Ballenger wins as sparks fly in Limited Lates; Ridings victorious in Topless
This past Saturday night was a mixed bag of excitement at Tennessee’s Action Track! 22 cars would sign into the Mini Stock division, and all 22 would start the feature. Amazingly, they would go all 20 laps caution-free with Rocky McNabb taking the win! Next was the Topless Modified division, where fireworks would fly off turn 2 on lap 17 when Eric Hux and Tim Weaver got together, ending both their nights, handing the lead to Johnny Ridings. He would hang on with two front broken shocks to take the win. Next was the Classic, where Scott Lacy would take the win. In Thunder & Lightning, Robbie Comer was showing the way — and showing smoke — until officials issued the black flag for oil, handing the lead over to David Miley. He’d cruise to the win. The next feature was the Street Stock division, where Dwayne Fox would take the checkers. The final feature of the night would prove to be a fan favorite as fireworks flew early and often, including tempers! Rusty Ballenger would set fast time with a lap of 13.892 in qualifying. Things would get off to a bumpy start as the first caution flew with Ryan King going around after slight contact from Greg Martin. King would look for a way through the field disagreeing with the call. King would be running 3rd when perhaps the most controversial caution — the 5th of the night — flew on lap 12 when Jason Cardwell would look for his way around a lap car, when Ballenger would drive deep into turn 3 and make heavy contact with Cardwell. Cardwell would retire for the night with suspension damage, and Ballenger would hit the hot pits for a tire change. This handed the lead over to King. By lap 25, the 10th caution of the night would fly when Keith Gregory would drop fluid heading up high into turn 3. King would show the way with the caution displayed, but would run into the fluid and spin out, cutting a left-rear tire when he bounced off the wall. He would again re-join the field at the rear, and blast his way up close to the front when the final caution of the night flew on lap 29. Many fans were puzzled with this caution, as Layne Clifton would show the way into turn 1 as the leader, but drove too deep and would pound the outside wall. Ballenger would take the low side but he would also go around. Many fans thought this would hand the lead over to King, but caution was thrown for Clifton, giving Ballenger a mulligan. Ballenger would hold off King over the final restart to take the win.
Coming up next week is a DOUBLE points night for the competitors! Be sure to join us for another great night of action-packed excitement under the lights at the 411 Motor Speedway! Same time, same classes, same place! See you all on Saturday!