For the Republican
Saturday night, July 4th, will mark the 39th time drivers have taken the green flag in search of the prestigious Raintree 100 crown.
Three former winners will be in the field that promises to be one of the largest in Raintree history. Four-time winner LJ Lines of Lewisville will head the list of former winners. Lines won his first Raintree title in 1973 and then repeated in 1976, 1982 and 1994. If Lines can win this weekend it will give him a Raintree championship in each decade since the first Raintree in 1971 that was won by the late Gene Prosser of New Castle.
William Mefford of Knightstown won his first Raintree in 2000 which was the first year of the current Late Models running at Mt. Lawn. Mefford won in 2004 leading the final 79 laps for the win. Mefford became a three-time winner of the Raintree in 2007 when he took the lead from Terry Cater of New Castle on a Lap 95 restart.
Cater got revenge in 2008 as he survived two flat tires and one spin and had to work his way back from the rear of the field twice to take the lead for good on Lap 73.
Other top contenders will be Scott Knepley of Greensboro who has been the hottest driver so far in 2009. Knepley has won feature events four times in 2009 and has to be the one to beat on Saturday night. Eric Evans of Greenfield won the feature on June 20 and finished third last weekend which makes him a top contender for the crown. Evans was the Motion Motors Late Model champion in 2008 and is just now hitting his stride in 2009.
Jeff Marcum of Morristown is currently fourth in 2009 points and is looking for his first Raintree title. Brandon Mefford of Knightstown, William’s son, is also one of the top choices to gain his first Raintree.
Kevin Claborn who got a late start at Mt. Lawn in 2009 is also someone to keep your eye on. Jason Atkinson of New Castle driving the only Ford powered automobile in the event is a former 2009 track record holder and will be hard to beat.
Dark horse drivers expected to compete are Johnny Fugate of Cambridge City, Chad White of Greenfield, Scott Runion of Mooreland, Tom Nixon of Daleville, Miles Sexton of New Castle, Bill Clark of Rushville, Joe Woodring of Muncie, Kent Carson of Richmond, Ralph and Ross Lane of Greensburg, Bill Pierce of New Castle, Creston Johnson II of New Castle, Jerry Chesher of Centerville, Dean Baker of Modoc, Dale Amonett of New Castle and Randy Anderson of Knightstown.
Dependable Drywall Thunder Cars and MC Auto Repair Hornets are also on the racing program.
Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for kids 6-10 with 5-and-under free.
Mt. Lawn is located at 1494 S CR 400 W just five miles west of New Castle.
For more information check out the Mt. Lawn Web site or call the track phone at (765) 521-4244.
