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KILGORE TX (EDITED 1/31 WITH SUPR ADDITION TO 11/24)(EDITED 1/25 WITH UPDATES FOR APRIL 7 AND MAY 12) (EDITED 1/17/12 WITH NEWS OF 2012 FACTORY STOCK RULES POSTED) by DarinShort.com. The new LoneStar Speedway schedule for the 2012 racing season is now available for view & printing from the track website.

The most notable change is that EVERY night of racing will be a SPECIAL event!

That doesn't necessarily mean higher ticket prices, but it does mean fans will be guaranteed to see a truly special night of racing each and every time they visit LoneStar Speedway in 2012.

There will be three divisions racing for the points championship & points fund. Those classes are Modifieds, Limited Modifieds and Factory Stocks.

Limited Modifieds will be teched on 2012 IMCA legal Southern SportMod legal rules.

(Edited 1/17/12) Factory Stock rules are now posted. They are listed under 'resources' on the right side of page.

Drivers are urged to fill out and mail back the driver registration form on the track website prior to February 1. There will also be a track program for race fans in 2012, and driver profiles received by February 1 will be included. If you registered a car number in 2011, your number will be held until February 1, after that date, all remaining car numbers will be available by a first come, first served basis.

Every 2012 race night will include the three points divisions plus one of these race divisions: Sprint Cars, Late Models or Winged Modifieds.

One other notable change is that ALL points races for the modifieds will pay $1,000 to win and $80 to start; which is an increase from $500 to win and $60 to start in 2011. There is a $50 entry fee for each modified points race.

Details will be announced on January 10th for the October 11-13 LoneStar Sprint Nationals. $20,000 cash has been added to the 2012 purse, making it one of the largest sprint car purses in the country!

We're excited and proud to bring race fans this 'specials only' racing schedule for 2012 and we hope you can take in as many of the races that you can!

2012 LoneStar Speedway Schedule:

MAR 10 – PRACTICE DAY, Any and all cars are welcome (2pm-6pm, $15/person pit passes)

MAR 24 – PRACTICE DAY, Any and all cars are welcome (2pm-6pm, $15/person pit passes)

MAR 31 – $10,000 to win LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL SERIES. Plus Opening Points Night: $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (6PM START TIME, $20 GA.)

APR 7 – ASCS SPRINT CARS, Plus $1000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (7PM, $15 GA)

APR 14 – CLOSED: NASCAR WEEKEND at TMS

APR 28 – THUNDER ON THE HIGHBANKS (Round 1) STS SPRINTS, Plus: $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (7PM, $10 GA.)

MAY 12 – Ark-La-Tex Wing Modifieds Plus $1000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (7PM, $10 GA)

MAY 26 – SUPR LATE MODEL SERIES. Plus $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (7PM, $15 GA)

JUNE 9 – THUNDER ON THE HIGHBANKS (Round 2) STS SPRINTS, Plus: $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (8PM, $10 GA)

JUNE 23 – LONESTARPALOOSA (DETAILS & HEADLINER TBA)

JULY 7 – FIRECRACKER SPECTACULAR, SUPR LATE MODEL SERIES, Plus $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (8PM, $15 GA)

JULY 28 – Ark-La-Tex WING MODIFIED SERIES. Plus $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (8PM, $10 GA)

AUG 11 – THUNDER ON THE HIGHBANKS (Round 3) STS SPRINTS, Plus: $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (8PM, $10 GA)

AUG 25 – Ark-La-Tex WING MODIFIED SERIES. Plus $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (8PM, $10 GA)

SEPT 8 – PATRIOT DAY RACE SUPR LATE MODEL SERIES. Plus $1,000 to win Modifieds, Limited Modifieds & Factory Stocks (8PM, $15 GA)

SEPT 15 – MONSTER TRUCKS (Details TBA, 7PM Start Time)

SEPT 29 – $2,000 to win FACTORY STOCK NIGHT SPECIAL & NAT’LS WARM UP FOR RACERSAVER SPRINTS. PLUS POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP RACE in all three points classes (MOD, LTD, FS; 7PM, $12 GA)

OCT 11-13 – 2nd Annual $120,000 LONESTAR SPRINT NATIONALS featuring $13,000 to win and $1,200 to start SPRINT CARS, and $2,200 to win and $400 to start RaceSaver SPRINTS (7PM, $15/$15/$20 GA)

NOV 24 – LONESTAR TURKEY NATIONALS FEATURING SUPR LATE MODEL SERIES, MODIFIEDS, LIMITED MODIFIEDS, FACTORY STOCKS (2PM START TIME, $12 GA)

BANQUET DATE TBA

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.

Kilgore, TX (11/2/11) by DarinShort.com. After a long and exciting racing year, the final checkered flag of the season has now flown at LoneStar Speedway in Kilgore, TX.

The original schedule shown an event ‘to be announced’ on Thanksgiving weekend, but speedway officials have opted to not chance a special event due to the lateness of the season, as there would be no way to reschedule it in case there were to be weather related problems.

Track owner Sam Hafertepe comments: “We had an awesome LoneStar Sprint Nationals on October 13-15, and have decided that we wanted to end up the season on a really high note.”

He comments further: “Late November races are really risky from a weather standpoint, and we don’t want to spend a lot of time and effort pumping it up with no backup date in place. This will also give us much needed time to get our 2012 racing schedule in development.”

The track banquet date will be on November 19th - details will be announced soon. The 2012 schedule will come out during the off season. Please check the track website: www.LoneStarSpeedway.com for the latest updates.

On the behalf of track owners Sam and Lisa Hafertepe, thank you to all of the fans, race teams, track workers and sponsors for making the 2011 racing season such a huge success…and be watching for even bigger events coming for 2012. In the meantime, have a safe and enjoyable Holiday season!

THANK YOU to the FANS and RACE TEAMS that were a part of our LoneStar Sprint Nationals (LSN) on Oct. 13-15.

We had a stellar weekend of wild racing action & we fully plan to host the event again in 2012! Details will be announced sometime during the off season.

For results of the LSN, click the 'schedule' link above.

***SEE EVENT FLYER & FINAL ENTRY LIST POSTED UNDER RESOURCES***

Kilgore, TX (10/2/11) by DarinShort.com. The LoneStar Sprint Nationals is now on the horizon, with races kicking off on Thursday, October 13; culminating with the $12,000 to win and $1,000 to start feature concluding the weekend on October 15. All 130+ of the registered entered sprint car drivers can race all three nights.

If you'd like to see a feature race video clip of last night's RaceSaver Sprint division at LoneStar Speedway, it will give you a good idea what to expect on LSN weekend. Click here to watch the video clip: www.youtube.com/user/DarinShortcom#p/u/6/jiFfq7Qu0Y4

October 1st 'Factory Night Special' brief recap and notes:

-The track was smooth and racy all night long, with drivers advancing from deep in the field throughout the night.

-In the RaceSaver Sprint feature race, Brandon Corn started 7th after a pair of opening lap yellows, then the race when 20 green flag laps. Brandon (white bodied car in video) chased down race leader Raven Culp (red car) late in the race to take the win...only to come up a bit light at the scales. They had just finished putting the car together Saturday morning before they left for the track and thought the car weighed what the other one did...so they'll have that problem resolved for the upcoming LSN when Brandon returns to his Sprint Division ride, while son, Chevy Corn will wheel the RaceSaver entry.

-In the companion 46-car, $2000/win 'Factory Night Special', the 30-lap, 30-car feature race saw eventual winner Jimbo Clayton drive his way from a 16th starting position (he won B#1) to take a well deserved win. The 2nd and 3rd place finishers started 10th and 7th. One driver (the 88x of Billy Meazell) started 9th in his heat race and won, then in the feature made a series of trips to the pit area for flat tires and other issues - he must have passed 50 cars throughout the feature race - and at one point had gotten back up to the 5th spot...before making yet another pit stop for service.

LoneStar Sprint Nationals notes:

-The long range forecast at this moment is showing similar weather conditions as last night, which is highs in the 80's and lows in the 60's. So similar track conditions can be expected for the LSN weekend as shown in the video clip.

-A lot of people have been asking about camping and staying over in the pits. For camping info, please go to the event website: www.darinshort.com/SCN.html then click on the 'fan' link for details. If your team is pitted in the infield (only open trailer teams will be parked in the infield - so all fans can see the track unobstructed), you will not be allowed to camp there. But if you are parked outside the infield, you are welcome to leave your hauler where you are pitted, and you are welcome to sleep in your toter; etc. We will not be 'clearing the pits' other than 15 minutes before gates open, which is at 4:45pm nightly.

-For Sprint Division teams, there is now just one week remaining for pre-entering your team at the discounted rate. After October 10th when online registration closes, Sprint Division teams (only) can register upon their arrival at the track for $150. So if you plan to race in this event, please help us to help you by getting pre-entered; as we want to have a pretty firm idea of the final car count before race day on October 13 to make sure your tow rig has proper parking space...plus it will save you some money.

-We have several host hotels offering discounted rates, visit to the event website and click on 'hotels' for more information.

-Sprint division drivers will also be able to enter the Short Track Nationals during LSN weekend. October 15th is the early postmark deadline for entries. Drivers planning on competing there can save $100 by entering. See Darin for entry forms, as he will be collecting them for Tracey, so drivers can still meet the 'postmark' date while they are competing at the LSN.

-There are no advance ticket sales to this race and you can purchase them at the gate upon your arrival. Adult tickets are just $15 each on Thursday and Friday, and $20 on Saturday. A 3-day adult pass will also be offered at the gate for $40...which is a $10 savings.

Best of luck to all race teams as we're really looking forward to a great weekend of sprint racing action at the LoneStar Sprint Nationals, October 13-15!