FRIENDSHIP MOTOR SPEEDWAY Weekly Article

Elkin, NC - The ASA Sanctioned Friendship Motor Speedway was back at it again for the fourth event of the 2008 season. This week put drivers to the test as track officials reconfigured the speedway after the special event last week to make room for better racing and it really paid off as we seen some of the closest racing of the year so far. With great weather on hand, Friendship Motor Speedway showed once again that this was the place to be for exciting racing in all divisions. 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, Noel Tucker was back on the throttle early once again as he would claim quick time in Fastrak Pole Qualifying. He would start on the front row along side last weeks runner up Keith Holder. As the race began it looked early on to be "The Gambler" Tony Hicks on the move to the front. Keith Holder would hold off a early charging Hicks. As laps began to pass it would look to be Keith Holder trying to make the move on race leader Noel Tucker as they battled for many laps. After a few cautions and resarts it would just not be enough time for Holder. Noel Tucker of Mount Airy, North Carolina in his Granite City Auto, Aunt Bea's BBQ, Stevens Maintance, South Main Service Center, J&J Race Car would roll into the Neighbors/100.9 WIFM Victory Lane to make his runs at Friendship Motor Speedway now three wins out of three starts. Keith Holder would finish a strong and close second. Your current points leader Tony Hicks would move up from his starting position to bring it home in third. John Eller would be your fourth place finisher.

In the Super Street feature event, Daniel Moss and Jimmy Watson would put on a heck of a show as they would do battle side by side for many laps. "The Bad Bow Tie" Keith Clonch would make his presence known as he would look to make a run for second as he would overtake Watson. Clonch now finally seemed to have a good run going after several weeks of misfortune. There just wouldn't be anyone out there to get pass Daniel Moss as he would add to his points lead and would take down the checkered flag. Jimmy Watson would move up to finish third after a spin by Keith Clonch late in the race. Rounding out your top three would be a respectable finish by Andy Mathis.

In the Coffee House Four Cylinder feature event, a lot of excitement in this division as Tommy Zachary would lead them down for the start. It would look to be last weeks feature winner Tommy Zachary with the car the beat once again. After just three laps in the books Tommy Zachary would fall off the pace and take his car to the pits as if he had mechanical issues. This turn of events would hand the lead over to Billy Robbins. Billy would lead a couple laps but the guy trying to rebound from last week would be on the move. That guy would be none other then Friendship Motor Speedway regular Matthew Warden as he would take the lead. Robbins would fall back to second as Robbie Brown would now look to find a fault in Robbins. Matthew Warden would lead until the end with no problems in sight as he would get his first win of the 2008 racing season. Points leader Robbie Brown would nudge past Robbins to pick up the second place finishing spot. Billy Robbins would fall back to finish third.

In the Southeastern Cars & Parts U-Car feature event, once again we would have a new winner in victory lane as this would be four different winners in four events so far this season. Ben Walker would make his debut to show these drivers just how to get it done with a win but would be disqualified in post race inspection. Anthony Sisk would finish with a super run in second but would also be disqualified in post race inspection. Third place finishing Josh Clonch would now be the feature winner as he would have the first car across the line that was found legal. Last weeks feature winner C.J. Lyons would have problems as would fall to finish all the way back in ninth. He is tied for second in the points with the season opener feature winner Matthew Barker finishing ninth. Dennis Ashley would finish second with Jennifer Mendenhall moving up to claim third.

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 fifth event of the 2008 racing season next week. Next week we will be featuring a regular schedule of events with all four 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 May 31st, 2008 by Corey M. Hensley, Updated June 2nd, 2008)