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Kilgore TX (1/10/12) by DarinShort.com. A whopping $120,000 cash purse has been posted for the 2nd Annual LoneStar Sprint Nationals (LSN) this coming October 11-13, 2012. This represents a $20,000 increase in total purse from 2011.

The LSN is a three-day, Sprint Car-only show featuring two divisions: Winged Sprint Cars and Winged RaceSaver® Sprint Cars, and is held at LoneStar Speedway in Kilgore, TX. LoneStar Speedway is a brightly lit, fast, high-banked 3/8 mile clay oval. 117 teams participated in 2011, with over 100 racing each night.

Qualifying night (Thursday/Friday) 30-lap A-features pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start for the Sprint Car division; and $500 to win and $100 to start for the RaceSaver® Sprint Cars. No time trials.

Saturday night’s Sprint Car division 40-lap 25-car feature pays $13,000 to win and $1,200 to start; and $2,200 to win and $400 to start the RaceSaver® Sprint Car 30-lap 25-car championship race.

And as impressive as the purse for this event is, race fans can purchase a 3-day adult grandstand pass for 1980’s pricing of only $40 upon their arrival at the track on race night. Or, individual night tickets are $15 each for Thursday and Friday, and just $20 on Saturday’s blockbuster event.

The Sprint Car division cars must be ASCS legal, and Sprint Cars will be teched by ASCS. Drivers competing for Lucas Oil ASCS national series points will receive show up points for this event as was the case in 2011. The early entry fee for this class remains at $100 for this race and pit passes are the same as 2011, which are $30 each on Thursday and Friday; and $35 on Saturday. A 3-day pit pass will be available for $90. There is roughly an $11,000 increase in the Sprint Division purse slated for 2012.

RaceSaver® Sprint Cars will be teched by RaceSaver.com rules with one exception. Drivers may choose whether they wish to run the STS or SST stamped right rear tire – as was the case in 2011. The early entry fee for this class is $100 for this race and pit passes are the same as 2011, which are $30 each on Thursday and Friday; and $35 on Saturday. A 3-day pit pass will be available for $90. There is roughly a $9,000 purse increase for the RaceSaver® Sprint division for 2012.

Registration for the LSN will open up on March 1st. Each division is limited to the first 80 entries received. An event flyer will be published prior to the opening date of registration.

Several event sponsors from 2011 have already expressed their intent on returning in 2012, and they will be announced when the event flyer is released in February. Fans can also expect a large amount of outside food and merchandise vendors, as was the case last year.

Track owner Sam Hafertepe comments: “We couldn’t have been happier with the strong turnout of fans and race teams at last year’s LoneStar Sprint Nationals. Our goal is to continue to grow this event into the future and we’re going to do everything in our power to help turn that goal into reality.”

Lisa Hafertepe adds: “The outside vendors support for the LSN was outstanding. It gave fans several food and merchandise options while they were here. Fans can expect another strong turnout of vendors this year too. We pride ourselves in giving fans a fair deal for their hard earned money while they’re visiting our track, and we received several fan emails thanking us for treating them so well.”

Darin Short comments: “Looking back, we could have lived without the huge storm that hit the track the day before the race, but the entire LoneStar staff and officials really stood behind the event and took pride in the part they each played in it. All of them do a great job and we will have the same group of officials returning in 2012 – and many of them commented that they can’t wait for the return of LSN weekend. I was also very proud of the sponsors we had backing the event, and their support means a lot. From a race fans’ standpoint, the LSN is one of the best values in short track racing: well over 100 sprint cars racing three nights in a row for $40 is a great deal. I believe we’ll have even a stronger turnout of fans for this year’s race.”

Bill Wright, AKA “Bill W,” of Monroe Iowa will be returning to provide the call for the Sprint division. He will also conduct the competitors draw-in for both the Sprint and RaceSaver® divisions. Bill W has been on the media side of the sport for over 15 years as a journalist, website editor, broadcaster and announcer. His weekly 'Knoxville News' recap can be found on racing sites worldwide. Bill W is the announcer for the Sprint Invaders, Midwest Open Wheel Association as well as several other events.

RacinBoys.com will also return to provide audio webcast of the event, for those not able to make it to the event. They will also provide post-event video footage.

At last year’s LSN we promised three nights of exciting Sprint Car racing action…and delivered on that promise. If you’d like to check out some of the action from the 2011 LSN, there are several video clips loaded at the event website from Don Cook of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and RacinBoys.com.

Complete event details, flyers, purse, rules, online registration and much more will be launched on Thursday, March 1st at www.darinshort.com/SCN.html . However the event flyer will be released a week or so before registration launch.

In an effort to maintain unobstructed spectator viewing, open trailer and smaller enclosed trailer teams will be pitted in the infield of the track, as in 2011.

This event is designed for the avid Sprint Car fan – and they will not be disappointed!

Here are some advance quick facts for each event:

-Full-field qualifying nights on both Thursday and Friday (Oct. 11-12) for each Sprint Car division.
-Saturday night (Oct. 13) will be C’s, B’s and Championship A-features in both divisions.
-General Admission just $15 (ages 12 and older) on Oct. 11-12; $20 on Oct. 13.
-Kids (ages 6-11) just $5. Ages 5 and under free with Adult admission.
-3-day discounted Adult grandstand pass will be sold at the ticket gate on Oct. 11 (only) for just $40 (that’s under $14/night!)
-Upgrade any ticket to the reserved section (bucket seats) upon your arrival for $5 per person
-Seniors/Military (Ages 65+, General Admission) $13 on Oct. 11-12 and $18 on Oct. 13.
-All Pit Passes $30 on Oct. 11-12; $35 on Oct. 13.
-A 3-day discounted pit pass will be sold online through Oct. 9 for $90.
-Gates open at 5pm, with racing at 7pm each night.
-The information hub for this event, including online registration, lodging discounts and event flyer is located at: www.darinshort.com/SCN.html and will be fully functional at launch, Thursday March 1st.
-Click www.LoneStarSpeedway.com for all track information.