By Bryan Hulbert
TULSA, Okla. (August 30, 2016) The 15th year of action for the Griffith Truck and Equipment ASCS Gulf South Region presented by Southern Trailer Works will wrap up this Labor Day Weekend with a pair of nights to settle who will walk away with this season’s bragging rights.
This weekend’s showdown will begin on Saturday, September 3 at the Battleground Speedway in Highlands, Texas with gates opening at 5:00 P.M. and racing at 7:00 P.M. (CDT). The season’s final showdown will be Sunday, September 4 at the Golden Triangle Raceway in Beaumont, Texas. Gates on Sunday open at 5:00 P.M. with racing at 7:00 P.M. (CDT).
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Both nights this weekend will offer up $3,000 to win and $310 to start with a $1,000 bonus on the line for sweeping the weekend thanks to Cooper Racing and Challenger Drilling. Tankersley has claimed the bonus twice this season.
With everyone vying for their share of a $30,250 point fund, the weather has kept teams to one night on the season at each oval with Michael Miller winning at Battleground Speedway in a Gulf South / Southern Outlaw Sprint shootout on June 11. Channin Tankersley picked up the win at Golden Triangle Raceway Park on May 7.
Leading the way into the weekend is Channin Tankersley. Looking to back up his 2014 series triumph, Channin, who has topped the series four times this year, enters the weekend with a 121 point advantage over Tommy Bryant.
Currently matching his 2011 season ending performance, the chase to the top is not just between Bryant and Tankersley as five time series champion, Ray Allen Kulhanek, trails the top spot by 168 markers. With a chance to take over the runner-up spot, Kulhanek has not finished outside the top-five in Gulf South standings since finishing ninth in 2009.
Jacob Lucas enters the weekend fourth. Still within striking distance of Zane Lawrence, the pair stand to improve on their 2015 finishes as Lucas finished sixth with Lawrence seventh.
Michael McNeil enters the final two races sixth and has a shot to crack the top-five with Lawrence only 21 points ahead. Dustin Gates seventh is trailed by Cody Stacy, J.J. Simmons, and Harry Yerrington.
Saturday, September 3 at the Battleground Speedway will also include Dwarf Cars, Limited Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Factory Stocks. For more information on the Battleground Speedway, log onto http://www.battleground-speedway.com.
Sunday, September 4 at Golden Triangle Raceway Park will see duel Sprints as IMCA 305cid Sprint Cars will also be on hand as well as Factory Stocks, Street Stocks, and Micros. For more information, fans can find the Beaumont, Texas oval online at https://www.facebook.com/Golden-Triangle-Raceway-Park-259514204273/?fref=ts.
The ASCS Gulf South Region is powered by: Griffith Truck and Equipment, Southern Trailer Works, Momentum Suspension Systems, All Star Auto Reconditioning, LLC, Waco Metals, Lawrence Towing, Carl and J.J. Brown (In Memory of Jim Brown), Armstrong/Pate Racing, Team Lucas, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier, Tire, Brodix, and Racediecast.com.
The 2016 season is the 15th year of racing for the ASCS Gulf South Region. For continued updates on the Griffith Truck and Equipment ASCS Gulf South Region presented by Southern Trailer Works, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
Season So Far
2016 ASCS Gulf South Driver Points (Top 10): 1. Channin Tankersley 1,539; 2. Tommy Bryant 1,418; 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,317; 4. Jacob Lucas 1,314; 5. Zane Lawrence 1,272; 6. Michael McNeil 1,251; 7. Dustin Gates 1,230; 8. Cody Stacy 1,035; 9. J.J. Simmons 1,025; 10. Harry Yerington 985;
2016 ASCS Gulf South Winners: Channin Tankersley 4; Aaron Reutzel 2; Andy McElhannon 1; Josh Baughman 1; Michael Miller 1; Brandon Hanks 1; Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 1;