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Steve Hixson
RINGGOLD, Ga. (October 10) - The recent WORLD 100 champ Shane Clanton entered the Boyd's Speedway Southern Regional Racing series Friday night along with a huge contingent of 47 other Super Late Model teams representing seven (7) states. Clanton staring from inside Row 5, charged to the front of the race by lap 12 and made the winning pass on outside pole sitter Byron Michael, bringing the capacity NOOGA-NATION crowd to their feet. 'I was hear a year or so ago' Clanton told the crowd, 'and man they (Richard and Robert Harvey) sure have turned this place into a first class facility.' Clanton continued 'the car worked everywhere, it was rough, but very racey' as the Locust Grove, Georgian concluded by stating he looked forward bringing the # 25 'RSD Enterprises, SAE Parts Inc., Stevens Plumbing' sponsored Rocket / Custom powered Pontiac GTO back for more races in 2009.
Star Grafix & Signs group qualifying took to the track shortly after hot laps for the four (4) groups. Group one saw the night's overall fast time get dished out, when Brandon King hit the track. The Decatur, Alabama racer clocked a 14:000 second mark with his # 14 'Empire, Blue Dolphin Pools & Spask, Rheem' sponsored MasterSbilt / Lincoln Co. Auto Parts, Chevrolet Monte Carlo. It looked as Jay Brinkley would be the other qualifier locked in, but SRRs president and founder Tony Morris had other ideas. Brinkley and Clanton were left from the Group 1 as the 3rd and 4th qualifiers earning front row start in Consi. # 1. Also locked in from group qualifying were; fan favorite Dale McDowell, Corey Posey , Seth Daniel, THE RATTLER Justin Rattliff, Bryon Michael (second overall qualifier) and Eric Hickerson.
Consi's. that would make most promotors drool took to the track to set the remainder of the 24 car starting grid. Clanton beat Brinkley for the 9th starting grid spot, while the DIRTY WHITE BOY and Brandon Kinzer battle local racers. Kayne Hickman, Tony Knowles and 18-year old Cody Barnett battled, but fell short at the 12 lap checkered flag. Consi. # 2 saw local steel-head late model racer Mike Tinker take the win. The LAW-MAN defeated Jimmy Tucker, Ray Cook (in a GRT) and Anthony Hill, of which all earned transfer spots. Riley Hickman won Consi. # 3 as only the top three (3) transferred. David Payne was 2nd with another local steel-head racer Jerry Coffman earning a transfer position. The last consi. was dominated by Kentuckian Brandon Kinzer, with T.J. Alford and Todd Morrow holding off CAT-DADDY Clint Smith, Shon Flannery and pole sitter Robert Gant for the final three (3) spots.
With the 24 car starting field on the track the SRRs group thrilled the fans with a 4-wide salute before Thundering to the green flag of Jerry Lewis. Michael took command putting the # B17 'TNT Fireworks, Speed Plex Racing Products, Horne Salvage' sponsored, Rocket / Performance Connection powered Pontiac GTO out front as Morris began his march passing King for second early. After an early caution, that saw Alford spin in turn two, Tinker and Tucker collided ending boths night prematurely. McDADDY's night ended early also with mechanical issues right in front of Kinzer whom ended up making contact with the slowing racer. Rattliff driving one of Michael England's # 5R 'Young Oil Corp. Belterra Casino Resort & Spa, All-Star Performance' sponsored Bloomquist / Pro Power, Chevrolet Impalla SS began moving forward as Michael and Morris saw Clanton take the lead.
The DIRTY WHITE BOY was also on the march towards the front, but was slowed when Barnett lost his right rear. Clanton missed it, but provisional starter Mike Luna wasn't so lucky. Dancing to their own drum, Michael and Morris collided to rear a safety caution in turn four. Both competitors got their respective spots back, but suffered major damage internally and externally and fell back as the laps counted down. White corralled the runner-up spot from Michael inside 10 to-go, but the # 2X 'Clinton Muffler, Freddy White Masonry, Stone Plus' sponsored DWB / Racetek racer didn't have anything for Clanton, even when a lap 43 yellow appeared. A three-wide dance for the runner-up spot saw Rattliff get behind White at the line with Michael and King rounding out the Top 5 finishers. Boyd's Speedway continues with it's Fall racing schedule with a Full Regular Racing Program next Friday night Oct. 17th. with Steel-Head LM's, Crate LM's, A & B Hobby, Pony and FWD's.
Official SRRs Results
40 Laps - $3,000. to-WIN 10/10/08
1. Shane Clanton (# 25) of Locust Grove, GA
2. Anthony White (# 2X) of Clinton, TN
3. Justin Rattliff (# 5R) of Campbellsville, KY
4. Byron Michael (# B17) of Florence, AL
5. Brandon King (# 14) of Decatur, AL
6. Brandon Kinzer (# 18) of Allen, KY
7. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC
8. Tony Morris (# M31) of Murphreesboro, TN
9. Ray Cook (# 53) of Brasstown, NC
10. Corey Posey (# 16) of Fayetteville, TN
11. Jay Brinkley (# 01) of Shelbyville, TN
12. Anthony Hill (# 10) of Carrollton, GA
13. Mike Luna (# 2) of Sparta, TN
14. Seth Daniel (# D25) of Collinwood, TN
15. Kelly Hanvey (# K0) of Cullman, AL
16. Cody Barnett (# 18) of Ringgold, GA
17. Riley Hickman (# R1) of Soddy Daisy, TN
18. Todd Morrow (# T1) of Cleveland, TN
19. Jerry Coffman (# 30) of Soddy Daisy, TN
20. Dale McDowell (# 1G) of Chickamagua, GA
21. Jimmy Tucker (# 95) of Flintville, TN
22. Eric Hickerson (# 98) of Linden, TN
23. T.J. Alford (# 007) of Ball Play, AL
24. Mike Tinker (# T22) of Ringgold, GA
DNS: Tony Knowles, John Winge, Scott Boyd, Kayne Hickman, Ronnie Johnson, Lee Sutton, Eric Jacobsen, Ben Adkisson, Reid Millard, Davy Davis, Michael England, Michael Luna, Andy Pickelsimer, Brian Hickman, Shon Flannery, Clint Smith, Robert Gant, Ben Kittrell, Joe Denby, Aaron Ridley, Steve Vann, Ruben Mayfield, Mike Walker, and Jake Knowles
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