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Wendy Bohonek
MONTICELLO, Ark. (May 17) - With the track rolled in, and hot laps completed, it was time for the AMP heat races to get underway. As each heat race finished, the fans were given an early indication of how strong the field of competition was going to be for the 16 Late Models that would later make up the 30 lap Kenneth Mitcham Memorial Feature event.
Out of the bull pen first leading all 10 laps of his heat race was AMP 2007 defending Champion Jon "Catman" Mitchell. Mitchell had some close company in tow as the 2007 Rookie of the Year, Kyle Beard, and the current AMP points leader Allen Tippen charged in a one-two-three succession across the start finish line to get the evening heated up.
Next on the track was "Charging Charlie" Cole whose strong run was able to duplicate the previous heat race and he to led all ten laps. As Cole saw the checkered flag, he brought with him the March 30th defending Monticello AMP Feature winner Jeff Chanler, and well known local driver Doug Showah.
With two heat races down and one to go, the third heat raced, proved to be a triple hitter. Jody Prince, Sibley LA, led all ten laps followed by a fellow statesman Mark Andrews, Marion LA, and "The Rocket" Terry Henson of North Little Rock AR. As the dust settled and the engines were briefly quieted, the fans were able to catch their breath and begin to ponder their stacked and packed feature line-up.
Feature races are always started with the past, and "the past" is usually from a short time ago, a result of a heat race, and within the same night. For tonight's race we went a little further into the past, to last year's season, to get things started. The first two cars to make their way onto the field were two modified cars. These cars were the honorary pace cars for the Kenneth Michem Memorial Feature Race and were being piloted by Mitchem's nephew and son-in-law. A tribute about Kenneth was read to his family and fans. As part of the ceremony Monticello Speedway also extended sympathy to the Mitchem family with a bouquet of flowers that were placed on the back of one of the pace cars in memory of Kenneth's father who passed away last week. Although the racing community is passionate about some good ole fashion, fender rubbing racing, they are just as compassionate to remember and honor those that they have lost due to the sport they are a part of. Once the driver introductions and the four wide salute led by Mitchem's family was complete, the fans were on their feet, and the drivers were ready to honor a fellow competitor and friend by doing what they know and love most race.
At the drop of the green flag the race was on. As 16 cars flew past the flag stand and made their way around the track, Jon Mitchell would be the one out front to lead the first lap. Doug Showah would hit hard on a retaining tire on lap two to bring out the first caution, do damage to his car and ultimately end his night. Mitchell led the first four laps with Beard, Chanler, Tippen, and Cole rounding out the top five. On lap five Beard would get around Michell and take the lead as the remaining three drivers mixed it up some but continued to hold onto the top five spots.
Beard would lead the next eleven laps. Mitchell would reach the bumper of the eighty-six but was unable to get around him until lap twenty-four when Mitchell slide around Kyle for the lead and held on to bring home the checker flag, with Beard finishing second.
As Beard and Mitchell raced for the first two spots the rest of the field was busy as well. The man on the move was Arkansas driver Mike Bowers who by lap eleven moved from his tenth starting spot up to sixth. After a caution on lap twelve, the restart proved eventful for Jeff Chanler. Chanler who restarted fourth dropped below the cone and was penalized and forced to move to the rear of the field. This put the defending feature race winner on an up hill battle, but he forged through and was able to bring home a eighth place finish. Tippen moved into the third position which he had command over since lap four, held it to the finish. Bower's was able to get around Cole and would take home a fourth place finish for his efforts. Cole was able to hold off Andrews, Henson and Taylor as they mixed it back-n-forth for fifth place bragging rights. Terry Henson who had another great night brought it home in sixth, while Taylor finished seventh. Mark Andrews and Clay Fisher rounded out the top ten. Rookie of the Year contender Jeff Wells Jr finished eleventh, Andy Hockenhull finished twelfth, and Rachel York who had an ill handling car was able to finish in the thirteenth spot. Wells Jr, Hockenhull, and York make up three of the seven drivers who are qualified for the AMP 100% Bonus Award along with Tippen, Mitchell, Beard, and Fisher, making it a profitable night in more than one way.
Heat One Starting Order:
71A Allen Tippen, Minden LA, 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana TX, T-49 Raymond Taylor, Ball LA, TEN Mike Bowers, Jacksonville AR, 86 Kyle Beard, Trumann AR, 27S Tommy Surrett, Little Rock AR
Heat One Finishing Order:
5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana TX, 86 Kyle Beard, Trumman AR, 71A Allen Tippen, Minden LA, TEN Mike Bowers, Jacksonville AR, 27S Tommy Surrett, Little Rock AR, T-49 John Taylor Ball LA
Heat Two Starting Order:
11 Rachel York, Southhaven MS, 2 Charlie Cole, Marianna AR, 1S Jeff Wells Jr, Trumann AR, D8 Doug Showah, Indianola MS, 11C Jeff Chanler, Arcacdia LA.
Heat Two Finishing Order:
2 Charlie Cole, Marianna AR, 11C Jeff Chanler, Arcadia LA, D8 Doug Showah, Indianola MS, 1S Jeff Wells Jr, Trumman AR, 11 Rachel York, Southhaven MS
Heat Three Starting Order:
U2 Terry Henson, N Little Rock AR, 10 Jody Prince, Sibley LA, 38 Mark Andrews, Marion LA, 95H Andy Hockenhull, Conway AR, 99 Clay Fisher, DeWitt AR.
Heat Three Finishing Order:
10 Jody Prince, Sibley LA, 38 Mark Andrews, Marion LA, U2 Terry Henson, N Little Rock, AR, 95H Andy Hockenhull, Conway AR., 99 Clay Fisher, DeWitt AR
Feature Starting Order:
Row 1: 5 Jon Mitchell Texarkana TX, 2 Charlie Cole, Marianna AR
Row 2: 10 Jody Prince Sibley LA, 86 Kyle Beard, Trumann AR
Row 3: 11C Jeff Chanler, Arcacdia LA, 38 Mark Andrews, Marion LA
Row 4: D8 Doug Showah, Indianola MS, 71A Allen Tippen, Minden LA
Row 5: U2 Terry Henson, N Little Rock AR, TEN Mike Bowers, Jacksonville AR
Row 6: 1S Jeff Wells Jr, Trumann AR, 95H Andy Hockenhull, Conway AR
Row 7: 27S Tommy Surrett, Little Rock AR, 11 Rachel York, Southhaven MS
Row 8: 99 Clay Fisher, Dewitt AR, T-49 Raymond Taylor, Ball LA
Feature Finishing Order:
1st 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana TX
2nd 86 Kyle Beard, Trumann AR
3rd 71A Allen Tippen, Minden LA
4th TEN Mike Bowers, Jacksonville AR
5th 2 Charlie Cole, Marianna AR
6th U2 Terry Henson, N Little Rock AR
7th T-49 Raymond Taylor, Ball LA
8th 11C Jeff Chanler, Arcacdia LA
9th 38 Mark Andrews, Marion LA
10th 99 Clay Fisher, DeWitt AR
11th 1S Jeff Wells Jr, Trumman AR
12th 95H Andy Hockenhull, Conway AR
13th 11 Rachel York, Southhaven MS
14th 27S Tommy Surrett, Little Rock AR
15th 10 Jody Prince, Sibley LA
16th D8 Doug Showah Indianola MS
Larry Shaw Hard Charger Award: T-69 Raymond Taylor, Ball LA
GRT Pole Award: 5 Jon Mitchell, Texarkana TX
Southeast Emergency Medical Services Checkered Flag Falls Award:
95H Andy Hockenhull, Conway AR
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