5/25/2024
Brennon Willard
Willard moves forward in Show-Me 100 main event
Missouri native Brennon Willard took on his home state’s Super Late Model crown-jewel event from Thursday through Saturday and turned in a memorable performance in the Show-Me 100 finale at Lucas Oil Speedway.
The racing action, co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) and Lucas Oil Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA), kicked off on Thursday with the Cowboy Classic. The $10,000-to-win program brought 63 entries to the 3/8-mile “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” in Wheatland, Missouri, including Willard’s No. 3 ride. He finished seventh in his heat race and sixth in his B-Main, ending his evening in advance of the 45-lap feature.
On Friday, with another $10,000 winner’s share up for grabs, 59 LOLMDS and MLRA teams filled the pristine pit area for the Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson. Willard took 10th in his heat and ninth in his B-Main, precluding him from a transfer into the 40-lap A-Main.
However, Willard saved his best for last in the Saturday finale featuring 63 cars. He finished seventh in one of three B-Mains to help fill out the field with drivers not already locked into the $50,000-to-win main event. That result put him in the Show-Me Challenge, where only the winner is guaranteed a starting spot in the feature. Willard drove to a 14th-place result, but was the beneficiary of an MLRA emergency provisional to start the A-Main from 32nd on the grid.
Willard charged forward throughout the 80-lap crown-jewel race, picking up an impressive 15 spots to turn in a solid 17th-place finish.
After the Show-Me 100, Willard sits tied for ninth in the MLRA standings.
Full weekend results are at www.lucasdirt.com and www.mlraracing.com.
Article Credit: Heath Lawson image
