The hills of Cave Springs thundered back to life for the final points race of the 2016 season at The Bad Fast Taz. Coming into the night’s action the points leaders in each division had already had enough markers to claim the titles yet the chase was still on for runner up spots in four classes. The top three in points in each division will be awarded trophies and monies on Saturday September 24th.
Fourteen Limited Late Models signed in with Dakotah Knuckles of Ewing, VA turning the only 11 second lap in qualifying. Former Super Late Model champion Brian Hendrix of Knoxville would record the second quickest time and Michael Rutherford of Duff turning in the third quickest time.
After the invert draw Rutherford would start on the pole of the thirty lap feature with Hendrix starting on the outside. With the drop of the green Hendrix used the preferred outside line to take the lead with Rutherford settling into second. Behind them Knuckles and points leader Jason Trammell of Knoxville went door to door battling for third. On lap four Knuckles worked his way past Rutherford for second. Two laps later Knuckles used the ultra fast racing surface to power his way past Hendrix and take the lead. The caution flag would fly on lap twelve for Marty Calloway of Maynardville as he spun on his own in turn four. During the caution Hendrix would pull off of the track giving up second. On the restart Knuckles set sail to lead the rest of the way for his second win of the season in the Timberline Barns, Hill’s Truck Repair, Hickory Star Marina, Marcum Oil, Dr. Brent Pursifull, Jovida Enterprises Pat Howerton Roofing, Florida Veterinarian, Liberty Sport & Pawn, JKL Trucking, C&C Landscaping, High Velocity Heads, Vic Hill Racing Engine powered Brucebilt Performance Rocket Chassis.
Jason Trammell earned his eighth points championship at Tazewell Speedway with Dakotah Knuckles earning second and Brian Shockley finishing third.
Limited Late Model
1. 21K Dakotah Knuckles
2. 90J Jason Trammell
3. 18 Michael Rutherford
4. 22 Lynn Leach
5. 144 Chris Barton
6. 15 Donovan Long
7. 17 Brian Shockley
8. 9X Marvin Flack
9. 5 Brian Hendrix
10. 7 Marty Calloway
11. 1 David Clark
DNS 2 Jordan Davis
DNS 22 Matthew Holt
DNS 56J Jody Horton
Former Limited Late Model champion Travis Fultz of Harrogate returned to Victory Lane after leading every lap of the Sportsman feature. Anthony Burchett turned a blistering 11.958 second lap in time trials with Fultz turning in the second quickest time. Clyde Overholt of Tazewell, driving teammate Jonathan Miracle’s car due to problems with his own car, would start on the pole of the feature after the invert draw with Fultz lining up on his right.
As the field took the green Fultz stormed into the lead with Overholt, Cody Smith of Barbourville, KY and Burchett giving chase. By lap nine the leaders were dealing with lap traffic. On lap sixteen Smith, who came into the night third in points, dropped out of contention with front suspension damage. Fultz would pace the rest of the laps for his first win since August of 2013 in the Bailey’s Body Shop, Tim Fletcher Heating & Cooling, Petty’s Wrecker Service, Overholt Fabrication sponsored Rayburn Race Car powered by a DJ’s Performance Race Engine.
Jonathan Miracle earned his first Sportsman points championship with Clyde Overholt finishing second and Matt Tharp earning enough points and wins to finish third.
Sportsman
1. T0 Travis Fultz
2. 50 Clyde Overholt
3. 35 Matt Tharp
4. 97 Aaron Guinn
5. 41 Richard Bailey
6. 53 Floyd Branham
7. 7 Marty Calloway
8. 28 Randy Davis
9. 54 Mitchell Burke
10. 11 Cody Smith
11. 24 Andy Wilder
12. 15 Wade Howerton
13. 18 Anthony Burchett
14. 99 Jeff Day
15. 14 Nick Kniat
16. 21 Bryan Howerton
17. C12 Terry Painter
Don Adams of London, KY led every lap of the Open Wheel Modified feature to score his sixth win of the season in the Rayburn Performance Engine powered Lightning Race Car. Adams also earned his first points championship of his career with Billy Palmer finishing second and Jody Puckett finishing third.
Open Wheel Modified
1. 90 Don Adams
2. 33Z Zach Powers
3. J4 Tyler James
4. 4 Wayne James
DNS 36 Billy Palmer
Cody Thompson of Tazewell earned his first career win after taking the early lead in the Super Stock Buster Cupp Memorial. The win didn’t come easy as he had to hold off fast qualifier Brad Davis, who pulled even with Thompson several times. In a great display of sportsmanship Davis and other drivers greeted Thompson in Victory Lane. Thompson got the win in the Thompson Farms, Low Key Window Tinting, Slim & Trim Weight Loss Center, Legacy Printing & Antiques, Southern Pride Recycling, Clanton Landscaping, Willow Brook Farm, BWI Welding & Fabrication, Double D farms sponsored Cow Town Chassis Monte Carlo.
Brad Davis captured the points championship with Cody Thompson coming in second and Austin Neely third.
Super Stock
1. 83 Cody Thompson
2. 88 Brad Davis
3. 42 Robbie Comer
4. P21 Robbie Buchanan
5. K5 Blake Kelley
6. C4 Logan Cobb
7. 310 Jeremy Howard
8. 56 Tony Horton
9. 92 Faron Robinson
John Stevens of Wallins Creek, KY collected his twelfth win of the season by leading all the way in the Classic Car feature. Stevens would also earn his first points championship with his cousin Tim Stevens finishing second and fellow Kentuckian Hayston Collett finishing third.
Classic Car
1. 7 John Stevens
2. 5 Hayston Collett
3. 44 Jason Carroll
4. 4 Brian Saylor
5. 17 Tim Stevens
Jamie James of Hartford scored his second 4 Cylinder win in the Knox Hardwood Finishing, Ernie’s Tires sponsored Back Yard Chassis Ford Taurus. James took over the lead on lap eleven after Chuck McMahan dropped out with rear axle issues.
Chuck McMahan captured another 4 Cylinder points championship with Bubby Braden and Rufus Collett finishing second and third respectfully
4 Cylinder
1. 13 Jamie James
2. B7 Bubby Braden
3. 1 Mark Wallace
4. 22 Chris Reichert
5. 72 Rufus Collett
6. 99 Chuck McMahan
7. 72 Walter Walsh
DNS 723 Brandon Creech
