The wait is over. It's time to get back to work and prepare for the 2018 season of racing in the incredibly competitive Lucas Oil Modified Series presented by MAVTV.
The 13th season for the best short-track touring series in the West will consist of 11 races - 10 that count in the Hoosier Tire West point standings and one that doesn't but does offer the possibility of a nice payday to close what should be the most lucrative season in series history thanks to Hoosier Tire West, new sponsors SpillVak and Downforce Racing Products, and the series' other contingency donors.
Hoosier Tire West, a partner since the formation of the series, has generously added $10,000 to the points fund paid to the top 15 drivers, bringing that total to $25,900, and all the added money will go to the drivers finishing second through 15th in the standings.
Downforce Racing Products has stepped in to sponsor the series Rookie of the Year competition, which in just three seasons has become one of the most coveted prizes in short track racing, and SpillVak, which has proven it is One Tough Sucker by becoming the industry leader in carcinogen-free fluid absorption and track cleanup products, has joined the series by sponsoring the SpillVak Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown is a series of three races - in Bakersfield, California (Kern County Raceway) June 30, Irwindale, California, August 18, and Las Vegas November 17 - that will pay $1,000 to the driver accumulating the most points and lesser awards to the second- through fifth-place finishers.
"SpillVak is thrilled to be part of the Lucas Oil Modified Series for 2018 and proud to be the title sponsor of the SpillVak One Tough Sucker Triple Crown," marketing coordinator Tiana Sipe said.
"SpillVak believes the Lucas Oil Modified Series race teams need the quickest- acting, most effective, dust-free, carcinogen-free cleanup process possible. We researched all of the traditionally accepted absorbents and we knew there had to be a better way. From these beliefs, SpillVak was born!"
In addition to the programs being sponsored by Hoosier Tire, SpillVak and Downforce, K&N Filters is sponsoring the Trophy Dash/B Main program that pays $500 at each event.
The drivers finishing fifth, 10th and 15th in the point standings will get $600 worth of Lucas Oil Products; FAST EZ-EFI and Optima Batteries will pay $200 per race to the winners of the Fast Time and Hard Charger awards, respectively, and $500 bonuses to the driver who wins the most of those awards; SuperClean will pay $100 a race to the driver getting the Lucy Dog award for being the first driver one lap down and a pair of award banquet tickets to the driver with the most awards; Sunoco Race Fuel will present the Winner Circle awards at each event; and General Tire is sponsoring the series' tow money program, which pays a minimum of $300 for each event to all teams in the top 24 of the point standings.
