July 27, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - With sadden hearts, fans drivers and speedway staff gathered to pay last tribute and honors to the passing of modified driver Richard Post. Post succumbed to a heart attack during the modified feature race the previous week.
As everyone looked on, the drivers took their cars, pit crews stood in turn four, and respect for their fallen driver was delivered. In a remarkable show of support, on lap 24 of the 25 lap feature, the modified drivers pulled off the track, only with the #71 showing on the scoreboard as the leader of the modified race, Richard Post was awarded the victory. "What a remarkable tight knit group the modified drivers are to honor Richard in this fashion", stated track announcer Ronnie Williams to the crowd. "The drivers felt there was only one winner tonight, and that was Richard Post." With the hardest part of the evening still fresh in the minds, the other divisions had to take to the high banks of the Midway Speedway to compete. In repeat fashion, it was Late Model point leader Tim Swearengin, with another victory, Gary Klossner-Late Model Sportsman, and Steve Maddux - Super Street Stock, posted wins as well. In the Pure Street Division, Jason Otto extended his point lead with a victory, and bring home the trophy in the Baby Grands, Carl Edwards, who had been running a few Craftsman Truck and Busch race stood tall and proud. The newest division to come to the track, the AMSOIL Mini- Stocks, it was "Big" Al Thompson posting a win. The first race of the evening , the mighty modifieds thundered to the asphalt. Leading early Dale Roper and David Bates, in a back-up car battled to the front. But sneaking and making his way from back in the pack, was last week's feature winner, Marty Castens. Castens had posted his first victory last week, and he wanted to taste it again. Coming up to the front by lap 18, Castens drove to the outside of front runner Dale Roper and passed him in turn two. A late race caution came out, and the group closed up, but on lap 24, all the cars slowed down, pulled to pit road, and they said that the victory and monies for that top spot should go to Richard Post. So, Leo Morgan, dropped the checkered flag, the scoreboard had only one number on it and the #71 was first to victory. Castens would take second place and Roper was third, Ron Myers - fourth and Jim Hayes rounded the top five. He has been in the O'Reilly's winner circle several times this season, but a strong run by Jerry Kelly, gave Tim Swearengin a run four the money in the Late Model Division. Kelly had took the green and put his machine out front early and showed that you was going to have to beat him down the front stretch to win. Challenging Kelly early in the race was Archie Griffin and Steve Holt. Holt bobbled midway through the race and lost momentum, sliding to the middle of the field. Swearengin took the opportunities as the came and on lap 20, challenged for the lead. For several laps, side by side, Kelly and Swearengin traveled the oval. But with a determined push to the front, Swearengin took the lead and another victory on the season. Kelly finished second, with Griffin third. Moberly's Jerrick Johnson took fourth place honors and Tom Ritter, St. Louis, rounded the top five. Not a newcomer to victory lane, Steve Maddux posted the victory in the Super Street Stock Division. It was Steve Shaw, looking for the win, taking to the point and being challenged only at the time from Aaron Douglas. Maddux, starting from the rear of the field , had to pick his way through and watched as the two front runners battled, as he was gaining track positions. The three finally became one pack, and Shaw went high to the outside, Douglas and Maddux went low. On the next circuit it was Maddux taking charge of the race, and the win. Douglas came home second, with Aaron Harden third. Shaw slipped to fourth, and Jeremy Kelley finished fifth. Donating part of his winnings, as did Tim Swearengin, to the Post family, Gary Klossner made it another mantle piece with his win in the Late Model Sportsman. Klossner jumped out to a big lead, but a late race caution coming out for Sam Payne, who was a front runner, went off in turn one. The car suffered severe damage and had to be hauled to the pits with both wreckers. This let Robert Reeves close the gap, and try to make it two-in-a-row. But Reeves would try high and low to make the pass, but Klossner wanted the win. Reeves would have to settle for second, with Scott Atkinson third. Chris Nichols and Brian Schutt finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Several weeks ago, he totaled his car, then worked day and night to put
another one together, and Jason Otto has posted his second win since the big wreck in the
Pure Street Division. But, this trip was not easily won. Crocker's Trent Harrison, fresh
off a Friday night special race victory, wanted to sweep the week end racing action.
Harrison came close several times, once side by side, but Otto was able to hold off the
charge and take the win. Harrison would finish second in front of third Traveling quite a bit lately in the Craftsman Truck Series and making an appearance in the Busch Series at Gateway, Carl Edwards worked his way to the front and added another victory in the Baby Grand Stock Car Association. Edwards had to get around Troy Brown, who has been in victory circle also this season. Brown would mange to take second place on this night with Chad Culp third. It was Randy Davenport fourth and rounding out the top five was Eric Rudd. On Friday night, the second of three 150 lap Enduros was held. It was Dave Williams, lapping the entire fireld of over 60 cars to take home the check for $3000. Seocnd place went to Tim Brown and finishing in the third spot was David Bates. Alos on the card was the late Model Sportsman, and Sam Payne took the victory. Pure Street winner on the night was Trent Harrison, along with Chad Culp winning the Baby Grands. Mark your calendar for the First Annual Larry Phillips Showme Showdown. It will be held 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 to win, $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. Late Models 150 Lap Enduro: 1.Dave Williams-Springfield,2.Tim Brown-Stoutland,3.David Bates-Fair Grove,4.Joe Lampe-Springfield,5.Karla Lampe-Springfield,6.Josh Morgan-Lebanon,7.Tommy Lewis-Rogers,Ark.,8.Matt Pilant-Lebanon,10.Eric Lampe-Springfield,11.Charlie LeFores-Lebanon,12.Scotty Atkinson-Conway,13.Brian Crawford-Lebanon,14.Bill Lee-Lebanon |
