Highland Rim Speedway
Race Recap
August 8, 2009 – It was a hot night of racing excitement at Highland Rim Speedway on Saturday night with racing in eight classes. Donold Webb started things out by leading every single lap of the Rim Runner race. Webb had a near miss with just six laps to go when Mikey Bilyeu spun in right in front of him. Webb steered around the spinning car never letting up. Webb was in a race all his own all the way to victory as Fast Time Winner, Paul Lambert and Christopher York battled for second place. The pair battled the entire race, running the final three laps in an all out war to the finish. York finally completed the pass for the second spot on the final lap. Lambert settled for third. Phillip Bilyeu was fourth with Mikey coming away fifth in his first race.
Though there were only three cars in the Challenger class, it was a real race from flag to flag! Shawn Jackson pushed out into the top spot as the green flew. Jackson was in a new car – new to him. The car was the old 14 of Billy Schaffer. Fast Time Winner, Toby Tobbitt looked like he was stuck to Jackson ’s rear bumper most of the night. Tobbitt kept the heat turned up high trying every corner to pass Jackson . It was not going to happen. Jackson had to work for the trophy finishing with Tobbitt just inches off his bumper or second. Kenny Newsom finished third in the caution free race.
Dustin Goodwin took just five laps to go from dead last to the lead in the Front Wheel Drive Modifieds. Goodwin made it look easy, driving one handed while he held on to his top roll bar. Goodwin wowed the crowd by waving as he shot down the front straight and even holding both hands up waving a couple of times! He made it look easy as he coasted to victory in the caution free race. David Frost finished second with Jerry Nuckols right on his tail for third. Scott Conner took the fourth spot less than a car length ahead of Carl Landin.
It was a familiar face in victory lane in the Super Stocks. Daniel Barnes took the lead on lap five with Fast Time Winner, Danny Johnson right in his tire tracks. Barnes and Johnson had a hard run going, opening a half track advantage over the 3rd and 4th place cars as they circled the high banks. It looked like it was in the bag until the 43 car of Travis Smith looped it coming out of turn two bringing out the only yellow of the race. With a two lap shoot out to the checkers Barnes had to keep up on his wheel to keep the lead. Barnes won the race with Johnson less than a car length back. Tink Jackson gave Johnson a little push on the restart but wasn’t able to complete the pass. Jackson finished third. Willie Coats and Lance Steel rounded out the top five.
Chuck Adkins swept the Pro Trucks. Adkins set fast time of the night and also won the race. On lap three, Adkins and Josh Evans got together. Both kept going, but Evans lost a lot of ground as he gathered it back up. Two laps later, Adkins took over the top spot. Just before the half way point, Evans looped it between turns one and two. Buddy Williams did a great job avoiding the truck as it sat across the track. Taylor Woelk didn’t get stopped in time, sliding into Evan’s stalled truck. Both sustained damage, but were able to continue on. On the restart, Adkins checked out as Evans and Williams battled for second. Evans took the spot but couldn’t catch Adkins. Adkins won by a full straightaway over Evans. Williams was third. Richard Hamilton had a great night finishing in the fourth spot. Woelk came away in fifth.
The Sportsman race got off to a rough start. Jonathan Dishman slammed into the outside wall coming out of turn two on the first lap ending his night. Matt Goodwin launched himself out front at the restart. Tim Ezell, Thomas Pannell, and Jonathan Wilhite had a hard three car battle for second as Goodwin furthered his lead. Pannell made use of his chrome horn before completing the pass on Ezell for second on lap five. Six laps later, Pannell caught Goodwin to take the lead. Pannell left them in his dust. Pannell won the race by a six car length advantage. With just six laps to go Wilhite caught Goodwin trying to make a move for second. Time ran out for him. Goodwin was second with Wilhite less than a car length back for third. Ezell was fourth followed by Rusty McKee for fifth in his first race of the season.
Scott Gay was the man to beat in the Late Model Stock Cars. Gay set fast time of the night and won the race! It took just three laps for Gay to take over the lead. The only caution came when Tony Ussery slammed into the back stretch wall, wadding his racecar up. Ussery was ok though none too happy. On the restart, Gay stretched out to a half track advantage over Larry Ardry. Ardry was second in his first race of the season. Sam Willard made Ardry work for his position. Willard finished third. The top three cars were the only cars on the lead lap. James Willard was fourth. Ussery was credited with a fifth place finish.
Jim Bork led flag to flag in the Taxi Cabs to win the 25 lap race. Bork started the night setting fast time for the class and ended it by taking home the trophy. The race was slowed by a couple of cautions. One when two cars got hooked together in turn four and another when two cars got together going into turn three after a hard battle for several laps. With each restart, Bork held the top spot. Tink Jackson took second followed by Bill Benson for third. The finish was Benson’s best yet. Charles Pruett just got past Kenny Newsom, Sr. beating him by a bumper for fourth at the line.
This Saturday night August 15th, the Rim will host 10 classes of racing excitement featuring a Rim Runner/Front Wheel Drive Modified 35 lap feature race. The winner will get $300 – BUT if there are 25 or more cars entered in the race, the winner will get $500!!!!! A great payout for some great racers! Also for the night, $2 hamburgers and $1.50 fountain drinks! Come beat the heat with a night of excitement on the edge! But that’s not all… Portland, Oak Grove, East Moreland , & Mitchellville (37148, 37186 & 371190) residents can show their driver’s license and get into the grandstands for FREE!!!! Make plans now to see what’s happening at the Rim! Grandstand Admission is $10, Youth 6-11 is $7, Children 5 & Under are free with a paid adult. Racing starts at 6:00 pm. Pit gates open at 1:00 pm, grandstands at 3:00 pm. Qualifying at 4:30 pm. Highland Rim Speedway is a high banked 1/3 mile asphalt track competing weekly from March through October. For more information check the website http://www.highlandrim.com/.
