Springfield,Mo-This Sat nights John Kuntz Memorial LateModel Special at the SpringfieldRaceway is a co-sanctioned event by both the MARS(Mid-American Racing Series) and the Lucas Oil MLRA(MidWest LateModel Racing Association) as both forces join together to present what is quickly becoming a must see for any Latemodel fan.
The tire rule for this Sat event will be Hoosier WRS D55’s on all 4 corners.Both Series will be giving Series points for this event as another star-studded field will attempt to make the starting grid.Springfield’s Terry Phillips is the defending event champion and would like nothing better than to be able to repeat as this event carries a special meaning to the defending MARS Champion.”Its a homecoming here in Springfield,I started my racing career on this very ground in a Modified.The track is different,but alot better as you can run 2-3 wide here most any time.John Kuntz was a special man and not only a sponsor,but a very dear friend.
Phillips,who is looking for his first series win in either the MARS or MLRA Circuit this season currently rides 2nd in the current MARS Series standing behind Republic’s Brad Looney and 4th in the MLRA Series standings as Jesse Stovall heads up the MLRA Point Standings.
So far this season in the MARS Series,Tennessee’s Ronnie Johnson,Illinois Dennis Erb Jr,Galena’s Jesse Stovall(2 wins),Al Purkey and Lebanon’s Brandon McCormick have claimed victories.
In the Lucas Oil MLRA Series,last season’s points runner-up Brad Looney of Republic has gathered 2 win while Iowa’s Chad Simpson and defending MLRA Champion Al Purkey have claimed wins.
Currently the top 5 in the MARS Series has Looney,Phillips,Stovall,Tony Jackson Jr of Lebanon and Jeremy Payne of Springfield in the top 5.Payne is a 2-time Kuntz Memorial winner.
On the MLRA side of points,Stovall known for his outstanding Modified talent and nicknamed “The Undertaker” has a slim lead of Purkey of Coffeyville,Kansas while Nebraska’s Kyle Berck will be making his first ever visit to the SpringfieldRaceway.berck one of the top guns of Midwest Dirt LateModel Racing can run both the small tracks and bigger tracks.Phillips sets fourth in the standings while Omaha’s John Anderson rounds out the top 5.Anderson has been to Springfield before and really comes on strong in the latter stages of the races.
This is the first of two events co-sanctioned by both Series(The Larry Phillips Memorial being the other) at the track quickly known for its 2-3 wide action week in and week out at the track known as the Quick-Quarter which will be held in Sept.
Pitgates open at 3PM with the Grandstand Gates opening at 5PM.Local drivers meeting for the support classes which include the USRA Modifieds,SportMods,Midwest Modz and Legends will be at 5:50 while hotlaps are slated for 6:15.Racing to start at 7PM.
Grandstand admission is only $20 for this event while pitpasses are $35.Kids prices in the grandstands are $5 for ages 6-12 and under 6 are Free.
Raceday phone is 417-863-0097 or you can text SPRINGFIELDRACEWAY 368674 for updates.
More information can be gathered at WWW.SpringfieldRaceway.Com or contact Jerry Hoffman at 417-673-7426