Big Fun, Big Bucks at MegaBucks
“Todd Knight, Sam Smith, and Lester Adkins Lead the Big Money Winners!!!”
MADISON IL (OCTOBER 3, 2006): Big Fun and Big Bucks were had at Gateway’s historic 1/8 mile MegaBucks event. Over 470 entries filled the jewel of the Midwest to participate in the multiple entry 5-10-5 event with gamblers races and a pair of $ 10 no holler contests.
Todd Knight ( Belton , MO ) was the big winner of the weekend as he won Saturday’s $ 10,000 event. Knight, the 2006 NHRA Division 5 Super Pro Race of Champions Winner, defeated Michael Major ( Barnhill , MO ) in the final round. Major had a great Saturday as he started the day with 2 entries and raced both entries to the semifinals. Major was defeated by Knight in one semifinal and defeated Corey Landolt ( Hermann MO ) in the other. Landolt is Gateway’s 2006 Super Pro Track Champion and also the NHRA Division 3 Super Pro Race of Champions Winner.
Sam Smith ( Terre Haute IN ) won Friday Night’s $ 5,000 race. Smith drove his son Ron ’s car to the victory. Sam has been driving the car ever since Ron injured his back earlier in the year. Smith beat Gateway regular Dan Smith ( Affton MO ) in the final round. Brian Suhre ( Worden IL ) and JR Lobner ( Desoto KS ) were Friday night’s semifinalists.
2005 NHRA Division 3 Jegs Super Quick Points Champion Lester Adkins ( Corydon KY ) added to his fine career under the arch by winning Sunday’s $ 5,000 to win race. Adkins defeated Scott LaBudde ( Freeport IL ) in the final round. Brian Suhre ( Worden IL ) picked up his second semifinal check on the weekend. Fellow Gateway racer Dan Phelps ( Labadie MO ) was the other semifinalist.
Gateway Regulars had a run of the show in Gateway’s $ 2,000 to win 32 car field gamblers race. Gateway Regular Jason McKague(Chamois MO) defeated “Dead-On” Dirk Sutton ( St. Peters MO ) in the final round.
Mark Schmidt ( Indianapolis , IN ) had a good day right off the trailer on Saturday, literally. Schmidt missed the first time run session on Saturday, and in his first run down the Gateway track had a .002 package to win Saturday’s $ 10 no holler. Schmidt took home over $ 1,800 for the run.
Bill Carter ( Kansas City KS ) had the best dial in Sunday morning’s $10 no holler session. Carter took home over $1,700 for the run.
The only thing missing was Gateway’s historic and traditional Top Fool Wild Scooter Pit Vehicle Race. The TFWSPVR, in addition to being the longest acronym in Midwest motorsports, was cancelled on Saturday night due to the rain that put the event behind schedule earlier in the morning.
All in all, everyone had a great time, enjoyed each other, the racing, and the racing format. Gateway will be releasing its 2007 MegaBucks schedule as soon as the dates are finalized.
