Tazewell Speedway
June 16, 2012
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Trammell Capitalizes on Smith’s Misfortune: Goes to Victory Lane

by Wesley Womack
TAZEWELL, TN (June 16) - Although East Tennessee pop-up showers threatened the skies, Tazewell Speedway dodged a bullet from Mother Nature and was able to complete the June 16th edition of weekly racing at the famed 1/3 mile high-banked oval.  The track crew led by Brad Hall worked hard all day long to get the track in great shape for some amazing racing.

The Tazewell Late Models roared to life for their 30 lap feature next.  Steve Smith, who set fast time with a lap of 11.882 seconds, took the lead into turn 1 over Jason Trammell.  Smith began to pull away from Trammell until about 10 laps to go.  Trammell began to then reel the 3 in to challenge for the lead.  On lap 26, with just 4 laps remaining, mechanical issued struck Smith forcing him to retire, and handing the lead to Trammell.  Trammell would lead the remaining 4 laps to take the win over Steve Carr, Jody Horton, Keith Chapman, and J. Allan.

1. 90J – Jason Trammell
2. 77 – Steve Carr
3. 56J – Jody Horton
4. 97 – Keith Chapman
5. 111 – J. Allan
6. 24 – Andy Wilder
7. 3 – Steve Smith
8. 22 – Matthew Holt
DNS
11J – Tony Horton

The 4-Cylinder class came to the speedway as the 1st feature.  Bubby Braden and Joey Allen brought the 9 car field to the green.  On the start, Allen took the lead into turn 1.  However, a familiar site directed the attention of the fans elsewhere.  Kurt Owens, who started his 7UP machine in the 8th spot, crossed the start/finish line at the end of lap 1 battling for 2nd.  He took the 2nd spot away from Chuck McMahan going into turn 1.  A couple laps later, he got a good enough run on Allen to take the lead exiting turn 2.  He went on to lead the remainder of the caution free event to claim the win.

1. 7UP – Kurt Owens
2. 99 – Chuck McMahan
3. B7 – Bubby Braden
4. 38 – James Collett Jr.
5. H2 – James Hopson
6. 72 – Rufus Collett
7. 13 – John Collett
8. 007 – Hayston Collett
DQ
A00 – Joey Allen

Modified Street brought an 8 car field to the grid next for their 20 lap feature.  As the green flag flew, the field began crash before making it to the flag stand.  Contact between row 2 starters Tony Horton and Clyde Overholt initiated a 5 car pileup, bringing out the red flag.  The biggest recipient of damage was Larry Burke, who ended up nose first into the inside front stretch wall.  Burke’s night was over.  Since no laps were completed, the field was relined for a complete double-file restart.  On the 2nd attempt, an apparent retaliation move was made by Overholt, as he sent the 56 of Tony Horton spinning in turn 1, bringing out the yellow again.  Overholt decided to call it a night with serious damage to the 4 machine.  The 3rd time would be the charm, as the field got underway.  Jordan Horton would capture the lead into turn 1, and blister the field to take the win over his father, Tony.  Buchanan would finish 3rd, with Sizemore and Punk Henson rounding out the top 5.  After the event, a protest was declared against the 56H of Horton, but track tech man Bill Curl deemed Horton legal.

1. 56H – Jordan Horton
2. 56 – Tony Horton
3. P21 – Robbie Buchanan
4. 44C – Jason Sizemore
5. 66 – Punk Henson
6. 8 – Andrew Loven
7. 4 – Clyde Overholt
8. 54 – Larry Burke
DNS
14 – Wayne Overholt

The classic cars took to the track next.  Robby Sands started on the pole per qualifying with a lap of 14.380.  On the start, a great battled ensued before contact between Charlie Tharp and Sands brought out the yellow.  Tharp was granted with causing the caution and was sent to the tail of the field for the restart.  Joe Keck got the jump on the restart over Sands to take the lead.  Sands made many attempts to pass Keck, but he was unsuccessful and Keck took the win.  After the Feature, Sands handed track owner Gary Hall enough cash to claim protest against the 8 of Keck.  After tech inspection, Bill Curl found the 8 of Keck illegal, giving Sands the win.

1. 17 – Robbie Sands
2. 20 – Charlie Tharp
3. 1 – Shane Lockhart
4. 18 – Eli Keck
DQ
8 – Joe Keck

Pure Street wrapped the night up with a 20 lap feature.  Johnathan Miracle set fast time in qualifying, missing the track record by about 2/10 of a second, and turning a lap of 14.535.  He pulled to the lead over J.J. Green on the start.  Green began to close on Miracle, looking to challenge for the lead, before suffering mechanical problems on lap 13.  Miracle went uncontested the remainder of the event claiming the victory.

1. 41 – Johnathan Miracle
2. 94 – Dustin Eldridge
3. 18 – Junior Cody
4. J.J. Green
5. 01 – Luke Sharp
6. 7 – Larry Moore
7. 5 – Jason Saylor
8. 28 – Buster Cupp
DNS
97 – Bo Hall

Gary Hall would like to join all the fans and drivers for their continued support.  Join us next Saturday night, June 23rd, for another edition of Tazewell Speedway’s weekly racing program, featuring the Tazewell Late Models, Modified Street, Pure Street, Classics, and 4 Cylinders.  Gradnstand admission will be $10, with pit admission being $25.