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It’s finally the week of the Magnolia State Cotton Pickin’ 100 at Magnolia Motor Speedway, and I thought I would share some of my perspectives on the event.
- A few years ago two of my favorite events combined to be a single event as Johnny Stokes and Dewitt Singleton joined forces. Since then this annual gathering at one of the country’s raciest facilities has become a must-see. Not only is the racing great, but the fellowship with race fans from near and far, who converge on the event, makes it that much better.
It’s truly an honor to get to announce alongside Ross Tingle, and this is a race that I look forward to all year. I’m chomping at the bit to roll south in another day.
- I’m a guy that really enjoys eclectic fields where we get to see guys, who rarely get to run together going head-to-head. This year’s field definitely personifies this as entries from more than a dozen states are expected.
As a disclaimer this is in by no means a comprehensive weekend list as these are just some of the drivers that I’ve talked to, who have pre-entered or plan to attend. Also plans can always change but as of Tuesday evening this is a pretty solid list of guys who I already know are planning to attend.
- Before I get into some of the Super Late Model travelers that are expected I want to talk about the local contingent that always have a way of making things tough on the invaders. Drivers like Rick Rickman, Brian Rickman, Chad Thrash, Eric Cooley, David Breazeale, Jason Cliburn, Jimmy Cliburn, Jamie Tollison, Jeremy Shaw, Billy Franklin, Shay Knight, Keith House, Leon Henderson, Brett White, etc will do their very best to keep the big money at home. These guys are tough and definitely will be bringing their A-game.
- It’s worth mentioning that Hattiesburg, Mississippi’s Michael Arnold will be piloting Henry Cooper’s #14 Black Diamond. Arnold is coming off another banner year, which saw him claiming the NeSmith Weekly Late Model Series title.
- Youth will be a plenty at this year’s event. The next generation of drivers from the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series looks to be well-represented with defending event winner, Morgan Bagley, leading a youthful charge that includes Billy Moyer Jr. (Arkansas), Tyler Erb (Texas), and Brandon Overton (Georgia).
Other young drivers to watch over the course of the weekend will include Kyle Bronson (Florida), Timothy Culp (Arkansas), Kyle Beard (Arkansas), Tanner Kellick (Louisiana), Dylan Ames (Alabama), Garrett Alberson (New Mexico), Zach McMillan (Texas), Gavin Landers (Arkansas), Ashton Winger (Georgia), Josh Putnam (Alabama), Tyler Millwood (Georgia), Chandler Petty (Arkansas), and Clay Fisher (Arkansas) to name a few.
When you look to the next wave of superstars in our sport there are several likely contenders that come from that list, and this goes a long way toward making this a really special event. Getting to see them hone their skills early in their career as they chase a big payday is worth the price of admission in itself
- The veteran list of travelers has no shortage. Billy Moyer (Arkansas) very likely could be making his final appearance ever at Magnolia Motor Speedway and he would love to go out with another win. Mike Marlar (Tennessee), who is fresh off the biggest win of his career ($40,000) at last weekend’s Knoxville Late Model Nationals is expected be in the house seeking his third Magnolia State 100 title. He will be joined by Chris Madden (South Carolina), who will be making only his second appearance ever at Magnolia. North Carolina’s Ray Cook has his sights set on a $20,000 payday.
Defending WoO champ, Shane Clanton (Georgia) will be in the house along with fellow bulldog, Dale McDowell (Georgia). Current P&W Sales SUPR point leader, B.J. Robinson (Louisiana) will be joined by teammate Allen Tippen (Louisiana). Stacy Boles (Tennessee), Dane Dacus (Tennessee), Jack Sullivan (Arkansas), Wendell Wallace (Arkansas), Jason Croft (Georgia), Eric Hickerson (Tennssee), etc all have already expressed an interest in competing.
- A little bit of analysis shows just how diverse and fun this field will be, and I think it will make for some outstanding racing action.
- Of course some will ask why this driver or that driver isn’t there, and the answer is very simple. We now operate in a day and time, where there are several races each and every weekend that racers have to choose. In fact, I encouraged Stokes and Singleton to move this race from its original weekend on October 7-8 because there were more than a dozen special events that weekend this year. A quick peak at the free schedule at DirtOnDirt.com reinforces this issue.
Another reality is that the days of getting all the big guys in one spot is all but gone. Even places like Eldora and Knoxville can’t get everybody together anymore. There’s just too many options to race on any given weekend.
The other reality is that you don’t have to have every big name to have a big show. From my experience the up-and-coming drivers can often times steal the show because they are willing to take chances that other guys might not necessarily take.
With all of that said I’m very honored and proud to be part of a show that will have such a talented group of national, regional, and local drivers in action.
- The Super Late Models share the stage both nights with Crate Late Models and the Mississippi Street Stock Series. The Crate Late Models never disappoint at The Mag and guys like Kyle Bronson will be looking to try and sweep both the Super Late Model and Crate Model action.
I’ve been lucky enough to see racing all over this country and Canada, and I still maintain that the Mississippi Street Stock Series competitors put on about the best show that you will see anywhere. The amount of parity and competition is really stellar in that group of racers. Young phenom, Spencer Hughes, who is the 2016 NeSmith Weekly Street Stock champion, will look to show the old guys how it’s done this weekend.
Throw in the Factory Stocks for a night and the 602 Late Models for a night, and this weekend has a little bit of everything.
- This is the first time in a long time that a big show at Magnolia Motor Speedway isn’t threatened by an unfavorable forecast. Warm temps and dry weather is forecasted through the end of the weekend.
- So now we are a little over 24 hours from the time that the engines fire for practice. I hope that many of you are as pumped as I am about this event.
What are you most looking forward to this weekend?
- Ben
- A few years ago two of my favorite events combined to be a single event as Johnny Stokes and Dewitt Singleton joined forces. Since then this annual gathering at one of the country’s raciest facilities has become a must-see. Not only is the racing great, but the fellowship with race fans from near and far, who converge on the event, makes it that much better.
It’s truly an honor to get to announce alongside Ross Tingle, and this is a race that I look forward to all year. I’m chomping at the bit to roll south in another day.
- I’m a guy that really enjoys eclectic fields where we get to see guys, who rarely get to run together going head-to-head. This year’s field definitely personifies this as entries from more than a dozen states are expected.
As a disclaimer this is in by no means a comprehensive weekend list as these are just some of the drivers that I’ve talked to, who have pre-entered or plan to attend. Also plans can always change but as of Tuesday evening this is a pretty solid list of guys who I already know are planning to attend.
- Before I get into some of the Super Late Model travelers that are expected I want to talk about the local contingent that always have a way of making things tough on the invaders. Drivers like Rick Rickman, Brian Rickman, Chad Thrash, Eric Cooley, David Breazeale, Jason Cliburn, Jimmy Cliburn, Jamie Tollison, Jeremy Shaw, Billy Franklin, Shay Knight, Keith House, Leon Henderson, Brett White, etc will do their very best to keep the big money at home. These guys are tough and definitely will be bringing their A-game.
- It’s worth mentioning that Hattiesburg, Mississippi’s Michael Arnold will be piloting Henry Cooper’s #14 Black Diamond. Arnold is coming off another banner year, which saw him claiming the NeSmith Weekly Late Model Series title.
- Youth will be a plenty at this year’s event. The next generation of drivers from the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series looks to be well-represented with defending event winner, Morgan Bagley, leading a youthful charge that includes Billy Moyer Jr. (Arkansas), Tyler Erb (Texas), and Brandon Overton (Georgia).
Other young drivers to watch over the course of the weekend will include Kyle Bronson (Florida), Timothy Culp (Arkansas), Kyle Beard (Arkansas), Tanner Kellick (Louisiana), Dylan Ames (Alabama), Garrett Alberson (New Mexico), Zach McMillan (Texas), Gavin Landers (Arkansas), Ashton Winger (Georgia), Josh Putnam (Alabama), Tyler Millwood (Georgia), Chandler Petty (Arkansas), and Clay Fisher (Arkansas) to name a few.
When you look to the next wave of superstars in our sport there are several likely contenders that come from that list, and this goes a long way toward making this a really special event. Getting to see them hone their skills early in their career as they chase a big payday is worth the price of admission in itself
- The veteran list of travelers has no shortage. Billy Moyer (Arkansas) very likely could be making his final appearance ever at Magnolia Motor Speedway and he would love to go out with another win. Mike Marlar (Tennessee), who is fresh off the biggest win of his career ($40,000) at last weekend’s Knoxville Late Model Nationals is expected be in the house seeking his third Magnolia State 100 title. He will be joined by Chris Madden (South Carolina), who will be making only his second appearance ever at Magnolia. North Carolina’s Ray Cook has his sights set on a $20,000 payday.
Defending WoO champ, Shane Clanton (Georgia) will be in the house along with fellow bulldog, Dale McDowell (Georgia). Current P&W Sales SUPR point leader, B.J. Robinson (Louisiana) will be joined by teammate Allen Tippen (Louisiana). Stacy Boles (Tennessee), Dane Dacus (Tennessee), Jack Sullivan (Arkansas), Wendell Wallace (Arkansas), Jason Croft (Georgia), Eric Hickerson (Tennssee), etc all have already expressed an interest in competing.
- A little bit of analysis shows just how diverse and fun this field will be, and I think it will make for some outstanding racing action.
- Of course some will ask why this driver or that driver isn’t there, and the answer is very simple. We now operate in a day and time, where there are several races each and every weekend that racers have to choose. In fact, I encouraged Stokes and Singleton to move this race from its original weekend on October 7-8 because there were more than a dozen special events that weekend this year. A quick peak at the free schedule at DirtOnDirt.com reinforces this issue.
Another reality is that the days of getting all the big guys in one spot is all but gone. Even places like Eldora and Knoxville can’t get everybody together anymore. There’s just too many options to race on any given weekend.
The other reality is that you don’t have to have every big name to have a big show. From my experience the up-and-coming drivers can often times steal the show because they are willing to take chances that other guys might not necessarily take.
With all of that said I’m very honored and proud to be part of a show that will have such a talented group of national, regional, and local drivers in action.
- The Super Late Models share the stage both nights with Crate Late Models and the Mississippi Street Stock Series. The Crate Late Models never disappoint at The Mag and guys like Kyle Bronson will be looking to try and sweep both the Super Late Model and Crate Model action.
I’ve been lucky enough to see racing all over this country and Canada, and I still maintain that the Mississippi Street Stock Series competitors put on about the best show that you will see anywhere. The amount of parity and competition is really stellar in that group of racers. Young phenom, Spencer Hughes, who is the 2016 NeSmith Weekly Street Stock champion, will look to show the old guys how it’s done this weekend.
Throw in the Factory Stocks for a night and the 602 Late Models for a night, and this weekend has a little bit of everything.
- This is the first time in a long time that a big show at Magnolia Motor Speedway isn’t threatened by an unfavorable forecast. Warm temps and dry weather is forecasted through the end of the weekend.
- So now we are a little over 24 hours from the time that the engines fire for practice. I hope that many of you are as pumped as I am about this event.
What are you most looking forward to this weekend?
- Ben
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