By Bryan Hulbert
TULSA, Okla. (February 12, 2014) – The 23rd year of racing with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real begins in just over two-weeks at the Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz.
Bringing back the Cocopah Cup Challenge presented by the Cocopah Resort and Casino and MAVTV for round-two, the season opening weekend will feature a $3,000 to win purse on Friday, February 28 before jumping to $10,000 to win on Saturday, March 1.
“This facility has some of the best owners in the nation. I am really proud to work for such great people. As these purses show they are investing in the sport as well as in their facility, making Cocopah Speedway truly a Diamond in the Desert,” said Greg Burgess about the Cocopah Indian Tribe who backs the Cocopah Speedway.
“It’s great for our series to have tracks that offer paydays like we see at Cocopah,” commented series director, Matt Ward. “Greg Burgess is great to work with and is always great to our drivers and our fans.”
Jason Johnson enters the 2014 season as the defending Lucas Oil ASCS National Champion, as well as the winner of the first Cocopah Cup Challenge winner. In doing so, Johnson earned the series largest payday at $25,000 in the 2013 season opener.
The first of 54 scheduled dates on the 2014 season, the Cocopah Cup Challenge will again feature four of those dates with the season wrapping up at the Arizona oval on November 14 and 15 with the Friday show paying $5,000 to win and the Saturday finale doling out $10,000 to the winner as well as a $5,000 bonus if anyone can repeat the success of Jason Johnson in 2013 and sweep the four scheduled dates.
The start of the ASCS National lineup is also the kickoff for the Hose Advantage Store ASCS Southwest Region. After missing the first two races in 2013, Alamogordo, N.M. shoe Lorne Wofford will go for his first title in the Arizona based region. Giving Rick Ziehl some of his strongest competition in 2013, the Las Cruces native has yet to finish off the top of the podium in regional point standings.
The season opener at the Cocopah Speedway will be preceded by Fanfest at the Cocopah Resort and Casino on Thursday, February 27 beginning at 3:00 P.M. (MT). Fans will get the chance to meet the drivers as well as see the cars up close. Music, food, and a press conference will all be a part of the festivities.
Both nights of competition at the Cocopah Speedway begin at 7:00 P.M. with grandstands opening at 4:00 P.M. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.cocopahspeedway.com or by calling 928-344-1563.
The Series:
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real
When and Where:
Cocopah Speedway
County 15th & US 95
Somerton, AZ 85350
Friday, February 28 – Gates Open at 4:00 P.M. (MT) / Racing at 7:00 P.M.
Saturday, March 1 – Gates Open at 4:00 P.M. (MT) / Racing at 7:00 P.M.
Pit Gates open at 2:00 P.M. both days.
Admission Prices
Adults – $20.00
Senior/Military – $18.00
Junior – $5.00
Skybox – $30.00
Pit pass – $30.00
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.cocopahspeedway.com
Email: info@cocopahspeedway.com
Phone: 928-344-1563
Series History: Cocopah Speedway
The Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real has visited the Cocopah Speedway six times beginning in 2012. Three drivers have earned National Tour wins at the three-eighths mile oval. Past Winners: Dustin Morgan (3/9/12), Danny Wood (3/10/12), Jason Johnson (3/1/13, 3/2/13, 11/8/2013, and 11/9/2013)
Event Coverage:
Online audio will be available both nights at http://www.racinboys.com. Live broadcasts are brought to you by Lucas Oil and presented by the McCarthy Auto Group, located in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Line-ups, finishes, and further updates are provided throughout each race night at http://www.facebook.com/
Live Timing and scoring is available at most Lucas Oil ASCS events via Race Monitor which is available in the App Store of your Smart Phone or Tablet.
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Recap – 2013 “A” Feature Winners: Jason Johnson-10, Jeff Swindell-5, Johnny Herrera-4, Roger Crockett-3, Brian Brown-4, Danny Lasoski-3, Logan Forler-2, Brad Loyet-2, Tony Bruce, Jr.-2, Sammy Swindell-2, Kyle Bellm, Jack Dover, Seth Bergman, Jonathan Cornell, Travis Rilat, Justin Henderson, Shane Stewart, Tim Crawley, Anthony Nicholson, Christopher Bell, David Gravel
Recap – Final 2013 Lucas Oil ASCS Driver Standings (Top 10) 1.Jason Johnson 5,363; 2.Johnny Herrera 5,251; 3.Jeff Swindell 5,061; 4.Brad Loyet 5,006; 5.Tony Bruce, Jr. 4,964; 6.Logan Forler 4,868; 7.Seth Bergman 4,700; 8.Dustin Morgan 4,410; 9.Cole Wood 4,137; 10. Brandon Hahn 3,484;
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The 2014 season marks the twenty-third 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. 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. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix.
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, iON Camera, Smokey Mountain Moonshine, C&R Radiator, Hawk Performance Products, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, The Joie of Seating, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, Rod End Supply, Smiley’s Racing Products, Speedway Motors, Speedmart, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.