Turner takes down I-44 Speedway triumph

  • July 3, 2008
  • by Ronnie Williams

LEBANON, Mo. - Despite over three inches of rain that fell in Lebanon Thursday morning and a newly-laid dirt surface, the Lebanon I-44 Speedway provided plenty of action all night long with three- and sometimes four-wide racing.

The USRA Modifieds took the green with Rex Merritt getting the jump on polesitter Eric Hudson and Scott Drake right behind the lead duo with Justin Neuman and Jamie Ragland close behind.

With Merritt using the middle groove and Drake diving down low, the battle for the top spot was close as Eric Turner began his charge to the front on lap 5 after starting sixth in the field.

Merritt kept the lead after Drake applied pressure several times and on lap 9 found Turner moving into the runner-up spot and began his charge using the low side.

On lap 11, Merritt began to slow as a driveshaft went out on the leader putting Turner into the top spot with Drake, Hudson, Neuman and Ragland battling for position as Bobby Williams began his drive to the front after starting 20th in the field.

Turner stayed on the low side and grabbed his first win of the season at I-44 Speedway with Drake, Hudson, Neuman and Ragland completing the top-5.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USRA Casey’s General Stores Weekly Racing Series
I-44 Speedway, Lebanon, Mo.
Thursday, July 3, 2008

USRA MODIFIEDS (20 entries)

Feature (top 10): 1. Eric Turner, Hermitage; 2. Scott Drake, Webb City; 3. Eric Hudson, Rolla; 4. Justin Neuman, Crocker; 5. Jamie Ragland, Lebanon; 6. Bobby Williams, Shawnee, Kan.; 7. Jimmy Willis, Macks Creek; 8. Kevin Blackburn, Fulton; 9. Evan Hubert, Cross Timbers; 10. Don Luna, St. James.