Budweiser Modifieds dive into turn 3 at I-44
Media Contact:
Name – Kevin Greven
Title – General Manager
Phone:417 399-5756
Email: kevin@lebanoni44speedway.com
Many stories also contributed by Ronnie Williams
50 Lap Budweiser Shootout for Modifieds at I-44 This Weekend
The Ground Pounders go 50 Laps this Weekend
Lebanon, Mo / July 14, 2014 – For Immediate Release
Following a week off to allow for summertime vacations and let everybody enjoy the Laclede County Fair, the “High-Banks” Of The Lebanon I-44 Speedway swings back into action with a full NASCAR Whelen All-American Monster Energy Championship point’s event. A special 50 lap Budweiser Shootout for the Ground-Pounding Modifieds along with the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Monster Energy Sportsman, Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors and the ever exciting Coca-Cola Chargers.
The Modifieds have found 5 different feature winners this season out of 8 races with current point leader Stephen Counterman of Fair Grove heading the star-studded field into this Saturday’s action. Counterman, with 1 win this season holds a narrow 17 point margin over Richard Lewis of Willard. Lewis, looking for his 1st win of the season is keeping the pack tight as Lebanon’s Chris Johnson vaulted into 3rd place and only 6 markers behind Lewis. Other feature winners this season include former Track Champion David Bates (2 wins), Former NASCAR Regional Champion Ricky Icenhower (2 wins), Former 3-time Pro Late Model Champion Tim Swearengin (2 wins), and 3 time Modified Champion Tyler Scott (1 win). Other front runners looking for a win in the long distance event includes Terry Taylor and Brian Webster along with a host of others as a strong car count is expected.
Sleeper’s Brennon Willard became the first repeat winner in the Pro Late Model Class on July 3rd with a big win in the Salute to 75. The competition level this season has everyone guessing who will take home the checkered each weekend as 6 different winners out of 7 features in 2014. Current leader in both the NASCAR Missouri State and Lebanon I-44 Track points, Kaleb Allison of Mexico, Missouri, JC Newell of Stoutland, Jake Griffin of Quincy, Illinois, Kevin Donahue of Wildwood, Missouri, and Austin Fullerton of Chelsea Oklahoma have all recorded feature wins. Rookie Drivers Kyle Donahue and Austin Johnson have been getting closer to the winner’s circle as Terry Limberopoulos, Steve Holt, Jim Reaves, Jimmy Van Zandt and Peyton Lucas are dialing their cars in even more. Veteran driver Joe Ross of Independence is expected to debut a new car and should raise the level even higher. Kansas City drivers Terry Smith, Brian Woods and rookie Jake Cole all had strong showings in the salute to 75 and might just sneak in for an upset. With Willard’s win, he moved into the runner-up spot in both the State and track standings behind the young speedster Allison.
For Coca-Cola Charger point leader Ben White of Rolla, the July 3rd race allowed him a chance to open a gap in what was a very tight pack as he took home his 1st win of the season and became the 5th different winner out of 8 events. Lebanon’s Jordan Nesbitt leads the winners circle visits with 3, but 2 weeks of mechanical issues has dropped him to 6th in the track standings. Jason Walls (2 wins), Lauren Buhr (1 win), Jimmy Poindexter (1 win) have kept the action tight and close for the entry level class. John Hunn, Larry Hunter, Amanda Anderson, Japheth Nesbitt and Mark Glorfeld are all running at the front and looking for a feature win in 2014.
For Monster Energy Sportsman point leader Paul Jepson of Rolla, the competition level has increased while the 5 time winner has to fend 2 time winner Toby Harden in the championship chase. The 2 front runners are seeing drivers such as Big JC Newell, Justin Blake, Jake Piel, and Aaron Douglas all running towards the front and have to keep them in their mirrors. Others looking for their first win of 2014 include Miles DeSelms, Jimmy Fohn, Keith Buckley, 2013 Track Champion Randy Besser and Adam Johnson. Another front runner when he checks-in is Kansas City veteran Ronnie Hartford in his pick-up bodied machine as the variety of what this class offers in body styles keeps close competition overall.
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warrior point leader Carl Harlow has had not only a fast car, but some racing luck in the 1st half of the season. 4 wins already, Harlow has to charge from the rear of the pack each week in his older generation Camaro while trying to keep up with a fast paced group. Geoff Ledford (2 wins) and points runner-up Les Mallard (1 win) are getting faster as Ledford has had a string of bad luck lately. Rick and Riley Sharp, Mike Funcannon, former Track Champion Mike Scott, Michael Juergensen, Nick Cherry, Tony Johnson, Aaron Wilke and others have continued to close the gap over the last few weeks and the 2nd half of the season should be interesting.
Gates will open at 5pm for the Budweiser Party Deck, as well as both the Monster Energy Grandstand and Budweiser Wildside with Budweiser Shootout Qualifying to start at 7pm. A full show of O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Monster Energy Sportsman, Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors and Coca-Cola Chargers will be competing along with the special 50 lap Budweiser Shootout for the Budweiser Modifieds. Admission is only $10 for Adults in the Grandstands while Seniors and Military only $7, Juniors 11-15 are $4 and 10 and under are FREE. Tier Parking is only $15 for Adults with the 6-pack special being 6 Adults in the same vehicle $75. Seniors and Military are $11 while Juniors are $7 and 10 and under are FREE.
For more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and join the thousands currently getting up to date information on the Lebanon I-44 Speedway Facebook page.
NASCAR Monster Energy Chase for the Cup Point Standings
O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models
1) Kaleb Allison 755
2) Brennon Willard 711
3) JC (James) Newell 699
4) Terry Limberopoulos 624
5) Austin Johnson 614
6)Kyle Donahue 574
7) Steve Holt 566
8) Jim Reaves 511
9)Kevin Donahue 471
10) Austin Fullerton 402
Budweiser Modifieds
1) Stephen Counterman 816
2) Richard Lewis 799
3)Chris Johnson 793
4) Tim Swearengin 772
5) David Bates 744
6) Terry Taylor 696
7 )Ricky Icenhower 675
8) Brian Webster 542
9 )Brian Lewis 528
10) Christopher Kerperien 517
Monster Energy Sportsman
1) Paul Jepsen 847
2)Toby Harden 802
3) James Newell 716
4) Robert Blake 511
5) Jake Piel 409
6) Jimmy Fohn 324
7 )Aaron Douglas 171
8) Miles DeSelms 158
9) Keith Buckley 94
10) Ron Hartford 93
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors
1) Carl Harlow 846
2) Leslie Mallard 758
3) Michael Juergensen 644
4) Mike Funcannon 632
5)Anthony Johnson 584
6) Nick Cherry 565
7) Geoffrey Ledford 545
8)Rick Sharp 345
9) Riley Sharp 274
10) Gary Ball 242
Coca-Cola Chargers
1) Benjamin White 847
2) Lauren Buhr 823
3)Jimmy Poindexter 816
4) Jason Walls 805
5) John Hunn 802
6) Jordan Nisbett 782
7) Larry Hunter 749
8) Japheth Nisbett 708
9) Mark Glorfeld 616
10)Amanda Anderson 548
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About Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only NASCAR facility and weekly Asphalt Racing Oval settled nearly 300 miles from any other and proudly flies the NASCAR Whelen All American Series banner. Located in Lebanon, Missouri, along Interstate 44 on Route 66 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the East of Springfield, Missouri on I-44 and just 2 hours West 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 beautiful 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 more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and be sure to visit and like the ever growing Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for updated information as drivers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Illinois compete each Saturday Night.
2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
Big Surf Water Park – Preferred Amusement Park
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Hampton Inn / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Holiday Inn Express / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
K&N Engineering – Preferred Performance Filter
Lindsay Auto Group – Official NASCAR Pace Vehicle
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
Sportsland Accessories – Preferred Truck Accessories
Springfield Powersports – Official UTV & ATV Supplier
Sunoco – Official Racing Fuel
Super 8 / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Auto Body Supply, Auto Meter, Commerce Bank, Cometic Gaskets, Dickey’s Barbecue, Emerson Climate Technologies, ESPN Radio, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Independent Stave Inc., JEGS, KZNN Superstation, Lebanon Ready Mix, Liberty Tire, 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, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, Z102.3 Radio, 107.9 The Coyote
Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Kevin Greven / General Manager
kevin@lebanoni44speedway.com
Track (417) 532-2060 / Cell (417) 399-5756 / Fax (417) 532-7624
24069 Route 66 / Lebanon, MO 65536