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Ashley Berry
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (November 20) - The Lucas Oil MLRA awarded nearly $50,000 in cash and contingencies at the Annual MLRA Championship Banquet held this past Saturday at Harrah's Casino in Kansas City, Missouri. Coffeyville, Kansas' Al Purkey became the MLRA's only 7-Time Champion taking home the Champion's share. Cross Timbers, Missouri's Evan Hubert finished in seventh in overall points standings earning Rookie of the Year honors. (more banquet photos follow story)
A social hour kicked off the night. Emcee of the event, Trenton Berry from RacinDirt.com welcomed everyone and invited 4th in points standings and respected driver, Joe Kosiski to deliver the meal prayer. Dinner was served as the room filled with camaraderie and laughter, remembering the year's accomplishments. Following dinner the ceremony began by recognizing Lucas Oil MLRA Series Sponsors, MLRA Tracks and all those who make the series possible.
The Lucas Oil MLRA honored the top 14 drivers. These 14 drivers competed in at least 70% of series races in 2010. All drivers in the top 14 received a portion of the points fund, contingency awards, an embroidered coat from Hoosier Tire, a Crystal MLRA Mug and a custom designed 3D plaque from Impact Sign & Lighting. In the 14th spot was Eric Turner. Turner from Hermitage, Missouri drove the Steve Rushin Motorsports 99T and the Pannell Motorsports 33X throughout the season. Turner scored his first career win with the series at Lakeside Speedway in October.
JD Hubert was a Rookie of the year candidate finishing third in Rookie standings, finished 13th overall. JD is the driver of the 7J Lucas Oil Products, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Longhorn Chassis. Alan Vaughn driver of the 22V Pinnacle Career Institute, GRT had a season best finish of third at the I-80 Speedway, finished the season 12th in points. Vaughn is a past MLRA series champion. Alan took time to thank his sponsors as well as present plaques to his supporters.
In the 11th position was John Anderson. Anderson won the season opening race as well as the mid-summer race at 24 Raceway in Moberly. Bill Koons finished the season in 10th in his Billy's Café #29 Shaw Race Car. Henderson, Colorado's, Kelly Boen had the most wins with the MLRA in 2010 with six victories and finished 9th in overall points. Boen drives the 07 Road Runner Fabrication, Rocket.
Justin Asplin of Birch Tree, Missouri finished second in the Rookie of the Year competition and 8th overall. In Asplin's first year with the series, he was consistent only missing one race event. Asplin drives the 77A B & A Lumber, Rocket. Finishing just ahead of Asplin was Rookie of the Year, Evan Hubert. Driver of the 9E Lucas Oil Products, Rockstar Energy Drinks, MasterSbilt finished the season in 7th place. Lloyd Collins of Fast Track Photos congratulated Evan with a custom printed throw blanket displaying his race car. Hubert was also awarded a commemorative trophy.
Finishing in 6th was Jeremy Payne with teammate Terry Phillips in the 5th spot. The Andy's Frozen Custard crew had many memorable moments in 2010 including, Phillips record breaking win in Coffeyville, Kansas. Payne also won back to back races in September. 4th in points was Omaha, Nebraska's, Joe Kosiski. Kosiski is a Late Model Hall of Fame member. Joe attended every MLRA race in 2010, in his Patrick M. Pinney Contractors #53 MasterSbilt.
The top three drivers each held the top spot in the point's race at different times during the season. Finishing in third was Dave Eckrich. Eckrich claimed his first MLRA win at Lucas Oil Speedway in August. The driver of the 58, Precision Performance, Hawkeye Harley Davidson, Barry Wright Race Car also attended every race in 2010. Brad Looney of Republic, Missouri finished in the second position by two points to series champion Al Purkey. Looney drives the #14 Federal Protection Incorporated, Victory Circle by Moyer. In his first season racing full time in the Lucas Oil MLRA, Brad also attended each race event.
The final driver welcomed to the stage was champion, Al Purkey. Purkey thanked his many supporters and showed his appreciation by giving out Championship trophies. In addition to the series championship trophy, Al received a plaque from Larry Shaw noting his accomplishments and a custom throw blanket from Fast Track Photos. Al is the only driver to have seven championships with the series. Purkey ended his season driving the #33 Purkey Auto Salvage, Shaw Race Car. He finished the season with 1 win, 12 top 5 finishes and 18 top tens. Purkey also had 100% attendance at Lucas Oil MLRA events.
The Lucas Oil MLRA would like to congratulate all the drivers who participated in the 2010 race season. The series would also like to thank the track owners and promoters for their continued support, as well as all of the sponsors who made the season a success.
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