Chattanooga, TN / Ringgold, GA (6/5/09) – The CHATTANOOGA FLASH Ronnie Johnson topped a stout field of Crate Late Models for the second of four KING of CRATE Challenge (THE JUNE JESTER) races Friday night at BOYD’s SPEEDWAY. A field of thirty-one (31) Crate Late Models attempted to make the field for the $2,000. payday, but local-faithful racefans and competitors alike knew what to expect when the red n’ black # 5 “Austin Trucking, Miller Bros. Coal, American Billett” racecar staged on the outside of row three for the 40-lap “A” Main feature. “I like being able to race this close to home, BOYD’s has always been special to me. I remember wishing the rain away on Fridays as a school-boy so I could go watch my dad (the late Joe Lee Johnson) race out here back when it was a paved track.” RJ concluded his victory lane celebration, thanking all the racefans, who’ve been like family to him for so many years. Lamar Scoggins won the Steel-Head LM feature in a photo-finish style over Rick Hixson. The pair battled lap after lap, side-by-side for 23 laps, without a caution. Corey Cresswell nabbed his first A-Hobby feature, while Michael Arp won the FWD division race.
Qualifing locked-in the top-12 as neighboring NORTH GEORGIA SPEEDWAY ponied up a $100 to the events fastest on the clock, promoting their upcoming LUCAS OIL series race in nearby Dalton, GA. Phenix City, Alabama’s William Thomas rocked around the clock, with a tune of 14:506 seconds and would pocket the bonus cash. Setting up two DASHES for the quick 12, CHAT-TOWN RADIATOR and PAUL’s USED AUTO & TRUCK PARTS sponsored a pair of quik-6 races. The out-side front row was the place to be as Royce Bray (3rd fastest) and Brian Burke (4th fastest) took the wins from Thomas and second fast qualifier Blake Stewart. The two B-Mains were topped by Craig Burrows in the # 23 “Tony Burrows Construction, Dale McDowell Racing” racecar and former ICE BOWL champ Bobby Mayse. The remainder of the 24-car field were finishers 2nd – 6th respectfully, which included a rare back-in-the-pack appearance by current BOYD’s SPEEDWAY Crate LM points leader James Gamble, who narrowly transferred.
As Bray and Burke set the field to green, it appeared as though the # 21 “Dave Gordon Auto Supply” 2008 FASTRAK $50,000. National Champion would debut BOYD’s SPEEDWAY to the tune of $2,000. Burke would keep pace with Bray for the first seven circles, but it was RJ’s quick work of Thomas’ # 16 “Austin Trucking, BJ’s Flooring” machine that all eye’s were upon, back in third. As Burke faded, LIL’ John Owenby kept the pedal mashed, but Burrows was on the hunt from his 13th starting spot. By the halfway point Burrows had disposed of Burke and was ridin’ with Stewart’s #M1 “Cleveland Speedway Driving School, CarSmart Auto Sales” racecar on his coat-tails/spoiler. Brad Hall ended his BOYD’s SPEEDWAY debut early and was first car out with Chad Smith and Allen Green following suit soon enough. Brian Pritchard also called it early with an ill-handling racecar.
With pressure only few can bring, RJ trailed Bray lap after lap, stalking his prey like BUNGLE in the JUNGLE, looking to sweep away the high-prize. On lap 25 Bray’s door was opened too long and the two-time Dirt Track World Champion stepped on-through. In traffic Johnson inadvertently punted Mike Head to rear a yellow, which gave him a clear track on the restart with 15 or so remaining. “I was trying to give him room, but I just wasn’t that quick.” stated the HEADMAN after the race, concerning his eye-catching 360 on the front-straightaway. Spread out with less than ten to go, Aaron Ridley had his hands full of the DIRTY WHITE BOY and Jody Summerville. As the checkers waved for RJ, Ridley lead the second group of five. Behind RJ, Bray, Thomas, Burrows and the M1 TANK. Finishing behind Ridley, was Anthony White and the former NATIONAL 100 champion with Jeff Smith (of Villanow, GA) and outside pole sitter Burke. Racing resumes in two weeks at BOYD’s SPEEDWAY (June 19th) with a Full Racing Program in all 6-classes.
BOYD’s SPEEDWAY
King of Crate Challenge # 2 “THE JUNE JESTER”
6/5/2009 – 40 Laps - $2,000. to-WIN
1. Ronnie Johnson (# 5) of Chattanooga, TN
2. Royce Bray (# 21) of Hull, GA
3. William Thomas (# 16) of Phenix City, AL
4. Craig Burrows (# 23) of Chickamagua, GA
5. Blake Stewart (# M1) of Centre, AL
6. Aaron Ridley (# 81) of Chatsworth, GA
7. Anthony White (# 2) of Clinton, TN
8. Jody Summerville (# 25) of Rome, GA
9. Jeff Smith (# 00) of Villanow, GA
10. Brian Burke (# B39) of Dalton, GA
11. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC
12. John Owenby (# 48) of Cleveland, TN
13. Jerry Coffman (# 30) of New Salem, TN
14. Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison, TN
15. James Gamble (# 27) of Rossville, GA
16. Darel Ownbey (# 12) of Calhoun, GA
17. Chad Wallace (# 34) of La Grange, GA
18. Danny Pippin (# 76) of Red Bank, TN
19. Mike Head (# 54) of Ellenwood, GA
20. Scott Jackson (# 44) of Chatsworth, GA
21. Brian Pritchard (# 3) of Harrison, TN
22. Allen Green (# 41) of Chatsworth, GA
23. Chad Smith (# 11) of Cedartown, GA
24. Brad Hall (# 47) of Knoxville, TN
Qualifing locked-in the top-12 as neighboring NORTH GEORGIA SPEEDWAY ponied up a $100 to the events fastest on the clock, promoting their upcoming LUCAS OIL series race in nearby Dalton, GA. Phenix City, Alabama’s William Thomas rocked around the clock, with a tune of 14:506 seconds and would pocket the bonus cash. Setting up two DASHES for the quick 12, CHAT-TOWN RADIATOR and PAUL’s USED AUTO & TRUCK PARTS sponsored a pair of quik-6 races. The out-side front row was the place to be as Royce Bray (3rd fastest) and Brian Burke (4th fastest) took the wins from Thomas and second fast qualifier Blake Stewart. The two B-Mains were topped by Craig Burrows in the # 23 “Tony Burrows Construction, Dale McDowell Racing” racecar and former ICE BOWL champ Bobby Mayse. The remainder of the 24-car field were finishers 2nd – 6th respectfully, which included a rare back-in-the-pack appearance by current BOYD’s SPEEDWAY Crate LM points leader James Gamble, who narrowly transferred.
As Bray and Burke set the field to green, it appeared as though the # 21 “Dave Gordon Auto Supply” 2008 FASTRAK $50,000. National Champion would debut BOYD’s SPEEDWAY to the tune of $2,000. Burke would keep pace with Bray for the first seven circles, but it was RJ’s quick work of Thomas’ # 16 “Austin Trucking, BJ’s Flooring” machine that all eye’s were upon, back in third. As Burke faded, LIL’ John Owenby kept the pedal mashed, but Burrows was on the hunt from his 13th starting spot. By the halfway point Burrows had disposed of Burke and was ridin’ with Stewart’s #M1 “Cleveland Speedway Driving School, CarSmart Auto Sales” racecar on his coat-tails/spoiler. Brad Hall ended his BOYD’s SPEEDWAY debut early and was first car out with Chad Smith and Allen Green following suit soon enough. Brian Pritchard also called it early with an ill-handling racecar.
With pressure only few can bring, RJ trailed Bray lap after lap, stalking his prey like BUNGLE in the JUNGLE, looking to sweep away the high-prize. On lap 25 Bray’s door was opened too long and the two-time Dirt Track World Champion stepped on-through. In traffic Johnson inadvertently punted Mike Head to rear a yellow, which gave him a clear track on the restart with 15 or so remaining. “I was trying to give him room, but I just wasn’t that quick.” stated the HEADMAN after the race, concerning his eye-catching 360 on the front-straightaway. Spread out with less than ten to go, Aaron Ridley had his hands full of the DIRTY WHITE BOY and Jody Summerville. As the checkers waved for RJ, Ridley lead the second group of five. Behind RJ, Bray, Thomas, Burrows and the M1 TANK. Finishing behind Ridley, was Anthony White and the former NATIONAL 100 champion with Jeff Smith (of Villanow, GA) and outside pole sitter Burke. Racing resumes in two weeks at BOYD’s SPEEDWAY (June 19th) with a Full Racing Program in all 6-classes.
BOYD’s SPEEDWAY
King of Crate Challenge # 2 “THE JUNE JESTER”
6/5/2009 – 40 Laps - $2,000. to-WIN
1. Ronnie Johnson (# 5) of Chattanooga, TN
2. Royce Bray (# 21) of Hull, GA
3. William Thomas (# 16) of Phenix City, AL
4. Craig Burrows (# 23) of Chickamagua, GA
5. Blake Stewart (# M1) of Centre, AL
6. Aaron Ridley (# 81) of Chatsworth, GA
7. Anthony White (# 2) of Clinton, TN
8. Jody Summerville (# 25) of Rome, GA
9. Jeff Smith (# 00) of Villanow, GA
10. Brian Burke (# B39) of Dalton, GA
11. David Payne (# 8) of Murphy, NC
12. John Owenby (# 48) of Cleveland, TN
13. Jerry Coffman (# 30) of New Salem, TN
14. Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison, TN
15. James Gamble (# 27) of Rossville, GA
16. Darel Ownbey (# 12) of Calhoun, GA
17. Chad Wallace (# 34) of La Grange, GA
18. Danny Pippin (# 76) of Red Bank, TN
19. Mike Head (# 54) of Ellenwood, GA
20. Scott Jackson (# 44) of Chatsworth, GA
21. Brian Pritchard (# 3) of Harrison, TN
22. Allen Green (# 41) of Chatsworth, GA
23. Chad Smith (# 11) of Cedartown, GA
24. Brad Hall (# 47) of Knoxville, TN
