REHLMEYER WINS SPRINT CAR FEATURE

BENTON -- It was a showdown that left few challengers standing.

Brad Rehlmeyer became the third and final race leader Saturday to win his first sprint car feature race of the season and $1,000 at Missouri International Racepark. For Rehlmeyer, it was the first feature race win at MIR since October 1.

But Rehlmeyer was one of the few top qualifiers left on the track at race's end. Mechanical troubles eliminated three of the top six starters, while a 23rd-lap tangle sent two more top-six qualifiers out of the race.

For the first 22 laps, the win looked doubtful for Rehlmeyer, of Metropolis, Ill. Pole-sitter Lee Dunn led the event early before Jerrod Hull took command, driving away to a full straightaway lead by lap six. His drive lasted until lap 12 when his car stalled on the track, prompting a caution flag.

Dunn reclaimed the lead on the restart with Jeff Davis, Jimmy Brewer and Rehlmeyer all close behind. Rehlmeyer moved into second by lap 15 and passed Dunn for the lead seven laps later.

As Rehlmeyer and Dunn scattered to lap the No. 1 car of Todd Booten, Dunn and Booten tapped, sending Dunn spinning and collecting Brewer in the tangle. Both Brewer and Dunn dropped out.

That left Rehlmeyer a comfortable cushion at the end, leading Todd Rowland to the finish. Bob Thoman, Doc Probst and Kenny Carlton made up the top five.

Greg King of Sikeston drove to his fourth street stock feature win of the season after a lead battle that went three-wide at times.

King, who started fourth, trailed leaders Cline Meyers and Rod Wright earl. After Meyers and Wright exchanged the lead through lap seven, King slid into a three-wide race down the front straightaway and led to the finish.

Meyers slid to third at the end as Billy James made his way into second, two car-lengths behind King. Jason Sissom was fourth with Greg Gross fifth. Wright dropped to seventh after he was sent to the back after an eight-lap spin.

James Fowler of Portageville led all 20 laps of the modified features, holding off his brother Paul at the finish. The win was James' third of the season; the two brothers have won a combined eight features at MIR this season.

David Collins was third, Steve Plieman fourth and Terry Johnson fifth.