O’REILLY THUNDER RACING SERIES SET FOR THIS FRIDAY

Sprint cars, modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will be in action. Late models will be off this week due to the 14th Annual Magnolia 100 being held at Columbus Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi.

Make sure to mark your calendar for next weekend’s finale (October 10th-11th) as MMP hosts the 2nd Annual Memphis Nationals presented by Competition Cams. Headlining the event will be a $5,000 to win late model special on Friday night and a $5,000 to win sprint car event on Saturday night. Modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will also each be in action on either Friday or Saturday night. For purse and event information visit www.thunderatthepark.com.

The pit gate opens at 5:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 12 and under $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

MITCHELL AND STEPHENS TOPPLE TOPLESS FOES AT MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK

Memphis, Tennessee (September 26, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park hosted the Hoosier Topless 40 for super late models and Topless 20 for modifieds September 26, 2003.

Jon Mitchell from Texarkana, Texas visited MMP early in the 2003 season and almost escaped with a win. Friday night he returned to the scene of the crime to seal the deal and pick up the $3,000 first place check in the O.H. Hendricks late model division. After winning the Quick Six Dash Jamie Elam held the pole for the forty lap affair with Mitchell starting to his outside. At the drop of the green, Elam moved to the hub with Mitchell working the middle of the track. The lead duo battled side by side for the first few laps before Elam took sole possession of the lead on lap three. On lap four, caution flew for Mike Poynor, who looped his mount in turn three. On the ensuing restart, Elam once again hit the hub as Mitchell got a strong run on the high side and took the lead heading down the back straight. Elam attempted to battle back as the duo entered turn three, but Mitchell held him off and by the tenth circuit Mitchell held a six car length lead as he began to enter heavy lap traffic. Billy James took over the third spot from Jerry Inmon on lap three and set his sights on Jamie Elam. Over the next several laps, Mitchell extended his lead to a straight away as he continued to lap cars at will. Elam and James were engaged in a heated battle for the second spot when caution flew on lap thirty-four for debris on the track. Multiple lapped cars between Mitchell and the other top runners, allowed Mitchell to comfortably lead the last six laps en route to the feature win. Elam held on for second with Billy James, Jerry Inmon, and Jessie Bailey rounding out the top five. Heat races for the forty-two car field were won by Jon Mitchell, Jamie Elam, Jerry Inmon, Tommy Ray, Dean Carpenter, and Billy James. Jamie Elam won the pole for the feature along with a set of Hoosier tires after topping the Quick Six Dash. Twin b-mains were topped by Chris Dickinson and Jamie Dacus.

The Stephens family has enjoyed a great deal of success in the Rick’s Powder Coating modified division at MMP during the course of the 2003 season with cousins, Shane and Mark, each winning their fair share of feature victories. On this night, it was Mark’s turn to shine as he led the feature green to checkered to pick up the $800 payday. Mark Stephens was challenged throughout the event by Andy Tennison and Shane Stephens, but he managed to hold them at bay for the full length of the twenty lap event. At the finish line Mark Stephens was followed by Andy Tennison, Shane Stephens, Brandon Poppenheimer, and Ashley Newman. Heat races for the thirty-one car field were won by Mark Stephens, Andy Tennison, Brandon Poppenheimer, and Shane Stephens. The B-Main was won by Jared Roller.

A couple of drivers have been close to claiming the bounty on Shane Parker over the past few race nights, and on Friday night Bud Ward made his return to MMP and left with the feature win and the $200 bounty. Greg Fisher and Bud Ward led the field to the green in the Burch’s Automotive mini stock division with Ward jumping to the early lead with Fisher, Roy Webb, and Lee Switcher close behind. On lap three Webb was spun to the infield from his third position and on the fifth lap, Lee Switcher also slowed from the third spot bringing out the caution. As the field went back green, Ward once again jumped out to the lead with Greg Fisher, Shane Parker, and Jamey Hard battling for the second spot. As the trio raced three wide exiting turn four on lap eight, Parker took over sole possession of the second spot and began to reel in Ward. Parker got close to Ward over the last few laps, but Ward was able to hold on for the win. Parker finished second with Jamey Hard, Greg Fisher, and Sissy Swindell rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by Greg Fisher, Bud Ward, and Roy Webb.

Auston Mealer has had several strong runs at MMP this year, but up until Friday night he had yet to find his way into victory lane in the Ray’s Auto Collision Street Stock division. He ended his winless streak as he led the feature event from green to checkered. The win did not come easy as Mealer had to fight off Daniel Haley throughout the majority of the event. At the finish line Mealer was followed by Haley, Scott Davis, Chuck Fletcher, and Billy Hopkins.

HOOSIER TOPLESS 40

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Carcount: 42

Heat Winners: Jon Mitchell, Jamie Elam, Jerry Inmon, Tommy Ray, Dean Carpenter, Billy James

Quick Six Dash: Jamie Elam, Jon Mitchell, Jerry Inmon, Billy James, Dean Carpenter, Tommy Ray

B-Main Transfers: Chris Dickinson, Jamie Dacus

Feature Results: 1)Jon Mitchell 2)Jamie Elam 3)Billy James 4)Jerry Inmon 5)Jessie Bailey 6)Dean Carpenter 7)Steve Ross 8)Dane Dacus 9)Bryan Ritchie 10)Bronson Berry 11)Jamie Dacus 12)Tommy Ray 13)Chris Dickinson 14)Ronnie Brown 15)Howard Kimbrough 16)Mike Carr 17)Danny Christian 18)Mike Poynor 19)Brian Malone 20)Corey Conaway

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Carcount: 14

Heat Winners: Auston Mealer, Daniel Haley

Feature Results: 1)Auston Mealer 2)Daniel Haley 3)Scott Davis 4)Chuck Fletcher 5)Billy Hopkins 6)Terry Gray 7)JC Waller 8)Keith Vaughn 9)Troy Yarbrough 10)Shawn Fowler 11)Joe Pettit 12)Martha Woods 13)Jason Dukes

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 21

Heat Winners: Greg Fisher, Bud Ward, Roy Webb

Feature Results: 1)Bud Ward 2)Shane Parker 3)Jamey Hard 4)Greg Fisher 5)Sissy Swindell 6)Jason Pope 7)Teddy Pickett 8)David Dunham 9)Mark Clark 10)Michelle Ward 11)Rick Sirkel 12)Kurt Van Cleave 13)Chuck McGarvey 14)Sylvia Barnes 15)Lee Switcher

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 31

Heat Winners: Mark Stephens, Andy Tennison, Brandon Poppenheimer, Shane Stephens
B-Main Transfers: Jared Roller, Joe Strop, Danny Dow, Justin Wilbur

Feature Results: 1)Mark Stephens 2)Shane Stephens 3)Andy Tennison 4)Brandon Poppenheimer 5)Ashley Newman 6)Craig Dunavan 7)Jared Roller 8)Dean Caldwell 9)Scott Wicker 10)Ross Camponovo 11)Joe Strop 12)Chris Moore 13)Greg Camponovo 14)Danny Dow 15)Murray Vaughn 16)Bobby Allen Jr. 17)Ron Durham 18)Tim Sawyer 19)Justin Wilbur 20)Jeremy Ray

HOOSIER TOPLESS 40 SET TO ROLL AT MMP

MEMPHIS, TN (September 23, 2003) – The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will host the Topless 40 presented by Hoosier Dirt South this Friday night at the Memphis Motorsports Park Dirt Track in Memphis, Tennessee.

After seeing the Topless 40 rained out twice, the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will try once again to host the special event for the super late model division. Hoosier has stepped up to make the event extra special by adding money to the purse to increase it to $3,000 to win and $250 to start. With many of the regional tours not in action on Friday night, a host of traveling stars is expected to invade the ¼ mile, gumbo oval. A strong, local contingent will await the travelers in an effort to keep the money at home. The locals will be led by current point’s leader Danny Christian along with drivers such as Jamie Dacus, Dane Dacus, Jessie Bailey, Tommy Ray, Johnny Lancaster, Chris Dickinson, Steve Ross, and many more.

The late models will not be the only division stripping their roofs off as the modified division will also pop their tops and do battle for $800 to win.

The pit gate opens at 5:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

WARD OUTDUELS CRAWLEY IN ASCS ACTION AT MMP

Memphis, Tennessee (September 12, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park hosted the American Sprint Car Series “Cash-In-A-Flash Fall Nationals” on Friday, September 12th.

Mike Ward is the winningest sprint car driver in the history of Memphis Motorsports Park, and at the conclusion of the thirty lap feature he had another marker to add to his record. Mike Ward and Terry Gray started on the front row for the main event with Ward jumping to an early lead over Zach Chappell and Gray. On the third go round AG Rains moved into the third position as he worked around Gray. Ward had a five car length advantage by the time that caution flew on lap four as Tony Wilson came to a stop with a flat. When the race went back green flag Ward once again began to stretch his lead as Crawley worked past Rains and Chapell to take over the second spot.. By lap nine Ward held a straight away lead as Gary Wright moved into the sixth spot. Caution flew on lap eleven for Josh Baker, who came to a stop on the front stretch. The caution bunched the field back up and allowed Crawley and Chappell to erase Ward’s lead. On the restart, Ward once again jumped to a small advantage with Crawley in tow. Chappell lost several spots on the nineteenth go round as he did a 360 in turn one. He didn’t stop, but he fell back to tenth place as Crawley began to close in on Ward. As the top duo completed the twentieth lap, Crawley rode the high side to take the lead from Ward. Two circuits later Ward used lapped traffic to his advantage to reclaim the lead. Over the last few circuits, Ward pulled out to a couple of car lengths en route to the victory. Crawley held on for second followed by Wright, Terry Gray, and Travis Rilat. Terry Gray, AG Rains, Marshall Skinner, Tim Crawley, and Mike Ward topped the heat races for the thirty-nine car field. B-Mains were won by Tim Montgomery and Darren Stewart.

Most rookies just hope to gain valuable experience and record consistent finishes in their first year in a new division, but Dane Dacus took the bar up a notch as he picked up his first feature victory in the O.H. Hendricks late model division. Dacus and Danny Christian led the field to the green, but the first few attempts at starting the race were waived off for accidents. After the initial setbacks, the event finally got underway with Dacus jumping out to the lead with Steve Ross and Danny Christian in pursuit. Dacus held a small lead throughout the early stages of the race as Russell worked past Christian to capture the third spot on lap three. One lap later Christian reassumed the third spot. Dacus continued to maintain his lead as the race neared its midpoint. The driver on the move was Jessie Bailey, who started 21st, and had worked his way up to the fourth spot by lap six. Bailey’s march continued as he overtook Christian for third place on lap ten. Over the last half of the race Steve Ross applied pressure to Dacus, but he was unable to find a way around him. Ross held on for second followed by Jessie Bailey, Danny Christian, and Steve Russell. Jerry Inmon crossed the finish line in fourth spot, but he was penalized two spots for crossing inside the cone on one of the restarts. Jessie Bailey won the hard charger award for the night after starting nineteenth and finishing third. Dane Dacus and Danny Christian won the heat races.

The finish of the Ray’s Auto Collision street stock feature was not quite what it appeared as race winner, Daniel Haley, was disqualified in post race, technical inspection. Martha Woods and Daniel Haley paced the field for the feature with Haley jumping to the lead with Lynn Scarbrough and Martha Woods close behind. Scarbrough fell back to the fourth position after making contact with an infield tire on lap four allowing Martha Woods and Terry Gray to slip by. By lap six, Scarbrough had recovered though as he moved back into the second spot. Gray surrendered the third position to Billy Hopkins on lap seven, when he retired with a broke drive train. Over the last half of the race Scarbrough pressured Haley but could not pass him for the top spot. At the line Haley held the top spot, but after he was disqualified, Scarbrough was awarded the win with Billy Hopkins, Martha Woods, Kevin Davis, and JC Waller completing the top five spots.

The old saying of “Close, But No Cigar” was applicable once again in the Burch’s Automotive mini stock division as the bounty on Shane Parker went unclaimed. Shane Parker and Jamey Hard held down the front row for the feature with Parker taking the lead as the field entered turn one with Hard and Lee Switcher in pursuit. Hard soon surrendered the second position to Lee Switcher as he spun to the infield. Switcher began to slowly real in Shane Parker. On lap five, Switcher caught Parker and moved past him to take the lead. Switcher began to pull away from the field and the victory and bounty appeared to be his for the taking until Parker pulled to the infield with a broke front end on lap nine. Switcher took the win, but since Parker did not finish the event, the bounty rolls over to the next race program, and will be increased to $200. Jamey Hard recovered from an early spin to finish second with Greg Fisher, Robert Stephens, and Jack Pickett rounding out the top five. Parker and Hard won the heat races.

AMERICAN SPRINT CAR SERIES

Mike Ward in victory lane after winning the ASCS feature at MMP (Photo by Phil Bowden)

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS

Carcount: 39

Heat Winners: Terry Gray, AG Rains, Marshall Skinner, Tim Crawley, Mike Ward
B-Main Transfers: Tim Montgomery, Josh Baker, Darren Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.,

Feature Results: 1)Mike Ward 2)Tim Crawley 3)Gary Wright 4)Terry Gray 5)Travis Rilat 6)Marshall Skinner 7)AG Rains 8)Dale Howard 9)Zach Chappell 10)Darren Stewart 11)Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 12)Tim Montgomery 13)Wade Oliver 14)Paul Sides 15)Tony Wilson 16)Ernie Ainsworth 17)Bryce Vowan 18)Shorty Chambliss 19)Josh baker 20)Eddie Gallagher

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Lynn Scarbrough was awarded the victory after the original winner was found
illegal in technical inspection (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Carcount: 15

Heat Winner: Martha Woods, Daniel Haley
Feature Results: 1)Lynn Scarbrough 2)Billy Hopkins 3)Martha Woods 4)Kevin Davis 5)JC Waller 6)Shawn Fowler 7)Jimmy Rines 8)Troy Yarbough 9)Wade Davis 10)Randy Hargett 11)Terry Gray 12)Richard Wehrman 13)Kevin Phelam

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Dane Dacus sets in a cloud of dust in the infield after doing doughnuts celebrating his
first late model victory (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Carcount: 19

Heat Winners: Dane Dacus, Danny Christian

Feature Results: 1)Dane Dacus 2)Steve Ross 3)Jessie Bailey 4)Danny Christian 5)Steve Russell 6)Jerry Inmon 7)Mike Carr 8)Robert Lovett 9)Johnny Lancaster 10)Barry Burch 11)Brian Malone 12)Chris Dickerson 13)Ronnie Brown 14)Chuck York 15)Calvin Schrader 16)Jimmy Brotherton 17)Steve Glenn 18)Jamie Dacus

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Lee Switcher picked up the win in the mini stock division (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Carcount: 16

Heat Winners: Shane Parker, Jamie Hard

Feature Results: 1)Lee Switcher 2)Jamey Hard 3)Greg Fisher 4)Robert Stephens 5)Jack Pickett 6)Kevin Patton 7)Rick Sirkel 8)Jeremy Daughtery 9)John McGarvey 10)David Durham 11)Eoin McSeough 12)Cotton James 13)Jason Pope 14)Shane Parker 15)Tony Brocato 16)Roy Webb

“Cash In A Flash Fall Nationals” ASCS Nationals Set for MMP

MEMPHIS, TN (September 10, 2003) – This Friday, September 12th the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will host the American Sprint Car Series “Cash In A Flash Fall Nationals” at the Memphis Motorsports Park Dirt Track in Memphis, Tennessee .

Leading the stampede of ASCS stars into Memphis will be Travis Rilat from Texas, who currently resides atop the series’ points. A pack of wolves are hot on Rilat’s tail as Gary Wright, Zach Chappell, and Darren Stewart are all within one hundred points of the leader. Other ASCS drivers, who are expected, include Toby Brown, Rick Behr, Matt Clevenger, AG Rains, Cody Branchcomb, and many more.

Awaiting the travelers will be a stout field of hometown drivers led by the top two point contenders, Paul Sides and Eddie Gallagher, who are separated by only five points with just a few weeks remaining in the season at MMP. Other local drivers expected include Tim Crawley, Mike Ward, Eddie Gallagher, Marshall Skinner, Bryce Vowan, Henry Gustavus, Josh Baker, Jake Shores, Ernie Ainsworth, Dale Howard, Josh Howard, and many more.

Also on the card for the evening’s event will be late models, street stocks, and mini stocks.

The pit gate opens at 4:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $15 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $5 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

CRAWLEY AND BAILEY TAME COMPETITION AT MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK

Memphis, Tennessee (September 5, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park took advantage of a cool, September night to return to racing action.

Tim Crawley from Mabelvale, Arkansas continued his hot streak as he picked up the feature victory in the twenty lap feature for the Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car division. The front row for the feature event was fully loaded with Eddie Gallagher on the pole with Crawley to his outside. At the drop of the green, Crawley stormed to the cushion as he rocketed into the lead. Gallagher snagged the second spot, but he would surrender it exiting turn four as Mike Ward motored into the runner up position. Over the next few laps Crawley extended his advantage to a full straightaway as lapped traffic became a factor by lap five. Caution flew on lap seven, which bunched up the field. Crawley maintained the lead with Ward, Gallagher, and Skinner rounding out the top four. On the ensuing restart Skinner drove by Gallagher for the third spot. The remainder of the feature event went caution-free with Crawley picking up the win followed by Ward, Skinner, Ernie Ainsworth, and Gallagher. Eddie Gallagher and Tim Crawley won the heat races.

Danny Christian has been a dominant force at Memphis Motorsports Park over the past several months. He has picked up several feature wins and sits atop the point standings in the O.H. Hendrick late model division. As a result, track officials placed a $250 bounty on Christian that began with this week’s program. The bounty was short-lived though, as Jessie Bailey claimed it after topping the twenty lap, feature event. Chris Dickerson and Jessie Bailey paced the field for the feature with Bailey grabbing the early lead as Dickerson, Jerry Inmon, and Danny Christian flared out three wide for the second spot. Christian and Dickerson lost several spots after they temporarily tangled. Although neither car stopped, they each fell back to the middle of the field. Up front Bailey began to pad a comfortable lead with Inmon and Steve Ross close behind. Caution flew on lap eight for a stalled Howard Kimbrough. Inmon and Ross took advantage of the caution to close in on Bailey, but on the ensuing restart Bailey once again jumped out to the lead as Inmon began experimenting with the cushion. Mark Sartain surrendered the fifth spot after he dropped off the pace temporarily on lap ten. Sartain managed to keep his car going though as he appeared to be fighting an ill-handling mount. Bailey went on to lead the last half of the race and take the feature win and the $250 bounty for beating Christian. Jerry Inmon, Danny Christian, Dean Carpenter, and Steve Ross rounded out the top five. Ross crossed the finish line in the third spot, but was penalized two spots for passing inside the cone on the lap eight restart. Bailey and Dickerson won the heat races.

As one bounty was claimed in the late model division talk began on the necessity of another bounty for modified driver, Chris Moore. Over the past few weeks, Moore has wreaked havoc with the Rick’s Powder Coating modified division. This night would be no different as Moore led the feature green to checkered in a caution plagued event to pick up another feature victory. Moore and Brandon Poppenheimer led the field to the green with Moore leading the field into turn one. As the field completed the first lap, caution flew for the stalled entries of Justin Wilbur and Ross Camponovo. Caution flew several times over the next few laps as Moore maintained his advantage with Shane Stephens and Brandon Poppenheimer close behind. Poppenheimer’s good run came to an end as he retired from the third position on lap eleven. Moore went on to lead the remainder of the feature, and at the finish line he was followed by Shane Stephens, Frank Edwards, Ashley Newman, and Dean Caldwell. Poppenheimer and Moore won the heat races.

Night #2 of the bounty was in effect for Shane Parker in the Burch’s Automotive mini stock division. Parker proved to be far too tough for his competitors on this night though as he picked up yet another commanding, feature win. The bounty increases to $150 and rolls on to next week’s program. Lee Switcher, Greg Fisher, Roy Webb, and Robert Stephens rounded out the top five. Roy Webb and Shane Parker won the heat races.

Appropriately enough an area legend picked up the win in the Ray’s Auto Collision street stock division on Legend’s Night at the Races as Wimp Gatlin took home top honors. Gatlin and Hopkins led the field to the green with Hopkins taking the lead during the race’s early stages. The red flag flew on lap two for a frightening incident involving James Carling’s car. His fuel cell began to leak as he circled the track. His fuel trail was somehow ignited as flames began to follow his car around the ¼ mile oval. Officials finally stopped Carling, and were able to extinguish the fire. When the race went back green flag racing Hopkins continued to lead with Gatlin hot on his trail. As the duo raced door to door over the next few laps, Gatlin took over the lead. Terry Gray’s solid, third place run came to an end on lap nine when he and Hopkins made contact resulting in Gray spinning to the infield. Gatlin held on for the last few laps with Hopkins, Martha Woods, Kevin Davis, and Shawn Fowler rounding out the top five. Gatlin and Hopkins topped the heat races.

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Wimp Gatlin, Billy Hopkins

Feature Results: 1)Wimp Gatlin 2)Billy Hopkins 3)Martha Woods 4)Kevin Davis 5)Shawn Fowler 6)Jay Dukes 7)Wade Davis 8)Kevin Phelam 9)Joe Pettit 10)Richard Wehrman 11)Terry Gray 12)Troy Yarbrough 13)JC Waller 14)William Bailey 15)James Carling

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 12

Heat Winners: Roy Webb, Shane Parker

Feature Results: 1)Shane Parker 2)Lee Switcher 3)Greg Fisher 4)Roy Webb 5)Robert Stephens 6)Jamey Hard 7)Jack Pickett 8)Curt Van Cleave 9)Rick Sirkel 10)Cotton James 11)Jeremy Daughtery 12)Jason Pope

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 22

Heat Winners: Chris Moore, Brandon Poppenheimer, Shane Stephens

Feature Results: 1)Chris Moore 2)Shane Stephens 3)Frank Edwards 4)Ashley Newman 5)Dean Caldwell 6)Craig Dunavan 7)Jeremy Ray 8)Murray Vaughn 9)Mark Stephens 10)Jeff Richardson 11)Joe Strop 12)Jerod Roller 13)Tim Crown 14)Chuck Mulkey 15)Ryan Harrison 16)Ross Camponovo 17)Justin Wilbur 18)Rains Sojourner 19)Brad Wright 20)Andy Hamm 21)Brandon Poppenheimer 22)John Howard

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Carcount: 17

Heat Winners: Chris Dickerson, Jessie Bailey

Feature Results: 1)Jessie Bailey 2)Jerry Inmon 3)Danny Christian 4)Dean Carpenter 5)Steve Ross 6)Jamie Dacus 7)Mark Sartain 8)Dane Dacus 9)Chris Dickerson 10)Robert Lovette 11)Chuck York 12)Al Thiele 13)Micheal Brotherton

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Eddie Gallagher, Tim Crawley

Feature Results: 1)Tim Crawley 2)Mike Ward 3)Marshall Skinner 4)Ernie Ainsworth 5)Eddie Gallagher 6)Tony Wilson 7)Paul Sides 8)DJ Masner 9)Josh Baker 10)Kenny Coke 11)Greg Merritt 12)Sonny Sayre 13)Jake Shores 14)Benny Chesteen 15)Damon Wiggins

LEGEND’S NIGHT SET FOR THIS FRIDAY NIGHT AT MMP

MEMPHIS, TN (September 3, 2003) – The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will return to its regular racing program this Friday night at the Memphis Motorsports Park Dirt Track in Memphis, Tennessee, and a very special event will be held in conjunction with the program as the facility hosts the 2nd Annual Legend’s Night.

Some of the area’s greatest, all-time drivers are expected to be on hand to talk with the fans and sign autographs prior to the races. Local legends, who have voiced an interest in being present, include Hooker Hood, Shorty Chambliss, Elmer Gray, Jeff Swindell, Jerry Inmon, Eddie Ray Alexander, Joe Bomprezzi, Wimp Gatlin, Ray Bugg, James Howard, Buford Ward, and Sam Swindell. An autograph session will be held in the grandstand area from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M.

Sprint cars, super late models, modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will occupy the racing program on the action-packed ¼ mile oval.

This week’s program will mark night #1 of the bounty placed upon Danny Christian in the super late model division, and the bounty posted on Shane Parker in the mini stock division will also continue.

The pit gate opens at 5:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

RANDOLPH CAPTURES FIRST VICTORY IN MARS ACTION AT MMP

Memphis, Tennessee (August 29, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park hosted the O’Reilly Mid America Racing Series Super Late Models on Friday, August 29th.

Heading into the O’Reilly MARS event at Memphis Motorsports Park Charlie Randolph Jr held down the top spot in the Kuntz and Company Rookie of the Year standings, but he was still in search of his first ever, series victory. His search came to an abrupt stop as he led the forty lap feature flag to flag en route to the $3,000 payday in the “Hooters Memphis Mayhem 40”. Joey Mack and Jerry Inmon held down the front row for the feature event after accumulating the most points in their heat races. At the drop of the green Randolph jumped from his third starting spot into the lead with Joey Mack, Bill Frye, and Mike Brown flaring out three wide as Inmon faded rapidly through the field. By lap two Frye worked his way up to second and began applying pressure to Randolph. Randolph maintained his ground as Floyd slipped past Brown into the third spot on lap seven. Randolph and Frye began working lapped traffic by the tenth circuit as Floyd began to slowly close in on the lead duo. Frye pulled even with Randolph as the pair completed the thirteenth circuit, but Randolph managed to stretch his lead back out to a car length advantage. Caution flew on lap seventeen for Joey Mack, who made hard contact with an infield tire. Several cautions marred the ensuing restarts with one being highlighted by a nine car pileup, and another that saw third and forth place runners, Floyd and Brown getting stuck together with Brown coming to a stop. When the race finally went back green Randolph jumped out once again to a slim lead, and he held this margin en route to his first victory. Frye, Floyd, Steve Rushin, and Terry Phillips rounded out the top five. Jerry Inmon, Charlie Randolph, Jeff Taylor, and Bill Frye won the heat races for the thirty-three car field. The twin consolation races were topped by Steve Rushin and Jessie Bailey.

Chris Moore continued his march of domination in the Rick’s Powder Coating modified division as he picked up another feature win. Craig Dunavan and Chris Moore paced the field for the fifteen lap feature with Dunavan jumping out to the early lead with Moore and Mark Stephens in pursuit. By lap two Dunavan held a small advantage as Stephens and Moore battled side by side for the second position. As the race approached its midpoint, Dunavan began to slow with what appeared to be a tire going down. Moore and Stephens used Dunavan’s ill luck to their advantage as the pair worked past him on lap eight to take over the top two spots. Moore was able to hold off Stephens on the way to the victory. Dunavan held on for third and was followed across the line by Dean Caldwell and Frank Edwards. Moore and Dunavan won the heat races.

This week a $50 bounty was issued for mini stock hot shoe, Shane Parker, and Jamie Hard almost put the bounty to rest before it ever got established in the Burch’s Automotive mini stock division. Jamie Hard and Shane Parker brought the field to the green with Hard jumping out to the lead with Parker hot on his trail. Hard led Parker throughout the first half of the race, but as the duo prepared to complete lap seven, Parker made slight contact with Hard, resulting in Hard spinning to the infield. Hard was given his spot back, and Parker retired to the pits with damage to his mount. With Parker in the pit area the bounty was voided and will carry over to next week. Hard held on for the win and was followed across the line by Roy Webb, Sissy Swindell, Jason Pope, and Rick Sirkel. Hard and Parker won the heat races.

Billy Hopkins is finding the long tow from Caruthersville, Missouri to be a rather enjoyable one as he picked up yet another feature victory in the Ray’s Automotive street stock division. Randy Hargett and Wimp Gatlin led the field to the green with Hargett bolting to the early lead. By lap six Gatlin worked his way past Hargett for the lead and appeared to be on his way to victory before Hopkins slipped by on lap eight. Over the last few laps Hopkins stretched his lead on the way to another feature win at MMP. Gatlin, Martha Woods, Kevin Phelam, and Jason Dukes rounded out the top five. Hargett and Gatlin won the heat races.

O’REILLY MID AMERICA RACING SERIES

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Carcount: 32

Heat Winners: Jerry Inmon, Charlie Randolph, Jeff Taylor, Bill Frye

B-Main Transfers: Steve Rushin, Terry Phillips, Jessie Bailey, Gary Stolba

Provisionals: Jerry Walker

Feature Results: 1)Charlie Randolph Jr. 2)Bill Frye 3)Jeff Floyd 4)Steve Rushin 5)Terry Phillips 6)Dane Dacus 7)Dewaine Hottinger 8)Jessie Bailey 9)Jerry Buck 10)Jeff Taylor 11)Danny Christian 12)Gary Stolba 13)Barry Burch 14)Johnny Lancaster 15)Jerry Walker 16)Chris Dickerson 17)Leslie Essary 18)Jerry Inmon 19)Jamie Dacus 20)Mike Brown 21)Joey Mack

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Carcount: 12

Heat Winner: Randy Hargett, Wimp Gatlin
Feature Results: 1)Billy Hopkins 2)Wimp Gatlin 3)Martha Woods 4)Kevin Phelam 5)Jason Dukes 6)Randy Hargett 7)Troy Yarbrough 8)Matt Brassfield 9)Shawn Fowler 10)7x-? 11)Terry Gray

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 19

Heat Winners: Craig Dunavan, Chris Moore

Feature Results: 1)Chris Moore 2)Mark Stephens 3)Craig Dunavan 4)Dean Caldwell 5)Frank Edwards 6)Jeremy Ray 7)Jerod Roller 8)Brandon Poppenheimer 9)Murray Vaughn 10)Chuck Mulkey 11)Jerry Jackson 12)Joe Strop 13)Jeff Richardson

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Jamey Hard, Shane Parker

Feature Results: 1)Jamey Hard 2)Roy Webb 3)Sissy Swindell 4)Jason Pope 5)Rick Sirkel 6)David Dunham 7)John McGarvey 8)Teddy Pickett 9)Lee Switcher 10)Greg Fisher 11)Chuck Patton 12)Kurt Van Cleave 13)Mark Lovell 14)Shane Parker 15)Eoin McSeough

Bounties Posted at MMP for Christian and Parker

Memphis, Tennessee (August 26, 2003) – Danny Christian and Shane Parker have put strangle holds on their respective classes at Memphis Motorsports Park with Christian winning four super late model features (including two straight) and Parker winning five mini stock features (including four of the last five) so far this year. As a result, the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series staff has issued a bounty on each driver.

The bounty on Danny Christian is set to initially be $250. It will go into effect for the September 5th weekly show. If Christian wins that event the bounty will double (increased to $500) and roll over to the September 12th weekly show. If no one beats Christian on the September 12th show he will claim the $500 bounty.

The bounty on Shane Parker is set to initially be $50. It will go into effect this August 30th. For each night that Parker is not beat, the bounty will increase by $50. If Parker makes it to the end of the season without losing, he will collect the bounty for the five events.

In order for the bounty to be claimed, the driver must finish the feature. In addition, the bounty will be null on any of the bounty nights if dirty driving is involved.

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

MARS Returns to MMP for a Second Invasion

Memphis, Tennessee (August 26, 2003) - Three months ago the stars and cars of the Mid America Racing Series (M.A.R.S.) invaded the O'Reilly Thunder Racing Series, as Jeff Taylor took the top prize back to the Martian capital. This Friday, August 29th the series rolls back into town to challenge the local competitors in a forty lap battle royal.

The M.A.R.S. super late model invasion will be led by series point's leader, Bill Frye from Greenbriar, Arkansas. Terry Phillips, Gary Stolba, Jeff Taylor, Dewaine Hottinger, Stacy Taylor, David Gibson, Jeff Floyd, and a host of others are among the traveling invaders expected to follow their leader into battle.

A tough contingent of local drivers will await the travelers. Current point's leader, Danny Christian, has established a strange hold over the competition over the past couple of weeks with two straight feature victories and four victories total this season. He will attempt to make it three in a row as one of the toughest tours in the country rolls into town. Other local drivers expected include Jamie Elam, Jamie Dacus, Dane Dacus, Steve Ross, Johnny Lancaster, Chris Dickinson, Blake Lane, Jessie Bailey, Jerry Inmon, and many more.

On Friday night the pit gate opens at 4:00 with spectator gates opening at 5:00. Hot laps are 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $15 for adults. Children 12 and under $5 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O'Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

GRAY CONQUERS SPRINT FIELD AND MOTHER NATURE AT MMP

Memphis, Tennessee (August 23rd, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park won the race against a rapidly approaching electrical storm as it hosted the Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at the Races on Friday, August 23rd.

As the fans were wowed by a light show produced by Mother Nature, the action on the track produced its own fireworks as Terry Gray conquered the Cash-In-A Flash sprint car division. DJ Masner and Eddie Gallagher held the front row for the feature. The first start was waived off after Masner got on the gas a little too early. The second attempt at a start was also negated after a spin by Benny Chesteen. The field appeared to finally take the green on the third attempt, but caution would once again fly before a lap was completed as Masner pinched Gallagher into the wall exiting turn four, resulting in Gallagher violently slamming into the wall. Gallagher was uninjured, but done for the night. After three bad attempts to start the main event, officials lined the field up single file with Masner at the point. Masner jumped out to the lead as the field went green, but caution flew once again as Mike Ward and Ernie Ainsworth hit the turn three wall. Both drivers were done for the night, as the field once again lined up single file. On the ensuing restart, Masner grabbed a small lead over Tim Crawley going down the back stretch. As the top duo entered turn three, Masner hit the berm as Crawley moved to the cushion and took the lead from Masner exiting turn four. Over the next several laps Crawley extended his lead to a straight away, but disaster struck on lap eight as Crawley’s right rear detonated after contact with the back straight wall. Brian Bell was the benefactor of Crawley’s misfortune as the youngster inherited the top spot with Masner and Gray in second and third respectively. As the severe weather grew closer, officials made the decision to shorten the feature from twenty laps to fifteen laps as the field began to return to green flag racing. On the restart Bell jumped out to a two-car length advantage as Gray worked his way around Masner for the second spot. Gray pulled alongside Bell and ultimately took the lead as the pair entered turn one on lap ten Gray went on to lead the final laps to take home the feature win. Brian Bell, DJ Masner, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Sonny Sayre rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by DJ Masner, Eddie Gallagher, and Tim Crawley won the heat races.

Rumblings of the necessity of a bounty are starting to abound in the O.H. Hendricks super late model division at Memphis Motorsports Park as Danny Christian tightens his stranglehold. Danny Christian and Johnny Lancaster led the field to the green for the twenty lap affair as Christian jumped out to the lead with Lancaster and Dane Dacus on his bumper. Christian maintained the top spot as the caution flag flew twice during the early circuits. On lap eight Billy James slipped by Jamie Dacus for the third start as he made his own march to the front. James’ march was ended prematurely as he made contact with an infield barrier on a lap ten restart as he attempted to maneuver past second place runner, Dane Dacus. James was able to continue, but had to tag the rear of the field. As the field went back green Jamie Dacus began applying heavy pressure to his cousin, Dane Dacus, as the duo swapped the runner up spot a couple of times throughout the course of the next few laps. On lap seventeen, Jerry Inmon found his way into the fold as he too began to contest for the second and third positions with Jamie and Dane Dacus. As the last few laps unwound Christian extended his lead as he motored to another victory. He was followed at the line by Dane Dacus, Jerry Inmon, Jamie Dacus, and Johnny Lancaster. Heat races were won by Danny Christian, Johnny Lancaster

One week after losing a motor, Mark Stephens returned in fine form by winning the Rick’s Powder Coating modified feature. Frank Edwards and Jerry Jackson led the field to the green with Edwards taking the early lead before caution flew for Chris Moore, who spun to miss a sideways Danny Dow. On the ensuing full restart Edwards once again jumped to the lead with Mark Stephens and Jackson in pursuit. Edwards led the first few circuits of the caution filled feature as Stephens began to close in on him. On a lap six restart, Edwards went high with what appeared to be an ill-handling race car as Stephens slipped by for the top spot. Jeremy Ray followed Stephens past Edwards to take over the second spot. On lap eight Shane Stephens took the second spot from Jeremy Ray as Chris Moore, who had gone tailback at the start of the feature worked his way all the way up to the fourth spot. The top spots remained unchanged over the last few laps as Mark Stephens picked up the win followed by Shane Stephens, Jeremy Ray, Chris Moore, and Craig Dunavan. Heat races were won by Frank Edwards and Jerry Jackson.

The Ray’s Auto Collision street stock saw a Missouri traveler roll into town and escape with the loot as Billy Hopkins once again took home the top prize. Jay Dukes and Billy Hopkins were scheduled to start on the front row for the feature, but apparent car problems for Dukes moved Shawn Fowler to the front row beside Hopkins. As the race went green Hopkins jumped to the lead with Fowler, Chuck Fletcher, and Terry Gray close behind. By lap two Fletcher worked his way up to the second spot as he tried to reel in Hopkins. As the laps wound down Hopkins stretched his advantage en route to the victory. Chuck Fletcher, Terry Gray, Jeff Dykes, and Shawn Fowler. Heat races were won by Jay Dukes and Billy Hopkins.

The Burch’s Automotive mini stock division saw Shane Parker once again dominate the competition as he picked up another feature victory leading the feature green to checkered. Parker was followed at the line by Jamie Hard, Greg Fisher, Eoin McSeough, and Rick Sirkel. Heat races were won by Shane Parker and Eoin McSeough..

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS
Carcount: 15
Heat Winners: Jay Dukes, Billy Hopkins
Feature Results: 1)Billy Hopkins 2)Chuck Fletcher 3)Terry Gray 4)Jeff Dykes 5)Shawn Fowler 6)JC Waller 7)Troy Yarbrough 8)Matt Brassfield 9)Martha Woods 10)Kenneth Price 11)Kevin Davis

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS
Carcount: 16
Heat Winners: Shane Parker, Eoin McSeough
Feature Results: 1)Shane Parker 2)Jamey Hard 3)Greg Fisher 4) Eoin McSeough 5)Rick Sirkel 6)Roy Webb 7)Mark Lovell 8)John McGarvey 9)Jason Pope 10)David Dunham 11)Chase Gustavus 12)Sylvia Barnes 13)Eugene McCelough 14)Jeremy Daughtery 15)Lee Switcher 16)Robert Stephens

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS
Carcount: 18
Heat Winners: Frank Edwards, Jerry Jackson
Feature Results: 1) Mark Stephens 2)Shane Stephens 3)Chris Moore 4)Jeremy Ray 5)Craig Dunavan 6)Jerod Roller 7)Dean Caldwell 8)Danny Dow 9)Andy Ham 10)Chris Brandon 11) 12)Frank Edwards 13)Jerry Jackson 14)Kevin Davis 15)John Howard 16)Jeremy Conners17)Ryan Harrison 18)Murray Vaughn19)Brandon Poppenheimer

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS
Carcount: 19
Heat Winners: Danny Christian, Johnny Lancaster, Dane Dacus
Feature Results: 1)Danny Christian 2)Dane Dacus 3)Jerry Inmon 4)Jamie Dacus 5)Johnny Lancaster 6)Chris Dickinson 7)Mike Carr 8)Barry Burch 9)Robert Lovette 10)James Godsey 11)Blake Lane 12)Calvin Schrader 13)Charles LaPlant 14)Billy James 15)Mark Sartain 16)Jamie Elam 17)Blake McClain 18)Brian Malone 19)Steve Ross

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS
Carcount: 19
Heat Winners: DJ Masner, Eddie Gallagher, Tim Crawley
Feature Results: 1)Terry Gray 2)Brian Bell 3)DJ Masner 4)Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 5)Sonny Sayre 6)Jake Shores 7)Paul Sides 8)Benny Chesteen 9)Skip Andrews 10)Marshall Skinner 11)Tim Crawley 12)Josh Baker 13)Greg Merritt 14)Mike Ward 15)Ernie Ainsworth 16)Scott Bolden 17)Eddie Gallagher

Attached Photos:

Mmp61303sprint.jpg - Terry Gray picked up the sprint car victory (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Mmp62703lm.jpg – Danny Christian continues his dominance of the late model division (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Mmp822.03street.jpg – Billy Hopkins made the long tow from Missouri worthwhile as he won the feature (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Mmp82303min.jpg – Shane Parker won another mini stock event (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Mmp82303mod.jpg - Mark Stephens bagged the modified feature (Photo by Phil Bowden)

Law Enforcement Night at MMP

Memphis, Tennessee (August 20, 2003) – After a week off the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park will return to action with sprint cars, late models, mini stocks, modifieds, and street stocks in action.

This Friday night will also be Law Enforcement Night as the staff at Memphis Motorsports Park salutes the brave men and women of the area police departments.

Pit gates open at 5:00. The spectator gates open at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

CHRISTIAN AND WARD WIN BIG AT MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK
Photos by Phil Bowden

Chris Moore claimed the modified feature victory

Memphis, Tennessee (August 8, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park rolled on with a weekly racing series event on August 9th, 2003 as it hosted Brim’s Snack Foods Back to School Night.

The O.H. Hendricks late model division has seen Corinth, Mississippi driver, Danny Christian, turn up the heat over the past several weeks as he has recorded multiple victories and countless, top five finishes. Christian continued his winning ways in the twenty lap feature. Steve Ross and Danny Christian led the field to the green flag with Christian motoring to an early lead with Ross, Dane Dacus, and Jerry Inmon in tow. Caution flew on lap two as Chris Dickinson stalled in turn one. On the restart Christian was seriously challenged for the lead as Dane Dacus began applying heavy pressure for the top spot. After a few, green flag laps Christian once again began to build a substantial lead. Caution flew again on lap eight as Ross spun from the third position while battling with Dacus. By lap twelve, Jamie Elam, Dane Dacus, and Jessie Bailey were waging war for the second spot as Christian continued to motor away from the field. Christian went on to lead the remainder of the event with Dane Dacus, Jessie Bailey, Jamie Elam, and Jerry Inmon rounding out the top five spots. Steve Ross and Danny Christian won the heat races.

After losing the previous week’s feature event by a few inches, Mike Ward stormed into the Memphis Motorsports Park and conquered the Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car division. Ernie Ainsworth and Paul Sides paced the field with Sides rocketing to the early lead with Ainsworth and Ward in tow. Ward took over the second position on lap two as he set sail for Sides. Exiting turn four on lap four, Ward stole the top spot from Sides as the duo began to navigate lapped traffic. Tim Crawley, who started fifth, moved into the second spot on lap eight as Sides and Eddie Gallagher began to battle for the third position. Throughout the next six laps Crawley tried to reel Ward in as the two drivers worked heavy, lapped traffic. Caution flew on lap fourteen, setting up a six lap dash to the finish. On the restart, Ward once again pulled out on Crawley and went on to take the win. As Gallagher and Sides came down to take the white flag, Gallagher checked up and Sides nudged him, resulting in Gallagher doing a doughnut, but managing to keep going after losing three spots. Following Ward, Crawley, and Sides across the line were Marshall Skinner, and Ernie Ainsworth. Ernie Ainsworth and Paul Sides won the heat races.

The Rick’s Powder Coating modified division was a true thriller that was not decided until the final corner of the final lap. Frank Edwards and Shannon Brack held down the front row for the fifteen lap feature with Brack jumping to the early lead with Edwards and Craig Dunavan in pursuit. As Brack worked the inside berm, Edwards began to work the middle of the track as he moved by Dunavan to challenge Brack. It appeared that Edwards would have the car to beat, but as he attempted to pass Brack on the high side entering turn two, his car suddenly turned right sending him into the outside wall. Edwards was done for the night with Brack maintaining his lead. On the restart, Dunavan made contact with an infield tire, sending him to the rear of the field. Moore inherited second place with Mark Stephens in third. As the race went back to green flag action, Moore began working the high side of the track as Brack continued to hold down the bottom with Stephens also working the bottom. The top three cars battled inches apart for the next several laps with Brack and Moore side by side. Brack and Moore continued their side by side battle as they took the white flag, but as the duo exited turn four Brack got sideways collecting Stephens. Brack was able to recover and salvage second place, but Stephens was not so lucky as his car stalled. Moore held on for the lead with Brack, Brandon Poppenheimer, Jerod Roller, and Craig Dunavan rounded out the top five. Cliff Carter and Shannon Brack won the heat races, but Carter was disqualified for a pit incident.

Lynn Scarbrough has flirted with victory lane several times at MMP this year and has even picked up a feature victory, but bad luck has also found its way to him on several occasions. Scarbrough finally caught some lucky breaks as he claimed the win in the Ray’s Auto Collision street stock division. Jonathan Skinner and Lynn Scarbrough started on the front row for the main event with Skinner jumping out to the early lead. Skinner’s luck went south on lap four when he hit an oil spot causing him to spin to the infield. Scarbrough inherited the lead and never looked back en route to the feature victory. Rounding out the top five were Jeff Beeson, Chuck Fletcher, Billy Hopkins, and Kevin Pierce. Lynn Scarbrough and Jonathan Skinner won the heat races.

The Burch’s Automotive mini stock division saw an all too familiar face in victory lane as Bud Ward returned to the victory podium. His win did not come easy though, as he had to endure heavy pressure from Lee Switcher throughout the course of the ten lap event. Switcher was able to keep Ward within his grasp, but was never able to make the pass. At the line Ward and Switcher were followed by Shane Parker, Roy Webb, and Jamey Hard. Bud Ward and Lee Switcher won the heat races.

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Carcount: 17

Heat Winners: Steve Ross, Danny Christian

Feature Results: 1)Danny Christian 2)Dane Dacus 3)Jessie Bailey 4)Jamie Elam 5)Jerry Inmon 6)Johnny Lancaster 7)Steve Ross 8)Chris Dickinson 9)Robert Lovette 10)Jamie Dacus 11)Blake Lane 12)Mike Lowery 13)Brian Malone 14)Calvin Schrader 15)Barry Burch

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Ernie Ainsworth, Paul Sides

Feature Results: 1)Mike Ward 2)Tim Crawley 3)Paul Sides 4)Marshall Skinner 5)Ernie Ainsworth 6)Eddie Gallagher 7)Ronny Howard 8)Benny Chesteen 9)Justin Sturch 10)Sonny Sayre 11)Ray Bugg 12)Buster Dickerson 13)Jake Shores

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Frank Edwards, Shannon Brack

Feature Results: 1)Chris Moore 2)Shannon Brack 3)Brandon Poppenheimer 4)Jerod Roller 5)Craig Dunavan 6)Dean Caldwell 7)Ricky Vandergriff 8)Greg Vandergriff 9)Murray Vaughn 10)Mark Stephens 11)Raines Sojourner 12)Chuck Mulkey 13)Frank Edwards

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Carcount: 19

Heat Winners: Jonathon Skinner, Lynn Scarbrough

Feature Results: 1)Lynn Scarbrough 2)Jeff Beeson 3)Chuck Fletcher 4)Billy Hopkins 5)Kevin Pierce 6)Mike Downing 7)Terry Gray 8)JC Waller 9)Kevin Davis 10)Troy Yarbrough 11)Joe Pettit 12)Jonathan Skinner 13)Shawn Fowler 14)Kevin Phelam 15)Martha Woods 16)Jason Dukes

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 14

Heat Winners: Bud Ward, Lee Switcher

Feature Results: 1)Bud Ward 2)Lee Switcher 3)Shane Parker 4)Roy Webb 5)Jamey Hard 6)Greg Fisher 7)Jack Pickett 8)Britni Swindell 9)Rick Sirkel 10)David Dunham 11)Robbie Miller 12)John McGarvey 13)Tony Bricato 14)Jason Pope

BRIM’S SNACK FOODS BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT THE RACES SET FOR MMP

MEMPHIS, TN (August 6, 2003) – The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will host the Brim’s Snack Foods Back to School Night at the Races this Friday night at the Memphis Motorsports Park Dirt Track in Memphis, Tennessee.

Sprint cars, late models, modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will occupy the racing program on the action-packed ¼ mile oval..

The pit gate opens at 5:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

MONTGOMERY CLAIMS THE INDEPENDENCE SHOOTOUT

Memphis, Tennessee (August 1, 2003) The O'Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park hosted the Independence Shootout for sprint cars on August 1st, 2003.

Fredericktown, Missouri driver, Tim Montgomery, is setting the world on fire in 2003, and he continued his hot streak as he rolled into Memphis Motorsports Park and walked off with the $2,000 top prize in the Independence Shootout. Mike Ward and Eddie Gallagher led the field to the green for the thirty lap Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car feature. Ward jumped out to a quick lead, but before a lap could be completed, something locked up on Gallagher's car bringing him to a sudden stop in turn four. Gallagher's night was over as the field bunched together with AG Rains moving into the front row starting spot vacated by Gallagher. At the drop of the green, Ward once again motored into the lead with Rains close behind. Red flag flew on lap three for Jake Shores, who tagged an infield tire causing him to flip twice. Shores was uninjured but done for the night. On the restart Ward once again jumped out to a quick lead before the red flag flew again. This time it was for Sonny Sayre, who flipped in turn four, but was uninjured. On the restart Tim Crawley, snuck by Rains for the second spot and set his sights on Ward. By lap six, Montgomery, who had started tailback after making it out late for the feature, was up to the fourth position. Ward continued to maintain his lead as Crawley held him close in check. Rains retired on lap seven with an apparent bent front end. The red flag was displayed twice on lap nine as both Bryce Vowan and Paul Sides were involved in separate flips. Vowan was done for the night, but Sides was able to restart at the tail of the field. Once again, Ward held a slim advantage over Crawley and Montgomery. By lap eighteen Wade Olive had charged from sixteenth up to fifth place, but on lap twenty-one, something went south in Oliver's mount forcing him to retire. On the restart following Oliver's caution, Montgomery shot past Crawley and began applying heavy pressure to Ward. As the duo took the white flag, Montgomery pulled up beside Ward and going into turn one as they were neck and neck. Ward jumped out to a half a car lead down the back stretch, and as the pair exited turn four, Montgomery once again shot to the bottom of Ward, and at the line edged Ward by a matter of inches to take the win. Following Montgomery and Ward across the line were Tim Crawley, Ernie Ainsworth, and Marshall Skinner. Heat races were won by Ward and Gallagher.

Mike Cochran and Martha Woods paced the field for the Ray's Auto Collision street stock main event with Woods snagging the early lead with Cochran and JC Waller in tow. On lap two, Waller took second place from Cochran as Woods maintained her advantage. Exiting turn two on lap three, Cochran and Waller tangled resulting in Cochran spinning into the infield and Waller losing second place to Lynn Scarbrough. Scarbrough rapidly closed in on the leader and pulled even with Woods as they raced down the front straight on lap four. Coming out of turn four on lap five, Scarbrough had disaster strike as one of his tires came off of his car ending his night. On the restart Woods back out to a sizeable lead and went on to take the win over Kevin Phelam, Terry Gray, JC Waller, and Mike Cochran. Martha Woods and Mike Cochran won the heats.

Frank Edwards and Andy Tennison sat on the front row for the fifteen lap main event in the Rick's Powder Coating Modified division. As the field raced into turn one, there was a large pileup involving four cars. With the track cleared, the field lined up again for a full restart with Tennison jumping out to the lead with David Cove and Jeremy Ray close behind. On lap two, Ray slipped by Cove for the second spot as he began to reel in Tennison. On lap five, Ray began to challenge Tennison for the top spot and on lap eight he finally took the lead. On lap ten, Tennison got sideways allowing several cars to get by as Shane Stephens slipped by for the second spot. Ray went on to lead the last five laps with Stephens, Craig Dunavan, Ashley Newman, and Brandon Poppenheimer rounding out the top five. Andy Tennison and Frank Edwards won the heats.

The Burch's Automotive Mini Stock division saw a familiar face in victory lane as Shane Parker took the lead from Lee Switcher as the duo completed lap one and never looked back en route to another feature victory. Switcher, Greg Fisher, Roy Webb, and Tony Bracato rounded out the top five spots. Lee Switcher and Shane Parker won the heats.

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS

Carcount: 19

Heat Winners: Eddie Gallagher, Mike Ward

Feature Results: 1)Tim Montgomery 2)Mike Ward 3)Tim Crawley 4)Ernie Ainsworth 5)Marshall Skinner 6)Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 7)Ronny Howard 8)Paul Sides 9)Damon Wiggins 10)Benny Chesteen 11)Wade Oliver 12)Bryce Vowan 13)AG Rains 14)DJ Masner 15)Sonny Sayre 16)Jake Shores 17)Eddie Gallagher

RAY'S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Carcount: 16

Heat Winners: Mike Cochran, Martha Woods

Feature Results: 1)Martha Woods 2)Kevin Phelam 3)Terry Gray 4)JC Waller 5)Mike Cochran 6)Joe Pettit 7)James Keelig 8)Shawn Fowler 9)Daniel Waters 10)Lynn Scarbrough 11)Troy Yarbrough 12)JD Ballinger 13)Wimp Gatlin 14)Kurt Cunningham

BURCH'S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Lee Switcher, Shane Parker

Feature Results: 1)Shane Parker 2)Lee Switcher 3)Greg Fisher 4)Roy Webb 5)Tony Bracato 6)Rick Sirkel 7)Jamey Hard 8)Mark Clark 9)John Garvey 10)Jeremy Daughtery 11)David Dunham 12)Kurt VanCleave 13)Allen Williams 14)Mark Lovell 15)1R-?

RICK'S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 12

Heat Winners: Andy Tennison, Frank Edwards

Feature Results: 1)Jeremy Ray 2)Shane Stephens 3)Craig Dunavan 4)Ashley Newman 5)Brandon Poppenheimer 6)Murray Vaughn 7)David Cove 8)Andy Tennison 9)Frank Edwards 10)Ryan Harrison 11)Jerrod Roller 12)Allen Davis

INDEPENDENCE SHOOTOUT FOR SPRINT CARS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

Memphis, Tennessee (July 30, 2003) – After losing the first attempt to host the Independence Shootout for sprint cars to Mother Nature, the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park will host the event this Friday, August 1st.

The special for sprint cars will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start in the big feature event. Throughout the first half of the year Eddie Gallagher pursued Paul Sides for the point’s lead. Gallagher’s win last week moved him into the point’s lead with Sides close behind. This Friday night, Sides will attempt to take the lead back from Gallagher. However, both drivers will have to deal with a strong contingent of competitors expected including Tim Crawley, Dale Howard, Ernie Ainsworth, Mike Ward, Bryce Vowan, Marshall Skinner, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Henry Gustavus, AG Rains, Raymond Stull, Sonny Sayre, Josh Baker, and many more.

Modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will also be in action.

Pit gates will open at 5:00. The spectator gates open at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

BEESON WINS RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCK SHOOTOUT
Photos by Phil Bowden

Memphis, Tennessee (July 25, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park featured the Ray’s Auto Collision Street Stock Shootout plus a weekly racing series event on July 25th, 2003.

Thirty three competitors representing four states signed in to compete for the $1,000 top prize in the Ray’s Auto Collision Street Stock Shootout. Jeff Beeson and Mike Lack paced the field for the fifteen lap main event. The first three attempts at a start saw the caution flag fly each time before a lap could be completed. As a result, the field was lined up single file for the fourth try at getting the race underway. At the drop of the green Beeson shot to the lead with Bill Yarbrough, Derrick Bollinger, and Wimp Gatlin in tow. Beeson went on to lead all fifteen laps and take the win as eighth starting, Mike Lack, finished second. James Hutchinson, Dale Nelson Jr. (who started seventeenth), and Billy Hopkins (who came from last after a lap one melee) rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Bill Yarbrough, Jeff Beeson, Derrick Bollinger, and Wimp Gatlin. Dale Nelson Jr. received a $100 bonus for passing the most cars in the feature as he came from a seventeenth starting position to a fourth place finish.

The Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car division saw the 2002 Track Champion, Eddie Gallagher, return to his winning ways in the twenty lap event. Mike Ward and Jody Roland paced the seventeen car field with Mike Ward jumping to the lead with Marshall Skinner, Roland, and Gallagher in tow. Gallagher was up to second by lap four when caution flew for an incident involving Greg Merritt and Jake Shores. On the ensuing restart Gallagher shadowed Ward, and as the pair exited turn four on lap six, Gallagher rode the rim to take the lead. Over the remaining laps Gallagher built a straight away lead over the field as his car seemed to work perfectly everywhere on the track. At the finish line Gallagher was followed by Ward, Marshall Skinner, Dale Howard, and Ernie Ainsworth. Mike Ward and Jody Roland won the heat races.

There was a pirate sighting in the O.H. Hendricks late model division as Steve Russell, a.k.a. The Pontotoc Pirate, rode the high side to a commanding victory in the late model division. Danny Christian and Jerry Inmon led the field to the green flag in the twenty lap event with Inmon snagging the early lead. By lap two, Russell, who had started fifth, was up to third place as he set his sights on the second place car of Danny Christian. Russell used the high line to rocket by Christian on lap eight. Christian would temporarily surrender third place to Jamie Dacus on lap nine, when he took a detour through the infield. On lap ten, Russell used a strong run exiting turn four to take the lead from Inmon. Russell went on to lead the remaining ten laps and was followed at the line by Inmon, Danny Christian, Jamie Dacus, and Blake Lane. Danny Christian and Jerry Inmon won the heat races.

Shane Parker from Corinth, Mississippi has flirted with victory lane the past few weeks at MMP, and he finally found his way onto the victory podium after capturing the Burch’s Automotive mini stock feature. Parker and Lee Switcher held down the front row for the feature with Parker and Switcher battling side by side throughout the first few laps. By the race’s midpoint Parker held a one car length lead over Switcher and Jamey Hard. Parker endured a pair of late race cautions to take the win ahead of Switcher, Hard, Greg Fisher, and Mark Clark. Heat races were won by Shane Parker, Lee Switcher, and Rick Sirkel.

Rays Auto Collision Street Stock Shootout This Friday Night at MMP

MEMPHIS, TN (July 2, 2003) – This Friday, July 25th the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will hold a special event for the newest division at the facility as it hosts the Ray’s Auto Collision Street Stock Shootout at the Memphis Motorsports Park Dirt Track in Memphis, Tennessee .

The street stock division, which debuted earlier this year, has grown by leaps and bounds with new cars showing up every week. This Friday night, it is likely that several new cars will be entered to do battle as the winner will take home $1,000 in the fifteen lap event that pays $50 just to start. The weekly street stock purse has been more than doubled for this earth-shattering event. For full payout information visit www.thunderatthepark.com.

Also on the card for the evening’s event will be sprint cars, late models, and mini stocks.

The pit gate opens at 5:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

WRIGHT TOPS MIDSOUTHRACING.COM NATIONALS

Memphis, Tennessee (July 18, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports welcomed the winged warriors of the American Sprint Car Series to town for the 1st Annual MidSouthRacing.com Nationals on July 18th, 2003.

For Hooks, Texas driver, Gary Wright, the 2003 season has been a roller coaster ride that has seen the veteran in victory lane in almost half of the races he has entered, but has also seen him miss an ASCS National event after his trailer was destroyed en route to an event in Oklahoma. Friday night definitely had to be a high point for Wright, who took off from his front row starting position and led all thirty laps in the Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car feature for the American Sprint Car Series. Gary Wright and Travis Rilat brought the twenty car field to the green with Wright jumping out to the lead with Rilat and Tim Crawley close behind. By lap two Crawley was on the prowl as he moved into second and began to close in on Wright. Wright continued to hold a few car length lead as he and Crawley navigated heavy, lapped traffic. Caution flew on lap fifteen as Raymond Stull came to a stop, and this allowed Crawley to close back in on Wright. On the restart, Wright pulled out to a slim lead once again, as Eddie Gallagher moved into the third position. By lap twenty the front runners were encountering heavy traffic again. Red flag flew on lap twenty-five as Mike Ward and Bryce Vowan got together causing Vowan to flip. Vowan was uninjured, but done for the night. Wright went on to lead the final five laps with Crawley, Gallagher, Rilat, and Darren Stewart rounding out the top five. Heat races were won by Gary Wright, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Travis Rilat, and Tim Crawley. Bryce Vowan topped the twelve lap b-main event.

Over the past several weeks Danny Christian has really figured out the ¼ mile, gumbo oval at MMP as he has been a front runner ever week in the O.H. Hendricks late model division, and on Friday night he picked up his second feature win of the year. Tommy Ray and Jessie Bailey led the field to the green with Bailey jumping into the lead as the field entered turn one. Bailey led the first lap, but as the leaders entered turn one on lap two Bailey and Ray tangled collecting three other cars. All of the cars involved in the incident were able to continue but had to tag the tail. Johnny Lancaster inherited the lead with Christian in second place. On lap five, Christian got a strong run on Lancaster going down the back straight and rocketed into the lead. Christian maintained his lead over the next several laps as Elam moved into second place on lap thirteen. Christian went on to lead the last few laps with Elam in second, Lancaster in third, Steve Ross in fourth, and Jamie Dacus in fifth. Tommy Ray and Jamie Dacus won the heat races.

Jeremy Ray and Andy Tennison, who was piloting Mark Brandon’s #12x, paced the field for the feature event in the Rick’s Powder Coating modified division. Ray jumped out to the early lead with Tennison and Craig Dunavan in pursuit. On lap two, Dunavan moved up to second place. Caution flew on lap three as Tennison was spun from the fourth position. On the restart, Dunavan moved past Ray to take the lead. Over the next several laps Dunavan pulled out to a commanding lead and went on to lead the remaining ten laps. Rounding out the top five were Mark Stephens, Shane Stephens, Brandon Poppenheimer, and Ashley Newman. Heat races were won by Jeremy Ray and Andy Tennison.

Bud Ward continued his domination tour 2003 of the Burch’s Automotive mini stock division. Lee Switcher and Shane Parker brought the field to the green with Switcher jumping out to the early lead as Bud Ward, Rick Sirkel, and Shane Parker waged war for the second position. Switcher continued to lead the field throughout the early stages of the event, but disaster struck as he exited turn four on lap five as his car slowed. Ward and Parker split Switcher as they shot down the front straight with Ward taking the lead and going on to lead the last few laps to take the win. Parker finished second with Jamey Hard, Rick Sirkel, and Greg Fisher rounding out the top five positions. Heat races were won by Lee Switcher and Shane Parker.

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 14

Heat Winners: Lee Switcher, Shane Parker

Feature Results: 1)Bud Ward 2)Shane Parker 3)Jamey Hard 4)Rick Sirkel 5)Greg Fisher 6)Chris Lackey 7)Mark Clark 8)Roy Webb 9)Jeremy Daughtery 10)Mark Lovell 11)Ricky Shields 12)Allen Williams 13)Sissy Swindell 14)Robert Gillespie 15)Lee Switcher

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 15

Heat Winners: Jeremy Ray, Andy Tennison

Feature Results: 1)Craig Dunavan 2)Jeremy Ray 3)Mark Stephens 4) Shane Stephens 5)Brandon Poppenheimer 6)Ashley Newman 7)Johnny Cook 8)Jarod Roller 9)Murray Vaughn 10)Frank Edwards 11)Dicky Jackson 12)James Godsey 13)Ryan Harrison 14)Andy Tennison 15)Cliff Carter

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Carcount: 16

Heat Winners: Tommy Ray, Jessie Bailey

Feature Results: 1)Danny Christian 2)Jamie Elam 3)Johnny Lancaster 4)Steve Ross 5)Jamie Dacus 6)Dane Dacus 7)Jerry Inmon 8)Blake Lane 9)Jessie Bailey 10)Tommy Ray 11)Chris Dickinson 12)Robert Lovett 13)Charlie Cole 14)Jimmy Brotherton 15)Ronny Jackson 16)Mike Carr

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS

Carcount: 29

Heat Winners: Gary Wright, Travis Rilat, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Tim Crawley

B-Main (Four Transfer): Bryce Vowan, Cody Branchcomb, Jody Roland, Raymond Stull

Feature Results: 1)Gary Wright 2)Tim Crawley 3)Eddie Gallagher 4)Travis Rilat 5)Daren Stewart 6)Zach Chappell 7)Dewayne Prince 8)Cody Branchcomb 9)Marshall Skinner 10)Mike Ward 11)Ernie Ainsworth 12)Ricky Stenhouse Jr 13)Paul Sides 14)Jimmy Taylor 15)Jody Roland 16)Raymond Stull 17)AG Rains 18)Bryce Vowan 19)Henry Gustavus Jr. 20) Dale Howard

1st Annual MidSouthRacing.com ASCS Nationals Set for MMP

MEMPHIS, TN (July 15, 2003) – This Friday, July 18th the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will host the 1st Annual MidSouthRacing.com ASCS Nationals at the Memphis Motorsports Park Dirt Track in Memphis, Tennessee.

Headlining the event will be the invasion by the American Sprint Car Series. Leading the stampede into Memphis will be Darren Stewart from Bixby, Oklahoma, who currently resides atop the series’ points. A pack of wolves are hot on Stewart’s tail as Travis Rilat, Zach Chappell, and Gary Wright are all within seventy points of the leader. Other ASCS drivers, who are expected include Toby Brown, Rick Behr, Matt Clevenger, AG Rains, Cody Branchcomb, and many more.

Awaiting the travelers will be a stout field of hometown drivers led by current points leader, Paul Sides, and the hottest driver in the area right now, Tim Crawley. Crawley charged from his tenth starting spot at MMP last Friday night to pick up the feature win and backed it up with an ASCS win the next night at I-30 Speedway. Other local drivers expected include Mike Ward, Eddie Gallagher, Raymond Stull, Marshall Skinner, Bryce Vowan, Henry Gustavus, Dewayne Prince, Ernie Ainsworth, Dale Howard, Josh Howard, and many more.

Also on the card for the evening’s event will be late models, modifieds, and mini stocks.

The pit gate opens at 4:00 with spectator gates opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $15 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $5 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

STOKES REIGNS SUPREME AT MEMPHIS MOTORSPORTS PARK

Memphis, Tennessee (July 11, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park rolled on with a weekly racing series event on July 11th, 2003.

When you talk about the history of late model racing in the South, there is one name that you will hear again and again and that is Johnny Stokes from Columbus, Mississippi. For years on end Stokes, who was a founding member of the “Mississippi Mafia” burned up tracks across the nation picking up wins and watching bounties chase him from track to track. In the past few years Stokes has raced only once or twice a year, while he focuses most of his attention on promoting and preparing Columbus Speedway. In the past few weeks, he has driven the Jay Dickens house car on a couple of occasions, and in only his fourth night in the car, Stokes took off from a stout, twenty car field at MMP and returned to victory lane for the first time in a few years. Johnny Stokes and Danny Christian held down the front row for the twenty lap, O.H. Hendricks late model feature. Christian’s stay at the front would be short-lived as he got crossed up going into turn one on the first lap and spun around. With Christian tagging the back, the field lined up double file for a full restart with Johnny Waters from Jonesboro, Arkansas moving up to start on the front row beside Stokes. At the drop of the green Stokes rocketed into the lead with Waters, Jessie Bailey, and Jamie Elam in tow. By lap four Stokes had built a ten car length lead as Bailey stole second place from Waters and set his sight on Stokes. Caution flew on lap six as Steve Ross’s motor expired, and this allowed Bailey to close in on Stokes. On the restart Stokes was only able to establish a car length advantage over Bailey as the duo approached lap traffic. Stokes and Bailey had to endure a scare as they came out of turn four on lap ten when a lap car got completely sideways in front of the leaders causing them to almost come to a complete stop. During the next few laps Stokes began to slowly pull away from Bailey and had established a six car length lead when caution flew on lap eighteen for a stalled Elam. Elam’s caution set up a wild two lap dash to the caution that saw Stokes hold on for the win and Bailey lose several positions after sliding into the infield. Dane Dacus (who started thirteenth) finished second, followed by Jamie Dacus, Danny Christian (who came from twentieth after spinning on lap one), and Chris Dickinson. Heat races were won by Danny Christian, Johnny Stokes, and Johnny Waters. Dane Dacus picked up the hard charger award for passing eleven cars in the main event.

The Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car division was paced for the feature event by DJ Masner and Raymond Stull. After two cautions nixed the first two starts, the third time was a charm with Stull heading to the front with Masner and Eddie Gallagher close behind. On lap two Gallagher shot to the lead and set sail. As the feature went green for an extended time, Tim Crawley, who started tenth, found his way into second place as he began to reel in Gallagher. By lap fifteen, the lead duo was in heavy traffic as Crawley and Gallagher each tried their luck on the hub and top groove. On lap seventeen Crawley was able to get a strong run on Gallagher coming out of turn two to take the lead as he went on to lead the final three laps to take his second feature win of the year at MMP. Gallagher held on for second followed by Darren Stewart, Marshall Skinner, and Raymond Stull. Heat races were won by DJ Masner, Raymond Stull, and Eddie Gallagher.

Cliff Carter started the 2003 season off with some of the worst luck imaginable, but in the past few weeks his luck has improved as he picked up another feature win in the Rick’s Powder Coating modified division. Carter and Ashley Newman led the field to the green as Carter snatched the early lead with Newman and Mark Stephens in pursuit. Carter would receive heavy pressure from Newman, Mark Stephens, and Shane Stephens throughout the entire feature, but was able to hold on for the win. Newman, Mark Stephens, Shane Stephens, and Craig Dunavan rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Cliff Carter and Ashley Newman.

The Ray’s Auto Collision street stock saw two and three wide racing for the lead throughout the event with Greg Perkins coming out on top at the finish line. Mike Downing and Billy Hopkins sat on the front row for the feature event with Downing holding a slight lead over Hopkins during the first few laps. On lap three, Hopkins got a strong run on Downing and shot to the lead as Perkins closed in on the lead duo. On lap five Perkins got a strong run on Downing and Hopkins and took over the top spot. Perkins went on to lead the final laps and pick up his first win of 2003. Hopkins, Joe Strop, Kevin Phelan, and JC Waller rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Mike Downing and Billy Hopkins.

The Burch’s Automotive mini stock division saw a familiar face gracing victory lane as Bud Ward picked up yet another feature win. Bud Ward and his sister, Sissy Swindell, held down the front row for the feature with Ward jumping out to the lead and never looking back. Ward’s only challenge came with just a few laps to go as Shane Parker, who started 5th, made a couple of strong runs at him, but fell just short of the win. Parker, Robert Stephens, Jamey Hard, and Roy Webb rounded out the top five. Heat races were won by Bud Ward and Sissy Swindell.

RAY’S AUTO COLLISION STREET STOCKS

Carcount: 19

Heat Winners: Mike Downing, Billy Hopkins

Feature Results: 1)Greg Perkins 2)Billy Hopkins 3)Joe Strop 4)Kevin Phelan 5)JC Waller 6)Shawn Fowler 7)Terry Gray 8)Mike Downing 9)Martha Woods 10)Chuck Fletcher 11)Matt Brasfield 12)Doug Layton 13)Auston Mealer 14)Wade Davis 15)Wimp Gatlin 16)Jay Dukes 17)Joey Jones

BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCKS

Carcount: 18

Heat Winners: Bud Ward, Sissy Swindell

Feature Results: 1)Bud Ward 2)Shane Parker 3)Robert Stephens 4)Jamey Hard 5)Roy Webb 6)Greg Fisher 7)Sissy Swindell 8)Kurt ? 9)Lee Switcher 10)Ian Magoo 11)Allen Williams 12)Rick Sirkel 13)Jeremy Daughtery 14)Mark Lovell 15)David Dunham

RICK’S POWDER COATINGS MODIFIEDS

Carcount: 19

Heat Winners: Cliff Carter, Ashley Newman

Feature Results: 1)Cliff Carter 2)Ashley Newman 3)Mark Stephens 4)Shane Stephens 5)Craig Dunavan 6)Chris Moore 7)Frank Edwards 8)Johnny Cook 9)Brandon Poppenheimer 10)Jeremy Ray 11)Murray Vaughn 12)Danny Dow 13)Shannon Brack 14)Brandon Swindle 15)Chuck Mulkey 16)Greg Cutter 17)Terry Kerbough 18)Jarod Roller

O.H. HENDRICKS LATE MODELS

Carcount: 20

Heat Winners: Danny Christian, Johnny Stokes

Feature Results: 1)Johnny Stokes 2)Dane Dacus 3)Jamie Dacus 4)Danny Christian 5)Chris Dickinson 6)Mark Sartain 7)Jessie Bailey 8)Tommy Ray 9)Johnny Lancaster 10)Bronson Berry 11)Jerry Inmon 12)Robert Lovelle 13)Charlie Cole 14)Barry Burch 15)Blake Lane 16)Johnny Waters 17)Calvin Schrader 18)Howard Kimbrough 19)Jamie Elam 20)Steve Ross

CASH-IN-A-FLASH SPRINT CARS

Carcount: 23

Heat Winners: DJ Masner, Raymond Stull, Eddie Gallagher

Feature Results: 1)Tim Crawley 2)Eddie Gallagher 3)Darren Stewart 4)Marshall Skinner 5)Raymond Stull 6)Ernie Ainsworth 7)Dale Howard 8)Paul Sides 9)DJ Masner 10)Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 11)Dewayne Prince 12)Henry Gustavus Jr. 13)Bryce Vowan 14)Sonny Sayre 15)Josh Baker 16)Benny Chesteen 17)Skip Andrews 18)James Howard 19)Cory Bailey 20)Greg Merritt 21)Tony Higgins 22)Steve Culbreath 23)Jake Shores

O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series Rumbles Again

Memphis, Tennessee (July 8, 2003) – After losing a program to Mother Nature last Friday, the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park will return to action this Friday, July 11th.

Sprint cars, late models, modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will be in action.

Pit gates will open at 5:00. The spectator gates open at 6:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 11 years of age and under are $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

O’REILLY THUNDER RACING SERIES ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE CHANGES

MEMPHIS, TN (July 7, 2003) – Mother Nature has wreaked havoc with the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park throughout the first part of the 2003 season, and as a result, several schedule changes have been made to work special events, which have been rained out, back into the schedule.

The Hoosier Topless 40 for super late models, which has fallen victim to rain twice this season, has been rescheduled for Friday September 26th. Hoosier Dirt Tire South has thrown in additional money for the event to increase the winner’s share to $3,000. The event will also pay $200 to start for super late models. Modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will also be in action. Sprint cars will not be part of the program for this event.

Sprint car drivers will get their day in the sun as the Independence Shootout, which was also rained out last Friday night, has been rescheduled for Friday, August 1st and will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start for the winged warriors. Modifieds, street stocks, and mini stocks will also be in action. Late models will not be in action on this night.

The Fan Appreciation Night, which was originally scheduled for Friday, September 26th, has been moved to Friday, October 3rd. Adults will receive $3 off of grandstand admission.

The fireworks show originally scheduled for Friday, July 4th has been rescheduled for Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th to be held in conjunction with the second annual Memphis Nationals.

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

2nd Annual Independence Shootout Explodes This Friday Night

Memphis, Tennessee (July 1, 2003) – The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series will celebrate America’s birthday in style this Friday, July 4th as the 2nd Annual Independence Shootout lights up the night sky at Memphis Motorsports Park.

On a night that will see fireworks on the track and in the air, the sprint car and late model divisions will take center stage as each division will be competing in a $2,000-to-win/$200-to-start feature event. Street stocks and mini stocks will join the two headlining divisions on the card.

After watching Terry Gray dominate the sprint car division for two straight weeks, competitors from across the area will converge on Memphis Motorsports Park to take home the big paycheck. Drivers expected include Eddie Gallagher, Mike Ward, Paul Sides, Tim Crawley, Dale Howard, Ronny Howard, Josh Howard, Henry Gustavus, Bryce Vowan, Greg Merritt, Ernie Ainsworth, Marshall Skinner, and a host of other winged warriors planning to end the night on top of the victory podium.

The weekly late model division continues to be a toss up as seven drivers have found their way into victory lane during the 2003 campaign. Things will get especially interesting this Friday night as the late model drivers take off their roofs and go topless for the big event. This will provide fans with a totally different vantage point as they get to see the drivers inside the cockpit as they power their fire-breathing machines around the ¼ mile oval. Last Friday night, Danny Christian from Corinth, Mississippi conquered the field and will be back this week to try and make it two in a row. A large field of competitors is expected to be on hand to stop his hot streak, and they include Jamie Elam, Jamie Dacus, Dane Dacus, Terry Pool, Steve Ross, Johnny Lancaster, Brian Hudson, Blake Lane, Chris Ragan, Jessie Bailey, Jerry Inmon, and many more.

General admission tickets are $10 for adults. Children 12 and under $2 (Age 5 and under free). Pit passes are $25 for ages 12 and up and $15 for children 6-11 (Age 5 and under free).

Pit gates open at 4:00. The spectator gates open at opening at 5:00. Hot laps are at 7:00 and racing starts at 8:00

For more information contact the Memphis Motorsports Park Ticket Office at (901)-358-7223 or visit the O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series website at www.thunderatthepark.com.

Memphis Motorsports Park is located at 5500 Taylor Forge Drive off of Fite Road between Highway 51 and Raleigh-Millington, seven miles north of I-240 near Millington.

PARKER WINS BIG IN BURCH’S AUTOMOTIVE MINI STOCK SPECIAL
Photos by Phil Bowden

Jamey Hard and Shane Parker battle for the top spot in the mini stock feature.	Terry Gray picked up his second straight feature win at MMP.
Danny Christian topped the late model field.	Cliff Carter won the modified feature.

Memphis, Tennessee (June 27, 2003) The O’Reilly Thunder Racing Series at Memphis Motorsports Park returned to action on Friday, June 27th after a one week hiatus.

The mini stock division hosted the Burch’s Automotive Front Row Challenge with the possibility of $1,000 up for grabs for the top spot. The first and second place finishers in each of the heat race had the option of going tailback on the field to run for $1,000 instead of $500. After some coercing from the crowd and the announcer, Rick Sirkel, Robert Stevens, Sissy Swindell, and Bud Ward all elected to start at the rear. In addition, since Swindell was the only female in the field Wayne Rhodes with The Hunting Catalog put up $25 for each car that she could pass on her way to the front. With the front two rows electing to go tailback, the front row was turned over to Chris Lackey and Jamey Hard. At the drop of the green, Hard jumped out to the lead with Lackey and Shane Parker in tow. Going into turn one on lap two, Hard got sideways and spun, handing the lead to Parker. By lap six, Bud Ward had worked his way up to sixth place and was in second by lap eight. A caution on lap ten bunched the field together and set up a ten lap dash to the finish. Ward valiantly tried to get around Parker the last ten laps, but fell a bumper short at the finish line as Parker claimed the $500 payday. After starting at the back, Sissy Swindell made it up to eighth (collecting $300 for passing twelve cars) with Sirkel getting back to ninth and Robert Stevens charging back to eleventh. Heat races were won by Rick Sirkel and Robert Stevens..

The Cash-In-A-Flash sprint car division saw two Memphis area legends charge to the front of the twenty lap event as Terry Gray and Eddie Gallagher dueled for the top spot. Paul Sides and Terry Gray held down the front row for the feature with the first start being nullified by a spin and the second start being waived off by a fl