By DAVID SMITH JR.

NCRA

Park City, Kansas - July 1, 2009 - Current series points leader Zach Chappell of Talala, Oklahoma leads the O'Reilly/NCRA sprint car series into a double header Fourth of July weekend as they make their first and only appearance of the season at the Jetmore Motorplex in Jetmore, Kansas on Friday night before heading to east for their third appearance of the year at 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas.

Thus far this 2009 race season, three different drivers have reached victory lane in the first three events that have been held. Defending series champion Mike Peters of Wichita kicked off the season with a victory at Dodge City Raceway Park back on May 9th. One night later it was Tony Bruce, Jr. of Liberal who picked up his first career NCRA victory, this coming at 81 Speedway. Later that month to wrap up the Memorial Day weekend, 81 Speedway was also the last stop for the series where Jason Johnson of Eunice, Louisiana took home the victory lane honors.

Chappell, aboard the Danny King owned, #E85 Ethanol sponsored sprinter comes into the weekend with a slim ten point advantage over four time series champion Garry Lee Maier of Cimmaron, Kansas. Just fifteen points out of the lead is Peters while 1993 series champion Mike Chadd of Lincoln, Nebraska, who is entering his 25th season of racing, is fourth in points. Goddard, Kansas driver J.D. Johnson currently sits fifth in the point standings.

Thus far in 2009, fifty different drivers have competed in at least one event with sixteen drivers having made all three events. Among the series regulars expected to compete include Jon Freeman, Gavin Punch, Jeff and Patrick Stasa, 2008 rookie of the year Koby Barksdale, A.J. Selenke, Luke Cranston, Kris Miller, Stuart Snyder, C.J. Johnson, Steven Richardson, Andy Shouse, Corey Moore and Jake Martens. Over thirty drivers are expected.

Gates for the Friday nights venue at the Jetmore Motorplex open at 5:00 PM with racing set for 7:00 PM. The track is located 6.6 miles south of Jetmore on the east side of US 283.

On Saturday night at 81 Speedway, gates will also open at 5:00 PM with racing at 7:00 PM. All grandstand tickets for 81 Speedway are just $8. For more race information, contact the speedway office (316) 755-1781. The O'Reilly/NCRA modifieds will also be in competition along with a complete fireworks show after the races.

The National Championship Racing Association is entering it's 39th season of sanctioning dirt track races, this year in five different states in its sprint car, modified and late model divisions combined. The 2009 race season will see the series' sprint car division compete for the 20th consecutive year. To learn more on the history of NCRA, rules, schedules and more, log on to their official website http://www.ncraracing.org/. To schedule an NCRA event, climb aboard as contingency partner or for any questions concerning the series, contact the office (316) 755-1781.

The series would also like to thank the following series sponsors and contingency sponsors for their support for the 2009 race season.

Official 2009 NCRA Sprint Car Series Sponsors: O'Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Cherokee Casino-Resort

2009 NCRA Sprint Car Contingencies: Brodix Cylinder Heads, Schoenfeld Headers, Maxim Chassis, Saldana Race Products, KSE Racing Products, QA1 Motorsports, The Brake Man, Rod End Supply, Outerwears Racing Accessories, Ultra-Shield Race Products, Racing Optics, Design 500, Taylor Cable Products, Vertex Magnetos, Design 500, Triple XXX Company, Arizona Sports Shirts, Winters Racing Products and Just Plugs.

Current NCRA Sprint Car Point Standings

1) Zach Chappell 2) Garry Lee Maier 815 3) Mike Peters 810 4) Mike Chadd 765 5) J.D. Johson 760 6) Jon Freeman 740 7) Gavin Punch 725 Jeff Stasa 610 9) Patrick Stasa 595 10) Tony Bruce, Jr. 590

Past NCRA 360 Sprint Car Winners at Jetmore Motorplex

C.J. Johnson 05/10/08, Garry Lee Maier 07/30/05, Steve King 05/27/05, Michael Woodruff 07/23/04, Michael Woodruff 05/01/04, Michael Woodruff 09/27/03, Larry Neighbors 07/05/03, Steve King 07/04/03, Michael Woodruff 04/27/02, Steve King 07/21/01

Past NCRA 360 Sprint Car Winners at 81 Speedway

Jason Johnson 05/25/09, Tony Bruce, Jr. 05/10/09, Brian Brown 09/27/08, Mike Peters 08/16/08, Derek Drown 06/14/08, Mike Chadd 06/07/08, J.D. Johnson 04/19/08, Garry Lee Maier 07/27/07, Andy Shouse 07/03/07, Garry Lee Maier 06/04/06, Preston Peebles 08/18/05, Danny Wood 05/02/05, Andy Shouse 05/09/04, Michael Woodruff 06/15/03, Steve King 05/26/02, Garry Lee Maier 09/01/01, John Blurton 09/02/00, Steve King 09/04/99, Clay Bontrager 10/11/98, Mike Peters 08/02/97, Kirby Hagens 10/06/96, Clay Bontrager 08/03/96, Garry Lee Maier 07/29/95, Mike Peters 08/13/94, Garry Lee Maier 07/09/94, Mike Peters 06/18/94, Clay Bontrager 10/02/93, Mike Peters 09/04/03, Clay Bontrager 08/14/93, Garry Lee Maier 07/03/93, Mike Chadd 06/12/93, Larry Neighbors 05/30/93, Garry Lee Maier 10/03/92, Scott Brown 07/18/92, Garry Lee Maier 07/18/92, Clay Bontrager 05/24/92, Garry Lee Maier 10/12/91, Garry Lee Maier 07/06/91, Garry Lee Maier 05/26/91, Garry Lee Maier 10/14/90, Jim Selenke 10/06/90, Jon Johnson 07/03/90, Garry Lee Maier 06/24/90

Past NCRA 360 Sprint Car Champions

2008 Mike Peters2007 Garry Lee Maier2006 Garry Lee Maier2005 Garry Lee Maier2004 Michael Woodruff2003 Steve King2002 Steve King2001 Dennis Park2000 C.J. Johnson1999 Jon Johnson1998 Jon Johnson1997 Dennis Park1996 Dennis Park1995 Larry Neighbors/Kirby Hagens1994 Kevin Ramey1993 Mike Chadd1992 Scott Brown1991 Garry Lee Maier1990 John Blurton