Hardeeville race report

Late Models and Road Warriors beat the rain at the HMS.

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (July 13, 2002) - A brief shower arrived at the Hardeeville Motor Speedway during the singing of the National Anthem and after a 45 minute rain delay racing fans were treated to another great Road Warrior race as Peter Frank of Bluffton, SC came away victorious ahead of Timmy Padgett of Hardeeville, SC and Todd Harvey of Hardeeville as well. Fan favorite Chelsea Carr took the lead early by was spun by Frank in turn two putting her to the rear of the field.

Tommy Porter, Jr. of Savannah, GA picked up another win the O.C. Welch Ford-Lincoln-Mercury Late Models finishing ahead of points leader Shane Jenkins of Statesboro, GA and Tom Haidon of Hilton Head, SC. Jenkins ran a near perfect qualifying lap but was unable to hold off the outside pole sitter Porter, Jr. The Late Model series points race is extremely tight as only 115 points separated the top five when racing began. After the racing action, the top three finishers in the Late Model race had to go through a complete engine and transmission inspection. Haidon was the only one who did not pass the technical inspection headed up by Chief Technical Inspector, Eric Caskey.

However, while waiting for his turn for inspection, Haidon said "I really enjoy coming out here to the Hardeeville Motor Speedway. The race fans that come here to support us are hands down the best." Haidon also commented on his son Jonathan having a "group of fans" along with Billy Tysinger of Hardeeville, SC and Jimmy Lang of Bluffton, SC, "It's great. The kids enjoy it and the fans do too."

On lap five of the Xtreme Stock Car feature, rain began to fall once again so the race fans were treated to some fantastic giveaways and contests as a great time was experienced by all during the delay. However, race officials had to postpone the remaining races due to the inclement weather and difficulty in being able to get the track dry with the lack of wind to assist them. The Xtreme Stock Car feature will be completed from lap 5 on Saturday, July 20th.

The Legends Cars, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks will make up their rained-out feature events on Saturday, July 27th with the same starting lineups. No other cars will be permitted to enter these make-up features however a second set of features will be run on the same night for those classes. The demolition derby will also be rescheduled for the July 27th night which is deemed "Pack the Track" Night offering $5.00 general admission to everyone 12 years of age and older. More demolition derby car entries will be accepted for the $500.00 to win event. The speedway has a few demolition derby cars for sale for the event. Along with the divisions already mentioned, fans will also see the O.C. Welch Ford-Lincoln-Mercury Late Models, the Xtreme Stock Cars and the Road Warriors.

Due to a portion of the races being run past the raincheck cutoff on Saturday, July 13th fans will not being able to use their stubs as rainchecks, however, management will accept the ticket stubs for $5.00 off next week's USCS Outlaw Sprint Car race or as a complimentary ticket for the July 27th "Pack the Track" Night. The pit passes from Saturday, July 13th will not be honored as rainchecks as all qualifying was completed and each division not completed will receive double features.

On next Saturday night, July 20th, the Hardeeville Motor Speedway all-time one lap track record will surely fall when the USCS Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars come to town. The current one-lap track record is held by Corey Fletcher of Bloomingdale, GA in a dirt-style Late Model at 14.330 seconds on November 24, 2001. With the Outlaw Sprint Cars capable of reaching speeds in excess of 140 m.p.h., that record is almost guaranteed to fall by at least 1.5 seconds, maybe more. The Sprint Cars drivers who have the best chance of breaking the one-lap record are defending United Sprint Car Series champion, Terry Gray from Bartlett, Tennessee and Kenny Adams from Malabar, Florida. The USCS Winged Outlaw Sprint Car program will include hot laps, qualifying time trials, heat races, and a big 40 lap A-main event.

Race fans will also see the INEX Thunder Roadsters, Legends Cars, Xtreme Stock Cars and Road Warriors in action on Saturday night. Gates open on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., qualifying begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by the National Anthem at 7:05 p.m. General admission ticket prices are $15.00 for adults; $10.00 for Juniors (ages 13-16), Seniors (55 and older) and Military (with proper I.D.); $5.00 for children (ages 6-12); and children under 5 are free.

The Hardeeville Motor Speedway is located three miles south of I-95 (exit 5 in SC) on Speedway Blvd./Highway 17 or just ten miles north of Savannah on Speedway Blvd./Highway 17. For more information, contact (843) 784 RACE (7223) or visit online at www.hareevillespeedway.com.

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