John Lemon
Tulsa OK (July 20, 2016) – The Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint cars return to the ultra fast Oklahoma Sports Park in Ada, Oklahoma for another round of racing action on the 4/10-mile track. The Ameri-Flex / OCRS series was last seen on OSP’s soil on May 7th for the 8th Annual Harold Leep Jr. Memorial, which was won by Sheldon Barksdale. At the time, it was Barksdale’s second win of the year. Barksdale has since made 3 more trips to victory lane to lead the series with five wins.
Robert Sellers was a runner-up to Barksdale that evening in May, but Sellers has tallied 2 wins of his own since then including last Saturday’s affair at the Caney Valley Speedway in Kansas. Owasso Oklahoma’s Matt Sherrell finished third at the HLJM and is an expected participant this go around as well. Sherrell, who has been awol from the series for a few years, is running a limited schedule for car owner Paul Johnson in 2016.
Zach Chappell continues to lead the chase for the Harold Leep Championship Trophy since he took over the top spot a few weeks ago. Chappell had a tough night at Caney Valley when he clipped an infield tire and failed to finish. His closest adversary, Whit Gastineau, spun to a stop to avoid hitting Chappell harder than he did. Gastineau was able to chop 10 points off the separation which now stands at 63 points (1,201 – 1,138).
The battle for the second spot is much tighter as Robert Sellers closed to within 6 points of Gastineau with his recent win (1,138-1,132). Barksdale is fourth at 1,034 points with Cameron Hagin next with 867. The balance of the top ten sees Alex Sewell 6th with 823 markers followed by Casey Wills (796), Johnny Kent (721), Shayla Waddell (634) and Tim Kent with 624 points.
Nutz n’ Boltz:
Go Ahead – Take a Guess:
The Ameri-Flex / OCRS series has been going to OSP in the month of July since 2007 with the exception of no July events in 2008-2009. In those July races (7 total), only two drivers have more than one win at OSP in July. Whit Gastineau took checkers in 2011 & 2015 and Jamie Passmore scored in 2010 & 2012. Other July victors are: Chris Burns (2007), Shane Sellers (2013) & Andrew Deal (2014). Got a guess this year? Good Luck with that.
My Ride Fits Me Better:
Jamie Passmore showed up at Humboldt Speedway last Friday in brother Glen’s number 69 sprinter. Passmore ran a respectable fifth. We say respectable because for most, a top five finish is…. unless your Jamie Passmore, a solid night. Passmore scoffs at anything less than top three. Well, not literally, but it’s where he is normally found. The 4-time series champion brought his normally numbered 4J car to Caney Valley and was just beaten out for the win by Robert Sellers by less than a yard stick.
Solid Weekend:
Alex Sewell had a very solid weekend for the cars that did not score a win in last weekends doubleheader in Kansas. Sewell ran 4th at Humboldt Speedway and 3rd at Caney Valley the next night. Only Robert Sellers did better with a 3rd at the Hummer and with the win at Caney. On the flip side, points leader Chappell was an 8th at Humboldt and a 12th with a DNF at Caney. He did get the Action Auto Collision Hard Charger at the Hummer due to starting in the 14th hole.
New Clay On Which To Play:
Oklahoma Sports Park promoter George Welch is applying fresh clay to the surface of his racetrack in time for the Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint car event this Saturday night. It will be interesting to see how the cars take to the track surface. Will track times be lowered? Will tire wear be even better? Will the fans notice a difference? Testing begins at 7:30pm Saturday. Bring your text books.
Sweep Three – Collect Over $10,000:
The three races that have been circled by race teams since the 2016 Ameri-Flex / OCRS schedule was released are:
Harold Leep Classic – August 26 – Outlaw Motor Speedway – $1500 to win plus lap money
Ameri-Flex Challenge – September 3rd – Caney Valley Speedway – $5000 to win plus traditional full sprint program
10th Annual Dooling Machine Oklahoma State Championship – September 10 – Oklahoma Sports Park – $2000 to win
These back to back to back events can earn a driver $9500 in winnings PLUS another possible $1,250 out of the $2500 in lap money that will be paid out during the Harold Leep Classic for a possible total of $10,750 for the 3 events! This will be the most exciting 3-week run in the history of the series. Get Ready to saddle up racers.
Ready to see some Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprints in your face this weekend? Here they come………
What: Ameri-Flex / OCRS sprint cars
Where: Oklahoma Sports Park / Ada Oklahoma
When: Saturday July 23, 2016
Time: Main Gates open 5pm / Hot laps 7pm / Racing 7:30pm (AmeriFlex / OCRS drivers meeting will be held at 6:30pm)
Tickets: General Admission: $15 / Seniors & Kids 11-15: $13 / 10yrs & Under Free / Pit Pass: $30
Oklahoma Sports Park is home to a 4/10-mile clay oval track and is located just 10 miles northwest of Ada, Oklahoma on state highway 3W.
Track Phone: 580-332-5535 / Promoters Phone: 580-332-5383
Track website: www.oklahomasportspark.com
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