Vetbox Containers Factory Stock has been a great points race all season! Now that we are down to the final three races, it heats up as the Top Four Racers are made up of brothers and long-time friends, separated by just 42 points!! For the Bales brothers, this year is special because it’s the first year they have raced each other in the same class. The two racers behind them, Houston Garrison and Dewayne Davis, are also great friends of the Bales brothers!
Chris, the youngest brother, gives us a bit of history. “Matt is my older brother, we have raced together our entire lives. We grew up watching and helping our mom and dad, Peggy adn Ron Bales. I started in 2007 he (Matt) has been my crew chief and right hand man until he started racing. Now he is my competition, along with a lot of help still on and off the track.”
Matt also provided insight to the history of their racing. “Chris is my little brother, we are 5 years apart. He started racing at 14 and we have always been racing together. Since he’s done most of the driving and has more seat time than I do at this point. I’ve always been the Crew Chief.”
TSW: Will you be at the final three races?
Matt: “God willing we will be at the last 3 races. and I’ve had a outstanding season this far but he’s a strong driver and it’s going to take me being on my A game and an insane amount of luck to get passed him with only 3 races left. The bonus is this is the first time we have actually gotten to compete against each other steadily for an entire season, and here we are in the running for a championship! I couldn’t have written a better script.”
Chris: “And for the next three races, we will be there! The top four in points will be there if we all have to go to each others place and help or take parts to one another, how ever it might play out.”
Uncle Houston and Dewayne Davis - #3&4 in points
Chris: “Houston was my dads best friend an has always been like family to me an my brother we call him uncle Houston an Dewayne Davis is a life long friend the started with all of us playing behind the stands at the old Tulsa speedway watching our parents an he dad as well Clayton Roberts”
Matt: “And don’t count out Houston garrison or Dewayne Davis they are both just as capable and just as hungry.”
TSW: What do you contribute to your success this year?
Chris: “As far as the three wins, it has to be because of my fiancé, Sara Chenault not letting me give up, she helps me in the garage and at the track. And my daughter, she is the best cheering section in the stands with mine and Matt’s mom! Also, thank you to Maxwell Oil helping with fuel!”
Matt: “There is a long list of people that help us get to the track and help keep us going on and off the track. A few of my sponsors are G3 Barber Shop his name is Jeff Hartman great dude he’s the step grandfather to my younger 2 children. Adrenaline Automotive paints my car and parts. and M&M Nails Claremore location.”
TSW: What is your plan for the Final Three Points Races?
Matt: “I’ve had a awesome time this season, but don’t think for one second I’m just going to coast through the last 3 races. Chris is not going to give me an inch, and I’m not giving him an inch. I can promise, no matter how this goes in the last few weeks of the season, it’s been earned the entire way through.”
Points Standings
As of 8/8/2024, the points are as follows for the Vetbox Containers Factory Stock class at Osage Casino & Hotel Tulsa Speedway
#1: Chris Bales - Car #62 - 702 Points - 3 Wins, 8 Top 5 Finishes
#2: Matt Bales - Car #98 - 678 Points (-24 pts) - 4 Top 5 Finishes, 8 Top 10 Finishes
#3: Houston Garrison - Car #2 - 664 Points (-38 pts) - 5 Top 5 Finishes, 8 Top 10 Finishes
#4: Dewayne Davis - Car #D3 - 660 Points (-42 pts) - 4 Top 5 Finishes, 8 Top 10 Finishes
The first race of this epic three race battle takes place on Friday August 9th, beginning at 8pm! Come out and support these racers, hype them up, we want to see amazing racing!!
- Michael Narx on Aug 08, 2024
- Article Date: 8/8/2024 by Michael Narx