Eric Wells opened up the month of November for the Southern Nationals Bonus Series with a victory in the Fall Classic Saturday night at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Kentucky.
The win was worth $10,000 for the Hazard, Kentucky speedster, as he scored his first career series victory.
Wells would be the dominant car at the event as he would be the top qualifier, led all ten laps in winning his qualifying heat, and would cap the event off by leading all 50 laps of the main event.
Wells took the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Dave Hess, Jr. and Jason Welshan giving chase. Welshan move to second on lap 6 as Wells began working slower traffic. Wells was weaving his way through traffic and would get clear race track when the caution waved on lap 19 when Justin Rattliff slowed in turn two.
Back under green, Wells would set a torrid pace out front, while Welshan felt pressure from Kent Robinson and Steve Francis for the second position. While Wells pulled away from the field, Robinson and Francis would duel for third until the caution waved again on lap 31 when Chris Ferguson slowed on the backstretch.
On the restart, Robinson moved around Welshan to take second. Wells would begin to drive off from Robinson until one final caution waved on lap 46, when Jason Jamison stopped in turn two.
The final restart saw Wells again shoot away from the competition and charge to the victory. Robinson finished in second, with Welshan in third, Dawsonville, Georgia’s Donald McIntosh in fourth and Steve Francis in fifth.
Ray Cook, Jackie Boggs, Chris Carpenter, Billy Moyer, Jr. and Tim Dohm rounded out the top ten.
The Southern Nationals Bonus Series next moves to Georgia’s Senoia Raceway on November 11-12. For more information, visit SouthernNationalsSeries.com.
Southern Nationals Bonus Series
Ponderosa Speedway – Junction City, KY
Fall Classic – November 5, 2016
1. Eric Wells-Hazard, KY
2. Kent Robinson-Bloomington, IN
3. Jason Welshan-Maryville, TN
4. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, GA
5. Steve Francis-Bowling Green, KY
6. Ray Cook-Brasstown, NC
7. Jackie Boggs-Grayson, KY
8. Chris Carpenter-Parkersburg, WV
9. Billy Moyer, Jr.-Batesville, AR
10. Tim Dohm-Cross Lanes, WV
11. Chad Stapleton-Edinburgh, IN
12. Corey Conley-Wellsburg, WV
13. Dave Hess, Jr.-Waterford, PA
14. Michael Chilton-Salvisa, KY
15. Tyler Carpenter-Parkersburg, WV
16. James Rice-Verona, KY
17. Billy Ogle, Jr.-Knoxville, TN
18. Jeremy Berwanger-Murray City, OH
19. Ryan King-Seymour, TN
20. Doug Smith-Harriman, TN
21. Jason Jameson-Lawrenceburg, IN
22. Chris Ferguson-Mount Holly, NC
23. Justin Rattliff-Campbellsville, KY
