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Phenix City, ALA – March 18, 2006 - The first race of the season at East
Alabama Motor Speedway saw six divisions of competitors with fresh
engines, bright paint jobs, and strong racing spirits get back to the
weekly business of dirt track racing. The year promises to be full of
excitement with many drivers moving up in divisions to faster cars. In
the Late Model division several veteran champions were mixed with several
fearless and fast rookies, which gave us the formula for a great feature
event. Rookie William Thomas in his # 22 Rocket chassis Racing Zone Monte
Carlo set fast time qualifying to win the pole for the feature event.
When the green flag dropped Thomas blasted his Rocket into the lead ahead
of veteran speedster Tod Darda, who began from the outside pole. Thomas
approached escape velocity and entered orbit on lap two as he put Brandon
Hood a lap down. On lap 6 a bad omen appeared a Thomas’s Rocket began
venting plasma leaving a contrail. Matt Woodson’s quest for the lead was
seriously jeopardized when on lap 8 a flat tire on his # 88 caused a pit
stop under green putting him down a lap.
Meanwhile back in the lead, Thomas is slowing in the lap traffic allowing
Darda and Bobby Eiland, who started third, to close the gap. Coming
out of turn two on lap twelve Thomas re-entered the atmosphere, coasted
to the pits, and took a DNF for a mechanical failure. This gave the lead
to Tod Darda with Bobby Eiland second, and rookie Marvin Cook third.
Shane Renfroe was on a run as he passed Shane Stodghill. Allen Sparks was
making his way to the front but was under constant attack by Chad
Wallace. On lap 18 Mike Parkerson spun in turn 4 to bring out a yellow
flag caution. On the restart many sets of battles occurred. There was the
battle of the Jeffs- Jeff Mills and Jeff Culpepper, two veteran Late
Model track champions racing side by side. Just ahead of them was the
battle of the 34’s- the # 34 of Allen Sparks and the # 34 of Chad
Wallace, who were also going at it door to door. In the front, Bobby
Eiland wasted no time in getting a fender inside Darda on the
restart. Darda knew he was coming and drove a little deeper into turn one
than normal and pushed high in turn two. Bobby Eiland, being the consummate
warrior, seized the opportunity and shot to the inside taking the lead.
Bobby Eiland took the white flag and ran away to the checkers to remind
everyone that the 2006 Late Model championship goes through him. Tod
Darda finished second, Marvin Cook, in his first Late Model feature
finish, a respectable third, Allen Sparks fourth, Chad Wallace fifth,
Jeff Mills sixth, Jeff Culpepper seventh, Shane Renfroe eighth, Terry
Braswell ninth, and Mike Parkerson rounded out the top ten in tenth. DARDA WINS AT EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – March 25, 2006 – The odds makers at East Alabama Motor
Speedway say that if the local legendary champion Dana Eiland wins the
pole and takes the lead, the race is a done deal. Nine times out of ten
they are correct, however, this was not the case this Saturday night as
Dana Eiland started the Late Model feature from the pole. When the green
dropped, Tod Darda, starting from the outside pole had good momentum
coming around turns 3 and 4 and passed Eiland down the front straight.
Darda drove deep into turn one and went to the high side of turn two.
Eiland wasted no time in capitalizing on this small error and darted
under Darda to get back out front down the backstretch. Larry Eldridge
and Terry Braswell hooked together and spun out to bring out the yellow
flag. Allen Sparks sustained collateral damage from the spin out and made
a pit stop while Eldridge was towed to the pits for an early DNF. Sparks
rejoined the field for the single file restart. The leaders were Eiland,
followed by Darda, Marvin Cook, William Thomas, Shane Renfroe, and Shane
Thompson, one through six respectively. As Dana Eiland set a scorching
pace only William Thomas managed to advance his position when he powered
by Cook to take over third place. There were no changes in the running
order for the next few laps until Jack Mills coasted to the pits on lap
ten. Eiland was now putting the back of the field a lap down as he blew
past Tejay Holland. The lap traffic was getting thick and Eiland had to
slow down which allowed Darda and Thomas to close the gap. Eiland was now
sizing up Sparks, who is usually very fast and must have sustained minor
damage in the early mishap with Braswell and Eldridge, and put him down a
lap. Thomas wove his way through the lap traffic and also put Holland
down a lap, and then on lap 18 passed Sparks. Braswell passed Matt
Woodson on lap 20 then he saw the K-9 of Eiland about to put him down.
Braswell hammered down and gave it more than he had as he broke, coasting
to the pits. The flagman gave the group of slow cars the move over flag
to get out of Eiland’s way. Three of them went to the high side and
allowed Eiland to pass on the inside. Matt Woodson however went to the
inside, giving the preferred line to Eiland but, since it was the
opposite of what the other cars did, Eiland had to slow dramatically to
avoid a collision. This gave Darda the opportunity to take the lead with
only two laps remaining. So much for the odds makers as the white flag
came out to announce another exciting finish. Eiland attempted a run at
the leader from the inside but did not have the momentum to reach the
checkers before Darda. Tod Darda took the win to become the 2006 Late
Model points leader. Dana Eiland, having led every lap except the last
two, said he was disappointed to finish second. William Thomas finished
third, Marvin Cook fourth, Shane Renfroe fifth, Shane Thompson sixth,
Larry Harrod JR seventh, Matt Woodson eighth, Allen Sparks ninth, and
Tejay Holland rounded out the top ten in tenth. LEE COOPER PICKS UP VICTORY
April 1, 2006 - The Fastrak Series Southern Region made its 3rd stop of the 2006 season at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL with a yet another first time winner in three races this season. 21 year old Lee Cooper of Greer, SC battled with local standout Dana Eiland until he had mechanical problems late in the race. The Fastrak drivers rolled into EAMS on the second night of their Alabama ‘double header’ with a great crowd on hand to see Alabama veteran Dana Eiland capture the pole position for the night’s race.
In what looked to be a replay of Friday night’s Fastrak race just up the road at Penton Raceway, the first 22 laps of night two of the Alabama Double Header went without caution. Dana Eiland would get to turn 1 before William Thomas, Friday night’s winner, on lap 1 and would lengthen the lead down the backstretch. Thomas started to fall back through the pack while Lee Cooper moved to second, with Chris Carlson and Dwayne Johnson close behind. Johnson would find the high side to his liking on lap 6, and he started to pick off the drivers in front of him. Johnson would close in on the back bumper of Eiland’s K9 car and follow in his tire tracks, sizing Eiland up for the pass. Johnson jumped back to the outside on lap 20 and got up to Eiland’s door off of 4 when the race would be slowed on lap 22 for Scott Childress slowing in turns 3 & 4. The field went back to green with Eiland in control of the action, Johnson and Cooper close behind. The race would see a couple of minor cautions between laps 25 and 30 when Dana Eiland would go high in turn 1 as mechanical problems force him to hand the lead to Cooper, with Carlson in tow. When the race went back to green, Cooper felt pressure from Carlson and 11th place starter Glen McWaters, who methodically picked his way through the field. Carlson would try both the high and low sides to get around Cooper, to no avail while fending off the challenges from McWaters. Cooper took the checkered flag for his first Fastrak win, collecting $2,000 for his efforts.
William Thomas Dominates East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – April 15, 2006 – East Alabama Motor Speedway offered
the large field of racers and filled grandstand of fans, the perfect way
to begin their Easter holiday. First, the weather was absolutely perfect,
like an early summer night with warm temperatures and low humidity.
Secondly, exciting dirt track racing in six divisions and the Late Model
division’s event turned into a historical night to remember for many.
William Thomas driving the # 22 2006 Rocket chassis, The Racing Zone,
Monte Carlo, in his rookie year as a Late Model contender, won his first
home track feature event in a most memorable way.
Thomas wasted no time in qualifying as he set the fastest time. His
radical approach to speed includes no cracking the throttle through turns
1 and 2, a barely letting off in turn 3. His scorching time of 16.25
placed him comfortably on the pole for the feature event. Tod Darda was
the second fastest but failed to start the feature as his motor developed
a misfire. Shane Thompson in the #00 2006 Rocket Chassis Fun Carts of
Opelika Grand Prix inherited the outside pole position. When the green
flag dropped, Thomas blasted out to the lead firing as soon as he reached
turn 4. Allen Sparks was feeling sporty and was pulling alongside and
looking for a way around Marvin Cook, who was coming off a victory at
Penton Raceway the night before and was still hooked up and fast. Jeff
Mills, starting from the fifth position, was in hot pursuit of Shane
Stodghill when he lost his footing in turn 4 of lap 2. Mills spun and came
to a stop on the track and the yellow flag was displayed. Mills was sent
to the rear for the restart and Thomas again shot out to a 3- car length
lead from Thompson down the front straight. Bobby Eiland, from third
place, was all over Shane Thompson, looking for a pass. This exciting
game of skill and power had the fans on the edge of their seats. Jeremy
Frost lost the handle down the front straight and spun to a stop to bring
out the next caution. The top 10 running order was Thomas, Thompson,
Eiland, Stodghill, Cook, Fletcher Cavender JR, Allen Sparks, Shane
Renfroe, Mickey Benton, and Matt Woodson. Back to green flag racing and
again Thomas is so fast he pulls away from second place Thompson who has
to battle the relentless attack from Bobby Eiland. Eiland could get even
with Thompson in the corners but Thompson gets away on the
straight-aways. Mark Patterson dropped to the infield with a mechanical
failure as Jeremy Frost loses power and slowly circulates in the groove.
Scott Land caught the break down epidemic and coasted to the pits. On lap
11 Thomas was beginning to put the field down a lap as he started picking
off the tail. Gordy Scarborough spun out in turn 4 for a brief caution
and we were right back racing. Thomas was too fast to be challenged and
he gained ground each second. On lap 14 Nick Biddle, in his first
appearance of the year after his horrific crash at last years National
100, was fighting a deteriorating condition in his self-rebuilt # 55 as
he slowed in the groove. Thomas came up on him so fast that Biddle nearly
took him out. After swapping some paint, Thomas continued his light speed
quest for the checkers. Meanwhile, back in second place, Eiland had
managed to sink his teeth into Thompson. They fought side by side all the
way around the track then Eiland got off turn 2 a little quicker than
Thompson and he moved into second place down the back straight. Renfroe
had worked himself into eighth place and was challenging Sparks for
seventh. As they came out of turn three Renfroe clipped the back of
Sparks sending Sparks into a spin, which ended with Sparks stopped in
turn 4. The caution was blamed on Sparks who was sent to the rear for the restart. This time when the green dropped Eiland was able to stay closer to Thomas as the two pulled away from the rest of the field. Third place Thompson could not get a break as now he had to
spar with a hungry Stodghill who wanted that third place. On lap 23 as
Shane Renfroe returned to the scene of the crime, his Karma or maybe a
sense of guilt got the best of him and he crashed into the turn four
wall. It may have also been his worn out tires, at any rate this set up
the excitement of a green, white, checkers situation. William Thomas
proved he was the man as he powered his way to his first Late Model
victory at home. Bobby Eiland crossed the line second but post race
inspection found him to have the wrong carburetor and he was
disqualified. Second was conceded to Shane Thompson, third was Shane
Stodghill, fourth Fletcher Cavender JR, fifth Marvin Cook, Mickey Benton
finished sixth, Matt Woodson seventh, Larry Harrod eighth, Shane Renfroe
ninth, and Terry Braswell rounded out the top ten in tenth. Dana Eiland " The Master" at East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – April 29, 2006 – East Alabama Motor Speedway has seen
many great drivers in the past 30 years and the current Late Model driver
Dana Eiland seems to top the list. Dana always brings the best elements
of the sport to the track. His crew chief Mike Harris gives him a
perfectly set up, and very fast, race car at each outing. Dana supplies
the intuitive racing skills, the unrelenting determination to win, and
the modest character of a great champion and perfect role model. This
Saturday night Dana placed his # K9 Schwartz Chassis Andy’s Auto Parts
Grand Prix on the outside pole, next to last weeks winner Bobby Eiland,
who set fast time. When the green flag dropped on the feature event Dana
and Bobby had a door to door drag race to turn one. Dana seemed to get
more momentum on the high side of the track and took the lead coming out
of turn two. Bobby drove deep into turn three and got even with Dana in
turn four. The K-9 was not to be denied as he firmly took the lead down
the front stretch. Jeff Culpepper running in third was several
car-lengths behind the leaders and several car-lengths ahead of Marvin
Cook in fourth. Cook was in the battle of his life with Friday night’s
Penton Racetrack winner Tod Darda who was looking high and low for the
pass. Matt Woodson encountered a traffic jam in turn three and spun out
in turn four to bring out the yellow flag caution. When the race resumed,
Dana took the lead with Bobby shadowing his every move. They raced each
other hard and showed the proper racing etiquette by showing respect for
each other and keeping it clean. Culpepper was comfortably in third with
no one challenging him since Cook, in fourth had his hands full with
Darda’s attacks for position. Finally on lap 6 Darda got under Cook and
took over the fourth spot and started reeling in Culpepper. Shane Renfroe
was working on Mickey Benton and made a clean pass setting his sights on
Tim Thomason, who was making his first appearance of the season. As Scott
Land broke and coasted to the pits on lap 12, the battle for the lead
ensued with Eiland Vs Eiland. The leaders now were in lap traffic and the
racing order began shuffling as Jeremy Frost got put down a lap. On lap
19 Nick Biddle suffered a mechanical failure and rolled into the pits.
Dana was really hammered down and lapped Woodson, Tejay Holland, Shane
Renfroe, and Mickey Benton all in the same lap. Benton slowly rolled into
the pits just as Holland seem to loose his steering and crashed hard into
the inside retaining wall of turn four to bring out the yellow flag. The
restart order was Dana, Bobby, Darda, Cook, Culpepper, Thomason, and
Renfroe. When the green dropped Dana blasted out to the lead with Bobby
right on him. Darda, Cook, and Culpepper were three wide coming out of
turn four. Cook passed Darda down the front straight then when Darda came
out of turn two his right front brake locked sending him careening out of
control and off the back straight. Culpepper was now looking for a
weakness in Cook to take back his third place and Cook was running from
the devil to hold on to what he had. Suddenly the white flag came out and
Dana Eiland powered his way to the checkers adding to his legend as one
of East Alabama’s greatest racers. Bobby Eiland finished second and after
the race said he needed one more lap to take the lead but had to settle
for a chance next week. Marvin Cook finished third, Jeff Culpepper
fourth, Tim Thomason fifth, Shane Renfroe sixth, Matt Woodson seventh,
Jeremy Frost eighth, Tod Darda ninth, and Mickey Benton rounded out the
top ten in tenth. JOHNSON GIGANTIC at EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – May 6, 2006 – This Saturday night the race fans at
East Alabama Motor Speedway were treated to an awesome display of power
and racing savvy by Late Model contender Dewayne Johnson. Johnson, a
veteran of the Hav-A-Tampa Super Late Model Series grew up racing at East
Alabama and considers it the best racetrack, surface wise, where you can
hammer down and run wide open. He placed his TNT Racecars, J&J
Motorsports, Beardon Oil # 45 on the pole for the feature event. When the
green dropped Nick Biddle from the outside pole ran neck and neck with
Johnson down the front straight. Johnson took the lead coming out of turn
one as he shot off the corner and immediately began distancing himself
from the field. Gordy Scarborough lost power on the start and never got
up to speed, slowly circulating at the bottom. There was no change in the
running order for the first seven laps as everyone had to give it their
all to keep pace with Johnson who was blistering the track. The order was
Johnson, Biddle, Jeff Mills, Tod Darda, Bobby Eiland, Mickey Benton, Tim
Thomason, Shane Renfroe, Marvin Cook, and Matt Woodson rounding out the
top ten. On lap 9, Dana Eiland, who had won at Penton Raceway the night
before, developed a broken suspension during practice on his famous # K-9
and was driving Larry Eldridge’s car # 17. It could not endure the
demands of the legendary champion and rolled into the pits. On lap 11
Johnson put Scarborough a lap down and was running a full straightaway
ahead of second place Biddle. Jeff Mills showed his strength on lap 14
when he caught Biddle and maneuvered a clean pass to move into second
place. Johnson was so far ahead of Mills there was little chance of
catching him since there had not been a caution to bunch them up. Johnson
was still putting the back of the field a lap down as Woodson was his
next victim to go down a lap. Bobby Eiland managed to catch Tod Darda and
got a fender to the inside in the turns but Darda had the power to escape
and hang on to the fourth spot. The first yellow flag came out on lap 22
for debris on the front straight. Now we had a shoot out to the checkers
with only three laps remaining. The green dropped and Johnson, with his
wide- open vulgar display of power ran away from the pack. Bobby Eiland
picked off Tod Darda who seemed to develop a problem and Mickey Benton
also passed Darda on lap 23. The white flag came out and homeboy Dewayne
Johnson put it on "em as he took the checkers with total domination. Jeff
Mills finished second, Nick Biddle third, Bobby Eiland fourth, Mickey
Benton fifth, Tod Darda sixth, Marvin Cook seventh, Shane Renfroe eighth,
Tim Thomason ninth, and Matt Woodson rounded out the top ten in tenth. DANA EILAND wins EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – May 20, 2006 – School’s out for summer and the
grandstands were packed at East Alabama Motor Speedway. However, there
was one more lesson to learn, and the legendary Late Model champion Dana
Eiland was on hand to give the class in how to win on the super fast
3/8ths of a mile high- banked clay oval. The young and impetuous Scotty
Knowles had won the Late Model event at Penton Speedway on Friday night
and was looking for a repeat as he set fast time qualifying to take the
pole for the feature event. The only problem was sitting on the outside
pole, the famous # K-9 of Dana Eiland, which had been expertly set up by
crew chief Mike Harris, was unleashed and totally ready for the showdown.
It didn’t take long as the green dropped on the feature and student and
teacher put the pedal to the metal. The #K-9 had the bite off the turn
four corner to take a small lead in the frantic drag race to turn one.
Eiland powered straight through turn one to take a convincing lead and
the fat lady was already warming up her vocal chords. Shane Thompson
moved his #00 Fun Carts of Opelika Rocket Chassis Grand Prix up to make
Knowles’ life a little more difficult and got a fender to the inside but
could not make it stick as Knowles maintained his second position. Jeremy
Frost and Robby Watson locked up and spun out on the front stretch for
the first yellow flag. On the restart, there was no doubt as Eiland
powered out to the lead and Thompson was all over Knowles again. On lap 5
Robby Watson took an interest in the cornfield and flew off the back-
stretch to go check it out bringing out the next caution. On this restart
Tim Thomason got spun into the inside wall of turn four. He was given
back his spot and the green came back out. Eiland was smoking the track
turning low 16-second laps and only the next three cars of Knowles,
Thompson and Tod Darda were able to keep pace. These leaders pulled out
from Marvin Cook in fifth and the rest of the field to run and equal
distance from each other, about 4 carlengths. By lap 17, Darda, in
fourth, was nearly a full straightaway ahead of Cook in fifth when Nick
Biddle entered the pits. Suddenly Jeremy Frost, running in the back was
about to get lapped by the leaders when he spun out in turn four, came to
a stop, and was looking dead at the leaders barreling down on him. Eiland
cracked the throttle and went high barely avoiding disaster while Knowles
shot to the inside. During this yellow Josh Noles rolled into the pits.
On each restart, Eiland would fire in a different place to keep Knowles
guessing and by the time Knowles knew when to fire, Eiland was gone.
Scott Land lost power and was circulating on the apron as Eiland put him
down a lap. The white flag came out and Dana Eiland finished his lesson
by taking the checkers in his legendary domineering fashion. Hundreds of
fans got the point as they raised their hands in the air to celebrate yet
another victory by the great hometown champion. Scotty Knowles came
across the finish line second but post race inspection found him to be
using an illegal green fuel for which he was disqualified. Shane Thompson
was awarded second place, Tod Darda third, Marvin Cook fourth, Shane
Renfroe fifth, Larry Harrod sixth, Leon Watson JR seventh, Matt Woodson
in the # 88 finished eighth, Tim Thomason ninth, and Marc Gooden rounded
out the top ten in tenth.
 Richie Stephens Wins Hobby Championship By Jay Vaquer
The 30 lap $1000 to win Hobby Stock Championship at East Alabama Motor Speedway
was won by The Rocket Man Richie Stephens. When the green dropped on the feature
event speedster Mikey Mount took the lead from the pole and immediately began pulling
away from Allen Flournoy in second. Stephens began his charge to the
front from the fifth starting position and passed Winford Minix on lap
two. Kenny Mathis lost the handle on lap 3 and went off turn 2 to bring
out the first caution. After rejoining the field the green came back out.
The running order was Mount, Flournoy, Stephens, Minix, Rodney Gorman,
Jerry Luke, Adam Brown, and Roger Arnett rounding out the top eight.
Again Mount shot out to the lead and left the field in his dust. Flournoy
was working the inside line when the Rocket Man blasted by on the high
side to move into second. On lap 5 Allen McConnell rolled into the pits
with a mechanical failure followed by Jerry Luke, who, after running a
strong qualifying heat race to start fourth, also succumbed to a
mechanical failure. The yellow flag came out for a dropped drive shaft on
turn four. The green flag came out and again Mikey Mount was a comet
being chased by the Rocket Man. Suddenly, the Rocket Man’s father,
Richard Stephens SR, driving the # 47, met with disaster as he crunched
the inside retaining wall of turn four. This brought out the caution and
got him a tow to the pits for a DNF. On the restart Mount was really
impressive as he pulled away from the Rocket Man. Rodney Gorman passed
Roger Arnett in turn two and was reeling in Adam Brown then Minix got
high in turn one and lost it over the top of turn two for the lap 10
caution. Chris Arnett rolled to the watering hole overheating and to the
dismay of many fans, the leader Mikey Mount had his right rear tire go
down and had to enter the pits relinquishing the lead to the Rocket Man,
which pleased his many fans to no end. Before Mount could change his tire
and get back on the lead lap, the green came out and the Rocket Man
blasted off to an insurmountable lead. By lap 12, Pat Wall who began the
feature dead last had moved up to fifth and was hopeful to catch the
leader. 15 year old Miles Holton was showing some driving maturity by
hanging on to his spot when Scott Sherrer clipped him in the rear sending
him into a spin for the lap 14 caution. On lap 15 Jason Anthony and
Rodney Gorman were engaged in a battle over fourth spot when Gorman went
off the track. He got his spot back and we went green again with Anthony
and Gorman door to door. Gorman rolled to a stop coming off turn four
with a flat rear tire on an otherwise great looking chrome mangled rim.
The green flag came back out and Pat Wall was all over Adam Brown looking
for third place. On lap 26 Wall passed Brown in turn 4 then Minix went
off turn two for a yellow flag, which set up a green, white, checkered
finish. The Rocket Man Richie Stephens, who always puts on a display of
blazing speed, was not to be denied as he captured the checkered flag,
the beautiful 6 foot trophy, the $1000 prize, and the distinction of
becoming the 2006 Hobby Stock champion. After the mandatory tear down on his engine
and when the meticulous track tech officials could find no rule infractions, it was official- the Rocket Man
really was that fast. Allen Flournoy took the second place trophy. Pat
Wall, who crossed the finish line third, was disqualified in post race
inspection for being light. Adam Brown got the third place trophy. Roger
Arnett finished fourth, Alan Franks fifth, Scott Sherrer sixth, Tracy
Baker seventh, Winford Minix eighth, Jason Anthony ninth, and Mikey Mount
rounded out the top ten in tenth. MEMORIAL DAY at EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA- May 27,2006 – Memorial Day comes once a year at East
Alabama Motor Speedway but we thank our fallen Veterans every weekend for
giving us the freedom to develop and enjoy the greatest pastime on Earth
- dirt track racing. The Fastrak Late Model racing series rolled into
town to make the weekend special and treat the capacity crowd to added
excitement. No celebration would be complete without local legendary Late
Model champion Dana Eiland’s participation. Dana’s highly professional
and competent crew chief Mike Harris installed a crate engine in the
famous # K-9 to conform to the Fastrak rules where participants compete
on an equal playing field. As would be expected, Dana was the only driver
to break the 17- second barrier with a blistering 16.98 during qualifying
to earn the pole position for the feature event. However, the outside
pole belonged to another local champion, Dewayne Johnson, who driving the
#19 of Jeremy Frost, posted a 17.01. When the green flag dropped on the
feature event Dana and Dewayne ran door to door down the front straight
and into turn one. Dewayne was so high in the cushion it appeared that he
was going to go over the top. Somehow, Johnson stuck to the high groove
and came off turn two with the lead. Chad Wallace starting in fourth got
a jump on William Thomas starting third and moved up to challenge Eiland
in second. Dewayne Johnson demonstrated the fastest way around the 3/8ths
mile oval by running in the cushion all the way around. Dana followed his
line on the top and these two began to pull away from Wallace in third.
William Thomas knew the deal and needed to pass Wallace to join the
leaders on the high line. Thomas began an all out assault on Wallace
looking inside, then outside and these two skilled drivers put on an
exciting show. On lap 6 Thomas ran from high in turn three down to the
apron in turn four, passing Wallace and moving into third place. Thomas
began to pull away from Wallace who was a full straightaway ahead of
fifth place Lee Cooper. Roger Phillip was having a problem getting up to
speed and was the first to get lapped by the leaders. Marvin Cook was
also running in the back and was about to go down a lap when Anthony
Meadows spun in turn 4 to bring out the first yellow flag caution on lap
11. On the restart as Johnson shot out to the lead Thomas got a fender on
the inside of Eiland who shook him loose to maintain second place. As
unlucky lap 13 would have it a melee ensued in turn 4. Glen Herrington
and Jody Knowles got the worst of the deal as they came to a stop in turn
four. Josh Noles hit them pretty hard but kept going and was not
penalized. Fastrak rules state that if your wheels stop turning on the
track then you are penalized so Harrington and Knowles were sent to the
rear for the restart. Knowles suffered serious frame damage and required
a tow to the pits for a DNF. On the restart, Johnson and Eiland went back
to the high line but Thomas stayed in the center groove looking for a
pass. Mathew Daniels came to a stop in turn four after an exciting
720-degree spin through turns 3 and 4 to bring out the lap 15 caution. We
went back to green flag racing and Dewayne Johnson immediately went back
to his "Flat out" style of keeping the throttle wide open, hugging the
very top of the track, and creating an enormous amount of momentum that
propelled him farther into the lead. William Thomas had a hold on the
tail of the K-9 and was looking for an opening. Chad Wallace had his
hands full with Lee Cooper trying to get around him. Wallace decided to
put the pedal to the metal and not give up fourth place and he pulled
away from Cooper. Thomas’s constant attacks on Eiland slowed them both
down as Johnson entered turn one, Eiland and Thomas were exiting turn 4.
Harrington lost speed and rolled into the pits on lap 29. Johnson put
Larry Eldrige a lap down and was moving into thick heavy traffic. Marc
Gooden was about to go down a lap and was trying everything to not let
Johnson pass. Finally Johnson pushed Gooden down the front straight and
he got a clue to move out of the way. Meanwhile Eiland and Thomas had
closed in on the leader and things got real exciting as they came off
turn 4 three wide. The lap traffic was still thick and slowed the
leaders. Thomas saw an opening and went to the inside of turn one to pass
Eiland. As they came down the backstretch, Marty Reid had the leaders
blocked. Eiland was so fast that when Reid moved up to give room on the
bottom Eiland ran up over the side of Reid who spun to a stop on the back
stretch bringing out the yellow flag. The field was reset to the previous
lap, which nullified Thomas’s pass on Eiland and he was put back into
third for the restart. There was some confusion over Reid being sent to
the rear, which turned out to be seventh place since Johnson had lapped
everyone up to seventh place. On this restart Johnson soon was running
seven car-lengths ahead of Eiland, who was seven car-lengths ahead of
Thomas who was a full straightaway ahead of Wallace in fourth. There were
no changes in the running order as the white flag flew and Flat out
Dewayne Johnson paid a special tribute on Memorial Day with a thrilling
victory. Dana Eiland finished second, William Thomas third, Chad Wallace
fourth, Lee Cooper fifth, Justin Sims sixth, Marty Reid seventh, Marc
Gooden eighth, Josh Noles ninth, and Mathew Daniels rounded out the top
ten in tenth. William Thomas wins East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – June 1, 2006 – In a rare Thursday night event at East
Alabama Motor Speedway, Late Model rookie William Thomas made some
remarkable accomplishments. First he won the pole for the feature event
during fast time qualifying with an incredible time of 16.15, possibly
the fastest time all year considering last week Dana Eiland was the only
driver to record a time faster than 17 seconds with a 16.96. When the
green flag dropped on the feature, Tod Darda was on the outside pole
position. Darda had won the six- lap dash for cash passing Thomas in turn
one when Thomas got loose high in the marbles. This time they raced door
to door down the front straight and Thomas did not slow down for turn
one, he powered through the corner wide open, and took the lead into turn
two to begin pulling away down the back stretch. The local legend Dana
Eiland arrived late and began the feature dead last. On lap 2 Eiland
picked off Jeremy Frost, Scott Land, Mark Patterson, and Nick Biddle as
he began his impressive run to the front. Matt Woodson and Shane Thompson
went for the same piece of real estate coming out of turn four and
collided spinning to a stop to bring out the first yellow flag caution.
Woodson was able to continue but Thompson’s Fun Carts of Opelika Rocket
Chassis, Grand Prix # 00 had the right front wheel seriously toed out and
went to the pits behind Glenn Brewer to take a DNF for the evening. The
green flag came out again and Mark Patterson took a ride on the wild side
spinning off the backstretch to bring the yellow back out. It was green
again and Thomas was seriously fast as he began pulling away from Darda
immediately. Allen Sparks saw the K-9 of Eiland charging to the front and
he put the pedal to the metal passing Matt Woodson and Marvin Cook.
Eiland’s relentless charge to the front was an adrenaline rush for the
fans as he whizzed by Larry Eldridge in turn three. On lap 8 when Eiland
reached turn 4 he shot by Marvin Cook. Thomas now had a 10 car-length
lead from Darda, who was 12 carlenghts ahead of Flat out Dewayne Johnson
who was driving the 22D car. Eiland came up on Marvin Cook who had
intentions of surrendering his position and a fierce battle for position
ensued. After an eye full of the real deal highly competitive dirt track
racing, Eiland passed Cook on lap 13. 13 is still unlucky for some and it
turned out to be Allen Sparks as he lost power and coasted to the pits
ending his impressive run. Dana Eiland’s next victim was Matt Woodson as
he continued his run. Scott Land was having trouble keeping up and pulled
into the pits as did Dewayne Johnson. Meanwhile William Thomas was not
letting up and began lapping the back of the field putting Jeremy Frost
down on lap 18. When Thomas came up on Nick Biddle, Biddle did not want
to go down a lap and was racing hard and blocking Thomas. The flagman
displayed the move over flag but Biddle held his ground. This allowed
Darda to close in on Thomas. Finally, Chad Herrington, the flagman threw
the black flag at Biddle. With Darda right on his heels Thomas came up on
Larry Eldridge who also did not move out of the way. Thomas and Darda
were so much faster than Eldridge that when they came out of turn 4 they
almost met with disaster on the front stretch . To avoid slamming
Eldridge in the rear, Thomas shot to the high side in a jerky motion
while Darda went to the inside. They were three wide at the flagstand as
the white flag came out. Thomas kept his composure and the lead as again
he powered his way around to the checkers to pick up an impressive win
and the $1000 payday. Tod Darda finished second, Jeff Mills managed to
stay out of trouble and drove a solid race to pick up third. Tim Thomason
also won the battle of attrition to finish fourth. The legend Dana Eiland
gave his fans plenty to cheer about as he came from dead last to finish
fifth. Marvin Cook came in sixth, Larry Eldridge seventh, Matt Woodson
eighth, Nick Biddle ninth, and Jeremy Frost rounded out the top ten in
tenth. Thomas Takes Two at East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – June 3, 2006 – Thousands of fans filled the
grandstands of East Alabama Motor Speedway to pay homage to one the
greatest stock car drivers ever at the Dale Earnhardt Memorial race.
There was a special ceremony celebrating the life and accomplishments of
this great man with a black number 3 Monte Carlo circulating the high-
banked clay oval and culminating with a tremendous fireworks display.
After which fans were treated to a ride in the car in between the feature
races. After the thrilling Late Model feature, stunt man Tricky drove his
car off a ramp and into an exploding motor home.
The high point of the evening was the Late Model feature where William
Thomas, for the second time this week, won the event in a formidable way.
Thomas won the pole in his # 22 Rocket Chassis, The Racing Zone Monte
Carlo by setting fast time in qualifying. When the green flag dropped on
the feature, the outside pole had another intimidator sitting there, the
local Late Model legend Dana Eiland in his famous black # K-9 Andy’s Auto
Parts Monte Carlo. Thomas and Eiland fired at the same time and raced
down the front straight neck and neck. They went into turn one side by
side but coming out of turn two Thomas pushed high into Eiland and they
slowed down causing a chain reaction behind them. Nick Biddle, starting
in the fourth position sustained terminal damage to his # 55 and was
towed to the pits for an early DNF. The lap did not count so they lined
up double file and came around for the second start. Dana Eiland made a
move on the start that would have given him the lead. He laid back just a
little going into turn 3 then fired early catching up to Thomas just
about the time Thomas would have fired in turn 4 to begin the race. In a
split second Thomas realized that Eiland had a run on him and would take
him in the race to turn one. Thomas exercised his prerogative as the pole
sitter to begin the race at his discretion, so, Thomas did not fire as
Eiland and the outside row whizzed by and cars behind Thomas were busy
avoiding attrition. The flagman waved off the start and they lined up
single file for the third start. This time Thomas blasted off turn four
and you could see him pulling away from Eiland down the front stretch.
When Thomas has no one in front of him he takes the corners wide open.
Eiland stayed on Thomas’s line through the corners but Shane Thompson
seemed to lose power coming out of turn two and Marvin Cook could not
help but slam him in the rear and the two cars were locked up coming to a
stop. Glen Brewer was powering his way off turn one and by the time he
saw the cars stopped he had no alternative but to slam into them hard.
The yellow flag was out again, for the third time and we still did not
have a lap counted. Brewer was towed to the pits for a DNF while Cook,
who sustained major sheet metal damage but no structural damage, was able
to rejoin the field. Thompson’s # 00 Fun Carts of Opelika Rocket Chassis
Grand Prix seemed to recuperate from the hard hit and also joined the
field for the fourth start. Again Thomas blasted his Rocket into the lead
with the Master of Faster Dana Eiland in hot pursuit. Marvin Cook was
fighting some aerodynamic problems due to his ripped up sheet metal and
was off the pace as Terrance Nowell blew by. Dennis Hale also shot by
Cook as the cars in the middle of the pack could see the leaders way out
in front. Thomas was about 5 car lengths ahead of Eiland who was about 8
car lengths ahead of Tod Darda who started third and was running in third
at lap 6. Thomas put Gordy Scarborough a lap down then came up on a thick
group of cars in the rear. As Thomas waited for an opportunity to thread
the traffic, Eiland closed in and was on the hunt looking for anything to
put him in the lead. Eiland and Thomas began lapping the field in tandem
as they went by Marvin Cook and Tim White. Shane Thompson was not going
fast enough for Terrance Nowell and Nowell got into Thompson’s rear and
literally pushed him down the front straight. That seemed to aggravate
Thompson who became more determined than ever to duel it out and not give
up his position. The fans had exciting racing all around the track as the
2 leaders lapped Scarborough, Cook, and Woodson on lap 17. Then Thomas and Eiland lapped Thompson, Tim
Thomason, and Terrance Nowell. They had lapped everyone up to the top 3.
Top contender Tod Darda suffered an ill- fated flat tire that took him to
the pits and out of the running. Tim White followed him to the pits when
Dennis Hale coasted to a stop on the back- stretch on lap 25 to bring out
a yellow flag caution. When the green came out again there was no
‘Doubting Thomas’ that he was indeed the fastest man on the track. He
pulled away to lead Eiland and the two of them were over a straightaway
ahead of third place Thompson who was still engaged in a fierce battle
with Nowell. The white flag came out and for tonight William Thomas was
the reincarnated Intimidator Dale Earnhardt, taking the checkers in his
aggressive domineering fashion. Dana Eiland finished right where he
started, in second. Shane Thompson finished third, Terrance Nowell
fourth, Tim Thomason fifth, Matt Woodson sixth, Gordy Scarborough
seventh, Marvin Cook eighth, Tod Darda ninth, and Dennis Hale rounded out
the top ten in tenth. Darda Does East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – June 10, 2006 – In preparation for next week’s first
ever World of Outlaws Super Late Model show at East Alabama Motor
Speedway, many of our local teams were busy swapping out their crate
engines for the big strokers. The local boys will be ready to show the
big cats that East Alabama is the home of super fast dirt track racing on
the high banked clay oval. Of the Late Model teams that did show up for
the regular Saturday night show, we had a good mix of past champions and
rookies. Marvin Cook won the pole and veteran speedster Tod Darda was on
the outside. When the green dropped Cook took the lead with Darda all
over the back of him. Cook pushed his luck beyond the limits and lost
control coming out of turn two on the second lap. As Cook flew off the
track Darda inherited the lead. The racing order for the restart was
Darda, Nick Biddle, Matt Woodson, Larry Eldridge, and Mickey Benton
rounding out the top five. When the green flag came back Darda shot out
to the lead. Woodson felt he had more power than Biddle did and put the
move on Biddle to sucessfully take away the second spot. Larry Eldridge
tried to follow in Woodson’s footsteps and make the move around Biddle.
However, he met with disaster as the two cars collided and hooked
together in a spin. Biddle was given his spot back for the restart but
when the green dropped he didn’t fire and came to a stop. Now he was the
blame for the yellow flag and was sent to the rear for the restart. The
order now was Darda, Woodson, Benton, Cook and Eldridge. Darda brought
the field around very slowly for the restart. He fired late in 4 but out
ran them all to turn one. He was steadily pulling away from Woodson who
came out of turn four sideways losing his second position to Benton and
Cook moved into third before Woodson got going again. Darda was about a
half straightaway ahead of Benton. Cook was right on Benton and was about
10 carlengths ahead of Woodson. On lap 10 Biddle lost power and coasted
to the pits. By lap 15 Darda was a full straightaway ahead of Benton and
Cook, who were a full straightaway ahead of Woodson and Eldridge. They
ran with no changes in the running order to the white flag. Darda was no
match for anyone else on the track and took the checkers waved by the
nimble wrists of flagman Chad Wallace for a decisive victory. Some
drivers considered protesting Darda’s engine after the race but soon
realized that Darda is always fast and legal. Mickey Benton finished
second, Marvin Cook third, Matt Woodson fourth, Larry Eldridge fifth, and
Nick Biddle rounded out the top six in sixth. Chris Arnett wins Hobby Division
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – June 10, 2006 – A few years back this division ran
East Alabama Motor Speedway as the Enduro Class. They were one of the
most exciting classes to watch. The name has changed and now they call
them Hobbies but the excitement has not changed. Mikey Mount, whose
father Steve Mount was an Enduro Champion, has one of the fastest cars in
the field and a string of victories to prove it. Mikey was on the pole
for the Hobby feature with Don Whitehead on the outside pole. When the
green flag dropped, Mount took the lead down the front straight and into
turn 1 he took the high groove. Whitehead took the center- line but as he
went into turn 2 his car suddenly took a hard right turn narrowly missing
the rear quarter of Mount. As he went off the top of turn 2 it appeared
that perhaps a tie rod had broken and was sticking down and dug into the
ground. Whitehead’s # 27 flipped high into the air and then began a
series of barrel rolls with parts flying off everywhere. The red flag
came out and the EAMS emergency crew was quick to respond and extricate
Whitehead from the twisted wreckage. Whitehead was conscious but suffered
a crushed right arm. He was promptly transported to the emergency room.
The cars were lined up for the restart and this time Chris Arnett was on
the outside pole. They raced side by side with neither driver showing an
edge as they entered turn one. Mount drove a very smooth and powerful
line at the top of the track to come out of turn with a lot of momentum
and a definitive lead as he pulled away from Arnett. Jerry Luke, after
completely totaling out his good looking and fast # 89 was driving a
borrowed # 47 from Wayne Nix. The full moon must be to blame for Luke’s
lack of luck as he entered the pits under green with a flat tire. Rookie
Miles Holton was feeling sporty and more confident as he pulled to the
inside of Jason Craft in the corners and threatened his position. Craft
was able to maintain his position down the straight-aways. Suddenly
Mount, way out front, looses power and coasts to the pits relinquishing
the lead to Chris Arnett on lap 5. Arnett is now way ahead of Craft in
second with Holton shadowing his every move. Rodney Gorman was right
behind Holton and way ahead of Richie Stephens, who uncharacteristically
was running in the back of the pack instead of his usual position, which
is the lead. Allen McConnell was right behind Stephens and seems to be
evenly matched. On lap nine Craft had caught up with Arnett and raced
door to door all the way around the track on lap 9. Holton had visions of
the leaders crashing and moved up to take the lead if anything happened.
Unfortunately Holton hit the marbles high in turn 2 and went off the
track bringing out a yellow. He drove right back on the track but had to
go to the rear for bringing out the yellow. On the restart Holton passed
Stephens and went after McConnell. The two locked up in turn four and
spun to a stop. The green was back out and Arnett was in control despite
the constant attacks from Craft to take the lead. The white flag came out
and there was still doubt as to whether or not Craft could take the lead.
But, tonight was Arnett’s turn to take the checkers in a hard fought and
exciting victory. Jason Craft finished second, Rodney Gorman, third,
Richie Stephens fourth, and Allen McConnell rounded out the top five in
fifth. Ricky Culpepper wins East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – June 17, 2006 – The fans at East Alabama Motor
Speedway were pleasantly surprised to find a pair of teenagers sitting on
the pole for the Late Model feature. Ricky Culpepper, who had been
driving a Super Street all year, stepped up to the plate in a new Late
Model and hit a homer. First he set the fastest time in qualifying to
earn the inside pole for the feature event. The outside pole went to Matt
Woodson who has be struggling all year to make a top five finish and
suddenly he posts the second fastest time to earn the outside pole for
the Late Model feature. The fact that the field had great Late Model
Champions like Dana Eiland, Jeff Mills, Mickey Benton, and Tod Darda,
made the feat even more astonishing. When enthusiastic flagman Chad
Wallace waved the green to begin the feature Culpepper got tremendous
bite off turn four and shot into the lead down the front straight. Tod
Darda was trying hard to pass Woodson in second through the turns but
Woodson mustered the power to stay in second place. In turn four Tim
Thomason, Marvin Cook, Dana Eiland and Jeff Mills were all scrambling
when Larry Eldridge lost control. The yellow flag came out, Eldridge was
sent to the rear, Thomason went to the pits to change a flat, and
Fletcher Cavender JR retired to the pits for an early DNF. The restart
order was Culpepper, Woodson, Darda, Benton, Cook, Mills, and Dana
Eiland. When the green came back Culpepper showed this was no fluke, he
was really fast and he took the lead and began pulling away from the
field. Darda immediately began attacking Woodson looking for that second-
place position. Woodson realized its do or die and he put the pedal to
the metal and escaped from Darda. Culpepper came out of turn four where
Leo Wiggins was off speed in the center groove and Culpepper had to crack
the throttle and lose some momentum to avoid a collision. Culpepper
showed maturity in dealing with the situation and made the correct split
second decisions to maintain his lead. This break in the pace allowed
Darda to pull up on Woodson and they ran door to door all they ran around
the high- banked clay oval. Darda finally got a nose ahead of Woodson and
made the pass stick coming out of turn one on lap 5. They switched lines
and now Woodson was attacking Darda from the inside line. Then Eldridge
spun again to bring out the yellow flag. On this restart Jeff Mills
dropped to the apron to avoid to a collision when Benton slowed after
taking the green. Eiland and Cook were
engaged in struggle for position and provided some exciting entertainment
going door to door. Suddenly Tim Thomason jumped into the mix pulling
alongside Eiland. This allowed Cook to get a small lead as on lap 16
Eiland, Thomason, and Mills were three wide coming out of turn four.
Culpepper was dealing with the lap traffic when Darda caught up with him.
Darda tried to pass for the lead down the backstretch but something in
the track going into turn 3, like a dip, threw his steering off. While
Darda corrected to regain control Culpepper slipped away again. Out of
the lap traffic Culpepper hammered down and got at least 10 car-lengths
ahead of Darda, who was about 10 car-lengths ahead of Woodson, who was
about 10 car-lengths ahead of Dana Eiland who was now in fourth after
starting in tenth. With the track clear, Darda managed to run down
Culpepper. When it looked like Darda was going to take the lead,
Culpepper pulled more speed out of his hat and got a comfortable lead to
take the white flag and the checkers in his first ever and very
impressive, Late Model victory. This was perhaps the greatest gift Ricky
could have given his father, Late Model Champion Jeff Culpepper, for
Father’s Day. Tod Darda finished second, Matt Woodson, third, Dana Eiland
fourth, Marvin Cook fifth, Jeff Mills sixth, Tim Thomason seventh, Mickey
Benton eighth, Larry Eldridge ninth, and John Green rounded out the top
ten in tenth. Johnson Wins East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – July 2, 2006 – Twenty-seven Late Model teams showed up at East Alabama Motor Speedway for a rare Sunday night special event.
Twenty-five cars made it to the feature event where only one would take the checkers. Dewayne "Flat out" Johnson set fastest time in qualifying to start the feature from the pole. When the green dropped, Tod Darda was on the outside pole and knew his best chance to lead the race would come on the first lap. On the first start Darda had a run coming out of turn three and Johnson picked up on it. Johnson laid back hoping Darda would get penalized a spot for jumping and when Darda realized what was happening he cracked the throttle and that’s when Johnson put the pedal to the metal. Johnson took the lead going into turn one and came out with the lead. Several cars in the middle of the field spun out to bring out the yellow flag and the start was waved off. They lined back up double file and on this start Darda set his line early coming out of turn three and took the lead coming out of turn two. Then another melee in the back brought the yellow back out and this time the field was lined up single file for the restart. With Johnson in the front he chose to run the cushion at the very top of the track and was able to navigate the corners flat out. Darda in second and local legend Dana Eiland in third were able to keep pace as this trio ran away from the second trio of cars. Alan Sparks, Marvin Cook, and Nick Biddle were fighting for position while trying to keep pace with the leaders. Darda had managed to catch Johnson and was all over the back of him looking for a weakness to exploit when they came out of turn four on lap nine and James Mills was off pace in the middle groove. Johnson, Darda and Eiland all braked hard and avoided the collision. When they fired down the front straight Johnson was early to get to the top before entering turn one and sailed through the corners without letting up. Darda saw Johnson up there and came from the middle groove to the top to try and take turn one on Johnson’s line. His angle was off and momentum shot Darda right off the top of turn one.
Fortunately for Darda the caution was blamed on a lap car and he was given back his spot for the restart. Within a few laps there were three groups of three cars leading the large field. Johnson, Darda and Eiland made up the first group who was running several car lengths ahead of fourth place Biddle, Cook, and Matt Woodson in sixth. The third group was Josh Noles, Scotty Knowles, and Jack Mills with Jeff Culpepper trying to break in to the group. Lap 13 always seems to be unlucky for somebody and this time it was Tod Darda’s turn. When Dana Eiland shot around Darda to take second place Darda lost all power and coasted to the pits. Biddle found a way around Marvin Cook on lap 18 and Matt Woodson had a strong run going as he too passed Cook. On lap 19 a caution came out for debris on the track. The restart order was Johnson, Eiland, Biddle, Woodson, and Cook in the first five. When the green came back the leaders set the blistering pace and Cook suddenly spun unassisted for the lap 22 caution.
During this caution Ricky Culpepper had a flat right rear and went to the pits. On the restart the leaders again blasted out. Woodson looked like he had the power to take third place from Biddle and he made his move.
Unfortunately he spun out in turn four and was sent to the rear for the next restart. This brought about a green, white, checkers situation for the restart. As there were no changes in the running order, Johnson claimed yet another domineering victory wire to wire taking the checkers in a perfectly performed race. Dana Eiland finished second, Nick Biddle third, Jack Mills fourth, Scotty Knowles fifth, Terrance Knowles sixth, Jeff Culpepper seventh, Larry Harrod eighth, John Greene ninth, and Marvelous Marvin Cook rounded out the top ten in tenth.
William Thomas Trumps East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – July 3, 2006 – The Top Track Crate Late Model
Challenge Series rolled into East Alabama Motor Speedway to participate
in the Gala 4th of July celebration. The grandstands were filled to
capacity to commemorate America’s independence from some undesirable
leaders with a gigantic fireworks display, a demolition derby,
multi-divisional heats and features, absolutely thrilling Late Model dirt
track racing, and the perfect way to enjoy a truly American freedom. The
Late Model qualifying started the fireworks when two hometown boys won
the pole positions for the Top Track feature in a field of 27 qualifiers.
William Thomas is no stranger to setting the fastest track times and
nailed the qualifying lap setting the pole on the inside. On the outside
pole was another local teen, Ricky Culpepper, who recently clicked on in
a Late Model, set fast time and won his first Late Model feature only
days ago and has become a major contender. When the green flag dropped on
the feature Thomas and Culpepper went door to door down the front
straightaway. Entering turn one Thomas was on the inside groove with
Culpepper high in the cushion at the very top of the high- banked clay
oval. Thomas restrained from sliding into Culpepper and taking him out
while Culpepper, employing a move he obviously learned from his
apprenticeship with Late Model Champion Randall Chupp, stayed hammered
down around the top and beat Thomas back to the flagstand to take the
lead. The Head Man Mike Head was quick to get around Jake Knowles, who
was driving the # 00 Fun Carts of Opelika Rocket Chassis Grand Prix of
Shane Thompson, and advance to third position. Jordy Nipper lost the
handle and spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow flag caution. Shane
Chitwood pulling into the pits during this caution proved to be an
ominous omen for Culpepper. When the green flag came out Culpepper led
the field slowly through turns three and into turn 4. At the very last
moment before exiting the turn Culpepper fired pulling away from the
field in an awesome display of psychological prowess and power to the
ground. Culpepper was firmly in the lead as he entered turn three
however, he had an appointment with destiny called Shane Chitwood, who
had come out of the pits and was circulating way off speed in the center
groove. Culpepper came up on him quickly as he exited turn four and
braked to avoid disaster, but it was too late as suddenly William Thomas
was right on him with plenty of momentum and determination to take the
lead. As Culpepper passed Chitwood he moved back to the upper line and
Thomas pulled up to his door on the inside. The super fast game of cat
and mouse gave the fans the thrill they were seeking and a look into
future. Thomas has the uncanny ability to run fast anywhere on the track
and his line is not necessarily in a groove. On lap seven Thomas came out
of turn 4 like a prison break taking the lead and blasting out. Culpepper
was not giving up and was looking for a clean way around Thomas when on
lap 10 he spun in turn two and hit the inside retaining wall to bring out
a caution. Chuck Padgett coasted into the pits during this yellow flag.
The top of the restart order was Thomas, Head, Jake Knowles, Terrance
Nowell, Glen Brewer, Mickey Benton, and Chad Wallace rounding out the
first seven as Thomas took the green and launched his # 22 the Racing
Zone Rocket Chassis Monte Carlo into the lead. With a clean track ahead
Thomas quickly set sail and padded his lead on second place Mike Head.
Nowell suddenly stopped in turn 2 and brought out a caution. He then went
to the pits to fix a flat, relinquishing fourth place to Glen Brewer and
Mickey Benton moved up to fifth. On this restart Thomas and Head shot out
and began leaving the field in their dust and an extremely aggressive
battle for third ensued. Brewer was on the inside and Benton was on the
outside as these two warriors put on an awesome show side by side. Jake
Knowels appeared to miss a gear as he did not accelerate off turn 2 and
slowed dramatically giving Brewer nowhere to go except into the back of
him. Marvin Cook also slammed into them and suffered collateral damage.
Under the Top Track rules the pit stewards are not allowed to bend sheet
metal off tires during cautions, but Cook was able to continue despite
his ripped sheet metal. The caution was called on Knowles, who was sent
to the rear for the restart while Brewer, slightly damaged yet still
competitive, returned to his spot where the Glenn and Mickey show was
about to turn serious. On this restart Thomas pulled out all the stops
and you could watch him gain ground each second from Head. Glen Brewer
and Mickey Benton were apparently evenly matched as neither could run
away from the other and they began swapping paint. Benton seemed to get a
slight lead coming out of turn four as they touched at the flagstand. It
looked like Brewer had taken a right turn into Benton and kept him pinned
to the front wall as sparks and pieces of Benton’s car lit up the night
sky. Benton came to rest perpendicular to the front outside wall and, as
if to cap of the horrendous scene, Josh Noles came out of turn 4 full
speed with no idea he was about to T-bone Benton in a hard fast
collision. The red flag came out and the EMS crew helped Benton out of
his car. When Benton saw Brewer had made a lap after the wreck and was
waiting to restart at the flag stand, he charged in Brewer’s direction to
show what he learned at anger management class. The Sheriffs quickly got
control of the situation when a near riot broke out in the pits with the
opposing sides equally adamant in their interpretations of the event. As
the cars were about to restart suddenly Benton, in his car, came flying
out of the back pit entrance and slammed Brewer’s rear quarter panel. He
should have taken that police course in executing the pit maneuver to
disable a car since he was going to be penalized and he did not even take
Brewer’s car out of the race. This really got everybody fired up as
tempers were bursting like the rocket’s red glare and the bombs in the
air as finally the sheriffs took a couple of representatives from the
opposing sides for a ride in a squad car to sort things out. The DJ was
playing "Bad boy bad boy, what ‘cha gonna do, what ‘cha gonna do when
they come for you…" and the restart order line up was Thomas, Head,
Brewer, Wallace, Tracy Watson, David Eubanks and Alan Brewer the first
seven. Then the race broke out again, green flag, party time, and Thomas
was putting it on them bad. Head was pushing it to the limits to hang as
Thomas began lapping the field. Chad Wallace came up to challenge Brewer
and another hard fight over position began as Wallace vied for third spot
on laps 19 through 22. Thomas lapped Michael Dant and took his time to
put Shane Chitwood down a lap. When second place Mike Head was coming
into turn 4, Thomas was going into turn one and still pulling away.
Aubrey Merritt and Jake Knowles both went down a lap on lap 31. Ricky
Culpepper passed Jack Mills as he moved into 13th after being sent to the
rear for the early caution. Craig Scott, in his unique Dragon’s Eye # 0
put the moves on David Eubanks to move into seventh as the laps were
winding down. Thomas continued to pour it on relentlessly as he lapped
Chuck Padgett, Jacob Grizzle, Richard Thomas, and Dusty Chitwood. The
white flag came out and Thomas took the checkers over a half lap ahead of
second place Mike Head. Chad Wallace finished third, Glenn Brewer won the
battle of attrition to take home fourth place, Tracy Watson finished
fifth, Alan Brewer sixth, Craig Scott seventh, David Eubanks eighth,
Phillip Cobb ninth, and Terrance Nowell rounded out the top ten in tenth.
Darda Does It Again At East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – July 8,2006 – Tod Darda from La Grange, Georgia came
down to East Alabama Motor Speedway this weekend with one objective to
win. He went to work immediately and set the fast time qualifying to earn
the pole for the Late Model feature event. When the green flag dropped
for the feature, Darda was surrounded by equally ambitious opponents such
as former Late Model Track champion Jeff Mills in his #15 Benning Auto
Parts Scorpion Chassis Grand Prix sitting on the outside pole. Behind him
in row two was another Late Model Track Champion Jeff Culpepper who is
always relentless in his pursuit of victory. When the lights went out
Darda fired sooner than expected coming out of turn three and took the
lead pulling away from Mills down the front stretch. He hit his marks
through the corners and went super-sonic down the backstretch. Mills in
second, and Marvin Cook in third, Jeff Culpepper fourth and Matt Woodson
running fifth, had to scramble to keep pace with Darda. In the middle of
the pack the warriors were getting it on as Nick Biddle and Ricky
Culpepper were swapping paint and the crowd loved it. On lap 4 Jeff
Danner spun in turn 2 to bring out the first yellow flag caution. On the
restart Darda fired in turn four and ran away from Mills. Marc Gooden
closed in quickly on Ricky Culpepper and passed. Jeff Culpepper was
suddenly all over Marvin Cook, who was looking for a way around Mills. On
lap 11 Ricky Culpepper and Marc Gooden go door to door all the way around
the high banked clay oval. Leon Watson JR lost power and pulled into the
pits as the 2 spun in turn four for the lap 12 caution. When the green
came back Darda was still untouchable. Ricky Culpepper had a run on
Gooden and blew by him. With a ton of momentum Ricky flew into turn 2
where Nick Biddle had his line blocked. Ricky braked hard to avoid
disaster and this allowed Gooden to take advantage of the situation and
slide back into sixth, ahead of Ricky Culpepper. Suddenly Ricky had Nick
Biddle on the side and the fight was back on. They went door to door
until lap 17 when Ricky firmly took the seventh place. The front four
leaders, Darda, Mills, Cook, and Jeff Culpepper were so fast that they
ran over a straightaway ahead of Matt Woodson in fifth. Woodson, in the #
27 for the first time ever, was having a great run. He was not quite as
fast as the leaders, but he was faster than everybody else behind him. On
lap 22 Daniel Goodman called it quits and slowly coasted to the pits
while Ricky Culpepper and Marc Gooden sparred over sixth place. Ricky and
Gooden swapped a little paint in the turns, slowed a little, and then
Ricky emerged from turn two ahead of Gooden. Gooden closed back in going
into turn three but was not on secure turf as he spun to a stop in turn
four to bring out the yellow. On this restart the leaders strung out to
their normal track positions with Darda, whose set up was dialed in
perfectly, showed no signs of slowing down. Ricky Culpepper was not
looking for trouble, he was just fighting hard to win the race when fate
led him to Matt Woodson. Ricky was on the inside as they entered turn
three. When they got into turn four Ricky pushed high into the side of
Woodson who spun to a stop. The caution was blamed on Ricky and he was
sent to the rear for the restart. When the race began again, Darda was
beyond reproach and firmly dominated the lead to the white flag lap. As
Darda took the checkers, Nick Biddle and John Green, still on the white
flag lap, spun to a stop in turn 2. Jeff Mills ran and finished a solid
second. Marvin Cook came in third, Jeff Culpepper, who told his son Ricky
Culpepper in the # 110 he was going to out run him, and he did finishing
fourth. Matt Woodson brought home a top five finish ending fifth, Marc
Gooden finished sixth, Ricky Culpepper came back from the back to finish
seventh, John Green came in eighth, Nick Biddle ninth, and Daniel Goodman
rounded out the top ten in tenth.
DANA EILAND PREVAILS at EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA – July 15, 2006 – The Monster Trucks thundered into East Alabama Motor Speedway for a special Friday and Saturday event. Hundreds of fans were treated to rides in Predator’s specially designed truck with seating for ten. Some local daredevils, including 7 year old Logan Smith, provided thrills on ATV’s displaying their talents in defying gravity and getting air. Tator Holmes added to the excitement by jumping a passenger car through the Monster Trucks’ road course. After 4 divisions of stock car racing, the evening culminated in the main event, the Late Models.
Tod Darda of La Grange, GA has been especially strong this year and it was no surprise to see him win the fast time qualifying to earn the pole for the feature. The local Late Model legend Dana Eiland set the second fastest time and was on the outside pole in the famous # K-9 Andy’s Auto Parts GRT Chassis Monte Carlo expertly set up by crew chief Mike Harris.
Perhaps the move of the race happened before the race when the lights went out just before the green flag dropped on the feature. Darda was like a cat in a cage, ready to jump out and start the race while Eiland rolled through turn three freely. When Darda fired in turn 4, Eiland already had more momentum and they ran evenly into turn one. Eiland went above the groove, in the marbles, and hung to the very top edge of the track, wide open, to pass for the lead and come out of turn 2 pulling away from Darda. The pace was so fast that most drivers were more concerned with keeping up rather than passing whoever was in front of them. Benji Sivell was the first one to lose it on his own and spun on the front straight to bring out the first yellow flag caution. They lined up single file for the restart and as the green came back Marvin Cook broke and rolled into the pits. Eiland stretched out to a comfortable lead while Dennis Hale, running in third was looking to pass Darda. On lap 7 Eiland was already lapping the back of the field as Leo Wiggins was the first one to go down. Sivell spun out again, this time in turn 2 to bring out another caution. He called it quits and retired to the pits for an early DNF. The restart order was Eiland, Darda, Hale, Jeff Mills, Ricky Culpepper, Jeff Culpepper, Jack Mills, Daniel Goodman, Matt Woodson, and John Green rounding out the top ten. As they fire to restart, Goodman went off the track for another yellow flag. The fired again and this time Woodson got inside Jack Mills and they fought over seventh place. This time Eiland did not pull away from Darda as it seemed like Darda’s set up was coming to him and he is able to get inside Eiland in turn 4 but Eiland powers away down the straightaway. At the half way mark Gordy Scarborough went off the backside to bring out a caution. On this restart Darda has his teeth firmly planted in the K-9’s tail and he wasn’t letting go. Eiland’s set up was perfect as he ran wherever he wanted and managed to escape all of Darda’s attacks. On lap 15 Jeff Andrews spun into the wall and Wiggins called it quits going to the pits.
The green flag came out and Darda was determined to get the lead and Eiland was doing his thing showing the crowd why he is the living racing legend. Eiland had all the moves to maintain control, indomitable speed, and most importantly, the lead. On lap 20 Dennis Hale seemed to break a suspension part as he flew off turn 2, unassisted, to bring out a caution. Hale went to the pits and the green was back out. Ricky Culpepper was now shuffled up to fourth and his dad, Jeff Culpepper was right behind him in fifth and not cutting him any slack since he bet he would finish ahead of him. Jeff Mills started in third place and was now running in third as he always seems to quietly surface near the lead at the end of a race. Matt Woodson caught up with John Green and was looking the pass when the white flag came out. Eiland, still running just above the blackened groove at the top of the high banked clay oval now had his set up dialed in at the end for speed and he was running away from Darda as he thrilled the fans with his legendary dominance. Tod Darda finished second, Jeff Mills finished third. While Ricky Culpepper finished fourth, ahead of Dad, he was later disqualified when he crossed the scales and was found light. So, Jeff Culpepper was officially fourth and did finish ahead of Ricky. John Green was fifth, Gordy Scarborough was sixth, Matt Woodson finished seventh, Ricky Culpepper was awarded eighth, since Eiland had lapped everyone else. Jack Mills finished ninth and it was Pure Hale Dennis Hale rounding out the top ten in tenth.
VICKERS VICTORIOUS at EAST ALABAMA
Phenix City, ALA - August 5, 2006 - Ray Miller brought his National Late Model Series into East Alabama Motor Speedway this weekend to provide the thousands of fans with one of the most exciting spectacles on dirt. This extremely competitive group of professional full jig Late Model drivers blended with East Alabama's own local champions in what proved to be a night to be remembered in the $3000 to win 50 lap main event. Series driver Alex Vickers won the fast time qualifying to earn the pole position for the feature event. Local legend Late Model champion Dana Eiland made his presence known by earning the outside pole position with the second fastest time. The second row had series driver Phillip Cobb on the inside and local champion Shane Thompson in his # 00 Fun Carts of Opelika Rocket Chassis Grand Prix on the out side. The third row had our 2006 Late Model points leader Tod Darda on the inside and rookie speedster William Thomas, making his debut in a Ben Thomas Racing BTR Scorpion chassis,on the outside and the stage was set for a serious shootout. When the green flag dropped on the feature the thunderous roar of 26 Late Models hammering down shook the earth as Dana Eiland out ran Vickers to turn one. The lead was ephemeral as a spinout in the middle of the pack caused a pile up and the start was waved off by flag man Chad Herrington. On the second start, again Dana Eiland had the momentum to take the lead coming off turn three and when Vickers realized he was beat, he did not fire. The third start was single file with Vickers leading. Thompson was quick to pass Cobb and move into third. when Darda and Thomas passed Cobb it was obvious his machine was laying down on him and he was out of the game. Vickers and Eiland set a blistering pace with lap times in the low 16's and they quickly pulled away from Thompson in third. Marvin Cook was also experiencing a mechanical failure and could not get up to speed and came to a stop on the front straight to bring out the lap 5 caution. Cobb and Stacy Roberts went to the pits during this caution. On the restart, two more local Champions, Jeff Mills, in the # 15 Benning Auto Parts Snap On Tools BTR Scorpion Chassis Monte Carlo and Mike Parkerson engaged in a fierce battle for seventh going door to door all the way around the high banked clay oval. At the same time Eiland had caught Vickers and would get ahead through the corners but Vickers had tremendous bite off turns 2 and 4 and would retake the lead. This battle had many fans on their feet cheering on the local champ. On lap 12, the leaders put Cobb a lap down and as they sped into turn one, Bo Allen lost the handle in turn two spinning to a stop. To avoid disaster, Vickers went to the high side, shooting off the track in turn 2 while Dana Eiland took the inside way around Allen. The lap 14 restart order was Vickers, Eiland, Thompson, Darda, Thomas, Anthony Meadows, Mike Parkerson, Jeff Mills, and in the ninth was the 4 time defending NLMS champion Ivedent Lloyd. On this restart Meadows passed Thomas in turn 4 then when Thomas reached the end of the front straight his rear end locked up sending him into the outside wall. Thomas was towed to the pits for an early and unfortunate DNF. Attrition was mounting as the next victim was Dana Eiland. eiland was pursuing his relentless charge on Vickers when his front a-frame broke on his famous # K-9 Swartz Chassis Andy's Auto Parts Monte Carlo. Eiland hit the front wall full speed and in a horrific crash came to a dead stop. The Champ emerged unscathed but his trusty steed was pronounced DOA. In the aftermath of this accident collateral damage claimed Shane Thompson, Anthony Meadows, who plowed into Eiland. Ricky Culpepper also had no choice but to slam into Ivendent Lloyd, who was also towed to the pits for an early DNF. The restart order now was Vickers, Darda, Parkerson, Mills, Mike Nasworthy, Mike Eubanks, DeWayne Johnson, and Ricky Culpepper. When the green came back out the new order provided new battles all around the track. Johnson was all over Eubanks, Darda was making a serious bid for the lead going inside Vickers who was using every trick in his repertoire to keep Darda at bay. Johnson made the pass and was charging hard to get to his normal position, which is the lead. Allen Sparks was making Steve Jones fight hard to keep his position when Ricky Culpepper broke and coasted into the pits. The lap traffic got very heavy and it looked like downtown Atlanta at rush hour. Vickers managed to weave his way back into a clear track but Darda got caught behind the thick group of lap cars. Vickers overcame all the obstacles to take the checkered flag in a hard fought and well earned thriller. Tod Darda finished second, Mike Parkerson third, Jeff Mills fourth, Dewayne Johnson fifth, Mike Nasworthy sixth, Jimmy Sharp seventh, Mike Eubanks eighth, Mark Whitener ninth, and Steve Jones rounded out the top ten in tenth. EILAND ICES EAST ALABAMA By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA - August 12, 2006 - As the 2006 racing season winds down
at East Alabama Motor Speedway the competition heats up. Some great names
showed up for this weeks Late Model feature in preparation for next weeks
$2000 to win Late Model Summer Sizzler event. Aside from Terrance Nowell
and Tim Thomason, Dennis Hale made a rare appearance to remind everyone
how fast he has always been. Hale set the pole with fast time qualifying
and led the field when the green dropped on the feature. Local legend
Dana Eiland, after totally destroying his famous Swartz Chassis # K-9 in
a horrific head on collision with the front wall last week, picked up
right where he left off and put his # K-9 Andy’s Auto Parts GRT Chassis
on the outside pole. Eiland’s crew chief, Mike Harris, had the car
perfectly set up to be fast at the start and get faster as his tires
dialed in. Eiland was right on the back bumper of Hale forcing Hale to
put the whip to his # 888 Pure Hale Monte Carlo. William Thomas, from the
fifth position was challenging our points leader Tod Darda, who was busy
trying to pass Marvin Cook, whose bad luck streak seemed to be over as he
was super fast running in third. On lap 5 Lynn Robins lost the handle in
turn 2 and spun unassisted to a stop to bring out a yellow flag caution.
On the restart Eiland chose to attack Hale from the inside. Eiland could
get ahead in the turns but Hale had the power to the ground and could
break back into the lead on the straights. These two seemed to run faster
during the battle as soon they were nearly a straightaway ahead of third
place Cook. On lap 12 the pressure from Eiland was too much for Hale’s
#888 as the engine expired in turn two and Hale coasted into the pits for
a DNF. With Eiland inheriting the lead the party was over. Eiland powered
away from Cook and gained ground on each lap. Josh Noles was having some
problems as Thomason blew by to move into sixth. Darda was now moving to
the inside of Cook and a fierce battle over second ensued. On lap 19
Steve Richardson blew up and rolled into the pits. Daniel Goodman also
could not get up to speed and rolled into the pits. On lap 21 Noles took
a ride on the wild side flying off the top of turn to bring out a
caution. With the green back out, Thomas was suddenly door to door with
Darda in turn 4. Darda turned it up a notch and got some distance from
Thomas and tried to reel in Cook but the white flag came out. Dana
Eiland, once again showed the fans and drivers alike how professionalism
and the right attitude are keys to success as he took the checkers adding
to his already legendary status. Marvin Cook turned in a strong second
place finish. Our points leader Tod Darda finished third, William Thomas,
in his new BTR chassis, finished fourth, Terrance Nowell finished fifth,
Tim Thomason sixth, Matt Woodson hung in for seventh, Josh Noles eighth,
Nick Biddle ninth and Lynn Robins rounded out the top ten in tenth. EILAND INSUPERABLE at EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA - August 19, 2006 - The 2006 racing season at East
Alabama Motor Speedway is coming to a close with a tremendous showing of
literally thousands of fans and a full field of super fast Late Model
competitors. It was fitting that this race, the 40 lap $2000 to win
Late Model feature, would be won by the local legend Dana Eiland, who
demonstrated that there is no substitution for professionalism. Eiland
came out and set fast time in his # K-9 GRT Chassis Andy’s Auto Parts
Monte Carlo to win the pole for the main event. The second fastest time
was clocked by rising star William Thomas in his # 22 Scorpion Chassis
BTR Joe Miller Land and Timber Monte Carlo. As the 24 car field
circulated to take the green flag for the feature, the fight was already
on. Thomas took a page from the veteran Eiland’s book on how to start the
race from the outside pole position and led Eiland by a nose down the
back straight. As they entered turn three, Eiland recognized the play and
realized that Thomas already had the advantage on the start by developing
momentum on the high side before Eiland could fire to take the green.
Eiland countered by firing early in turn three to take the lead in turn
four as the green flag came out. Flagman Chad Herrington did not like
that start since the spot to fire is at the cone in turn four so he threw
the caution flag and they lined back up to try it again. This time as
they entered turn three Eiland took a slightly higher line and let Thomas
stay slightly ahead of him. Eiland slowed coming out of turn three which,
had Thomas fired, would have made Thomas guilty of jumping the start.
Thomas was aware of that ploy and restrained. The moment Thomas slowed,
Eiland dove downhill to the inside firing at the proper spot and giving
himself an insurmountable lead. Thomas was glued to Eiland’s back bumper
and was looking for a pass on the inside when they reached the turn one
corner. Had it been anyone else Thomas would have made the pass since he
knows how to run wide open anywhere on the multi-groove high banked clay
oval. However, the “ Master of Faster” Dana Eiland has his car prepped by
expert crew chief Mike Harris who has it dialed in super fast with plenty
of power to the ground at the start of the race and as the tires heat up
it gets faster as the race continues. On lap two an uncharacteristic
mistake by Anthony Meadows caused him to spin out in turn 2 to bring out
the yellow flag caution. On the restart speedster Tod Darda got inside
former track champion Jeff Culpepper and these two provided the thrill as
they battled over third place. Terrance Nowell was running in third
several car lengths behind Thomas and several ahead of Culpepper and was
uncontested for his position. Another former track champion, Jeff Mills
was having mechanical problems and could not get up to speed. Rather than
destroying his motor, which had low oil pressure, he took his # 15 BTR
Scorpion Benning Auto Parts Snap On Tools Monte Carlo to the pits on lap
6 for an early DNF. As Eiland put Daniel Goodman down a lap, Larry
Eldridge blew up and came to a stop at the top of turn three with an
engine fire for another yellow flag. The restart order was, Eiland,
Thomas, Nowell, Jeff Culpepper, Tod Darda, Tim Thomason, Marvin Cook and
Allen Sparks. When the green came out the battle for the lead ensued with
the rookie and the veteran playing a thrilling high speed chess match
with Thomas getting door to door with Eiland in the turns and then Eiland
blasting out to a lead in the straights. A serious battle was heating up
between Sparks, Cook, and Dwayne Johnson, who was charging to the front.
Sparks passed Cook with Johnson on the inside. Sparks had to brake hard
and collected Cook which had Cook’s nose piece dragging on the track and
upset the cars handling, but no caution. Johnson pulled inside Sparks but
Sparks was able to fend off the charge and keep his position. Cook lost
his smooth line but was still able to hold off Shane Stodghill and Ricky
Culpepper. Gordy Scarborough went off the back to bring out a caution.
During this caution Cook pulled up on Sparks to let him know he did not
appreciate the damage to his # 40 and gave him a little bump. Then Sparks
caught up to Cook to exchange some words when Cook, frustrated by knowing
he was out of the competition for the points championship, turned right
into Sparks. The track officials have a zero tolerance for violence on
the track and black flagged both competitors. The green flag came back
out and Johnson had moved up to challenge Tim Thomason. They swapped some
paint but Thomason held his ground when suddenly Scarborough slammed hard
into the front wall. He was towed to the pits as attrition was mounting
and at lap 21, the halfway point, the car count was down to 16 from the
starting 24. The green came out again as Thomas was not giving up on
trying to pass Eiland and even though he could get door to door in the
turns, Eiland driving the preferred line could get away and maintain his
lead. Eiland decided to really hammer down and he got a comfortable lead
from Thomas and ran like a scalded K-9. Johnson was still trying to pass
Thomason and put the pressure on by making hard contact in turn 4.
Thomason knew he was coming on the inside and tried to give it more in
turn two but spun out to bring out the caution and get sent to the rear
for the restart. On this restart Larry Harrod got a jump on Ricky
Culpepper and took away the seventh spot. Matt Woodson broke into the top
ten by keeping a heads up and driving a solid race. Darda was still
trying to get around Jeff Culpepper but had to deal with Johnson who was
relentlessly trying to get to the front and was challenging Darda at
every opportunity. Darda made a small error going a little bit high in
turn four which was just enough of an opening for Johnson to capitalize
and make the pass taking away the fifth spot. On lap 33 Nick Biddle lost
power and coasted into the pits, no foul, no caution. Johnson was now
trying to pass Jeff Culpepper but Culpepper was not intimidated and had
all the correct Reponses and power to keep Johnson back. Suddenly the
white flag was out and Dana Eiland, once again demonstrated why he is the
legend and local hero as he took the checkers in a wire to wire thrilling
victory. William Thomas took second place and showed that he has the
potential to become a future Late Model track champion and following in
Eiland’s footsteps become a local hero as well. Terrance Nowell crossed
the finish line third but was disqualified at post race tech.
Third place was awarded to Jeff Culpepper who also won the
beautiful third place trophy. Dwayne Johnson came in fourth, Tod Darda
fifth, Shane Stodgehill sixth, Larry Harrod seventh, Ricky Culpepper
eighth, Matt Woodson finished ninth, and Anthony Meadows rounded out the
top ten in tenth.
Nowell wins battle - Darda wins war at East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA - September 2, 2006. It was a thriller down to the last
points race of the 2006 season for the Late Models at East Alabama Motor
Speedway. Tod Darda was leading the point standings with 532 and Marvin
Cook was in second with 492. During the Late Model qualifying Terrance
Nowell captured the pole for the Late Model feature while Darda was the
second fastest and Cook was the third fastest. When the green flag
dropped on the feature Nowell blasted out to the lead. Darda and Jeff
Culpepper shuffled in behind but were losing ground. Marc Gooden went off
the track to bring out the yellow flag. After being sent to the rear for
the restart the green was back out and again Nowell was nothing but speed
and power as he pulled away from the field. Local legend Dana Eiland had
a brake malfunction during qualifying and started deep in the field.
Eiland was in the running to pick up the Columbus Cottonmouths Hat Trick
award of $500 to any driver to win three races in a row. On lap 5 Eiland
passed Tim Thomason and began working on Ricky Culpepper who was hooked
up and running fast. Larry Harrod and Allen Sparks put on a great show as
they went door to door all the way around the 3/8's mile high-banked clay
oval. On lap 11 Eiland scooted past Ricky Culpepper and was on a run.
Marvin Cook literally saw his bid for the Championship go up in smoke as
his car burst into flames down the backstretch. The fireball came from
the engine compartment and extended the length of his car. The flames
extinguished themselves as he rolled into the pits for an unfortunate
DNF. On the restart it was Nowell, Darda, Jeff Culpepper, Sparks, Harrod,
Eiland, Ricky Culpepper, Thomason, Leon Watson Jr and Matt Woodson
rounding out the top ten. Eiland put the whip to his K-9 and passed both
Harrod and Sparks on lap 13. Eiland then made up the length of half a
straight-away to catch Jeff Culpepper running third. When Eiland hammered
down out of turn two to put the pass on Culpepper, he suddenly broke and
coasted to a stop. The yellow came out and Eiland fired back up and drove
to the front straight where it was clearly obvious the something in his
right rear suspension had broken as his wheel vibrated intensely. The
green came back out and Nowell was definitely in charge, as Darda seemed
content to hold on to second place and not jeopardize the championship.
Harrod and Sparks were still locked up in mortal combat as everyone else
in the field ran where they were. Watson came up to complicate Woodson's
life and was looking high and low for a way around. Woodson knew he would
move into second place in the points if he could hold on to his position
and like a true warrior under pressure he kept his cool and drove a very
smooth line in spite of Watson's challenges. Suddenly the white flag flew
and Terrance Nowell took the checkers uncontested wire to wire. Tod Darda
finished second but won the 2006 Late Model Championship. Jeff Culpepper
was happy to have a third place finish since he finished ahead of his
rising star son Ricky. Allen sparks came in fourth, Larry Harrod fifth,
Ricky Culpepper sixth, Tim Thomason seventh, Matt Woodson eighth, Leon
Watson JR ninth, and Marc Gooden rounded out the top ten in tenth.
EILAND'S K-9 OUTFOXES NOWELL at EAST ALABAMA
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA - September 16, 2006 - In preparation for one of the
greatest Southern dirt racing events, the Alabama State Championships,
East Alabama Motor Speedway held a precursory event called the State
rules race. Contenders in all divisions are allowed to run special
equipment as opposed to the weekly racing rules. In the Late Model
Sportsman division, local legend Dana Eiland demonstrated one of his many
ways to get to Victory Lane by turning a disadvantage into an advantage.
Terrance Nowell won the last points race of the season in a dominating
fashion. Once again he showed tremendous speed and control as he set fast
time qualifying to earn the pole for the feature. Dana Eiland's GRT
Chassis Andy's Auto Parts Monte Carlo # K-9 was mere hundredths of a
second off and won the outside pole for the feature. As the large field
of talented teams came down the backstretch to take the green flag,
Eiland was already making his move. Since Nowell had the pole, Eiland had
to wait for Nowell to fire at the green flag to begin the race, which
gives the advantage to the pole sitter. Eiland however rolled around the
very top of the track keeping his front fender slightly ahead of Nowell.
As they entered turn three Nowell set his angle to blast off the corner
but Eiland remained rolling very smoothly on his line. Nowell fired at
the right place and ran down the track to the front straight. As Eiland
came out of turn four he had already accumulated momentum and when he
added that to hammering that K-9, he rolled right into the lead before
reaching turn one. The party was over. Barring a flat or some part
failure, Eiland's K-9 is a show dog that once in the lead, can't be
surpassed. Nowell could run with him, but there are no weaknesses in
Eiland's driving skills to give Nowell an opportunity for a pass. On lap
2, Tim Thomason, who started third, lost power in turn 2 and a
precipitous yellow flag signaled the first caution. Thomason drove off
the back and headed to the turn one pits and racing resumed. The K-9
exhibited its championship form by making every lap in the low 16's.
Nowell and powerhouse former champion Jeff Mills driving the Ben Thomas
Racing Scorpion chassis Snap-On Tools # 15, running in third, were able
to keep pace with Eiland and this trio began to run away from the pack.
Scotty Knowles and Mickey Benton, running fourth and fifth respectively
were several car-lengths behind the leaders. On lap 7 Travis Allen cut
down a tire and went off turn 2 to bring out the next caution. On the
restart there were no changes in the running order for the leaders but it
was different world in the middle of the pack as Todd Mitchell and Ricky
Culpepper were getting it on in an exciting battle over seventh place.
Marc Gooden went off the back for a quick caution and we were right back
to green. Now Rodgerick Dykes was involved in the battle with Mitchell
and Ricky Culpepper and they amazed everyone at how they could come out
of turn 4 three wide and nobody hit anybody else. Ricky Culpepper could
get inside Dykes in the turns but Dykes was strong off the corners and
held on to his coveted sixth spot. John Green spun to a stop in turn 4
and the yellow was out again for the lap 12 caution. Again the leaders
were busy staying in orbit but Mickey Benton was all over Scotty Knowles
trying to shake him off that fourth place. Also the Culpepper, Mitchell
and Dykes battle had everyone's' attention as they fought hard for
position. On lap 17 Paul Holloway lost power and rolled to the pits.
Suddenly the white flag was out and once again Dana Eiland delighted the
hometown fans with a victory as he took the checkers. Terrance Nowell
finished second, Jeff Mills third, Scotty Knowles fourth, Mickey Benton
fifth, Rodgerick Dykes sixth, Rickey Culpepper seventh, Todd Mitchell
eighth, Leon Watson JR ninth, and Jeff Robinson rounded out the top ten
in tenth.  The Chattanooga Flash Strikes East Alabama, Again By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City. ALA - October 1, 2006 - The 28th Annual Alabama State
Championships were held at East Alabama Motor Speedway as one of the
South's premier dirt track racing events. The 4- day gala event offered
nearly 400 racing teams in nine divisions, from several states, an
absolutely perfect weekend of great weather, non-stop racing excitement,
and the total enjoyment of one of America's greatest traditional
freedoms.
In the Super Late Model division, Ronnie Johnson, The Chattanooga Flash,
from Chattanooga, Tennessee, made a brilliant strategic move, which
electrified the thousands of fans, shocked the other 25 highly skilled
and successful race teams, and with blinding rays of white light,
captured the accolade of 2006 Alabama State Champion.
It was no surprise to see Jake Knowles win the pole for the feature event
in view of his 2006 Jimmy Thomas Memorial Championship victory. Terrance
Nowell, with some previous top five finishes was a local favorite to win
and earned the outside pole, and admiration of his many fans with the
second fastest qualifying time. The incumbent Alabama State Champion,
Clint Smith from Senoia, Georgia, with four previous victories, arrived
after qualifying and took a provisional to enter at the rear of the
field.
When the green flag dropped on the feature, Jake Knowles fired first at
turn 4, but by the time they reached turn one, Terrance Nowell was in the
lead pulling away from the pack. Ricky Williams, who raced in the
inaugural Alabama State race in 1979 won by Ben Thomas, starting from the
inside second row, was able to keep pace with Nowell and moved into
second. Knowles was in third as this trio quickly separated themselves
from Stacy Holmes and the rest of the full field. On lap 3 Clint Smith
had moved up 4 positions as he began one of his famous "from last to
first" runs like last year's Championship. Ethan Hunter suddenly got a
flat tire catching Lavon Sparks and Kenny Hall checking up and spinning
into each other coming to a stop in turn four to bring out the lap 5
caution. Since the track officials made the use of Race-ciever radios
mandatory, it was easy to set the field into their correct positions in
an Alabama Double File restart and we were back to green flag racing.
Again Nowell blasted out and got a comfortable lead from Williams. Holmes
was attacking Knowles from the inside but Knowles always managed to keep
his position. By lap 9 Clint "Cat Daddy" Smith had moved up 12 spots and
was watching Jack Pennington putting the moves on William Thomas running
in tenth. Nowell was in the lap traffic weaving through with Williams as
his shadow and they began lapping the field putting Ethan Hunter and
Byran Sumner a lap down. As soon as they came up on a clear piece of
track, Williams would pull inside Nowell in the turns looking for the
lead but Nowell had the power to stay in front. The Chattanooga Flashstarted in fifth and was biding his time, avoiding attrition, and still
running in fifth at lap 22. Jack Daughtry and Byran Sumner entered the
pits on lap 25 then Mike Head come to a stop in turn four to bring out
the yellow caution flag. The lap 29 restart leaders were Nowell,
Williams, Knowles, Ronnie Johnson, Johnny Cloer, Sam Simmons, Robert
Grant, Clint Smith, Jack Pennington and Stacey Holmes rounded out the
first ten. When the green came back William Thomas entered the pits with
a mechanical failure. Devin Jones, Lee Sutton, Sam Simmons, and Jack
Pennington chain react into a spin in turn four to bring the yellow back
out. By lap 30 Cat Daddy, starting last in row 12 had moved into row 6
and was looking at passing the Chattanooga Flash in fifth. Aaron Ridley
pulled into third place ahead of Cloer. Robert Gant and Knowles were at
it and there was racing excitement at its best all around the track.
Clint Smith powered around Ronnie Johnson to take fifth. Numerology came
into play as Cat Daddy's JP Drilling, Base Race Fuels, Integra Racing
Shocks, Oval Craft Aluminum Designs, Race-Tek Racing Engines, Hoosier
tire, GRT Race Cars Pontiac GTO # 44 passed the # 44 of Johnny Cloer on
lap 44 to move into 4th place. Jack Pennington lost power and rolled into
the pits on lap 49 as did Byran Sumner. Robert Gant passed Cloer to move
into fifth and Cat Daddy passed Ridly to move into third on lap 75. Smith
next moved on his life long friend Ricky Williams looking for second
place. On lap 80 Cloer had a flat which brought out the yellow. The Flash
entered the pits and it looked like he was done for the evening but this
was part of his ingenious plan to win the race. Johnson made it back out
and stayed at the end of the lead lap but ahead of all the lap cars.
Green was back out and the 100-lap event was coming to a swift close. The
top 5 leaders were Nowell, Williams, Smith, Ridley, and Jake Knowles and
they were still blistering the track with super fast times. On lap 90 the
Cat Daddy used up one of his nine lives when a flat forced him into the
pits. His crew changed one tire and he was back in the hunt with only ten
laps left and he went to the ninth position as everyone else had been
lapped. When this green flag came out the Flash executed his perfect
battle plan. He charged the field, outside the preferred line, running a
unique groove at the top of the track he found cool, sticky clay which,
with his two new rear tires from his last pit stop allowed him to stick
like glue and run in a world of his own. He was several seconds faster
than everyone else on the track and he passed them at will. He took
Knowles out and went to fifth spot. He charged right on faster than
lightning and the crowd stood in awe as he whizzed past Ridley and Ricky
Williams. Then, on lap 95, Ronnie Johnson, once again validated his
moniker, The Chattanooga Flash, taking the lead and powering away from
Nowell. Johnson was so fast there was no hope of anyone catching him as
he took the checkers in front of the thousands of cheering fans in
disbelief. Terrance Nowell finished second, Ricky Williams third, Aaron
Ridley fourth, Lee Sutton fifth, Clint Smith sixth, Jake Knowles seventh,Stacey Holmes eight, Johnny Cloer ninth, and Sam Simmons rounding out the
top ten in tenth. 
McDowell Wins National 100 at East Alabama
By Jay Vaquer
Phenix City, ALA - November 5, 2006 - The 32nd Annual National 100 at
East Alabama Motor Speedway, like a fine wine, just keeps getting better
and better with age. This year's 4 day event with nine divisions,
culminated the 2006 racing season with one of most spectacular Super Late
Model events ever. When track specialist and CEO Billy Thomas decided to cut a
steeper angle on the banks of the 3/8 mile clay oval, he expected more
competition on the upper grooves. However, he, along with the thousands
of fans and hundreds of drivers, was pleasantly surprised at the increase
in track speeds. Forthwith unheard of, nine of the top ten Super Late
Model qualifiers broke the 15 second barrier while the track's record of
14.52, held by 8 time champion Scott Bloomquist was broken twice. Shane
Clanton of Locust Grove, GA turned in a 14.51 and Chris Madden, from
Gaffney, SC set the new track record and won the pole for the feature
with a blistering 14.48 second lap. As a full moon rose in the clear
Alabama sky, the green flag dropped on the main event. Madden fired first
but was slow getting out of the gates as Clanton took the lead going into
turn one and Dale McDowell followed him around Madden to take second
place. The full field of 26 cars shook the earth as they unleashed the
thousands of horsepower down the front straight. Clint Smith, Brandon
Register, and Scott Bloomquist ran three wide through turns 2, 3 and 4.
By lap 4 Clanton and McDowell were putting a lap on Mike Head. When they
came up on Ronnie Martin, who was off the pace, Clanton and William
Thomas bumped briefly which caused Martin to spin to a stop bringing out
the yellow flag caution. Clanton sustained minor body damage and lined
back up at the lead for the Alabama double file restart. This time Madden
outran McDowell to turn one to take the second place spot. Bloomquist,
who started in 22nd because he arrived on Sunday, missing the qualifying
on Saturday night, but dramatically went from last to first in the
consi-race Sunday morning, was on a run as he passed Dennis Erb, JR from
Carpentersville, IL to move into 15th. Ronnie Johnson, the Chattanooga
Flash, shot by Jake Knowles as he was also coming to the front. Just as
Clanton hit the lap traffic, Dewayne Johnson lost power and coasted to a
stop in turn two to bring out the lap 14 caution flag. Mike Head and
Dewayne Johnson rolled into the pits as the green was back out. Local
hero Dana Eiland fired in turn three and broke in turn four spinning to a
stop bringing the caution back out and he rolled into the pits smoking.
The green was back out and former National 100 champion Randle Chupp,
from Troutman, NC sped past Johnny Cloer,JR and now had to do battle with
the Flash. As if this wasn't enough excitement, Clint Cat Daddy Smith and
Bloomquist were going at it door to door for the eleventh spot. The crowd
got a chance to breathe when Jack Pennington broke to bring out the lap
30 caution. William Thomas dove into the pits with a flat during this
caution. On this restart Cloer spun out in turn 2 and collided with
incumbent Champ Rick Eckert. Eckert slipped away but Cloer blocked the
track and the melee ensued as they piled up behind him. Ronnie Johnson
got t-boned hard. Eric Jacobsen, who came all the way from Santa Cruz,
California for the event spun to a stop with the Flash. With some many
cars involved the red flag was displayed while the ambulance attended the
Flash, who appeared to have suffered a fractured arm. Johnson walked to
the ambulance and was whisked away to the trauma center for x-rays and
most all of the cars went to the pits. Unfortunately, Johnny Cloer and
team mate Clint Cat Daddy Smith's cars were both pronounced DOA in the
pits and forced into early retirement with DNFs. Only 16 cars were able
to respond to the green flag and Shane Clanton was still in the lead and
dominating. Clanton and Madden pulled away from McDowell and Eckert
running third and fourth who were pulling away from the rest of the
field. William Thomas fired his afterburners on his JW Miller Land and
Timber Rocket chassis Monte Carlo and blasted by John Blankenship of
Williamson, WV on lap 38 to move into 13th. Ricky Williams was trying to
hang with Thomas but has having trouble getting around Blankenship. On
lap 42, Clanton and Madden put a lap on Jacobson as they were still
turning in 15- second laps. Scott Bloomquist was unsuccessfully working
his psychology on Chupp looking for a pass when William Thomas caught up
with Bloomer and was waiting for an opportunity to pass them both.
Clanton hit the lap traffic again and all the leaders bunched up behind
him. Then Jake Knowles went off the backstretch and brought out a yellow.
Knowles, Vic Hill, and Terrence Nowell all went to the pits. Then Madden
had a flat and had to go to the pits and the line up shifted. The
leaders, in order, were Clanton, McDowell, Eckert, Steve Francis from
Ashland, KY, Petey Ivy, Erb, Chupp, and Bloomquist. Clanton and McDowell
distanced themselves from the pack. Then the moonlight madness began
having its weird effect on the racers as Ivey had a flat and went to the
pits. Then Jacobson's left rear tire was about to wobble off and he went
to the pits. At lap 58 the top ten contenders were; Clanton, McDowell,
Eckert, Francis, Erb, Chupp, Bloomquist, Thomas, Williams, and Knowles.
The green flag was out and Francis, Thomas, and Chupp found themselves
three wide. Madden, who was coming back from the rear found out it was no
picnic trying to pass Ricky Williams who was still trying to pass Thomas.
Then on lap 67 Williams went to the inside of Thomas and made the pass.
When Madden followed him past in turn 4 it was obvious Thomas had
developed a mechanical problem. Chupp also slowed to a stop in the groove
and brought out the yellow. He went to the pits, changed a tire and came
back out for the restart. Bloomquist got a great restart and powered his
way into 4th at lap 71. Now Eckert had a rear view mirror full of the
number 0 barreling down on him. Hill put a pass on Chupp to move into 7th
place on lap 75, which was the cut off point for the Alabama Double File
restart. Now all restarts would be single file. Clanton, McDowell,
Eckert, and Blooquist seemed to run even faster as they stretched out a
full straight-away from Williams in fifth. Bloomquist caught up with
Eckert and was getting on the inside in the turns but Eckert was great
off the corners and escaped down the straights. Suddenly Francis had a
flat and spun off the back to bring out a caution on lap 89. On the
single file restart Ivey was charging hard and bumped into Thomas which
forced Nowell off the track and the yellow was back out. Ivey was sent to
the rear of the cars on the lead lap and the green was back out. As they
reached turn one Nowell did a bump and run on Thomas and passed only to
find himself off the back stretch and then stuck on the top of turn
three. During this caution the full moon lunacy was getting stronger.
Suddenly Vic Hill ran out of fuel and coasted to a stop. A wrecker pushed
Nowell off the top of turn three and he fired off and seemed fine. Then
Knowles rolled into the pits seemingly out of fuel. Thomas's left front
wheel seemed to be coming off, like a broken shock or suspension part and
he rolled into the pits. Unbelievably, Shane Clanton's left rear wheel
came off in turn four and he went to the pits. After changing the tire
his engine would not fire as he was out of gas. He jumped out of his race
car and stormed around realizing that after leading all of 93 laps, his
bid for victory was over. Then Randle Chupp's wheel flew off in turn
one- all this under caution was too much and since Chupp had turn one
blocked with the wrecker the race was red flagged, again. But the full
moon was not finished as Nowell suddenly ran out of fuel and coasted into
the pits and Ricky Williams also went to the pits. When the remaining
cars stopped on the front stretch the crew members started running out on
the track with gas cans and air tanks and it was like a mad house trying
to re-establish order. When things were about to go green again Jake
Knowles rolled into the pits. Finally, lights out, green flag, and
McDowell is in the lead with Eckert second and Bloomquist third. Then,
with 5 laps to go, another caution fell when Vic Hill drove up the
track and hit Nowell knocking him off the track. The race director
made a prudent call and put both cars back where they were and went
green. McDowell ran the fastest laps of his life to get to the checkers
and claim the $30,000 to win, the beautiful six-foot trophy, and the
honor of becoming the 32nd National 100 Champion. Rick Eckert picked up a
sporty $10,000 for second place. Scott Bloomquist finished third, Chris
Madden fourth, Dennis Erb JR fifth, Steve Francis sixth, Terrance Nowell
seventh, Vic Hill eighth, Randle Chupp ninth, Petey Ivy tenth, and rookie
William Thomas rounded out the top eleven in eleventh.
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