MMRA had an incredible day of racing at Music City Motorplex.  We were blessed with dry weather, lots of cars, dignitaries including Bill France Jr., and most of all - great racing!   MCM is a great track for our sport because it features both a 1/4 mile oval for our minicups and also a big high banked 5/8 mile for the Baby Grands.

In qualifying, an extra championship point was earned by the following drivers for setting fast time in their division:
Future Stars of Racing - Jacob France
Open Division - Joseph Meyer
PRO Division - Chris Wilson

With the cool weather in the area, all drivers had to be very patient and careful - especially in the first few laps.  The Future Stars were the first event of the evening and they had a great race that after 50 laps was decided right at the start/finish line.  Indiana racer Taylor Webb dominated much of the early going, but tangled with a slower car later in the race, taking him out of contention.  In the end, it was first year driver Donald McIntosh edging out Jacob France for his first Touring Series win.

In the Open Division, there was close racing at the front of the pack all race long in an event slowed by a serious crash by Chad Willis on the frontstretch.  Chad suffered a bruised ankle in the crash but is already pushing father Tony to have the car repaired for the next event.  After the red flag, the racing resumed with Chris Willis taking  his first ever Touring Series win over Jesse Hartloff.  It was great to see Chris come back from a hard crash in the PRO Division last year.  Joseph Meyer set fast time and was very much in contention until Dad called a caution that never came out - Joseph backed off and Dad figured that would make for a long ride home. . . .

After seeing our 22 Baby Grands in practice, promoters Joe Mattioli and Jack Deery asked if we would like to have our PRO Division be the opening act of the night - instead of running earlier in the day.  This was a huge plus and proved that we weren't the only ones who thought the cars looked great on the big track.  Racer Clifford Pugh summed it up in the drivers meeting saying "The opportunity we have tonight is what we have worked so hard for years to get - let's not mess it up."  The  race was nothing short of awesome as there were several lead changes and only one relatively harmless spin in the 35 lap distance.  Chris Wilson set fast time but had to come from 6th position after the invert.  No matter, as he was up to the front in only a few laps before developing a flat tire.  Then a dogfight developed between Nick Proffitt, Bill Christe, and Tyler Brown with close racing all around the track.  In the end, Christie took the win but there were smiles all around the pits after the race.  One of the MCM parts dealers commented, "That was the best race I've seen at this track in 5 years."  Nuf said.

In post-race tech all cars checked out legal.  Thanks to our racers for working hard to go fast within the rules.  In a related issue, MMRA posted a sealed letter for the minicup divisions at the beginning of the day.  After the races, the letter which pertained to our sealed engine program was read to the racers and acted on by MMRA.  Click here to read the letter.  Bill Faulkner completely tore down both engines and both were legal in every respect.  Click here for a photo of Bill teching, and click here for a photo of one of the finished engines going home in a box.  Both sealed engines checked out legal and the MMRA sealed engine policy remains unchanged.

MMRA will be posting photos from the event as soon as we get them from the track photographer.  Also, don't forget that the next Touring Series race is at another awesome facility - Mansfield Speedway.  Be sure to register early to get your number reserved.

Click here for finishing orders and payouts

Photos:

Click here - Future Stars lining up for practice. On-Track Photo
Click here - Future Stars starting lineup - Danny Smith Photo

Click here - Scotty Wilde's naked Open Division car - On-Track Photo
Click here - Chris Willis emerges from his car, victorious - On-Track Photo

Click here - Tyler Cole Qualifying on the big track - On-Track Photo
Click here - Green flag for the PRO Division feature - Danny Smith Photo
Click here - Chris Wilson leading Tyler Brown at speed - On-Track Photo

Click here - Matthew Evans, Tim Pol, and Chester McDowell in the group photo - On-Track Photo
Click here - Zoom in during the group photo to see Donald McIntosh - caught ya!  - On-Track Photo

 

Official Hotel:  Click here for more info Note:  The special MMRA rate at the Holiday Inn also includes two free hot breakfast buffets each day.  This was an extra benefit just for our racers.  Be sure to take advantage of this when you come for the awards banquet Nov. 5 - the food is great.