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
Maynard turns hobby into winner
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
