Springfield,Mo.- With the strong support Missouri Area Racetracks have given the USRA(United States Racing Association) based out of Iowa, Missouri drivers will head into this weekends events doing very well in the top 25 of the National Standings.
Currently Clyde Dunn Jr still leads the National standings with 4229 points while the Texas front-runner has just over starts this season. A driver’s best 20 feature finishes along with car count and starting start to finishing spot adds into the factor with the top 20 drivers receiving extra money at the end of the season.
Springfield Raceway USRA point leader Jackie Dalton of Carthage has moved into the second place spot after last weeks events and has totaled 3367 points in just 18 starts. Dalton competes at Springfield and Monett. Veteran Modified racer Rob Muhlenberg of Sparta has quietly jumped into third place with 3328 points in 19 starts while racing Friday night at Flippin, Arkansas and Saturday Nights at Springfield.
Defending USRA National Champion Johnny Bone Jr. made a big jump this week and sneaks into the 4th place with 3014 points while running at different tracks on Friday and Saturday nights and a regular at Monett on Sunday Nights. Bone has been credited with only 14 starts so far this season and last year the National title earned the 25 year second generation driver over $10,000.
Sparta’s Steve Muilenburg has been racing at different USRA Sanctioned tracks each night and sets 6th with 2967 points in 15 starts.
Sedalia’s Terry Schultz moves into the 10th place spot with 2892 points and 17 starts.Schultz normally competes at LA Raceway(Friday Nights) and at Lucas Oil Speedway where he is the track point leader. Schultz showed everyone early in the season he was a force to be in contention by leading Terry Phillips at Springfield in the Turkey Classic make-up date before going out with problems.
Oronogo’s Bobby Pearish slid down this week into 13th place with 2832 points in 16 starts. Pearish races at Springfield and Monett while Pierce City driver Brian Green sets 15th with 2678 points in 17 starts. Green is a regular at Springfield and Monett.
From Central Missouri racing, Dean Willie has quietly moved into 16th place with 2645 points in 13 starts. The hard-charger from Warrensburg is a regular at LA Raceway and Grain Valley speedway as another driver from the Central area of Missouri Tim Setzer is 17th with 2616 and 14 starts while competing mostly at LA Raceway and Lucas Oil Speedway and some at Valley Speedway.
Young Charger Logan Martin of West Plains holds the 19th place spot with 2569 points in 14 starts and is a regular at West Plain Motor Speedway ands has been hitting some different tracks as the season goes on. This young gentleman also competes in a URSA B Modified and started his career in kart racing.
The driver on the bubble is defending Lucas Oil Champion Mickey Burrell of Fair Grove. After doing some regional traveling with the USMTS, Burrell has been staying closer to home this season and helping more with the D/D Welding business since the mishap of Rusty Dukes being burned. Burrell competes at LA Raceway,Lucas and has a few shows at Monett this season.
Two drivers just about to make the top 20 are Webb City’s Mitch Keeter listed in 21st place with 2435 points and 13 starts and the Modified veteran from Billings Rex Merritt. Merritt who got a later than normal start this season is 25th with 2361 points and 13 starts.