March 18
Halifax County Motor Speedway,
Brinkleyville, NC
Sanction: Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge (Mark Batten Memorial) - $10,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated March 19, 2:38 pm)
Rouse dominates Batten Memorial, earns $10,000
Mark Batten Memorial
- Michael Rouse
- Christian Thomas
- Derick Quade
- Michael Batten
- Robbie Emory
- Kyle Hardy
- Cody Wright
- Dan Breuer
- Brenden Queen
- Tyler Bare
- Kyle Lear
- Spencer Liggon
- Samuel Bryant
- Walker Arthur
- Dustin Mitchell
- John Staton
- Willie Milliken
- Bobby Liles
- Tyler Arrington
- Caleb Fulp
- Derrick Rankin
- Dale Moore
- Brad Lowe
- Mason Price
presented by
Michael Rouse gets rolling before his Halifax County victory.
What won the race: Second-starting Michael Rouse of Wilson, N.C., led all 61 laps at Halifax County Motor Speedway to win Saturday's $10,000 second annual Mark Batten Memorial feature. Rouse earned his fourth career Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge Series victory and his second at Halifax County after winning $5,000 in the series inaugural stop there in 2021.
Key notes: Polesitter Christian Thomas failed to lead a lap and finished 1.546 seconds back. ... Derick Quade ran as high as second before losing the spot to Thomas on a late restart and settled for third. ... Michael Batten advanced six positions and finished fourth in the event that honors his late uncle. ... Robbie Emory gained four spots and finished fifth. ... Dan Breuer advanced five spots and finished eighth. ... Defending event winner and series champion Dustin Mitchell retired while running fifth on lap 55, relegating him to finish 15th. ... Winner of the most recent series stop at Halifax County, Willie Milliken, pulled off on lap 37 while running fifth. He finished 17th. ... Saturday's Steel Block Bandits season opener, the second annual Mark Batten Memorial pays tribute to the late engine builder who passed away in 2021 after a brief illness, was slowed by four cautions and lasted 32 minutes, with 12 competitors completing all 61 laps.
On the move: Kyle Hardy of Stephens City, Va., started 18th and finished sixth.
Winner's sponsors: Rouse’s Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship from Robert’s Engines Inc., Love Sweet Potatoes, Scott Farms International, Red Moon Contractors, Curtis Insulation Co. Inc. and Three Aces Speed Shop.
Current weather: Clear, 39°F
Car count: 45
Fast qualifier: Michael Rouse
Time: 14.638 seconds
Polesitter: Christian Thomas
Heat race winners: Christian Thomas, Dustin Mitchell, Michael Rouse, Derick Quade
Consolation race winners: Tyler Arrington, Kyle Hardy
Provisional starters: Derrick Rankin, Mason Price
Next series race: April 1, Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
