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| The Pit Report 8-17-05 In what we had coined to potentially be the biggest weekend of Dirt Track Racing in Region, prove to be exactly that this weekend. Many of our local drivers participated in the Annual North & South 100, while others stayed closer to home focusing on track championships and MMSE big Super Late Model race. There were 10 drivers on hand for the $3500-to-win show. There were veteran drivers like Paul Harris, Paul Davis, Audie Swartz, and Shannon Thornsberry; local drivers like Raymond Nichols and Anthony Adams; young drivers like Eric and DJ Wells; Battle of the Bluegrass contender Chris Combs; and perhaps the biggest surprise was Greg Lucas returning to Super Late Model racing in Tate Beagley’s car. Lucas’ return was an impressive one as he sat fast time in a car that he hadn’t turned many, if any laps in, by qualifying a 14.99. However, after a spin out in his heat race, he was forced to start in the back of the pack come feature time. As the feature began, Raymond Nichols proved that while he may not have been the driver everyone was talking about during week leading up to the 40 lap feature, he would be soon enough. The driver of the #38 car was strong during hot laps, qualified 15.15 for a third best time in route to winning the first heat race earning the pole position for the feature. Nichols was followed by Anthony Adams, Eric Wells, Paul Davis and Greg Lucas. Chris Combs gave his fans something to cheer about, after winning the second heat race. He was followed by Shannon Thornsberry, DJ Wells, Paul Harris, and Audie Swartz in the second heat race. With Nichols and Combs on the first role, fans saw 10 of the top drivers in the area take the green flag for the B & W Resources and Wright Trucking sponsored 40-lap race. On the start, cars raced side-by-side with each driver knowing the importance of being aggressive driving early. Nichols got off to a strong start, leading the opening laps. Combs, Thornsberry, and Adams all left no room for mistakes, as they muscled around the track. Fans also watched Lucas closely as it was a surprise to none as he passed several cars moving from the back to fifth place within two laps. Up front, Nichols continued to lead a race that went caution free for the opening 20 laps. On lap 24, caution fell for the Wells car, which had to enter the pits for repairs. Prior to that, Thornsberry and Combs were almost side-by-side for second place with Nicholas a couple car lengths ahead of them. Even with the opportunity for the cars to catch up with him on the restart, Nichols still got off to a good start as he led the final 14 laps, earning him what is his largest win of his career. Combs drove an impressive race, as he challenged the leader on several occasions and held off one best in business Thornsberry who finished third. Anthony Adams and Paul Harris rounded out the top 5 finishing order. Greg Lucas pulled double duty as he also ran in the Limited Lates, as he pulled off the tri-factor setting fast time, winning the first heat race, and then going on to win the 20 lap feature. He was followed by Donald Runyon, Randy Fields, Micheal Wright, and Jimmy Perkins who all finished in the top-5. In the bombers, Greg Hensley followed last week’s performance up with another impressive run as he took the checkered flag for back-to-back victories in a class that hasn’t seen very many drivers win back-to-back races. Defending track champion Tim Mason finished second, in front of JJ Brock, Josh Shuffler, and the previous driver to win 2 in a row, Eulius Combs Jr. Kelly Neace picked up his 11th feature win of the season in 4-cylinder Modifieds, running in front of William Kurt and Freddy Coots. Even with over months of racing to be run, one could assume that the Neace has easily wrapped up the class’ track championship. Jason Hall may have also sealed up a track championship, as he won the 4-cylinder stock division heat and feature race. Jamie Banks won the second heat race of the night, and finished second in feature in front of the 53 car of Rice, Scott Watts, and Johnny Jent. Next weekend, MMSE will return to racing in all 4 classes, with announcements forthcoming in regards to changes to classes, times, and racing divisions. Nationally Bart Hartman took the checkered flag and a $50,000 purse in the North & South 100. Earl Pearson, finished second running right behind the winner, with Scott Bloomquist, Ray Cook, and Skip Arp rounding out the top 5 in what many fans are regarding “as the best race of the year so far.” Look for highlights and interviews from all the local racing action on Channel-26 on Thursday night at 8 P.M. on TVS in Hindman, Ky. In addition to this, The Sports Corner, will also have results from our two local tracks, 201 Speedway and MMSE on this Thursday. PHOTOS HERE: Raymond Nichols #38 who won the Super Late Model Race Greg Hensley, winner of the bomber race Greg Lucas, who won the Limited Late Model Race The Pit Report by Jamie Hughes 7-30-05 Racing fans were treated to some exciting racing in the hills of Eastern Kentucky this past weekend. With summer temperatures continuing to rise in the region, fans showed their loyalty as they attended tracks both close and far from home to support their favorite drivers. As they do each and every weekend, drivers had the opportunity run locally at Mountain Motor Speedway Express on Friday and at 201 Speedway in Paintsville on Saturday. Others chose to travel to some of the surrounding regional races located in Oneida, Tennessee, Richmond, Ky., and Portsmouth, Ohio. Fans that chose to stay close to home on Friday saw awesome racing action in Isom, Kentucky. Michael Wright continued his July Dominance as he made it three-in-row at him hometown track. He returned to the winner’s circle aboard his 2002 Rocket chassis, which is sponsored by Larry M. Wright Trucking, Sunset Enterprises, Overhead Doors, AC2 Grafix, Johnny Wheels, and L&T Machines. Wright pulled off one of racing’s biggest accomplishments, as he completed the “tri-factor.” He set fast time with a 16.21, before winning his heat race and the 20-lap feature. Randy Fields continues to improve his finishing order as ended the night in second. Ralph Francis returned to racing in fashion, as finished third; with James Grigsby and Jackie Fields rounding out the top 5 finishing order. The Bombers division continues to grow in car count and anticipation of excitement. Needless to say, the class did not disappoint fans, as once again the race saw Reggie Ritchie and Racing Tim Mason battle it out for another checkered flag. On this night, it would be Reggie Ritchie taking the win with his Tim Short Chrysler Dodge and Draughn Racing Sponsored 1986 Monte Carlo. Last week’s winner, Tim Mason came home second. JJ Brock finished third, with Eulis Combs Jr. and JJ Terry rounding out the top five. Kelly Neace and the #2 Modified 4-cylinder team continue to resemble the Energizer batteries, as they keep going, and going, and going. Or should I say, keep winning, and winning, and winning. Well, you get the picture! Neace picked up another feature win, his eighth of the year at this track alone in his “Collins Towing”, AAA Fabrications” “K & H Express sponsored 1988 Ford Mustang. Neace was followed by the #911 of Jason Hall and Stacy Hall who finished second and third. Roger Burke became only the second different diver to record two or more wins in the 4-cylinder stock division, and the fourth different driver to win the past weeks of racing. The Eolia, Kentucky native proved why he is the defending track champion in his division, as he took another checkered flag. #33 Eric Watts and #15 Tom Stamper earned second and third place finishes in the eighteen-car feature race. With all the action at MMSE, perhaps one of the biggest cheers of the night came when officials announce the track was hosting two Super Late Model Shows in the near future. With the first being Saturday August 13th with a $3000-to-win feature race. Several of those local Super Model Drivers spent this Past Friday Night in Oneida, Tn at the Scenic Speedway for the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series $3000-to-win race. While hometown hero Jimmy Owens, won the feature, Eastern, Ky was well represented. Allen, Ky’s Chuckie May finshed 6th, Isom Ky’s Chris Combs came home tenth, and Shannon Thornsberry (16th), Perry County Native Eric Wells (17th), and Benny Feltner (21st) all making solid appearances in the race. At 201 Speedway near Paintsville, Ky. Chuckie May continued to be the man to beat at the historic red clay speedway. May was by far the strongest all night, as he set fast time, won his heat race by more than 10 car lengths, and then when you thought he couldn’t, he got faster in the 25 lap feature. The 12th year driver, returned to the winner’s circle in the TEM Equipment, May Block, and Eastco Supply sponsored Cornett powered 2003 G.R.T Ford Taurus with the feature win. Perry County Ky’s Steve Stollings and Letcher County Ky’s Raymond Nichols also had strong performances as they finished second and third. Brandon Johnson, who entered the night ninth in points standings in the Open-wheeled Modifieds. Johnson gained some valuable points in his chase for a track championship as he recorded the win. Former track champion, Clint Shutts used good track position he earned by winning his heat race, to help put his car in contention for the win. Shutts finished second, in front of Whitesburg, Ky’s Greg Lucas picked up his ninth feature win of the season and third of the year at 201, as he dominated the field in the Limited Late Model Class. Scott McCloud finished second as he held off charges from Michael Wright and Tandy Spurlock, whom finished third and fourth. While 16 local late model drivers were on hand at 201 Speedway on Saturday, others traveled to other tracks in the region to compete in touring dirt car series. Paul Harris, Shannon Thornsberry, and Chris Combs ran 18th Annual Butterball Wooldridge Memorial sponsored by the O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass series. Harris set fast time at Richmond running a 14.97 lap, before finishing fourth behind third placing Shannon Thornsberry in the 1st heat race. Chris Combs won the second heat race to earn a top starting spot in the feature. Harris would be able to work his way back to the front of the 24 car pack, and came away finishing sixth. Thornsberry and Combs however, would not have the finishes they would have hoped for, as Shannon finished 19th and Combs end the night running 21st. Tim Tungate, walked away with the $3000 winner’s purse as he led every lap, once taking the lead on lap 4. Look for highlights and interviews from all the local racing action on Channel-26 on Thursday night at 8 P.M. on TVS in Hindman, Ky. The Sports Corner, will also have highlights from Beckley Speedway, as well as action for our two local tracks, 201 Speedway and MMSE, this Thursday. The Pit Report By Jamie Hughes 7-20-05 Mountain Motor Speedway’s eighth weekend of racing was full of excitement. With the threat of more rain in the region, many wondered if racing fans would even see racing on Friday Night. Track officials worked hard to prep a track that had its share of rain all week, and when the clouds held back the rains long enough for the track to go racing in five classes. After all the success of the previous week’s modified race, MMSE officials decided to run the class again this week. Last weekend’s second place finisher, Randy Fouts would return to the winner’s circle with a strong performance driving his 2003 Lightning Chassis powered by an L&T motor. Sponsored by A&R Trucking, K&E Trucking, Slone's Trucking and Pinetop Motors, the Kite, Ky native pulled off racing tri-factor by setting fast time with a 17.00, winning his heat race, and then going on to record another victory for the #82 team. Jimmy Collins continued to run stronger in the #0 car as he took home second place honors, finishing in front of third place finisher Keith Grey in the #33 open-wheeled modified. Randy Fouts was not the only driver to pull off the tri-fecta. After a one-week absence with engine troubles, Letcher County Native Tim Mason returned to racing this past Friday night. Mason set fast time among the bomber drivers with a 18.01 in his Pinetop Motors, Charles R. Sexton Trucking, Baker Trucking, Mason's Towing, and Pee Wee Goat Farm sponsored 1979 Nova. Mason then went on to record wins in the heat and feature races. The wins would not come easy however, as Reggie Ritchie finished just behind Mason in all three categories. In fact, Ritchie’s qualifying time was a mere 8 thousandth of a second behind the leader, before finishing second in the Heat and Feature races by less than a car-length at times. While the top 2 finishers battled it for the win, the field behind them also put on a show for fans. Four different drivers seem to be strong enough to finish third, as they raced for the spot the entire race. In the end, Josh Shuffler beat out fourth place finisher Roy Mullins. Jackson, Ky’s Greg Hensley rounded out the top-5 finishing order. Two weeks ago, fans coined Michael Wright as the, “Bounty Hunter.” This after, he become only the second different driver to record a win at the track this season. While some would say, a win is a win. It was obvious the previous weekend’s victory was missing something for winner Michael Wright. Greg Lucas, who had won the previous 6 consecutive races and had a bounty put on him over three weeks ago, was not among the cars on hand when Wright recorded his first win of the season. The wait to see who or if anyone could beat Lucas restarted and end this weekend, as he returned to racing. Isom, Ky native Michael Wright passed Lucas on lap 14 and become the first driver to beat the defending track champion in quite some time. In fact, you’d have to go back several races into last season’s schedule to fins the last race Lucas raced in and didn’t win. The 26-year old earned his back-to-back win aboard his 2002 Rocket chassis, which is sponsored by Larry M. Wright Trucking, Sunset Enterprises, Overhead Doors, AC2 Grafix, Johnny Wheels, and L&T Machines. Last week’s fourth place finisher Randy Fields improved another spot on the leader board, as he ran as high as second before finishing third. Knott County’s Jimmy Perkins finished fourth in his 9j Limited Late Model. Kelly Neace continued an impressive winning streak as he recorded his fourth consecutive victory. The 5th year driver, from Isom, Ky has won seven of the eight races held at Mountain Motor Speedway this season and has recorded 10 wins at various tracks he’s raced at in his “Collins Towing”, AAA Fabrications” “K & H Express sponsored 1988 Ford Mustang. Neace was followed by the #9 car of Stacy Hall. Jason Hall took third place honors in the four cylinder modified class. After the modified finish, Jason Hall would then focus on the 4-cylinder stock race, where he and David Brown would earn first row starting spots after winning their heat races. Aboard his Tim Short Chrysler, Minks Paintball & Supply, Collins & Sons Builders, and Smith Engine Service sponsored car Hall held off a late race charge of last weekend’s winner D.I. Henson who finished second. Henson’s outlaw racing teammate Shawn Ousley finished third in the 18-car field. In special racing events this weekend, fans were allowed to bring their street cars onto the track and race one-on-one with each other in a 2-lap dash. Lenny Bates earned the winner’s purse in his Dodge pick-up. Female fans also had a chance to participate in racing action as MMSE held the first “Powder Puff,” race of the year. Misty Sexton took the #18 four-cylinder to victory lane. Deb McCosh, Carlene Mullins, Melissa Powell, and Candy Cooper finished second through fifth in the 10-lap feature race. As always, you can catch highlights and interviews from all the local racing action on Channel-26 on Thursday night at 8 P.M. on TVS in Hindman, Ky. The Sports Corner, will also have highlights from Beckley Speedway, and the running of the 26th annual USA 100 10,000-to-win Super Late Model race this Thursday. #911Jason Hall, who won the 4-cylinder Stock Division at MMSE. #2 Kelly Neace who won his 10th race of the Season this past weekend. #45 Tim Mason, the defending Track Champion at MMSE, who won this weekend. Mountain Motor Speedway Express 7-13-05 After rains swept through Eastern-Kentucky last weekend, canceling racing action last Friday, fans and drivers were excited to return to Mountain Motor Speedway Express in Isom, Kentucky for dirt track racing in five divisions. The night began with a special opened-wheeled modified race. Divers from 4 different states were on hand to participate in the season’s first race for the “Mods.” Kite, Kentucky native Randy Fouts seemed to have the car to beat all night, as he was strong in his heat race and the opening laps of the feature. However, mid-way through the race, #90 Donnie Adams was able to use lap traffic to his advantage as he got around Fouts and separated himself from the rest of the field. From there, it would be the pole-sitter’s race to loose, as Adams held off several late race charges by Fouts to earn the win. The #82 of Randy Fouts would come away in second, running in front of Shon Flanery of Mount Carmel, Tn., who came from the back of the back to finished third. Perry County Native Keith Grey finished fourth, while Dizzy, Ky’s Scott Hall rounded out the top 5 in action. In the Limited Late Model Race, Micheal Wright became only the second driver all season to go to the winner’s circle in his division. The Isom, Kentucky native paced the field in both his heat and feature races in an impressive fashion. Finishing in second behind Wright, was the #14 car of Donald Runyon. James Grigsby came away third, while Brandon Mason beat out Randy fields for the fourth spot. Greg Lucas, winner of the last six feature races at M.M.S.E. was unable to compete in this past Friday night’s races due to engine troubles, but is expected to return to racing in as early as next weekend. Drivers will be competing for the bounty that has been placed on the #32 team, to see who can be the first driver to beat him at the historic track. Eulius Combs Jr. gave his fans something to cheer about as he recorded his first victory of the season in the bomber division. Reggie Ritchie edged out a late charging Kevin Harkins who finished third. #50 Josh Shuffler recorded another top-5 as he finished in fourth and Campton Ky’s JJ Terry came home fifth. Defending Bomber Track Champion and current points leader, Tim Mason also had engine trouble and was unable to compete in this weekend’s events, but is expected to return to racing as early as next weekend as well. Kelly Neace continued his dominating season as he continues to stretch out his points lead, while getting closer to winning another track champion in the 4-cylinder Modifieds. Neace lapped part of the field and was actually close to lapping the third place car of Greg Anderson. Stacy Hall finished second in the #B9 car, but was unable to get around the race winner. D.I. Henson recorded his second win in six days, as he took the checkered flag in the 4-cylinder stock race. Henson, who won last Saturday at 201 Speedway, lead a huge field of cars down the back stretch and coming out of turn four, it would be Henson with the win. His outlaw teammate Shawn Ousley ran close behind in second place, as he held off a challenge by Jason Hall in the #911 car for majority of the night. Defending track champion Roger Burke crossed the finish line in fourth and Ricky Combs finished fifth. Next weekend, drivers will be competing for points in each division. There will also be a “Powder Puff Race,” as the ladies compete next Friday night at Mountain Motor Speedway Express in Isom, Ky. As always, you can catch highlights and interviews from all the local racing action on Channel-26 Sports on Thursday night at 8 P.M. on TVS in Hindman, Ky. LLM winner, Micheal Wright of Isom, Ky |
