Montgomery Al March 5, 2017: When the year starts off with one of the biggest races on the schedule, there are big expectations and the R.S.Trucking Spring Explosion did not disappoint. 27 of the best drivers in the southeast rolled through the gates along with a strong field of open wheeled modifieds.
Budweiser qualifying started with the Modifieds of Mayhem tour taking the track for 2 timed laps. When the dust settled, it was 2016 tour Champion Jeff Letson #131 with a time of 19.853 followed closely by Texan Joe Aramendia #79 at 19.952, Donald Crocker Winner of the Modified race at the Alabama 200 weekend in 2016 was 3rd with a time of 20.071 and 2 other Texans rounded out the top 5. Jason Morman #33 20.220 and John Walker #72 20.244.
The top 8 redraw put 6th place qualifier Jordan Key #0 on the pole with veteran Billy Melvin who qualified 7th on the outside of the front row for the feature.
Starting Line-up for the Modifieds of Mayhem race:
- Jordan Key
- Billy Melvin
- Donald Crocker
- Johnny Walker
- Joe Aramendia
- Rocky Rogers
- Jason Morman
- Jeff Letson
- Nathen Ingersoll
- Blake Ferguson
- Nick Martin
The ‘Show me the Money’ Pro Late models presented by Black Sheep woodlands were next on the clock. After crashes took 3 cars out of the line-up, 24 cars took to the track. Fast time was set by 2016 ‘Show me the Money’ Champion Casey Roderick #18 at 18.979. The entire 24 cars were within 1 second of the pole and within a ½ second to position 16. Augie Grill #112, Justin South #43, Sterling Marlin #114 and Bobby Knox Jr.#30 rounded out the top 5.
The top 8 redraw shook things up a bit as veteran Sterling Marlin #114 and Young gun Perry Patino #51 started on the front row.
The Coca Cola Street Stocks hit the track for the first feature and it was a familiar face that jumped out to a quick lead. 2016 Champion Charles Davis picked up where he left in 2016 in the front. As the #6 car worked his way around the historic ½ mile track a battle was taking place behind him. #38 Bubba Hutchinson grabbed the #2 spot and held it till lap 6 when Josh ”Smurfman” Wilson moved into the runner up spot. Rookie Trey Grimes #51 was right in the mix and was a constant threat. In the end it was Charles Davis #6 taking the checkered flag for his first win in 2017
- Charles Davis #6
- Josh Wilson #12
- Trey Grimes #51
- Brian “Bubba “Hutchinson #38
The Modifieds of Mayhem were the next feature and it was exciting from the drop of the green flag. It didn’t take long for the Citronelle, Al driver Donald Crocker #5 to push his way to the front. Lap 6 saw the early retirement of Nick Martin #88 as he had to pull his car behind the wall for mechanical issues. The #07 of Blake Ferguson had carburetor issues in qualifying and did not get any better as Ferguson had to pull his machine to pit road on lap 7. #10 Nathen Ingersoll in his first start in the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour parked his ride on lap 10 along with Billy Melvin in the #16. Lap 10 the running order was Crocker #5, Aramendia #79, Rocky Rogers #41, Jeff Letson #131, Johnny Walker #72 . By lap 20 Jeff Letson #131 had worked his way to the 3rd position and the field settle in to log some laps. Lap 36 saw the #0 of Jordan Key retire and Jason Morman #33 pull to the pits for some attention from his crew.Joe Aramendia made the pass for the lead on lap 37 and held on for his first victory of 2017.
Modifieds of Mayhem Tour Results (Unofficial)
- Joe Aramendia #79
- Jeff Letson #131
- Johnny Walker #72
- Donald Crocker #5
- Rocky Rogers #41
- Jason Morman #33
- Jordan Key #0
- Billy Melvin #16
- Nathen Ingersoll #10
- Blake Ferguson #07
- Nick Martin #88
Brake O Meter Awards 4th Donald Crocker 10th Blake Ferguson
Hoosier Tire award: Rocky Rogers
After Drivers Introductions, the Pro Late Model drivers were strapped in and ready to go. They say that drivers need patience and at times there was not enough to go around. At the drop of the green flag Sterling Marlin took the lead but it didn’t take long for the first car to drop out of the action. Kyle McCallum lost his drive shaft in turn 2 to end his day. Then it was a spin by the #22 Brandon Herbert bringing out the first caution. Jasper, Georgia’s Chandler Smith took over the top spot on lap 8 and showed his strength as he pulled away from the field. The next yellow flag was displayed when contact between the #114 of Marlin and #51 of Patino in turn 1. Pit road was busy as numerous cars dove in for some adjustments. On the restart the black flag was displayed to the #26 of Smith for starting before the box. As he was serving his pass-through penalty the yellow was put out for the #22 Herbert and #11 McCallum spin on lap 16 and saw a new leader as Augie Grill stepped into the top spot. Caution flew again on lap 24 for the #13 of Bill Bethea III. Once again, the pits were very active as cars used the time to make adjustments.
Top 5 at lap 30
- Augie Grill #112
- Casey Roderick #18
- Willie Allen #26
- Justin South #43
- Bobby Knox Jr #30
On lap 42 The #21 of Jason Furrow made contact with the outside wall bringing out the yellow. Lap 44 saw the hardest hit of the night as contact between the #11 of McCallum and #51 Zack Knowles sent the #51 hard into the turn 3 wall. The red flag was displayed and all drivers were ok. The drivers settled down at this point and started logging lap but two men on the move were Derek Scott Jr. #81 and Chandler Smith #26 as he worked his way through the field after serving his penalty early in the race.
Top 5 at lap 60
- Augie Grill #112
- Casey Roderick #18
- Willie Allen #26
- Justin South #43
- Chandler Smith #26
Lap 71 Casey Roderick #18 grabbed the top spot from Grill with a move on the inside as Grill got hung up behind a lapped car. Grill came back and took the lead on lap 77. The caution flew on lap 91 for contact between #11 McCallum and #22 Herbert. After reports of fluid on the windshields of some cars the leader Grill was checked on the front stretch and sent to the pits for repairs. Roderick inherited the lead at that point. On lap 110 a groan was heard from the crowd as #26 Willie Allen pulled off the track as he ran out of fuel. The second groan was heard on lap 123 as mechanical failure in the rear end of the #112 car ended his night after a strong charge to the front. In the end it was the 2016 “Show me the Money” Champion Casey Roderick in the Ronnie Sanders prepared #18 pit boxes sponsored Chevy taking home the victory.
R.S. Trucking Spring Explosion 125 “Show me the Money” Presented by Blacksheep Woodlands
- Casey Roderick #18 125
- Chandler Smith #26 125
- Derek Scott Jr. #81 125
- Justin South #43 125
- Bobby Knox Jr #30 125
- Daniel Bolden #09 125
- Chris Landers #9 124
- Augie Grill #112 123
- Michael Bolden #9 123
- Perry Patino #51 122
- Jordan McCallum #11 119
- Roger Reuse #88 116
- Willie Allen #26 110
- Christopher Tullis #24 110
- Ty Roberts #50 110
- Brandon Herbert #22 95
- Geo Bromante #98 94
- R.S. Senter #10 86
- Aiden Eldridge #8x 72
- Bill Bethea #13 55
- Zack Knowles #51K 44
- Jason Furrow #21 43
- Sterling Marlin #114 24
- Kyle McCallum #4 1
- Ryan Herbert #21 DNS
- Rick Oertel #28 DNS
Schoenfeld Headers Hard Charger Award: Chris Landers (17 Positions)
Brake-o-Meter awards 4th place Justin South 10th Place Perry Patino
The Show me the Money pro Late model series will be back in action on April 22nd for a 100-lap feature.
Montgomery Motor Speedway home of the Alabama gang will be back in action for Open practice and the MADD MAXX endure race this Saturday March 11th with open practice for all divisions from 12-5 and the Enduro race starting at 5:30 till 7pm. This race will be free to all in the grandstands.
Don’t miss opening night for all divisions featuring the Late Model Sportsman Powered by WCI Parts.com, The Coca Cola Street stocks and the Modified Minis Saturday March 25th Tickets will be only $10 for adults $8 for seniors and Military $5 for kids 6-12 and children 5 and under are always free.
