SHO-ME RACIN' - West Plains Motor Speedway

West Plains, Missouri

Jim Fulp picks up West Plains Motor Speedway 18th Annual Coca-Cola Fall Nationals win
at West Plains Motor Speedway

(August 30, 2008) The Stars and Cars of the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series made their final trip of 2008 to West Plains Motor Speedway on Saturday, August 30 , for the 18th Annual Coca-Cola Fall Nationals. As always when going to West Plains, the track was perfectly prepared and ready for great racing action.

Twenty-eight cars checked in to battle for the $1000 payday. Current points leader Leslie Essary took the win in heat race #1. Jordan Holloway, who had motor trouble at Muskogee, took the win in heat race #2 with a motor that Holloway said, "they just through together with parts they had." Jim Fulp made an impressive run in heat race #3 coming from his 3rd row inside starting position. Chuck Adams won heat race #4 with his crate motor, with Conner Ward making a hard charge for second from his 7th place starting position.

Twelve cars lined up next for the B feature. Four cars would transfer to the A. Darrin Barton took the win, only to have motor problems, and had to scratch from the A. Transferring to the A was Tracy Cottrell, Chris Powell, Jimmy Bellamy, and Austin Rettig. Randy Galloway & Ron Johnson received provisional starting positions for the A.

For the start of the A, the drivers made their way to the front stretch for introductions for the fans. After a four wide salute, the green flag was flying for polesitter Jarrod Hilton and Chuck Comer on the outside front row. Jarrod Hilton jumped out to an early lead with Comer following. Jim Fulp starting charging to the front quickly pulling off the pass on Comer for second on lap two, setting his sights on Hilton. The lead cars were approaching lap traffic by lap 10 on the smooth racing surface. Fulp passed Hilton for the lead on lap 11, with the only caution of the night coming out on lap 12 for Burl Woods and Chris Morelock who got hung together on the backstretch.

Jim Fulp kept the top spot the remaining 20 laps, with Leslie Essary picking off the competition one-by-one to end up in second. Jarrod Hilton hung on for a 3rd place finish. Shane Essary made a hard charge from 11th for a 4th place finish, and Chuck Comer rounded out the top 5.

The Race Brother Show-Me Racin Series has seen some changes to the schedule over the last week. The race scheduled for Lebanon Midway Speedway on Sept 12, has been canceled. Possibly added to the schedule is the "OctoberFast" at Springfield Raceway on the second weekend in October. Be on the lookout for more information regarding the schedule in the coming weeks. This year's season ending banquet will be on Sunday November 2, at Playtime Pizza in Branson, MO. Everyone is invited to attend.

Karen Fulp (417) 723-1035 home (417) 880-9693 cell. As always for the most current information on the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin Series.

Remaining Schedule:

Sept 13 - Springfield Raceway - Springfield, MO
Sept 19 - North Central AR Speedway - Flippin, AR
Oct 9, 10, 11 - Springfield Raceway's 3rd Annual OctoberFAST
(we will NOT be running all 3 nights - be looking for details soon)
Oct 18 - Tri-State Speedway - Pocola, OK
Nov 2 - Banquet @ Playtime Pizza - Branson, MO

Photo Info: Jim Fulp of Aurora, MO, won the 18th Annual Coca-Cola Fall Nationals at West Plains Motor Speedway, August 30. Proudly displaying the trophy is his son, Mason, Fulp, and Dennis Burton, track official, is providing the winner's flag wave.

Photo by Mitts Thomas