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Thunder Awaits NCRA Late Models This Weekend FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 12, 2008 - Park City, Kansas - A little bit of thunder awaits the O/Reilly/NCRA late model presented by ICM/Ethanol division this coming weekend as the series heads to Thunderhill Speedway in Mayhetta, Kansas for the running of "Thunder on the Hill II," this Friday and Saturday night, October 17-18. The race will be a co-sanctioned event with the Topless Outlaw Racing Association (TORA). 2002 NCRA points champion Kyle Berck of Marquette, Nebraska comes into the event as the series points leader, 115 points ahead of three-time and defending series champion Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado. The end result of this weekends events would set up a race for the championship one week later at Enid Speedway Park in Enid, Oklahoma. Between these two drivers, they have exactly half the victories (8) on the 2008 schedule with Boen leading the way with five feature victories on the season. A model of consistency is the role that veteran Delbert "The Iceman" Smith has displayed over his illustrious career. The 2001 NCRA late model champion from Wichita, Kansas may not have any victories thus far in 2008, but comes into the event third in series points, 65 points ahead of second year driver Bryant Goldsmith of Corning, Iowa. Mike Wiarda comes into the weekend fifth in points while inaugural "Thunder on the Hill" winner John Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska sits sixth in points despite missing four races. However, the veteran has captured two victories on the tour this season. Comfortably seventh in points is Plattsmouth, Nebraska driver Shawn Harker while Sutton, Nebraska's Jason Friesen sits eighth. Kelly Dunn of Salina, Kansas is ninth in the point standings while ten points separate Bill Koons of Omaha and Steve Foster of Salina, Kansas for the tenth spot. Other drivers expected are series regulars Mike Collings, Wylan Petrie, Joe Kosiski, Ted Martin and Greg Larsen. Over thirty drivers from at least four states are expected. As we enter the 17th and 18th events on the 2008 NCRA late model season schedule, here are a few tidbits for the upcoming "Thunder on the Hill II" weekend. What: NCRA and TORA late models in Thunder on the Hill II Where: The 4/10 high banked oval of Thunderhill Speedway in Mayhetta, Kansas. Track is located 14.6 miles north of US 24 on US 75 to 142nd St., then 2.2 miles west in Mayetta. When: This coming Friday and Saturday night, October 17-18. Pit gates, registration and draw opens at 5:00 p.m. with grandstands opening at 6:00 p.m. Hot laps at 7:00 p.m. with draw closing at 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. is race time. On Saturday night, pit gates, registration and draw open at 4:00 p.m. with grandstands opening at 5:00 p.m. There will be an autograph session from 5:15-6:00 p.m. Draw closes at 6:30 p.m. with racing at 7:00 p.m. Payout/Entry Fee: Possible $5400 to win if sweep both nights events and pole dash. Friday nights preliminary pays $1500 to win with $100 to start the feature. Saturday nights 40 lap championship feature pays $3000 to win and $400 to start. A six car pole dash will also be run paying $500 to win, $50 to start. Non qualifiers will earn $100. There is a $150 entry fee that covers both days. Admission: Friday night is $12 for adults, $5 for youth 7-14 and free to kids 6 and under. On Saturday night, adults is $15, $7 for youth 7-14 and ages 6 and under free. Pit passes are $25 for both nights. Logging: Special room rates are being offered at the Red Roof Inn of Holton for $49.99/dbl. (785-364-3172) and also at the Super 8 of Holton for $62.99/dbl. (785-364-1988). Be sure to mention TORA to get the special rate. Camping is allowed at the track and encouraged. Extra curricular activities: Post race activities are being planned following Friday nights events at the track. It will include a bonfire, beer and live entertainment provided by the band "Berryton Road." All spectators, racers, pit crew and officials are invited. There will also be a free breakfast being served at the track from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. NCRA Tidbits: This, the 20th anniversary season for the NCRA late model division, has seen eight drivers have competed in all sixteen events held thus far this season while eleven drivers have missed no more than four races. 176 different drivers have competed in at least one NCRA event this year. Feature winners on the year include Boen (5), Berck (3), Terry Phillips (3), Anderson (2), John Kaanta (1), Billy Moyer (1). Top 10 in NCRA Points: 1) Kyle Berck 4065 2) Kelly Boen 3950 3) Delbert Smith 3285 4) Bryant Goldsmith 3220 5) Mike Wiarda 2975 6) John Anderson 2895 7) Shawn Harker 2770 8) Jason Friesen 2675 9) Kelly Dunn 2475 10) Bill Koons 2180 11) Steve Foster 2170 12) Mike Collins 2170 13) Wylan Petrie 2070 14) Joe Kosiski 1890 15) Ted Martin 1825 NCRA is closing out its 38th consecutive season sanctioning races throughout the Great Plains region and will have completed 37 races in their sprint car, modified and late model rain-plauged season combined. The 2009 season will not only see yet another exciting year of sprint car, modified and late model events but four new divisions have been added. They include 305 sprints, NCRA/Oklahoma modifieds, NCRA Southern Sportmods and NCRA/North Texas/Southern Oklahoma late models. If your interested in scheduling an event or climbing aboard as series sponsor, presenting sponsor or contingency sponsor of any of the above divisions, please contact NCRA steward Chris Smith (918) 625-6200, David Smith, Jr. (405) 740-4769 or the NCRA office (316) 755-1781. The O'Reilly/NCRA presented by ICM/Ethanol would like to thank the following contingency sponsors in the late model division for the 2008 race season: ICM/Ethanol, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Arizona Sport Shirts, Weld Racing Wheels, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Holley Performance Products, INCE Race Cars, GRT Race Cars, Winters Performance Products, Taylor Vertex, Schoenfeld Headers, Auto Meter, Taylor Cable Products, BSB Race Parts, Hatfield Racing Engines, QA1 Motorsports, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Ultra-Shield Race Products, AFCO Racing Shocks, Pro Shocks, Racing Optics and Design 500. (David Smith, Jr./[email protected])
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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