6/29/2017
RacinBoys
MLRA drivers take on Salina Highbanks
By Trenton Berry (Wheatland, MO) -- Following a nearly four week break in the schedule, the Lucas Oil MLRA is back after it this weekend in the running of the 4th Annual Buddy's Home Furnishings Freedom Classic. Quickly becoming one of the most well attended and popular events on the schedule, this year's Independence Day weekend promises to be a spectacular show.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kenny Shaw
Friday's racing pays $3,000 to win and Saturday's show offers up $5,000 to the winner. Drivers will time in for their heat race starting position and then run a full program of Heat Races, B-Features and an A-Feature each night.
Last season Friday's program was washed out and only the Saturday show was ran. This season's Sunoco Rookie of the Year points leader, Rodney Sanders, took the checkers in the 2016 race. However, Crane, Missouri driver Will Vaught was in the cat bird's seat for the majority of the race, before his tire went flat just shy of the checkers.
"Last year was the first time we had ever raced at Salina," commented Vaught earlier this week. "What a cool place. The facility was really nice and the steakhouse overlooking the frontstretch was great too. I really like the track; it was just pretty narrow when it came time for our race. I knew we would have to keep the right rear underneath us, and I was about as far from spinning my tires as possible. I felt it start to go down and was hoping it would hang on to the checkers, but it just wasn't our night."
Vaught will be bringing back his same Rocket Chassis this season looking for a better turn of events. While work and family keep him from racing the number of shows he did when he was younger, Vaught seems to make the most of his starts. Already he has won this season with the Lucas Oil MLRA back in April. Recently, he was leading another race and had some bad fortune hamper a strong outing. He has only signed in for five night's of action so far in 2017.
There will be a host of other regional standouts looking to capitalize this weekend too. Jesse Stovall is currently at the top of the standings, just six markers ahead of Tony Jackson Jr. Rodney Sanders sits third, with Terry Phillips and Randy Timms rounding out the top five.
The Salina Highbanks Speedway also recently announced the hiring of a new promoter. Former track and USMTS announcer Bryce Hall has taken over the day to day management of the sparkling facility. Hall, a Salina native, has a special affinity for his home track.
"It's where I learned what racing was," commented Hall. "To have the opportunity to come home and work for the Sanders and Bohannon families is really special. I'm excited for this weekend, but a little nervous too, because it's the first special event we have ran since I've been in this position."
The track's Modified division will also be a big part of the show this weekend. Bravado Wireless has chipped in to make the shows $1,500 and $2,500 to win respectively. Racing begins Friday at 8 PM and Saturday at 7 PM.
For those fans who want to stay up to date with the action, but can't attend the event in person, a live PPV broadcast will be available both nights on http://www.RacinDirt.com.
Salina Highbanks Speedway Information 6/30/17 & 7/1/17
Racing: (Friday) 8 PM, (Saturday) 7 PM
Admission: (Friday)Adults $15, Kids $5, Seniors $12, VIP $25, Beer Garden $25, Pit Pass $35 (Saturday) Adults $20, Kids $10, Seniors $17, VIP $30, Beer Garden $30, Pit Pass $40
Support Classes: (Friday) Modifieds - $1,500 to win, Pure Stocks, (Saturday) Modifieds - $2,500 to win, Super Stocks, B-Mods
Website: http://www.SalinaHighbanksSpeedway.com
For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at http://www.MLRARacing.com.
Fans may also "like" the Lucas Oil MLRA Facebook page by clicking http://www.Facebook.com/lucasoilmlra or follow us on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MLRA.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
