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LateModelStock.com - News |
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Late Model Stock - News |
Tony Walls - KING of the RingBy Mark ChisumHuntsville Speedway, a tight ¼ mile asphalt oval with fast 18 degree banked turns is with out a doubt a bullring. Tony Walls left little doubt who is King of the Ring, leading 376 of the 500 laps that made up the King of the Ring 500. Local driver Marc Burleson led the way in Gripp Tire Prep Qualifying, turning a time of 12.679 in his Dodge Intrepid. Another local, Johnny Brazier, was on the outside of the front row as the field rolled toward the green flag. Burleson got the jump and led going into the first of 2000 turns. Brazier's engine shut off in the middle of the turn and the 1996-97 champion fell all the way to 15th place before getting his engine refired. Freddie Query, Walls, Dan Beddingfield, and Ricky Turner settled in behind Burleson as the field stretched out to get some laps under their belts. Beddingfield's night was over quickly when he retired for the night on lap 18. Burleson led the first 44 laps until both Query and Walls got by. Walls pressured Query for the next 85 laps, ready to take the lead, which he did on lap 131. Walls built as much as a ½ straight away lead over the next several laps, but a caution on lap 148 closed the field and allowed a back sliding Wayne Anderson to pit for tires. Anderson's stop came a little early, as there was a competition yellows planned for laps 200 and 400. However, with the fresh tires, Anderson was able to storm through the field, taking the lead on lap 184. As the first planned yellow was waved, Anderson led Walls, Brazier, Query, and Burleson. The last lead change of the evening came just 10 laps into the second segment of the race. Walls got inside of Anderson to take the lead for good, although his victory was anything but sealed. During the second 200-lap segment, current series point leader Turner made up a lap he had lost earlier, putting him back into contention for the win. Anderson dropped out of the event on lap 333, and Burleson, who had run in the top five all night, went to the pits with over heating problems, returning for a few laps later in the race. Walls led Query, Brazier, Turner, and Jason Hogan to the second competition yellow. Before the field got back to racing speed for the final 100 laps, the race took on a different complexion. Query, lined up behind Walls and seemingly just riding and waiting for his opportunity, rear-ended the leader as Walls pulled up and stopped in turn four to adjust his steering wheel. A furious Query was done for the evening and left Brazier and Turner to challenge Walls for the crown. The three rode nose to tail for much of the final 100 laps. Walls was able to pull away at times, but Brazier and Turner would close in traffic. With his fist held high in the air, Walls crossed the stripe with Brazier charging to his bumper. Turner was a couple of car lengths back in third. Fourth went to Hogan with Hole in fifth. Sixth through tenth went to Scott Griffin, B.J. McLeod, Mike Langston, Dennis Schoenfeld, and Burleson. Nine of the sixteen cars starting were running at the end. Amazingly, the race was slowed only 4 times for 27 laps, not counting the competition yellows. In the points race, Turner was able to extend his lead over Hole and Hogan. Turner now leads Hole by 92 points and Hogan by 146 with three races left on the schedule. Next up is a 125-lap event at Senoia Speedway next Saturday. For more information, contact the series at (256)539-4484 or visit the series web site at www.southern-allstars.com/ Results 1. Tony Walls 2. Johnny Brazier 3. Ricky Turner 4. Jason Hogan 5. David Hole 6. Scott Griffin 7. B.J. McLeod 8. Mike Langston 9. Dennis Schoenfeld Jr 10. Marc Burleson 11. Freddie Query 12. Wayne Anderson 13. Brad Lemley 14. Brian Bentley 15. Dan Beddingfield 16. Johnny Wall DNS Jeff Letson, Gary Helton UPCOMING SAS ASPHALT EVENTS: OCTOBER 13—SENOIA RACEWAY—SENOIA, GA 125 LAPS OCTOBER 20 BIRMINGHAM INT’L RACEWAY-BIRMINGHAM, AL 150 LAPS NOVEMBER 2-3 MOBILE INT’L SPEEDWAY—MOBILE, AL 200 LAPS |
