Firecracker weekend the best

This Fourth of July weekend is my favorite special event at the West Plains Motor Speedway. What's special? The Super Stock Firecracker 40 lap feature on Saturday was after the incredible Air Magic Fireworks dedication to Veterans of all branches of the Military. What appeals to me is the grassroots source of this type of racing. Stock is the body, chassis, and 90% of the suspension. The motor is supposed to match the manufacturer so ford with ford and chevy with chevy and etc. Usually there is nothing stock about the engine as most are 400 plus cubic inches and 400 plus horsepower with a 2 barrel carb.

This year there were 54 entries and included 2 Mustangs, 1 Plymouth, and 51 GM of which most were Camaros. Cars and Drivers came in from Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Fans were in from Sweden, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Thousands filled the stands and everyone seemed to enjoy the entire show.

Robby Ford Called from Iraq and sent his greetings to Me and his boys and Wife, and Sargent Jerry Lee Nettles was back in from Afganistan. These were just some of the Active and Veterans that were mentioned or on hand.

The 40 lap feature included a record number of local drivers, including past champion Stan Ellison of West Plains. The highest finish buy a local car went to Carmon Vincent of Moody, MO who raced for first most of the way and ran second on numerous occasions to finish a close third. Ellison moved forward 4 spots and finished 12th. Dee and Cody Kelly of Birch Tree made the field as did Bobby Bryant of West Plains. Kevin Salter of Batesville is now the three time winner and held off a tough field.

Another big win went to Scott Crigler of Alton, MO as he won his first modified feature of the year and he defeats the overwhelming points leader, Shawn Walsh of Ash Flat, AR.

The 11th the Frost Family sponsors the races and brings their love for kids to the races, so I encourage everyone to bring their children or grandchildren for a great time. During the Heart of the Ozarks fair there will be no races on the 18th. So I'll see you at the Lake...............