Volunteer Speedway
Maupin sweeps Supers, Crates for big night at Volunteer
By Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway
Jeff Maupin won twice July 12. (rpmphotos.net)
BULLS GAP, Tenn. (July 12) — Jeff Maupin pulled off a sweep to remember at Volunteer Speedway. The Greeneville, Tenn., driver captured Super Late Model and Crate Late Model features at the 4/10-mile oval in convincing fashion, setting fast time, earning the pole position and leading from green-to-checkered in both features.
“To be able to beat Vic (Hill) in the Supers and (Shanon) Buckingham in the Crates, that’s two tough competitors you’ve outrun," Maupin said after the night's action. "Both cars ran really well tonight, but I’m just happy to finally get a fuel pickup problem we’ve struggled with over the past couple of races straightened out in the Super. The car was just bad-fast tonight, it was something else to drive.”
After his 12.533-second qualifying lap in the Super Late Model division, Maupin and Hill led the 23-car field to green. The duo raced door-to-door into the firs turn, but Maupin carried momentum off the high side as they raced off turn two down the backstretch to power into a lead he would never relinquish. Hill ended up second followed by Buckingham, Anthony White and Dale Ball in the 35-lap feature.
“We were on American Racers (tires) tonight for the first time, and from start to finish I don’t believe I’ve ever been on such good rubber," Maupin said. "The tires were really just as good at the end of the race as what they were at the beginning."
In the Crate feature for the Courtesy Chevrolet-sponsored division, Maupin led all the way to outrun Buckingham, Dale Ball, Chris Chandler and Kelly Glass. Maupin notched his third victory in the division this season.
Notes: Maupin's GRT Race Cars are sponsored by Landair Transport Inc., TEG Enterprises, G&W Hauling & Rigging, Jerry's Auto Salvage, Tolliver Heating & Cooling and Greenlee Farm. ... Maupin also thanked engine builder Vic Hill and his crew members: Rodney Justice, Josh Bible, Tony Price and Casey Greenlee. ... Volunteer's July 12 racing was sponsored by K&R Construction and Electric. ... Volunteer hosts the O'Reilly Southern Nationals on July 25 for a $5,300-to-win event.
Super Late Models: (1) Jeff Maupin, (2) Vic Hill, (3) Shanon Buckingham, (4) Anthony White, (5) Dale Ball, (6) Mike Smith, (7) Mike Jackson, (8) John King II, (9) Shane Roberts, (10) Chad Ogle, (11) Kip Pearson, (12) Kerry Jones, (13) Dwight Sams, (14) Brandon James, (15) Dennis Stiles, (16) Marty Calloway, (17) John Tweed, (18) Jamie Brogan, (19) Bryan Hendrix, (20) Brad Coffey, (21) Travis Greer, (22) Steve Smith, (23) Dempsey Harold Jr. Scratched: Bobby Mays, Shane Bales.
