By Cody Morris
Tuesday, April 8th, 2014
Fresh off a thrilling (and chilling) 2014 season opening double at Tulsa’s Port City Raceway with our National kinsmen, the Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget Series launches our first solo outings of the season this coming Friday and Saturday.
The thrills begin this Friday night at Sapulpa’s Creek County Speedway. A prestigious ¼ mile semi-banked oval built by legendary racer and promoter Emmett Hahn in 1985, victory lane in the inaugural Lucas Oil POWRi West visit to “The Creek” will be a legendary first.
The Lucas Oil POWRi West warriors then pivot southwest down the Turner Turnpike to Oklahoma City’s I-44 Riverside Speedway for a Saturday night weekend finale aboard Mark Banister’s 1/5th mile high banked, red clay oval. Saturday night’s Blue River Classic will be the first of 9 POWRi West outings at our cornerstone venue.
POWRi West joins both Creek County Speedway and I-44 Riverside Speedway in going Blue both nights as we race to raise awareness for autism. Bring your best blue to both events! To learn more about what you can do to raise autism awareness in our beloved Sooner State, visit www.autismoklahoma.com.
A whopping 50 entries vied for the season opening double in the first ever Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget event held at the vaunted Port City Raceway with Sooner State phenom Christopher Bell pulling off the weekend sweep.
Among West registered drivers, Collinsville’s Tyler Thomas is off to the early lead. However, Thomas’ current plans has him in Hoosier country this weekend, making Tulsa’s Alex Sewell the de facto point leader entering the weekend double over fellow Tulsan Matt Sherrell.
Over 20 entrants have confirmed their plans to compete in Lucas Oil POWRi West action this weekend, beginning with POWRi West promoter Eric Fenton who looks to rebound from a nasty tumble a few weeks ago at Port City Raceway. The field illustrates a nearly perfect divide among experienced open wheel aces and many talented rookies.
The experience is led by two time (2007/2008) ASCS Sooner Region Champion Brian McClelland and two-time State Fair Speedway champ sprint titlist Michelle Decker. Hardcore open wheel fans will note Mustang’s Travis Scott return to action this weekend as well, his first open wheel race in nearly 9 years. Tulsan’s Alex Sewell and Matt Sherrell give the experienced team some youth.
Owasso’s Ty Hulsey is a three-time Port City Raceway track champion in mini sprint competition, but now aims for his first full year in Midget action following a debut late last season at I-44 Riverside Speedway’s Twister Nationals.
Also gearing up for his Midget debut is Pauls Valley’s Steven Shebester. There is not a prestigious mini sprint special in the region that Shebester has not aced at least a prelim in. Steven will make his Midget debut in Rick Bailey’s ride Saturday night at Oklahoma City.
“Hurricane” Hannah Adair, Anadarko’s Ryan Padgett and Broken Arrow’s Jason McDougal each add to a talent-rich rookie contingent eager to bring their talent to Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget action.
~The details~
Friday, April 11th
Creek County Speedway
Gates open at 5pm. Program begins at 8pm. Pit passes are $30. General admission $15.
Also in action at Creek County Speedway will be the Now600 A Class, Non Wing, and Restricted classes.
For more information regarding Sapulpa’s Creek County Speedway, visit www.creekcountyspeedway.co
Saturday, April 12th
I-44 Riverside Speedway
Blue River Classic
Gates open at 3pm. Mud pack and hot laps begin at 5pm. Program begins at 630pm. *NOTE earlier start times
Pit passes are $30. General admission $12.
Also in action at I-44 Riverside Speedway will be a full Outlaw program, as well as the Now600 vs. Texas Open Wheel Racing in the A Class, Non Wing, and Restricted divisions.
For more information regarding Oklahoma City’s I-44 Riverside Speedway, visit www.i44riversidespeedway.com
NOTE to race teams – Factor One Racing will have tires in stock and on sale at nearly all POWRi West Midget events.
Special thanks to our 2014 Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget Series Partners: Factor One Racing, Southside Mowers, Tulsa Gas Technologies, MUD-X, and Rod End Supply.
The 2014 Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget Series features 16 events at five speedways in Oklahoma and Missouri. For more information regarding the Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget Series please visit www.powri.com, Like and Follow POWRi West on Facebook, or e-mail us at powri_west@hotmail.com.