BRASELTON - Tony Bennett of Gainesville put his outside front-row starting position to good use as he outhustled pole sitter Chase
Miller into turn one to grab the lead which he would never relinquish in the Budweiser Pro Late Model 50-lap feature on Camping Time RV night Saturday at Lanier National Speedway.
Paul Kelley won the Pepsi Fast Qualifier award with a lap of 14.204 seconds, but started sixth after the inversion roll. Despite six cautions, the field could never mount a serious charge on Bennett's No. 42.
Bennett, the 2000 track champion at Lanier, held off rookie Richey Etheridge, Kelley, Jeremy Rice, and Clay Dale to claim his first victory in 2003.
Cohen Motes outran George Williams, Jr., Ricky Bennett, Andy Gaddis, and Greg Motes to capture first-place pay in the Team Ford of Marietta Truck Series.
Mike Bruce was dominant in his No. 47 Buick as he led start to finish in the 30-lap Simpson's Trucking & Grading Sportsman feature. Bruce beat J.L. Tullis, Darin Cronan, Randy Stoudemire, and Chris McKeehan to earn the
victory.
Mitchell Roberts spun just as he took the checkered flag in the Longhorn Steakhouse Modified Ministock feature. Roberts narrowly edged Buster Thrasher for the victory. Thomas Ross suffered a potential ankle injury
during the event and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Marc Gallichotte's Honda edged William Earnest's Ford in the Garrison Racing
Equipment Factory Four feature. Gallichotte announced afterwards he is
already busy building another Honda to compete at Lanier.
Legends winners were Doug Ludwig and Bubba Harry. Michael "Bones" Stewart
won the Billy Howell X-Karz feature.
The NASCAR Dodge Racing Series returns to Lanier National Speedway on Saturday May 10 for round two of the Akins Five Star Challenge as five lucky fans will be teamed with five Pro Late Model drivers with big money up for
grabs. If a qualified driver wins the Pro Late Model feature, both he and his designated fan pocket $1,000. For complete rules and regulations and to enter, go to www.akinsford.com and click on Akins Five Star Challenge.
Gates open at 5 p.m. on May 10 at Lanier National Speedway with Legends heat
racing beginning at 5:30 p.m. Pepsi Qualifying starts at 6 p.m. followed by
heats and features at 7 p.m.
Omni Cable presents NASCAR racing at Lanier on Saturday May 17. The Southern All Star Super Late Models and Budweiser Pro Late Models headline the Slack Auto Parts 280 Memorial Day weekend on May 24.
