PARK CITY, Kan. (May 11, 2007) – Up until a couple of weeks ago, two-time defending series champion Kelly Boen had planned to be in the hunt for another title in the O’Reilly NCRA Late Model Series, presented by ICM/Ethanol. 

That changed dramatically April 28 after he crashed at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., leaving his status for the season up in the air. Boen suffered a broken collarbone and a compression fracture of the vertebra between his shoulder blades. Initial diagnosis was that he would be out of action from three to five months.  

After returning home to Henderson, Colo., Boen saw a specialist in Denver who thought it might not be that serious. The doctor would not make a prediction but Boen hopes to be racing much sooner than originally anticipated.  

“I’d say in about eight weeks I’ll be back pretty close (80%) to peak performance,” he said during a May 3 telephone interview. “Anything before that is a bonus.”  

Boen won’t know more until he has X-rays taken again May 23. He doesn’t expect a release then but said, “as soon as they clear me, I’ll be back racing.” 

With Boen probably out of commission for at least part of the season, it doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare. For starters, Kyle Berck has announced he will run the full NCRA schedule this year. Berck, from Marquette, Neb., was the 2002 season champion and will be a contender regardless of who is in the field.  

No matter who sits atop the standings at season’s end, the rest of the top 10 should see some changes from 2006. Last year’s series runner-up, Steve Kosiski, has retired from driving. At least three others who finished in the top 10 have indicated they are not returning. Billy Murphy’s co-car owner has gotten out of racing, Gary Billings doesn’t plan to run with the series, and Johnny Bone Jr. lost his ride. 

Four other top drivers from last year do plan to run the full season again. Brett LaFollette was fourth, his best finish ever. Fifth in points, Steve Kempt narrowly edged Billings for rookie of the year. Seventh-place finisher and 2001 series champion Delbert Smith should be back as well. Mike Wiarda hopes to improve on last year’s 10th-place finish. 

Three former top 10 drivers will be back, too. Gary Dechant looks to run the full season after just a few shows last year. In 2005, he was seventh overall and second in rookie points. That was the same season Mike Conkwright was sixth in points; he will be back this year as well. Dean Moore has also said he’ll run the full schedule after finishing eighth in 2004. 

In addition, Tony Gregg, the 2000 series champion, plans to run at least 10-11 shows this year. He could be a contender if he decides to run the full season. 

The season opens Memorial Day weekend. May 25 they will be at Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, Neb., and at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb., on May 27. 

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.