story by: Steve Hixson
GLENCOE, AL (7/23/07) - - For the second consecutive week at Green Valley Speedway a new face has emerged victorious in the Super Late Model ranks. On Sunday, the O'Reilly Southern All-Stars invaded two days beyond the scheduled Friday event, due to mothernature. with twenty-six SLM's signed in for the MICHAEL HEAD JR. MEMORIAL, $5,400., to win event. NEON Dion Deason of Greenwood, SC emerged victorious at the conclusion of the event Sunday night. The driver of the # D1 "Crazy Craig's Butt Crack Filler, James Art"
sponsored, Rayburn chassis ProPower engines, Chevrolet Monte Carlo had never laid eyes on the GVS track, but commented on the instant familiarity of the 4/10 mile sweeping clay oval.
"We just came over here to show our support for Mike (Head)" stated Deason in victory lane. "We were junk last night, but I really like these dry-slick wide open race tracks. They remind me of some tracks up North, that I'm familiar with and even one near home in South Carolina." continued an elated winner as congratulatory hugs came in from crew and supporters. The HEADMAN was quick to get over to victory lane and congratulate Deason and revel in the moment of a first career series victory. "This means a lot to me" stated Head regarding the opportunity to race not only at Talladega to benefit his late sons foundation, but at Green Valley, a place he's logged many a laps at. Head concluded by thanking owner/promoter Dennis Harker his family and staff for continuing the GVS racing tradition and including MICHAEL's race in the schedule.
Qualifying locked in the top ten racers to the "A" Main and it was local Gadsden resident BIGG BADD Bo Shirley setting the standard at a 15:386 with his # 111 "Nealco Welding Supply, Bo Shirley Inc." sponsored Rocket chassis, Russell Baker powered, Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Former BAMA BASH winner Wendall Wallace seemed to have second quick sewed-up but second to the last racer to qualify had an idea for an all triple digit front row. Randy THE DREAM Weaver clocked a 13:577 with his # 116 "Hicks & Ingle Co., PPM Racing Products, Signsmith Sign Studio" sponsored GRT, Race Engine Design, Pontiac GTO, knocking Wallace to the second row start. Deason and Wallace's team-mate Garrett Durrett rounded out the top five, with Florida's Ivadent Lloyd, Ronnie Johnson, Dingus Griffin, Jake Knowles and local racer T.J.
Alford clocking in sixth thru tenth quick.
A pair of 8 lap "B" Mains set the remainder of the field with Head taking one and Mississippi's Scott Dedwylder taking the second win. With 12yo.
KAYLA HEAD (Michael Jr's only child) giving the command for "Grand-Daddy and Gentlemen" to start their engines, the field took shape and readied to roar to life under the green flag for the 54 lap finale. Shirley quickly took command with Weaver, Wallace and Deason shuffling heavily in the deck.
Deason and Wallace made early contact, ripping the right side of Wallace's spoiler loose in the process as the field settled around lap three. Lee Sutton was the first to exit the track within the first five circuits and the first caution appeared when Chris Thomas spun his mount, just as he went a lap down to Shirley.
Weaver took quick evasive action as did the rest of the field setting up for the first DELAWARE DOUBLE FILE restart of the race. Wallace didn't last much longer and pitted his machine just prior to lap ten as Deason began hounding Weaver for the number two position. Tenth starting Alford and another local racer Kenney Hall also became an early casualties before the races half-way point. O'SAS series regular Stacy Holmes reared a caution, stalling his ride in turn one and Brian Elder brought out a yellow with a solo spin in turn two. With a long green flag run, back-marker traffic began playing into effect for Shirley, with Deason now closing the gap after passing Weaver for second. Ronnie Johnson, whom had the most to gain (in the perspective of a $1,000 bonus) due to his win in Talladega on Saturday night, worked after Weaver. He then set his sights on Deason and seemed to have the # 5 "Miller Bros. Coal Inc., VP Racing Fuels, AFCO Racing Products" sponsored MasterSbilt, Vinson powered, Pontiac GTO working as traffic again inserted itself.
Lloyd kept his charge going strong within the O'SAS series and placed his #
21 "Marion Machine & Tool, Golden Isle Speedway, Jones Rd General Store"
sponsored MasterSbilt, ProPower engines, Chevrolet Monte Carlo within the top five battling with Durrett and Griffin. Just past the half-way point Deason got his opening as Shirley hesitated against two back-markers going into turn one.
That was all that was needed as even a few late cautions couldn't allow Shirley the power to catch Deason. Tony Kemp (# 16) of Carrolton, GA won the FASTRAK TOP GUN Crate Late Model, 25 lap feature. Crossville, GA's Chris Oliver (# 5) won the 25 lap Limited Late Model feature. Michael Jones (# 18) of Rome, GA won the Super Street feature. David Beam (# 44) of Lerly, GA won the Hobby feature. Robert Combs (# 55) of Aragon, GA won the Cruiser feature. Ricky Floyd (# 00) of Rockmart, GA won the Pure Pony feature and Jerry Black (# 29) of Blountsville, AL finally claimed the $500 bounty on Brian Dodgen (who finished second) by winning the Modified Pony feature.
The next event at Green Valley Speedway is this coming Saturday night, July 29th and is a Full Racing Program, complete with eight (8) divisions of racing, including REBEL Super Late Models and FASTRAK Crate Late Models. For more information visit www.greenvalleyspeedway.com .
Official Finish: 54 Laps
1. Dion Deason (# D1) of Greenwood, SC
2. Bo Shirley (# 111) of Gadsden, AL
3. Ronnie Johnson (# 5) of Chattanooga, TN 4. Randy Weaver (# 116) of Crossville, TN 5. Ivadent Lloyd (# 21) of Ocala, FL 6. Garrett Durrett (# 58) of Simsboro, LA 7. Dingus Griffin (# 49) of Alexandria, AL 8. Bub Mccool (# 57J) of Vicksburg, MS 9. Jake Knowles (# 66) of Tyrone, GA 10. Mike Head (# 54) of Ellenwood, GA 11. Steve Brasher (# 00) of Calera, AL 12. Mark Vineyard (# 4) of Powell, TN 13. Stacy Holmes (# H2) of Munford, AL 14. Chris Thomas (# 15) of Waco, GA 15. Scott Dedwylder (# 33) of Vossburg, MS 16. Bryan Elder (# 52) of Anniston, AL 17. Brian Barno (# 23) of Anniston, AL 18. Robert Gant (# 22) of Flat Rock, AL 19. Bryan Sumner (# 41) of Hiram, GA 20. Randall Walker (# 15) of Oxford, AL 21. Wendall Wallace (# 88) of Batesville, AR 22. T.J. Alford (# 007) of Ball Play, AL 23. Kenney Hall (# X38) of Geraldine, AL 24. Lee Sutton (# L7) of Taylorsville, GA
ENTRIES: 26 Representing 8 states (AL, MS, TN, GA, AR, SC, FL, LA)
DID NOT START FEATURE: Ryan Law (# 11) & Glenn Starr (# 32)
GLENCOE, AL (7/23/07) - - For the second consecutive week at Green Valley Speedway a new face has emerged victorious in the Super Late Model ranks. On Sunday, the O'Reilly Southern All-Stars invaded two days beyond the scheduled Friday event, due to mothernature. with twenty-six SLM's signed in for the MICHAEL HEAD JR. MEMORIAL, $5,400., to win event. NEON Dion Deason of Greenwood, SC emerged victorious at the conclusion of the event Sunday night. The driver of the # D1 "Crazy Craig's Butt Crack Filler, James Art"
sponsored, Rayburn chassis ProPower engines, Chevrolet Monte Carlo had never laid eyes on the GVS track, but commented on the instant familiarity of the 4/10 mile sweeping clay oval.
"We just came over here to show our support for Mike (Head)" stated Deason in victory lane. "We were junk last night, but I really like these dry-slick wide open race tracks. They remind me of some tracks up North, that I'm familiar with and even one near home in South Carolina." continued an elated winner as congratulatory hugs came in from crew and supporters. The HEADMAN was quick to get over to victory lane and congratulate Deason and revel in the moment of a first career series victory. "This means a lot to me" stated Head regarding the opportunity to race not only at Talladega to benefit his late sons foundation, but at Green Valley, a place he's logged many a laps at. Head concluded by thanking owner/promoter Dennis Harker his family and staff for continuing the GVS racing tradition and including MICHAEL's race in the schedule.
Qualifying locked in the top ten racers to the "A" Main and it was local Gadsden resident BIGG BADD Bo Shirley setting the standard at a 15:386 with his # 111 "Nealco Welding Supply, Bo Shirley Inc." sponsored Rocket chassis, Russell Baker powered, Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Former BAMA BASH winner Wendall Wallace seemed to have second quick sewed-up but second to the last racer to qualify had an idea for an all triple digit front row. Randy THE DREAM Weaver clocked a 13:577 with his # 116 "Hicks & Ingle Co., PPM Racing Products, Signsmith Sign Studio" sponsored GRT, Race Engine Design, Pontiac GTO, knocking Wallace to the second row start. Deason and Wallace's team-mate Garrett Durrett rounded out the top five, with Florida's Ivadent Lloyd, Ronnie Johnson, Dingus Griffin, Jake Knowles and local racer T.J.
Alford clocking in sixth thru tenth quick.
A pair of 8 lap "B" Mains set the remainder of the field with Head taking one and Mississippi's Scott Dedwylder taking the second win. With 12yo.
KAYLA HEAD (Michael Jr's only child) giving the command for "Grand-Daddy and Gentlemen" to start their engines, the field took shape and readied to roar to life under the green flag for the 54 lap finale. Shirley quickly took command with Weaver, Wallace and Deason shuffling heavily in the deck.
Deason and Wallace made early contact, ripping the right side of Wallace's spoiler loose in the process as the field settled around lap three. Lee Sutton was the first to exit the track within the first five circuits and the first caution appeared when Chris Thomas spun his mount, just as he went a lap down to Shirley.
Weaver took quick evasive action as did the rest of the field setting up for the first DELAWARE DOUBLE FILE restart of the race. Wallace didn't last much longer and pitted his machine just prior to lap ten as Deason began hounding Weaver for the number two position. Tenth starting Alford and another local racer Kenney Hall also became an early casualties before the races half-way point. O'SAS series regular Stacy Holmes reared a caution, stalling his ride in turn one and Brian Elder brought out a yellow with a solo spin in turn two. With a long green flag run, back-marker traffic began playing into effect for Shirley, with Deason now closing the gap after passing Weaver for second. Ronnie Johnson, whom had the most to gain (in the perspective of a $1,000 bonus) due to his win in Talladega on Saturday night, worked after Weaver. He then set his sights on Deason and seemed to have the # 5 "Miller Bros. Coal Inc., VP Racing Fuels, AFCO Racing Products" sponsored MasterSbilt, Vinson powered, Pontiac GTO working as traffic again inserted itself.
Lloyd kept his charge going strong within the O'SAS series and placed his #
21 "Marion Machine & Tool, Golden Isle Speedway, Jones Rd General Store"
sponsored MasterSbilt, ProPower engines, Chevrolet Monte Carlo within the top five battling with Durrett and Griffin. Just past the half-way point Deason got his opening as Shirley hesitated against two back-markers going into turn one.
That was all that was needed as even a few late cautions couldn't allow Shirley the power to catch Deason. Tony Kemp (# 16) of Carrolton, GA won the FASTRAK TOP GUN Crate Late Model, 25 lap feature. Crossville, GA's Chris Oliver (# 5) won the 25 lap Limited Late Model feature. Michael Jones (# 18) of Rome, GA won the Super Street feature. David Beam (# 44) of Lerly, GA won the Hobby feature. Robert Combs (# 55) of Aragon, GA won the Cruiser feature. Ricky Floyd (# 00) of Rockmart, GA won the Pure Pony feature and Jerry Black (# 29) of Blountsville, AL finally claimed the $500 bounty on Brian Dodgen (who finished second) by winning the Modified Pony feature.
The next event at Green Valley Speedway is this coming Saturday night, July 29th and is a Full Racing Program, complete with eight (8) divisions of racing, including REBEL Super Late Models and FASTRAK Crate Late Models. For more information visit www.greenvalleyspeedway.com .
Official Finish: 54 Laps
1. Dion Deason (# D1) of Greenwood, SC
2. Bo Shirley (# 111) of Gadsden, AL
3. Ronnie Johnson (# 5) of Chattanooga, TN 4. Randy Weaver (# 116) of Crossville, TN 5. Ivadent Lloyd (# 21) of Ocala, FL 6. Garrett Durrett (# 58) of Simsboro, LA 7. Dingus Griffin (# 49) of Alexandria, AL 8. Bub Mccool (# 57J) of Vicksburg, MS 9. Jake Knowles (# 66) of Tyrone, GA 10. Mike Head (# 54) of Ellenwood, GA 11. Steve Brasher (# 00) of Calera, AL 12. Mark Vineyard (# 4) of Powell, TN 13. Stacy Holmes (# H2) of Munford, AL 14. Chris Thomas (# 15) of Waco, GA 15. Scott Dedwylder (# 33) of Vossburg, MS 16. Bryan Elder (# 52) of Anniston, AL 17. Brian Barno (# 23) of Anniston, AL 18. Robert Gant (# 22) of Flat Rock, AL 19. Bryan Sumner (# 41) of Hiram, GA 20. Randall Walker (# 15) of Oxford, AL 21. Wendall Wallace (# 88) of Batesville, AR 22. T.J. Alford (# 007) of Ball Play, AL 23. Kenney Hall (# X38) of Geraldine, AL 24. Lee Sutton (# L7) of Taylorsville, GA
ENTRIES: 26 Representing 8 states (AL, MS, TN, GA, AR, SC, FL, LA)
DID NOT START FEATURE: Ryan Law (# 11) & Glenn Starr (# 32)
