Point leader Phillips tops NASCAR Grand Americans at
Speedway USA!
By Tim Berier

May 21, 1999; Bolivar, MO. - With a busy Friday night in the Ozarks, race fans turned out in force to see area drivers compete on the fast pace asphalt at Speedway USA.

In the first feature of the evening, Street Stocks took the track and it was to be the start of some wild action. Any one of four drivers battled for the top spot as Mfke Shaddy-Lebanon, Andy, Jenkins-Rogersville, Steve Maddux-Richland and Toby Harden-Ozark, tried to put their machines out front. Shaddy lead early in the race after passing Harden on lap 4, Harden had problems on lap 11 causing him to fall in the middle of the pack. Shaddy, who won his first race ever early in the year has been dominating ever since, took the checked flag. Jenkin took the second spot, followed by Jared Brown-Pleasant Hope, Maddux, Greg Shafer-Springfield, Harden, Scott Johnson-Battlefield, Randy Boyce-Willard, and rounding out the field Halfway's Clyde Long.

Before the green flag fell on the O'Reilly Auto Pads Modifieds, turn four saw several cars get together and bring out the yellow. Bill Driscot- Kansas City, Bryan Kapica-Buffalo, Jim Hayes-Crocker and Brian Brown-Lebanon got together and all were unable to take the green for the feature event of the night except Hayes.

Flagman Leo Morgan dropped the green and it was Jay Bates-Fair Grove and Dan Wohnoutka of Bolivar charging hard for the lead on lap two when Bates found his car on top on Wohnoutka in front of the grandstand. After pulling the cars apart, Hayes was in the front followed by David Bates, point leader, and Richland's Brian Schutt. Bates passed Hayes on lap 4 and never look in his rearview mirror as he pulled away from the field. As the checkered flag fell it was David Bates, Hayes, Schutt, Richard Furrell-Kansas City and Jay Bates the top five. They were followed by Jerry Garretson and James Cates, both of Bolivar, and Lendal Alexander-Springfield.

Thirteen Baby Grands invaded the asphalt at Speedway USA and saw Rick Johnson-Calgary Canada take the checkered flag over Indiana's Chad Ramsay. Johnson dominated the race as he pulled his car over a straight away lead over the rest of the field, After a few cautions, Johnson showed his power as he left the field several car length behind after each restart. Taking the third position was local ozark driver Dusty Cromer-Lebanon, Trent Brumley-Nixa, Lance Johnson Canada, and Del Smith-Bethard Colorado.

After a week away from the trophy spot, Larry Phillips-Springfield took home the trophy and added to his points lead. Phillips was in the middle of the field and watched Rtcky Icenhower-Fair Grove, and Springfield's Steve Holt battle for the top position. Springfield's Tim Swearingin, who has look strong all season was looking to get in the battle. But when they came to the finish line, Phillips took first followed by Holt, Swearingin, and making a good showing of the evening was Jerry Kelly-Walnut Grove. Springfield Mike Hoover finished in the fifth spot, Derryl Lockhart-Bolivar was sixth.

In the final feature of the evening, Pure Streets, Jerry Garretson-Bolivar once again took the trophy. It was a battle for Garretson as he had to plow his way through the field over last weeks winner, Steve Shaw-Rogersvllle and Robert Claunch-Halfway, along with others. Claunch was able to take second followed by Shaw, David Rich-Lebanon, Dan Polodna-Aldrich, Cleo Jasper-Buffalo, Chuck Fers. Marshfield and Woody Avey-Richland.

Bolivar KART Series took to the track earlier in the evening and paced themselves in three divisions. In the heavy division it was Chance Hines-Webb City taking home the trophy. Hines was followed to the line by Brad Neely-Bilfings and Travis Jones of Osceola, third. In the Medium Division it was Hines again with the trophy this time with Jones taking second and Neely taking third. In the Junior Division, Matt Morgan was first over John Gibson and Jacob Magnim.

This coming Friday night will see a full field of five division come to Speedway USA and on Sunday May 30th will be a special afternoon of racing. The Mid American Racing Series as well as the Legends cars will take the track. Gates will open at noon Sunday.

Additional information: Heat Race Results-

Street Stocks: Heat One:  Steve Maddux; Jared Brown; Greg Shafer
                        Heat Two:  Toby Harder; Andy Jenkins; Scott Johnson

O'Reilly Auto Parts Modifieds: Heat One: Lendal Aexander; Jim Cates; Dan Wohnoutka
                                                     Heat two: David Bates; Jim Hayes; Brian Schutt

Baby Grands: Heat One: Rick Johnston; Chad Ramsay; Lance Johnson
                        Heat Two: Trent Brumley; Dusty Cromer; Neal Kimble

Grand American late Model: Heat One: Jim Hunt; Sam Payne; Tony Jackson, Sr
                                                 Heat Two: Jerry Kelly; Larry Phillips; Steve Holt

Pure Street: Heat One: David Rich; Dan Polodna; Robert Claunch
                     Heat Two: Cleo Jasper; Steve Shaw; Chuck Fers