By Gerald Harris
KINGSPORT, T.N. - The Gripp Energy Limited Late Models traveled to Kingsport Speedway on October 6th. The facility known as the "Concrete Jungle" was set to host Twin 35 Lap Features for the series. The points battles going into this race was extremely close between the top three drivers. Houser with the advantage, knew he had to pick up the pace, however Jesse Clark and John Gallman all knew they still had a chance. Clark who is also gunning for the Rookie Of The Year honors. As everyone piled into the speedway, and heads were counted for you could tell it was going to be a wild night as we seen one of the highest car counts in the series. 23 of the best Limited Late Model drivers in the Southeast were about to do battle.
The first practice rolled around and it was veteran driver Alan Rich who found himself at the top of the charts followed by Houser, Ralph Carnes, Alex Miller, and Tanner Brookshire. They all had two more chances to make changes and dial their machines in for the nights twin races. Rich once again topped the charts in the second practice, with Derek Lane in second, Houser, Carnes and Terry Smith rounding out the top five. The third and final practice Houser picked up the pace and topped the speed charts, Smith, Brookshire, Dale Cline, and Jimmy Acito rounded out the top five.
Qualifying was up next for the 23 drivers, and it was none other than Alan Rich who claimed the Pole Award. Rich rolled a three on the invert dice, which now set hometown favorite Derek Lane on top spot with Houser on the outside. Lane paced the field behind the pace truck and was set to go, the flagman waved the green flag. Before they could complete the first lap, the caution flew again as the #24B of Brett Bare spun in turn one. The drivers got set to do a complete redo. Lane got a great start and took off, with Houser on his outside. The second caution flew on 15 as Clint "Superman" Watkins spun around in turn two. Lane went to work again and had a excellent restart, however Rich wasn't wasting no time and took over the lead away from Lane. Rich went on to capture the first Twin 35 victory, followed Carnes, Houser, Clark, Smith.
The second twin race was set to go a few hours later, Rich started on the top position with Carnes on his outside. When the green flew, Carnes quickly made a move to take over the top spot. Carnes began to extend his lead over the field when the first caution flew on lap 12 as the #3 of Everett McMahan. During the caution Carnes began experiencing overheating issues as steam spewed out of the overflow tube of the car. He paced the field back to the green flag. Rich was able to take advantage of the misfortune of Carnes and take the lead.
Rich pulled away from the field, however Lane had worked his way up to second from the rear of the field. Lap by lap, Lane was slowly catching the leader, just as he was up to the rear bumper of the #03 car of Rich and three laps to go, the caution flew again.
Alex Miller got into the #11 Chevrolet of Houser, sending Houser spinning around and backing it into the inside wall of turn three. After an extensive caution for cleanup and getting the track back into shape, Rich's engine started popping and missing until he ducked down on pit road ending his night. Lane now inherited the lead from Rich, Carnes trouble was beginning to worsen for him as well. On the restart Lane took off and Carnes was slow to go due to the engine issues, Smith had no where to go and dove under the rear of Carnes. Smith came to a stop in turn two bringing out the caution one more time.
Lane now had Rookie driver and one of the most improved drivers of the season, Tanner Brookshire restarting on his outside. Lane hit his marks and went on to capture the win followed by Brookshire, Watkins, Clark, and Gallman. The points battles changed hands after these pair of races as Gallman now sits on top tied for first with Clark and Houser just one point back in third and Davey Smart back in fourth just 15 points out. It will be a very close battle going into the final race of the year, which will be hosted at the "Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars" Hickory Motor Speedway on October 27th. You will not want to miss this night as all the action will leave you on the edge of your seat. Start making plans now!
Official Results
KINGSPORT, T.N. - The Gripp Energy Limited Late Models traveled to Kingsport Speedway on October 6th. The facility known as the "Concrete Jungle" was set to host Twin 35 Lap Features for the series. The points battles going into this race was extremely close between the top three drivers. Houser with the advantage, knew he had to pick up the pace, however Jesse Clark and John Gallman all knew they still had a chance. Clark who is also gunning for the Rookie Of The Year honors. As everyone piled into the speedway, and heads were counted for you could tell it was going to be a wild night as we seen one of the highest car counts in the series. 23 of the best Limited Late Model drivers in the Southeast were about to do battle.
The first practice rolled around and it was veteran driver Alan Rich who found himself at the top of the charts followed by Houser, Ralph Carnes, Alex Miller, and Tanner Brookshire. They all had two more chances to make changes and dial their machines in for the nights twin races. Rich once again topped the charts in the second practice, with Derek Lane in second, Houser, Carnes and Terry Smith rounding out the top five. The third and final practice Houser picked up the pace and topped the speed charts, Smith, Brookshire, Dale Cline, and Jimmy Acito rounded out the top five.
Qualifying was up next for the 23 drivers, and it was none other than Alan Rich who claimed the Pole Award. Rich rolled a three on the invert dice, which now set hometown favorite Derek Lane on top spot with Houser on the outside. Lane paced the field behind the pace truck and was set to go, the flagman waved the green flag. Before they could complete the first lap, the caution flew again as the #24B of Brett Bare spun in turn one. The drivers got set to do a complete redo. Lane got a great start and took off, with Houser on his outside. The second caution flew on 15 as Clint "Superman" Watkins spun around in turn two. Lane went to work again and had a excellent restart, however Rich wasn't wasting no time and took over the lead away from Lane. Rich went on to capture the first Twin 35 victory, followed Carnes, Houser, Clark, Smith.
The second twin race was set to go a few hours later, Rich started on the top position with Carnes on his outside. When the green flew, Carnes quickly made a move to take over the top spot. Carnes began to extend his lead over the field when the first caution flew on lap 12 as the #3 of Everett McMahan. During the caution Carnes began experiencing overheating issues as steam spewed out of the overflow tube of the car. He paced the field back to the green flag. Rich was able to take advantage of the misfortune of Carnes and take the lead.
Rich pulled away from the field, however Lane had worked his way up to second from the rear of the field. Lap by lap, Lane was slowly catching the leader, just as he was up to the rear bumper of the #03 car of Rich and three laps to go, the caution flew again.
Alex Miller got into the #11 Chevrolet of Houser, sending Houser spinning around and backing it into the inside wall of turn three. After an extensive caution for cleanup and getting the track back into shape, Rich's engine started popping and missing until he ducked down on pit road ending his night. Lane now inherited the lead from Rich, Carnes trouble was beginning to worsen for him as well. On the restart Lane took off and Carnes was slow to go due to the engine issues, Smith had no where to go and dove under the rear of Carnes. Smith came to a stop in turn two bringing out the caution one more time.
Lane now had Rookie driver and one of the most improved drivers of the season, Tanner Brookshire restarting on his outside. Lane hit his marks and went on to capture the win followed by Brookshire, Watkins, Clark, and Gallman. The points battles changed hands after these pair of races as Gallman now sits on top tied for first with Clark and Houser just one point back in third and Davey Smart back in fourth just 15 points out. It will be a very close battle going into the final race of the year, which will be hosted at the "Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars" Hickory Motor Speedway on October 27th. You will not want to miss this night as all the action will leave you on the edge of your seat. Start making plans now!
Official Results
|
RACE 1
1. 03 Alan Rich 2. 2 Ralph Carnes 3. 11 Dillon Houser 4. 5P Jesse Clark 5. 25 Terry Smith 6. 55 Tanner Brookshire 7. 81 John Gallman 8. 37M Alex Miller 9. 99 Dale Cline 10. 48 Chris Smith 11. 91 Clint Watkins 12. 14 Davey Smart 13. 28 Derek Lane 14. 18 TJ Williams 15. 24 Dennis Deese 16. 57 Jimmy Acito 17. 3 Everett McMahan 18. 24B Brett Bare 19. 4D James Dolan 20. 55R Marty Roberts 21. 5 Nathan Pate 22. 65 Josh Goble 23. 10O Kaleb Pressley |
RACE 2
1. 28 Derek Lane 2. 55 Tanner Brookshire 3. 91 Clint Watkins 4. 81 John Gallman 5. 5P Jesse Clark 6. 14 Davey Smart 7. 48 Chris Smith 8. 24 Dennis Deese 9. 37M Alex Miller 10. 99 Dale Cline 11. 18 TJ Williams 12. 4D James Dolan 13. 24B Brett Bare 14. 5 Nathan Pate 15. 25 Terry Smith 16. 03 Alan Rich 17. 2 Ralph Carnes 18. 3 Everett McMahan 19. 11 Dillon Houser 20. 65 Josh Goble 21. 57 Jimmy Acito 22. 55R Marty Roberts |