By John Lemon
Tulsa Okla. (May 17, 2016) – For the third consecutive year, the wild n’ wicked sprint cars of the Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint car series head to the Longdale Speedway. This special event will take place this Saturday night at one of the finest facilities in the region. The Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint cars will be the fastest class of cars to hit the 3/8-mile oval track during the 2016 season. If you like speed, this Saturday night is your cup of tea.
Area race fans will see the likes of Talala Oklahoma’s Zach Chappell, who enters the Longdale Speedway event as the series points leader. Chappell took over the top spot after last Saturday’s outing where he ran second at the Salina Highbanks Speedway’s eventual winner Sheldon Barksdale. It was the second win in a row for Barksdale on the Ameri-Flex / OCRS trail.
Defending Ameri-Flex / OCRS champion Robert Sellers moved into second place in points after the Salina race as Whit Gastineau succumbed to problems during the race and fell from the top spot to third in this weeks standings. Gastineau had been the top dog since the season opener on March 19th. Johnny Kent has a hold of the fourth position with Barksdale rounding out the top five title chasers.
Parents need to bring their youngsters to this event as the speedway will be conducting bicycle give-a-ways to kids 12 and under. Parents might want to bring an appropriate vehicle to haul away such prize offerings. Number of bikes to be given away will be based on bikes donated. The speedway is only in its third year of operation having opened in 2014. At the beginning of the season, track owner Jessie Hoskins tabbed Greg Burgess as the new track promoter. Burgess has extensive managerial experience in working with sprint car organizations.
Saturday night will be the only tour stop at the track in 2016 for the Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint cars so come catch the fastest cars to be seen all year at the fabulous Longdale Speedway!
NUTZ n’ BOLTZ
Chasing The Trifecta
Sheldon Barksdale will head into the Longdale event with an eye on getting 3 feature wins in a row. That has not happened in the series since Whit Gastineau took three straight in September of 2012. This is by far Barksdale’s best season in the sprint car ranks and the Norman OK pilot is looking to add to his impressive numbers.
Change of Itinerary:
Defending Ameri-Flex / OCRS champion Robert Sellers was slated to miss the event at Longdale due to another commitment he needed to tend to. However, that commitment is no longer a factor and Sellers will be at the Longdale Speedway Saturday night. Good for the fans, not so good for the competition.
First Time As The Top Dog:
Zach Chappell has been racing for a long time. He has sprint car championships under his belt to go along with numerous feature triumphs in his career. Leading the point standings in the Ameri-Flex / OCRS series is a first for Chappell. The team has made no secrets that earning the Harold Leep Championship Trophy at the end of the season is the goal for 2016. Dont look for the 50z car to slow down anytime soon.
Not Until The Last Child Is Acknowledged
Shayla Waddell is well known for her interaction with the fans. At Salina, a mob of kids greeted the 8 drivers in the grandstands that were in the “Re-Draw” for the A-Feature and this included Waddell. As usual, Waddell was covered in fan fare. When it was time for the drivers to head back to the pits, Waddell allowed the ride to leave without her until the last child received an autograph or a selfie. We dont call her the Princess just for the sake of it.
Tornado Relief Revisited
In 2014, donations were taken up for drivers Whit Gastineau and Dan Schnackenberg who were hit by separate tornadoes. Two years later, its happened again. Racer Chuck Bellefeuille and his family had their home hit by a tornado last week. Thankfully, nobody was home at the time but the home is a total loss. Once again, donations are being accepted to assist a family. If you wish to make a cash donation to assist the Bellefeuille family, send a check or money order to:
Chuck Bellefeuille
3094 Collins Moss Road
Mill Creek OK 74856
No amount is to small. If we all give what we can, it will go a long way to assisting a fallen racer and his family.
Get ready Longdale Speedway for the Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint cars. Where you can feel the THUNDER!
What: Ameri-Flex / OCRS Sprint Cars @ Longdale Speedway (with local divisions)
When: Saturday May 21, 2016
Where: Longdale Speedway / Longdale, Oklahoma
Tickets: Adults $15 / Seniors & Military $12 / Kids 6-12yrs $5 (5 yrs and under free)
Time: Grandstands open at 5:30p / Hot Laps @ 7:00p / Racing @ 7:30p
(Ameri-Flex / OCRS drivers meeting @ 6:00p)
Phone: Greg Burgess @ (580) 886-5375 (Track Promoter)
Website: www.longdalespeedway.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/longdalespeedway
Track location: 1/4 mile south of town on Highway 58
About the Ameri-Flex / OCRS Series –
Established in 2002, the Tulsa OK based Ameri-Flex / OCRS series sanctions dirt track sprint car racing in the southern region of the central plains. Fan appeal and quality race teams, combined with our solid core of supporting sponsors are the nucleus of the series. Thrilling competition providing the ultimate quality family entertainment is the essence of what the Ameri-Flex / OCRS series is all about.
Website: www.ocrsracing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oil.series
About Ameri-Flex Hose & Accessories –
Located in Tulsa OK, Ameri-Flex Hose & Accessories is a family owned and operated company. From food grade hose to hoses for the petroleum industry, Ameri-Flex will strive to fill your needs. Ameri-Flex can build a hose to your specifications or we will assist you in creating what you have designed while you wait. Ameri-Flex has several hard to find items that some vendors can’t get or find. Product can be shipped quickly and efficiently. If we do not have what you are looking for, we will direct you on where to find it. Give us a try, after all…………..
Ameri-Flex Has The Stuff That Keeps You Going!
Website: www.ameriflexhose.com