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View Full Version : Davenport Tops Bloomquist & Roberts To Win March Madness!



FASTRAKPR
03-18-2011, 08:41 AM
Jonathan Davenport snapped out of his early season slump by winning March Madness at Cherokee Speedway and capturing the $10,000 winner’s check. Davenport’s victory also made history as he established himself as the only 2 time winner of the prestigious event.

The action began early in the day as rookie Chip Brindle continued to turn heads as he took the Shell Racing Solutions fast time award by laying down a lap of 16.387 besting efforts by Scott Bloomquist and Ross Bailes. Casey Roberts, Chip Brindle, and Ross Bailes all dominated their respective heat races, as each were viewed to be favorites heading into the 60 lap feature.

Teams and drivers were pitched a curve ball when track officials decided it was time to roll the water truck in an effort to provide the best racing surface possible for the drivers and the fans. "That was an awesome decision, it made the race fun to drive and entertaining for the fans" stated Mt. Holly, N.C's Chris Ferguson, who came home with another top 5 in Ultimate SLM action. Ferguson is now just 1 point out of the points lead.

Once the feature rolled onto the race track, fireworks outside turn 4 was the signal for the 4 wide salute as the drivers came by with arms out, waving at the fans. Outside pole sitter Ross Bailes unable to make the call for the feature due to oil pressure problems. Davenport was then able to slide up to the 2nd starting position. Using the outside starting position Davenport grabbed the quick early lead, as the pace heated up with drivers searching for the outside racing line. After taking the lead using the outside, Superman, as Davenport is commonly referred to, quickly opted to use the inside starting position during the ULTIMATE’s “Choose” restart format. This move was quickly thought to be a bad decision as Ultimate Series points leader Casey Roberts was able to grab the lead from the outside of row one on the restart. Roberts would hold the race lead until the next caution, where he decided to use the inside line. Davenport quickly chose the outside line and regained his lead on the ensuing restart. Back through the field, there was racing from top to bottom as Jared Landers, Chris Madden and Scott Bloomquist were all using the top side to make charges through the stellar field.

At the end of the day, the 0 car Scott Bloomquist was thought to be the only car that had a shot at Davenport, as he used the outside line to pass Casey Roberts on the final restart. With only 9 laps remaining, it was not going to happen, as "Superman" opened set sail to the rest of the field. Scott Bloomquist came home 2nd followed by Casey Roberts in 3rd, rookie sensation Chip Brindle 4th, and Chris Ferguson rounded out the top 5.

" I was really surprised when Casey choose the inside line on that restart, I was a lot better on the bottom, but I knew the top line was there as there were some guys using it to their advantage" said a smiling Davenport as he posed for pictures in victory lane beside his #49 Barry Wright Race Car.

Partners of the ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series include Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, City Chevrolet, Shell Racing Solutions, NOS Energy Drink, Big A’s Custom Graphics, & Vicci Apparel



Finish Car Driver

1 49 Jonathan Davenport
2 0 Scott Bloomquist
3 101 Casey Roberts
4 21B Chip Brindle
5 22 Chris Ferguson
6 2 Rambo Franklin
7 1D Brent Dixon
8 3 Austin Dillon
9 09 Johnny Pursley
10 17M Dale McDowell
11 41 Ty Dillon
12 57 Zack Mitchell
13 09P John Pursley
14 93 Donald Bradsher
15 44 Chris Madden
16 777 Jared Landers
17 16 Daniel Baggerly
18 2X John Henderson Jr
19 16C Colby Cannon
20 98 Casey Barrow
21 17MG Mike Gault
22 B4 Petey Ivey
23 A187 David Mccoy
24 87 Ross Bailes
25 18M Jeff Smith
26 4 Jonathan Warlick