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Steve Hixson
CHATSWORTH, Ga. (March 22) - Chattanooga racer Randy Burrows returned to the place he got his career first Super Late Model victory, the North Georgia Speedway, in Dalton/Chatsworth, Saturday night and kicked off his season in grand-style. The pilot of the # 95 "ParkerStore, Southern Fluid Power, AllState Larry Burrows" sponsored GRT / Race Engine Design, Pontiac GTO raced from his outside front-row start, in the 30-lap SLM feature, past pole sitter Todd Morrow to win the first race of the 2008 season. Burrows was elated about getting his first win of the season, after shaking down the racecar at the BAMA BASH a few weeks earlier with a 16th place finish to his friend and mentor Dale McDowell.
At race-time Saturday afternoon, twenty-five racers had signed into the top carded SLM class, with young / rookie racer, twenty year old Lee Gray setting fast-time during qualifying. Former Cleveland (TN) Speedway Track Champion Todd Morrow of Cleveland, would oust Gray in heat #1. Kevin Gibson, 2008 Ice Bowl Champ Bobby Mayse, Jerry Bradley and Brad Coffey would finish ahead of the struggling fast qualifier Gray. Burrows backed up his second fast qualifying lap, holding off "The FLATROCK FLASH" Robert Gant. Reigning and Multi- Track Champion Gary McPherson would finish third to outside front-row starter Jake Knowles, with Bobby Giffen rounding out the top five.
As the green flag waved over the field Morrow and Burrows would drag-race side by side for the opening bell. With Morrow by inches, "offically" Burrows pulled ahead on the "duece" and stretched his legs for what was going to seem to be a "NON-STOP N. GA ROMP". The duo would lead, Gibson and McPherson, in third and fourth by eight car-lengths early, as back-marker traffic began intervening at lap 9. Caution finally appeared on lap 22 as Gibson/McPherson slugged it out for the third place spot. On the attempted restart, disaster was narrow dirveted, when Giffen bounced off the back-stretch wall and stalled at turn 3 directly infront of the field. Three laps later Chris Barnett spun his ride with the final caution riding when Coffey slammed the wall in turn 2 with two to go. Morrow strong-armed Burrows a time or two, but to no avail and finished second Gibson, McPherson and Mayse followed, rounding up the top five, across the stripe under the checkers.
Next weekend, N. GA Speedway opens on its regularly scheduled race night (FRIDAY's) with the rescheduled $5,000. to-WIN, Ernest Young Memorial race, presented by the O'Reilly Southern All-Star series. N. GA Speedway is located in Chatsworth, Ga. and is a third-mile clay oval featuring dirt track racing at it's best from March to October. The track address is 300 N. Georgia Rd. Chatsworth, Ga. 30705. Coming South on I-75 take Hwy. 52 (Exit 333) east approx. 11 miles to Hwy. 225. Go South on 225 approx. 6 miles. Track is on the right. Coming North on I-75 take Hwy. 225 (Exit 317) North just 13 miles. The track is on your left. For more information including area motels go to www.northgeorgiaspeedway.com
Official Results: 3/22/08
30 Laps / Super Late Models
1. Randy Burrows (# 95) of Chattanooga, TN
2. Todd Morrow (# T1) of Cleveland, TN
3. Kevin Gibson (# M45) of Ringgold, GA
4. Gary McPherson (# 29M) of Dalton, GA
5. Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison, TN
6. Jake Knowles (# 66) of Tyrone, GA
7. Robert Gant (# 22) of Flat Rock, AL
8. Shon Flanery (# 28) of Mount Carmel, TN
9. Lee Sutton (# L7) of Taylorsville, GA
10. Billy Mayo (# 115) of Cleveland, TN
11. Brad Kennedy (# K15) of Chatsworth, GA
12. Jerry Bradley (# B25) of Dalton, GA
13. Cody Barnett (# 18) of Ringgold, GA
14. Chris Barnett (# 21) of Ringgold, GA
15. Shawn Reece (# 16) of Harrison, TN
16. Mid Durham (# 98) of Chickamagua, GA
17. John Winge (# 17J) of Chattanooga, TN
18. Keith Frazier (# 11) of Cleveland, TN
19. Buster Goss (# 24) of Rome, GA
20. Lee Gray (# 11) of Tunnel Hill, GA
21. Brad Coffey (# 88) of Friendsville, TN
22. Davy Davis (# D11) of Tunnel Hill, GA
23. Bobby Giffin (# 97) of Maryville, TN
DNS: Bear Patterson (# D7) & Riley Hickman (# R1)
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