East Alabama Motor Speedway
Tangle opens door for Smith at East Alabama
Clint Smith heads for his first career SRRS victory. (photobyconnie.com)
PHENIX CITY, Ala. (April 2) — Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., overtook polesitter and race-long leader William Thomas on the 31st lap and led the rest of the first-ever Southern Regional Racing Series event at East Alabama Motor Speedway. Smith earned $3,000. | Slideshow
Thomas, the hometown driver whose family operates the oval, set fast time and was in control of the single-filed race until coming upon the slower car of Joe Denby. When Thomas and Denby tangled on the fronstretch, Smith slipped past and led the rest of the way.
Thomas settled for second followed by Ivedent Lloyd Jr. of Ocala, Fla. Brian Reese of Sharpsburg, Ga., and Ricky Culpepper of Hamilton, Ga., rounded out the top five. Scott Creel of Franklinton, La., lost a top-five finish when his car weighed in too light at the scales, disqualifying him.
Next up for SRRS competitors is an April 8 event at Boyd's Raceway in Ringgold, Ga., an event postponed by wet conditions the previous Friday.
SRRS @ East Alabama: (1) Clint Smith, (2) William Thomas, (3) Ivedent Lloyd Jr., (4) Brian Reese, (5) Ricky Culpepper, (6) Jacob Grizzle, (7) Lavon Sparks, (8) Josh Putnam, (9) Shane Fulcher, (10) Anthony Burroughs, (11) Bo Shirley, (12) Joe Denby, (13) Joe Armistead Jr., (14) Dana Eiland, (15) Terrance Nowell, (16) Chad Winkles, (17) Jake Knowles, (18) James Cline, (19) Danny Stroud, (20) Jordy Nipper, (21) Montana Dudley, (22) Duane Treadwell, (23) Jeremy Britton. Disqualified: Scott Creel. Fast qualifier (among 24 cars): Thomas, 15.04 seconds.
