By Brian Liskai
CAMARGO, IL (8-29-11) – The points battles have been
exciting all season for the All Star Circuit of Champions and the outcome
from a busy Labor Day weekend could have a big impact on who is crowned the
series’ National and Ohio region champion.
Two time and defending All Star champion Tim Shaffer is coming off his 7th
series’ victory – winning Aug. 27 at Mercer Raceway Park – to extend his
lead in the national standings over three time All Star champion Dale
Blaney. However, Blaney, who also has scored seven series’ wins in 2011 and
sits second on the all-time win list with 83 career victories, leads the
$20,000-to-win Ohio Region points. However, Shaffer, who won the series’
Great Plains Region recently, is right behind, looking to pounce as the All
Stars compete in three events over the holiday weekend. Shaffer has 42
career All Star victories and sits tied for 9th on the all-time win list
with Kelly Kinser.
The All Stars will take on the tough Western Pennsylvania competitors
Friday, Sept. 2 at Lernerville Speedway. On Saturday, the All Stars will
help Attica Raceway Park close out its 2011 season with the traditional
Baumann Auto Group Attica Ambush. Then it’s off to Butler Speedway in
Quincy, Michigan on Sunday, Sept. 4, for a make-up event that was
originally scheduled for Aug. 20 but was postponed due to rain.
Shaffer, a former Lernerville track champion, took the Second Annual Duel
in the Dirt at the speedway last season. It was his 17th overall feature
win of the year in 2010 and his 12th All Star win. As it has been most of
this season, Blaney was second while milti-time Lernerville champion Ed
Lynch Jr. came home third.
Besides Shaffer and Blaney, David Gravel continues to show he has what it
takes to claim an All Star championship. He sits third in the National and
Ohio region point standings. Throw in defending Lernerville champion Danny
Holtgraver, who sits fourth in the All Stars’ Ohio Region points, and 2011
Lernerville champion Carl Bower and track regulars Rod George, Brandon
Matus, Brian Ellenberger, Kevin Schaeffer, Brent Matus, Brian Steinman and
Andy McKisson – who won a feature Aug. 26 – and it has the recipe for a
“barn-burner.”
On Saturday at Attica Raceway Park, the All Stars will battle another group
of tough weekly competitors. Bryan Sebetto is coming off back-to-back wins
while six-time track champion Byron Reed, 2011 track champion Dean Jacobs,
two-time feature winner Brandon Martin, and early season winner Danny Smith
will be tough. Through in possible competitors like Sam Hafertepe Jr. and
Phil Gressman who each scored a win at Attica.
The All Stars have visited Attica twice in 2011 with Blaney and Shaffer
each scoring victories.
Also, the Baumann Auto Group will present their Baumann Bonus Bucks at
Attica, with some lucky fan taking home $500.
It’s off to the only All Star event in the State of Michigan on Sunday,
Sept. 4.
Former All Star rookie of the year Chad Blonde has four victories at Butler
in 2011. Other winners include Ryan Ruhl, Ken Mackey.