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David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Press and Contingencies
(405) 740-4769
[email protected]
Appetizer and Soup Await NCRA Late Models Memorial Day Weekend
Two Annual Events Continue the Holiday Tradition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Midwest City, Oklahoma – May 23, 2010 - It is now that time for the annual Memorial Day weekend appetizer followed by the soup of the year as the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division will head to Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, Nebraska on Friday night, May 28th. The drivers will then take a Saturday night off before then heading east to I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Nebraska for the annual running of the Alphabet Soup, this year in conjunction with the Lucas Oil MLRA.
Being a staple on the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division since 2002, five out of the last six events have seen different feature winners. Last year it was Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado picking up the first of his series best eleven victories on the year over eventual division champion Kyle Berck of Marquette, Nebraska. The 2008 rendition saw Mother Nature taking the victory in a complete washout of the annual event. Delbert Smith picked up a popular win in 2007 with Steve Kosiski taking the honors in 2006. In 2005, Boen stopped Bercks string of victories at the event from 2002-2004.
With an average of 63 drivers per event for the past eight years, this year's running of the annual Alphabet Soup race at I-80 Speedway should be no different in not only car count but different feature winners as well. The race has seen an astounding seven different feature winners in the last eight years with John Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska picking up the victory last year. 2008 saw five divisions and seventy-three drivers on hand and Terry Phillips of Springfield, Missouri taking soup lore. Other soup winners include 2003-2004 O'Reilly/NCRA late model champion and current 2010 series points leader Al Purkey (2007), Steve Kosiski (2006), Darren Miller (2005), John Hampel (2004) and Berck (2002-2003).
The soup event has been one that has been tough to tame for Boen as the career series leader in all things late models has yet to reach victory lane and only finishing in the top five twice. Boens chances of picking up his first victory of the event are questionable as his plans for the weekend are uncertain as we go to press.
As mentioned, Purkey comes into the event as the points leader for the O'Reilly National Championship Racing Association in the late model division with a slim ten point advantage over Boen. But with both drivers not committed to compete for the championship, the title chase is wide open.
Dean Moore of Grand Junction, Colorado is running for the championship and currently sits third in the point standings, just thirty points out of the lead. Rounding out the top ten in the point standings for NCRA are Gary Christian (Broken Bow, Oklahoma), Jason O'Brien (Atlantic, Iowa), Corey Zeitner Bellevue, Nebraska), Bill Koons (Omaha), current rookie of the year contender Jace Kaser (Omaha), Shawn Harker Plattsmouth, Nebraska) and Wylan Petrie Soloman, Kansas).
Tickets for the Auto America/O'Reilly NCRA late model event at Mid-Nebraska Speedway on Friday night are $20 at the gate, or can be purchased at all local O'Reilly Auto Parts stores in advance for $18.00. Kids 6-12 tickets are $5 with children under 5 admitted free and all pit passes are $25. Gates will open at 5:00 PM with racing set for 7:30 PM.
Mid-Nebraska Speedway is located off of I-80 at exit 314 and then two miles south on old Hwy 281. For more race and ticket information contact the office (308) 381-0088 or the track (402) 845-2988. For a full list of lodging information, check out their website www.midnebraskaspeedway.com/trackinfo/info.asp.
Sunday nights alphabet soup at I-80 Speedway will see pit gates open at 3:00 PM, grandstand gates open at 4:30 PM, hot laps beginning at 5:30 PM with racing set to begin at 5:55 PM. Grandstand tickets are $20 for adults, juniors (6-15) $8 and children under 5 admitted free. Pit passes are $30.
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 race and ticket information contact the general offices (402) 342-3453 or the track phone (402) 659-3301. You can also check out their website for more information, including lodging information www.i-80speedway.com.
For more information concerning the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division, contact NCRA steward Chris Smith (918) 625-6200 or call the series office (316) 755-1781. For more on the National Championship Racing Association check them out on the web at www.ncraracing.org.
The National Championship Racing Association would like to thank the following contributors for their involvement with the late model division for the 2010 race season:
Official Sponsors: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires and Sunoco Race Fuels
Official Contingency Partners: Arizona Sports Shirts, Bernheisel Racing Components, Hatfield Racing Engines, Hooker Harness, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Lazer Chassis, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pro Shocks, Racing Optics, Real Racing Wheels, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Taylor Cable Products, The Joie of Seating, Ultra-Shield Race Products, Vertex Magnetos, Winters Performance Products
Current 2010 O'Reilly/NCRA Late Model Point Standings
1 Al Purkey 745
2 Kelly Boen 735
3 Dean Moore 715
4 Gary Christian 685
5 Jason Obrien 685
6 Corey Zeitner 680
7 Bill Koons 655
8 Jase Kaser 635
9 Shawn Harker 630
10 Waylan Petrie 615
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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