jdearing
04-17-2005, 04:19 PM
By Dusty Luthy
LEBANON - Lebanon I-44 Speedway found a new Late Model champion Saturday night in front of a three-time capacity tier-parking crowd. Leslie Essary took an early lead in the 25-lap feature and held it against the two-time champion Will Vaught.
Essary, who finished second to Vaught in the season opener, said the victory was a part of patience. "This is the fourth time, I think, we run this car over here trying to get it figured out," said Essary.
Chris Smyser started the race in the pole position but lost his lead to Brad Looney and went out of the race on the second lap. Essary, Vaught and Dustin Mooneyham filled the next respective positions.
On the fifth lap, Essary took the high side and came down on the inside on turn four to overtake Looney for the lead. Vaught then passed Looney for second on the seventh lap, each driver keeping their positions to the finish.
Vaught, who has been dubbed "Will the Thrill", said finishing behind Essary wasn't a let down.
"It's still a good finish," Vaught said. "Leslie's a good racer and I gave it all I had. I think if he would have run up the lane, I would have passed him. I think I had a fast car tonight."
Veteran driver Rex Merritt won the Modified feature. The feature continued the $600 to-win purse as 20 cars raced for victory.
Merritt also took an early lead, passing pole-starter Steve Picou on the third lap. Erik Maggard also came charging and on the third lap, gained the second place spot only to lose it again on turn one to Eric Hudson on lap four.
Picou took a hard turn in turn two and spun out, taking him down a few positions, finishing 11th in the feature.
Maggard and Hudson continued to battle for second through most of the race until Maggard took the high side of turn two and jumped the cushion of dirt. Maggard pulled his car back onto the speedway, miraculously managing to hold onto the third place position. Hudson then took second in the feature.
Track promoter Randy Mooneyham said the response from the Modified division has been so positive that the feature will see the $600 purse for the third night in a row on Saturday evening.
David Hendrix won the Factory Stock feature race. Michael Maggard took second and Kenny Carroll took third.
Both Maggard and Carroll were given a warning with the black flag during the fifth lap after Maggard nudged Carroll into the infield. Maggard was sent tailback but pushed back for the second place finish.
Jordan Holloway carried an early lead, coming from the fifth starting position to No.1 in the first lap but went out of the race on the ninth lap. Hendrix took his lead on the ninth lap also.
Dustin Moore took the victory in the Super Stocks feature. Roger Flood took first in the Bomber feature. The 305 Winged Sprint cars were unavailable for racing.
Saturday night will mark the first appearance of the Legends cars. Wild Side parking has had three sell-out nights so fans are encouraged to come early. Gates open at 5 p.m. and races begin at 7:30 p.m.
RESULTS
SUPER STOCK
Heat 1:
1. Larry Pruitt, 22
2. Ben Newell, 83
3. Tim Brown, 1b
4. Chuck Avis, 4c
5. Tim Ellis, 03
6. Jon Herndon, 80
Heat 2:
1. Dustin Moore, 000
2. Jason Otto, 8
3. Steve Morton, 32
4. Josh Woody, 21
5. Jeff Kinsley, 29k
Feature:
1. Dustin Moore, 000
2. Larry Pruitt, 22
3. Steve Morton, 32
4. Jason Otto, 8
5. Ben Newell, 83
6. Tim Brown, 1b
7. Chuck Avis, 4c
8. Tim Ellis, 03
9. Jeff Kinsley, 29k
DNS: Jon Herndon, Josh Woody
FACTORY STOCK
Heat 1:
1. Jordan Holloway, 21
2. David Hendrix, 54h
3. Chad Cromer, 25
4. Jason Reckker, 8
5. Matt Miller, 17m
6. Mike Murzynski, 61
7. Mike Green, 54g
8. Joe Sanford, 89s
Heat 2:
1. Kenny Carroll, 94
2. Seth Rurup, 27
3. Derrick Peterson, 37
4. Michael Maggard, 160
5. Bill Schaar, 51
DQ: Steve Schultz
DNS: Ron Meyers, Rich Allen
Feature:
1. David Hendrix, 54h
2. Michael Maggard, 160
3. Kenny Carroll, 94
4. Chad Smith, 25
5. Derrick Peterson, 37
6. Jason Reckker, 8
7. Bill Schaar, 51
8. Mike Green, 54g
9. Joe Sanford, 89s
10. Mike Murzynski, 61
11. Jordan Holloway, 21
12. Seth Rurup
DNS: Matt Miller, Ron Meyers, Rich Allen
MODIFIED
Heat 1:
1. Steve Picou, 00z
2. Joe Bradshaw, 8
3. Larry Winn, 157
4. Doug Crider, 67
5. Jason Russle, 2r
6. Kenny Carroll, F1
7. Rick Brown, t10
Heat 2:
1. Rex Merritt, 25
2. Eric Hudson, 2h
3. Erik Maggard, 31m
4. Jerry Hoffman, 1h
5. Terry Kirk, 55
6. Don Luna, 11w
7. Steve Price, 66
Heat 2:
1. Jeff Cutshaw, 98
2. Steve Martin, 21m
3. Jamie Ragland, 15r
4. Kel Kennell, 88
5. Bob Maggard, 31
6. Brian Brown, 2b
Feature:
1. Rex Merritt, 25
2. Eric Hudson, 2h
3. Erik Maggard, 31m
4. Jeff Cutshaw, 98
5. Larry Winn, 157
6. Steve Martin, 21m
7. Kel Kennell, 88
8. Jamie Ragland, 15r
9. Jerry Hoffman, 1h
10. Joe Bradshaw, 8
11. Steve Picou, 00z
12. Terry Kirk, 55
13. Steve Price, 66
14. Don Luna, 11w
15. Rick Brown, t10
16. Jason Russle, 2r
17. Brian Brown, 2b
18. Kenny Carroll, f1
DNS: Doug Crider, Bob Maggard
LATE MODELS
Heat 1:
1. Chris Smyser, 00
2. Leslie Essary, 5
3. Tony Jackson Jr., 56
4. Christian Rayburn, 1r
5. Leroy Johnson, 28
6. Brandon McCormick, 42
7. Brian Schutt, 15s
DNS: Bob Hiller
Heat 2:
1. Dustin Mooneyham, 2
2. Brad Looney, 14L
3. Will Vaught, 1v
4. Jason Meadors, 71
5. Reid Millard, 14m
6. Reggie Jackson, 1x
7. Tim Right, 3
8. Darrell Mooneyham, 20
Feature:
1. Leslie Essary, 5
2. Will Vaught, 1v
3. Brad Looney, 14L
4. Dustin Mooneyham, 2
5. Tony Jackson Jr., 56
6. Reid Millard, 14m
7. Jason Meadors, 71
8. Christian Rayburn, 1r
9. Darrell Mooneyham, 20
10. Tim Right, 3
11. Brian Schutt, 15s
12. Reggie Jackson, 1x
13. Chris Smyser, 00
DNS: Brandon McCormick, Leroy Johnson
BOMBERS
Heat 1:
1. Lonnie Henderson, 76
2. Justin Foust, 1
3. Justin Stoufer, 87
4. Chris Pitts, 30
5. Adam Weber, 001
6. Mike Jackson, 42
7. Larry Franklin, 15
8. Mike Williams, 5
Heat 2:
1. Roger Flood, 24
2. Chad Cromer, 25
3. Jason Huey, 23
4. Darrell Deering, k9
5. James Flood, 42f
6. Tony Right, 18
7. Terry Dunkin, 71d
Feature:
1. Roger Flood, 24
2. Lonnie Henderson, 76
3. Chris Pitts, 30
4. Chad Cromer, 25
5. Justin Stoufer, 87
6. Darrell Deering, k9
7. Mike Jackson, 42j
8. Adam Weber, 001
9. Terry Dunkin, 71d
10. Justin Foust, 1
11. Larry Franklin, 15dd
DNS: Jason Huey, James Flood, Tony Right, Mike Williams
LEBANON - Lebanon I-44 Speedway found a new Late Model champion Saturday night in front of a three-time capacity tier-parking crowd. Leslie Essary took an early lead in the 25-lap feature and held it against the two-time champion Will Vaught.
Essary, who finished second to Vaught in the season opener, said the victory was a part of patience. "This is the fourth time, I think, we run this car over here trying to get it figured out," said Essary.
Chris Smyser started the race in the pole position but lost his lead to Brad Looney and went out of the race on the second lap. Essary, Vaught and Dustin Mooneyham filled the next respective positions.
On the fifth lap, Essary took the high side and came down on the inside on turn four to overtake Looney for the lead. Vaught then passed Looney for second on the seventh lap, each driver keeping their positions to the finish.
Vaught, who has been dubbed "Will the Thrill", said finishing behind Essary wasn't a let down.
"It's still a good finish," Vaught said. "Leslie's a good racer and I gave it all I had. I think if he would have run up the lane, I would have passed him. I think I had a fast car tonight."
Veteran driver Rex Merritt won the Modified feature. The feature continued the $600 to-win purse as 20 cars raced for victory.
Merritt also took an early lead, passing pole-starter Steve Picou on the third lap. Erik Maggard also came charging and on the third lap, gained the second place spot only to lose it again on turn one to Eric Hudson on lap four.
Picou took a hard turn in turn two and spun out, taking him down a few positions, finishing 11th in the feature.
Maggard and Hudson continued to battle for second through most of the race until Maggard took the high side of turn two and jumped the cushion of dirt. Maggard pulled his car back onto the speedway, miraculously managing to hold onto the third place position. Hudson then took second in the feature.
Track promoter Randy Mooneyham said the response from the Modified division has been so positive that the feature will see the $600 purse for the third night in a row on Saturday evening.
David Hendrix won the Factory Stock feature race. Michael Maggard took second and Kenny Carroll took third.
Both Maggard and Carroll were given a warning with the black flag during the fifth lap after Maggard nudged Carroll into the infield. Maggard was sent tailback but pushed back for the second place finish.
Jordan Holloway carried an early lead, coming from the fifth starting position to No.1 in the first lap but went out of the race on the ninth lap. Hendrix took his lead on the ninth lap also.
Dustin Moore took the victory in the Super Stocks feature. Roger Flood took first in the Bomber feature. The 305 Winged Sprint cars were unavailable for racing.
Saturday night will mark the first appearance of the Legends cars. Wild Side parking has had three sell-out nights so fans are encouraged to come early. Gates open at 5 p.m. and races begin at 7:30 p.m.
RESULTS
SUPER STOCK
Heat 1:
1. Larry Pruitt, 22
2. Ben Newell, 83
3. Tim Brown, 1b
4. Chuck Avis, 4c
5. Tim Ellis, 03
6. Jon Herndon, 80
Heat 2:
1. Dustin Moore, 000
2. Jason Otto, 8
3. Steve Morton, 32
4. Josh Woody, 21
5. Jeff Kinsley, 29k
Feature:
1. Dustin Moore, 000
2. Larry Pruitt, 22
3. Steve Morton, 32
4. Jason Otto, 8
5. Ben Newell, 83
6. Tim Brown, 1b
7. Chuck Avis, 4c
8. Tim Ellis, 03
9. Jeff Kinsley, 29k
DNS: Jon Herndon, Josh Woody
FACTORY STOCK
Heat 1:
1. Jordan Holloway, 21
2. David Hendrix, 54h
3. Chad Cromer, 25
4. Jason Reckker, 8
5. Matt Miller, 17m
6. Mike Murzynski, 61
7. Mike Green, 54g
8. Joe Sanford, 89s
Heat 2:
1. Kenny Carroll, 94
2. Seth Rurup, 27
3. Derrick Peterson, 37
4. Michael Maggard, 160
5. Bill Schaar, 51
DQ: Steve Schultz
DNS: Ron Meyers, Rich Allen
Feature:
1. David Hendrix, 54h
2. Michael Maggard, 160
3. Kenny Carroll, 94
4. Chad Smith, 25
5. Derrick Peterson, 37
6. Jason Reckker, 8
7. Bill Schaar, 51
8. Mike Green, 54g
9. Joe Sanford, 89s
10. Mike Murzynski, 61
11. Jordan Holloway, 21
12. Seth Rurup
DNS: Matt Miller, Ron Meyers, Rich Allen
MODIFIED
Heat 1:
1. Steve Picou, 00z
2. Joe Bradshaw, 8
3. Larry Winn, 157
4. Doug Crider, 67
5. Jason Russle, 2r
6. Kenny Carroll, F1
7. Rick Brown, t10
Heat 2:
1. Rex Merritt, 25
2. Eric Hudson, 2h
3. Erik Maggard, 31m
4. Jerry Hoffman, 1h
5. Terry Kirk, 55
6. Don Luna, 11w
7. Steve Price, 66
Heat 2:
1. Jeff Cutshaw, 98
2. Steve Martin, 21m
3. Jamie Ragland, 15r
4. Kel Kennell, 88
5. Bob Maggard, 31
6. Brian Brown, 2b
Feature:
1. Rex Merritt, 25
2. Eric Hudson, 2h
3. Erik Maggard, 31m
4. Jeff Cutshaw, 98
5. Larry Winn, 157
6. Steve Martin, 21m
7. Kel Kennell, 88
8. Jamie Ragland, 15r
9. Jerry Hoffman, 1h
10. Joe Bradshaw, 8
11. Steve Picou, 00z
12. Terry Kirk, 55
13. Steve Price, 66
14. Don Luna, 11w
15. Rick Brown, t10
16. Jason Russle, 2r
17. Brian Brown, 2b
18. Kenny Carroll, f1
DNS: Doug Crider, Bob Maggard
LATE MODELS
Heat 1:
1. Chris Smyser, 00
2. Leslie Essary, 5
3. Tony Jackson Jr., 56
4. Christian Rayburn, 1r
5. Leroy Johnson, 28
6. Brandon McCormick, 42
7. Brian Schutt, 15s
DNS: Bob Hiller
Heat 2:
1. Dustin Mooneyham, 2
2. Brad Looney, 14L
3. Will Vaught, 1v
4. Jason Meadors, 71
5. Reid Millard, 14m
6. Reggie Jackson, 1x
7. Tim Right, 3
8. Darrell Mooneyham, 20
Feature:
1. Leslie Essary, 5
2. Will Vaught, 1v
3. Brad Looney, 14L
4. Dustin Mooneyham, 2
5. Tony Jackson Jr., 56
6. Reid Millard, 14m
7. Jason Meadors, 71
8. Christian Rayburn, 1r
9. Darrell Mooneyham, 20
10. Tim Right, 3
11. Brian Schutt, 15s
12. Reggie Jackson, 1x
13. Chris Smyser, 00
DNS: Brandon McCormick, Leroy Johnson
BOMBERS
Heat 1:
1. Lonnie Henderson, 76
2. Justin Foust, 1
3. Justin Stoufer, 87
4. Chris Pitts, 30
5. Adam Weber, 001
6. Mike Jackson, 42
7. Larry Franklin, 15
8. Mike Williams, 5
Heat 2:
1. Roger Flood, 24
2. Chad Cromer, 25
3. Jason Huey, 23
4. Darrell Deering, k9
5. James Flood, 42f
6. Tony Right, 18
7. Terry Dunkin, 71d
Feature:
1. Roger Flood, 24
2. Lonnie Henderson, 76
3. Chris Pitts, 30
4. Chad Cromer, 25
5. Justin Stoufer, 87
6. Darrell Deering, k9
7. Mike Jackson, 42j
8. Adam Weber, 001
9. Terry Dunkin, 71d
10. Justin Foust, 1
11. Larry Franklin, 15dd
DNS: Jason Huey, James Flood, Tony Right, Mike Williams