By John Rittenoure (Kelten Weaver photo)
MUSKOGEE, Okla. (September 27, 2024) - Brett Hansen was late arriving at Thunderbird Speedway on Friday night and missed his heat race. Having to start the APEX Healthcare Partners Sooner Late Model Series feature on the rear, Hansen was not very confident of his chances at a victory. But due to others misfortune Hansen found himself in victory lane when the night was over. He was very happy with the results.
“Yes since I did not get to race the heat race. I was pretty happy,” said Hansen.
Sixteen-year old Eli Ross raced off the pole and into the early lead in the 20-lapper while Hansen started at the rear of the field. But the 2023 defending champion quickly charged through the field and into third. Kip Hughes was running second but a miscue on a lap 9 restart allowed Hansen to take over second. It appeared Ross was on his way to victory, but a distributor problem forced him out of the race on lap 17 and suddenly Hansen was in the lead for the final 3 laps.
Hansen was not aware of the problems his competitors were having early in the race.
“I did not have a clue what was going on,” Hansen said. “My receiver was not working so I could not tell what was going on out there. You can’t mess around on this big track. You get stretched out. The track was hard and fast.”
Third place Hughes also left the race leaving Troy Bynum with second at the finish. Pole sitter Gary Lowe finished in third. Newcomer Caleb Rhoades was fourth and Hughes rounded out the top five. Ross was credited with a sixth place finish.
Ross took a commanding lead in the points race with two events left on the season. Contender Zach Nickell suffered engine problems in his heat race and did not start the main event. His 15 point deficit ballooned to 315 as a result.
Sooner Late Model Series Results
Thunderbird Speedway - Muskogee, Oklahoma
September 27, 2024
APEX Healthcare Partners A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 7H-Brett Hansen[11]; 2. 8-Troy Bynum[6]; 3. 31-Gary Lowe[1]; 4. 8X-Caleb Rhoades[4]; 5. 60-Kip Hughes[3]; 6. 66-Eli Ross[2]; 7. H2-Chris Hewitt[8]; 8. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[5]; 9. 69K-Ken Taylor[12]; 10. 66X-Richard Shepler[10]; 11. (DNS) 65-Zach Nickell; 12. (DNS) 27X-Ron Brown
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 66-Eli Ross[2]; 2. 8X-Caleb Rhoades[5]; 3. 69K-Ken Taylor[6]; 4. 8-Troy Bynum[4]; 5. H2-Chris Hewitt[1]; 6. (DNS) 66X-Richard Shepler
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 60-Kip Hughes[4]; 2. 31-Gary Lowe[3]; 3. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[2]; 4. 65-Zach Nickell[5]; 5. 27X-Ron Brown[1]; 6. (DNS) 7H-Brett Hansen
Lap Leaders: 1-16, Eli Ross, 17-20, Brett Hansen. 17-20
Margin of victory: 4.769
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; 6/8 - Brandon Conkwright, 81 Speedway; 6/28 - Hudson O’Neal, Thunderbird Speedway; 6/29 - Brett Hansen, Salina Highbanks Speedway; 7/5 - Kip Hughes, Beaver County Raceway; 7/6 - Eli Ross, Enid Speedway; 7/26 - Clayton Stuckey, Thunderbird Speedway; 7/27 - Jon Kirby, Tri-State Speedway; 8/3 - Jon Herring, Jr., Enid Speedway; 8/31 - Eli Ross, Red Dirt Raceway; 9/14 - Kip Hughes, Caney Valley Speedway; 9/27 - Brett Hansen, Thunderbird Speedway.
2024 Top 10: 1. Eli Ross, 6365; 2. Zach Nickell, 6050; 3. Troy Bynum, 5220; 4. Kip Hughes 4555; 5. Ron Brown 4290; 6. Dakota Dellinger 4210; 7. Dalon Helm 3825; 8. Damian Patocka 3615; 9. Richard Shepler 2930; 10. Steve Hewitt, Sr. 2890.
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.
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