Volunteer Speedway
April 14, 2012
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Ball, Whitt, James visit Volunteer Speedway victory lane

by Robert Walden
BULLS GAP, Tenn. (April 14) — A somber mood at Volunteer Speedway for the weekly racing program Saturday, with track owner Phyllis Loven’s father having passed away from extended illness on Friday. But the scheduled show must go on, and following a brief moment of silence, prayer and national anthem, fans were treated to an exciting racing program on the high banks.

Three-time (2008, 2010, 2011) Fastrak Racing Series-sanctioned Pro Late Model champion Dale Ball of Johnson City, qualified on the pole position for the 35-lap headlining event and grabbed the lead at the start and never looked back en route to leading flag-to-flag for his first victory on the season.

While Ball, driving the Smith Brothers Harley-Davidson of Johnson City/Kerry Jones Trucking - Bigfoot Enterprises/Luke's Pizza of Johnson City/Alan Poyner Enterprises/Jim Schweitzer Inc./Mainline Communications/Twin D Auto & Truck Sales of Johnson City/Advance Auto Parts/Envy Suspension & Race Consultants/VP Racing Fuels/Steve Williams Enterprises/Warrior Race Cars/No. 2 Chevrolet Impala, was in command throughout the race, behind him competitors’ battled for real estate until the waving of the checkered flag.

But there was no denying the 51-year-old Ball his first win, with John Tweed, Vic Chandler, Tim Byrd and Jerry Broyles rounding out the top-five at the finish.

Completing the top-10 finishers were Brad Coffey, Ricky Moore, John Harrell, Todd Brooks and Greg Burchett.

Jesse Helton jumped into the lead over Wise, Va.’s Jamie Whitt at start of the 25-lap Modified Hobby feature and led the opening 14 circuits before a broken transmission parked him in the pits. With a clear track out front for two-time defending division champion Whitt, driving the B&D Repair/Baldwin Filters/Iron Horse Race Cars/No. 1 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, he pulled away to easily capture his second straight win over Jon Cook, Dennis Metcalf, Robbie Woods and Chuck Kilian.

Having grown up as a young boy attending racing at Volunteer Speedway watching both his grandfather (Danny James) and father (Wayne James) win many races over the years, along with track championships, Tyler James of Cosby could only dream about someday being able to write his name in the record book as a third-generation “James Gang” racer to visit victory lane at The Gap. The dreams became reality when Tyler, driving the Dave’s Roofing/Lane’s Market/West Haven Speed Equipment/No. 420 ride outran Ron Lawson, Jeff Akard and Wayne James to capture his first-ever Open Wheel Modified feature win – a night the 19-year-old will always remember.

PRO LATE MODEL (35 laps)

1. Dale Ball #2-Johnson City, TN
2. John Tweed #5-Greeneville, TN
3. Vic Chandler #88-Weaverville, NC
4. Tim Byrd #24-Jonesborough, TN
5. Jerry Broyles #72-Jonesborough, TN
6. Brad Coffey #88-Maryville, TN
7. Ricky Moore #75-Mosheim, TN
8. John Harrell #H19-Surgoinsville, TN
9. Todd Brooks #T1-Greeneville, TN
10. Greg Burchett #5-Church Hill, TN
11. Tim Maupin #T2-Johnson City, TN
12. Tyler Dixon #00-Greeneville, TN

MODIFIED HOBBY (25 laps)

1) Jamie Whitt #1; 2) Jon Cook #0z; 3) Dennis Metcalf #55; 4) Robbie Woods #2; 5) Chuck Kilian #96; 6) Jesse Wilder #79; 7) Tyler Smith #32; 8) Jesse Helton #28; 9) Kimberly Allen #15; 10) Terry Dean #47; 11) Mike Kelley #8; 12) Dale Reed #52; 13) Chris Gregg #73; 14) Charlie Bates #27 – Did Not Start: Mike Kilian #94; Ralph Kilian #95

OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED (20 laps)

1) Tyler James #420; 2) Ron Lawson #20; 3) Jeff Akard #00; 4) Wayne James #4