Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
June 24, 2014
Prior to the 2014 Lucas Cattle Company ULMA season, Marionville, Missouri’s Phil Edmondson had but two top-ten finishes in ULMA competition. However, within a matter of one weekend, he now has back-to-back wins to his credit.
Edmondson’s winning ways began on Friday at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri where heat race results definitely did not foreshadow the outcome of the night’s main events. Vance Wilson, now driving for David Miller, recorded the victory in the opening heat race with Larry Winn and Edmondson second and third. Justin Russell dominated for the victory in heat race two over a returning Chris Lapp and Zeke Langley.
For the main event, Wilson and Russell held down the first row with Winn and Lapp just behind. Wilson led the early stages of the main event while Russell stalked him for the lead. On lap five, the unexpected occurred as the two leaders tangled in turn four, with both Wilson and Russell spinning before Lapp also became involved in the incident getting into the right front of Russell.
In what Russell called, “Just hard racing,” the top three runners quickly found themselves at the tail of the field for the ensuing restart with five laps complete. Wilson and Russell both were able to resume the race as was Lapp; however.
The leader now was Edmondson over Winn, ninth-starting Gage Wineland, Zeke Langley, and Lane Ehlert, who made a rare Callaway appearance. A second caution waived on the restart for debris while at the same time Ehlert’s strong run to the top five ended when he exited the track. Russell’s night also came to an end when he discovered the damage from the earlier contact prevented him from finishing the race.
Once racing resumed, and just shy of lap 10 Wineland began pressuring for the lead on Edmondson and Winn but the young driver was unable to make a successful run for the lead as Winn slipped back around him into the second position. On lap ten, Wilson recovered from his earlier spin to break back into the top five in search of even more positions as the laps clicked off.
By lap 13, Wilson moved to fourth with just 7 laps remaining and looking for more positions. The top four remained Edmondson, Winn, Wineland, and Wilson through the white-flag lap when Winn challenged Edmondson for the lead. Meanwhile, Langley wasn’t done yet either as he recaptured the fourth position from Wilson in the waning moments of the race.
In the end, Edmondson collected his first-ever ULMA victory ahead of Winn, Wineland, Langley, Wilson, and Lapp, who, like Wilson, recovered from the earlier caution to finish in sixth position. A jubilant Edmondson celebrated in near disbelief after capturing the victory. Racing resumes this Friday at Callaway Raceway with gates opening at 5, hot laps at 7, and racing at 7:30; visit www.callawayraceways.com for more information.
Racing was planned for the following evening, Saturday night at Randolph County Raceway in Moberly, Missouri; however Mother Nature once again spoiled the fun with rains moving in just before the program was set to get underway. The track is set to open its doors once again this weekend. Pit Gates open at 4, Grandstands at 5, Drivers Meeting at 6, Hot Laps at 6:30, and racing at 7. For a complete schedule of events and general track information, visit www.randolphcountyraceway.com.
According to their latest press release, Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri has an exciting night of racing planned this weekend during their “Weekly Racing Series Mid-Season Championships on the dirt track.” Hydroplane boat races will also be on hand this weekend on Lake Lucas. Track point leader Jake Williams leads an always strong field of drivers in ULMA competition, which makes its return to action this weekend. Visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com for event information or call the track hotline at (417) 282-5984.
Racing returned on Sunday evening when a handful of cars competed at Double XX Speedway in California, Missouri for the first appearance of two at Kyle and Carol Wirtz’s beloved track. Chris Cox collected the lone heat race of the night with the ever-present Edmondson shadowing him to the line in second. Danny Lorton, who sat behind the wheel of a late model for the first time in three years finished third.
Cox and Edmondson began the 15-lap main event on the front row with Lorton and Cummings just behind them in row tow. Edmondson fought his way to the front after the initial green flag as he and Cox exited the tight confines of turn two with Cox slipping back to second. On lap 3, Gage Wineland spun to draw a caution flag ad Edmondson led Cox, Justin Russell and Lorton inside the top four.
When racing resumed Russell was the man on the move as he drove to second by lap seven in pursuit of Edmondson, Cox slipped back to third with Wineland quickly rebounding to the top five before lap ten. On lap 12, Wineland gained two more positions to break into the top five.
In the race’s late stages Russell tried on a couple occasions to switch lines and real in race-long leader Edmondson but was unsuccessful, meanwhile Wineland was in hot pursuit of Russell for the runner-up position. However, both drivers ran out of time to make any advancement as Edmondson easily cruised to his second straight win in as many appearances. Russell finished second followed by Wineland, Cox, Cummings, and Lorton.
ULMA returns to Double XX Speedway on Sunday, July 13 for the track’s annual “Race for Riley” night at the track. Riley Michelle Hudson was a huge Late Model race fan and unfortunately left the world at a much too early age. The track has several events planned for those in attendance, including a Frisbee toss from drivers in which fans can win $100! An auction will also be held during intermission and ULMA will donate merchandise to the auction with a proceeds going to Children’s Hospital University of Missouri Health Care. A 50/50 raffle is also planned and all kids will get a prize at the entrance gate.
On race night, gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7, with racing beginning at approximately 7:30. Admission is $12, pit passes are $25. The track’s weekly program consists of 360 Winged Sprints, Street Stocks, and Hobby Stocks. Be sure to visit www.xxspeedway.com, locate the track on Facebook, or call 573.796.4694 for additional details.
ULMA shirts are now on sale. Kids through adult XL shirts are $15 while XXL and XXXL shirts sell for $17. Shirts may be previewed by visiting the main ULMA website at www.ulmaracing.com. The shirts come in pink, grey, white, and lime green.
In just a few days, RacinDirt.com will present the long-awaited return of the ULMA Triple Crown Shootout. The event, which features added purse money from two of the ULMA tracks as well as bonuses courtesy of RacinDirt.com and contingency prizes, takes place over three nights at Lucas Oil Speedway on July 3, Callaway Raceway July 4, and Randolph County Raceway on July 5. Official Triple Crown Shootout entry forms may be found on the ULMA home page at www.ulmaracing.com. Drivers needing tires prior to the weekend of competition are urged to contact Danny Lorton at 660-651-3646.
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. ULMA is proud to announce the return of RacingJunk.com to the sponsorship fold for the association. RacingJunk.com is the official classifieds of the ULMA. For more information on ULMA, visit www.ulmaracing.com.
Standings as of June 24, 2014
POS CAR NAME STARTS POINTS
1st 1T Chris Cox 15 1398
2nd 9D Dwight Niehoff 12 1131
3rd 12 Payton Looney 11 1054
4th 23 Zeke Langley 10 940
5th 65 Jon Binning 10 924
6th 72 Jake Williams 9 884
7th 7E Phil Edmondson 9 827
8th 7 JD Hubert 8 739
9th 23 Ethan Young ® 8 732
10th 0X Justin Russell 8 716
Upcoming Events
Friday, June 27 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 28 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Saturday, June 28 – Randolph County Raceway
TRIPLE CROWN SHOOTOUT
Thursday, July 3 – Lucas Oil Speedway – $1,000-to-win track special
Friday, July 4 – Callaway Raceway – Regular Purse
Saturday, July 5 – Randolph County Raceway – $750-to-win track special
Friday, July 11 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, July 12 – Randolph County Raceway
Saturday, July 12 – Central Missouri Speedway
Sunday, July 13 – Double XX Speedway
Friday, July 18 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, July 19 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Saturday, July 19 – Randolph County Raceway