By Mark Chisum

Mike Garvey got to celebrate in Victory Lane after South Alabama Speedway’s Viper Series Timber 100, but the end, Korey Ruble went home with the winner’s trophy after Garvey was disqualified in post race inspection.

Justin South turned the fastest time in qualifying with a lap of 15.426. Inversion put Garvey on the pole with Spencer Davis on the outside. Garvey outran the Georgia youngster to turn one to take the early lead. Garvey’s lead didn’t last long as Ruble muscled his way past to take the lead on lap seven. Hunter Robbins and Brandon Odom, both driving Ronnie Sanders prepared cars, had moved into third and fourth, with Davis slipping back to fifth. On lap 20, DJ Vanderley moved past Davis to take over the fifth spot. With the race going green for a long stretch, Ruble stretched his lead to four car lengths over Garvey.

Just before the halfway mark of the race, Robbins began to slide back through the field, the victim of front brake problems. On lap 50, Ruble led Garvey, Odom, Vanderley, and Robbins. When the yellow finally waved again on lap 66, Robbins came to pit road to try to get his brake problem resolved, but had to ride out the night with only rear brakes. The yellow also allowed Garvey to close the gap on Ruble.

When the green flew again, Garvey was all over Ruble got past the leader on lap 68 to regain the front spot. Odom followed in third, with Vanderley fourth and Davis fifth. Ruble kept Garvey close and spent the remainder of the race trying to find a way around the leader. Ruble was able to get to Garvey’s bumper, but couldn’t advance any further.

Garvey led Ruble to the stripe by less than a second to take the apparent victory. Odom was third, followed by Vanderley and Chris Davidson, who had gotten past Davis on lap 92. After celebrating in Victory Lane, Garvey headed to post race inspection where his car was found to have ignition box chip that exceeded the rules. Garvey was disqualified, and Ruble awarded the win. Everybody moved up a spot in the final rundown, with Davis rounding out the top five.

In the Modified feature, Brandon Howell picked up his first win, leading all 25 laps. Howell grabbed the lead from the pole and stretched his lead with the race going all green. Heath Mills came from the sixth starting spot to finish second, but couldn’t erase Howell’s lead without the help of a caution. Todd Blackburn finished third, followed by David Beale and Terry Davis.

Chris Salter led all 20 laps to win the Street Stock feature. Salter raced to the lead on the start from his third place starting spot and built a slight lead over the first five laps. By the time Chris Lucas could clear himself of the field, he couldn’t overcome Salter’s lead. Johnny Otto was third with Dennis Thomas fourth and Billy Maxie fifth.

Kim Bishop returned to Victory Lane after the Roadrunner Feature. Starting from the pole position, Bishop led all 25 laps, but had to hold off Ricky Strickland to secure the win. Strickland came from the fourth starting spot to challenge Bishop. Strickland stayed on Bishop’s bumper the entire race, but couldn’t work his way around the leader. David Daniels came home third, followed by Mike Wolfe and Devin Allen.

In a wild Coyote feature, Rusty Locklar took the lead on lap 12 and went on to win. Tony Tidwell led the first five laps before Danny Thompson took over. Thompson led until the first of three cautions. On the restart, Locklar got past Thompson to take the lead. Although Locklar led the rest of the way, he was continuously having to dodge lapped traffic. Locklar weaved his way through the field, maintaining his lead. The rcaes last caution flew with three laps to go, setting up a sprint to the finish. Locklar held his spot, but behind him, Dyaln Wolfe was getting past Lee Rogers to take second. Locklar led Wolfe to the stripe to take the win. Rogers was third with Tidwell fourth. Joseph Chandler overcame two spins to finish fifth.

Jason Fowler picked up his first win in the CupLite feature. Karl Williams led the first lap with Rick Northey taking over on lap two. Northey was able to keep Fowler behind him for four laps before Fowler took control on lap six. Fowler stretched his lead as the race went green until lap 20. The race’s only caution allowed Jack Whittle line up on Fowler’s rear bumper and gave him a chance to steal the win. Whittle pressured Fowler the last six laps, but Fowler kept him behind him and recorded his first win in the CupLite class. Waylon Spivey got the last trophy, finishing third. Shep Lucas was fourth with Williams fifth.

Although all of the races offered excitement for the fans, the motorcycle feature garnered the loudest cheer from the large crowd. From a standing start, Chase Sconyers grabbed the early lead and led the first four laps. On lap five, Rob McLendon slid by to grab the top spot. Luckily, there were no cautions, and McLendon cruised home with the win. Sconyers followed McLendon home in second with Brian Smetma third, John Cohorn fourth, and Austin O’Conner fifth.

The action continues July 7 with the second half of the Five Buck Doubleheader. The Pro Late Model Viper Series again headlines the schedule with the Pigmy 100. Also on the night’s schedule are features for the Modified, Street Stock, Roadrunner, Coyote, CupLite, and Mini Sportsman. The Motorcycle will also make a return appearance. Once again, admission will be $5.00 for anybody age 6-60. Everybody else will be admitted free. For more information, contact the track at (334)565-3539, or visit the track’s web site at www.southalabamaspeedway.com.

Results

Pro Late Model Viper Series

Timber 100