By John Lemon
Tulsa OK (May 11, 2015) – The sprint cars of the AmeriFlex Hose & Accessories / Oil Capital Racing Series will embark on the first of six scheduled weekend doubleheaders this Friday and Saturday in what will be two completely different venues for drivers to adapt to.
Friday night will see the teams put their best notes to use from previous trips as they look to strategize their plan on the tricky ¼-mile Flint Creek Speedway (formerly West Siloam Speedway) in West Siloam Springs OK. Patience is always a virtue, especially among the veterans, but at Flint Creek, the laps click off quickly thus there is no time to be glazing at the outer scenery.
Track owner Jacob Frese took over the facility in 2014 and Frese and his crew, led by track promoter Dan King, have made needed improvements since taking the keys, much to the appreciation by race fans and racing competitors alike. Race time at Flint Creek Speedway is 7:30pm.
Saturday night, the AmeriFlex / OCRS series shuffles just 42 miles to the east across Hudson Lake where the Salina Highbanks Speedway will open their gates to an entirely different challenge for the AmeriFlex / OCRS teams.
A large 3/8–mile track with 27 degree banking will challenge the drivers with all their might. Slide jobs are the order of the day at the Highbanks and if one is mistimed, its launch time. Unlike the bullring tracks, patience can pay off large dividends at the Highbanks.
Fans may opt for a VIP ticket where they can take in the Finishline Restaurant while enjoying the racing action where some of the best rib-eye steaks around are up for the offering along with a variety of other great dishes. There is a also an outdoor beer garden section in addition to the main grandstands as seating options.
Tulsa’s Sean McClelland continues to led the chase for the 2015 Harold Leep Championship trophy with 367 points with Norman OK pilot Sheldon Barksdale sitting next with 339 markers. Robert Sellers (296), Brian McClelland (292) and Casey Wills (274) round out the top five in championship points.
Flint Creek Speedway Schedule:
What: AmeriFlex / OCRS Sprint Cars
When: Friday May 15, 2015
Where: Flint Creek Speedway / West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma
Time: Pit gates open at 5pm / Grandstand gates open at 6pm
Hot laps start at 7:30pm / Racing begins immediately after hot laps
(OCRS drivers meeting at 7:00pm)
Phone: (479) 304-8547
Tickets: Contact racetrack for details
Track website: www.flintcreekspeedway.com
Location: Racetrack sits directly on Highway 412 just 4 miles west of the OK/AR state line.
Salina Highbanks Speedway Schedule:
What: AmeriFlex / OCRS Sprint Cars
When: Saturday May 16, 2015
Where: Salina Highbanks Speedway / Salina Oklahoma
Time: Gates open at 5pm / Hot laps at 6:30pm / Racing begins at 7pm
(OCRS drivers meeting at 6:00pm)
Tickets: Adults: $15 / Kids 7-12 $10 (6 & under free) / VIP $25 / Beer Garden: $15
Pit Passes: Adults: $35 / Kids 7- 12: $25 (6 & under free)
Track Phone: (918) 434-RACE (7223)
Track website: www.salinahighbanksspeedway.com
Location: Racetrack sits directly on Highway 20 between Pryor and Salina.
Nuts N’ Boltz:
Show Me The Money: AmeriFlex Hose & Accessories has $1,000 in cash bonuses up for grabs for the weekend series. Highest total point earner gets $500, second $300 and third receives $200.
Party Crasher: Zach Chappell is set to make his 2015 AmeriFlex / OCRS sprint car debut this weekend. Chappell is the 2001 ASCS National champion and has several main event wins on his resume including a WAR series event last summer in a car owned by Jack Hockett, father of the late Jessie Hockett.
Better Late Than Never: Brian Gramm reports while later than anticipated, he will be in action this weekend now that his motor has finally been finished. Gramm had hopes of being at the season opener, but does indicate he will look to be at the majority of the remaining events on the schedule. Welcome back Brian.
Website Goes Poof!: The OCRS website experienced a technical problem that knocked the site off-line for a few days last week. Apparently it isn’t true that beating the tar out of ones laptop cures problems. It does however bruise apples. The website has since been restored to its regular operating function.
No Duplications: The AmeriFlex / OCRS series is 4 for 4 in main event winners thus far in the new season. Nigel Calvert, Robert Sellers, Sean McClelland and Jamie Passmore have scored victories in 2015. Calvert & Sellers each won their first career AmeriFlex / OCRS main events while McClelland and Passmore have a history of parking themselves in victory lane.
Extra Playtime: Mark Brill is reviving the Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker OK after a year and a half of silence. The AmeriFlex / OCRS series and Mr. Brill have agreed to a date of Saturday June 27th as the return trip for the sprint car warriors to the reddish clay oval. BMS will offer FREE beer each night they are opened the rest of the season. This is limited to the first keg of the night. Come support Brill and his track and bring your designated driver with you.
To Smart To Race?: AmeriFlex / OCRS competitors Fred Mattox & Shayla Waddell received their college degrees this past weekend. While we offer our sincere congratulations to these two great young adults, we can’t help but think if they are now to smart to play in the dirt on weekends. Great achievement Fred & Shayla. Just remember: Dirty people are smart people too.
Girls Aint Scared: The Salina Highbanks will test ones inner soul as to how fast you really want to go. That said, there are two women who conquered the men and the track in AmeriFlex / OCRS competition. In 2006, Christi Passmore (Mack at the time) became the first female to score an OCRS victory when 2014 Amsoil / USAC national sprint car champion Brady Bacon was DQ’d for an improper tire. Then in 2012, Shayla Waddell took a winning check to the bank when she won outright. Ironically, both did it in the month of May. The month of speed if you’re a fan of the Indy 500.
So there you have it. Make plans to spend a couple of wild nights of superb racing action with the AmeriFlex / OCRS sprint car series where…………….