November 20
Boyd's Speedway,
Ringgold, GA
Sanction: Valvoline Iron-Man Southern Series (Joe Lee Johnson Memorial Gobbler) - $5,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated November 21, 8:27 am)
Johnson gobbles first Iron-Man victory, $5,000
Joe Lee Johnson Memorial Gobbler
- Ronnie Johnson
- Jensen Ford
- Chase King
- Cory Hedgecock
- Eli Beets
- Heath Hindman
- Cameron Weaver
- Robby Mason
- Dalton Cook
- Tod Hernandez
- Sam Seawright
- Jadon Frame
- David Payne
- Josh Hall
- Jeff Neubert
- Kyler Haygood
- Andy Picklesimer
- Steve Smith
- Christian Hanger
- Ethan Hunter
- Chris Jones
- Ray Cook
- Jordan Rodabaugh
- David Seibers
Hall of Famer Ronnie Johnson won his fourth career Gobbler.
What won the race: Taking the lead on a lap-12 restart, polesitter Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., paced the final 28 circuits and cruised to win Saturday's $5,000 33rd annual Gobbler feature at Boyd's Speedway. The Hall of Famer earned his first career Valvoline Iron-Man Southern Series victory at a track where he’s won throughout his long career.
Quotable: “Hat’s off to (promoter) Riley (Hickman). All these cars on the racetrack and we could just race on it all over,” Johnson said. “This is absolutely the best shape it’s been in all year. It was really fast qualifying. We certainly had to move around. Jensen (Ford) showed me where I needed to be there and you know the 12 car (Ethan Hunter) fell out, so I hate that for him. But man, any win’s a good one, but this means a lot in a lot of ways … in a lot of ways.”
Key notes: Tying fellow Hall of Famer Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., for the most career Gobbler victories, Johnson won his fourth career Gobbler and first since 1996 at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway. His other victories in the long-running event came in 1990 and 1992. … The race also honored Johnson's father, Joe Lee Johnson, a former NASCAR driver and long-time promoter of Cleveland Speedway. Johnson was clearly emotional in victory lane while expressing how much the victory meant to him. ... Johnson is the 12th different winner in the last 12 Iron-Man Southern Series events. ... Series points leader Jensen Ford of Johnson City, Tenn., led lap 11 before being passed by Johnson. He settled for the runner-up position, 0.343 seconds back. ... After leading the first 10 laps from the outside front row, Ethan Hunter of Tiger, Ga., was involved in an incident during a restart attempt and relegated to 20th. ... The feature was slowed by four separate incidents and lasted 28 minutes, with 12 competitors completing all 40 laps. … Saturday's feature, the sixth visit to Boyd's Speedway in series history, … The Iron-Man tour wraps up the season Nov. 27 at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn.
On the move: Cameron Weaver of Crossville, Tenn., started 21st and finished seventh.
Winner's sponsors: Johnson’s Capital Race Car is sponsored by Chattanooga Valley Auto Parts, Whitfield, Brothers Irrigation, Broome’s Wrecker Service, Cain’s Towing, B&A Farms, Dodd Bros., Scnaeffer’s, Turman Builders Supply and Don’s Foreign Car Repair.
Points chase: Before Boyd's: 1. Jensen Ford (836); 2. Michael Chilton (502); 3. Donald McIntosh (482); 4. Dustin Nobbe (423); 5. Tristan Chamberlain (349).
Current weather: Clear, 50°F
Car count: 36
Fast qualifier: Ronnie Johnson
Time: 14.048 seconds
Polesitter: Ronnie Johnson
Consolation race winners: Christian Hanger, Andy Picklesimer
Next series race: November 27, 411 Motor Speedway (Seymour, TN) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.