Southern All Stars Dirt Series Gobbler 100: Report, Results and Season Final Standings
25 November 1997
Cleveland, TN - There were 76 Late Model drivers on hand at Cleveland Speedway , all with one idea, win the Gobbler 100 and the $5,000 check that goes along with victory. Following 100 laps of great racing action it was Dale McDowell of Rossville, GA who sat in Victory lane with the big smile on his face and the win in his pocket. Another driver who was all smiles after the event was Roger Best of Maryville, TN who captured the 1997 Southern All Stars Dirt Series Championship. Best, who finished the race in 10th position, drives the Volunteer Trucking/Warrior Late Model and did not have an easy time of it during the race. At one time he had the car of Jamie Perry sitting on the top of his hood after both cars had made contact. Best was able to continue and sew up the title. McDowell was the fastest car at the track, setting fast time in qualifying and winning his second Gobbler 100 title. Only one other driver, Ronnie Johnson, has multiple Gobbler 100 wins to his credit. Lamar Scoggins of Cleveland, TN took home second with John Jones of Rock Springs, GA in third. Mike Head of of Ellenwood, GA took the checkered flag in second place, but was disqualified when officials checked his tires after the race and found the "D-55" marking missing. In support races for the Gobbler 100, Tim Richardson of Chattanooga, TN won the Sportsman race with Steve Liner second and Steve Gilbert third. In the Hobby class it was Danny Haney of Cleveland, TN with the win over Ransom Posey and Keith Frazier. The Pony Stock feature was won by Kenny Campbell of Birchfield, TN. GOBBLER 100 RESULT Pos Driver Hometown Chassis 1. Dale McDowell Rossville, GA GRT 2. Lamar Scoggins Cleveland, TN GRT 3. John Jones Rock Springs, GA Bullitt 4. Mark Miner Stockbridge, GA MasterSbuilt 5. Billy Ogle Jr Knoxville, TN Warrior 6. Danny Peoples Margaret, AL MasterSbuilt 7. Jeff Stansberry Cleveland, TN GRT 8. Andy Dill Georgetown, TN Weeks 9. Kevin Tallent Gadsden, AL GRT 10. Roger Best Maryville, TN Warrior 11. Tim Roszell Anniston, AL MasterSbuilt 12. David Gentry Shelbyville, TN Warrior 13. Jamie Perry Ringgold, GA GRT 14. Greg Skinner Oxford, AL MasterSbuilt 15. Butch Heatherly Chattanooga, TN GRT 16. Frank Ingram Acworth, GA Warrior 17. Brad Coffey Friendsville, TN Weeks 18. Paul Tims Georgetown, TN Warrior 19. Jerry Ashley Elora, TN GRT 20. Randle Chupp Knoxville, TN MasterSbuilt 21. Gary McPherson Dalton, GA MasterSbuilt 22. Kevin Coffey Friendsville, TN Warrior 23. Jeff Walker McMinnville, TN GRT 24. Buddy Morris Rome, GA L Shaw 25. Mike Head Ellenwood, GA GRT FINAL SAS SUPER LATE MODEL POINTS 1. Roger Best 1376 2. Bo Shirley 1232 3. Jeff Walker 1166 4. Mike Head 910 5. Greg Skinner 808 6. Rodney Dickson 808 7. John Jones 656 8. Mark Miner 652 9. Tim Roszell 638 10.Gary McPherson 632 John Kaiser -- The Auto Channel