FRIENDSHIP MOTOR SPEEDWAY Weekly Article

(08.15.2009) Elkin, North Carolina - American Speed Associaiton sanctioned Friendship Motor Speedway was back underway this week for event number eighteen of the season. A night of thrills was in store as some who thought it just couldn't get any better than last week left amazed at the side by side intense racing going on all over the track in every single feature event. A little dust would come late as the track would hold smooth during the nights events. Driver Derek Mastin said "that's the best racing and the most fun I have had" referring to the racing between he, Jeff Parsons, and Keith Clonch. This week featured all five divisions known as the GM Direct Automotive Pro Late Models, Southeastern Cars & Parts Limited Sportsman, Coffee House Waffle Shop Four Cylinders, JC Racing & Fabrication Renegade V-8, and the Hill Top Trading Post Donald's Automotive U-Car division.

In the GM Direct Automotive NDRA Pro Late Model event, Kent Peckham would get it done once again in time trials to set on the pole for the feature event. As the green flag dropped it would be Kent Peckham jumping out to the lead over Justin Hudspeth who would loose a couple positions off turn two. Peckham would continue to lead with a hard charging Chris Cheek making his way to the front. The couple would race side by side for many laps as they would catch some trouble in lap traffic. These two rockets would battle it out as the "Wilkes County Weapon" Chris Cheek would make it work on the bottom to finally pick up his first win of the year after winning the 2008 championship. Kent Peckham would still have a strong run while falling back to finish second. John Eller would get it done in third. Justin Hudspeth looked to finally be getting his car dialed in this week with a fourth place finish. Andrew Durham would return to the four-tenth mile to round out the top five. Kent peckham continues to lead the point standings over Winky McGee who would have a disapointing night in ninth.

In the Southeastern Cars & Parts Limited Sportsman race, "The Twister" Richard Clew of Harmony would get it done this week after a rugged battle with Bryan Nance. Nance would lead early as Richard Clew would charge through the field to make a run on Nance. Clew would catch and pass for the lead as Nance looked to have mechanical problems just a couple laps later and be done for the night. The bounty that was on Bryan Nance would end as Nance would have to be running at the end of the race for it to count. Joel Bray would finish second with Jeff Parsons in third and reclaiming his name atop of the point standings. Shawn Robinson would finish fourth with Nanthan Walker in fifth. Former points leader Daniel Moss would just not have things go his way this week with a eighth place finish.

In the Coffee House Waffle Shop Four Cylinders, The racing just keeps getting closer and more intense in this division each and every week as Tommy Zachary of Yadkinville would return with his four cylinder and pick up just where he left off and that's in victory circle. Trent Chantham would give him a run for his money while Chatham ran door to door for several laps with Zachary. Chatham would finish a strong second over points leader Billy Robbins. Chris Hudspeth would have yet another consistant finish in fourth with Junior Welborn taking it to the house in fifth.

In the JC Racing & Fabrication Renegade V-8 division, Derek Mastin, Keith Clonch, and Jeff Parsons would put on one heck of a show as fans didn't even use their seats for this one. Parsons would lead early with Clonch on his door. Mastin would be patient for a few laps before making it a three way dance the last several laps of the feature. After it was all said and done it would be Derek Mastin coming out on top of the the three wide battle. Points leader Jeff Parsons would cross the line second with Keith Clonch in third. Jason Donahue would spin his tires to a fourth place finish with fifth going to Tony Parsons.

In the Hill Top Trading Post Donald's Automotive U-Car feature, Britton Settle would look to have the car to beat in the first couple laps as he would lead. Matthew Nance would make a run to the front after Settle would have mechanical woes. Brett Myers would make a late race charge to second while laps would run out before catching "Stroker Ace, Jr." Matthew Nance who would pick up his second win of the year in just five starts. Brett Myers would finish second with Todd Faircloth in third. Travis Turner would claim fourth with Austin Caudle rounding out fifth.

Congratulations to this weeks feature winners and thanks to all the dirt racing fans, drivers, and crewmen for your support as we head into event number nineteen of the 2009 racing season Saturday on August 22nd for a regular weekly championship night of racing action. On our next event we will feature all five of our regular divisions known as the GM Direct Automotive NDRA Pro Late Models, Southeastern Cars & Parts Limited Sportsman, Coffee House Waffle Shop Four Cylinders, JC Racing & Fabrication Renegade V-8, and the Hill Top Trading Post Donald's Automotive 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 FriendshipRacing.com, the official website of Friendship Motor Speedway. Be sure to bring the family, friends, or whatever the case may be to the home of good times and great racing at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, North Carolina.

(Article written on August 16th, 2009 by Corey Hensley.)