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Dan Robinson
BUCKNER, Mo. (March 19) - The O'Reilly MLRA Presented by Lucas Oil Products is proud to announce that Zach Goulden, Matt Johnson, and Rylan Long have formally announced their intention to vie for the prestigious MLRA Rookie of the Year Award in 2009. "We have several more candidates that have shown interest in competing for the top rookie as well, but these three alone will be worth the price of admission", stated MLRA Promoter Harriett Chancellor.
Gladstone, Missouri's Zach Goulden has been racing for 5 years, most recently running 305 Sprint Cars, after having spent almost 2 years in the ultra competative MOLS 1200 Lightning Sprints. This will be the 19 year olds first foray into the full fendered 700 plus horsepower Dirt Late Models. Zach will be piloting the #49 GRT Racecar in '09 with a Bob Morton Enterprises powerplant under the hood. Sponsors include Tompkins Industries, Dr. Spotless Car Wash, Simpson Race Products, and Rod End Supply. He is a past recipient of the Fox 4 "Reaching for Excellence" award, holds a first degree black belt in karate, and gives much of his own time to serving others in his community working with the Clay County Sheriff's DARE program. Zach can be reached at zachgoulden@yahoo.com.
Matt Johnson will be piloting his familiar black and red 5j this season, only this time it will be in a Dirt Late Model as a traveling star with the O'Reilly MLRA. Matt began his career in 2001 running a Street Stock at the Adrian Speedway the day before his high school graduation. He quickly progressed into Open Wheel modifieds winning the Adrian Speedway Track Championship in 2004. Matt will be piloting a GRT by Phillips in '09 with a Scott Bailey Racing Engine under the hood. Sponsors include Mazzio's Pizza in Harrisonville, Sherwood Heating and Cooling, T-Bones Car Wash, All-State Electric, and Daniel Turner Excavating. Matt is 26 years old and resides in Archie, Missouri. This will also be Matt's first experience in a Dirt Late Model.
At 19 years old, Lockwood, Missouri's Rylan Long is the most experienced of the three drivers having won the last two Late Model Track Championships at the Lucas Oil Speedway. Rylan began racing Street Stocks at the advanced age of 10 years old at Wheatland Raceway. Rylan will be in his familiar yellow and green #18 GRT with a brand new all aluminum Hatfield Racing Engine under the hood. Rylan has sponsorship support from Sean Holman Insurance, Town & Country Tire, MFA Propane, Darrel Jenkins Heating & Cooling, and Julian Concrete. As a second generation racer, Rylan owes much of his racing success to his Mom & Dad as without them, none of this would be possible. Rylan can be reached at hammerjr18@live.com.
The MLRA would like to welcome these fine young drivers as they campaign for the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award. If you would like to declare your intent to run for 2009 RoY, please contact Harriett Chancellor at (816) 650-5063.
The first race of 2009 is right around the corner, as I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, NE hosts the first event on Saturday night, April 4th. Hot Laps are set to get underway at 6:00 with racing to follow at 6:30. IMCA Modifieds and NASCAR Pro Ams are also on the card. General Admission is $15. Click www.neracewaypark.com or www.mlraracing.com for more details and directions.
The O'Reilly MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) presented by Lucas Oil sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA please visit us on the web at www.MLRAracing.com or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.
The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2009 Thunder Tour including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil Products, Tompkins Industries, Hoosier Race Tires, Lucas Cattle Company, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop, Taylor Cable Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Bilstein Shocks, BSB Manufacturing, Tanner Racing Products by MB
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