Ownbey scores J.T. Kerr Memorial win

The fans and drivers filled up Tennessee’s action track in honor of east TN racing Legend J.T. Kerr for a $4,000 to win 40 lap NeSmith feature. Up first on the docket was the Street Stock feature and what a race it was. Trouble found Tim Kilby as he pulled off the track before the race even went green. When the green actually did wave Dale Watson took over the top spot and set the pace. Hot on his heels was Jeff McLemore and Jon Cook in his oz machine. After starting in the back, points leader Tracy Wolfe was a man on a mission and after only 3 laps had moved into the third spot.  Up front Watson looked to have things under control and was inching away with the lead. Wolfe’s impressive drive continued and he took the runner up spot just 6 laps in. The first caution waved on lap 8 for Willie Busler who went for a spin. Back under green Wolfe pounced on the lead and powered past Watson on lap 10. It looked like Wolfe was on his way to his second win of the season but trouble found him on lap 11. He pulled off the track with fluid pouring from under his car, ending his night early. He wouldn’t be alone though as Watson also pulled off track with issues handing the lead over to Jeff McLemore. On the restart Hux put pressure on the leader, looking inisde coming off turn number 2 but couldn’t make the pass. McLemore held on to pick up the win.

1: #J3 Jeff McLemore
2: #01 Jerry Hux
3: #0z John Cook
4: #31b Willie Busler
5: #30 Jonathan Sims
6: #11 Dale Watson
7: #11 Tracy Wolfe
DNS: T11 Tim Kilby

With a lap time of 14.980 Brian Courtney set fast time and earned the pole for the Sportsman feature. Just a tick behind, clocking in at a 15.013 second lap was Jesse Helton. When the green waved Helton wasted no time putting the nose of his #57 machine into the wind. Behind him Courtney, Stanton and Poore battled it out for a top 5 spot. After 5 laps Helton was slowly inching away from Courtney with the race lead. After missing the past couple races, the returning Rex Coffey clearly hadn’t missed a beat as he and Poore raced for the 4th spot. With 7 laps into the 20 lap feature the top two had put distance between themselves and the 3rd place car. The lead began to shrink as Courtney began closing in. The caution would wave on lap 11 for a spin by Ritchie Carey. The green wouldn’t last long as another quick caution waved just two laps later for Poore. The point leader headed pitside with a cut tire but quickly returned to the track. Courtney was all over the back of Helton in the final laps but could never make the move.

1: #57 Jesse Helton
2: #3 Rex Coffey
3: #c11 Clyde Stanton
4: #50 Adam Mitchell
5: #2 Steve Smith
6: #2 Terry Poore
7: #56 Freddy Romines
8: #14 Lee Merritt
9: #27 David Vandergriff
10: #555 Ryan Carey
DQ: #71 Brian Courtney

Next on track would be the Mini Stock feature. John Byers has dominated most of the season so far but it was Kyle Courtney who took the lead on the start of the feature. As expected Byers quickly moved up through the pack and after just 3 laps was already in the 3rd spot. The night ended early for Fireball Roberts who pulled off the track just a handful of laps in. Byers continued his drive to the front by taking over second from Metler. By lap 7 Courtney had built up a huge lead, almost a full straight away. The strong run for Metler came to an end on lap 9 as he stopped on the track and pulled pitside. Shawn Henry spun down into the infield but the race remained under green. Mike Townsend was all over Randy Lane for the 3rd spot with just 5 laps left. Byers wouldn’t be able to close the gap and Courtney drove to victory.

1: #171 Kyle Courtney
2: #J7 John Byers
3: #41 Randy Lane
4: #5 Mike Townsend
5: #1 David Singleton
6: #B02 Shawn Henry
7: #31 David Darden
8: #4 Clifford Sands
9: #77 Stephen Russell
10: #44 Tommy Metler
11: #322 Fireball Roberts
12: #32 Brandon Cooper

After stealing the show last week the Classic cars returned for an encore performance. Chris Evans won the heat race earlier in the day and earned the top spot. He showed the way on the opening laps with Eli Keck in his tire tracks. After leading the most laps last time out, Joe Keck found himself battling for the 3rd position with Joel Wolfenbarger. With 6 laps in the books Evans had pulled out to a several car length lead. Overton, who won last time out was on the move again working on Pressley for 3rd. The first caution waved for Adam Pressley on lap 8 ending his night and putting the field back on Evans bumper. Overton wasn’t done as he took over the second spot with just a few laps left. Time would run out on his drive for back to back wins though as Chris Evans pulled his #2 machine into the Ole Smokey Moonshine victory lane.

1: #2 Chris Evans
2: #98 Justin Overton
3: #8 Eli Keck
4: #78 Joe Keck
5: #07 Bobby Pressley
6: #J13 Joel Wolfenbarger
7: #88 Ritchie Overholser
8: #c74 Cliff Lane
9: #18 Rusty Welch
10: #65 Michael Maiden
11: #07A Adam Pressley

Up next was the main event of the evening. The 40 lap $4,000 to win NeSmith feature. With a blistering 14.160 lap, John Ownbey earned the pole. Beside him would be Matt Henderson with a 14.177 lap. Two wild B mains earlier in the night set the 24 car field. Those were anything but routine as both races saw a car flip over. The fans knew they were in for a wild one when you have that much chaos before the feature even begins. Matt Henderson in his #H2 machine took the lead as the green waved over the stacked field. The top two of Henderson and Ownbey quickly pulled out to a sizable lead over the rest of the field. Ownbey began to close the gap for the top spot as the field screamed around the track. The caution waved on lap 6 for a three car accident involving Jimmy Elliott, Cody Martin and Michael Richardson. With the yellow gone the battle was intense for the third spot with Chase Edge turning up the heat on Nick Lyons. Up front Ownbey made his move on lap 11 and used the inside line to drive past Henderson into the lead. After starting in the 8th spot Cory Hedgecock looked to make his move and moved past Justin Summers. Speaking of Summers, he brought out a caution just a couple laps later. The big one happened in turn three with a huge crash involving some of the top runners. King, Minga, Henry, White and several others were involved in a lengthy red flag for cleanup. Despite having a car literally sitting on his hood, the “Dirty White Boy” would continue on. On the restart Henderson powered back into the second spot in chase of Ownbey. Despite being only 21st in qualifying, Todd Morrow had a fast car and was up into the 3rd spot at the halfway point.Up front Ownbey hit his marks perfectly and put distance on the field. White was working over taking the 3rd spot away on lap 24 despite having a damaged car. Ownbey held on and picked up the big win.

1: #44 John Ownbey
2: #H2 Matt Henderson
3: #2x Anthony White
4: #8A Todd Marrow
5: #99 Justin Summers
6: #5 Ronnie Johnson
7: #21G Mario Gresham
8: #30 Ryan King
9: #b00 Josh Henry
10: #10 Ryan Crane
11: #18E Chase Edge
12: #2x Nick Lyons
13: #19 Marcas Minga
14: #18 Gary Crittenden
15: #22 Will Roland
16: #J39 Jimmy Elliott
17: #101 Forest Trent
18: #23 Cory Hedgecock
19: #8r Michael Richardson
20: #29 Rusty Ballenger
21: #11 Josh Fields
22: #21M Cody Martin
23: #12 Eric Register
24: #98 Eric Craters
DNS: #24 Greg Martin
DNS: #10M Michael Chilton
DNS: #1 Adam Beeler
DNS: #07 Bradley Levelling
DNS: #14 Richie Beasley
DNS: #7 William Overbey
DNS: #58 Cody Brake

411 Motor Speedway will return to action next Friday night when the Ultimate Super Late Model Series visits for a $4,000 to win event.