Carolina Clash: Bailes Bags 39th Annual Shrine Race at Carolina Speedway Kelley Carlton GASTONIA, N.C. – Aug. 9. Ross Bailes, aboard the Professional Restoration B4 MasterSbilt, was able to score a victory in the 39th running of the "Shrine 100" at Carolina Speedway. Bailes took the lead on lap one and never relinquished it en route to the $3000 Carolina Clash payday. The win brings Bailes’ career Late Model win total to three - including the Ultimate Racing Series sanctioned 31st annual Laurens County Shrine Race just a few weeks back, where he also earned $3000. “This is another huge win for us," Bailes said of his win. "Carolina is home for my team and I. We have so many people here that have helped me and support our team. This one is really special. I need to thank Bobby and Johnny Wilson for allowing me to drive their car. And I want to thank all of our sponsors and my family for their support. This is just a great night.” Bailes qualified in the third spot for the feature behind polesitter Luke Roffers and multiple-time Carolina Speedway Track Champion Tim Allen. After a pair of tangles between Roffers and Allen and another pile-up farther back in the field resulted in a bevy of zero lap of caution flags, the field was lined up single file for the initial start. Bailes jumped to the lead in turn one when the green finally appeared. Bailes pulled away and held off all challengers through a myriad of caution flags to pick up his first career Carolina Clash victory. NOTES: Bailes just arrived back home after making the 20 hour haul to New Richmond, Wisconsin for the "USA Nationals" at Cedar Lake Speedway. Bailes was elected by the votes and dollars of fans to attend the $50,000 to win World of Outlaws Late Model event through the FansFund program. Bailes ended up fourth in final voting and received close to $3000 in cash and contingency prizes to make the trip. Bailes struggled to find the right feel in his car through the first couple of days but finally hit on something for his B-Main. “I just could never get comfortable with my line. The car was fast and if I could have gotten into a rhythm sooner I believe we would have done better than we did.” Bailes commented. Bailes started 20th in his B-Main and had progressed up to the 12th position by the halfway point but his night came to an end when he suffered front suspension damage. And though the young man from Clover, South Carolina did not make the feature he was still happy he came. “I was pretty down that we didn’t run well. But it was an awesome experience for sure. They made us feel very welcome and the race was quite a show. They have a cool thing going on. I wish they were closer because I enjoyed racing there.” Awaiting Complete Finish | |
Big Gains for Hubbard, Pearson, Ogle - The A-Team Has Been Updated 05-15-12
Scott James battles #13 Barry Doss in heat race action at Florence (Ky.) Speedway, but in the $2,000-to-win feature, the only thing anyone saw was the tail end of James' #81 car. (Roy Walker)
After plenty of trash-talking via the electronic media between Jeff Matthews and Ivedent Lloyd last week, it was #21 Lloyd who got the final word as he reeled in #33 Matthews to win Friday's LM feature at Oclala, Fla.'s Bubba Raceway Park. (R.E. Wing)
Fans at Markleysburg, Pa.'s Roaring Knob Motorsports Comlex were treated to dual LM features Saturday - one a makeup from a May 5th rainout. (Above) Tim Senic challenges eventual regular feature winner Chuck Harper, while Jared Hawkins (below) claimed the makeup race. (Tommy Micheals)
Henley, Missouri's Jason Russell leads the way to Victory Lane in the ULMS Late Model feature at Lucas Oil Speedway Saturday. (Chris Bork)
Some fierce racing action at Lucas Oil speedway. (Chris Bork)
Dalton, Ga.'s Craig Reece returned to Dixie Speedway Saturday and led all the way to win the Crate LM victory. (Steve Hixson)
Ray Guss Jr. races last week's Quad City Speedway winner, Mike Murphy, Jr. This time, it was advantage Guss. (Chris Damitz)
With a strong motor back into his mount, Veteran Lamar Scoggins claimed last Friday's Crate LM victory at Boyd's Speedway. (Steve Hixson)
Veteran racer Lance Matthees navigates Spring Lake, Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway before taking Saturday's WISSOTA Late Model checkers. (Jason Durst)
Racing hard at mid-pack, it's the dueling 55s of Cory Mahder (inside) and Greg Nippoldt at Deer Creek. (Jason Durst)
Ryan King (above and below) swept both the Ltd. Late Model and Crate Late Model features Saturday at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn. (Chad Wells)
Still riding his wave in Iowa, Mike Murphy, Jr. in early action before taking the main event win at Davenport last Friday. (Chris Damitz)
Jason Jameson ran a gauntlet to finally capture another win Friday night at Moler
Raceway Park (see main page). (Roy
Walker)
After holding back a charge from Alex Ferree, Chub Frank drove home with a Friday night win at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (John Stivason)
Bobby Pierce, Brett Sievert, and Mike Glynn race in a tight pack in Kankakee (Ill.) Speedway's "Crosstown Cup", but (below) it was ultimately Shawn Toczek (42) here racing the high side of Mike Provenzano, who sailed to the win. (Dan Simpson)
NALMS Suspends Remaining Season
In a statement released to the racing media Monday, Northern All All Stars Late Model Series (NALMS) owners Shawn Hall and Bob Mooney relased the following statement:
To all NALMS drivers and fans,
Northern Allstars Late Model Series regrets to inform all of our drivers and fans that as of today (May 14, 2012) we will suspend all series races for the remaining 2012 season. The primary reason for the decision to discontinue the series was mainly economics. Tracks, teams and fans are having a hard time these days with the cost of living in general. With the cost of fuel, parts, tires, tickets and lodging, many people just cannot afford to travel to our shows, so we feel it's best to stop for now and try to regroup for the 2013 season.
Our series needs to be able to have at least 18 to 20 shows to cover our cost of putting on these shows and our drivers point funds. With many tracks cutting back on their special events and other tracks just choosing not to have specials at all, it's has really cut our options for race tracks down to a very few unless you are willing to travel several hours away from the Central Illinois area, and that is not cost effective for the racing teams or fans.
In closing we would like to thank all of the drivers and fans whom have supported the series over the years and we hope to be able to come back with a bigger and better season for everyone in 2013.
A-Team Leaders from 1997-2011 (Click on link for complete rundown)
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