National Points Leader Andy Loden Takes Home the Checkered Flag

HUDSON, NC (May 30, 2008) - Baton Tire/Craftsman Night at the Races showed an even field in almost every division.  Jesse LeFevers won the pole in the Late Model division making a quick lap time of 16.274, he rolled a five on the dice roll giving Lucas Ransone the inside pole. Jeff Sparks, Hickory Motor Speedway regular, won the pole in the Baton Tire Street Stocks and rolled a six on the dice putting Chris Townsend inside pole. In the Pepsi Limited Late Models, Bear Rzesnowiecky from Las Vegas, NV pulled off a 17.124 and rolled a six on the dice putting putting Kevin Townsend on inside pole.

The Red Baron Race Parts Hobby Stock division started the night off with Scott Bumgarner making his way to the finish line for the first time this year.  Jimmy Whisnant, Micky Canipe and Carroll McKinney finished second, third and fourth.

The NASCAR Whelen Late Models put on a show.  With Andy Loden outside pole of Lucas Ransone, side by side racing occurred for the first fifteen laps of the show until Loden finally edged pass Ransone and found his familiar high line groove.  Caution on Lap 28 by Michael Faulk who had fluid leaking from his car bunched the field up for the last 22 laps of action at Tri-County Motor Speedway.  When the green flag dropped RA Brown took advantage of Sam Watts and took over third place and battled with Ransone until the checkered flag.  Loden, Ransone, Brown, Lee Tissot and Sam Watts rounded out the top five.