HAMPTON, Ga. (March 3, 2012) – With only two weeks remaining in the Winter Flurry season, week six on the ¼-mile signaled it was go time on the “Thunder Ring.” With several points battles still up in the air, the racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway was the last opportunity for drivers to position themselves in the points standings before the season’s final event on March 10.
The Semi-Pro feature kicked off Luke Behnke out front. On lap seven, Jay Coen spun on the backstretch to bring out the first caution of the event. Justin Thomas used the restart to get by Behnke on lap nine. Thomas would hold off Behnke to capture the win. It was his third win of the Winter Flurry season, helping him chip away at Behnke’s lead in the points standings.
Taylor Jorgensen was the pole sitter for the Outlaws feature. Katelyn Weatherly spun in turn two to bring out the caution on lap eight. Following the restart, Weatherly spun again exiting turn two for the second caution of the race on lap 16. Taylor would go on to claim the victory, helping to extend her points lead. It was her third checkered flag in a row and fourth of the season.
A.J. Carlisi paced the field to the start of the combined Pro and Masters feature. On lap eight, Taylor Hull went around in turn four to put the field under the yellow flag. Carlisi would collect the checkered flag in the event, as Brian Weimer would record the best finish among the Masters drivers. The win was Carlisi’s first of the season. Weimer, substitute driving for Terry Mathis, would help extend Mathis’ points lead over Ed Clark .
The Young Lions feature opened with Alex Coffey as the starter. Joey Padgett was able to get by for the lead early on. On lap 18, Megan Younginer spun exiting turn four to bring out the caution. Padgett would hold off the field on the restart and seize the win. It was Padgett’s first victory of the Winter Flurry season, and helped him add to his lead in the points standings.
Zach Leonhardi began the Papa John’s Pizza Bandits feature out front. Chambers McGilberry spun on the frontstretch to bring out the yellow flag on lap three. On the restart, Ashton Winger, Reid Morris and Chandler Smith got together in turn two to bring out the second caution of the race. Winger’s machine would retire from the event due to damage from the wreck. On lap 12, Morris spun in turn four and Smith would spin trying to avoid the Morris machine. This would put the field under caution for the third time. Following the restart, Joshua Hicks closed in on Leonhardi and in the final corner, slid by on the inside to snatch the victory away. The win put Hicks at four victories on the season, giving him some added breathing room in the points standings over second-place Leonhardi.
The Buzz Cars feature began with Brian Sutton on the pole. Allen Nolan took the lead in turn two on lap three, but it would not last long as Buddy Brewer went to the point on the outside exiting turn four. On lap five, the No. 10 car spun in turn one to bring out the caution. Debris in turn two brought out the second caution with three laps remaining. Following the restart, Brewer would continue to pull away and score the victory, making him the only winner in the division for the season.
Short-track racing returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 10 for the final event of the Winter Flurry season. A limited number of infield passes will be available at the Security Command building near the speedway’s main entrance. Infield access costs just $12 for adults, $5 for children ages six through 11 and admission is free for children ages five and younger. Cost to race is just $25. Minors and their guardians are required to complete a minor waiver before children ages 17 and younger can enter the infield. For more information, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway Ticket Office at (770) 946-4211, (877) 9-AMS-TIX or visit www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.
For more information on Buzz Cars racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway, contact the Atlanta Motor Speedway Events Department at (770) 946-3954.
To test drive your own Legends machine, or for more information about Legends racing, call Legends of Georgia director Dwight Pilgram at (770) 707-2977 or visit www.legendsofga.com.
Race Results:
Semi-Pro:
1. Justin Thomas (Woodstock), 2. Luke Behnke (Fayetteville), 3. Casey Willingham (Ball Ground), 4. William Plemons III (Forsyth), 5. Amber Fleeman (Dacula), 6. Jami Weimer (Cumming), 7. Amber Fleeman (Dacula), 8. C.J. Pucko (Covington), 9. Jay Coen (Dacula), 10. Aaron Bailey (Hull)
Outlaws:
1. Taylor Jorgensen (Stockbridge), 2. Jenson Jorgensen (Stockbridge), 3. Katelyn Weatherly (McDonough)
Pro and Masters:
1. A.J. Carlisi* (Dalton), 2. Brian Weimer (Cumming) substitute driving for Terry Mathis (Cumming), 3. Ed Clark (Peachtree City), 4. Taylor Hull* (Winston), 5. Bubba Harry* (Griffin), 6. Phillip Young (Dallas), 7. Chris Bowie (Douglasville), 8. Mark Swan (Atlanta), 9. Mike Kennedy (Alpharetta), 10. James Meredith (Locust Grove)
*denotes Pro drivers
Young Lions:
1. Joey Padgett (Tallahassee, Fla.), 2. Alex Coffey (McDonough), 3. Will Fagan (Cumming), 4. Riley Thornton (Peachtree City), 5. Madeline Crane (Meansville), 6. Megan Younginer (Stockbridge), 7. Taylor Jorgensen (Stockbridge) substitute driving for Andy Hogan (Decatur, Texas)
Papa John’s Pizza Bandits:
1. Joshua Hicks (Senoia), 2. Zach Leonhardi (Smyrna), 3. Kodie Conner (Kannapolis, N.C.), 4. Chandler Smith (Talking Rock), 5. Connor Younginer (Stockbridge), 6. Lawson Ingold (Social Circle), 7. Reid Morris (Carrollton), 8. Abigail Marin (Peachtree City), 9. Chambers McGilberry (Selma, Ala.), 10. Ashton Winger (Fayetteville)
Buzz Cars:
1. Buddy Brewer (Griffin), 2. No. 10 car, 3. Brian Sutton (Covington), 4. Josh Ballard (Hampton), 5. Timmy Bishop (Jonesboro), 6. Allen Nolan (Hartwell)