Photo Credit-Ryan Roberts Photography
Story Credit-Michael Despain
Josh Rice Rides to Ike Moler Memorial Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels Victory at MRP Raceway Park
WILLIAMSBURG, OHIO (September 13, 2024)– The Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels would make its final appearance of the 2024 season on Friday evening at MRP Raceway Park for the track’s 17th Annual Ike Moler Memorial event and Josh Rice of Crittenden, KY would take the lead on lap sixteen and lead the rest of the way to claim the $5,000 victory.
The win by the 25-year-old Rice was his second of the season with the tour and his fifteenth career series victory. Rice would drive the Rick Jones owned Rocket Chassis powered by a Jay Dickens Race Engine with sponsorship from Sunesis Holdings, MC Tank Transportation, Extreme Sportswear, Rice Excavating and Plumbing, Chain Locker, Air Max Heating and Cooling, Grease Monkey Princess, Schaeffer’s Oil, and Sunoco Race Fuels.
A full lap wasn’t completed as Austin Lay and Tyler Collins tangle exiting turn four to cause a complete restart. The second attempted start would see Ryan Missler take the race lead, followed by Josh Rice, Adam Stricker, Kirk Phillips, and Devin Gilpin. The front five remained the same as Missler began working slower traffic on lap seven. Missler and Rice would pull away a bit, while Gilpin would challenge Phillips for the fourth position and take the spot on lap thirteen. Missler and Rice would encounter heavy traffic on lap fourteen and Stricker would close in on the front two, with Rice working past Missler for the lead exiting turn four to complete lap fifteen. Missler and Stricker would battle for second and the pair would make contact entering turn three, with Missler spinning and Gilpin spinning to avoid Missler. The restart would see Rice out front, with Stricker now second, while Gilpin was third, with Rusty Schlenk taking fourth from Phillips. Rice would get into working lapped traffic on lap twenty-five. Rice would have some breathing room, while Gilpin would challenge Stricker for second and take the spot on lap thirty. The final caution would appear on lap thirty-seven when Missler slowed with a flat left-rear tire and during the caution, second place Gilpin would pull pitside with a flat right-rear tire and would not return. The final restart would see Rice maintain the lead, followed by Stricker and Schlenk, while Seth Daniels would take fourth from Phillips. The front five would remain the same the remainder of the way, with Rice taking the victory, followed by Stricker, Schlenk, Daniels, and Phillips. The remainder of the top ten would be eighteenth place starting R.J. Conley, Justin Cooper, Devin Shiels, Ryan Missler, and Jordan Wever.
The next event for the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels will be Saturday September 14 at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Lawrenceburg, IN paying $5,000 to win. The Lawrenceburg Speedway event September 14 will be co-sanctioned with the Ultimate Heart of America Late Model Series.
For more information on the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels, phone series promoter Chris Tilley at (828) 361-5981 or by visiting the tour website at www.IMDIRT.net or by following American Late Model Iron-Man Series (@ironmandirt) on Twitter or by liking American Late Model Iron-Man Series on Facebook.
The Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels would like to thank and recognize the following sponsors and marketing partners for their support of the 2024 racing season: Valvoline, VP Racing Fuels, Allgaier Performance, Allgaier Racing Shocks, Brucebilt Performance Parts, Deatherage Racing Opticians, DIRTcar Racing, DirtonDirt.com, Domination Race Cars, Earnhardt Technologies Group, E-Z-GO, FloRacing, Hoosier Racing Tire, Impact Race Gear, Jim and Nancy Viox, Keltner Contracting, Kentucky Clutch, KND Safety, MyRacePass, CNR Racing, Octane Custom Trailers, Racetrack Safety Initiative, SFP Performance Systems, STAKT Products, Swafford Signs, Todd Steel Buildings, XS Power Batteries, and Zerex by Valvoline.
About Valvoline™
Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. It operates and franchises approximately 1,400 quick-lube locations, and it is the No. 2 chain by number of stores in the United States under the Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM brand and the No. 3 chain by number of stores in Canada under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand. It also markets Valvoline lubricants and automotive chemicals, including the Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife technology motor oil for engines over 75,000 miles; Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline Premium Blue™ heavy-duty motor oil; Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid; and Zerex™ antifreeze. To learn more, visit www.valvoline.com.
About VP Racing Fuels
From a single location with two employees in San Antonio, Texas, VP Racing Fuels has grown to over 300 employees with five company-owned and operated race fuel distribution points in Texas, Indiana, Delaware, and Tennessee, a regional office in southern California, and an international office in Berlin, Germany. Each of these distribution points maintains an inventory of VP Fuels available for immediate transport within a day’s drive to virtually any major racing event in North America. The result is that racers and sanctioning bodies can count on access to the availability of quality fuel. VP’s distribution network of over two thousand dealers around the world extends to Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Rim. VP Racing Fuels is now recognized by many as the world leader in race fuel technology, with a catalog of more than 80 fuel blends and a growing roster of VP-fueled champions across the entire spectrum of motorsports. The passion and dedication of VP’s development team to staying on the leading edge of technology is legendary. Most of VP’s employees are or have been racers in one form or another and are driven by the competitive will to win. Together, the VP Racing Fuels team intends to solidify its position as the true World Leader in Race Fuel Technology for years to come.
Official Summary of Results
Valvoline A-Main Feature Results for the Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Late Model Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels 17th Annual Ike Moler Memorial at MRP Raceway Park on Friday September 13, 2024
1. Josh Rice-Crittenden, Ky.
2. Adam Stricker-Batavia, Ohio
3. Rusty Schlenk-McClure, Ohio
4. Seth Daniels-Jackson, Ohio
5. Kirk Phillips-Ashland, Ky.
6. R.J. Conley-Wheelersburg, Ohio
7. Justin Cooper-Wheelersburg, Ohio
8. Devin Shiels-Britton, Mich.
9. Ryan Missler-Bellevue, Ohio
10. Jordan Wever-Martinsville, Ind.
11. Avery Taylor-Sunshine, Ky.
12. Trevor Landrum-Florence, Ky.
13. Kyle Moore-Mansfield, Ohio
14. Rod Conley-Wheelersburg, Ohio
15. Billy Green-Walton, Ky.
16. Michael LeFevers-Cincinnati, Ohio
17. Devin Gilpin-Columbus, Ind.
18. James Rice-Crittenden, Ky.
19. Mike Hildebrand-Loveland, Ohio
20. Rob Anderzack-Swanton, Ohio
21. Austin Lay-Walton, Ky.
22. Blake Creech-Richmond, Ind.
23. Tyler Collins-North Vernon, Ind.
Time of Race: 27 minutes, 15 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.504 seconds
Yellow Flags: Three (lap 1, 16, 37)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Ryan Missler 1-14, Josh Rice 15-40
Entries: 31
Provisionals: Austin Lay (series), Billy Green (series), Michael LeFevers (track)
Emergency Provisionals: None
E-Z-GO Time Trials presented by Brucebilt Performance Parts Top Qualifier ($50 product certificate): Josh Rice (Group 😎 12.096 seconds
SFP Performance Systems Hard Charger Award ($100 product certificate): R.J. Conley (started 18th-finished 6th-advanced 12 positions)
SFP Performance Systems Hard Luck Award ($100 product certificate): Ryan Missler
Deatherage Racing Opticians Middleman Award ($50 product certificate to the 11th place finisher): Avery Taylor
Brucebilt Performance Parts Youngest Driver/Highest Finisher ($25 product certificate): Justin Cooper
Octane Custom Trailers Move of the Race (free entry fee at next event): Seth Daniels
CNR Racing 5th Place Finisher ($50 product certificate): Kirk Phillips
CNR Spoiler Challenge Leader: Rusty Schlenk
VP Racing Fuels Makin’ Power Heat Race One Finish (8 laps/top 4 transfer): Ryan Missler, Devin Gilpin, Mike Hildebrand, Tyler Collins, Trevor Landrum, Kyle Herbert, Kevin Wagner, Wade Davis
FLORacing Heat Race Two Finish (8 laps/top 4 transfer): Adam Stricker, Justin Cooper, Kyle Moore, Avery Taylor, Blake Creech, Billy Green, Devin Puckett, Steve Duderstadt
Jim and Nancy Viox Heat Race Three Finish (8 laps/top 4 transfer): Josh Rice, Rob Anderzack, Seth Daniels, James Rice, R.J. Conley, Victor Lee, Austin Lay, Caleb Verdon
DirtonDirt.com Heat Race Four Finish (8 laps/top 4 transfer): Kirk Phillips, Rusty Schlenk, Devin Shiels, Rod Conley, Jordan Wever, Dallas Miller, Michael LeFevers
STAKT Products B-Main One Finish (8 laps/top 2 transfer): Trevor Landrum, Blake Creech, Billy Green, Kevin Wagner, Kyle Herbert, Wade Davis, Devin Puckett (DNS-Steve Duderstadt)
STAKT Products B-Main Two Finish (8 laps/top 2 transfer): R.J. Conley, Jordan Wever, Victor Lee, Austin Lay, Dallas Miller, Caleb Verdon, Michael LeFevers
2024 Valvoline American Late Model Iron-Man Series Fueled by VP Racing Fuels Events:
May 24-Attica Raceway Park-Attica, OH-Rusty Schlenk (McClure, OH)
May 25-Oakshade Raceway-Wauseon, OH-Rusty Schlenk (McClure, OH)
June 1-Atomic Speedway-Waverly, OH-Hudson O’Neal (Martinsville, IN)
June 14-MRP Raceway Park-Williamsburg, OH-Zack Dohm (Cross Lanes, WV)
June 15-Mudlick Valley Raceway-Wallingford, KY-Josh Rice (Crittenden, KY)
July 6-Brownstown Speedway-Brownstown, IN-Devin Gilpin (Columbus, IN)
July 7-Tri-State Speedway-Haubstadt, IN-Tyler Erb (New Waverly, TX)
July 19-MRP Raceway Park-Williamsburg, OH-Nick Hoffman (Mooresville, NC)
July 20-Atomic Speedway-Waverly, OH-Nick Hoffman (Mooresville, NC)
August 10-Wayne County Speedway-Orrville, OH-Kyle Moore (Mansfield, OH)
August 24-Butler Motor Speedway-Butler, MI-Rusty Schlenk (McClure, OH)
August 30-Portsmouth Raceway Park-Portsmouth, OH-Daulton Wilson (Fayetteville, NC)
September 1-Eldora Speedway-Rossburg, OH-Garrett Alberson (Las Cruces, NM)
September 13-MRP Raceway Park-Williamsburg, OH-Josh Rice (Crittenden, KY)
September 14-Lawrenceburg Speedway-Lawrenceburg, IN-$5,000 to win
September 21-Atomic Speedway-Waverly, OH-$5,000 to win
October 4-Mudlick Valley Raceway-Wallingford, KY-$5,000 to win
October 5-Mudlick Valley Raceway-Wallingford, KY-$10,000 to win
October 12-Richmond Raceway-Richmond, KY-$12,059 to win
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