FRIENDSHIP MOTOR SPEEDWAY Weekly Article

Elkin, NC (08.23.2008) - The ASA Sanctioned Friendship Motor Speedway was back at it with great local dirt track racing this week as we would have some great weather in store for what would be a fantastic showing of races in all divisions. The track would get a little dry during qualifying but the hard working track staff would get that cleared up as water would go on the track before the feature events to make for a nice and smooth surface. North Carolina Agriculture Commisioner Steve Troxler would be on hand for his support as well as a co-sponsor of the successful weekly kids meeting with Tabacco Special Racing. For the fourteenth time this 2008 season, Friendship Motor Speedway showed that this was the place to be to enjoy great dirt track racing action in all feature events. This week featured all four of our regular divisions which are known as the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models, Basic Finance Super Streets, Coffee House Four Cylinders, and the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Car division.

In the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Model event, Donald Bradsher would return to the four tenth mile for his second trip this season while posting an impresssive lap in time trials to grab quickest time of the night. The six shooter draw would not work out so good for Bradsher as he would draw number six while Chris Cheek and Noel Tucker would draw the front row starting positions. Chris Cheek would grab the lead early looking to improve from the last couple of weeks with mechaical issues. Cheek would hold the lead for a few laps before a hard charging Noel Tucker would have it dailed in for a nice run to the lead. Cheek would continue to fall all the way to fifth after Mitchell Coble and Winky McGee would battle for second and third. Both Coble and McGee would have issues and take it to the pit area leaving the door open for Tony Hicks to make a run on Tucker while Keith Holder would be left to do battle with a consistant Kent Peckham. After it was all said and done Noel Tucker would grab an impressive win number seven this year in his #00 Stevens Maintenance, Aunt Bea's BBQ, Granite City Auto, J&J Racecars, Rocket Chassis machine. Noel Tucker would celebrate his win in the Neighbors Stores/100.9 WIFM Victory Lane with Speedway Photographer Angela Quesinberry snapping some great photos with her new high tech camera. Tony Hicks would have a great points night by adding a couple to his lead over Keith Holder who finished third. Kent Peckham would finish fourth with third place points Chris Cheek rounding out the top five. Still a close and exciting championship battle as we near the last races of the year, this battle you just won't want to miss!

In the Basic Finance Super Street event, David Capps and George Anen would kick it off up front as Mt. Airy's Greg Watson would throw the green flag it would be a collision sending Capps into the turn four inside wall. Steve Kirkman would then lead early with George Anen trying to hold off Brad Burkhart for second. After a bad starting position Andy Mathis would charge hard to the front with Daniel Moss in tow. Mathis would take the lead sending Kirkman back to third behind Moss. Andy Mathis would have it rolling once again as he would score win number three of the season and adding just a couple points to his totals in his quest to catch Moss. Daniel Moss would bring it home in second while Steve Kirkman would round out the top three. Brad Burkhart would finish fourth in his season debut at Friendship with Jeff Parsons in fifth. A tough break for points contender driver Jimmy Watson as he would not be able to start the feature after engine trouble in hot laps.

In the Coffee House Four Cylinder event, Dale Barneycastle would make his season debut in style on the pole along side weekly regular Sandy Martin to get things started. Tommy Zachary would waste no time coming from the second row to the lead on the first lap sending Barneycastle to second over Martin. After just a few laps Zachary would then have mechanical issues once again this year and be done for the night. This would hand the lead over to Barneycastle while Sandy Martin and Derek Mathis battle for second. Points contenders Billy Robbins and Robbie Brown would have their own battle to settle as they would race for fourth and two points in the championship chase. Dale Barneycastle would lead until the checkered flag and getting the win for an impressive debut is such a close and competitive division. Sandy Martin would have another strong consistant finish in second while Derek Mathis debuted his machine in third. Billy Robbins would come out with the edge over Robbie Brown with Brown now falling to third in the points.

In the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Car feature event, Andy Hickman would make some noise this week as he would hold off a hard charging three time season winner Ben Walker. Hickman would get his first win of the year while Walker would finish second. Barry Wilson still looking good in his machine came home third. Tommy Price would finish fourth with point leaders Tyler Sidden and Matthew Barker finishing a close fifth and sixth.

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 fifteenth event of the 2008 racing season on September 6th. Coming up for our next event will be our biggest show of the year with the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series rolling into Friendship for a generous $5000.00 to win. They will be racing along with three of our regular divisions known as the GM Direct Automotive Crate Late Models, Basic Finance Super Street, and the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Car division. Come on out as we would love to have you as part of our dirt racing family.

For more information, complete results, and the latest on the happenings of 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 August 24th, 2008 by Corey M. Hensley)