Action-packed weekend at L A

If anyone wants to hit the track for some action-packed racing this weekend, L A Raceway opens its gates to the USMTS and WOW 360 fans.

Tonight, the USMTS Modified show will open the tack with some roaring, dirt flying fun. Accompanying the will be the local Street Stocks that will begin their battle for the season championship next Friday night (April 16) in the regular racing series.

The USMTS has been to L A Raceway for four straight years and the payout tonight will be $2,000 to the winner with a minimum $250 to start the main event.

According to a press release by USMTS, nine-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock and the Falcon Wind Power Mo-Kan Region's current points leader Jason Hughes will be in the battle for victory at L A this weekend. Also expected to attend is Johnny Bone Jr., Jon Tesch, Dereck Ramirez, Zack VanderBeek, Rodney Sanders, John Allen, Tommy Weder Jr., Bryan Rowland, Steve Holzkamper, Melvin Pilcher, Colt Mather, Mark Dotson, Austin Siebert, Lucas Conley, Scott Green, Mickey Burrell, Brandon Davis, Chris Deaton, Josh Griggs, Johnny Scott, Rick Beebe, Grant and Chase Junghans, Nic Bidinger, Tommy Myer, Danny Charles, Ryan Gustin, Johnny Fennewald, Brian Green, Jeremy Ross, Daulton Greven and more.

Grant Junghans, of Manhattan, Kan., captured the win at L A last August and was named the DandyLand Rookie of the Year by USMTS. Other drivers who have taken the win at the LaMonte track are Jeremy Payne, of Springfield; Shryock, of Fertile, Iowa; and Rodney Sanders, of Happy, Texas.

The Winged Outlaw Warriors will sail around the 3/8-mile oval track on Saturday, with the local 305 Sprints being a support class. This will be the first of five appearances the WOWs have scheduled at L A. (May 7, June 11, July 2, and July 30)

The WOWs season opener will pay $1,500 to win. Expected to show are local favorites including last year's winner, Randy Martin, of California; 2009 WOW point champion Josh Fisher, of Smithton; and 2008 WOW Rookie of the Year Jonathan Cornell, of Sedalia.

Also planning to attend is Kyle Bellm, of Nixa; Mitchell Moore, of Edgerton, Kan.; Steven Cross, of Appleton City; and Cody Baker, of Lone Jack.

A local favorite and no stranger to L A Raceway, Austin Alumbaugh, of Higginsville, plans on getting up on the wheel of both his 305 and 360 sprinters on Saturday. Alumbaugh plans to drive both machines at nine other stops throughout the summer racing season.

Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps start at 7 for both nights of spectacular fun in the country.