NCRA DIRTcar Series
July 11, 2011
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10th Annual NCRA Late Model Nationals This Saturday Night at Mid-Nebraska

David Smith Jr
PARK CITY, Kansas (July 11) - Aiming for his first serious challenge for the series championship since the 2003 race season, Omaha, Nebraska veteran Joe Kosiski leads the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products DIRTcar late model series into the tenth annual NCRA Late Model Nationals this coming Saturday night at Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, Nebraska. The tour will be joined by the series new Great Plains late model region.

Kosiski comes into the event with an 85 point lead over Grand Junction, Colorado driver Dean Moore. Kosiski last attempted the NCRA title chase back in 2003 where he came home fourth in that year’s final point standings.

Moore’s best series finish in the final point standings was eighth back in 2004.

Denny Eckrich of Tiffin, Iowa comes in as the defending champion of the NCRA Late Model Nationals, this year reduced to a one day show for the first time since the 2003 event which saw former two-time series champion Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kansas reach victory lane.

Five-time and defending series champion Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado is a former three time winner of this event as is former two-time series champion Kyle Berck of Marquette, Nebraska. Both drivers are not expected to compete this weekend, however.

Steve Kempt of Shelton, Nebraska is fourth in the point standings but will lead the Great Plains region late model drivers into the event has he current leads that division in points.

Gates for the tenth annual NCRA Late Model Nationals will open at 5:00 PM with racing set for a 7:00 PM start time.

Mid-Nebraska Speedway is located off of I-80 at exit 314 and two miles south on old Hwy 281. For more race or ticket information contact the office (308) 381-0088 or the track (402) 845-2988.

The 2011 race season marks the 41st year for the series and the 28th year of sanctioning late model racing in Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri and Iowa. For more information regarding the series late model division, contact NCRA steward Chris Smith (918) 625-6200 or check them out on their official website www.racencra.com.

Previous NCRA Late Model Nationals Champions:

2010 – Kelly Boen (Friday), Denny Eckrich (Saturday), 2009 – Kelly Boen (Friday and Saturday), 2008 – Kelly Boen (Friday and Saturday), 2007 – Kelly Boen (Friday); Kyle Berck (Saturday), 2006 Kyle Berck (Friday); Darren Miller (Saturday), 2005 – Brian Birkhofer (Friday); Kyle Berck (Saturday), 2004 – Al Purkey, 2003 – Terry Phillips, 2002 – Kelly Boen

Past NCRA Late Model Winners at Mid-Nebraska Speedway

07/17/10 Denny Eckrich, 07/16/10 Kelly Boen, 05/28/10 Kelly Boen, 05/28/10 Kelly Boen, 07/17-18/09 Kelly Boen (2), 05/22/09 Kelly Boen, 07/17-18/08 Kelly Boen (2), 07/20/07 Kelly Boen, 07/21/07 Kyle Berck, 05/28/07 Delbert Smith, 07/21/06 Kyle Berck 07/22/06 Darren Miller, 05/26/06 Steve Kosiski, 07/22/05 Brian Birkhoffer, 07/23/05 Kyle Berck, 05/27/05 Kelly Boen, 07/17/04 Al Purkey, 05/28/04 Kyle Berck, 07/19/03 Terry Phillips, 05/23/03 Kyle Berck, 07/19/02 Kelly Boen , 07/20/01 Kyle Berck

Current 2011 NCRA DIRTcar Late Model Point Standings
1) Joe Kosiski 1835, 2) Dean Moore 1750, 3) Al Purkey 1660, 4) Steve Kempt 1550, 5) Bill Koons, Jr. 1530, 6) Shawn Harker 1415, 7) John Anderson 1255, 8) Chad Simpson 1180, 9) Cory Zeitner 1130, 10) Bill Koons 1095