Perkins, McCarty, K. Vaughn, Johnston, Guinn & Schmidt Win
Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media
THE EVENT
POCOLA, OK (May 21ST, 2016) – The seventh regular night of weekly racing saw 69 cars show up to take their on the famous high banks in Pocola, OK. Once again, the weather people told us a few stories during the week. They predicted rain on four of the five weekdays between our last race and this weekend. It rained less than one inch at the track for the entire week. This issue caused a little extra work with the track on Saturday evening and during intermission, but the end result was a race track that was smooth, wide and fast throughout the entire night of racing.
The pre-race ceremonies kicked off with the invocation and the presentation the nation’s colors during the National Anthem by two of the drivers on hand.
First up on the agenda for the race program was heat racing for the Pure Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Modifieds, Super Stocks and the USRA Modifieds. Due to another large money race in the area, the Super Stocks did not compete for points.
The intermission was next and gave everyone a chance to make a pit stop at the restrooms and get some of the great concession food, including some world famous Menasco BBQ, home-made potato salad, a stuffed baked potato and a funnel cake for desert.
One lucky 50/50 winner walked off with over $120 for their winning ticket. Since it was also the May bicycle races, two free bicycles were given away two one lucky boy and one lucky girl compliments of Menasco Racing Enterprises. There were also three age division bike races on the front straight with one boy and girl winner in each class with trophies and photos for the winners. We would also like to thank Tate Cole for giving away free candy to the kids during intermission.
TOP THREE
The Pure Stocks took to the clay for their A Feature first. Defending track champion, Chris Perkins (88 – Rudy, AR0 picked up the win ahead of a hard charging Marshall Penson (1P – Van Buren, AR) and Tyler Drummond (21JR – Mountainburg, AR).
The IMCA Sport Mod A Feature was up next and saw Ken McCarty (1 – Rogers, AR)) make his way to victory lane for the first time of the season over two newcomers for the season, Dallas Bourland (48 – Fort Smith, AR) and Luke Leatherman (17L - Muskogee OK).
The third A Feature was for the IMCA Stock Cars. In a highly competitive race that saw seven different leaders, Kris Vaughn (35 - Spiro, OK) crossed the finish line first ahead of last week’s winner, Andrew Bohanan (01 – Stigler, OK). Keith Heaslet (5 – Indianola, OK) rounded out the top three.
Up next was the IMCA Modified A Feature that saw Kevin Guinn (88 – Fayetteville, AR) go toe to toe with Tate Cole (89 – Fort Gibson, OK) for most of the race, but emerge as the victor. Cole finished in second ahead of Kent Bright (74 – Sand Springs, OK).
On track next was the always fast Super Stocks for their A Feature. Neil Johnston (17 – Fort Smith, AR) had the car dialed in for the win, as last week’s winner, Jay Rierson (71 – Booneville, AR) crossed the line in second after and early race spin that forced him to work his way from the back. TJ Moore (14J – Fort Smith, AR) turned in a solid run and ended up in third.
The USRA Modified A Feature was on the track next for the last race of the night. Kyle Schmidt (1S – Prairie Grove, AR) drove the top line, almost against the outside wall, to take the win over last week’s winner, Tate Cole (89 – Fort Gibson, OK). Early race lead contender, Anthony Reeves (1ST – Mulberry, AR) crossed the finish line in third.
Complete A Feature results for the May 21ST races, includingf heats, are available by clkciking on the results menu item. Current track point standings are available by clicking on the Points menu link.
NEXT TIME
Tri-State Speedway will be closed on May 28TH for the Memorial Day weekend. We ask that everyone remember the reason we celebrate Memorial Day, not as just the first “day” of summer. We will return to action again on June 4TH, 2016 for another night of point racing action in all six regular classes. It will also be the first Enduro race of the season, paying $1,500 to win along with Biker’s Against Child Abuse (BACA) Kid’s Night.
Adult grandstand admission will be $10 and kids (12 and under) are free! Seniors (65+) will receive a $2 discount and all military personnel (past or present) will receive a $10 discount, with proof of service. (Limit one $10 discount per military ID.)
Pit gates will open at 4:00 PM on June 4TH with the grandstands opening at 5:00 PM. The driver’s meeting will take place at 6:00 PM and hot laps will begin at 6:30 PM with pre-race ceremonies to follow. Our complete 2016 racing schedule can always be found by clicking on the Schedule menu link 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!
