Things heat up at 411 Motor Speedway

Track pays tribute to fallen racer before competition last Saturday After three weeks of threatening weather, Saturday, May 27 turned out to be a fabulous day for racing at Highway 411 Motor Speedway. After the rain-out the previous Saturday, fans and drivers were ready for some of the sizzling action 411 is famous for. They were not disappointed. Things got off on a somber note as fans and drivers paid tribute to one of their own. James Rice of Bristol lost his race against lung cancer last Thursday. Rice raced in the Grand National Mini Cup Division. Despite the war he was waging physically, he had been to the racetrack this season, and actually won the very first race of the new season under new management at 411. Ed Surrett, of Asheville, NC piloted his #8 Late Model Stock around the track as fans stood for a moment of silence, in a victory lap in remembrance of his friend and fellow racer. It was Late Model Stock night in the 60-lap feature race. Fans knew right away it was going to be “A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight,” when 411 veteran Dale Gibson snatched the pole position. Scottie Hicks then latched onto the outside pole, followed by the #13 of Lance Gatlin, the #8 of Surrett, and rounding out the top five was the #14 machine of Dude Ingram. Just from the way things lined up, fans knew it was possible for any one of these guys to take home the win. Brad Seagle in the #31 of Burt Cable started quietly in the 8th position of the 11-car field. But Seagle was not going to stay in the back of the pack for long. This was Seagle’s first year in a Late Model Stock and the kid shows real promise. By the completion of lap one, he had picked up his first position and by the end of lap seven, he had caught the skilled veteran Surrett. Surrett was not about to let Seagle drive by. He was going to have to fight for every inch of ground he got. On lap 14, Seagle was able to squeeze by the 8 and the fight was on with the #17 of Scottie Hicks for third. Seagle made attempt after attempt to get past Hicks until finally on lap 31 he succeeded. As Seagle had been on the move from the back, there had been a fierce battle ensuing between first place Gibson and second place Lance Gatlin. Gatlin, another young driver, knew he had his work cut out for him to get by the #97 of Gibson. Gibson also knew if he let the kid get by he would be gone. Gibson and Gatlin raced each other hard lap after lap. The Gatlin fans and Gibson fans were on their feet cheering on their drivers. Both drivers knew one little slip could mean defeat. Both drivers raced each other hard and clean until lap 34, when it appeared Gibson’s tires became overheated from the hot asphalt and the pressure he put on them to maintain the lead. Gatlin pulled away and never looked back. On Lap 49 Seagle made his move on #97 and captured second. With 11 laps to go it was apparent the two youngsters had first and second place in the bag. When the checkers came out it was #13-Lance Gatlin, #31-Brad Seagle, #97-Dale Gibson, #17-Scottie Hicks, #8-Ed Surrett, #6-Jonathan Fleming, #33-Gary Goddard, #28-Adam Robinson, #38-Billy Brock and #4-Wayne Webb. The Legends were really anxious to get started. In fact, so anxious they didn’t wait on flagman Chris Suggs to throw the green flag. After jumping the start, they settled down and J.R. Shepherd led the 10-car field to the green. Jim Caudill, Jr. started on the outside pole, with Justin Summers, Tim Woods, and Janice Humble in tow. The #4 of Bill Muncey and #41 of Brian Bounds were the first casualties of the event, exiting the track before the completion of lap 1. Things finished pretty much like they started with J.R. Shepherd, Jim Caudill, Jr., Justin Summers, Tim Woods, Janice Humble, Butch Irick, Billy Livesay, Andy Diggs, Brian Bounds and Bill Muncey. The Classics were ready to get the show on the road as well, when they jumped the start not once but twice. After getting their nerves settled it was Logan Dukes in the #9 machine who jumped out front for the 20-lap feature and led the field from flag to flag. When the dust settled it was #9-Logan Dukes, #24-Brett Baer, #28-Fred McArthur, #6-Wayne Dukes, #1-Jason Loveday, #57-Brian Watson, #25-Wayne Holbert. These are unique looking cars. If you have never seen a classic car you owe it to yourself to come by Highway 411 Speedway one Saturday night and check these guys out. I think after you watch them and see the performance they put on, you will be hooked. Sonny Leatherwood, of Hartford and his famed passenger “Arnold” made their first appearance in victory lane this season. Leatherwood started on the pole followed by McArthur, Diggs, Gary Berrier, and Chris Cummings in the fifth position. Things got off to a rough start for the Super Stocks as well. They jumped the start on the first attempt to get the race under way. A traffic jam assembled right behind the leaders that would have scared even seasoned New Yorkers. All this started when the #74 truck of Diggs failed to get up to speed. Thinking everyone was ready and could get up to speed the #51 of Cummings plowed into the rear of the #74 truck and the #52 of Charlie Dunlap got into the #51. After that traffic jam the #51 exited the track to assess the damage. It was determined the 51 would not be able to continue. Up front there wasn’t any monkey business going on with the Leatherwood #20. Sorry “Arnold.” Sonny led from green to checkered flag. He got followed by #28-Fred McArthur, #15-Gary Berrier, #51t-Freddie Hillard, #52-Charlie Dunlap, #59-Steve Hillard, #00-Jeff Akard, #74-Andy Diggs, and #51-Chris Cummings. The four-car field of the Pro-Four division ended up just as it started out after the 20-lap feature event. It was #24-Todd Pierce, #46-Jason Carter, #01-Brian Garner and #99 Roy Smith. It seemed to be the night for the pole-sitter to take home the victory. That’s what happened in the Mod-Mini Division as well. Byron Ward piloted the #31 into the pole position in qualifying and he never looked back. Finishing behind him were #72-John Byers, #17-Steve Owens, Jr., #18-Jim Galloway, #40-Brian Dinkins, #4-Josh Ellis, #44-Tommy Metler, #33-Roy Stillwell, Jr., and Chris Kelley #911. The eight-car field of Road Hogs was quiet impressive. Starting by points earned in the 2006 season, Lester Massey started in the pole position. Massey managed to hold off the # k-5 of Blake Kelley until lap 8 when he had to relinquish the lead. Kelley took the checkered but ran into problems when he reached the technical area and got disqualified. This handed the win to Duane Anderson followed by #5-Lester Massey, #14 Robert “Opie” Barndt, #07-John Fedock, #1-Danny Breeden, #53-Travis Robinson, #01-Charles Allen. The Pure Stock 4-Cylinder class, formerly known as Baby Road Hogs, brought an end to the evening’s program. Again, the leader, #29-Rusty Ballenger, led from green to checkered. It looked like Pole position was the place to be at 411 Speedway Saturday night. But tragedy struck again in the technical area. Ballenger was disqualified for technical issues, handing the win to the #17-Mickey Burris. Another Burris number 17 piloted by Robert moved up into second place. They were followed by #28-Darrell Bowles, #76-Kathy Owens-James. Make your plans now to join together at 411 each and every Saturday night for the most exciting asphalt racing in East Tennessee. Racing gets under way at 7 p.m. For more information or if you need directions call (865) 577-4000 or (865) 674-6743.