Monticello, Arkansas USA - It was Signs, Shirts & Decals Nite this past weekend at the Drew County Speedway. It was also the maiden voyage of the Simmons First Bank Screamin’ SKoolBus rides.
Jamin’ Joe Wheeler (1997 Summerville Speedway NASCAR School Bus Champion) took two full bus loads of howling kids around the high-banked 3/8 mile clay oval. As the kids exited the bus, it was clear they couldn’t wait for the next round of hot laps
on April 25.
However the racing highlight of the evening was provided in the Street Stock finale. No, the other racers weren’t driving caution speeds..David Pearce was just that fast.
The #99 street stock car hooked up and passed every car but second place #99v, driven by Ronny Via, then lapped him just past the checkered in a shocking run. Watching Pearce blow through the field and smoke every other racer in contention
during the feature left many cheering…and some scowling.
Pearce is no stranger to controversy; he’s been the center of it since a few weeks ago when his motor was protested after a win. While there was confusion as far as valve sizes because of this season’s rule changes, Pearce’s car was ruled legal according to the current rule package. However, he surrendered his win as a courtesy due to the confusion, then ended the night early last week after mechanical failure.
Saturday’s convincing win over the entire field of street stocks made many people wonder, yet again, just how legal Pearce’s car could be after witnessing his mind-boggling performance on the track.
Asked about the tech procedures on Pearce’s equipment, a track tech official said Sunday the car was extensively checked immediately following the win Saturday night. As soon as Pearce pulled into the infield for tech, he was informed his motor was
going to be puffed.
Puffing is a procedure used to detect the exact cubic inch displacement of a motor. Pearce’s car passed the inspection with a CI displacement of around 362 cubic inches, the official said. Also passing inspection was the car’s weight and suspension.
Following Pearce and second place Via was Robert Kirkpatrick (#302), Wesley Crutchfield (#37), and #8N David Nichols to round out the top five.
Shortly into the sport modified feature, a minor spinout in turns three and four and awesome avoidance control by drivers #4cc Richie Chadwick and #27h Roger Hayden ended smoothly until the #0 car driven by Ronnie Adcock plowed into the stopped cars, ending the night for the drivers and pulverizing their equipment.
Heath Wilson (#A1) came off last week’s 18th place finish to win over last week’s champion Cody Harger (#6VOLT), who raced hard with Seth Reed (#8S) for a clean, intense run.
Reed moved to the outside of Harger for second place but couldn’t clear him and took a third place finish. Leading the rest of the pack, Bryan James (#38) battled with Josh Reed (#6) to take fourth and fifth positions, while Bennie Ryburn (#1R) raced
into sixth spot, an impressive finish coupled with last week’s top ten ending.
The hobby stock division brought another exciting race to the track, with the top five cars battling to the very end. Late race trouble for Johnathon Bates (#55j) left Kenneth Harvey (#225) to secure first place, followed by Ricky Wrinkle (#92) and Mandy Hayden (#5M). Wrinkle went high in turns three and four, and Hayden passed him and gunned it to the finish line to earn a second place finish.
The O’Reilly Modifieds feature began with heat winners Kevin Ferrell (#26) on the inside of Grant Box (#15). As the green flag dropped, Jody Davidson (#90) jumped to the inside and took first place, followed by Manuel Williams (#24m).
Davidson held his lead over Williams as Box battled Seth Reed (#88s) for third place, and the field leveled out in order of Davidson, Williams, Box, Reed and Ferrell in the top five spots.
Reed drove the high line, and Ferrell moved to the inside to clear Reed and take fourth position. As the leaders were headed towards the checkered, Davidson got caught behind lapped car #7 (Chip Swindle), leaving Williams an opening to pass Davidson for the win.
Bismark driver Brent Calhoun (#F32) took home the trophy in the night’s cruiser division, beating out second place Brandon Lloyd (#15), who was likely the only driver on the track with the ability to reckon with Calhoun’s car.
Other notables in the class included third place winner Danny Carrington (#4) and the night’s B-Main winner, Don Pharr (#7) who was came together with in the feature with Steve Jones (#29), who eventually took fourth place. Pharr secured a top 15 finish following his detour through the infield.
Official race results may be found at http://www.speednetdirect.com/results.php.
This Saturday night is a must-see show at the Drew County Speedway!
That’s because Commercial Bank will proudly present the Parts Plus USCS Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars, Rislone Pro Modifieds, Faster Pastor Charity Challenge, ground-pounding SportMods, ultra-crazed Cruisers and those always mighty-fine Mini Stocks.
This Saturday night also marks the much-anticipated grand opening of the Signs, Shirts & Decals KidZone Klub - in memory of Faith Reed.
Mr. Rodney and his hard working crew started construction on the playground first thing Monday morning just in case we get more bad weather later this week.
This weeks Signs, Shirts & Decals KidZone Klub activities will include an Easter Egg Hunt (kids, don’t forget your baskets) and EconoBox Drags. All kids who want to compete in the 09′ EconoBox drag-racing season should also bring a sturdy cardboard
box with them this Saturday night.
Playground director Mellissa Rodgers (and her EconoBox competition committee) will supervise the construction process and make sure the EconoBox drag-racers are built to meet maximum performance and safety standards. Note: safety (bicycle) helmets
are suggested, but not required.
Signs, Shirts & Decals KidZone Klub memberships are only $10 for the whole season or $1.00 for a single night. All proceeds help fund ongoing activities at the playground.
The pits open @ 4:30pm, grandstands @ 5:30pm, hot laps @ 6pm, Signs, Shirts & Decals KidZone Klub ribbon cutting @ 6:45pm, and the show starts @ 7pm sharp.
Adults are only $15.00, seniors and military are $13.00, juniors 6-14 are $11.00 and kids 5 and under are free. Plenty of free parking is provided by the great folks at Pines Broadcasting.
Drew County Speedway is a super-fast 3/8 mile dirt track oval located 5 miles south of Monticello , Arkansas . The website is DrewCountySpeedway.net and the Remax Premier 24/7 Racin’ Hotline is 870-367-RACE (7223)
For more information, please contact Rodney Box at 870-489-0099 or DCS@DrewCountySpeedway.net.
That’s Commercial Bank nite this Saturday evening at the all-new (and ever expanding) Drew County Speedway!
Drew County Speedway “The Family Fun Center” Cya @ the Show!
