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OCRS SPRINT CARS AT HISTORICAL THUNDERBIRD SPEEDWAY SATURDAY!
by John Lemon
Tulsa, Oklahoma (August 16, 2010) - Sprint cars from the Oil Capital Racing Series will present an auto racing extravaganza this Saturday night at the historic Thunderbird Speedway. For the first time in several years, open wheel racing fans will get to witness these specialized racing machines roar down the longest straights the region has to offer and the speeds will be incredible. Located on the fairgrounds of Muskogee Oklahoma, Thunderbird Speedway has several historical chapters in the annuals of the Oklahoma auto racing scene. Once designed to run the "traditional horsepower" of racing thoroughbred horses starting in1903, the dirt oval officially became the Thunderbird Speedway where auto racing would reign supreme in 1955. Thunderbird Speedway flourished in the 1960's and 70's with their classes of hobby stocks, late models and super modifieds.
History shows Thunderbird Speedway has produced a distinguished list of open wheel racing hero's that have graced the large one-half mile racing surface over the years. In earlier seasons, local drivers such as Bill Sanders, Charlie Randolph, Bob and Joe Ballard, Lee Hull, Ray Rainey and Tom Laster were just a few Muskogee area wheelmen who had successful careers at Thunderbird.
Tulsa area drivers would roll into T-Bird on Friday nights and make an onslaught attempt in taking local cash from these local stars. These drivers included: 'Little" Joe Siefried, Al Lemmons, Buddy Cagle, 'Pistol' Pete York, 'Racer' Ray Crawford, Emmett 'Sugar' Hahn, Benny 'Wahoo' Taylor, Jackie Howerton, Junior Taft and former Thunderbird and Tulsa Speedway promoter Stan Durrett.
Thunderbird Speedway had been sitting idle since it's closing in 2003. Then this year, former local racer Stanley Slader has come to Thunderbird as it's newest promoter and re-opened the classic track. This Saturday night will mark the ninth different track the OCRS sprint cars will have competed on in 2010. 15 OCRS events have been contested to date with six different feature winners visiting victory lane. No team has useable track notes for the return to Thunderbird thus the event sets up for a wide open affair amongst the stout field of competitors that will compete.
Pit gates open at 5pm and grandstand gates open at 6pm.
Hot laps begin at 7:15pm with racing getting underway at 8pm.
OCRS drivers meeting starts at 6:45pm.
Fans are allowed to bring their own lawn and/or lounge chairs for additional comfort seating.
Coolers are not permitted.
For track directions, click on the fairgrounds link: www.muskogeefairgrounds.org
Track website: http://www.thunderbirdspeedwaymuskogee.yolasite.com/
Phone Information: Stanley Slater: (918) 682-7977
Dennis Slater: (918) 869-6955
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