LATE SEASON ACTION AT LANIER
Stories From: Saturday, September - 13th, 2008
By Elgin Traylor
LegendsNation.com
Kittle and Demis Score Wins in the Combined Pro/Masters Race
Daniel Hemric was looking to get his Dan Snyder machine into victory lane for the second-straight night after winning at Concord Motorsports Park (NC) the night before. Hemric started on the outside of the front row and went door to door with Zac Kittle for the opening two laps. Hemric would take top spot before he would get pushed up out of the groove, paving the way for Kittle to drive on to the victory.
“It was fun,” said Kittle. “That was the most fun I’ve had racing with Hemric. We were switching the lead back and forth, crossing each other over. I saw that Hemric and the #69 were going to get into it. He just drove way too deep in there and slapped Hemric and they both hit the wall. I guess I was just sitting in the right position at the right time when that happened.”
For Kittle, it’s a great way to put the finishing touches on his Legends car career as he will be moving up next season with help from his dad Ronnie.
“We have two Late Models in the shop next year for sure,” said Kittle. “We’re going to be full time in that. I’m just trying to win the Pro series in Georgia, and I’ll be happy with that. The I will go to the nationals and I’ll be done with these.”
Meanwhile, Masters driver Hoyt Demis has only made three trips to Lanier this season, but each has produced solid finishes. He crossed the line second to Pro Kittle, giving him the Masters win. This was the second-straight win for the former National Champion.
“I think we were actually a little faster,” said Demis. “He (Kittle) was running a good line, so it wasn’t worth it roughing him up or anything like that. Really, I’m trying to be the first Master, so I wasn’t really racing him, but I was.”
Zac Kittle won the Pro Feature. (51 Sports Photo)
As the Legends Nationals approach, Demis put out a few words for one of his fellow competitors.
“Yes we are going (to Elko). You tell Clay Hair I’m coming.”
Scott “The Rocket” Tops the Semi-Pro Class
The wide and fast race track in Braselton, Georgia created some jaw-dropping racing in the Semi-Pro class. Dylan Ames got the jump and led the opening laps, but it was short lived as Jimmy Heavlow would regain the top spot on lap five. The race just came down to who had the last shot at the lead as the two grooves provided great racing with a little bump-and-run activity. Scott “The Rocket” Hensley took the lead on lap 14 and never looked back. Heavlow tried all he could, but he came up one spot short.
“There was a lot of everybody pushing everybody into turns,” said Hensley. “A lot of bumping, and when I got around Dylan (Ames), I carried him off into turn one because he did the same thing to me. It was just enough to nudge (him) out of the way. It’s part of racing. This is my second win out here and it still feels great.”
Cousins Stand Tall in Bandolero Victory Lane
It was only a matter of time before Bandolero Young Guns driver Cody Garland got the front in the Bandolero race. After all he had just wrapped up the championship after having won the last six races in a row. Going for seventh-consecutive victory, the pre-race draw attempted to slow down Garland as he drew a 72 out of a possible 80, but it took just a few laps for him to rocket to the front, taking home another easy win.
Cody Garland has been the man this season at Lanier. (51 Sports Photo)
“It was another great win and I just can’t believe how great this year as been,” said Garland. “This will be 14 (wins). I won the championship and I’m a rookie. Hopefully we’re going to buy a Legends, start practicing in it and do everything to move up.”
The Bandits division race was combined with the Young Guns. It just happened that the winner of the Bandits portion was Garland’s cousin Mathew Johnson. The two crossed the line ahead of Mason Massey, who worked hard on Johnson lap after lap.
“We got up to the front on the first lap with my cousin Cody Garland and we just rode it to the end,” said Johnson. “We ended up winning it. The 15 (Massey) was a pretty tough competitor and he’s good to have around because he is hard to race and he gives you good competition.”
Dalton Hill and Justin Thomas rounded out the top five.
