King holds on for PPM Southern Regional Racing Series win at Wartburg
By Chris Tilley
Wartburg, TN (May 9, 2008)—Brandon King of Decatur, AL led flag-to-flag in route to the $3,000 payday and his first PPM Racing Products Southern Regional Racing Series event win of the season on Friday night May 9, 2008 at the Wartburg Speedway in Wartburg, TN.
King came to Victory Lane while driving the Empire CNC Services sponsored MasterSbilt Chassis.
Fast Qualifier Brandon King and Byron Michael brought the 24-car field down to Lynn Palmer’s Green flag for the start of the 50-lap main event with King jumping to the early lead.
The first yellow wouldn’t wave until lap-13 when sixth place runner Dale McDowell slowed in turn four. McDowell would make the ill-fated left-hand turn into the pits ending his night while driving the McDowell Racing Enterprises sponsored Clements powered Rocket chassis.
At the point of the yellow, King would lead the field over Tony Morris, Byron Michael, Ben Kittrell and Shon Flanary fifth.
The next yellow would fly with 15 laps complete as Ruben Mayfield stopped on the back-chute pit exit. Morris would make a bid to the inside for the lead just a lap before but was also penalized on the restart for jumping before the field passed by the flag-stand.
Steve Smith would bring out the next yellow on lap-16 as he slowed in turn one. As the field stayed clean and green for the next several laps, Mike Marlar, who started in the 11th spot had already moved into the fourth spot and right before a pass for the position, caution would wave for Tim Damron slowing in turn one on lap-31.
Marlar would get around Morris on the restart to take third while the top-four cars where now pulling away from the rest of the field. Marlar, several laps later on the 47th circuit grazed the wall in turn one while losing a spot to Morris on the inside.
King went on to win over 2007 Champion Byron Michael, Tony Morris, Mike Marlar and Shon Flanary rounding out the top-five. Completing the top-ten was 20th starting Anthony White, Eric Hickerson, Ben Kittrell, Jimmy Tucker and Perry Delaney.
The series’ next stop will be on May 17 at the Milan (TN) Speedway for a $5,000 to win event.
Official Summary of Results:
PPM Racing Products Southern Regional Racing Series
Wartburg Speedway-Wartburg, Tennessee
Friday May 9, 2008
A-Main Finish:
1. Brandon King-Decatur, AL
2. Byron Michael-Florence, AL
3. Tony Morris-Murfreesboro, TN
4. Mike Marlar-Winfield, TN
5. Shon Flanary-Mt. Carmel, TN
6. Anthony White-Clinton, TN
7. Eric Hickerson-Linden, TN
8. Ben Kittrell-Mt. Pleasant, TN
9. Jimmy Tucker-Flintville, TN
10. Perry Delaney-Sparta, TN
11. Seth Daniel-Collinwood, TN
12. Kelly Hanvey-Cullman, AL
13. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, TN
14. Matthew Langley-Crossville, TN
15. April Farmer-Livingston, TN
16. Mike Luna-Sparta, TN
17. Jay Brinkley-Raus, TN
18. Tim Damron-Oneida, TN
19. Ray McElhiney-Pulaski, TN
20. Steve Smith-Powell, TN
21. Ruben Mayfield-Lenoir City, TN
22. Dale McDowell-Rossville, GA
23. Mike Weeks-Friendsville, TN
24. Riley Hickman-Chattanooga, TN
Entries: 25 among three states (Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama)
Cautions: Four (Laps 13, 15, 16, 31)
Red Flags: None
Time of Race: 24 minutes (start 12:53 a.m. stop 1:17 a.m.)
Star Graphix Overall Fast Time: Brandon King-13:119 seconds
Heat Winners: Jimmy Tucker, Dale McDowell
DBR Performance Starters 12th Place Award: Kelly Hanvey
Brinkley Farms 10th Place Award: Perry Delaney
Heat-1: Jimmy Tucker, Steve Smith, Mike Marlar, Ruben Mayfield, Matthew Langley, Billy Ogle Jr., Kelly Hanvey, April Farmer, Tim Damron, Joe Armes (DNS)
Heat-2: Dale McDowell, Seth Daniel, Perry Delaney, Ray McElhiney, Mike Weeks, Mike Luna, Anthony White, Jay Brinkley, Riley Hickman (DNS)
