West Plains, Missouri
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Shelton (901) 335-3037
May 11th, 2008
16th Annual O'Reilly Show Me 100 Provides Economic Relief For Fans & Racers
West Plains, MO (5/11/08) - Over the past few years the economy
of the United States has been quite turbulent, and the cost of almost everything
in American's daily lives has sky-rocketed. However, the staff at West Plains
Motor Speedway in West Plains, Missouri has always had a different view of
things, and the 16th Annual O'Reilly Show Me 100 on May 22nd-24th, 2008 will
show this to be more true than ever before.
Just as the cost of gas, food, and other amenities has steadily increased
over the past few years, so has the payout for each year's O'Reilly Show Me
100. In 1993, the first O'Reilly Show Me 100 event was held and boasted a
staggering $25,000 to win and $2,500 to start for Super Late Models. During
planning for the inaugural event, Don and Billie Gibson, who own West Plains
Motor Speedway, coined the phrase "It just keeps getting bigger,"
and there could not have been a better way to describe their creation. Over
the past 16 years, the event has grown each year by adding $1,000 more to
win and $100 more to start. In addition, each year the amount of the Fast
Qualifier Award has been increased. The cumulative result for the 2008 O'Reilly
Show Me 100 is an event that offers an incredible $42,000 to win and $4,200
to start the main event and a weekend purse exceeding $200,000.
While the purse has increased each year and the cost of operating the track
has increased, the Gibsons have prided themselves on not increasing the entry
fee, grandstand admission, or pit admission for the past several years.
Track owner Billie Gibson comments, "Fans and racers have had so many
increases in all of the costs of living over the past several years, and Don
and I decided that we would provide a little relief for them by not charging
more for them to enjoy their favorite past time. As far as the racers, I can
only imagine how challenging the ever increasing fuel prices have become,
and this is why we have kept the entry fee and pit prices at the same rate.
I know that every little bit counts, and I hope that by not increasing prices
that it allows more people to get to enjoy dirt track racing here at West
Plains Motor Speedway."
Special event's announcer and promoter, Ben Shelton from Memphis, Tennessee,
has worked with the Gibsons for three consecutive O'Reilly Show Me 100 events.
"The Gibsons are race fans first and promoters second, and I think that
is the reason that they go above and beyond to make each year's event more
special than the one before, while simultaneously keeping the event affordable
for fans and racers," comments Shelton. "I go to shows all over
the country each year, and unfortunately you see some promoters that just
don't care about the fans and racers, and it shows. When you step into West
Plains Motor Speedway, whether you are a fan or racer, the entire staff makes
you feel at home and makes you feel appreciated. A lot of promoters have forgotten
how important this is, and it's nice to know that there are folks like the
Gibsons still in the racing world."
The 16th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100 will get underway on Thursday,
May 22nd with the traditional practice night event that will include test
and tune time from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. The popular BBQ Dinner with the drivers
and crews will follow. The dinner is free to everyone with a pit pass and
grandstand spectators are welcome to join for a modest $7.50 ticket fee.
Friday night will feature time trials and six heat races for the Super Late
Models. The quick qualifier in the Super Late Models will receive a $2,000
check courtesy of Larry Shaw Race Cars, Mark Martin Ford, Mark Martin Chevrolet,
and S & H Industrial. 2007 saw Show-Me 100 veteran, Scott Bloomquist of
Mooresburg, Tennessee pick up the $1,900 bonus check for setting fast time
around the 3/8 mile oval. The top three finishers in each heat race will move
on to Saturday night's main event. The balance of the field in each of the
heats will move on to one of three Super Late Model consolation events on
Saturday night. Open Wheel Modifieds will be featured as the support class
and will compete for $500 to win in an unsanctioned event sponsored by New
Vision Graphics based out of Batesville, Arkansas.
On Saturday night, the Miller Brothers Coal Race of Champions, the Manufacturer's
Dash, and three consolation events will be held for the Super Late Models
in addition to the 100 lap Show Me finale. Open Wheel Modifieds will be featured
as the support class and will compete for $750 to win in an unsanctioned event
sponsored by New Vision Graphics.
Grandstand admission for Thursday night's practice is free. Adult general
admission for Friday night is $20 for adults, children age 7-11 $10, and children
6 and under are free. Adult general admission for Saturday night is $25, children
age 7-11 $12.50, and children 6 and under are free.
Pit admission is $20 on Thursday night and $35 on Friday and Saturday night.
Reserved tickets can be ordered from the offices of Gibson Racing or at the
track. Reserved front stretch seating is priced at $50 for the event.
The entry fee for the 16th Annual O'Reilly Show-Me 100 $275. An on-site campground
is available free of charge, but no electric hook-ups are available. For additional
information and to see a seating diagram visit the track website at www.WestPlains-Speedway.com
or call the business offices at (870) 994-7447.
Sponsors for the 15th Annual O'Reilly Show Me 100 include O'Reilly Auto Parts,
Hoosier Race Tires, Rocket Chassis, Schoenfeld Headers, New Vision Graphics,
Miller Brothers Coal, Hatfield Racing Engines, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Hawkeye
Racing News, GRT Race Cars, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Mark Martin Ford and Mark
Martin Chevrolet and S & H Industrial, MidSouthRacing.com, and MSRMafia.com.
Thanks!
Ben Shelton, Owner
MSR Mafia
www.MSRMafia.com
The Midsouth Racing Scene
www.MidSouthRacing.com