Anderson Bowen Masters the 31 Car field at Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Lebanon, MO / May 18, 2014 – Combination of CRA Racing PR and Lebanon I-44 Speedway PR
The richest paying event of the 2014 racing season for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance was on Saturday, May 17th. The premier template bodied / crate motored touring series in the country made the long haul to the immaculate 3/8s (0.375) mile progressively banked paved oval of Lebanon I-44 Speedway, located west of St. Louis in Lebanon, Missouri for the 2nd Annual Mercy Masters of the Pros 144 Presented by JEGS.com. “This event doesn’t happen without Mercy and its dedication to its team members and community projects. The Mercy Pit Party was even larger this year than 2013 and the money raised for the Mercy Smiles Team shows their commitment to this community”. said Lebanon I-44 Speedway General Manager
Looking to join NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie sensation, Chase Elliott as the second ever winner of the coveted Green Jacket for winning the prestigious event would be a stellar field representing 10 different states and one Canadian province. After 144 laps of thrilling racing action in the Show-Me State, it would be 16-year-old Anderson Bowen who would emerge victorious and score the biggest win of his young career. The Suwanee, Georgia driver in his #29 Copper Creek Hardware / Anderson Bowen Racing / Chevrolet fought off a determined Dave Gentile Jr., over the final 18 laps to secure the victory, the coveted Green Jacket and a cool $8,000 payday.
“Wow, this is unbelievable. Without a doubt the biggest win of my career. We’ve went winless last year and we’ve been so close all year long in the Southern Super Series. I’m just so happy for everyone on this team,” The jubilant driver, who was the 2012 Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year, stated in his victory lane interview. “We were fast all weekend long and it was really cool to break Chase Elliott’s track record in this car, which is the same car he raced here last year. To repeat what he did, fast time and the win, that is really something special and I won’t forget it.” He added. Bowen’s only other JEGS/CRA victory came on October 27, 2012 at Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA) in a non-points race.
After Bowen broke the Track Record in Boyne Machine Company Qualifying, he then drew a five for an inversion which placed Two-Time Daytona 500 Winner, Sterling Marlin and the current points leader in the tracks weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Pro Late Models division, 15-year-old Kaleb Allison brought the star-studded 31-car field to chief starter, Brian Duncan’s green flag to begin the extended distance event. Marlin would beat Allison and the rest of the field into the first corner to grab the early lead while the rest of the field settled in behind him.
2013 Track Champion & Rookie of the Year as well as NASCAR Missouri State Champion, 18-year-old Cole Williams quickly moved up into second place and stalked Marlin for the first segment of the race. On lap 18, Williams made the pass for the lead on Marlin and he brought Bowen, who started fifth with him. Bowen would never let Williams stray too far out in front of him as the two drivers stayed glued to each others’ bumpers. Williams earned the D.T.S. Drive Train Specialists Halfway Leader Award and would bring the field into the lap 100 break.
The 1st caution waved on lap 11 as track point leader Kaleb Allison went around in turn 3 while running in the top 5 after some contact while battling for position. The worst incident of the night happened on lap 56 when Josh Nelms, Joe Ross and Corey Deuser got together in turn 3. Deuser was out with rear-end issues while Ross and Nelms both retired from the event while running on the lead lap. As the break came to a close, Williams pulled off of pit road after changing only one tire and then proceeded to pull off the track with suspension problems, giving the lead to Bowen who then had Dave Gentile Jr., running in second. For the rest of the race, Gentile Jr., sized up the leader as he followed in Bowen’s tire tracks until lap 126 when he began his charge against the race leader as they began to get into lapped traffic. A caution with12 laps remaining gave Bowen a little breathing room. Gentile Jr., tried numerous times to make the potential winning pass utilizing the inside lane, but each time, Bowen kept his momentum on the high side to retain the point. Gentile Jr., kept pressuring throughout the rest of the race, but Bowen was up to the challenge and crossed the stripe first for the win.
“My Mom and Dad are the main reason I’m able to do what I’m doing. Without them, my crew chief, Ricky Turner and this whole team all working so hard we wouldn’t be here,” The appreciative Peach State teenager continued. “This is just great. Definitely makes the long trip home worthwhile. I really appreciate Dave (Gentile Jr.) for racing me as clean as he did. For that much money, he could’ve taken me out a number of times, but I’m glad he chose not too” He ended. In addition to the $8,000 paycheck and the coveted Green Jacket for winning the race, Bowen also scored the VDL Fuel Systems Hot Lap of the Race Award in addition to his Boyne Machine Company Fast Qualifier Award.
Dave Gentile Jr., gave the eventual winner, Bowen all he could handle over the final 1/4 of the race, but in the end, the 37-year-old driver of the WMC Incorporated / Ford would have to settle for a career high second place finish. The Joliet, Illinois veteran qualified second quick and started fourth on the grid. He had worked his way to Bowen’s back bumper and tried several times to get by Bowen using the inside lane. He wouldn’t leave the Show-Me State empty handed as Gentile Jr., would take the FLUIDYNE High Performance Cool Under Pressure Award.
The runner-up the past two seasons in the tracks NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Pro Late Models points standings, Matt Wallace brought home a career high third place showing in his second ever JEGS/CRA start. The 18-year-old aboard his Lucas Oil Products / Chevrolet started 17th on the grid and would earn the first Great Lakes Tire / Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award for his efforts. The driver, originally from St. Louis, Missouri and now calls Concord, North Carolina home is the son of NASCAR Nationwide Series veteran, Mike Wallace.
Chad Finley earned the Hedman Hedders Husler Award after being one of only six drivers to take on tires at the lap 100 break. After restarting 21st, the DeWitt, Michigan driver in his #42 AutoParts2020.com / Chevrolet roared through the pack to finish fourth to also move into a tie for first all-time in career top fives and top 10s in JEGS/CRA history. 13-year-old Harrison Burton picked up the best finish of his brief career in JEGS/CRA racing as the Huntersville, North Carolina teenager in his #12 Dex Imaging / Chevrolet rounded out the top five. He also won the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award for his valiant efforts in fighting his way back into the top five on numerous occasions throughout the race.
Two-Time Track Champion, Mike Slone earned a career high finish of sixth as well as the second Great Lakes Tire / Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award for his showing after fighting an ill-handling car in the early stages of the race.. Allison recorded a seventh after restarting 31st from a spin on lap 11 in his JEGS/CRA debut over 15-year-old Jake Griffin. 16-year-old Cole Rouse won the Howe Racing Enterprises Rookie of the Race Award after finishing ninth. 15-year-old Rookie, J.J. Haley, already the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year points leader, took over the overall points lead. His day actually started at Toledo Speedway (OH) qualifying for the ARCA Racing Series Presented by Menards event there. After flying in just after Qualifying, Haley started 21st and completed the top 10. Tony Jackson Jr., collected the Five Star Racecar Bodies Hard-Charger Award for the race after starting 29th and finishing in 13th. 23 of the 31 starters completed the full distance while 25 were running at the finish
Earlier in the day in Boyne Machine Company Qualifying, Bowen broke the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Track Record with an impressive 14.318 which measured out to 94.287mph. The new record eclipsed the old mark, which was a 14.334, set by Chase Elliott, now a NASCAR Nationwide Series standout, back on May 18th, 2013, by 0.016 seconds. It was Bowen’s third career JEGS/CRA Fast Qualifier Award. In the 15-lap Last Chance Race, track regular, Brennon Willard took the win to transfer into the 144-lap main over Joe Ross, Mark Jacobs and Steve Holt who also locked themselves into the show.
In Support Action, current NASCAR Budweiser Modified point leader Stephen Counterman became the 4th different driver in 4 features to visit victory lane this season. Counterman took charge from early pace setter Brian Webster of Richland and then had to withstand several challenges from Tim Swearengin in taking the win. Webster set a blistering pace from his outside front row starting spot as Counterman followed quickly. Opening night winner David Bates began to close up on the lead duo and moved around Webster on lap 4 and was putting pressure on the new leader. Swearengin quickly moved around Webster on lap 4 and joined in the 3 car battle up front as last week’s winner Ricky Icenhower pulled out of action with problems. Counterman, rebounding from a rough 2013 season had the car glued solid to the pavement in turn 2 as Bates had tried several times to take the lead. On lap 10 of the 25 lap feature, Swearengin moved around Bates into 2nd place and set his sights on the leader. As the race stayed caution free, Counterman’s lead began to shrink while points runner-up Chris Johnson was moving up on the 3rd place Bates. For the final 5 laps, Swearengin made several moves on Counterman, but the youngster kept the car straight and was flawless in grabbing the win while Swearengin, Bates, Johnson and early leader Webster completed the top 5. Last year’s Rookie of the Year Richard Lewis and Swearengin captured the heat race wins.
The Coca-Cola Chargers showed the capacity crowd what 3 wide racing was all about as they provide each week. Amanda Anderson grabbed the opening lead from her pole starting spot as everybody behind was moving around for position. The caution waved before 1 lap was completed as John Huhn went sideways in turn 3 and collected Lauren Buhr. Both drivers were able to continue as the field doubled-up for a restart. As they took the green, Ben White was wasting no time as he went around Anderson to grab the opening lap while Japheth Nesbitt charged from the rear to move into 2nd place. Back in the pack, point leader Jordan Nesbitt and runner-up Jason Walls were slicing through the field and moved up into the top 5 by lap 3. Nesbitt looking for his 3rd straight feature win battled White side by side and on lap 4 made the pass for the lead. Walls the opening night winner was playing the patient game and moved himself into 2nd place on lap 5 and closed in on the leader. After a spirited wheel to wheel battle, Walls moved around Nesbitt on lap 7 as Nesbitt stayed close. Behind the lead duo defending champion Jimmy Poindexter and early leader White were door to door. Nesbitt waited until the final 2 laps and tried to pull off a winning pass, but Walls hung on to take win number 2 with Jordan Nesbitt, White, Poindexter and Japheth Nesbitt completing the top 5. Japheth Nesbitt and Walls captured the heat race wins
Action continues next Saturday May 24th with Budweiser Night at the Races featuring all 5 classes competing for NASCAR track points. Action features the Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Road Warriors and Chargers as Saturday Night will be Kids Ride Night. Kids 10 and under will receive a ride in a race car at intermission. Gates open at 5 with racing to start at 6:30 sharp. For more information go to WWW.I44Speedway.Net and be sure to visit and like the Facebook Page.
Results-2nd Annual Mercy Health Care Master of the Pro’s 144.
NASCAR COCA-COLA CHARGER – HEAT 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 2 51 Japheth Nisbett Rolla , Mo 25
2 5 5 Jimmy Poindexter Willard , Mo 20
3 6 15 John Hunn Rolla , Mo 15
4 4 74 Larry Hunter Laquey , Mo 10
5 3 40 Mark Glorfeld Springfield , Mo 8
6 1 7 Amanda Anderson Lebanon , Mo 6
CHARGER – HEAT 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 3 10 Jason Walls St. James, Mo 25
2 4 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon , Mo 20
3 2 11 Lauren Buhr Neosho , Mo 15
4 1 44 Benjamin White Rolla , Mo 10
5 5 37 Jary Hudson Edgar Springs, Mo 8
CHARGER – FEATURE
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 10 10 Jason Walls St. James, Mo 100
2 11 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon , Mo 96
3 4 44 Benjamin White Rolla , Mo 92
4 8 5 Jimmy Poindexter Willard , Mo 88
5 9 51 Japheth Nisbett Rolla , Mo 84
6 7 15 John Hunn Rolla , Mo 80
7 3 40 Mark Glorfeld Springfield , Mo 76
8 6 11 Lauren Buhr Neosho , Mo 72
9 1 7 Amanda Anderson Lebanon , Mo 68
10 2 37 Jary Hudson Edgar Springs, Mo 64
11 5 74 Larry Hunter Laquey , Mo 60
NASCAR BUDWEISER MODIFIED – HEAT 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 2 6 Richard Lewis Willard , Mo 25
2 3 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, Mo 20
3 4 0 Christopher Johnson Lebanon , Mo 15
4 1 9 Brian Lewis Willard , Mo 10
5 5 0 Christopher Kerperien Flint, Mi, Mo 8
MODIFIED – HEAT 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 3 14 Tim Swearengin Springfield , Mo 25
2 1 91 David Bates Fair Grove, Mo 20
3 4 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, Mo 15
4 5 19 Brian Webster Richland, Mo 10
5 2 7 Ricky Icenhower Fair Grove, Mo 8 DNF
MODIFIED – FEATURE
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 4 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, Mo 100
2 8 14 Tim Swearengin Springfield , Mo 96
3 6 91 David Bates Fair Grove, Mo 92
4 5 0 Christopher Johnson Lebanon , Mo 88
5 2 19 Brian Webster Richland, Mo 84
6 9 6 Richard Lewis Willard , Mo 80
7 7 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, Mo 76
8 1 0 Christopher Kerperien Flint, Mi, Mo 72
9 3 9 Brian Lewis Willard , Mo 68
10 10 7 Ricky Icenhower Fair Grove, Mo 64
MERCY MASTERS OF THE PRO’S 144
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Laps Condition
1 5 29 Anderson Bowen Suwanee, GA 144 Running
2 4 6 Dave Gentile Jr. Joliet, IL 144 Running
3 17 6W Matt Wallace Concord, NC 144 Running
4 9 42 Chad Finley DeWitt, MI 144 Running
5 10 12B Harrison Burton Huntersville, NC 144 Running
6 18 77 Mike Slone Rolla, MO 144 Running
7 2 47A Kaleb Allison Mexico, MO 144 Running
8 11 54 Jake Griffin Quincy, IL 144 Running
9 14 20 Cole Rouse ® Fort Smith, AR 144 Running
10 21 99 J.J. Haley ® Winamac, IN 144 Running
11 15 28 Grant Quinlan ® Harrison, MI 144 Running
12 27 8 Marc Jacobs London, ONT 144 Running
13 29 15 Tony Jackson Jr. Lebanon, MO 144 Running
14 25 3 Brennon Willard Lebanon, MO 144 Running
15 16 4 Dalton Armstrong ® New Castle, IN 144 Running
16 24 97 Jaxson Jacobs London, ONT 144 Running
17 31 24S Amber Slagle ® Waterford, MI 144 Running
18 20 24 Chris Hacker ® Noblesville, IN 144 Running
19 8 88 Garrett Jones West Palm Beach, FL 144 Running
20 19 12 Dan Leeck Birch Run, MI 144 Running
21 28 35 Steve Holt Strafford, MO 144 Running
22 6 13 Hunter Baize Bremen, KY 144 Running
23 1 1 Sterling Marlin Columbia, TN 144 Running
24 7 47 Dakota Stroup Owensboro, KY 143 Running
25 30 40 Jordan Miller Breezewood, PA 143 Running
26 3 46 Cole Williams Sellersburg, IN 100 Suspension
27 12 5 Dominique Van Wieringen Amherstburg, ONT 100 Accident
28 22 71 Corey Deuser Georgetown, IN 88 Rear End
29 13 0 Josh Nelms Lockport, IL 88 Accident
30 26 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, MO 87 Accident
31 23 81 Tristan Van Wieringen ® Amherstburg, ONT 1 Handling
2nd Annual Mercy Masters of the Pros 144 Presented by JEGS.com UNOFFICIAL Results Lebanon I-44 Speedway – Lebanon, Missouri Saturday, May 17, 2014 Lead Changes: 2; Lap Leaders: 1 Sterling Marlin 1-17, 46 Cole Williams 18-100, 29 Anderson Bowen 101-144. Margin of Victory: 0.198 Seconds; Cautions: 6; Red Flag: 0; Did Not Start: 42R Mark Rouse.
Mercy is the sixth largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. and includes 32 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, 38,000 co-workers and 1,900 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. For more information visit www.mercy.net
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.
For more information visit WWW.I44Speedway.Net or WWW.CRA-RACING.COM . Additional information can be found at WWW.SPEED51.COM
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