5/10/2022
Diamond Park Speedway
McCollett scores emotional and fulfilling win at Diamond Park
(May 7th, 2022) MURFREESBORO, AR – The victory lane was full of emotions and plenty of tears this past weekend at Diamond Park Speedway. Paul McCollett, driver of the #94KB Pest Plus/Arkadelphia Tire/Sidewinder mod lite, found himself amongst family and friends in celebration of his first feature win since his son’s tragic passing.
The elder McCollett and his wife Veronica lost their son Caleb in a vehicle accident in October of 2021. McCollett said ‘Roni and I agreed that my first win for him was perfect because it was his and our home track for over 20 years; he grew up there.’ Paul and the #94KB are currently sitting atop the leaderboard for the IMCA Mod Lite division at #ThePark and has been knocking on the proverbial front door and a chance at putting his car in the winner's circle.
Starting in the 10th spot in his heat, Paul worked his way up to third at the stripe and that would garner him enough passing points to put him on the outside pole of the (15) lap A Main. RCM Racing teammate and best friend, James ‘Big Daddy’ Rollins, rolled from his 9th place starting spot in the heat to take the checkers in his Arkadelphia Tire/Super Suds Car Wash/Sidewinder chassis. Rollins would start on the pole of the A Main.
There they were, teammates, on the front row racing for a win in honor of a son, father, brother, uncle, friend and racer we all loved so much. The 94KB machine got the early lead and held on for most of the (15) laps having only traded with teammate Rollins once during the whole event. At the line it would be McCollett #94KB, Rollins #47R, Justin Hughes #2C, Jake Jones #44J, and the #9C of Charles Chapmond completing the top 5.
After photos in victory lane and when pulling up to his trailer, track owner, Wayne Tidwell came over and handed the feature race lineup sheet to McCollett to have as a keepsake. ‘To me, that was as good as the win itself. I battled with racing at all this season and last night I know that I had made the right decision’ said McCollett.
Yes, Paul, you made the right decision, no apologies. ##
The IMCA Mod Lites will be back in action this weekend at #ThePark for another IMCA weekly series event. Pit gates open at 5pm and grandstand gates open at 6pm. Racing gets underway at 8 pm.
For more information about Diamond Park Speedway, you can call the track at (870) 298-1293 or check them out on the web at www.DPSDirt.com
Photo Credit: Chaz Brzeski, RFS Photography
Article Credit: Justin Newman
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