MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Recap and photo by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman –
The all-time fast qualifier in Southern Super Series history proved again on Saturday night why he is one of the best ever in a Super Late Model.
Senoia, Ga. veteran Bubba Pollard scorched the half-mile Montgomery Motor Speedway with a lap of 18.602 seconds (96.764 mph) during time trials for the 51st running of the Alabama 200, garnering his 15th career SSS Quick Time Award and putting himself in prime position for a second win in the historic event.
Pollard won the race in 2010, when it was held at the South Alabama Speedway, but has never won the ‘200’ since its return to Montgomery.
Reigning NASCAR XFINITY Series champion Chase Elliott (18.602/96.670) nearly had enough to bump Pollard from the top spot, but was forced to settle for second and will start from the outside of the front row for Sunday’s 200-lap, 100-mile event.
Kyle Grissom qualified third at a clip of 18.680 seconds (96.360 mph), followed by 15-year-old Garrett Jones (18.730/96.103) in the Tracy Goodson-owned No. 1 Ford. Augie Grill (18.760/95.949), who was fastest in the final practice session for Sunday’s race, rounded out the fast five.
Defending Alabama 200 champion Anderson Bowen clocked in sixth-quick, just ahead of current SSS championship leader Casey Smith. Donnie Wilson, and famous sons Harrison Burton and Ross Kenseth, made up the balance of the top 10 qualifiers.
Jeff Letson garnered the Quick Time Award for the 75-lap Modifieds of Mayhem Tour event that will take place on Sunday with a quick lap of 19.565 seconds (92.001 mph), outpacing Donnie Hamrac, Ryan Paul, Billy Melvin and Donald Crocker for the pole.
In local division action, David Wood wired the first of two 20-lap street stock features to take the win, but by virtue of his performance had to start sixth for the second feature and could only watch as division points leader Joe Bethea Jr. took the final win of the season en route to the track championship.
Jason Furrow and Dave Mader III split the twin 20-lap open sportsman mains, while Oak Grove, Alabama’s Chase Spradlin elected to start at the rear of the 30-lap mini mod event and drove his No. 75 Ford Pinto all the way back to the front to claim both the win and a bonus from Montgomery Motor Speedway officials.
Spradlin exchanged the lead three times in the final six laps with Joel Collier before pulling away to the checkered flag.
The Fall Brawl weekend concludes at Montgomery Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon, with gates opening at 12 noon and a 75-lap feature for the Modifieds of Mayhem Series preceding the 51st running of the Alabama 200. Feature action kicks off at 2 p.m.
RESULTS: 51st Alabama 200 Weekend; Montgomery Motor Speedway; September 12, 2015
Southern Super Series Time Trials (best of two laps): 1. #26 – Bubba Pollard, 18.602 seconds (96.764 mph); 2. #9 – Chase Elliott, 18.602 (96.670); 3. #31 – Kyle Grissom, 18.680 (96.360); 4. #1 – Garrett Jones, 18.730 (96.103); 5. #112 – Augie Grill, 18.760 (95.949); 6. #29 – Anderson Bowen, 18.762 (95.939); 7. #99 – Casey Smith, 18.785 (95.821 mph); 8. #2W – Donnie Wilson, 18.831 (95.587); 9. #12 – Harrison Burton, 18.838 (95.552); 10. #98 – Ross Kenseth, 18.854 (95.470); 11. #11 – Logan Boyett, 18.974 (94.867); 12. #79 – Kyle Bryant, 19.015 (94.662); 13. #198 – Russell Fleeman, 19.028 (94.597); 14. #47 – Allen Karnes, 19.139 (94.049); 15. #24 – Christopher Tullis, 19.186 (93.818); 16. #71 – Johnny Brazier, 19.192 (93.789); 17. #43 – Dennis Schoenfeld, 19.309 (93.221); 18. #58B – Todd Brown, 19.804 (90.891); 19. #58 – Bobby Deistler, 20.626 (87.268); 20. #58C – John Coffman, 20.805 (86.518).
Modifieds of Mayhem Time Trials (best of two laps): 1. #131 – Jeff Letson, 19.565 seconds; 2. #8 – Donnie Hamrac, 19.768; 3. #07 – Ryan Paul, 19.874; 4. #145 – Billy Melvin, 20.009; 5. #5 – Donald Crocker, 20.081; 6. #66 – Korey Ruble, 20.096; 7. #41 – Rocky Rogers, 20.174; 8. #67 – Frankie Martin, 20.301; 9. #64 – Adam Crawford, 20.532; 10. #02 – Butch Wade, 20.604; 11. #50 – Ty Roberts, 20.617; 12. #14 – Mike Maddox, 21.021; 13. #88 – Larry Hughes, 21.599.
Street Stock Winners (20 laps): David Wood, Joe Bethea Jr.
Open Sportsman Winners (20 laps): Jason Furrow, Dave Mader III
Mini Mod Winner (30 laps): Chase Spradlin (started from rear of field)
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 21-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: speed77radio@gmail.com
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
