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Steve Hixson
CHATSWORTH, Ga. (July 11) - The 1999 O'Reilly Southern All-Star champ Jamie Perry won Friday nights 30 lap Super Late Model tune-up race, in preparation for next weekends TRIPLEHEADER that kicks off three nights of racing action. North Georgia Speedway returned to action after a two-week break in preparation for next Friday's (July 18th) $5,000. to-WIN big show, with a full show highlighted by the Pony Mid-Season Championship along with racing in all 5 divisions. Gone is the familiar red # P4, as the RINGGOLD KID now pilots a black # 16 'TJ Hunt Trucking, Choo Choo Materials' sponsored, Rayburn / Clements powered, Chevrolet Monte Carlo racecar. With thirteen (13) racers set, qualifying took to the track and 15 time track champion Gary Mcpherson again show his prowless as the current SLM points leader clocked the only 12 second lap of the field, as the second car to time. Unfortunately for G-MAC his dominance would end with mechanical problems, during the 1st of 2 heat races. Third overall fast qualifier Brad Coffey would win the heat with Riley Hickman and Preston Graves following. Perry was the dominant force of heat # 2 as the 2nd fast qualifier held off Eddie Blackmon, whom was making his CLUB NASTY FAST 2008 debut. Blackmon held off Rome racing icon Buster Goss in the 8 lap affair.
Coffey and Perry took their first 'FRONT ROW JOE' honors, the field took to green. Goss matchsticked the turn two fence and caused a major pile-up of the first lap that almost sent Brad Kennedy into a TOMMY TIP-OVER. With everyone recooperating, the lead duo again took green and this time it was Coffey slamming the can on Perry for the lead in turn one. Coffey kept point fine, until lap 9 when back-marker traffic entered the picture. Davy Davis, who struggled from the onset, Kennedy and Scott Hall went a lap down to the leaders early as Perry kept pressure grinding down. Hickman disposed of Blackmon and chased down Perry and Coffey but could never muster the power necessary for a pass. At the halfway point Perry continued hounding Coffey as Cody Barnett and Derek Ellis raced for 6th, a half of a straight-away ahead of the leaders. Just pasted the 2/3rds mark, Perry and Hickman were poised upon Coffey's spoiler, when Barnett entered the frame. Perry struck on lap 23 and took the lead offically on the next circuit. Coffey made a legitiment chase but Perry extended his stride and took the checkers. Perry now joins current Cleveland Speedway SLM points leader as the only ones to be able to claim checkers at both Monty Morrow promoted facilities in 2008. Coffey held off Hickman for the runner-up nod with Graves and Blackmon rounding out the top 5.
In the Special Pony Mid-Season Championship, FLYIN' Bryan Courtney held of South Carolina invader Jackie Holder for the win. Billy Callahan raced to the 3rd place finish in the 10 car field. The Hobby feature was won by Greg Ledford. The Bomber feature was win by Tom Peters and in the Limited/Crate division, fast qualifier Daven Dilbeck defeated Rick Hixson and 16 other competitors for the 20 lap feature. Next Friday night the O'SAS will be in competition for a $5,000. to-WIN feature, along with all other classes. For more information, including complete full field rundowns visit the tracks web-site at www.northgeorgiaspeedway.com
SLM Official Results
30 Laps $1,200. to-Win
1. Jamie Perry (# 16) of Ringgold, GA
2. Brad Coffey (# 88) of Maryville, TN
3. Riley Hickman (# R1) of Ooltewah, TN
4. Preston Graves (# 105) of Murphy, NC
5. Eddie Blackmon (# 1) of Dallas, GA
6. Derek Ellis (# 99) of Chatsworth, GA
7. Cody Barnett (# 18) of Ringgold, GA
8. Buster Goss (# 24) of Rome, GA
9. Scott Hall (# 07) of Calhoun, GA
10. Billy Reeves (# 22) of Chatsworth, GA
11. Brad Kennedy (# K15) of Chatsworth, GA
12. Davy Davis (# D11) of Tunnel Hill, GA
DNS. Gary McPherson (# 29) of Dalton, GA
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