As the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series continues to prepare for the upcoming season, officials have made a few revisions to the 2016 Rule Book.

A complete 2016 Rule Book is available at: http://lucasdirt.com/images/files/2016RevisedRuleBook.pdf. Any revisions are listed in BLUE.

The series will kick off the 2016 season with three consecutive nights at Golden Isles Speedway Park in Brunswick, Georgia, during the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing. From there the tour will head to East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida, for the 40th Annual Winternationals, February 8–13. The Series will cap off the 2016 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks with its first ever visit to Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida, on Sunday, February 14.

2016 Georgia-Florida Speedweeks Tire Rule (applies to all 3 venues):
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier Rib 1300
Right Rear - Hoosier 01, LM40

In the Event of a Day Time "Makeup" Show:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier Rib 1350
Right Rear - Hoosier 03, LM40

*Must use the same set of 4 tires for Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Main.
*For the Feature, competitors may use 2 new rear tires of choice.
 
For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2016 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.  
 

The Crossville Raceway will return this upcoming season under a new ownership group.

Sparta, Tennessee, native Perry Delaney, along with Lewis Jackson of Buffalo Valley, Tennessee, have made the recent purchase of the 1/3-mile oval located in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau.

Both Delaney and Jackson have been around the sport of dirt track racing for several years, each having turned laps in the Middle Tennessee area.

Delaney is looking forward to the transformation he’ll have to make from the racer side to now an ownership role.

“I’ve raced for 30 years and it's sure going to be a transition for me. I’m not going to quit racing. I may race some on Saturday’s or special events, if I have time,” Delaney said.

Delaney also went on to say that one of the toughest obstacles for him will be rules.

“We want to get the rules in line with other tracks and have it where the average guy can be competitive, especially to someone who just races on the weekend and that works all week," he said.

The Crossville Raceway plans to operate on Friday nights this season.

The duo, who will be assisted by Late Model drivers Michael Luna and Scott Shelton, will help in the day-to-day operations of the track. Many improvements are planned, and the group expects to get to work soon.

The historic 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 29 added more history with the race's first presenting sponsor, PennGrade Motor Oil.

A brand of Lebanon, Indiana-based D-A Lubricant Company, PennGrade Motor Oil will serve as presenting sponsor through a multi-year deal running through 2018.

"This historic announcement is welcome news for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and generates even more momentum for the entire Verizon IndyCar Series," Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles said. "PennGrade Motor Oil, with its deep understanding of the heritage and tradition that fuels the Indy 500, is the perfect presenting sponsor for the world's greatest race."

"We're thrilled that PennGrade Motor Oil is joining us, not only for the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 but for more Indy 500s going forward," Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said. "My grandmother worked for D-A Lubricant so I'm well-versed in the company's history and I know our fans will appreciate the Hoosier connection as well."

D-A Lubricant sponsored entries in the "500" from 1955-58, with a high finish of sixth in 1956 with driver Bob Sweikert. D-A-sponsored cars also ran in the USAC Championship series during that time, winning once in 1957 and four times in 1958. Last year, the company was a major associate sponsor of Graham Rahal's Dallara-Honda in the Verizon IndyCar Series and will continue on as a team sponsor in the future.

The company recently acquired Brad Penn, a manufacturer of a product called PennGrade 1, well-known to grassroots racers and muscle-car enthusiasts for its effectiveness in high-performance engines. As part of the acquisition, D-A Lubricant is launching a new consumer brand called PennGrade Motor Oil, which is available online now and will eventually be launched as a full-scale consumer retail product.

"I can't think of a more powerful vehicle to help us launch our brand PennGrade Motor Oil than the Indianapolis 500," D-A Lubricant Company President Gisela Miller said. "The eyes of the world will be on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this May as they are every year, and I couldn't be more excited to have our company sharing that spotlight."   

"There's no better way for us to debut PennGrade Motor Oil than by partnering with the world's largest single-day sporting event," D-A Lubricant Company Chairman and CEO Mike Protogere said. "The Indianapolis 500 has stood for automotive innovation since 1911 and we're thrilled to add an exciting new chapter to that heritage with our product."

The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil will be a once-in-a-generation celebration of speed, progress and the pursuit of glory. Helio Castroneves will try for his fourth Indy 500 title, a hallowed record shared by A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. Defending champion Juan Pablo Montoya chases a third win, while past champions Ryan Hunter-Reay, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan will seek to further cement their status among "500" greats. Competing against these racing icons is a new generation of exciting drivers including Graham Rahal, Josef Newgarden and Gabby Chaves.

The Indy 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil is the world's largest single-day sporting event and is syndicated globally in 147 countries. The 99th Running generated more than 2.8 billion social media impressions. TV ratings for last year's race - and the entire Verizon IndyCar Series - experienced significant year to year growth. For more information on the race and series, go to www.ims.com and www.indycar.com.

Lucas Oil Products Inc., a longtime supporter of Sportsman racing, unveiled a new contingency program for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, honoring Sportsman racers across the country.

The new Lucas Oil Contingency program will award $300 to all winners of national events in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as pay $100 to all runners-up. In addition, racers will be paid immediately, in the winner's circle of each event.
 
There will be two different contingency programs, one for transmission and differentials lubricants and one for engine oil.
 
"The racers have been asking for this for a long time now, so we put together this program to give them a little extra incentive to use our products, which are the best in the world," Lucas Oil co-founder Forrest Lucas said. "We also heard them when they said other contingency programs took a long time to pay them, so we will be paying them right there in the winner's circle. We're excited to kick this off in Pomona."
 
To be eligible for the new Lucas Oil Contingency program, racers must display the applicable Lucas Oil engine oil decal and/or Lucas Oil transmission and differential lubricants decal on every car, even if racers are entered in different classes with different cars. Lucas Oil-sponsored race cars must also display the applicable decal. Racers can get decals at the Lucas Oil trailer at each event.
 
There is a buy-in for each program: $100 for engine oil and $75 for transmission/differential lubricants, and it is a one-time buy-in that lasts the entire season. But each car for each category of racing must buy into the program, including Lucas Oil-sponsored cars.
 
Entrance to the new contingency program must be completed by the start of the first round of eliminations.
 
Lucas Oil will announce a special price list for all Lucas Oil products for Sportsman racers who buy product at events.
 
The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, featuring Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and many other classes, kicks off in February at the Circle K NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona.
 
Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 plan to broadcast 16 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series races throughout the season.

Lucas Oil MLRA Series Director Dan Robinson recently announced a promotion of MLRA Race Director Ernie Leftwich to Assistant Series Director.

Leftwich has worked for Lucas Oil full-time since the 2013 season and been deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of the Midwestern based tour.

“I’m really happy to continue to my involvement with the Lucas Oil MLRA,” said Leftwich. “There are a lot of people who have been helpful to me. I need to give a special thanks to my daughter Paiten, she is my world and loves to go to the races. Gary Hubert, Dan Robinson, Ritchie Lewis and Rick Schwallie have been instrumental to my growth in the sport. Obviously none of this racing would be possible without Forrest and Charlotte Lucas, and I thank them too.”

Robinson has worked hand in hand with Leftwich for several years, and has nothing but praise for his ability.

“There aren’t many people that are as passionate about dirt late model racing as Ernie is,” stated Robinson. “He has worked hard for many years to get where he is today and I couldn’t be more proud of the progress he has made with MLRA and the contributions he has made to the sport of dirt racing.”

“I’ve always loved dirt late model racing,” added Leftwich. “Ron Bolin was my childhood hero and to watch him race his late model growing up was special to me. The big Tires, big bodies and raw horsepower of these cars are awesome.”

In 2002, he became the race director and flagman for the MLRA and has been with the series ever since. A big change came following the 2012 season when the Chancellor’s sold the MLRA to Lucas Oil Products. Beginning with the 2013 season Ernie became a full-time employee with the Series and oversaw much of the day to day operation, evolving into his new role going forward.

Luken Communications, LLC announced an affiliation agreement between Rev’n, Luken’s latest network offering, and WMKE in Milwaukee, WI (DMA 35).  WMKE, operated by LocusPoint Networks, launched Rev’n on Friday, January 15. Milwaukee area viewers can now find Rev’n over-the-air on channel 21.1.

Ian Milne, General Manager of Station Operations for LocusPoint Networks, said, “Rev’n’s programming is a perfect fit for the Milwaukee audience. We are proud to partner with Luken to bring such a unique program offering to our viewers.”
 
Tim Krass, Luken’s Vice President of Affiliate Sales - West, added, “Everyone at Luken is thrilled to expand our relationship with LocusPoint Networks into another market. I know Milwaukee viewers will appreciate everything Rev’n has to offer.”
 
Rev'n, a network geared towards the performance enthusiast, officially launched on December 1, 2014. Rev’n is dedicated to all things revving including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, events, auctions and more.

The CARS Tour has announced a loyalty program beginning in 2016, which will be based on participation and not performance.

In addition to paying one of the best late model purses in the country, $5,500 to win and $550 to start for a total of $29,375 per division for 30-car fields, competitors will now qualify for free items such as VP Racing Fuel and Hoosier race tires when showing their loyalty to the CARS Tour.

The program will begin after a team competes in the first five races on the 2016 schedule. At the sixth race in of the season (June 25 at Greenville Pickens Speedway) all qualified teams will receive 20 gallons of VP-CRT race fuel for free. Beginning with race number seven (July 30 at Orange County Speedway) every team in the program will receive one free Hoosier F-45RS tire throughout the remaining events as long as they do not miss a race. Points standing position does not dictate the ability to be qualified for the program.

In addition, the new 2016 annual entry form to enter all 10 events prior to the start of the season is available saving team’s addition money on the year. Teams can enter all 10 races for a onetime fee and receive one race entry for free. The CARS Tour Hard Card Fast Pass will also be returning again for 2016. Individuals can purchase an annual hard card, receiving one free pit pass for the year, to take advantage of even more savings and a dedicated sign in express line at each and every event.

The total value of the program and discounts will equal a minimum savings of $1055 on the year per team.

“This is a program we feel is the future of the CARS Tour. It’s all about getting competitors to buy in to what we are doing as a tour,” explained CARS Tour Director of Operations Chris Ragle. “We had 20 teams run every race last season and you add that number to the savings amount per team and do the math on what we are doing to make this program work for the tour’s future growth. Not only will you be racing for the best purse each event, but now you can get something back on your investment competing with the CARS Tour no matter what your compete level is as a team. It’s a huge program we are deeply excited about to kick off the 2016 with.”

The motto for the 2016 Deery Brothers Summer Series is More Money For More Drivers More Often.

Beginning with the $5000 to win opening night show on Friday, April 8 at Davenport Speedway, the 30th annual tour for IMCA late models totes a new payout structure for each of its 17 main events, a new non-qualifier feature at races with at least 32 entries and a point fund payout half­way through the season.

The top check of the tour is $7500, to be presented on night two of the September 2-3 Yankee Dirt Track Classic at Farley Speedway. Winners also go home with bigger shares of the purse from races Thursday, Sept. 8 during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway and the Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23-24 Liberty 100 weekend finale at West Liberty Raceway.

“We are really excited about the upcoming Deery Brothers Summer Series. It is our 25th season of partnership with the Deery Brothers Automotive Group and what a great way to start that off but to be back in Davenport with a $5000 to win show,” IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder said. “To close out with the $7500 to win Yankee in Farley, potentially $3500 to win at Super Nationals in Boone and $4000 at the Liberty 100, the table is set for some outstanding events from start to finish in 2016.”

Other main events will pay $2000 to win with pay increased for drivers finishing in the fourth to 23rd positions.

“We based that on feedback from drivers,” said Yoder. “The purse was restructured to pay more money to more drivers in more finishing positions.”

Main event qualifiers with perfect attendance will again be eligible for $250 cash drawings cour­tesy of Sunoco Race Fuels.

Those drivers will be eligible for another $250 from Sunoco if they win any of the last eight events. If a driver who is not eligible for the bonus wins, that $250 would be rolled over to the next show.

Malvern Trust and Savings Bank antes up $500 of the purse for non-qualifier Dash for Cash fea­tures. Those 10-lap races will be held just prior to main events.

The winner earns $300—the same amount paid to the last-place driver in the main—and 24 points, with $250 and 23 points for second, $200 and 22 points for third and $150 and 21 points for fourth.

All other non-qualifiers get $100 and 20 points. There were no other changes in the series’ point structure or procedures.

The $18,650 series point fund has been divided in half, with $9325 paid out based on standings after the ninth event, which would be Wednesday, July 6 at Independence Motor Speedway bar­ring any rainouts and/or reschedulings. The other half would be paid at the national awards ban­quet in November.

Amounts to be paid out each time are $2500 for first, $1750 for second, $1125 for third, $875 for fourth, $750 for fifth, $625 for sixth, $500 for seventh, $450 for eighth, $400 for ninth and $350 for 10th.

All drivers with season-long perfect attendance are guaranteed $350 regardless of their standing in the final points. Both payouts will be pro-rated for drivers with less than perfect attendance.
Entry fee for each Deery event will be $50. Maximum pit pass fee will be $30.

Justin Kay is the two-time defending series champion. Darrel DeFrance has competed at every event in series history, a streak that now reaches 451 races.

“We’ve got some great sponsorship programs in place again this year. Casey’s General Stores and Ideal Ready Mix are back on board with their high profile redraw and Ironman Challenge pro­grams and the addition of The Official Bank of Dirt Track Racing in Malvern is really something new that racers and fans will enjoy,” Yoder said. “We can’t wait for the snow to melt so we can get back on the track.”

2016 Deery Brothers Summer Series Schedule

Date – Venue – Location

April 8 – Davenport Speedway – Davenport, Iowa

April 9 – West Liberty Raceway – West Liberty, Iowa

April 15 – Farley Speedway – Farley, Iowa

April 16 – Hamilton County Speedway – Webster City, Iowa

May 1 – Quad City Speedway – East Moline, Ill.

May 30 – Boone Speedway – Boone, Iowa

June 7 – Marshalltown Speedway – Marshalltown, Iowa

June 14 – West Liberty Raceway – West Liberty, Iowa

July 6 – Independence Motor Speedway – Independence, Iowa

July 7 – Kossuth County Speedway – Algona, Iowa

July 10 – Dubuque Speedway – Dubuque, Iowa

July 29 – Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway – Des Moines, Iowa

Aug. 2 – Cedar County Raceway – Tipton, Iowa

Sept. 2-3 – Farley Speedway – Farley, Iowa

Sept. 8 – Boone Speedway – Boone, Iowa

Sept. 23-24 – West Liberty Raceway – West Liberty, Iowa

Speedway Motors banners will fly at a record number of sanctioned tracks in the United States and Canada in 2016, as America’s oldest speed shop continues its support of drivers in all IMCA divi­sions.

The Lincoln, Nebraska, high-performance parts manufacturer, retailer and distributor has been associated with the International Motor Contest Association since the 1950’s and returns as title sponsor of IMCA Weekly Racing for a ninth consecutive season.

Speedway Motors also continues its title sponsorship of the biggest dirt track racing event in the world. Boone (Iowa) Speedway is the site of the 34th annual Super Nationals September 5-10, hosting an anticipated 880-plus cars and 30,000 fans.

“It’s a great honor for Speedway Motors to continue its sponsorship of IMCA Weekly Racing and the spectacular Super Nationals,” said Speedway Motors President Clay Smith. “IMCA has stayed true to its mission of providing affordable, competitive and exciting racing opportunities for racers across the country, and it’s exciting for the Speedway Motors team to support that tradition. We look forward to serving IMCA racers in all their efforts in 2016.”

Now in the fourth year of its latest five-year program, Speedway Motors provides jackets, promoter and tech official shirts, discounts on tech inspection equipment, flags and signage to help IMCA tracks defray costs of weekly programs, plus decals, driver’s suit patches and feature winner hats.

Drivers in all sanctioned divisions who fill out and return rookie application forms to the IMCA home office receive $100 gift cards, along with a T-shirt and decal from Speedway Motors following first rookie year fea­ture wins.

Ninety-two rookie winners received gift packages in 2015.

Post-season awards are also part of the Speedway Motors program as the highest eligible finisher in Modified and Stock Car regional standings, and Northern SportMod and Southern SportMod national standings all re­ceive a pair of Tru Coil springs.

Drivers in all four divisions must fill out and return the sign-up form they receive in decal packets to make themselves eligible for those contingencies.

“There isn’t much to say about our relationship with Speedway Motors that hasn’t already been said,” IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder noted. “We’ve both been around longer than anyone in the industry and are very proud to have developed lasting personal friendships in addition to professional partnerships. We’ll both continue to do what we do best, and do it better than anyone else.”

Quick Fuel Technology (QFT) launched its new content-rich website dedicated to the mysteries of what components to buy, how to set them up and how to tune high-performance fuel systems. Although the information is specific to QFT products in many cases, the information is applicable to most fuel systems industry-wide.

The company’s new homepage is organized with a bold photo rotator that showcases the new and different products, below which QFT’s product line has been broken down into six categories. Selecting the ultimate QFT carb for your application can be complicated, but with the new QFT website, it’s designed to be foolproof.

If you want more research you can click the Tech Info button in the top nav bar and read up on everything from how a carb works, to basic tuning tips and even race-only calibration. Or if you’re not up to a bunch of reading, select a video that covers some of the same subjects. QFT will be adding informational videos, info-packed content and video product releases each month. All of this content can be shared with friends, clubs and user forums.

Other features include downloadable PDFs of QFT’s catalogs and brochures, the latest news from Quick Fuel and a shopping cart where you can purchase all of Quick Fuel’s fuel system components online.

For more information on QFT’s race-winning carburetors and fuel system components, please contact Quick Fuel Technology, 129 Dishman Lane, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Phone (270) 793-0900. Fax (270) 793-0951. Visit us at www.quickfueltechnology.com