Srca Great Bend Ks 2-20-10

Feb. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Preview                                  2-19-2010

 Possibly  the most historic track in NHRA “High and Mighty” Division V competition, the Sunflower Rod & Custom Association Drag Strip  in Great Bend, KS  has earned a reputation for hosting  great Sportsman Class racing, and is pleased to announce the annual return of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series or LODRS, “Thunder on the Plains,” events’ April 22nd-25th, 2010. The festival of speed returns to the true birth-place of organized drag racing on the site of the first   NHRA U.S. ‘National’ in 1955.
 The track and all concrete pit stalls are operated and maintained by a group of volunteers from the SRCA, Great Bend and, proceeds from regular point  races, big bracket’s, ‘grudge night racing, and special events throughout each season are used on improvement projects at the facility. The Compu-Link scoring system, live timing, and all new tower and concession area’s were made possible by donated materials, event revenue, and of course the die-hard racers and volunteers who call Great Bend the ‘home’ track. Full service shower  facilities can be found next door to the tower and are always free for competitors. Many of the men and women who maintain the historic facility also compete in Sportsman classes and have become masters of track prep, clean up, and emergency procedures but, all volunteers have ‘day’ jobs and some use vacation time in order to host the Lucas Oil Series. These men and women worked together in ‘08-09' to complete many projects a tornado had made ‘necessity’, but to do it for free goes to show the great character the volunteers of the club posses in abundance. When your cause is pure speed  it ‘is’ cool, and that spirit is always alive here at the ‘true’ birthplace of ‘National’ drag racing.                                                                                                                                                     The history of the track is cherished not only in town but, by the surrounding Santa Fe Trail communities as well. Fort Larned, Fort Hays, and Dodge City still stand as monuments  of the ‘Old West’ and each of the landmark cities is within an hour or so of the track. The State of Kansas Historical Society honored the racing surface with distinction as one of the states most historic Sites, and local attractions like the Brit Spaugh Zoo, Cheyenne Bottoms National Wildlife Refuge, and the Quivira Heights Wetlands draw bird watching societies and sporting enthusiasts from around the world. The B-29 Memorial, around the corner and south of the track, acknowledges Great Bend’s role in World War II as a  base for bomber crews but also salutes the brave men and women in service  here during WWII.
 Many memorable people have come from the area and, Jack Kilby Square in downtown Great Bend salutes the Nobel Prize winning Physicist born here in 1923. Skip Yowell, founder-owner of the Jansport Corporation, was also  raised here, and  NCAA Division I all-time scoring leader and WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2000, Jackie Stiles, hails from northern Barton County.
 Just less than 500 hotels rooms are available within the city limits, with  a vast array of ‘national’ and ‘home-style’ restaurants. Service providers throughout the area warmly display welcome and good luck greetings to the NHRA racers on their storefronts for many events yearly, and ‘Lucas competitor specials’ can be found in many locations in this Central KS shopping hub.
 The 2009' LODRS has been the most successful since the race’s inception with just more than 400 entries, but with  ability to host 500 plus cars on concrete, the SRCA can accommodate further growth in the future. Cars were drawn here from all over the US and Canada  in 09', and although finals were delayed by weather until June 27, the SRCA  saw more than a 90% return rate for‘Thunder on the Plains’ finals. No fewer than two National records were broken on April 25 during LODRS qualifying and under the right conditions the track is always fast enough to satisfy most racers.  
 The SRCA Great Bend cordially invites racers and fans alike to come and partake of the storied history and, see for yourself why the NHRA chose this old airfield in the  middle of America to sow the seeds that have now grown into the ‘modern-day’ U.S. National event.                                   Full event passes are available for $45 while a two-day will be $35. Individual ticket prices are $5 for Thursday, $10 for Friday qualifying, and $20 for Saturday qualifiers and Sunday final rounds. All tickets allow access to pit areas and children under 12 are always free.
 Please visit srcadragstrip.com for race schedule, Lucas Oil pre-race updates, or visitgreatbend.com, greatbendks.net, and greatbend.org for more info and links to special discounts at participating sponsors and community events.