
June 28
Thunderbird Speedway,
Muskogee, OK
Sanction: Ross Foundation Sooner Late Model Series (Hayden Ross Memorial) - $6,600
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated June 29, 8:10 am)
Eli Ross wins Hayden Ross Memorial, $6,600
Hayden Ross Memorial
- Eli Ross
- Brett Hansen
- Morgan Bagley
- Jon Kirby
- Brennon Willard
- Scott Crigler
- Dan Smith
- Dustin Leatherman
- Terry Henson
- Damian Patocka
- Delbert Smith
- J.C. Mattingly
- Steve Hewitt Sr.
- Gary Lowe
- Billy Moyer
- Nik Morgan
- Tony Jackson Jr.
- Jon Mitchell
- Sloppy Hogg
- Geoff Aitken
- Chris Wilhite Jr.
- Nate Jantz
- Michael Foreman
Eli Ross powers to his richest career victory at his home track.
What won the race: Powering around early leader Morgan Bagley on a lap-three restart, seventh-starting Eli Ross of Muskogee, Okla., overcame several restarts to win Saturday night's third annual Hayden Ross Memorial at Thunderbird Speedway. Ross beat Brett Hansen by 0.906 of a second for the $6,600 payday, the richest of his career, and his sixth Ross Foundation Sooner Late Model Series triumph.
Quotable: “I got so tired at the end (of the race), I thought I was gonna junk it, but the car was good,” Ross said, nearly overcome by emotion. “(These are) some of the best guys around Arkansas, Missouri, anywhere really.”
Key notes: Ross earned his fifth overall victory of the season and his third Sooner win of 2025, the first coming in March 28's season opener at Enid (Okla.) Speedway before two straight at Thunderbird, the track promoted by his father, Brady Ross. ... Eli is the younger brother of Hayden Ross who tragically died in October of 2022, at the age of 20 and was posthumously crowned the 2022 Sooner Series champion. ... Tenth-starting Brett Hansen took second from Morgan Bagley on a lap-19 restart, but never challenged Ross in the final laps. Bagley settled for third. ... Scott Crigler overcame lap-15 contact with Jon Kirby and salvaged a sixth-place effort. ... Polesitter Terry Henson faded to ninth. ... Hall of Famer Billy Moyer pressured Bagley in the early going before slowing from second for the race's eighth caution on lap 15. He was credited with 15th. ... Second-running Tony Jackson Jr. made contact while lapping Sloppy Hogg on the 12th circuit, causing Hogg to spin and bringing out the third yellow flag; neither could continue. ... Jon Mitchell slowed from sixth and retired on the ensuing restart. ... The 20-lap feature, reduced from 25 laps, was slowed by nine incidents and lasted 28 minutes, with 10 starters completing the distance and 14 running at the checkers.
On the move: Jon Kirby of Russellville, Ark., started 12th and finished fourth; Brennon Willard of Lebanon, Mo., started 13th and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Ross’s Rocket Chassis has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Ross Construction, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, Morgan Towing & Recovery, The Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation, Peterson Fluid Systems, Prophet Plumbing, Hornback’s Catfish Ranch, Bill Frye Motorsport, Schoenfeld Headers, Bert by Budda Transmissions, Thunderbird Speedway, Eibach Springs and Fox Racing Shox.
Points chase: After Thunderbird: 1. Dan Smith (2,952); 2. Delbert Smith (2,885); 3. Steve Hewitt Sr. (2,220); 4. Eric Brill (1,985); 5. Colby Moore (1,740).
Current weather: Clear, 82°F
Car count: 29
Polesitter: Terry Henson
Heat race winners: Scott Crigler, Terry Henson, Dustin Leatherman, Billy Moyer
Consolation race winners: Delbert Smith
Provisional starters: Gary Lowe, Michael Foreman, Steve Hewitt Sr.
Next series race: July 4, Enid Speedway (Enid, OK) $10,000
Editor's note: Corrects the spelling of Hogg's name (sted Hog).