August 31, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jordan Kuehne, (815)601-5673
speedwayjordan@yahoo.com
(LEBANON, Mo.) – Due to heavy rains throughout the Lebanon area that are expected to continue through tonight and most of tomorrow, Lebanon I-44 Speedway has made the decision to postpone their inaugural O’Reilly Auto Parts ASA Late Models ‘High Banks 100’ until Saturday, September 22. Joining the Super Late Model special on that night will be lengthened features for both the Budweiser Modifieds and Hardee’s Sportsman that were on the original event schedule, as well as the addition of regular features for the Coca-Cola Chargers and Hoosier Tire Road Warriors plus the final Budweiser “Pre-Race Party in the Pits” before the green flag waves on the evening.
The evening will serve as a standalone special with no points being awarded – as a result of the postponement, the Fall Shootout that was on the schedule for Saturday, September 29, has been canceled. Despite the postponement, all original parameters for the ‘High Banks 100’ remain in place, including the highest payday in over a decade in Missouri asphalt racing.
“We’re disappointed that Mother Nature has thwarted our plans once again,” said Lebanon I-44 Speedway Promoter Kevin Greven. “However, this serves as a blessing in disguise for many out-of-state late model drivers that had prior commitments or couldn’t make the trip this weekend. The new date offers them plenty of time to both prepare their cars and schedule what promises to be one of the most exciting events of the year with $2000 being awarded to the inaugural winner of the ‘High Banks 100’ here at I-44.”
While the ‘High Banks 100’ would be an exciting event no matter how it was ran, Greven decided to shake things up a bit with a unique format that ensures the race will include both strategy and speed. Drivers will start out with two laps of qualifying with the top eight times recorded automatically advancing to the front four rows of the ‘High Banks 100’ presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts. 10-lap heat races will decide the remaining starting spots from ninth place through the end of the field while the front four rows will be determined via the finishing order of one 10-lap dash.
A mandatory competition caution will be thrown at lap 50 of the ‘High Banks 100’ presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts and drivers will park their machines on the straightaways. At that time, crew members will receive 15 minutes to add fuel, change tires, and adjust the chassis of their cars as they see fit. Immediately after that time, the top eight qualifying drivers will be put to a crucial decision: stay where they were when the caution fell or risk dropping to the back for the chance at an extra $1000 available if they can race through the field over the final 50 laps and take the win. Afterwards, drivers will receive a five minute period to get back into their machines with the assistance of one crew member before the green flag waves.
“We feel like this streamlines the process and offers drivers the best chance at doing what’s necessary to remain competitive,” said Greven. “This is a lengthened race and that means adjustments must be made. It’ll be exciting to see who, if anyone, takes that bonus challenge and tries to grab some extra cash and it all happens right in front of our fans.”
While the ‘High Banks 100′ offers a chance at a big trophy and a lot of end-of-the-year cash, drivers still face the daunting task of two more weekends of racing en route to some championship hardware as the 2012 “Kickin’ Asphalt” campaign comes to a close at I-44. Next weekend’s event on Saturday, September 8, will now feature both a Budweiser “Pre-Race Party on the Wild Side” as well as a post-race concert by Candy Coburn as all fans will be welcomed to the infield to join in on the party. All five weekly ASA Racing divisions will be in action and competing for double points in their regular-length features on “Coyote Radio & United Insurers Night at the Races.” In addition to the weekly program, the Pro National Baby Grand cars will be making their final appearance of the season at Missouri’s only asphalt oval.
One week later, on Saturday, September 15, fans can look forward to the final “Kickin’ Asphalt” show of the season at I-44 as “Monster Energy ASA Championship Night” features all five weekly ASA Racing divisions duking it out for their respective titles and hardware. Champions will be decided in the O’Reilly Auto Parts ASA Late Models, Budweiser Modifieds, Hardee’s Sportsman, Hoosier Tire Road Warriors and Coca-Cola Chargers as drivers once again will be racing for double points that night with the victors being crowned the 2012 Monster Energy Cup Champions after racing concludes. Spectator gates are slated to open at 5 p.m every night and fans can look forward to the first green flag waving at 7:30 p.m.
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).
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About Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only weekly Asphalt Racing Oval and is settled nearly 300 miles from any other. Located in Lebanon, Missouri, along Interstate 44 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the West of Springfield, Missouri on I-44 and just 2 hours East of St. Louis on I-44 as well as just 30 minutes south of Lake of the Ozarks.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway has a history of producing great racecar drivers, and some of the biggest stars in American motorsports honed their skills on our tracks high banked 3/8-mile asphalt oval. Legends such as the great Larry Phillips, the only 5-time national champion in NASCAR’s weekly racing series, along with NASCAR stars like Mike Wallace, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, the late Tony Roper and Tony Stewart have either won races or even track championships over the years.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway has perhaps the smoothest racing surface of any weekly racing facility in the nation along with the newest aluminum backed Monster Energy grandstand seating, Budweiser “Wild Side” tier parking that you can pull up in your car or tailgate in your pickup and enjoy all of the racing from a great view and our latest addition is the new Central Bank VIP Suites in the middle of the front stretch.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway runs many special events throughout the race season as well as an exciting weekly show that consists of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Late Models, Budweiser Modifieds, Hardee’s Sportsman, Hoosier Tire Road Warriors and the Coca-Cola Chargers with special appearances by the United States Super Truck Series, Pro National Baby Grand Cars, ASA Racing special events and various Concerts.
www.lebanoni44speedway.net For the latest information always visit
Saturday September 8th Event Information
Pit Gates 3 pm
Spectator Gates Open 5 pm
Hot Laps 5 pm
Racing 7:30pm
Admissions Information
Monster Energy Grandstands
Adults (16 and up) $10.00
Seniors (62 and up) $7.00
Military (Any with Military ID) $7.00
Juniors (Age 11 to 15) $4.00
Kids (10 and under) FREE
Family Pass (2 Adult/2 Junior) $25.00
Budweiser Wild Side
Adults (16 and up) $15.00
Seniors (62 and up) $11.00
Military (Any with Military ID) $11.00
Juniors (Age 11 to 15) $7.00
Kids (10 and under) FREE
6 Pack (6 Adults) $75.00
Central Bank VIP Suite
Race Fan $20.00
Pit Area
Pit Pass (Adult) $30.00
2012 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Central Bank – Official Bank
Cintas – Official Uniform Rental Service Company
Hardee’s – Official Fast Food Restaurant
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
Missouri Eagle – Official Beer & Energy Drink Supplier
Monster Energy – Official Energy Drink
Munger Moss – Official Motel
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Official Auto Parts Store
Ozarks Coca-Cola / Dr. Pepper Bottling Company – Official Soft Drink, Water & Sports Drink Supplier
Racing Electronics – Official Radio Supplier
Safety-Kleen – Official Enviromental Services Company
Sunoco – Official Race Fuel
2012 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Commerce Bank, Contingency Connection, Dickies Barbeque, Energy Companies, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Independant Stave Inc., Lebanon Ready Mix, Lindsay Chevrolet, McGunegill Engine Performance, Missouri Arive Alive Program, Missouri Tool & Automation, Rock Auto, Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, Starnes Auto, Totally You, United Insurers, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, 107.9 The Coyote
Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Kevin Greven
General Manager
Lebanon I-44 Speedway
24069 Route 66
Lebanon, MO 65536
Track (417) 532-2060
Cell (417) 399-5756
Fax (417) 532-7624
Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Jordan Kuehne
I-44 Speedway Public Relations Director
I-44 Speedway Writer/Trackside Announcer
Racing Online Columnist
www.racingonline.com
speedwayjordan@yahoo.com
(815)601-5673 (Cell)
jordo99 (Twitter)