Tennessee National Raceway
Moyer Jr.'s redemption comes with SRRS victory
By Ben Shelton
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Billy Moyer Jr. heads for victory Saturday at Hohenwald, Tenn. (photobyconnie.com)
HOHENWALD, Tenn. — Putting aside memories of a race that got away last year at Tennessee National Raceway, Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Ark., claiming the convincing victory in the second annual Icebreaker on Saturday night. Moyer earned $3,000 for his first career Southern Regional Racing Series victory. | Blog | Notebook | Slideshow
Just nine months ago, Moyer was cruising toward a $2,000 victory at the middle Tennessee oval when a broken motor knocked him out with just a few laps remaining. In this year's season opener at Hohenwald, Moyer led all the way for a 40-lap victory, his second overall of 2011.
“There are a lot of tough regional guys over here and to come in here and get a win is something big for me," the outside front-row starter said in victory lane. "It also erases the heartache of the one that got away here last year.”
Fast qualifier and polesitter Eric Hickerson of Linden, Tenn., finished second followed by three Alabama drivers: Chad Winkles of Falkville, Josh Putnam of Killen and Anthony Burroughs of Muscle Shoals.
Moyer jumped to the lead at the outset with Hickerson, Ray McElhiney, Winkles and Putnam in tow. Moyer built a half-straightaway lead early but a lap-seven caution reset the field.
Moyer eased away again on the restart while Hickerson had his hands full with Alabama youngsters Winkle and Putnam while McElhiney worked the high groove. McElhiney's race ended, however, when he spun on the 11th lap and got into the turn-one wall.
Moyer stayed in control the rest of the way, building a straightaway lead at the finish to take the checkers ahead of Hickerson in the SRRS season opener.
Notes: Moyer's Victory Circle Chassis is sponsored by Imperial Motors, Car City and Banner Valley Hauling. ... Alabama driver Randall Walker piloted the No. 14 Coosa Heating & Air MasterSbilt previously driven by Chris Noah; he's expected to drive the car several times in 2011. ... The victory gives the SRRS two straight first-time winners; Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tenn., won last year's season finale for his first series triumph. ... Racing veteran, Jamie Dacus from Lakeland, Tenn., made his first ever Super Late Model start with a spec engine, but carburetor problems plagued him. ... His son Thomas Dacus also joined the Super Late Model ranks at Hohenwald. ... Although the race was advertised to start 24 cars, new promoter John Mosier allowed all 26 entrants to take the green in hopes of encouraging drivers to return to a track that closed last spring. ... A large crowd watched action from the grandstands, making Mosier's decision easier. ... A total of 81 race cars, including 26 Super Late Models, entered the event.
Icebreaker: (1) Billy Moyer Jr., (2) Eric Hickerson, (3) Chad Winkles, (4) Josh Putnam, (5) Anthony Burroughs, (6) Mark Fields, (7) David Seibers, (8) Randall Walker, (9) Brad Skinner, (10) Mike Walker, (11) Chuck Proctor, (12) Seth Daniel, (13) Jamie Dacus, (14) Thomas Dacus, (15) Tony Morris, (16) Jason Clayton, (17) Ben Kittrell, (18) Anthony Seibers, (19) Brandon King, (20) David Brannon, (21) Ben Davis, (22) Ray McElhiney, (23) Joe Denby, (24) Tommy Taylor, (25) Brandon Brown, (26) Perry Delaney. Fast qualifier (among 26 cars): Hickerson, 14.090 seconds. Consolation race winners: Clayton, Denby, Proctor.
