3/18/2012

County Line Raceway

March 17th Race Recap

What a beautiful day for racing? Temps in the lower 80's during the day, and 70's as we started our group qualifying sessions for tonight's events at County Line Raceway. On tap for tonight, the Rapid Red Racing Supply Thunder & Lightning Special (25 laps - $1000 to win) as well as the DRU Inc. Open Wheel Modifieds, Barnes Equipment Inc Late Models & the Wall's Roofing U-Car Clash.

Up first, the Rapid Red Racing Supply Thunder & Lightning division. With $1000 up for grabs, Michael Batten, last week's winner & Luke Owens would lead the field to the green. As they drag raced down the front stretch, Michael Batten would have the advantage and as they thundered out of turn two, he tried to put some distance between him and Owens. A caution would come out for a spin involving 2 cars in turn 2. As they came to the restart, James Meredith would spin right as they came out of turn 4, causing a couple of other cars to spin to avoid. All 3 would continue as none of them suffered damage that would remove them from the race. Michael Batten again would lead them to the green with Luke Owens in 2nd, Kevin Abbott 3rd, David Upchurch 4th and Wade Ferrell 5th. Another caution would come out for Travis Harp when he made contact with the wall on the backstretch. With 5 laps complete, and the green flag in the air, Batten again lead Owens to the line. Quickly putting distance between him and Owens, Batten would continue to lead the field until we were slowed again for debris on the front stretch. Back green and Batten is still out front. Owens continued to challenge Batten to no avail, and settled into second. Kevin Abbott remained in the 3rd spot, followed by David Upchurch and Wade Ferrell. Further back in the field, Lynn Combs and Ethan Wilson battle for the 6th spot with Combs holding off the young man. Caution again for a solo spin on the backstretch on lap 9 would slow the field yet again, but we would go green quickly until another caution would come out for a spin in 4. Lynn Combs would spin and collect Johnnie Hamilton, who would retreat to the pits. After a few pace laps to roll in the moisture on the track from Hamilton's ride, we were back green. Batten continues to lead Owens, Abbott, Upchurch and Ferrell, but Ethan Wilson would challenge Ferrell for that 5th spot as we came to the half way mark. Wilson would pass Ferrell and bring Mark McDaniels with him. As the laps wound down, the field spread out and Batten started to catch the tail of the field. Owens would continue to chase down the leader but couldn't get him as Batten brought home the win. Luke Owens would come home 2nd, Kevin Abbott 3rd, David Upchurch 4th and Ethan Wilson would round out the top 5. Congratulations Michael Batten on the win & the $1000 payday!

Our second feature, the Barnes Equipment Inc Late Models with Daniel Tucker, last week's winner on the pole and JP Cascell on the outside. These 15 Late Models thundered down the front stretch to take the green flag but would not complete a lap as a couple of cars got together in turn 1 bringing out the caution. Lining back up for another restart, Daniel Tucker would again lead them to the green flag but JP Cascell would take the lead out of 1 and bring Travis Hair with him to take the second spot. Daniel Tucker tried to hold off Russell Jones who was challenging for the 3rd spot and Dustin Mitchell would pass Ray Tucker for 5th. Skeeter Liles would bring out the caution on lap 5 as he slowed down the front stretch. Back green with Cascell still out front of Hair, Tucker, Jones and Mitchell. Jones would again try to challenge Daniel Tucker for that 3rd spot but couldn't make the pass as Mitchell quickly closed in on that 4th place spot. Mitchell would complete the pass out of turn 2 before going to work on Daniel Tucker for 3rd. JP Cascell continued to lead by about 3 car lengths over Travis Hair, while about 5 car lengths separated him from Mitchell. Christian Joyner 7th spot would challenge Ray Tucker for 6th but couldn't get around him. Moving up through the field, Damon Kotke would take over 9th spot from Roger Lucas as JP Cascell began to catch the tail of the field. Travis Hair and Dustin Mitchell would run side by side fighting for the 2nd spot taking it out of turn 3. Chasing down JP at the 23 lap mark Mitchell would attempt to make the pass as the caution came out for debris. Back green, Cascell in the lead, Mitchell wanting it. With 5 to go, Mitchell would get along side of Cascell on the front stretch but could not make the pass, he'd try it again on the next lap, still unable to get around Cascell! Fans were on their feet watching these to 2 guys race side by side, coming to the white flag Mitchell would be out front of Cascell. Mitchell would bring home the win after leading the last 2 laps. WOW what a race!! Fans if you missed this race, check out MPH Productions and get a DVD. Ken Bartlett will have them at the track next week. JP Cascell would come home 2nd after leading 23 laps. Great job JP! Coming home 3rd Travis Hair, followed by Russell Jones and Ray Tucker rounded out the top 5.

Our special guests tonight, the Wall's UCar Clash would line up for their 25 lap feature with Keith Brame on the pole. Ben Walker would start out in the 2nd spot. These cars are stock 4 cylinders that normally race on asphalt around the Carolina's and Virginia. This race would go caution free with Mark Dean bringing home the win. Special thanks to Larry Walls for coming out to support County Line and giving these guys the opportunity to race on dirt!