RPW Column: Michael Page Grabs Win Thursday Night In Late Model Action At Senoia

RPW Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – SENOIA, GA – A great day for racing in Georgia with the sun shining and a chance for a racer to grab some cash. No fans in the stands but the race was live streamed online. The gray gumbo dirt was ready for some racing action along with the drivers in the pit area.

After qualifying, the top 6 of Shane Clanton, Kyle Bronson, Tyler Millwood, Brandon Overton, Spencer Hughes, and Michael Page transfered to the dash and were locked in for the $7,000 to win DirtOnDirt.com Shootout.

A slidejob by Clanton in turn 1 and 2 would give him the lead back over Michael Page. Though a slidejob in turns 3 and 4 on the final lap and contact with Clanton would give Page the controversial victory and the pole position for the 40 lap feature event.

In the heat events, Will Roland, Riley Hickman, Clint Smith, and Dalton Cook would grab heat race victories. The top 4 of each heat race would move on to the feature and the rest would go home as no consolation events were scheduled due to time constraints.

Michael Page, Shane Clanton led the field to the green flag. Off the bat, they were 3 wide with Brandon Overton off turn 2 but it only took another straightaway for Michael Page to pull away from both Clanton and Overton.

As the green flag laps kept clicking, Page’s lead over Clanton remained. An opportunity on lap 24 came for Clanton as lap car Donald McIntosh washed up the track keeping Page pinned to the outside groove. Clanton was side by side with Page in turn 3 for the lead when the yellow lights came on for McIntosh stopped in turn 2.

On the ensuing restart, Clanton elected the inside and that would cost him the 2nd spot as Overton was able to get by. Caution would wave once again on lap 26 for Cody King spun in turn 4. For the next restart, Overton gained huge ground, being on Page’s back bumper going into turn 3 but the yellow flag would fly once again for a huge pileup in turn 4.

In an interesting move, Overton took the inside groove giving Clanton the better lane choice on the restart. Clanton would take back over 2nd and Overton would find himself in a battle with Kyle Bronson would started 6th. Bronson would move under the 76 of Overton and take 3rd.

Back up front, Page would have a five car length lead over Clanton and would strengthen that lead coming to the checkered flag to win the 40 lap DirtOnDirt Shootout.

“Lap traffic was kinda getting hairy there,” Michael Page said in victory lane. “I wanted to make sure there was a car between us (Clanton and I). This is one of those places that you just have to hit your marks. If you hit that inner wall, there goes your night.”

Clanton finished 2nd after the caution flag possibly cost him a chance of winning the feature.

“I got by Page there in lap traffic and then the caution came out, which didn’t help. We were faster than him in practice, in the dash, wish that caution didnt come out.”

Clanton also mentioned how this is still a crazy time, hoping to see fans again. “I am glad to be apart of this little bit of racing in the world and wish there was fans here.”

Kyle Bronson finished third in a race that was meant to be a test for his new Rocket Chassis.

“Car was pretty good all night long. Third isnt the best but it’s a little gas money on our way to Missouri.”

This Saturday, some of these drivers will be heading to the Karl Cheverolet sponsored Federated Auto Parts I-55 Raceway Season Opener in Pevely, Missouri.

DirtOnDirt Shootout (40 Laps): MICHAEL PAGE, Shane Clanton, Kyle Bronson, Brandon Overton, Dalton Cook, Ross Bailes, Tyler Millwood, Riley Hickman, Austin Horton, Payton Freeman, Will Roland, Spencer Hughes, Mason Massey, Jody Knowles, Cody King, Jake Knowles, Pearson Lee Williams, Cory Hedgecock, John Henderson, Clint Smith, Booger Brooks, Donald McIntosh, Joey Armistead, Ashton Winger