FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2010

NCRA/MARS Late Model Showdown II: The Tracks

Midwest City, Oklahoma – April 21, 2010 - Two more weeks! That is all that is left for the top late model drivers in the region as “Showdown in the Heartland II” featuring the Missouri based MARS DIRTcar series and the Kansas based O’Reilly National Championship Racing Association late model divisions kick off a four race in three state swing. It will also kick off the 27th season for the NCRA, which is also in the midst of their 40th consecutive year of sanctioning dirt track racing throughout the Midwest.

It all kicks off on Thursday night, May 6th, at the home of NCRA, 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas. Last year Hermitage, Missouri’s Eric Turner picked up the thirty lap feature victory with a stout field of 39 cars in the pit area. This year’s feature finale will pay $2500 to win. Gates open at 4:30 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. For more race and ticket information, contact the track (316) 755-1781.

From there it will be down to the “Sooner State” as both series head to Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa for the tracks first ever hosting of an outlaw late model event on Friday night, May 7th. The tight little quarter mile oval has gone through many a changes during the winter, which includes wider turns and other track improvements. Gates open at 4:00 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. The feature finale will pay $2500 to win. Ticket and more race information can be had by calling (918) 605-6270

On Saturday night, May 8th, it is South down the Turner Turnpike and to Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker as the track hosts its second showdown event. Last year saw Kyle Berck of Marquette, Nebraska hold off Jason Bodenhamer to best a 33 car field in what some are calling the biggest event in the tracks history. The win was just one of two for Berck on the 2009 race season and helped him claim his second career series late model championship. Gates open at 4:30 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM with the feature winner taking home $2500. For race and ticket information, contact the track office (405) 769-6927.

As if witnessing some of the region’s top late model drivers isn’t enough, NASCAR star Kenny Schrader will be competing at both Creek County Speedway and Brill Motor Speedway in his Federated Auto Parts dirt late model in “Special K’s” first ever appearance at both venues.

Closing out the four race “Showdown in the Heartland II” swing on Sunday night it will be back up the Turner Turnpike to the “Show-Me” state and the home track for the MARS DIRTcar series and Monett Speedway. In last year’s event it was “The Flying Farmer” Ken Essary of Cape Fair, Missouri picking up the 30 lap feature victory, his first for the MARS series and second career with NCRA. Twenty-eight drivers were signed in the pit gate last year. Gates open on this Sunday evening, $3000 to win event at 4:30 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. Call the track (417) 236-0600 for more information.

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.

81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas: Located North of Wichita on I-135 to exit 16, then 0.7 miles West on 77th. More information call (316) 755-1781. Website: www.81speedway.org. 2009 Showdown in the Heartland feature winner: Eric Turner

Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma: Located southwest of Tulsa off I-44 Exit 211, then 0.3 miles south on SR 33, then one mile west on SR 66. More information call (918) 605-6270. Website: www.creekcountyspeedway.com. 2009 Showdown in the Heartland feature winner: 1st ever appearance.

Brill Motor Speedway in Meeker, Oklahoma: Located from the North, ten miles south of Hwy 66 on Hwy 18. From the South, take I-40 to exit 186 then go north on Hwy 18 sixteen miles. More information call (405) 769-6927. Website: www.brillmotorspeedway.com. 2009 Showdown in the Heartland feature winner: Kyle Berck.

Monett Speedway in Monett, Missouri: Located one mile east of SR 37 on US 60, then north on Chapel Rd. More information call (417) 236-0600. Website: www.monettspeedway.net. 2009 Showdown in the Heartland feature winner: Ken Essary.

David Smith, Jr.
NCRA Press and Contingencies