Cody Morris, Tulsa, Oklahoma (4-30-2012) - Following a successful and concise 2012 season opener in Lawton, the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region snaps back into action this Friday night at Sapulpa, Oklahoma’s Creek County Speedway.
Built by ASCS founder and Hall of Fame racer/promoter Emmett Hahn in 1981, this Friday’s Sooner region event features the first of four ASCS outings this season at Creek County Speedway and first under new promoter David Chappell’s management.
The event will also feature a landmark 20th running of the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region at Creek County Speedway.
Sitting idle for much of the 2011 season, Emmett Hahn reopened Creek County confines for a pair of late season events, one of which showcased the return of the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner region. Snohomish Washington’s Seth Bergman sped to his first ASCS Sooner region victory that evening over 27 fellow competitors.
This past Saturday night, Bergman strutted to his first career Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by MavTV victory in the Rock N Roll 50 at West Memphis, Arkansas’ famed Riverside Speedway. Fellow Washington state native and former ASCS winner at Creek County Speedway Gary Taylor has also signaled his intent to compete this Friday.
With the ASCS National Tour idle this weekend, a Bergman entry into this Friday night’s ASCS Sooner Region event at Creek County Speedway is quite likely. If Bergman does enter to defend last season’s Creek County victory, the defense will not be an easy one.
A two time American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Champion, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Sean McClelland dominated the ASCS Sooner region opener at Lawton this past weekend. McClelland is no stranger to ASCS success at Creek County Speedway either, scoring ASCS Sooner wins in 2007 and 2008.
Two-time and reigning American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region champion Joe Wood Jr. enters the second event of the season with a chip on his shoulder. Mechanical woes forced the savvy Oklahoma City racer deep into the B Feature at Lawton’s season opener. Joe Jr. rebounded and took the Bishop Racing Components Hard Charger Award with a drive from 15th to fifth in the season opening main event.
A widely contested 2012 Rookie of the Year battle has ensued as well. Tulsa’s Jesse Frazier led the half dozen Rookie competitors at the season opener with a 13th place finish, giving Frazier the early lead over Cache, Oklahoma’s Joe Bob Lee; Tulsa’s Kacee Frazier; Illinois transplant and current Tulsa resident Kyle Chady; as well as another pair of Tulsa racers in Nick Lucito and Brandon Hahn.
Creek County Speedway’s weekly Champ Sprint class will back the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region to complete an impressive card of winged sprint car action. Creek County gates open at 5pm with heat races going green at 8pm.
For further information regarding Creek County Speedway, including ticket prices and directions, please visit www.creekcountyspeedway.co
Past American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region feature winners at Creek County Speedway:
10/1/11 - Seth Bergman
4/24/10 – Joe Wood, Jr.
9/19/09 – Zach Chappell
7/25/09 – Nick Smith
4/25/09 – Danny Wood
9/20/08 – Gary Taylor
6/7/08 – Sean McClelland
9/22/07 – Brian McClelland
5/20/06 – Sean McClelland
7/19/03 – Kevin Ramey (non-wing)
5/10/03 – Travis Rilat (non-wing)
3/22/03 – Kevin Ramey
9/28/02 – Danny Jennings
7/20/02 – Jason Martin
3/30/02 – Jamie Passmore
9/22/01 – Larry Neighbors
8/11/01 – Nick Smith
6/23/01 – J.P. Bailey
4/14/01 – Wayne Johnson
The 2012 season marks the 21st year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by MavTV, ASCS also consists of eleven different Regions throughout the nation.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.
Photo Credit: Phil Pace