[b Lucas Oil ASCS Patriots Conclude 2009 with Holiday Weekend Bonus $heriez.]
[i Rich Vleck, TULSA, Okla. (August 31, 2009)]
Just two full-point races remain in the 2009 Lucas Oil ASCS Patriot season, but those events, both to be held this Labor Day Weekend, have plenty of point and monetary implications on the line.
As was the case Memorial Day Weekend, the Patriots travel west to Sharon and Eriez Speedways a King of the OH/PA Holiday Weekend Bonus $heriez Doubleheader. The groundwork was laid out back in May and will be determined this weekend.
This time around, $2,009 will go to the winner of the final two point races of 2009. Add to it the fact second will pay $1,250 and third place $850 and you can see why this weekend has been highly anticipated for many weeks.
Blake Breen, of Savannah, NY, won at Sharon on May 23 in his first race out of 2009. The next night at Eriez, Trevor Lewis, of Upper Black Eddy, PA, captured his first of four convincing victories with the Patriots this season. Both drivers have an opportunity to make their Holiday travels worth $10,000 if they can sweep this weekend.
Both the No. 8 and No. 21L will have a green dollar sign decal this weekend, indicating that they have made themselves eligible for bonus money. A win either night for them will be worth $3,000 with a sweep of the weekend earning them $8,000.
In addition to the bonus for winning races, Lewis and Breen also will pursue the King of OH/PA Holiday Weekend Bonus $heriez Crown. This will be the fourth series to finish in the Lucas Oil Five Crown Tour. The first there series have seen three different champions, including Blake Breen who was crowned the King of the Golden Horseshoe Sunday at Humberstone.
Lewis leads Breen by just four points in the standings, with Bubba Broderick, of Brookfield, CT, only six points back. Jared Zimbardi, Bryan Howland and Chris Shuttleworth are also within striking distance of the title and lead a slew of drivers that could still pick up some big money this weekend. If any driver sweeps the weekend, they will pocket $5,000 as part of the Holiday Weekend Bonus.
Saturday’s event at Sharon can only hope to live up to the excitement of the first stop there back in May. Blake Breen and Bubba Broderick waged an epic battle out front while Trevor Lewis, who blew up a motor in hot laps, would charge from dead last to get to second. Lewis has been strong all year and looks to win at Sharon for the second straight September.
The Patriots will be part of a winged spectacular at the 3/8-mile gem of a facility that is part owned by Dave Blaney. 410’s and limited sprints are also on the card. Drivers are able to compete in multiple classes but as always are required to use different cars for each division and must comply with both ASCS and Sharon Speedway rules.
Bryan Howland, of Auburn, NY, looks to make history this weekend as he can become the first three-time Lucas Oil ASCS Patriot Champion. Howland leads Jared Zimbardi by 50 points and needs only to start both features and finish ahead of Zimbardi in one feature to lock up his second straight title. The No. 51 should be strong at Sharon, sight of an impressive fourth he had in the Ollie’s Challenge Opener last season.
The championship will be decided at Eriez on Sunday Night, a favorite stop of teams and fans alike. There are a number of teams that look forward to returning to Northwest Pennsylvania, knowing that it may be an opportunity for them to score the win.
Jared Zimbardi won his first career Patriot race at Eriez in 2007. The same can be said for Scott Bonnell, who won there in 2003 and is a local fan favorite.
Don Adamczyk came up about a foot short of his first win at Eriez last May and is primed to make a good run this Sunday. Adamczyk was strong there earlier this season but fought a rare engine issue for the No. 21.
Sophomores Joe August, T.J. Newton and Robbie Shuttleworth return to the tour this weekend and they have all done well at Eriez. August has his best career finish at the 1/3-mile. Newton and Shuttleworth each won a dash there in 2008. This will be Shuttleworth’s first race with a wing on in over three months.
Fellow sophomore sensation Bubba Brodreick is also fast at Eriez. Broderick will look to collect his second win of a quality 2009 season.
Gary Kriess, Gary Edwards, Kyle Drum, Chris Muhleisen, Kyle Moffit and Brad Knab will also be returning to Sharon and Eriez, all capable of getting in on the bonus money. Gordy Button and Brandan Warner will also be travelling to these two facilities for the first time.
Racing kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at Sharon, while Eriez starts at 6:00 p.m., allowing teams the opportunity to get on the road at a decent hour on a Sunday Night. There will be a party in the pits, as well as fireworks at Eriez. For more information, visit www.ASCSpatriotsprints.com or www.ASCSracing.com.
King of OH/PA Holiday Weekend Bonus $heriez Standings (Through 2 of 4 Events)-
Trevor Lewis 296
Blake Breen 292
Bubba Broderick 290
Jared Zimbardi 284
Bryan Howland 272
Chris Shuttleworth 272
Gary Troutman 264
Scott Bonnell 260
Dain Naida 254
Don Adamczyk 250
Derek Jonathan 250
Chris Weiss 244
Chris Muhleisen 242
Bobby Breen 234
Gary Kriess 138
Gary Edwards 134
Brad Knab 132
Guy Griffin 128
Jeremy Barnard 126
Jim Morris 122
John Schuyler 122
Dave Wickham 112
Judi Bates 110
Kyle Moffit 108
Scott Kreutter 106
- Lonnie Wheatley on Sep 01, 2009
- Article Date: 9/1/2009