August 25
Smoky Mountain Speedway,
Maryville, TN
Sanction: Southern All Star Series (Rockin’ With the Stars Hall of Fame 40) - $5,000
Information provided by: Series and InsideDirtRacing.com reports (last updated August 27, 6:32 pm)
Chilton's first SAS victory pays $5,000
Rockin’ With the Stars Hall of Fame 40
- Michael Chilton
- Shanon Buckingham
- Tommy Kerr
- Jay Scott
- Robby Moses
- Bobby Giffin
- Dusty Carver
- Ray McElhiney
- Eric Hickerson
- Dakotah Knuckles
- Cory Hedgecock
- Lamar Winkle
- Eric Wells
- Steve Smith
- Craig Greer
- David Crabtree
- Ross Bailes
- Jensen Ford
- Mark Dodson
- Jimmy McNamara
presented by
Michael Moats/mrmracing.net
Michael Chilton steered Chicky Barton's car to his first SAS victory.
What won the race: Inheriting the lead just before the halfway mark when Dakotah Knuckles slowed to bring out a caution, Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., led the rest of the way to win his first career Southern All Stars race. Chilton finished comfortably ahead of Shanon Buckingham to claim a $5,000 payday in the Rockin’ With the Stars Hall of Fame 40 at Smoky Mountain Speedway.
Quotable: “Once I got the lead I didn’t want to see a caution,” said Chilton. “They showed me I had a pretty good lead. I just tried to kinda not abuse my stuff there, just maintain and not get in too much traffic. That stuff can get hairy here with traffic. I just kinda tried to pace myself when I got out front.”
Key notes: Chilton’s first-ever SAS victory came aboard the No. 144 machine normally driven by Chicky Barton. … Barton had knee surgery after he was injured when a driveshaft broke and entered his car’s cockpit in the July 28 Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals race at Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway and Chilton didn’t have an engine for his own car. That led the two to join forces for Saturday’s race. … The race was a battle of attrition as leaders Eric Wells, Cory Hedgecock and Dakotah Knuckles each fell by the wayside. … Seven cars completed 40 laps. ... Series leader Jay Scott of Fayetteville, Tenn., finished fourth. … Fast qualifier Ross Bailes didn’t make a lap after his G.R. Smith-owned machine blew a puff of smoke on the opening circuit and he pulled to the infield. ... Casey Roberts also scratched with transmission woes.
On the move: Dusty Carver of Knoxville, Tenn., started 16th and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Michael Chilton drove a Chicky Barton-owned Longhorn Chassis powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Star Septic, El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant and Tri-State Guttering.
Points chase: After Smoky Mountain, Jay Scott (924) of Fayetteville, Tenn., leads Ray McElhiney (738), Mark Dodson (724) and Eric Hickerson (596).
Car count: 20
Fast qualifier: Ross Bailes
Time: 15.619 seconds
Polesitter: Eric Wells
Next series race: September 7, Oglethorpe Speedway Park (Savannah, GA) $4,000
Editor's note: Corrects fast qualifier to Ross Bailes sted Eric Wells.
