|
MSFS PR
SEDALIA, Mo. (April 16) - The roar of engines returned in a big way to the 'Historic Half Mile' that is Missouri State Fair Speedway for the season curtain raiser. After the final checkered flag fell on the evening, three drivers added their names to the lore of the legendary speedway. Ken Schrader, a native of Festus, Missouri fought off a stout field of Mid America Modified Series drivers to claim victory in the night's W-K Chevrolet modified premiere event. Jeremy Payne of Springfield, Missouri raced his way to the checkers in the Subway late models, and sprint car stand-out Randy Martin of California, Missouri thrilled the hearty crowd with a popular win in the 360 sprint cars presented by Rick Ball Ford.
Three heat races decided the starting lineup along with an inversion of six cars for the main event for the late models. Terry Phillips of Springfield, Missouri looked like he was shot from a cannon to claim the first heat race from his third-row starting position. Heat race two went to Coffeyville, Kansas driver Al Purkey with Bryan Collins of Elsberry, Missouri bringing home the win in heat number three. Bryon Allison grabbed the pole position by virtue of the invert and led the field into corner number one with Payne to his outside. From the start, the late model feature proved to be an edge-of-your-seat event that was slowed by three separate red-flag incidents. The first red flag waved for Allison, who nearly ended up on his lid alongside the outer guard rail of turn one, ultimately unable to continue the race. Once the field took the initial green flag on the re-start, Payne led the way and looked strong throughout the race. During a series of caution flags, Payne held back strong challenges from Collins, Larry Clawson, and Purkey. On lap six, a four-car pileup took place at the entrance of turn one as Bob Cummings' car flew over the inside guard rail but stayed on all four wheels once it came to rest. The crash also involved Joe Bartlett, Zac Simmons, and Larry D. Clawson. Payne, Collins, and Purkey continued their battle for the lead until late in the time-shortened event. The last of the red flag incidents was another scary incident at the entrance of turn one involving Purkey who reportedly suffered a mechanical failure at full speed down the front straightaway on lap fourteen as his car suddenly veered left into the inner guard rail. The car went over the rail and caused extensive damage to the inner chain link fence, eventually coming to rest between the two fences. Fortunately Purkey walked away from the damaged machine and was out of the car immediately checking things over. All drivers were uninjured in the separate incidents. In the end, Payne had the field covered and claimed his first-ever victory at the half mile. Collins had an outstanding run in second position one spot ahead of Terry Phillips, who charged his way back to the front after an early race incident left him with front-end damage. Larry Clawson, David Turner, former track champion Dave Meyer, Bill Koons, former champions Chris Smyser, Brett Wood, and Bob Test completed the top ten.
Late Models
1 74 Jeremy Payne
2 11Z Bryan Collins
3 75 Terry Phillips
4 L88 Larry Clawson
5 15T David Turner
6 9M Dave Meyer
7 29 Bill Koons
8 25S Chris Smyser
9 7 Brett Wood
10 1 Bob Test
11 65 Jon Binning
12 22 Kevin Coyne
13 88 Derek Nevels
14 4W Dustin Walker
15 33P Al Purkey
16 Z1 Zac Simmons
17 21D Larry Clawson
18 6 Bob Cummings
19 52 Joe Bartlett
20 1A Bryon Allison
21 98 James Stafford
|
