From John Rittenoure
July 12, 2010 – So who will it be this time around? That is the one question that will be answered on several fronts this coming Saturday night as the O’Reilly/NCRA sprint car division will make its first and only appearance of the season at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, Kansas. Not only are sprint car drivers from Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado expected to be on hand but the night is also Steve King Memorial night with various fund raising events to benefit the Steve King Foundation.
Through five races thus far during the 2010 race season, five different drivers have reached victory lane. In fact, dating back to last season, seven different drivers have notched victories but the quest to keep that streak alive will be tough to do.
Drivers who have reached victory lane during this 2010 season include Danny Jennings (Kansas State Fairgrounds), Jason Martin (81 Speedway), Garry Lee Maier (Thunder Hill Speedway), Jason Johnson (81 Speedway) and Sherman Davis (81 Speedway).
Not only has parity struck the series sprint car division but the series events held at the three-eighths mile oval at the Dodge City power plant. Dating back to August of 2005, six different drivers have reached victory lane including Martin, Mike Peters, Koby Barksdale, Don Droud, Jr., Maier and Gary Wright with Martin and Barksdale winning on the previous two Steve King Memorial nights held.
Jeremy Campbell of Wichita, Kansas is the current series points leader on the O’Reilly/NCRA sprint car circuit. Campbell, the Minnesota transplant, is driving for long-time car owner Danny King of Jetmore. But his lead is slim as only fifteen point separate him and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma driver Aaron Berryhill. Sitting third in the series point standings is J.D. Johnson of Goddard, Kansas while defending series champion Maier currently fourth in the point standings, just 55 points out of the lead. Series rookie Trevor Grossenbacher (Lincoln, Nebraska) sits in the fifth position.
Other drivers who have made all five events or are in the top fifteen in the point standings held thus far and who are expected to compete include Peters (Wichita), Gavin Punch (Collinsville, Oklahoma), Davis, Martin, Luke Cranston (Plains, Kansas), Jon Freeman (Salina, Kansas), A.J. Selenke (Wichita), Cody Forshee (Wichita), Jordan Whitehead (Wichita) and rookie Kirby Robe (Wichita).
But most importantly, it is also Steve King Memorial night at the speedway. Steve died from a brain injury sustained during an accident between turns three and four during Wednesday night race qualifying for the 2006 Knoxville Nationals. The Steve King Foundation, founded by Steve’s sister, Danette, will also be on hand for their annual fund raising drive with a variety of items that will be auctioned off and other items that will be for sale. All proceeds will go to the foundation, which helps those in the dirt track community who suffers injury or untimely deaths.
There will also be a poker run beginning Saturday morning at 11:00 AM with the 80 mile journey riding through the country side and then back to the speedway. This event will be open to not just motorcycles but all vehicles with a valid license plate. The ride is free, however, donations are asked with all funds generated benefiting the Steve King Foundation.
For more information on the poker run, contact promoter Ed Beckley (620) 789-0329.
Pit gates will open at 5:00 PM with racing set to begin at 7:00 PM. Ticket prices for this Saturday’s race are $15 for adults $10 for Sr. Citizen’s and $5 for Kids. To order, put tickets on your credit card or for more information call the Raceway Park office at 620-225-3277.
This 2010 race season for the O’ Reilly National Championship Racing Association is the 40th anniversary season for the series and the 21st consecutive year of sanctioning sprint car races in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. For more on the O’Reilly/NCRA sprint car series call (316) 755-1781 or check out their website www.ncraracing.org.
The series would like to thank the following for their partnership with the O’Reilly/NCRA sprint car series for the 2010 race season.
2010 NCRA sprint car sponsors: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Race Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels
2010 NCRA sprint car contingency partners: Arizona Sports Shirts, Airflow Racing Products, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Hooker Harness, Keizer Racing Wheels, Pro Shocks, Racing Optics, Rod End Supply, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Super Shox, Taylor Cable Products, The Joie of Seating, Ultra-Shield Race Products, Vertex Magnetos and Winters Performance Parts.
Past Dodge City Raceway Park NCRA Sprint Car Feature Winners
07/05/09 Jason Martin, 05/09/09 Mike Peters, 07/19/08 Koby Barksdale, 05/03/08 Don Droud, Jr., 06/03/06 Gary Lee Maier, 08/18/06 Gary Wright, 07/08/05 Jason Martin, 05/21/05 Gary Wright, 10/02/04 Mike Woodruff, 07/02/04 Mike Woodruff
Current O’Reilly/NCRA Sprint Car Point Standings
Rank Driver Points
1 Jeremy Campbell 1350
2 Aaron Berryhill 1335
3 J.D. Johnson 1305
4 Garry Lee Maier 1295
5 Trevor Grossenbacher 1170
6 Mike Peters 1165
7 Gavin Punch 1155
8 Sherman Davis 1135
9 Jason Martin 1125
10 Luke Cranston 1050