JEFFERSON, GA (SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2014) – A pair of first-time winners – and a trio of repeat victors – highlighted Saturday’s Stockerama racing program at Gresham Motorsports Park.
Sixteen-year-old Ty Roberts scored his first-ever GMP Pro Truck win capturing the 30-lap division headliner. Roberts led early only to surrender the top spot to Rodney Benefield midway through the event.
Roberts was about to settle for second, however, powering back under Benefield as the pair sped into Turn 3 on the high-banked GMP half-mile oval. The teenage driver was then able to hold off the veteran Benefield over the final laps to take the win. Benefield, who suffered brake problems late in the race, held on for second in front of Jamie Weimer.
Meanwhile, C.J. Huitt made his first trip to GMP this season a profitable one capturing the Front Wheel Drive main event and the $400 first-place prize money. Huitt battled three-time GMP winner this season Gary Zajdek throughout the event before finally taking control over the final laps. Zajdek, Brian Sutton, Kristen Carnes and Donavan Becham completed the top-five finishers in what is quickly becoming one of the more popular divisions with the fans this season at GMP.
While Huitt and Roberts were earning their first GMP victories of the season, Bryan Beckner, Brian Sosebee and Matthew Wragg continued their winning ways at the Jefferson, GA track.
Beckner staged an epic battle with veteran Mike Childers eventually wheeling away with his fourth Renegade feature event of the season. The win kept Beckner undefeated in Renegade competition at GMP this season. Childress collected the runner-up spot while GMP first-timer Jimmy Rowland turned in a steady effort to take home third-place money.
Meanwhile, Sosebee managed to best a very competitive Sportsman field earning his second division win in as many weeks. Sosebee fended off the challenges of Jackie Daniel and Michael Mobley before scampering away to earn the 25-lap win on the GMP quarter-mile oval. Mobley managed to hold off Daniel for second with Rob Hubbard coming home fourth.
The final event of the evening – the 30-lap Outlaw Late Model event – saw yet another epic battle between Wragg and Jason Bates. The two drivers rocketed away from the field and raced nose-to-tail and side-by-side for multiple laps before contact between the two cars sent Bates’ machine hard into the Turn 1 wall on the GMP half-mile oval. Bates’ mount eventually came to rest on the inside of the track suffering heavy damage. Fortunately, Bates was uninjured in the wreck.
Wragg, who was sent to the back of the pack on the restart for his part in the incident with Bates, responded by driving through the field and passing Russell Shore for the lead with a stellar outside pass.
Wragg went on to the win and the $800 first-place check while Shore came home second with Scott Simpson, David Murphy and Bates completing the top-five finishers.
Next up at GMP will be a Thursday Throwdown Street Drag Program Thursday, June 19. The ‘race your own Street Car, Truck, Van or SUV’ program is fun, safe and – best of all – legal.
It’s also just $20 to participate and includes a safety inspection, practice rounds and two bracket entries. Drivers must be 16 or older and hold a valid driver’s license. Drivers 16 and 17 must have a signed Parental and Insurance Waiver on file at GMP to race (forms can be downloaded at www.RaceGMP.com Street Drag section.
Grandstand spectator admission is just $5 and kids 12 and under are always free at GMP.
Pit gates for the June 26 Thursday Throwdown Street Drags open at 5:30 p.m. with practice runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Eliminations start at 8:15 p.m.
The next GMP Stockerama is set for Saturday, July 19. Dubbed ‘All Scouts Night’ as all Cub, Boy, Girl and Eagle Scouts in uniform will be admitted FREE.
Also on tap will be the now famous GMP ‘Speedy Spud’ contest, Free Pace Car rides before the races, and free outdoor Laser Tag and other games for the kids courtesy of Funopolis Family Fun Center in Commerce.
For More information about all GMP events and racing divisions, please log on to
www.racegmp.com.
Saturday, June 21 Stockerama Official Results
Sportsman – 25 Laps
1. Brian Sosbee
2. Michael Mobley
3. Jackie Daniel
4. Rob Hubbard
Renegades – 25 Laps
1. Bryan Beckner
2. Mike Childers
3. Jimmy Rowland
FWD’s – 25 Laps
1. C.J. Huitt
2. Gary Zajdek
3. Brian Sutton
4. Kristin Carnes
5. Donavan Beacham
Trucks – 30 Laps
1. Ty Roberts
2. Rodney Benefield
3. Jami Weimer
Outlaw Late Models – 30 Laps
1. Matthew Wragg
2. Russell Shore
3. Shawn Simpson
4. David Murphy
5. Jason Bates