Sunday night, Fred, Bill, and I caught up with the World of Outlaw late models as they wrapped up a three night swing through Kansas and Missouri. The venue for the finale was US 36 Raceway in Osborn, Missouri, a new track for each of us. The track, generously advertised as a three eighths mile, sits just on the north side of Highway 36, about seven miles west of Interstate 35. Bleacher seating is on a hillside overlooking the high banked oval and adjoining pit area, with the entire grounds spread out in meandering fashion. The joint has a "backwoods" vibe, thanks in no small part to the hometown "hillbilly" track announcer whose name I did not catch. This is not meant as a disparaging depiction, as his homespun delivering was both pleasant and amusing, and he interacted well with the Outlaw crew while still being informative with regard to the two weekly class racing on this night.
For this final night, the late model count dropped to a predictable twenty six. Given the circumstances of it being night three, a Sunday night race, very few super late models in the middle of modified territory, and the possibility of rain showers, this matched up with my pre race guess of twenty five. E mods with thirteen and twenty two pure stocks made up the under card, with each running only twelve lap features ahead of the main event.
The competition started with late model time trials. Three drivers broke into the twelve second range, with Tyler Bruening topping the leader board at 12.913 seconds as the twenty third car out. Predictably all three eight lap heats were won from the front row. Bruening and Mike Marlar were winners from the pole position, and Ryan Gustin took heat three from outside row one. Each heat transferred six cars to the forty lap finale, with the top two finishers redrawing for the first three rows of the feature. Eight cars were scheduled for a Last Chance qualifier, but it was scratched, with all twenty six cars starting the main event.
With the gale force winds blowing all day and through the evening, track workers had dumped something close to 36,000 gallons of water on the track hoping to hold down the dust, and while that proved successful a bit of a rut developed in turn three. The crew spent quite a bit of time regrooming the oval to make it as smooth as possible for the features.
E mods lined up first for their feature with all thirteen making the call. Blake Hayes shot from inside row one to the lead in front of his row one mate Adam Dunwoodie. As those two pulled away from the pack, Dunwoodie grabbed the lead on lap three. By the halfway point Dunwoodie had opened a commanding lead and with no cautions to slow his momentum, the Polo, Missouri driver cruised to the win. Hayes held on for second trailed by Josh Adkins, Logan Rash and Keith Rash.
Twenty pure stocks made the call next. Pole sitter Jim Masoner led Blake Peeler as lap one was scored, but Masoner looped his ride entering turn one on the next lap, dropping to nineteenth. As Peeler continued to lead, the only caution came with three in the books. On the restart fifth starting Jake Starmer began to apply pressure, taking over the top spot on lap five. He then drove away from the pack to the win. Peeler held on for second, besting Jimmie Workman, eleventh starting Trevor Hittle, and Mike Miller.
It was now late model time. Bruening and series points leader Dennis Erb Jr. would bring the field to green, racing in that order until Chase Junghans powered to second on lap four. By lap seven the leaders were in heavy traffic while trying to stay in the preferred low groove. Junghans was able to clear Bruening on lap nine as they battled the slower cars. At this point only Larry Clawson, who had issues all night had left the track, so cars covered the entire speedway. Junghans was opening a sizable lead when the only yellow flag came with seventeen down for Rookie of the Year contender Tanner English. Tanner quickly ducked to the infield, his night over with possible front suspension damage. He had been running in the sixth spot at the time. Back to racing it was Mike Marlar on the move, as he charged to third. He took over the runner up spot on lap twenty one following possible contact with Bruening as they entered turn one. Heavy lapped traffic soon became an issue again, and Marlar was in the cat bird seat, closing quickly on Junghans. Two more circuits found the Winfield, Tennessee driver in front and pulling away. Marlar barely avoided disaster on lap thirty three when he had to check up to avoid contact with a lapped car, but he squeaked through, then powered off for the win and the $10,000 check. Junghans followed up his Friday night win with the runner up finish on Sunday. Bruening completed the podium drivers, while Erb Jr. padded his points lead in fourth. Gustin rounded out the top five. Max Blair picked up Rookie points in sixth ahead of Josh Richards, Saturday winner Brandon Sheppard, Gordy Gundaker, and Shane Clanton.
The final checkers waved just about 9:00 P.M. Thanks to the staff at US 36 for a pleasant night of fall racing.
Next up will be one of our yearly highlights, as Lee County Speedway presents Shiverfest next Saturday to put a cap on their 2022 season. Check the track website for details on the seven class program, and say "Hi!" if you see us there!
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