|
Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders Kick off 8th Season in
Jacksonville Friday!
(Bill W) March 31, 2009 – The Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders are ready to
kick off their season this Friday night, April 3, at the Morgan County
Speedway in Jacksonville, Illinois! The long-term weather forecast is
calling for nothing but some great racing action at the banked ¼ mile oval
in central Illinois! Some serious firepower from the state of Missouri will
be on hand to challenge the Sprint Invaders, making this a “must-see” event!
The Sprint Invaders saw one of the tightest point battles in their history
in 2008, with John Schulz winning the title by a mere four points over 2004
Sprint Invaders champion Bobby Mincer. Josh Schneiderman was not far behind
in third, with Matt Rogerson and Ryan Jamison rounding out the top five. All
drivers are expected to be at it again, starting Friday.
In addition to the Sprint Invaders regulars, both Brian Brown and Jesse “The
Rocket” Hockett have Jacksonville on their schedule for Friday. Brown was
leading last fall’s “Herb Barlow Memorial” there before a broken wheel ended
his night. He was the 2007 Knoxville Raceway track champion, and took the
Turkey Classic in Springfield, Missouri earlier this year. Hockett plans on
running the entire ASCS National series this season, but has already mixed
in some racing with USAC (non-wing) and the World of Outlaws. Jesse netted
over $12,000 by winning the Ronald Laney Memorial “King of 360’s” title in
Florida in January, and copped the Lealand Legacy at the Manzanita Speedway
in Arizona in March.
Over twenty teams have already pre-registered with the Sprint Invaders.
After a year’s absence from a full-time run at the series, 2007 point
champion, Kaley Gharst, is expected to try for another title aboard Randy
Plath’s potent #14P machine. Another driver returning will be Matt Sutton,
who had a year to forget last season, as constant motor problems plagued
him. Matt is always one to beat at Jacksonville.
2008 “Most Improved Driver of the Year” Matt “Special Delivery” Harms will
be back this season along with Jimmy Davies and other veterans like Donnie
Steward, Patrick Moore, Justin Newberry, Chris Urish and Mark Tischer can be
expected to give the Invaders a go on occasion.
2008 was also a year of young upstarts. Last season’s Rookie of the Year,
Andy Huston, will be back, as will young drivers like Ben Wagoner and Justin
Springer, who impressed late last season and are expected to contend for
this year’s RoY. Plenty of others are expected.
All-time Feature Wins leader, Jerrod Hull (12), is expected to be a favorite
on Friday. In nine Sprint Invaders feature events at Jacksonville, only Hull
has been able to repeat as a winner. Other winners at the fairgrounds
facility have included Joey Montgomery, Terry McCarl, Tim Montgomery, Jesse
Giannetto, Robbie Standridge, Gharst and Schneiderman, who took the “Herb
Barlow Memorial” last October.
Pit gates open at 4:00, with the grandstand opening at 5:00. Hot laps will
start at 6:15, with racing scheduled for 7:00. Tickets are just $15, with
seniors and students paying $10. 12 and under are free! For more information
from the track, visit
www.MorganSpeedway.com !
For more information on the Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders, visit their
official website at
www.SprintInvaders.com !
Morgan County Speedway Winners (9 events)
5-3-02 Joey Montgomery, Fredericktown, MO
4-18-03 Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA
5-30-03 Tim Montgomery, Farmington, MO
5-28-04 Jesse Giannetto, Palo, IA
5-6-05 Jerrod Hull, Sikeston, MO
7-20-07 Robbie Standridge, Springfield, IL
7-20-07 Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL
5-16-08 Jerrod Hull, Sikeston, MO
10-3-08 Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA
Sprint Invaders Association
All-time Feature Winners
(32 Drivers have Won Feature Events)
(Updated 10-4-08)
Name Feature Wins SIA Titles
1. Jerrod Hull 12
2. John Schulz 8 1 (2008)
3. Jesse Giannetto 7 1 (2005)
Kaley Gharst 7 1 (2007)
5. Bobby Hawks 6
Terry McCarl 6
7. Matt Sutton 5
Jeff Mitrisin 5
Matt Rogerson 5
10. Bobby Mincer 4 1 (2004)
11. Randy Martin 2
Ryan Jamison 2 2 (’02, ’06)
Josh Schneiderman 2
Brian Brown 2
15. Tyson Hart 1 1 (2003)
Jeff Nehring 1
Rager Phillips 1
Joey Montgomery 1
Billy Alley 1
Mike Reinke 1
Tim Montgomery 1
Jake Peters 1
Skip Jackson 1
Kerry Madsen 1
Ricky Logan 1
Randy Plath 1
Josh Higday 1
Nick Eastin 1
Larry Pinegar II 1
Robbie Standridge 1
Mike Houseman Jr. 1
Jordan Goldesberry 1
 |
