Lubbock preview

O'Reilly ASCS Set For Tech Double

TULSA, Okla. (May 17, 2004) - The O'Reilly American Sprint Car Series National Tour presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and United Trailers is set to invade Tech Motor Speedway in Lubbock, TX, for a two-night affair this Friday and Saturday.

Texas hotshoes Gary Wright and Travis Rilat, who battled to the wire for the 2003 ASCS National championship, lead the way into the Lubbock double with the series first two events of 2004 in the books. Wright topped the season opener at Delta Bowl Speedway in Tunica, MS, on March 27, while Rilat, the defending champion, scored the victory at 67 Texarkana Speedway on April 30. Three other nights of racing have been washed out by inclement weather.

Wright, who holds a slim two-point lead over Rilat in this year's championship points chase, topped last year's ASCS National stop at Tech Motor Speedway on May 16, while Rilat utilized a last corner pass to win the 2002 stop at the three-eighth mile semi-banked clay oval. In addition to this weekend's double, the series will make a return visit on July 4 as well.

While Wright and Rilat sit atop the point charts in the early going, they face a number of formidable foes in the championship chase, including former series champion Garry Lee Maier of Cimarron, KS, who is currently ranked third in points aboard the Lubbock Wrecker Service machine. Other championship contenders include 2001 champion Zach Chappell, 2003 Brodix Rookie of the Year Darren Stewart, 2003 Most Improved Driver Cody Branchcomb, Jan Howard, Toby Brown, Jimmy Taylor and 2004 Rookie of the Year contenders Sam Hafertepe, Jr., A.G. Rains, Chuck Swenson and Natalie Sather.

Other top shoes expected for this weekend's action include current ASCS Sooner Region point leader Jason Martin of Liberal, KS, fellow Liberal resident Tony Bruce, Jr., New Mexico's Bud Goodwin and Sooner Region rookie contender Preston Peebles II, who hails from Lubbock.

In total, approximately 25-30 cars are expected for each night of racing.

Both Friday and Saturday night's cards are set to get under way at 8:00 p.m.

Tech Motor Speedway is located south of Lubbock on US 87 to FM 1585, then east to Frontage Road, then 0.3 miles north, then east. For additional information, contact the track at 806-748-5074.

The 2004 O'Reilly ASCS National Tour presented by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and United Trailers consists of nearly 40 nights of racing at 20 different tracks throughout Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

More information about the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

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