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RACE REPORTS FOR OCTOBER 5, 2019

(All photos by Gary Chopik)

Could Race 2 Include Night have been any better? An enthusiastic, generous crowd that raised over 13,000 dollars for Down Syndrome and DSAMT, a solid car count, and—yes!—excellent weather throughout made for a grand evening’s entertainment. There were rough skies and even lighting to the southeast, but the Little Track on the Hill and its environs were spared and the thunder remained on the track…where it belonged!

BABY GRANDS
The feature race for the Baby Grands was frantic! Ronnie Binkley (tonight in Tim Vinsant’s 14) led initially, with Justin Shanes in hot pursuit…then the invaders from Indiana began to make their presence known. Yes, Kent Balledge and Danny Trent came trophy hunting once again, and ultimately it was fast qualifier Trent grabbing the hardware after heat race winner Balledge suffered a flat tire in the main. That resulted in a spin that collected both Shanes as well as Joe McCloud. McCloud managed to fight his way back to second place, and Justin Shanes had a busy race, going to the tail on a couple of occasions after on track incidents, including one while challenging for the lead on a late restart. He looked to be the only one with anything for the 2 car but ended up third. Ronnie Binkley wheeled the 14 car (officially scored as 25X) to fourth, while Trent Key returned and got himself a fifth in a VERY tightly bunched field.

Kent Baledge took the win in the Baby Grands heat…

Baby Grands Feature Race Finish
1. Danny Trent (2) 25 laps
2. Joe McCloud (15) 25 laps
3. Justin Shanes (24) 25 laps
4. Ronnie Binkley (25X) 25 laps
5. Trent Key (18) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Mark Cole (50) 25 laps, 7. Jessie Binkley (25) 15 laps, 8. Kent Baledge (32) 3 laps.

Baby Grands Heat Race Top Five
1. Kent Baledge (32) 10 laps
2. Danny Trent (2) 10 laps
3. Ronnie Binkley (14) 10 laps
4. Joe McCloud (15) 10 laps
5. Trent Key (18) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Danny Trent (2) 13.826 65.095 mph

…but Danny Trent took the checkers in the Feature.

PRO 4 ASPHALT SERIES
The Pro 4 Asphalt Series returned to the Little Track on the Hill for what would be their final event of 2019. They brought a solid field of cars (which seems to grow with every appearance!) and a good deal of action…but in the end, it was a familiar name out front in the feature. No, it wasn’t Rowland either…it was Jerry Fitzgerald Jr, and he was simply the class of the field, setting fast time and darting away on every restart to a dominant feature win. Second placed Rick Rowland did take the heat race win and the championship of the debut series, while Jeffrey Lee got himself a win in the dash and a third in the main, followed by Jaclyn Barnett and Michael Carter. Hopes are high for still more growth in 2020 for the snarling Pro 4s and the future seems unlimited.

Jeffrey Lee brings home the bacon in the Pro 4 Asphalt Series Dash.

Pro 4 Asphalt Series Feature Race Finish
1. Jerry Fitzgerald Jr (28) 25 laps
2. Rick Rowland (82) 25 laps
3. Jeffery Lee (79) 24 laps
4. Jaclyn Barnett (17) 24 laps
5. Michael Carter (07) 24 laps
Other finishers: 6. Michael Meadows (17X) 24 laps, 7. Tony Chambers (43) 1 lap. DNS: Corey Rowland (51), Craig Busick (45), Leslie Best (44L), Jerrill Jones (32).

Pro 4 Asphalt Series Heat Race Top Five
1. Rick Rowland (82) 7 laps
2. Corey Rowland (51) 7 laps
3. Jaclyn Barnett (17) 7 laps
4. Craig Busick (45) 7 laps
5. Leslie Best (44L) 7 laps

Jerry Fitzgerald Jr motors to the Pro 4 Asphalt Series win.

Pro 4 Asphalt Series Non-Winners Trophy Dash Finish
1. Jeffrey Lee (79) 10 laps
2. Michael Carter (07) 10 laps
3. Tony Chambers (43) 10 laps
4. David Craig (17) 7 laps

Fast qualifier: Jerry Fitzgerald Jr (28) 14.520 61.983 mph

ROAD WARRIORS
Another barn-burner of a feature for the Road Warriors saw yet another return to Victory Lane for Godzilla as Derrick Bissinger worked that ol’ X flag magic again and was in the right place at the right time when havoc erupted in Turn 4 on the last lap. But oh, how close to a first win was Nate Allen in his new white 01…he looked to have it in the bag till the last turn contact with the K3 of Kasey Williams ended his hopes…and maybe the service life of his second race car of the year! Williams might’ve been the winner but for the wreck with the leader, for which he was dropped to the tail of the lead lap cars. Jerry Langston added to a good night with second—he’d already notched a win in the heat race—and David Lassiter took third, followed by Tony Chambers and Paul Cummings.

As Kasey Williams (K3) and Derrick Bissinger (469) scoot by on the inside, David Ray Bates (88), Paul Cummings (A1) and Tony Chambers (43) scatter, and Nate Allen’s 01 is about halfway into a spin that will end up against the inside wall.

Road Warriors Feature Race Finish
1. Derrick Bissinger (469) 20 laps
2. Jerry Langston (3) 20 laps
3. David Lassiter (6) 20 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 20 laps
5. Paul Cummings (A1) 20 laps
Other finishers: 6. Shane Jackson Jr (19) 20 laps, 7. Lynn Newcomb (55) 20 laps, 8. Ray Gonzales (83) 20 laps, 9. Nate Allen (01) 20 laps, 10. Kasey Williams (K3) 20 laps, 11. Justin Doney (7) 13 laps, 12. Austin Jacobs (95) 12 laps, 13. David Ray Bates (88) 12 laps, 14. Chris Jackson (133) 8 laps, 15. Aaron Porter (04) 1 lap, 16. Michael Meadows (12) 1 lap.

Road Warriors Heat Race Top Five
1. Jerry Langston (3) 10 laps
2. Nate Allen (01) 10 laps
3. Derrick Bissinger (469) 10 laps
4. Kasey Williams (K3) 10 laps
5. Justin Doney (7) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Aaron Porter (04) 17.033 52.839 mph

Yep, him again! Derrick Bissinger in Victory Lane for the second straight week.

PURE STOCKS
A week after having his car trashed in a heat race—a HEAT RACE!—Donold Webb Jr returned and decisively claimed the win in the Pure Stocks. Michael Williams had a replacement machine out too and led the first lap but points leader Josh Hood powered past almost immediately, bringing Cameron Choate and Webb with him. Webb then passed Choate and set to work on Hood, making it stick just before the halfway mark. Hood hung on for second, with Choate grabbing yet another top three in what has become a solid season for him. Ditto for Jackson McLerran, who traded paint with Ronnie Upchurch a couple of times on his way to fourth. Hood also took the heat race and set fast time.

Donold Webb Jr roars beneath Andy Breedlove’s checkered flag as the winner in Pure Stocks.

Pure Stocks Feature Race Finish
1. Donold Webb Jr (27) 30 laps
2. Josh Hood (08X) 30 laps
3. Cameron Choate (82) 30 laps
4. Jackson McLerran (7) 30 laps
5. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 30 laps
Other finishers: 6. Michael Williams (91) 30 laps, 7. Quinton Smeathers (33) 29 laps, 8. Bryson Russell (5) 29 laps, 9. Brandon Ladd (40) 15 laps, 10. Terry Russell (8) 9 laps, 11. Donny Webb (79) 0 laps.

Pure Stocks Heat Race Top Five
1. Josh Hood (08X) 10 laps
2. Jackson McLerran (7) 10 laps
3. Donold Webb Jr (27) 10 laps
4. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 10 laps
5. Cameron Choate (82) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Josh Hood (08X) 14.937 60.253

“And then we had to bend the frame back into shape…” Little D tells Lanny the details.

THIS WEEK AT VETERANS MOTORPLEX: The Late Model Sportsman return! Plus: Legends, the Pest Doctor Ridge Runners, Road Warriors, Pure Stocks, and…POWDER PUFF RACES for the Ladies! Big Wheel Races for the Kids! All this and more Family Fun that can’t be beat, so bring a friend to VETERANS MOTORPLEX AT THE RIM, where ACTION IS THE ATTRACTION!

#MyTrackMyRoots

Piling in: Michael Williams (91) goes high to avoid a pileup that included Cameron Choate (82), Michael Pannell (80), Ronnie Upchurch (08), Jackson McLerran (7), and Donold Webb Jr.

(all photos by Gary Chopik)

It was another scorcher at the Little Track on the Hill, with just enough breeze to keep things from getting too oppressive. The action on the racetrack proved hot and heavy as well, and saw a return to Victory Lane for a driver who’d been absent lately, a first time winner, and one of the best races we’ve seen all year…and a roll of the dice worth a C note!

SUPER STOCK
The Fall Classic 50 was perhaps lightly attended car-wise, but it was certainly hotly contested, and turned into “The Battle of the Novas”. The front four from the break ran nose to tail for the first half of the race, with heat race winner Matt Fuqua leading Johnathan Dishman, fast qualifier Gus Moody, and Carl Porter Jr. Walt Garrison had problems in the early going and was not a factor, while the “Family Truckster” #4 of Michael Neidert made a return and eventually ended up fifth. Porter gradually dropped back, leaving things to Fuqua, Dishman, and Moody. Dishman kept after Fuqua lap after lap, and his persistence paid off as the hot brakes that finally doomed Fuqua became more and more evident. That said, the pair in the Nova-bodied machines stayed within a car length throughout, with Moody within striking distance should anything happen. Things weren’t settled till five laps to go when Dishman finally put enough distance between himself and the 93 that he could finally breathe. It was a display of driving talent and car control that was awesome to watch throughout. Meanwhile, a post-race dice roll for an extra $100 went, appropriately enough, to Walt Garrison, who’d had himself a rotten night and maybe this helped a little…”I ain’t got much luck racing, but I might start shooting dice,” Walt quipped.

Close quarters racing includes Johnathan Dishman (67), Gus Moody (48), Matt Fuqua (93), Carl Porter Jr (465), and Michael Neidert (4).

Super Stock Feature Race Finish
1. Johnathan Dishman (67) 50 laps
2. Matt Fuqua (93) 50 laps
3. Gus Moody (48) 50 laps
4. Carl Porter Jr (465) 50 laps
5. Michael Neidert (4) 50 laps
Other finisher: 6. Walt Garrison (99) 9 laps.

Super Stock Heat Race Top Five
1. Matt Fuqua (93) 10 laps
2. Gus Moody (48) 10 laps
3. Johnathan Dishman (67) 10 laps
4. Carl Porter Jr (465) 10 laps
5. Michael Neidert (4) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Gus Moody (48) 14.511 61.851 mph

Mike Ramsey brought out this sweet-looking Super Stock for its first run.

PEST DOCTOR RIDGE RUNNERS
For the second race weekend it was the Josh Harrell Show in the premiere front wheel drive class…this weekend it was the Pest Doctor Ridge Runners that got the nod. Harrell seemed set to claim a clean sweep from qualifying to feature, as he drew another weapon from his arsenal, breaking out the red Honda this weekend to good effect. Too good, unfortunately…when the hustlin’ Honda passed through tech after the race, it soon became apparent that heat race winner Harrell was about to lose his second straight feature in devastating fashion as a non-standard flywheel was discovered. This awarded the win to Steve Akey, the winner in the Moonshiner 50 just one week ago. Akey ran a fine race and was slowing reeling in Harrell till a wild slide in the south end of the race track put paid to that effort. Duane White ran a steady if lonely race to claim second, with Derrick Bissinger bringing Godzilla home third. Marc Deist won a drag race with Tony Chambers for what ended up being fourth and fifth.

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Feature Race Finish
1. Steve Akey (99) 25 laps
2. Duane White (84) 25 laps
3. Derrick Bissinger (469) 24 laps
4. Marc Deist (423) 24 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 24 laps
DQ: Josh Harrell (411)

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Heat Race Top Five
1. Steve Akey (99) 10 laps
2. Duane White (84) 10 laps
3. Derrick Bissinger (469) 10 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 10 laps
5. Marc Deist (423) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Josh Harrell (411) 15.746 57.157 mph

Derrick Bissinger leads, Steve Akey (99), Marc Deist, and Josh Harrell up high give chase.

ROAD WARRIORS
Derrick Bissinger sat out the past few Road Warriors races and he and Godzilla were sorely missed by the fans at Veterans Motorplex…by his competitors, maybe not so much! Derrick has the knack for sitting back and avoiding that crucial third X flag and putting himself into contention at the end…and he did it again last Saturday, hanging within the top five till the last few laps when it counted the most. Kasey Williams got another superb finish, as did Jerry Langston and Justin Doney, while Tony Chambers joined Bissinger with two feature race top fives. Early contenders Lance Steele, David Ray Bates, and David Lassiter piled things up in turn four…Lassiter and Bates continued, but Steele had just gotten his third X flag and was done for the night. Bissinger also claimed the heat race win, while Aaron Porter took fast time.

Lance Steele having a moment, staring down David Lassiter and David Ray Bates while Nate Allen looks for a way around.

Road Warriors Feature Race Finish
1. Derrick Bissinger (469) 20 laps
2. Kasey Williams (K3) 20 laps
3. Jerry Langston (3) 20 laps
4. Justin Doney (7) 20 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 20 laps
Other finishers: 6. David Lassiter (6) 20 laps, 7. Nate Allen (01) 20 laps, 8. Scott Conner (07) 20 laps, 9. Aaron Porter (04) 20 laps, 10. Austin Jacobs (95) 20 laps, 11. Jason Turner (1) 20 laps, 12. David Ray Bates (88) 20 laps, 13. Gerald Jackson (19) 20 laps, 14. Lance Steele (10) 16 laps, 15. Michael Meadows (12) 9 laps, 16. Lynn Newcomb (423) 1 lap, DNS: Cody Denney (28)

Road Warriors Heat Race Top Five
1. Derrick Bissinger (469) 10 laps
2. Kasey Williams (K3) 10 laps
3. Lance Steele (10) 10 laps
4. Nate Allen (01) 10 laps
5. Justin Doney (7) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Aaron Porter (04) 17.010 52.910 mph

He’s baaaaaack…Derrick Bissinger and Godzilla showed no mercy in Road Warriors.

PURE STOCKS
He did it! Ronnie Upchurch has been on the verge of a win in the Pure Stocks lately, and it all came good this weekend as he took BOTH the heat race and the feature! Mind you, we lost Donold Webb Jr in the heat race and almost lost the 08X of points leader Josh Hood and the 91 of Michael Williams as well…as it transpired, a lot of parts off of the 27 were swapped to the 91 so that he could make the feature, and he was a bit slow to get to the grid. Still the race was finally green flagged after an extended delay and Williams led from the break. He was immediately challenged and passed by the 7 of a stout Jackson McLerran. Rookie McLerran made the most of his time out front, taking the lead and staying there till the 6 car of Mark Fuqua lunched a motor going into the first turn. Jackson somehow managed to motor past, but Williams skated up into the wall and his night was over. Once the mess was cleaned up the race was restarted with Upchurch taking the opportunity to grab the lead he would not lose for the rest of the distance. McLerran survived a spin to claim his best finish ever in second, with Cameron Choate third. Josh Hood drove the re-numbered 40 to fourth, and Michael Pannell made it two talented youngsters in the top five.

Pure Stocks Feature Race Finish
1. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 30 laps
2. Jackson McLerran (7) 30 laps
3. Cameron Chaote (82) 30 laps
4. Josh Hood (08X) 30 laps
5. Michael Pannell (80) 30 laps
Other finishers: 6. Mike Ramsey (07) 30 laps, 7. Michael Williams (91) 14 laps, 8. Mark Fuqua (6) 14 laps. DNS: Donold Webb Jr (27), Brandon Ladd (40).

Pure Stocks Heat Race Top Five
1. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 10 laps
2. Mark Fuqua (6) 10 laps
3. Mike Ramsey (07) 10 laps
4. Donold Webb Jr (27) 9 laps
5. Josh Hood (08X) 9 laps

Fast qualifier: Donold Webb Jr (27) 14.951 60.197 mph

Ronnie Upchurch and crew celebrate their win in Pure Stocks.

THIS WEEKEND AT VETERANS MOTORPLEX: It’s Race To Include, a special benefit event for Downs Syndrome and DSAMT…there’ll be a silent auction, games and activities, photo opportunities, and an appearance by Mike Morgan and his MackVader Truck! KIDS! Bring out your fastest Hot Wheels cars and try out our EIGHT LANE Hot Wheels Track! Grab yourself some DOLLAR HOT DOGS! Enjoy live music by Charlotte Medley! The Darrell Waltrip Tide Show Car! Loads of fun for a great cause, plus GREAT RACING…this week we’re featuring the Pro 4 Asphalt Series cars, along with the wild Pure Stocks, Baby Grands and those wacky Road Warriors, so come on out and bring the family to VETERANS MOTORPLEX AT THE RIM, your HOME for FAMILY EXCITEMENT!

#MyTrackMyRoots

Steve Akey gets the big check and the guitar from “The Pest Doctor”, Roger Kidd. We need more guys like Roger Kidd.

All photos by Gary Chopik

Sometimes you arrive at the race track early and things are quiet and still, in between practice sessions…you can walk through the gate and and all you’ll hear is the wind soughing overhead…at least till a car or two takes to the track for practice. You could not say the same about this past weekend, however…there were so many cars on the property, so much was going on, that it seemed there was hardly a still moment from gate open at least till the drivers meeting. And of course once THAT ended, the real action began in earnest…

LEGENDS

First Feature Race
One of the most hotly contested races of 2019 saw nearly 20 cars take the green for the first of two Legends features. Oliver Cordell had problems early and fell out of contention (remember this!) while Bryson Shaffer, Hunter Wright, and Delphi, Indiana’s Sam Butler swapped the lead back and forth. Ultimately the top five (joined by Justin Maxwell and fast qualifier Caleb Heady) pulled away and scythed through traffic as Wright and Butler battled side by side for the lead. It was nail-bitingly intense action, sometimes three wide, and a final shootout after some late race cautions didn’t end till the last turn of the lap when Butler got the jump on the restart and looked like he might have stolen the win…but Wright wasn’t finished. Hunter got a run off turn two and got alongside, and Wright and Butler ran the last two laps side-by-side and came across the line in a virtual dead heat. While the two exuberant drivers congratulated each other on a race well run, race officials looked at pictures taken at the line…and it was Wright by no more than a few inches! Shaffer, Maxwell, and Heady were not far behind and completed the top five.

Legends Feature Race 1 Results
1. Hunter Wright (29) 25 laps
2. Sam Butler (8) 25 laps
3. Bryson Shaffer (12) 25 laps
4. Justin Maxwell (20) 25 laps
5. Caleb Heady (82) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Chase Smith (10), 7. Travis Oliver (07), 8. Bryce Applegate (7), 9. Laci Minton (66), 10. Boston Oliver (88), 11. Paul Jones (36), 12. (34), 13. Dale Jackson (75), 14. Adam Roberson (10D), 15. Rich Michalik (11X), 16. Rod Nelson (35), 17. Greg Gresham (11), 18. Oliver Cordell (17)

…and it was just THIS close…Hunter Wright eeks out the win in the first Legends feature over Sam Butler.

Second Feature Race
A glance at the finish for the second Legends feature will reveal the EXACT SAME top five, after a race with JUST a little less drama. In fact, the top SIX raced throughout pretty much as they would finish. Not that there wasn’t plenty to watch, especially when the aforementioned top six started to work their way through lapped traffic. No, the real action was provided by Oliver Cordell in the 17, who had resolved his problems from the first feature, started last, and carved his way up through the pack with gusto. He had just joined the tail of the lead pack when he ran out of time…one late caution and he might’ve been in the mix. Meanwhile, Hunter Wright managed to ease away for his third win of the night…he also won his heat. Greg Gresham didn’t make the call for the second feature, but he did pick up a consolation prize, winning his heat race.

Legends Feature Race 2 Results
1. Hunter Wright (29) 25 laps
2. Sam Butler (8) 25 laps
3. Bryson Shaffer (12) 25 laps
4. Justin Maxwell (20) 25 laps
5. Caleb Heady (82) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6.Chase Smith (10), 7. Oliver Cordell (17), 8. Bryce Applegate (7), 9. Travis Oliver (07), 10. Rich Michalik (11X), 11. Boston Oliver (88), 12. Paul Jones (36), 13. Laci Minton (66), 14. Donnie Milburn (34), 15. Rod Nelson (35), 16. Dale Jackson (75) DNS: Adam Roberson (10D), Greg Gresham (11)

Deep into the second Legends feature…Sam Butler (8) leads Justin Maxwell (29), Bryson Shaffer (12), Chase Smith (12) and Caleb Heady (82).

Legends Heat Race 1 Top Five
1. Hunter Wright (29) 10 laps
2. Bryson Shaffer (12) 10 laps
3. Sam Butler (8) 10 laps
4. Caleb Heady (82) 10 laps
5. Justin Maxwell (20) 10 laps

Legends Heat Race 2 Top Five
1. Greg Gresham (11) 10 laps
2. Donnie Milburn (34) 10 laps
3. Bryce Applegate (7) 10 laps
4. Rich Michalik (11X) 10 laps
5. Boston Oliver (88) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Caleb Heady (82) 14.169 63.519 mph

Greg Gresham drove this sharp-looking #11 to the win in the second Legends heat.

BABY GRANDS

The Baby Grands looked like they could at least equal the Legends for excitement despite having less than half the cars…reason being, the cars that WERE there were so very close! Jessie Binkley and Mark Cole were very, very fast, and Joe McCloud was faster still, the only driver to qualify in the 13 second range. McCloud won the heat race and looked like he might be on his way to a clean sweep of the night, but…a couple of cautions just before the halfway point brought the field together and set up a battle for the lead that ended with multiple cars piling into turn 4. Only Cole and Darrell Fudge managed to snake through the mess unscathed, though only Vinsant and Roper were done. Once the wreckage was cleared the restart saw McCloud take the lead till Darrell Fudge spun and brought out another caution which drew the field together once last time. Justin Shanes got the better restart, but a few laps later Shanes got the 24 sideways and collected McCloud! That set up a five lap sprint to the finish, and Jessie Binkley snagged the opportunity to collect his first-ever feature race win. Mark Cole and Justin Shanes fought it out for second, and Fudge ended up fourth. McCloud limped home in fifth after suffering car problems in the last few laps.

Chaos ensues in turn four..eventual winner Jessie Binkley just manages to stay off the wall as Justin Shanes (24), Tim Vinsant (14), and Joe McCloud and Randy Roper pile in. Lucky 13 is Darrell Fudge, who escaped!

Baby Grands Feature Race Results
1. Jessie Binkley (25) 25 laps
2. Mark Cole (50) 25 laps
3. Justin Shanes (24) 25 laps
4. Darrell Fudge (13) 25 laps
5. Joe McCloud (15) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Tim Vinsant (14) 12 laps, 7. Randy Roper (3R) 12 laps

Baby Grands Heat Race Top Five
1. Joe McCloud (15) 10 laps
2. Justin Shanes (24) 10 laps
3. Mark Cole (50) 10 laps
4. Jessie Binkley (25) 10 laps
5. Randy Roper (3R) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Joe McCloud (15) 13.963 64.456 mph

That “first win feeling”…Jessie Binkley brought home the hardware in Baby Grands.

PURE STOCKS

Points leader Joshua Hood took the lead on lap number two of the 30 laps Pure Stock feature…and, for all intents and purposes, that was that. Be fair, EVERY Pure Stock race can’t be the super-close affairs we’ve had the last couple of weeks. Oh, what about Travis Ryman, you say? Didn’t he win the heat race? Well, yes, he did, but Hood was the fast qualifier, and while the 6 did show its nose under the 08X a few times, there never seemed to be quite enough ooomph for Travis to pull off the move. Donold Webb Jr was not far behind the top two and ended up scoring a third, followed by Michael Williams, and Shane Jackson endured for fifth after Ronnie Upchurch and Brandon Ladd drew up lame late in the going.

Pure Stocks Feature Race Finish
1. Josh Hood (08X) 30 laps
2. Travis Ryman (6) 30 laps
3. Donold Webb Jr (27) 30 laps
4. Michael Williams (91) 30 laps
5. Shane Jackson (33) 29 laps
Other finishers: 6. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 26 laps, 7. Brandon Ladd (40) 24 laps

Pure Stocks Heat Race Top Five
1. Travis Ryman (6) 10 laps
2. Josh Hood (08X) 10 laps
3. Donold Webb Jr (27) 10 laps
4. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 10 laps
5. Brandon Ladd (40) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Josh Hood (08X) 14.817 60.741 mph

Josh Hood and Travis Ryman were never much more than this far apart throughout the Pure Stock feature.

ROAD WARRIORS

In the prerace interviews, Jaclyn Barnett scored the best quote of the night…she was asked if she had her mind set on the $800 cash prize—actually NINE hundred after a late donation courtesy of Lynn Newcomb!—and she replied, “My mind is set on that ‘no seventeen second rule’…I’m ready to race.” And race she did, looking as if she was about to take home $900 and the guitar, especially after the 411 of Josh Harrell experienced problems with a duff fuel line after completely dominating the first half of the event. That pretty much opened up the competition, with Barnett, heat race winner and early leader Lance “The Man Of” Steele, David Ray Bates, Tony Chambers, Jerry Langston, Kasey Williams, Steve Akey (who brought out the first yellow)…and at this point, pretty much half of the field looked to still be in contention! In the end though it looked like it was going to be a shootout between Barnett and ten race winner David Lassiter…and then the two made hard contact in turn four as “Scrumpy” tried to make a dive inside and didn’t quite clear the 17. They slid high, Lassiter with a cut tire, and sailing by on the inside went…Steve Akey! He held on for the remaining six laps and just managed to hold off a charging Lance Steele to claim the guitar, the cash, and his first ever feature win. Barnett recovered for a disappointed third, David Ray Bates was fourth, and Tony Chambers took fifth. Josh Harrell was comforted somewhat in the aftermath by being presented with the “Stinger” award for the hard luck driver of the night.

The front half of the Moonshiner 50 field lined up for driver intros.

Road Warriors “Moonshiner 50” Feature Race Results
1. Steve Akey (99) 50 laps
2. Lance Steele (10) 50 laps
3. Jaclyn Barnett (17) 50 laps
4. David Ray Bates (88) 50 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 50 laps
Other finishers: 6. Jerry Langston (3) 50 laps, 7. Kasey Williams (K3) 50 laps, 8. Jason Jarvis (11) 50 laps, 9. David Lassiter (6) 44 laps, 10. Josh Harrell (411) 36 laps, 11. Shane Jackson (19) 30 laps, 12. Wayne Williams (01) 27 laps, 13. Austin Jacobs (95) 26 laps, 14. Matt Hamlett (2) 25 laps, 15. Justin Doney (7) 13 laps, 16. Chase Allen (07) 8 laps, 17. Aaron Porter (04) 8 laps, 18. Tim Shannon (05) 5 laps, 19. Michael Meadows (12) 2 laps, 20. Dawson Wooten (75) 1 lap. DNS: Cameron Choate (82), Lynn Newcomb (55).

The instant everything changed in the Moonshiner 50: Jaclyn Barnett (17) and David Lassiter (6) skate up toward the wall as Steve Akey (99) darts underneath. Barnett endured for third, Lassiter pitted with a cut tire, and Akey collected $900 and a guitar!

Road Warriors Heat Race Top Five
1. Lance Steele (10) 10 laps
2. David Lassiter (6) 10 laps
3. Matt Hamlett (2) 10 laps
4. Kasey Williams (K3) 10 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Josh Harrell (411) 16.028 56.152 mph

Josh Harrell acknowledges the cheers of the fans. He looked like he had the Moonshiner 50 in his back pocket till fuel line trouble sidelined him.

THIS WEEKEND: It’s the FALL CLASSIC! 100 exciting laps for the HEAVY METAL THUNDER of the SUPER STOCKS! The Pest Doctor Ridge Runners will be back! Pure Stocks! Road Warriors! All of this and and MORE, at your home for FAST, FUN, FAMILY THRILLS…VETERANS MOTORPLEX AT THE RIM…where Action is the Attraction!
#MyTrackMyRoots

Race To Include Night At The Rim … Oct 5th

Enter to Win the BIG TRUCK RAFFLE RACE OFF this weekend.
All proceeds to benefit the ‪Oct 5th‬ Down Syndrome fund raiser and auction
Win 5 laps Ride along in the Mack Vador Big Rig Truck of 88 Mike Morgan

Everyone come on out ‪Oct 5th‬ as Mike Displays the Mack Vador and signs autographs.
Get your photo taken with Mike Morgan and Mack Vador at the BIG Down Syndrome Race to Include night.

This is the same 88 Mike Morgan BIG Rig that made national news when he went out of the Race Track a few years ago coming off turn 4 taking out several feet of catch fence, a catch cable and a couple telephone poles on his way out before the remaining cables and catch fence did its job stopping him only feet from the crowd.. Mike Won won the first event and he is not afraid to put the pedal to the metal… Now the question is… are you man or woman enough to ride 5 laps with him in the Mack Vador.

Only $1 per raffle ticket 100% of all ticket sales will go to the Down Syndrome.

Come on out and thank Mike Morgan for doing this to benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee.

Thanks Jerry

All proceeds from this as well as the auction and a portion of the front gate sales will go directly to DSAMT … Down Syndrome Association Middle Tennessee.

Please come on out and Support this Great cause.

Link To Auction : https://www.32auctions.com/race2include

Race To Include … Oct 5th

Coming Oct 5th …

Together WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in these folks lives. …..
Hello Everyone

Musical Artist / Singer/Songwriter Charlotte Medley will be here to sign autographs and sing in memory of her son Elijah.

We all likely know of some individual with Down Syndrome. I have a single father that works for me that has a son named Jeremy that loves racing that has Down Syndrome. I have a family member Lucas Williams who is only two years old that is featured on this flyer on the right that has Down Syndrome. He is an absolutely awesome young man. I would like for the Veterans Motorplex nation to help raise awareness to include these individuals in our everyday activities.

Oct 5th is the night at Veterans Motorplex.. We plan to have a big race night along with fund raising auctions etc… There will be several things here for the children to do especially the individuals with Downs. We are going to have Darrell Waltrip show cars here to give the children rides around the track.

We will be giving a percentage of the front gate ticket sales to the Down Syndrome association “Dsamt “ and 100% of all the money raised from the auctioned items will go directly to Dsamt and it is 100% Tax deductible.

We need your HELP PLEASE. All of you work for someone that may possibly be interested in donating to this great cause. Anything of Value that we can auction off or raffle off.. We will auction and or raffle about anything a car, van, paint job, lettering job, we will auction anything off as long as it does not eat and poop. The Dsamt has a signed Guitar from Luke Bryan that will be auctioned off.

We would love to get some local singing artists involved with donating signed guitars or coming to meet people and or sing the national anthem etc.. Even T-shirts and apparel will auction off. A set of Tires, New Washer or Dryer, Refrigerator, guitars, etc.. Car Washes, Detailing jobs, $100 to $500 certificate off of a service etc.. Certificate for $100 off your next tow, tune up, front end alignment. Autographed Helmets, footballs, hockey sticks etc… If you have an idea of something or more importantly a contact you can hook us up with please just email me at arpbodies@bellsouth.net or call or text me at 615-430-3135. Thanks Jerry Criswell

The Down syndrome has set up some advertising opportunities for all size companies and individuals that I will be able to share with you next week once I receive it.

We are setting ourselves a lofty goal for Veterans Motorplex of raising a minimum of $10,000 for the Down Syndrome on Oct. 5th. PLEASE HELP US help them.

If you know of a person or company in Middle Tennessee that has a good heart and willing to help individuals with Down Syndrome we need your HELP. If you have a good go to contact just give us the name and their contact info and we will gladly do the rest. We will contact them and or send someone to see them about this opportunity.

We are also in need of media contacts for a possible Media Race that night to help draw attention to this much needed cause… If you have any MEDIA CONTACTS please pass them along.. We got some GREAT people involved at Veterans Motorplex and for one night lets focus on doing something good for someone else and being pleased with just putting a smile on their face… We want this to be one AWESOME night for Dsamt.

Thank you Veteran Motorplex Nation!

RACE TO INCLUDE!

Together we can make a difference

Jerry Criswell

Link To Auction : https://www.32auctions.com/race2include

Race & Auction to benefit Down Syndrome … Oct 5th

Coming Oct 5th … More info coming soon.
Together WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in these folks lives. …..
Hello Everyone

I need your help! Please share the attached poster/flyer everywhere everyday for the next month to promote this.. Please ask your friends to help share and promote it as this is going to be one GREAT Fun Fund Raising NIGHT for all of us but especially for individuals with Down Syndrome.

As the attached poster / photo shoot shows… Together we can make a difference.. This photo was done at our shop and the children were great…. Our sport has some really talented driver, crew chiefs, car owners etc… and I know EVERYONE will want to jump on board and make this a huge deal.

The Down syndrome has set up some advertising opportunities for all size companies and individuals that I will be able to share with you next week once I receive it.

We are setting ourselves a lofty goal for Veterans Motorplex of raising a minimum of $10,000 for the Down Syndrome on Oct. 5th. PLEASE HELP US help them.

Thank you Veteran Motorplex Nation!

RACE TO INCLUDE!

Together we can make a difference

Jerry Criswell

Link To Auction : https://www.32auctions.com/race2include

Thomas Pannell holds off a snarling pack of Late Model Sportman cars…Ricky Sanford (145) leads Wayne White (00), Timothy Gay (1) and Jonathan Wilhite just out of frame.

Hot. It was So. Very. Hot. SO hot (“HOW HOT WAS IT?”) that the regular Fall and Winter scourge, INFLUENZA, decided to make an early appearance and keep our own Lanny Adams at home. But the show must go on, and as such, everyone gathered at the little track on the hill for what turned out to be another wild night of racing…and oh, those Pure Stocks…

LEGENDS
Legends was strictly the Hunter Wright show…at least once he and the 29 crew worked past some brake issues in heat race. He wasn’t seriously challenged, taking fast time as well, but heat race winner Bryson Shaffer had a solid run and Justin Maxwell ended up third, followed by Travis Oliver and a happy Paul Jones. Oliver Cordell arrived late and had some electrical issues but returned and finished strong, and James Gentry (!) got a Legends start and acquitted himself quite well. The little speedsters will all be looking forward to twin features next weekend…it should be a wild show!

Legends Feature Race Finish
1. Hunter Wright (29) 25 laps
2. Bryson Shaffer (12) 25 laps
3. Justin Maxwell (20) 25 laps
4. Travis Oliver (07) 25 laps
5. Paul Jones (36) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Dale Jackson (75) 24 laps, 7. Rod Nelson (35) 22 laps, 8. Oliver Cordell (17) 20 laps, 9. James Gentry (21) 12 laps

Legends Heat Race Top Five
1. Bryson Shaffer (12) 10 laps
2. Justin Maxwell (20) 10 laps
3. Oliver Cordell (17) 10 laps
4. Hunter Wright (29) 10 laps
5. Travis Oliver (07) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Hunter Wright (29) 14.324 62.382 mph

Hunter Wright celebrates his win in Legends with a couple of young fans.

BABY GRANDS
Fast qualifier Justin Shanes defended his points lead by taking the win in the Baby Grands over Jessie Binkley, who kept him honest for the first half of the race before Shanes spread it out as the race went past the halfway point. Heat race winner Joe McCloud chased Binkley down but could never quite pull off a pass. Mark Cole was a lonely fourth after Trent Key retired early.

HE DID IT AGAIN…points leader and feature winner Justin Shanes reacts after climbing out of his Baby Grand.

Baby Grands Feature Race Finish
1. Justin Shanes (24) 25 laps
2. Jessie Binkley (25) 25 laps
3. Joe McCloud (15) 25 laps
4. Mark Cole (50) 25 laps
5. Trent Key (18) 5 laps
DNS: Tim Vinsant (14)

Baby Grands Heat Race Top Five
1. Joe McCloud (15) 10 laps
2. Jessie Binkley (25) 10 laps
3. Justin Shanes (24) 10 laps
4. Tim Vinsant (14) 10 laps
5. Mark Cole (50) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Justin Shanes (24) 14.088 63.884 mph

Joe McCloud took a win in the Baby Grands heat race.

PEST DOCTOR RIDGE RUNNERS
Josh Harrell could perhaps be forgiven if he maybe was a little disappointed in the heat race, which was won by Daniel “The Beard” Harper in the 95. Come feature time though, Harrell was in a class by himself…even after the race was stopped at the halfway point and he was dropped to the tail with the promise of an additional $40 if he could come back and win. Well…he did, and Daniel Harper didn’t start, instead turning over the 95 to Alan Castle. Castle did manage to come home second over Mark Cummings, Tony Chambers, and Ricky Calkins. After the race it was decided that the next Ridge Runners event Harrell will have to start from somewhere north of Franklin, Kentucky…

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Feature Race Finish
1. Josh Harrell (411) 25 laps
2. Alan Castle (95) 25 laps
3. Mark Cummings (34) 25 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 25 laps
5. Ricky Calkins (413) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Justin Dickens (73) 13 laps. DNS: Duane White (84)

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Heat Race Top Five
1. Daniel Harper (95) 10 laps
2. Josh Harrell (411) 10 laps
3. Justin Dickens (73) 10 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 10 laps
5. Ricky Calkins (413) 9 laps

Fast qualifier: Daniel Harper (95) 15.203 59.199 mph

Start him in another state and he may STILL have won…Josh Harrell carries the flag in the Pest Doctor Ridge Runners.

PURE STOCKS
Didja think last week’s Pure Stock race was a good one? Lots of two abreast racing and fender-bangin’ action? WOW!!! This one was even better! “I was havin’ a blast!” admitted winner Donold Webb Jr, who backed up a heat race win with a fender-banging triumph over Ronnie Upchurch in what may have been the best race of the year. For as spread out as things had gotten, the TOP FIVE were all within a half second at the finish. Unbelievable! Josh Hood fought a misfire but still ended up third, with fast qualifier Michael Williams fourth, and Cameron Choate a fighting fifth. Webb also claimed the heat race win.

Pure Stocks Feature Race Finish
1. Donold Webb Jr (27) 30 laps
2. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 30 laps
3. Josh Hood (08X) 30 laps
4. Michael Williams (91) 30 laps
5. Cameron Choate (82) 30 laps
Other finishers: 6. Michael Pannell (80) 30 laps, 7. Chris Neidert (22) 30 laps, 8. Brandon Ladd (40) 16 laps. DNS: Donny Webb (79)

Pure Stocks Heat Race Top Five
1. Donold Webb Jr (27) 10 laps
2. Michael Williams (91) 10 laps
3. Josh Hood (08X) 10 laps
4. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 10 laps
5. Cameron Choate (82) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Michael Williams (91) 14.938 60.249 mph

Slideways…Ronnie Upchurch cranks on the opposite lock trying to hold off Donold Webb Jr in Pure Stocks.

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN
A superbly fought 50 laps saw fast qualifier Thomas Pannell taking the Sportsman win, topping early leaders Ricky Sanford and Tim Gay. David Sircy pounded the turn 2 wall setting up a six lap shootout, but Pannell would not be denied. Tre Ashworth endured a tough race but hung on for fourth, and Wayne White was fifth. Sanford took the heat race win.

Late Model Sportsman Feature Race Finish
1. Thomas Pannell (8) 50 laps
2. Ricky Sanford (145) 50 laps
3. Timothy Gay (1) 50 laps
4. Tre Ashworth (8) 50 laps
5. Wayne White (00) 50 laps
Other finishers: 6. David Sircy (0) 44 laps, 7. Jonathan Wilhite (71) 36 laps

Late Model Sportsman Heat Race Top Five
1. Ricky Sanford (145) 10 laps
2. Wayne White (00) 10 laps
3. Thomas Pannell (8) 10 laps
4. Jonathan Wilhite (71) 10 laps
5. David Sircy (0) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Thomas Pannell (8) 14.070 63.966 mph

Heat race winner Ricky Sanford on the high side, feature race winner Thomas Pannell low.

ROAD WARRIORS
Road Warriors is, beyond a doubt, the spectator’s choice for close racing. This night was no different, with a pack of no less than nine cars racing for the win. In the end though, it was David Lassiter and “Scrumpy” taking their tenth win of the year in a clean sweep of the night’s events. Kasey Williams looked like a sure thing before compiling too many X flags, but Justin Doney backed up his runner up finish in the heat race with another in the feature. Joey Williams drove the reconstituted 01 to third, followed by Aaron Porter (despite banging the backstretch wall!) and Tony Chambers. Michael Meadows endured a rough crash but the 12 rolled away and will be back.

Road Warriors Feature Race Finish
1. David Lassiter (6) 20 laps
2. Justin Doney (7) 20 laps
3. Joey Williams (01) 20 laps
4. Aaron Porter (04) 20 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 20 laps
Other finishers: 6. Jerry Langston (3) 20 laps, 7. Michael Meadows (12) 17 laps, 8. David Ray Bates (88) 17 laps, 9. Kasey Williams (K3) 17 laps, 10. Lynn Newcomb (55) 16 laps, 11. Paul Cummings (A1) 8 laps, 12. Larry Ogle (92) 7 laps. DNS: Justin Dickens (73), Austin Jacobs (95)

Road Warriors Heat Race Top Five
1. David Lassiter (6) 10 laps
2. Justin Doney (7) 10 laps
3. Kasey Williams (K3) 10 laps
4. David Ray Bates (88) 10 laps
5. Michael Meadows (12) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: David Lassiter (6) 17.097 52.641 mph

COUNT TO TEN…David Lassiter and crew celebrate their tenth Road Warriors win of 2019.

THIS WEEKEND AT VETERANS MOTORPLEX AT THE RIM…One word: Moonshiners. That’s right, MOONSHINERS. 50 laps for Road Warriors, with NO X FLAGS! It’s a whole new ballgame, with $800 going to the winner. (Insert Dr. Evil voice here… “Eight HUNNNNDRED Dollars!!!”) BUT WAIT!!! That’s NOT ALL!!! Twin Legends Features! 50 laps for the Pure Stocks! All this and Baby Grands too! Only at Veterans Motorplex at the Rim, where FAMILY ACTION IS THE ATTRACTION!!!

RACE REPORTS FOR SEPTEMBER 7, 2019

The string of days blessed with glorious weather continued at Veterans Motorplex this past weekend, and with the Sprint Cars in the house that was a very good thing indeed! But as good as that show was—and it was VERY good—we could hardly have dreamed the furious races we were about to see, especially in the Pure Stocks. After a typically close qualifying session, the night’s action began…

PRO 4 ASPHALT SERIES

We are pleased to be able to report that the Pro Four Asphalt Series seems like it’s really taking off at last, with ten sharp-looking cars on the property this past weekend and an entertaining feature race…and while the last name of the winner was still Rowland, the first name was different for this weekend! Yes, it was fast qualifier Rick Rowland grabbing the win over son Corey. Not that it was easy; this time they had some solid competition from David Wright and heat race winner Jerry Fitzgerald. Michael Carter brought his 07 home fifth; Jaclyn Barnett retired early in the feature but still took the trophy dash. The cars (and trucks!) look great and sound terrific and the future could be bright for this fledgling racing series.

Pro 4 Asphalt Series Feature Race Finish
1. Rick Rowland (82) 25 laps
2. Corey Rowland (51) 25 laps
3. David Wright (77) 25 laps
4. Jerry Fitzgerald Jr (88) 25 laps
5. Michael Carter (07) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Jaclyn Barnett (17) 11 laps, 7. Jeffrey Lee (79) 10 laps

Pro 4 Asphalt Series Non-Winners Trophy Dash
1. Jaclyn Barnett (17) 10 laps
2. Jerrell Jones (32) 10 laps
3. Michael Carter (07) 10 laps
4. Jeffrey Jones (79) 10 laps

Pro 4 Asphalt Series Heat Race Top Five
1. Jerry Fitzgerald Jr (88) 10 laps
2. Corey Rowland (51) 10 laps
3. David Wright (77) 10 laps
4. David Wright Jr (4) 10 laps
5. Jaclyn Barnett (710 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Rick Rowland (82) 14.744 61.042 mph

A jubilant Rowland family celebrates another Pro 4 Asphalt Series win.

PEST DOCTOR RIDGE RUNNERS

Josh Harrell brought out his black and red 411 this weekend and it seemed that was a good choice, as he thoroughly stomped the Pest Doctor Ridge Runners, taking both the heat and the feature and missing out on a clean sweep by a couple of tenths of a second in qualifying. That particular accolade went to Steve Akey, who settled for second in the feature behind the flyin’ Redbeard. Kevin Figueroa gave the 14 a stout run and collected third, with Marc Deist starting his night off right with fourth, and Tony Chambers getting the first of two fifth place finishes for the night…he took the same position in Road Warriors.

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Feature Race Finish
1. Josh Harrell (411) 25 laps
2. Steve Akey (99) 25 laps
3. Kevin Figueroa (14) 25 laps
4. Marc Deist (423) 25 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Paul Cummings (A1) 12 laps, 7. Mark Cummings (34) 9 laps, 8. Duane White (84) 9 laps. DNS: Rusty Newman (73)

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Heat Race
1. Josh Harrell (411) 10 laps
2. Duane White (84) 10 laps
3. Marc Deist (423) 10 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 10 laps
5. Steve Akey (99) 7 laps

Fast qualifier: Steve Akey (99) 15.628 57.589 mph

Josh Harrell (inside) and Marc Deist go at it in the Pest Doctor Ridge Runners feature.

PURE STOCK

“Slobberknocker”. An all-out brawl. Yep, Lanny Adams got that one right: that was a pretty good description of the Pure Stock race. From the break of the 50 lap go things were wild, with Cameron Choate, Ronnie Upchurch and Brandon Ladd nose to tail while Donold Webb, Michael Williams, Josh Hood, and heat race winner Travis Ryman were working themselves up through the pack. A debris caution slowed the field momentarily, then action resumed with some incredible three wide racing featuring Upchurch, Williams, and Ryman. Choate retired early after another strong run, leaving things to the top three. The three wide racing resumed with Ryman, Williams and Webb, Ryman finally moving into second and reeling in Upchurch with Webb in hot pursuit. Travis took over on lap 41 and Webb came through with him. “Dee Dee” didn’t let Ryman get far away, but Travis just held on for the win. Upchurch was a close third, with points leader Hood fourth and Williams fifth. “Slobberknocker”? You betcha!

Michael Williams (91) tries to defend against Travis Ryman (6), with Donold Webb Jr close behind.

Pure Stock Feature Race Finish
1. Travis Ryman (6) 50 laps
2. Donald Webb Jr (27) 50 laps
3. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 50 laps
4. Josh Hood (08X) 50 laps
5. Michael Williams (91) 50 laps
Other finishers: 6. Jackson McLerran (7) 50 laps, 7. Charlie Briley (19) 48 laps, 8. Cameron Choate (82) 37 laps, 9. Brandon Ladd (40) 32 laps, 10. Donny Webb (79) 14 laps DNS: Bryson Russell (5)

Pure Stock Heat Race Top Five
1. Travis Ryman (6) 10 laps
2. Donold Webb Jr (27) 10 laps
3. Cameron Choate (82) 10 laps
4. Josh Hood (08X) 10 laps
5. Ronnie Unchurch (08) 10 laps

Fast Qualifier: Travis Ryman (6) 14.944 60.225 mph

Travis Ryman maes sure Lanny Adams gets the straight scoop.

ROAD WARRIORS

For a while it looked like something other than a black car would see the checkered first in Road Warriors…maybe a BLUE car…maybe Kasey Williams, or perhaps even heat race winner and fast qualifier Nate Allen! Unfortunately the 01 was…well, let’s say “assisted” into some heavy nose-first contact with the backstretch wall, a frightening smashup which ended his night…Nate, fortunately, climbed out uninjured, but the same could not be said for “Baby Blue”, which may well have run its last lap. On the restart David Lassiter and “Scrumpy” finally made an appearance up front, and when you see that black number 6, you know it’s showtime…and once again Lassiter would not be denied, despite a late charge from Kasey Williams and Marc Deist. Megan Allen was there too, but by that time she had collected too many X flags. Last weekend’s star David Ray Bates took fourth, and early leader Tony Chambers ended up fifth.

Road Warriors Feature Race Finish
1. David Lassiter (6) 20 laps
2. Kasey Williams (K3) 20 laps
3. Marc Deist (423) 20 laps
4. David Ray Bates (88) 20 laps
5. Tony Chambers (43) 20 laps
Other finishers: 6. Michael Meadows (12) 20 laps, 7. Paul Cummings (A1) 20 laps, 8. Jason Jarvis (11) 20 laps, 9. Justin Doney (7) 20 laps, 10. Lynn Newcomb (55) 18 laps, 11. Megan Allen (14) 16 laps, 12. Nate Allen (01) 9 laps, 13. Aaron Porter (04) 9 laps, 14. Jerry Langston (3) 9 laps, DNS: Austin Jacobs (95)

Road Warriors Trophy Dash Top Five
1. Nate Allen (01) 10 laps
2. Marc Deist (423) 10 laps
3. Kasey Williams (K3) 10 laps
4. Megan Allen (14) 10 laps
5. Jason Jarvis (11) 10 laps

Fast Qualifier: Nate Allen (01) 17.142

David Lassiter and crew celebrate win number eight–or is it NINE?–in Road Warriors!

AMERICAN VINTAGE SPRINT CAR ASSOCIATION

The return of the AVSCA was as anticipated a race as there’s been in 2019 at Veterans Motorplex, and the buildup turned out to be wholly deserved. Dash winner Lynn Ambrose led from the drop of the green till heat race winner Carl Amos gave him a challenge on lap 4. It was perhaps a bit too soon and the two made contact, with Amos getting it sideways and stalling in the north end of the racetrack. At the restart Amos tried a three wide move with John Tosti and Tate Young…wild! Meanwhile, Ambrose was getting a challenge from Roy Caruthers, eventually giving way on lap 10…and there he stayed…until his number 5 drew up lame off turn two. By this time fast timer Chad Freeman had gotten by Ambrose for second…which became the lead after Caruthers’ retirement. Ambrose held on for second, while Amos recovered for third. It was another hugely entertaining race for the Sprint Cars, which can’t come back soon enough to suit us!

Some fine looking “Thunder and Lightning” cars line up for their feature race. Eventual winner Chad Freeman lines up sixth.

AVSCA Feature Race Finish
1. Chad Freeman, Adairville KY (20) 30 laps
2. Lynn Ambrose, Owensboro KY (2) 30 laps
3. Carl Amos, Chandler IN (8D) 30 laps
4. John Tosti, Fenton MO (7) 29 laps
5. Carl Root, Greensburg IN (12) laps
Other finishers: Harry Hoover, Smyrna TN (9)

AVSCA Trophy Dash
1. Lynn Ambrose, Owensboro KY (2) 10 laps
2. Carl Amos, Chandler IN (8D) 10 laps
3. John Tosti, Fenton MO (7) 10 laps
4. Dan Ingram, Indianapolis IN (9) 8 laps
5. Tate Young, Powder Springs GA (3) 3 laps

AVSCA Heat Race Top Five
1. Carl Amos, Chandler IN (8D) 10 laps
2. Roy Caruthers, Indianapolis IN (5) 10 laps
3. Chad Freeman, Adairville KY (20) 10 laps
4. Tate Young, Powder Springs GA (3) 10 laps
5. Lynn Ambrose, Owensboro KY (2) 10 laps

Fast Qualifier: Chad Freeman, Adairville KY 13.642 65.973 mph

Chad Freeman was the winner in the AVSCA Sprint Car feature.

THIS WEEKEND AT VETERANS MOTORPLEX: HOT DOGS! You want hot dogs? WE GOT HOT DOGS! On the track and off! That’s right, it’s Dollar Dog Night again! Bring a pocketful of change and go home stuffed and happy! Baby Grands! Hot dogs! Pure Stocks!! Hot dogs!! SPORTSMAN!!! HOT DOGS!!! ROAD WARRIORS!!!! HOT DOGS!!!! All this and SO MUCH MORE this weekend at VETERANS MOTORPLEX AT THE RIM…your FAMILY ACTION (and HOT DOGS!) ATTRACTION!

#MyTrackMyRoots

The aftermath of Willie Coats’s wild roll on the backstretch. Willie climbed out with assistance…the car was pretty much finished.

The Southern Pro Am Truck Series had been scheduled to make their debut at Veterans Motorplex this weekend…alas, the organizers of that series looked maybe a bit too closely at the weather forecast…and perhaps that was understandable after two rainouts on two previous attempts at a show. Still, it turned out the weather this weekend was nothing less than glorious, with a cold front finally breaking the grip of the heat wave we’d been laboring under for the past several weeks. So, less the trucks, we gathered for a night of racing…which began with…

BABY GRANDS
Justin Shanes has cultivated himself a “Chase ‘stache” to begin the run to the championship and it must have paid off as he topped a pair of Hoosiers to claim the win. Mark Cole led the first pair of laps of the 25 lap race but then looped his #50 in front of the field in the south turn…amazingly he collected no one and resumed at the tail of the field. On the restart Kent Baledge took charge…for a moment. That’s when fast qualifier Shanes began his challenge, racing side-by-side with Baledge for several laps, while behind them Jessie Binkley and heat race winner Danny Trent raced similarly. Shanes eventually disposed of Baledge and likewise Trent moved past Binkley, then eased by Baledge and closed on Shanes. Trent caught Shanes on the white flag lap but couldn’t do anything with him…Baledge came across third, with Binkley fourth and Tim Vinsant fifth. A real nail-biter of a race!

Close quarters racing in turn four sees Justin Shanes (24), Kent Balledge (32) and Danny Trent racing for position.

Baby Grands Feature Race Finish
1. Justin Shanes (24) 25 laps
2. Danny Trent (2) 25 laps
3. Kent Baledge (32) 25 laps
4. Jessie Binkley (25) 25 laps
5. Tim Vinsant (14) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Mark Cole (50) 25 laps

Baby Grands Heat Race Top Five
1. Danny Trent (2) 10 laps
2. Kent Baledge (32) 10 laps
3. Justin Shanes (24) 10 laps
4. Jessie Binkley (25) 10 laps
5. Tim Vinsant (14) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Justin Shanes (24) 14.039 64.107 mph

TH’ WINNAH! A ginning Justin Shanes climbs from his racer in Victory Lane.

PURE STOCKS
The thirty lap Pure Stock feature was certainly an entertaining enough race, even noting the fact that “Sally Mae”, Michael Williams, led from flag to flag, with heat race winner Donold Webb Jr second and “King of the Ridge” Josh Hood third; Brandon Ladd and Derrick Harrington completing the top five. But this night was particularly noteworthy for the spectacular and vicious accident on the backstretch during the heat race which saw Joseph Cook shed a left rear wheel…which was subsequently struck by Willie Coats, pitching him skyward into a violent series of barrel rolls. Coats eventually came to a stop on his wheels and his 71 erupted in flame. Safety crews were right on the spot, extinguishing the blaze and extracting Coats safely from his ride. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. Ronnie Upchurch claimed fast time in qualifying.

Michael Williams roars under Andy Breedlove’s checkered flag after winning the Pure Stock feature.

Pure Stock Feature Race Finish
1. Michael Williams (91) 30 laps
2. Donald Webb Jr (27) 30 laps
3. Josh Hood (08X) 30 laps
4. Brandon Ladd (40) 30 laps
5. Derrick Harrington (12) 30 laps
Other finishers: 6. Joseph Cook (27X) 7 laps, 7. Chris Neidert (19) 7 laps, 8. Ronnie Unchurch (08) 7 laps. DNS Willie Coats (71)

Pure Stock Heat Race Top Five
1. Donald Webb Jr (27) 8 laps
2. Joseph Cook (27X) 8 laps
3. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 8 laps
4. Willie Coats (71) 8 laps
5. Derrick Harrington (12) 8 laps

Fast qualifier: Ronnie Upchurch (08) 14.933 60.269 mph

The Pure Stock heat saw Joseph Cook’s car shuck a left rear wheel, which went under Willie Coats’ 71, pitching it into a series of violent barrel rolls…

…finally coming to a smoky stop at the entrance to turn 3…

…where track crews and fellow drivers immediately went to Willie’s assistance…

…and carefully helped him into the track ambulance.

SUPER STOCKS
The Super Stocks finally made a return to Veterans Motorplex; Jonathan Dishman was in the 12, Walt Garrison was back in the Milk Money Racing #99 while Michael Neidert was debuting a slick new “Family Truckster” station wagon (seriously!) which he referred to as a “kinda 80ish Malibu wagon”. It certainly was a unique piece but it was also undeniably fast, proving thus by leading most of the first half of the feature! Neidert finally had to yield to a determined Thomas Pannell, back in the 67 ride tonight. Pannell eased away while Neidert resisted the advances of Gus Moody (third) and Matt Fuqua (fourth). Heat race winner Garrison came away with fifth. Pannell also grabbed fast time.

Is that a…yes, actually it is! Michael Neidert wheeled this slick looking “Family Truckster” to second in the Super Stock race.

Super Stocks Feature Race Finish
1. Thomas Pannell (67) 35 laps
2. Michael Neidert (4) 35 laps
3. Gus Moody (48) 35 laps
4. Matt Fuqua (93) 35 laps
5. Walt Garrison (99) 35 laps
Other finishers: 6. Buddy Moody (5) 35 laps, 7. Carl Porter Jr (465) 8 laps. DNS: Jonathan Dishman (12), Donold Webb Jr (91).

Super Stocks Heat Race Top Five
1. Walt Garrison (99) 10 laps
2. Matt Fuqua (93) 10 laps
3. Gus Moody (48) 10 laps
4. Thomas Pannell (67) 10 laps
5. Buddy Moody (5) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Thomas Pannell (67) 14.528 61.949 mph

You get used to seeing this guy up front…Thomas Pannell wins another one, this time in Super Stock.

ROAD WARRIORS
Another furious Road Warriors event resulted in another win for “Scrumpy” as points leader David Lassiter took control with two laps to go and pulled away from trophy dash winner Megan Allen and fast qualifier Kasey Williams following the usual four abreast late race melee. Lance Steele was fourth but claimed the heat race win, and Nate Allen continued to improve, taking his best feature finish of the year. Special notices go to Jerry Langston, who led early till having car problems, and Marc Deist, who recovered from a mid-race spin to finish sixth.

Slap weight on his car, and he STILL wins…Davud Lassiter and “Scrumpy” do it again in Road Warriors.

Road Warriors Feature Race Finish
1. David Lassiter (6) 20 laps
2. Megan Allen (14) 20 laps
3. Kasey Williams (K3) 20 laps
4. Lance Steele (10) 20 laps
5. Nate Allen (01) 20 laps
Other finishers: 6. Marc Deist (423) 20 laps, 7. David Ray Bates (88) 20 laps, 8. Michael Meadows (12) 20 laps, 9. Kenny Zollars (83X) 20 laps, 10. Joey Williams (04) 20 laps, 11. Tony Chambers (43) 20 laps, 12. Jerry Langston (3) 18 laps, 13. Brandon Dean (22) 15 laps, 14. Jaclyn Barnett (17) 10 laps, 15. Scott Conner (07) 2 laps, 16. Justin Doney (7) 2 laps DNS: Derrick Bissinger (469), Brandon Miller (59), Lynn Newcomb (55)

Road Warriors Heat Race Top Five
1. Lance Steele (10) 10 laps
2. Joey Williams (04) 10 laps
3. Megan Allen (14) 10 laps
4. David Ray Bates (88) 10 laps
5. Marc Deist (423) 10 laps

Road Warriors Non-Winners Trophy Dash Top Five
1. Megan Allen (14) 10 laps
2. Marc Deist (423) 10 laps
3. David Ray Bates (88) 10 laps
4. Michael Meadows (12) 10 laps
5. Nate Allen (01) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Kasey Williams (K3) 17.025 52.863 mph

And the wheels go round…yes, it’s a Hula Hoop contest…for real money!

NEXT WEEKEND…it’s Twin 50s! 50 exciting laps for the Pure Stocks, and another 50 for the return of the Sportsman! The Pest Doctor Ridge Runners will be back, along with the Taxis, truck drags, and…yes, the Road Warriors! It’s a night of excitement at a price that can’t be beat, at VETERANS MOTORPLEX at the RIM, your FAMILY ACTION ATTRACTION!

A jubilant Jonathan Wilhite cruises under Andy Breedlove’s checkered flag to win the Pull-A-Part Pro 8 Late Model race.

Sure, it was hot. Again. And for the third straight race weekend, the temperatures soared into the range that would break the spirits of the average person. But Racers are a different breed entirely and showed up at Veterans Motorplex regardless. There was just too much to see and do, what with the USAC Speed2 Eastern Midgets on the property, the usual wild shows for Road Warriors and Legends, a tale of retribution in Pure Stocks…and then there was that wacky affair that was the Pull-A-Part Pro 8 Late Model race…YOU HADDA BE THERE!!!

LEGENDS
Legends featured a couple of new faces with familiar backgrounds…Chaz Chaffin (no mistaking THAT name!) in the black and white 95, and Boston Oliver in a sharp-looking white and orange machine…his bloodline has the names Climer and Baucom to recommend it, and carried #88 (of course.) Defending champion and fast qualifier Hunter Wright–literally JUST back from racing at Texas Motor Speedway!–survived a couple of incidents (and subsequent restarts at the back of the pack) to thread his way to second, but the night belonged to a jubilant Justin Maxwell, finally making his way back to Victory Lane. Heat race winner Oliver Cordell took third in the main, followed by Chaffin and Boston Oliver, the 12 year old running a confident first race at Veterans Motorplex.

Legends Feature Race Finish
1. Justin Maxwell (20) 25 laps
2. Hunter Wright (29) 25 laps
3. Oliver Cordell (17) 25 laps
4. Chaz Chaffin (95) 25 laps
5. Boston Oliver (88) 25 laps
Other finishers: 6. Paul Jones (36) 25 laps

Legends Heat Race Top Five
1. Oliver Cordell (17) 10 laps
2. Justin Maxwell (20) 10 laps
3. Hunter Wright (29) 10 laps
4. Chaz Chaffin (95) 10 laps
5. Boston Oliver (88) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Hunter Wright (29) 14.346 62.735 mph

PEST DOCTOR RIDGE RUNNERS
The heat race for the Pest Doctor Ridge Runners saw a thrilling side-by-side duel between Josh Harrell and Daniel Harper, with Harrell JUST coming out on top…but the feature was strictly the Beard Show. Harrell and fast qualifier Steve Akey kept Harper honest for the first half till the #95 inevitably eased away. Akey later passed Harrell for second. Tony Chambers claimed fourth, with Rusty Newman fifth.

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Feature Race Finish
1. Daniel Harper (95) 25 laps
2. Steve Akey (99) 25 laps
3. Josh Harrell (411) 25 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 25 laps
5. Rusty Newman (73) 22 laps
Other finishers: 6. Ricky Calkins (413) 20 laps, Paul Cummings (A1) 14 laps

Pest Doctor Ridge Runners Heat Race Top Five
1. Josh Harrell (411) 10 laps
2. Daniel Harper (95) 10 laps
3. Steve Akey (99) 10 laps
4. Tony Chambers (43) 10 laps
5. Ricky Calkins (413) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Steve Akey (99) 15.422 58.358 mph

PURE STOCKS
Remember the commercial that went, “How do you spell relief?” Well this weekend it could’ve been, “How do you spell retribution? R-Y-M-A-N!!!” as Travis Ryman returned after losing the King of the Ridge race last weekend in post race inspection to not only score the feature win this weekend, but a clean sweep of the night, snagging the heat race AND fast time! It was a dominant performance the likes of which we usually see from Carl Porter Sr, but the Rocket Man was not available to join us this weekend, and after a lap five wreck that eliminated both Donold Webb Jr and Michael Williams, Ryman was simply The Boss Hoss. Josh Hood ran his usual exciting race and was rewarded with second, and Clint Ivey brought the Purple Predator back in third. Willie Coats and Ronnie Upchurch completed the top five.

Pure Stock Feature Race Finish
1. Travis Ryman (6) 30 laps
2. Josh Hood (08X) 30 laps
3. Clint Ivey (52) 30 laps
4. Willie Coats (71) 30 laps
5. Ronnie Upchurch (08) 30 laps
Other finishers: 6. Derrick Harrington (12) 25 laps, 7. Cameron Choate (82) 17 laps, 8. Donold Webb Jr (27) 5 laps, 9. Michael Williams (91) 5 laps. DNS: Jeffrey Belt (02)

Pure Stock Heat Race Finish
1. Travis Ryman (6) 10 laps
2. Cameron Choate (82) 10 laps
3. Ronnie Unchurch (08) 10 laps
4. Clint Ivey (52) 10 laps
5. Willie Coats (71) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Travis Ryman (6) 14.854 60.590 mph

ROAD WARRIORS
Not long after claiming the Mid Season Points Championship trophy, David Lassiter finally broke through in the chase and denied Derrick Bissinger a third straight win with a perfectly judged race. “Scrumpy” sat quietly in the tail end of the top 6 or 7 most of the race, waiting till the halfway point to make his move…and when he did, the show was effectively over. But…keep an eye on the 88 of David Ray Bates, who is reasserting himself and grabbed second, and Kasey Williams was right there with him in third. “Godzilla” finally ended up somewhere OTHER than first (he did take the heat race) in fourth, and props to Jerry Langston just keeps getting better each week and claimed fifth.

Road Warriors Feature Race Finish
1. David Lassiter (6) 20 laps
2. David Ray Bates (88) 20 laps
3. Kasey Williams (K3) 20 laps
4. Derrick Bissinger (469) 20 laps
5. Jerry Langston (3) 20 laps
Other finishers: 6. Michael Meadows (12) 20 laps, 7. Justin Doney (7) 20 laps, 8. Tony Chambers (43) 20 laps, 9. Aaron Porter (04) 20 laps, 10. Lynn Newcomb (55) 19 laps, 11. Paul Cummings (A1) 19 laps, 12. Marc Deist (423) 7 laps, 13. Ray Gonzales (83) 7 laps, 14. Kenny Zollars (83X) 7 laps, 15. Brandon Miller (59) 3 laps, 16. J D South (91X) 3 laps, 17. Austin Jacobs (95) 3 laps. DNS: Ricky Kaylor (1X)

Road Warriors Heat Race Finish
1. Derrick Bissinger (469) 10 laps
2. J D South (91) 10 laps
3. David Ray Bates (88) 10 laps
4. Marc Deist (423) 10 laps
5. Kasey Williams (K3) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Justin Doney (7) 17.098 52.644 mph

PULL-A-PART PRO 8 LATE MODELS
In what may have been a VMR first, Ryan Arms served as our on-track reporter, giving the fans in the stands some commentary on what turned out to be a very difficult Late Model go. On the very first attempt at a start, polesitter Jonathan Wilhite looped his 71 in front of the field…the 98 of Mike Barrett got sideways too. Both cars restarted and no one hit anything. Ryan Arms looped his number 4 in turn 3 a little later to bring out another caution but still that wasn’t the end…there was one more spin for the 4 yet, and it came with three laps to go and set the stage for what was to come…CHAOS. When the smoke cleared and the checkered fell, Hunter Wright—who looked like he had the race in the bag!—was in second, Ryan Arms was in third (“plowing like a dump truck” and no brakes!)…and sailing gloriously across the line first was none other than…Jonathan Wilhite!!! Remember? The guy who spun on lap 1? WOW!!! It was Wilhite’s first feature race win of the year. Mike Barrett and Mark Day rounded out the top five.

Pull-A-Part Pro 8 Late Model Feature Race Finish
1. Jonathan Wilhite (71) 50 laps
2. Hunter Wright (29) 50 laps
3. Ryan Arms (4) 50 laps
4. Mike Barrett (98) 50 laps
5. Mark Day (8) 50 laps
Other finishers: 6. Jake Scogin (15) 50 laps, 7. Dylan Jones (05) 50 laps, 8. Walt Garrison (5.3) 2 laps. DNS: Larry Speakman (8S)

Pull-A-Part Pro 8 Late Model Heat Race Finish
1. Jonathan Wilhite (71) 10 laps
2. Walt Garrison (5.3) 10 laps
3. Mark Day (8) 10 laps
4. Dylan Jones (05) 10 laps
5. Ryan Arms (4) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Hunter Wright (29) 13.232 68.017 mph

USAC SPEED2 EASTERN MIDGET SERIES
It was noted during qualifying that the Midgets were the fastest cars we were liable to see all year. Lightweight, high-winding, and darty, the USAC Speed2 cars were all that…how about 12.9 seconds for fast qualifier Neal Allison? At an average speed of just shy of 70 mph! Come feature time though it was Mooresville NC’s Sam Hatfield who claimed the prize, passing early leader Connor Gross and sprinting away in a surprisingly swift 35 lap feature. Gross held on for second over Allison (who claimed the feature at Kentucky Motor Speedway the next day), with Jessica Bean surviving a lurid slide in the north end of the track for fourth. Trophy Dash winner Hunter Wise was fifth.

USAC Speed2 Eastern Midget Series Feature Race Finish
1. Sam Hatfield, Mooresville NC (9) 35 laps
2. Connor Gross, Asbury NJ (14) 35 laps
3. Neal Allison, Greensboro NC (15) 35 laps
4. Jessica Bean, Farmland IN (5) 35 laps
5. Hunter Wise, Allentown PA (28) 35 laps
Other finishers: 6. Daytona Spicola, Pueblo CO (8) 35 laps, 7. Mason Hoskins, Hendersonville TN (12) 34 laps, 8. Braeden Allum, Old Hill NC 34 laps, Sam Mazzo, Burns TN (31) 3 laps

USAC Speed2 Eastern Midget Series Trophy Dash Finish
1. Hunter Wise, Allentown PA (28) 10 laps
2. Daytona Spicola, Pueblo CO (8) 10 laps
3. Mason Hoskins, Hendersonville TN (12) 10 laps
4. Sam Mazza, Burns TN (31) 10 laps
5. Braeden Allum, Old Hill NC (87) 10 laps

Fast qualifier: Neal Allison, Greensboro NC (15) 12.912 69.703 mph

NEXT WEEK AT VMR…AT LAST! The debut of the Southern Pro-Am Truck Series, as they go at it in twin features…and the return of the Super Stocks! Plus, Baby Grands, Pure Stocks, and those wacky Road Warriors…and that and more on August 24, only at VETERANS MOTORPLEX at the RIM…your FAMILY ACTION ATTRACTION!