Marlar Wins UMP Feature; Payne Shatters Lebanon I-44 Speedway Lap Record

LEBANON, MO (June 19) - 40 Late Models and drivers representing 14 states, including California, Wyoming, and Wisconsin, hit the high banks of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway Tuesday night for the fifth stop on the UMP Summer Nationals Late Model tour that visits 28 Midwest dirt tracks in 30 days.

Area favorites like Terry Phillips and Billy Moyer, as well as I-44 favorites like Brandon McCormick and Brad Looney, raced for the $6000 prize, but it was Winfield, TN driver Mike Marlar who left the competition in his dust after taking over the lead from Moyer, who suffered a blown tire late in the race.

Prior to the 35-lap feature, Jeremy Payne set the new fastest lap record at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway during time trials. Payne's blistering lap of 14.28 was two one-hundredths quicker than a lap set by Phillips, and more than a half second faster than the previous record set by Chub Frank's 14.83 record in July 2006.

Since then, track owner Randy Mooneyham replaced the dirt with red clay, which has proven to be a much faster racing surface. It is likely the record set by Payne will not last after the World of Outlaw Late Models visit the Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Tuesday, July 3rd.

The high banked Lebanon I-44 was a welcomed change of pace for Marlar.

"We've been racing on these bull rings the last couple of weeks," said the winner of the 35-lap feature.

Early in the race, fan favorites Bill Frye, Phillips and Moyer fought for the lead, but Frye suffered an engine failure, while Phillips and Moyer blew tires. Phillips crashed after restarting in the back of the pack. Lebanon I-44 Speedway 2006 Late Model Champion Brad Looney was involved in an early crash that ended his night early. Lebanon driver Brandon McCormick enjoyed a Top 10 finish.

When asked how he plans to keep his focus over the course of the whirlwind UMP Summer National tour, Marlar had a practical response.

"Night by night, all we want to do is run good."

The UMP Summer Nationals Late Models are in Highland, IL, tonight. The tour returns to Missouri on June 23 in Pevely, June 26 in Poplar Bluff, and June 27 in Eldon. The final race is held on July 14 at the Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, OH.

Meanwhile, the Factory Stocks and Bombers ran non-points races Tuesday night. On a night of racing presented by Outlaw Racing Engines, both feature winners had the powerful engines under their hoods.

"It just seems to me that if you ain't got [an Outlaw Racing Engine], you ain't gonna win," said the Factory Stock feature winner, who had little problem holding off Jim Reeves and Tyson Troutman for the win.

Robert Reeves remained steady despite a late race challenge by Darrin Woody to capture the Bomber feature win Tuesday night.

This Saturday night will be a regular weekly show at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway, featuring the A-Modifieds and the 305 Sprint Cars. Factory Stock, B-Mods, Bombers and Rookies will also compete. Gates open at 5PM, Hot Laps at 6:45PM, and racing starts at 7:30PM. Call Randy Mooneyham for more information at (417) 732-2766.



Lebanon I-44 Speedway Results for Tuesday June 19 –


UMP Summer Nationals Late Model A-Main (35 laps):

1. 34 Mike Marler; 2. 42 Terry Casey; 3. 00 Randy Korte; 4. 55 Jeep VanWormer; 5. 71 Don O'Neal; 6. 27 Rodney Melvin; 7. Z28 Randy Zimmerman; 8. 21 Billy Moyer; 9. 33P Al Purkey; 10. 42M Brandon McCormick; 11. 5K Eddie Kirchoff; 12. 5S Steve Sheppard; 13. 51 Wes Streidinger; 14. 33 Tim Manville; 15. 74 Jeremy Payne; 16. 75 Terry Phillips; 17. 1CS Christian Rayburn; 18. 66 Bill Frey; 19. 91 Rusty Schlenk; 20. B12 Kevin Weaver; 21. 25 Jason Feger; 22. 14L Brad Looney.

(B-Main and Heat Race results will be sent later)


Factory Stock

Heat 1 (8 laps):
1. 65 Kris Jackson; 2. 18R Jim Reaves; 3. 95 Bud Pursley; 4. 11 Derrick Brown; 5. 27 Devin Wolanksky; 6. 24 Roger Floyd

Heat 2 (8 laps):
1. 44 Tyson Troutman; 2. 02 Bob Gustin; 3. 67 Kevin Crider; 4. 57 Kyle Jeffries; 5. 18E Shawn Eggeman; 6. 72 Ben Solberg

A-Main Feature (15 laps):
1. 65 Kris Jackson; 2. 18R Jim Reaves; 3. 44 Tyson Troutman; 4. 67 Kevin Crider; 5. 24 Roger Floyd; 6. 95 Bud Pursley; 7. 11 Derrick Brown; 8. 18E Shawn Eggeman; 9. 57 Kyle Jeffries; 10. 02 Bob Gustin


Bomber

Heat 1 (8 laps):
1. 44P Rex Payne; 2. 75 Darrin Woody; 3. 1 Dusty Rhoades; 4. 9 Dean Hensler; 5. 107.9 Reggie Jackson; 6. 7L Josh Lewis

Heat 2. (8 laps):
1. 6 Robert Reeves; 2. 32 Joe Francis; 3. 44D Quinton Day; 4. 10 Patrick West; 5. 7E Phil Edmundson

A-Main Feature (15 laps):
1. 6 Robert Reeves; 2. 75 Darrin Woody; 3. 44D Quinton Day; 4. 9 Dean Hensler; 5. 10 Patrick West; 6. 7L Josh Lewis; 7. 1 Dusty Rhoades; 8. 32 Joe Francis; 9. 7E Phil Edmundson; 10. 44P Rex Payne; 11. 107.9 Reggie Jackson