Phillips Doubles at Speedway USA!
By Tim Berier

July 16, 1999; Bolivar, MO. - When flagman Leo Morgan dropped the green on the
mid-season championship Friday nigh, he did not know that all havoc would breakout before the completion of the first lap.

It was a make-up race from the previous week’s rainout, but the Grand American late Models took the track for the fifty lapper, Sam Payne and Jim Chism were leading the rest of the field to the end of lap one, then it happened. Payne got loose going into turn four, Chism by his side went spinning and the rest of th field began piling up. When all the tire smoke cleared the fans and officials saw Jim Hunt setting on the top of Jim Chism’s car. It took officials some time to clear the mess, Hunt retired but Chism went to the pits and returned before the green was dropped.

All this excitement left Ricky Icenhower, Tim Swearengin, Steve Holt and Larry Phillips near the front of the field. After 14 laps, Mike Hoover and Randy Besser got together bring out the second caution of the night.

On the restart everyone charged to the front, but coming out in the top spot was NASCAR champion Larry Phillips. Phillips took the championship trophy along with a big paycheck for the feature win.  Tim Swearingin took second with Ricky Icenhower coming in third.  Steve Holt, Springfield, place fourth, Steve Simmon’s - 5th, Sam Payne-6th, Jerry Kelly- 7th, Mike Hoover-8th, Booby Wood - 9th and Tim Parsons -10th.

In the regular feature of the evening of True Value Night, Larry Phillips once again took the win with Tim Swearengin taking second. Steve Holt improved from the earlier race with third spot and Steve
Simmons took fourth. Ricky Icenhower was able to finish fifth and Same Payne wound up sixth.  Seventh place went to Bobby Wood, Jerry Kelly - 8th, Ron Polodna - 9th and Mike Hoover -10th.

Once again taking the trophy in the O’reilly Winners Circle, David Bates took the win in the modified division. Jim Hayes, trying to catch bates all evening had to settle for second and Brian Schutt finished third.  Jay Bates finished in the fourth spot, Bryan Kapica took fifth, Jim Cates took sixth and Lendall Alexander finished seventh.

In the Street Stock Division it was Toby Harden coming away with the victory. harden was followed to the line by Scott Johnson, second, and Andy Jenkins, third.  Fourth place went to Steve New, Robert Claunch-5th, Clyde Long - 6th, and Jered Brown finished seventh.

Pure Street Division also had a make up feature for their mid-season championship and it was David Rich taking the trophy. Jerry Garretson finished second and Steve Shaw finished third.  Rounding out the field was Jeff Richardson-4th, Roy Gladden-5th, Cleo Jasper-6th, Greg Cherry -7th, Leonard Underwood-8th, Don Scroggins-9th and Chuck Fers-10th.

The two top  positions were reversed in the Pure Street regular feature as Jerry Garretson went to the O’Reilly Winners Circle. Rich finished second and Steve Shaw was third. Roy Gladden came home fourth, Jeff Richardson-5th, Don Scoggins-6th, Cleo Jasper-7th, Greg Cherry -8th, Chuck Fers-9th and Leonard Underwood -10th.

The Baby Grands were once again on hand as Dusty Cromer captured another victory. Neal Kimble, Hot Springs Ark. place second and Mark Bartley was third. Finishing out the top five was Chester McDowell and Mark Laxton in that order.

The Bolivar KART Series had to make up a feature race in the Medium Division and it was one of three feature wins for Bryan Neely as he powered his kart to victory lane.  Neely was followed to the line in the first of two medium races by Tara Vaught and Bill Goins. Fourth position went to Sawn Brock, Travis Jones-5th, Matt Lakey - 6th and Greg Bahler -7th.

In the second feature for the medium division, Neely finished in the top slot, Travis Jones -2nd, Bill Goin -3rd, Chance Hines -4th, David taylor -5th, Bradley Neely -6th, Tony Johnson -7th, Matt Lakey -8th, Greg Bahler -9th and Tara Vaught -10th.

Robbie Bryant took the trophy in the Junior Division with John Gibson following a close second.  Third place went to Will Vaught, Jacob Magnim -4th, Jeremy Kelly -5th and JJ Gummond -6th.

Bryan Neely watched the checkered flag fall on his victory in the KART heavy division. Bradley Neely captured second and Shawn Broock finished third. Coming home in the fourth position was David Taylor, Chance Hines -5th, Travis Jones -6th, Larry Tracey -7th, Jim Yates -8th Jeff Stewart
-9th and Jon Cunnigham-10th.

Area residents in the Speedway USA area need to watch for area drivers displaying the cars and giving you an opportunity to save on admissions. Come visit the drivers and receive a two for one admission coupon for the grands stands. Speedway gates open each Friday night at 5:30 pm with
racing action beginning at 8 pm.

Additional information: Heat Race Results-

Street Stocks: Heat One:  Toby Harden, Scott Johnson, Andy Jenkins
                        Heat Two:  Not Held

O'Reilly Auto Parts Modifieds: Heat One: David Bates, Jim Hayes, Brian Schut
                                                     Heat Two: Not held

Grand American late Model: Heat One: Ricky Icenhower, Tony Jackson Jr. Jim Hunt
                                                 Heat Two: Tim Swearengin, Jerry Kelly, Steve Holt
                                                 Heat Three: Ricky Icenhower, Ron Polodna, Mike Hoover
                                                 Heat Four: Tim Swearengin, Steve Simmons, Larry Phillips

Pure Street: Heat One: David Rich, Robert Claunch, Cleo Jasper
                      Heat Two: Jerry Garretson, David Rich, Steve Shaw