Fleeman Scores Second GAS Championship
It was a historic night for the Georgia Asphalt Series as it wrapped up their 2008 season at Peach State Speedway Saturday night, and crowned a 2008 champion.
It appeared that Kyle Fowler was on his way to his first GAS victory after dominating the 100-lap event.
But a determined Dennis Wilder, from Commerce, passed Fowler with two laps remaining to win his first GAS series event in the Hedman Husler Hedders 100.
Dennis Wilder celebrates after picking up the win in Saturday's GAS series event at Peach State Speedway. Photos by Brandon Reed
Commerce’s Wilder takes GAS win with late pass
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been right here,” the former Commerce Tiger tailback said in victory lane.
Wilder’s victory gave the GAS series 10 different winners in 12 races, a record for the five-year-old series.
Not to be overlooked, however, was the crowning of a champion Saturday night. 2007 GAS champion Russell Fleeman held a 30-point lead over Ryan Sieg coming into the final event. Fleeman, who has had an uncharacteristically tough season, had initially planned a conservative strategy. But when Sieg’s night ended with mechanical failure 39 laps into the event, Fleeman became the first back-to-back GAS series champion with a fifth place finish.
“It feels good,” the Dacula native said after the event. “We had a good car coming into tonight, knowing we had one thing to do, finish the race. I was looking forward to winning the race, but I’ll take a fifth place and the championship.”
Fowler held on for second, with GAS series rookie of the year Reaid third, Gordon fourth and Fleeman fifth. Beau Slocomb, Bobby East, Gresham, Bubba Pollard and Ralph Carnes rounded out the top ten.
Peach State Speedway also wrapped up the season for their local divisions Saturday night.
The Outlaw Late Models wrapped up their season with another surprise finish. After taking the checkered flag, Brian Hardman was disqualified after it was found he had soaked tires on his car. That gave the win to Terry Martin, while Hoyt Stephens picked up the 2008 Outlaw Late Model championship.
In the Toyota Tundra Supertrucks divison, Matthew Rouse marched back to the front of an early race spin to challenge Wes Whitfield for the win. Whitfield held off the charge to win the race and take the points title.
After a wild event in their previous appearance, the Mini-Stock division had a relatively clean event, with Wayne Smith taking the victory.Jefferson’s by Steve Hill, who also wrapped up the championship for the division.
Also on the card for Saturday was the National Vintage Racing Association, who wrapped up their season at Peach State. Jason Bowen took the win in the Late Model Modified division, Mark Lance won in the Late Model Sportsman category, Mark Sapp was victorious in the Modified Sportsman division, and Alan Cantrell won in the Limited Sportsman event. Bruce Griffin was victorious in the Modified Open feature event.
Many of the GAS series cars and drivers are expected to be back for the 25th annual World Crown 300, to be held at Peach State Nov. 6-9. For more information, go to www.peachstspeedway.com, or call 706-387-7490.
Wilder’s victory gave the GAS series 10 different winners in 12 races, a record for the five-year-old series.
Not to be overlooked, however, was the crowning of a champion Saturday night. 2007 GAS champion Russell Fleeman held a 30-point lead over Ryan Sieg coming into the final event. Fleeman, who has had an uncharacteristically tough season, had initially planned a conservative strategy. But when Sieg’s night ended with mechanical failure 39 laps into the event, Fleeman became the first back-to-back GAS series champion with a fifth place finish.
“It feels good,” the Dacula native said after the event. “We had a good car coming into tonight, knowing we had one thing to do, finish the race. I was looking forward to winning the race, but I’ll take a fifth place and the championship.”
Fowler held on for second, with GAS series rookie of the year Reaid third, Gordon fourth and Fleeman fifth. Beau Slocomb, Bobby East, Gresham, Bubba Pollard and Ralph Carnes rounded out the top ten.
Peach State Speedway also wrapped up the season for their local divisions Saturday night.
The Outlaw Late Models wrapped up their season with another surprise finish. After taking the checkered flag, Brian Hardman was disqualified after it was found he had soaked tires on his car. That gave the win to Terry Martin, while Hoyt Stephens picked up the 2008 Outlaw Late Model championship.
Wes Whitfield (13), shown here from earlier action, picked up the win and the championship in the Toyota Tundra Supertruck division at Peach State Speedway Saturday.
After a wild event in their previous appearance, the Mini-Stock division had a relatively clean event, with Wayne Smith taking the victory.Jefferson’s by Steve Hill, who also wrapped up the championship for the division.
Also on the card for Saturday was the National Vintage Racing Association, who wrapped up their season at Peach State. Jason Bowen took the win in the Late Model Modified division, Mark Lance won in the Late Model Sportsman category, Mark Sapp was victorious in the Modified Sportsman division, and Alan Cantrell won in the Limited Sportsman event. Bruce Griffin was victorious in the Modified Open feature event.
Many of the GAS series cars and drivers are expected to be back for the 25th annual World Crown 300, to be held at Peach State Nov. 6-9. For more information, go to www.peachstspeedway.com, or call 706-387-7490.
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