YUMA, Ariz. (November 10, 2014) - Auto Racing at times seems to have more story lines than a Spike Lee movie and more drama than a Soap Opera. One could say that's part of the allure that keeps fans coming back for more.
By this time, the final weekend of competition typically sees one driver with the championship tied up with a nice bow, or at the least, needing to finish strong in order to hold off an equally eager competitor. If 2014 has shown us anything, this season has been anything but normal as five drivers enter the season's final two nights separated by 68 points.
Brad Loyet's podium finish this past Friday night at the El Paso Speedway Park was just what the 26-year old driver needed. Going into events at the west Texas oval, Loyet was a slim 36 points ahead of Jeff Swindell. Coming out, that advantage doubled only to be erased the following night with two flips that resulted in the use of Loyet's first provisional of the season and a 16th place finish. Looking to Cocopah, Loyet's best finish is forth which came on November 9, 2013.
In a true showing a sportsmanship, Swindell was one of many who jumped in to assist the Loyet team in getting back to the track. Trailing by only 34 points going into the season finale, Swindell will have his head on a swivel as Johnny Herrera trails by a single marker. Herrera's best finish of second at the Cocopah Speedway came on March 9, 2012. Swindell has made the A-Feature at the Cocopah Speedway on six occasions with a best finish of ninth on November 8, 2013.
Twenty-second to fifth on Friday night, Jason Johnson showed he is far from done. In search of his fifth Lucas Oil ASCS National Championship, Johnson paired his El Paso performance with a ninth place finish Saturday at the Southern New Mexico Speedway to take over fourth in tour standings by one point over Sam Hafertepe, Jr.
The most dominate driver at the Cocopah Speedway with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV, Johnson has made the cut in all eight appearances by the National Tour with six podium finishes that includes four consecutive victories in 2013 which netted Johnson $41,000.
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. made his first appearance at the Arizona oval this season with a best finish of ninth.
Seth Bergman holds sixth with Matt Covington seventh. Tony Bruce, Jr holds eighth with Saturday night's winner, Aaron Reutzel, sitting ninth. Blake Hahn currently rounds out the top-ten. In terms of positions up for grabs, Seth Bergman still has pressure from Matt Covington who sits only 32 points behind. Covington himself is also a target for the seventh spot as Tony Bruce, Jr. trails by only 26 markers.
For the Cocopah Speedway, this weekend's appearance for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV will be the series ninth and tenth race at the far west Arizona oval. First visited on March 9, 2012, Dustin Morgan grabbed his first National Tour victory with Danny Wood pulling off the last lap victory on Jason Johnson the following night.
In 2013, the track was dominated by Jason Johnson who, in four night, pocketed a season combined $41,000.
Starting the 2014 season at the Cocopah Speedway on February 28, Rico Abreu picked up his first Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour victory over Christopher Bell. The following night looked to have the top two reversed until contact with the wall allowed Abreu to sneak by for the night's $10,000 prize. Abreu has confirmed he will be back to attempt the season sweep.
Races will be preceded by a Fanfest on Thursday, November 13 at the Wild River Family Entertainment Center located across the street from the Cocopah Speedway. Fanfest is free to the public.
Tickets for the two night affair can be purchased on http://www.cocopahspeedway.com.
For continued updates on the American Sprint Car Series, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
The Series:
Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real
When and Where:
Cocopah Speedway
County 15th & US 95
Somerton, AZ 85350
Friday, November 14 - Gates Open at 3:00 P.M. (MT) / Racing at 7:00 P.M.
Saturday, November 15 - Gates Open at 3:00 P.M. (MT) / Racing at 7:00 P.M.
Pit Gates open at 12:00 P.M. both days.
Contact Information:
Website: http://www.cocopahspeedway.com
Email: info@cocopahspeedway.com
Phone: 928-344-1563
Event Coverage:
Online audio and PPV will be available both nights at http://www.racinboys.com. Live broadcasts are brought to you by Lucas Oil and presented by the McCarthy Auto Group, located in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Line-ups, finishes, and further updates are provided throughout each race night at http://www.facebook.com/lucasoilascs and http://www.twitter.com/lucasoilascs.
Live Timing and scoring is available at most Lucas Oil ASCS events via Race Monitor which is available in the App Store of your Smart Phone or Tablet.
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2014 A-Feature Winner(s): Sam Hafertepe, Jr. - 4, Christopher Bell - 4, Aaron Reutzel -4, Brad Loyet - 3, Jeff Swindell - 3, Tony Bruce, Jr. - 3, Brian Brown - 3, Rico Abreu - 2, Seth Bergman - 2, Wayne Johnson - 2, Derek Hagar - 2, Matt Covington - 2, Patrick Stasa - 1, Sammy Swindell - 1, Davey Heskin - 1, Tim Crawley - 1, Logan Forler - 1
2014 Lucas Oil ASCS Driver Standings (Top 10): 1. Brad Loyet 3,973; 2. Jeff Swindell 3,939; 3. Johnny Herrera 3,938; 4. Jason Johnson 3,906; 5. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 3,905; 6. Seth Bergman 3,687; 7. Matt Covington 3,655; 8. Tony Bruce, Jr. 3,629; 9. Aaron Reutzel 3,491; 10. Blake Hahn 3,347;
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The 2014 season marks the twenty-third year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix.
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, iON Camera, Smokey Mountain Moonshine, C&R Radiator, Hawk Performance Products, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, KSE Racing Products, SpeedMart, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, The Joie of Seating, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley's Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.