Johnson Masters The Mag With 14th Career NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS Win

jdearing

Administrator
Staff member
COLUMBUS, MS – Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN raced to his 14th career NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Touring win on Sunday night at Magnolia Motor Speedway driving the Miller Brothers Coal Warrior. Johnson held off a rival from days gone by to win the 40-lap main event.

It was a flashback to the mid-90s Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Late Model Series as the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee battled with Johnny Virden of Russellville, AR right down to the checkered flag. Virden made several challenges in the final laps, but had to settle for second in the Frye Motorsports GRT.

“I really appreciate the way Johnny Virden raced me tonight as we raced close, but never touched,” Johnson said. “It was a good race for the fans, as we had to chase the track all night long. At first it was tacky, then it slicked up, and then it rubbered up, so I had to keep looking for the right groove for the track conditions.”

Johnson found a groove just off the bottom of the track in the closing laps, and he left enough real estate for Virden to run the very bottom of the track. Virden was able to get the nose of his race car to the inside of Johnson on several occasions, but Johnson was able to beat him off the corner to post the victory.

Evan Ellis of Plantersville, MS took the third spot in the Ellis Certified Welders Mastersbilt and was the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Race. Jamie Tollison of Kosciusko, MS finished fourth in the Tollison’s Auto Repair Trak-Star and the 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series East Region Champion Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL was fifth in the Edge’s Gas Company Mastersbilt.

Jeremy Shaw of Millport, AL started 17th and charged through the field to finish sixth in the Summit Resource Development Trak-Star and earn the GM Performance Parts Hard Charger Award. Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA was seventh in the Turner Excavating DWB, and Shannon Lee of Lumberton, MS finished eighth in the Billy Riels Racing DWB.

Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS won his second straight $20,000 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Championship with a ninth-place finish driving the 78 Towing and Recovery Victory Circle. Cooley now has two National Championships on his resume before celebrating his 20th birthday.

Larry Harrod of Plains, GA rounded out the top ten in the Harrod Logging Scorpion, but more importantly, he also wrapped up the $5,000 VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award. Harrod had a couple of anxious moments as he spun on the opening lap of the race, and then at the halfway point in the race, he had to pit to change a cut tire while running in the top ten.

His closest RoY challenger Lee was running fourth at the time, and Harrod returned to the track for the restart at the back of the pack, giving Lee the VP Racing Fuels RoY point lead. When the checkered flag fell, Lee had dropped to eighth, while Harrod charged back up to the tenth spot to secure the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Year Award.

Before the race started, the field came out to roll in the race track after track officials watered the racing surface. Justin McRee of Tuscaloosa, AL slid into a utility tire marking the inside of the track, damaging his Century Dedicated, Inc. Trak-Star.

McRee and his Henderson Motorsports crew made repairs and “J-Mac” was able to start the race. McRee had to take a provisional to make the show after coming up light at the scales after his B-Main. McRee was able to complete 33 laps and finished 17th, which earned him the Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award after a tough night when nothing seemed to go right.

Finishing behind Cooley in the final 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National point standings were Turner, McRee, Harrod, Lee, Charlie Henderson of Cottondale, AL in the Century Dedicated, Inc. HMS, Chris McElhenney of Lake, MS in the G&M Trucking Trak-Star, Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS in the Lamar Auto Salvage Mastersbilt, and Marcus Minga of Shannon, MS in the B&M Salvage Rocket.

Johnny Stokes of Columbus, MS in the TJC Mortgage GRT rounded out the top ten in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National point standings to go with his 2010 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series West Region Championship.

In preliminary action, Lee took fast time honors among the 38 entrants with a lap around the 3/8-mile clay oval in 15.621 seconds. The two 15-lap B-Main races were won by Stokes and Harrod.

Lee took the lead at the start of the race followed by Virden and Johnson, who raced side-by-side for the second spot. The yellow flag came out on the opening lap when Harrod spun in turn three collecting Dylan Ames of Harvest, AL in the Ames Racing Rocket and Jamie Flannagan of Tuscumbia, AL in the Seven Springs Lodge Rayburn.

Since a lap had not been completed, everyone got their spot back for the complete restart that saw Lee once again taking the point followed by Virden, Johnson, Turner, Ellis. The second caution flag came out on lap two when McRee and Victor Turner of Munford, AL in the Bentley Speed Graphix Rocket got together in turn three.

Lee led the field down for the restart, and Johnson, who started outside Virden in the “Dixie-Style” double-file restart, got by to claim the second spot. Ellis used the same outside move to pass Turner for the fourth position. The third caution flag came out on lap four when Ryan King of Anniston, AL stalled the True Bond Masonry TSR on the front straightaway.

With Lee in front, Johnson choose the outside for the restart. When the green flag came out, “The Chattanooga Flash” got a run on Lee going down the backstretch to take the lead, bringing Ellis with him on the outside, who passed Virden for the third spot. Ellis stepped to the outside on lap nine to pass Lee for second, while Shaw had charged from the 17th starting spot to sixth.

Virden got by Lee to move back up to third on lap ten, while Shaw climbed into the top five passing Tollison for the position on lap 13. By lap 15, Johnson was in heavy lapped traffic, but that went away at the halfway point of the race when the fourth and final caution flag flew for a turn four spin by Chase Washington of Houlka, MS in the Greg’s Sawmill GRT.

Johnson led Ellis, Virden, Lee, Shaw, Tollison, Turner, and Edge down for the restart. Ellis chose the inside for the double-file restart, with Virden to his right on the outside. When the green flag came out, Virden got around Ellis for the second spot and Tollison drove around Shaw and Lee to grab the fourth position.

Virden got an outside run on Johnson going into turn one on lap 22, but Johnson was able to hold him off. As the lead duo hit turn three, Virden crossed over and got under Johnson to take the lead coming off the fourth turn. Johnson was able to return the favor on the next lap, getting under Virden to retake the lead.

Johnson held the inside groove while Virden went to the outside to battle side-by-side with Johnson for the lead on laps 26 and 27. Unable to knock Johnson off the point, Virden went to the inside on lap 30. Johnson started to pull away on lap 33, but with three laps to go, Virden reloaded for another shot at the lead and the win.

Virden looked to the inside of Johnson during the last two laps, but Johnson was up to the challenge, getting the better bite off the corners, and holding on to take his second NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS National Touring win of the season.

The next event for the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS will be the $10,000-to-win 100-lap 6th Annual World Championship Race at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL on December 10-11.

For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series 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.

POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
1. 3 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 40 $2,500
2. 2 1v Johnny Virden Russellville, AR 40 $1,000
3. 5 1e Evan Ellis (R) Plantersville, MS 40 $700
4. 6 327 Jamie Tollison Kosciusko, MS 40 $550
5. 9 18 Chase Edge Lafayette, AL 40 $500
6. 17 1s Jeremy Shaw Millport, AL 40 $525
7. 4 77 Matthew Turner Dawsonville, GA 40 $375
8. 1 47 Shannon Lee (R) Lumberton, MS 40 $350
9. 15 33c Eric Cooley Fulton, MS 40 $425
10. 8 27 Larry Harrod (R) Plains, GA 40 $300
11. 11 88 Charlie Henderson (R) Cottondale, AL 40 $275
12. 22 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 40 $250
13. 21 69 Rodney Wing Meridian, MS 39 $225
14. 24 28 Chris McElhenney Lake, MS 39 $200
15. 12 55 Ryan King Anniston, AL 38 $200
16. 20 56 Perry Butler Selmer, TN 36 $100
17. 23 25 Justin McRee Tuscaloosa, AL 33 $100
18. 7 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 22 $100
19. 13 c16 Chris Ragan Ramer, TN 20 $100
20. 10 19w Chase Washington Houlka, MS 20 $100
21. 18 77a Dylan Ames Harvest, AL 19 $100
22. 16 14jr Victor Turner Munford, AL 1 $100
23. 14 79 Jamie Flannagan Tuscumbia, AL 0 $100
24. 19 07 Jimmy Elkins Jr. Talladega, AL DNS $0

ENTRIES: 38
FAST QUALIFIER: Lee, 15.621 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: McRee and McElhenney
LEAD CHANGES: 3
LAP LEADERS: Lee, 1-4; Johnson, 5-21; Virden, 22; Johnson, 23-40
LAPS LED: Johnson, 35; Lee, 4; Virden, 1
VP RACING FUELS ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Ellis
GM PERFORMANCE PARTS HARD CHARGER: Shaw (started 17th and finished 6th)
DOMINATOR RACE PRODUCTS HARD LUCK AWARD: McRee
RACE CAR ENGINEERING 5TH-PLACE AWARD: Edge
KRC 6TH-PLACE AWARD: Shaw
JOE GIBBS DRIVEN OIL 7TH-PLACE AWARD: M. Turner
RACE CAR ENGINEERING 8TH-PLACE AWARD: Lee
MAXIMUM SIGNS AND GRAPHICS 9TH-PLACE AWARD: Cooley
KRC 10TH-PLACE AWARD: Harrod
MIKE’S CUSTOM TANKS 11TH-PLACE AWARD: Henderson
SHORTY’S SHOCK SERVICE 12TH-PLACE AWARD: Minga
CAUTIONS: 4
TIME OF THE RACE: 29 Minutes and 51.094 Seconds

QUALIFYING (Top 6 Transfer To Main Event):
POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS LAP 1 LAP 2 TIME
1 47 Shannon Lee - R Lumberton, MS DWB 15.633 15.621 15.621
2 1v Johnny Virden Russellville, AR GRT 15.851 15.819 15.819
3 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN Warrior 15.909 15.838 15.838
4 77 Matthew Turner Dawsonville, GA DWB 15.880 15.847 15.847
5 1e Evan Ellis - R Plantersville, MS Mastersbilt 15.857 15.905 15.857
6 327 Jamie Tollison Kosciusko, MS Trak Star 15.965 15.867 15.867
7 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS GRT 16.020 15.905 15.905
8 93 Jake Knight Georgetown, MS Trak Star 15.965 15.927 15.927
9 3 Shay Knight Ethelsville, AL Mastersbilt 15.954 16.416 15.954
10 19w Chase Washington Houlka, MS GRT 15.988 16.104 15.988
11 18 Chase Edge Lafayette, AL Mastersbilt 16.080 16.027 16.027
12 56 Perry Butler Selmer, TN Trak Star 16.443 16.065 16.065
13 33c Eric Cooley Fulton, MS Victory Circle 16.086 16.305 16.086
14 79 Jamie Flannagan Tuscumbia, AL Rayburn 16.088 16.136 16.088
15 88 Charlie Henderson - R Cottondale, AL HMS 16.766 16.272 16.272
16 27 Larry Harrod – R Plains, GA Scorpion 16.390 16.273 16.273
17 c16 Chris Ragan Ramer, TN Trak Star 16.410 16.327 16.327
18 55k Ryan King Anniston, AL TSR 16.435 16.336 16.336
19 B97 Lee Burdett Hueytown, AL GRT 16.814 16.399 16.399
20 14jr Victor Turner Munford, AL Rocket 16.948 16.412 16.412
21 E26 Dallas Everett Beebe, AR GRT 16.519 16.724 16.519
22 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS Rocket 19.408 16.561 16.561
23 1s Jeremy Shaw Millport, AL Trak Star NT 16.579 16.579
24 17 Darrell Guess Nettleton, MS GRT 16.665 16.615 16.615
25 69 Rodney Wing Meridian, MS Rocket 16.675 16.627 16.627
26 121 Michael Blount - R Sumrall, MS Mastersbilt 17.207 16.662 16.662
27 28 Chris McElhenney Lake, MS Trak Star 16.668 16.847 16.668
28 77a Dylan Ames Harvest, AL Rocket 16.726 16.909 16.726
29 00 Ben Garner Greenfield, TN Rayburn 16.742 17.849 16.742
30 B20 Boone Fullwood Michie, TN GRT 16.928 17.149 16.928
31 32 Mark Stokes Steens, MS GRT 17.022 16.973 16.973
32 14 Chance Inman Bruce, MS GRT 17.065 17.035 17.035
33 JT1 Kody Barber Bogalusa, LA Mastersbilt 18.276 17.046 17.046
34 2 Lee Ray Columbus, MS Trak Star 18.337 17.068 17.068
35 07 Jimmy Elkins Jr. Talladega, AL Mastersbilt 17.170 17.372 17.170
36 2y Jeff Young Clarksdale, MS Rocket 17.824 17.421 17.421
37 88j Jason Michau Kilmichael, MS Warrior 17.611 18.696 17.611
38 25 Justin McRee Tuscaloosa, AL Trak Star 16.176 16.159 DQ-LT

B-MAINS (15 Laps – Top 8 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST B-MAIN: 1. J. Stokes; 2. Edge; 3. Henderson (R); 4. Ragan; 5. Cooley; 6. Shaw; 7. Elkins; 8. Wing; 9. Michau; 10. Burdett; 11. Everett; 12. Barber; 13. M. Stokes; 14. Garner; 15. McElhenney DQ-LT; 16. S. Knight DQ-LT.

2ND B-MAIN: 1. Harrod (R); 2. Washington; 3. King; 4. Flannagan; 5. V. Turner; 6. Ames; 8. Minga; 9. Ray; 10. McRee; 11. Young; 12. Blount (R); 13. Fullwood; 14. Inman; 15. Guess; 16. J. Knight DQ-LT.

FINAL 2010 NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES NATIONAL POINT STANDINGS:

1. 33c Eric Cooley – 1.902
2. 77 Matthew Turner – 1,828
3. 25 Justin McRee – 1,594
4. 27 Larry Harrod (R) – 1,588
5. 47 Shannon Lee (R) – 1,560
6. 88 Charlie Henderson (R) – 1,538
7. 28 Chris McElhenney – 1,484
8. 121 Michael Blount (R) – 1,320
9. 19 Marcus Minga – 1,220
10. 1 Johnny Stokes – 952
11. 38c Chip Brindle – 938
12. 222 Mike Boland – 784
13. 1e Evan Ellis (R) – 760
14. C16 Chris Ragan – 748
15. 25b Jay Burchfield (R) – 598
16. 18 Chase Edge – 508
17. T9 Troy Dixon (R) – 502
18. 4 Cliff Williams – 492
19. 24 Mark Tice (R) – 486
20. 18 Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth - 464

R – Denotes VP Racing Fuels 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 Dealer four years running, and is also the nation’s number one volume dealer of Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC cars, trucks, SUVs and vans with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. GM Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series and Hard Charger Award sponsor. Hoosier Race Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. VP Racing Fuel is the Official Racing Fuel of the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Contingency Sponsors for 2010 are Dominator Race Products, Race Car Engineering, KRC, Joe Gibbs Driven, Maximum Signs and Graphics, Mike Custom Tanks, Shorty’s Shock Service, Warrior Race Cars, Trak-Star Race Cars, GRT Race Cars, TNT Race Cars, and Rocket Chassis.
 
Back
Top