Texas Speedzone - Southern Challenge, Friday 10-19-07

12th Annual Southern Challenge @ Abilene Speedway, 10/19-21/07

Abilene, Tx., (Oct. 19th, 2007) Nearly 250 drivers and teams from eight states were greeted by sunny warm days and cool nights as the 12th Annual Southern Challenge kicked off on the 1/4 mile, semi-banked red clay track for the first night of qualifying. The inside rows for Sunday's Big A-main would be set through heats, B-qualifiers and A-qualifier that would take the top five, positions 6-10 were also up for grabs in Sunday's Big B-main.

Richard Snider and crew, had the track in excellent condition providing the drivers from Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Arkansas and Missouri a multi-groove track that lasted through the features.

Fletcher Motorsports, IMCA Modified heats, winner to A-qualifier
Heat winners
1. 145 Greg Dinsmore, Kerrville
2. 120 Rodney Sanders, Happy
3. 715 J P Dowell, Killeen
4. 71 Kevin Sustaire, Emory
5. 03 Mike Hathcock, Venus
6. 85 Neal Flowers, Hobbs, NM.
7. 137 David Trauernicht. Beatrice, Nebr.
8. 144 Scotty Brown, Dallas
9. 34 Chance Kimberling, Seagoville
10. 118 Tim Clonch, Cash

IMCA Modified B-mains, top 2 to A-qualifier
1. 717 G W Egbert, 78 Trevor Egbert(707 P J Egbert-Black flagged-was 2nd)
2. 41 Monte Bolton, 19 David Elliott
3. 31 Robert Brinkman, 718 Cody Smith
4. 48 Danny Patterson, 83 Darryl Campbell
5. 23 Greg Atwood, 357 Brian Killingsworth

Sanders Sweeps Southern Challenge Mod Field

Neal Flowers and Rodney Sanders paced the 20-car IMCA Modified field to green for the 20-lap A-qualifier. Sanders quickly bolted into the lead with a good jump going into turn 1, while Chance Kimberling slid into the infield. In the pack, Mike Hathcock, Scotty Brown and Kevin Sustaire were three wide for fifth until an infield tire kicked on the track brought out a caution on lap 1. Sustaire got past Brown on the restart, while Tim Clonch and J P Dowell were wheel to wheel for third.

Sustaire moved in on that battle making it three wide with Clonch getting the position. Sustaire and Dowell continued to run side by side for fourth with David Trauernicht and G W Egbert wheel to wheel for seventh. Clonch and Sustaire caught Flowers for second with Clonch getting the spot on lap 8. Coming to the crossed flags it was Sanders, with a good lead, Clonch, Sustaire, Sustaire, Flowers and Dowell in to the top five

With five to go, Sanders was still puling away from Clonch who was being reeled in by Sustaire. Dowell and Flowers had thier own batle going on for fifth with Dowell getting by on lap 17. Sustaire was able to run down Clonch and was looking inside
for second on lap 18, while Monte Bolton was trying to find a way past Flowers for the final Big A-main transfer. At the finish it was Sanders by a big margin grabbing the victory.
“I tried to stay out front, be smooth and not mess up,” said Sanders, “We do a lot of maintenance and go over the car real for these big races. Make sure that everything is done right. Then recheck it all over.”
“We may tighten the car for the big race Sunday. Then I have to just be smooth again.”
Sponsors; Lone Star Machine, J&J Air Drilling, Palmer Painting, Reeds Cabinets, Hughes Chassis, Marcus Sanders Engine.

IMCA Modified A-Qualifier, top 5 to Big A-main, 6-10 to Big B-main
1. 120 Rodney Sanders
2. 118 Tim Clonch
3. 71 Kevin Sustaire
4. 715 J P Dowell
5. 86 Neal Flowers
6. 41 Monte Bolton
7. 144 Scotty Brown
8. 717 G W Egbert
9. 31 Robert Brinkman
10. 19 David Elliott
11. 78 Trevor Egbert
12. 145 Greg Dinsmore
13. 718 Cody Smith
14. 357 Brian Killingsworth
15. 03 Mike Hathcock
16. 83 Darryl Campbell
17. 137 David Trauernicht
18. 23 Greg Atwood
19. 48 Danny Patterson
20. 34 Chance Kimberling

Rhino Linings IMCA Hobby Stock heat, top 4 to A-qualifier
1. 11 Roy Polk, 38 Allen Montgomery, 44 Bryan Sewell, 73 Gene Hadley
2. 60 Nathan Sodek, 17 Chris Ater, 18 Matt Slemmons, 37 Steven Abbey
3. 601 Randy Sodek, 8 Murray Haugen II, 46 Billy Taylor, 12 Robert Barnett

IMCA Hobby Stock B-main, top 8 to A-qualifier
1. 148 Justin Fowler, 33 Charles Cosper, 177 John Ross, 371 Lynn Gibson, 1 Willie Free, 6 Caleb Stone, 43 Barrett Hutchinson, 07 Stephen Robison

Haugen Hustles to Hobby Stock Honors

In the IMCA Hobby Stock A-qualifier, Randy Sodek got the lead going into turn 1, but Murray Huagen II got the point coming out of turn 1 to lead lap 1. Bryan Sewell and Matt Slemmons got by Sodek for second and third with Sewell quickly on Huagens bumper. Yellow waved on lap 2 when John Ross broke and stopped in turn 4. Haugen and Sewell got away clean on the restart, but Steven Abbey spun on the front stretch to bring yellow back out.

Once back to green Haugen and Sewell showed they were the class of the field as they again pulled ahead. Sewell would take an occasional look under Haugen in the corners, but Haugen would get the run off to hold he lead. Allen Montgomery moved up to sixth on lap 5 getting around Gene Hadley. Robert Barnett brought the yellow out on lap 7 when he broke and spun in turn 1, with Abbey spinning behind him.

Haugen and Sewell looked like as dance duet as they again motored away from the field. At halfway the top five were Haugen, Sewell, Sodek, Roy Polk and Slemmons, who slipped from third. Sewell kept the pressure on Haugen for the lead, with Montgomery getting by Slemmons for fifth on lap 12. In the pack Hadley and Justin Fowler were scrapping for eighth when contact was made sending Fowler around, and Hadley to the pits.

With Haugen and Sewell geting the jump again, Chris Ater moved in on Montgomery for fifth. Sewell tried again to duck under Haugen with five to go, but to no avail. As Sodek and Polk battled door to door for third, Ater was using the high side to try get by Montgomery and along side Sodek. On lap 17, Sodek, Polk and Montgomery were three wide in turn 3 for fourth. Polk got clipped in that fight and found himself in turn 4 tire barrier.

Charles Cosper spun himself around on the restart losing a top ten spot. Sewell was looking for one last chance to get by Haugen for the win, but came up short as Haugen held on to take the win. Ater spun on the final lap giving up a transfer spot and falling out of the top ten.
“It took a lot of patience and a good handling car,” said Haugen. “And luck”
“I think my chances(Sunday) are pretty good, Starting out front helps, rather than starting in the middle of the pack. It’s a lot harder to get to the front that way. I think we’re alright starting up front.”
“I don’t think we’re much father ahead than the southern guys in our Hobby Stocks. There’s some pretty fast cars down here. If anything we may be a little ahead, but I don’t know how much or why.
Sponsors; Reedy Machine & Fab, NAPA, Wenske Automotive, The Ram Place, Red Line Race Graffix, Gillan Electric, Diamond Engines, Razor Chassis.

IMCA Hobby Stock A-qualifier, top 5 to Big A-main, 6-10 to Big B-main
1. 8. Murray Haugen II
2. 44 Bryan Sewell
3. 601 Randy Sodek
4. 38 Allen Montgomery
5. 18 Matt Slemmons
6. 07 Stephen Robison
7. 371 Lynn Gibson(Gave up spot to requalify)
8. 148 Justin Fower(Gave up spot to requalify)
9. 43 Barrett Hutchinson(Gave up spot to requalify)
10. 11 Roy Polk
11. 1 Willie Free
12. 17 Chris Ater(Gave up spot to requalify)
13. 33 Charles Cosper("")
14. 6 Caleb Stone("")
15. 73 Gene Hadley("")
16. 37 Steven Abbey("")
17. 12 Robert Barnett
18. 46 Billy Taylor
19. 177 John Ross
60 Nathan Sodek---DNS

Jeffs Performance, IMCA Southern SportMods, winner to A-qualifier
1. 911 Josh McGaha, Clyde
2. 38 Matt Mueller, Stamford
3. 11 Keith White, Acadamy
4. 2 Allen Colyer, Abilene
5. 41 Jeff Turner, Kaufman
6. 98 T J Huston, McAllen

IMCA Southern SportMod B-mains, top 5 to A-qualifier
1. 55 Justin Shaw, 661 Johnny Torres, 28 Gabe Tucker, 23 Greg Atwood, 48 Bradley Poor(118 Tim Clonch, DQ originally 1st)
2. 4 Shane Priddy, 0 Donnie Pederson, 01 Ryan Bard, 224 Mike McDougal, 123 Tanner Cox
3. 71 Cody Smith, 14 Kenneth Graves, 34 J D Berryhill, 16 Triston Sikes, 95 Steve Hayes

White on a Roll, Wins Another One

Two-time IMCA Southern SportMod National Champion, Keith White jumped into the lead at the start of the 20-car, 20-lap A-Qualifier. Josh McGaha and Allen Colyer dueled side by side for second, with T J Huston and 2007 SSM Champ, Jeff Turner wheel to wheel for fifth. McGaha secured second on lap 2, while Huston and Turner caught Matt Mueller for fourth. Huston, digging on the bottom got clear of Turner and moved along side Mueller taking fourth on lap 5.

Up front, White had put distance on McGaha who had a good margin back to Colyer. After a yellow to black flag Bradley Poor, Huston jumped on Colyer to grab third when the race went back to green. Turner and Mueller were now side by side for fifth, with Cody Smith closing on both. At the midway point, White held a god edge over McGaha, Huston, Colyer and Turner.

Colyer slid high in turn, with Turner making the pass for fourth on lap 11. Huston was reeling in McGaha for second, with Colyer fighting back with Turner for the spot. That battle continued for a couple laps until Turner finally got the spot for good on lap 16. In the final laps, White kept inching away from McGaha and Huston. Turner and Smith both got past Colyer to complete the top five transfer spots. As the white flag waved, White held the advantage over McGaha an Huston, as Kenneth Graves was spinning, from a Big B-main transfer spot. White, winner of three big post season shows in a row, easily took the win.
“I think the biggest thing was drawing the number one pill after the heat win,” replied White. “It helped us a bunch. Of course we did start at the back of the heat race and came through, but don’t if we could through the rest of them that way.”
“Watching the other races I thought the top was going to be there. I didn’t think bottom was going to be the fastest way. I did see (Josh) McGaha poke in there on the restarts. It wasn’t bad down there, but I think the top the way to keep momentum up.”
“We found a few things in the car before the TMS race. It worked really well. We changed a couple little things, but when you’re on a roll, you’re on a roll.”
Sponsors; Tracys Auto Sales, Belton Pipe & Steel, Finishline Restoration, D&S Painting, Central Texas Pest Control, Pflugerville Engine & Machine, Big Chief Chassis.

IMCA Southern SportMod A-qualifier, top 5 to Big A-main, 6-10 to Big B-main
1. 11 Keith White
2. 911 Josh McGaha
3. 98 T J Huston
4. 41 Jeff Turner
5. 71 Cody Smith
5. 2 Allen Colyer
6. 38 Matt Mueller
7. 661 Johnny Torres
8. 23 Greg Atwood
9. 4 Shane Priddy
10. 0 Donnie Pederson
11. 55 Justin Shaw
12. 01 Ryan Bard
13. 16 Triston Sikes
14. 123 Tanner Cox
15. 34 J D Berryhill
16. 224 Mike McDougal
17. 95 Steve Hayes
18. 14 Kenneth Graves
19. 28 Gabe Tucker
20. 48 Bradley Poor

Destroyer Chassis, IMCA Stock heats, top 2 to A-qualifier
1. 47 Rex Higgins, 26 Allen Bradley
2. 83 Chad Estes, 144 Scotty Brown
3. 88 Lee Moss, 25 Jason Gore
4. 19 Jason Batt, 44 Fred Wojtek

IMCA Stock Car B-main, top 6 to A-qualifier
1. 34 Tim Pyle, 106 Jeremy Wooley, 221 Duain Pritchett, 21 Joe Colyer, 3 Daniel Parker, 122 Bill Brzezinski
2. 14 Jeff Turner, 22 Billy Wade, 125 Terry Owen, 64 Cary White, 97 Jack Dempsey, 82 Charlie Iker

Gore Grabs I-Stock Scramble

The 20-car IMCA Stock Car field stayed two by tw as the green waved on the 20-lap A-Qualifier. Jason Gore inched to the lead, while Chad Estes made a bold charge to pick up positions to fifth. Lee Moss slipped too high, allowing Allen Bradley and Estes to move to third and fourth. Jason Batt saw his night end early when he went up in smoke. Batt was able to pull off the track, but not out of the pit exit to bring out the yellow.

Once back to green, the top seven broke away from the pack as Gore inched ahead of Fred Wojtek. Moss retook fourth spot from Estes on lap 4 and began looking inside Bradley. Yellow waved on lap 7 when Terry Owen ended up in the turn 2 wall. On the restart Estes tried high on Moss, but Scotty Brown moved by Estes and challenged Moss, while Jeff Turner followed. Those spots continued to change as Estes tried to make the high groove work.

At halfway it was Gore, Wojtek, Bradley, Estes and Brown in the top five. Estes, still on the top side, got by Bradley on lap 11 for third. Brown and Turner also went by Bradley as the top was working best. Estes ran down Wojtek for second and made the pass on lap 13. In the pack, Rex Higins, Tim Pyle and Duain Pritchett were frieght-training Moss for seventh-ninth. Estes reeled in Gore on lap 16, but never was able to mount a serious challenge as Gore snagged the checkers.
“I just stayed smooth,” stated Gore. “I listened for some of the guys like Duain(Pritchett) coming up behind me. I never saw any other them. I think my I’ll be alright on Sunday as long as I stay smooth”
Sponsors: RCS Speed Specialties, Tim Clonch Chassis

IMCA Stock Car A-Qualifier, top 5 to Big A-main, 6-10 to Big B-main
1. 25 Jason Gore
2. 83 Chad Estes
3. 44 Fred Wojtek
4. 144 Scotty Brown
5. 14 Jeff Turner
6. 26 Allen Bradley
7. 47 Rex Higgins
8. 34 Tim Pyle
9. 88 Lee Moss
10. 106 Jeremy Wooley
11. 22 Bily Wade
12. 21 Joe Colyer
13. 97 Jack Dempsey
14. 64 Cary White
15. 122 Bill Brzezinski
16. 3 Daniel Parker
17. 82 Charlie Parker
18. 125 Terry Owen
19. 19 Jason Batt
221 Duain Pritchett, DQ pulled off(to requalify) on back stretch, originally 9th