WILLIAMS OVERCOMES SPIN TO WIN NeSMITH LATE MODEL RACE IN COCHRAN, GA

COCHRAN, GA – P.L. Williams of Dublin, GA came back from a lap 30 spin to win the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Models Series RockAuto.com Winter Shootout Round 7 40-lap race on Saturday night at Cochran Motor Speedway driving the Dublin Tire TNT. Williams spun in turn one on lap 30 while battling for the lead with Jeremy Faircloth of Swainsboro, GA.

NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series officials ticketed Faircloth with the caution flag, and put Williams back on the point for the restart. During the caution period, Williams had to dodge another bullet when Faircloth drove in front of Williams on the front straightaway and “brake-checked” the leader. Williams’s car went under Faircloth’s car.

Also collected was Montana Dudley of Phenix City, AL, who ended up colliding into the back of Williams’s car. Williams was able to continue for the restart, followed by RockAuto.com Winter Shootout point leader Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL, Dudley and Riley Hickman of Cleveland, TN. Edge was trying to clinch the RockAuto.com Winter Shootout Championship with a top five finish.

Edge was also trying to get around Williams in the last 11 laps of the race, but none of that came about. After taking the white flag, Edge went for broke on the last lap, but his car spun in turn two and hit the inside wall. Edge failed to finish and failed to clinch the championship.

For the title clincher, Edge will have to return to Cochran Motor Speedway for tomorrow’s 50-lap $2,500-to-win show. To clinch the 2016 RockAuto.com Winter Shootout Championship, Edge will need to complete at least one qualifying lap in the Edge’s Gas Company Special to secure a minimum of 30 points.

Dudley in the Zaxby’s Rocket and Hickman in the Hickman Manufacturing CVR took advantage of Edge’s misfortune to finish second and third respectively. Chesley Dixon of Swainsboro, GA started 20th and finished fourth in the Central Fence Company Special to earn the Beyea Headers Hard Charger of the Race Award.

Ben Faircloth of Swainsboro, GA finished fifth in the Hall Longhorn Farms GRT, and Jordy Nipper of Gray, GA took the sixth spot in the Scotty’s Muffler Special. Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, AL was seventh in the Five Star Hyundai Special. Joshua Bishop of Statesboro, GA drove the Augusta Industrial Services Special to an eighth-place finish, while Larry Harrod of Plains, GA finished ninth in the Harrod Logging Special, and Jody Knowles of Tyrone, GA rounded out the top ten in the Clayton Signs Special.

“That tangle in turn one was just a result of hard racing, and it could have been me going to the back for the restart just as easy as it was Jeremy,” Williams said. “I messed up and opened up the bottom, and Jeremy took it, just like any other hard racer would. I hated it that he brake checked us on the front straightaway, but we were lucky and didn’t get any damage out of that.”

In three starts with the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series RockAuto.com Winter Shootout, Williams has two third-place finishes and a win. That kind of a finishing record now has the youngster and his family thinking about the future with the start of the 2016 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour on April 8-9 at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, TN.

“If we have another good run here tomorrow night, we are going to have to give running the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Tour some serious consideration,” Williams said. “This is a good series that offers a level playing field in tech, fair officiating, and great P.R. that can get our name out there.”

In preliminary action, Jeremy Faircloth was the Fast Qualifier among the 31 entrants with a lap around the 3/8-mile clay oval in 15.587 seconds in the LJR Forestry Warrior. The two ten-lap B-Main races were won by Knowles and Nipper.

Jeremy Faircloth took the lead at the start of the race followed by Williams, Edge, Thomas, and Terrance Nowell of Phenix City, AL in the Harrod Logging Special. A multi-car tangle in turn two on lap two took out Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS in the B&M Salvage Rocket, along with Smith Station, AL drivers Rodgerick Dykes in the Braswell Bodies Chevrolet and Richie Stephens in the K&J Trucking Special.

The wreck also damaged the BMC Motorsports Special of Cale Conley of Vienna, WV, but he was able to continue. This was important in the RockAuto.com Winter Shootout point battle, as Conley was the only driver with chance to beat Edge for the series’ championship.

Thomas got by Edge for third on the restart. Edge and Nowell tangled in turn two on lap three, but the race remained green. Will Herrington of Cochran, GA drove his Herrington Auto Warrior up to the fourth spot. Edge was able to come back and reclaim the fourth spot from Herrington on lap five. By lap nine, race leader Faircloth was in lapped traffic.

The second caution flag of the race came out on lap ten with Robbie Metts of Albany, GA spun the J&H Transmission Special in turn one. Jeremy Faircloth had Williams, Thomas, Edge, Herrington, Nowell, Hickman, Knowles, and Nipper doubled up behind him in second through tenth respectively for the Dixie-Style Double-File Restart.

Herrington spun on the restart, and Nowell was ticketed with the caution flag, and had to go to the tail of the lead lap cars for the next restart. When the green flag came back out, Edge got by Thomas to take over the third spot, and Knowles came from ninth up to sixth. Metts brought out the caution flag for a second time on lap 15 with a spin in turn two.

The top ten respectively for the restart were Jeremy Faircloth, Williams, Edge, Dudley, Thomas, Hickman, Knowles, Ben Faircloth, Nipper, and Dixon. Ben Faircloth came from eighth to sixth and Dixon came from tenth to eighth on the restart. By lap 23, Jeremy Faircloth took a half straightaway lead into lapped traffic.

Williams closed in on the back bumper of Jeremy Faircloth by lap 25. On lap 28, Faircloth slid up the banking in turn two, and Williams dove underneath to take the lead. That led the lead duo into turn one on lap 29 for their confrontation. With Jeremy Faircloth’s actions on and off the track, he was disqualified from the event by NeSmith Racing officials.

Williams led a single-file restart down to the green flag, and at first held a comfortable lead over Edge. By lap 35, Edge began to close on the leader, but couldn’t get a fender inside Williams. After the lead duo took the while flag signaling one lap to go, Edge went for broke in turn two, spun and hit the inside wall. Williams went on to post the $2,000 victory.

The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series returns to Cochran Motor Speedway on Sunday for the RockAuto.com Winter Shootout finale with a 50-lap $2,500-to-win main event. Gates open at 12 Noon with a Church Service. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Pre-Race Registration will be from 12:30 to 2 p.m. The Drivers Meeting will be at 2 p.m. with Hot Laps scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series 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 7 OF THE ROCKAUTO.COM WINTER SHOOTOUT AT COCHRAN MOTOR SPEEDWAY IN COCHRAN, GA ON 2/27/16:

POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
1. 2 121 P.L. Williams Dublin, GA 40 $2,000
2. 4 55 Montana Dudley Phenix City, AL 40 $1,000
3. 8 R1 Riley Hickman Cleveland, TN 40 $700
4. 20 3 Chesley Dixon Swainsboro, GA 40 $550
5. 9 27 Ben Faircloth Swainsboro, GA 40 $500
6. 12 1n Jordy Nipper Gray, GA 40 $425
7. 5 22 Jimmy Thomas Phenix City, AL 40 $375
8. 22 J1 Joshua Bishop Statesboro, GA 40 $350
9. 21 27h Larry Harrod Plains, GA 40 $325
10. 11 66 Jody Knowles Tyrone, GA 40 $300
11. 18 87 Walker Arthur Forest, VA 40 $275
12. 17 21 Cale Conley Blackshear, GA 40 $250
13. 13 24 Steven Bloodworth McIntyre, GA 40 $225
14. 24 7T Damian Bidwell Eldred, PA 40 $200
15. 7 27T Terrance Nowell Phenix City, AL 40 $175
16. 3 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 39 $150
17. 23 23 Ahanna Parkhurst (Y) Evans, GA 27 $140
18. 10 06 Robbie Metts Albany, GA 13 $125
19. 6 14 Will Herrington Cochran, GA 10 $125
20. 16 52 Ryan Carter (Y) Blackshear, GA 8 $125
21. 14 00 Richie Stephens Smith Station, AL 1 $125
22. 15 5d Rodgerick Dykes Smith Station, AL 1 $125
23. 19 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 1 $125
24. 1 4 Jeremy Faircloth Swainsboro, GA 29 $0/DQ

ENTRIES: 31
FAST TIME: J. Faircloth, 15.587 Seconds
LEAD CHANGES: 1
LAP LEADERS: J. Faircloth, 1-27; Williams, 28-40
LAPS LED: J. Faircloth, 27; Williams, 13
BEYEA HEADERS HARD CHARGER OF THE RACE: Dixon (started 20th and finished 5th)
SUNOCO YOUNG GUN OF THE RACE: Parkhurst
CAUTIONS: 5
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 1.489 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 34 Minutes and 42.676 Seconds
NEXT RACE: February 28, Cochran Motor Speedway, Cochran, GA, 50-laps $2,500-to-win
QUALIFYING (Top 10 Transfer To Main Event):

POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS 1ST LAP 2ND LAP TIME
1 4 Jeremy Faircloth Swainsboro, GA Warrior 15.688 15.587 15.587
2 121 Pearson Lee Williams Dublin, GA TNT 15.988 15.594 15.594
3 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL Mastersbilt 15.646 15.672 15.646
4 55 Montana Dudley Phenix City, AL Rocket 15.690 15.648 15.648
5 22 Jimmy Thomas Phenix City, AL Scorpion 15.718 15.794 15.718
6 14 Will Herrington Cochran, GA Warrior 16.120 15.728 15.728
7 27n Terrance Nowell Phenix City, AL Harrod 16.190 15.744 15.744
8 R1 Riley Hickman Cleveland, TN CVR 15.881 15.774 15.774
9 27 Ben Faircloth Swainsboro, GA GRT 16.061 15.809 15.809
10 06 Robby Metts Albany, GA Brown 16.025 15.834 15.834
11 66 Jody Knowles Tyrone, GA Scorpion 16.554 15.843 15.843
12 00 Richie Stephens Smith Station, AL Scorpion 15.987 15.847 15.847
13 5d Rodgerick Dykes Smith Station, AL Warrior 16.317 15.976 15.976
14 1n Jordy Nipper Gray, GA Newman 16.213 16.031 16.031
15 24 Steven Bloodworth McIntyre, GA Barry Wright 16.132 16.067 16.067
16 J1 Joshua Bishop Statesboro, GA Newman 16.376 16.086 16.086
17 21c Cale Conley Davidson, NC Pierce 17.440 16.120 16.120
18 12 Eric Register Guyton, GA Rocket 16.918 16.149 16.149
19 27 Larry Harrod Plains, GA Harrod 16.170 16.252 16.170
20 52 Ryan Carter – Y Blackshear, GA Mastersbilt 16.176 16.287 16.176
21 23 Ahnna Parkhurst – Y Evans, GA Warrior 16.343 16.196 16.196
22 48 Robert Diekemper Bloomingdale, GA Barry Wright 17.043 16.228 16.228
23 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS Rocket 16.249 16.506 16.249
24 87 Walker Arthur Forest, VA Mastersbilt 16.278 16.755 16.278
25 4 Joe Mike Mayfield, KY Pierce 17.350 16.300 16.300
26 3 Chesley Dixon Swainsboro, GA Barry Wright 21.864 16.359 16.359
27 01 Travis Pennington Stapleton, GA Barry Wright 16.590 16.542 16.542
28 15 Jason Britton Alexander City, AL Pierce 16.683 16.710 16.683
29 19w Trey Wood – Y Newnan, GA Rocket 17.502 16.723 16.723
30 7T Damian Bidwell Eldred, PA Rocket 16.733 16.761 16.733
31 04c Colby Boyett Bainbridge, GA Rocket 18.600 NT 18.600

B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 7 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST B-MAIN: 1. Knowles; 2. Bloodworth; 3. Dykes; 4. Conley; 5. Minga; 6. Harrod; 7. Parkhurst (Y); 8. Mike; 9. Wood (Y); 10. Boyett; 11. Pennington.

2ND B-MAIN: 1. Nipper; 2. Stephens; 3. Carter (Y); 4. Arthur; 5. Dixon; 6. Bishop; 7. Bidwell; 8. Diekemper; 9. Register; 10. Britton.

NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES ROCKAUTO.COM WINTER SHOOTOUT POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 2/27/16:

1. 18 Chase Edge – 518
2. 21 Cale Conley – 432
3. 30 Ryan King – 348
4. 52 Ryan Carter – 312
5. 14 Will Herrington – 300
6. 121 P.L. Williams – 288
7. 88 Trent Ivey – 242
8. 5d Rodgerick Dykes – 238
9. 3 Chesley Dixon – 236
10. 14c Tyler Clem (Y) – 210
11. 48 Robert Diekemper – 206
12. J1 Joshua Bishop – 200
13. 40b Kyle Bronson – 196
14. 19t William Thomas – 194
15. 6 Blake Spencer – 186
16. 17p Josh Richards – 184
17. 30b Tyler Bare – 172
18. 17 Logan Roberson – 164
18. 42 Cla Knight – 164
20. 1w Justin Williams – 162
20. J17 Joe Kump – 162

Y – Denotes Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series Driver
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. 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 Late Models. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Beyea Headers is the NeSmith Late Model Hard Charger Sponsor. Sunoco Race Fuels is the Official Race Fuel of the NeSmith Late Models. Panama City Cycles is the Official ATV Provider of the NeSmith Late Models. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Late Model Contingency Sponsors for 2015 are CrateInsider.Com, Integra Racing Shocks, Image Screen Printing, and Gresham Race Parts. 2015 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.