Clanton Claims $10,000 Pay Day At The Showdown At Senoia

Submitted by Ted Austad
Photo Credits: Francis Hauke

(November 13, 2016 - Senoia, GA)  Shane Clanton from Zebulon ran flag to flag Saturday night to claim the $10,000 top prize at the inaugural running of the ‘Showdown at Senoia’ year end auto racing extravaganza at the 3/8ths mile bull ring in Senoia.  Clanton jumped in front of polesitter Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and then held off a late race scare provided by Winston’s Michael Page.

“It’s always good to win.  It’s even better to win close to home,” said Clanton afterwards on the front stretch.

Shane Clanton

The 2015 Craftsman Tools World of Outlaws Late Model Tour champion, Shane Clanton, used the high side of the slick racing gumbo clay to sneak past Owens.  Then he slowly made his way back to the bottom increasing his lead through the middle part of the 60-lap main event.

Michael Page emerged as his strongest contender near the halfway mark and then began to pressure Clanton as the two began to work lapped traffic.  Clanton went low on the slower traffic entering turn three on lap 52 which allowed Page to sneak past on the highside.  But, that tease at the lead was short lived as Clanton charged past the lapped car while Page had to slow slightly giving Clanton the lead back.  That close call was enough for Clanton to turn it up a notch and he pulled away through the final few laps to claim the victory.

Michael Page settled for second place ahead of Evans’ Brandon Overton in third.  Kansas hot shoe Chase Junghans was fourth followed by polesitter Jimmy Owens.  Short track dirt racing ace Scott Bloomquist finished in sixth place while Mississippi’s David Breazeale was seventh.  Acworth’s TJ Reaid was eighth, Tennessee’s Riley Hickman ninth and the race’s hard-charger was Cartersville teenager Zach Leonhardi rounding out the first ten.  Leonhardi started eighteenth after making the field with a win in the second consolation race.

Williams is ‘Lightning’ in NFS Box Stock win Garver, Hoffman, Olson also hit victory lane

Jason Garver

By ROB LEE

LAKE CITY, Fla. (Nov. 12) –  The old adage, of course, is children should be seen and not heard.

Society has distanced itself from that, especially in the racing world and to good results. Mack Williams is a prime example and also may be the feel good story of the season at North Florida Speedway.

The 10-year old Hilliard, Fla. driver sped his Lightning McQueen look alike Box Stock to the 12-lap feature win Saturday evening during his first NFS visit of 2016. He has been competing at another local track.

“I was just trying to stay straight and weave in and out to pass the others,” Williams said in Sunoco Fuels Victory Lane. “They were all just trying to avoid the potholes and I just drove (over) them and I won.”

He was

Richards Crowned Champion in WoO

Josh Richards 2016 WoO Champ

Billy Moyer Jr. named 2016 Rookie of the Year

CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 1, 2016 – After Shane Clanton’s son, Gunnar, helped add the final sparkle to Josh Richards' No. 1 Valvoline/ Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car, Richards knew it was his time to shine – for the fourth time. Clanton, the defending series champion, passed the torch to Richards Sunday night at the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series Night of Champions Banquet.

“I was the little kid playing in the dirt,” said Richards in front of his peers. “You just dream that someday, at the end of the day, you’re the guy at the top winning the championship. I never thought this season would be possible. It just means so much to me, to be able to do what I love to do. This is our fourth time, and it’s [still] overwhelming. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone who put their faith and support in me.”

Richards’ dream season was a culmination of his consistent performances and the solid work ethic of his team. The Mark Richards Racing driver went home with some serious hardware: a trophy, ring, a Craftsman® toolbox, and a $100,000 check. He was last crowned champion in 2013.

But Richards wasn’t the only member of his team to earn recognition. Team owner and Rocket Chassis founder Mark Richards was honored with the Chassis Builder of the Year Award, and Crew Chief Danny White received the Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Year Award.

“I don’t know if I really deserve it, but it’s neat,” said White, who joined the tour in 2011. “Rick Eckert took a big leap of faith with me [in 2011]. I sent him a resume, and he called me the next day saying, ‘Yeah, we’d like to try you out.’ He kept the faith in me and got me to where I am today. I think Mark [Richards] has more confidence in me than I have in me. That builds me up and lets me do my job, and I’m doing things I would have never dreamed of.”

Andy Durham, the owner of Durham Engines, took home the Engine Builder of the Year Award. Durham manufactured Richards’ power plants for the year, and as a token of his appreciation, Josh Richards gave the Craftsman toolbox to him so, “he can keep the hard work up.”

“Josh, what can I say,” Durham said. “You went to Florida, started winning and never stopped. I’m just very blessed to be a part of it."

In 39 starts, Richards and company compiled 18 wins, 31 top-five and 36 top-10 performances. The No. 1 team won a heat race in all but 10 shows, and recorded a fast time in nearly 31 percent of the season’s races. Moreover, Richards broke the series’ season wins and career wins records, 18 and 75 respectively.

“My crew back at the shop all dug in when we were a little behind last year,” said Mark Richards, remembering last year’s hiccups. “We were on a swing out West [last year], we came home from Cedar Lake [Speedway] – kind of a long trip because we didn’t run well – and I told the guys at the shop, ‘Hey, we’ve got to go to work.’ I knew we had to develop a new car [for this year]. It took some time to get that done, but we got it done. I can’t thank all the guys enough who made it happen.”

Billy Moyer Jr. took home Rookie of the Year honors. Moyer finished the season fifth in points, the highest among the series’ R.O.Y. honorees. With his father in attendance, Moyer took the stage to ultimately thank everyone who was involved.

“Congrats to the other rookies, Joey [Coulter] and Tyler [Erb],” Moyer said. “This is a tough deal. This really means something. I try to model my team after [Richards’]. I’ve been around my dad forever and know what it takes to win a championship, and they don’t halfway anything. That’s who I’d like to get to in this deal.

Moyer only hoped to be recognized as a true competitor in the series following his 2016 campaign; he recorded two wins, six top-five and 17 top-ten performances.

”For a while I was Billy Moyer’s son and got a lot of credit I didn’t deserve,” Moyer said. “To seal the deal on a couple [races] means a lot to me, and I think I finally gained respect that if I win a race, it’s not a shock.”

2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series Point Fund Awards

1. Josh Richards - $100,000

2. Shane Clanton - $60,000

3. Rick Eckert - $40,000

4. Brandon Overton - $35,500

5. Billy Moyer Jr. - $40.000

6. Steve Casebolt - $24,000

7. Eric Wells - $23,000

8. Chub Frank - $22,000

9. Brian Shirley - $21,000

10. Frank Heckenast Jr. - $20,000

11. Morgan Bagley - $1,000 

OGLETHORPE SPEEDWAY PARK GEARING UP FOR THE $10K-TO-WIN SHOWDOWN IN SAVANNAH ON DEC. 1-3

Photo from Cecil Eunice facebook

Article from Roby Helm

SAVANNAH, GA – The $10,000-to-win 75-lap 19^th Annual Showdown In Savannah for Crate Late Models on December 1, 2, and 3 will be the 2016 grand finale at Oglethorpe Speedway Park.  With the big money up for grabs, the top drivers in the country are expected for this Fall Festival of Speed.

                The Crate Late Models are powered by economical Chevrolet Performance 604 Circle Track Engines that are built and sealed at the factory to prevent any expensive modifications.  Kelcar Motorsports will provide the personnel to scrutinize the Crate Engines and collect tire samples in the Tech Area during the post-race inspection. 

                Leading the Crate Late Model entries for the 19^th Annual Showdown In Savannah will be World of Outlaw hot shoe Brandon Overton of Anderson, SC, who will be driving for former Showdown winning car owner Bobby Kay who had Tuck Trentham driving.  The defending Showdown In Savannah winner Cecil Eunice of Blackshear, GA will return to defend his title.

(Videos) Clint Smith, Jason Price, Mark Whitener and Terrance Nowell are National 100 Champions

Terrance Nowell in victory circle with Larry Harrod's Crate Late Models

Sportsman

1.   Mark Whitener

2.   Jason Hiett

3.   Kyle Bronson

4.   Thomas Lewis

5.   Larry Harrod      click read more for other videos

2017 Rules are Released for the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series

Photo and article from Nesmith Media

Cartersville, GA - Chevrolet Performance Super Late Models have released the 2017 rules for the Super Late Model division that utilizes the Chevrolet Performance CT 525 engines. New rules for the 2017 season are: no grooving and siping of the Hoosier Racing Tires, with a burn-off period of May 1st, 2017 before officials begin handing out penalties; all entrants must run the Chevrolet Performance CT 525 engine; and the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series has launched a new "repair center" that is handled through the series office. The Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series repair center was started as a means to repair engines to factory specifications and then seal the engines with the Crate Racin' USA encrypted seals, for competitors in a timely and cost effective manner. The repair center is run through the Series' offices and only repairs can be arranged by calling the office at 678-719-8888. No rebuilds or blueprinting will be allowed, as this service is for repairs only.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – Technical Bulletin

From Lucas Oil Media

Series Adopts Unified Dirt Late Model Council Safety Specs
WAYCROSS, GA (November 9, 2016) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will officially adopt the Unified Dirt Late Model Council's technical and driver personal protection specifications, adding them to the rule books for 2017.
The Council's sanctioning body committee met in October to develop unified specifications for all Council members, including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Lucas Oil MLRA, World of Outlaws, Ultimate Late Model Series, Southern Nationals Series, DIRTcar Racing and Eldora Speedway. All dirt late model sanctions will be encouraged to adopt the specifications effective January 1, 2017.

Randy Weaver Speaks At National 100 Church Service

Chaplain Joe Kelly of Racing With Jesus Ministries held a church service Sunday morning this past weekend at the 42nd Annual National 100 and  Randy Weaver agreed to give his testimony. This is video of that service.

The Race of The Weekend At The National 100 (Nesmith Street Stocks)

Steven Pate made the race through the b-main and fought through the pack on his way to a $3,000 paycheck.

TOP 5

STEVEN PAGE

BRANDEN HARRIS

KYLE LIVINGOOD

SEAN GOODWIN

DUNIE DILLARD

Video: Saturday Night Features At The National 100

Saturday Qualifying

KMSA Feature

NATIONAL 100 INCAR ACTION

HOBBY HEAT HERBIE DONATH

SUPER STREET HEAT RUSSELL WELCH

HOBBY FEATURE ROBBY METTS - 9

Swainsboro Action from 10-29

DANIELS CHEVROLET PURE STOCK

1. WILLIS MCKENZIE
2. JAMIE DONALDSON
3. GARRETT THIGPEN
4. RICKY STRANGE
5. CHASE EVANS
6. RUSSELL PETERSON
7. KIP POOLE
8. DERRICK SCREWS
9. BRENT HERNDON
10. BRANDON MCDANIEL
11. TRAVIS YOUNG
12. CHRIS MCMAHAN
13. JUSTIN HART
14. JONATHAN FLOWERS
15. CODY REESE
    

COCHRAN SPEEDWAY GEARS UP FOR 2016 GOBBLER 100 SEASON FINALE

COCHRAN, GA – Cochran Speedway is gearing up for the 2016 season finale, the $10,000-to-win Gobbler 100 for the Southern Thunder Late Model Series on November 24, 25 and 26.  There will also be extra laps and extra cash in all of the Cochran Speedway Weekly Divisions that include Jr. Enduro, Bomber, Pure Stock, Super Street/Hobby, and Limited Late Model Sportsman.

                The Southern Thunder Late Model Series will compete for the largest purse in its history, featuring the top dirt late model drivers from six different states.  The series will also crown its 2016 points champion at the Gobbler 100 at Cochran Speedway on November 24, 25 and 26, as just a few points separate the top five drivers in the series’ point standings.

                “We’re very excited about the event coming up at Cochran Speedway on November 24, 25 and 26,” Southern Thunder Late Model Series Founder and Director Ben Sumner said.  “It’s going to be a great weekend of racing and in addition to the largest purse in the history of the Southern Thunder Late Model Series; it will be a championship event as well.”

Track officials have stated that competitors can also use the economical all-aluminum Chevrolet Performance CT525 Engine based on the production LS3 Engine that comes in the Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet SS available at Chevrolet dealerships worldwide.

                NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Claxton, GA is a major sponsor at Cochran Speedway and has the Chevrolet Performance CT525 Engine in stock for $9,950 that includes the turn-key starter kit with free next day delivery.