Columbus Speedway
Hollingsworth holds off Johnson, wins at Columbus
By Roby Helm
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model SeriesCOLUMBUS, Miss. (June 21) — Ronny Lee Hollingsworth of Northport, Ala., used his extensive experience at Columbus Speedway, picking the right groove at the right time, to capture the GM Performance 40 for the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. High-riding Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., pressed Hollingsworth hard right down to the checkered flag, but couldn't follow up his North Alabama Speedway victory with a second weekend win.
“I’ve got a million laps around this place, and I’ve learned how to read the track to know when to get in what groove,” said Hollingsworth, who picked up his first career victory on the Crate series. “I ran the first 10 laps on the high side, and then went to the bottom. I knew somebody was challenging me on the outside, and I knew they had to be good to run up there.”
Johnson came through the pack from the ninth starting spot to take the second spot on lap 32. A couple of late-race caution flags erased the full straightaway lead of Hollingsworth, and Johnson made a couple of challenges for the lead, but Hollingsworth got off the bottom of the turns strong enough to stay in front.
Chris O’Connor of Cantonment, Fla, finished third and hometown driver Rick Rickman was fourth. Fast qualifier Larry Boutwell of Baker, Fla, was fifth and cut series points leader Chip Brindles lead to 34 from 64 points. Brindle was last in the 24-car field.
NeSmith @ Columbus: (1) Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, (2) Ronnie Johnson, (3) Chris O'Connor (4) Rick Rickman, (5) Larry Boutwell, (6) Eddie Rickman, (7) Cliff Williams, (8) Josh Putnam, (9) Hunter Peacock, (10) Eric Cooley, (11) Ben McCreary, (12) Derrick Rainey, (13) Mark Stokes, (14) Chris Tays, (15) Ted Lackey, (16) Jason Hiett, (17) Justin Carter, (18) Shawn Edwards, (19) Lucky Keeton, (20) Brian Rickman, (21) Jason Sanderford, (22) Scott Knowles, (23) Tom Maddox, (24) Chip Brindle. Fast qualifier (among 37 cars): Boutwell, 14.781 seconds. Consolation winners: Keeton, Stokes. Provisional starters: Peacock, Hiett.
