No matter how hard we try to second-guess things in life, the weather is the one thing one can seldom predict in Louisiana. The sun may be shining bright on one side of the parish, but rain could very well be coming down in sheets across town. This was the case last Friday, causing the May 22nd show to be rescheduled for Sunday, May 24th.
It's tough sometimes for many of us to make it to the track on a Sunday, but the FTS team appreciates everyone who was able to spend the evening with us. A total of 64 cars spent the evening entertaining race fans and having a great time.
The Young Guns class held two competitors Sunday evening. Tanner Kellick (3K) and Eddie Underwood (4) were able to get in some seat-time, and each ran an excellent race. In the end, Underwood took home the trophy, with Tanner taking 2nd place. These kids work hard on their cars, and improve their driving abilities with each lap they make around the track. This is the future of Dirt Track racing, and possibly future NASCAR drivers. If you get the chance to meet and talk with any of the Young Guns drivers, take time to tell them what a good job they're doing.
The Pure Stock class is home to some tough competition each race night, and Sunday was no exception. Leading the six-car field through three cautions, James "Chicken Man" Freeman (5c) took the win. Chicken Man raced hard to keep Jamie Shirley (00), Beaux Russell (319), Jason Page (20), as well as Miss Summer Futch (B1) off of his tail-feathers. With Freeman doing his "dance and roll" victory celebration on the track surface after having his pictures taken, Miss Summer was your 2nd place finisher, with Jamie Shirley (00) taking 3rd place.
The Stocker division at Fast Trax Speedway is always a great race to watch. This class is a great starter class, and sees new additions on a regular basis. With only one caution is Sundays Feature event, Ricky Jordan (90) led the entire race and took 1st place honors for the night. Nick Murphy (M12) crossed the finish line to take 2nd, while John Smith (84) followed in 3rd place. Randy Trimm (15) was your 4th place finisher. Rounding out the Top 5 was newcomer, Taylor Baker. Taylor is an 11 year old little girl, with apparently great racing abilities and a strong will to out-drive the boys. She is sure to be a big inspiration to many others her age.
Though the Street Stock class only had 7 entries, it was a close race from green to checkered. Joe Rachal (210) led the first three laps of the show before Justin Decuir (12) made his way out front to lead the remainder of the show and capture yet another win at FTS. At the checkered flag, Decuir was the winner with Rachal taking a close 2nd, followed by Shane "Bundy" Walker (10W) in a tight 3rd place finishing position. The 4th place position went to Michael Hutson (2x), with Jolly Jordan Jr (88) rounding out the Top 5 spots.
In the Sport Mod division, 22 great drivers brought some tough competition to the track for the FTS Fans. As FTS Flagman, Jeff Cruse, waved the green flag to start the show, Josh Beckham (5A) took the lead and held his position throughout the 20 lap show, claiming victory at the checkered flag. It was a close race throughout the field, but the final lap is the one that counts the most. The 2nd place finish went to Heath Wilson (A1), with Scott Duke (99D) in a tight 3rd, followed by Casey Bagwell (24x) in 4th and Ben Leedy (B99) in 5th. With Sundays race being this exciting for a $500 to win purse, one can only imagine the excitement coming Saturday during the Doug Murphrey Memorial with a $1,000 1st place prize on the line.
Now, if you thought the Sport Mod race was exciting, you were on the edge of your seat for the Modified Feature. Twenty laps with two leaders went a little like this... Jody Davidson (90) took a quick lead at the drop of the green flag, with a caution coming out as the drivers made their way around turn 2. No lap complete, so an original restart brought Richard Anders (18A) out in the lead on the start. Anders held his position for the first half of the show, before Lee Patton (JP5) took over to lead laps 11 thru 20. A total of eight cautions came out during this show, tightening the pack back together each time, pulling all 19 drivers close together and making the racing action bumper to bumper, side by side and many times three-wide coming out of the turns. With Patton taking the win, Timmy Culp (c8) moved up to take 2nd, followed by Dougie Murphrey (25) in 3rd, Richard Anders (18A) dropped back to 4th and Jody Davidson (90) taking the 5th place position. This exciting race bares little comparison to what this class will have in store for race fans during the Doug Murphrey Memorial Saturday night with a $5,000 1st place payout waiting to be claimed by the one to cross the finish line first.
The agenda for the Doug Murphrey Memorial weekend begins on Friday, May 29th, with Practice from 7pm until 10pm followed by a performance by Monty Russell, local singer, and a Pit Party. A fee of $20 will get car and driver into the Pits Friday night, with all others paying $10 for Pit Pass. For anyone wanting to come through the General Admission and watch the practice from the stands, admission will be Free. Saturdays big finale kicks off as the Pit Gate opens at 10am and General Admission gate opens at noon. Pill Draw for the drivers will be from 4pm until 6pm. Drivers will begin packing the track at 6:15, Hot Laps will start at 6:30 and Racing begins at 8pm. Pit Passes for this event will be $30.
This event will include Pure Stock (no entry fee for car), Sport Mods ($25 entry fee) racing for $1,000 1st place payout, Late Models ($75 entry fee) racing for a $2,500 1st place payout and Modifieds ($75 entry fee) will be racing for an impressive $5,000 1st place payout.
The Murphrey family appreciates each and every driver and spectator who has been a part of this Annual event, and look forward to an even bigger and better show than in the past. This show is put together each year by the Murphrey family in honor of Mr. Doug Murphrey and the memories we all share of this exceptional man. As a friend of the Murphrey family, I have many wonderful memories of my own, each of which I will cherish always. This is a glorious event and if you can only attend one race all season long, this should definitely be the one you show up for.