Terry Phillips
West Plains Motor Speedway was the site this weekend for a large gathering of the Caterpillar High Performance Group employees, families and friends, as the Pomona facility hosted the O'Reilly MARS super late models and weekly racing program. Also on hand was the A-Cert Technology touring mobile unit and a CAT Nascar replica.
This was the third consecutive year the HPH Group had gathered at the local race track for an evening of high powered entertainment and fun. Lots of door prizes and gifts were distributed to the guests on hand and the employees gathered on Victory Lane for a group picture of eighty or more employees.
The Mid-American Racing Series out of Batesville, AR, provided an outstanding program where Springfield, MO, native, Terry Phillips picked up the $3,000 winner's check. Phillips took the green from the outside front row and never looked back leading the entire 40-lap event flag to flag while running groves from top to bottom.
Giving Phillips a good run for the money was Wendell Wallace of Batesville, AR, along with Jeff Floyd of Walnut Ridge, AR, followed by Peyton Taylor of Batesville, AR and Bill Frye of Greenbrier, AR. Rounding out the top ten were Leslie Essary of Crane, MO, David Gibson of Ash Flat, AR, Steve Rushin of Poplar Bluff, MO, Dane Dacus of Arlington, TN, and Jeff Taylor of Batesville, AR.
The remainder of the field in order of their finish included: Jared Landers, John Mitchell, Brad Looney, Joey Mack, Brandon McCormick, Raymond Merrill, Dustin Mooneyham, Jerry Buck, Gary Stolba, Charlie Randolph, Duke Whisneat, and Stacy Taylor.
The IMCA Modified feature also provided a flag to flag event with out incident or delay in the program. Taking the winning honors was Kevin Salter of Batesville, AR, followed by Shawn Walsh of Ash Flat, AR, Jamel Korkis of Cave City, AR, Kevin Collins and Carmon Vincent, both of the West Plains area.
Other drivers in order of their finish included: Bill Adams, Rustin MIller, Troy Tredway, Trent Cockrum, Scott Miller, Mike Mayfield, Bryan McKee, Mike Phillips, John Mostrom, Fred Scarbrough, Scott Crigler, Danny Peterson, Jason Story, Denny Dennison, Clarence Story, Marty Toten, Jerry Croney, Billy Romans, and Richard Smith.
The Super Stock feature saw 25 cars take the green flag with Tony Anglin of Walnut Ridge, AR, coming out the winner. Rounding out the top five finisher were Scooter Floyd of Batesville, AR, Claudie Cook of Jonesboro, AR, Stan Ellison of West Plains and Matt Sturch of Batesville, AR.
The remainder of the field in order of their finish included: Sean Williams, John Hughes, Dee Kelly, Shay Stacy, Heath Davenport, Bill Dixon, Darren Fox, Andy Collins, Tony Jackson, Todd Kelly, Eddie Brown, Jesse Brotherton, Derald Kelly, Dave Wallace, Kevin Salter, Tim Brown, Richie Tosh, Bobby Ratterree, Kevin Grissum, and Mike Blissenbach.
Bobby Bryant of West Plains won the Hobby Stock feature with Donnie Miller of Houston, MO, a close second followed by Chuck Russell of West Plains, Greg Lute of Hardy, AR, and Tyson Troutman of Houston.
Other drivers in order of their finish included: Rick Cooper, Joey Smith, Dexter Frost, Hunter Duren, Kirk Hutchings, Bobby Ratterree, Kevin Burton, James Mayfield, Keith Hamilton, Toby Goodwin, Larry Burton, Kyle Freyermuth, Chris Eash, Sam Warren, Billy Johns, Jessie Shearin, Brad Gayer, Brian Ratliff and John McCrackin.
Bill Johns of Hardy, AR, won the Cruiser feature with Jeff North of Willow Springs, finishing second. Rounding out the top five were Steve Recollet of Ash Flat, AR, Jody Jones of Raymondville, MO and Bill Harden of West Plains.
The remainder of the field in order of their finish included: Shane Hitt, Mike Butler, Michael Lewis, David Collins, Donald Collins, Jerry Riley, Jason Lohner, Nick Ellison, Chris Murray, Bryan Buchanan, Jason Johnson, Chris Skinner, Larry Derrick, and Charles McCord.
Patrick Reed Mtn. View, MO, scored the Front Wheel Drive feature win for the night. Other top finishers included, Brad Sanders of West Plains, Brian Wharton of Willow Springs, Jerry Doane of West Plains and David Lute of Ash Flat, AR.
The remainder of the field in order of their finish included: Buzz Wiles, Robert Jamison, Chris Johnson, Rodney Ely, and Truman Poole.
In the Youth Hobby feature Ben Ledgerwood of Birch Tree, made a return appearance on Victory Lane. Rounding out the field was Chris Ratterree of Mtn. Grove, MO, Eric Butler of Moody, MO,. Nikita Curtner of West Plains, and Bobby Skinner of South Fork, MO.
A special Hatfield Racing Engine Mid-Season Points Leader presentation at intermission honored the following drivers for their points standing at the mid-way point in the season, IMCA - Kevin Collins, Super Stock - Dee Kelly, Cruiser - Jeff North, Front Wheel Drive - Chris Johnson, and Youth Hobby - Ben Ledgerwood.
Next week will be the Ledgerwood Trucking Co., of Birch Tree, MO, sponsored weekly racing program. Gates will open at 6 p.m., for the Autograph Session, with hotlaps at 7:30 p.m., and racing at 8 p.m. Adult admission will be $7, senior citizens $4, children 7-11 $2, and those 6 and under are always free at West Plains Motor Speedway.
