FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dan Robinson
O'Reilly MLRA PR
racerdan@windstream.net

 

John Anderson Claims Victory at Nevada Speedway While Al Purkey Claims Sixth MLRA Championship

Nevada, MO (October 18th, 2009) - Omaha, Nebraska's John Anderson scored the O'Reilly MLRA  win in the Season Finale on Sunday evening at the Nevada Speedway but Coffeyville, Kansas' Al Purkey finished second allowing him to claim his Sixth MLRA Championship. Adrian, Missouri's David Turner crossed the stripe in the third spot with Lancaster, Missouri's Chris Smyser finishing in fourth. Local favorite Brantlee Gotschall worked his way through a B-Main to round out the Top 5.

Purkey and Kosiski made up the front row for the feature with Anderson inside row #2. Purkey shot to the lead at the start with Kosiski and Anderson stalking. The green flag laps clicked off until the caution flag flew on Lap #8 as Kosiski got out of shape in turn two. On the restart Anderson was now glued to the bumper of Purkey knowing that a win alone would not give him the Championship as the MLRA points system has a difference of two points per position, meaning that Anderson would have to finish at least six positions ahead of Purkey to claim the title. Anderson took the lead on Lap 16 with Purkey now in his shadows. Several late race cautions put Purkey in a vulnerable spot on each restart but the veteran used his experience to stay clean and hold on to second at the finish assuring him of the title.

Anderson's MasterSbilt chassis is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine with sponsorship support from Shop Quik Convenience Stores, Turbo Car Wash, Sunoco Racing Fuel, MarCorp Electric, REM Plastic Racing Products, and F.A.I.T.H. (Friends are in the House Youth Team). Purkey's Bill Koon's owned Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Billy's Cafes, Purkey's Auto Salvage, Taylormade Performance, Integra Racing Shocks, Duralite Racing Wheels, and VP Racing Fuel

Heat Race Winners included David Turner, John Anderson, Chris Smyser, Al Purkey, and Matt Johnson. Consolation Race Wins were captured by Shad Badder and Brantlee Gotschall. MLRA Provisionals were awarded to Alan Vaughn and Jared Addington. Chris Smyser campaigned the car normally driven by Reid Millard after sustaining heavy damage to his own car at Knoxville last weekend. Bill Koons finished second in his heat but was light at the scales. The 30 Lap Feature was worth $3,000 to win. Al Purkey is the only 6-Time MLRA Champion in the history of the series. Complete and updated MLRA points standings will be available at www.MLRAracing.com

The 2009 MLRA Championship Banquet will be held on Saturday night, November 21st at the beautiful Argosy Casino in Riverside, Missouri. To make reservations, please call the MLRA at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572. You can also visit www.MLRAracing.com for more information. There are 16 drivers currently eligible for post season awards. All MLRA members that participate in a minimum of seventy percent (70%) of scheduled MLRA races are eligible for the points fund awards. 
 
Lucas Oil A-Feature Results
1. John Anderson (Omaha, NE), 2. Al Purkey (Coffeyville, KS), 3. David Turner (Adrian, MO), 4. Chris Smyser (Lancaster, MO), 5. Brantlee Gotschall (Nevada, MO), 6. Randy Zimmerman (Fort Scott, KS), 7. Shad Badder (Oak Grove, MO), 8. Jason Bodenhamer (Centerview, MO), 9. Mike Collins (Council Bluffs, IA), 10. Mike Hammerle (St. Charles, Mo), 11. Ron Bolin (Fort Scott, KS), 12. Larry Jones (Eldrado Springs, MO), 13. Alan Vaughn (Belton, MO), 14. Steve Johnson (Joplin, MO), 15. Jared Addington (Joplin, MO), 16. Justin Hoepker (Iola, KS), 17. Brett Wood (Warrensburg, MO), 18. Matt Johnson (Archie, MO), 19. Rylan Long (Greenfield, MO), 20. Donnie Timmerman (ElDorado Spring, MO), 21. Joe Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 22. Zack Simmons (Erie, KS)

Tompkins Industries Consolation Race #1 Results
1. Shad Badder (Oak Grove, MO), 2. Mike Collins (Council Bluffs, IA), 3. Jared Addington (Joplin, MO), 4. Shannon Phillips (Joplin, MO), 5. Dustin Vance (Cleveland, MO), 6. Bill Koons (Omaha, NE), 7. PJ Haskins (Adrian, MO), 8. John Farmer (Clinton, MO), 9. Dwight Niehoff (Lockwood, MO)
 
Lucas Cattle Consolation Race #2 Results
1. Brantlee Gotschall (Nevada, MO), 2. Justin Hoepker (Iola, KS), 3. Johnny Fennewald (Butler, MO), 4. Jack Simmons (Erie, KS), 5. Jordan Holloway (Monett, M), 6. Alan Vaughn (Belton, MO), 7. Rusty Skaggs (Fort Scott, KS), 8. Dustin Walker (Belton, MO), 9. Jake Williams (Lockwood, MO) 

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Race #1 Results
1. David Turner (Adrian, MO), 2. Donnie Timmerman (ElDorado Spring, MO), 3. Randy Zimmerman (Fort Scott, KS), 4. Ron Bolin (Fort Scott, KS), 5. Alan Vaughn (Belton, MO), 6. Johnny Fennewald (Butler, MO), 7. Dwight Niehoff (Lockwood, MO)

Hoosier Race Tires Heat Race #2 Results
1. John Anderson (Omaha, NE), 2. Zack Simmons (Erie, KS), 3. Larry Jones (Eldrado Springs, MO), 4. Mike Collins (Council Bluffs, IA), 5. Shannon Phillips (Joplin, MO), 6. Dustin Vance (Cleveland, MO), 7. Rusty Skaggs (Fort Scott, KS)

Country Mart Heat Race #3 Results
1. Chris Smyser (Lancaster, MO), 2. Brett Wood (Warrensburg, MO), 3. Steve Johnson (Joplin, MO), 4. Justin Hoepker (Iola, KS), 5. Brantlee Gotschall (Nevada, MO), 6. Jordan Holloway (Monett, MO) 

Powertrain Industries Heat Race #4 Results
1. Al Purkey (Coffeyville, KS), 2. Jason Bodenhamer (Centerview, MO), 3. Rylan Long (Greenfield, MO), 4. Jack Simmons (Erie, KS), 5. PJ Haskins (Adrian, MO), 6. John Farmer (Clinton, MO), 7. Jake Williams (Lockwood, MO)

Impact Signs Heat Race #5 Results
 1. Matt Johnson (Archie, MO), 2. Joe Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 3. Mike Hammerle (St. Charles, Mo), 4. Shad Badder (Oak Grove, MO), 5. Jared Addington (Joplin, MO), 6. Dustin Walker (Belton, MO), 7. Bill Koons (Omaha, NE) 

The O'Reilly MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) presented by Lucas Oil Products sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA please visit us on the web at www.MLRAracing.com or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2009 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil Products, Tompkins Industries, Hoosier Race Tires, Lucas Cattle Company, Hatfield Racing Engines, Country Mart, Larry Shaw Race Cars, AFCO Racing Products, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Bilstein Shocks, BSB Manufacturing, Tanner Racing Products by MB

 Event Photos at www.fasttrackphotos.net


Leslie Essary Wins the Spooker on Final Lap Pass
By Clarissa Essary

The Race Brothers Farm and Home Supply Show-Me Racin’ Series headed down to Pocola, OK on Saturday October 17 for the final race of the 2009 season. Twenty-five drivers pulled into the pits hoping to take home the win of the 30th annual Spooker. Die-hard racing fans filled the grandstands on a cold night to watch the Show-Me boys at their final race of the year. The fans were in for a fantastic finish when the 5 of Leslie Essary managed to pass the 15h of Kevin Henson on the final lap in turn three coming around to the checkered flag to win his third Spooker.

The F7 of Scott Frye and the 9t of Frank Tindle both had trouble with their cars during hotlaps and both had to scratch before their heat races. Twenty-three cars were left to battle for their starting position in the A Main later that night. Points leader Justin Wells in the 98 came strong through the pack to win the first heat race of the night. The 5 of Leslie Essary began his night by winning the second late model heat. Ken Essary in the 55 came away with the win in heat three.

Rookie of the Year Contender, Larry Campbell in the 15c, took the fourth and final heat race. All twenty-three cars qualified into the night’s A Main. The final seven in passing points were left to battle for their starting position through the B Feature. The 73 of Bill McMurtrie took the top spot and was followed by the 9l of Chris Lapp, 14 of Brandon Cheek, 31 of Ron Johnson, 44 of Randy Galloway, 2p of Mark Penticuff, and the 76 of Kevin Brown.

After driver introductions and traditional four wide salute to the fans, the drivers tightened their seat belts one last time. The 9g of Joseph Gorby and the 7e of Phil Edmondson would set the pace from the front row. The green flag fell and 30th annual Spooker at Tri-State Speedway was underway. The 9g of Gorby kept his first place position but the 15h of Kevin Henson was strong in second place. He maintained his lead until lap six when the 15h of Kevin Henson took over the lead. The yellow flag was also thrown on lap six for the 14 of Brandon Cheek and the 7e of Phil Edmondson in turn two. Lap seven brought out a red flag for the 31 of Ron Johnson on the front stretch. The 15h of Henson was holding onto his lead. The green flag flew again and Henson began to pull away from the pack. Rick Lebow, Leslie Essary, Larry Campbell, and Ken Essary made up the top five and were all looking for a way around the 15h. Lap twelve brought out a caution for the 14 of Brandon Cheek who hit the wall hard on the front stretch. On the restart, Leslie Essary in the 5 took over the second position and was going to make a run for the top spot. Everyone was trying hard to take the position in front of their own; cars were coming three wide out of four battling for the seven, eight, and nine positions. The top five was staying the same and Henson was looking stronger each lap. The 5 couldn’t find a way around the 15h. Only ten laps were left to go in the thirty lap Spooker event and Henson was pulling away from the 5. The leaders began coming up on lap traffic when the red flag was thrown for the 7e of Phil Edmondson and the 73 of Bill McMurtrie on lap twenty-three. It would be a seven lap dash to the checkered flag. Henson maintained his position until the white flag flew. On the final lap, Leslie Essary managed to get around Henson in turn three to come around and take the checkered flag. The top five were Leslie Essary in the 5, Kevin Henson in the 15h, Larry Campbell in the 15c, Ken Essary in the 55, and Rick Lebow in the 33.

The 2009 Race Brothers Show-Me Racin’ Series has wrapped up. The banquet will be held on Sunday October 25 at Camp Barnabas. The meal will start at two with the awards will follow. Tickets for adults are $15 and kids are $10. Anyone is welcome to attend. The final top ten in the points standings for the 2009 season are: 1st Justin Wells, 2nd Leslie Essary, 3rd Ken Essary, 4th and Rookie of the Year Larry Campbell, 5th Rex Merritt, 6th Jim Fulp, 7th Kevin Henson and Rick Lebow, 9th Jarrod Hilton, and 10th Bill McMurtrie. Congratulations to all drivers and sponsors on a spectacular 2009 season. For more banquet information, directions, and driver information go to www.show-meracinseries.com.

Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series
10-17-09 Tri-State Speedway
25 Late Models

Race Brothers Farm & Home Supply A Feature

  1. Leslie Essary
  2. Kevin Henson
  3. Larry Campbell
  4. Ken Essary
  5. Rick Lebow
  6. Tim Adams
  7. Justin Wells
  8. Jim Fulp
  9. Kathy Tonoli
  10. Rex Merritt
  11. Jarrod Hilton
  12. Gary Gorby
  13. Chris Lapp
  14. Randy Galloway
  15. Bobby Maggard Jr.
  16. Chris Deaton
  17. Bill McMurtrie
  18. Mark Penticuff
  19. Phil Edmondson
  20. Joseph Gorby
  21. Brandon Cheek
  22. Ron Johnson
  23. Kevin Brown

 

Race Brother Farm & Home Supply B Feature

  1. Bill McMurtrie
  2. Chris Lapp
  3. Brandon Cheek
  4. Ron Johnson
  5. Randy Galloway
  6. Mark Penticuff
  7. Kevin Brown

Hoosier Heat Race #1

  1. Justin Wells
  2. Rex Merritt
  3. Joseph Gorby
  4. Kathy Tonoli
  5. Bill McMurtrie
  6. Ron Johnson

Country Dodge Heat Race #2

  1. Leslie Essary
  2. Jim Fulp
  3. Phil Edmondson
  4. Jarrod Hilton
  5. Kevin Brown
  6. Brandon Cheek

Auto Xpress Heat Race #3

  1. Ken Essary
  2. Rick Lebow
  3. Chris Deaton
  4. Gary Gorby
  5. Chris Lapp
  6. Mark Penticuff

Greenlawn Funeral Homes Heat Race #4

  1. Larry Campbell
  2. Kevin Henson
  3. Tim Adams
  4. Bobby Maggard Jr.
  5. Randy Galloway
  6. Scott Fry – scratch
  7. Frank Tindle - scratch



Karen Fulp (417)723-1035 home (417)880-9693 cell www.Show-MeRacinSeries.com