From Bryan Hulbert
El Paso, TX — (November 3, 2014) — Embarking on the final run towards the 2014 Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series National Tour Championship, four nights will take place in west Texas, southern New Mexico, and far west Arizona.
Kicking off the final run on Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real along with the Southwest Region of the American Sprint Car Series will take on the El Paso Speedway Park in El Paso, Texas and Southern New Mexico Speedway in Las Cruces, N.M. before taking Cocopah Speedway in Yuma, Ariz. on November 14 and 15 for the 2014 season championship.
Normally, the race for the season ending $60,000 payday is either settled or at the least between two drivers. Anything but a normal season brings a final run to match as the top five enter the final four nights only 72 points apart; putting four drivers is line for a first, and one for his fifth National Championship.
Brad Loyet carries the points lead into Friday’s Casa Nissan Edge of Texas Dirt Track Nationals at the El Paso Speedway Park.
Asked about his views going into the season’s final run, Loyet replied, “We’re going into this not really caring about the points. Obviously, we are running for a championship, but we’re going into this with the mentality of just winning races and letting the points take care of themselves.”
Jeff Swindell sits poised to attack only 36 makers behind with Johnny Herrera third with fifteen points separating him from Swindell. With a trio of victories to his credit, Swindell has 13 top fives and twenty-three top tens leading up to events at the El Paso Speedway Park and Southern New Mexico Speedway.
What could be called Herrera’s hometown tracks; the Albuquerque native has been a part of racing in the borderland since 1985.
“I’ve run well in El Paso and Las Cruces, but as close as everyone is right now, the only advantage you can get is to just put yourself in good position. Were third in points going into Friday night, but it’s so close, we could easily come out fifth on Saturday,” said Herrera about the coming trips to his old stomping grounds.
Two points from Herrera, and 53 from Loyet, the point’s battle is still very much alive for Sam Hafertepe, Jr. while at the same time, keeping the idea of points racing free from his mind. In an interview with Inside Line Promotions, Hafertepe commented his season by saying, “We haven’t focused on points this season. Our goal has been to go out and win races and then we’ll see where everything shakes out at the end.”
Asked about events in El Paso and Las Cruces, Hafertepe replied, “I don’t have a lot of experience at either track, but I feel confident going into this weekend. We’ve had one of the fastest cars this season and if we can avoid the bad luck, I think we’ll be in contention to win each night.”
In search of his fifth Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Championship, Jason Johnson sits 72 markers away from taking the points lead. Still in search of his first National Tour victory of the 2014 season, Johnson has already tasted victory at the El Paso Speedway Park this season, taking the West Texas 305 Shootout on March 14. The Louisiana native placed third the following night at the Southern New Mexico Speedway.
Seth Bergman holds sixth going into the weekend with Matt Covington, Tony Bruce, Jr., Aaron Reutzel, and Blake Hahn making the top ten.
Tickets for the El Paso Speedway Park are on sale at http://www.ascsracing.com/shopping/productDetails.aspx?i=714789&c=9380.
Tickets for the Southern New Mexico Speedway can be purchased by calling 575-524-7913.
Admission each night is $20 with kids 10 years and younger admitted free into the grandstands.
From the edge of Texas, the edge of Arizona, the 2014 season finale will take place November 14 and 15 at the Cocopah Speedway in Yuma, Ariz. The event will be preceded by a Fanfest at the Cocopah Resort and Casino on Thursday, November 13.
Friday’s prelim at the Cocopah Speedway will over a $5,000 payday to the winner, with Saturday’s season finale paying out $10,000 to win.
Online PPV will be available at the Cocopah Speedway in addition to free live audio at http://www.racinboys.com.
Paired with the ASCS Southwest Region, Rick Ziehl leads the way by 84 markers over Bob Ream, Jr. with Joshua Williams, Lance Norick, and Ryan Linder making the top five.
For continued updates on the American Sprint Car Series, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com