MARYVILLE, TN (March 23, 2013)—Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA has become the only repeat winner in four races during the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series-sanctioned 103.5 WIMZ Rockin’ with the Stars event on Saturday Night March 23rd at Smoky Mountain Speedway.
This was Davenport’s second-straight SAS win as he picked up the $5,000 payday while driving the AES Racing, Mega Plumbing, EnCompass Solutions sponsored Clement’s Racing Engines powered Barry Wright Race Car. Davenport is now tied with Billy Ogle Jr., Randle Chupp and Jack Pennington on the all-time winner’s list with eight career victories.
Davenport, who lowered the current track record, started alongside Ray Cook for the start of the 40 lapper with Cook gaining the momentum on the start taking to the high side and the lead for the first eight circuits. Davenport would stay right with Cook then grab the lead coming to the ninth lap on the back chute underneath where Cook had gotten trapped behind a lapped car. As the laps were winding down in the main, Cook had begun to reel in Davenport and would have a great run going into turn three allowing him to get up behind him but the final yellow with just two laps to go wouldn’t be enough as Davenport pulled away on the single-file restart to claim the win.
The first of four yellows would come out on lap 20 as David Crabtree would slow his mount in turn one. The next yellow flag would wave on lap 22 as Mike Weeks was spun by Tommy Kerr in turn four and sent to the tail. The lap 25 caution would see Scott James slamming the wall in turn two ending his night. The final yellow would come on lap 38 as David Payne slowed in turn three with engine woes.
The next Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series event is on Saturday April 6th as the SAS gang heads to the high-banks of the ‘Bad Fast Taz’ the Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN for the 50-lap Fourth Annual Charles Trammell Memorial paying $5,000 to win / $300 to start. For more information visit www.tazewellspeedway.net .
Further information on the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series can be obtained by calling General Manager Lynn Acklin at (256) 924-4546 or PR/Race Director Chris Tilley at (606) 219-1723 or you can log on to the official series website at www.sasdirt.com . Also, LIKE the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series on Facebook or be a FOLLOWER on Twitter @SASDIRT.
Official Summary of Results
Smoky Mountain Speedway-Maryville, TN
Round #4 of 2013 Season (March 23, 2013)
Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Late Models
Feature Finish:
1. Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA
2. Ray Cook-Brasstown, NC
3. Steve Casebolt-Richmond, IN
4. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA
5. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, TN
6. Mark Douglas-Knoxville, TN
7. Jason Hiett-Oxford, AL
8. Riley Hickman-Chattanooga, TN
9. Mike Weeks-Friendsville, TN
10. Tommy Kerr-Maryville, TN
11. Stacy Boles-Claxton, TN
12. Mark Vineyard-Powell, TN
13. Brett Miller-Greeneville, TN
14. Vic Hill-Mosheim, TN
15. Josh Collins-Knoxville, TN
16. Mark Rosner-Rockford, TN
17. Bobby Giffin-Maryville, TN
18. Bret Holmes-Munford, AL
19. David Payne-Murphy, NC
20. Scott James-Bright, IN
21. David Crabtree-Maryville, TN
22. Brad Hall-Knoxville, TN
23. Hunter Peacock-Gray, GA
24. Bo Shirley-Gadsden, AL
25. Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Did Not Start)
Yellow Flags: Four (laps 20, 22, 25, 38)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Cook (1-8); Davenport (9-40)
Fast Time: Jonathan Davenport-14:932 seconds (New Track Record)
Series Provisionals: Hunter Peacock (Series), Bo Shirley (Series), Vic Hill (Track)
Entries: 32
JT Kerr Racing Equipment Hard Charger of the Race: Vic Hill (advanced 11 positions)
PPM Racing Products Last Chance Showdown #1 Finish (Top-7 Transfer): Billy Ogle Jr., Mike Weeks, Mark Rosner, Mark Vineyard, Josh Collins, Bobby Giffin, Bret Holmes, Robby Moses, Sammie Russell, Vic Hill, George Mashburn (DNS), Chris Ferguson (DNS)
PPM Racing Products Last Chance Showdown #2 Finish (Top-7 Finish): Brett Miller, Tommy Kerr, Stacy Boles, Scott James, David Crabtree, Brad Hall, Randy Weaver, Hunter Peacock, Bo Shirley, Chuck Laney, Dusty Carver, Matt Henderson (DNS)
Current Southern All Stars Championship Points (after March 23rd)
1. Jonathan Davenport-372 (Blairsville, GA)
2. Riley Hickman-328 (Chattanooga, TN)
3. Jason Hiett-314 (Oxford, AL)
4. Mike Weeks-294 (Friendsville, TN)
5. Mark Rosner-276 (Rockford, TN)
6. Bret Holmes-234 (Munford, AL)
7. Randy Weaver-214 (Crossville, TN)
8. Billy Ogle Jr.-184 (Knoxville, TN)
9. Dale McDowell-184 (Chickamauga, GA)
10. Ray Cook-184 (Brasstown, NC)
Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Event Winners:
#1-Jared Landers-Batesville, AR (Cherokee Speedway) March 3rd
#2-Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN (Cleveland Speedway) March 9th
#3-Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA (East AL Motor Speedway) March 16th
#4-Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA (Smoky Mountain Speedway) March 23rd
Upcoming Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series events:
Apr. 6 Saturday Tazewell Speedway/Tazewell, TN $5,000 to win 50 laps
May 4 Saturday Talladega Short Track/Eastaboga, AL $4,000 to win 40 laps
2013 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Sponsors:
*Hoosier Racing Tire “The Official Race Tire” of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series
*VP Racing Fuels “The Official Fuel” of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series
*Patriot Sports “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series
2013 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Supporters Include: AR Bodies, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Cruise with the Champions, H3 Performance Graphics, Integra Racing Shocks, Intercomp Racing Systems, JT Kerr Racing Equipment, MSR Mafia Web Design and Service, PPM Racing Products, RockAuto.com, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil by Ed Lowe, The Joie of Seating, WhitePerformance.com.