October 29, 2007

Maryland Clay Dirt
By Doug Watson

“Potomac Crowns 2007 Track Champions”

Now that Potomac (MD) speedway’s season is complete, It’s time to take a look back at how the four weekly division titlist’s fared during the course of the season.

Super late models- Winchester Va.’s Bo Feathers, who would go on to take his first-ever Potomac track crown, had another solid season at Potomac. In the ten events contested, Feathers racked up five top-five’s and 7 top-10’s including a division leading four feature wins. Feathers would score wins in the Ed Canupp Memorial, the Summer fest 40, the Firecracker 40 and the Bobby Allen Memorial. Feathers now sits 11th on the all-time Potomac win chart with 19-career super late model feature wins. Hyndman Pa.’s DJ Troutman looked unstoppable the early part of the season. Troutman scored back to back wins (His career first and second) in the Cody Endicott Memorial and the 34th anniversary event, but would only be on hand for two more events ultimately ending up with a fifteenth place finish in the final point tally. Rockbridge Bath Va.’s Booper Bare made only two visits to Potomac during the season. Bare was able to score one win in the Mike Clore Memorial for his division leading 45th career Potomac super late model win. Bare would return for the season ending Vern Harris Memorial in October, but could only produce a 15th place feature finish. Mechanicsville Md.’s Jamie Lathroum, a super late model rookie, wound up fourth in the final point rundown. Lathroum scored four top-five’s during the season and on July 27th, scored his first-ever super late model win at Potomac with a victory in the 20th annual Gene VanMeter Memorial. Martinsburg West Va.’s Andy Anderson made four stops at Potomac this season. Anderson was able to score three top-five’s including one feature win in the Ronnie McBee Memorial in September. Avenue Md.’s David Williams closed out a frustrating season with a win in the season ending Vern Harris Memorial in October. Williams only competed in seven events during the season and his win in the Vern Harris race, His 18th career Potomac Super late model win, was only his third top-five of the season. Sixty-four drivers from four states competed at Potomac in 07”.

Limited Late models- Mechanicsville Md.’s Derrick Quade rode a season of consistency to score his first-ever Potomac track title in his rookie season. Although Quade was unable to score a feature win, He was able to collect 14 top-fives in the 15 races he competed in, finishing second on two different occasions. The highlight of his season was his second place effort in the Southern Maryland Nationals in October. During the course of the season Nine different drivers were able to score feature wins, with three of those career first’s. The hottest driver of the season was 10th place point man Sommey Lacey. In the six shows he competed in, Lacey was able to score five top-five’s including four feature wins. The highlight of Lacey’s season was his win in the 51-lap Jay Rhode memorial in July, and his third place effort in the Southern Maryland nationals in October. Second place point man, Ben Bowie and former track champions Paul Cursey and Roland Mann, were the other multiple feature winners on the season, each scoring twice during the campaign. Cursey’s two feature wins upped his career total to 54, tops among the division. Other single event winners included 15 year old Austin Hubbard, who would go on to win the Virginia Motor Speedway track Title, Former VMS champion Jared Powell, Hagerstown (MD) LMS regulars Dale Smith Jr. and Steven Axtell Jr. and former Potomac street stock titlist Ronald Cusec. Forty-eight different drivers took part in the Potomac LLM season.

Street Stocks- Pasadena Md.’s Ed Pope, In his second full season of competition, walked off with his first-ever street stock title. In the 20 races he ran, Pope scored 16 top-five’s including four feature wins. Pope’s dominating season saw him win the title by almost four-hundred points over runner-up Wendy Jessmer. 2008 will see Pope tackle the limited late model division as he has acquired all of Roland Mann’s equipment for the up-coming season. Ten drivers were able to score feature wins throughout the season.

 Mechanicsville Md.’s Dale Hollidge led all drivers in feature wins with six trips to victory lane with his biggest being the season ending Southern Maryland Nationals. Fourth place point man PJ Hatcher, Two-time LLM winner Ben Bowie and Jimmy Gardner were the other multiple feature winners during the season as they each made two victory lane appearances in 07”. Single event winners included Corey Hanson, Barry Williams Jr., Brian Kerns (His first non-Southern Maryland Nationals feature win), David Kaiser and former track champion Barry Williams Sr., who scored his 17th career street stock win in the divisions final event of the season. Forty-five different drivers competed in the street stock division in 2007.

Hobby Stocks- Mechanicsville Md.’s Wayne Suite was the epitome of consistency during the course of the year. Suite compiled an amazing record as he scored 22 top-fives in the 22 races he ran with a division leading seven feature wins in scoring his first-ever hobby stock title. Suites first win of the season came on opening day and from there on he left little doubt as to who would have the car to beat each week. Although this is Suite’s first Hobby crown, He’s also a two-time street stock champion with eleven wins as well. Six drivers were able to score wins this season, with third and fourth place point men, John Latham and Kyle Nelson each scoring six feature wins. Latham was in the tile hunt most of the season before fading late and Nelson (06” Hobby champion) got hot late, with his biggest win coming in the Southern Maryland Nationals. Second place point man Tony Quade wound up a two time winner with Jason Murphy (First-ever) and Josh Wathen scoring single event wins. Twenty-four drivers competed in the Hobby Stock’s in 2007. News or notes to djm5507@aol.com
 

October 22, 2007

Maryland Clay Dirt

By Doug Watson

“Potomac’s Vern Harris Memorial Pit Notes”

Last Saturday night the final event of the 2007 season was completed at the Potomac (MD) speedway. The 18th annual, $5000 to win $500 to start, “Vern Harris Memorial” for the super late models was the featured attraction for the final weekend of racing in Southern Maryland. Forty-Late Models, 23 street stocks, 12 hobby stocks and 15 IMCA style modifieds lined the Potomac pit area for Friday’s qualifying. Despite heavy rain that hit the speedway During Friday night’s qualifying, only the fourth late model heat was lost, but it was spun off on Saturday with the rest of the show. Cool and clear weather conditions greeted the large crowd on Saturday and the racing was very good. Here’s some notes and quote’s from the show,

* It was a story book end to the weekend for race winner David Williams. The ever-popular Williams, who always has a large fan following when he’s at Potomac, did not disappoint his faithful. A come-from-behind feature win is what he gave them, but that’s only half of the story. Enter legendary car owner, and St Mary’s county native, Charles Buckler. “We broke another engine a couple of weeks ago.” Williams stated in the pit area after the feature. “Charles and Jenny Buckler called and offered me one of their motors and that’s what we did so I really have to thank them for their help.”

* Roy Deese Jr., who went on to finish second to Williams, said tire selection played a huge roll in the outcome of the event. “It took me about three or four laps to get going.” Deese stated in reference to the events final caution on lap forty-six. “Jeremy (Miller) was on American Racers and they just seemed to fire a little faster than the Hoosiers so he was able to get by me after the cautions early in the race, but the longer the race stayed green we got a lot better. I’m sure we gave the fans their money’s worth tonight!”

*2007 Potomac Super Late Model track champion Bo Feathers had an interesting weekend. Feathers was making his first Potomac start of the season in his new ride, the Preston Dietz no.D1. Feathers set 10th fastest time on Friday night, but that was highpoint of his evening. A first lap crash in his heat race forced Feathers into the second consolation race. Feathers luck once again got sour as he would eventually drop from the event with mechanical problems. Added to the field as a promoters choice, Feathers would start the main 24th. With nothing to lose Feathers once again put on one of his patented come from the back runs as he got as high as ninth in the feature before settling for eleventh in the final rundown. “I was having fun out there.” Feathers said after the feature. “We were good but we went with too soft a tire. We didn’t want to put four new tires on and burn them off.” Feathers was pleased to have his car handle correctly for the feature. “We were loose all weekend long, right in the center of the corner, and we found it was the shock and spring on the right front. Finally I was able to do what I had to do as a driver to make this thing go.”

* Jeremy Miller was happy to come out of Potomac with a top-five. “It’s getting tougher and tougher and a top-five is good these days.” “When we come here or anywhere we always want to win.” Miller made his Potomac debut on American Racer Rubber. “This is the first time we’ve come down here on the racer’s we were the first car on them and after everything shook out we probably should have been on different tires but to be that close at the end (third) I’m pretty happy.”

* Ricky Elliott had a fast race car as soon as he took it out of the hauler on Friday. Elliott would go out and set fifth fastest time in time trials, win his heat race and earn himself the fifth starting spot for the feature. As usual Elliott was very good, but faded late in the race while leading but still came home with a solid top-five run. “The shifting rods broke and I also lost the brakes with about 15 laps to go.” Elliott explained in the pit area after the feature. “This is not a place where you can pump the brakes and expect to run a good clean lap.” Elliott stated “ I’m happy to come out of here with a fourth, but what can I say there was a little driver error, I should have been able to do better.”

* Pole sitter Andy Anderson was fortunate to come home with a fifth place effort. “We were way to loose.” Anderson explained after the feature. “Our car (Rocket) has a different front end design than most of the other Rocket’s out there. We’re real good in the mud but when it gets slick, she’s a handful.” Anderson, a one-time Potomac winner this season, set third fastest time, won his heat and also won the dash.

News or notes to djm5507@aol.com

October 21, 2007

“Potomac’s Vern Harris Memorial to David Williams”

By Doug Watson

Budds Creek MD, Last Saturday night, Avenue Md.’s David Williams drove the race of his storied career at Potomac Speedway as he scored in the, 51-lap, $5000 to win Vern Harris Memorial. The win for Williams, his first Potomac triumph of the season, was his 18th career Potomac late model win and his overall 65th career win at the venerable 3/8th’s mile oval.

Andy Anderson and Roy Deese Jr. brought the 24-car starting field to the initial green flag. Deese got the jump at the start to become the early race leader. Deese would lead until the eighth lap when fifth starting Ricky Elliott blasted by to take the top spot. Once in the lead, Elliott lead effortlessly and looked to be the class of the field. Enter David Williams. Scheduled to start sixth, Williams had slipped back to about ninth during the early stages of the event but had climbed back to third by the 36th lap.
Using the topside of the speedway, Williams blew around Elliott to take the race lead on the 41st lap. A caution on the 46th lap set the stage for the final five-laps of the event as Roy Deese Jr. had now worked his way back to second. As the green came out for the final time Deese and Williams raced nose to tail for the remaining five circuits with Williams taking the win by a half a car length at the checkered.

“I guess this is probably the best race of my career.” A happy Williams stated. “There’s a lot of my heroes out there that I passed tonight and that makes it all worthwhile.” Tire choice was critical in Williams winning run. “the car was working the best for me up top there at the beginning of the race and it took a while for the right rear to come in but we were able to hold our own, and once it did it was all over from there.”

Roy Deese Jr. would finish a close second, Last years event winner, Jeremy Miller took third, Early leader Ricky Elliott faded to fourth and pole sitter Andy Anderson completed the top-five. In qualifying on Friday night Jeremy Miller set a new track record in time trials over the 40-car field with a time of 14.953. Heat race winners were Donald Lingo Jr., Andy Anderson, Roy Deese Jr., and Ricky Elliott. Twin consolations went to DJ Myers and Booper Bare.

In other action Barry Williams Sr. took his first win of the season in the 25-lap street stock event, Josh Wathen annexed the hobby stock Main, James Marshall scored a flag to flag win in the E-Mod feature, with junk car main events falling to Sam Archer and Jeff Block.

Pit Notes
* The win for David Williams was his second career Vern Harris memorial trophy, with his other win in this event coming back in 1998...
* Track conditions were good all weekend. Rain Friday night helped with the track surface for Saturday enabling the late model feature, that only featured four cautions, to be completed by 11:10...
* Sommey Lacey bolted a four-barrel on to his limited late model machine for the weekends activities. Lacey was able to qualify, however, He would not complete the distance settling for 22nd place money…

Super Late Model Feature Finish

1. David Williams 2. Roy Deese Jr. 3. Jeremy Miller 4. Ricky Elliott 5. Andy Anderson 6. Ray Kable Jr. 7. Donald Lingo Jr. 8. Daryl Hills 9. DJ Myers 10. Allan Brannon 11. Bo Feathers 12. Jeff Pilkerton 13. Jamie Lathroum 14. Keith Jackson 15. Booper Bare 16. David Pettyjohn 17. Scott Richwine 18. Tom Cohick 19. Mark Pettyjohn 20. Deane Guy 21. Bruce Kane 22. Sommey Lacey 23. Nathan Durboraw 24. Rick Hulson DNQ- Steven Axtell, Tommy Armel, George Moreland, Ronnie DeHaven Jr., Austin Hubbard, Bubby Dillman, Kyle Lear, Paul Cursey, Chris Cromer, Moe Harden, Dan Fielder, Jeff Reely, Ben Bowie, Mike Hardy, Roland Mann, and Glen Ninninger Jr.

October 7, 2007

“Southern Maryland National Victories Fall to Hollidge and Axtell”

By Doug Watson

Budds Creek Md, Last Saturday night Potomac Speedway played host to the 16th annual Southern Maryland Nationals. Mechanicsville Md.’s Dale Hollidge (street stock) and Glen Burnie Md.’s Steven Axtell Jr. (358 Late model) were able to add their names to the list of winners in the premiere event on the Potomac calendar.

In the 40-lap street stock event PJ Hatcher and Randy Zechman brought the field to the initial green flag. Hatcher would lead the first circuit before Zechman took over on lap two. Third-starting Dale Hollidge then got racy and would take the lead from Zechman on the 14th lap. Once in the lead Hollidge clearly had the car to beat as effortlessly led the final 26 laps to score the biggest win of his young career. “I put a little pressure on the no.2 car (Randy Zechman) and he slipped a little bit and we were able to get by.” A very happy Hollidge explained from Potomac’s victory lane. “I’ve got to thank Mom and Dad and the whole family and crew because without them I wouldn’t be here right now.” Joey Dean would collect second, Randy Zechman hung on for third, 20th starting Barry Williams Sr. was fourth and Mike Rose would complete the top-five. In qualifying on Friday night PJ Hatcher set fast time in time trials over the forty-car field with a time of 18.41. Heats went to Joey Dean, Mike Rose, Randy Zechman, Dale Hollidge and PJ Hatcher. Twin consolations went to Mike Reynolds and Barry Williams Sr.

In the 35-lap 358 late model headliner Steven Axtell Jr. continued his late season surge as he would score his first-ever Potomac win in grand style. Steven Axtell Jr. and Sommey Lacey brought the field to the green flag. Axtell got the jump at the start and would lead the first four laps. Third starting Bubby Dillman then flexed his muscle and took the lead from Axtell on lap five. Dillman appeared to have the car to beat until his undoing came on lap fifteen when he retired from the event with mechanical problems. Axtell would then re-inherit the lead and control the final nineteen circuits to preserve the win over runner-up and 2007 Potomac LLM champion Derrick Quade. Sommey Lacey would come home third, Eighth starting Eugene Conlee took fourth and Danny Zechman rounded out the top-five. In qualifying on Friday Steven Axtell Jr. set fast time in time trials over the 29 car field with a time of 16.54. Heats went to Mike Latham, Sommey Lacey and Steven Axtell Jr. with the consolation going to Jonathon DeHaven.
In other action Kyle Nelson rolled to his sixth win of the season in the 30-lap hobby stock main, Greg Gunter controlled the 25-lap four cylinder feature and Jeff Block took the win in the 25-lap small junk car event.

Street Stock top-10
1. Dale Hollidge 2. Joey Dean 3. Randy Zechman 4. Barry Williams Sr. 5. Mike Rose 6. Jimmy Gardner 7. David Kaiser 8. Ray Preist 9. Matt Krickbaum 10. Barry Williams Jr.

358 late models top-10
1. Steven Axtell Jr. 2. Derrick Quade 3. Sommey Lacey 4. Eugene Conlee 5. Danny Zechman 6. Pat Wood 7. Sam Crouch 8. Brad Rigdon 9. Chuck Cox 10. Chris Clark

September 9, 2007

Maryland Clay Dirt
By Doug Watson
“Potomac Point Finale This Friday”

Last Friday night at the Potomac (MD) speedway the super late models ran their final point event of the season. Winchester Va.’s Bo Feathers capped off a great season by capturing his first-ever Potomac Late model title. Feathers becomes the 23rd different driver to win a late model track title in Potomac’s storied 35 year history.

This Friday night, September 14th, will be the final point event for Potomac’s other three weekly divisions the limited late models, street stocks and hobby stocks.

The limited late model title race has been a close one all season long. Rookie driver Derrick Quade will enter the event with a slim 59-point advantage over Ben Bowie. Quade has put together quite a season at Potomac as he has not finished outside the top-ten all season long. Even though he’s yet to win a feature Quade has recorded 13 top-five’s in the 14 point events to date. Bowie, however, has scored two feature wins and has placed in the top-five on ten occasions during the course of the season. Bowie, hobby stock champion in 2002-03, is looking for his first-ever championship in the limited late model ranks. Third place point man Paul Cursey has a legitimate title shot as well. Cursey, a former three-time limited late model track champion, sits only 74-markers out of the lead heading into Friday night’s program. Cursey, the all-time class win leader with 54 feature wins, has scored twice this season and has been in the top-ten 13 of the 14 events.

The street stock division for all intents and purposes is over. Coming in to Friday’s event four-time feature winner Ed Pope has nearly a 500-point lead over second place Wendy Jessmer. The 2007 title race was shaping up to be a dandy as Pope and Dale Hollidge left little doubt who would be fighting for the championship at season’s end. The first week in August saw Pope with a feature win and the point lead, meanwhile Hollidge scored five checkered’s and solidly sat second in the standings. After a conflict of interest with track management Hollidge decided to pass up Potomac on Friday night’s and head to Hagerstown (MD) speedway on Saturday night’s, leaving Pope a clear run to the title. Lady racer Wendy Jessmer has put together quite a good season for herself. In the 19 events contested she’s posted four top-five’s and 14 top-ten’s, but she holds a very slim 13-point advantage over third place point man Frankie Dove heading into Friday’s finale.

What a season Wayne Suite has produced in 2007. In the 21 hobby stock events run, Suite has been in the top-five in all 21 races including a division leading 7-feature wins. Coming in to Friday’s event, Suite has a comfortable 119-point edge over second place point man Tony Quade. It’s been quite a good season for Quade as well as he’s scored two feature wins and has clicked off 17 top-five’s in the divisions 21 events. Six-time hobby stock feature winner John Latham, who ran second in the standings for quite some time, sits 135 points out of the lead. An untimely blown motor in last weeks program saw Latham miss the feature and maybe a hot at the title as well. Defending track champion Kyle Nelson sit’s a distant 395 point from the lead. Nelson got off to s slow start in 07’ but has since rallied late scoring five feature wins and collecting 14 top-five’s in the 20 race’s he’s been in. If Suite goes on to win the title it will be his first-ever Hobby stock crown, but not his first Potomac championship. Suite Won back to back street stock championships in 2004-05...

News or notes to djm5507@aol.com 

September 3, 2007

“Sommey Lacey Scores again at Potomac”

By Doug Watson
 

Budds Creek MD, Clements Maryland’s Sommey Lacey’s late season surge continued last Friday night at Potomac Speedway as he collected his fourth win of the season in last Friday nights 25-lap limited late model headliner at the Southern Maryland oval.
The win for Lacey, his 30th career limited late model win at Potomac, was his third-straight feature win, as Lacey has virtually owned the month of August. Point leader Derrick Quade took second, Paul Cursey was third, Scotty Nelson collected fourth and Ed Pope, making his LLM debut, completed the top-five.
In other action John Latham scored his sixth win of the season in the 15-lap hobby stock event, John Sellner took the win in the large junk car feature and Jeff Block annexed the small junk car main.
Limited late model Feature Finish
1. Sommey Lacey 2. Derrick Quade 3. Paul Cursey 4. Scotty Nelson 5. Ed Pope 6. Chuck Cox 7. Corey Hanson 8. Ben Bowie 9. Danny Zechman 10. Bruce Kane

August 27, 2007

“Lacey score Potomac Hat Trick”

By Doug Watson

Budds Creek MD, Clements Maryland’s Sommey Lacey scored his third win of the season in last Friday night’s 25-lap limited late model headliner at Potomac Speedway.
Lacey-topped Mike Latham, Point leader Derrick Quade, Scotty Nelson and Tony Buckler to score his 29th career Potomac limited late model feature win.
In other action Point leader Ed Pope took the win in the 16-lap street stock feature, Wayne Suite drove off to his seventh win of the season in the 15-lap hobby stock main and Greg Gunter topped the four-cylinder main event.
Pit Notes,
Nine limited late models, 12 street stocks, 16 hobby stocks and 14 four-cylinders lined the Potomac pit area. Coming up Sunday September the second, the super late models will be back Potomac in the annual Ronnie McBee Memorial, which will be the final point race of the season for this division.

LIMITED LATE MODEL FEATURE FINISH

1. Sommey Lacey 2. Mike Latham 3. Derrick Quade 4. Scotty Nelson 5. Tony Buckler 6. Paul Cursey 7. Chuck Cox 8. Corey Hanson 9. Ben Bowie
 

August 19, 2007

Maryland Clay Dirt
By Doug Watson

“Friday Notes from Potomac’s Bobby Allen Memorial”

Last Friday night the Super Late Models invaded Potomac (MD) speedway for the 12th annual Bobby Allen Memorial. The $2000-to win event attracted a field of twenty-one cars to the fabled Southern Maryland oval, but once the dust settled, it was a familiar face in victory lane, Winchester Va.’s Bo Feathers. Here’s some notes from the show,

* What a tremendous season Bo Feathers is having. His Potomac win on Friday night was his 13th score of the season and his 80th career win as a super late model driver. In addition, his Potomac win Friday was his career 19th at the speedway moving him to 11th on the all-time Potomac win list. However, Bo’s weekend would take a down turn. On Saturday night as he was a DNQ at Hagerstown (MD). Fortunately enough this was not a point-race, because Feathers is the current late model point leader.

* Avenue Maryland’s David Williams had a very solid weekend. Williams and his Rocket No.25 raced to a solid fifth at Potomac on Friday and then on Saturday his weekend got much better. Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway hosted the USA 100 for the MACS series on Saturday night. Williams would go on to win the first 25-lap, $1000 to win, qualifying event and then races his way to a respectable 16th place showing in the 50-lap A-main.

* Mechanicsville Maryland’s Jamie Lathroum was once again on the money this weekend. Lathroum scored his fourth top-five of the season at Potomac with a fourth place effort on Friday night. Sitting just 99 markers out of the point lead, Lathroum has a legitimate shot at the Potomac crown with the point finale coming up on September the second. On Saturday at VMS Lathroum finished sixth in his qualifier then raced his way to a solid fifth place showing in the talent laden field. Lathroum is a former steel-block late model champion at the Virginia oval…

* Great Mills Maryland’s Daryl Hills is searching for some luck. Hills, a former two-time Potomac late model champion, did not have a memorable night at Potomac. After dropping out of his heat while running second, Hills luck in the feature did not get any better as mechanical woes once again struck and he would eventually finish the main in 15th. Over at VMS on Saturday Hills weekend would get a little better as he qualified through his heat race and would nail-down a solid 12th in the feature.

* Laurel Maryland’s Roy Deese Jr. is oh so close to getting back in to Potomac’s victory lane. Deese would race his way to a solid second behind winner Bo Feathers. This was the seventh top-five in eight races for the former three-time Potomac track champion. Although he was fast on Friday, Deese could only muster a 19th place showing at Hagerstown on Saturday night

* Martinsburg West Va.’s Andy Anderson was on the verge of having a good night. Making his second Potomac start in the Rick Jones No.88, Anderson was fast. Anderson raced his way from mid-pack and was solidly sitting second in the main until a fan blade came apart under the hood of his mount, forcing him to pit where he would not return. Anderson would ultimately finish 12th in the feature.

* Chaptico Maryland’s Roland Mann looks better every time he gets behind the wheel of his potent No.55. A former Potomac Limited late model titlist and multi-time feature winner, Mann has also been racing with the super late model when his schedule allows. On Friday Mann easily qualified through his heat and would race his way to a solid sixth place feature finish. Mann would not have the luck he would have liked at VMS on Saturday night. Mann could only muster a 14th place showing in his qualifying race making him a DNQ for the feature.

* Congratulations to Clements Md. driver Sommey Lacy as he scored his first career VMS feature win in the companion 35-lap steel-block late model feature on Saturday night. Lacey, a former Potomac Limited late model champion, has won twice this season at the southern Maryland speed plant as well.
News or notes to djm5507@aol.com.

April 12, 2007

“Lacey Scores Big in Potomac’s Burroughs Memorial”
By Doug Watson

Budds Creek MD, Mechanicsville Maryland’s Sommey Lacey scored a convincing win in last Friday night’s 30-lap,$1000 to win, Henry Burroughs memorial at Potomac Speedway. The win for Lacey, his second limited late model triumph of 2007, came in only his third start of the season.

Even though Lacey would start on the pole and lead all thirty-laps of the event, the battle for second thru fifth kept the Potomac fans on their feet. Roland Mann, Stevie Long, Derrick Quade and Ben Bowie all Battled hard for position as Lacey scampered away to collect his 28th career Potomac limited late model feature win. Roland Mann secured second at the line, Ben Bowie took third, point leader Derrick Quade was fourth and Stevie Long completed the top-five.

“There were a lot of good cars here tonight, so it really helped to start up front.” Lacey explained in Potomac’s victory lane. “We haven’t raced here a lot this season but when we do it seems like we run pretty good.” Heats for the 18 cars in attendance went to Sommey Lacey and Derrick Quade.

In the 16-lap street stock feature apparent winner PJ Hatcher failed a post-race inspection handing the win to current point leader Ed Pope, who crossed the line in second, for his third win of the season. In other action John Latham raced to his fifth win of the season in the 15-lap hobby stock feature and Chad Medina annexed the 50-lap small junk car main event.

Pit Notes,
* Even with the lack of rain in the area, track conditions were once again very good as the dust free surface stayed wide and tacky the entire program.
* Sommey Lacey becomes a two-time winner of the Henry Burroughs memorial as he won the event back in 2003. Both of Lacey’s wins this season at Potomac were worth $1000.
*For the second week in a row the four-division show was spun-off in less than three hours, having the fans on their way home by 10:45.

Limited Late Model Feature Finish
1. Sommey Lacey 2. Roland Mann 3. Ben Bowie 4. Derrick Quade 5. Stevie Long 6. Bruce Kane 7. Louie Littlepage 8. Mike Latham 9. Paul Cursey 10. Chris Stacy 11. Danny Zechman 12. Chuck Cox 13. Corey Hanson 14. Joe Bounds 15. Jared Powell 16. Pat Wood 17. Carl Nerem 18. Tony Buckler (DNS)

August 5, 2007

“Roland Mann-Handles Potomac LLM Field”

By Doug Watson

Budds Creek MD, Chaptico Maryland’s Roland Mann was victorious for the second time this season in last Friday night’s 25-lap limited late model headliner at Potomac speedway.
Mann left little doubt who had the fastest car this night as he started on the pole and would eventually lead all 25-circuits of the feature. As Mann led effortlessly, the battle for second was a dandy as Derrick Quade and Ben Bowie battled furiously before Bowie secured second at the finish by inches over Quade. Paul Cursey and Jarred Powell would complete the top-five.
“I have to thank all the guy’s that work on this thing.” Mann stated from Potomac’s victory lane. “They maintain not only this car but our super late model as well and they really had this thing good tonight.” Heats for the 13 cars in attendance went to Jarred Powell and Roland Mann.
In other action Glen Burnie Md.’s Ed Pope, the current street stock point leader, drove off to his second win of the season in the divisions 16-lap event. Defending track champion Kyle Nelson collected win number 4 in the 15 lap hobby stock main and Dave Mosley annexed the 50-lap large junk car feature
Limited Late Model Feature Finish
1. Roland Mann 2. Ben Bowie 3. Derrick Quade 4. Paul Cursey 5. Jarred Powell 6. Mike Latham 7. Danny Zechman 8. Scotty Nelson 9. Allan Canter 10. Chuck Cox 11. Corey Hanson 12. Andy Della 13. Chris Stacy
Street Stock Feature Finish
1. Ed Pope 2. Barry Williams Sr. 3. Jimmy Gardner 4. PJ Hatcher 5. Barry Williams Jr. 6. Kevin Cooke 7. Donnie Smith 8. Mike Reynolds 9. Josh Gass 10. Wendy Jessmer 11. Joe Camberlain 12. Frankie Dove 13. Kevin Sprague 14. Art Good

Juky 7, 2007

Maryland Clay Dirt

By Doug Watson

“Tuesday Night Potomac Notes”

Last Tuesday night July 3rd, Potomac (MD) Speedway hosted a four division program of late models, limited late models, street stocks and hobby stocks plus a huge fireworks display.
Twenty late models, 18 limited late models, 18 street stocks and 14 hobby stocks lined the Potomac pit area in front of the largest crowd of the season. Here’s some notes and quotes from the show,
* The limited late models and the street stocks, both of which fielded 18 cars, were season high’s for both classes…
* Greencastle Pa.’s Gary Stuhler was scheduled to drive Jerry Foster’s potent Dirtek/Cornett #5 in Tuesday’s program, but work commitments forced Stuhler to miss the event…
* Dry and abrasive track conditions on this night caused more than one flat tire during the program, the most notable was Roy Deese Jr. who had a sure win in his back pocket until he lost a right rear on the 38th lap of the late model main…
* Walter Crouch had a very good night as he was able to run in the top-five the entire night coming home with a solid second place effort, his best Potomac finish to date…
* Charlottesville Va.’s Jared Powell, who had won the previous weeks limited late model headliner with his Rocket #2*, could only produce an 8th place finish in the divisions 25-lap event…
* Current Potomac street stock point leader Ed Pope took ninth in the divisions 16-lap event. This is the first week of the 11-week old season that saw Pope finish outside the top-five…
* Four-time feature winner and second place point man in the street stock division, Dale Hollidge had a rough night as mechanical woes forced him from the event on the first lap…
* Winchester Va.’s Bo Feathers continues to add to his point lead. In the 6 races run to date Feathers has notched four top-five’s and six top-ten’s with three of his top-five’s feature wins…
* Current Hobby stock point leader Wayne Suite has put together quite a season thus far in 2007. In the 13 shows the division has put on this season Suite has not been out of the top-five the entire season, also he’s racked up four feature wins as well…
* Dale Smith Jr. was quite pleased with the outcome of the limited late model headliner. “This is the first time since April that we’ve even run this car.” Smith stated from Potomac’s victory lane. “I was trying to get in as hard as I could because I saw that the #88 car was pushing real bad and then when I saw him wreck I figured we’d have a pretty good shot to win this thing.” Smith has become quite a formidable driver the past few seasons as he’s taken wins at Potomac, Hagerstown (MD), Winchester (VA), and Cumberland (MD)…
* Littlestown Pa.’s Danny Zechman was ever so close to winning his first-ever Potomac LLM feature. Zechman took the lead on the 15th lap and led comfortably until a Bruce Kane caution on the 24th
Lap put the field on Zechman’s back bumper. As Zechman took the green for the final lap, he made a rookie mistake as he overdrove the first turn and pushed across the racetrack eventually slamming the backstretch wall, ending a brilliant run…
* Noticeably missing from the show was Gettysburg Pa.’s Jeremy Miller. The past three season’s Miller and his car owner Charles Buckler have owned the high banks as Miller has scored 18-wins at Potomac, with 12 of those special event wins…
* Two-time Potomac late model champion Daryl Hills continued his miserable Potomac luck. Hills spun early while in the top-five, then suffered a flat tire later in the feature before parking the Larry Hills and Sons Rocket after half-way. In the six Potomac features to date Hills has scored only two top-fives…
* The biggest downfall to the good night of racing was the length of the show. The biggest crowd of the season was forced to see the late model feature take to the speedway at 11pm and not finish until midnight, with the nightcap street stock main completing the program at 12:35am…
News or notes to djm5507@aol.com

2007 Potomac Speedway Schedule

Sat March 10 Annual Car Show 10-2 Hunt Auto Sales

Sun March 11 Open Practice 2-6 Gates open at Noon

Fri March 16 Junk Cars 100 Large Car 50 Lap Small Car

Sat March 17 Opening Night LM,SS,HS, 4 Cyl ( First Points Race )

Sat March 24 Cody Endicott Memorial SLM 40 Laps $2000 Win, $200 Start,SS,HS,Large Junk (Arch Night)

Fri March 30 LM,SS,HS,Small Junk, Modifieds (Military Night $5.00 off General Admission )

Fri April 6 Meet The Easter Bunny LM,SS,HS Large Junk

Thur April 12 Open Practice For The 34th Anniversary Special 6 To 9

Fri April 13 34th Anniversary Special ( 34Lap SLM $3400 To Win) SS,HS,Small Junk

Fri April 20 LM,SS,HS 4 Cyl ( Senior Citizen Night $5.00 off General Admission ) (Top Dog Contest Round #1 )

Fri April 27 LM,SS,HS,4 Cyl, Modifieds ( Autograph Night For LM & 4 Cyl )

Sat April 28 Junk Cars 100 Large Car 50 Lap Small Car

Fri May 4 Closed

Fri May 11 LM,SS,HS, 4 Cyl, Modifieds ( Autograph Night For SS )

Fri May 18 LM,SS,HS,Large Junk ( Kids Bike Races ) (Senior Citizen Night $5.00 Off General Admission)

Sat May 19 Junk Cars 100 Large Junk 50 Lap Small Junk

Fri May 25 Mike Wathen Memorial SS, LM,HS,Small Junk ( Coors Light Night )

Sun May 27 Mike Clore Memorial SLM " Courtesy Of Carruth & Son Concrete, SS,HS,4 Cyl (MARF Night)

Fri June 1 Racers of The Past Show LM,HS, Large Junk, Classic Cars, Modifieds

Sat June 2 Silver Hill Lions Club Demo Derby

Fri June 8 Eddie Canupp Memorial 36 Lap SLM $2000 Win, SS,HS,Small Junk

Sat June 9 Silver Hill Lions Club Demo Derby

Fri June 15 Closed For Motor Cross

Fri June 22 SLM Summerfest 40 $2500 To Win,HS,4 Cyl, Large Junk, American Outlaws

Fri June 29 LM,SS,HS,4 Cyl ( Kids Bus Rides ) (Military Night $5.00 off General Admission)

Sat June 30 Junk Cars 100 Lap Large 50 Lap Small

Tues July 3 Fireworks SLM,LM,SS,HS ( Firecraker 40 SLM $2000 Win )

Fri July 6 Junk Cars 100 Lap Large 50 Lap Small

Fri July 13 51 Lap LM Jay Rhode Memorial SS,HS,4 Cyl, Modifieds

Fri July 20 LM,SS,Large & Small Junk Cars, American Outlaws ( Autograph Night For Junk Cars)

Fri July 27 Gene VanMeter Memorial SLM 40 Laps $2000 Courtesy Of Deane Guy Masonry, SS,HS,4 Cyl (Autograph Night For SLM )( Senior Citizen Night $5.00 off General Admission)

Fri Aug 3 LM,SS,HS, Large Junk ( Kids Bike Race ) ( Top Dog Contest Round #2 )

Fri Aug 10 30 Lap LM Henry Burroughs Memorial, SS,HS,Small Junk

Sat Aug 11 Junk Cars 100 Lap Large 50 Lap Small

Fri Aug 17 55 Lap SLM Bobby Allen Memorial $2000, SS,HS,4 Cyl (Budweiser Night)

Fri Aug 24 LM,SS,HS,4 Cyl MARF Night ( Kids Ride In Cars )

Fri Aug 31 HS Dale Moore Sr Memorial, LM,SS,Large Junk, Modifieds (Autograph Night HS)

Sat Sept 1 Junk Cars 100 Lap Large 50 Lap Small

Sun Sept 2 SLM Ronnie McBee Memorial 44 Lap $2000, SS,HS, 4 Cyl (Raindate Sept 3)

Fri Sept 7 Closed

Fri Sept 14 Final Points Show SLM,LM,SS,HS,4 Cyl Hunt Ford Night

Oct 4-6 Small Car Nationals LM,SS,HS,4 Cyl, Large & Small Junk

Oct 18-20 Vernon Harris Memorial SLM,SS,HS,Large *& Small Junk ( SLM 51 Laps $5000 win, $500 to start

Fri Nov 9 Weather Permitting Turkey Derby For Junk Cars

SCHEDULE IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE