Montgomery Motor Speedway

Fireworks—Racing—Rocky Hardcore Stunt makes for Fun race weekend

July 4th 2016 Montgomery Alabama: Montgomery Motor Speedway has a long racing heritage and this past Saturday night only added a page in the books. The track featured the “Show me the Money” Pro Late Model Division plus racing in Interstate batteries Late Model Sportsman, Street Stocks, Modified Minis, Stuntman Rocky Hardcore and a giant fireworks show.

 

Budweiser qualifying started with the Street Stocks and 2014 champion #31 Dwayne Wesenberg setting fast time at 23.14. With a roll of 1 on the dice during opening ceremonies it lined up the field in their qualifying order for the feature. Current points leader Charles Davis #6 had to start 6th as the track rules require the past race winner start no better than that spot.

Next was the Interstate batteries Late Model Sportsman participation in the Budweiser qualifying session. #88 Roger Reuse posted a 21.100 on the famed ½ mile track and earned the pole award bonus. Dave Mader III #118 was second at 21.308 with Perry Patino #51 grabbing the 3rd spot at 21.485

19 Pro Late Models took to the track for their 2 lap Budweiser Qualifying session. Current points leader Casey Roderick #18 had the best time in qualifying and posted a time of 19.089. Second was local star Bill Bethea III at 19.271. Very little separated the next 8 drivers as they laid down their best lap in the Montgomery Heat.

Budweiser Qualifying Results for the “Show me the Money 75”

  1. #18 Casey Roderick 19.089
  2. #13 Bill Bethea III 19.271
  3. #24 Christopher Tullis 19.297
  4. #22 Jordan McCallum 19.312
  5. #51 Perry Patino 19.347
  6. #21 Justin South 19.348
  7. #30 Bobby Knox Jr 19.383
  8. #96 Stephen Davis 19.497
  9. #18 Joe Bethea Jr 19.505
  10. #7 Taylor Stricklin 19.509
  11. #4 Kyle McCallum 19.542
  12. #7d Cole Daffron 19.571
  13. #50 Ty Roberts 19.667
  14. #21 Jason Furrow 19.669
  15. #21 Ryan Herbert 19.858
  16. #02 Joe Dixon 19.919
  17. #9 Chris Landers 20.153
  18. #2 Jeff Dawkins 20.627
  19. #33 Brad Edwards 21.076

Interstate Batteries Late Model Sportsman were the first feature to hit the track. The theme of the night was attrition in the first 2 races as it seemed that the drivers wanted the fireworks on the track and not in the sky. New race director Nicholas Rogers gave the drivers specific direction in the drivers meeting concerning starts and restarts and laid down the law that there would be no warning to those who could not start the races properly in the starting box. Rather than stop the race the offending driver was shown the black flag and required to serve a pass thru penalty on pit road. This rule is used at many short tracks around the country (ie South Alabama Speedway & Nashville just to name a few) as well as all NASCAR major tours. The rule change was handed out in the raceday schedule and discussed at both drivers meeting.

Jason Furrow #21 in the Blacksheep woodlands sponsored car set the pace from the first lap. The first caution of the night flew when contact between the #51 of Patino and the #21 of Belter sent both cars to the rear of the field. On the restart the #5 of Cleckler spins in turn 1 with the #51 of Holt also involved. #118 Mader took over the lead and seemed to have control of the race as laps ticked off. Lap 29 saw the caution fly again for the #21 of Furrow stopping on the track. The restart saw the #118 fall victim to the resart rule and was sent to the rear. Contact between the #88 of Reuse and the #7 of 2014 Champion Justin Caton slowed the pace again. The final 5 laps went clean and green with #7 Caton taking his first win of 2016 followed by #51 Patino and the #118 of Dave Mader III.

Interstate Batteries Late model Sportsman Results (Unofficial)

  1. #7 Justin Caton
  2. #51 Perry Patino
  3. #118 Dave MaderIII
  4. #51h Joey Holt
  5. #88 Roger Reuse
  6. #21 Jason Furrow
  7. #21 Burt Belter
  8. #5 Travis Cleckler
  9. #19 John Adams

Street Stocks hit the track next and are always a fan favorite. Dwayne Wesenberg took the lead on the first lap with the #80 of Davey Lynn running second. Lap 4 saw the first caution as the #80 of Lynn spins in turn 1. On the restart the #38 of Hutchinson fired at the start of the box but was not the Leader (Control Car) thus being black flagged when the field came back to the start / finish line. Failure to honor the black flag caused the tower to stop scoring the #38. Wesenberg inherited the lead and held it till lap 11 when #6 Charles Davis took the point. The race continued with Davis in the lead, Wesenberg in second and #88 of Nesbitt in 3rd. Caution flew on lap 21 when the #38 of Hutchinson stopped on the front stretch and was directed to the pits. #88 of Bubba Nesbit spins on lap 23 and again on the restart. The next caution was displayed after hard contact between the #88 of Nesbit and the #7 of Will Smith. The #88 was penalized for rough driving and was scored in last place.

Results for Street Stocks (Unofficial)

  1. #6 Charles Davis
  2. #31 Dwayne Wesenberg
  3. #7 William Smith
  4. #80 Davey Lynn
  5. #2 Michael joiner
  6. #38 Brian Hutchinson
  7. #88 Bubba Nesbit

“Show me the Money” Pro Late Models Presented by Blacksheep Woodlands were up next for a 75 lap race. After qualifying the top 8 redrew for starting position. Budweiser Fast time qualifier Casey Roderick drew a 1 and started on the pole with #96 Stephen Davis on the outside. The racing was furious as the field stayed clean and green with Roderick leading the way. Challenges by the #21 of Justin South and Bill Bethea III #13 had the crowd cheering. Racing was going on throughout the field as racers were on the move to the front. #24 Christopher Tullis looked like he was returning to his front running ways but his car faded as the laps clicked off. Kyle McCallum #4 and #7 Cole Daffron were 2 of the biggest movers working their way from 11th and 12th. Other Notable performances were registered by the #21 of Jason Furrow working his way from 14th to 7th and Ty Roberts #50 who rolled from his 13the starting spot to finish 9th. Ryan Herbert also gained 5 positions in only his second Pro Late model race. Taylor Stricklin #7s got the hard luck award for the weekend not because of his racing (He raced from 10th to 8th) But due to an injury he suffered on the way to the track requiring multiple stitches to his leg. Stricklin, son of racing standout Hut Stricklin makes the trip from North Carolina to participate in the “Show me the Money” series.

But the move of the night was made by #30 Bobby Knox Jr. as trouble hit the race leader #18 Casey Roderick and Knox and #4 Kyle McCallum split the leader in turn 4 to go 3 wide and get the crowd on their feet and take over the top spot never to look back.

Publication Press 100 Featuring the “Show me the Money” Pro Late Models presented by Blacksheep Woodlands results (Unofficial)

  1. #30 Bobby Knox Jr
  2. #4 Kyle McCallum
  3. #7 Cole Daffron
  4. #51 Perry Patino
  5. #21 Justin South
  6. #22 Jordan McCallum
  7. #21 Jason Furrow
  8. #7s Taylor Stricklin
  9. #50 Ty Roberts
  10. #21 Ryan Herbert
  11. #18 Joe Bethea Jr
  12. #9 Chris Landers
  13. #2d Jeff Dawkins
  14. #96 Stephen Davis
  15. #13 Bill Bethea III
  16. #33 Brad Edwards
  17. #18 Casey Roderick
  18. #02 Joe Dixon
  19. #24 Christopher Tullis

Modified Minis were up for the final feature of the night. The car count was back up with a few drivers making it back for the first time this year. No one was disappointed as the racing was very exciting and clean. These cars really haul the mail on the ½ mile facility and can race door to door all around the track. The race started with Joe Wingard #33 and Steve Looney #21 positioned on the front row. The #21 of Looney took the top spot and was moving along until a mechanical issue slowed his pace. Chase Spradlin #75 in the Red and white Jeff Thomas Pinto worked his way to the front with Davis Davis #22 in tow. Heath Williams in the #88 also had a strong run but faded in the final laps. Lap 17 saw the #22 of David Davis challenge Spradlin for the lead but lost control of his car coming out of turn 4. Frankie Spradlin also had a great 3rd place run to finish the racing program.

Modified Minis results (Unofficial)

  1. #75 Chase Spradlin
  2. #7 Rusty Alverson
  3. #8 Frankie Spradlin
  4. #22 David Davis
  5. #21 Steve Looney
  6. #2 Ashley Bridgemon
  7. #88 Heath Williams
  8. #33 Joe Wingard

The Night finished with Stuntman Rocky Hardcore thrilling the crowd with a car dive bomb into a travel trailer on pit road and a big Fireworks show.

Montgomery motor Speedway returns to action Saturday July 16th and the return of the “Show me the Money” Pro Late Models presented by Blacksheep woodlands in a 100 lap contest. Join us for the 4 Star Freightliner night at the races. For more info call the track at 334-262-6101

Montgomery Motor Speedway were you gotta be FAST just to be LAST !!!

Home of the ALABAMA 200 Sept 10-11

 

Stan Narrison