HAV-A-TAMPA Dirt Racing Results, Standings and Report -- Hospitality 100
15 July 1997
JACKSON, MS - In the heat of the night in the heart of Mississippi, Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH charged to victory in the HAV-A-TAMPA Dirt Racing Series, Hospitality 100 at Jackson Motor Speedway. The win was Moran's second of the year in the Magnolia State and his fourth victory this season on the prestigious cigar-sponsored tour. Moran used the high groove during the early part of the race to gain momentum on the tight and testy quarter-mile track, and then dropped to the low groove and marched his way to the front of the field. Following Moran across the line was Ronnie Poche of Natchidoches, LA and Mike Boland of Cuba, AL."We just got a brand new Chevrolet SB-2 engine in this Camaro and it was flawless," said Moran after climbing from his car in victory lane. "We knew the motor would be strong, but it was more than I had imagined. We've got a lot of racing left to win this series championship, we'll take it one race at a time. We didn't know exactly what to expect with the track. Jimmy, from Sopha's Hoosier Tires made a suggestion and it worked, we appreciate their help and are just real happy to win again here in Mississippi."
Moran began the race on the outside of pole sitter Poche but at the drop of the green flag the GM Performance Parts Camaro dropped backwards to third spot in the running order behind Poche and Billy Moyer. Moran soon reasserted himself and dropped to the inside to pass Moyer and then set off after Poche. Moran went back to his earlier high line to take the lead from Poche then dropped back into the low groove to motor away from the field. Moran picked up five bonus points for leading the most laps and ended the three race win streak of Moyer.
Moyer and Dale McDowell tangled in turn one while battling for third spot, and although both were able to continue, their cars were no longer competitive. Moyer would finish in 18th place, while McDowell would end up 16th, both a lap down to the leader.
After Friday's highly competitive heat races, Saturday brought entirely new track conditions and drivers and crews were scrambling in the pits to make the right tire and suspension choices. The sweltering heat contributed to the challenging track conditions and many were caught with the wrong tire compound at race time.
Three local drivers, Mike Boland, Scott Slay and Shane Draughn did extremely well against the touring regulars, all finishing in the top ten and making good use of their local knowledge and McCreary tires to aid their runs to the front. For Poche it was his first ever start from the pole in HAV-A-TAMPA action and the Louisiana driver did a fine job in holding on to second spot at the finish.
The next event for the HAV-A-TAMPA Dirt Racing Series will be Thursday, July 17 when the tour makes a stop in Olive Hill, KY at Carter County Speedway before moving on to Florence (KY) Speedway for two races on Friday and Saturday July 18th and 19th.
RACE RESULTS, HOSPITALITY 100 pos Driver Hometown Laps Money --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Donnie Moran Dresden, OH 100 $15,300 2. Ronnie Poche Natchidoches, LA 100 8,700 3. Mike Boland Cuba, AL 100 5,000 4. Freddy Smith Knoxville, TN 100 4,250 5. Shane Draughn Jackson, MS 100 3,050 6. Ray Cook Murphy, NC 100 3,200 7. Scott Slay Jackson, MS 100 2,500 8. Johnny Virden Russellville, AR 100 2,500 9. Skip Arp Georgetown, TN 100 2,400 10. Marshall Green Dalton, GA 100 2,050 11. David Gibson Ash Flat, AR 100 1,850 12. Kenny Merchant Rushton, LA 100 1,300 13. Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR 100 1,600 14. Clint Smith Griffin, GA 100 1,400 15. Donnie Barnhart N Little Rock, AR 100 1,000 16. Dale McDowell Rossville, GA 99 1,275 17. Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 99 950 18. Billy Moyer Batesville, AR 99 1,225 19. Earl Pearson, JR Jacksonville, FL 98 900 20. Jim McDuffue Meridian, MS 97 900 21. Larry Ritter Jackson, MS 94 900 22. Dennis Duncan Terry, MS 81 900 23. Jimmy Cliburn Star, MS 73 900 24. Jason Smith Laurel, MS 49 900 25. Mark Miner Stockbridge, GA 18 900 ISKY RACING CAMS Fast Gun Award: Clint Smith 15.629 secs(57.59 mph) HAV-A-TAMPA Points Standings after 20 of 32 events 1. Billy Moyer 3196 11. Johnny Virden 2062 2. Wendell Wallace 3027 12. Bill Frye 2039 3. Freddy Smith 2892 13. Steve Russell 1743 4. Donnie Moran 2838 14. Ronnie Johnson 1660 5. Dale McDowell 2747 15. Mark Miner 1621 6. Clint Smith 2683 16. Earl Pearson Jr 1451 7. Skip Arp 2561 17. Gar Dickson 1403 8. Marshall Green 2472 18. Robbie Starnes 1262 9. David Gibson 2347 19. Kenny Merchant 1021 10.Ray Cook 2318 20. Bob Pierce 979
John Kaiser, The Autochannel