Chastain takes thunder tour win
By LARRY SAMS

(Blue Ridge, GA) August 18Johnny Chastain of Murphy, NC took the $3,000 win in the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Tour event at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, GA this past Friday night. Chastain took the lead just after the halfway point in the event when he caught the then-leader Steve Smith in traffic and made the pass. On lap 45 other local racers, David Payne of Murphy and Shane Tankersley of Morganton, GA ,passed Smith for second and third when Smith up into the wall. Chastain's brother, Shawn, caught the only female driver in the race, April Farmer, at the finish line to take home a fifth place finish of the "Hot Summer Nights" Championship race.

In what many though was the most competitive race of the event Tyke Prince of Copperhill, TN took the win by passing Jamie Oliver and Danny Ledford in the closing laps of the Limited Late Model feature. Cross made his pass of Ledford on the last lap to secure the second spot leaving Oliver to finish third. Jason Payne took fourth and Kevin Bradshaw captured fifth.

The Crate Motor Late Model class found Bobby Panter of Morganton, GA, for the second time in as many races, taking the win. Greg Ledford took second over Sam Parris in third, Jim Bob Davis in fourth and Tim Cochran nailed down the fifth position.

Modified Hobby class racing saw Joe Picklesimer of Chatsworth, GA adding to his multiple wins this racing season. This week Devin Stuart took second, John Walker captured third, Tim Ford took fourth, and Travis Lawson captured fifth.

The Economy Hobby class had Gooch Spriggs taking his first win of the season at Sugar Creek. Tom Darby finished on

the rear bumber of Spriggs for second over Jadrien Beavers in third making her best showing of the season so far. In fourth Brandon Cook held off Howard Price who settled for the fifth spot.

Jamie Cross of Hayesville, NC took the win in the Modified Mini class over Brian McDonald in second and Junior Dillinger in the third spot.

The Stock Mini class saw Justin Woodard take his first win of the 2006 season at Sugar Creek. Shannon Jones took second over Micheal Barrett in third, Casey Mulkey in fourth and Greg Sudderth in fifth.

This week Sugar Creek Raceway will again offer a full racing program. The gates will open at 5 p.m. with practice at 7 p.m. and racing at 8 p.m. For more information you may contact the track at (706) 632-9083.