Story By: Steve Hixson

September 2, 2000-Cleveland TN

In high dramatic fashion "The Decatur Raider" Mark Mears (# 19) of Decatur Alabama became the fifth different winner at Cleveland Speedway in Southern All-Star (S.A.S.) competition this season. Mears piloting the "Pioneer Roofing, C.J. Rayburn Racecars" Chevrolet Monte Carlo powered by the outside of current S.A.S. points leader Clint Smith in turn four leading the remaining laps of the "Labor Day 50" event, for the $3,000 payday Saturday night. Mears and Smith were the class of the field in qualifying as Mears popped an early 14:500 second lap, to earn the pole position for the "A" Main feature. Smith clocked a second quick time at 14:952 earning the outside pole spot. Steve Anderson, Ricky Holland, and Shane Tankersly rounded out the top five from qualifying. In the "B" Main: Last Chance race Shawn Chastain took the checkers over current Cleveland Speedway points leader Andy Dill. John Jones and John Llewellyn scrambled to the checkers to earn transfer positions, as did Lamar Scoggins and rookie Randy Burrows.

As Mears and Smith took the green, the wheel to wheel drag race commenced with the lead duo going over five laps side by side. Anderson, Brandon King and Tankersly quickly went at it for third, with Holland dropping from the top five, stuck on the outside. Mike Tinker continued to flex his muscle as the highest running "Brute Squad" (local racer) member battling past James Cline and Kent Hicks in the early going of the race. Jason McMahan made a dramatic save as he and Greg Knight collided. McMahan had to lift, unfortunately in-front of Mears, while still locked with Smith in a battle for the lead. This gave Smith the advantage with the events first caution slowing the field on the 10th circuit. As the field again went back to green Tinker advanced by King and Tankersly for fourth, for a few laps until Tankersly recaptured the position. Anderson all-the-while kept everyone at bay holding down the third place position. As the laps began winding down Mears looked high after making contact with the left rear of Smith several times. Mears then settled back and awaited his last option; back marker traffic. With fine precision Mears again stepped up to mid-track, just as Smith was being slowed by lapped traffic. Mears sported by taking the lead for the remaining laps. "We've just been really working hard these past few months" said Mears from victory lane. "This is a great place to race, always smooth we like coming here and doing well." Smith padded his S.A.S. points lead for the night with second, Anderson finished third, with S.A.S. rookie Tankersly and Tinker rounding out the top five.

Official Finish:

1.Mark Mears (# 19) of Decatur AL
2.Clint Smith (# 44) of Senoia GA
3.Steve Anderson (# 5) of Dalton GA
4.Shane Tankersly (# T31) of Morganton GA
5.Mike Tinker (# 22) of Ringgold GA
6.Brandon King (# 14) of Decatur AL
7.James Cline (# 3) of Oxford AL
8.Ricky Holland (# 42) of Ooltewah TN
9.Kent Hicks (# 15) of Cleveland TN
10.Jeff Walker (# 49) of McMinnville TN
11.Kevin Gibson (# M45) of Ringgold GA
12.Dewayne Smith (# 21) of Cleveland TN
13.Paul Tims (# 84) of Georgetown TN
14.Carnell Parker (# 75) of Clarksville TN
15.Shawn Chastain (# 15) of Murphy NC
16.John Llewellyn (# 90) of Knoxville TN
17.Randy Burrows (# 95) of Chattanooga TN
18.Greg Knight (# 5) of Cummings GA
19.John Jones (# J1) of Ringgold GA
20.Jason McMahan (# 10) of Knoxville TN
21.Brian Hickman (# 41) of Soddy Daisy TN
22.Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison TN
23.Lamar Scoggins (# 32) of Georgetown TN
24.Andy Dill (# 39) of Georgetown TN

Other Racing Action:

Claimer Late Model: Winner ­ James Gamble (# 27) of Ooltewah TN
2.Bobby Doss (# 28), 3.Darren Deverrell (# D7), 4.Glen Seaton III (# 92), 5.Chris Beavers (# 03)

Hobby: Winner ­ David Rogers (# 5) of Dalton GA
2.Dewayne Powell (# P17), 3.Kenny Scroggins (# 34), 4.Richard Dixon (# 3), 5.James Nichols (# K3)

Pony Stock: Winner ­ Adam Roberts (# 94) of Cleveland TN (1st Career Feature Win)
2.Todd Morrow (# T1), 3.Jason Spraker (# 25), 4.Ronnie Thaxton (# 6), 5.Wendall Ingram (# 24)

Street: Winner ­ Anthony Hawkins (# 3) of Cleveland TN
2.Donald Forgey (# 71), 3.Herbert Chambers (# 31), 4.Tom Swearengine (# R2), 5.Sam Bandy (# 43)