Six Champions Crowned In Unforgettable Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout
Six Champions Crowned In Unforgettable Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout
After 296 races over four days, the 36th annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout finally concluded on Saturday night with a memorable set of seven main events.
After 296 races over four days, the 36th annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout finally concluded on Saturday night with a memorable set of seven main events.
In the end, one man made history, an underdog basked in Golden Driller glory, teammates were the center of controversy, and a pair of kids had their one shining moment.
Let’s take you through Saturday’s Shootout main events!
Watch full coverage from Saturday on FloRacing
It all started with the Stock Non-Wing division. A loaded front row with California’s TJ Smith and Indiana’s Tyler Courtney quickly turned into the Brian Carber show. Rolling to the lead on lap from third, the Pipersville, Penn. native stole the top spot and never gave it away. Leading all 30 laps, Carber withstood every challenge that a charging Christopher Bell threw at him and held on to win his first-career Golden Driller.
Highlights from a thrilling Stock Non-Wing feature at the Shootout.
The youngest kids competing at the Tulsa Shootout never fail to offer some excitement in their biggest race of the year. The Jr. Sprint 20-lapper saw Missouri’s Garrett Benson make a thrilling run from 12th-to-2nd, but he ran out of time as California’s Lucas Mauldin completed his dream weekend by leading from flag-to-flag to win the Golden Driller.
Jr. Sprint highlights from the Shootout.
The wingless theme rolled on with a transition to the Outlaw Non-Wing division next. In a loaded field with champions all around him, local underdog Kris Carroll from Claremore, Okla. shined bright on the biggest stage for micro sprints. The local Port City Raceway driver dominated the 30-lapper, taking his first Golden Driller by a massive 3.448-second advantage over Brian Carber and impressive 13-year-old Brent Crews.
Outlaw Non-Wing highlights from the Shootout.
An Illinois driver broke through for victory in the Restricted A-Class, as Jaxton Wiggs of Benton, Ill. capitalized on high point man honors and led all 25 laps from the pole position. It wasn’t without heavy pressure and an interesting race down the stretch, though, as California’s Austin Wood kept him honest the whole way and made it tight race to the finish line.
Restricted A-Class highlights.
Perhaps the most thrilling race of the night, A-Class delivered the goods. Don’t let Brian Carber’s start-to-finish run of leading all 30 laps fool you, this was a barn burner. For the first 26 laps, Jason McDougal challenged him relentlessly until contact opened the door for Tyler Courtney to storm into contention. The action only heated up from there as Carber and Courtney connected on the final lap, ultimately resulting in a slight .187-second difference at the finish line for Carber’s second Golden Driller of the night.
Highlights from the Winged 'A' Class feature.
Outside polesitter Mason Keefer put a cap on a surprising Golden Driller in the 600cc Modifieds division. He didn’t even have a ride when his trip to Tulsa started last week, but it ended with him in victory lane. The Arizona driver won from the outside pole and become only the second Arizona native to ever win a Tulsa Shootout main event.
Feature highlights from the 600cc Modifieds.
The headlining 55-lap Winged Outlaw main event lived up to all the hype. A race stacked with the best talent imaginable, the feature field was highlighted by a whopping 24 total Golden Drillers won by 12 different feature starters.
Missouri’s Joe B. Miller, the 2017 champion, started on pole position and outgunned Jonathan Beason into turn one. Miller paced the opening 42 laps before a stumble on the restart allowed Beason to pull aside and drive by for the lead. However, the drama was just beginning.
Caution flew on lap 51 with four to go and the officials docked Beason two spots for his questionable move on the restart. The penalty handed the lead to California’s Mitchel Moles and he led the final laps with ease to score his first-career Golden Driller, while Beason settled for a heartbreaking second-place finish.
Highlights from the 55-lap Winged Outlaw finale.
It was certainly a week that won’t be forgotten soon. Thank you for tuning in all week long to FloRacing’s extended coverage all week long.
The 37th annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout can be seen live on FloRacing again next year from December 29, 2021 through January 1, 2022.
For now, the Tulsa Expo Raceway stays put and FloRacing’s Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals coverage will begin next Monday, January 11.