11/25/2009 10:39:00 AM Thanksgiving 200 at I-10 Speedway
Dave Grayson Special to the Times
BLYTHE - The Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway will once again present its fans with the holiday tradition known as the Thanksgiving 200 this Saturday night, Nov. 28. The quarter-mile paved oval, located at the Colorado River Fairgrounds, will present racing from five different divisions.
The special program includes 50-lap main events from the EZ Up Legends, Street Stocks, the Pro 4 Shoot Out and the Southwest Tour Trucks. There's also a 25-lap feature by the Bandolero cars as well. Speedway officials have emphasized that these main event races will have full green flag laps, meaning yellow caution flags will not count, and they will use the green, white, checker flag system to insure a racing finish.
The EZ UP Legends will be making their first appearance of the speedway's 2009-2010 Winter Blast Racing Series and the drivers will be beginning the process of collecting points for the track's championship. Legends Cars are extremely popular at venues all over the country.
They resemble old-fashioned roadsters from the 1930s and '40s. The cars are powered 1250cc Yamaha Motorcycle engines capable of producing 122 horsepower. These open wheel racers are light in weight and that allows them to turn lap speeds compatible with full sized stock cars.
In addition to launching a run for the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway's track championship, the Legend drivers are also eligible for national points from the sanctioning body known as 600 Racing. This Charlotte-North Carolina based organization invented the concept of the Legend Series and sanctions races and points championships all over the country.
Saturday night's Legend Car action is expected to be lead by Brecken Snow the reigning champion from last year along with some strong competition from Brandon Snow. Also look for drivers Zak Price and Robert Scott to be a big part of the points equation during the winter racing season at Blythe.
The Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway's Street Stocks will be making their fifth appearance of the winter season this Saturday and they will be bringing a very close points race with them. Local driver Richard Selph, the 2005 track champion, is on top of the standings with 186 points due to a string of very consistent top five finishes. However, Selph only has a four-point lead over Bryant Sutterfield, who has a feature win. Still very much in this picture is John Lowrence, also a feature winner this year, who is only 14 markers from the leader.
Among the special guest divisions for the Thanksgiving weekend in Blythe will be the Pro 4 Shootout with their highly anticipated 50-lap feature. Pro 4's are full sized stock cars powered by four cylinder engines. However, fans should not perceive these cars as being mini stocks because of their engine size. The smaller engines produce a lot of power and these cars turn lap times compatible to a fully powered late model stock car. The series also produces some very exciting racing.
Also guaranteed to provide a lot of fan excitement is the 50-lap feature by the Southwest Tour Trucks. The series was formed approximately two years and features a regional touring schedule for mid to full-sized racing trucks. The series seems to be growing and currently has 22 teams. This is racing's answer to a tailgate party.
Yet another fan favorite are the youngsters in their small, but very swift, Bandolero cars. This division is a development series for kids 6 to 16. The small cars are powered by 570cc Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engines capable of producing 30 horsepower. The cars have a 70-inch wheelbase, they're 47 inches wide and only 34 inches tall. The small size of the cars often allows the drivers to race three wide and that often translates into on track excitement. Like the Legend Cars, the Bandoleros are also part of 600 Racing and the drivers earn national points.
Saturday night will be the second appearance of the season by the Bandoleros at the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway. Lake Havasu City's Tommy Kelly won the first race there and is considered a favorite to pick up his second win. But he will have plenty of competition from the likes of Kyle Niquette and Breanna Nelson.
The Thanksgiving race weekend in Blythe actually begins on Friday night with a test and tune practice session for the racing teams from 1 to 4 p.wm. This session is free to spectators. After the practice the racing teams will be invited to the speedway's famous Thanksgiving pit pass barbecue beginning at 5 p.m.
On Saturday race day, the spectator gates will open at 4 p.m. with the racing getting underway at 5 p.m. Adults tickets for Saturday night are $10 while tickets for seniors 55 plus, the military and the handicapped are $8. Teen tickets, for ages 13 to 17, are $5 while tickets for kids six to 12 are $3. Kids five and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The speedway also offers a family package for $25, which admits two adults and two kids 17 and under. Palo Verde High School students will receive a $1 discount with their ASB card.
For out of town race teams and fans the Best Western Flying J is the official motel of the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway. Located in Ehrenberg, Ariz., the motel is just a very short drive from the speedway. They offer beautiful and spacious rooms at very affordable rates. Call toll free 800-292-9711 for reservations which can also be made on line.
For more information about the Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway, and their 2009-2010 Winter Blast Racing Series, dial up their official Web site at www.i10speedway.com.
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