Story/Photos: Phillip Prichard, MSA:
Donald McIntosh picked up $4,000 for his second-career Spring Nationals Series victory at Dixie Speedway on May 23rd and is set his sights towards the season’s title. McIntosh won on Friday night at Boyd’s Speedway.
But Billy Ogle Jr. had different plans. Ogle, the defending series champion finished third in the main event at Dixie Speedway to hold on with a two point lead heading into Rome Speedway for the final points event.
Ogle grabbed the lead on the opening lap with McIntosh, Casey Roberts, Dale McDowell and T.J. Reaid in tow. By the fifth lap, McIntosh would be on the back bumper of Ogle for the top spot, then by the next lap, McIntosh would take the lead. By lap 10, Casey Roberts, who started third was reeling in Ogle for second spot while a lap later heavy traffic would trim the lead for McIntosh .
Roberts made his move and was able to grab the second spot on lap 14 sending Ogle to third, while McIntosh had a tremendous lead at this point.
McIntosh would work back into lapped traffic by the 23rd circuit before the yellow flew for Jamie Oliver. On lap 24, Dale McDowell, who started eighth, had worked his way up into the fourth spot.
After the final yellow on lap 33, McIntosh would stretch out the lead to nearly a half a straightaway in the final stages and go on to take the victory where he is a former track champion. Roberts settled for second while Ogle finished third, McDowell came home fourth and Ellis rounded out the top five.
Three yellows slowed the feature of twenty-two super late models at Dixie. The first yellow came after the field took the green and Jake Knowles slammed the turn two wall after getting hit from behind. The next yellow came on lap 13 as Stacy Boles slowed on the front-stretch and came to a stop. On lap 23, Jamie Oliver slowed in turn two to bring out the next yellow. On lap 29, Michael Page slowed on the back-stretch. On lap 33, Jeff Smith slowed in turn two and exited the track.
The sixth-ten finishers were: 6. Jacob Grizzle-Blairsville, GA; 7. T.J Reaid-Acworth, GA; 8. Dylan Ames-Harvest, AL; 9. Jason Croft-Woodstock, GA; 10. Wayne Echols-Cumming, GA.
Don Jenkins was the fastest qualifier and the winner of the Steelhead Late Model Race. His win was protested but after teardown, he was found legal, the crew worked all night putting the engine back together preparing for the race at Rome. Justin Shipley in the 8 won the Crate Late Model Race; Daniel Brewer in the D22 won the Super Bomber Race and Dan Meadows in the 07 won the Economy Bomber Race.
Casey Roberts claimed his second Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals Series victory of the season at Rome Speedway after passing Austin Smith for the lead on lap 18 and never looked back.
Roberts collected $6,000 for his third-ever Spring Nationals Series victory while driving the Cushman Paint & Body and M&S Concrete sponsored, Custom Racing Engines powered Longhorn Chassis in front of one of the largest crowds on Sunday Night May 24th.
Four cautions slowed the 50-lapper. On the first lap, a multi-car accident involving three cars in turn one brought the entire field to a stop. Matt Larson spun in turn two to bring out the second yellow flag. Another multi-car accident in turn three sent the field to a snail pace on lap 9 and on lap 46 Ivedent Lloyd Jr. slowed on the back chute.
The Top Ten were: 1. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, GA; 2. Jake Knowles-Tyrone, GA; 3. Austin Smith-Cedartown, GA; 4. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, GA; 5. Clint Smith-Senoia, GA; 6. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, TN; 7. Jody Knowles-Tyrone, GA; 8. Steven Roberts-Jesup, GA; 9. Dale Thurman-Cartersville, GA; 10. Ivedent Lloyd Jr.-Ocala, FL
Donald McIntosh claimed the 2015 Spring Nationals Series points battle by just two points over Billy Ogle Jr. to claim the title. This was McIntosh’s first series title. The Points rounded out with Austin Smith was 3rd; David Payne 4th and Jason Croft 5th.
Chris Fennell in the C87 won the Steelhead Late Model Race; Shane Smith in the Number 4 won the Crate Late Model Race; Andy Morris in the 40 won the Super Bomber Race; and Eric Hamby in the 21 won the Economy Bomber Race.
The Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals will begin at Wythe Raceway on July 20. There will be 10 races in 13 days in 5 states. Visit www.southernnationalsseries.com for more information. Visit www.dixiespeedway.com for information on Dixie & Rome Speedway.
