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by Donnie Helmly
(March 14, 2001) Jax Raceways continued its new season last weekend at their half-mile NASCAR sanctioned track, and the fans left once again fulfilled from a full night of racing action, and in a timely fashion.
Track officials have been working feverishly to make the shows fun and entertaining, as well as working to get the fans and competitors home early. "Our fans tell us that they will come back every week as long as they can get home early, so their family can attend church the next day", says Roger Godbee, co-owner of the four track facility. "We are trying to give the fans their money's worth and get them out by 10:30, and our staff and management has done a great job of getting it done the first two events of the season."
Saturday's racing action on the "D" shaped oval saw some new faces in the winner's circle, as well as one repeat winner. Bobby Padgett once again made it clear that he was in route to winning the most races this season in the Sportsman division, as he led the 20-lap event in flag to flag fashion, without a caution, for the second time in as many weeks. The feature event, that lasted six minutes, saw Chad Grogan crossing the stripe in second, with Randy Clark, Sr., Tim Nolan and Terry Jones making up the top five.
The Late Model division saw pole-sitter Eric Platt take the lead at the drop of the green flag, and never looking back as he led the field to the checkered flag. David Browning crossed the line in the runner-up spot for the second week in a row, with Chuck Chitty, last week's winner Steve Whitener and Rookie of the Year contender, John Kellum, making up the top five.
Brian Smith had his best finish of his career at Jax Raceways in the Pure Stock division. Smith inherited the pole after a re-draw placed him up front, and he was not to be denied, as he led every lap on his way to his first feature win. Ray Pruett applied pressure to the back of Smith, but settled for second at the stripe, with Bill Burkhart, Scott Nolan and Bubba Clark in tow.
Creg Hall made his presence known in the Open-Wheel Modified Division, after claiming his first win of the new season. Hall, known as a dominant competitor in the Sportsman division, held on through numerous caution flags to hold off Kenny Bayless, Marty Whitener, Roy Knight and JoJo Jones.
The Powder Puff division made its way to the track for its first event of the new season. Shelly Meyers took the front spot on lap three, and held on for her first win of the year. Meyers held off a strong run by Kim Lester, Maudie Baker, early race leader Angela Nolan and Tammy Stone for the win.
Jax Raceways will be back in action tomorrow night with racing in four speedway divisions.
(Donnie Helmly can be heard as the host of The Race Report, Monday nights at 8:00 PM on 1320 AM WJGR)
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