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Steve Hixson
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (July 17) - Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, AL came to the Cleveland (TN) Speedway, Saturday night, seeking a lil' Southern All-Star retribution. The 2009 series runner-up dominated and stomped the competition right into the ground sweeping the BUDWEISER: JEAN JOHNSON MEMORIAL event, leading all 50 laps after setting fast time. The night before down in nearby Chattanooga, 'Right-Foot' Ronny Lee fell less than 10-laps shy of pocketing the winners check, but Saturday it was all the #18 "Waddle Trucking, Kelley Electrical Contractors" sponsored Billy Moyer Victory Circle / Vic Hill powered racer, holding back strong challenges from MURPHY MAFIA leader David Payne and eventually WoOLM series regular Shane Clanton. July 17 Race Photos
Qualifying saw twenty-fice (25) Super Late Models enter the nights $5,000 to-WIN event. Hollingsworth would prove Friday was no fluke by setting fast time again for the second consecutive S.A.S event. Local North Georgia racer Derrick Ellis was second quick, which gave the DITCHDIGGER the CAT-BIRDS SEAT for the "A" Main. The COACH (Payne) was 3rd quick with Clanton, Mark Vineyard, Freddy Smith, Brad Coffey, Friday's winner Randy Weaver, Skip Arp and Brandon Kinzer all locked in on their qualifying efforts. Mike Hill won the first of two "B" Main Consi's, with Kevin Gibson making his 2010 Cleveland Speedway debut winning the 2nd 10-lap race.
With the stage set the S.A.S braized around the track with a FOUR-WIDE SALUTE for the late FIRST-LADY of Cleveland Speedway (Jean Johnson) just prior to the green flag. Ellis got the outside line momentum and seem to carry the lead into turn three, but Hollingsworth had other ideas. Off of turn 4 RIGHT-FOOT charged under Ellis and into the lead with Payne, Clanton and Smith following. Yellow pladded the field first for both consi winners Hill and Gibson. Payne and took on Ellis on the restart and then began a BLOOD-HOUND TRACKING REGIMENT upon leader Hollingsworth. A few laps later and Ellis pulled up lame off the front straight-away and would be done for the night in a dismal 20th place.
Jake Knowles fought hard from outside the Top 5 with Weaver and THE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN, but it was Texan Chris Brown making most of the DIXIE DOUBLE-FILE RESTARTS. All eyes were trained on Payne who was smoking profusely through the turns and yet still seemed to be catching the leader. Brown and Smith went wheel to wheel for the final few circuits, but it was Clanton getting the better of the final restart on lap 39 to get ahead of Payne for the final circuits.
Official Results: Pending Tire Results
20th JEAN JOHNSON MEMORIAL
Southern All-Stars Series
1. Ronny Lee Hollingsworth (# 18) of Northport, AL
2. Shane Clanton (# 25) of Locust Grove, GA
3. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC
4. Randy Weaver (# 116) of Crossville, TN
5. Chris Brown (# 21) of Spring, TX
6. Freddy Smith (# 00) of Seymour, TN
7. Jake Knowles (# 66) of Tyrone, GA
8. Mark Vineyard (# 4) of Powell, TN
9. Chad Ogle (# 10) of Sevierville, TN
10. Skip Arp (# 31) of Georgetown, TN
11. Brandon Kinzer (# 18) of Allen, KY
12. Scott Creel (# 31) of Franklinton, LA
13. Brad Coffey (# 88) of Maryville, TN
14. Daniel Baggerly (# 16) of Rural Retreat, VA
15. Kerry Jones (# 6) of Bristol, TN
16. Doug Smith (# 45) of Somerset, KY
17. Shannon Buckingham (# 50) of Morristown, TN
18. Kayne Hickman (# H3) of Soddy Daisy, TN
19. Todd Morrow (# T1) of East Ridge, TN
20. Derek Ellis (# 99) of Chatsworth, GA
21. Jamie Perry (# P4) of Ringgold, GA
22. Kevin Gibson (# M45) of Ringgold, GA
23. Mike Hill (# 11) of Rockwood, TN
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