USRA Super Late Models @ Stock Car Spectacular

[rebelracewriter]

After the draw for the invert, fast qualifier, Todd McLemore found himself starting sixth, with the two points chasers Chris Davidson and Matt Merrell starting side by side on the front row. At the start 125 lap USRA Super Late Model main event, Davidson got the jump on the green with Casey Smith trying to hang Merrell out on the high side.

 

Merrell tried to dive down in turn one and made contact with Smith. Merrell and Smith again made contact in turn three, with Merrell getting sideways and falling back. On lap two Merrell and 2005 USRA Super Late Model Champion, Heath Stewart got tangled and slide down the front straight away to bring out the first caution. Danny Pike got into the front stretch wall coming to the caution while Tom Grothues lost the side body panels from the contact.

 

As the race went back to green, Davidson, Smith and McLemore continued to pace the field, while Merrell and Stewart tagged on to the back field. Merrell was able to pick off a spot getting by John Kelly, who announced his retirement earlier. Rookie Jonathon Beason was able to get by Greg Davis for fourth on lap 11. By lap 15 Davidson and Smith were pulling away from McLemore, with gaps back to Beason and Davis.

 

Kelly's night would end early on lap 18 when his car slowed and came to a stop on the back stretch ending his night and career unceremoniously on the back of a wrecker.

 

Once back to green Davidson was able to get a slight lead on Smith. Smith continued to fade with McLemore pressuring him on lap 33, taking looks inside. McLemore continued to put the heat on Smith while Stewart and Merrell swapped seventh. The two again found each other on lap 42, when they tangled on the back stretch, sending Merrell around in turn 3.

 

On the restart the top three of Davidson, Smith and McLemore stayed nose to tail with Smith tapping on Davidson. On lap 51 Smith got into Davidson coming out of turn 4, Davidson was hard on the brakes to avoid spinning and bunched up the field. Davidson was able to get away from the pack, while Smith suffered front end damage. Beason slide high in turn 2 on lap 56 falling to the tail of the lead lap in sixth.

 

At half way it was Davidson with a good lead on Smith, McLemore, Davis and Beason. McLemore and Smith continued to battle for second, with McLemore able to get off the turns better. On lap 67 McLemore appeared to look high then go low in turn 1 and got into Smith out of turn 2 sending Smith around. McLemore was sent to the tail, while Smith pitted for repairs. Smith was blacked flagged for speeding in the pits, ending his night.

 

When the race resumed, Davidson quickly got two car lengths on Davis, and by lap 80 was increasing his lead. On lap 82 Beason again slid up in turn 2, giving McLemore the chance to get by for third. With 25 to go Davidson had a ten car length lead on Davis, who had a big gap to McLemore and Beason. Davidson continued to inch away to a half straight away advantage on lap 115, while Beason was pressuring McLemore for third.

 

Merrell, who saw his title hopes end early, finally pulled off on lap 121. Davidson continued his charge to the championship, increasing his lead in the final laps. At the checkers it was Davidson in the Turner Motorsports, Oval Components, Westside Performance, Grand American Race Car Chassis, taking the easy win and second championship in the Super Late Model division. Davidson won the ROMCO Super Late Model title in 2002.

 

“It feels good,” said Davidson. “I’m just happy for car owners, Steve and Sandra Turner. They’re the ones that make this all possible for us. I’m more happy for them than us. We’re kind of relieved that it’s over with now. “

 

“This championship is the most gratifying. We had to battle for it all year. Through the year, we had some trouble, they had some trouble and we were the only ones to show up for all the races. That took at least one other car out of the hunt. I kind of wish Matt(Merrell) would have been there to battle for the win, but I’m not going to complain about the results. I saw him shoot across my mirror, so I knew whatever was going with wasn’t good and he was a lap or two down. He was still there near the finish, so if we had any problems he’d be the champion right now.”

 

“I didn’t change my driving after that. I was more worried about everyone else. They knew the guy that racing me wasn’t there anymore and maybe race me harder. Casey(Smith) and I got together in turns 3-4, but he let me up. I really have to thank him for that.”

 

Ya, I’m surely disappointed,” replied Merrell. “We had a chance to win and had a guy come out for one race that decided the points. It was good year all-in-all. We took Rookie of the Year so I’m happy with that.”

 

“After that(wreck), we went back out to see how things would go. Something bad would have had to happen to Chris, but he had a good car and did what he needed to do. With five to go, there was nothing that would help so we just pulled off. “

 

USRA Super Late Models

Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Qualifying Time, Laps Completed

1. (41) Chris Davidson, Pearland, TX, 14.582, 125 Laps

2. (35) Greg Davis, Waxahachie, TX, 14.775,125

3. (54) Todd McLemore, Austin, TX, 14.420, 125

4. (36) Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK, 14.930, 125

5. (14) Heath Stewart, Austin, TX, 14.658, 122

6. (03) Matt Merrell, Portland, TX, 14.657, 116

7. (9) Casey Smith, Austin, TX, 14.817, 69

8. (04) Cory Roper, Vernon, TX, 15.059, 48

9. (11) Tommy Grothues, San Antonio, TX, 15.354, 31

10. (57) John Kelly, La Vernia, TX, 15.330, 17

11. (16) Danny Pike, Red Oak, TX, 15.816, 3

[gundogC3]

It was good to see Greg Davis have a good finish. He has been snake bit every time he has raced this year!!!

[spotter]

Why can't people take responsibility for their own actions; especially those actions that affect the outcome of a championship?!

 

Ya, I’m surely disappointed,” replied Merrell. “We had a chance to win and had a guy come out for one race that decided the points.

 

As for the wreck on the front strecth, Matt washed up out of 4 after battling with Casey; opening the door for Heath to come through. Heath's car was half way up the inside of Matt's car when he turned down trying to force Heath to back out; making contact and ruining 2 good race cars. We came out with Heath's car to have some fun; with no intention of wrecking anyone in the points. I don't know if Matt felt like that if he got passed then that he wouldn't be able to get back up there and challenge Chris or what. The fact is we were there to win, just like Matt, Casey, Chris, etc.; not to ride around for the pleasure of it.

 

McLemore continued to put the heat on Smith while Stewart and Merrell swapped seventh. The two again found each other on lap 42, when they tangled on the back stretch, sending Merrell around in turn 3.

 

For the record, Heath and Matt never made contact on the back stretch; Matt got in fluids that were being laid on the track by the 04 of Roper ( I was standing next to his spotter when he spoke to USRA officials about it ).

 

Curtis Drosche

Crew Chief/Spotter

USRA SLM 14

Edited October 30, 2006 by spotter

[txtom]

Ya, I’m surely disappointed,” replied Merrell. “We had a chance to win and had a guy come out for one race that decided the points

 

better rethink that one there..............

 

I think somebody found out that he can't shove some of these SLM racers around the way he did the Mods last year.

[ivicic]

I guess what goes around comes around!!! Dump one, get dumped back.

[Truck99]

For the record, Heath and Matt never made contact on the back stretch; Matt got in fluids that were being laid on the track by the 04 of Roper ( I was standing next to his spotter when he spoke to USRA officials about it ).

That's what it looked like to me also. There was a good foot of daylight between them when the 03 got loose on the back straight.