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Ben Shelton
BEEBE, Ark. (April 8) - The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series opened its 2011 season on Friday night at Beebe Speedway (Beebe, Arkansas) with a 35 lap, $2,000 to win event, and it was first time winner, Allen Murray, who stood in victory lane at the end of the opener.
Twenty-six Super Late Models, representing six states, were on hand for the 2011 lid-lifter, and it would prove to be a race that would not leave the fans disappointed. The JFR Graphics Pole Qualifier was Greenbrier, Arkansas driver, Jack Sullivan, who earned the most points in heat race action in his #1s GRT House Car. He was joined on the front row by Jon Mitchell from Texarkana, Texas, and at the drop of the green flag it was Mitchell, who edged to the narrow lead over Sullivan, Bill Frye, Allen Murray, and Gary Christian. During the opening laps Mitchell would inch away from the field as Sullivan and Frye began a spirited battle for the second spot.
The race would see a series of caution flags during the first half of the event, which kept the leaders in tight quarters, but Mitchell would maintain the top spot. As the field continued to battle two and three wide all eyes would turn to the battle for second as Sullivan and Frye continued an intense battle for the position. Lap 25 would see the culmination of the battle as contact between the two down the backstretch would see Sullivan spin out of control to the top of turn three. After a few intense moments under caution, Sullivan would ultimately decide to retire from the event.
As the field prepared to restart, the top five running order consisted of
Mitchell, Frye, Murray, Christian, and Wendell Wallace, who was making his first appearance in the top five. On the restart, Murray would shoot past Frye for second, and two laps later Frye would bring out the final caution as he slowed in turn two with a flat left rear. He would duck into the pits and rejoin the field for the final five laps.
On the restart, Mitchell would continue to battle a treacherous cushion, and on lap 33 the cushion would claim Mitchell allowing Murray and Wallace to move past. Murray would go on to lead the last two laps to claim the win, but in his excitement of his first win he would spin in turn one after taking the checkered flag causing several drivers to be forced into evasive action including the third place finishing Mitchell who climbed the turn one wall with his car. The final top five in the chaos-filled event would consist of race winner, Allen Murray, Austin Rettig, Jon Mitchell, Wendell Wallace, and Gary Christian.
The Rocket Chassis First Heat was won by Jack Sullivan with Jon Kirby winning the RacingJunk.com Second Heat Race, while Jon Mitchell won the Woodco Inc. Third Heat Race, and Austin Rettig won the fourth and final heat race.
The twin b-mains were won by Curtis Cook and Billy Moyer Jr.
Series provisionals were utilized by Terry Henson and Wesley Crutchfield.
Brandon Smith was the recipient of the Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger Award after advancing from his 17th starting spot to a 7th place finish.
The Quarter Master Hard Luck Award went to Allen Rettig, who saw his car heavily damaged in b-main action.
The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series will see the second night of the weekend double header held on Saturday night at Riverside International Speedway (West Memphis, Arkansas) with the 3rd Annual Bartlett Hardwood Floor Service Spring Fling. The driver's meeting is slated for 6:15 with hot laps to follow. For more information on the event, please visit www.RiversideInternationalSpeedway.com .
COMP Cams Super Dirt Series - April 8th, 2011
Beebe Speedway (Beebe, Arkansas)
Feature Results
1. Allen Murray (San Antonio, Texas)
2. Austin Rettig (Sikeston, Missouri)
3. Jon Mitchell (Texarkana, Texas)
4. Wendell Wallace (Batesville, Arkansas)
5. Gary Christian (Broken Bow, Oklahoma)
6. Kyle Beard (Trumann, Arkansas)
7. Brandon Smith (Floral, Arkansas)
8. Curtis Cook (Vilonia, Arkansas)
9. Dewaine Hottinger (Russellville, Arkansas)
10. Bill Frye (Greenbrier, Arkansas)
11. Johnny Virden (Russellville, Arkansas)
12. Clay Fisher (Dewitt, Arkansas)
13. Terry Henson (North Little Rock, Arkansas)
14. Jeff Sloan (East Prairie,Missouri)
15. Wesley Crutchfield (Prattsville, Arkansas)
16. Shane Stephens (Arlington, Tennessee)
17. Jack Sullivan (Greenbrier, Arkansas)
18. Billy Moyer Jr. (Batesville, Arkansas)
19. Shane Harris (Sheridan, Arkansas)
20. Jon Kirby (Russellville, Arkansas)
DNS: Andy Millican, Ian Samuel, Allen Rettig, Ross Camponovo, Daniel Waters, Keith Lawson
Entries: 26 Representing Six States (AR, MO, OK, TX, TN, MS)
Heat Winners: Jack Sullivan, Jon Mitchell, Jon Kirby, Austin Rettig
JFR Graphics Pole Sitter: Jack Sullivan
Quarter Master Hard Luck Award: Allen Rettig
Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger: Brandon Smith (17th-7th)
COMP Cams Top Performer: Allen Murray
Cautions: 6
Red Flag: 0
Leaders: Jon Mitchell (1-33); Allen Murray (34-35)
The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series is sponsored by and would like to thank all of their sponsors including- COMP Cams, Hoosier Racing Tires, Kuntz & Company, RacingJunk.com, Larry Shaw Race Cars, Quarter Master, GRT Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, Woodco, Inc., JFR Graphics, RiceTec, ROCKHARD Powdercoat, Inc., Mark Martin Auto Group , NEA Supergas, MSR Mafia.com Marketing Services, Tobacco Town Inc., Racing Head Service, Boomland, BSB Manufacturing, Five Star Bodies, Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar Pizza, speedliquidators.com, Schoenfeld Headers, Powerhouse Products, and FSR Racing Products.
For the latest information on the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series, please visit www.COMPDirt.com .
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