Story by Tom Baker - KBR Team Photos

Tulsa, Oklahoma -- The 41st Tulsa Shootout, known as the "Mecca of Micros", saw three drivers from the Kyle Beattie Racing / SKE Family of racers make it all the way to the "A-Mains" on Saturday after a long week that saw entries top the 2,000 mark for the first time in the event's history.
 
Tanner Tucker, Payton Johnson, and Levi "Beefstick" Ballard all survived heats, mains, and last-chance qualifiers to be among the final 24 contenders in their respective divisions, vying for a coveted Golden Driller trophy.  

Ballard put on a show in the JR. Sprint A-Main.  He started 15th in the 24-car field and charged his way through to finish fifth at the checkered. He earned the "Hard Charger Award" for his division and the respect of a record crowd of spectators and teams in the process. 

Johnson made his first trip to Tulsa this year and showed he belonged right away on Tuesday when he won his first heat event.  He drove hard and smoothly all week long to get to the Winged A Class's B-Main, where he started pole and won that as well!  He went on to finish second in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), which earned him a spot in the A-Main, where he gave it all he had, but got down early and finished 18th. 

Tucker got to the A main in the R-Micro division.  He started 19th but got caught up in a multi-car incident that damaged his wing, and he was relegated to a 23rd-place finish at the end.  

Others who raced in Saturday's B-Mains included Owin Halpain (11th in Winged Outlaw), Nathan Meendering (seventh in Non-Wing Outlaw), and Coen McDaniel (ninth in Winged A Class). Tucker was scheduled to race in the Winged Outlaw B-Main on Saturday, but elected to forego that attempt so they could focus on trying to make the A-Main in R-Micro, which they did.

 We had several drivers who made it through to Friday's competition, including Karter Beattie (Outlaw Non-Wing and Winged A Class), London McKenzie (Outlaw Non-Wing and Winged A Class), Coen McDaniel (Outlaw Non-Wing), Riley Dawson (Outlaw Non-Wing and Winged A Class), Trace Latour (Jr. Sprint), Emeryn Fenton (Jr. Sprint), Emily Dietrich (Restricted Micro), and Nathan Meendering (Winged A Class). 

"We're proud of all of our racers this week," Kyle Beattie said after the event. "We had a lot of first-timers this year, and a record number of entries.  Less than 200 out of over 2000 racers make it into the A-Mains.  We had some bad luck with blown motors and other mechanical issues, but every one of our drivers, from Karter and London to almost a dozen of our customers, showed themselves well and fought as hard as they could all week long. It's exhausting and it can tear your heart out by day three, but that's what makes it what it is. Peyton, Tucker and Levi all did a tremendous job on Saturday. Thank you to every member of our racing family who took 10 days out of their own lives to come out and help us, and to Two Speed Motorsports and our other sponsors who support us not just for this event but all year long."

With little time to rest, the team is spending this week gearing up for Saturday's Winter Series race at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury, North Carolina.  On-track action is scheduled for 1 pm Eastern and will be broadcast live on DirtVision for those unable to get to the track.   

Supporters of Karter Beattie and KBR include The Joie of Seating, SKE Chassis, Mills Ammunition, Ballard Incorporated - Green Industry Accessories, Kyle Beattie Racing & Driver Development, Jockos Sprint Parts, MPI - Max Papis Innovations, Cabinets Trim & More, LJ Dezigns Apparel & Wraps, and PMP Chassis.