Burrows Wins Second Late Model Feature at Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Tenn. (May 3) Randy Burrows led flag-to-flag to score his second Cleveland Speedway Late Model feature win of the season at the third mile clay oval Saturday night.

On the third attempt to start the Late Model feature, fast qualifier and pole sitter Randy Burrows would power into the lead with Brad Coffey and Kevin Gibson in tow. On the fifth circuit Coffey would give up his second place spot when he encountered problems negotiating turn two. Gibson, followed by David Payne, Billy Mayo and Todd Morrow  would take the runner up spot and begin stalking the leader.

In the waning laps Gibson could do nothing more than close on leader Burrow. Payne would continue to hold third, with Mayo fourth and Morrow fading. When they crossed the stripe it was Burrows, Gibson, Payne, Mayo and Jason Welsham.

Rounding out the top10 were Brian Hickman, Preston Graves, Dewayne Powell, Jeff Franklin and Nick Yancy.

Matt Steward made a statement when he wired the Limited/Crate feature to take his first feature win of the season. While Steward was leading fellow front row starter Danny Pippin held second for four laps before fading as far back as seventh. This opened the door for John Ownbey to move into second. When Ownbey began to fade Pippin was moving back toward the front as was Dana Borrows, who started ninth and Clint Lee who started tenth.

When the checkered flag fell it was Steward first across the stripe with Pippin back in second, Burrows third, Lee fourth and last weeks winner Justin Litchford fifth.

In A-Hobby or the Hernandez/Works show it was Tanner Works leading every lap to take his second consecutive feature win at Cleveland. Todd Hernandez would move past Greg Sudderth for second just before the halfway point and would work on Works to the checkered flag. Greg Ledford was third across the line and was followed by Robbie Greene and Cory Bettis.

Taking the lead on lap nine Partrick Harvey survived a late race altercation and hung on to win his second feature of the season. Early leader Donald Forgey would hold on to second until the last lap when he fell to fifth. Chuck Heling was second, Michael Anderson third, Cody Herron fourth.

Jimmy Elliott continues to roll as the Cleveland Tenn. driver dominated for his fourth consecutive Pony win of the season. Following Elliott across the line at the checkered flag were Danny Burnette, Terry Smith, Nick Webb and Jimmy Brown.

The Front Runner Rules are few, but the one that has been rearing it's little head lately has been the one that reads, $1,000 claim on car. Can only buy the car one (1) position ahead of you. The Front Runners continued their buying spree with the first three across the line, Michael Arp, Kenny Kizzar and Bill Bailey being claimed but refusing to sell. This made James Bragg the winner with Jeff Curvin second, Joe Cross third, James Breland fourth and Derrick Forgey fifth.

Next week the A-Hobby drivers will take center stage with their Mid-Season Championship event. There will be racing in all other divisions. The following Saturday, May 17 will be the 31st running of the SAS Coca Cola Tennessee Memorial, plus racing in all divisions.

Racing every Saturday night from March to November Cleveland Speedway is East Tennessee's finest clay oval. The track is located on US Hwy 11 (Lee Highway) just north of the US 64 bypass in Cleveland, Tenn. For more information call the track (423) 479-8574. Or visit www.clevelandspeedway.com/