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2011 Rookie of the Year Contenders
Story contributed by Trenton Berry/RacinDirt.com
BUCKNER, MO (March 28, 2011) - The start of 23rd Lucas Oil MLRA
season this Saturday night at Nebraska Raceway Park, brings an eager group
of newcomers. These drivers will be vying for the series Rookie of the Year
honors. Joe Walkenhorst, Billy Koons Jr, Dustin Walker, Jason Pursley and
Dustin Reeh have all declared their intentions to run for Rookie of the
Year. For some of the above mentioned it will be their first competition in
a dirt late model, while others have competed in spec and crate motor
competition.
Joe Walkenhorst resides in Lee's Summit, MO and has competed in the sport
for 10 years. In previous seasons, he has competed in several ULMA events.
In 2011 Walkenhorst will be driving a Swartz Chassis with a Rick Darling
Engine providing the power. "We want to make the races and be able to learn
for the future," stated Walkenhorst. During Joe's first season at Central
Missouri Speedway he competed in the Limited Late Model class. One memorable
race night, Joe started the feature in the back and worked his way to the
front. Once there he was involved in a wreck with the leader and went to the
back. After the restart he charged through the field again for his first
feature win. The win was the first of Joe's career and now a memorable
story. Joe receives sponsorship from Swartz Race Cars, Metroplex Supply, KC
Dent, Rick Darling Performance and USA Signs. His parents have also been
instrumental in his racing program throughout his career.
Billy Koons Jr. is the youngest rookie in terms of age, at only 19 years
old. Residing in Omaha, NE, this will be his first full season in a super
late model. Koons Jr. will be the primary driver for BK Motorsports this
season. "Our team's focus in 2011 is to make Billy Jr. the Rookie of the
Year," stated team owner and father Bill Koons. "We worked all winter to
improve Billy's program and Crew Chief Brian Larimore has been huge for our
team. Billy is the future of BK Motorsports." For Billy this will be his
fourth year behind the wheel. Previously he was the 2007 Rookie of the Year
at Junction Motor Speedway in the Late Model class. Nebraska Raceway Park
was the site of his first Late Model win in 2009. Billy will be driving the
#51 Shaw by LSB with sponsorship from Billy's Cafe's, Integra Shocks, VP
Race Fuels, Port City Racing and Fast Track Photos.
Dustin Walker, like Walkenhorst, has raced in the ULMA Late Model division
in the past and has taken huge steps in the off season to prepare two open
late models for competition this summer. Walker will be driving the #14W
Hatfield Racing Engines powered Rocket. Walker started racing from his
Peculiar, MO shop in 2002 at the Adrian Speedway and then at Butler Motor
Speedway in 2003. He first competed in Street Stocks and then the Modifieds
where he still finds time to run a hand full of races. Walker's sponsorship
comes from W&W Utility Construction. "I'm looking forward to racing this
season at several new tracks," stated Walker. "I hope we don't tear up too
much equipment and make the majority of the shows."
Driving Walker's other late Model will be Wheatland, Missouri's modified
veteran, Jason Pursley. Pursley has competed weekly at Lucas Oil Speedway
and prior at Wheatland Raceway every season except the track's first. He has
won 18 feature races as well as, modified track championships at Dallas
County Speedway and Springfield Raceway. The Hatfield powered Rocket also
carries sponsorship from W&W Utility Construction. For Pursley, the first
time he ever hit the track in a late model was two weekends ago at Heartland
Park Topeka's practice day. "This will be a new experience for me,"
commented Pursley. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity Dustin
gave me. It will also be neat to meet new people throughout the season."
Dustin Reeh, form Missouri Valley, IA is the final Rookie of the Year
contender. Reeh started his career in 1987 in go karts and progressed to
full size cars in 1997, before moving onto dirt late models in 2008. "The
MLRA schedule fits good with what's close for us," said Reeh. "It also helps
that the series races on the weekends. I'm excited to race several new
places." For Reeh, he considers Nebraska Raceway Park his home track. His
biggest race win so far was the Tiny Lund Memorial in '97. His #19 Swartz
Race Car is sponsored by Amazing Energy, George's Parts & Etc., Ultimate
Racing Products, Brothers Farms,
www.TotalPeroformanceParts.com , Lance A. Baldwin Lubricants and
www.BatteryRepairExpress.com
.
The Lucas Oil MLRA is proud to welcome these Rookie drivers and all
returning competitors to the 2011 season. To keep up with all Lucas Oil MLRA
events and current points standings visit the new series website
www.MLRAracing.com .
The Spring Meltdown at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska kicks off the
Lucas Oil MLRA season on April 2, 2011. Friday, April 1 will feature SLMR
Late Models, A-Modified qualifying and Pro/Am Stock cars. Gates will open at
4 pm on Friday with hot laps at 6:15 pm and racing at 7 pm. Lucas Oil MLRA
will practice on Friday at several points during breaks in the regular
program. Lucas Oil MLRA qualifying heat races and feature events will take
place on Saturday. Gates open at 3 pm on Saturday hot laps at 5:15 pm with
racing at 6 pm. Pit gates will open at 2 pm on Saturday. Tickets for Friday
are just $10 for adults, Saturday admission is $20 for adults. Kids age 6-15
get in for just $5 both nights!
Visit the series website
www.MLRAracing.com for the most up to date information on the
Lucas Oil MLRA.
For more information about the Spring Meltdown and other events at Nebraska
Raceway Park visit
www.neracewaypark.com .
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