Ray Cook out fought Mike Marlar for the Hangover
As has become the custom in east Tennessee, dirt racing fans were treated to ‘The Hangover’ as a part of the celebration to ring in the new year. But unlike previous times this event has been contested on the Mitch and Tanya McCarter owned track in Seymour, Tenn. track, this version was held on New Year’s Eve rather than New Year’s Day itself. Still, the competition proved to be worthy of celebration as Ray Cook held back Mike Marlar to claim the $4,000 first prize.
Two-time Hangover winner Donald McIntosh earned the pole by leading the way in Group A qualifying by turning a lap of 14.507 seconds around the 3/8 mile clay oval. Mike Marlar, driving a new Black Diamond chassis, followed McIntosh in the session.
Justin Williams was fastest in Group B and overall with a lap of 14.459 seconds. That lap beat out Cook for the honor of starting the feature from the outside of the front row.
With no heat races being conducted due to the possibility of inclement weather, the 20 car starting grid for the feature was set entirely by results of time-trials.
McIntosh immediately shot to the lead when the green flag waved over the 40-lap main event with Williams, Marlar, Cook and Jason Cardwell trailing. Cook then went on the charge as he used the high line around the race track to move around Marlar for the third spot as McIntosh edged away from the pack.
Both Cook and Marlar began an assault on Williams for the runner-up spot on lap 5. Those cars went three-wide for position with Cook eventually prevailing. At the same time, McIntosh found his progress slowed as he caught the tail of the field on lap 7 and had to begin picking his way through slower traffic.
By lap 10, Cook and Marlar tracked McIntosh down and began applying pressure right away. Cook moved passed McIntosh to grab the lead on lap 15 with Marlar immediately closing in on the former leader in a battle for second.
The racing action was slowed by caution for the first time on the 18th circuit. McIntosh lost hope of a three-peat in the Hangover when he was forced to retire under the caution with a broken axle.
The race’s second half played out as a one-on-one duel between Cook and Marlar as the two former crown jewel winners broke away from a hard fought battle between Cardwell, Jason Welshan, Stephen Breeding and Russell Erwin for third place.
Marlar was able to close as the two veteran pilots worked through traffic but the No. 53 machine managed to hold of the No. 157 over the closing laps to score the victory in the final race of 2016.
Feature Finish: 1. Ray Cook, 2. Mike Marlar, 3. Jason Cardwell, 4. Jason Welshan, 5. Russell Erwin, 6. Stephen Breeding, 7. Ryan King, 8. Justin Williams, 9. James Williamson, 10. Dustin Mitchell, 11. Carder Miller, 12. Billy Ogle, Jr., 13. Levi Ashby, 14. Scott Shelton, 15. Ruben Mayfield, 16. Johnny Cloer, 17. Shane Bailey, 18. Donald McIntosh, 19. Bo Eaton, 20. Tom Colini
