Late Model Turkey Shootout 50 at Thunder Speedway: Report and Results
1 December 1997
CARTER TAKES LMS WIN IN TURKEY SHOOTOUT Valdosta, GA - Henry Carter of Swainsboro, GA drove his Sharpe/Bennett Mimbs Farms Chevrolet under leader Gene Ross in turn two on the final lap to take his first ever Late Model Sportsman win in the Turkey Shootout 50 at Thunderbowl Speedway, Valdosta, GA. Carter exhibited patience as he stayed out of trouble and near the front for most of the race before making his move in the last 10 laps of the race that saw four cars vying for the win over the final laps. Randy Ellenberg of Valdosta, GA started the race on the pole, but spun in turn two on the fourth attempt to start the race when he and Gene Ross got together. Ross took over the point with Ellenberg retiring to the pits. Ross would hold the lead until Carter passed him on the final lap, but behind him there was plenty of action taking place. Gene Maine of Quitman, GA started in eighth place and steadily worked his way into second by lap 18 as he took advantage of five cautions to gain spots. Carter started 11th and made use of attrition and some good moves as he followed Maine towards the front. Ronnie Harrell ran second in the early stages, but battles with Ross, Maine, and Johnny Lieupo took their toll and he fell back. Wiley McDaniel and Tracy Walden managed to stay out of trouble and advance their positions as the race wore on with Steve Lashley also staying in the front pack for most the race. With 10 laps left the running order was Ross, Maine, Carter, McDaniel and Lashley when Carter began pressuring Maine for the second spot. Maine in turn was all over Ross, who had suffered a broken coil spring on the rear suspension to upset the handling of the car. Maine was working so hard on finding a way around Ross, that on lap 45 Carter was able to slide to the inside coming off turn 2 and move into second down the back straight. Carter now closed on the rear bumper of the ailing Ross, but could not find an immediate way around. The on the final lap as the cars rocketed off turn two, Carter moved inside and alongside Ross. Ross tried to protect the spot, carrying Carter low on the track, but Carter kept his foot in the throttle as the two headed for turn three. Maine, in third, went to the high side to try and sneak around both the cars fighting for the point, but Carter had the lead as all three headed into the turn. Ross fell in behind Carter and left Maine high and dry on the outside where he slid in the marbles and lost 3 positions. Lashley made a last minute charge for third, but McDaniel held the spot by the width of his bumper at the line. The first win ever for Carter in the Late Model Sportsman class comes on the heels of his winning the National Late Model Sportsman Series Rookie of the year for 1997 and earned him $2,500 for his efforts. TURKEY SHOOTOUT LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN FINISH (top 4) 1. Henry Carter Swainsboro, GA 2. Gene Ross Lake Park, GA 3. Wiley McDaniel Macon, GA 4. Steve Lashley Americus, GA 5. Tracy Walden Louisville, GA 6. Gene Maine Quitman, GA 7. Mo Gordy Bartow, GA 8. Rodney Harrell Leesburg, GA 9. Bucky Gregory Macon, GA 10. Cary Corbin Valdosta, GA John Kaiser -- The Auto Channel