If you are currently leading a national racing series point standings, it is usually for a good reason. You are pretty fast and a good racer.
World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series points leader Shane Clanton, of Zebulon, Ga., displayed Saturday night at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Ga. why he is one of the nation’s best Dirt Late Model drivers. Clanton made adjustments throughout the 30-lap main event before finding his set-up and then passing Senoia’s Clint ‘Cat Daddy’ Smith to claim the victory.
It was Clanton’s first win at a track his father, Billy Clanton, won at many times during his racing career.
“The track was awesome tonight,” said Clanton in victory lane. “You could race anywhere. It was a lot of fun.”
Clanton set a new track record in qualifying with a 13.736 second lap for an average speed of just over 98 miles per hour, but Smith would shoot out to the early race lead. Clanton slid back and lost second position to Kenny Collins during a lap five restart and faded as far back as fourth when Shane Fulcher got a nose on him a lap later.
As Smith pulled out to what looked to be a comfortable lead, Clanton made his adjustments and began his charge. He overtook Collins in turn two when the high side of the track slowed for the lapped car of Trevor Thompson. The middle groove and a unique angle through the corners allowed for Clanton to reel in Smith and on lap 17 he moved to the inside of the leader to sneak past in turn four.
Clanton never looked back posting the victory over Smith, with Collins in third, Matt Dooley in fourth and Maddie Crane in fifth.
In the Crate Late Model feature, Ryan Crane set the tone early that he was going to be the man to beat. Dylan Knowles provided the chase getting close only a few times. Crane won going away with Knowles in second ahead of Mike Combs in third, Ryan Law in fourth and Caleb Gay in fifth.
Joey Armistead extended his win streak in the Limited Late Model division. The third generation driver led flag-to-flag to win his fourth straight feature race. Tod Darda ran close for a few laps, but then found himself in a heated battle with Dusty Jones which allowed Armistead to pull away a bit.
Darda and Jones kept the fans’ eyes away from the leader as they raced side by side for the second place position. Glenn Morris was also running strong after blowing an engine the week before. Morris moved past Austin Horton on lap 11 and then chased down Darda and Jones.
The final flurry to the finish line saw Armistead take the win with Darda taking second by a nose over Morris. Jones faded to fourth with Marcus Caswell in fifth.
Jake Sanders also led flag to flag for his victory in the B Cadets class, but it was with the help of a near caution free race. The only slow down came on the initial green flag when Parrish Duncan ran out of space and climbed the front stretch wall. Sanders took over the lead on the restart and went on to score the win. Blant Duke finished in second, with Eric Baggett in third, Dow Kirkland in fourth and Roger Arnett in fifth.
Paul Walters took the win in the Bomber feature. Tim Harmon was flagged in second place, but failed post race tech, moving Jim Jackson to second, Chris Holt to third, Blake Harmon to fourth and 91-year-old Pappy Powell in fifth.
Zach Leonardi scored his second Legends win of the season, with Dwight Pilgram, Robbie Woodall, Jason Treschl and John Ponzio rounding out the top five.
Sam Carter was awarded the victory in the Hobby Stock after Billy Smith was found to have an illegal wheel on his front running car. Wilson Boozer finished second, with Ben Steele in third, Curtis Turner in fourth and Ben Wells in fifth.
Brandon Bright won his 23rd career Mini Stock feature at Senoia Raceway as he out-duelled James Stansell for the win. Bo Chambers was third, with Cassie Dingler-Still in fourth and Jamie Nicholson in fifth.
Senoia Raceway returns to action on Saturday, June 4, as the Crate Late Models will see a bonus payout of $1000 go to the winner. The Super Late Models, Limited Late Models, B Cadets, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and Bombers will also be in action.
For more info, visit SenoiaRaceway.com.
Senoia Raceway – Senoia, GA
Race Results – May 30, 2015
Super Late Model
1. Shane Clanton
2. Clint Smith
3. Kenny Collins
4. Matt Dooley
5. Madeline Crane
6. Scott Groves
7. Trevor Thompson
8. Ricky Williams
9. Shane Fulcher
DNS: Mason Massey
Limited Late Model
1. Joey Armistead
2. Tod Darda
3. Glenn Morris
4. Dusty Jones
5. Marcus Caswell
6. Michael Brewer
7. Austin Horton
8. Trey White
9. Jamie Maurice
10. Carey Smith
11. Chris Carr
12. Jayce Southwell
13. Shane Criswell
Crate Late Model
1. Ryan Crane
2. Dylan Knowles
3. Mike Combs
4. Ryan Law
5. Caleb Gay
6. Bobby Mills
7. Shawn Sweatnam
8. Jamie Brown
9. Phil Pittman
DNS: Trey White
B Cadet
1. Jake Sanders
2. Blant Duke
3. Eric Baggett
4. Dow Kirkland
5. Roger Arnett
6. Craig Ussery
7. Johnny Stinchcomb
8. T.J. Joiner
9. Bennie Croy
10. Andrew Moody
11. Parrish Duncan
DNS: Chuck Page
DNS: Tommy Jerrell
Hobby Stock
1. Sam Carter
2. Wilson Boozer
3. Ben Steele
4. Curtis Turner
5. Ben Wells
6. Dennis Lykins
DQ: Billy Smith
Bomber
1. Paul Walters
2. Jim Jackson
3. Chris Holt
4. Blake Harmon
5. Pappy Powell
6. Derrick Matthews
7. Winford Minix
8. Brent Harmon
DQ: Tim Harmon
Mini Stock
1. Brandon Bright
2. James Stansel
3. Bo Chambers
4. Cassie Dingler. Still
5. Jamie Nicholson
DNS: Robert Caldwell
DNS: Allen Barber
Legends
1. Zach Leonhardi
2. Dwight Pilgram
3. Robbie Woodall
4. Jason Treschl
5. John Ponzio
6. Tina Johnson
7. Dennis Aiken
8. Christopher Clanton
9. Tony Armbruster
10. Miranda Merideth
