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REFREEZE: ICE BOWL REPEAT DEFENDERS
INVADE TALLADEGA THIS JANUARY
Steve Hixson
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (December 22) -- For almost 20-years the Talladega (AL) Short Track has kicked off the new year with the annual ICE BOWL. For dirt track racers, fans and industry insiders this January, there'll be no difference. A record of over 400 raceteams was recorded a few years back for the clay-facility that's across the street from the NASCAR Superspeedway. Different divisions compete throughout a 4-day race weekend for large moneyed purses and their coveted trophies of ice. Slated for the second weekend of January in 2010, action will begin Thursday the 7th and conclude (with feature races) on Sunday the 10th. Ray Cook is expected to defend his 2009 crown and will be a strong competitor, based from his 1st season with the D&R Motorsports team from Crossville, Tennessee. A few other Tennessee based teams are expected to route strong finishes, as Cleveland's Billy Mayo and nearby Harrison's Bobby Mayse are among recent Super Late Model victors.
A pair of Georgian's, a cajun and a local Alabama hot-shoe (ALL) hold the record for the most ICE BOWL crowns. Before taking to the World of Outlaw Late Model series touring stage Shane Clanton of Locust Grove collected two (2) ICE BOWL trophy's. While riding a hot-streak that included his $25,000. NATIONAL 100 win, in November 1995, Jody Summerville took the first of his two (2) ICE BOWL trophies two months later in 96'. Kenny Merchant of Louisiana has two under his belt and as for the local, the DOMINATOR; Danny Peoples of nearby Margaret, has won it twice. Joel Rice of North Carolina shocked and awed the 2006 crowd sweeping all events at the 15th edition of the Jack Frost Classic, while Frank Ingram, THE HEADMAN Mike Head and Kentuckian Terry English also have taken ICE BOWL honors in the modern era of this decade. As for long-ago ICE BOWL victories, names like Ronnie Johnson, Dale McDowell and HANDSOME Stan Massey make the list. For more details on the 2OIO rendetion of the ICE BOWL the tracks web-site has that information. Visit www.talladegashorttrack.com for start times and gate prices.
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