TRC King Of The Open Road Event Crowns First Winners of 2023 in Oklahoma
It’s known to many about how the drag-and-drive scene can turn strangers into friends, and created some great memories. It’s not just about the winners or who gets the accolades, but also the journey along the way.
This resonated with Jared Holt, who decided to take matters into his own hands and create his own event that ultimately became King Of The Open Road (KOTOR).
“In 2019, we couldn’t do Hot Rod Drag Week, so I got together with Real Street to take my Supra to Rocky Mountain Race Week,” Jared explained. Jared and Jay from Real Street ended up winning class on RMRW, adding another chapter to the green Supra’s storied history.
“That result and overall design of event really enticed me,” said Jared. “I’m not a load a trailer, go racing, load the trailer again kind of guy. I prefer to drive it, bust some bugs and make memories.”
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The interest for Jared translated into hosting a car cruise “Cruising Oklahoma” in 2020. “It grew insanely fast,” Jared said. “The second year doing it, I decided ‘why not add in a race day?’”
It became King of The Open Road, and to be able to race at the track, you had to participate in the cruise.
To make the cruise just a little more fun, Jared engineered in specific fun stops, food trucks and even designated burnout areas, all while receiving help from the small towns they visited and lots of spectators coming out to watch it all.
For the 2023 season, That Racing Channel joined the party that Jared started, and TRC founder Javier Trias said the partnership was an overdue one.
“The most exciting part is getting to do an event with a longtime friend,” Javier said. “Jared approached us with the idea to partner up in mid 2022. With our experience in event management, media reach and race track relationships, we knew we could bring the event to the next level.”
What sealed the deal was Javier attending his first KOTOR event in November 2022. “After that, I knew we wanted to be a part of it,” Javier said.
The first King Of The Open Road event of 2023 incorporated a cruise through Oklahoma. The event started with racers and car show participants meeting up at Thunder Valley Raceway Park to receive route instructions, and then embark on a 200-mile cruise.
Each participant would have the chance to collect a keepsake token that would be turned in to participate in racing and show activities at Thunder Valley Raceway Park later that day.
Rain spoiled the ending to a few classes at the event, but the following winners were determined:
Jason Flowers not only collected the Street Car Shootout title, but also the quickest and fastest pass of the event with a 7.30 at 195 mph.
Drag-and-drive veteran Scott Brown and his “Capone” Chevrolet picked up the King of the Open Road class win over a tire-spinning Clint Sodowsky.
Chris Bales snagged the Old School class win is his beautiful 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle.
In Stick Shift, the pocket rocket of Johnathan Foster not only claimed victory, but the top qualifier accolades as well.
Sophie Fox won the bike class, and managed to knock off the defending winner Justin Siemens in route, picking up a five-hundred-dollar bounty.
Josh Hall scored victory in the High Roller class with his Lamborghini.
For those interested in joining the next King of The Open Road event, they will visit Tucson Dragway in Tucson, Arizona on September 23rd and 24th, followed by a November date at Texas Motorplex on November 18th and 19th.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Jared Holt, That Racing Channel and Richard Burns (gallery photos courtesy of Richard Burns).
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com
