OCRS SPRINT TEAMS CONVOY TO THE “HUMMER” THIS WEEKEND
by John Lemon
OCRS Public Relations
Tulsa,
Oklahoma (June 6, 2011)- The Oil Capital Racing Series sprint car teams
will convoy northward up Highway 169 this Friday to take a spin on Ron
and Rhenda Whitworth’s “HUMMER” (aka: Humboldt Speedway) in Humboldt
Kansas for what will be the seventh tour stop on the 2011 racing season.
OCRS made their Hummer debut in 2010 with two events on the tricky 3/8
mile clay track. Whit “Gasman” Gastineau of Moore Oklahoma took the win
on May 21st with Danny Smith of Sapulpa taking the second visit on July
30th. “Our teams just raved about the place,” said OCRS president Barry
Grable. “The track was one where a driver had to think a bit different
than usual which made for some great racing. We (OCRS officials)
received several compliments from our teams on the facility and we look
forward to the return trip this Friday nights show.”
The
Hummer has gone through some changes over the off-season that the OCRS
contingents will notice immediately. The track has had several tons of
new clay applied to its racing surface. The Whitworth’s, who have owned
the Hummer for over twenty years, have widened the track to provide even
better racing lines than before. The pit area has also been moved from
behind the turn four area to behind the back straight. A couple of
factors will remain the same. The Hummer’s grounds are extremely well
kept and are one of the better quality facilities that the OCRS series
treks too. The Hummer’s staff is top notch with a high attention to
detail and overall organization. Race fans attending will find the
Hummer one of the fan friendliest racing facilities in the region.
After six events into the 22-race season, an interesting battle has
developed between two drivers who have won five of the six A Features
between themselves and one driver that stands tall between them.
Gastineau leads the chase for the “Harold Leep Championship Trophy” by
virtue of winning events at Thunderbird, Outlaw and Oklahoma Sports Park
speedways in succession. Tulsa’s Sean McClelland (35 points behind
Gastineau) stormed back by taking the last couple of A Features in
back-to-back succession on return visits to Thunderbird and Outlaw.
Between them sits Owasso’s Matt Sherrell who is looking for his first
feature trophy in 2011 and is just 27 markers behind Gastineau
(509-482).
While Gastineau and McClelland have been
engaged in a war between the two of them as to whom can get to victory
lane the most, Sherrell has been working his way into contention for the
series championship the hard way. In race number two at Thunderbird,
Sherrell started 18th and finished sixth. In event number four at
Oklahoma Sports Park, Sherrell started 17th yet he finished third. At
the next race (Thunderbird), Sherrell started in the back of the pack
again in the 17th position and fought for a seventh place finish, then
in last week’s outing at Outlaw, Sherrell came from 16th to finish
third. No driver on OCRS history has held second place in the point
standings after six events and had so many starts from the rear as
Sherrell has had. One would be wise to keep an eye on the yellow #35
sprinter Friday night.
Three time defending OCRS champion
Jamie Passmore is one driver that is hungry to get that first win of the
season under his belt. Rafe Essary, Mike Goodman, Travis “Hollywood”
Jenkins and Danny Smith are 2010 A Feature winners who are also ready to
break through. Spectator gates will open at 6pm with racing getting
under way at 8pm. Race fans are welcome to bring their lawn chairs at
the Hummer if desired.
Track Phone: (620) 473-3694
Track Website: www.humboldtspeeedway.com
Directions to Humboldt Speedway:
From Highway 169:
Exit KS-224 and turn south onto KS-224/Hawaii Road
Proceed .21 miles and turn east onto 1400th Street
Proceed .51 miles to Georgia Road and turn north
Speedway will be one mile ahead
Additional information on the OCRS series can be viewed at: www.ocrsracing.com
~~ CAN YOU HEAR THE THUNDER? ~~
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