ANDERSON LEFTOVERS - 5/14/07

By Amy Hayes

KEEPING IT ALL IN THE FAMILY

John Gallman (White No. 3) may not have been able to beat his stepdad, but he was still at the front of the pack.  (LN Photos)

Looking down the roster at Anderson Motor Speedway you will see some of the same last names which is a sign that there is some relation involved.  Such is the case with Michael Shane Griffith and Bobby Scott Griffith, who both compete in the Semi-Pro Division.

But what you might now know is that there are some other relatives racing week in and week out at Anderson as well.  And one of those is leading his division points.

Master points leader Jerry Rector not only helps set up his car but he also sets up his step-son John Gallman.  In the latest edition of racing at Anderson, the two finished right behind each other.  Rector claimed the fourth spot, followed by Gallman in fifth.

“It was pretty tough out there today,” said Gallman. “There was a lot of good competition, including my step dad Jerry Rector.  We were out there racing and he finished in front of me. 

“He wouldn’t get of my way this week,” joked Gallman. “So maybe next time.”

GEORGIA ON MY MIND IN SOUTH CAROLINA

While the majority of the drivers In Anderson have their sites on claiming their individual division championships, several drivers in the field have their eyes on claiming the state championships – and heading to Vegas.

Andrew Smith and RS Senter are two Georgia boys who have made their way up to South Carolina to compete in the events. Both have their eyes set on claiming their respective Georgia Semi Pro and Pro Championships.

“I normally run at Watermelon Capital (Speedway, in Georgia),” said Smith.  “But we made the trip up here this week, and it took us about five hours to get up here.

“We are trying to run for the Georgia state points and we are trying to get in as many races as we can.  We are going to be here the next two weeks and then head to Lanier for the Saturday shows to try and get that championship.”

BAD LUCK STRIKES SENTER AT ANDERSON

Senter may have had his eyes set on claiming that Georgia State Championship but things got a little off track in the latest event at Anderson.

“Something came loose in the right front and it got tight on me,” said Senter.  “Maybe the drive shaft came loose or something. 

“I got Nick (Pistone) coming to Lanier Speedway though, Maybe I will make him do it,” laughed Senter.

NICK PISTONE, CHRIS ROGERS, ANDREW SMITH?

There are many names of people who are famous for setting up Legends cars.  Nick Pistone is probably one of the most famous ones.  But fans and competitors alike noticed the fast white  No. 6 out on the track at Friday nights events, and they wondered... just who made that white car go so fast?

Well have ya heard of Andrew Smith?

“It is a lot of work running all these races,” said Smith.  “I work on all of my stuff by myself.  My mom and step dad are here with me but they are here more or less to drive the truck.  I do everything by myself.” 

For a young guy to do it all by himself, third place at a track that he has only seen twice in his racing career isn’t too shabby at all.

RAIN, RAIN STAY AWAY

For the second week in a row, it looked as though it might be a wash out at Anderson, but also for the second week in a row the track was able to avoid a soaking and get their racing in. 

Luck is obviously on the side of the Little Short Track that could.  Just up the road at Greenville Pickens Speedway, about 15 miles away, their event night was a washout.

Here's hoping that Anderson's luck continues for the rest of the season

The skies were a bluish color, but it wasn't the blue of a sunny day as  severe weather threatned but never touched Anderson Motor Speedway.

RS Senter in his brightly colored No, 01 (top photo) and the white car of Andrew Smith.  (bottom photo)

TEAM DOMINANCE

There have been seven feature events at Anderson Motor Speedway this year.  If you put the wins that Justin Ashley has together with the wins of Wesley Thompson, who just happens to set up both cars, they have claimed all of the overall wins.

Somebody is doing something right.