Rob Nugent, Track Announcer/Social Media/PR
THE EVENT
POCOLA, OK (May 12th, 2018) – It was back to point racing for all classes this past Saturday night at the mighty Tri-State Speedway. Upper 80 degree temperatures greeted the fans on Saturday night as they arrived at the track. 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. Until further notice, the later start time will be the scheduled starting time. Pit gates will open at 5 PM and the grandstands will open at 6 PM with hot laps scheduled for 7:30 PM.
The pre-race ceremonies started at 8:04 PM with the invocation followed by the national anthem as two cars presented the flag around the speedway.
Heat races were determined by the driver’s draw at sign in. The classes advanced to their features heads up with an invert redraw.
At intermission, 50/50 money was given away, as well as some free tire rotations and air pressure guages provided by Discount Tire. There was also a gift card given away for Ed Walker’s Drive In. 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 and tornado relief concert 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 Factory Stock A Feature. Rick Edgerton (27 – Fort Smith, AR) took the checkers first over Dallas Bourland (48 – Fort Smith, AR) and Robert Southerland (17K - Sallisaw, OK) who appeared to have the race won until a last lap engine issue.
Up next was the Out Pace USRA B-Mod A Feature where Brandon Wilson (4B – Fort Smith, AR) crossed the finish line first ahead of Dean Green (28 – Siloam Springs, AR) and Chad Summerford (03 – Centerton, AR).
The Super Stock A Feature rolled onto the track next. Kyle Slader (19S – Muskogee, OK) took the win over Grant Davis ( 1- Muldrow, OK) and a charging Neil Johnston (17 – Fort Smith, AR) who gained five positions from his eighth starting spot.
The USRA Modifieds took to the high banks last for A Feature. Trevor Latham (27L – Rogers, AR) crossed the line first picking up where he left off after last year’s championship. Jeremy Vaughn (8 – Pocola, OK) took home second place and Kyle Ledford (75 – Greenwood, AR) in third place.
Blaze Leatherman (94L – Muskogee, OK) was the first NexGen car to make laps on the track this season. There is still time to get racing this season with your own NexGen car. The NexGen vlass is an entry-level, low-cost, no racing experience class. You can find the simple rules under Driver Info and then Rules.
Complete race results can be found on our website under Results. 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 another night of point racing in all classes on May 19th followed by a weekend of racing for Memorial Day on both Saturday, May 26th , and Sunday, May 27th. More information will be posted this week on our website and social media channels.
We will see YOU soon!