Camargo, IL (6-27-09) – Some people may see aging as a negative, but to others age is nothing but a number. While some believe you get better with age like a fine bottle of wine. Tonight Tim Shaffer proved just that as he overcame his 14th position starting spot, methodically passing cars almost every circuit of the track in the 40 lap A main to take the victory at Fremont Speedway and the $10,000 pay day that went along with it. Shaffer may have turned 42 yesterday, but there is no doubt the real celebration happened tonight.

Shaffer, who won the B main to make his way into tonight’s main event, put on a clinic on how to execute passes on the 1/3-mile semi-banked oval from the beginning of the event. Chad Blonde started from the pole of the feature with Brock Mayes by his side. As the Green Flag was unfurled Blonde had the edge rocketing towards Turn 1. Mayes, Duane Zablocki, and Craig Mintz would quickly fall in line.

While Blonde was setting a fast and furious pace at the front of the pack, Shaffer was on the move picking up seven spots in just four laps. As the field began to encounter lapped traffic on Lap 9, Blonde began to fall into the clutches of Mayes and Mintz who were able to pull up on him. Mayes was right on Blonde’s tail allowing Mintz to join the fight. Mintz, who was the only driver who was hooked up on the high side made his move on Lap 13 to take the second position. Once he got into the second spot, he set his sights on the lead waging a battle with Blonde which would see the duo race side-by-side for four laps straight.

While the cars up front were battling, Shaffer kept picking off cars and had moved up to four by the 14th circuit of the course. On Lap 18 Mayes a daring move diving between Blonde and Mintz to take the lead. It was short lived though as Mintz muscled his way back on the following lap. 

The first caution of the night came out of Lap 20 when Daron Clayton spun. On the restart Mintz would get the jump leaving Mayes and Blonde in the clutches of Shaffer and a closing Stevie Smith. The pack would catch up to the tail of the field again on Lap 25 allowing Mayes, Shaffer, and Smith to close. Mayes would take his turn up front, when he used a lapped car as a pick to drive around Mintz into the lead on Lap 27. Mayes would jet out to a slight lead as second was up for the taking and three cars wanted it. Mintz, Shaffer and Smith staged quite a battle as Smith drove under the 20x car. Mintz would fight back in the outside line trying to retake the spot.

The same lapped traffic that had given Mayes the opportunity to take the lead became his enemy as Shaffer caught up to him. On Lap 36, Shaffer would make his move diving to the low side to take the lead. The final caution flag flew on Lap 37 as David Harrison and Dale Blaney tangled. As the cars idled around the track there was something amiss on Mintz’s 20x car. While running fourth an oil fire would erupt bringing out the Red Flag. 

When the Green Flag flew for the final time Shaffer drove out to a sizable lead, with a clear track in his sight. At the line it was Shaffer taking the Checkered Flag first with Mayes, Smith, Blonde, and Brad Sweet rounding out the top-five. 

This was Shaffer’s second victory during Ohio Speedweek as he also won the feature last Sunday at Millstream Speedway. Shaffer has 16 O’Reilly Circuit of Champions career wins, with five coming so far this season.  

With his third place finish Stevie Smith would win the Ohio Speedweek Championship tonight. The point standings will be finalized tomorrow. For updates visit www.ohiospeeedweek.com or www.allstarsprint.com

With a grueling Ohio Speedweek in the books, the drivers and teams of the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions just have six day to recuperate before traveling back to Ohio for a Friday night race at KC Speedway on July 3rd and the series will be celebrating independence day at the historic Terre Haute Action Track on the following night July 4th. For more information visit www.allstarsprint.com. 

First Place Tim Shaffer “This place always puts a great race on. I'm so happy to be a part of this team. Brian (Kemenah, crew chief), Janet (Holbrook, owner) and Aaron (Call, owner)...this whole team...they did a great job all week...it's a tough week. I let them down last night and I was determined not to do that tonight.  You had to be aggressive but patient tonight. I never thought we'd get up through there. We got a great start and the lapped cars helped me tonight...they hurt me last night so that's part of racing. We're building a great team"

Second Place Brock Mayes "I'm just upset...three years in a row I've run second at this $10,000 to
 win Speedweek show. If I had a few more cars in my shop a couple of those guys would have been helped off the track. There's no sense for lapped cars to be shown my wing three or four times. I get as many cars as Shaffer has in the shop I'll be pushing around like he does sometimes. Daniel, Keith and Davey and my dad are behind us. What you see is what we got. Every now and then we pick up a little something. Just a little heart broken, a little disgusted, a little upset right now. We've been running good here all year. I thought we had 'em. I didn't make the right decision I guess.”

Third Place Stevie Smith "Tim Shaffer did a nice job and he earned it...he started back there too.  I just didn't get the job done. I'm real proud of these guys. We won the points... it's a shame they couldn't have had a little purse for that. After seeing all these cars this week, I was pretty amazed. The fans were really a big support for the Ohio Sprint Speedweek and they had a lot of race cars. I think it's something that could really be built up and I'd like to still be a part of it.

On the initial drop of the Green Flag, Brock Mayes grabbed the lead from the pole position, but as the fourth row entered Turn 1, a melee ensued, which forced Phil Gressman to climb the wall. The rest of the cars involved would continue on, but this ended Gressman’s night, setting up a complete restart of the event.

When racing action got underway it was fast and furious as Danny Smith got the jump and led the first lap of the event. He would be followed to the line by Mayes, Rob Chaney and Tim Shaffer. A few laps later Shaffer made his move in Turn 3 snatching the third position. Chaney battled back, but Shaffer had his car working in the top groove, holding him off.

By Lap 5 Mayes, took his turn in the top position briefly, but Smith quickly retook the lead. Mayes fell into the clutches of Shaffer as the top three traded positions back and forth. It seemed as if every time Mayes would catch Smith, Shaffer would close on the duo and join the battle. Shaffer appeared to be the best entering Turn 3 as he picked up the second position on Lap 11. Then a few laps later he would celebrate his 42nd birthday by taking the lead.

While the top three were battling Dale Blaney was on the move from his seventh place starting position, moving into the top-five and closing in on the lead pack as he passed Greg Wilson for the position. When the field started encountering traffic on Lap 14, Danny Smith dove under Shaffer for the lead. Shaffer would get held up by a lapped car letting Mayes get by for second. Using a lapped car as a pick, Mayes took the lead away from Smith on Lap 16. This is when Blaney really made his presence known on the track as he dove under Shaffer and Smith to take the second position on Lap 17.

Lap 18 will be one that goes down in infamy as Mayes, Smith, Shaffer and Blaney all led on the same lap. The top four could have been thrown under a blanket. Smith would out muscle his fellow competitors and establish himself in the lead on Lap 20 of the 40 Lap A main event. Blaney established himself in the second position, followed by Shaffer, Wilson, and Mayes.

Once Smith was in the lead, he pulled away from the fray. In the latter part of the event Wilson came to life picking off Mayes for fourth. When he caught Shaffer the two battled side-by-side until Wilson bobbled slightly. In the mean time Shaffer caught Blaney for second and started working on him. As the two battled it allowed Wilson catch up to the leaders again.

With five laps remaining Wilson made quick work of Shaffer diving under him in Turn 2 to take over the third position in the top line. Wilson then set his sights on second, catching Blaney using the high line. Wilson worked on Blaney each lap, but was unable to execute the pass. At the Checkered Flag it was Smith picking up the win, followed by Blaney, Wilson, Shaffer and Mayes.

This was Smith’s 30th All Star Circuit of Champions win, his second this season, and his second in All Star competition at Limaland Motorsports Park. His last win at the 1/4-mile bullring came in 1990 and the last time the All Star series raced at Fremont Speedway the sprint car veteran won.

The final night of Ohio Speedweek is on tap tomorrow night at Fremont Speedway. The gates will open at 4:00 pm and racing action is slated to begin at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the event start at $25 for adults, $15 for seniors, ages 16-11 are $10, while ages 10 and under are free. Pit Passes for the event will run $30. For more information on the event you can call the track office at (419) 333-0476 or visit www.fremontohspeedway.com. 

With Stevie Smith finishing ninth and Rob Chaney turning in a sixth place finish, the points for Ohio Speedweek champion is closer than ever. Don’t miss tomorrow night at Fremont Speedway to see who will emerge as Ohio Speedweek Champion. Keep yourself updated by visiting both www.allstarsprint.com and www.ohiospeedweek.com .

First Place Danny Smith – “I didn’t let Brock beat me on the second start. I was running around the top and was not sure how hard I should run going into the first turn. He chased me down, got by me, but I got my elbows up and fought back. They kept coming at me, slide jobbing and slide jobbing. It was great, but I am the one that gets to take home the check. I would like to thank all the great fans here tonight, without them we wouldn’t be here.”

Second Place Dale Blaney – “We were a second place car tonight. We had a heck of a race right there, Smith got by me at one point and he fought me back.  The high side was the place to be. There wasn’t a whole lot on the bottom to work with. With the way this week has gone we will take this and move on to Fremont.”

Third Place Greg Wilson – “I couldn’t get by traffic and get on the top side like I needed to in the final laps, but that is what you have to deal with when you start back a little ways. We had another great run here at Lima. I have to thank George Warnimont for a great race car. We had a little mishap today with the trailer, so to be able to leave with a good finish going into Fremont tomorrow night is great.”

Speedweek Fan Info

A great place to stay at Fremont Speedway is the Holiday Inn Express in Tiffin, Ohio. To make reservations visit www.holidayinn.com or call (419) 443-5100 and ask for the Ohio Speedweek racers rate.

During Speedweek the fans in attendance should check out the O’Reilly All Star Merchandise trailer as there are several new items. Special for Ohio Speedweek, ASI Sportswear has created several items including: 2009 Ohio Speedweek decals, 2009 Ohio Speedweek die cast, and an exclusive tye-dye 2009 Ohio Speedweek t-shirt. Also new to the trailer is 2010 All Star calendars with are 12X12, full color, and priced at $15. Also new is the 2009 O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions souvenir program, which is a must read for fans of the series. Also in the trailer is a host of the best and highest quality race wear that ASI Sportswear has to offer including new driver shirts for Greg Wilson, Ryan Bunton, Dale Blaney and Tim Shaffer.

Camargo, IL (6-25-09) –By Kelly Brown – All Star Public Relations Director –It seems as if Mother Nature has something against the Ohio Speedweek race at Attica Raceway Park. For the second time in a week the skies have opened up over the track; the first it caused the event to be rescheduled and now after another drenching shower tonight, the event has been cancelled.

Ohio Speeweek will get back in swing tomorrow night, Friday, June, 26, at Limaland Motorsports Park. It has been over a year since the O’Reilly All Stars have raced at the 1/4-mile bullring. Last year the Ohio Speedweek event there fell victim to rain. The last time that an Ohio Speeweek race was featured at the dirt oval was in 2007. At the drop of the green flag it was Kenny Jacobs running out to an early lead. Blaney would eventually get his shot at Jacobs on a mid-race restart where he drove hard into turn one and rocketed past Jacobs, taking the lead. Blaney would hold off charges by Byron Reed to take the checkered flag in the event.

Currently at the helm of the Ohio Speedweek point standing is Stevie Smith, but this is another track that the PA driver had little experience on. He has run only one event there, finishing in the top-20. Rob Chaney currently sits in the second position in points by eight markers. Chaney has quite a history at Limaland winning four events there in a winged 360 sprint. Third is Daryn Pittman who sits 13 points out of the lead, but in three events he only has one top-five finish. Greg Wilson who is currently fourth should be a frontrunner on Friday night if his record means anything. In 50 starts at the track in various types of sprint racing “The Kid” has 14 wins, and 33 top-5 finishes. Rounding out the top five in points is Tim Shaffer who two top-five finishes in seven starts.

On the outside looking in is Dale Blaney who has five wins and 14 top-5 finishes at the1/4-mile bullring. Other All Star regulars who have a history at the track includes Daron Clayton who has one top-5 finish in two starts in non-wing 410 sprint competition and the 2008 Rookie-of-the-Year, Ryan Myers also has a top-ten finish at the oval in a winged 360 sprint.  

Don’t miss a chance to see the drivers of the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions duke it out at Limaland Motorsports Park. Tomorrow night the gates will open at 4:00 pm with hot laps slated to begin at 6:30 pm. Tickets for the event start at $22 for adults, ages 11 – 16 are $11, while ages 10 and under are free. Pit Passes for the event will run $30. For more information on the event you can call the track office at (419) 339-6249 or visit www.limaland.com. 

An excellent place to stay and relax when visiting Limaland Motorsports Park  is the Comfort Inn of Lima. They offer great rates along with a free deluxe continental breakfast and coffee. They also have free high-speed wireless internet and a fitness center. For more information on the Comfort Inn of Lima call 419-228-4251 or visit www.comfortinn.com.

When Ohio Speedweek resumes it will no doubt be another exhilarating fight to see who emerges from the event with not only the Ohio Speedweek title, but the All Star Circuit of Champions point standings when the Checkered Flag flies on Saturday night at Fremont Speedway. Don’t miss a minute of Ohio Speedweek Action. Keep yourself updated by visiting both www.allstarsprint.com and www.ohiospeedweek.com.

Camargo, IL (6-24-09) – By Kelly Brown – Public Relations Director – It seems that if Ohio Speedweek points leader Stevie Smith has hit his stride after winning last night at Hilltop Speedway. Tonight for the second night in a row he celebrated in Victory Lane; this time it was at Waynesfield Raceway Park. Now that Smith has a new found sense of momentum, the other drivers of the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions are going to have their work just a little harder to make their claim on the 2009 Ohio Speedweek title with just three nights of competition left.

Stevie Smith, who recorded quick time, started on the front row of the feature with Cole Duncan by his side. On the wave of the Green Flag Smith sprinted out to the lead, like a hunting dog pursing its prey. Behind him Brandon Martin slid past Cole Duncan for second, while Daryn Pittman and Jason Johnson brawled for the fifth position.

On Lap 5 Smith started encountering lapped traffic and started picking them off car by car in the high line. Martin began to start mimicking Smith’s line hoping to catch up some ground. The first caution period of the night would be on Lap 9 when Jody Keegan spun in Turn 2.
 

When the Green Flag waved again Smith begun where he let off with Martin in his tire tracks trying every move he could to stick with the leader. At this point Pittman was at the move executing a slide job on Duncan to take over the third position. Pittman had a close call while working lapped traffic as he had a near collision with a lapped car, but in a skillful move he was able to save the 17 car without losing a position.
 

With 20 laps in the book it was Smith who had pulled out to a straight-away lead, Brandon Martin in pursuit, Daryn Pittman, Cole Duncan, and Greg Wilson. On Lap 22 the Yellow Flag would fly again for an incident involving Dale Blaney, Tim Shaffer, and Jimmy Stinson. The three made contact in the short shoot between 1 and two, which sent both Shaffer and Stinson spinning.
 

On the restart there was a lapped car between Smith, and second place running Martin. Martin made quick work of the lapped machine, but not quick enough as Pittman was hot on his heels. While Smith pulled out to another sizable lead. At one point Martin looked to be reeling him in, but was not able to get close enough to pass Smith. In the last ten laps of the event Pittman could feel the race coming to the end and made his move between turns three and four. Pittman would put a slide job on Martin, but Martin fought back. As they sprinted down the front stretch towards Turn 1, Pittman got the edge taking over the second position. Rob Chaney was also on the move as he moved into the top-5 with eight laps to go.
 

With two laps to go the 91e of Brad Sweet slowed on the track and attempted to get out of the way so it would not bring out a caution, but he was not successful and the caution banner did wave setting up a Green-White-Checker shootout. On the final restart, Smith got the jump and did not look back. Smith would pass under the Checkered Flag first collecting his second win of Ohio Speedweek. He was followed to the line by: Pittman, Martin, Duncan, and Chaney.
 

This was Smith’s fifth All Star victory this season. The first came during Florida Speedweek at Volusia County Speedway, two came in his home state of PA at Port Royal Speedway and last night at Hilltop Speedway.  Overall this is Smith’s eleventh career All Star win.
 

Tomorrow night Thursday, June 25th Ohio Speedweek will move to Attica Raceway for a fifth night of exciting race action. The gates at Attica Raceway Park will open at 4:00 pm and racing action is slated to begin at 7:45 pm. Tickets for the event start at $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, ages 15-11 are $10, while ages 10 and under are free. Pit Passes for the event will run $30. For more information on the event you can call the track office at (419) 680-5606 or visit www.atticaracewaypark.com.

Don’t miss a minute of Ohio Speedweek Action. Keep yourself updated by visiting both www.allstarsprint.com and www.ohiospeedweek.com .

Speedweek Fan Info

If fans are looking for a place to stay during Ohio Speedweek there are several places that are offering special Ohio Speedweek rates.

Another excellent place to stay and relax when visiting Limaland Motorsports Park is the Comfort Inn of Lima. They offer great rates along with a free deluxe continental breakfast and coffee! They also have free high-speed wireless internet and a fitness center. For more information on the Comfort Inn of Lima call 419-228-4251 or visit www.comfortinn.com.

Whether you are at Fremont Speedway or Attica Raceway Park, stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Tiffin, Ohio. To make reservations visit www.holidayinn.com or call (419) 443-5100 and ask for the Ohio Speedweek racers rate.

During Speedweek the fans in attendance should check out the O’Reilly All Star Merchandise trailer as there are several new items. Special for Ohio Speedweek, ASI Sportswear has created several items including: 2009 Ohio Speedweek decals, 2009 Ohio Speedweek die cast, and an exclusive tye-dye 2009 Ohio Speedweek t-shirt. Also new to the trailer is 2010 All Star calendars with are 12X12, full color, and priced at $15. Also new is the 2009 O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions souvenir program, which is a must read for fans of the series. Also in the trailer is a host of the best and highest quality race wear that ASI Sportswear has to offer including new driver shirts for Greg Wilson, Ryan Bunton, Dale Blaney and Tim Shaffer.