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BIG POINTS BATTLES IN PRO LATE MODELS AT I-44

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Lebanon-I-44-Speedway July 29, 2013

By Jordan Kuehne

Williams and Wallace both with Pro Late Model wins Saturday Night at LEBANON I-44 SPEEDWAY

(LEBANON, Mo.) – If Saturday was any indication, the rest of the 2013 Monster Energy Chase for the Cup is going to be tightly contested between a pair of 17-year-olds in the O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models. The Indiana Points leader Cole Williams and North Carolina rising star Matt Wallace took turns in victory lane during this weekend’s double dose of pro late models action, and the battle in the standings is closing up as racing hits the homeward stretch.

In other racing action, Robert Reeves laid claim to the checkers once again in the Monster Energy Sportsman while Payton Lucas scored his second victory of the season in the Budweiser Modifieds. Geoff Ledford grabbed his second win of the 2013 campaign in the Hoosier Tire Road Warriors while new father Jordan Nisbett celebrated with his newborn son in the winner’s circle for the Coca-Cola Chargers.

A wild start to the first of two 25-lap O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models features swept up points leader Cole Williams as Cole Rouse broke a brake line and the 17-year-old made contact on the second lap, sending Rouse into the turn four wall and home on the hook while Williams dropped to the back of the 13-car field.

When racing resumed, Steve Holt bolted to a comfortable lead as Brennan Willard worked his way around Brian Brown for second. Jimmy Vanzandt was peeking to the inside of Willard for the second spot when he got loose and spun through the infield with 15 laps to go. Holt broke free from Willard on the restart as Matt Wallace wasted no time getting past Willard for second. Wallace took the top spot with little challenge as the race passed the halfway mark, and ran away to a comfortable edge before Vanzandt went around again. 14-year-old Jake Griffin got around Willard and Holt and started after the leader.

He ran out of time though, as Wallace held on for his second win in a row and his third win of the 2013 campaign.

“Cole and I, we’re good friends so there’s nothing that’s gonna go on out there,” Wallace said in the winner’s circle. “I’m gonna try and to do the same thing (to get another win tonight). We’re both out there trying to win championships and make a name for ourselves.”

Griffin notched a season-best runner-up finish while Willard scored a season best third.

The 25-lap nightcapper for the twin O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models featured a hungry Tucker Cory racing to the early edge in the event. A wild wreck swept up a spinning Jimmy Vanzandt as Matt Wallace, who won the first feature of the evening, made contact with the veteran and sent him into the wall after the car in front of both of those got loose off of turn two. Wallace sustained rear end damage from Lil’ J.C. Newell, who was unable to check up in time to avoid the incident with four laps in the books.

On the restart, Cory slipped away from Brennan Willard as Austin Fullerton closed up in third. As Cory tried to stay a couple of car lengths ahead, Fullerton began looking to the inside of Willard for the second position as points leader Cole Williams rolled to the high side and tried to grab a handful of spots. The top four cars had broken away from the pack and ran so tightly together that a blanket could have covered them.

Showing prowess beyond his 17-year-old frame, Williams utilized the high side and gathered up enough momentum to drive past Willard and Fullerton in one turn. Fullerton slipped past Willard as Cory came under fire from Williams for the top spot. It took only one lap for the rising star to slip past Cory on the inside, grabbing the lead and never looking back on the way to his fifth checkered flag of the season.

“It’s all about consistency, that’s the key to a championship,” Williams said afterwards. “I need to beat Matt (Wallace) as many times as possible the rest of the season to end up on top, and I honestly didn’t think I was going to win tonight, but the crew fixed up the car and we got it in gear at the end there.”

Fullerton continued his strong midseason surge with a finish in the bridesmaid’s position and Wallace kept the pressure on Williams moving forward with another top-three, coming home third.

After a three-and-a-half week hiatus, the Budweiser NASCAR Modifieds were eager to get back in action at Missouri’s only asphalt oval, and Payton Lucas wasted little time navigating around a pair of cars and into the top spot. An early caution slowed the proceedings and bunched the 14-car field back up, briefly halting Lucas from breaking away from the pack. When racing resumed, he did just that, charging to a four car length lead as David Bates tried to track him down.

Lucas continued to lead the field as Bates came under fire from Tyler Scott for the bridesmaid’s position. As Bates and Scott dueled for second with Scott scoring the spot, Lucas managed to escape into the night, building up a large enough lead over Scott to hold on and collect his second feature win of the season in wire-to-wire fashion. Scott fended off Bates for second as the two battled to the checkers.

J.C. Newell nabbed the early edge in the 20-lap Monster Energy Sportsman main event. Points leader Robert Reeves didn’t take long to slice and dice through the field, charging to second in just three laps, before tracking down Newell. Reeves eyed the low line as he tried to get around his veteran compatriot. The points leader finally grabbed the lead as the race got past the halfway mark, and held off a hard-charging Newell for his fourth feature win of the season, crossing the finish line as his right front tire began to go down from a puncture during the race. Young Austin Johnson finished on the podium in third.

Geoff Ledford led the field to green in the 15-lap Hoosier Tire Road Warriors headliner and immediately checked out on the 11-car field, racing to a straightaway advantage over points leader Justin Blake. Ledford was unchallenged as he went wire-to-wire en route to his second win of the season and first since opening night, as Blake settled for a solid runner-up finish and Allen Ellis wound up third.

The Coca-Cola Chargers got off to a fast and furious start in their 12-lap feature as Jordan Nisbett dived to the bottom and emerged with the top spot on the opening lap. Nisbett pushed his lead as a wild battle for second ensued between points leader Jimmy Poindexter and Jason Walls. Despite Poindexter’s best efforts, he fell short as Nisbett, whose wife gave birth to a baby boy on Friday, found his way into the winner’s circle. Walls ended up third.

Racing returns to Missouri’s only asphalt oval this Saturday night, August 3 for Central Bank Night at the Races, as the headlining O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models lead the way in the eighth ‘NASCAR Kickin’ Asphalt’ program of the 2013 campaign. The Budweiser Modifieds highlight an exciting undercard while the Monster Energy Sportsman, Hoosier Tire Road Warriors and Coca-Cola Chargers will also be in action. Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. with the green flag set to wave at 7:00 p.m. sharp on the evening’s jam-packed slate of racing action.

For more information on Lebanon I-44 Speedway, including a full 2013 schedule and more, visit the track website at www.i44speedway.net or visit the track’s Facebook and Twitter pages online.
****
Lebanon I-44 Speedway – July 27, 2013
Race Results
O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models
Heat 1 Heat 2
1) Car # 20 Austin Fullerton 1) Car # 67 Jimmy Vanzandt
2) Car # 9 Tucker Cory 2) Car # 6 Matt Wallace
3) Car # 42 Cole Rouse 3) Car # 46 Cole Williams
4) Car # 08 Jake Griffin 4) Car # 15 JC Newell
5) Car # 3 Brennon Willard 5) Car # 1 Brian Brown
6) Car # 35 Steve Holt 6) Car # 31 Michael Stake
7) Car # 07 Terry Limberopoulos 7) Car # 27 Joe Ross

Feature #1
1) Car # 6 Matt Wallace Concord, NC
2) Car # 08 Jake Griffin Quincy, IL
3) Car # 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper, MO
4) Car # 35 Steve Holt Strafford, MO
5) Car # 20 Austin Fullerton Chelsea, OK
6) Car # 15 JC Newell Stoutland, MO
7) Car # 31 Michael Stake Lebanon, MO
8) Car # 46 Cole Williams Sellersburg, IN
9) Car # 1 Brian Brown Strafford, MO
10) Car # 9 Tucker Cory Quincy, IL
11) Car # 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Springfield, MO
12) Car # 07 Terry Limberopoulos Cuba, MO
13) Car # 42 Cole Rouse Fort Smith, AR
DNS Car # 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, MO

Feature #2

1) Car # 46 Cole Williams Sellersburg, IN
2) Car # 20 Austin Fullerton Chelsea, OK
3) Car # 6 Matt Wallace Concord, NC
4) Car # 08 Jake Griffin Quincy, IL
5) Car # 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper, MO
6) Car # 31 Michael Stake Lebanon, MO
7) Car # 15 JC Newell Stoutland, MO
8) Car # 35 Steve Holt Strafford, MO
9) Car # 1 Brian Brown Strafford, MO
10) Car # 9 Tucker Cory Quincy, IL
11) Car # 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Springfield, MO
DNS Car # 07 Terry Limberopoulos Cuba, MO
DNS Car # 42 Cole Rouse Fort Smith, AR
DNS Car # 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, MO

Budweiser Modified

Heat 1 Heat 2
1) Car # 6 Richard Lewis 1) Car # 57 Tyler Scott
2) Car # 88 Paul Jepsen 2) Car # 66 Terry Taylor
3) Car # 00 Chris Johnson 3) Car # 91 David Bates
4) Car # 64 David Strode 4) Car # 25 Stephen Counterman
5) Car # 27 Kevin Hunt 5) Car # 26 Payton Lucas
6) Car # 10 Joe Bunkers 6) Car # 12 Scotty Allen
7) Car # 0 Chris Kerperien 7) Car # 11 Mark Riddle

Feature

1) Car # 26 Payton Lucas Fair Grove, MO
2) Car # 57 Tyler Scott Nixa, MO
3) Car # 91 David Bates Fair Grove, MO
4) Car # 12 Scotty Allen Urbana, MO
5) Car # 88 Paul Jepsen Rolla, MO
6) Car # 6 Richard Lewis Willard, MO
7) Car # 64 David Strode Independence, MO
8) Car # 00 Chris Johnson Lebanon, MO
9) Car # 11 Mark Riddle Springfield, MO
10) Car # 27 Kevin Hunt Spring Hills, KS
11) Car # 10 Joe Bunkers Harrisonville, MO
12) Car # 0 Chris Kerperien Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
13) Car # 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, MO
14) Car # 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, MO

Monster Energy Sportsman

Heat
1) Car # 21 Randy Besser
2) Car # 6 Robert Reeves
3) Car # 22 Austin Johnson
4) Car # 84 JC Newell
5) Car # 48 Jimmy Fohn
6) Car # 5 Dustin Reeves

Feature

1) Car # 6 Robert Reeves Camdenton, MO
2) Car # 84 JC Newell (Gentle Giant) Decauterville, MO
3) Car # 22 Austin Johnson Inola, OK
4) Car # 21 Randy Besser Branson, MO
5) Car # 5 Dustin Reeves Osage Beach, MO
6) Car # 48 Jimmy Fohn Eldridge, MO

Hoosier Tire Road Warriors

Heat
1) Car # 45 Geoffrey Ledford
2) Car # 15 Justin Blake
3) Car # 52 Allen Ellis
4) Car # 99 Riley Sharp
5) Car # 21 Les Mallard
6) Car # 34 Caston Jones
7) Car # 00 Michael Juergensen
8) Car # 14 Keith Buckley
9) Car # 27 Nick Cherry
10) Car # 9 Chuck Higdon
11) Car # 90 Steve Shaw

Feature

1) Car # 45 Geoffrey Ledford Neosho, MO
2) Car # 15 Justin Blake Lebanon, MO
3) Car # 52 Allen Ellis Strafford, MO
4) Car # 99 Riley Sharp Springfield, MO
5) Car # 21 Les Mallard Fair Grove, MO
6) Car # 34 Caston Jones Belle, MO
7) Car # OO Michael Juergensen Lebanon, MO
8) Car # 14 Keith Buckley
9) Car # 27 Nick Cherry Springfield, MO
10) Car # 9 Chuck Higdon Strafford, MO
11) Car # 90 Steve Shaw Rogersville, MO

Coca-Cola Chargers

Heat

1) Car # 74 Larry Hunter
2) Car # 95 Jordan Nisbett
3) Car # 11 Lauren Buhr
4) Car # 5 Jimmy Poindexter
5) Car # 10 Jason Walls
6) Car # 44 Ben White
7) Car # 89 Patrick McKnight
8) Car # 7 Amanda Anderson
9) Car # 37 Jary Hudson

Feature

1) Car # 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon, MO
2) Car # 5 Jimmy Poindexter Jr Willard, MO
3) Car # 10 Jason Walls St. James, MO
4) Car # 44 Ben White Rolla, MO
5) Car # 74 Larry Hunter Laquey, MO
6) Car # 11 Lauren Buhr Neosho, MO
7) Car # 89 Patrick McKnight Rolla, MO
8) Car # 37 Jary Hudson Edgar Springs, MO
9) Car # 7 Amanda Anderson Lebanon, MO

Lebanon I-44 Speedway offers an alcohol-free grandstand, featuring aluminum seating with seat-backs, along with the “Fan Deck” that does offer beer where patrons and groups may view the races in a very comfortable area. 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 for the Monster Energy grandstands will remain just $10 for Adults, ages 16 and older, in the grandstands while Adult admission on the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ will remain just $15. 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 $25, while six Adults entering in the same vehicle on tiered parking will be admitted to the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ for $75.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located four miles east of the Lebanon city limits on Historic Route 66 and Missouri’s only NASCAR sanctioned facility. 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 this event, including a full schedule of events, the rules being enforced, and a purse distribution, will be released on the facility’s official website, www.i44speedway.net in the coming weeks. Keep up with news about Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lebanon-I-44-Speedway, and on Twitter (@i44Speedway).

####

About Lebanon I-44 Speedway

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only weekly Asphalt Racing Oval settled nearly 300 miles from any other and is Missouri’s only NASCAR sanctioned facility. Located in Lebanon, Missouri, along Interstate 44 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the East 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, Tony Stewart and the late Tony Roper 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 new 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, the new Central Bank VIP Suites in the middle of the front stretch and entering turn one is the newest addition, the Budweiser Fan Deck.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway runs many special events throughout the race season as well as an exciting NASCAR weekly show that consists of Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Road Warriors and the Chargers with special appearances by the United States Super Truck Series, Pro National Baby Grand Cars, NASCAR racing special events and various Concerts.

For all of the latest information always visit
www.i44speedway.net

2013 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Central Bank – Preferred Banking Partner
Compliance Fire & Safety – Preferred Fire & Safety Provider
Green Earth technologies – Preferred “Totally Green” Clean Tech Company
Hampton Inn / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Holiday Inn Express / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
K&N Engineering – Preferred Performance Filter
Mercy – Official Health Care Provider
Missouri Eagle – Official Beer, Energy Drink & Tea Supplier
Monster Energy – Official Energy Drink
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Preferred Auto Parts Store
Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper – Official Supplier: Soft Drinks, Water, Sports Drinks
Peace Tea – Official Tea
Racing Electronics – Official Communications Supplier
Safety-Kleen – Preferred Environmental Services Company
Springfield Yamaha – Official UTV & ATV Supplier
Sunoco – Official Racing Fuel
Super 8 / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel

2013 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Advanced Electric & Communications, Auto Body Supply, Auto Meter, Commerce Bank, Cometic Gaskets, Contingency Connection, Dickies Barbecue, Emerson Climate Technologies, Energy Companies, ESPN Radio, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Home Depot, Independent Stave Inc., JEGS, KZNN Superstation, Lebanon Ready Mix, Liberty Tire, Lindsay Auto Group, McGunegill Engine Performance, Missouri Tool & Automation, Owens Sandblasting, Ozarks Harley Davidson, Regional Radio – KJEL, Reliable Toyota, Rock Auto, Royal Purple, Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, Sherwin Williams, Show Me Guns, Sprint, Starnes Auto, Totally You, Toyota Motorsports, Unilever, United Insurors, US Foods, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, Z102.3 Radio, 107.9 The Coyote

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