By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Alba’s Roy Maynard left the impression on Friday that he’s very happy with his return to auto racing.
“It’s a hobby. I don’t do it for a living,” Maynard said. “I especially enjoy the people. It’s been a good experience. It’s good for my son, Dakota, too.”
Maynard made it a winning experience last Saturday night at Springfield Raceway.
Maynard won the 20-lap sport mod A feature — the first of his career — at the quarter-mile track.
Maynard, 37, a 1989 graduate of Sarcoxie High School, enters tonight’s program second in season points.
Leaders in the sport mod class include Joplin’s Billy Street (142), Maynard (101), Reeds Spring’s Mike Hailmann (96), Springfield’s J.C. Morton (92). Springfield’s Mike Watson (87) and Clever’s Darrin Crisler (87).
Maynard, the seventh different winner in as many races in the sport mod class at Springfield this season, beat Joplin’s Darian Hendrix.
“It was very close,” Maynard said. “I believe I started inside on the fifth row. I managed to pull away the last two laps. We were side-by-side for 10 or 11 laps.
“I believe I’d finished third in a main event for my previous best,” Maynard said. “Well, I came back the next night (at the Monett Speedway) to place third in the B modified class behind Randy Lebow (Galena, Mo.) and Street.”
Maynard began racing competitively in a modified during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
“A friend, (Oronogo’s) Jeff Pearish, asked me to go watch him at the races and that’s when I became interested,” Maynard said. “He was driving a bomber at the time.
“Jerry Hoffman (Hoffman Race Cars, Oronogo) built the modified and after I quit for a couple of seasons I returned in a Hoffman sport mod.”
Hoffman has been very helpful and loyal throughout his racing, Maynard said.
“He builds a high quality race car,” Maynard said. “He basically built a complete race car for me. We even put in the motor and wiring.”
A happy Maynard said his wife, Natalie, was among family and friends to watch his victory.
Maynard, who attended Missouri Southern two years, said he’s a propane retailer in his 12th year of running his business. The Country Pride main office is located at Alba with branches at Lamar and Branson.
Country Pride is Maynard’s sponsor. Son Dakota, 13, who’ll be an eighth-grader at Sarcoxie, is the regular in the pits.
Notes: Starting time at Springfield Raceway is 7:30 p.m. because of the heat. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:45. Classes, with the sport mod, are USRA modified, Legends Cars and bomber. ... Other points leaders include Carthage’s Jackie Dalton in modified with 463 to 439 for Mitch Keeter of Webb City. Joplin’s Park Jones leads Webb City’s David Bauer 127-124 in Legends. ... Lucas Oil Speedway, Wheatland, Mo., will offer a late model challenge tonight with its UMLA regulars facing the Race Brothers Show-Me Racin’ Series. Plus, the United States Modified Touring Series shares top billing on the 8 p.m. card. Tickets are $30 (family pass), $15, $10 (seniors) and $5 (ages 6-15). A pit pass is $25. ... Show-Me Racin’ Series has added a July 18 race at Tri-State Speedway in Pocolo, Okla. Justin Wells leads series founder Ken Essary by 46 points atop the standings. ... Leslie Essary won last week’s main event — his first of the campaign — at West Siloam Speedway. Completing the top five were Ken Essary, Wells, Chris Morelock and Larry Campbell. The winner of tonight’s late model A feature at Lucas Oil will pocket $1,500. Making the start will pay $325.
Sports
June 26, 2009
Maynard turns hobby into winner
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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 ... - 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
- Both sides of border hope changes make easier entry into Canada
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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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