MLRA Points Championship on the Line!

jdearing

Administrator
Staff member
Lucas Oil MLRA PR

October 15, 2010 (Buckner, Missouri)

The Lucas Oil MLRA will wrap up the 2010 season next weekend with the running of the 1st Annual Bud Purkey Memorial at Mid-America Speedway in South Coffeyville, OK. One of, if not the tightest points races in series history has unfolded throughout the course of the season. Current point leader, Al Purkey, has had to battle all season long with top contenders Brad Looney and Dave Eckrich.

Purkey knows even with one race left, wrapping up his series leading seventh championship won't come easy. "From a competition standpoint it might have been one of the most fun championship battles because we have three guys battling for it," commented Purkey. "It's crazy that at one time we had three cars within six points eighty percent through the season." Starting the season Purkey drove for BK Motorsports and just before the season's mid-point he and car owner Bill Koons decided to go in different directions. Making the switch back to Larry Shaw Race Cars and starting his own team again has had its share of challenges and rewards for the Coffeyville, KS native.

Looney has run strong for the duration of the season, but has yet to crack victory lane in series action. He comes into the final race just four points out of the lead. "I'm tickled to death just to be able to run the whole season and finish it," said Looney "I feel like we have a good chance. We have won there." Looney has a season long average finish of 7, with runner up finishes at both the Springfield Raceway and I-80 Speedway. "If I don't win the championship I can't complain about the season I've had." Based out of Republic, MO, Looney recently switched to a Victory Circle M1 by Moyer chassis and hasn't finished outside of the top ten since the middle of August.

For Eckrich it has been a learning experience as the Oxford, Iowa driver has tackled many tracks for the first time. "We started off the season race to race and it just happened we didn't miss any MLRA shows," shared Eckrich "Al and Brad have both picked up there game and we haven't, so we're still trying to get going a little better." Eckrich went to victory lane back on August 28th at Lucas Oil Speedway. He also has six top 5 finishes, as well.

Each of these drivers has led the standings at some point during the season. Regardless of the outcome all three drivers have raced each other door to door with the highest respect all season. Three drivers from three different states will be gunning for the title and the winners share of the Points fund at the series banquet in November.

Please visit www.MLRAracing.com for complete and updated Lucas Oil MLRA Points Standings.

The format for the Bud Purkey Memorial will be unlike any other the series has raced under all season. The drivers will qualify on Friday the 22nd and run the 50 lap A-Main on Saturday the 23rd. Points are awarded based on finishing positions, with 70 points to the winner, with a two point difference for every position throughout the A Main. Drivers also earn 1 point for every race attended which is added to their total following every race.

The Lucas Oil MLRA will conclude the season at the Mid-America Speedway in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. The Inaugural Bud Purkey Memorial race will take place October 21-23 sponsored by Smiley's of Kansas. Practice will be held on Thursday night from 7-10 pm, a pit pass is $10 and grandstand admission is FREE. Friday October 22 heats and dashes will begin at 7:30 pm. The Hatfield Racing Engines/ Larry Shaw Race Cars pole dashes will be the main event on Friday. Pit passes $30 and grandstand adults $12. Saturday night the Lucas Oil MLRA $6000 to win feature grandstand admission is $20 for adults, children ages 7-15 are just $5. Children ages 5 and under are FREE! For updated event information visit www.alpurkeyracing.com or contact race promoters Al Purkey (620)515-5201 or Jim White (620)515-3771.

Please visit www.MLRAracing.com for updated Lucas Oil MLRA series and event information.

The Lucas Oil MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa.
For all the latest news and information on the Lucas Oil MLRA please visit us on the web at www.MLRAracing.com or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The Lucas Oil MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2010 Tour including Lucas Oil Products, AAA Missouri, Hoosier Race Tires, Lucas Cattle Company, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, AFCO Racing Products, GRT Race Cars, Powertrain Industries, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Weld Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Bilstein Shocks, BSB Manufacturing
 




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