16-Year-Old Cole Rouse Earns JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Rookie Of The Race Honors at Lebanon I-44 Speedway
Arkansas teen preparing for road trip to Columbus Motor Speedway for next JEGS/CRA race (Special from Cole Rouse Racing)
May 21, 2014
Fort Smith, Arkansas (May 21, 2014) – If there was anything close to a 'home game' for
16-year-old Cole Rouse within the 2014 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet
schedule, then Lebanon I-44 Speedway would be it. The 2nd Annual Mercy Masters of
the Pros 144 Presented by JEGS.com was at Rouse's home track in Lebanon, Missouri
on May 17th for the richest paying event of the season for the premier template body /
crate motor series in the country.
Rouse made the most of his opportunity at one of the very few tracks on the schedule
where he has seat time at. The Fort Smith, Arkansas teenager would earn the JEGS/CRA
Rookie of the Race Award with a solid ninth place finish after starting in 14th. "Qualifying
went well, but we were a little off. We started the race on the outside and fought our way
to ninth with a very loose car." Explained the Natural State competitor. "That was a lot of
fun running laps side by side with J.J. Haley. We had a great run for what we had and
happy with the finish." He added.
It's back to new tracks for Rouse and crew this Saturday, May 24th as the next race on
the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour schedule will be the Agroscapes 100 Presented by
SizzleMarine.com at Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio. The circular shaped
1/3 (0.333) mile semi-banked paved oval will be Rouse's first race in the Buckeye State.
"We were strong in Missouri and I'm looking forward to racing at Columbus." He ended.
Going into the Columbus event, Rouse is sitting fifth in a loaded Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title chase. He's also 10th overall in JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour points just 16 points outside of the coveted top five. His ninth place showing at Lebanon I-44 is his highest showing of the 2014 racing season so far in four overall events. Three of those have come in JEGS/CRA competition.
Rouse started his racing career just two years ago in Baby Grands. After 11 events in those cars, he made the quick jump up to Pro Late Models for the 2013 season. In his debut he finished third at Lebanon I-44. He would go on to finish ninth in the season long points chase. Despite his limited experience, Rouse did make two appearances in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour and picked up a career high, to date, eighth place showing at Memphis International Raceway (TN).
For the rest of the 2014 racing season, Rouse and his black and yellow #20 ColeRouseRacing.com Toyota Camry will have stickers adorning the car all year long from Rouse Custom Homes as well as McGunegill Engine Performance and M.P.H. Promotions. For more information about the Cole Rouse and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2014 campaign, you can visit the Cole Rouse Racing website at: www.colerouseracing.com as well as Rouse's Twitter page at: www.twitter.com/colerouse2
