2008mlra.htm



2004 archives
2005 archives
2006 archives
2007 archives


Thanks to Pattie Frost and Clint Brown and Brian Garrison and Dan Robinson




Second Annual SuperClean Diamond Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway Postponed until Sunday
WHEATLAND, MO (May 10, 2008) - The Second Annual SuperClean Diamond Nationals at the Lucas Oil Speedway has been postponed for Saturday Night when thunderstorms hit the area at approximately 6:00 PM Central Time. The event, co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the O'Reilly MLRA Late Model Series, will be run Sunday Afternoon with gates opening at 2:00 PM and racing starting at 4:00 PM.

There will be six Late Model heat races followed by the B-Mains and the 100 Lap Second Annual SuperClean Diamond Nationals paying $40,000 to win.

Sunday's SuperClean Diamond Nationals Heat Race Line-Ups:

12 Lap Heats (Top 3 Advance to Main Event)

First Heat:  Scott Bloomquist, Scott James, Jeremy Payne, Chad Simpson, Darrell Lanigan, Jesse Stovall, Larry Campbell, Rickey Frankel, Mark Voigt, J.D. Hubert, Greg Larsen, Larry Clawson, P.J. Haskins

Second Heat: Will Vaught, Dan Schlieper, Chub Frank, John Blankenship, Brian Shirley, Freddy Smith, Shanon Buckingham, Scott Drake, Wayne Chinn, Alan Vaughn, Billy Peden, Stacy Taylor, Chad Frewaldt, Larry D. Clawson                                       

Third Heat: Shannon Babb, Jimmy Owens, Clint Smith, Dave Eckrich, Chris Simpson, Terry Casey, Mark Burgtorf, Billy Drake, Brian Birkhofer, Brandon McCormick, Ryan Dauber, Aaron Seabaugh, David Thomas

Fourth Heat: Steve Casebolt, Billy Moyer, Michael England, Ray Cook, Wendell Wallace, Justin Fegers, Rusty Dukes, Don O'Neal, Denny Eckrich, John Mason, Steve Hucovski, Brady Smith, Jack Sullivan

Fifth Heat: Earl Pearson Jr., Rick Eckert, Josh Richards, John Anderson, Steve Francis, Bart Hartman, Peyton Taylor, Justin Rattliff, James Ward, Darren Miller, Jeremy Grady, Larry Jones, Bryan Goldsmith, Jason Sivils

Sixth Heat: Jimmy Mars, Eric Turner, Tommy Elston, Brad Neat, Denny Woodworth, Terry Phillips, Steve Rushin, Brantlee Gotschall, David Turner, Al Purkey, Andrew McKay, Randy Zimmerman, Shawn Harker

For the latest information on this event you can go to www.LucasOilSpeedway.com and www.lucasdirt.com.

 

2008 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors

 
Arizona Sport Shirts - "The Official Merchandise Vendor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

 

Dixie Chopper - "The Official Mower" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
Fatheadz Sunglasses - "The Official Eyewear" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
General Tire - "The Official Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
Hoosier Tire - "The Official Race Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
Jasper Engines - "The Official Engine" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
Jim Beam - Drink Smart - "The Official Beverage" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
K&N Filters - "The Official Filter" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 

Lucas Oil Products - "The Official Oil" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

 
R&L Carrier - "The Official Carrier" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
SuperClean - "The Official Degreaser" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
 
 

2008 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include: 5150 Race Trailers, Afco Racing Products, Allstar Performance, American Racer Tire, ARC Engines, ASI Racewear, Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Comp Cams, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, Dart Machinery, Duralite Racing Wheels, Dyers Top Rods, Erson Cams, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance Brake Pads, Hyperco, Integra Shocks, Jay Dickens Racing Engines, Malcuit Racing Engines, Mason Racin', Mullvain Motorsports, Ohlins, On the Edge Graphics, PBM, Penske Shocks, Performance Bodies, Performance Rod & Customs, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, Rick Schwallie Photography, Rocket Chassis, Tiger Rearends, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Victory Circle Chassis, WD Enterprises, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wrisco Aluminum.

 

James Essex - Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Public Relations Director(jessex@lucasdirt.com)


PAYNE COLLECTS $3,000 O'REILLY MLRA SERIES VICTORY WEDNESDAY AT LAKESIDE SPEEDWAY

From Lakeside Speedway PR
KANSAS CITY, Kans. (May 8) - The rains came down around Lakeside all day long. All day long the rains never hit at Lakeside Speedway. Many fans and competitors were scared off by the rain Wednesday afternoon. With several racers in the area for the Lucas Oil SuperClean Diamond Nationals, it could have been a large car count. For the fans that made the trip, they got to see one great race.

Clint Bowyer, a former track champion at Lakeside Speedway who is now on the NASCAR circuit, is coming off a win in the Sprint Cup last Saturday night. Fans of Lakeside came out to see their 'favorite son'. Not only did Bowyer show up, he brought with him, Shannon Babb. Babb drives for Bowyer's new dirt late model team. This past Saturday night, not only did Bowyer pick up a win, but Babb won a World of Outlaw Late Model race at I-44 Speedway. Needless to say, Clint Bowyer Racing is on a high at the moment.

In the first heat of the night. Al Purkey, a former MLRA Champion, took the early lead as Bowyer settled into the 2nd spot. David Turner made a move on Bowyer on the 3rd lap, but Bowyer would get him back on the outside and hold onto that 2nd spot. Alan Vaughn, last year's MLRA Champion, moved up to 3rd on the speedway by lap 7 of the 12 lap heat race. A yellow flag came out on lap number 10 for Bill Koons in turn 1.

Purkey, Bowyer and Vaughn would lead the field down to restart the race. The green flag dropped and Purkey jumped back into the lead. It would be short lived as debris on the front straight would bring out another yellow. On the restart Bryant Goldsmith would bring out another yellow. It appeared that David Turner got into him on the restart. Back to green and again it's Purkey to the front and Bowyer second. Purkey, Bowyer and Vaughn are your top 3 as the checkered flag drops.

The 2nd heat of the night contained another modified track champion at Lakeside Speedway, Tim Karrick. Chad Frewaldt is the leader in this heat early. Sonny Findling moved his way into the 2nd spot, while Jeremy Payne moved into 3rd on lap 5. Larry Clawson Jr. will bring out the caution and the field will have to bunch up again. Frewaldt, Findling, Payne, Brantlee Gotschall and Jerry Warner are your top 5. Tim Karrick has moved up to 4th on the speedway. From his last place starting spot. Karrick now moves into 3rd spot and Payne has rolled up to Frewaldt to battle for the lead. Clawson brings out another yellow. Karrick was thrown into duty when he got an offer from Denny Woodworth to drive his backup car. At this point he is looking good. Findling gets by Karrick on the restart and Payne takes over the lead. Payne now has a commanding lead at the white flag. Payne, Frewaldt and Karrick are the top 3 in this heat.

The 3rd heat is a stacked heat. Shannon Babb, John Anderson, Clint 'Cat Daddy' Smith, Joe Kosiski and Terry Phillips are all in this heat, the 3rd and final heat. Babb scoots out in front. Clint Smith, who picked up the WoO win at Lakeside in '07 is in 3rd spot and on the move forward. He will take 2nd from Tommy Elston and now John Anderson will put pressure on Elstun for 3rd. Terry Phillips and Anderson are in a tight battle for the 3rd position. The race is now up front between Babb and Smith. Smith to the inside and will take the lead from Babb on lap 10. White flag to Smith. Phillips goes by Anderson for 3rd. Smith, Babb and Phillips are your top 3.

Jermey Payne and Clint Smith will make up the front row for the 40 lap A Main event. Payne will get the early lead and Clint Smith gives chase in the 2nd spot.

Sonny Findling came to a rest up in turn 2 and it will bring out the first yellow of the night in this main event. Payne, Smith and Phillips are the top 3. Al Purkey holds down the 4th spot and rounding out the top 5 is Clint Bowyer.

Alan Vaughn is on the move through the field. He is hounding Bowyer at the moment.

Jeremy Payne enters lapped traffic on lap number 6. Smith is still within shouting distance of Payne as they march through the field.
Phillips has command of 3rd at the moment and Purkey and Bowyer are entangled in a battle for 4th at the moment.

A right rear flat on the Mark Voight will bring out the caution and take us back to lap 8. Up to this point, the feature has been moving along at a torrid pace. The current top 10 on the track, Jeremy Payne, Clint Smith, Terry Phillips, Al Purkey, Clint Bowyer, Alan Vaughn, David Turner, John Anderson, Shannon Babb and Denny Woodworth.

Payne brings them back to the restart. On the restart Babb jumps back up to the 7th spot. Payne still shows the way, with Smith in tow and his car owner, Terry Phillips, in 3rd.

Bowyer pulls up on Purkey on lap 12, Shannon Babb pulls off the track. As he pulls off the track Bryant Goldsmith will bring out the caution with a motor that has let go. It brings out another yellow. The top 5 are the same on the speedway that was running at the last yellow flag break. Lights are out on the speedway and we are ready to go back racing.

Double file restarts are common place in the O'Reilly MLRA. On this restart Vaughn flies by Bowyer to take 5th. Payne and Smith are 1 and 2. Sixteen laps in and Payne still has control. Smith goes to the inside of Payne into turn one, but Payne takes the lead back out of two.

Payne, Smith, Phillips, Purkey, Vaughn, Bowyer and Anderson have broken away from the field. Lapped traffic comes into play once again. Smith will look to capitalize here. Looked like a puff of smoke from Payne, we will have to keep an eye on that at lap 22. Bowyer and Anderson are putting on a hard battle at the moment for the 6th position.

Payne, Smith and Phillips have now pulled a ways away from the rest of the field by lap 26. 3 Car battle for 5th. Vaughn, Bowyer and Anderson. The trio run nose to tail. Bowyer and Vaughn get caught up and Bowyer gets the best of it as he takes 5th position back.

Terry Phillips closes in on Clint Smith. Lapped traffic is coming into play with these two. Jeremy Payne is way out in front, he can put it on crusie control with 4 laps to go.

The track stays clean with two laps to go. Payne is still out in front. White flag to Payne.

Payne put together a great run on the evening. It will be a start to a weekend that could be very lucrative for some late model driver as the Lucas Oil Speedway presents the SuperClean Diamond Nationals Friday and Saturday night.

www.lakesidespeedway.net

Unofficial Top 7
1 74 Jeremy Payne Springfield, MO
2 44 Clint Smith Senoia, GA
3 75P Terry Phillips Springfield, MO
4 33 Al Purkey Coffeyville, KS
5 07 Clint Bowyer Emporia, KS
6 2 John Anderson Omaha, NE
7 15T David Turner Adrian, MO
8 45K Tim Karrick Kansas City, KS

Official results and updated points standings heading into the Diamond Nationals will be posted at www.mlraracing.com.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment


Richmond Cup Winner Clint Bowyer to run with
O'Reilly MLRA at Lakeside Speedway tonight, May 7th 2008!
Buckner, MO (May 7th, 2008)-Clint Bowyer and Shannon Babb headline the list of "outsiders" looking to nab a win with the O'Reilly MLRA presented by Lucas Oil tonight at the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. This highly anticipated event is a homecoming of sorts for former Lakeside Speedway Track Champion Bowyer. Having won the most recent Cup race at Richmond and sitting 4th in the Sprint Cup driver's standings, momentum is certainly on his side.
 
With a pair of World of Outlaws Late Model shows this past weekend in Southwest Missouri and the high profile Diamond Nationals coming up this  weekend in Wheatland, MO, look for several high profile dirt late model teams to make an appearance at Lakeside to try and make an extra $3,000 before heading to the Lucas Oil Speedway.
 
McCarthy Chevrolet and GM Performance Accessories present the O'Reilly MLRA for a rare midweek show on May 7th at the Lakeside Speedway. Arizona native and current Springfield, Missouri resident Jeremy Payne leads the MLRA contingent into battle with a two point lead over 5-time MLRA Champ Al Purkey. David Turner, Terry Phillips, and Will Vaught round out the top 5 in points and are expected to be in action. Defending MLRA Champion Alan Vaughn will also look to rebound from a tough start to contend for the win. Other drivers expected to be in attendance include John Anderson, Denny Woodworth, Mark Burgtorf and Scott Drake.
 
Adult admission for the event is $15 in advance, $18 at the gate, with kids just $6. Gates open at 5:00pm, with Hot Laps at 7:00 and racing set to get underway at 7:30. The Lakeside Speedway is located north of the Kansas Speedway off of I-435 on Walcott Dr. in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, please visit www.lakesidespeedway.net or call the track office at (913) 299-2040.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment


O'Reilly MLRA Lakeside and Lucas Oil Speedway Previews
Buckner, MO (May 1st, 2008)-As unseasonably cool and rainy weather created havoc for racing schedules in the month of April, the O'Reilly MLRA presented by Lucas Oil looks to get back on track in May. The first stop of the month will take place on Wednesday night, May 7th at the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for a $3,000 to win show, followed by a two day visit to the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri on May 9th and 10th for the $40,000 to win Diamond Nationals.
 
McCarthy Chevrolet and GM Performance Accessories present the Bad Boyz of the O'Reilly MLRA for a rare midweek show on May 7th at the Lakeside Speedway. Clint Bowyer and Shannon Babb will be in attendance to challenge the MLRA in wheel to wheel dirt late model racing action. Arizona native and current Springfield, Missouri resident Jeremy Payne leads the MLRA contingent into battle with a two point lead over 5-time MLRA Champ Al Purkey. David Turner, Terry Phillips, and Will Vaught round out the top 5 in points and are expected to be in action. Defending MLRA Champion Alan Vaughn will also look to rebound from a tough start to contend for the win. Other drivers expected to be in attendance include John Anderson, Denny Woodworth, Mark Burgtorf and Scott Drake.
 
With a pair of World of Outlaws Late Model shows this weekend in Southwest Missouri and the high profile Diamond Nationals the following weekend, look for several high profile dirt late model teams to make an appearance at Lakeside and snare a share of the loot.
 
Adult admission for the event is $15 in advance, $18 at the gate, with kids just $6. Gates open at 5:00pm, with Hot Laps at 7:00 and racing set to get underway at 7:30. The Lakeside Speedway is located north of the Kansas Speedway off of I-435 on Walcott Dr. in Kansas City, Kansas. For more information, please visit www.lakesidespeedway.net or call the track office at (913) 299-2040.
 
The event everyone is talking about takes place on May 9th-10th. Of course we are talking about the Super Clean Diamond Nationals at Forrest Lucas' "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" in Wheatland Missouri. With $40,000 on the line, huge car counts are expected along with capacity crowds. The event is co-sanctioned by the MLRA and by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The total purse for the event is over $160,000! The O'Reilly MLRA is also awarded two provisionals for this event so MLRA points are crucial heading into the weekend as nobody wants to be left out of the event. Please visit www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for detailed schedule and event information. The Lucas Oil Speedway can also be reached via phone at (417) 282-5984.
 
Two-Time NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Randy Lajoie will be on hand both days with his Safer Racer Tour. The Lucas the Oil Race'n Ride Two-Seat Late Models will make appearances following racing action both nights. 
 
In addition to the exciting action on the track there will be a special competition for the crews of the touring dirt late model race teams that compete at this event. On Friday May 9th a special "Integra Shocks Crew Chief Challenge" competition will take place in front of the main grandstands and will be taped for TV broadcast at a later date. The MLRA and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race teams will compete for cash awards presented to the top three fastest pit crews that complete a pit stop in a timed format. In the first round of competition each team will have their driver drive into a pit box where two crew members will service the car by changing the RR tire and sending their driver out of the pit box the fastest in the timed format. The three fastest race teams after the first round will return and compete against each other again but this time the crew must change a RF Shock and RF tire during the timed pit stop. The team that completes the pit stop the fastest will receive $1000 from Integra Shocks. Both second and third place teams will also receive a cash award.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment


 

O'Reilly MLRA Schedule Update

Jack Vaughn Memorial Moved from May 3rd to May 17th
Buckner, MO (April 22nd, 2008)-The O'Reilly MLRA presented by Lucas Oil has announced that the Jack Vaughn Memorial Race originally scheduled for May 3rd at the Adrian Speedway has been rescheduled for May 17th. "Out of consideration for the Vaughn family, who were unable to attend the race as originally scheduled, we felt it best to move this race to another date" stated MLRA Promoter Harriet Chancellor.
 
The next stop on tour will now be on Wednesday night, May 7th at the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas which will feature NASCAR Sprint Cup star Clint Bowyer dropping in to challenge the MLRA regulars. This will be followed up by the highest paying event of the year as the $40,000 to win Diamond Nationals, co-sanctioned by the MLRA takes place on May 9th-10th at The Lucas Oil Speedway.
 
The month of May will wrap up with the annual Alphabet Soup race at the I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Nebraska on Sunday night May 25th as part of the Memorial Day Weekend festivities.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment


The April 11-12 O'Reilly MLRA events at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, KS
 and Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, KS both events Rained Out


O'Reilly MLRA Gears Up for 2008 Season-New Dates Added!
Buckner, MO (March 8th, 2008)-Anticipation continues to build as The O'Reilly MLRA Presented by Lucas Oil prepares to kick off it's 20th season of Dirt Late Model Racing with the first race of the 2008 season now just less than one month away.
 
The 2008 Tour gets underway on Friday, April 4th with the season opener at the Midway Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri. The Midway Speedway has new owners for the 2008 season as local businessmen Jack Jones and Tony Jackson Jr. purchased the speedway during the off season. This will be the first of two visits to the Midway in 2008 by the O'Reilly MLRA as they return on August 22nd. For information concerning the Lebanon Midway Speedway, please visit www.LebanonMidwaySpeedway.com.
 
The Diamond of Dirt Tracks, the Lucas Oil Speedway is next up on Saturday, April 5th as The Bolivar Herald-Free Press presents Round One of the O'Reilly MLRA Late Model Challenge. This will be the first special event of the year at the Wheatland, Missouri facility and is the first of five visits that the MLRA will make there this season. Kevin Greven returns for his second season as General Manager of the Speedway and the 2008 season promises to be their biggest yet. For information concerning The Lucas Oil Speedway, please visit them online at www.LucasOilSpeedway.com.
 
Officials with The MLRA have not only been working on the season opener but they have also worked very hard to add two huge dates to the schedule. The first of these will be on Wednesday night, May 7th at the Lakeside Speedway as Clint Bowyer and Shannon Babb will be wheeling their Clint Bowyer Racing Late Models with the MLRA. This should be an outstanding evening of racing action at the beautiful Kansas City, Kansas area facility. For information about the Lakeside Speedway, please visit www.LakesideSpeedway.net.
 
The second additional date will see The O'Reilly MLRA make their second visit of the year to the I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Nebraska as part of the Cornhusker Classic on Saturday night, September 20th. This is a huge annual event that you won't want to miss! For more information, please visit them on the web at www.neracewaypark.com.
 

For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

 
2008 O'Reilly MLRA Tentative Schedule
April 4              Midway Speedway-Lebanon, MO
April 5              Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
April 11            Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
April 12            Thunderhill Speedway-Mayetta, KS
 
May 3              Adrian Speedway-Adrian, MO
May 7              Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
May 9              Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
May 10            Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
May 25            Nebraska Raceway Park-Greenwood, NE
 
June 13            Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
June 14            Adams County Speedway-Corning, IA
June 20            Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
June 21            Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
 
July 3               24 Raceway-Moberly, MO
July 19             Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO
 
August 1          Junction Motor Speedway-McCool Junction, NE
August 2          Junction Motor Speedway-McCool Junction, NE
August 17        State Fair Speedway-Sedalia, MO
August 22        Midway Speedway-Lebanon, MO
August 23        Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
 
September 20   Nebraska Raceway Park-Greenwood, NE
September 25   Adrian Speedway-Adrian, MO
September 26   Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
September 27   Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
 
November-Awards Banquet
 
The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment

O'Reilly MLRA Welcomes Lucas Oil as Series Presenting Sponsor

January 23rd, 2008
Dan Robinson
O'Reilly MLRA PR

Buckner, MO-The O'Reilly MLRA is proud to announce that Lucas Oil Products has joined the series as the presenting sponsor beginning with the 2008 season. The O'Reilly MLRA presented by Lucas Oil brings two of the nation's most respected sports marketing entities together with one of the premier dirt late model sanctioning bodies in the country.

"We are really excited," said Harriett Chancellor of the MLRA, "We have worked really hard to build this organization and when great sponsors like O'Reilly Auto Parts and Lucas Oil want to be involved, it makes us think we have done something right."
 

The O'Reilly MLRA presented by Lucas Oil kicks off the 2008 Thunder Tour on April 4th at the Midway Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri with the season finale scheduled for September 27th at the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. The series will visit the Lucas Oil Speedway 5 times in '08 highlighted by the $40,000 to win Diamond Nationals on May 9th and 10th. The MLRA currently has 24 dates scheduled with more to be added.

 
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.
For information on Lucas Oil please visit www.lucasoil.com.
 
For information on O'Reilly Auto Parts, please visit www.oreillyauto.com.

The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment


Dan Robinson
O'Reilly MLRA PR
 
O'Reilly MLRA Releases Tentative 2008 Thunder Tour
 
Buckner, MO (January 19th, 2008)-Officials with the O'Reilly MLRA have
released the tentative 2008 schedule featuring twenty-two dates with
additional dates still in the works. The O'Reilly Midwest Latemodel Racing
Association will be celebrating it's 20th season of high octane dirt late
model racing action in 2008.
 
The 2008 Thunder Tour kicks off on Friday, April 4th with a visit to the
Midway Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri. The state of the art Lucas Oil
Speedway is next up on Saturday, April 5th. This will be the first special
event of year at the Forrest Lucas owned facility and is the first of five
visits that the MLRA will make in Wheatland this season. The teams will then
head north the following weekend with stops at the ultra fast Lakeside
Speedway on April 11th and the high banks of the Thunderhill Speedway in
Mayetta, Kansas on April 12th.
 
May shifts into high gear on May 3rd with the Jack Vaughn Memorial at the
Adrian Speedway in Adrian, Missouri. The early summer action continues on
May 9th and 10th with the $40,000 to win Diamond Nationals at Lucas Oil
Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri. This event is quickly becoming one of the
premier dirt late model events in the nation. After taking a weekend off to
regroup, the MLRA returns on May 25th to the beautiful I-80 Speedway at
Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Nebraska for the annual alphabet soup
race.
 
The month of June will kick off for the Bad Boyz of the MLRA on June 13th
with the second of three visits to the Lakeside Speedway followed by the
first visit in recent memory by the MLRA to Adams County Speedway in
Corning, Iowa on June 14th. One of the most anticipated events of the season
is set to take place on June 20th and 21st as O'Reilly Auto Parts presents
the first ever O'Reilly Late Model Challenge at the Lucas Oil Speedway. The
event pits many of the nation's top O'Reilly Auto Parts sponsored dirt late
model touring series in a head to head competition.
 
The Independence day fireworks on the track begin on July 3rd as 24 Raceway
in Moberly, Missouri welcomes the MLRA for its lone stop on the 2008 tour
for a special Thursday night show on the eve of the Independence Day
Holiday. The Lucas Oil Speedway returns to the schedule for its fourth stop
on July 19th as the top drivers of the MLRA and the Lucas Oil Late Model
Dirt Series compete in the $10,000 to win CMH Late Model Showdown.
 
The hot summer nights of August will get underway early with a two night
trek to Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Nebraska on August 1st
and 2nd for the King of the Hill Late Model Shootout. The annual visit to
the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia for the Missouri State Championships
takes place on August 17th. August concludes with final 2008 visits to the
Midway Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri on August 22nd and the Lucas Oil
Speedway on Saturday, August 23rd.
 
The season wraps up in September beginning with the Al Bodenhamer Memorial
on September 25th at Glenn and Collenn Portzen's Adrian Speedway followed by
the Capital Federal Savings Late Model Shootout at Lakeside Speedway on
September 26th and 27th. This is three straight days of non-stop action you
won't want to miss!
 
The schedule is tentative and subject to change as more dates are added in
the future.
 
 
2008 O'Reilly MLRA Tentative Schedule
April 4              Midway Speedway-Lebanon, MO
April 5              Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
April 11            Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
April 12            Thunderhill Speedway-Mayetta, KS
 
May 3              Adrian Speedway-Adrian, MO
May 9              Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
May 10            Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
May 25            Nebraska Raceway Park-Greenwood, NE
 
June 13            Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
June 14            Adams County Speedway-Corning, IA
June 20            Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
June 21            Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
 
July 3               24 Raceway-Moberly, MO
July 19             Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, MO
 
August 1          Junction Motor Speedway-McCool Junction, NE
August 2          Junction Motor Speedway-McCool Junction, NE
August 17        State Fair Speedway-Sedalia,
August 22        Midway Speedway-Lebanon, MO
August 23        Lucas Oil Speedway-Wheatland, MO
 
September 20   TBD
September 21   TBD
September 25   Adrian Speedway-Adrian, MO
September 26   Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
September 27   Lakeside Speedway-Kansas City, KS
 
November-Awards Banquet
 
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA visit us on the
web at www.mlraracing.com or by calling (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.
 
The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2008 Thunder Tour
including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Race
Tires, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Adrian Bank, Afco, GRT
Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Impact Racing
Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace
Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End
Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components,
Performance Race Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment