Quick Results for GAS from 8/18
The Stars of the GAS series were once again in action at Peach State Speedway. Up for grabs along with with winners purse was an automatic berth into the upcoming World Crown 300. It was clear the drivers were thinking about that automatic berth as action was fast and furious from the drop of the green flag.
Michael Pope won the pole and rolled a 3 on the inversion. This put points leader Russle Freelman along with runner up last race Jimmy Garmon on the front row, relegating Pope back to the third starting position. Garmon jumper to the start at the drop of the green, and Pope slid by Fleeman into second. After a couple early yellows before lap 10 Pope had managed to grab the lead, and Wes Burton had moved himself into second position. Bubba Pollard who always runs well at Peach State had maneuvered himself into the third spot in the running order. Garmon and Fleeman rounded out the top five.
On lap 27 the cars of Mickey Wright, Joe Click, Russell Fleeman and Jimmy Garmon tangled off of turn number two. All were able to continue. Garmon just side swiped the incident and never lost a spot. Fleeman restarted 24th and would have his work cut out for him to come back up through the field. By lap number 33 Fleeman was charging through the field, and had moved up to the 14th spot. Meanwhile Joel Anderson who came within just a handful of laps of winning the last GAS race at Peach State was riding along in seventh position after starting 13th. Just past half way there was a crash involving the automobiles of Mickey Wright and Shane Nalley. The race was red flagged and Wright was checked out by the paramedics. It is believed she received some type of injury to her foot or ankle.
When the race went back under green, it was a pack of hungry drivers looking for that checkered flag. The race was winding down, and several drivers who hadn't won this season were running near the front. On lap 78 Bubba Pollard took the lead from Michael Pope. Pope stayed right on his heals, and the #98 of Fleeman, #19 of Fredrick Moore, and #29 of Michael Phelps where in hot pursuit. Pollard looked to have the race well in hand when the cars running second through fifth got caught up with lapped traffic. Pollard built a big lead, and was looking like it was smooth sailing. Then there was an accident on the back straight, with just five laps remaining; and it involved many of the race leaders. Pollard got collected, along with Fleeman, Garmon, and Ronnie Sanders. Again the race was red flagged for track clean up.
When the green hankie once again flew Michael Pope once again found himself out front. Fredrick Moore was second, followed by Michael Phelps, Spencer Maggard, and Wes Burton. The yellow was quick to fly again as Maggard jumped to the inside to make the pass on Phelps,.. they bumped once and then again,.. and Maggard went around. Just good clean hard racing by both guys and one drivers car got loose. Exciting stuff. The yellow flew for the final time, and set up the final restart. On the restart Pope spun the tires, and Moore jumped to the inside. With Peach state having two and three real good racing grooves, Pope had a good run on the high side, and the two cars ran side by side the last two laps. Pope was able to pull a car length ahead coming off of turn number four coming to the checkers and claim his first win of the season, and also that coveted guaranteed spot into the World Crown 300 coming up in November.
Top 5 Finishers
Michael Pope
Fredrick Moore
Michael Phelps
Wes Burton
Joey Senter