SAS Bandit Series

Ricky Holland Play Waiting Game For 4th Annual Tennessee Fall Classic SAS Bandit Win

CLEVELAND, TN--Thirty-four topless Late Models signed in for opening night of the 4th Annual SAS Bandit Series "TN Fall Classic" at Cleveland Speedway Friday night. David Gentry of Shelbyville TN set the fast lap in qualifying turning a lap of 14:439 seconds, earning the right to the start on the pole for the first heat.

Gentry driving the Hoover Painting Contractors/Double Vision Graphics Chevrolet Monte Carlo took command of a fast paced first heat, bringing with him fellow SAS, John Llewellyn and Patrick Duggan. Fifth fastest qualifier, local Lamar Scoggins was able to hold on to finish fourth taking with him the final transfer position of the heat. In the second preliminary event David Smith out dueled Jamie Perry in what was the best race of the night. Smith took the lead from the outside pole position, leaving Perry to play catch-up with David Millians in tow. Perry bobbled while pulling along side of Smith for the lead allowing Millians to pass for second as the white flag waved. Millians settled for second, Perry third with Shawn Chastain finishing fourth. John Jones rocketed to the third heat race victory from the outside front row. Mike Tinker finished second, Hickman settled for third after being third fastest in qualifying, with Jeff Stansberry rounding out the transferee's. Ricky Holland won the fourth heat race. Eighth fastest qualifier Johnny Chastain failed to start from the outside pole, when his mount wouldn't fire. Carson Burris finished a strong second. Craig Reece finished third after getting a good jump on a restart, with Jason McMahan claiming the final transfer position.

As the field took the green flag for the start, outside pole sitter Smith took the lead with Gentry, Jones, Holland, and Millians following. Patrick Duggan reared the first caution in turn one as he stopped. Paul Tims hindered his chance of the 1999 Track Championship when he pulled into the pits going three laps down to the leaders, including his advisary for the championship Millians.

A fire under Shawn Chastain's racecar brought out the second caution. Some great three-wide action amungst the leaders came after the restart as Gentry shot to the inside of Smith, with Jones doing the same to Gentry, while the three raced through the turns.

Southern All-Star Bandit Series points leader John Llewellyn brought out a caution for a flat left rear tire. John Owenby damaged both cars as he couldn't get slowed, rear impacting Llewellyn's mount. Later in the race when Owenby spun Millians and Carson Burris collided damaging Millians quest for the track championship.

Millians and Burris continued, unfortunately Gentry's run in second would come to an end due to oil pump belt breaking. Jones began his assault at this time on Smith, hounding the leader lap after lap. On lap fourty Jones got the lead when Smith's car broke loose in turn two to rear the sixth caution. Jones lead would be short lived as the car died on the back straight away with an electrical problem. That gave the lead to Ricky Holland and for the final twenty laps the black Bowers Motorsports/Chambers Equipment Sales Chevrolet Monte Carlo remained in the lead to take the checkers. " We got lucky all the others fell-out." stated Holland from victory lane. "We set the racecar to come around at the end of the race, and that was right, cause David (Millians) was all over us." With Millians taking second and Tims officially fifteenth the race for the 1999 Cleveland Speedway Track Championship goes to Millians. " We're tickled to death with second " claimed Millians, " We figured on a fourth, at best." Carson Burris finished third and the very happy driver spoke about the team finally making a top three appearance in one of the big shows. Jamie Perry finished fourth with Mike Tinker fifth.

Official TN Fall Classic Finish:

1.Ricky Holland; 2.David Millians; 3.Carson Burris; 4.Jamie Perry; 5.Mike Tinker; 6.Craig Reese; 7.Jeff Stansberry; 8.Brian Hickman; 9.Derrick Rainey;10.Kevin Gibson;11.Jerry Coffman; 12.Jason Durham;13.John Llewellyn;14.Johnny Chastain; 15.Paul Tims;16.Jason McMahan; 17.John Jones; 18.Kent Hicks; 19.David Smith; 20.David Gentry; 21.John Ownbey; 22.Lamar Scoggins; 23.Shawn Chastain; 24.Patrick Duggan.

SAS TOPLESS BANDIT LATE MODEL POINTS STANDINGS:1.John Llewellyn 816; 2.David Gentry 788; 3.Derrick Rainey 632; 4.Freddie Lee 612; 5.Rodney Dickson 588; 6.Danny Peoples 448; 7.Greg Skinner 428; 8.Jody Coltrane 398; 9.Mike Head 366; 10.Jamie Perry 284