May 31
Southern Raceway,
Milton, FL
Sanction: Panhandle Challenge Series (NeSmith) - $800
Information provided by: Joshua Joiner (last updated June 2, 4:16 pm)
Points leader grabs SECS victory at Southern
- Cody Smith
- Ryan Crane
- Gary Maher
- Monte Skinner
- Joseph Joiner
- Vic Dolohite
- Tyler Allen
- Lee Mason
- Craig Turner
- Chris Buhler
- Todd Neiheiser
- Dustin Turner
What won the race: Series points leader Cody Smith of Holt, Fla., assumed the lead when Joseph Joiner went to the pit area with an overheating engine during a caution with two laps remaining. Smith, who started from the tail of the field and made multiple trips to the pit area during the attrition-filled race, led the final two laps for his third victory in five races on the Crate Late Model tour’s inaugural season.
Key notes: Smith recovered from a wreck in group qualifying that left his car with heavy front-end damage. … Third-starting Joseph Joiner took the lead just past halfway after battling front-row starters Lee Mason and Todd Neiheiser throughout the first half of the 25-lapper. … Neiheiser gave up third under a lap-13 caution with an overheating engine, and Mason slowed from second on lap 22 when his engine also overheated. … Ryan Crane recovered to finish second after being involved in two cautions. … The caution-plagued race lasted about 90 minutes, the last race in a program running until nearly 2:30 a.m. … Heavy rains during the days leading up to the event left a large amount of mud around the inside of the track, and many cars got stuck. Problems on both of the track’s tractors slowed wreck cleanup throughout the night. … The program began with an hour delay due to issues with track lighting. ... Karl Parks didn't start the feature.
Points chase: Smith increased his lead over Crane and seventh-finishing Tyler Allen in the series standings.
Car count: 13
Fast qualifier: Joseph Joiner
Time: 17.007 seconds
Heat race winners: Lee Mason, Todd Neiheiser
Next series race: June 7, Flomaton Speedway (Flomaton, AL) $800
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.