NCRA Late Models Expected to Open without Boen

From NCRA:

PARK CITY, Kan. (May 20, 2007) - NCRA officials do not expect two-time
defending series champion Kelly Boen to race Memorial Day weekend. That's
when the O'Reilly NCRA Late Model Series, presented by ICM/Ethanol, kicks
off its 2007 season with a Nebraska twin bill.

Boen flipped his racecar April 28 at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.,
and fractured a vertebra. The original diagnosis could have kept the
Henderson, Colo., driver out of action for up to five months.

A visit with a specialist in Denver left open the possibility of returning
sooner. At this point Boen won't know anything more until his May 23 medical
exam and X-rays.

Regardless of Boen's status, the NCRA late model season opens May 25 at
Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, Neb., before heading east May 27 to I-80
Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb.

These two shows attracted a huge number of quality drivers last year - 52 at
Mid-Nebraska and 79 at I-80. Last year, Steve Kosiski swept the weekend en
route to four feature wins and a second-place finish in the standings.
However, the veteran from Papillion, Neb., has since retired from driving.

Both tracks expect another large car count this weekend, which makes it
difficult to predict who will win. With Boen out of commission, 2002 series
champion Kyle Berck emerges as a front-runner. Berck, of Marquette, Neb.,
plans to run for a second crown this season.

A couple of drivers from the Cornhusker State recorded top five finishes at
these shows in each of the past two years. Al Humphrey from Giltner had a
second and a third at Mid-Nebraska, while John Hampel of Union had a third
and a fourth at I-80. They are just two of many drivers who could contend
for the checker at either track.

For more information about the O'Reilly NCRA Late Model Series, presented by
ICM/Ethanol, either visit their Web site at www.ncraracing.org or call the
NCRA office at (316) 755-1781.