CALERA, Okla. (May 26, 2024) – After finishing runner-up in 2023, William Gould was determined to take his Kerry Friar Motorsports no. 60 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified to the All Star Shootout title this year.
After winning his opening night heat at Southern Oklahoma Speedway, Gould drew the seventh place start in the “A”. However, things just didn’t go his way and he finished up 10th. Drake Findley sailed to a commanding win and set himself up to be Gould’s greatest challenge for the points championship.
Undaunted, Gould hit the dirt running at Kennedale Speedway Park on night two. However, a bad draw had him starting dead last in his heat. Unable to snatch a transfer spot, Gould was relegated to a “B.”
Starting fifth, Gould went on to win that race and secure a start in the “A.” Starting 13th, the Calera, Okla., veteran really had his work cut out for him to work his way up through a very tough field of competitors.
After battling with Brint Hartwick, Jacob Pirkle, Trevor Raney and Beau Collins, Gould finished runner-up to Hartwick.
With Findley struggling to catch a break and finishing ninth, Gould drew to within two points of the lead Findley had over him.
Night three at Heart “O Texas Speedway proved to be a challenge for the teams. After 10 inches of rain fell in the area over the past month, track officials performed a Herculean Feat to even be able to provide a track for the final night of competition.
The track surface was very difficult to manage due to the sublevel moisture, but this actually may have played into Gould’s hand. Growing up racing on some of the most challenging racing surfaces in the region, Gould definitely had the skill set to perform well and he did!
Gould finished second in his qualifying heat and drew the outside pole starting spot for the “A.” Although facing challenges from Jacob Pirkle, Jake Upchurch, Michael Maraschick and Brandon Walsh, Gould sailed on to win the event.
Findley put up a great effort but finished one point behind Gould in the points race. The former national and multi-time GRT Race Cars South Central Region king was already eligible to qualify for the upcoming Rage Chassis Race of Champions during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
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