1986 – USAC Stocks to Purvis at Monett

Jeff Purvis

Monett, Mo. (May 11, 1986) – After rain threatened to wash away racing on Saturday night, the sun popped out on Sunday and made for perfect racing conditions and a great crowd for the final leg of the United States Auto Club (USAC) Late Model Series tour.

Jeff Purvis of Clarksville, Tenn., would establish the fast time with a 17.01 second tour of the newly lengthened 3/8-mile dirt oval.

Polesitter T.J. Pauschert of Carlisle, Ark., took the lead on the opening green flag with Gary Herbert of Waynesburg, Ind., settling in behind. Pauschert. Larry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., would take over second place on lap 2 and then three lap later, would sneak by. Pauschert for the top spot. Pauschert, John Mason of Millersburg, Ohio and Larry Moore of Dayton, Ohio, would settle in behind Phillips.

Purvis would slowly enter the picture as he was able to pick off both Mason and Moore on lap 9 to move into third position. Purvis used the high side to get by Pauschert on lap 18.

Lap 19 would bring out the caution for Jerry Inmon of Bruce, Miss., as he stalled in turn one. Just as the yellow was waving, Larry Phillips banged the front stretch wall going through lapped traffic.

Only one lapped car separated Purvis from Phillips on the restart and Purvis quickly disposed of him. Purvis challenged Phillips for the next three circuits, and was able to win a drag race down the front stretch to take over the lead. His lead, however, was only temporary as the crowd rose to their feet to witness Phillips regain the top spot on the 25th lap.

Handling problems would start to develop on Phillips’ badly damaged car, however, and Purvis would regain the lead on lap 30 and then build half a straightaway lead in the last 10 laps.

Phillips would limp home to a second-place finish while. Pauschert would hold on for third. Gary Wright of Hooks, Tex., normally behind the wheel of a sprint car, would drive to an impressive fourth place finish and Larry Moore would claim fifth.

Results –

1. Jeff Purvis, Clarksville, Tenn.
2. Larry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. T.J. Pauschert, Carlisle, Ark.
4. Gary Wright, Hooks, Tex.
5. Larry Moore, Dayton, Ohio
6. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
7. John Mason, Millersburg, Ohio
8. Dick Potts, Morocco, Ind.
9. Willy Kraft, Lakefield, Minn.
10. Gary Herbert, Waynesburg, Ind.
11. Doug Ingalls, Tyler, Tex.
12. Johnny Bone, Pea Ridge, Ark.
13. Ernie Barrow, Bloomington, Ind.
14. Roger Hines, Joplin, Mo
15. Robbie Starnes, Houston, Tex.
16. Greg Moyer, Ankeny, Iowa
17. Lee Hoffman, Rockport, Ind.
18. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.
19. Skip Thompson, Mountain Grove, Mo.
20. Jerry Inmon, Bruce, Miss.