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David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Press and Contingencies
(405) 740-4769
[email protected]
Cornhusker Classic to Close Out NCRA Late Model Season This Saturday Night
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 21, 2009 – Midwest City, Oklahoma - The 26th season for the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division will come to a close in a big way this coming Saturday night (September 26) with the annual running of the "Cornhusker Classic," held atop I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Nebraska. The event will also see the top drivers from the Missouri based O'Reilly/MLRA presented by Lucas Oil Products series compete against the NCRA regulars for the $3000 to win, $400 to start Hard Rock Hotel-Casino twenty-two car feature finale.
A stout field of 53 drivers from six states competed in last years event which was won by Marquette's Kyle Berck. Berck will come into this running as the current series point leader and has all but wrapped up his second career O'Reilly/NCRA late model championship.
Other drivers having won the annual "Cornhusker Classic" while it has been sanctioned by the NCRA have been John Hampell ('07) and Kelly Boen ('05). The '06 event was rained out.
Series regulars expected to compete during the eighteenth and final event on the 2009 schedule are Nebraska drivers Corey Zeitner (Bellevue), Jason Friesen (Sutton), Mike Wiarda (Aurora), rookie contender Scott Koskovich (Omaha), Craig Preble (Yutan), Shawn Harker (Plattsmouth), Steve Kempt (Shelton), Bill Koons (Omaha) and Greg Larson (Plattsmouth). The state of Iowa will represent NCRA well with drivers such as current series rookie of the year leader Jason O'Brien (Atlantic), Mike Collins (Carter Lake), Bryant Goldsmith (Corning) also expected on hand. Also Kansas regulars Delbert Smith (Wichita) and Wylan Petrie (Soloman) and Colorado veteran and four time and defending series champion Kelly Boen (Henderson).
MLRA drivers expected include their current points leader John Anderson, (2002 NCRA champion) Al Purkey, Joe Kosiski, Jason Bodenhamer, David Turner, Chris Smyser, Alan Vaughn, Denny Woodworth and Matt Johnson.
Other drivers expected to compete include Al Humprey, Denny Eckrich, Ronnie Wallace, Jake Neighbors, Chad Simpson, and Travis Dickes.
"Cornhusker Classic" festivities kick off on Friday night with a practice night for all drivers competing in several divisions that will also be competing over the course of Saturday and Sunday night, a welcome reception party for all fans and drivers. The purchase of $10 tickets will include BBQ, live music by Captain Obvious and a cash bar. Gates open at 4:30 PM with practice from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. The welcome reception will be held from 8: 00 PM until 1:00 AM.
Pit gates on race day Saturday will open at 12:00 noon with hot laps beginning at 5:00 PM. Heat races for the late models will begin at 6:00 PM. Fans will be invited to the pits on Saturday when they open but must vacate the area and move to the grandstands at 4:00 PM.
Pit passes are $30 while adult general admission grandstand tickets are $20. Juniors (ages 6-15) general admission tickets are $15 while kids five and under will be admitted FREE into the grandstands.
I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park is located off of I-80 to exit 420 (Ashland/Greenwood Exit), then 0.4 mile north on SR 63. For more "Cornhusker Classic" information contact the track (402) 659-3301 or check out the event flyer on the tracks website http://www.neracewaypark.com/I80Speedway/index.php.
This event for the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division will put a wrap on 26th season of racing while the series is in its 39th season of sanctioning dirt track races across the Great Plains region. For more information on the O'Reilly/NCRA, including current schedules, point standings, driver profiles as well as historical stats from the series historic past, check them out on the World Wide Web at www.ncraracing.org.
The series is also gearing up for their huge 40th anniversary season in 2010 and are already working on the schedules and contingencies for all divisions of NCRA, which not only includes the late models but 360 sprints, modifieds, Oklahoma modifieds and sport modifieds. If you're interested in climbing aboard as sponsor or to schedule and event for 2010, please contact the NCRA office (316) 755-1781.
The O'Reilly/NCRA would like to thank the following sponsors and contingency sponsors for their support for the 2009 race season:
Official 2009 NCRA late model Series Sponsors: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hard Rock Casino-Hotel.
2009 NCRA late model contingencies: Brodix Cylinder Heads, Schoenfeld Headers, Maxim Chassis, Lazer Chassis, KSE Racing Products, QA1 Motorsports, The Brake Man, Rod End Supply, Outerwears Racing Accessories, Ultra-Shield Race Products, Racing Optics, Design 500, Taylor Cable Products, Vertex Magnetos, Design 500, Keizer Wheels, Arizona Sports Shirts, Winters Racing Products, Bodee's Race Bodies and Just Plugs
Current NCRA Late Model Point Standings
Rank Driver Points
1 Kyle Berck 4740
2 Kelly Boen 4515
3 Jason Obrien 4215
4 Mike Collins 4005
5 Jason Frieson 3545
6 Bryant Goldsmith 3330
7 Cory Zeitner 3255
8 Al Purkey 3215
9 Jason Bodenhamer 3175
10 Mike Wiarda 3000
11 Scott Koskovich 2940
12 Wylan Petrie 2750
13 John Anderson 2670
14 Craig Preble 2430
Past NCRA Late Model Feature Winners at I-80 Speedway
05/24/09 John Anderson
07/02/08 Terry Phillips
09/20/08 Kyle Berck
03/27/07 Al Purkey
09/27/07 John Hampell
05/28/06 Steve Kosiski
07/01/05 Kyle Berck
07/21/05 Darren Miller
09/23/05 Kelly Boen
09/24/05 Kelly Boen
05/30/04 John Hampell
05/25/03 Kyle Berck
05/26/03 Kyle Berck
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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