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David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Press and Contingencies
(405) 740-4769
[email protected]
Enid Summer Nationals This Sunday for NCRA Southern Modifieds!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 19, 2010 – Midwest City, Oklahoma - After a year and a half of trying, the local contingent in Enid and the rest of the southern modified community finally has their wish. And coming up this Sunday evening that wish will finally come true as the O'Reilly/NCRA southern modified division will make their inaugural visit to the Garfield County Fairgrounds and Enid Speedway Park for the grand re-opening as part of the tracks Summer Nationals.
Under new promotion of Checkered Flag Promotions and founder Ed Beckley, the fairgrounds facility that was built in 1948 will spring back to life after being shut down in the early month of May.
It will be race number three for the southern modified division and the first race after three scheduled events had been washed out by rain.
Below is a bit of a refresher course of the two races that have already transpired.
The second season for the O'Reilly/NCRA southern modified division kicked off back on March 13 with Enid local Todd Decker picking up the thrilling victory by one car length after passing race long leader Robert Elliott coming out of turn four. A strong field of twenty-eight drivers were on hand and the finish was a prelude of things to come for the second and only other race completed on the 2010 race season.
On Saturday night, April 24, it was on to Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker where 32 drivers were on hand competing for a spot on the standard $500 to win, $100 to start feature finale. It was yet another thrilling event for the southern modified division as Justin Allen and current series points leader Dustin Buntin battled side by side for virtually the entire twenty lap feature. But while those two were battling for the top spot it was modified veteran Randy Timms, making his first ever O'Reilly/NCRA southern modified appearance, that spoiled the fun as he ducked underneath both Allen and Buntin to take the lead with five laps remaining. But Allen wouldn't go quietly as he tried one last ditch effort coming out of turn four on the last lap to take the lead but fell two car lengths short.
Dates at Brill Motor Speedway (May 15), Kansas State Fairgrounds (July 3) and 81 Speedway (July 4) were nixed by rain with on the Brill Motor Speedway event not yet rescheduled.
Last year, nine out of the top fifteen drivers in the point standings were Enid Speedway Park regulars, including the inaugural series champion Chad McNamara. However, even after many requests, the powers to be would not consider putting the series on their track schedule. Not only are they on the 2010 schedule for the new promoter, they are also scheduled to appear during the tracks Winter Nationals on October 16-17.
As mentioned, Dustin Buntin of Wheatland comes into the event as current points leader by a mere fifteen points over Enid driver Kevin Snow. Elliott of Clinton is close behind and third in the point standings just 75 points out of the lead. Brandon Cross of Chandler is fourth in the point standings while Midwest City resident Don McConnell is fifth in the point standings.
Veteran Frank Graven of Cushing and Lawton racer Mike Little are tied for sixth while Randy Bohnstedt (Hennessey), Decker and Kevin Dickson (Mannford) round out the top ten.
Other series regulars and other drivers that are expected include Landon Maddox (Fairview), Tommy Bohnstedt (Hennessey), Chris Holt (Lawton), Walter O'Dell (Hennessey), Dakota Moore (Blair), Allen (OKC), Justin North (Eric), Randy Sallee (Woodward), Ross McCartney (Lahoma) and Shawn Jorski (Mustang) just to name a few.
The pit gates for Sunday afternoons Summer Nationals will open at 3:00 PM, grandstand area at 5:00 PM, hot laps at 5:00 PM with racing set to begin at 6:00 PM. Also competing will be the modifieds, factory stocks, street stocks, pure stocks and non-sanctioned late models. All grandstand seats are just $10. For more race information including rules, payout, and anything else Enid Speedway Park, contact Ed Beckley (620) 225-3277 or send an email to [email protected].
Enid Speedway Park is located .5 miles north of U.S. Hwy. 412 on U.S. Hwy. 81, then 0.5 mile east on West Oxford (at the Garfield County Fairgrounds).
The 2010 race season is the 40th anniversary year for the O'Reilly Auto Parts National Championship Racing Association, sanctioning races for the late model, sprint car, modified north, modified south and southern modified divisions. For more information on the southern modifieds, contact steward Chris Smith (918) 625-6200. For information on the series including schedules, point standings, driver profiles and stats on the history of the series, check them out on the world wide web at www.ncraracing.org.
The National Championship Racing Association would like to thank the following for their contribution and involvement with the National Championship Racing Association for 2010: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire, and Sunoco Race Fuels.
The series would like to thank the following contingency partners with the southern mods for the 2010 race season. Arizona Sports Shirts, Bassett Wheels, DIRT Performance Parts and Tires, Hooker Harness, Pro Shocks, Racing Optics, Saldana Racing Products, Taylor Cable Products, The Joie of Seating and Ultra Shield.
Rank Driver Points
1 Dustin Buntin 580
2 Kevin Snow 565
3 Robert Elliott 505
4 Brandon Cross 500
5 Don McConnell 490
6 Frank Graven 470
7 Mike Little 470
8 Randy Bohnstedt 450
9 Todd Decker 440
10 Kevin Dickson 405
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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