Southern has plenty of fireworks before Independence Day

Southern Raceway 

The Six Shooter Series let to plenty of fireworks at Southern Raceway on June 25.

With the money and prestige of taking the first ever Six Shooter Series Championship the Pure Stock and Street Stock divisions were action packed from the drop of the green flag.

In the Pure Stock Division, Michel Emmons, who won the Mid-Season Championship at Southern the week prior, set the fastest lap in qualifying and advanced to the feature along with John Thomas the second fastest qualifier, but neither would figure into the final results.

Emmons led the first eight laps of the race before series title contender Tally Warrick took the lead on lap eight.

Despite nine caution flags after he took the lead, Warrick had no problems as all of the problems happened behind him.

Carl Dodson, who finished second, was not so fortunate. On lap 18, Dodson spun his car in turn four, Most of the drivers were able to avoid any contact with Dodson, but Jerry Lewis was not so fortunate and made hard contact.

The last caution came out on lap 26, but no one seemed to be able to challenge Warrick for the win.

Rounding out the top five were Adam Ellison, Bubba Fletcher, and Kurt Horne.

The Street Stock portion of the series saw Stuart Wilson put down and lap that was hard to beat as he and second fast qualifier Larry Faulk automatically advanced to the feature.

Wilson proved to have the fastest car as he staved off challenges from Frank Wilson and Sean Goodwin to lead all 30 laps for the win in a race with 10 cautions.

At one point in the feature it was Stuart Wilson, Frank Wilson, and young JC Wilson holding the top three spots, but in the end it came down to the veteran Wilson’s as Stuart held on to beat Frank.

Rounding out the top five were Sean Goodwin, Kevin Mitchell, and Brandon Harris.

The Gulf Coast Mini Sprint Series made its first appearance of the season on the three-eighths mile dirt and it was Micha McCall taking the checker flag ahead of series point’s leader Matt Spicer.

Justin Rabon jumped out to an early lead, but by lap five Rabon was having trouble getting all of the power out of his 600cc motor to the ground as he was passed by McCall and then by Spicer.

Rounding the top five were Bob Trapino and Jason Watts.

The Vintage Series got off to an auspicious start as a turn four incident on lap four involved six cars including two of the top five finishers.

On the restart Kraig Crossley took the lead, but it was short lived as Chris Bayhi powered past in his heavily damaged vehicle from the incident at the start of the race.

Bayhi, who gave fans a view of the inner workings of his car after losing the side panel, powered away for the win.

Behind Bayhi the field were swapping paint and places as well.

When the action ended in the 20 lap feature Levi Donaldson was second followed by Blake Martin, Aleck Alford, and Jay Dotson.

The Open Wheel Modified Division saw plenty of action as well in a race that had to be cut to 10 laps due to time.

Joseph Phillips, who started the race on the pole, held off challenges from Mike Lane, Joey Bartlett, and Lucas Morris.

When the checkered flag flew at the end of 10 laps Phillips held off all challengers followed by Bartlett, Ryan Fowler, Morris, and Shawn Pitts.

Racing action on the three-eighths mile dirt will resume on July 9 with the second appearance of the NeSmith Panhandle Challenge Series for Dirt Late Models and a fireworks display.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing action will get underway at 7 p.m.

For more information about Southern Raceway you can check the track out on Facebook or look them up online at www.southernraceway.com.

Heat Races

Mini Sprints Heat 1 – 1. Bobby Z, 2. Justin Rabon, and 3. Matt Spicer.

Mini Sprint Heat 2 – 1. Micha McCall, 2. Bob Trapino, 3. Bryan Moseley, 4. Cory Stephens, and 5. Brett Spicer.

Open Wheeled Modified Heat 1 – 1. Joseph Phillips, 2. Joey Bartlett, 3. Lucas Morris, 4. Doug Rogers, and 5. Osman Jones.

Open Wheeled Modified Heat 2 – 1. Michael Lane, 2. Ryan Fowler, 3. Johnathon Joiner, 4. Kane Long, and 5. Shawn Pitts.

Vintage Heat 1 – 1. Kraig Crossley, 2. Christopher Bayhi, 3. Kenneth Tarter, 4. Billy Robertson, and 5. Levi Donaldson.

Vintage Heat 2 – 1. John Cody, 3. Blake Martin, 3. James Ward, 4. Nathan Davis, and 5. Jay Dotson.

Street Stock Fast Qualifier – Stuart Wilson

Street Stock Heat 1 – 1. Frank Wilson, 2. Kevin Mitchell, 3. Bo Bailey, 4. Tim Wetzel, and 5. Alan Flanagan.

Street Stock Heat 2 – 1. Sean Goodwin, 2. Brandon Harris, 3. JC Wilson, 4. Brandon Kilpatrick, and 5. Matt Chavers.

Pure Stock Fast Qualifier – Michael Emmons

Pure Stock Heat 1 – 1. Justin Adams, 2. Bubba Fletcher, 3. Adam Ellison, 4. Jesse James, and 5. Marvin Plunkett.

Pure Stock Heat 2 – 1. Doc McDaniel, 2. Carl Dodson, 3. Jerry Lewis, 4. JR Benton, and 5. Michael Edmondson.

Pure Stock Heat 3 – 1. Lane Heaton, 2. Kurt Horne, 3. William Arnett, 4. Trey Davies, and 5. David Jones.

Pure Stock Heat 4 – 1. Tally Warrick, 2. Jessica Donaldson. 3. Wesley Clark, 4. Jansen Burgess, and 5. Mark Rast.

Pure Stock B Main (LCQ) – 1. Marvin Plunkett, 2. Pebo Windham, 3. David Jones, 4. Mark Rast, 5. Michael Edmonson, and 6. Ronnie Hardy.