The weekend actually got started for many Friday night with the Practice session, followed by a Pit Party where all those present were entertained by Ruston singer, Monty Russell. Several drivers got in some practice laps to get their cars set up for the track surface before the big event Saturday night. Monty Russell put on a great show singing a variety of songs while getting many feet tapping and even a few feet danced a jig!
Saturdays event had a great turn-out, with 188 drivers in the pits to pay respects to the memory of Mr. Doug Murphrey, father of 'fan favorite' Modified/Sport Mod driver, Dougie Murphrey. It's been four short years since the Murphrey family and the racing community suffered the loss of Mr. Doug. As a friend of the family, I can attest to the greatness of this man and this family. Mr. Doug was a man like few other you will meet, but it has became very obvious over the past three years that Dougie has the heart and soul it takes to fill those shoes. Mr. Doug's willingness to help any racer shows through in Dougie. The entire Murphrey family bears the kindness and compassion that Mr. Doug was so known for. The life and the legacy of Mr. Doug lives strong at Fast Trax Speedway, and grows stronger with the presence of Dougie and Ms Tina and all the effort they put into honoring his memory each passing day. Thanks to the Murphrey family for allowing FTS, its employees, drivers and race fans to honor the memories we each have of Mr. Doug.
There were four classes of cars participating in Saturday nights show. The Pure Stock class was sponsored Saturday night by Southern Roofing and Insulation of West Monroe. The Late Models, Sport Mods and Modifieds were the highlighted classes and were sponsored by a long list including: Specialty Contractors, Soil Stabilizers, Murphrey Oil Companies, Express Race Cars, Culp's Automotive, TWM Racing, Clausen, B & M Sign Works, Show Time Signs, Jeff Taylor Motorsports, Day Motorsports, Race Worx Custom Graphics & Signs, Mike & Roni Haddox, Auto Express, AJ & J Thornton Oil Co., MPR Parts, Aubrey's Auto Repair, Pitts Racing, Henry's Auto Salvage, Hobson & Son, Ivy's, Urania Drug Store, Hyde's One Stop, Darrell's Automotive, Fabulous Floors, Raptor Race Cars, King Drilling, Mark Olden, Fox Enterprises, AJ's Grill, Untamed, Atkin' and Classic Shine & Detail.
The Pure Stock class was first on the track to get the nights Feature races started. The fact that it was such a special night at FTS combined with the added money to the Pure Stock payout, these drivers put on a great show for the filled stands of race fans. The feature line up had David Roy (7up) and Dillion Tidwell (T9) placed on the front row. As FTS Flagman, Jeff Cruse, waved the green flag these 13 drivers set off to get a good start but were placed under caution as they rounded the first turn of the track. A total of four cautions came out for this class. David Roy (7up) led the first 13 laps of the show before being past by James "Chicken Man" Freeman (5c), who started the show on the rear in 13th position. Freeman led the next four laps, but with only three to go the 7up car passed the flag stand just a few short feet ahead of Freeman. The white flag lap had Freeman back out front with Roy making every effort possible to get back out front. As the pack came around to take the checkered flag, Freeman maintained his lead position to take home the trophy and the $350 prize money. Just as last week, "Chicken Man" had to do his "Chicken Dance" on the track for his many fans. He thrills race fans in the car and out! Roy took 2nd place honors for the night, followed by Bryan Baker (442) in 3rd, Brother Howell (L1) in 4th and Jamie Shirley (00) rounding out the Top 5.
The Late Model class was next on the track with a total of 23 entries looking to take home the $2,500 payout of the 2009 Doug Murphrey Memorial. This class was full of some of the best Late Model drivers one could hope to see. FTS regulars such as Raymond Taylor (T49), Waylon Morris (11jr), Jody Prince (10P), Mark Andrews (38) and Marcus Frisch (43F) were among the list of excellence this class brought to race fans Saturday night. We also saw the return of Late Model driver John Mark "Trigger" Mills (12) who has been a spectator for the past few years at Fast Trax.
Running a 20 lap Feature with only one caution was very impressive from 23 cars traveling at such high rates of speed around the clay oval. Pole sitter, Kyle Cummings (R5) of Sibley managed to maintain the lead position throughout the race even though there were several attempts made by Ray Moore (93) of Shreveport to take over the lead. As the checkered flag dropped, Cummings grabbed the win with Moore hot on his trail. Ronny Adams (1A) crossed in the 3rd place position, followed by Jody Prince (10P) in 4th and Raymond Taylor (T49) rounding out the Top 5.
The Sport Mod class held a total of 48 drivers trying to qualify in the 24 positions that would make up the Feature event. This class offers some tough competition on a normal night of racing, but for the Murphrey Memorial drivers traveled from several states in hopes of taking home the honors of winning this special event. The first round of Qualifying was tough, but the second chance qualifiers had to work even harder. After the field was narrowed to the 24 cars needed for the Feature event, the Top 6 drivers re-drew for their starting positions then the field was set for some exciting racing action.
From green to checkered, through 20 laps and three cautions, one driver held tightly to the lead position to take the win, trophy and the $1,000 prize money. The car was familiar to the FTS Fans, but the driver was not. The 5A car, owned and normally driven by Josh Beckham, was driven Saturday night by the man who built it, Mr. Eddie Martin of Big Chief Chassis'. Martin was followed across the finish line by Mickey Steele (137) in 2nd place, Jonathan Allen (11A) in 3rd, Heath Wilson (A1) in 4th and Joey LaPrairie (50) in 5th place. The remainder of your Top 10 Finishers came across as follows: Heath Redden (21), Ben Leedy (B99), Tippy Beckham (57J), Kevin Dupont (3J) and Chris Brown (65). Congratulations to all of the Sport Mod racers for a wonderful show from start to finish.
The Modified class was the highlighted of the night and brought 68 participants to Fast Trax Speedway, all looking for the $5,000 1st place honors. These drivers were split into 6 Heat races and the twelve drivers earning the most Points from their finishing position combined with their Passing Points were locked into the Feature. All others were placed into Second Chance Qualifying to complete 24 of the 25 starting positions for the Feature. The 25th starting position for the Feature was chosen by placing all names of the Non-Qualifiers into a hat, the name of the lucky driver that was drawn was Robert Young (35).
The Top 6 positions of the Feature starting line-up were: Kyle Pleasant (6x), Shane Hebert (9H), John Williams (31), Chris Patton (1P), Jared Landers (777) and Adam Willis (10M). A 4-Wide Parade Lap was made to thank the fans before the action began. The entire 25 car field ran an impressive 40 lap Feature as drivers were coming 3 wide around the turns and keeping race fans on edge throughout the show. There was more excitement on the track Saturday night than any one writer could compile into words, but to say the least it was an awesome race for each and every car on the track.
As the laps went by, it soon came time for the checkered flag to wave. As Flagman, Jeff Cruse, waved that final flag the spot-light was on the #777 driven by Jared Landers, of Batesville, Ark. Landers is sponsored by two auto dealerships in Batesville. One a Ford Dealership, the other a Chevrolet Dealership, and both owned by famed NASCAR driver, Mark Martin. The 2nd place finisher is also a well-known name among Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas dirt track fans. Michael Robertson (05) has many Feature event wins under his belt and is also proud to put on a pleasing show for his fans. The 3rd place finisher made some very impressive moves throughout the race. He worked hard, drove clean and earned his way through the field from an 18th place original starting position. This driver, a Fast Trax Speedway regular, is none other than Lee Patton and the JP5 machine. The 4th place finisher was yet another well known driver, Chris Brown (21B), followed by Shane Hebert (9H) in 5th place.
The 6th thru 15th place finishers for the 2009 Doug Murphrey Memorial Modified Feature were: Adam Willis (10M), Tyler Townsend (12T), Mike Bowers (60B), David Winslett (21W), Robbie McClain (20M)m, Chris Patton (1P), Greg Hollingsworth (27), Jeff Taylor (5), Tippy Beckham (6) and Robert Young (35).
Fast Trax Speedway congratulates each and every one of the drivers who came to pay respect to the memory of Doug Murphrey, and to be a part of yet another wonderful show at Fast Trax. We also appreciate each and every race fan that came to witness this special event. Without the drivers and the fans this could not have been possible.
We will be racing again on Friday, June 5th. Hope to see you all there!