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Steve Hixson
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (November 20) - Just like the 2010 season opener, the Cleveland (TN) Speedway season finale was closed by racer Jonathan Davenport of Blairesville, GA whom picked up the $5,000, "GOBBLER 22" title Saturday night, leading all 50 laps of the Southern All-Star "A" Main Feature race. The racer known (around insiders) as SUPERMAN, flew around the dirt track with immense precision hold off Illinois' racer Dennis Erb Jr. and eventual runner-up Clint Smith. "We kicked off 2010 here and this is a nice way to wrap up our SLM program this year, with a victory" stated JD on the front-stretch, after the races conclusion. At racetime 32 Super Late Models signed-in for the 22nd annual JOE LEE JOHNSON MEMORIAL / GOBBLER event. It seemed Davenport was to be fastest of the field, til the 2nd to the last qualifier (Erb) took to the track. Erb clocked a 14:239 lap, handing Davenport the outside FRONT ROW JOE starting position. Skip Arp set 3rd quickest time with Knoxville's Mark Douglas and Louisiana's Scott Creel rounding out the Top 5 racers. Five-time DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPION Freddy Smith led the charge of qualifiers 6th thru 10th, with 2011 newly announced teammates Brian Reese and Clint Smith, David Payne and Shane Clanton all getting locked-in to the feature based on their qualifying times.
Race Photos - Gobbler/Joe Lee Johnson Memorial
In the 1st of two "B" Mains; Mike Hill took on recent GRANT ADCOX MEMORIAL race winner Riley Hickman. Following them across the finish were Benji Cole, local Ringgold, GA racer Kevin Gibson, Brett Wyatt and Jake Knowles. B-Main #2 saw ROCKET-BOY Tommy Kerr dance with Chatsworth, GA racer Derek Ellis. Chad Ogle, points leader Randy Weaver, Jeff Neubert and Billy Ogle Jr. rounded out the transferee's. Kentucky's Doug Smith and West Virginia's Daniel Baggerly took S.A.S provisionals to get "A" Main starting positions 23 & 24. After the traditional 4-WIDE SALUTE to the fans, Davenport rocketed into the lead from his CAT-BIRDS SEAT leaving pole sitter Erb to battle Mark Douglas. Sixth starting F. Smith rears caution #1 on Lap #1 with a flat tire and damage to the rear after contact with C. Ogle. Douglas makes quick work of Erb on the restart, taking over second til D. Smith rears a solo caution on lap 12. This restart and Erb continues to hold Douglas while CAT-DADDY and Arp battle for 4th place. Just past half-way Erb finally shows some strength and get by Douglas, only to have a flat and have to pit for a new tire. Inside 10 remaining and C. Smith comes to life passing Douglas. Too little, too late as Davenport strolls to victory despite one final caution with three laps remaining. Behind JD and CAT is Payne and Arp.
The $2,500 LLM/Crate "A" Main feature was won by former ICE BOWL champion Bobby Mayse of Harrison, TN in the # 22 "Mayse Construction" GRT racecar. Knoxville's Mark Rosner was 2nd, with Crossville's Brandon Williams 3rd. Steve Smith of Powell was 4th and local racer Rick Hixson was 5th. There were 36 LLM/Crate's signed in for Friday's preliminary action. Booger Brooks of Chattanooga, won both the $1,000 A-Hobby race and the $1,000 B-Hobby race. Michael Courtney of Knoxville won the Pony feature worth $1,000 and Donald Forgey of Cleveland won the FWD porton of the JOE LEE JOHNSON MEMORIAL / GOBBLER weekend. For more information on Cleveland Speedway visit www.clevelandspeedway.com. The 2011 season is tentative to kick-off in March with the annual SHAMROCK 60 event.
Official Results (Pending Tire Tests)
S.A.S GOBBLER 22 - 11/20/2010
1. Jonathan Davenport (# 49) of Blairesville, GA $5,000
2. Clint Smith (# 44) of Senoia, GA $2,500
3. Mark Douglas (# 52D) of Knoxville, TN $1,800
4. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC $1,400
5. Skip Arp (# 97) of Georgetown, TN $1,000
6. Shane Clanton (# 25) of Locust Grove, GA $900
7. Tommy Kerr (# 4T) of Maryville, TN $800
8. Jake Knowles (# A19) of Tyrone, GA $700
9. Derek Ellis (# 99) of Chatsworth, GA $600
10. Randy Weaver (# 116) of Crossville, TN $500
11. Brian Reese (# 33) of Sharpesburg, GA $475
12. Billy Ogle Jr. (# 4B) of Knoxville, TN $450
13. Dennis Erb Jr. (# 28) of Carpentarsville, IL $425
14. Riley Hickman (# R1) of Ooltewah, TN $400
15. Chad Ogle (# 10) of Sevierville, TN $350
16. Scott Creel (# 31) of Franklinton, LA $300
17. Brett Wyatt (# 17) of Crossville, TN $300
18. Kevin Gibson (# M45) of Ringgold, GA $300
19. Jeff Neubert (# 68) of Rockwood, TN $300
20. Daniel Baggerly (# 16) of Rural Retreat, VA $300
21. Doug Smith (# 45) of Summerset, KY $300
22. Mike Hill (# 11) of Rockwood, TN $300
23. Benji Cole (# 21) of Cannon, GA $300
24. Freddy Smith (# 00) of Seymour, TN $300
DNS: Dennis Barton, Doug King, George Mashburn, Jeff Franklin, Johnny Chastain, Shawn Chastain, Ruben Mayfield
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