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Bradberry Comes Home First

Charlie Bradberry started his Late Model career at Birmingham International Raceway in 1999. After scoring feature wins and Rookie of the Year honors that year, Bradberry moved up to the Southern All Star series in 2000. Bradberry scored wins at Nashville and Huntsville, finished third in series points, and again captured Rookie of the Year honors. This season, Bradberry moved on to the NASCAR Gatorade All Pro Series, where he is the leading rookie, standing eighth in points. The Southern All Star series rolled into the venerable fairgrounds oval Saturday night for the Neil Bonnett Memorial / Magic City 150, and with an open date on the All Pro schedule, Bradberry was back home. 150 laps later, he looked right at home in victory lane.

Twenty-nine cars were on hand for the event, with J.R. Norris leading the way in UpFront Carburetion / Garrison Racing Equipment Pole Qualifying with a time of 19.495, just .091 off his track record set at this event last year. Norris rolled a one, retaining his pole position. Bradberry, just a couple of ticks slower, started from the outside pole.

Norris led the field to the green flag, but Bradberry led the way into turn one. Bradberry pulled out to a four car-length lead over Norris, John Wilkinson III, Johnny Brazier, and Ronnie Sanders. Bradberry continued to lead through four cautions and two red flags. The first red flag was brought out so wreckers could remove David Hole's car from the track after contact with the third turn wall. The second was to bring Jason Hogan's car back into the track after contact with Roger Reuse sent Hogan over the third turn wall. Both drivers were uninjured, and Hole was able to return to the track late in the race.

On lap 69, Norris made his move back to the front, taking the lead from Bradberry. As the field headed to a lap 100 competition caution, Ken McFarland was the man on the move. McFarland had pitted earlier in the race, and was scorching his way back to the front, clipping off a car or two each lap. When the caution flew on lap 97, the competition yellow was moved up and everybody pitted for fresh tires and fuel. Norris led McFarland, Bradberry, Ricky Turner, and Wilkinson to the stop.

On the restart, McFarland got the jump on Norris as Norris began to slide back through the pack. It was later discovered that Norris had right side tires on the left side and vice versa, causing his backward run. Once again, though, Bradberry had the fastest car, and he retook the lead on lap 107. McFarland was able to stay close, but had to deal with Dave Mader III, who had emerged as a contender. Mader, back in the seat of Bobby Ray Jones' car, made several attempts to get past McFarland, diving inside in each turn. But McFarland had the momentum up high, and out-raced Mader out of the turns each time.

This scenario continued through out the remainder of the race, and Bradberry was enjoying the view in his rear view mirror. Bradberry led the way to the checkered flag, followed closely by McFarland, Mader, Darrell Brown, and Brazier. Sixth through tenth went to Norris, Sanders, Keith Cahela, Pat Cruise, and Stanley Smith. The race was slowed 9 times for 43 laps and red-flagged twice. Thirteen of the 27 cars that started were running at the end, with the top ten on the lead lap.

The other big winner of the night was Turner. Uncommonly, Turner was never a factor in the race and fell out with rear end problems on lap 109. Hole could have made a significant dent in Turner's point lead with a good finish. However, with Hole's early troubles, Turner was able extend his point lead, clinching his second title

The series ends its 2001 season with the 12th Annual World Classic 200, scheduled for November 2-4 at Mobile International Speedway. For more information, contact the series at (256) 539-4484 or visit the series web site at www.southern-allstars.com/

Results

1. Charlie Bradberry
2. Ken McFarland
3. Dave Mader III
4. Darrell Brown
5. Johnny Brazier
6. J.R. Norris
7. Ronnie Sanders
8. Keith Cahela
9. Pat Cruise
10. Stanley Smith
11. Brian Bentley
12. Heath Hindman
13. David Harvey
14. Terry Mason Jr.
15. Shannon Dodson
16. Ricky Turner
17. Jackie McGuire
18. John Wilkinson III
19. Andy Antinoro
20. Mark Mitchell
21. Mike Langston
22. David Hole
23. Devon Voyles
24. Jason Hogan
25. Roger Reuse
26. Dennis Reno Jr.
27. Jeff Hillman

 

DNS Jack Collier, Lane Morrow