FUEL525SERIES
07-07-2014, 09:36 AM
For the third time in 2014, Ross Bailes rose to the top and never looked back as the Clover, SC native won his 3rd race of 2014 in the FUEL Racing Series Saturday at Friendship Motor Speedway. Bailes became the first back to back winner this season and scored his 2nd series win at Friendship in as many visits for FUEL to the Elkin, NC track. "This thing was a rocket ship," said Bailes. "The groove was up top and once I got up there it took off. I went down into turn 1 on a restart on the outside, drove it in deep, and it stuck. After that, I stayed on the top." In Klotz Synthetic Lubricants Time Trials, it would once again be a shining moment for Bailes as he set quick time by posting a 16.133. He was followed closely by Ricky Weeks with his lap of 16.163. R.E. Suspension Heat Race #1 would produce an intense battle as Bailes would hold off a hard charging Billy Hicks to earn the heat race victory. In KRC Power Steering Heat Race #2, for the 2nd straight race, Ricky Weeks would take home the win followed closely by Brett Hamm. After a redraw of the top 2 finishers from each heat race, Ricky Weeks would draw the pole for the 40 lap feature, followed by Hamm, Hicks and Bailes. Off the start, Weeks would jump out front and control the race early onfollowed by Brett Hamm. While Weeks established himself at the point, Bailes would battle intensely with Hicks for the 3rd position. After several laps of tough nose fighting, Hicks would finally relent and Bailes would get by for 3rd. Bailes would eventually slide by Hamm to position himself behind the race leader. Following the first caution of the night, Bailes would go to the high side for a restart and was able to put his #75 out in front of Weeks for the lead. As Bailes began building himself a lead, several contenders were having troubles of their own. Over a series of cautions, Kennie Compton Jr.,Ryan Atkins, and Ricky Weeks would all fall out in separate incidents. That would open the door for series newcomer Steve Banal. Banal moved around Hicks and into 2nd place. Banal tried hard, but Bailes was not to be denied as he streaked away from the field for the victory. Banal would hold on for a runner up finish in his first FUEL event of the season and Hicks claimed 3rd as Donald Bradsher and Brett Hamm rounded out the top 5. Up next for the FUEL Racing Series will be a July 12th race at Cherokee Speedway. After being rained out on July 3rd, the series returns to the Gaffney, SC venue for event #6 of the season. CITY CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE PARTS Main Event Results: Ross Bailes, Steve Banal, Billy Hicks, Donald Bradsher, Brett Hamm, Mitchell Coble, Pat Lindsay, Greg Knight, Gary Wood, Ricky Weeks, Kenny Van Derveer, Ryan Atkins, Lance Reynolds, Kennie Compton Jr. R.E. SUSPENSION Heat Race #1 Results: Ross Bailes, Billy Hicks, Ryan Atkins, Kennie Compton Jr., Kenny VanDerveer, Donald Bradsher, Lance Reynolds KRC POWER STEERING Heat Race #2 Results: Ricky Weeks, Brett Hamm, Steve Banal, Mitchell Coble, Greg Knight, Pat Lindsay, Gary Wood KLOTZ SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS Time Trials: Ross Bailes 16.133, Ricky Weeks 16.163, Kennie Compton Jr. 16.180, Steve Banal 16.219, Billy Hicks 16.265, Brett Hamm 16.265, Ryan Atkins 16.418, Mitchell Coble 16.492, Donald Bradsher 16.558, Greg Knight 16.621, Lance Reynolds 16.662, Pat Lindsay 16.878, Kenny Van Derveer 17.025, Gary Wood 17.190 For more information about FUEL Racing Series, visit the website(fuelracingseries.com), find us on Facebook (FUEL Racing Series), and follow us on Twitter (FUEL525SERIES). Partners of the FUEL Racing Series include Chevrolet Performance, City Chevrolet Performance Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire, State Water Heaters, Klotz Synthetics, RE Suspension, KRC, Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas, B&B Motorsports, Flag To Flag, Kenny Lamb Racing Engines, Heintz Brothers Performance, Performance Tees, D&E Marine, WP Racing Shocks, Renegade Race Fuels, JRi Shocks, Beyea Headers, Eibach Springs, The Joie of Seating, To The Point, Gale Force Suspensions, Roush Yates Performance Products, AR Bodies, Insane Racing Graphics, Velocita, Superior Trailers, Local Race Chat, and Thomas Clarke Performance.