Ruble Again in Viper Series Action

By Mark Chisum

Last week at South Alabama Speedway, Korey Ruble followed Mike Garvey across the stripe in the Viper Series Timber 100, but was awarded the victory when Garvey failed post race inspection. Ruble commented that while it was a win, he rather win it on the track. It didn’t take long for his wish to be granted as Ruble held off a late charge by Garvey to take the win in Saturday’s Pigmy 100.

For the third time in a row, Justin South turned the fast time in qualifying with a time of 15.366. Inversion put South on the outside of the front row with Cody Coughlin leading the field to the green. Coughlin didn’t get a good start and South grabbed the lead heading into turn one. Several others got by Coughlin before the first lap was completed, including DJ Vanderley, Ruble, Max Gresham, Brandon Odom, and Garvey.

South set a fast pace early in the race, building a six car length lead. By lap 25, South enjoyed the lead over Ruble, Vanderley, Odom, and Garvey. But with the race going green for the first 69 laps, Ruble began to reel South back in. Ruble sliced into South’s lead over the next 15 laps, reaching his bumper around the lap 40 mark. On lap 49, Ruble made his move to the inside and took the lead. Ruble led South, Vanderley, Odom, and Garvey to the crossed flags.

The race’s only caution flew on lap 69 for Chris Davidson’s spin. During the yellow period, Odom came to the pits with front brake issues. The running order at the time was Ruble, South, Vanderley, and 13 year old Spencer Davis. Garvey quickly moved into third on the restart and moved past South into second four laps later. With position battles behind him, Ruble had pulled away to a small, but comfortable lead over the field.

Garvey cut into Ruble’s lead a little each lap, but in the end, Ruble was too fast and led Garvey to the checkers. Vanderley was third, followed by South and Davis. With the win, coupled with subpar performances by Davidson and Odom, Ruble took a commanding lead in the Viper Series points. Ruble leads Davidson by 67 points. Odom is third, 99 points back.

In the Modified Feature, Brandon Howell enjoyed Victory Lane so much last week, he returned again Saturday night. Chris Cotto led the first lap from the outside pole with the caution coming out on lap two for Lance Blacker’s spin. As the caution waved, Cotto slowed on the track with mechanical issues and retired to the pits. On the restart, Howell lined up third and wasted little time going to the front, taking the lead on lap two. While Howell was stretching his lead, Heath Mills was making his way through the field, moving into second on lap eight. By then, Howell had a commanding lead. Mills began cutting into Howell’s lead each lap. Mills finally caught Howell as laps ran out and settled for second. Cameron Henderson finished third, followed by Blacker and Terry Davis.

Chris Lucas took the lead on lap four and went on to win the Street Stock Feature. Gary Davis led the first three laps before Lucas took over. Once out front, Lucas eased away from the field, leaving Gary Davis and Johnny Otto to battle for second. Otto moved past Davis into the position on lap five, but Davis kept his sights on him. With two laps to go, Davis worked his way past Otto to regain the position for good. Billy Maxie finished fifth with Billy Ammons fifth.

In a competitive Roadrunner Feature, Ricky Strickland came out on top in a race that saw five different leaders. Nick Petrie grabbed the early lead from the outside pole. Petrie led the first five laps before David Daniels took over. Four laps later, Mike Wolfe got past Daniels to take the lead. Wolfe held the lead for ten laps until Kim Bishop took the point. Strickland followed Bishop past Wolfe and two laps later, worked his way past Bishop to take the lead. Strickland led the final four laps, holding off Bishop, to take the win. Wolfe, Daniels, and Petrie rounded out the top five.

Joseph Chandler held off a late charge by Rusty Locklar to take the win in the Coyote Feature. Chandler led 24 of the 25 laps, but almost saw his win get away on the final lap. Locklar started tenth in the field and had to work his way through the field before challenging Chandler. Chandler had moved out to a big lead before Locklar ran him down, coming up just short. Danny Thompson finished third with Lee Rogers fourth and Tony Tidwell fifth.

In CupLite action, Jack Whittle took the lead on lap 15 and went on to win the feature. Gordon Reese led the first lap with Rick Northey taking over on lap two. Whittle was making his way through the pack, and caught up to Northey and Waylon Spivey. While battling for the lead, there was contact that literally knocked the front body loose on Northey’s car. Whittle took the point, while Northey came to a stop on lap 18. Whittle led the rest of the way to take the win. Cory Tillman came from the eighth starting spot to finish second. Spivey was third with Reese fourth. Carroll Williams finished fifth.

In Mini Sportsman, Eddy Hinson returned to action and immediately returned to Victory Lane. Hinson led all 20 laps to take the win. Doyle Langford finished second in his first start at South Alabama Speedway. Lon Howell finished third, followed by Ricky Chandler and Donnie Howell.

Rob McLendon and Van Rayburn battled all race in the Motorcycle Feature. A flat tire on the final lap ended Rayburn’s challenge and McLendon scored another win. The two riders swapped the lead back and forth during the race, bringing the large crowd to its feet. McLendon took the lead for good on lap 11. Austin O’Conner was third, Davo Majzun fourth, and Skyler Gauvin fifth. The feature field was three riders short after crashes in the heat race. The major accident sent last week’s runner up Bryan Smentana to the local hospital. He later called to say he was fine, just getting a good checkup.

Action continues at South Alabama Speedway on July 21 with heats and features for local divisions. 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

Pigmy 100

1. Korey Ruble

2. Mike Garvey

3. DJ Venderley

4. Justin South

5. Spencer Davis

6. Brandon Bendele

7. Chris Davidson

8. Max Gresham

9. Cody Coughlin

10. Kevin Donahue

11. Brandon Odom

12. Josh Adkins

Modified

1. Brandon Howell

2. Heath Mills

3. Cameron Henderson

4. Lance Blacker

5. Terry Davis

6. Mario Lupi

7. David Beale

8. Chris Cotto

Street Stock

1. Chris Lucas

2. Gary Davis

3. Johnny Otto

4. Billy Maxie

5. Billy Ammons

6. Darrell Cawley Jr.

7. Dennis Thomas

8. Chris Salter

Roadrunner

1. Ricky Strickland

2. Kim Bishop

3. Mike Wolfe

4. David Daniels

5. Nick Petrie

6. Daniel Davis

7. Bobby Rhodes

Coyote

1. Joseph Chandler

2. Rusty Locklar

3. Danny Thompson

4. Lee Rogers

5. Tony Tidwell

6. Dylan Wolfe

7. James harris

8. Chris Johnson

9. James Faulk

10. Wade Burgans

11. Michael Piland

12. Cory Bullock

13. Cameron Grissett

CupLite

1. Jack Whittle

2. Cory Tillman

3. Waylon Spivey

4. Gordon Reese

5. Carroll Williams

6. Dylan Northey

7. Jason Fowler

8. Rick Northey

Mini Sportsman

1. Eddy Hinson

2. Doyle Langford

3. Lon Howell

4. Ricky Chandler

5. Donnie Howell

6. Adam Slater

7. Paul Gay

8. Burl Brunson

9. Brantley Langford

10. Melvin Cooper

11. Mara Andrews

12. Weston Spivey

Motorcycle

1. Rob McLendon

2. Van Rayburn

3. Austin O’Conner

4. Davo Majzun

5. Skyler Gauvin

6. Cameron Joyce

7. Troy Abels

8. Shannon Norris

DNS Bryan Smentana

DNS Bradley Wiedermann