that's my story..... RAY COOK WINS GOBBLER 23

[J.L.]

Clanton was among the first people to qual. and he qual. in the top five........the fact of the matter is it was a wrong choice by SAS and it shouldn't have happened........ they should have put him in the back of a B-main like the rule book states......

[clayman2]

First let me say I appreciate the passion I see here regarding this issue. Maybe I can shed a little light on this subject and explain how the decision was made to allow Ogle to get a lap at the end of qualifying.

Our rule book doesn't actually cover the scenario we found ourselves in on Saturday night. The rules that were copied and pasted above only cover being in proper order by way of the draw, which Ogle was. He was the first qualifier out and hit the wall in turn one just after taking the green flag.

My initial call was, Ogle would have to start at the rear of a B-Main. When Michael Evans, who came out fifth in the qualifying order, also hit the wall in turn one and flipped, track officials went onto the speedway and discovered water on the track in turn one which explained each car's demise.

We then pulled the next five cars from the starting grid onto the race track to pack the track in turn one and where fluids were left by Evan's car in the middle of the turn. These cars were awarded a few hot laps for helping us out. I then concurred with my officials and we unanimously felt it would only be fair that Ogle and Evans (if they were able to get their cars back together) would be deserving of one lap at the end of qualifying.

Admittedly this decision wasn't well received by all but as I told the race teams who questioned the call, I would have made the same call if it had been them in that situation.

Our rules do state that we can make amendments to the rules when necessary to promote fair competition and our decision was made simply in the fairness of competition. I, along with my officials, stand behind the call without regret.

The only thing I may change if faced with the same set of circumstances would be to allow the second, third and fourth cars out the option of an additional lap at the end of qualifying as well, so to them I apologize.

Hope this helps.

Brad Byrd

once again great job of screwing thomas out of the champioship!!!!!!!!! this move should realy encourage racers and fans to follow your series

[Southern Allstars PR]

Clanton was among the first people to qual. and he qual. in the top five........the fact of the matter is it was a wrong choice by SAS and it shouldn't have happened........ they should have put him in the back of a B-main like the rule book states......

Show me where this is stated in our rule book. It only refers to being out of order.

I respect and admire each of these drivers, especially William as he is a true Super Late Model Rookie and competed at a high level all year with a lot less equipment and help than most of his competitors have. He has a bright future and we have been very proud to have him running with us all year.

Until you're in the position to actually make the calls yourself you can never truly appreciate and understand the fact that you're gonna be faced with decisions that are not going to please everyone. I stand behind the call 100%.

I'm sure if the the call had gone the other way, I would be dealing with arguments from the other side because nowhere in our rule book does it state that after a driver takes the green flag that under no circumstances he/she would be allowed another lap, especially under extenuating circumstances. Trust me, this rule will be well defined in the rules next year.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend.

Brad Byrd

[RacedudeGa]

If you had followed the NO EXCEPTIONS that was printed in your rule book you wouldnt have to come on here and try to defend your actions. You dont put a rule in the book and say it has no exceptions then dont follow it when your decision may have had a outcome on the points championship. Someone said that all William had to do is pass cars, Billy would have to do the same thing if he had been made to start in the rear of the B Main or the rear of the feature. As it was he only had to advance from 10th to 6th in the feature. From the reports i had read the track locked down and there wasnt a lot of passing going on. So would Billy have been able to still finish 6th if he hadnt been allowed to take the 2nd qualifying lap? I wonder what BJ Parker or Kelly Carlston would have done?

[otto9]

Well all I have to say is that none of this would have been even brought up if it did not involve Ogle and Thomas and the points championship. First of all Byrd did what he thought was right and I by what it says in the SAS rule book by amending or modifying the rules for fairness of competition, he would have done the same for any driver there in my opinion.

As far as giving the guys that packed the track extra laps, well Brian Reese was won of those cars to help get the track back in shape and he set fast time and I believe he was the next car to go out on the track after that.

As for Thomas getting screwed by SAS for the championship, Clanton is the one that screwed Thomas as he blocked him and the name of the game is to pass cars and Ogle did just that as he past cars and knew what he had to do to win the championship, Thomas did not pass too many cars.

So Ogle took championship, Thomas got rookie, and the season is over with, so now we have all off season to debate which who was right and who was wrong, don't you just love this soap opera of ours!!!

[black ice]

well said otto9. people say ogle just had to come from 10th to 6th if thomas would have took care of his business passing cars he would have won the points

[Southern Allstars PR]

If you had followed the NO EXCEPTIONS that was printed in your rule book you wouldnt have to come on here and try to defend your actions. You dont put a rule in the book and say it has no exceptions then dont follow it when your decision may have had a outcome on the points championship. Someone said that all William had to do is pass cars, Billy would have to do the same thing if he had been made to start in the rear of the B Main or the rear of the feature. As it was he only had to advance from 10th to 6th in the feature. From the reports i had read the track locked down and there wasnt a lot of passing going on. So would Billy have been able to still finish 6th if he hadnt been allowed to take the 2nd qualifying lap? I wonder what BJ Parker or Kelly Carlston would have done?

Again, the NO EXCEPTIONS rule only has to do with being in your proper slot, which was never at issue here.

[acetone]

that it true, he was in right slot. saw many a driver get to do there second lap after all others.

[ga racer]

no he was not in his proper slot when he made his lap.

[RacedudeGa]

give it up guys... he's never going to admit he f***ed up. Maybe he will see that next year when the car counts drop.

[acetone]

it wont drop

[ga racer]

its already dropped there was 2 guys ran all the races this year, if they loose anymore then there will be none and thats what they deserve and will probably get with BB in control.

[hillracer27]

The last time i checked i saw 4 cars that competed in all the races and i think it takes alot for someone to come on here and try to explain him self to some of you people good job brad. And as far as the qualifying thing what if that was willie t who got the same chance ogle did would you all still be upset? And lastly great job to both the 201 and 22

[ga racer]

nobody should get an extra lap when they bust there azz qualifying.

[hillracer27]

Thats pretty easy to do when waters on the track and why do you not have a problem with them letting the next 5 cars hot lap again (would that not be like qualifying) and didnt one of those guys set fast time and not real sure how long you have been around racing but billy ogle has done pretty cool stuff behind the wheel of a race car he mite have come from the rear and last let it go man