West Plains, MO The 8th Annual Sunoco & Simons Petroleum sponsored Firecracker Weekend at West Plains Motor Speedway, is now in the record book, and with the weather totally cooperative, it all went just as scheduled. A record number of participants for the weekend totalled 141, representing 6 states.
Seventy-five Super Stocks registering in for Round 1 on Thursday, then qualifying through 6 heats and the 25-lap nightly qualifier where the top 8 finishers transferred to the Main Event. Eighty registered in on Friday and on Saturday three more came in making the total 83 for the event.
Making that first transfer group was Claudie Cook of Portageville, MO, Jared Wagster of Scott City, MO, Chuck McGinty of Conway, AR, Kevin Salter of Batesville, AR, Stan Ellison of West Plains, Scooter Scruggs of Hensley, AR, Shawn Walsh of Ash Flat, AR, and Bobby Bryant of West Plains.
Friday's nightly feature provided the second 8 to transfer, and included Brandon Smith of Batesville, AR, Joe Payne of Concord, AR, Brian Ritchie of Newark, AR, Bobby Maggard of Republic, MO, Buddy Parks of Marshall, AR, Tim Brown of Stoutland, MO,. Bruce Busch of Mena, AR, and Jerry Buck of Moody, MO.
The final night's qualifier produced the balance of the field and included Robby Arnold of Paragould, AR, Hoser Howard of Hensley, AR, Jamel Korkis of Cave City, AR, Jimmy Douglas of Spiro, OK, Andy Clower of Grand Saline, TX, Derald Kelly of Birch Tree, MO, Tommy Porter of Ola, AR, and Craig Mintz of Humboldt, KS.
Kevin Salter finished 4th in the first qualifier, resulting in the 10th spot for the start. At the drop of the green Claudie Cook took the lead, but the lead was swapped back and forth between several drivers as Salter made his way through the field. With several cautions it was evident Salter had the field covered as he consistently lead the field once moved into the lead. As the checkered flag flew Salter was in the right spot to claim the top honors including the winner's check for $5,000.
Support class winners included Dexter Frost of West Plains, for Hobby Stock, and Austin White of Willow Springs, MO, for the Youth Hobby Stock Thursday night. Friday it was Bobby Skinner of Moody, MO, for Cruiser and Saturday night Brandon Ball of West Plains, for IMCA Modified.
The Air Magic Fireworks extravaganza was again a highlight of the evening and provided an inspiring salute as we celebrated Independence Day and all the service men and women, past and present, were recognized .
There will be no races at West Plains Motor Speedway on July 14, but competition will resume on July 21, with the KDY Race Night. Gates will open at 5 PM, hotlaps at 6:30 PM and racing is set for 7 PM. Adult admission will be $8, senior citizens $5, kids 7-11 $2, 6 and under are always admitted free.
Full Super Stock Finish:
Seventy-five Super Stocks registering in for Round 1 on Thursday, then qualifying through 6 heats and the 25-lap nightly qualifier where the top 8 finishers transferred to the Main Event. Eighty registered in on Friday and on Saturday three more came in making the total 83 for the event.
Making that first transfer group was Claudie Cook of Portageville, MO, Jared Wagster of Scott City, MO, Chuck McGinty of Conway, AR, Kevin Salter of Batesville, AR, Stan Ellison of West Plains, Scooter Scruggs of Hensley, AR, Shawn Walsh of Ash Flat, AR, and Bobby Bryant of West Plains.
Friday's nightly feature provided the second 8 to transfer, and included Brandon Smith of Batesville, AR, Joe Payne of Concord, AR, Brian Ritchie of Newark, AR, Bobby Maggard of Republic, MO, Buddy Parks of Marshall, AR, Tim Brown of Stoutland, MO,. Bruce Busch of Mena, AR, and Jerry Buck of Moody, MO.
The final night's qualifier produced the balance of the field and included Robby Arnold of Paragould, AR, Hoser Howard of Hensley, AR, Jamel Korkis of Cave City, AR, Jimmy Douglas of Spiro, OK, Andy Clower of Grand Saline, TX, Derald Kelly of Birch Tree, MO, Tommy Porter of Ola, AR, and Craig Mintz of Humboldt, KS.
Kevin Salter finished 4th in the first qualifier, resulting in the 10th spot for the start. At the drop of the green Claudie Cook took the lead, but the lead was swapped back and forth between several drivers as Salter made his way through the field. With several cautions it was evident Salter had the field covered as he consistently lead the field once moved into the lead. As the checkered flag flew Salter was in the right spot to claim the top honors including the winner's check for $5,000.
Support class winners included Dexter Frost of West Plains, for Hobby Stock, and Austin White of Willow Springs, MO, for the Youth Hobby Stock Thursday night. Friday it was Bobby Skinner of Moody, MO, for Cruiser and Saturday night Brandon Ball of West Plains, for IMCA Modified.
The Air Magic Fireworks extravaganza was again a highlight of the evening and provided an inspiring salute as we celebrated Independence Day and all the service men and women, past and present, were recognized .
There will be no races at West Plains Motor Speedway on July 14, but competition will resume on July 21, with the KDY Race Night. Gates will open at 5 PM, hotlaps at 6:30 PM and racing is set for 7 PM. Adult admission will be $8, senior citizens $5, kids 7-11 $2, 6 and under are always admitted free.
Full Super Stock Finish:
- Kevin Salter
- Robby Arnold
- Brandon Smith
- Claudie Cook
- Bobby Maggard, Jr.
- Jared Wagster
- Jerry Buck
- Andy Clower
- Scooter Scruggs
- Bruce Busch
- Brian Ritchie
- Buddy Parks
- Tim Brown
- Tommy Porter
- Bobby Bryant
- Craig Mintz
- Joe Payne
- Jimmy Douglas
- Stan Ellison
- Hoser Howard
- Derald Kelly
- Shawn Walsh
- Jamel Korkis
- Chuck McGinty
