To call the Saturday’s run up to the World Crown at Peach State Speedway wild would be a bit of an understatement.
No less than 20 drivers throughout the race card found their cars disqualified before the end of the night.
But one that had no problems at all was former Jefferson resident Ryan Crane, who dominated the US Auto Sales 100 for Super Late Model racers, taking his second Peach State victory of the year.
Ryan Crane, pictured here from an earlier event, picked up the win Saturday night in the Super Late Model event at Peach State Speedway. Crane is a former Jefferson resident, and a graduate of Jefferson High School. Photo by Brandon Reed
Crane Grabs Peach State Win On Wild Night
He won a GAS event at the track back in July as well.
“It was a great race,” Crane said. “I’m excited, it was a great race for us. This car is great.”
Crane, who now lives in Panama City, Fla., said the win was also special because he grew up in Jefferson.
“This is big, because I’ve got so many family and friends here. To come back here and win, it means a lot.”
Justin Wakefield was flagged as the runner-up, but was disqualified due to an infraction in post-race tech, moving Jefferson’s Joey Senter to second. Dwayne Buggay and Jeremy Rice rounded out the top five finishers.
Local classes ruled the day as well, while one local class would race on Sunday. That was the Outlaw Late Model class, where Jefferson’s David Murphy out-dueled track champ Hoyt Stephens for the win, with the two swapping the lead several times during the 50-lap event. Local firefighter Russell Shore ran third, with Jerry Martin fourth and Todd Vanderford fifth.
The rest of the local classes faced Saturday night, as did the Pro Challenge series, which features scaled down racers with young drivers. Clint King charged to the front, and collected not only the win, but the tour championship as well, with Megan Dillner, Kyle Wilson, Kyle Plott and Shane Roberts rounding out the top five.
It came as no surprise that Steve Hill charged his way to the front in the Mini Stock division. Hill, who was awarded his trophy as Mini Stock champion for Peach State in 2008 earlier in the day, made some daring moves to pick up position early, then sailed to the win. B.J. Thrasher’s second place car was disqualified in post-race tech, giving that position to Wayne Smith. Buster Thrasher, Michael Bucker and David Talvert rounded out the top five.
The Open Wheel Modified division made only their second appearance on Peach State’s high banks Saturday, and put on a big show for the fans, with Darrell Bryson and Jason Bates scrapping hard for the win. In the end, both were disqualified in post-race tech, handing the victory to Marlin Gunter. He was followed by Chris Holbrook, J.D. Clements, Randy Gilbert and Bryan Cantrell.
Races were also held for both the Super Truck and Sportsman divisions. However, all vehicles were disqualified in post-race tech either for illegal items or modifications to their racers, or for refusing to report to tech inspection.
No results were available.
“It was a great race,” Crane said. “I’m excited, it was a great race for us. This car is great.”
Crane, who now lives in Panama City, Fla., said the win was also special because he grew up in Jefferson.
“This is big, because I’ve got so many family and friends here. To come back here and win, it means a lot.”
Justin Wakefield was flagged as the runner-up, but was disqualified due to an infraction in post-race tech, moving Jefferson’s Joey Senter to second. Dwayne Buggay and Jeremy Rice rounded out the top five finishers.
David Murphy, pictured here from an earlier event, took Sunday's Outlaw Late Model event at Peach State.
The rest of the local classes faced Saturday night, as did the Pro Challenge series, which features scaled down racers with young drivers. Clint King charged to the front, and collected not only the win, but the tour championship as well, with Megan Dillner, Kyle Wilson, Kyle Plott and Shane Roberts rounding out the top five.
It came as no surprise that Steve Hill charged his way to the front in the Mini Stock division. Hill, who was awarded his trophy as Mini Stock champion for Peach State in 2008 earlier in the day, made some daring moves to pick up position early, then sailed to the win. B.J. Thrasher’s second place car was disqualified in post-race tech, giving that position to Wayne Smith. Buster Thrasher, Michael Bucker and David Talvert rounded out the top five.
The Open Wheel Modified division made their return to Peach State, putting on a fast and furious show for the fans. Photo by Brandon Reed
Races were also held for both the Super Truck and Sportsman divisions. However, all vehicles were disqualified in post-race tech either for illegal items or modifications to their racers, or for refusing to report to tech inspection.
No results were available.
Were new rules put into place at this race that weren't enforced previously?
There has to be more to the story that what is here/
Mr. Brooks is one of the most feared tech inspectors in the southeast, mainly because he runs the tech shed strictly by the rule book, and runs a very, very tight ship. He does tech for several tracks, and is the main tech guy for the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.
In fact, it turns out he tossed the qualifying time for John Wes Townley's team because they had an unapproved fuel additive. He also had Russell Fleeman's engine pulled following the World Crown Sunday, and went over it with a fine tooth comb. Fleeman was finally officially declared the winner some time Monday afternoon.
So it wasn't so much that the rules were changed as it was the tech guy allowed absolutely no gray area whatsoever, which is the way it should be.