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Jon Binning Claims $1,700 ULMA Victory over Labor Day Weekend! By Sam Stoecklin
Not only did Warrensburg, Missouri driver Jon Binning claim his fourth ULMA win of the year over the Labor Day weekend, he also captured the highest-ever first-place prize money by a ULMA driver for a victory. Central Missouri Speedway hosted its annual late model special event last weekend and had a first-place payout of $1,500-to-win posted; however, just before cars went out to hot lap, an anonymous donor put up another $200 for the winner, making the winning payout an unprecedented $1,700. Binning's win did not come easy as he had to battle his way to the front of the field and hold off a hard-charging Shawn Rayfield, who travelled to CMS all the way from O'Fallon, Missouri, three hours away. With 25 cars signed in for the night, there were 20 ULMA member drivers among the competitors. Rayfield and Robbie Test led the field to the green flag with Binning in hot pursuit. Rayfield, Allen Perryman, Binning, David Barker, and Test ran strong towards the front once drivers settled into a race rhythm. By midway through the race, Rayfield pulled away from Perryman in second as Binning began to pressure Perryman for the runner-up position. Finally, on lap nine, Binning took second place with Perryman slipping to third. After a quick restart, Binning pressured Rayfield for the lead on the high side as the two drivers moved away from now third-running Barker. Rayfield lost the lead on lap twenty to Binning when he got caught behind a lapped car. With Binning now at the helm, the caution flew one final time as Rayfield pressured Binning to try to regain the lead. On the restart, Binning gave it all he could to hang on to the lead with Rayfield breathing down his neck. In the end, Binning was too strong and he came away with his richest payday ever. Rayfield ran strong for second, just in front of Barker who wound up in third. Steve Clancy was fourth, one spot ahead of fifth running Allen Perryman and 'Flyin' Mike Ryun in sixth. Ryun also received bonus money from an anonymous donor as he gained the most positions as a ULMA member driver from his original starting position of twenty-second. Things wrap up at CMS this Saturday, September 12th, when both CMS track points and ULMA championship points come to an end. For complete details visit www.centralmissourispeedway.net. Last Saturday evening was the final night of the season for ULMA competition at Wheatland's Lucas Oil Speedway. Ten cars were on hand with eight ULMA members among the drivers signed in for racing. Entering the night, Tommy Cordray and Kevin Kaiser were locked into a close point battle for the track championship. At the conclusion of the night, Cordray edged Kaiser for the championship at the track as he finished second in the feature event, the highest of ULMA members competing with Kaiser close behind in third. Andy Kennedy came away with his first top-five finish of the year in fourth with John Fellers in fifth. For remaining events at Lucas Oil Speedway, visit the track's official Web site at www.lucasoilspeedway.com. Both Butler Motor Speedway (BMS) and Callaway Raceway were rained out last Friday evening. There is one more ULMA points race scheduled at BMS and Callaway this Friday, September 11th. For complete details visit each of the track's Web sites at www.butlermotorspeedway.webs.com and www.callawayraceways.com. The tightest championship battle in ULMA history will come down to the wire this weekend with Kevin Kaiser of Cole Camp, Missouri still holding his lead over Jeff Schlup of California, Missouri. Drivers keep their 15 best finishes over the course of the year to determine the champion and Kaiser's next throw-out finish is a third place; Schlup's next throwaway finish is a seventh-place. The rest of the standings from third on back are also close. Binning has steadily climbed the point standings and now sits in fourth overall one position behind Robbie Test. Test has locked up the ULMA Rookie of the Year title for 2009. Randy Ainsworth and Kevin Coyne are also locked into a close battle to secure a spot in the top five. For complete standings, the schedule of events, rules, board member contact information, and general association information visit www.ulmaracing.com. The end-of-year Championship Banquet for the association will be held on Saturday, October 17th in California, Missouri. ULMA officials will release detailed information in the coming weeks regarding this year's banquet. ULMA would like to thank the following businesses for contributing to the end-of-year banquet: W-K Chevrolet of Sedalia, Jim's Tire Service of Sedalia, and Lucas Oil Speedway. Official Sponsors: Imhoff Construction. Contingency Sponsors: Fast Shafts, Wineland Enterprises, Rod End Supply, Racingjunk.com, Bulldog Racing Engines, Hoosier Race Tires™, GFRracing.com, Flag 2 Flag Racing.com/Racing Cam System, Monroe Signs & Graphics, Kenny Johnson’s Race Replicas. Affiliate Sponsors: Photography by Shelly Payne, Ken Dake Attorney at Law, and High Fly'N Photos.
ULMA Top 15 Point Standings as of 7 Sep 09
Remaining ULMA-sanctioned points-earning events
Friday, Sept 11th Callaway Raceway (regular classes, Track Awards ceremony, last night of races) Butler Motor Speedway (weekly race, track points end)
Saturday, Sept 12th Central Missouri Speedway (weekly race, track points end and ULMA Points End)
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