DRESDEN, OH (June 27, 2007)-National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH completed a fairly successful weekend with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series this past Friday and Saturday.  On Friday Night at Fayetteville (NC) Motor Speedway Donnie would be credited with a 12^th place finish after running in the top ten for most of the race.  On Saturday Night at Virginia Motor Speedway in Saluda, VA and before the cameras of SPEED Channel Donnie would have his best Lucas Oil Series finish of the year when he finished a close second to Earl Pearson, Jr.

 

On Friday Night Donnie was running as high as eighth place when a brake caliper broke on the car.  Donnie was running well despite the broken part, but on a restart after a caution flag entering turn number one another car cut down on the right front of his #99 MasterSbilt Impala SS forcing Donnie to get sideways with several other cars involved in the accident.  Donnie would restart on the tail end of the lead lap cars and work his way back up to a 12^th place finish at the pay window.

 

On Saturday Night Donnie would finish third in his heat race earning the ninth starting spot in the A-main.  Donnie would gradually make his way to the front as he moved into the second position by the 23^rd lap of the 50 lap event.  Donnie then would pressure race leader Earl Pearson, Jr. until the checkers flew finishing second by less than two car lengths.  Donnie had several good runs on Pearson coming off of turn number two but could never pass Pearson, who was driving a brand new MasterSbilt Chassis. 

 

Donnie also debuted last weekend some new Integra Shocks on his race car which seemed to improve his performance as he came back on Monday Night, June 25 and won the Super Late Model Feature at the Federated Auto Parts Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH. 

 

After last weekend’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events Donnie is currently sixth in the championship point’s standings.  The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series continues to be the most competitive touring series for Dirt Late Models as 13 different drivers have won events with the series this year in 18 events.  Donnie has finished third in the last two final points standings and has three career series wins since 2005.

 

Donnie will be back in action this upcoming weekend and the Fourth of July week.  On Friday and Saturday he will participate in the “Firecracker 100” at Lernerville (PA) Speedway and then resume his Lucas Oil Series schedule on Sunday Night, July 1 at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park and on Tuesday Night, July 3 at his home track, Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville, OH.  Both events will pay $10,000 to win.  For more information on the Ohio events you can log on to www.portsraceway.com and www.mcspeedway.20m.com.

 

Donnie commented on racing in his home state with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. “I have raced a lot of events at PRP and have won there several times, it is a great race track, It will be the first Lucas Oil race at Portsmouth and I hope it goes real well so many we’ll come back more often,” said the 44 year old racer.  As far as Muskingum County Speedway is concerned does he fell more pressure running in front of the local fans?  “Oh yeah it does add some more pressure to you, not only with the racing but with the track itself asking you to do this or that or whatever it takes to put on a show, you know they have a fireworks display like no tomorrow and I am looking forward to racing there and keeping up the momentum from last weekend.” 

 

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series announced in January that it has signed a three-year agreement with SPEED Channel to broadcast on a tape delayed basis up to 40 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events in the next three years.  SPEED Channel is currently seen in over 70 million households nationwide. For more information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can log on to www.lucasdirt.com.

 

Marketing opportunities with the Donnie Moran Racing Team for the remainder of the 2007 racing season are available by contacting Donnie Moran at (740) 607-2299 or (740) 754-2299.  The official website for the team is located at www.donniemoran.com.

 

Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings (After June 23, 2007)

 

1)      Earl Pearson, Jr.-2480

2)      Steve Casebolt-2380

3)      Scott James-2375

4)      Terry English-2255

5)      Dan Schlieper-2095

6)      Donnie Moran-2015

7)      Justin Rattliff-1940

8)      Billy Drake-1855

9)      Damon Eller-1795

10)  Brad Neat-1725

       2007 Donnie Moran Racing Sponsors:  Eddie’s Sunoco, Custom Cutters, PBM Performance Products, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Vic Hill Racing Engines Kerry Harris Racing Engines, Muskingum County Speedway, Forrest Part NAPA, Accu-Force Shock Dyno, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Dry Sump Oil System, Bazell Oil Company, Brad Penn Oil, Brinn Transmissions, Calico Coatings, Camair, CP Pistons, Crower, CV Products, Dan Olsen Racing Products, Edelbrock, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignition, Outerwears Company, Inc., Peterson Fluid Systems, Rapco Racing, Inc., Rapture Racing Carburetors, Ringers Gloves, Rod End Supply, Setrab Oil Coolers, Simpson, Sparkplugs.com, Speed Bear Fasteners, Sunoco Race Fuels, Sweet Mfg., Swift Springs, T&D Machine Products