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As the laps wound down for the 30 lap Super Late Model "A" Main, "The Lawman" Mike Tinker held off the threatening advances of 16 year old, reigning Rookie of the Year Todd Morrow for his first win of the 2002 season Saturday night at Cleveland Speedway. In the Claimer Late Model division Justin Winters proved his domination of the Pony Stock would carry over to the his new late model ride, by winning the "A" Main feature in only his second effort in the division. In the Hobby division it was Richard Dixon padding his points lead with his first trip to victory lane this season. In the Pony Stock feature Jimmy Brown got the checkers and Roy Nichols doubled up taking the final checkers of the night again in the Street division "Championship Bash" special race. As the Super Late Models took to the track for Budweiser "King of Speed" Qualifying Time Trials Bobby Mayse turned the heads of the field setting the fast time of the field in his "Mayse Construction, Elite, R&E Construction" GRT Pontiac Gran Prix with a 14:858 lap around the TN Valley clay banked dirt track. Mayse would be set against last weeks SLM winner Lamar Scoggins the third fastest overall qualifier for the first of two heat races. Mayse collected his first pole for the "A" Main feature by winning the heat with Paul Tims getting by Scoggins for second. Eddie Benefield finished fourth in the heat with 2002 rookie contender Chris Powell in fifth. Second fastest qualifier Tinker (14:881) staged against fourth fastest qualifier Morrow for their first of two battles on the night. Tinker took the lead as Morrow slipped back to third momentarily. Morrow got back by Dewayne Smith and set his sights on Tinker, who was checked out on the field. Morrow, Smith, Shawn Chastain and another 2002 rookie contender P.D. Doss followed Tinker to the checkers setting the field for the "A" Main feature. As the field took the initial green flag, Benefield got crossed up on the first circuit collecting Powell and Chuck Christopher. On the next start the identical #22's of Mayse and Tinker took off and raced side by side with Tinker taking the outside line advantage. Lap three slowed the field as debris cluttered the track in turn two. Tinker, Mayse, Morrow, Tims and Scoggins refired as the green waved again until lap 7 when Billy Mayo reared a yellow flag. Mayse had a handful of Morrow as Tinker began to pull away. Scoggins stepped up to the top of the track after a lap 18 caution for P.D. Doss slowed the field yet again. Scoggins got by Tims and pulled even with Morrow until Tims and Smith came racing back on the bottom. Tinker's "Hair Tamers Port City Racing South, Tinkers Garage" GRT Chevrolet Monte Carlo seemed untouchable as the final ten circuits approached, then Morrow appeared. Morrow passed Mayse for second on lap 23 and quickly closed ground (about ten car lengths) in an attempt to "break Tinker's law". Fans rose to their feet when Morrow drew to Tinkers spoiler as the white flag flew. Tinker kept the door open heading into turn three of the final lap and Morrow put the noise of his mount up and under Tinker in turn four. It was too little too late for Morrow (looking for his first Cleveland SLM victory) as Tinker's line lead under the checkers in first. Follow the top two were Mayse, Scoggins and Smith. Chastain, Benefield, Tims, rookie Powell and James Gamble rounded out positions six thru ten. Other Racing Results 2002 Street Division "Championship Bash Race" 20 Laps $200 to Win 1.Roy Nichols (# 00) of Cleveland TN - Two Wins in a Row, Started
4th Claimer Late Model Division: Winner - Justin Winters (# J1)
of Benton TN Hobby Division: Winner - Richard Dixon (# 3) of Cleveland TN Pony Stock Division: Winner - Jimmy Brown (# 10)) of Chattanooga
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