With the 2012 season starting to wind down only a handful of ASCS Regional races remain. Entering the fourth weekend of September, the Regions will see action in Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington.
Canyon Region
Returning to Peoria’s Canyon Speedway Park, the Sunoco Fuels ASCS Canyon Region is set for the Brawl for It All. The culmination of a grudge match between the ASCS Canyon Region and the USAC West Coast Sprint Cars this Saturday September 22nd, the event will feature drivers from Arizona and southern California competing for a $2,500 to win, $300 to start purse.
As the third leg of the challenge series, Bud Kaeding took the initial checkered flag at the “Sin City Showdown” on March 8th followed by Cory Kruseman on July 7th at California’s Santa Maria Speedway on July 7th.
Currently Ryan Bernal leads the challenged series standings with Danny Sheridan, Troy Rutherford, Bud Kaeding, and R.J. Johnson making up the top five with only 24 markers between the series contenders. The overall challenged series is worth $15,000 and will see the winner awarded $5,000 thanks to Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, and ParkerStore of Phoenix.
Gulf South Region
The Second to last outing for the Griffith Truck and Equipment ASCS Gulf South Region will be the series return to Highlands, Texas for a single night at Battleground Speedway. After Mother Nature intervened on July 21st, the Gulf South Region will grace the high banked 3/8 mile oval on Saturday September 22nd.
With five wins on the season, including the series last event on May 19th, Ray Allen Kulhanek continues to run comfortable out front of the Gulf South point standings with a gap of 243 between the No. 21t and Brandon Berryman. Michael McNeil currently holds third with Travis Elliot and Tommy Bryant making up the top five in series standings.
Midwest Region
One of the marque events in 2012 for the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region, the “Fall Brawl” will see two nights at Greenwood, Nebraska’s I-80 Speedway this Friday September 21st and Saturday September 22nd.
Running as two separate shows, each night will feature a $2,500 to win A-Feature with no drivers locking in from the Friday feature.
According to information released by Fall Brawl coordinators, “ In addition, there will be plenty of contingency awards. Hot Rod Paintless Dent Repair is paying $1,000 of the $1,400 King of the Hill purse with the winner receiving $500. Hot Rod Paintless Dent Repair is also sponsoring the Hard Charger Award which pays $750 each night. Searsboro Telephone Company has posted $1,200 for a reverse point fund for drivers finishing 6th thru 15th in total points for the two nights, with 6th receiving $60 and 15th receiving $200. Finally, Electrical Systems is paying $300 each night in a Podium Draw.”
Both nights are scheduled to begin at 7:15pm.
On top of the high payout, this weekend’s Nebraska double header also serves as the Championship weekend for the ASCS Midwest Region. Claiming the points lead after posting a second place finish in September 8th at Junction Motor Speedway, reigning Midwest Champion Jack Dover extended his advantage from 4 to 81 over Jordan Boston the following night at Eagle Raceway. Despite being out for the remainder of the season, Stu Snyder currently sits third, 112 points ahead of Ryan Roberts and 386 ahead of Gage Dorr.
Northwest Region
The ASCS Northwest Region comes down to battle between Henry VanDam and Roger Crockett. Seeking his second straight championship, Crockett currently trails the VanDam Farms No. 33v by a mere 23 markers. Not out of the hunt my any means, Mitch Olson still has a chance to make up ground as he sits 74 points behind VanDam with young Reece Goetz currently round out the top five in Northwest points.
Scheduled for Friday September 21st and Saturday September 22nd at the Yakima Dirt Track, previous visits have yielded four different winners on the final night with Jayme Barnes, Roger Crockett, Stephen Allard, and Brock Lemley all grabbing the season ending checkered flag. What remains constant, according to Northwest Regional PR Director Ben Deatherage, is Jason Solwold’s apparent dominance of the Friday night event.
Sooner Region
Scheduled for a double shot weekend with races at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and Caney Valley Speedway in Caney, Kansas the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region will be in Oklahoma on Friday September 21st and Kansas on Saturday September 22nd.
Representing rounds 13 and 14 in the 2012 championship battle, 2012 Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star Region Champion looks to extend his lead in the Sooner Region and become the first driver to sweep the Lone Star and Sooner Championships in a single season. Joe Wood Jr. currently holds second with Robert Sellers, Shane Sellers, and Joe Bob Lee completing the top five.
Sprints on Dirt
Following this past weekends Canadian Sprint Car Nationals, the points battle for the Engine Pro ASCS Sprints on Dirt presented by ARP has tightened up with Greg Dalman now only 10 points ahead of Ryan Grubaugh entering this Saturday's 2012 season final at Tri-City Speedway.
Presented by Speed Pro, the season ending race will feature a $2,000 to win, $300 to start 20 car feature.
Capturing the win in the series last visit on August 3rd, Ryan Grubaugh was chased across the line by Ryan Ruhl. To date the August 3rd triumph stands as Grubaugh's only win of the season with the Sprints on Dirt.
Stories and recaps will be posted as soon as we are able to. More information on the American Sprint Car Series can be found at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter @LucasOilASCS and on Facebook.