Former MLRA champion dies at 67
Rex McCroskey of Springfield, Mo., a fixture in the early years of the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association who captured two series championships and whose 20 victories are tied for ninth all-time on the circuit, died Saturday. The 67-year-old’s passing was reported by friend Larry Andrus and others on Facebook but no cause was given.
McCroskey’s often white No. 64 Late Model was among MLRA contenders for many years, including in 1992 and 2000 when he captured tour championships. He was a four-time series winner in 1993.
His richest victory came Sept. 15, 2001, at Joplin (Mo.) 66 Speedway’s Fall Classic with a $6,600 payday in outrunning Terry Phillips and John Anderson. McCroskey was also the winner of the 1993 Budweiser Spooker at Tri-State Speedway in Pocala, Okla., and a three-time victor on the Mid-American Racing Series (MARS).
In a racing career stretching from 1980-2003, McCroskey was a four-time starter in both the Show-Me 100 at West Plains (Mo.) Motor Speedway and the Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove, Ark. His best Show-Me finish came with an 11th-place performance in 1996 and he posted a third-place Topless 100 finish in 1994.
Details on survivors and arrangements weren’t available.
