FRIENDSHIP MOTOR SPEEDWAY Weekly Article

Elkin, NC - Going into the fifth race of the season, the ASA Sanctioned Friendship Motor Speedway was back at it again this week with three of the four divisions with first time season winners. This week put drivers to the test as track temperatures reached nearly one hundred degrees. The hot temperature would not dampen the excitement as the racing this week would be nothing less than awesome in all four divisions. Once again, Friendship Motor Speedway showed that this was the place to be to enjoy great Saturday night racing action. This week featured all four regular divisions which are the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models, Super Street, Coffee House Four Cylinders, and the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Cars.

In the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Model event, Matt Long would make his season debut known to all as he would set quick time in times trials. Joining Matt Long on the front row would be Friendship regular Chris Cheek. As the feature would be under way Matt Long would get out to an early lead over Chris Cheek. John Eller would make a move up from third to second early over Chris Cheek and make a run to Matt Long. Matt Long would lead the first half of the event until John Eller would get a run on a restart to take the lead away. Keith Holder would make a late race move past Cheek and Long. Holder would look to make a run for the lead but it would not be as he would go around in turn two. John Eller in his Hodges Properties machine would roll into the Neighbors/100.9 WIFM Victory Lane for his first win of the season as he just seems to be getting his car dialed in better and better every week. Pole sitter Matt Long would show to be strong as he would still come home a respectable second. Chris Cheek would make a big move in the points as he would take the points lead away from Tony Hicks with a third place run. Last weeks runner up Keith Holder would come back up to finish fourth after his spin.

In the Super Street feature event, Jimmy Watson would return to Friendship this week to make some noise. Watson would start up front along side first place starter Daniel Moss. Daniel Moss would get out to an early lead over Watson but not for long. Jimmy Watson would make his move early on to take the lead away from points leader Daniel Moss. Andy Mathis would show these guys how to get a good restart as he would jump from fourth to second passing Steve Kirkman for third and Daniel Moss for second. Andy Mathis would now set his sights on the leader Watson, both of which were chasing victory number one for the year. It would not be for Mathis as laps would run out giving Jimmy Watson his first win of the new season. Andy Mathis would finish a strong second over Daniel Moss in third. Rounding out the top four would be Steve Kirkman.

In the Coffee House Four Cylinder feature event, Billy Robbins and Tommy Zachary would lead them down to the green flag. As things would get under way it would seem to be a close race between Robbins, Zachary, and current points leader Robbie Brown. Tommy Zachary would make a move and take the lead away from Billy Robbins who would now see Robbie Brown in his mirror. Robbie Brown wouldn't settle for third as he would make a run to second now looking to catch leader Zachary. As laps would pass Tommy Zachary seemed to have win number two in the bag as Brown and Robbins would battle for second. It was to be for Tommy Zachary as he would take the win. Robbie Brown would pick up second with Billy Robbins in third. Kevin Smith would make his debut at Friendship by working his way through the field to run a respective fouth.

In the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Car feature event, once again we would see a new face in victory lane as this week would show winner number five of the five races run this year. Thats right five different winners in this division and this weeks new winner would be none other than Rob Favre making his debut at the track. Rob would make an impressive run after starting in the rear of the field. Co-points leader C.J. Lyons would finish second after leading several laps until he was caught by Favre. Josh Clonch continues to show that he is a car to beat as he would finish third. The other current co-points leader Tyler Sidden would come home in fourth.

Congrats to this weeks feature winners and thanks to all the dirt racing fans, drivers, and crewmen for your support as we head into the sixth event of the 2008 racing season next week. Next week we will be featuring a special slate of events featuring a special appearence by the Steel Head Late Models for $1,000.00 to win. Also racing will be all four regualr divisions known as the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models, Super Streets, Coffee House Four Cylinders, and the Southeastern U-Cars.

For complete results and the latest on the happenings of the Friendship Motor Speedway just log onto www.FriendshipRacing.com, the official website of Friendship Motor Speedway. Be sure to bring the family, friends, or whatever the case may be to the best dirt track racing in the south at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, North Carolina.

(Article written on June 8th, 2008 by Corey M. Hensley)