(BRASSTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA) The “Tarheel Tiger” Ray Cook debuted a brand-new MasterSbilt racecar for sponsor Tommy Pope on March 7-8 at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tennessee, as the National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) presided over the inaugural running of the ‘Tennessee Tipoff Classic.’ On Friday night in the $7,500 to win showdown, Ray clicked off the second quickest lap in Group B during time trials and later scored an impressive heat race triumph. After drawing the pole position prior to the start of the 40-lap main event, Ray ran second early in the race before eventually winding up a strong third in the final finishing order behind only victor Dale McDowell and runner-up Chris Madden.
At Smoky Mountain on Saturday evening, the stakes were raised even higher, as a $12,500 top prize was on the line in the ‘Tennessee Tipoff Classic’ finale. Ray posted the thirteenth fastest time in Group A during NDRL qualifying prior to running fifth in his stacked heat race and winning his B-Main. After rolling off from the inside of the ninth row in the 60-lapper, the Brasstown, North Carolina star was able to move up a couple of positions before notching a fifteenth place performance. Complete results from the action-packed weekend can be accessed online at www.thendrl.com.
Ray will not compete over the upcoming March 14-15 weekend, as he will turn his focus to overseeing and promoting the Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals opening weekend at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee. His next event will be behind the wheel of the Optima Batteries #53 MasterSbilt House Car at the legendary Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana on Saturday, March 22. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction the 17th Annual ‘Indiana Icebreaker’ at the famed 1/4-mile oval and a $10,000 payday will be up for grabs. Ray comes into Brownstown eighth in the latest version of the LOLMDS point standings. Additional information on the ‘Indiana Icebreaker’ can be viewed by pointing your web browser to www.lucasdirt.com.
Ray Cook and the MasterSbilt House Car team would like to thank all of their marketing partners including: Optima Batteries, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Seubert Calf Ranches, Superior Cleaning Services, A+ Moving and Storage Co., Tommy Pope Construction, Jay D1ckens Racing Engines, Tarpy Trucking, AFCO Racing Products, Allstar Performance, AR Bodies, Bell Helmets, Bert Transmissions, Beyea Headers, Braswell Carburetors, COMP Cams, DBR Starters, Delph Communications, Dragon Racing Fuels, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Performance Systems, Frankland Racing Supply, Goodridge Hose & Fittings, GW Performance, Hooker Harness, Hoosier Racing Tires, Hypercoils, Integra Race Shocks, Jones Racing Products, K&N Filters, Keyser Manufacturing, MD3 Noses, MSD Ignition, Old Man’s Garage, Performance Bodies, Performance Rod & Custom, Peterson Fluid Systems, Quarter Master, QuickCar Racing Products, Real Racing Wheels, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Stealth Carburetion, Strange Oval, Sweet Mfg., The Joie of Seating, TWM Racing Products, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Weld Wheels, Wiles Driveshafts, Wilwood Engineering, Winters Performance, and Wrisco Industries.
For the latest news and schedule information concerning the #53 team, feel free to visit their official Internet home at www.RayCook53.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph – Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com