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Schroeder, Kelley, and Wood Among Latest to Announce Plans to
run for the 2009 O'Reilly MLRA Rookie of the Year
by: Dan Robinson
BUCKNER, MO (April 8) - With an average car count of 30 cars at stand alone
shows in 2008 and three top rookies already committed to run the full MLRA
schedule in '09, you would have thought that would scare off most drivers
but not Curt Schroeder, Jeremy Kelley, and Brett Wood. All three have also
announced their intention to run for the 2009 O'Reilly MLRA presented by
Lucas Oil Products Rookie of the Year title in 2009!
Des Moines, Iowa's Curt Schroeder will be a force to be reckoned with in
2009 on the MLRA trail as he debuts a brand new MasterSbilt with a Wyman
Motorsports racing engine. The 29-year old late model pilot started racing a
Limited Late Model in 2003 at the West Liberty Raceway and quickly
progressed into the IMCA Late Model Division. Curt has run the Blue & Black
#15c open late model the past three years at Farley and West Liberty as he
worked to gain experience prior to an all out assault on a traveling series
in '09. Curt's last race of '08 ended with a barrel roll at the Knoxville
Late Model Nationals so he is eager to get back behind the wheel. Sponsors
of Curt's racing program include Riksch Bio-Fuel, Gateway Plumbing, Ames
Winnelson & Company, and Denman & Company CPA's. Curt can be found on the
web by clicking www.cjsracing.com
Third Generation racer, Jeremy Kelley from Walnut Grove, Missouri is also
throwing his helmet into the MLRA ring in '09 after experiencing tremendous
success on both dirt and asphalt. Kelley is 22-years old and will be
slinging a Looney Race Car in '09 with his family's familiar black paint
scheme and 04 emblazoned on the side. Jeremy started racing when he was 11
years old running go-karts until he turned 14. He then progressed through
the ranks of Pro-4's, Super Stocks, and Limited Late Models ultimately
winning 3 features at Springfield Raceway in a Dirt Late Model and winning a
feature in an Asphalt Modified on the Bolivar Speedway Asphalt in '08.
Jeremy's sponsors for '09 include Auto Express of Joplin and Chateau on the
Lake in Branson. Interested sponsors can reach Jeremy at jgkww8@mst.edu.
Jeremy currently attends the Missouri University of Science & Technology as
he seeks his degree in Mechanical Engineering. If he can't out run you he
may out think you.
Warrensburg, Missouri's Brett Wood has also decided to chase the O'Reilly
MLRA full time in '09 driving a Red, White, and Black #7 Hatfield Powered
GRT Race Car. Brett has been racing since 2007 as he jumped right into a
Limited Late Model running at Central Missouri, Grain Valley, and Lucas Oil
Speedways. He continued to run the Limited Late Model in 2008. This will be
his first year in the open Late Models. Brett is the owner of D & D
Transmission in Warrensburg. He has support from wife Valerie, and children
Derek and Jordan with another on the way. Sponsors include Bodee's Race
Bodies, L & L Pest Control, Turner Heating & Cooling, Midland Printing, and
D & D Transmission.
The MLRA would like to welcome these fine young drivers as they campaign for
the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award. If you would like to declare your intent
to run for 2009 RoY, please contact Harriett Chancellor at (816) 650-5063.
The first race of 2009 is right around the corner, as Lucas Oil Speedway in
Wheatland, Missouri hosts the MLRA on Saturday night April 11th. Gates are
set to open at 5:00pm with action on the track set to get underway with Hot
Laps at 7:00pm and racing to follow. The Pitt's Homes A-Modifieds will also
be in action. Tickets for Adults (16 and up) will be $20, Seniors (62 and
up) $15, Youth (6 -15) $5, and race fans (5 and under) are Free. A Family
Pass is also available for $40, call (417) 282-5984 for more information.
Saturday's Pit Passes will be $25.
The Lucas Oil Speedway is located 5 Blocks south of US Highway 54, on State
Highway 83, Wheatland, MO
www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed
directions.
This will be the last chance to get some track time at Lucas Oil Speedway
for the traveling late models prior to the $30,000 to win O'Reilly MLRA/Lucas
Oil Late Model Dirt Series 3rd Annual SuperClean Diamond Nationals on May
8th and 9th. The month of April will wrap up for the MLRA with a stop at the
Adrian Speedway on April 25th for the Jack Vaughn Memorial.
Click www.adrianspdwy.com
www.adrianspdwy.com for more
information.
The O'Reilly MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) presented by Lucas
Oil sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa.
For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA please visit us
on the web at www.MLRAracing.com
or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.
The O'Reilly MLRA would like to thank the sponsors of the 2009 Thunder Tour
including O'Reilly Auto Parts, Midwest Walnut, Lucas Oil Products, Tompkins
Industries, Hoosier Race Tires, Lucas Cattle Company, Hatfield Racing
Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Afco, GRT Race Cars, The Driveline Shop,
Taylor Cable Products, Sunoco Race Fuels, Weld Wheels, Bodee's Race Bodies,
Outpace Racing Products, Duralite Racing Wheels, Impact Signs and Lighting,
Rod End Supply, Racing Optics, Schoenfeld Headers, Kluhsman Racing
Components, Performance Bodies, ATL Fuel Cells, Bilstein Shocks, BSB
Manufacturing, Tanner Racing Products by MB
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