Post by robbiandcoysayles on May 17, 2009 8:21:33 GMT -5
Woodstock, GA. With 118 cars in the pits for racing action, Dixie Speedway opened up for its 40th anniversary season Saturday night.
Tyrone, Georgia’s Tony Knowles out qualified twenty two entries for the pole position during time trials for the Super Late Model feature and started in that position after turning a zero on the Invert Wheel. It was Clint Smith taking the lead at the start from his outside pole position and led every lap to the first feature win of the 2009 season.
As Smith led the way, a battle brewed for second position with pole winner Tony Knowles fighting to hold onto second from his cousin Jody Knowles, who found the high groove to his liking. Tony held on for second position followed by Jody in third. Lee Sutton and Ricky Williams finished out the top five.
A red flag was thrown on lap 22 for what was probably one of the worst accidents in recent memory in the Super Late Model division, when Mike Bruner of Dallas, Georgia struck the outside wall causing his car to barrel roll violently down the backstretch. Bruner was briefly knocked unconscious, but did exit the car unscathed. He was transported to the hospital for an MRI and overnight observation. He was released in the early hours of Sunday morning and was resting at home. According to family and friends he was had no serious injuries, but was very sore.
Mike McConnell started the new season off with a bang as he collected the win in the Limited Late Model division. The start of the race saw Rome’s Jason Smith leap from his fourth place starting spot on the first lap to take the lead. Smith led the field with 2008 Track Champion Oliver Gentry, McConnell, and Michael Brewer racing to catch the leader. The caution flew on lap seven, and with the green flag flown for the restart, Smith’s car broke loose and collected the first turn wall putting his racer out for the night. This gave the lead to Gentry until lap 14 when he was passed by McConnell who had been following closely since the restart on lap seven. McConnell would take the checkered flag followed by Gentry. Trailing these two to complete the top five were Scott Howard, Travis Smith, and Michael Brewer.
The Crate Late Model division saw Alan Brewer hold off a hard charging Jimmy Long to take his first win of the season. Following in third, Cass Fowler moved through the field from his eighth place start to hold off long time racer Chuck Padgett. Mark Sims finished home in fifth.
Greg Ledford, of Talking Rock led the way in the Super Bomber class to collect the first win of the season. Ledford crossed the finish line followed by Tate Nicholson, Chris Sizemore, Roy Patterson, and Zack Cleghorn.
The Economy Bomber race was won by Hiram’s Ronnie Sanders who came from eighth to take the lead from John Binger on lap seven. Johnny Morrison returned to Dixie after tearing down a section of fencing in the previous weeks practice session to finish third. Justin Shipley crossed the line in fourth followed by Rodney Krause in fifth.
Travis Smith crossed the finish line in second in the Pony class, but got the checkered when the apparent winner was protested and refused to be torn down. Smith was followed by Cody Sisson, Benton Morris, Lee Sisson, and Owen Simmons.
The Alpharetta team of Scott Cleaver & Clay Kramer took the Cruiser class win with Adam Ledford taking the checker in the Spectator race.
Tyrone, Georgia’s Tony Knowles out qualified twenty two entries for the pole position during time trials for the Super Late Model feature and started in that position after turning a zero on the Invert Wheel. It was Clint Smith taking the lead at the start from his outside pole position and led every lap to the first feature win of the 2009 season.
As Smith led the way, a battle brewed for second position with pole winner Tony Knowles fighting to hold onto second from his cousin Jody Knowles, who found the high groove to his liking. Tony held on for second position followed by Jody in third. Lee Sutton and Ricky Williams finished out the top five.
A red flag was thrown on lap 22 for what was probably one of the worst accidents in recent memory in the Super Late Model division, when Mike Bruner of Dallas, Georgia struck the outside wall causing his car to barrel roll violently down the backstretch. Bruner was briefly knocked unconscious, but did exit the car unscathed. He was transported to the hospital for an MRI and overnight observation. He was released in the early hours of Sunday morning and was resting at home. According to family and friends he was had no serious injuries, but was very sore.
Mike McConnell started the new season off with a bang as he collected the win in the Limited Late Model division. The start of the race saw Rome’s Jason Smith leap from his fourth place starting spot on the first lap to take the lead. Smith led the field with 2008 Track Champion Oliver Gentry, McConnell, and Michael Brewer racing to catch the leader. The caution flew on lap seven, and with the green flag flown for the restart, Smith’s car broke loose and collected the first turn wall putting his racer out for the night. This gave the lead to Gentry until lap 14 when he was passed by McConnell who had been following closely since the restart on lap seven. McConnell would take the checkered flag followed by Gentry. Trailing these two to complete the top five were Scott Howard, Travis Smith, and Michael Brewer.
The Crate Late Model division saw Alan Brewer hold off a hard charging Jimmy Long to take his first win of the season. Following in third, Cass Fowler moved through the field from his eighth place start to hold off long time racer Chuck Padgett. Mark Sims finished home in fifth.
Greg Ledford, of Talking Rock led the way in the Super Bomber class to collect the first win of the season. Ledford crossed the finish line followed by Tate Nicholson, Chris Sizemore, Roy Patterson, and Zack Cleghorn.
The Economy Bomber race was won by Hiram’s Ronnie Sanders who came from eighth to take the lead from John Binger on lap seven. Johnny Morrison returned to Dixie after tearing down a section of fencing in the previous weeks practice session to finish third. Justin Shipley crossed the line in fourth followed by Rodney Krause in fifth.
Travis Smith crossed the finish line in second in the Pony class, but got the checkered when the apparent winner was protested and refused to be torn down. Smith was followed by Cody Sisson, Benton Morris, Lee Sisson, and Owen Simmons.
The Alpharetta team of Scott Cleaver & Clay Kramer took the Cruiser class win with Adam Ledford taking the checker in the Spectator race.
