Local Divisions Filled With Emotion & Triumph During Rattler Weekend

OPP, Alabama (May 27, 2020) — While the main focus for many at South Alabama Speedway this past weekend was the start to the Southern Super Series season, and the return of late model racing to the state of Alabama, it can not be forgotten that the heart and soul of of the speedway week and week out throughout the season is many exciting local divisions that contest the 4/10th mile oval. Drivers in seven classes fought tooth and nail in their respective features to win on the track’s biggest stage, the 44th Annual Rattler 250 Weekend.

Here are the recaps, class by class from local division racing on May 22-23, 2020 at South Alabama Speedway

CUPLITES

We previewed a double duo father/son battle earlier in the weekend in South Alabama Speedway’s Cuplite Rattler feature. Shep and Dale Lucas took to the track along with Jason and Jarod Fowler and the rest of the field to compete in one of the Friday night main events during the 44th Annual Rattler 250 weekend at SAS.

We failed to mention in our preview article that Shep Lucas was letting his son Dale drive his machine while Shep was taking a seat in a very special ride prepared for him. Shep would race in Jason “Doc” Cain’s #31, who passed away with a dream of seeing Lucas drive his car to victory lane at SAS in the biggest race of the year. 

Lucas would lead early on in the event before Jason Fowler would grab the lead in a quick but exciting battle between the two veteran dads. Soon after taking the lead, Fowler was greeted by a caution. That caution was for his son Jarod Fowler looping his machine in turn two. When the race resumed it was Lucas who was able to pass Fowler back for the lead and held on for the few remaining laps to secure the emotional win.

Jason Fowler held on to second place in the Cuplite feature. He was followed by Austin Reeves, Dale Lucas, and son Jarod Fowler.

SUPER STOCK

Henderson and Moseley are two names you can always associate with Super Stock competition at SAS. Same goes for Rattler weekend as they would finish one and two. One of the longest races of the weekend, taking almost 24 hours to complete, all thanks to Mother Nature. 

On Friday the big field of hungry drivers made it to lap 16, or at least a portion of the starters did. Unfortunate luck struck Jake Daniels on the pace lap when his motor exploded in turn one leaving a trail of slippery fluid on a good portion of the 4/10th mile asphalt surface. That led to a timely delay and once the race started it was Jason Veil who took the early lead and led all the way to lap 16 when the field was under a caution for an on track incident when the rains came.

The remainder of the event was scheduled for Saturday night which was delayed again, due to rain, but only for a couple hours. Nathan Henderson then worked his way through the field after having problems on Friday night as Cameron Henderson went on to pick up the victory, gapping Corbitt Moseley by over 7 seconds. Kody Brusso, Adam Salter, and Ricky Harrelson would round out the top five.

ROAD RUNNER

In another close finish during Rattler weekend the Road Runners put on a spectacular show featuring everything we love about beginner divisions at a short track; Bump and runs, some door banging, and leaders racing fiercely in lap traffic. 

Aubrey Glass was the driver that would cross the finish line right in front of Jason Singletary and Charles Gardner. All three battled for the lead the whole race and brought the crowd to their feet plenty of times in their 35 lap feature. John Singletary and Austin Reeves rounded out the top five at the finish. 

COYOTE

The front wheel drive division at SAS always keeps you on the edge of your seat and the Rattler feature for the popular class didn’t disappoint. The race was filled with single car incidents and a few multi car pile ups causing a handful of cautions. With those cautions came many restarts but even with the calamity it was still no match for JoJo Chandler who collected his fifth Rattler victory in the division.

MODIFIED

The Modifieds provided some great action to accommodate the Baby Rattler 125 on Saturday night. In an uneventful 50 lap feature it was Jeff Letson who ousted vetaran SAS competitor Korey Ruble for the win. Late Model ace Hunter Robbins would grab a podium spot with Kyle Purvis and Donald Crocker wrapping up the top five.

STREET STOCK

The Street Stock division went flag to flag and was dominated by Travis Slawson. Slawson won by over half a track (9.180 seconds). Todd Valdez and Dean Shaw were locked together pretty close all race long but it would be Panama City’s Valdez to take the runner up spot. Cameron Roos and Gary Davis concluded the top five.

MINI CUP/SPORTSMAN

The smallest cars to take the track during Rattler weekend provided an exciting show as usual. Their size allows them to race four and five wide with ease. 

It was a fairly quick feature for the Mini Cup division with no major incidents that saw a race to the finish between Adam Sowell and Kevin Kline. Sowell held off a late challenge from Kline to head to victory lane with the snake. The two shared the podium with Justin Cruise. Ryan Cherry and Greg Palmer rounded out the top five.

Gage Williams held off a late charge from his competition to collect the Mini Sportsman victory in the early hours of Sunday after rain pushed Saturday’s schedule back.

– Ben Kilcrease, Twitter: @TheBenKilcrease

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