2009

Allgaier and Leka Named 2nd Annual DRIVERS OF THE YEAR at MIDWEST SPEED EXPO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

On the heels of what has been their most successful ever seasons to date in their driving careers, 2 Central Illinois drivers shared the honors of MIDWEST SPEED, INC. Driver of the Year as announced recently at the 6th Annual Midwest Speed Expo.

Justin Allgaier of Riverton, Illinois, whose family owned team claimed the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Championship for 2008 by winning the most races on the schedule and Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois who claimed the 2008 United Midwestern Promoters (U.M.P.) National Modified Division Championship were named DRIVER of the YEAR and both received 5' trophies and a check for $500 as Show Coordinator Terry Young announced the winners of the award which is to be given annually in memory of his mother who passed away in 2007 after a battle with lung cancer.

The duo join Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, IL. who was the inner of the inaugural award in 2008.

Show coordinator Young stated that it was a tough year to try to choose a winner of the award with Erb bettering his 2008 season and obviously deserving of consideration again, additionally an outstanding effort was put forth by Springfield native Tim Wilkerson who finished in the runner up spot in the NHRA Funny Car division. "There are always so many people who deserve an award like this and deciding a winner is always tough, we try our best to give the award to someone deserving and I feel both of these young men exemplify hard work, family participation and a dedication to the sport".

The award is given annually in conjunction with the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO racers Swap Meet and Trade Show held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the Richard Orr Building.

For further information you can contact Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.

Photo's by Erik Grigsby

left: Terry Young Midwest Speed, Inc, Jeff Leka and Roger Chandler, President of Marine Bank and sponsor of the Driver of the Year Award
right: Terry Young Midwest Speed, Inc, Justin Allgaier and Roger Chandler, President of Marine Bank and sponsor of the Driver of the Year Award

Midwest Speed, Inc. announced today that NASCAR Nationwide Series Driver and 2008 Automobile Racing Club of America National Champion Justin Allgaier will appear at the 6th Annual MIDWEST SPEED EXPO Racers Trade Show and Swap Meet to be held on January 10-11, 2009 in Springfield, Illinois at the ORR Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Justin will be on hand on Saturday of the event from 11:00 A.M. until the show closes at 3:00 P.M. and will be happy to have his picture taken with attendees. He will also have autograph cards available and will do some of the drawings for the door prize winners.

Justin who was born and raised in Riverton, IL. now resides in North Carolina after being named to drive in the Nationwide Series after enjoying his most sucessful ARCA season in his career which culminated with him winning the last race of the season and also capturing the National Driver Championship.

Come out and see Justin and wish him well as he prepares to head off for Tulsa the weekend after the Speed Expo to take part in the Chili Bowl at Tulsa, Oklahoma where he enjoyed a podium finish in 2007 following winner Tony Stewart and Runner-up J.J. Yeley to the checkers!

You can obtain more information on Justin, his career and his 2008 Championship season by visiting his website at www.justinallgaier.com or www.arcaracing.com There you will find information on Justin's victories during the 2008 season at Salem Speedway, Cayuga Speedway Park in Ontario, Canada, Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA., New Jersey Motorsports Park, Talladega Super Speedway in Talladega, AL. and the season finale at Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio.

Additional show guests will be announced in the next few days as final details are completed. Some of the drivers expected to be on hand include 2008 UMP DIRTCar National Champions Jeff Leka, Modified Division and Dennis Erb, Jr. Late Model Division as well as Summer Nationals Champion and the Northern All Star Late Model Series Championship winner. Also on hand will be Shannon Babb, Steve Sheppard, Jr., Brian Dively, 2008 NALMS Rookie of the Year Brandon Sheppard among others.

Show hours for the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday. The shortened hours on Saturday will allow more time for exhibitors to prepare for attendance at the United Midwestern Promoters UMP DIRTcar Racing banquet held in Springfield in conjunction with the expo. The banquet will find its return to the luxurious CROWNE PLAZA Hotel located conveniently off of Interstate 55 on Dirksen Parkway.

What better way to spend a wintry Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new season? The MIDWEST SPEED EXPO is your opportunity to look over and purchase both new and used parts for your racing program as well as to talk with representatives from area tracks to catch up on any rule changes. Also on hand will be representatives from chassis manufacturers as well as shock, wheel, fuel, tires and safety equipment to answer any questions you may have.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just $7.00 for adults with a $2.00 discount offered to all U.M.P., I.M.C.A. and Northern All Star Late Model Series members when you present your membership card at the door! Children under 10 are admitted free!

Other associate sponsors of the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO include UMP DIRTcar Racing, FEDEx Ground, GOTTA RACE, Donley Trucking, Behind the PIT WALL, Dave Poske Performance Parts, Decatur Used Cars, DYER’S Top Rod, Marine Bank, Hurst, Wright & Hafel, LLP, Gates, Wise & Schlosser, PC, OUTLAWD Motorsports, Hoosier Tire Midwest, HOOSIER Racing Tire, BUDDA BERT Transmissions, The Concrete Crusher, 4m.net, STLRacing.com, MUDDBOSS Video, Northern All Stars Late Model Series, DR of BBQ, Eric Grigsby Racing Photos, Double J, MidwestDirtTrackfacts.com, DirtonDirt.com, Luv racin.com , Rick Schwallie Photography, DIRT NATION, RaceXR.com and Hall’s Harley Davidson.

Limited exhibitor space remains available at a cost of $65.00 for a 10’ X 10’ booth. For information contact Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.

Miss NOPI Nationals Amanda Olson to appear at MIDWEST SPEED EXPO

December 8, 2008
Springfield, Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

2006 / 2007 Miss NOPI Nationals Swimsuit Champion Amanda Olson to appear at the 6th Annual
MIDWEST SPEED EXPO Racers Trade Show and Swap Meet

Midwest Speed, Inc. announced today that AMANDA OLSON, 2006 / 2007 NOPI Nationals Swimsuit Champion will appear at the 6th Annual MIDWEST SPEED EXPO Racers Trade Show and Swap Meet to be held on January 10-11, 2009 in Springfield, Illinois at the ORR Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Ms. Olson will be on hand on Saturday of the event from 11:00 A.M. until the show closes at 3:00 P.M. and will be happy to have her picture taken with attendees. She will also have on hand posters and photos for sale and will do some of the drawings for the door prize winners.

Amanda has amassed quite a resume in a short period of time and was just recently named 2009 Miss RED HOT in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Amanda is also a previous featured MAXIM Magazine Hometown Hottie, and has appeared on websites and in magazines including Inside STL, Miss Bikini USA, Water Babies Bikini, Tuner Babes and many more.

Additional show guests will be announced in the next few weeks as final details are completed.

Show hours for the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO are 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on both Saturday and Sunday. The shortened hours on Saturday will allow more time for exhibitors to prepare for attendance at the United Midwestern Promoters UMP DIRTcar Racing banquet held in Springfield in conjunction with the expo. The banquet will find its return to the luxurious CROWNE PLAZA Hotel located conveniently off of Interstate 55 on Dirksen Parkway.

What better way to spend a wintry Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new season? The MIDWEST SPEED EXPO is your opportunity to look over and purchase both new and used parts for your racing program as well as to talk with representatives from area tracks to catch up on any rule changes. Also on hand will be representatives from chassis manufacturers as well as shock, wheel, fuel, tires and safety equipment to answer any questions you may have.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun! Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss this event! Admission is just $7.00 for adults with a $2.00 discount offered to all U.M.P., I.M.C.A. and Northern All Star Late Model Series members when you present your membership card at the door! Children under 10 are admitted free!

Other associate sponsors of the MIDWEST SPEED EXPO include UMP DIRTcar Racing, FEDEx Ground, GOTTA RACE, Donley Trucking, Behind the PIT WALL, Dave Poske Performance Parts, Decatur Used Cars, DYER’S Top Rod, Marine Bank, Hurst, Wright & Hafel, LLP, Gates, Wise & Schlosser, PC, OUTLAWD Motorsports, Hoosier Tire Midwest, HOOSIER Racing Tire, The Concrete Crusher, 4m.net, STLRacing.com, MUDDBOSS Video, Northern All Stars Late Model Series, DR of BBQ, Eric Grigsby Racing Photos, Double J, MidwestDirtTrackfacts.com, DirtonDirt.com, Luv racin.com , Rick Schwallie Photography, DIRT NATION, RaceXR.com and Hall’s Harley Davidson.

Limited exhibitor space remains available at a cost of $65.00 for a 10’ X 10’ booth. For information contact Terry Young at (217) 553-1963.