September 21, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - The much awaited Larry Phillips ShowMe ShowDown at the Lebanon Midway Speedway Was held Sat night with a full moon and a full grandstand as over 70 race teams checked in the 3 classes running as many would hope to hear from the 5 time Nascar Weekly Racing Series National Champ.
The Late Model feature saw a star-studded field of Sat Night shorttrackers from 6 different states check in as the top 8 in qualifying would redraw for starting spots among the 28 car field. As qualifying began,Wisconsin Driver Dave Lawrence set the early pace with a 15.198 time until Buffalo veteran Driver Sam Payne took his Phillips Chassis Monte Carlo to the top spot at a 15.080.As car would continue to click off quick laps, Lebanon Veteran and 99 track champ Ken Dickinson really set the field with a 15.028 and looked to be the fast man of the evening. 2002 Champ Tim Swearengin who wasn't in his starting spot was only given 1 lap at the end and set the pole time of 14.981.On the redraw, Rookie standout Tony Jackson Jr would draw the pole after setting 4th fastest of the evening with Oklahoma Rookie David Stover taking the outside draw followed by Dickinson, Swearengin, Payne, Jerry Kelley, Lawrence, and Iowa hotshoe Johnny Spaw. To start the 125 lap grind,the drivers saluted the capacity crowd with a wonderful 4
wide salute and fireworks galore. Quickly following a red came out for issues discussed later. On the restart,Jr once again took over,but Dickinson shot to the inside to try the rookie early and then fell in behind.Meanwhile the battle behind was outstanding as Holt, Stover, Spaw, Payne and about 4 others were swapping spots back and forth. On lap 52, the yellow would wave again as Toby Harden lost a right front tire and collected the front stretch wall along with Red Denney, and Payne ending there night. On the restart-Swearengin started his charge to the front as Jr was still in control.The T-n-T Dou continued this battle back and forth unti laround lap 64 when Swearengin made the pass around. On lap 70 Arkansas Driver Adam Cain Collected the frontstretch wall ending his night.T he restart saw the battle continue as Dusty Cromer and Rick Peden were charging hard along with Jim Hunt, Jerry Kelley, Spaw and Tom Ritter with around 14 cars still on the lead lap. A small late caution on lap 88 would set-up a dramatic climax as Swearengin and Jackson continued the battle of Lebanon,slicing through the lapped traffic and staying close. On lap 101 the pace got even quicker as they set apart themselves from a hard charging Dickinson, Stover, Holt,and Spaw battling for position. This nose to tail battle went until lap 123 when Jackson set up for the pass going through traffic and Swearengin staying up high.Heading for the white flag the capacity crowd arose as Jackson looked inside and Swearengin looked outside going through the traffic as the checkered flew Swearengin held on as Jackson went sliding across the line on the infield followed by Dickinson, Stover, and Holt on the lead lap. Also completing the lead laps were Spaw, Peden, Kelley, and Cromer. "The kid gave me a handful tonight and raced me clean!"quoted Swearengin in the winners circle. "I didn't even have time to talk to my coyote (a stuffed mascot that sets beside Tim), but his ears were raised all the time, this was a great race and tops off a wonderful season" In the Modified Feature, 24 took the green with Terry Smith and 2002 champ Dale Roper setting the early paces with Roper finally pulling ahead.Caution would wave on lap 13 for Chris Johnson with Ron Myers now starting to make some noise along with the Oklahoma Kid Marty Castens after starting deep in the field. The star-studded field feature tonight Roper with 4 track titles,2001 I-70 Mod champ Randy Ainsworth,2001 Lebanon Champ Jim Hayes, 1998 I-70 champ Kent Crane, 1999 I-70 champ Jack Dean along with 2 time points runner-up Brian Schutt.Roper seemed to be good on the long runs as after the restart he pulled ahead again. On lap 28,the yellow would wave as Johnson lost it in turn 4 putting Myers behind Roper after finally getting around Terry Smith making his first Lebanon Start.As the laps were winding down,Myers really turned up the wick and pulled along side the leader.Going down the backstretch,Roper and Myers made some contact with Roper spinning around on lap 38. Myers would take control to record his second victory of the season as Roper who restarted 16 really thrilled the crowd in the final laps as he came charging through the field. With Myers pulling away,the battle for second was between Smith who ran no lower than third and Castens. As they recieved the white flag, Roper moved into the top 8 and was coming hard.At the checkered it was Myers $1250 richer followed by a close finish with Smith, Castens, Smooth riding Brian Schutt,and Terry Holtkamp. In Bomber action, Jason Woods took control at the start and held off a hard charge from Jr. Knutsman to record the victory. On a sad side note-Car Owner Donnie McCarty of Buffalo passed away around 1am after suffering chest pains in the pits. Donnie who owned the 2002 Title winning car driven by Dale Roper was a very respected man in the pits. Always know for having top running and good looking equipment, Donnie became a car owner for local area top drivers after driving several seasons himself. In 1991-McCarthy hooked up with Bolivar second Generation Driver Mike Goldsberry to take the Mighty modified in top contention. In 1992 McCarthy and Goldberry finished second to Ricky Icenhower in the Bolivar Point standings and finished thirs in the NASCAR SUNBELT Regional standing going down to the wire on the last night. In 1993 they made yet another trip to Nashville finishing in the top 10 again. 1994&95 would find McCarthy running not only local shows but also several traveling ARTGO Late Model Specials. McCarthy thrilled the Bolivar Crowd for an ARTGO EVENT by putting local resident Tony Roper in the Late Model, and Roper came through the last chance races to charge from 22nd into the top 10 that night. McCarthy then hooked up with veteran driver Dale Roper in the Modified ranks and ran mostly at I-70 Speedways before returning back to Lebanon this season and captured the 2002 season title. Donnie owner of McCarthy Well Drilling is survived by his wife Pat,and follows a brother Wayne in death. McCarthy very close to the area drivers in the Buffalo/Bolivar area was known for bringing out the best in crew people and drivers. Sidenotes-Larry Phillips came out at intermission to what seemed to be
a standing ovation and talked alittle and even did some quiet autographs to some lucky
fans.He discussed the wonderful support he recieved from all and was in good
spirits.Mentioned it made him feel good to see some old friends and a wonderful turnout. Results Late Models- |
