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JCR Promotions
GAFFNEY, S.C. (April 18) - Johnny Pursley captured his first career Southern All Stars EAST victory on a wild Saturday night at Cherokee Speedway. Twenty Six drivers from 7 states signed in for the 40 lap main event. Welcome NC's Austin Dillon set fast time in his Childress Racing #3 by edging out local favorite Rambo Dennis Franklin.
Austin Dillon jumped out to a strong lead early over Rambo Franklin until lap 8 when Franklin retired his popular #2 car pit side with transmission issues. By making the best of double file restarts and early cautions 7th starting Johnny Pursley found himself within striking distance riding in second. Dillon worked the track masterfully keeping Pursley at bay and seemed to be poised for his first ever victory at the famed Cherokee Speedway. Fellow third-row starter Casey Roberts, three time and defending EAST series champion, would continue to put pressure on Pursley for the 2nd position throughout the event. A late race caution on lap 35 would bunch the entire field up for a '5 lap dash for the cash'. Dillon led the field into turn one hard on the gas staying in front of Pursley, but Dillon was unable to save the #3 from spinning out. Jeff Cooke was the only car to suffer damage, and Dillon was able to rejoin the back of the field. Pursley went on to take the win and sole position of 1st place on the SAS East Series. Casey Roberts finished second followed by KY's Jordan Bland, Georgia's Brent Dixon and 21st starting Jim Rasey rounded out the top 5.
SASE Super Late Model Finishing Position, Driver and Starting Position:
1. Johnny Pursley(7), 2. Casey Roberts(6), 3. Jordan Bland(8), 4. Brent Dixon(11), 5. Jim Rasey(21), 6. John Henderson(15), 7. Austin Dillon(1), 8. Donald Bradsher(3), 9. Jared Landers(5), 10. Jay Sessoms(19), 11. Jeff Cooke(4), 12. Ronnie Hoover(16), 13. GR Smith(9), 14. Travis Leake(20), 15. John Pursley(17), 16. Ricky Weeks(14), 17. Randle Chupp(12), 18. Brian Ledbetter(25), 19. Rambo Franklin(2), 20. Jeff Smith(13), 21. Anthony Sanders(23), 22. Furman Parton(10), 23. Mike Gault(18), 24. Colby Cannon(22), 25. Zack Mitchell(24) DNS Ross Bailes
Carolina Driveline Fast Time Award: Austin Dillon
Bailes Construction Hard Charger Award: Jim Rasey (advanced 16 positions)
Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Ross Bailes
Up next the SAS EAST will back at Cherokee Speedway Saturday Night May 15th. For more information about the Southern All Stars EAST Racing Series please visit online at www.southernallstareastseries.com or email contact jammer50@charter.net.
The Southern AllStars East series would like to thank the following sponsors: Hoosier Racing Tire South, NASCAR Technical Institute (www.ntievents.com), Bearden Oil, Cruise of Champions, ASI Sportswear, Big A's Custom Graphics, Bailes Construction, Dominator Race Products and Carolina Driveline.
Prepared by JCRacing Promotions Contact: DirtmanJC@aol.com
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