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LUCAS OIL-ROCKSTAR MODIFIEDS TO LAUNCH 2010 SEASON THIS SATURDAY
It's back and stronger than ever. The Lucas Oil Modified Series, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, will officially launch its brand new 2010 season Saturday night, March 27th, at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway in Blythe-California. It's the first of a nine race series that will take the modified teams to five different venues in three different states. With each stop along the way the series' ever growing legion of fans will be treated to close quarter, wheel to wheel, racing action performed by the very best open wheel modified talent from the western states area.
Highlighting the new season for the series is a new corporate partnership with Rockstar Energy Drink that makes the company the official drink of every Lucas Oil sponsored motorsports series that you could name. In a recent comment Frank Guernsey, Rockstar Energy Drink Vice President of Marketing, said "with this new endeavor focusing on grass roots racing, we are eager to see Rockstar Energy Drink in the hands of people that may not have yet discovered our product. With Lucas Oil Products leading the way, we are confident that Rockstar will reach an exciting new audience."
There are multiple reasons why this series has an excited audience. First off there's the 75 lap feature races. We're talking about 75 full laps of green flag racing, the series does not count yellow caution flag laps. Combine that with the immense talent of the drivers and you have the makings of a race that keeps the fans on their feet during the entire feature.
The car counts have been healthy since the series' inception back in 2007. The average counts over the past three seasons has consistently ranged from 25 to 30 cars which requires a B main event to set the final line ups. The race features 22 cars in the A main, 24 at speedways larger than a quarter of a mile.
In turn there's several reasons why the car count has been so strong. It starts with the lucrative pay outs for the team. Drivers are guaranteed $250 for taking the green flag in the A feature which also pays $1,000 to the driver who parks his car in the Sunoco Fuel Winner's Circle . The series also offers the teams a series of bonuses that includes $100 each for the E3 Spark Plugs Hard Charger Award, the Magnaflow Exhaust Products Clean Pass Award, the Budweiser Fast Time Award, $100 for the Racing Plus B Main winner as well as the recently increased $200 bonus for the trophy dash winner presented by Dart Machinery. In addition to the bonus program for the individual races, there is also the presence of the Hoosier Tire West bonus pay outs at the end of the season which is worth a total of $11,000 as well as merchandise bonuses from Lucas Oil and Mac Tools.
Officials from the Lucas Oil/Rockstar Energy Drink Modified Racing Series has a strong policy of consistently developing policies that makes racing with them cost friendly for the teams and that has also been a contributor to the car counts. First off, the series does not require membership or entry fees to race with them.
Series co-promoters Greg Scheidecker and Bill Rozhon, along with head technical inspector Allan Brown, has been very careful not to overwhelm their teams with massive rule changes over the years. In fact, the number of changes to the series' rule book over the past three years could be counted on the fingers of two hands with a couple of digits to spare. That policy is also cost friendly for the teams.
The two major changes implemented by officials for the new 2010 season will save the teams money on tires and fuel. The series will be switching to the Hoosier 700 racing tire for this season. This particular tire has been reported to have a better longevity factor without sacrificing racing quality or safety. Also, series officials recently met with their counterparts at Sunoco Race Fuels and locked in a price of $6.50 per gallon. The series has also set up a $10,000 tow money program to help the teams with the cost of transportation.
The series also has its own television package. The Lucas Oil Production Studio will be in Blythe to video tape Saturday night's season opener which will be aired nationally on MAV-TV.
Yet another impressive aspect to this regional touring series is the strong sponsorship packages that supports it. In addition to the new presenting sponsor, the series is supported by a highly potent marketing concept known as "Team Lucas." Team members includes Lucas Oil Products Inc. Magnaflow Exhaust Products, E3 Spark Plugs, General Tire, K&N Performance Filters, Geico Powersports, Canidae All Natural Pet Food, MAV-TV, Dart Machinery and of course Rockstar Energy Drink.
The Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, is also greatly enhanced by a group of series sponsors that includes Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tire West, Budweiser, Blue Water Resort and Casino, Sunoco Race Fuels, Frank's Radio, Racing Plus and Mac Tools.
The bottom line here is the racing excitement that comes with watching this series. The series has a perfect blend of veteran drivers along with starry eyed newcomers and they will be all looking to get their 2010 season off to a good start this Saturday night at the Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway.
On Rockstar opening night the spectator gates will open at 5 pm with the racing getting underway at 7 pm. The Lucas Oil I 10 Speedway will be enhancing this evening with an appearance by the USAC Ford Focus Midgets along with their regular street stock and factory stock divisions presented by Jordan Central.
Long time fans of open wheel modified racing are well aware of the excitement levels this series is capable of presenting on any given night. If you're relatively new to this type of racing, then come see it at its very best and get caught up in the excitement. But make sure you're wearing a pair of comfortable shoes because, when they drop the green flag on the Rockstar 75, you'll be standing up until the race is over.
