Howell Picks up Third Straight Modified Win

By Mark Chisum

Brandon Howell is on a roll at South Alabama Speedway. The Mobile driver has visited South Alabama Speedway a few times over the last couple of years, with mixed results. But recently, Howell has been on a roll, taking his third straight Modified Feature win Saturday night.

Howell got a small break in Saturday’s Feature when the outside pole car jumped the start and Howell moved up to the position. Howell got a good start and took the lead heading into turn one. His main competitor, Heath Mills had to work a little to get around pole sitter Mario Lupi, and by that time, Howell had a three car length lead. That lead was erased with a lap three caution. The race went green the rest of the way, with Mills chomping at Howell’s rear bumper. Lap after lap, Mills searched for a way past Howell, but each time, Howell held his ground. As the race neared its conclusion, Howell was able to ease away from Mills to take the win. David Capps, making his first start in a Modified, finished a strong third. Kevin Peel, returning to the track after a long layoff, finished fourth. Todd Blackburn finished fifth.

In the Street Stock Feature, Chris Lucas took the lead on lap 10 and went on to win. Chris Salter grabbed the initial lead and lead the first nine laps before Lucas sped by. Once out front, Lucas pulled away from the field to take an easy win. Salter remained in second, several car lengths behind the winner. Gary Davis finished third, followed by Johnny Otto and Dennis Thomas.

Kim Bishop took the lead on the second lap and survived two restarts to take the win in the Roadrunner Feature. David Daniels led the first lap before Bishop, who started sixth, took over on the second circuit. Ricky Strickland challenged Bishop early, but got into turn three a little hot and spun on lap six. Strickland made his way back to second in just two laps, but Bishop had already pulled away from the field. Strickland got a second chance when the caution flew again on lap 13. But once again, Bishop pulled away to take the win. Mike Wolfe followed Bishop and Strickland. Daniels was fourth in the final rundown with Bobby Rhodes fifth.

In the night’s most exciting race, Rusty Locklar led just one lap, but it was the last one. Tony Tidwell led the first lap before Lee Rogers took the lead the second time around. Rogers built a big lead and appeared headed to victory. As the race headed into the final laps, however, Rogers began to slow with mechanical problems. Behind him, Locklar and Joseph Chandler were having a spirited battle for second. The pair, still battling, caught Rogers with three laps to go. Chandler went from third to first on lap 23, but Locklar was still with him. Heading into turn three, Locklar got past Chandler to take the lead. Chandler tried to slip back to the inside coming out of turn four, but Locklar held him off to take the win. Rogers limped home in third, actually coming to a stop on the front stretch with fire under his hood. Tidwell was fourth, followed by Dylan Wolfe.

In the CupLite Feature, Jason Fowler took the win on the track, but Cory Tillman was awarded the win after post race inspection. Rick Northey led the first 14 laps, grabbing the lead from the outside pole. Fowler, starting sixth, moved into second on lap nine. Six laps later, he passed Northey to take the lead. Tillman followed three laps later, which proved to be the winning pass. Fowler went on to take the checkers ahead of Tillman, Northey, Karl Williams and Lance Blacker. In post race inspection, Fowler’s car was found to have improper mounted lead and he was disqualified. The “dq” made a first time winner of Tillman. Everybody else moved up a spot and Waylon Spivey joined the top five.

In the Mini Sportsman Feature, Adam Salter grabbed the lead on alp eight and went on to win. Dale McClendon led the first seven laps before Slater took over. Salter then eased away from the field to take the win. Lon Howell came from the sixth starting spot to finish second. McClendon was third in the end, with Paul Gay fourth and Melvin Cooper fifth.

Action continues at South Alabama Speedway on August 4 with the Pro Late Model Viper Series Cottonmouth 100. Also on the night’s schedule are features for all local classes. The night will be another $5.00 admission night. Admission is only $5.00 for ages 6-60, with everybody else admitted free. For more information, contact the track at (334) 565-3539, or visit the track’s web site at www.southalabamaspeedway.com.

Results

Modified

1. Brandon Howell

2. Heath Mills

3. David Capps

4. Kevin Peel

5. Todd Blackburn

6. Mario Pupi

7. Kip Whitehead

8. David beale

9. Rick McCarson

10. Terry Davis

11. Chris Lucas

Street Stock

1. Chris Lucas

2. Chris Salter

3. Gary Davis

4. Johnny Otto

5. Dennis Thomas

6. James Patrick

7. Darrell Cawley

Roadrunner

1. Kim Bishop

2. Ricky Strickland

3. Mike Wolfe

4. David Daniels

5. Bobby Rhodes

6. Nick Petrie

7. Jody Davis

Coyote

1. Rusty Locklar

2. Joseph Chandler

3. Lee Rogers

4. Tony Tidwell

5. Dylan Wolfe

6. James Harris

7. Brandon Till

8. Michael Piland

9. Brian Missildine

10. Chris Johnson

11. Danny Thompson

12. Wade Burgans

DNS Michael Smith

CupLite

1. Cory Tillman

2. Rich Northey

3. Karl Williams

4. Lance Blacker

5. Waylon Spivey

6. Carroll Williams

7. Dylan Northey

8. Jack Whittle

DQ Jason Fowler (1)

Mini Sportsman

1. Adam Salter

2. Lon Howell

3. Dale McClendon

4. Paul Gay

5. Melvin Cooper

6. Weston Spivey