Sammy Epling begins quest for 2011 Sunoco American Late Model Series Title This Weekend at Eldora Speedway

Sammy Epling begins quest for 2011 Sunoco American Late Model Series Title This Weekend at Eldora Speedway
Perry, Michigan (Thursday, April 14th, 2011): Sammy Epling has been getting anxious for the 2011 racing season to start. After an opening race weekend down at Clarksville Speedway back on March 11-12th, a series of rain outs on consecutive weekend has Epling chomping at the bit to get back out on the track. He'll get that chance to return under racing conditions this weekend.

The Perry, Michigan native will make the trip south to the legendary Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for the 2011 season opener for the Sunoco American Late Model Series on Saturday, April 16th. The famed 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked paved oval in Western Ohio is expecting over 50 of the best UMP Late Models in the Midwest for the Grayville, Illinois based series now in its 16th year of touring around the Midwestern United States.

For the 2011 racing season, Epling's #29 Northside Service / SJE Trucking Pontiac GTO UMP Late Model will make a run for the 2011 Sunoco American Late Model Series Championship. He'll also participate in several other events throughout the Midwest and especially in his home state of Michigan. In all, over 40 races are scheduled for the team throughout the 2011 racing season.

Last Saturday, April 9th, Epling and crew ventured over to the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval of I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan for the tracks' first Test and Tune of the season and Epling was very happy with the outcome; "The test went real well. We tried a few things you don't really have time to try when racing or you're not sure about if it will work." The 41-year-old explained.

"As far as this coming weekend goes, we plan on racing somewhere Friday night, either Winston (Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan) or Attica (Raceway Park in Attica Ohio). It all depends on the weather. For Saturday, it will be Eldora no doubt! It's the first night of points for Sunoco ALMS, so we'll be making the trip rain or shine. So if it rains I hope it starts early so they can make a decision before driving all the way there!" He laughed.

"No matter what my guys have everything ready to go, so thanks to them and all my sponsors and of course the fans who support me and my team." The 2010 Mt. Pleasant Speedway UMP Late Models Track Champion continued. "This season will be busy for sure. It'll be a lot of hard work, but I have a great bunch of guys who bust their butts to give me a good car."

When not racing the Sunoco ALMS series, you will probably find us right around home at I-96 and Mt Pleasant as well as a show or two at Merritt (Speedway in Merritt, Michigan) and Winston. There are a lot of big shows planned at just about every track in Michigan! We will need to be on our "A" game to be competitive." Epling added.

During the 2010 racing season, Epling captured the 2010 UMP Late Models Track Championship at Mt. Pleasant Speedway. He also made the most of his limited appearances at I-96 Speedway as he scored three feature wins on the inner 3/8s mile including the tracks' Fall Finale at the end of the season, to finish sixth in the final points standings. He also made limited appearances in the Sunoco American Late Model Series as well as at the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

"We had such a great season last year. I finally won my first ever Track Championship at Mt. Pleasant and we did so well in our few appearances at I-96. It gives us a ton of confidence heading into this season." Epling continued. "We're looking to do really well wherever we unload and we expect to be contenders every time we head out to race." He ended.

Epling's racing career began in 1985 racing in the Sportsman division at the old Santa Fe Speedway in his home state of Illinois. He raced there exclusively until 1991 scoring 10 Feature Wins and consistent top five finishes in the final points standings at Santa Fe. Prior to the start of the 1992 season, he purchased a Late Model from Eight-Time Track Champion, Frank Reaber and for the next two seasons, Epling called LaSalle Speedway home in his Late Model.

In 1994, he began traveling to other facilities such as Farmer City Speedway, Fairbury American Legion Speedway, and Kankakee Speedway all in his home state while also venturing across the state line to Crown Point Speedway in Indiana scoring a total of 12 Feature Wins from 1994-2001. He also traveled with the Northern All-Stars Series during the 2000 season finishing 13th in the final points and was the Rookie of the Year runner-up in that series.

In 2002, Epling moved to the Great Lakes State and settled in Perry, Michigan. He began venturing to short tracks throughout the state of Michigan making appearances primarily at Crystal Motor Speedway as well as I-96 Speedway, Merritt Speedway, Mid-Michigan Raceway Park, and Mt. Pleasant Speedway while not running for a track championship, he did score 10 feature wins including the end of the season Corn Harvest at Mid-Michigan Raceway Park twice in 2007 and 2009. He also ventured south to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio on several occasions as well including appearances in the World 100.

For the 2011 racing season, Epling's #29 Mastersbilt Chassis with power from Hedrick Precision Engines of Urbana, Illinois will sport a Pontiac GTO nose on his UMP Late Model and carry sponsorship decals from; Northside Service as well as SJE Trucking, Imaging Solutions, Shift Shop Transmissions, Mike Childers & Sons Excavating, Lane Automotive, Fusion Sign Company, Jeff Smith Home Improvements, Nashcar Trailers, Huffy's Marathon, MPH Promotions, SJE Motorsports, and Doug Finley Motorsports.

The SJE Motorsports / Doug Finley Motorsports crew consists of: Car Owners Doug Finley and Jimmy Markski as well as Crew Members, Tommy Klopp, Jeff Smith, and J.R. Smith.

For more information about Sammy Epling and the entire SJE Motorsports / Doug Finley Motorsports Team and to inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the 2011 racing season, log onto the teams' website at: www.sammyepling.com You can also follow the entire 2011 season with Epling by becoming a fan on his Facebook Fan Page. Just go to: www.facebook.com and search "Sammy Epling / SJE Motorsports" then click on "Like" today.