SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (December 9, 2013) - It's been a long six months since the roar of the VLR Dirt Late Model's zoomed around dirt tracks all across the country. The summer heat has now turned to snowy days and cold weather, but that's not enough to slow down some of the best sim racers in the world.

VLR opens the 12 race Winter Blast schedule with their first visit to the mile-long Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. The super fast track has been called the Daytona of dirt racing and is a perfect track to open up the 21st season of Victory Lane Racing. Drivers will have to find a good drafting partner if they want to survive the fifty lap contest and be up front at the end.

Passing and exciting racing should be on the menu this season with an all new race format announced a few months ago. Beginning this season, A Main's will lineup based on a drivers reverse average finish for that season at VLR. For example, if a driver has an average finish of 22.7, and that's the lowest of any other driver in the A Main, then that person will start first. On the other side, if a driver has an average finish of 2.5 and that's the highest of the other drivers in the A Main, that driver will start last and have to work their way through the field.

This format will make for much more passing and overall excitement at VLR this year and should make for a very tight point race as well. Many drivers have already expressed excitement over the format and the possibility of seeing some new faces in victory lane.

One driver who is on board with the idea is Pennsylvania driver JFR_lastplace. As you could guess from his name, lastplace had the lowest average finish of drivers who finished in the top 10 in points at VLR this past season. The chunky middle-aged driver had a fast car in many of the races last season, but the extra weight from his rotund frame often slowed him down as races wore on. With the new format, however, LP expects to be able to block enough cars to improve on his career best 6th place finish at VLR.

"All it takes is some quick twitches of the wheel to cause a hell of a wreck behind me and pave the way for my first VLR win. I always envisioned doing that, but I never got to start high enough in the field to see it come to fruition. With VLR's new format, though, I think I can block and drive just recklessly enough to pick up a win," stated JFR_LP.

One driver who LP would undoubtedly be seeing in his mirror a few times this season is defending champion BLS_18, who is on a seven race win streak at VLR. The Brookfield, Wisconsin native is ready to defend his title and keep the wins rolling despite likely having to start near the rear of the field in most races this season.

"Nobody can stop me, I'm still the best. I have a sexy black girlfriend, and I'm just loving life right now. Even with the new format, I still don't see anybody beating me, because like I said, I'm the best, and the rest of you are losers," said BLS_18.

VLR_Shock, who only lost the championship by three points, is one driver who may be able to slow down BLS_18. Shock will likely have to come from the rear in a lot of races this season as well, but the Crossville, Tennessee driver has shown that he can pass cars easily in the past, even if it meant slamming into the side of them to do so.

"The new format is awesome to me, because I like to pass cars. And it's a proven fact that BLS_18 can't pass cars, so I like my chances even more. You can look it up, Wheel has never won a race when he's started lower than third. I read it on Wikipedia or somewhere. This season is gonna be hard on him and I expect him to give up by the fourth race and say how unfair the format is or something. He will be lucky to finish higher than 8th in points this year."

Another driver who is expected to contend for race wins is VLR_McGee, who is looking for his first win at VLR since season 15. The pride of Spartanburg, South Carolina recorded a season-high fourth place finish last season at Thunderbird. Other driver's looking to make a mark with the new format include BLS_Kevin, XCR_Gage, DS5, and many more.

Plenty of new faces are expected to make appearances at VLR this year, with this season likely to be the most exciting yet at VLR, thanks to the new format and new drivers moving up the ranks. Come on out for what is sure to be another great season! The Winter Blast series schedule begins this Sunday December 15th at 8:30 PM eastern with qualifying at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Bring your jackets and blankets cause it's gonna be a cold one for sure!