July 6, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - As mother nature dropped a brief shower on the asphalt at Midway Speedway, five racing divisions along with the visiting Legends cars from Oklahoma and Texas blazed the 3/8this mile high banked oval.
In three classes, the winner was determined, on the final lap,
coming down the homestretch. David Bates, managed to defend off point leader Dale Roper
and young Marty Castens in the modifeds. Robert Reeves pulled And if that was not enough, the Legends cars came in to visit and Cain Case took his second victory in as many tries at Midway Speedway. Then it was on to the death defying antics of Jerry Wallace. Wallace last season took a school bus and jumped over 4 cars, end to end. He upped the challenge this year with a total of six cars. With everyone sitting on the edge of their seats, Wallace made one pass, gathered up speed and coming out of turn four he headed for the ramp. Up and over, surpassing the six cars, and the crowd went wild. Wallace listened for the crowd as they want him to do eight cars next season. In the Late Model Division, it was an early led for Tony Jackson, Jr. But what the fans wanted to see all year, was the 2-time Tracks champion and current point leader, Tim Swearengin lining up side by side with the rookie Jackson. By the luck of the draw, and by winning their heat race, this is what happened. It was a side by side, nose to tail, fight for the top spot. But in a late caution, where Jackson was leading, the two drivers would be putting their plans for their next moves on the restart into actions. It was Jackson taking the green, but Swearengin would have no part. They both had been sideways a few times coming out of turn four, and Swearengin would find a little more power to overtake Jackson. But when the white flag fell, it was Jackson making his move in turn two, around he went and held off for the victory. Swearengin would come in second. It was Archie Griffin, holding off last weeks feature winner Steve Holt for the third and fourth spot. And visiting the Midway Speedway, David Jackson took home fifth. He has missed most of the season so far due to a blown engine earlier in the season, and Robert Reeves showed on the first turn of the first lap, that he was going to be a contender in the Late Model Sportsman. Reeves dove to the inside and Gary Klossner to the outside on the green flag start. But Klossner came up slightly ahead of Reeves. Reeves seemed to have the best in the corners, but Klossner would pull him down the straight aways. It was Reeves trying high and low, until he managed to get up along side of Klossner, and then kept his foot in the gas and pulled away for the lead and his first ever win in the Sportsman Division. Chris Nichols, who finished third behind Klossner, seemed that he might challenge early, but the battle up front kept him behind the leaders. Sam Payne, took home the fourth place honors, and Scotty Atkinson took home fifth. In the modified division, it was David Bates holding off a last minute
charge from Dale Roper and Marty Castens, Jr. Castens had led early in the race defending
off challenges from Jim Hayes, David Bates, and Lendal Alexander. But halfway through the
25 lap feature, Bates managed to get around Castens. Castens never gave up, keeping
himself tied to the bumper of Bates. While this was going on, Roper was managing his way
throughthe field, and when a caution came out with only five It was more than he had to handle most of the season, as Steve Maddux, held off
charging Aaron Douglas for another trophy in the Super Street Stock Division. Douglas,
having one of his best performances of the season, took to the point leader looking for
his first win of the season. Maddux would have to take his #52 red camero to the sweet
part The Pure Street Division had a couple of tense moments, the first being the
crowd was watching Missy Shaw in her #90 machine hold off 17 other pure streeters. She
muscled her way around the asphalt, until with a little aggression, she got tapped and
around she went, along with Robert White and Ron Stokes. This sent the young lady from
Rogersville Eagleburger took the point and the pure streeters continued, until the #41
machine of John Roberts got a tap from Jason Goring. Roberts hit the front wall, this hit
point leader Jason Otto, blowing his tire and sending him up and over in front of the
grandstand. The crowd went silent, the safety crew went to work, and Otto climbed unharmed
from his totaled machine. In later comments, Otto agreed it was a wild ride, it happened
quickly and he was trying to steer the #8 machine, but They had been here once this season so far, and the Legend cars made their
second appearance to the Midway Speedway. And making his second appearance to the
O'Reilly's Winner Circle, Cain Case out drove his opponents on this night. Second
place finisher, Randy Reason was several car lengths behind, but closer in the third and
fourth spots were Chad The final activity of the night was a treat, as Jerry Wallace took is stars and stripes school bus, up and over 6 cars. Wallace attempted and barely cleared four cars last season, but this year his attempt and success was far better, never getting close to the cars. Next week, all five divisions will be running and on July 20th, Coca Cola/ Dr.
Pepper brings to you, 'Beat the heat' night. That would be 2-adults, 2-kids,2-hot dogs,
and 2-cokes for only $18. And do not forget, on July 26, that is a Friday night, Lone Oak
Printing will bring to you the second 150 lap Enduro of the season. To date over 55 cars
have registered for this event. Payoff is to be in the $2500 to $3000 range to win. |
