Bubba Russell and Brandon Haley helped Northeast Georgia race fans open up the Labor Day weekend in high style Saturday night at Hartwell Speedway.
Russell edge out a hard charging Haley over the course of the 25 lap feature to score his ninth victory of the season on the 3/8-mile clay raceway.
Russell, of Comer, Georgia, started the night by turning the second fastest lap for the division in the speedway’s history with a lap at 16.250 seconds. Haley timed in second fast, followed by Ashley Poole, as they were the only other drivers to break into the 16-second bracket.
On the drop of the green it was a battle between the two, with Haley hounding Russell lap after lap. At the same time, Haley found himself defending his position from Poole, who was looking for the passing lane around both drivers.
The only other driver who could compete with the top three was Scotty Chatham, who made it a four-car fight through the middle of the feature. Chatham saw that charge derailed with a spin that brought out the caution flag.
Over the closing laps, you could throw a blanket over the top three, and both Haley and Poole hounded Russell on every corner. In the end, it was Russell edging out Haley for the win. Poole finished in third, while Chatham recovered from that spin to finish in fourth. Grant Jordan rounded out the top five.
In other action, former asphalt stand out Aaron Calvert powered to the lead in the Hobby feature from the pole after winning his heat race. The Jefferson, Georgia driver went on to hold off Cody Hall over the course of the 15-lap feature to take the victory. Jake Trotter finished in third, with Joe Yarbrough in fourth and Jimmy Mason in fifth.
Bryce Alewine edged out Preston Strickland for the Modified Street win. Jennifer Everett, C.S. Roberts and Kenny Swafford rounded out the top five.
Jeremy Jones held off Rocky Jones for the victory in the Stock V8 feature. Chris Cape finished third, with Paul Moore fourth and Tyler Kennedy fifth.
Kevin Kelly drove away from the Stock Four field to score the dominating win over LeeBo Bridges in second, Jeremy Fassett in third, Elliott Brayboy in fourth and Jacob Rhome in fifth.
Randy Shaw held off a hard charging Stacy Foster for the Front Wheel Drive feature win. Jason Richey came home in third, with Kalen Holmes in fourth and J.J. Sorrow in fifth.
Hartwell Speedway is slated to return to action on Saturday, September 8. Visit Hartwell-Speedway.com for more information.
Hartwell Speedway – Hartwell, GA
Race Results – September 1, 2018
Limited/Crate Late Models
1. #32 Bubba Russell
2. #51 Brandon Haley
3. #418 Ashley Poole
4. #122 Scotty Chatham
5. #05 Grant Jordan
6. #3A Eric Veal
7. #89 Jody Russell
8. #18 Tim Jones
Hobby
1. #01 Aaron Calvert
2. #38 Cody Hall
3. #03 Jake Trotter
4. #41 Joe Yarbrough
5. #54 Jimmy Mason
6. #99 Shun Thomas
7. #61 Scott Slama
Modified Street
1. #10 Bryce Alewine
2. #94 Preston Strickland
3. #19 Jennifer Everett
4. #37 C.S. Roberts
5. #87 Kenny Swafford
6. #5 Chase Burdette
7. #196 Johnny Pilgrim
Stock V8
1. #18 Jeremy Jones
2. #101 Rocky Jones
3. #19 Chris Cape
4. #35 Paul Moore
5. #K5 Tyler Kennedy
6. #26 Bradlee Jones
7. #10 Chris Brown
8. #71 John Shaw
9. #191 Eric Dove
10. #55 Seth Brown
11. #5 Ethan Fortson
12. #4 Jake Jordan
Stock Four
1. #88 Kevin Kelly
2. #L1 LeeBo Bridges
3. #17 Jeremy Fassett
4. #2 Elliot Bradboy
5. #122 Jacob Rhome
6. #10 Ryan Baker
7. #4 Johnathan Griffin
8. #11 Nathaniel Little
9. #7 Mark Parker
10. #7X Pete Whitley
Front Wheel Drive
1. #44 Randy Shaw
2. #8 Stacy Foster
3. #25 Jason Richey
4. #18 Kalen Holmes
5. #45 J.J. Sorrow
6. #96 John Shaw
7. #87 Daniel Conner
8. #24 Alex Powell
9. #89 Joel Powell, Sr.
10. #J18 Tim Jones
11. #00 Justin Sorrow
12. #57 D.J. Carey
