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LATEMODELRACER >> DIRT LATE MODELS >> Ellis holds off Thomas at Cleveland Speedway
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Message started by LMR on 03/06/10 at 9:33pm

Title: Ellis holds off Thomas at Cleveland Speedway
Post by LMR on 03/06/10 at 9:33pm

Super Late Models
Cleveland Speedway
March 6, 2010

DEREK ELLIS WINS CLEVELAND SLM SEASON OPENER SLOBBERKNOCKER

Steve Hixson
Cleveland, TN (3/6/10) -- The DITCH DIGGER Derek Ellis of Chatsworth, Georgia won Saturday nights 2010 Cleveland (TN) Speedway season opener. The nights Super Late Model 30-lap feature produced three lead changes and a hard-charge from young William Thomas (aka. WILLY-T) whom started 13th in a field of fifteen starters. Jake Knowles set fast time blazing a 13:528 lap during qualifying time trials. Knowles went on to win heat #1 after Thomas smacked the wall while leading, trying to get by a backmarker racecar. Second quick qualifier Preston Graves won heat #2 after Billy Mayo led early, for the outside FRONT ROW JOE honors. At the start Knowles looked outta sequence as Graves got the lead. Ellis put Knowles as far back as third and even got under Graves as a slower car infront of the leaders nearly crashed. Knowles high-side finally came in around the half-way point giving the lead to the pole-sitter for the first time. A late caution with a little over 10 laps remaining negated a half straightaway lead built by Knowles. By this time Thomas had cracked the Top 5 and was ready to battle the Top 3. This was also Ellis' time as the # 99 "Ellis Contracting, Auto Zone, Gene's Racing Parts, Wilson Welding, Outlaw Racing Graphics" sponsored Rocket racer dove under Knowles to take the lead on the ensuing restart. Thomas worked past Graves and eventually Knowles for 2nd, but even a lap 25 caution would not deny Ellis the victory. Mayo worked back to a 4th place finish behind WILLY-T and Knowles, with Keith Frazier rounding out the Top 5.

In other Racing Action: Brian Kinnersly and Bobby Mayse dualed for the LLM/Crate Feature. Kinnersly took the win with Mayse, Brandon Williams, Tanner Works and Todd Morrow following. A large 7 to 9 car pile-up damaged many of the 20-car field when 4th running Brian Pritchard crashed down the back-stretch. Morrow raced back to a Top 5, after breaking while leading his heat race, after starting 18th in the 20 lap feature. Robbie Greene won the very first feature race of 2010, as the A-Hobby always go first on the feature line-up. Greene held off Dustin Cansler, Jeff Paige, Greg Suddeth and a frailing Richard Dixon. In the B-Hobby it was Jason Brown victorious. The Pony feature was dominated by Jimmy "J" Elliott and the FWD saw Michael Arp take the checkers. Next week (Saturday, March 13th) All Classes will be in competition as All Eyes will be on the S.A.S. series in for the 15th SHAMROCK 60 event. For more detailed info. visit www.clevelandspeedway.com

A-Main
1 99 Derek Ellis Chatsworth, GA
2 22 William Thomas Phenix City, AL
3 66 Jake Knowles Tyrone, GA
4 115 Billy Mayo Cleveland, TN
5 11 Keith Fraizer Cleveland, TN

Crate Winner: 27 Brian Kinnersly Blairsville, GA

Update courtesy of Steve Hixson