining with the Ocean Sprints and ASCS Southern California Region – the two primary series Tarlton is racing for titles in – it is now or never for the veteran.
“Summer is winding down and we’re in the final stretch,” the Easton, Calif., native said. “Every race is more and more important, and I know that Ocean Sprints race will go down to the wire.”
Tarlton trails Ronnie Day by four points in the Ocean Sprints competition with five races remaining, including Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif.
It’s a little bit less stressful in the ASCS Southern California chase, which Tarlton leads by 112 points with three races to go. The next event is Saturday at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif.
“This weekend is a big one for me and the team since we have a race with each series,” Tarlton said. “We’ve ran well at Ocean Speedway this year and I’m definitely gunning for a third straight championship with the Ocean Sprints.”
Tarlton was victorious in his last race – July 29 – which was also an Ocean Sprints event at Ocean Speedway. He qualified third and won his heat race from fourth place, which helped him cut the deficit from 16 to four points. It also locked him into the 51st annual Johnny Key Classic – a premier event in California held on Aug. 27.
“We earned our way into the top six positions in the Johnny Key Classic because of that win and this Friday is our last test before that big race,” he said. “I really want to win the Johnny Key Classic again and what better way to head into that race than by winning this weekend.”
Tarlton can also nearly lock up the ASCS Southern California championship with another typical performance. In five races with the series, he has won three times, been a runner-up once and finished fourth. In fact, of the three events the region has held at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway, Tarlton has won two.
“That’s a home track for me,” he said. “I enjoy racing there and even more, I enjoy winning there.
“We’re going to try to sweep the weekend like we try every time. But we also need to have good points nights, so I’m excited to get back in the sprint car and get after it.”
SEASON STATS –
30 races, 30 features, 6 wins, 21 top fives, 21 top 10s, 23 top 15s, 27 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., with the Ocean Sprints and Saturday at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif., with the ASCS Southern California Region
FAVORITE NUMBER –
2: Victories at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in three ASCS Southern California Region races at the Hanford, Calif., track this season.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Website: www.tommytarlton.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/tommytarlton21
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001286852863
APPAREL –
Tarlton has black t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats, and white women’s shirts available for purchase at every race he attends. For information on where you can get them, visit http://www.tarltonandson.com/tarlton-racing-schedule.
ON THE AIR –
Tarlton was a guest on the Lucas Oil ASCS Show by Racinboys on May 3. Click on the link below to listen. Tarlton’s interview begins around the 32-minute mark.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=18831
He was also a featured guest on the Dirt Cast podcast on June 29. The link is below:
http://dirtcast.com/2011/06/29/tommy-tarlton-ascs-sprint-cars-ocean-sprints-6-29-11/
Check out the link below to see highlights of Tarlton’s King of the West Sprint Car Series’ win at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., on May 14.
Here are a couple of videos from Tarlton’s victory and runner-up performance with the King of the West Sprint Car Series at the Howard Kaeding Classic at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif., on July 1-2:
http://vimeo.com/25952465 and http://vimeo.com/25950506
Here is a link to Tarlton spinning around on the back of his car during a heat race at Ocean Speedway on July 8:
Check out this link to an in-car video of Tarlton winning the B Main at the Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Ore., on July 13:
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Bandy & Associates
Located in Fresno, Calif., Bandy & Associates is a CPA firm run by Dan Bandy. This is the first year Bandy & Associates has been a sponsor, but its relationship with the team dates back 20 years.
“We’ve been working together since 1991 as a business relationship,” Tarlton said. “We are more than thrilled that Dan and Bandy & Associates are partnering with our race team.”
Tarlton would like to thank his sponsors, including Tarlton and Son, Inc., Corporate America Lending, Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Sharp Insurance & Bonding, Simpson and BG Products for their continued support.