Randy Mooneyham, owner/promoter of the Monett Speedway, was stunned by the United Midwestern Promoters last Saturday night.
And, buttons popping, Mooneyham forever will be grateful.
Mooneyham received the seventh annual Bob Memmer Achievement Award at the DIRTcar UMP “Night of Champions” Banquet in the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Springfield (Ill.).
“I may have been the most surprised person in the ballroom (the event attracted some 1,000),” Mooneyham said on Thursday. “It turned out that everyone (family and close friends) knew about it but me.”
Mooneyham, who also promotes the MARS DIRTcar Series, finally relented to attend when thinking about adding a couple of tracks to the late model series this coming season.
Mooneyham also was shocked by several family members in attendance at the banquet. They were at a table tucked away in a corner until the award was announced.
“Some of those people who knew (about the award) kept saying I should go,” Mooneyham with a laugh.
The award, which is presented for distinguished service to dirt-track racing, honors the late UMP DIRTcar Series founder.
Said Mooneyham: “It’s the biggest honor I’ve received since I’ve been promoting (more than 30 years). Honestly, it’s a big deal to me. I’m not bragging. But I’m proud.”
Mooneyham said the previous winners include Earl Baltes (builder of Eldora Speedway near Rossburg, Ohio), C.J. Rayburn of Rayburn Race Cars and Terry Young of Hoosier Racing Tires.
Mooneyham, who said he appreciated the many fans, drivers, car owners and sponsors in southwest Missouri, believes this season will be No. 42 in a row for the Monett Speedway.
Mooneyham, who turned 60 on Dec. 4 and lives in Republic, said he’ll probably start worrying about the 3/8-mile dirt track in late February or early March.
Linda and Randy’s children — Nicki (who’s married to late model driver Brad Looney), Carrie, Tori, Lindsey and Lake — have toiled many summer hours at the track.
“Nicki now works if needed,” dad said with a laugh.
Lake, their only son and a former driver at Monett, also helps his dad on the MARS DIRTcar Series.
“Right now I watch a lot of basketball and work with a lot of cattle,” Randy Mooneyham said. “I switched from selling cars to working on a farm a few years ago.
“We watch both the boys and girls teams (at Republic High School),” Randy Mooneyham said. “We watch some Missouri State games, too.
“We have a grandson (Payton Looney) on the boys team (coached by Gary Stanfield),” Randy Mooneyham said. “Tori, who also played basketball at Evangel (University), is an assistant for girls coach Kris Flood.”
Sports
January 12, 2012
Mooneyham earns award from dirt-car promoters
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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