4/16/2014
Creek County Speedway
Flud, Roberts, and Cochran Take Honors in NOW600 Season Opener!
Story by Walker Racing Promotions (Sprintcarsis Photo)
Kellyville, Oklahoma | April 12, 2014 – A total count of exactly 40 micros charged into Kellyville, Oklahoma this past evening to “Light It up Blue” for the NOW600 Series season opener! The first of a 13 event schedule and prelim to a doubleheader would be held at the ¼ mile of Creek County Speedway.
Running along with big brother POWRi West, Creek County combined all four classes in action for a 64 car field. The NOW600 Series program would see a lineup of five total heat races combined with that of the three feature events.
The NOW600 Series will once again be in action tonight as they drive down the turnpike to I-44 Riverside Speedway. Running the “Blue River Classic” to support Autism Awareness with all three micro divisions in action yet again. A full breakdown on the nights racing can be found below.
A-CLASS!
Sharing the highest car count on the evening of 17 would leave the A-Class division running two heat races and a 20 lap feature event. Trey Marcham and Dean Drake Jr. would claim heat race action on the wicked fast ¼ mile, setting up the 17 car field in the feature. A top eight redraw would luckily still have Drake rolling out on the pole, but this time with fellow Collinsville, Oklahoma native of Bailey Felkins on the outside.
Right from the drop of the green flag it would be Drake who busted out of the gates in his #77 and bolted into the lead. McLoud resident of Chris Cochran quickly jumped into 2nd and began pursuit of Drake, only to be followed by the Mike Ross Racing entry of Frank Flud in 3rd. As the halfway mark of the 20 lap feature closed in, the action at front only heated up with a three car breakaway from the field.
Flud would barely sneak by Cochran just before halfway and mount his on bid for the lead on Drake. For the next five laps a three car intense battle for the lead would break out with Flud, Drake, and Cochran all competing for the glorious victory. Finally, it was on lap 15 that Flud in his #81 Sawyer Chassis was able to fly by Drake and set sail on the field.
However, just one lap later the only caution of the race would halt action and bunch the field up with four to go. The yellow would have absolutely no effect on Frank Flud as the Pryor native charged from 5th to win the first A-Class feature of the season. Chris Cochran would make a last lap pass to earn runner up honors, Bailey Felkins closed out the podium, Trey Marcham finished 4th, and Karley Kay Dobson rounded out the first top five of the year.
A FEATURE (20 Laps): 1. Frank Flud (5), 2. Chris Cochran (3), 3. Bailey Felkins (2), 4. Trey Marcham (4), 5. Karley Kay Dobson (7), 6. Grady Chandler (9), 7. Chad Bell (8), 8. Tristan Oakes (12), 9. Justin Patocka (10), 10. Jason Collins (11), 11. Carlton Richesin (13), 12. Dylan Ward (6), 13. Cody Cole (14), 14. Stephen Smith (15), 15. Tim Kent (17), 16. Garrett Olson (16), 17. Dean Drake Jr. (1).
Lap Leader(s): 1-15: Dean Drake Jr., 16-20: Frank Flud.
Hard Charger(s): Frank Flud and Tristan Oakes +4
RESTRICTED!
It was a slim six car field that would run with the Restricted division on the first night of 2014, allowing one heat race and a feature to take place. All night long everyone would be hunting down the Factor One Racing #3 of Cole Roberts as the newcomer to Restricted put out a run like no other. Roberts would easily claim the solo heat race win, setting himself on the pole for the 15 lap feature with Broken Arrow’s own Kelsey Gray on the outside.
Just like in the A-Class feature it would be the pole sitter of Roberts who immediately shot to the point and took command of the field. Roberts with virtually no challenge by any other driver quickly built up a powerful lead over the field with no yellows stopping the young driver. Taylor Reimer jumped into 2nd early on, but could never present a challenge for the lead.
Just past the halfway point it was Matt Moore, charging from 4th who kicked it into high gear and flew past Reimer in pursuit of the lead. Moore in his Pace Chassis special slowly reeled in Roberts every single lap, but still did not have enough laps.
No yellows nor drivers could slow down the #3 of Cole Roberts as the Owasso native would lead flag to flag in his first victory of the season. Matt Moore charged from 4th to 2nd, Taylor Reimer also gained two positions from 5th to 3rd, Kelsey Gray would earn 4th, Stephen Smith rounded out the top five, and Trent Griggs finished 6th.
A FEATURE (15 Laps): 1. Cole Roberts (1), 2. Matt Moore (4), 3. Taylor Reimer (5), 4. Kelsey Gray (2), 5. Stephen Smith (6), 6. Trent Griggs (3).
Lap Leader(s): 1-15: Cole Roberts
Hard Charger(s): Matt Moore and Taylor Reimer +2
NON-WING!
Another 17 car field made out the Non-Wing division as yet again the two heat and feature event format would be run. All night long in Non-Wing as it was in A-Class, two particular drivers stood out as both Frank Flud and Chris Cochran picked up the heat race wins. The redraw would set Flud on the pole, but this time with Oklahoma City standout Trey Marcham to his outside.
Flud would shoot out of a cannon once the green flag dropped and began his pursuit of sweeping the stock divisions. Chris Cochran had other plans concerning that sweep, not one bit wanting to give Flud the upper hand twice in one night. Once Cochran slipped by Marcham during the opening laps, the charge was on to see if he could reel in Flud.
=Every lap Cochran would catch Flud and reel him in as he got closer and closer to his back bumper. At the halfway point Cochran in his #7c Concept Chassis was hounding Flud, trying every which way to drive around him. Battling through lap traffic while slicing and dicing their way through the field, the two drivers continued to put on a show for the fans.
Finally, it was on lap 16 that Flud would relinquish the lead to Cochran after losing a chain and being forced to the infield. The second flag to flag event of the night would see Chris Cochran annihilate the field without Flud challenging him, as the #7c charged from 3rd to grab the victory. Trey Marcham finished an impressive 2nd, Grady Chandler closed out the podium, Tommy White drove from 8th to 4th, and Dylan Ward rounded out the top five.
A FEATURE (20 Laps): 1. Chris Cochran (3), 2. Trey Marcham (2), 3. Grady Chandler (4), 4. Tommy White (8), 5. Dylan Ward (7), 6. Hunter Fischer (5), 7. Bailey Felkins (12), 8. Harlan Hulsey (11). 9. Kyle Keeler (15), 10. Brandon Boggs (9), 11. Jason Collins (10), 12. Layne Himebaugh (6), 13. Michael Shelton (14), 14. Frank Flud (1), 15. Tim Kent (17), 16. Justin Patocka (13), 17. Garrett Olson (16).
Lap Leader(s): 1-16: Frank Flud, 17-20: Chris Cochran.
Hard Charger(s): Kyle Keeler +6
Thank you to everyone that came out and support the NOW600 Micro Sprint Series tonight at Creek County Speedway! It wasn’t the best car count, but the drivers put on one heck of a show.
You can find the NOW600 Series back in action tonight as the “Blue River Classic” at I-44 Riverside Speedway hosts all three divisions along with the POWRi West midgets! More information on tonight’s racing can be found below!
DATES & TIMES:
Saturday, April 12th: I-44 Riverside Speedway - Gates open at 3:00, Draw Opens at 4:00, Draw Closes at 5:15, Wheelpack at 5:00, Hotlaps at 5:15, Racing at 6:30 SHARP.
If drivers are running late call promoter Terry Mattox at 918-508-9567 and he will get you signed in.
PRICING:
Pit passes $30. General admission $12.
TRACK INFORMATION:
I-44 is a semi-banked 1/5 mile clay oval located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. While currently under control of promoter Mark Banister, the track runs Jr. Sprint, A-Class, Restricted, Non-Wing, and Turf Tire micros every Saturday night from March to October.
DIRECTIONS:
Physical Address: 4100 SW 149th St Oklahoma City, OK 73170.
Southwest of Oklahoma City on I-44 to exit 109, Then ¼ mile East of I-44 on SW 149th St.
NOW600 SERIES:
The National Open Wheel 600 Series is a traveling series centered on 600cc Micro Sprints. Three divisions of Restricted, A-Class, and Non-Wing micros run from track to track running for points. NOW600 was founded in early 2013 as recent high school graduate Terry Mattox was looking to begin his journey in racing as a promoter. In just two season the series soared from four events to 13 while receiving national attention.
Submitted By: Steve Gran
