Tri-State Speedway
Ken Essary holds off protege for Tri-State victory
POCOLA, Okla.(June 6) — Hall of Famer Ken Essary of Cape Fair, Mo., took the lead on a lap-12 restart, then fought off a late challenge from protege Justin Wells of Aurora, Mo., for a Race Brothers Show-Me Racin' Series victory at Tri-State Speedway.
A caution with four laps remaining set up a dash to the finish with the 63-year-old Essary, the series founder, edging Wells for the victory. Jordan Holloway of Monett, Mo., who led the first 12 laps, finished third with teammates Bill McMurtrie of Bartlesville, Okla., and Rex Merritt of Billings, Mo., rounding out the top five.
Notes: Essary's Swartz Race Car is sponsored by ARW. ... Roger Wilson started on the front row but faded to finish ninth. ... Leslie Essary, son of the race winner, broke a wheel on a restart while battling in the top five. ... Among the cautions was a yellow for a tangle involving Phil Edmondson, Kathy Tonoli and Scott Frye. ... Next up for the series is a June 13 event at West Plains (Mo.) Motor Speedway with $1,000 going to the winner and at least $300 to each feature starter.
Show-Me Series @ Tri-State: (1) Ken Essary, (2) Justin Wells, (3) Jordan Holloway, (4) Bill McMurtrie, (5) Rex Merritt, (6) Jim Fulp, (7) Jarrod Hilton, (8) Rick Lebow, (9) Roger Wilson, (10) Kevin Henson, (11) Tim Adams, (12) Chris Morelock, (13) Kevin Brown, (14) Randy Galloway, (15) Kathy Tonoli, (16) Ron Johnson, (17) Leslie Essary, (18) Scott Frye, (19) Phil Edmondson, (20) Chris Deaton, (21) Mark Penticuff, (22) Larry Campbell. Heat race winners (among 23 cars): Wells, Merritt, Holloway.
