Ray Cook and his #53 Dirt Late Model team suffered through a rough August 20-23 extended weekend of racing action in Tennessee and Georgia. The Ray Cook Racing team entered both 'Scorcher' events, which were sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, on August 20-21 at the Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee. Unfortunately, Ray was not able to transfer Bill Elliott's #9 entry that he was driving into the $10,000 to win main event on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Brasstown, North Carolina driver looked to get back on track Saturday, August 23, as the team traveled to the Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Georgia. The O'Reilly Southern Allstars Series (OSAS) sanctioned a $5,000 to win race at the Atlanta-area speedplant on Saturday. Ray qualified near the top of the speed charts and was running third in the A-Main when terminal engine problems sent him pitside. He was credited with a disappointing nineteenth place performance due to the mechanical troubles. You can view full results from all three events online at www.worldofoutlaws.com and www.southern-allstars.com.

The Ray Cook Racing team invaded the Batesville Speedway in Locust Grove, Arkansas last weekend for the annual running of the 'Topless 100.' This year's version of the topless mega-event was shortened to a one-day, $25,000 to win show after Mother Nature wreaked havoc on Friday. Ray Cook timed in sixth quickest in his group on Saturday, August 16 in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series qualifying and later finished fourth in his competitive heat race.

Following a strong third place run in his B-Main, Ray rolled off from the inside of the thirteenth row for the 100-lap main event. Unfortunately for the Brasstown, North Carolina driver, he was involved in an early incident that severely damaged the rear clip of the car and relegated him to a nineteenth place performance. You can view complete results from the 'Topless 100' online at www.lucasdirt.com!

A day removed from a disappointing 'North/South 100' qualifying effort at the Florence (KY) Speedway, Ray Cook and his #53 team traveled south to the Toccoa Speedway in Toccoa, Georgia on Saturday evening, August 9. The O'Reilly Southern Allstars Series (OSAS) sanctioned a $5,000 to win event on Saturday at the historic Peachtree State venue. Ray timed in fifth fastest in OSAS qualifying, but it did not take long for the "Tarheel Tiger" to find his way to the front in the 50-lap main event.

The Brasstown, North Carolina native moved up to third in the opening laps and then set his sights on leaders Ivedent Lloyd and Casey Roberts. Ray then made a terrific three-wide pass for the lead around the lap ten mark and never looked back. He took his sixth checkered flag of the 2008 season ahead of Casey Roberts, Derek Ellis, Jason Fitzgerald, and Ivedent Lloyd. You can view complete results from the exciting OSAS event online at www.southern-allstars.com.