COLE DENTON EARNS TOP-10 FINISH IN FIVE FLAGS SPEEDWAY DEBUT
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Cole Denton checked another track off his racing bucket list Friday night, earning a seventh-place finish in his first appearance at historic Five Flags Speedway during the Allen Turner Pro Late Model 100.
For Denton, the opportunity carried special meaning. Not only was it his first race at one of the most recognized short tracks in the country, it marked the first time in six years that the young driver had the opportunity to compete close to home.
Driving for Ty King Motorsports, Denton showed solid speed throughout the weekend as he learned the challenging half-mile Pensacola oval. He posted the seventh-fastest time during Thursday’s practice session before qualifying ninth for the 100-lap feature.
When the green flag dropped, Denton settled into the race and focused on managing his equipment while gaining experience against a competitive field of Pro Late Model drivers.
The opening 50 laps were run under green before a mandatory halfway caution brought the field back together and set up the second half of the race.
Denton continued battling throughout the final 50 laps, advancing two positions from his ninth-place starting spot to bring the car home seventh.
More importantly, Denton completed all 100 laps on the lead lap, gaining valuable experience at a track where tire management, patience and consistency are critical to success.
For Denton, however, the night was about much more than the finishing position.
“It was really cool to get the opportunity to race close to home for the first time in six years. Racing at Five Flags Speedway has been a dream of mine since I was four years old, so being able to finally race there was really special.
“I’m learning so much as I visit all these new tracks, and to come away with a P7 finish in my first time there, competing against some of the top short track drivers in the country, was a pretty good start!
“Thank you to Ty King Motorsports, X10 Lifts, K3 Fencing & Outdoors, Georgia Environmental, my crew chief and spotter Mr. Doug Stevens, all the crew, everyone at the shop, and most importantly, God.”
The Five Flags appearance was another important step in Denton’s development during a season that has already seen him compete — and win — in the ARCA Menards Series West while continuing to expand his experience behind the wheel of a Pro Late Model.
Racing at different tracks and against experienced short-track competitors has become an important part of Denton’s development. Each new venue presents different challenges, giving him an opportunity to learn new racing surfaces, improve tire management and continue building the racecraft that will become increasingly important as he advances through the motorsports ranks.
His first 100 laps at Five Flags carry additional value as Denton gains experience at the home of the prestigious Snowball Derby and Snowflake 125. Friday night’s event was the third of four Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series races leading toward the Snowflake 125 during Snowball Derby week in December.
Denton’s return to competition also came shortly after another memorable experience away from the racetrack.
Cole recently represented the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation as a driver in the Great American Road Rally, taking the wheel of the FOJ Tahoe for the Route 66 leg from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Amarillo, Texas.
The experience gave Denton an opportunity to use his growing platform beyond racing while helping raise awareness for Friends of Jaclyn and its mission of improving the quality of life for children battling pediatric cancer.
From representing an important cause along historic Route 66 to fulfilling a childhood dream of racing at Five Flags Speedway, Denton continues adding experiences both on and off the racetrack to an already memorable 2026 season.
ABOUT COLE DENTON
Cole Denton is one of the nation’s rising young stock-car drivers, competing across multiple disciplines as he continues his progression through the motorsports ranks. Denton began racing go-karts at four years old before moving into Bandoleros, where he became the 2022 INEX National Bandolero Champion during a remarkable season that included 12 championships and 40 victories in 62 races.
Denton continued his development through INEX Legend Car competition, earning multiple championships before advancing into full-bodied stock cars. In 2026, Denton is competing in the ARCA Menards Series West with Jan’s Racing, where he has already earned two victories during his rookie campaign while also competing in select Pro Late Model events around the country.
His diverse racing schedule is designed to continue developing his racecraft across different tracks, cars and styles of racing as he works toward the next stages of his motorsports career.
ABOUT FIVE FLAGS SPEEDWAY
Five Flags Speedway is a historic half-mile paved oval located in Pensacola, Florida, and one of the most recognized short tracks in the United States. Best known as the home of the annual Snowball Derby, Five Flags attracts many of the country’s top short-track competitors throughout the season.
The track hosts a variety of racing divisions and major events, including the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series and the Snowflake 125, providing developing drivers an opportunity to compete against experienced racers on one of the most demanding tracks in short-track racing.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF JACLYN FOUNDATION
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation improves the quality of life for children battling pediatric cancer by pairing them with local sports teams, clubs and community groups. Inspired by Jaclyn Murphy’s own battle with pediatric brain cancer, the foundation was established by the Murphy family to provide children and their families with friendship, love and support during an incredibly difficult time.
Through its adoption program, Friends of Jaclyn creates lasting relationships between children and the teams that become part of their extended support system. The organization has facilitated adoptions across the country and continues working to ensure children battling pediatric cancer know they are never alone.
ABOUT THE GREAT AMERICAN ROAD RALLY
The Great American Road Rally is a multi-day journey along historic Route 66 bringing together celebrities, professional athletes, race car drivers, charities and supporters to raise awareness and funds for important causes across the country.
The 2026 Rally traveled from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, with participants driving individual legs along Route 66 and taking part in events and charitable activities throughout the journey. Cole Denton represented the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation on the Oklahoma City-to-Amarillo leg.
The Great American Road Rally will be featured in a 12-episode television series airing on The CW beginning September 2, 2026.
Media Contact:
Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development