DEFENDING SERIES CHAMP READY FOR HOME TRACK RETURN

Cole Moore entered the August 15th Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series event at ALL AMERICAN SPEEDWAY – ROSEVILLE CA winless in 28 career starts. The 2019 series champion had ridden consistency and top-five finishes to a series championship, a Rookie-of-the Year title, as well as a third place standing in the 2020 championship chase. But a win in the series was what Moore had been searching for, after four triumphs in the Pacific Challenge Series. After four-time SRL Champion Derek Thorn had dominated the event, an oil-down created the opportunity for Moore to achieve his goal, as Thorn spun in that oil.

Moore inherited the lead, and with curfew quickly approaching, he put himself in the favorites position to score the win. Unfortunately for Moore, a poor restart found Carlos E. Vieira battling to the front spot. Vieira was also hungry for a victory after going zero for his previous 97 starts, finishing second on multiple occasions. As Moore chased Vieira, it was obvious that Moore was quicker, with time running down as Moore described.

“We were definitely the fastest car, aside from Derek (Thorn) at the end of the race. Unfortunately, my tires didn’t fire off on the late restart, allowing Carlos to sneak by me. Once Carlos took the lead from me, I knew that we were on a time restriction. It wasn’t clear if I had 20 laps or 5 laps to make the pass for the lead. Considering that, I was driving a bit more aggressive than I normally would have.”

Moore was able to get under Vieira several times heading down the backstretch but backed out to avoid contact. In lap 108, Moore once again found himself under Vieira, but contact was made as the duo raced down the backstretch. Moore once again backed out, but contact to the rear of Vieira’s bumper sent the 51 FIFTY LTM sponsored driver into the spin cycle in Turn 3. By rule, Moore was sent to the back of the field, effectively ending his shot at a victory. The defending series champion was obviously upset to lose the opportunity for his first series win, but in retrospect, the disappointment and blame could be placed on multiple fronts.

“I was upset with myself for giving up the lead in the first place”, Moore recalled. “I just couldn’t get my car to turn for the first few laps. After the race I was mad at the call, to send me to the back, because I did think he was blocking me. But we both can point fingers and argue our sides.  In reality, it was just two guys racing hard to get a win. No hard feelings on my side.”

Over the remaining seven laps to completion, Moore was able to recover and score a sixth-place finish at his home track. The All American Speedway Late Model Championship leader feels confident heading into the JM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. Wild West Shootout – Thunderstruck 127 presented by 51 FIFTY”. His four 2020 victories at All American Speedway, and his charge to the front in the last SRL event, only bolster his confidence heading into the September 26th event.

“I definitely have confidence coming into the next one”, Moore described. “I believe we will have a fast race car again, and I know that I can battle with the best of them on the short track. Hopefully we will have a more favorable outcome this time around.”

Moore currently sits third in the SRL Championship Standings behind Derek Thorn and Linny White. The trio of drivers are the same combatants that finished at the top of the heap in 2019. Moore and his team will need to step up their performance in the second half of the season, however, to get his second championship. But it is his consistency that has kept him in the running thus far, and a knack for finishing races. The Granite Bay, CA driver has only failed to finish two events in 29 SRL starts. It is a stat that ranks sixth in series all-time history.

“I am a very heads up racer” Moore explained to the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. “I consider myself exceptional at anticipating things ahead of me and the racing going on around me. I try not to put myself in positions that will end poorly. Also, it’s a pretty solid group of racers around me, so we are all able to race hard and mistakes are minimal.”

To compete at such a high level and to be able to finish all those races, it also takes good equipment and a great team. Moore has that strong team as well as support from his father’s business.

Moore stated, “I really want to thank my mom and dad (John Moore) as well as my entire team, for all that they do for me. I also would like to thank JM Environmental and JM Racing which allows us to do what we do.”

The “JM Environmental Wild West Shootout – Thunderstruck 127 presented by 51 FIFTY LTM.” will be Round #6 of the season, for the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series. It will pay $5,000 to the winner, thanks to the “Winners Bonus” from McGunegill Engine Performance. A Halfway Break is scheduled for the event, and the driver who leads lap 27 will receive an additional $1,000 thanks to JM Environmental. The Performance Friction Brakes Zero Drag Fast Time Award winner will receive $500, also thanks to JM Environmental Inc.

Practice for the series is scheduled to begin at 12:30 pm (PST) on Saturday, with Qualifying at 4:15 pm and Opening Ceremonies at 5:00 pm.   For those not in attendance, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series will be live streamed on www.SpearsRacing.TV. The local NASCAR Divisions will be live streamed at www.AllAmericanSpeedway.TV