ULMA PR
October 24, 2011
The Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce United Late Model Association (ULMA) recently completed its fifth year of sanctioning late model competition throughout the state of Missouri with 59 races contested at six venues. However, there is now one more event on the line for ULMA drivers to show their stuff, this time at a new racing venue. While October is known for great sporting events, it is late model racing that takes center stage this Saturday, October 29, at Springfield Raceway when ULMA drivers face off in a head-to-head showdown against the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series. This is the first time in the history of both organizations that drivers will compete together in one event.
The Show-Me Racin Series and Jerry Hoffman of Springfield Raceway graciously invited ULMA to this event at the track in Springfield, Missouri known as the “Quick Quarter.” The event is a Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series-sanctioned race. The ULMA points-earning season officially ended in early October with Greenfield, Missouri-based driver Rylan Long becoming the fifth different association champion in as many years. A total of 18 different drivers drove to victory lane in ULMA competition in 2011 including Long with 9 wins, Jason Bodenhamer 7 wins, Steve Clancy 7 wins, Jake Griffin 7 wins, Brett Wood 4 wins, Robby Warner 3 wins, Bob King 2 wins, and Tommy Cordray 2 wins. James McMillin, Evan Hubert, Jon Binning, Larry Jones, Bob Test, Vance Wilson, Justin Russell, Kelly Smith, J.D. Hubert, and Justin Reed all registered one win apiece.
“With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Southwest Missouri Springfield Area Chapter will receive a portion of the proceeds of this special event, which has the entire family in mind as several of the area businesses and drivers will sponsor a special safe Trick-Or-Trick night for kids 16 and under. Businesses are set to donate and provide prize giveaways along with a safe Trick-or-Treat area during the intermission break. Kids 16 and under will be admitted free in costume and will be eligible to register for giveaways throughout the night. Incredible Pizza has joined as title sponsor for this event along with Auto Express of Joplin, Doug’s Pro Lube of Joplin and Monett, Transport Graphics, Wheeler Metals, Andy’s Frozen Custard, and Hoffman Racecars.”
Saturday’s event is billed by the track as the “Third event of the Springfield Raceway Final Four for 2011.” The late model race winner will take home $800 with at least $250 going to drivers starting the feature. The two late model entities will run under their own rules with car count determining the race format. Both Show-Me and ULMA cars will compete in the b-main and main events. The late model car entry fee is $50 and RaceCeivers are required. Support classes are A-Mods, B-Mods, Midwest Modz, and Legends. Pit passes are $30 with pit gates opening at 11:30 am, hot laps at 3 pm, and racing at 4. Grandstand Admission is $15 for Adults with Kids 16 and under dressed in costume free. The driver’s meeting will take place at 2:30, draw cutoff is 3 pm. Any late-arriving drivers will start tailback and only received points given to the finishing position, no passing points awarded. Grandstands open at 2 pm. Kids 16 and under need to be in costume to Trick-or-Trick and be eligible for special prizes. Racing is under the direction of Springfield Raceway. For ULMA info visit the association’s website at www.ulmaracing.com. The raceway may be found online at www.springfieldraceway.com, or for the Show-Me Racin series, log onto www.show-meracinseries.com. The race-day phone number is 417-863-0097.
Recently, ULMA designed an online survey and sent drivers a link for them to provide feedback to the association’s board of directors. After drivers are afforded an appropriate period of time to provide their thoughts, this opportunity will be expanded to others in order to capture additional data. There are a few changes in the works for drivers next season with regards to general race rules and car classification rules. The board is looking toward an early November release for the 2012 competition and general rules. Some items already discussed by the board of directors in their recent early October meeting include the points-earning structure, body specification clarifications, membership, and general race rules.
The association is pleased to announce the return of Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri (Friday nights) and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri (Saturday nights) as sanctioned tracks for 2012 and sincerely thanks them for believing in ULMA racing. The association also announces it will sanction weekly events on Saturday nights at 24 Raceway in Moberly, Missouri for the upcoming season. As ULMA heads into its sixth year of operations, board members continue to pursue additional venues and races for next season throughout the Midwest. Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) owners recently announced they would not be reopening next season. With the uncertainty of a new operator coming in to take over CMS, board members are seeking tracks close to the Greater Kansas City metro to host ULMA action as several late model drivers live in and around the KC metro.
Stay tuned to the ULMA website for further news and information regarding the 2012 race season. ULMA sincerely thanks its 2011 business partners for their involvement, without them the year would not have been possible! This year’s team consists of title sponsor Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce, TCI® Automotive, Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, SafeRacer.com, Kenny’s Tile, Racingjunk.com, Imhoff Construction, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas, D&L Motorsports, Photographics by Shelly Payne, and InsuranceSpecialists.com. ULMA is a proud supporter of Homes for Our Troops. To join the team, simply contact ULMA at unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. Special thanks to Callaway Raceway, Lucas Oil Speedway, Central Missouri Speedway, 24 Raceway in Moberly, Scotland County Speedway, and Double XX Speedway for hosting ULMA races!