311 Speedway
April 14, 2012
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Chris Ferguson Races to FASTRAK City Chevrolet Touring Division Win at 311 Speedway 

Pinehall, North Carolina – After a disappointing tangle with a lap car cost a chance to win at Cleveland County Speedway on Friday night, Chris Ferguson rebounded in fine fashion on Saturday night at the back-end of the FASTRAK City Chevrolet Touring Division double-header weekend. Ferguson bypassed 2012 FASTRAK Southeast / Mid-East Region Champion Brandon Umberger for the lead on lap 22 and then turned away a hard charging David Smith to pick up a $2000 payday.
 
“Man our car was just awesome. I tried to take care of the tires and pick the time to make a run and fortunately it fell our way. We tried to run everybody clean and get up through there. I had a run on the 54 car (Umberger) off of 4 a few laps before we got by him but we touched a little and I checked up to stay off of him. I got into him a little last night and I didn’t want to do that again. This was a great race and it was a lot of fun.” Ferguson said in victory lane.
 
31 one FASTRAK City Chevrolet Pro Late Models signed in for VP Race Fuels Race for the Pole Qualifying. After all 31 cars had completed their 2 timed laps it was David Smith picking up his 2nd consecutive pole award in as many nights. Umberger’s 17.844-second mark fell just shy of Smith’s lap of 17.822 seconds around the ½ mile high-banks of 311 Speedway. Local hotshoe Chase McCormick of Dobson, North Carolina was third quick followed by Brian Connor, Ferguson, Barry Arnold, Dale Timms and Mitchell Coble.
 
A huge crash on the initial start attempt for the 40-lap feature claimed Rob Farve and Noel Tucker. Also caught up the mêlée were Ron Parker, Lee Cooper and Richard Clew. Cooper continued however Parker and Clew both lost laps in the pit area completing repairs. With the field reset for another attempt, Umberger was able to grab the advantage headed into turn 1. Smith followed closely and nosed to the inside of the 54B machine over the first several laps. After another yellow flag and restart Brian Connor emerged to challenge Umberger. Connor pulled alongside Umberger lap after lap but could not cover the spot.
 
After yet another yellow slowed the field at the halfway point, Ferguson asserted his power on the restart. Ferguson quickly disposed of Connor taking Smith with him. Ferguson immediately challenged Umberger to the inside of turn 3. Pulling alongside Ferguson and Umberger made slight contact causing Ferguson to check-up and allow Umberger to pull away. But Ferguson was not done yet. One lap later he was on right back on the rear of Umberger and took the lead off of turn 4 to complete lap 22 and take the lead. Umberger tried to fight back but was immediately forced to deal with Smith.
 
Smith bypassed Umberger and set after Ferguson as the laps waned. Ferguson opened up a healthy margin on Smith but as he reached lap traffic Smith began to reel the leader in. However by the time Smith had Ferguson within his vision he had run out of laps. Ferguson picked up the $2000 win and Smith finished 2nd. Smith also retained the FASTRAK City Chevrolet Touring Division point lead he established with his Friday night win at Cleveland County.
 
Ferguson was jubilant in the FASTRAK VP Race Fuels Victory Lane. Ferguson climbed from his Mike Mercer owned Barry Wright Race Car and stood atop the roof pumping his fists in excitement. “We really want to thank Mike Mercer and his family for allowing me to drive this car. Mike has an awesome piece and it was just so good tonight. We have been fast everywhere that we have raced it but we have just been having bad luck. But Mike understands that and has allowed us to keep driving the car. I want to thank all of the sponsors on this car and all of the sponsors on our Super Late Model car too. They all help out and we couldn’t do any of this without them.” Ferguson said.
 
Final Results
 
1 – 22 Chris Feguson – Mt. Holly, NC
2 – 11 David Smith – Inman, SC
3 – 54B Brandon Umberger – Rural Retreat, VA
4 – 3 Kenny Peeples – Rural Retreat, VA
5 – 77 Brian Connor – Martinez, GA
6 – 4c Mitchell Coble – Mt. Airy, NC
7 – 57 Lee Cooper – Woodruff, SC
8 – 15A Barry Arnold – Max Meadows, NC
9 – 10 Spencer Apple – Reidsville, NC
10 - *18 Kevin Wilson – Stoneville, NC
11 – 20v Kenny Van Deveer – Oak Ridge, NC
12 – 8 Ron Parker – Bellwood, NC
13 – 10K Chris Knight – Lawsonville, NC
14 – 22 Jordan Dill – Landrum, SC
15 – 15 Chase McCormick – Dobson, NC
16 – 5 Robbie Stevens – Madison, NC
17 – 07 Dale Timms – Hodges, SC
18 – 300 Bill Tesh – Germanton, NC
19 – 121B TK Hicks – Mt. Airy, NC
20 – 51c Chad Hale – Wytheville, VA
21 – 87 Dewayne Joyce – Walkertown, NC
22 – F5 Richard Clew – Mocksville, NC
23 – 121 Noel Tucker – Mt. Airy, NC
24 – Rob Farve – Willis, VA
 
DNS: Derek Brown, Jerry Cochran, Ryan Atkins, Kenny Barnes, Tony Hicks, Mark Crowe and Clinton Cook