4/3/2021
Southern All Stars
WILLIAMS BREAKS THE ICE AND TAKES THE WIN
Hometown driver Pearson Lee Williams took home the Icebreaker 50 Saturday night at Patriots Park Raceway in Dublin, GA. It was his first win with the series.
20 drivers registered at the SAS tech trailer and got ready for a chilly night of racing.
Smith Stations, GA driver Dalton Cook got the evening off by setting fast time in Group 1 with a 14.673 lap to pocket an extra $500.00 from Modern Images and Vidalia Motorsports. 2020 Dirt on Dirt and Cruise with the Champion Rookie of the Year Sam Seawright from Ft. Payne, AL was the fastest in Group 2 with a lap of 14.674.
Cook jumped out to an early lead with Seawright in his tracks. Both drivers worked the track high and low to see where the best lane suited them. As Cook encountered lap traffic, Seawright shot to the outside to take the lead.
Williams was taking this all in as he started making his way to the front as the halfway crossed flags were displayed from his 5th starting position. After a couple of cautions, the drivers were set to battle to the finish. Williams made his way to Seawright as his tires were starting to fade. At the line it was Williams putting his name in the Southern All Stars win column for the first time. Cook was 2nd and Wil Herrington with the podium finish from his 6th place finish.
Race tidbits:
This was the series first visit to the Dublin track in many years. Thanks to Tommy Gandy and his staff at Patriots Park Raceway for hosting the series. The fans witnessed 4 lead changes between 3 drivers.
Once again, the race fans were treated to what is fast becoming a fan favorite at the Southern All Stars events. Series officials work with track promoters to give the fans an opportunity to meet the drivers at the program’s intermission. Drivers are invited to come to the All-Stars merchandise tent and sign autographs on hero cards furnished by Otto Printing in Huntsville, AL.
Ahnna Parkhurst had a strong run going in the 50-lap feature running in the top 5 all night. She spun in turn 1 late in the race but hustled back to finish 8th. When asked if she would make the trip to Thunderhill this weekend with the series she said “ I would love to but as you know The Masters is this weekend and with the family being in the golf cart business, I will be driving those all weekend.”
Rookie of the Year contender Casey Turman had another tough night as he and series regular Mark Dodson got tangled up in turn 2.
Finish order for the Icebreaker 50 (pending tire tests)
- Person Lee Williams 2. Dalton Cook 3. Wil Herrington 4. Russell Brown 5. Payton Freeman 6. Kenny Collins 7. Cla Knight 8. Ahnna Parkhurst 9. Jimmy Sharpe Jr 10. Sam Seawright 11. Garrett Smith 12. Billy Franklin 13. Parker Martin 14. Dean Bowen 15. Kelly Guy 16. Shay Miller 17. Josh Putnam 18. Casey Turman 19. Larry Harrod 20. Mark Dodson
Car count: 17
Sunoco Fuels Qualifying:
Group 1: Dalton Cook 14.673 (New Track Record)
Group 2: Sam Seawright
BrakeOmeter 4th place Finish: Russell Brown
PPM Hard Charger: Jimmy Sharpe Jr.
2021 Southern All Stars Points:
- Payton Freeman (442) 2. Billy Franklin (404) 3. Mark Dodson (342) 4. Joseph Joiner (290) 5. Casey Turman (276) 6. Chad Thrash (246) 7. Ryan Crane (240) 8. Luke Bennett (220) 9. Austin Franklin (214) 10. Alex Ashley (210)
2021 Cruise with the Champions / Dirt on Dirt Rookie of the Year:
- Payton Freeman 120
- Casey Turman 112
- Austin Franklin 80
Upcoming events for the Southern All Stars:
April 10 – Thunderhill Raceway Park – Whoopin’ the WuHan Part Duex - Summertown, TN - $5,000.00
April 16 – Mountain Motor Speedway – Walter “Peg” Combs Memorial – Isom, KY –
$4,000.00
April 17 – Rockin’ with the Stars – Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN - $5,000.00
May 1 – Clayhill Speedway – Atwood, TN - $4,000.00
2020 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Sponsors:
*Hoosier Racing Tire “The Official Race Tire” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series *Patriot Sports “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Sunoco Race Fuel “The Official Racing Fuel” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing SeriesMaxFab Presenting Sponsor, Rugged Radios Official Communications of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series 2020 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Marketing Partners Include: AR Bodies, Brodix Cylinder Heads, , COR Suspensions, Cruise with the Champions, DirtonDirt.com, H3 Performance Graphics, Integra Racing Shocks, , MSR Mafia Web Design and Service, PPM Racing Products, RockAuto.com, 36 Racing & Fabrication, BrakeOMeter; Dirt Car Lift, Knowles Race Parts, Racing Junk Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series – 132 Jetplex Lane Madison, AL 35758
Article Credit: Photo by Richard Barnes
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