By Sam Stoecklin
MSFS Public Relations
August 6, 2012

Even though this season has seen its share of unforgettable moments in all classes and unfortunate drought conditions that have pushed drivers and fans to the brink of toleration, things are about to become even more intense. The Missouri State Championship races are just two weeks away on Sunday, August 19 at the ‘Historic Half Mile’ in Sedalia, Missouri, to bring the 110th edition of the State Fair to a roaring close. Storylines will play out and when the night concludes, three more drivers’ names will forever be etched in history.

One driver anticipating the big night is 2010 Missouri State Fair Sprint Car Champion and current Wingless Auto Racing (WAR) Sprint Car point leader, Austin Alumbaugh of Higginsville, Missouri. Alumbaugh’s 2012 schedule has led his crew to several venues, competing not only in the WAR sprint car series but also with the ASCS Warrior Region and National ASCS tour stops. In addition, he has posted several starts in weekly competition at Valley Speedway, LA Raceway and Double XX Speedway and recorded visits to Lucas Oil Speedway, Atchison County Raceway, US36 Raceway, and Montgomery County Speedway. Most recently, Alumbaugh competed in pair of USAC races when the touring series rolled through town.

It is quite obvious that Austin is no stranger to racing at several different venues against the best open-wheel racers in the nation. Season highlights include a pair of WAR victories, one at Double XX Speedway in early June and the other at US36 Raceway in late July. This year, Alumbaugh will try to recapture the sprint car title by competing in the car he uses on the non-winged circuit by adding the wing. The #26 car owned by Rick Smith is sponsored by Engine Connection, Schure Built Suspension, Harvest Moon, Schaeffer Oil, MRP Chassis, and Federal Mogul. Rick Wood Masonry and Alumbaugh Heating & Cooling also assist the team’s efforts.

Alumbaugh stated, “This season has gone pretty good for the non-wing car. I won my second non-wing feature of the season at US 36 Raceway! This is my first season running non wing so I am pretty excited about the accomplishments that I’ve had thus far. With the winged car, the season has been kind of rough getting things going.” However, he is currently inside the top five in the ASCS Warrior Region point standings and seems poised for a win in the not too distant future. That win could come in front of a huge audience during the State Fair championships.

An ironworker by day with Ironworkers Local 10, Alumbaugh got his first “big car” sprint racing start in 2005 in the 305 sprint car division. In 2008, he recorded two Winged Outlaw Warrior (WoW) sprint car victories and followed that up with the Rookie of the Year title in 2009 with WoW. Alumbaugh went on to post additional victories and just recently went over 80 career starts. Prior to racing his 305, Alumbaugh befriended the Lasoski family, who gave him his first shot at driving in the 100cc junior sprint division at Sweet Springs Motorplex. He then moved up the tier to 600cc micro sprints and recorded his first win in 2003. His first 360 sprint car feature win came in 2008 at Springfield Airport Raceway in just his sixth 360 start. In 2008, Alumbaugh also competed in the 305 Nationals at Knoxville, Iowa.

After a devastating fire in 2008 claimed the team’s equipment, they were forced to regroup for the 2009 season. The team overcame adversity and turned devastation into triumph by the end of the new season and claimed the WoW Rookie of the Year title. No stranger to overcoming challenges and coming to the front, look for Alumbaugh to be a top contender during the championship races at Sedalia. For more information about Austin and his team, visit www.alumbaughracing.com.

This year’s sprint car action has added excitement as Kansas City’s Lakeside Speedway and Sedalia’s Missouri State Fair Speedway will Team Up for the Tompkins Industries Mo-Kan Sprint Car Shootout Presented by Impact Signs, Awnings, and Wraps/Impact4800.com. The two tracks have joined forces to make an already scheduled big weekend of racing even bigger. The effort includes action on Friday, August 17 and Saturday, August 18, at Lakeside Speedway with the special points-earning championship finishing up on Sunday in Sedalia. Visit the ASCS website at www.ascsracing.com for additional information.

The theme at the fair this year is ‘Then and Now’ and race fans will have a taste of this theme as they make their way to the speedway when a piece of local race history will be on display with the McCown #96 car owned by CT Jacobi on display for all to see. Track scorer Karen Darling commented, “I know a lot about that car. It was the car that Ken Taylor from Slater Mo. drove and won 2 State Fair championships back to back in, 1965 & 1966.” Fans will notice the transformation of open-wheeled cars from yesteryear to the high-tech machines they have evolved into today.

The MLRA late models will race for a championship crown throughout the evening. Visit www.mlraracing.com for a complete listing of current drivers. Regional modified drivers will also keep the fans guessing as to whom will come away as state fair champion. The Law Enforcement Battle of the Badges will also be part of the night’s action.

Race Receivers are required for all classes. Drivers are reminded that there will not be Race Receivers for sale or rent at the track, all drivers will need to bring their own.

Visit the speedway’s official website at www.missouristatefairspeedway.com or search and like the speedway on Facebook. On race night, pit gates will open at 3 p.m. with admission gates opening at 4:30; hot laps take place at 5:30 with racing getting underway at 6 p.m. General Admission – $18, Senior & Military – $15, Kids 6-12 – $8, Five & under free; all pit passes are $25.