Southern All Stars Series
Cherokee Speedway
March 5, 2013
________________________________________

Jared Landers tames Cherokee Speedway while taking second-straight March Madness event 

by Chris Tilley
GAFFNEY, SC (March 3) - Jared Landers of Batesville, AR made a clean sweep of the 2013 edition of March Madness at Cherokee Speedway on Sunday Evening March 3rd co-sanctioned by the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series and the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series.
 
This was back to back March Madness wins for the driver of the Clint Bowyer Motorsports entry. This was also Landers’ first-career Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series victory as he opened the 31st year of competition for SAS leading all 60 laps of the main event for the $10,000 payday after starting in fourth spot. Landers also became the 158th different winner in series history.
 
Landers came to victory lane while driving the PEAK Motor Oil, Crawford Supply, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Georgia Boot and Mark Martin Chevrolet sponsored Barry Wright Race Car. This was a one-two finish for Barry Wright Race Cars as Steve Francis of Ashland, KY finished second in the #15 BWRC mount. Third place finisher was defending series Champion Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN who drove the Cornett Racing Engines powered GRT Race Car. Fourth and fifth was AES Racing teammates Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA and Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, SC.
 
Seven caution flags slowed the 60 lapper. The first yellow didn’t come until the 15th lap when Mike Marlowe slowed. The next yellow was on lap 18 when John Garvin Jr. spun. On the 24th lap Doug Sanders would spin in turn four. It would take two more tries at getting the race restarted because of various spins. The final yellow came out on lap 53 as Casey Roberts came to the pits with a right rear flat tire.
 
Official Summary of Results
Cherokee Speedway-Gaffney, SC
Round # 1 of 2013 Season (March 3rd)
Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Late Models & Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series
 
Feature Finish:
1. Jared Landers-Batesville, AR
2. Steve Francis-Ashland, KY
3. Randy Weaver-Crossville, TN
4. Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA
5. Dennis Franklin-Gaffney, SC
6. Johnny Pursley-Clover, SC
7. John Pursley Sr.-Clover SC
8. Zack Mitchell-Enoree, SC
9. Riley Hickman-Chattanooga, TN
10. Ross Bailes-Clover, SC
11. Mark Rosner-Rockford, TN
12. Jason Hiett-Oxford, AL
13. Brett Holmes-Munford, AL
14. Roger Hammond-Nichols, SC
15. John Garvin Jr.-Sarver, PA
16. Mike Gault-Gaffney, SC
17. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, GA
18. Doug Sanders-Springwood, NC
19. Mike Weeks-Friendsville, TN
20. Dustin Mitchell-Wilson, NC
21. Wayne Hughes-Charleston, WV
22. Kevin Wilson-Stoneville, NC
23. Mike Marlowe-Nichols, SC
24. Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC
25. Ricky Weeks-Rutherfordton, NC
 
Failing to make the show: Ivedent Lloyd Jr. (Ocala, FL); Dabs Potts (Mt. Airy, GA); Frank Coates (Hodges, SC and Kenny Romminger (Charlotte, NC)
 
Heat One Finish: Steve Francis, Jared Landers, Casey Roberts, Ross Bailes, Chris Madden, Ricky Weeks, Mark Rosner, Roger Hammond, John Garvin Jr.
 
Heat Two Finish: Dennis Franklin, Zack Mitchell, Riley Hickman, Wayne Hughes, Brett Holmes, Doug Sanders, Dustin Mitchell, Mike Marlowe, Jason Hiett
 
Heat Three Finish: Randy Weaver, John Pursley Sr., Jonathan Davenport, Johnny Pursley, Mike Weeks, Kevin Wilson
 
Yellow Flags:  Seven (laps 15, 18, 24, 24RS, 24RS, 24RS, 53)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Landers (1-60)
Fast Time: Casey Roberts-15:228 seconds
Series Provisionals: None
Entries: 29 (from eight states: SC, NC, TN, GA, KY, WV, FL, AL)
Time of Race: 41 minutes, 39 seconds
Hard Charger of the Race: Jason Hiett (advanced 12 positions)
Last Car on Lead Lap Award: Ross Bailes
 
2013 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Championship Point Standings (after March 3rd)
1. Jared Landers-100 (Batesville, AR)
2. Steve Francis-96 (Ashland, KY)
3. Randy Weaver-94 (Crossville, TN)
4. Jonathan Davenport-92 (Blairsville, GA)
5. Dennis Franklin-90 (Gaffney, SC)
6. Johnny Pursley-88 (Clover, SC)
7. John Pursley Sr.-86 (Clover, SC)
8. Zack Mitchell-84 (Enoree, SC)
9. Riley Hickman-82 (Chattanooga, TN)
10. Ross Bailes-80 (Clover, SC)
 
Upcoming Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series events:
Mar. 9 Saturday Cleveland Speedway/Cleveland, TN $10,000 50
Mar. 16 Saturday East Alabama Motor Speedway/Phenix City, AL $4,000 40
Mar. 23 Saturday Smoky Mountain Speedway/Maryville, TN $5,000 40
 
2013 Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series Event Winners:
# 1-Jared Landers-Batesville, AR (Cherokee Speedway) March 3rd