FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

BATAVIA, OHIO (October 14, 2018) - The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is set to cap off an electrifying 2018 season with one of the most thrilling crown jewel events of the year. The 38th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries - will take place October 18th-20th, at Portsmouth Raceway Park in Portsmouth, Ohio.

The weekend will get underway on Thursday night, October 18th with preliminary events for the Modified division. Friday, October 19th the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will Hot Lap and have two rounds of qualifying Heat Races - with the passing points total from both rounds determining Saturday night's B-Main and Feature line-ups.

On Saturday night, a driver autograph session will take place in the vendor midway area. Afterwards, consolation events for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be held, followed by the $4,000-to-win Modified main event and the Jim Dunn Memorial Non-Qualifier Race. The top-26 drivers that did not transfer into the Dirt Track World Championship (via preliminary events) will be eligible to start the $3,000-to-win, $200-to-start, non-qualifiers race - held prior to the main event. The winner of the 30-lap, Jim Dunn Memorial has the choice of keeping their $3,000 winnings, or forfeiting their earnings to start last in the main event. The 100-lap, $100,000-to-win, Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries - main event will cap off the weekend's on-track action.

At the conclusion of Saturday night's main event, Jonathan Davenport will be crowned the 2018 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion. Mason Zeigler will join Davenport in the championship celebration - earning the 2018 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year - Presented by Hot Rod Processing.

For more information on the 38th Annual Rhino Ag Dirt Track World Championship - Presented by Optima Batteries, visit: www.thedtwc.com; www.portsraceway.com; or call (740) 354-3278.

About Rhino Ag:
Rhino is a leader in the agricultural equipment industry with emphasis on tractor mounted rotary cutters and flail grass mowers, front end tractor loaders, backhoes, and hay mowers; rear blades, post hole diggers, finishing mowers, rotary tillers, boom cutters, and landscape rakes. Rhino equipment is used in agricultural, commercial, or industrial mowing applications, landscape preparation, pasture aeration, roadside maintenance, and many other farm and ranch applications. Three-point, pull-type, and semi-mount units are available. For more information, visit: www.rhinoag.com.

About Optima Batteries:
With a 40-year history of technological innovation and engineering, Optima products offer unstoppable power for extreme enthusiasts and others who require "The Ultimate Power Source." In the past decade, Optima has revolutionized the industry with the introduction of its unique Spiralcell Technology, as well as developing the first digital battery charger and maintainer. Additional information can be obtained by visiting: www.optimabatteries.com.

Lucas Oil Championship Standings:

Track Information:
Portsmouth Raceway Park
Phone Number: (740) 354-3278
Location: 25648 State Route 73, West Portsmouth, OH 45663
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 38.76585 - Longitude: -83.01739
Directions: 0.5 mile south of US 52 on SR 73, then right just before bridge
Website: www.portsraceway.com

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier Rib 28.5 1300, 1425
Right Rear - Hoosier 01, 04, LM40

*Must use the same set of 4 tires for both Heat Races on Friday.
*For the B-Mains, competitors may use 4 new tires.
*For the Non-Qualifiers Race, competitors must use the same 4 tires from the B-Mains.
*For the A-Main, competitors may use 4 new tires.
*Cutting and/or siping of any tire IS allowed.

Dirt Track World Championship Purse: 1. $100,000, 2. $20,000 3. $10,000, 4. $7,000 5. $5,000, 6. $3,500, 7. $3,200, 8. $3,000, 9. $2,800, 10. $2,500, 11. $2,450, 12. $2,400, 13. $2,350, 14. $2,300, 15. $2,250, 16. $2,200, 17. $2,150, 18. $2,100, 19. $2,075, 20. $2,060, 21. $2,050, 22. $2,040, 23. $2,030, 24. $2,020, 25. $2,010, 26. $2,000

DirtonDirt.com Jim Dunn Memorial Purse: 1. $3,000, 2. $1,500, 3. $1,250, 4. $1,000, 5. $900, 6. $800, 7. $750, 8. $700, 9. $650, 10. $600, 11. $500, 12. $400, 13. $350, 14. $300, 15. $250, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200, 25. $200, 26. $200

Previous Dirt Track World Championship Winners:
1981 - Jim Dunn
1982 - Charlie Swartz
1983 - Freddy Smith
1984 - Jack Boggs
1985 - Freddy Smith
1986 - Billy Moyer
1987 - Larry Moore
1988 - Donnie Moran
1989 - John Mason
1990 - Jack Boggs
1991 - Freddy Smith
1992 - Ronnie Johnson
1993 - Freddy Smith
1994 - Ronnie Johnson
1995 - Jack Boggs
1996 - Billy Moyer
1997 - Marshall Green
1998 - Freddy Smith
1999 - Steve Francis
2000 - Wendell Wallace
2001 - Bart Hartman
2002 - Shannon Babb
2003 - Darrell Lanigan
2004 - Rick Eckert
2005 - Scott Bloomquist
2006 - Shannon Babb
2007 - Chub Frank
2008 - Brian Birkhofer
2009 - Jimmy Mars
2010 - Earl Pearson Jr.
2011 - Don O'Neal
2012 - Jimmy Owens
2013 - Brandon Sheppard
2014 - Scott Bloomquist
2015 - Scott Bloomquist
2016 - Brandon Sheppard