Darren Patrick leads the Monroe Mafia Hit

Darren Patrick leads the Monroe Mafia Hit at Champion Park

Doyline, Louisiana (May 31, 2002) - Just when the O’Reilly SUPR Late Models thought they had seen the last of the Monroe Mafia as a group, they struck back and they did so with an unlikely member. Darren Patrick, a regular at the Fast Track Motorsports Park (formerly Super Bee Speedway), took over the lead when another pair of Mafia members got together battling for the top spot. Patrick from West Monroe, Louisiana led the final 16 laps in his Monroe Communications/MLRC Race Cars Chevrolet Monte Carlo GRT to claim his first ever O’Reilly SUPR Late Model victory at Champion Park Speedway.

Patrick also proved that it is still possible to build your own spec motor and still be competitive as Patrick and car owner Mike Lowe built the engine in his racecar. Summing up his first O’Reilly SUPR victory, Patrick stated, “This is the way it is supposed to be!”

Kenny Merchant, the lone member of the Monroe Mafia still battling week in and week out on the O’Reilly SUPR Late Model tour, was leading the event having taken over from B&K Underground Top Qualifier David Ashley who spun on lap 3. As the race moved past the halfway mark, Bill Avant was stalking Merchant looking for an opportunity to make his move. Avant made his move in the corner on lap 35 but the pair made contact sending Merchant spinning. O’Reilly SUPR officials ruled that Avant was too aggressive in attempting the pass and he was sent off the track. Merchant, who was sent to the rear for spinning, also elected to park his car for the remainder of the race.

Local competitor and 1998 O’Reilly SUPR Champion Rusty Cummings finally overcame some of his recent hard luck and recorded a solid second place finish. He was followed by a fellow Minden, Louisiana competitor, Allen Tippen who has proven capable of running with the O’Reilly SUPR Late Models, qualifying for each of the last three events.

Ryan Plaisance recorded another solid finish in his new team, now driving for Chief Edison Chouest, coming home in fourth place, just ahead of the fourth Monroe Mafia member on hand this weekend, Bubba Mullins.

Rodney Wing finished 9th and extended his point lead over David Ashley and also recorded his 11th top 10 finish in 12 races. Last Saturday night’s winner Marlon Wild claimed his sponsor’s award as he was named the Lloyd Wild Jr., Logging Hard Charger for the event.

34 O’Reilly SUPR Late Models were on hand. Bill Avant, Allen Tippen, James Ward, Ryan Plaisance and David Ashley each claimed a heat race victory.

Official Results:

1. Darren Patrick

2. Rusty Cummings

3. Allen Tippen

4. Ryan Plaisance

5. Bubba Mullins

6. Odie Green

7. Bert Chanler

8. Rob Litton

9. Rodney Wing

10. Jon Mitchell

11. Jay Blair

12. Marlon Wild

13. David Ashley

14. Sam Patrick

15. Ray Moore

16. Trey Beene

17. Kenny Merchant

18. Bill Avant

19. Tommy Surrett

20. Ronny Adams

21. Jeff Chanler

22. Keith Craft

23. James Ward

24. Jody Prince

Designed and Developed by Internet Advantage

Maintained by Weakside Productions