ANDERSON LEGENDS - 6/3/07

By Matt Kentfield

ASHLEY’S SPIN WORKS OUT FOR THOMPSON AND GALLMAN AT ANDERSON

Fourteen-year-old Justin Ashley and 34-year old Wesley Thompson have made second homes for themselves in victory lane at Anderson Motor Speedway so far this year. 

The two drivers have been in victory lane in their respective divisions, Ashley in Semi-Pro and Thompson in Pro more often than not, and they have often battled one another for the overall Legends victory at the 3/8-mile oval.  In fact, Ashley came into Sunday’s 25-lap race at Anderson undefeated and Thompson had only not won once this year. 

“I tried to come back up through as best I could but I couldn’t get back up there.  I had won every one of them so far here, so I wanted to win again to keep on going, but it didn’t happen.”

Ashley’s misfortunes not only worked out for Gallman, who finished second overall to Thompson, thus scoring the Semi-Pro division win, but it also played perfectly into the hands of Wesley Thompson, who cruised to the overall victory and the top spot in the Pro Division.

Wesley Thompson took the win at Anderson.

Fittingly, the overall race win on Sunday came down to Ashley and Thompson.  Thompson saw plenty of the neon yellow #50 of Ashley in his rear view mirror throughout much of the event, as Ashley did his best to try to get around Thompson. 

But the scope of the feature changed greatly after Ashley hit a divot in the worn-out Anderson racing surface and spun out of second-place.  That allowed Thompson to take off for the victory and John Gallman to score the win in the Semi-Pro Division as Ashley’s win streak came to an end.

“We had a good car, but I don’t know what happened really,” said Ashley.  “I just hit a crack in the track and spun out.”

When Ashley spun on lap 16, he was able to keep his car off the inside and outside retaining walls, so when the green flag flew on the ensuing restart, he jumped to the outside line and tried to get back the positions he lost, but he was unable to get back to the front.

Justin Ashley (#50) looked like victory was in his sights, but a spin on the track ruined his race. (LN Photo)

While Ashley was down about not being able to take the checkered flag, the overall winner Thompson felt just as bad about Ashley’s tough luck as Ashley himself.

“Justin and I always have a good time racing.  He ain’t but 14 and I’m just trying to help him along.  I’m 34 and I’m on my way out.  It’s hard racing with these guys and he’s good every week.

“I hate to see him get loose and lose it in the corner like that.  There was some water on the bottom of the track, so maybe someone the lap before got into it and splashed water up there or what, but I enjoyed racing with him and all these guys.”

There was no joyous celebration for Thompson.  Sure he was happy to get the win, but seeing a friend and a tough competitor have misfortunes like Ashley did kept Thompson from truly enjoying the win.

“I hate to see that happen to anyone.  I’d rather race door to door than just get away.  John (Gallman) ain’t no slouch, either.  He passed me the other week on the last lap of the heat race.  He’s got a backup motor in his car, so I don’t know if he had enough for me at the end, but we’re happy to get the win here today.”

Gallman’s second-place finish earned him the Semi-Pro win, while third-place overall Jerry Rector was the winner of the Masters Division, continuing a streak that has the veteran racer undefeated at Anderson this year.  Randy Dilling came home fourth, while Randy Gunton rounded out the top-five.