HAV-A-TAMPA Shootout at Dixie Speedway: Report and Results - Moyer Crowned Champion
13 October 1997
Woodstock, GA - Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR, became the 1997 National Dirt Late Model Champion, his first ever sanctioned championship after years of 'outlaw' racing as he sped to victory in the 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Shootout at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA. Moyer, who started from the pole in the rain delayed event, withstood challenges from Scott Bloomquist, Ronnie Johnson, Rick Eckert and Donnie Moran to take the $49,600 winner's check in the star-studded event. Moran finished in second with Bloomquist, Rick Aukland, and Eckert rounding out the top five."This was our goal," an elated Moyer said from Victory Lane. "To win the Shootout to go with the Championship. It has been a total team effort and to end it with a big win like this race makes it even better."
Moyer's win, his 10th of the year on the HAV-A-TAMPA Dirt Racing Series tour, boosted his season winnings to over $250,000 in Series sanctioned events. The victory was not easy as four cautions over the last 17 laps allowed Moran to close up on his bumper and challenge for the lead. Moyer was up to the task and held on to claim the prize.
The race was slowed by 10 cautions including a first lap incident that involved the cars of John Gill, Jack Boggs and Clint Smith. Boggs and Smith were able to continue but for the hapless Gill, his race was over. Boggs would eventually retire on lap 20 while Smith would complete 88 laps before giving up on the hopes of earning the bonus for winning both the Dixie Speedway events.
Moyer's win would also secure the Dunn-Benson Ford Crew Chief Award for GVS Racing chief Ronnie Stuckey. Moran claimed the season-long Hard Charger Award, while Earl Pearson Jr was the 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Rookie of the Year. Awards will be handed out at the season-ending banquet in mid-November.
John Kaiser -- The Auto Channel
HAV-A-TAMPA SHOOTOUT RACE RESULT Pos Driver Hometown Laps Purse 1. Billy Moyer Batesville, AR 100 $49600 2. Donnie Moran Dresden, OH 100 14650 3. Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 100 8000 4. Rick Aukland Fargo, ND 100 6375 5. Rick Eckert York, PA 100 6100 6. Marshall Green Dalton, GA 100 5450 7. Mark Miner Stockbridge, GA 100 4350 8. Freddy Smith Knoxville, TN 100 9250 9. Dale McDowell Rossville, GA 100 3850 10. Skip Arp Georgetown, TN 100 3450 11. Ray Cook Murphy, NC 99 2300 12. Terry Phillips Sprinfield, MO 99 1900 13. Randle Chupp Knoxville, TN 99 1800 14. Steve Francis Ashland, KY 99 2050 15. Clayton Christenberry Knoxville, TN 99 1600 16. Dewayne Hughes Dalton, GA 99 1590 17. Earl Pearson Jr Jacksonville, FL 99 1680 18. Vernon Smith Rome, GA 99 1570 19. Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 91 1560 20. Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR 90 4000 21. Bill Frye Greenbrier, AR 90 2340 22. Clint Smith Griffin, GA 88 2380 23. David Gibson Ash Flat, AR 83 1520 24. Frank Ingram Acworth, GA 24 1510 25. Jack Boggs Grayson, KY 20 1900 26. John Gill Mitchell, IN 1 1500 ISKY Racing Cams Fast Gun Award - Billy Moyer 15.374 seconds ISKY Racing Cams Fast Gun Dash Winner - Freddy Smith 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Dirt Racing Series National Champion - Billy Moyer 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Rookie of the Year - Earl Pearson, Jr 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Hard Charger of the Year - Donnie Moran 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Chassis Manufacturer's Championship - GRT Race Cars 1997 HAV-A-TAMPA Dunn-Benson Ford Crew Chief Award - Ronnie Stuckey FINAL TOP 10 POINTS STANDINGS 1. Billy Moyer 4963 2. Wendell Wallace 4751 3. Freddy Smith 4544 4. Donnie Moran 4449 5. Dale McDowell 4263 6. Skip Arp 4212 7. Clint Smith 4184 8. Marshall Green 3917 9. Ray Cook 3620 10. Johnny Virden 3474
