Tri-County Racetrack
Franklin wins Tri-County's Tar Heel 50, picks up $4,600
From special reports
BRASSTOWN, N.C. (Oct. 4) — Fast qualifier and polesitter Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C., led all the way in the Tar Heel 50 at Tri-County Racetrack. Franklin's unsanctioned victory in the Ray Cook-promoted event paid $4,600, including four bonuses worth a total of $1,100.
Josh McGuire of Grayson, Ky., posted his second consecutive runner-up finish at Tri-County. He was also second in the previous night's makeup of a Southern Nationals rainout won by another South Carolina driver, Chris Madden.
Shane Tankersley of Morganton, Ga., finished third at one of the tracks he grew up racing on while Shawn Chastain of Murphy, N.C., and Madden rounded out the top five. Shawn's brother Johnny Chastain, who started outside the front row, was 19th.
Notebook
Franklin's Barry Wright Race Car has a Clements Racing Engine and sponsorship from Beardon Oil, Cherokee Landscaping, Jacky Jones Automotive and Time Out Family Restaurant. ... Franklin received $300 from Murphy Glass and Mirror for his fast time of 13.319 seconds and $500 for winning the Youngblood Concrete dash ... Franklin picked up an additional $200 for leading lap 12, money put up in memory of Rhonda Byers and $100 from Arvil Cook Property Investments for leading at halfway. ... The Thursday night event was originally set to lead into Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at Rome and Dixie Speedways in Georgia, events that have since been cancelled because of the death of Mike Swims, whose family promotes the tracks. ... Jamie Oliver improved four positions to finish sixth. ... The event drew 22 drivers. ... Johnny Chastain received $200 for his second quick qualifying time.
Tar Heel 50: (1) Dennis Franklin, (2) Josh McGuire, (3) Shane Tankersley, (4) Shawn Chastain, (5) Chris Madden, (6) Jamie Oliver, (7) Tony Knowles, (8) David Payne, (9) Brian Booze, (10) Doug English, (11) Seth Wimpey, (12) Gabe Wilson, (13) Jim Bob Davis, (14) Jamie Lundsford, (15) David Webb, (16) Ronnie Payne, (17) Chuck Southard, (18) George Mashburn, (19) Johnny Chastain, (20) Barry Rogers, (21) Joe Denby, (22) Rodney Weeks.
