"DUMB, DUMB, LANE, EVER BEEN THERE ?”
How many drivers have ever heard of being in the famous lane called the “Dumb Dumb lane”?
Well if you watched the Crate Late Model race at Senoia Raceway Saturday Night July 31st, 2010 you would have seen #18 Matt Dooley get caught up in the “Dumb, Dumb lane”. Matt is only 14 but drives like a pro, he is getting better each and every race. But every driver gets caught up in the famous "Dumb, Dumb Lane".
In the Crate race Richie Williams’s son of famous driver Ricky Williams was racing his #17 car, and did quiet well, he did not win, but he was new to the track and the conditions. The driver that did win was a winner of several crate races at Senoia and that was #91 “Tall” Tod Darda.
Winning the Crate race was #91 of Tod Darda
Coming in 2nd was #55 of Parrish Duncan
And running in 3rd was last week’s winner, #88 Russ Ogletree, with #17 Richie Williams coming in 4th place not bad for a track he had never run before.
Tod led the race from the start and would never look back, and that is good in racing action.
Getting back to the racing action it was all over the place of this “Hot Georgia Night”. The only thing cool was the cold drinks from the concession stand. Trouble with Georgia in July is it’s HOT and I mean HOT and they say it will get Hotter. Which is ok if you are on a beach and can dive in to cool yourself, but for those that have to sit in it, or even work in it you can go a little mad?
That is what is happening. We are all going a little MAD at each and every race. Drivers, who are friendly, don’t seem to want to speak with you, and those that do don’t really have time to waste their breath on conversations.
Some drivers are friendly no matter what the weather. Just like Limited Late Model driver “Scott Duffy” winner of two, that’s right back to back late model races at Senoia and top gun, now he has always been a crowd favorite. He always has that smile, and when you speak with Scott he is a class gentleman who will never cut you short. He is someone that more drivers need to be like.
Of course you have the modified mini car drivers that put on a battle royal to start the night, but sometimes you can’t beat old champion #07 Frank Long, because when he is on, he can and will beat you. Tell this to #6 Evan Lancaster driving the car that brought Richard Bagby so many wins at West Georgia Speedway. Now the car is owned by Evan Lancaster who when he is on his game can beat any one.
Also racing was another legend, in his #Z2 car, none other than Zack Minielly. Zack has driven everything but a tractor in the corn field and I would not have put that past this long time winning driver, but Zack’s night was cut short when #8 of John Caldwell got together on the back straight, causing Caldwell to have a destroyed race car.
I have noticed that drivers are like good fitting shoes, they sometimes are the best of friends and then again sometimes they can hurt you in different ways. I try and will always be friendly with every driver, but some drivers you can’t even talk to.
Take #B3 of Hobby car driver, and a driver who knows how to win at Senoia BIG Clifton Moran, who has won some big races, and then had some heart breaking loses. Racing also was #41 legend Scott Sherrer, who was back and again ready to win, but this was not to be Sherrer’s night as he was unable to catch Clifton Moran, and that was who he would have to beat. If you were wondering where was #M4 of Winford Minix, he was racing but was hanging back waiting for Sherrer or Moran to make a crazy mistake where he could take advantage and win, but Minix would not get the chance as Moran was strong and no one could catch him.
The order of the Hobby finish was:
Winning #B3 of Clifton Moran
Coming in 2nd place was #41 of Scott Sherrer, and finishing in 3rd place was #M4 of Winford Minix.
What got me was how long the Hobby race seemed to last, I mean with all the spins and crashes it seemed like it would never end, but it did and that was all everyone cared about.
When the Qualifying runs are being done with the Crate and Late Models, that is my time to unwind, relax, stretch my legs and go down and meet the people that love this amazing sport called dirt track racing. I can and do hear all kinds of views and sometimes I share them and sometimes I leave them bottled up for a later date and time to uncork them for you.
When racing is back the first class to come back on the track is the tough, B-Cadet cars, and these are some of the best of what I call “Weekend Warriors”, and they come from every where in Georgia.
Take #3 of Jeff Carter, from Stockbridge, Georgia, and a health crew.
Then you have the Bright’s, #7 of Billy Bright Jr, plus his cousin #777 of Tim Bright who has become somewhat of a legend himself. Let’s not forget, #01 of Blant Duke one of the real hard charging young guns to ever race on any track, Duke does not like to lose and winning is what he does best.
Also racing was #31 of Blake Griffin, who was cruising to a easy win only to be dq’ed for being over weight when he rolled across the scales.
Also racing and unknown to this writer was car #92 of famous Joe Hillman, who can win almost any where. Also racing was young gun #26 of Justin Williams, who is part of the Slauson/Williams racing team. Bobby did not show because of car trouble again, what is the deal?
One car that seemed to be in the middle of all the action was car #28 and that was Robert Chandler who would finish in 2nd place with Joe Hillman coming in 3rd place. Blant Duke would finish in 4th place, and coming is 5th was none other than David Chapman in car #14.
What was strange was #31 Blake Griffin was DQed, as well as #3 Jeff Carter also DQed.
Griffin and Carter I am sure were not happy campers.
After the crate cars ran and again Tod Darda took the easy win, in his #91 car, it was time for the $500 dollar Enduro race to win, and there were enough drivers. Like #4 of Michael Nelms, his daughter #43 of Shelbi Nelms, plus super drivers like #99 Mike Ray and #55 of Randy Johnson. Plus other drivers like #23 of Gregg Butler in his red car, that no one seemed to catch.
Also racing for the cash was #38 of Matt Swancey and also #17 of Ray Mckenzie.
With all the money on the line it was amazing to see #43 of Shelbi Nelms starting on the pole, but that would be short lived when she lost control and slipped back several places. As hard as Mike Ray was racing, he could never catch, Greg Butler nor a proven winner like #4 Michael Nelms.
With action all over the track it was hard to keep up with every driver, but as always we did the best we could. The order of finish was #23 of Greg Butler who won and took home $500 big cash dollars.
Taking 2nd was #4 of Michael Nelms with #99 of Mike Ray finishing in 3rd place. Honorable mention was for #55 Randy Johnson. If you are wondering #43 Shelbi Nelms would go on to finish in 7th place, and that was after taking a hard lick into the wall.
Congratulations to #23 Gregg Butler!
Then it was time for the Limited Late Model race, and some of the best drivers in the South were there racing, starting on the pole was #25 of Scott Duffy next to him was #33 of Brian Reese
Also in the race was #99 of Rucker Orr, who has not won a race at Senoia all year long, and that is not like Rucker.
Also in the race was one of the big guns in racing #9 Shane Fulcher, plus super drivers like #73 of Racing Jason Williams, with #945 Jamie Carr.
Lap one started with a hard crash, as what looked like #99 dove down into car #9 which in turn started a pile up collecting 6 cars. The worst car was #27 of Glenn Morris, who was rammed into the wall as #55 a car driven by Craig Scott went sideways. The other cars that were collected were #24 of Ricky Payton, and some extra cars.
Who wins the race on the first lap?
I heard a good saying and I am not afraid to print it, it says “Some drivers when the place their helmet on and strap on the chin strap, some times it cuts off the oxygen to their brain”. They fail to remember than racing is for the fans and drivers should stay loose, and have fun instead of trying to drive to aggressive.
The order of finish for the Limited Late Models was again, #25 Scott Duffy who won his 2nd race in a row!.
Coming in 2nd was #33 Brian Reese, and coming in 3rd was hard charging driver #9 Shane Fulcher. In 4th place was the man that comes to win, #73 Jason Williams, and coming in 5th was #945 Jamie Carr.
So who will be able to beat Duffy, and when?.
As for as Shane Fulcher goes, you never know when he will make his presence known, but what was most interesting was that I was able to see #99 Rucker Orr’s car loaded onto a flat bad to haul him out of the track and that is something that I have never seen before.
Then the last race of the night, the Pure Mini Stock cars took the track with drivers like #D7 of Durrough Bright, plus #13 Gary Parker, not to mention #16 of young gun Stephen Hill, and back in the pack were drivers like #3 Robbie Quinton, who drove his heart out, Robbie is one of those drivers that just needs seat experience and then he will be racing with those top guns. Back further in the pack was #J17 of Joe Spencer, plus #18 of Russel Bright.
It was hard to believe but the car that led most of the laps was #19 of Vernon Nix, who for the 2nd week in a row got caught up in a wreck which took him out of the race, this is sad for a driver that has what it takes to win just needs the luck.who has been a proven winner, and last
Then again way back was #4 of Dusty Jones, how could I fail to mention one driver that is loyal, his name is Rocky Johnson and races in car #5. Rocky is a driver that has also not had the luck needed to win the big race but his day will be coming.
The order of finish was again #D7 Durrough Bright, winning his 2nd race at Senoia Raceway, coming in 2nd was #13 Gary Parker, and in 3rd place was #39 of Bobby Arnold, coming in 4th place was #16 of Stephen Hill and in 5th place was #3 of Robbie Quinton.
So the night came to a close, every fan went home happy, not only because the race was over but because again Senoia Raceway dodged another rain storm.
The last thing I have to say is that after so many races I am going to have to look into getting a back up camera, because my high priced digital camera is taking a beating with the dust, something I never put up with at West Georgia Speedway because my camera as well as myself were in a controlled environment. So if the video at the start looks a little distorted hang in there it clears up. If anyone needs to help in getting me a extra camera, I will in more than more ways help repay you, or work with you in some way.
Many Thanks
Tino Patti
A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist
With a World Wide BLOG racing following!
How many drivers have ever heard of being in the famous lane called the “Dumb Dumb lane”?
Well if you watched the Crate Late Model race at Senoia Raceway Saturday Night July 31st, 2010 you would have seen #18 Matt Dooley get caught up in the “Dumb, Dumb lane”. Matt is only 14 but drives like a pro, he is getting better each and every race. But every driver gets caught up in the famous "Dumb, Dumb Lane".
In the Crate race Richie Williams’s son of famous driver Ricky Williams was racing his #17 car, and did quiet well, he did not win, but he was new to the track and the conditions. The driver that did win was a winner of several crate races at Senoia and that was #91 “Tall” Tod Darda.
Winning the Crate race was #91 of Tod Darda
Coming in 2nd was #55 of Parrish Duncan
And running in 3rd was last week’s winner, #88 Russ Ogletree, with #17 Richie Williams coming in 4th place not bad for a track he had never run before.
Tod led the race from the start and would never look back, and that is good in racing action.
Getting back to the racing action it was all over the place of this “Hot Georgia Night”. The only thing cool was the cold drinks from the concession stand. Trouble with Georgia in July is it’s HOT and I mean HOT and they say it will get Hotter. Which is ok if you are on a beach and can dive in to cool yourself, but for those that have to sit in it, or even work in it you can go a little mad?
That is what is happening. We are all going a little MAD at each and every race. Drivers, who are friendly, don’t seem to want to speak with you, and those that do don’t really have time to waste their breath on conversations.
Some drivers are friendly no matter what the weather. Just like Limited Late Model driver “Scott Duffy” winner of two, that’s right back to back late model races at Senoia and top gun, now he has always been a crowd favorite. He always has that smile, and when you speak with Scott he is a class gentleman who will never cut you short. He is someone that more drivers need to be like.
Of course you have the modified mini car drivers that put on a battle royal to start the night, but sometimes you can’t beat old champion #07 Frank Long, because when he is on, he can and will beat you. Tell this to #6 Evan Lancaster driving the car that brought Richard Bagby so many wins at West Georgia Speedway. Now the car is owned by Evan Lancaster who when he is on his game can beat any one.
Also racing was another legend, in his #Z2 car, none other than Zack Minielly. Zack has driven everything but a tractor in the corn field and I would not have put that past this long time winning driver, but Zack’s night was cut short when #8 of John Caldwell got together on the back straight, causing Caldwell to have a destroyed race car.
I have noticed that drivers are like good fitting shoes, they sometimes are the best of friends and then again sometimes they can hurt you in different ways. I try and will always be friendly with every driver, but some drivers you can’t even talk to.
Take #B3 of Hobby car driver, and a driver who knows how to win at Senoia BIG Clifton Moran, who has won some big races, and then had some heart breaking loses. Racing also was #41 legend Scott Sherrer, who was back and again ready to win, but this was not to be Sherrer’s night as he was unable to catch Clifton Moran, and that was who he would have to beat. If you were wondering where was #M4 of Winford Minix, he was racing but was hanging back waiting for Sherrer or Moran to make a crazy mistake where he could take advantage and win, but Minix would not get the chance as Moran was strong and no one could catch him.
The order of the Hobby finish was:
Winning #B3 of Clifton Moran
Coming in 2nd place was #41 of Scott Sherrer, and finishing in 3rd place was #M4 of Winford Minix.
What got me was how long the Hobby race seemed to last, I mean with all the spins and crashes it seemed like it would never end, but it did and that was all everyone cared about.
When the Qualifying runs are being done with the Crate and Late Models, that is my time to unwind, relax, stretch my legs and go down and meet the people that love this amazing sport called dirt track racing. I can and do hear all kinds of views and sometimes I share them and sometimes I leave them bottled up for a later date and time to uncork them for you.
When racing is back the first class to come back on the track is the tough, B-Cadet cars, and these are some of the best of what I call “Weekend Warriors”, and they come from every where in Georgia.
Take #3 of Jeff Carter, from Stockbridge, Georgia, and a health crew.
Then you have the Bright’s, #7 of Billy Bright Jr, plus his cousin #777 of Tim Bright who has become somewhat of a legend himself. Let’s not forget, #01 of Blant Duke one of the real hard charging young guns to ever race on any track, Duke does not like to lose and winning is what he does best.
Also racing was #31 of Blake Griffin, who was cruising to a easy win only to be dq’ed for being over weight when he rolled across the scales.
Also racing and unknown to this writer was car #92 of famous Joe Hillman, who can win almost any where. Also racing was young gun #26 of Justin Williams, who is part of the Slauson/Williams racing team. Bobby did not show because of car trouble again, what is the deal?
One car that seemed to be in the middle of all the action was car #28 and that was Robert Chandler who would finish in 2nd place with Joe Hillman coming in 3rd place. Blant Duke would finish in 4th place, and coming is 5th was none other than David Chapman in car #14.
What was strange was #31 Blake Griffin was DQed, as well as #3 Jeff Carter also DQed.
Griffin and Carter I am sure were not happy campers.
After the crate cars ran and again Tod Darda took the easy win, in his #91 car, it was time for the $500 dollar Enduro race to win, and there were enough drivers. Like #4 of Michael Nelms, his daughter #43 of Shelbi Nelms, plus super drivers like #99 Mike Ray and #55 of Randy Johnson. Plus other drivers like #23 of Gregg Butler in his red car, that no one seemed to catch.
Also racing for the cash was #38 of Matt Swancey and also #17 of Ray Mckenzie.
With all the money on the line it was amazing to see #43 of Shelbi Nelms starting on the pole, but that would be short lived when she lost control and slipped back several places. As hard as Mike Ray was racing, he could never catch, Greg Butler nor a proven winner like #4 Michael Nelms.
With action all over the track it was hard to keep up with every driver, but as always we did the best we could. The order of finish was #23 of Greg Butler who won and took home $500 big cash dollars.
Taking 2nd was #4 of Michael Nelms with #99 of Mike Ray finishing in 3rd place. Honorable mention was for #55 Randy Johnson. If you are wondering #43 Shelbi Nelms would go on to finish in 7th place, and that was after taking a hard lick into the wall.
Congratulations to #23 Gregg Butler!
Then it was time for the Limited Late Model race, and some of the best drivers in the South were there racing, starting on the pole was #25 of Scott Duffy next to him was #33 of Brian Reese
Also in the race was #99 of Rucker Orr, who has not won a race at Senoia all year long, and that is not like Rucker.
Also in the race was one of the big guns in racing #9 Shane Fulcher, plus super drivers like #73 of Racing Jason Williams, with #945 Jamie Carr.
Lap one started with a hard crash, as what looked like #99 dove down into car #9 which in turn started a pile up collecting 6 cars. The worst car was #27 of Glenn Morris, who was rammed into the wall as #55 a car driven by Craig Scott went sideways. The other cars that were collected were #24 of Ricky Payton, and some extra cars.
Who wins the race on the first lap?
I heard a good saying and I am not afraid to print it, it says “Some drivers when the place their helmet on and strap on the chin strap, some times it cuts off the oxygen to their brain”. They fail to remember than racing is for the fans and drivers should stay loose, and have fun instead of trying to drive to aggressive.
The order of finish for the Limited Late Models was again, #25 Scott Duffy who won his 2nd race in a row!.
Coming in 2nd was #33 Brian Reese, and coming in 3rd was hard charging driver #9 Shane Fulcher. In 4th place was the man that comes to win, #73 Jason Williams, and coming in 5th was #945 Jamie Carr.
So who will be able to beat Duffy, and when?.
As for as Shane Fulcher goes, you never know when he will make his presence known, but what was most interesting was that I was able to see #99 Rucker Orr’s car loaded onto a flat bad to haul him out of the track and that is something that I have never seen before.
Then the last race of the night, the Pure Mini Stock cars took the track with drivers like #D7 of Durrough Bright, plus #13 Gary Parker, not to mention #16 of young gun Stephen Hill, and back in the pack were drivers like #3 Robbie Quinton, who drove his heart out, Robbie is one of those drivers that just needs seat experience and then he will be racing with those top guns. Back further in the pack was #J17 of Joe Spencer, plus #18 of Russel Bright.
It was hard to believe but the car that led most of the laps was #19 of Vernon Nix, who for the 2nd week in a row got caught up in a wreck which took him out of the race, this is sad for a driver that has what it takes to win just needs the luck.who has been a proven winner, and last
Then again way back was #4 of Dusty Jones, how could I fail to mention one driver that is loyal, his name is Rocky Johnson and races in car #5. Rocky is a driver that has also not had the luck needed to win the big race but his day will be coming.
The order of finish was again #D7 Durrough Bright, winning his 2nd race at Senoia Raceway, coming in 2nd was #13 Gary Parker, and in 3rd place was #39 of Bobby Arnold, coming in 4th place was #16 of Stephen Hill and in 5th place was #3 of Robbie Quinton.
So the night came to a close, every fan went home happy, not only because the race was over but because again Senoia Raceway dodged another rain storm.
The last thing I have to say is that after so many races I am going to have to look into getting a back up camera, because my high priced digital camera is taking a beating with the dust, something I never put up with at West Georgia Speedway because my camera as well as myself were in a controlled environment. So if the video at the start looks a little distorted hang in there it clears up. If anyone needs to help in getting me a extra camera, I will in more than more ways help repay you, or work with you in some way.
Many Thanks
Tino Patti
A Freelance Photographer/Video Journalist
With a World Wide BLOG racing following!
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