Camargo, IL (5-8-09) by Kelly Brown - Public Relations Director – Five years may not seem like a long time to some, but for the fans of the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions in West Virginia, it has been five years since “America’s Series” has raced in the Mountain State. This is about to change though as the All Stars will be making a landmark trip to Elkins Speedway in Kerens, West Virginia, on  Saturday June 6th for the Gene Tallman Memorial.

This event will pay homage to legendary West Virginia driver Gene Tallman, who was a force to be reckoned with in the super modified classes of racing in the North Central portion of the state. This will be the first time in 40 years that 410 Sprint Cars have visited Elkins Speedway. To prepare for this momentous event Promoter AJ Rockwell has resurfaced and reconfigured the track to ensure the best racing action that the 3/8-mile oval can offer.

"To be able to work with a nationally-known, well respected organization like the O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champion Sprints in our first year of operation here at Elkins Speedway, well, we couldn't be more excited.  We have worked very hard on the racing surface and we hope to offer the racers and fans a racy, multi-groove track that will enable the faster guys the chance to move to the front. For the fans that haven't been to Elkins Speedway in a while, I think this "Gene Tallman Memorial" is a good excuse to come out and see some of the world's most powerful sprints and see all the improvements that have been made at the track. We are anxious to see the tremendous speeds these guys will attain!" said Elkins Speedway promoter A.J. Rockwell.

Elkins Speedway spokesman Jimmy Henry added, "To have the chance to honor and host a tribute to Gene Tallman, one of the greatest drivers to ever strap on a helmet is truly an honor for us. Gene not only won more than his share of races throughout the tri-state area but had tremendous fan-appeal as well...you just couldn't help but like the guy.  We feel this 30-lap, $5,000 to win O'Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions sanctioned event is the proper way to give Mr. Tallman the credit and respect he deserves and we hope the fans will come out and support this event as well."

The last time that the All Stars raced in West Virginia was at West Virginia Motor Speedway in 2004 and Dean Jacobs took the Checkered Flag in the event. Other notable tracks that have hosted All Star Races in West Virginia are Ohio Valley Speedway and Pennsboro Speedway.

“We are very excited with our new partnership with Elkins Speedway,” expressed All Star Series President Guy Webb. “We are looking forward to the inaugural Gene Tallman Memorial event and hope that it will grow and become one of the prestigious events on the All Star Circuit of Champions schedule.”

Camargo, IL (5-5-09) – By Kelly Brown – All Star Public Relations Director – Three is a number that has a lot of meaning. Some say that misfortune happens in threes, but this weekend the number three has a good connotation as the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions will be racing three nights in a row in Pennsylvania. On Friday night May 8, the drivers of the All Star Circuit of Champions will be making up the race at Williams Grove that was cancelled due to rain last weekend, before moving on to Port Royal Speedway for two nights of non-stop racing action.

Williams Grove Speedway

After rain postponed last weekend’s event at “The Grove” The drivers of the All Star Series are ready to take on one of the legendary tracks in all 410 Sprint Car racing.  When ever the All Stars make a pilgrimage to The Grove it is sure to be showdown between The Posse and All Star regulars.

The last time the series appeared at the infamous half-mile legendary PA Posse member Fred Rahmer, who recorded his 500th feature win at Lincoln Speedway with the All Stars last weekend visited Victory Lane. Last weekend went to the posse, what All Star can rise to the occasion and make it to Victory Lane? Will Dale Blaney, Daryn Pittman, Tim Shaffer or one of the other All Stars be able to spoil the posse’s strong hold on The Grove?

Ticket Information

On Friday racing action will begin at 7:30 pm. Adult tickets are $18 for the event with discount tickets available for students and children. To purchase tickets or get more info, please call the speedway office at 717-697-5000 or visit www.williamsgrove.com.

Port Royal Speedway

After a night at the Grove the All Stars will be making the voyage to Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA for two nights of high-speed racing action between the All Stars and PA Posse. The inaugural race for the All Star Sprint Car Series at Port Royal was run in 1981 with Dave Wickham as the victor. Since then the track has been the host of 17 All Star events.

This weekend’s All Star PA Posse clash will mark the 7th running of the Bob Weikert Memorial. Former winners include: Fred Rahmer, 2003, 2004; Todd Shaffer, 2005; Dewease, 2006; Greg Hodnett, 2007; and Jeff Shepard 2008. This weekend’s event will be unique as since the top-four finishers in the first night of racing action will automatically be locked into the feature on the second night, so there in an incentive for doing well on night one. Who will be the next driver to etch their name in history as a Bob Weikert Memorial winner? All Star or PA Posse member?

Ticket Information

On Saturday May 9th the gates will open at 5:00 pm for the exciting duel of drivers. Time trials will take the green flag at 7:00 pm. Admission for Saturday night is $20 for adults, students 13-17 $10, and kids 12 and under are free. On night two, Sunday May 10th the gates will be unfurled to race fans at 3:00 pm with time trials beginning at 5:00. Adult admission will be 22, with student tickets being $11, and 12 and under are free. Pit passes will run $30 per night. To purchase tickets or get more info, please call the speedway office at 717-527-2301 or visit www.portroyalspeedway.com.

Camargo, IL (5-4-09) The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions and the Midwest All Stars Sprint Car Series wish to extend their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Duane Davis upon Duane’s passing on May 1^st. 

Series President Guy Webb released the following statement on behalf of the All Stars: “Duane was an integral part of the fabric of Sprint Car Racing, through his tireless volunteer work with the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum and many racing related charities. Though his business, Laser Engraving, he became part of the All Stars family by providing trophies for the Midwest All Stars awards banquet in St. Louis the past two years. All of our officials, racers and fans really enjoyed getting to know Duane and truly appreciated his craftsmanship, his support and, most of all, his passion. Duane was truly a man of character and a wonderful supporter of sprint car racing and we valued his friendship deeply. He was truly ‘one of a kind’.” 

Our sympathies to Duane’s daughter, Lori, and his son A.J., his sisters, Marie and Karen, his stepfather LaVerne and all of their families. Duane leaves a legacy of hopefulness for the future, of legions of friends, of laughter and good fellowship and a VERY positive impact on all of sprint car racing.  

The pilots of the All Star Circuit of Champions will be back in action tomorrow night as the series travels further east to Lincoln Speedway for what promises to be another tooth and nail battle with the Posse. For more information on the event visit www.lincolnspeedway.com and for the most up to date information on all the exhilarating All Star racing this season visit www.allstarsprint.com.