Oswego Speedway Presents Night of Obstacles for MPL Motorsports Team
The #25 MPL Motorsports Team headed to the famed Oswego Speedway this past weekend for one of the premier events of the racing season – the Race of Champions "Richie Evans 100". It was just two short years ago that Leaty was the winner of this prestigious modified race. The memorial event, run in memory of legendary Modified competitor Richie Evans, brought together a stout field of thirty-five Modified competitors from throughout the Northeast. Only twenty-six teams were slated to start the feature and Mike Leaty and the US Army/Rochester Steel Treating Works Team overcame adversity to make the main event.

Leaty and his #25 machine were slated to start third in the third qualifying heat of the day. However, leaking fuel, which was discovered after the heat race had started, forced Leaty to bring his car to the pits on the first lap. Leaty made it back onto the track in last position, but quickly climbed through the field to finish fourth, seemingly clinching a spot in the main feature event. However, with the massive loss of VP Racing Fuel that had occurred, the #25 racing machine was deemed too light by the technical inspectors and Leaty was disqualified.

Taking the setback in stride, the US Army Team went to work prepping the car for the consolation, or "last chance" race, of which only the top six finishers would qualify to run the feature 100 lap event.

The #25 started twelfth in the field of twelve for the ten lap consolation race. Leaty quickly went to work, and gained six spots in the course of the race, guaranteeing him a starting spot in the "Richie Evans 100".

Leaty started the feature from the 26^th position – the last starting position on the grid. Oswego Speedway is a track where mental planning is as important as driving ability and teamwork. Leaty ran a smart race and was conserving tires in the extra distance race. Just after the halfway point of the race, at lap 52, the #25 ducked into the pits for two fresh Hoosier tires. Fresh tires and smart racing propelled Leaty towards the front of the field.

However, just as Leaty was making his surge forward, two other competitors crashed in front of him in turn three. With not enough room to get around the wreck, Leaty sustained damage to his racing machine. The damage was significant enough to end the team’s day at Oswego and Leaty was credited with an 18^th place finish in the main event.

Although the day didn’t end quite the way the #25 US Army/Rochester Steel Treating Works Team had hoped, valuable information regarding the race car set up was gained and will be used to better prepare the team for their next visit to Oswego Speedway in July for another 100 lap feature race. Two other trips to the famed Oswego Speedway, also known as the "Steel Palace" are scheduled throughout the season, including the most prestigious event of the Modified racing season – the Race of Champions 200 in September, allowing the #25 Team to utilize what was learned this past weekend.

"We have had a really tough start to our season" said Mike Leaty. "It is disappointing because our entire team has worked so hard over the off season and I want to succeed for all my crew members and sponsors. This team is too good to continue to have poor finishes and I am confident our run of bad luck is about to come to an end".

Next up on the MPL Motorsports schedule is a double header of racing action on June 13^th and 14^th. Spencer Speedway will be the place to race on Friday the 13^th with Twin 25 Lap features scheduled. Wyoming County International Speedway in Perry, New York will host the Race of Champions Tour on Saturday the 14^th with a 75 Lap feature event.

Keep up to date with the #25 Team throughout the season by visiting www.mikeleaty.com.

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