By Charlie Beasley

KINGSTON, TN -November 27, 2005- Atomic Speedway wrapped up the 2005 racing season on Saturday, November 26th with the Golden Harvest 50 and the championship awards ceremony. Trophies and jackets were handed out to champions and late model drivers were chasing the $2,500 check for the victor in the 50-lap feature.

Steve Smith of Powell, TN let everyone know he would be a force to be reckoned with when he set a lap of 11.727 seconds as the third car of 25 on the track in time trials. His time would hold up as only one other driver, Anthony White, was able to get around the 1/3-mile clay oval in less than 12 seconds.

The front row of Smith and White guaranteed an exciting start, as they are known as two of the most aggressive drivers in the area. On the start White got the jump from his outside front row starting spot and blasted of turn two with the lead. Smith fell into second as the third through sixth position battle was heated as Tommy Devaney, Billy Ogle Jr., Randy Weaver and Ricky Arms battled for those positions. The lead duo pulled away from the field as they engaged in their own private battle for the point. White encountered slower cars in the first few laps of the event, but was able to hold the lead as Smith ducked low in almost every corner trying to get to the front. Numerous cautions slowed the pace in the early going as the field sliced and diced for positions. There was two wide racing for almost every spot and sometimes the drivers had trouble keeping a handle on their cars during the heated battles.

The field finally had a long green flag run from laps 13 through 32 and that was when Smith made his move. He moved by White for the top spot on lap 27 as White was struggling with the handle on his ride in lapped cars. After bypassing White, Smith pulled to a 10-car length lead while White was falling back into the clutches of the pursuers.

After the yellow on lap 32 Smith appeared to be set for a cruise to the victory as he had opened up a 15-car length lead while the laps clicked away. During the run Ogle and Arms had made their way by White as he struggled to get his car through the corners. A caution on lap 47 set up a three lap shootout and gave Ogle a chance to steal the win from Smith.

When the green flag flew, Smith was unable to put any distance on Ogle. Ogle looked low for a way around Smith and was able to pull alongside as the cars came to the white flag. Smith shut the door as they raced off turn two. Entering turn three Smith changed lines and moved down the track. As he struggled with the loss of momentum, Ogle slid alongside and the duo raced side by side down the front stretch to the checkered flag. Smith recovered just in time to take the win by about two feet over Ogle. Ricky Arms was third, Tommy Devaney made a last lap pass on the struggling White for fourth, with White coming home fifth.

Smith picked up his second win of the year at Atomic after going winless since 1990 at the track. He thanked his sponsors, Mathis Farms, White's Total Performance, and his crew for their efforts to get him to victory lane.

Rick Hixson dominated the Sportsman season ender. After David Crabtree set fast time, Hixson snared the lead from his outside from row starting spot. Hixson led all 20 laps en route to his second victory of the season at Atomic. Crabtree gave chase to Hixson, but had to settle for the second spot. Mark Rosner, Brandon Lyons & Ruben Mayfield completed the final top five.

Wayne James took the lead from pole sitter Billy Palmer early in the open wheel modified event and drove away to a dominating victory. Palmer crossed the strip second with Danny James, Joe Armes & Larry James completing the field.

Rick King held off the challenges of 2005 Pure Mini champion John Cobb and Pure Mini rookie of the year Rocky McNabb to take the win in their 15 lap feature event. King, Cobb and McNabb staged a three wide battle for the top spot in the middle stages off the race with King emerging victorious. McNabb came home second, Cobb third with James Parrott and Clifford Sands rounding out the final top five.

Steve Welch took the lead at the start of the 15-lap Pure Street feature from pole sitter Jonathan Sims. Sims was able to get by Welch on lap three and cruise to an apparent victory. When Sims was light at the scales, second place finisher Michael Milsap was warded the victory. Junior Robinette, Sammy Johnson, Welch & Missy Edwards were the final top five.

Todd McWherter took advantage of race leader Robert Lewis' misfortune to get the victory in the front wheel drive feature event. Lewis was holding off McWherter as they came to the white flag when they came to lap Chris Meeks. Meeks slid up the track and slammed into the leader. While Lewis was trying to keep his car moving, McWherter slipped by for the win. Jack Harvey, Lewis, Mike Ellison & Angie Young were the final top five.

Saturday's racing concludes the 2005 racing season at Atomic. Everyone on the staff of Atomic would like to thank all the fans and drivers that made their way to Atomic this race season.

Late Model Feature: 1. #3 Steve Smith, 2. #201 Billy Ogle Jr., 3. #4 Ricky Arms, 4. #20 Tommy Devaney, 5. #2X Anthony White, 6. #116 Randy Weaver, 7. #97 Bobby Giffin, 8. #C5 David Crabtree, 9. #55 Ruben Mayfield, 10. #00 Kelvin White, 11. #J1 Brandon James, 12. #12 John Stout, 13. #16 Shawn Reese, 14. #89 Brad Coffey, 15. #2 Steve Cornelius, 16. #U2 Kristin Flory, 17. #77 Mike Marlar, 18. #00 Darrick York, 19. #H3 Kayne Hickman, 20. #39 Preston Grace, 21. #22 Bobby Mayse, 22. #3 Zeke Buchanan, 23. #5 Ronnie Johnson, 24. #17w Brett Wyatt, 25. #02 Jason Flury

Sportsman Feature: 1. #16 Rick Hixson, 2. #T5 David Crabtree, 3. #17 Mark Rosner, 4. #28 Brandon Lyons, 5. #00 Ruben Mayfield, 6. #00 Brian Ownby, 7. #07 Jason Cardwell, 8. #5 Jeff Hamby Jr., 9. #C11 Clyde Stanton, 10. #27 Chris Beaver, 11. #8 Kenny Bradburn, 12. #1H Charles Hurst, 13. #0 Amos Bunch, 14. #14 A.J. Russell, 15. #77 Jimmy Calloway, 16. #7x Joe Byrd, 17. #56 Fredrick Romines, 18. #27A Freddie Dutton, 19. #176 Michael Messamore

Open Wheel Feature: 1. #4 Wyane James, 2. #25 Billy Palmer, 3. #J4 Danny James, 4. #1 Joe Armes, 5. #00 Larry James

Pure Mini Feature: 1. #5 Rick King, 2. #01 Rocky McNabb, 3. #40 John Cobb, 4. #8 James Parrott, 5. #17 Clifford Sands, 6. #11 Dyllis Devaney Pure Street Feature: 1. #22 Michael Millsap, 2. #27 Junior Robinette, 3. #3 Sammy Johnson, 4. #55 Steve Welch, 5. #13 Missy Edwards, 6. #17 Joe Seiber, 7. #31 Scott Johnson, 8. #5 Allen Walker, 9. #93 Ray Edwards, 10. #6 Rick Green, DQ #30 Jonathan Sims (too light at scales)

Front Wheel Drive Feature: 1. #25 Todd McWherter, 2. #7 Jack Harvey, 3. #4 Robert Lewis, 4. #07 Mike Ellison, 5. #72 Angie Young, 6. #15 Michael Hall, 7. #75 John Savage, 8. #5 John Walker, 9. #11 Mark Johnston, 10. # -0 Bill Smith, 11. #x14 Chris Meeks, 12. #3 Ronnie Bibbins, 13. #9s Wayne Lewis, 14. #22 Chris Stockburger, 15. #71 Randall Rickman


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