John Rittenoure - PARK CITY, Kans. (June 10, 2023) - Luck of the draw goes a long way in determining the odds of a drivers chances at winning a main event. That was certainly the case for Kip Hughes Saturday at 81 Speedway.
The four-time champion does not need much help when it comes to winning, but Hughes drew the number one pill for Saturday’s Complete Well Testing Sooner Late Model Series presented by Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation main event putting him on the pole. Hughes proceeded to lead the next 25 laps on the way to a third straight and fourth victory of the season.
“Yes, our draw has been pretty good so far,” said Hughes who drew a number 5 in Friday’s victory at Humboldt Speedway. “Our draw has been pretty good this year and that always helps.”
Jacob Magee gave chase the final 15 laps and did close on Hughes on lap 17 trailing by 0.492 seconds, but Hughes pulled away again driving to a four second margin over Magee who finished second. Series points leader Brett Hansen battled with Magee holding down second the first nine laps before ending up with third. Damian Patocka was fourth and rookie Eli Ross closed out the top five.
While is was not apparent, Hughes was nursing home a car with transmission problems while also tackling a tricky track condition.
“We had a transmission break in hot laps and lost brakes in the feature,” Hughes said.” The clutch would not disengage but once we got going we were fine. It was just the initial start we had a problem.
“The hole in (turn) one was kind of gnarly and I kept trying to get below it and slide up to the cushion. But I started running above it and as close to the wall as I could and tried to keep momentum up. It is just a matter of not making mistakes.”
Hughes credits much of his success this season to a change in chassis setup.
“We changed our shocks and springs this year,” Hughes said. “We have Ryan Gustin helping us this year and that is a hugh asset.”
Joe Jackson was running in his first Sooner Series event and went home with extra money after finishing 10th. Jackson picked up $50 as the Mark’s Machine Shop Hard Charger advancing 12 spots from his 22nd starting position, and picked up $100 for his finish thanks to Adam Popp of Professional Dustless Mobile Blasting.
Complete Well Testing, Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation
Sooner Late Model Series Results
81 Speedway, Park City, Kansas
Complete Well Testing A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 60-Kip Hughes[1]; 2. 10-Jacob Magee[9]; 3. 7H-Brett Hansen[2]; 4. 229-Damian Patocka[5]; 5. 66-Eli Ross[12]; 6. 92S-Dan Smith[8]; 7. 10 4-Adam Popp[16]; 8. 59-Brad Fortney[19]; 9. 31-Gary Lowe[11]; 10. 5-Joe Jackson[22]; 11. 65-Eric Brill[3]; 12. 88S-Richard Shepler[14]; 13. 27X-Ron Brown[23]; 14. 22AD-Jacob Ulrich[20]; 15. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[21]; 16. B1-Dustin Bolster[7]; 17. 93J-Justin Carrell[24]; 18. 1-Eddie Tidwell[4]; 19. 151-Theron Boswell[13]; 20. 9-Joseph Gorby[6]; 21. 7D-Dusty Leonard[10]; 22. 92-Delbert Smith[17]; 23. 26-Adrien Hickman II[15]; 24. 9XX-Dakota Dellinger[18]
OReilly Auto Parts Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 60-Kip Hughes[1]; 2. 9-Joseph Gorby[3]; 3. B1-Dustin Bolster[4]; 4. 7D-Dusty Leonard[8]; 5. 151-Theron Boswell[2]; 6. 10 4-Adam Popp[7]; 7. 59-Brad Fortney[5]; 8. 5-Joe Jackson[6]
Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 1-Eddie Tidwell[2]; 2. 65-Eric Brill[5]; 3. 92S-Dan Smith[8]; 4. 31-Gary Lowe[3]; 5. 88S-Richard Shepler[6]; 6. 92-Delbert Smith[7]; 7. 22AD-Jacob Ulrich[4]; 8. 27X-Ron Brown[1]
DesignOne Racewear Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 229-Damian Patocka[1]; 2. 7H-Brett Hansen[3]; 3. 10-Jacob Magee[7]; 4. 66-Eli Ross[5]; 5. 26-Adrien Hickman II[4]; 6. 9XX-Dakota Dellinger[2]; 7. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[6]; 8. 93J-Justin Carrell[8]
Lap Leaders: Kip Hughes 1-25.
Margin of Victory: 4.901.
Marks Machine Shop Hard Charger: Joe Jackson +12
Professional Dustless Mobile Blasting 10th place: Joe Jackson.
2023 Winners
4/14 - Kip Hughes - Thunderbird Speedway
4/15 - Brett Hansen - Tulsa Speedway
4/29 - Brett Hansen - Monett Raceway
5/6 - Brett Hansen - Thunderbird Speedway
6/2 - Kip Hughes - Outlaw Motor Speedway
6/9 - Kip Hughes - Humboldt Speedway
6/10 - Kip Hughes - 81 Speedway
Top 10 Standings: 1. Brett Hansen 2825; 2. Eli Ross, 2680; 3. Richard Shepler, 2650; 4. Dakota Dellinger, 2260; 5. Eric Brill, 2140; 6. Ron Brown, 2135; 7. Joseph Gorby, 1970; 8. Jacob Ulrich, 1955; 9. Kip Hughes, 1900; 10. Gary Lowe 1850.
About Complete Well Testing
Based in Oklahoma, Complete Well Testing is a family owned and operated company specializing in hydrostatic tubing testing and EMI tubing scanning.
Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation
Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation goal is to help grow both high school, trade school and college programs to start and or develop a motorsports program, club, or organizations at their school as well as individual motorsports programs. HRMF will provide financial grants, equipment, expertise, scholarships, and educational opportunities for these organizations and individuals. This program will allow students to overcome the hurdle of entering motorsports due to the high costs and specialized experience needed to get started. This program will allow these students the opportunity to be part of a team with one overall goal of success on the track, including budgeting, marketing, mechanical skills, logistics, and team building efforts. All while honoring the life lost to early of Hayden Diesel Ross, #forever66.
Sooner Late Model Series
The Sooner Late Model Series was formed in 2016 by Enid Speedway co-promoter Mark Brill. Brill felt there was not many opportunities for late model competitors to race in Oklahoma and the Sooner Late Model Series was formed. Now the series has grown beyond the borders of Oklahoma with events held in the neighboring states of Kansas, Texas and Arkansas as well.