Monroe Speedway Racetrack in North East Louisiana

Results and Story for September 6, 2008
SportMods Division:

Dash Race: 1^st- No. 88 Jimmy Whitlock , 2^nd- No C8 Timothy Culp, 3^rd- No. 8 Brandon Kent, 4^th- No. 97 Richie Bowden

Heat Race: 1^st- No. 22 Patrick Ross, 2^nd- No. X Bud Mullins, 3^rd- No. 99 Mark Underwood, 4^th- No. 97 Richie Bowden

Heat Race 2: 1^st- No. 88 Jimmy Whitlock, 2^nd- 8 Brandon Kent, 3^rd- No. C8 Timothy Culp, 4^th- No. 9 Jordan Smith

Feature Race: 1^st- No. 88 Jimmy Whitlock, 2^nd- 8 Brandon Kent, 3^rd- 9 Jordan Smith

Late Model Division:

Dash Race: 1^st- No. 602 D.W. Goodman, 2^nd- No.15 Carlton Traweek, 3^rd- No. 8 Keith Warner, 4^th- No. J1 Joey Couvillion

Heat Race: 1^st- No. J1 Joey Couvillion, 2^nd- No. 602 D. W. Goodman, 3^rd- No. 16 Kevin Gathright, 4^th- No. 8 Keith Warner

Feature Race: 1^st- J1 Joey Couvillion, 2^nd- No. 8 Keith Warner, 3^rd- 602 D.W. Goodman

Bombers Division:

Dash Race: 1^st- No. 00 Jamie Shirley, 2^nd- 52 Kevin Hogard, 3^rd- No. P1 Kenny Patton, 4^th- No. 62 Jerry Jones

Heat Race 1: 1^st- No. 50x Joey Vergo, 2^nd – No. 442 Brian Baker, 3^rd- No. 52 Kevin Hogard

Heat Race 2: 1^st- No. 4 Rodney Ates, 2^nd - No. 05, 3^rd- No. 55

Feature Race: 1^st- No. 52 Kevin Hogard, 2^nd - No. 504 , 3^rd- No. 442 Brian Baker

Legends Division:

Dash Race: 1^st- No. 34 Chris Freeland, 2^nd- No 19 Christopher Freeland, 3^rd- No. 9 Ronny Freeland, 4^th- No. La31 Marcus Frisch

Heat Race: 1^st- 9 Ronny Freeland, 2^nd- No. 19 Christopher Freeland, 3^rd- No. 61 Mark Dison, 4^th- No. 13 Jackie Ryan

Feature Race: 1^st- No. 9 Ronny Freeland, 2^nd- No. 61 Mark Dison, 3^rd- No. 34 Chris Freeland

Compacts Division:

Dash Race: 1^st- No. 4 Rodney Ates, 2^nd- No. 05 Tiffany Hemphill , 3^rd- No.007 Dana Simmons, 4^th- No. 55 Tracey Smith

Heat Race 1: 1^st- No. 61 Mark Rawls, 2^nd- No. 8

Feature Race: 1^st- No. 4 Rodney Ates, 2^nd- 61 Mark Rawls, 3^rd- No. 55 Tracey Smith

Modified Division:

Dash Race: 1^st- No. 3B Brian Burch, 2^nd- No. 39 Mark Chrisdimsky, 3^rd- No. 6x Kyle Pleasant , 4^th- No. H5 Nicholas Hodge

Heat Race 1: 1^st- 97 Cade Dillard, 2^nd- No. 198 Jake Haddox, 3^rd- No. H5 Nicholas Hodge, 4^th- No. 3B Brian Burch

Heat Race 2: 1^st- 6x Kyle Pleasant, 2^nd- No. 18 Caleb Dillard, 3^rd- No. 9c Josh Pitts, 4^th- No. 9 Lee Jay Haddox

Feature Race: 1^st- 198 Jake Haddox, 2^nd- No. 97 Cade Dillard, 3^rd- No.6x Kyle Pleasant

Bandits:

Dash: 1^st- No. 3K Tanner Kellick, 2^nd - No. 5 Brandon Eads, 3^rd-No. 62 Logan Gandy, 4^th- No. 13 Payton Ryan

Heat Race: 1^st- 5 Brandon Eads, 2^nd - No. 3K Tanner Kellick, 3^rd- No. 62 Logan Gandy

Feature Race: 1^st- No. 5 Brandon Eads, 2^nd- No. 15 Ethan McMillon, 3^rd- No. 3K Tanner Kellick

Gustav has left the area, but the wind was still blowing at the speedway as drivers and cars provided for a night of exciting racing. It was a nice comfortable night and the cars were plentiful. The fans were treated to some music from the Sterlington High School Band. They go by the name of The Panther Band and are directed by Danny Mejia.

Joey Couvillon who drives #J1 in the Late Model division has started to click. Last week Joey won his first pole position and was leading the whole race until he developed some engine trouble and had to drop out of the contest. This week however he jumped out in the front and led the whole race to take the checkered flag and win the feature. He had some stiff competition in the #8 car driven by Keith Warner. Keith wanted it bad and was racing hard. After a few taps and spins Joey did bring it home for the win. Keith came in 2^nd and provided us with some good exciting racing. Joey has to be put in my class of “good old boy” and “gentle giant” along with Jimmy Whitlock. Both these drivers are calm and take it one race at a time.

Speaking of Jimmy Whitlock, he won the feature race AGAIN this week. Jimmy who is a part of the “Over the Hill Gang” showed the youngsters how to race. He had the lead stretched out there. Jimmy drives the #88 car in the SportMods division and has had quite a showing the past few weeks. Remember he won both first and second rounds of the King of the South. He has won feature races the last 3 weeks. One of his sponsors is Charles Lawrence Race Engines, wonder what is under the hood? Ok, you have to have a good driver to get around the track. Next week, another race, go Jimmy go, will it be 4^th in a row?

The Haddoxs are out winning again, or at least one of them took the checkered flag. Jake Haddox won the feature race in the Modified division. The story is they brought a new car to the track and it developed engine trouble during qualifying. With that misfortune Jake had no car, so dad let him use his car and added the 1 to it to make it #198. Lee Jay could not stand not racing so he borrowed the #9 car of Jordan Smith and ran for points. He did fairly well finishing 4^th in the heat race and 5^th in the feature. Jake and #97 Chase Dillard was rounding the track as they were lapping cars left and right. Hats off to these two fine racers and congrats to Jake for his win.

Mike Bee drives the #7B car in the SportsMod division. Mike has been racing for some 28 years now. He had to stop and think, and then said he started in 1979. Mike first started his racing career in drag racing. He said that was the only type of racing back then. He just had a birthday and said, “We need to start an over the hill division.” Keith Warner who drives the # 8 in the late model division told me the same thing. You see Jimmy Whitlock’s group wearing the “Over the Hill” shirt. Mike and his fellow racers have respect for the younger drivers and really enjoy running against them. With that said there is still the attitude of let me show you how to do it youngster! Mike contributes his capability of racing to his sponsors DB Kennels and Sonic Drive Ins.

As stated last week there were some cars that came from Texas to race at MMS. We had cars from Houston, Grapevine, Pearland, Mount Pleasant, Mansfield, and Montgomery Texas. SPG Motorsports out of Houston brought 4 legends cars. They have been racing all over Texas for the past 10 years. Their sponsor is 360wraps.com. You may have seen the hauler with the big flames on it. It carries the 4 legends cars, the ION they use to get around, and the drivers.

The SportMods Division has another “good old boy” driver in Richie Bowden. He is just one of those nice guys who is friendly and down to earth, making it easy to talk to him. Richie drives the #97 and has been racing for some 12 years now. Like most drivers he started racing on dirt. Richie said, “If it wasn’t for Jeff Guerriero and Jason Bulloch it would not be possible for me to run. Jeff and Jason have been really supportive and I really appreciate them.” Jeff Guerriero, the injury attorney, is his main sponsor with Jason and Volvo Rents his secondary sponsors. He also has Radar Race Cars and Sugarcreek helping keep him and the car on the track. Wonder if Mr. Guerriero can help me out? Folks do not realize the expenses some of these drivers incur and why the need for sponsors. Let’s take a look at NASCAR and why do they have to have sponsors? So you and I can watch some good racing.

Employee racing took place Saturday night with 4 of the brave employees running for bragging rights. The employees ran the compact cars and Tim Borden took the checkered flag after leader Jerry Smith slowed at the finish line complaining of engine trouble. Tim drove the #007 car belonging to Dana Simmons. Jerry was driving the #4 car belonging to Rodney Ates who has had a good showing each week.

Quick note--Jacob Martin who drives the #13 in the SportMods division is doing fine. Jacob is the one where the flames were surrounding the car last Saturday. He suffered burns to his hands and chin and was taken to the hospital to be checked out. Got to talk to Jacob this Saturday and Jacob said, “I have blisters on my hands and other than that I am doing fine. As soon as I can get a car put together I will be back.” His right hand is still wrapped up, but he is in good spirits, feeling fine, and had a smile on his face when you talked to him. He cannot wait to get back on the track that was evident.

Injury notes—all drivers involved in the Legends wreck and the young 10 year old boy Payton Ryan all were doing fine after their incidents.

Tuesday night starting at 6pm on radio station ESPN 97.7 you can catch the MMS show or on the web at www.espn977.com. Check out the track’s website for all the latest at www.monroemotorspeedway.com. If you have a comment or question send it to racingreporter@yahoo.com. Also check out racing photos at www.thenewsstar.com.

As the fans poured into the speedway, the kids and Mayor Jamie Mayo started the night off by yelling “Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!” The roar of the crowd set the tone for the whole evening. As our Fast Dash Southern Sportmods took the speedway, fans settled in. As they raced off turn four, the drivers wasted no time at all and they went four wide into turn one. #17 Robbie Davis drove hard into turn one and got collected with another competitor. After the complete restart, they settled in and raced side by side. On the last lap, Bill Jenkins took the lead and the win in the Southern Sportmod Fast Dash.

1^st #5 Bill Jenkins 2^nd #99Mark Underwood Jr. 3^rd #17 Robbie Davis 4^th #11 Bo Johnson

Our Heat race was packed with side by side racing. With several different lead changes, it finally came down to rookie Jacob Martin winning his first heat race.

1^st #13 Jacob Martin 2^nd #97 Ritchie Bowden 3^rd #99 Mark Underwood 4^th #2 Steve Howard 5^th #17 Robbie Davis.

Monroe Speedway race fans waved off all the drivers to get the 40 lap feature underway. With Steve Howard wasting no time and took the lead for the first 11 laps until mechanical troubles, Howard showed he has what it takes to run on concrete.You can't miss Howard he is the only driver in the pit area who always is smiling regardless what is going on or off the track. #17 Robbie Davis caught Underwood, making it a great battle. #7 Mike Bee, #5 Bill Jenkins and #13 Jacob Martin chased down 1^st and 2^nd, then bad luck hit Underwood when his rotor under his distributor broke, causing his car to shut off while he was racing into turn one. Trying to hold off Davis, Underwood moved up the track and accidentally collected Davis and sent him airborne. Davis tried everything he could to stay in the race, but he had a tire go down and he had to leave the racing surface. With Underwood, who was on his way to a win, and Davis gone, this put the #97 Ritchie Bowden and #13 Jacob Martin into a battle to the end. After 40 laps and smooth driving, the #13 Jacob Martin became the first ever Southern Sportmod feature winner at Monroe Motor Speedway. 16 year old Jacob did an AWESOME burnout in victory lane, giving fans the burnout of the night. Jacob stood in victory lane excited, and thanked his mom and dad for helping him to get into victory lane. Monroe Motor Speedway has found out that Jacob gave his dad half of the winnings. Great job to all of our Southern Sportmod drivers for a great night of racing. 1^st #13 Jacob Martin 2^nd #97 Ritchie Bowden 3^rd #Wild Bill Jenkins 4^th #11 Bo Johnson 5^th #7 Mike Bee.

The Bumper 2 Bumper Late Models charged into their Fast Dash with Shreveport’s own #15 Ronnie Humphrey racing some of the best Late Model drivers in the country. Ronnie took the lead and never looked back in winning the Bumper 2 Bumper Late Models’ first Dast dash.

1^st #15 Ronnie Humphrey 2^nd#46 Nick Glaze. 3^rd#J1 Joey Couvillion 4^th #00 Don Plunk.

The 8 lap heat race was exciting with three wide racing going into turn one. As they battled off turn two it looked like Monroe’s own Don Pluck was going to take the win, when caution came out for the #46 Nick Glaze when he had an MSD box go out on him. When racing resumed, Humphrey wasted no time jumping into the lead when Plunk got loose coming off turn two Following Humphrey was the J1 of Joey Couvillion, who not only was racing a Bumper 2 Bumper he was pulling double duty driving a Legend car. Couvillion also is a track favorite who brought a big following of dirt fans to Monroe Motor Speedway. Humphrey finally settled in and came off turn four to get his second win of the night. 1^st #15 Ronnie Humphreys 2^nd #J1 Joey Couvillion 3^rd #00 Don Plunk 4^th #46 Nick Glaze.

The Bumper 2 Bumper Feature had excitement from start to finish. The drivers wasted no time trying to get to the front, but #00 Don Plunk raced to the lead for several laps, fighting off some hard charging drivers. Couvillion tried to go under Plunk with no avail until Plunk got loose, once again opening the door. As they fought side by side, Plunk and Couvillion got together and spinning sending both to the pits with damage. This left the racing wide open for Humphrey and Glaze to battle it out and it was just that. Humphrey tried every line and everything he could, but Glaze held off Humphrey to be the youngest Late Model winner at this time. Monroe Motor Speedway would like to thank the Glaze family and all of our Late Model drivers for there support and for the long drives they have done to make it to our facility.

1^st #46 Nick Glaze 2^nd #15 Ronnie Humphreys 3^rd #J1 Joey Couvillion 4^th #00 Don Plunk.

The INEX Legend cars will be one of the fastest growing divisions at our facility, great racing for young and old. These cars have a 1200 Yamaha sealed motor. Most of your NASCAR stars have raced this series. These cars are fun and inexpensive for the complete family. Local Legend car dealer Gus Campbell , piloting the #21 car, made his debut this past Saturday night and he did an AWESOME job, but the crowd favorite was 16 year old rookie Jenny Crawford, who pilots the #20 Legend car.

Fast dash winner #4 Bill Beard 2^nd #61 Mark Dison 3^rd #F5 Joey Couvillion 4^th #20 Jenny Crawford.

The heat race started with a wild scramble down the front stretch and #4 Bill Beard racing into the lead off turn two. Couvillion was not letting him go, and started hanging onto Beard’s back bumper. #4 Bill Beard did what it took to win his second race of the night. 2^nd Joey Couvillion 3^rd #20J Jenny Crawford 4^th #64 Mark Dison 5^th #21 Gus Campbell . Feature. 1^st #4 Bill Beard 2^nd #F5 Joey Couvillion 3^rd #61 Mike Dison 4^th #20J Jenny Crawford 5^th #21 Gus Campbell

The Eskamoe’s frozen treats Bombers put on the best show of the night. Steve Bogues made it a clean sweep of the night being the first driver to set an official record doing so. Congratulations Steve. Jerry Jones along with #62, #5 raced side by side for the complete race and never missing a beat. Lap after Lap, switching back and fourth from position to position, THEY NEVER EVEN SCRATCHED ANY PAINT. Good Job guys. After it was all said and Done the finish was as follows.

1^st #19 Steve Bogues 2^nd #90, 3^rd #62 Jerry Jones 4^th # 5 No name on driver time of press release.