3/13/2021
Southern All Stars
SMITH AND SCHLENK WINNERS IN MILTON
The Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series made its way back to Tom Lowry’s Southern Raceway in Milton, FL for 2 big nights of racing for the super late models on the Gulf Cost. The racers and fans were treated to Chamber of Commerce weather all weekend and some made their way to the beach for a quick visit.
On Friday, 23 drivers signed in for the 30 lap event representing 7 states. 2020 Champion Billy Franklin found his way to the top of the speed chart as he picked up fast time in Group 2 and locked in his front row starting position. Hunt the Front driver Joseph Joiner was quickest in Group 1and paced the field to the green flag. Joiner jumped out to a quick lead as G. R. Smith ran 2nd and Franklin 3rd. Attrition was a big part of the race. Several drivers had mechanical problems seemed to be plenty.
As the leaders took the crossed flags, Brandon Carpenter hit the outside wall on the front straight, then was collected by Ryan Crane and ended up on his roof. All Drivers were ok.
Joiner and Smith would battle once the green flag came back out. Smith kept working the top side and took the lead and never looked back. Franklin came home 3rd with Dean Carpenter 4th and Payton Freeman rounding out the top 5.
Sunoco Fuels / Knowles Racecar and Parts Fastest Qualifier
Billy Franklin 14.434
BrakeOmeter 4th place finisher: Dean Carpenter
PPM Hard Charger: J. C. Wilson
B-Main 1: 1. Garrett Smith 2. Chad Thrash 3. Colin Shipley
B-Main 2: 1. Brandon Carpenter 2. Mike Lane 3. Mark Dodson
Official finish (pending tire tests)
- G. R. Smith 2. Joseph Joiner 3. Billy Franklin 4. Dean Carpenter 5. Payton Freeman 6. Colin Shipley 7. Austin Franklin 8. Mark Dodson 9. J. C. Wilson 10. Brandon Carpenter 11. Leon Henderson 12. Ryan Crane 13. Rusty Schlenk 14. Tristan Sealy 15. Dillon Crim 16. Garrett Smith 17. Allen Ashley 18. Chad Thrash 19. Mike Lane 20. Luke Bennett 21. Casey Turman 22. Dale Peaden 23. Jason Milam (Phil Frye photos)
Saturday brought plenty of sunshine to the track and several race teams took a quick trip to the beach which was a 30-minute drive. 20 drivers registered for the 50-lap event later in the evening. After being involved in the previous nights wreck, Panama City Driver Ryan Crane found himself atop the speed chart with the fast time in Group 1 and McClure, Ohio driver Rusty Schlenk was quickest in Group 2.
Schlenk took the lead off of turn 2 on lap 1 and never looked back in the 50-lap event. Smith could close in on Schlenk in lapped traffic but when the caution flew with 5 to go, it was full throttle to the checkers. Rounding out the top 5 was Joiner 3rd, 4th was Christian Hanger and 5th Payton Freeman.
Sunoco Fuels / Knowles Racecar and Parts Fastest Qualifier
Ryan Crane 14.370
BrakeOmeter 4th place finisher: Christian Hanger
PPM Hard Charger: Luke Bennett
B-Main 1: 1. Austin Franklin 2. Tristan Sealy 3. Dean Carpenter
B-Main 2: 1. Brandon Carpenter 2. Mark Dodson 3. Leon Henderson
Official finish (pending tire tests)
- Rusty Schlenk 2. G. R. Smith 3. Joseph Joiner 4. Christian Hanger 5. Payton Freeman 6. Chad Thrash 7. Colin Shipley 8. Luke Bennett 9. Dean Carpenter 10. Dillon Crim 11. Leon Henderson 12. Brandon Carpenter 13. Billy Franklin 14. Ryan Crane 15. Alex Ashley 16. Austin Franklin 17. Tristan Sealy 18. Casey Turman 19. Mark Dodson 20. Dale Peaden
Bash at the Beach Tidbits
This is the 1st of 2 double header weekends at Southern Raceway for the series in 2021. November 12th and 13th will be another double header weekend.
Race fans were treated to the drivers coming to the stands during intermission and an autograph session at the series souvenir booth. Special thanks to Scott Sanders with Otto Printing for the autograph cards at all the Southern All Stars events.
Drivers from 8 different states were at the Bash at the Beach weekend. Rusty Schlenk and Colin Shipley traveled 13 hours from McClure, Ohio to compete in the double header.
LaFayette, GA driver Casey Turman has added his name to the Cruise with the Champions / Dirt on Dirt Rookie of the Year drivers. He joins Payton Freeman and Austin Franklin.
The Southern All Stars would like to thank Scott Sanders with Otto Printing for the autograph cards he furnished for the drivers to sign this weekend. Drivers looking to race at Tri-County on March 27th should call the All Stars at 256-924-4546 to be included on the autograph cards for this event.
2021 Southern All Stars Points:
- Payton Freeman (266) 2. Billy Franklin (232) 3. Austin Franklin (214) 4. Mark Dodson (198) 5. G. R. Smith (196) 6. Joseph Joiner (190) 7. Rusty Schlenk (174) Colin Shipley (174) Dean Carpenter (174) 10. Brandon Carpenter (156) Leon Henderson (156)
2021 Cruise with the Champions / Dirt on Dirt Rookie of the Year:
- Payton Freeman 83
- Austin Franklin 80
- Casey Turman 77
Upcoming events for the Southern All Stars:
March 27 Tri-County Speedway – Battle in the Swamp – Flomaton, AL - $4,000.00
April 3 – Patriot Park Raceway – Icebreaker 50 – Dublin, GA - $4,000.00
April 10 – Thunderhill Raceway Park – Whoopin’ the WuHan II - Summertown, TN - $5,000.00
April 16 – Mountain Motor Speedway – Walter “Peg” Combs Memorial – Isom, KY – $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 Phil Frye
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