Story & photos by: Phillip Prichard, MSA:
Jonathan “Superman” Davenport of Blairsville, GA claimed the $20000 winnings in the Super Late Model event at the National 100 at the East Alabama Speedway. The victory was Davenport’s third National 100 victory in his career and the first for the Kevin Rumley owned team in the Number 6 Longhorn chassis.
Dennis “Rambo” Franklin was the fastest qualifier and Rambo beat out Scott Bloomquist in his heat race to claim the pole position. Dale McDowell, Randy Weaver and Chris Madden gained top positions in the starting grid by winning their heat races. Kelly Guy won the B Main to advance to the main event.
Franklin maintained the lead position for the first half of the race. The wet, tacky racing surfaces suited Rambo’s style of racing. Dale McDowell, Chris Madden, Dennis Erb Jr and Randy Weaver battled furiously for the top five positions behind Franklin. A total of seven cautions plagued the racing action during the first half of the race. Weaver and Davenport fought for the runner position during the first half of the race.
In the second 50 laps, the racing surfaces started blacken showing signs of rubber buildup. A 41 lap stretch between laps 37 and 78 was caution free and during this stretch, Davenport was able to pass Franklin. Also, Weaver and Bloomquist were able to pass Franklin. In the last 22 laps, six drivers would suffer flats on right rear tires due to surface rubbering in.
During the final 20 laps, Davenport held off advances of Madden and Bloomquist to capture the top position and the win. After Davenport, the top ten finishers were: Madden, Bloomquist, Don O’Neal, Rick Eckert, Dennis Erb Jr., Chase Junghans, Clint Smith, Anthony Burroughs and Eric Jacobsen. Only twelve of the 24 starter finished the race. Thirty-three cars were signed in for the 24 starting spots.
Davenport commented that he loved coming to East Alabama Speedway. He had previously won the National 100 in 2009 and 2011. He also stated that it means the world to him to win with this team.
Earlier on Sunday, Davenport won the $5000 Crate Late Model event driving his No. 49 Crate Late Model car. Davenport started on the pole of the eighteen car field. Davenport and Montana Dudley battled throughout the 50 laps. Seven caution flags inundated the race. The bottom groove was the best for the sunny hot track.
With two laps remaining Dudley tagged Davenport’s left rear quarter panel in his last dash effort to get past the leader. but he failed. Davenport powered on to the checkered flag.
Montana Dudley finished second, Ronnie Johnson third, Chase Edge fourth and Terrance Nowell rounded out the top five.
Other Sunday Winners were: Jason Price in the Hobby Feature; Billy Duell in the Bomber Feature; Thomas Lewis in the Sportsman Feature; and Joseph Brown in the Super Street Feature.
On Saturday night, Ryan Gifford won the 30 lap, 525 Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series Feature.
Chris Madden ran a great second place in his 525, he was very dominating for the first half of the race, Richie Stevens won the Modified Feature and Dan Bennett won the KMSA race.
On Friday night, Scott Bloomquist won the Zaxby’s Race of Champions. He went from 7th to 1st in 9 laps.
With the 40th National 100 in the history books, fans were treated with a weekend filled with racing action. Mark your calendar for October 29 – November 1, 2015 for the 41st National 100.
Check out http://www.eamsdirt.com for additional information.
