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Familiar Names Headed South for the Weekend

Lebanon, MO / December 4th, 2013 - The weather in Lebanon does not sound very inviting this weekend but several drivers that are familiar to Lebanon I-44 Speedway won't have to worry about that because they will spend their weekend in Florida.

Grasshopper Racing driver Austin "Grasshopper" Fullerton is about to become another first time driver to compete in the 46th Annual Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida held on December 4th thru 8th driving his Asphalt Pro Late Model.

But, first, the 18-year-old will be preparing himself and car to get ready for this country's most prestigious asphalt short track event. The Allen Turner Snowflake 100 takes place on Saturday's 46th Annual Snowball Derby presented by JEGS at Five Flags Speedway Pensacola, Florida.

Fullerton is a developmental driver for SRPMotorsports with Mike Slone from Rolla, Missouri who is Crew Chief/Spotter. Slone is a two-time track champion at Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Missouri. Fullerton finished fourth in Missouri State Points his first time racing under NASCAR Whelen All American Series sanctioned, he also finish fourth in the Monster Energy Chase for the Cup at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. He will be driving in the No. 20 Ford for Grasshopper Racing this weekend which will be broadcast live on SPEED51.com.

"I'm excited to get down to Pensacola and run the No. 20 Ford for Grasshopper Racing in the Snowflake 100" said Fullerton. "I know I will gain valuable experience. I appreciate Mike Slone continuing his support of my racing career and being on board for my first Snowflake race."

The 18-year old, Fullerton from Chelsea, Oklahoma drove in the Monster Energy Chase for the Cup at Lebanon I-44 Speedway for three years and went from 8th to 4th place in point's standings this year. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 in his first season driving an Asphalt Pro Late Model at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. Fullerton's driving skills showed great development in 2013 under the watchful eye of Mike Slone's experience. With that Fullerton raced to 18 starts with two wins, ten top-5's and thirteen top-10's for the 2013 season.

"Fullerton is one of those natural talents who possess skills far beyond his young age. He's already proven he can race with the best of them. We're expecting him to hit the track running and compete for a solid finish at Five Flags Speedway" stated Roy Sumter, Owner of car for Grasshopper Racing.

Fullerton also represented himself very well in the SPEED51 "Most Popular Driver" contest under Tracks and representing Lebanon I-44 Speedway.

To learn more about Austin Fullerton you can follow him on the Austin "Grasshopper" Fullerton Racing fan page on FACEBOOK and also on TWITTER under @grasshopperacin.

Another driver competing this weekend is Sleeper Missouri's Brennon Willard in his Royal Purple, Willard Asphalt, Five Star Race Bodies, McGunegill Engine Performance number 3 Pro Late Model.

Willard finished 5th in both NASCAR Whelen All American Series Missouri State Points as well as Lebanon I-44 Speedway Monster Energy Chase for the Cup points.

Jake Griffin ran several events at Lebanon I-44 Speedway and highlighted his season with what may have been the youngest driver to win a NASCAR Division 1 event in 2013 at 14 years old.

With over 70 dirt and asphalt events on young Jake Griffin's 2013 schedule in his familiar #08 green and black racer he will cap the year off with this weekend's Snowflake 100.

This year's winner of the Mercy Masters of the Pro's 144 at Lebanon I-44 Speedway was Chase Elliott and he also plans to finish his stellar year of racing entering in both the Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby. Chase is also a developmental driver for Hendrick Motorsports and will be one of the favorites to win both of this weekend's events in his familiar #9 Hendrick Cars.com, Aarons Sales & Lease Machine.

There's still one race remaining in the 2013 racing season for Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance, Corey Deuser. The 15-year-old that has competed several times at Lebanon I-44 Speedway is hoping to cap off a career year in one of the most prestigious Pro Late Model events in the country during the 46th annual Snowball Derby Week on December 4-8th at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

Deuser and his Deuser Motorsports Team will make the return trip south and compete in the Saturday, December 7th headlining event within Derby week; the 15th annual Snowflake 100. In the 2012 version of the Snowflake, Deuser qualified an impressive 13th out of 45 teams on the grounds and the 14-year-old, at the time, stayed out of trouble and logged laps en route to posting a 21st place effort.

Follow all of the action this weekend for both the Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby presented by JEGS can be followed on SPEED51.com

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