West Plains Motor Speedway
Releases 2008 Season Schedule
West Plains, MO West Plains Motor Speedway promoter, Don Gibson, has released the 2008 racing schedule. To kick off the 16th season of exciting, high-powered action he's scheduled two afternoons of practice. The first on Saturday, March 1st followed by a second on March 8th, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.
The first competitive event of the season will be the ninth annual Stanfill Memorial Modified Special, a 3-day event March 13-15, sponsored by Larry Shaw Race Cars of Batesville, Arkansas and Mark Martin Chevrolet of Melbourne, Arkansas. The first night of the event will pay $1,000 to win, night two will pay $2,000 and the third night will pay $3,000, followed by an overall event points bonus paying $1,000 to win.
This early season event traditionally has drawn a field of top drivers from across the nation, and is expected to do the same this year. For further information an entry form is available on the track's website at www.westplains-speedway.com .
The 9th annual Race Car Show will be held March 22, on the parking lot of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in West Plains, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Winners of this show are determined by the penny-per-vote method and all proceeds will go to St. Jude Children's Hospital. Everyone displaying a race car will receive a trophy courtesy of Coca-Cola and O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Weekly classes this year include the IMCA Modified, Super Stock, Hobby Stock, Cruiser and Youth Hobby Stock. Track points races will begin on March 29, and continue through September 27.
The track champions from '07 are expected to be returning to defend their titles and they are IMCA Modified Champion Chris Piper, Super Stock Champion Stan Ellison, Hobby Stock Champion Dexter Frost, Cruiser Champion John Stiner and Youth Hobby Champion Ben Piper, all these drivers are from West Plains.
The Fastrack Late Model series out of Russellville, MO, will be making their first ever appearance at WPMS on April 12. Ken Essary's late model travelling Show-Me Racin' Series will be making three appearances this season, May 3, June 21 and August 30. These series are expected to bring a large field of the ever popular late models.
The track's premier event, the 16th annual "Show-Me 100" is set for May 22-24, and will again carry O'Reilly Auto Parts title sponsorship. The event usually draws over 100 of the most noted late model drivers in the nation. With the winner's check amounting to $42,000 this year and $4,200 just to start the feature a stellar field is again expected.
Wendell Wallace of Batesville, Arkansas, is the defending and 3-time champion of the event and will be looking to a fourth "Show-Me". This event is described as having the best purse structure in dirt late model history and the total purse will exceed $200,000. Each night will have a full non-sanctioned modified event.
The annual Firecracker Weekend, Super Stock special, is scheduled for July 3-5, and will again carry Sunoco and Simons Petroleum sponsorship.This 3-night event provides a $5,000 winner's check with $500 to start the feature event. This weekend will be highlighted by another fireworks extravaganza produced by Air Magic Fireworks of Batesville, AR, on the final night. Weekly classes will run points programs.
The 16th annual Modified Show-Me Championship is set for July 31 to August 2, and will be sponsored by Larry Shaw Race Cars and Mark Martin Ford, both of Batesville, AR. The winner's check for this years non-sanctioned event will be $6,500 and the feature start money is $650. Weekly classes will run points programs.
The Coca-Cola sponsored Fall Nationals will be held on Labor Day weekend, August 30. The Show-Me Racin' Series Late Models will be featured and the weekly classes will run points programs.
Special events will wind up with the annual late season appearance of the winged sprint cars on September 20, and the final points race of the season will follow the next weekend, September 27.
For additional information on the schedule or facility visit the track website at www.westplains-speedway.com or direct inquiries via email to wpms@centurytel.net or calll the Arkansas business office at (870) 994-7447, Monday through Friday.
Larry Shaw Race Cars & Mark
Martin Chevrolet Sponsor Stanfill
Modified Memorial Special Event
West Plains, MO West Plains Motor Speedway will open it's gate for the 18th year when they kickoff the 9th annual Justin Stanfill Modified Memorial Special on March 13, continuing through March 15. Title sponsors for the event are Larry Shaw Race Cars of Batesville, AR along with Mark Martin Chevrolet of Melbourne, AR.
Track officials said a big field of Modifieds from across the Midwest is expected to fill the pits for this early season, big money event. Each night the field will draw for heat race start positions, with the top heat race finishers advancing to the nightly feature. Even though this is an unsanctioned event, basic IMCA body rules will be followed.
The format for the 3-night event features three independent race programs. Night one will be paying $1,000 to win, night two $2,000 and night three $3,000. In addition there is a total points bonus of $1,000 making a potential winners purse of $7,000 and an over-all total event purse of over $40,000.
Early entry fee for the full event is $150 if sent in before March 1, after that date the entry fee will be $175. Additional information and the entry form is available on the track website at www.westplains-speedway.com under the Stanfill Memorial link or by calling the business office at (870) 994-7447, Monday through Friday.