By John Lemon
Tulsa Oklahoma (May 14, 2012) – It lies atop a hill and watches over Hudson Lake like an eagle watches over its territory. Upon entry, you sense by feel that you’re somewhere special. When its quiet, an eerie sensation tingles your nerves as if the silence is just a ploy. A glance around tells you that the place commands respect. Treat her right, she will treat you well. Treat her wrong, she will toss you out on your backside leaving you to ponder what the hell happened. This Saturday night, the sprint cars of Oil Capital Racing Series will come face to face with one of the most wicked, yet elegant racing facilities in the region………. The Salina Highbanks Speedway.
After performances OCRS conducted at the Highbanks in 2012, there has been nothing but raw anticipation in what could happen in 2013. The first trip last season OCRS made to the Highbanks was in May of last year. Miss Shayla Waddell gave the race fans a thrill when she defeated her counterparts in taking her first OCRS trip to victory circle in a night where she swept the program by also winning her heat race and the Pole Dash.
In a mid-summer return, it was Jamie Passmore taking his fourth win in a row on the OCRS circuit while on the way to his fourth series championship. Passmore is a crowd favorite at Salina with family and business in the area. The final OCRS show at the Highbanks in 2012 was finished off in September when Jeremy Allen became another first time OCRS winner with a surprising yet exciting victory. What will happen this Saturday night is anybody’s guess.
Two first time OCRS winners in this year alone will look to tame the Highbanks. There is the 2013 points leader, Miss Harli White, along with a young and fast upstart in Kade Morton. Gary Owens was the most recent winner having captured the 5th Annual Harold Leep Jr Memorial just last weekend. Between the new winners the Highbanks produced last year and the fresh hardware collectors stepping up this year, it would be of no surprise to anyone if a first time winner were to take Highbanks praise this weekend. Will you be there to witness the action?
What: Oil Capital Racing Series Sprint Cars
Where: Salina Highbanks Speedway / Salina Oklahoma
When: Saturday May 18, 2013
Time: Gates open at 5pm / Hot laps at 6:30pm / Racing begins at 7pm/ OCRS drivers meeting at 6pm
Tickets: Adult: $15 / Kids 5-12: $10 / 4 & Under: FREE / Family Ticket (2 Adults, 2 Kids): $40
VIP: $25 / Beer Garden $20 / Pit Pass Adult: $35 / Pit Pass Kids 12 & Under: $25 / 4 & Under: FREE
The track is easy to locate as it sits directly on Highway 20 between Pryor and Salina with a lakeside view of Hudson Lake in the background.
Track Phone: (918) 434-RACE (7223)
Track website: www.salinahighbanksspeedway.com
After the races, race fans are welcomed to visit the Finish Line Bar and Grill free of charge located in the VIP suite section on the upper level. VIP admission is available for the bar and grill suites during the races for a fee. Contact track personnel for additional information.
~~ Notes From The Scratch Pad ~~
Loyalty Reigns – There are a number of teams that have been very loyal to OCRS for everything the series stands for including the structure that OCRS works hard to achieve. Johnny ‘Hotrod’ Kent is a prime example. Last Saturday, Kent had a sister getting married several miles from the racetrack. Problem was the racing program started at 6:30pm and the wedding was at 5pm. It would have been very understandable if Kent had informed series officials he would be MIA this time around.
Kent wasn’t remotely considering being AWOL. Knowing he would miss heat race action and would have to start on the back of the B-Feature with no guarantee of making the main event, Kent hustled his way to the track and pulled into the pits as the cars were staging for the semi feature. After unloading in record breaking time, he would qualify for the A Feature where he would bring the #55 sprinter home in 13th place after getting into a mid race skirmish that caused him to go tail back then move forward again. They just don’t get any more loyal than that folks.
Passmore / Gastineau Buster – Going back to the July 2010 race at Oklahoma Sports Park, Jamie Passmore and Whit Gastineau have accounted for 7 of 8 feature victories. The one driver that busted his way through was Gary Owens when he took the Oklahoma State Championship race in 2011. Owens busted his way through again with a win in the Harold Leep Jr Memorial race Saturday. Owens must be licking his chops to get back there again as he runs well at OSP.
Announcer Announcement – When an unexpected opening developed for a new series announcer, the spot became filled before the help wanted sign could be made. OCRS welcomes veteran announcer Larry Mecom as part of the OCRS staff. Mecom has several years of experience in announcing racing and other sporting events including three years behind the microphone at the Chili Bowl Nationals. Other venues include the Tulsa Speedway, Battleground Speedway in Texas, the I-30 Speedway in Little Rock Arkansas, where he also worked on a cable TV racing program and Montgomery Motor Speedway in Alabama. Mecom also has worked for several radio stations in his career. Welcome aboard Larry!
Competition Kindness – It’s no secret that racing competitors help their fellow counterparts when in need. A couple of years back, Rafe Essary was a recipient of help at the West Siloam Speedway when several people thrashed on getting his car ready for the night after a flip in hot laps. This past weekend, Michael Bookout and team couldn’t get their car to fire. They missed hot laps and the their heat race. Essary who was pitted along side, took charge and after working on the electrical system, Bookout was able to run the B-Feature. Unfortunately, Bookout missed a transfer spot to the main event by a single position but gained a ton of respect for one of the most dedicated men in the pit area. Good job Rafe.
Thank You to the Leep Family – A very special thank you goes out to the family of Harold Leep Jr. During their attendance at OSP Saturday night, they awarded extra cash to Gary Owens for winning the Harold Leep Jr Memorial race and then they awarded $100 in cash to each of the teams not qualifying for the A Feature. Thanks to the entire Leep family. Your truly great people!
So race fans, come on out this Saturday night and witness one of the most compelling sports in all of Oklahoma…………..Sprint Cars on the Salina Highbanks……..…. You will have a BLAST!
~~~ CAN YOU HEAR THE THUNDER? ~~~