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Sam Stoecklin
WARRENSBURG, Mo. (June 26) - Several Advantage Metals Recycling United Late Model Association (ULMA) drivers participated in the annual late model special at Warrensburg's Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) this past Saturday night. Once again, CMS was the only ULMA track in action as rains again forced cancellation of racing action at LA Raceway in LaMonte, Missouri. Lucas Oil Speedway hosted a previously scheduled special event. Nineteen cars checked in at CMS for a 25-lap main event on a multi-lane and very smooth racing surface.
Nineteen late model drivers, all ULMA members, signed in to compete in the annual CMS late model special, which paid $800-to-win and $120-to-start. Danny Monroe of Jamestown, David Barker of Kingsville, and Jon Binning of Warrensburg all picked up preliminary heat race wins and later paced the field for the feature event. Monroe and Barker led the field to the first attempt to start the race but a spin by Mike Ryun coming down the front stretch led to a complete re-start. When the race did get underway Monroe could not fend off the challenge of veteran late model competitor Barker, who led through lap three. Binning powered his way to the front coming off turn four just as tenth-starting James Rutledge hooked up on the high side and made his way to third by lap seven. Jamie Wineland, Ryun, Steven Clancy, and Randy Ainsworth left the race early due to various mechanical issues throughout the night. Monroe's near spin on lap nine brought out a caution flag and the field regrouped for another single-file restart. Rutledge passed Barker for second as Binning continued his dominance during lap ten. At the halfway point of the race, Allen Perryman brought out the next caution just as defending ULMA champion Brett Rollert began to real in the leaders. The crowd witnessed an exciting battle to the finish after a late-race incident with Jason Sivils brought out one more caution flag. Binning had several scary moments coming off turn four, as he could not get the car to roll thru the corner properly. This allowed Rutledge and Rollert to close in late in the race. With a few laps remaining, Jason Bodenhamer and Gary Billings, Jr. passed Barker for fourth and fifth place as the lead trio took their battle right to the line. Rollert made one final effort to get around Binning on the high side heading into turn three. Although he could not get by Binning for the win, he did sneak by Rutledge for second. The win was Binning's fourth CMS and fourth ULMA victory of the year. Rollert's run from the eighth starting position came up one position short as he settled for second in his first CMS appearance this year. Rutledge finished third with Bodenhamer, Billings, and Barker also inside the top five. Brett Wood, Jake Williams, Kevin Kaiser, and David Angell rounded out the top ten. CMS is set for another go this Saturday, June 28th. For more information on CMS visit www.centralmissourispeedway.net.
Last weekend at CMS several drivers participated in the benefit auction for Judy Fohey. Judy is a recent cancer survivor and an avid late model race fan. She is personal friends with many of the ULMA drivers and they stepped up in fine fashion to lend a hand. Items such as quarter panels, side panels, hoods, helmets, and racing shirts were donated for the benefit, which took in over $600 for the Fohey family.
LA Raceway in LaMonte, Missouri, the loan Friday night ULMA track, will try once again this weekend, Friday, June 27th to get in its full race program. For more information on LA Raceway, visit www.laraceway.com. Lucas Oil Speedway has one more week off for a previously scheduled special event before returning to their normal race program on Saturday, July 5th. For more information on Lucas Oil Speedway, visit them online at www.lucasoilspeedway.com.
Both Jason Bodenhamer and Brett Wood now have fifteen starts on the year. Beginning this week each driver will discard their worst point outings for improved runs. Bodenhamer's overall seven victories places him in the lead on ULMA wins roster. Binning's four wins moves him into second overall. Rylan Long has not competed in several weeks but he has acquired three overall victories. James Rutledge is the only other multiple-win driver thus far with two victories. Bodenhamer also sits on top of the standings for another week ahead of Wood in second, Binning holds down third, Rutledge fourth, and Mike Ryun fifth. The Advantage Metals Recycling ULMA late models will take to the tracks again this weekend at LA Raceway on Friday and Central Missouri Speedway on Saturday. To learn more about ULMA, go to www.ulmaracing.com, there you will find a complete schedule of events for late model racing at all three affiliated tracks as well as full point standings, rules, and business information. E-mail ULMA at unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. When visiting our great sponsors please thank them for supporting local dirt track racing!
Title Sponsor: Advantage Metals Recycling LLC (Formerly Galamba Group), visit www.galambagroup.com, e-mail Advantage Metals Recycling at info@advantagerecycling.com or get the 'Advantage' by calling 1-866-527-4733.
ULMA Schedule at a Glance
June 27: Friday-LA Raceway (weekly race)
June 28: Saturday-Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)
July 4: Friday-LA Raceway (weekly race)
July 5: Saturday-Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race) - Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)
July 11: Friday-LA Raceway (weekly race)
July 12: Saturday-Lucas Oil Speedway (All American Redi-mix ULMA Double money event)
July 12: Saturday-Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)
July 18: Friday-LA Raceway (weekly race)
July 19: Saturday-Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)
July 25: Friday-LA Raceway (weekly race)
July 26: Saturday-Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race) - Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)
August 1: Friday-LA Raceway (weekly race)
August 2: Saturday-Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race) - Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)
Official Sponsors: King's Small Engine Repair LLC, Imhoff Construction. Contingency Sponsors: IMPACT Racing, FastShafts, Wineland Enterprises, Mike Crump Racing & Supply, J&T Racing Supply, Monroe's Signs & Graphics, Bodee's Race Bodies, and Rod End Supply. Affiliate Sponsors: Graphics by Shelly Payne, Nevels Sign Graphics, and Ken Dake Attorney at Law.
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