Tommy Cook scores emotional Al Cook Jr. Memorial 88 win at Baer Field

[NickHolt]

Tommy Cook Scores Emotional Victory In Al Cook Jr. Memorial 88 At Baer Field Speedway - Emotional Victory for Fort Wayne native at his home track in his brother's memorial race

Fort Wayne, Indiana (Saturday, July 25, 2015): The next race on the schedule for Baer Field Speedway was the biggest event of the season for the AR Bodies Late Model Sportsman. The 2nd Annual Al Cook Jr. Memorial 88 highlighted the night as they went 88 laps in memory of the late Al Cook Jr., a former two-time track champion who passed away in December 2013 after battling Stomach Cancer. It was also City Auto Mall Christmas in July Night at the Speedway with the Emma Warehouse Modifieds as well as the Kings John Services Street Stocks, Afdent Dentistry Mini Stocks and Grote Automotive Compacts all in action.

 

M.P.H. Promotions Photo

 

The main event of the night would be the Al Cook Jr., Memorial 88 for the AR Bodies Late Model Sportsman as 19 teams took Chief Starter, Walter Buchs green flag led by the front row of Jason Shively and Two-Time Track Champion (2012 & 2009), Derek Hoffman. It would be Hoffman edging out Shively heading into the first corner to grab the early lead while the rest of the field jockeyed for position. The first of three cautions flew on lap two when Alex Vonderau and 2006 Track Champion, Neal Richardson collided in turns one and two. Richardson was able to continue but Vonderau was done for the night.

 

On the ensuring restart, Tony Barcus went sailing off the top of turn two to bring out another quick caution. Then eight laps later, Russ Miller went spinning through the infield to bring out the third caution in 11 laps. On what was to be the final restart, Hoffman would try to check out on the rest of the field. However, AR Bodies Fast Qualifier, Tommy Cook, who along-with older brother, Dean Cook, the point's leader coming into the night, were the Cook Family siblings and overwhelming crowd favorites in their late brother's memorial race, would begin to charge towards the front.

 

Tommy Cook would begin reeling in Hoffman as the strong and partisan crowd on hand rose to their feet in anticipation of a battle for the lead. On 24 with the roar of the crowd echoing throughout the facility, Cook made what would be the winning pass for the lead and from there, it was all Cook in his #8 Metal X / Service Mechanical / Chevrolet as the 46-year-old Fort Wayne, Indiana native drove away to the emotional victory in his brothers memorial event. In victory lane and as he climbed from the car he received a thunderous standing ovation from the home track crowd.

 

Five-Time Feature Winner in 2015, Terry Fisher Jr., finished in second spot while Shawn Bonar registered the final podium finishing spot in third. Billy Hutson was fourth as 2008 Track Champion, Tony Dager rounded out the top five. Chad Richardson finished in sixth and now shares the points lead with D. Cook as Hoffman was seventh over D. Cook who was eighth. 17-year-old Blake Dager, the son of Tony Dager and making his stock car racing debut was ninth as Barcus would complete the top 10. T. Cook's Fast Qualifier award winning time was a 16.283.

 

The Emma Warehouse Modifieds were up next for their 30-lap Feature and a new rising star emerged victorious at the end of the race. 16-year-old Johnathon Gatton would put it all together and in his #89 J.C. Automotive-NAPA entry hold off three veterans and former track champions in Steve Minich Jr. (2012), 2004 Late Model Sportsman titlist, Gatton's own Father, Johnny Gatton Jr., and Two-Time Defending Track Champion, Scott Coe, who is also the current points leader, to score the first Feature win of his career for the Fort Wayne, Indiana teenager. Minich Jr., Gatton Jr., Coe and Matt Dimit were the top five. Gatton also recorded his first career Emma Warehouse Fast Qualifier award with a 16.236 as Russ Miller and Gatton Jr., won Heats.

 

As for the Kings John Service Street Stocks, Chad Richardson, who just raced in the 88-lap Late Model Sportsman main not too long before, jumped back behind the wheel of Josh Perkins #46 Above The Rest LLC / Chevrolet. The 34-year-old Fort Wayne, Indiana native then held off a hard-charging Defending Track Champion, Brian Janes at the line by just mere inches to record his second Feature win of the season. Janes came so close but settled for second as current Points Leader, 15-year-old Austin Coe had the best seat in the house for the battle for the win as he finished third. 2013 Track Champion, Ryan McIntyre was fourth as Bobby Comer completed the top five. Coe won his sixth Kings John Services Fast Qualifier award of the season with a 17.740 while Doug Chilcutt and Richardson won Heat Races.

 

In the 20-lap Afdent Dentistry Mini Stocks division, 2013 Track Champion, Keith Barker Jr., went to victory lane in his #7 Spillers Towing / Honda. The 25-year-old driver held off current Points Leader, Brad McBride as Defending Track Champion, Kevin Howard, Zac Sipe and Ryan Spillers crossed the line as the top five. McBride won his sixth Afdent Dentistry Fast Qualifier award of the year with an 18.142 as Korbin Marbaugh won the Heat Race.

 

Finally in the Grote Automotive Compacts 15-lap main event, current point's leader, Chip Heintzelman went to victory lane for the third time this season in his #54 Chip's Auto Repair / Honda to extend that points lead in the process. The Fort Wayne, Indiana driver won over James Keller as R.J. Weick, Ron Comer Jr., and Dilon Comer were the top five. Curtis Thieme won the Grote Automotive Fast Qualifier award with a 19.580 as Keller won the Heat.

 

Up next on Saturday, August 1st, the Broaster Chicken ICAR Top Speed Modified Northern and Southern Divisions head to head collision that was rained out on July 18th, will conclude on Saturday, August 1st as the fast 1/2 (0.500) mile semi-banked paved oval will see action once again and will host the conclusion of the Genuine Broaster Chicken / Dean Best Memorial 50 Presented by Jason Dietsch Collision, Customs & Sales.

 

Back on July 18th and after Economy Auto Parts Qualifying was complete as well as the 12-lap Last Chance Race, Mother Nature paid a visit to the historic Fort Wayne, Indiana speed plant forcing ICAR and Track Officials to postpone the main event to Saturday, August 1st.

 

The 24-car field has been set and should any of the set 24-car starting field not be able to make the trip back, alternates from those teams who were there only, five total, have been established starting with the Last Chance Race results and those participants who didn't transfer into the show. All-Time Career Leader in wins in ICAR history, Brian Nester as well as Fort Wayne veteran, Steve Minich Jr., will lead the stellar 24-car field to the green flag on August 1st.

 

On Saturday, August 1st, the 24-car starting field will get two Practice Sessions and then nine drivers from the starting grid have been selected to race in a special Dean Best Memorial Australian Pursuit to kick off the night before the 50-lap main later in the evening. Back on July 18th in Economy Auto Parts Qualifying, Bud Adams won his second Fast Qualifier award of the year over a stout 29-car field with an 18.505 around the fast 1/2 mile. His lap measured out to 97.271mph.

 

In the 12-Lap Last Chance Race, Mark Bott led all 12 laps to secure his place in the main. Don Skaggs finished second ahead of ICAR North Points Leader, Jason Parish as Damon Breedlove, the all-time career leader in starts in ICAR history, completed the top five. James Krueger, Dave Nester and 15-year-old rookie, Dustin Jackson would also transfer into the show. In addition to the ICAR contingent, the tracks AR Bodies Late Model Sportsman, Kings John Services Street Stocks, Afdent Dentistry Mini Stocks and Grote Automotive Compacts will also be in action along with the possibility of one more division to be added.

 

For Saturday, August 1st at Baer Field, the Pit Gates will open at 1:00p.m. Practice starts at 3:00p.m., as the Grandstands will open at 4:00p.m. Qualifying begins at 5:00p.m., as the Racing action gets the Green Flag at 7:00p.m. Ticket Prices are: Grandstands (16 and Over) – $15.00, Kids (10-15) $10.00, Children (9 and Under) – FREE. In addition, Pit Passes – $28.00.

 

Baer Field Speedway is located at 4331 Winters Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana. For more information about the rest of the 2015 racing season at the historic Summit City speed plant, the track website is available and located at: www.baerfieldspeedwayin.com The tracks Facebook page can also be found at: www.facebook.com/BaerFieldSpeedway and the Twitter page is available to view at: www.twitter.com/BaerFieldSpdwy