Tommy Kerr Gets His First Southern All Star Win At Smoky Mt

RACE RECAP: MARYVILLE, TN--The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series presented by Max Fab made its first stop of the 2018 season Saturday night at the Smoky Mt Speedway in Maryville, TN., and Tommy Kerr of Rockford, TN., got his first career series win in a thrilling battle late in the race with his Blount Motorsports teammate Casey Roberts.

Kerr started on the pole and then took the top spot down the back stretch from outside pole sitter Riley Hickman and then was pretty much in command of the race until the last 10 laps when Roberts started to make his move to the front, passing Hickman then running Kerr down, but could just never get what he needed to pass him as Kerr was not going to be denied in gabbing his first Southern All Star win that was worth $5,000.  Roberts claimed the second spot with Shannon Buckingham came from deep into he field to grab the third spot, fourth Hickman and fifth to Cory Hedgecock who also came from back in the field.
Sixth place went to Stacey Boles in his first start with the series this year, seventh to current series point’s leader Jay Scott, eighth to Kenny Collins, ninth Tanner English and tenth to Dakotah Knuckles.

RACE TIDBITS: Tommy Kerr became the 7th different winner in seven races this year. Jay Scott of Fayetteville, TN., added to his points lead as he brought home a 7th place finish in his first trip to Smoky Mt Speedway.  Other point contenders Brad Skinner and Ray McElhiney fell out early in the race.  Duck River Speedway winner Tanner English was making his appearance ever at Smoky Mt.

First time starts with the series this season include Shannon Buckingham, Stacy Boles, Dakotah Knuckles, Ryan King, David Crabtree, Steven Roberts, Van Lester, Robby Moses, Bobby Giffin, and Vic Hill 

The next Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series event will be the Michael Head Jr Memorial paying $5,454 to win the 54 lap event.

Kerr Sponsors: Blount Motorsports/Rocket Chassis/Vic Hill Racing Engines/Tennessee RV Supercenter/Massey Electric/Blount Excavating/Arnold Trucking/Ole Ben Franklin Motors/Food City/Wine & Spirits Center/Go Lithium/Stowers Caterpillar

Car Count: 28

DNS: Austin Smith; Craig Greer; Carder Miller; Kayne Hickman

SUNOCO RACE FUELS GROUP QUALIFYING: Group A: Tommy Kerr 17.127 Group B: Riley Hickman 17.346

Knowles Race Parts Fast Qualifier: Tommy Kerr 17.127

PPM Race Products B Mains: Cory Hedgecock; Tanner English

AR Bodies Last Car Lead Lap: Steven Roberts

COR Suspensions 10th Place Finisher: Dakotah Knuckles

36 Racing & Fabrication Hard Charger: Shannon Buckingham

Race Car Engineering Hard Luck Award: Ray McElhiney

BrakeOMeter 4th Place Finisher Award: Riley Hickman

Rugged Radios Communications Award: Casey Roberts

Results Pending Tire Test: 1.Tommy Kerr; 2.Casey Roberts; 3.Shannon Buckingham; 4.riley Hickman; 5.Cory Hedgecock; 6.Stacy Boles; 7.Jay Scott; 8.Kenny Collins; 9.Tanner English; 10. Dakotah Knuckles; 11.Eric Hickerson; 12.Ryan King; 13.David Crabtree; 14.Steven Roberts; 15.Joseph Faulkner; 16.Van Lester; 17.Mark Dodson; 18.Robby Moses; 19.T J Reaid; 20.Brad Skinner; 21.Ray McElhiney; 22.Tommy Taylor; 23.Bobby Giffin; 24.Vic Hill

For more information concerning the Southern All Stars contact Lynn Acklin - General Manager: 256-924-4546 www.sasdirt.com

2018 SOUTHERN ALL STAR POINTS STANDINGS PRESENTED BY MAXFAB:: 1.Jay Scott 578; 2.Mark Dodson 488; 3.Ray McElhiney 460; 4.Brad Skinner 410; 5.Eric Hickerson 396; 6.Riley Hickman 370; 7..Joseph Faulkner 340; 8.Kenny Collins 294; 9.Tommy Taylor 262; 10.Jadon Frame 258;  

2018 CRUISE WITH THE CHAMPIONS/DIRTONDIRT.COM ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: 1.Jay Scott 578; 2.Mark Dodson 488; 3.Ray McElhaney 460; 4. Joseph Faulkner 340; 5.Pearson Lee Williams 78.

2018 AR Bodies Challenge: 1.Brad Skinner 180; 2.Joseph Faulkner 154; 3.Eric Hickerson 141; 4.Dalton Poston 41; 5.Bret Holmes 39; 6.Kenny Collins 28; 7.Mitch Thornton 26; 8.Rodney Martin 24; 9.David Brannon 23.