Post by Dirt Master on Apr 14, 2008 10:27:44 GMT -5
ASSASSIN HITS ROCKETMAN at EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA - April 12, 2008 - The Late Model division at East Alabama Motor Speedway has exploded with high energy competition as most of the field were gunning to stop Richie "Rocketman" Stephens' two week winning streak. When Rocketman won the $100 Extreme Power Sports bonus for setting fast time with a scorching 16.70 second lap, it appeared he would make it 3 wins in a row. When the green flag dropped on the feature Rocketman blasted out to a lead as the outside pole sitter Chase Edge got shuffled back to fifth. Most of the drivers were in the middle groove with the exception of Terrance "The Phenix City Assassin" Nowell who ran by himself at the very top of the track. Nowell looked like he was shot out of a sling shot as he came out of turn 2 running at least 10 mph faster than anyone else. As he passed the cars ahead of him Larry Eldridge and Bobby Eiland got into each other to bring out the lap 2 caution. On the restart again the Assassin went to the high side and shot by Larry Harrod in second and still had momentum to pass the Rocketman before entering turn 3. Another caution saved their positions as the racers were reset to the previous lap for the restart. This time The Rocketman was aware of Nowell's speed from the top so he went up to the top to block that game. As if the Assassin had planned on Rocketman making that move, Nowell dove from the top of turn one to the apron and took the lead on lap 5. The running order was Nowell, Stephens, Harrod, Dana Eiland, and driving the Ben Thomas Racing house car was Fast Track National Champion William Thomas in fifth. Thomas was experimenting running a 602 crate engine while everyone else had the more powerful 604 crate engine. With the Assassin on the high side and Rocketman in his shadow, Harrod and Eiland moved up there also. Then Thomas dove to the apron and passed Eiland and Harrod,demonstrating that power is not the only solution for speed. Harrod stayed high and developed enough speed to shoot by Thomas and Rocketman to take second spot as Mark Patterson entered the pits with a mechanical failure. The Assassin was running away from the field and the rest of the leaders went to the high groove which now was blacking over as lap speeds increased. Eiland and Stephens were locked in mortal combat as they sparred door to door. Eiland on the high side took third but the Rocketman came back from the inside and had the fans on their feet cheering. Jeff Mills made a power move in his new black # 15 to pass Thomas while Nowell began lapping Marc Gooden and Chase Edge at the rear. Nowell was over half a track ahead of second place Harrod when the Rocketman hit his after burners to take back second spot. Debris brought a caution with 2 laps to go. On the restart Thomas revealed his signature " I'll pass you anywhere on the track" technique as he picked off Mills and Eiland to move into third. The Rocketman was all over Nowell but the Assassin was too much as he took the checkers in the most exciting event of the season. Richie Stephens finished second, William Thomas third, Dana Eiland fourth, Jeff Mills fifth, Matt Woodson, who drove a smart and strong race got the sixth spot, Larry Harrod finished seventh, Charlie Gushue eighth, Montana Dudley ninth, and Chase Edge rounded out the top ten in tenth.
In the Limited Sportsman division Danny Stroud started the feature from the pole. Rodgerick Dykes must have been watching the Late Model race as he went to the high side and found the speed to take the lead. With a few laps to go, Mikey Mount found his way to the lead and took the checkers. Rodgerick Dykes finished second, Danny Stroud third, JW Noles fourth, and Randy Hester finished fifth.
The Bomber division has seen Trevor Elliot win the past two weeks which made him eligible for the Alabama Rock prize of $300 for three wins in a row. However, Richie "Rocketman" Stephens' father, Richard Stephens SR took the lead on lap five and held on to take the checkers. Trevor Elliot finished second, Trevor's father Jeff Elliot finished third, Shelby Amos finished fourth, and Christy Noles finished fifth..
The Hobby division started with Jerry Luke on the pole and taking a convincing lead while holding back the charging Allen McConnell. After Jeremy Nevels spun out McConnell on lap three for a caution, John Michael slammed into the rear of Luke and Luke was never as fast after that. Randy Renfroe and Nevels went door to door in a photo finish with Randy Renfroe winning the feature. Jeremy Nevels finished second, John Michael third, Allen McConnell fourth, and Robert Jackson fifth.
The Pony division started with Chance Renfroe on the pole who quickly went from first to last. Adam Rodriquez moved into first and ran away from the pack to take the checkers uncontested until post race inspection. He was found to be running illegal tires and was disqualified giving the win to Bryan Price, Bobby Duell second, Jacob Brittingham third, and Chance Renfroe fourth.
The Modified division started its feature with Ricky White on the pole who went wire to wire for the lead. Randy Register finished second, Wesley DuBoise third, Andy Smith fourth, and Johnny Greene finished fifth.