Crediting his crew's return to last year's setups for his success Saturday, Casey Roberts shows the way to the "Hall of Fame" finish at Cherokee Speedway. (George Missita)

Ultimate Racing Series: Roberts Reels in First "Hall of Fame" Win at Cherokee

Series report

GAFFNEY, S.C. - Sept. 17. Casey Roberts picked up his first win in the Ultimate Series at the "Hall of Fame 50" at Cherokee Speedway Saturday night. The Georgia driver dueled Ross Bailes for more than half the event before making the winning pass on lap 28 and pulling away.

After the rainout on Sept 4th, the Ultimate teams returned for a complete new show. With the field set by qualifying, Bailes picked up the pole in the Shell Racing Solutions Time Trials, running a quick lap of 15.385, with Roberts lining up second. Brent Dixon and Chris Ferguson lined up on the second row for the $5000-to-win main event.

Johnny Pursley and Ultimate series points leader Chip Brindle at Cherokee Speedway. (George Missita) 

Bailes chose the outside line on the initial startand used it to quickly pick up the lead, beating Roberts off of turn two for the lead. Bailes opened up a lead of almost two seconds before a caution slowed the field on lap 18. Bailes restarted out front using the Ultimate choose rule, with the leader out front and all other drivers choosing inside or outside lane. Roberts chose the inside line, with Brent Dixon moving up to the outside lane.

As the field came back to green, Bailes again opened up a lead, but after only a few laps, Roberts started reeling in the Clover S.C. driverand took it to the very bottom of the corners trying to race by Bailes. On lap 28, Roberts got by on the inside and took off. Roberts opened up a straightaway lead as the field kept it clean and green for the rest of the race.

Close early action vetween #104 Monk Gulledge, #49 Jonathan Davenport, and #8 Kelly Thacker. (George Missita)

Roberts was jubilant and obviously happy to be back in Victory Lane. Roberts stated "the team worked real hard this week rebuilding this car. We changed things back to the way we had them last year and obviously it paid off" Roberts jokingly added " I should have my butt kicked for not doing this earlier."

Bailes continued his late season charge finishing second, followed by Dixon, Ferguson and Ultimate Points Leader Chip Brindle finished fifth. Perhaps the best battle of the night was for sixth, as Jonathan Davenport and Johnny Purlsey battled for 30 laps side by side, switching high side to the low side lap after lap. Davenport beat Pursley to the line for the spot.

Cherokee Speedway Ultimate Series 1) Casey Roberts, 2) Ross Bailes, 3) Brent Dixon, 4) Chris Ferguson, 5) Chip Brindle, 6) Jonathan Davenport, 7) Johnny Pursley, 8 ) Ricky Weeks, 9) Jeff Cooke, 10) Donald Bradsher, 11) Randy Weaver, 12) John Henderson, Jr., 13) Monk Gulledge, 14) Zack Mitchell, 15) Doug Sanders, 16) Mitch Warlick, 17) Travis Leake, 18) Robbie Bailey, 19) Kelly Thacker, 20) Anthony Sanders
Mark Bochiardy photo