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WSORR “Showdown in the Show-Me State” Race Report
Short Course Off-Road Racing a Contact Sport?
Lake Zurich, IL (September 27, 2007) - The Sticker Dude
Motorsports caravan headed to the World Series of Off-Road Racing’s
newest venue, the “Diamond in the Dirt” in Wheatland, Missouri. The
final stop of the 2007 season would give the team one last
opportunity to improve their positions in the Championship
standings. All three team members have battled adversity throughout
the year, but like true professionals, the team has always comeback
stronger the next time out.
The Lucas Oil Speedway is one incredible short track racing
facility. The ½ mile high banked dirt oval is in the middle of a
stadium-type setting. There are concrete grandstands along both
straight-aways, with two levels of corporate skyboxes, and a large,
fully paved pit area. The actual off-road track wound its way
through the dirt oval, and then made a loop behind Turn 3 and 4. The
track was very technical in its design. There were two large jumps
heading into and out of the circle track area, along with a couple
of switchback sections, and a very challenging rhythm section. The
0.82 mile long track saw the PRO-Light competitors turning laps in
62-66 second range.
Steven Federico – PRO-Light #24
Saturday –Round 12
Due to the design of the track, the starting grid was only six
trucks wide. This made for a confusing starting inversion;
nevertheless, the fourteen lap race went on. The start saw several
trucks jump the start. Quickly, the grid workers attempted to
realign the grid, but before this happened, the starter dropped the
green flag. While this was going on, Steve Federico put his truck in
neutral, figuring there would be enough time catch his breath, and
get ready for the restart. Obviously, the mayhem caught Steven and
his #24 Invisible Glass Sticker Dude Designs PF Chang's Hankook Tire
Toyota Tacoma off guard.
Entering the first turn, Steven was dead last. Quickly, the #24 ran
clean lines, made several exciting passes on the highly technical
course, and crossed the finish line in sixth place. It wasn’t the
finish he was hoping for, but there still was a chance for third
place in the Championship standings going into the final round.
In order to finish in third place for the Championship, Steven
needed to finish five positions ahead of Art Schmidt in the final
round. This would be a difficult task, but crazier things have
happened.
Sunday-Round 13
The final round of racing in the WSORR season seemed to bring out
some very aggressive driving. Right from the start, the tension was
an all –time high. As the PRO-Light field headed for the first turn,
Steven took evasive action to avoid #30 Oberg as his truck literally
flew over the Invisible Glass Toyota. Then heading into the rhythm
section for the first time, Steven caught a slower truck and tried
to slow down to prevent contact, but there wasn’t enough room. The
two trucks hit, and Steven ended on top of #30 Brandt. By the time
he got going again, all hope of finishing five positions ahead of
Art Schmidt seemed to be gone.
Then Steven saw Schmidt upside down in the back loop. Maybe there
was still a chance. Then a few laps later, as the #24 came into the
hairpin turn, someone made hard contact into the rear of the truck.
The rear suspension was damaged and the ring and pinion gear
cracked. The hope for the podium was over. Steven continued to limp
around to the finish. Officially he crossed the line in seventh
place.
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Afterwards Steven Federico commented, “I knew it was a long shot
to move up in the standings, but it still was a shot. This track
is rough, but it was sure fun to drive. With a few small changes
this will really be an awesome place to race. “
“I really want to thank; A.J. and Chris for all the hard work and
long hours both on and off the track, Jason and Jason for their
work with the team and keeping our Hankook Tires performing their
best, my girlfriend, Mary who makes sure I have everything I need
to go racing, my team, back home at Lake & Green Bay Auto Repair,
who keep the shop running while I’m out racing and promoting our
race team. I would finally like to that Luke for keeping our team
looking great all season with his Sticker Dude Designs vinyl wraps
and all our sponsors for their help making this all possible.”
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Officially Steven Federico finished in fourth place in the final
2007 Lucas Oil WSORR PRO-Light Championship Standings.
Lee O’Donnell – PRO-Light #23
Lee O’Donnell and his #23 Invisible Glass Sticker Dude Designs P.F.
Changs Hankook Tires Nissan Frontier were looking to move up form
his ninth place in the PRO-Light Championship standings. After a
solid practice session, Lee and his crew chief, Big John, were
confident strong finishes were at hand.
Saturday – Round 12
The start saw Lee get a clean start and quickly moved into the top
5. The first half of the race, the #23 Invisible Glass Nissan
Frontier battled with #77 Vanden Huvel Jr. and then later with #82
Brandt. After fourteen laps, Lee crossed the finish line in fifth
place.
“This Invisible Glass Nissan Frontier really likes this track,”
commented Lee O’Donnell. “On the final lap, we posted the fastest
lap of the round. This is a true testament to the Hankook Tires.
This track has been difficult for most to get a handle on, but our
Hankook Tires really came through.”
Sunday – Round 13
This last round of racing for the year, nobody was holding back.
There was carnage throughout the entire fourteen lap event. Early
contact, from another competitor, punctured a tire, and quickly
putting Lee two laps down. The #23 Invisible Glass Sticker Dude
Designs P.F. Changs Hankook Tires Nissan Frontier took the checkered
flag in eighth place.
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“Today was extremely disappointing,” stated Lee O’Donnell. “After
running fast lap yesterday, I thought we had a legitimate shot for
a win. The right off the bat, one of our competitors punctures our
tire. Steve, Luke, and myself, brought Hankook Tire into the sport
and showed the world what an awesome product they have. Thanks
goes to the awesome prep work from Race Fab. Of course, thanks go
to Big John, my crew chief, without him race weekends would be
nearly impossible. Thanks to Steven and Luke for putting this
program together. Finally our great sponsors like Invisible Glass
and P.F.Changs, and all the other great supporters of Sticker Dude
Motorsports.”
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with the disappointing finish on Sunday, Lee was able to move up two
positions, to seventh, in the final 2007 Lucas Oil WSORR PRO-Light
standings.
2007 Lucas Oil World Series of Off-Road Racing PRO-Light
Championship Standings
1st – Chad Hord
2nd – Jeff Kincaid
3rd- Art Schmidt
4th – Steven Federico
5th - Randy Eller
6th – Mark Oberg
7th – Lee O’Donnell
Luke Zoetmulder – Super Buggy #942
Saturday - Round 11
The start saw Luke grab the holeshot as Super Buggy field headed for
the big sweeper. Then the #942 Sticker Dude Designs Invisible Glass
P.F.Changs Hankook Tires Toyota-powered Super Buggy got pushed to
the very wet outside portion of the corner, causing a serious loss
of traction, and eventually spinning off the track. Quickly Luke got
headed in the right direction. While battling his way through
traffic, contact was made puncturing a rear tire. This brought the
Sticker Dude Designs Super Buggy into the pits for a quick tire
change. Unfortunately, the stop put Luke well down in the running
order. He crossed the finish line in twelfth place.
Sunday – Round 12
Again the Hankook Tires really hooked up to the Toyota power and
gave Luke the lead heading into the sweeping first turn. Then
contact came into play, again. Luke and #916 Heynen came together as
the two battled for the lead. The contact damaged the steering rack
on the #942 Super Buggy. This caused Luke to continue the rest of
the event well off his normal race pace.
This resulted in a twelfth place finish.
For the year, Luke Zoetmulder finished in eleventh place overall in
the 2007 Lucas Oil WSORR Super Buggy Championship.
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“We were hoping to finish the season in the Top 10 in points,
commented Luke Zoetmulder. “But it wasn’t in the cards this
weekend. Everyone’s running on the ragged edge, there was a lot
more contact on the track than we are used to seeing. It was the
final race of the year and everybody has all winter to get ready
for the next race…The Hankook Tires have really performed better
than any other tire we’ve ever used. All year long, no matter the
surface, they just really hook up.”
“I have to thank everyone that supports Sticker Dude Motorsports.
Invisible Glass, Toyota, Hankook Tires, United Trailer, and
everyone else that makes it possible for us to race. My crew
chief, Jason, is awesome. We’ve had some serious Saturday night
thrashings and his work ethic and knowledge is incredible. Thanks
goes to my teammates, Steven and Lee, without them this program
would not have come together, and all the people that come and
give us a hand."
- The
next event for Sticker Dude Motorsports is the Fireball Run –
Transcontinental Rally. Luke Zoetmulder and Steve Federico will be
competing with 99 other teams on a 3500 mile 9 day transcontinental
adventure of a lifetime. The rally begins September 28.
The Office of Insurance Fireball Run
Fireball Run is a live action “game” and America is the game board.
Starting in Orlando, Florida and finishing in Beverly Hills,
California.
While having fun & sharing an incredible experience with the other
competitors, we are on a mission; find America’s children… called
“The Race to Recover America’s Missing”™.
Every team will make the journey with a different missing child
whose image & stats are affixed to the vehicle- creating a “rolling
milk carton.”
The assignment; place as many “recovery” posters as possible along
the 3500 mile journey.
Luke and Steve will be competing in a 2007 Toyota Tundra as they
cross the United States. For more information visit:
www.fireballrun.com
You can also visit:
www.stickerduderacing.com for
daily updates on the team’s progress throughout the Fireball Rally.
For more information about Sticker Dude Motorsports and its
supporters visit:
Invisible Glass –
www.invisibleglass.com
Hankook Tire -
www.hankooktireusa.com
Team Sticker Dude Racing –
www.stickerduderacing.com
PF Chang's –
www.pfchangs.com
Toyota –
www.toyota.com
United Trailers –
www.united-trailers.com
TRD –
www.trdusa.com
Vehicle Dynamix-
www.vehicledynamix.com
American Racing –
www.americanracing.com
Nielsen Enterprises –
www.nielsens.com
Polaris –
www.polaris.com
Autometer –
www.autometer.com
F.A.S.T. –
www.fasthelmets.com
Sponsorhouse –
www.sponsorhouse.com
Kicker Audio –
www.kickeraudio.com
Phil’s Inc. –
www.philsinc.com
Mechanix Wear –
www.mechanixwear.com
Racing Optics –
www.racingoptics.com
Gatorade –
www.gatorade.com
Chase Cam -
www.chasecam.com
www.stickerduderacing.com
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Steven Federico
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PRO-Light #24
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Luke Zoetmulder
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Super Buggy #942
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Lee O'Donnell
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PRO-Light #23
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