By Sam Stoecklin
CMS Announcer/PR
May 11, 2011

(Warrensburg, MO) – When Saturday, May 14 rolls around it will be L.J.S. Graphics Race night at Central Missouri Speedway and once again the absolute best drivers are expected to gather at the track for a thrilling night of close racing. The reconfigured turn four, which is wider and multi-grooved, has already led to some exciting finishes so far and this weekend should be no exception. Tracks specialist Don Abney has worked on the track this week in preparation for Saturday’s anticipated nail-biting finishes when the modifieds, ULMA late models, street stocks, and b-modifieds hit the track.

Racing, which is presented by Cliff Harris’ Warrensburg Ford/Warrensburg Chrysler for the 2011 season, has been exciting so far with only one driver able to repeat in Waterloo Storage Products Victory Lane. Many drivers made their way to CMS last week for competition in all four divisions with 79 drivers on hand. After last weekend, the championship standings began to take shape with some big names and surprises leading the pack!

Second-generation driver Jacob Ebert currently leads the b-modified standings as a result of claiming the first two b-mod main events of the year. Ebert has a narrow four-point lead over former track champion Ethan Isaacs in second. Bronson Combs is off to his strongest-ever start to a season at CMS in third place. A veteran racer and a youngster round out the top five in a tie as Johnny McGinnis and Cody Brill remain in the thick of things just 16 points behind the leader. Will it be a new b-mod driver in victory lane this weekend or will Ebert take his third in a row to start the season, whoever comes away the winner, it will be a fierce battle to the checkers. Last year’s champion, Brad Smith battled up front early in the main event but ran into trouble and had to rebound for a solid finish. It’s anyone’s guess who will show this week to give Ebert a run for his money.

The street stock division is where you will find many familiar faces, but not in the order you might expect them. Michael Mullins has recorded two solid finishes to start the year and leads a three-way tie for second by eight points. Mullins has kept his car out of trouble and is reaping the rewards of consistency by sitting on top of the standings. T.J. Faulkenberry has definitely improved since last year and his finishes result in him sitting in second place along with Nate Barnes and Brian Ziegler. Street stock racing has been incredible so far as drivers continue to figure out the best line around the track. Scott Dukes, Jimmy Morris and Chad Eickleberry are still in the thick of the chase and will look to gain points on the leaders this weekend. Street stock drivers now have a new pay scale in effect for the remainder of the season with $300 going to the winner each week. Additional pay changes were made throughout the order and may be viewed on the track’s official website.

Jason Bodenhamer has recorded one win and one runner-up finish and currently leads the ULMA Late Model standings at the track. Originally, the first issuing of this week’s standings were incorrect but have since been corrected to show Bodenhamer with a ten-point lead over O’Fallon, Missouri CRATE late model driver, Shawn Rayfield, who has made it known he is chasing the CMS track championship this year. The late model drivers have not disappointed and the talent that shows up at CMS in this class is just incredible. Kevin Coyne currently resides in third in the standings, easily his strongest recent start. Lane Ehlert of Foristell, Missouri is fourth with Jon Binning ready to strike in fifth. Allen Perryman, Steve Clancy, Brett Wood, Danny Monroe, and Bob Test finish out the top ten. Last week’s winner Bob King will look to climb the standing this weekend as racing resumes.

In the modified division, veteran area racer Chad Lyle leads the way in a GRT modified. So far, Lyle has recorded two runner-up finishes and will look to improve by one position again this weekend as another full field of drivers makes their way to CMS for the absolute best modified payout in the business. Mark Dotson is another driver who has been knocking on the door to success and is due for a CMS win at any moment, he sits second in the standings just ahead of opening night modified winner Jason Bodenhamer in third. Defending track champion Jason Thompson of Concordia moves his way ever so closer to the top by claiming the fourth spot just over three-time CMS champ Aaron Marrant of Orrick, Missouri. Terry Schultz appeared to be on his way to a top-tier finish last week until being caught up in someone else’s incident; even so, Schultz recovered for a decent finish and sits sixth in the standings. Ron Keith, Dean Wille, Steve Twenter, and Tyler Schmidt also rest inside the top ten so far in the young season. Drivers will look to dethrone last week’s winner Dustin Boney when the modifieds take to the track again Saturday night.

Top Ten Standings at CMS:

Beebe Heating & Cooling, Cornerstone Agency, Seeburg Muffler, Dale’s Towing Modifieds
1 96- Chad Lyle, Lone Jack 216
2 85d- Mark Dotson, Cameron 212
3 34a- Jason Bodenhamer, Centerview 204
4 20- Jason Thompson, Concordia 200
5 70- Aaron Marrant, Orrick 188
6 90- Terry Schultz, Sedalia 184
7 25- Ron Keith, Shawnee, KS 180
tie 68- Dean Wille, Warrensburg 180
9 23- Steve Twenter, Sedalia 178
10 66t- Tyler Schmidt, Easton, KS 172

Bodee’s Race Bodies, B & D Transmission, All-American Auto, Rod End Supply ULMA Late Models
1 88- Jason Bodenhamer, Centerview 218
2 18R- Shawn Rayfield, O’Fallon 208
3 22- Kevin Coyne, Kingsville 204
tie 42- Lane Ehlert, Foristell 204
5 65- Jon Binning, Warrensburg 200
6 3p- Allen Perryman, Belton 198
7 12c- Steve Clancy, Odessa 192
8 7- Brett Wood, Warrensburg 190
9 22m- Danny Monroe, Jamestown 186
10 1- Bob Test, Jefferson City 184

Expressways Food Shop, Brooks Automotive LLC, Eickleberry Concrete Street Stocks
1 01- Michael Mullins, Kingsville 208
2 15- T.J. Faulkenberry, Urich 200
tie 29- Nate Barnes, Kearney 200
tie 65- Brian Ziegler, Bates City 200
5 9d- Scott Dukes, Odessa 196
tie 9m- Jimmy Morris, Blue Springs 196
7 09- Chad Eickleberry, Warrensburg 190
tie 42- Bryce McMillin, Warrensburg 190
9 14F- Larry Ferris II, Kansas City, KS 186
10 74- Herb Dannar, Holden 184

Brooks Automotive LLC B-Modifieds
1 94- Jacob Ebert, Oak Grove 220
2 66- Ethan Isaacs, Bonner Springs, KS 216
3 55- Bronson Combs, Odessa 208
4 10- Johnny McGinnis, Hardin 204
tie 96- Cody Brill, Harrisonville 204
6 20- Trent Deadmon, Kansas City 194
7 23k- Ben Kates, Tonganoxie, KS 184
tie 98- Richard Jameson, Independence 184
9 57- Bobby Raybourn, Odessa 180
10 33j- Jason Billups, Holt 178

Each week at CMS, pit gates open at 4:30 p.m. Both the front and back-side grandstand admission gates open at 5, with hot-laps beginning at 7 and racing getting under way at 7:30. The track is located 3.5 miles north of Warrensburg on Highway 13 or 12.5 miles south of the Higginsville I-70 Exit on Highway 13. When visiting Warrensburg, be sure to stop by the Cliff Harris Warrensburg Ford and Warrensburg Chrysler stores at 330 East Young Street. Call the store at (888) 829-7859 or visit www.warrensburgford.dealerconnection.com. This Saturday night, there will be a free Zumba dance demonstration during the intermission time break; Zumba dancers please feel free to join in!

There are several ways for businesses to become involved with CMS this season, through race night sponsorships, billboard advertisement, class sponsorship, and program sponsorships. Also, CMS is a great place for a company tailgate party before the races, we provide the grills and the tables, and caterings are available! Call Susan Walls at 816-220-1338 today.

For same-day CMS race status, race results and schedule updates call the Track Report line at (660) 747-2166. You may also visit us online at www.centralmissourispeedway.net. We hope to see you this Saturday night for LJS Graphics Race Night!