Cash Money Late Models at the Springfieldfield Raceway on Saturday

August 2, 2022

This Saturday August 6 O’reilly Auto Parts along with Jason’s Stump Grinding & Tree Service along with K & L Mobile Home Service presents the Cash Money Late Models at the Springfieldfield Raceway. The night highlights the Flyin’ Farmer 55 a tribute to the Legendary Stock Car Driver Ken Essary.Springfield Raceway will as well have 6 weekly classes competing on this night.

Indigo Sky Casino will give a Lucky Race Fan a Play & Stay at Indigo Sky Casino which includes a one night Deluxe King or Double Queen Room, $50 in Dining Credit & $20 Rewards Credit for 2 people .This is a $239 value.

All Trailer Services
USRA B Mods $455
Pepsi Pure Stocks $255
Innex Legends $255
Indigo Sky
MW Modzs $255
Hayden Machinery MW B Class / $155
Guffey Services Heating & Cooling Mini Stk /Fwd $155

……….TIMES…………
Pit Gate:4:00
Grandstands:6:15
Driver Cut Off : 6:30
Hotlaps: 7:00
Racing: 7:20 ish

………..PRICES…….
GRANDSTANDS
Adults- $20
Seniors/Military- $18
Kids 6-Seniors
in High School - $2
5 & Under - FREE

About Ken Essary:
Ken Essary became known as the Flyin’ Farmer during his racing career that spanned over 40 years. He and his wife Linna live on the family farm and continue to farm today.

Ken was born in 1946. Around age 10 he knew he wanted to be a racer after watching his uncle race at the Fairgrounds in Springfield. He didn’t get his first car until the age of 25 in 1971. At that time, there was only one class of cars, Late Models – Ken doesn’t remember how he did in his first outing, but he won the first A main he qualified for. In 1974 he won 18 out 20 events at Fayetteville Arkansas. Rolling through the 70’s Essary often raced 5 nights a week racking up 50 plus wins per season, collecting numerous track championships and wins in area special events.

In the 80’s he started traveling to some of the closer special events and was the USAC Rookie of the Year in 1987. In 1989 he was a co-founder of MLRA. Essary also founded the Show-Me Racin Series in 2004 in an effort to keep racing affordable and provide a way to get started in racing.

Some notable accomplishments:
2006 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 Ozarks Area Racers Hall of Fame Inductee
900+ Career A Feature Wins
1987 USAC Rookie of the Year
2 Time MLRA Champion
2 Time Show-Me Racin’ Series Champion
5 Time 4-State Dirt Track Champion
3 Time Arkansas Dirt Track Champion
2 Time Missouri Dirt Track Champion
Midwest Dirt Track Championship – Muskogee, OK
3 Time World Classic Champion – Van Buren, AR

Even with all the accomplishments of his own racing career, one the greatest contributions that Essary made to the sport is the help and support he has provided for area racers. For years, Ken’s race shop was the place to be for parts, fuel, tires, and advice. It would be hard to find a racer in the Ozarks that hasn’t been influenced in some way by Ken Essary.

The O’Reilly Story

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. officially started in the auto parts business in Springfield, Missouri, in November of 1957. However, its historical background in the automotive business, as well as the family's quest for opportunity and advancement, may be traced back to a much earlier time.

Michael Byrne O'Reilly immigrated to America in 1849, escaping from the hard times of the potato famine, which struck Ireland in 1845-46. Settling in St. Louis, he worked his way through school to earn a law degree, and then pursued a career as a title examiner. His son, Charles Francis O'Reilly, attended college in St. Louis and went to work in 1914 as a traveling salesman for Fred Campbell Auto Supply in St. Louis. By 1924, Charles had become familiar with the Springfield area, having traveled by train to sell auto parts throughout the territory. He recognized the region as an area of growth and opportunity and asked to be transferred there. By 1932, he had become manager of Link Motor Supply in Springfield. One of his sons, Charles H. (Chub) O'Reilly, had also joined the company. Together they provided the leadership and management that made Link the predominant auto parts store in the area.

In 1957, Link planned a reorganization, which would have included the retirement of 72-year-old Charles F. O'Reilly, and the transfer of C. H. O'Reilly to Kansas City. Since neither agreed with these plans, they made the decision to form their own company, O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. They opened for business on December 2, 1957 with one store and 13 employees at 403 Sherman in Springfield. Their sales totaled $700,000 in 1958, their first full year of business. Due to the hard work and ability of the original employees, several of whom were stockholders in the company, the business grew and prospered from its very first year.

By 1961, the company's volume had reached $1.3 million – the combined volume of O'Reilly Automotive Distributors, a division formed to serve independent automotive jobbers in the area. In March of 1975, annual sales volume rose to $7 million, and a 52,000-square-foot facility at 233 S. Patterson was built for the O'Reilly/Ozark warehouse operation. By that time, the company had nine stores, all located in southwest Missouri.

The long range plans and stability of the company were solidified by a public offering of company stock in April 1993. Since that time, the Company has grown through the opening of new stores, as well as through numerous mergers and acquisitions, and currently operates stores in 47 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Throughout this time the underlying spirit and philosophy of O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., has been one of growth and progress, both for the company and its team members. This remains the policy to which the company is dedicated today.