Waycross Motor Speedway
Moran survives, wins $10,000 at Waycross
By Todd Turner
DirtonDirt.com managing editorWAYCROSS, Ga. (Feb. 9) — Action is under way Saturday at Waycross Motor Speedway for the Crosby Cadillac GMC Battle in the Swamp, a 50-lap unsanctioned Super Late Model event paying $10,000-to-win. All preliminary results are unofficial:
Main event
With race-long leader Eric Jacobsen blowing a tire heading toward the white flag, Donnie Moran grabbed a $10,000 victory in the Battle of the Swamp. Moran started outside the front row and slipped back to a distant fourth in the early-going, but flat tires for Billy Moyer, Ross Bailes and then Jacobsen elevated him to victory as he led only the final two laps of the 50-lap main event.
Battle in the Swamp: (1) Donnie Moran, (2) Mark Whitener, (3) Chris Madden, (4) Billy Moyer Jr., (5) Ross Bailes, (6) Dean Bowen, (7) Eric Jacobsen, (8) Billy Moyer, (9) Cale Simons, (10) Devin Moran, (11) Don O’Neal, (12) Lavon Sparks, (13) Christian Augspurger, (14) Steven Skipper, (15) Jay Sessoms.
Intermission
The main event is scheduled to start at 10:15 p.m. ... Eric Jacobsen and Donnie Moran will start on the front row for the main event. ... With National Late Model Series heat races cancelled, only features are remaining with pure stocks, NLMS, Super Late Models and finally Limited Sportsman. ... During the intermission following preliminaries, there are long lines at the concession stands and bathrooms as Waycross as drawn a big crowd for its Speedweeks event. ... The track ran out of parking and those arriving last were asked to park in the adjacent Okefenokee Fairgrounds. ... Feature races are scheduled to start just after 9 p.m. on a cool night. ... Although temperatures are near 50 degrees, it's far warmer than last year's Battle in the Swamp.
Second heat
Outside front-row starter Donnie Moran beat polesitter Mark Whitener into turn one and raced to a six-lap victory. Moran wasn't challenged the rest of the way in taking the victory while fifth-starting Billy Moyer was the runner-up after taking the second spot from Chris Madden at the white flag. Whitener slid up in turn one on the first lap and slipped back to third, then fell back to fourth as Moyer headed for the front. Moran will start outside the front row in the main event.
Finish: Donnie Moran, Billy Moyer, Chris Madden, Mark Whitener, Don O'Neal, Lavon Sparks, Jay Sessoms.
First heat
Surviving a collision with fellow front-row starter Cale Simons as they entered turn one on the opening lap, fast qualifier Eric Jacobsen cruised to a six-lap victory in the first heat. Jacobsen built nearly a half-straightaway lead by the halfway point of the brief prelim in grabbing the pole position for the main event. While Simons was shuffled back to third, Ross Bailes got the second spot, finishing far behind Jacobsen. Simons crossed the line third, but flames quicky appeared under the hood of his No. C2 and he rolled to a stop in turn one. Emergency crews surrounded his car to douse the fire and his car was pushed back to the pits; he was apparently unhurt.
Finish: Eric Jacobsen, Ross Bailes, Cale Simons, Billy Moyer Jr., Devin Moran, Dean Bowen, Christian Augspurger, Steven Skipper.
Qualifying
Eric Jacobsen of Santa Cruz, Calif., was fastest among 15 qualifiers Saturday at Waycross Motor Speedway for the Crosby Cadillac GMC Battle in the Swamp, a 50-lap unsanctioned Super Late Model event paying $10,000-to-win.
Jacobsen will start on the pole of the first of two heat races during preliminaries at the 4/10-mile oval, which is taking part in the Super Late Model portion of Georgia-Florida Speedweeks for the second straight season. Mark Whitener of Middleburg, Fla., will start on the pole of the second heat as the 15 cars will be split up for a pair of six-lap heat races.
Besides Super Late Models, the racing program includes Limited Late Models sanctioned by the Hedman Husler National Late Model Series along with the track’s limited sportsman and pure stock divisions.
Pre-race notes
From a distance, Eric Jacobsen’s car doesn’t appear to have a number, but his No. 5 shows up when a camera flash is used. Manual scorers might have an issue, but “as long as we’re on transponders, they shouldn’t” mind, Jacobsen said. ... The 15 cars are six fewer than last year's event. ... Jonathan Davenport, last year's winner, isn't among this year's entries. ... While the race is unsanctioned, it’s being officiated by members of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series; series director Ritchie Lewis lives in Waycross. ... Waycross hosted practice on Friday night. ... The 14 Super Late Models will be split into two six-car heat races. ... After hot laps, pure stock heat races are scheduled following by time trials for Super Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Limited Late Models. Super and Limited heat races follow. After an intermission, the features roll for pure stocks, NLMS, Super Late Models and finally Limited Sportsman. ... Joseph Joiner of Milton, Fla., broke a motor in practice and scratched for the weekend. ... Steven Skipper of Hilliard, Fla., was a late entrant in the Super Late Model division. ... The NLMS feature will pay $4,000-to-win; the series drew 20 cars, just enough to pay $4,000 instead of $3,000-to-win. ... NLMS regular Evan Becton of Valdosta, Fla., practiced Friday, but series officials said he suffered eye injuries while welding and he isn't competing Saturday. ... The track has been slightly reconfigured for 2013 with the infield being pushed out in turns three and four, forcing drivers to use a little extra finesse to maneuver through the narrowest part of the track.
Heat race lineups
First heat
Row 1: Eric Jacobsen, Cale Simons
Row 2: Ross Bailes, Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 3: Devin Moran, Dean Bowen
Row 4: Christian Augspurger, Steven Skipper
Second heat
Row 1: Mark Whitener, Donnie Moran
Row 2: Chris Madden, Lavon Sparks
Row 3: Billy Moyer, Don O'Neal
Row 4: Jay Sessoms
