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The Law-Man Mike Tinker took the checkered flag for the 25th running of the Stars N' Stripes race to celebrate Independence Day Saturday night at Cleveland Speedway. The wire to wire win (Tinker's third of the season) came for the "Tinker's Garage, Hair Taimers, Steel Detailers International" sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo Super Late Model pilot in front of Eddie Benefield and outsider Derrick Duggan. In the Claimer Late Model division multiple cautions caused time to expire on the feature race with Bobby Doss in command. Glen Seaton III ran outta time to make a pass after starting sixth to finish second, with pole sitter Milton Dunn in third. The Hobby division saw a new winner as Jerry Coffman took the checkers. Kenny Scroggins held off seventh starting Jim Twiggs for second. In the Pony feature it was again Jason Spraker taking the win over Jimmy Brown and polesitter Scott Ledford. In the Street finale, young Alex Nash took the checkers over Chris Higgins and polesitter Jeff King. A full field of twenty-four SLM's signed in for battle for the special (double points) 30 lap Stars N' Stripes race. In Budweiser: King of Speed Qualifying Time Trials Dewayne Smith set the standard early turning a 15:315 fast lap as the fifth timer. Smith time would stand firm until Tinker hit the track ten qualifiers later turning a 15:163 lap. Only Jamie Perry (sporting a new number on the racecar) and Todd Morrow would come close to Tinkers time, setting up three heats of SLM action. Tinker took the first heat win for the feature pole position as fourth fast qualifier Smith followed. Chris Beavers, Bobby Mayse and (SLM debuting) Kenneth Sweatt rounded out the top five. In the second heat Perry and fifth fast qualifier John Owenby floated up the track side by side in turn one allowing a heads up Eddie Benefield to take the lead from his third place starting position. Benefield raced to the checkers earning the outside pole position for the feature with Perry, Owenby, Billy Mayo and Charlie Hatler rounding out the top five. Morrow lead the charge of the third heat until damage of the left front wheel sent the youngster to the pits. Duggan inherited the lead and held off fellow Lenior City ace Aaron Monger for the win. Rookie Chris Powell, Brad Allen and rookie Elgin Gray rounded out the top five. Shortly after the fireworks display the SLM's took to the track for the "A" Main feature. Tinker lead to the green with Benefield and Duggan following. Lap one and lap five slowed the field early as Tim Denton and Sweatt reared solo spins. Davy Davis joined the cautions as Chris Beavers and Perry began battling for fifth. Perry stepped up to the outside groove attempting to get by fourth running Smith. Points leader Morrow started the feature in the rear and had some mid race run ins with Allen and rookie Powell attempting to get to the front. P.D. Doss ended his night as the rookie stalled his machine on the back straight-away for the final caution period. Tinker had no problem despite late race traffic that allowed Benefield to close as the white flag unfurled. Benefield was denied his first win but collected his best finish of the season in second with Duggan finishing third. Smith and Perry rounded out the top five. Owenby, Mayse, Beavers, Mayo and Morrow rounded out the top ten finishers Claimer Late Model: Winner - Bobby Doss (# 28) of Cleveland Hobby: Winner - Jerry Coffman (# 21) of Soddy Daisy Pony Stock: Winner - Jason Spraker (# 25) of Cleveland Street: Winner - Alex Nash (# 02) of Chattanooga |
