2008 MLRA Logo
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dan Robinson
O'Reilly MLRA PR
 
Late Model Showdown at Lakeside Speedway!
Buckner, MO (September 28th, 2009) - The O'Reilly MLRA Presented by Lucas Oil Products storms into the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas this Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2nd-3rd for the Clyde Ellis Late Model Showdown and Modified Shootout. The 2009 MLRA season title may be on the line this weekend as Coffeyville, Kansas' Al Purkey has closed the gap on Omaha, Nebraska's John Anderson to just 20 points with only three events remaining. Former Lakeside Speedway Modified Track Champion Clint Bowyer will also be racing his Dirt Late Model at Lakeside Speedway this weekend. Not only will Bowyer be in attendance, his Late Model team with driver Dale McDowell will also run his familiar 17m both nights.  
 
With both the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Teams converging on the Kansas Speedway just down I-435, many of the drivers and crew members make the short trek up to the Lakeside Speedway to take in some 800 Horsepower Dirt Late Model racing. Richard Childress and Carl Edwards were among those in attendance at last years event. A-Modifieds will be racing both nights along with the Late Models. Denny Woodworth and Terry Phillips captured Late Model wins in the 2008 edition of the event.
 
The huge racing weekend kicks off on Thursday October 1st, as Community America Ballpark, home of the Kansas City T-Bones and the Kansas City Wizards, is hosting the 1st Annual Race Fest Celebrity Softball Game. O'Reilly MLRA Drivers, Jason Bodenhamer and Zach Goulden, will join former and present Kansas City Chiefs, former Kansas City Royals, NASCAR drivers including Clint Bowyer and Marcos Ambrose, Sprint Car drivers, and local media personalities as they raise money to benefit the Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, Michigan.  There will be nine innings of entertainment along with celebrity autograph sessions and race fan interactive displays.  There will also be live and silent auctions for rare sports and racing memorabilia with proceeds benefiting the Michael Ross Memorial Foundation. Action starts with the Home Run Derby at 6:30. Adult Tickets are just $13 with kids $6. All Autographs are FREE. Visit www.michaelrossfoundation.com for more details.
 
Racing action on both Friday and Saturday at the Lakeside Speedway will get under way at 7:30pm with grandstand gates set to open at 5:00pm. Adult Tickets are just $22 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Kids (8-14) Reserved tickets are just $8 with General Admission tickets $6. Race fans 7 and under are admitted FREE. Each night of late model action will be a stand-alone show with Friday's main event paying $3,000 to win and $5,000 to win on Saturday. The Lakeside Speedway is located on Wolcott Dr. just off I-435 in Kansas City, Kansas. For detailed event information and directions to the Lakeside Speedway, please visit www.lakesidespeedway.net or call the track office at (913) 299-2040. 

Defending MLRA Champion John Anderson went into last weekend's events at I-80 Speedway with what seemed like a fairly comfortable 58 point lead over 5-Time MLRA Champion Al Purkey, but mechanical gremlins intervened as Anderson struggled to a 22nd place finish while Purkey crossed the line in 3rd place cutting the deficit to just 20 points. With just three races remaining in the 2009 racing season, these races on the big Lakeside Speedway 1/2 mile will be crucial to both competitors. Omaha, Nebraska's Joe Kosiski sits solidly in the third spot with Jason Bodenhamer from Centerview, Missouri in fourth. Adrian, Missouri's David Turner rounds out the Top-5. Complete and Updated points standings can be found at www.MLRAracing.com.

The O'Reilly MLRA (Midwest Latemodel Racing Association) presented by Lucas Oil sanctions regional Super Dirt Late Model touring series events in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.

For all the latest news and information on the O'Reilly MLRA please visit us on the web at www.MLRAracing.com or by calling the series office at (816) 650-5063 or (816) 305-6572.