Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
May 27, 2014
ULMA events took place in the central and west-central portions of Missouri last weekend as Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri and Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg hosted events for the talented group of drivers competing with the Lucas Cattle Company ULMA.
When the final checkered flag fell over the planned events two more drivers added their names to the winners list this season as 18 year-old Gage Wineland and Jon Binning became the eighth and ninth drivers to pickup victories this season. Wineland’s first-ever win in a late model came at Callaway Raceway while Binning rung the bell twice in a row in two consecutive nights of action at Warrensburg’s Central Missouri Speedway.
Friday racing kicked off the weekend at Callaway Raceway with thirteen cars on hand for competition. The raceway resumed racing after two straight weeks of rainouts. Vance Wilson, who had four straight victories was absent from late model competition but did compete in a b-modified; however a total of 13 cars signed in to compete in the evening’s program.
David Melloway claimed the opening preliminary heat race, beating Justin Russell, Dwight Niehoff, and Phil Edmondson to the line while older brother, Jon Melloway claimed the second heat race victory ahead of Payton Looney, Todd McCoin, and Chris Cox.
The front row for the main event consisted of Brothers David and Jon Melloway in a proud moment for the family, but unfortunately things did not end well for one of the brothers in post-race inspection. David Melloway stormed out to an early race lead, leaving Jon Melloway, Looney, and Russell to battle for the top four positions.
Meanwhile, twelfth-starting Gage Wineland gradually worked his way into the mix as the second thru fifth-place cars watched David Melloway drive away from them later into the race. Looney stayed in the fourth position through most of the race while Jon Melloway slipped from second to fifth at one time during the event.
Larry Winn, Zeke Langley and Cox also ran inside the top ten as well as rookie driver Dalton Imhoff. For the entire race distance David Melloway dominated the rest of the field with Wineland eventually following him across the finish line in second position. However, David Melloway’s car failed post-race inspection and he was disqualified from the win and finish. Justin Russell, who originally finished fifth, refused to comply with the request of the ULMA official in the technical inspection area and he was also disqualified from the final running order for refusing post-race inspection.
Both cars will have to go through a pre-technical inspection before they are allowed to compete at any ULMA-sanctioned track. Further actions and information regarding the disqualifications will be provided to drivers.
Prior to the race concluding, Wineland continued an impressive run to the front of the field by passing several cars, including Langley, Larry Winn, Jon Melloway, and Looney. In fact Wineland and Looney swapped positions several times in what would ultimately be the battle for the win. In the end, Wineland captured the victory, his first-ever in a late model. Looney was awarded second, followed by Jon Melloway, Winn, Langley, Cox, Chase Breid, Imhoff, Edmondson, and McCoin to round out the top ten.
Racing resumes this Friday at Callaway Raceway with gates open at 5, hot laps roll out at 7, and racing begins at 7:30. For additional information find the track online by visiting www.callawayraceways.com.
The ULMA Late Models made their second appearance this year at Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) in Warrensburg with 13 drivers checked into the pits. The opening heat race of two had Jon Binning from Warrensburg taking the checkers with Independence driver Bob King claiming the second heat.
Late Models took to the track for their main event and from the start it was Binning and Bob King battling back and forth for the lead. Every time King would threaten to take the lead, a yellow flag came out and Binning would return to the top spot on the restart. Behind the lead duo, Lane Ehlert along with Dustin Walker and Payton Looney were in the mix.
Binning stayed strong and held on for his first ULMA victory this year. Behind Binning at the line were King, Ehlert, Steven Clancy and Dwight Niehoff coming up to finish in fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Looney, Chris Cox, Dustin Walker, Greg Clemons and Jimmy Jobe.
ULMA Late Models competed for the second-consecutive night at CMS the next night in a pair of heat races with Bob King besting Jake Williams, Payton Looney and Dustin Walker in the opening heat race. Previous night feature winner Jon Binning claimed the second heat race ahead Dwight Niehoff, Chris Cox, and Gage Wineland.
King and Binning started on the poll of the front row for the 20-lap main event. Binning shot out to an early race lead until Payton Looney spun early in the race to draw a caution at the same time Greg Clemons pulled out of the race early as well. King darted out to the lead on the restart with Niehoff and Binning in tow. However, it was not to be as King appeared to be on his way to another CMS win until he apparently had a motor let go early in the race.
Lap six was not a good lap for Gage Wineland as he clipped and uke tire, which caused severe damage to the front and side of his vehicle, ending his night early. With King out of the event, Jon Binning then moved to the front of the field in search of another win. Niehoff and Williams were close behind in second and third with Dustin Walker fourth.
Caution flew at lap 12 for J.D. Hubert as he had a spin in turn three and four to draw the last caution. Binning led the way over Niehoff when the field went back to green as Niehoff was in search of an early birthday present as he was on the eve of his birthday. In the end, Binning was able to pull away despite repeated challenges from Niehoff to claim his second feature win in as many nights. Niehoff was second, followed by a rebounding Payton Looney in third, Williams fourth, Walker fifth, Chris Cox sixth and J.D. Hubert in seventh.
Randolph County Raceway resumes racing Saturday, May 31 this week after a holiday break. Ticket prices for general admission is $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 6 – 11, and kids 5 and under are free. Pit passes are $25. Pit gate open at 4, Grandstands at 5 with drivers meeting at 6, hot laps at 6:30, and racing at 7. For the track’s complete schedule of events for the season and general information, visit www.randolphcountyraceway.com.
Lucas Oil Speedway will take a one-week break from racing after a highly successful three-day event with the 22nd Annual Show-Me 100. Regular racing returns to the speedway on Saturday, June 7th. For up-to-the-minute information and track details as well as Show-Me 100 ticketing information visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com.
ULMA membership forms are located on the website at www.ulmaracing.com. Drivers are encouraged to complete their membership forms prior to taking their first green flag of the season. Membership for the remainder of the year is $100. Drivers should be expected to complete their membership paperwork upon checking in at each of the affiliated tracks.
Visit ULMA’s title sponsor at www.lucascattlecompany.com. ULMA thanks Hoosier Tire Midwest and Rod End Supply for their continued support. For more information on ULMA, visit www.ulmaracing.com.
POS CAR NAME STARTS POINTS
1st 1T Chris Cox 11 1026
2nd 12 Payton Looney 10 972
3rd 9D Dwight Niehoff 10 937
4th 65 Jon Binning 8 746
5th 23 Zeke Langley 8 744
6th 72 Jake Williams 7 706
7th 23 Ethan Young ® 6 544
8th 42 Lane Ehlert 6 528
9th B1 Vance Wilson 5 524
10th 7X Todd McCoin 6 499
11th 74X Jon Melloway 5 480
12th 14W Dustin Walker 5 444
13th 7 JD Hubert 5 433
14th 7E Phil Edmondson 5 429
15th 11W Larry Winn 5 421
Upcoming Events
Friday, May 30 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 31 – Randolph County Raceway
Friday, June 6 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 7 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Saturday, June 7 – Randolph County Raceway
Friday, June 13 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 14 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, June 20 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 21 – Randolph County Raceway
Sunday, June 22 – Double XX Speedway
Friday, June 27 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 28 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Saturday, June 28 – Randolph County Raceway