Wayne County Outlook

Battle of the Bluegrass held at Clinton Co. Speedway
By Roger and Trish Eriksen

Wow! For both the spectators and the participants, last Friday’s races at the Clinton County Speedway, Kentucky’s super track, can only be described as awesome.

The Open Wheel division of the Battle of the Blue Grass featured a 40-lap main event. This race was preceded by a consolation race for those that didn’t qualify for this previously scheduled race.

The participants in this consolation race started at the rear of the 40-lap main event in accordance with their finishing position.

The Road Hogs and the Chevettes featured a full night of qualifying, trophy dashes, heat races, and feature races. However, for the participants and their parents, the bicycle races were probably the highlight of the night’s racing. These bicycle races were held during intermission.

Seven-year-old, Brett Williams, son of Road Hog driver, Barton Williams, lined up in the first row for the 1st of two heat races.

Seven-year-old, Trenton Dobbs, younger brother of Open Wheel driver, Clifton Dobbs, lined up in the same 1st row. Kreslie Wilson, rounded out the 1st row of participants in this first heat race.

Six-year-old, Kreslie, is the stepdaughter of Gary Edwards, one of the owners of the number 17 Road Hog driven by Tommy Hargis.

Track official, Chris Tilley, waved the green flag and the racers pushed foot to the pedal. Competition was very close for the first several bike lengths and then Brett Williams began to slowly pull away from both Trenton and Kreslie.

As the racers came off of turn 2 and headed down the back straightaway, Brett Williams began to open his lead over Trenton Dobbs.

By this time, Trenton had pulled a couple of bike lengths ahead of 3rd place Kreslie Wilson. Brett Williams was first to take the checkered flag. Trenton Dobbs, finished 2nd and Kreslie Wilson finished 3rd.

Nine-year-old, Mathew Gabbert, son of Open Wheel driver, Russell Gabbert, lined up in the first row for the second heat race.

Nine-year-old, Travis Edwards, and his ten-year-old brother, Coty Edwards, also lined up in the 1st row. Travis and Coty are the sons of Gary Edwards.

Once again, Chris Tilley waved the green flag and the second heat roared off from their standstill start.

As in the first heat race, the competition was extremely intense for the first several bike lengths. But then, Mathew Gabbert began to pull away from the pack.

The racers came off of turn two and down the back straight pushing pedal against metal. Mathew Gabbert was 1st to take the checkered flag. Mathew was followed in order by Travis Edwards and by Coty Edwards. Our congratulations to all of the participants.

We thoroughly enjoyed the show. And if we’ve made any mistakes in spelling any names or other information etc., please don’t hesitate to correct us.

Nine year old, Coty Lair, an independent participant not affiliated with any stockcar, experienced chain problems during pre-race practice and couldn’t take part in either heat race.

We sincerely hope that Coty can get his chain repaired in time for the next scheduled bike races. At the time we wrote this column, no date had been set for the next bike races.

So kids, stayed tuned to the Wayne County Outlook for further information. There’s only one speedway with a track of smooth clay, you ain’t seen nothin’ till you’ve seen bicycle racing at the Clinton County Speedway.

Russell Childress, driving his number 12 Open Wheel car, won the Battle of the Bluegrass consolation event.

Don Adams, driving his number I car, finished a very strong 2nd. (Don holds the track Open Wheel qualifying record. On July 9, Don turned a 13.15-second lap).

Robbie Sanders finished 3rd, Jeff Cotterman was 4th, Jeff Rednour was 5th, and Monticello’s Bobby Brake, driving his number 227 car, finished 6th.

Scott Shelton, driving the number 3M Chevette, held off Eddie Stewart in car 119 to win the Trophy Dash.

These two drivers are extremely competitive. When these two drivers are on the track at the same time there is rarely more than a car length separating them. Shawn Bardin, driving his number 21X car, finished 3rd.

Four cars were scheduled to start the Road Hog Trophy Dash. However, Wesley Coffey, had problems with his car and was unable to make the show.

Fast qualifier, Tommy Hargis, driving his number 17 car, won the dash. Kevin Douglas, driving the number 69 car, finished 2nd, and I was 3rd. I was a little surprised to learn that Kevin Douglas was driving the number 69 Road Hog. Usually, Kevin drives the number “0” Open Wheel car.

Somebody told me that Kevin had problems with the number “0” and couldn’t make the Battle of the Blue Grass race.

After intermission, 16 Open Wheel cars rumbled down the hill and onto the track. Ricky Arms, eased his number 4 car into the pole position. When the track went green, Ricky was off and running.

However, before one lap could be completed, Don Adams was involved in a crash between turns 3 and 4 and had to retire from the race.

It seems a shame to travel all the way from London, Ky. and then not complete one lap. Early in the race, Dwight Chitwood spun his number 203 car between turns 1 and 2. Dwight had to go to the rear of the pack.

After the race again went green, Dwight Chitwood began the process of passing one car at a time.

During the next approximate 35 laps, Dwight worked his way from the back of the pack to finish in the 6th position. Dwight gave us all a lesson in how to drive a stockcar. In the meantime, Leonard Pierce, Brandon Green, and Jimmy Payne were doing battle in the middle of the pack.

Leonard passed Jimmy and pulled a couple of car lengths ahead. However, Jimmy Payne got stronger as the race went on and he passed both Leonard Pierce and Brandon Green to finish in the 5th position.

When Ricky Arms took the checkered flag, Hank Bradley was 2nd, Kelly Warren was 3rd, and Russell Gabbert was 4th.

Our belated congratulations to Hank Bradley. Hank recently graduated from high school and will start college soon.

Once again, Scott Shelton and Eddie Stewart engaged in lugnut to lugnut competition in the Chevette Feature Race.

I don’t think there was ever more than one car length separating these two cars from start to finish.

Scott Shelton was the first to cross the finish line. Eddie Stewart was 2nd, Shawn Bardin was 3rd, Stephen Fields was 4th, and Tony Radford finished 5th.

Driver, Scott Shelton and car owner, Houston Montgomery, have been racing the 3M car at three different race tracks in Kentucky and Tennessee. They have won their last seven feature races. Incredible!

Tommy Hargis, in car 17, once again won the Road Hog feature race. Tommy and crew really have that car dialed in. I don’t know what the record is for number of feature races won in a row, but I have a hunch Tommy is getting close to the record.

Kevin Douglas finished 2nd, Barton Williams passed me just before the white flag lap to take over 3rd place, and Wesley Coffey finished 5th.

This race ended an outstanding night of stockcar and bicycle racing at the super track.

Come on out to the super track this Friday night, August 20, for another super night of racing.

There will be a full program of Open Wheel cars, Road Hogs, and Chevettes. Will Tommy Hargis continue his clean sweeps in the Road Hog class, or will we be able to cut his broom down to size?

You won’t know unless you’re there.

Come on out and watch your favorite driver. Whether they are driving an Open Wheel, a Road Hog, or a Chevette, you will enjoy the entire program.

Till next Friday, take care, and remember that your family loves you and needs you so please “click” your seatbelt.

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