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Ben Shelton
WEST PLAINS, Mo. (April 3) - A little over a month remains until the 16th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100 rumbles to life at Don and Billie Gibson's West Plains Motor Speedway in West Plains, Missouri on May 22nd-24th, 2008. The 16th edition of the legendary event will boast $42,000 going to the winner of the 100 lap affair, and just to make the twenty-four car starting grid for the event will reward drivers with a cool $4,200.
A total purse exceeding $200,000 is just one of the many reasons that the nation's best drivers converge on the 3/8 mile, clay oval each year. Wendell Wallace from Batesville, Arkansas picked up his third O'Reilly Show Me 100 (second straight) win in 2007, and will be back to defend his title in 2008. West Plains Motor Speedway is one of the nation's premier facilities, top to bottom, and fans and drivers alike are treated like family at each and every event.
Don Gibson is notorious for preparing one of the smoothest and raciest surfaces in the nation. Don had to have open heart surgery in the off season, but he has made a full recovery and is rejuvenated at the thought of the action-packed, 2008 racing season at West Plains Motor Speedway and the 16th Annual O'Reilly Show Me 100.
The format for the 16th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100 will get underway on Thursday, May 22nd with the traditional practice night event that will include test and tune time from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. The popular BBQ Dinner with the drivers and crews will follow. The dinner is free to everyone with a pit pass and grandstand spectators are welcome to join for a modest $7.50 ticket fee.
Friday night will feature time trials and six heat races for the Super Late Models. The quick qualifier in the Super Late Models will receive a $1,900 check. 2007 saw Show-Me 100 veteran, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tennessee pick up $1,900 for setting fast time around the 3/8 mile oval. The top three finishers in each heat race will move on to Saturday night's main event. The balance of the field in each of the heats will move on to one of three Super Late Model consolation events on Saturday night. Open Wheel Modifieds will be featured as the support class and will compete for $500 to win in an unsanctioned event sponsored by New Vision Graphics based out of Batesville, Arkansas.
On Saturday night, the Race of Champions, the Manufacturer's Dash, and three consolation events will be held for the Super Late Models in addition to the 100 lap Show Me finale. Open Wheel Modifieds will be featured as the support class and will compete for $750 to win in an unsanctioned event sponsored by New Vision Graphics.
Grandstand admission for Thursday night's practice is free. Adult general admission for Friday night is $20 for adults, children age 7-11 $10, and children 6 and under are free. Adult general admission for Saturday night is $25, children age 7-11 $12.50, and children 6 and under are free.
Pit admission is $20 on Thursday night and $35 on Friday and Saturday night.
Reserved tickets can be ordered from the offices of Gibson Racing or at the track. Reserved front stretch seating is priced at $50 for the event.
The entry fee for the 16th Annual O'Reilly Show-Me 100 is $225 if received by May 1st, and $275 after this date. An on-site campground is available free of charge, but no electric hook-ups are available. For additional information and to see a seating diagram visit the track website at www.WestPlains-Speedway.com or call the business offices at (870) 994-7447.
Sponsors for the 15th Annual O'Reilly Show Me 100 include O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Race Tires, Rocket Chassis, Schoenfeld Headers, New Vision Graphics, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Hawkeye Racing News, MidSouthRacing.com, and MSRMafia.com.
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