May 26
North Alabama Speedway,
Tuscumbia, AL
Sanction: Southern All Star Series (Memorial Day Classic 40) - $4,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated May 28, 1:18 pm)
North Alabama gives Ownbey first SAS triumph
Memorial Day Classic 40
- John Ownbey
- Riley Hickman
- Jay Scott
- Rick Rickman
- Eric Hickerson
- Christian Hanger
- Brad Skinner
- Ben Brocato
- Jadon Frame
- Daniel Miller
- Marcus Minga
- David Seibers
- Cale Finley
- Ray McElhiney
- Mark Dodson
- Tommy Taylor
- Wayne Sutherland
- Billy Flannagan
- Brian Rickman
- Trent Letson
- Mark Dowdy
- Joseph Faulkner
- Josh Putnam
presented by
Matthew Wilson/madskillzdirtracing.smugmug.com
John Ownbey races to his first Southern All Star victory.
What won the race: Slipping under leader Riley Hickman as they raced through traffic with eight laps remaining, John Ownbey of Cleveland, Tenn., regained the lead and broke through for his first career Southern All Stars victory Saturday at North Alabama Speedway. Ownbey outran four-time series champion Hickman and current series points leader Jay Scott in winning $4,000.
Quotable: "I seen Riley (Hickman) approaching lap traffic. I knew I had to keep the car on the bottom. When I seen Riley go high in (turn) two I seen the opportunity and took it and it worked," said Ownbey of his winning pass.
Key notes: Ownbey made his first-ever visit to North Alabama; he is the sixth series winner in as many races. ... Ownbey led the first 11 laps before the sixth-starting Hickman took command; Hickman controlled the race until Ownbey slipped back past in traffic with eight laps remaining. ... Christian Hanger was sixth in his first series start. ... Sixteen cars finished the race with 12 completing all 40 laps. ... A broken rod in his motor sidelined Josh Putnam's regular ride; he borrowed another car to start the feature. ... North Alabama hosted its ninth SAS race and first since 2008, when Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., picked up a win. … The race was originally set for Winchester (Tenn.) Speedway but North Alabama Speedway officials moved up their original June 2 date when Winchester officials opted not to host the race.
On the move: Rick Rickman of Columbus, Miss., started 10th and finished fourth; Eric Hickerson of Linden, Tenn., started 14th and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Ownbey's Powell Motorsports Longhorn Chassis has a Phantom Racing Engine and is sponsored by M&S Motors, Shorty Frazier Property Rentals, 7 Orr Construction, Car Smart, Sam's Restaurant Equipment Sales, Textron Off Road and James Mowery Motorsports.
Points chase: After North Alabama, Jay Scott (492) of Fayetteville, Tenn., leads Mark Dodson (422) and Ray McElhiney (402).
Car count: 23
Fast qualifier: John Ownbey
Time: 15.309 seconds
Polesitter: John Ownbey
Consolation race winners: Trent Letson, Brian Rickey
Next series race: June 16, Smoky Mountain Speedway (Maryville, TN) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
