Pike County Speedway
Litton survives tangle, scores repeat at Pike
From series reports
MAGNOLIA, Miss. (May 17) — Rob Litton of Alexandria, La., won for the second time in a row at Pike County Speedway in O'Reilly Auto Parts Southern United Professional Racing action for his third victory of the season on the Louisiana-based Late Model tour. Litton survived a late tangle with challenger James Ward of Lettsworth, La., and earned $2,500 for his 15th career series victory.
Duke Whiseant of Texarkana, Ark., a heat race winner like Litton, jumped into the early lead at the 3/8-mile oval, but the right-front corner of his car dug into the racing surface on the fifth lap, ripping off a fender flare and damaging the right side of his car's nosepiece. Whiseant's handling problems handed the lead to Litton on the eighth lap as Kenny Merchant of West Monroe, La., moved into second followed by Ward. Ward took second from Merchant on the 16th lap and began to turn up the heat on Litton.
The frontrunners began battling side by side with Litton in the high groove and Ward working the low groove as Litton's momentum kept him out front each time they crossed the start-finish line. On the 34th lap, the leaders came upon lapped traffic and Litton moved low. Contact between the two sent Litton spinning, but on the caution flag Litton was returned to the point while Ward was sent to the rear by series officials. Litton led the rest of the way to outrun Merchant, Curt Lipsey of Hammond, La., Keith Miller of Sumrall, Miss., and three-time SUPR champion David Ashley of Zachary, La.
Notes: Litton's car is sponsored by LMS Truck Center, Litton Motorsports, Wall 2 Wall Performance Engines, TWM Racing Products and Johnson Enterprises. ... SUPR competitors now prepare for a three-race Memorial Day weekend from May 23-25. Sabine (La.) Motor Speedway hosts a $2,000-to-win event on Friday and Champion Park Speedway in Minden, La., hosts a $2,500-to-win event on Saturday. Sunday's $2,500-to-win event has been moved to Baton Rouge Raceway in Baker, La., after Fast Trax Speedway in Chatham, La., pulled out of its originally scheduled event. ... The 14-car turnout at Pike County is a season-low for the series.
O'Reilly SUPR @ Pike County: (1) Rob Litton, (2) Kenny Merchant, (3) Curt Lipsey, (4) Keith Miller, (5) David Ashley, (6) Chris Hoyt, (7) James Ward, (8) Ricky Idom, (9) Billy McDonald, (10) Jason Polite, (11) Duke Whiseant, (12) Devane Hillman, (13) Donald Watson, (14) Nicholas Brown. Heat race winners (among 14 cars): Litton, Whiseant.
