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ISCARS Returns to Action

ISCARS Returns to Action

ISCARS Public Relations
August 31, 2009

ISCARS DASH Touring Back in Action at Dillon Motor Speedway

DILLON, SC - ISCARS DASH Touring, Sanctioned by the American Speed Association (ASA) set up camp at Dillon Motor Speedway this past Saturday, August 29th with seventeen (17) teams and Country Band, Shenandoah.

ISCARS DASH Touring featured two 75 lap races in memory of long-time series supporter Peggy Torbert who lost her battle with cancer a few years ago. Many of Peggy’s family and friends were on hand enjoying the near excellent weather at race time.

ISCARS has battled weather this year more than ever, experiencing two rainouts in two of the first three events on the 2009 schedule.

Justin Hobgood (Winnsboro, SC) claimed the JRM Racing Products Hottest Lap Award with a fast lap of 16.594 seconds over the 4/10ths mile oval, just a tick faster than Danny Bagwell (Cordova, AL).

Justin Hobgood, making his first start in 2009 has been running a limited schedule of NASCAR Nationwide Series races. Justin’s brother Jake replaced Joey Jones in the second race marking the first time both Hobgoods were in a DASH race together in more than a year.

The first feature of the night saw Hobgood, Bagwell and Humphrey battling for the lead while most of the pack jockeyed for position a short distance behind the leaders.

During the middle stages of the event drivers and their spotters complained of oil on the track. During a caution period ISCARS officials summoned Brad Queen and Bagwell to the pits. Queen’s car was found to be okay and he was allowed to return to his running position. Bagwell made some adjustments during his stop on pit road and it appeared the matter was corrected. However, on the restart it became quickly apparent there was enough oil on the track that caused two cars to spin exiting turn two. One of which was Caleb Roark who unfortunately sustained some cosmetic damage after tagging the wall.

ISCARS red-flagged the event to give track workers time to clean and also check the entire racing surface along with a thorough inspection of every car in the field.

Humphrey dominated from lap 51 until coming to the checkered flag. Bagwell, after making repairs had made his way back through the field to challenge Humphrey. With the two cars nose to tail off of four Bagwell dove to the inside to beat Humphrey to the line in perhaps the closest finish in DASH Series history.

For Humphrey it seemed Bagwell tagged his left rear to gain the advantage. “I didn’t expect to win,” stated Bagwell. “I was just following Randy and all of a sudden I had to turn left to avoid him. I didn’t even know I had beat him to the line until my spotter told me we won.”

Humphrey had a different take on the incident. “I feel like I have been denied again here at Dillon. Coming off four it seemed like my rear end came off the ground and the RPM’s hit 9000,” said Humphrey. The statement by Humphrey was an obvious expression of frustration and perhaps a clear suggestion that Bagwell had tapped him in order to gain the win.

The remaining top 10 in Race 1 were: 3. Justin Hobgood 4. Brad Queen 5. Geoff Bodine 6. Jason Schultz 7. Eric Gerchak 8. Gary Moore 9. Tom Beckman 10. Cassie Gennis.

Race Winner Danny Bagwell drew a number 8 which determined the inversion for Race 2. That place Gary Moore in the top spot and Bagwell back to eighth.

Jason Schultz wasted no time taking the lead with Brad Queen in hot pursuit. Queen powered by for the lead on lap 15 with Justin Hobgood taking the lead on lap 25. Bagwell took the lead on lap 34 and Hobgood ducked into the pits with mechanical issues.

Bagwell would go on to claim his second victory of the night. “This one’s for Peggy,” said Bagwell. “She was a special lady and we wanted to get these wins for her and the family.”

Rest of the Top 10: 2. Queen 3. Schultz 4. Eric Gerchak 5. Jake Hobgood (driving for Joey Jones) 6. Caleb Roark, 7. Gary Moore 8. Cassie Gennis 9. Justin Hobood 10. Robert Tighe.

Following the Twin ISCARS DASH Touring events was a concert by Country Band Shenandoah. The fans were permitted to come into the infield and up close to the stage. Shenandoah performed for 75 minutes and the fans danced and cheered as the band sand many of the hit songs that gained them fame and awards during the top 10 years.

NOTES: *Geoff Bodine was in different car supplied by Team owner Joey Jones. The duo also teamed up with long-time DASH driver/owner Gary Moore. “The car still needs a lot of work to be competitive,” stated Bodine. “I really want to get up front and win some of these races. We worked all week on this car trying to get it ready. After getting to the track we battled a broken power steering pump the entire night.” Bodine nearly missed the turn one wall when the right control arm broke. *Cassie Gennis was making her series debut. Cassie is from Phoenix, AZ. *Local driver, Robert Tighe finished in and 11th and 10th place. *Tom Beckman, in his first full season on the series, who has battled mechanical issues at each event, was ecstatic to be running a the end of the second race. *Jones solicited Jake Hobgood to drive the second race due to his back bothering him. *Another driver making his debut was Ryan Nelson from NC. *Kevin Caulkins was back in action after missing a couple of races due to health issues now resolved.

NEXT RACE: Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 26th.

ISCARS DASH Touring is sanctioned by the American Speed Association . To learn more of the Daytona Beach, Florida-based Racing Speed Associates or the American Speed Association® including the ASA Member Track program, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from racetracks and regional tours involved in the American Speed Association®, visit www.asaracing.com. ASA™, ASA Racing™ and American Speed Association® are trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. Racing Speed Associates, LLC is not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC