By David Smith Jr.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – After nearly a one-month hiatus, it’s back to racing for the Sprint Series of Oklahoma presented by Smiley’s Racing Products as a doubleheader looms this weekend for the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car series.
It all kicks off tonight (Friday) at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore where three events have been scheduled with Mother Nature winning twice and Wichita Falls, Texas, driver Chad Koch picking up his first feature victory of the season back at the season opener on March 25.
On Saturday, June 24, drivers and officials head east to Oklahoma Sports Park in Ada for the first of two scheduled appearances on the 2017 race season.
After five events, Fairview, Okla.’s Jake Martens carries a 23-point lead over Koch in the point standings while defending series and national champion Andy Shouse sits just 28 points out of the lead. Wichita Falls driver Brandon Long, Loyd Clevenger, Joe Wood Jr., Shayla Waddell, Chris Kelly, Justin Fisk and Zach Blurton round out the top 10 and all except Kelly and Blurton are expected to compete this weekend.
Also slated to compete are Cody Whitworth, Brandon Anderson, Tristan Oakes, Jerry Jumper, Blake Scott, Michelle and Justin Melton, Eric Mathews, Blake Dacus as well as rookies Dillon Laden, Steven Shebester, Justin Mowery and Josh Toho.
Several North Texas drivers have also indicated their intentions on competing “north of the Red River” and, in fact, have won the five events that have been held at the speedway since last year.
It all kicks off tonight at Southern Oklahoma Speedway where grandstand adult general admission is $15; $10 for ages 6-10; and all pit passes are $30. Gates open at 5 p.m. with race action slated for 7:30 p.m. For more race and ticket information call 405 627-1766 or click www.southernoklahomaspeedway.com to visit the track’s official website.
Saturday at Oklahoma Sports Park will see gates open at 5 p.m. with race action slated for a 7:30 p.m. start time. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults; $13 for ages 11-15 and all seniors while children 10 and under admitted into the grandstands for free. All pit passes are $30. For more track information check out the OSP website www.oklahomasportspark.com.