North Carolina veteran Ray Cook (left) is congratulated by third finishing Dale McDowell after Cook's Southern All Stars win in the 23rd annual "Gobbler" Saturday night at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway. (Michael Moats)

Ray Cook pulls away from Brian Reese en route to Saturday's Southern All Stars "Gobbler" win at Cleveland Speedway.  Reesepursued Cook before giving way to Jonathan Davenport and Dale McDowell. (Michael Moats)

Southern All Stars: Cook Flag to Flag at Season-Ending "Gobbler"

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Nov. 19. Starting on the preferred outside front row, Ray Cook, of Brasstown, N.C. took an early lead and never looked back en route to winning his seventh special event of the season in Saturday's 23rd annual "Gobbler" at Cleveland Speedway.

The event is the traditional season closing event on the Southern All Stars tour, and it put the official wraps on Billy Ogle, Jr.'s successful bid for the 2011 series championship.

At the start, polesitter Brian Reese was quickly overpowered by Dale McDowell and Jonathan Davenport, leaving Reese to begin a race long battle with Shane Clanton for fourth. Davenport got by McDowell for third place, but a lap five caution for Preston Graves negated the pass. After the restart, Cook built up a good five length advantage over  

With a Southern All Stars championship and a Rookie of the Year title at stake, #201 Billy Ogle, Jr. and #22 William Thomas battle for sixth place at Cleveland. (Michael Moats)

McDowell as Davenport took third from Reese. Davenport and McDowell began a battle for position before Davenport flew by McDowell easily.

Caution no. two appeared on lap 20 for fluid on the track. Cook is in firm control by halfway as Davenport can only keep a few cars length to the

After battling the #25 of Shane Clanton for fourth, Jonathan Davenport moves in pursuit of Ray Cook, Dale MCDowell, and Brian Reese. (Michael Moats) 

 leader. The third caution popped out on lap 35 when back-marker Brent Miller got into the wall in turn four. By then, Cook was billowing smoke from his car while under caution, but he restarted without any difficulty. David Payne reared the next caution, spinning in front of the field after hitting fluid on the track on the lap 35 restart.  Derek Ellis, Jason Wilson, Steve Smith, and Dennis Erb, Jr. were also involved.

Meanwhile the battle for the 2011 S.A.S Championship waged between Billy Ogle, Jr. and William Thomas, who were racing sixth and seventh, respectively. Ogle got by Thomas late in the race and sealed up the Southern All Stars title as Cook went on to claim "Gobbler 23". Thomas, the third generation Phenix

Ronny Lee Hollingsworth battles #18 Dennis Erb, Jr. for a top ten spot before bowing out. Erb was caught in a late caution and finished 14th. (Michael Moats)

Local driver Riley Hickman races under Gadsden, Ala. visitor Jason Wilson to gain a position at Cleveland. (Michael Moats)

 City, Alabama practitioner, nailed down the 2011 "Rookie of the Year" title on the tour.

The night began poorly for Ogle. As the 30-car field of entries took to the track for qualifying, Ogle, the first on the track, pumped his #201 car into the outside wall and was forced to the pits for repairs. In a controversial decision, Ogle was able to return to salvage a qualifying lap as the tenth fastest time, before ultimately finishing sixth in the final rundown.

Also during qualifying, local driver Michael Evans put his #33 on its lid after hitting the wall and pirouetting during his qualifying lap.

In the Joe Lee Johnson Memorial Crate/Ltd. Late Model race, 43-Late Models entered with Josh Henry of Newport,Tenn. taking an impressive victory in his Cleveland Speedway debut.

Local driver Michael Evans put his #33 on its top after a wild ride during qualifying. (Michael Moats)

William Thomas claimed the SAS "Rookie of the Year" award at Cleveland. (Michael Moats)

	Southern All Stars at Cleveland Speedway 1) Ray Cook, 2) Jonathan Davenport, 3) Dale McDowell, 4) Brian Reese, 5) Shane Clanton, 5) Billy Ogle Jr., 6) William Thomas, 7) Riley Hickman, 8) Michael Page, 9) Jason Wilson, 10) Kayne Hickman (prov.), 11) Steve Smith (prov.), 12) Shawn Chastain, 13) Dennis Erb Jr., 14) Shan Smith, 15) George Mashburn, 16) David Payne, 17) Johnny Chastain, 18) Derek Ellis, 19) Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, 20) Brett Miller, 21) Brad Hall, 22) Preston Graves, 23) Tommy Kerr Fast Time (30 entries): Reese (13.193); B-Main winners: Payne, Ellis
Michael Moats photo