By Robert Walden
BULLS GAP, Tenn. (March 22) – Vic “The Thrill” Hill of Johnson City jumped out front at the drop of the green flag in the 50-lap Super Late Model feature and never looked back in leading flag-to-flag for the $2,500 victory Saturday night at Volunteer Speedway. Maryville’s Roger Best inherited the lead on lap 15 of the 50-lap Limited Late Model feature when race leader Hill slowed with a flat left-rear tire after making contact with a lapped car. Once out front riding on the point, Best would not be denied as he held off Rusty Goddard and Patrick Duggan to pocket $2,500 for the victory.
Starting the Super Late Model feature from the pole position after setting fast-time (12:920-seconds … 111.460 mph) in qualifying and winning the first heat race on Friday night, Hill served notice to the field he was riding a strong mount by quickly pulling out to a comfortable lead over Greg Burchett, Stacy Boles, Kerry Jones and Dan Schlieper. After dropping back to fifth in the running order from his third-starting position, Schlieper rode the high-line around turns three and four on lap 3 to overtake Jones and Boles for third.
Schlieper pressured Burchett wanting the runner-up spot for several circuits before executing a slide-job entering the first turn on lap 10 to move into second. One lap later, Jones advanced one position into fourth by passing Boles racing off (turn) four.
During the middle stages of the race Hill was setting a blistering pace, though he could never shake Schlieper, who at times would close to within two-or-three car lengths while the lead duo was working lapped traffic. With the event going all green following a caution on lap 2 for a spin by David Crabtree, the yellow waved on lap 43 after Jones and the lapped car of Tim Frye tangled in turn two to set up a final seven-lap dash to the checkers.
Lining up single-file going back green, Hill had a rear view mirror full of Schlieper expecting a full-assault for the lead from the “Wisconsin Wildman.” But Hill, driving the EcoQuest Intl./Landair Trucking/KIA of Blueridge, Ga., and Murphy, N.C./Lowe Trucking/Four Seasons Realty/Vic Hill Race Engines & Parts/GRT Race Cars/No. 1 Monte Carlo – was just too strong for Schlieper to mount a serious charge for the victory. At the checkers Hill was followed by Schlieper, Burchett, Jones and Boles. Completing the top-10 finishers were Brad Hall, H.E. Vineyard, Billy Ogle Jr., Gusty Christenberry and Jeff Maupin.
“We had a really strong car tonight that would absolutely work anywhere I wanted to run it on the track – up high in the banking or down low on the bottom,” said Hill after climbing from his car in victory lane. “But even though we had a strong car, we also had some luck on our side, too. Man, I have to say we were very, very fortunate to make it to the finish. I could have only run maybe two or three more laps and I would’ve had to pulled in the pits because the engine lost all oil pressure after an external fitting broke.
“This is really a great way to start the season with this $2,500 victory. I’m not positive yet, but I believe I’m going to stick to running here full-time this year and try to win my fourth track championship to tie H.E. (Vineyard) as the only drivers to accomplish that feat. I’ll also run my Limited Late Model too, so hopefully we might be able to win both the Super and Limited titles.”
Just as he did in the Super Late Model feature, Hill also earned the right to start the 50-lap Limited Late Model main from the pole position after setting fast-time (13.297-seconds … 108.304 mph) in qualifying and winning the first heat race on Friday night.
With Best starting alongside in row one, Hill was like a rocket in blasting out to a full-straightaway lead by lap 5. Hill’s torrid pace was slowed on lap 7 for a two-car spin involving Dale Huskey and Mike Steele in turn two. And after tangling with the lapped car of Brandon Mason on lap 15 to cut down the left-rear tire, Hill was forced to rejoin the race at the tail of the field.
The top five going back green on lap 7 were Best, Duggan, Roy Ledbetter, J. Allan and Goddard. Ledbetter’s strong run ended with front-end damage on lap 23 to end his night, thus moving Aaron Monger into fifth-place and Allan and Goddard into third and fourth in the running order.
Dale Ball, after starting in eighth, passed Monger to take over the fifth spot on lap 28. And four laps later he used a strong run to the inside of Allan racing off the fourth turn to move into fourth.
Best’s run to the checkers was slowed for a final time on lap 46 for a spin involving Kerry Jones and Greg Huskey in turn four. But Best, driving the Robin Myrick-Realty Executives/Volunteer Trucking/Best Paving/Nick’s Race Engines/PRC/Goddard Performance/Warrior Race Cars/No. 007 Monte Carlo – sped to the $2,500 victory while behind him on lap 48, Goddard dropped Duggan back to third. Ball and Monger finished in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Completing the top-10 finishers were Hill, Steve Jones, Allan, Brian Smith and Shane Roberts, who was making his dirt-racing debut after a successful stint the past two years racing Legends cars on asphalt.
Stanley Donahoo of Dandridge captured the 25-lap UMP (Open-Wheel) Modified feature win over Wayne James, Wayne Rader, Kurt Owens and Jerry Broyles.
Bobby Mays of Jonesborough led flag-to-flag in winning the 25-lap Sportsman feature over Shannon Emery, Sammy Fugate, Stevie Mays and Tim Grindstaff.
Newport’s Scottie Hicks was the class of the field in winning the 20-lap 4-Cylinder feature over Kurt Owens, Lee Sauceman, Kevin Atwell and Randy Lane. Not only did Hicks win the feature but, in qualifying he set a new track record with a fast-lap of 16.046-seconds … 89.740 mph.
Sonny Leatherwood of Hartford captured the Hobby Stock track championship last year without winning a race, but that all changed tonight as he rolled to an impressive victory over Duke Bare. R.J. Mayes, Monk Ledford and Jon Cook rounded out the top-five finishers.
Volunteer Speedway will begin its 2003 Saturday night weekly racing programs with the first points event for all divisions on April 5. For more information, contact the track at (423) 235-5020.
SUPER LATE MODEL (50-laps)
1) Vic Hill #1; 2) Dan Schlieper #s9; 3) Greg Burchett #32w; 4) Kerry Jones #6; 5) Stacy Boles #11b; 6) Brad Hall #47; 7) H.E. Vineyard #24; 8) Billy Ogle Jr. #201; 9) Gusty Christenberry #c3; 10) Jeff Maupin #11m; 11) Anthony White #2; 12) Ken Hall #44; 13) Michael Jackson #Q3; 14) Jerry Broyles #72; 15) Tim Frye #03; 16) Dale Ball #25; 17) Corey Norman #42; 18) Glen Vanover #20v; 19) Steve Smith #555; 20) David Crabtree #5; 21) Patrick Duggan #15; DNS – Mark Douglas #52, Tommy Brim #5, Randy Davidson #28, Travis Greer #11g, J.W. Musselwhite #16, J.O. Nobles #J0
LIMITED LATE MODEL (50-laps)
1) Roger Best #007; 2) Rusty Goddard #42; 3) Patrick Duggan #15; 4) Dale Ball #2; 5) Aaron Monger #22; 6) Vic Hill #1; 7) Steve Jones #83; 8) J. Allan #111; 9) Brian Smith #7; 10) Shane Roberts #17s; 11) Michael Wright #18; 12) David McConnell #95; 13) Tony Martin #35; 14) Greg Huskey #32; 15) Dale Huskey #23; 16) Kerry Jones #6; 17) Brandon Mason #15; 18) Matt Henderson #17; 19) Roy Ledbetter #20v; 20) Evan Harrell #28; 21) Bobby Giffin #97; 22) Jeff Maupin #11; 23) Mike Steele #555; DNS – Tommy Kerr #4, Greg Burchett #32b, Randall Self #91, Pug Hodges #2, Reuben Mayfield 00, Todd Chicklo #61
UMP MODIFIED (25-laps)
1) Stanley Donahoo #00; 2) Wayne James #4; 3) Wayne Rader #8; 4) Kurt Owens #14; 5) Jerry Broyles #72; 6) Louis Hickey #74; 7) Donnie Adams #1; 8) Shannon Emery #95; 9) Ray Wilmoth #24; 10) Scott Russell #5; 11) John Harrell #H19; 12) Donald Necessary #D1; 13) Marty Meade #38; 14) Danny James #J4; 15) Chris Rickett #1; 16) Skimp Henry #25; 17) Shannon Greene #14x; 18) Paul Bales #21; 19) Terry Costner #18
SPORTSMAN (25-laps)
1) Bobby Mays #19; 2) Shannon Emery #91; 3) Sammy Fugate #2; 4) Stevie Mays #0; 5) Tim Grindstaff #33; 6) Tony Trent #18; 7) Mike Mellons #18m; 8) Jeff Mays #19m; 9) Kurt Hall #34; 10) Wayne Wolfe #8; 11) Jimmy Mullins #21; 12) Joe Good #911
4-CYLINDER (20-laps)
1) Scottie Hicks #14; 2) Kurt Owens #7up; 3) Lee Sauceman #04; 4) Kevin Atwell #95; 5) Randy Lane #7; 6) Ernie Stubblefield #21; 7) Shawn Henry #25; 8) Ernie Atwell #94; 9) Jarrod McAnally #52; 10) Danny Tate #91; 11) Frank Dice #44; 12) Runah Henry #39; 13) Richard McMahan #4; 14) Scott Thornton #15; 15) Cheyenne Kite #9; 16) Toby Jones #66; 17) Les Cox #6
HOBBY STOCK (15-laps)
1) Sonny Leatherwood #20; 2) Duke Bare #B4; 3) R.J. Mayes #6m; 4) Monk Ledford #41; 5) Jon Cook #0z; 6) Brad Kenyon #17; 7) Mike Davis #5; 8) Dana Ferrell #22; 9) Hugh Scalf #56; 10) Blake Kelley #5k; 11) James Byrd #66; 12) Chris Gregg #73; 13) Dale Reed #52r; 14) Johnny Lane #41; 15) Ken Orton #33; 16) Mike Kelley #09; 17) Chris Kenyon #71
Volunteer Speedway: (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Doug Gillenwater-General Manager: (423) 817-0925
Robert Walden-Public Relations Director: (423) 928-9644 robwald@prodigy.net
BULLS GAP, Tenn. (March 22) – Vic “The Thrill” Hill of Johnson City jumped out front at the drop of the green flag in the 50-lap Super Late Model feature and never looked back in leading flag-to-flag for the $2,500 victory Saturday night at Volunteer Speedway. Maryville’s Roger Best inherited the lead on lap 15 of the 50-lap Limited Late Model feature when race leader Hill slowed with a flat left-rear tire after making contact with a lapped car. Once out front riding on the point, Best would not be denied as he held off Rusty Goddard and Patrick Duggan to pocket $2,500 for the victory.
Starting the Super Late Model feature from the pole position after setting fast-time (12:920-seconds … 111.460 mph) in qualifying and winning the first heat race on Friday night, Hill served notice to the field he was riding a strong mount by quickly pulling out to a comfortable lead over Greg Burchett, Stacy Boles, Kerry Jones and Dan Schlieper. After dropping back to fifth in the running order from his third-starting position, Schlieper rode the high-line around turns three and four on lap 3 to overtake Jones and Boles for third.
Schlieper pressured Burchett wanting the runner-up spot for several circuits before executing a slide-job entering the first turn on lap 10 to move into second. One lap later, Jones advanced one position into fourth by passing Boles racing off (turn) four.
During the middle stages of the race Hill was setting a blistering pace, though he could never shake Schlieper, who at times would close to within two-or-three car lengths while the lead duo was working lapped traffic. With the event going all green following a caution on lap 2 for a spin by David Crabtree, the yellow waved on lap 43 after Jones and the lapped car of Tim Frye tangled in turn two to set up a final seven-lap dash to the checkers.
Lining up single-file going back green, Hill had a rear view mirror full of Schlieper expecting a full-assault for the lead from the “Wisconsin Wildman.” But Hill, driving the EcoQuest Intl./Landair Trucking/KIA of Blueridge, Ga., and Murphy, N.C./Lowe Trucking/Four Seasons Realty/Vic Hill Race Engines & Parts/GRT Race Cars/No. 1 Monte Carlo – was just too strong for Schlieper to mount a serious charge for the victory. At the checkers Hill was followed by Schlieper, Burchett, Jones and Boles. Completing the top-10 finishers were Brad Hall, H.E. Vineyard, Billy Ogle Jr., Gusty Christenberry and Jeff Maupin.
“We had a really strong car tonight that would absolutely work anywhere I wanted to run it on the track – up high in the banking or down low on the bottom,” said Hill after climbing from his car in victory lane. “But even though we had a strong car, we also had some luck on our side, too. Man, I have to say we were very, very fortunate to make it to the finish. I could have only run maybe two or three more laps and I would’ve had to pulled in the pits because the engine lost all oil pressure after an external fitting broke.
“This is really a great way to start the season with this $2,500 victory. I’m not positive yet, but I believe I’m going to stick to running here full-time this year and try to win my fourth track championship to tie H.E. (Vineyard) as the only drivers to accomplish that feat. I’ll also run my Limited Late Model too, so hopefully we might be able to win both the Super and Limited titles.”
Just as he did in the Super Late Model feature, Hill also earned the right to start the 50-lap Limited Late Model main from the pole position after setting fast-time (13.297-seconds … 108.304 mph) in qualifying and winning the first heat race on Friday night.
With Best starting alongside in row one, Hill was like a rocket in blasting out to a full-straightaway lead by lap 5. Hill’s torrid pace was slowed on lap 7 for a two-car spin involving Dale Huskey and Mike Steele in turn two. And after tangling with the lapped car of Brandon Mason on lap 15 to cut down the left-rear tire, Hill was forced to rejoin the race at the tail of the field.
The top five going back green on lap 7 were Best, Duggan, Roy Ledbetter, J. Allan and Goddard. Ledbetter’s strong run ended with front-end damage on lap 23 to end his night, thus moving Aaron Monger into fifth-place and Allan and Goddard into third and fourth in the running order.
Dale Ball, after starting in eighth, passed Monger to take over the fifth spot on lap 28. And four laps later he used a strong run to the inside of Allan racing off the fourth turn to move into fourth.
Best’s run to the checkers was slowed for a final time on lap 46 for a spin involving Kerry Jones and Greg Huskey in turn four. But Best, driving the Robin Myrick-Realty Executives/Volunteer Trucking/Best Paving/Nick’s Race Engines/PRC/Goddard Performance/Warrior Race Cars/No. 007 Monte Carlo – sped to the $2,500 victory while behind him on lap 48, Goddard dropped Duggan back to third. Ball and Monger finished in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Completing the top-10 finishers were Hill, Steve Jones, Allan, Brian Smith and Shane Roberts, who was making his dirt-racing debut after a successful stint the past two years racing Legends cars on asphalt.
Stanley Donahoo of Dandridge captured the 25-lap UMP (Open-Wheel) Modified feature win over Wayne James, Wayne Rader, Kurt Owens and Jerry Broyles.
Bobby Mays of Jonesborough led flag-to-flag in winning the 25-lap Sportsman feature over Shannon Emery, Sammy Fugate, Stevie Mays and Tim Grindstaff.
Newport’s Scottie Hicks was the class of the field in winning the 20-lap 4-Cylinder feature over Kurt Owens, Lee Sauceman, Kevin Atwell and Randy Lane. Not only did Hicks win the feature but, in qualifying he set a new track record with a fast-lap of 16.046-seconds … 89.740 mph.
Sonny Leatherwood of Hartford captured the Hobby Stock track championship last year without winning a race, but that all changed tonight as he rolled to an impressive victory over Duke Bare. R.J. Mayes, Monk Ledford and Jon Cook rounded out the top-five finishers.
Volunteer Speedway will begin its 2003 Saturday night weekly racing programs with the first points event for all divisions on April 5. For more information, contact the track at (423) 235-5020.
SUPER LATE MODEL (50-laps)
1) Vic Hill #1; 2) Dan Schlieper #s9; 3) Greg Burchett #32w; 4) Kerry Jones #6; 5) Stacy Boles #11b; 6) Brad Hall #47; 7) H.E. Vineyard #24; 8) Billy Ogle Jr. #201; 9) Gusty Christenberry #c3; 10) Jeff Maupin #11m; 11) Anthony White #2; 12) Ken Hall #44; 13) Michael Jackson #Q3; 14) Jerry Broyles #72; 15) Tim Frye #03; 16) Dale Ball #25; 17) Corey Norman #42; 18) Glen Vanover #20v; 19) Steve Smith #555; 20) David Crabtree #5; 21) Patrick Duggan #15; DNS – Mark Douglas #52, Tommy Brim #5, Randy Davidson #28, Travis Greer #11g, J.W. Musselwhite #16, J.O. Nobles #J0
LIMITED LATE MODEL (50-laps)
1) Roger Best #007; 2) Rusty Goddard #42; 3) Patrick Duggan #15; 4) Dale Ball #2; 5) Aaron Monger #22; 6) Vic Hill #1; 7) Steve Jones #83; 8) J. Allan #111; 9) Brian Smith #7; 10) Shane Roberts #17s; 11) Michael Wright #18; 12) David McConnell #95; 13) Tony Martin #35; 14) Greg Huskey #32; 15) Dale Huskey #23; 16) Kerry Jones #6; 17) Brandon Mason #15; 18) Matt Henderson #17; 19) Roy Ledbetter #20v; 20) Evan Harrell #28; 21) Bobby Giffin #97; 22) Jeff Maupin #11; 23) Mike Steele #555; DNS – Tommy Kerr #4, Greg Burchett #32b, Randall Self #91, Pug Hodges #2, Reuben Mayfield 00, Todd Chicklo #61
UMP MODIFIED (25-laps)
1) Stanley Donahoo #00; 2) Wayne James #4; 3) Wayne Rader #8; 4) Kurt Owens #14; 5) Jerry Broyles #72; 6) Louis Hickey #74; 7) Donnie Adams #1; 8) Shannon Emery #95; 9) Ray Wilmoth #24; 10) Scott Russell #5; 11) John Harrell #H19; 12) Donald Necessary #D1; 13) Marty Meade #38; 14) Danny James #J4; 15) Chris Rickett #1; 16) Skimp Henry #25; 17) Shannon Greene #14x; 18) Paul Bales #21; 19) Terry Costner #18
SPORTSMAN (25-laps)
1) Bobby Mays #19; 2) Shannon Emery #91; 3) Sammy Fugate #2; 4) Stevie Mays #0; 5) Tim Grindstaff #33; 6) Tony Trent #18; 7) Mike Mellons #18m; 8) Jeff Mays #19m; 9) Kurt Hall #34; 10) Wayne Wolfe #8; 11) Jimmy Mullins #21; 12) Joe Good #911
4-CYLINDER (20-laps)
1) Scottie Hicks #14; 2) Kurt Owens #7up; 3) Lee Sauceman #04; 4) Kevin Atwell #95; 5) Randy Lane #7; 6) Ernie Stubblefield #21; 7) Shawn Henry #25; 8) Ernie Atwell #94; 9) Jarrod McAnally #52; 10) Danny Tate #91; 11) Frank Dice #44; 12) Runah Henry #39; 13) Richard McMahan #4; 14) Scott Thornton #15; 15) Cheyenne Kite #9; 16) Toby Jones #66; 17) Les Cox #6
HOBBY STOCK (15-laps)
1) Sonny Leatherwood #20; 2) Duke Bare #B4; 3) R.J. Mayes #6m; 4) Monk Ledford #41; 5) Jon Cook #0z; 6) Brad Kenyon #17; 7) Mike Davis #5; 8) Dana Ferrell #22; 9) Hugh Scalf #56; 10) Blake Kelley #5k; 11) James Byrd #66; 12) Chris Gregg #73; 13) Dale Reed #52r; 14) Johnny Lane #41; 15) Ken Orton #33; 16) Mike Kelley #09; 17) Chris Kenyon #71
Volunteer Speedway: (423) 235-5020 www.VolunteerSpeedway.com
Doug Gillenwater-General Manager: (423) 817-0925
Robert Walden-Public Relations Director: (423) 928-9644 robwald@prodigy.net
