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Championship Weekend at West Plains
WEST PLAINS, MO (October 12, 2011) - The 2011 Lucas Oil MLRA Champion
will be crowned this weekend, as one of the most anticipated events on
the season schedule takes place at West Plains Motor Speedway. It's the
return of the Fall Nationals after a nearly 12 year hiatus from the 3/8
mile red clay oval located just outside of West Plains, MO.
The point battle has become a topic of discussion, as John Anderson got
together with a lapped car near the end of last Friday's feature. He
went sailing off into the infield, and his 11th place finish wiped out
his 16 point lead over Al Purkey. Anderson had made up ground and then
some, in the title chase over the last two months. He won races at the
State Fair Speedway, I-80 Speedway and Springfield Raceway. He took over
the points lead at I-80 Speedway in late September and had slowly been
extending it until Friday's turn for the worse. Anderson won the Lucas
Oil MLRA Series Championship in 2008 and is tied for 6th all time in the
series with 24 wins.
Purkey, has been up and down this season and is gunning for his 8th
Lucas Oil MLRA Championship. Interestingly, of the 7 previous titles
he's amassed, never have three in a row been won by the Coffeyville, KS
veteran. He'll be looking to rewrite the record books once again this
weekend. Purkey has been out front the majority of the year, on the
heels of an extremely strong beginning to the season. He scored $10,000
by winning the Sunflower State Showdown near the end of April. Purkey
backed up the Jetmore win with a triumph at Springfield Raceway the next
time out. Al ranks 2nd on the all time Lucas Oil MLRA wins list with 49
victories.
Both drivers have 9 top 5 finishes, and 12 top 10 finishes. Their
average finish for the season is 6.7. Anderson holds the first
tiebreaker, should one be necessary, with his three wins to Purkey's
two.
Billy Moyer, Wendell Wallace and Will Vaught among others, have
intentions of racing with the Lucas Oil MLRA this weekend, according to
their respective websites. Please note, mention of drivers name does not
guarantee drivers appearance. The tire rule for this weekend is Hoosier
WRS-D55 and LM-40 only.
Action will get under way on Thursday evening with a practice session
taking place from 7-10 PM. Grandstand admission is free and pit passes
are $20. Friday and Saturday, the grandstands will open at 5:30 PM. Hot
laps are scheduled for 7:00 PM and racing at 7:30PM. The pits open at 4
PM each day. General admission is $15 on both Friday and Saturday, with
a two day ticket available for $25. Pit passes are $30 each night.
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