Cook
Sets Fast Time; Finishes Sixth in $5,000 All-Star Series Show (April
3, 2022) Ray Cook and his #53 team returned to
I-75 Raceway for the second straight Saturday evening on April
2 to compete in an American Crate All-Star Series special event.
A total of 34 Crate Late Models showed up and showed out at the
Volunteer State oval and Ray set the bar in qualifying by posting
the fastest lap of 15.730 seconds.
Ray then ran third in the fast dash to earn the
rights to the inside of the second row for the start of the 50-lap
feature event. With $5,000 on the line in the contest, the Brasstown,
North Carolina ace fought hard for a top five showing before slipping
to sixth at the checkered flag behind only victor Hayden Cardwell,
Cory Hedgecock, Cameron Weaver, Zach Sise, and Jeremy Steele.
Complete results from the Sweetwater, Tennessee facility can be
located online by clicking on www.i75raceway.com.
Ray Cook Battles for
Lead Early; Finishes Third at I-75 Raceway! (March
27, 2022) Ray Cook Racing bolted to the Volunteer
State on Saturday, March 26 for a 604 Crate Late Model weekly
show at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Ray Cook stopped
the clock second fastest overall during the qualifying session
to earn the outside of the front row for the start of the 25-lap
feature event. With a $1,200 paycheck on the line, Ray battled
polesitter Cameron Weaver for the point during the opening laps
before eventually slipping to third by the unfurling of the checkers.
The Brasstown, North Carolina standout landed on the podium behind
only winner Weaver and runner-up Jesse Lowe. Full results from
I-75 Raceway can be located online by clicking on www.i75raceway.com.
Cook Pulls Double
Duty in Shamrock; Finishes on Podium in Crate (March
20, 2022) Brasstown, North Carolina driver Ray
Cook pulled double duty on Saturday, March 19 in the annual 'Shamrock'
race at Boyd's Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia. Behind the wheel
of his own #53 Crate Late Model, Ray posted the sixth quickest
lap overall during the qualifying session to earn the outside
of the third row for the start of the 604 main event. Ray then
vaulted towards the front of the field, battled hard for the second
spot, and ultimately wound up on the podium in third behind only
$3,000 victor Booger Brooks and runner-up Cameron Weaver!
The Ultimate Super Late Model Series was also in
action at the Chattanooga-area facility and a $5,000 winner's
check was up for grabs during the 'Shamrock' showdown. Ray, who
was piloting a #27 entry out of Joe Denby's racing stable, laid
down the eleventh quickest time in Group B during qualifying before
grabbing the sixth transfer spot through his B-Main. The driver
known as the "Tarheel Tiger" then moved up a few spots
during the course of the 40-lapper and was eventually paid for
an eighteenth place performance. Full results from last night
at Boyd's Speedway can be viewed online at www.boydsspeedway.com.
Ray Cook Fights Through
Issues to Land Top Ten in Spring Nattys (February
20, 2022) Ray Cook and his #53 team kicked off
their version of the 2022 racing season in the 'Spring Nattys'
at Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, Georgia on Saturday, February
19. Ray, who plans to primarily compete in a Crate Late Model
in 2022, entered the Limited Late Model show at the Peach State
venue to start his year, as a $2,000 paycheck was up for grabs.
Ray fought through mechanical woes during qualifying to post the
ninth quickest lap and later started the A-Main from the inside
of the fifth row. With passing at a premium on the one-lane racing
surface, Ray wound up finishing right where he started in his
season opener... in the ninth position. Complete results from
Lavonia Speedway can be accessed online at www.lavoniaspeedway.net.
Cook Collected in
Wreck During Season Finale at Boyd's Speedway (November
21, 2021) Ray Cook Racing rolled into Boyd's Speedway
in Ringgold, Georgia on Saturday, November 20 for the 33rd edition
of the 'Gobbler,' which wrapped up their 2021 campaign. The Valvoline
Iron-Man Late Model Series sanctioned the single-day throwdown
at the Chattanooga-area venue and 36 competitors piled into the
pit area to vie for the $5,000 payday. Ray Cook knocked down the
fifth quickest time in Group A during the qualifying session,
which locked him into the inside of the fifth row for the start
of the 40-lap main event. The Brasstown, North Carolina ace was
then running at the back part of the top ten when a multi-car
incident following a restart collected his #53 machine. Front
end damage forced Ray to retire from the 'Gobbler' and he was
officially paid for a twenty-second place showing. Full results
from the season-ending event at Boyd's Speedway can be viewed
online at www.imdirt.net.
Ray Cook Unfortunately
Spun on Restart; Retires Early in National 100 (November
1, 2021) Ray Cook and his #53 team traveled to
East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Alabama on October
30-31 to compete in the 47th edition of the 'National 100.' The
unsanctioned Super Late Model showdown at EAMS boasted a whopping
$20,000 top prize. On Saturday during preliminary action, Ray
knocked down the second fastest lap in his group during the qualifying
session prior to placing third in his loaded heat race.
In Sunday's 100-lap headliner, Ray started the contest
from the inside of the fifth row and was battling hard for a spot
in the top ten when he was unfortunately spun from behind on an
early restart. After going down a lap, the Brasstown, North Carolina
ace eventually retired from the 'National 100' and settled for
a twenty-third place performance in the annual late-season special.
Complete results from EAMS can be viewed online at www.eamsdirt.com.
Cook Climbs Inside
of Top Ten in $12,000 Fall Nationals at I-75! (October
24, 2021) The lone event over the October 22-23
weekend for Ray Cook Racing took place on Saturday evening at
I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee. The Valvoline Iron-Man
Late Model Series presided over the 'Fall Nationals' and a solid
28 car field converged on the Volunteer State oval to vie for
the $12,000 winner's check. Ray Cook stopped the clock sixth quickest
in Group B during the qualifying session before grabbing the third
transfer spot through his stacked heat race. Ray then started
the 50-lap main event from the outside of the sixth row and was
able to steer his #53 ride past a handful of competitors during
the distance to land in the seventh finishing position. Complete
results from last night at I-75 Raceway can be accessed online
at www.imdirt.net.
Ray Cook Racing Invades
Dixie Speedway for $15k Dixie Shootout (October
10, 2021) For the first time in over a month,
Ray Cook Racing returned to dirt-slinging action on Saturday,
October 9 at the historic Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rolled into the Atlanta-area
oval and a $15,000 top prize was up for grabs in the annual running
of the 'Dixie Shootout.' Ray Cook struggled in qualifying and
unfortunately could not make much headway during the remainder
of the preliminary competition. The Brasstown, North Carolina
ace finished ninth in his loaded heat race against the national
touring stars and eighth in his B-Main, which kept him out of
the 50-lap headliner that was ultimately won by Jonathan Davenport.
Full results from last night at Dixie Speedway can be viewed online
at www.lucasdirt.com.
Broken Water Pump
Slows Ray Cook at Boyd's Speedway... (September
4, 2021) Ray Cook and his #53 team invaded Boyd's
Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia on Friday night, September 3 for
an Iron-Man Late Model Series program. The 'Labor Day Showdown'
drew a 23 car field that showed up to do battle for the $4,000
paycheck. Ray stopped the clock fifth quickest in Group A during
the qualifying session, which locked him into the inside of the
fifth row for the start of the 40-lap headliner. The Brasstown,
North Carolina ace then vaulted up to as high as fourth in the
running order by halfway before suffering a broken water pump
on lap 20. The mechanical woes dropped Ray to a disappointing
twentieth place effort and forced him to skip any further racing
action over the holiday weekend. Full results from Boyd's Speedway
can be viewed online at www.imdirt.net.
Cook Invades North
Georgia Speedway; Walks Away with Top Five (August
29, 2021) For the first time since early July,
Ray Cook Racing headed back to the racetrack, as they made the
last minute decision to invade North Georgia Speedway on Saturday
evening, August 28. A weekly Late Model program was held at the
Chatsworth, Georgia oval and an $800 winner's check was up for
grabs. Ray Cook clicked off the fourth fastest lap overall during
the qualifying session to earn the outside of the second row for
the start of the main event. After quickly jumping up to third
and looking for more, Ray unfortunately jumped the cushion early
in the feature distance and dropped back several spots. At the
finish, the Brasstown, North Carolina ace was fifth in the final
rundown behind only victor Jason Deal, Aaron Wilson, Ronnie Johnson,
and Josh Walker. Full results from North Georgia Speedway can
be viewed online at www.northgaspeedway.com.
Ray Cook Claims Top
Five in Sugar Creek Raceway Clash! (July
4, 2021) Ray Cook was back behind the wheel of
his own #53 entry on Saturday evening, July 3 in a Super Late
Model clash at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The
unsanctioned race paid out a $1,500 top prize. Ray clicked off
the sixth fastest lap overall during the qualifying session to
earn the outside of the third row for the start of the 25-lap
feature event. The Brasstown, North Carolina standout was then
able to climb up inside of the top five in the contest to eventually
record a solid fifth place outing in a race that was won by Murphy
native Kurt English. Full results can be found on the Sugar Creek
Raceway Facebook page. (Alpha Racing Photography)
(April
3, 2022) Ray Cook and his #53 team returned to
I-75 Raceway for the second straight Saturday evening on April
2 to compete in an American Crate All-Star Series special event.
A total of 34 Crate Late Models showed up and showed out at the
Volunteer State oval and Ray set the bar in qualifying by posting
the fastest lap of 15.730 seconds.
(March
27, 2022) Ray Cook Racing bolted to the Volunteer
State on Saturday, March 26 for a 604 Crate Late Model weekly
show at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Ray Cook stopped
the clock second fastest overall during the qualifying session
to earn the outside of the front row for the start of the 25-lap
feature event. With a $1,200 paycheck on the line, Ray battled
polesitter Cameron Weaver for the point during the opening laps
before eventually slipping to third by the unfurling of the checkers.
The Brasstown, North Carolina standout landed on the podium behind
only winner Weaver and runner-up Jesse Lowe. Full results from
I-75 Raceway can be located online by clicking on 
(March
20, 2022) Brasstown, North Carolina driver Ray
Cook pulled double duty on Saturday, March 19 in the annual 'Shamrock'
race at Boyd's Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia. Behind the wheel
of his own #53 Crate Late Model, Ray posted the sixth quickest
lap overall during the qualifying session to earn the outside
of the third row for the start of the 604 main event. Ray then
vaulted towards the front of the field, battled hard for the second
spot, and ultimately wound up on the podium in third behind only
$3,000 victor Booger Brooks and runner-up Cameron Weaver!
(February
20, 2022) Ray Cook and his #53 team kicked off
their version of the 2022 racing season in the 'Spring Nattys'
at Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, Georgia on Saturday, February
19. Ray, who plans to primarily compete in a Crate Late Model
in 2022, entered the Limited Late Model show at the Peach State
venue to start his year, as a $2,000 paycheck was up for grabs.
Ray fought through mechanical woes during qualifying to post the
ninth quickest lap and later started the A-Main from the inside
of the fifth row. With passing at a premium on the one-lane racing
surface, Ray wound up finishing right where he started in his
season opener... in the ninth position. Complete results from
Lavonia Speedway can be accessed online at 
(November
21, 2021) Ray Cook Racing rolled into Boyd's Speedway
in Ringgold, Georgia on Saturday, November 20 for the 33rd edition
of the 'Gobbler,' which wrapped up their 2021 campaign. The Valvoline
Iron-Man Late Model Series sanctioned the single-day throwdown
at the Chattanooga-area venue and 36 competitors piled into the
pit area to vie for the $5,000 payday. Ray Cook knocked down the
fifth quickest time in Group A during the qualifying session,
which locked him into the inside of the fifth row for the start
of the 40-lap main event. The Brasstown, North Carolina ace was
then running at the back part of the top ten when a multi-car
incident following a restart collected his #53 machine. Front
end damage forced Ray to retire from the 'Gobbler' and he was
officially paid for a twenty-second place showing. Full results
from the season-ending event at Boyd's Speedway can be viewed
online at 
(November
1, 2021) Ray Cook and his #53 team traveled to
East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Alabama on October
30-31 to compete in the 47th edition of the 'National 100.' The
unsanctioned Super Late Model showdown at EAMS boasted a whopping
$20,000 top prize. On Saturday during preliminary action, Ray
knocked down the second fastest lap in his group during the qualifying
session prior to placing third in his loaded heat race. 
(October
10, 2021) For the first time in over a month,
Ray Cook Racing returned to dirt-slinging action on Saturday,
October 9 at the historic Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rolled into the Atlanta-area
oval and a $15,000 top prize was up for grabs in the annual running
of the 'Dixie Shootout.' Ray Cook struggled in qualifying and
unfortunately could not make much headway during the remainder
of the preliminary competition. The Brasstown, North Carolina
ace finished ninth in his loaded heat race against the national
touring stars and eighth in his B-Main, which kept him out of
the 50-lap headliner that was ultimately won by Jonathan Davenport.
Full results from last night at Dixie Speedway can be viewed online
at 
(August
29, 2021) For the first time since early July,
Ray Cook Racing headed back to the racetrack, as they made the
last minute decision to invade North Georgia Speedway on Saturday
evening, August 28. A weekly Late Model program was held at the
Chatsworth, Georgia oval and an $800 winner's check was up for
grabs. Ray Cook clicked off the fourth fastest lap overall during
the qualifying session to earn the outside of the second row for
the start of the main event. After quickly jumping up to third
and looking for more, Ray unfortunately jumped the cushion early
in the feature distance and dropped back several spots. At the
finish, the Brasstown, North Carolina ace was fifth in the final
rundown behind only victor Jason Deal, Aaron Wilson, Ronnie Johnson,
and Josh Walker. Full results from North Georgia Speedway can
be viewed online at 
(July
4, 2021) Ray Cook was back behind the wheel of
his own #53 entry on Saturday evening, July 3 in a Super Late
Model clash at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The
unsanctioned race paid out a $1,500 top prize. Ray clicked off
the sixth fastest lap overall during the qualifying session to
earn the outside of the third row for the start of the 25-lap
feature event. The Brasstown, North Carolina standout was then
able to climb up inside of the top five in the contest to eventually
record a solid fifth place outing in a race that was won by Murphy
native Kurt English. Full results can be found on the Sugar Creek
Raceway Facebook page. (Alpha Racing Photography)
