GREENVILLE, MS – Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN is on his way to capturing his second straight $20,000 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Championship after picking up his seventh win of the season on Saturday night in the Rumble On Gumbo 50. The race was definitely a rumble held under threatening skies that gave way to a full moon.
Johnson inherited the lead on lap 37 when a multi-car tangle on a restart sent early race leader Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS to the pits with a cut down right-rear tire. Despite heavy left side damage, and his own tire losing air, Johnson held on to drive the NeSmith Chevrolet Special to his 24[sup]th[/sup] NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series career win.
“This was a win by default tonight because I wasn’t that good at the start of the race, but the car got better as the race went on,” Johnson said. “Johnny Stokes was the man to beat tonight, and it’s a shame he got caught up in that restart wreck. He got sideways in front of me and I tried to swerve to get around him, but everybody just ran into everybody.”
Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS survived the restart pile-up to take his best-career NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series finish of second in the B&M Salvage Rocket after starting 22nd. Not only did Minga turn in his second-straight Top 4 finish, but challenged Johnson for the lead.
Chase Washington of Houlka, MS took the third spot in the Jerry Inmon Racing Special and Peter Hazzard of Greenville, MS was fourth in the Cleveland Medical Special. Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS turned in his best finish of the season with a fifth-place effort driving the Villa South Trak-Star.
Sid Scarbrough of Florence, MS finished sixth in the Villa South Trak-Star and Brent Barrett of Cleveland, MS was the last car on the lead lap in the seventh spot driving the Custom Spraying, Inc. GRT. James Andrews of Itta Bena, MS was the last car running on the race track when the checkered fell and finished eighth, five laps down.
The high attrition in the race saw Stokes finish ninth nine laps down in the Bassett Hound Motorsports GRT, and Ashley Newman of Ripley, TN rounded out the top ten in the Greg’s Sawmill Special, retiring from the race after completing 40 laps.
In preliminary action, Stokes was the fast qualifier among the 28 entrants with a lap around the 1/3-mile black gumbo clay oval in 15.122 seconds. The two ten-lap B-Main races were won by Hazzard and Chris Noah of Rainbow City, AL in the Old Man’s Garage Special. Noah was also the Rookie of the Race.
Stokes took the lead at the start of the race followed by Johnson, Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, MS in the MP Trucking Special, Ryan Colby of Greenville, MS in the Washington Body Shop Special, and Barrett. Palasini got under Johnson coming off the fourth turn on lap two to take over the second spot. Barrett got by Johnson for third on the next lap with an inside move in turn four.
The carnage of bent race cars began on lap eight when Kenny Carpenter of Cleveland, MS in the C&C Auto Body and Paint Rocket tagged the third turn wall, and then rode on top of the wall before executing a slow roll and coming to rest on the car’s roof to bring out the red flag. Carpenter was able to crawl out from under his car and was uninjured.
Stokes had Palasini, Barrett, Johnson, Colby, Nathan Mayes of Springdale, AR in the Mayes Plumbing Special, John Polasini of Leland, MS in the Polasini Racing Special, Neil Baggett of Shannon, MS in the Montgomery Farms Special, Noah and Washington doubled up behind him for the restart.
Barrett was able to get by Palasini for the second spot coming off the second turn after the restart. Stokes began to encounter lapped traffic on lap 13 with an eight car-length advantage on Barrett. Jason Botsford of Pearcy, AR spun the JBR GRT down the backstretch on lap 15 to bring out the caution flag.
Stokes led Barrett, Palasini, Johnson, Colby, Mayes, Baggett, Noah, Polasini, and Dewayne Estes of Greenville, MS in the Estes Race Car Shop Trak-Star down for the restart. When the green flag came out, Palasini tried to dive under Barrett in turn one, but Palasini got sideways in turn two and triggered a multi-car pile-up.
After the caution flag came out for the third time in the race, the cars of Colby, Noah and Polasini were done for the night. Palasini was ticketed with the caution flag and went to the rear of the field for the restart. That reshuffled the Top 10 that was made up of Stokes, Barrett, Johnson, Baggett, Mayes, Estes, Hazzard, Newman, Washington, and Hunter Carroll of Columbus, MS in the FBG Motorsports Special.
The fourth caution flag of the race came out on lap 24 when Mark Tice of Avon, MS stalled the Precision Marine Special on the back stretch. On the restart, Johnson drove by Barrett to take the second spot coming off the second turn, and Baggett advanced from seventh to fourth. Tyler Arnold of Greenville, MS lost the driveshaft under the Washington Body Shop GRT on lap 33 to bring out the fifth caution flag.
Stokes led Johnson, Barrett, Mayes, Hazzard, Baggett, Estes, Washington, Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL in the Edge’s Gas Company Special and Newman down for the double-file restart. Hazzard and Baggett got by Mayes, dropping him back to the sixth spot when the green flag came back out. Baggett sailed around the outside of Hazzard in turn three on lap 34 to take the fourth spot.
Baggett would give up the fourth spot on lap 37 when he cut down a tire and stopped on the track to bring out caution flag number six. This led to two more lap 37 restarts, as the rumble in the Rumble On The Gumbo was on with a major reshuffling for the Top 10 cars.
On the first lap 37 restart, Hazzard spun in the turn two to surrender the fourth spot, and Estes hit a utility tire used to mark the inside of the race track in turn four ending his night while running sixth. The next restart really changed the complexion of the race. Barrett got into the back of Stokes causing the leader to spin in front of the entire field.
The entire Top 10 tangled up and ended the race for Mayes, Edge, and Carroll. Stokes went to the pits to change a cut down tire. Barrett was ticketed with the caution, and went to the rear of the pack for the restart.
Johnson took over the point followed by Washington, Minga, Scarbrough, Newman, Blount, Baggett, Hazzard, Stokes and Barrett in the top ten. When the green flag came out, the field resembled the walking wounded. Minga got under Washington for second and then dove to the inside of Johnson to battle for the lead.
Baggett lost a tire in turn three on lap 40 which was hit by Newman and Stokes, ending the night for all three drivers and leaving eight cars left on the track for the ten lap dash to the checkered flag. Johnson opened up a five car-length advantage on Minga by lap 45. Blount climbed up to the fourth spot on lap 48, but Hazzard made a pass for the spot on the last turn of the last lap.
Johnson took the checkered flag with almost a two second margin of victory over Minga. Johnson pulled his car into Victory Lane with the left side sheet metal mangled to the point that it had to be pulled away for Johnson to exit the car. His right rear tire was also going flat. If it had been the Rumble On The Gumbo 51, Minga may have occupied the Winner’s Circle.
Johnson now has a 214 point lead over Noah in the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point standings. Johnson could miss two of the final five races of the 2014 season and still own the point lead. Johnson’s seventh win of the season also ties him with David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN for the most wins in a single season. Gentry won seven races in the 2006 season.
The next two races for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will be on August 30 at Arkadelphia Speedway in Bremen, AL with a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race and on August 31 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, MS for a 40-lap $2,000-to-win event.
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 18 AT GREENVILLE SPEEDWAY IN GREENVILLE, MS ON 8/9/14:
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
1. 2 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 50 $2,500
2. 22 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 50 $1,250
3. 5 38 Chase Washington Houlka, MS 50 $850
4. 11 7p Peter Hazzard Greenville, MS 50 $700
5. 17 33 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS 50 $650
6. 23 33s Sid Scarbrough Florence, MS 50 $550
7. 6 110 Brent Barrett Cleveland, MS 50 $500
8. 24 3 James Andrews Itta Bena, MS 45 $450
9. 1 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 41 $400
10. 16 73 Ashley Newman Ripley, TN 40 $375
11. 7 21b Neil Baggett Shannon, MS 39 $350
12. 8 15 Nathan Mayes Springdale, AR 36 $300
13. 13 70 Dewayne Estes Greenville, MS 36 $280
14. 20 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 36 $260
15. 9 147 Hunter Carroll Columbus, MS 36 $250
16. 19 20 Tyler Arnold Greenville, MS 30 $240
17. 15 24 Mark Tice Avon, MS 22 $220
18. 21 44 Peyton Wilkerson Leland, MS 21 $200
19. 4 8 Mike Palasini Jr. Leland, MS 19 $200
20. 14 1c Jason Botsford Pearcy, AR 19 $200
21. 3 21 Ryan Colby Greenville, MS 14 $200
22. 12 56n Chris Noah (R) Rainbow City, AL 14 $200
23. 10 51 John Polasini Leland, MS 14 $200
24. 18 46 Kenny Carpenter Cleveland, MS 6 $200
ENTRIES: 28
FAST QUALIFIER: Stokes, 15.122 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: None
LEAD CHANGES: 1
LAPS LED: Stokes, 1-36; Johnson, 37-50
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Noah
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD: Stokes
PRC JUST MISSED IT AWARD: Brent Dillon
STEALTH RACING CARBURETORS 7[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Barrett
SCHAEFFER’S OIL 8[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHAD WALLACE AND HEATHER NEWSOME: Andrews
MODERN IMAGES 9[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Stokes
AR BODIES 10[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Newman
MIKE CUSTOM TANKS 11[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Baggett
SCHOENFELD HEADERS 12[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Mayes
KINSER AIR FILTERS 13[sup]TH[/sup]-PLACE AWARD: Estes
CAUTIONS: 9
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 1.945 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 1 Hour, 1 Minute and 4.540 Seconds
QUALIFYING (Top 10 Transfer To Main Event):
[xtable=537x@]
{tbody}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
POS{/td}
{td=48x@}
CAR #{/td}
{td=127x@}
DRIVER{/td}
{td=116x@}
HOMETOWN{/td}
{td=81x@}
CHASSIS{/td}
{td=34x@}
LAP 1{/td}
{td=47x@}
LAP 2{/td}
{td=47x@}
TIME{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
1{/td}
{td=48x@}
1{/td}
{td=127x@}
Johnny Stokes{/td}
{td=116x@}
Columbus, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.301{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.122{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.122{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
2{/td}
{td=48x@}
5{/td}
{td=127x@}
Ronnie Johnson{/td}
{td=116x@}
Chattanooga, TN{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.383{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.332{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.332{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
3{/td}
{td=48x@}
21{/td}
{td=127x@}
Ryan Colby{/td}
{td=116x@}
Greenville, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
JC3{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.489{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.574{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.489{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
4{/td}
{td=48x@}
8{/td}
{td=127x@}
Mike Palasini Jr.{/td}
{td=116x@}
Leland, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.932{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.580{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.580{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
5{/td}
{td=48x@}
38{/td}
{td=127x@}
Chase Washington{/td}
{td=116x@}
Houlka, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Barry Wright{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.587{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.598{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.587{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
6{/td}
{td=48x@}
110{/td}
{td=127x@}
Brent Barrett{/td}
{td=116x@}
Cleveland, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.766{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.604{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.604{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
7{/td}
{td=48x@}
21{/td}
{td=127x@}
Neil Baggett{/td}
{td=116x@}
Shannon, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.948{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.632{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.632{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
8{/td}
{td=48x@}
15{/td}
{td=127x@}
Nathan Mayes{/td}
{td=116x@}
Springdale, AR{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.680{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.697{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.680{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
9{/td}
{td=48x@}
147{/td}
{td=127x@}
Hunter Carroll{/td}
{td=116x@}
Columbus, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.684{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.838{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.684{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
10{/td}
{td=48x@}
51{/td}
{td=127x@}
John Polasini{/td}
{td=116x@}
Leland, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
HRRC{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.828{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.725{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.725{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
11{/td}
{td=48x@}
7p{/td}
{td=127x@}
Peter Hazzard{/td}
{td=116x@}
Greenville, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.743{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.805{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.743{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
12{/td}
{td=48x@}
46{/td}
{td=127x@}
Kenny Carpenter{/td}
{td=116x@}
Cleveland, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Rocket{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.110{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.780{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.780{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
13{/td}
{td=48x@}
70{/td}
{td=127x@}
Dewayne Estes{/td}
{td=116x@}
Greenville, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.012{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.813{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.813{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
14{/td}
{td=48x@}
56n{/td}
{td=127x@}
Chris Noah - R{/td}
{td=116x@}
Rainbow City, AL{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.015{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.853{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.853{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
15{/td}
{td=48x@}
20{/td}
{td=127x@}
Tyler Arnold{/td}
{td=116x@}
Greenville, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=34x@}
15.999{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.940{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.940{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
16{/td}
{td=48x@}
73{/td}
{td=127x@}
Ashley Newman{/td}
{td=116x@}
Ripley, TN{/td}
{td=81x@}
Pierce{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.344{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.991{/td}
{td=47x@}
15.991{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
17{/td}
{td=48x@}
44{/td}
{td=127x@}
Peyton Wilkerson{/td}
{td=116x@}
Leland, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.111{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.056{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.056{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
18{/td}
{td=48x@}
1c{/td}
{td=127x@}
Jason Botsford{/td}
{td=116x@}
Pearcy, AR{/td}
{td=81x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.736{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.074{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.074{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
19{/td}
{td=48x@}
33{/td}
{td=127x@}
Michael Blount{/td}
{td=116x@}
Sumrall, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.304{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.075{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.075{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
20{/td}
{td=48x@}
J8{/td}
{td=127x@}
Bobby Jordan{/td}
{td=116x@}
McCarley, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.096{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.096{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
21{/td}
{td=48x@}
24{/td}
{td=127x@}
Mark Tice{/td}
{td=116x@}
Avon, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.165{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.976{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.165{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
22{/td}
{td=48x@}
18e{/td}
{td=127x@}
Chase Edge{/td}
{td=116x@}
LaFayette, AL{/td}
{td=81x@}
Mastersbilt{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.315{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.298{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.298{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
23{/td}
{td=48x@}
7d{/td}
{td=127x@}
Brent Dillon{/td}
{td=116x@}
Greenville, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
GRT{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.340{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.324{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.324{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
24{/td}
{td=48x@}
19{/td}
{td=127x@}
Marcus Minga{/td}
{td=116x@}
Shannon, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Rocket{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.414{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.441{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.414{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
25{/td}
{td=48x@}
33s{/td}
{td=127x@}
Sid Scarbrough{/td}
{td=116x@}
Florence, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.537{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.624{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.537{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
26{/td}
{td=48x@}
3{/td}
{td=127x@}
James Andrews{/td}
{td=116x@}
Itta Bena, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Warrior{/td}
{td=34x@}
16.927{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.032{/td}
{td=47x@}
16.927{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
27{/td}
{td=48x@}
C4{/td}
{td=127x@}
Cole Burns{/td}
{td=116x@}
Greenville, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Trak-Star{/td}
{td=34x@}
17.934{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.817{/td}
{td=47x@}
17.817{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td=37x@}
28{/td}
{td=48x@}
34{/td}
{td=127x@}
Rhett Burns{/td}
{td=116x@}
Scott, MS{/td}
{td=81x@}
Larry Shaw{/td}
{td=34x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{td=47x@}
NT{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]
B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 7 Transfer To Main Event):
1[sup]ST[/sup] B-MAIN: 1. Hazzard; 2. Estes; 3. Tice; 4. Blount; 5. Arnold; 6. Wilkerson; 7. Scarbrough; 8. Dillon; 9. C. Burns.
2[sup]ND[/sup] B-MAIN: 1. Noah (R); 2. Botsford; 3. Newman; 4. Carpenter; 5. Edge; 6. Minga; 7. Andrews; 8. R. Burns; 9. Jordan.
NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 8/8/14:
1. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 1,544
2. 56n Chris Noah (R) – 1330
3. 51 Mack McCarter – 1,158
4. 121 Michael Blount – 1,056
5. 1 Johnny Stokes – 1,038
6. 110 Brent Barrett – 1,016
7. 19 Marcus Minga – 970
8. 18 Chase Edge – 914
9. 87 Walker Arthur – 838
10. 19m Josh Adkins – 804
11. J39 Jimmy Elliott – 668
12. 73 Ashley Newman – 660
13. 25 Justin McRee – 564
14. 18d Tait Davenport – 552
15. 17 Ronald Dunn – 508
16. 38 Chase Washington – 498
17.8a Todd Morrow – 464
18. 55 Montana Dudley (R) – 430
19. 64 Jacob Anderson – 336
20. 38c Chip Brindle - 332
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.
