crusapr
07-08-2012, 04:14 AM
ALBANY, GA – Larry Harrod of Plains, GA likes to celebrate the birthdays of his crew members, especially on race nights. Harrod took his second NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division win of the season on Saturday night at Albany Motor Speedway. Harrod crew member Justin Welch was also celebrating his birthday on Saturday night.
When Harrod took his first win of the season on May 5 at Malden Speedway in Malden, MO, it was Justin’s dad’s birthday, Harrod crew chief Melvin Welch. After starting 12th, Harrod took the lead on a lap 31 restart, and then held off William Thomas of Phenix City, AL for the $2,500 victory in the 50-lap main event driving the Harrod Logging Special.
“I don’t know how this works out that we win on the birthday of my crew members, but maybe we can work the schedule out where each race night comes on the birthday of one of my crew members, as that strategy seems to work for us,” Harrod said. “I saw William down on the bottom of the track late in the race, so I knew I needed to move down to hold him off.”
Thomas led the first two laps of the race in the J.W. Miller Land and Timber Special, but soon after that had a left-rear tire going down, and he had to pit during a lap six caution period. Thomas returned to the track on the tail of the field, and rallied back to take the second spot back on lap 39 to challenge Harrod for the win.
Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL took his third third-place finish in the last four races in the Edge’s Gas Company Special. Two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN had to borrow a car from Marty Hardy after crashing his own car on Thursday night, and came home in the fourth spot in the Eads Farms/Hardy and Associates Warrior. Gentry was able to lead the race for 20 laps.
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point leader Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA also had tire issues on his Hedman Husler Special on the opening lap of the race, but came from the back of the pack to post a fifth-place finish. Turner still holds a 54-point lead over Gentry in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS point standings.
Mavrick Varnadore of Dover, FL drove the Evergreen Construction Special to a sixth-place finish, and Chris Cantrell of Chester, SC salvaged what started out as a bad night to bring the CANCO Rocket home in the seventh spot.
Cantrell, who was the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Race, hit the turn one wall on his first qualifying lap, and had to start the race from the 21st starting spot. His run to seventh earned Cantrell the Hedman Husler of the Race Award.
Justin Summers of Greenback, TN finished eighth in the J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment Stinger, followed by his teammate Mark Rosner of Maryville, TN in the ninth spot driving the J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment Stinger. Kyle Bridges of Moultrie, GA rounded out the top ten in the Bridges Auto Service Special.
Kelly Walker of Moultrie, GA was the fast qualifier with a lap around the ¼-mile clay oval in 14.542 seconds in the Windy Pond Farms Special. Walker led the field down for the start from the pole position, but a multi-car tangle coming off the second turn brought out the caution flag necessitating a complete restart.
When the field went back to green flag action, it was outside front row starter Thomas taking the lead, followed by Gentry and Walker. Gentry worked to the inside of Thomas in turn one on lap three to take the lead. Steven Roberts of Jesup, GA spun the Roberts Bee Company Special in turn four on lap six to bring out the second caution flag.
Thomas gave up the second spot during the caution period with a cut down left-rear tire. Gentry led Walker, Edge, Frank Wilson of Harold, FL in the Wilson Lumber Trak-Star, and Richie Stephens of Phenix City, AL in The lovestuffonline.com Special down for the double-file restart. Edge got by Walker for the second spot on the restart.
Harrod was also on the move from his 12th starting spot, as he used the double-file restart to race his way from seventh to fourth, and Kitt Sealy of Moultrie, GA in the B&S Concrete Special charged up from the 18th starting spot to settle into the sixth spot on the lap six restart.
The leaders caught the cars on tail of the lead lap by lap 14, and Gentry was quick to put a couple of lapped cars between himself and Edge to open up a half straightaway lead. Cantrell’s troubles continued on lap 22 when he nosed into the turn one wall to light up the caution bulb for the third time. Cantrell was able to continue from the back of the pack for the restart.
Gentry led Edge, Walker, Harrod, Stephens, Sealy, Bridges, Thomas, Wilson and Varnadore down for the restart, and business then picked up for several drivers in the top ten. Bridges spun out of the seventh spot on the restart. On the next attempt to go green, Walker sailed around the outside of Edge and Gentry to take the lead, while Gentry dropped back to the fifth spot.
The caution flag was waved for the fifth time on lap 29 for debris. Walker led Edge, Harrod, Stephens, Gentry, Thomas, Sealy, Varnadore, Turner, and Rosner down for the restart. Gentry and Thomas got by Stephens to take over the fourth and fifth spots respectively.
Another double-file restart was set up on lap 31 after Tristan Sealy of Moultrie, GA spun the B&S Concrete Special in turn two. When the green flag unleashed the field, Harrod passed Edge and Walker to take the lead. Thomas moved up to the third spot with a lap 33 pass on Edge. Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS stalled the Lamar Auto Salvage GRT in turn three on lap 39 to bring out caution flag number seven.
Harrod led Walker, Thomas, Edge, Gentry, Stephens, Varnadore, Turner, Rosner and Summers down for the restart. Thomas sailed around the outside of Walker coming off the fourth turn on the restart to take over the second spot.
Walker slowed on lap 43 with a broken front suspension piece and brought out the eighth caution flag. After running in the top three for most of the race, Walker’s night was over with seven laps to go. Walker’s misfortune earned him the Dominator Race Products Hard Luck of the Race Award.
Several driver s in the top ten went backwards, forward, and backwards again in the last seven laps of the race. When the field went back to green with seven to go, Harrod led Thomas, Edge, Gentry, Stephens, Summers, Turner, Varnadore, Rosner, and Shan Smith of Dade City, FL in the Outlaw Race Parts TNT in the top ten.
Harrod took the outside line in turn one, while Thomas dove for the bottom of the track. The two leaders raced side-by-side coming off the second turn, but Harrod had the faster momentum to keep the point. Summers spun in turn three on lap 45 to bring out the caution. Smith gave up the ninth spot during the caution period, which moved Cantrell and Bridges into the top ten.
Harrod covered the bottom groove to keep Thomas behind him on the next restart. Stephens got into the back of Turner in turn four causing him to spin to bring out the final caution flag on lap 46. After being ticketed with the caution, Stephens went to the pits after surrendering the sixth spot.
The restart for the five lap dash to the finish had Harrod leading Thomas, Edge, Gentry, and Turner in the top five, with Varnadore, Rosner, Cantrell, Bridges and Summers running sixth through tenth respectively.
Harrod stuck to the bottom groove of the track for the final five laps. With nowhere else to go, Thomas tried to make a move on the outside on the last lap of the race, but it was Harrod taking a .471 second margin of victory to the checkered flag. Summers charged from tenth to eighth, and Cantrell came from eighth to seventh in the final five laps.
There was literally and figuratively a buzz in the air at the track before the race. Whether the race would even happen was in question early in the afternoon as a large swarm of bees inhabited the front of the grandstand. A local exterminator was called to the track, who saved the event and cleared the insects from the area.
The next two events for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will be on July 20 and 21 as a part of the 3rd Annual Delta Nationals at Greenville Speedway in Greenville, MS. There will be a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on July 20, followed by a 50-lap $2,500-to-win event on July 21 – Rounds 17 and 18 of the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.
When Harrod took his first win of the season on May 5 at Malden Speedway in Malden, MO, it was Justin’s dad’s birthday, Harrod crew chief Melvin Welch. After starting 12th, Harrod took the lead on a lap 31 restart, and then held off William Thomas of Phenix City, AL for the $2,500 victory in the 50-lap main event driving the Harrod Logging Special.
“I don’t know how this works out that we win on the birthday of my crew members, but maybe we can work the schedule out where each race night comes on the birthday of one of my crew members, as that strategy seems to work for us,” Harrod said. “I saw William down on the bottom of the track late in the race, so I knew I needed to move down to hold him off.”
Thomas led the first two laps of the race in the J.W. Miller Land and Timber Special, but soon after that had a left-rear tire going down, and he had to pit during a lap six caution period. Thomas returned to the track on the tail of the field, and rallied back to take the second spot back on lap 39 to challenge Harrod for the win.
Chase Edge of Lafayette, AL took his third third-place finish in the last four races in the Edge’s Gas Company Special. Two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, TN had to borrow a car from Marty Hardy after crashing his own car on Thursday night, and came home in the fourth spot in the Eads Farms/Hardy and Associates Warrior. Gentry was able to lead the race for 20 laps.
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series point leader Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, GA also had tire issues on his Hedman Husler Special on the opening lap of the race, but came from the back of the pack to post a fifth-place finish. Turner still holds a 54-point lead over Gentry in the NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS point standings.
Mavrick Varnadore of Dover, FL drove the Evergreen Construction Special to a sixth-place finish, and Chris Cantrell of Chester, SC salvaged what started out as a bad night to bring the CANCO Rocket home in the seventh spot.
Cantrell, who was the VP Racing Fuels Rookie of the Race, hit the turn one wall on his first qualifying lap, and had to start the race from the 21st starting spot. His run to seventh earned Cantrell the Hedman Husler of the Race Award.
Justin Summers of Greenback, TN finished eighth in the J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment Stinger, followed by his teammate Mark Rosner of Maryville, TN in the ninth spot driving the J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment Stinger. Kyle Bridges of Moultrie, GA rounded out the top ten in the Bridges Auto Service Special.
Kelly Walker of Moultrie, GA was the fast qualifier with a lap around the ¼-mile clay oval in 14.542 seconds in the Windy Pond Farms Special. Walker led the field down for the start from the pole position, but a multi-car tangle coming off the second turn brought out the caution flag necessitating a complete restart.
When the field went back to green flag action, it was outside front row starter Thomas taking the lead, followed by Gentry and Walker. Gentry worked to the inside of Thomas in turn one on lap three to take the lead. Steven Roberts of Jesup, GA spun the Roberts Bee Company Special in turn four on lap six to bring out the second caution flag.
Thomas gave up the second spot during the caution period with a cut down left-rear tire. Gentry led Walker, Edge, Frank Wilson of Harold, FL in the Wilson Lumber Trak-Star, and Richie Stephens of Phenix City, AL in The lovestuffonline.com Special down for the double-file restart. Edge got by Walker for the second spot on the restart.
Harrod was also on the move from his 12th starting spot, as he used the double-file restart to race his way from seventh to fourth, and Kitt Sealy of Moultrie, GA in the B&S Concrete Special charged up from the 18th starting spot to settle into the sixth spot on the lap six restart.
The leaders caught the cars on tail of the lead lap by lap 14, and Gentry was quick to put a couple of lapped cars between himself and Edge to open up a half straightaway lead. Cantrell’s troubles continued on lap 22 when he nosed into the turn one wall to light up the caution bulb for the third time. Cantrell was able to continue from the back of the pack for the restart.
Gentry led Edge, Walker, Harrod, Stephens, Sealy, Bridges, Thomas, Wilson and Varnadore down for the restart, and business then picked up for several drivers in the top ten. Bridges spun out of the seventh spot on the restart. On the next attempt to go green, Walker sailed around the outside of Edge and Gentry to take the lead, while Gentry dropped back to the fifth spot.
The caution flag was waved for the fifth time on lap 29 for debris. Walker led Edge, Harrod, Stephens, Gentry, Thomas, Sealy, Varnadore, Turner, and Rosner down for the restart. Gentry and Thomas got by Stephens to take over the fourth and fifth spots respectively.
Another double-file restart was set up on lap 31 after Tristan Sealy of Moultrie, GA spun the B&S Concrete Special in turn two. When the green flag unleashed the field, Harrod passed Edge and Walker to take the lead. Thomas moved up to the third spot with a lap 33 pass on Edge. Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS stalled the Lamar Auto Salvage GRT in turn three on lap 39 to bring out caution flag number seven.
Harrod led Walker, Thomas, Edge, Gentry, Stephens, Varnadore, Turner, Rosner and Summers down for the restart. Thomas sailed around the outside of Walker coming off the fourth turn on the restart to take over the second spot.
Walker slowed on lap 43 with a broken front suspension piece and brought out the eighth caution flag. After running in the top three for most of the race, Walker’s night was over with seven laps to go. Walker’s misfortune earned him the Dominator Race Products Hard Luck of the Race Award.
Several driver s in the top ten went backwards, forward, and backwards again in the last seven laps of the race. When the field went back to green with seven to go, Harrod led Thomas, Edge, Gentry, Stephens, Summers, Turner, Varnadore, Rosner, and Shan Smith of Dade City, FL in the Outlaw Race Parts TNT in the top ten.
Harrod took the outside line in turn one, while Thomas dove for the bottom of the track. The two leaders raced side-by-side coming off the second turn, but Harrod had the faster momentum to keep the point. Summers spun in turn three on lap 45 to bring out the caution. Smith gave up the ninth spot during the caution period, which moved Cantrell and Bridges into the top ten.
Harrod covered the bottom groove to keep Thomas behind him on the next restart. Stephens got into the back of Turner in turn four causing him to spin to bring out the final caution flag on lap 46. After being ticketed with the caution, Stephens went to the pits after surrendering the sixth spot.
The restart for the five lap dash to the finish had Harrod leading Thomas, Edge, Gentry, and Turner in the top five, with Varnadore, Rosner, Cantrell, Bridges and Summers running sixth through tenth respectively.
Harrod stuck to the bottom groove of the track for the final five laps. With nowhere else to go, Thomas tried to make a move on the outside on the last lap of the race, but it was Harrod taking a .471 second margin of victory to the checkered flag. Summers charged from tenth to eighth, and Cantrell came from eighth to seventh in the final five laps.
There was literally and figuratively a buzz in the air at the track before the race. Whether the race would even happen was in question early in the afternoon as a large swarm of bees inhabited the front of the grandstand. A local exterminator was called to the track, who saved the event and cleared the insects from the area.
The next two events for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series will be on July 20 and 21 as a part of the 3rd Annual Delta Nationals at Greenville Speedway in Greenville, MS. There will be a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race on July 20, followed by a 50-lap $2,500-to-win event on July 21 – Rounds 17 and 18 of the 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet DLMS season.
For more information about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.