Street Stock Feature Decided in Tech Area
By Mark Chisum
After great racing on the track, Saturday night’s Street Stock Feature at South Alabama Speedway was decided in the tech area, with the driver taking the checkered flag first being disqualified.
Brandon Odom took the early lead from the pole and battled with Chris Lucas in the early going. Lucas slowed on lap eight and retired from the race with engine problems. Jody Henderson picked up where Lucas left off, challenging Odom for the front spot. After a lap 15 caution, Henderson got a good restart and worked his way past Odom one lap later. Odom wasn’t done, however, and retook the lead on lap 20, just before the races last caution flew. On the restart, Henderson got back around Odom to reclaim the lead with Chris Salter following him to take second. Odom battled back and moved back to second with three laps to go. Odom couldn’t catch the speedy Henderson, and settled for second. Salter crossed the line third, followed by Billy Maxie, and Dennis Thomas.
The top three headed to tech where Henderson’s engine measured high on compression, giving the win to Odom. Everybody moved up a spot, with Craig Harrison moving into the top five.
In the Modified Feature, Korey Ruble came back from a midrace penalty and took the lead with four laps to go to take the win. Kip Whitehead grabbed the early lead from the pole and led the first nine laps. Kevin Peel took over for the next five laps. On lap 15, Ruble and Peel got together in turn two with Peel going around. He collected Cameron Henderson and Heath Mills. The wreck ended the night for Peel and Henderson. Ruble was sent to the rear with Lance Blacker taking the point. Ruble quickly came back to the front and began the assault on Blacker. Blacker was able to hold Ruble off for several laps, but on lap 22, ruble got by to take the lead. Ruble led the remaining four laps to take the win over Blacker. Mills was third, followed by Mario Lupi. Peel was credited with fifth place.
Kim Bishop picked up another win in the Roadrunner feature. Nick Petrie led the first five laps before Bishop took control. Petrie slipped up the track on lap eight, allowing Bobby Rhodes, Ricky Strickland, and Mike Wolfe to get by. Rhodes chased Bishop the rest of the way, but couldn’t find a way past the leader. Bishop led Rhodes, Wolfe, Petrie, and Strickland to the checkers.
In the Coyote Feature, Rusty Locklar led early, then came back to win the 25-lap race. Locklar took the early lead from the outside pole and led the first three laps. Joseph Chandler took over at that point and led for seven laps before Locklar retook the lead on lap eleven. Locklar eased away from his competition to take the win. Danny Thompson was second, followed by Chandler, Lee Rogers, and Michael Smith.
Jack Whittle took the lead with four laps to go to take the win in the CupLite Feature. Greg Adams took the lead from the outside pole and led the first 16 laps. Whittle had to work his way past Waylon Spivey in the early laps, allowing Adams to build a slight lead. Whittle cut into that lead each lap and made the winning pass on lap 17. Adams held on to second, followed by Spivey, Karl Williams, and Carroll Williams.
Dustin Monday took the lead on lap six and went on to win the Mini Sportsman Feature. Dale McClendon led the first five laps before Monday took over. Adam Slater kept Monday in his sights, but couldn’t keep up with the winner’s pace. Kenny Younce, Jr. finished third, his best finish of the year. Donnie Howell and Eddy Hinson finished fourth and fifth.
South Alabama Speedway will be closed the next two weekends. The track will reopen on September 10 with the Pro Late Model Viper Series Cottonmouth 100 headlining the night’s schedule. Local classes will also be in action. For more information, contact the track at (334) 565-3539, or visit the track’s web site at www.southalabamaspeedway.com.
Results
Modified
1. Korey Ruble
2. Lance Blacker
3. Heath Mills
4. Mario Lupi
5. Kevin Peel
6. Cameron Henderson
7. Kip Whitehead
Street Stock
1. Brandon Odom
2. Chris Salter
3. Billy Maxie
4. Dennis Thomas
5. Craig Harrison
6. Johnny Otto
DNS Lee McManus
DQ Jody Henderson (1)
Roadrunner
1. Kim Bishop
2. Bobby Rhodes
3. Mike Wolfe
4. Nick Petrie
5. Ricky Strickland
6. Robert Berry
Coyote
1. Rusty Locklar
2. Danny Thompson
3. Joseph Chandler
4. Lee Rogers
5. Michael Smith
6. Dustin Jowers
7. Tony Tidwell
8. Michael Piland
9. Cameron Grissett
10. James Harris
11. Chris Johnson
12. Wade Burgess
13. Dylan Wolfe
CupLite
1. Jack Whittle
2. Greg Adams
3. Waylon Spivey
4. Karl Williams
5. Carroll Williams
Mini Sportsman
1. Dustin Monday
2. Adam Salter
3. Kenny Younce
4. Donnie Howell
5. Eddy Hinson
6. Doyle Langford
7. Kevin Galloway
8. Garry Chesser
9. Gary Richards
10. Dale McClendon
11. Paul Gay
12. Lon Howell