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Officially there were seven lead changes among three
drivers but the lead certainly changed many more times. However two time
and defending O’Reilly Southern All Star Champion Chris Madden held
the lead on the lap that paid. After a wild battle with four-time Series
Champion Clint Smith through the race’s middle stages, Madden was
able to fend off all challenges and score his first win of this young
season.
A stellar field of fifty O’Reilly Southern All Star Super Late Models
signed in for American Billet / Sunoco Race Fuels Pole Qualifying. It
looked as though Knowles would grab his first career OSAS pole with only
one driver left to take time. However that driver had made many laps at
Cleveland Speedway and certainly knew the quick way around.
Blairsville, GA’s Jonathan Davenport made the most of his experience
and bumped Knowles to the outside pole. Davenport’s 13.520 second lap
bested Knowles by just five one hundredths of a second. Clint Smith,
Mike Marlar and Madden rounded out the top five qualifiers. The final
five qualifiers who were locked in for the feature were Shane Clanton,
Jimmy Owens, Skip Arp, Randy Weaver and Anthony White.
Four qualifying heats would each transfer three drivers to the sixty
lap feature event. Scott Bloomquist made a late charge to take the win in
the first heat over Brandon Kinzer and Jackie Boggs. Heat two had Jason
Smith picking up the win over Ray Cook and a hard charging Brady Smith
who started shotgun on the field after developing electrical problems
during qualifying.
The third heat race was won by Earl Pearson, Jr. over Kevin Gibson and
Dewayne Powell. Former OSAS Rookie of the Year Mark Vineyard powered to
the win in the final heat race. Vineyard also started deep in the field
and took the lead from Shawn Chastain with only two laps remaining.
Chastain held on for second with Ricky Arms taking third and the final
transfer spot. Provisionals were granted to Ivedent Lloyd and Stacy
Holmes.
The feature event rolled off to a bang as Knowles grabbed the point
while Davenport and Clint Smith moved up to challenge the Tyrone, GA
youngster. The action was wild and furious as the drivers completed the
third circuit. The first of eight cautions would slow the action when
Bloomquist, Pearson and Vineyard tangled exiting turn two. Pearson and
Bloomquist were forced pitside while Vineyard continued.
With the drivers set two by two for the Delaware double file restart,
Knowles throttled up when the green flag waved. But his TNT was
obviously in peril as it failed to accelerate. The ensuing melee’ eliminated
Owens, Weaver and White. Knowles apparently broke a driveshaft on the
restart also ending his strong run. Knowles misfortune handed the lead
over to Smith for the restart.
Marlar and Davenport now lined up in Smith’s wake. When the green
flag once again waved Madden began making his move forward. Madden first
disposed of Davenport off of turn four to take over third. Marlar was
keeping pace with Smith and began to pressure the leader. Madden now
threw his hat into the ring making it a three car battle for the lead.
Caution would again slow the action after Chastain slammed the outside
wall in turn four. Chastain was uninjured but his race car was severely
damaged. Smith again assumed the point for the restart but OSAS
officials called off the double file restarts due to less than favorable track
conditions. Madden lined up second with Marlar, Davenport and Brady
Smith in close tow.
As the field came back up to full song, Madden went to work on Smith
for the lead. The two battled door to door seemingly trading the lead in
each corner, occasionally making light contact. Marlar stayed close and
waited for an opening while Brady Smith moved to Davenport’s inside
for fourth. Smith made the pass and immediately began to gain on Marlar
for third.
The caution again waved on lap thirty-six when Jackie Boggs came to a
stop in turn four. Clint Smith was officially the leader after trading
back and forth with Madden. However while Boggs’ mount was being
removed Smith’s right rear tire went down. Smith pitted for fresh Hoosier
rubber allowing Madden to assume the lead. Marlar held on to second
with Brady Smith now third, Davenport fourth and Ray Cook up to fifth.
Madden opened up a five length lead on the restart while Marlar battled
with Brady Smith and Davenport for third. However Smith’s electrical
gremlins would once again sideline him ending a stellar run. The battle
between Marlar and Davenport continued to rage on. Cook moved up to
challenge Marlar after Davenport slipped by for second. Cook moved to the
top side with Marlar down low.
Cook made the move by Marlar with just seven laps remaining. Cook then
set his sites after the front duo, cutting into the margin lap after
lap. But Cook ran out of laps after reaching Davenport’s rear deck.
Meanwhile Madden motored on to a full five car length advantage over his
pursuers, a lead which he maintained when the checkered flag waved.
Davenport held on for second and Cook third. Clint Smith recovered from his
early woes and came home fourth and Marlar settled for fifth.
Madden’s Bloomquist Monte Carlo is powered by a Clements Race Engine
and has sponsor support from Henderson Amusement, Century Plastics,
Time Out Family Restaurant, Xtreme Customs and Cycles, Jacky Jones
Automotive Group, Pancake House, Henderson Motor Company, Big A’s Custom
Graphics, Allstar Performance, Delph Communications, Eibach Springs,
Ohlins, Wa-Don Bert, VP Race Fuels and Quarter Master.
The next event for the O’Reilly Southern All Star Racing Series will
be a $5000 to win, fifty lap event at North Georgia Speedway in
Chatsworth, GA. For more information please visit www.southern-allstars.com or
call (256) 539-4484. You can also visit www.northgeorgiaspeedway.com
for race details and directions.
Official Finish
1. Chris Madden
2. Jonathan Davenport
3. Ray Cook
4. Clint Smith
5. Mike Marlar
6. Shane Clanton
7. Mark Vineyard
8. Ivadent Lloyd
9. Stacy Holmes
10. Dwayne Powell
11. Brady Smith
12. Jackie Boggs
13. Shawn Chastain
14. Brandon Kinzer
15. Jake Knowles
16. Randy Weaver
17. Jimmy Owens
18. Skip Arp
19. Jason Smith
20. Scott Bloomquist
21. Earl Pearson Jr.
22. Ricky Arms
23. Kevin Gibson
24. Anthony White
2007 UPCOMING EVENTS
SAT APR 7—NORTH GEORGIA SPEEDWAY—CHATSWORTH, GA--$5,000
SAT APR 14—LAVONIA SPEEDWAY—LAVONIA, GA--$5,000
SAT APR 28—TALLADEGA SHORT TRACK—EASTBOGA, AL--$5,000 |
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