Kenny Adams USCS Sprint Freedom 40 Winner at N. GA Speedway

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United Sprint Car Series PRESS RELEASE:

North Georgia Speedway, Chatsworth GA 07/05/03

Story By: Steve Hixson (TVA Racing)

Kenny Adams USCS Sprint Freedom 40 Winner at N. GA Speedway

Sprint Car racers from six states invaded the North Georgia Speedway for the special "Freedom 40" presented by the United Sprint Car Series (USCS) and when all the action came to a close, as the checkers waved over the field Saturday evening Kenny Adams of Malabar FL was atop the field and in victory lane. The red # 4A "Goodson Farms Inc., Coca Cola" Shaw / Don Ott Engines pilot was all smiles as he climbed outta his strawberry topped machine greeted by cheers from fans as well as family and crew. "This place is a great track !", stated Adams in victory lane. "We had difficulty getting' going, Randy (Helton) did a great job keeping us behind him for about the first quarter of the race." Adams concluded by telling NGS racefans they're looking forward to returning next time with the series.

At race time twenty-one (21) USCS sprints signed in for battle and per usual the six lap "Airflow Research Power Dash Qualifier" took to the track for the opening event of the night. At the start it was Adams taking the quick lead with Terry Gray following for the lead two positions. Adams kept Gray in check winning the first of three events on the night for an eventual sweep of the NGS event. Third thru fifth were Brian Taylor, Stauffer, Raptis and Helton. In the first of three, ten lap heats it was pole sitter Jim Raptis putting his " red # 77 "K&N Air Filters, Pro Shocks" Maxim / Engine Research Inc. machine out in front and in victory lane. Randy Helton successfully put his machine in the field as a pill inversion later by Raptis would set Helton on the pole for the "A" Main feature. Rounding out the top five in heat one were; Brian Thomas, Randy Weaver and Chase Taylor. In the second heat it was a who's who of sprint car racing as three former National Champions went at it. Adams headed the charge past polesitter Tom Wingardner Sr and Skip Andrews leading Gray into lap two. As for the other former National Champion Red Stauffer had his hands full of Andrews and Greg Scott. Adams took the win with Gray following; Stauffer, Tom Wingardner Sr., and Greg Scott rounded out the top five. In the third and final heat young-gun Jeremy Scott of Franklin GA took the win in his black #69 "The Vortex Bar & Grill, Rent-All Plaza" Pro-Lite / June-Bug sprint car. Scott was followed to the checkers by early race leader Chris Hill, T.J. Wingardner Jr., and Kelly Glass respectfully.

As the field took the green for the only 40 lap feature on the USCS tour polesitter (by inversion) Helton thwarted into the lead. The initial green hit a caution before lap one was completed as Gray, both Wingardner's (Sr. & Jr.), Chase Taylor and Brian Thomas were collected in turn two. The third time was a charm after Jimmy Taylor spun solo in turn four of the second start. With Helton again in command Scott, Adams, Raptis and Gray headed up the ground pounding thunder as the first three circuits went by fast and furious. Shaun Stafford stalled down the back straight-away rearing another yellow on lap three. Adams worked by Scott masterfully only to have Helton hold on to the lead for the next handful of circuits. Turn four of lap seven reared another yellow as Red Stauffer's march to the front was slowed as he soloed his white # 2 "Milk Movers Inc., Blue Ribbon Farms" Shaw / Don Ott Engines spin. The restart engaged the battle for the lead as Adams worked the high-line around Helton who would eventually give up the lead. A few laps later Helton reared the yellow stalling his machine regulating himself to a thirteenth place finish. Raptis began pressuring Gray for third as Scott chased down Adams. Gray pitted with mechanical problems on lap 29 as Hill reared the next to final caution. As Adams seemingly restarted to what was to be expected the final green flag stint Aubrey Black and Daryl Smith wheel hopped into turn one. This sent Smith's machine barrel rolling five times to the outside retaining wall, destroying the red # 3 "Buddy Bi-Rite Home Furnishing" Eagle / Gaerte sprint car. The red flag allowed teams to make final adjustments for the remaining nine laps, of which, saw the return of many cars including; Gray, Andrews and Wingardner from the pits with necessary repairs. Adams took the win, with Scott second and Raptis in third. Stauffer fought back to fourth with TJ Wingardner Jr. in the blue # 11T "2 Quik Shocks, Snap-On Tools" J&J / Salina sprinter rounded out the top five.

  
USCS Official Finish:
1.  Kenny Adams (# 4A) of Malabar, FL
2.  Jeremy Scott (# 69) of Franklin, GA
3.  Jim Raptis (# 77) of  Marietta, GA
4.  Red Stauffer (# 2) of Winter Park, FL
5.  TJ Wingardner Jr. (# 11T) of Pearson FL
6.  Randy Weaver (# 97) of Powder Springs GA
7.  Roland Johnson (# 72) of Tampa FL
8.  Terry Gray (# 10) of Bartlett TN
9.  Skip Andrews (# 5P) of Huntsville AL
10. Aubrey Black (# 21) of Lookout Mtn. GA
11. Daryl Smith (# 3) of River View FL
12. Chris Hill (# 4) of Wedowee AL
13. Randy Helton (# 27) of Palmetto GA
14. Jimmy Taylor (# 32) of Green Pond SC
15. Chase Taylor (# 40) of Montgomery TX
16. Kelly Glass (# 01) of Johnson City TN
17. Shawn Stafford (# 98) of Gainesville GA
18. Greg Scott (# 18) of Magnolia TX
19. Tom Wingardner Sr. (# 11) of Pearson FL
20. Brian Thomas (# 67) of Auburn GA
21. R.J. Johnson (# 71) of Tampa FL