Deep South Speedway
Skinner gets first Super win at Deep South
By Jonathan Joiner
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Monte Skinner won April 27 at Deep South Speedway. (HighBanksShots)
LOXLEY, Ala. (April 28) — Monte Skinner of Saraland, Ala., claimed his first Super Late Model victory Saturday in an unsanctioned event at Deep South Speedway. Skinner survived early pressure, and then capitalized on competitors' misfortunates to earn $1,500 at the 4/10-mile oval.
Taking the lead from the outside pole, Skinner fought back challenges from Chris Smith early in the race before the Brewton, Ala., driver’s night ended early following contact with the turn four wall. Joseph Joiner of Milton, Fla., moved up to pressure Skinner later in the event and claimed the lead briefly before an overheating engine forced him to pull off the track. Skinner made the most of the opportunity and pulled away from the field over the event’s closing laps.
The former track champion in the Crate Late Model division was excited about earning his first win in open motor competition in only his second race in the division.
"Man, this awesome,” said Skinner, a long-time competitor at Deep South Speedway. “This is only our second race in the Supers, and considering how bad we were in the first race, I’m surprised we ran so well tonight.”
Skinner jumped out to the early lead over polesitter Todd Jones of Milton, Fla., and held off a charge from third starting Smith over the first half of the race. Smith's bid for the lead was cut short, however, after he jumped the cushion and slammed the turn-four wall on lap eight.�
Joiner took advantage of the ensuing restart to pressure Skinner for the top-spot over the event's middle stages. Joiner completed the pass for the lead exiting turn four on lap 11 and built a comfortable lead over the next three laps. But an overheating engine forced him to pull off of the track on lap 14 and allowed Skinner to regain the lead.
"It was really tough pulling off the track after just making a pass for the lead," Joiner said. "It's frustrating, but I'd rather sacrifice a win than our motor."
Skinner used the caution for Joiner's departure to regain his composure and amassed a sizable lead over the event's final seven laps.
"My car was getting loose on me in the middle of the race," Skinner said. "Once Joiner passed me, I just backed off hoping to milk it to the end, but when we took back off it was fine.”
Sixth-starting Chris Buhler followed Skinner across the finish line while Todd Jones, Nathan Ingersoll, and Kenneth Montiel rounded out the top five.
Notes: Skinner’s Trak-Star Racecar is powered by a Vic Hill Race Engine with sponsorship from BKW Disaster Recovery and Building, M&M Late Model Lift, and Skinner Services. ... Smith also made heavy contact with the turn-four wall in hot laps. ... Joiner and Ingersoll won the event’s two preliminary events, but the top five cars were inverted following a pill draw. ... Deep South Speedway replaced weekly Crate Late Model action with three Super Late Model events this season. ... Super Late Models return June 8 for round two.
Deep South Speedway: (1) Monte Skinner, (2) Chris Buhler, (3) Todd Jones, (4) Nathan Ingersoll, (5) Kenneth Montiel, (6) Joseph Joiner, (7) Chris Smith. Scratched: Russell Flynn. Heat race winners (among eight cars): Joiner, Ingersoll.
