End of season stacked with big races at I-44 Speedway
By Dusty Luthy

LEBANON, MO. (Aug. 10, 2006) - The best of the racing season is yet to come at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway. For the remaining six weekends of racing, five of those weekends involve special events, including several first-time events.

August 18 and August 19 will be the speedway's first-ever Factory Stock Nationals race. With some of the best talent at the speedway racing in the Factory Stock class, track promoter Randy Mooneyham decided to give an added incentive to bring talent from other areas to the race track.

The two-day show, sponsored by Ruble Racing Engines and Golden Corral, will boast a $2,000 to-win purse with $400 to start the 20-car feature field. Factory Stock heat races will be on Friday, Aug. 18, with the B Features and Main Feature to be run on Saturday.

That Friday, Pro-4s, Bomber and Rookies will also be running for regular night show pay. For the first time this season, the speedway will also host Powder Puff and Mechanics' races. Any car from any class racing that night can be entered in those two events.

To kick off the weekend, all fans will receive FREE admission to the grandstands on Friday night. No coupon or voucher is needed. Tier parking will still be $12.

Friday night will also feature a live, radio broadcast by 107.9 The Coyote. Drag racing cars will also be on display for fans.

Saturday night races will include Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stock, Bomber and Rookies.

August 26 will mark the third appearance by the Mid America Racing Series to the speedway. The top drivers in the Midwest will be making their way to the speedway, including Bill Frye of Greenbriar, Ark. and Terry Phillips of Springfield. Single digit points currently separate Frye and Phillips from the MARS season title.

September 2 will be a regular night points show.

September 8 and September 9 will be the first-ever Modified Fall Nationals race. Payout has yet to be finalized for the two-day show.

September 16 will be the night that makes the season worthwhile for several drivers. The Season Championship races will be held that evening. Points battles are close in several classes, including the Factory Stock class where the points lead has bounced between David Hendrix, of Buckhorn, and Lake Mooneyham, of Republic, all season.

September 22 and September 23 will be the closing weekend for the speedway. Last, but certainly not least, the 4th Annual Larry Phillips Memorial will feature a MARS-UMP challenge.