Post by LMR on 06/02/10 at 11:40pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 2, 2010
Ray Cook Conquers Show-Me 100 for Second Time; Prepares for Lucas Oil Doubleheader
(BRASSTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA) Ray Cook, of Brasstown, North Carolina, captured his second 'Show-Me 100' title over the May 28-29 weekend at the pristine Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri! The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned the 18th Annual 'Show-Me 100' and 73 competitors converged on the state-of-the-art Missouri complex. Ray put on a show during heat race action on Friday night, as he stormed from his third row starting spot to gain the second transfer position through his competitive heat race.
The driver known as the "Tarheel Tiger" then rolled off eleventh on the grid in the 100-lap 'Show-Me 100' on Saturday evening. Driving a patient race, Ray eventually grabbed the top spot from fellow MasterSbilt Race Cars pilot Don O'Neal on lap 62. He would lead the next ten circuits before Steve Casebolt passed his #53 for the point on lap 73. Unfortunately for Casebolt, a broken driveshaft handed the lead back to Ray on lap 90 and Cook raced to the $30,000 triumph over Don O'Neal, Terry Phillips, Eric Wells, and Dennis Erb. Following his first 'Show-Me 100' victory since he won in 2000 at the West Plains (MO) Motor Speedway, Ray finds himself fifth in the latest LOLMDS point standings. Complete results can be found online at www.lucasdirt.com.
"I am just so thankful to God and everyone associated with this D&R Motorsports team for the opportunity to race each week, much less win another Show-Me 100!" exclaimed Cook following the victory. "We had a great car in both the heat race and the feature, but we still needed a little luck on our side to get the win. I feel really bad for (Steve) Casebolt because he had us all covered, but we were in position once he broke to take advantage. I have to thank all of my great sponsors for their support, but especially Hicks & Ingle Company, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Race Engine Design, K&N Filters, PRC Racing, and American Race Tires."
The D&R Motorsports team is in the midst of preparing their fleet of #53 MasterSbilt racecars for two more pivotal Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series battles this upcoming weekend in Tennessee and Kentucky. The high-banks of the Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, Tennessee will host a $10,000 to win event on Friday night, June 4, while the venerable Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky will take center stage on Saturday evening, June 5 with the $10,000 to win 'Ralph Latham Memorial.' The cameras of the SPEED Channel will be on hand at the Cincinnati speedplant on Saturday to tape all of the wheel-to-wheel competition for broadcast later in the year. Additional information on the LOLMDS doubleheader can be found online at www.lucasdirt.com.
Ray would also like to send his condolences to the family of John Thompson or "John Boy" as he was affectionately called. John built the first car that Ray ever raced and he passed away last Sunday. Rest in Peace John Thompson.
Ray Cook would like to thank all of his supporters including: D&R Motorsports, Hicks & Ingle Company, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Race Engine Design, PPM Racing Products, A+ Moving and Storage Company, K&N Filters, PRC Racing, Real Racing Wheels, Star Grafix, Bill Elliott Racing, James Cook Construction, American Race Tire, Bert Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, DBR Starters, Delph Communications, Demon Carburetors, FK Rod Ends, Frankland Racing Supply, GW Performance, Integra Shocks, ISC Racers Tape, JB Performance, Mason Racin', MSD Ignition, Peterson Fluid Systems, Schaeffer's Racing Oil, Scott Performance Wire, Stealth Carburetors, Sweet Mfg., T&D Machine, Turbo Start Batteries, VP Racing Fuels, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wilwood.
For the latest news and schedule information concerning the #53 team, feel free to visit their official Internet home at www.raycook53.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.delphcommunications.com