"Mother Nature is a racing fan." Jeff Hammond, NASCAR talking head 5/22/09
Details below: Crate dirt LMs at Modoc for $4000 to win Friday GAS at Lanier Saturday (and BBQ all day at nearby Brenau Univ.) ASA South at Senoia Saturday ASCS winged sprints at Lavonia Saturday Cochran's April Johnson Memorial Race Late Models $3000 to win Saturday Rome season opener Sunday - it's a real half-mile
"Battleground '09" was our headline Nov. 13, when we first reported on the expected war in Georgia among too many asphalt late model series. Last week the first real casualty fell, as Vince Whitmire's Southern Pro Late Model Series (SPLMS) suspended their season after five shows. One of the leading drivers has put an end to rumors, saying Whitmire "has paid every dime he owes me. No complaints." SPLMS had three shows, co-sanctioned with ASA South: 3/28 South Georgia 26 cars 4/4 Senoia 19 cars 5/9 Watermelon 17 cars SPLMS also reopened Montgomery (AL) Motor Speedway, attracting 6 cars from GA, 7 from AL, and single entries from SC, MS, and TN. The GA Asphalt Series (GAS), the original crate motor series in GA, has been through three managers in three seasons, with Lanier GM Terry Roberts now in charge. Lanier owner Donny Clack has offered up to $50,000 in points fund money for a combination of championships, including GAS, Lanier's Super Six, and Lanier's pro late model division. To allow some youngsters to race, Lanier switched the NASCAR affiliation from their pro LM class to their Truck Div. NASCAR has a 16-year-old minimum age. GA Asphalt Series shows: 4/4 Watermelon 13 cars 4/17 Anderson 12 cars 5/2 Lanier 17 cars The ASA South has a base of Florida racers. They opened the season at Charlotte (FL) with 16 cars (almost none from GA) and the co-sanctioned with SPLMS show at South Georgia had 26 cars (about six from GA). This Saturday, at Senoia, they go head-to-head with the GAS show at Lanier. Their 100 lap shows typically pay $3000 to win, $600 to start. ASA South is part of the July 4th show at Rockingham Speedway's one-mile oval. South Alabama Speedway, located between Montgomery and Mobile, has an eight-race Viper Series, and all three races to date have been won by Bubba Pollard, from Senoia, GA. The track had 29 super LMs for the Rattler. Next super show is a CRA race Aug. 15. South Alabama Speedway: 3/7 (Rattler Weekend) 30 cars 4/18 10 cars 5/16 14 cars The RC Cola and Moon Pie ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour, run by promoter John Kee and former Peach State Speedway and GAS manager Micky Cain, is the only one of the series with a title sponsor and a TV deal, and has been to five states for the first six shows. Five of the top 10 in points are from Georgia, including leaders Jason Hogan and Max Gresham. The ASA SAT has a variety of legal engine and weight options, which allows race teams a variety of choices - and apparently attracting more teams. ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour: 2/28 Desota (FL) 20 cars 3/27 Five Flags (FL) 31 cars 3/28 Mobile (AL) 28 cars 4/11 Lanier 34 cars 4/25 Dillon (SC) 19 5/17 Hickory (NC) rain The Champion Racing Assn. South (CRA) has had non-points races at Lanier and South Alabama for their super late models. They attracted 12 cars to the Watermelon Capital Speedway April 4, and they'll be at Monroe (LA) Motor Speedway for a $3000 to win show July 18. CRA is also offering travel money to teams, including $500 to the winner and $125 or more for others in the top 15. Bubba Pollard won the CRA race at The 'Melon. Also competing for Super Late Models is PASS South, which will be at Senoia June 20 - their only GA race. Ben Rowe, commuting from Turner, Maine, leads the PASS South points. Two Georgians have raced with PASS South: Justin Wakefield, who has finishes of 2nd, 8th, 30th, and 3rd (6th in pts.) and Michael Pope, with help from Bob Dillner and the www.speed51.com bunch, who has finishes of 6th, 19th, and 20th (17th in pts.). PASS South will be at Greenville Pickens, SC, July 3 and Oct. 24. PASS South Super Late Models: Dillon (SC) 19 cars Hickory (NC) 30 cars Orange County (NC) 22 cars Wake County (NC) 25 cars Another opportunity for super late models is BJ Parker's new Southern Superstars, which has had three shows in Alabama. Southern Superstars: 3/29 Huntsville 16 cars 4/4 Sayre 10 cars 4/25 Montgomery 14 cars Another contender has appeared in the north, with the Ken-Ten Pro Late Model Series attracting 26 LMs from TN, KY, and IN to their first show at Highland Rim, on Nashville's north side. They have an eight-race schedule, including Beech Bend (KY) and Corbin (KY). Another twist in the pro late model world is Greenville Pickens, where the crate engines are subject to claiming. For $6300, an engine can be claimed, and the claimee gets a new crate engine and $400 cash from the track. The future of asphalt racing in the area depends on car counts, but especially on the number of butts in the seats, in trackside parking, and in the pits. Fans may enjoy a late model show with a car count in the teens, but if the support classes - the bombers, the minis, the trucks, the Legends - are also weak the fans aren't getting much for their money. "Battle Ground '09", after five months, continues at Lanier, Senoia, The 'Melon, and South Georgia. In the fall, Gresham Motorsports Park (known as Peach State several million dollars ago) returns. We'll watch, enjoy, and report. Send us your comments. http://sas.boswellracingdesigns.com http://www.superstarsracing.com http://www.splmseries.com http://www.lanierspeedway.com/GAS.html http://www.asasoutheastasphalttour.com http://craracing.net http://www.racewithpass.com http://www.asalatemodelssouth.com http://www.ken-tenprolatemodelseries.com/
May 29 (Fri.) Modoc (SC) Modoc Cup Series Race #1 $4000 to win Crate Late Models + $1000 to win Limited Sportsman http://www.modocspeedway.com/
May 29 (Fri.) Oglethorpe Bud Light Night at the Races presented by Southern Eagle Distributing featuring the Southern Eagle Budweiser Late Models, Love's Seafood Street Stocks, Wildcat Archery & Hunting Supply Pure Stocks, Savannah Go Mini's Mini Stocks, and Pooler Pawn & Diamond Company 440's. Racing at 8:00, Adm. $12. Rain-out tickets from 5/15 and 5/22 will be accepted. http://www.ospracing.net/
May 30 Albany Pure Stock Performance Twin 20's + Super Street $500 to win, Enduro $300 to win, and Mini Stock $200 to win Grandstands -$10 http://albanymotorspeedway.net/
May 30 Cochran April Johnson Memorial Race Late Models $3000 to win - 50 laps; Sportsman - $700 to win; Cadet - $500 to win; Road Warrior - $300 to win: Pure Stock -$1,500 to win - Howell's Automotive $200 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE PURE STOCK FAST QUALIFIER http://www.cochrangaspeedway.com/
May 30 South Georgia Race-Um Wreck-Um / Open Wheel Modifieds / SGMP Asphalt Series and Dirt Late Models http://www.sgmpracing.com/
May 30 East Alabama Late Models and All local classes. Youth Sports Players & Scouts Night. All Players, Coaches, Scouts & Scout Leaders Wearing Team Jersey Or Scout Shirt Admitted Free To Grandstands www.eamsdirt.com
May 30 Dixie no racing
May 31 Rome season opener - all divisions Super LMs pole = $200, $500 for new track record from Helbing+Brown Concrete Construction www.dixiespeedway.com
June 4 (Thurs) Atlanta Motor Speedway Thursday Thunder Legends Racing, $5 adm. Clayton County night. www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
June 5 (Fri.) Atlanta Motor Speedway Friday Night Drags and car show $20 to compete, $7 adm. Kids candy & coin scramble www.atlantamotorspeedway.com
June 5 (Fri.) Boyd's Kings of Crates Challenge $2500 to win + Regular Racing Program http://www.boydsspeedway.com
June 6 Gordon Park Regular Race www.gordonparkspeedway.net
June 6 Lanier Dukes of Hazzard Night - win a ride in the 01 General Lee and Meet Ben "Cooter" Jones http://www.lanierspeedway.com/
2009 World of Outlaws Racing on SPEED Television Schedule Air date / Time / Day / Track (Series) / City / Race Date May 30 / 6 p.m. / Saturday / Lernerville Speedway (LM) / Sarver, Pa. / May 5
June 20 SPEED Channel Lucas Oil LM Series SuperClean Diamond Nationals 2-hour broadcast
---- Radio ----
The Allan Vigil Ford Lincoln Mercury 120 with Captain Herb Emory racing show on News/Talk 750 WSB in Atlanta and online at wsbradio.com, this Saturday, from 2-4 p.m. Southern Race Week, with Bill Barber and Chadalac, Wednesdays 7-8:00 p.m. on 92.5 FM The Bear in south Atlanta. http://www.925fmthebear.com/ ---
The ASA South Late Model Series makes a return trip to the fast New Senoia Speedway Saturday. Drew Brannon will look to continue his South Series dominance, but Justin Larson, Brandon Johnson, and Russell Fleeman will be gunning for young Drew, who recently won at the Milwaukee (WI) Mile. The last time the ASA Late Model Series was at Senoia, Justin Larson looked to be cruising to a victory until some lapped traffic got together and ended Justin’s night. Larson will once again try and shake the monkey off his back and find victory lane. David Odell scored a win here in 2008 and will once again be tough to beat, at a track that he calls home. David’s coming off a strong second place showing down the road at the Watermelon Capitol Speedway just a few weeks ago. Russell Fleeman was carrying the torch for the now shut down Southern Pro Late Models, and will look to put his name in the ASA LMS history books as a winner in the series. Tickets $20 Adults and $5 for kids (Coupon Available on website) http://www.asalatemodelssouth.com
The Georgia Asphalt Series (GAS) returns to Lanier Sat., for a 100-lap feature. The Series is still giddy about the publicity they received after Bill Elliott's 13-year-old son, Chase, won at Lanier two weeks ago with a lap 96 touch and go on his teammate Casey Roderick. GAS Points 1 Casey Roderick 19 2 Chase Elliott 9 3 TJ Reaid 41 4 Greg Simpson 10 5 Shane Sawyer 38 6 Zach Rearden 15 7 Will Prance 9W Lanier has revised the rules for the open-wheel mods, hoping to attract more cars. http://www.lanierspeedway.com Among the alumni: After a red-hot start to the season winning two of four American Speed Association (ASA) Southeast Asphalt Tour stock car events, Max Gresham will makes his NASCAR debut in the Camping World 150 at South Boston (VA) Motor Speedway this Saturday. Gresham will wheel the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry in the May 30 NASCAR Camping World East stock car event on the tight 4/10-mile South Boston paved oval. (from Speed51)
This week's commercial: The Brenau University BBQ & Banjo event in Gainesville Saturday is a sanctioned contest, with $12,000 in awards, offering a $2800 prize to the BBQ Grand Champion, and $1250 each for the top Ribs, Pork Shoulder, and whole hog. Amateur teams will be competing for $300 top prizes in the ribs and Boston butt divisions, and "Backyard Braggarts" titles. They're all in the running for the $500 People's Choice award, which the spectators choose. Organizer Jim Barco says "Though weather is always the great unknown (it has rained on May 30th only once in the last ten years), we are expecting a BIG crowd ... I expect we will have 20 pro teams, and 20 local “Backyard Braggarts”, including two Atlanta Falcon players’ teams, and great Bluegrass music." <<< Brenau from From Atlanta: Take I-85 north to I-985 north. Take exit 22 off I-985 and turn left onto Hwy. 129. Go through seven traffic lights. Turn right on Washington Street, which will take you onto the campus. <<< Brenau from From SC: Take I-85 south. Take the Jefferson, Ga., Hwy. 129 exit, and head west on Hwy. 129, which will take you into downtown Gainesville. In Gainesville, turn right onto Washington Street, which will take you onto the campus.
The ASCS Rebel Region winged 360 sprint cars will be at Lavonia Saturday for $2000 to win and $300 to start. Their next six shows are in this area: 5/30/2009 - Lavonia Speedway (located off exit 173 of I-85) 6/6/2009 - Deep South Speedway, Loxley, AL 6/12/2009 - Green Valley Speedway 6/19/2009 - Oglethorpe Speedway Park 6/20/2009 - Swainsboro Raceway 7/11/2009 - Dixie Speedway Drivers from Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North & South Carolina, and Tennessee are expected. Car owner Jay Hancock of Athens, GA is expected to have his car in the field with a "mystery driver" at the wheel. Brian Thomas, of Pendergrass, GA, is expected to be wheeling his familiar 67 race car. Aubrey Black, of Lookout Mtn., is expected too, in an former Kenny Adams car. Matt Linder, from Hoschton, has entered. Jeremy Scott, who won the ASCS Show at Sugar Creek a few years ago, has now retired. ASCS info: (770) 605-5993. In 2009, the Rebel Region has raced twice times at East Bay, FL, and had two shows postponed at Deep South. The points race is very close: Martin, Jr., Danny - 146 pts. Lasker, Gene - 144 Sides, Jason - 142 Bruce, Jr., Tony - 141 Mayes, Brock - 133 Conley, Cale - 132 Kennedy, Jr., Lou - 131 Hockett, Jesse - 131 Skinner, Marshall - 130 Wright, Gary - 130 Leader Danny Martin Jr., from Sarasota, FL, won at East Bay and finished 4th. All of the support classes - Limited Late Model, FASTRAK Crate Late Model, Enduro, Stock V-8, Stock Four Cylinders, Young Guns, and Up Front - will race too, starting at 7:00. http://www.ascsracing.comhttp://www.lavoniadirttrack.com
The next race at Dixie Speedway is Saturday night, June 6 at 7:30 PM for the Bill Ingram Memorial 50 lap Super Late Model Championship paying $5,000 to win plus a full stock car racing program. Rome Speedway's Season Opener scheduled for last Sunday night was rained out and rescheduled for this Sunday night, May 31 at 7:30 PM. http://www.dixiespeedway.com
Albany's feature Saturday is the Pure Stock Performance Twin 20's: Two 20 - Lap Features, Two Feature Payouts. Bradley Frakes has won two Pure Stock features, and leads the points. Joseph Lewis, Michael Canady, and TC Broadway have won once. Also racing: Super Street - 25 Laps $500 to win, Enduro - 20 Laps $300 to win, and Mini Stock - 20 Laps $200 to win. The rained-out Natl. Late Model Series show has been reset for Sat., June 6. http://www.albanymotorspeedway.net/
Screven Motor Speedway Goes back to Super late models starting June 6, after running only limited LMs brought low car counts. The track races every other week, with specials coming: June 27 Southern All Stars July 18 Southern Nationals Aug. 29 WoO Super LMs
Promotion idea: The entire day (at Vighizzolo d’Este Stock Car Track, Italy) had us watching about four classes of racecars race 20-25 races. When the program was finished, all of the drivers brought their cars onto the track. It was trophy time. (from Trackchaser Randy Lewis www.ranlayracing.com)
Anderson (SC) Motor Speedway will host the "Chief's Wings & Firewater B Mini Championship” Friday night. B Mini Stock point leader, Mark Timmerman (168 points) of Greenwood is currently tied for wins with Townville’s Brad Burdette (150 points), who currently sits third in the track point standings – both drivers have 3 wins each. Six other divisions will race too: C Mini Stocks, Stock Fours, BM Modified, Renegades, Super Renegades, and the 600 Racing Legends. AMS Jr Fan Clubbers can take part in a Bubble Gum Bubble-Blowing Contest! www.andersonmotorspeedway.com
We cover everything: The Dunwoody/Northeast Georgia Soap Box Derby is this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Atlanta at North Peachtree Road and I-285. Gates open at 8:15 a.m. www.dunwoodysoapboxderby.org
The Southeastern Latemodel Sportsman Series will be back at The Tri County Racetrack Saturday. Twenty of the finest Steel Head Drivers were locked in for this Saturday's 35 lap Feature Event, which was interupted by rain last week.
The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will offer a possible $6,500 top prize in purse money and bonuses this weekend in the Alabama Bonus Bucks Weekend on Friday night at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL, and on Saturday night at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL. www.pentonraceways.com www.EAMSDirt.com www.nesmithracing.com
Monroe (LA) Motor Speedway has rescheduled the June 6th Sportsman’s Paradise 125 CRA Super Series South event to Saturday, July 18. This will allow the area to dry out, and avoid conflicts with Five Flags and Mobile for super LM teams. www.craracing.net
The Southern Regional Racing Series sponsored by PPM will travel to Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, AL, on Friday and to the Talladega Short Track Saturday with $3,000 to win each night. This is the first visit by SRRS to TST. Besides the SRRS Super LateModels, TST has two Crate Late Model features along with the Sportsman, IMCA Modifieds, Thundercars, Street Stocks, and two Hot Shot Feature events. www.talladegashorttrack.com www.southernregionalracingseries.com
Toccoa Speedway Results (5/25) Partial < Super Latemodel 1.Casey Roberts 2.Ethan Hunter 3.David McCoy 4.Bruce Taylor 5.Jamie Oliver 6.Wesley English 7.Steve Pearson 8.Todd Hammond 9.J.R. Headen (turned 71 years old on raceday) 10.Danny Ledford 11.Joey McCoy 12.Crandall Turner 13.Kip Cochran 14.Jimmy Ivester 15.Benji Cole < Crate Latemodels 1.Jonathan Davenport 2.Ryan Bryson 3.Doug Davis 4.Clayton Turner 5.Michael Akeson 6.Jody Farmer 7.Mike Garrett 8.Drew Cole 9.Ronald Woods 10.Steve Segars < Young Guns 4Cyl 1.Austin Outz (first win) 2.Travis Roberts 3.Jeremy Stanley
Atlanta Motor Speedway kicks off their Hot Summer Nights racing series next Thursday and Friday, June 4th and 5th. A summer full of action packed, family fun is set to begin with the respective season opening events for the Thursday Thunder Series and Friday Night Drags & Show-N-Shine. Thursday Thunder is a ten night series showcasing drivers from the age of eight to eighty competing in legends cars, bandolero cars and thunder roadsters in eight divisions. The gates open at 6pm. The on-track autograph session opens at 7:15 pm with feature races planned for 7:35pm. Thursday Thunder remains the most affordable ticket in the area with adults $5 and children only $1. Kids five and under free. Friday Drag racers will compete in everything from wide open dragsters in the Super Pro class to ‘off the lot’ four cylinders in the Sport Compact class. There are divisions for trucks, ATVs and motorcycles as well. The Show-N-Shine welcomes all classic, custom and showroom vehicles to compete for best judged entries each Friday night. Fans will see flashy colors, sparkling chrome, jet black tires and feather-dusted rides in all shapes and sizes. Full schedule at www.georgiastockcarracing.com www.atlantamotorspeedway.com www.legendsofga.com.
A.J. Carlisi, the Legends driver from Dalton featured in our April Wreck of the Week (at Huntsville), won at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Saturday. The excitement at the Fairgrounds was in the late model Full Throttle 200. Andy Johnson, the reigning track champion, and former track champion Mark Day, both lost their poise and received harsh penalties for their actions. As the race's third segment began, all hell broke loose. Johnson passed Steadman Marlin for the lead and then Johnson and Day collided with each other in turn 1. The entire field was collected in the mess except Pope. After the cars untangled themselves and came around the track under the caution, Johnson and Day were playing bumper tag with each other. Day tagged Johnson at least twice between the backstretch and turn 4. When the cars came down pit road, Day stopped at his pit as Johnson pulled up next to him. Johnson then intentionally plowed his car into Day's stopped race car, pushing Day's car up against the pit wall as crew members and officials scurried behind the wall to avoid being injured. As the drivers got out of their cars, a large brawl ensued. As the ruckus grew, Steadman Marlin could be seen running from the south pit area to join the fracas. His father Sterling stayed in his pit box, watching the spectacle several stalls in front of him. "Man, the fans got their money's worth tonight. It was wild out there with all the on-track and off-track craziness. I have to thank my whole racing operation for this win and also my parents and the fans for supporting my racing efforts," said an excited winner Daniel Pope. Promoter Danny Denson issued the following penalties against Johnson and Day: · Both drivers are disqualified from the event on Saturday, May 23 · Neither driver will receive points or money for the event · Both drivers are suspended for one race · Andy Johnson is fined an additional $500 for his action on pit road as his actions could have resulted in severe injury or even death of a crew member, an official, or an innocent bystander in the pit area. (info from Paul Jensen, Rob Spires & Tammy Brewington)
Former Pro Cup and ARCA competitor Ken Butler III and his wife, Jaime, gave birth to their first child on Saturday. Piper Shay Butler weighed in at 6 lbs. 7 oz. Mother and baby are doing fine while Ken prepares for his first Nationwide start at Dover this week. Ken is the son of the owner of Aaron’s Sales and Lease, Ken Butler. Brother Brett Butler finished 13th in the USAR Pro Cup race at Langley, VA, Saturday. http://www.speed51.com/
NASCAR REPORT: Points standings after 12 races: 24 -1 Reed Sorenson 1148 -574 25 +5 Joey Logano* 1145 -577 32 — David Ragan 1089 -633 John Wes Townley will also be trying to qualify for the Dover Nationwide race. He made his first-ever Nationwide start at Dover last year. He failed to qualify at Lowe's last week. He will run the No. 15 truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the Milwaukee 200 June 19th. To prepare, 19-year-old Townley will be joining owner Billy Ballew on the pit box this weekend at Dover for the AAA Insurance 200 truck race. Keeton Hanks of Auburn, KY will drive John Wes’ No. 09 Zaxby’s Ford Late Model in the ASA South event at Senoia Raceway Saturday night.
Leading Economic Indicator: Of the 49 preliminary entries for Dover’s Autism Speaks 400, eight list their sponsor as “TBA.” www.speedwayillustrated.com
I'll pass this along, although I quit buying NASCAR stuff when the price of a refrigerator magnet hit $6.99: Cabbage Patch Kids dolls done up as NASCAR drivers, beginning with Dale Earnhardt Jr., will have the signature birthmark of CPK creator Xavier Roberts and an authentic birth certificate showing the driver's actual birth date. Each Kid’s “adoption fee” is $45. At one time, CPKs were made in Cleveland, GA.
Bill Elliott, driving the Motorcraft Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, made his 800th career start Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Elliott is currenty 7th in the all-time Sprint Cup start list behind Richard Petty (1184 starts), Ricky Rudd (906), Dave Marcis (883), Terry Labonte (883) and Kyle Petty (829). The rest of the top 10 are all active drivers: Sterling Marlin (744), Michael Waltrip (736) and Mark Martin (733). Only four of the top-10 have won a championship.
Good news from AMS: Having sold out of reserved tent camping, Atlanta Motor Speedway has opened two new campgrounds to accommodate fans attending AMS’ first NASCAR Sprint Cup night race on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5 and 6. Reserved sites are $125-$150. If you've got a big RV and lots of money and friends, you can park it overlooking the backstretch for $3500 - 10 tickets included.
Beau Slocumb update: Thursday, May 28, 2009 Still in the ER - No room at the Inn Beau is still in the ER and he won't be going home today. Luckily mom was able to get a room at the Rotary House for tonight because neither she nor Jessica have slept in almost 48 hours. He still has a fever but it has stalled out at about 100, so that's better than yesterday. His oxygen levels were low this morning so they have had him on oxygen since 10 am. His white blood count has gone from .0 (that sounds pretty low, doesn't it) to .01...so they are going to give him another transfusion. The ER doc said he could possibly have pneumonia because she heard congestion in his lungs that hadn't been noticed before. They did some kind of test to see if he has pneumonia but it will be 24-48 hours before they get the results. She also said his fever and aches could just be from being anemic. So in short, they aren't really sure what is wrong with him yet but from what I can gather, this is a pretty common occurrence for chemo patients. They actually have a name for his fever...neutropenic fever...which is attributed to chemo patients with low white blood counts so I guess Beau fits the bill for that. I know they will be staying at the hospital tonight but they don't know whether he will get a room or not. Wed., May 27: Bump in the road... Beau's been having a little bit of a rough day. He started running a fever in the middle of the night and it continued to climb until it was 102.6 this morning. They decided to head to the Emergency Room at M.D. Anderson because they were told to head straight there if he ever started running a fever over 101. Beau's head was absolutely killing him so when he finally got settled in, the ER nurse gave him some dilaudid. This was Beau's "drug-of-choice" after his surgery in Macon so he was pretty happy to hear that he would be getting some. http://beauslocumb.blogspot.com/
From Douglas Motor Speedway: Hey Guys, Just wanted to let eveyone know, we will be at the race track this coming up Saturday May 30th from about 9:00-9:30am until for a work day. Anyone interested in coming out to help would be greatly appreciated. There is a tremendous amount to be done to get ready for the upcoming NLMS race June 11th-13th. Bring your tractor w/rotory mowers; lawn mowers; weedeaters; pressure washers; vaccum cleaners; cleaning supplies; water hoses; and all the man power you can find. We are trying to get the bleachers in the pit area finished. Lonnie, Tommy and Don have been working on them and are only about 1/2 thru. We need help finishing them; we need the entire place mowed and weed-eated; the front straightaway wall needs to be pressure washed, the bleachers will need to be washed; the upstairs VIP room and tower needs to be cleaned throughly and set up for potential VIP's coming in; both wrecker trucks need to be gone over and some minor repairs done; parking spaces need to be marked off and numbered in the grandstand area; we need some roundup & sprayers; ant poison put out; and several more things done. Hope all who can will please come out and help. We would greatly appreciate it. Lonnie Roberts - Douglas Motor Speedway roberts811@bellsouth.net (Douglas is located between Tifton and Waycross in south GA)
Chase Elliott, 13-year-old son of NASCAR star Bill Elliott, made his dirt racing debut at Boyd's Sat., where he had tested earlier in the week. He started 18th in the feature, and advanced to seventh. A week earlier, he won on asphalt at Lanier. New wweb site: www.ChaseElliott.com photos at www.DT52PHOTOS.com www.billelliottracing.com
Celebrating the GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY of David Pearson's 1959 Greenville Pickens (SC) track championship, the track and Bryan Ramey Trial Lawyers will have the "Double Aught" TWIN 50s Saturday.
---- ---- ---- ---- We get letters ... Hi Dale: I just wanted to say a quick thank you for your incredible newsletter. You never fail to deliver the "insider's report" and helpful information on tracks and tidbits that sometimes don't get the coverage they should. Great job - I always look forward to receiving your newsletter and never fail to be amazed at the coverage you provide. Thanks again and have a great Memorial Day Race Weekend! Theresa Earnheart President - TRACK CHIC ---- Please remove me from your e-mailing list. i live in ohio, i have no need for this info. thank you. dirt72racer@.... ---- Wow, lots of good info here! Thanks! Linda ---- Hello Dale, Would it be possible to add some weekly information about the Carolina Clash Super Late Model series? Kevin W Bowman ---- ---- ---- ----
The Southern Superstars Short Track Series has the Southern Classic 100 at Montgomery Saturday. Both the Hall of Fame 100 at Sayre Speedway and the Memorial 100 at The Huntsville Speedway were cancelled due to inclement weather. The Hall of Fame 100 has been rescheduled for June 13 and the Memorial 100 is set to be run one week later on June 20.
Promotion idea: A special promotion from Sayer's Auto Wrecking & Chatham Printing will bring fans ‘Fitness Club Night,' at which fans can show their Membership Card to a fitness center and get in free to the races! www.lebanonvalley.com
Mother Nature won at "the Melon" for the second week in a row. This Saturday they'll have a the regular weekly show. June 6, the ASA RC Cola Moonpie Southeast Asphalt Tour is in action.
STEVIE JONES GOES SIX FOR SIX - JOSH ODOM CLAIMS $1000 CADET WIN By: Rev. Todd Shearin Racers and fans outlasted heavy rain and thunderstorms to see another great night of action at Cochran speedway. In what has become the norm these days, Stevie Jones took the win in the late model feature, topping an outstanding field of cars. This makes the sixth straight race that Jones has won. Fifteen cars were on hand for the feature as racers converged on CMS in preparation for next weekends NLMS event. At the start, Jones beat Mitch Fulford and Jordy Nipper into turn one and like always Jones powered away down the backstretch and that would be as close as anyone would get to the “Grey Ghost” for the rest of the night. Fulford, Nipper, and Jeremy Faircloth were all in the mix all night and swapped position several times but would finish in that order. The bounty that has been placed on Jones will pick up after the NLMS race and will be at $300. Anyone that can beat Jones will receive the extra cash up to $500. If Jones continues to win to that point he will receive the bonus money. Stevie Jones also won the sportsman feature from the pole driving, Allen Rowland’s car. Eric Baggett was second and Veteran Johnny Tribble was third. In pure stock action, Luke Scott made a rare visit to CMS pay off by taking the win from the fourth starting spot. Josh Odom was the big winner in the lucrative $1000 to win cadet feature, putting on a great display of smart and patient driving to win from the 12th starting spot. Pole sitter Eric McMillian led a large portion of the 30 lap event while holding off the strong charge of Kyle Conyer and a host of other drivers, finishing second. Jason Floyd was third. This was a very entertaining race with 22 cars battling for the big prize money. Will Herrington outlasted 15 drivers to take the road warrior feature. Next, Ray Miller’s NLMS rolls into CMS for the April Johnson Memorial. There will also be racing in all other divisions as well. This will be a two day event with practice on Friday May 29th and racing on Saturday May 30th. LATE MODELS 1-Stevie Jones 2-Mitch Fulford 3-Jordy Nipper 4-Jeremy Faircloth 5-Ricky Brantley SPORTSMAN 1-Stevie Jones 2-Eric Baggett 3-Johnny Tribble 4-Eric Register 5-Donald Sanders http://www.cochrangaspeedway.com
Rick Minter, Senior Writer at RacinToday.com, has published a nice report on the recent GARHOFA Picnic: In the movie “Field of Dreams” the baseball greats who show up to play ball in an Iowa farmer’s field aren’t exactly real. But when the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association holds its annual picnic on the old Minter family farm in Inman, Ga., the racing greats who come out are as real as can be. Racing memories are precious ones, cherished even more with the thought that as the pioneers get on in age there likely will be some empty seats at the next year’s event. Luther Carter came down from Kennesaw. Throughout his long career racing on both dirt and asphalt, he had all kinds of experiences. One in particular stood out, and he once again shared the details for interested listeners. Years ago, he was leading a race on a north Georgia bullring when a raw rookie wrecked him out of a sure win. The kid felt so bad about the crash, which caused lingering hard feelings between the Carters and the kid’s family, that he abandoned for a time his plans to become a race driver. It wasn’t until a year later that the boy took the wheel again. The second time around, things went smoother for the red-headed fellow from Dawsonville, who went on to dominate races at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock then move on to NASCAR where he became known as Awesome Bill Elliott. A couple of years ago, Elliott sought out Carter and told him how sorry he was about that wreck those many years ago. Carter was deeply moved by the gesture. “It meant a lot of me for a man of his stature to do something like that,” Carter said. More at http://www.racintoday.com/archives/3830
FITZGERALD WORKS THROUGH FIELD TO TAKE NLMS WIN AT GOLDEN ISLES By Mary Jane Cardwell As the drivers readied themselves for qualifying and racing, Ray Miller, back from open heart surgery, inverted the first six before the green flag fell on the first car. Strategies may have changed, but the track favored qualifying runs in the 17s until Jason Fitzgerald and Jeffrey Henry took their runs, running in the 16s. They would “have the front row” except for the inversions. Henry started fifth and Fitzgerald, the Fastest Qualifier, started sixth. However, also having good qualifying runs were Johnny Collins, Tyler Ivey, Terry Lumley and race pole sitter Bo Allen. After locking in ten with qualifying, three heats were set and readied to run. Each 8-lap event was nearly (though not quite) caution free with exciting passing and all working on making into the feature. The remaining cars ran a Last Chance Race with the final two positions being filled from that race. The Series addressed the tire problem once again, costing one driver a locked position. Racing was fast and furious, no one taking and holding any position for very long. Terry Lumley took an early lead and did his best to hold off the competition. However, with the likes of Collins, Henry, and Fitzgerald right behind him, his job was difficult. Still he did hold on for several laps. Collins’ efforts to take the lead damaged both vehicles at lap 16, costing both the front position and opening the way for Jeremy Faircloth – who had worked his way to third. Faircloth was not to lead for very long as a caution-filled stretch lead to a number of lead changes and resulted in Jason Fitzgerald making the pass to take the final lead change at lap 19. For the remaining 21 laps, Fitzgerald faced challenges from DeWitt, Henry and Faircloth, but held on to win the feature event. The Murrell Mixson owned GRT-Darren Walker combination, sponsored by Tire Kingdom, the Bobby LaBonte Foundation, and M & M Refrigeration Transport won another Series feature for the year. Three-wide racing down the front stretch was par for the course for the first part of the race as pack after pack squeezed into spaces not meant for the width of 3 and 4 cars, with knuckle gnawing racing. Series Rookie John Greene also made a good showing by working his way from 14th to 5th and managed to avoid all caution incidents. With his good showing, he now ties Eric Register for the Rookie points lead. www.nmlss.com
Anthony Nicholson, of Bartlett, TN, won the Parts Plus USCS Sprint car Feature Race at North Alabama Speedway Sunday. Aubrey Black, of Lookout Mtn., GA, was 12th.
NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region action on Friday night at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, GA was rained out, along with Saturday night events at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, NC, and for the fourth week in-a-row at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, AL. Scott Knowles, of Lanett, AL still leads the NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region standings with 426 points driving the All-Star Graphics Warrior. www.nesmithracing.com
Blairsville, GA’s Jonathan Davenport, is often referred to as Jonathan ‘Superman’ Davenport. Anyone who attended the final leg of the $33,000 FASTRAK Late Model Shoot-Out weekend at Princeton Raceway could see first hand how Davenport earned the ‘Superman’ label. In front of a crowd regarded by some as perhaps the largest in 10 years at Princeton Raceway, Davenport was masterful leading flag to flag to capture his second win in as many days In the second of three nights of racing in the Fastrak weekend, Davenport passed leader Owen Osteen on the 28th circuit of the scheduled 50, and held off a hard charging Jensen Ford to capture his second victory of the year in the FASTRAK Southern/Smokey Mtn./Mid East Touring Series. In victory lane, Davenport echoed those sentiments by saying “with all the traveling and all of the racing we do both in the FASTRAK Series and with the Super car, this is one of my favorite tracks to come to, I love coming here” Davenport was 12th in the FASTRAK show at Lowe's Dirt Track in Charlotte Friday, which was won by Austin Dillon. Other Georgians in FASTRAK Late Model Challenge at Lowe’s 6 - Bob Robertson, Evans GA 15 - Brian Ligon, Augusta GA 19 - Hunter Peacock, Gray GA 21 - Brandon Haley, Lavonia GA 24 - Brian Connor, Martinez GA Monday, Davenport won the crate race at Toccoa.
Steve Hixson, who does PR for Boyd's Speedway and compiles the great rankings of dirt late model drivers, emailed a release last Friday saying he would be Twittering from the races at Boyd's, and his Tweets put out the results almost immediately. Interestingly, Chattanooga TV station WTVC, which hadn't mentioned Boyd's since the track was auctioned in 2006, put the Twittering story on the air. http://www.newschannel9.com
Promotion idea: Existing ticket holders who renew their seats online for the 2010 Indianapolis 500 by Monday, June 8, will receive an opportunity to purchase a Victory Lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval for only $10. For $22 or $24, add a new Helio T-shirt to your order. Helio Castroneves earned a record $3,048,005 for winning - enough to buy 138,000+ T-shirts. Tickets for the NASCAR show at Indy July 26: $150 penthouse, $40 inside turns 1 and 2. tickets@brickyard.com
At U.S. 36 Raceway, Steve Francis got his third World of Outlaws Late Model Series win of 2009. Francis pocketed $10,700 for his 23rd career WoO LMS victory. 7th: Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who started fourth but lost a half-dozen spots when he slipped over the cushion between turns one and two on the first lap; 8th: Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who changed motors after qualifying through a heat. Thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Saturday night's World of Outlaws Late Model Series event at 34 Raceway, In all, four of the last six WoO LMS programs have been rain-affected.
Tossing his car around the extreme top of the one-third-mile oval, Jason Feger, the ‘Highside Hustler' led the 40-lap Tri-State Late Model Challenge A-Main from flag-to-flag to record his first career victory on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Feger, 30, of Bloomington, IL, outgunned polesitter Matt Miller of Waterville, OH, for the lead at the initial green flag and never looked back. WoO Late Model Series at Charter Raceway Park (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won) partial: 1. (2) Jason Feger/40 $7,650 2. (1) Matt Miller/40 $3,000 3. (5) Brady Smith/40 $2,550 4. (3) Terry Casey/40 $1,700 5. (7) Rick Eckert/40 $2,000 8. (13) Shane Clanton/40 $1,600 14. (6) Kenny Schrader/39 $740 16. (20) Clint Smith/39 $1,180 www.worldofoutlaws.com Shane Clanton has continued to pile up top-10 finishes, placing eighth at both U.S. 36 and Charter. He's second in the points standings on the strength of eight finishes between 6-10 in 11 events; his lone top-five run was his Illini 100 victory at Farmer City (IL) Raceway.
World of Outlaws Late Model Series teams are at Delaware International Speedway for the ‘First State 50' $10,000 to win Thursday night (May 28). Friday is a day off, and most teams are heading to nearby Ocean City (MD) beach and boardwalk, for “The World of Outlaws Beach Volleyball Tour,” refreshments at the Purple Moose Saloon, go-kart racing, miniature golf, and tasty beach food, before turning their attention to Saturday night's racing program at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway. www.worldofoutlaws.com
The Lucas Oil Dirt series is heading south in June: 6/11 (Thurs.) Duck River Speedway - Wheel, TN - $7,000 to win 6/12 (Fri.) North Georgia Speedway - $10,000 6/13 (Sat.) Talladega Short Track Nationals - $10,000 6/16 (Tues.) Cleveland (TN) 6/18 Swainsboro Raceway 6/19 Cherokee Super Speedway - 10th Annual Grassy Smith Memorial - $7,000 www.lucasdirt.com
Brian Birkhofer, of Muscatine, IA, reeled off his third consecutive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win on Sunday Night as he captured the $10,000 to win FedEx 50 at Tri-City Speedway. Scott Bloomquist, of Mooresburg, TN, rallied from his 12th starting spot to finish second. Finish (Start) Car Number Driver Name (partial) 1. (6) #15B Brian Birkhofer 2. (12) #0 Scott Bloomquist 3. (17) #44 Earl Pearson Jr. 4. (14) #21 Billy Moyer 5. (13) #17m Dale McDowell 7. (15) #20 Jimmy Owens 12. (22) #53 Ray Cook 23. (16) #44M Chris Madden
Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA lapped up to the seventh place finishing car as he dominated the 17th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts Show-Me 100 Presented by DART Machinery. He pocketed $40,000 on Saturday Night at West Plains Motor Speedway in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series sanctioned event. Finish (Start) Car Number Driver Name (partial) 1. (5) #15B Brian Birkhofer 2. (4) #28M Jimmy Mars 3. (2) #0 Scott Bloomquist 4. (1) #20 Jimmy Owens 5. (9) #71 Don O'Neal 6. (13) #53 Ray Cook 7. (19) #44 Earl Pearson Jr. 8. (10) #44M Chris Madden 15. (20) #17M Dale McDowell 2009 Championship Points Standings 1. #0 Scott Bloomquist - Mooresburg, TN 1695 2. #21Billy Moyer - Batesville, AR 1590 3. #17M Dale McDowell - Chickamauga, GA 1540 4. #44 Earl Pearson Jr. - Jacksonville, FL 1505 5. #20 Jimmy Owens - Newport, TN 1485 6. #53 Ray Cook - Brasstown, NC 1445 www.lucasdirt.com
Utilizing a low side charge, Crossville, Tennessee’s Randy Weaver overtook race-long leader Ricky Arms near the halfway point to capture the 32nd Annual Coca-Cola Tennessee Memorial at Cleveland Speedway. Weaver’s second 2009 Southern All Stars win was worth a cool $5000 and moved him up to fourth in the championship chase, one hundred sixteen points behind leader Ronny Lee Hollingsworth. Feature Finish (partial) 1 - 116 Randy Weaver – Crossville, TN 2 - 4 Ricky Arms – Moss, TN (fast qual. 14.197 seconds) 3 - 97 Skip Arp – Georgetown, TN 4 - 115 Billy Mayo – Cleveland, TN 5 - T16 Todd Morrow – East Ridge, TN 6 - A19 Lamar Scoggins – Cleveland, TN 7 - M45 Kevin Gibson – Ringgold, GA 11 - 99 Derek Ellis – Chatsworth, GA 12 - 18 Ronny Lee Hollingsworth – North Port, AL 13 - X15 Shawn Chastain – Murphy, NC 17 - 101 Ethan Hunter – Tiger, GA 19 - 66 Jake Knowles – Tyrone, GA Pictures: http://www.carlsonracephotos.com/gal...lery2/main.php Point Standings: Ronny Lee Hollingsworth 638, Chris Madden 568, Todd Morrow 528, Randy Weaver 522, Ethan Hunter 508, Skip Arp 406, Billy Mayo 354, Casey Roberts 288, Derek Ellis 278 and Brandon Kinzer 274. Up Coming: Saturday, June 6 – Mountain Raceway Park – Maryville, TN - $5000 Saturday, June 27 – Screven Motor Speedway – Sylvania, GA - $5000 www.southern-allstars.com
The Southern Super Stars has rescheduled The Hall of Fame 100 at Sayre to June 13th and the Memorial 100 at Huntsville to June 20th. Saturday they're at Montgomery Motor Speedway for a night of great Super Late Model racing along with the Mini Modifieds, Pure Stocks & Sportsman classes.
Former AJC writer Rick Minter has done a loving report on Dixie's 40th anniversary at http://www.racintoday.com Dixie Speedway owner Mickey Swims says one of the best decisions he ever made was plowing up the asphalt surface after the 1976 season. “I’ve never owned a race car, but I’ve always known you could race cheaper on dirt,” he said. “We took up the asphalt and brought in some clay [and] the cars and the crowd increased three-to-one.” http://www.racintoday.com/archives/4351
The Gulf Coast Championship Series Round 2 was rained out at both Five Flags and Mobile. They'll race this Friday and Saturday. (850) 944-8400 www.5flagsspeedway.com.
FOR SALE: 1999 34 Ford coupe Legends car for sale. Unsealed 1200 engine. rebuilt never raced. extra rear end gears, springs etc. $3500. Email tplmb13@hotmail.com or call 229-224-4937. car in great shape.
The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series: The $2,000-to-win Stars and Stripes 40 at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL has been rescheduled for Friday night, May 29, and the $2,500-to-win Salute To The Armed Forces 50 at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL has been rescheduled for Saturday night, May 30. The $2,000-to-win American Freedom 40 at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, AL will be postponed to a date to be determined. East Alabama's show will include the "Salute To The Armed Forces 50", Gigantic Fireworks Display, And Double Point Races In Limited Sportsman, Hobby, Bomber & Modified (Pony Stock Next Race June 6 Double Points.)
Carolina Clash Super Late Models at the Travelers Rest Speedway on Saturday: Finish Order (partial): Finish Drivers Name Hometown 1. Jeff Smith Dallas NC 2. Ricky Weeks (fast qual.) Rutherfordton NC 3. Casey Roberts Toccoa GA 4. Frankie Beard Hartwell GA 5. Doug Sanders Spingwood NC 6. Dan Breuer Troutman NC 7. Keith Freeman Commerce GA 8. Dennis Franklin Gaffney SC 14. Darryl Freeman Martin GA 15. Brent Dixon Elberton GA Next: Saturday May 30 at the Fayetteville (NC) Motor Speedway www.CarolinaClash.com
"Mother Nature is a racing fan." OK, then why was Fan Appreciation Night rained out?
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