Following a 24-hour delay, the gates at Tri County Racetrack opened and fans entered, socially distancing, to watch a night of dirt-slinging action. The main event on the schedule was a 40-lap race featuring the Topless Outlaw Late Model Series.
In the fast feature, Chase King and Tri County regular Daniel Wilson led the 19 car field to the green flag. Having no top on the cars gave fans a good look at their favorite drivers as they piloted their machines around the quarter-mile oval. A few they had early on was of racing legend Ronnie Johnson mixing it up with the top qualifiers for the lead. While the battle raged at the front of the field, track champion and fan favorite Jason Deal pulled of the track for an earl exit from the event and eliminating the possibility of a win. With one local talent out, the pressure for Wilson to win one for the hometown drivers increased.
The task would be tough as Johnson had put his No. 6 at the point. Following a front stretch melee and caution flag, the pack mashed the loud pedal and brought the engines to full song. Kenny Collins, a frequent flyer at the track, put his No.1c up on the cushion and brought fans to their feet. Collins started picking off opponents one by one and marched to position two. Coming off of turn four, Collins seemed to have the momentum to make an outside pass for the lead when the caution slowed the field again.
The slowdown came when Chuck Southard’s No. 108 struck the end of the opening of the access road to the track. Southard’s car came to an instant stop with sheet metal and fluid raining down on the back stretch. The cars were stopped with a red flag as safety workers tended to Southard. It didn’t take long for the grizzled veteran to climb out and series officials relayed news to the fans that the driver was OK.
After the brief stoppage, the green flag again waved and Collins tried to regain the momentum he had before the impromptu break. On the initial restart, Johnson and Wilson cleared Collins along with other cars in the field. Gaining speed on the high side, Collins’ No.1c was gaining ground when the right rear tire disintegrated in turn two, ending the Georgia driver’s hopes of a win. As the racing continued, Wilson was able to stay in Johnson’s tracks but could not create an opportunity for the pass. Meanwhile, former track champion and Warne resident Danny Ledford had replaced Collins as Mr. Excitement. Ledford’s No.4 was darting down low and riding high as he cut his way through the competition, attempting to make it two wins in a row at the Brasstown Bullring.
Although the effort was a valiant one, Ledford’s charge was too late. The checkered flag fell as fans rose to salute the $2,000 winner as Johnson completed the final lap. Wilson held on to second and Ledford took a hard-earned third place finish. In victory lane, the man known as “The Chattanooga Flash” was all smiles. He joked with track promoter Ray Cook saying, “I thought I was too old for this.” Johnson thanked his car owner and crew members along with Cook and track staff for the racing surface. He shared with the fans his history of coming to Tri County since the ‘70s and affirmed that he loves it every time.
Wilson received the approval of the local fans and talked about how he just never could find an opening to work around Johnson. In Ledford’s interview, he invoked chuckles from the bleachers by saying, “I didn’t think I had run over too many cars until I got out and looked at mine.” Ledford went on to apologize to fellow driver Kyle Courtney for contact during the race which earned some cheers from the stands.
Other winners on the night were:
Crate Late Model: Ricky Smith
Modified Hobby: John Howard
Street Stock: Johnny Gulizia
602 Beginner: Donte Curtis
Pony: Ricky Dyer
Front Wheel Drive: D.J. Worley
The track will host racing Friday, Sept. 25 as every division, including Super Late Models, will be in action. This event will be the final show before the seasonending Tarheel 50 which will see drivers compete for $10,000 on Friday, Oct. 9. Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 p.m.