Battle in the Boothell


So this past weekend, February 28, 2026 I headed to Sikeston, MO to a track called Skelton Raceway. Tucked off not far from the interstate. I was running late as usual and we pulled in and the place was packed. Cars parked everywhere. Spectators standing, sitting on their tailgates backed up to the stretch.... waiting. Waiting on the drivers and their cars to hit the track. Once I got out of the car and got my gear together for the event, I walked over to where they were doing the pill draw. Robert Layton with Boosted Designs put his camera down for this event to help out. He had his straw hat on and was working the crowd of drivers like he had done this 100 times before. In the trailer behind him was Rickey Skelton Jr, talking to the drivers, taking names and cars down and I have no idea what else goes in to getting everything organized..... I couldn't do it and hold a straight face.

I took a few pictures and then began to walk around and look at the cars. There were cars I recognized and some I did not. I always like to stop and say hello to those I do know and even the ones I don't. I want the drivers to know who I am so that they can find the pictures that are taken. I do this for the love of the sport because this is what sets my soul on fire. The lope of the engines at an idle, the roar of them at full throttle screaming as they make a pass..... The adrenaline that you have for the driver..... Goodness!

Among the group of people that were there were Parker Cannon and Alex Chum with Good Time Charlie on YouTube. Check them out!! They were there to capture live, raw footage. They definitely put in the work. Great group of guys.

A bit later the cars starting lining up. They ran street stock, small tire and second chance. Second chance was for the drivers that didn't get locked in quite in time, so they made another class to allow them to run. I got set up track side to be able to capture burn out pics, (My favorite) The vibe at Skelton was GREAT until it wasn't. The announcer they hired for the event was from the IHRA. I highly respect the IHRA so I hate to even mention this part, but the guy that was on the mic, was a bully. He was making fun of the drivers, their cars and etc. It didn't go over well with a lot of drivers or spectators or even the media crew. (He has been reported to IHRA and it is being handled) The track owners were not happy about this either and it was handled professionally.

Later in to the night we are getting down to the finals. The sun is starting to tuck off behind the clouds, the cool breeze is setting in. PERFECT for the finale.

In the True Street class..... Austin New in his little gray S10 took it by storm and brought home the WIN.

In the second chance class, Thomas Blake Fitzgerald in his white S10 "Murphy's Law" - Whatever can happen, Will happen! and it did.... He dominated the second chance class and took home a WIN!

Small tire - This class was something to watch. Several of these guys had just run the weekend before on Rivergate, some did not. There was Kimbro in his black Camaro, Justo in his Mustang, Perdew in the gray Nova "Instigator", John Michael in his Datsun Z280.... and several more.

The final run was Jordan Merseal in the gray Ford Fairmont and John Michael in the Datsun Z280 "Tatiana"

They did their burn outs to warm up the tires, the were lined up, and the light man did his thing..... for a moment, all you heard was the screaming of both engines and they tore down the straightaway to the finish line.... not one person was making a sound. The race was sooooo close. Both drivers and their cars gave it their all..... And it was good enough!

John Michael crossed the line first taking home the WIN!

Once it was announced... the crowd, the team, everyone was on their feet and cheering.... but I tell you what.... That doesn't make Jordan and his Fairmont a loser.... It makes them a winner as well. Hear me out. Just like I told Jordans little boy, he ran down the field just like John Michael. He made it to the final round, just like John Michael, and he worked just as hard as John Michael. SO both drivers are winners because they gave it their all. Yes, John Michael and his girl Tatiana crossed first, and it is well deserved........ but every one of the drivers and teams that showed up worked just as hard as the next and gave it their all. WIN or LOSE, they gave it their all.

After the race was over, I had some time to speak with a few drivers. Spoke to them about their story. How they got where they are now..... Those story's will be told, and I will be the one telling them.

A photographer is more than someone who hold a camera. There are hours that go in to editing pictures taken so that we can deliver the perfect picture. We tell the stories for the drivers as the events unfold. Some of us never speak a word, but through the lens, the story is written.


So follow those media crews, like their products, purchase those pictures and support them, the way they support and believe in you as the driver......


~Kristy Whatley~