Posted by ACE Speedway on September 23, 2007, 7:02 pm
Board Administrator

Reidsville's Rodney Cook was as efficient as they come. Cook won only five races this season, and only three during the Champions Chase — and none since Labor Day — but it was more than enough for him to win his second straight Late Model Champions Chase title Friday at Ace Speedway in the season finale. Cook finished fifth in the first 50-lap race, then placed second in the nightcap of the Twin 50s to earn him the championship. "I can't believe it," said Cook, piloting his No. 1 Ford. "I'm going to wake up in the morning and say it's all over with, we got this thing again. That's what it's all about. This makes you look forward to next year already." Cook's defense of his title took some of the fire away from Gibsonville's Jesse Ingle III, who won both races. He also won the 100-lap feature event two weeks ago. Still, it wasn't an easy time for Cook. A pile-up on the first lap of the first race in the huge field of 24 cars sent Cook into the pits with some tangled sheet metal. He eventually returned to the track minus his hood and right quarter panel. "Man, I was praying hard," said Cook. "All week long I tried not to think about it because anything can happen. And sure enough, look what happens on the first deal. "I hung a half-car length back just on that start to make sure. That was a chain-reaction deal. I seen what happened but the guys behind me didn't see what happened and they just drove me on into it." Snow Camp's Gary Causey, who finished second and third for the night, had kind words to say about Cook. "That goes to show you he's about as tough a racer as there is," said Causey, who won the championship two years ago. "It couldn't happen to a better guy. It was no fluke last year that he won it over me."