By Jordan Kuehne,
Several New Faces in Winners Circle Saturday Night at LEBANON I-44 SPEEDWAY
(LEBANON, Mo.) – Entering Saturday night, only three drivers had managed to find victory lane in the headlining O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models.
Two more hotshoes earned that distinction after a twin bill, as 14-year-old Jake Griffin rocketed into the winner’s circle in the first 25-lap feature before longtime I-44 do-it-all Brennan Willard joined him in victory lane with his first career win in a pro late model in the second feature.
In other action, Austin Johnson fended off Zack Morgan for the victory in the Compliance Fire & Safety Pro National Baby Grands while Aaron Douglas broke through and found the winner’s circle in the Monster Energy Sportsman. Tyler Scott survived an opening lap incident and rallied for the win in the Budweiser Modifieds while Lauren Buhr emerged with one of the wildest wins in recent memory in the Coca-Cola Chargers. Carl Harlow managed to muscle his way into the winner’s circle to round out the trophies in the Hoosier Tire Road Warriors.
Young gun Cole Rouse shot to the early lead in the first of two 25-lap O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models feature events at Missouri’s only asphalt oval. Behind the leader, the 16-car field was sorting things out, as a pair of 17-year-olds, point’s leader Cole Williams and Matt Wallace, tried to work their way through the field.
Rouse saw an almost straightaway lead evaporate when the caution waved for a solo spin by Steve Holt on the backstretch with 14 laps remaining. When racing resumed, Rouse rocketed to another large lead while 14-year-old Jake Griffin worked his way up to second and began to close on Rouse for the top spot. Rouse’s lead was down to a single car length when Griffin began to look to the inside for the lead with eight laps to go. On the next circuit Griffin had navigated his way to the front before the yellow waved again for a Tucker Cory spin, this time on the frontstretch.
Griffin broke away from the field as the green flag waved and survived another late-race caution en route to his first feature win in the division. “I knew once we got up front, we were gone,” the 14-year-old said in victory lane. “It was a lot of fun to get up there and race those guys and it’s an awesome feeling to be in victory lane. Hopefully we can get the sweep.” Williams continued to pace his way to the title with a second place effort as Terry Limberopoulous grabbed his season best finish in third.
The second O’Reilly auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models 25-lap feature got off to a wild start as points leader Cole Williams got swept up in an opening lap incident, losing his rear bumper in the process before returning to the track for an original restart in the second of the twin bills. When racing got going in earnest, Tucker Cory corralled the top spot as Brennan Willard broke free of the field and tried to take the top spot away. Willard did just that on a restart, working his way into the lead.
As Willard drove away up front, Williams languished in the back of the pack as rival Matt Wallace moved through the field before contact with Jimmy Vanzandt with 15 laps to go. When the green flag waved, Willard surged to a four car length lead over Cory, who came under fire from Grant Sharp for the second position. Yet another caution slowed the proceedings with seven laps to go as Jim Reaves and Steve Holt made heavy contact on the entrance to turn one and spun into the grass.
Willard finally broke through when the green flag waved, fending off yet another late race caution for his first career pro late model victory at I-44. Williams and Wallace survived the carnage as the points race remained tight, as Williams paces Wallace by just 16 markers heading into the final four-week stretch of the season. “This is for my grandpa, who I always hoped could see me get into victory lane here,” an emotional Willard said in the winner’s circle. “He built this place and he was with me out there tonight. It feels so great to get it done and I’m definitely a little emotional right now. The car was just amazing.” Joe Ross scored a season best runner-up effort while Jimmy Vanzandt notched a solid top-three effort.
Mayhem marred the beginning of the 25-lap Budweiser Modifieds main event as a pile up occurred when the green flag waved. Six cars were collected in the accident including Tyler Scott, David Bates, and Paul Jepson, Terry Taylor, Chris Kerperien and David Strode as Payton Lucas and Scotty Allen emerged unscathed. After a lengthy red flag delay, racing finally got underway with Chris Johnson grabbing the early lead. Scotty Allen wasted little time utilizing the high side to sling shot past Johnson for the top spot as Tyler Scott followed him into the bridesmaid’s position.
As the top two drivers broke away from the field, David Bates’ patched up machine tried to break into the top three. Up front, Scott tried to close in on Allen but couldn’t make anything happen until the latter portion of the race, driving to the inside and making it stick before emerging with the lead after a lengthy side-by-side battle with the points leader. From there, Scott was home free on the way to a hard earned feature win as fans roared their approval in the winner’s circle. Allen settled for second while Lucas rallied and managed to score an impressive podium finish in third.
Racin’ Jason Walls snagged the top spot on the opening lap of the 12-lap Coca-Cola Chargers feature as points leader Jimmy Poindexter and Larry Hunter duked it out for second. Hunter managed to hustle around Poindexter for the lead as the laps quickly wound down and Walls’ lead slowly dissipated. A three-car battle for the top spot emerged as Hunter and Poindexter closed up to Walls’ back bumper, Hunter peeking to the inside of the leader as Poindexter wound it up on the outside.
Hunter was looking like the benefactor of Poindexter’s charge, working around a distracted Walls for the lead before losing control and collecting Poindexter just when the points leader looked like he might emerge with the lead with just four circuits to go. After the mayhem cleared up, Hunter exited to the pits, Poindexter dropped to the back, and Walls couldn’t get his car fired again as Lauren Buhr emerged with the lead, holding off Poindexter’s late charge for her first win of the season. Poindexter extended his points lead with a runner-up finish as Amanda Anderson gave the ladies two of the top three spots on the podium.
A wild and wooly start helped Aaron Wilke score the early advantage in the 15-lap Hoosier Tire Road Warriors main event. Carl Harlow made his return to the high banks of Lebanon I-44 Speedway with a fast machine, rocketing through the field into second before peeking to the inside of Wilke for the top spot. Wilke was able to fend off Harlow’s challenges though as smoke poured from the back of his car. Geoff Ledford successfully navigated around Harlow for second before charging to the inside of Wilke for the lead with two laps to go. Just as suddenly as he had charged into the running, Ledford exited the picture with troubles on the backstretch and Harlow rallied into the winner’s circle for the second time in 2013. Steve Shaw grabbed second while points leader Justin Blake took third.
Aaron Douglas made his return to the front of the pack at I-44 as he raced to the lead in the 20-lap Monster Energy Sportsman headliner. As Douglas pulled away from the pack, points leader Randy Besser tried to break through the pack and grab second from Jimmy Fohn. Besser continued to pick away at Fohn for the bridesmaid’s position, but couldn’t make the move stick as Douglas enjoyed the battle up front. Douglas cruised to his first win of the season with a wire-to-wire effort while Fohn held on for second over Besser.
Zack Morgan mashed the gas pedal and broke away from the field for the early edge in the 10-lap Pro National Baby Grands feature event. Morgan came under fire from Austin Johnson for the lead throughout the event, and finally gave up the lead with just two laps remaining as Johnson pulled off the rare crossover maneuver for the lead, holding on for the win over a hard charging Morgan, who was forced to settle for second.
Racing returns to Missouri’s only asphalt oval this Saturday night, August 24, as the headlining O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Models lead the way in the eleventh ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ program of the 2013 campaign with a 30-lap feature event as the points battle between Williams and Wallace tightens up in the final four week stretch. The Budweiser Modifieds highlight an exciting undercard while the Monster Energy Sportsman, Hoosier Tire Road Warriors and Coca-Cola Chargers will also be in action. There will be an ontrack autograph session at intermission and our asphalt warriors will also leave some room in the show for the Rock Rash Off Road Club as they display their 4 wheel drive machines in the midway area. Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m. with the green flag set to wave at 7:00 p.m. sharp on the evening’s jam-packed slate of racing action.
For more information on Lebanon I-44 Speedway, including a full 2013 schedule and more, visit the track website at www.i44speedway.net or visit the track’s Facebook and Twitter pages online.
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Lebanon I-44 Speedway – August 17, 2013
Race Results
O’Reilly Auto Parts NASCAR Pro Late Model’s
Heat 1 Heat 2
1) Car # 67 Jimmy Vanzandt 1) Car # 20 Austin Fullerton
2) Car # 35 Steve Holt 2) Car # 46 Cole Williams
3) Car # 2 Grant Sharp 3) Car # 15 JC Newell
4) Car # 07 Terry Limberopoulos 4) Car # 08 Jake Griffin
5) Car # 42 Cole Rouse 5) Car # 6 Matt Wallace
6) Car # 9 Tucker Cory 6) Car # 3 Brennon Willard
7) Car # 27 Joe Ross 7) Car # 18 Jim Reaves
8) Car # 47 Kaleb Allison 8) Car # 31 Daulton Greven
Feature #1
1) Car # 08 Jake Griffin Quincy, IL
2) Car # 46 Cole Williams Sellersburg, IN
3) Car # 07 Terry Limberopoulos Cuba, MO
4) Car # 6 Matt Wallace Concord, NC
5) Car # 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper, MO
6) Car # 20 Austin Fullerton Chelsea, OK
7) Car # 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Springfield, MO
8) Car # 47 Kaleb Allison Mexico, MO
9) Car # 2 Grant Sharp Lebanon, MO
10) Car # 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, MO
11) Car # 18 Jim Reaves Springfield, MO
12) Car # 35 Steve Holt Strafford, MO
13) Car # 15 JC Newell Stoutland, MO
14) Car # 9 Tucker Cory Quincy, IL
15) Car # 31 Daulton Greven Springfield, MO
16) Car # 42 Cole Rouse Fort Smith, AR
Feature #2
1) Car # 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper, MO
2) Car # 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, MO
3) Car # 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Springfield, MO
4) Car # 6 Matt Wallace Concord, NC
5) Car # 07 Terry Limberopoulos Cuba, MO
6) Car # 42 Cole Rouse Fort Smith, AR
7) Car # 15 JC Newell Stoutland, MO
8) Car # 46 Cole Williams Sellersburg, IN
9) Car # 31 Daulton Greven Springfield, MO
10) Car # 2 Grant Sharp Lebanon, MO
11) Car # 35 Steve Holt Strafford, MO
12) Car # 18 Jim Reaves Springfield, MO
13) Car # 9 Tucker Cory Quincy, IL
14) Car # 20 Austin Fullerton Chelsea, OK
15) Car # 47 Kaleb Allison Mexico, MO
16) Car # 08 Jake Griffin Quincy, IL
Budweiser NASCAR Modified’s
Heat 1
1) Car # 91 David Bates
2) Car # 26 Payton Lucas
3) Car # 12 Scotty Allen
4) Car # 57 Tyler Scott
5) Car # 00 Chris Johnson
6) Car # 66 Terry Taylor
7) Car # 64 David Strode
8) Car # 6 Richard Lewis
9) Car # 88 Paul Jepsen
10) Car # 0 Chris Kerperien
Feature
1) Car # 57 Tyler Scott Nixa, MO
2) Car # 12 Scotty Allen Urbana, MO
3) Car # 26 Payton Lucas Fair Grove, MO
4) Car # 00 Chris Johnson Lebanon, MO
5) Car # 6 Richard Lewis Willard, MO
6) Car # 64 David Strode Independence, MO
7) Car # 91 David Bates Fair Grove, MO
8) Car # 0 Chris Kerperien Ft. Leonard Wood, MO
9) Car # 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, MO
10) Car # 88 Paul Jepsen Rolla, MO
Monster Energy NASCAR Sportsman
Heat
1) Car # 22 Austin Johnson
2) Car # 21 Randy Besser
3) Car # 84 JC Newell
4) Car # 7 Aaron Douglas
5) Car # 48 Jimmy Fohn
6) Car # 76 Jake Piel
7) Car # 81 Jacob Blair
Feature
1) Car # 7 Aaron Douglas Lebanon, MO
2) Car # 48 Jimmy Fohn Eldridge, MO
3) Car # 21 Randy Besser Branson, MO
4) Car # 84 JC Newell (Gentle Giant) Decauterville, MO
5) Car # 22 Austin Johnson Inola, OK
6) Car # 76 Jake Piel Webster Grove, MO
7) Car # 81 Jacob Blair Kansas City, MO
Hoosier Tire NASCAR Road Warriors
Heat 1 Heat 2
1) Car # 7 Carl Harlow 1) Car # 45 Geoffrey Ledford
2) Car # 90 Steve Shaw 2) Car # 8 Aaron Wilke
3) Car # 1 Gary Barrows 3) Car # 15 Justin Blake
4) Car # 34 Caston Jones 4) Car # 38 Michael Funcannon
5) Car # 00 Michael Juergensen 5) Car # 21 Les Mallard
6) Car # 52 Allen Ellis 6) Car # 3 Dusty Ball
7) Car # 27 Nick Cherry DNS Car # 0 Chris Johnson
8) Car # 35 Gary Ball
Feature
1) Car # 7 Carl Harlow Exeter, MO
2) Car # 90 Steve Shaw Rogersville, MO
3) Car # 15 Justin Blake Lebanon, MO
4) Car # 21 Les Mallard Fair Grove, MO
5) Car # 38 Michael Funcannon Cassville, MO
6) Car # 34 Caston Jones Belle, MO
7) Car # OO Michael Juergensen Lebanon, MO
8) Car # 1 Gary Barrows Versailles, MO
9) Car # 45 Geoffrey Ledford Neosho, MO
10) Car # 3 Dusty Ball Lebanon, MO
11) Car # 52 Allen Ellis Strafford, MO
12) Car # 27 Nick Cherry Springfield, MO
DNS Car # 35 Gary Ball Lebanon, MO
DNS Car # 0 Chris Johnson Lebanon, MO
Coca Cola NASCAR Chargers
Heat
1) Car # 74 Larry Hunter
2) Car # 10 Jason Walls
3) Car # 11 Lauren Buhr
4) Car # 5 Jimmy Poindexter
5) Car # 95 Jordan Nisbett
6) Car # 44 Ben White
7) Car # 7 Amanda Anderson
8) Car # 37 Jary Hudson
DNS Car # 51 Terry McGuire
Feature
1) Car # 11 Lauren Buhr Neosho, MO
2) Car # 5 Jimmy Poindexter Jr Willard, MO
3) Car # 7 Amanda Anderson Lebanon, MO
4) Car # 44 Ben White Rolla, MO
5) Car # 37 Jary Hudson Edgar Springs, MO
6) Car # 10 Jason Walls St. James, MO
7) Car # 74 Larry Hunter Laquey, MO
8) Car # 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon, MO
DNS Car # 51 Terry McGuire Camdenton, MO
Compliance Fire & Safety Pro National Baby Grand’s
Heat
1) Car # 33 Zack Morgan
2) Car # 29 Ryan Crabtree
Feature
1) Car # 22 Austin Johnson
2) Car # 33 Zack Morgan Lebanon, MO
3) Car # 29 Ryan Crabtree Republic, MO
DNS Car # 13 Tim McDowell Rog
Lebanon I-44 Speedway offers an alcohol-free Monster Energy Grandstand, featuring aluminum seating with seat-backs, along with Budweiser “Wild Side” tier parking for cars, pickup trucks and RV’s where patrons may park, tailgate and view the races. A great view is also available on the grandstand side in the Budweiser “Fan Deck” area for those that would enjoy an adult beverage.
Admission prices for the Monster Energy grandstands & Budweiser Fan Deck will remain just $10 for Adults, ages 16 and older, in the grandstands while Adult admission on the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ will remain just $15. Discounted admission will be offered in both locations for Military members with an ID present, as well as Seniors (ages 65 and older) and Juniors (ages 11-15), and Children (ages 10 and younger) will be admitted for free. A grandstand Family Pass for two Adults and two Juniors plus any number of Children is available for $25, while six Adults entering in the same vehicle on tiered parking will be admitted to the ‘Budweiser Wild Side’ for $75.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is located four miles east of the Lebanon city limit on Historic Route 66. 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 the track’s 2013 ‘Kickin’ Asphalt’ racing schedule may be found on the facility’s official website, www.i44speedway.net, 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 East 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, Tony Stewart and the late Tony Roper 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, the new Central Bank VIP Suites in the middle of the front stretch and entering turn one is the newest addition, the Budweiser Fan Deck.
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.
For all of the latest information always visit
www.i44speedway.net