6/20/2018
RacinBoys
MLRA heads to Rock Rapids and Park Jefferson
By Billy Rock (Wheatland, MO) -- For the first time since May 26th, the Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association (MLRA) will hit the dirt this weekend as they embark on the series northern most weekend of the season. A combination of new and old tracks will await the series drivers as they make stops at Rapid Speedway along with a return visit to Park Jefferson International Speedway.
On Friday night June 22nd, the MLRA will make their long awaited and inaugural appearance at the Rapid Speedway. Located on the famed fairground in Rock Rapids, IA, this 3/8 mile dirt oval is known for its wide turns and three wide racing action which is something that fans will see plenty of when the MLRA rolls into town on Friday night.
PHOTO: Tony Jackson Jr. (56) enters the weekend 2nd in MLRA points while Payton Looney (15) is close behind in 4th. Looney also leads a heated Sunoco Rookie Battle--CREDIT: Lloyd Collins FastTrackPhotos
Rapid Speedway will mark the third new venue to date in 2018 for the MLRA, and one that Series Director Ernie Leftwich has had on his bucket list for a number of years. "I've had my eye on Rock Rapids for a few years now, and we were finally able to get a second stop worked in with it to make it happen this year." Leftwich went on to say, "I am really excited to get to Rock Rapids. It looks to be one of the good old fairgrounds type race tracks where the guys will have to get up on the wheel and really get after it."
Friday's $3,000 to win event is quite possibly the biggest open late model event to hit the Rapid Speedway to date, and one that has the town buzzing with excitement leading up to race day.
Saturday night's action will migrate south to Park Jefferson International Speedway, situated just north of Sioux City, Iowa. The unique 4/10th mile semi-banked oval, returns to the MLRA schedule for the first time since 2015. Former series winners include Kelly Boen, Jesse Stovall, and Chad Simpson.
Dating back to the days of the NASCAR Winston Racing Series and Busch All-Star Tour, PJ has a rich history of open late model racing that the MLRA and its drivers will look to revive this weekend. Another $3,000 payday will await Saturday night's victor.
Simpson will carrier the bright yellow Midwest Sheet Metal spoiler into the weekend's action as he sits atop the standings just 74 markers ahead of Tony Jackson Jr. Crane Missouri's Will Vaught is in 3rd followed by a pair of Sunoco Rookie Candidates in Payton Looney and Wisconsin driver Mitch McGrath.
Another series driver who is eager to get back behind the wheel this weekend is former MLRA winner, JC Wyman. Already with a runner-up finish this season at Davenport, the Griswold, IA driver is feeling confident heading into the weekend. "I really like PJ. The last time there we had a top ten finish and back then it was a learning curve for us, so I am looking forward to getting back there and doing it again."
While he may not have had the results he wanted at the recent "Show-Me 100", Wyman came away encouraged. "We tried a bunch of stuff at the Show-Me, from set up to the way I was driving the car, and things started to go in the right direction again." Our finishes at the Show-Me were not as good as what I felt like we raced each night. We fired off good, but the cautions really cost me."
Wyman also comes into the weekend 3rd in the Casey's General Stores Hard Charger Standings and is ready to get his Jack McKee Racing entry back to the front. Wyman concluded, "Winning one of these MLRA races is tough, but I know we can get back inside the top five and start to string some top five's together and see where it goes from there."
This weekend will be the first of three consecutive weekends of action for the MLRA as point battles begin to heat up. Combined with other regional late model series having an off weekend, both stops are shaping up to be highly competitive events that fans will not want to miss.
Rapid Speedway: Rock Rapids, IA Race Day Info-- 6/22
Gates: 5:30 PM
Racing: Hot Laps - 7:00 PM, Races to follow
Admission: Adults $20, Students/Seniors $18, Kids 12 & under FREE
Support Classes: USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Modifieds, USRA Hobby Stock, Sportsmans
Website: http://www.rockrapidsspeedway.com
Park Jefferson International Speedway: Jefferson, SD Race Day Info 6/23
Gates: 5:00 PM
Racing: Hot Laps - 6:30 PM, Races to follow
Race Day Admission: Adults $25, Seniors 70+ $20, 6-16 yrs, $10
Advance Tickets Online: Adults $19, Seniors 70+ $15, & 6-16 yrs $5
Support Classes: IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Sprints, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts
Website: http://www.parkjeff.com
For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at http://www.MLRARacing.com.
Fans may also "like" the Lucas Oil MLRA Facebook page by clicking http://www.Facebook.com/lucasoilmlra or follow us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MLRA.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
