Winchester Speedway, March 22, 2008 Race Results

While the weather has delayed getting the 2008 racing season underway, March 22 became the new season opener with Round 1 of the R & R Speed Shop and Double H Race Fabrications Super Late Model Six Pack Shootout. As the gates opened and time drew closer to the driver’s meeting, track owner Darrell Day realized that he did not have an announcer for the 2008 racing season and had to sit in the driver’s seat calling the races for the night.

With temperatures in the high to mid-30’s as the sun went down, the fans slowly made their way into the speedway and a pretty good crowd was on hand. For Round 1 of the Six Pack Shootout, there were 20 Super Late Model drivers competing in the 30 lap shootout for the $1,500. The Six Pack Shootout began with the 20 drivers being split into two groups. The top three out of each group were locked into the feature. Two group heat races would determine the line-up for the rest of the field. Fast time in Group One belonged to Brandon King with a 14.29. David Jackson was second quickest in Group One with a 14.40 followed by Lamar Scoggins with a 14.45. In Group Two, 2007 Track Champion Jerry Ashley set the quick time with a 14.37. David Brannon was second fastest with a 14.49 followed by Corey Posey in the James Poole owned ride with a 14.53 time. There’s your top six locked in for the feature.

In the Group One heat race, Billy Harris took the checkered flag in the Robin Morris owned ride to capture the seventh place starting position in the feature. He was followed by Justin Fairbanks, Shannon Davis, and Randy Gifford in the Donnie Pogue owned machine. Group Two saw John Ownbey take the checkered flag to establish himself in the eighth starting position for the feature event followed by Josh Johnson, Mark Haddon in the Boots Ingleberger owned machine, and Steve Garner.

During intermission, we held a drawing for six children to make their way to the front stretch to choose one of the top six drivers for the quick six challenge. Each child was given a tennis ball with a number in it. Once they selected a driver, the number in their tennis ball was revealed and that set the new order for the top six. After it was all said and done, David Brannon’s partner revealed a number one, placing him on the pole for the feature. Jerry Ashley’s partner had a two placing him on the outside pole position. Brandon King drew a three, Corey Posey drew a four, Lamar Scoggins drew a five, and David Jackson’s partner held a number six ball. Track owner Darrell Day has posted a $100 dollar award for any driver winning the feature from the sixth place starting position. David Jackson did not win from his sixth place position, so the $100 rolls over to the next Six Pack Shootout increasing the award to $200. The Quick Six Challenge will continue to roll over $100 each Six Pack Shootout race until someone wins. If no one wins, the $600 will be added to the points fund.

In the Six Pack Shootout Feature Event, David Brannon finished where he started – in first position. David Brannon led every lap start to finish and took home the $1,500 prize, but not without being heavily challenged by Jerry Ashley and Brandon King the entire race. Jerry Ashley worked David hard and slipped while Brandon King was lying in wait for a mistake. Brandon took advantage of Jerry’s mishap and slid into second position and ended up finishing second with Jerry Ashley hanging on to third. Billy Harris and Mark Haddon rounded out the top five. Mark Haddon finished his night with an extra $100 and the Hard Charger trophy provide by Jackie’s Fast Tax Service. Mark won the Hard Charger award by starting 12th and advancing seven positions to finish in the fifth place position. Tommy Taylor from Lascasssas, TN ended up with the Hard Luck award, which consisted of a $50 certificate from Double H Race Fabrication and $50 in fuel from Eastbrook Hollow Performance. By winning Round 1 of the Six Pack Shootout, David Brannon sets atop the points lead for a points fund worth over $12,000 in cash and prizes. David is also one race away from being eligible for the White’s Performance DWB Race Car Chassis Challenge. White’s Performance of Clinton, TN will reward one driver winning two of the Six Pack Shootout events a new 2008 DWB Race Car mild steel bare chassis valued at $2,500. All drivers eligible for the Whites Performance/DWB Chassis Challenge must race in a minimum of four of the six series events. If more than one driver wins two or more races, a drawing will be held to claim the winning driver. In the event no driver wins two races, Whites Performance will award the overall points champion of the series a product certificate valued at $1,000 off the purchase of any 2008 DWB Chassis.

In the Cumberland Drywall Materials 2 Barrel/Crate Late Model class, Mark Haddon and Chad Mantooth started on the front row in their heat race. Mark Haddon would not relinquish the lead and finished first to start on the pole for the feature event. Chad Mantooth would slide from his front row starting position and ended up finishing seventh. Martin Tyler started fourth in the heat and advanced two positions to finish second to gain the outside pole starting position for the feature event. He was followed by Scott Cornelius in the Johnny Hill owned #88. Randy Gifford finished fourth followed by Billy Harris.

In the feature event, it was all Mark Haddon. Mark would fend off a determined Martin Tyler, but when it was all said and done, Mark ended up the victor. Martin held on to finish a solid second, followed by Randy Gifford, Larry Delong and Steve Garner.

In the Hanger Hardwood sponsored Outlaw Pony class, fans saw some of the best racing of the night. Clyde Petty and Chris Pinkston battled it out side by side, lap after lap the entire race. Chris would eventually end up the winner, but not without controversy. Clyde Petty posted a protest to look at Chris’ head. After the technical inspection was over, Chris was declared legal and maintained his win, with Clyde Petty finishing second. Roland McKelvie, Brad Sain, and Robbie Fergerson rounded out the top five. Robbie Fergerson and Clyde Petty were the heat winners.

In the Trophy Shop sponsored Modified Street class, it looked as if Henry Hanger had the field blanked. Late in the race, Henry had mechanical trouble coming out of Turn Four and Jeff Frame of Winchester, TN took over the lead and never looked back. Jeff Frame picked up his first win of the 2008 regular season. Jason James, James Sullivan, Clint Morris, and Henry Hanger rounded out the top five.

In the Cumberland Bail Bonding sponsored Pure Stock division, Josh Bondurant won the heat race and looked as if he would be strong enough to get his first win of the 2008 season. However, Dewayne Hicks would have a thing or two to say about that before it was all said and done. Lap after lap, it was a heavy contest between Josh Bondurant, Dewayne Hicks, and John Whaley. Late in the race, John lost control and collected Josh Edwards coming out of Turn Two. John’s night ended prematurely. Dewayne Hicks continued to battle with Josh Bondurant, but Dewayne ended up in front when the checkered flag flew with Josh in tow for second. Scott Blackwell finished third with Josh Edwards and James Davis rounding out the top five.

In the Neal’s Body Shop sponsored Mini Stock class, 14 drivers would battle it out to see who would establish their position in the points standing for 2008. John Perry from Decherd, TN and Carolyn Williams from Tracy, TN were the heat race winners. In the feature event, Carolyn Williams would never relinquish the lead. John Perry challenged Carolyn early with continuous side-by-side racing lap after lap. Carolyn ended up capturing her first win of the young 2008 season with Michael Williams finishing second and Paul Teachout third. Paul Teachout was found illegal in the post race inspection leaving third place to Mike Norman. Mark Cardwell and Jim Summers rounded out the top five. Michael Brown won the Lucky 7 award for finishing in the seventh position.

Racing continues this Saturday, March 29th with Tony Stewart Fan Night and the $520 to win Pure Stock “Pandemonium. Round 2 of the R & R Machine Shop and Double H Race Fabrication sponsored Six Pack Shootout is scheduled for April 26 with another $1,500 to win, 30 lap shootout.

For more information, visit Winchester Speedway online at http://www.winchesterspeedwayonline.com or call the track phone at (931) 967-0066.

Joanie Day presents the Six Pack Shootout Winner, David Brannon, with the $1,500 check and trophy.

Carolyn Williams from Tracy, TN wins her first feature of the 2008 season in the Neal's Body Shop sponsored Mini Stock class.

Randy Gifford (#19) works under Steve Garner (#96) in the Cumberland Drywall Materials, Inc. sponsored 2 Barrel/Crate Late Model Feature Event.