July 13, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - It is one thing for the drivers to try and outrun each other at Midway Speedway, but with a threat of rain, the drivers outran Mother nature this past Saturday night in some fierce competition on the high banks of the 3/8ths mile oval.
Taking his first win with the Super Street Stocks, Aaron Douglas took the checkered flag from Jeff Morgan. After spending many hours this week building a new car after his was totaled the previous week, Jason Otto put himself back in the O'Reilly's Winners Circle in the Pure Street Division. Making the crowd sit on the edge of their seats, if they were not standing, Tim Swearengin charged past Steve Holt on the last lap to take the trophy in the Late Model Division. Repeating for another victory, Dale Roper held off Marty Castens in the Modifieds, and it was Gary Klossner making his way back for his third win of the season in the Late Model Sportsman Division. The fans thought they seen the best race of the season in the Late Model Division last week, but once again, the drivers came forward and brought another spectacular finish. Taking charge early in the race, Springfield's Steve Holt was the man to beat on this night. But after a hard fought second place finish on the previous week, Tim Swearengin had other plans. Swearengin moved into third, following Archie Griffin for several circuits. Swearengin would finally make his way past, but also coming up was Tony Jackson Jr., last week's feature winner. Swearengin came quickly on Holt and managed to get his nose past him a few times, but Holt wound up regaining the top spot. Then it happened, as it did the previous week, Swearengin managed to
get his front end around Holt in turn four on the final lap, and just by a nose,
Swearengin takes the victory. Holt would come home second, and Jackson would finish third. With added monies from AMSOIL, the Late Model Sportsman ran extra hard it
seemed. Rolla's Gary Klossner took the pole position when the green flag fell, and he only
looked back , to see Scott Atkinson in his rear view mirror. Atkinson tried several groves
on the track to make the pass, but this night belonged to Klossner. Atkinson would stay in
the second spot, with Robert Reeves taking third. Brian Schutt had a better finish in his
#2 ride, coming in fourth and it was Sam Payne with What a weekend for the young driver from Lebanon, Aaron Douglas. On
Thursday he welcomed a new addition to his family, a baby girl. Then on Saturday night,
after several good finishes all season, he drove his heart out and took his first victory
in the Super Street Stock Division. Douglas was a little worried when the red flag came
out after an incident that left Jared Brown up on the entrance to the track without a rear
tire. Brown was able to return later and would finish eighth. Point Point leader Dale Roper started in the second row of the 25 lap modified feature, and would come away with another victory on the season. But it was not all that easy, as the young driver from Oklahoma, Marty Castens Jr. would hound Roper all 25 laps. Castens tried everything he could to get his machine around Roper, passing a few times, but Roper would come back to take the lead. All the while, Jim Hayes was third, until a late race incident with Greg Cherry would send him to the rear of the field. That would put Ron Myers in third, Myers looked strong on the night. Myers would finish in that third spot, with David Bates in fourth and Jay Bates fifth. In his last outing in the Pure Street Division, Jason Otto found himself with a totaled machine. But, his determination never wavered, as he and the members of Victory Lanes Motorsports, would gather a different machine, work day and night for a solid week, and all the hard work paid off. Otto would climb into the O'reilly's winner Circle with an impressive win, as he battled his way to the front. Ron Stokes, was the front runner for most of the night., as he put his machine in front and defended the top spot, until a caution came out with oil on the track from a blown motor in the Robert White machine. This would put the cars side by side on the restart, Stokes held on for a while, but Otto managed to handle his new ride to another victory on the season. Stokes would come home in the third place finish, as last week's feature winner, Mark Eagleburger quietly made his way to the front and finished second. Matt Hamner, second in points came home fourth and it was Dusty Rhoades finishing fifth. Next week, 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. The modifieds will be running a 30 lap feature with added money. 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 56 cars have registered for this event. Payoff is to be $3000 to win. And mark your calendar for the First Annual Larry Phillips Showme
Showdown. Twill be September 21, with late Models running for $3000 to win in a 125 lap
feature. Also on the card, the mighty modifieds will be running a 50 lap feature, with
$1000 towin, $1250 if there are 26 cars or more and the bombers will be running a 30 lap
feature. Regular admissions for all specials. For more information you can contact the
Speedway office at 417-532-2060. |
