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WAITING: Jim Bland sits in the seat of the No. 16 car as the fans rise in the background in anticipation of the national anthem before the start of the Rob Bland Memorial Race. Photo by Mike Howard Photography
LAWTON – Cyril’s Rob Bland was a racer by every definition of the word.
He raced the No. 16 Limited Modified at Lawton Speedway and many other tracks around south Oklahoma and north Texas.
Bland was known for his kindness, willingness to help other racers, and his contagious laughter. Rob tragically lost his life in December of 2021.
Lawton Speedway organized the Rob Bland Memorial to be run on July 16.
Before the race Bland’s father paced his son’s car around the track and racers came out to pay their respects.
Once the racing got started it was a great night of it.
Mini Stocks: Brian Stotler in his No. 76 machine drove to victory in Heat One. In the second heat, Dakota Davies made quick work up the field from seventh place to take the victory. In the third and final heat, Jermey Mitchell started and ended in first place. In the Feature, Davies once again drove through the field. This time from sixth to take home the victory. Stotler came in second after starting in fourth, and Dakota Southerland rounded out the podium in third place.
USRA Modifieds: In his 11D, Cole Dennis started at the pole and drove away to a victory. In the second heat, James Reed’s 1S followed suit by starting and finishing in the first position. In the third head the No. 2C of Justin Cox went from forth to first to take the victory.
In the A Main, as he did in the heat race, Dennis’ 11D started at the pole and drove away to victory. Michael Riskey’s 2R stayed put throughout the race as well, starting and finishing in second place. Kale Westover’s No. 15 followed the leaders, starting and ending in the third.
Factory Stocks: Chris Wilhite Sr. won the first heat in his #21W. The second and final heat of the factory stock class was won by John Nemetz in his No. 30. In the Feature, Chris Linares’ 3L started in second and worked his way into the lead and ultimately the victory. Aaron Lustfield dropped back from first to second in the race, and Bobby Miller went from sixth to third to round out the podium.
Limited Modifieds: Taking center stage of the memorial race was Rob Bland’s No. 16. In Heat One, Timmy Johnson’s No. 76 took the victory. In the second heat, Kody McDowell from Walters took the victory. In Heat Three, Chad King’s 22K took the checkered flag. In the fourth heat, Mitchell Henson’s 9H took the victory. In the final heat of the evening, Jeffery Kaup’s No. 92 took the win.
With a staggering 43 entries, the Limited Modifieds had two B Mains, each taking three cars to finalize the field for the A Main. In B Main One, Tanner Ridge, Jason Hilliard, and TJ Garrett all advanced. In the second B Main, Austin Bonner, Terrell Evan, and Aaron Alley all advanced.
Before the A Main, Bland’s No. 16 car, driven by his father, paced the field. Soon after he pulled off, a missing man salute was performed as fireworks shot off in the infield to honor the fallen racer.
Timmy Johnson’s No. 76 started and finished in first place to take the victory and to take the $1,600 payday home. Jeffery Kaup came in second. Jayman Gregory finished third. Kody McDowell finished fourth, and Chad King rounded out the top five.
Be on the lookout as the ASCS Elite Non-Wings invade Lawton Speedway on Saturday, July 23.