By: T. J. Layne
COAL GROVE, OHIO-With heavy rains falling all around the tri-state area, the sun was shining at Rocky Top as the ninth race of the season was able to get underway. With new clay on the track and a great quality field of cars in the pits, it proved to be another exciting night of racing!
In the 25 lap Late Model A-Main, Independent Racing Series regular Wayne Chinn took the lead at the start as the field battled hard behind him. 2006 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year Eddie Carrier Jr. settled into second and rode right on Chinn’s bumper for the first seven laps. On lap eight, Carrier put his Carl Grover owned machine up top and after two laps of battling side by side, took the lead from Chinn. Carrier then dominated the remaining laps of the race to take his first win of the season at Rocky Top! Chinn finished second with Josh Bocook third, Shawn Holliday fourth, and Kevin Wagner in fifth. Chinn and Carrier won Carl Grover Motorsports heat races.
In the Modified A-Main, two time track champion Todd Robinson took the lead at the start. Robinson held about a ten car length lead for the first half of the race as the best battle was from third on back between Eddie Harmon, Jason Perry, and Rick Walker. As the race went into it’s second half, second place runner Greg Thompson started to reel in Robinson but wouldn’t have enough as Robinson took his second win of the season at Rocky Top! Thompson finished second with Jason Perry third, Rick Walker fourth, and Miles Cook fifth. Robinson and Harmon won Carl Grover Motorsports heat races.
In the Bomber A-Main, Wayne Hughes took the lead at the start. David Dunn immediately moved his machine into second as a caution flag flew on lap three. On the restart, Hughes continued to pull away up front as now Perry Dearing got by Dunn for second at the halfway mark. On a restart with three laps left, Dearing had a shot at Hughes but wouldn’t have enough as Wayne Hughes took his fourth win of the season at Rocky Top! Dearing finished second with Brett Carey charging to finish third. David Dunn finished fourth with Jason Rayburn fifth. Hughes and John Rayburn won Carl Grover Motorsports heat races.
“The most exciting, action packed show in town” at Rocky Top continues on Friday, July 6th with a four division show of Late Models, Modifieds, Bombers, and Mod Lites. This will be the final chance for Late Model and Bomber drivers to get laps on the track before their highest ever paying races at RTR on July 13th. General Admission is only $12 with Pit Admission $25. For more information go to www.rockytopraceway.net.