9/14/2017
RacinBoys
'Salute to 75' and Larry Phillips at I-44 Speedway
By Ronnie Williams (Lebanon, MO) -- The place were it all started for The Larry Phillips Honor races, The Lebanon I-44 Speedway is preparing for the Salute To 75 honoring NASCAR'S only 5 time Whelen All-American Series Champion with a 75 lap Pro Late model feature paying $2,000 to win and $200 to start the feature event along with $400 to set fast time on Saturday Sept. 16th.
The 1st Phllips event was held at I-44 Speedway in 2002 with a 125 lap feature that paid $3,000 to win the Late Model feature that night. It had the type of format Larry liked, a 1 night event with area and surrounding tracks rules. No pit stop back then as cautions did count until the last 25 laps. In a great finish, Springfield's Tim Swearengin held back then Late Model rookie Tony Jackson Jr. for the win with 26 cars taking the green flag. The 125 lap feature was in honor of Phillip's 40 years of Racing, his car number 75 and his 5 NASCAR Nationals Championships and 5 I-44 Track Championships. The event was renamed for the i2003 season as the track switched to Dirt and then came back and has been carried on at I-44 Dirt-track, Springfield Raceway, Lebanon Midway Speedway and now at Lucas Iol Speedway. I-44 brought back the Asphalt version of the event in 2014 featuring a 75 Lap Pro Late Model feature and past winners include Brennon Willard, Kyle Donahue and last years champion Mike Slone of Rolla. With Phillip's success on both Dirt and Pavement it seems only proper to honor him on both surfaces as currently Lucas Oil Speedway hosts The Dirt version.
Phillips ended his outstanding career in 2001 after fighting and battling cancer on opening night at I-44 with a 2nd place finish after leading most of the feature that night. He sais he just ran out of wind and really wanted to see what he could do for a comeback season. He loaded-up and never turned another lap in competition.
Late Model drivers have until Sept. 9th to file an early entry. Early entry fee is $100 and late fee is $125. Tire rule for the event is F40 and F50( must be purchased from track ) amd race fuel must be purchased from track ( Min 5 Gallons purchased). For Pro Late Model rules and Engine rules visit http://www.I44Speedway.Net or contact the office at 417-532-2060 and keep updated on the Facebook page.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott