For Immediate Release
June 10, 2010
Sam Stoecklin

Bob Test and Jon Binning Set the Bar High in ULMA Standings

The chase for the 2010 ULMA crown is extremely intense right now and appears as if it will go down to the wire between Bob Test and Jon Binning at this point early on in the season. While the two drivers certainly are not a lock-in for the championship title due to several more scheduled races, their battle for the top resembles the battles of the past few years for the ULMA crown as the seasons wore down. Last weekend, by virtue of a disappointing finish at Callaway Raceway, Test actually lost the point lead to Binning heading into Saturday night’s competition at the high banks of Central Missouri Speedway (CMS). Even though Test picked up his first feature win of the year at CMS in a close battle with Jason Bodenhamer to the checkers, Binning still sits on top of the standings by a single point over Test as drivers prepare for this weekend’s action.

Missouri State Fair Speedway recently announced it would no longer hold weekly racing at the speedway for the remainder of the season. As of this press release, the planned special event for ULMA drivers during the Missouri State Fair is still scheduled at the speedway. This Friday night at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, MO, drivers will have extra money on the line as the raceway hosts its annual track late model special. ULMA points will be on the line at the track as drivers vie for the top spot. Last Friday night, Trace Westling scored his strongest finish of the year by registering a third-place run to the checkers, which also moved him into fourth position in the overall standings. Danny Lorton of Moberly, Missouri also registered his strongest finish of the year with a fifth-place finish. Chris Cox and James Stafford also scored runs inside the top ten at the conclusion of the main event. Friday night, June 11, late models will run for $650-to-win and $75-to-start the main event. ULMA and additional drivers will participate in the “Homes for Our Troops” fundraiser at the raceway this weekend in the grandstands and in the pit area as they try to collect money for homes to be built for local area returning wounded war veterans from our Armed Forces. Check out the track’s official website at www.callawayraceways.com for more information.

At CMS last week, ULMA Late Models thrilled the crowd on hand with a pair of heat races as the drivers took to the track. O’Fallon, MO driver Shawn Rayfield took his 604 CRATE engine number 18r to the first position in the opening heat race over Jason Bodee Bodenhamer, Steve Clancy, and Brett Wood. Bob Test of Jefferson City raced his way to the win in heat two with Jon Binning, and Bob King also scoring strong ULMA finishes. Test earned the pole position for the 20-lap main event and quickly jumped out to an early race lead ahead of Jason Bodenhamer. Lap three had a caution period as the drivers once again re-started the main event. Test led through the middle and early stages of the race only to be slowed by a second caution flag incident. Bodenhamer hounded the leader for several laps but just could not quite get the pass made to take the lead. From the half-way point to the finish line there were furious battles throughout the field but after all was said and done, Test picked up a huge feature win over Bodenhamer in second, with Clancy fourth, Jon Binning fifth, Lane Ehlert sixth, Rayfield seventh, Ben Solberg ninth, and Brett Wood tenth. Another Saturday night of racing is set for June 12th at the speedway. Check out CMS online at www.centralmissourispeedway.net.

Lucas Oil Speedway did not host weekly racing last week but the track is set to return in a big way this weekend with another Saturday night of weekly competition scheduled at the speedway June 12, including the strong field of ULMA late models racing at the speedway this year. For more information visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com.

ULMA contingencies were claimed last week at CMS by Jon Binning and John Pipes. At Callaway, James Stafford and Chris Cox took the contingencies. Contingencies are awarded at each affiliated track based on a blind draw from the feature event races. Ben Solberg claimed the CMS track-sponsored ULMA member drawing. Contingencies will be mailed or presented to drivers at future ULMA-sanctioned events. ULMA membership is available on site at each affiliated track for just $50; simply ask for the track ULMA representative. Fans, friends, and family members may become ULMA affiliate members for just $10. Membership is available via the Website or on-site at ULMA tracks. Make checks payable to: United Late Model Association and Mail: ULMA, P.O. Box 794, Moberly, MO, 65270. To join the email group, send to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com.

Drivers, fans, family, and friends can help the ULMA points fund by booking all lodging needs through the official ULMA website, savings await everyone using the link on the ULMA website by choosing from several quality hotel chains. The system is easy to use and offers several options! Drivers can benefit their own points fund by logging onto MySmokinRide.com and signing up for a driver’s website. For every website set up in ULMA’s name, the association points fund will be compensated as members enroll and participate. For every member that buys a website package and pays for their one-year membership in advance through MySmokinRide.com, the association will be compensated $50. “MySmokinRide is the Facebook of racing; it is an exciting new social community for everyone who is passionate about racing!”

Official 2010 sponsors and affiliated business partners are greatly appreciated. This year’s team includes official sponsor Imhoff Construction. Contingency Sponsors: Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, TCI® Automotive, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas. Affiliate Sponsor: Photographics by Shelly Payne. ULMA 2010 Business Partners: NeedSponsorship.com, MySmokinRide.com, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Homes for Our Troops. If you would like to join the team, contact us at your convenience at unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com or www.ulmaracing.com.