Latest News Local Tracks

Mike Cooper Hoping To Return To Victory Lane At Carteret County Speedway

by Press Release June 18, 2019 0 comments

PELETIER, N.C. – Mike Cooper is hoping to park his Street Stock in victory lane for the second time in the 2019 season on Saturday night at Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway.

Cooper, 46, from Plymouth, North Carolina, picked up a victory in the season opening race for the Street Stock division.  However, in the three races since, the division has been dominated by Chris Burns.   Cooper has finished second to Burns in two of the last three races.  Cooper, however, expects to snap Burns’ winning streak on Saturday night.

“So far, the season has been good,” Cooper said.  “Started off with us having them covered, then Chris showed up and put us to work.  That’s okay, I like a challenge.  We’ve found a few things with the car and I feel like we can beat him this weekend.  He’s super strong competition and a great driver.  Love racing him.  If I pass him, it’s going to be on the outside.”

Cooper is currently fourth in the Street Stock championship standings – trailing division leader John Sharp by 18 points.  He would love to win a championship, which would be first since 2009 at East Carolina Motor Speedway, but his focus is on winning races.

“I would love to win the championship,” Cooper remarked.  “I’ve only won one championship in my 20-year racing career.  I would rather win races though, especially against Chris.”

Cooper began racing in the 1990s, when stock car racing was reaching its peak in popularity in the United States.  He began helping his friend before deciding to get his own car, a 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and go racing himself.

“A friend of mine was racing Street Stocks at East Carolina,” Cooper recalled.  “I helped him out some.  After a while, I decided I’d rather drive.  I bought my first racecar, a 1978 Monte Carlo, and have built my own ever since.”

Cooper’s next shot at victory will come on Saturday night in the Islander Resort & Hotel Southern All-Star Showdown.  In addition to the Sportsman’s Wholesale Street Stock division, Limited Late Models, U-CARs, Legends, Mini Cups and Champ Karts will all be in action.  Festivities will get underway at 6pm with the meet-and-greet featuring special guests Bobby and Donnie Allison.  The green flag will fly at 7:15pm.

Tickets are $15 for adults while kids 10 and under get in free.  Recent high school graduates will also be admitted free.

For more information about Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway, visit the track’s official website at www.carteretspeedway.com, “like” Carteret County Speedway on Facebook or follow @carteretcoswy on Twitter.

Source/Photo Credit: Carteret County Speedway