3 Car Shootout decides Night 2 of FASTRAK Late Model Nationals at Beckley
5 min read(Prosperity, West Virginia) – The 3/8th mile Fastest Dirt Track in the South” in West Virginia – Beckley Motorsports Park set the 2nd race in the new format of the 10th Annual “Decade of Speed” $85K Pro Late Model Nationals. The drivers of the FASTRAK City Chevrolet Southeast/Mideast Touring Division hit the clay gem nestled off I-77 for $2,000 to win but also putting on some exciting astonishing racing that consisted of 4-5 wide excitement. Having FASTRAK officials also wondering the same thing as the Beckley fans are, do the drivers want a rematch for the World Championship II at Beckley Motorsports Park?? When the event concluded it came down to 3 cars to decide the outcome in what turned out to be “one hot night” at Beckley Motorsports Park.
After the impressive four wide salute to the fans with an awesome fireworks show and the “Beckley Faithful” emphatically making the statement to bring the World Championship II back again to Beckley with FASTRAK Founder Stan Lester to hear clearly. The race got started with #33 Chris Meadows and #25 Matt Long on the front row and at the drop of the green the “top shelf” worked for Long as he jumped out to the lead and was pretty much the driver to beat, or so we thought. A few solo spins took place with #2b Frankie Beard and #25 Ted Johnson. On lap 9 with Meadows trying to close in on Long but was still strong and able to pull away the caution would fall when #17c Jonathan Davenport looped his car around off turn 2 then stalling on the back chute. Davenport would have to fall to the rear but made a great rally to the front. The BIG ONE of the night happened on Lap 10 in the apex of one and two when #07 Dale Timms, #25F Bartley Grant, #25 Ted Johnson and #00 Dillon Brown. While these single accident continued drivers like #2 Dennis Franklin, #11 David Smith, #8 Ron Parker, #22c Tate Hughes and #A1 Tim Dohm all took advantage of the choose rule to get track position to catch Long but still on the “loud pedal” Long was again setting sail over the field as insane 4-5 wide racing went on around the entire track.
The race for the 2013 FASTRAK City Chevrolet Southeast/Mideast Touring Division championship is coming down to Ron Parker and David Smith who separated by only one point in the night had both had rough night finishing in the top 15. David Smith was looking to have a strong car and rally to get his 3rd win of the year and compete for the points lead however it was halted being involved in the final caution after having a incident with #25 Ted Johnson. On the restart he was right in the mist of Parker’s entry and at race end Smith would finish in front of Parker and calculating the points unofficially they are now tied for the Championship going into Wythe Raceway Saturday.
The final yellow fell on lap 24 when again Smith and Johnson locked horns. This set up a 16 lap shootout to the checkers which didn’t disappoint at all. Davenport in the #17c was coming strong then hooked up with #2 Dennis Franklin teammate of Team AES Racing to get to the front with a “dirt draft” teamwork effort. Still Matt Long leaded with Meadows in 2nd and a 3 car battle for 3rd coming to the end. With under 3 laps to go lap traffic was greeting the leaders as Long quickly approached them Meadows was able to take advantage and so did Davenport. Has they came for the white flag they went 3 wide for the lead in turn one with the leader pinned in the middle. In doing so Meadows was able to use the lap car of #93 Donald Bradsher as a pick and make it work to his advantage. As they exited off turn four to the checkers Meadows was able to use the bottom of the track to the “cushion” as the Beckley Crowd went “bonkers” as he would take the checkers picking up his 2nd FASTRAK Touring event of the 2013 season. Long was shocked by surprise with all that took place he didn’t see #17c Davenport was able to get by him inches at the stripe for 2nd, Long finished 3rd #2 Dennis Franklin 4th and #A1 Tim Dohm rounded out the Top 5. What a show in closing if Pro Late Model Nationals Friday race is any inclination of what the FASTRAK World Championships II would be like if it’s determined to be returned at Beckley – It’s going to be one wild fall spectacular.
(Beckley Motorsports Park Un-Official Results) – Race 2 of 10th Annual PRO Late Model Nationals
#33 Chris Meadows, #17c Jonathan Davenport, #25 Matt Long, #2 Dennis Franklin, #A1 Tim Dohm, #68 Tyler Cox, #23 Corey Gordon, #22c Tate Hughes, #28 Aaron Barley, #45 Eddie Hambrick, #07 Dale Timms, #44 Brandon Umberger, #00 Dillon Brown, #11 David Smith, #8 Ron Parker, #22 Jordan Dill, #93 Donald Bradsher, #25j Ted Johnson, #18 TJ Salango, #25f Bartley Grant, #2b Frankie Beard, #33g Shane Greco, #24 Tim Byrd, #4 Taylor Hicks.
Other Participants: #83 Jensen Ford, #39h Henry Hornsby III, #4 Eric Bennett, #41 Joe Cox, #20 Drew Smith, #22 Charles Daugherty, #98 Caleb Lester, #99 Teddy Tate, #58c Bill Connard.
Events started off at Beckley Motorsports Park with VP race for the Pole Qualifying as the 33 of the “Best of the Best” in Pro Late Models Racing on dirt tackled the 3/8th mile against the clock. #33 Chris Meadows from Crab Orchard, West Virginia set quick time in group qualifying with a 14.649 second lap. The Top 6 qualifiers along with Meadows of #25 Matt Long, #45 Eddie Hambrick, #22c Tate Hughes, #2 Dennis Franklin and #A1 Tim Dohm all made it in to feature. The heat races we’re absolutely fantastic with 4-5 wide racing in the heats as an early appetizer for the 40 Lap Feature. Heat 1 went to #23 Corey Gordon, Heat 2 #11 David Smith and Heat 3 went to #44 Brandon Umberger and provisional went to #4 Taylor Hicks.
Next stop is Saturday night August 31st with the $5,000 to win FASTRAK National event at the ½ mile Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia. There will be much more details on all of these events in the 2013 10th Annual “Decade of Speed” $85K FASTRAK Pro Late Model Nationals on Labor Day Weekend. Make sure you make plans immediately to join us for an “unforgettable” racing weekend you don’t want to miss.
Stay tuned to www.fastrakracing.com and/or www.fastrakne.com as well as the FASTRAK Racing Series Fan Page on Facebook and/or follow @FASTRAK_Racing on Twitter to get up to the minute news and details as they become available.
FASTRAK Companies International would like to thank all of its marketing partners for their great and continuing support. Those 2013 FASTRAK sponsors include: Hoosier Race Tires, VP Racing Fuel, City Chevrolet, Chevrolet Performance, TNT Race Cars, High Velocity Heads and RockAuto.com to our line-up of product sponsors. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the Premier Pro Late Model Series in the Country please contact Stan Lester at the FASTRAK Corporate Office at (678) 935-7304 or Brian Haynes at (706) 340-4781.