Turkey Beach Bash Leaves Racers With Stuffed Pockets
The Turkey Beach Bash closes with Johnny Ezell, Thomas Holley, and Cole Cousins cashing in on the biggest checks. Bottom bulb racers Rick Baehr and Terrell Singleton also stand out this weekend.
Feature photo credit: Cathy Leachman
GULFPORT, MS – The 2nd Annual Turkey Beach Bash was held at Gulfport Dragway Nov. 13-15, 2020. This three-day event is part of the BTE King of the Coast series presented by David McMurtry Racing Engines.
2020’s Turkey Beach Bash featured $10K to win on Friday and Sunday, as well as a $25,000 top prize on Saturday. Only a limited number of entries (250 top bulb, 48 bottom bulb) were sold and drivers were entered in all the races for only $299.
The bottom bulb racers competed separately until the winner was awarded a cash bonus and advanced into the top bulb side. A perfect combination of fabulous weather, a packed house, and big money on the line made an amazing event.
Friday Bottom Bulb Results
The last two bottom bulb drivers on Friday were Rick Baehr and Tarrell Singleton. Baehr turned on the win light to collect the $500 bonus and move into the semifinals of the $10,000 main event.
Friday’s $10,000 Main Event
After Baehr was determined to be Friday’s best off the bottom, he joined Johnny Ezell and Kholten Fuller in the semifinals of top. Baehr’s Friday streak comes to an end, leaving the final round matchup of Ezell and Fuller.
Johnny Bracket Racer Ezell picks up the $10K win over Kholten Fuller.
Saturday Bottom Bulb Results
Saturday’s semifinal had three entries but only two drivers, Nasty Nick Hastings had two entries and Rick Baehr had one. Baehr defeats Hastings twice in a row to collect Saturday’s $1,000 bottom bulb bonus.
Photo credit: Drag Coverage
Saturday’s $25,000 Main Event
The four racers remaining in the fight for $25K were Rick Baehr, Slate Cummings, Thomas Holley, and Brad Clarke.
Clarke and Cummings bow out in the semifinals, creating a third generation Camaro showdown in the finals. Rick Baehr suffers transmission troubles after the burnout and stages in hope of a red light – which Holley doesn’t deliver.
Thomas Holley rolls into the winners circle and collects $25,000.
Sunday’s Bottom Bulb Finals
Tarrell Singleton picks up the last bottom bulb bonus, $500, on Sunday and moves on into the main event.
Sunday’s $10,000 Main Event
Chalk another big money bracket race win to the Chevy door cars! Cole Cousins picks up the $10K win on Sunday over Jesse Marceaux. Bottom bulb racer, Tarrell Singleton, was the lone semifinalist.
A Word From The Promoter’s Booth
BTE King of the Coast event promoter, Gaylon Rolison Jr, stays focused on the racers and making sure everyone enjoys themselves. He expresses his appreciation by saying, “First and most importantly, a huge thank you to all the racers and racing families that participated in the second annual event. The KOC Series always recognizes racers as more than racers. Racers are customers and the KOC puts effort into placing emphasis on enhancing the racing experience. Thank you again!”
He extends thanks to the staff of Gulfport Dragway and the KOC Series Staff for working long hours to make a successful event. Rolison also acknowledges the support from the KOC Series sponsors.
Photo credit: Cathy Leachman
The KOC Isn’t Over Just Yet
The BTE King of the Coast Series’ 2020 season finisher is on the schedule for Dec. 4-6 at Gulfport Dragway. The Tournament of Champions will be contested in all classes and Saturday’s Junior Dragster winners will earn five-foot tall trophies.
Racers can help those less fortunate by participating in the King of the Coast Toy Drive. You can find the event flyer and updated information on their Facebook page.
For more race results, click here or here.
Jessica was born into a family of drag racers and fell in love with the sport at a young age. She began competing at 13 and has been hooked ever since! She even met her husband at the World Footbrake Challenge VII. Jessica works full time as an Ultrasound Technologist but spends almost every weekend chasing win lights at IHRA and NHRA bracket races.
You can contact her at Jessica@dragchamp.com or on her Facebook page.
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