Cherokee Speedway
April 21, 2012
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Dennis 'Rambo' Franklin Beats the Rain & Tames the BEAST at Cherokee's Rock Gault Memorial 

Gaffney, S.C- As the rainy weather played in the distance surrounding the famed Cherokee Speedway, many longtime fans new faces were spotted at the track for The BEAST season opening ROCK GAULT MEMORIAL.  
 
As the clouds broke and the skies cleared, the race track was ready for hot laps on a track that was smooth and fast. Johnny Pursley, Dennis Franklin, Tim Allen and Chris Madden laid down the top 4 speeds of each of the sessions. Dallas N.C driver Jeff Smith got off to a terrible start as his engine went south just after two practice laps.

"It's frustrating, a real tough pill to swallow, Zach and the crew worked a lot of hours, over night, and all day to get this piece ready and all for two laps" said the pilot of the 18M.
 
As time trials rolled around, it was Augusta GA native John Henderson's turn for his as his 2x machine made a popping noise as he sailed into turn one. Henderson would also be a scratch for the remainder of the event even though he turned in the 9th fastest time on the night. Clover's Johnny Pursley who was sporting a new haircut and a new ride for the BEAST series, took the Bobby Wilson Owned Service Master Clean, Chris McCraw-CPA.Pa sponsored B4 to the top of the grid. With the field now set for the 40 lap feature, teams made final adjustments to their race cars, and made their way to the frontstretch.
 
Pole sitter Johnny Pursley opted to use the outside pole starting position, forcing Rambo down to the bottom. "That is common here, everyone wants to be on the outside coming to the green flag" Pursley later stated,
 
With the field in tow, the #17 MotorMaxx, Gault's Used Cars Rocket chassis of Mike Gault proudly displayed the checkered flag and moved over to form the missing man formation in honor of late father Edgar "Rock" Gault. Once the fireworks were done, and the cars were lined back up, the green flag flew, and Pursley and Rambo raced to turn one. It did not take Pursley long to know he had made the wrong choice on this night, as Rambo was able to get enough grip on the bottom to power past the B4 coming off turn two. That was the last real challenge Franklin would get. His paced over the caution free 40 lapper would only slow due to lap traffic.
 
Looking down in victory lane, you can bet that if his son could not be victorious only one other driver could make him smile in this event. That driver was none other than the driver of the AES #37 Barry Wright chassis, Dennis Rambo Franklin. Mike Gault got into victory lane as soon as possible, with a big smile and a huge congrats to Franklin. After securing the $4,000 pay day Franklin went on to say the track was super fast, near as perfect as he had ever seen, "It got just a bit choppy going into turn one, other than that, you can't get it any better than what we had here tonight" said Franklin of the track conditions. "We came here tonight with intentions of trying something we have never tried and it was fast right off the truck." Franklin later added.
 
As the race wound down, Pursley came home 2nd, Casey Roberts finished 3rd after holding off a hard charging Chris Madden, and Dustin Mitchell rounding out the top 5. Up next the BEAST tour visits Gordon Park this Saturday April 28th for the 2nd Annual Jack Starrette Memorial.  
 
Rock Gault Memorial Finishing Positions: 
1) Dennis Franklin, 2) Johnny Pursley, 3) Casey Roberts, 4) Chris Madden, 5) Dustin Mitchell, 6) Brent Dixon, 7) Ricky Weeks, 8) Zach Mitchell, 9) John Pursley, 10) Jay Sessoms, 11) Tim Allen, 12) Doug Sanders, 13) Mike Gault, 14) Ross Bailes DNS, 15) John Henderson DNS, 16) Jeff Smith DNS  
 
The BEAST 2012 Schedule   
April 21st - Cherokee Speedway - Dennis 'Rambo' Franklin
April 28th - Gordon Park (Grovetown, GA.) "Jack Starrette Memorial"
May 11th - Carolina Speedway (Gastonia, NC.)
May 28th - Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC.)
June 12th - Laurens Speedway (Laurens, SC.) "Laurens Co. Shrine Race"
July 3rd - Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC.) "Independence Shootout"
August 4th - Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC.) "Stick Elliott Memorial"
September 2nd - Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney SC.) "Hall Of Fame Race"
September 3rd - Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC.)
October 13th - Travelers Rest Speedway (Travelers Rest, SC.)