SEYMOUR, TN – Adam Beeler of Knoxville, TN finally got it all together to win his first NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series race in the Ole Smoky Moonshine 50 on Saturday night at 411 Motor Speedway driving the Mighty Muffler and Brakes CVR. Beeler swept the program as fast qualifier, and then led all 50 laps for the $3,000 victory.
“These NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series races are hard to win,” Beeler said. “We’ve been fast qualifier a couple of times and led a few races, but we could never put it all together to win one of these races, so it feels really good to finally do it.”
The defending NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN got back into the 2014 title hunt with a last lap, last turn pass to finish second in the NeSmith Chevrolet Special. Jered Hawkins of Fairmont, WV held off Johnson for several laps, but had to settle for third in the Bland’s Towing Rocket.
Friday night 411 Motor Speedway winner Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, TN finished fourth in the Car Smart Auto Sales CVS, and Ashley Newman of Ripley, TN was fifth in the Greg’s Sawmill Special. Point leader Walker Arthur of Forest, VA took the sixth spot in the Cecil B. Arthur Beef Farms Special. Arthur now holds a 24-point lead in the standings.
Todd Coffman of Parksville, KY charged from the 22nd starting spot to finish seventh in the Coffman Photography Rocket, and Brett Wyatt of Crossville, TN was eighth in the Wyatt Builders Special. Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN took the ninth spot in the Mighty Muffler and Brakes CVR, and Josh Adkins of Talladega, AL rounded out the top ten in the Yellow Hammer Construction Special.
In preliminary action, Beeler earned the pole position for the Ole Smoky Moonshine 50 by out-qualifying the 27-car field with a lap around the 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval in 14.128 seconds. The two ten-lap B-Main Races were won by Ryan King of Seymour, TN in the Brian King Roofing Stinger and Brad Coffey of Maryville, TN in the CDE Electric Warrior.
The first start of the race was marred by a multi-car pile-up in turn two that sidelined Evan Taylor of Clarksville, TN in the Elite Motors Special, and forced a complete restart. Beeler took the lead on the next try followed by Elliott, Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, TN in the Vic Davis Construction TNT, Hawkins, Jacob Anderson of Murphy, NC in the Scrapy’s Metals Special.
The red flag was displayed on lap two when Coffey spun in turn two collecting King, Wyatt, and Rusty Ballenger of Sevierville, TN in the East Tennessee Metals Special. King flipped his race car, but was uninjured. King’s misfortune earned him the Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award.
On the restart, Ford and Anderson passed Elliott to move up to second and third respectively. A quick lap three debris caution reset the field, and on the restart, Ford pulled under Beeler, and the lead duo raced side-by-side until Beeler powered off the outside of turn four to take the lead outright.
The caution flag came out on lap six when Brian Courtney of Knoxville, TN spun the Quality Machine and Welding CVR in turn two. On the restart, Elliott was able to drive around the outside of Anderson to reclaim the fourth spot. Johnson moved into the top five by lap eight. Courtney spun for the second time on lap 11 in turn three, and was done for the night.
Beeler had Ford, Hawkins, Elliott, Johnson, Anderson, Ballenger, Newman, Henderson and Arthur staked up behind him for the “Dixie-Style” double-file restart. When the green flag came back out, Hawkins got by Ford for second, and Johnson passed Elliott for the fourth spot.
Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN stalled the CVR Race Cars Special in turn four on lap 16 to bring out the caution flag. Ford spun out of the fourth spot on the restart. On the next restart, Hawkins challenged Beeler for the lead, but Beeler was not to be denied the point. By the halfway point in the race, Beeler had stretched his lead over Hawkins to a half-straightaway advantage.
The race stayed green until lap 32 when Henderson spun with help from Anderson, who was ticketed with the caution flag. Beeler led the field down for the restart, followed by Hawkins, Johnson, Elliott, Newman, Arthur, Coffman, Wyatt, Henderson, and Ballenger. Johnson turned up the wick to challenge Hawkins for the second spot.
Johnson looked to the inside of Hawkins for several laps, but could not get a good enough run to take the second spot. While Hawkins and Johnson battled for second, Beeler pulled out to another half-straightaway lead by lap 45.
On the last lap of the race, Johnson scrapped the inside strategy and stepped to the outside of Hawkins in turn three, and made the pass for second coming off the fourth turn headed for the checkered flag.
The next pair of races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division will be on May 2-3 for the Ozark Nationals at Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, AR featuring a pair of 50-lap $2,500-to-win races.
For more information and rules 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 5 AT 411 MOTOR SPEEDWAY IN SEYMOUR, TN ON 4/5/14:
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER
1. 1 66 Adam Beeler Knoxville, TN 50 $3,000
2. 10 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 50 $1,250
3. 4 RJ1 Jared Hawkins Fairmount, WV 50 $850
4. 2 J39 Jimmy Elliott Cleveland, TN 50 $700
5. 14 73 Ashley Newman Ripley, TN 50 $650
6. 12 87 Walker Arthur Forest, VA 50 $550
7. 22 35 Todd Coffman Parksville, KY 50 $500
8. 18 17w Brett Wyatt Crossville, TN 50 $450
9. 13 17h Matt Henderson Loudon, TN 50 $400
10. 19 19m Josh Adkins Talladega, AL 50 $375
11. 3 24 Jensen Ford Piney Flats, TN 50 $350
12. 5 29 Rusty Ballenger Sevierville, TN 50 $300
13. 20 51 Mack McCarter Gatlinburg, TN 50 $280
14. 23 18 Tait Davenport Benton, KY 50 $260
15. 6 64 Jacob Anderson Murphy, NC 50 $250
16. 21 121 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS 45 $240
17. 15 007 Roger Best Maryville, TN 15 $220
18. 9 56r Jonathan Rowan Whiteville, TN 13 $200
19. 16 56m Chris Noah (R) Rainbow City, AL 11 $200
20. 17 71 Brian Courtney Knoxville, TN 9 $200
21. 11 8a Todd Morrow East Ridge, TN 2 $200
22. 8 88 Brad Coffey Maryville, TN 1 $200
23. 7 52 Ryan King
24. 24 36 Evan Taylor Clarksville, TN 0 $200
ENTRIES: 27
FAST QUALIFIER: Beeler, 14.128 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: None
LEAD CHANGES: None
LAPS LED: Beeler, 1-50
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Noah
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD: King
PRC JUST MISSED IT AWARD: William Overbey
STEALTH RACING CARBURETORS 7TH-PLACE AWARD: Coffman
SCHAEFFER’S OIL 8TH-PLACE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHAD WALLACE AND HEATHER NEWSOME: Wyatt
MODERN IMAGES 9TH-PLACE AWARD: Henderson
AR BODIES 10TH-PLACE AWARD: Adkins
MIKE CUSTOM TANKS 11TH-PLACE AWARD: Ford
SCHOENFELD HEADERS 12TH-PLACE AWARD: Ballenger
KINSER AIR FILTERS 13TH-PLACE AWARD: McCarter
CAUTIONS: 11
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 1.424 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 1 Hour, 1 Minute and 44.528 Seconds
QUALIFYING (Top 6 Transfer To Main Events):
| POS | CAR # | DRIVER | HOMETOWN | CHASSIS | LAP 1 | LAP 2 | TIME |
|
1 |
66 | Adam Beeler | Knoxville, TN | CVR |
14.128 |
14.171 |
14.128 |
|
2 |
J39 | Jimmy Elliott | Cleveland, TN | CVR |
14.400 |
14.194 |
14.194 |
|
3 |
24 | Jensen Ford | Piney Flats, TN | TNT | NT |
14.221 |
14.221 |
|
4 |
RJ1 | Jared Hawkins | Fairmont, WV | Rocket |
14.413 |
14.307 |
14.307 |
|
5 |
29 | Rusty Ballenger | Sevierville, TN | Mastersbilt |
14.400 |
14.395 |
14.395 |
|
6 |
64 | Jacob Anderson | Murphy, NC | Mastersbilt |
14.553 |
14.445 |
14.445 |
|
7 |
56r | Jonathan Rowan | Whiteville, TN | Rocket |
14.483 |
14.940 |
14.483 |
|
8 |
88 | Brad Coffey | Maryville, TN | Warrior |
14.785 |
14.503 |
14.503 |
|
9 |
52 | Ryan King | Seymour, TN | Stinger |
14.715 |
14.505 |
14.505 |
|
10 |
87 | Walker Arthur | Forest, VA | Mastersbilt |
14.507 |
14.742 |
14.507 |
|
11 |
18 | Tait Davenport | Benton, KY | Longhorn |
14.563 |
14.985 |
14.563 |
|
12 |
5 | Ronnie Johnson | Chattanooga, TN | Mastersbilt |
14.729 |
14.574 |
14.574 |
|
13 |
17 | Matt Henderson | Loudon, TN | CVR |
14.995 |
14.578 |
14.578 |
|
14 |
73 | Ashley Newman | Ripley, TN | Pierce |
14.654 |
14.599 |
14.599 |
|
15 |
007 | Roger Best | Maryville, TN | Warrior |
14.602 |
14.672 |
14.602 |
|
16 |
56n | Chris Noah – R | Rainbow City, AL | Mastersbilt |
14.725 |
14.629 |
14.629 |
|
17 |
71 | Brian Courtney | Knoxville, TN | CVR |
14.787 |
14.638 |
14.638 |
|
18 |
36 | Evan Taylor | Clarksville, TN | PPM |
14.645 |
14.820 |
14.645 |
|
19 |
19m | Josh Adkins | Talladega, AL | Barry Wright |
14.940 |
14.647 |
14.647 |
|
20 |
51 | Mack McCarter | Gatlinburg, TN | CVR |
14.662 |
14.679 |
14.662 |
|
21 |
8a | Todd Morrow | East Ridge, TN | GRT |
14.695 |
14.723 |
14.695 |
|
22 |
17w | Brett Wyatt | Crossville, TN | Mastersbilt |
14.701 |
14.706 |
14.701 |
|
23 |
121 | Michael Blount | Sumrall, MS | Trak-Star |
14.743 |
15.308 |
14.743 |
|
24 |
35 | Todd Coffman | Parksville, KY | Rocket |
14.889 |
14.796 |
14.796 |
|
25 |
23 | Barry Anderson | Andrews, NC | Mastersbilt |
15.043 |
15.115 |
15.043 |
|
26 |
17 | Ronald Dunn | Corinth, MS | Barry Wright |
15.172 |
16.271 |
15.172 |
|
27 |
7 | William Overbey | Norris, TN | Rayburn |
15.649 |
15.640 |
15.640 |
B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 8 Transfer To Main Event):
1ST B-MAIN: 1. King; 2. Rowan; 3. Morrow; 4. Henderson; 5. Best; 6. Courtney; 7. Adkins; 8. Blount; 9. Davenport; 10. Overbey; 11. B. Anderson.
2ND B-MAIN: 1. Coffey; 2. Johnson; 3. Arthur; 4. Newman; 5. Noah (R); 6. Wyatt; 7. McCarter; 8. Coffman; 9. Taylor; 10. Dunn.
NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 4/5/14:
1. 87 Walker Arthur – 372
2. 19m Josh Adkins – 348
3. 51 Mack McCarter – 338
4. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 336
5. 56n Chris Noah (R) – 310
6. 18 Tait Davenport – 308
7. 121 Michael Blount – 266
8. 53 Ray Cook – 194
9. J39 Jimmy Elliott – 192
10. 58 Mark Whitener – 182
10. 64 Jacob Anderson – 182
12. 66 Adam Beeler – 180
13. 5d Robert Diekemper – 174
14. 2c Joey Coulter – 172
14. 35 Todd Coffman – 172
16. 4 Jeremy Faircloth – 170
17. 18e Chase Edge – 164
17. 29 Rusty Ballenger – 164
19. 7 Jason Fitzgerald – 158
19. RJ1 Jared Hawkins – 158
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. 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. Schaeffer’s Oil Presented By Chad Wallace and Heather Newsome is the Official Oil of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2014 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Schoenfeld Headers, Kinser Air Filters, Performance Rod & Custom, and David Smith Carburetors. 2014 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.