Magnolia Motor Speedway
Washington inspires with first tour victory
By Roby Helm
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series
Chase Washington heads to victory at Magnolia. (Heath Lawson)
COLUMBUS, Miss. (Sept. 1) — Continuing the comeback story of the season, cancer-beating Chase Washington of Houlka, Miss., captured Sunday's NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series 40-lapper at Magnolia Motor Speedway. | Slideshow
Diagnosed in March with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer, Washington had major surgery to remove a foot and half cancerous portion of his small intestine, and then went through six chemotherapy treatments over an 18-week period. The 22-year-old may have lost his hair and some of his strength, but the illness couldn’t take away his desire to race and the will to win.
Washington took the lead on lap 13 and never looked back. The 2012 NeSmith Chevrolet Weekly Racing Series Champion took the checkered flag with a 5.662-second margin of victory over series points leader Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn.
“After all I’ve been through this year, I just can’t find the words to describe how much this win means to me,” an emotional Washington said in victory lane. “I felt good when I got here today, and I really feel good now. I’ve been trying to win one of these NeSmith Touring races since 2009, and to win one, with a Hall of Famer like Ronnie Johnson in second, is like a dream come true.”
Washington also talked about a new good luck charm he had at the races Sunday night, and who will probably have a permanent seat in the hauler for future races.
“My grandmother is here tonight, and it’s the first time she’s watched me race since 2008,” Washington said. “The last time she watched me race in 2008, we won, so I guess we’re going to have to bring her with us from now on.”
Johnson came over and shook Washington’s hand after the race, speaking for many competitors at Magnolia.
“To see Chase Washington in victory lane after all he’s been through is just an inspiration to us all,” Johnson said. “He didn’t just beat me and 22 other drivers tonight, he beat the toughest opponent there is in cancer. We get big checks and trophies for winning these races, and that can’t even come close to what Chase has won in his battle with cancer. His best years are yet to come.”
Johnson stretched his series lead enough to clinch the series title, providing he enters the final two events of the season.
Evan Ellis of Plantersville, Miss., finished third after driving the last three laps of the race with a three-wheeled Ellis Welding Special. Two-time series champ Eric Cooley of Fulton, Miss., charged from the 16th starting spot for four, edging Justin McRee of Cottondale, Ala., who drove Chris O’Connor’s car after wrecking his machine in a consolation race.
Montana Dudley of Phenix City, Ala., led the first 12 laps, but contact with challenger Kyle Shaw exiting turn two on the 13th lap locked the drivers together and both cars hit the backstretch wall, knocking them from contention and handing the lead to Washington.
The next series event is Oct. 3-5 with the sixth annual Gumbo Nationals paying $5,000-to-win at Greenville (Miss.) Speedway.
NeSmith @ Magnolia: (1) Chase Washington, (2) Ronnie Johnson, (3) Evan Ellis, (4) Eric Cooley, (5) Justin McRee, (6) Neil Baggett, (7) Kyle Bronson, (8) Jeremy Shaw, (9) Grant Pearl, (10) Johnny Stokes, (11) Daniel Bridgmon, (12) Brent Barrett, (13) Tait Davenport, (14) Shay Knight, (15) Hunter Carroll, (16) Tony Gray, (17) Nick Thrash, (18) Michael Blount, (19) Chase Edge, (20) Josh Banes, (21) Montana Dudley, (22) Kyle Shaw, (23) Chris O’Connor, (24) Josh Adkins. Fast qualifier (among 35 cars): Dudley, 14.581 seconds. Consolation race winners: O’Connor, Blount. Provisional starters: Davenport, McRee.
