Latest News:

November 20th, 2011 - Eric was again in action in the #27 Larry Harrod Motorsports Scorpion Crate Late Model on Sunday evening as the action moved to Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi) for a $2,000-to-win, NeSmith Late Model Series event. Forty competitors registered for action, and after qualifying fourth fastest in time trials, Eric locked into the fourth starting spot for the 40 lap finale. Early in the feature he would race his way to the second spot as he pursued his car owner and early leader, Larry Harrod. By lap 10 the duo were side-by-side for the lead, but a lap 21 restart would see Jeremy Shaw slip past both competitors as he raced his way to the lead. A few laps later, Cooley would move past Harrod for the second spot. Eric would catch the leader, Shaw, late in the race, but would be unable to make the pass as he settled for a second place finish at the checkered flag. Full results are available at www.NeSmithRacing.com.

November 19th, 2011 - Eric took the #27 Larry Harrod Motorsports Scorpion Crate Late Model into battle on Saturday evening at Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi) in a $5,000-to-win, NeSmith Late Model Dirt Series event. The event served as the conclusion of the event, which began back on Labor Day, but was rained out after the first night's preliminary action was completed. Cooley was not present for the initial running of the event, so he had to start at the tail of a b-main. He would race from the back of a b-main to lock into the 18th starting spot for the 75 lap finale. His passing display in the b-main was just the beginning though as he would march forward thirteen spots in the feature to record a solid, fifth place finish behind race winner, Rodney Wing, Mike Boland, Dan Breuer, and Johnny Stokes. Full results are available at www.NeSmithRacing.com.

November 5th, 2011 - Eric entered his final event of the season over the weekend in the 5th Annual Gumbo Nationals at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi) as he looked to claim the PRO Dirt Car Series Championship as well as the tour's Rookie of the Year honors. Thirty-five Super Late Models entered the $7,000-to-win/$700-to-start, 70 lap event, and Eric's weekend would start slowly as he struggled in time trials. As a result, he started eighth in his heat race before advancing to a fifth place finish, which left him one spot short of a transfer to the feature.

Via his heat performance he started on the front row of a b-main on Saturday night before claiming the b-main win to lock into the 17th starting spot for the finale. In the feature he would advance eight spots to a ninth place finish to claim the PRO Dirt Car Series Championship and the Jeff Burns Racing Engines Rookie of the Year honors! Full results are available at www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

October 29th, 2011 - For the second straight week, the team took part in a mega-event in the state of Mississippi as Eric entered the 8th Annual Southern Belle Cotton Pickin' 100 at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi). A stellar field of 66 Super Late Models entered the event on the "Black Ice," and in time trials Cooley would register the seventh fastest time in his group, which resulted in him starting third in the first heat. In the heat he would battle for a transfer spot for the duration of the race before falling to a fourth place finish, which left him one spot short of a transfer to the feature.

As a result, Cooley was forced to run a b-main on Saturday night. He would record a second place finish in the b-main to transfer to the feature in the 22nd position. His run in the $15,000-to-win event would be short-lived however as he retired early with an ill-handling car to a 23rd place finish. Full results are available at www.MagnoliaDirt.com.

October 22nd, 2011 - Eric took part in the 17th Annual Coors Light Fall Classic over the weekend, and it would prove to be a frustrating outing for the team. On Thursday night in practice the team battling oil pump issues. They replaced the oil pump for Friday night, but Eric would continue to battle mechanical issues, which caused him to finish deep in his heat race. As a result, the team opted to scratch from the remainder of the weekend. Full results are available at www.WhynotMotorsportsPark.com.

October 15th, 2011 - The team traveled to Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi) on Saturday night for a warm-up event for the 22nd Annual Coors Light Fall Classic. Twenty-four Super Late Models entered the event, and in his heat race Eric would run into mechanical issues, which resulted in him finishing last. As a result, he started 23rd on the grid for the feature before mounting a great charge to an 11th place finish at the checkered flag. Full results are available at www.WhynotMotorsportsPark.com.

October 2nd, 2011 - Eric made the trek to East Alabama Motor Speedway (Phenix City, Alabama) over the weekend for the 33rd Annual Alabama State Championship. His first trip to the track in a Super Late Model found him starting third in his heat before fading backwards to a sixth place finish. As a result, with only the top five cars moving onto the feature he would be forced to run the b-main, and in the b-main he would have a flat tire, which brought his weekend to an early end. Full results are available at www.EAMSDirt.com.

September 24th, 2011 - The weekend was a great outing for Eric Cooley as he not only entered the 22nd Annual Premier Ford Magnolia State 100, but he also raced his #33 Victory Circle By Moyer Super Late Model to a third place finish in the main event.

Fifty-three cars entered the event, and Eric started the weekend by qualifying fourth fastest in his group to earn the fourth starting spot for his heat race. In the heat he battled to a third place finish to earn the 15th starting spot for Saturday night's 100 lap, $20,011-to-win finale.

In the feature on Saturday night Cooley would dodge several early cautions before the race began to endure some long green flag runs. As the race progressed Cooley methodically worked his way forward, and by the time that the checkered flag fell, the talented young driver would be credited with a third place finish behind race winner, Billy Moyer, and Bub McCool. Not only did it mark Eric's first start in the coveted event, but to also come away with a third place finish was a huge accomplishment and gives the team momentum heading into the late season specials. Full results are available at www.ColumbusSpeedway.net .

September 17th, 2011 - The team traveled to North Alabama Speedway (Tuscumbia, Alabama) on Saturday night for the 7th Annual Bama Brawl. The $4,000-to-win event saw twenty-nine cars from four states enter the program, and in time trials Eric would struggle, which left him starting on the third row of a b-main. In the b-main he would race his way to a fifth place finish to lock into the twentieth starting spot for 40 lap feature. Despite starting deep in the field, Cooley would mount a great charge through the field in the main event, and by the time that the checkered flag dropped he had advanced all the way to a sixth place finish behind race winner, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Josh Putnam, David Earl Gentry, David Breazeale, and Ross Camponovo. Full results are available at www.NorthAlabamaSpeedway.com.

September 3rd, 2011 - Eric was slated to enter a pair of events over the weekend, but Tropical Storm Lee had other ideas as it nixed Saturday's $4,000-to-win, PRO Dirt Car Series event at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, MS) before forcing the postponement of Sunday evening's event at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, MS). As a result, the team did not race anywhere.

August 27th, 2011 - Eric entered a single event over the weekend as he took part in a Weekly Racing Series Event at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi) on Saturday night. With 29 Super Late Models entered, Eric would qualify third fastest in time trials to lock into the third starting spot for the main event. During the course of the feature Cooley would race his way to a second place finish behind race winner, Chad Thrash. Full results are available at www.MagnoliaDirt.com.

August 20th, 2011- On Saturday night, Cooley was in action at Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama) in another $2,000-to-win, PRO Dirt Car Series event. Twenty-three Super Late Models entered the event, and after qualifying second fastest in his group, he earned the fourth starting spot for the 40 lap feature event. Cooley would battle in the top five for the duration of the event before registering a fourth place finish at the checkered flag behind race winner, Aaron Ridley, Jason Hiett, and Tim Busha. Overall it was a great weekend for the team as Eric continues to lead the overall tour standings as well as the rookie of the year standings. Full results are available at www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

August 19th, 2011 - Friday night found Eric making the trip to Green Valley Speedway (Glencoe, Alabama) for a $2,000-to-win, PRO Dirt Car Series event. A strong field of 35 Super Late Models entered the event, and Eric began the night by qualifying third fastest in his group to earn the sixth starting spot for the main event. During the course of the feature he would advance three spots to finish in the third spot. Full results are available at www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

August 13th, 2011 - After competing in an Open Practice Session on Friday night at Greenville Speedway, Eric saw Saturday night's scheduled PRO Vs. SUPR event at the facility nixed by Mother Nature. As a result, he didn't race anywhere.

August 6th, 2011 - Saturday night found Eric and the team competing at Jackson Motor Speedway (Byram, Mississippi) in a $2,500-to-win, Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS) Super Late Model program as a field of 31 entries signed in for battle.

Time trials found Eric fifth fastest in his group, which left him one spot short of locking into dash for the feature event. As a result, he was forced to run a b-main, where he slipped from his pole starting spot to a fifth place finish, which earned him the seventeenth starting spot for the 50 lap feature. In the main event he would go on to advance four spots to record a 13th place finish at the checkered flag. Complete results are available at www.StateSeries.com.

July 30th, 2011 - On Saturday night the team traveled to Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi) for a $2,500-to-win, Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS) event. With 21 Super Late Models entered Eric would earn the pole position for a b-main after qualifying fifth fastest in his group. In the b-main, Eric recorded a 2nd place finish, which left him starting 12th in the feature.

During the course of the feature, Cooley would only manage to advance one spot to an eleventh place finish. Complete results are available at www.StateSeries.com.

July 29th, 2011 - Eric made the trip to North Alabama Speedway (Tuscumbia, Alabama) on Friday night for the $5,000-to-win, Shoals Shocker 50. With 36 Super Late Models entered into the unsanctioned race, Cooley would qualify for the main event. Eric would record a solid 10th place finish in the 50 lap feature against a talent-laden field of competitors. Full results are available at www.NorthAlabamaSpeedway.com.

July 16th, 2011 - Saturday night found Eric at Cleveland Speedway (Cleveland, Tennessee) for a $5,000 to win, Southern All Stars Super Late Model race. Eric started 18th on the grid for the feature and would only manage to advance one spot to a 17th place finish. Full results are available at www.SouthernAllStarsRacingSeries.com.

July 15th, 2011 - On Friday night Cooley made his first trip of the season to Boyds Speedway (Ringgold, Georgia) for a $4,000 to win, Southern All Stars Super Late Model event. Eric would qualify in the 16th starting spot for the feature and went on to record a tenth place finish. Full results are available at www.SouthernAllStarsRacingSeries.com.

July 9th, 2011 - Eric entered the $20,000 to win/$1,000 to start, Clash at the Mag over the weekend at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi), and he came away with a solid performance against the nation's best drivers.

Fifty-seven Super Late Models took part in the event, and on Friday night Eric would start third in his heat race via time trials. In the 10 lap heat he would go on to race his way to a third place finish, which earned him the 15th starting spot in Saturday night's, 100 lap finale, which was filmed by SPEED TV.

On Saturday night, persistent rains resulted in a late start to the event and a hooked-up, race track. Eric would battle around mid-pack for the first half of the event before seeing a mechanical failure bring his night to an end in the 17th finishing spot. Full results are available at www.LucasDirt.com.

July 4th, 2011 - After having the finale for the Three Crown Nationals delayed a day by Mother Nature, the event was held on Monday evening at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi). Twenty-three cars entered the event, and Eric would win his b-main to earn the 11th starting spot for the feature.

In the main event he would methodically work his way through the pack on the "black ice" of the 3/8 mile, and by time that the checkered flag dropped he was credited with a third place finish behind race winner, Chris Wall, and Klint Byars. Full results are available at www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

July 2nd, 2011 - Round #2 of the Three Crown Nationals was hosted on Saturday night at Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi) as 25 Super Late Models entered the event. It would be another frustrating night for Eric.

The night would start well for Cooley as he qualified second fastest in his group to earn the third starting spot for the feature event. Early in the feature, he was battling at the front of the pack, when disaster struck as the center of his right rear wheel broke, causing him to lose the wheel and tire to bring out the caution. He would duck into the pits for repairs under the caution before returning to the tail of the field. Over the course of the remainder of the event, Eric would race his way back to a 13th place finish. Full results are available at www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

July 1st, 2011 - As the points leader, Eric, led the PRO Dirt Car Series Super Late Models into action on Friday night at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi) for the Three Crown Nationals opener. Twenty-three cars entered the event on what would prove to be a long, frustrating night for Cooley. In time trials, he experienced mechanical issues, which left him starting at the back of a b-main. On the first lap of the b-main, he was already up to the fourth position, when a car spun in front of him, leaving him with nowhere to go. Eric would make heavy contact, and would be forced to duck pitside for repairs. Makeshift repairs were made on the car, and Eric would return to the track to finish third, which locked him into the 13th starting spot for the main event.

In the feature, he would battle around midpack for much of the event before mechanical issues forced him pitside bringing his night to an early end int he 19th position. Full results are available at www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

June 25th, 2011 - After planning to enter two events over the course of the weekend with the PRO Dirt Car Series Super Late Models, Eric quickly saw his plans reduced to a single event, when Mother Nature nixed the Friday night show at Columbus Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi).

On Saturday night the team made the trek to Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama) for the $2,500 to win, PRO tour event. Thirty-three Super Late Models entered the race, and after setting second fast time in his group, Eric would earn the third starting spot for the 40 lap feature. He would battle in the top five for much of the feature, before slipping to a still strong sixth place finish behind race winner, Tim Busha, Ronnie Johnson, Terry Smith, Jason Wilson, and Danny Peoples.

With his performance, Cooley now leads the overall tour standings as well as the rookie standings. For full results and the latest standings, please visit www.PRODirtCarSeries.com.

June 11th, 2011 - Eric was slated to race at Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, Alabama) on Saturday night but late afternoon rains forced the PRO Dirt Car Series sanctioned event to be canceled.

As a result, the team stopped at Moulton Speedway (Moulton, Alabama) on their way home and entered a Weekly Racing Series Event at the 1/4 mile oval. After qualifying fifth fastest in the 16 car field, Eric would start fifth in the main event, and on an abrasive track would go on to finish in the fifth position behind race winner, Mark Mears, Ross Martin, Chase Washington, and Johnny Stokes. Full results are available at www.MoultonRaceway.com.

June 4th, 2011 - Eric returned to Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi) on Saturday night for the 8th Annual Coca-Cola 8th Annual Governor's Cup, which was sanctioned by the PRO Dirt Car Series. Thirty-seven Super Late Models entered the $5,000 to win event, and Cooley would finish second in his qualifier to earn the 13th starting spot for the 50 lap main event. For the second straight week, Cooley would enjoy a solid run on the "Black Ice" of the 3/8 mile oval as he raced his way to a 9th place finish in the final rundown as he continues to lead the Jeff Burns Racing Engines Rookie of the Year standings with the PRO Series. Full results are available at www.MagnoliaDirt.com.

May 29th, 2011 - After almost a month away from the track, Eric returned to racing in a big way as he entered the $5,000 to win, Southern All Stars Super Late Model event at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi). A stellar field of 47 Super Late Models were on hand, and Cooley would claim the final transfer spot in his b-main to lock into the 22nd starting position for the main event. In the 50 lap feature, Cooley would methodically work through the pack in his #33c Victory Circle M1 Chassis Super Late Model to score a 5th place finish at the checkered flag behind race winner, Shane Clanton, Chris Wall, Chip Brindle, and Brooks Strength. It was a very proud night for Eric as he continues to progress in his first full season of racing Super Late Models. Full results are available at www.DirtOnDirt.com.

April 30th, 2011 - Eric was back in action with the PRO Dirt Car Series Super Late Models on Saturday night at North Alabama Speedway (Tuscumbia, Alabama) in another $2,000 to win event. Via time trials, Eric would start 8th in the feature, and as the event got underway he immediately began moving forward through the pack. By the race's midway point he was up fifth and was pressuring Rick Rickman for fourth. A few laps later Cooley would race his way into the fourth position and would hold that spot until a lap 33 caution when he ducked into the pit area with a tire going flat. He would rejoin the tail of the field and over the remainder of the event would advance back to a sixth place finish to conclude two solid nights of racing for the young driver.

April 29th, 2011 - After two straight weeks of bad luck, Eric was looking to get the monkey off his back on Friday night as he entered the PRO Dirt Car Series Super Late Model event at North Alabama Speedway (Tuscumbia, Alabama). Via preliminary action, Cooley earned the 10th starting position for the 40 lap, $2,000 to win feature around the 1/4 mile oval. Eric would race in the top ten for much of the event before advancing to a solid seventh place finish, which was just what he and the team needed to get their season on track. Saturday night will see them entering another $2,000 to win event at North Alabama Speedway.

April 23rd, 2011 - Eric entered a $2,500 to win, MSCCS Super Late Model event on Saturday night at Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi) and for the second straight week, gremlins in his engine would see him sidelined early in the night as engine woes in time trials ended his outing.

April 16th, 2011 - As Eric continues to get more seat time in his #33c Victory Circle M1 Chassis By Moyer Super Late Model, Eric knows that there will be some nights that are better than others, and Saturday night at Greenville Speedway (Greenville, Mississippi) can definitely go down in the "one of those nights" classification. After a successful hot lap session in the $2,500 to win, Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS) event, Eric started the car to prepare for time trials and broke a push rod in the engine, bringing the night to an early end. He will try again next Saturday with the MSCCS at Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi).

April 9th, 2011 - Eric entered his first Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series (MSCCS) event of 2011 on Saturday night at Whynot Motorsports Park (Meridian, Mississippi). Twenty-five Super Late Models entered the $2,500 to win event, and after failing to lock into the feature via time trials, Cooley finished fourth in his qualifier to earn the 16th starting spot for the main event. Despite starting deep in the field, Eric would mount a great run in the feature to a top ten finish in the ninth spot. Overall it was a great outing for Eric against a talented field of Super Late Model competitors. Complete results are available at www.StateSeries.com .

April 2nd, 2011 - It was back to action for Eric and the team on Saturday night at Columbus Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi) in a Weekly Racing Series Event. Nineteen Super Late Models entered the event, and in time trials Cooley was fifth fastest to lock into the fifth starting spot for the 25 lap feature event. In the main event he would advance one spot to a fourth place finish behind winner, Jay Burchfield, Brian Rickman, and Rick Rickman as he continues to get seat time in a Super Late Model.

March 26th, 2011 - Eric Cooley Motorsports entered their first Super Late Model event of the 2011 season on Saturday night as the team took part in the season opener for Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi). Twenty-two entries were on hand for the event, and the night started great for Eric as he set fast time to earn the pole position for the twenty lap feature. In the main event, Eric would slip to the fourth position early in the race as he battled the setup. Things would continue to go downhill for Eric as a few laps later he would miss his entry into the corner, causing him to slide the tires, which made the tiresseal over and resulted in an even worse handling entry. After sliding backwards for a few laps, Cooley began to recover as he worked his way through the pack. However, bad luck would ultimately do him in a few laps later when he got too low entering the corner and made hard contact with a tractor tire, resulting in a heavily damaged car, and a disappointing DNF.

March 25th, 2011 - After a month away from the track, Eric will be back in action on Saturday in a Weekly Racing Series Event at Magnolia Motor Speedway (Columbus, Mississippi). He will be competing in the Super Late Model division.

February 26th, 2011 - The third and final NeSmith Winter Nationals event was held on Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park (Tampa, Florida) as 45 cars entered the $3,000 to win, 50 lap event. After once again finishing fourth in his heat race, Eric started 14th in the feature. He would go on to finish in the 10th position in the feature event.

February 25th, 2011 - Night #2 of the NeSmith Winter Nationals at East Bay Raceway Park was held on Friday night. In heat race action, Eric finished fourth, which earned him the 14th starting spot for the 40 lap main event. During the course of the feature, Eric would not be able to make up much ground as he advanced just one spot to a 13th place finish at a track that has not been kind to him during the course of his career.

February 24th, 2011 - Eric Cooley opened his 2011 season on Thursday night as the NeSmith Late Model Series also opened its 2011 campaign. Forty-six entries were on hand for the $2,000 to win event at East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Florida). In heat race action, Eric missed the transfer to the feature by one spot, and as a result was relegated to a b-main, which he won to lock into the 17th starting spot for the feature. In the 40 lap feature, Cooley would advance five spots to a 12th place finish.