Collins wins a thriller

With a 14.136 second lap in qualifying, Josh Collins set fast time for the 30 lap Late Model Feature. Joining him on the front row with a 14.243 was Brad Hall in his #47 machine. As soon as the green waved “Superman” jumped out to the lead with Hall in chase. Coming off a win his last time out, Jason Manley started in the third row but quickly made his move and took over the fourth spot. Last weeks winner Trevor Sise looked strong again as he applied the pressure on hall for the runner up spot in the opening laps. With seven laps on the scoreboard Collins began to inch away from the field. Manley wasn’t satisfied with his spot and he moved his way into the third spot behind Collins and Hall. The action was slowed on lap eight for a spin by Steve Welch. Under the caution Layne Clifton pulled pitside with wheel damage and was done for the night. With his lead erased, Collins led the field back to the green flag with Hall and now Manley on his heels. Using the inside line on the restart Manly tried making his move under Hall but had to fall back in line. Points leader Brad Seagle found himself fighting to stay inside the top ten as he battled with Scotty Covington. Back up front the top three began to inch away from fourth place. With fourteen of the thirty laps complete, Brad Hall closed the gap on the race leader. The top two put a little distance over Manley and looked to settle it amongst themselves. That plan wouldn’t come to pass as a caution on lap eighteen slowed the pace. Coming off a great finish last time out, Mike Weeks took a shot at taking over a top five spot but would have to fall back in line. Lap after lap Hall would dive inside of the leader coming off turn number four but the momentum kept the lead in the hands of Collins. A late caution with just five laps left gave Hall and Manley one last shot but it wasn’t gonna happen as Collins held on for the win in what was an incredible race.

1: #63 Josh Collins
2: #47 Brad Hall
3: #32 Jason Manley
4: #07 Jason Cardwell
5: #73 Trevor Sise
6: #66 Adam Beeler
7: #44 Mike Weeks
8: #31 Brad Seagle
9: #31 Johnny Ridings
10: #27 Scotty Covington
11: #2 Mitchell Childress
12: #4 Shannon Smith
13: #7 William Overbey
14: #32 Cody Brake
15: #25 Bobby Mays
16: #95 Steve Welch
17: #23 Layne Clifton

Fresh off a runner up finish last week, 2014 Sportsman track champion and current points leader Wayne Rader set fast time in qualifying with a 15.150 second lap time. Setting fast time wouldn’t get him the early advantage however as Clyde Stanton took the lead on green by using the outside line off of turn number two. With Stanton showing the way Rader and Coffey were fighting it out for the runner up spot. Rex Coffey began taking a look on the outside of Terry Poore early on. A caution on lap number three slowed the pace in what was already an incredible race. After moving into the runner up spot on the restart Poore began to slip back as Coffey and Helton moved past. Up front Rader showed everyone why he’s the defending champion as he closed right in on the back bumper of Stanton for the race lead. A caution on lap ten would allow everyone else to close the gap. With the green back out Rader was all over the back of Stanton for the top spot. On lap 18 Rader dove inside coming off turn number four for the top spot but the caution waved and gave the lead back to Stanton. Stanton hit his marks perfectly and held off Rader in a photo finish to pick up the win.

1: #C11 Clyde Stanton
2: #01 Wayne Rader
3: #57 Jesse Helton
4: #3 Rex Coffey
5: #2 Terry Poore
6: #5 James Cole
7: #555 Ryan Carrey
8: #14 Lee Merritt
9: #14 Austin Atkins
10: #18 Corey Summers
11: #11 Eric Hux
12: #50 Adam Mitchell
13: #58 Cody Brake
DNS: #32 Cody Gloyne
DNS: #00 Issac Boring

John Byers had dominated the Mini Stock division but issues in hotlaps sidelined him for the race. The 2014 Mini Stock champion Michael Courtney would earn the pole with a 17.491 second qualifying lap. Jason Gregory would set second fast time clocking in at a 17.538 second time. After a quick caution on the opening lap the race got underway and it was intense. Courtney and Gregory fought for the lead, swapping paint several times for the top spot. Eventually Courtney would retake the lead and set sail with Gregory in chase. A caution on lap five for Dakota King put Gregory right back on the bumper of Courtney. Bryant Idles made his move on the restart and took over the third spot from Mike Townsend. With Courtney out front pulling away a caution waved on lap twelve for Alex Squires. Another caution slowed the pace on lap seventeen which saw Chris Griffin and Jesse Hickman tangle on the front stretch ending Hickman’s night. Michael Courtney would hold off a late charge by Gregory to pick up the victory.

1: #41 Michael Courtney
2: #21 Jason Gregory
3: #2 Bryant Idles
4: #5 Mike Townsend
5: #B01 Shawn Henry
6: #c8 Chris Griffin
7: #88 Shannon Raley
8: #75 Alex Squires
9: #4 Clifford Sands
10: #69 Jesse Hickman
11: #31 David Darden
12: #28 Dakota King
13: #5 Mitchell Fox
DNS: #5 Marty Philips
DNS: J7 John Byers

Chris Rickett would earn the top spot for the 20 lap street stock feature by winning the heat race. By lap eight Rickett had stretched his lead out to a half straight over Wolfe. Last weeks winner found trouble on lap number twelve as he spun his #11 machine in turn four bringing out the caution. Rickett would go on to score the victory.

1: #36 Chris Rickett
2: #11 Tracy Wolfe
3: #3 Bret Banks
DNS: #12 Phil Blackford

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