Mike Slone – O’Reilly Auto Parts Late Models Photo – Austin Miller Photography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jordan Kuehne, (815)601-5673

(LEBANON, Mo.) – When this Saturday arrives, the calendar will transition from the dog days of August into the fall breezes of September. At Lebanon I-44 Speedway, the heated on-track action will resemble the opposite as the time has come for drivers to elevate their urgency – just three weeks remain in the 2012 campaign and the biggest race of the season lies on the horizon. On Labor Day Weekend, O’Reilly Auto Parts ASA Late Model drivers will have to go to work as touring stars from across the Midwest travel to I-44 to take on local favorites and duke it out for the first annual ‘High Banks 100’ crown and the highest payday in over a decade at Missouri’s only asphalt oval.

“I don’t say this lightly: this is the biggest race in over ten years at I-44,” said Lebanon I-44 Speedway promoter Kevin Greven. “Consider the implications of both a track and ASA National Championship hanging in the balance, the $2000 payday to the winner, the trophy and pride that comes with winning the inaugural ‘High Banks 100’. This one’s really got it all and we’re excited to bring it to Mid-Missouri racing fans.”

Running alongside the O’Reilly Auto Parts ASA Late Models will be the Budweiser Modifieds and the Hardee’s Sportsman, both with expanded paydays and extended features as well. This unique event only came about after I-44 and the ASA Midwest Tour were forced to cancel their scheduled event on the same night, paving the way for Greven to put together a show centered around his local talent while potentially attracting big-time Midwestern drivers and young guns in the process.
“There were a lot of factors that went into putting off that ASA Midwest show until 2013,” said Greven. “It was an unfortunate situation but I immediately set about finding a way to fill that void on the schedule and we’re all excited with what we were able to put together. This is going to be one heck of a show for the fans and the drivers. We’ve been able to put something together for local guys like Mike Slone (ranked 3rd in ASA national standings), Matt Wallace (son of NASCAR star Mike Wallace), and Ken Dickinson (multi time track champion)while securing commitments from drivers like Cole Williams and potentially Ricky Icenhower along with many drivers from many states that we haven’t seen at Lebanon I-44 Speedway as of yet. It’s an exciting event.”

Drivers will have had two weeks to prepare for the event after rain forced the cancelation of Saturday night’s scheduled event. They’ll likely need it as they prepare to go 100 laps on the high banks of the 3/8th-mile asphalt oval. Points leader Mike Slone will need a strong run if he hopes to fend off the late-season charge of young 16-year-old Matt Wallace on the way to collecting a potential ASA National Championship to go with what would be a second track championship. The Budweiser Modifieds will feature a spirited duel in the standings and on the track between teenagers Tyler Scott and Payton Lucas while the Hardee’s Sportsman offer some of the best racing at I-44.

Spectator gates are slated to open at 5 p.m and fans can look forward to the penultimate “Budweiser Pre-Race Party” before the first green flag waves at 7:30 p.m. Lebanon I-44 Speedway offers an alcohol-free grandstand, featuring aluminum seating with seat-backs, along with tier parking for cars, pickup trucks and RV’s where patrons may park, tailgate and view the races. Known amongst I-44 race fans as the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’, beer may be brought in by fans to the tier parking areas, while full food and non-alcoholic beverage concessions are available in both the grandstands and tier parking, along with a souvenir and track apparel stand.

Admission prices are a bargain at $20 for Adults, ages 16 and older, in the grandstands while Adult admission on the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ costs just $25. Discounted admission will be offered in both locations for Military members with an ID present, as well as Seniors (ages 65 and older) and Juniors (ages 11-15), and Children (ages 10 and younger) will be admitted for free. A grandstand Family Pass for two Adults and two Juniors plus any number of Children is available for $45, while six Adults entering in the same vehicle on tiered parking will be admitted to the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ for $120. Fans can visit any local O’Reilly Auto Parts location to pick up advance tickets at a discounted price.

“We think that for what fans are going to be seeing on Saturday night, ticket prices are truly a bargain,” said Greven. “We’re confident that fans will get their money’s worth and then some. Drivers are not going to be holding anything back at this point in the season, especially with what’s on the line, so fans are going to really get to see short-track racing at its finest this Saturday at Lebanon I-44 Speedway.”

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located four miles east of the Lebanon city limit on Historic Route 66. Patrons using Interstate 44 may take Exit 135 and then drive approximately one mile east on Route 66 to the track’s main entrance. Additional information about the track’s 2012 ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ racing schedule may be found on the facility’s official website, www.i44speedway.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lebanon-I-44-Speedway, and on Twitter (@i44Speedway).