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Ely Loper sets Pure stock track record in his First WIN Here

Watson Returns to Winning Ways; Young Matthew Laprade Snags First Pro Trucks Victory

By Chuck Corder
5flagsspeedway.com reporter
Engine issues caused Timothy Watson to miss the season opener earlier in the month at Five Flags Speedway.
His return Friday reminded everyone why Watson is so feared at Pensacola’s high banks. Watson, a three-time Outlaws track champion and defending Snowball Derby Outlaws winner, made his move just past halfway and kept the 15-car field at bay to record the Faith Chapel Outlaws 40-lap feature victory.
“It feels a lot better coming to the racetrack and winning rather than blowing up a motor,” Watson said. “We’re going through motors like crazy.”
That happened on Opening Night, just prior to qualifying. The Panama City driver turned that night’s disappointment into elation Friday and Watson’s 14th Outlaws checkered flag since 2021.
He took the lead from polesitter Paul Jean on Lap 25, as the pair raced side-by-side around the famed half-mile asphalt oval. Watson withstood a series of cautions and charges from Logan Boyett and Bubba Winslow, but never was really threatened.
Boyett finished second after starting dead last because of a broken shock that prevented him from scoring a qualifying lap.
“My guys worked their butts off for me,” Boyett said. “I don’t know how we got here to second.
“The restarts helped a lot. I hate there were so many cautions, but it yielded this for us.”
Dustin Smith finished third.

Gulf Real Estate Group Pro Trucks
Matthew Laprade finally shed the bridesmaid tag at the famed half-mile asphalt oval.
After a slew of runner-up finishes last season, including in the Pro Trucks Snowball Derby, the 14-year-old from New Smyrna got his first career win Friday night at Five Flags.
Matthew took the lead early and never relinquished it in the Gulf Real Estate Group Pro Trucks 25-lap feature.
“We unloaded (Thursday), and we were really happy with it,” Matthew said. “We were pretty solid tonight.”
Kyler Bean took second and Sean Barnes claimed third.
“I’m glad to be here, and just glad to finish,” Barnes said. “I’ve broken so many times and hit everything our here.”

Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks
Ely Loper wasted little time in following in his father’s footsteps.
Robert Loper, Ely’s dad, owns five Pure Stocks Snowball Derby titles and two track championships at Five Flags Speedway.
Sixteen-year-old Ely got win No. 1 in his debut Friday, dominating the Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks 20-lap feature. He also set the track record in qualifying with a blistering time of 21.029 seconds.
“It was a hard battle to get to the front,” Ely said. “But I made quick work of it.”
Connor Odom put up a valiant charge to come away second and Payton Guy rounded out the podium in third.
Guy wasn’t a lock to drive until Wednesday.
“I didn’t decide to race until two days ago,” Guy said. “I retired and unretired several times this week. It was a fun race. We’ll get there.”

The Dock on Pensacola Beach Street Stocks
The Street Stocks car count was few Friday night at Five Flags Speedway. That didn’t stop Chad Robinson from picking up where he left off in 2025.
The defending The Dock on Pensacola Beach Street Stocks track champion and reigning Street Stocks Snowball Derby champion, Robinson took the lead from Ryan Logan on Lap 11 and secured the 15-lap feature win.
“I’ve been working on the car in the offseason to make the car a little bit better,” Robinson said. “I think we got it good.”
Logan finished runner-up unofficially before being thrown out in technical inspection. Jim Pokrant moved to second.

Story and Bleich Roofing Crown Stocks
Austin Reeves’ quest for perfection rolled into Pensacola on Friday night.
It stayed intact after the 26-year-old Enterprise, Ala., driver collected his second win at Five Flags Speedway in as many features and fourth overall victory.
Reeves, who started sixth, captured the Story and Bleich Roofing Crown Stocks 20-lap race to stay unblemished.
“I hate that I had to start sixth, but it was fun,” Reeves said. “I’m tickled with it.”
Bobby Suarez and Cody Griggs finished second and third, respectively. Suarez was still racing on Snowball Derby tires, and is eager to make improvements.
“If we put some tires on this thing, we’ve got a real hot rod,” Suarez said.
Griggs collected his second podium finish of the young season.
“We would’ve liked a better finish, but we’ll get it next time,” Griggs said.

March 27, 2026 Results:
Story and Bleich Roofing Crown Stock Previous Non-Winners
1 64 Brayden Thompson, Crestview, FL
2 12 Bobby Saurez,
3 77 Jordan Berry, Semmes, AL
4 78 Nathan Lord, Pensacola, FL
5 2 Branden Harris,
6 75 Colton Rutherford, Cantonment, FL
7 13 J P Whibbs, Pensacola, FL
8 13 Zach Abdelwahed, Pensacola, FL
9 15 Marty Bean,
10 60 Tracy Soles, Pensacola, FL
11 42 Lane Elliott,

Faith Chapel Outlaws 40
1 28 Timothy Watson, Panama City, FL
2 1 Logan Boyett, Cantonment, FL
3 69 Dustin Smith, Mobile, AL
4 12 Kody Brusso, Pensacola, FL
5 36 Keith Thorpe, Milton, FL
6 92 Bubba Winslow, Pensacola, FL
7 15 Kevin Chase, Gulf Breeze, FL
8 32 Malcom Spears, Baker, FL
9 93 Paul Gene,
10 23 Gary Goodwin, Pensacola, FL
11 51 Dawson Spivey,
12 10 Steve Campbell, Pensacola, FL
13 234 Scooter Grice, Pensacola, FL
14 97 Hunter Lambert, Pensacola, FL
15 923 Carter Taylor, Lucedale, MS

Lloyds Glass Pure Stocks 20
1 15 Ely Loper, Irvington, AL
2 2 Connor Odom, Pensacola, FL
3 98 Payton Guy, Pace , FL
4 24 Caleb Burkett, Pensacola, FL
5 2 Sean Barnes, Pensacola, FL
6 25 Joe Richbourg, Pensacola, FL
7 23 Gary Burkett, Pensacola, FL

Story and Bleich Roofing Crown 20
1 8 Austin Reeves, Enterprise, AL
2 12 Bobby Saurez,
3 11 Cody Griggs, Pensacola, FL
4 62 Doug Thorpe, Jr. Pensacola, FL
5 13 Zach Abdelwahed, Pensacola, FL
6 78 Nathan Lord, Pensacola, FL
7 64 Brayden Thompson, Crestview, FL
8 15 Marty Bean,
9 2 Branden Harris,
10 77 Jordan Berry, Semmes, AL
11 1776 Steve Sidner, Pensacola, FL
12 75 Colton Rutherford, Cantonment, FL
13 13 J P Whibbs, Pensacola, FL
14 60 Tracy Soles, Pensacola, FL
15 42 Lane Elliott,

Gulf Coast Real Estate Pro Trucks 25
1 54 Matthew Laprade, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2 41 Kyler Bean, Pascagoula, MS
3 14 Sean Barnes, Pensacola, FL
4 9 Jim Helms,
5 23 Chritopher Hunter, Century, FL

The Dock on Pensacola Beach Street Stocks 15
1 10 Chad Robinson, Mobile, AL
2 31 Ryan Logan, Cordova, AL
3 7 Jim Pokrant Pensacola, FL
4 10 Darvin Lyons, Irvington, AL

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