07/03/2026
On June 20, 2026, Atoka Raceway Park held its final race on the old track surface. Built on a former gravel pit, the track was known for the pebbles mixed throughout its simple farm-dirt base. It was not a specialized racing surface: it saturated quickly, dried just as fast, was difficult to predict, and offered limited grip. Still, it had been a defining part of ARP since the track opened in 1997.
Just over a week later, on Monday morning, June 29th, the first load of new clay arrived in 24-ton dump trucks bearing the Fulcher Trucking logo. Dust rose beneath the tires as the dump bed lifted and dark red clay spilled into turn four. By day’s end, one pile had grown into scattered mountains of clay, and the shift from farm dirt to red clay was underway. Sixteen loads were ready to be spread across the existing surface before the remaining 19 loads arrived over the next two days.
By Tuesday morning, many of the mountains of clay had been knocked down though nothing flattened and spread. It still resembled a miniature mountain range when the second battery of clay arrived throughout the day. By day’s end, the mountain range had been resurrected and there was much work to do with the final few loads due the next day.
But on Wednesday evening, everything would change. Three machines were unloaded from flatbed trailers to transform the mountains into a racetrack once again. The pilots were experienced in the ways of dirt. Eric Wylie of Aloha Affordable Pools led the transformation when he climbed aboard the tracked skid steer and begun the task of knocking down mountains. His son, Westin, took charge of his skid steer and the pair made quick work of molding the clay into a racetrack. Making remarkable progress in a short time, the pair of machines rapidly moved the clay from mountains to low spots, filling in areas where the old surface still shone through. After a bit, they were joined by Jeremy Kirk of Kirk Grading. Jeremy had a very sophisticated skid steer armed with a GPS-guided blade which maintained a consistent angle regardless of the angle of the tractor. Their movements fluid, Eric and Westin gracefully moved clay back and forth across the infield, knocking down mountains and filling in holes. Jeremy began on the top edge of the track and started to slowly cut and shape the track like a surgeon with a scalpel. Lap after lap, Jeremy cut slowly, precisely, and shaped the track as Eric and Westin flew around the track taking dirt from high spots and filled low spots. The team of three showed what pros could do with a clay canvas. In the end, in a matter of hours, the track was complete.
At least eight inches of clay were laid in the bottom of the corners, the curve of the banking was filled and spread from the infield to the guardrails. 35 loads of premium red clay had been dumped, spread and shaped into a race -ready track in just three days. On Friday, July 10th, at 6pm, the first karts will roll onto the clay to test, figure out the new surface, and lay rubber for the next day’s event, the Firecracker Shootout.
These three men shaped and built what many people contributed to – a feat that would not be possible without their contributions. By racers, for racers. And without them, this wouldn’t have happened so when you see these folks, thank them.
They are, in no particular order...
Mitchell Fulcher (Fulcher Trucking)
Eric and Westin Wylie (Aloha Affordable Pools)
Jeremy Kirk (Kirk Grading)
Jake French
Bo Warren (Custom Race Products)
Kenny Lovins
Travis Crawford
Jeff Thomas
Brandon Shaw
Dustin Stagen
Will Ivy
Jay Sanders (Concord Karts and Parts)
Marty Echols
Carolyn Crawford
King of Kings Missions
Paul Leister
Joseph Leister (JEL Racing)
Jay Adams (Turn 2 Specialty)
Gary Permenter
Cris Campbell
Thomas/Marilyn Moore
Joe Warren (Custom Race Products)
Judy Canada
Eric White
Dalton Davis
Mitchell Bridges
Peyton Lightning Leggett Racing
Donnie Deweese
Jason Cox
John Johnson
Cody Russell (Black Flag Karts N Parts)
Collin Stephenson
Barry Farrar
Ricky Kennedy (All Pro Wrestling)
Clayton Ward
Derek Patterson
Frank Ashe (Oval Kart Technology)
Doug Layton
