Weekend results 97-07-01

DirtNews Digest Your Online News Source for Late Model Dirt Track Racing "Get Some Dirt On Your Computer!" Todd Turner, editor

Email address: DirtNews@aol.com Web site: http://members.aol.com/dirtnews/digest =================================== CONTENTS: June 27-29 results (published July 1) HAV-A-TAMPA: Freddy Smith notches first '97 victory CAPSULES: Roundup of other weekend races =================================== HAV-A-TAMPA DIRT RACING SERIES Showdown to the Shootout 100

GAFFNEY, S.C. (Saturday and Sunday) Defending series champion Freddy Smith notched his first Hav-A-Tampa victory of 1997, holding off last-ditch challenges from Jack Pennington and Billy Moyer at Cherokee Speedway to complete a flag-to-flag victory in the Showdown to the Shootout 100. Smith pocketed $15,950 for the victory.

"It's something special to get our first win of the season here at Cherokee Speedway," said Smith, a native of nearby Kings Mountain, N.C. "We've had some tough luck through the first half of the season, but we've never given up. Tonight shows what we have left and hopefully we'll be able to do this more often in the second half of the season."

Smith, who had seven victories last year on his way to the series title, won his first Hav-A-Tampa race since Sept. 14, 1996, when he won at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth. The victory at Cherokee was his 15th Hav-A-Tampa win in a career that includes more than 750 feature race victories.

Pennington finished second ahead of Moyer, the series points leader, while Cherokee regulars Ricky Weeks and Mike Duvall rounded out the top five. Polesitter Buckshot Miles, Dale McDowell, Ray Cook, Earl Pearson Jr. and Wendell Wallace finished sixth through 10th.

The final 10 laps were wild and woolly. While Smith held on to the lead, Pennington pulled out everything in his bag of tricks trying to get past. Moyer made it a three-way battle for the lead over the final five laps before Smith turned back their challenges.

Unfortunately, not every driver had the chance to be around at the end. The race was delayed by a five-minute red flag before the first official lap could be completed because of a backstretch pileup involving half the 24-car field. Ed Basey and Skip Arp were eliminated and other cars suffered damage that kept them out of contention.

"It was a good race," Pennington said. "Freddy was fast all night and he deserved to win. Maybe I was a little quicker there at the end, but Fred held a smooth line and saved his tires. We haven't been finishing a lot of races, so we will take this second."

"We come out okay as far as the points are concerned," said Moyer, who kept the Hav-A-Tampa points lead, "but sometimes you do things with the car, tires and even with your driving style to be conservative because of the points."

CAR COUNT: 35 late models.

FAST QUALIFIER: Billy Moyer, 18.953 seconds (118.715 mph).

FIRST HEAT (10 laps; top four advance): Buckshot Miles, Billy Moyer, Donnie Moran, Dale McDowell, Earl Pearson Jr., Dan Bruer, David Payne, Steve Smith.

SECOND HEAT: Freddy Smith, Ricky Weeks, Ed Basey, Ray Cook, Marshall Green, Bill Morgan, Wade Knowles, Pete Ivey.

THIRD HEAT: Skip Arp, Mike Duvall, Billy Hicks, Phil, Hall, Tim Headon, Mike Carter, David Gibson, Rodney Combs.

FOURTH HEAT: Jack Pennington, Clint Smith, Pete Broughton, Wendell Wallace, Mike Gault, Billy Scott, Terry Cardwell, Ray Tucker, Jeff Smith, Jimmy Sharpe.

FIRST CONSOLATION (top three advance): Earl Pearson Jr., David Gibson, Tim Headon, Rodney Combs, Dan Bruer, David Payne.

SECOND CONSOLATION: Marshall Green, Mike Gault, Bill Morgan, Jeff Smith, Wade Knowles, Billy Scott.

FEATURE (Pos., driver, car no., hometown, chassis, laps, winnings) 1. Freddy Smith (00), Knoxville, Tenn., GRT, 100, $15,950 2. Jack Pennington (01), Winston, Ga., Barry Wright, 100, $8,500 3. Billy Moyer (21), Batesville, Ark., MasterSbilt, 100, $5,400 4. Ricky Weeks (1), Rutherford, N.C., Barry Wright, 100, $3,500 5. Mike Duvall (F1), Cowpens, S.C., Flintstone, 100, $3,000 6. Buckshot Miles (U2), Grovetown, Ga., GRT, 100, $2,750 7. Dale McDowell (17m), Rossville, Ga., GRT, 100, $3,000 8. Ray Cook (53), Murphy, N.C., GRT, 100, $2,350 9. Earl Pearson Jr. (7), Jacksonville, Fla., GRT, 100, $2,000 10. Wendell Wallace (6m), Batesville, Ark., GRT, 100, $2,250 11. Mike Gault (17), Gaffney, S.C., Barry Wright, 99, $1,500 12. Wade Knowles (66), Tyrone, Ga., Rayburn, 99, $1,300 13. Tim Headon (13), Toccoa, Ga., Barry Wright, 97, $1,200 14. Pete Broughton (98), Wimauma, Fla., Barry Wright, 69, $1,300 15. Billy Hicks (6), Mount Airy, N.C., Warrior, 67, $1,000 16. Marshall Green (89), Dalton, Ga., Warrior, 64, $1,275 17. Rodney Combs (1x), Harrisburg, N.C., GRT, 62, $950 18. Donnie Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, MasterSbilt, 47, $1,225 19. Clint Smith (1), Griffin, Ga., GRT, 46, $1,200 20. David Gibson (G2), Ash Flat, Ark., GRT, 20, $1,200 21. Phil Hall (H7), Mount Airy, N.C., GRT, 5, $900 22. Bill Morgan (1), Table Rock, S.C., Newman, 3, $900 23. Ed Basey (4), Evans, Ga., Barry Wright, 0, $900 24. Skip Arp (31), Georgetown, Tenn., GRT, 0, $1,200

NOTES: Freddy Smith's victory was popular with the crowd .... sixth-place finisher Buckshot Miles leads the non-touring United Dirt Track Racing Association's national points .... Rodney Combs was forced into Clint Smith's backup car for Sunday's feature after blowing a tire at the end of the backstretch during the third heat race Saturday. His car pitched over on its roof after spinning into Turn 3 .... there was also a scary accident in the fourth heat race as Jimmy Sharpe, running fourth on the third lap, slammed into the third-place car of Jeff Smith .... Smith's car was launched over the second-turn wall and out of the racetrack .... he was taken to Upstate Medical Center with cracked ribs and bruises, and later released. Smith, the winner's son, ran his backup car Sunday but failed to make the feature .... Hav-A-Tampa announced the scheduling of a $10,000-to-win event on July 17 at Carter County Speedway in Olive Hill, Ky., which precedes an originally scheduled two-day show at Florence (Ky.) Speedway.

NEXT HAV-A-TAMPA WEEKEND: July 3, Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, Ill., $10,000 to win; July 4, West Plains (Mo.) Motor Speedway, $5,000 to win; July 5, West Plains (Mo.) Motor Speedway, $10,000 to win.

HAV-A-TAMPA POINT STANDINGS (through June 29): Billy Moyer 2,543; Wendell Wallace 2,431; Freddy Smith 2,325; Donnie Moran 2,208; Clint Smith 2,188; Dale McDowell 2,151; Skip Arp 1,948; Marshall Green 1,942; David Gibson 1,868; Ray Cook 1,807.

CREDIT: Ozzie Altman <VctoryLane@aol.com> of Hav-A-Tampa and Jeff "Buzz" Reynolds <dirtracing@hotmail.com>. ------------------------------------------------------------- FRIDAY'S RACE CAPSULES

BOWERSOCK WINS ALMS RACE AT ATTICA: Jerry Bowersock of Wapakoneta, Ohio, won his first late model race in six years, capturing a $2,000 UMP-sanctioned American Late Model Series victory at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park. Bowersock won easily over Rick DeLong, who used the low groove to move up from his 15th-starting spot and finish second. There were 44 late models in attendance. FEATURE (30 laps): (1) Jerry Bowersock, (2) Rick DeLong, (3) Shane Yoder, (4) Kris Patterson, (5) John Lawhorn, (6) Matt Miller, (7) John Mason, (8) Rody Schroyer, (9) Jesse Lay, (10) Tony Marks, (11) Jeff Houser, (12) Brian Stinson, (13) Ron Miller, (14) Jeff McCoy, (15) Duane Chamberlain, (16) Jim Cushing, (17) Mike Bechelli, (18) Dave Gray, (19) Mark Frazier, (20) Frank Seder.

JASON SMITH WINS $3,000 AT THUNDERHILL: Jason Smith of Laurel, Miss., earned his first career special-event victory, leading all 40 laps for a Rick's Late Model Series win at Thunderhill Raceway in Summertown, Tenn. The 24-year-old Smith held of charges from polesitter Jay Brinkley and Mike Boland to collect $3,000. "It finally was our day, and I didn't let anybody take it away from me," Smith said. "The car didn't break down, I didn't let anybody outrun me. I'm just stoked, I don't know what to say." Brinkley was the fastest qualifier (12.27 seconds) among 26 entrants. FEATURE (40 laps): (1) Jason Smith, (2) Mike Boland, (3) Mark Mears, (4) David Gentry, (5) Jerry Inmon, (6) Steve Russell, (7) Noland Smith, (8) Eddie Rickman, (9) Dearl Poss, (10) Jerry Jackson, (11) Brian Rickman, (12) Mac Alexander, (13) Rick Rickman, (14) Nicky Dunn, (15) Johnny Stokes, (16) Jay Brinkley, (17) Jeff Carvell, (18) John L. Cliett, (19) Jimmy Nowlin, (20) Jerry Owens, (21) Mike Head, (22) Shorty Fields, (23) Greg Skinner, (24) Barry Wright (Scott Brewer and Jimmy Tucker scratched). ------------------------------------------------------------- SATURDAY'S RACE CAPSULES

WILLIS GETS FIRST SUPR WIN OF SEASON: Howard Willis of Pasadena, Texas, moved from third to first on the 23rd lap and went on to a Southern United Professional Racing victory worth $2,000 at Battleground Speedway in Houston, Texas. Willis, who also competed in the modified division, slipped under Duke Whiseant and Donald Watson to grab the point halfway through the 40-lapper and get his first SUPR victory of the year. FEATURE (40 laps): (1) Howard Willis, (2) John Lovas, (3) Ronnie Adams, (4) Marlon Wild, (5) Donald Watson.

HEAD DEDICATES DUCK RIVER VICTORY TO LATE SON: Mike Head of Ellenwood, Ga., launched into the lead from his outside-second row starting spot and led all 50 laps for a $3,000 victory in a Rick's Late Model Series race at Duck River Speedway in Wheel, Tenn. "I want to dedicate this race to the memory of my son, Mike Head Jr.," said Head, whose son was murdered in a robbery attempt in Atlanta in April. "This is the first race I've won since he passed away and the rest of my life is dedicated to him." FEATURE (50 laps): (1) Mike Head, (2) David Gentry, (3) Mike Boland, (4) Steve Russell, (5) Jay Brinkley, (6) Jerry Ashley, (7) Johnny Stokes, (8) Jason Smith, (9) Mo Harrison, (10) Mark Mears, (11) Jerry Inmon, (12) John L. Cliett, (13) Eddie Rickman, (14) David Thompson, (15) Rick Rickman, (16) Brian Rickman, (17) Stan Amacher, (18) Barry Wright, (19) Jimmy Nowlin. ------------------------------------------------------------- SUNDAY'S RACE CAPSULES

FRANK GETS SECOND CONSECUTIVE MACS VICTORY: Chub Frank of Sugargrove, Pa., snagged the lead from Todd Andrews on the 10th lap at Challenger Raceway in Indiana, Pa., and went on to win his second straight Mid-Atlantic Championship Series race. Andrews recorded his second consecutive MACS runner-up finish, as the top two repeated their finish from June 15 in Erie, Pa. Series points leader Denny Chamberlain was third. There were 33 late models in the pits. FEATURE (35 laps): (1) Chub Frank, (2) Todd Andrews, (3) Denny Chamberlain, (4) Andy Fries, (5) Floyd Kline, (6) Dave Satterlee, (7) Scott Haus, (8) Sonny Conley, (9) Bob Wearing Jr., (10) Chevy Scott, (11) Miles Stitzinger, (12) Tony Raineri, (13) Bob Salathe, (14) John Britsky, (15) Rod Phillips, (16) Will Rowe, (17) Dave Norton, (18) Lynn Geisler, (19) Nolan Dalton, (20) Bob Wearing Sr., (21) Sam Stiles, (22) John Flinner, (23) Don Conley, (24) Dave Hoffman.

RICE SCORES REPEAT AT ELDORA: Jerry Rice of Verona, Ky., won his second consecutive American Late Model Series feature at Eldora Speedway, pocketing $1,500 for a 30-lap victory at the historic half-mile in Rossburg, Ohio. Rice won the ALMS season opener at Eldora on April 19. There were 36 late models at the track. FEATURE (30 laps): (1) Jerry Rice, (2) Shane Yoder, (3) Audie McWilliams, (4) John Lawhorn, (5) Matt Miller, (6) Rick DeLong, (7) Jesse Lay, (8) Don Seaborn, (9) Troy VanderVeen, (10) Randy Woodling, (11) Curtis Roberts, (12) Billy Wyrick, (13) Kris Patterson, (14) Jerry Bowersock, (15) John Mason, (16) Hillard Miller, (17) Brian Stinson, (18) Scott James, (19) Joe Johnson, (20) Bob Flinn. ------------------------------------------------------------- CAPSULE CREDITS: Todd Tappel of Attica Raceway Park, Greg Holmes of SUPR and Tim Lee <leemedia@watervalley.net> of Behind the Wheel's Late Model America. -------------------------------------------------------------