[b Short Track Nationals – The Entry List at 112 and Counting!]
[i Lonnie Wheatley, LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 22, 2009)]
Just one week remains until well over 100 Sprint Car teams from throughout the nation converge upon Little Rock, Arkansas' I-30 Speedway for the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires.
A much anticipated stop on the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters trail, the October 29-31 event offers up a $15,000 winner's share with $2,200 to start the Saturday night STN championship feature event.
With the entry count in record territory at 112 and counting, we'll cut to the chase with the list everyone has been waiting to see:
The Entries:
#1 Sean McClelland (Tulsa, OK)
#1g Cody Gardner (Benton, AR)
#1jm Jim Moughan (Springfield, IL)
#1k Chris Shirek (Thompson, ND)
#1p Curtis Evans (Norburne, MO)
#1xh Randy Hannagan (San Jose, CA)
#1xp Chad Pitts (Little Rock, AR)
#1xx Garry Lee Maier (Dodge City, KS)
#01 TBA
#01n Jeremy Newkirk (Roland, AR)
#2a Randy Hibbs (Savannah, MO)
#2sb Sean Becker (Carmichael, CA)
#2w Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa. OK)
#3 A.G. Rains (West Memphis, AR)
#3d Paul McMahan (Hendersonville, TN)
#3m Mark Shirshekan (Farmington, MO)
#3s John Carney II (El Paso, TX)
#03 Joe Wood, Jr. (Oklahoma City, OK)
#4 Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX)
#5h Justyn Cox (Pleasant Grove, CA)
#5k Jerry Kamer (Jacksonville, AR)
#5L Eric Lutz (Sioux Falls, SD)
#6 Raymond Stull (Coldwater, MS)
#6b Dale Blaney (Fowler, OH)
#6z Jessica Zemken (Sprakers, NY)
#7 Darren Long (Elida, OH)
#7m Kevin Ramey (Fort Worth, TX)
#7s Paul Sides (Bartlett, TN)
#8s Steve Short (Farmington, MO)
#8x Chris Williams (Memphis, TN)
#9 Justin Sturch (Benton, AR)
#9p Brian Parker (Midlothian, TX)
#9x Gary Wright (Hooks, TX)
#10a Ricky Logan (Little Rock, AR)
#10g Terry Gray (Bartlett, TN)
#10s Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN)
#11c Chad Corken (Highlands Ranch, CO)
#11j Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX)
#11m Brandon Moseley (Doyline, LA)
#11xs Donovan Peterson (Brookings, SD)
#12d Dalton Davis (Munford, TN)
#12h Jerrod Hull (Sikeston, MO)
#12s Jeff Swindelll (Bartlett, TN)
#13 Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO)
#14aj Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)
#14k Kyle Bellm (Nixa, MO)
#14L Michael Lang (Mesquite, TX)
#14T Tyler Brown (Vilonia, AR)
#15 Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX)
#16a Koty Adams (Doyline, LA)
#16n Anthony Nicholson (Bartlett, TN)
#16p Dewayne Prince (Munford, TN)
#17b Ryan Bickett (Ramona, SD)
#17c Ray Allen Kulhanek (Magnolia, TX)
#17w Brad Welborn (Allen, TX)
#18 Tony Bruce, Jr. (Liberal, KS)
#19 Jay Adams (Olive Branch, MS)
#20 Kyle Sager (Alto, NM)
#w20 Greg Wilson (Benton Ridge, OH)
#21b Brian Brown (Grain Valley, MO)
#21T Tommy Bryant (Conroe, TX)
#21TX Brandon Schure (El Paso, TX)
#23 Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA)
#24c Justin Carver (Millington, TN)
#24g David Gailley (Forney, TX)
#24m Terry McCarl (Altoona, IA)
#26 Marshall Skinner (West Memphis, AR)
#27 Curt Michael (Ocean View, DE)
#28 Jonathan Cornell (Sedalia, MO)
#29 Travis Rilat (Forney, TX)
#29h Lyle Howey III (Hartford, SD)
#35 Ronnie Blair (Troy, OH)
#36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK)
#39 Brad Bowden (Hernando, MS)
#40 Ernie Ainsworth (Southaven, MS)
#41 Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA)
#44w Austen Wheatley (Lake Stevens, WA)
#46 Jan Howard (Byhalia, MS)
#50z Zach Chappell (Talala, OK)
#51 Lee Sowell (Nesbit, MS)
#51b Jimmy Brooks (College Station, TX)
#53 Jack Dover (Springfield, NE)
#53x Andy Gregg (Placerville, CA)
#55 Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK)
#56 Davey Heskin (St. Michael, MN)
#57 Shane Stewart (Bixby, OK)
#58 Wade Oliver (Milan, TN)
#61a Gary Taylor (Snohomish, WA)
#69 Larry Howery (Hearne, TX)
#71 Channin Tankersley (Highlands, TX)
#72 Sherman Davis (Sand Springs, OK)
#74c Brandon Corn (Hearne, TX)
#74e Claud Estes (Godley, TX)
#77 Kyle Hirst (Loomis, CA)
#83 Tim Shaffer (Aliquippa, PA)
#86 Josh Fisher (Smithton, MO)
#87m Brian McClelland (Tulsa, OK)
#87r Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX)
#87x Billy Melton (Longview, TX)
#88 Mike Boston (Omaha, NE)
#88k James Kinder (Holts Summit, MO)
#91a Jonathan Allard (Chico, CA)
#91b Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA)
#91d Cody Darrah (Red Lion, PA)
#93 Dustin Morgan (Collinsville, OK)
#94 Danny Wood (Norman, OK)
#94z Zach Zimmerly (West Linn, OR)
#95 Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK)
#97 Aaron Berryhill (Broken Arrow, OK)
#99b Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK)
#99d Rickey Hood (Millington, TN)
#165 Haley Arnold (Sedalia, MO)
Entry Notes:
Record Territory – With 112 entries already submitted and the event still a week away, the STN event record of 108 competitors in 2007 will likely fall next week. Last year's rendition of the event attracted 95 cars.
Representing the States - Only nine of the current 112 entries hail from the host Razorback state. And, maybe things really are bigger in Texas, as the Lone Star state boasts the biggest contingent of entries for the 22nd Annual Short Tack Nationals with 21 Texans among the mix. Twenty-three different states are represented among the current field of entries, including eleven drivers from the west coast states of California, Oregon and Washington along with contenders from the eastern states of New York and Delaware.
The breakdown: Texas 21, Oklahoma 15, Missouri 12, Tennessee 12, Arkansas 9, California 7, Mississippi 6, Ohio 4, South Dakota 4, Louisiana 3, Washington 3, Kansas 2, Nebraska 2, Pennsylvania 2, Colorado 1, Delaware 1, Illinois 1, Iowa 1, Minnesota 1, New Mexico 1, New York 1, North Dakota 1, Oregon 1. The Donnie Cooper owned No. 01 entry out of Missouri has yet to be assigned a driver.
STN Kings – Only seven of the entered drivers can boast of past STN triumphs, with past winners among the field including four-time victor (THE Texan) Gary Wright along with Sammy Swindell, Terry Gray, Wayne Johnson, Paul McMahan, Jason Johnson and defending race winner Tony Bruce, Jr. When Tim Crawley submits his entry, make it eight past winners.
Wagering Tip – Fifteen times in 20 previous STN championship features (the 1992 finale was washed out), a first-time winner was crowned at the end of the night. Only Steve Kinser (in the early renditions of 1988, 1989 and 1991) and Gary Wright have been able to repeat. After winning his first Short Track Nationals in 1995, Wright added a second win in 1999 and then posted back-to-back wins in 2003 and 2004. That 2004 triumph came from eight rows deep.
He's Back – Sammy Swindell, who topped the Second Annual Short Track Nationals back in 1990 before many of this year's competitors were even born, makes his first STN appearance since 2004. The Slammin' One held the lead in that one until a driveline gave way in the final circuits.
STN Experience – Forty-three of the entered drivers have made at least one career STN championship feature start. Gary Wright, leads the way with an amazing 17 feature starts, with Terry Gray (15) and Wayne Johnson (12) the only other drivers in double digits. Kevin Ramey, the most recent Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series feature winner, has cracked the STN feature on three occasions, most recently in 2001.
Career STN championship feature starts: Gary Wright 17, Terry Gray 15, Wayne Johnson 12, Garry Lee Maier 9, Jan Howard 6, Travis Rilat 6, Shane Stewart 6, Sammy Swindell 6, Jesse Hockett 5, Brian Brown 4, Jason Johnson 4, Danny Wood 4, Ernie Ainsworth 3, Zach Chappell 3, Jerrod Hull 3, A.G. Rains 3, Kevin Ramey 3, Paul Sides 3, Marshall Skinner 3, Jeff Swindell 3, Dale Blaney 2, Tommy Bryant 2, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 2, Rickey Hood 2, Wade Oliver 2, Dewayne Prince 2, Tim Shaffer 2, Justin Sturch 2, Brady Bacon 1, Aaron Berryhill 1, Mike Boston 1, Tony Bruce, Jr. 1, Claud Estes 1, Cody Gardner 1, Sean McClelland 1, Paul McMahan 1, Dustin Morgan 1, Chris Shirek, 1, Raymond Stull 1, Brad Sweet 1, Kenneth Walker 1, Greg Wilson 1, Joe Wood, Jr. 1.
Experience Counts, or Does It? – Is the amount of past STN championship feature starts a reliable indicator of possible 2009 success? Probably not. Nine of last year's 21 feature starters were making their first STN championship feature start, including race winner Tony Bruce, Jr., who cracked the feature field for the first time in four tries. Paul McMahan won in his first visit to I-30 Speedway in 2002 before missing the feature when he returned five years later in 2007. McMahan makes his third STN appearance this year.
Rookie Crop – Thirty-five of the currently entered drivers are set for their maiden STN voyage. Brady Bacon and Tommy Worley, Jr., were the only 2008 STN rookies to crack the feature grid last year. This year's STN rookie class includes the following: Jay Adams, Koty Adams, Jonathan Allard, Haley Arnold, Jonathan Beason, Sean Becker, Seth Bergman, Justin Carver, Chad Corken, Justyn Cox, Donnie Ray Crawford, Cody Darrah, Dalton Davis, Sherman Davis, David Gailley, Andy Gregg, Randy Hannagan, Davey Heskin, Randy Hibbs, Kyle Hirst, J. Kinder, Michael Lang, Darren Long, Terry McCarl, Billy Melton, Curt Michael, Jim Moughan, Anthony Nicholson, Brian Parker, Donovan Peterson, Kyle Sager, Brandon Schure, Austen Wheatley, Jessica Zemken and Zach Zimmerly.
While the pre-entry discount deadline of October 17 has come and gone, post-entries for the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires may still be filed for $250 by calling the track at 501-455-4567 or at http://www.i-30speedway.com/stn.html.
Fans can purchase advance tickets by calling 501-455-4567. Advance tickets are just $45 for all three nights of wild racing action.
Pertinent Short Track Nationals Information:
The What: 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires.
The Where: I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR). I-30 Speedway is located seven miles southwest of Little Rock off I-30 Exit 126 (Alexander Road).
The When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 29-31, 2009. $15,000 to win the STN finale on October 31, with $2,200 to start the STN championship feature. Race time is 7:30 p.m. each night. Rain date is November 5-7. Test 'N Tune session on Wednesday night, October 28.
The Past Winners: Tony Bruce, Jr. (2008), Jason Meyers (2007), Jason Johnson (2006), Tim Montgomery (2005), Gary Wright (2004, 2003, 1999 and 1995), Paul McMahan (2002), Jason Sides (2001), Mike Ward (2000), Tim Crawley (1998), Wayne Johnson (1997), Pete Butler (1996), Terry Gray (1994), John Gerloff (1993), Steve Kinser (1991, ’89 and ‘88) and Sammy Swindell (1990). 1992 finale was rained out.
The Series: The premier stop on the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters trail, Shane Stewart has moved 24 points ahead of Jason Johnson in the $60,000 championship chase with Gary Wright just another 16 points back in third. After the Short Track Nationals, the Lucas Oil Sprint Cars will finish off the season with USA Raceway's 42nd Annual Kronik Energy Western World Championships presented by Old Tucson Studios in Tucson, AZ, on November 19-21.
Current top 20 in Lucas Oil Sprint Car points: 1. Shane Stewart (Bixby, OK) 2,278, 2. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 2,254, 3. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 2,238, 4. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 2,117, 5. Paul McMahan (Hendersonville, TN) 2,066, 6. Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) 2,043, 7. Danny Wood (Norman, OK) 2,020, 8. Tony Bruce, Jr. (Liberal, KS) 1,982, 9. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 1,963, 10. Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO) 1,961, 11. Sean McClelland (Tulsa, OK) 1,694, 12. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 1,628, 13. Darren Long (Elida, OH) 1,519, 14. Chad Corken (Highlands Ranch, CO) 1,487, 15. Gary Taylor (Snohomish, WA) 1,471, 16. Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA) 1,397, 17. Gavin Punch (Collinsville, OK) 1,344, 18. Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) 1,215, 19. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 1,118, 20. Ricky Logan (Little Rock, AR) 974.
The Format: A version of the popular Sprint Bandits format of heats and qualifying races will be in place for all three nights of competition. Each night, Heat Races will be aligned according to the pre-race draw, with the 2009 passing points system in effect.
Approximately half of the STN entrants will battle through Thursday's qualifying program, with the other half racing through Friday night's qualifying program. Those not locked in after the first two nights (top three from each night) will race through a full card of Heats, Last Chance Races and Qualifying Races on Saturday night to fill out the October 31 STN championship finale.
Drivers must compete in either Thursday’s prelim or Friday’s prelim to be eligible for passing points on Saturday.
Saturday's Odus Pack Building Materials Dash for Cash will be aligned by a pill draw conducted in “Cheater’s Day” fashion. Thursday’s winning driver will draw the first pill then give that pill to the driver of his choice. Friday’s winner will draw the second pill and give that pill to one of the remaining drivers, and so on until the lineup is determined.
The COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge: The COMP Cams Gambler’s Challenge offers the pole sitter of the STN championship feature event the opportunity to pull a playing card that will grant a new starting position for the 40-lap finale. Upon accepting the Gambler's Challenge, the driver will draw the fourth, sixth, eighth or tenth starting position. If the driver can win from the starting position drawn, a $5,000 bonus will push the overall winner's take to $20,000.
If the pole sitter declines to draw a card, the outside front row starter will be presented with the same COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge.
The driver that takes the COMP Cams Gambler's Challenge is assured an extra $1,000 regardless of finishing position.
The Josh Howard Determination Award: Bossier City, Louisiana's Shed Road Auto Parts will present a top wing and nose wing from Lightning Wings to a driver that battles through adversity over the course of the intensely competitive weekend.
The Trade Show & Midway: This year’s rendition of the Short Track Nationals will also include the Fifth Annual Short Track Nationals Trade Show & Midway. Fans, drivers & crews will have the opportunity to visit vendor displays, which opens at noon on Thursday and then at 9 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday. The deadline for guaranteed vendor space is Monday, October 26.
The Tickets: Advance tickets are on sale through Wednesday, October 28, no advance sales after that. Tickets ordered in advance are just $45 for all three nights. Day of show prices are $15 on Thursday and Friday and $25 on Saturday. To order tickets in advance or for more information, call the track at 501-455-4567 or e-mail orders to racing@I-30speedway.com. Children's tickets will be available at the event for just $2 on both Thursday and Friday and then $5 on Saturday. There is a $1 per ticket surcharge for orders placed via credit/debit cards. Pit passes are $30 on both Thursday and Friday and $35 on Saturday.
For more information regarding the 22nd Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires, contact I-30 Speedway at 501-455-4567.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.
- Lonnie Wheatley on Oct 22, 2009
- Article Date: 10/22/2009