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Allen Earl
TAZEWELL, Tenn. (May 22) - For the first time this season race fans were greeted with both comfortable and beautiful weather as they entered the speedway. With the weather finally cooperating the speedway went through the normal pre-race activities and after the track surface was readied the hot laps began. A great field of cars took to the track for qualifications with the Classics leading the way. Logan Dukes was the fastest as he circled the Taz in 14.581 seconds. Taking the track next was the Modified Street class with Jordon Horton grabbing the pole with a 13.788 second lap. The Tazewell Late Models were next and Travis Fultz with a smooth lap of 12.081 seconds grabbed the pole position. The Pure Street drivers were the final group to qualify with Kevin Smith securing the pole with a lap of 14.501 seconds.
The Tazewell Late Models started with Travis Fultz and Brad Hall leading the way. Twice they tried to record a lap but incidents behind the duo kept them from achieving it. With the third time the charm the race began with Fultz getting the lead. After getting one lap in, a five car pile up in turn two slowed the race again. In the middle of it all was Greg Estes who took a hard shot while trying to avoid the mess. Involved in the accident was Marty Calloway, Earl Brimm , Greg Estes, Adam Beeler and Matt Melton. The top three on the restart was Fultz, Hall and Steve Carr. Fultz was able to pull away leaving Hall, Carr and Jason Trammell in his wake. A caution on lap 26 would give the field one more shot at Fultz. It wouldn't matter as Fultz powered away to an impressive win. In the Tazewell Speedway, Pizza Inn victory lane Fultz spoke of his win , "I would like to thank all my sponsors and the good Lord."
1. (T0) Travis Fultz 2. (47) Brad Hall 3. (77) Chris Carr 4. (97) Jason Trammell in Keith Capman's car 5. (56) Jody Horton 6. (G7) Billy Gordon 7. (11) Anthony Arnwine 8. (111) Jay Allan 9. (1) Matt Melton 10. (7) Marty Calloway 11. (15) Mike Rutherford 12. (66) Adam Beeler 13. (31) Greg Estes 14. (86) Matt Shockley 15. (14) Earl Brimm 16. (35) Matt Tharp 17. (24) Andy Wilder 18. (90J) DNQ-DNS
The Classics were the first to attack the track with Phillip Shockley and Logan Dukes making up the front row. Thirteen cars drove into turn one with Shockley leading the way. Coming through the field was the Joe Keck who challenged the two up front as they battled nose to tail. A caution slowed the action on lap eight but on the restart the Robbie Sands was after the third spot. Another caution on lap 12 closed the field up and they would battle to see who would cross the line first. The two up front battled side by side with Shockley gaining a small edge and taking his first ever win. Shockley talked in victory lane following his win, "It feels so good to get my first win here. I have to thank all my help and my wife."
1. (34) Phillip Shockley 2. (6) Logan Dukes 3. (8) Joe Keck 4. (17) Robbie Sands 5. (4) Tom Conoway 6. (5) Chuck McMahan 7. (2) Ron Rudder 8. (9) Wayne Dukes 9. (23) Wayne Holbert 10. (3) Mark Dukes 11. (XXX) Josh Chesney 12. (555) Ryan Carey 13. (22) Michael Holbert 14. (5) Robbie Sands DNS 15. (88) Ed Merriman DNS
Up next was the Four-Cylinders with Joey Allen, Bubby Braden and Steve Lee leading the pack to the green. The race however, came to a sudden halt when Steve Lee barrell rolled several times down the backstretch after contact with the wall. He climbed out of the destroyed car with only a few cuts and bruises. Chuck McMahan relentlessly tried to catch Allen lap after lap but spun on the 12th lap in turn two. Brad Pressley moved into second but three laps later McMahan was back in second. Allen had too big of a lead and drove away to the victory. McMahan and Pressley finished second and third with Bubby Braden in fourth. Next week the class will be driving for a 500 dollar first place check sponsored by Ford Trucking of Cosby, Tennessee.
1. (A00) Joey Allen 2. (99) Chuck McMahan 3.(19) Brad Pressley 4. (B7) Bubby Braden 5. (97) Steve Lee 6. (A27) Allen Holloway
On the track next was the fan favorite modified Street class with Jordon Horton and Clyde Overholt on the front row. Horton led the pack into turn one and started to take control but the caution flag flew before the second lap was completed when Robbie Buchannon found himself facing the wrong way. The race restarted with Horton, Overholt and Warren McMahan being the top three. By lap 13 Horton was in lap traffic and handled it like a veteran of the class. Horton crossed the line first with Overholt and McMahan securing second and third.
1. 56H JORDAN HORTON
2. 4 CLYDE OVERHOLT
3. 33 WARREN McMAHAN
4. 26 ANTHONY MORGAN
5. 56 TONY HORTON
6. XXX JOSH CHESNEY
7. 17H DEVIN HELTON
8. P21 ROBBIE BUCHANAN
9. 74 STEVE WILDER
10. 54 LARRY BURKE
11. JESSE HELTON
12. SCOTT ADKINS
13. 21 RICHIE CAREY
14. 24 ALLEN HOLT
15. 77 CHRIS COLLINSWORTH DNS
The night's final race was the Pure Street division. On the front row was Kevin Smith and Jonathan Miracle. Smith looked like he had everything under control until lap 6. The leaders hit lap traffic and soon after a five car accident blocked the track. Smith made it through with Miracle just behind him. Tracy Wolf, Mike Daniels, Ray Jarnigan, Jason Long and Steve Smith were all involved. The race resumed with Kevin Smith, Steve Smith and Jason Long the top three. On lap eight Kevin Smith broke giving the lead to Steve Smith who broke Jason Long's win streak. Long settled for second and Daniels finished third.
1. (2) Steve Smith 2. (15) Jason Long 3. (12) Mike Daniels 4. (11) Tracy Wolf 5. (41) Jonathan Miracle 6. (77) John Stevens 7. (22) Charlie Davidson 8. (58) Kevin Smith 9. (66) Daniel Reece 10. (77) Ray Jarnigan 11. (11) Toby Turner 12. (8) Mike Kelley 13. (39) Johnny Miller DNS 14. (16) Will Carey DNS 15. (3) Eddie Simpson DNS
Next week is Kid's Night as both boys and girls ages 6-9 and 10-13 will have the chance to compete in foot races with the grand prize being a bike and trophy. Each runner will receive a T-Shirt compliments of Tazewell Speedway and Lincoln Memorial University. In addition to the foot races there will be Fireworks and all classes will be running. On June 4th the speedway will welcome the Lucas Oil dirtcars to town as they aim to win a cool ten-thousand dollar first place check. The Modified Street, Classics and Pure Street divisions will also run. There will be fireworks on this night also. For additional information on these races log on to www.tazewellspeedway.net.
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