By John Rittenoure
TULSA, Okla. (October 1, 2024) - it all comes down to one final night to determine the APEX Healthcare Partners Sooner Late Model Series 2024 season champion.
Saturday night at Enid Speedway a champion will be crowned and the final top 10 in points will be determined.
Sixteen-year-old Eli Ross is on the verge of winning his first championship. Ross took over the points lead from Zach Nickell just three races ago and only needs to survive one final night of competition for the title. Winning the championship will come just two years after his brother, Hayden Ross, won the Sooner championship before losing his life in a non-racing accident.
Several drivers can improve their position in the top 10 on Saturday. Kip Hughes, Ron Brown, Dakota Dellilnger and Damon Helm sit fourth through seventh and all four positions are up for grabs. Tenth place Richard Shepler has a shot at catching ninth place Steve Hewitt, Sr. but Shepler will have to watch his back as 11th place Jon Herring, Jr. could climb into the 10 spot.
It all takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Pits will be open early for parking but officially open at 4.
Factory Stocks, Sport Mods / B-Mods and Hot Shots will be competing in their final points show of the season with champions crowned in all three classes.
2024 Winners: 4/6 - Kip Hughes, Enid Speedway; 4/13 - Jon Herring, Jr., Beaver County Raceway; 5/11 - Joe Godsey, Caney Valley Speedway; 5/17 - Kip Hughes, Longdale Speedway; 5/18 - Eli Ross, Oklahoma Sports Park; 5/26 - Geoff Aitken, Crawford County Speedway; 6/8 - Brandon Conkwright, 81 Speedway; 6/28 - Hudson O’Neal, Thunderbird Speedway; 6/29 - Brett Hansen, Salina Highbanks Speedway; 7/5 - Kip Hughes, Beaver County Raceway; 7/6 - Eli Ross, Enid Speedway; 7/26 - Clayton Stuckey, Thunderbird Speedway; 7/27 - Jon Kirby, Tri-State Speedway; 8/3 - Jon Herring, Jr., Enid Speedway; 8/31 - Eli Ross, Red Dirt Raceway; 9/14 - Kip Hughes, Caney Valley Speedway; 9/27 - Brett Hansen, Thunderbird Speedway; 9/28 - Jace Parmley, Tri-State Speedway.
2024 Top 10: 1. Eli Ross, 6365; 2. Zach Nickell, 6050; 3. Troy Bynum, 5220; 4. Kip Hughes 4555; 5. Ron Brown 4290; 6. Dakota Dellinger 4210; 7. Dalon Helm 4205; 8. Damian Patocka 3615; 9. Steve Hewitt, Sr. 3205; 10. Richard Shepler 2930.
Sooner Late Model Series
The Sooner Late Model Series was formed in 2016 by Enid Speedway co-promoter Mark Brill. Brill felt there was not many opportunities for late model competitors to race in Oklahoma and the Sooner Late Model Series was formed. Now the series has grown beyond the borders of Oklahoma with events held in the neighboring states of Kansas, Texas and Arkansas.
APEX Healthcare Partners
Specializing in Multidisciplinary Care Across Specialties, at APEX Healthcare Partners, a team of skilled and experienced providers, therapists, and support staff work together to provide personalized and compassionate care for patients with spinal and neurological conditions in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas.