TJ Pruitt
Montgomery, AL – The 20th Anniversary CARS Million Dollar Race at Montgomery Raceway Park kicked off this weekend with a record setting 623 entries in the Triple 25’s. This is the largest attendance in the history of the Million Dollar Race. Online attendance also broke records with 69,000 unique visitors watching the race on MotorManiaTV’s Live Feed from 100 different countries.
When the dust and smoke cleared, Travis Barnett and Cole Cousins were crowned champions of the Triple 25’s on Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, Travis Barnett laid down a string of consistent packages that landed him into the winner’s circle. Barnett defeated Greg Roberts in the final round after Roberts turned it red by a few thousandths of a second. K&R Performance racer Kevin Rodden was the lone semi-finalist. Thomas Holley and Mark Taylor were the quarter-finalist.
Barnett said “I’m just stoked about it. It’s unbelievable. We still have two more days of racing to go and I’m going to do my best to get it done again. I’m entering the million with two entries tomorrow, now that I have a little money in my pocket. I’m going to give it all that I have.”
On Friday, it was hometown hero Cole Cousins who was the last man standing in the winner’s circle. Cousinsas defeated Lane Dicken in the final round, running dead on his dial. Mike Smith was the lone semi-finalist. Bryan Robinson and Howie Adams were the quarter-finalists.
Cousins said “it feels great. I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to come out here and do this. I’d also like to thank my dad, wife, and family for their support. I’m going to give it my best shot in the Million Dollar race tomorrow. I have entered the Million twice, ever, and I’m going to do my best.
There are two races remaining at the 20th Annual CARS Million Dollar Race; the final Triple 25K event on Sunday and “the Big Go” – the Million which will be contested on Saturday. One racer will go down in history as one of drivers who won the CARS Million Dollar Race.
