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New format, bigger field for 20th Efkamp Memorial Race

BOONE, Iowa (June 23) – Both a new race format and a bigger field will figure prominently in the 20th annual Harris Auto Racing Ron Efkamp Memorial Race of Champions.

Scheduled during the Saturday, Sept. 6 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals program at Boone Speedway, the IMCA Modified event has been expanded to include all previous Efkamp winners in addition to a dozen drivers who qualify through Sept. 4 heat races.

Previous race winners who have already indicated they will compete include Wayne Larson (1989 and 1990), Mark Noble (1992 and 1999), Johnny Saathoff (1997 and 1998), Al Hejna (2000 and 2006), John Logue (2001), David Murray Jr. (2003) Scott Hogan (2004) and Jimmy Gustin (2007).

Invitations have also been extended to Bill Davis Sr. (1991 and 1994), Rex Merritt (1993), Rick Gustin (1995), Kelly Boen (1996), Ron Pope (2002) and Kevin Stoa (2005).

The race itself will be 20 laps, divided into two 10-lap segments.

After the first 10 laps are completed, the race will be stopped and a number between one and 10 drawn to determine how many of the 10 front- running cars are inverted.

“With that stout of a field, starting in the back row and winning would be a daunting task,” said IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder.
“If a driver who starts in the back can get into the top 10 before midway, they have a chance to get to the front through the invert.”

The starting grid will be determined during pre-race ceremonies on Saturday. The winner earns $1,000, making the Race of Champions a qualifying event for the 2009 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot; the $100 paid for each lap led puts the winner’s potential share of the purse at $3,000.

The upcoming race will be the final event held in memory of IMCA’s late director of competition. Harris Auto Racing will continue to sponsor the Race of Champions at Super Nationals.

“The family felt it was time to end the tribute to Ron after 20 years,” explained Yoder. “In recognizing the 20th annual race, we thought it would be appropriate to invite previous winners and expand the field from the traditional 12 cars.”