ARKANSAS DRIVER RACES PAST LOCAL COMPETITION

BENTON -- Robby Arnold made the long haul from Paragould, Ark., to Missouri International Racepark Saturday night, then right into victory lane.

The Arkansas native made his visit to the Show Me State a profitable one as the driver picked up the $600 IMCA Modified top prize. The IMCA Modifieds paid a special visit to MIR as the Winged Sprint cars took a night off.

Arnold took the early lead over Johnny Hayes of Portageville on the start. On the second lap Hayes brought out the caution with a flat tire. Jared Wagster moved into second as Hayes fell out.

The race was plagued by flat tires as four of the top leaders pulled off the track with flats. Paul Fowler of Portageville, Claudie Cook of Portageville, Robert Powers of Campbell and Hayes all fell out of the race with flat tires.

Arnold led all 20 laps to pick up his first win in his first visit to the track. Wagster, of Portageville, finished second, with Sikeston's John Barnett placing third.

Steve Zelch Jr. of Perryville made his second visit of the year into victory lane in the Modifieds. Zelch took the lead from Johnny Wyatt of Scott City on the 17th lap and held on top spot for the final three.

Kent Bailey of Puxico battled his way into third place. Randy Modglin of Scott City and Earl Moore of Rombauer rounded out the top five.

Billy James of Sikeston moved into the lead on the 10th lap when leader Greg King, also of Sikeston, suffered power steering failure and went on to pick up his ninth feature win in the Super Streets.

Larry Hull of Old Appleton finished third, with Sikeston's Robert Smith fourth and Dexter's Jess Short fifth.

Keith Brugger drove into victory lane in the Pure Street division. The Jackson racer suffered a broken motor mount early in the race but was able to hold off Cline Myers Jr. of Scott City for the win.

Eric Harris of Burfordville wound up third, with Benton's Joe Floreck fourth and Canalou's Jeff Drew fifth.

* Benton's Terry Johnson (Modifieds), Jackson's Keith Brugger (Pure Street), Sikeston's Billy James (Super Street) and Cape Girardeau's Shawn King (Winged Sprints) lead the current MIR points standings in their respective classes.

The top 10 in the points standings are listed in `Scoreboard.'