By Jordan Kuehne
Mercy “Masters of the Pros” 144 at Lebanon I-44 Speedway added to JEGS/CRA 2013 Schedule
Minimum $8000 to Win on tap for JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Event presented by Chevrolet Performance
(LEBANON, Mo.) – As many tracks sent out their 2013 racing schedules, Lebanon I-44 Speedway track officials were still hard at work finalizing an exciting slate that now has another premier event on the docket. Missouri’s only asphalt oval will be playing host to the marquee event for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars presented by Chevrolet Performance for the 2013 season on Saturday, May 18. The touring series visits the NASCAR-sanctioned facility for an astonishing, minimum $8,000 to win, $600 to start in the Mercy “Masters of the Pros” 144 late model showcase. Besides taking home the record top prize, the winner will don a signature green jacket, similar to the one that is known for adorning the champion of golf’s Masters event.
“This is the type of event that not only draws a crowd, but some premier drivers as well,” said Lebanon I-44 Speedway general manager Kevin Greven. “Combined with a great partner in Mercy Hospital, this will be the type of showcase event that attracts top talent from across the Midwest and the Southeastern regions. We’re excited to welcome the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour to I-44 for the first time in what promises to be an event that demonstrates what the Show-Me State brand of short track racing is all about.”
Greven noted that with the rules package that the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour employs, most local late model drivers will be able to enter the event and put their mark on the show. Around 35-40 cars, including 20 or so series regulars, are expected for what will almost certainly be the highest-paying short-track racing event of the season for Pro Late Model racing anywhere in the country.
The series will be running in conjunction with two Lebanon I-44 Speedway NASCAR Weekly Racing classes. Greven is currently in the process of finalizing the 2013 schedule for release and will be announcing those divisions in the coming weeks.
The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour completed their season opener on Jan. 27, at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, GA., with teen phenom Chase Elliott, son of 1988 NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, prevailing in the 100-lap main event. Lebanon I-44 Speedway’s Mercy “Masters of the Pros” 144 will serve as a special showcase for the tour, with the highest purse and 44 more laps than any other event on their 2013 schedule. Greven is confident that some special talent will be making the trek to the westernmost race on the docket.
“What a great way to showcase Mercy Hospital in the Lebanon area and allow our great staff to enjoy a premier regional racing event in our own back yard,” said Mercy President/CEO Michael Gillen. “We’re excited about the NASCAR presence at Lebanon I-44 Speedway and being a partner with this JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour event serves to make Lebanon a destination for area race fans. This will also be a great fund raising event for our Mercy Health Foundation.”
JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour series co-owner Glenn Luckett noted that this is the type of event they have been hoping to put together since the series’ inception. “We’ve been looking to put a signature event together for our tour and pro late model racing,” said CRA’s Luckett. “I-44 Speedway has stepped up to put this event on the map and make this one that the entire racing industry will recognize. With the country’s biggest payday on the line for these type of cars, everyone can expect to see the top drivers and an incredible event. We are looking forward to this race and working with all the great people at Lebanon I-44 Speedway.”
Greven anticipates a strong local turnout as a number of I-44 NASCAR Weekly Racing late model drivers will be looking to knock off the touring stars and grab the trophy and a minimum $8,000 check in victory lane. This news comes on the heels of the track becoming Missouri’s only NASCAR Home Track.
“This is shaping up to be one of the best seasons in the history of Lebanon I-44 Speedway,” said an excited Greven. “We’re now a NASCAR HomeTrack and we’re very excited for the 2013 season to get underway. What a great special event to put in front of our fans within the first four weeks of the 2013 season.”
Mercy is the sixth largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. and includes 31 hospitals, nearly 300 outpatient facilities, 38,000 co-workers and 1,700 integrated physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Health care in Lebanon, Missouri and surrounding communities has always been built upon a cornerstone of serving the needs of the area residents. The Mercy Health Foundation Lebanon continues this same commitment of providing for the medical needs of the community members. Mercy Health Foundation Lebanon is led by a volunteer board of community leaders and served by an active group of committee volunteers. Since 2004, the Foundation has continued to grow because of a need for more medical services and the generous spirit of the people of this community.
Champion Racing Association (CRA) sanctions four different nationally and regionally recognized short track racing tours. Founded in 1997, CRA tours include the ARCA/CRA Super Series for Super Late Models, the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour presented by Chevrolet Performance for Pro Late Models, the Top Speed Fabrication/CRA Late Model Sportsman, and Stealth Trailers/CRA Street Stocks. For more information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour or CRA Racing, visit their site at www.cra-racing.com. Fans and teams can find even more news and discussion on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CRARacing or on Twitter at @CRARACING.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located four miles east of the Lebanon city limits on Historic Route 66 and Missouri’s only NASCAR sanctioned facility. Patrons using Interstate 44 may take Exit 135 and then drive approximately one mile east on Route 66 to the track’s main entrance. Additional information about this event, including a full schedule of events, the rules being enforced, and a purse distribution, will be released on the facility’s official website, www.i44speedway.net in the coming weeks. Keep up with news about Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Lebanon-I-44-Speedway, and on Twitter (@i44Speedway).
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About Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only weekly Asphalt Racing Oval settled nearly 300 miles from any other and is Missouri’s only NASCAR sanctioned facility. Located in Lebanon, Missouri, along Interstate 44 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the West of Springfield, Missouri on I-44 and just 2 hours East of St. Louis on I-44 as well as just 30 minutes south of Lake of the Ozarks.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway has a history of producing great racecar drivers, and some of the biggest stars in American motorsports honed their skills on our tracks high banked 3/8-mile asphalt oval. Legends such as the great Larry Phillips, the only 5-time national champion in NASCAR’s weekly racing series, along with NASCAR stars like Mike Wallace, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, the late Tony Roper and Tony Stewart have either won races or even track championships over the years.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway has perhaps the smoothest racing surface of any weekly racing facility in the nation along with new aluminum backed Monster Energy grandstand seating, Budweiser “Wild Side” tier parking that you can pull up in your car or tailgate in your pickup and enjoy all of the racing from a great view and our latest addition is the new Central Bank VIP Suites in the middle of the front stretch.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway runs many special events throughout the race season as well as an exciting NASCAR weekly show that consists of Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Road Warriors and the Chargers with special appearances by the United States Super Truck Series, Pro National Baby Grand Cars, NASCAR racing special events and various Concerts.
www.lebanoni44speedway.net For the latest information always visit
2012 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Central Bank – Official Bank
Cintas – Official Uniform Rental Service Company
Hardee’s – Official Fast Food Restaurant
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
Missouri Eagle – Official Beer & Energy Drink Supplier
Monster Energy – Official Energy Drink
Munger Moss – Official Motel
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Official Auto Parts Store
Ozarks Coca-Cola / Dr. Pepper Bottling Company – Official Soft Drink, Water & Sports Drink Supplier
Racing Electronics – Official Radio Supplier
Safety-Kleen – Official Enviromental Services Company
Sunoco – Official Race Fuel
2012 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Commerce Bank, Contingency Connection, Dickies Barbeque, Energy Companies, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Independant Stave Inc., Lebanon Ready Mix, Lindsay Chevrolet, McGunegill Engine Performance, Missouri Arive Alive Program, Missouri Tool & Automation, Rock Auto, Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, Starnes Auto, Totally You, United Insurers, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, 107.9 The Coyote