Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
May 11, 2016
Three tracks held Lucas Cattle Company ULMA events over the weekend with three familiar faces finding their way to victory lane. Defending champion Jon Melloway was first to secure a victory as he drove to his first win fo the season on Friday at Callaway Raceway. Chris Smyser returned to his winning ways at Randolph County Raceway for his second win of the year on Saturday. Aaron Marrant became the first driver to win three events this year by dominating the field at Central Missouri Speedway on Saturday.
Action began in Fulton, Missouri on Friday with Callaway Raceway events. The first preliminary heat race win went to Melloway over Chris Cox and Phil Edmondson. Todd McCoin scored the heat two win ahed of Dustin Hodges and Cody Holtkamp.
For the featured event, Melloway immediately shot out to an early race lead with McCoin close behind. On lap two, McCoin’s car went too high and up and over the embankment relegating him to the tail of the field for the restart as Melloway then led Hodges, Holtkamp, and Cox for the restart. Melloway and Hodges made it a two-car breakaway. By lap 12, the order was Melloway, hodges, Holtkamp, Cox, and McCoin, who made his way back toward the front. On lap 13, Terry Wilson’s strong run came to an end as he retired to the infield. By lap 16 Hodges ran close with Melloway but could not make the push forward to take command.
One last yellow appeared for a single-car spin by Dave Miller. On the ensuing restart, Melloway was too strong and pulled away for the victory over Hodges, Holtkamp, McCoin, Cox, Edmondson, and Ashley Lancaster. Racing resumes at Callaway again on Friday May 13th. Gates open at 5 with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30. The track is located at 7419 County Road 405, Fulton, MO. For additional information call (573) 592-7795 or (573) 642-6580 or visit www.callawayraceways.com.
Randolph County Raceway hosted ULMA drivers for a second time this season for the track’s Ladies Night at the speedway. Chris Smyser returned to victory lane and gave his team owner Mike Crump and his family something to rejoice in when he drove to his second-consecutive RCR win. The Crump family patriarch, Crump’s Father, recently passed away.
Smyser, of Lancaster, Missouri crossed the finish line ahead of the Brothers Melloway, David and Jon in second and third. Cody Holkamp and Chris Cox posted their second-consecutive top-five finishes of the season by finishing fourth and fith. Devan Wiss, David Miller, Derek Wiss, Chris Cain, and Ashley Lancaster completed the top ten finishers. ULMA racing returns to RCR Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 28th. For general track information and event schedules be sure to visit the track online at www.randolphcountyraceway.com.
ULMA Late Models made their first appearance of the year on Saturday at Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg with two heat races and a main event. Former ULMA and CMS Track Champion, Jason Bodenhamer, claimed heat one over Bobby Penney and Lane Ehlert. Aaron Marrant claimed the second heat win over Bob King and former CMS Late Model Champion Jon Binning.
Marrant and Bodenhamer secured front-row starting positions for the 20-lap ULMA event. Marrant quickly asserted himself as the man to beat and darted to the front with Bodenhamer, King, and Ehlert. Marrant’s pace was furious as he comfortably maintained his lead; however, later in the race Bodenhamer started reeling the leader back in. On lap 18, the first and only caution of the event flew for a single-car incident with Bob Cummings’ car stalling in turn four. With just two laps remaining Marrant’s car was on a rail as he sailed on to his association-leading third victory of the year. Bodenhamer finished a strong second with King third, Bobby Penney fourth and Phil Edmondson fifth. Dustin Hodges, Jon Binning, Ehlert, Wesley Briggs, and Cummings completed the top ten. ULMA returns to CMS on Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 29th. For detailed information visit www.centralmissourispeedway.net.
Round four ULMA weekly championship series racing resumes at Lucas Oil Speedway this Saturday. For more information and details on the many upcoming special events at the speedway, including ticketing and seating information for the Show-Me 100, visit the track online at www.lucasoilspeedway.com. For details call the track hotline at (417) 282-5984. Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri.
This is the final week to pre-order new ULMA “Decade of Racing, ULMA Ten-Year Anniversary” t-shirts. The artwork is visible at www.ulmaracing.com. It is a two-sided shirt available in child sizes on up to Triple XLg. The shirts will only be available in white, pink, and bright yellow/green. The fabric is similar to that of moisture wicking, as in it is light, comfortable to wear, and breaths easily.
Deadline for pre-order is Sunday, May 15th at midnight. Send your name, desired sizes, and colors to either unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com or samonthemic@hotmail.com. There are no limits on amount ordered. Payment due upon delivery. Cost is $15 per shirt, $18 for XXLg and XXXLg. Example Ordering Specifics: “I need 2 XLg White, 3 Sm Yellow/Green, 1 Med Pink.”
For all ULMA events this season drivers must possess a valid ULMA license or purchase the $10 temporary license while on site at each event. Drivers are highly encouraged to make their way to the ULMA website at www.ulmaracing.com and complete the licensing paperwork prior to checking in at weekend events, printing it out, and bringing it with them to the tracks they will race at this season. Drivers must be in compliance with ULMA Rules and Regulations as written.
For a printable schedule and printable copies of the association’s rules and regulations, be sure to visit www.ulmaracing.com. During the race season the association is also active on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ULMA-United-Late-Model-Association. ULMA’s outstanding group of season sponsors includes Lucas Cattle Company, Hoosier Tire Midwest, Radical Race Wear, FastShafts.com, RacingJunk.com, RacinDirt.com, and Photographics by Shelly Payne.
Upcoming ULMA Events
Friday, May 13 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 14 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, May 20 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 21 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, May 27 – Callaway Raceway
Friday, May 27 – Lakeside Speedway
Saturday, May 28 – Randolph County Raceway
Sunday, May 29 – Central Missouri Speedway
Friday, June 3 – Callaway Raceway
Friday, June 10 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 11 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, June 17 – Callaway Raceway
Friday, June 17 – Lakeside Speedway
Saturday, June 18 – Central Missouri Speedway
Saturday, June 18 – Randolph County Raceway
Friday, June 24 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 25 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Current Top Ten Point Standings as of 5-9-16
POS | CAR # | NAME |
STARTS |
POINTS |
1st | 74 | Jon Melloway |
8 |
756 |
2nd | 22H | Dustin Hodges |
7 |
676 |
3rd | 7X | Todd McCoin |
6 |
588 |
4th | 1 | Chris Cox |
6 |
558 |
5th | 14X | David Melloway |
5 |
510 |
6th | 28 | Wesley Briggs |
6 |
482 |
7th | 7E | Phil Edmondson |
6 |
482 |
8th | 65 | Jon Binning |
5 |
480 |
9th | 16 | Bobby Penney |
5 |
474 |
10th | 16 | Ashley Lancaster |
5 |
452 |