The CMH Late Model Showdown at the Lucas Oil Speedway, July 21st!
By Dan Robinson

WHEATLAND, MO (July 18) - The Lucas Oil Speedway set to shake, rattle, and roll this Saturday, July 21st as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the O'Reilly MLRA converge on the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" for the CMH Late Model Showdown. Boasting a top prize of $10,000 to win, $700 to start, and a 50 lap feature, this show promises to be one of the biggest dirt late model events of the year. The Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds will also be in action as they showcase their talents in front of the touring pros. Advance tickets are available by calling the Speedway Box office at (417)282-5984 with Visa/MasterCard accepted.

Muscatine, Iowa's Brian Birkhofer is expected to be on hand to try for three in a row after winning the last two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned events at the speedway including the prestigious $25,000 to win Diamond Nationals in May.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is led into this weekend's action by 2-time series champion and 2006 World 100 winner Earl Pearson Jr. driving Bobby Labonte's familiar blue #44. The Silver Shark, Scott James comes into this weekend's action just 75 markers behind Pearson, with 2007 Dream 100 winner, Steve Casebolt sitting in third spot just 5 points behind James. The rest of the top ten who are all expected to be at the Lucas Oil Speedway this weekend include the Million Dollar Man and 4-Time World 100 winner, Donnie Moran from Dresden, OH, Billy Drake of Bloomington, IL, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI, Damon Eller of Crumpler, NC and Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY. Other drivers expected to be on hand include "The Southern Gentleman" Freddy Smith, "The Real Deal" Don O’Neal, "Mr. Smooth" Billy Moyer, and Mooresburg, Tennessee's Scott Bloomquist.

Belton, Missouri's Alan Vaughn leads the O'Reilly MLRA contingent into battle as he holds a slim 40 point lead over current Springfield, Missouri resident Jeremy Payne out of the Phillips/Kuntz racing stable. Former Champion Al Purkey from Coffeyville, KS sits in third spot just two points behind Payne. Willow Spring's Gary Stolba and David Turner from Adrian Missouri round out the top 5 in points. The rest of the MLRA top 10 includes the all time MLRA win leader Terry Phillips, Jason Bodenhamer from Centerview, MO, Kansas City, Kansas's Larry Clauson, John Anderson from Omaha, NE, and rounding out the Top 10 Scott Drake. Leading Rookie of Year contender Ricky Frankel from Quincy, Illinois sits in the 11th position in the season long point's battle.

Spectator gates open at 5:00pm on Saturday with a driver autograph session. Hot Laps are scheduled to begin at 6:30 and racing action is set to get underway at approximately 7:00pm. The Pit Gates will be open at 12:00pm. Adult admission (18-61) is $20 with Teens and Seniors just $15, race fans 6-11 are $5, and children 5 and under are admitted free to the speedway for this special event. Pits passes will be $25.

There will be free self contained camping available. Please visit the all new www.lucasoilspeedway.com  for information concerning directions and accommodations.

For the latest information on these and all events sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series please visit www.lucasdirt.com .

For the latest information on these and all events sanctioned by the O’Reilly MLRA please visit www.mlraracing.com .

The track features a MUSCO Stadium lighting system, an "award winning" audio system featuring premium Bose speakers, and a Jumbo-Tron Video Board with Real-time scoring and timing. For your comfort, 21 luxury VIP suites are available for rent on an annual or nightly basis.

Lucas Oil Speedway is located 5 Blocks south of US Highway 54, on State Highway 83, in Wheatland, MO. To learn more about the Lucas Oil Speedway and the 2007 schedule of events, fans may call the Speedway office at (417) 282-5984 or visit the track's website at www.lucasoilspeedway.com .