September 7, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - With the end of the season nearing, some drivers were still searching for their first victory. Ron Myers went green, white checkered to take his first ever modified feature race, as well as Steve Shultze who dusted off his AMSOIL mini stock and took the trophy. Jason Otto - Pure Street, Steve Maddux - Super Street, and Gary Klossner - Late Model Sportsman all but wrapped up the track titles in each division with their feature win. It was his sixth feature win of the season, as rookie Tony Jackson Jr. took the Late Model victory.
Finishing out what will probably be his last appearance at the Midway Speedway
for the season, Carl Edwards did his patented cartwheel-back Dr. Pepper night gave way to a thirty lap Pure Street feature, and it seemed that for a while everyone had a shot at the win. Missy shaw lead early until a caution flag came out. Double file restarts would put drivers such as Ron Stokes, John Roberts, and Dusty Rhoades at the front. But coming from the eleventh starting position, Jason Otto battle hard towards the front. Otto and Rhoades took it side by side for several alps, until that little slip by Rhoades let Otto make the final pass and secure not only the victory, but his first ever track championship. Rhoades would finish second, with Matt Hamner third. The battle for fourth was won by Ron Stokes, with John Roberts fifth. In the modified division, it was a seven car freight train. Ron Myers took
the green and his first ever victory in the modified class. The battle for second on back
was anyone's guess as Jay Bates, Terry Holtkamp, Brian Schutt, Marty Castens, and Jim
Hayes made their way around the high banks of the Midway Speedway. When it was all said
and done it was Castens, Bates, Schutt and Hayes the top five. Point leader and track
champion Dale Roper finished in the seventh position after Unless the sun does not come up, it looks as Steve Maddux will be crowned as the Super Street track point champion. Maddux has dominated this division, but several drivers have given him a ride for his money. On this night it was Aaron Douglas jumping out to a lead that would evaporate as maddux made his way to the front. Maddux looked for Douglas to slip, but Douglas handle his car well, and Maddux had to out muscle the #7 HomeDoc machine of Douglas. Douglas had to settle for a strong second, Andre Stake would take the third spot and finishing fourth would be Steve Shaw. Having a good run to finish fifth was Josh Woody. In what was the tightest point battle of the season in Gary Klossner took the victory and one step closer to the track title in the Late Model Sportsman. Klossner had to get around the 36 machine, driven this wee by Chris Nichols. Nichols would come in second. Ken Dickinson, substituting for Paul Moore in the #88 machine, came across the line in third as Brian Schutt took fourth. Doing his first double duty, it was Ron Myers taking fifth. They finished last and next to last the previous week due to mechanical problems. This week they finished first and second in the Late model feature. Tony Jackson Jr, jumped out to a straight away lead over the rest of the fields, as TIm Swearengin, who will take his third-in-a-row track championship had to come through some lap traffic to finish right on Jackson's bumper at the checkered flag. Jackson has had feast or famine in his rookie season with either wins or DNF's. But with his sixth victory in the Late Models, Jackson feels that his season has been really productive. Jackson told the crowd that next season, he intends to shake the dnf's off and finish strong each and every race. second place finisher, Swearengin will take his third season track championship. Steve Holt has had a strong season, but has come up a little short in the points against Swearengin. Holt finished third on the night, followed by Archie Griffin - fourth and Jerry Kelley -fifth. He brought out his mini mod after setting for three years, and in his
first race back to the trophy home with him in the Amsoil Mini stocks. Steve Shultze
jumped out to a lead over the rest of the field to come home the winner in his first ever
appearance at Midway Speedway. Terry Shulte came away with second, as last week's feature
winner, John Wagner Telling the crowd that he has enjoyed driving at the Midway Speedway and it
might be his final appearance, Carl Edwards took the patented cartwheel - backflip
he does as he drove the #9 A&W machine to another victory. Edwards, will be driving in
the Craftsman Truck series this Friday night at Texas Motor Speedway. Finish second,
Chester McDowell This coming week will be the track championship race, with the drivers lining up
heads up. Then on September 21st, it is the first ever Larry Phillips Show-Me Showdown.
Over 20 plus Late Models will take to the track, as drivers are coming from Kansas,
Oklahoma, Illinois, and Wisconsin to try and tame the high banks and take the $3000 to win
purse. Also on the card, the might modifies will be thundering the asphalt for 50 laps
with $1000 to win guaranteed. With a 26 car field, The last race of the season will be the final enduro held on
September 28. The Super Streets will be also on the card. Late Model Stock:
Modified: Super Street: Pure Street: |
