Hometown racer Casey Roberts scored the Ultimate Super Late Model Series victory Saturday night in the Buck Simmons 41 at Toccoa Speedway. Photo courtesy Ultimate Super Late Model Series
Casey Roberts took a very emotional and bittersweet victory Saturday night at Toccoa Speedway in Toccoa, GA. Roberts, who is from Toccoa, picked up the win at his home track, a track he hasn’t raced at in quite a few years.
“I’m very proud to win the first Ultimate Super race back here at Toccoa,” Roberts said. “It’s been several years since Supers have run here and I’m happy with the win.”
At the same time it was a quite emotional night as it was the Buck Simmons Tribute. Buck Simmons, a member of both the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, was from nearby Baldwin, GA, and passed away earlier in the week.
Roberts only showed 20th on the speed chart during hot laps but obviously made the correct adjustment and set quick time around the tight 5/16 mile clay oval with a time of 12.629. Daniel Baggerly, from Rural Retreat VA, posted second quick time with a fast lap of 12.678. Zack Mitchell, Ray Cook, Tony Knowles, Brent Dixon, Ethan Hunter and Jamie Oliver locked themselves into the starting grid by virtue of their times in the VP Racing Fuel Race for the Pole, Time Trials. The remaining teams quickly made adjustments and lined up for two heat races to complete the field. Casey Barrow from Savannah GA picked up the first heat with Benji Cole out of Cannon GA picking up the second heat.
As the main event rolled off, the field formed up in a missing man formation, leaving the pole position open for the late Buck Simmons. One of Buck’s first race cars, fully restored, set the pace and was the honorary pace car. As the field came by, the fans stood and saluted the memory of Buck by holding up the famous 41 number he piloted to over 1000 career victories.
When the green fell, Roberts quickly took to the lead but a huge pileup involving Casey Barrow, Benji Cole and the rest of the field brought out an immediate red flag, With the track completely blocked, track officials worked hurriedly to untangle the carnage. Only six cars were lost to the lap one incident.
On the restart, Roberts immediately took the lead and never looked back. Baggerly quickly came under attack by Zack Mitchell and Ray Cook. Cook showed his veteran skills as he took to the high side and worked his way first around Mitchell and then Baggerly to move to second. Mitchell, Baggerly, Brent Dixon and others put on an outstanding show racing for position. But as the checkers flew on lap 41, in honor of Buck Simmons, Roberts was victorious. Cook finished second, Dixon worked his way up to third, with Zack Mitchell rounding out the top four.
Victory Lane for Roberts was huge, as hometown fans, friends and relatives surrounded their hometown driver as he picked up the $4100 winners check. As usual, Roberts was very thankful to all his supporters and fans.
“Casey just had a little too much for me tonight,” said Cook. He added that this was a special night reminding fans that his first race car was painted red and white “just like Buck’s”
Roberts added a little pad to his slim points lead for the season long Ultimate Championship battle. Roberts will take that lead over second place runner Daniel Baggerly to 311 Speedway in Madison NC, Saturday August 25 for the Terry Wiles and Leon Setzer Memorial. For more info, visit www.ultimatesupers.com.
Local divisions were also in action Saturday night. Gerald Stanley scored the victory in the Hobby Stock feature, bearing Chad Sellers to the finish line for the win. Josh Thurmond finished third, with Robbie Campbell in fourth, and Brad Russell in fifth.
Billy Buffington came home with the win in the Modified Street feature. Doug Sellers finished second, with Dean Butler third, Clayton Galloway fourth, and Otis Murray in fifth.
In the Stock 4 Cylinder feature, Mitchell Godfrey scored the win. Nick McCall, Justin Lord, Jamie Brown, and Jackie Holden rounded out the top five.
In Rookie 4 Cylinder action, it was Brandon Stroud scoring the win. Randy Endmonds ran second, followed by Jeremy Ward, Brandon Reed, and Holten Bradshaw.
Trey Chapman was the winner in the Front Wheel Drive feature, topping Robbie Cook for the victory. Jackie Holden ran third, with Wayne Chapman fourth, and Jessie Smith fifth.
Action returns to Toccoa Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 25, with action in seven divisions, headlined by the Limited Late Models.
Ultimate Late Model Series
Toccoa Speedway – Toccoa, GA
Buck Simmons 41 – Aug. 18, 2012
1.Casey Roberts
2.Ray Cook
3.Brent Dixon
4.Zack Mitchell
5.Tony Knowles
6.Ethan Hunter
7.Daniel Baggerly
8.Jamie Oliver
9.Shane Tankersley
10.Casey Barrow
11.Dabs Potts
12.Gus Simpson
13.Nick Sellers
14.JR Headen
15.Ryan Bryson
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17.Mike Ashley
18.David Smith
19.Michael Barnett
20.Clayton Turner
21.Benji Cole
22.Randy Nichols (dns)
Hobby
1.Gerald Stanley
2.Chad Sellers
3.Josh Thurmond
4.Robbie Campbell
5.Brad Russell
6.Booger Gibson
Modified Street
1.Billy Buffington
2.Doug Sellers
3.Dean Butler
4.Clayton Galloway
5.Otis Murray
6.Joe McClure
7.Daniel Snow
8.Steve Sellers
9.Joe Caples
10.Tim Stevens
11.Wayne Chapman
Stock 4Cyl
1.Mitchell Godfrey
2.Nick McCall
3.Justin Lord
4.Jamie Brown
5.Jackie Holden
Rookie 4Cyl
1.Brandon Stroud
2.Randy Edmonds
3.Jeremy Ward
4.Brandon Reed
5.Holten Bradshaw
Front Wheel Drive
1.Trey Chapman
2.Robbie Cook
3.Jackie Holden
4.Wayne Chapman
5.Jessie Smith
6.Corey Smith
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