Southern Modified Series

Decker Declared Winner in NCRA Southern Mods at Enid Speedway Park

By David Smith, Jr. 

Enid, Oklahoma (July 25, 2010, - Despite losing the lead with just four laps to go due to a broke tie-rod, Edmond, Oklahoma driver Todd Decker found his way into victory lane after all as he took home his second O’Reilly/NCRA southern modified feature victory of the young season Sunday night during the Enid Speedway Park Summer Nationals in Enid, Oklahoma in the series inaugural visit to the Garfield County Fairgrounds.

Robert Elliott of Clinton started on the pole for the twenty-five lap feature event with current series points leader Dustin Buntin alongside. Elliott would lead the first four laps, opening up a ten car length advantage before his night ended quickly as his motor expired on lap five.    

Decker, aboard the DIRT Performance Parts and Tires sponsored machine, took over the top position and despite several cautions for spins, maintained a consistent six to ten car length lead throughout the race over Kyle Slader of Muskogee.

However, with just five laps to go, the front tie-rod broke on Deckers car allowing Slader to move around the leader on lap twenty-one.

Once out front, Slader would open a six car length advantage and at the end the apparent victory. However, post race inspection found a minor rule infraction thus giving Decker the victory.

Buntin would come home second and maintain his early season points lead as fifth starting Terry Osborn made his first ever series appearance a good one finishing third. Keith Estes came from his sixteenth starting position to finish fourth with fourteenth starting Ross McCartney rounding out the top five.

The five, eight lap heat races for the forty-one car field were won by Decker, Elliott, Buntin, Osborn and Kevin Dickson while Kevin Snow and Craig Ridgeway took home victories in the two, ten lap “B” features.

The next stop for the O’Reilly/NCRA southern modified division will be held on Saturday night, August 7, at the big half mile oval of the famed Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee, Oklahoma on the grounds Muskogee Fairgrounds.

The National Championship Racing Association would like to thank the following for their contribution and involvement with the southern modified division for 2010: O’Reilly Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels.

The series would like to thank the following contingency partners with the southern modified division for the 2010 race season. Arizona Sports Shirts, Bassett Wheels, DIRT Performance Parts and Tires, Hooker Harness, Pro Shocks, Racing Optics, Saldana Racing Products, Taylor Cable Products, The Joie of Seating and Ultra Shield.