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.

Volunteer Speedway would like to remember 1991 and 1995 Late Model track champion Scott Sexton for all the thrills he gave East Tennessee racing fans through the years. The driver nicknamed “Superman” captured close to 200 wins in a career that began in 1986 and unfortunately was cut short due to Scott having to step away full-time from the driver’s seat in 2008 because of health issues. Sexton, from Pigeon Forge, scored the biggest victory of his career in 1992 on the high-banks at Volunteer Speedway as he defeated a stellar field of the nation’s top dirt late model drivers in winning the Mello-Yello 100 for a payday of $12,500. Other big victories during his career include the Rusty Wallace Pontiac 100, Banquet Table Buffet 100, Action Attraction Photos 100, Dalton Direct Carpets 100, Lance Cunningham Ford 100, and East Boulevard Motors Shootout 100, all at the “World’s Fastest Dirt Track” – Volunteer Speedway.

Scott, you will be missed by everybody – but your legendary dirt late model racing exploits will forever live on among all of your East Tennessee racing fans.

Scott Sexton – 1991 and 1995 Volunteer Speedway Late Model champion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (Aug. 23) — Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville has 14 track championships around East Tennessee to his credit, plus he recorded the 2009 Tennessee Thunder DirtCar Series and 2011 Southern All Star Racing Series titles.

Turning 48 years old last weekend, Ogle celebrated with a late birthday present Thursday night at Volunteer Speedway by capturing the biggest win of his career. Ogle out-dueled Scott Bloomquist before a packed house to win the ninth annual Scorcher presented by Reece Monument Co. and Patriot Mining for his first-ever Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory worth $10,000.

The 50-lap race went caution-free as Ogle and National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Bloomquist put on a dazzling display of driving talent. Bloomquist led the first 21 circuits of the race until Ogle made the pass on the bottom on the next lap. Ogle passed race leader Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN on lap 46 and went on to capture his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win, worth $10,000.

Ogle, Bloomquist, and Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN raced down to the wire in a tightly contested race.

Up until Thursday night, Ogle’s biggest win was a Hav-A-Tampa Series win in 1998 at Tazewell (TN) Speedway. “It feels great to win the ‘Scorcher,’ especially to beat Scott (Bloomquist) because he’s one of the all-time best. He got out in front, but I just bided my time and wanted to stay close to him and when he got behind the 41 car (Ty Dillon) I saw my chance and went for it,” said Ogle, who became the 12th different winner on the LOLMDS tour in 2012.

“Once I fell to second, I just wanted to stay right there with him (Bloomquist), and left the door open there and that was just enough for me, I still can’t believe I won this,” said Ogle, who pulled away from Bloomquist and O’Neal in the waning laps to score the win.

“I can’t thank my car owner Larry Garner enough for giving me the opportunity to drive his car. We have won three-in-a-row now and to beat the best in the business tonight, wow, I don’t know what to say. I want to thank my crew chief, David Bryant and all the crew, they did a great job with the car and I just drove it, the track was pretty good tonight and how about this crowd, this is so much fun.”

“I have to thank all of my sponsors, Massey Electric Company, Stowers Cat, Cherokee Millwright and Mechanical, GEO Services, Blount Excavating, and Grady and King Construction.” Ogle’s Rocket Chassis car is powered by a Custom Race Engine.

Trailing the top three of Ogle, Bloomquist and O’Neal to the line was Chris Madden of Gaffney, SC and 5-time Volunteer Speedway track champion, Vic Hill of Mosheim, TN.

Completing the top ten was Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA; Eric Wells of Hazard, KY; John Blankenship of Williamson, WV; Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN; and Steve Francis of Ashland, KY.

In his first ever super late model race, NASCAR’s Trevor Bayne looked poised to transfer into the feature, but his night ended early as he spun in Turn 2 with another car taking out his right front.

In preliminary action Scott Bloomquist set the Red Buck Cigars Fast Time amongst the 35 entrants, with a lap of 12.182 seconds. Billy Ogle Jr. set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 12.225 seconds. Scott Bloomquist, Chris Madden, Bill Ogle Jr., and Earl Pearson Jr. won their respective Heat Races. Chad Ogle and Steve Francis won their respective B-Mains.

Jamie Whitt jumped out to the lead over Dale Reed, Shannon Emery, Jon Cook and Austin Atkins at start of the Modified Hobby “Havoc 25.” The caution waved on lap 2 for a major track oil-down when both Mike Mays and Robbie Woods ran over debris from another car, busting the oil pan on their engines.

Another three-car incident between turns one and two involving Ray Jarnigan, Mike Kelly and Terry Dean slowed the action on lap 7.

Back under green flag racing conditions Whitt, Reed and Emery were battling for real estate all the way around the high-banked 4/10-mile oval. On several occasions the trio raced three-wide off the corners, while just behind them Cook and first-time visitor Atkins were having strong runs.

Reed’s hopes of victory ended just a couple of laps from the finish when he slowed and coasted into the pits.

The old saying “It’s not over until it’s over” definitely has meaning for Whitt, as he appeared headed to victory until running out of gas on the last lap between turns three and four, thus handing the win to Morristown’s Emery. Whitt managed coast to the checkers in second, followed by Cook, Charlie Bates and Jason Long.

VOLUNTEER SPEEDWAY – BULLS GAP, TN – LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – “REECE MONUMENT/PATRIOT MINING SCORCHER 50”

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

1. (2) Billy Ogle Jr. #201-Knoxville, TN $10,000 (50)
2. (1) Scott Bloomquist #0-Mooresburg, TN $5,500 (50)
3. (8) Don O’Neal #71-Martinsville, IN $3,500 (50)
4. (3) Chris Madden #44m-Gaffney, SC $2,750 (50)
5. (7) Vic Hill #1-Mosheim, TN $2,250 (50)
6. (5) Tyler Reddick #11-Corning, CA $1,800 (50)
7. (13) Eric Wells #18-Hazard, KY $1,500 (50)
8. (10) John Blankenship #23-Williamson, WV $1,300 (50)
9. (12) Jimmy Owens #20-Newport, TN $1,200 (50)
10. (18) Steve Francis #15-Ashland, KY $1,110 (50)
11. (23) Ray Cook #53-Brasstown, NC $1,075 (50)
12. (6) Brad Neat #41-Dunnville, KY $1,050 (50)
13. (14) Jared Landers #5-Batesville, AR $1,025 (50)
14. (4) Earl Pearson Jr. #44-Jacksonville, FL $1,000 (50)
15. (15) Ty Dillon #41-Lewisville, NC $950 (49)
16. (16) Tommy Kerr #4T-Maryville, TN $925 (49)
17. (24) Brett Miller #47-Greeneville, TN $900 (49)
18. (17) Chad Ogle #10-Sevierville, TN $875 (49)
19. (20) Jonathan Davenport #15d-Blairsville, GA $850 (49)
20. (11) Dale McDowell #17m-Chickmauga, GA $825 (47)
21. (9) Casey Roberts #101-Toccoa, GA $800 (35)
22. (22) Mark Vineyard #4v-Powell, TN $800 (14)
23. (19) Mark Douglas #52D-Knoxville, TN $800 (5)
24. (21) Jeff Maupin #0-Greeneville, TN $800 (5)

Entrants: 35
Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1 – 21); Billy Ogle Jr. (Laps 22 – 38); Scott Bloomquist (Laps 39 – 46); Billy Ogle Jr. (Laps 47 – 50)
Caution Flags: none
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisional: Ray Cook
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: none
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time Provisional: Brett Miller
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Ray Cook (Started 23rd; Finished 11th; Advanced 12 positions)
Allstar Performer of the Race: Billy Ogle Jr.
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Jimmy Owens
ASi Racewear Challenge Finisher: Don O’Neal
Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Jonathan Davenport
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Roush Yates Racing Engines
Ohlins Shocks Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Sweet Mfg Crew Chief of the Race: BJ Hillman (Billy Ogle Jr.)
Time of Race: 11 minutes 36 seconds

Red Buck Cigars Fast Time Group A: Scott Bloomquist / 12.182 seconds
Red Buck Cigars Fast Time Group B: Billy Ogle Jr. / 12.225 seconds

Wiles Driveshafts First Heat (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer): Scott Bloomquist, Tyler Reddick, Casey Roberts, Eric Wells, Chad Ogle, Trevor Bayne, Mark Douglas, Ryan King, Eric Jacobsen

U. S. Steel Second Heat (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer): Chris Madden, Vic Hill, Dale McDowell, Ty Dillon, Jeff Maupin, Jeff Wolfenbarger, Jeff Neubert, Jason Welshan

Simpson Performance Products Third Heat (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer): Billy Ogle Jr., Brad Neat, John Blankenship, Jared Landers, Steve Francis, Mark Vineyard, Josh Henry, Jonathan Davenport, Ray Cook

HAWK Brakes Fourth Heat (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer): Earl Pearson, Jr., Don O’Neal, Jimmy Owens, Tommy Kerr, Brett Miller, David Watts, Steve Smith, D.J. Wells, Heath Alvey

JRi Shocks First B-Main (12 Laps – Top 3 Transfer): Chad Ogle, Mark Douglas, Jeff Maupin, Jeff Wolfenbarger, Jeff Neubert, Ryan King, Trevor Bayne, Jason Welshan-DNS, Eric Jacobsen-DNS

PAC Racing Springs Second B-Main (12 Laps – Top 3 Transfer): Steve Francis, Jonathan Davenport, Mark Vineyard, Brett Miller, D.J. Wells, Ray Cook, Josh Henry, Steve Smith, David Watts, Heath Alvey-DNS

MODIFIED HOBBY “HAVOC 25”

1) Shannon Emery #69; 2) Jamie Whitt #1; 3) Jon Cook #0z; 4) Charlie Bates #27; 5) Jason Long #15; 6) Kimberly Allen #15; 7) Austin Atkins #14; 8) Landon Williams #25w; 9) Dale Reed #52; 10) Dennis Metcalf #55; 11) Jesse Wilder #79; 12) Chuck Kilian #96; 13) Ray Jarnigan #77; 14) Mike Kelly #8; 15) Terry Dean #47; 16) Tyler Smith #32; 17) Kaleb Trent #2; 18) Robbie Woods #2; 19) Mike Mays #30 – Did Not Start: Larry Morgan #7

Casey Roberts, of Toccoa, Ga., was the class of the field as he captured his first-ever victory at “The Gap” to pocket $5,300 for winning the Summer Sizzler 53.

Roberts proved to be the fastest in time-trials when he laid down a lap of 12.601 seconds around the high-banked clay oval. He was joined in the top-eight by series point leader Chris Madden, Mike Marlar, Kenny Compton Jr., Mark Douglas, Vic Hill, Chad Ogle and Jeff Maupin.

Hill suffered a broken rear end in qualifying but his crew hastily handled the situation and got the car repaired in time to make the feature race starting grid and maintain his qualifying position.

At the start of the 53-lap feature race it appeared as though this event would serve as a continuation of the previous night’s action at Cleveland Speedway. Just as he had 24 hours earlier, Madden bolted from his outside front row starting spot to grab the lead as the cars roared through turns one and two. However, a bobble by Madden in turn four gave Roberts the opportunity to assume control, and that he did.

Once out front, Roberts set a torrid pace in the early laps, building a lead of over a straightaway until a lap 11 caution was called when Dillan White came to a stop in turn four.

On the ensuing restart, Marlar began to challenge Madden for the runner-up spot as Roberts again slipped away from his pursuers. But on lap 16, Marlar’s mount got sideways and bounced up on two wheels, almost rolling over between turns one and two which produced the event’s second caution period.

It looked as if Marlar, who was second to Madden in the series standings coming into the night, had seen his race come to a premature end as a wrecker lifted the rear of his car off the track and began to tow it away. However, Marlar’s crew sprang into action while the car was hoisted in the air and made repairs and he rejoined the race at the rear of the field.

After that restart, Roberts appeared as if he may have given the race away when he bobbled in turn four and lost the lead to Madden. Madden rode out front for the next eight circuits before caution waved on lap 24, when Marlar slowed to a stop and then headed into the pits for attention from his crew.

Ironically, after a caution for his closest competitor in the standings, Madden suffered a mechanical problem on the following restart. His car simply failed to go when the green flag waved. The yellow flag immediately came back out. With his car stopped in turn two, it looked as if Madden was finished for this race. He even got out of the car and began to give an earful to a Southern Nationals official who was in the area.

With Marlar still on track it looked as if Madden might surrender some of his 36-point lead which he had built up over the past two weeks. But just as had been the case with Marlar, Madden’s crew frantically went to work in the pits on the car and got their driver back on track just before the green flag waved.

Meanwhile, Roberts reassumed the lead after Madden’s troubles. From that point, he would lead the rest of the way but not without some tough going in traffic over the final five laps that allowed Chad Ogle and Mark Douglas to close to within striking distance.

At the finish, it was Roberts, driving the Starrette Trucking/Cushman Paint & Body/M&S Concrete Inc./GW Performance/VP Racing Fuels/CV Racing Products/Simpson/Hoosier by Pup/Capital Race Cars/No. 101 Chevrolet Camaro taking the $5,300 victory ahead of Douglas, who just nipped Chad Ogle at the finish line for the runner-up spot, then Billy Ogle Jr. and Maupin rounding out the top-five.

Completing the top-10 finishers were five-time Volunteer Speedway Super Late Model champion Hill, Madden, Marlar, Compton and Travis Greer.

Fast-qualifier Jensen Ford of Piney Flats grabbed the lead at start of the 35-lap Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro Late Model feature over three-time defending track champion Dale Ball, Tim Byrd, Mike Smith and Ricky Moore.

Ford quickly began to put some real estate between his Williams II Racing/AFCO Silver Advantage/Envy Suspension & Race Consultants/Hy-Tec Specialty Coatings/Sweet Mfg./FK Rod Ends/Wilwood Disc Brakes/QuickCar Racing Products/Simpson/Twisted Roofs/Primetime Designs Race Car Decals & Body Wraps/TNT Race Cars & Parts/No. 83 Chevrolet Camaro, and his closest challengers.

Ball had a rearview mirror full of Byrd, while just behind them Smith had Moore riding on his rear bumper. The red flag waved on lap 10, when Tom Smith slammed the outside guardrail hard between turns three and four resulting in significant damage to his car.

Back under green, Ford set sail over Ball and Byrd. While Ford had the cruise control engaged on his machine out front, just five laps from the finish Ball slowed with an apparent flat tire, thus moving Byrd into the second spot. Ford captured his second feature win of the season over Byrd, Tim Maupin (charged to third after starting 11th), Smith and Moore.

Dale Reed jumped into the lead over Jon Cook, Jamie Whitt, Dennis Metcalf and Ray Jarnigan at start of the 25-lap Modified Hobby feature. Reed’s run out front only lasted the first three circuits before he slowed and coasted into the infield pits with mechanical problems, thus moving Cook to the point.

Whitt, from Wise, Va., moved into the lead after Cook slowed to bring out the caution with a flat left-front tire on lap 12. Chauffeuring the B&D Repair/Baldwin Filters/Iron Horse Race Cars/No. 1 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Whitt led the remaining distance to record his division-leading sixth victory on the season over Metcalf, Jarnigan, Cook and Charlie Bates.

SCHAEFFER OIL SOUTHERN NATIONALS SERIES – VOLUNTEER SPEEDWAY – BULLS GAP, TN – “SUMMER SIZZLER 53” – $5,300-TO-WIN

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

1. (1) Casey Roberts #101-Toccoa, GA $5,300 (53)
2. (5) Mark Douglas #52D-Knoxville, TN $2,500 (53)
3. (7) Chad Ogle #10-Sevierville, TN $1,500 (53)
4. (9) Billy Ogle Jr. #201-Knoxville, TN $1,000 (53)
5. (8) Jeff Maupin #0-Greeneville, TN $900 (53)
6. (6) Vic Hill #1-Morristown, TN $800 (53)
7. (2) Chris Madden #44-Gray Court, SC $750 (53)
8. (3) Mike Marlar #5b-Winfield, TN $725 (53)
9. (4) Kenny Compton Jr. $10c-Bland, VA $700 (52)
10. (15) Travis Greer #11g-Marion, VA $675 (49)
11. (12) Greg Estes #1g-Jonesville, VA $650 (47)
12. (10) Dale McDowell #41-Chickamauga, GA $630 (33)
13. (16) Brett Miller #47-Greeneville, TN $620 (17)
14. (17) Josh Henry #25-Newport, TN $610 (13)
15. (13) Chris Combs #47c-Isom, KY $600 (11)
16. (18) Dillan White #54-Crofton, KY $590 (10)
17. (20) Mark Vineyard #4-Powell, TN $580 (9)
18. (19) Dillon Wood #1w-Daytona Beach, FL $570 (8)
19. (11) Daniel Baggerly #16-Rural Retreat, VA $560 (2)
20. (21) Forrest Trent #4Q-Morristown, TN $550 (1)

Did Not Start: (14) Bryan Hendrix #5-Knoxville, TN $50

FK Rod Ends Fast Time Award ($100 Cash): Casey Roberts 12.601
Lap Leaders: Casey Roberts (1-16), Chris Madden (17-24), Casey Roberts (25-53)
Cautions: 4 (Dillan White Slows on Lap 11, Mike Marlar Spins on Lap 16, Mike Marlar Slows on Lap 24, Chris Madden Stalls on Lap 24 Restart)
FK Rod Ends Winner of the Race Award (Set of Rod Ends): Casey Roberts
The Joie of Seating Safety Award ($100 Cash): Casey Roberts
Wilwood Engineering Tough Break Award ($50 Product Certificate): Daniel Baggerly
DBR Starters Middle Man Award ($100 Product Certificate): Greg Estes
Barry Wright Race Cars Highest Finisher Award ($100 Product Certificate): Forrest Trent
GW Performance Highest Finisher Award ($50 Product Certificate): Casey Roberts
Roush Yates Racing Engines Slow Time Award ($50 Product Certificate): Forrest Trent

PRO LATE MODEL (35 laps)

1) Jensen Ford #83; 2) Tim Byrd #24; 3) Tim Maupin #T2; 4) Mike Smith #4; 5) Ricky Moore #75; 6) Todd Brooks #T1; 7) Richard Adkins #73; 8 ) Dale Ball #2; 9) Greg Burchett #5g; 10) John Tweed #5; 11) Forrest Trent #4Q; 12) Jerry Broyles #72; 13) Mack McCarter #51; 14) Tom Smith #14; 15) Rick Rogers #88

MODIFIED HOBBY (20 laps)

1) Jamie Whitt #1; 2) Dennis Metcalf #55; 3) Ray Jarnigan #77; 4) Jon Cook #0z; 5) Charlie Bates #27; 6) Clynis Phillips #77w; 7) Shorty Ledford #41; 8 ) Jesse Wilder #79; 9) Danny Helton #14; 10) Mike Mays #30; 11) Robbie Woods #2; 12) Mike Roberts #9; 13) Landon Williams #25; 14) Dale Reed #52; 15) Tyler Smith #32 – Did Not Start: Kimberly Allen #15

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (June 30) — With the East Tennessee region in the midst of record-breaking temperatures over 100 degrees for the second straight day, a great crowd attended the Walter Ball Memorial at Volunteer Speedway on Saturday night and stuck around following racing to see the skies illuminated with a dazzling fireworks display.

Dale Ball of Johnson City, the Super Late Model track champion in 1999 and with Pro (Crate) Late Model titles to his credit in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and his legendary father Walter Ball are the only father-son in Volunteer Speedway history to have captured Late Model championships. Walter, who passed away in 2006 at age 70 while attending a night of racing at “The Gap” after suffering a massive heart attack, recorded over 400 Late Model victories and multiple championships at various tracks around East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia during his career.

With the Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro Late Models running twin 20-lap features on the racing program, Ball grabbed the lead over Jerry Broyles racing off turn two in the first race and never looked back en route to capturing his sixth victory of the season.

Ricky Moore passed Broyles to move into second on lap 2, and the following circuit caution waved when Chuck Price slammed the outside guardrail between turns one and two.

Back under green-flag racing conditions Ball, driving the Smith Brothers Harley-Davidson of Johnson City/Kerry Jones Trucking – Bigfoot Enterprises/Luke’s Pizza of Johnson City/Alan Poyner Enterprises/Jim Schweitzer Inc./Mainline Communications/Twin D Auto & Truck Sales of Johnson City/Advance Auto Parts/Envy Suspension & Race Consultants/VP Racing Fuels/Steve Williams Enterprises/Allstar Performance/Warrior Race Cars/No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro, stayed out front to capture his sixth win of the season in memory of his late father on a special night for Ball family members and friends present at the track over Moore, Broyles, Tim Byrd and John Tweed.

Completing the top-10 finishers were Tim Maupin, Vic Chandler, Richard Adkins, Todd Brooks and Kaleb Lester.

The front row for the second race had Broyles, from Jonesborough, starting from the pole with Tweed on the outside. The duo raced side-by-side down the front straightaway into the firs turn, but Broyles powered into the lead as they raced off the second corner. In the early laps, Byrd and Moore ran with Broyles and Tweed.

But during the second half of the 20-lap event, Broyles and Tweed turned the race into a two-car breakaway out front to decide the winner. Tweed stuck the nose of his car underneath Broyles on several occasions on both ends of the track in the corners, but Broyles, the 2009 Pro Late Model track champion and driving the Stars ‘N’ Stripes/In God We Trust/Envy Suspension & Race Consultants/Buddy Hopson Racing & Fabrication/Steve Broyles Racing/No. 72 Chevrolet Impala, held Tweed off to record his second win this season. Finishing third through fifth, respectively, were Byrd, Moore and Maupin.

Completing the top-10 finishers were Chandler, Ball, Adkins, Brooks and Lester.

In the first Modified Hobby feature, Jon Cook jumped out ahead of Dale Reed and R.J. Mayes. Mayes got under Reed for second on lap 6 between turns one and two, and on the next circuit racing down the backstretch into the third turn, Mayes passed Cook to move out front. Caution waved on lap 8 when Kaleb Trent lost a wheel.

Mayes brought the field back up to speed, leading Cook and Reed. Racing off turn two on lap 10, Mayes suddenly slowed and dropped to the inside of the track before entering the pits on the backstretch, thus moving Reed back into the lead. Reed, from Whitesburg, held off Cook, Jamie Whitt, Dennis Metcalf and Ray Jarnigan to record his first victory of the season.

In the second 15-lap Modified Hobby feature, the 37-year-old Reed, driving the Hooker’s Trucking/In Memory of Stallard Lawson/No. 52 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, grabbed the lead at start over Whitt and led from green-to-checkered to pull off the sweep for the night. Finishing third through fifth, respectively, were Blake Kelley, Jarnigan and Metcalf.

The Mini Stock feature was a battle up front between the trio of Brad Dyer, Brandon Johnson and Shawn Henry to determine who would visit victory lane. Dyer and Johnson separated themselves from Henry with a few laps remaining and on the white flag lap, racing off the fourth turn to the checkered flag, Johnson, from Talbott, barely won by a few feet over Dyer at the finish line. Henry, Nicholas Shelton and Michael Jarnigan rounded out the top five finishers.

PRO LATE MODEL #1 (20 laps)

1. Dale Ball #2-Johnson City, TN

2. Ricky Moore #75-Mosheim, TN

3. Jerry Broyles #72-Jonesborough, TN

4. Tim Byrd #24-Jonesborough, TN
5. John Tweed #5-Greeneville, TN

6. Tim Maupin #T2-Johnson City, TN

7. Vic Chandler #88-Weaverville, NC

8. Richard Adkins #73-Bristol, TN

9. Todd Brooks #T1-Greeneville, TN

10. Kaleb Lester #98-Clear Fork, WV

11. Greg Burchett #5g-Church Hill, TN

12. Chuck Price #82-Jonesbough, TN

Did Not Start: Tyler Dixon #00-Greeneville, TN

PRO LATE MODEL #2 (20 laps)

1. Jerry Broyles #72-Jonesborough, TN

2. John Tweed #5-Greeneville, TN

3. Tim Byrd #24-Jonesborough, TN

4. Ricky Moore #75-Greeneville, TN

5. Tim Maupin #T2-Johnson City, TN

6. Vic Chandler #88-Weaverville, NC

7. Dale Ball #2-Johnson City, TN

8. Richard Adkins #73-Bristol, TN

9. Todd Brooks #T1-Greeneville, TN

10. Kaleb Lester #98-Clear Fork, WV

11. Chuck Price #82-Jonesborough, TN

Did Not Start: Greg Burchett #5g-Church Hill, TN; Tyler Dixon #00-Greeneville, TN

MODIFIED HOBBY #1 (15 laps)

1) Dale Reed #52; 2) Jon Cook #0z; 3) Jamie Whitt #1; 4) Dennis Metcalf #55; 5) Ray Jarnigan #77; 6) Tyler Smith #32; 7) Robbie Woods #2; 8) Blake Kelley #K5; 9) Jason Long #j15; 10) Landon Williams #25; 11) Marvin Green #05; 12) Jesse Wilder #79; 13) Shorty Ledford #41; 14) R.J. Mayes #5m; 15) Kaleb Trent #3; 16) Kimberly Allen #15 – Did Not Start: Terry Dean #47; Clynis Phillips #77w

MODIFIED HOBBY #2 (15 laps)

1) Dale Reed #52; 2) Jamie Whitt #1; 3) Blake Kelley #K5; 4) Ray Jarnigan #77; 5) Dennis Metcalf #55; 6) Robbie Woods #2; 7) Jason Long #j15; 8) Jesse Wilder #79; 9) Landon Williams #25; 10) Jon Cook #0z; 11) Dan Smith #05; 12) Tyler Smith #32; 13) Shorty Ledford #41; 14) Kimberly Allen #15 – Did Not Start: Terry Dean #47; R.J. Mayes #6m; Kaleb Trent #3; Clynis Phillips #77w

MINI STOCK (15 laps)

1) Brandon Johnson #B01; 2) Brad Dyer #D0; 3) Shawn Henry #0; 4) Nicholas Shelton #21; 5) Michael Jarnigan #2

By Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway Media/Public Relations

BULLS GAP, Tenn. (June 16) — During the week John Tweed of Greeneville serves as President and Chief Operations Officer of Landair Transport Inc., one of the country’s largest transportation companies headquartered in Greene County. But come Saturday night, Tweed is ready to strap in behind the wheel and race his Vic Hill-prepared Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro Late Model.

During Pro Late Model pole qualifying, Mike Smith timed-in at 13.545-seconds and Tweed stopped the clock at 13.548 to earn the outside front row starting berth.

Before a large Fan Appreciation Night at The Gap crowd Saturday, Tweed, who will celebrate his 47th birthday on Monday, June 18, grabbed the lead at start of the 30-lap main event and never looked back en route to capturing his first-ever Pro Late Model feature win for an early birthday present.

The first attempt to get the race started was negated when Greg Burchett and Todd Brooks tangled on the backstretch, with Burchett having to be towed into the infield pits ending his night prematurely.

On the second go at green, Smith and Tweed raced side-by-side down the backstretch into the third turn. But racing off the fourth turn Tweed moved ahead of Smith into the lead, with Bobby Mays, Dale Ball and Ricky Moore holding down positions three through five completing the opening lap.

Moore got around Ball for the fourth spot on lap 2 racing off turn four. Just two circuits later on lap 4, between turns one and two contact between the pair saw Moore spin to bring out the caution.

The top five in the running order on the restart were Tweed, Smith, Mays, Ball and Jerry Broyles. During a long green flag run the quartet of Tweed, Smith, Mays and Ball began to put a little distance between themselves and Broyles, John Harrell, Tim Maupin and Tim Byrd. Caution waved on lap 21, when Mays experienced issues with rear suspension and tagged the outside concrete wall exiting the fourth turn onto the front straightaway.

Going back green for a nine-lap sprint to the checkers, Tweed, Smith and Ball pulled ahead to make it a three-car battle to the finish. But Tweed, driving the Landair Transport Inc./Pilot Travel Centers/Vic Hill Racing/Total Control Suspension/Fastlane Signs & Graphics/Warrior Race Cars/No. 5 Chevrolet Impala, stayed out front to record the victory over Smith, Ball, Broyles and Harrell.

Completing the top-10 finishers were Maupin, Byrd, Brooks, Moore and Richard Adkins.

Shannon Emery of Morristown set fast-time in Modified Hobby qualifying at 15:564-seconds to earn the $50 pole award from C.J.’s Market & Restaurant in Bulls Gap. At drop of the green flag over the 25-lap event, Emery jumped out into the lead over Dale Reed, Jamie Whitt, Jon Cook and Dennis Metcalf.

Whitt got around Reed for second on lap 3 racing off the fourth turn and set his sights ahead on leader Emery. Back-to-back caution periods on laps 15 and 16, when first Reed and next Cook slowed on the track, tightened the field for restarts.

But the 38-year-old Emery, chauffeuring the S&S Millwright/Cornwell Tools/Morristown Collision/MBI Investments/Mr. Horsepower/Mike Winstead Motorsports/No. m2 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, back under green flag racing conditions was hooked up and setting a blistering pace out front. The 2001 Sportsman division track champion and also Open Wheel Modified veteran racer, worked lapped traffic flawlessly and never allowed Whitt to mount a serious challenge.

Emery recorded his first Modified Hobby victory of the season over Whitt, Metcalf, Terry Dean and Shorty Ledford.

Stanley Donahoo of White Pine definitely knows his way around the high banks at “The Gap,” and he’s visited victory lane on many occasions over the years. Donahoo started from the pole position and wheeled the Performance Chassis/Precision Machine Service/ProBuilt Race Engines/No. 00 mount to a convincing win over Tyler James, Jeff Akard and Jeff Fox.

PRO LATE MODEL (30 laps)

1. John Tweed #5-Greeneville, TN
2. Mike Smith #4-Rogersville, TN
3. Dale Ball #2-Johnson City, TN
4. Jerry Broyles #72-Jonesborough, TN
5. John Harrell #H19-Surgoinsville, TN
6. Tim Maupin #T2-Johnson City, TN
7. Tim Byrd #24-Jonesborough, TN
8. Todd Brooks #T1-Greeneville, TN
9. Ricky Moore #75-Mosheim, TN
10. Richard Adkins #73-Bristol, TN
11. Brian Cox #c75-Greeneville, TN
12. Bobby Mays #19-Jonesborough, TN
13. Tyler Dixon #00-Greeneville, TN
14. Wes Johnson #57j-Bristol, TN
15. Brian Westmoreland #54-Morristown, TN
16. Chuck Price #82-Johnson City, TN
17. Greg Burchett #5g-Church Hill, TN
18. Jackie Hughes #27-Johnson City, TN

Did Not Start: Forrest Trent #4Q-Morristown, TN

MODIFIED HOBBY (25 laps)

1) Shannon Emery #m2; 2) Jamie Whitt #1; 3) Dennis Metcalf #55; 4) Terry Dean #47; 5) Shorty Ledford #41; 6) Jason Long #15; 7) Tyler Smith #32; 8 ) Jesse Wilder #79; 9) Clynis Phillips #77; 10) Kaleb Trent #3; 11) Danny Helton #14; 12) Landon Williams #25; 13) Kimberly Allen #15; 14) Jon Cook #0z; 15) Dale Reed #52; 16) Blake Kelley #K5; 17) Eddie Adams #9 – Did Not Start: Ray Jarnigan #77; R.J. Mayes #6m

OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED (10 laps)

1) Stanley Donahoo #00; 2) Tyler James #420; 3) Jeff Akard #00; 4) Jeff Fox #2

Pro Late Model driver Dale Ball (No. 2) and Open Wheel Modified chauffeur Jeff Fox (No. 2) carry the United States and Tennessee state flags around the track while the national anthem plays before start of racing.

Looking up from the infield pits at the huge Fan Appreciation Night at The Gap crowd, ready to see some exciting racing action on the high banks.

Fans getting close-up looks at the race cars parked on the front straightaway.

Looking down from the flagstand during Fan Appreciation Night activities at Tyler James (No. 420), Jackie Hughes (No. 27), Tyler Smith (No. 32) and Dennis Metcalf (No. 55) as fans meet the drivers.

John Tweed of Greeneville, driving the Landair Transport Inc./Pilot Travel Centers/Vic Hill Racing/Total Control Suspension/Fastlane Signs & Graphics/Warrior Race Cars/No. 5 Chevrolet Impala, parked in victory lane after capturing his first-ever Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro (Crate) Late Model feature win.

Shannon Emery of Morristown, chauffeuring the S&S Millwright/Cornwell Tools/Morristown Collision/MBI Investments/Mr. Horsepower/Mike Winstead Motorsports/No. m2 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, recorded his first Modified Hobby feature win of the season.

Stanley Donahoo of White Pine, drove the Performance Chassis/Precision Machine Service/ProBuilt Race Engines/No. 00 ride to his second Open Wheel Modified feature win in 2012.

Pole-sitter Mike Smith (No. 4) and outside front-row starter John Tweed (No. 5) race between turns one and two on opening lap of the Pro Late Model feature.

Dale Ball (No. 2) getting a little “slidewayz” while battling with Bobby Mays (No. 19) for the third spot during the Pro Late Model feature.

A cool trackside view of Modified Hobby field lining up for 25-lap feature – looking at Shannon Emery (inside) and Dale Reed (outside).

Jesse Wilder (No. 79) leading Clynis Phillips (No. 77) during the Modified Hobby feature as they race between turns one and two.

Landon Williams (No. 25) and Danny Helton (No. 14) racing hard for position during the Modified Hobby feature.

Modified Hobby action with Jamie Whitt (No. 1) and Kimberly Allen (No. 15).

Stanley Donahoo (No. 00) grabbing the lead over Tyler James (No. 420) on first lap of Open Wheel Modified feature.