Official Media Release: (March 23rd, 2008)
"Jason Sullivan Powers To SMP Modified Win At Thunderhill Raceway"
By: Thomas Montgomery
Sparta,TN (March 22nd) - The Southern Modified Promotions Open Wheel Series held their innaugural race Saturday night at Thunderhill Raceway in Summertown,TN with "The Cabin Fever 35". With the quality of the 28 top notch Modified drivers in the pits, everyone knew this would be a super competitive event. The evening began with group qualifying, and the Group #1 "ASi Racewear Fast Qualifier" would be Linden,TN driver #98 Eric Hickerson, with a lap of 14.185, to put him on the pole for the feature. The Group #2 "Etheridge Race Parts Fast Qualifier" was Paris,TN's #55 Michael Lee with a time of 14.492, putting him on the outside of the first row. Each group locked in the top 4 qualifiers into the feature. Following Hickerson in the first group was #72S Jason Sullivan (14.303), #15 Shane Stephens (14.322), and #11 Mark Stephens (14.388). In group #2 it was #G1 Tony Simmons (14.609), #76 Randy Zeigler (14.625), and #1 T.J. Herdon (14.611) behind Lee.
The remaining 10 cars in each group would run 8 lap heat races to help set the field at 20 cars. In the "Star Grafix & Signs Heat Race #1", it was Paris,TN's #12 Lucas Lee taking the win. Finishing 2nd through 6th and making it into the feature was #5 Jeff Weaver, #12 Chad Winkles, #H17 Stephen Holcomb, #66 Terry Kerbough, and #93 Eddie Rhinehart. Oxford,AL's #55 Jimmy Hiett, took the "Etheridge Race Parts Heat Race #2" win. Also making it into the feature was #02 Kevin Daniels, #99 Brandon Poppenheimer, #21 Joel Landers, #13 Brad Skinner, and #115 Danny Gentry. #74 Doug Harrington was added as a provisional through the series as the fast qualifier not to make the feature through the heat races. #B25 Todd Bates was the Thunderhill Raceway track provisional.
With the field set, it was time for 35 laps of fast and furious racing action around the high-banked speedplant. At the start it was Hickerson jumping into the lead, with Michael Lee in 2nd, and Sullivan in 3rd. Sullivan got by Lee for 2nd a lap later. On lap #2 a caution came out for #99 Poppenheimer, as mechanical problems sent him to the pits. During the caution, #1 Herndon went to the infield for some workon his car. He came back out at the back of the pack. Hickerson again led them to the green flag. Shane Stephens began pressuring Michael Lee for 3rd. Stephens would get by Lee for 3rd on lap 8. A caution would slow the racing again on lap 9 for debris on the back stretch. Harrington pulled off during the caution. Sullivan started putting the pressure on Hickerson for the lead. The leaders started to get into slower traffic. Sullivan and Stephens really began putting pressure on Hickerson. Zeigler got by Michael Lee for 4th around lap 18. Sullivan got under Hickerson on lap 28, and made a pass for the lead. Stephens then looked to get around Hickerson, and was successful a lap later. Sullivan, in his JSM Chassis/Dynatech Engine mount then worked the field flawlessly, as he flew to the checkers and picked up the $1,500 top prize. Stephens was 2nd, Zeigler 3rd, Hickerson 4th, and Tony Simmons finished second through fifth. Michael Lee finished 6th, Mark Stephens 7th, Lucas Lee 8th, Jimmy Hiett, 9th, and Joel Landers rounded out the top ten.
Sullivan, from Reagan,TN, is sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Stinson Industrial, AFCO, Comp Cams, RHS Race Heads, and 45 Race Shop. The "American Racer Hard Charger Award" was Joel Landers, the "Out-Pace Racing Products 2nd Place Award" went to Shane Stephens, "Brake Man Tough Brake Award" went to Brandon Poppenheimer, the "Southern Engineering 12th Place Finisher Award" was Chad Winkles, and the "Fast Shafts Last Car On The Lead Lap Award" went to to Jeff Weaver.
The next action for the SMP Open Wheel Series will be Friday Night March 28th, at Checkered Flag Speedway in Hohenwald,TN. The race pays $1,500 to win and $125 to start. For more info check out our site at smpracing.net
Southern Modified Promotions Results
March 22nd - (Thunderhill Raceway): 28 Cars
ASi Racewear Group #1 Fast Qualifiers: 1. #98 Eric Hickerson 2. #72s Jason Sullivan 3. #15 Shane Stephens 4. #11 Mark Stephens
Etheridge Race Parts Group #2 Fast Qualifiers: 1. #55 Michael Lee 2. #g1 Tony Simmons 3. #76 Randy Zeigler 4. #1 T.J. Herndon
Star Grafix Heat Race #1 (8 Laps): 1. #12 Lucas Lee 2. #5 Jeff Weaver 3. #12 Chad Winkles 4. #h17 Stephen Holcomb 5. #66 Terry Kerbough 6. #93 Eddie Rhinehart
Etheridge Race Parts Heat Race #2 (8 Laps): 1. #55 Jimmy Hiett 2. #02 Kevin Daniels 3. #99 Brandon Poppenheimer 4. #21 Joel Landers 5. #13 Brad Skinner 6. #115 Danny Gentry
SMP Open Wheel Modified Feature (35 Laps):
1. #72s Jason Sullivan (3) Reagan,TN
2. #15 Shane Stephens (5) Arlington,TN
3. #76 Randy Zeigler (6) Columbia,TN
4. #98 Eric Hickerson (1) Linden,TN
5. #g1 Tony Simmons (4) Rogersville,AL
6. #55 Michael Lee (2) Paris,TN
7. #11 Mark Stephens (7) Arlington,TN
8. #12 Lucas Lee (9) Paris,TN
9. #55 Jimmy Hiett (10) Oxford,AL
10. #21 Joel Landers (16) Shelbyville,TN
11. #1 T.J. Herndon (8) Atwood,TN
12. #12 Chad Winkles (13) Falkville,AL
13. #5 Jeff Weaver (11) Columbia,TN
14. #13 Brad Skinner (18) Springhill,TN
15. #115 Danny Gentry (20) Arlington,TN
16. #93 Eddie Rhinehart (19) Lawrenceburg,TN
17. #h17 Stephen Holcomb (15) Centerville,TN
18. #b25 Todd Bates (22) Hurricane Mills,TN
19. #66 Terry Kerbough (17) Arlington,TN
20. #02 Kevin Daniels (12) Pulaski,TN
21. #74 Doug Harrington (21) Centerville,TN
22. #99 Brandon Poppenheimer (14) Nesbit,MS
"American Racer Hard Charger Award": #21 Joel Landers
"The Brake Man Tough Brake Award": #99 Brandon Poppenheimer
"Out-Pace Racing Products 2nd Place Award": #15 Shane Stephens
"Southern Engineering 12th Place Award": #12 Chad Winkles
"Fast Shafts Last Car On The Lead Lap Award": #5 Jeff Weaver