Monday, June 29, 2009

JEFF NORRELL SHINES IN UPSET WIN AT COCHRAN SPEEDWAY

JEFF NORRELL SHINES IN UPSET WIN AT COCHRAN SPEEDWAY By: Rev. Todd Shearin Jeff Norrell held off some of the biggest names in the business to win the late model feature in dramatic fashion. Norrell’s night started well when he posted the second quickest time of the night which would give him a starting spot on the outside of row one beside pole sitter Ricky Culpepper. After the initial start was waved off Norrell paced the field into turn one and held off the likes of Culpepper, Keith Edge, and Stevie Jones just to name a few. Norrell showed no signs of being rattled as he held off intense challenges for the lead to the delight of the crowd. Clearly Norrell’s toughest battle was with six time winner Stevie Jones. Jones worked his way into second and after hounding Norrell for several laps Jones got a great run off of turn four and powered ahead into turn one but Norrell came right back out of turn two and overtook Jones to regain the lead. In my opinion this was the best late model race so far this year. I would like to commend all of the late model drivers for their hard but clean racing. Jones would fade to fourth and Norrell would have to hold off one final challenge from Eric Register who had a great run to finish second. Edge ended up third. Jeff you surely earned your victory and put on an awesome show for all of us. Congrats on a great win! The sportsman feature was also exciting as Eric Register would finally take the hard fought win. This race was literally a test of survival among four great drivers. If I am not mistaken all four drivers led at one point. Pole sitter Don Mullis and outside front row starter Register led the field to the green flag with Josh Odom and Donald Sanders on the second row. Mullis jumped out front early and held the point until Register got by him in turn two. Register would lead until a very uncharacteristic spin would send him to the rear. The action heated up on lap three when Sanders and Mullis made hard contact in turn one. Both cars would suffer race ending damage but in a case of mistaken identity Sanders and Register had contact out of frustration as tempers flared. After a moment to cool off Sanders and Register both reconciled and that was the end of it. When racing resumed Register would go on to take the win with Odom finishing second. Once again Eric Register would find victory lane by winning the pure stock feature. Justin Sapp led the field early on until his car suffered damage after contact was made. Sapp is a veteran at CMS and has won many times but his ill handling car would relegate him to a sixth place finish. Register done battle with several drivers before finally emerging as the winner. John Warren had a great run finishing second and Kim Hanna was in the mix all race long and contended strongly for the win. Register pulled triple duty and came up one position shy of the “hatrick”. Two wins and a close second is a great night in anyone’s book, good job Eric. Thirteen cars took the green flag in the cadet feature. Josh Odom who was filling in for Dustin Miller took the win for the second time this year in a substitute role. Bobby Pulsifer was second after mounting a valiant charge late in the race. Tony Head, Kyle Conyer, Matt Towns, and Stacey Alligood were all near the front for most of the night but no one could overtake Odom who was the class of the field. This was an incredibly competitive race with literally every driver running good and with the right breaks could have had a top finish. Wesley Brown won the road warrior feature taking the lead late in the race. Corey Dunn led a large part of the race and appeared to be headed for the win until problems late caused him to finish third. Tommy Johnson had a good run finishing second. Thanks to all of our loyal racers, fans, and sponsors for your support. Make plans to join us Friday July 3rd for an open practice as well as go cart racing. There will also be a free Bar-B Q courtesy of CMS in appreciation of the drivers and fans support. Grandstand admission will be free on Friday. Saturday July 4th will be racing in all divisions as well as a power wheel race and candy toss for the kids during intermission. Trophies will be given to the power wheel winners and to the other kids until they run out. Thanks to JR and Michelle Moseley owners of the Racers Depot, and Donnie and Donna Deloach owners of the DMD racing team for sponsoring our children’s event. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Ramsey Payne family. Ramsey was a true race fan and friend to many, he passed away last week from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Mr. Dennis Miller get well soon we all miss you! May God bless all of you. LATE MODEL 1-Jeff Norrell 2-Eric Register 3-Keith Edge 4-Stevie Jones 5-Phil Pittman SPORTSMAN 1-Eric Register 2-Josh Odom 3-Donald Sanders 4-Don Mullis PURE STOCK 1-Eric Register 2-John Warren 3-Kim Hanna 4-Dee Elliott 5-Danny Rycroft CADET 1-Josh Odom 2-Bobby Pulsifer 3-Kyle Conyer 4-Tony Head 5-Stacey Alligood ROAD WARRIOR 1-Wesley Brown 2-Tommy Johnson 3-Corey Dunn 4-Kelly Snyder 5-Bryan Harden

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