Montgomery Motor Speedway

Great Racing for MAMA at MMS

May 10 , 2015 Montgomery, Al: Moms were treated to a discount ticket Saturday night but got the full price show as the “Modifieds of Mayhem” tour along with Interstate Batteries Late Model Sportsman and the Modified Minis put on great races to please the mothers in the large crowd.

 

Budweiser Fast Time pole award qualifying started off the evening with the modified Minis taking their turn. Once again Joel Collier #71 wheeled a fast time of 23.198 capturing the cash and Budweiser award for his division. Chris Landers in his Capital Recycling #9 pinto/ late model was second with a time of 23.717 and rounding out the top 3 Chase Spradlin #75 at 23.728.

Interstate batteries late Model Sportsman hit the track for the chance to lay down a qualifying lap. #3 Alabama Controls / Independent fire consulting came out on top with a time of 21.305. Second was 2014 Champion #7 Justin Caton 21.369 and 3rd was the “Statesman” Larry Speakman #91 at 21.835

19 Open Wheeled Modifieds rolled into Montgomery Motor Speedway for the 3rd race in the “Modifieds of Mayhem “tour. A tight points battle puts extra meaning for the qualifying session as points are awarded for the positions. Chris Salter #3 from Andalusia, Alabama had mechanical issues and had to withdraw from the event.

Budweiser qualifying started with the #131 of Jeff Letson from Madison, Alabama scorching the asphalt with a time of 19.668.That time held through all 18 attempts to keep the Letson machine on top of the time charts and secure the Budweiser fast time pole award and the $ 50.00 check. Second fast was the #66 of Moultrie, Georgia Ryan Redmon at 19.845. 3rd spot went to #8 Donnie Hamrac. The Modified tour does a redraw for the top 8 positions. This is how they qualified.

  1. Jeff Letson #131
  2. Ryan Redmon #66
  3. Donnie Hamrac #8
  4. Ryan Paul #07
  5. Donald Crocker #5
  6. Joe Armendia #79
  7. Billy Melvin #16
  8. Heath Mills #66

After the redraw the line up was:

  1. Ryan Paul #07
  2. Heath Mills #66
  3. Donnie Hamrac #8
  4. Jeff Letson #131
  5. Donald Crocker #5
  6. Ryan Redmon #66
  7. Billy Melvin #16
  8. Joe Amendia #79

Feature racing started with the modified Minis rolling out for a 13 lap race. The contest started with #2 Ashley Bridgemon and Rusty Alverson #7 on the front row. Bridgemon has been fighting motor demons and the crowd was happy to see this fan favorite racer back on the track. The action was fast and furious as these modified mini machines sped around the track. # 75 Chase Spradlin return to Montgomery Motor Speedway was also a high point for the team after a devastating crash in the first practice session of the 2015 season. The Bessemer Alabama driver wasted no time moving his way into the point position and settled his Frankie’s auto parts / Jones Tire & battery sponsored machine into the groove. The #9 of Chris Landers tried to apply pressure for the position but seemed to have some mechanical issue that kept the car from its ultimate performance. Starting 5th Joel Colliers McKinney Tax service Ford Mustang was on the hunt as he moved his way through the field. Collier applied pressure more than once to the #75 but could not gain that last position finishing second. Spradlin held on for his first victory of the 2015 season in his Jeff Thomas machine.

  1. Chase Spradlin #75
  2. Joel collier #71
  3. Chris Landers #9
  4. Rusty Alverson #7
  5. Ashley Bridgemon #2

The Interstate Batteries Late Model Sportsman division is making its presence known at MMS with some very intense and competitive racing. With some of the best looking racecars at the track and new cars competing each time they race this is a growing division. This week some 2 new competitors showcase their cars for the 50 lap event. #14 Wesley King from Seminole, Alabama brought his B&W Utilities / Commstructures Nick Peturis jr farms Sponsored Impala SS and Jody Cash Brought his # 42 Dodge Charger sponsored by Dallas Metal Products and driven by Joe “Wildman” Wilder from Woodstock, Georgia.

Justin Caton started on the pole and jumped out to a quick lead. The field was content to ride a little as this was an extended race of 50 laps for this division. Caution flew on lap 18 with Caton leading and the #3 car of Hudson in second. The #5 of Travis Cleckler, #91 Speakman and the #59 of Reuse all headed to the pits for attention from their crews. The race went back to green with the #3 of Hudson at the point followed by Caton #7 and # 21 Jason Furrow in 3rd. Contact between the #18 Edwards and #21 of Furrow brought out the next yellow flag and bunched the field up. Wesley King in the #14 showed his strength as he moved his way to the front after an early incident. The action was hot behind Hudson as #18 Edwards #7 Caton #21 Furrow and #14 of King all jockeyed for position. The last 6 laps had the fans on their feet as the #3 of Hudson and the #7 of Caton went to the rear of the field for the restart. #18 interstate batteries sponsored Edwards was in control as all cars fired heading out of turn 4, Hudson made a strong move towards the front with Caton on his heels. Lap 49 saw the #7 of caton make his move under Hudson coming off turn 4 only to see the #59 of Reuse right in his path. The #7 made a great move to the inside almost clipping the wall and stayed in the gas till turn 1. When all the dust settled Brad Edwards from Marbury, Alabama recorded his first racing win with Caton #7 in second Hudson #3 in third, #14 Wesley King 4th and #91 Speakman rounding out the top 5.

  1. Brad Edwards #18
  2. Justin Caton #7
  3. Joe Hudson #3
  4. Wesley King #14
  5. Larry Speakman #91
  6. Jason Furrow #21
  7. Joe Wilder #42
  8. Shelby Reuse #59
  9. Travis Cleckler #5

The Modifieds of Mayhem rolled out for the 3rd feature with great anticipation from the crowd. Many thought that Donnie Hamrac #8 would be the odds on favorite having won every Open Wheeled Modified race held at Montgomery Motor Speedway in the last 2 seasons. As the field rolled around for the start the tension was thick and the excitement level was peaking Contact on the initial start between the #47 of John Thomas and the #16 of Billy Melvin sent the #16 into the front stretch wall. As is the policy in the Modifieds of Mayhem tour #16 was allowed to reclaim his spot and the race was restarted. Rocky Rogers #41 had Mechanical issues and saw an early retirement from the event. On lap 9 the race slowed for contact with the inside wall by the #74 car of Troy Grey. The race ran clean and green with the #07 on the point and the #131 of Letson in 2nd. Lap 28 saw the #131 of Letson Move to the front. Racing was happening all through the field as these high horsepower, ground pounding machines were putting on a show for the MMS Fans.

As the event ticked off the final laps things got hot on the historic half mile track. With neither driver wanting to give an inch the 2 front cars #131 & #07 were leaning, pushing and shoving on each other as the cars headed for a green, white, checkered finish. Sparks flew and temper grew as the field headed into turn 3 of the final lap. Donald Crocker #5 who had worked his way to the 3rd position took an opportunity and muscled his way into 2nd just edging out the #07 Ryan Paul for the spot. Jeff Letson #131 took the checkered flag but was quick to voice his displeasure with the driving style of the #07. As is usually the case both drivers did not see it the same way and cooler heads prevailed.

  1. Jeff Letson #131
  2. Donald Crocker #5
  3. Ryan Paul #07
  4. Donnie Hamrac #8
  5. Jason Morman #33
  6. Ryan Redmon #66
  7. John Thomas #47
  8. Joe Amandia #79
  9. Nick Martin #15
  10. Adam Salter #114
  11. Butch Wade #02
  12. Adam Crawford #64
  13. Cameron Berry #101
  14. Billy Melvin #16
  15. Ty Roberts #50
  16. Heath Mills #66
  17. Troy Grey #74
  18. Rocky Rogers #41
  19. Chris Salter #3 DNS

Modified Minis were the last feature of the night and the fans stuck around to witness the action. After the redraw the #71 of Collier started on the pole with #9Landers on the outside. The Mechanical issues of Landers were obvious as the Capital recycling car faded to the rear. Rusty Alverson was working hard to keep his ride in the second position but was overtaken on lap 5 by #75 of Spradlin. The Bessemer driver set his sights on the #71 of Collier and it looked like collier had this one tied up till lap 11 when Spradlin made the pass for the lead.

  1. Chase Spradlin #75
  2. Joel Collier #71
  3. Rusty Alverson #7
  4. Chris Landers #9
  5. Ashley Bridgemon #2 DNS

Next race at Montgomery Motor Speedway will be the NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION May 23rd featuring the Show Me the Money Pro late Model series competing for 100 laps, Street Stocks 30 laps, Modified Minis 20 laps… Demolition Derby for compact and midsize cars, front and rear wheel drive, 106 inch wheel base. Minivan race and Stunt Man Rocky HardCore.

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. For More Information visit us on the web at www.montgomeryspeedway.org and follow the happenings on our facebook page .. https://www.facebook.com/montgomeryspeedway or call 334-262-6101

Montgomery Motor Speedway “You’re on the right track for FUN

 

Stan Narrison