Charlotte LMS Dirt Track news 2008-12-24

International Crowd Expected for VAULT World Finals; Race Fans from Six Different Countries to Attend Season-Ending Event

CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 24, 2008) - Race fans from 46 states and five foreign countries will be in attendance at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 for the VAULT World Finals.

The event brings together the nation's two premier dirt track series, the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, to end their seasons and crown their champions in front of an international crowd.

Thousands of fans from across the United States will be joined by visitors from five Canadian provinces, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to watch three nights of racing as some of the top dirt track stars from around the country battle for their share of the $201,520 purse.

The Sprint Car Series entry list features Advanced Auto Parts World of Outlaws point leader Donny Schatz, title contender Jason Meyers and 20-time series champion Steve Kinser. Other open-wheel stars expected to compete include Danny Lasoski, Daryn Pittman, Jac Haudenschild and Fred Rahmer. World of Outlaws Late Model Series points leader Darrell Lanigan and series regulars Steve Francis, Chub Frank, Shane Clanton, Josh Richards, Tim McCreadie and Rick Eckert are among the more than 50 late model drivers scheduled to race.

Thursday night includes practice and qualifying for the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and Late Models, plus the VAULT Dash for Cash race for each division. The two series will each have twin time trial sessions with the first round determining lineups for Friday night and the second round setting the Saturday night card. A pit crew challenge will conclude the first night of the Vault World Finals.

Full racing programs are on tap for both divisions Friday and Saturday with each night highlighted by $10,000-to-win main events for both the sprint cars and late models. Saturday's activities will also include a special flag ceremony during pre-race festivities in which a fan from each state, province and country in attendance will march with their respective flag in front of the grandstands along the frontstretch.

After Saturday's feature events, the champions for both the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and Late Model Series will be crowned at The Dirt Track. Two-time series champion Schatz leads Meyers by 97 points in the chase for the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series title. Lanigan will lock in his first World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship on Wednesday in the Armour Foods Vienna Sausage Showdown at The Dirt Track. However, just 26 points separate Francis, Clanton and Richards in the battle for second place.

Three-day tickets are just $59 for adults and $19 for children ages 12 and under. Individual tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children on Thursday night and $35 for adults and $10 for children on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

-credit: lms