Post by LMR on 10/12/11 at 12:32am
MLRA Late Models
West Plains Motor Speedway
October 11, 2011
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MLRA Championship Weekend at West Plains Motor Speedway
MLRA PR
BUCKNER, Mo. (October 11) - The 2011 Lucas Oil MLRA Champion will be crowned this weekend, as one of the most anticipated events on the season schedule takes place at West Plains Motor Speedway. It's the return of the Fall Nationals after a nearly 12 year hiatus from the 3/8 mile red clay oval located just outside of West Plains, MO.
The point battle has become a topic of discussion, as John Anderson got together with a lapped car near the end of last Friday's feature. He went sailing off into the infield, and his 11th place finish wiped out his 16 point lead over Al Purkey. Anderson had made up ground and then some, in the title chase over the last two months. He won races at the State Fair Speedway, I-80 Speedway and Springfield Raceway. He took over the points lead at I-80 Speedway in late September and had slowly been extending it until Friday's turn for the worse. Anderson won the Lucas Oil MLRA Series Championship in 2008 and is tied for 6th all time in the series with 24 wins.
Purkey, has been up and down this season and is gunning for his 8th Lucas Oil MLRA Championship. Interestingly, of the 7 previous titles he's amassed, never have three in a row been won by the Coffeyville, KS veteran. He'll be looking to rewrite the record books once again this weekend. Purkey has been out front the majority of the year, on the heels of an extremely strong beginning to the season. He scored $10,000 by winning the Sunflower State Showdown near the end of April. Purkey backed up the Jetmore win with a triumph at Springfield Raceway the next time out. Al ranks 2nd on the all time Lucas Oil MLRA wins list with 49 victories.
Both drivers have 9 top 5 finishes, and 12 top 10 finishes. Their average finish for the season is 6.7. Anderson holds the first tiebreaker, should one be necessary, with his three wins to Purkey's two.
Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace and Will Vaught among others, have intentions of racing with the Lucas Oil MLRA this weekend, according to their respective websites. Please note, mention of drivers name does not guarantee drivers appearance. The tire rule for this weekend is Hoosier WRS-D55 and LM-40 only.
Action will get under way on Thursday evening with a practice session taking place from 7-10 PM. Grandstand admission is free and pit passes are $20. Friday and Saturday, the grandstands will open at 5:30 PM. Hot laps are scheduled for 7:00 PM and racing at 7:30PM. The pits open at 4 PM each day. General admission is $15 on both Friday and Saturday, with a two day ticket available for $25. Pit passes are $30 each night.
MLRA 2011 Point Standings
1 2 John Anderson Omaha, NE 1,327
2 33 Al Purkey Coffeyville, KS 1,327
3 14 Kyle Berck Marquette, NE 922
4 53 Joe Kosiski Omaha, NE 884
5 00 Jesse Stovall Galena, MO 694
6 75 Terry Phillips Springfield, MO 658
7 14W Dustin Walker Belton, MO 650
8 25C Chad Simpson Mt Vernon, IA 635
9 58 Dave Eckrich Oxford, IA 634
10 6H Al Humphrey Giltner, NE 624
11 74 Jeremy Payne Springfield, MO 586
12 56 Tony Jackson Jr Lebanon, MO 585
13 29K Bill Koons Omaha, NE 576
14 50E Denny Eckrich Tiffin, IA 575
15 14L Brad Looney Republic, MO 563
16 32S Chris Simpson Oxford, IA 558
17 15T David Turner Adrian, MO 541
18 21T Travis Dickes Madison, NE 497
19 22V Alan Vaughn Belton, MO 460
20 24 Bryant Goldsmith Corning, IA 427