At Fast Trax Speedway last Friday night, race fans experienced the cool night air combined with the heated excitement brought on by the speed of the cars on the track. The excitement from the Doug Murphrey Memorial from the previous weekend and the anticipation of the USMTS Modified show coming this weekend was talked about among fans and drivers alike. One could not help be anxious to see the cars take the track Friday night.
The Stocker class is an exciting race each week, and Friday night was no exception. With seven cars in this class, and drivers with excellent racing abilities, its always a close race leaving one to wonder just who will take the checkered flag. Friday night it was a close one between the 15 of Randy Trimm and the 90 of Ricky Jordan. As the final lap came to an end, Jordan was your first place finisher with Trimm trailing in for a close 2nd. Nicki Murphy (M12) crossed in 3rd place followed by Tyler Hernandez (55) in 4th and Austin Trichell (5T) rounding out the Top 5.
The Street Stock class is sponsored by Wide Open Motorsports and put on one heck of a race as well Friday night. Heat race wins went to Jesse Mills (10) and Joe Rachal (210), placing them on the front row as they started their 20 lap Feature. As the green flag dropped a caution quickly followed as Roger Williams (97) came to a stop in turn 2. Everyone took their original starting positions, and the race went on caution free for 20 excellent laps of racing. Mills led the entire show from green to checkered to take the win, followed by Casey Hobson (7) in 2nd and Joe Rachal (210) in 3rd. The 4th place position went to Shane Walker (10W) of Quitman, with Justin Decuir (12) taking the 5th place spot.
A full field of 20 entries made up the Bullet Proof Tee's Sport Mod class Friday night. Though a few caution delays were experienced throughout this 20 lap show, this class features some excellent drivers who want to put on a good show for the fans and run a great race. Taking 1st place honors in the three Heat races were: Clint Minchew (59), Josh Beckham (5A) and Patrick Kelly (14). The 20 lap feature was led from green to checkers by Beckham (5A), followed by Ben Leedy (B99) of Jonesboro in 2nd place, James Shirley (00) in 3rd, Clint Minchew (59) in 4th and Kelly Bagwell (92) taking 5th. The 6th place position went to Scott Duke (99D), the father-in-law of Bagwell, and 7th place finisher was Bagwell's brother, Casey (24x). That's what you call the family sticking together!
Tip Toe Chassis is the sponsor of the 2009 Pure Stock class, who also put on a great show Friday night. The 7up car, driven by David Roy, finished 1st in the Heat race and led the entire 20 lap Feature. However, a close check of the car after the race by Tech Officials ended in a Disqualification of Roy's car due to a Rule Infraction. Thus giving the 1st place trophy and payout to the 2nd place finisher, Brian Baker (442). The 2nd place position went to Stanley Patrick (24), followed by Summer Futch (B1) in 3rd, Jason Page (20) in 4th and Jamie Shirley (00) in 5th.
The Young Guns class held only three participants this week. They were Tanner Kellick (3K), Dalton Patrick (21jr) and Eddie Underwood (4). Underwood took 1st in not only the Heat race, but the Feature as well. Kellick was the 2nd place finisher in the Feature, while Patrick was not able to start the Feature event. Though there were only 3 entries in the Young Guns class this week, each lap that these kids make is a learning experience for them and gives them the seat time they need to grow into the big leagues. We appreciate these drivers, and even more so, their parents for allowing these drivers to be the future of dirt track racing.
The final Feature race of the night brought the fast ones to the track, the Modified class, sponsored by Hobson and Sons Dirt Works. Heat race winners among this 15 car field were Chad Perot (9) and Kent Hollingsworth (c81). Taking a quick lead as the green flag dropped, Hollingsworth (c81) led 17 laps of non-stop, caution free, intense racing before the JP5, driven by Lee Patton, of Quitman, took over the 1st place position. Patton led the pack for the final three laps of the still caution-free show to take the win for the Johnson Plumbing team. Following Patton was the 47 car of Randy Thompson in 2nd and Hollignsworth (c81) in 3rd. Bud Mullins (x) was your 4th place finisher, with Chris Huckabay (D6) rounded out the Top 5.
The Friday, June 12th Fast Trax Speedway will present the USMTS Modified Series. This show will bring drivers from all across the United States and is stop #2 on a Speedweek Tour and is guaranteed to put race fans on the edge of their seats.