Richmond Raceway
Cook takes $3,000 victory at Richmond
RICHMOND, Ky. (June 11) – Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C., took the lead on lap-32 of Saturday night's Rain Dodger 40 at Richmond Raceway and led the remainder of the event to pick up a $3,000 payday in the inaugural race for the United Super Dirt Car Series.
Cook moved toward the front throughout the first half of the race, and began to challenge Dustin Linville Bryantsville, Ky., for the lead after a mid-race caution. The intense battle reached its peak on lap 32 when the two drivers went side-by-side and made contact that sent Linville into the wall and ended his night.
Cook's race car suffered minor damage from the incident, but he continued on and held off a hard-charging Victor Lee of Stanford, Ky., in the closing laps to pick up the victory. Lee settled for second with Aaron Hatton of Mount Sterling, Ky., claiming the third position.
Scottsburg, Ind., driver Mike Jewell, who led the early portions of the race before being overtaken by Linville on lap 10, finished fourth with Tyrel Todd of Eubanks, Ky., rounding out the top five.
Notes: Cook's D&R Motorsports MasterSbilt Race Car has a Race Engine Design powerplant and is sponsored by Hicks & Ingle Co. and PRC. ... Cook entered the event after leaving Eldora Speedway Saturday morning. He had a poor qualifying effort in Friday night’s Dream XVII time trials at Eldora and decided to skip Saturday’s action to compete at Richmond. ... The fledgling series has two more events on its 2011 schedule, a July 3 date at 191 Speedway in Campton, Ky., and July 23 at Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, Ky.
Rain Dodger 40: (1) Ray Cook, (2) Victor Lee, (3) Aaron Hatton, (4) Mike Jewell, (5) Tyrel Todd, (6) Bobby Carrier, Jr., (7) Todd Coffman, (8) Skylar Marlar, (9) David Webb, (10) Jason Barrett, (11) Dennis Roberson, (12) Joe Godsey, (13) Tommy Carlton, (13) Dustin Linville, (15) Tim Tungate, (16) Aaron Ridley, (17) Justin Rattliff, (18) Brandon Hardgrove, (19) Jeff Watson, (20) Chase McWhorter. Fast qualifier (among 23 cars): Cook, 14.914 seconds. Heat race winners: Jewell, Rattliff, Linville, Webb. Consolation race winner: Ridley.
