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PARK CITY, Kan. (July 9, 2007) – The O’Reilly NCRA Modified Series, presented by ICM/Ethanol, seems a bit plagued by bad weather this season, but only at 81 Speedway.
Two of the series’ first five shows were rained out, both at 81. The season opener was rained out and rescheduled twice before they finally got it in. The June 30 show was also rained out; they will try that one again Saturday.
Whenever they race, Brian Franz is always one of the contenders. The four-time defending series champion has been a model of consistency this year. Through their four shows, the driver from Halstead, Kan., has finished second, first, second, and third. That puts him first in the standings.
Series rookie Jeremy Massey was an early surprise. With three top 10 finishes in the first three events, including his first win, Massey was second in points. Unfortunately, he was one of 10 drivers who blew an engine July 1 during heat races on the big Belleville (Kan.) High Banks half-mile.
Three-time series champion John Allen of Chanute, Kan., took the Belleville checker. It was his second series victory in as many starts this year and the 10th of his NCRA career.
Marc Hurd finished second at Belleville and moved into a second-place tie in the standings. Franz was third, followed by Greg Burt and Cody Gearhart.
Belleville certainly jumbled the standings behind the leader. Joining Hurd in the tie for second is Brian Powers as Massey fell to fourth. Greg Stephens dropped one spot, from fourth to fifth.
Rounding out the top 10 are Brian McGowen, Mike Jarvis, Greg Burt, Troy Gemmill, and Casey McClaskey.
Although Franz has won six of the last 11 NCRA shows held at 81 Speedway, many other drivers have also done well there recently. Allen won the 2007 season opener on May 19. Last year, Stephens, Powers, and Ryan McAninch all picked up NCRA victories at 81.
For more information about the NCRA, either visit their Web site at www.ncraracing.org or call the NCRA office at (316) 755-1781 |
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