As fireworks lit up the night sky, the Cook Out Summer Shootout season finale concluded with 152 cars battling it out for a championship title in an electrifying Round 10.
Taking one last trip to Victory Lane, Penelope Carlisle (Night Owl Companies Beginner Bandos), Wyatt Coffey (Bandits), TJ Moon (Bojangles Outlaws), Benjamin Rogers (Chargers), Neal Dulin (Night Owl Companies Young Lions), London McKenzie (VP Fuels Semi-Pro), Jensen Jorgensen (UNC Charlotte Pro) and Lee Jordan (Old Armor Beer Company Masters) all claimed Round 10 wins.
Night Owl Companies Young Lions
In an intense Round 10 title fight, Neal Dulin’s championship run was marked by a strategic pass for the lead in the final two laps as he picked up his third win of the summer, and with it, the Night Owl Companies Young Lions division crown. Coming into the night Max Reaves led the narrow field by three points over Keelan Harvick who was only three points ahead of Dulin.
After qualifying P1, Harvick got out to an early lead being chased down by Reaves, Dulin and Ryan Zima who established his presence in the top five. Following a mechanical error by Reaves on Lap 14, the battle was cut to three, with Zima splitting up Dulin and Harvick, who both had a lot to prove.
Due to a bump and run attempt on Harvick in Lap 21, Zima allowed Dulin to make a heads-up move into the second position before tracking down Zima in the final laps to take the cake and headline the summer as champion.
“I am so happy right now. I wish my younger self could see me now,” said Dulin on what the title win meant to him. “I wish my grandfather was here. I want to thank everyone who got me to this moment.”
Harvick (857) finished second with Reaves (834), Zima (798) and Nathan Lyons (797) wrapping up the Night Owl Companies Young Lions top five.
UNC-Charlotte Pros
Jensen Jorgensen was the ace of the field in the Round 10 UNC-Charlotte Pro race for the first time this summer, but despite his triumph, Jake Bollman claimed the championship title, taking home the coveted championship belt.
Bollman entered the summer finale needing a 10th place or better finish to cement his legacy and did just that, capping off the season with a second-place spot on the podium and a shootout title with 881 points.
Daniel Wilk (866) was second in points, while Jorgensen (853), Caleb Heady (782) and Joel Smith (777) rounded out the top five championship finishers.
Old Armor Beer Company Masters
Due to inclement weather, the Old Armor Beer Company Masters race concluded early with the championship determined based on points accumulated over the previous nine rounds.
In the second closest points battle of the season, Lee Jordan emerged as the champion with 757 points, beating Adam Welch (752) by only five to end the season. Robby Faggart (743), Carl Cormier (715) and Brandin Wrisley (678) concluded the Old Armor Beer Company Masters.
VP Fuels Semi-Pros
In the final VP Fuels Semi-Pro battle, London McKenzie continued his winning streak, securing his third consecutive victory. Despite a strong challenge by newcomer Lucas Vera, McKenzie managed to edge out his competitor as the time flag flew.
With a stirring Round 10 battle, McKenzie was able to cut Michael Craftons 22-point championship lead to just five to end the season. Succeeding on his upgrade from last year's fifth-place trophy to this season's championship, Crafton concluded the season with 849 points. Behind McKenzie (844) was Gunter (819), Hunter Jordan (818) and Aiden McConnaughey (787) finishing out the top five VP Fuels Semi-Pro.
Bojangles Outlaws
In a competitive caution-filled clash, TJ Moon conquered the field for the seventh time this season, besting Bryson Nichols in his third second-place finish. Nichols led the first 14 laps before Moon jumped ahead and took over the time-shortened race.
Moon received the blue ribbon, cementing his championship-caliber summer with 900 points, in the Bojangles Outlaw division. Nichols and Owen Zacharias both earned 858 points, tying for second, but based on average finish, Nichols received second with Zacharias right behind. Colt Johnson (839) and Jefferey Beck (783) all found a spot in the top five in Bojangles Outlaw points.
Bandits
Securing his eighth Bandits win of the summer, Wyatt Coffey once again held off Jack Smith to find his way to Victory Lane in the Cook Out Summer Shootout season finale.
After finishing third in Bandits points last season, Coffey (912) was able to top this summer's competition with a 41-point gap to take the championship. Jack Smith followed with 871 points and Camden Truett (827) joined the podium in third. Gerald White III (776) and Delaney Gray (762) capped out fourth and fifth in season points.
Chargers
After trading first place back and forth with Katie Yonchuk, Benjamin Rogers got his second win of the season just in the knick of time before the final caution ended the race. Although there is no championship for the Chargers division, the competitive Yonchuk finished right behind, followed by Abi Johnson, Addyson King and Alison Johnson to put a bow on the season.
Night Owl Companies Beginner Bandos
In dominating fashion, Penelope Carlisle was in it to win it in the no-points Beginner Bandolero division, getting her first victory in the final round of the summer spectacle of speed. Carlisle led every lap, defending the top position from Carson Wise and Ben Buzze, who took home the second and third.
NEXT UP:
Kicking off Amerca’s Home for Racing’s fall season, the Cook Out Monster Truck Bash will hit The Dirt Track on Aug. 17. This year’s bash will feature 10 six-ton, metal-mashing machines taking on one of the country’s most challenging and diabolical outdoor courses during the annual one-night-only extravaganza.
TICKETS:
Adult tickets are just $30, while children 12 and under get in for $10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets. Any fan who brings a Cook Out Cup to The Dirt Track will receive early access to the Cook Out Monster Truck Bash Pit Party.
KEEP TRACK:
Follow all the exhilarating Cook Out Monster Truck Bash excitement through the hashtag #MonsterTruckBash. Connect with The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.
