Greenville Speedway
Baker turns back Newman at Greenville
By Ben Shelton
Comp Cams Super Dirt Series
Robert Baker led 35 laps at Greenville Speedway. (Woody Hampton)
GREENVILLE, Miss. (July 6) — Polesitter Robert Baker of Bryant, Ark., turned back challenges from fellow front-row starter Ashley Newman of Ripley, Tenn., on Saturday at Greenville Speedway for his second Comp Cams Super Dirt Series victory of the season. | Slideshow
Baker led all 35 laps for a $2,000 payday in taking the checkers ahead of Newman and hard charger Ross Camponovo of Clarksdale, Miss. Clay Fisher of De Witt, Ark., and Tanner Kellick of Merouge, La., rounded out the top five finishers at the high-speed quarter-mile oval.
Baker grabbed the lead at the outset with Newman, Fisher, Kyle Beard and Camponovo giving chase. Beard slowed with a flat tire to draw a lap-three caution and Baker went back to work out front.
Newman began catching Baker in traffic as Camponovo moved past Fisher into the third spot before the caution flag flew on lap 14 for a slowing Joseph Long.
With the leaders again out of traffic, Baker enjoyed smooth sailing until lap 20, when heavy traffic again plagued the leaders.� Newman took advantage to pull even with Baker for the lead on lap 21. The duo battled side-by-side until lap 23, when Gary Beard slowed from the sixth position with a mechanical failure.
Baker used the clear racetrack to lead the final 12 laps and notch his third career series victory.
Notes: Baker’s MasterSBilt Race Car has a Kuntz & Co. powerplant with sponsorship from McNew Fabrication and B&M Motorsports. ... Baker's previous series triumph came May 3 at Timberline Speedway in Corley, Texas. ... The Larry Shaw Race Cars Hard Charger $100 bonus was claimed by Ross Camponovo, who advanced two positions from his fifth starting spot. ... Tommy Surrett of North Little Rock, Ark., again encountered mechanical issues that ended his night early and was awarded the Quarter Master Hard Luck Award. ... Greenville hosts a pair of NeSmith Chevrolet Series events for Crate Late Models next weekend. ... Comp Cams competitors return to Arkansas July 12-13 with events at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove and Northeast Arkansas Speedway in Harrisburg.
Comp Cams @ Greenville: (1) Robert Baker, (2) Ashley Newman, (3) Ross Camponovo, (4) Clay Fisher, (5) Tanner Kellick, (6) Ray Moore, (7) Bo Gordon, (8) Kyle Beard, (9) Larry Potter, (10) Brandon Morton, (11) Mark Tice, (12) Kody Mea, (13) Keith Craft, (14) Gary Beard, (15) Lynn Beach, (16) Joseph Long, (17) Christopher Showah. Scratched: Tommy Surrett. Fast qualifier (among 18 cars): Baker, 14.722 seconds. Heat race winners: Baker, Newman.
