As the checkered flag waved on the 29th season of the Lucas Oil MLRA series at this weekend’s Fall Nationals finale race, Springfield, MO native Terry Phillips earned his fourth Lucas Oil MLRA title. While the most famous of dirt track racing double-headers gave most recent series winner Randy Timms the Friday night $3,000 Feature win and Jesse Stovall Saturday night’s high-stakes $5,000 Feature win, it was Terry Phillips who would earn the ultimate 2017 Lucas Oil MLRA Series crown.
It became obvious why Phillips doesn’t place Lucas Oil Speedway in his list of best tracks performance-wise this weekend, after he struggled for a top-10 finish in Friday night’s Lucas Oil MLRA Fall Nationals Feature as well as a top-15 finish in Saturday’s finale feature. Despite this driver’s difficult fight against Timms and Stovall this weekend, his never-say-die spirit earned him a 10th Late Model title.
“It has been a long grind this season, but it has been a good year” said Phillips. “I learned this racing deal from the best racer there’s ever been – my dad. I just try to make him proud every day, and I hope that I can impress him even more once I get this track figured out.”
While Phillips might not have Wheatland, MO’s Lucas Oil Speedway figured out yet, both Timms and Stovall seemed to know just how to navigate this challenging dirt track. Timms was the first driver to come out in dominating fashion during Friday night’s opening feature race after he led 39 of the 40-laps to earn his second win of the season.
“I have always liked this place,” said Timms after his second straight win at Lucas Oil Speedway. “We’ve just been getting better with our little race car here and tonight it all worked out for an amazing win.”
While Timms led almost every lap of Friday night’s feature, it was Jesse Stovall who would lead every lap of Saturday’s finale race to take home his first win of the 2017 season. After starting on the outside pole, Stovall survived four caution flag waves to lead every lap of the Fall Nationals season finale race and overcome what he called “a heck of a year” to earn his second Fall Nationals victory.
“I haven’t really put anything together since a scary flip that I had earlier this season,” said Stovall. “This is why this win is so satisfying. This series has been more than good to me, which is why I was so excited to back in the Andy’s Frozen Custard Victory Lane.”
The 2017 Lucas Oil MLRA Series season will culminate at the annual post season banquet. Stay tuned RacingJunk.com as we bring you the latest from these talented dirt slingers.
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