Northern All Stars

 

Kevin Claycomb, Scott James take weekend wins in Northern All-Stars action!

 Media Contact, Darin Stewart dmsracn@davesworld.net

Mount Vernon Raceway, Mount Vernon Illinois

(Sept.4 ) Kevin Claycomb of Vincennes Indiana won his second Northern All-Stars Late-Model feature event of the season on Saturday night at the Mount Vernon Raceway, in Mount Vernon Illinois. Claycomb, piloting the Prestige Auto Service/AFCO/ Hoosier Racing Tire/GRT Monte Carlo, took the $2,000 first place money with the victory over Steve Barnett, Jimmy Burwell, Joe Morris, and Rodney Melvin.

At the drop of the green flag, Rodney Melvin took the lead of the 30 lap main event, with Brad Barrow, Steve Barnett, and Joe Morris in tow. On the second lap, front runners Melvin, and Barrow got hooked together , which allowed Barnett, and Morris to slip by. By this time, the 6th place starting Claycomb had moved into 3rd. By lap 9 Claycomb had worked his way around Joe Morris, and was challenging Barnett, for a lead he would quickly gain. All eyes were on Jimmy Burwell at that moment as the former Mount Vernon track champion had moved from his 10th place staring spot into 2nd, just as Claycomb took the lead. After a spirited battle between Burwell and Barnett, Barnett got the 2nd place position back on lap 20, despite losing two cylinders in the process. Barnett closed in on Claycomb while the leader was in lapped traffic, but a lap 24 caution cleared the way for Claycomb. After the green came back out, Claycomb cruised to the win, followed by Barnett, Burwell, Morris, and Rodney Melvin ( current Mount Vernon points leader).

Top Quialifier: Donnie Tudor 14.512-----22 Cars

First Heat:Rodney Melvin, Joe Morris, Doug Ault, Jimmy Burwell

Second Heat: Steve Barnett, Steve Sheppard Jr., Terry Eaglin, Ernie Barrow

Third Heat: Brad Barrow, Kevin Claycomb, Charlie Sentman, Tim Lance

Feature: Kevin Claycomb, Steve Barnett, Jimmy Burwell, Joe Morris, Rodney Melvin, Doug Ault, Ernie Barrow, Scott James, Brad Barrow, Steve Sheppard Jr., Mike Munson, Donnie Tudor, Steve Lampley, Shawn Negengard, Jeff Riddell, Ron Pridemore, Dave Burkett, Time LAnce, Terry Eaglin, Charlie Sentman, Tony Boyles

 

Tri-State Speedway

Haubstadt Indiana

(Sept.5) Scott James of Lawrenceburg Indiana made his inaugural visit to Tri-State Speedway a memorable one, with his third Northern All-Stars Late-Model Victory of the year. James, driving his Powell Gravel and Topsoil/ Baylor Turcking/ Racetek Engine/ Rocket#83 won the $2,000 first place money over John Gill, Kevin Claycomb, Jim Curry, and Kevin Weaver.

James, who won the third heat race, drew a #2 and got the outside front row starting spot for the 30 lap main event. At the drop of the green, James darted out to the lead, with John Gill, and Doug Ault in hot pursuit. A caution for two stalled cars in turn two brought out the caution on lap four, which would be the only slowing of the feature, which would see green flag conditions the remainder of the way.

With James out front, and Gill solidly in second, an intense battle for third was taking place with Ault, Weaver, and Kevin Claycomb. Claycomb who started 7th, had moved into 4th by lap 7 and pressured Ault until the 17th lap, when Claycomb finally got around the Brownstown Indiana driver Ault. Back up front, GIll had slice into James’s lead which was up to five car lengths. As the duo worked through traffic, Claycomb joined the fight, and all three were right together within a few carlengths as they flashed under the checkered flag. James, who is third in the season long points battle, tightened up that battle with his victory. Behind James, and Gill, were Claycomb(Saturday Night’s NALMS winner) Jim Curry, and Kevin Weaver. The top-14 drivers were all on the lead lap, and only car failed to finish the race.

The Northern All-Stars will take this coming weekend off, in observance of the World 100, and head next to Charleston Speedway in Charleston Illinois, on September 18.

Results:

Top Qualifier: Mark Gansman 14.093-------38 cars

First Heat: Lee Thomason, Jim Curry, Joe Morris, Scott Smith

Second Heat: Kevin Weaver, Doug Ault, Shawn Negnegard, Brett Davis

Third Heat: Scott James, Kevin Claycomb, Tory Collins, Steve Karnes

Fourth Heat: John Gill, Ernie Barrow, Brad Barrow, Steve Barnett

First Consy: Brett Davis, Scott Smith, Mike Jewell, Tim Lance

Second Consy: Terry Eaglin, Steve Karnes, Steve Barnett, Jimmy Burwell

 

Feature: Scott James, John Gill, Kevin Claycomb, Jim Curry, Kevin Weaver, Doug Ault, Ernie Barrow, Brad Barrow, Steve Barnett, Shawn Negengard, Scott Smith, Doug McCammon, Joe Morris, Mike Jewell, Tory Collins, Terry Eaglin, Steve Karnes, Brett Davis, Tim Lance, Lee Thomason

Weekend Notes:

**The Northern All-Stars have replaced the September 18 date at Paducah Kentucky, with a third visit of the season to Charleston Speedway, in Charleston Illinois. In the two previous visits, Doug McCammon, and Steve Hillard have taken wins.

**In winning his third NALMS feature Sunday Night , Second Generation driver Scott James, closed the gap in points, as he is now 115 points of of first place, behind Ernie Barrow, and Steve Barnett. James, heads into this weekend s World 100, with momentum. James who also won a Sunoco ALMS race at the famed Norhtenr Ohio facility, has provern he is ready. James’ father Bubby, made the World 100 field three times in his 25 year career, that may not be quite over. Rumor has Bubby making a return next year.

**Saturday night, it was a GRT sweep , with a Kevin Claycomb, Steve Barnett, and Jimmy Burwell, taking the top three spots.

**Sunday night, Rocket Chassis took the top two spots, with Scott James, and John Gill finishing 1-2.

Information provided by James Essex