Springfield,Mo.-With only 1 week before the running of the O’Reilly AutoParts Turkey Classic presented by Bad Boy Mowers at the SpringfieldRaceway in Springfield,Mo., the staff thought they would rewind to the running of last season’s 2010 edition.
Under a sunny sky and temps in the Mid 50’s a record of 189 cars in 4 classes checked into the Quick-Quarter of the Springfield,Mo Raceway for the running of the 4th annual Sat after Thanksgiving race.Owners Jerry Hoffman and Doug Bland had secured Bad Boy Mowers as the title sponsor for this seasons event.
This season the staff at Springfield knowing the importance of providing a great event for the crowd had the top 8 drivers in passing points to redraw at the break for their starting spots really making drivers run hard in the heats just to make the show.
33 LateModels checked into the pits this season from 5 different states and the entries included Nebraska hotshoe John Anderson making his first ever Springfield apperance,GRT house driver “Action” Jack Sullivan, UMP regulars John Beck,Bruce Unterbrink and St Louis legend Mike”he Hammer”Hammerle who came in an open trailer really adding excitement. Show-Me Series Justin Wells,defending champion Ken Essary,Bootheel hard charger Joey Mack,Jesse Stovall former MLRa Champion Alan Vaughn and a host of local area and regional Drivers.
After 4 tough heats were the top 16 in passing points locked-in and 2 tough last chance races the field of 20 was set.High point driver Justin Wells redrew a 6 as Greenwood’s Rylan “Big Country”Long gathered the pole with Essary on his outside.The Flying Farmer Essary grabbed the opening lead and was trying to repeat his title.THe only caution flew on lap 3 bunching up the field.After a spirited battle,Wells was able to reverse the role from last season by taking the lead and leaving the battle for second place on lap 6.Essary,Sullivan,Anderson,Vaughn and a 10th place starting Stovall provided 2-3 wide racing all feature long.Sullivan grabbed second and began to close up on Wells the former 2-Time IMCa National Champion.Wells found his 6th starting spot to prove lucky as he found different racing lanes coming forward.Sullivan closed-up late,but Wells finally cleared the traffic to take home the win.Sullivan kept second as Stovall took third on the final lap after a 3 car battle for position.
75 A-Mods checked in and after 8 heats and 5 last chance races the field was set.High point car Chad”The Gator”Lyle redrew the 8 spot as Fort Scott,Kansas standout Brian Bolin drew the pole with Topeka youngster Kyle Covert on his outside while Springfield regular Jody Tillman redrew 3rd.Covert r\grabbed the opening lead with Tillman,Bolin and a star-studded field following.The only caution flew on lap 3 as former track champion Jackie Dalton pulled high with problems after havingto qualify through a B ft.Tillman in only his second season of A-Mod racing found the high-side to his liking as defending track champion Mitch Keeter,Kansas City hotshoe Aaron Marrant, Dean willie,and a fast moving Lyle were battling.With 10 laps to go,Lyle was gaining on the bottom of the track as Tillman known for his FactoryStock winning ways was trying to get his first win of 2010 to keep a personal streak alive.With 5 to go,Lyle closed-up,but as Tillman heard the 5 lap call on his raceceiver,he found a little more power and claimed the 1,000 prize.Lyle in his first apperance at Springfield and had overcame heart Surgery earlier in the year really provided the fans with a great starting feature.14 of the 20 starters were on the lead lap in the feature.
The B-Mods had 64 entries forcing 6 heats and 4 last chance events as only the top 12 in passing points secured their spots.The redrew found Springfield regular Eric Tinderholt and Lebanon’s Michael stake on the front row as Tinderholt was trying to gather some extra Yeoman’s Engines Spec Motor dollars.High point driver Brian Bolin was waiting in the wings.A caution on lap 5 really changed things around as Stake pitted for a slow leaking tire along with Jon Yeoman Jr.Tinderholt was back in front as Bolin known as the Fort Scott Hustler applied pressure.On lap 8,IMCa SportMod Crate racer Jesse Sobbing who started 10th tonight was in the mix as 3 wide action was the call.On lap 10,Sobbing took the lead,but Bolin got it back 3 laps later.On lap 14,Sobbing took back the lead on the top groove and hung on for the win with Bolin a close second followed by Tinderholt.15 cars finished on the lead lap in a feature with only 2 cautions.
THe Legends looked like it was going to have the first ever repeat winner in the Turkey Classic as Dave Bauer was fast up top after starting third.Bauer encountered problems with a stalled car in turn 2 allowing second place runner and Semi-Pro National Champion Jason Rayle to grab the lead and hold off a pack of 5 cars to take the win.
This season a larger purse overall.The LateModels run for $2,000 to win and $300 to start.Steel Block engines weigh 2,200 Lbs while Aluminum blocks must weigh 2,300.Tire Rules are Hoosier WRS D55 or Hoosier LM 40’s.8 inch spoilers are required except for Crate Latemodels who may run under NESmith Chevrolet Rules but must have either 55’s or 40’s on the rear tires.2 races in the past history and 2 different winners.
A-Mods have found their purse upwards as 1200 to win but 400 to start.This season NO SPOILERS on the A-Mods.USRA Weight rules apply along with standard USRA Rules along with the 8,000 RPM Chip rule.Tires allowed are the American Racer KK704 G60 or Hoosier IMCA Stamped G60.
THe B-Mods have lots going for them this season as Jerry Hoffman has studied hard to get everyone together with weights and chip rules.Partner Doug Bland as gathered support from GM Performance and is providing bonus money for the 602 Crate motor racers in the feature.$100 to the highest finishing GM 602 Crate motor in the A feature while the second and third highest gather $75 each on top of the purse money while a fourth place Crate driver can pocket an extra $50.If the Crate motor was purchased from Reliable Chevrolet in Springfield then there is some extra also on top of the $750 to win and $110 to start feature.Tires allowed this season are American Racer KK704 G60 or Hoosier IMCa Stamped G60.No Hoosier 500’s allowed.Please see area racing forums for B-Mod rules and weights and chips to be ran.
Legends are an important part of SpringfieldRaceway and battle for $300 to win the feature.Racing 600 Series INEX rules apply.
The pitgate opens at 10:30AM Sat morning.Hotlaps start at 1PM with the draw cutoff at 2PM.Drivers meeting is after hotlaps at 2:25 and Racing at 3PM.Any drivers arriving after cut-off will start tailback but receive No Bonus passing points only the heat position points.Pitpasses are $35.Entry Fees are LM(100) A-Mods(100)B-Mods (40).Non Transfer drivers recieve LM(110) A-Mods(110) B-Mods(80)-you must start the B feature or complete 1 lap to recieve money.
Grandstands open at Approx 12:30PM and Adult Admission for this 1 day event on Sat November 26th is only $20.
The top 8 in passing points in all clases will redraw for starting spots for the A features.This will be done at the break as track prep is taking place.Raceceivers are required and drivers will need to provide their own.The Speedway does not supply or rent.Camping will be available at the track Friday-No Hook-ups as security will be on hand.The host Hotel will be the Ramada Inn Oasis Convention Center located at 2536 N.Glenstone with a racer rate of $71.Contact them at 417-866-5253.
For more information visit the website at WWW.SpringfieldRaceway.Com or contact Jerry Hoffman at 417-673-7426.Raceday phone is 417-863-0097.Check us also on Facebook and mobile updates can be gathered by texting SPRINGFIELDRACEWAY to 368674.
Payout-OReilly AutoParts Turkey Classic
LateModels 1)2000 2)1200 3)750 4)600 5)420 6)370 7)360 8)355 9)350 10)320 11)310 12-20)300Â B Ft Non-Qualify 110
A-Mods 1)1200 2)750 3)600 4)550 5)450 6)440 7)430 8)420 9)415 10)410 11)410 12-20)400 Bt F-No qualify 110
B-Mods 1)750 2)350 3)275 4)250 5)200 6)170 7)160 8)140 9)130 10)125 11)125 12-20)110 B Ft-no qualify 80
Legends 1)300 2)150 3)100 4)90 5)75 6)70 7)65 8)60 9)55 10)45 11)40 12-20)35