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Willard Shows the Way At Senoia

The Southern All Star Series visited the high banks of Senoia Speedway Saturday night for its first of two trips in 2001. After 125 laps, Wayne Willard visited Victory Lane for the fifth time this season.

Jason Hogan led the way in Garrison Racing Equipment Pole qualifying with a time of 13.481 around the three-eighths mile oval. Hogan switched front row spots with Joe Click after rolling a two.

Click took the initial lead into turn one with Hogan falling in behind. Hogan took the point coming out of turn two on the 14th circuit. While Hogan was taking the lead, current point leader Ricky Turner was sliding back through the pack, being passed by Willard, and youngsters Marc Mitchell and Reed Sorenson. Willard moved by Click into second on lap 29, followed shortly by David Hole. After a caution period from lap 31-35, the front five of Hoagn, Willard, Hole, and Click broke away from the field. Rusty Clanton was starting to make a move to the front from the 11th starting spot. Clanton passed Sorenson for fifth on lap 45. That lineup led the field to the half way point.

By lap 72, Willard was right on Hogan's bumper. Two laps later, Willard ducked under Hogan coming out of turn four, outran him down the front stretch, and made the pass heading into turn one. After completing the pass, Willard was able to pull out to as much as a six car-length lead. Clanton continued his forward charge, moving past Click for fourth on lap 92, and went to third when Hole pitted during a lap 98 caution period.

Another caution period set up a 15-lap sprint to the finish. Willard led Hogan, Clanton, Sorenson, and Click to the restart. Willard was able to pull away to a ten car-length lead, but Clanton was coming. Clanton got by Hogan on lap 114 and set out to run Willard down. Clanton got closer each lap, but ran out of laps as he was closing to Willard's bumper.

Willard beat Clanton to the line by a car length. 15-year old Sorenson, making just his second start in a Late Model, possibly showed signs of things to come with his third place finish. Hogan slid back to fourth at the end, followed by Click. Sixth through tenth went to Lee Hansard, Mitchell, Turner, Hole, and Brian Smith.

Although never a factor in the race, Turner was able to extend his point lead over Hole to 82 points with five races left. The next stop for the series is October 4-6 at Huntsville Speedway for the first annual King of the Ring 500. For more information, contact the series at (256) 539-4484 or visit the series web site at www.southern-allstars.com/

 Results

1. Wayne Willard
2. Rusty Clanton
3. Reed Sorenson
4. Jason Hogan
5. Joe Click
6. Lee Hansard
7. Marc Mitchell
8. Ricky Turner
9. David Hole
10. Brian Smith
11. Devon Voyles
12. Robbie Brown
13. Ronny Kittle
14. Ronnie Sanders
15. Mike Langston
16. Justin Smith
17. Bobby Fain
18. Linny Foster
19. J.R. Norris
20. Mark Mitchell