O'REILLY AUTO PARTS MID-AMERICA RACING SERIES
OPENING WEEKEND PRESS RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
BATESVILLE AR. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series will open it's fourth season Friday, April 11 at the Batesville Speedway. This will kick off a triple header weekend, as the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. series will also make stops at the West Plains Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 12, and conclude the weekend Sunday, April 13 at the Monett Speedway.
The 2003 O'Reilly M.A.R.S. tour will take the series to sixteen different tracks, and cross five states. The 34 event schedule will be worth over $800,000 in 2003, and has attracted the attention of most of the regions top drivers.
The entire Top Ten in points from 2002 has indicated that they will be back in 2003, and overall 16 of the top 20 are planning on competing for the championship. On top of that, there are seven drivers known to be considering a run at the Kuntz & Co. Rookie of the Year Championship in 2003.
Bill Frye of Greenbriar, Arkansas is the two time and defending O'Reilly M.A.R.S. Champion, and will be back to defend his title in 2003. Looking to unseat him is 2000 Champion, Terry Phillips of Springfield, Missouri. Phillips finished second behind Frye in both 2001, and is anxious to re-take the top spot in 2003.
Jeff Taylor of Batesville, Arkansas has made a steady climb in series finish's moving from 7th in 2000, to 4th in 2001, and 3rd this past season. Taylor is looking to improve upon that in 2003. Leslie Essary of Crane, Missouri dropped from 3rd in 2001, to 4th in 2002, and is back to reverse that trend. Both of these drivers have already had big wins in 2003, with Taylor winning $10,000 in Arizona in January while Essary picked up a $5,000 to win race in Oklahoma in March.
Jeff Floyd of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, returns in 2003 as well. His fifth place run in 2002 was almost miraculous as he struggled early, but rebounded for his fifth place run. Steve Rushin of Poplar Bluff, Missouri recorded his best ever, sixth place run in 2002, and is back looking to break into the top five this year.
David Gibson of Ash Flat, Arkansas is one of a trio of drivers that has perfect attendance in the M.A.R.S. series, along with Terry Phillips and Jeff Floyd. Gibson slipped to seventh in 2002, and is ready to turn his fortunes around.
Both top Kuntz and Co. Rookie of the Year contenders in 2002 return in 2003. Joey Mack of Benton, Missouri returns to the series after taking the top rookie honors in 2002. Dewaine Hottinger of Russellville, Arkansas ran second behind Mack in 2002, and returns in 2003 committed to the full schedule.
Gary Stolba of Willow Springs, Missouri scored his second consecutive tenth place finish in 2002. Stolba admittedly struggled last season, but looks for much better things in 2003.
Donnie Barnhart of North Little Rock, Arkansas is ready to return to the M.A.R.S. series full time in 2003, as is 2001 Rookie of the Year Raymond Merrill of Stillwell, Oklahoma. Both were only able to run partial schedules in 2002, but are ready for a full championship run in 2003.
Stacy Taylor of Jacksonville, Arkansas finished 3rd in 2002 Rookie of the Year competition, and has his sites set on a top finish in 2003. Jerry Buck of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, joined Steve Rushin in 2002, and is also ready for a top ten run in 2003.
Mike Bowers of North Little Rock, Arkansas is also ready to return to the M.A.R.S. tour full time in 2002. Bowers completed two top five finishes in the first two years before running a partial schedule in 2002. Rex McCroskey of Springfield, Missouri is also ready to join the ranks of the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. tour full time in 2003.
As many as seven candidates are considering a run at the 2003 Kuntz and Company Rookie of the Year Championship. Shane Essary of Aurora, Missouri, Brandon Ball of West Plains, Missouri, Jack Sullivan of Greenbriar, Arkansas, Dean Carpenter of Coldwater, Mississippi, Mike Brown of Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma, Chris Moore of Nesbit, Mississippi, and Jerry Walker of Southhave, Mississippi are all known to be ready to register as series rookies.
Each event this opening weekend will pay $3,000 to the winner, and guarantee $500 to start. Adding fuel to the fire, Batesville Bad Boyz, Billy Moyer and Wendell Wallace are expected to be on hand for the 2003 O'Reilly M.A.R.S. opening weekend.
Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30 on Friday night at the Batesville Speedway. Racing is slated for 8 pm. Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, and kids 11 and under will be admitted free. Pit passes will be $30.00. The Batesville Speedway is located seven miles west of Batesville on Highway 25. You can visit the Batesville Speedway at http://www.batesvillespeedway.com.
Gates are expected to open at 5:00pm on Saturday night at the West Plains Motor Speedway with racing at 7:00pm. Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids 6-11, and 5 and under are free. Pit passes will be $30.00. The West Plains Motor Speedway is located 6 miles south of West Plains on Highway 63. You can visit the West Plains Motor Speedway at http://www.westplains-speedway.com.
Gates are expected to open at 5:00pm on Sunday at the Monett Speedway, with racing set for 7:00pm. Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids age 7 through 14, and will be free for six and under. Pit passes will be $30.00. The Monett Speedway is located one mile east of State Road 37 on U.S. Highway 60, then north on Chapel Drive. You can visit the Monett Speedway at http://monettspeedway.tripod.com/
For information about the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. series, you can point your browser at http://www.midamericaracingseries.com.
Title Sponsor for the 2003 Mid-America Racing Series is O’Reilly Auto Parts. Rookie of the Year sponsor for 2003 is Kuntz & Co. Performance and Balancing.
Major Corporate Sponsors for the 2003 M.A.R.S. season are Competition Cams, Rinehart Trucking, GRT Race Cars, Hatfield Racing Engines, Hoosier Racing Tires, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Schoenfeld Headers, and Turbo Blue Racing Fuel.
Turbo Blue is the official racing fuel for the Mid-America Racing Series.
Associate Corporate Sponsors for the 2003 M.A.R.S. season are Appleton Rack & Pinion, Boyd Built Fabricators, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duralite Racing Wheels, JFR Graphics, Landrum Spring Service, M&M Racing Equipment, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Mudslinger The Magazine, Pizza Hut of Batesville, Ringer Gloves, Rockhard Powder Coating, Raceday Embroidery.
Raceday Embroidery is the sponsor of the Crew of the Year Award
OPENING WEEKEND PRESS RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
by Larry Olson; Mountain Home, AR
BATESVILLE AR. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series will open it's fourth season Friday, April 11 at the Batesville Speedway. This will kick off a triple header weekend, as the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. series will also make stops at the West Plains Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 12, and conclude the weekend Sunday, April 13 at the Monett Speedway.
The 2003 O'Reilly M.A.R.S. tour will take the series to sixteen different tracks, and cross five states. The 34 event schedule will be worth over $800,000 in 2003, and has attracted the attention of most of the regions top drivers.
The entire Top Ten in points from 2002 has indicated that they will be back in 2003, and overall 16 of the top 20 are planning on competing for the championship. On top of that, there are seven drivers known to be considering a run at the Kuntz & Co. Rookie of the Year Championship in 2003.
Bill Frye of Greenbriar, Arkansas is the two time and defending O'Reilly M.A.R.S. Champion, and will be back to defend his title in 2003. Looking to unseat him is 2000 Champion, Terry Phillips of Springfield, Missouri. Phillips finished second behind Frye in both 2001, and is anxious to re-take the top spot in 2003.
Jeff Taylor of Batesville, Arkansas has made a steady climb in series finish's moving from 7th in 2000, to 4th in 2001, and 3rd this past season. Taylor is looking to improve upon that in 2003. Leslie Essary of Crane, Missouri dropped from 3rd in 2001, to 4th in 2002, and is back to reverse that trend. Both of these drivers have already had big wins in 2003, with Taylor winning $10,000 in Arizona in January while Essary picked up a $5,000 to win race in Oklahoma in March.
Jeff Floyd of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, returns in 2003 as well. His fifth place run in 2002 was almost miraculous as he struggled early, but rebounded for his fifth place run. Steve Rushin of Poplar Bluff, Missouri recorded his best ever, sixth place run in 2002, and is back looking to break into the top five this year.
David Gibson of Ash Flat, Arkansas is one of a trio of drivers that has perfect attendance in the M.A.R.S. series, along with Terry Phillips and Jeff Floyd. Gibson slipped to seventh in 2002, and is ready to turn his fortunes around.
Both top Kuntz and Co. Rookie of the Year contenders in 2002 return in 2003. Joey Mack of Benton, Missouri returns to the series after taking the top rookie honors in 2002. Dewaine Hottinger of Russellville, Arkansas ran second behind Mack in 2002, and returns in 2003 committed to the full schedule.
Gary Stolba of Willow Springs, Missouri scored his second consecutive tenth place finish in 2002. Stolba admittedly struggled last season, but looks for much better things in 2003.
Donnie Barnhart of North Little Rock, Arkansas is ready to return to the M.A.R.S. series full time in 2003, as is 2001 Rookie of the Year Raymond Merrill of Stillwell, Oklahoma. Both were only able to run partial schedules in 2002, but are ready for a full championship run in 2003.
Stacy Taylor of Jacksonville, Arkansas finished 3rd in 2002 Rookie of the Year competition, and has his sites set on a top finish in 2003. Jerry Buck of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, joined Steve Rushin in 2002, and is also ready for a top ten run in 2003.
Mike Bowers of North Little Rock, Arkansas is also ready to return to the M.A.R.S. tour full time in 2002. Bowers completed two top five finishes in the first two years before running a partial schedule in 2002. Rex McCroskey of Springfield, Missouri is also ready to join the ranks of the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. tour full time in 2003.
As many as seven candidates are considering a run at the 2003 Kuntz and Company Rookie of the Year Championship. Shane Essary of Aurora, Missouri, Brandon Ball of West Plains, Missouri, Jack Sullivan of Greenbriar, Arkansas, Dean Carpenter of Coldwater, Mississippi, Mike Brown of Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma, Chris Moore of Nesbit, Mississippi, and Jerry Walker of Southhave, Mississippi are all known to be ready to register as series rookies.
Each event this opening weekend will pay $3,000 to the winner, and guarantee $500 to start. Adding fuel to the fire, Batesville Bad Boyz, Billy Moyer and Wendell Wallace are expected to be on hand for the 2003 O'Reilly M.A.R.S. opening weekend.
Gates are scheduled to open at 5:30 on Friday night at the Batesville Speedway. Racing is slated for 8 pm. Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, and kids 11 and under will be admitted free. Pit passes will be $30.00. The Batesville Speedway is located seven miles west of Batesville on Highway 25. You can visit the Batesville Speedway at http://www.batesvillespeedway.com.
Gates are expected to open at 5:00pm on Saturday night at the West Plains Motor Speedway with racing at 7:00pm. Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids 6-11, and 5 and under are free. Pit passes will be $30.00. The West Plains Motor Speedway is located 6 miles south of West Plains on Highway 63. You can visit the West Plains Motor Speedway at http://www.westplains-speedway.com.
Gates are expected to open at 5:00pm on Sunday at the Monett Speedway, with racing set for 7:00pm. Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids age 7 through 14, and will be free for six and under. Pit passes will be $30.00. The Monett Speedway is located one mile east of State Road 37 on U.S. Highway 60, then north on Chapel Drive. You can visit the Monett Speedway at http://monettspeedway.tripod.com/
For information about the O'Reilly M.A.R.S. series, you can point your browser at http://www.midamericaracingseries.com.
Title Sponsor for the 2003 Mid-America Racing Series is O’Reilly Auto Parts. Rookie of the Year sponsor for 2003 is Kuntz & Co. Performance and Balancing.
Major Corporate Sponsors for the 2003 M.A.R.S. season are Competition Cams, Rinehart Trucking, GRT Race Cars, Hatfield Racing Engines, Hoosier Racing Tires, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Schoenfeld Headers, and Turbo Blue Racing Fuel.
Turbo Blue is the official racing fuel for the Mid-America Racing Series.
Associate Corporate Sponsors for the 2003 M.A.R.S. season are Appleton Rack & Pinion, Boyd Built Fabricators, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Duralite Racing Wheels, JFR Graphics, Landrum Spring Service, M&M Racing Equipment, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Mudslinger The Magazine, Pizza Hut of Batesville, Ringer Gloves, Rockhard Powder Coating, Raceday Embroidery.
Raceday Embroidery is the sponsor of the Crew of the Year Award
