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Lucas turns fast time in Southern 100 qualifying, Schrader wins first of weekends
two Open-Wheel Modified events
By Bob Smith
(MIlton, FL - Nov 16, 2007) -- Shep Lucas piloted the familiar Abaca
Mortgage/Signature Construction rocket around Southern Raceway's 3/8 mile of
clay in a blistering lap of 15.900 seconds to lay claim to the Southern 100's pole
position. Lucas, no stranger to turning laps and winning at Southern Raceway will
lead the field of 24 Crate Late Models to the green with Frankie Beard (21) on his
outside. Beard cruised around the banked speedway to the tune of 15.968
second. Third fastest was NASCAR star Ken Schrader posting a time of 16.205 in
the Red Barron Pizza number 99. Rounding out the "Quick 4" was William Thomas
(21) with a 16.240.
The top four positions were locked-in while almost the remainder of the field came
from the top two finishers in each of eight heat races. Tonight will be the last
chance races to complete the starting field of 24. Qualifying through their heat
races were; Heat 1; 1. Larry Boutwell (58), 2. Chip Brindle (38c) Heat 2; 1. Mike
Boland (222), 2. Randy Chupp (51) Heat 3; 1. Jordy Nipper (119), 2. Stacy Roberts
(11) Heat 4; 1. James Ussery (71), 2. Dewayne Aldridge (07) Heat 5; 1. Ronnie
Johnson (5), 2. Larry Harrod (27) Heat 6; 1. Stephen Brantley (02), 2. Frank
Wilson (72) Heat 7; 1. Frank Ingram (F9), 2. Jeff Fortner (27) and Heat 8; 1. Devin
Jones (00), 2. Brian Lieon (444).
The Southern 100 is 100 laps without a fuel stop for 24 starters. The winners share
is a cool $10,000 to win while the field pays a minimum of $500 to take the green
flag. It's sure to be an exciting night at the Milton speedway and one you won't want
to miss with a host of heavy hitters from the dirt late model racing community on
hand.
NASCAR driver Ken Schrader burned up the track in the number 9, Red Barron
Pizza, Open-Wheel Modified to take the first of two $1000-to-win Open Wheel
Modified events of the weekend. If Schrader can back up last nights victory with
one tonight he will gain an additional $1000 bonus for sweeping the weekend! A
very good payday potentially awaits Schrader should he take both modified events
and, starting third, the Southern 100!
Aaron Perritt lead the field fof 23 modifieds to the initial green but yellow flew fast
as Rusty Cooper and Josh Kimmons went around in turn one without a lap in the
books. A complete restart followed with Perritt pulling to the lead over John Melton,
Chris Smith, Greg Hopkins and Schrader but again it was the yellow flag when
Jason Barnhill went around in turn one, stacking up several cars low in the turn.
The next attempt to get a start was single file with Perritt leading Melton. Smith
quickly advanced to second, shuffling Melton back as Schrader rocketed up into
third before caution flew for Kevin Peel who lost a driveshaft and came to rest low
at the entrance to turn one. Perritt led at the yellow with Smith second, Schrader
third, Melton fourth and Hopkins in fifth.
Under green once more the duel for the lead went three-way between Perritt, Smith
and Schrader. Lap two saw Schrader advance to the point with Smith pulling to
second over Perritt. Caution slowed the pace again at lap four of the scheduled 30
lap event when Michael Porter turned it around in turn two. Schrader led Smith to
the caution with Perritt third, Melton fourth and Hopkins in fifth.
Resuming green flag racing Hopkins pulled to fourth over Melton on lap six as
Schrader began opening the distance between himself and Smith. At lap seven
Barnhill climbed into fifth. Lap eleven saw Hopkins move into third with Barnhill
climbing to fourth. The longer the green ran, the more Schrader opened the gap to
second place Smith as he smoothly worked through lapped traffic.
Caution reared its head once more on lap seventeen when Pop Booker spun in
turn three with Schrader leading Smith followed by Hopkins, Barnhill and Perritt.
Back under green Schrader again began stretching out the distance to Smith in
second while Hopkins continued a great run in third. A short Red came out on lap
twenty when Kimmons and Leb Morris tangled in turn four.
The battle to watch in the closing laps was the duel for the sixth spot as Melton and
Randy Booker turned several side-by-side laps with Melton emerging in the spot
and set his sights on Perritt running fifth. With the laps ticking away quickly under
green Melton mounted a charge on Perritt taking over the position before the
checkers waved.
Schrader remained dominant to the checkers, his lead grown, then removed under
caution, and opened back up several times. Smith, strong in second remained in
the position nearly the entire feature while Hopkins took a solid third. Barnhill
crossed in the fourth spot with Melton securing fifth.
Finish: 1. Ken Schrader (9) 2. Chris Smith (88) 3. Greg Hopkins (25) 4. Jason
Barnhill (1) 5. John Melton (39) 6. Aaron Perritt (28) 7. Randy Booker (26) 8. Rusty
Cooper (71) 9. Pop Booker (4) 10. Darrell George (88) 11. Bobby Morrison (117)
12. Todd Jones (0) 13. Leb Morris (1m) 14. Jim Derfoldi (32) 15. Tony Robinson
(58) 16. Joeyu Bartlett (1) 17. Eddie Tribble (73) 18. Buster Foley (777) 19. Josh
Kimmons (38) 20. Michael Porter (22) 21. Jody Blankenship (44) 22. Kevin Peel
(18) 23. Jeff Mikkelson (46)
Tonight will be the Southern 100; 100 laps for $10,000 to win! Along with the
Southern 100 will be last chance races to complete the field of twenty-four and a
second $1000 to win Modified event. Gates open at 12 noon with racing to begin at
7pm. Southern Raceway is located on Nichols Lake Road in Milton FL. From I-10,
take highway 87 south to the flashing light and turn left onto Nichols Lake Rd. The
track will be about a half mile on the right. For the latest info from Southern
Raceway visit their website at www.southernraceway.com.
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1. Shep Lucas
2. Ken Schrader
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