Jesse Hockett - Carol Wirts Photo
Miranda Arnold - Carol Wirts Photo
Brant Koetting - Carol Wirts Photo
Sunday Night Track Action Ended in a Double Surprise
Double-X Speedway - California, MO
By: Ra'Vae Edwards
Sunday night at Double-X Speedway was full of surprises when California’s Brant Koetting and Sedalia’s Miranda Arnold pulled off victories in the street stocks and hobby stock feature races.
Track action began with the street stock heat race as Harlan “Boy” Dowell of Tipton, held a tight grip on the lead with Ray Smith of Centertown hanging in for a close second until mechanical issues landed Smith in the pits for the evening. Dowell held on to the lead for a victory in the 8 lap event.
The shock of the night came with the street stock feature as Koetting made his way to the front of the line and held on for the duration of the green to checkered event.
The race started with Jim Wheatley of Tipton in the lead followed by California’s John Clancy while Koetting and Dowell battled for third. Fans bolted from their seats as Koetting worked his way to the front of the line and led his competitors to the checkered flags for his first feature win at Double-X Speedway! Clancy followed in second place, Dowell held on to the third place spot with Curt Turpin of Jefferson City in fourth and Wheatley finished in fifth place.
The top five point leaders in the Street Stock division are – Clancy 534; Dowell 528; Smith 436; Koetting 369; Turpin 355.
The Hobby Stock heat and feature races offered race fans the show they pay to see – track action!
California’s A.J. Wirts driving the 'XX' car, took the lead of the first hobby stock heat race with Miranda Arnold, Sedalia, and Ralph Booth of Eldon, challenging his lead. In the end, Wirts finished in front with Booth in second and Arnold in a close third.
The second hobby stock heat race got a bit touchy as Sedalia’s Luke Skidmore and Jeremy Gordon battled for the top spot. After some blatant bumping and shoving the black flag finally flew for Sedalia's Gordon, pitting him for the event. Skidmore then kept the pedal to the metal, hanging on to the number one seat followed by Joey Arnold of Sedalia in second and Bridget Clifford, California, in third.
The Hobby Stocks Feature Race was another first at Double-X this season! The heat tuned up a few notches in the 12 lap event when Arnold stole the lead from Wirts and held on tight taking her first checkered flag of the season! Gordon finished the race in second place with Skidmore following in third; Booth in fourth and California's Bridgett Clifford taking the fifth seat.
Top five point leaders in the Hobby Stocks division are – Skidmore 558; Gordon 486; M. Arnold 428; Clifford 416; Cherry Wineland 371.
The 360 Winged Sprint races brought competitors from Tampa Bay, FL, and the St. Louis area. Adam Jones of Wright City, Mo., and R.J. Johnson of Tampa Bay, FL., joined the 360 Winged Sprint action Sunday but it was a California favorite who took the checkered flag in the feature race.
In a hard-fought challenge Jesse “the Rocket” Hockett of Warsaw worked his way forward to snag the lead on lap 22 for a victory on lap 25. Curtis Evans of Norborne settled for a second place finish after leading the majority of the race until he encountered lapped traffic. Johnson finished third followed by Jones in fourth and California’s own Tyler Blank in fifth.
Blank and Hockett were top winners in the 360 Winged Sprint heat races.
Top five point leaders in the 360 Winged Sprints division are – Evans 500; Blank 468; Curtis Boyer 385; Cornell 356; Hockett 348.
Racers weren’t the only ones who took home prizes Sunday night! Three local kids were honored as the race kids of the night – Dalton Burnett of Clarksburg, Ashley Edwards and Caleb Potter both of Jefferson City.
Attendance prizes were won by Derek Henson, Russellville; Justin Clad, California; Kent Luebbert, Jamestown; Theresa Intelmann, Sedalia; Darrell Hayes, K.C., Robert French, Cuba; Alara Wilbers, J.C. Shane Sneed of Copperas Cove, TX had the 'lucky program'.
Father's Day is Sunday! Bring dad to see the The Ozark Mountain “Topless” Midgets as they make their third appearance at Double-X Speedway Sunday night. Cub Scout pack 120 will also be on hand to raise the flag and present the colors.
As usual, gates will open at 5 p.m., hot laps start at 7 p.m. and racing will commence at 7:30 p.m.
For additional information about Double-X Speedway, contact Kyle Wirts at 573-796-4694 or 573-619-8344. To contact Public Relations Director Ra’Vae Edwards, call 573-796-4242 or email
ravaeedwards@yahoo.com.
