Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
April 28, 2015
Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri hosted the lone ULMA event last weekend and there was a new face in victory lane when the night concluded. Justin Russell of Henley, Missouri raced his way to a first-ever win at Lucas Oil Speedway and third career Lucas Cattle Company ULMA win, his first victory since August 1, 2014.
Twenty-two drivers competed Saturday night at Lucas Oil Speedway in three heat races and the main event. Dwight Niehoff grabbed heat one over seventh-starting Jonathan Melloway. Justin Russell beat pole-sitter Lane Ehlert to the line for a win in heat two while last year’s ULMA Champion Jon Binning outdistanced sixth-starting Cody Holtcamp for the win in heat three. It was later discovered that Binning suffered motor issues on the final corners in his heat race forcing him to scratch from the main event.
ULMA Late Models competed first in the program running order, which led to fast-paced heat races to setup the main event. Holtcamp and Melloway brought the field to the initial green flag with Holtcamp quickly darting out front to lead the race over Ehlert. With the race running at a blistering pace, the two leaders made contact during the race as their bid to earn a victory faded after the incident.
Fourth-starting Russell made it known early that he was dialed in for the win as he loomed ever so close to the leaders. Some new faces ran among the top five with Todd McCoin and Dustin Hodges of Fulton, Missouri advancing from eleventh and eighth on the field by race end.
Meanwhile, sixteenth-starting Tommy Cordray, a former track champion at the speedway, moved up the leader board to second behind eventual winner Justin Russell, who drove a smooth and consistent race to record the victory. Cordray followed Russell to the line in second followed by McCoin, with his best-ever Lucas Oil Speedway finish in third. Dustin Hodges and eighteenth-starting Payton Looney rounded out the top five. Larry Jones, Walt Imhoff, Larry Ferris, Jon Melloway, and R.D. Peterson completed the top ten.
ULMA competitors have the week off at Lucas Oil Speedway as the track hosts an all open-wheel event this week. ULMA cars return to action at the track on Saturday, May 9. Visit the speedway online at www.lucasoilspeedway.com for complete details of scheduled events.
For the third time this season, racing at Callaway Raceway was cancelled. Racing is set to resume at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri this Friday, May 1. Visit www.callawayraceways.net for complete details and race program information.
ULMA competitors are in for a huge night of racing when Randolph County Raceway (RCR) in Moberly, Missouri hosts the United States Modified Touring Series and the Lucas Cattle Company ULMA Late Models on Saturday, May 2. The event should produce an outstanding night of racing during this pivotal championship points-earning event.
Pit gates will open at 3 p.m. this Saturday, May 2 at RCR with grandstand admission beginning at 5; hot laps roll out at 6:30 with racing set for 7. Adult general admission tickets are $20, kids 6 to 14 years of age $10, children 5 and under are free. All pit passes are $35. Find the speedway online at www.randolphcountyraceway.com.
Todd McCoin of Barnett, Missouri currently sits atop the ULMA standings after three events. Dwight Niehoff of Lockwood, Missouri sits solidly in second position with Gage Wineland of Syracuse, Missouri holding down the third position. For complete standings visit www.ulmaracing.com.
ULMA Temp Licenses are sold at each affiliated track for $10 per event entered. You must have a full membership license or purchase a temp license at the track you are competing at, no exceptions!
Visit ULMA’s title sponsor at www.lucascattlecompany.com. ULMA thanks Hoosier Tire Midwest, Radical Race Wear, RacingJunk.com, RacinDirt.com, and Photographics by Shelly Payne. For more information on ULMA, visit www.ulmaracing.com.
Point Standings
POS CAR # NAME STARTS POINTS
1st 7X Todd McCoin 3 288
2nd 9D Dwight Niehoff 3 276
3rd 12G Gage Wineland 3 264
4th 0X Justin Russell 2 206
5th 15 Payton Looney 2 202
6th B1 Vance Wilson 2 198
7th 22H Dustin Hodges ® 2 194
8th 74 Jon Melloway 2 192
9th 8 Dave Miller 2 178
10th 42 Lane Ehlert 2 174
Upcoming Points-Earning Events
Friday, May 1 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 2 – Randolph County Raceway
Friday, May 8 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 9 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, May 15 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 16 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, May 22 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 23 – Randolph County Raceway
Sunday, May 24 – Central Mo Speedway
Friday, May 29 – Randolph County Raceway
Saturday, May 30 – Central Missouri Speedway