Cole Picks up Third Double, Rose and Rierson Repeat, as G. Vaughn Wins First

Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media

THE EVENT

POCOLA, OK (September 24TH, 2016) – Night number seventeen and the 46TH Annual Point Championship night of weekly racing saw a third double by one driver and another first feature win of the season. Once again, cooler temperatures greeted the fans for fan appreciation night with a free BBQ dinner along with a full night of racing action plus the second $1,500 to win, 100 lap Enduro. Presented by Rick’s Used Auto Parts & Sales. 71 race cars checked in with 34 Enduro cars for the action on the famous high banks.

The pre-race ceremonies started at 7:35 PM and included the invocation, by Donnie Westbrook, followed by the presentation of the nation’s colors during the National Anthem by several cars.

The race program started with heat racing for the IMCA Sport Mods, the Pure Stocks, the IMCA Modifieds, the Super Stocks and the USRA Modifieds.

At intermission everyone had a chance to stretch their legs and make any needed pit stops at the restrooms. Another 50/50 winner walked off with over $100 for their winning ticket. There were also some other winners of free tickets to future races. The previous race winners also received their trophies, had their photos taken and were interviewed.

TOP THREE

The first race on the track after intermission was the IMCA Sport Mods for their A Feature where Gerry Vaughn (77 – Pocola, OK) picked up his first win of the season, followed by Frank Stapp (25 – Maud, OK) and Preston Crawford (52 – Newalla, OK).

Up next were the Pure Stocks for their A Feature that saw Duane Rose (3D – Mulberry, AR) repeat his victory to capture the trophy again over Jalen Brewton (41B – Alma, AR) and Austin Farnam (119 – Fort Smith, AR).

Next was the IMCA Modified A Feature where Tate Cole (89 – Fort Gibson, OK) took the win for the 12TH time this season for the fourth week in a row, as Casey Lindell (18 – Porter, OK) finished in second and 15 year old Kayden Menasco (49K – Dora, OK) finished third.

The next feature on the track was for the Super Stocks. Jay Rierson (71 – Booneville, AR) drove his Ford powered machine to the victory for his third win of the season over Danny Southerland (93 – Shady Point, OK) and Cody Jones (92 – Fort Smith, AR).

The USRA Modified A Feature was on the track next and saw Tate Cole (89 – Fort Gibson, OK) capture the win and pick up his third double win of the season, as he also won the IMCA Modified A Feature. Zane Hunter (1/2 – Alma, AR) finished second and the previous feature winner, Kyle Ledford (75 – Greenwood, AR) finished third.

The last race on the track for the night was the $1,500 to win, 100 lap Enduro race for the second time this season. The 34 entrant included many different vehicle types, from various front wheel drive vehicles to Crown Victoria police cruisers to a pickup truck and even a Volkswagen Beetle. The 100 laps were completed in close to 50 minutes of intense action, stopping only once for a possible fire under the hood of a disabled vehicle. Several of the early dominant vehicles fell to the wayside as their engine temperatures increased or flat tires were incurred. From about lap 70, there were only three cars on the lead lap and two of those fell out leaving only one on the lead lap. About lap 85, smoke started to trail from the leader and he finally rolled to a stop one half lap short of the 100 mark. The eventual winner, Jay Rierson (10 - Booneville, AR) un-lapped himself on lap 94. Brian White (2 – Mountainburg, AR) finished in second ahead of Derrick Wilson (80 – Chanute, KS).

Complete results are available by clicking on the results tab. 2016 track point standings are available by clicking on the points tab.

TRACK CHAMPIONS

This race was the 17TH and final points race of the season and five track championships were decided. In the Pure Stocks, Chris Perkins (88 - Rudy, AR) repeated his feat from 2015 by winning back to back class championships. For the Super Stocks, Cody Jones (92 - Fort Smith, AR) was able to take over the points lead a few races ago and hold on to it to claim the championship. For the IMCA Sport Mod class, it was youngster, Logan Ellis (118 - Wagoner, OK) who pulled off the championship with just a 19 point margin. Tate Cole (89 - Fort Gibson,OK) rode his incredible 12 feature wins to the top of the point standings for the track championship in the IMCA Modifieds. In the USRA Modifieds, George Martin (15 - Fort Smith, AR) overcame numerous obstacles during the season to win his fifth overall season championship. A big thanks to all of our weekly competitors this season and congratulations to these five champions!

NEXT TIME

Tri-State Speedway will be closed until the 37TH Annual Spooker on October 12TH, 13TH, 14TH and 15TH , 2016. This is a huge event with racing in just about every class available. The Factory Stock/IMCA Stock Car class will race for $1,000 to win. The IMCA Sport Mod/USRA B Mods will compete for a $1,200 pay check. The Grand Nationals will run for $2,000 to win, as will the Super Stocks and the USRA Modifieds. The IMCA Modifieds will compete for a $3,000 pay day, thanks to Menasco Racing Enterprises. The information on this event are on the attached flyer as well as our website.

The complete 2016 racing schedule can always be found by clicking in the schedule tab  Also, be sure to stay up to date with us via our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube which can be found by clicking the icons on the bottom of our website home page or by adding a “/” plus “Facebook”, “Twitter”, “Google+” or “YouTube” at the end so it looks like www.Tri-StateSpeedway.com/Facebook, etc.

We will see YOU soon!