By Bryan Hulbert
Tulsa, OK (April 22, 2012) – Over the past couple of years the Rock-N-Roll 50 has fashioned itself into one of the marque events for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV. Set at the legendary Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas this year’s event will again bring together the best talents in the nation for the 50 lap event.
Affectionately known as “The Ditch”, the ¼ mile gumbo oval was established in 1949 and has produced some of the most well-known names in racing. Hooker Hood, the Swindell Brothers, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., plus two time and defending champion of the Rock-N-Roll 50 Tim Crawley all earned their stripes racing at the West Memphis jewel.
Having won the first two Rock-N-Roll 50 events before rain washed out the 2011 edition, Tim Crawly says he is “pumped” to get back to The Ditch in the Mike Ward owned 88. “Being close to home this track has become like a home track to me” commented Crawley. “Mike [Ward] is from there and has lots of fans there plus I have fans there. It’s almost like I have two home tracks now between Little Rock (I-30) and The Ditch.”
Elaborating on his time spent at Riverside International Speedway Crawley replied, “This track is just a little different week to week so it keeps you on your toes. It doesn’t matter if Tony or Clayton is making the track it’s tough to control”.
With the combined experience of driver and car owner Tim feels very confident in their abilities at Riverside, “The whole deal adds up. Mike’s been there for years and I’ve been there for the past several years so it defiantly helps to have more laps than a lot of the national guys.”
Even with the laps and crew behind him, Crawley still understands that winning his third Rock-N-Roll 50 will be no easy task, “It’s hard to win any of these national races much less three of them at any one track but winning this would mean a lot to me. There’s something about that trophy that just gets me motivated.”
Happening Saturday April 28th this year’s Rock-N-Roll 50 is presented by Sprint Source and produced by TBJ Promotions. Along with the coveted custom Gibson Guitar the winner of the 2012 edition of the Rock-N-Roll 50 will take home a payday worth $4,000.
Discount tickets are available at www.tjbpromotions.com and can be purchased and downloaded until Friday April 27th.
The Series:
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV
When and Where:
Friday April 28th – Riverside International Speedway – Pits open at 4pm / Racing at 7:30pm
Track Information:
Riverside International Speedway – West of Memphis, TN on I-55 to exit 4 in Arkansas, then 0.3 miles south on Club Road. Turn left to East Broadway Ave.to Legion Road and turn right.
Address: 151 Legion Road, West Memphis, AR 72301
Phone #: 901-508-6200
Website: www.riversideinternationalspeedway.com
Riverside Int. Speedway ASCS History: This weekend’s Rock-N-Roll 50 marks the twenty-ninth time the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV has competed at Riverside International Speedway since 1995. In total 15 drivers have at least one Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event win at Riverside International Speedway.
Riverside Int. Speedway Winners (ASCS): Eddie Gallagher (6), Tim Crawley (4), Gary Wright (3), Terry Gray (3), A.G. Reins (2), Brooke Tatnell (1), Chad Jones (1), Darren Stewart (1), Kenny Coke (1), Mike Ward (1), Pete Braswell (1), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1), Tony Bruce Jr. (1), Travis Rilat (1)
Rock-N-Roll 50 Winner: Tim Crawley (2009, 2010)
Current Driver Points (Top 10): 1. Jason Johnson 976; 2. Wayne Johnson 942; 3. Brady Bacon 928; 4. Gary Wright 824; 5. Tony Bruce Jr. 822; 6. Johnny Herrera 808; 7. Dustin Morgan 772; 8. Danny Wood 770; 9. Brad Loyet 756; 10. Jack Dover 723
Current Owner Points (top 10): 1. Stenhouse/JJR 976; 2. Wayne Johnson 942; 3. Brady Bacon Racing 928; 4. Wright Racing 824; 5. One Eight Motorsports 822; 6. Herrera/Main 808; 7. M&M Motorsports 722; 8. S.W.S. Racing 770; 9. Loyet Motorsports 756; 10. Team Dover 723
2012 Feature Winners: Jason Johnson-3, Tony Bruce Jr.-1, Dustin Morgan-1, Danny Wood-1, Wayne Johnson-1
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV – A Look Ahead
May 11 I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR)
May 12 I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR)
May 23 Valley Speedway (Grain Valley, MO)
May 24 I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)
May 26 Great American Dirt Track (Jetmore, KS) – 4th Steve King Memorial
May 27 Great American Dirt Track (Jetmore, KS) – 4th Steve King Memorial
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV on the web:
All Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series national events are broadcast live on www.racinboys.com for anyone who is unable to attend the races live.
Official results, points, and race notes are posted at www.ascsracing.com. The Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Lucas Oil ASCS on TV: A full schedule of tape-delayed races for the 2012 season can found at www.lucasoil.com.
The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV is scheduled to compete 68 times throughout the United States with divers competing for their share of a $250,000 point’s fund.
The 2012 season marks the 21st year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MavTv is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. For information regarding availability and listings in your area log onto www.mavtv.com.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire, Brodix, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, General Tire, K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, Wesmar Racing Engines, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.