By Bill W
May 9, 2011 – It would be hard to envision a better story than the opener for the Monster Energy™ Sprint Series at the 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. The new 410 sprint series is ready to try to top it in “Round 2” on Friday, May 13 at the Jacksonville Speedway on the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Jacksonville, Illinois! And now, the winner will be paid a total of $2,500!
Promoter Bobby Hawks has upped his ante by guaranteeing $2,000 to the feature winner on Friday, and Advance Glass in Springfield, Illinois has posted a $500 bonus for the winner! Coz’s Pizza of Springfield is the presenting sponsor, and will also be contributing to an increased purse! Drivers have responded to the increase, and the result is another star-studded field of sprinters ready to tame the banked ¼ mile bullring in Jacksonville!
Four-time Indy 500 participant Donnie Beechler, and two-time Badger Midget series champion, Mike Hess, will make their initial appearances with the series and add instant credibility to the roster. Veteran Jim Moughan Jr. and defending Jacksonville Speedway track champion, AJ Bruns, have already tamed the high banks this season for wins, and both will be tough to beat.
“Showtime” Kaley Gharst lived up to his moniker at 34 Raceway in the series’ opener by charging from 18th to 2nd to bring the crowd to its feet! He is always exciting at Jacksonville as well. Former Jacksonville Speedway champions like Robbie Standridge and Korey Weyant, and two-time Sprint Invaders champion, Ryan Jamison, will add depth to the roster, as will young guns like Joey Moughan and defending St. Francois Count Raceway champion, Jimmy Hurley. The tentative driver roster is expected to grow, and will be updated as the week progresses, so check back often!
Pit gates open at 4:45 p.m., with Grandstands opening at 5:00 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Pit Passes are $25, with Grandstand Admission $13. Children 12 and under are admitted FREE of charge.
To check out more information on the Rules and Procedures, Drivers, Schedules, Updates and More for the Monster Energy Sprint Car Series, visit the series’ website at www.MidwestOpenWheel.com!
Videos from Jacksonville Speedway and the Opener at 34 Raceway to Pump You Up for Friday!
The links…
http://www.youtube.com/user/rosswece?feature=chclk#p/u/3/HW-ZmvFWd-A
Tentative Jacksonville Driver Roster for May 13!
1m, Jim Moughan Jr., Springfield, IL
2K, Ryan Kempin, House Springs, MO
5, Tiffany Wyzard, Williamsville, IL
6, Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX
6R, Ryan Bunton, Morton, IL
10s, Jeremy Standridge, Springfield, IL
14, Donnie Beechler, Springfield, IL
14P, Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL
21x, Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
22, Bret Tripplett, Mason City, IL
23, Robbie Standridge, Springfield, IL
28, Justin Springer, Pekin, IL
35, Jimmy Hurley, Springfield, IL
42, Cory Bruns, Lincoln, IL
44, AJ Bruns, Lincoln, IL
47, Brett Samonds, Springfield, IL
51, Mike Hess, Springfield, IL
51J, Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis, IA
52F, Logan Faucon, Elkhart, IL
53H, Matt Harms, Lacon, IL
65, Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL
77u, Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL
83, Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL
84, Ben Wagoner, Emden, IL
95, Tommy Rockwell, Towanda, IL
96, Nathan Charron, Lincoln, IL
99, Jimmy Davies, Oquawka, IL
Updated Monster Energy™ Sprint Car Series Point Standings (top 20)
Pos. Number Name Hometown Points
1. 21x Joey Moughan Springfield, IL 96
2. 12H Jerrod Hull Sikeston, MO 79
3. 55 Terry McCarl Altoona, IA 74
4. 83 Korey Weyant Springfield, IL 71
5. 44 AJ Bruns Lincoln, IL 66
6. 17A Austin McCarl Altoona, IA 65
7. 1m Jim Moughan Jr. Springfield, IL 62
8. 84 Ben Wagoner Emden, IL 52
9. 49 Josh Schneiderman West Burlington, IA 48
10. 22 Robbie Standridge Springfield, IL 43
11. 95 Tommy Rockwell Towanda, IL 42
77u Chris Urish Elkhart, IL 42
10s Jeremy Standridge Springfield, IL 42
14. 52F Logan Faucon Elkhart, IL 40
15. 28 Justin Springer Pekin, IL 39
16. 35 Jimmy Hurley Springfield, IL 37
53H Matt Harms Lacon, IL 37
18. 65 Jordan Goldesberry Springfield, IL 33
47 Brett Samonds Springfield, IL 33
20. 99 Jimmy Davies Oquawka, IL 31
12 Brian Rieck Troy, MO 31
2011 Monster Energy™ Sprint Car Series Tentative Schedule
Saturday, April 23 – 34 Raceway – $2,500 to win (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO)
Friday, May 13 – Jacksonville Speedway – $2,500 to win (Jacksonville, IL)
Friday, May 27 – Fayette County Speedway (Brownsville, IL)
Friday, July 1 – Jacksonville Speedway – $2,500 to win Leon Smith Memorial (Jacksonville, IL)
Friday, July 8 – Lincoln Speedway (Lincoln, IL)
Sunday, July 31 – Shepp’s Speedway (Alexander, IL)
Friday, August 19 – Jacksonville Speedway (Jacksonville, IL)
Friday, September 2 – Lincoln Speedway (Lincoln, IL)
Saturday, September 17 – Spoon River Speedway – Tom Knowles Memorial (Canton, IL)
Saturday, September 24 – 34 Raceway – $4,000 to win (West Burlington, IA)
Friday, September 30 – Jacksonville Speedway – Season Championship (Jacksonville, IL)