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Mitchell Tallies Career-Defining Win in Batten Memorial

(Brinkleyville, NC) With Carolina blue skies and warm gusty winds swirling, the stars of the Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge converged on Halifax County Motor Speedway for Round 1 of the #Deuceswild Tour. Thirty nine drivers from five different states came together to honor engine builder, Mark Batten in the inaugural memorial raceHGR's Truck & Trailer Sales, Inc. qualifying started the evening with $800 on the line for the fastest qualifier. In group A qualifying, Russell Erwin set fast time with Dustin Mitchell quickest in Group B. Erwin grabs the $800 pole with a lap of 14.969, up next were four heat races to determine the starting lineup for the 61 lap feature.The Scott Service Company Heat #1 would see Erwin and Michael Batten bring the 10 car heat to green. Batten would jump out past Erwin on the initial start bringing the standing room only crowd to their feet. Erwin would challenge back strong and hang on for the win. Bstten, Robbie Emory and Dan Breuer would transfer. The Hardison Suspension Technologies heat 2 was next. The veteran, Jay Sessoms would grab the win with Daniel Tucker, Derick Quade and Brian Strickland transferring. The Mega Plumbing of the Carolinas Heat 3 saw Dustin Mitchell snag the win with Cody Wright, Shaun Harrell and Matthew Bissette going to the big show. The VP Racing Fuels heat 4 saw Willie Milliken grab the win followed by Michael Rouse, Kerry King and Sketter Lilles. Lilles makes a lap last pass to make his first Bandit A main.The M

otul B mains would take the track next with two 8 lap races that saw two Arizona Sport Shirts rookie of the year presented by New Point Lighting and Design contenders showing some muscle, with three cars transferring. Jesse Rockett and Tyler Bare would dazzle the fans with a torrid battle for the top spot in B main one. Rockett would hold off a charging Bare to get the win with Walker Arthur grabbing the third transfer spot. Timmy Mills would get the second B main win over Christian Thomas in a caution plaques race, with Timmy Blackwell getting the final spot.Mr. B's Heating and Air sponsored a non qualifiers race as 6 cars took advantage of the extra event. Cy Nelms, Jr would lead flag to flag to get the $500 win over Michael Alderman. The feature was set with 25 cars taking the green with a promoters provisional going to Mason Price.There was not an empty seat in the house as Mitchell and Erwin roared into turn one with flashbulbs lighting up the Red Clay Bullring. Mitchell would charge off turn two with the lead with Erwin, Sessoms and Milliken in tow. Several cautions slowed the early stages of the event, one of which saw Mason Price ending up on his side. The crowd was watching Christian Thomas, Shaun Harrell and Tyler Bare as they were glued together picking off cars one by one from the back. Milliken was mounting a charge when his Barry Wright Race Cars broke loose in front of the field collecting Michael Rouse and Tucker. Jesse Rockett’s great run ended midway through as he was collected in another turn two melee. Erwin was tailing Mitchell’s every move before his MasterSbilt Race Cars slowed off turn two ending his night as well. Dan Bruer was also making hay through the field after starting ninth, The Professor took advantage of the high attrition and quickly found himself in the second spot. Mitchell would lead all 61 laps to score the win followed by Bruer, Thomas, Derick Quade and Shaun Harrell rounding out the top five.A very emotional Mitchell soaked up the moment- “ Mark always provided me a motor no matter what I was racing, he made sure we got to the track no matter what. Those last few laps were very emotional, I felt Mark smiling down , this is definitely this biggest win of my career.� The track - “It had some character, I could really fire off two when I got into the black, hats off too the staff and to Mason J. Price they really worked all night and today to get it better. Great start- “The team is hitting all cylinders right and hopefully we can keep this going, Corky and the guys give me a fast car every time I sit in it so we’re on to the next one.�——————————————————

Halifax County Motor SpeedwayMark Batten MemorialMarch 19, 2022

Dustin MitchellDan BreuerChristian ThomasDerick QuadeShaun HarrellBrian StricklandJay SessomsKerry King Jr.D.J. GarrettRobbie EmoryRussell ErwinWalker ArthurDerrick RankinTyler BareJesse RockettMichael BattenCody WrightMason PriceWillie MillikenDaniel TuckerMichael RouseMatthew BissetteSkeeter LilesTimmy MillsTimmy Blackwell

BANDIT BITES* Thomas showed speed on the top side as he and car owner Sherrill Sewell are still learning this brand new Rocket Chassis. “We just gotta get better in qualifying, but we are fast and at least we’re in the tech shed tonight.�D.j. Garrett survived many cautions to come home 9th after starting 24th. He was the highest finishing Arizona Sport Shirts Rookie presented by New Point Lighting and Design. Batten’s night ended after he slowed midway through after a long three weeks of totally rebuilding their Longhorn Chassis.*Derick Quade survives a spin early to rally back for a fourth place finish. Remember this finish later this season.Heartbreak for Tucker, Rouse, Bissette and Skeeter Liles who all had great nights only to exit early on. Halifax enjoyed its largest crowd ever as both sides of the track were filled to absolute capacity. Michael Wells and staff did an excellent job of accommodating the crowd. The first annual Mark Batten Memorial was an astronomical success.——————————————————UP NEXT:Round 2 will take the #deuceswildtour to the Midlands of the Palmetto state at Vera Sissy Duke McAllister’s Sumter Speedway for the second Annual Billy Cagle Memorial Race on April 9th.——————————————————Mega Plumbing of The CarolinasScott’s ServiceHardison Suspension TechnologiesVP Race FuelsMotulFurr’s Deli & DogsArizona Sport ShirtsATC Bolts & Fasteners LLCNew Point Lighting and DesignGEN 3 Performance ImagingLOOSE IN,TIGHT OFF!Bryan SullivanHoosier Racing Tire

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