Swearengin makes it two in a row at Speedway USA!
By Tim Berier

July 2, 1999; Bolivar, MO. - Springfield’s Tim Swearengin has put his Pontiac in the O’Reilly’s winner circle for the second week in a row at Speedway USA.

Swearengin had to start from deep in the field with his previous week’s win came to the front in a hurray and too the checkered flag from Leo Morgan. It wasn’t easy getting to the front as Steve Simmons, Steve Holt and Larry Phillips battled in front.

When  Phillips and Holt got together on lap 8, Swearengin was in position behind Steve Simmons and it was long til he took the front position. Phillips and Holt had to go to the back of the pack but made their way  thru the field to get near the front once again. Simmons finished second, third place - Steve Holt, and fourth spot went to Larry Phillips.  Rounding out the top ten spots were 5th - Roy Chism, 6th - Jim Chism, 7th - Sam Payne, 8th - Randy Besser, 9th - Mitchell Moore and 10th - Mike Hoover.

Springfield’s David Bates came home the big winner in the O’Reilly Auto parts Modified feature. Bates was able to find the fast way around the track as he dominated the field. Second place Jay Bates tried to put the heat on his brother was unable to make up the time in the 15 lap feature.  Richland’s Brian Schutt finished third, Bryon Kapica - fourth and Jim Hayes - fifth. Sixth place went to lendall Alexander and seventh spot was Jim Cates.

It was the mid season championship for the Street Stocks as Toby harden was able to hold off hard charging Scott Johnson for the win.  Lebanon Mike Shaddy took third place. Steve New, who was on the track for the first time this season, came in fourth.  Fifth place went to Clyde Long, 6th - Jared Brown and 7th Andy Jenkins.

David Rich claims it’s the driver and not the car, as he dominated the field once again in the Pure Street division for the mid season championship. Rich had his work cut out as he had to make it thorough a large field of pure streeters to claim victory. Jeff Richardson placed second and Robert Claunch placed third.  Fourth spot went to Cleo Jasper, 5th - Don Scoggins, 6th - Chuck Fers,  7th - Greg Cherry, 8th - Jerry Garretson, and 9th - Gail Rowden.

The Baby Grands were also on hand this Friday evening as the put nine cars on the 3/8th mile oval. Dusty Cromer battle Chet McDowell for several laps before he was able to pull off the move that would give him the honors of accepting the trophy in the Powerwash Winner’s Circle. McDowell would finish second and Neal Kimble finished third. Chad Cup of Oakville made his way for the fourth spot, 5th Jim Bush, 6th - Mark Bartley, 7th- Shane loney, 8th Mark Laxton and 9th - Randy Evans.

It was to be a exciting finish as they went six wide as the checkered flag was about to fall in the Bolivar KART Series heavy division. When the smoke cleared it was Bryan Neely taking home the trophy and the big payoff of the evening. Shawn Brock finished second, Chris Newman - third
and Travis Jones - fourth. Fifth place went to Roy Jones, 6th - Steve Fairfield, 7th - Bradley Neely,  8th - Troy  Young, 9th - Jim Yates, and 10th - Jeremy Schumard.

The medium division crowned Blake Haughland its winner of the evening, Bryan Neely coming home second.  Corey Brinks, - third, 4th - Tara Vaught, 5th - Shawn Brock, 6th - Chris Newman,  7th - Steve Fairfield, 8th - Travis Jones, 9th - Roy Jones, and 10th - Bradley Neely.

Go KARTS Junior II division, Tyler Wolf took home the trophy over John Gibson, second. Third spot went to Daniel Shirley, 4th Jacob Magnin, 5th - Robbie Bryant, 6th - Jeremy Rasussen, 7th - Will Vaught, 8th -  Ashley Bates, 9th - Kenny Huffaker and 10th - John Huffaker.

This coming Friday evening will be added laps for the late models and modifieds for their mid season championship. Gates open at 5:30 with racing action at 8:00. Come see four divisions of NASCAR racing along with Bolivar KART Series each Friday night.

Additional information: Heat Race Results-

Street Stocks: Heat One:  Toby Harden, Scott Johnson, Mike Shaddy
                        Heat Two:  Not Held

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

Grand American late Model: Heat One: Ricky Icenhower, Randy Besser, Sam Payne
                                                 Heat Two: Tim Swearengin, Steve Simmons, Larry Phillips

Pure Street: Heat One: Cleo Jasper, Don Scoggins, Chuck Fers 
                      Heat Two: David Rich, Jeff Richardson, Jerry Garretson