Newport Speedway Race Results from Sept. 20

Track Championship Points leader Dennis Queen set the standard in qualifying for the 100 lap Late Model Stock feature event by turning a 13.315 second lap around the 4/10 mile asphalt oval raceway. Seventeen other starters joined Queen on the starting grid, including Super Late Model regular Jeff Myers.

It was Queen and Lance Gatlin leading the field through the fourth turn looking for the green flag. Gatlin was recorded as the leader of the initial circuit, but as the field approached the line for the completion of the second lap, it was Queen who had claimed the top spot on the leader board. Gatlin began to display possible handling issues early in the event as he slipped to sixth position.

The first caution period of the event came during lap 10 as the fifth place car belonging to Junior Franks made contact with Myers, sending Myers spinning. Both drivers were required to restart the event at the rear of the field. For the restart the top five were Queen, Jason Grant, Brian Ramsey, Gatlin and Don Rudisill. With Myers and Franks trying to find their way back to the front.

The caution flag would again be displayed during lap 37 for a minor incident. The field was realigned and racing resumed. Myers appeared to have the fastest car on the speedway at the halfway point, as he had made his way back into the lead pack in third position. Franks had also returned from the rear of the field into fifth position. At the completion of lap 52 Myers had overtaken second place from Grant with Ramsey and Franks filling in the top five slots.

Lap 57 would require the caution flag to be thrown again for the eighth place car belonging to Michael Buckner. Buckner suffered a cut right front tire exiting turn four, sending his Monte Carlo slamming against the outside retaining wall. Buckner was uninjured, however his car had received significant damage, retiring him to the pit area for the remainder of the event.

Racing was brought to a halt again during lap 63 for debris on the raceway and once more during lap 67 for the car belonging to Randy "Snowball" Bethea, who had crashed into the inside retaining wall exiting turn two. This incident would send Bethea to the pit area for the night.

Once green flag racing was again underway, Myers began working on Queen. However, Queen wasn't giving an inch, if Myers was going to get the premier position, he most definitely was going to have to earn it. Myers was about to make his move when the car of Jackie Buckner slowed on the raceway, bringing the caution flag out for the sixth time. The restart would show Queen, Myers, Ramsey, Franks and Grant on the leader board in the top five positions.

The third lead change of the night happened during lap 85, as Myers finally saw his way clear to make the pass and grab the top spot from Queen.

The final fifteen laps of the feature race were completed caution free with the field in a single file racing situation.

Myers earned his first ever Late Model Stock victory, with Dennis Queen, Brian Ramsey, Junior Franks and Jason Grant rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth - Lance Gatlin, Burt Cable, Don Rudisill, Scott Brown, and Tom McCurry. Eleventh through fifteenth - Toby Hopkins, Eddie Hefner, Billy Worley, Jackie Buckner and Darrick Coomer. Sixteenth through eighteenth - Randy Bethea, Michael Buckner and Clint Watkins.

Danny Tracy collects the win in the 20 lap Pure Stock event after Marvin Green was faced with legality issues in the post-race technical inspection. Scott Ricker, Jeff Allen, Mark Deyton and Tony Ball complete the list of the top five.

Brandon James picks up his first win in the 20 lap Modified Mini feature. Jason Henry, Tony Stanton, David Kitts and Jason Morgan round out the top five.

Jay Young earns his first Newport Speedway win in the Legends 20 lap feature event. Adam Roberson, Chris Wilson, Janice Humble and Brian Murphy round out the top five.

Tony Cox collects his first Newport Speedway win in the Baby Grand 20 lap feature. Tyler Brown, Nick Proffitt, Clifford Pugh and Bill Christie complete the top five.

Billy Morie started last and finished first in the LARCA Grand National Mini 20 lap event. Jason Whitehead, Tony Taylor, James Rice and Jackie Miller round out the top five.

Jon Fedock led from flag-to-flag in the 40 lap, double points Road Hog feature event. Kevin Hensley, Chad McGaha, Charles Allen and Lester Massey fill in the top five slots.

Stephen Bolduc earns top honors in the Baby Road Hog 20 lap feature. Robert Fox, Drew Valentine, Josh Lewis and Junior Wines complete the list of the top five.

Newport Speedway Race Results from Sept. 13

Jeff Myers collects his ninth Strange's Custom Auto Super Late Model division win in the 100 lap feature event. Dale Gibson, Pat Brewer, Keith Rankin and Barry Lowe were tucked nose-to-rear bumper at the completion of the initial circuit. Lap 2 would require the first caution flag of the event as the car belonging to Terry Smith made contact with Jim Farmer's machine, sending Farmer spinning towards the inside retaining wall in the fourth turn.

On the restart Myers displayed his strength, driving away from the field. Gibson, Brewer, Rankin and Lowe continued as if they had been uninterrupted. By the completion of lap 11Lowe had overtaken Rankin for the fourth position and had his sights set on Gibson and Brewer. Myers continued to exhibit dominance as he began lapping the field.

The second caution period of the evening came just before the midway point, on lap 42 for the Monte Carlo belonging to Ed Surrett. Apparently, Surrett had made contact with another car earlier in the event, causing damage to the nose of his racer. Surrett's car had overheated and stopped on the raceway.

For the restart the leaders were bunched together. Myers was at the point with Brewer, Gibson, Lowe and Rankin tucked nose-to-tail once again. Myers once again drove away from the field. Lowe appeared to have the fastest car of the four in the chase, as he overtook third position from Gibson during the 53rd circuit and then grabbed the second spot from Brewer during lap 62. Once cleared of traffic Lowe began the task of running Myers down.

Racing was brought to a halt for the third and final time of the event during lap 67 for the spinning car belonging to Terry Smith. The cars were realigned and green flag racing resumed. On this restart, Myers had the Dodge Intrepid belonging to Lowe on his rear bumper and had his work cut out for him. Myers could not shake Lowe, the two raced through the final stages of the race. Brewer began to display possible handling issues as Gibson had overtaken the third position during lap 93. At the line it was Myers managing to hold off Lowe by a slight advantage, Gibson, Brewer, Rankin and Ronnie Romines in the top six slots and the cars on the lead lap. Seventh through eleventh positions - Terry Smith, Chuck Winders, Jim Farmer, Ed Surrett and Jonathan Storms.

This Saturday night was not a good night to start the 25 lap Super Stock feature from the front row. Outside pole sitter Gary Kelley was forced to retire from the event with five laps complete with what looked to be engine trouble. Fast qualifier and division point leader, John Clark led the event through the half-way point. Clark's Camaro began slowing on the raceway during lap 16 and he had no choice but to enter the pit area, with what appeared to be a tire losing air pressure. Clark's misfortune handed the race lead to Ricky Brown. Brown went unchallenged for the remainder of the event to pick up his sixth Super Stock win. Clark returned to the speedway and managed to complete the race four laps in arrears. Eric Green, Monty Cox, Curt Williams and Russell Goforth completed the list of the top five.

Tim Masters started from the outside pole position and raced in classic Saturday night racing fashion with fast qualifier Marvin Green for nineteen of the scheduled 20 laps in the Pure Stock feature. The two drivers ran side-by-side and bumper-to-bumper from the drop of the green flag through the white flag lap. Green reportedly experienced a part failure in the steering system just before the completion of the final lap. Masters collected the win with Scott Ricker, Danny Tracy, Nick English and Mark Deyton rounding out the top five. Although experiencing problems, Marvin Green managed to cross the finish line in sixth position.

Brian Dinkins earned the pole position in Modified Mini qualifying and cruised right into Victory Lane, collecting his sixth win of the year. Jason Henry, Jason Morgan, Danny Tullock and Terry Poore rounded out the top five.

Legends division point leader Chris Wilson had his hands full for the entirety of the 20 lap event. Kyle Fletcher and Adam Roberson raced Wilson relentlessly. Wilson was overtaken by Fletcher for the premier position on lap 17 and was relegated to the third spot when Roberson beat him to the line on the final lap. Fletcher picked up his second win with Roberson, Wilson, Janice Humble and Lewis Thompson completing the top five.

Billy Morie got past Jason Whitehead by mere inches at the finish line to break Whitehead's winning streak in the 15 lap LARCA Grand National Mini event. Tony Taylor, James Rice and David Duncan rounded out the top five.

Clifford Pugh earned the pole position and led each of the 20 laps in the Baby Grand feature. Tyler Brown, Nick Proffitt, Marshall Pugh and Dale Wilson round out the top five.

Jon Fedock picks up another win in the 20 lap Road Hog feature after Kevin Hensley is faced with legality issues in the post race technical inspection. Chad McGaha, Marty Shetley, Blake Kelley and Robert "Opie" Barndt round out the top five.

Robert Fox led the 15 lap Baby Road Hog event from wire-to-wire to collect his first feature win. David Ramsey, Matthew Shelton, Junior Wines and Leo Payne filled in the top 5 positions.

Newport Speedway Race Results from Sept. 6

Flagman Tommy Thompson looked things over as pole sitter Dennis Queen and Lance Gatlin led the field of thirteen Late Model Stock cars out of the fourth turn looking for the green flag in the 100 lap feature event. Queen and Gatlin remained side-by-side through the completion of lap one with Queen earning the slightest advantage to be recorded as the leader. The field settled into a single file racing situation with Queen, Gatlin, Daryl Williams, Michael Buckner and Burt Cable filling in the top five spaces on the leader board.

The first caution period of the event would come during lap eleven for the spinning car belonging to Robbie Henry.

Green flag racing resumed and Queen picked up where he left off. Gatlin ran down the lead car belonging to Queen and was looking to make his move when lapped traffic became the issue. Queen picked his way through the traffic distancing himself from Gatlin by several car lengths. Once cleared of traffic, Gatlin began reeling Queen in once again. Lap 25 would bring a halt to Gatlin's efforts on this attempt to catch Queen as the caution flag was required for the second time during the event for the car belonging to Eugene Norton.

The field was realigned with eleven of the thirteen starters remaining on the lead lap, and racing resumed. Queen, Gatlin, Williams, M. Buckner and Cable remained in the top five positions.

The field was slowed for the third and final time of the evening during lap 47 for the spinning fourth place car belonging to Michael Buckner. Buckner spun exiting turn four and was re-positioned as the last car on the lead lap, moving Cable into fourth position and Billy Worley assuming the fifth slot on the leader board.

With 16 laps remaining in the feature, the lead cars of Queen and Gatlin blasted past the fourth place car of Cable, leaving only the top three cars on the lead lap.

When the signal for 10 laps to go was given, Gatlin began working on Queen once again. The two raced each other in a clean racing fashion, bumper-to-bumper, and the nose of Gatlin's Pontiac Grand Prix to the inside of Queen. But Gatlin's hopes of earning his first Newport Speedway Late Model Stock feature win were extinguished in the final laps of the event as lapped traffic once again slammed the door on any openings he could find.

Queen picked up his 7th win, and increased his Track Championship Points lead over Roger Powell, who was not an entrant in the feature.

Lance Gatlin, Daryl Williams-who had his best Newport Speedway finish, Burt Cable and Billy Worley rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth - Darrick Coomer, Michael Buckner, Robbie Henry, Toby Hopkins and Eugene Norton. Eleventh through thirteenth - Scottie Thomas, Jackie Buckner and Randy "Snowball" Bethea. Don Rudisill was unable to start the event due to engine problems he experienced during qualifying.

Josh Knight sets fast time and leads each lap in the 20 lap Pure Stock feature. Knight picked up his 8th win of the season. Scott Ricker, Tim Masters, Danny Tracy and Marvin Green complete the top five.

Brian Dinkins collects win number 4 in the 25 lap Modified Mini feature event. Brandon James, David Kitts, Jason Henry and Danny Tullock round out the top five.

Fred Hardwick led each lap of the 20 lap Legends Car event , and collects his 3rd win for the season. Kyle Fletcher, Lewis Thompson, Janice Humble and Darrell Gillespie round out the top five.

Jason Whitehead claims the top spot in the Grand National Mini 20 lap feature. Billy Morie, Tony Taylor, James Rice and David Duncan complete the top five.

Jon Fedock takes top honors in the 20 lap Road Hog feature event with Marty Shetley, Lester Massey, Matthew Presnell and Robert "Opie" Barndt rounding out the top five.

Stephen Bolduc adds one more win to his resume in the Baby Road Hog 15 lap feature. Drew Valentine, Brian Pruett, David Ramsey and Keith Moore complete the top five.

TN National Guard Armored Cavalry Join the Newport Speedway Saturday Night Racing Action

Troop E 2/278TH Armored Cavalry Regiment Guardsmen in participation:
1st Lieutenant SSG Bill Seamen
SSG Arvine Taylor
SGT Neil Hough
PVT Lee Shults
SPC Randy Holt
SGT Steve Freeman
SPC Matthew Wilde
SSG Tony Mayle

The Newport Element of the Tennessee Army National Guard Troop E2/278TH Armored Cavalry Regiment joined the action at Newport Speedway Saturday night. The guardsmen in participation were Steve Freeman, Matthew Wilde, Chris Hough, Randy Holt, Arvine Taylor, Bill Seames, Lee Shults, Staff Sargent Tony Mayle and Lieutenant Rob Mathis.

The troop presented the colors and provided a Bradley Scout Vehicle and Humvee for display. Also provided was a Humvee as the official pace car for the evening. All guardsmen were available to answer questions and provide information regarding the equipment on display as well as inform anyone interested in recruitment information.

The number 54 Winston Cup car driven by Todd Bodine is sponsored by the Army National Guard. Bodine's race team has donated to the Newport Element of the Tennessee Army National Guard Troop E2/278TH Armored Cavalry Regiment an autographed rear bumper, hood and fender. These items were also on display at the speedway.

Plans are in the works for the Troop, in conjunction with Newport Speedway to raffle the autographed rear bumper. The proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the new Newport Boys and Girls Club. The club has been formed to involve children in organized, supervised activities.

Jeff Myers earned the pole position in Super Late Model qualifying with a lap of 12.718 seconds (113.3 miles per hour) and led each of the 60 laps in the Strange's Custom Auto super Late Model feature. Pat Brewer and Barry Lowe battled lap after lap for the second position with Brewer managing to hold the spot for the entire event. Terry Smith maintained fourth position from lap 1 through lap 60. Ronnie Romines rounded out the top five.

The caution flag was required on two occasions during the event. First on lap 15 for the spinning car belonging to Ed Surrett and again on lap 55 for the spinning car of Keith Rankin.

Jason Grant set the standard in Late Model Stock qualifying with a lap of 13.391 seconds, and was recorded as the leader of laps one and two, but from that point on it was Dennis Queen showing the way. Grant and Roger Powell settled into second and third positions, with Junior Franks working on the rear bumper of the fourth place car of Don Rudisill. By the completion of lap 10, Franks had made his move and taken the spot.

Daryl Williams was having one of his best runs of the season. As the field completed the eighteenth circuit, Williams had overtaken Rudisill for the fifth spot.

Lap 28 would require the first caution flag of the event. The car belonging to Eugene Norton had spun in turn three.

For the restart it was Queen, Grant, Powell, Franks and Williams in the top five slots. Franks apparently caught Powell and Grant asleep as the green flag was flown, as he drove past both racers, claiming the second position. Grant may have missed a gear on the restart as he slipped back to fifth place before pulling himself together racing back into the third spot.

The second caution period would come during lap 36 for the spinning sixth place car belonging to Daryl Williams.

Once racing resumed, it would again be brought to a halt before the completion of lap 37 due to rain. A rain slickened raceway would cause several cars to spin. After a long red-flag situation the event was called off with 36 of the scheduled 45 laps complete. Queen would collect the win with Franks, Grant, Powell and Mark Ketron rounding out the top five.

Gary Kelley is a name synonymous with front running Classic Cars. But, put him behind the wheel of a Super Stock car and he looses absolutely nothing. Kelley grabbed the outside pole position in Super Stock qualifying with division points leader John Clark at the point. Kelley got the advantage on the start and led the first seven circuits of the 25 lap feature. But his night would end there, as going into turn one Kelley and Clark made contact, sending Kelley slamming hard against the outside retaining wall. Clark would be repositioned to the rear of the field, handing the lead to Ricky Brown. Brown managed to maintain first position to pick up his 5th win of 2003. Clark raced his way back into second place, Jason Leatherwood, Donnie Buckner and Eric Green rounded out the top five.

Josh Knight collects his 8th Pure Stock event win with Tim Masters, Scott Ricker, Marvin Green and Jeff Allen completing the top five.

Brian Dinkins started from the pole position and led each of the 20 laps in the Modified Mini feature, picking up his 4th win of the season. Danny Tullock, Cindy Poore, Brad Seagle and Brandon James filling in the top five slots.

Adam Roberson finds his way back to Victory Lane in the 20 lap Legends event. Division points leader Chris Wilson, Janice Humble, Lewis Thompson and Ron Humble round out the top five.

The Baby Grands second appearance at Newport Speedway earns Tyler Brown his second Newport Speedway win. Tony Cox, Clifford Pugh, Dale Wilson and Chris Wilson completing the top five.

Jason Whitehead led the lap that counted in the Grand National Mini event. Picking up another 15 lap feature win. James Rice, Tony Taylor, David Duncan and Paul Burford round out the top five.

Steve Goforth takes top honors in the Baby Road Hog feature. Matthew Shelton, Leo Payne, Stephen Bolduc and David Ramsey complete the top five.

Jon Fedock picks up the win in the Road Hog feature. Matthew Presnell, Lester Massey, Marty Shetley and Roy Holder round out the top five.

JEFF MYERS PICKS UP WIN NUMBER SEVEN IN THE STRANGES CUSTOM AUTO SUPER LATE MODEL 100

Jeff Myers set the standard in Super Late Model qualifying with a fast lap of
12.776 seconds (112.7 miles per hour.) Myers and outside pole sitter, Barry
Lowe led the field out of the fourth turn looking for the green flag. Lowe
apparently missed a gear, backing up the outside starting line. The field
would be realigned for a complete double file restart. On the second attempt
to start the 100 lap feature event, Lowe again displayed problems as his Dodge
Intrepid stalled and required assistance to be removed from the raceway.
Apparently suffering from a broken rear-end gear, he was forced to retire for
the evening.

Once green flag racing was underway, Myers and Dale Gibson drove away from the
field, separating themselves from the third place car of Ed Surrett by nearly a
half-straight-away. By the completion of lap 33 Gibson had made his way to
Myers' rear bumper and was looking to make the pass. Myers had the advantage
as the two raced down the front straight and into turns one and two. Midway
down the backstretch it became evident that lapped traffic was going to become
an issue for Gibson. Myers picked his way through the traffic, using the
slower cars to his advantage. The slower car of Gregg Carby dropped to the
inside of the raceway allowing the faster cars of Myers and Gibson the room
they needed to fight for the lead. But, the car belonging to Daryl Campbell
remained in the racing groove, forcing Gibson to back off, giving Myers about a
one car length advantage. Once clear of slower traffic, Gibson continued the
chase, reeling in Myers for the second time. Just past the halfway point
Gibson was ready once again to make his move on Myers. Campbell would again be
the issue for Gibson, slamming shut the opening Gibson had worked so hard to
get.

The second caution period of the event would come during lap 54 for Carby, as
smoke billowed from underneath his car. Reportedly suffering from a blown
brake line, he was forced to retire to the pit area for the remainder of the
event.

When green flag racing resumed, Myers and Gibson continued their duel. Pat
Brewer had overtaken third position from Surrett and Ronnie Romines had assumed
the fifth spot.

The caution flag would be required again during lap 68 as the lapped cars of
Jerry Mears and Campbell made contact in the center of turns one and two,
sending both cars spinning, but neither acquiring any damage. The field was
realigned and racing was thought to be underway once again. The field had
taken the green flag and the front runners were racing down the backstretch,
the slower cars were in turn one, while exiting turn two Mears apparently lost
control of his Chevrolet Monte Carlo, slamming hard against the inside
retaining wall midway down the backstretch. Mears escaped the crash uninjured
but his car was significantly damaged, sending him to the pit area for the
night.

Once the speedway had been cleared of the debris, racing resumed. Gibson still
had his sights set on Myers, with Brewer, Surrett and Romines filling in the
top five positions on the leader board. The ensuing 26 laps settled into a
smooth racing situation. While working lap 94, the fourth place car belonging
to Surrett slowed and rolled to a stop on the backstretch, bringing out the
caution flag for the fifth time. Surrett made his way into the pit area to the
attention of his crew, and was able to return to the speedway. Surrett did not
lose any laps and was re-positioned in fourth place as the last car on the lead
lap.

On the restart, going into turn one, Surrett made contact with Brewer, sending
both racers spinning and bringing out the caution flag once again. Neither
Brewer nor Surrett suffered any damage, allowing both to continue for the 6-lap
dash to the finish. On the following restart, Surrett overtook Brewer for the
position. As the field was working lap 98, Surrett made contact with the
second place car belonging to Gibson, requiring yet another caution period.
This incident would move Brewer into second position, drop Gibson to third and
place Surrett back into fourth position.

The last two laps of the event were completed in a clean racing fashion. Myers
went unchallenged for first place, collecting win number seven, Brewer managed
to hold off Gibson for second, as Surrett slowly limped his car to the finish
line in fourth and Keith Rankin would round out the top five. Sixth through
eleventh - Ronnie Romines, Daryl Campbell, Jerry Mears, Gregg Carby, Jonathan
Storms and Barry Lowe.

Danny Tracy did not make it to the track in time to qualify for the 20 lap Pure
Stock feature. This was no deterrent to Tracy, who started from the inside
back row. Josh Knight earned the pole position and appeared to be the car to
beat. By the completion of lap 4 Tracy had made his way to third position, but
there was still a long way to go to catch Knight. While working lap 13, Knight'
s car slowed and entered the pit area, handing the lead to Tracy who had
overtaken Tim Masters for second. Tracy would hold on to first position all
the way to the finish line with Everett McMahan, Tim Masters, Scott Ricker and
Mark Deyton filling in the top five slots.

Jason Henry started from the pole position and led each lap of the 20 lap
Modified Mini event. Brian Dinkins, David Kitts, Brandon James and Terry Poore
rounded out the top five.

Clay Hair, Ben Stancill and Fred Hardwick put on one of the best racing shows
of the night in the final stages of the 20 lap Legends event. Hardwick
overtook Stancill for second position following a lap 18 restart, and both were
putting the pressure on Hair, who managed to hold his own and collect another
Newport Speedway win. He was followed closely by Hardwick, Stancill, Adam
Roberson and Janice Humble. Every Legends event at Newport Speedway in which
Hair has been an entrant he has taken the win.

Tony Taylor collects his first win of 2003 in the LARCA Grand National Mini
event. Billy Morie, Jason Whitehead, James Rice and David Duncan rounded out
the top five.

Stephen Bolduc picks up win number six in the 15 lap Baby Road Hog feature.
Leo Payne, David Ramsey, Brian Pruett and Robert Fox complete the top five.

John Fedock takes top honors in the Road Hog 20 lap feature, with Kevin
Hensley, Kevin Penland, Matthew Presnell and Tony Baxter rounding out the top
five.

THE OCTOBERFAST 150 - $5000 TO WIN

Newport TN, - Newport Speedway officially announces plans for the OctoberFAST 150 Super Late Model Season Finale. The feature event will be held on Saturday night October 4, 2003, 150 laps of green flag racing (caution laps will NOT be counted,) and the winner will take home $5000.00

Newport Speedway rules will apply and may be found at www.newportspeedway.com by clicking on the 2003 Rulebook link then choosing the Super Late Model category. All entrants will be required to purchase four (4) new tires and fifteen (15) gallons of race fuel from the speedway - NO EXCEPTIONS.

The speedway will hold an open practice session on Friday evening October 3, 2003 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Pit gates will open at 2:00 pm and close promptly at 9:00 pm. Admission to the pit area for the 10-03-03 practice session will be $10.00 per person.

OctoberFAST 150 admission is as follows: Pit passes $25.00 each, grandstand admission $15.00 for adults and children under age 12 will be admitted free.

OctoberFAST 150 race day schedule is forthcoming.

The scheduled rain date is Saturday October 11, 2003.

OctoberFAST 150 event sponsors:

William O. Laughter Trucking Company - Hendersonville, NC
G B Enterprises - Flat Rock, NC
L & S Trucking Company - Waynesville, NC
Allison's Produce - Gaffney, SC
W & A Express - Asheville, NC
Steve's Tire Repair and Roadside Service - Asheville, NC

Join us at the "Lightning Fast" Newport Speedway for the OctoberFAST 150 and FLY THE HIGH BANKS!

An entry form may be obtained via e-mail from letrripgraphix@bellsouth.net or racewaygal@planetc.com. Entry forms along with the $100.00 entry fee must be received at the speedway by September 22, 2003. Late entries (received after 9-22-03) will be charged an additional $25.00 (total of $125.00 entry fee.) Checks may be made payable to Newport Speedway. Entry forms may be mailed to: Newport Speedway
P O Box 1602 Newport, TN 37822, or faxed to 423-623-2192.

Additional information may be obtained by calling 423-623-2182 or 828-684-8763.

Supporting classes will include Baby Grands, LARCA Grand National Minis, Pure Stocks, Modified Minis and Baby Road Hogs.

Dennis Queen Wins 100 Lap Late Model Race, and Points Championship at Newport Speedway

With Dennis Queen and Stephen Leicht on the front row it was sure to be 100 green flag laps of true short track racing in the Late Model Stock feature event. Queen grabbed the pole position with a lap of 13.275 seconds (108.5 miles per hour) forcing Leicht to take the green flag from outside the front row. It was Leicht that got the advantage, jumping to the point separating himself from Queen by less than a car length. Jason Grant, Roger Powell, Lance Gatlin and Burt Cable were racing for the third position. It would be Grant that claimed the position with Powell, Gatlin and Cable settling into the fourth fifth and sixth spots.

The first caution period of the event would come just past the halfway point for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo belonging to Michael Buckner. It looked as though Buckner had cut down the right front tire, coming to a stop just inches from the outside retaining wall. He slowly made his way to the pit area and would be forced to remain there for the remainder of the event. Apparently he had run over something on the raceway, causing significant damage to the wheel and brake components.

Once racing resumed, Leicht and Queen picked up where they left off with Grant, Powell, Gatlin and Cable in tow. These six were the cars remaining on the lead lap.

Lap 78 would require the caution flag to be displayed for the second and final time of the race for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo belonging to Roger Powell. Powell gathered himself up and shot into the pit area. His crew worked feverishly changing a tire to return him to the raceway. Speedway officials were forced to issue Powell a one lap penalty. Changing a tire that is not flat is an infraction of the speedway rules and a one lap penalty is the result.

The short caution period apparently allowed Queen time to cool his tires and concentrate on his late race strategy. When the green flag waved Queen was all over Leicht's rear bumper, not allowing Leicht any breathing room. Queen kept the pressure on Leicht for the ensuing two circuits. While working lap 81 Queen ducked to Leicht's inside, sticking the nose of his Monte Carlo underneath Leicht going into turn three, by the exit of turn four the two were side-by-side, at the stripe it was Queen by a nose.... By the completion of lap 86 Jason Grant had overtaken the second position from Leicht.

At the finish line it would be Queen taking top honors along with claiming the number one position in the track championship points race; Jason Grant in second with his best Newport Speedway finish on record; Stephen Leicht, Lance Gatlin and Burt Cable rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth - Roger Powell, Scott Brown, Jackie Buckner, Toby Hopkins and Michael Buckner. Don Rudisill and Darrick Coomer complete the list of twelve starters.

The 25 lap caution free Super Stock event found John Clark in victory lane again for the 7th time in 2003. Clark earned top qualifier honors with a lap of 13.909 seconds and led each of the 25 laps. Jason Leatherwood, Ricky Brown, Clint Watkins and Jason Franklin rounded out the top five. Russell Goforth and Randy Taylor fill in the sixth and seventh places. Curt Williams and Shane Higgins were disqualified.

Josh Knight set the standard in Pure Stock qualifying with a fast lap of 14.604 seconds and was recorded as the leader of all 20 laps in the Pure Stock event. Danny Tracy, Tim Masters, Scott Ricker and Tony Ball complete the top five.

It looked as if James Rice were going to pick up trophy number five in the LARCA Grand National Mini 15 lap feature. But by the completion of lap 12, Jason Whitehead had other plans. Whitehead assumed the lead position, but only momentarily as Billy Morie shot from the third spot to claim the lead on lap 13. Morie held off a hard charging Rice at the finish line, with Whitehead placing third and David Duncan and Paul Burford taking the fourth and fifth positions.

Clay Hair, Ben Stancill an Kevin Wood claimed the top three positions in both of the Legend Cars 20 lap features. An early season rain-out gave speedway administrators the opportunity to run a Legends Car double-header, drawing twenty two cars to take the green flag in each event. The finishing order for the first feature would have Chris Wilson and Jay Young filling in the spaces for the fourth and fifth positions. The second event would have Jay Young and Butch Irick completing the list of the top five.

Todd Cureton takes top honors in the scheduled 20 lap Road Hog feature. The event was shortened to twelve laps due to rain. Second through seventh positions were Charles Allen, Chad McGaha, Kevin Henlsey, Jackie Ramsey Kevin Penland and Matthew Presnell.

Steve Goforth claims the top spot on the Baby Road Hog 30 lap feature. David Ramsey, Robert Fox, Bobby Woody and Glendale Holt rounded out the top five.

Keith Rankin Wins the Super Late Model Race, Dale Gibson Second at Newport Speedway

Jeff Myers and Keith Rankin led the field of ten Super Late Model cars to the green flag. Myers earned top honors in qualifying with a lap of 12.722 seconds. Myers grabbed the lead as the field completed the first circuit. Rankin, Dale Gibson and Barry Lowe engaged in a three car race for the second spot. Rankin prevailed, assuming the second position as Gibson and Lowe settled into third and fourth with Ronnie Romines taking the fifth slot on the leader board.

Myers had pulled away from the field and set sail, in hopes of collecting win number six for the season and increasing his lead in the track championship points race. The battle on the raceway for the second position had intensified as Gibson and Lowe had ran Rankin down. Gibson was putting the pressure on Rankin and Lowe was merely inches away. Gibson found an opening and ducked to the inside with Lowe tucked just behind him on his rear bumper. The two blasted past Rankin, dropping him to fourth.

The first caution period of the evening came on lap 41 for the spinning car belonging to Rob Thrumston. For the restart, with eight cars remaining on the speedway, it was Myers, Gibson, Lowe, Rankin, Ed Surrett and Romines on the lead lap with Terry Smith and Thrumston completing the field. Myers picked up where he left off, jumping to a 3.214 second lead over the field.

The final caution flag of the 100 lap feature would be displayed only eight circuits later, on lap 48, for the race machine belonging to Terry Smith. Smith's car slowed and rolled to a stop high on the speedway in turn four. Smith darted into the pit area, his crew looked things over and returned him to the raceway.

With 52 laps remaining and six cars on the lead lap, green flag racing resumed. Myers continued unchallenged , Gibson and Lowe were racing each other hard for second as Surrett and Romines were battling for fourth. At the completion of lap 81 Lowe had overtaken Gibson and set his sights on Myers, who had a 5.897 second advantage. As the laps were clicking away Myers' lead kept increasing. When the checkered flag was thrown Myers had an 8.014 second lead over Lowe, Gibson and Surrett, who were the cars on the lead lap, Romines rounded out the top 5 one lap in arrears. Sixth through tenth-Rankin, Smith, Thrumston, Jonathan Storms and Chad Garrett. Daryl Campbell was unable to start the event due to transmission issues.

Steve Carver took top qualifier honors and lead every lap of the 20 lap Pure Stock event. However, he was unable to pass the post race technical inspection, awarding the win to Josh Knight. Knight and Danny Tracy fought for second position on the speedway throughout the entire 20 lap feature. Phillip York, Marvin Green and Tim Masters rounded out the top five.

Brian Dinkins picks up win number 3 in the 20 lap Modified Mini feature. Dinkins started from the pole position and led every lap. Division point leader Danny Tullock finished second with Jason Henry, who started at the rear of the field because he was unable to qualify, coming in in the third position. John Byers and Brad Seagle round out the top five.

Jay Ball collects the trophy in the Classic Cars 5 lap trophy dash.

12 year old Chris Wilson earns his first Newport Speedway Legends Car win. Jeff Jordan set the standard in qualifying with a lap of 14.717 seconds, and led the first 14 laps of the 20 lap feature. Jordan was overtaken by Wilson with six laps remaining. Adam Roberson, who picked up his first Newport Speedway Legends Car win last week, was on Wilson's rear bumper. The two raced hard through the remaining laps. Wilson managed to hold off Roberson's final lap charge and take the checkered flag.

The Baby Grand cars made their first visit to Newport Speedway. Tyler Brown picked up the win with Evan Williams, Chris Wilson, Tony Cox and Clifford Pugh completing the top five.

Jason Whitehead and James Rice swapped the lead several times in the final stages of the 15 lap LARCA Grand National Mini event. Rice led from lap three through lap eight and was overtaken by Whitehead. Rice continued his hard charge and was scored as the leader on laps twelve and thirteen. But it was Whitehead that led the lap that counted, the final lap. He was followed closely by Rice in second, with Drew Bagwell, Tony Taylor and Paul Burford rounding out the top five.

Stephen Bolduc leads the 15 lap Baby Road Hog feature from wire-to-wire. Picking up his fourth win of 2003.

Chad McGaha is awarded the Road Hog victory after several cars are unable to pass post race inspections. Second through sixth-Tony Baxter, Matthew Presnell, Robert Barndt and Jackie Ramsey.

Newport Speedway Gives Fans 125 Lap Double Points Late Model Stock Feature!

Sixteen Late Model Stock drivers signed in to participate in the 125
lap, double points feature. Stephen Leicht earned top honors in
qualifying with a lap of 13.371 seconds, 107.700 miles per hour, and track
championship points leader Roger Powell started from the outside pole
position. When the green flag fell, it was Leicht that maintained the top
spot, while Dennis Queen overtook the second position, with Powell
slipping to third and Lance Gatlin and Jason Grant holding the fourth and
fifth spaces. The field settled into a single file racing situation.
Junior Franks began putting the pressure on UARA-Stars regular, Burt
Cable for the sixth spot. During lap 24, the two made contact exiting turn
two, sending Cable’s car hard into the inside retaining wall on the
backstretch. The Ford belonging to Cable sustained significant damage,
therefore sending him to the pit area for the day. Franks entered the
pits to replace a cut right front tire and returned to the raceway
without losing any laps. Points leader, Powell also entered the pit area
during the caution period for what appeared to be a tire losing air
pressure. His crew quickly changed the tire and he too, returned to the
speedway, as the last car on the lead lap. The race for Powell was then to
return to the lead pack to protect his point lead. Powell led Queen by
a mere 4 points entering the double points feature.

The second caution period of the day came during lap 52, when the
seventh place car belonging to Larry Davis spun and slammed against the
outside wall exiting turn two. The lapped car belonging to Scott Davis
slammed against him, bringing out the red flag to clean up the track.
Both drivers escaped uninjured.

For the restart it was Leicht, Queen, Gatlin, Grant, Powell and Franks
on the lead lap. Only ten circuits would be completed before the
Chevrolet Monte Carlo belonging to Grant, who had just overtaken the fourth
position from Gatlin, blew a right front tire exiting turn four, sending
him nose first into the outside retaining wall and collecting Gatlin as
he went. Grant was shaken up by the hard blow but otherwise neither
driver received any injuries. This incident occurred just before the
half-way point of the 125 lap event.

At the point it remained Leicht, followed by Powell, Franks and Queen.
Queen had entered the pit area for adjustments during the caution
period. The four were the lead lap cars. Queen quickly grabbed the third
position from Franks and began working on Powell. For the ensuing 25
laps the two raced each other hard and clean, never making contact.
Queen claimed the position on lap 86 and set his sights on Leicht and
Powell appeared to be slipping backwards. Apparently Powell had backed off
to cool his tires and save them for a late race charge. With 10 laps
remaining Powell had reeled in Queen and was on his rear bumper. Powell
found his opening and by the completion of lap 117 had taken the second
spot from Queen. The battle between Powell and Queen allowed Leicht to
drive away and take his time working through lapped traffic.

At the finish it was Leicht, Powell, Queen, and Franks on the lead lap
in the top 4 positions with Daryl Williams earning his best Newport
Speedway finish, fifth, three laps down to the leaders. Sixth through
eighth would be the only cars remaining on the speedway, Scott Brown,
Michael Buckner (122 laps complete each) and Toby Hopkins with 111 laps
complete.

9th-15th: Nathan Hughes, Lance Gatlin, Jason Grant, Larry Davis, Jackie
Buckner, Scott Davis and Burt Cable. Rick Coffman was unable to start
the event due to engine trouble.

Ricky Brown starts from the pole position and leads every lap of the 25
lap Super Stock event, picking up his fourth win of 2003. Clint
Watkins, Curt Williams, Russell Goforth and first time racer Randy Taylor
complete the top five.

Scott Ricker managed to hold off track championship points leader Tim
Masters to earn his first win in the 20 lap Pure Stock event. Everett
McMahan, Phillip York and Ernie Harris complete the top five finishers.

Brian Dinkins picks up his second win in the Modified Minis 20 lap
feature. John Byers, Danny Tullock, Terry Poore and Mitchell Ramsey round
out the top five.

Gary Kelley collects win number nine in the Classic Cars 20 lap event.
Brian Ball, Dustin Jenkins, Jay Ball, and Chuck Davis complete the top
five.

Adam Roberson re-claims the top spot from Jay Young with two laps
remaining to win his first Newport Speedway Legends event in the 20 lap
feature. Chris Wilson, Jeff Jordan and Janice Humble round out the top
five.

Chad McGaha receives top honors in the Road Hog 20 lap race. Followed
by Tony Baxter, Robert “Opie” Barndt, Jackie Ramsey, Lester Massey and
Matthew Presnell.

Stephen Bolduc claims the Baby Road Hog 15 lap event with David Ramsey,
Leo Payne, Glendale Holt and Matthew Shelton rounding out the top
five.

Barry Lowe Earns First Newport Speedway Victory in the Stranges Custom Auto 100

Newport, TN. - Steve Houser earns top qualifier honors with a fast lap of 12.680 seconds (113.60 miles per hour) and led the first two laps of the Strange's Custom Auto 100 lap Super Late Model feature. The completion of lap three would show Jeff Myers, who started from the outside pole position, in the top spot. Houser, Barry Lowe, Keith Rankin and Rusty Webb were all engaged in a race for the remaining spaces on the leader board.

The first caution period of the evening would come on lap six for fluid on the raceway. Once racing resumed Myers, Houser, Lowe, Webb, Rankin, Dale Gibson and Chris Corum were tucked nose-to-rear-bumper. Houser was overtaken by Lowe for second position on lap 11, as it appeared that Houser could be dealing with handling issues. Webb, Rankin and Gibson continued their battle for third position allowing Myers and Lowe to pull away from the field, and Houser continued to slip back.

Third place holder in the track championship points, Chris Corum, was forced to retire on lap 25 with mechanical issues. Adding another night of bad luck to his race record.

The caution flag would again be displayed on lap 35 for the spinning car of Rankin, who had a flat left rear tire. For the restart it would be Myers, Lowe, Webb, Gibson, Houser, Chris Cochran, Ed Surrett, Terry Smith and Rankin on the lead lap. Only nine circuits would be completed before the third caution period came. Terry Smith's Monte Carlo slowed exiting turn four and rolled to a stop on the front stretch. Smith and Houser retired to the pit area.

When the green flag waved again, Myers and Lowe drove away from the field. Webb and Gibson continued to fight for the third spot and Rankin was in fifth position as the last car on the lead lap.

As the laps were winding down it looked as though Myers would go into the record books as the Super Late Model feature winner for the sixth time in 2003. Then, lapped traffic became an issue for the leaders. Lowe closed in on Myers' rear bumper, Myers slipped up the raceway allowing Lowe to get the nose of his Dodge Intrepid to the inside. The two raced side-by-side with Lowe overtaking the premier position on lap 86 and holding off Myers to earn his first Newport Speedway win. Webb and Gibson raced hard to the finish for 3rd and 4th positions and Rankin finished in the 5th slot, one lap in arrears. Sixth through tenth - Ed Surrett, Ronnie Romines, Chad Garrett, Daryl Campbell and Jonathan Storms. 11-15: Chris Cochran, Terry Smith, Brian Payne, Steve Houser and Eric Centers. Chris Corum and Gregg Carvey completed the field of 17 starters. Chad Winters was unable to start the event due to damages suffered in practice earlier in the afternoon.

Pure Stock championship points leader Tim Masters adds one more win to his record. Josh Knight, Steve Penley, Danny Tracy and Masters were the first four racers to cross the finish line. However, post race technical inspections would not allow Knight, Penley and Tracy to maintain their positions, Masters was awarded the win, with Scott Ricker, Mark Deyton, Marvin Green and Tony Ball rounding out the top five. Joey English, Marion Green Phillip York Stacy Bailey, Marvin English and Todd Green complete the list of 14 entries.

Gary Kelley started from the outside pose position and led every lap of the 20 lap Classic Cars feature. Fred McArthur, Brian Ball, Jay Ball and Marvin Carter round out the top five. 6-11 - Dustin Jenkins, Chuck Davis, Frog Ingle, David Carter, Earl McMahan and John Davis.

Fast qualifier, Brian Dinkins (16.36 seconds) and outside pole sitter Danny Tullock were re-positioned to the rear of the eleven car field of Modified Mini cars for the start of the race. Several attempts at giving the initial green flag were made and the two racers continued not to wait for the flag. Dinkins managed to race his way back to the front of the field and collect the win, he was followed by Jim Galloway, Tullock, Terry Poore and Cindy Poore. Sixth through eleventh - Dave Myers, Jim Galloway, Jr, Billy Kelly, Brad Seagle, Tony Stanton and Jason Morgan.

Fred Hardwick holds off a charging Adam Roberson to take the top honors in the 20 lap Legends event. Chris Wilson, John Memmer and Janice Humble complete the top five. Bill Bradley, Brian Murphy, Butch Irick, Mike Melton, Brian Bounds and Darrell Milewski complete the listing of eleven starters. Track championship points leader, Jeff Jordan was unable to start the event due to significant damage to his car suffered in an early afternoon practice session.

Billy Morie finally makes his way back to Victory Lane, picking up win number three of the season in the 15 lap Grand National Mini feature. James Rice, Tony Taylor, David Duncan and Jason Whitehead fill in the top five slots, with Paul Burford, Larry Peek and Lance Fye rounding out the field of eight starters.

Brent Stills drew the last starting spot for the Road Hog 20 lap feature. This disadvantage didn't hinder Stills in any way. By the completion of lap five he'd picked his way into the fourth position and by lap seven he was at the top of the leader board. Stills managed to hold off Blake Kelly, Stephen Davis, Chad McGaha, and Tony Baxter to pick up the win. Jackie Ramsey, Matthew Presnell, Roy McGaha, Tony Kent, Todd Cureton and Marty Shetley rounded out the field.

Stephen Bolduc starts the night in a new car and ends his night in Victory Lane. Bolduc led each lap of the 15 lap Baby Road Hog event. David Ramsey, Leo Payne, Brian Pruett and Ricky Rice fill in the top five positions.

KEITH RANKIN WINS THE STRANGE'S CUSTOM AUTO 100 LAP SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE

Newport, TN - Steve Houser and Dale Gibson led the field of 15 Super Late Models to the green flag. It appeared as if Houser had problems at the initial start of the 100 lap feature, as his car slowed and backed up the entire inside starting line. Speedway officials re-aligned the cars and Houser reclaimed his position for a second attempt at starting the event. Houser remained in the top spot only for mere seconds as Gibson blasted past him and claimed the premier spot. At that point it seemed that Gibson had the car to beat.

Top three points championship contenders Keith Rankin, Chris Corum and Jeff Myers (not in order by point standings, but running order) were all locked together in a battle for the second position as Houser continued to slip backwards.

The first caution period of the evening came during lap 14 as Daryl Campbell suffered a broken rear-end that sent him up against the outside retaining wall going in to turn one and ultimately in to the pit area for the evening. Once racing resumed Gibson, Rankin, Corum and Myers continued where they left off, darting away from the rest of the field. Terry Smith, Barry Lowe, Ed Surrett and Chris Cochran were engaged in a battle for sixth place.

During lap 23 it looked as if Rankin may have been experiencing handling issues as both Corum and Myers drove away from him. By the completion of lap 30 Rankin had fallen back to the fifth position. Barry Lowe, who started the feature at the rear of the field had won the battle for sixth place, dropping Smith, Cochran and Surrett to the seventh, eighth and ninth slots. The leaders were closing in on Surrett, who was the last car on the lead lap. Corum had ran Gibson down and Surrett just seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Corum's race machine tapped Surrett's Monte Carlo and sent him spinning, bringing out the caution for the second time on lap 33. Surrett's misfortune was the lucky break Cochran was looking for, as this allowed him to catch back up to the lead pack, preventing him from going a lap down.

The restart would show Gibson, Myers, Houser, Rankin, Lowe, Cochran, Surrett and Corum to be the cars on the lead lap. At the point, Gibson and Myers were driving away from the field, Gibson still clearly the best car on the raceway. However, if it weren't for bad luck, Dale Gibson would have absolutely no luck at all. During the 83rd circuit of a race he'd led each and every lap of, he ran over a chunk of lead that had fallen from one of the cars, and cut down his right front tire. This would send him to the pit area for the night. Lady Luck has not been on Gibson's side this season, as he has completed only 2 events. Gibson's misfortune handed the lead over to Myers, meanwhile Rankin's Monte Carlo began to show improvements on the track, as he had reeled in Myers and was putting on the pressure. What looked like it would be one of the best "racing" finishes at the speedway this year, with only three laps remaining was slaughtered when Houser spun on the backstretch on his own. This brought the caution out once again and set up a 3-lap dash to the finish. On the speedway the finish would be Myers with Rankin and Corum on his rear bumper, Houser and Cochran, with his best Newport Speedway finish, in the top 5 slots. Lowe, Smith, Jonathan Storms and Roy Petrey rounded out the nine cars completing the event. Gibson, Surrett, Chad Garrett, Ronnie Romines and Daryl Campbell completed the list of 14 starters. Eric Centers suffered mechanical problems and was unable to start the event following hot laps immediately prior to the start of the race.

In post-race technical inspections, the car belonging to Myers was disqualified due to weight issues. Keith Rankin was awarded the win, making it his second in succession.

Danny Tracy overtook first position from Tim Masters on lap two and never looked back. Tracy raced unchallenged for the remaining 19 laps of the Pure Stock 20 lap feature. Third place points contender, Josh Knight started the event in eleventh place. Billy Williams, who has won the last two Pure Stock events lined up in the fifteenth starting spot, as the drivers had to draw for starting positions. The race for Knight and Williams was to get thru the field and into the lead pack. Both drivers displayed a tremendous amount of patience and at the end they had claimed the second and third slots on the leader board. Masters and Marvin Green took fourth and fifth places. Mike Presnell, Ernie Harris, Josh Milner, Phillip York and Everett McMahan filled in the 6th through 10th place slots and Scott Ricker, Mark Deyton, James Holt, Joey English Marion Green and Marvin English rounded out the field of 16 starting positions.

Jackie Kelley collects his fourth win of the season in the 20 lap Classic Cars feature. Kelley led the field from wire-to-wire. Jay Ball and Marvin Carter remained in a two car race for second position throughout the event. Carter finally took the position with three laps remaining. Ball, Chuck Davis, and Chris Johnson claimed the top five positions with David Carter and Frog Ingle rounding out the seven car starting field.

The 20 lap Modified Mini feature was a race from the drop of the green flag. Tony Stanton, Bobby Northern and Jason Henry appeared to basically have equally matched cars, therefore this event came down to driver's ability. All starters in the field were required to draw for starting positions rather than the standard of 1-lap of qualifying. Stanton drew the best spot, on the inside of row 2. Henry was immediately behind him and 1 car separated the two from Northern who started from inside the fifth row... Stanton jumped to the point by the completion of lap three. Northern and Henry were not far behind. Northern had climbed to the top of the leader board by the end of the sixth circuit, but he had his hands full with Henry. The two traded the premier position several times in the final laps. Danny Tullock, who looked to have a solid fourth place finishing position, darted past Northern and
Stanton as lapped traffic became an issue for the leaders. At the stripe it was Henry, Tullock, Northern ,Stanton and John Byers for the top five. 6th through 10th : Brian Dinkins, Cindy Poore, Jason Morgan, Terry Poore and Brian Berkley. 11-15: Jim Galloway, Jr, Roy Stillwell, Jr, Brad Seagle, William Stafford and Jamie Wines.

Poor track conditions and the threat of severe weather forced track officials to have Legends drivers draw for starting positions rather than their usual of 1-lap time trials. This forced some of the usual top qualifiers to start from the rear of the field. Which proved to be a great show. Third place holder in the track championship points race, Jeff Jordan, started from the inside back row, this disadvantage didn't hinder Jordan in any way. Weekly regular Butch Irick led through the halfway point of the scheduled 20 lap feature. Newport Speedway newcomer Kyle Fletcher had been putting ;the pressure on Irick for several laps and Jordan had fought his way into fourth position when the first caution flag of the event was displayed on lap 11 for the spinning car belonging to Irick. Jordan and Adam Robeson jumped to the inside of championship points leader Chris Wilson on the restart. The caution flag would again be displayed when Robert Thompson and Lewis Thompson made contact in turn four. The restart would set up a green-white-checkered finish for the shortened event as time had expired. Jordan was on Fletcher's rear bumper but couldn't see his way clear to overtake the premier position as Fletcher dropped to the inside and picked up his first Newport Speedway win in his initial visit. Jordan held off Robeson for second position, with Wilson and Janice Humble rounding out the top five. 6th-10th: Brian Murphy, Bill Bradley, Lewis Thompson, Michael Melton and Robert Thompson. 11-13: Richard Galyon, Brian Bell and Butch Irick.

Jeff Banks returned to Newport Speedway in his typical style. Banks, who started on the outside of the front row, went into the record books as the leader of each of the 15 laps of the Grand National Minis feature event. Jason Whitehead looked as though he would give Banks some stiff competition until he was forced into the pit area with mechanical issues on lap 10. Whitehead has had his share of bad luck lately, as he has had only one top five finish in the last four events. Banks, Billy Morie, James Rice, Larry Peek and David Duncan would fill in the top five slots with Drew Bagwell, John Surrett, Pete Messina, Nick English and Whitehead completing the field of 10 starters.

Robert "Opie" Barndt comes from the outside pole position to lead the first nine circuits of the 20 lap Road Hog event. Barndt appeared to be the car to beat until he lost control of his Hog midway down the backstretch, spinning and settling against the inside wall. He managed to drive away without loosing a lap. This handed the lead to the 2002 Road Hog Champion, Brent Stills. Stills held off Tony Kent to collect his 2nd win of the 2003 season. Kent, Chad McGaha, Barndt, and Jackie Ramsey rounded out the top five, with Terry Roberts and Tim Gibson completing the field.

Brian Pruett managed to be the "top dog" in the early stages of the 15 lap Baby Road Hog feature. Pruett was the pole sitter and official leader of the first 4 laps. The completion of lap 5 found Purett, David Ramsey, Terry McMurray and Steve Goforth engaged in a four-wide battle for the lead. Ramsey, McMurray and Goforth continued in a three car race for the top spot changing positions numerous times throughout the race. Goforth, McMurray and Ramsey is the order in which they crossed the finish line, but legality issues in the post race technical inspections would hand the victory to Ramsey, making this his fifth Baby Road Hog win this year. Stephen Bolduc, Pruett, Linton Perry and Leo Payne would fill in the slots in the 3rd through 5th positions.

David Flynn and Pat Brewer Make 2003 Newport Speedway Debut

David Flynn and Pat Brewer each made their 2003 Newport Speedway debut in what appeared to be their typical style. Flynn took top qualifier honors with a lap of 12.814 seconds ( 112.4 miles per hour,) and Brewer leading from wire-to-wire. However, when they rolled into the tech area for post race inspections, neither of them were in compliance with the speedway's cylinder head rules.

The top three Championship Points contenders, Jeff Myers, Chris Corum and Keith Rankin each had their sights set on Victory Lane, as the 60-lap feature was also a double points event. The outcome could provide some shuffling in the points chase. Rankin earned the best starting spot of the three, inside of the second row. Myers and Corum started the event side-by-side in row four. Rankin would keep the third position only through the completion of the first lap, as he and Flynn made contact bringing out the caution flag, sending both cars to the rear of the field for the restart.

Corum, second place points contender, would suffer yet another night of bad luck as he was forced to retire for the evening with only 8 laps completed.

Brewer had a rear-view mirror full of the Ford Taurus belonging to Dale Gibson. Barry Lowe, Jeff Myers and Steve Houser all had their hands full in a three car battle for third position.

The caution flag would again be displayed on lap 25 for the spinning car of Myers. The restart would be Brewer, Gibson, Lowe, Flynn, Ronnie Romines, Rankin and Myers all on the lead lap; with Ed Surrett, Jonathan Storms and Daryl Campbell one or more laps in arrears.

During lap 27, the Taurus belonging to Gibson slowed drastically on the raceway and entered the pit area. Gibson apparently suffering from another night of bad luck, was unable to return to the speedway.

Lap 28 would require the caution flag for the third time as Rankin and Myers made contact exiting turn four. Both cars came sliding to a stop against the inside retaining wall. Both drivers darted down pit road for their pit crews to survey the damages. Rankin won the race out of the pit area with Myers close behind, both restarted as the last cars on the lead lap. Myers and Rankin had now been to the rear twice for restarts.

Brewer was at the point with Lowe and Flynn in tow. The gap between Flynn and Lowe was closing quickly, as Flynn overtook the second spot on lap 33.

Romines, Rankin and Myers were engaged in a three car battle for fourth position, allowing the front running cars of Brewer, Flynn and Lowe to pull away. The race for fourth position continued for numerous laps. Rankin finally managed to slip past Romines and work on closing the gap between himself and the Dodge Intrepid belonging to Lowe. Myers continued his battle with Romines until lap 45, when he could see his way clear to take the position. Once Myers cleared Romines he had only 15 laps remaining to run down the lead pack of cars.

The final caution period of the evening would be on lap 52 for brake ducting material on the raceway. This would bunch the lead cars up, and set up an eight lap dash to the finish. The restart would be Brewer, Flynn, Lowe, Rankin, Myers and Romines. This order is what it appeared the finish would be. Until, with five laps remaining, Lowe slipped in turns 1 and 2, allowing Rankin and Myers to drive away. Lowe regained control, managing to escape significant damage and take the fifth spot.

At the checkered flag it would be Brewer, Flynn, Rankin, Myers, Lowe and Romines. The legality issues for Brewer and Flynn would have both of their cars disqualified. The official finish would be: Keith Rankin, earning his first win of 2003, Jeff Myers, Barry Lowe, Ronnie Romines and Ed Surrett. 6th through 11th: Jonathan Storms, Daryl Campbell, Dale Gibson, Steve Houser, Terry Smith and Chris Corum. Chris Cochran was unable to start the feature.

If the three events preceding the 45 lap Late Model Stock feature were any indication, then Dennis Queen had this one in the bag. As the pole sitters from each of the feature events had gone on to win their race.

Queen assumed the pole position with Late Model Stock Championship Points leader, Roger Powell on the outside. That is as close as anyone would get to Queen on this night.

Jason Grant, Lance Gatlin and Don Rudisill put on the best show of Saturday night racing at this point of the evening. The three ran side-by-side and nose-to-tail lap after lap. Grant looked to be a little stronger down the straightaways as Gatlin and Rudisill were clearly handling better in the turns. Rudisill was finally able to make the move he'd been waiting for as Grant slipped enough for him to dart underneath for the position.

At the finish it would be Queen, Powell, Rudisill, Grant, and Gatlin filling in the top five slots. Johnny Dixon, Jackie Buckner, Michael Buckner, Toby Hopkins and Scott Davis completing the top ten. Scott Brown was unable to start the event.

Super Stock Championship Points leader, John Clark earns the pole position and leads every lap of the 25 lap Super Stock feature event. Ricky Brown, who was unable to qualify, made an impressive run. Brown claimed the last starting spot and at the completion of lap seven was recorded in second position. He was unable to do anything with Clark, as the laps clicked away.

>From the drop of the green flag in the 20 lap Pure Stock feature it looked as though Billy Williams and Danny Tracy were in a different time zone. The two jumped to the point and drove away from the field. But a white-flag-lap caution would surely shake things up for the finish. Williams managed to maintain the top spot, Tim Masters and Marvin Green would overtake Tracy, relegating him to the fourth position and Mike Presnell would complete the top five.

Clay Hair set a fast time of 14.487seconds (99.4 miles per hour) and led each of the 20 laps in the caution free Legends event. Jeff Jordan, third place holder in the Track Championship Points race, allowed Hair no breathing room, as the two remained nose-to-rear-bumper from the start of the race to the drop of the checkered flag. C D Candler, Adam Robeson and Steve Price rounded out the top 5.

Billy Morie and Jason Whitehead displayed their typical Grand National Mini show in the early stages fo the 15 lap event. The two drivers chased each other and changed positions until the car belonging to Whitehead slowed suddenly and was forced to park for the night on lap10. It then appeared to be a Billy Morie victory. James Rice had chased the two all night, and it looked as if he would place second at best. Then by the white flag lap, Rice was in the top spot as Morie's run had been abruptly ended as he slowed and entered the pit area. Rice managed to hold off Pete Messina for his fourth Grand National Mini victory.

Charles Allen returns to Newport Speedway and to Victory Lane in the Road Hog event. Allen was awarded the win when Ricky Gosnell had some problems in the post race technical inspection.

David Ramsey and Terry McMurray battled side-by-side to the finish line with Ramsey picking up the win, edging McMurray by a nose in the Baby Road Hog 15 lap feature.

STRANGE'S CUSTOM AUTO 100 LAP SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE

Rusty Webb, Seymour, TN, set the Super Late Model standard in qualifying
with a fast lap of 12.537 seconds (114.9 miles per hour,) earning himself
the pole position after a long absence as a weekly regular at Newport
Speedway. Webb apparently obtained a new sponsor just prior to race time,
as Newport Speedway appeared to have been hastily placed on the rear quarter
panel of his Ford Taurus. Webb managed to remain at the top of the leader
board only for a short amount of time as Jeff Myers (Weaverville, NC,) who
usually drives the track car, was in a borrowed car for the event due to the
extensive damages he experienced in the Super Late Model event two weeks
ago, overtook the premier position by the completion of lap five. The
speedway officials might as well have thrown the checkered flag. Myers
bounded to a half-straight-a-way lead and went unchallenged for the
remainder of the 100 lap feature. Webb and Dale Gibson (Seymour, TN)
engaged in a two car battle for second position-the best race on the
raceway-for the remaining 95 laps.

Two of the top three contenders in Championship Points, Chris Corum
(Nashville, TN) and Keith Rankin (Chattanooga, TN) both suffered another
night of bad luck. Lapped cars were unable to see the faster car belonging
to Rankin approaching and remained in the race groove and drove into
Rankin's lane, bringing out the caution flag and forcing him to the pit
area. A broken tie-rod end would keep the Monte Carlo in the pits for 19
laps, bringing his hopes of another top three finish to an end for the
night. Corum's machine looked as if he experienced some mechanical issues
as he slowed drastically during lap 40 and by the completion of lap 42 he
had parked for the evening, his hopes for another top finish were also
extinguished. Barry Lowe (Fairview, NC) earned another top 5 finish,
improving his Newport Speedway record ending his night in 4th position, as
the last car on the lead lap. Terry Smith (Corbin, KY) overcame damages
suffered in an early race crash, that took out numerous typical front
runners, and rounded out the top 5 one lap in arrears.

Sixth through tenth would be Chad Garrett, Daryl Campbell, Rob Thrumston,
Keith Rankin and Greg Carvey. Chris Corum, Jonathan Storms, Ed Surrett,
Dude Ingram, Mitchell Honey, Chris Cochran and Ronnie Romines rounded out
the field of seventeen starters.

John Clark makes his way back to Victory Lane in the Super Stock 25 lap
feature.

Billy Williams is a new face in the Winner's Circle, claiming the Pure
Stock win after race leader Josh Knight was involved in a crash and unable
to return to the speedway. The win is the first for Williams at Newport
Speedway.

Gary Kelley collects one more trophy from the Classic Cars event.

Billy Floyd takes top honors in the Modified Mini 35 lap, double points
feature.

Fred Hardwick makes his speedway debut in style, setting fast time and
leading all 20 laps of the Legends event.

James Rice picks up win number three in the Grand National Minis (formerly
Winston Minis) 15 lap feature.

Terry McMurray wins the Baby Road Hog feature.

LATE MODEL STOCK CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS BATTLE HEATS UP

Going in to the 100 lap Saturday night feature event Roger Powell was leading the points race by 23 points over Brian Ramsey and 22 points ahead of Dennis Queen. The question was, would he remain at the top of the list at the end of the night? During mid-afternoon practice Powell appeared to have handling issues, slipping and sliding on the track on occasion throughout the afternoon. By qualifying time it looked as if he'd gotten a handle on his car, claiming the outside pole position with a fast lap of 13.334 seconds (108.0 miles per hour.) Queen earned the pole position setting a blistering Late Model Stock pace of 108.7 miles per hour, 13.256 seconds. Lance Gatlin who has recently taken over the wheel of the Ron Jenkins owned Pontiac Grand Prix, shook-up qualifying amongst the top 3 points contenders claiming the third starting spot, forcing Ramsey to the outside of row two.

Queen and Powell slowed the field to a crawl looking for the green flag. It would be the inside starting line that got the advantage with Queen and Gatlin being recorded as the leaders and Powell dropping to third position at the end of lap one. Jason Grant looked like a strong race contender as he dove to the inside overtaking Ramsey and then Powell to claim the third spot. Unfortunately for Grant, his strong run would be short-lived as the only caution of the night would be displayed for his Monte Carlo stalling and rolling to a stop in turns one and two. Grant's misfortune was the break that was needed to prevent Wayne Webb, Don Rudisill and Jimmy Doyle from going one lap down to the leaders. Once racing resumed there was no looking back for Queen as he was recorded as the leader of all 100 laps. Second place points racer Brian Ramsey was forced to retire for the night during lap 87 with engine issues.

At the finish Queen had a 3.462 second lead over second place Gatlin and points leader Powell was the last car on the lead lap in third position, with Jimmy Doyle (99 laps complete) and Wayne Webb (98 laps complete) rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth was Jackie Buckner (-3 laps,) Toby Hopkins (-4 laps,) Eugene Norton (-5 laps,) Brian Ramsey (-13 laps,) and Don Rudisill with 32 laps complete. Jason Grant and Ben McFarland rounding out the starting grid of 12 cars. Jeremy Pike and Johnny Dixon were unable to start, Pike suffered engine problems and Dixon broke an axle during practice.

Powell remains the championship points leader following the event, though his lead has dropped to 14 points over Queen in 2nd place, with Ramsey falling to third 50 points in arrears.

The Pure Stock 20 lap feature finds Josh Knight in Victory Lane.

Gary Kelley takes the Classic Car event honors.

Modified Mini driver Tony Stanton is awarded the win following post race inspections.

Billy Morie finds his way back to Victory Lane in the Winston Mini feature.

Chad McGaha claims the win in Road Hog racing.

David Ramsey earns top honors again in the Baby Road Hog event.

MYERS WINS THE STRANGE CUSTOM AUTO 100 LAP SUPER LATE MODEL FEATURE

Newport, TN - Fast qualifier Dale Gibson (12.795 seconds) of Seymour, TN appeared to be the car to beat in the early stages of the 100 lap Super Late Model feature. Gibson maintained the top spot when the green flag was displayed leading the field of fourteen other starters. The front-runners had settled into a nose-to-tail battle by the completion of lap two in the order they started. It would be Gibson, Chris Corum, Jeff Myers, Keith Rankin and Terry Smith occupying the leader board in what looked to be a "Dale Gibson Show" as he stretched his lead to about one and one-half seconds over the field.

The race on the track was between Corum, currently the second place holder in the track points chase and Myers, championship points leader, for second position. Lap ten would require the first caution flag as the two made contact and settled against the inside retaining wall in turn two, with the fifth place car of Terry Smith spinning to avoid major trouble. Corum and Myers were forced to enter the pit area as Myers left front tire was lodged under Corum's Monte Carlo. Both cars received attention from their pit crews and were returned to the speedway without loosing any laps. The restart would show Gibson in front with Rankin (currently third in track points race,) Barry Lowe, Brian Payne and Ronnie Romines filling in the top slots, as Myers and Corum were forced to restart at the rear of the field. Thus ensued the charge to the front for both point-leading drivers. Racing was again halted during lap 23 as charging Myers made contact with the third place car of Brian Payne, who was in a door-to-door battle with Rankin. Payne's Monte Carlo slammed into the inside wall, the sixth place car belonging to Ed Surrett was caught in the melee. Both Payne and Surrett suffered significant damage and had to retire for the evening. Race leader, Gibson, had no choice but to park as he, once again fell victim to engine trouble. Gibson's misfortune handed the lead over to Barry Lowe, who managed to hold off the second place car of Myers only for the next 10 laps. Lap 35 would officially show Myers in the top spot with Lowe in second position for the chase.

The third and fourth place cars of Rankin and Romines gave the fans a show of short-track racing at it's best for the next 30-plus laps as the two raced nose-to-rear bumper and side-by-side thru lapped traffic swapping positions repeatedly and never making any contact with each other. Rankin was overcome by Romines just before the completion of lap 70. Green flag racing continued thru the remaining laps of the event. At the finish line it would be Myers, Lowe, Romines, Rankin and Mitchell Honey, making his first visit to Newport Speedway for the 2003 season. Followed by Daryl Campbell and Chad Garrett (both earning their best Newport Speedway finish on record); second place points contender Chris Corum in 8th position; polesitter, Dale Gibson in 9th place and Brian Payne rounding out the top 10. Eleventh thru fifteenth: Ed Surrett, Terry Smith, Rob Thrumston, Jonathan Storms and Chris Cochran.

Ricky Brown leads the Super Stock event from flag-to flag.

Josh Knight collects one more Pure Stock victory, leading from wire-to-wire.

Gary Kelley picks up the Classic Cars win in the 20 lap feature.

Jason Henry takes the Modified Mini win.

Janice Humble finds her way to victory lane for the first time in Legends racing at Newport Speedway in 2003.

Winston Mini point leader Jason Whitehead collects one more win.

Blake Kelly is a new face in victory lane in the Road Hog class.

David Ramsey takes top honors once again in the Baby Road Hog feature.

RAIN PUTS SATURDAY NIGHT RACING ON HOLD AT NEWPORT SPEEDWAY

Newport, TN - Speedway officials had no choice but to postpone the Saturday Night schedule of events due to wet weather. All races will be running on Sunday, June 8th. Pit Gates will open at 10:00 am, with practice beginning at 12:00 pm, qualifying at 1:00 and racing starting at 2:00. The schedule of events is as follows: Winston Minis 15 laps, Classic Cars 20 laps, Modified Minis 20 laps, Legends 20 laps, Super Stocks 50 laps, Late Model Stocks 100 laps, Baby Road Hogs 15 laps and Road Hogs 20 laps. A Penny Gold Rush for the kids is scheduled for intermission. Come join us for the best short track racing in Eastern Tennessee!

FANS ENJOY ALL TEN CLASSES OF COMPETITION AT NEWPORT SPEEDWAY

Newport, TN - The usual weekly schedule alternates the Super Late Model cars and
the Late Model Stock cars from week to week. But on this Saturday night speedway
administrators scheduled all classes and tossed in a double points bonus for both
the Super Late Model and Late Model Sock divisions. This developed a "double race"
in both feature events, one for the win of the event and one for the points
leaders, Chris Corum (SLM) and Roger Powell (LMS) to finish their race remaining
at the top of the championship points standings.

The field of fifteen Super Late Model racers took the green flag and settled into a single
file racing situation with Dale Gibson (Seymour, TN) going into the record books as the
official leader of laps 1 & 2. But the completion of lap three would show the only lead
change of the evening when Jeff Myers (Asheville, NC) coming from his second starting
position, bypassed Gibson and began his mission to complete the 60-lap feature at the top
of the leader board. The first caution flag of the event would fly on lap nine for the
spinning machine of Ed Surrett (Asheville, NC) who managed to keep his car from contact with
the retaining wall. For the restart it would be Myers, Gibson, Corum, Keith Rankin
(Chattanooga, TN) and Barry Lowe (Faiarview, NC) tucked nose-to-rear bumper for the chase.
Lap 15 would be the end of the night for the second place car of polesitter Dale Gibson
(12.712 seconds) who was forced to retire due to loss of oil pressure. This opened the door
for points leader Corum to begin the process of reeling in Myers. The third place car of
Rankin began to display possible handling problems as he was overtaken by the lone Dodge in the
field of Lowe on lap 16, and had slipped to fifth position by the completion of lap 18. Lapped
traffic became an issue for Myers on lap 22 which allowed Corum to jump onto Myers' rear bumper.
The caution flag was once again displayed for the spinning car of Surrett on lap 30, who was in
the process of being overcome by the leaders. This allowed Surrett to restart as the last car
on the lead lap in eleventh position. Racing would be brought to a halt again on lap 45 when
Jonathan Storms' racer slammed into the outside retaining wall while exiting turn two, then
the second place car of Corum clipped the nose of Storms' badly damaged machine forcing
Corum to enter the pit area and give up the second position to Lowe. The remaining 15 laps
were a fight to the front for points leader Corum, who passed 4 cars in 5 laps to be back in
the top 5 by the completion of lap 50. With ten laps remaining he had set his sights on the
3rd place Monte Carlo belonging to Brian Payne. While Myers had about a one second lead over
Lowe, the 3rd and 4th place cars of Payne and Corum were side-by-side, with Payne holding off
Corum for the third position at the completion of lap 58. The final two laps of the Super
Late Model event were the best race of the evening with Payne and Corum swapping positions
repeatedly. At the finish line it was Corum ahead of Payne by mere inches. The two crashed
into the outside wall after taking the checkered flag. The official finish would be: Jeff
Myers taking top honors and first position in the Championship Points race; followed by
Barry Lowe who had his best Newport Speedway finish; Chris Corum - dropping to 2nd in the
track points chase; Brain Payne and Ed Surrett. With Todd Karr, Ronnie Romines, Keith Rankin,
Chad Garrett, and Daryl Campbell rounding out the top ten. 11th thru 15h - Chad Winters,
Jonathan Storms, Terry Smith, Dale Gibson, and Chris Cochran. Rob Thrumston was unable to
start the feature.

Roger Powell sets fast time, 13.375 seconds, and leads from wire-to-wire in the Late Model
Stock feature. Fourteen starters took the grid, with the sole position change among the
top five cars happening on lap one when Brian Ramsey was overtaken by Dennis Queen for
second position. The first of five caution periods would come on lap four for the spinning
car of Scott Davis. Only four laps of competition would be recorded until the caution
flag was displayed for the second time of the event for the car of Michael Buckner spinning
in turns one and two. Lap 17 would be the end of the night for Buckner who was making
his Newport Speedway, as well as his Late Model Stock debut, when Scott Franklin's racer
made contact with Buckner's Monte Carlo sending him head on into the outside wall going into
turn one. The event would be slowed twice more for short periods for slight incidents.
At the finish it would be Powell, Queen, Ramsey, Don Rudisill, and Lance Gatlin completing
the top five. Followed by Jackie Buckner, Mike Grant, Wayne Webb, Johnny Dixon and Duane
Reece. 11th thru 14th - Toby Hopkins, Scott Davis, Scott Franklin and Michael Buckner.
Mark Rader was unable to start the event.

There are only two words for Super Stock racing - John Clark.

Josh Knight wins another Pure Stock event.

David Kitts claims the Modified Mini event after spending a long night in the tech area.
The top finishing cars were closely checked in the post-race technical inspection, all
were found to be legal.

Jackie Kelley takes another Classic Car victory.

C D Candler collects his first Newport Speedway win in the Legends feature.

Jeff Banks returns to Newport Speedway and to Victory Lane in Winston Mini racing.

Tony Kent gets his first win in the Road Hog event. Several participants are disqualified
in post-race technical inspections.

Bobby Woody takes top honors in the Baby Road Hog feature.

Lee Tissot Gets Second Win of the Season

NEWPORT TN - Lee Tissot captured his second UARA Late Model Stock Car feature of the 2003 season after passing Sunoco Pole Award winner Stephen Gahagan with 18 laps remaining in the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground 150. Early in the race, Tissot used an unusual line around the fast Newport Speedway to improve his race car for the finish.

"The car was really tight, so I started running on the apron to loosen it up," Tissot said. "We came up here and tested with Bilstein and got the car going as good as we possibly could with old tires. We were looking for a little bit more edge and we found it right there."

Tissot, the current UARA point leader, dodged three red flag incidents in the 150 race. The most serious came on the opening lap as the cars of Nick Hutchins and Brian Payne tangled in turn one. Both drivers walked away after Hutchin's car went airborn over Payne's racer. Ironically, Brian Payne was driving the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground race car.

Proceed from the race, as well as donations from fans and drivers, went to the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground. UARA is a supporter of this community project. The funds will be used to help construct a special playground for physically disadvantaged children.

The next race on the UARA Late Model Stock Car touring schedule is Friday night, May 30, at Anderson (SC) Motor Speedway.

Unofficial Finish
Ashley Nicole Dream Playground 150
Saturday - May 24, 2003
Newport Speedway, Newport TN
UARA Late Model Stock Cars

Fn St # Driver Hometown CarMake Laps
1 4 27 Lee Tissot Arden NC Chevrolet 150
2 1 47 Stephen Gahagan Hot Springs NC Chevrolet 150
3 2 21 Wade Day Kingsport TN Chevrolet 150
4 11 14 Dange Hanniford Florence SC Chevrolet 150
5 6 22 Keith Stiltner Grundy VA Chevrolet 150
6 5 99 Dennis Queen Waynesville NC Chevrolet 150
7 20 92 Lance Gatlin New Market TN Chevrolet 150
8 19 12 Burt Cable Maryville TN Ford 149
9 12 79 Tim Weaver Statesville NC Chevrolet 149
10 26 87 Jackie Buckner Candler NC Chevrolet 148
11 18 1 Robbie Henry Maryville TN Chevrolet 141
12 23 07 Danny Efland Irmo SC Chevrolet 140
13 9 29 Allen Gordon Leesburg GA Chevrolet 112
14 22 60 R.A. Brown Columbia SC Chevrolet 106
15 3 5 Brandon McCarson Easley SC Chevrolet 105
16 16 10 Jimmy Doyle Hendersonville NC Chevrolet 96
17 7 16 Wayne Grubb Mechanicsville VA Chevrolet 87
18 10 0 Brian Ramsey White Pine TN Chevrolet 73
19 13 7 Kevin McCurry Candler NC Chevrolet 61
20 17 44 Mark King Seymour TN Chevrolet 61
21 14 8 Jason Grant Asheville NC Chevrolet 53
22 15 26 Mark Ketron Kingsport TN Chevrolet 34
23 21 58 Larry Davis Waynesville NC Chevrolet 26
24 8 24 Jason Mitcham Blacksburg VA Dodge 10
25 28 88 Gary Greenwood Pendleton SC Chevrolet 6
26 27 13 Johnny Kegg Seymour TN Pontiac 2
27 24 25 Nick Hutchins Columbia SC Chevrolet 0
28 25 2 Brian Payne Knoxville TN Chevrolet 0

Lap Leaders: Gahagan 1 - 132, Tissot 133 - 150

Newport Speedway fans donated $551.76 to the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground fund, and the Speedway donated all money collected in popcorn sales to the fund, $167.00. The Rubbermaid Racing Winston Cup team and driver Kurt Busch donated a pair of tickets to the August 23, 2003 Sharpie 500 at the Bristol International Speedway, for raffle. All proceeds from the raffle were donated to the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground as well.

B-M Modifieds make their first ever appearance at Newport Speedway. Red Parris picked up the win.

Billy Floyd collects his first Newport Speedway victory in the Modified Mini event.

Ernie Harris takes top honors in the Road Hog feature.

Stephen Bolduc earns his second Baby Road Hog feature win of the 2003 season.

James Rice "finally wins one" in Winston Mini racing.

Ashley Nicole Dream Playground 150 at Newport Speedway
by - Brian Robbins

The UARA-STARS Late Model Stock touring series and Newport Speedway are teaming up to present the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground 150 on Saturday, May 24.

This event will kick off Memorial Day weekend and will help raise funds and awareness for the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground fund.

The fund was established in 2001 in the name of Ashley Nicole Manes, the 7-year-old daughter of Joe and Tiffany Manes. Ashley, her 4-year-old sister Allison and mother Tiffany were involved in a 1999 accident. The head-on collision resulted in the death of a 16-year-old student in Powell, TN.

Tiffany and Allison, 15 months old at the time, escaped permanent harm. Ashley, then 4, suffered a fractured neck and remains permanently paralyzed from the neck down.

Despite her new physical limitations, Ashley's mind and spirit continue to grow and flourish. Her need to be active and 'play' with other youngsters is the same as the needs of other children her age.

The Manes' family quickly discovered that a trip to the playground was no walk in the park. Typical neighborhood play areas would simply not accommodate Ashley and her wheelchair. Even facilities that met criteria of the Americans with Disabilities Act fell far short of allowing Ashley the ability to fully interact with others in a playful, engaging manner.

In stepped family friend Ashley Ogle, who along with Chip Maner and Jim Howlett, set out to build a playground 'universally' accessible to children of all physical abilities. Jim and Chip designed a play area with multiple themes and equipment that allowed the integration of the physically limited as well as the physically able in a single 'universal' setting.

The city of Knoxville (TN) stepped up and offered at no charge land at the recently renovated Caswell Park, located adjacent to historic Bill Meyer Stadium for the playground. The fund will fill in the gaps that remain. A rubberized synthetic track and field type surface is needed along with equipment for the racecar theme area, a glider boat themed area as well as extensive ramping and interactive stations.

Last year, Newport Speedway hosted the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground 100 on July 6 as the second half of an Independence Day weekend twin bill. At the time the event set records for both racer and fan participation during its recent tenure. That event netted over $4,000 for the playground fund with ultimately needs over $300,000 to complete the ambitious project.

"I was just amazed at the way everyone received Ashley last year during the race," said Joe Manes. "The outpouring of support for my daughter and for the fund was overwhelming. I could have never imagined just how generous Newport Speedway and all of its fans were that night. I thank them so very much and to have another opportunity to participate in a race with my daughters name is so great. If I could ever win just one race in my lifetime, just one race, I would give anything for this to be it."

Newport Speedway has already stepped forward and will be donating a portion of concession sales to the fund. The North Carolina based UARA-STARS series will donate a portion of any race sponsorship to the fund as well. Additional fund raising activities are being planned for the May 24 event.

Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. with qualifying at 5:00 p.m. and the main event scheduled at 8:00 p.m.

Additional information on the history of the fund as well as other fund specifics can be located at www.dreamplayground.com. Newport Speedway can be accessed at www.newportspeedway.com. Their business telephone number is (423) 623-2182. The UARA- STARS can be accessed at www.uara-stars.com.

UARA-STARS heads for familiar territory at Newport

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. - After two races at tracks new to the UARA-STARS series and many of it's competitors the series heads to the familiar high banks of Newport Speedway in Newport, Tennessee. The series made two stops at the high- banked four-tenth mile oval in 2002 and a number of the UARA competitors race there on off weekends.

"Since taking over Newport three years ago Peggy and Bunny Snoddy have done a great job bringing the track back," commented UARA's Kerry Bodenhamer. "They have been having good fields of Late Models and combined with our regulars there will be plenty of cars. The high banks create a lot of speed and some close and exciting racing."

Newport is the fourth race of the 16-race UARA-STARS schedule and to date there has been no repeat winners. Arden North Carolina's Lee Tissot won the opener at Anderson (SC) Motor Speedway and has been on top of the points since. Joe Buford won the second event, at the Fairgrounds in Nashville Tennessee and Jamie Caudill won the third event at Coastal Plains (NC) Raceway.

"It would be nice to have a fourth winner for our fourth race, but you never know," continued Bodenhamer, "One thing for sure the series will have a new winner at Newport because our champion Danny O'Quinn won both events there last year and he is competing on the Hooters ProCup circuit this year."

Early registration for the 150-lap championship event closes Monday May 19 at 5 PM. For an entry form and or additional information go to www.uara-stars.com or call Wink or Kerry Bodenhamer at 828-692-8835. For information about and directions to Newport Speedway call 423-623-2182 or visit www.newportspeedway.com

Dennis Queen - 'King' of the Late Model Stock 100 Lapper

Fast qualifier Dennis Queen (13.482 seconds) of Waynesville, NC lead the
field of 22 starters from wire-to-wire. The 100 lap feature would be slowed
by the caution flag only three times. The first mishap occurred on lap 12
when the cars of Jackie Buckner (Candler, NC) John Ketron (Kingsport, TN)
and newcomer Rod Collins became entangled. None of which suffered major
damage and all were able to continue. The most noticeable occurence at the
lap 12 caution was the fifth place car of Burt Cable being forced to retire
for the evening with fluid leaking from the engine area. When racing
resumed, Queen kept a rear-view mirror full of Roger Powell's race machine
for the next fifty four circuits, until the caution flag flew for the second
time for an incident involving Jason Grant and Daryl Williams, sending
Williams to the pit area for the night. The green flag would wave for
Queen, Powell, Brian Ramsey and Keith Rankin, who would be the only cars
remaining on the lead lap. Finally, Queen would find a clear raceway ahead
of him for the first time of the evening as lapped cars didn't become an
issue for the next 10 circuits. The third and final caution period would
come on lap 85 for the spinning third place car of Rankin, who was tagged by
the lapped car of Jackie Buckner as the two entered the first turn. This
would set up a 15 lap race to the finish for the lead cars of Queen, Powell,
Rankin and Ramsey who would remain in that order at the finish line with Don
Rudisill coming across in fifth position 1 lap in arrears. Sixth thru tenth
positions - Jimmy Doyle, Jason Grant (each 1 lap down to the leader); John
Ketron (-2 laps) Rod Collins and Mark Rader (-4 laps.) Eleventh thru
fifteenth - Scott Davis (-5 laps); Toby Hopkins (-8 laps); Jackie Buckner
(-18 laps); Lance Gatlin (-22 laps); Daryl Williams (-36 laps.) Sixteenth
thru twenty second - Wayne Webb (-40 laps); Eugene Norton (-47 laps); Mitch
West (-57 laps); Burt cable, Larry Davis, Mike Grant (-88 laps each)and
Scott Franklin (-89 laps.)

This was the night for polesitters, as the fast qualifier in each division
went on to collect the top honors in their feature event.

Josh Knight (14.775 seconds) collects another Pure Stock win.

Steve Owens, Jr (16.079 seconds) grabs the Modified Mini feature.

Brian Ball (14.412 seconds) picks up his first Classic Car win of the
season.

Jeff Jordan (14.666 seconds) takes home another Legends event trophy.

Jason Whitehead collects another Winston Mini victory.

Ernie Harris takes the Road Hog feature event.

David Ramsey finds himself in Victory Lane for another Baby Road Hog
event.

Jeff Myers Wins the Strange's Auto Super Late Model 125

Super Late Model action was full of speed and excitement following a week off. The 2003 schedule has the two premier divisions, Super Late Models and Late Model Stocks competing in events on alternating weeks. Therefore, the combination of a one week retreat, fast cars and a whole lot of adrenaline proved to be an evening of racing in the truest form.

Sixteen starters lined the inside wall of the front stretch for a formal driver introduction. Polesitter Chris Corum of Nashville, TN (12.561 seconds) and Keith Rankin (Chattanooga, TN) led the field to the stripe. Only two laps of competition would make it on the record before the evening's initial incident would bring out the caution flag. Contact between Chad Garrett and Ed Surrett would send the Monte Carlo belonging to Garrett spinning sideways exiting turn four. Daryl Campbell (Weaverville, NC) collected JD Mears (Leicester, NC) sending both cars crashing into the outside wall and ultimately into the pit area for the evening.

The restart would place Jeff Myers (Asheville, NC) on the rear bumper of Corum when the outside polesitter, Rankin, found himself on pit road after cutting down a tire. His crew worked feverishly changing the tire, returning him to the raceway as the front runners were taking the green flag. A halt would come to racing action for the second time on lap 10 for the spinning car of Rankin, who had cut down yet another tire, sending him to the rear of the field for a second time. The caution flag woudl again be displayed on lap 24 fo the spinning car of Surrett. When race action resumed, Corum and Myers were involved in a nose-to-tail dual, which continued for numerous laps. The race once again was for third, fourth and fifth positions, along with the race back to the front for both Rankin and Surrett. Neither of which were seeing any luck in the cards for them on this night.

Lap 103 showed a change amongst the leaders with Myers overtaking Corum and driving away from the field. Brian Payne (Knoxville, TN) Rankin and Surrett would exhibit the best race on the raceway with the three racers battling bumper-to-bumper and side-by-side for the final 20 laps of the event. As they crossed the finish line it would be Myers, Corum, Rankin, Payne and Surrett. Followed by Ronnie Romines, Terry Smith, newcomers Roger Parker and Friday Hassler, Jr, and Jackie Buckner rounding out the top ten. With Chad Garrett, Jonathan Storms, Chris Cochran Barry Lowe, JD Mears and Daryl Campbell completing the field. Dale Gibson, (Seymour, TN) was unable to start the event following engine problems earlier in the day.

Ricky Brown picks up his first win of the season in Super Stock racing.

Tim Masters claims another Pure Stock feature.

Bobby Northern wins his first Modified Mini event of the season.

The name Kelly is becoming synonomous with Classic Car racing, with Jackie Kelly taking home the top honors.

Billy Morie collects another Winston Mini win.

Clay Hare leads the Legends feature event from flag-to-flag.

Scott Ricker and Kevin Hensley battle from the starting line to the finish line in the Road Hog feature, with Ricker picking up the trophy.

Another new name in Victory Lane this week, Scottie McMurray picks up his first Baby Road Hog win.

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