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David Smith Jr.
MAYETTA, Kans. (July 24) - Four-time champion and current series points leader Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado reached a milestone with the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division has he notched his 50th career series victory as the series made their third ever appearance at Thunder Hill Speedway in Mayetta, Kansas on Saturday night in a rain shortened affair.
Boen, aboard his Road Runner Fabrication/Peterson Fluid Systems sponsored Rocket chassis started on the pole for the twenty-five lap feature with J.D. Hubert alongside at the start but it was third starting Terry Phillips, aboard the Don Baab Motorsports owned, Andy's Frozen Custard sponsored, Hatfield Racing Engines powered GRT, quickly got by Hubert and challenged Boen in turns three and four with Boen edging out Phillips to lead lap one.
Boen was a rocket out front and quickly set sail away from the rest of the field during the early stages of the race.
Fifth starting Alan Vaughn caught Phillips on lap three and took over the runner up position as Boen had stretched out to a half stretch lead by lap six.
Ninth starting John Anderson worked his way past Phillips near the races midway point for the third position and was setting his sights on Vaughn before the first caution of the feature fell on lap fourteen when Jeremy Payne of Springfield, Missouri came to a stop at the top of turn four.
On the restart Boen again motored away from the rest of the field as the series career leading feature winner once again stretched out to a half stretch lead by lap eighteen.
Lap nineteen saw the pace slow once again, this time for third running Anderson has he shredded a tire on his Shop Quik Convenience sponsored, Roush-Yates powered MasterSbilt chassis and came to a stop in turns one and two.
The restart once again saw Boen motor away but behind him the battle for the runner up waged as Vaughn had his hands full with Purkey. Both drivers battled each other for several laps before Purkey drove past Vaughn in turns three and four with five laps to go.
The night's final caution would wave with three laps to go when Jason O'Brien came to a stop in turn two. Before the race could be restarted, the skies opened up as the rain that had threatened the event throughout the evening finally came causing officials to call it a complete show.
Not only was it his 50th career series victory but Thunder Hill Speedway was also the tenth different track where he has won at least one series feature event.
Purkey would settle for second with Vaughn coming home third. J.D. Hubert came home fourth while Eric Turner rounded out the top five.
The three heat races for the twenty-one car field were won by Delbert Smith, Phillips and Boen.
The next stop for the O'Reilly/NCRA late model division will be this coming Saturday night (July 31) at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, Kansas. From there the tour will make their second and final stop on the season at the home of the NCRA, 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas.
The Brake Man - Anderson
Peterson Fluid Systems Half Way Leader - Boen
Saldana Racing Products Runner Up - Purkey
The Joie of Seating Runner up - Purkey
Rod End Supply 3rd Place - Vaughn
Real Wheels 5th Place - Turner
Hooker Harness 8th Place Finisher - Zeitner
A Feature: 1) Kelly Boen 2) Al Purkey 3) Alan Vaughn 4) J.D. Hubert 5) Eric Turner 6) Terry Phillips 7) Bo Egge 8) Corey Zeitner 9) Jase Kaser 10) Delbert Smith 11) Tom Charles 12) Dave Conkwright 13) Ron Tex, Jr. 14) Jason O'Brien 15) John Anderson 16) Jeremy Payne 17) Mark Ronnebaum 18) Wylan Petrie 19) David Brach 20) Ray Kampsen 21) Evan Hubert
1st Heat: 1) Delbert Smith 2) J.D. Hubert 3) Alan Vaughn 4) Corey Zeitner 5) Jase Kaser 6) Tom Charles 7) Wylan Petrie
2nd Heat: 1) Terry Phillips 2) Al Purkey 3) John Anderson 4) Jeremy Payne 5) Ron Tex, Jr. 6) David Conkwright DNS: Evan Hubert
3rd Heat: 1) Kelly Boen 2) Eric Turner 3) Jason O'Brien 4) Bo Egge 5) Dave Brach 6) Ray Kampsen DNS: Mark Ronnebaum
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