Spring Explosion ends in FIREWORKS Finish!

PRESS RELEASE

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May 3, 2021, Montgomery, Alabama: When tracks work together good things happen as  the Pro Late Models competed in a double header weekend with 5 flags speedway and Historic Montgomery Motor Speedway. The weekend gave late model teams the opportunity to compete in 2 events at tracks 25 hours apart. Bringing 3 different Late Model divisions to compete at MMS is a new concept this year also.

“Mr. Montgomery”, Augie Grill #112 started the day off strong, winning the Bama Budweiser fast time pole award. Grill was followed by North Carolina native and Friday nights winner at Pensacola in the first race of the double header Matt Craig #54. Qualifying third was last years “Hunt for the Bear” winner Jake Garcia. Alabama native Justin Bonnett #12 took the fourth position and Brandon Curren #00 rounded out the top five, all separated by 0.112 seconds.

“Show Me the Money” Spring Explosion PLM Qualifying Results

“Show Me the Money” Spring Explosion Pro Late Model Race Recap

The last time Pro Late Models were in action at Montgomery Motor Speedway happened back in March at the Alabama 200. That race was dominated by Friday night’s winner at Pensacola, Matt Craig #54. Christopher Tullis #12 ended up in victory lane at the Alabama 200 and leading only the last 2 laps in doing so. Both drivers were fast all weekend coming into the Spring Explosion. Craig and Tullis dominated most of the night and continued to be strong contenders at Montgomery Motor Speedway.

Chris Davidson #14, “The Texas Tornado” drew the pole position after the top 8 drivers picked an “Ice Cold Dr. Pepper” with starting positions 1-8 on the bottom. Davidson #14 jumped out to a quick lead, leading the first six laps of the race. The Kannapolis driver Matt Craig #54 gained control of the lead on lap 7 and lead the next fourteen laps. Christopher Tullis #12, “Hunt for the Bear” winner, passed Craig for the lead and pulled away from the pack from there. Tullis looked like the car to beat, lapping all but nine cars.

As the race began to wind down, the packed out Montgomery Motor Speedway fans were on their feet, watching the young buck, Jake Garcia #35 cut down the lead on the dominating Tullis. Tullis lead the field by a half of a lap at one point, weaving through lapped traffic. As Garcia tracked down Tullis, things became really interesting. It looked as if Garcia was getting himself in position to make a pass with a couple of laps to go and made his move on the last lap. Going into turn 3 on lap 100, Garcia went high to pass Tullis, as both approached the lap car of #91 Jim Wall. Contact ensued as the three were in turn 4. When the smoke cleared it was the Monroe, Georgia driver Jake Garcia crossing the line first with Tullis able to bring his car across in second as Matt Craig brought the #54 machine in home third.

Fans were treated to a great race with passing through out the field. So far this year they have been treated to 2 late race passes in the “Show me the MONEY” Series plus some of the best pro late model racing in the country. The Spring Explosion did not disappoint. What a great night of racing at MMS. With Jake Garcia #35 taking the victory, Christopher Tullis #12, and Matt Craig #54 completing the podium. Chris Davidson #14 and Kyle Plott #4 rounded out the top 5. A very clean race all the way through, only seeing one caution on lap 6.

Matt Craig #54 won the cash bonus of the best average finish in the double header that Five Flags Speedway and Montgomery Speedway partnered together on. Dylan Fetch #89 and Hunter Wright #29 split the 5^th place combined points bonus with a tie. What a great night of racing, and a really strong field of Pro Late Model drivers.

Lap Leaders:

Chris Davidson #14 – 6 laps

Matt Craig #54 – 15 laps

Christopher Tullis #12 – 78 laps

Jake Garcia #35 – 1 lap

“Show Me the Money” Spring Explosion Pro Late Model Race Results

Blacksheep Woodlands Late Model Sportsman

The Late Model Sportsman division raced not 1 but 2 features in the Spring Explosion! The Late Model Sportsman had Twin 20’s, starting the night off with the first feature and wrapping the night up with the last feature. Mark Singleton #45 started on the pole and spun on lap 1 after contact with Bill Bethea #20. Bethea went to the rear, charging his way back through the field. Dave Mader #18 took the lead on lap 7 and led the rest of the laps, holding off a strong Bill Bethea #20. Dave Mader #18 getting the victory in the first of two features on the night, coming off an impressive second place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in the ARCA race last weekend. Current Points leader Cody McCawley #62 rounded out the top 3.

1^st Twin 20 Late Model Sportsman Results

In the second Twin 20, Dave Mader #18, started at the rear after winning the first feature. Cody McCawley #62 jumped out to the lead and led the first couple of laps before Bill Bethea #20 made the pass for the lead. Bethea #20 pulled out to a pretty decent lead and led the next 13 laps. Bethea #20 was rolling but McCawley #62 chased him down, and made the pass for the lead on lap 16. Bethea seemed to have used his right rear up in hard racing in the restarts and in the first feature. Cody McCawley #62 led the last 4 laps and won the second Twin 20 of the night. Dave Mader #18 come up through the field and passed Bethea #20 for a second place finish on the last lap. Bill Bethea #20 finished with a third place trophy.

2^nd Twin 20 Late Model Sportsman Results 

Outlaws

Bubba Winslow #92 qualified on the pole, and jumped out to a quick lead after rolling a 1 in the dice roll inversion at opening ceremonies. Winslow #92 led the first 14 laps as Stuart Dutton #32 and Winslow #92 fought for the lead. Caution flew on lap 14 and it took 3 restarts to get the event rolling. On the third restart of lap 14, Stuart Dutton #32 took advantage of the opportunity, gaining the lead and not looking back. Dutton #32 led the remainder of the laps, holding off Winslow #92. Jody Henderson #28 won the third-place trophy in the 40 lap Outlaw feature.

Outlaw Race Results

We would like to give a special thanks to Five Flags Speedway for partnering up with MMS and the Pro Late Model double header. We would also like to thank ALL of the drivers in the Pro Late Models, Late Model Sportsman, and Outlaw divisions for the great car turnout. We would like to thank ALL of the fans for coming out and making this a great night of racing at a packed out track.

Montgomery Motor Speedway returns to action May 15^th for the Hauling Asphalt Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, Pro 4’s, and Late Model Sportsman!

Keep up with updates at https://www.montgomerymotorspeedway.org/  and stay up to date on what we have going on by following us on social media!

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Story credit: Landon Adams

Photo Credit David Kranak Impactzone Photos