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(Mike Howard Photo)
David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Press and Contingencies
(405) 740-4769
[email protected]
McNamara Takes Inaugural NCRA Sport Modified Championship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Midwest City, Oklahoma - November 21, 2009 - Not once did he reach victory lane in eight tries but that didn't detour Ponca City, Oklahoma driver Chad McNamara from taking a championship as he used consistency throughout the season to pick up the inaugural championship for the O'Reilly Auto Parts/National Championship Racing Association sport modified division.
In a division that was formed during the winter of 2008 and coupled with the fact that the southern style sport modifieds are one of the fastest growing classes in the southern region of the country, it was a gamble that the series was willing to take on and a gamble that paid off.
McNamara finished in the runner up position four times in the eight races held and not once did he finish outside the top ten. At one point during the mid portion of the schedule, he finished in second place three straight times. "You know, it would really be nice to win one of these things so I don't keep getting reminded of the fact that I haven't one," said McNamara at one point later in the season. "I have had a lot of fun traveling to these new tracks and racing against these guys as they bring out the best in what we do. We saw this schedule and thought we would give it a try and I am really glad we did as we have had a blast!"
It was a successful first year for the O'Reilly/NCRA sport modifieds where six different drivers reached Hard Rock Hotel-Casino victory lane in the eight races held. Donny Raney of Amarillo, Texas picked up the season opening victory at Elk City's I-40 Speedway in Elk City, Oklahoma on March 21st. The series then headed to Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker, Oklahoma on May 30th where Robert Elliott of Clinton picked up his first of two victories on the season. A first of two stops at Caney Valley Speedway in Caney, Kansas saw Elliott become the first repeat winner on the season before Raney picked up the prestigious Hutchinson Grand Nationals championship at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas where the divisions first ever appearance at the famed half mile oval turned heads with their performance in front head officials with the series.
There was no room for rest after Hutch as one week later the division headed to Elk City's I-40 Speedway for their final appearance of the season where hometown driver Willie Smith upset the touring faithful. A return trip to Caney Valley Speedway saw veteran Elk City racer Randy Thomas reach victory lane before Rodney Sanders used a USMTS rain out in Texas to claim victory at Brill Motor Speedway. The season then came to a climax on October 17th at the home track of NCRA, 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas where Smiley's of Oklahoma City store owner Jeff Autry took home last lap laurels in his first ever appearance with the division. In the end it was McNamara's championship as he won the title by 75 points over Raney.
In total, 100 different drivers competed in at least one of the eight events held on the inaugural 2009 race season with an average car count of thirty-three per show. Twelve different drivers competed in all eight events held. Among them were McNamara, Raney, Elliott, Thomas, Todd Decker, Frank Graven, Nick Shenberger, Bob Mock, Mike Shenberger, Kevin Snow, Landon Maddox and Walter O'Dell.
This concludes the inaugural season for the O'Reilly/NCRA sport modified division with sights already set on 2010, which will be the 40th year for the series. The series currently sanctions five divisions, consisting of not only sport modifieds but late models, 360 sprint cars, modifieds and Oklahoma modifieds. In years past the series has sanctioned the old 100 inch super modifieds and modifieds and outlaw sprint cars and point standings, series records, driver profiles and more can be found on the official NCRA website www.ncraracing.org. The series would also like to thank the following sponsors and contingency sponsors that climbed aboard as partners with the O'Reilly/NCRA sport modified division in 2009. If you are interested in climbing aboard for the 2010 race season, contact David Smith, Jr. (405) 740-4769 or [email protected]. If you're interested in hosting a sport modified event for 2010 or would like more information on the series, contact NCRA steward Chris Smith (918) 625-6200.
Official 2009 NCRA sport modified series Sponsors: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hard Rock Casino-Hotel.
CONTINGENCY: Design 500, Hoffman Race Cars, Billsbuilt Chassis, Racing Optics, BSB Manufacturing, Belleville Motor Sports, Schoenfeld Headers, Hatfield Racing Engines, Taylor Cable Products, Bassett Wheels, Pro Shocks, Ultra Shield, Pro Motor Sports, AFCO Race Products, The Brake Man, C&E Performance, Arizona Sport Shirts, On Another Level Design and M&M Custom Creations & Designs.
2009 Final O'Reilly/NCRA sport modified Point Standings
Rank Driver Points
1 Chad McNamara 2295
2 Donnie Raney 2220
3 Robert Elliott 2170
4 Randy Thomas 2095
5 Todd Decker 2090
6 Frank Graven 2075
7 Nick Shenberger 1880
8 Bob Mock 1770
9 Mike Shenberger 1720
10 Kevin Snow 1690
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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