West Memphis, Arkansas (4/11/09) - Billy Moyer Jr. out dueled Howard Willis in the final corner on the final lap to take his first career O'Reilly MSRA Super Late Model feature win, and the biggest win of his career, which was worth $2,000.
A huge crowd and a strong contingent of 33 Super Late Models, representing seven states, were on hand for the first ever visit by the O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Model tour to Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas, which is celebrating its 60th year of continuous operation. The event also served as the first ever challenge event between the O’Reilly MSRA and the O’Reilly SUPR Super Late Model tour.
After passing four cars in his heat race, Larry Potter from Alexander, Arkansas was the JFR Graphics Pole Qualifier for the 40 lap event with Lee Davis from Greenwood, Louisiana starting to his outside. At the drop of the green flag, Davis would rocket into the top spot with Potter, Michael Murphree, Howard Willis, and Ray Moore in tow. Davis would extend his advantage to four car length before disaster would strike on lap two when a broken suspension member on his right front allowed Potter to slip by for the top spot. Two laps later, Davis would roll to a stop in turn four, bringing out the caution, and would retire to the pit area for the night.
On the ensuing restart, Potter would hold down the top spot with Terry Henson racing his way past Murphree for the second spot. The race would endure a long green flag run over the next several laps at Potter held a two car length advantage on the field. On lap 21, Moore would move past Henson for the second spot and set his sights on Potter. One lap later, Potter would get sideways in turn four with he and Moore making contact and cutting through the infield, which resulted in them falling to sixth and seventh.
With trouble at the front, Henson took control of the lead and would lead until lap 25, when leader drama once again reigned supreme as he slowed with a flat tire, bringing out the caution as he headed pitside for fresh rubber.
With 15 laps remaining in the event, Howard Willis was the new leader followed by Murphree, Billy Moyer Jr., Jeff Floyd, and Allen Tippen. On the restart Willis began to receive heavy pressure from Kuntz & Co. Rookie of the Year candidate, Murphree for the top spot. Two laps later, the caution flag would fly for fourth running, Jeff Floyd, who rolled to a stop on the front stretch with mechanical difficulties, bringing his night to an end.
The field lined up for their final restart of the night as Willis maintained the lead with Murphree, Moyer Jr., Tippen, and Ray Moore making up the top five in the running order. As the green flag waived again, Willis, Murphree, and Moyer Jr. flared three wide for the lead on the lightning fast, ¼ mile oval with Ray Moore moving past Tippen for the fourth spot. Lap 32 would find, Moyer Jr. work his way past Murphree for second as the Batesville, Arkansas driver began to apply heavy pressure to Willis for the lead.
Over the next seven laps, Moyer Jr. chased Willis through lapped traffic, and exiting turn four on the white lag lap, eighth starting, Moyer Jr. used lapped traffic to his advantage to shoot below Willis to take the top spot, and went on to lead the last 150 feet en route to his first ever O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Model win as the crowd went crazy. Willis, Michael Murphree, Ray Moore, and Allen Tippen rounded out the top five in the final rundown.
Heat race action was topped by Lee Davis, Jon Mitchell, Michael Murphree, Ray Moore, and Terry Henson with David Ashley and Mike Carr topping the twin b-mains.
For the second event in a row Joey Mack was the Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger after advancing from his 19th starting position to a 9th place finish in the 40 lap event.
Jeff Floyd was the recipient of the Quartermaster Hard Luck Award after mechanical woes ended his strong run late in the event.
Billy Moyer Jr. was the COMP Cams Top Performer for the event.
Jon Kirby utilized an O’Reilly MSRA provisional to start the main event, while Eric Neal used an O’Reilly SUPR provisional for the feature.
Next up for the O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Models will be a huge triple header weekend that will see the tour go head-to-head with the O’Reilly MARS Super Late Model tour. The weekend will get underway on Friday, April 17th at Beebe Speedway in Beebe, Arkansas before moving to West Plains Motor Speedway in West Plains, Missouri on Saturday, April 18th, and wrapping up on Sunday, April 19th at Monett Speedway in Monett, Missouri. For more information on the events, please visit www.MSRADirt.com .
The O'Reilly MSRA is sponsored by and would like to thank primary sponsor O'Reilly Auto Parts, their Associate Sponsors- GRT Race Cars, Hoosier Racing Tires, COMP Cams, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Quarter Master, Kuntz & Company, Mark Martin Auto Group, JFR Graphics, RiceTec, ASI Racewear, ROCKHARD Powdercoat, Inc., Boomland, NEA Supergas, and MSR Mafia.com Marketing Services; and their contingency sponsors - Suspension Spring Specialists, BSB Manufacturing, Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar Pizza, Five Star Bodies, Joe Gibbs Racing Oil, Schaeffer Oil, & FSR Products.
For the latest information on the O'Reilly MSRA Super Late Model Series, please visit www.MSRADirt.com
O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Models – April 11th, 2009
Riverside International Speedway (West Memphis, Arkansas)
Feature Results
1. Billy Moyer Jr. (Batesville, AR)
2. Howard Willis (Houston, TX)
3. Michael Murphree (Little Rock, AR)
4. Ray Moore (Shreveport, LA)
5. Allen Tippen (Minden, LA)
6. David Ashley (Zachary, LA)
7. Ross Camponovo (Clarksdale, MS)
8. Gary Christian (Broken Bow, OK)
9. Joey Mack (Benton, MO)
10. Robbie Stuart (Deridder, LA)
11. Jon Mitchell (Texarkana, AR)
12. Jon Kirby (Russellville, AR)
13. Larry Potter (Alexander, AR)
14. Mike Bilbro (Southaven, MS)
15. Jeff Floyd (Walnut Ridge, AR)
16. Terry Henson (North Little Rock, AR)
17. Kevin Sitton (Baytown, TX)
18. Eric Neal (Lolita, TX)
19. Ricky Vandergriff (Marion, AR)
20. Lee Davis (Greenwood, LA)
21. Randy Mitchell (Muldrow, OK)
22. Mike Carr (Lake Commorant, MS)
DNQ: Kyle Beard, Dalton Alexander, Dewaine Hottinger, Jamie Dacus, Joseph Long, Jeff Wells Jr., Richie Kirkman, Mike Downing, Bo Gordon, Jeff Sloan, Clay Fisher
Entries: 33 (Representing Seven States)
Heat Winners: Lee Davis, Jon Mitchell Michael Murphree, Ray Moore, Terry Henson
B-Main Transfers: David Ashley, Randy Mitchell, Joey Mack, Mike Carr, Robbie Stuart, Kevin Sitton
JFR Graphics Pole Sitter: Larry Potter
Quarter Master Hard Luck Award: Jeff Floyd
Provisionals: Jon Kirby (MSRA), Eric Neal (SUPR)
Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Joey Mack (19th-9th)
COMP Cams Top Performer: Billy Moyer Jr.
Cautions: 5
Red Flag: 0
Leaders: Lee Davis (1-2), Larry Potter (3-22), Terry Henson (23-25), Howard Willis (26-39), Billy Moyer Jr. (40)
A huge crowd and a strong contingent of 33 Super Late Models, representing seven states, were on hand for the first ever visit by the O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Model tour to Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas, which is celebrating its 60th year of continuous operation. The event also served as the first ever challenge event between the O’Reilly MSRA and the O’Reilly SUPR Super Late Model tour.
After passing four cars in his heat race, Larry Potter from Alexander, Arkansas was the JFR Graphics Pole Qualifier for the 40 lap event with Lee Davis from Greenwood, Louisiana starting to his outside. At the drop of the green flag, Davis would rocket into the top spot with Potter, Michael Murphree, Howard Willis, and Ray Moore in tow. Davis would extend his advantage to four car length before disaster would strike on lap two when a broken suspension member on his right front allowed Potter to slip by for the top spot. Two laps later, Davis would roll to a stop in turn four, bringing out the caution, and would retire to the pit area for the night.
On the ensuing restart, Potter would hold down the top spot with Terry Henson racing his way past Murphree for the second spot. The race would endure a long green flag run over the next several laps at Potter held a two car length advantage on the field. On lap 21, Moore would move past Henson for the second spot and set his sights on Potter. One lap later, Potter would get sideways in turn four with he and Moore making contact and cutting through the infield, which resulted in them falling to sixth and seventh.
With trouble at the front, Henson took control of the lead and would lead until lap 25, when leader drama once again reigned supreme as he slowed with a flat tire, bringing out the caution as he headed pitside for fresh rubber.
With 15 laps remaining in the event, Howard Willis was the new leader followed by Murphree, Billy Moyer Jr., Jeff Floyd, and Allen Tippen. On the restart Willis began to receive heavy pressure from Kuntz & Co. Rookie of the Year candidate, Murphree for the top spot. Two laps later, the caution flag would fly for fourth running, Jeff Floyd, who rolled to a stop on the front stretch with mechanical difficulties, bringing his night to an end.
The field lined up for their final restart of the night as Willis maintained the lead with Murphree, Moyer Jr., Tippen, and Ray Moore making up the top five in the running order. As the green flag waived again, Willis, Murphree, and Moyer Jr. flared three wide for the lead on the lightning fast, ¼ mile oval with Ray Moore moving past Tippen for the fourth spot. Lap 32 would find, Moyer Jr. work his way past Murphree for second as the Batesville, Arkansas driver began to apply heavy pressure to Willis for the lead.
Over the next seven laps, Moyer Jr. chased Willis through lapped traffic, and exiting turn four on the white lag lap, eighth starting, Moyer Jr. used lapped traffic to his advantage to shoot below Willis to take the top spot, and went on to lead the last 150 feet en route to his first ever O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Model win as the crowd went crazy. Willis, Michael Murphree, Ray Moore, and Allen Tippen rounded out the top five in the final rundown.
Heat race action was topped by Lee Davis, Jon Mitchell, Michael Murphree, Ray Moore, and Terry Henson with David Ashley and Mike Carr topping the twin b-mains.
For the second event in a row Joey Mack was the Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger after advancing from his 19th starting position to a 9th place finish in the 40 lap event.
Jeff Floyd was the recipient of the Quartermaster Hard Luck Award after mechanical woes ended his strong run late in the event.
Billy Moyer Jr. was the COMP Cams Top Performer for the event.
Jon Kirby utilized an O’Reilly MSRA provisional to start the main event, while Eric Neal used an O’Reilly SUPR provisional for the feature.
Next up for the O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Models will be a huge triple header weekend that will see the tour go head-to-head with the O’Reilly MARS Super Late Model tour. The weekend will get underway on Friday, April 17th at Beebe Speedway in Beebe, Arkansas before moving to West Plains Motor Speedway in West Plains, Missouri on Saturday, April 18th, and wrapping up on Sunday, April 19th at Monett Speedway in Monett, Missouri. For more information on the events, please visit www.MSRADirt.com .
The O'Reilly MSRA is sponsored by and would like to thank primary sponsor O'Reilly Auto Parts, their Associate Sponsors- GRT Race Cars, Hoosier Racing Tires, COMP Cams, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Quarter Master, Kuntz & Company, Mark Martin Auto Group, JFR Graphics, RiceTec, ASI Racewear, ROCKHARD Powdercoat, Inc., Boomland, NEA Supergas, and MSR Mafia.com Marketing Services; and their contingency sponsors - Suspension Spring Specialists, BSB Manufacturing, Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar Pizza, Five Star Bodies, Joe Gibbs Racing Oil, Schaeffer Oil, & FSR Products.
For the latest information on the O'Reilly MSRA Super Late Model Series, please visit www.MSRADirt.com
O’Reilly MSRA Super Late Models – April 11th, 2009
Riverside International Speedway (West Memphis, Arkansas)
Feature Results
1. Billy Moyer Jr. (Batesville, AR)
2. Howard Willis (Houston, TX)
3. Michael Murphree (Little Rock, AR)
4. Ray Moore (Shreveport, LA)
5. Allen Tippen (Minden, LA)
6. David Ashley (Zachary, LA)
7. Ross Camponovo (Clarksdale, MS)
8. Gary Christian (Broken Bow, OK)
9. Joey Mack (Benton, MO)
10. Robbie Stuart (Deridder, LA)
11. Jon Mitchell (Texarkana, AR)
12. Jon Kirby (Russellville, AR)
13. Larry Potter (Alexander, AR)
14. Mike Bilbro (Southaven, MS)
15. Jeff Floyd (Walnut Ridge, AR)
16. Terry Henson (North Little Rock, AR)
17. Kevin Sitton (Baytown, TX)
18. Eric Neal (Lolita, TX)
19. Ricky Vandergriff (Marion, AR)
20. Lee Davis (Greenwood, LA)
21. Randy Mitchell (Muldrow, OK)
22. Mike Carr (Lake Commorant, MS)
DNQ: Kyle Beard, Dalton Alexander, Dewaine Hottinger, Jamie Dacus, Joseph Long, Jeff Wells Jr., Richie Kirkman, Mike Downing, Bo Gordon, Jeff Sloan, Clay Fisher
Entries: 33 (Representing Seven States)
Heat Winners: Lee Davis, Jon Mitchell Michael Murphree, Ray Moore, Terry Henson
B-Main Transfers: David Ashley, Randy Mitchell, Joey Mack, Mike Carr, Robbie Stuart, Kevin Sitton
JFR Graphics Pole Sitter: Larry Potter
Quarter Master Hard Luck Award: Jeff Floyd
Provisionals: Jon Kirby (MSRA), Eric Neal (SUPR)
Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Joey Mack (19th-9th)
COMP Cams Top Performer: Billy Moyer Jr.
Cautions: 5
Red Flag: 0
Leaders: Lee Davis (1-2), Larry Potter (3-22), Terry Henson (23-25), Howard Willis (26-39), Billy Moyer Jr. (40)
