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Brandon Odom Wins Allen Turner Challenge Series Race
Five Flags Media
Johanna Long hoped to make it two victories in a row.
But there was a rocket man in town Friday night, and we’re not talkin’ Elton.
Brandon Odom, a 15-year-old freshman at South Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs, bolted into the lead in Turn 1 of the first lap, then led all 40 circuits around Five Flags Speedway to capture the Allen Turner Challenge Series feature for Pro Late Model cars.
Odom opened a 12-car-length lead early, fended off the closing car of Steven Davis in the late stages, then withstood a final push from runner-up Brandon Carlson to earn a spot in the USA Digital Sprint Victory Lane.
“I’ve got to thank Bubba Pollard for helping make this happen,” Odom said of fellow PLM driver and mentor Pollard, a frequent visitor to the track from Senoia, Ga.
“My spotter, Jerome Harris, kept me out front with all the right calls.”
Long, a 15-year-old freshman at Pine Forest, became the first Pensacola woman in memory to win a local region Super Late Model feature when she captured the Pigmy 100 at South Alabama Speedway in Kinston, Ala., last week.
In her next start before her hometown fans, Long qualified eighth and finished ninth.
Carlson provided most of the early intrigue. He battled with Hal Martin, finally surging into third place in Turn 3 on Lap 24.
Minutes later, Davis caught up with Odom. Davis was faster off the corner, but Odom rebuffed several challenges to remain on the point. Davis’ tires appeared spent, and Carlson stormed past the 96 Car on the back stretch to move comfortably into second.
“I just ran out of time,” Carlson said of his bid to overtake Odom.
Davis, from Satsuma, Ala., admitted he drove his car too hard too early as he attempted to chase down Odom.
“I burnt the right-rear (tire) up trying to get to (Odom),” Davis said. “We had a pretty good car.
Martin was fourth, and Bobby Reuse rounded out the top five.
Sammy McMullen was sixth while Brad Webb, the Series leader coming in, finished seventh in the 14-car field.
The next Allen Turner Challenge Series race night is May 9, when drivers will sign autographs. The second race in the Super Late Model Blizzard Series is May 23 when Josh Hamner will attempt to win his second trophy of the season.
Bomber Feature
Daryl Lynchard of Navarre led all 15 laps to score what appeared to be his first career victory at Five Flags Speedway, but a failed post-race inspection handed the victory to points leader Pete Kitchen of Molino. Tim Holland of Milton was second, while Rick Thompson of Molino rounded out the top three.
Sportsmen Feature
Series points leader Randy Thompson motored to an easy victory to pad his standing. Willie Kitchen, second in points, came across the stripe in second place but was disqualified after failing post-race technical inspection. That handed the runner-up spot to Tina Davidson, a grandmother of four, in the 81 Car. Third went to Chris Palmer.
Super Stock Feature
John Shuffler of Crestview claimed the victory after early leader Chris Cotto spun into the Turn 2 wall after hitting some liquid on the track on Lap 9. Tommy Rollins was second, followed by James Kimbrough. Cotto had to settle for ninth place.
Allen Turner Challenge Series
Pro Late Models
At Five Flags Speedway
1. Brandon Odom, DeFuniak Springs, 40 laps 2. Brandon Carlson, Cantonment, 40 3. Steven Davis, Satsuma, Ala., 40 4. Hal Martin, Galliano, La., 40 5. Bobby Reuse, Pelham, Ala. 40 6. Sammy McMullen, Pensacola, 40 7. Brad Webb, Deateville, Ala., 40 8. Ronnie Smith, Pensacola, 40 9. Johanna Long, Pensacola, 40 10. Andy Pugh, Pensacola, 40 11. Shain Cheney, Pensacola, 40 12. Keith Thorpe, Pace, 40 13. David Jones, Mobile, Ala., 9 14. Brandon Fowler, Cantonment, 1
