Modified Ground Pounder’s in the “Budweiser Shootout” this Saturday Night
Lebanon, Mo / June 4, 2014 – For Immediate Release
The Season long chase for a NASCAR Whelen All American Series Track Championship continues this Saturday Night with Budweiser Night at the Races at the “High-Banks” of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway. The Budweiser Modifieds compete in the 50 lap “Budweiser Shootout” along with action in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Coca-Cola Chargers, Monster Energy Sportsman, and Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors.
The “Ground Pounding” Modifieds bring an exciting field of drivers to the Speedway keeping everyone guessing and wondering what will happen. Springfield’s Tim Swearengin became the 1st driver to repeat in Modified action last week winning his second feature of the season. The three time I-44 Champion seems to be in top form despite a rough start on opening night. Current Speedway point leader Stephen Counterman of Fair Grove, has already surpassed his record from a very rough 2013 season as Counterman has recorded 1 win.
Veteran drivers David Bates and Ricky Icenhower of Fair Grove also have wins this season and bring some tough competition weekly as they also seem to excel in longer distance events. Lebanon’s Chris Johnson currently holds second in the point standings and last week battled hard with Counterman. Last season’s Rookie Of The Year Richard Lewis of Willard has climbed to 3rd place in the points surpassing Terry Taylor who had transmission issues in the final laps last Saturday night.
For the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Brennon Willard of Sleeper became the 4th different winner in 4 features and the 1st driver over 20 years old to win a feature this season. Current NASCAR Missouri State point leader and I-44 track point leader Kaleb Allison of Mexico, Mo. holds a 34 point lead over 14 year old Kyle Donahue of Wildwood, Mo. Another strong field of Late Models expected to be on hand with several drivers getting their cars dialed in.
The Coca-Cola Chargers have been displaying excellent racing as the track’s entry level class has formed a strong program. Lebanon’s Jordan Nisbett captured his 3rd win this season and holds a 44 point lead over 2 time race winner Jason Walls of St. James. Rolla’s Ben White, defending champion Jimmy Poindexter of Willard, Lauren Buhr of Neosho, rookie John Hunn of Rolla, Laquey, Missouri driver Larry Hunter and others have consistently been front runners as well.
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warrior point leader and 2 time race winner Carl Harlow of Exeter has stretched the early advantage over Fair Grove’s Les Mallard by 63 markers with a lot of racing still to go in 2014. Lebanon’s Michael Juergensen had a great run last week finishing second to Harlow after spinning along with 2 others on the opening lap. Michael has vaulted to 4th in the standings, just behind Mike Funcannon while Springfield’s Nick Cherry showed his best run of the season leading the early laps before settling for a 4th place finish. Neosho front runner and 2 time winner Geoff Ledford suffered motor problems and was sidelined early last week.
The Monster Energy Sportsman class has the tightest point battle as Ozark’s Toby Harden is looking to go for 3 in a row this week. Harden holds a slim 5 point lead over Rolla’s Paul Jepsen and 58 points over Veteran JC Newell. Last week, Harden and Jepson swapped the leader back and forth before Harden secured the victory.
Races at I-44 now fall to summertime hours with racing to begin at 7PM. Gates still open at 5PM. Monster Energy Grandstand and Budweiser “Party Deck” admission is only $10 for Adults with Military, Senior & Junior discounts offered and kids 10 & under are FREE while the Budweiser “Wild Side” tier parking is only $15 for Adults with Military, Senior & Junior discounts offered and kids 10 & under are FREE along with a special 6 pack special of buy 5 Adults in 1 vehicle and get 1 in Free.
For more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and join the 8,000 plus other who follow the updates on Facebook.
2014 Monster Energy Point Standings
O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models
1) Kaleb Allison-Mexico 440
2) Kyle Donahue-Wildwood 406
3) Brennon Willard-Sleeper 402
4) Austin Fullerton-Chelsea, Okla. 392
5) JC Newell-Stoutland 378
6) Terry Limberopoulos-Cuba 330
7) Steve Holt-Springfield 317
8) Austin Johnson -Inola, Okla.313
9) Jimmy Vanzandt-Springfield 313
10) Jim Reaves-Strafford 266
Budweiser Modifieds
1) Stephen Counterman-Fair Grove 538
2) Christopher Johnson-Lebanon 503
3)Richard Lewis-Willard 490
4) Terry Taylor-Fair Grove 486
5) Tim Swearengin-Springfield 478
6) David Bates-Fair Grove 431
7 )Ricky Icenhower-Fair Grove 429
8) Mark Riddle-Springfield 332
9) Christopher Kerperien-Lebanon 322
10) Brian Lewis-Willard 318
Monster Energy Sportsman
1) Toby Harden-Ozark 482
2) Paul Jepsen-Rolla 477
3) James Newell-Decaturville 424
4) Jake Piel-Webster Grove 203
5) Justin Blake-Lebanon 196
6) Jim Fohn-Eldridge 166
7) Keith Buckley-Farmington 94
8) Justin Allen-Urbana 92
9) Daron Fuqua-Mayetta, Kansas 92
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors
1) Carl Harlow-Exeter 483
2) Les Mallard-Fair Grove 420
3) Mike Funcannon-Cassville 381
4) Michael Juergensen-Lebanon 355
5) Tony Johnson-Lebanon 333
6) Nick Cherry-Springfield 284
7) Geoffrey Ledford-Neosho 250
8) Gary Ball-Lebanon 242
9) Riley Sharp-Fair Grove 212
10) Chris Shelter-Lebanon 145
Coca-Cola Chargers
1) Jordan Nisbett-Lebanon 597
2) Jason Walls-St. James 553
3) Benjamin White-Rolla 515
4) Lauren Buhr-Neosho 500
5) Jimmy Poindexter-Willard 492
6) John Hunn-Rolla 489
7) Larry Hunter-Laquey 439
8) Japheth Nisbett-Rolla 438
9) Mark Glorfeld-Springfield 392
10)Amanda Anderson-Lebanon 351
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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 proudly flies the NASCAR Whelen All American Series banner. 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 beautiful 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 more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and be sure to visit and like the ever growing Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for updated information as drivers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Illinois compete each Saturday Night.
2014 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
Hampton Inn / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Holiday Inn Express / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
K&N Engineering – Preferred Performance Filter
Lindsay Auto Group – Official NASCAR Pace Vehicle
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
Sportsland Accessories – Preferred Truck Accessories
Pitbull Powersports – Official UTV & ATV Supplier
Sunoco – Official Racing Fuel
Super 8 / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Auto Body Supply, Auto Meter, Commerce Bank, Cometic Gaskets, Dickey’s Barbecue, Emerson Climate Technologies, ESPN Radio, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Independent Stave Inc., JEGS, KZNN Superstation, Lebanon Ready Mix, Liberty Tire, 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, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, Z102.3 Radio, 107.9 The Coyote