2019 SRL Champ Looks to Get Back on Track at Kern County Raceway
Bakersfield, CA – Cole Moore has a busy schedule in 2021, but the 2019 Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series Champion has made his plans to be at Kern County Raceway for the $10,000-to-Win “JM Environmental Inc. Wild West Shootout – Get-It-Hot 75” on June 26th. The driver of JM Environmental Inc., Berco Redwood Toyota Camry will be back in his championship car from the 2019 season and is looking forward to racing at a track at which he has performed well, in recent years.
“I’m excited to return back to the series with my 2019 championship car”, Moore told the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series. “I finished second twice in this car at Kern, so I know it has the speed to run upfront. Hopefully I can grab one more spot.”
In fact, excluding this year’s Winter Showdown, Moore has three consecutive top-three finishes and top-fives in four of the last five events. He came home the winner of Segment #2, at Kern County Raceway, in the “2019 Salute to America 50/50 presented by Bulwark FR”. He ended up third overall however, based on his Segment #1 finish.
His 2021 efforts have yielded little success thus far however, as the team has struggled with a newer car, and his lack of seat time, after missing the last three 2020 events. His part-time schedule, in several different cars in 2021, have not helped the Granite Bay, CA driver either, as he voiced.
“2021 in the Southwest Tour has been a struggle for us, just because we have been absent and out of the game in the Super Late Model world. I’ve said it so many times how competitive it is in the Southwest Tour, but it’s really a testament to the race teams and how they progress. Fall off for a couple of races and you get really behind the eight ball on speed. With that being said, my team is very strong as usual, and we will rebound.”
Kern County Raceway would be the perfect place for Moore to make a SRL rebound in 2021. In addition to the big prize money being offered for a win, and Moore’s recent history of success, it is also his favorite track on the West Coast.
“Kern has to be my favorite track on the West Coast”, Moore admitted. “The speed, the banking, and the grip make it a thrilling track to drive, always.”
Adding to the excitement is the thrill of competing with his father this upcoming weekend. John was very fast, when the “Tour” visited for the Winter Showdown earlier this year. The JM Environmental, Berco Lumber driver was in a new Hamke Racecars Formerly Rowdy) Super Late Model for only the second time. John drove the car through the field to run in the top-five, but a late race altercation ended his day in the Turn 1 crash wall. John is expecting to be back in that car for the first time since that accident and Cole is looking forward to taking on his dad on race day.
“There’s nothing like being at the races with my dad”, Cole described. “It’s always a fun competition, and we’re always trash talking each other, but it’s all out of love and fun. One of the reasons I love racing in the “Tour”, is being able to race with my dad. It doesn’t matter if it’s practice, qualifying, or the race, we are always competing.”
John is a major part of Cole’s racing team, and is a major piece of the puzzle responsible for his success behind the wheel of his Super Late Models. Moore has four victories in the Pacific Challenge Series and the championship in the SRL. Although he is still looking for his first SRL victory, the teams know that Cole is not a driver to overlook. That is especially true as a result of the help he receives at each event, as Cole states.
“I’d like to thank my parents, JM Environmental, Toyota Racing Development (TRD), Berco Redwood, Napa Power Premium Plus and my crew guys Mario, Chris, and Chris.”
The June 26th $10,000-to-win “JM Environmental Inc. Wild West Shootout – Get It Hot 75” will be the headline of the biggest single day race event of the year at Kern County Raceway. The special event will feature the “to-the-back” challenge, where any driver who qualifies into the top eight, will be given the option to start in the back for an extra $10,000-to-win. $1,000 will also be awarded to the leader at lap 27, making it possible for the winner to take home a whopping $21,000, thanks to John Moore and JM Environmental Inc.! LiUNA Local 220 will also be on hand to present the biggest fireworks show in Kern County.
The full night of racing on the big ½-mile with also feature the SPEARS Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services, who will race for $7,600 to win. Over 20 Pro Late Models are already expected. The Spears Modified Series and the BMR Drivers Academy will join the action for a huge evening of pulse pounding entertainment. Practice for all divisions begins at 12:40 pm. Admission Gates officially open at 5:00 pm. Qualifying will begin at 5:30 pm for the Pro late Models, Modifieds, Super Late Models and finally the BMR Academy. The Super Late Models will compete in three 10-lap Heat Races, to set the feature line-up. The fastest eight will redraw for their starting positions in their “Heat”, while the “Even” and “Odd” Heats will start straight-up.
For those unable to attend, catch all the action LIVE at www.SpearsRacing.TV. The event will also air on MAVTV at a time and date to be announced later.
Celebrating its twenty-first season in 2021, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.
PC#2: Sal Sigala Jr.
