MMS photos Philip Odom
June 1, 2014 Montgomery, Al:
Racing at Montgomery Motor Speedway was fast and furious as the tracks Street Stock division took the main stage for a 50 lap race. Fans witnessed great side by side racing and a first time winner as Elmore, Alabama driver Chance Atkins wheeled his 86 Monte Carlo SS from the rear of the field to capture the lead on lap 38 and bring home the $1000.00 check and trophy as the winner of the 4 Star Freightliner Night of Destruction feature event. The starting field was set on times from the Budweiser pole qualifying session as Montgomery’s Perry Patino wheeled his #51 machine for a fast time of 22.930 followed closely by local racer Dwayne “Collard Green” Wesenberg with a time of 23.157. Rookie driver Brad Edwards in his freshly painted #18 secured the third position with a time of 23.438. Edwards from Marbury, Alabama was impressive in his first ever qualifying effort in the Interstate Batteries sponsored Monte Carlo. A short rain shower delayed the qualifying session for a few minutes and the track conditions made some drivers qualifying difficult. Gary Davis from Enterprise Alabama was still able to turn a lap of 23.517 to secure the 4th starting position.
The field took the green with Wesenberg starting on the pole due to a roll of 2 for the mandatory inversion during opening ceremonies. Wesenberg looked like the car to beat as he took the lead from the drop of the green flag. The yellow flag flew on lap 4 for a spin by the #12 of Josh Wilson from Prattville, Alabama. The contest resumed and #31 took his spot at the head of the pack with #51 of Patino hot on his heals only to be slowed again by spins of the #21 Chad Roberts of Dothan, Alabama and the #12 car of Wilson. The Green flew again on lap 6 but only stayed out for ¾ of a lap as the #31 of Wesenberg fought for the lead under Patino and the red machine of Wesenberg lost its grip on the raceway sending cars scattering to try to miss the lead car in turn 3. Things looked clear until the #18 of Edwards made hard contact with the #31 and sent the first time driver to the pits to end his debut night. Wesenberg was able to continue but had to go the the rear of the field. Lap 7 saw the #24 of David Wood take the point and lead the next 3 circuits. The field slowed again on lap #9 for a spin by the #12 of Josh Wilson, The Smurfman racing team has been struggling with their setup since a hard crash 3 races ago. The #82 of Kameron Wesenberg had to pull his machine to pit road for mechanical issues putting the Montgomery driver 3 laps down. The race went clean and green with Montgomery’s Patino leading the field till the yellow flag flew for the competition caution on lap 29. During this long green flag run the #17 of Atkins and the #31 of Wesenberg were working their way to the front of the pack. During the caution period the crew for the #31 car discovered a busted radiator ending the night for the Wesenberg machine. Lap #32 saw the #21 Chad Roberts retiring his car to the pits with engine problems The final laps saw some of the best side by side racing involving the #51 Patino, #17 of Atkins and the #24 of Wood. Gary Davis made sure to keep the trio in sight but the handling on his #5x Camaro was off and he had to settle for a 4th place finish. After a wild battle and some contact with Patino, Wood brought home a 3rd place podium finish. Patino ran a strong 2nd and the #17 Chance Atkins came under the Slidell Oil Flag stand with his first victory in the Uncle Bob’s Street Stock division.
1st #17 Chance Atkins
2nd #2 Perry Patino
3rd #24 David Wood
4th #5 Gary Davis
5th #82 Kameron Wesenberg
6th #21 Chad Roberts
7th #31 Dwayne Wesenberg
8th #12 Josh Wilson
9th #18 Brad Edwards
The Mini Modified division saw some familiar faces plus a couple of new ones for the 2014 season Joel Collier 2013 Track Champion set fast time at 23.209. #71 Collier from Bessemer Alabama rolled a 6 on the inversion placing Chris Frost and his Toyota from Dora, Alabama on the front row on his first visit to Montgomery Alabama in the 2014 season along with regular Nicholas Doehring, The second row was made up of two #9’s. Trace Embry who traveled over 5 hours to race at MMS for the first time and Chris Landers in his familiar Blue and yellow car. The third row saw Ashley Bridgemon back after some time off for her High school graduation flanked by Collier. The first lap saw the 9 of Embry jump out to the point and lead his first lap of competition at the historic facility. That didn’t last long as Landers from Deatsville wrestled the top spot away and battled with #71 Collier for the entire 20 laps. The #2 of Bridgemon looked good early but had to retire to the pits on lap 12.
1st #9 Chris Landers
2nd #71 Joel Collier
3rd #11 Nicholas Doehring
4th #64 Chris Frost
5th #2 Ashley Bridgmon
6th #9 Trace Embry
Open Sportsman saw hard racing and hard luck strike as the 35 lap feature saw 4 different leaders in a division that is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Sporting a new number and paint scheme Deatsville’s Joe Bethea Jr. placed his Black #3 in the front position on lap 1 and the 2013 Street Stock Champion look like he would bring his winning ways to the open sportsman division. Bethea Jr. held the position till lap 8 when mechanical woes struck and the car faded sending him to the pits on lap 10 for an early night. First timer Tommy Williams in the #4jr also had mechanical issues and had to retire early. Current point leader Justin Caton pushed his #7 Three Little Monkeys screen printing sponsored car to the lead as the Jemison driver fought off the #21 of Jason Furrow. On lap 18 the Thomasville driver made his move to the point holding the top spot till a spin on lap 21. Other cars including the #59 of Shelby Reuse, #19 of Joey Holt and the #7 Caton took the opportunity to pull on to pit road for adjustments. The restart saw 2013 pro late model champ Justin South out front but turn 3 bit the #21 of Furrow again. The crew reported that Furrow may have tagged the rumble strips while leading earlier and altered the setup on the Blacksheep Woodlands sponsored car. Cagey veteran #91 Larry Speakman from Somerville worked his way back to the front after starting in the pole position. South held the top spot with Speakman finishing second and Caton 3rd with first timer Joey Holt out of Brookwood, Alabama rounding out the top 4
1st #22 Justin South
2nd #91 Larry Speakman
3rd #7 Justin Caton
4th #19 Joey Holt
5th #59 Shelby Reuse
6th #21 Jason Furrow
7th #3 Joe Bethea Jr
8th #4jr Tommy Williams
The front wheel drive Demolition Derby was a big hit… fans screamed over the roar of the engines as 4 competitors rolled their machines to pit road. The action was fierce as the 82 Wrecker sponsored Cadillac driven by Blake Wilson was the first to retire after sustaining some hard hits. Chris White in the 4 Star Freightliner sponsored Cadillac was holding his own after being shoved out of the playing field but succumbed to the violent hits delivered by the cars of Eric “Big E” Beard and Chris “Ice man “Frost. And then there was 2. Big hits were the order of the night as the 2 remaining drivers took out their aggression on each other. The #64 of Chris Frost was the last man standing as he defeated his long time rival Eric Beard to take home the $800 to win check.
1st #64 Chris Frost
2nd #14 Eric Beard
3rd #RWB Chris White
4th #82 Blake Wilson
Minivan Flag pole race was next on the card as 3 competitors battled it out on the front stretch.
Drivers were required to circle the flag pole at each end of the course. The race made for plenty of exciting action as Curtis Lee in the #00 took the checkers
1st #00 Curtis Lee
2nd #69 ½ Jason Gentry
3rd #82 Blake Wilson
Professional Stuntman Rocky hardcore finished out the night with a spectacular stunt. Earlier in the evening he set himself ablaze and walked to the front stretch waving to his fans. The fans lined the fence as Rocky Hardcore wheeled the Jeep Cherokee stunt car around the speedway finally lining it up with the travel trailer sitting on pit road. Rocky demolished the trailer as he hit the ramps at full speed. Note: Don’t try this at home.
Montgomery Motor Speedway will be back in action June 14 for our Fathers day special as MMS Present the pro late model division in twin 50 lap features. Fans will witness Uncle Bob’s Street Stocks and Modified Minis. The track will also have a kids bike race with trophies and prizes awarded.
Montgomery Motor Speedway first opened its doors in 1953 and is the Deep South’s Oldest Asphalt Speedway. The Half mile track is the home of the Alabama 200 featuring the Southern Super Series bringing some of the most talented super late model drivers to compete at the gem of the south. Sponsorship opportunities are available to fit any budget. Our Private air conditioned VIP suite can accommodate a company outing or private party in our “state of the art” control tower.
Montgomery Motor Speedway bringing you quality racing and family entertainment at an affordable price.