Just ask Gainesville's Greg Simpson who became the second driver in four races to earn his first career late model win at Lanier National Speedway.
Lilburn's Kevin Herbert accomplished the feat three weeks ago. Saturday night was Simpson's time to shine. He won the Pepsi Pole Award (14.082 sec) then proceeded to lead every lap of the 50-lap Budweiser Pro Late Model feature on Arctic Cat Night at Lanier National Speedway.
Gainesville's Kevin Stephens shadowed Simpson much of the night only to succumb to mechanical gremlins with 11 laps remaining. Murrayville's Shane Chastain took a shot at working around Simpson's No. 10 in the closing laps but was forced to settle for second.
For Simpson, it was a magical moment that comes with a first victory. For Chastain, it was an opportunity to gain ground on the competition in the battle for the coveted track title.
Mike Love held off Jimmy Garmon to finish third while 2001 late model champion Jamie Stephens, Jr finished fifth.
The Team Ford of Marietta Truck race saw Mark Caudell of Mt Airy go to victory lane after surviving a three-wide battle for the race lead on lap 15 which sent Curt Britt and Joey Love spinning. Britt's No. 21 was towed to the garage and credited with an 18th place finish. Love's No. 25 fared little better with a 17th place payday.
Rodney Benefield was left to challenge the driver of the No. 17 Chevrolet for the win but Caudell would not be denied as he claimed his third victory of the season. Rob Young, George Williams, Jr, and Ricky Bennett finished third through fifth respectively.
Cumming's Jackie Daniel started on the pole and led the first nine laps before giving way to Rome's Terry Crump who took the lead on lap 10 then went onto victory in the 25-lap Simpson's Trucking and Grading Sportsman division. Daniel was second and followed by Kevin Little, Randy Stoudemire, and Wes Whitfield.
Mickey Thomas collected his first win in the Longhorn Steakhouse Modified Ministock division. Marty Roberts passed William Earnest on the last lap to claim victory in the Garrison Racing Equipment Pure Ministock event. Brian Sosebee survived two on-track incidents to win in X-Karz.
Lanier National Speedway will host Kid's Night on Saturday August 17. The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge will be in competition and will feature an autograph session with the pro late model drivers prior to their feature event that evening.
Gates open at 5 PM, Pepsi Qualifying starts at 5:45 PM and the racing action begins promptly at 7 PM. For more information call 770-967-8600 or visit
www.lanierspeedway.com.
Lanier National Speedway Braselton, GA Race Results for August 10
Budweiser Pro Late Model - 50 Laps
1. No. 10 Greg Simpson
2. No. 3 Shane Chastain
3. No. 25 Mike Love
4. No. 97 Jimmy Garmon
5. No. 17 Jamie Stephens, Jr
6. No. 23 Jeremy Rice
7. No. 11 Johnathan Buckner
8. No. 22 Kevin Herbert
9. No. 49 Debbie Lunsford-Love
10. No. 42 Tony Bennett
11. No. 37 Micky Cain
12. No. 38 David Elliott
13. No. 21 Richard King
14. No. 66 Joe Wallington
15. No. 98 Doug Cantrell
16. No. 07 Randy Beeken
17. No. 52 Kevin Stephens
18. No. 43 David Watters
19. No. 1 Clay Dale
20. No. 50 Joel Anderson
DNS - No. 40 Danny Lingerfelt
Pepsi Fast Qualifier - No. 10 Greg Simpson (14.082 sec)
Team Ford of Marietta Trucks - 30 Laps
1. No. 17 Mark Caudell
2. No. 36 Rodney Benefield
3. No. 15 Rob Young
4. No. 56 George Williams, Jr
5. No. 31 Rickey Bennett
6. No. 13 Darrell Cox
7. No. 92 Cale Langford
8. No. 01 Jimmy Motes
9. No. 6 Ronnie Milford
10. No. 28 Tom Schuette
11. No. 22 Clifton Daniel
12. No. 12 Cain Langford
13. No. 51 Jason Gilbert
14. No. 5 Fran Eckart
15. No. 91 Cohen Motes
16. No. 05 Kevin Moore
17. No. 25 Joey Love
18. No. 21 Curt Britt
DNS - No. 83 David Knight
DNS - No. 0 Chris Wilson
DNS - No. 18 Shane Howington
DNS - No. 2 Clay Smith
Simpson's Trucking & Grading Sportsman - 25 Laps
1. No. 24 Terry Crump
2. No. 07 Jackie Daniel
3. No. 12 Kevin Little
4. No. 64 Randy Stoudemire
5. No. 82 Wes Whitfield
6. No. 19 Jason Smith
7. No. 99 Norm Layton
8. No. 32 Keith Barrett
9. No. 88 Stephen McGinty
10. No. 93 Richard Hill
11. No. 17 Tim Barcelow
12. No. 73 J.L. Tullis
13. No. 11 Brian Pruett
14. No. 47 Mike Bruce
Pepsi Fast Qualifier - No. 47 Mike Bruce (15.004 sec)
Longhorn Steakhouse Modified Ministock - 20 Laps
1. No. 11 Mickey Thomas
2. No. 12 Steve Hill
3. No. 99 Brian Huff
4. No. 83 Thomas Ross
5. No. 25 Scotty Beck
6. No. 18 Mitchell Roberts
7. No. 45 Bill Hockman
8. No. 35 David Murphy
9. No. 52 Russell Shore
10. No. 14 Keith Roberts
11. No. 4 Matthew Jenkins
12. No. 97 Tinker Wix
13. No. 22 Jason Bates
14. No. 34 Jason Huff
DQ - No. 16 Donny Duncan
DQ - No. 53 Tommy Harris
Garrison Racing Equipment Pure Ministock - 20 Laps
1. No. 3 Marty Roberts
2. No. 11 William Earnest
3. No. 37 Chuck Cooper
4. No. 45 Chad Hoopaugh
5. No. 7 Bryan Jones
6. No. 2 David Willoughby
7. No. 50 Gary Jenkins
8. No. 21 Chris McKeehan
9. No. 29 Jason Briscoe
10. No. 16 Richard Missall
11. No. 6 Chuck Waldrop
12. No. 01 Marc Gallichotte
DNS - No. 44 James Gaines
X-Karz 10 Laps - No. 50 Brian Sosebee
Martin Recreation Trophy Dash - 8 Laps
Simpson's Trucking & Grading Sportsman - No. 64 Randy Stoudemire
Budweiser Pro Late Model - No. 17 Jamie Stephens, Jr
Legends Friday August 9
Pro - No. 55 Wesley Thompson
Masters - No. 61 David Bowers
Semi Pro A - No. 75 Bobby East
Semi Pro B - No. 222 Larry Jordan
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