Morrow Scores Late Model Victory at Cleveland

From Cleveland Motor Speedway

On his way to victory, Todd Morrow kept a strong Late Model field at bay Saturday night at Cleveland Speedway. It was his first win at the third-mile clay oval since late April for the East Tennessee driver.

Starting on the outside front row Morrow would take the lead on the first lap with pole sitter Randy Burrows in second, Johnny Chastain third, Joe Armes fourth and Lamar Scoggins fifth. With one third of the 30-lap feature in the books Morrow was cruising, Burrows still second had his hands full of Armes with Scoggins in fourth and Chastain fifth.

Armes would move past ailing Burrows for second on the 21st circuit, with Burrows bringing out the caution and retiring two laps later. Armes in the second spot would chase Morrow with Scoggins, John Davenport and Chastain filling out the top five.

With four laps to go Chastain would begin a charge moving past Davenport for fourth. He and Scoggins would battle for third with Chastain taking the spot on lap 29. Scoggins would take the spot back on the white flag lap and follow Morrow and Armes across the stripe. Chastain would settle for fourth and Davenport fifth.

Shawn Chastain, Jamie Oliver, Anthony White, Bobby Mayse and Riley Hickman would round out the top 10.

After finishing in the runner up spot in last weeks Limited/Crate feature, one of the best races at Cleveland in recent history, Rick Hixson held off Brian Jackson to move back into the winner's circle.

Hixson would take the lead at the drop of the green and keep Jackson at bay for all 20-laps to take the win. While Hixson and Jackson were holding down the top spots Chris Beavers was moving up from his sixth place starting spot moving past Craig Burrows for third just before the half-way mark. When the checkered flag flew Burrows would follow Hixson, Jackson and Beavers across the line with John Ownbey finishing fifth.

By virtue of his win at North Georgia on Friday night Hixson picked up the $150 bonus posted my Midnight Oil and Hoosier Tires.

With his eight consecutive feature win Tanner Works continues to dominate the A-Hobby division at Cleveland. Arva Lee Brooks continues to close on Works scoring a second place finish. With three laps to go Greg Suddereth, who had been running in third since the green flag had a flat and that opened the door for Tommy Miller, Kenny Pierce and Mitch Bradley Jr. to finish three through five.

Although he doesn't have as many wins as Works, Patrick Harvey has been the dominant force in the B-Hobby division. Harvey would lead every lap to make it six feature wins in seven races. Chuck Heling would cross the line in second and was followed by Michael Anderson, Randy Hysinger and Chad Collins.

Michael Coutrney would take the Pony win over a strong 19-car field. Scott Ledford would move into the second spot on the eight circuit and score a runner up finish. Jimmy Elliott, Grady Stokes and Jimmy Brown would round out the top five.

Billy Bailey scored his fourth consecutive Front Runner victory. Brad Cross was second, Jeff Curvin third, Joe Cross fourth and Cody Herron fifth.

Next Saturday night at Cleveland Speedway the Pony division will take top billing with their Mid Season Championship. There will also be racing in Late Models, Limited/Crate Late Models, A&B Hobby and Front Runners.

Racing every Saturday night from March to November Cleveland Speedway is East Tennessee's finest clay oval. The track is located on US Hwy 11 (Lee Highway) just north of the US 64 bypass in Cleveland, Tenn. For more information call the track (423) 479-8574. Or visit www.clevelandspeedway.com.