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PARK CITY , Kan. (July 16, 2007) The OReilly NCRA Modified Series, presented by ICM /Ethanol, is back for the 51st Annual Hutchinson Grand National Auto Races, held in Hutchinson, Kan., at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
NCRA officials expect at least five former winners, all from Kansas , to compete. Last year, Dave Hardesty held off the late charge of Brian Franz for the win.
Coupled with his 1998 victory, Hardesty became the fourth two-time modified division winner of the Nationals. Other two-time winners are Greg Stephens (2001, 2005), John Allen (1994, 2000), and the late David Lahey (1999, 2002).
Stephens, who also has three Grand National championships in other divisions, finished fifth in modified last year. Brian Powers took the 2004 Hutch championship and was 10th in 2006.
In addition to Hardesty, Stephens, and Powers, look for former champions Brent Burkhart (2003) and Don Renfro (1989) to participate.
Leading the way with the most modified victories at the Nationals is Buddy Mullens of Wichita, Kan. He won the event six times, taking the checker in 1987, 1990-92, and 1995-96.
Many of the top competitors at the Nationals over the years have done well with the NCRA, too. Franz, the four-time defending series champion, has 22 career NCRA wins but none at the Nationals.
Allen won NCRA championships from 1999-2001. Renfro captured the initial NCRA modified series championship in 1998.
Franz leads in points so far this year. Rookie Jeremy Massey took the checker July 14 at 81 Speedway to move back into second. Tied for third are Powers and Stephens, with Marc Hurd five points behind in fifth.
The modifieds will hold two days of qualifying, Thursday and Friday. Features begin Saturday afternoon and conclude that evening.
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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