Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
April 14, 2015
The Lucas Cattle Company ULMA season began last weekend with one event taking place at Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg. Although just nine drivers made their way to the track for the early season event, the car count did not diminish the start of the ninth season of racing for ULMA. When all was said and done, defending ULMA Champion Jon Binning scored his twenty-third career victory.
Lane Ehlert of Foristell, Missouri scored a victory in the first of two heat races contested over 2010 ULMA Champion Vance Wilson and Gage Wineland. In heat two, Binning passed Dwight Niehoff for the lead late in the race to score the win over Niehoff and Todd McCoin.
For the main event, Binning and Ehlert started on the front row with Binning quickly jumping out to an early race lead over Niehoff, Wilson and Ehlert. Despite several challenges by an ever-present Niehoff, Binning held the lead throughout the early stages of the race until a caution flag flew for Todd McCoin. With McCoin rejoining the rest of the field for the restart, it was Binning, Niehoff, and Wilson holding down the top three spots. Ehlert and King had their own close battle for the fourth position behind the lead trio.
Wilson and Niehoff were left to do battle as Binning stretched out his slight advantage but just as things were heating up between the two drivers; Wilson apparently lost a motor and retired from the event while running third. In the closing laps Niehoff tried everything he could to catch Binning but time ran out and Binning claimed the early season victory. Niehoff ran a determined race to finish second ahead of Ehlert, King, Wineland, and McCoin inside the top six. Rounding out the field was Dave Miller, Wilson, and Steve Clancy. CMS will host five more ULMA events this season with the next date falling on Sunday, May 24; for more information visit www.centralmissourispeedway.net.
Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri was originally going to host the first race of the season but continued wet weather in the area forced officials to cancel Friday’s race program. However, the track will try once again this Friday, April 17 to open a new season at the track. Visit Callaway Raceway’s all-new website for event details and start times at www.callawayraceways.com.
Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri is scheduled to begin its regular weekly racing program this week with their date on Saturday, April 18. Twelve dates for ULMA drivers appear on this year’s Lucas Oil Speedway weekly schedule of events. For more information and details visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com.
Drivers are encouraged to complete their membership forms prior to taking their first green flag of the season. Membership forms are located from the main page at www.ulmaracing.com. Membership for the year is $100. Drivers should be expected to complete their membership paperwork upon checking in at each of the affiliated tracks this season. ULMA Temp Licenses are sold at each affiliated track for $10 per event entered.
Visit ULMA’s title sponsor at www.lucascattlecompany.com. ULMA thanks Hoosier Tire Midwest, Radical Race Wear, RacingJunk.com, RacinDirt.com, and Photographics by Shelly Payne. For more information on ULMA, visit www.ulmaracing.com.
Upcoming Points-Earning Events
Friday, April 17 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, April 18 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, April 24 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, April 25 – Lucas Oil Speedway