7/12/2017
Midwest Stock Car Tour
Gash Readies for Double Header Weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Chebanse, IL) Lukes Gash has done it all in the UMP Street Stock division. The twenty-four-year-old driver has amassed forty-three feature wins in his four-year stock car racing career. He captured the illustrious Earl J. Hubert Memorial in his 2013 rookie season, one of his ten feature wins that year. 2015 was his stand out season though. Twenty-two feature wins, Fairbury American Legion Track Champion, UMP Street Stock Northern Illinois Champion, and UMP Street Stock National Champion as well as special race victories at Charleston Speedway, Farmer City Raceway, and Peoria Speedway.
With everything he has accomplished in his short racing career, there are a few things he has not, and he looks to change that this weekend as the Midwest Street Stock Championship heads into events at Macon Speedway and Spoon River Speedway.
Gash has just one appearance at the 1/5th mile bullring at Macon, which came in 2015 at the John Osman Memorial. Gash was running towards the front of the pack in the feature before the rear end gear let go, relegating him to a DNF and a 12th place finish. UMP Street Stocks have been absent from the 3/8th mile Spoon River Speedway. "We've never been to Spoon so I'm not really sure what to expect."
Heading into this weekend's events at Macon and Spoon River, Gash is excited about the Double Header and two very unique tracks and surfaces. "You have a 1/5th mile bullring that you've got to be up on the wheel at all times then turn around and have the largest track of the series which is more of a momentum/keep your speed up type of venue." He also realizes that several drivers pose serious threats because of driving styles at these tracks. "I think guys like Jeremy Nichols and Dave Crawley, JR. are going to be really tough to beat at Macon because that place really fits their driving style and they frequent there often," Gash said. "Spoon River, on the other hand, is going to be more of a Jerrad Krick and Josh Griffith type of track where guys like them, who are smooth lap after lap, will find their way to the front."
Gash currently leads the Driven Racing Oil Fast Time Point Standings and sits second in Midwest Street Stock Championship point standings, a mere two points behind Jeremy Nichols. After a sixth-place finish at the FALS Flash 20, Gash was critical of himself, "We've put ourselves right where we need to be in the points battle being only 2 points behind Nichols, even with a less than stellar performance at Fairbury." He remains optimistic with both events this weekend paying double points in all series categories. "The double points for both nights are really going to ratchet the importance to not only finish both nights but to finish well each night."
After this weekend, the Midwest Street Stock Championship only has three events remaining. "This weekend will really set the tone for the final stretch of the MSSC and I believe will separate the field. This is such a cool deal that Greg and Tony put together and I'm really proud to be a part of it and to be representing my sponsors and crew members so well."
MSSC Championship Point Standings
- Jeremy Nichols 196
- Luke Gash -2
- Jerrad Krick -8
- Dave Crawley, Jr. -10
-. Nick Macklin -10 - Darrell Dick -22
-. Chad Rockefeller -22 - Dane Arvin -44
-. Josh Griffith -44 - Dennis Wernle -56
MSSC Driven Racing Oil Fast Time Point Standings
- Luke Gash 199
- Jerrad Krick -6
- Darrell Dick -7
- Josh Griffith -13
- Jeremy Nichols -15
MSSC JAZ Products Dash Point Standings
- Jerrad Krick 200
- Luke Gash -101
- Dave Crawley, Jr. -102
- Jeremy Nichols -103
- Darrell Dick -104
- Nick Macklin -105
MSSC Dirt Trackin' Hard Charger Point Standings
- Dennis Wernle 12
- Dave Crawley, Jr. -4
-. Chad Rockefeller -4 - Justin Crowell -5
-. Andy Thompson -5
MSSC Side Bite Designs and Race Wraps Rookie of the Year Point Standings
- Dane Arvin 190
- Wes Biesenthal -40
- Sean Leatherman -54
- Andy Thompson -90
- Justin Crowell -92
The Midwest Street Stock Championship is proud to partner with the following companies for the 2017 racing season:
- Driven Racing Oil (Official Sponsor of the 2017 Fast Time Award)
- JAZ Products (Official Sponsor of the 2017 Dash Award)
- Dirt Trackin' (Official Sponsor of the 2017 Hard Charger Award)
- Side Bite Designs and Race Wraps (Official Sponsor of the 2017 Rookie of the Year Award)
- JT Plaques + (Official Trophy Provider)
- BrakeOMeter®
- XS Power Batteries
- AutoMeter Competition Instruments
- Saldana Racing Products
- Radical Racegear (Official Safety Apparel Company)
- Hoosier Racing Tire
- RockAuto.com
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