Lavonia Speedway
R.J. wins Lavonia's Georgia State Championship
Ronnie Johnson speeds to victory at Lavonia. (dt52photos.com)
LAVONIA, Ga. (Sept. 18) — Winningest all-time series driver Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., raced to his third Southern All Star Series victory of the season Saturday in Lavonia Speedway's 16th annual Georgia State Championship.
Johnson started outside the front row and raced to the $5,000 victory, the 62nd of his career on the 27-year-old series.
Third-starting Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn., finished second followed by polesitter Scott Creel of Franklinton, La. Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., and Hall of Fame driver Jack Pennington of Winston, Ga., rounded out the top five.
Notes: Johnson's MasterSbilt Race Car is sponsored by Miller Bros. Coal, Simmons Lawn Care, Koontz Plumbing & Construction and Vinson Racing Engines. ... Royce Bray won the Fastrak-sanctioned Crate Late Model feature and Brandon Haley took the Southeastern Sportsman Late Model Series victory. ... The series takes a lengthy break before returning to action Oct. 30 at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala.
Southern All Stars @ Lavonia: (1) Ronnie Johnson, (2) Randy Weaver, (3) Scott Creel, (4) Casey Roberts, (5) Jack Pennington, (6) Tommy Kerr, (7) Jamie Oliver, (8) Freddy Smith, (9) Mike Ashley, (10) Anthony Hill, (11) Keith Freeman, (12) Doug Smith, (13) Gary Collins, (14) David McCoy, (15) Randy Nichols, (16) Daniel Baggerly, (17) Tim King, (18) Casey Barrow, (19) Jimmy Ivester. Fast qualifier (among 19 cars): Creel, 16.700 seconds.
