By John Rittenoure
TULSA, Okla. (June 3, 2024) - Drivers from Oklahoma and Kansas will square off when the APEX Healthcare Partners Sooner Late Model Series returns to 81 Speedway on Saturday.
Last season the Sooner Series made two stops at 81 with four-time champion Kip Hughes of Enid winning in June then Marysville, Kansas native Dusty Leonard evened the score in September with his sixth career victory.
Dalon Helm leads the Sooner points chase despite still looking for his first victory. Dakota Dillinger, Zach Nichell, Steve Hewitt, Sr. and Troy Bynum round out the top five and all looking for their first win. Sixteen year old Eli Ross, brother of the late 2022 champion Hayden Ross, became the fifth different winner this season with his first career victory three weeks ago at Oklahoma Sports Park.
Pit gates at 81 Speedway open at 3 p.m. Saturday, grandstands open at 5. Hot laps are slated for 6 with racing getting underway at 7.
More information is available on the web at: SoonerLateModelSeries.com or 81Speedway.com.
2024 Winners: 4/6 - Kip Hughes, Enid Speedway; 4/13 - Jon Herring, Jr., Beaver County Raceway; 5/11 - Joe Godsey, Caney Valley Speedway; 5/17 - Kip Hughes, Longdale Speedway; 5/18 - Eli Ross, Oklahoma Sports Park; 5/26 - Geoff Aitken, Crawford County Speedway.
2024 Top 10: 1. Dalon Helm, 2270; 2. Dakota Dillinger, 2150; 3. Zach Nickell, 2000; 4. Steve Hewitt, Sr., 1845; 5. Troy Bynum 1690; 6. Eli Ross; 1630; 7. Jon Herring, Jr. 1335; 8. Damian Patocka 1180; 9. Adrien Hickman 1055; 10. Kip Hughes 1050.
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.
APEX Healthcare Partners
Specializing in Multidisciplinary Care Across Specialties, at APEX Healthcare Partners, a team of skilled and experienced providers, therapists, and support staff work together to provide personalized and compassionate care for patients with spinal and neurological conditions in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas.