By Steve Hixson

Cleveland, TN -11/18/05- A stellar field of 63 Super Dirt Late Models from around the region signed in to pay tribute by racing in the Joe Lee Johnson Memorial at Cleveland (TN) Speedway Friday night.

Hot racing action and a very cold evening was just what the doctor ordered for "CatDaddy" Clint Smith as the Senoia, GA racing superstar added another "W" to his resume pocketing over $3,000 for his efforts after winning the 40 lap "A" Main feature and collecting the bonus prize lap money. The #44 "JP Drilling, CSR Aluminum Fabrication, Turkey Creek Snacks" GRT / Racetek, Pontiac Gran Prix racer stated how he like coming back to Cleveland, which is much like a second home to him. "I'm glad to win this in memory of Joe Lee, he was a great asset to the sport, and we will not forget him."

Only the top 10 fastest in Sonya's Used Cars Qualifying Time Trials are locked into the "A" Main feature race, per the special stipulations of the B.J. Parker Southern Thunder Tour series. Racers representing 11 different states took 1 lap of qualifying with "The Newport Nightmare" Jimmy Owens earning fast time over the field, clocking a 13.587 lap.

"The Dirty White Boy" Anthony White would be second fastest with Randy Korte, "CatDaddy" and Randall Chupp rounding out the top five fastest.
Local racer Lamar Scoggins would head up locked-in qualifiers six thru ten with Johnney "The Wheelman" Wheeler, Joe Armes, Skip Arp and "The Tarheel Tiger" Ray Cook following.

The first of four, ten lap Last Chance Preliminary Heat races were set to determine the remaining twelve starters with two STT series provisionals set to cap off the 24 car starting grid.

"The Tank" Shane Tankersley got out front against pole sitter and 11th overall fastest qualifier Randy "The Dream" Weaver. Johnny Chastain put the "Murphy Mafia" on the page and in the race with a third and final transfer finish. John Gill and STT series points leader Chris Noah rounded out the top five.

LCPH race #2 saw "Little Joe" Armistead dancin' with 12th fastest qualifier Randy Burrows. "Little Joe" would take the win, but it was Johnathan Davenport who would be the "Hard Luck Champion" as the "Blairesville Assassin" cut a tire down while running third. Keith Frazier inherited the third place spot and would hold off Devan Dilbeck and Derrick Rainey to transfer.

In LCPH #3 "The Headman" Mike Head took the win over Michael England and Brad Hall. Aaron Ridley and David Earl Gentry rounded out the top five.

The fourth and final heat saw a major wreck on the back straight-away of lap 1 take out some "major players". Pole sitter and 14th overall fastest qualifier Bobby Mayse (2004 Cleveland Speedway Track Champion), Derrick Ellis, Rick Hixson and "Superman" Scott Sexton were all involved. Justin Ratliff took the win with Brad Looney, and "Goodyear Eagle" shoed Josh McGuire earning transfer spots. Newly crowned 2005 Cleveland Speedway Track Champion "Little John" Owenby and Presto Graver rounded out the top five.

The Engine Builders Dash that grew by manufacturers up until just hours before race-time saw 12 competitors representing 12 manufacturers race 10 laps for $1,000 to win. White representing Racetek engines took the win over the competion.

As the field took the green flag from Chuck Christopher, the DWB (White)stabs into the lead leaving Owens sleep-deprived in second to battle with a pair of 44's (C. Smith and Wheeler). "CatDaddy" clawed by Owens for second on lap 2, but it was Joe Armes who stopped play first as the #77 stalled on the back straight-away of lap 3.

Back underway and "Kaa-Boom" disaster hits as the DWB bounces off the turn two wall, collecting the field; except C. Smith and Wheeler. Michael England suffers major damage and is on the hook. Randy Burrows, fifth running "The Hitman" Johnney Chastain, and Randy "King Kong" Korte are all eliminated. The restart has a pair of 44's still sandwiching Owens.

Wheeler takes over second and all eyes begin watching "The Skipper". Arp is gaining positions lap after lap in the unfamiliar #97 "CAR Auto Sales & Collision, Carpet World, Stanley Best Heating & Air" GRT / Nick's Racing Engines, Chevrolet Monte Carlo racecar.

Justin Ratliff tags the wall in turn 2 early and will end a disappointing 19th. Cook begins following Arp's route to the front bringing with him "The Show Stoppa" Randall Chupp in the #20th "Goddard Guttering, Bi-Lo, Willett Powder Coating" Warrior / Custom, Pontiac Gran Prix. Arp gains access to the top three as Owens falls from the top five momentarily.

As the laps wind down "CatDaddy" is in firm control but Arp is in tense pursuit, through back-marker traffic. Wheeler begins falling from the top five as Cook puts his #53 "Huddle House, Arvil Cook Property Investments, Hamricks of Gaffney" Mastersbilt / Grover Ford Taurus firmly into the top five. Owens in the #20 "Ultra Pro Machining, PPM Racing Products, Mach2 Motorsports" Rayburn / Cornett, ford Taurus races back into the top five as the checkers fall just behind Chupp. C. Smith is followed across by Arp and Cook at the finish. Seventh running but 8th place finisher Lamar Scoggins, 17th finishing Joe Armes and winner C. Smith pocket the majority of the lap money bonuses. Chris Noah secured the STT series points championship with his 12th place finish.

Official Results:
1. Clint Smith (# 44) of Senoia, GA
2. Skip Arp (# 97) of Georgetown, TN
3. Ray Cook (# 53) of Brasstown, NC
4. Randall Chupp (# 20th) of Mooresville, NC
5. Jimmy Owens (# 20) of Newport, TN
6. Johnney Wheeler (# 44) of Campbellsville, KY
7. Randy Weaver (# 116) of Crossville, TN
8. Lamar Scoggins (# 48) od Cleveland, TN
9. Shane Tankersley (# T31) of Morganton, GA
10. Mike Head (# 54) of Ellenwood, GA
11. Joe Armistead Jr. (# 21) of Senoia, GA
12. Chris Noah (# 45) of Gadsden, AL
13. Josh McGuire (# 41) of Ashland, KY
14. Shawn Speagle (# 60) of Cullman, AL
15. Johnney Chastain (# 00) of Murphy, NC
16. Brad Looney (# 14) of Republic, MO
17. Joe Armes (# 77) of Petros, TN
18. Brad Hall (# 47) of Knoxville, TN
19. Justin Ratliff (# 16) of Campbellsville, KY
20. Randy Korte (# 00) of Highlands, IL
21. Randy Burrows (# 95) of Chattanooga, TN
22. Michael England (# 5E) of Glasscow, KY
23. Anthony White (# 2x) of Clinton, TN
24. Keith Frazier (# 11) of Cleveland, TN

Engine Builders Dash Finish:
1. Anthony White - Racetek (2nd)
2. Skip Arp - Nick's Racing Engines (3rd)
3. Johnney Chastain - Pro Power (5th)
4. Lamar Scoggins - RPM (4th)
5. Ray Cook - Grover (9th)
6. Randy Burrows - Race Engine Design (6th)
7. David Earl Gentry - Brown Engineering (12th)
8. Joe Armistead Jr. - Armistead (8th)
9. Joe Armes - Clements (11th)
10. Jimmy Owens - Cornett (10th)
11. Brad Hall - Gaerte (7th)
12. Chris Noah - Vinson (1st)


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