Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship

WAYCROSS, GA (October 6, 2015) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is set to cap off the 2015 season with one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. The 35th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts will take place, October 16th-17th at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, OH.

This year’s crown jewel event will pay a record-breaking, $100,000-to-win. The nation’s elite dirt late model teams are expected to battle a strong contingent of local and regional standouts at the 3/8-mile oval. Scott Bloomquist will return as the defending race winner, after he powered to his second career Dirt Track World Championship victory, in 2014. In the previous 34 Dirt Track World Championship events, 24 different drivers have gone to victory lane. Six drivers have won the prestigious event more than once, including: Freddie Smith (5), Jack Boggs (3), Billy Moyer (2), Ronnie Johnson (2), Shannon Babb (2), and Scott Bloomquist (2).

This blockbuster weekend will get underway on Thursday night, October 15th with preliminary events for the Modified division. Action on Friday night, October 16th includes the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series with Hot Laps and two rounds of qualifying Heat Races, with the passing points total from both rounds determining Saturday night’s B-Main and Feature line-ups.

On Saturday night, a driver autograph session will take place in the vendor midway area at 5:30pm. Afterwards, consolation events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be held, followed by the $4,000-to-win Modified main event and the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier Race. The top-26 drivers that did not transfer into the Dirt Track World Championship (via preliminary events) will be eligible to start the $3,000-to-win, $200-to-start, non-qualifiers race – held prior to the main event. The winner of the 30-lap, Jim Dunn Memorial has the choice of keeping their $3,000 winnings, or forfeiting their earnings to start last in the main event. The 100-lap, $100,000-to-win, Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts main event will cap off the weekend action.

The renowned Lucas Oil Productions Studios will be on hand to capture all of the action with multiple camera angles, driver interviews, on-board cameras, and various technical segments. The event will air on MAVTV Motorsports Network and NBC Sports Network at a later date, in 2015.

For more information, visit: www.thedtwc.com; www.portsraceway.com; or call (740) 858-6661.

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Georgia will lead two-time champion, Scott Bloomquist into the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season finale. Three-time champion, Jimmy Owens is third, followed by four-time champion, Earl Pearson Jr. Defending champion, Don O’Neal completes the top five in series standings. Sixth through eleventh are: Brandon Sheppard, Dennis Erb Jr., Steve Francis, Jared Landers, Eddie Carrier Jr., and Chris Brown.

Track Information:
Portsmouth Raceway Park
Phone Number: 740-354-3278
Tracks Promoter: Donna Rayburn
Location: 25648 State Route 73, West Portsmouth, OH 45663
Website: www.portsraceway.com

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:
Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier Rib 1300, 1425 (no white dots)
Right Rear – Hoosier 01, 04, 06, LM40

35th Annual Optima Batteries Dirt Track World Championship – Presented by NAPA Auto Parts Event Purse: 1. $100,000, 2. $20,000 3. $10,000, 4. $7,000 5. $5,000, 6. $3,500, 7. $3,200, 8. $3,000, 9. $2,800, 10. $2,500, 11. $2,450, 12. $2,400, 13. $2,350, 14. $2,300, 15. $2,250, 16. $2,200, 17. $2,150, 18. $2,100, 19. $2,075, 20. $2,060, 21. $2,050, 22. $2,040, 23. $2,030, 24. $2,020, 25. $2,010, 26. $2,000

Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier Event Purse: 1. $3,000, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,250, 4. $1,000, 5. $900, 6. $800, 7. $750, 8. $700, 9. $650, 10. $600, 11. $500, 12. $400, 13. $350, 14. $300, 15. $250, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200, 25. $200, 26. $200

Previous Dirt Track World Championship Winners:
1981 – Jim Dunn
1982 – Charlie Swartz
1983 – Freddy Smith
1984 – Jack Boggs
1985 – Freddy Smith
1986 – Billy Moyer
1987 – Larry Moore
1988 – Donnie Moran
1989 – John Mason
1990 – Jack Boggs
1991 – Freddy Smith
1992 – Ronnie Johnson
1993 – Freddy Smith
1994 – Ronnie Johnson
1995 – Jack Boggs
1996 – Billy Moyer
1997 – Marshall Green
1998 – Freddy Smith
1999 – Steve Francis
2000 – Wendell Wallace
2001 – Bart Hartman
2002 – Shannon Babb
2003 – Darrell Lanigan
2004 – Rick Eckert
2005 – Scott Bloomquist
2006 – Shannon Babb
2007 – Chub Frank
2008 – Brian Birkhofer
2009 – Jimmy Mars
2010 – Earl Pearson Jr.
2011 – Don O’Neal
2012 – Jimmy Owens
2013 – Brandon Sheppard
2014 – Scott Bloomquist

For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2015 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.

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