June 1, 2002; Lebanon, MO. - As fans, drivers and staff gathered for two nights of racing, their hearts were heavy with the passing of founder and owner of the Lebanon and Bolivar Speedways, Bill D. Willard. Mr. Willard brought asphalt racing to the Ozarks outside his hometown of Sleeper, MO. In Saturday night's opening ceremonies, donned with all cars and pit members lining the speedway, three laps were ran in his honor with the missing man formation of an open pole position. ..
A special tribute from Matt Sutcliff at intermission, a special firework display, was just another one of those special things that Mr. Willard brought to the local community. Announcer Ron Williams said it best when he talked of the racing family and the racing community, spirited with competition and the desire to win, realize that they are all part of of very special family. On Friday evening, the first every Bill Willard Memorial Enduro hit the asphalt with Joe Lampe taking home the $4000 check. Lampe took the lead midway in the race after several drivers led part of the 150 lap event. These enduro cars are set up with regular tires and it was impressive to watch some of the unexperienced drivers make their way around the 3/8th's mile oval. With no cautions on the track it was tricky to insure that you made it around lapped
cars, cars that were going into the pits with blown tires, blown motors and overheating
problems. But when the checkered flag fell it was Lampe first, followed The Baby Grands have had the opportunity to show their wares, as they have been on the card all season to date. In another repeat performance, Carl Edwards took his Laxton owned machine to the front and held off Troy Brown for the win. Brown took second and Chad Culp was third. Saturday night, all six classes took to the high banks of Midway Speedway. It was Tony Jackson, Jr. taking the Late Model Division, Sam Payne getting his first win of the season in the Late Model Sportsman and Jay Bates getting his first of the season also in the Modified Division. Jason Otto took his #8 Chevy to the front in the Pure Street, as Steve Maddux got another victory in the Super Street Stock. Breaking the streak of Carl Edwards, Troy Brown took the trophy in the Baby Grand Stock Car Association. He started from the pole, took the green and managed to take his #56 Monte Carlo to about a 12 car advantage. Tony Jackson, Jr. could see in his rear view mirror he could watch the battle of Archie Griffin, Steve Holt and Ken Dickinson taking place for that second place. As that battle took place, Jackson would add to his lead, but sneaking up from the eleventh place spot was Tim Swearengin, who has dominated the season so far. With only 8 laps remaining, the second of two cautions in the race came out as Tim Gittimier spun in turn four and this brought the pack together. Swearengin had moved to fourth, with Holt and Griffin ahead of him. When the green dropped, Jackson managed to break away from the pack with a four car lead, but Swearengin had managed to pass Griffin and Holt with 3 laps to go. Jackson, stayed out in front and took his second Late Model win of the season. Swearengin finished second, ahead of Griffin. Steve Holt came across the line in fourth and Sam Payne took fifth. The mighty modifieds have been stiff with competition this season. As many as seven or
eight potential drivers could take the win on a given night. This night belonged to Jay
Bates. Bates had to run down Ron Myers, as he lead the early part of the race. Myers lead
a freight train of cars around in the 25 lap feature, such as David Bates, Dale Roper, Jim
Hayes and Terry Holtkamp. When the checkered flag fell, it was brother and 5-time
track champion David Bates second. 2002 point leader Late Model Sportsman 20 lap feature, put Sam Payne in the O'Reilly's winner circle. It
was green, white, checkered for Payne. Payne was challenged hard,from second place
finisher, Robert Reeves. Last weeks feature winner and point leader Scott Atkinson,moved
his way from the back of the field to finish third. Richland's Brian Schutt came out a
strong fourth. Schutt has been doing double duty in the Modified and Late Model Sportsman
divisions. Rounding out the top five is Gary The flying dairy farmer from Richland, Steve Maddux added another win to his credit.
Maddux had to start from the rear of the field, with his previous week's win to take the
victory. Aaron Harden took the early lead in the Super Street Stock feature, but Maddux
with the help of a late race caution was able to position himself right behind Harden. On
the restart it was Harden taking the led, but on the back stretch, Maddux made his move
and when they came out of turn one, after some They are starting to call it the Jason and Jason show in the Pure Street Division. That
is Jason Woods and Jason Otto. In a heated battled, one that had fans on the edge of their
seat, Jason Woods and Jason Otto, went round and round for several laps side by side. But
in a last lap bump and grind, Woods got a little loose and that let Otto slip by for the
victory. Otto added to his point lead with the victory. Woods would come home second, and
Jason Goring third. Trent Harrison, brought After announcing Friday night that he would be in the Craftsman Truck Series when they
run in Memphis, could Carl Edwards keep his streak alive was the question. When Leo Morgan
dropped the green flag in the Baby Grand feature, Troy Brown had other things in mind,
such as this was going to be his night for victory. And it was to be, Brown took a huge
lead earlier, but a caution came out when several cars got together coming out of
turn four. The only car to suffer in the four car The Midway Speedway will be back in action this next weekend with the popular 10000 penny scramble for kids 12 and under. This event will be held at intermission and will have the kids searching for those
valuable pennies worth more than just 1 cent. Cash prizes and other goodies are in store
for the kids along with the regular racing program this Sat.night. Heat Results: Late Model : Late Model Stock:
Modified: Super Street: Pure Street: |
