TAZEWELL, TN – There’s a famous saying in racing that to finish first, one must first finish. That was the strategy Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, TN used to win his first NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series race in his first start in the series in the 40-lap main event on Saturday night at Tazewell Speedway driving the Car Smart Auto Sales CVR.
After starting second in the race, Elliott dropped back to the sixth spot in the action packed early laps of the race, but as the competitors in front of him fell to the wayside for various reasons, Elliott took over the lead on lap 23 after leader Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS dropped out, and then he held off a late race challenge from Kyle Bronson of Brandon, FL to take the $2,000 win.
“I fell back early in the race, and that time, I didn’t think I had a very good race car, but as the drivers in front of me kept falling out, the race just came to me,” Elliott said. “I didn’t have anything for Johnny Stokes, and I hated he fell out the way he did, but I’ll take the win.”
Bronson was able to get close to Elliott in the closing laps of the race, but couldn’t make a challenge for the lead and had to settle for second in the Brandon Ford Warrior and was also the Rookie of the Race.
National Dirt Hall of Fame Inductee Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN charged back through the field after changing a cut tire on lap 8 to finish third in the NeSmith Chevrolet Special and took over the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point lead. Johnson now holds a 16 point lead over Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, AL, who finished 16th.
Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS started shotgun on the field in the 24th starting spot, and drove the Custom Spraying, Inc. GRT to a fourth-place finish to earn the Hedman Husler of the Race Award. Josh Adkins of Talladega, AL joined Bronson and Barrett as the third Rookie of the Year candidate in the top five with a fifth-place finish in the Yellow Hammer Construction Special.
Mike Smith of Rogersville, TN finished sixth in the Vicars Construction GRT, and Chris Chandler of Weaverville, NC took the seventh spot in the TNT Race Cars TNT. Jake Teague of Oliver Springs, TN was eighth in the Wade’s Body Shop Special, and Tait Davenport of Benton, KY drove the Murtco, Inc. Special to a ninth-place finish.
Defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA rounded out the Top 10 in the J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment Stinger. A high attrition rate saw just nine cars running at the finish of the race.
In preliminary action, Chirrs Wilson of Crossville, TN took fast time honors with a lap around the ¼-mile high-banked clay oval in 12.372 seconds driving the Dale’s Auto Sales GRT to earn the pole position for the main event. The two ten-lap B-Main Races were won by Jason Trammell of Powell, TN in the Trammell Construction Special and Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN in the McCarter Lumber Company Special.
The tone of the first half of the race was set on the first lap when a multi-car pile-up in turn two sent Justin McRee of Cottondale, AL in the High Roller Race Cars Special and Trammell to the pit area and out of the race. Wilson took the lead on the complete restart followed by Stokes, Elliott, Johnson and McCarter.
Forrest Trent of Talbot, TN spun the Trent Logging Rocket in turn three on lap two to bring out the caution flag. Wilson led Stokes, Elliott, Johnson, McCarter, Bobby Mays of Jonesborough, TN, Greg Huskey of Knoxville, TN, Bronson, Brian Courtney of Knoxville, TN, and Hollingsworth back to the green flag.
Johnson made an outside move and passed Elliott for the third spot on the restart. McCarter and Mays also got around Elliott, dropping him back to the sixth spot on lap five. Stokes closed in on Wilson to challenge for the lead, and made the pass for the point coming off the fourth turn on lap six.
Davenport stopped on the high side of turn two on lap seven with damage on the front of his race car to bring out the third caution flag. Stokes led Wilson, Johnson, McCarter, Mays, Elliott, Bronson, Husky, Hollingsworth and Courtney down for the restart.
McCarter was on the move as he tried to thread the needle in turn three on the restart by driving around the outside of Johnson, and then dove to the bottom in an attempt to pass Wilson for second. McCarter slid up the banking in turn four and made contact with Wilson. Adam Beeler of Knoxville, TN brought out the next caution flag when he went up in smoke on lap eight.
During the caution period, Wilson stopped on the front stretch and had to have his race car towed to the pit area. Johnson then drove to the pits to change a cut tire. Another top five driver, Mays, gave up the fifth spot to head his McCroskey Trucking GRT to pit road.
By the time the field lined up to go back to green, Stokes had a completely different cast of characters doubled up behind him with McCarter, Elliott, Huskey, Bronson, Hollingsworth, Courtney, Turner, and Chris Cantrell of Chester, SC in the CANCO Rocket running second through ninth respectively.
Hollingsworth made a big move in the next few laps, as he drove the Sparks Motorsport Special from sixth to fourth by lap 10. Courtney gave up the seventh spot on lap 13 when he slowed on the race track in the Mighty Muffler CVR to bring out the caution flag. The Top 10 for the restart was Stokes, McCarter, Elliott, Hollingsworth, Huskey, Bronson, Cantrell, Turner, Justin Beeler of Knoxville, TN, and Smith.
Turner spun on the restart in turn two to relight the caution bulb, and when the field was under the yellow flag, McCarter gave up the second spot when he went to the pit area and was out for the night. The reshuffling of the Top 10 saw Stokes now leading Elliott, Hollingsworth, Huskey, Bronson, Cantrell, Justin Beeler in the Thomas J. Beeler Construction Stinger, Smith, Johnson, and Adkins.
Hollingsworth sailed around the outside of Elliott on the restart to take over the second spot, and Johnson was charging back to the front of the pack, as he passed Smith for the eighth spot. Barrett made it up to the ninth spot after the restart. The field stayed green to lap 18 when Chandler spun in turn four to bring out a caution flag.
The Top 10 got reshuffled once again after the restart when Hollingsworth spun out of the second spot in turn two. The next restart was yellow flagged for debris in turn four, and during the caution period, Smith pitted out of the sixth spot with a cut tire.
Stokes now led Elliott, Huskey, Bronson, Cantrell, Johnson, Barrett, Adkins, and Roger Best of Louisville, TN in the Young Motorsports Warrior down for the restart. When the field back to green flag action, Johnson sailed around Cantrell for the fifth spot, and Bronson got by Huskey for third coming off the fourth turn.
At the halfway point in the race, Stokes in the Bassett Hound Motorsports GRT held a half-straightaway lead over Elliott and was pulling away. On lap 23, Huskey fell off the pace while running fourth, and took the Kenny Ford Plumbing TNT to the pit area.
Just when Stokes seemed to have the field covered, his night ended in a ball of flame on lap 24. The track safety crew put the fire out, Stokes was O.K., but he was done for the night. That gave the lead to Elliott followed by Bronson, Johnson, Barrett, Adkins, Best, Cantrell, Trent, Turner, and Smith in the Top 10.
Cantrell, Trent and Turner were battling for the sixth spot on lap 26 when Turner lifted up the back of Cantrell’s car going down the backstretch, and Cantrell spun in turn three, made contact with Trent, and hit the inside wall. Trent hit the outside wall head on, and the final yellow flag of the race was out.
Cantrell and Trent were done for the night, but both drivers were O.K. Turner was charged with his second caution flag of the race, and he also was done for the night. The remaining nine cars on the track completed the remaining 15 laps without incident. Bronson got to within a car length of Elliott, but the leader was able to pull away in the closing laps of the race.
While Elliott was the first to admit that there were faster cars than his in the race, they were all in the pits when Elliott took the checkered flag and the $2,000 victory in the 40-lap race.
The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will be at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, TN to compete in two different races. They will complete the remaining 26 laps of the $4,000-to-win 2nd Annual J.T. Kerr Memorial 40 that was red flagged by rain with 14 laps in the books on June 1, and then they run another complete show with a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series all-new web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 14 AT TAZEWELL SPEEDWAY IN TAZEWELL, TN ON 8/23/13:
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER
1. 2 J39 Jimmy Elliott Cleveland, TN 40 $2,000
2. 13 40 Kyle Bronson (R) Brandon, FL 40 $1,000
3. 4 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 40 $700
4. 24 110 Brent Barrett (R) Cleveland, MS 40 $550
5. 16 19 Josh Adkins (R) Talladega, AL 40 $500
6. 17 4 Mike Smith Rogersville, TN 40 $425
7. 20 8 Chris Chandler Weaverville, NC 39 $375
8. 23 117 Jake Teague (R) Oliver Springs, TN 39 $350
9. 19 18d Tait Davenport Benton, KY 26 $325
10. 12 10 Matthew Turner Dawsonville, GA 25 $300
11. 14 114 Chris Cantrell Chester, SC 24 $275
12. 21 23 Forrest Trent Talbot, TN 24 $250
13. 22 007 Roger Best Louisville, TN 23 $225
14. 3 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 22 $200
15. 11 32 Greg Huskey Knoxville, TN 22 $175
16. 10 18 Ronny Hollingsworth Northport, AL 21 $150
17. 5 19m Bobby Mays Jonesborough, TN 18 $140
18. 18 25b Justin Beeler Knoxville, TN 14 $125
19. 8 51 Mack McCarter (R) Gatlinburg, TN 12 $125
20. 6 71 Brian Courtney Knoxville, TN 12 $125
21. 1 10w Chris Wilson Crossville, TN 7 $125
22. 15 1b Adam Beeler Knoxville, TN 7 $125
23. 7 90 Jason Trammell Powell, TN 0 $125
24. 9 25 Justin McRee Cottondale, AL 0 $125
ENTRIES: 23
FAST QUALIFIER: Wilson, 12.372 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: None
LEAD CHANGES: 2
LAP LEADERS: Wilson, 1-5; Stokes, 6-22; Elliott, 23-40
LAPS LED: Elliott, 18, Stokes, 17; Wilson, 5
HEDMAN HUSLER OF THE RACE: Barrett (started 24th and finished 4th)
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Bronson
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD: Stokes
PRC LAST PLACE AWARD: McRee
STEALTH RACING CARBURETORS 7TH-PLACE AWARD: Chandler
VELOCITA RACEWEAR 8TH-PLACE AWARD: Teague
MODERN IMAGES 9TH-PLACE AWARD: Davenport
AR BODIES 10TH-PLACE AWARD: Turner
MIKE CUSTOM TANKS 11TH-PLACE AWARD: Cantrell
SHORTY’S SHOCK SERVICE 12TH-PLACE AWARD: Trent
SCHOENFELD HEADERS 13TH-PLACE AWARD: Best
J.T. KERR RACING EQUIPMENT 14TH-PLACE AWARD: Stokes
KINSER AIR FILTERS 15TH-PLACE AWARD: Huskey
CAUTIONS: 11
MARGIN OF VICTORY: .354 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 1 Hour, 4 Minutes and 43.094 Seconds
QUALIFYING:
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER | HOMETOWN | CHASSIS | LAP 1 | LAP 2 | TIME |
|
1 |
10w | Chris Wilson | Crossville, TN | GRT |
12.372 |
12.432 |
12.372 |
|
2 |
J39 | Jimmy Elliott | Cleveland, TN | CVR |
12.407 |
12.570 |
12.407 |
|
3 |
1 | Johnny Stokes | Columbus, MS | GRT |
12.599 |
12.425 |
12.425 |
|
4 |
5 | Ronnie Johnson | Chattanooga, TN | Mastersbilt |
12.604 |
12.426 |
12.426 |
|
5 |
19m | Bobby Mays | Jonesborough, TN | GRT |
12.578 |
12.466 |
12.466 |
|
6 |
71 | Brian Courtney | Knoxville, TN | CVR |
12.672 |
12.527 |
12.527 |
|
7 |
90 | Jason Trammell | Powell, TN | Rayburn |
12.581 |
12.545 |
12.545 |
|
8 |
18 | Ronny Hollingsworth | Northport, AL | Barry Wright |
12.567 |
12.549 |
12.549 |
|
9 |
25 | Justin McRee | Cottondale, AL | HRRC |
12.921 |
12.583 |
12.583 |
|
10 |
51 | Mack McCarter – R | Gatlinburg, TN | Bloomquist |
12.591 |
12.637 |
12.591 |
|
11 |
32 | Greg Huskey | Knoxville, TN | TNT |
12.694 |
12.628 |
12.628 |
|
12 |
114 | Chris Cantrell | Chester, SC | Rocket |
12.687 |
12.637 |
12.637 |
|
13 |
4 | Mike Smith | Rogersville, TN | GRT |
12.716 |
12.640 |
12.640 |
|
14 |
10 | Matthew Turner | Dawsonville, GA | Stinger |
12.649 |
12.694 |
12.649 |
|
15 |
1b | Adam Beeler | Knoxville, TN | CVR |
12.973 |
12.669 |
12.669 |
|
16 |
25b | Justin Beeler | Knoxville, TN | Stinger |
12.795 |
12.710 |
12.710 |
|
17 |
40b | Kyle Bronson – R | Brandon, FL | Warrior |
12.941 |
12.713 |
12.713 |
|
18 |
19 | Josh Adkins – R | Talladega, AL | Barry Wright |
12.763 |
12.863 |
12.763 |
|
19 |
23 | Forrest Trent | Talbott, TN | Rocket |
12.864 |
12.779 |
12.779 |
|
20 |
007 | Roger Best | Louisville, TN | Warrior |
12.991 |
12.794 |
12.794 |
|
21 |
18d | Tait Davenport | Benton, KY | Longhorn |
12.910 |
12.840 |
12.840 |
|
22 |
8 | Chris Chandler | Weaverville, NC | TNT |
13.128 |
12.960 |
12.960 |
|
23 |
117 | Jake Teague – R | Oliver Springs, TN | Bloomquist |
12.973 |
12.969 |
12.969 |
|
24 |
110 | Brent Barrett – R | Cleveland, MS | GRT |
13.182 |
13.004 |
13.004 |
B-MAINS – 10 LAPS:
1ST B-MAIN: 1. Trammell; 2. McRee; 3. Huskey; 4. Bronson (R); 5. A. Beeler; 6. Smith; 7. Davenport; 8. Trent; 10. Teague (R).
2ND B-MAIN: 1. McCarter (R); 2. Hollingsworth; 3. Turner; 4. Cantrell; 5. Adkins (R); 6. J. Beeler; 7. Chandler; 8. Best; 9. Barrett (R).
NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 8/23/13:
1. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 1,096
2. 18 Ronny Lee Hollingsworth – 1,080
3. 40 Kyle Bronson (R) – 1,028
4. 18d Tait Davenport – 964
5. 25 Justin McRee – 948
6. 1 Johnny Stokes – 904
7. 19 Josh Adkins (R) – 878
8. 110 Brent Barrett (R) – 798
9. 10 Matthew Turner – 746
10. 121 Michael Blount – 658
11. 47 Shannon Lee – 656
12. 56 David Earl Gentry – 630
13. 51 Mack McCarter (R) – 548
14 17ss Shan Smith – 544
15. 1s Jeremy Smith (R) – 496
16. 117 Jake Teague (R) – 466
17. 10c Ronnie Cooper – 398
18. 19 Marcus Minga – 388
19. 8a Todd Morrow – 386
20. 38 Scott Dedwylder – 378
R – Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hedman Hedders is the Official Hedder of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and the Hedman Husler Award sponsor. Bilstein Shocks is the Official Spec Shock of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Old Man’s Garage is the sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Old Man’s Garage Weekly Racing Series. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Renegade Race and Performance Fuels are a series Associate Sponsor and fuel supplier. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2013 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Schoenfeld Headers, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Kinser Air Filters, AR Bodies, Velocita Racewear, and Performance Rod & Custom. 2013 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, Stinger Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.