Sunday, August 17, 2008

Rookie Reaid wins his first GAS event at New Senoia

Reaid wins his first GAS event at New Senoia by: Allen Hastings GAS Series Media Senoia, GA - - The competition in the Georgia Asphalt Series this season has been incredible. T.J. Reaid of Acworth, Georgia, added his name to the list of new winners and most importantly,doing it as a rookie. Reaid became the eighth driver in nine events to win a GAS Series event in 2008. The 18 year old took his fifth Bearden Oil Company Pole Award of the season with a 14.073 lap around the 3/8ths mile oval. Reaid drew a 2 which moved 2007 GAS Series Champion Russell Fleeman to the pole position. After a 2 hour rain delay, the field took the green flag as Fleeman jumped out to an early lead. On lap 16, James Kawahata of Los Angeles, California and Mahlon Winstead of Williamson, Georgia tangled on the front straight away bringing out the caution. Both cars retired. On the restart, Chris Dilbeck of Hampton, Georgia began to challenge Fleeman for the lead and was able to get by him on lap 19. Dilbeck began to pull away and seemed to be the driver to beat. Reaid had a different plan. He began his charge toward the front in his Glencast/Cherokee Flooring Ford Fusion. Reaid was able to get by Fleeman on lap 42 and set his sites on Dilbeck. Meanwhile, the battle for third place was intense around the halfway point. Nick Potts, Beau Slocomb, Fleeman, Kyle Mitchell and Bobby East battled between one another for about 15 laps for the position. Potts and Slocomb were able to separate themselves from the others and began to battle one another. Around lap 75, Reaid began to make his move on Dilbeck. "My Crew Chief told me over the radio that it was time to make my move", said Reaid. "I got up on the steering wheel and was giving it all I could." At lap 82, Reaid had caught Dilbeck and was able to get around him on lap 86. Reaid began to pull away and took the checkered flag in the Red Hot Summer 100. "This win feels great but it rally hasn't set in yet", said Reaid. "I remember watching the GAS Series drivers Fleeman and Slocomb compete here at Senoia back when I was racing Legends cars here. It's hard to believe I beat those guys. They are great race car drivers. I want to thank my Mom and Dad and my crew for giving me such a great racecar." Dilbeck finished second but was disqualified after refusing a post race engine inspection by GAS Series Officials. With the disqualification, Nick Potts finish 2nd. It was his 9th top 10 finish in nine events in 2008. Rounding out the top 5 were Slocomb, Mitchell and East. The next GAS Series event is Saturday, August 30th at Peach State Speedway in Jefferson, Georgia. In addition to the Polaris of Athens GAS Series 100. the Outlaw Late Models, Toyota Tundra Super Trucks and Mini Stocks will compete. Racing begins at 7PM. The GAS Series will return to New Senoia Raceway on Saturday, September 20th. For more information about the GAS Series, log onto www.georgiaasphaltseries.com. Georgia Asphalt Series New Senoia Raceway Senoia, GA Red Hot Summer 100 Offical Results position/driver/hometown/laps completed 1) TJ Reaid (r) Acworth, GA 100 2) Nick Potts Jefferson, GA 100 3) Beau Slocomb Macon, GA 100 4) Kyle Mitchell (r) Hampton, GA 100 5) Bobby East Mooresville, NC 100 6) Ronnie Sanders Fayetteville, GA 100 7) Max Gresham (r) Griffin, GA 100 8) Russell Fleeman Dacula, GA 99 9) Ryan Sieg Decatur, GA 80 10) Warren Mobley Griffin, GA 57 11) James Kawahata Los Angeles, CA 15 12) Mahlon Winstead Williamson, GA 15 13) Chris Dilbeck Hampton, GA DQ 14) Tony Clark Sharpsburg, GA DNS Race time 32 min Remaining GAS Schedule August 30 Peach State Speedway September 20 New Senoia Raceway October 4 Peach State (season finale) World Crown 300 Peach State Speedway Nov 6-9

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