Welcome to Heartland Motorsports.com                                                                                                                           Welcome to Heartland Motorsports.com



Track Schedules

 Driver Profiles  Danny Howk Photos Racing Links
Discussion Board Weather News Archives Advertising


Phillips Charges Past Berck to Score 99th Career Lucas Oil MLRA Win

GREENWOOD, NE (July 2, 2010) - Springfield, Missouri Veteran Terry Phillips scored a thrilling Lucas Oil MLRA win in front of a standing room only crowd at I-80 Speedway over Marquette, Nebraska's Kyle Berck in the finale of the Midwest-Trifecta Challenge. Berck appeared to have the field solidly covered but a series of late race cautions allowed Phillips to utilize the double file restarts to systematically work his way to the front and overtake Berck with 6 laps to go scoring his 99th career Lucas Oil MLRA win and third in a row. Belton, Missouri's Alan Vaughn followed Berck to the stripe to take the third spot with 6-time MLRA Champion Al Purkey finishing in fourth. Jason Utter crossed the line in fifth at the finish.

Bellevue, Nebraska's Corey Zeitner and Tiffin, Iowa's Denny Eckrich led the 30 car field to the green flag as Eckrich led lap number one with Chad Simpson side by side. Simpson made the move past Eckrich to lead lap number two as the action was fast and furious on the wicked fast I-80 Speedway oval. The first caution flag of the night flew on lap #2 as MARS Rookie contender Gary Christian slowed on the backstretch after changing the complete rearend housing following damage in his heat race.

On the restart, Simpson set the pace as the field roared past the packed grandstands followed by Eckrich, Kyle Berck, Corey Zeitner, and Lucas Oil MLRA Rookie of the year contender Evan Hubert. Kyle Berck shot to the cushion and charged to the front to lead lap #3 in a thrilling side by side battle with Simpson. With 10 laps in the books it was Berck by 10 car lengths over Simpson and Denny Eckrich. Berck methodically worked lap traffic as the 30 car field settled in for a long green flag run as the racing was fast and furious throughout the pack.

At the halfway point it was all Berck as he continued to slice and dice his way through traffic in his Ford powered Dorothy Lynch Salad Dressing sponsored Lazer Chassis. The caution flag flew for the second time of the night on lap #16 as Dylan Smith, driving Al Humphries orange 6H spun coming out of turn 4 just in front of the leaders. On the restart, it was Berck followed by Chad Simpson, Denny Eckrich, and a fast charging Chris Simpson. Berck set a torried pace inches from the outside wall as a three wide battle ensued behind between Chad Simpson, Denny Eckrich, and a hard charging Terry Phillips who had also started deep in the field after transferring through a B-Main.

Justin Asplin slowed in turn #1 with just 8 laps remaining to bring out the third caution flag of the night stacking the field once again behind the leader Berck for the Delaware Double File restart. As the field raced down the backstretch going into turn #3 on Lap #23, racing contact between Lucas Oil MLRA point leaders, Brad Looney and Dave Eckrich resulted in Eckrich suffering an apparent flat left front tire sending him to the pits for fresh Hoosier Rubber.

As dominant as Berck was throughout the night, Terry Phillips lined up on the outside of row #2 and powered by Berck on the restart with 6 laps to go as the savvy Springfield, Missouri Veteran saved his best for last. Corey Zeitner brought out the fifth caution flag of the night after spinning in turn #2. Phillips now at the point with six laps to go was trailed by Berck and a pair of former Multi-Time MLRA Champions Alan Vaughn and Al Purkey with Jason Utter now also in the Top-5.

A terrific battle ensued for the lead with Phillips running the high side and Berck on the bottom but it was Phillips by 5 car lengths at the finish over Berck with Alan Vaughn in third, Al Purkey in fourth, and Jason Utter in fifth.

Phillip's Don Babb Motorsports GRT Racing Chassis is powered by a Hatfield Racing Engine with sponsorship support from Andy's Frozen Custard, New Vision Graphics, Integra Racing Shocks, and Port City Racing. The $3,000 to win Co-Sanctioned Main Event was slowed six cautions. 44 Lucas MLRA Late Models Checked into the pits tonight.

Heat race winners included Evan Hubert, Corey Zeitner, Denny Eckrich, Chad Simpson, and Alan Vaughn. Joe Kosiski, Jeremy Payne, Greg Larson, Terry Phillips, Jason Utter, and Dylan Smith each captured spots in the A-Main through their finishes in the B features. MLRA Series provisionals were awarded to Al Purkey and J.D. Hubert, MARS Provisionals were awarded to Gary Christian and Leroy Johnson. NCRA Provisionals were awarded to Wylan Petrie and Bill Koons. Brian Kenkel and Jason O'Brien earned Track Provisionals to fill out the 30 car A-Main Starting Field. Notables not making the race included Delbert Smith, Bryant Goldsmith, Andrew McKay, Kurt Kile, and Zac Simmons. Missing from tonight's action were Chris Smyser and 2008 Lucas Oil MLRA Champion John Anderson. Complete and updated Lucas Oil MLRA Points standings will be available at www.mlraracing.com .

July 2nd Contingency Award Winners:
Performance Bodies Nosepiece Award- Alan Vaughn
KRC Product Certificate- Bryant Goldsmith
BSB Manufacturing Award- Zac Simmons
Weld Wheels Certificate- Alan Vaughn
Keizer Wheels Product Certificate- Greg Larson
Out Pace Race Products Certificate- Scott Koskovich
Racing Optics Certificate- Joe Kosiski

Lucas Cattle A-Feature Results:
1. Terry Phillips (Springfield, MO), 2. Kyle Berck (Marquette, NE), 3. Alan Vaughn (Belton, MO), 4. Al Purkey (Coffeyville, KS), 5. Jason Utter, 6. Kelly Boen (Henderson, CO), 7. Brad Looney (Republic, MO), 8. Denny Eckrich (Tiffin, IA), 9. Dave Eckrich (Oxford, IA), 10. Evan Hubert (Cross Timbers, MO), 11. Jeremy Payne (Springfield, MO), 12. Matt Johnson (Archie, MO), 13. Mike Wiarda (Aurora, NE), 14. Joe Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 15. Jason O'Brien (Atlantic, IA), 16. Justin Asplin (Willow Springs, MO), 17. JD Hubert (Cross Timbers, MO), 18. Bill Koons (Omaha, NE), 19. Brian Kenkel (Elkhorn, NE), 20. Chris Simpson (Oxford, IA), 21. Corey Zeitner (Bellevue, NE), 22. Travis Dickes (Madison, NE), 23. Chad Simpson (Mt Vernon, IA), 24. Eric Turner (Hermitage, MO), 25. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 26. Leroy Johnson (Battlefield, MO), 27. Wylan Petrie (Solmon, KS), 28. Andrew Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 29. Gary Christian (Broken Bow, OK), 30. Greg Larson (Plattsmouth, NE),

AAA Insurance B-Feature #1 Results:
1. Joe Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 2. Jeremy Payne (Springfield, MO), 3. Greg Larson (Plattsmouth, NE), 4. Scott Koskovich (Omaha, NE), 5. Rob Moss (Iowa City, IA), 6. Andrew McKay (Minneapolis, MN), 7. Ron Tex Jr. (Papillion, NE), 8. Dwane Pospisil (Lincoln, NE), 9. Leroy Johnson (Battlefield, MO), 10. Brian Kenkel (Elkhorn, NE), 11. Wylan Petrie (Solmon, KS), 12. Mike Wallace (Carter Lake, IA), 13. Kurt Kile (Nichols, IA), 14. Jase Kaser (Lincoln, NE)

Impact Signs and Lighting B-Feature #2 Results:
1. Terry Phillips (Springfield, MO), 2. Jason Utter, 3. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 4. Al Purkey (Coffeyville, KS), 5. Delbert Smith (Wichita, KS), 6. Jason O'Brien (Atlantic, IA), 7. Bill Koons (Omaha, NE), 8. Bo Egge (Kearney, NE), 9. Zac Simmons (Erie, KS), 10. Mollee Collins, 11. Alonzo Grosse (Council lBluffs, IA), 12. JD Hubert (Cross Timbers, MO), 13. Bryant Goldsmith (Corning, IA), 14. Gary Christian (Broken Bow, OK)

AFCO Products Heat #1 Results:
1. Evan Hubert (Cross Timbers, MO), 2. Dave Eckrich (Oxford, IA), 3. Travis Dickes (Madison, NE), 4. Al Purkey (Coffeyville, KS), 5. Joe Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 6. Andrew McKay (Minneapolis, MN), 7. JD Hubert (Cross Timbers, MO), 8. Zac Simmons (Erie, KS), 9. Mike Wallace (Carter Lake, IA)

Weld Wheels Heat #2 Results:
1. Corey Zeitner (Bellevue, NE), 2. Justin Asplin (Willow Springs, MO), 3. Matt Johnson (Archie, MO), 4. Rob Moss (Iowa City, IA), 5. Greg Larson (Plattsmouth, NE), 6. Leroy Johnson (Battlefield, MO), 7. Kurt Kile (Nichols, IA), 8. Mollee Collins, 9. Gary Christian (Broken Bow, OK)

BSB Manufacturing Heat #3 Results:
1. Denny Eckrich (Tiffin, IA), 2. Kyle Berck (Marquette, NE), 3. Brad Looney (Republic, MO), 4. Chris Simpson (Oxford, IA), 5. Jason O'Brien (Atlantic, IA), 6. Jason Utter, 7. Bill Koons (Omaha, NE), 8. Wylan Petrie (Solmon, KS), 9. Jase Kaser (Lincoln, NE)

Powertrain Industries Heat #4 Results:
1. Chad Simpson (Mt Vernon, IA), 2. Eric Turner (Hermitage, MO), 3. Scott Koskovich (Omaha, NE), 4. Andrew Kosiski (Omaha, NE), 5. Ron Tex Jr. (Papillion, NE), 6. Bo Egge (Kearney, NE), 7. Brian Kenkel (Elkhorn, NE), 8. Dwane Pospisil (Lincoln, NE), 9. Alonzo Grosse (Council Bluffs, IA)

Tompkins Industries Heat Race #5 Results
1. Alan Vaughn (Belton, MO), 2. Kelly Boen (Henderson, CO), 3. Mike Wiarda (Aurora, NE), 4. Terry Phillips (Springfield, MO), 5. Dylan Smith (Osceola, NE), 6. Bryant Goldsmith (Corning, IA), 7. Jeremy Payne (Springfield, MO), 8. Delbert Smith (Wichita, KS)

The Lucas Oil MLRA now heads to the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa on Saturday night, July 3rd. The Pit gates will open at 4:00pm with the grandstand gates set to open at 5:00pm. Adult admission is just $15, Youth (13-18) are $10, and 12 and under are FREE. NASCAR Whelen All American Series Hobby Stocks, Pro-Stocks, and Modifieds will be racing in support of the Super Late Models. This event will also be co-sanctioned by the NCRA and the MARS Dirtcar Series. Pit passes will be $30 for adults and $10 for minors.

The evening will end with a spectacular fireworks show courtesy of the Adams County Fair and Racing Association. Even the concession stand will be celebrating the holiday with a special platter of Ray's smoked pork and his world famous baked beans. The Adams County Speedway is located at the Adams County Fairgrounds in Corning, IA, 1 mile north of Highway 34 on Highway 148, then east on 12th St. You may call the track office on the day of the race at (641) 322-4184. For additional event information and detailed directions, please visit www.acspeedway.com.
The Lucas Oil MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa.
For all the latest news and information on the Lucas Oil MLRA please visit us on the web at www.MLRAracing.com or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.

The Lucas Oil MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2010 Tour including Lucas Oil Products, AAA Missouri, Hoosier Race Tires, Lucas Cattle Company, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, AFCO Racing Products, GRT Race Cars, Powertrain Industries, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bodee's Race Bodies, Outpace Racing Products, Weld Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting, Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing Components, Performance Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Bilstein Shocks, BSB Manufacturing , Keizer Wheels