Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Media Relations
September 26, 2011

Once races conclude this Sunday at Moberly’s 24 Raceway, there will either be one of the youngest-ever champions of any sanctioning body sitting atop the standings, or a first-time association champion, or, the first-ever repeat ULMA champion. The scenarios leading into the final two races are filled with great unknowns and several “what if” point outcomes as the 2011 Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce season comes to an end. Heading into last weekend’s lone sanctioned race there were four drivers mathematically alive for the title. Now, the battle is down to three track championship drivers representing Lucas Oil Speedway, Callaway Raceway, and Central Missouri Speedway (CMS). With three distinctly different geographical areas represented, it makes the championship battle even more exciting as it comes down to the wire not only for the sake of being champion but what area and track will produce the champion?

The stage for this weekend’s grand finale was actually set last weekend at 24 Raceway as 10 member drivers were on hand among 13 present. Among the heavy hitters making the trip north last weekend in preparation for this weekend’s big finale, were last year’s ULMA champion Vance Wilson, CMS Champion Jason Bodenhamer, current ULMA leader Jake Griffin, multiple-time winners Steve Clancy and Tommy Cordray and Tommy Elston. With the standout group of drivers on hand it was Long who came away with his tenth win of the year. The victory vaulted him into second position in the overall standings and placed him well within reach of capturing his first ULMA championship. Bodenhamer finished second in the event keeping his title chances alive with Wilson taking third. Kelly Smith and Tommy Cordray rounded out the top five. Danny Lorton came away seventh with R.D. Peterson ninth. Clancy’s shot at the ULMA crown was diminished when he was unable to start the feature race while Griffin was also forced to sit out the main event due to a blown motor; however, the 12-year old managed to hold on to the point’s lead.

This weekend’s events kick off with the CMS Hog Roast Nationals on Saturday, October 1st. This is the final night of racing at CMS in 2011 and the final time that 18-year promoters Earl and Susan Walls will oversee the action at the speedway as they are retiring at the conclusion of the night. The race features an extra $600 for the late models with the added money disbursed throughout the purse. The winner will take home $800 for the victory and if the driver has not already won a race this year at CMS, he will also receive a brand-new Waterloo Storage Products rolling toolbox! There are no race entry fees or track registration fees for competing drivers for this event. Pit passes are $35 and include a dinner plate to the post-race hog roast and party. All ULMA rules will be enforced! Pit gates open at 3:30, grandstands at 4 with hot laps at 6 and racing to follow. Modifieds and street stocks are also on the bill at CMS for this program racing for extra purse monies. General admission is $15, Senior Citizens 65 years and older as well as active-duty military personnel with I.D. $12, kids ages six to twelve $5, children five and under are free. An old-timer’s race reunion takes place at the track from 4 to 6 pm adjacent to Highway 13 on the front side of the speedway. For more information regarding CMS and the Hog Roast Nationals log onto www.centralmissourispeedway.net.

The final ULMA points-earning race of the year takes place the following night on Sunday, October 2nd at 24 Raceway in Moberly. The race winner will take home $1,000 for the visit to victory lane and the race pays $100 to start. There is a $50 entry fee for all late model competitors. Gates open at 3 pm with hot laps beginning at 5:30 and racing at 6. Admission prices are $12 for adults, Senior Citizens and Teens enter for $10, kids ages 6 to 12 are $5, children five and under are free. All pit passes are $25. The race program includes ULMA Late Models, UMP Modifieds, IMCA Type Sport Mods, Stock Cars, USRA Type Hobby Stocks, Outlaw B-Mods, and 4-Cylinders. All ULMA rules will be enforced and all ULMA cars must go thru pre-race technical inspection before the event. Hood and mud plugs must be removed from each car for the inspection. Pre-tech starts at 3:30 and ends at the start of hot laps! Once racing is complete, ULMA will award trophies to the top ten drivers from the final end-of-year point standings. For additional information be sure to log onto the track’s website at www.24racewayinmoberly.com. Passing points and RaceCeivers will be used.

Griffin leads the standings with 1,486 points over Long with 1,482 and Bodenhamer with 1,480. Bodenhamer has the daunting task of having to win the final two events of the year for any shot at the title. This scenario will only play out if Long and Griffin are unable to improve their low finishes of the year, which are 2nd for Griffin and 4th for Long; Bodenhamer’s discard finish is a 3rd. Drivers keep their 15 best finishes to count towards the championship. If Griffin wins the final event at 24 Raceway and Long is unable to somehow gain 8 points, then Griffin will be the champion. If Long can make up at least six points over the last two races, should he decide to compete in both remaining races, or one, and Griffin is unable to win, then Long will become champion. There are many scenarios possible, including tie situations, which are broken by most wins, then most second place finishes, then most third-place finishes, down the line until the tie is broken.

You will find all you need to know and more regarding ULMA by logging onto www.ulmaracing.com. To join the email group, send request to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. ULMA wishes to thank its 2011 business partners for their involvement. This year’s team consists of title sponsor Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce, TCI® Automotive, Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, SafeRacer.com, Kenny’s Tile, Racingjunk.com, Imhoff Construction, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas, D&L Motorsports, Photographics by Shelly Payne, and InsuranceSpecialists.com. ULMA is a proud supporter of Homes for Our Troops. To join the team, contact ULMA at unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com.

Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce ULMA Point Standings
POS CAR # NAME POINTS Starts
1st O8 Jake Griffin (R) 1486 29
2nd 18L Rylan Long 1482 15
3rd 88B Jason Bodenhamer 1480 31
4th 12c Steve Clancy 1470 30
5th 5 Tommy Cordray 1464 23
6th 7 Brett Wood 1462 35
7th 22 Kevin Coyne 1438 29
8th 1 Bob Test 1412 38
9th 65 Jon Binning 1394 28
10th 27 Danny Lorton 1378 21
11th 79 Robby Warner 1364 15
12th 7W Trace Westling 1354 37
13th 60 Chris Hawkins (R) 1352 23
14th 1T Chris Cox 1342 30
15th 0X Justin Russell (R) 1340 16
16th O4 Chad Clancy (R) 1328 20
17th 23Z Zeke Langley 1306 30
18th 20 Alan Westling (R) 1302 31
19th 98 James Stafford 1294 30
20th 12 Gage Wineland (R) 1236 21

Remaining Sanctioned ULMA Points Races
Saturday, October 1: Central Missouri Speedway ($800 to win, extra purse money throughout field)
Sunday, October 2: 24 Raceway in Moberly, $1,000 to Win! (End of ULMA Points)