TULSA, Okla. (August 31, 2015) Three drivers separated by 47 points sets the stage for the final showdown for the 2015 season with the Southern Trailer Works ASCS Gulf South Region presented by Griffith Truck and Equipment with a Battleground Speedway double header on Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5 in Highlands, Texas.
Going into Gulf South action third in tour standings on August 21 at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway and August 22 at the Cotton Bowl Speedway, Ray Allen Kulhanek used a pair of podium runs to push past Kevin Ramey and Channin Tankersley for the top spot going into this weekend’s season finale at the Battleground Speedway.
Asked how he felt going into the weekend, Kulhanek replied, “I feel pretty confident about it. I defiantly feel more comfortable being in the points lead going into the last weekend than I do chasing.”
Holding 11 points over Kevin Ramey, the Ft. Worth, Texas driver has matched Kulhanek’s top five and top ten record in 2015, lacking on the pair of wins that has pushed Ray Allen to the top of the leader board. With three of his eight top fives coming at the Battleground Speedway, Ramey will be on point to take the 2015 title.
While Ray Allen pursues his sixth title with the Southern Trailer Works ASCS Gulf South Region presented by Griffith Truck and Equipment, the driver of the Smiley’s / Don Ott No. 21t isn’t letting the points effect his outlook on the weekend.
“Battleground is one of my favorite places to go race on our schedule. I generally run well there and we’re usually top five every time we go, except this year so far,” commented Kulhanek on the season ending venue. “I can’t say I’ve really struggled there, just had a few problems this year but we always seem to pass a lot of cars there, so if we can just make the redraw the first night and lock into Saturday, I feel like the whole weekend will fall into place.”
Looking to defending his 2014 triumph, Channin Tankersley is nowhere close to out on the fight, having earned a runner-up finish in the series last visit to the high-banked oval on July 18. Michael McNeil currently holds fourth with a 16 point advantage over Tommy Bryant. Jacob Lucas runs sixth with Zane Lawrence, John Pate, Larry Howery, and Caleb Martin making the top-ten.
Changed for the finale, the weekend sweep bonus has jumped to $2,000 thanks to Challenge Drilling, Griffith Truck and Equipment, and Cooper Motorsports, is up for grabs to any driver who can sweep the weekend.
The 14th annual Gulf South Championship Weekend at the Battleground Speedway will see both nights opening at 6:00 P.M. with races getting underway at 8:00 P.M. (CT). Friday, September 4 will also feature Eco Stocks, Limited Modifieds, and Mod Lites. Saturday's feature event will pay $2,000 to the winner with the top-four locked into Saturday night.
Saturday, September 5 will see Pure Stocks, Stock Cars, Dwarf Cars, and Mod Lites filling out the night’s card. The finale will be $3,000 to win.
More information on the Battleground Speedway can be found online at http://www.battleground-speedway.com or by calling (832) 614-0042.
For continued updates on the ASCS Gulf South Region, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
Season So Far:
Winners: Seth Bergman 2; Scottie McDonald 2; Blake Hahn 2; Ray Allen Kulhanek 2, John Carney II 1; Channin Tankersley 1; Josh Baughman 1; Michael McNeil 1;
2015 Schedule:
Date-Track-Location-Winner:
3/13/2015-Golden Triangle Raceway Park - Beaumont, TX-Rain Out
3/14/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-Rain Out
3/27/2015-Golden Triangle Raceway Park - Beaumont, TX-Blake Hahn
3/28/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-Blake Hahn
4/17/2015-Heart O' Texas Speedway - Waco, TX-Rain Out
4/18/2015-Gator Motorplex - Willis, TX-Rain Out
5/1/2015-Golden Triangle Raceway Park - Beaumont, TX-Scottie McDonald
5/2/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-Carney, McNeil, Rilat
5/22/2015-Heart O' Texas Speedway - Waco, TX-Ray Allen Kulhanek
5/23/2015-Shady Oaks Speedway - Goliad, TX-Rain Out
5/24/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-Rain Out
6/19/2015-Golden Triangle Raceway Park - Beaumont, TX-Rain Out
6/20/2015-Gator Motorplex - Willis, TX-Rain Out
6/26/2015-Heart O' Texas Speedway - Waco, TX-Channin Tankersley
6/27/2015-Lone Star Speedway - Kilgore, TX-Rain Out
7/17/2015-Golden Triangle Raceway Park - Beaumont, TX-Scottie McDonald
7/18/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-Josh Baughman
7/24/2015-Shady Oaks Speedway - Goliad, TX-Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/25/2015-Shady Oaks Speedway - Goliad, TX-Michael McNeil
8/21/2015-Heart O' Texas Speedway - Waco, TX-Seth Bergman
8/22/2015-Cotton Bowl Speedway - Paige, TX-Seth Bergman
9/4/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-
9/5/2015-Battleground Speedway - Highlands, TX-
Series Standings (Top 10):
Pos-Driver-Points
1-Ray Allen Kulhanek-1498
2-Kevin Ramey-1487
3-Channin Tankersley-1451
4-Michael McNeil-1390
5-Tommy Bryant-1374
6-Jacob Lucas-1340
7-Zane Lawrence-1303
8-John Pate-1172
9-Larry Howery-1161
10-Caleb Martin-1157
- Bryan Hulbert on Aug 31, 2015
- Article Date: 8/31/2015