Down to the wire for season championships at Lebanon I-44 Speedway

  • September 12, 2006

LEBANON, Mo. -- The pressure for several drivers ends this Saturday night at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway. Saturday will be the last points race of the season, crowning track champions in five different classes.

New to the speedway this season was the sanctioning of two classes by national racing series. Late Models, sanctioned by UMP, have been racing not only for a track season championship, but state, regional and national points standings as well. Brad Looney of Republic currently stands in several of those lists and sits atop the track points standings.

The Modified division was also sanctioned by USRA, adding extra incentives for the Modified drivers at the track. Justin Neuman of Crocker is currently the USRA track points leader, up a mere 25 points from Jeff Cutshaw of Prescott, Kan., the defending Modified track champion. USRA pays a track and national points fund.

Factory Stocks, Super Stocks and Bombers will all be racing as well, with several drivers trying to clench their points achievements. Rookies will also be racing.

The track will also be sponsoring a fundraiser for the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation on Saturday night. In memory of Landon Adrian, a drawing will be held with all proceeds benefiting the SADS Foundation.

The SADS Foundation is a national organization that supports the proper diagnosis, treatment and research of conditions like Long QT Syndrome. LQTS, a disturbance of the heart's electrical system, can cause fainting or seizures during exercise or excitement, chest pain or shortness of breath and even sudden death.

For more information on SADS Foundation, see sads.org.

The season championship will not be the last race of the season. The 4th Annual Larry Phillips Memorial Race will be held Sept. 22 and 23 with a total purse of $80,000 offered. Late Models will feature a MARS-UMP Challenge, with Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Super Stocks, DLRA Legends and Bombers all racing.

A driver's banquet will be held in the following weeks, awarding drivers with their points funds. The date will be announced soon.