Eric Cooley Wins Ridge Thriller to Claim CCSDS Checkers
Paragould, Arkansas (September 2, 2016) – Eric Cooley topped the podium with the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series (CCSDS) presented by Lucas Oil for the first time in his young career on Friday night with a $3,000 triumph at Crowley’s Ridge Raceway. The inaugural win is something that the Fulton, Mississippi racer will not soon forget.
“That was some really fun racing tonight, but at the same time it was nerve racking because to win you had to take big some chances in lapped traffic,” said Cooley. “There was no less than three times that I thought I had put myself in situation, where I was about to spin. But thankfully I didn’t, and we got this win.
Cooley went on to comment, “I have to dedicate this win to my crew guys because they are working so hard during the week to give me a top-notch car for the weekends. It feels good to finally be giving them the results that they deserve.”
Chandler Petty earned the New Vision Graphics Pole Award for the 30-lap finale after not only setting fast time in qualifications but also winning the pole-sitter’s dash. He was joined on the front row by two-time series champion, Kyle Beard.
It would be Beard, who took command of the lead at the drop of the green flag as Petty, and the 3rd-starting Cooley began to duel for the runner-up position.
The event’s lone caution flew on lap 6 for Gavin Landers, who got crossed up in turn 2.
The restart found Cooley grabbing command of the 2nd position as he set his sights on Beard. Over the next several lap the duo battled through lapped traffic. Behind the leaders, two and three wide battles reigned supreme throughout the pack.
Beard and Cooley navigated heavy lapped traffic in the closing laps of the event, and exiting turn 2 on lap 27 Cooley used the low groove to pounce on the rim-riding Beard. Cooley grabbed the lead, but his dash to the checkers would not come without a final challenge.
Petty mounted a heroic charge as the leaders took the white flag and pulled within one car length of Cooley entering turn 1 amidst heavy, lapped traffic. Cooley would not be denied though as he registered the win in his Bryson Motorsports #33b Barry Wright entry. Petty, Shannon Scott, Kyle Beard, and Clay Fisher completed the Top 5 finishers.
Black Diamond Race Cars Heat Race #1 was won by Ray Moore with Allen Manufacturing Heat Race #2 being claimed by Shannon Scott. M&M Paint & Construction Heat Race #3 was won by Jeff Floyd, while Hunter Rasdon won ROCKHARD Powder Coating Heat Race #4.
Mark Martin Powersports B-Main #1 was topped by Allen Tippen with winning Arctic Cat B-Main #2 being one by Tippen’s teammate, B.J. Robinson.
The Henryetta Ford Hard Luck Award went to Mason Oberkramer for battling the handle on his #93 entry throughout the night before falling just short of qualifying for the feature. The Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger Award was Wendell Wallace, who passed seven cars to finish 8th.
On Saturday night, September 3 the action shifts to the historic Riverside International Speedway (West Memphis, Arkansas) for a $2,500-to-win/ $350-to-start as the tour makes its lone appearance of 2016 at the gumbo oval. Time trials, heat races, consolation events, and the feature event will all be a part of the program. 305-Winged Sprint Cars will be a part of the program along with Street Stocks. Gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and racing action is slated for 7:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults with kids (ages 6-11) $5 and children (ages 5-and-under free). Pit passes are $30. For more information on the event, please visit www.RiversideInternationalSpeedway.com .
The Triple Crown draws to a close on Sunday, September 4 at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi) with a $2,500-to-win/ $350-to-start affair. Time trials, heat races, consolation events, and the feature event will all be a part of the program. This will be third appearance of the year for the tour at the ¼-mile oval with Bub McCool and Hunter Rasdon splitting the first two wins. NeSmith Crate Late Models, NeSmith Street Stocks, Factory Stocks ($750-to-win/$50-to-start), and Outlaw Hobbies, will all be in action. Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing action at 7 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $20 for adults with kids (ages 6-to-14) $5, and children (ages 5-and-under) free. Pit admission is $35 for adults with kids (ages 6-to-14) $10 and children (ages 5-and-under) free. For more information on the event, please visit www.GreenvilleSpeedway.net .
The tire rule for Riverside International Speedway and Greenville Speedway will be Hoosier 1350, Hoosier 1600, and Hoosier LM40 allowed on all four corners.
Any technical questions can be directed to Chris Ellis at 870-584-6492.
The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series presented by Lucas Oil is sponsored by and would like to thank all of their sponsors including- COMP Cams, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tire South, Kuntz and Co. Racing Engines, New Vision Graphics, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Henryetta Ford, Black Diamond Chassis, Mark Martin Powersports, Arctic Cat, Wilwood, Allen Manufacturing, Boston’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, ROCKHARD Powder Coating, Woodco, Mark Martin Automotive Group, Mid-State Golf Cars, Henryetta Ford, M&M Paint and Construction, Ronald Surrett Contracting, Beach Veterinary Services, MSR Mafia Marketing, Sampson Racing Communications, AR Bodies, Schoenfeld Headers, Wilwood, Central Arkansas Pest Services and Keyser Manufacturing.
For the latest information on the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series presented by Lucas Oil, please visit www.COMPDirt.com .
COMP Cams Super Dirt Series – September 2, 2016
Crowley’s Ridge Raceway (Paragould, Arkansas)
Feature Results
1)Eric Cooley 2)Chandler Petty 3)Shannon Scott 4)Kyle Beard 5) Clay Fisher 6)Hunter Rasdon 7)Jack Sullivan 8)Wendell Wallace 9)John Hill 10)Carl Thomas Jr. 11)Robby Moore 12)Allen Tippen 13)BJ Robinson 14)Scott Tracer 15)Jonathan Rowan 16)Charlie Cole 17)Shannon Brack 18)Austin Theiss 19)Gavin Landers 20)Mark Nichols 21)Ray Moore 22)Travis Ashley 23)Jeff Floyd
DNS: Carey Conaway, Mason Oberkramer, Josh Green, Jamie Robards, Mike Carr, Brandon Poppenheimer, Steven Crocker, James West, Brandon Smith, Ashley Newman
Entries: 33
Group A Fast Qualifier (and overall): Chandler Petty (12.704 seconds)
Group B Fast Qualifier: Eric Cooley (12.913 seconds)
Dash Winner: Chandler Petty
Black Diamond Chassis Heat Race #1 Winner: Ray Moore
Allen Manufacturing Heat Race #2 Winner: Shannon Scott
M&M Paint & Construction Heat Race #3 Winner: Jeff Floyd
ROCKHARD Powder Coating Heat Race #4 Winner: Hunter Rasdon
Mark Martin Powersports B-Main #1 Winner: Allen Tippen
Arctic Cat B-Main #2 Winner: BJ Robinson
Provisional Starters: Austin Theiss, Jonathan Rowan, Mark Nichols (Track Provisional)
New Vision Graphics Pole Sitter: Chandler Petty
Henryetta Ford Hard Luck Award: Mason Oberkramer
Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Wendell Wallace (15th-8th)
COMP Cams Top Performer: Eric Cooley
Leaders: Kyle Beard (1-26), Eric Cooley (27-30)
Cautions: 1
Red Flags: 0
Category: News
