By Dusty Luthy
I-44 Speedway
LEBANON - It was a busy night at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway Saturday night. The annual Independence Day celebration sponsored by Quality Heating and Air and The Lebanon Daily Record brought in a large crowd and several new drivers.
Relay For Life teams brought in kids games, local politicians parlayed for the vote and the night capped off with one of the largest fireworks displays in the area.
"Lebanon really came out and supported us," track promoter Randy Mooneyham said. "This Fourth of July celebration really is a tradition, starting back in the '80s with Bill Willard. This is the place to be to celebrate and we're glad people come back year after year."
Crocker's Justin Neuman may have thought the gigantic fireworks display was just for him. Neuman won his first Modified victory in three years of racing.
"I've been running second and third and have been right there," Neuman said. "And we've been working real hard on the car every week and knew it was going to come, just didn't know when. It seemed like it was taking forever, but finally came through there and got a win."
Neuman won the pole for the feature, kept the lead on the start and never looked back. Jeff Cutshaw started the feature second, followed by Tony Jackson Jr., Richard Turner and Jimmy Willis.
Jackson and Cutshaw had a close battle for several laps until Jackson had to pull off with problems. Cutshaw then finished second when he was unable to run Neuman down.
Steve Martin started the feature tailback after arriving to the track late, but managed to pull off a stunning third-place finish. Jamie Ragland finished a strong fourth after working for the position and Turner finished fifth in his first night out on the speedway.
In 2004, Neuman was the I-44 Speedway Modified rookie of the year, but had a string of bad luck last year.
"I had a lot of motor problems and stuff, but this year I've had a Ruble engine and I've had a really good year," he said, "haven't had any DNFs."
The points leader said he would probably continue to run for the track championship and said it had more meaning for him than just a title. "My uncle won it and it would mean a lot to me to win it," Neuman said.
Neuman's uncle, Jim Hayes, won the IMCA Modified track championship in 1985 and again when the track was asphalt in 2000.
"I'm ready now," he said. "Hopefully the next one will come a lot easier than the first one did."
Brad Looney won his seventh Late Model victory of the season. Looney credited his crew with the evening's win.
"The crew just worked good," Looney said. "The crew did a good job tonight we were a little loose in the heat race and we made quite a few adjustments in the feature and the car responded perfect."
Jesse Stovall, the USRA Modified national points leader, made his first appearance driving a Late Model and started the feature on the pole. Stovall was followed by Jason Bodenhamer, Looney, Reid Millard and Darrell Mooneyham.
On the first lap, Looney, Stovall and Bodenhamer took their cars three wide down the back stretch, with Looney coming out the best. Brandon McCormick was able to hook his car up and take the third spot behind Bodenhamer.
As Looney checked out on the pack, and Bodenhamer held his second place spot, the battle for third got downright hot.
Starting seventh, Dusty Johnston picked up the pace and started working on the now fourth place Stovall. Johnston and Stovall went back and forth several laps until Stovall edged Johnston out and continued gunning for McCormick on the outside of the track.
On lap 12, Stovall got around McCormick for third, but McCormick wasn't ready to give it up, going side-by-side down the back stretch on lap 13. Johnston came back into contention going three-wide with McCormick coming out ahead.
But third wasn't for McCormick Saturday night when he got blocked by the lap traffic of Danny Atkinson, allowing Johnston to blow by him for third. McCormick then held fourth with Stovall taking fifth.
In a non-points race, Lake Mooneyham won his third Factory Stock victory at the speedway and said his brakes were giving him a lot of grief in the feature after working for his win.
"To be honest with you, my car really didn't work all that good tonight," Mooneyham said. "We didn't try anything, but we had some brake troubles, but we overcame obviously. The car was good, but our brakes just weren't the way we wanted them to be."
Jordan Holloway, with a new Ruble motor in his car, started the feature on the pole in his first night on the track this season. On his outside was Darrin Fox, followed by Mooneyham, Derrick Peterson and Lonnie Henderson.
Holloway kept his lead for several laps as Mooneyham battled to run him down. Holloway then started experiencing problems and began fading spots, allowing Mooneyham to take the lead. Henderson also was on the run, getting passed Holloway and hooked up to run down Mooneyham as Holloway had to be pushed off the track on a caution.
Mooneyham kept his lead and won the feature, giving engine builder Jim Ruble two wins for the night after Neuman's victory.
After the 20-minute fireworks display, the Super Stocks came out to race with Ben Newell coming out with the win. Josh Woody was in the lead until his engine blew, allowing Newell the open door. The win is Newell's fourth of the season, giving his points lead a little extra cushion.
In what may once again have been the most competitive race of the night, Donnie Jackson came out of the Bomber division with his second trophy of the season. Jackson, who is third in points for the season, started the feature seventh to take the win.
Shawn Strong won his fourth Rookie feature after having raced now six features at the speedway.
Results:
Late Models
Heat 1
1. 66 Jesse Stovall
2. 20 Darrell Mooneyham
3. 14m Reid Millard
4. 60b Darrin Barton
5. 26 Burl Woods
6. 17m Matt Miller
7. 28 Leroy Johnson
8. 4a Danny Atkinson
Heat 2
1. 8k Jason Bodenhamer
2. 14L Brad Looney
3. 42 Brandon McCormick
4. 16 Dusty Johnston
5. 02 Dustin Mooneyham
6. 14r Curt Rackers
7. 72 Larry Moon
Feature
1. 14L Brad Looney
2. 8k Jason Bodenhamer
3. 16 Dusty Johnston
4. 42 Brandon McCormick
5. 66 Jesse Stovall
6. 26 Burl Woods
7. 20 Darrell Mooneyham
8. 02 Dustin Mooneyham
9. 17m Matt Miller
10. 14m Reid Millard
11. 60 Darrin Barton
12. 14r Curt Rackers
13. 72 Larry Moon
14. 4a Danny Atkinson
15. 28 Leroy Johnson
Modifieds
Heat 1
1. 14n Justin Neuman
2. 28 Richard Turner
3. 71e Dave Elson
4. 15r Jamie Ragland
5. 12 Scotty Allen
6. 112 Justin Moon
7. 2k Robert Kirkland
DNS 10 James Hartman
Heat 2
1. 98 Jeff Cutshaw
2. 56 Tony Jackson Jr.
3. 11w Jimmy Willis
4. 66 Robbie Morrisett
5. 44 Robert Hopkins
6. 41t T.R. Phillips
7. 23 Mook Cunningham
DNS 21m Steve Martin
Feature
1. 14n Justin Neuman
2. 98 Jeff Cutshaw
3. 21m Steve Martin
4. 15r Jamie Ragland
5. 28 Richard Turner
6. 71e Dave Elson
7. 44 Robert Hopkins
8. 66 Robbie Morrisett
9. 10 James Hartman
10. 112 Justin Moon
11. 2k Robert Kirkland
12. 23 Mook Cunningham
13. 41t T.R. Phillips
14. 12 Scotty Allen
15. 11w Jimmy Willis
16. 56 Tony Jackson Jr.
DNS 47 Corey Simpson
Factory Stocks
Heat 1
1. 8 Darrin Fox
2. 21 Jordan Holloway
3. 37p Derrick Peterson
4. 83 Tim Riffle
5. 42 Robert Rydeen
6. 40m Mike Chandler
7. 117 Shawn Danuser
Heat 2
1. 5 Lake Mooneyham
2. 76 Lonnie Henderson
3. 37c Gary Chambers
4. 54 Doug Rich
5. 14p Bud Pursley
6. 89 Justin Grindstaff
DNS 03 Tim Ellis
Feature
1. 5 Lake Mooneyham
2. 76 Lonnie Henderson
3. 8 Darrin Fox
4. 54 Doug Rich
5. 83r Tim Riffle
6. 37p Derrick Peterson
7. 14p Bud Pursley
8. 37c Gary Chambers
9. 03 Tim Ellis
10. 42 Robert Rydeen
11. 117 Shawn Danuser
12. 21 Jordan Holloway
13. 89 Justin Grindstaff
DNS 40m Mike Chandler
Super Stock
Heat 1
1. 8 Jeff Scroggins
2. 83 Ben Newell
3. 21 Josh Woody
4. 14 Tim Ballinger
5. 51 Bill Schaar
6. 50 Mike Mitchell
DNS 50c Mike Chism
Feature
1. 83 Ben Newell
2. 51 Bill Schaar
3. 50c Mike Chism
4. 14 Tim Ballinger
5. 50m Mike Mitchell
6. 21 Josh Woody
7. 8 Jeff Scroggins
8. 161 Dewayne Applegate
Bomber
Heat 1
1. t10t Tyler Brown
2. t10r Rick Brown
3. 21 Landon Johnson
4. 42 Donnie Jackson
5. 44 Dennis Harmon
6. 70 John West
DNS 244 Richard Talley
Heat 2
1. 23 Jason Huey
2. 9c Darrin Crisler
3. 32 Joe Francis
4. 5 Jacob Fry
5. 7p Brandon Pister
6. 8 Cody Harmon
Feature
1. 42 Donnie Jackson
2. 21 Landon Johnson
3. t10t Tyler Brown
4. t10r Rick Brown
5. 23 Jason Huey
6. 32 Joe Francis
7. 7p Brandon Pister
8. 9c Darrin Crisler
9. 5 Jacob Fry
10. 44 Dennis Harmon
11. 8 Cody Harmon
12. 70 John West
DNS 244 Richard Talley
Rookie
Heat 1
1. 14s Shawn Strong
2. 6 J.C. Morton
3. 7L Josh Lewis
4. 7r Rich Reynolds
5. 14b Tim Ballinger
6. 07 Tim Hall
7. 17 Jeff Brown
8. 45 Lee Quick
9. 8 Mario Jones
Feature
1. 14s Shawn Strong
2. 6 J.C. Morton
3. 7r Rich Reynolds
4. 7L Josh Lewis
5. 17 Jeff Brown
6. 07 Tim Hall
7. 14 Tim Ballinger
8. 8 Mario Jones
DNS 45 Lee Quick
I-44 Speedway
LEBANON - It was a busy night at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway Saturday night. The annual Independence Day celebration sponsored by Quality Heating and Air and The Lebanon Daily Record brought in a large crowd and several new drivers.
Relay For Life teams brought in kids games, local politicians parlayed for the vote and the night capped off with one of the largest fireworks displays in the area.
"Lebanon really came out and supported us," track promoter Randy Mooneyham said. "This Fourth of July celebration really is a tradition, starting back in the '80s with Bill Willard. This is the place to be to celebrate and we're glad people come back year after year."
Crocker's Justin Neuman may have thought the gigantic fireworks display was just for him. Neuman won his first Modified victory in three years of racing.
"I've been running second and third and have been right there," Neuman said. "And we've been working real hard on the car every week and knew it was going to come, just didn't know when. It seemed like it was taking forever, but finally came through there and got a win."
Neuman won the pole for the feature, kept the lead on the start and never looked back. Jeff Cutshaw started the feature second, followed by Tony Jackson Jr., Richard Turner and Jimmy Willis.
Jackson and Cutshaw had a close battle for several laps until Jackson had to pull off with problems. Cutshaw then finished second when he was unable to run Neuman down.
Steve Martin started the feature tailback after arriving to the track late, but managed to pull off a stunning third-place finish. Jamie Ragland finished a strong fourth after working for the position and Turner finished fifth in his first night out on the speedway.
In 2004, Neuman was the I-44 Speedway Modified rookie of the year, but had a string of bad luck last year.
"I had a lot of motor problems and stuff, but this year I've had a Ruble engine and I've had a really good year," he said, "haven't had any DNFs."
The points leader said he would probably continue to run for the track championship and said it had more meaning for him than just a title. "My uncle won it and it would mean a lot to me to win it," Neuman said.
Neuman's uncle, Jim Hayes, won the IMCA Modified track championship in 1985 and again when the track was asphalt in 2000.
"I'm ready now," he said. "Hopefully the next one will come a lot easier than the first one did."
Brad Looney won his seventh Late Model victory of the season. Looney credited his crew with the evening's win.
"The crew just worked good," Looney said. "The crew did a good job tonight we were a little loose in the heat race and we made quite a few adjustments in the feature and the car responded perfect."
Jesse Stovall, the USRA Modified national points leader, made his first appearance driving a Late Model and started the feature on the pole. Stovall was followed by Jason Bodenhamer, Looney, Reid Millard and Darrell Mooneyham.
On the first lap, Looney, Stovall and Bodenhamer took their cars three wide down the back stretch, with Looney coming out the best. Brandon McCormick was able to hook his car up and take the third spot behind Bodenhamer.
As Looney checked out on the pack, and Bodenhamer held his second place spot, the battle for third got downright hot.
Starting seventh, Dusty Johnston picked up the pace and started working on the now fourth place Stovall. Johnston and Stovall went back and forth several laps until Stovall edged Johnston out and continued gunning for McCormick on the outside of the track.
On lap 12, Stovall got around McCormick for third, but McCormick wasn't ready to give it up, going side-by-side down the back stretch on lap 13. Johnston came back into contention going three-wide with McCormick coming out ahead.
But third wasn't for McCormick Saturday night when he got blocked by the lap traffic of Danny Atkinson, allowing Johnston to blow by him for third. McCormick then held fourth with Stovall taking fifth.
In a non-points race, Lake Mooneyham won his third Factory Stock victory at the speedway and said his brakes were giving him a lot of grief in the feature after working for his win.
"To be honest with you, my car really didn't work all that good tonight," Mooneyham said. "We didn't try anything, but we had some brake troubles, but we overcame obviously. The car was good, but our brakes just weren't the way we wanted them to be."
Jordan Holloway, with a new Ruble motor in his car, started the feature on the pole in his first night on the track this season. On his outside was Darrin Fox, followed by Mooneyham, Derrick Peterson and Lonnie Henderson.
Holloway kept his lead for several laps as Mooneyham battled to run him down. Holloway then started experiencing problems and began fading spots, allowing Mooneyham to take the lead. Henderson also was on the run, getting passed Holloway and hooked up to run down Mooneyham as Holloway had to be pushed off the track on a caution.
Mooneyham kept his lead and won the feature, giving engine builder Jim Ruble two wins for the night after Neuman's victory.
After the 20-minute fireworks display, the Super Stocks came out to race with Ben Newell coming out with the win. Josh Woody was in the lead until his engine blew, allowing Newell the open door. The win is Newell's fourth of the season, giving his points lead a little extra cushion.
In what may once again have been the most competitive race of the night, Donnie Jackson came out of the Bomber division with his second trophy of the season. Jackson, who is third in points for the season, started the feature seventh to take the win.
Shawn Strong won his fourth Rookie feature after having raced now six features at the speedway.
Results:
Late Models
Heat 1
1. 66 Jesse Stovall
2. 20 Darrell Mooneyham
3. 14m Reid Millard
4. 60b Darrin Barton
5. 26 Burl Woods
6. 17m Matt Miller
7. 28 Leroy Johnson
8. 4a Danny Atkinson
Heat 2
1. 8k Jason Bodenhamer
2. 14L Brad Looney
3. 42 Brandon McCormick
4. 16 Dusty Johnston
5. 02 Dustin Mooneyham
6. 14r Curt Rackers
7. 72 Larry Moon
Feature
1. 14L Brad Looney
2. 8k Jason Bodenhamer
3. 16 Dusty Johnston
4. 42 Brandon McCormick
5. 66 Jesse Stovall
6. 26 Burl Woods
7. 20 Darrell Mooneyham
8. 02 Dustin Mooneyham
9. 17m Matt Miller
10. 14m Reid Millard
11. 60 Darrin Barton
12. 14r Curt Rackers
13. 72 Larry Moon
14. 4a Danny Atkinson
15. 28 Leroy Johnson
Modifieds
Heat 1
1. 14n Justin Neuman
2. 28 Richard Turner
3. 71e Dave Elson
4. 15r Jamie Ragland
5. 12 Scotty Allen
6. 112 Justin Moon
7. 2k Robert Kirkland
DNS 10 James Hartman
Heat 2
1. 98 Jeff Cutshaw
2. 56 Tony Jackson Jr.
3. 11w Jimmy Willis
4. 66 Robbie Morrisett
5. 44 Robert Hopkins
6. 41t T.R. Phillips
7. 23 Mook Cunningham
DNS 21m Steve Martin
Feature
1. 14n Justin Neuman
2. 98 Jeff Cutshaw
3. 21m Steve Martin
4. 15r Jamie Ragland
5. 28 Richard Turner
6. 71e Dave Elson
7. 44 Robert Hopkins
8. 66 Robbie Morrisett
9. 10 James Hartman
10. 112 Justin Moon
11. 2k Robert Kirkland
12. 23 Mook Cunningham
13. 41t T.R. Phillips
14. 12 Scotty Allen
15. 11w Jimmy Willis
16. 56 Tony Jackson Jr.
DNS 47 Corey Simpson
Factory Stocks
Heat 1
1. 8 Darrin Fox
2. 21 Jordan Holloway
3. 37p Derrick Peterson
4. 83 Tim Riffle
5. 42 Robert Rydeen
6. 40m Mike Chandler
7. 117 Shawn Danuser
Heat 2
1. 5 Lake Mooneyham
2. 76 Lonnie Henderson
3. 37c Gary Chambers
4. 54 Doug Rich
5. 14p Bud Pursley
6. 89 Justin Grindstaff
DNS 03 Tim Ellis
Feature
1. 5 Lake Mooneyham
2. 76 Lonnie Henderson
3. 8 Darrin Fox
4. 54 Doug Rich
5. 83r Tim Riffle
6. 37p Derrick Peterson
7. 14p Bud Pursley
8. 37c Gary Chambers
9. 03 Tim Ellis
10. 42 Robert Rydeen
11. 117 Shawn Danuser
12. 21 Jordan Holloway
13. 89 Justin Grindstaff
DNS 40m Mike Chandler
Super Stock
Heat 1
1. 8 Jeff Scroggins
2. 83 Ben Newell
3. 21 Josh Woody
4. 14 Tim Ballinger
5. 51 Bill Schaar
6. 50 Mike Mitchell
DNS 50c Mike Chism
Feature
1. 83 Ben Newell
2. 51 Bill Schaar
3. 50c Mike Chism
4. 14 Tim Ballinger
5. 50m Mike Mitchell
6. 21 Josh Woody
7. 8 Jeff Scroggins
8. 161 Dewayne Applegate
Bomber
Heat 1
1. t10t Tyler Brown
2. t10r Rick Brown
3. 21 Landon Johnson
4. 42 Donnie Jackson
5. 44 Dennis Harmon
6. 70 John West
DNS 244 Richard Talley
Heat 2
1. 23 Jason Huey
2. 9c Darrin Crisler
3. 32 Joe Francis
4. 5 Jacob Fry
5. 7p Brandon Pister
6. 8 Cody Harmon
Feature
1. 42 Donnie Jackson
2. 21 Landon Johnson
3. t10t Tyler Brown
4. t10r Rick Brown
5. 23 Jason Huey
6. 32 Joe Francis
7. 7p Brandon Pister
8. 9c Darrin Crisler
9. 5 Jacob Fry
10. 44 Dennis Harmon
11. 8 Cody Harmon
12. 70 John West
DNS 244 Richard Talley
Rookie
Heat 1
1. 14s Shawn Strong
2. 6 J.C. Morton
3. 7L Josh Lewis
4. 7r Rich Reynolds
5. 14b Tim Ballinger
6. 07 Tim Hall
7. 17 Jeff Brown
8. 45 Lee Quick
9. 8 Mario Jones
Feature
1. 14s Shawn Strong
2. 6 J.C. Morton
3. 7r Rich Reynolds
4. 7L Josh Lewis
5. 17 Jeff Brown
6. 07 Tim Hall
7. 14 Tim Ballinger
8. 8 Mario Jones
DNS 45 Lee Quick
