kadams1991
03-07-2016, 06:54 AM
(March 6, 2016 – Senoia, GA) Ninty-six drivers signed in for the first night of the 2016 racing season at Senoia Raceway on Saturday night. By the end of the racing action, seven of them stood the tallest in victory lane. Whitesburg’s Austin Horton outdueled Senoia’s Clint ‘Cat Daddy’ Smith and McDonough’s Cody King with a last lap pass in the Super Late Model feature while Winston’s Michael Page bested Horton in the Limited Late Models with a pass coming to the finish line.
“That Super Late Model finish was one of the best small track race finishes I’ve seen in 40 years of watching races,” said race fan Justin Osterlander. “The Limited Late Model race was great also. The new track surface is a success.”
Drivers were anxious to test the new racing surface installed only two weeks prior to the season opener. A new gumbo gray clay was laid down and created somewhat of a curveball to the veteran drivers at the ‘Bull Ring’. The result Saturday night was low levels of dust and fantastic side by side racing in all divisions.
“Our off-season research was pretty intense,” explained track promoter Mayes Massey. “This gumbo clay was found in southern Georgia. It has a high content of clay and smaller amounts of sand and mica. This first night was good, but we will continue to work it and learn more about it.”
If the racing stays like it did on Saturday, they will not have to change a thing. The Super Late Models put on one of the best racing shows seen in years. After Augusta hot shoe Brian Ligon set a new track record during qualifying, Cody King would steal his thunder taking the feature race’s initial lead. Ligon worked back past King on the second circuit leaving King to battle with Gray’s Jordy Nipper. Behind the top three were Austin Horton and Clint Smith who had made their way past Thomaston’s Shane Fulcher and Douglasville’s ‘Racin’ Mason Massey.
Nipper was able to work past King after a great side by side battle. Nipper than reeled in Ligon using lapped traffic to gain the lead position on lap 12 before a caution slowed the field at the halfway mark of the thirty-lap main event. Fayetteville’s Ashton Winger and Ricky Williams along with Newnan’s Marcus Caswell crashed on the back stretch causing the race’s first caution.
On the restart, Horton launched his ride past Ligon to snare second with Clint Smith dropping the fast qualifier another spot on the next lap. Horton was closing on Nipper when a loud bang was heard on the front stretch and then Nipper’s mount rolled to a stop on the back stretch. The unfortunate turn of events and caution handed the lead to Austin Horton.
Seven laps remained when Cody King took advantage of the final restart passing Horton for the lead position. Smith followed King past Horton setting up one of the wildest last lap races in the history of the 3/8ths mile bull ring. As the three drivers came out of turn four to take the white flag, King slipped up the track allowing Smith to sneak past on the inside. The duo charged towards turn one where King clipped the rear quarter panel of Smith’s car. That pushed the leaders up the track and Horton shot down low retaking the lead out of the second turn with Smith pushing at his rear bumper. All three cars sped towards turn three with King trying to get under the others. Horton would put the nose of his race car in front of King coming out of the final turn to secure the victory while Smith edged King for second place. Mason Massey and Kingston’s Tyler Millwood rounded out the first five finishers.
“Did you see all those lead changes?” said an excited promoter Mayes Massey. “That was an amazing race to watch.”
The amazement continued in the Limited Late Model feature race. Austin Horton was racing double duty on Saturday night as he hopped right out of his Super Late Model into his Limited Late Model. Horton would run side by side with Limited Late Model fast qualifier Michael Page during the race’s opening laps. Horton would secure the lead on lap three edging in front of Page.
Charging up through the field was Dusty Jones of LaGrange. Jones had missed his marks during qualifying and started near the back of the pack. By the fifth lap, Jones was kin fourth place looking to catch the leaders.
Horton’s car began to push a little through the latter stages of the race allowing Page to overtake him with five laps remaining. The lead swap was not over as Horton fought back to retake the lead with two laps left which only set the stage for another last lap spotlight. As the leaders charged down the back stretch on the final lap, Fayetteville’s Glenn Morris would be caught up in the battle. Horton looked to the middle groove to get past Morris who was trying to stay on the lead lap. Page stuck his nose on the bottom as the three cars powered out of the final turn. Page edged out Horton at the finish line by only two feet to win the race in front of a crowd that was standing more than sitting most of the evening.
Early heat race action in the Crate Late Model division saw Newnan’s Corey Payton go airborne rolling twice before landing on the interior concrete wall with his car dangling over into the infield pit area. Payton was not injured in the accident.
In the feature, Douglasville’s Matt Black and Florida’s Ryan Crane battled side by side through the first three laps before the race went yellow for a spun Marty Lunsford of Newnan. Black would hold the lead until a lap eight restart where Crane would sail past on the high side. Crane made an adjustment in the car during the caution laps making the car set in the turns better. That change was the difference as Crane motored out to a several car length victory over Black. Senoia’s Bubba Pollard finished in third ahead of Alabama’s ‘Thrillin’ Dylan Knowles and Sharpsburg’s Wayne Harbin.
Carrollton’s Blant Duke dominated the B Cadet feature winning by a straightaway over LaGrange’s Jake Traylor and Newnan’s Parrish Duncan. Duke won eight features in the B Cadet last year, but lost the season point’s title to Duncan.
In the Hobby Stock, Winston’s Landon Bagby refused to be inspected in post-race tech handing the victory to Alabama’s John Michael Schmear. Bagby had passed Schmear at the halfway point of the race. Warner-Robbins’ Randy Cornwell moved up a spot to finish in second in his first race at Senoia Raceway since finishing as the points runner-up in the Bomber division in 2013.
Monroe’s JJ Garrett moved into the lead on the fourth lap of Mini Stock feature. Garrett was not challenged the rest of the way winning for the third time in his career. Second year driver Jamie Nicholson, Jr. ran a fast race, but settled for the runner-up spot.
James Swanger went flag to flag to win the Bomber feature which rounded out the first night of racing in 2016.
Senoia Raceway will be back in action this Saturday, March 12th as the ‘Bull Ring’ hosts racing in the Limited Late Models, Crate Late Models, B Cadets, Hobby Stock, Mini Stock and Bomber divisions. The Super Late Models have a week off before returning to race the week following.
The track will also host it’s first ‘Spectator Racing’ night this Saturday. Interested competitors can bring their street legal car or truck to run. Drivers will race one on one, single lap dash events in a single elimination tournament bracket. Drivers must have a driver’s license, helmet and their vehicle must have working seat belts. Those interested can sign-up at the Pit Gate.
Senoia Raceway will also be accepting non-perishable food items at the entrance gates this weekend. All donations will be used to stock area food shelves for the upcoming Easter holiday.
Saturday night’s grandstand ticket prices are $12; ages 5-12 are $5; four and under are admitted for free. Access to the pit area is available for $25; ages 5-12 are $20; four and under are free. Trackside parking is available on a first come, first serve basis. Trackside parking is only accessible through the pit area and pit passes must be purchased.
The pit gates will open this Saturday at 3pm, grandstands at 5pm, hot laps will begin at 6pm and the night’s first race will be at 7pm.
For additional information, schedules, rules and more, visit the Senoia Raceway website at www.senoiaraceway.com. The track also offers an e-mail newsletter (sign-up on the website), Facebook page, twitter feed, instagram and snapchat for social media access to news and information. You can also contact the track directly at 770.599.6161.
“That Super Late Model finish was one of the best small track race finishes I’ve seen in 40 years of watching races,” said race fan Justin Osterlander. “The Limited Late Model race was great also. The new track surface is a success.”
Drivers were anxious to test the new racing surface installed only two weeks prior to the season opener. A new gumbo gray clay was laid down and created somewhat of a curveball to the veteran drivers at the ‘Bull Ring’. The result Saturday night was low levels of dust and fantastic side by side racing in all divisions.
“Our off-season research was pretty intense,” explained track promoter Mayes Massey. “This gumbo clay was found in southern Georgia. It has a high content of clay and smaller amounts of sand and mica. This first night was good, but we will continue to work it and learn more about it.”
If the racing stays like it did on Saturday, they will not have to change a thing. The Super Late Models put on one of the best racing shows seen in years. After Augusta hot shoe Brian Ligon set a new track record during qualifying, Cody King would steal his thunder taking the feature race’s initial lead. Ligon worked back past King on the second circuit leaving King to battle with Gray’s Jordy Nipper. Behind the top three were Austin Horton and Clint Smith who had made their way past Thomaston’s Shane Fulcher and Douglasville’s ‘Racin’ Mason Massey.
Nipper was able to work past King after a great side by side battle. Nipper than reeled in Ligon using lapped traffic to gain the lead position on lap 12 before a caution slowed the field at the halfway mark of the thirty-lap main event. Fayetteville’s Ashton Winger and Ricky Williams along with Newnan’s Marcus Caswell crashed on the back stretch causing the race’s first caution.
On the restart, Horton launched his ride past Ligon to snare second with Clint Smith dropping the fast qualifier another spot on the next lap. Horton was closing on Nipper when a loud bang was heard on the front stretch and then Nipper’s mount rolled to a stop on the back stretch. The unfortunate turn of events and caution handed the lead to Austin Horton.
Seven laps remained when Cody King took advantage of the final restart passing Horton for the lead position. Smith followed King past Horton setting up one of the wildest last lap races in the history of the 3/8ths mile bull ring. As the three drivers came out of turn four to take the white flag, King slipped up the track allowing Smith to sneak past on the inside. The duo charged towards turn one where King clipped the rear quarter panel of Smith’s car. That pushed the leaders up the track and Horton shot down low retaking the lead out of the second turn with Smith pushing at his rear bumper. All three cars sped towards turn three with King trying to get under the others. Horton would put the nose of his race car in front of King coming out of the final turn to secure the victory while Smith edged King for second place. Mason Massey and Kingston’s Tyler Millwood rounded out the first five finishers.
“Did you see all those lead changes?” said an excited promoter Mayes Massey. “That was an amazing race to watch.”
The amazement continued in the Limited Late Model feature race. Austin Horton was racing double duty on Saturday night as he hopped right out of his Super Late Model into his Limited Late Model. Horton would run side by side with Limited Late Model fast qualifier Michael Page during the race’s opening laps. Horton would secure the lead on lap three edging in front of Page.
Charging up through the field was Dusty Jones of LaGrange. Jones had missed his marks during qualifying and started near the back of the pack. By the fifth lap, Jones was kin fourth place looking to catch the leaders.
Horton’s car began to push a little through the latter stages of the race allowing Page to overtake him with five laps remaining. The lead swap was not over as Horton fought back to retake the lead with two laps left which only set the stage for another last lap spotlight. As the leaders charged down the back stretch on the final lap, Fayetteville’s Glenn Morris would be caught up in the battle. Horton looked to the middle groove to get past Morris who was trying to stay on the lead lap. Page stuck his nose on the bottom as the three cars powered out of the final turn. Page edged out Horton at the finish line by only two feet to win the race in front of a crowd that was standing more than sitting most of the evening.
Early heat race action in the Crate Late Model division saw Newnan’s Corey Payton go airborne rolling twice before landing on the interior concrete wall with his car dangling over into the infield pit area. Payton was not injured in the accident.
In the feature, Douglasville’s Matt Black and Florida’s Ryan Crane battled side by side through the first three laps before the race went yellow for a spun Marty Lunsford of Newnan. Black would hold the lead until a lap eight restart where Crane would sail past on the high side. Crane made an adjustment in the car during the caution laps making the car set in the turns better. That change was the difference as Crane motored out to a several car length victory over Black. Senoia’s Bubba Pollard finished in third ahead of Alabama’s ‘Thrillin’ Dylan Knowles and Sharpsburg’s Wayne Harbin.
Carrollton’s Blant Duke dominated the B Cadet feature winning by a straightaway over LaGrange’s Jake Traylor and Newnan’s Parrish Duncan. Duke won eight features in the B Cadet last year, but lost the season point’s title to Duncan.
In the Hobby Stock, Winston’s Landon Bagby refused to be inspected in post-race tech handing the victory to Alabama’s John Michael Schmear. Bagby had passed Schmear at the halfway point of the race. Warner-Robbins’ Randy Cornwell moved up a spot to finish in second in his first race at Senoia Raceway since finishing as the points runner-up in the Bomber division in 2013.
Monroe’s JJ Garrett moved into the lead on the fourth lap of Mini Stock feature. Garrett was not challenged the rest of the way winning for the third time in his career. Second year driver Jamie Nicholson, Jr. ran a fast race, but settled for the runner-up spot.
James Swanger went flag to flag to win the Bomber feature which rounded out the first night of racing in 2016.
Senoia Raceway will be back in action this Saturday, March 12th as the ‘Bull Ring’ hosts racing in the Limited Late Models, Crate Late Models, B Cadets, Hobby Stock, Mini Stock and Bomber divisions. The Super Late Models have a week off before returning to race the week following.
The track will also host it’s first ‘Spectator Racing’ night this Saturday. Interested competitors can bring their street legal car or truck to run. Drivers will race one on one, single lap dash events in a single elimination tournament bracket. Drivers must have a driver’s license, helmet and their vehicle must have working seat belts. Those interested can sign-up at the Pit Gate.
Senoia Raceway will also be accepting non-perishable food items at the entrance gates this weekend. All donations will be used to stock area food shelves for the upcoming Easter holiday.
Saturday night’s grandstand ticket prices are $12; ages 5-12 are $5; four and under are admitted for free. Access to the pit area is available for $25; ages 5-12 are $20; four and under are free. Trackside parking is available on a first come, first serve basis. Trackside parking is only accessible through the pit area and pit passes must be purchased.
The pit gates will open this Saturday at 3pm, grandstands at 5pm, hot laps will begin at 6pm and the night’s first race will be at 7pm.
For additional information, schedules, rules and more, visit the Senoia Raceway website at www.senoiaraceway.com. The track also offers an e-mail newsletter (sign-up on the website), Facebook page, twitter feed, instagram and snapchat for social media access to news and information. You can also contact the track directly at 770.599.6161.