Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
March 29, 2016
The first race of the season for Lucas Cattle Company ULMA Late Model drivers takes place Friday, April 1st at Callaway Raeway in Fulton, Missouri. The event serves as the first race for ULMA’s tenth anniversary season. The race is poised to be the 418th race sanctioned by ULMA since year number one in 2007. Callaway Raceway is found on the web at www.callawayraceways.com.
Several familiar races have indicated they will compete for the coveted tenth championship for the association. Jon Melloway is poised to defend his title and is expected to be challenged by several drivers, including last year’s runner-up finisher Todd McCoin, whom Melloway edged for last year’s title.
Jon Binning and Jason Bodenhamer, both past ULMA champions are expected to contend for the ten-year anniversary championship. Defending Rookie of the Year Dustin Hodges will look to one-up his impressive rookie season of last year while Cody Holtkamp is poised to have a breakout season. Other returning ULMA stalwarts expected to challenge for wins or championship points include previous ULMA winners Chris Cox, Justin Russell, Bobby Penney, Chris Smyser, Kenny Mudd, and Tommy Cordray.
In addition to previous winners, additional drivers expected to compete at ULMA-sanctioned tracks this season include Aaron Marrant, a previous Modified track champion, who is expected to challenge for the 2016 Rookie of the Year. Lane Ehlert, Dave Miller, Josh Poe, Kevin Coyne, Gage Wineland, Wesley Briggs, Phil Edmondson, Walt Imhoff, Jason Sivils, Jimmy Jobe, and Clint Long are also expected to challenge for wins. The 2016 ULMA schedule includes over 50 dates from April through September. Drivers keep their 15 best ULMA points-earning nights to count towards the overall ULMA title.
Eight different tracks dot the ULMA schedule this season including Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri; Randolph County Raceway in Moberly, Missouri; Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri; Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg, Missouri; Double XX Speedway in California, Missouri; Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas; I-35 Speedway in Winston, Missouri; and for the first time since 2012, Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri as part of the Missouri State Fair.
ULMA has also been approached by one additional track and is hopeful an additional event can be added to this season’s schedule. For ULMA’s return to action at the 2016 Missouri State Fair in the first-annual ULMA Invitational event, defending ULMA champion Jon Melloway became the first past champion to confirm his participation in the highly anticipate and high-profile event. Since Melloway’s confirmation, Jon Binning, Jason Russell, and Vance Wilson also added their names to the list of ‘past champion’ ready to compete.
Drivers are reminded that ULMA licenses are mandatory to compete in ULMA-sanctioned events. Cost for the year is $100 or $10 per race entered. Licenses and temp licenses are available at each track but drivers are encouraged to visit the ULMA website to print the form and bring it with them when they first compete.
For a printable schedule and printable copies of the association’s rules and regulations, be sure to visit www.ulmaracing.com. During the race season the association is also active on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ULMA-United-Late-Model-Association. ULMA’s outstanding group of season sponsors includes Lucas Cattle Company, Hoosier Tire Midwest, Radical Race Wear, FastShafts.com, RacingJunk.com, RacinDirt.com, and Photographics by Shelly Payne.
Upcoming ULMA Events
Friday, April 1 – Callaway Raceway
Friday, April 8 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, April 9 – I-35 Speedway
Friday, April 15 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, April 16 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, April 22 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, April 23 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Saturday, April 23 – Randolph County Raceway
Friday, April 29 – Lakeside Speedway
Saturday, April 30 – Lucas Oil Speedway