Weather permitting, the CARS Late Model Stock Tour will resume its 2018 season on Saturday night at the Wake County Speedway in Raleigh, North Carolina.
At a quarter-mile in length, Wake County is the smallest track the series will hit all season, guaranteeing close competition and lots of contact. As has been the case through the first two races at Tri-County Motor Speedway and Myrtle Beach Speedway, the entry list reads like a list of short track all-stars.
The entire top-10 in the championship standings will resume their close battle at Wake on Saturday with Bobby McCarty holding just a four-point advantage over defending champion Josh Berry. Ronald Hill, Sam Mayer, Cody Haskins, Lee Pulliam, Ryan Repko, Deac McCaskill, Justin Carroll and Justin Johnson are all within 20 points of the lead.
But for McCaskill, Wake County holds a personal special place in his heart as it’s the track he started his career at and also me his wife. This is a homecoming he has been waiting years for.
“That track, as small as it is, holds a special place in my heart,” McCaskill said. “It’s where I started racing four cylinder cars and then went on to win some Super Late Model races when they raced those cars there on a regular basis. The track is small and the competition will be tight, but we’ve got a really good group of Late Model Stock drivers that know how to race and put on a show.
“If we were able to win this weekend at Wake it might be the biggest CARS Tour win we’ve ever had because we’ll be doing it in front of a lot of family and friends who’ve supported us for a long time now.”
In addition to the touring regulars, Wake County regular Cory Walker has also entered the Solid Rock Carriers 123. In doing so, he hopes his experience will translate to a top-5 against the best short trackers in the Carolinas and Virginia.
“It’s an honor to be getting the opportunity to race against guys like Deac, Bobby, and Lee Pulliam solely because the CARS Tour is coming to Wake County,” Walker said. “I wouldn’t ever really get the opportunity otherwise. I think this race is an opportunity to put Wake on the map and show a lot of folks that it’s more than just small track that people forget about if you’re not from this area. I’m use to racing at Wake so I know it’s a place you can actually race at and doesn’t have to be a rough race like people are building it up to be.
“The key is knowing it’s a long race, a 123 laps at Wake gives you an opportunity to race the track. It’s definitely a driver’s track and because of its size it’s a great equalizer when you talk engine combinations and stuff like that. I think we have a legitimate shot at coming away with a top five Saturday night, and if we do and can keep the car in one piece that’s a win in our book.”
Race Details
Track/Location: Wake County Speedway-Raleigh, NC
Track Size: .250-mile
Event Name: Solid Rock Carriers 123 pres. by JEDCO Lawncare
Laps/Distance: 123L/30.75 miles
Event Schedule: Practice: 1:30PM-3:05PM, Qualifying: 5:20PM, Green: 7:30PM LMSC
Twitter Handle/Event Hashtag: @CARSTour / @WCSpeedway / #ShakeandWake
Entry List
- Deac McCaskill
- Bradley McCaskill
- Craig Moore
- Cody Haskins
- Brandon Pierce
- William Chappell
- Lee Pullium
- Sam Mayer
- Charlie Watson
- Ty Gibbs
- Grayson Cullather
- Bobby McCarty
- Tommy Lemons Jr.
- Justin Johnson
- Cory Walker
- Ronald Hill
- Trevor Ward
- Josh Berry
Read more Short Track Scene:
