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Steve Hixson
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (April 19) - The Top Tracks Crate Late Model Challenge series, presented by Carl Black Chevrolet opened up the 2008 season, Saturday night at Cleveland (TN) Speedway. The $2,000. to-Win "CLEVELAND ALUMINUM 40" saw 40 entries from four southern states represent to field. Local Cleveland racer Todd Morrow, teammate to reigning series champion Jake Knowles, kept the midnight fires burning, preparing his Crate motor for competition, even missing a big $3,000. to-Win SLM race, Friday nearby. It all paid off in the end, as the green and black # T1 "Car Smart Auto Sales, Cleveland Aluminum" sponsored racecar, raced past, the outside pole sitter, Derrick Rainey for the win on a lap 4 restart.
"We wanted to do this right…" stated Morrow in victory lane, referring to competing for the TTCCs title in 2008. "The car handled real well and I like to thank, dad (Cleveland Speedway owner/promoter Monty Morrow) for giving us such a great track to race on tonight and all my family and crew for their support." Morrow concluded by thanking his sponsors and the fans for coming out to the races. Single lap qualifying kicked things off, with Rex Richey returning to his old stompin' grounds. The Tazewell, TN transplant clocked a 14:655 as the fifth overall qualifier, but that would not get it done, as three of the next five competitors on the track lowered the times. Morrow would hold on to the fast time until another Tazewell, TN racer hit the mark. Brad Hall in the yellow # 47 "Gary Hall Chevrolet" sponsored racecar turned a 14:152 second lap. Only Rainey in the # 87 "Barto Enterprises" racecar would be faster than Morrow as the Powder Springs, GA racer hit a 14:237 taking the "FRONT-ROW JOE" status.
With the Top 10 locked-in from qualifying, three "Last Chance / Consi.'s were set. Bobby Mayse (2008 Ice Bowl champ) in the # 22 "Mayse Construction" racecar won from the pole, the first race, bringing with him third starting Randy Hill and JJ Nye. Seth Wimpy held on for the final transfer spot over Craig Burrows. The 2nd race Richey won from the pole, with Robby Mason coming to 2nd, after starting 4th. Outside pole starter David Tindell was 3rd with Brian Burke racing all the way from 7th for the final transfer spot, over Jim-Bob Davis. The 3rd and final consi., had Chip Brindle on the pole, which he won without incident. Local racers Chris Beavers and Glen Seaton transferred, with Alan Brewer taking the 4th and final spot. Chris Fennell and Bob Gibby got in to the feature using series provisionals.
Hall and Rainey led the field to green, with Rainey and Morrow taking off, leaving Hall to battle 3rd place with the "B-MAN" Brian Jackson in the # B4 "Covebase Evans Automotive" sponsored racecar, whose been touted easily as the most improved racer so far this season. Brett Wyatt got the first caution nod, stalling his machine on the deuce. After a quick restart, Richey began billowing smoke from underneath his racecar, just outside the Top 10. Lap 4 would be his end and Morrow's beginning. Rainey failed to come up to speed after the green flag waved and Morrow took advantage, and the lead all in one SMASH OF THE LOUD PEDAL. Jackson did the same to Hall and quickly pressured Rainey's position. Hall's night would wind out 9 laps later, while running 4th, but not before Blake Stewart, Mayse and Todd Murphy were through battling.
Robby Mason and Tindell crashed through what can only be suggested as an unforeseen circumstance, on the back straight-away. Both were uninjured but out of competition. On a lap 14 restart for a Nye/Wimpy caution, Rainey was showing some strength, staying on Morrow, though unable to make a pass. Late in the going 6th overall qualifier Chuck Padgett ended his run, winding up the 18th finisher. Wimpy continued having problems and minor cautions, while the # 38C "Brindle Bros." sponsored racecar of Brindle kept his mount chargin' to the front passing many racecars from his 13th starting spot.
A torrid battle as the laps waned, went on between Stewart, Mayes, Brindle and Super Late Model winner David Payne. As the checkers flew over Morrow, Rainey and Jackson corralled second and third respectfully. A close finish for Top 5 honors showed Brindle (in 4th) ahead of a last lap tussle that had Mayse, finishing just ahead of Stewart. The next event scheduled for the Top Tracks Crate Challenge series is at Rome (GA) Speedway on May 25th. The series returns to the Cleveland (TN) Speedway on August 15th. For more information visit the series web-site at www.toptrackschallenge.com.
Official Top Tracks Crate Challenge series Results
4/19/08 - 40 Laps - $2,000. to-Win
1. Todd Morrow (# T1) of Cleveland, TN
2. Derrick Rainey (# 87) of Powder Springs, GA
3. Brian Jackson (# B4) of Chatsworth, GA
4. Chip Brindle (# 38C) of Chatsworth, GA
5. Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison, TN
6. Blake Stewart (# 04) of Centre, AL
7. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC
8. Kevin Burke (# B39) of Chatsworth, GA
9. John Owenby (# 48) of Cleveland, TN
10. Alan Brewer (# 22) of Lilburn, GA
11. Chris Beavers (# 037) of Cleveland, TN
12. JJ Nye (# 55) of Ballground, GA
13. Todd Murphy (# 20) of Rome, GA
14. Bob Gibby (# 34) of Douglasville, GA
15. Chris Fennell (# C87) of Dallas, GA
16. Glen Seaton (# 27) of Cleveland, TN
17. Seth Wimpy (# 24) of Morganton, GA
18. Chuck Padgett (# 34) of Charlotte, TN
19. Randy Hill (# 17) of Dalton, GA
20. Robby Mason (# 1S) of Hixson, TN
21. David Tindell (# 111) of Fort Oglethorpe, GA
22. Brad Hall (# 47) of Tazewell, TN
23. Rex Richey (# 87) of Tazewell, TN
24. Brett Wyatt (# 17) of Crossville, TN
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