I-77 Speedway
Roberts cruises I-77 for sixth Ultimate victory
CHESTER, S.C. (Sept. 12) — Polesitter Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., raced to his series-leading sixth Ultimate Super Late Model Series victory of the season Thursday night in I-77 Speedway’s Shrine Race.
Roberts, who lowered the track record in time trials, earned $4,000 for a victory in the tour’s first vist to the upstate oval.
Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C., rallied from his sixth starting spot for a runner-up finish while Jeff Smith of Dallas, N.C., was third. Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., and Mike Gault of Gaffney, S.C., rounded out the top five.
Home-state standouts Dennis Franklin of Gaffey and Chris Madden of Gray Court were the race’s first two retirees.
Notes: Roberts drives a Jimmy and Ann Cushman-owned Capital Race Car powered by a Custom Race Engine and sponsored by Starrette Trucking, Cushman Paint & Body, Schaeffer Oil, M&S Concrete, VP Race Fuels and Hoosier Racing Tire. ... Roberts expanded his 66-point lead in his quest for a second straight championship on the Georgia-based series. ... Eight cars were running at the finish. ... Ross Bailes won the Crate Late Model feature. ... The series contested its first event since Aug. 3. ... The Chester County Shrine Race benefited the local Shriners hospital. ... Ultimate competitors return to the track Sept. 14 with a $4,000-to-win program at Lavonia (Ga.) Speedway as part of the Georgia State Championship.
Shrine Race: (1) Casey Roberts, (2) Chris Ferguson, (3) Jeff Smith, (4) Zack Mitchell, (5) Mike Gault, (6) Larry Timms, (7) Anthony Sanders, (8) Frank Coates, (9) Kevin Godwin, (10) Ronnie Hoover, (11) Brian Ledbetter, (12) Brandon Overton, (13) Dennis Franklin, (14) Chris Madden. Fast qualifier (among 15 cars): Roberts, 16.541 seconds. Consolation race winner: Mitchell.
