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WINNER'S CROWNED IN THE BAILEY'S RACE OF CHAMPIONS AT SOUTH BOSTON

The Bailey family and "America's Hometown Track", South Boston Speedway, brought out the most patriotic race fans in Virginia's Racing Region on Saturday night for the Bailey's Race of Champions. Everyone took a moment to reflect and honor the memory of those lost in the "National Tragedy", as candles burned during a trackside vigil. As the lights re-ignited, so did the battle for the Textilease Late Model Championship and the Atlantic Seaboard Regional Title.

Brandon Butler (#29 Chester, VA) held an 18 point lead over Timothy Peters (#2 Providence, NC) going into the final race for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series. Butler captured the RaceRap.com pole, but started sixth with the competition rule for consecutive race winners. Scott Worley (#88 Long Island, VA) inherited the pole, but was challenged on the first lap by Eddie Johnson (#57 Ashland, VA), who overtook Worley by lap two. Peters made his bid for the lead on lap 11, but was unable to complete the pass. With moves for position being made in every corner, Johnson held off numerous challenges to maintain the lead, while Butler struggled to get under Worley for third by the halfway mark on lap 75. The first caution waved, just as Johnson took the crossed flags, for an incident involving fifth place runner Jim Sink (#94 Chesterfield, VA). Johnson jumped to a two car advantage on the restart , as the field lined up to work the lap traffic. With 100 laps on the board, caution in front of the leaders caused some concern, but the track was clear and the leaders pulled back to green on lap 104. Peters made a successful pass on Johnson in turn two, as Johnson cut a tire and headed for the pits. Peters pulled away, as Butler and Worley worked each other for second. With only 25 laps to go, Worley hung on for second as H.C. Sellers III (#83 Danville, VA) closed on them for a three-way challenge. Nick Woodward (#90 High Point, NC) moved into fourth with fifteen laps remaining and tried to track down the frontrunners. Peters stretched out his advantage to more than 10 car lengths, as Worley kept Butler at bay. Timothy Peters claimed the victory for the race, but Brandon Butler held onto his track position to claim the South Boston Speedway Track Championship and the Atlantic Seaboard Regional Championship by finishing a hard fought third. Scott Worley finished second for the fourth straight time, while Nick Woodward (4th) and H.C. Sellers II (5th) had solid Top 5 finishes.

"This is just awesome", exclaimed Butler, "What an accomplish for these guys, to claim the South Boston weekly championship and the Atlantic Seaboard titles. I can't say enough for what this means for this team. What the Bailey family has done is just awesome!"

As Butler made his well-deserved speech in Victory Lane, Bailey's President Mac Bailey presented the keys of a bright, yellow Corvette convertible to Butler for his victory.

"We are proud to be associated with such a talented driver", said Bailey, "Brandon has represented us well this year and we are glad to offer him this Corvette to drive for the next year."

American General Limited Sportsman drivers powered up and blazed into the night with Bailey's driver, Charles Barnes on the point. Seven drivers battled for second position and a chance to better their standing in the points championship. Billy Myers (#05 Hurt, VA) came into the night with a ten point lead and only sixteen points separating the top three. Rookie, Wayne Roach (#71 Chatham, VA) held his position on the track, but needed one more spot to edge Myers out of the Championship hunt. Sophomore driver, Ryan Francisco (#81 Nathalie, VA) worked hard to gain the second position on the track, but fell short on second and the championship, as Myers went on to preserve his position on the track and the Track Championship. It was Charles Barnes and Bailey's that burned up the track for the 40 lap event, as Barnes went on to lead every lap and post the win.

NASCAR's Rolling Thunder Modifieds throttled up for 50 laps of excitement at "America's Hometown Track". Winston Cup winner, Elliott Sadler, stood atop the Spotter's Tower and coached Chad Gordon (#03 Emporia, VA) to his first victory. Gordon was elated in Victory Lane after the race.

"I want to thank Elliott!" said Gordon, "He told me to be patient and wait for the car to come to me and it did. It's great to get my first win at South Boston."

Thomas Stinson claimed the Modified Track Championship, with his third place finish, and twisted donuts on the start/finish line after claiming the title.

Gary Ferrell (#55 Durham, NC) took the win in Pure Stock 4s competition, while Augie Saccoccio (#15 Durham, NC) took home the Track Championship with his third place finish.

"We have some family in New York and we'll be heading there after tonight. This win is for them."

Super Stock points leader, Billy Goble (#18 Danville, VA), took the early lead in his quest for the Track Championship, but caution on lap 3 slowed his charge in the 20 lap event. On the restart, Goble felt the challenge from Brent Evans (#44 Durham, NC), as Evans made contact with Goble on the frontstretch. Evans checked up in turn two and was turned sideways, causing a pile-up that blocked the track. The red flag flew as eight cars were collected in the incident. Junior Hancock (#28 Danville, VA) ended his challenge for the championship, when he slammed hard into the rear of another car. After a lengthy clean up, Goble led the field to the restart with Tommy Peregoy (#41 Red Oak, VA) trying to track him down. Another caution on lap 11, bunched up the field for the final dash to the finish. Goble lit up the track and rolled to victory both in the race and for the Track Championship.

Textilease Late Model Division:

#29 Brandon Butler-Chester, VA  

American General Finance Limited Sportsman

#05 Billy Myers-Hurt,VA

NASCAR Rolling Thunder Modifieds

#4 Thomas Stinson-Chesterfield, VA

Super Stocks

#18 Billy Goble-Danville, VA

Pure Stock 4s

#15 Augie Saccoccio-Durham, NC