The BiGFooT Racing Team traveled to Lawton, Oklahoma, for the 2nd event of the OCRS Season. Lawton has been the site of bad luck for Michael Bookout and the inaugural event at Lawton for 2016 was no different. "Snakebit" was the term that described the evening.
Arriving at the track to unload, the team noticed oil puddling beneath the Triple X sprinter. After inspection, it was determined that there may have been a leaking seal at the front of the rear end. Keeping an eye on the rear end fluid level throughout the evening, the team decided to compete.
Bookout started 5th in the heat race and finished 6th. An off the mark set up along with slowing to avoid a spinning car and racing on a rough surface produced a 6th place finish.
The second "B" Feature saw Bookout starting 7th. Needing to finish 4th in order to transfer to the "A" Feature, Michael started strong, climbing to 3rd and a potential transfer spot and "B" victory, before falling back to 6th. A freak event had caused the falling back; a sizable rock had somehow fallen or was thrown into the floor of the cockpit and lodged underneath the throttle pedal. Bookout was unable to run full throttle for the last two-thirds of the race.
Despite the disappointing and frustrating finish, Michael Bookout has piloted the Finish Line Coatings, Ti22 Performance sprinter to a 6th place spot in the season standings (climbing from 8th after the first week). It is an incredible start to the season for a team that has not had a fully functional (full power) sprinter for either event's Features. The team is looking forward to getting rid of the bugs and snakes and racing to higher finishes.
The start of the season is a testament to the skill and determination of Bookout and his ability to overcome difficulties and challenges.
Outlaw Motor Speedway is the site of next week's OCRS event.
- Robert Bookout on Apr 10, 2016
- Article Date: 4/9/2016