NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series
Talladega Short Track
July 3, 2015
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Hickman Sweeps Talladega Short Track NeSmith Late Model Race



by Roby Helm
EASTABOGA, AL (July 2) – Riley Hickman of Cleveland, TN swept the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Salute To America Nationals opening race Thursday night at Talladega Short Track driving the Hickman Manufacturing CVR “House Car.” Hickman set fast time among the 40 entrants, and then led all 40 laps of the main event to becoming the 11th different winner in 12 races.

“This is Chip Vineyard’s “House Car” at CVR race cars, and they just had a perfect set up tonight,” Hickman said. “These NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series races are never easy to win, but having a race car like I had tonight makes it a little harder for the competition to catch you.”

The defending and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN finished second in the NeSmith Chevrolet Special and extended his point lead over Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL to 100 points. The third spot went to 13-year-old Cruz Skinner of Oxford, AL in the Skinner’s Body Shop CVR.

Skinner, who is the Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series point leader for NeSmith Late Model drivers 18 years of age and younger, was also the second fastest qualifier. Josh Adkins of Talladega, AL took the fourth spot in CRM Motors GRT, and two-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Eric Cooley of Fulton, MS was fifth in the Bryson Motorsports/Cooley Transport Special.

Joe Noogin of Boaz, AL finished sixth in the Noogin Body Shop GRT, and Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN drove the Rebel Diesel H2 Duayne Hommel Tribute Car to a seventh-place finish and was the Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race. The 2008 NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, GA was eighth in the BDR Loopers and Clips Special.

Adam Cummings of Odenville, AL took the ninth spot in the Cummings Racing GRT, and Forrest Trent of Talbott, TN rounded out the top ten in the Trent Logging Rocket. Cody Martin of Christiana, TN started 22nd and finished 12th to earn the Beyea Headers Hard Charger of the Race Award driving the Martin Motorsports Warrior.

In preliminary action, Hickman set fast time honors among the 40 entrants with a lap around Talladega Short Track in 15.132 seconds. The three ten-lap B-Main races were won by Noogin, Jimmy Thomas of Phenix City, AL in the Five Star Hyundai Special, and 13-year-old Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series driver Will Roland of Jasper, GA in the Roland Tire Warrior.

Hickman took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Skinner in the second spot. Johnson and Brindle went three-wide on the opening lap with Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year point leader Ryan King of Seymour, TN in the middle aboard the Brian King Roofing Stinger.

As the three-wide battle for third came off the fourth turn, all three cars got together, and King spun to the right and made heavy contact with the wall with the right-front corner of his race car. That triggered a multi-car tangle that completely blocked the front straightaway, and necessitated a complete restart of the race.

King was done for the night, but all other cars involved were able to restart. When the green flag came out for the second time, it was once again Hickman taking the lead followed by Skinner, Johnson, Brindle and Adkins. By the fifth lap, Hickman showed just how strong of a race car he had, as he pulled out to a 15 car-length lead over Skinner.

The second caution flag of the race came out on lap seven when Larry Harrod of Plains, GA, who was running tenth, spun the Harrod Logging Special in turn two. Doubled up behind Hickman for the Dixie Style Double File Restart were Skinner, Johnson, Brindle, Adkins, Michael Arnold of Hattiesburg, MS in The Strength Center Special, Henderson, Cooley, Trent and Noogin in second through tenth respectively.

There were wholesale position changes on the restart with Johnson driving around the outside of Skinner to take the second spot, Adkins got by Brindle for fourth, and Henderson took over the sixth spot from Arnold. Cooley dropped Arnold back to the eighth spot on lap ten.

Hickman had opened up a half straightaway lead after the restart on lap eight, but by lap 15, Johnson was beginning to chip away at the leader’s advantage. Hickman was in heavy lapped traffic by lap 17, but he wasn’t there long, as Adam Gauldin of Talladega, AL spun the Adam Gauldin Racing GRT in turn two on lap 17.

The top ten for the restart had Hickman leading, with Johnson, Skinner, Adkins, Brindle, Henderson, Cooley, Arnold, Trent and Noogin doubled up behind the leader in second through tenth respectively. Cooley got by Henderson for sixth on the restart, and Arnold passed Henderson for seventh on lap 18.

At the halfway point in the race on lap 20, Hickman had pulled out to a half straightaway lead over Johnson. That was closed up on lap 22 when Arnold brought out the fourth and final caution flag of the race with a spin in turn two. During the caution period, Arnold rammed Henderson’s car. That sent Arnold to the pit area disqualified from the race.

After the restart, Cooley passed Brindle for the fifth spot on lap 25, and Noogin climbed up to the seventh spot. Hickman once again opened up a half straightaway lead on Johnson by lap 28. Hickman encountered lapped traffic on lap 33, but Johnson was unable to mount a challenge, as Hickman took a 2.489 margin of victory under the checkered flag to collect the $2,000 check.

The next stop for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series Touring Division will be Night 2 of the Salute To America Nationals with a 40-lap $2,000-to-win race at Penton Raceway in Penton, AL. The third and final Salute To America Nationals race will be on Saturday night with a 50-lap $2,500-to-win race at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL.

For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com

OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 12 AT TALLADEGA SHORT TRACK IN EASTABOGA, AL ON 7/2/15:

POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
1. 1 1v Riley Hickman Cleveland, TN 40 $2,000
2. 5 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 40 $1,125
3. 2 11 Cruz Skinner (Y) Oxford, AL 40 $700
4. 8 57 Josh Adkins Talladega, AL 40 $550
5. 9 33b Eric Cooley Fulton, MS 40 $500
6. 11 21 Joe Noogin Boaz, AL 40 $425
7. 7 H2 Matt Henderson (R) Loudon, TN 40 $500
8. 4 38 Chip Brindle Chatsworth, GA 40 $350
9. 15 81 Adam Cummings Odenville, AL 40 $325
10. 10 101 Forrest Trent Talbott, TN 40 $300
11. 13 22 Will Roland (Y) Jasper, GA 40 $275
12. 22 21m Cody Martin (R) Christiana, TN 40 $375
13. 16 222 Mike Boland Cuba, AL 40 $225
14. 23 10 Ryan Crane (R) Panama City, FL 40 $325
15. 19 7 Cole Daffron (Y) Pell City, AL 39 $175
16. 20 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 39 $275
17. 18 03 Oliver Gentry Newnan, GA 39 $140
18. 21 232 Jamey Boland Cuba, AL 39 $125
19. 24 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 39 $250
20. 17 17 Adam Gauldin Talladega, AL 31 $125
21. 12 22t Jimmy Thomas Phenix City, AL 21 $125
22. 14 27 Larry Harrod Plains, GA 6 $125
23. 3 30 Ryan King (R) Seymour, TN 0 $250
24. 6 4 Michael Arnold Hattiesburg, MS 21 $0/DQ

ENTRIES: 40
FAST QUALIFIER: Hickman, 15.132 Seconds
PROVISIONALS: Crane and Minga
LEAD CHANGES: None
LAP LEADER: Hickman, 1-40
CRUISE WITH THE CHAMPIONS ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Henderson
BEYEA HEADERS HARD CHARGER AWARD: C. Martin (started 22nd and finished 12th)
SUNOCO RACE FUELS YOUNG GUN OF THE RACE AWARD: Skinner
INTEGRA SHOCKS FIFTH-PLACE AWARD: Cooley
CRATE INSIDER.COM SIXTH-PLACE AWARD: Noogin
GRESHAM RACE PARTS SEVENTH-PLACE AWARD: Henderson
IMAGE SCREEN PRINTING NINTH-PLACE AWARD: Cummings
AR BODIES TENTH-PLACE AWARD: Trent
CAUTIONS: 4
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 2.489 Seconds
TIME OF THE RACE: 31 Minutes and 22.549 Seconds
NEXT RACE: July 3, Penton Raceway, Penton, AL 40-laps, $2,000-to-win

QUALIFYING (Top 10 Transfer To Main Event):

POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS LAP 1 LAP 2 TIME
1 1r Riley Hickman Cleveland, TN CVR 15.132 15.218 15.132
2 11 Cruz Skinner - Y Oxford, AL CVR 15.268 15.454 15.268
3 30 Ryan King - R Seymour, TN Stinger 15.333 15.448 15.333
4 38c Chip Brindle Chatsworth, GA Brindle 15.341 15.456 15.341
5 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN Mastersbilt 15.411 15.471 15.411
6 4 Michael Arnold Hattiesburg, MS Barry Wright 15.468 15.499 15.468
7 H2 Matt Henderson - R Loudon, TN Rocket 15.495 15.471 15.471
8 57 Josh Adkins Talladega, AL GRT 15.523 15.758 15.523
9 33b Eric Cooley Fulton, MS Barry Wright 15.527 15.646 15.527
10 101 Forrest Trent Talbott, TN Rocket 15.534 15.627 15.534
11 21 Joe Noogin Boaz, AL GRT 15.542 15.537 15.537
12 00 Matt Black Douglasville, GA GRT 15.962 15.540 15.540
13 22 Will Roland - Y Jasper, GA Warrior 15.544 15.571 15.544
14 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL Mastersbilt 15.671 15.548 15.548
15 22 Jimmy Thomas Phenix City, AL Scorpion 15.598 15.717 15.598
16 7 Cole Daffron - Y Pell City, AL Warrior 15.604 15.641 15.604
17 17 Adam Gauldin Talladega, AL GRT 15.641 15.615 15.615
18 2x Nick Lyons Centrailia, IL Capital 15.621 15.622 15.621
19 21m Cody Martin - R Christiana, TN Warrior 15.682 15.853 15.682
20 27 Larry Harrod Plains, GA Scorpion 15.863 15.764 15.764
21 81 Adam Cummings Odenville, AL GRT 15.771 15.845 15.771
22 222 Mike Boland Cuba, AL Trak-Star 15.779 15.790 15.779
23 10 Ryan Crane - R Panama City, FL Trak-Star 16.151 15.780 15.780
24 232 Jamey Boland Cuba, AL Trak-Star 15.820 15.787 15.787
25 5d Rodgerick Dykes Smith Station, AL Warrior 15.790 15.842 15.790
26 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS Rocket 15.803 15.795 15.795
27 117 Jake Teague Oliver Springs, TN Longhorn 15.801 15.991 15.801
28 222 Carlton Freeman Eastaboga, AL GRT 15.805 15.948 15.805
29 1 Adam Martin Talladega, AL GRT 15.837 15.818 15.818
30 110 Brent Barrett Cleveland, MS GRT 15.842 15.872 15.842
31 K5 David Kay Eastaboga, AL Barry Wright 15.849 15.895 15.849
32 5c Mike Combs Odenville, AL TSR 15.879 15.997 15.879
33 03 Oliver Gentry Newnan, GA GRT 16.005 16.113 16.005
34 25 Justin McRee Woodstock, AL HRRC 16.079 16.196 16.079
35 44 Lain Hawk Thomasville, AL Trak-Star 16.137 16.295 16.137
36 52 Ryan Carter Blackshear, GA Larry Shaw 16.363 16.183 16.183
37 25 Hunter Carter Blackshear, GA Mastersbilt 16.267 16.464 16.267
38 121 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS HRRC 16.271 16.349 16.271
39 2 Thomas Langley Perrish, AL Trak-Star 16.710 16.327 16.327
40 D19 Drew Ashley Ragland, AL Larry Shaw 16.384 16.560 16.384

B-MAINS (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer To Main Event):

1ST B-MAIN: 1. Noogin; 2. Harrod; 3. Gauldin; 4. Edge; 5. A. Martin; 6. Crane (R); 7. Minga; 8. Combs; 9. Blount; 10. Hawk.

2ND B-MAIN: 1. Thomas; 2. Cummings; 3. Gentry; 4. J. Boland; 5. Teague; 6. Black; 7. Barrett; 8. Lyons; 9. R. Carter; 10. Langley.

3RD B-MAIN: 1. Roland (Y); 2. M. Boland; 3. Daffron (Y); 4. C. Martin; 5. H. Carter; 6. Freeman; 7. Ashley; 8. McRee; 9. Dykes; 10. Kay DQ.

NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 7/2/15:

1. 5 Ronnie Johnson – 1,028
2. 18 Chase Edge – 928
3. 30 Ryan King (R) – 892
4. H2 Matt Henderson (R) – 854
5. 10 Ryan Crane (R) – 806
6. 21m Cody Martin (R) – 744
7. 19 Marcus Minga – 596
8. 14 Cale Conley – 482
9. 87 Walker Arthur – 464
10. 14c Tyler Clem (R/Y) – 438
11. 25 Justin McRee – 432
12. 33b Eric Cooley – 370
13. 5d Rodgerick Dykes – 350
14. 19t William Thomas – 348
15. 2x Nick Lyons – 332
16. 1 Johnny Stokes – 304
17. 55 Montana Dudley – 280
18. 58 Mark Whitener – 268
19. 4 Jeremy Faircloth – 264
19. 8a Todd Morrow - 264