Fort Payne Motor Speedway
Ingram dominates, earns $5,000 at Fort Payne
By Roby Helm
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series
Frank Ingram (F9) leads Chip Brindle (38). (mikessportsimages.com)
FORT PAYNE, Ala. (July 4) — Frank Ingram of Woodstock, Ga., led all but the first lap of the Red Top Auto Auction 75 at Fort Payne Motor Speedway for his first NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series victory of the season. Starting outside the front row, Ingram took the lead from polesitter Blake Stewart of Centre, Ala., on the second lap and never looked back to take a three-length victory over series points leader Chip Brindle of Chatsworth, Ga. Ingram earned $5,000.
“Blake and I raced side-by-side for the first couple of laps, but I was running the high side and could drive about two or three car lengths further in the corners, and that’s what it took to take the lead,” Ingram said. “I then covered the bottom for the rest of the race because I didn’t know who was behind me, or how far back of me they were, but I knew if they were going to pass me, it would have to be on the outside.”
The event was delayed more than 90 minutes by late afternoon and early evening showers, but the drivers came out twice to pack the track so the show could begin. A packed grandstand of spectators patiently waited during the rain, and were treated to an action-packed show.
Eric Cooley of Fulton, Miss., finished third and earned the Sunoco Race Fuels Rookie of the Race Award. Jordy Nipper of Gray, Ga., took the fourth spot and Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, Ga., was fifth. Tom Maddox of Centre was sixth and Hall of Fame driver Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., came from 16th to finish seventh.
Notes: Ingram's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Dixon Hauling and Grading. ... Chip Brindle leads the title chase with 804 points over Larry Boutwell (740), Chris Tays (736) and Scott Knowles (704). ... Rusty Hoge was unable to start the main event because of mechanical problems; Matthew Turner was added to the field as an alternate. ... Jason Hiett won Hard Charger honors for his 23rd-to-eighth run. ... The series next heads to a pair of Alabama tracks on July 18-19. Penton Raceway opens the weekend followed by an event at East Alabama Speedway in Phenix City. Each race pays $2,500 to the winner with a $2,000 bonus available for a weekend sweep.
NeSmith @ Fort Payne: (1) Frank Ingram, (2) Chip Brindle, (3) Eric Cooley, (4) Jordy Nipper, (5) Derrick Rainey, (6) Tom Maddox, (7) Ronnie Johnson, (8) Jason Hiett, (9) Brandon Overton, (10) Jason Wilson, (11) Scott Knowles, (12) Matthew Turner, (13) Chase Washington, (14) Chris Tays, (15) Kasey Hall, (16) Blake Stewart, (17) Larry Boutwell, (18) Mitchell Browning, (19) Hunter Peacock, (20) Kenny Hall, (21) Curtis Cline, (22) Marcus Minga, (23) Jimmy Kay, (24) Ted Lackey. Fast qualifier (among 40 cars): Stewart, 14.618 seconds. Heat race winners: Stewart, Ingram, Brindle, Washington. Consolation winners: Rusty Hoge, Browning. Provisional starters: Knowles, Hiett.
