The O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions are gearing up for the 2007 season opener on Tuesday February 6th at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL. The teams have spent the winter months preparing for another exciting season of racing that will cover approximately 50 race dates between the months of February and October. The annual kick off to the new racing season will consist of three consecutive nights at Volusia on February 6th, 7th, and 8th. The 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop will then see the World of Outlaws take over for the final 3 nights on February 9th, 10th, and 11th. Teams from the All Stars, Outlaws, PA Posse, and more are expected to compete on the ½ mile all throughout the week of racing.
Volusia Speedway Park was not affected by the devastating storms last Friday that leveled many homes and left thousands without power in the area south of the facility. Track officials have said that all systems are go and ticket sales have been strong. A great crowd is expected to witness what is expected to be some of the highest car counts in the history of this week of events.
O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions drivers Greg Wilson, Danny Smith, and Brandon Martin took advantage of the opportunity to race last week at East Bay Raceway Park to shake their cars down and get some laps in to prepare for the opener at Volusia. Wilson and Smith also competed in the 360 sprint events at East Bay the week before. Smith finished 2nd in the “King of the 360’s†event while Greg Wilson was 6th.
Brandon Martin arrived in Florida just in time for the 410 racing to begin at East Bay. All three drivers had some success in the winged 410 sprint events against some stout competition from all around the country. Danny Smith even took the lid off to compete in the non-wing events and netted a couple of Top 10 finishes. Smith, Martin, and Wilson were able to make the A-main each night with nearly 50 cars in the pits at each event. The best finishing All Star with the lid on was Smith with a 2nd place run as he chased Randy Hannagan to the checkers on Thursday.
The rest of the All Stars will make their way to Florida for the first points race of the season where Greg Wilson will begin defending his 2006 All Star Championship. Brock Mayes is still competing in Australia and will not return until the end of April. Other All Star members expected to compete at Volusia include Paul May, Barry Ruble, Brian Ellenberger, Ed Neumeister, Dale Blaney, Butch Schroeder, and Rookie of the Year contenders Tiffany Wyzard, Craig Mintz, and Brian Paulus. Paulus has committed to running the All Star schedule in 2007 and is eligible for rookie status as he has never competed in more than 35% of the All Star’s scheduled events in any previous season.
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