Screven Motor Speedway

Lanigan, Babb among heat winners at Screven

February 10, 2012, 4:21 pm

By Joshua Joiner

DirtonDirt.com staff writer

SYLVANIA, Ga. (Feb. 10) – Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., topped a stout field of 56 cars during Friday's Winter Freeze qualifying at Screven Motor Speedway and followed it up with a convincing victory in the first of five World of Outlaws Late Model Series heat races. Lanigan and the other heat race winners will redraw Saturday to determine the first five starting positions of the 60-lap, $20,000-to-win main event. Other heat winners were: Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga.; Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn.; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill. | Complete Speedweeks coverage

Fifth heat

Second-starting Shannon Babb took the lead over polesitter Ron Davies on the start of the fifth and final heat race and held off multiple challenges from Davies in leading every lap for the victory. Davies settled for second after fading late in the caution-free race. After charging from the seventh starting position, rookie contender Jared Hawkins overtook fellow rookie Bub McCool for the third and final transfer position with three laps remaining. Rebouncing from a poor qualifying effort, Billy Moyer rallied from the tale of the 11-car field to finish fifth.

Finish: Shannon Babb, Ron Davies, Jared Hawkins, Bub McCool, Billy Moyer, Jack Sullivan, Clint Smith, Pat Doar, Sean Meeks, Philip Pittman, Todd Frank.

Fourth heat

Outside polesitter Ray Cook held off repeated challenges from Steve Shaver on a number of early restarts in the fourth heat and led the entire distance for the victory. Shaver's most serious challenge came after a lap-six restart. He ran alongside Cook for nearly five laps, but failed to complete the pass, allowing Cook to pull back ahead around the lap-10 mark. Shaver settled for the runner-up finish while Kent Robinson held off a hard-charging Brandon Sheppard in a battle of WoO rookie contenders for the third and final transfer position. The race was slowed by four cautions. Jordy Nipper brought out the first caution when he spun in turn one on the first attempt to start the race. Scott James spun in turn three and four to slow the race for a second time, while polesitter Josh McGuire spun while running third on lap five. McGuire's spin collected James and Hunter Peacock. The final caution came on lap six when Scott Phillips got into the turn-one wall.

Finish: Ray Cook, Steve Shaver, Kent Robinson, Brandon Sheppard, Austin Hubbard, Scott James, Josh McGuire, Jordy Nipper, Hunter Peacock, Scott Phillips, John Henderson.

Third heat

Mike Marlar cruised to a convincing victory in the third heat race while a wild battle for the race's other two transfer positions went on behind him. Dennis Franklin Jr. held the second spot early in race, but began to feel pressure from Brandon Overton around halfway. Overton, who earlier used a questionable slide job to move by Casey Barrow for the third position, climbed the left-rear of Franklin's car entering turn three on lap 13. The contact sent both cars for a spin and collected Barrow. However, Franklin was able to do a complete spin and kept his car moving to retain the second position. With heavy damage, Franklin faded to fourth in the two-lap run to the finish, while John Garvin Jr. and Gary Johnson moved up to second and third respectively. The race took three attempts get started. Jason McBride and Casey Barrow tangled on the first start, sending Barrow to the pit area with a flat left-rear tire. Brandon Overton jumped the second start from his fifth-starting position and was penalized two rows. The race was slowed one more time on lap four when mid-pack contact sent Billy Moyer Jr. for a spin on the front straightaway.

Finish: Mike Marlar, John Garvin Jr., Gary Johnson, Dennis Franklin, Billy Moyer Jr., Mike Collins, Chad Hollenbeck, Brandon Overton, Casey Barrow, Jason McBride, Jeff Fortner.

Second heat

Polesitter Shane Clanton grabbed the lead on the start of the second heat race and pulled to more than a straightaway advantage in taking the victory over runner-up Tim McCreadie. Rick Eckert moved by Tim Fuller for the third position early in the race and held the spot the remaining distance to secure at starting spot in Saturday's main event. The race's only caution came on the first attempted start when Brian Reese and Scott Shirey tangled back in the pack. The race ran green after the complete restart.

Finish: Shane Clanton, Tim McCreadie, Rick Eckert, Brent Dixon, Chub Frank, John Lobb, Tim Fuller, Scott Shirey, Brian Reese, Benji Cole.

First heat

After getting the better of fellow front row starter Josh Richards on the race's opening lap, polesitter Darrell Lanigan pulled to a comfortable lead on his way to winning the first heat race. Richards moved by Lanigan down the back straightaway on lap one, but Lanigan went back to the lead when Richards slid high in turns three and four. Lanigan led the remaining distance of the caution-free race. Richards setted for second with Casey Roberts finishing in the third and final transfer position.

Finish: Darrell Lanigan, Josh Richards, Casey Roberts, Chesley Dixon, Gergg Satterlee, Vic Coffey, Dan Stone, Dillan White, Brian Nuttall Jr., Johnny Pursley Jr., Jill George. Scratched: Royce Bray.

Heat race lineups

First heat
Row 1: Darrell Lanigan, Josh Richards
Row2: Casey Roberts, Chesley Dixon
Row 3: Gregg Satterlee, Dan Stone
Row 4: Vic Coffey, Johnny Pursley
Row 5: Brian Nuttall Jr., Jill George
Row 6: Dillan White, Royce Bray

Second heat
Row 1: Shane Clanton, Tim McCreadie
Row 2: John Garvin Jr., Rick Eckert
Row 3: Chub Frank, Brent Dixon
Row 4: Bengi Cole, Scott Shirey
Row 5: John Lobb, Garrette Shurling
Row 6: Brian Reese

Third heat
Row 1: Mike Marlar, Dennis Franklin Jr.
Row 2: Brandon Overton, Casey Barrow
Row 3: Brandon Overton, Jeff Fortner
Row 4: Jason McBride, Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 5: Mike Collins, Greg Johnson
Row 6: Chad Hollenback

Fourth heat
Row 1: Josh McGuire, Ray Cook
Row 2: Brandon Sheppard, Steve Shaver
Row 3: Jordy Nipper, Austin Hubbard
Row 4: Scott James, John Henderson
Row 5: Kent Robinson, Hunter Peacock
Row 6: Scott Phillips

Fifth heat
Row 1: Ron Davies, Shannon Babb
Row 2: Clint Smith, Bub McCool
Row 3: Pat Doar, Jack Sullivan
Row 4: Jared Hawkins, Sean Meeks
Row 5: Todd Frank, Phillip Pittman
Row 6: Billy Moyer

Qualifying

Topping a field of 56 qualifiers, Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., earned fast time honors during Friday night’s time trials for the $20,000-to-win Winter Freeze at Screven Motor Speedway. Lanigan posted a lap of 14.305 seconds around the 3/8-mile oval to earn the pole for the first of five World of Outlaws Late Model Series heat races coming up later in the evening.

Other heat race polesitters after qualifying are: Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga.; Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn.; Josh McGuire of Grayson, Ky.; and Ron Davies of Warren, Pa. The top three finishers from each heat race will transfer into Saturday night’s 60-lap main event.

Two-time World of Outlaws champion Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., posted the sixth fastest time after suffering heavy sheet metal damage to the right-rear corner of his race car when he tried to dodge the spinning car of Tim McCreadie and slapped the turn-four wall. McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., recovered from his spin to post the seventh quickest time on his second lap.

Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., had a disappointing qualifying run. He nearly spun on his first lap then posted the slowest of the 55 lap times recorded with a lap of 15.624 seconds on his second lap.

Royce Bray of Hull, Ga., was the only driver not to post a time. He went for a wild ride on his first qualifying lap, making heavy contact with the wall in turns one and two then rolling multiple times. Bray was uninjured, but his race car was totaled.

Time trials results

29 - Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky., 14.305
25 - Shane Clanton, Fayetteville, Ga., 14.4
5 - Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn., 14.48
41 - Josh McGuire, Grayson, Ky., 14.549
71D - Ron Davies, Warren, Pa., 14.561
1 - Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va., 14.707
39 - Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y., 14.715
27 - Dennis Franklin, Gaffney, S.C., 14.744
53 - Ray Cook, Brasstown, N.Y., 14.746
18 - Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill., 14.753
101 - Casey Roberts, Toccoa, Ga., 14.788
19 - Tim Fuller, Edwards, N.Y., 14.791
J4 - John Garvin Jr., Sarver, Pa., 14.795
B5 - Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill., 14.811
44 - Clint Smith, Senoia, Ga., 14.819
3 - Chesley Dixon, Swainsboro, Ga., 14.841
24 - Rick Eckert, York, Pa., 14.852
98 - Casey Barrow, Winder, Ga., 14.858
6 - Steve Shaver, Vienna, W.Va., 14.861
22 - Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, Pa., 14.891
57j - Bub McCool, Vicksburg, Miss., 14.891
1*- Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa., 14.895
76 - Brandon Overton, Aplin, Ga., 14.923
1n - Jordy Nippler, Gray, Ga., 14.945
11 - Pat Doar, New Richmond, Wis., 14.95
21D - Dan Stone, Thompson, Pa., 14.956
1 - Brent Dixon, Elberton, Ga., 14.967
27 - Jeff Fortner, Vidalia, Ga., 14.983
11 - Austin Hubbard, Seaford, Del., 14.984
1s - Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark., 15.036
32c - Vic Coffey, Caledonia, N.Y., 15.036
121 - Benji Cole, Canon, Ga., 15.038
77 - Jason McBride, Carbondale, Ill., 15.046
81 - Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind., 15.069
37 - Jared Hawkins, Fairmont, W.Va., 15.072
09 - Johnny Pursley, Clover, S.C., 15.075
10 - Scott Shirey, Gadsden, S.C., 15.104
21jr - Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark., 15.112
2x - John Henderson, Aiken, S.C., 15.125
5 - Sean Meeks, Guyton, Ga., 15.126
16 - Brian Nuttall Jr., Claxton, Ga., 15.153
28 - John Lobb, Frewsburg, N.Y., 15.161
3 - Mike Collins, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 15.167
7r - Kent Robinson, Bloomington, Ind., 15.18
21 - Todd Frank, Green Bay, Wis., 15.184
22 - Jill George, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 15.192
G4 - Garrett Schurling, Black Greek, Ga., 15.193
49 - Greg Johnson, Bedford, Ind., 15.233
12 - Hunter Peacock, Macon, Ga., 15.327
3 - Phil Pittman, Vidalia, Gal., 15.362
54 - Dillan White, Crofton, Ky., 15.391
33 - Brian Reese, Sharpsburg, Ga.,, 15.428
4ds - Chad Hollenbeck, Kingsley, Pa., 15.474
50 - Scott Phillips, Marlette, Mich., 15.531
21 - Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark., 15.624
21 - Royce Bray, Hull, Ga., no time

Wild ride for Royce Bray

Royce Bray of Hull, Ga., went for a wild ride on his first qualifying lap, hitting the wall and rolling multiple times in the middle of turns one and two. Bray was not injured, but the car appears to be totaled. The program is under a brief delay while safety crews work to remove Bray's car and examine damage to the wall. Bray was the first driver to take the track for qualifying.

Hot laps notes

Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., was the fastest driver in hot laps, turning a best lap of 13.367 seconds. Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., and Jared Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., made up the remainder of the fastest five drivers in hot laps. ... Vic Coffey of Caledonia, N.Y., went hard into the wall between turns one and two during his hot lap run, causing heavy damage to the right side of his race car. ... John Lobb of Frewsburg, N.Y., went for a spin in turn four, but avoided contact with the wall or any other race cars.

Pre-race notes

WoO rookie contender Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss., is among drivers to arrive at Screven today after skipping Thursday night’s practice session. ... Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., swapped engines today after experiencing mechanical issues Thursday. ... Home-state drivers Garrett Shurling and Sean Meeks are among drivers planning to compete in both the Super Late Model and Limited Late Model divisions. Those drivers plan to shed weight off their spec-engine powered race cars to move up a division. ... Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., was schedule to compete in this weekend’s event, but blew an engine during Thursday practice session. O’Neal’s MasterSbilt Race Cars house car team traveled back to Indiana last night to make repairs before heading to East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla., for next week’s Dart Winternationals. ... Terry Casey of New London, Wis., is another scratch for the weekend’s race. He had multiple mechanical issues while testing at Screven earlier in the week and decided to skip the race. He won’t race until East Bay next week. ... Jack Sullivan of Greenbrier, Ark., and Dillan White of Crofton, Ky., were among drivers forced into backup cars during Thursday’s practice. Sullivan, the GRT Race Cars house car driver, blew an engine in his primary car, while White had rear end issues. ... The event has attracted nearly 30 Limited Late Models for tonight's $1,500-to-win event. ... Crate Late Models will compete Saturday night.

Unofficial entry list

No. - Driver, hometown
1 - Brent Dixon, Elberton, Ga.
1 - Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va.
1*- Chub Frank, Bear Lake, Pa.
1n - Jordy Nippler, Gray, Ga.
1s - Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark.
2x - John Henderson, Aiken, S.C.
3 - Mike Collins, Council Bluffs, Iowa
3 - Chesley Dixon, Swainsboro, Ga.
3 - Phil Pittman, Vidalia, Gal.
G4 - Garrett Schurling, Black Greek, Ga.
4ds - Chad Hollenbeck, Kingsley, Pa.
J4 - John Garvin Jr., Sarver, Pa.
B5 - Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Ill.
5 - Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tenn.
6 - Steve Shaver, Vienna, W.Va.
7r - Kent Robinson, Bloomington, Ind.
09 - Johnny Pursley, Clover, S.C.
10 - Scott Shirey, Gadsden, S.C.
11 - Pat Doar, New Richmond, Wis.
12 - Hunter Peacock, Macon, Ga.
16 - Brian Nuttall Jr., Claxton, Ga.
18 - Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, Ill.
19 - Tim Fuller, Edwards, N.Y.
21 - Billy Moyer, Batesville, Ark.
21 - Royce Bray, Hull, Ga.
21 - Todd Frank, Green Bay, Wis.
21D - Dan Stone, Thompson, Pa.
21jr - Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
22 - Gregg Satterlee, Rochester Mills, Pa.
22 - Jill George, Cedar Falls, Iowa
24 - Rick Eckert, York, Pa.
25 - Shane Clanton, Fayetteville, Ga.
27 - Dennis Franklin, Gaffney, S.C.
27 - Jeff Fortner, Vidalia, Ga.
28 - John Lobb, Frewsburg, N.Y.
29 - Darrell Lanigan, Union, Ky.
32c - Vic Coffey, Caledonia, N.Y.
33 - Brian Reese, Sharpsburg, Ga.,
37 - Jared Hawkins, Fairmont, W.Va.
39 - Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.
41 - Josh McGuire, Grayson, Ky.
44 - Clint Smith, Senoia, Ga.
49 - Greg Johnson, Bedford, Ind.
50 - Scott Phillips, Marlette, Mich.
53 - Ray Cook, Brasstown, N.Y.
54 - Dillan White, Crofton, Ky.
57 - Bub McCool, Vicksburg, Miss.
71D - Ron Davies, Warren, Pa.
76 - Brandon Overton, Aplin, Ga.
77 - Jason McBride, Carbondale, Ill.
81 - Scott James, Lawrenceburg, Ind.
98 - Casey Barrow, Winder, Ga.
101 - Casey Roberts, Toccoa, Ga.
121 - Benji Cole, Canon, Ga.