NASCAR and Lebanon I-44 Speedway hand out over $80,000 in cash & contingency at year end awards banquet
Lebanon, Mo / December 6,2013 – Over 260 were in attendance on Saturday November 22nd as Missouri’s only NASCAR sanctioned and active Asphalt oval honored the top drivers from the 2013 season from the High-Banks of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway at the Ramada Oasis Convention Center in Springfield, Mo.
Drivers must have competed in 75% of the races offered to them to be eligible for post season awards and honors. With the Speedway featuring 5 classes in 2013, a total of 43 drivers out of 50 were eligible and 36 were in attendance as family activities kept the other drivers from being in attendance.
Austin Miller, Andy Miller and Caleb Miller of Austin Miller Photography provided video and slide shows of the 2013 season in review capturing the excitement week after week as drivers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, North Carolina, Kansas, and Illinois competed each week in the Monster Energy Chase for the Cup at the NASCAR Whelen All American Series sanctioned facility.
The evening started with an opening video welcome from NASCAR’s Mike Helton and other members from the Daytona and Charlotte office as well as track General Manager Kevin Greven followed by an outstanding meal served from the Ramada Oasis staff.
The awards portion started with a special appreciation to track owners Bradley, Sandy and David Willard along with Brennon Willard for their hard work and efforts in bringing back Asphalt Racing to Missouri along with all the upgrades to the track in the recent couple of years before over $80,000 in cash and contingency went to the eligible drivers.
The 2013 season for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models was the year of the younger generation drivers as the top 4 in the tracks final point standing was all 17 years of age. Pro Late Models are considered Division One at Lebanon I-44 Speedway which is the top tier of the NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series.
Sellersburg, Indiana 3rd generation driver Cole Williams gathered the track and State championship honors along with the Missouri State Rookie of The Year Award. The title for the young man called “The Hurrying Hoosier” didn’t come easy as it took the final laps on Championship night before laying claim to the Championship over 3rd generation driver Matt Wallace of Concord, N.C. Williams claimed 6 feature events out of 18 events for the season and was the only driver to complete every Pro Late Model lap possible in 2013 (over 700 laps of competition), while never being out of the top 10 in the final results. For the Williams family, the weekly 400 mile 1 way trip to Lebanon paid off with the NASCAR State and Track Title. Car Chief Michael Olson was honored as the UNOH Ultimate Mechanic for the State of Missouri and father Terry Williams as the Lunati Crew Chief for the State of Missouri. Williams now has the claim as the Youngest Late Model Champion in the history of I-44 Speedway.
Point’s runner-up and 3rd generation driver Matt Wallace flew in each week to compete for Missouri Car Owner Mike Scott and took the points battle down to the last race of the season. , Little JC Newell of Stoutland (3rd), Austin Fullerton of Chelsea ,Oklahoma (4th)(these 4 drivers all 17 years of age), Brennon Willard of Sleeper (5th), Jimmy Van Zandt of Springfield (6th), Terry Limberopoulos of Cuba (7th), Veteran Steve Holt of Springfield (8th), and 14 year old Kaleb Allison of Mexico (10th). Only 9th place Cole Rouse of Fort Smith was absent from the Pro Late Models. The season provided lots of side by side racing and excitement each week with 26 drivers entered this season in point races.
For defending Budweiser Modified Champion Tyler Scott, heavy competition and a return from a veteran pavement driver kept the battle close each week, but “The Nixa Nightmare” used a strong surge in the final 3 races to win his third straight championship out of the last 4 seasons.
Scott captured 6 feature wins in 2013 and had to overcome a post-race technical infraction on May 25th as Terry Taylor and Scotty Allen would set the early pace in the championship chase. Scott rallied late in the season to overtake Scotty Allen in gathering the title in the Division 2 Class for I-44. Scott mentioned hard work and time in the shop making sure they were prepared as their secret to the title along with a very dedicated crew and car owner in making his job easier.
Veteran chassis builder and former pavement modified driver Scotty Allen accepted the runner-up spot and mentioned how much fun he had with the class in 2013 and how the class has a lot of growth in its future.
The remaining drivers honored were Terry Taylor of Fair Grove (3rd place), Payton Lucas of Fair Grove (5th place), Richard Lewis of Willard (6th place), Stephen Counterman of Fair Grove (8th place), and Joe Bunkers of Harrisonville (10th place). Drivers not present included David Bates of Fair Grove (4th place), Chris Johnson of Lebanon (7th place) and Paul Jepson of Rolla (9th place). Rookie of the Year award went to Richard Lewis. Twenty two different drivers competed in 2013 in points events.
Veteran Randy Besser of Branson brought home the championship in the Monster Energy Sportsman Class for 2013 in his Wedged-Bodied Car. Besser, a long-time veteran Asphalt Racer in the Sportsman type class, captured 2 wins this season including the season championship night on his crew chief and son Martin’s birthday. In a mixture of young drivers and veteran’s, Besser mentioned the steps the track had taken to keep the cost down and ways to help grow the class.
The remainder of the eligible drivers were honored including JC Newell of Decaturville (2nd place), Austin Johnson of Inola, Oklahoma (3rd place), Jim Fohn of Eldridge (4th), and Aaron Douglas of Lebanon (5th). Rookie of the Year honors went to Johnson who competed several nights in Baby Grands also. 12 different drivers competed this season as the interest is already extremely high for growth in 2014 for the Division three class.
The 2013 Hoosier Tire Road Warriors provided the Speedway with a Street Stock style class that came together with a solid car count each week. For Lebanon’s Justin Blake, he had a near dream season by not only capturing the title, but also 8 feature wins out of 12 features ran in the rain shortened season. Working from the 6th row almost each week, Blake and the older 2nd generation Camaro had to work his way forward to the front runners. Blake was always quick to give credit to the crew and owners each week along with his family supporting him in the racing in every way. He mentioned how great his season with the Road Warriors was and how the class really pulled together to make things work every night they raced.
Other drivers honored included Geoff Ledford of Neosho (2nd), Caston Jones of Belle (3rd), Carl Harlow of Exeter (4th), Michael Juergensen of Lebanon (5th), Les Mallard of Fair Grove (6th), Aaron Wilke of Bridgeton (9th) and Mike Funcannon of Cassville (10th). Absent were Alan Ellis of Strafford (7th) and Gary Barrows of Versailles (8th). 3 time feature winner Geoff Ledford captured Rookie of The Year honors as 24 different drivers competed this season in the Monster Energy Championship Chase in the tier 4 division.
The entry level class at I-44 is the 4 cylinder front-wheel drive Coca-Cola Chargers. In a rebuilding season after other drivers had moved into other classes, the Chargers kept the car count in double digits most of the season providing 3-4 wide racing on the 3/8th mile asphalt oval. For Willard, Mo driver Jimmy Poindexter, he proved the old saying nice guys finish last as an untruth. Poindexter in his unsponsored number 5 quietly climbed up the standings and after reeling off 3 straight wins, found himself in the driver’s seat for a NASCAR Track Title in the tier 5 division. Always wanting to help grow the class, Poindexter constantly helped the new drivers and did whatever he could to keep a good field of cars on the track. After clinching the title a week early, Poindexter had another driver in his car getting the feel as he was building a new car for next season. Poindexter claimed 4 wins out of 12 features for the season.
The remainder of the qualified drivers honored included Jason Walls of St. James (2nd place), Larry Hunter of Laquey (3rd), Jordan Nisbett of Lebanon (4th), Lauren Buhr of Neosho (5th), Amanda Anderson of Lebanon (7th), and Jary Hudson of Edgar Springs (8th). Patrick McKnight of Rolla (6th) was absent. Rookie of the Year honors went to Jason Walls as 16 different drivers competed in 2013.
“The Gentle Giant” JC Newell captured the Sportsmanship award as voted on by staff and drivers that night while Pit Steward Simon Bauer was honored as Official of the Year.
Mark Bartley announced the growth of the Compliance Fire & Safety Baby Grands along with giving acknowledgements to the current drivers who are in and have started in the class and plans on having an International event at the High-Banks in 2014.
While many great Marketing Partners were involved in 2013, Mercy Health, Reliable Toyota of Springfield and Missouri Eagle Distributing of Lebanon were honored for their extra support and Sponsorship for the season. Over 30 different door prizes were handed out during different times of the evening presentations by random drawings.
Along with the Monster Energy Chase, the Speedway also hosted the 1st ever Mercy of the Masters 144 which was sanctioned by the CRA/JEGS All-Star Tour featuring Pro Late Models. This event has already garnered national prestige and will be held again in 2014. The Reliable Toyota / G-OIL 150 NASCAR K&N West Series Event gained Lebanon I-44 Speedway national TV attention as it was aired on Fox Sports 1in 2013. The Our Town Your Town Lebanon Chamber Of Commerce Family night, and many different local business and industry sponsored nights packed the schedule in 2013.
For 2014, The Speedway will host 3 practice Saturdays before opening night on April 26th and again will be sanctioned by the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Look for more information about the 2014 schedule in coming weeks.
For more information visit the website at WWW.I44Speedway.Net or contact General Manager Kevin Greven at 417-399-5756. Be sure to view and like the Facebook page also and follow us on Twitter for updated information.
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About Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only NASCAR facility and 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 on Route 66 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the East of Springfield, Missouri on I-44 and just 2 hours West 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
2013 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
Big Surf Water Park – Preferred Amusement Park
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Central Bank – Preferred Banking Partner
Compliance Fire & Safety – Preferred Fire & Safety Provider
Green Earth Technologies – Preferred “Totally Green” Clean Tech Company
Hampton Inn / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Holiday Inn Express / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
K&N Engineering – Preferred Performance Filter
Mercy – Official Health Care Provider
Missouri Eagle – Official Beer, Energy Drink & Tea Supplier
Monster Energy – Official Energy Drink
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Preferred Auto Parts Store
Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper – Official Supplier: Soft Drinks, Water, Sports Drinks
Peace Tea – Official Tea
Racing Electronics – Official Communications Supplier
Safety-Kleen – Preferred Environmental Services Company
Springfield Yamaha – Official UTV & ATV Supplier
Sunoco – Official Racing Fuel
Super 8 / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
2013 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Advanced Electric & Communications, Auto Body Supply, Auto Meter, Commerce Bank, Cometic Gaskets, Contingency Connection, Dickies Barbecue, Emerson Climate Technologies, Energy Companies, ESPN Radio, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Home Depot, Independent Stave Inc., JEGS, KZNN Superstation, Lebanon Ready Mix, Liberty Tire, Lindsay Auto Group, McGunegill Engine Performance, Missouri Tool & Automation, Owens Sandblasting, Ozarks Harley Davidson, Regional Radio – KJEL, Reliable Toyota, Rock Auto, Royal Purple, Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, Sherwin Williams, Show Me Guns, Sprint, Starnes Auto, Totally You, Toyota Motorsports, Unilever, United Insurors, US Foods, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, Z102.3 Radio, 107.9 The Coyote