SUPR Late Models Story

[rebelracewriter]

Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations, (817) 215-8520

 

CONTACT: Sarona Winfrey

 

Gary Guehler

 

 

-- For Immediate Release

 

 

O’REILLY SUPR LATE MODEL SERIES – A SHORT TRACK SUCCESS STORY

 

FORT WORTH-DALLAS (February 20, 2004) – The O’Reilly Southern United Professional Racing (SUPR) late model series has used creative and cost-efficient rules to become one of the nation’s leading regional touring auto racing series. Late model fans will be able to see the results Friday and Saturday night, March 5-6 as more than 40 O’Reilly SUPR late models invade the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track for the Pro-Cuts Texas World Dirt Track Championship.

 

 

Racing on weekly short tracks around the country is plagued with rising costs and declining car counts. The O’Reilly SUPR series tackled the rising costs of engines and tires in 1993 when it introduced a spec engine featuring standard engine heads and manifolds along with the use of specified racing tires.

 

 

Rules for the series were revised to give weight breaks and larger rear spoilers to cars utilizing the spec engine, which leveled the competition field with late models using “open” engines. Donald Watson won the 1993 O’Reilly SUPR championship using the spec engine, relying on the engine’s reliability.

 

“There’s no doubt that the SUPR spec engine helped save late model racing in this part of the country,” said series president Greg Holmes. “It gives teams a reliable engine package that lowers the cost of late model dirt track racing. Car counts in the O’Reilly SUPR late model series have grown since the introduction of the spec engine.”

 

 

Defending O’Reilly SUPR champion Kenny Merchant of West Monroe, La. will be seeking a strong early-season start when the series invades the four-tenths mile Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track for the Pro-Cuts Texas World Dirt Track Championship. Modified stock cars from throughout the Southwest will join the O’Reilly SUPR late models in the program. Both classes will conduct full racing programs both nights.

 

 

Free tickets for the Pro-Cuts Texas World Dirt Track Championship are currently available at 93 Fort Worth-Dallas area Pro-Cuts locations. Customers will receive two tickets good for one evening with the purchase of $15 in haircuts or hair care products at participating Pro-Cuts.

 

 

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