Motorsports News for July 8th

This Friday night the MOM’s will be trackside to strut their stuff at Five Flags Speedway. Oh, don’t worry; I’m not talking about our mom’s, I’m talking about the fire breathing “Modifieds of Mayhem” who will be on hand to trill the crowd. This will be their first appearance since May 13th and they’re all eager to return to one of the BADDEST little ½ mile tracks in the country.

We can expect many of the top Modified drivers from the Southeast such as Adam Crawford, Donnie Hamrac, Donald Crocker, (story inside on him), Billy Melvin, Okie Mason and Jeff Letson to be on hand; ready to show the muscle behind the wheels of these high powered open wheeled beasts.

Also on hand will be the Super Stocks, Sportsman and Bombers.

Look for the fierce battle to continue between the Mobile and Pensacola drivers in the Bomber division. This rivalry has really seemed to blossom in 2016, and each and every week we can see it getting more and more intense.

We’ve seen some great racing this year in the Bomber’s and we will continue to let them put on a show for our great fans but I will be the first to say that if it reaches the point of getting out of control, that’s when we will take control because we don’t want anyone to take it to the point of being unsafe.

We will return on July 22nd with the “Deep South Crane Rentals” Super Late Models for race number three.

Be sure to watch “In The Groove” on BLAB/TV and tune in to “Rubbins Racing” with Robbie Harvey on Tuesday at 6:00 pm on ESPN 1450 radio. Also go to our 5flagsspeedway website for updates on all upcoming events.

Hope you all had a great 4th of July and we’ll see you at the races!!

We’ll give a box of Really Good Steaks to the Five Flags 50/50 winner beginning on May 28th

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At No Cost To You.* A windshield contributes to your vehicles structural integrity.

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National Anthem

Ana Boesel

By Chuck Corder

Pokrant Proud to Honor American Hero, Enjoying Success On and Off Track

When you track Jim Pokrant down — no small feat these days (just ask Steve Buttrick) — on the Fourth of July, he’s exactly where you’d expect the 45-year-old patriot to be.

Pokrant was heading downtown to Veterans Memorial Park to claim a spot for the fireworks on Monday. Just like Pokrant and his party of 10 does every year.

The son of a man who served in both World War II and the Korean War, Pokrant always sets off his own pyrotechnics display each time he races. This season is no exception.

He enters The Dock on Pensacola Beach Sportsman Spectacular this Friday at the famed half-mile asphalt oval third in points, 42 behind leader — the aforementioned Buttrick. Pokrant is only 17 points out of second place.

“We’ve got one win, been running in the top-five all year. Plus, we finally beat Steve Buttrick!” Pokrant still sounding jubilant over his win last month. “Seriously, though, to finally outrun him was big for me. He’s tough to beat. He’s just a heckuva wheelman.” (Chuck’s detailed story on Jim Pokrant continues on our web site: www.5flagsspeedway.com).

5 Donald Crocker Citronelle, AL 7 Ryan Worsham Niceville, FL 07 Ryan Paul Mobile, AL 8 Donnie Hamrac Semmes, AL 14 Mike Maddox Meridian, MS 17 Chris Cotto Milton, FL 31 Parker Pugh Madison, AL 33 Jason Mormon Seabrook, TX 41 Rocky Rogers Jasper, AL 64 Adam Crawford Mobile, AL 66 Ryan Redmon Headland, AL 88 Larry Hughes Houston, TX 99 Brandon Howell Lucedale, MS 131 Jeff Letson Madison, AL 145 Billy Melvin Trussville, AL

4 Bill Cooley Milton, FL 9 Todd Jones Pace, FL 9 Andrue Nolen Cantonment, FL 14 Wesley King Seminole, AL 42 Randy Thompson Cantonment, FL 57 Charlie Skipper Jr. Panama CIty, FL 71 Shannon Jackson Pascagoula, MS 94 Jason Johnson Moss Point, MS

By

Chuck

By Chuck Corder

With Father, Late Mother Close to Heart, Never Lonely for Only-Child Crocker

Assumptions, fair or unfair, are often made about only children. Outsiders might negatively label only children as loners, spoiled and entitled.

Others might admire their independence, gratefulness, generosity and how they’re loyal to those closest to them.

Modifieds of Mayhem driver Donald Crocker falls into the latter group. The 24 year old knows the only reason he’s pursuing his racing dreams is because of his father, Don Crocker.

“I couldn’t do anything I do now without him. I’ve learned everything from him,” the younger Crocker said. “It’s a tight relationship. He’s always a bigger person that I am. When we start (arguing), he’ll tell me ‘You’re right,’ even though he and I both know I’m probably not. Without him, I sure wouldn’t fool with racing.”

Five Flags Speedway fans will once again get to witness this special father-son relationship in action Friday night when the Modifieds of Mayhem return for the first time since May. On that night, Crocker won the second of two 40lap features for his first win of the season on the fledgling series that tours the south’s top short tracks.

“That was pretty fun,” Crocker said of the twin 40s. “I wouldn’t mind doing it again.” He also added another Modifieds of Mayhem feature victory in Montgomery Motor Speedway last month.

The bond between Don and Donald Crocker extends well beyond the racetrack. Donald works for his father’s automotive business, D&T Automotive in the Crockers’ native Citronelle, Ala. And when work days are over, the Crocker boys burn the candles at both ends, looking for any angles that put the No. 5 Modified ahead of their rivals.

“Daddy hates losing,” Donald Crocker said. “We always work real hard at it. You have to give these things a little ‘TLC.’ If you don’t work on it, it shows when you get to the racetrack.

“Daddy does everything. He does all the motor work. He makes it run down the straightaways and I make it turn left through the corner. That’s always been our deal.”

It has been that way since Donald Crocker was a spry kid carrying an insatiable need to follow in his father’s footsteps. While never climbing behind the wheel himself, Don Crocker has owned cars for as long as Donald can remember.

Veteran Okie Mason was one of Don Crocker’s most accomplished drivers.

When the time came to add another driver to the stable, Don didn’t look far. (Read the rest of Chuck Corder’s story on Donald Crocker on the web: www.5flagsspeedway.com).

7/22 SERF Blizzard 125, Pro Trucks, Sportsmen, Bombers. 8/5 Demolition Derby, Modifieds of Mayhem, Sportsmen, Bombers. 8/13 Drifting SERF 125, 9/27/22 Pro Late Twin Blizzard 50’s Super Stocks, Sportsmen, Bombers. 9/17 Allen Turner Pro Trucks, Sportsmen, Bombers.

Tune Up 100 for PLM, Pro Trucks, Sportsmen, Bombers.

8/5 Demolition Derby, Modifieds Super

9/24 Season Championships, Blizzard 150, Stock, Sportsmen, Bombers. 10/1 of Mayhem, Sportsmen, Bombers; Drifting 11/19 Snowball

Meet the Candidates Nite Derby Preview 12/18/13 Mountain 4 49th Annual SnowballDew DerbyDrifting 7/22 SERF Blizzard 125, Pro Trucks, Sportsmen, Bomb9/2 Pro Late Twin 50’s ers. 8/5 Demolition Derby, Super Bombers.

Modifieds

Stocks, ofSportsmen, Mayhem, Sportsmen, Bombers. 8/13 Drifting 9/17 Allen Turner PLM Tune Up 100 9/2 Pro Late Twin 50’s Super Stocks, Pro Trucks, Sportsmen, Bombers.

Sportsmen, Bombers. 9/17 Allen Turner 9/24 Season Championships,

Tune Up 100 for PLM, Pro Trucks, Sportsmen, Bombers.

9/24 Season Championships, Blizzard

150, Super

Blizzard 150,

Stock, Sportsmen, Bombers. 10/1

Super

S tock, Sportsmen, Bombers.

Drifting 11/19 Snowball Derby Preview 12/110/1 Mountain Dew Drifting 4 49th Annual Snowball Derby

11/19 Snowball Derby(C) Preview 12/1-4 49th Annual Snowball Derby

Who is at the Wheel?

5 Derek Long; Bay Minette 8 BJ Leytham; Mobile 13 Jimmy Hollingsworth, Mobile 15 Robert Loper, Irvington 16 Brad Mosley; 8 Mile 22 John K Merritt; Pensacola 22 Zack Carpenter, Loxley, AL 24 Caleb Burkett, Pensacola 29 Matt Thompson, Wilmer, AL 34 Cory Pittman, Cantonment 42 Brandon Sidner, Pensacola 44 Bobby Jones, Mobile 49 Jay Whalen, Pensacola 52 Robert Balkum, Pensacola 56 Kerner Kafka, Pensacola 78 Tim Wilmot, Cantonment 80 Zack Jordan, Pensacola 86 Jonathan Smith, Theadore 88 Geno Denmark, Dauphin 91 Sarah Dority, Pensacola 95 Robert Riley, Gulf Breeze

00 Brannon Fowler, Molino 1 Jonathan Langham, Mobile 07 Jim Pokrant, Pensacola 09 Hunter McNair, Cantonment 13 Paul Mathis, Pensacola 28 Dayton Sidner, Cantonment 29 Shanna Ard, Milton 31 Johnny Greene, Daphne, AL 33 Steve Buttrick, Cantonment 51 Albert Pirez, Lillian, AL 60 Jimmy Goodwin, Milton 81 Tina Davidson, Pensacola 97 Hunter Lambert, Pensacola 99 Billy Hoover, Pensacola

Video Ted 850-458-2501

Pictures

52 Robert Balkum

33 Steve Buttrick

8

29 Shanna Ard

B J Leytham

22 John K Merritt

07 Jim Pokrant

6

28 Dayton Sidner

Kerner Kafka

91 Sarah Dority

9

3

Taylor Jorgensen

1

Howard Langham

94 Jason Johnson

46

Jarrett Parker

14 Wesley King

40

Brian Weimer

57 Charlie Skipper

6

Okie Mason

9

2

Bret Holmes

77

Zane Smith

99 Jr. Niedecken

31

Kyle Grissom

89 Jeremy Pate

7

Casey Roderick

12

Harrison Burton

99

Casey Smith

7 Tom 251-597-4747 Photo

97 Hunter Lambert

Cole Daffron

14 Connor Okrzesik

Todd Jones

Andrue Nolen

Points for drivers in all classes can be found on our web site: WWW.5FLAGSSPEEDWAY.COM