NCRA Late Models
Mid Nebraska Speedway
July 16, 2011
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Boen Back Claims NCRA Late Model Nationals at Mid Nebraska Speedway

David Smith Jr
DONIPHAN, Nebraska (July 16) - Racing part-time thus far during the 2011 race season, five-time and defending series champion Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado came back to compete with the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley’s Racing Products DIRTCar late model series and wasted little time grabbing his first victory of the season and claimed the 10th annual Smiley’s NCRA Late Model Nationals Saturday night at Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, Nebraska. The event was also combined with the NCRA DIRTCar Great Plains late model region.

The 25 lap feature got off to a rough start with a five car pileup that included Mike Wiarda, Joe Kosiski, Shawn Harker, Casey Landers and Scott Koskovich with Koskovich the only car unable to return.

Craig Preble jumped out into the lead and led the first seven laps with fifth starting Boen on his rear bumper. Both drivers made contact entering turn three sending Preble into a spin. While the caution flag appeared, Preble never lost forward motion and was able to regain the lead.

Boen was all over Preble on the restart and on lap ten would take the lead and never looked back. Bill Leighton began making his move towards the front, passing Preble for the runner up position with ten laps to go but could never get close enough to mount a serious challenge for the lead.

In the end it was Boen claiming his fourth career NCRA Late Model Nationals and his first victory with the series on the 2011 race season. Leighton finished a strong second while Preble settled for third. Mike Maruchak came home fourth while NCRA Great Plains late model points leader Steve Kempt rounded out the top five.

Wiarda and Kosiski, who were involved in the pile up at the start of the feature, came back through the field to finish sixth and seventh respectively.

Heat races for the twenty cars on hand were won by Kempt, Wiarda and Dean Moore.

Next up for the NCRA DIRTCar late model series will be on Friday and Saturday night, August 12-13, for the annual “King of the Hill Late Model Shootout” at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool, Nebraska.

The next stop for the NCRA DIRTCar Great Plains late model series will be on Saturday night, July 30th at the Great American Dirt Track in Jetmore, Kansas.

1st Heat: 1) Steve Kempt 2) Craig Preble 3) Jace Kaser 4) Michael Brown 5) Ty Leonard 6) Ross Evans 7) Lester Duncan

2nd Heat: 1) Mike Wiarda 2) Kelly Boen 3) Joe Kosiski 4) Bo Egge 5) Scott Koskovich 6) Brad Wagoner 7) Denton Duncan

3rd Heat: 1) Dean Moore 2) Bill Leighton 3) Shawn Harker 4) Mike Maruschak 5) Casey Landers 6) Chris Avery

A Feature: 1) Kelly Boen 2) Bill Leighton 3) Craig Preble 4) Mike Marushak 5) Steve Kempt 6) Mike Wiarda 7) Joe Kosiski 8) Bo Egge 9) Jase Kaser 10) Micah Brown 11) Ty Leonard 12) Shawn Harker 13) Brad Wagner 14) Casey Landers 15) Ross Evans 16) Denton Duncan 17) Lester Duncan 18) Chris Avery 19) Dean Moore 20) Scott Koskovich