Turner busts out of winless streak with Marrant, Morton and Timothy Brown also taking Lucas Oil Speedway wins

 

Wheatland, Missouri (May 15, 2016) – Two weeks after a fiery ending in his bid to reach victory lane, Eric Turner was cool to the finish in busting a long spell of frustration.

“We were way due,” Turner said Saturday night after holding off Jeff Cutshaw for the Pitts Homes USRA Modified feature at Lucas Oil Speedway.

Other feature victory on NMI Night at the Races Presented by Sport Boats USA included Timothy Brown (Carson’s Corner NAPA Street Stocks), Aaron Marrant (ALPS Food Stores ULMA Late Models) and J.C. Morton (Ozark Golf Cars B-Mods).

A total of 92 cars in the four divisions checked into the pits on the cool, windy evening for Round Four of the Budweiser Weekly Championship Series.

Turner, from Hermitage, grabbed the lead from Steve Muilenburg on lap eight of the 25-lap feature and led the rest of the way. But it wasn’t easy with multiple caution flags wiping out his lead, including one with a single lap remaining.

That put Bolivar’s Cutshaw, the reigning track champ, on his tail. Turned held on, just barely for the $750 win, as Cutshaw dove to the low side in turn four.

“I could hear him talking to me, telling me to get out of the way,” Turner joked of the final lap. “I was just trying to protect the bottom.”

Asked how long it had been since his last win at Lucas Oil Speedway, the former track champ joked “about 38 years – it seems like. I don’t know. A long time.”

Turner was a serious contender for a win two weeks earlier, the last time the Modifieds raced, but his car erupted into flames and he had to make a hasty exit after pulling to the infield. But Turner said he drew upon the positives of running strong rather than the flip side.

“I have to thank (car owners) Richard and Christine Smith and all my sponsors,” Turner said. “Things are turning around. I see a lot of good things happening and we’re ready to kick some (butt) the rest of the year.”

Cade Dillard of Mony, La., a frequent USMTS Modified competitor, wound up third as he charged from an 18th starting position.

Dillard picked up the $100 Out-Pace Racing Products Hard Charger Award, which goes to the driver in the week’s featured division gaining the most positions.

Marrant by inches: Marrant, of Richmond, beat Justin Russell by .0036 of a second to take the ULMA Late Models victory. Marrant, earning his third straight victory in the division, made a high-side pass coming to the finish line as he and Russell were mixed in with slower traffic.

Henley’s Russell, the 2015 champ, made a pass of Marrant in lapped traffic on lap 18. But Marrant made the final move, winning by a few inches.

“I don’t think you can get much more exciting than that,” Marrant said. “Luckily, there was just enough hole to shoot through off turn four and … I nipped him there.”

David Melloway of Columbia picked up the Keyser Manufacturing Hard Charger Award, worth $100, given in the ULMA Late Model division. Melloway improved from 18th to 12th in the featu

Points leader J.C. Morton earned his first Ozark Golf Cars B-Mod win of the season. (Chris Bork photo)

re.

Morton takes B-Mod win: Springfield’s Morton grabbed the lead on lap six and, hugging the low line around the track, hung on for his first B-Mod victory of the season.

The track’s points leader had been knocking off consistent top-five finishes through the first three events – and finally celebrate a trip to victory lane.

“It was a heck of a race,” Morton said. “Dad (Gene Morton) said Steve (Muilenburg) was a little faster, but we had the line and just protected it and made sure it didn’t open up any.”

Sparta’s Muilenburg was second with Billings’ Shawn Strong finishing third. Lebanon’s Kris Jackson led early and found up fourth.

Keeping it in the family: Derek Brown’s three-race winning streak came to an end in the Street Stock division, but the victory lane celebration stayed in the family. Stout land’s Timothy Brown, Derek’s dad, led all 20 laps for his first feature victory of the season.

Steve Beach of Eldon finished second with season points leader Derek Brown, also of Stoutland, settling for third.

“I couldn’t think of anybody better to beat the 11 (Derek Brown) than me,” said Timothy Brown, who turned 47 earlier in the week. He earned the pole position for the feature by driving from tailback to first in his heat race, picking up valuable passing points.

Next up: Racing resumes next Saturday, May 21, with the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Night at the Races Presented by KOZL 27. The Ozark Golf Cars B-Mods will be running a special 25-lap feature paying $500 to the winner.

Also in action will be the ALPS Foods Store ULMA Late Models, the Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds and the Carson’s Corner NAPA Street Stocks.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30.

That will be the final weekly program before the 24th annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Presented by Protecttheharvest.com rolls into Lucas Oil Speedway May 26-28.

LUCAS OIL SPEEDWAY RESULTS FOR SATURDAY, MAY 14

OZARK GOLF CARS B-MODS

A-Feature: 1. J.C. Morton (Springfield, MO), 2. Steve Muilenburg (Sparta, MO), 3. Shawn Strong (Billings, MO), 4. Kris Jackson (Lebanon, MO), 5. Tyler Brown (Richland, MO), 6. Scott Crigler (Alton, MO), 7. Kaeden Cornell (Willard, MO), 8. Russell Niehoff (Lockwood, MO), 9. Tyler Lewis (Columbia , MO), 10. Randy Gilmore (Wheatland, MO), 11. Jim Cihy (Warsaw, MO), 12. Robert Heydenreich (Bolivar, MO), 13. John Fellers (Elkton, MO), 14. Taylor Moore (Bois D Arc, Mo), 15. Donald Jackson (Lebanon, MO), 16. Kaden Miller (Cabool, Mo), 17. Jeff McNew (Blue Springs, MO), 18. Joshua Barnes (Maysville, MO), 19. Brian Myers (Lebanon, MO), 20. Logan Martin (West Plains, MO), 21. Kevin Barnes (Cameron, MO), 22. Andy Chrisenberry (Chilhowee, MO), 23. Matthew Hendren (Nevada, MO), 24. Carl Murphy (Caulfield , MO).

B-Feature: 1. Robert Heydenreich (Bolivar, MO), 2. Scott Crigler (Alton, MO), 3. John Fellers (Elkton, MO), 4. Brian Myers (Lebanon, MO), 5. Kaden Miller (Cabool, Mo), 6. Andy Chrisenberry (Chilhowee, MO), 7. Kevin Barnes (Cameron, MO), 8. Jeff McNew (Blue Springs, MO), 9. Nate Thomas (N/A, MO), 10. Logan Harms (Nevada, MO), 11. Brayton Skaggs (Fort Scott, KS), 12. Andy Bryant (Fort Scott, KS), 13. Gary Fain (Lone Jack, MO), 14. Jim Wooton (Belton, Mo).

Heat 1: 1. Taylor Moore (Bois D Arc, Mo), 2. Logan Martin (West Plains, MO), 3. Steve Muilenburg (Sparta, MO), 4. Jim Cihy (Warsaw, MO), 5. John Fellers (Elkton, MO), 6. Robert Heydenreich (Bolivar, MO), 7. Gary Fain (Lone Jack, MO), 8. Kevin Barnes (Cameron, MO).

Heat 2: 1. Matthew Hendren (Nevada, MO), 2. Kaeden Cornell (Willard, MO), 3. Carl Murphy (Caulfield , MO), 4. Randy Gilmore (Wheatland, MO), 5. Scott Crigler (Alton, MO), 6. Jeff McNew (Blue Springs, MO), 7. Nate Thomas (N/A, MO), 8. Logan Harms (Nevada, MO).

Heat 3: 1. Kris Jackson (Lebanon, MO), 2. JC Morton (Springfield, MO), 3. Joshua Barnes (Maysville, MO), 4. Shawn Strong (Billings, MO), 5. Andy Bryant (Fort Scott, KS), 6. Andy Chrisenberry (Chilhowee, MO), 7. Brayton Skaggs (Fort Scott, KS).

Heat 4: 1. Tyler Brown (Richland, MO), 2. Russell Niehoff (Lockwood, MO), 3. Tyler Lewis (Columbia , MO), 4. Donald Jackson (Lebanon, MO), 5. Brian Myers (Lebanon, MO), 6. Kaden Miller (Cabool, Mo), 7. Jim Wooton (Belton, Mo).

CARSON’S CORNER NAPA STREET STOCKS

A-Feature: 1. Timothy Brown (Stoutland, MO), 2. Steve Beach (Eldon, MO), 3. Derek Brown (Stoutland, MO), 4. James Flood (Crane, Mo), 5. Johnny Coats (Joplin, MO), 6. Kenny Carroll (Camdenton, MO), 7. Marc Carter (Warrensburg, MO), 8. Jay Lammons (Savonbur, Ks), 9. Toby Ott (Wheatland, MO), 10. David Hendrix (Buckhorn, MO), 11. Chip Shaddox (Wheatland, MO), 12. Ted Welschmeyer (Tebbetts, MO), 13. Andrew Attenburg (Truman, MN), 14. Chad Coleman (Mound City, KS), 15. Joe Francis (Lebanon, MO), 16. Dale Berry (Tuscumbia, MO), 17. Darrin Crisler (Clever, MO), 18. David Doelz (Warsaw, MO).

Heat 1: 1. Jay Lammons (Savonbur, Ks), 2. Kenny Carroll (Camdenton, MO), 3. Steve Beach (Eldon, MO), 4. Toby Ott (Wheatland, MO), 5. Johnny Coats (Joplin, MO), 6. Marc Carter (Warrensburg, MO), 7. David Hendrix (Buckhorn, MO), 8. Chip Shaddox (Wheatland, MO), 9. Chad Coleman (Mound City, KS).
Heat 2: 1. Timothy Brown (Stoutland, MO), 2. James Flood (Crane, Mo), 3. Ted Welschmeyer (Tebbetts, MO), 4. Derek Brown (Stoutland, MO), 5. Darrin Crisler (Clever, MO), 6. Andrew Attenburg (Truman, MN), 7. Joe Francis (Lebanon, MO), 8. Dale Berry (Tuscumbia, MO), 9. David Doelz (Warsaw, MO).

ALPS FOOD STORES ULMA LATE MODELS

  A-Feature:  1. Aaron Marrant (Richmond, MO), 2. Justin Russell (Henley, MO), 3. Chris Smyser (Lancaster, MO), 4. Robert James Penney (Lawson, MO), 5. Tommy Cordray (Browning, MO), 6. Larry Ferris (Nevada, MO), 7. Jonothan Melloway (Hallsville, MO), 8. Phil Edmondson (Marionville, Mo), 9. Lane Ehlert (Foristell, MO), 10. Chris Cox (Jefferson City, MO), 11. Cody Holtkcamp (Holts Summit, MO), 12. David Melloway (Columbia, Mo), 13. Todd McCoin (Barnett, MO), 14. Larry Jones (El Dorado Springs, MO), 15. Dustin Hodges (Centralia, Mo), 16. Kevin Coyne (Kingsville, MO), 17. Aaron Poe (Warrensburg, MO), 18. Bob Cummings (Sedalia, MO), 19. Bob King (Independence, MO), 20. Cody Peck (Wheatland, MO), 21. Chris Cain (Columbia, MO), 22. Ethan Young (Pleasant Hill, MO).

Heat 1: 1. Jonothan Melloway (Hallsville, MO), 2. Tommy Cordray (Browning, MO), 3. Robert James Penney (Lawson, MO), 4. Lane Ehlert (Foristell, MO), 5. Dustin Hodges (Centralia, Mo), 6. Kevin Coyne (Kingsville, MO), 7. Todd McCoin (Barnett, MO), 8. Aaron Poe (Warrensburg, MO).
Heat 2: 1. Larry Ferris (Nevada, MO), 2. Chris Smyser (Lancaster, MO), 3. Bob King (Independence, MO), 4. Phil Edmondson (Marionville, Mo), 5. Chris Cox (Jefferson City, MO), 6. Bob Cummings (Sedalia, MO), 7. Cody Peck (Wheatland, MO).
Heat 3: 1. Aaron Marrant (Richmond, MO), 2. Justin Russell (Henley, MO), 3. Chris Cain (Columbia, MO), 4. Cody Holtkcamp (Holts Summit, MO), 5. Larry Jones (El Dorado Springs, MO), 6. David Melloway (Columbia, Mo), 7. Ethan Young (Pleasant Hill, MO).

PITTS HOMES USRA MODIFIEDS

 A-Feature: 1. Eric Turner (Hermitage, MO), 2. Jeff Cutshaw (Bolivar, MO), 3. Cade Dillard (Mony, La), 4. Logan Martin (West Plains, MO), 5. Aaron Marrant (Richmond, MO), 6. Nick Whitehead (Springfield, Mo), 7. Mike Striegel (Hermitage, MO), 8. Chris Tonoli (Hermitage, MO), 9. Jason Pursley (Hermitage, MO), 10. Scotty Bough (Nevada, MO), 11. Dylan Hoover (Vandalia, Mo.), 12. Tracy Wolf (Buffalo, MO), 13. Lance Town (Wellsville, KS), 14. Daniel Wosoba (El Dorado Springs, MO), 15. Donnie Fellers (Wheatland, MO), 16. James Lucas Gibbs (Udall , KS), 17. Dwight Niehoff (Lockwood, MO), 18. Lucas Dobbs (El Dorado Springs, MO), 19. Steve Muilenburg (Sparta, MO), 20. Mitch Keeter (Webb City, Mo), 21. Blonde Bomber Mitchell (Pea Ridge, Ar), 22. William Heath (Nevada City Ca, MO).
Heat 1: 1. Lucas Dobbs (El Dorado Springs, MO), 2. Dwight Niehoff (Lockwood, MO), 3. Steve Muilenburg (Sparta, MO), 4. Mike Striegel (Hermitage, MO), 5. Jason Pursley (Hermitage, MO), 6. Tracy Wolf (Buffalo, MO), 7. Blonde Bomber Mitchell (Pea Ridge, Ar), 8. William Heath (Nevada City Ca, MO).
Heat 2: 1. James Lucas Gibbs (Udall , KS), 2. Nick Whitehead (Springfield, Mo), 3. Scotty Bough (Nevada, MO), 4. Chris Tonoli (Hermitage, MO), 5. Lance Town (Wellsville, KS), 6. Daniel Wosoba (El Dorado Springs, MO), 7. Donnie Fellers (Wheatland, MO).
Heat 3: 1. Eric Turner (Hermitage, MO), 2. Dylan Hoover (Vandalia, Mo.), 3. Jeff Cutshaw (Bolivar, MO), 4. Aaron Marrant (Richmond, MO), 5. Logan Martin (West Plains, MO), 6. Cade Dillard (Mony, La), 7. Mitch Keeter (Webb City, Mo).

Tags: featured, full-image

Category: Lucas Oil Speedway, Missouri