BREMEN, AL – Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN won the 40-lap NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Salute To America Nationals race Saturday night at Arkadelphia Speedway driving the NeSmith Chevrolet Special. The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee led all 40 laps on his way to his fourth win of the season.
Johnson said hard work from a bunch of guys that took time away from their families to help him during the Salute To America four-day tour was enough motivation to win the race in a car that had a broken an axle tube the night before during hot laps at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL.
“This win feels good because the guys that volunteered to go out on the road with me for this four-day four-race tour stayed up all night and helped me repair this car after we broke and axle tube last night in hot laps,” Johnson said. “I had to win this race tonight for them because the sun was coming up when we finished up and got to our hotel room. I just can’t thank these guys enough.”
Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL finished second in the Edge’s Gas Company Special and Chris Noah of Rainbow City, AL drove the Old Man’s Garage Special to a third-place finish for Rookie of the Race honors.
The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Chip Brindle was fourth in the PDR Looper Clips Special, and Jon Biles of Centerville, AL took the fifth spot in the Biles Welding Special. Shep Lucas of McKenzie, AL started 13[sup]th[/sup] and finished sixth in the Performance Kwik Change Trak-Star.
Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, TN drove the Car Smart Auto Sales CVR to a seventh-place finish and Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS was eighth in the Custom Spraying, Inc. GRT. Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, AL took the ninth spot in the 18 Inc. Special, and Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS rounded out the top ten in the Bassett Hound Motorsports GRT.
In preliminary action, Edge was the fast qualifier among the 35 entrants with a lap in 15.585 seconds. The two ten lap B-Main races were won by Hollingsworth and Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN in the McCarter Lumber CVR.
Johnson grabbed the lead at the start of the race from his outside front row starting spot followed by Edge, Ronald Dunn of Corinth, MS in the Dunn Motorsports Special, Biles, and Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL in the High Roller Race Cars Special. Johnson caught the cars on the tail end of the lead lap by lap seven, and by the eighth tour, Johnson and Edge pulled out to a full straightway lead over Dunn.
The first of six caution flags came out on lap 12 when Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS stalled the Lamar Auto Salvage Trak-Star on the front straightaway with power steering belt issues. Johnson had Edge, Dunn, Biles, McRee, Noah, Brindle, Heath Minor of Ralph, AL in the Mike Minor’s Auto Repair Warrior, Stokes, and McCarter doubled up behind him for the restart.
When the yellow light gave way to the green light for the restart, McRee passed Biles for the fourth spot. Stokes powered around Minor and Brindle to take over the sixth spot on lap 14, McRee began to challenge Dunn for the third spot on lap 18. McRee was able to drive under Dunn on the backstretch on lap 19 to take possession of the third spot.
Johnson and Edge held a full straightaway advantage over McRee on lap 20, but that deficit was quickly erased on lap 20 when Dunn spun out of the fourth spot in turn four collecting Stokes in the process to light the yellow caution bulb for the second time in the race. Dunn was done for the night, but Stokes got his sixth spot back for the restart at the halfway point of the race.
After the restart, Stokes spun in turn four and had to surrender the sixth spot on lap 22 to bring out the third caution flag of the race. McRee stepped to the outside to battle Edge for second on the restart, with J-Mac taking the position on lap 23. A suspension piece broke on McCarter’s car while he was running eighth on lap 24 causing him to spin in turn four to bring out the fourth caution flag.
Johnson led McRee, Edge, Noah, Biles, Minor, Brindle, Hollingsworth, Lucas, and Elliott down for the restart. Brindle got by Minor and Biles on lap 25 to move up to the fifth spot. By lap 26, Johnson pulled out to a half straightaway lead over McRee. That gap was gone on lap 27 when McRee spun in turn four and collected Edge.
McRee was done for the night, but Edge was able to restart in the second spot followed by Noah, Brindle, Biles, Minor, Lucas, Hollingsworth, Cale Finley of Athens, AL in the Finley Racing Special, and Barrett. The final caution flag came out on the restart when Minor spun in turn two and collected Finley putting both cars out for the night.
The final laps of the race went caution-free, as Johnson kept Edge behind him and worked through lapped traffic in the last five laps of the race to take a .956 second margin of victory at the checkered flag.
For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series all-new web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 14 AT ARKADELPHIA SPEEDWAY IN BREMEN, AL ON 7/5/14:
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
1. 2 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 40 $2,000
2. 1 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 40 $1,000
3. 6 56 Chris Noah (R) Rainbow City, AL 40 $700
4. 7 38 Chip Brindle Chatsworth, GA 40 $550
5. 4 7 Jon Biles Centerville, AL 40 $500
6. 13 57 Shep Lucas McKenzie, AL 40 $425
7. 10 J39 Jimmy Elliott Cleveland, TN 40 $375
8. 15 110 Brent Barrett Cleveland, MS 40 $350
9. 11 19h Ronny Hollingsworth Northport, AL 40 $325
10. 8 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 40 $300
11. 24 19m Josh Adkins Talladega, AL 40 $275
12. 14 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 40 $250
13. 16 19b Gathan Burns Piedmont, AL 40 $225
14. 21 15m Brad Malone Lacey Springs, AL 40 $200
15. 18 10 Joseph Joiner Milton, FL 40 $175
16. 22 22 Austin Franklin Alabaster, AL 39 $150
17. 17 18f Cale Finley Athens, AL 37 $140
18. 9 15 Heath Minor Ralph, AL 36 $125
19. 5 25 Justin McRee Woodstock, AL 26 $125
20. 12 51 Mack McCarter Gatlinburg, TN 22 $125
21. 3 17 Ronald Dunn Corinth, MS 19 $125
22. 19 13 Brent Rhodes Boaz, AL 11 $125
23. 23 121 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS 10 $125
24. 20 8a Todd Morrow East Ridge, TN 5 $125
ENTRIES: 35
FAST QUALIFIER: Edge, 15.585 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: Blount and Adkins
LEAD CHANGES: None
LAPS LED: Johnson, 1-40
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Noah
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD: McRee
PRC JUST MISSED IT AWARD: Chris Mullinax
STEALTH RACING CARBURETORS 7[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Elliott
SCHAEFFER’S OIL 8[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHAD WALLACE AND HEATHER NEWSOME: Barrett
MODERN IMAGES 9[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Hollingsworth
AR BODIES 10[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Stokes
MIKE CUSTOM TANKS 11[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Adkins
SCHOENFELD HEADERS 12[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Minga
KINSER AIR FILTERS 13[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Burns
CAUTIONS: 6
MARGIN OF VICTORY: .956 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 40 Minutes and 52.243 Seconds
QUALIFYING (Top 10 Transfer To Main Event):
[xtable=550x@]
{tbody}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
POS{/td}
{td=48x@}
CAR #{/td}
{td=138x@}
DRIVER{/td}
{td=114x@}
HOMETOWN{/td}
{td=78x@}
CHASSIS{/td}
{td=41x@}
LAP 1{/td}
{td=47x@}
LAP 2{/td}
{td=47x@}
TIME{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
1{/td}
{td=48x@}
18e{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chase Edge{/td}
{td=114x@}
LaFayette, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.703{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.585{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.585{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
2{/td}
{td=48x@}
5{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ronnie Johnson{/td}
{td=114x@}
Chattanooga, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.743{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.648{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.648{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
3{/td}
{td=48x@}
17{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ronald Dunn{/td}
{td=114x@}
Corinth, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.733{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.743{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.743{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
4{/td}
{td=48x@}
7{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jon Biles{/td}
{td=114x@}
Centerville, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.954{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.771{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.771{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
5{/td}
{td=48x@}
25{/td}
{td=138x@}
Justin McRee{/td}
{td=114x@}
Woodstock, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
HRRC{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.800{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.855{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.800{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
6{/td}
{td=48x@}
56n{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chris Noah - R{/td}
{td=114x@}
Rainbow City, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.137{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.827{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.827{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
7{/td}
{td=48x@}
38{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chip Brindle{/td}
{td=114x@}
Chatsworth, GA{/td}
{td=78x@}
Pro 1{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.953{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.831{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.831{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
8{/td}
{td=48x@}
1{/td}
{td=138x@}
Johnny Stokes{/td}
{td=114x@}
Columbus, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.903{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.836{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.836{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
9{/td}
{td=48x@}
15{/td}
{td=138x@}
Heath Minor{/td}
{td=114x@}
Ralph, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Warrior{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.967{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.841{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.841{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
10{/td}
{td=48x@}
J39{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jimmy Elliott{/td}
{td=114x@}
Cleveland, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
CVR{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.890{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.891{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.890{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
11{/td}
{td=48x@}
19m{/td}
{td=138x@}
Josh Adkins{/td}
{td=114x@}
Talladega, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.075{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.894{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.894{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
12{/td}
{td=48x@}
51{/td}
{td=138x@}
Mack McCarter{/td}
{td=114x@}
Gatlinburg, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
CVR{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.039{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.976{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.976{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
13{/td}
{td=48x@}
22{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jason Wilson{/td}
{td=114x@}
Margaret, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Lazer{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.989{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.828{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.989{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
14{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=138x@}
Marcus Minga{/td}
{td=114x@}
Shannon, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
Rocket{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.321{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.004{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.004{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
15{/td}
{td=48x@}
110{/td}
{td=138x@}
Brent Barrett{/td}
{td=114x@}
Cleveland, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.332{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.052{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.052{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
16{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=138x@}
Gathan Burns{/td}
{td=114x@}
Piedmont, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Warrior{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.215{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.059{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.059{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
17{/td}
{td=48x@}
B97{/td}
{td=138x@}
Lee Burdett{/td}
{td=114x@}
Bessemer, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.175{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.068{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.068{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
18{/td}
{td=48x@}
8a{/td}
{td=138x@}
Todd Morrow{/td}
{td=114x@}
East Ridge, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.071{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.069{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.069{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
19{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ronny Lee Hollingsworth{/td}
{td=114x@}
Northport, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Victory Circle{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.212{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.084{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.084{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
20{/td}
{td=48x@}
10{/td}
{td=138x@}
Joseph Joiner{/td}
{td=114x@}
Milton, FL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.255{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.098{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.098{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
21{/td}
{td=48x@}
13{/td}
{td=138x@}
Brent Rhodes{/td}
{td=114x@}
Boaz, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.251{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.107{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.107{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
22{/td}
{td=48x@}
57{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chris Mullinax{/td}
{td=114x@}
Birmingham, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.191{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.227{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.191{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
23{/td}
{td=48x@}
57{/td}
{td=138x@}
Shep Lucas{/td}
{td=114x@}
McKenzie, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.342{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.200{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.200{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
24{/td}
{td=48x@}
22{/td}
{td=138x@}
Austin Franklin{/td}
{td=114x@}
Alabaster, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Rocket{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.218{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.235{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.218{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
25{/td}
{td=48x@}
121{/td}
{td=138x@}
Michael Blount{/td}
{td=114x@}
Sumrall, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.906{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.347{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.347{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
26{/td}
{td=48x@}
25{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jammie Gowers{/td}
{td=114x@}
Vincent, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.397{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.363{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.397{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
27{/td}
{td=48x@}
15{/td}
{td=138x@}
Brad Malone{/td}
{td=114x@}
Lacey's Springs, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.409{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.328{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.409{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
28{/td}
{td=48x@}
R3{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ryan Rigdon{/td}
{td=114x@}
Columbus, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.487{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.723{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.487{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
29{/td}
{td=48x@}
6{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jimmy Halford{/td}
{td=114x@}
Atwood, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.540{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.522{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.522{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
30{/td}
{td=48x@}
37{/td}
{td=138x@}
Tim Parker{/td}
{td=114x@}
Tuscaloosa, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.585{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.587{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.585{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
31{/td}
{td=48x@}
2{/td}
{td=138x@}
Trent Thomas{/td}
{td=114x@}
Bessemer, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.664{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.595{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.595{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
32{/td}
{td=48x@}
9{/td}
{td=138x@}
Austin Steele{/td}
{td=114x@}
Moulton, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Victory Circle{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.715{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.255{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.715{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
33{/td}
{td=48x@}
24{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ryan Oswalt{/td}
{td=114x@}
Northport, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.788{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.721{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.788{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
34{/td}
{td=48x@}
35{/td}
{td=138x@}
Sammy Lowe{/td}
{td=114x@}
Hanceville, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
17.269{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.984{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.984{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
35{/td}
{td=48x@}
18{/td}
{td=138x@}
Cale Finley{/td}
{td=114x@}
Athens, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Pierce{/td}
{td=41x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]
B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 6 Transfer To Main Event):
1[sup]ST[/sup] B-MAIN: 1. Hollingsworth; 2. Lucas; 3. Barrett; 4. Finley; 5. Rhodes; 6. Malone; 7. Blount; 8. Thomas; 9. Wilson; 10. Halford; 11. Adkins; 12. Burdett; 13. Oswalt.
2[sup]ND[/sup] B-MAIN: 1. McCarter; 2. Minga; 3. Burns; 4. Joiner; 5. Morrow; 6. Franklin; 7. Mullinax; 8. Gowers; 9. Parker; 10. Lowe; 11. Steele; 12. Rigdon.
NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 7/5/14:
1. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 1,164
2. 51 Mack McCarter – 1,102
3. 56 Chris Noah (R) – 1,028
4. 87 Walker Arthur – 838
5. 121 Michael Blount – 794
6. 19m Josh Adkins – 774
7. 1 Johnny Stokes – 746
8. 110 Brent Barrett – 680
9. J39 Jimmy Elliott – 668
10. 18 Chase Edge – 654
11. 19 Marcus Minga – 622
12. 25 Justin McRee – 534
13. 17 Ronald Dunn – 478
14. 8a Todd Morrow – 464
15. 18 Tait Davenport – 460
16. 73 Ashley Newman – 418
17. 38 Chase Washington – 348
18. 55 Montana Dudley (R) – 338
19. 64 Jacob Anderson – 336
20. T35 Tanner Works – 310
R – Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Renegade Race and Performance Fuels are a series Associate Sponsor and fuel supplier. Schaeffer’s Oil Presented By Chad Wallace and Heather Newsome is the Official Oil of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2014 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Schoenfeld Headers, Kinser Air Filters, Performance Rod & Custom, and David Smith Carburetors. 2014 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.
Johnson said hard work from a bunch of guys that took time away from their families to help him during the Salute To America four-day tour was enough motivation to win the race in a car that had a broken an axle tube the night before during hot laps at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL.
“This win feels good because the guys that volunteered to go out on the road with me for this four-day four-race tour stayed up all night and helped me repair this car after we broke and axle tube last night in hot laps,” Johnson said. “I had to win this race tonight for them because the sun was coming up when we finished up and got to our hotel room. I just can’t thank these guys enough.”
Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL finished second in the Edge’s Gas Company Special and Chris Noah of Rainbow City, AL drove the Old Man’s Garage Special to a third-place finish for Rookie of the Race honors.
The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Chip Brindle was fourth in the PDR Looper Clips Special, and Jon Biles of Centerville, AL took the fifth spot in the Biles Welding Special. Shep Lucas of McKenzie, AL started 13[sup]th[/sup] and finished sixth in the Performance Kwik Change Trak-Star.
Jimmy Elliott of Cleveland, TN drove the Car Smart Auto Sales CVR to a seventh-place finish and Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS was eighth in the Custom Spraying, Inc. GRT. Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, AL took the ninth spot in the 18 Inc. Special, and Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS rounded out the top ten in the Bassett Hound Motorsports GRT.
In preliminary action, Edge was the fast qualifier among the 35 entrants with a lap in 15.585 seconds. The two ten lap B-Main races were won by Hollingsworth and Mack McCarter of Gatlinburg, TN in the McCarter Lumber CVR.
Johnson grabbed the lead at the start of the race from his outside front row starting spot followed by Edge, Ronald Dunn of Corinth, MS in the Dunn Motorsports Special, Biles, and Justin McRee of Woodstock, AL in the High Roller Race Cars Special. Johnson caught the cars on the tail end of the lead lap by lap seven, and by the eighth tour, Johnson and Edge pulled out to a full straightway lead over Dunn.
The first of six caution flags came out on lap 12 when Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS stalled the Lamar Auto Salvage Trak-Star on the front straightaway with power steering belt issues. Johnson had Edge, Dunn, Biles, McRee, Noah, Brindle, Heath Minor of Ralph, AL in the Mike Minor’s Auto Repair Warrior, Stokes, and McCarter doubled up behind him for the restart.
When the yellow light gave way to the green light for the restart, McRee passed Biles for the fourth spot. Stokes powered around Minor and Brindle to take over the sixth spot on lap 14, McRee began to challenge Dunn for the third spot on lap 18. McRee was able to drive under Dunn on the backstretch on lap 19 to take possession of the third spot.
Johnson and Edge held a full straightaway advantage over McRee on lap 20, but that deficit was quickly erased on lap 20 when Dunn spun out of the fourth spot in turn four collecting Stokes in the process to light the yellow caution bulb for the second time in the race. Dunn was done for the night, but Stokes got his sixth spot back for the restart at the halfway point of the race.
After the restart, Stokes spun in turn four and had to surrender the sixth spot on lap 22 to bring out the third caution flag of the race. McRee stepped to the outside to battle Edge for second on the restart, with J-Mac taking the position on lap 23. A suspension piece broke on McCarter’s car while he was running eighth on lap 24 causing him to spin in turn four to bring out the fourth caution flag.
Johnson led McRee, Edge, Noah, Biles, Minor, Brindle, Hollingsworth, Lucas, and Elliott down for the restart. Brindle got by Minor and Biles on lap 25 to move up to the fifth spot. By lap 26, Johnson pulled out to a half straightaway lead over McRee. That gap was gone on lap 27 when McRee spun in turn four and collected Edge.
McRee was done for the night, but Edge was able to restart in the second spot followed by Noah, Brindle, Biles, Minor, Lucas, Hollingsworth, Cale Finley of Athens, AL in the Finley Racing Special, and Barrett. The final caution flag came out on the restart when Minor spun in turn two and collected Finley putting both cars out for the night.
The final laps of the race went caution-free, as Johnson kept Edge behind him and worked through lapped traffic in the last five laps of the race to take a .956 second margin of victory at the checkered flag.
For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series all-new web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 14 AT ARKADELPHIA SPEEDWAY IN BREMEN, AL ON 7/5/14:
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
1. 2 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 40 $2,000
2. 1 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 40 $1,000
3. 6 56 Chris Noah (R) Rainbow City, AL 40 $700
4. 7 38 Chip Brindle Chatsworth, GA 40 $550
5. 4 7 Jon Biles Centerville, AL 40 $500
6. 13 57 Shep Lucas McKenzie, AL 40 $425
7. 10 J39 Jimmy Elliott Cleveland, TN 40 $375
8. 15 110 Brent Barrett Cleveland, MS 40 $350
9. 11 19h Ronny Hollingsworth Northport, AL 40 $325
10. 8 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 40 $300
11. 24 19m Josh Adkins Talladega, AL 40 $275
12. 14 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 40 $250
13. 16 19b Gathan Burns Piedmont, AL 40 $225
14. 21 15m Brad Malone Lacey Springs, AL 40 $200
15. 18 10 Joseph Joiner Milton, FL 40 $175
16. 22 22 Austin Franklin Alabaster, AL 39 $150
17. 17 18f Cale Finley Athens, AL 37 $140
18. 9 15 Heath Minor Ralph, AL 36 $125
19. 5 25 Justin McRee Woodstock, AL 26 $125
20. 12 51 Mack McCarter Gatlinburg, TN 22 $125
21. 3 17 Ronald Dunn Corinth, MS 19 $125
22. 19 13 Brent Rhodes Boaz, AL 11 $125
23. 23 121 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS 10 $125
24. 20 8a Todd Morrow East Ridge, TN 5 $125
ENTRIES: 35
FAST QUALIFIER: Edge, 15.585 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: Blount and Adkins
LEAD CHANGES: None
LAPS LED: Johnson, 1-40
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Noah
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD: McRee
PRC JUST MISSED IT AWARD: Chris Mullinax
STEALTH RACING CARBURETORS 7[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Elliott
SCHAEFFER’S OIL 8[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHAD WALLACE AND HEATHER NEWSOME: Barrett
MODERN IMAGES 9[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Hollingsworth
AR BODIES 10[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Stokes
MIKE CUSTOM TANKS 11[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Adkins
SCHOENFELD HEADERS 12[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Minga
KINSER AIR FILTERS 13[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Burns
CAUTIONS: 6
MARGIN OF VICTORY: .956 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 40 Minutes and 52.243 Seconds
QUALIFYING (Top 10 Transfer To Main Event):
[xtable=550x@]
{tbody}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
POS{/td}
{td=48x@}
CAR #{/td}
{td=138x@}
DRIVER{/td}
{td=114x@}
HOMETOWN{/td}
{td=78x@}
CHASSIS{/td}
{td=41x@}
LAP 1{/td}
{td=47x@}
LAP 2{/td}
{td=47x@}
TIME{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
1{/td}
{td=48x@}
18e{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chase Edge{/td}
{td=114x@}
LaFayette, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.703{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.585{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.585{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
2{/td}
{td=48x@}
5{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ronnie Johnson{/td}
{td=114x@}
Chattanooga, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.743{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.648{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.648{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
3{/td}
{td=48x@}
17{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ronald Dunn{/td}
{td=114x@}
Corinth, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.733{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.743{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.743{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
4{/td}
{td=48x@}
7{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jon Biles{/td}
{td=114x@}
Centerville, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.954{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.771{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.771{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
5{/td}
{td=48x@}
25{/td}
{td=138x@}
Justin McRee{/td}
{td=114x@}
Woodstock, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
HRRC{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.800{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.855{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.800{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
6{/td}
{td=48x@}
56n{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chris Noah - R{/td}
{td=114x@}
Rainbow City, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.137{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.827{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.827{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
7{/td}
{td=48x@}
38{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chip Brindle{/td}
{td=114x@}
Chatsworth, GA{/td}
{td=78x@}
Pro 1{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.953{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.831{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.831{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
8{/td}
{td=48x@}
1{/td}
{td=138x@}
Johnny Stokes{/td}
{td=114x@}
Columbus, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.903{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.836{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.836{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
9{/td}
{td=48x@}
15{/td}
{td=138x@}
Heath Minor{/td}
{td=114x@}
Ralph, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Warrior{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.967{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.841{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.841{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
10{/td}
{td=48x@}
J39{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jimmy Elliott{/td}
{td=114x@}
Cleveland, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
CVR{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.890{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.891{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.890{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
11{/td}
{td=48x@}
19m{/td}
{td=138x@}
Josh Adkins{/td}
{td=114x@}
Talladega, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.075{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.894{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.894{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
12{/td}
{td=48x@}
51{/td}
{td=138x@}
Mack McCarter{/td}
{td=114x@}
Gatlinburg, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
CVR{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.039{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.976{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.976{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
13{/td}
{td=48x@}
22{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jason Wilson{/td}
{td=114x@}
Margaret, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Lazer{/td}
{td=41x@}
15.989{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.828{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.989{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
14{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=138x@}
Marcus Minga{/td}
{td=114x@}
Shannon, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
Rocket{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.321{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.004{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.004{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
15{/td}
{td=48x@}
110{/td}
{td=138x@}
Brent Barrett{/td}
{td=114x@}
Cleveland, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.332{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.052{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.052{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
16{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=138x@}
Gathan Burns{/td}
{td=114x@}
Piedmont, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Warrior{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.215{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.059{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.059{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
17{/td}
{td=48x@}
B97{/td}
{td=138x@}
Lee Burdett{/td}
{td=114x@}
Bessemer, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.175{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.068{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.068{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
18{/td}
{td=48x@}
8a{/td}
{td=138x@}
Todd Morrow{/td}
{td=114x@}
East Ridge, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.071{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.069{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.069{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
19{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ronny Lee Hollingsworth{/td}
{td=114x@}
Northport, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Victory Circle{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.212{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.084{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.084{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
20{/td}
{td=48x@}
10{/td}
{td=138x@}
Joseph Joiner{/td}
{td=114x@}
Milton, FL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.255{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.098{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.098{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
21{/td}
{td=48x@}
13{/td}
{td=138x@}
Brent Rhodes{/td}
{td=114x@}
Boaz, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.251{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.107{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.107{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
22{/td}
{td=48x@}
57{/td}
{td=138x@}
Chris Mullinax{/td}
{td=114x@}
Birmingham, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.191{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.227{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.191{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
23{/td}
{td=48x@}
57{/td}
{td=138x@}
Shep Lucas{/td}
{td=114x@}
McKenzie, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.342{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.200{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.200{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
24{/td}
{td=48x@}
22{/td}
{td=138x@}
Austin Franklin{/td}
{td=114x@}
Alabaster, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Rocket{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.218{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.235{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.218{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
25{/td}
{td=48x@}
121{/td}
{td=138x@}
Michael Blount{/td}
{td=114x@}
Sumrall, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.906{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.347{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.347{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
26{/td}
{td=48x@}
25{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jammie Gowers{/td}
{td=114x@}
Vincent, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.397{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.363{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.397{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
27{/td}
{td=48x@}
15{/td}
{td=138x@}
Brad Malone{/td}
{td=114x@}
Lacey's Springs, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.409{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.328{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.409{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
28{/td}
{td=48x@}
R3{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ryan Rigdon{/td}
{td=114x@}
Columbus, MS{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.487{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.723{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.487{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
29{/td}
{td=48x@}
6{/td}
{td=138x@}
Jimmy Halford{/td}
{td=114x@}
Atwood, TN{/td}
{td=78x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.540{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.522{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.522{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
30{/td}
{td=48x@}
37{/td}
{td=138x@}
Tim Parker{/td}
{td=114x@}
Tuscaloosa, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.585{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.587{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.585{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
31{/td}
{td=48x@}
2{/td}
{td=138x@}
Trent Thomas{/td}
{td=114x@}
Bessemer, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.664{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.595{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.595{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
32{/td}
{td=48x@}
9{/td}
{td=138x@}
Austin Steele{/td}
{td=114x@}
Moulton, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Victory Circle{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.715{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.255{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.715{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
33{/td}
{td=48x@}
24{/td}
{td=138x@}
Ryan Oswalt{/td}
{td=114x@}
Northport, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=41x@}
16.788{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.721{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.788{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
34{/td}
{td=48x@}
35{/td}
{td=138x@}
Sammy Lowe{/td}
{td=114x@}
Hanceville, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=41x@}
17.269{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.984{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.984{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
35{/td}
{td=48x@}
18{/td}
{td=138x@}
Cale Finley{/td}
{td=114x@}
Athens, AL{/td}
{td=78x@}
Pierce{/td}
{td=41x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]
B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 6 Transfer To Main Event):
1[sup]ST[/sup] B-MAIN: 1. Hollingsworth; 2. Lucas; 3. Barrett; 4. Finley; 5. Rhodes; 6. Malone; 7. Blount; 8. Thomas; 9. Wilson; 10. Halford; 11. Adkins; 12. Burdett; 13. Oswalt.
2[sup]ND[/sup] B-MAIN: 1. McCarter; 2. Minga; 3. Burns; 4. Joiner; 5. Morrow; 6. Franklin; 7. Mullinax; 8. Gowers; 9. Parker; 10. Lowe; 11. Steele; 12. Rigdon.
NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 7/5/14:
1. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 1,164
2. 51 Mack McCarter – 1,102
3. 56 Chris Noah (R) – 1,028
4. 87 Walker Arthur – 838
5. 121 Michael Blount – 794
6. 19m Josh Adkins – 774
7. 1 Johnny Stokes – 746
8. 110 Brent Barrett – 680
9. J39 Jimmy Elliott – 668
10. 18 Chase Edge – 654
11. 19 Marcus Minga – 622
12. 25 Justin McRee – 534
13. 17 Ronald Dunn – 478
14. 8a Todd Morrow – 464
15. 18 Tait Davenport – 460
16. 73 Ashley Newman – 418
17. 38 Chase Washington – 348
18. 55 Montana Dudley (R) – 338
19. 64 Jacob Anderson – 336
20. T35 Tanner Works – 310
R – Denotes Rookie of the Year Candidate
NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation’s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Racecar Engineering is the Official Parts Supplier of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Renegade Race and Performance Fuels are a series Associate Sponsor and fuel supplier. Schaeffer’s Oil Presented By Chad Wallace and Heather Newsome is the Official Oil of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2014 are Dominator Race Products, Stealth Racing Carburetors, Modern Images, Mike Custom Tanks, Schoenfeld Headers, Kinser Air Filters, Performance Rod & Custom, and David Smith Carburetors. 2014 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.
