Saturday of Speed “Show me the Money”

August 16, 2015 Montgomery, Alabama: Anytime a track features 2 headline divisions in one night it can be a risk. When you also feature a big lap local division it can be even riskier, well Saturday night proved it was the right thing to do as 26 Pro Late Models rolled in for the final “Show me the Money” race of 2015 plus a good field of the best open wheeled modifieds for the Modifieds of Mayhem race and a quality group of cars in the 50 lap Street Stock contest.

Fans had the grandstands packed as they not only enjoyed the 3 big races but also got a chance to see some of the Montgomery Motor Speedway’s stars from the past compete in a special 10 lap legends race.

Budweiser Qualifying started the evening with the Street Stocks. Fast time was posted by the #33 Joe Bethea Jr 23.050 followed closely by Dwayne Wesenberg #31 23.124. Hired gun Chase Spradlin rolled of a lap of 23.2566.

The Modifieds were next to line up for Budweiser qualifying. Jeff Letson #131 from Madison, Alabama was the first car out and knocked off a fast time of 19.951 being the only modified to break the 20 second mark. Johnny ”The Rocket” Brazier was second fastest with a time of 20.075. Third quickest was the #07 of Ryan Paul at 20.153.\

The “Show me the Money” pro late models were the final division to hit the track for 2 timed laps and the experience level was wide and varied, from 2 time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin #114 to first time pro late model competitors Branden Herbert #22 and Wayne “Kool Kat” Shell #118. When all the dust settled and 25 cars had taken their laps it was young gun #26 Chandler Smith the 13 year old driver from Jasper, Georgia posting a lap of 19.120. Multiple race winner Augie Grill #112 took the second spot in qualifying with a time of 19.166 followed closely by home town favorite Hunter Robbins at 19.194. Georgia driver Kyle Plott clocked a lap at 19.197 and Tennessee driver Stacy Crane rounded out the top 5 with a time of 19.201. The competition level was very close as the top 22 cars clocked a time under 20 seconds.

The first feature was the street stocks and many predicted a caution filled race. That was not the case as the race went clean and green except for a competition caution at lap 20. At the drop of the green flag the #24 of David Wood jumped out to the lead as the drivers settled in for the long contest. Chase Spradlin #51 had his sights set on the top spot but wood can be a fierce competitor and does not give up a position easily. Lap 7 saw the #31 of Wesenberg make his move to second and eye the top spot held by Wood. New competitor Blake ”Chain Saw” Wilson in the x12 was shaking down his Monte Carlo and retired from the event on lap 11. Fast time qualifier Joe Bethea Jr. was working his way to the front as #24 stayed in the top spot till the competition caution on lap 20. With Sunoco fuel and a cold drink the field hit the track again with Wood in the lead position. Things started to shake up on lap 28 as Brian “Bubba” Hutchinson headed to the pits with apparent suspension issues and Bethea Jr slid into the top spot. Lap 32 saw #38 Hutchinson head to the pits for the final time to end his evening. The race continued as battles were being waged at all points of the track. Short track standout Gary Davis #5 had his hands full battling Charles Davis #5 (No relation) for position as the #51 of Spradlin made his move to the front after letting his tires cool for the final run. Spradlin was able to make a pass on Wood on the final lap to secure 2^nd as wood finished 3^rd and Wesenberg #31 was flagged 4^th. Following the race #51 and #31 failed post race inspection.

Street Stock Finish

1. Joe Bethea Jr. #33
2. David Wood #24
3. Charles Davis #5
4. Gary Davis #5
5. Josh Wilson #12
6. Andrew Wiggins #4
7. Justice Evans #44
8. Blake Wilson x12
9. Chase Spradlin #51 DQ
10. Dwayne Wesenberg #31 DQ

Modifieds of Mayhem rolled onto the historic half mile speedway next and saw the #145 of Billy Melvin and #131of Jeff Letson on the front row. The action was fierce as Letson set the pace for the field. Melvin in the #145 was challenging as the caution flew for the #71 of Brazier and he entered the pits with motor issues. On the restart the cars entered turns 1 & 2 with no problems but as the leaders worked their way thru turn 3 and 4 the #131 of Letson slid up the track and contact was made with the #145 of Melvin causing him to spin in front of the charging herd. When the smoke cleared Melvins teammate Ty Roberts had made hard contact with the #145 and sent both cars to the pits. On the restart the #07 of current points leader Ryan Paul slid into the second spot and dogged Letson for the entire race. Donnie Hamrac driving the #64 due to a hard crash at 5 flags speedway last weekend just could not get his machine to handle and settled for a 3^rd place finish. The #57 of Jason Huffmaster had a good run in his first visit to the Modifieds of Mayhem tour. Both Mike “Mad Dog” Maddox and Butch Wade #2 finished on the lead lap. Special thanks to the #88 Larry Hughes for making the long trip from Houston, Texas to pilot his sharp purple and black machine at MMS. The Interstate Batteries Hard Charger award goes to #57 of Jason Huffmaster.

Modifieds of Mayhem 50 “Saturday of Speed”

1. Jeff Letson #131
2. Ryan Paul #07
3. Donnie Hamrac #64
4. Jason Huffmaster #57
5. Mike Maddox #14
6. Butch Wade #02
7. Larry Hughes #88
8. Nick Martin #15
9. Billy Melvin #145
10. Ty Roberts #50
11. Johnny Brazier #71

The Pro Late Models have put on quite a show this year at MMS and tonight was no exception. 26 cars were present and fighting for the top prize and prestige of this big event. The Saturday of Speed is known to bring out the best in competition and many teams use it as a tune up for the Alabama 200. The year end marquee event is a Southern Super Series Super Late Model event but competes on the same Hoosier F-45 as the pro lates do at this event. Practice Results

Chandler Smith #26 won the fast time Pole award and at 13 is the youngest competitor to do that in a pro late model.

The redraw took place after the Street Stock race and the new lineup.

Starting Lineup – Show Me The Money 100

The cautions flew early as a spin in turn 2 collected the #7 of Mobley and #22 of Herbert. On the restart #11 of Crane loops it in turn 4. The next yellow flew on lap 13 involving #11Crane, #22Herbert, and the #118 of Shells. This gave the #112 of Augie grill some practice on his restarts and he only seemed to get better as the night went on. Hunter Robbins #18 kept the Hayden, Alabama in his sights and seem to be better on the longer runs although early in the race there were not many. As the race progressed battles ensued all around the track. Sterling Marlin was riding along and picking up spots as they presented themselves. Other cars on the move were the #2h of Bret Holmes who had a great run going and was challenging for the lead when contact with Kyle Plott #45 sent him spinning.Holmes 10^th place finish was still enough to secure the 2015 Show me the Money Pro Late model Championship. Plott from Georgia started off the evening with some handling issues and a flat tire but was able to fight his way to a top 3 finish. Fast time qualifier Chandler Smith impressed many with his talent as he made contact with the outside wall but was working his way to the front when he was involved in an incident on lap 92.Another young gun Derek Scott Jr. was very strong early in the race and showed maturity running with the front cars. #2 Luke Christain showed his talent as he pushed his way to a 2^nd place finish to wrap up a very strong year and 2^nd place in the final points standings In the end it was Augie Grill with his 3^rd Show me the money win of 2015.

1. Augie Grill #112
2. Luke Christain #2c
3. Kyle Plott #45
4. Sterling Marlin #114
5. Bobby Knox Jr. #30
6. Fredrick Moore #30
7. Daniel Bolden #09
8. Darin Cronin #5
9. Dennis Reno Jr. x2
10. Bret Holmes 2h
11. Michael Bolden #9
12. Derek Scott Jr. #01
13. Bill Bethea III #13
14. Josh Adkins #01
15. Chandler Smith #26
16. Hunter Robbins #18
17. Dalton Grindle #23
18. Perry Patino #51
19. Jason Furrow #113
20. Austin Wood #27
21. Warren Mobley #7
22. Jordan McCallum
23. Stacy Crane #11
24. Branden Herbert #22
25. Wayne Shells #118
26. Brandon Curren #00 DNS

The Legends of Montgomery race was on the schedule next as the veterans took to the track for a 10 lap contest. Check back later this week for a complete story on these racing legends.

1. Dwayne Middlebrook #21
2. Lamar Hodge #113
3. Jeff Dawkins #17

Montgomery Motor Speedway will be back in action Saturday August 29 for the Beat the Heat 30 featuring the Modified minis battling it out. The card will also feature The Interstate Batteries Late Model Sportsman and the Street Stocks. Tickets are only $10 for Adults $8 seniors and Military and $5 for kids 6-12.

Mark your calendar for the Alabama 200 September 12^th and 13^th as the Southern Super Series will return along with the Modifieds of Mayhem tour. The weekend will also feature all local divisions competing on Saturday night and the Supers and Modifieds racing on Sunday.