Smoky Mountain Speedway
Wilson dominates Smoky Mountain for first victory
By Roby Helm
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series
Chris Wilson heads to victory at Smoky Mountain. (Brian McLeod)
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (April 2) — Fast qualifier and polesitter Chris Wilson of Crossville, Tenn., dominated Saturday's NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series 50-lapper Smoky Mountain Speedway, capturing his first career series victory and earning $2,500.
After out-timing 41 entrants with a lap around 4/10-mile clay oval in 17.877 seconds, Wilson led every lap. The only time the rest of the field could get within striking distance of Wilson was when he was working lapped traffic. | Slideshow
“We won a race here at Smoky Mountain Speedway last year in our first time in a Late Model, so to win here tonight against this tough competition is great,” Wilson said. “The lapped cars were very courteous, and gave us room to race.”
Finishing 1.236 seconds behind Wilson at the checkered flag was fellow Crossville driver Randy Weaver. Weaver was able to close within one length of Wilson on a few occasions in lapped traffic, but settled for second.
Hometown drivers David Crabtree and Tommy Kerr finished third and fourth while Kayne Hickman of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., rounded out the top five.
Ninth-place finisher Dan Breuer of Mooresville, N.C., left as the series points leader with a 14-point edge on former champion David Gentry of Lewisburg, Tenn.
Next up for series competitors is a $5,000-to-win event on April 8-9 at Greenville (Miss.) Speedway.
NeSmith @ Smoky Mountain: (1) Chris Wilson, (2) Randy Weaver, (3) David Crabtree, (4) Tommy Kerr, (5) Kayne Hickman, (6) Jason Trammell, (7) David Gentry, (8) Mark Vineyard, (9) Dan Breuer, (10) Patrick Duggan, (11) Todd Coffman, (12) Bobby Giffin, (13) Hunter Best, (14) Mark Rosner, (15) Shannon Lee, (16) Steve Cooke, (17) Mike Weeks, (18) Matthew Turner, (19) Brandon Williams, (20) Jake Teague, (21) Brian Ownby, (22) Anthony White, (23) Tom Maddox, (24) Chase Edge. Fast qualifier (among 41 cars): Wilson, 17.877 seconds. Heat race winners: Kerr, Ownby, Rosner, Gentry. Provisional starter: Turner.
