TURN-FOUR NOTES-
Finale In Wheatland: Saturday will mark the 7th time in the MLRA’s storied 35 year history, and first since 2019, that the season finale takes place at the Lucas Oil Speedway. Chad Simpson is the only driver to date to have won both the season finale and Championship in Wheatland on the same night. Series officials have already announced that the 2024 MLRA Championship weekend will return to the Tri-City Speedway.
One-Two Punch: The brotherly due of Chad and Chris Simpson have put up some remarkable stats in 2023. Most impressively may be the fact that the Iowa boys have went 1-2 on four different occasions. Wins for Chad at Davenport, Lake Ozark and Lucas Oil Speedway, with Chris grabbing a “W” in the family affair at Lake Ozark as well. The most recent top two sweep came at Lucas on the final night of the Ron Jenkins Memorial back on September 2nd
Elite Company: A 4th MLRA Championship for Chad Simpson would put him in an elite club of drivers to have won four or more titles. He would join the series winningest driver Terry Phillips with a fourth championship, and trail only Alan Vaughn (5 championships), and Al Purkey (7 championships) in the records books.
Contingency Awards Up For Grabs: Not only will Championship point funds be up for grabs, but a pair of season long contingency awards are still undecided heading into the weekend. A pair of series regulars are knotted up atop the “MD3 Hard Charger” standings in Justin Duty and Jeff Herzog. MD3 will present an overall hard charger worth $500 at the conclusion of the season.
In addition, the MyRacePass “Overall Fast Time Award” it yet to be decided. Chad Simpson is the highest ranking MLRA member driver with two Fast Time Awards, while a number of other drivers are within striking distance with one each.
Purkey To Hall of Fame– It was announced this past weekend that 7 x MLRA series Champion Al Purkey of Coffeyville, KS will be inducted next summer into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class. MLRA would like to congratulate Al on this well deserved accomplishment. |