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Michael Batten Claims First Late Model Victory

After a couple of delays for weather, the drivers & fans that stuck it out were ready to see some racing! With all 5 regular divisions scheduled to race, and after some tweaking to the race schedule, we lined up our first class of the night on the backstretch and were ready to go racing.

The Super Stock 4 division would see Austin Holcombe & John Proctor lead the field to green. Proctor & Holcombe would battle hard for the lead right from the start, but Proctor would suffer a mechanical issue on lap 1 that would send him to the pits for attention from his crew. Back green with Holcombe leading Hunter Bailey, James Bailey, Damien Bryant and James Manning. Holcombe would also suffer from a mechanical failure ending his night as Proctor was able to come back out at the tail of the field. Back green with Hunter Bailey pacing the field followed by James Bailey, James Manning, Damien Bryant & Glenn Bottoms. James Bailey, James Manning & Damien Bryant were putting on a show, running bumper to bumper and at times 3 wide fighting for position. Unfortunately, Bryant appeared to lose his engine or suffer some other type of issue that would see his night end with 5 to go. Hunter Bailey lead the field to green with 4 to go followed by James Bailey, James Manning, Glenn Bottoms and Austin Larrison. Hunter Bailey would bring home his 2nd win in a row followed by James Bailey, James Manning, Glenn Bottoms and Austin Larrison.

Our next feature, the Late Models, lined up with Russell Erwin and JC Clary on the front row. Due to weather delays, we were not able to qualify them as normal, but instead lined them up by practice speed. Unfortunately, Russell Erwin would have an issue on the warm up laps that sent him to the inside pits moving Michael Batten to the pole position. Batten would take command of this feature quickly followed by JC Clary, Christian Thomas, Dustin Mitchell and Roger Lucas. Lap 5 would see Erwin make his way onto the track and quickly start working his way through the field. Batten was still out front catching the tail of the field as Dustin Mitchell made his way up to second. Caution out for a car that couldn't quite make it off the track in turn 2. Quick yellow as we were back green with Batten leading Mitchell, Thomas, Lucas and Clary. Batten was setting a blistering pace with Dustin Mitchell trying everything to get around him. With his first win in sight, the caution would come out with one to go. Christian Thomas, who was running 3rd at the time, spun over in turn 4. Green & white flag at the same time. Batten leading Mitchell, Lucas, Clary & Hair. Michael Batten would lead the final circuit around County Line Raceway to bring home his first win in the Late Model division. He was followed by Dustin Mitchell, Roger Lucas, JC Clary & Travis Hair.

Up next, the ARCO Restoration Thunder & Lightning division with Matthew Bissette & Cy Nelms, Jr. on the front row. Nelms, Jr would lead briefly but Bissette was able to get around him and bring Skeeter Liles with him. Lane Proctor held onto 3rd, Cy Nelms, Jr. 4th and Mark Boykin in 5th. Matthew Bissette held tight to the lead while Skeeter Liles tried to get up to him but with a 4 car length lead, Liles held onto the 2nd spot as Proctor held of Nelms, Jr for 3rd. Matthew Bissette would lead the remaining laps bringing home his first win of 2014. He was followed by Skeeter Liles, Lane Proctor, Cy Nelms, Jr & Mark Boykin.

Our next feature, the Pure Stock 4 division lined up on the backstretch with Brent Atkinson and Tim Mills on the front row. Atkinson would take the point followed by Tim Mills, Lee Hardie, Cooper Edwards & Robby Causby. Gary Dillon, who's won 6 races in a row & had to start at the rear again this week had already moved up to 6th by lap 4. Lap 5 would see him get around Robby Causby to take over 5th and challenge Cooper Edwards for 4th. Dillon would get around Edwards and Lee Hardie taking over 3rd spot, while out front, Tim Mills took over the lead from Atkinson. Gary Dillon passed Atkinson to take over 2nd spot and as they crossed the line to complete lap 7, Courtney Ray would slow right in front of Dillon! Utilizing good driving, Dillon was able to get by her & maintain control. Back green and Gary Dillon was quickly challenging Mills for the lead. Cooper Edwards, running 3rd, challenged Brent Atkinson for the 2nd spot, only to make minor contact causing them both to spin on the backstretch. With 6 to go, Tim Mills lead Gary Dillon, Lee Hardie, Robby Causby & Jeremy Benson to the green flag. Going on the high side, Gary Dillon went around Mills to take the lead. Caution again when Brent Atkinson slowed in turn 4. Back green with 5 to go, Gary Dillon leading Tim Mills, Lee Hardie, Robby Causby & Jeremy Benson. Lee Hardie, running 3rd would bring out the caution on lap 13. Back green with Dillon leading Mills, Causby, Benson & Cody Keith. Gary Dillon would bring home his 7th win in a row followed by Tim Mills, Jeremy Benson, Robby Causby & Cody Keith.

Our final feature of the night, the PL Woodard Pure Stock V8 division with Gary Whitley & Paul Peele on the front row. Gary Whitley would take the point followed by Roy Hall, Paul Peele, Amanda Liles & Willie Schwann. Wade Ferrell, who started last, had worked his way up into the top 5 by lap 6 as Paul Peele fought to hold onto 4th spot as Wade Ferrell go along side him. Ferrell would complete the pass to take over 4th just as a slow car brought out the caution. Peele would spin over in turn 4 on lap 9 bringing out the caution again. Back green with Whitley leading Roy Hall, Amanda Liles, Wade Ferrell & Phillip Lamm. Wade Ferrell would get around Amanda Liles to take over 3rd as he set his sights on Roy Hall & that 2nd place position. Gary Whitley would bring home the win followed by Roy Hall, Wade Ferrell, Amanda Liles & Phillip Lamm.

Please be sure to join us next week as we host the Bell & Bell Vintage Racing Series. Also on the schedule, the ARCO Restoration Thunder & Lightning, Super Stock Four Cylinder, PL Woodard Pure Stock V-8 & Pure Stock Four Cylinder. If you have any questions or need more information, please call the track at 252-985-1949 or check our website at www.countylineracewaync.com, www.localracechat.com, our Facebook or our Twitter. Thanks so much for sticking with us through the multiple weather delays, and of course, for your continued support. We'll see you next week at the Line!

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