Cash Money Late Models headline Aug. 15 tribute to Ken Essary
This Saturday, August 15, Jason’s Stump Grinding & Tree Service along with K & L Mobile Home Service bring the Malvern Bank Cash Money Late Models back to the Springfield Raceway with the "Flyin’ Farmer 55" tribute to legendary stock car diver Ken Essary.
Other classes racing will be
• Bad Boy Mowers IMCA Modifieds
• Reliable Chevrolet USRA B Mods
• Pepsi Pure Stocks
• Wheeler Metals Legend Cars
• Casey's Midwest Modz (A & B classes)
• Sharp Mini Late models
Pit Gate:3:30
Grandstands:5:30
Hotlaps: 6:30
Racing:7:00
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.
No events are currently scheduled. Please check back later.
