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Championship Battles Begin to Take Shape this Saturday at Lebanon I-44 Speedway

This Saturday night, Lebanon I-44 Speedway presents the third installment of the 2019 racing season. Just two races are in the books so far, and the racers are itching to get back on the racetrack after a few weeks off. This week, the Ozark’s Asphalt Late Model Series has the weekend off, but the incredibly exciting Street Stock division will be running a special 30-lap feature! Along with Street Stock Special, there will also be a one-lap Power Wheel race around the inner kart track for kids 12&Under. So, charge up those Power Wheels and grab the helmets because its time to go racing! As always kids 12&Under are free!
The 4-cylinder Hornet division will be in attendance on Saturday night and, once again, Dustin Atkinson will be starting tailback after his second consecutive win just a few weeks ago. Dustin has competed in two stock car races, ever, and he has won both of them. Will your current point leader complete the hattrick and make it three in a row or will one of the Albright brothers get it done this Saturday night? There are several other drivers in the hornet class looking for their first win of 2019 as well, you can always expect the hornets to put on one of the best races of the night. The winner of the Hornet Feature will receive an added $26.00 in honor of the late Mike Mittler who we lost last week after a fight with cancer. Mittler gave several I-44 Speedway competitors their first shot at the big-time including Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, and Tony Roper.
The old-school Street Stocks will be racing their hearts out for 30-laps this Saturday night and so far, two drivers have shown their dominance this season. Trevor Icenhower and Matt Pilant have each won a feature and a heat race making them dead even in the points standings. These two drivers have put on a side-by-side battle for the win in both features so far this season. While these two are battling to become the first driver to win two features in 2019, the rest of the field will be trying to add their name to the winners list. Will Ben Johnson be back with a new car after a scary crash took him out of contention at the last race? Or will the always fast Lebanon Johnson clan find Victory Lane this Saturday night? Along with the added laps, the Street Stock winner will also take home an extra $63.00 in honor of Mike Mittler.
The ground-pounding modifieds are showing promise of one of the most exciting points battles on the track as well. Ricky Icenhower answered back to Richard Lewis’s win and showed that he is here to win yet another Championship. Michael Juergenson led a lot of laps during the last race and is looking for his first win of 2019. The mechanical gremlins have found Brian Brown so far this season, but once again Brian has repaired his car and will return Saturday night with high hopes of finding Victory Lane. The Modified feature is bound to be a thriller with all of these superstar drivers looking to steal the points lead early on in the season. An extra $26.00 will be added to the winner’s check in honor of Mike Mittler.
The Big 10 Late Model division has grown into one of the biggest classes on the high-banks and with big car count comes exciting racing as the winner of the last race works his way through the pack. Ken Dickinson and Jimmy Fohn have each won a feature so far this season and are tied in the points. Justin Blake has shown lots of speed and has been a front runner each week looking to power his way into Victory Lane. Last year’s Big 10 Late Model Rookie of the Year, Dylan Bates, will be making his 2019 debut in the Big 10 Late Model class this weekend after competing in the Pro Late Model class for Dwayne Carmichael in the first two races. Bates will be looking to sneak in a grab a feature win. Jordan Nisbett has worked hard on their setup the past few weeks and thinks that they have found what they need to contend for a win. Another $63.00 will be added to the winners check in honor of Mike Mittler.
The Pro Late Models will cap off the night. This week, the Ozark Asphalt Late Model Series is off, so this week will see local superstars such as Tim Swearengin, Steve Holt, Brennon Willard and several more battle it out in the 30-lap feature. Terry Limberopolous has been showing lots of speed in the 100-lap features but holding off the likes of Tim Swearengin and other veterans will be a tough feat. The field is wide open and extremely deep. Who will you be cheering for this Saturday night in our premier division? Once again, the winner will receive an extra $63.00 in honor of Mike Mittler.
The gates will open at 5:00PM this Saturday night and racing will begin at 7:00PM. Take advantage of the great weather, and exciting racing this weekend and head out to Lebanon I-44 Speedway! Prices will be $12 for adults in the grandstands and $15 for adults in tier parking. Children 12&under are always free as well as special pricing for seniors and veterans and don’t forget about the kid’s power wheel race! For more information find us Facebook or check out our website at i44speedway.net!
By Dylan Bates

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