Auto racing notebook: Late models are focus of area races

Late models will own the spotlight this weekend at area tracks.
A Super Saturday program at I-70 Speedway in Odessa will feature a 100-lap feature for late models on asphalt track and four classes on motorcycle racing on the facility’s dirt track.
The rained-out Midwest Latemodel Racing Association program scheduled for July 4 at the Valley Speedway, the three-eighths-mile dirt track in Grain Valley, was made up Friday night.
“You can bet we’re looking forward to getting a chance to race at Valley Speedway,” said Harriet Chancellor of Buckner, who with the assistance of her husband Alan (known to most as Cowboy) owns and operates the MLRA organization. “We only have to travel five miles to get the track, and it’s nice to get a chance to race close to home.”
The MLRA contingent is also scheduled to race Saturday night at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.
In the MLRA points battle, David Turner of Adrian, Mo., holds a slim 588-584 advantage over Terry Phillips of Springfield, Mo.
Prior to this season, Phillips was the organization’s all-time win leader with 87 feature victories.
Sadly, no area driver races regularly with the MLRA.
It would be interesting to see what Independence drivers Buddy Benedict, Rod Cordon or Scotty Martin could do in a dirt late model if time or sponsorship money would permit any of three to compete in the class.
All three have been successful in asphalt late models.
Additionally, Benedict’s dad, Charlie, and Martin’s dad, Larry, were successful in dirt late models and surely the younger Benedict and Martin could find a way to learn the tricks of the trade.
TWO KNOXVILLE PROGRAMS: In addition to its Saturday night weekly program for winged sprint cars, the Iowa dirt track hosted a Thursday night program featuring the Harris Clash for IMCA (International Motor Contest Association) modifieds.
Danny Lasoski of Higginsville, Mo., and Brian Brown of Grain Valley, Lasoski’s nephew, hold first and fifth position, respectively, with 2,300 and 1,490 points in the division for winged sprint cars with 410-cubic-inch engines.
WARRENSBURG SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT: Officials at Central Missouri Speedway hope to stage their Saturday night weekly program consisting of A-modifieds, ULMA (United Late Model Association), B-modifieds and street stocks after the July 12 program was rained out.
TWO STATE FAIR EVENTS: Two auto racing programs will be a part of the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.
A Thursday program on Aug. 14 will feature ULMA late models, modifieds and street stocks.
A Sunday show on Aug. 17 will have MLRA late models, Winged Outlaw Warrior-sanctioned winged sprint cars and modifieds.
LA RACEWAY SEASON COMING TO CLOSE: The season at LA Raceway in LaMonte, Mo., is quickly winding down.
Three Friday night weekly auto racing programs and an Aug. 9 motorcycle racing program will conclude the season.
The three-eighths-mile dirt track traditionally shuts down prior to the opening of the nearby Missouri State Fair.
The track, meanwhile, has one of the state’s higher average car count figures and had an average of more than 100 cars that participated in its weekly program.
But track promoter Mike White said weather conditions hampered the track this season.
Eight programs were rained out and four were staged with threats of rain. He said ideal weather conditions were present for only one program during the course of the season.
“To describe this season as tough would be an understatement,” White said. “Then, on top of that, food and fuel prices have gone through the roof. No way could we have planned for this year with the weather and the economy doing what it has.”