5/23/2018
RacinBoys
Tony Roper Memorial offers big B-Mod payout at Midway Speedway
By Ronnie Williams (Lebanon, MO) -- The payout for The Out Pace USRA B Modifieds presented by S&S U Pull It Auto Parts on Sunday Evening at The Lebanon Midway Speedway for The 18th Annual Tony Roper Memorial has turned alot of B Modified drivers heads.
The track will be paying $777 to win the feature event based on a 13 car field Minimum and $500 for the runner-up to help remember and honor The area driver from Fair Grove who started his racing career in Modifieds in 1986 and lost his life in a NASCAR Truck Race at Texas Motor Speedway. No car entry fee and the pit pass cost is only $35 for the night's action which will also include The Cash Money Super Late Models, Midwest Modifieds, Hornets and Pure Stocks.
Track owner Jack Jones of Midway was asked during the off season if he would be interested in holding the event which had been held at Monett Speedway for the last 17 years, however the track with new ownership decided to forgo the event. Tony had started his racing career in Lebanon and Monett on the dirt-tracks before vaulting his career on the Asphalt tracks in 1989.
" We were honored that the family wanted to move this event to Lebanon and Midway and want to make this a very exciting race event." quoted owner Jack Jones. When this was offered, we decided to look at what do to and since The Out Pace USRA B Modifieds head-line our Friday night regular shows if only made sense to us to make this a good paying event for that class especially since Tony started his racing in The Modifieds.
I think that the $777 to win and $500 for runner-up and $77 to start the feature should draw some of the top area B Modifieds and with it being a holiday weekend we hope some drivers casing National points will look at this.
Currently USRA B Modified National point leader Kris Jackson has called Midway one of his home tracks and has won 4 out of 5 features coming from the back of the pack. His only loss came at the hands of defending champion Tyler Brown as that race went caution free setting-up what fans have called an exciting race and finish.Defending National Champion Ryan " The Kid" Gilmore has the Sunday evening race on his radar also. Gilmore, who is leading The USRA Modified National Standings, will be in Wheatland Thusday-Sat and has The Roper Race on his radar screen.
Gilmore has had tough luck at Midway in the past, but his B mod program is different. Gilmore said how the weekend action at Wheatland goes will help make his decision. Former National Champion JC Morton has always ran strong at Midway and has made 1 start this season. The team had raced at Lakeside on a Thursday night program, came to Midway, lost a drive shaft and replaced it to come from the back to a 3rd place finish.
The Morton team is always front runners at higher paying events and Veteran driver and one of the original Missouri Modified leaders Rex Merritt is riding off a solid 3rd place finish last Friday Night. When you look at the top 10 in National Standings, they all are from The Southwest Missouri Region. Add to this mix, points runner-up Sam Petty, Tyler Brown, Ricky Watkins, Brian Myers, Tyler Knudtson, Donnie Jackson and Dillon McCowan among others it should be an exciting race and event as several out of town driers are inquiring.
For many of these drivers, it isn't all about the money, but to have your name listed as a Roper Winner as drivers from all around are looking at this 1 night payout.
Grandstand Gates will open at 5PM With Adult Admission only $17 for an exciting night of Late Model, B modified, Midwest Modified, Hornet and Pure Stock Racing. Hot laps are currently slated to start at 6:30 with Racing at 7:30. Pit Passes are only $35 with 12 and under $10 in the pits. Draw cut-off is set for 7PM. Passing points are used for determining feature line-up-Heads Up for Support classes and these are Midway Point races
Tony Roper Memorial B Mod Payout(based on 13 entries.) 1) 777 2) 500 3) 350 4) 225 5) 175 6) 150 7) 125 8) 100 9-16) 77. Do not Qualify for feature through last chance $35.
For more information keep updated through The Facebook Page and visit the website at http://www.MidwaySpeedway.net
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
