John Lemon
Tulsa Okla. (August 24, 2015) – In what will be by far one of the largest events in series history, the Ameri-Flex Hose & Accessories / Oil Capital Racing Series will conduct the ‘Harold Leep Classic Presented by Carter-Maxwell’ this Friday night at the Outlaw Motor Speedway in Oktaha Oklahoma. To add to this great event, the Longdale Speedway in Longdale OK will open their gates to the open wheel daredevils on Saturday night.
The Harold Leep Classic (HLC), is an event that honors one of the greatest racing legends to strap on a helmet. Leep, who was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2000, passed away last year. Today, Carter-Maxwell, a Bethany Oklahoma company, is a racing tire specialist within the likes of NASCAR and NHRA drag racing. Carter-Maxwell was a major player within the oval dirt track scene when Leep was winning races left and right and sponsored Leep for several years.
Leep has won numerous main events in various racing cars. Leep kept a record of his wins in his early days, but as the trophies began to pile up at home, Leep stopped recording his triumphs. When Leep would be asked how many races he won, he would simply reply: “A Few”. One of the most amazing stats in Leep’s career was in 1969 as Leep won the super modified ‘Triple Crown’ of the regional landscape by winning championships at the Tulsa Speedway (Tulsa OK), Fairgrounds Speedway (Okla. City OK) and 81 Speedway (Wichita KS).
The main event of the HLC will be a 25-lap affair with $2,000 going to the winner. Through sponsored efforts, $2500 in lap money is up for grabs as well. The leader of each lap will earn $50, second $30 and third will pocket $20 per lap. Friday night’s winner could rake in a main event total of $3250. But wait, there’s more………..
There will also be a ‘Harold Leep Dash’ event that will pit 10 Ameri-Flex / OCRS drivers for 10 laps for additional cash. This dash race is also supported by sponsors who have selected individual drivers to support. A cash purse was generated from these awesome people and the ‘Harold Leep Dash’ race was born.
On Saturday night, the Ameri-Flex / OCRS series treks northwestward from Oktaha to the Longdale Speedway for what will be the second ever appearance at the new facility since it’s opening in 2014. Longdale businessman Jessie Hoskins owns Longdale Speedway and Outlaw Motor Speedway. In the Longdale debut, Whit ‘Gasman’ Gastineau took honors over a 32-car entry by becoming the first open wheeler to grace Longdale’s victory lane. Ameri-Flex Hose and Accessories is awarding an extra $500 to the winner of the Longdale event. With the added cash from Ameri-Flex, the weekend take for a driver that sweeps everything is $4750!
One of the leading candidates, if not the leader, to collecting a nice payday is series points leader Robert Sellers who comes into the weekend with 6 main event wins on the season in 16 events. Shane Sellers (second in points), Whit Gastineau and Sean McClelland each have two wins for the year. Those with single victories include: Nigel Calvert, Gary Owens, Jamie Passmore and the most recent victor, Cody Wampler.
Race fans that have yet to venture to Longdale are in for a real treat. Hoskins is all about fan friendly facilities and Longdale Speedway is one of the sweetest stops on the Ameri-Flex / OCRS circuit. All aluminum bleachers and a large concrete concourse to wander around on (much like Outlaw Motor Speedway) awaits the fans.
Nutz n’ Boltz
Fans Can Race Miss Shayla Waddell:
You can win an opportunity to race Ameri-Flex / OCRS driver Shayla Waddell at the Outlaw Motor Speedway this Friday night on the sprint car simulators from Extreme Sprint Car Simulators (ESCS). Each person that takes a spin in the ESCS simulator will have their name taken by the ESCS staff. As always, each ride is just $5 for two 8-lap races. Names of two fans will be drawn and they will win the opportunity to race Waddell one-on-one in the ESCS simulators completely free of charge!
Waddell will also sign autographs for the fans who come to the ESCS simulator booth during her appearance. We will announce the time of Shayla’s appearance at the ESCS booth at the racetrack.
Pat on the Back:
Goes out to David Grace of Carter-Maxwell for his efforts in sponsoring the Harold Leep Classic. Grace and Leep have a long and storied career together as they won several races together especially in the days when Leep was wheeling the Pat Suchy supermodified. Special thanks to Grace for his support.
Back To Back Leep Races-
In a scheduling oddity, the Harold Leep Classic will be held exactly one week after 81 Speedway in Wichita Kansas held the second annual Harold Leep Memorial event held under the USAC Southwest Tour banner. Arizona’s Mike Martin has won that event both times. The poker chips just fell that way.
Leep Name Is Everywhere:
The Leep name is all over the Ameri-Flex / OCRS series now days. In addition to the Harold Leep Classic, the championship trophy is aptly named the ‘Harold Leep Championship Trophy’. We also have the annual Harold Leep Jr Memorial race each May at the Oklahoma Sports Park, thus the Leep name is all around our series. Wonder what each Leep would say today?
Need A Different Drink Bartender:
The Ameri-Flex / OCRS series was to come off a scheduled 3-week hiatus after the August 1st event at the Lawton Speedway by racing at the Salina Highbanks last Saturday, but Mother Nature fixed it where the series could have another week of vacation. We are tired of margaritas on the beach. We want our dirt laced beer back.
Naming Rights:
One of our most dedicated sponsors has adjusted their name. Same Day Auto Repair took on the Tire Factory name several months ago. Due to some changes within the Tire Factory corporate umbrella, Danny & Tina Smith has decided to forgo the name change and rebrand their business ‘Same Day Tire & Auto’. The word tire is key as the company, which has five Tulsa metro locations, will continue to offer a large selection of quality tires. They have also just recently unveiled a brand new website which is just dynamite. Check ’em out at: www.samedayautorepair.com
Your Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint car racing weekend schedule looks like this:
Friday Night
What: Inaugural Harold Leep Classic Presented by Cater-Maxwell
When: Friday August 28, 2015
Where: Outlaw Motor Speedway / Oktaha, Oklahoma.
Time: Gates open at 4pm / Hot Laps @ 7:00p / Racing @ 7:30p
Ameri-Flex / OCRS drivers meeting @ 6:30 p
Track Phone: (918) 687-7077
Promoter: Chris Smith (918) 625-6200
Website: www.outlawmotorspeedway.net
Directions: The speedway is located directly on Highway 69 just 7 miles south of Muskogee and 11 miles north of Interstate 40 in Oktaha, OK.
Saturday Night
What: Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint cars returns to Longdale Speedway
When: Saturday August 29, 2015
Where: Longdale Speedway / Longdale, Oklahoma
Time: Grandstands open at 5p / Hot Laps @ 6:45p / Racing @ 7:30p
Ameri-Flex / OCRS drivers meeting @ 6:00 p
Track Info: Contact Promoter Glenn Thompson: (580) 886-5375
Website: www. longdalespeedway.net
Track Location: 1/4 mi South of Longdale Oklahoma on HWY 58