By Sam Stoecklin
Public Relations/Announcer
August 17, 2011
We’re now just days away from engines roaring back to life at Missouri State Fair Speedway Sunday, August 21, when racing on the half mile brings the fair to a close. In a rare opportunity to see three premiere classes competing on the same night, area fans will be treated to 360 Sprint Cars, Super Late Models, and Modifieds during an evening of high-speed action that is sure to go down a racing highlight in 2011.
According to ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series news from Lonnie Wheatley, released August 15, 2011, “Sunday’s event at Sedalia offers up a $2,000 winner’s share. Leading the way into the weekend is Sunset Hills, MO, shoe Brad Loyet, who has made a successful transition from the Midget ranks to the ASCS scene. The only driver to post multiple ASCS Warrior wins through the initial nine events of the season, Loyet has established an 89-point advantage over four-time Warrior champion Randy Martin in the series title chase.”
Other strong Speedway Motors ASCS Warrior Region 360 sprint contenders likely to challenge for the big money include last year’s winner Austin Alumbaugh, Kyle Bellm, Mark Shirshekan, Jonathan Cornell, Cody Baker, Josh Stephens, Tyler Blank, and Evan Martin. Additional drivers on the Warrior Region standings sheet include a trio of ladies with Dakota Carroll and Haley and Miranda Arnold along with Bryan Grimes, Mike Trent, Rusty Potter, and Curtis Boyer. Brian Brown will likely compete Sunday evening and is always a threat to win at the ‘Historic Half Mile’ and he has posted a Warrior Region win along with Danny Lasoski, Wayne Johnson, and Brian McClelland. Note: mention of driver anywhere in press release does not guarantee appearance at Missouri State Fair Speedway.
Lucas Oil MLRA super late model events this year have produced some thrilling finishes and new faces running near the front; however, it is a familiar face leading the tour so far with Al Purkey in position to bring home his eighth MLRA title. It will be a two-night swing for the touring late models as they begin their weekend at Thunder Hill Speedway in Mayetta, Kansas on Saturday and then the ‘Historic Half Mile’ on Sunday. Behind Purkey in the standings is John Anderson, who will be gunning for his first win this year; Anderson won the fair-week event in 2007 and 2009. Kyle Berck, Joe Kosiski, and Chad Simpson round out the top five in the standings; other stand-out drivers on the MLRA point sheet include Alan Vaughn, David Turner, Brad Looney, Jeremy Payne, and Denny Eckrich. Kelly Boen drove to victory in the event last season. Drivers who made their way to the track last year included Randy McGraw, Bill Koons, Jack Sullivan, J.D. Hubert, Dave Eckrich, Matt Johnson and Chris Smyser, who is a former late model track champion at the speedway.
Word has it that Looney will debut a brand-new car during the weekend of action. No one has more August late model victories (3) at the track than Terry Phillips; however at press time it was not certain whether he or teammate Jeremy Payne would be competing at Sedalia. Note: mention of driver anywhere in press release does not guarantee appearance at Missouri State Fair Speedway.
As mentioned in last week’s press release, the best in area modified competition will also be on hand during the fair week races. It is very unpredictable who will show for the modified action but one thing is certain, the drivers who do show will be at the top of their game to challenge for the coveted win on the big half mile track. Race director Clint Brown said that he has fielded more phone calls from interested drivers in all classes this year than any other year he can remember.
For track information and modified car class rules, call race director Clint Brown at 660-221-0275 or visit the speedway’s official website at www.missouristatefairspeedway.com. For Lucas Oil MLRA information, call 816-650-5063 or 816-305-6572 or visit them on the web at www.mlraracing.com; for additional information about the 360 Sprint Car ASCS Speedway Motors Warrior Region, call 573-375-0085 or visit them online www.ascsracing.com.
On race night, pit gates will open at 3 p.m. with admission gates opening at 4:30; hot laps take place at 5:30 with racing getting underway at 6 p.m. General Admission is $18, Seniors & Military $15, Kids 6-12 just $8, children five and under are free; all pit passes are $25. We can’t wait to see you in less than two weeks for the Missouri State Fair Championships at the ‘Historic Half Mile in Sedalia!