Pike County Speedway
Rainey pockets $10,000 in beating Pike rain, foes
By Roby Helm
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model SeriesMAGNOLIA, Miss. (Aug. 2) — Derrick Rainey of Powder Springs, Ga., outran the Pike County Speedway field and the weather to win a rain-shortened Cajun Summer Nationals on the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series. Rainey was the sixth and final leader of the race, taking the point on lap 24, and then leading until the rains came on lap 51 of the scheduled 100-lapper. He earned $10,000 for his first series victory of the season.
Rainey was declared the winner after a severe thunderstorm caused a power outage during a lap-52 caution flag, and his celebration was short lived as heavy rains drenched the speedway. Along with the six lead changes among six different drivers, the race also saw 14 caution flags, and one red flag.
William Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., led the race for four laps, but had to settled for second. Rick Rickman of Columbus, Miss., took the third spot and Jay Blair of Angie, La., who led the race for 11 laps, finished fourth.
Mike Boland of Cuba, Ala., led the first lap before his left-front wheel came off. That handed the lead to Lucky Keeton, who led a single lap before slowing with a flat tire after contact with Shep Lucas, who inherited the lead. Lucas became the third leader to fall from contention when suspension problems forced him out during a lap-nine caution, handing the lead to Thomas for a lap before Blair led laps 10-20. Thomas regained the lead on lap 21, but Rainey went ahead for good on lap 24.
The race was a makeup from April 26 rainout.
Note: Rainey's Warrior Race Car is sponsored by Hays Family Racing and Barto Enterprises. ... The race was called when track officials discovered the power outage was widespread and not a failure of the track electrical system. The race was called and heavy rain flooded the track moments later. ... The most serious accident occurred on the 15th lap when Jeff Fortner of Vidalia, Ga., flipped in turn four. He wasn't injured. ... Chris Tays won hard charger honors with his 24th-to-eighth run. He got up as high as sixth before spinning. ... The next NeSmith Chevrolet Series event is Aug. 29-30 at Whynot Motorsports Park near Meridian, Miss. The 75-lap main event pays $7,500 to the winner.
NeSmith @ Pike County: (1) Derrick Rainey, (2) William Thomas, (3) Rick Rickman, (4) Jay Blair, (5) Scott Knowles, (6) Chris O'Connor, (7) Hunter Peacock, (8) Chris Tays, (9) Stephen Brantley, (10) Jeff Fields, (11) Jamey Smith, (12) Chip Brindle, (13) Cliff Williams, (14) Michael Santangelo, (15) Landon Frith, (16) Larry Boutwell, (17) Eric Cooley, (18) Rodney Wing, (19) Curt Lipsey, (20) Lucky Keeton, (21) Davin Bates, (22) Jeff Fortner, (23) Shep Lucas, (24) Mike Boland. Fast qualifier (among 53 cars): Blair, 17.176 seconds. Heat race winners: Keeton, Boland, Frank Ingram, Lucas, R. Rickman, Rainey. Consolation winners: Frith, O'Connor. Provisional starters: Brindle, Tays.
