July 19
Clayhill Motorsports Park,
Atwood, TN
Sanction: Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA 604 Series (No Till 50) - $3,000
Information provided by: Series reports (last updated July 21, 10:02 am)
Newman survives close call for $3,000 at Clayhill
No Till 50
- Ashley Newman
- Mike Palasini Jr.
- Johnny Stokes
- Tait Davenport
- Chris Noah
- Brent Lewis
- David Gentry
- Brent Barrett
- Ronnie Cooper
- Ronnie Johnson
- Bronson Berry
- Doug Sanchagrin
- Marcus Minga
- Shane Stephens
- Mark Stephens
- Brant Tirello
- Michael Blount
- Chase Edge
- Jimmy Halford
- Joe Mike III
- Evan Taylor
- Billy Flannagan
- Cale Finley
- Richie Beasley
What won the race: Third-starting Ashley Newman inherited the lead when polesitter and race-long leader Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., slowed with a flat tire on the 16th lap and went on to collect $3,000 for his first NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Touring Series victory of the season. Newman survived a close call when Ronnie Cooper of McKenzie, Tenn., spun in front of him and collected him on lap 39, but he was restored to the lead when Cooper was charged with the caution.
Quotable: “Winning here at home is big for us,” Newman said. “Our first win was the Gumbo Nationals in Greenville, Miss., but this one is even better. And to race for it against a Hall of Fame driver like Ronnie Johnson makes it even more special. It was a tough race because it seemed like we were in lapped traffic all night long, and were fortunate to survive that spin with the lapped car and not get any damage.”
Key notes: Aside from the scare with the spinning car, Newman ran relatively unchallenged. ... Johnson, who the event on a two-race winning streak with the series, rebounded from his misfortune to finish 10th. ... A caution flew on the race's initial start when Chase Edge and Billy Flannagan spun in turn three. ... Cale Finley stalled on the backstretch on the seventh lap. ... Evan Taylor cut a tire on the eighth lap; Joe Mike III spun on the ensuing restart. ... Cooper drew the final caution on lap 39. ... The tour stopped at Clayhill for the third straight year and contested its 16th event.
On the move: Mike Palasini Jr. of Leland, Miss., charged from ninth to claim runner-up honors; consolation race winner Johnny Stokes of Columbus, Miss., climbed from 11th to round out the podium.
Winner's sponsors: Newman pilots a Bob Pierce Race Car out of the Upton Motorsports stable that carries sponsorship from Ace Sign Co., Best One Tire & Service, Gary Beard Trucking, Greg's Sawmill, Indian Ridge Lumber Co., JFRGraphics.com, MSR Mafia, Real Racing Wheels, Schoenfeld Headers, Team 5 Enterprise and 45 Race Shop.
Points chase: Johnson entered the race as the series points leader over Mack McCarter of Sevierville, Tenn., who did not enter the event.
Car count: 32
Fast qualifier: Ronnie Johnson
Time: 15.613 seconds
Polesitter: Ronnie Johnson
Consolation race winners: Johnny Stokes, Chase Edge
Next series race: August 2, Tennessee National Raceway (Hohenwald, TN) $2,500
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.