Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Left Coast Race Scene

By Dave Grayson

LET'S ALL SEND SOME GOOD THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO DRIVER CHRIS COOK.

For several years now Chris Cook has been a veteran participant in the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series and is highly regarded by his peers and the fans of the series. Unfortunately, Cook sustained some serious injuries, from a racing accident not of his making, while participating in the July 23d Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series event held at the Rocky Mountain Speedway located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

On July 29th Cook posted an update on his "Facebook" page to inform his fans on the extent of those injuries:

" As many of you know I was involved in a wreck that was completely out of my control this past weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was able to walk away from the wreck with just some soreness to the body and a concussion, but as time went on my symptoms and the severity of it all got worse. I was taken to the hospital Monday due to really sharp pains in my head, turns out that little concussion I have is actually a grade 3 (severe) concussion. They did 4 trauma scans on me and work on my neck/spine. I'm in the recovery process right now, and my concussion can last anywhere from a week to a couple of months. I go in for surgery on August 9th, but I'm hoping to be back in the car and fully healed and 100% ready by August 20th for the next Lucas Oil race."

In that same post Cook also made it a point to thank his team, Garcia Racing, whom he regarded as being family:

"I am truly honored and blessed to be part of the greatest race team on Earth. Garcia Racing isn't just a team, it's a family and I can tell you this from first hand experience. Everyday since the wreck, one member if not multiple whether crew or teammate called or texted myself or my family to check up on me. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it felt, and how much that meant to my family and I. I'm taking it day by day, as my head is still really messed up and I'm pretty much a vegetable at this current state, but I will be back to my normal life and routine in no time."

Let's all send some good thoughts and prayers to Chris during his healing process. Don't be too surprised if you see Chris Cook at the next series race, August 20th at the Orange Show Speedway, wearing his driver's suit. This man has the true spirit of a racer.

GILLILAND SCORES AGAIN IN THE NASCAR WEST SERIES.

David Gilliland made a race winning move on Kyle Benjamin, with 68 laps remaining, to win the Casey's General Store 150 NASCAR K&N Series West and East combined event last Friday night at the Iowa Speedway. The 16 year old driver, from Sherill's Ford, North Carolina, led a race high 116 laps enroute to his 4th West Series of the season for team owner Bill McAnally Racing. Austin Theriault, Collin Cabre and Ryan Patridge completed the top five.

His latest win returned Gilliland to the top of the series' points standings. He now holds a very slim three point lead over Patridge. There are only five races remaining in the West Series schedule and this run for the series' title has the makings of becoming very exciting.

Benjamin's second place finish will give him credit as the NASCAR K&N Series East winner and the series' championship points that comes with it. He also won the Coors Light 21 Means 21 pole award during qualifying.

This race was taped for broadcast by NBCSN and is scheduled to air on August 5th at 2pm eastern time. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West returns to action on August 13th at the Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington.