5/18/2024
Sooner Late Model Series
Hughes tops competitive field at Longdale Speedway
By John Rittenoure - (Image by Maxx Ramsey)
LONGDALE, Okla. (May 17, 2024) - Kip Hughes took advantage of starting on the pole and drove away with his second APEX Healthcare Partners Sooner Late Model Series main event of the season Friday at Longdale Speedway.
Hughes led all 25 laps on the way to his 38th Sooner Series career victory, but the race for a spot in the top five was anything but calm. Jon Herring, Jr. and Troy Bynum battled to the finish for the runner-up position. Herring held the position for the first 16 laps finally giving way to Bynum on lap 17. But Herring regrouped and powered back around Bynum on lap 23 to regain the runner-up spot for good. Bynum settled for third just ahead of Christopher Wilhite, Jr. who came from 8th starting position to finish fourth. Damian Patocka, fell to fifth on lap 18 after running in fourth early in the race.
Eli Ross, Hughes and Herring picked up heat race victories to start the evening.
Sooner Late Model Series Results
Longdale Speedway - Longdale, Oklahoma
May 17, 2024
APEX Healthcare Partners A Feature 1 (25 Laps): 1. 60-Kip Hughes[1]; 2. 96-Jon Herring Jr[2]; 3. 81-Troy Bynum[6]; 4. 21-Christopher Wilhite JR[8]; 5. 229-Damian Patocka[4]; 6. 42C-Courtney McCartney[3]; 7. 66-Eli Ross[5]; 8. 55-Zach Nickell[10]; 9. 33R-Kaleb Roach[11]; 10. 4X-Dalon Helm[9]; 11. 95-Jerry Derr[12]; 12. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[15]; 13. 9XX-Dakota Dellinger[14]; 14. 26-Adrien Hickman[7]; 15. 84-Gary Kilbourn[13]; 16. (DNS) 27X-Ron Brown; 17. (DNS) 9-Cole Traugott
Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 66-Eli Ross[6]; 2. 229-Damian Patocka[1]; 3. 26-Adrien Hickman[4]; 4. 55-Zach Nickell[3]; 5. 84-Gary Kilbourn[5]; 6. 27X-Ron Brown[2]
Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 60-Kip Hughes[6]; 2. 42C-Courtney McCartney[1]; 3. 21-Christopher Wilhite JR[4]; 4. 33R-Kaleb Roach[3]; 5. 9XX-Dakota Dellinger[5]; 6. 9-Cole Traugott[2]
Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. 96-Jon Herring Jr[4]; 2. 81-Troy Bynum[5]; 3. 4X-Dalon Helm[2]; 4. 95-Jerry Derr[3]; 5. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[1]??
Lap Leaders: Kip Hughes 1-25.?
Margin of Victory: 3.763.
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.
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.
Article Credit: John Rittenoure