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Lebanon I-44 Speedway Set to Kick of 2019 Season This Saturday

The High-Banks of Lebanon I-44 Speedway will roar back to life this Saturday for the Nature’s Pantry 100! Lebanon I-44 Speedway is rolling into its 36th season this year and this season is looking to be one of the best yet. The Nature’s Pantry 100 will be the inaugural race for the new Ozark’s Asphalt Late Model Series and will feature a 100-lap feature paying $2,000 to win. All other weekly classes will also be in attendance including the Big 10 Late Model Series, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Legends, and Hornets.
The new Ozark’s Asphalt Late Model Series has attracted drivers from all across the country. Highlighting the out of town list is the 2013 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Champion, Cole Williams. The Sellersburg Indiana native is looking to claim Championships at both Lebanon I-44 Speedway as well as Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway this season, but the Missouri natives have other plans. Lebanon Missouri native and dirt Late Model ace, Tony Jackson Jr., will make his return to asphalt racing this Saturday night as well. Tony is hot off of a win in the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series and is looking to carry the momentum into the Nature’s Pantry 100 and start off his Championship run the right way. Other local favorites such as last year’s Championship runner-up, Tim Swearengin, in the No. 14. Some of last year’s feature winners Steve Holt, Jake Piel, and Jimmy Vanzandt are looking to find Victory Lane as well as the 2018 Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year, Ryu Taggart. Who do you think will cash the $2,000 paycheck this Saturday night? 100 laps will decide!
The Big 10 Late Model Series has grown over the off season and Saturday night is going to be a barn-burner! Last year’s Champion, Jimmy Fohn, is looking to pick up where he left off and claim the first feature win of the season just like he did last year. Several drivers have climbed into new cars for the 2019 season such as Justin Blake and JC Newell, both of which were front runners last season and are looking to claim the 2019 Championship. The 2018 Rookie of the Year, Dylan Bates, will be moving into a Pro Late Model this year, but plans on running several Big 10 races this year as well. Aaron Douglas has big plans of running a full season in the Big 10 Late Model Series after a couple of good showings at the end of 2018. Several new drivers such as 12-year-old Charlie Keeven and Keith and Casey Buckley will be making their Big 10 Late Model debut this weekend and will be looking to turn some heads. This will be a race you will not want to miss.
The Ground-Pounding Modifieds will be in full force this Saturday and the competition is deep! Ricky Icenhower is looking to defend his 2018 Championship, but Brian Brown has other plans. Brown has most recently been competing in the Pro Late Model class, but decided he wants to return to his roots and have some fun. Indiana native and Pro Late Model hot-shoe, Cole Williams, will be climbing behind the wheel of a Modified for the first time this weekend for Phil Harris Motorsports and is looking to mix it up with Icenhower and Brown as well as the rest of the star-studded modified division. Michael Juergenson and Richard Lewis both had great 2018 season but are looking for a little more this season and will be pushing hard to claim the 2019 Championship. Find out this Saturday night which driver has what it takes to be the 2019 Champion!
The Street Stock division was one of the most exciting races to watch each night last season and it will only get better this season! Last year’s champion has moved up into the Big 10 Series, but the No. 33 Bumble Bee Racing car will still be racing this season with some guest drivers. The 2018 Street Stock Rookie of the Year, Trevor Icenhower, is looking to come out swinging in 2019 after winning the last feature of the season last year, but other young drivers such as Ben and Brock Johnson have other plans and are looking to claim the 2019 Championship. After a spectacular 2018 season in the Hornet class, Crystal Blake is moving up into the Street Stocks and will be hunting a Championship. The Street Stock class alone will be worth the price of admission!
Last, but certainly not least, the Hornets. The Hornet division went at it on the 1/5-mile inner track last season each night and you never knew who was going to come out on top! Last year’s Champion, Will Garner, is looking to carry his success from last year into opening night. Will and his brother Shannon race on both dirt and asphalt in the same weekend and win races and Championships on both surfaces. Chris Albright had a fast car all season last year and plans to have the same success this year in both his Hornet and Big 10 Late Model. Chris’s brother Jeffery is joining in the fun this year after being away from the sport for a couple of years. After a couple of strong runs late in the season last year, Nicholas Bradshaw is looking to show what he’s got this year while he chases a Championship. If you like close quarters and hard racing action this is the class for you!
This Saturday, April 6th, the gates will open at 3:00PM and racing will start at 5:30PM. Adult grandstand admission is $20.00, juniors, veterans, and seniors will receive discounted tickets and kids 10 & under are free! Don’t miss the first ever Ozark’s Asphalt Late Model Series race with the best Pro Late Model drivers in the Country racing for $2,000 and their chance at history! For more information visit our website at i44speedway.net or find us on Facebook!
By Dylan Bates

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