For New Winners in NASCAR action at I-44 this weekend

Lebanon, Mo / May 4, 2014 – For Chelsea, Oklahoma youngster Austin “Grasshopper” Fullerton 2013 was a breakout season with 2 late season event wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models. On Saturday night Fullerton kept the momentum up as he showed a lot of patience after a race long battle with leader Brennon Willard and made the winning pass with only 10 laps left in the 30 lap feature. Austin took his first win of the 2014 Monster Energy Cup Championship Chase at the “High-Banks” of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Model feature had Blake Sanford of St. Charles jumping to the opening lead with Brennon Willard and Kevin Donahue following. Caution flew on lap 4 as Donahue went around going into turn 1 bunching the field even tighter. On the restart, Willard shot around Sanford to take the lead with Fullerton following quickly. The top 3 placed a little distance from the tight action behind them including Jim Reaves, Steve Holt, Terry Limberopolous and 5 others. As the long green flag run saw Willard picking up the pace up front Fullerton stayed glued to the leader. The 2nd and final caution waved on lap 11 as Sanford went around in turn 2, again bunching the field-up. Willard would quickly pull ahead by 3 car lengths, but Fullerton would close the gap. The race for third was even tighter as Reeves, Holt, points runner-up 14 year old Kyle Donahue, rookie Austin Johnson and point leader Kaleb Allison were swapping spots. During the long green flag run, Fullerton would look inside of Willard several times in turn 2, but Willard would carry the speed on the banking and could pull away. Fullerton kept applying the pressure and on lap 20 would make the winning pass. The pack began to close quickly on runner-up Willard as his car seemed to be getting tighter the longer the race went. Up front, Fullerton then began to place some distance and cruised to his 1st win of the season. The battle for second kept everyone guessing as the younger Donahue made a last lap pass to gather home the runner-up spot while Willard, point leader Allison and Steve Holt completed the top 5 in a very tight pack with side by side racing.

“Our car was really good on the long runs and I could see Brennon’s car was having a little problems coming off the corners the longer we ran. My spotter told me be patient and keep the pressure on. While it looked like turn 2 was the place, it was entering turn 3 that really won us the race. We got a long season ahead of us and this season the field is very close together. Each night is going to be tough so savor each win.” Qualifying heat wins went to Jimmy Van Zandt and Kaleb Allison with plenty of action in each.

The Budweiser Modifieds rolled out and showed the crowd how you go 25 laps Green, White, and Checkered. For former 3-time I-44 Late Model Champion Tim Swearengin it had been over 10 years since he made a start after last week’s wreck in the heat delayed his first feature run. Current point leader Terry Taylor quickly jumped out to the opening lead over pole sitter Joe Bunkers while Swearengin shot from his 6th starting spot to grab second as Stephen Counterman followed quickly. With Taylor keeping glued to the bottom of the Speedway, Swearengin was playing it cool keeping a few car lengths back with Counterman following as all eyes were on the battle between opening night winner David Bates and former NASCAR Regional Champion Ricky Icenhower making his first start of the season in his new car.

Up front with Taylor setting a quick pace, Swearengin began to reel the leader in while Counterman was keeping them in his sight. It wasn’t until lap 12 that Swearengin after several attempts down low found the high lane to move around Taylor and take the lead. On lap 14, Swearengin had pulled away to a 5 car length advantage while Icenhower was closing in on the cars ahead of him. By lap 16, the Iceman disposed of Counterman and set his sights on Taylor with Swearengin still up front. With 5 to go, Icenhower moved around Taylor and began to close the distance on himself and leader Swearengin. As the white flag flew, Swearengin’s lead was down to 4 car lengths as Icenhower was coming fast. The final 3/8ths of a mile Swearegin found some extra push and opened up some distance and grabbed his first win in over 10 years. Icenhower, Early leader Taylor, Counterman and last week’s winner Bates completed the top 5.

“This is great and I’ve got a lot of people to thank” quoted Swearengin. The fans have been great and the Lewis family is fielding 3 cars this season for the Modifieds. We secured Shane Fessler Engines in St. Louis for the motor and it really ran well. This was well worth the wait.” “If we would have had a yellow, the outcome might have been different as the crew told me Ricky was coming fast. When he moved into second I picked-up my pace just a tick more, but who knows what would have happened because this class is tough. “A lot of Championships, a lot of wins and good hard racing throughout this entire class” said Swearengin. The heat race wins went to Counterman and Icenhower.

For the Coca-Cola Chargers week in and week out they are becoming a crowd favorite with 3 wide racing at the start and all feature long. This week Ben White grabbed the opening lead from his 4th place starting spot with rookie Japheth Nisbett and Adam Prine following. On lap 2, the current point leader in Jordan Nisbett, moved from 7th to second place while the pack behind was swapping spots back and forth. The only caution flew on lap 3 as Larry Hunter, Lauren Buhr and Japheth Nisbett went 3 wide going into turn 3. Only Hunter came out without spinning around closing the field together tight. On the restart, point leader Jordan Nisbett made a smooth move around White to take the race lead as Hunter was putting pressure on White for second and late arriving rookie John Hunn was in the hunt. Out front Nesbitt wasted no time in stretching the top spot leaving a great battle for second place. White had his hand full as last week’s winner Jason Walls made a late race pass to secure the runner-up spot with White, Hunter and Hunn completing the top 5. The qualifying heat win went to 18 year old Lauren Buhr who passed-up Prom to compete this evening.

For the Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors, a very spirited 3 car battle up front saw Mike Funcannon jump to the opening lead with points leader Carl Harlow and Les Mallard close behind. These 3 cars kept all eyes up front as Funcannon was trying to get that first ever feature win. On lap 10 of the 15 lap feature, Harlow was able to make a low groove pass in turn 2 and then hold off a 2 lap surge from both Funcannon and Mallard in taking his first win of the season while Nick Cherry and Gary Ball completed the top 5. A broken hub forced opening night winner Geoff Ledford out of action during the heat race and front runner Riley Sharp lost a motor in the last lap of his heat. Harlow won the heat race by nipping Mallard at the line.

The Monster Energy Sportsman feature saw the only repeat winner from opening night as Paul Jepsen took the lead from leader Jake Piel on lap 3 and never looked back in the 20 lap feature event. While Jepson was long gone, the battle between Piel, point leader Toby Harden and JC Newell was tight. Harden was finally able to get around Piel on lap 6 to secure second place money and points while the young Piel and veteran Newell went side by side the entire distance with Piel securing third place spot with Newell following. Jepsen made it a clean sweep as he pulled off a last lap pass in the heat race.

Action continues Saturday Night May 10th with RoadTech Military Appreciation Night as NASCAR driver and TV personality Kenny Wallace will be on hand to compete with the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models. All active and retired Military and their families with Photo ID will be admitted in the Grandstand Free. Action will feature round 3 of the Monster Energy Chase for the Championship Cup with O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Budweiser Modifieds, Monster Energy Sportsman, Coca-Cola Chargers and the Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors with gates opening at 5 and racing action at 6:30.
Results

Coca-Cola Chargers – Heat

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 11 Lauren Buhr Neosho, Mo.
2 2 10 Jason Walls St. James, Mo
3 3 5 Jimmy Poindexter Willard , Mo
4 8 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon , Mo
5 7 74 Larry Hunter Laquey , Mo
6 5 51 Japheth Nisbett Rolla, Mo.
7 10 44 Benjamin White Rolla , Mo
8 6 40 Mark Glorfeld Springfield , Mo
9 4 28 Adam Prine Springfield, Mo
10 9 7 Amanda Anderson Lebanon , Mo
Coca-Cola Chargers – Feature

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 7 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon , Mo
2 10 10 Jason Walls St. James, Mo
3 4 44 Benjamin White Rolla , Mo
4 6 74 Larry Hunter Laquey , Mo
5 11 15 John Hunn Rolla , Mo
6 8 5 Jimmy Poindexter Willard , Mo
7 9 11 Lauren Buhr Neosho, Mo.
8 5 51 Japheth Nisbett Rolla, Mo.
9 3 40 Mark Glorfeld Springfield , Mo
10 2 28 Adam Prine Springfield, Mo.
11 1 7 Amanda Anderson Lebanon , Mo
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors – Heat

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 7 Carl Harlow Exeter , Mo
2 6 21 Leslie Mallard Fair Grove, Mo
3 2 99 Riley Sharp Fair Grove, Mo
4 8 38 Mike Funcannon Cassville , Mo
5 3 27 Nick Cherry Springfield, Mo-
6 4 0 Anthony Johnson Lebanon , Mo
7 7 00 Michael Juergensen Lebanon , Mo
8 5 45 Geoffrey Ledford Neosho , Mo
9 9 35 Gary Ball Lebanon , Mo
Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors – Feature

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 5 7 Carl Harlow Exeter , Mo
2 3 38 Mike Funcannon Cassville , Mo
3 4 21 Leslie Mallard Fair Grove, Mo
4 2 27 Nick Cherry Springfield, Mo.
5 6 35 Gary Ball Lebanon , Mo
6 1 0 Anthony Johnson Lebanon , Mo
7 7 00 Michael Juergensen Lebanon , Mo DNF
8 8 45 Geoffrey Ledford Neosho , Mo DNS
9 9 99 Riley Sharp Fair Grove, Mo DNS
Monster Energy Sportsman – Heat

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 5 44 Paul Jepsen Rolla , Mo
2 2 1 Toby Harden Ozark, Mo.
3 3 76 Jake Piel Webster Grove, Mo.
4 4 84 James Newell Decaturville , Mo
5 6 16 Daron Fuqua Mayetta, Kansas
6 1 15 Justin Blake Lebanon , Mo
Monster Energy Sportsman – Feature

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 5 44 Paul Jepsen Rolla , Mo
2 4 1 Toby Harden Ozark, Mo.
3 3 76 Jake Piel Webster Grove, Mo.
4 2 84 James Newell Decaturville , Mo
5 1 16 Daron Fuqua Mayetta, Kansas
6 7 48 Jimmy (james) Fohn Eldridge , Mo DNF
7 6 15 Justin Blake Lebanon , Mo DNS
Budweiser Modifieds – Heat 1

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 2 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, Mo
2 6 14 Tim Swearengin Springfield, Mo.
3 5 91 David Bates Fair Grove, Mo
4 1 11 Mark Riddle Springfield , Mo
5 3 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, Mo
6 4 9 Brian Lewis Willard , Mo

Budweiser Modifieds – Heat 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 2 7 Ricky Icenhower Fair Grove, Mo
2 5 00 Christopher Johnson Lebanon , Mo
3 6 19 Brian Webster Richland, Mo.
4 4 0 Christopher Kerperien Fort Leonard Wood, Mo
5 1 10 Joe Bunkers Harrisonville , Mo
6 3 6 Richard Lewis Willard , Mo DNF
Budweiser Modifieds – Feature

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 6 14 Tim Swearengin Springfield, Mo.
2 9 7 Ricky Icenhower Fair Grove, Mo
3 2 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, Mo
4 8 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, Mo
5 10 91 David Bates Fair Grove, Mo
6 12 6 Richard Lewis Willard , Mo
7 5 19 Brian Webster Richland, Mo.
8 7 00 Christopher Johnson Lebanon , Mo
9 4 11 Mark Riddle Springfield , Mo
10 3 0 Christopher Kerperien Flint, Mi, Mo
11 1 10 Joe Bunkers Harrisonville , Mo
12 12 9 Brian Lewis Willard, Mo DNS

O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models – Heat 1
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 1 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Fair Grove, Mo
2 2 2 Kyle Donahue Wildwood , Mo
3 3 22 Austin Johnson Inola , Ok
4 5 20 Austin Fullerton Chelsea , Ok
5 7 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper , Mo
6 4 17 Josh Woody Waynesville , Mo
7 6 07 Terry Limberopoulos Cuba, Mo
8 8 15 Jc (james) Newell Stoutland , Mo
O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models – Heat 2
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 5 47 Kaleb Allison Mexico, Mo.
2 3 18 Jim Reaves Strafford , Mo
3 7 35 Steve Holt Strafford , Mo
4 6 7 Kevin Donahue Wildwood , Mo
5 4 5 Blake Sanford St Charles, Mo.
6 1 23 Chad Walter Clarence , Mo
7 2 66 Brian Woods Leawood , Ks DNS
O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models – Feature
Finish Start Car Driver Hometown
1 5 20 Austin Fullerton Chelsea , Ok
2 9 2 Kyle Donahue Wildwood , Mo
3 3 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper , Mo
4 13 47 Kaleb Allison Mexico, Mo.
5 8 35 Steve Holt Strafford , Mo
6 10 18 Jim Reaves Strafford , Mo
7 7 22 Austin Johnson Inola , Ok
8 11 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Fair Grove, Mo
9 6 7 Kevin Donahue Wildwood , Mo
10 12 07 Terry Limberopoulos Cuba, Mo
11 4 5 Blake Sanford St. Charles, Mo.
12 1 17 Josh Woody Waynesville , Mo
13 2 23 Chad Walter Clarence , Mo
14 14 15 Jc (james) Newell Stoutland , Mo DNF
15 15 66 Brian Woods Leawood , Ks DNF

About Lebanon I-44 Speedway

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only NASCAR facility and weekly Asphalt Racing Oval settled nearly 300 miles from any other and proudly flies the NASCAR Whelen All American Series banner. Located in Lebanon, Missouri, along Interstate 44 on Route 66 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the East of Springfield, Missouri on I-44 and just 2 hours West of St. Louis on I-44 as well as just 30 minutes south of Lake of the Ozarks.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway has a history of producing great racecar drivers, and some of the biggest stars in American motorsports honed their skills on our tracks high banked 3/8-mile asphalt oval. Legends such as the great Larry Phillips, the only 5-time national champion in NASCAR’s weekly racing series, along with NASCAR stars like Mike Wallace, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and the late Tony Roper have either won races or even track championships over the years.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway has perhaps the smoothest racing surface of any weekly racing facility in the nation along with new aluminum backed Monster Energy Grandstand seating, Budweiser “Wild Side” tier parking that you can pull up in your car or tailgate in your pickup and enjoy all of the racing from a great view, the beautiful VIP Suites in the middle of the front stretch and entering turn one is the newest addition, the Budweiser Fan Deck.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway runs many special events throughout the race season as well as an exciting NASCAR weekly show that consists of Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Road Warriors and the Chargers with special appearances by the United States Super Truck Series, Pro National Baby Grand Cars, NASCAR racing special events and various Concerts.

For more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and be sure to visit and like the ever growing Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for updated information as drivers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Illinois compete each Saturday Night.

2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
Big Surf Water Park – Preferred Amusement Park
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Hampton Inn / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Holiday Inn Express / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
K&N Engineering – Preferred Performance Filter
Lindsay Auto Group – Official NASCAR Pace Vehicle
Mercy – Official Health Care Provider
Missouri Eagle – Official Beer, Energy Drink & Tea Supplier
Monster Energy – Official Energy Drink
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Preferred Auto Parts Store
Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper – Official Supplier: Soft Drinks, Water, Sports Drinks
Peace Tea – Official Tea
Racing Electronics – Official Communications Supplier
Safety-Kleen – Preferred Environmental Services Company
Sportsland Accessories – Preferred Truck Accessories
Springfield Yamaha – Official UTV & ATV Supplier
Sunoco – Official Racing Fuel
Super 8 / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel

2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Auto Body Supply, Auto Meter, Commerce Bank, Cometic Gaskets, Dickey’s Barbecue, Emerson Climate Technologies, ESPN Radio, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Independent Stave Inc., JEGS, KZNN Superstation, Lebanon Ready Mix, Liberty Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, Missouri Tool & Automation, Owens Sandblasting, Ozarks Harley Davidson, Regional Radio – KJEL, Reliable Toyota, Rock Auto, Royal Purple, Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, Sherwin Williams, Show Me Guns, Sprint, Starnes Auto, Totally You, Toyota Motorsports, Unilever, United Insurors, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, Z102.3 Radio, 107.9 The Coyote