FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 22, 2011
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Chris Ferguson Perseveres to Win Inaugural Ultimate Series Title

Mt. Holly, North Carolina – North Carolina Dirt Late Model stand-out Chris Ferguson has laid claim to his first major series title by virtue of his 7th place finish in Sunday’s Blue-Gray 100 at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, South Carolina. Ferguson entered the 19th edition of the event, which served as the season finale for the upstart Ultimate Racing Series, leading his closest pursuer Casey Roberts by a mere 2 points. At the end of a wild 100 lap feature Ferguson overcame a late race crash by racing from the tail of the field to finish just behind Roberts in the final rundown which gave Ferguson the title by ONE point. “I can’t lie. When we go in to the wreck with McDowell I thought we were done. I all but gave up. But my crew never quit. They put on a softer tire and pulled the sheet metal back and told me to get after it. I went out and the wheel was turned about a quarter turn to the left so I knew something was bent. But I gassed up and it felt fine so I just ran it as hard as I could those last 28 laps.” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s day began with the 3rd fastest time of the 25 car field in qualifying. His time of 15.304 seconds gave him the pole of the evening’s third heat race. Ferguson rolled off beside veteran Steve Shaver in the 10 lap heat. Shaver was able to get the jump from the outside and he was able to fend off Ferguson’s attack to win the preliminary event. Ferguson held on to finish 2nd which gave him the 7th starting position for the 100 lap feature. Ferguson’s finish also positioned him in front of Roberts and just behind Chip Brindle who entered the event 3rd in Ultimate points just 4 back of Ferguson. With his pursuers right around him for the start of the finale Ferguson knew he would have to be nearly flawless if he was to take the championship. “I was hoping we could have won the heat and maybe be there to fight for the win so I could control my own destiny. But we just had to play the hand we were dealt and try to get as much as we could from where we were.” Ferguson said of his starting position.

Ferguson hung around the top 5 through the midpoint of the race and bided his time just behind Roberts. Brindle suffered a flat tire which took him out of contention for the middle stages of the race. So Ferguson was able to concentrate on Roberts. “I knew that I just needed to maintain and keep Casey within reach. My car was really comfortable and I was trying to save my tires and be ready to charge at the end of the race. Then bam here is McDowell and I have no time to react and nowhere to go and I hit him (McDowell) and a couple of cars piled in to us. It was a pretty hard hit on the left front. I think that is where the bent suspension pieces came from. But I can’t blame those guys they didn’t have anywhere to go either. I am proud of how we were able to bounce back. I restarted on the tail and I just ran as hard as I could to catch Casey. We caught a break on a restart and picked up a couple of spots and I finally got back to him. But when I got to him I had pretty much used up my tires. That allowed Jared (Landers) to get by me. When that happened I thought ‘here we go again’ but he had a real good piece and he got by Casey too and that sealed the deal.” said Ferguson.

I am just so thankful to everyone who has helped to get us here. Tonight was all for them. It’s incredible what we have done with just one car and a smaller budget team. I want to dedicate this championship to Jack Starrette and Erin Badger, one of my good friends that we lost earlier this year. We had her as our guardian angel riding with us tonight on the rear quarters. This is just awesome. We have so many of the people here tonight that have supported us throughout my career. It’s really special to me because they were all here for this. Our engine builder Randy Clary is here along with our car builder Sanford Goddard from Warrior Race Cars. I am just blessed by all of this and I thank God for this opportunity.” Ferguson said.

With his title in hand Ferguson is still not quite done with the 2011 racing season however. Thanksgiving weekend he will head down to Swainsboro Raceway in Swainsboro, Georgia for their Annual Turkey 100 event. Ferguson will again be piloting Mike Mercer’s GM Performance Crate Engine powered Barry Wright machine in the $20,000 to win / 100 lap race at Paul Purvis’ Swainsboro Raceway. “I want to thank Mike and his team for giving me the opportunity to drive their car. We have been able to have some good runs in the car and we would like to be able to go down to Swainsboro and get Mike a win.” Ferguson said.

Chris and his team would like to thank their 2011 sponsors: Starrette Trucking, Hals Plumbing, Carver and Sons Roofing, Quality Landscape Materials, Creech's DJ Service, Big A's Custom Graphics, Keith's Handyman Service, Randy Clary Race Engines, Warrior Race Cars, Quality Fasteners, RE Suspension, K&N Filters, FK Rod Ends, Fragola Performance Systems, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil and Lubricants, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Hooker Harness, Outerwears, RF Composites, Team W, KELCAR Motorsports Media, Dirt Racing Magazine, CV Products and Behrent’s Performance Warehouse.

Chris’ supporters and fans can keep up him and his CFM Race Team by liking Ferguson’s Fan Page on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ChrisFerguson22 . You can also follow Chris on his Twitter @ChrisFerguson22. And finally fans should be on the lookout for new CFM Merchandise at the CFM hauler in the pit area.

PRESS RELEASE PREPARED BY KELCAR MOTORSPORTS MEDIA & MANAGEMENT, LLC