Dwayne
07-07-2005, 11:55 AM
SUMTER, S. C. - With two weeks off from racing at Sumter Speedway, drivers, crews and track officials are ready to get on with the program Saturday night as everyone prepares for the final two months of the 2005 racing season.
In past weeks, the competition has gotten fairly keen in four of the six divisions and more cars and drivers are starting to trickle in from other areas.
Veteran driver Pete McKenzie seems to have the hot hand in the Pure Street competition and will be looking for his third straight victory and his sixth of the season. His stiffest challenger could come from pickup truck driver Adam Hill along with Mark Horne and Mark Bartlette. Points leader Hank Hutson and runner-up Matt Holland can be counted on to be among the leaders as well.
James Yost was sailing along and chalking up one win after another in the Pure Stock class, but suddenly along came William Disher, who has chalked up two straight wins. Yost had mechanical problems in the last race, but is expected to be back full force Saturday night along with one-time winner Mike Thompson. Len Caughman has been among the leaders of late and recorded a second-place finish in the last race.
David Hodge, Cody McAllister and Tony Rabon are the drivers to beat in the Mini Stock 4 chase as these three drivers have recorded 11 wins among them. Hodge will be after his third straight win Saturday night while Rabon (his uncle) hopes to get back in the winners column for the fifth time. McAllister has recorded five wins this season. Other drivers who have come close to winning, but have been shut out are Jack Lambert and Lane Cox.
James Stephens has been the biggest overall winner this season as he has recorded six wins in the Pro Stock class, but several of his wins have come right down to the wire and the wins could have gone to as many as three other drivers. Johnny Welch has recorded three wins, while points leader Joey Ayers and Frankie Frye have single wins. Brian Welch and Terrell Holloway are likely to be in the thick of things all night.
The stiffest competition for Banjo Duke in the Super Stock 4 event could come from his teammate, Harry Pritchard. Pritchard unveiled a new car for the last race, but had mechanical problems, so if he can get the bugs out of the new car, he may be a factor. Duke is seeking his fifth win of the season. Others to watch are Derek McLeod and Tony Coker, Jr.
The Late Model T&L race is always a toss-up as seven different drivers have chalked up wins in the 11 races so far. Buddy Truett has held the hot hand as of late, but three-time winner Robbie Disher is always the driver to beat while Jody Truett, Brandon Hodge, Randy Hill and Troy Hodge know what it's like to win and will be in the chase. Points leader "Duck" Pack, Billy Coursey and Clay Sims are drivers who have been there every week, but are still looking for that first win of the campaign.
At intermission, the third of four kid's bike races will take place and a record number of riders is expected. Joey's Auto Repair sponsors this popular program that is open to girls and boys who are between the ages of 2 and 12. All riders must have a bicycle helmet.
Gates open at 5:30 p. m. and racing gets underway at 7:30 p. m.
July 7, 2005
By: Dargan Watts
In past weeks, the competition has gotten fairly keen in four of the six divisions and more cars and drivers are starting to trickle in from other areas.
Veteran driver Pete McKenzie seems to have the hot hand in the Pure Street competition and will be looking for his third straight victory and his sixth of the season. His stiffest challenger could come from pickup truck driver Adam Hill along with Mark Horne and Mark Bartlette. Points leader Hank Hutson and runner-up Matt Holland can be counted on to be among the leaders as well.
James Yost was sailing along and chalking up one win after another in the Pure Stock class, but suddenly along came William Disher, who has chalked up two straight wins. Yost had mechanical problems in the last race, but is expected to be back full force Saturday night along with one-time winner Mike Thompson. Len Caughman has been among the leaders of late and recorded a second-place finish in the last race.
David Hodge, Cody McAllister and Tony Rabon are the drivers to beat in the Mini Stock 4 chase as these three drivers have recorded 11 wins among them. Hodge will be after his third straight win Saturday night while Rabon (his uncle) hopes to get back in the winners column for the fifth time. McAllister has recorded five wins this season. Other drivers who have come close to winning, but have been shut out are Jack Lambert and Lane Cox.
James Stephens has been the biggest overall winner this season as he has recorded six wins in the Pro Stock class, but several of his wins have come right down to the wire and the wins could have gone to as many as three other drivers. Johnny Welch has recorded three wins, while points leader Joey Ayers and Frankie Frye have single wins. Brian Welch and Terrell Holloway are likely to be in the thick of things all night.
The stiffest competition for Banjo Duke in the Super Stock 4 event could come from his teammate, Harry Pritchard. Pritchard unveiled a new car for the last race, but had mechanical problems, so if he can get the bugs out of the new car, he may be a factor. Duke is seeking his fifth win of the season. Others to watch are Derek McLeod and Tony Coker, Jr.
The Late Model T&L race is always a toss-up as seven different drivers have chalked up wins in the 11 races so far. Buddy Truett has held the hot hand as of late, but three-time winner Robbie Disher is always the driver to beat while Jody Truett, Brandon Hodge, Randy Hill and Troy Hodge know what it's like to win and will be in the chase. Points leader "Duck" Pack, Billy Coursey and Clay Sims are drivers who have been there every week, but are still looking for that first win of the campaign.
At intermission, the third of four kid's bike races will take place and a record number of riders is expected. Joey's Auto Repair sponsors this popular program that is open to girls and boys who are between the ages of 2 and 12. All riders must have a bicycle helmet.
Gates open at 5:30 p. m. and racing gets underway at 7:30 p. m.
July 7, 2005
By: Dargan Watts