Bolton, Tucker, Hertel, Spaulding, Dowell, Clark take Sou. Challenge p

[rebelracewriter]

22nd Annual Southern Challenge, Ryan Bard Memorial @ Abilene Speedway, 10/13-15

 

By JM Hallas

 

Abilene, TX.,(Oct. 14th, 2016) As the 2016 racing season winds towards an end with it's big shows it's time for Abilene Speedway's 22nd Annual Southern Challenge. A race in memory of Ryan Bard, a young New Mexico racer, who tragically lost his life several years ago after a fiery crash.

 

This years event takes on a couple new twists to its format. First, practice night on Thursday includes a 'Fast Time Challenge.' This gives drivers the chance to lock themselves in for Saturday's Big A-main. Drivers in the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods and Stock Cars, as well as the Street Stocks are given one lap. The fastest times in each class, not making it through race qualifying, then have the chance to automatically get a provisional spot.

 

Fast Time Challenge Top Three
IMCA Modified; 117 Toby Herring, 59 Chad Hertel, 85 Neal Flowers
IMCA Southern Sportmod; 95 Gabe Tucker, 56 Logan Robertson, 7 Steve Hayes
IMCA Stock Car; 5 Brandon Taylor, 69 Kirk Martin, 07 Dennis Bissonette
Street Stock; 83 William McNeely, 0 Randy Madry, 715 JP Dowell

 

The next big change is the change in format. In the past the Southern Challenge has always been a 3-day show, either Friday-Sunday or Thursday-Saturday. The change to a 2-day show will save racers wear and tear on equipment and eliminate Sunday afternoon racing and get everyone home earlier.

 

All four IMCA Classes are scheduled(Modifieds, Sportmods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks) along with the Street Stocks and Young Guns, Jr. Mini Stock Shootout.

 

Friday's events were heats and qualifiers for each class locking xx drivers into Saturday nights Big A-main. Those not already qualified will have another chance on Saturday through heats, last chance qualifiers and a Big B-main.

 

Bolton Best of Bunch in Modifieds

Monte Bolton(Wolfforth) showed early on that he would be one to contend with this weekend. After going flag to flag in heat race for the win, Bolton redrew the number one starting spot. As green waved on the 21-car IMCA Modified A-Qualifier, Bolton got out front early and by halfway was putting distance on Toby Herring. A lap 15 caution tightened the field back up, but Bolton got away clean while Kevin Green, Herring and Iowan Nick Roberts went three wide for second. That was all Bolton would need as would lead wire to wire for the win and the front row starting spot in Saturdays Big A-main.

 

 

MATCO Tools IMCA Modifieds(top 4 to Big A-main)
41 Monte Bolton, 5 Kevin Green, 117 Toby Herring, 91 Chase Allen, 23 Nick Roberts, 911 Josh McGaha, 26 Dean Abbey, 359 Chad Hertel, 72 Charles Brewer, 43 Robby Edwards, 48 Raymond McSpadden, 85 Neal Flowers, 9 Chris Elliott, 201 Dean Demming, 29 Jamie Campbell, 59 Kelly Allen, 83 Chad Estes, 111 Mark Johannesen, 49 Vince Ogle, 69 Danny Hogue, 44 Fred Wojtek

 

IMCA Modified B-mains(top 4 to A-main)
Modified B-1; 85 Neal Flowers, 44 Fred Wojtek, 129 Jamie Campbell, 871 Kevin Sustaire, 691 Raymond King, 20 Mike McCarthy, 82 Rick Green, 37 Donald Banker, 90 Tommy Fain, 8 Greg Dinsmore, 17 Cody Tidwell, 88 Doug Easterling

 

Modified B-2; 91 Chase Allen, 26 Dean Abbey, 911 Josh McGaha, 6 Caleb Stone, 53 Robert Scrivner, 63 Hardy Henderson, 1 Jake Henderson, 19 Tanner Flanagan, 54 Brandon Alward, 123 Mark Patterson, 47 Chris Clark, 444 Joe Spillman

 

Modified B-3; 9 Chris Elliot, 59 Kelly Sheen, 69 Danny Hogue, 15 Joe Gomez, 881 Aaron Browning, 31 Neal Debord, 18 Zac Melot, 11 Kade Ogle, 41 Eric Hughes, 10 Levi Ely, 13 Jerry Frydrych, 4 Lonnell Timmons

 

IMCA Modified heats(top 2 to A-qualifier)
Heat 1; 49 Vince Ogle, 201 Dean Demming, 8 Greg Dinsmore, 88 Doug Easterling, 17 Cody Tidwell, 691 Raymond King, 82 Rick Green, 129 Jamie CAmpbell, 24 Cole Bishop

 

Heat 2; 5 Kevin Green, 23 Nick Roberts, 85 Neal Flowers, 44 Fred Wojtek, 871 Kevin Sustaire, 20 Mike McCarthy, 37 Donald Banker, 27 Robbie Daniels, 90 Tommy Fain

 

Heat 3; 117 Toby Herring, 111 Mark Johannesen, 91 Chase Allen, 26 Dean Abbey, 1 Jake Henderson, 12 Robert Barnett, 47 Chris Clark, 911 Josh McGaha, 19 Tanner Flanagan

 

Heat 4; 41 Monte Bolton, 72 Charles Brewer, 6 Caleb Stone, 123 Mark Patterson, 444 Joe Spillman, 53 Robert Scrivner, 63 Hardy Henderson, 76 Archie Witt, 54 Brandon Alward

 

Heat 5; 369 Chad Hertel, 48 Raymond McSpadden, 9 Chris Elliott, 141 Eric Hughes, 10 Levi Ely, 18 Zac Melot, 59 Kelly Allen, 31 Neal Debord

 

Heat 6; 43 Robby Edwards, 83 Chad Estes, 69 Danny Hogue, 13 Jerry Frydrych, 15 Joe Gomez, 11 Kade Ogle, 881 Aaron Browning, 4 Lonnell Timmons

 

Tucker Tops in Sportmods

 

Carbon's Gabe Tucker showed everyone that he was fast in Thursday nights 'Fast Time Challenge' which would guarantee himself Saturday starting spot. Not being satisfied with an automatic transfer, Tucker swept his IMCA Sportmod races taking the heat win and capping it off with a feature. After a not so good redraw, Tucker had to fight his to the front catching Justin Shaw, who had led since the start. After running wheel to wheel for lap, Tucker secured the top spot on lap 13 then eased away the remaining laps for the victory.

 

 

Abilene Powdercoating IMCA Southern Sportmods(top 4 to Big A-main,)
95 Gabe Tucker, 55 Justin Shaw, 144 Kale Westover, 37 Jeffrey Abbey, 5 TJ Green, 10 Dustin Robinson, 30 David Sanford, 4 Trevor Foley, 56 Logan Robertson, 69 Bret Young, 32 Rodger Pierce, 318 Scotty Cook, 38 Allen Montgomery, 24 Jake Upchurch, 17 Michael Maraschick, 13 Bret Bush, 691Brandon Smith, 84 Rodney White, 7 Steve Hayes, 175 James Skinner

 

IMCA Sportmod B-mains(top 4 to A-main)

 

SSM B-1; 175 James Skinner, 7 Steve Hayes, 318 Scotty Cook, 51 Thomas Walp, 114 Kenneth Graves, 101 Clint Pelzell, 171 Charles Garza, 36 Michael Garrard, 251 Danny Cavanagh, 79 Michael Hanusch, 48 Bradley Poor

 

SSM B-2;(***called on time limit) 56 Logan Robertson, 84 Rodney White, 24 Jake Upchurch, 517 Cory Williams, 15 Ryan Thomas, 6 Eddie Ledbetter, 77 Tony Early, 91 Kyle Wisdom, 911 Blake Andrus, 99 Junior Dosher, 31 Brian Heard, 423 Wil, Poston, 151 Joey Young---bf, 823 Kyle Singleton---bf

 

SSM B-3; 37 Jeffrey Abbey, 691 Brandon Smith, 32 Rodger Pierce, 54 Tanner Stansell, 779 James, Hanusch, 132 Billie Bivens, 41 Ricky Ford, 777 Lodi Mitchell, 88 Calen Mohler, 177 Brandon Ross, 845 Brantley Beatty , 66 Johnny Torres---dns

 

SSM B-4
4 Trevor Foley, 69 Bret Young, 38 Allen Montgomery, 14 Jim Pierce, 26 RJ Navarro, 87 Johnny Brazell, 511 Clint Humphreys,25 Terry Owen, 481 Tony Sanders, 18 Justin Nabors, 157 Russell Flanary, 44 Kendall Rea, 07 Jerry Frydrych

 

SSM Heats(top 1 to A-qualifier)

 

Heat 1; 17 Michael Maraschick, 187 John Webb, 7 Steve Hayes, 101 Clint Pelzel, 318 Scotty Cook, 51w Thomas Walp, 71 Charles Garza, 156 Tyler Webb

 

Heat 2; 5 TJ Green, 48 Bradley Poor, 71 Tom Hogan, 175 James Skinner, 114 Kenneth Graves, 251 Danny Cavanaugh, 36 Michael Garrard, 79 Michael Hanusch---dns

 

Heat 3; 30 David Sanford, 31 Brian Heard, 151 Joey Young, 15 Ryan Thomas, 823 Kyle Singleton, 77 Tony Early, 911 Blake Andrus, 99 Junior Dosher

 

Heat 4; 55 Justin Shaw, 56 Logan Robertson, 84 Rodney White, 91 Kyle Wisdpom, 24 Jake Upchurch, 517 Cory Williams, 6 Eddie Ledbetter, 423 Will Poston

 

Heat 5; 95 Gabe Tucker, 691 Brandon Smith, 845 Brantley Beatty, 88 Calen Mohler, 777 Lodi Mitchell, 11 Ty Weatherbee, 115 Albert Gregware, 66 Johnny Torres

 

Heat 6; 13 Bret Bush, 32 Rodger Pierce, 37 Jeffrey Abbey, 41 Ricky Ford, 54 Tanner Stansell, 132 Billie Bivens, 77 James Hanusch

 

Heat 7; 10 Dustin Robinson, 4f Trevor Foley, 38 Allen Montgomery, 26 RJ Navarro, 44 Kendall Rea, 511 Clint Humphreys, 25 Terry Owen, 481 Tony Sanders

 

Heat 8; 144 Kale Westover, 14 Jim Pierce, 87 Johnny Brazell, 07 Jerry Frydrych, 157 Russell Flanary, 28 Justin Nabors, 69 Bret Young--Bf

 

Hertel Hot in I-Stock

 

Doing double duty, Chad Hertel(Abilene) grabbed a top 8 finish earlier in the IMCA Modified qualifier. Putting that track time, and a front row spot starting spot together was all he needed to lead all 20-laps in IMCA Stock Car A-Qualifier. Hertel quickly pulled away from Westin Abbey and built a full straightawat advantage before a lap 7 caution rebunched the field. Hertel was chased by Kirk Martin after a mid-race restart but was able to ease away to grab the win unchallenged.

 

Showtime Signs & Designs IMCA Stock Cars(top 4 to Big A-main)
59 Chad Hertel, 69 Kirk Martin, 5 Brandon Taylor, 12 Westin Abbey, 110 Shelby Williams, 116 Damon Hammond, 3 Colin Demming, 07 Dennis Bissonette, 00 Jody York, 03 Jack Miles, 156 Jason Adcock, 63 Andy Roller, 237 Jordan Latham, 2 Brandon Williams, 141 Chad Chance, 64 Cary White, 22 Billy Wade, 83 Chad Estes, 44 Joe Spillman, 131 Mark Lord

 

IMCA Stock Car B-main(top 4 to A-main)
I-Stock B-1; 63 Andy Roller, 00 Jody York, 237 Jordan Lathum, 22 Billy Wade, 62 JD Davis, 80 Mike Easterwood, 122 Jacky Hefti, 71 Ronnie Christopher, 169 Hunter Russell, 4 Danny Brown, 33 Bill Poindexter, 45 Shane Wojtek, 0 Kelly Brown, 77 Tobie Talk

I-Stock B-2; 83 Chad Estes, 64 Cary White, 2 Brandon Williams, 131 Mark Lord, 42 April Phillips, 84 Eric Jones, 20 Mike McCarthy, 13 Joey White, 444 Luke Lindsey, 26 Jamey Huskey, 55 Mart Wampler

 

IMCA Stock Car heats(top 3 to A-main)

 

Heat 1; 59 Chad Hertel, 3 Colin Demming, 03 Jack MIles, 63 Andy Roller, 22 Billy Wade, 4 Danny Brown, 62 JD Davis, 0 Kelly Brown, 80 MIke Eastwood, 33 Bill Poindexter, 45 Shane Wojtek

 

Heat 2; 12 Weston Abbey, 156 Jason Adcock, 5 Brandon Taylor, 237 Jordan Latham, 00 Jody York, 122 Jackie Hefti, 77 Toby Talk, 14 Joe O'Bryan, 169 Hunter, Russell,71 Ronnie Christopher

 

Heat 3; 110 Shelby Williams, 44 Joe Spillman, 07 Dennis Bissonette, 2 Brandon Williams, 31 Jay Cook, 64 Cary White, 26 Jamey Huskey, 19 Jake White, 86 Brian Flowers , 444 Luke Lindsey

 

Heat 4; 69 Kirk Martin,141 Chad Chance, 16 Damon Hammond, 83 Chad Estes, 55 Mart Wampler , 84 Eric Jones, 131 Mark Lord, 42 April Phillips, 13 Joey White, 20 Mike McCarthy

 

Spaulding Scores in Hobby Stocks

 

Gerald Spaulding(Abilene) used a lapped car as a pick to get the lead from Sam Hodges near halfway in the 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A-qualifier. Ryan Wilkerson took up the challenge after a mid-race restart, but it was Jeremy Oliver on the charge. Oliver got by Wilkerson after a late yellow and was on Spaulding's bumper the final four circuits with Spaulding able to hold Oliver off at the checkers.

 

Abilene Racing Rads IMCA Hobby Stocks(top 4 to Big A-main
15 Gerald Spaulding, 82 Jeremy Oliver, 98 Mike Watkins, 24 Ryan Wilkerson, 75 Wesley Warren, 18 Kenneth Seay , 32 Joe Williams, 10 Chris Graenser, 01 Shawn Miles, 99 Michaela Scott, 08 Latrail Dello, 5 Sam Hodges, 03 Ashton Hayes, 38 George Ross, 713 Alex Bannowsky---dns

 

IMCA Hobby Stock heats(top 5 redraw)

Heat 1; 5 Sam Hodges, 75 Wesley Warren, 18 Kenneth Seay, 15 Gerald Spalding, 24 Ryan Wilkertson, 99 Michael Scott, 03 Ashton Hayes, 713 Alex Bannowsky

 

Heat 2; 82 Jeremy Oliver, 32 Joe Williams, 10 Chris Graesner, 38 George Ross, 08 Latrail Dello, 01 Shawn Miles, 98 Mike Watkins--dq(carb)

 

Dowell Dramatic in Last Lap Street Stock Pass

 

Killeen's JP Dowell didn't lead a complete lap in the 20-lap Street Stock A-Qualifier, but led where it counted, at the finish line, by inches. Bryce Pritchett led early, but spun giving way to LP O'Neal. Delmar Slone took over at halfway, with Dowell making his way to third. Dowell caught O'Neal and while they battled, Justin Cass snuck by with two to go. On the final lap Dowell got inside Cass and coming out of turn 4 to the checkers, they were door to door. It was so close at the finish line that no one knew who won. After officials conferenced, Dowell was awarded the win.

 

Stephenville Starter Street Stocks(top 4 to Big A-main)
715 JP Dowell, 56 Justin Cass, 184 Delmar Slone, 24 David Hudec, 65 Tracy Faulks, 54 Melvin Kemp, 18 Tim Homeyer, 98 Jonathon Wright, 10 Trevor Graenser, 110 Ronnie Ellis jr., 161 Jerry Riley, 92 Richard Myers, 83 William MCNeely, 6 Kenneth Sikes, 16 Lee Riley, 21 Willie Tryon, 222 Jamie Herring, 010 Bryce Pritchett, 11 Tom McGaha, 48 LP O'Neal---DQ(tech)

 

Street Stock B-main(top 4 to A-main)

 

Street Stock B-1; 18 Tim Homeyer, 110 Ronnie Ellis jr., 16 Lee Riley, 92 Richard Myers, 2 Phil Beasley, 26 Robert Jansen, 177 Richard Hanneman, 4 Leah Brown, 60 John Rister, 99 Trevor Lutz

 

Street Stock B-2; 98 Jonathon Wright, 715 JP Dowell, 161 Jerry Riley, 6 Kenneth Sikes, 03 Michael Ledbetter, 0 Randy Madry, 114 Kevin Ward, 28 Travis Johnson, 031 Racer X

 

Street Stock heats(top 4 to A-qualifier)

 

Heat 1
56 Justin Cass, 21 Willie Tryon, 24 David Hudec, 26 Robert Jansen, 60 John; Rister, 18 Tim Homeyer, 8 Krystle Acton, 99 Trevor Lutz, 16 Lee Riley

 

Heat 2; 010 Bryce Pritchett, 83 William McNeely, 65 Tract Faulks, 01 Stephen Glatter, 92 Richard Myers, 2 Phil Beasley, 110 Ronnie Ellis jr., 4 Leah Brown, 177 Richard Hanneman

 

Heat 3; 184 Delmar Slone, 48 LP O'Neal, 10 Trevor Graensner, 0 Randy Madry, 28 Travis Jordan, 6 Kenneth Sikes, 114 Kevin Ward, 91 Gary O'Neal

 

Heat 4; 54 Melvin Kemp, 11 Tom McGaha, 98 Jonathon wWright, 222 Jamie Herring, 161 Jerry Riley, 03 Michael Ledbetter, 031 N/A, 715 JP Dowell

 

Clark Claims Jr. Mini Stock Honors

Blake Clark(Joshua) captured the Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock honors coming from the back after an incident. Clark was involved in a multi-car tangle early in the 15-lapper but quickly caught back to leader, Ryan Sanford. With two to go Sanford spun giving the lead to Clark who ran the final laps to the victory

 

Young Guns Jr. Mini Stocks

88 Blake Clark, 72 Richard Gregory, 4 Ramiro Arrazola, 42 Lesley Phillips, 30 Ryan Sanford, 121 Klayton Ritchie, 54 Austin Moreland, 03 Racer X, 99 Avery Scott---dns

 

Young Guns Junior Mini Stock heats

Heat 1; 30 Ryan Sanford, 88 Blake Clark, 4 Ramiro Arrazola, 121 Klayton Ritchie, 56 Rodney Gregory

 

Heat 2; 72 Richard Gregory, 54 Austin Moreland, 03 Racer X, 99 Avery Scott, 42 Lesley Phillips