Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media/PR

THE EVENT

POCOLA, OK (May 5^th, 2018) – The United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) Hunt for the Casey’s Cup brought 43 modifieds Saturday night to the mighty Tri-State Speedway. This was the USMTS’s fifth appearance at the track in Pocola, OK and the first since 2011. The Hunt for the Casey’s Cup is a minimum 40-race series all across the United States with the series winner garnering a $50,000 pay check for their effort. The Factory Stocks and USRA B-Mods showed up with 44 cars and raced for points with the B-Mods running for a $650 pay day.

A nice low 80’s temperature greeted an overflow crowd on Saturday evening with a slight breeze from the south. At the driver’s request, the start time was moved later by one hour due to the setting sun blinding them as they raced down the back stretch into turn three at full speed. With the later start time and some extra last minute track prep the track was turning to “black ice” by the features and provided racing grooves form the bottom to the top with racing three and four-wide at times.

The pre-race ceremonies started at 8:20 PM with the invocation followed by the national anthem performed by members of the Greenwood, AR Junior High School choir.

Heat races were determined by the driver’s draw at sign in. The Tri-State Speedway classes advanced to their features heads up and am invert redraw. The USMTS Modifieds advanced to their features via passing points.

At intermission, 50/50 money was given away, as well as some gift bags from the Matt Walter (42W) race team. There were also some T-shirts given away from Race Logic Chassis School while everyone had a chance to grab themselves some food items from the newly reconfigured concession along with 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. The intermissions was extended a little longer than normal to allow time for some additional track maintenance to correct one or two issues in order to give the drivers an even better track to race on and ultimately provide the fans with some incredible feature racing.

TOP THREE

The first race on the track after intermission was for the USRA B-Mod B Feature 1 that saw Jeff Metcalf (6 – Siloam Springs, AR) take the checkers first over Bobby Ward (33 - Tahlequah, OK) and Jonathan Shoemaker (5 – Inola, OK).

Up next was the USRA B-Mod B Feature 2 where Chris Hawkins (USA1 – Neosho, MO) crossed the finish line first ahead of Colby Kasinger (7K – Broken Arrow, OK) and Beau Nelson (41N – Hackett, AR).

The USMTS Modified B Feature 1 rolled onto the track next. Johnny Scott (1ST – Cameron, MO) took the win over Lucas Schott (69 – Chatfield, MN) and Brian Williams (26 – Fayetteville, AR).

Next was the USMTS Modified B Feature 2 that saw Johnny Bone, Jr. (12 – Pea Ridge, AR) finish first while Lance Mari (19SB – Imperial, CA) and Travis Mosely (51M – Bearden, AR) finished second and third.

The Factory Stock A Feature saw Andrew Bohanan (51 - Stigler, OK) pick up the win. Dallas Bourland (47 – Fort Smith, AR) finished in second and Jack Kirby (7 – Pryor, OK) finished in third.

Up next was the USRA B-Mod A Feature where Brian Williams (4$ - Fayetteville, AR) took home the win. Daniel Tarkington (2 – Checotah, OK) took home second place over Steve Muilenburg (39 – Sparta, MO).

The USMTS Modifieds took to the high banks last for their 40-lap, $3,000 to win A Feature. After a last lap, last turn pass, Zack VanderBeek (33Z – New Sharon, IA) crossed the line first for the winner’s trophy over Rodney Sanders (20 – Worthington, MN) as rookie Jake O’Neal (0 – Tucson, AZ) overcame an early race tail back restart to finish in third.

Complete race results from the Factory Stocks and USRA B-Mods can be found by clicking on the results menu. 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.
Complete race results for the USMTS Modifieds can be found at the bottom of their recap article here: http://usmts.com/news/news_article.asp?NewsID=32262

NEXT TIME

The next event for Tri-State Speedway will be the Mountainburg, AR tornado relief concert on Friday, May 11^th, 2018. More information will be posted soon.

We will see YOU soon!

The action takes place at Tri-State Speedway, 1/2-mile dirt track located at I-540 at the Arkansas /Oklahoma Border, at 1705 Race Track Rd., Pocola, OK
Practice/Hot Laps: Thursday, May 3rd Gates Open at 4 p.m. | Practice starts at 5:00 p.m.
Racing Friday, May 4th, 2018 at 8 p.m.
This is exciting news for race fans. Fort the first time, motorcycle racing will officially be part of the 2018 Steel Horse Rally—featuring some of the finest riders in the country. This is a new addition to the Oklahoma Land Rush Motorcycle Flat Track Series. It is the perfect way to kick off the 2018 Rally.

Tickets: Very Important Biker Packages available below. Both VIB packages include gate entry to view the Shootout and exclusive VIB access to the Lounge, official T-shirt, VIB badge & more. For full details about the VIB Package, go to http://45.55.252.4/vib-2018-experience/

VIB Packages are for ages 21 and up only. General gate admission $10-$15; Prices of pit passes may vary.

The race will take place on a 1/2-mile dirt tract—featuring flat straightaways and banked turns—with multiple class offerings for riders:

50cc/65cc/85cc – Trophy Payout – (Kids)
250 AM – Trophy Payout
OPEN AM – Trophy Payout
600 Vintage PRO – $500 Guaranteed to Winner
750 Vintage PRO – $500 Guaranteed to Winner
OPEN PRO – $500 Guaranteed to Winner
450 PRO – 100% Cash Payback Minimum
MAD DOG OPEN – 100% Cash Payback Minimum
STEEL HORSE DEALER’S CHALLENGE – “Run what you Brung”; Revolving Trophy
Knobby Tires Race – Trophy for Winner

The Steel Horse Dealer’s Challenge

We need dealers!! We are encouraging all motorcycle dealerships within a 90-mile radius of Fort Smith to compete for a revolving trophy. Bring or build your own custom bike and compete for a revolving trophy—and bragging rights.

Winners of all classes will receive trophies.

Cash Prizes will be awarded to the winners of the pro classes.

Calling all Racers: For those interested in racing in the event, please contact the Steel Horse Rally Office at 479-414-3775 or Steve S. at (479) 926-3000.

Sponsorship Opportunities: To become a sponsor or information about the race, call (479) 414-3775.

Dealer Information: dealers interested in the Dealer’s Challenge, contact Michael C. at old Fort Harley-Davidson at (479) 926-3000.

OK race fans, you wanted it, you got it!

The fastest modified drivers in the country will invade the might Tri-State Speedway THIS Saturday night for the USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup national modified event!

Come watch the best of the best take on the famous high banks right here in Pocola, OK. If you only come to one event this season, this is it!

Check out the bext modified drivers in the country like Jake O'Neil, Johnny Scott, Dereck Ramirez, Lucas Schott, Stormy Scott, Rodney Sanders, Zack VanderBeek, Terry Phillips, Jake Timm, Joe Duvall, Logan Robertson and Cade Dillard take on local favorites like Johnny Bone, Jr., Chad Wheeler, Mickey Lassiter, Jason Hughes, Steve Holzkamper, Jeremy Vaughn, Brent Holman, Lonnie Robins, George Martin, Kyle Ledford and more!

There'll also be racing action in the Factory Stocks and USRA B-Mods.

Pit gates will open at 4 PM with grandstands opening at 5 PM. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Pit passes will be $35 for adults and $15 for kids (6-12). Grandstand admission will be $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and for kids (12-18) with kids 11 and under FREE. Be sure to check your local Casey's General Store for discount coupons the day of the event.

We'll see YOU there!

Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media/PR

THE EVENT

POCOLA, OK (April 28^th, 2018) – The 11^th 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 4^th which is flat track motorcycle racing and the USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup national modified racing on May 5^th.

We will see YOU soon!

UPCOMING EVENT(S):

• 1^st Annual Steel Horse Shootout on May 4^th – 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 5^th. Flyer is attached.