Big rig racing at Five Flags Speedway

Bandit racing made a first ever visit to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL on Saturday, August 31st. This is a fast, half-mile, asphalt oval car track with 15 degree banking in the turns and 9 degrees on the straights.

Mackvader

Practice laps took place in 90+ heat. Morgan placed 10th in qualifying with a lap time of 24.059 seconds; the fastest time was 23.541 seconds by #4.

meet & greet

Heat Race 1 was won by #14 Ricky Rude Proffitt. Morgan started and finished Heat Race 2 in 1st place, while #55 and #51 did some bumping. Heat Race 3 was won by #74, Mark Noble.

During the Shoot Out #46 dropped his front bumper and blew a tire when he ran over it. The #88 challenged #14 and lost. Scott Treadway won the Shoot Out in #4.

In Challenge Race 1 the #13 led the first six laps before being overtaken by #8. Before the race ended #69 got loose and spun out, but did finish. In Challenge Race 2 Morgan started in 2nd, but was passed by #14. The #88 finished in 3rd behind #74 and #14.

racing

With a lucky draw #88 started the A-Main Race near the front in 4th position. The race began with #88 giving the #13 a boost into the lead. In lap 3 the #8 truck spun crashing into #41 and locking bumpers in a wild spin that ended when both crashed into the inside wall (#41 knocked a chunk out of the wall). Trucks #74, #69 and #46 spun trying to avoid the wreck, while #27 caught someone lowering his left pod. On the first restart #88 again boosted #13 causing both the slide, then #46 spun crashing into the inside wall. With the second restart #41 and #27 were able to rejoin at the back of the field, but #8 did not return. Luke Whitmire in the #51Mack truck took the lead and held on for the rest of the race. The #88 Mack truck managed to pass the #13 truck for a 1 - 2 Mack truck finish and a second place win for Mike Morgan. Third place went to Bob Mitchell in his first podium finish. It was also Luke's first win and first visit to the podium.

three winners