Greenville, Mississippi (10/05/13) – The 7th Annual Gumbo Nationals hosted its finale on Saturday night at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi), and it was Bub McCool, who screamed through the field to claim the win from the 20th starting spot in the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS) $7,500-to-win event.
Bub McCool raced forward from his 20th starting spot to take the lead on lap 25, and once out front he overcame a few close calls in lapped traffic as well as a late-race charge from Brian Rickman to claim the victory, which marked his fourth overall of the 2013 season.
Chris Wall and Rick Rickman brought the field to the green flag with Wall grabbing the initial lead with Rickman in two. One lap later chaos would ensue for the lead as Rickman and Wall tangled entering turn three. Rickman was credited with the caution as he dropped to the tail of the field with Wall retaining the lead with Ray Moore, Brian Rickman, Timothy Culp, and Neil Baggett rounding out the top five.
As the race went back green Wall jumped to a sizeable lead before Culp, who snagged 2nd on the restart, began to challenge Wall for the lead. As the battle raged for the lead, Bub McCool, had passed fifteen cars to move into 5th by lap 5.
McCool’s march forward continued on lap 16 as he overtook Timothy Culp for 2nd, and nine laps later the Vicksburg, Mississippi racer used the cushion to race past Chris Wall for the lead.
With McCool at the point Culp slowed from the pack on lap 27 to draw the caution. The ensuing restart found McCool again motoring away from the pack, and he would enjoy a strong lead as he diced through lapped traffic. Disaster nearly struck for the leader as he made contact with Chad Thrash, while trying to lap him on lap 48. Officials ultimately credited Thrash with the caution as McCool retained the lead.
Over the final twenty-seven laps Bub McCool withstood challenges from Brian Rickman to claim the win with a hard-charging, Robert Baker in third. Chris Wall and Neil Baggett rounded out the top five finishers as Wall claimed the 2013 MSCCS Championship.
B-main action earlier in the night found Bubba Harrison and BJ Robinson snaring the wins with Scott Abraham and Mark Dodson receiving series’ provisionals to start the finale.
As a controversial victory lane drew to an end rain drops began to wet the ¼ mile oval, forcing track officials to postpone the remainder of the event until Sunday afternoon at 1pm.
Action resumes on Sunday afternoon with the NeSmith Late Model Dirt Series, who will contest their own $5,000-to-win/$300 to start, 50 lap finale.
Also on the program for Sunday afternoon will be the finales for the Street Stocks battling for $1,200-to-win/$100-to-start, Open Wheel Modifieds racing for $1,200-to-win/$100-to-start and Mini Stocks competing for $500-to-win/$75-to-start.
For more information on the event, please contact James Clolinger at 662-822-2662, Wesley Washington at 662-822-7071, Ben Shelton at 901-335-3037 or visit www.GreenvilleSpeedway.net and www.StateSeries.com
7th Annual Gumbo Nationals Finale
1)Bub McCool 2)Brian Rickman 3)Robert Baker 4)Chris Wall 5)Neil Baggett 6)BJ Robinson 7)Kyle Beard 8)Chad Thrash 9)Ray Moore 10)Clay Fisher 11)William Thomas 12)Rick Rickman 13)Tyler Erb 14)Greg Fore 15)Duke Palasini 16)Tanner Kellick 17)Chris Huckabay 18)Mark Dodson 19)Bubba Harrison 20)Scott Abrahams 21)Robert Metz 22)Timothy Culp 23)Jack Sullivan 24)Trey Beene
Thanks!
Ben Shelton, Owner
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