OCRS SPRINT CARS READY TO GO GREEN
25 EVENTS - 13 RACE TRACKS - 4 STATES
John Lemon
OCRS Public Relations
Tulsa Oklahoma (March 20, 2014) – Time is very close to “Feel the Thunder” once again as the Tulsa Oklahoma based Oil Capital Racing Series is about to begin the 2014 sprint car racing season. OCRS had a year to remember in 2013 as the number and type of records that were set in the sprint car series were nothing short of remarkable and the fans and race teams embraced every bit of it. The successful season was noted by both regional and national media members as OCRS sponsors gave their “Atta Boys” to series officials throughout the season. 85% of last season’s sponsors have renewed their participation with the series for 2014 and there are other sponsors that have joined in as well. Let’s take a quick look at the series records that were set in 2013..........
• Harli White surprised everyone by becoming the first female in OCRS history to win the championship. White won the first two racing events of the season and she would never give up the point lead all year and collected five more wins during her championship run.
• There were 15 different A-Feature winners out of 22 races held. Never before had the series seen so many drivers visit Victory Lane in a single season.
• Of the 15 different A-Feature winners, 10 open wheel pilots took their first ever OCRS checkered flag along with the victory hardware that comes with such an accomplishment.
• In one of the best rookie crops in years and possibly ever, there were 4 such rookies that found winning a reality. One of those was Coweta’s Chance Morton who became the youngest winner in history at 14 years / 364 days. Others were Morton’s brother Kade, Alex DeCamp and Mickey Walker. These young men know how to ‘get on the wheel’.
• OCRS produced a series of four non-wing sprint car shows that awarded championship points and paid a separate points fund as well. Miss White took the non-wing title and its bag of championship loot as well. Each non-wing race was an action packed thriller to witness.
• Not one, but two female sprint car beauties won an OCRS A-feature in a single season. In addition to White’s victories, Miss Kacee Frazier conquered the Monett Speedway last June.
The Time To Race Again Is Drawing Near.........
Due to the successful season OCRS had last year, there became a larger than typical buzz during this past off-season about what may take place in the new year. The 2014 OCRS schedule has two new racing venues to visit along with an opening schedule that will keep the OCRS teams from seeing the same track twice until the 11th race of the season. Some of the highlights on the schedule for the 13th year of operation include:
• Season Opener: April 5th at John and Nicky Webb’s Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore OK. The sprints return for a second date at SOS on August 23rd. The track has been much improved since the Webb’s took over. Nice place to enjoy the outdoors.
• New Partner: April 12th will see OCRS visit the brand new Longdale Speedway in Longdale Oklahoma. The track was built by Jessie Hoskins who has tabbed Jack Hammock, formerly of Enid Speedway, to promote the facility. Hoskins spared no expense in building his own playground. OCRS will look to dirty the place up a bit with clay rooster tails.
• Double Annual Specials: The 6th Annual Harold Leep Jr Memorial will once again be held at the Oklahoma Sports Park in Ada OK on May 10th and the 8th Annual Oklahoma State Championships will take place on September 13th. OCRS squeezes in a July 26th race in between those dates on the quick 4/10-mile track.
• 1st Non-Wing Race and Fireworks: The first 2014 non-wing race of the season will be held at Kerry Gorby’s Osage Casino Caney Valley Speedway in Caney Kansas during the Memorial Day Weekend on May24th. Two return trips to the always exciting bullring are set for July 5th (with fireworks) and August 30th which is Labor Day Weekend.
• Longhorn Invasion: OCRS will invade the state of Texas for the first time in series history at the Red River Speedway in Wichita Falls on May 30th. Owner Craig Martin has worked hard on the facility since taking it over and he is ready to turn the sprinters loose.
• Double The Fun: Lanny and Beverly Edwards along with Marcy Davis Edwards hosts OCRS the night after the Texas invasion on May 31st at their famed Lawton Speedway. With Red River Speedway also running Champ Sprints weekly along with Lawton, OCRS just may see a jammed pit area at both tracks this weekend.
• Track is Back Jack: The former Mid-America Speedway, which was closed last year, is now the ‘South Coffeyville Speedway’ and has longtime auto racing supporter Gary Dilbeck at the helm as Dilbeck has purchased the track from its former owner. Non-wing action will be on tap in the first of two SCS stops on June 27th, then OCRS returns on September 26th.
• The Hummer: Humboldt Speedway has provided OCRS with a July 18th date in the hopes to avoid the spring raindrops that hinders the trip northward every other year. Ryan and Rhenda Whitworth continue the fine tradition of running a clean operation while hosting sprint cars that sling dirt like machine gun spray from Pretty Boy Floyd. If you haven’t been to the “Hummer” either as a driver or a fan, you need to come see what you have been missing out on………. Seriously.
• Steep Banking Ahead: Salina Highbanks Speedway is hosting their first ever triple card all open wheel event called the ‘Oklahoma Open Wheel Thunder Nationals’ on August 16th. ASCS sprints along with midgets will also take to the track. Want to see a crown jewel of dirt tracks? Checkout what Keith Sanders, Dave Bohannon and David Edwards have done to the Highbanks. Banking will also be tested on May17th and July 19th. Don’t Blink.
• Go East Young Man: East is the proper direction for all OCRS travelers to find their way to the West Siloam Speedway in Colcord OK. WSS is now under the direction of Jacob Frese who has now moved the tracks racing action to Sunday nights. Wingless action is showcased on July 29th and the OCRS racing season is set to end at WSS on October 5th.
• Triple The Pleasure: Tim and Connie Adams asked for and received three OCRS dates for their Tri-State Speedway in Pocola OK. Calendar squares are blotted on May 3rd, June 14th and September 6th. Action is always frantic at TSS. Remember the “Thriller In Pocola?”
• Warriors Attack The Outlaw: Sophomore promoters Carey and Nicole Menasco have studied and learned quickly how to put on great events at their Outlaw Motorsports Park just south of Muskogee. OCRS warriors will attack the Outlaw with weapons drawn on April 19th and September 27th. These shows will not be for the faint of heart.
• Go Ahead – Show Me: Back for the third year in a row is Randy Mooneyham and his Monett Speedway in Monett Missouri. The previous two trips were successes and 2014 expectations bear no difference. The Show Me State fans got a show when Miss Frazier put a whoopin’ on her peers last year. OCRS is coming to show what we do best on June 13th.
The core of drivers that will be competing with the OCRS series in 2014 will be a talent-stacked crop. Let’s start with a look at the OCRS regular players from last season that will return for 2014............
• Danny ‘Caretaker’ Smith – Points runner up with 2 victories last year. He will be in a new Wayne Simmons F5 Twister chassis for the season. Smith keeps being consistently good.
• Johnny ‘Hotrod’ Kent – Earned third place in last year’s title run. Look for good things from this team in 2014. Trip to victory lane for the Eagle chassis wheelman is expected.
• ‘The Princess’ Shayla Waddell – A part-time participant in 2013 to concentrate on her college degree, Waddell, who has an OCRS win on her resume, returns full-time in 2014.
• Kade Morton – The 2013 BRODIX / PM PRO rookie of the year surprised a few with an early win last year. Morton has the skills to vie for more wins this year.
• Chance Morton – Brother of Kade, Chance has all tools to be a lightning rod and with the solid equipment the team has under him, look for positive results from the youngster.
• Kyle Clark – After early season challenges last year, Clark’s season progressed with frequent positive results after mid-season including scoring the first win of his OCRS career.
• Casey Wills – Captured his first OCRS score in 2013. This is a capable team of running up front as they improve every season. Wills speaks quietly but he is loud with this right foot.
• Michael Bookout – “Bookie” just completed his second year in racing. Not just sprints, racing anything. Keep an eye on Bigfoot Racing as they strive to achieve success.
• Perry Pickard – Another young hard charger learning the ropes. Pickard, with father Kevin turning wrenches, is learning on the fly. Top candidate to earn most improved driver in ’14.
• David Stephenson – The head honcho at DSO Engines ran 9 shows in 2013 due to a flourishing business to tend to. The shoe of the #22 looks to be in attendance more this year.
• Michael Tyre – Competed in his rookie season last year and had five top ten finishes in a learning year. Team has submitted 2014 entry and they look to improve this season.
• Dan Schnackenberg – Was awarded the “2013 Perseverance Award” after loosing his home in a May tornado and kept on buckling in. Dan is looking forward to racing again in 2014.
There are traditional ‘part-timers’ that jump on the OCRS wagon when it rolls near their campgrounds, some of which are dead serious in earning trips to victory lane. Here is a grouping of some former full-timers and some part-timers that may stay the course or go full-time this season..............
• “Jammin Jamie” Passmore – The very popular 4-time OCRS champ was partially AWOL in ‘13 due to family commitments. If Passmore runs more, he will score. Bank on it.
• Brian McClelland – “B-Mac” is tough as nails and that comes from the family racing bloodlines. Scored a win running half the schedule. Has sights set on being champ in 2014.
• Andrew Deal – A proven winner and a former full-time driver, Deal returns to such status in the Wade Cagle owned sprinter. The pair won at the Highbanks last year and ran well after.
• Gary Owens – Earned 5 top 10’s in 6 events entered including one victory. Also scored Oklahoma State Championship race in 2011. A serious threat to win anytime #33 checks in.
• Shane Sellers – Scored a win last season after only entering in four events. Finished the others with 2 top 5’s and 3 top 10’s. Would be a lethal contender as a full-time member.
• Robert Sellers – Father to Shane, this cagy veteran knows how to manhandle an almost uncontrollable force. Scored in the top 5 in 50% of the races entered on 2013.
• Danny Jennings – Only signed in for two shows last year but took OCRS glory at the 2013 Oklahoma State Championship race. Partnered with David Grace, this is a team of winners.
• Fred Mattox – After coming close on multiple occasions for a first OCRS victory, Freddie would finally ‘Park It’ in the Winners Circle. Improves every singe year. Solid as a rock.
• Alex DeCamp – Won first A-Feature as a rookie in 2013. DeCamp has indicated to OCRS that he will make a few shows in 2014. However, when he shows, pay attention, quality racer.
• Jeff Garnett – While still searching for his first win in OCRS competition, Garnett is a true supporter of the series and gives it his all every time out. Look for the #3G again this year.
• Chuck BellefeuIlle – ‘Chuckie’ loves to roll his sleeves up and mix it up with the best champ sprint drivers in the state. Awesome driver to get to know. Keep a lookout for the #25.
Multiple teams have expressed an interest to join the OCRS warriors for 2014 as they want in on the action that OCRS is producing. Some of these teams include..........
• Andy Shouse – A veteran with multiple wins on his sprint car resume, Shouse will appear in OCRS events throughout the season. Another viable threat to win races.
• Mickey Walker – Son of Kenneth, Walker displayed he has learned well from his veteran father scoring a win in a rookie year. Team informs OCRS they will now run for the title.
• Blake Edwards – Won the 2013 midget title at Indiana’s Montpelier Motor Speedway in his rookie year there. Now he tries his hand at the mighty sprint cars. One to watch.
• Cameron Hagin - Having experienced the micro sprints and midgets, Hagin has wheeled a sprinter a few times. An OCRS score wouldn’t be a shocker to those that know his skill level.
• Koby Barksdale – A member of the Barksdale Gang, the Norman OK resident will be piloting the Paul Johnson owned champ sprint. Welcome aboard gentlemen.
• Derek Cottrell – Having entered in just 5 events in 2 years, the Fletcher OK driver has announced he is ready to strap it up and go racing. Look to see the #9 sprinter quite often.
• Nigel Calvert – They say never say never and after being on the sidelines for a spell, Nigel will make his return to sprint car racing in a car owned by David Stephenson. Saddle Up.
• Nick Lucito – Having been away from Champ Sprints for a spell, Lucito has indicated to OCRS that he will be in action several times in ‘14. Add another capable driver to the fold.
• Dillon Ake – The young speedster has made a minimal number of OCRS starts and will look to compete for the Brodix / PM –PRO rookie of the year honors in 2014.
• Frank Taft – A nephew of the late and great Jr. Taft, Frank will try his first stint in sprints after several years in the micro ranks with a car purchased from Matt Covington.
Whit Gastineau -
To all of the fans of Whit Gastineau, here is what we can report at press time. The ‘Gasman’ has picked up some racecars to replace those that were destroyed in the 2013 Moore OK tornado along with his home. The assembly of those cars are coming along nicely. The new home for the family is nearing completion and depending on the timing of sequences, the Gasman reported he could be at the season opener on April 5th. Sadly, the team lost their engine builder, Larry Allen of Allen Competition Engines, as Allen recently passed away. The OCRS staff wishes all the best for the Gastineau family and we look forward to their OCRS return whenever it may be. Likewise, OCRS sends our condolences and best wishes to the entire Allen family for their loss.
OCRS is elated to once again have so many sponsors renew their support as they have done so for the past few seasons. The renewal of the same sponsors over multiple years is a testament to the relationship the series has developed with their supporting partners. 2014 will see a few new sponsors on board as well. Here is a look at the 2014 sponsor lineup:
Hoosier Tire Southwest: Company owner Tom Lorenz of Texas will continue to be the major sponsor of the OCRS series year end point fund program. Hoosier Tires is the leading manufacture of dirt track racing tires in the world. Hoosier Tire Southwest is the regions #1 tire dealer for Hoosier Tires and their support of OCRS is very much appreciated by the series.
AmeriFlex Hose and Accessories: Corvan Robinson is not just a sponsor behind the desk. Robinson is more like the series best friend. The relationship with between OCRS and AmeriFlex has been professional and rock solid from day one. Robinson, who would do anything for the series, will once again sponsor the “Hard Charger Award” and the first heat race at each OCRS event. AmeriFlex will also crown the series “Hardest Charger” at the year-end banquet as well.
Bob Hurley Auto Family: What can OCRS possibly say about these great group of people? The areas #1 auto dealership is once again providing OCRS with a quality / high class pace truck in addition to sponsoring the second heat race at each tour stop. Former racer Bob Hurley Sr. is as much an open wheel fan as you will find. Next time you need new wheels, go see Bob first!
Drive Shafts Inc.: Back for their third season with OCRS, Tulsa based Drive Shafts Inc is back on board with their sponsorship of the third heat race. Owners Rick and Rita Whitehead are still pretty new to the open wheel game but they find backing OCRS is a positive for their business. Awesome!
Car & Fleet Parts: Everyone knows Mike and Judy Stewart. The Stewart’s have become known as “Shane’s Parents” the last few years due to his success in racing. Since 2012, Car & Fleet has sponsored the 4th heat and that will continue in 2014. Need parts? Check them out, they have it all!
D&E Supply: OCRS is proud to announce that D&E Supply, a Tulsa based drywall supplier, will now be the event sponsor of the “Hard Luck Award” replacing Dyno Services of Oklahoma. However, both companies have David Stephenson as a whole or co-owner and DSO will still partake in sponsoring OCRS in another capacity, which will be announced prior to the start of the season as other details on DSO’s involvement are still coming together with other sponsors. Stay Tuned.
Wesmar: Company players Dan Gentrup and Kelly Westphal, thru their “Wesmar Power Parts” division will sponsor the B-Feature at OCRS events. The Bixby Oklahoma company is nationally recognized for their top of the line engine building. The ‘power parts’ division of the company is evolving more and more. Teams that do their own engine work trust Wesmar to obtain the quality of parts that are need for their objectives.
Tire Factory: Known for being the ‘Right tire at the right price’, Danny and Tina Smith, whom started OCRS in 2002, have joined the ‘Tire Factory’ division with their Same Day Auto Repair company. This sponsorship package covers the OCRS awards banquet, which thanks to the Smith’s, makes the OCRS post-season awards show become a must see event.
Brodix / PM-PRO: Brodix Cylinder Heads and PM-PRO, an oil field service company, have once again partnered up to sponsor the OCRS Rookie of the Year program. Teams still have some time to submit their Rookie of the Year entry forms and an announcement will be made as to whom those contenders will be. Kade Morton was the best freshman last year.
Lightning Wings: Jim & Cindy Bailey and Clarissa Laney are back with supplying product discounts to teams that place in a given position in the A-Feature. OCRS welcomes back these fine folks for their support. “Lightning Wings - The Choice of Champions”.
M&W Aluminum: Products: From the grand state of New York, M&W Aluminum Products is another company back onboard offering product discounts. M&W Aluminum has every open wheel part imaginable making them a true candy store. Certificates will be earned at each A-Feature race.
Grand Prix Auto Sports Center: Jon Brook and Lonnie Lovell are again offering product discount certificates to OCRS race teams. Founded in 1968, Grand Prix is now 46 years strong and still going. Grand Prix has supported racing of all types whether it be on dirt, pavement or even water.
Schoenfeld Headers: The popular header manufacture from Arkansas will provide new item to be given away as has been the norm the past few years. The OCRS series has a long-standing relationship with Schoenfeld Headers and we welcome them back for another season.
Sprintdudes.com: A brand new racing website just launched this year, Sprintdudes.com is based in Ohio and will supply race fans with flyers at each event detailing the current 2014 OCRS point standings along with a drivers total number of heat race wins, top five and top ten finishes and of course, A-Feature victories. Welcome on board Sprintdudes.com!
SpeedwayNews.net: In only its second season, SpeedwayNews.net is already the regions #1 source for racing news and information. SpeedwayNews .net provides fans with updated information on both regional and national levels. Fans can obtain area race results and upcoming event information from tracks all over the region. No fluff, no junk, just solid racing news. Check it out.
More Wingless Action In 2014
After a successful run of racing wingless sprint cars last year, the OCRS series has once again placed wingless action on the schedule for the upcoming season that will apply towards the series championship. Fans, drivers and the sponsors each got a thrill over the wingless variety that hit the tracks last season of which Harli White won 2 of 4 wingless events to claim the non-wing title portion of the OCRS schedule. Anticipation is running rampant for the non-wing races that are to come. There is nothing more sweeter than watching a 1500 pound thing of beauty ‘back it in’ the turns so that the racecar glides sideways through the apexes. We call it: Night Gallery.
Jimmy Sills Open Wheel Racing School To Work With OCRS
The highest non-wing point producer that competes in all the non-wing races will earn a free session at the ‘Jimmy Sills School of Open Wheel Racing’ located in Northern California. Sills, is a National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee and a multi-time open wheel winner having won over 400 such races in a storied career including championships in the USAC Silver Crown division among others. Sills started his racing school in 1990 and has had an abundance of drivers who have passed through his program. Sills will put the qualifying OCRS recipient through several driving and car set up techniques that will allow the participating driver to return to the racetrack with a wealth of information they can apply to future racing efforts. The package is valued at $1900. Good luck racers.
In addition to the Jimmy Sills School of Open Wheel Racing program, as with the aforementioned sponsors, the majority of last year’s sponsors that offered their support to the non-wing portion of the schedule are back along with a new non-wing sponsor, Mud-X. While there are other potential sponsors still to be determined for these races, here is the current sponsor line-up at press time:
Eagle Motorsports / Lincoln NE
Grand Prix Auto Center / Tulsa OK
Maxwell Oil / Tulsa OK
Morton Excavating / Coweta OK
Mud-X / Oklahoma City OK
R&M Race Trailers / Cushing OK
Shock Doc / Tulsa OK
Smiley’s Racing Products / Mesquite TX
You will hear a lot more about these sponsors as the wingless events take place throughout the season. These sponsors are very appreciated for their support of the OCRS series. There are currently three wingless races booked with other dates being considered. Here are the bookings that are set:
May 24th – Osage Casino Caney Valley Speedway / Caney KS
June 27th – South Coffeyville Speedway / South Coffeyville OK
June 29th – West Siloam Speedway / Colcord OK
The Harold Leep Championship Trophy
As many in the racing community are aware, we were all taken by surprise at the sudden passing of the great Harold Leep recently. Leep had one hell of a racing career than most drivers can only begin to dream about. The total number of open wheel races and championships won catapulted Leep into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville Iowa. Leep sponsored the OCRS trophy a couple of years ago. He expressed interest in becoming a permanent sponsor of the championship trophy to OCRS president Barry Grabel when his sudden passing occurred.
In Leep’s honor, the OCRS championship trophy will be known from this point forward as the Harold Leep Championship Trophy. “Harold Leep will be remembered forever by most for what he did on the racetrack;” said Grabel. “Not all fans knew Harold personally but I can tell you this, for as tough as he was on race day, you couldn’t meet a nicer guy when we wasn’t working. This is a big loss. Not just a racing loss, but a loss of a great friend.”
So now you have an insight as to what to look for in the 2014 OCRS racing season. All indicators are showing that the new season will be a great year for the OCRS sprint car series. So come out to a track near you this racing season and witness some of the best open wheel action you may see all year. It all starts at the Southern Oklahoma Speedway on April 5th. The OCRS sprint car series……
“WHERE YOU CAN FEEL THE THUNDER!”
www.ocrsracing.com
- John Lemon on Mar 21, 2014
- Article Date: 3/21/2014 by John Lemon