Ray Cook took the lead on lap 36 and drove on to victory
The Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series invaded the Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. on Saturday night to contest the Scott Sexton Memorial. And in the fashion of the racer the event was named in honor of, Ray Cook made a bold outside move to grab the lead before going on to take the checkered flag and the $5,200 payday that came with it.
The Southern All Stars break qualifying into two groups with the top-4 from each being locked into the feature with all others being sent to the consolation races.
David Payne led the way in Group A qualifying by laying down a lap of 13.266 seconds around the 4/10 mile oval. Also assuring themselves of a spot in the main event from that group were Cook, Ryan King and Cory Hedgecock.
Mark Douglas was the fastest in Group B qualifying and overall with an effort of 13.178 seconds. That placed him ahead of Jason Welshan, Roger Best and Donald McIntosh in the second group.
Skylar Marlar and Dillon Tidmore won the two B-main races used to set the remainder of the 23 car field.
At the start of the 52-lap feature, Douglas jumped out to the lead ahead of Cook, Payne, Welshan and Best in the early going. Moving up during the early laps was the 8th starting McIntosh, who was one of the few drivers in the during the initial circuits to employ the low line around the high-banked track.
With the race running caution free throughout the first half, slower traffic quickly became a factor as Douglas led the way around the cars being put down a lap by the front runners. By lap 13, however, it was McIntosh who began making his way around cars within the top-5 as he moved past Best to grab 5th.
On lap 15, Cook and Payne found themselves racing side-by-side for the runner-up position while McIntosh was busy challenging Welshan for 4th just behind them. Cook emerged from his battle and began to challenge for the lead just before the halfway mark of the race with McIntosh moving around Welshan to claim 4th just behind the fight for second.
At the halfway mark of the event, a track that had been top groove dominate suddenly began to allow for a variety of lanes to be employed by the drivers. As a result, Douglas found himself being attacked by both Cook and McIntosh as the trio briefly went three-wide in their jostling for the top spot.
However, the race’s only caution flag waved on lap 33 for the slowing car of Josh Henry. That issue put the battle for the lead on hold for a few moments.
When the action resumed, Cook immediately began stalking Douglas. Finally on lap 36, Cook took to the the high side of the track and swept by Douglas for the lead as the cars roared through turns 3 and 4.
Just a few laps later, McIntosh would also get by Douglas and set out in pursuit of Cook. However, it would be the ‘Tarheel Tiger’ who would get to the checkered flag ahead of everyone else.
Feature Finish: 1. Ray Cook, 2. Donald McIntosh, 3. Mark Douglas, 4. Jason Welshan, 5. David Payne, 6. Vic Hill, 7. Roger Best, 8. Skylar Marlar, 9. Mark Dodson, 10. Mark Vineyard, 11. Riley Hickman
Cook showing off his $5200 Scott Sexton Memorial check and trophy
