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The 2006 O'Reilly MLRA Thunder Tour rolls on and as the series approaches the halfway point drivers and crews begin to think more and more about the championship points standings.
Defending and four time champion Al Purkey leads the way in hopes of becoming the first five time champion in series history. Purkey, of Coffeyville, KS, picked up back to back wins when the O'Reilly MLRA made stops at Winston Speedway and Adrian Speedway on April 8 (Winston) and May 13 (Adrian). A consistent string of top 10 finishes has allowed Purkey to build a point lead that currently stands at 96 markers ahead of second place in the standings with 911 points.
Currently holding down the number two position is the only other four time series champion - Alan Vaughn. Hailing from Belton, MO, Vaughn is still looking for his first victory of 2006, but a recent rash of strong runs along with a new car have Vaughn and his team knocking on the door. Like Purkey, Vaughn is looking to become the first five time champion having taken the title in 1995, 2002, 2003, and 2004 which also gives him the distinction of being the only driver to have taken three titles in a row.
Creighton, MO's David Turner sits in the third position event after missing one event due to the wedding of his daughter. Turner came away with a third place points finish in 2005 and is looking to improve on that finish. Also looking to turn his season around, Turner is looking toward the second half of the season to pick up his first win of the 2006 Thunder Tour after several close calls.
David Barker holds down the fourth position in what is his best season with the O'Reilly MLRA to date. On several occasions Barker and his team from Kingsville, MO have been right in the mix for the win only to have one thing or another happen to keep him from that elusive first victory. Sitting only ten points behind Turner in third, Barker looks to continue a string of consistent finishes that have kept him towards the top of the standings the entire season.
Rounding out the top ten in the current point standings are Oklahoma residents Charlie Randolph and Mike Brown followed by CJ Lyle, Jimmy Morris, Terry Phillips and Chris Smyser.
Phillips has proven himself a tough one to beat as he has taken wins in five of seven races that he has competed in during the 2006 season. In addition to the two victories by Purkey wins have been notched by Billy Moyer, Shane Essary, Steve Kosiski, John Anderson, Justin Wells, and Jeff Taylor.
For O'Reilly MLRA information call 816-650-5063 or 816-305-6572 or visit them on the web at www.mlraracing.com.
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O'Reilly Auto Parts/Hoosier Race Tires/Hatfield Racing Engines/Larry Shaw Race Cars/GRT Race Cars/AFCO/Driveline Shop/ATL Fuel Cells/Sunoco/Simons Petroleum/Weld Wheels/Chase Race Decals/Gameday Trophy/Bodee's Race Bodies/Smitty's Racing Engines/Duralite Wheels/Holley/Lunati/Rod End Supply/Schoenfeld Headers/Kluhsman Racing Components/Performance Bodies
Defending and four time champion Al Purkey leads the way in hopes of becoming the first five time champion in series history. Purkey, of Coffeyville, KS, picked up back to back wins when the O'Reilly MLRA made stops at Winston Speedway and Adrian Speedway on April 8 (Winston) and May 13 (Adrian). A consistent string of top 10 finishes has allowed Purkey to build a point lead that currently stands at 96 markers ahead of second place in the standings with 911 points.
Currently holding down the number two position is the only other four time series champion - Alan Vaughn. Hailing from Belton, MO, Vaughn is still looking for his first victory of 2006, but a recent rash of strong runs along with a new car have Vaughn and his team knocking on the door. Like Purkey, Vaughn is looking to become the first five time champion having taken the title in 1995, 2002, 2003, and 2004 which also gives him the distinction of being the only driver to have taken three titles in a row.
Creighton, MO's David Turner sits in the third position event after missing one event due to the wedding of his daughter. Turner came away with a third place points finish in 2005 and is looking to improve on that finish. Also looking to turn his season around, Turner is looking toward the second half of the season to pick up his first win of the 2006 Thunder Tour after several close calls.
David Barker holds down the fourth position in what is his best season with the O'Reilly MLRA to date. On several occasions Barker and his team from Kingsville, MO have been right in the mix for the win only to have one thing or another happen to keep him from that elusive first victory. Sitting only ten points behind Turner in third, Barker looks to continue a string of consistent finishes that have kept him towards the top of the standings the entire season.
Rounding out the top ten in the current point standings are Oklahoma residents Charlie Randolph and Mike Brown followed by CJ Lyle, Jimmy Morris, Terry Phillips and Chris Smyser.
Phillips has proven himself a tough one to beat as he has taken wins in five of seven races that he has competed in during the 2006 season. In addition to the two victories by Purkey wins have been notched by Billy Moyer, Shane Essary, Steve Kosiski, John Anderson, Justin Wells, and Jeff Taylor.
For O'Reilly MLRA information call 816-650-5063 or 816-305-6572 or visit them on the web at www.mlraracing.com.
Please support these sponsors who support O'Reilly MLRA Racing
O'Reilly Auto Parts/Hoosier Race Tires/Hatfield Racing Engines/Larry Shaw Race Cars/GRT Race Cars/AFCO/Driveline Shop/ATL Fuel Cells/Sunoco/Simons Petroleum/Weld Wheels/Chase Race Decals/Gameday Trophy/Bodee's Race Bodies/Smitty's Racing Engines/Duralite Wheels/Holley/Lunati/Rod End Supply/Schoenfeld Headers/Kluhsman Racing Components/Performance Bodies