LEBANON, Mo. - With perfect weather conditions and 79 race teams in the pits, racing action was fast and furious Friday night at the Midway Speedway with close racing action all night long.

Defending USRA Modified track champion Jamie Ragland returned back to his home track for the action Friday night and took advantage of a front row starting spot in gathering his third feature win of the 2009 season.

Ragland took to the bottom groove on the start as outside front row starter Justin Neuman swung to the outside groove keeping Ragland in his sight while Brian Green and Donnie Fellers were battling along with Rex Merritt.

The first yellow waved on lap 13 when Colson Kirk spun in turn 4, closing the field up. On the restart, Ragland kept glued to the bottom while Neuman kept the middle lane hot staying close behind.

On lap 14, veteran Rex Merritt got around both Fellers and Green to take over third place and began his charge to the front.

The yellow waved on lap 16 as Wayne Graybeal came to a halt on the front stretch. On the restart, Merritt and Neuman went side by side as Merritt was glued to the bottom lane and closing quickly on Ragland with Neuman still running the high line.

On lap 17, Brian Green's strong run ended as he spun in turn 4, setting up a three-lap shootout. On the restart, Merritt pulled to Ragland's back bumper as Neuman was searching for a faster line.

Ragland pulled away off turn 2, but Merritt and Neuman closed up in turns 3-4.

Ragland held off the last-lap efforts to grab his third win of the season with Neuman, Merritt, previous week's winner Rusty Dukes and Terry Kirk completing the top-5.

Next Friday night, July 24, will be Autograph Night. Action will find the USRA Modifieds, Factory Stocks, B-Mods, Bombers and Pure Stocks competing as fans get to go trackside at intermission and greet the drivers competing that evening.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with practice at 7 and racing at 8. More information can be gathered by visiting the website at www.lebanonmidwayspeedway.com or contacting Jack Jones at 417-594-0594.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

OFFICIAL RESULTS
American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series
Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Mo.
Friday, July 17, 2009

USRA MODIFIEDS

Feature: 1. Jamie Ragland, Lebanon; 2. Justin Neuman, Crocker; 3. Rex Merritt, Billings; 4. Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove; 5. Terry Kirk, Urbana; 6. Donnie Fellers, Wheatland; 7. Sam Petty, Niangua; 8. Brian Green, Pierce City; 9. Colson Kirk, Urbana; 10. Wayne Graybeal, Springfield; 11. Tony Moore, Lebanon; 12. DeWayne Applegate, Bolivar.

Heat #1: 1. Ragland; 2. Dukes; 3. Green; 4. Graybeal; 5. Petty; 6. Applegate.

Heat #2: 1. Neuman; 2. Fellers; 3. Merritt; 4. T. Kirk; 5. C. Kirk; 6. Moore.