BUSTI, N.Y. - In February 2010, Fritz Seamens started planning the first visit by the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models to Stateline Speedway.
On Tuesday, that series will make its first appearance at the Busti oval as Roberts Trucking and Davies and Sons sponsor the Empire 50. The series will sanction 46 events in 19 different states in 2012 for the 800 horsepower $70,000 Super Late Model cars.
The Stateline Late Model contingent has been preparing for this event all season and hopes to make sure the $10,000 first place prize goes to a Stateline regular instead of a Lucas traveler. The Empire 50 will pit arguably the best Super Late drivers in the country with our local champions.
Ashville N.Y.'s Dick Barton, with five Super Late Championships, is third in points and coming off of his 75th feature win two weeks ago. That mark leaves him second all time. Waterford's Rich Gardner, 2008 Super Late Champion and current points leader, Garland's David Scott, Jamestown N.Y.'s Chad Valone and Warren's Dutch Davies are just a few of the big-name regulars planning to attend.
The Lucas invaders are lead by Jimmy Owens from Newport, Tn. Owens is the current points leader and defending national champion with over 450 Open Wheel and Dirt Late Model wins.
Martinsville, In.'s Don O'Neal and Mooresburg, Tn.'s Scott Bloomquist will also be on hand, competing for the top prize.
The UEMS E-Mods will be joining the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models for the night's support division. Carl McKinney, Cranberry Township, is the UEMS points leader followed by Olean N.Y.'s Randy Hall. Hall won the UEMS E-Mod Invasion event three weeks ago, edging out Warren's Butch Southwell by just .043 seconds. Southwell is second in Stateline's E-Mod points standings just behind Sherman, N.Y.'s Justin Carlson.
Pits open at 2 p.m. with gates opening at 3 p.m. Hot laps will begin at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.stateline-speedway.com.