Countdown to the Missouri State Fair Championships

SEDALIA, MO (Aug 11, 2007) - A highlight of the Missouri State Fair each year has been the running of the Missouri State Fair Championships and the 2007 edition will be no different. On Sunday, August 19, the fair will close out with modifieds, late models, and 360 sprint cars in action on the historic 1/2 mile gunning for the coveted Missouri State Champion title.

"We're really looking forward to Sunday, August 19, to put on a whale of a show for all of the racing fans in the area," commented competition director Clint Brown. "We took a gamble by putting these three classes together in 2006 and the response was great so we've brought back the same program for 2007 with modifieds, the O'Reilly MLRA late models, and O'Reilly WOW Sprint Cars."

"There has been a big response from driver's not only in Missouri, but in the surrounding states of Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Illinois. This was a big show last year and it appears to be getting bigger for this year," continued Brown. "The big thing for us was to be able to put this show together and still keep it affordable for the fans which we've been able to do."

In modified action Justin Boney will be gunning to take the title back to Kansas for the third straight year. Over the last two years Boney has traveled in from Leavenworth, KS to take the top spot by beating out 64 cars in 2005 and 65 cars in 2006. For Boney to grab that third straight title he will have to work through another big field of modifieds traveling around the historic 1/2 mile. Some of the areas top modifieds look to be in competition looking to put a stop to Boney's three-peat attempt including Howard Hall, Curt and Steve Potter, Dave Meyer, Jason Thompson, Terry Schultz, Chad Lyle and many others.

Terry Phillips kept the O'Reilly MLRA win in the state of Missouri as the Springfield resident held on for the big win in 2006. Phillips and Al Purkey put on a hard fought battle for most of the feature event until mechanical issues forced Purkey pitside to watch the conclusion of the event. For Phillips to pull off the win in 2007 he'll have to hold off the charge of Purkey along with a whole host of others including Alan Vaughn, David Turner, Gary Stolba, John Anderson, Jeremy Payne, Chris Smyser along with visitors to the O'Reilly MLRA tour.

No to be outdone by Justin Boney in the modifieds, Brian Brown is another driver that will be battling for his third Missouri State Fair Championship in a row with the O'Reilly WOW 360 Sprint Cars. Coming out of Grain Valley, MO Brown had to hold off several charges during 2006, but when the checkered flag fell he was able to end off the challenges for the win. Looking to stop the Brown onslaught will be tough competition in the form of Randy Martin, Josh Fisher, Gabe Maycock, Jesse Gianetto, Rusty Potter, and the rest of the O'Reilly WOW contingent.

Action gets underway on Sunday, August 19, with grandstand gates opening at 5:00 pm and hot laps taking to the track at 6:30 pm and heat race action set to roll onto the historic 1/2 mile at 7:00 pm. Adult admission for the evening is only $15.00 while seniors and military are $12.00. Children 7-12 are $10.00 while those 6 and under are free. Ticket prices do not include admission to the fair. Admission to the fair is not charged after 6:00 pm so fans can wait until after then to enter and save.

Pit gates will swing open at 3:00 pm with pit passes set at $25.00 per person. For modifieds and O'Reilly WOW competitors there is no entry fee. The standard $100.00 entry fee applies to O'Reilly MLRA competitors which is paid directly to the O'Reilly MLRA. All lineups will be done by pill draw with modifieds and O'Reilly WOW drivers drawing at the pit gate while O'Reilly MLRA drivers will draw at the O'Reilly MLRA trailer. No fair admission is charged to enter the pits, but those wanting to cross and enter the fair must pay standard fair admission.

State Fair Speedway is located on the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, MO directly on Highway 65. For more information about the Missouri State Fair Championships visit www.fair.826race.com or call 660-221-0275.