By John Rittenoure – ADA, Okla. (October 28, 2018) – The Sooner Late Model Series closed out the 2018 season Saturday at Oklahoma Sports Park with a new feature winner and crowned a new champion.
Joseph Gorby came from the third starting position to win his first SLMS feature of the season and the second of his career. Gorby was chased by Nate Jantz around the 4/10 mile oval but settled for second. Steve Hawkins, Kyle Sweeney, and Adam Popp, who came from 12th starting position, rounded out the top five.
However, back in the pack, the season championship race was being decided. After leading most of the season Eddie Tidwell found himself in a tie with Kip Hughes for the points lead going into the next to last race a week ago at Enid Speedway. Hughes was able to win the Enid main event giving him a slim 25 point lead over Tidwell going into Saturday’s finale.
Hughes started sixth in the 25-lap main but was unable to advance his position and wound up with an eighth-place finish. But it was more than enough to secure the title as Tidwell finished 14th after starting in 10th. With five feature victories to his credit Hughes now has his first SLMS point championship. Tidwell finished the season 95 points behind Hughes.
Sooner Late Model Series
Oklahoma Sports Park – Ada, Okla.
October 28, 2018
Car count: 15
Heat 1 (10 laps) – 1, Joseph Gorby. 2, Kip Hughes. 3, Steve Hawkins. 4, Sammy Wilson. 5, Kyle Sweeney. 6, Kara Langley. 7, John Willard. Jay Sale (DNS).
Heat 2 (10 laps) – 1, Mark Brill. 2, Wayne Bush. 3, Nate Jantz. 4, Sloppy Hogg. 5, Eddie Tidwell. 6, Adam Popp. 7, John Somers.
A Feature (25 laps) – 1, Joseph Gorby. 2, Nate Jantz. 3, Steve Hawkins. 4, Kyle Sweeney. 5, Adam Popp. 6, Sammy Wilson. 7, Wayne Bush 8, Kip Hughes. 9, Kara Langley. 10, John Somers. 11, Sloppy Hogg. 12, John Willard. 13, Mark Brill. 14, Eddie Tidwell. Jay Sale (DNS).