Greenville Speedway
Gentry tightens NeSmith title chase at Greenville
By Roby Helm
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model SeriesGREENVILLE, Miss. (July 20) — Two-time series champion David Earl Gentry of Murfreesboro, Tenn., claimed his third NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series victory of the season Friday night at Greenville Speedway, earning $2,000 in the first leg quarter-mile oval’s two-race Delta Dirt Nationals.
After surviving a wreck on the first attempt to start the 40-lap race, the fifth-starting Gentry overtook hometown driver Greg Fore for the lead on lap three and checked out on the field. He crossed the finish line 3.217 seconds ahead of runner-up Bo Gordon of Merigold, Miss.
Gentry’s 12th-career victory on the Crate Late Model tour tightened up the points race in his battle with Matthew Turner of Dawsonville, Ga., for the $20,000 series championship. Turner, who ended up 15th after spinning while battling for the lead on the opening lap, holds a 24-point advantage over Gentry with five races remaining.
“We have found our groove around Greenville Speedway and after the last four races where we had problems, it feels good to be back in the winner’s circle,” Gentry said. “This reminds me of last season when we came back late in the season with a win here to battle Dan Breuer for the championship.”
With his second-place finish, Gordon donated his $1,000 prize money to the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Jeremy Shaw of Millport, Ala., finished third with Lamar Furr of Hollandale, Miss., fourth. Larry Harrod of Plains, Ga., was the race’s hard-charger, earning the Hedman Husler of the Race Award for his run from 17th to fifth.
The Delta Dirt Nationals concludes Saturday with a $2,500-to-win NeSmith Series event.
Delta Dirt Nationals: (1) David Earl Gentry, (2) Bo Gordon, (3) Jeremy Shaw, (4) Lamar Furr, (5) Larry Harrod, (6) Todd Morrow, (7) Chase Washington, (8) Chase Edge, (9) Mike Palasini Jr., (10) Ashley Newman, (11) Bubba Harrison, (12) Billy Tedford, (13) Chris Cantrell, (14) Johnny Stokes, (15) Matthew Turner, (16) Brent Barrett, (17) Michael Blount, (18) Greg Fore, (19) Kenny Carpenter, (20) Tait Davenport, (21) Duke Palasini, (22) Bobby Jordan, (23) David Carpenter, (24) Chad Washington. Fast qualifier (among 35 cars): Fore, 15.188 seconds. Consolation race winners: Morrow, Washington. Provisional starters: Cantrell, Blount.
