July 17, 2017 Montgomery, Alabama: The Heart of Dixie’s oldest operative track hosted 15 Pro Late Models for a 100-lap Show Me the Money Series showdown Saturday evening. Though some of the south’s finest were in attendance, the battle for victory at Montgomery Motor Speedway (AL) came down to a mid-race restart between two youthful drivers.
In the end, one driver was left frustrated while the other celebrated another win in victory lane at the Alabama short track.
After taking away the lead from pole-sitter Bobby Knox, Jr. with an inside pass on lap 4, Chandler Smith led the way for the majority of the race’s first half.
The field evaded the yellow flag for 43 laps before officials called for a caution when 2-time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin came crawling to a halt in the high side of turn four.
Casey Roderick found second early on, pitting the Georgia native side-by-side on the restart with the 15-year-old leader.
A nearly 10-year difference in age separated the drivers on the front row, but a matter of seconds would determine who got the upper hand as the pace truck released the field, rolling down pit road.
Smith fired, but what happened next would cause post-race emotions to flare.
Casey Roderick pulled himself out of the driver’s window and banged elatedly on the roof the red No. 18 machine parked in victory lane. Behind him sat podium finishers Chandler Smith and Perry Patino.
As Roderick leaned into the mic to speak to the crowd, Smith’s disgruntled crew chief strode past, uttering a comment to the winner.
“His crew chief came up to me and said [they] would have won the race if I hadn’t have jumped the restart,” Roderick told Speed51.com powered by JEGS.
On the restart, Roderick had taken over the lead from Smith. Another 56 green-flag laps were run before the checkered flag dropped and Roderick began his celebration in victory lane.
Officials found no error in the restart and neither did Roderick.
“I did nothing wrong,” Roderick said. “He fired first and I went. He missed a shift and I pulled him down the straightaway. That’s all there is to it.”
When asked if he shared his crew chief’s perspective, second-place finisher Smith offered a straightforward reply.
“Yeah, [Roderick] jumped me a little bit, but it is what it is,” Smith said frankly. “The race is over with. He’s in victory lane and I’m in second.”
Smith seemed calm and matter-of-fact as his machine rolled through post-race tech, but eventually revealed his ultimate displeasure with race control. “If [race control’s] not going to call it, it’s whatever,” Smith said. “I mean; I respect them for it. If they’re not going to call stuff like that, but then call it on me; it’s whatever.”
Race Note:
(The start was reviewed by race control and it was deemed that the #26 fired in the starting box first.)
Roderick and Smith found themselves repeatedly weaving through slower traffic as the laps wound down in the 100-lap feature. Only four drivers finished on the lead. Lapped cars looked as though they would play to Smith’s advantage, but there wasn’t enough time or traffic left to curb Roderick. “I found something there towards the end and we pulled [Roderick] really hard,” Smith said. I feel like we could have gotten him.”
Despite a dominating performance, Roderick was left irritated by yet another 2017 victory lane celebration gone awry. “Time and time again, every time I’m starting second, someone complains about my restarts,” Roderick exclaimed. “They’ve got videotape, they can zoom in on it and watch [Smith] fire. He just missed a shift. He made a mistake and I took advantage of it as I do every other restart. It’s just frustrating. ”At a loss for words, Roderick concisely concluded what he believed to be the underlying issue. “You know, I guess people just hate winners. And I’m a freakin’ winner.”
-By Melissa Strahley, Speed51.com Southeast Correspondent
Show Me the Money Series Unofficial Results
Montgomery Motor Speedway (AL) – July 15, 2017
| 1 | 18 | Casey Roderick |
| 2 | 26 | Chandler Smith |
| 3 | 51 | Perry Patino |
| 4 | 30K | Bobby Knox Jr. |
| 5 | 24 | Christopher Tullis |
| 6 | 2 | John Bolen |
| 7 | 11 | Jordan McCallum |
| 8 | 98 | Giovanni Bromante |
| 9 | 8X | Aiden Eldridge |
| 10 | 13 | Bill Bethea III |
| 11 | 21F | Jason Furrow |
| 12 | 4 | Kyle McCallum |
| 13 | 114 | Sterling Marlin |
| 14 | 9 | Chris Landers |
15 98 Justin Ashburn DNS
Race report:
Fast qualifier #18 Casey Roderick 19.419
Lap Leaders: Laps led
Bobby Knox Jr #30 1-3
Chandler Smith #26 4-43
Casey Roderick #18 44-100
The evening started with a 30 lap Coca Cola Street Stock feature. Fans were delighted to see a couple of drivers returning to action. 2015 Champion Dwayne Wesenberg #31 brought his bright red machine out of retirement to compete on the ½ mile oval. After a regroup and color change Brian”Bubba” Hutchinson was showing off the new blue #38 for all to see. Wesenberg set fast time during Budweiser fast time qualifying and rolled a 2 for the feature inversion. The reshuffle put #51 Trey Grimes and Wesenberg #31 on the front row. Trey Grimes grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag Wesenberg took the lead on lap 2. The first caution involved #38 Hutchinson and the #1 of Jacks in turn 1. Wesenberg #31 held the top spot till lap 15 when Charles Davis made his move to the front and held it till the checkers.
Unofficial Results Street Stocks
- Charles Davis #6
- Dwayne Wesenberg #31
- Trey Grimes #51
- Skylar Strength #17
- JC Cleckler #5
- Terry Grimes #33
- Daniel Jacks #1
- William Smith #7
- Brian Hutchinson #38
- Josh Wilson #12
Montgomery Motor Speedway will be back in action on July 29th for the Kids Bike races. The night will feature Late Model Sportsman Powered by WCI Part.com. Coca Cola Street Stocks, Modified minis, Pure Stocks / Road Runners and the Mini Cup/Mini Sportsman Division,
Tickets are only $10 for Adults $8 seniors and Military $5 children 6-12 and 5 and under are always free.
Grandstand gates open at 5 Qualifying at 6 and Racing at 7. Kids bike races will be run in age categories and kids should bring their helmets.
The “Show me the Money” series presented by Blacksheep Woodlands returns August 12th for the Saturday of Speed plus Coca Cola Street Stocks and Modified Minis.
Mark your Calendar for the Alabama 200 “Hunt for the BEAR” September 9-10. Saturday September 9th local features along with qualifying for Modifieds of Mayhem tour and the “Show me the Money” Pro Late Model Series.
Sunday September 10th fans will see the Modifieds of Mayhem tour competing for 75 laps and the Alabama 200 “Hunt For the BEAR” the Biggest Pro Late Model race in the country.
