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Steve Hixson
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (May 31) - For the second time in 2008 MURPHY MAFIA member David Payne (THE COACH) of Murphy, NC, has taken the Cleveland (TN) Speedway Super Late Model checkers. The win will help support the high cost of diapers for new Brinkley Reese Payne, whom was delivered to the family, just over 3 weeks ago. The win, Payne's 3rd overall in 2008, didn't come easy, as the # 8 'Payne Racing Tire, Base Racing Fuel & Oils, Gibson Motorsports' sponsored MasterSbilt / Racetek, Pontiac Gran Prix had to reel in early race leader Derek Ellis for second, then catch ICE BOWL champ / leader Bobby Mayse for the victory. At racetime sixteen (16) SLM's had signed in for the races and it was Lamar Scoggins blistering the qualifying field with a 14:146. In heat # 1 Scoggins fell to second as outside pole sitter Mayse got the lead. Ten Mile, TN racer Jeff Franklin turned in a solid 3rd place performance behind the 3rd and fast qualifier. Heat # 2 had all the drama, anyone could ask for as Todd Morrow and Kevin Gibson jumped three starting attempts, only to be regulated back a row. Gibson was DQ'ed and subsequently parked his ride for the night. North Georgia Speedway's Friday night winner THE DITCHDIGGER found himself the 'cat-birds seat' for the feature by winning heat #2 after qualifying 8th fastest overall.
As the FRONT ROW JOE starters Mayse and Ellis rolled to the green flag it's was looking like a repeat winner might emerge from Friday night's SLM 30 lapper in the form of the Ellis' # 99. Preston Graves and Morrow picked up their battle from the heat race, early on, with Morrow taking 5th. Scoggins then found himself full of Morrow on lap 7 as the # T1 slipped under in turn 4 for 4th. By lap 9, Ellis was being bullied by Mayse for the lead and the duo went side by side for the next two circuits. Mayse found the lead on lap 14, handing Ellis packing with Payne fresh on his spoiler for the runner-up spot. Four laps later Payne had disposed of the early race leader and began working on Mayse. Morrow was on Ellis by this time for 3rd, but Scoggins slipped by in traffic at the 2/3rds mark to regain 4th. With the leader in back marker traffic, Payne drew close to Mayse as it seemed the race might go 'non-stop' caution free. On lap 25 Payne took the lead only to have caution fly for Jason Welshan and Keith Frazier down the back straight-away on lap 26. The pass and scored lap were confirmed by track officials and Payne kept the lead for the restart. Mayse held off Ellis for second, with Scoggins and Morrow rounding out the top 5 finishers.
In other racing action: Rick Hixson and last weeks winner the NATURE BOY Chris Beavers went wheel to wheel for the 20 lap LLM/Crate feature. Beavers suffered a late race flat tire and caused a pile-up for the lead that sent Craig Burrows to the pits after a solid performance. Hixson held off a strong challenge from the B-MAN Brian Jackson, for his 'DOUBLE-PLAY' prize, winning N. GA's Friday LLM/Crate $1,000. special race. Danny Pippen, Brian Pritchard and Beavers rounded out the top 5 unoffically. Billy Bailey won the FWD feature, Patrick Harvey was finally defeated in the B-Hobby feature, by Michael Anderson. Tanner Works won the A-Hobby feature and Grady Stokes pulled off another 'DOUBLE PLAY' prize winning the Pony Stock feature, narrowly over Danny Burnette. Next Saturday night the Cleveland Speedway host all divisions, plus the LLM/Crate racers will race for the $1,000. to-Win Mid-Season Championship race. Also this coming Saturday night, all comers are invited to the track 1st ever 'Orr Produce' sponsored WHEELBARROW race. One person in the wheelbarrow and one person pushing, winner takes home cash money. For more information log on the the tracks web-site www.clevelandspeedway.com
Official SLM Results 5/31/08
30 Laps $1,200. to-Win
1. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC
2. Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison, TN
3. Derek Ellis (# 99) of Chatsworth, GA
4. Lamar Scoggins (# 32) of Cleveland, TN
5. Todd Morrow (# T1) of Cleveland, TN
6. Preston Graves (# 105) of Murphy, NC
7. Randy Burrows (# 95) of Chattanooga, TN
8. Shawn Reece (# 16) of Harrison, TN
9. Jeff Franklin (# J12) of Ten Mile, TN
10. Dewayne Powell (# 79) of Chattanooga, TN
11. Nick Yancy (# N7) of Soddy Daisy, TN
12. Keith Frazier (# 11) of Cleveland, TN
13. Jason Welshan (# 29) of Maryville, TN
14. Dewayne Pesterfield (# 22) of Lenior City, TN
15. David Gamble (# 27) of Ooltewah, TN
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