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Double The Action Double The Fun

Double the Action at Chatham Speedway
Linda M. Horn

After two consecutive rain-outs in an attempt to get weekly racing started at Chatham Speedway, the Hobson family decided to make-up one of those nights by adding a Friday night show to the schedule last week and by paying out extra money in the Factory Stock class to make it a little more exciting. There were just under one hundred race cars entered Friday nights event, and every one of them were fired up and ready to put on a great show for the race fans.

The added Friday night action gave all classes an opportunity to race both nights, but thanks to the track owners, along with Mr. James Shirley owner of Southern Roofing and Vinyl Siding, the Factory Stock class raced for $1,000 to win each night. There was also a $300 bonus to the driver who earned the most points in the two nights combined. Before we get to the details about the Factory Stock show, lets fill you in on the other classes.

The Beginner class held eight entries Friday and seven on Saturday. Friday nights Feature for the Beginners was led from start to finish by Mason Littles, with Will Owens hot on his trail in second. Saturday night it seemed it was going to be a repeat of the night before, but Littles took a little spin in turn four giving Owens an easy opportunity to take over the lead and grab his second Feature Win of the 2018 Season at Chatham Speedway.

The Compact class had a great turn-out this weekend with fifteen entries Friday and sixteen Saturday. This class seems to grow each week and is by far the most economical class for someone looking to get started in dirt track racing. Friday night Kory Kulp raced his way to Victory Lane, but Saturday night the rain hit the track about half way through the Features. The Track Owners made the decision to call the race and pay the classes who didn’t get the chance to race their Feature according to how they were lined up to start. This gave Mr. Kulp two wins in a row as he was positioned inside front row in the Feature starting order.

The NESmith Sanctioned Street Stock class held six entries Friday night and four for Saturdays show. The Friday night winner, Bobby Chandler of Dry Prong, LA, led the field every lap they made in their Heat and Feature. Saturday nights show saw Casey Hobson winning the Heat and earning Pole Position in the Feature Line-up. However, Casey decided to step-aside and let his father, Jerry Hobson take the wheel in the Feature. For sake of my job security at the race track, I won’t go into details, but Sunday morning Mr. Jerry Hobson stated “Well, I always tell Casey I could have won that. Last night he le me get behind the wheel. First off, I couldn’t find no pedals but the gas pedal. There were three other cars and I think I hit all three and two skidder tires. Tore the car up some. Guess I will quit before I’m fired.” After Mr. Hobson exited the track it left three Kulp Brothers Racing cars on the track to see which was the best. At the checkers it was Kyle Kulp taking home the win.

The B-Mod class also held some excellent racing both nights and repeat winner as well. John Parker Jr parked the K9 in Victory Lane both nights with Ruston’s Paul Martin finishing second both nights. The Limited Modified class win Friday night went to Rodney Howell, but Saturday nights Limited Feature was one of the “rained out” shows which paid the drivers according to their starting positions. This sent another trophy home for the weekend with Mr. John Parker.

The Factory Stock class was dominated in victory lane both nights by Blanchard, Louisiana racer Shawn Graham in the C1. Graham led every lap he made both nights, earning the $1,000 Friday night plus the $1,000 Saturday night AND the $300 Points Bonus. Saturday nights Factory Stock Feature was cut short as the rain moved into the area, causing slick and unsafe track conditions. Though the field of eighteen cars couldn’t complete their thirty-lap show, the laps they did get in were full of great side by side racing action.

Saturday nights show also featured the first appearance of the 2018 season at Chatham Speedway for the POWRi Louisiana Wing 600 Sprints. They were able to get their Heat race in but not their Feature. Matt Ebarb of Bossier City, LA won the heat, which ended up giving him the winners trophy and payout for the night. These drivers will return in May for another chance to give the race fans some edge of your seat racing action.

Chatham Speedway will be racing again this weekend, Saturday, April 28th with a great night of racing action from the regular weekly classes. There are also plans to add a couple more unique events to the schedule, so be on the look out for upcoming announcements. See you at the races!!

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