.jpg "Jonathan Davenport VL Rome Speedway")
After being all but struck by lightning during the early events of the "Southern
Nationals" mini-tour, Jonathan Davenport was back in form against a field of 38 entries at Rome Speedway Sunday
night. (Mark Bochiardy)
With help from veteran Crew Chief Shane McDowell, Ty Dillon (left) led the first 15 laps of the Rome event before suiffering a flat tire. (Mark Bochiardy) Southern Nationals: Davenport Shrugs Off Recent Struggles to Capture Rome Win Series report ROME, Ga. - July 17. Jonathan Davenport, of Blairsville, Ga., put his recent struggles on the Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals Series trail behind him tonight by capturing the $5,300 top prize at the historic Rome Speedway. The Barry Wright Race Cars House Car driver laid down the quickest lap of the 38 competitors during time trials, but trailed leader Ty Dillon for the first 15 circuits in the main event. When Dillon gave up the point with a flat tire, Davenport was able to capitalize by leading the remaining laps to claim his first series win of the year over Chris Madden, Casey Roberts, Chris Ferguson, and Aaron Ridley.
Casey Roberts and #44 Chris Madden raced side by side for more than a third of the Rome event before Madden was able to secure second. (Mark Bochiardy) Ty Dillon went from third to first on the opening lap to take the initial race lead. After holding the point for the first 15 circuits, Dillon suffered a flat tire on his #41 machine under caution and was forced to give up the top spot. He returned to the track and eventually salvaged an eighth place effort. Polesitter Davenport took control of the race at that point and kept both Chris Madden and Casey Roberts behind him for the remainder of the distance.
Chip Brindle (left) and Vic Hill (right) weren't able to make much noise at Rome, but that didn't prevent a chuckle or two before the race. (Mark Bochiardy) Madden (top) and Roberts (bottom) raced side-by-side for upwards of 20 laps battling for the second spot behind Davenport, who took first victory with the series in 2011 and his fifth career series triumph. Ronnie Johnson was the hard charger of the race, as he picked off nine competitors to finish in the sixth position. The Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals will resume on Monday, July 18 with the rain-postponed $5,300 to win feature at the North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, Georgia.
Early leader Ty Dillon looks for a way under Tyler Wilwood at Rome. (Mark Bochiardy)
Part of a long family tradition of racing in north Georgia, Tony Knowles (left), with Chip Brindle before the start of the Rome event Sunday evening.(Mark Bochiardy)
| |||||
.jpg "Ty Dillon and Shane McDowell at Rome Speedway")
.jpg "Casey Roberts and Chris Madden at Rome Speedway")
.jpg "Chip Brindle and Vic Hill at Rome Speedway")
.jpg "Ty Dillon - Tyler Milwood")
.jpg "Tony Knowles and Chip Brindle at Rome Speedway")
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)
| Primary Tours / Events Regional Tours / Events Crate Late Models Opinion Other |
