Florence Speedway in the Spotlight with Richest Weekend in Track History
Story By: TRAVIS BRANCH / LUCAS OIL DIRT LM SERIES MEDIA Photos By: THESPORTSWIRE.NET / RACERSGUIDE.COM
WAYCROSS, GA- August 5, 2016- One of the most highly anticipated events of the season is just one week away. The richest weekend in Florence Speedway history will take place Thursday-Saturday, August 11th-13th.
The blockbuster weekend will kick off with the largest, single-day event in dirt late model racing in 2016 on Thursday, August 11th. The 30th Annual “Ralph Latham Memorial,” held in honor of the late Ralph Latham, will boast an impressive $30,000 top prize. The event will feature a complete program of: Miller Welders Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains – highlighted by the 75-lap, $30,000-to-win main event. The Open Wheel Modifieds will also compete in a full program for $1,000-to-win.
Ralph Latham, a long-time Cincinnati area racer, lost his battle with cancer in August of 1986. Since then, the historic, 1/2-mile oval has produced some of the most memorable events in series history. Jonathan Davenport returns as the defending Ralph Latham Memorial winner.
Friday’s action will include: Hot Laps, double Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Heat Races, along with Heat Races and B-Mains for the Modified division to kick off the 34th Annual Sunoco Race Fuels North/South 100 – Presented by Lucas Oil. The annual fan/racer appreciation party will follow Friday night’s on-track activities.
The 2016 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will kick off the festivities on Saturday, August 13th, followed by LOLMDS B-Mains. Afterwards, the Modifieds will compete in their $2,000-to-win feature before the 100-lap, $50,000-to-win Sunoco North/South 100 main event takes center stage. The 30-lap, $2,500-to-win Non-Qualifiers race will cap off the weekend.
The revised North/South 100 format has produced some of the most pulse-pounding, edge of your seat racing action in the history of the crown jewel event. Drivers will battle fiercely in two rounds of heat races on Friday night, earning passing points to determine Saturday night’s B-Main and Feature starting grids. Jonathan Davenport claimed his first career North/South 100 victory – a year ago – over Scott Bloomquist, Mike Marlar, Dale McDowell, and Jared Landers.
Sunoco Race Fuels is the “Official Fuel” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and proud sponsor of the Sunoco North/South 100. Winning on today’s racing circuit requires more than being an exceptional driver and having a well-built car. It takes high-performance racing fuels that are willing to go the distance – fuels like those produced by Sunoco. With an expanded product line, Sunoco offers drivers more choices than ever before. For the performance your engine is designed to deliver, consistently choose Sunoco Race Fuels. To learn more, contact Sunoco Race Fuels at 1-800-RACE-GAS (1-800-722-3427), or visit their website at www.racegas.com.
Florence Speedway is located in Northern Kentucky, approximately 25 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio on US 42. Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.florencespeedway.com, or call the speedway office at (859) 493-0034.
The Official Host Hotel of Florence Speedway is the Hilton Cincinnati Airport, located at Exit 182 (Turfway Road) off I-75/71 in Florence, Kentucky. For reservations, call (859) 371-4400 and request the Florence Speedway rate, or book online at: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/C/CVGCHHF-FSW-20160811/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG.
Florence Speedway
Phone Number: 859-485-7591
Tracks Promoter: Josh King
Location: 12234 US Hwy 42, Walton, KY 41094
Website: www.florencespeedway.com
Ralph Latham Memorial Event Purse:
$30,000-to-win: 1. $30,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,750, 5. $2,250, 6. $1,800, 7. $1,500, 8. $1,300, 9. $1,280, 10. $1,260, 11. $1,240, 12. $1,220, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,200, 15. $1,200, 16. $1,200, 17. $1,200, 18. $1,200, 19. $1,200, 20. $1,200, 21. $1,200, 22. $1,200, 23. $1,200, 24. $1,200
Sunoco North/South 100 Event Purse:
$50,000-to-win: 1. $50,000, 2. $10,000, 3. $7,000, 4. $5,000, 5. $4,000, 6. $3,800, 7. $3,600, 8. $3,400, 9. $3,350, 10. $3,300, 11. $3,250, 12. $3,200, 13. $3,150, 14. $3,125, 15. $3,100, 16. $3,075, 17. $3,050, 18. $3,025, 19. $3,000, 20. $3,000, 21. $3,000, 22. $3,000, 23. $3,000, 24. $3,000, 25. $3,000
Previous Ralph Latham Memorial Winners:
1987 – Bobby Carnes
1988 – Bob Pierce
1989 – John Gill
1990 – Jack Boggs
1991 – Scott Bloomquist
1992 – Jack Boggs
1993 – Jack Boggs
1994 – Billy Moyer
1995 – Donnie Moran
1996 – Billy Moyer
1997 – Steve Francis
1998 – Bart Hartman
1999 – Bart Hartman
2000 – Darrell Lanigan
2001 – R.J. Conley
2002 – Steve Francis
2003 – Scott James
2004 – Mike Jewel
2005 – Don O’Neal
2006 – Scott Bloomquist
2007 – Steve Casebolt
2008 – Jimmy Owens
2009 – Jimmy Owens
2010 – Earl Pearson Jr.
2011 – Don O’Neal
2012 – Don O’Neal
2013 – Rained Out
2014 – Jimmy Owens
2015 – Jonathan Davenport
Previous Sunoco North/South 100 – Presented by Lucas Oil Winners:
1983 – Pat Patrick
1984 – Pat Patrick
1985 – John Mason
1986 – Jack Boggs
1987 – Jeff Purvis
1988 – Scott Bloomquist
1989 – Jeff Purvis
1990 – Mike Head
1991 – Rodney Combs
1992 – Jack Boggs
1993 – John Gill
1994 – Jack Boggs
1995 – John Gill
1996 – Donnie Moran
1997 – Rick Aukland
1998 – Donnie Moran
1999 – Bob Pierce
2000 – Scott Bloomquist
2001 – Rained Out
2002 – Chub Frank
2003 – Dan Schlieper
2004 – Steve Shaver
2005 – Bart Hartman
2006 – Steve Shaver
2007 – Jimmy Owens
2008 – Darren Miller
2009 – Jimmy Mars
2010 – Jimmy Owens
2011 – Jimmy Owens
2012 – Don O’Neal
2013 – Don O’Neal
2014 – Eddie Carrier Jr.
2015 – Jonathan Davenport
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