Oklahoma City, OK(September 6, 2012) — When Trey Marcham isn’t behind the wheel of his Late Model Stock Car on the UARA-STARS Series tour, the young wheel man can usually be found racing his Mini Sprint cars on dirt.
This past weekend he participated in one of the biggest races for Mini Sprints, the Sixth Annual Race 4 Life / Inaugural Donnie Ray Crawford Memorial race. The race, hosted this year by Port City Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an annual race for the Mini Sprint cars, but this season was hosted in memory of Donnie Ray Crawford III, who was killed in a shooting in January. Crawford had been one of the budding stars of the Mini Sprint world, but lost his life much too early during a family dispute during the week of the Chili Bowl earlier this year.
Marcham, who is also a budding star in the Mini Sprint world set his sights on honoring the fallen racer by winning part of the Sixth Annual Race 4 Life / Inaugural Donnie Ray Crawford Memorial race. Marcham, who has been bouncing back and forth between racing on asphalt in a Late Model and competing in a Mini Sprint, had some time off between Late Model races and was looking to put his stamp on the events at Port City Raceway.
He was able to do just that right from the start of things in both the “A Class” and “Non-Wing” divisions of the Sixth Annual Race 4 Life / Inaugural Donnie Ray Crawford Memorial race. Marcham finished second in his heat for the “A Class” division and went on to win his qualifier before putting on a show in the feature in a three way battle for the top spot. He used the high side and the low side but ulitmately was able to put his RD Marcham Energy sponsored number 32 car out front and held off the field to win in the “A Class” prelim on Thursday night.
This would give him the pole for Saturday night’s feature race for the “A Class”, but he also was participating in the “Non-Wing” class. Trey struggled in his heat race for the non-wing division, but won his qualifier for the A-feature. Having to start further back in the field than he did in the “A-Class” division, Marcham worked his non-winged machine strong through the field and made a late move into the show position spot. This earned him a third row inside starting spot for the Saturday night A Main for the “Non-Wing” class.
On Saturday night, when it came time for the features, Marcham was ready to line up from the pole in the “A-Class” as he set his sights on a victory in the Memorial race. Marcham would lead the opening 11 laps of the 40-lap feature, before caution waved over the field, but lost the lead soon after the restart on lap 18. For a few laps it looked as if the new leader would pull away to a win, but Marcham was marching back to the top spot, and after a classic battle for the lead, used momentum on the outside to propel him into the lead.
Marcham would pick up the win in the “A-Class” feature in the Sixth Annual Race 4 Life / Inaugural Donnie Ray Crawford Memorial race, but with one win under his belt, Marcham had his sights set on another victory as it came time for the “Non-Wing” division. Marcham wouldn’t have the benefit of the pole for this race, but starting fifth meant he could quickly challenge for the top positions in the feature race for the “Non-Wing” division.
Marcham looked primed to race up to the lead as the laps were clicking off and was aided by the second placed ca and, then the leader having mechanical problems, ending their night. Marcham would take over the top spot for the green, white, checker and went unchallenged through the final laps to pick up his second win of the night in the Sixth Annual Race 4 Life / Inaugural Donnie Ray Crawford Memorial race. Marcham was humble about his performance, but very thankful to have his name written into the record books for such a prestigious race.
“Man, this is awesome,” said Marcham following his second win of the night. “To come in here to this Memorial race, one of the biggest races anywhere for Mini Sprints and have this kind of night is incredible. Over 200 competitors came here with a shot to win and we not only picked up one win, but two. No one else can say that and I’m proud of the effort by this whole Marcham Racing team.”
Marcham was one driver in over 200 teams of competitors who entered the Sixth Annual Race 4 Life / Inaugural Donnie Ray Crawford Memorial race, which is a new race record. The competitors came from seven different states competing for a piece of a total purse that reached over $43,000. In addition, this prestigious racing event included an auction that raised at least $47,000 for the Donnie Ray Crawford Racing Foundation Scholarship Fund which helps race car drivers who want to go back to school to pursue their education.
Read more: http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/racing-community-honors-donnie-ray-crawford#ixzz25Z1htIjR
Marcham is supported by RD Marcham Energy, Inc., Simpson Racing Products, LeNorman Operating, Pinnacle Energy Services, Performancenter Racing Warehouse and Roger Johnson Engineering. Marcham Racing is always looking for companies to partner with on the UARA-STARS Series schedule as well as with his Mini Sprint program, contact Marcham Racing at [email protected] to put your business in the fast lane!