By Chris Tilley, Series P.R. Coordinator
WOODSTOCK, GA (May 23, 2015)-Donald McIntosh wants the 2015 Spring Nationals Series title.
The Dawsonville, Ga. driver picked up $4,000 for his second-career Spring Nationals Series victory at Dixie Speedway on May 23rd and is setting his sights towards the title.
But Billy Ogle Jr. has different plans. The Knoxville, Tenn. defending series champion finished third in the main event at Dixie Speedway to hold just a two point lead heading into Rome Speedway for the final points event on Sunday Night.
"We had an awesome car last night (at Boyd's Speedway) we had an awesome car tonight, I can't thank David Bryant (crew chief) and B.J. Hillman (crew member) enough, they made the right calls tonight, we went a little hard on tires but man this thing is such a dream to drive, I'm so blessed and thankful to be able to run this car for these guys and get these kind of runs for them, what an awesome night to be able to come home to my home track, what a weekend," stated McIntosh in victory lane.
When asked about the tight points battle heading into Rome Speedway Sunday Night, McIntosh was still focused on winning races. "It's still too early to talk about the championship, we've got a good car, he's got a good car, so we've got to get a good qualifying run tomorrow and do the best we can but I'm going to hold my head high whether we come up with a win or second in points so these last two races have been just awesome for us so I'm really pleased," said McIntosh.
McIntosh drove the Blount Motorsports, Massey Electric, Tennessee RV and Cherokee Millwright sponsored, Vic Hill Racing Engines powered Rocket Chassis to the victory.
Ogle grabbed the lead on the opening lap with McIntosh, Casey Roberts, Dale McDowell and T.J. Reaid in tow. A wreck, which involved Jake Knowles brought the field back to the yellow flag before a lap was complete setting up another double-file start.
Ogle again jumped to the point on the second try at a start with McIntosh in hot pursuit. Fifth starting Derek Ellis was battled sixth starting T.J. Reaid on the first completed lap and the duo were neck-and-neck for the fifth spot.
By the fifth lap, McIntosh would be on the back bumper of Ogle for the point then by the next lap, McIntosh would have the lead. McIntosh made his move coming off turn two the lap before. By lap 10, Casey Roberts, who started third was reeling in Ogle for second spot while a lap later heavy traffic would trim the lead for McIntosh and his first victim to pass would be Stacy Boles.
Roberts made his move and was able to grab the second spot on lap 14 sending Ogle to third while McIntosh had grown a tremendous lead up front. Meanwhile, Michael Page was lurking in the shadows and had grabbed the fourth spot after starting in the tenth position.
McIntosh would work back into lapped traffic by the 23rd circuit before the yellow flew for Jamie Oliver. On lap 24, Dale McDowell, who started eighth, had worked his way up into the fourth spot.
After the final yellow on lap 33, McIntosh would again stretch the lead out to nearly a half a straightaway in the final stages and go on to take the victory where he is a former track champion at. Roberts settled for second while Ogle finished third, McDowell came home fourth and Ellis rounded out the top five.
Three yellows slowed the feature at Dixie. The first yellow came after the field took the green and Jake Knowles slammed the turn two wall after getting hit from behind. The next yellow came on lap 13 as Stacy Boles slowed on the front-stretch and came to a stop. On lap 23, Jamie Oliver slowed in turn two to bring out the next yellow. On lap 29, Michael Page slowed on the back-chute. On lap 33, Jeff Smith slowed in turn two and exited the track.
Heading into Rome Speedway for Sunday Night May 24th, Billy Ogle Jr. only holds a two point lead over Donald McIntosh in the point totals and this will be the tightest point battles the Spring Nationals Series has ever seen. Rome Speedway pays $6,000-to-win.
Feature Results from Dixie Speedway on May 23, 2015:
1. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, Ga.
2. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, Ga.
3. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, Tenn.
4. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, Ga.
5. Derek Ellis-Chatsworth, Ga.
6. Jacob Grizzle-Blairsville, Ga.
7. T.J Reaid-Ackworth, Ga.
8. Dylan Ames-Harvest, Ala.
9. Jason Croft-Woodstock, Ga.
10. Wayne Echols-Cumming, Ga.
11. Steven Roberts-Jesup, Ga.
12. Austin Smith-Cedartown, Ga.
13. Frank Ingram-Woodstock, Ga.
14. Jody Knowles-Tyrone, Ga.
15. Jeff Smith-Dalton, Ga.
16. Michael Page-Rome, Ga.
17. Jamie Oliver-Murphy, N.C.
18. Ivedent Lloyd Jr.-Ocala, Fla.
19. Stacy Boles-Clinton, Tenn.
20. David Payne-Murphy, N.C.
21. Jake Knowles-Tyrone, Ga.
22. Jason Hiett-Oxford, Ala.
Time of Race: 22 minutes, 40 seconds.
Yellow Flags: Five (laps 0, 13, 23, 29, 33)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Ogle (1-5); McIntosh (6-40)
Entries: 34
FK Rod Ends Overall Fast Time: Casey Roberts-14.867 seconds
Highest Finishing CT525 Engine ($200): Jacob Grizzle
Highest Finishing Steel Head/SPEC Engine ($200): Jeff Smith
Provisional Starters: Stacy Boles, David Payne
Dash Finish (4 laps): Billy Ogle Jr., Donald McIntosh, Casey Roberts, Jake Knowles.
Last Chance Race One Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): Derek Ellis, Jason Hiett, Jacob Grizzle, Jamie Oliver, Shawn Chastain, Matt Larson, Dale Thurman, Eric Granger.
Last Chance Race Two Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): T.J. Reaid, Michael Page, Frank Ingram, Jason Croft, Scott Groves, Jay Scott, Bo Eaton.
Last Chance Race Three Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): Austin Smith, Jody Knowles, Wayne Echols, Dylan Ames, Johnny Chastain, Stacy Boles, Jody Summerville, Ross Bailes.
Last Chance Race Four Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): Dale McDowell, Jeff Smith, Steven Roberts, Ivedent Lloyd Jr., Mario Gresham, David Payne, Joseph Gorby.
Current Spring Nationals Series Points (after May 23rd):
1. Billy Ogle Jr.-1,021
2. Donald McIntosh-1,019
3. Stacy Boles-939
4. David Payne-933
4. Austin Smith-933
6. Dale McDowell-774
7. Jason Croft-771
8. Chris Madden-651
9. Derek Ellis-582
10. Mike Marlar-568
WOODSTOCK, GA (May 23, 2015)-Donald McIntosh wants the 2015 Spring Nationals Series title.
The Dawsonville, Ga. driver picked up $4,000 for his second-career Spring Nationals Series victory at Dixie Speedway on May 23rd and is setting his sights towards the title.
But Billy Ogle Jr. has different plans. The Knoxville, Tenn. defending series champion finished third in the main event at Dixie Speedway to hold just a two point lead heading into Rome Speedway for the final points event on Sunday Night.
"We had an awesome car last night (at Boyd's Speedway) we had an awesome car tonight, I can't thank David Bryant (crew chief) and B.J. Hillman (crew member) enough, they made the right calls tonight, we went a little hard on tires but man this thing is such a dream to drive, I'm so blessed and thankful to be able to run this car for these guys and get these kind of runs for them, what an awesome night to be able to come home to my home track, what a weekend," stated McIntosh in victory lane.
When asked about the tight points battle heading into Rome Speedway Sunday Night, McIntosh was still focused on winning races. "It's still too early to talk about the championship, we've got a good car, he's got a good car, so we've got to get a good qualifying run tomorrow and do the best we can but I'm going to hold my head high whether we come up with a win or second in points so these last two races have been just awesome for us so I'm really pleased," said McIntosh.
McIntosh drove the Blount Motorsports, Massey Electric, Tennessee RV and Cherokee Millwright sponsored, Vic Hill Racing Engines powered Rocket Chassis to the victory.
Ogle grabbed the lead on the opening lap with McIntosh, Casey Roberts, Dale McDowell and T.J. Reaid in tow. A wreck, which involved Jake Knowles brought the field back to the yellow flag before a lap was complete setting up another double-file start.
Ogle again jumped to the point on the second try at a start with McIntosh in hot pursuit. Fifth starting Derek Ellis was battled sixth starting T.J. Reaid on the first completed lap and the duo were neck-and-neck for the fifth spot.
By the fifth lap, McIntosh would be on the back bumper of Ogle for the point then by the next lap, McIntosh would have the lead. McIntosh made his move coming off turn two the lap before. By lap 10, Casey Roberts, who started third was reeling in Ogle for second spot while a lap later heavy traffic would trim the lead for McIntosh and his first victim to pass would be Stacy Boles.
Roberts made his move and was able to grab the second spot on lap 14 sending Ogle to third while McIntosh had grown a tremendous lead up front. Meanwhile, Michael Page was lurking in the shadows and had grabbed the fourth spot after starting in the tenth position.
McIntosh would work back into lapped traffic by the 23rd circuit before the yellow flew for Jamie Oliver. On lap 24, Dale McDowell, who started eighth, had worked his way up into the fourth spot.
After the final yellow on lap 33, McIntosh would again stretch the lead out to nearly a half a straightaway in the final stages and go on to take the victory where he is a former track champion at. Roberts settled for second while Ogle finished third, McDowell came home fourth and Ellis rounded out the top five.
Three yellows slowed the feature at Dixie. The first yellow came after the field took the green and Jake Knowles slammed the turn two wall after getting hit from behind. The next yellow came on lap 13 as Stacy Boles slowed on the front-stretch and came to a stop. On lap 23, Jamie Oliver slowed in turn two to bring out the next yellow. On lap 29, Michael Page slowed on the back-chute. On lap 33, Jeff Smith slowed in turn two and exited the track.
Heading into Rome Speedway for Sunday Night May 24th, Billy Ogle Jr. only holds a two point lead over Donald McIntosh in the point totals and this will be the tightest point battles the Spring Nationals Series has ever seen. Rome Speedway pays $6,000-to-win.
Feature Results from Dixie Speedway on May 23, 2015:
1. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, Ga.
2. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, Ga.
3. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, Tenn.
4. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, Ga.
5. Derek Ellis-Chatsworth, Ga.
6. Jacob Grizzle-Blairsville, Ga.
7. T.J Reaid-Ackworth, Ga.
8. Dylan Ames-Harvest, Ala.
9. Jason Croft-Woodstock, Ga.
10. Wayne Echols-Cumming, Ga.
11. Steven Roberts-Jesup, Ga.
12. Austin Smith-Cedartown, Ga.
13. Frank Ingram-Woodstock, Ga.
14. Jody Knowles-Tyrone, Ga.
15. Jeff Smith-Dalton, Ga.
16. Michael Page-Rome, Ga.
17. Jamie Oliver-Murphy, N.C.
18. Ivedent Lloyd Jr.-Ocala, Fla.
19. Stacy Boles-Clinton, Tenn.
20. David Payne-Murphy, N.C.
21. Jake Knowles-Tyrone, Ga.
22. Jason Hiett-Oxford, Ala.
Time of Race: 22 minutes, 40 seconds.
Yellow Flags: Five (laps 0, 13, 23, 29, 33)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Ogle (1-5); McIntosh (6-40)
Entries: 34
FK Rod Ends Overall Fast Time: Casey Roberts-14.867 seconds
Highest Finishing CT525 Engine ($200): Jacob Grizzle
Highest Finishing Steel Head/SPEC Engine ($200): Jeff Smith
Provisional Starters: Stacy Boles, David Payne
Dash Finish (4 laps): Billy Ogle Jr., Donald McIntosh, Casey Roberts, Jake Knowles.
Last Chance Race One Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): Derek Ellis, Jason Hiett, Jacob Grizzle, Jamie Oliver, Shawn Chastain, Matt Larson, Dale Thurman, Eric Granger.
Last Chance Race Two Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): T.J. Reaid, Michael Page, Frank Ingram, Jason Croft, Scott Groves, Jay Scott, Bo Eaton.
Last Chance Race Three Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): Austin Smith, Jody Knowles, Wayne Echols, Dylan Ames, Johnny Chastain, Stacy Boles, Jody Summerville, Ross Bailes.
Last Chance Race Four Finish (10 Laps/Top-4 advance): Dale McDowell, Jeff Smith, Steven Roberts, Ivedent Lloyd Jr., Mario Gresham, David Payne, Joseph Gorby.
Current Spring Nationals Series Points (after May 23rd):
1. Billy Ogle Jr.-1,021
2. Donald McIntosh-1,019
3. Stacy Boles-939
4. David Payne-933
4. Austin Smith-933
6. Dale McDowell-774
7. Jason Croft-771
8. Chris Madden-651
9. Derek Ellis-582
10. Mike Marlar-568
