Post by debbieratliff on Jun 16, 2011 19:16:33 GMT -6
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by John Lemon - Posted June 13, 2011
Tulsa Oklahoma (June 13, 2011)- A few years ago, one of Oklahoma’s favorite dirt tracks fell victim to the sound of chains and locks clanking onto iron gates. Race fans and race teams alike anxiously waited for the chains to fall the following season, but intact they stayed. Now, five years later, the Salina Highbanks Speedway has new gatekeepers in Keith Sanders and Bob Goins and with it, a new future in the auto sports world.
This Saturday night, the hilltop track with a lakeside view will host the debut return of the Oil Capital Racing Series winged sprint cars on its ultra banked, ultra fast three eighth’s mile clay surface for the first time since September 1st 2006. Stillwell Oklahoma’s Rafe Essary was victorious on that Labor Day weekend and he will lead a contingent of lightning rods that look forward to strike a pose in victory lane at nights end. Essary, eyeing that initial win of 2011, sits fourth in the chase for the 2011 “Harold Leep Championship” trophy only 72 points behind current leader, Whit “Gasman” Gastineau. The Gasman has bankrolled three OCRS main event wins for his spot at the top of the points chart. Sean McClelland of Tulsa has two feature triumphs for a third place position while Owasso Oklahoma’s Matt Sherrell, who is also looking for that first win on the 2011 tour, sits in the runner up seat only 27 points behind Gastineau.
For the first time at the Highbanks, the OCRS warriors will be fully dressed out in Goodyear rubber as the series made the change during the past off-season. “I saw many of our teams at the World Of Outlaw race in Salina a few weeks ago” said series president Barry Grabel. “ While our cars differ between the two series, many of our teams were there to not only see a great event, but to see how the Goodyear’s performed on Salina’s surface and they liked the feedback they received from the WoO teams and the Goodyear engineers.” As for what the fans can expect, Grabel chimed; “This is going to be an amazing show. The speeds at which they will achieve while racing just a few inches apart will make it very exciting for the fans. Thanks to our partnership with Goodyear and the increased annual point fund we have established with their involvement, the overall depth of the quality of our teams is by far the best it has ever been in our history. This translates to competition the fans will thoroughly find entertaining.”
Three time defending champion Jamie Passmore of Rose, Oklahoma will be seeking his first win of the 2011 season this Saturday night. Passmore is an area fan favorite, as his family owns the G.A.P. Roofing business located just minuets from the track. Other former OCRS main event winners expected to tackle the challenge of the Highbanks include: Travis “Hollywood” Jenkins along with his teammate and 2005 OCRS champion, Mike Goodman. The duo of Sapulpa Oklahoma, Danny Smith and Kenneth Walker, are also former OCRS winners who will look to wage battle amongst their peers.
As with each OCRS event, the female gender race fans in attendance will have a couple of special racers to cheer for in the way of the “Gals of the OCRS”. There’s the go-getter style of Tulsa’s ‘Krazee Kacee’ Frazier and from Oklahoma City area comes “The Princess”, Miss Shayla Waddell. These women have become favorites of many fans of the OCRS series and they compete very well with the men. Like a few of their counterparts, neither of the young ladies have turned a lap on the highbanks in OCRS competition and their determination to succeed will be required for the challenge at hand.
Other OCRS gunners that are anticipated for the return to the Highbanks include: Tim and Johnny Kent, Casey Wills, Kyle Clark, Fred Mattox, Andrew Deal and Terry Easum just to name a few. The action produced on the Highbanks makes this a must see event for any race fan. The track is easy to locate as it sits directly on Highway 20 between Pryor and Salina with Lake Hudson gleaming in the background.
Gates open at 5pm with racing set to ignite at 7pm.
OCRS teams are to register and draw upon arrival.
Track Phone: (918) 434-RACE
Track website is: www.salinahighbanksspeedway.com
Additional information on the OCRS series can be viewed at: www.ocrsracing.com
~~~~ CAN YOU HEAR THE THUNDER? ~~~~
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