Scott | Karnac Racing News

Sheppard Survives the Showdown

Brandon Sheppard wins Outlaws vs. Summer Nationals Showdown

PEVELY, MO— July 1, 2017— Brandon Sheppard claimed his eighth win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series season and his second win of the 2017 DIRTcar Summer Nationals at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Saturday. This win additionally advanced him to 13-career Summer Nationals wins, ultimately placing him 13th on the all-time wins list.

“We had a really good racecar… and we had a good rhythm goin’ once we got goin’,” said Sheppard. “This racetrack is awesome. I love coming here and it means a lot to get a win here at I-55. It’s been a while since I’ve been here but it’s definitely been a while since I got a win here.”

Sheppard and his Rocket 1 Racing team claimed their first Summer Nationals win of the season just two days earlier at Plymouth Speedway by out dueling a late race charge from Scott Bloomquist.

The race at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 marked the first time that the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series collided with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals for one show. Placing two of the best Dirt Late Model tours on one stage did not leave the fans disappointed, as many times throughout the event fans were up and out of their seats cheering, gasping, and/or booing. Nothing got more of a reaction out of the fans than a crash on lap-43 wiping out all but one car in the top-five.

Brandon Sheppard was leading the field at the time so avoided the wreck. Behind him Shirley, Madden, Erb and Heckenast were fighting for the final two podium spots. With multiple sliders and three-wide action around the track, it was only a matter of time until the inevitable. With seven laps to go, Shirley got under Madden’s left rear tangling the pair. Erb and Heckenast were trailing closely behind so there was no time to avoid the wreck.

“Lap traffic was terrible to get through,” said Erb. “Every time I would get behind those lap cars, it would just kill all of my momentum and then we would get all bunched up. Squirrel (Shirley) got in there hot when Madden slid him and they wrecked and I did everything I could to keep going but the track was covered up. It sucks. We gave away a lot of money tonight.”

The event was running on Summer Nationals rules so the cars involved in the wreck had to go to the tail of the feature, even if they did not cause the wreck. Rather than returning to the field Madden and Shirley headed off the track and to the pit area. On Shirley’s way out, Madden’s crew guy threw a stick at Shirley’s car in displeasure with the way things unfolded.

Eric Wells and Rick Eckert were able to cash in on the other driver’s misfortune by moving up the ranks to finish second and third.

“This place was really racey,” said Wells. “I was watching everyone in front of me and watching sparks flying. I was just trying to keep my stuff together. It’s a misfortune for Madden and Shirley and them guys involved in that crash but we’re happy with a second-place finish.”

“That wreck happened about 15 times, it just finally did happen,” said Eckert. “I lost a couple of spots trying to miss it the times that it didn’t happen but it was a gift to us because we were backing through the field there. I kept getting off of that top because I thought they were crashing and finally they did and I was lucky enough to be far enough away from it.”

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series will next head to Deer Creek Speedway for the Gopher 50 on July 8 for more information click here.

Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Results:

Feature: 1. 1- Brandon Sheppard[3]; 2. 18w- Eric Wells[9]; 3. 7E- Rick Eckert[1]; 4. 25c- Shane Clanton[15]; 5. 1*- Chub Frank[11]; 6. 18- Shannon Babb[18]; 7. 32- Bobby Pierce[6]; 8. 9m- Devin Moran[16]; 9. 14m- Morgan Bagley[20]; 10. 21- Billy Moyer[12]; 11. 7R- Kent Robinson[13]; 12. 36- Logan Martin[5]; 13. 16- Rusty Griffaw[21]; 14. 6k- Michael Kloos[14];] 15. 21JR- Billy Moyer Jr[17]; 16. 11- Gordy Gundaker[22]; 17. B1- Brent Larson[19]; 18. 4G- Bob Gardner[25]; 19. 11H- Jeff Herzog[24]; 20. 2- Joey Coulter[23]; 21. 3s- Brian Shirley[4]; 22. 44m- Chris Madden[10]; 23. 91- Tyler Erb[7]; 24. 99JR- Frank Heckenast Jr[8]; 25. 40B- Kyle Bronson[2]

By Scott|2017-07-05T18:25:42-04:00July 5th, 2017|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

Fireworks For Overton

Brandon Overton and Brandon Sheppard Claim the Checkers During Doubleheader at Lernerville Speedway

SARVER, Pa.— June 24, 2017— The 11th annual Firecracker 100 was combined for one huge event on Saturday with back-to-back World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series action at the famed 4/10-mile oval— Lernerville Speedway. The afternoon matinee included a full show with a 30-lap feature which then lead to the main events later that evening— the Uncle Sam 30 and the Firecracker 100.

Firecracker 100 is Overton’s Flair

Brandon Overton claimed the biggest win of his career as he parked it in Victory Lane after leading every lap of the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway.

“Man I tell you what, I come here and get my first Outlaw win and then I get the biggest win of my career,” said Overton. “I just can’t thank my boys enough. I crashed the crap out of this thing earlier today and my boys fixed it up, and tuned it up, and we put ourselves in position to win. This is a dream come true.”

Overton claimed his first-ever Outlaw win during his sophomore season with the Series at the preliminary event for the 10th annual Firecracker 100. His win in 2016 was dedicated to his father’s commitment to helping him to reach that point in his career. Just one year later, Overton was able to put the cherry on top of his experience at Lernerville Speedway with a $30,000 payday.

Mike Marlar and Tim McCreadie were looking to capitalize on any mistakes made by the young gun, but Overton’s run was faultless. With just nine laps remaining in the show, only .429 seconds stood between Marlar and Overton but the Randy Weaver 116 Dream Ride was able to hold him off.

“There really wasn’t a lot of room there to pass him but I was right under him a lot of times,” said Mike Marlar. “They had one little sweet spot on the track and I tip-toed to the left of it and to the right of it but I just couldn’t make anything happen out there.”

Although Marlar couldn’t complete his pass for the lead, he was able to pass McCreadie for second on lap 37.

“I know it’s not easy,” said McCreadie. “I know these two guys up here [Overton and Marlar] made it look easy but it’s not easy. I’m thankful I have a good ride.”

McCreadie sustained a late race charge by Don O’Neal who found his way to contend for the podium with just a few laps to go.

Smith Triumphs in Uncle Sam

G.R. Smith’s first ever visit to Lernerville Speedway ended victorious as he won the Uncle Sam race and $3,000. Smith out ran Boom Briggs in second by 2.961.

“It’s not the one we wanted to win and we hate that we missed the big show but it’s not a bad night,” said Smith. “We came a long way from Charlotte, N.C. to race up here and it’s great to see a dirt track with all of these people here. It’s great to come up and race in front of you guys and I’m honored to do so.”

Sheppard’s time to shine

Sheppard selected a fan from the crowd to draw his starting position for the afternoon event and his redraw luck didn’t run dry as the number one Craftsman wrench was pulled from the toolbox placing him on the pole for the 30-lap feature.

“We had a good heat race and were able to finish second which put us in the redraw. That was key here,” said Sheppard. “I assume it was pretty hard to pass out there. We had a pretty balanced racecar and we were able to keep a good momentum line and get it done.”

Sheppard held on to the lead position for all 30-laps but Mike Marlar tried his best to maneuver around the Rocket1. By lap 13 only .808 seconds stood between Marlar and Sheppard but Marlar could not find the extra push he needed to complete the pass.

Once the pair approached lap traffic, the Rocket Shepp was able slide by cars without a problem allowing him to widen the gap on Marlar to a 1.650 by lap 18 before returning to a 1.1 second difference at the finish.

Chub Frank was all smiles in Victory Lane after he claimed his best finish of the season in his home state of Pennsylvania.

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series will return to Lernerville Speedway on Sept. 2 for the Working Man 50. The next stop for the Series will be on June 28 at the Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway for the FVP Outlaw Clay Classic. For more information click here. For tickets click here.

Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway Results:

Craftsman Club Feature: 1. 116- Brandon Overton[1]; 2. 157- Mike Marlar[3]; 3. 39- Tim McCreadie[4]; 4. 5- Don O’Neal[6]; 5. 44- Chris Madden[8]; 6. 17M- Dale McDowell[13]; 7. 56- Russ King[9]; 8. 1- Brandon Sheppard[12]; 9. 72- Mike Norris[7]; 10. 1*- Chub Frank[11]; 11. 25- Shane Clanton[17]; 12. 9- Devin Moran[14];13. 18c- Chase Junghans[16]; 14. 22- Gregg Satterlee[22]; 15. 7- Rick Eckert[19]; 16. 18- Eric Wells[23]; 17. 91- Tyler Erb[21]; 18. 99j- Frank Heckenast Jr[20]; 19. 2c- Joey Coulter[27]; 20. 14m- Morgan Bagley[24]; 21. 10- Alex Ferree[25]; 22. H1- Jared Miley[10]; 23. 40B- Kyle Bronson[15]; 24. 25z- Mason Zeigler[18]; 25. 111- Matt Lux[26]; 26. 14- Darrell Lanigan[2]; 27. 0- Scott Bloomquist[5]

By Scott|2017-07-05T18:22:33-04:00July 5th, 2017|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

With a Lot of Skill and a Little Luck, Stewart Locks in West Liberty Win

WEST LIBERTY, IA — June 23, 2017 — Bixby, OK-native Shane Stewart commanded the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 car for 25 laps through the checkers to win the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series debut at the 1/2-mile West Liberty Raceway. Behind him Kasey Kahne Racing driver Brad Sweet fought Jason Johnson for second to round out the podium.

Stewart started the day out strong, qualifying second, but a bit of luck also came into play later that night. At the start of the West Liberty Hawkeye 25 Feature, both Johnson and Sweet got past Stewart, but a caution before the lap was complete forced a reset, giving him a second chance.

“That was my race, honestly,” said Stewart. “I would’ve never passed those guys back if that caution hadn’t come out. I honestly don’t know what the heck happened. I just spun my tires really bad.”

This marks the third win of the season and the first this month for Stewart, who came to this event with a new crew chief, Lee Stauffer, at his side and now sits fourth in points standings, just four points past Daryn Pittman.

Behind the leader, Johnson and Sweet fell in line throughout the first half of the race. Ian Madsen made an early run on Pittman for fourth, but some Turn 4 trouble in Lap 12 resulted in a tow off the field and the end of the race for Madsen.

On the restart, Johnson just couldn’t steal the lead from Stewart, and Sweet took advantage of the fumble, charging past him for second. Despite additional restarts, the three crossed the checkers in just that order: Stewart, Sweet, Johnson.

The battle between Stewart and Johnson commenced earlier, in the Craftsman Club Dash, with Stewart successfully stealing the lead for the win — a lead which Johnson had already stolen from Jac “Wild Child” Haudenschild during the Dash Draw.

From the looks — and sound — of it, this was to be the Wild Child’s day. The twittersphere was ablaze all afternoon with news of his commanding the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 car that night. And despite the many hard feelings aroused by Joey Saldana’s absence, fans rallied behind J. Haudenschild, who answered back with Quick Time in Qualifying, setting the track record with a 15.737.

J. Haudenschild went on to win Heat 1 and was looking pretty great for the Feature until the Dash Inversion came in with a six, for a full-field inversion that set him back to sixth. There would be no win for the No. 17 that night as the Wild Child came in at 16.

Meanwhile, the younger Haudenschild, who started the feature beside his dad, just one position behind, took over dad’s spot to come in sixth, and even held off Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver and eight-time Series Champion Donny Schatz for half the race.

As fans rushed to meet their favorite drivers in the Pit area after the race, though, a young boy ran in screaming: “Did you find the Wild Child yet? Did you?”

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to Beaver Dam Raceway next for the Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Tickets can still be purchased online.

Traveling in for the show? World of Outlaws fans get 20% off accommodations at a nearby Extended Stay America.

WEST LIBERTY RACEWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS:

Feature (25 Laps) – 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [11][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14][$2,000]; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski [12][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [13][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [21][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$1,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$900]; 17. 71A-R.J. Johnson [22][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [17][$800]; 19. 15M-Bobby Mincer [24][$800]; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [19][$800]; 21. 13-Clyde Knipp [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$800]; 23. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$800]; 24. 6-Carson McCarl [7][$800]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+7]

Qualifying – 1. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 15.737; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 15.848; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 15.859; 4. 6-Carson McCarl, 15.861; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.89; 6. 41-Jason Johnson, 15.947; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 15.951; 8. 21-Brian Brown, 16.001; 9. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 16.006; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 16.029; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 16.033; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 16.043; 13. 4-Paul McMahan, 16.089; 14. 5-David Gravel, 16.09; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 16.096; 16. 7S-Jason Sides, 16.182; 17. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 16.224; 18. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 16.229; 19. 24-Terry McCarl, 16.374; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 16.396; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen, 16.414; 22. W20-Greg Wilson, 16.634; 23. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 16.669; 24. 51B-Joe B, 16.861; 25. 15M-Bobby Mincer, 17.073; 26. 19W-Bobby Weuve, 17.137; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 17.501

By Scott|2017-07-05T18:19:30-04:00July 5th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Richards Goes Back to Back in Lucas Oil Action from Ohio

MANSFIELD, OH (July 2, 2017) – The first ever visit to Mansfield Motor Speedway on Sunday Night by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series was a huge success. There was a tremendous crowd combined with a spectacular racing surface saw the fans witness Josh Richards winning for the second night in row.

Richards took the lead at the start of the race and led every lap for the second night in a row, but behind Richards there was two-wide racing for most of the 50 lap feature deep into the field. Gregg Satterlee out-dueled fellow Rookie of the Year contender, Hudson O’Neal to take the second spot as he joined Richards on the podium for the second night in a row. O’Neal – the 16-year-old son of former series champion, Don O’Neal – made his first LOLMDS podium appearance with a third-place finish.

Completing the top five were Darrell Lanigan and Tim McCreadie. Current LOLMDS point leader Scott Bloomquist started 11th and finished in sixth to maintain the series points lead.

“This is one awesome track,” said the 29-year-old in Lucas Oil Victory Lane for this fifth time this season and for the 17th time in his career. “I was fortunate enough to come here and run an ARCA race for Venturini Motorsports like seven years ago. To have another dirt track come onboard, you don’t see that very often. It’s cool to see them put the effort out and with such a facility like this it’s neat to win here.”

“I can’t thank the crowd and the track crew enough. I was a little skeptical from the races earlier this year on how the track conditions would be, but they did a phenomenal job getting the track worked in. The car moved around really well. I could pass cars pretty much at will, I had a few close calls, but other than that, the car was exceptional.”

Richards’ Eric and Kelly Brock owned, Best Performance Motorsports, Rocket is sponsored by Bulk Material Lift, Corey Frazier-State Farm, Valvoline, Keyser, Riggs Motorsports, Integra, Sunoco Fuels, and Alexander Lawn and Landscaping.

The battle for second went on for several laps between Satterlee and Hudson O’Neal. Satterlee was finally able to clear O’Neal with a little more than ten laps to go.

“It an awesome race, just glad to get on the podium two nights in a row,” said Satterlee. “They haven’t raced here a lot. Our hats are off to the promoter and everyone who put this show on tonight. There was a huge crowd here tonight. We always like racing in front of a big crowd it’s always a lot of fun. We had a great car again, but we have some more tweaking to do to catch this green number 1 car.”

“Good job to Hudson, he’s only 16 and he is going to be a threat for years to come. I enjoyed racing with him side-by-side tonight, hopefully we can all get to do this again tomorrow night in Zanesville. This is a beautiful facility and we could race all over the track. I look forward to coming back,” said the driver of the Satterlee Petroleum, Durham Racing Engines, Rocket.

Hudson O’Neal was ecstatic for his first career LOLMDS podium finish. “It was a blast out there. Congratulations to Josh on the win. I am just happy to be here and run inside the top three. I can’t wait to call my car owner Todd Burns and tell him, he is going to be so excited. It’s so much fun racing with all of these guys. It’s a whole team effort. I look to coming back here next year it races phenomenal,” said the driver of the Peak Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Vermeer Midwest, Mark Martin Automotive, Kimball Midwest by Krissie sponsored Club 29 entry.

Completing the top ten were Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr., Jimmy Owens, Steve Francis, and Dennis Erb Jr.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Sunday, July 2nd, 2017
Freedom 50 – presented Summit Racing Equipment
Mansfield Motor Speedway – Mansfield, OH

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Hudson O’Neal / 16.721 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Gregg Satterlee / 16.881 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, All Transfer): Hudson O’Neal, Dennis Erb, Jr., Jimmy Owens, Doug Drown, Boom Briggs, Rod Conley, Ryan Markham, Larry Bellman, Jr., Bob Mayer

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, All Transfer): Josh Richards, Tim McCreadie, Don O’Neal, Scott Bloomquist, Matt Irey, Steven Kester, Mike Bores, Dave Hornikel

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, All Transfer): Gregg Satterlee, Earl Pearson, Jr., Darrell Lanigan, Steve Francis, Robert Anderzack, Jason Montgomery, Ben Mott, Kody Evans

Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH	START	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	EARNINGS
1	2	1R	Josh Richards	Shinnston, WV	$10,800
2	3	22	Gregg Satterlee	Rochester Mills, PA	$6,300
3	1	71	Hudson O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$4,300
4	9	14	Darrell Lanigan	Union, KY	$3,450
5	5	39	Tim McCreadie	Watertown, NY	$2,950
6	11	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN	$2,800
7	6	1	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	$2,300
8	7	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	$2,100
9	12	15	Steve Francis	Bowling Green, KY	$1,900
10	4	28E	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL	$1,800
11	8	5	Don O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	$1,875
12	17	77	Steven Kester	Holland, OH	$1,050
13	18	21m	Jason Montgomery	Jackson, OH	$1,025
14	13	99B	Boom Briggs	Bear Lake, PA	$1,700
15	16	71R	Rod Conley	Wheelersburg, OH	$950
16	10	240	Doug Drown	Wooster, OH	$925
17	24	4G	Kody Evans	Camden, OH	$900
18	14	36	Matt Irey	Ashland, OH	$875
19	15	8a	Robert Anderzack	Swanton, OH	$850
20	19	5m	Ryan Markham	Ashland, OH	$825
21	21	1m	Ben Mott	White Lake, MI	$800
22	25	42*	Bob Mayer	Holland, OH	$800
23	22	59	Larry Bellman, Jr.	Wooster, OH	$800
24	23	71h	Dave Hornikel	Mansfield, OH	$800
25	20	15b	Mike Bores	Bellevue, OH	$800

Race Statistics
Entrants: 25
Lap Leaders: Josh Richards (Laps 1 – 50)
Cautions: Doug Drown (Lap 29); Don O’Neal (Lap 40)
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: n/a
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Wrisco Feature Winner: Josh Richards
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Scott Bloomquist (Started: 11th; Finished: 5th; Advanced 6 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Scott Bloomquist
Allstar Performance Power Move of the Race: Don O’Neal
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Josh Richards
Hot Rod Processing Rookie of the Race: Gregg Satterlee
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Durham Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Randall Edwards (Josh Richards)
Fastest Lap of the Race: Josh Richards (Lap #2 – 17.6503 seconds)
Safecraft Most Laps Led: Josh Richards (50 Laps)
PFC Brakes Pole Award: Hudson O’Neal
Time of Race: 25 minutes 13 seconds

Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:

POS	CAR #	DRIVER NAME	HOMETOWN	POINTS	EARNINGS
1	0	Scott Bloomquist	Mooresburg, TN	4085	$129,325
2	1R	Josh Richards	Shinnston, WV	4030	$110,500
3	39	Tim McCreadie	Watertown, NY	4010	$106,650
4	5	Don O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	3745	$74,800
5	1	Earl Pearson, Jr.	Jacksonville, FL	3675	$84,050
6	14	Darrell Lanigan	Union, KY	3625	$59,725
7	20	Jimmy Owens	Newport, TN	3560	$68,675
8	28E	Dennis Erb, Jr.	Carpentersville, IL	3495	$54,250
9	22	Gregg Satterlee	Rochester Mills, PA	3385	$55,325
10	15	Steve Francis	Bowling Green, KY	3270	$42,275
11	71	Hudson O’Neal	Martinsville, IN	3095	$38,175
12	99B	Boom Briggs	Bear Lake, PA	2975	$34,225

By Scott|2017-07-05T18:14:20-04:00July 5th, 2017|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

LAURENS COUNTY SPEEDWAY IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR ULTIMATE OFFICIALS

CARNESVILLE, GA – This Saturday night the ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series South East Tour will return to Laurens County Speedway in Laurens, SC for the first time since 2011 for the $4,014-to-win, $400-to-start Ronnie Brookshire Memorial Race. It will also be a special homecoming for most of the ULTIMATE SE Officials.

The complete payout for the ULTIMATE SE Ronnie Brookshire Memorial Race will be as follows: 1. $4,014; 2. $2,000; 3. $1,350; 4. $1,000; 5. $875; 6. $775; 7. $700; 8. $600; 9. $500; 10. $450; 11. $425; 12. $400; 13. $400; 14. $400; 15. $400; 16. $400; 17. $400; 18. $400; 19. $400; 20. $400; 21. $400; 22. $400; 23. $400; 24. $400. M&W Transport will put up $200 for the Fast Time Award.

ULTIMATE SE Director Kelley Carlton and his staff have had this race circled in red on their 2017 event calendar. Laurens County Speedway is like a second home for Carlton, a native of nearby Woodruff, SC, and the majority of his ULTIMATE officiating crew.

“I began my career as a race official at Laurens County Speedway in 1993 and became the Competition Director there in 1995,” Carlton said. “I stayed there through the 1999 season and I branched out to also work for the Southern All-Star Series. I worked with the track owners Fred and Janet Cogsdill, who taught me about the business side of racing.”

Carlton said the Cogsdills laid the foundation for him to really learn all sides of the sport both on and off the track. Carlton says it was this experience that he carries with him today, and tries to pass down to his ULTIMATE officials.

“Fred and Janet took me to the RPM Promoters Workshop every year from 1995 through 1999,” Carlton said. “It was truly one of my most valuable learning experiences. Prior to that, I had done some line-up stuff and things like that when I was younger. But, the Cogsdills gave me responsibility and allowed me to lead and make decisions.”

Carlton went on to form Kelcar Motorsports and put together a team of officials to help put on special events at dirt track throughout the Southeast. Many of these same officials are now a part of the ULTIMATE officiating team that was formed in 2011 by FASTRAK Racing Founder and CEO Stan Lester as a Super Late Model Series to go with his already successful FASTRAK Pro Late Model Series that uses sealed Chevrolet Performance 604 Circle Track Engines.

“Most of the officiating crew I have with the ULTIMATE Tour also got their start as race officials at Laurens County Speedway,” Carlton said. “Alton Wilson, Rusty Carlton, and Chris Rooney, who is a fill in guy for us but is now the flagman at Laurens, all worked for me at Laurens back in the 90s.”

Even part of the ULTIMATE crew that didn’t work for Carlton at Laurens County Speedway, call it their home track, and have pleasant and even life changing memories at Laurens County Speedway.

“Randy and Tator Riser along with Jeremy Gibbs all call Laurens their home track, but never worked there,” Carlton said. “C.J. Mason met his wife at Laurens County Speedway, so it is also his home track. This is literally and figuratively a home race for us, one we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”

Saturday night’s ULTIMATE SE race will be run in memory of Ronnie Brookshire, who passed away on March 21, 2014. Brookshire is a legendary driver at Laurens County Speedway and was a multi-time Late Model Champion at the track. The Clinton, SC driver was known as “The Hustler” and his legacy lives on through his two sons-in-law.

Brookshire’s son-in-law Mike Measamer is also a multi-time Late Model track champion at Laurens County Speedway driving a race car that is wrenched by another Brookshire son-in-law Bobby Thomas.

In ULTIMATE’s previous visit to Laurens County Speedway in 2011, Ross Bailes of Clover, SC was the winner of the Shrine Race on the track also known as The Darlington of Dirt. Bailes is still a frequent visitor at ULTIMATE SE events each season.

The battle for the 2017 ULTIMATE SE Championship is tight with just 17 points separating the top two drivers and only 35 points separating the top three in the 2017 ULTIMATE SE point standings after the first ten races of the season.

Tyler Millwood of Cartersville, GA leads the ULTIMATE SE standings and the Autolite/Fram/DirtOnDirt.com Rookie of the Year standings with 305 points and Jason Welshan of Maryville, TN is second with 288 points. The defending and two-time ULTIMATE Champion Dennis “Rambo” Franklin of Gaffney, SC is third with 270 points.

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA is fourth with 233 points, and three-time ULTIMATE Champion Casey Roberts of Toccoa, GA is fifth with 178 points. Brett Hamm of Newberry, SC is sixth in the ULTIMATE SE standings and second in the Autolite/Fram/DirtOnDirt.com Rookie of the Year standings with 157 points.

G.R. Smith of Statesville, NC is seventh in the ULTIMATE SE standings with 141 points, and two-time 2017 ULTIMATE race winner Brandon Overton of Evans, GA is eighth with 138 points. Another two-time 2017 ULTIMATE race winner, Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA is ninth with 137 points, and 2011 ULTIMATE Champion Chris Ferguson of Mt. Holly, NC rounds out the top ten with 135 points.

There will be a $100 bonus to the highest finishing Limited Late Model, which is the top weekly Late Model Division at Laurens County Speedway that will have the night off from points racing for the ULTIMATE event. The second highest Limited Late Model will receive five gallons of Schaeffer Racing Oil valued at $175.

On Saturday night at Laurens County Speedway, the Pit Gate opens at 5 p.m. with ULTIMATE Pre-Race Registration and Technical Inspection from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. with Hot Laps to follow and Racing is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Laurens County Speedway is located at 435 Race Track Road, Laurens, SC 29360. For more information call 864-984-2427, or visit the track web site at www.laurensspeedway.com. You can also like their Facebook page at Laurens County Speedway-The Darlington of Dirt and on Twitter @SpeedwayLaurens.

Check out the official website for the ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series at www.ultimatesupers.com, and continue to follow our social media networks on Facebook at ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series and on Twitter @ULTIMATESupers to get up to the minute news and details as they become available.
The ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series would like to recognize their marketing partners for the 2017 season which include: American Racer, Hoosier Race Tires, VP Race Fuels, M&W Transport, PPM Racing Products, Arizona Sport Shirts, DirtonDirt.com, Big A’s Custom Graphics, AR Bodies, Five Star Race Bodies, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil and Lubricants, Autolite/Fram, RockAuto.com, Safecraft, Simpson, and Thomas Clarke Performance Web Design.

By Scott|2017-06-29T13:30:35-04:00June 29th, 2017|Front Page News, Racing News|Comments Off

LAVONIA JULY 1 FASTRAK RACE TO MEMORIALIZE CHARLIE MIZE

CARNESVILLE, GA – Round 6 of the 2017 FASTRAK Pro Late Model Series South Region Tour will take place this Saturday night at Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, GA with the 40-lap $2,000-to-win, $250-to-start 6th Annual Charlie Mize Memorial Race. When we attend a race at a dirt track, we probably don’t stop to think about the legacy of that track.

Many of the tracks we watch races at in Western South Carolina and Northern Georgia wouldn’t be there if not for the efforts of Charlie Mize, who was a premier track owner, operator and promoter for over 40 years. In addition to his efforts at the tracks, Mr. Mize was also the patriarch of a racing family, who’s legacy is still prominent to this day.

Three-time FASTRAK Champion David Smith of Inman, SC is the Grandson of Charlie Mize, and he is also the defending champion of the Charlie Mize Memorial Race.

“I’ve won some higher paying races in my career, but winning that race last year wasn’t about the money,” Smith said. “That trophy with my Grandfather’s name one it was one I had to have. Now the goal this year is to become the first two-time champion of the Charlie Mize Memorial Race!”

While Smith is better known for following in the footsteps of his father as a race car driver, he has also promoted a few races over the years, and someday he wants to be following in the footsteps of his Grandfather as a track and race promoter in the next phase in his racing horizons.

“It was my Grandfather that got me started in racing by taking me to the races since I was a baby,” Smith said. “I grew up at race tracks and I was driving the water truck and the pack cars at a very young age. Having been on both sides off the fence as both a competitors and promoter gives me a unique perspective of the sport.”

Smith said he isn’t planning on hanging up his helmet anytime soon, but when he does, he’s ready to begin the next phase of his racing career. In the meantime, he’s currently doing both for the Charlie Mize Memorial Race this Saturday night at Lavonia Speedway, a track Charlie Mize promoted in the 1970s when it was called Charlie’s Speedway.

“My Grandfather knew how to promote big and was the first promoter in this area to bring in the NDRA back in the 1980s,” Smith said. “He liked bigger shows and he was also an innovator in weekly racing, especially when it came to safety. I’ve been helping out to get some things sponsored for this Saturday night’s race with McCarter Towing paying $100 for the Fast Time Award, as well as TNT Race Cars and Davenport Motors each putting up $50 for Heat Race winner.”

The complete payout for the FASTRAK SE Charlie Mize Memorial 40-lap Race at Lavonia Speedway this Saturday night is as follows: 1. $2,000; 2. $1,000; 3. $700; 4. $600; 5. $500; 6. $450; 7. $400; 8. $375; 9. $350; 10. $325; 11. $315; 12. $300; 13. $275; 14. $265; 15th through 24th $250.

The battle for the 2017 FASTRAK SE Championship has been hotter than a firecracker, as the point lead has changed hands four times among three different drivers in the first five races. Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, TN will bring a two point lead in the point standings to Lavonia Speedway on July 1 over Benji Hicks of Mt. Airy, NC.

Hicks won the FASTRAK SE season opener at Toccoa Raceway in Toccoa, GA on April 1, but after the second race of the season, the defending FASTRAK SE Champion Cla Knight of North Augusta, SC took over the top spot. FASTRAK alum Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA won Round 2 at Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, VA on April 8.

Ford took over the point lead after the third race of the season on May 26 at 311 Motor Speedway in Pine Hall, NC that was won by Steve Blackburn of Greensboro, NC. The FASTRAK SE Tour returned to Virginia Motor Speedway on June 3 for Round 4 where Hicks took his second win of the 2017 season and reclaimed the point lead.

Round 5 was held July 17 at Toccoa Raceway, and Ford raced to his first win of the season. With the victory, Ford found himself on top of the points list for the second time this season. In the first five races of the 2017 FASTRAK SE season, Ford has accumulated 155 points, and Hicks is second in the standings with 153 points.

Knight is in the third spot with 144 points, and Matthew Nance of Ronda, NC is fourth with 140 points. Former FASTRAK Champion Ron Parker of Belwood, NC is fifth with 139 points. Phillip Thompson of Knoxville, TN is sixth with 114 points, and is in a tight battle for the Rookie of the Year Award with Dylan Lewis of Oakland, MD, who is seventh in the FASTRAK SE standings with 110 points.

Tyler Bare of Rockridge Baths, VA is eighth in the FASTRAK SE standings with 98 points and Frankie Beard of Hartwell, TN, who is also a local favorite at Lavonia Speedway in FASTRAK Weekly Racing Series competition, is ninth with 80 points. Smith rounds out the top ten in the standings with 71 points.

Beard leads both the FASTRAK Weekly Racing Series National and Division 1 point standings. The FASTRAK Weekly Racing Series Division 1 is made up of Lavonia Speedway, Toccoa Raceway, and Hartwell Speedway in Hartwell, GA. Many of the top Division 1 drivers will be taking on the FASTRAK SE Touring regulars on July 1 at Lavonia Speedway.

Adam Smith of Carnesville, GA is second in the FASTRAK Weekly Racing Series Division 1 point standings and Parker Herring is in the third spot. Drew Benfield of Toccoa, GA is fourth and Derek Harvey of Toccoa, GA is fifth.

Other top FASTRAK Weekly Racing Series Division 1 drivers expected to compete in the FASTRAK SE Touring race at Lavonia Speedway on July 1 include Larry Waters of Cumming, GA, Cody Prichett of Carnesville, GA, Daniel Wilson of Clayton, GA, Jerry Loudermilk of Mt. Airy, GA, Peyton Freeman of Commerce, GA, and the defending FASTRAK Weekly Racing Series National Champion David McCoy of Franklin, NC.

Drivers competing in the 6th Annual Charlie Mize Memorial Race for the FASTRAK SE Tour on Saturday night at Lavonia Speedway will also earn Weekly Racing Series points. Toccoa Raceway will also be in action with FASTRAK Pro Late Model Weekly Racing Series competition on Sunday night. The rain date for the Lavonia Speedway FASTRAK SE race is on Monday night.

Lavonia Speedway is located at 5941 Lavonia Highway, Lavonia, GA 30553. For more information call 706-340-4781, or visit the track web site at www.lavoniaspeedway.net. You can also follow them on Facebook at The New Lavonia Speedway, or on Twitter @LavoniaSpeedway.

Check out the official website for the FASTRAK Racing Series at www.fastrakracing.com and continue to follow our social media networks for the FASTRAK Racing Series. Like and Follow our Fan Page on Facebook plus follow @FASTRAK_SE and/or @FASTRAK_MOV on Twitter to get up to the minute news and details as they become available.

THE 2017 MARKETING PARTNERS FOR THE FASTRAK RACING SERIES ARE CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE, HOOSIER RACING TIRE, VP RACING FUEL, BEYEA HEADERS, ROCKET CHASSIS, TNT RACE CARS, ARIZONA SPORT SHIRTS, SIMPSON SAFETY EQUIPMENT, SAFECRAFT FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS, ROCK AUTO.COM, AND THOMAS CLARKE PERFORMANCE

By Scott|2017-06-29T00:56:01-04:00June 29th, 2017|Fastrak Late Model Series, Front Page News, Regional|Comments Off

Southern All Stars Set For Michael Head Jr Memorial At Senoia July 1st

FAYETTEVILLE, TN—The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series returns to the Senoia Raceway in Senoia, GA., Saturday night July 1st for the Michael Head Jr Memorial a 54 lap event that will be pay $5,454 to the winner of the 20th annual event along with a huge fireworks show.

Woody Wood of Wood Motorsports has put up $154 for the overall fastest qualifier in SUNOCO Race Fuel qualifying for the night.

Also a four lap dash has been added to the program compliments of Five Star Hyundai of Warner Robbins, GA., and the winner of the dash will get $250 compliments of these fine folks. The dash will be made up of the top two qualifiers in each group and their finishing position will determine their starting spot and will take place after the B mains.

The last five winners of the event include Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, TN., Todd Morrow of East Ridge, TN., Randy Weaver a two time winner from Crossville, TN., and William Thomas of Phenix City, AL.

Newnan, GA., driver Austin Horton is currently the leader in the series standings as the top three in points are from the state of Georgia with T J Reaid of Acworth, GA., second and Tristan Sealy of Moultrie, GA., third, fourth place is Tennessee driver Eric Hickerson. All these drivers plus many more regional stars from across the southeast are expected to be in action this Saturday night.

Pit gates will open at 4 pm with hot laps at 6:30pm with racing to follow. Senoia Raceway information can be found at www.senoiaraceway.com

For more information concerning the Southern All Stars contact Lynn Acklin – General Manager: 256-924-4546 www.sasdirt.com

Entry Fee: $110.00 Transponder Rental $25.00

Tire Rule: Hoosier 1350/1600/70

Purse: 1.$5,454; 2.$2,500; 3.$1,500; 4.$1,000; 5.$800; 6.$700; 7.$600; 8.$550; 9.$540; 10.$530; 11.$520; 12.$510; 13.$500; 14.$490; 15.$480; 16.$470; 17.$460; 18.$450; 19.$440; 20.$430; 21.$420; 22.$410; 23.$400; 24.$400

2017 SOUTHERN ALL STAR POINTS STANDINGS: 1.Austin Horton 646; 2.T J Reaid 584; 3.Tristan Sealy 552; 4.Eric Hickerson 518; 6.Bo Shirley 466; 7.Casey Roberts 382; 8.Brad Skinner 376; 8.Clint Smith 302; 9.Matt Perry 288; 10.Tyler Crowder 246;

2017 CRUISE WITH THE CHAMPIONS/DIRTONDIRT.COM ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: 1.Austin Horton 646; 2.T J Reaid 584; 3.Tristan Sealy 552; 4. Eric Hickerson 518;

2017 AR Bodies Challenge: 1.Eric Hickerson 210; 2.Brad Skinner 130; 3.Brandon Overton 106; 4.Todd Morrow 87; 5.Josh Putnam 63; 6.Derek Ellis 35; 7.Jamie Perry 33; 8.Jeff Johns 30; 9.Jason Lyles 24; 10.Dean Carpenter 16; 11.John Minon 15; 12.Jason Walker 14

UPCOMING SOUTHERN ALL STAR DIRT RACING SERIES EVENT:
July 1st Senoia Raceway-Senoia, GA-$5,454 July 8th Thunderhill Raceway-Lawrenceburg, TN-$4,000 July 15th Magnolia Speedway-Magnolia, GA-$4,000

2017 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Sponsors:
*Hoosier Racing Tire “The Official Race Tire” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series *Patriot Sports “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series *Sunoco Race Fuel “The Official Racing Fuel” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series

2017 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Marketing Partners Include: AR Bodies, Brodix Cylinder Heads, , COR Suspensions, Cruise with the Champions, DirtonDirt.com, H3 Performance Graphics, Integra Racing Shocks, , MSR Mafia Web Design and Service, PPM Racing Products, RockAuto.com, 36 Racing & Fabrication, Racecar Engineering, BrakeOMeter

By Scott|2017-06-27T20:25:46-04:00June 27th, 2017|Front Page News, Southern All Stars, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Permatex TAFC/Follow A Dream Team Reaches Semifinals at Norwalk

MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (May 27, 2017) – The Permatex Top Alcohol Funny Car/ Follow A Dream reaped a strong semifinal finish at this past weekend’s Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio.

With rain on Friday shortening the number of qualifying efforts from three to two, driver Phil Burkart qualified ninth for the event.

Burkart reached the semifinals and faced Andy Bohl. While Burkart had a better reaction time (0.053 vs. Bohl’s 0.074), his Chevrolet Camaro spun the tires about 200 feet into the run, allowing Bohl to take the win.
Burkart recorded a 258.32 mph/6.683 second pass, while Bohl had a winning 271.02 mph/5.514 second pass to advance to the final round.

“(Crew chief Anthony Terenzio) had the right setup and we ran real good, but just a touch aggressive in the semi’s and we spun the tires,” Follow A Dream team owner Jay Blake said.

At the same time, Blake said his team continued to learn more about how the car performs, what it likes and what it may use going forward for even better results and outcomes.

“Every time you make a lap, you learn more information,” Blake said. “Every lap is different so you’re always learning things you can carry forward.

“The more rounds you run, the more information you gain.”

Prior to the Norwalk race, Blake and his team visited the Permatex facility in Solon, Ohio. Then, a number of Permatex employees came out to the track during the weekend to cheer the team on. Also, the team welcomed visitors from the Travel Centers of America Service group.

Next on the Permatex /Follow A Dream team’s racing schedule is this weekend’s divisional race at Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon, New York. Blake is hoping for big things: his team has won four of the last five divisional races it has competed in at Lebanon Valley.

“Last year we won this race, so we’re hoping for another repeat,” Blake said. “The folks in Division I and there at Lebanon Valley do a great job prepping the track.”

After this weekend’s race at Lebanon Valley, the team hits the road again for the following weekend’s (July 7-9) NHRA national event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois – about 50 miles southwest of downtown Chicago.
That race holds special significance as it will include the Jegs All-Star Race, an event within an event, that Blake and the rest of the Follow A Dream team have a good shot at winning.

Another thing Blake is looking forward to will be after the Chicago race when he visits and gives a speech at the Illinois Tool Works headquarters – parent company of Permatex.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting things coming up in the next few weeks,” Blake said.

By Scott|2017-06-27T17:53:43-04:00June 27th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Racing News|Comments Off

ULTIMATE SE MAKES FIRST VISIT TO LAURENS COUNTY SPEEDWAY SINCE 2011

CARNESVILLE, GA – The ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series South East Region Tour will return to the track known as The Darlington of Dirt, Laurens County Speedway in Laurens, SC this Saturday night for the first time since 2011 to remember a legendary driver. The Ronnie Brookshire Memorial Race will pay $4,014-to-win and $400-to-start.

The complete payout for the ULTIMATE SE Ronnie Brookshire Memorial Race will be as follows: 1. $4,014; 2. $2,000; 3. $1,350; 4. $1,000; 5. $875; 6. $775; 7. $700; 8. $600; 9. $500; 10. $450; 11. $425; 12. $400; 13. $400; 14. $400; 15. $400; 16. $400; 17. $400; 18. $400; 19. $400; 20. $400; 21. $400; 22. $400; 23. $400; 24. $400. M&W Transport will put up $200 for the Fast Time Award.

The battle for the 2017 ULTIMATE SE Championship is tight with just 17 points separating the top two drivers and only 35 points separating the top three in the 2017 ULTIMATE SE point standings after the first ten races of the season.

Tyler Millwood of Cartersville, GA leads the ULTIMATE SE standings and the Autolite/Fram/DirtOnDirt.com Rookie of the Year standings with 305 points and Jason Welshan of Maryville, TN is second with 288 points. The defending and two-time ULTIMATE Champion Dennis “Rambo” Franklin of Gaffney, SC is third with 270 points.

Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA is fourth with 233 points, and three-time ULTIMATE Champion Casey Roberts of Toccoa, GA is fifth with 178 points. Brett Hamm of Newberry, SC is sixth in the ULTIMATE SE standings and second in the Autolite/Fram/DirtOnDirt.com Rookie of the Year standings with 157 points.

G.R. Smith of Statesville, NC is seventh in the ULTIMATE SE standings with 141 points, and two-time 2017 ULTIMATE race winner Brandon Overton of Evans, GA is eighth with 138 points. Another two-time 2017 ULTIMATE race winner, Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA is ninth with 137 points, and 2011 ULTIMATE Champion Chris Ferguson of Mt. Holly, NC rounds out the top ten with 135 points.

Saturday night’s ULTIMATE SE race will be run in memory of Ronnie Brookshire, who passed away on March 21, 2014. Brookshire is a legendary driver at Laurens County Speedway and was a multi-time Late Model Champion at the track. The Clinton, SC driver was known as “The Hustler” and his legacy lives on through his two sons-in-law.

Brookshire’s son-in-law Mike Measamer is also a multi-time Late Model track champion at Laurens County Speedway driving a race car that is wrenched by another Brookshire son-in-law Bobby Thomas.

In ULTIMATE’s previous visit to Laurens County Speedway in 2011, Ross Bailes of Clover, SC was the winner of the Shrine Race. Laurens County Speedway is located at 435 Race Track Road, Laurens, SC 29360. For more information call 864-984-2427, or visit the track web site at www.laurensspeedway.com. You can also like their Facebook page at Laurens County Speedway-The Darlington of Dirt and on Twitter @SpeedwayLaurens.

Check out the official website for the ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series at www.ultimatesupers.com, and continue to follow our social media networks on Facebook at ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series and on Twitter @ULTIMATESupers to get up to the minute news and details as they become available.
The ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series would like to recognize their marketing partners for the 2017 season which include: American Racer, Hoosier Race Tires, VP Race Fuels, M&W Transport, PPM Racing Products, Arizona Sport Shirts, DirtonDirt.com, Big A’s Custom Graphics, AR Bodies, Five Star Race Bodies, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil and Lubricants, Autolite/Fram, RockAuto.com, Safecraft, Simpson, and Thomas Clarke Performance Web Design.

By Scott|2017-06-27T14:41:20-04:00June 27th, 2017|Front Page News, Regional, ULTIMATE Super Late Model Seires|Comments Off

MOTHER NATURE WINS IN THE END BUT FOUR FRESH FACES STILL GRACE VICTORY LANE AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

It looked like Auburndale Speedway was going to miss the rain that built up in the distance just after racing began but a light drizzle began to fall around
8:30 pm and with the precipitation expected to last a bit longer, coupled with very high humidity that would have made it difficult to dry the track, track officials canceled the remainder of the program after four features had been run. The Street Stocks, Mod Minis and Figure-8 cars would fall victim to the wet stuff, though.

As stated previously, four classes did get to complete their feature events and four drivers who either had not won in their class this year or had not won in awhile took home the checkered flag.

The Legend Cars saw just two of the cars out of the potent SAR Racing team at the track, one for last week’s winner Kyle Pitts while the other, the #5A car normally driven by new daddy Michael Cherry, was assigned to Bobby Diestler for the night.

Veteran driver Mike Verhaagh, who comes up from Ft. Myers to race here, had his new car running strong and won the heat race, coming out on top of a great four-way battle. Verhaagh had the pole for the feature but Diestler was on the outside pole and quickly jumped to the point with Verhaagh settling into second. As Diestler sped away from the field, Verhaagh was doing all he could to hold onto second before Pitts slipped under him on lap 14.

With no cautions in the race, Pitts was too far behind to do anything with his SAR teammate as Diestler hit his marks every lap and won by a comfortable margin. For Diestler it was his first Legend Car win (after only a handful of
starts) and just his second overall victory at Auburndale Speedway. Pitts raced home second with Mike Verhaagh getting his first podium finish of the year in third. Point leader Alan Hiefnar was fourth trailed by Mike Verhaagh’s brother Mitch Verhaagh in fifth. Rounding out the finishers were Dave Fusco, Blake Boyette (in Travis Guard’s #31) and Cale Nolen.

The Mini Stocks had a very interesting night to say the least. During the heat race, the fuel pump broke on point leader Chris Narramore’s machine and he thought his evening might be over as John Cummins, Jr. raced to the eight-lap heat win. Chuck Frazier offered his ride to Narramore for the feature but several drivers and crew members went to work and replaced the fuel pump on Narramore’s car to get him out in time for the 20-lap feature run.

Donald Gatlin, who gave everybody a scare the week before when he had to be taken to the hospital after he had trouble breathing, looked like a “new man”
out there in the feature as he bolted out front and looked like he had a chance of taking home his first win. However, the engine of his machine was not in tune with Gatlin’s heavy right foot and it expired in a plume of smoke going into turn one just after Gatlin had taken the crossed flags for half way bringing out the caution.

Bruce Cozad took over for three laps only to see the caution fly again for a turn three tangle involving Danny Leet and Fred Martin. There was some “bumping and grinding” following the restart and Cozad slowed with a flat tire to keep the caution out. After pitting for a “new shoe” Cozad returned to the rear of the line-up as Chuck Frazier took over the top spot.

Despite heavy pressure late from Narramore, Frazier held on to claim his first Mini Stock win of the year. Narramore and Colt Cecil were close behind in second and third while Cummins took the checker in fourth ahead of Cozad, Leet, Martin and Gatlin.

Clay Samuels found victory lane for the first time in quite some time in the Mini Cup feature race that ran green to checker. Heat race winner Douglas Herrin, Jr. was second ahead of Bill Rychel.

The Scramblers were on track when the rain began to fall but their race did run eight laps before the red flag came out. The field was actually under yellow at the time after Andy Travis and point leader Dustin Wilson had tangled in turn three. Before that, William Kerns and Keith Cantrill had been putting on a great side-by-side show for the lead. Kerns was leading at the completion of lap eight and thus was declared the winner, his first in quite some time. Heat race winner Cantrill was second followed by Bubba Healey, Wilson and Travis.

Although the Street Stocks and Mod Minis saw their feature races called due to the rain, they did get their respective heat races in with Steven O’Steen taking the checker first in the Street Stock heat while Kenny Nurse, Jr.
topped the Mod Mini heat race.

Auburndale Speedway will now be closed for Stock Car racing until September 9th. Many big events are scheduled for the fall racing season and the new Fellows Trucking Kids Club will debut on September 23rd.

By Scott|2017-06-27T14:37:19-04:00June 27th, 2017|Auburndale Speedway, Front Page News, Local|Comments Off

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Brandon Sheppard wins Outlaws vs. Summer Nationals Showdown

Brandon Overton and Brandon Sheppard Claim the Checkers During Doubleheader at Lernerville Speedway