By Allen Hastings
GAS Series Media

Anderson, GA - - In front of a near capacity crowd, Anderson Motor Speedway Late Model Track Champion Ralph Carnes of Anderson, South Carolina, took his first ever Georgia Asphalt Series win by passing Randy Porter of nearby Easley, South Carolina, at the halfway point in the UpState 100 presented by Thomas Concrete and RS Trucking. Porter had won the GAS Series event earlier in the season at AMS. "I wanted to win this one", said Carnes. "We haven't won in over a year and this win is really sweet and we had some tough luck earlier this season here."

Carnes was the SUNOCO/Bearden Oil Company Pole Award winner with an extremely fast 15.697 lap around the 3/8 mile oval. Carnes drew a 7 from the hat, sending Blair Addiss of Greenville, South Carolina to the pole position. Addiss had to make some repairs to his racer, moving him to the rear of the field. Current GAS Series points leader Ryan Sieg of Decatur, Georgia then moved to the pole position.

At the drop of the green flag, Porter jumped out to an early lead. In the mean time, Carnes, in The Flooring Center Monte Carlo, was charging through the field from his seventh place starting position. By lap 13, Carnes had caught Porter. The two cars battled for the next 30 laps until Carnes could take control of the race near the halfway point. "The car was great", added Carnes." It was like it was on a rail."

While Carnes and Porter were battling for the top spot, Joey Senter of Jefferson, Georgia was charging toward the front. Senter was unable to make a serious challenge for the top spot and ended up second. Rounding out the top five were T.J. Reaid of Acworth, Georgia and Addiss. Reaid recovered from two spins during the race and Addiss fought back from a back row start to get a top five finish.

NOTES...
- A good contingent of Palmetto State drivers were on hand including, Carnes, Porter, Addiss, Tommy Stokes and Justin Ashley.

- Another top 10 finish by GAS Series veteran Nick Potts of Jefferson, Georgia.
Potts has finished in the top 10 in all 7 GAS Series events in 2008. Potts finished 8th after recovering from a spin during the event.

- Another tough night for 2007 GAS Series Champion Russell Fleeman at AMS. Fleeman's team changed his rear end after qualifying to try to correct handling issues.
Fleeman finished ninth.

- For more information about the GAS Series, log onto www.georgiaasphaltseries.com.

UP NEXT...
Saturday August 2nd at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia in a 100 lap event. WCS is located just off I-75 at Exit 104.

RESCHEDULED EVENT...
The October 12th GAS Series event at Peach State Speedway has been rescheduled to October 4th at Peach State.

July 18, 2008 Georgia Asphalt Series Anderson Motor Speedway Anderson, SC UpState 100 presented by Thomas Concrete & RS Trucking Official Finishing Order Position-Name-Hometown-Laps Completed 1) Ralph Carnes Anderson, SC 100 2) Randy Porter Easley, SC 100 3) Joey Senter Jefferson, GA 100 4) T.J. Reaid Acworth, GA 100 5) Blair Addiss Greenville, SC 100 6) Greg Simpson Gainesville, GA 100 7) Ryan Sieg Decatur, GA 100 8) Nick Potts Jefferson, GA 100 9) Russell Fleeman Dacula, GA 100 10) Larry Jordan Gainesville, GA 98 11) Tommy Stokes Central, SC 50 12) Justin Ashley Honea Path, SC 47


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