The final MMRA Touring Series race of 2005 was a textbook example
of good ol' Saturday night short track racing. It was hot, the track
was rough and dusty, and the stands were packed with fans who were screaming
all night long. This track has character and you can sense the decades
of short track battles that have kept this place buzzing since 1947.
Maybe that's why the emotion displayed by our race winners here was greater
than ever before in the history of the MMRA Touring Series. Beating
this track is like beating Darlington and there were tears of joy and bear
hugs all around in victory lane.
In the Future Stars Division, patience was the key as this track claimed
cars throughout the field. While much of the event was dominated by
Jacob France, with two laps to go Taylor Webb took the lead. The
grandstand was thundering as the fans were jumping with joy to see
their local third generation driver take the checkered flag. Taylor
literally gave it all he had as he was unable to compete as planned in the
Open Division race due to sheer exhaustion.
It was absolutely amazing to see how fast the Open Division cars were
running on this rough, flat track. With cars sliding, bouncing, and
dancing all over the place this race was not for the faint of heart.
Again, attrition claimed several cars and again it was a local driver - Gary
Whitson who took the checkers. The win vaulted Gary into a tie with
Joseph Meyer for the points lead heading into the East Grand National race.
MMRA is a driver development program. As such it is heartening to
see our drivers learn and develop before our eyes. Such was the case
in the PRO Division this night. Feature winner Tyler Brown showed
remarkable poise, discipline, and mental focus despite being offered many
opportunities to lose his cool. His newly found mental toughness moved
him up into second in points going into the East Grand National race.
Thanks to all the MMRA staff for a job well done. Lee Griffith
provided calm, hardworking leadership. Vic Johnson kept things moving
in tech, and Cindy Wilson did a tremendous job handling sign-in duties.
This major event with 42 cars was smoothly handled by a staff of only 4 - a
fraction of what other touring series have.
With the Touring Series in the recordbooks, all attention turns to the
biggest races of the year - the Grand National events where solid gold MMRA
Championship rings are earned. These events will put more pressure
than ever on our drivers and the ones who master patience, discipline, and
focus will triumph. Can you handle racing at this level? Come
see on August 26-27.
Click here for the full finishing
orders from the Sportsdrome Speedway Touring Series race.
Click here for the latest points standings.
Photos from the Drome'
Click here -
Tech Director Vic Johnson discovers some pigs can fly.
Click here - The
Drome' provided first class first place trophies for our racers.
Click here -
Tyler Brown working hard to prepare for the big race.
Click here -
Checking springs in the MMRA trailer with 7 time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel
looking on
Click here - Look
at those grandstands - and this was just one side of the track!
Click here - The
Drome' scoring computer at work.
Click here - Now
that's what I'm talkin about! ;-) Hey Taylor
Click here - Gary
Whitson picking up the checkered flag for a traditional Saturday night
victory lap
Click here -
Taylor Webb in post race tech with Local Leader Jim Robinson looking on
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