This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
West Valley City • The Lucas Oil Modifieds Series makes a stop in Utah on Saturday night, when the BILSTEIN Shocks Great Salt Lake 75 headlines racing at Rocky Mountain Raceways.
Considered one of the fastest-growing regional series in the country, the Lucas Oil schedule this season includes nine races at six venues in the western United States.
The series opened in March, runs into November and features drivers from California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho and Utah. They are all chasing a season-points championship.
A handful of locally based drivers will join the series regulars for the race at Rocky Mountain Raceways, led by Michael Hale and Lynn Hardy. Hale is the two-time defending champion of RMR's Maverik Modified Series. Hardy is a five-time former champion of the series.
"We're going to try to fend off the guys coming in from out of town," Hale said. "It's always fun when you have [drivers] come in from all over — who you don't race against all the time. It gives you a chance to see how you stack up."
Now in his 23rd season of racing, Hale lives in West Jordan. He is a construction equipment salesman during the workweek.
"I hope we can represent Salt Lake well," he said.
Gates for Saturday's racing will open at 4 p.m. The green flag for the first race drops at 6:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at smithstix.com or at the track's on-site box office. Reserved seating is $25. Adult general admission is $20. General admission for children (5-12) is $10.