Brandon Kinzer realeases 2014 schedule

Allen's Brandon Kinzer has released his 2014 schedule that includes 5 trips to 201 Speedway. Kinzer will also be attending both the Dream 100 and the World 100 at the famed Eldora Speedway.

To view Kinzer's schedule, click on the following link: www.BrandonKinzer.com/Schedule

Preseason Top 10 Drivers Rankings (2/18)

photo taken by B. Meyer Images

1. Steve Francis (Ashland) - Francis is coming off of a 2nd place finish in the 2013 Lucas Oil points standings and has already started off on the right foot getting an early season points win at Golden Isles Speedway in Georgia. Look for a strong 2014 from the Bowyer Racing/Georgia Boot #15.

2. Jackie Boggs (Grayson) - We all know that 4B is fast wherever it shows up. Seems like he won just about every race he showed up to last year and I don't expect all that much to change this year, as Jackie and his team are coming off of a HOT 2013 campaign. Hopefully we can see Jackie at Eldora, Florence, and a few other crown jewel events this year.

3. Eric Wells (Hazard) - Coming off a impressive year in 2013, the young Wells captured the World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year award. Wells has added the former Scott Bloomquist crew chief Tommy Hicks to his team as well this year. Should be an exciting year for Eric.

4. Josh McGuire (Grayson) - I'm not entirely sure if Josh will be able to race this year after fracturing his back in a scary wreck at 201 this past October, but if he doesn't plan to, we will remove him from the rankings once racing kicks off here in EKY. Hopefully we get to see "BAD FAST" wheel that #41 this year though.

5. Chris Combs (Isom) - Combs was one of the hottest drivers after he jumped into his new Swartz car this past summer. He captured wins at several different tracks last year and also raced his way into the DTWC at Portsmouth. He'll be a favorite no matter where he shows up this year in the Bluegrass.

6. Derek Fisher (Olympia) - Fisher was THE man every time he pulled into the pits at 191 this past year. He also got a couple of victories at Richmond and 201. Fisher will be a handful wherever he shows up at in '14.

7. Shannon Thornsberry (Martin) - The 201 track champion was fast last year. Only got into victory lane twice, once at 201 and once at 191, but "Thunder" found a way to finish near the front of every race he was at in 2013. 

8. Brandon Kinzer (Allen) - Kinzer raced more times last year than he has in recent memory. He's got a very fast car and should be used to his MB Customs Chassis now, so look for him to be very strong at 201 and in the south. Would like to see him hit a few more races at Portsmouth and Florence as well.

9. Stephen Breeding (Isom) - Stephen was good last year picking up a big win in his hometown at Lucky 7 Speedway. I expect him to be a very good this year, especially at 201.

10. Michael Paul Howard (Salyersville) - A former 201 track champion that could never really get luck on his side last year, whether it was engine problems, getting caught in a wreck, or whatever, it seemed like just when MPH was about to get a win, something went wrong. Look for him to be a very strong contender for a 201 track championship and it wouldn't surprise me to see him move a few spots on this list.

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I like ranking these drivers to get the pot stirred a little bit before all these guys get behind the wheel, however from about the 4th ranked position on back, the drivers are about as even as you can get. Other drivers in the area, like Jamie Ferguson, Chris Wilson, Brandon Fouts, DJ Wells, Raymond Nichols, Paul Harris, Terry Hicks, etc could all be considered for a spot on this ranking. We're fortunate as fans to have as deep and a strong field of drivers from our area. Super late model racing and dirt racing in general is very popular in this region and we as fans need to get out and show our appreciation to these drivers, track owners, promoters, etc. 

Can't wait to see that mud fly!!! It's only a few weeks away.

Carrier Jr wins night #1 at East Bay

Picture by @DirtonDirt 

Local driver Eddie Carrier Jr continues his impressive speedweeks run at East Bay Raceway just outside of Tampa, Florida, as Carrier Jr wins $5000 over the youngster, Devin Moran.

Carrier Jr set the new track record during qualifying and led from start to finish in his heat and the A-main feature. He had to hold off the up-and-coming Devin Moran, who has also had a good speedweeks thus far. 

Top 10 finish:

1. Eddie Carrier Jr

2. Devin Moran 

3. Brandon Sheppard

4. Brian Shirley

5. Billy Moyer Jr.

6. Greg Satterlee

7. Billy Moyer

8. Ray Cook

9. Jared Landers

10. Dennis Erb Jr.

Tomorrow night is night #2 from the East Bay Winternationals and Eddie and some of the other best late model drivers in the country will be competing again for $5000.

Steve Francis and teammate Don O'Neal did not participate in tonight's race. I assume they're saving their equipment for the Lucas Oil points races.

Josh Hall's 2014 Swartz

Floyd County late model driver Josh Hall just about has his 2014 Swartz race car ready for the upcoming season.

Best of luck to Josh this year!

Francis wins Lucas Oil finale at Golden Isles

Ashland's Steve Francis captured his first victory of the 2014 season last night at the Golden Isles Speedway finale for the Lucas Oil Series.

Francis held off another local favorite in Eddie Carrier Jr, as both started on the front row.

Top 5 finish:
1. Steve Francis
2. Eddie Carrier Jr
3. Earl Pearson Jr
4. Scott Bloomquist
5. Brandon Sheppard

Congrats to Steve & Eddie!

Photo taken by B. Meyer Images 

Madden wins first Lucas Oil points race of 2014

Chris "Smokey" Madden took the checkered flag last night at Golden Isles Speedway in Georgia, earning the $10,000 payday. Madden held off Clint Bowyer Racings, Don O'Neal on a flat right rear.

It was the second feature of the day yesterday, as rain postponed Thursday nights $5,000 to win non-points race to yesterday afternoon. Johnathon Davenport swept the afternoon event, as he was the fast qualifier, won his heat, and the feature.

Madden set the fast time in group A while the afternoon winner Johnathon Davenport set the fast time in group B. Madden, O'neal, Pearson Jr, and Moyer Jr where your heat race winners..

Steve Francis captured a 7th place finish and Eddie Carrier Jr finished 8th.

Top 5 finish :
1. Chris Madden
2. Don O'Neal
3. Earl Pearson Jr
4. John Blankenship
5. Greg Satterlee

Pic taken by Rick Schwallie Photography 

Francis finishes 8th as Davenport wins day race at Golden Isles

Mother nature postponed last night's 25 lap Lucas Oil Series feature from Georgia's Golden Isles Speedway to this afternoon.

Fast qualifier Johnathon Davenport led from start to finish, as he held off Brandon Sheppard, who was piloting Josh Richards Rocket house car.

Ashland native, Steve Francis finished 8th and Eddie Carrier Jr failed to make the A-main.

Top 5:

1. Johnathon Davenport 

2. Brandon Sheppard 

3. Earl Pearson Jr 

4. Billy Moyer Jr 

5. Tim McCreadie 

Racing continues again tonight from Golden Isles Speedway.

Via @gispeedway