Wheels for Warriors
Dale Roper in one of his original #54 race cars
Media Contact:
Name – Kevin Greven
Title – General Manager
Phone:417 399-5756
Email: kevin@lebanoni44speedway.com
Many stories also contributed by Ronnie Williams
1st Annual Roper Classic with 54 Lap Modified Shootout
Roper Classic Saturday Night at I-44
Lebanon, Mo / August 28, 2014 – For Immediate Release
Officials of the “High-Banks” of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway have announced that the Roper Family Classic and Budweiser Night At the races have teamed-up together to be ran on Saturday Aug. 30th with the Ground-Pounding Budweiser Modifieds highlighting the night with a 54 lap feature.
“The Roper’s were one of the first families associated with NASCAR in the Midwest. Dean and then Dale raced on asphalt and dirt all over the Midwest followed by both of their boys Tony and PeeWee. There isn’t a family in racing in the Midwest that is any more respected than the Ropers and it will be great to let Dale represent that family here at I-44 on Saturday night” said General Manager Kevin Greven.
Even though Dean never officially turned any laps at I-44, his smooth driving style on pavement and ability to wheel a stock car earned him the name “Pudding” because of being so smooth. Dean was known as a master of the ARCA events held at the mile tracks on the circuit whether it was dirt or pavement and also won the national championship in the USAC Stock car Division during the 1981, 1982 and 1983 seasons. Dean was a driving force to his son’s Tony success in the area and on the National level.
Tony, who started his oval track career at I-44 and Monett in an IMCA Modified earned rookie of the year at Monett in 1986. Tony made the smooth transition to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in 1989 by gathering NASCAR Late Model Rookie of the Year awards competing at both Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Bolivar Speedway. The transition seemed easy with father Dean’s and Uncle Dale’s experience. Tony was able to etch the Roper name in the Springfield Fairgrounds rich history by winning the last ever event held on the ½ mile oval by capturing an IMCA Modified feature in 1988. In the “Ground-Pounding” Modifieds Tony was always a threat to win every night out while running a Late Model part time. Tony graduated to the ASA National Series and up the ladder to a nice career in the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series.
Dale Roper has been a mentor, friend, and top notch driver for many seasons on both Dirt and Pavement. One of the most respected drivers in the area, Dale was one of the first ever IMCA Modified drivers when the class started in Missouri in 1985 along with Rex Merritt carrying the Dirt Works name. Always known to be an intelligent driver, Dale was always up front in the big money events saving the car for the latter part of the race. Dale drove cars for many different owners through the years including a Modified for friend and well known NASCAR Champion Larry Phillips in 1990 at both I-44 and Bolivar. Dale won the Modified track championship in 2002 at I-44 while driving for friend and car owner Donnie McCarthy. Roper, who used to compete in car number 54 for many seasons, has always been behind the scenes in helping younger drivers get around the track as “The Flying Postman” could deliver the mail with a victory anytime he took the green flag.
Dean, Tony and Dale are all members of the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame and Dale is a founding member of the Ozarks Area Racers Association. Dale Jr “PeeWee” has also won dozens of races in the area along with many track championships.
“For me what says the most is when I have current and past racers come to me with ideas to honor Dale and the Roper family. This event was an idea internally last season that never came about but this year I had numerous racers come to me with the same idea. That tells you the respect that is felt for this man and his family in the racing community” said Greven. “To help honor the entire Roper family, who has given a lot to Stock-Car Racing, we are running the Modifieds a 54 lap feature on the 30th instead of the scheduled 50 lapper.
Racing action on the 30th will also feature a 40 lap Monster Energy Sportsman event and full NASCAR show for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Coca-Cola Chargers, and Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors. Gates will open at 5Pm while The Budweiser Modifieds will qualify at 7PM with a full night of racing in all classes to follow.
Admission for the event in the Monster Energy Grandstand and Budweiser Party Deck will be only $10 for Adults with discounts for Military and seniors. Kids 11-15 are only $4 while kids 10 and under are Free. The Budweiser “Wildside”tier parking to get the tail-gate party started is $15 for Adults with discounts for Military, juniors and Seniors. Take advantage of the 6-pack special as 6 Adults in the same vehicle is only $75 or buy 5 get 1 Free.
Information on Missouri’s only Active Asphalt Oval and NASCAR Sanctioned Facility can be gathered by visiting the website at www.i44speedway.net or join the thousands of others by liking the Lebanon I-44 Speedway Facebook page for up to minute information.
Lebanon I-44 Speedway Point Standings as of 08/23/2014
O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models
1) Kaleb Allison-Mexico, Mo. 1418
2) JC Newell -Stoutland, Mo.1381
3)Kyle Donahue-Wildwood, Mo. 1205
4) Terry Limberopoulos-Cuba, Mo. 1149
5) Brennon Willard-Sleeper, Mo. 1140
6) Steve Holt-Strafford, Mo. 1099
7) Austin Johnson-Inola, Oklahoma 966
8) Jimmy Vanzandt-Springfield, Mo. 963
9) Payton Lucas-Fair Grove, Mo. 884
10) Kevin Donahue-Wildwood, Mo. 773
Budweiser Modifieds
1) Stephen Counterman-Fair Grove, Mo. 1340
2) Tim Swearengin-Springfield, Mo. 1334
3) Richard Lewis-Willard, Mo. 1290
4) Ricky Icenhower-Fair Grove, Mo. 1253
5) Chris Johnson-Lebanon, Mo. 1183
6) Terry Taylor-Fair Grove, Mo. 989
7) Brian Lewis-Willard, Mo. 922
8) David Bates-Fair Grove, Mo. 892
9) Mark Riddle-Springfield, Mo. 869
10) Christopher Kerperien-Lebanon, Mo. 807
Monster Energy Sportsman
1) Paul Jepsen-Rolla, Mo. 1440
2) JC Newell-Decaturville, Mo. 1203
3) Justin Blake-Lebanon, Mo. 1109
4)Toby Harden-Ozark, Mo. 909
5) Jake Piel-Webster Grove, Mo. 612
6) Jim Fohn-Eldridge, Mo. 534
7) Ron Hartford-Raytown, Mo. 201
8) Adam Johnson-St. Peters 199
9) Mike Bartig-Kearney, Mo. 178
10)Aaron Douglas-Lebanon, Mo. 171
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors
1) Carl Harlow-Exeter, Mo. 1394
2) Les Mallard-Fair Grove, Mo. 1276
3) Michael Juergensen-Lebanon, Mo. 1110
4)Tony Johnson-Lebanon, Mo. 1072
5) Nick Cherry-Springfield, Mo. 973
6) Geoff Ledford-Neosho, Mo. 918
7) Rick Sharp-Fair Grove, Mo. 887
8) Mike Funcannon-Cassville, Mo. 707
9) Mike Scott-Rogersville, Mo. 452
10) Riley Sharp-Fair Grove, Mo. 420
Coca-Cola Chargers
1) Jason Walls-St. James, Mo. 1360
2) Jimmy Poindexter-Willard, Mo. 1356
3) John Huhn-Rolla, Mo. 1290
4) Jordan Nisbett-Lebanon, Mo. 1281
5) Lauren Buhr-Neosho, Mo. 1280
6) Ben White-Rolla, Mo. 1275
7) Japheth Nisbett-Rolla, Mo. 1130
8) Larry Hunter-Laquey, Mo. 833
9) Amanda Anderson-Lebanon, Mo. 700
10) Mark Glorfeld-Springfield, Mo. 689
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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
Springfield 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
Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Kevin Greven / General Manager
kevin@lebanoni44speedway.com
Track (417) 532-2060 / Cell (417) 399-5756 / Fax (417) 532-7624
24069 Route 66 / Lebanon, MO 65536