By David Smith Jr.
– Park City, Kansas – September 26, 2011 – With twelve races now in the books, it all comes down to the last race of the season on the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley‘s Racing Products sprint car tour as the 2011 season championship will be decided this coming Saturday night at 81 Speedway in Park City as part of the tracks annual “Bumper to Bumper Fall Classic.”
C.J. Johnson of Quinter, Kansas comes into the thirteen and final point’s race of the season with a slim 60 point lead over five-time series champion Garry Lee Maier of Dodge City, Kansas. Despite being shut out of victory lane thus far this season, the 2000 series champion has amassed several top five finishes this season, one which has seen the second generation sprint car driver lead the standings virtually all season.
Maier’s lone series victory came back in May during night number one of the “Sprint Car Shootout” at RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas.
Jason Martin of Liberal, who had been a part of the title chase for much of the season, went through a stretch of “DNF’s” taking him out of contention but has had a strong year despite the mechanical gremlins and currently sits a solid third in the point standings.
Martins seventy-five point lead over fourth place running Patrick Stasa of Kingman, Kansas could be safe, but with Stasa getting stronger as the season went along, there is still a chance of a change for the third position in points.
Former series champion Mike Peters of Wichita, coming off earning track championship honors in the weekly sprint car division at 81 Speedway, sits fifth in the standings while defending series champion Jeremy Campbell of Wichita has used three different teams to sit in the sixth position.
Luke Cranston of Plains, Kansas started the season strong and sat atop the point standings after the first race was completed, but mechanical gremlins and other misfortune pushed him back to the seventh spot in the standings.
Young Taylor Velasquez of Turpin, Oklahoma had a strong run going but his season looks to be cut short after a grinding crash at the last completed event at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska. Taylor was rushed to the hospital but was released later that night but looks to be done for the year.
Kris Miller of Woodward, Oklahoma has wrapped up the series rookie of the year and currently sits tenth in the standings.
Not only will the focus be on the battle for the championship but victory lane as well. Out of the twelve races that have been held thus far this season, eleven different drivers have reached victory lane with the only repeat winner, Danny Lasoski of Dover, Missouri. In fact, Danny has won two of the three events held at 81 Speedway this year.
Other drivers having reached victory lane include Ryan Roberts (Dodge City Raceway Park/Dodge City, Kansas), Jack Dover (Great American Dirt Track/Jetmore, Kansas), Brady Bacon (Great American Dirt Track), Peters (81 Speedway), Jordan Boston (Hutchinson Grand Nationals/Hutchinson, Kansas),Martin (Great American Dirt Track), Campbell (Mid-Nebraska Speedway/Doniphan, Nebraska), Chad Humston (Belleville High Banks/Belleville, Kansas) and Jason Johnson (I-80 Speedway/Greenwood, Nebraska).
Gates open at 5:00 PM with racing set for a 7:00 PM start time. All general admission tickets are just $9 for adults.
81 Speedway is located north of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then .7 mile west on 77th St. in Park City. For more race and ticket information contact the 81 Speedway office (316) 755-1781.
For more information on the 41st anniversary season for the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, find them at their new online address www.racencra.com or call the series office (316) 755-1781.
The series would like to take this time to thank their sprint car division partners and sponsors for the 2011 race season:
Park City, Kansas, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, The Brake Man, Saldana Racing Products