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MOBERLY, MO (April 8) - For the first time since last September, drivers participating in the chase for the ULMA title will return to action as the 2010 championship season gets underway this Friday, April 9, at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri. Callaway Raceway has 23 Friday night races planned for this year, including a track special event for late models, on June 11, when competitors will compete for the $650-to-win top prize. Callaway Raceway’s average car count for last year was near 20 cars per week and with what is expected to once again be a nice mix of ULMA steel block engine and ULMA legal CRATE late models going head-to-head each week, the racing should be as fierce as ever. Visit www.callawayraceways.com for the track schedule and general information. The weekly winner in the late model division at Callaway goes home with $500. New to the ULMA lineup this season is Missouri State Fair Speedway (MSFS) in Sedalia, Missouri. The Historic Half Mile roars back to life in 2010 under the promotion of late model drivers Jason Bodenhamer and Reid Millard. The MSFS schedule includes one of the premiere ULMA special races of the year. The special event takes place during the week of the Missouri State Fair on Tuesday, August 17. Competitors will join modified and wingless sprints in an all ‘topless’ race night as the cars compete without their roofs. The winner takes home $1,000 for the victory. The MSFS Friday night racing program kicks off on April 16. The speedway hosts a test and tune practice session this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. ULMA member drivers competing at MSFS for ULMA championship points must adhere to ULMA rules, which differ from the speedway’s late model car class rules. Member drivers must state whether they are competing as a ULMA car or as an open car at the beginning of each night and will be subject to technical inspection according to ULMA rules at all times. Association board member/official Sam Stoecklin will be on hand each week to answer questions regarding driver participation at MSFS. Visit the speedway’s website at www.missouristatefairspeedway.com for the schedule of events and a complete payout schedule. The weekly late model winner at MSFS receives $1,000 for the victory. There are 14 ULMA points-earning weeks scheduled for MSFS this year. Moving over to Saturday nights, Lucas Oil Speedway returns to the ULMA lineup for the fourth-consecutive year in a big way in 2010. The track recently announced an increase in its weekly late model payout with the feature winner now going home with a $700 pay check; the main event will pay $100 to start the race. The track also announced an all-new end-of-season point’s fund scenario and added additional weekly events for its Saturday night participants this year. All total, the speedway has 15 possible points-earning nights for ULMA competitors. The first week ULMA point’s race will take place on Saturday, April 17. For news and information as well as the track’s payout, schedule, and details about the point’s fund and end-of-season banquet visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com. The fourth and final ULMA-sanctioned track for 2010 is Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) in Warrensburg, Missouri. The track is coming off its most successful late model season ever in its 27-year history. Last year’s average car count was twenty, the highest-ever late model car count average. CMS has increased the payout for late models this year with the winner taking home $600 for the win and at least $80 to start the main event. There are a total of 21 possible ULMA points-earning races planned this year. The first event takes place on Saturday, April 24, and based upon pre-season driver registrations, late model racing at the high-banked bullring will once again be a record-breaking year. The highest payout offered to ULMA drivers this season takes place during a two-night event at CMS during the Independence Day weekend, Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. The Saturday-night winner will walk away with $1,500 for the win. Friday night race results determine the inside row starting positions for Saturday’s main event. Another complete race program will then take place on Saturday prior to the big feature event to determine the main event outside starting rows. Log on to www.centralmissourispeedway.net for complete track details. Between the four tracks there are 73 possible sanctioned events for drivers to earn ULMA points. For the fourth year in a row driver membership remains at just $50 for the entire season. Drivers will keep their overall 15 best finishes from appearances throughout the season. Once a driver exceeds the 15-events threshold, he or she will beginning discarding finishes as improved finishes are recorded. The season runs from this weekend’s race at Callaway Raceway and concludes on Saturday, September 11 at CMS. Last year’s championship battle between eventual winner Kevin Kaiser and runner-up finisher Jeff Schlup came down to the wire and ULMA officials expecting nothing less for the championship campaign again this year among participating drivers. Be sure to visit www.ulmaracing.com for complete rules and regulations as well as the complete race events schedule. There is no doubt the association has benefited weekly late model racing at its participating tracks with nearly every track experiencing increased car counts over the years, which played a huge factor in the tracks increasing their weekly payout at some point in time. The association’s board of directors is committed to providing the best set of competition rules for the interest of weekly late model racing and over the winter announced several major rules changes. The most significant change is the weight rule, the prior weight rule for car and driver was 2,450 pounds; however, the new rule for car and driver is now 2,350 pounds. There are exceptions to this rule for competitors utilizing the 602 CRATE motor engine, these cars with driver must weigh 2,200 pounds. This change was in response to member drivers’ feedback requesting the weight rule be changed to the new lighter standards. Another change is the new engine rule for drivers wishing to participate as association members in a newly added third engine option, which allows for the inclusion of additional non-super late model participants. Along with the already-in-place option for cars with all steel engines and the 602/604 CRATE motors, a spec-type motor will be permitted this season. The ruling allows competitors who normally race with the Show-Me or I.M.C.A. type spec motors to race under the ULMA banner. For drivers utilizing the spec motor, a total of fifty pounds of weight must be added twelve inches on center in front of the engine plate; this specifically involves adding twenty-five pounds of weight on each upper frame tube. These cars will weigh 2,350 pounds. The tire rule for 2010 includes the Hoosier™ D-55 WRS-2 Spec Tire, or Hoosier™ D-55 WRS. Fans, friends, and family members may also help the points fund by becoming ULMA affiliate members for just $10. More information regarding ULMA membership is available on the official Web site along with membership forms. Membership is always available on site at participating ULMA tracks and events during the season. Make checks payable to: United Late Model Association and Mail to: ULMA, P.O. Box 794, Moberly, MO, 65270. Anyone wishing to join the group may send a request to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. The association is seeking business partners for the coming season; businesses seeking involvement in the exciting realm of auto racing may contact the association via the official Web site or by emailing ULMA. There are numerous opportunities for business partnerships. Last year the Website for ULMA had over 10,000 visitors during the season. Throughout the season ULMA will work with a topnotch fundraising project to help returning wounded soldiers acquire the homes they deserve for defending our freedoms. ULMA will sponsor events at sanctioned tracks to raise funds for the Homes for Our Troops benefit, which provides homes at no cost to returning wounded veterans. The program will be known as “Turning Left for Our Troops” and event planning for ULMA-sanctioned tracks is being finalized to support this fantastic cause. Official 2010 sponsors and affiliated business partners are greatly appreciated. This year’s team includes official sponsor Imhoff Construction. Contingency Sponsors: Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas. Affiliate Sponsor: Photography by Shelly Payne. New 2010 business partners include , which was f
Upcoming ULMA Schedule at a Glance: Friday April 9th *Callaway Raceway (weekly race, ULMA points start, Callaway track points start) Friday April 16th Callaway Raceway (weekly race) *Missouri State Fair Speedway (MSFS) (weekly race, MSFS track points start) Saturday April 17th *Lucas Oil Speedway (LOS) (weekly race, LOS track points start) Friday April 23rd Callaway Raceway (weekly race) Missouri State Fair Speedway (weekly race) Saturday April 24th Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race) *Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) (weekly race, CMS track points start) Friday April 30th Callaway Raceway (weekly race) Missouri State Fair Speedway (weekly race)
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