Jon Melloway and J.D. Hubert Capture ULMA Victories!
Sam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
May 19, 2014
ULMA – (May 19, 2014) – Lucas Cattle Company ULMA drivers returned to action last week with a pair of weekly championship track appearances on Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway and Randolph County Raceway (RCR) respectfully. Unfortunately, wet weather foiled Friday night action at Callaway Raceway.
Drivers and fans patiently waited out a one-week delay for the “northern” portion of ULMA action to get underway as RCR roared back to life Saturday night. Thirteen late models checked in for a pair of heat races and a main event. Tommy Cordray claimed the first heat race with Larry Winn and Kenny Mudd close behind while Jon Melloway crossed the line ahead of Zeke Langley and Chase Breid in heat two. After the heats, Cordray and Melloway found themselves on the front row for the first RCR main event of the year.
Mechanical woes prevented Cordray from claiming an early-season win as he fell from contention. Ashlee Lancaster and Breid also were unable to complete the distance. Defending track champion Vance Wilson, who also experienced mechanical troubles earlier in the night, made his way from tenth on the grid to fourth in a borrowed car.
Jon Melloway looked strong all night as he powered his way around the high-banked facility with seventh-starting Kenny Mudd doing everything he could to close the gap. Just behind Mudd came David Melloway, younger Brother of Jon, who started eighth in the feature. By the completion of the race, Jon Melloway found himself in ULMA victory lane for the first time ever ahead of Mudd, David Melloway, Wilson, and Winn inside the top five. Langley, Lancaster, Breid and Cordray also started the main event and were scored inside the top ten.
Randolph County Raceway takes a weekend off this week but returns to action on Saturday, May 31. Ticket prices for general admission is $12 for ages 12 and up, $6 for ages 6 – 11, and kids 5 and under are free. Pit passes are $25. Pit gate open at 4, Grandstands at 5 with drivers meeting at 6, hot laps at 6:30, and racing at 7. For the track’s complete schedule of events for the season and general information, visit www.randolphcountyraceway.com.
Lucas Oil Speedway continued its weekly championship racing Saturday with another solid field of competitors on hand as 19 drivers contested a pair of heat races and the 20-lap main event. Justin Russell outlasted teammates Jake Williams and Dwight Niehoff in the opening heat race while J.D. Hubert drove to the win of last week’s winner Brian Schutt and sixth-starting Jon Binning in the second heat.
Russell and Hubert led the loaded field to the initial green flag with Williams and Schutt close behind. Action was fast and furious as drivers sorted themselves out and found their preferred line around the track. Fourteenth-starting Payton Looney charged towards the front to ultimately come away with a sixth-place run with Larry Ferris also passed several cars to advance ten spots into ninth position at the stripe.
Meanwhile at the front of the field, Hubert and Williams continued their fierce battle for the top spot as Schutt and Russell were unable to hold on to their first and second positions. With Williams low and Hubert on the high side, Hubert was just too strong on this night and went on to claim his ninth ULMA-sanctioned victory and first since September 21, 2013. Williams posted another solid finish in second with Schutt reaching the podium once again in third. Completing the top ten were Russell, Jon Binning, Looney, Dwight Niehoff, Phil Edmonds, Ferris, and Johnny Coats.
Lucas Oil Speedway hosts the annual Show-Me 100 series of events featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and Lucas Oil MLRA super late model drivers this week. Action begins Thursday and continues through Saturday. USRA Modifieds are also on the card throughout the weekend of competition. After a one-week break, ULMA racing then returns to the track on Saturday, June 7th. For up-to-the-minute information and track details as well as Show-Me 100 ticketing information visit www.lucasoilspeedway.com.
Looking ahead to this week, drivers have a pair of tracks to choose from to earn Lucas Cattle Company ULMA championship points. The first event takes place Friday, May 23rd at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri. After two straight rained out events drivers and fans are eager to see action return at the 3/8th mile track where Vance Wilson has four straight victories. Gates open at 5, hot laps roll out at 7, and racing begins at 7:30. For additional information find the track online by visiting www.callawayraceways.com.
Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) in Warrensburg, Missouri is set to host ULMA competitors on back-to-back nights this Memorial Day weekend. The action begins on Saturday, May 25 for a complete program with drivers returning again the next night, Sunday May 26, for another complete program. Full CMS late model purses are on the line both nights for competing drivers. There is no track registration fee for participating drivers; however, drivers must be current ULMA members or purchase the temporary license on-site.
The two-night jaunt at CMS is part of the track’s annual summer holiday special events. Additional classes on May 25th include USRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, B-Modifieds, Pure Stocks, and the Show-Me Vintage Racing Series. Night two action on Sunday includes USRA Modifieds competing for $3,000 to win, Street Stocks, USRA B-Modifieds, and once again ULMA Late Models. For complete details and the Memorial Weekend Frequently Asked Questions document for the event, visit www.centralmissourispeedway.net. The rain date is set for Monday, May 25, if needed.
Any driver in need of tires this weekend may contact ULMA with their preferred tire numbers. Drivers in need of tires may contact Danny Lorton at (660)-651-3646.
ULMA membership forms are located on the website at www.ulmaracing.com. Drivers are encouraged to complete their membership forms prior to taking their first green flag of the season. Membership for the remainder of the year is $100. Drivers should be expected to complete their membership paperwork upon checking in at each of the affiliated tracks.
Visit ULMA’s title sponsor at www.lucascattlecompany.com. ULMA thanks Hoosier Tire Midwest and Rod End Supply for their continued support. For more information on ULMA, visit www.ulmaracing.com.
Current top ten point standings (for full standings and rookie of the year standings visit www.ulmaracing.com)
|
POS |
CAR # |
NAME |
STARTS |
POINTS |
|
1st |
1T |
Chris Cox |
8 |
738 |
|
2nd |
9D |
Dwight Niehoff |
7 |
704 |
|
3rd |
12 |
Payton Looney |
7 |
670 |
|
4th |
23 |
Zeke Langley |
7 |
646 |
|
5th |
72 |
Jake Williams |
6 |
606 |
|
6th |
65 |
Jon Binning |
6 |
534 |
|
7th |
B1 |
Vance Wilson |
5 |
524 |
|
8th |
23 |
Ethan Young ® |
5 |
462 |
|
9th |
42 |
Lane Ehlert |
5 |
426 |
|
10th |
7X |
Todd McCoin |
5 |
411 |
Upcoming Events
Friday, May 23 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 24 – Central Missouri Speedway
Sunday, May 25 – Central Missouri Speedway
Friday, May 30 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, May 31 – Randolph County Raceway
Friday, June 6 – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, June 7 – Lucas Oil Speedway
Saturday, June 7 – Randolph County Raceway
