Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media/PR
THE EVENT
POCOLA, OK (July 15th, 2017) – The tenth points race of the season at the legendary Tri-State Speedway was a night of first time winners as three of the five features were won by first-timers this season. The other two feature winners both notched their fourth win of the season. Mother Nature tried to throw a curve ball for the night’s activities with a brief rain shower that lasted less than ten minutes but dropped quite a bit of rain. With a lot of last minute work, the track was tacky and fast, but did have a few dips.
The pre-race ceremonies started at 8:08 PM with the invocation and the National Anthem.
Heat race lineups for all classes, except the IMCA Modifieds, were determined by the driver’s draw at sign in. The IMCA Modifieds followed the published rules for that class, which utilizes the driver’s point average for starting positions. The classes, that drew for their starting heat position, advanced to their features via their finish in their heats. Plus, the last heat winner in each class, other than IMCA Modifieds, drew a number for the number of cars to invert for the A Feature.
At intermission, everyone had a chance to grab themselves some of the great food items from the concession including the return of the awesome TSS funnel cakes and an ice-cold Coca-Cola 20 oz. drink to wash it all down with.
TOP THREE
The first race on the track after intermission was the USRA B-Mod A Feature where Kevin Guinn (788 – Fayetteville, AR) went to Victory Lane for the first time this season. Gerry Vaughn (77 – Greenwood, AR) took home second place as Lonny Flanagan (7 - Rudy, AR) repeated his third-place finish from the previous two weeks but remains the points leader with a 66-point margin.
Next was the Pure Stock A Feature that saw the same car win but with a different driver. Brad Johnson (51 – Stigler, OK) took home the win for his first of the season, after a DQ for the original race winner. Justin Johnson (55 – Fort Smith, AR) took home second place ahead of Adam Gipson (20 – Lavaca, AR), who finds himself in second place in the points battle just 14 points behind the class leader.
The next A Feature was for the IMCA Modifieds. Michael Hines (57M – Van Buren, AR) finished first, for his first win of the season, ahead of Jason Payton (6 – Greenwood, AR) and Kayden Menasco (49 – Muldrow, OK) who finds himself leading the class by only four points.
Next up was the non-point Super Stock A Feature where Kyle Slader (19S – Muskogee, OK) captured the checkered flag for the fourth time this season with another last lap, last turn pass on the outside. Roy Long (4 – Stilwell, OK) crossed the line in second ahead of Dylan Davlin (26D – Shady Point, OK).
The USRA Modifieds took to the high banks last for their A Feature. Trevor Latham (27 – Rogers, AR) took home his fourth win of the season and remains the class point leader. Brent Holman (17 – Rogers, AR) settled for a second-place finish over Brian Williams (26 - Fayetteville, AR) in third.
All race results, including heats, are available by clicking on the Results tab. The season point standings for each class are also available by clicking on the Points tab.
NEXT TIME
Tri-State Speedway will return to action this week for the 19th Annual Super Stock Showdown presented by Shamrock Bolt & Screw Company on July 20, 21 and 22, 2017. Full details on this $5,000 to win event is posted on our website here.
Don’t forget the new starting time of 8 PM with both pit gates and grandstand gates opening at 5 PM. Driver’s meeting is at 7 PM and hot laps are scheduled for 7:30 PM.
The complete 2017 racing schedule can always be found by clicking on 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!
Tri-State Speedway honors Tandy Sullivan as this week’s driver of the week. Tandy has been racing at TSS for three years. He is from Spiro, and has a wife, Amanda; a son, Maverick: a daughter, Jaimee and just recently a new born girl named, Isabella.
Tandy is alternating driving the Pure Stock #1S with veteran driver, Mike Smith, but his seat time isn’t near enough for him, due to his working with the drilling industry. He would much better be at TSS piloting this car.
He and Mike are sponsored by JRT Trucking, Bo’s Collision and Frank Sharum Landscaping. And he is thankful for support from Mike Smith, Jim Philpot, Ray Phipps, Ryan Taylor, Cary Carter and Maverick Sullivan. With that pit crew, Tandy can be sure that his ride is ready each week that he is in town to take to the high banks of Tri-State.
Roy Long, of Stillwell, Ok., driver of the #4 super stock, is married to Maranda, and has two children, Mallory, 15 and Drake, 13.
Roy drove his first race on his birthday, July 7, 2000. He drove a Super Stock for his Grandpa, James Parker with Parker Racing Engines and who coincidently is his sponsor. Since then he has added the #17 late model, owned by Rick Christie, in the Southern Outlaw Series. His favorite tracks are Tri-State, Salina, Crawford and Batesville Speedways. He has won three point championships and each time says he will never race for points again.
His sponsors are Parker Racing Engines and Long’s Backhoe Service, and his pit crew includes Drake Long, Mallory Long, Conner Long, Devon Long, James Parker, and Rick Christie. Roy has had a lot of help along the way and gives credit to Eddie Martin, James Parker, and Hank Long.
Stop and shake hands sometime with Roy, welcome him and his family to Tri-State, and congratulate him on being this week’s Driver of the Week.