2010ulma.htm

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 ULMA, P.O. Box 794, Moberly, MO 65270
[email protected]
Thanks to Sam Stoecklin for keeping us informed
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Darin Walker, Tommy Cordray, and Jon Binning Find ULMA Victory Lane!

ULMA Media Relations

May 13, 2010

For the first time this season all four ULMA-sanctioned tracks were able to complete their weekly race programs on the same weekend during last week’s competition with three different winners visiting victory lane.  Last Friday at Callaway Raceway, Darin Walker picked up his first feature win of the year at the track and second overall in ULMA racing.  Then, on Saturday, defending track champions took top honors at Lucas Oil Speedway with Tommy Cordray claiming the win and Jon Binning cruising around the high side to come away with the victory at Central Missouri Speedway (CMS). 

Unfortunately, the wet weather has already led to the cancelation of racing at Callaway Raceway for Friday, May 14.  As of press time, Missouri State Fair Speedway (Friday), Lucas Oil Speedway (Saturday), and CMS (Saturday) were still scheduled to hold their weekly race programs.  Stay tuned to each of the track’s websites and newsgroups for race status this weekend by logging onto their official websites at missouristatefairspeedway.com,  lucasoilspeedway.com, and centralmissourispeedway.net.

Darin walker is the lone driver this season to claim more than one feature, and he has done so at two different tracks, Callaway Raceway (May 7) and Lucas Oil Speedway (April 17).  Walker is one of many drivers powered by a CRATE engine this year and is always a driver to contend with no matter where he unloads.  Walker has accumulated three top-five finishes so far in his three starts and currently resides in fifth in the overall ULMA standings heading into this weekend’s competition.  Last weekend at Callaway, Jeff Schlup and Bob Test also had top-five runs.  There were 8 ULMA members present among 14 drivers competing.

Jon Binning stunned the super-late model community by nearly coming away with a heat race victory at the half mile at Missouri State Fair Speedway last Friday night in his ULMA car.  Binning ultimately finished second in his heat race after leading many laps and then went on to score a top ten finish in the main event after running in the top five during the race.  The Warrensburg driver was forced up into the marbles in turns one and two and out of his line while running fifth but was able to recover for a top-ten finish, adding to his strong finishes so far this year.  Binning holds down second in the overall point standings heading into this weekend.  Steve Clancy, Derek Nevels, Danny Lorton, Brett Wood, and Dustin Walker all made the main event at the ‘Historic Half Mile’ and scored ULMA points for their efforts.   There were 6 ULMA members present of 21 cars competing.  Racing is scheduled to resume at the track Friday, May 14.

Tommy Cordray of Browning, Missouri placed his name in the mix early on this year with a take-notice win last weekend at the Diamond of Dirt tracks in Wheatland, Missouri.  Last year’s defending Lucas Oil Speedway late model champion made his second ULMA start this season a successful one by grabbing a convincing win over a mixed field of late models by scoring one for the ULMA crowd with his win last Saturday.  Ben Solberg made his first ULMA start of the year with a strong run inside the top five while Joe Walkenhorst and Harlen Kennedy also found their way into the top five at the end of the night.  There were 16 ULMA members present among 18 cars signed in at Lucas Oil Speedway.  The speedway will host another night of racing Saturday, May 15.

For the first time this year CMS was able to race its program after two rained out events this season.  Jon Binning smashed the loud pedal and powered his way around Steve Clancy for the opening night win as he begins his quest to defend his two track championships at the track.  Clancy appeared to be heading for the win until the late stages of the 20-lap race when Binning tracked the high side of the ultra-smooth CMS surface and got around Clancy with a few laps remaining.  Clancy held strong for a solid run to second with Jason Bodenhamer finishing third, after starting dead last on the field.  Shawn Rayfield drove his CRATE late model to a convincing fourth-place run with Brett Wood of Warrensburg coming away with his first top five finish of the year in fifth.  CMS will swing its gates open again Saturday, May 15.

ULMA contingencies were claimed last week by James Stafford, Kevin Coyne, Joe Bartlett, Steve Clancy, and Harlen Kennedy.  Shawn Rayfield won the track-sponsored ULMA member drawing at CMS.  Contingencies will be mailed or presented to drivers at future ULMA-sanctioned events.  ULMA membership is available on site at each affiliated track for just $50; simply ask for the track ULMA representative.  Drivers are reminded that they must comply with ALL association rules as written when they are competing for ULMA championship points, all cars are subject to inspection at any time with particular attention being addressed to deck height and spoilers … drivers, be ready and in compliance, read your rules or visit the website if you are unsure! 

Fans, friends, and family members may become ULMA affiliate members for just $10.  Membership is available via the Website or on-site at ULMA tracks during the season.  Make checks payable to:  United Late Model Association and Mail to:  ULMA, P.O. Box 794, Moberly, MO, 65270.  To join the email group, send a request to [email protected].  Help the ULMA points fund by booking all your hotel needs through the official ULMA website, savings await everyone using the link on the ULMA website by choosing from several quality hotel chains.  The system is easy to use and offers several lodging options!

                Official 2010 sponsors and affiliated business partners are greatly appreciated.  This year’s team includes official sponsor Imhoff Construction.  Contingency Sponsors:  Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, TCI® Automotive, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas.  Affiliate Sponsor:  Photographics by Shelly Payne.  ULMA 2010 Business Partners:  NeedSponsorship.com, MySmokinRide.com, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Homes for Our Troops.  If you would like to join the team, contact us at your convenience at [email protected] or www.ulmaracing.com.   

Current Top Ten Standings

ULMA Schedule at a Glance:

Friday May 14^th

Callaway Raceway (weekly race) CANCELED

Missouri State Fair Speedway (weekly race)

Saturday May 15^th

Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race)

Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)

Friday May 21^st

Callaway Raceway (weekly race)

Missouri State Fair Speedway (no weekly ULMA points racing due to track special event)

Saturday May 22^nd

Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race)

Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)

Friday May 28^th

Callaway Raceway (weekly race)

Missouri State Fair Speedway (no weekly racing, track closed for Holiday weekend)

Saturday May 29^th

Lucas Oil Speedway (no weekly ULMA points racing due to track special event)

*Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)

ULMA Drivers Hoping for Dryer Weather This Weekend as Season Resumes!

ULMA Media Relations

May 5, 2010

Wet spring weather has made for a rather slow start to the season for the United Late Model Association and its group of drivers but the season rolls on this weekend with all four affiliated tracks scheduled to return to action.  Just three points-earning events have been held this season of a scheduled twelve so far this year of the 73 scheduled points-earning events scheduled for this year.  Only Callaway Raceway, Lucas Oil Speedway, and Missouri State Fair Speedway have been able to run programs this year, Central Missouri Speedway is scheduled to open this weekend.

United Late Model Association is extremely pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the largest hotel chain in the world, the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) with over 4,000 hotel properties across the U.S. and around the world.  Their hotels include Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Intercontinental Hotels, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.  This partnership will provide significant savings whenever you book a hotel stay (not just for races, but for business and vacation travel too), plus, IHG will be contributing funds to help support ULMA for every night booked!  Help the drivers this year and take advantage of this great offer!  To earn your discount and to assist United Late Model Association, all that you will need to do is to click on the link on our website.  Be sure to book your hotel needs through the link at www.ulmaracing.com, the link and information is on the right side of the page.  Remember that you can take advantage of this promotion for business, personal and race travel.

Drivers, fans, and promoters will try once again this weekend to compete in, watch, and host racing action.  Friday events take place at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri and Missouri State Fair Speedway (MSFS) in Sedalia, Missouri.  The Saturday night lineup consists of Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) in Warrensburg, Missouri.   ULMA membership is available on site at each affiliated track for just $50; simply ask for the track ULMA representative.  Affiliated tracks are:

Friday Racing:  www.callawayraceways.com

Friday Racing:  www.missouristatefairspeedway.com

Saturday Racing:  www.lucasoilspeedway.com

Saturday Racing:  www.centralmissourispeedway.net

Callaway Raceway pays $500 to win and $50 to start the feature event each week.  Bob Test and Darin Walker were among the top five finishers the first week out at Callaway Raceway.  Chris Cox, Trace Westling, and Ezekiel Langley also had top ten runs at Callaway.  Eight ULMA member drivers were present of 21 cars in attendance.  Test recorded a top ten finish at MSFS on the track’s opening night the following week and he followed that up with another top ten at Lucas Oil Speedway the next night.  As a result of his early season finishes, Test is the early ULMA point leader, Walker sits second, Jon Binning third, Chris Cox fourth, and Trace Westling fifth; Cox leads the Rookie of the Year standings.

The first week out at MSFS saw a nice mix of ULMA cars competing with super late models on the big half mile with solid finishes recorded by the ULMA contingency of drivers.  Look for several strong finishes and point gains by ULMA drivers on the half mile as they get the feel for the track each week.  A special $1,000 to win race for ULMA cars, which will be a topless race, will be held at the speedway later in the year during the Missouri State Fair.  Twenty-one late models were in attendance on opening night at MSFS with five ULMA member drivers present.  Late models compete for $1,000 to win and $150 to start the main event each week at the track.

Lucas Oil Speedway has experienced its fair share of wet weather also with two consecutive rainouts; however, the speedway is gearing up for a big weekend of racing this Saturday night for its second program of the season.  A few weeks back, Darin Walker grabbed the first feature win of the year of any ULMA member driver in a CRATE engine car, which shocked many in the crowd and in the pits that night.  Both the 602 and 604 CRATE engines are legal to compete under ULMA rules this year.  Walker, from Bowling Green, Missouri is one of the fiercest late model competitors in the central Missouri region and is expected to travel around a bit this year as he continues to rack up finishes in his 604 CRATE late model.  There were 20 late models on opening night at the speedway and all in attendance were ULMA members.  The late model feature winner at Lucas Oil Speedway goes home with $700 each week; the main event pays $100 to start.

Central Missouri Speedway’s first two attempts to start its season were both washed out so the track is hoping that the third time is a charm this Saturday night May 8 for its season opener.  Several upgrades have recently been made to the facility and track.  This year, the feature winner goes away with $600 for the win and the feature event pays $80 to start.  Twenty cars will start the feature event each week at CMS, which should make for some outstanding competition.  Passing points will be used at the track this year to determine the main event lineups.  The twentieth starting position in the regular weekly feature event for the late models is reserved for the highest in track points who is a ULMA member driver.  If all track point ULMA member drivers make the feature event, the highest in overall ULMA points will get the provisional position.  In addition, each week, one lucky ULMA member driver will win a mystery prize to be used the following weekend at the speedway.  ULMA is proud of this new partnership with CMS for the 2010 season.

Between the four tracks there are 73 possible sanctioned events for drivers to earn ULMA points.  For the fourth year in a row driver membership remains at just $50 for the entire season.  Drivers will keep their overall 15 best finishes from appearances throughout the season.  Once a driver exceeds the 15-events threshold, he or she will beginning discarding finishes as improved finishes are recorded.  Drivers are reminded that they must comply with ALL association rules as written when they are competing for ULMA championship points, all cars are subject to inspection at any time with particular attention being addressed to deck height and spoilers … drivers, be ready and in compliance! 

Fans, friends, and family members may also help the points fund by becoming ULMA affiliate members for just $10.  More information regarding ULMA membership is available on the official Web site along with membership forms.  Membership is always available on site at participating ULMA tracks and events during the season.  Make checks payable to:  United Late Model Association and Mail to:  ULMA, P.O. Box 794, Moberly, MO, 65270.  Anyone wishing to join the group may send a request to [email protected]. 

                Official 2010 sponsors and affiliated business partners are greatly appreciated.  This year’s team includes official sponsor Imhoff Construction.  Contingency Sponsors:  Fast Shafts, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, TCI® Automotive, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas.  Affiliate Sponsor:  Photographics by Shelly Payne.  ULMA 2010 Business Partners:  NeedSponsorship.com, MySmokinRide.com, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Homes for Our Troops.  If you would like to join the team, contact us at your convenience at [email protected] or www.ulmaracing.com.   

Current Top Ten Standings

Upcoming ULMA Schedule at a Glance:

Friday May 7^th

Callaway Raceway (weekly race)

Missouri State Fair Speedway (weekly race)

Saturday May 8^th

Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race)

Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)

Friday May 14^th

Callaway Raceway (weekly race)

Missouri State Fair Speedway (weekly race)

Saturday May 15^th

Lucas Oil Speedway (weekly race)

Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race)

United Late Model Association (ULMA) Unveils 2010 Competition Rules!

By Sam Stoecklin

Media Relations

Moberly, MO

January 7, 2010

                Although it is hard to believe, four years have passed since ULMA first made its debut in the late model racing world.  The association was born of determination and passion by race enthusiasts focused on returning late models to area tracks on a weekly basis.  From the onset it was evident initial meeting attendees were concerned with the status of weekly late model racing.  While the process of forming the association was not without its difficulties, eventually, a unified set of competition rules were drafted for area tracks to utilize for their late model race programs.  This allowed drivers to focus on actual racing rather than worrying about different rules from track to track.  ULMA has remained clear, concise, and consistent regarding its rules with few changes over the years; however, for the coming season the association’s competition rules package will receive its first major overhaul.

                When racing resumes, ULMA drivers will compete under a new weight rule.  The association’s board of directors randomly conducted in-person opinion polls and utilized email to collect driver feedback.  Since the end of last season, board members have diligently worked to address concerns and incorporate valued driver feedback into the new rules package.  Much of the feedback collected concerned the weight of ULMA cars and the safety of competition with regards to increasing race speeds and a seemingly endless supply of technology, which continues evolving the world of late model racing.  It is evident that cars need to weigh less and for additional rules to be adjusted accordingly if ULMA is to grow and prosper in the coming years.  The previous weight rule of 2,450 pounds with car and driver was the standard of limited style late model racing within the ULMA-sanctioning area for many years.  The new weight rule is 2,350 pounds with car and driver; there are exceptions to this rule for competitors utilizing the 602 CRATE motor engine, these cars with driver must weigh 2,200 pounds.

The weight of the car is not the only significant rules change for the coming season as ULMA attempts to keep late model racing as united as possible.  A third engine option has been added to include other types of non-super late model participants.  In addition to the already-in-place option for cars with all steel engines and the 602/604 CRATE motors to compete, a new spec-type motor will be permitted this season.  The ruling allows competitors who normally race with the Show-Me™ or I.M.C.A.™ type spec motor to race under the ULMA banner.  Increasing car counts for track promoters and event organizers is an important factor ULMA must address and the board feels it is moving in the right direction for this to transpire.  For drivers utilizing the spec motor, a total of fifty pounds of weight must be added twelve inches on center in front of the engine plate; this specifically involves adding twenty-five pounds of weight on each upper frame tube.  These cars will weigh 2,350 pounds.  The tire rule for 2010 includes the Hoosier™ D-55 WRS-2 Spec Tire, or Hoosier™ D-55 WRS.  Complete 2010 ULMA rules are readily available at www.ulmaracing.com.  The rules have been sent electronically using the ULMA driver member group, this email group consists of drivers that have provided an email address to the association.  Anyone wishing to join the group may send a request to [email protected].

For the fourth-consecutive year, ULMA drivers will compete on Friday nights at Callaway Raceway in Fulton, Missouri and Saturday nights at Central Missouri Speedway (CMS) in Warrensburg, Missouri.  Fans and drivers can visit Callaway’s Web site at www.callawayraceways.com; the track’s 2010 schedule is forthcoming.  The CMS Web site is www.centralmissourispeedway.net; the 2010 schedule for CMS is now posted.  ULMA will make further exciting announcements regarding track affiliation and events in the coming weeks leading up to the roar of engines.  Everyone at ULMA is thankful for the cooperation of Callaway Raceway and CMS regarding the new rules package and for affiliating with the association for 2010. 

The board of directors is highly anticipating the 2010 race season.  Last year ended on a positive note as car counts at two affiliated tracks averaged twenty, up from the mid to lower teens from previous years.  Not only were car counts significantly higher for these tracks, the level of competition witnessed by the fans was absolutely fierce.  A total of seventeen different drivers visited victory lane in fifty-nine sanctioned events.  With the inclusion of the new engine option and lightening of the cars, ULMA’s vision of late model racing being united is taking shape quite nicely.  The Board of Directors for 2010 includes President Kevin Coyne, Vice President Tony Wineland, Secretary Danny Lorton, Advisor Russell Kueffer, and Media Relations Sam Stoecklin.  Contact information for board members is available on the official Web site.  Board members will be on hand at the Twelfth Annual Bodee’s Racer’s Auction and Trade Show on January 30/31 in Sedalia, Missouri to field questions and assist drivers in completing membership forms. 

After a close battle for the title in 2009, it is uncertain at press time if defending champion Kevin Kaiser will return to defend his title.  The Cole Camp, Missouri driver announced his retirement from racing at the conclusion of last year’s season; however, there are rumblings that Kaiser may once again compete this season.  The first driver to send notice he is seeking the ULMA crown by sending in his membership for 2010 was Jon Binning.  The Warrensburg driver has finished no worse than third in association standings the last two years.  He has ten sanctioned victories in a short time behind the wheel of a late model and will no doubt be a serious contender for the 2010 crown.  Member drivers earn points throughout the season by keeping their fifteen best finishes of the year to count towards their championship point total. 

Drivers will be pleased to learn ULMA membership is once again just $50 for the entire season!  Membership fees go directly to the ULMA point fund.  Fans, friends, and family members may also help the points fund by becoming ULMA affiliate members for just $10.  More information regarding ULMA membership is available on the official Web site along with membership forms.  Membership is always available on site at participating ULMA tracks and events during the season.  The association is seeking business partners for the coming season; businesses seeking involvement in the exciting realm of auto racing may contact the association via the official Web site or by emailing ULMA.  There are numerous opportunities for business partnerships.

Official 2009 sponsors and affiliated business partners:  Imhoff Construction.  Contingency Sponsors:  Fast Shafts, Wineland Enterprises, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, Bulldog Racing Engines, Hoosier Race Tires™, GFRracing.com, Flag 2 Flag Racing.com/Racing Cam System, Monroe Signs & Graphics, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas.  Affiliate Sponsors:  Photography by Shelly Payne, Ken Dake Attorney at Law, and High Fly'N Photos.