Br. Hunter, Hansen, D. Green, G. Davlin and R. Gould Win at 11th Annual Danny Martinez, Jr. Memorial Races
Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media/PR
THE EVENT
POCOLA, OK (April 28th, 2018) – The 11th Annual Danny Martinez, Jr. Memorial Races was a great way to finally get back to racing after not racing for four weeks due to Mother Nature and her spring rains. With 91 entries from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and North Dakota, it was one great night of racing for the fans who attended.
A warmer than expected 85 degrees greeted race fans on Saturday evening with a very slight breeze and zero threats of rain. As come to be expected from the superb track preparation, the track was wide and smooth when hot laps started and turned to “black ice” by the features which provided racing grooves form the bottom to the top with at least three to four grooves wide.
The pre-race ceremonies started at 7 PM with a memorial reading by track announcer, Rob Nugent, about the late Danny Martinez, Jr., who the track was honoring. The invocation followed along with national anthem. During the anthem, numerous police vehicles led a memorial parade lap honoring their fallen brother. Several cars from the Ca$h Money SuperDirt Series Late Models presented the American flag, as well, followed by an ambulance and fire truck. After the national anthem was complete the police vehicles turned on their sirens and made another fast lap around the track as an added tribute to Danny, who was also a racer at Tri-State Speedway.
Heat races were determined by the driver’s draw at sign in. The classes then advanced to their features heads up.
At intermission, the kids in attendance got the possibility to get one of six basketballs that were autographed by the Ca$h Money SuperDirt Series Late Model drivers on hand for the evening. The basketballs were also used to determine the top six starting positions for the late model A Feature. 50/50 money was given away, too, as everyone had a chance to grab themselves some food items from the newly reconfigured concession and an ice-cold Pepsi product. They also grabbed TSS T-shirts from the T-short booth and registered for the race-ready Super Stock that will be given away at the end of the season.
TOP THREE
The first race on the track after intermission was for the USRA B-Mod B Feature that saw Zane Hunter (1/2 – Alma, AR) take the checkers first over Roy Long (7R – Stilwell, OK) and Beau Nelson (41N – Hackett, AR).
The Factory Stock A Feature saw Ronny Gould (1 – Calera, OK) picking up the win. Kris Vaughn (35 – Van Buren, AR) finished in second and Wesley Bourne (5 - Cameron, OK) finished in third.
The Super Stock A Feature was on track next and saw Gean Davlin (26 – Shady Point, OK) capture the win over Robert Knowles (44K – Buffalo Valley, OK). Ray Phipps (L7 - Pocola, OK) crossed the finish line in third.
The Ca$h Money SuperDirt Series Late Model A Feature was on the track next. Brandon Hunter (1/4 – Van Buren, AR) took home the win over Chris Hawkins (USA1 – Neosho, MO) and John Driskill (88 – Bentonville, AR).
Up next was the USRA B-Mod A Feature where Dean Green (28 – Siloam Springs, AR) took home the win. Daniel Tarkington (2 – Checotah, OK) took home second place over the young Drake Long (17JR – Stilwell, OK).
The USRA Modifieds took to the high banks last for their A Feature. Mike Hansen (12H- Dickinson, ND) crossed the line first for the winner’s trophy over Johnny Bone, Jr. (12 – Pea Ridge, AR) as Chad Wheeler (88 – Muskogee, OK) finished in third.
Complete race results from the entire event can be found by clicking on the Results tab. Be sure to click on the red “See All Results” link at the bottom of the top five results for all results, including heat races and lower features.
NEXT TIME
The next event for Tri-State Speedway will be the Inaugural Steel Horse Shootout on May 4th which is flat track motorcycle racing and the USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup national modified racing on May 5th.
We will see YOU soon!
UPCOMING EVENT(S):
- 1st Annual Steel Horse Shootout on May 4th – This will be the kickoff of the annual Steel Horse Rally in Downtown FS. Flyer is attached.
• The USMTS National Modified “Hunt for the Casey’s Cup” races with over 65 modifieds expected on May 5th. Flyer is attached.