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Sam Stoecklin
SEDALIA, Mo. (August 6) - It was a near perfect night for dirt track action at the 'Historic Half Mile' that is Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri on Friday night during the 'Battle of the Badges' race night. Engines roared back to life once more in what turned out to be a tune-up session for many drivers as they prepared for the upcoming races during the 2010 Missouri State Fair. Alan Vaughn of Belton recorded a solid return to victory lane in one of his strongest runs in recent memory to claim the $2,000 winner's prize in the Subway Late Models. In the W-K Chevrolet Modified ranks, former Missouri State Fair Champion Jim Moody of Odessa sent a strong signal to his fellow competitors that he is the man to beat during the fair races by coming away with a convincing $1,000 victory. Steve Weaver, who had absolutely no race experience prior to hitting the track for competition, came away with the win for the first-ever Battle of the Badges law enforcement race. Sgt. Weaver held back a strong field of fellow law enforcement officers in an exciting race to the finish as competitors raised money for Missouri Special Olympics. Sgt. Weaver alone collected over $10,000 for the cause and all total well over $30,000 was raised for Special Olympics athletes across the state by the 21 participating drivers that took part in this fantastic night of racing.
Fifteen Subway Late Models made their way to the speedway for two qualifying heat races and a twenty-lap feature event. Heat race winners were Matt Johnson of Archie and Vaughn as they set themselves up strong to start at the front of the field for the main event. From the onset of the green flag the two drivers were nose-to-tail throughout the duration of the event as Johnson consistently hounded Vaughn trying to find a way around the leader nearly every lap. Meanwhile, another battle was shaping up just behind the leaders as Jon Binning, in a steel block ULMA car had his hands full in holding back several drivers including David Barker, Bryon Allison, and Randy McGraw. Johnson held strong with the leader as he and Vaughn reached the two laps to go point in the race Johnson pulled up to the inside of Vaughn off of turn two as the two had a drag race into the next turn. Vaughn held the challenge at bay on that lap but shortly after the white flag flew, Johnson again showed Vaughn he was still right there as the two approached a lapped car with one lap to go. Johnson gave it one last try but got too high entering turn three and Vaughn was able to come away with the victory over Johnson, Binning, Barker, Allison, and McGraw.
Subway Late Model Results
Heat One: 1) Matt Johnson-Archie, 2) Jon Binning-Warrensburg, 3) Randy McGraw-Marshall, 4) Bob Cummings-Sedalia, 5) Zachary Goulden-Gladstone, 6) John Schneider-California, 7) Chris Smyser-Lancaster, 8) Larry Moon-Sedalia.
Heat Two: 1) Alan Vaughn-Belton, 2) Bryon Allison-Marshall, 3) David Barker-Kingsville, 4) Brett Wood-Warrensburg, 5) Dick Weber-Kingsville, 6) Kevin Coyne-Kingsville, 7) David Turner-Creighton
Feature Event: 1) 22 Alan Vaughn, 2) 5j Matt Johnson, 3) 65 Jon Binning, 4) 88b David Barker, 5) 1a Bryon Allison, 6) 25 Randy McGraw, 7) 69 Dick Weber, 8) 72 Larry Moon, 9) 6 Bob Cummings, 10) 7 Brett Wood, 11) 15t David Turner, 12) 22 Kevin Coyne, 13) 49 Zachary Goulden, 14) 99 John Schneider, DNS) Chris Smyser-Lancaster.
For the W-K Chevrolet Modifieds, the stellar field of talented drivers took to the track in a final tune-up for the upcoming topless MAMS modified race during the Missouri State Fair on Tuesday, August 17. When names like Jim Moody, David Barker, Rick Beebe, Jason Thompson, Jason Bodenhamer, Curt Rackers, Austin Siebert, Dennis Elliott, Curt Potter, and a returning Chad Lyle show up to race, you know you're going to witness and action-packed event at the speedway and these men gave the fans in the Pepsi grandstand something to cheer for throughout the evening. Thompson and Moody came away with the victories for the qualifying heat races in a battle to earn the pole position for the 20-lap main event. Chad Lyle, who previously drove to victory lane earlier in the season at the speedway, made his return to racing after heart surgery halfway through the year sidelined him for several weeks. The veteran driver looked as strong as ever as he made his way to third in his heat race to earn a spot in the main event. Moody earned his heat victory after starting sixth and taking his #00 machine to the front, he brought Johnny Scott with him, Scott started in the seventh position to take second at the line. Thompson took his win from the pole by holding back track co-promoter Jason Bodenhamer who came away second. Moody and Scott paced the field for the start of the main event and both drivers immediately pulled away from the rest of the pack. Thompson, Bodenhamer, Elliott, Dotson, Beebe, and Barker all tried to keep pace in their own battle inside the top six. With limited caution periods occurring, it was a torrid battle throughout the duration of the race as Moody and Scott weaved their way around lapped traffic as laps clicked away. At times, Moody had about a fifteen car advantage over Scott, who from time-to-time would reel him back in; however, as Scott was nearing the leader he experienced a mechanical failure and was forced to leave the track while running second. This allowed Moody smooth sailing all the way to the checkered flag as he returned to the Specialty Sportswear Winner's Circle for the first time this year. Thompson held back a strong-running Lyle for second; behind this pair of drivers were Bodenhamer, Beebe, and Dotson as the race concluded.
W-K Chevrolet Modified Results
Heat One: 1) Jason Thompson-Concordia, 2) Jason Bodenhamer-Cenerview, 3) Chad Lyle-Lone Jack, 4) Dennis Elliott-Mt. Ayr, IA, 5) Mark Dotson-Cameron, 6) Austin Siebert-Lake Lotawana, 7) Eddie Whitney-Sturgeon, 8) Howard Hall-Columbia.
Heat Two: 1) Jim Moody-Odessa, 2) Johnny Scott-Las Cruses, NM, 3) Curt Rackers-Holt's Summit, 4) Rick Beebe-Shawnee, KS, 5) David Barker-Kingsville, 6) Curt Potter-Boonville, 7) Steve Potter-Boonville, 8) Richard Kimberling-Slater
Feature Event: 1) 00 Jim Moody, 2) 20 Jason Thompson, 3) 96 Chad Lyle, 4) 34 Jason Bodenhamer, 5) 22b Rick Beebe, 6) 85d Mark Dotson, 7) 22 Curt Rackers, 8) 88b David Barker, 9) 16 Austin Siebert, 10) L75 Eddie Whitney, 11) 74 Howard Hall, 12) 1st Johnny Scott, 13) 29 Dennis Elliott, 14) 11p Curt Potter, 15) 002 Richard Kimberling, 16) 1p Steve Potter
It what turned out to be an absolute fantastic event, the dream of co-promoter Reid Millard came to life in a big way in the first-ever 'Battle of the Badges' law enforcement race between Missouri Law Enforcement Officers representing various agencies from across the state. There were participants from St. Joseph to Springfield and from Kansas City to St. Louis and many points in between as 21 badge wearers competed in Crown Victoria police interceptor vehicles specially prepared, painted, and fully decked out with role cages and safety equipment in an event that raised money for Missouri Special Olympics. The event atmosphere harkened back to the good 'ole days when the "stock cars" of the track brought in many, many fans in the stands, the crowd got into the racing by standing on their feet cheering on their favorite driver, and featured a ton of action on the speedway to keep everyone guessing who would come away with the victory. With 21 cars on hand, it took three heat races to sort out the line-up for the 20-lap main event.
Officer Richard Bradley, Captain Mike Jones, and Sgt. Steve Weaver came away victorious with heat-race wins during preliminary race action. Weaver also took home the trophy for most money raised, while the lone female competitor, Capt. Zim Schwartze, representing the Columbia PD came away with best in show and best looking driver. Senior Deputy Officer Jason Conn took home the hard charger award while the Jefferson County team took home the longest distance traveler award. Everyone waited with baited breath as the entire field made their way to the green flag and into turn one. Like a bunch of seasoned pros, the drivers all got through the turns in check and settled into a perfect race rhythm with door-panel-to-door-panel action all the way back through the field. The first half of the race was caution free with exciting racing until the caution flew halfway through the event. Up front, the fans saw an exciting race with Weaver, Mike Jones, Steve Doogs, and Sherriff Joey Kyle all battled hard for the 'top cop' award. After a few cautions late in the event things really heated up as Weaver and Kyle's battle resumed in a furious run to the front with paint trading and bumper tagging while the drivers tried to hold onto their positions. In the end, with the fans on their feet and four competitors nose-to-tail for the win, it was Sgt. Weaver came away with the victory over Jones, Doogs, Kyle, Kyle McIntyre, and Richard Bradley.
Battle of the Badges Results
Heat One: 1) Officer Richard Bradley-St. Joseph PD, 2) Lt Patrick Hawkins-Jefferson County, 3) Commander Larry Ward, Sedalia PD, 4) Kyle McIntyre-Holt's Summit PD, 5) Detective/Sgt. Jimmy Patton-Troy PD, 6) Ben Haines-Spingfield FOP, 7) Sgt. Troy Smith-Springfield FOP
Heat Two: 1) Capt. Mike Jones-Cameron MO Dept. of Corrections, 2) Sherriff Joey Kyle-Christian County, 3) Steve Doogs-Kansas City FOP, 4) Senior Deputy Officer Jason Conn-Callaway County, 5) Capt Zim Schwartze-Columbia PD, 6) Lt. Brian Ward-Lincoln County, 7) Sgt. Aaron Bolinger-Cole County SD
Heat Three: 1) Sgt. Steve Weaver-Jefferson City FOP #19, 2) Bruce Mitchell-Camdenton, 3) Jason Yeager-Morgan County, 4) Sgt. David Ryan-St. Louis County, 5) Patrolman Jason Worthley-Lake Ozark Water Patrol, 6) Detective Anthony Boettigheimer-St. Louis FOP, 7) Travis Stone-Camden County SD
Feature Event: 1) 7) Steve Weaver, 2) 5 Mike Jones, 3) 50 Steve Doogs, 4) 49 Joey Kyle, 5) 540 Kyle McIntyre, 6) 3 Richard Bradley, 7) 31 Larry Ward, 8) 296 Jason Yeager, 9) 16 Jason Conn, 10) 1 Patrick Hawkins, 11) 22 Ben Haines, 11) 110 Jimmy Patton, 12) 458 Brian Ward, 14) 624 Bruce Mitchell, 15) 207 Zim Schwartze, 16) 98 Jason Worthley, 17) 13 Aaron Bolinger, 18) 34 David Ryan, 19) 68 Anthony Boettigheimer, 20) 55 Troy Smith, 21) 09 Travis Stone
Advanced tickets are now on sale for the two race events during the 2010 Missouri State Fair. The first event takes place on Tuesday, August 17 when the Lucas Oil Sprint Bandits make their first-ever appearance at the storied fairgrounds along with the Mid America Modified Series (MAMS) and ULMA Late Models. In keeping with the wingless-themed night, the MAMS and ULMA competitors will run without their. Racing will once again close out the fair on Sunday, August 22 when the MLRA and NCRA super late models come rolling into town along with the Winged Outlaw Warriors 360 Sprint Cars. Advanced tickets may be purchased by logging onto the official website of the 2010 Missouri State Fair at www.mostatefair.com. Tuesday, Aug. 17. Hot Laps 7 pm / Heat Races 7:30 pm, Adults: $27, Senior (65+) / Military: $25, Kids 6 - 12: $12, Kids 5 & Under: FREE. MLRA / NCRA Late Model Challenge (Midwest Late Model Racing Association / National Championship Racing Association) and WoW 360 Sprints (Winged Outlaw Warriors). Sunday, Aug. 22, Hot Laps 5:30 pm / Heat Races 6 pm, Adults: $18, Senior (65+) / Military: $15, Kids 6 - 12: $8, Kids 5 & Under: FREE.
Official Missouri State Fair Speedway Corporate and Business Partners: Aflac, Ditzfield Transfer, W-K Chevrolet, Rick Ball Ford, Subway, Don's Towing, Greg Smith Ford, Show Me Asphalt, Kiowa Line Builders, Diamond Pet Foods, Mid MO Auto Sales, i-land Internet Service, Pepsi, Midland Sports Cards, Budweiser, Specialty Sports Wear, Advanced Image Systems, Miller Lite, Impact Sign and Lighting, All Star Bail Bonds, Hunt's Communication w/Dish Network, Missouri Army National Guard, Michael Ross Foundation, Hoosier Tires, Sunoco, KRCG TV 13, Millard Family Chapels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Bill Sharp's BBQ, Goody's Steak Burgers, and South 65 Sonic.
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