The 16th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100

Anyone who has attended one of the last 15 Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100s will likely be eagerly anticipating the 16th one. This great race not only features fantastic cars, but the big prizes draw some of the best drivers from around the country to this little corner of Missouri.

Anyone who has attended one of the last 15 Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100s will likely be eagerly anticipating the 16th one. This great race not only features fantastic cars, but the big prizes draw some of the best drivers from around the country to this little corner of Missouri.

The next Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100 is set to take place at Don and Billie Gibson’s West Plains Motor Speedway in Missouri’s West Plains near the end of May. With little over a month to go before the twenty-four engines are brought to life on the track, every effort is being made to ensure that this year’s Show Me 100 will be as good, or even better than in previous years. For starters each of the twenty-four cars that will be starting the race will receive an easy $4 200. This is to ensure that every single available racing slot is taken and that the racing action is as good as it gets. The winner, on the other hand, will enjoy $42 000 for finishing the 100 laps of the race before all the other drivers. Of course 2nd and 3rd place are also handsomely rewarded, bringing the total purse for the 16th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Show Me 100 to just over $200 000.

The race will take place on a 3/8 mile clay oval where it has been held regularly for the past fifteen years with much success. The West Plains Motor Speedway has one of the smoothest and raciest surfaces in the nation and the facility is one of the top in the country amongst both fans and drivers. So far the leading champion of the race is Wendell Wallace from Arkansas. Wallace has won the race three times – the last two wins were in 2006 and 2007 – and he will be back in 2008 to try and defend his ‘Race Champion’ title.

The racing will start on May 22nd between 19:00 and 21:30 with a practice night that includes a test and tune time. This will be followed by a BBQ dinner with the drivers and crews, and spectators are welcome to join for a small fee. The following night will see the cars heat up the track with their Super Late Models as they take part in time trials. The quickest qualifier will receive a $1,900 check and the top three finishers in each of the six heat races will go on to participate in the main event at night on Saturday May 24th. The remaining participants in the race will be able to take place in consolation events that will also take place on Saturday night. There will also be a small Open Wheel Modifieds support class which will be competing for a small $500 purse. Saturday will feature more than one race and the event certainly promises to be action packed. Tickets are $10 for children 6 and under, and $20 for adults. You can also get pit passes for all three days of the event. So book your tickets now and make sure that you don’t miss out on all the action!