Byrd pockets $2,000 for ‘Walter Ball Memorial 40’ Pro Late Model victory at Volunteer Speedway

By Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway Media/Public Relations

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (April 6) — Volunteer Speedway honored an East Tennessee racing legend Saturday night with the Second Annual Walter Ball Memorial Night. During a racing career of close to 30 years, Ball visited victory lane over 400 times and won championships at tracks all around the region and also in Southwest Virginia. Walter suffered a massive heart attack on his 70th birthday while at “The Gap” seven years ago in the pits watching his son Dale race and passed away.

Tim Byrd of Jonesborough grew up around racing, with his father (Charlie Byrd) having won many races at area tracks competing in both the 6-Cylinder and Late Model divisions in the 1970s and 1980s. While raising a family and working in the family logging business for many years, Tim got a late start into chauffeuring a race car at age 40, when he drove a team-car with Dale Ball for Alan Poyner Motorsports.

With several runner-up and top-five finishes over the past four years to his credit, what both Tim and Charlie dreamed of was that first visit to victory lane. Byrd laid down fast-time in qualifying to nail down the pole position for the Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro (Crate) Late Model Walter Ball Memorial 40 over the 22 entrants present.

With waving of the green flag, Byrd jumped into the lead over John Tweed racing into the first turn, with Ricky Moore, Teddy Tate and Jensen Ford in tow. A massive multi-car wreck in turn four on the third lap stacked cars up completely blocking the track, with cars sustaining damage including Moore, Tim Maupin, Dale Ball, Jerry Broyles, Brad Coffey, Mike Smith, Chris Chandler, Doug Price, Wes Johnson and Tyler Dixon.

On the restart Byrd led Tweed, Tate, Ford and John Cobb. Racing off turn two down the backstretch on lap 2, Ford rolled around the outside of Tate to move into the third spot. Cobb was feeling pressure from Maupin for the fifth position and, after several challenges Maupin finally pulled the pass off to overtake Cobb on lap 15 racing off turn two.

Ford closed to the rear bumper of Tweed to battle for second, looking to the inside on several occasions racing off the corners with no luck. On lap 22, Ford looked to the outside to attempt a pass for position. Not knowing Ford was on his outside, there was contact between Tweed and Ford racing off the corner which damaged Ford’s mount to bring out the caution.

While under yellow, an obviously unhappy Ford pulled alongside the left-rear quarter panel and spun Tweed at end of the front straightaway. For his actions, Ford was parked in the pits by track officials, and Tweed was moved back into second place.

Byrd was still in command out front leading Tweed, Tate, Maupin and Cobb on the restart. Once back under green racing conditions, Byrd, driving the Charles Byrd & Son Logging/RDM Trucking of Chuckey/K&M Flooring of Johnson City/Total Control Shocks & Suspensions/Matlock Decal Co./FK Rod Ends/Sweet Mfg./Brinn Inc./Schaeffer’s Racing Oil/VP Race Fuels/TNT Race Cars/Tim Byrd Motorsports/No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro SS, proceeded to pull away from his closest challengers.

Maupin rode the high-line around turns one and two and rolled around the outside of Tate to move into the third spot on lap 24. Still hard on the gas smashing the loud pedal, Maupin passed Tweed to take over second on lap 26 racing off the fourth turn.

With Byrd holding over a full-straightaway advantage over Maupin once he got around Tweed for the runner-up position, Maupin did close the distance. But there would be no denying Byrd the $2,000 Walter Ball Memorial 40 payday for capturing his first-ever Pro Late Model victory. Behind Byrd and Maupin at the checkered flag were Tweed, Tate and Cobb.

Completing the top-10 at the finish were Smith, Ball, Greg Burchett, Clinton Cook and Heath Alvey.

“Man, words just cannot describe what an awesome feeling this is to finally win my first race,” said a smiling Byrd in the pits while the top-three finishing cars were going through post-race technical inspection. “We’ve come close to winning before only to come up a little short at the finish. But tonight we had a great car. We were fast in practice and backed it (speed) up in qualifying by setting fast-time to get the pole position. That was a huge deal because we jumped into the lead right on the start and had an open track in front of us and didn’t have to battle and fight for position amongst the pack of cars in pursuit. I was just concentrating on hitting my marks and running consistent lap-times. That’s crucial, just be consistent lap after lap with the times you’re running.

“Back at the ‘Spring Thaw’ I finished second to my teammate Jensen Ford, and we were right on his tail at the end of the race. We were about as equal as you can get, he just grabbed the lead at the start over me and I couldn’t get around him. I ran right with Jensen the entire race, but never could pass him. But this win tonight, it’s such a great feeling to be able to finally say I’ve won a race at Volunteer Speedway. This place is so rich in history, just look at all the big names in dirt late model racing that have won races here. I’ve been coming to this track since I was a boy when dad raced here, and now I can say he and I both have visited victory lane at ‘The Gap.’ This win is really special for both dad and myself. He’s the reason I’m living out my dream to race. I’m just thankful for all the support I have from my mom and dad, along with my wife and daughters and my crew chief Mark Hamby. I also want to thank Tony, Jensen, and Mick Ford for the awesome TNT Race Cars they build, too.”

Eddie Morris of Gray set fast-time at 15.853 seconds to start from the pole position in the 25-lap Modified Hobby feature. Driving the Miller’s Tire & Auto Service in Johnson City/Roger Clendenin Race Cars, Parts & Repair in Church Hill/No. 0 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Morris rolled to victory over Mike Mays, Chuck Johnson, Landon Williams and Jesse Wilder.

Mike Clevenger of Kingsport won the drag race down the front straightaway into the first turn over pole-sitter Blake Terry to grab the lead in the Open Wheel Modified feature. Once out front there was no looking back for Clevenger, as he recorded the victory over Blake Kelley, Jeff Akard, Tyler James and Terry.

Brad Dyer of Mohawk, driving the S&S Millwright/Tolliver Heating & Air Conditioning/Korner Market & Deli/Holzerman Auto &Truck Repair/Tolliver Racing/No. 0 Ford Mustang, jumped into the lead at drop of the green flag and cruised to victory over Justin “Goose” Shelton, Terry Price, Nathan Stepp and Jason Shelton.

FASTRAK RACING SERIES – PRO LATE MODEL “WALTER BALL MEMORIAL 40”

1) Tim Byrd #24; 2) Tim Maupin #T2; 3) John Tweed #5; 4) Teddy Tate #99; 5) John Cobb #40; 6) Mike Smith #4; 7) Dale Ball #2; 8) Greg Burchett #5g; 9) Clinton Cook #7; 10) Heath Alvey #7; 11) Wes Johnson #57j; 12) Richard Adkins #73; 13) Cody Brake #586; 14) Jensen Ford #24f; 15) Chuck Price #82; 16) Ricky Presley #17; 17) Ricky Moore #75; 18) Brad Coffey #88; 19) Tyler Dixon #00; 20) Jerry Broyles #72; 21) Chris Chandler #8; 22) Doug Price #p4

MODIFIED HOBBY (25 laps)

1) Eddie Morris #0; 2) Mike Mays #30; 3) Chuck Johnson #17; 4) Landon Williams #25; 5) Jesse Wilder #79; 6) Charlie Bates #34; 7) Terry King #20; 8) Dave Smith #10; 9) Jesse Helton #28 – Did Not Start: Jamie Whitt #1; Jon Cook #0z; Chuck Kilian #96

OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED (15 laps)

1) Mike Clevenger #12; 2) Blake Kelley #K5; 3) Jeff Akard #00; 4) Tyler James #4; 5) Blake Terry #89; 6) Josh Evans #81; 7) Dale Reed #75

MINI STOCK (15 laps)

1) Brad Dyer #0; 2) Justin Shelton #77; 3) Terry Price #34; 4) Nathan Stepp #66; 5) Jason Shelton #7; 6) Brad Stubblefield #21; 7) Shawn Henry #H0; 8) Brandon Johnson #B01

Volunteer Speedway: (423) 235-5020
Track Office – Weekdays Only 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Robert Walden – Media/Public Relations: (423) 928-9644
Robbie Williams – Race Director: (423) 483-4055

Photo courtesy of Chad Wells – Wells Racing Photography.

Blankenship flexes muscle for Volunteer Speedway ‘Spring Thaw’ victory

By Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway Media/Public Relations

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (March 16) — John Blankenship grew up in Williamson, W.Va., but has called Knoxville, Tenn., his home for the past eight years. The 31-year-old turned in a dominant performance Saturday night in winning the Ray Cook-promoted Spring Nationals Series “12th Annual Spring Thaw” at Volunteer Speedway and pocketing $10,000 for the victory.

Blankenship toured the high banks at 13.413 seconds to set fast-time during qualifying over the 31 entrants. The four heat races were won by Blankenship, Chris Madden, Scott Bloomquist and Eric Jacobsen. Mark Douglas and Jared Landers each won a B-main, with Stacy Boles winning the last chance scramble to round out the 23-car starting lineup.

With the huge crowd in attendance standing on their feet for start of the 60-lap main event, they were cheering wildly on the opening lap when Madden dove to the inside of Blankenship and Bloomquist making it a three-wide scramble for the lead between turns one and two. The trio raced down the backstretch battling for real estate before Bloomquist moved to the point between turns three and four, with Blankenship and Madden in pursuit followed by Jacobsen and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Ty Dillon.

Billy Ogle Jr. got around Dillon for fifth racing off the fourth turn just two laps into race. Steve Casebolt was working his way forward from his eighth starting position, passing Dillon for sixth on lap 8.

But out front Bloomquist had the hard-charging Blankenship breathing down his neck during the opening 10 laps. Finally, on lap 13 between turns three and four with Bloomquist working lapped traffic and in the high groove, Blankenship powered his Coal World’s Energy/Coal Save The Country/Bear Cove Village in Pigeon Forge/Todd Case Trucking/Integra Racing Shocks/Schaeffer Racing Oil/VP Race Fuels/Hoosier Racing Tires/Cornett Racing Engines/No. 23 Rocket Chassis, past Bloomquist to assume a lead he would never relinquish.

Blankenship immediately began pulling away from Bloomquist, who began feeling pressure from Madden for the runner-up position. Madden got around Bloomquist for the spot on lap 24 racing off turn two, and just behind them Casebolt was overtaking Ogle for fourth place. Casebolt kept mashing the loud pedal to get around Bloomquist for third in the running order on lap 26 as they raced between turns three and four.

With the race reaching halfway at lap 30, Blankenship was in command and had checked out on his closest challengers as he held a little over a full-straightaway advantage over Madden, Casebolt, Bloomquist and Ogle.

Ogle got around Bloomquist for fourth on lap 40 racing off the fourth corner. For the second consecutive night Casebolt and Madden were battling for position by throwing slide-jobs at each other. Casebolt finally cleared Madden and moved into second with a pass between turns three and four on lap 45. With 15 laps remaining to the checkers, Casebolt set his sights ahead and hoped to be able track down race leader Blankenship.

But there would be no denying Blankenship a trip to victory lane as he easily cruised to the $10,000 win over Casebolt, Madden, Ogle and Bloomquist.

Completing the top-10 finishers were Jimmy Owens, Dillon, Jacobsen, Dale McDowell and Mark Vineyard, with 10 cars running on the lead lap.

“I’ve won on the national tour with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and those wins are special,” said Blankenship after climbing from his car in victory lane. “But I’ll have to say that finally being able to win a big race here at Volunteer Speedway like this and over such as strong field of competitors, this victory ranks right at the top for me in my career. You take guys like Scott (Bloomquist) and Jimmy (Owens), this track is their home turf where they’ve each won many races over the years. Also, (Chris) Madden and Dale (McDowell) have each won big races here too.

“Having lived here in East Tennessee now for several years and with our race team being located in Morristown, it’s good to get this win for all the local fans. I want to thank my crew chief Tom Buckingham and all the guys (Bo Hickey, Tony Trent, Allen Champ, Trevor Crittenden, Logan Hickey and J.C. Crockett) who work on our team. We really had a great car tonight. With Bloomquist getting the lead over us there on the opening lap, I was thinking he was probably out front to stay. But we ran right with him and he wasn’t able to get away from us. I was on his rear for a few laps until I was able to overtake him once we closed to rear of the field to start lapping the slower cars. Man, once I got around him I was like ‘Yeah, I can win this race.’ This Southern Nationals Series ‘Spring Thaw’ trophy really means a lot to me.”

Teammates Jensen Ford and Tim Byrd led the stellar Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro Late Model field to the green flag from the front row. Ford grabbed the lead over Byrd between turns one and two, with Ricky Moore, John Tweed and Tim Maupin in tow.

On the move early working his way forward from his seventh starting spot was Dawsonville, Ga.’s Chase Elliott, who’s a Rick Hendrick Motorsports development driver and also the son of legendary NASCAR Cup Series champion Bill Elliott.

Elliott got around Maupin racing off the fourth turn on lap 4 to move into fifth place, and just one circuit later he passed Tweed to move into the fourth spot. The caution waved on lap 8, when Maupin spun between turns one and two while battling with Tweed for fifth in the running order.

Ford, from Piney Flats, brought the field back up to speed on the restart with Byrd glued to his rear bumper. Jumping to the high-side of turns one and two the young Elliott rode around the outside of Moore racing down the backstretch to move into the third spot. Both Tweed and Mike Smith each also got around Moore before he settled back into sixth in the running order.

But out front it was all Ford, as he drove the Charles Byrd & Son Logging/RDM Trucking of Chuckey/K&M Flooring of Johnson City/Matlock Decal Co./TNT Race Cars/Tim Byrd Motorsports/No. 24f Chevrolet Camaro SS, to a flag-to-flag victory over Byrd, Elliott, Tweed and Smith in the 25-lap feature.

Todd Brooks, Chris Chandler, Matt Long, Jerry Broyles and Brent Hensley completed the top-10 finishers.

VOLUNTEER SPEEDWAY – SOUTHERN NATIONALS SERIES – $10,000-TO-WIN “SPRING THAW 60” – MARCH 16, 2013

Showing Finish Position, Starting Position In Parentheses, Driver Name, Car Number, Hometown, Money Earned, Laps Completed

1. (1) John Blankenship #23-Knoxville, TN $10,000 (60)
2. (8) Steve Casebolt #c9-Richmond, IN $5,000 (60)
3. (3) Chris Madden #44-Gray Court, SC $2,500 (60)
4. (7) Billy Ogle, Jr. #201-Knoxville, TN $2,000 (60)
5. (2) Scott Bloomquist #0-Mooresburg, TN $1,500 (60)
6. (6) Jimmy Owens #20-Newport, TN $1,300 (60)
7. (5) Ty Dillon #41-Lewisville, NC $1,200 (60)
8. (4) Eric Jacobsen #5j-Sea Cliff Beach, CA $1,100 (60)
9. (9) Dale McDowell #17m-Chickamauga, GA $1,050 (60)
10. (14) Mark Vineyard #4-Powell, TN $1,000 (60)
11. (15) Tommy Kerr #4T-Maryville, TN $950 (59)
12. (10) Steve Francis #15-Ashland, KY $900 (59)
13. (11) Eric Wells #18-Hazard, KY $850 (59)
14. (12) Michael Chilton #97-Salvisa, KY $800 (58)
15. (16) David Payne #8-Murphy, NC $750 (58)
16. (19) Tyler Millwood #X-Kingston, GA $700 (37)
17. (18) Jared Landers #5-Batesville, AR $650 (23)
18. (22) Josh Collins #63-Knoxville, TN $600 (20)
19. (13) Vic Hill #1-Morristown, TN $600 (17)
20. (20) Casey Roberts #101-Toccoa, GA $600 (16)
21. (21) Skip Arp #31-Georgetown, TN $600 (12)
22. (17) Mark Douglas #52D-Knoxville, TN $600 (4)
23. (23) Stacy Boles #11B-Clinton, TN $600 (2)

AMERICAN RACER HEAT #1 (Top 4 Transfer): 1) John Blankenship, 2) Ty Dillon, 3) Dale McDowell, 4) Vic Hill, 5) Tyler Millwood, 6) Skip Arp, 7) Josh Henry, 8) Joey Coulter

HOOSIER RACING TIRE HEAT #2 (Top 4 Transfer): 1) Chris Madden, 2) Billy Ogle Jr., 3) Eric Wells, 4) Tommy Kerr, 5) Mark Douglas, 6) Stacy Boles, 7) Sammie Russell – Did Not Start: George Mashburn

MASTERSBILT RACE CARS HEAT #3 (Top 4 Transfer): 1) Scott Bloomquist, 2) Jimmy Owens, 3) Steve Francis, 4) Mark Vineyard, 5) Jared Landers, 6) Josh Collins, 7) Ryan King, 8) Cory Hedgecock

DELPH COMMUNICATIONS HEAT #4 (Top 4 Transfer): 1) Eric Jacobsen, 2) Steve Casebolt, 3) Michael Chilton, 4) David Payne, 5) Casey Roberts, 6) Devin Friese, 7) Victor Lee

GRAPHIC IMPRESSIONS B-MAIN #1 (Top 3 Transfer): 1) Mark Douglas, 2) Tyler Millwood, 3) Skip Arp, 4) Stacy Boles, 5) Josh Henry, 6) Joey Coulter

WHITE PERFORMANCE B-MAIN #2 (Top 3 Transfer): 1) Jared Landers, 2) Casey Roberts, 3) Josh Collins, 4) Devin Friese, 5) Victor Lee

VP RACE FUELS B-SCRAMBLE Finish (Winner Transfers): 1) Stacy Boles, 2) Josh Henry, 3) Victor Lee, 4) Joey Coulter, 5) Devin Friese

DRIVERS FAILING TO TRANSFER TO STARTING LINEUP:

Josh Henry #25-Newport, TN
Victor Lee #4-Danville, KY
Joey Coulter #2-Miami Springs, FL
Devin Friese #12-Chambersburg, PA
Ryan King #30-Seymour, TN
Sammie Russell #F4-Madisonville, TN
Cory Hedgecock #23-Lenoir City, TN
George Mashburn #13-Murphy, NC

FASTRAK RACING SERIES – PRO LATE MODEL (25 laps)

1) Jensen Ford #24f, 2) Tim Byrd #24, 3) Chase Elliott #53, 4) John Tweed #5, 5) Mike Smith #4, 6) Todd Brooks #T1, 7) Chris Chandler #8, 8) Matt Long #25, 9) Jerry Broyles #72, 10) Brent Hensley #70, 11) Travis Fultz #X, 12) Doug Price #4p, 13) Lance Reynolds #14, 14) David Duplissey #D2, 15) Tim Maupin #T2, 16) Greg Burchett #5g, 17) Heath Alvey #7, 18) Alan Poyner #2, 19) Ricky Moore #75, 20) Adam Beeler #66, 21) James Cole #5c, 22) Tyler Dixon #00, 23) Wes Johnson #57j – Did Not Start: Hugh Scalf #56, Cody Brake #586, Richard Adkins #73

Ray Cook (Spring Nationals Series Promoter): (828) 360-5353
Volunteer Speedway: (423) 235-5020
Track Office – Weekdays Only 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.: (423) 378-5942
Phyllis Loven (Track Owner): (423) 676-9081
Robert Walden – Media/Public Relations: (423) 928-9644
Robbie Williams – Race Director: (423) 483-4055

Photo courtesy of Chad Wells – Wells Racing Photography.

McDowell opens 40th year of racing at Volunteer Speedway with ‘Spring Nationals Series’ victory

By Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway Media/Public Relations

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (March 15) — The start of the 40th year of exciting dirt-track racing at Volunteer Speedway began Friday night just the same as it did last March during Bristol Motor Speedway NASCAR weekend in East Tennessee. Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., led flag-to-flag to capture the inaugural Ray Cook Southern Nationals Series $4,000 victory.

The top-10 locked into the 40-lap Spring Nationals Series feature from time trials, with McDowell quickest of 29 cars as he toured the high banks at 12.912 seconds. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series racer Ty Dillon and Scott Bloomquist recorded victories in the two B-main races. Devin Friese won the last chance scramble to complete the 23-car starting field.

At drop of the green flag, McDowell got the jump over outside front row starter Billy Ogle Jr. racing down the front straightaway into the first turn to power into a lead he would never relinquish. Back around at the start-finish line to complete the opening lap McDowell was followed by Ogle, Chris Madden, David Payne and Steve Casebolt.

Setting a blistering pace out front, McDowell caught rear of the field on lap 10 which momentarily allowed Ogle to close to rear bumper of the race leader. But once McDowell cleared the lapped cars he began to put some distance between himself, Ogle and Madden. As the race reached the halfway point, McDowell held right at a half-straightaway advantage.

Casebolt got around Payne for the fourth spot on lap 22 racing off turn two, and just five circuits later he maneuvered his way past Madden between turns three and four to move into third place. The event’s first caution waved on lap 33 when five-time Volunteer Speedway Super Late Model champion Vic Hill slowed at end of the front straightaway with steering issues.

Only one lap back under green and the caution waved once again, for a spin in turn two by Mark Vineyard.

With only seven laps remaining and a clear track ahead of him McDowell, driving the Ferris Commercial Mowers/National Boiler Service/Klotz Synthetic Lubricants/Cometic Gasket/WTW Enterprises, Inc./Integra Racing Shocks/Big Dog Motorsports/Allstar Performance/Schoenfeld/FK Rod Ends/Sweet Mfg./Clements Racing Engines/Hoosier Racing Tire/MasterSbilt Race Cars/Team Dillon Racing/No. 17m Chevrolet Impala SS, would not be denied a trip to victory lane as he held Ogle off for the $4,000 win. Finishing third through fifth, respectively, were Casebolt, Madden and Payne.

Completing the top 10 finishers were Steve Francis, John Blankenship, Tyler Millwood, Casey Roberts and Dillon.

“I’ve been coming to Volunteer Speedway for many years now to race and for some reason I’ve always ran well here,” said McDowell following the race back at his hauler. “I’ve always liked racing at the high-speed tracks over the years and there’s no doubt about it, ‘The Gap’ is a fast place and it really suits my style of driving quite well.

“We beat a really strong field of cars here last year to win the ‘Spring Thaw’ and there’s a good group of cars assembled here for this weekend. Anytime you run well and can get the victory, that’s what it’s all about. We had a good car and I knew Billy (Ogle Jr.) also had a good car. Getting the lead there on the start over him was a big deal, because I’m not so sure if he’d gotten the lead if we could’ve gotten around him during the race. I was kind of worried a little when working lapped traffic because I didn’t really know where Billy was behind me. Really if you’re running second behind the leader in lapped traffic, a lot of times the second-running car has got the advantage. We’re happy with this win tonight and we’ll tweak around a little with the car before tomorrow night’s event and it would be awesome to be able to sweep both nights.”

Greg Estes of Jonesville, Va., grabbed the lead at start of the 20-lap Modifed Hobby feature and never looked back en route to capturing his first-ever victory at Volunteer Speedway. Finishing behind Estes were defending three-time divisional champion Jamie Whitt, Jon Cook, Dennis Metcalf and Mike Mays.

VOLUNTEER SPEEDWAY – $4,000-TO-WIN SPRING NATIONALS SERIES – MARCH 15, 2013

Showing Finish Position, Starting Position In Parentheses, Driver Name, Car Number, Hometown, Money Earned, Laps Completed

1. (1) Dale McDowell #17m-Chickamauga, GA $4,000 (40)
2. (2) Billy Ogle, Jr. #201-Knoxville, TN $2,000 (40)
3. (6) Steve Casebolt #c9-Richmond, IN $1,400 (40)
4. (3) Chris Madden #44-Gray Court, SC $800 (40)
5. (4) David Payne #8-Murphy, NC $700 (40)
6. (8) Steve Francis #15-Ashland, KY $765 (40)
7. (9) John Blankenship #23-Knoxville, TN $650 (40)
8. (7) Tyler Millwood #X-Kingston, GA $625 (40)
9. (10) Casey Roberts #101-Toccoa, GA $600 (40)
10. (11) Ty Dillon #41-Lewisville, NC $580 (40)
11. (15) Eric Wells #18-Hazard, KY $560 (40)
12. (19) Jared Landers #5-Batesville, AR $540 (40)
13. (17) Eric Jacobsen #5j-Sea Cliff Beach, CA $520 (40)
14. (14) Mark Vineyard #4-Powell, TN $500 (40)
15. (13) Mark Douglas #52D-Knoxville, TN $480 (40)
16. (23) Devin Friese #12-Chambersburg, PA $460 (39)
17. (18) Joey Coulter #2-Miami Springs, FL $440 (38)
18. (5) Vic Hill #1-Morristown, TN $420 (33)
19. (21) Cory Hedgecock #23-Lenoir City, TN $400 (31)
20. (16) Stacy Boles #11B-Clinton, TN $400 (27)
21. (20) Michael Chilton #97-Salvisa, KY $400 (14)
22. (22) Josh Collins #63-Knoxville, TN $400 (12)
23. (12) Scott Bloomquist #0-Mooresburg, TN $400 (5)

AMERICAN RACER B-MAIN #1 (Top 6 Transfer): 1) Ty Dillon, 2) Mark Douglas, 3) Eric Wells, 4) Eric Jacobsen, 5) Jared Landers, 6) Cory Hedgecock, 7) Devin Friese, 8) Josh Henry, 9) Victor Lee, 10) George Mashburn

HOOSIER RACING TIRE B-MAIN #2 (Top 6 Transfer): 1) Scott Bloomquist, 2) Mark Vineyard, 3) Stacy Boles, 4) Joey Coulter, 5) Michael Chilton, 6) Josh Collins, 7) Ryan King, 8) Sammie Russell, 9) Ellery Leake

VP RACE FUELS B-SCRAMBLE (Winner Transfers): 1) Devin Friese, 2) Ryan King, 3) Sammie Russell, 4) George Mashburn, 5) Ellery Leake, 6) Josh Henry, 7) Victor Lee

DRIVERS FAILING TO TRANSFER TO STARTING LINEUP:

Ryan King #30-Seymour, TN
Sammie Russell #F4-Madisonville, TN
George Mashburn #13-Murphy, NC
Ellery Leake #34-Knoxville, TN
Josh Henry #25-Newport, TN
Victor Lee #4-Danville, KY

MODIFIED HOBBY (20 laps)

1) Greg Estes #31; 2) Jamie Whitt #1; 3) Jon Cook #0z; 4) Dennis Metcalf #55; 5) Mike Mays #30; 6) Sue Curl #5; 7) Terry Dean #47; 8) Terry King #20; 9) Jesse Wilder #79; 10) Tracy Wolfe #11; 11) Shorty Ledford #41; 12) Kaleb Trent #34

BULLS GAP, Tenn. — The East Tennessee racing community has lost two of its old-time, legendary racers with the passing today (Monday, March 11, 2013) of Herman Collins of Knoxville and Dewey “Red” Ledford of Morristown.

Collins, owner with his son Greg of West Haven Speed Equipment in Knoxville, captured the first-ever Late Model championship at Volunteer Speedway in 1975. Ledford won the Late Model title one year later in 1976.

Volunteer Speedway owners Joe and Phyllis Loven, along with all track personnel, extend condolences to the Collins and Ledford families. Both will be remembered in thoughts and prayers during their time of losing a precious loved one.

***Photo caption: Robert Hickey (left) owned the No. 97 Chevrolet Camaro that Dewey “Red” Ledford drove to the 1976 Volunteer Speedway Late Model championship.