Columbus, Mississippi (10/10/14) – The annual Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 came to life on Friday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway as over 165 competitors converged on the state-of-the-art, 3/8 mile oval to battle for their share of over $90,000 in prize money.
Jack Sullivan from Greenbrier, Arkansas paced the stellar field of 72 entries in qualifying with a lap of 13.707 seconds around the 3/8 mile oval, and then he proceeded to wire the field to win the first heat race over Chase Junghans and Brian Rickman to earn the pole for Saturday night’s 100 lap, $20,000-to-win finale.
The second heat race found Chris Simpson from Oxford, Iowa charging to the lead late in the race to take the lead and the win from Mike Marlar, while Morgan Bagley edged Eric Cooley by a matter of inches to claim the final transfer spot.
Bub McCool from Vicksburg, Mississippi overcame a great early battle with Jared Landers to win heat race #3, while Anthony Burroughs scored the third and final transfer spot.
Fast qualifier in Group B Scott Bloomquist from Mooresburg, Tennessee won heat race #4 by over a straight away with Rick Eckert holding off Billy Moyer for second at the finish line. Bloomquist will join Sullivan on the front row for Saturday night’s 100 lap finale.
Batesville, Arkansas driver, Billy Moyer Jr. may have led the duration of his heat race to claim the win, but it was far from easy as Jimmy Owens staged a late-race run in heat race #5. Moyer Jr. was able to narrowly claim the win with Owens and Rodney Wing rounding out the top three.
The sixth and final heat race was a good one with Crossville, Tennessee’s Randy Weaver claiming the win by inches over a hard-charging, Dennis Erb Jr. The third and final transfer spot was bagged by Shane Clanton
Fifty-two NeSmith Crate Late Models took part in preliminary action on Friday night with Cleveland, Tennessee’s Riley Hickman setting fast time in qualifications. Jeremy Shaw and Michael Arnold won the first two heat races to earn the front row for Saturday night’s $3,000-to-win feature. Other heat race winners included Evan Ellis, Johnny Stokes, and Kyle Shaw.
The Mississippi Street Stock Series (MSSS) saw 44 entries registering for action with heat race wins going to Jimmy Owens, Brian Hansford, Jeff Butler, and Jeremy Idom.
Full results from the preliminaries will be posted to www.MagnoliaDirt.com on Saturday morning.
On Saturday night the annual Cotton Pickin’ Magnolia State 100 draws to a close B-Mains for all divisions will be contested on Saturday night along with Mini Stocks Heat Races and the Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 Championships Main Event Races. The Super Late Models will battle for $20,000-to-win/$1,200-to-start. The NeSmith Late Models will chase a $3,000 top prize with the Mississippi Street Stock Series chasing a $2,000 victory. Mini Stocks will also be in action
Also, on Saturday a Fish Fry lunch will be held, and volunteers will be accepting donations for the fund to raise money to provide monetary assistance for racers, crew, or racing community in the event of an injury, etc. There will also be a Silent Auction for autographed doors from race cars, to raise money for the fund. Doors will be on display prior to auction time. Doors from top drivers in the country and plus locals. The lunch will be served at noon on Saturday with the Silent Auction 4pm.
Trackside parking is available for an additional $30 in any unreserved spot. To reserve your spot please call 662-386-9191.
Magnolia Motor Speedway and complete Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 information can be found on the Magnolia Motor Speedway website hosted at www.MagnoliaDirt.com . For more information call Johnny Stokes at 662-574-2572, Ben Shelton 901-335-3037, or the track at 662-240-3478.
Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 Event Fast Facts:
EVENT FORMAT
Saturday, October 11th Schedule:
12:00pm: Fish Fry Cookout
2:00pm: Pit gates open
3:00pm: Grandstands open
4:00pm: Autograph session on souvenir row
5:00pm: Driver’s meeting
5:30pm: Cotton Pickin’ 100 Hay Ride
6:00pm: Hot Laps
7:00pm: Racing
Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 Main Event Night
B-Mains For All Divisions and Mini Stocks Heat Races plus Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 Main Events
SATURDAY ADMISSION PRICES
Saturday Grandstands: Adults $25
Saturday Children 6-10 $5. Children 5 & under free.
Saturday Pit Admission: Adults $35
Saturday Children 6-10 $25. Children 5 & under free
Thanks!
Ben Shelton, Owner
MSR Mafia Marketing & Website Services – www.MSRMafia.com
The Midsouth Racing Scene – www.MidSouthRacing.com