KYLE HALL SQUEAKS OUT WIN AT SOUTHERN NATIONAL

Kyle Hall, Corey Strickland Split at Southern National
 

Kenly, North Carolina (May 4, 2008) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kyle Hall has been on a tear in recent weeks.  Corey Strickland has been close but hasn’t quite been able to get to victory lane.  Sunday at the high-banked Southern National Raceway Park, both drivers would see their luck change.

In the first of two Nascar Whelen All-American races, it was Michael Hardin on the pole thanks to a four car invert.  Fast-qualifier Corey Strickland started fourth, but would quickly make his way through the field, finally passing Hardin on lap seven.  Strickland’s number 99 Ford would remain at the point until the final lap of the race.  Going into turn three, there was contact between himself and two-time winner Kyle Hall.  Strickland spun up the track, allowing Hall underneath and to the checkered flag.  Hardin, Doug Godsey, and Sherman Davis Jr. would all make it past Strickland before Strickland could right his car and finish fifth, behind Hall, Hardin, Godsey, Davis Jr.  Afterwards, Hall said the contact was inadvertent, and he hated to win any race like that.

In the second race, Strickland would start on the pole thanks to a five car invert.  Once again the race would take on a green-flag look, as the Late Model field took the full 50 laps, allowing Strickland to pull away and win by an entire full straight over the field.  Davis Jr., Godsey, Hall and Ryan Rhodes finished out the top five.  SNRP newcomer Chris Hairfield came across the line sixth.

His win, coupled with an off-day for Ryan Rhodes, moves Corey Strickland to the top of the Southern National Raceway Park points standings.  Kyle Hall moves up to second place, with Rhodes dropping to third, Sherman Davis Jr. fourth and Doug Godsey fifth.  The difference between Strickland and Davis Jr. is a full 8 points.

Tom Holland fought back from an early-race bump with PJ Flowers to lead the final 19 laps of the Bobby Murray Chevrolet GM Performance Parts Limited Late Model event.  The win is the first for Holland in Limited Late Models.  PJ Flowers would finish second, with Taylor Howard third, Paul Bryant fourth and fast-qualifier Donald Brace fifth.

In 4 Cylinders, Kevin Pierce passed Josh Lamm on lap nine, and would pull away during the final 21 laps to win his third race in five attempts, besting Lamm and Jeremy Bohne.  Lee Kozikowski had run second for the majority of the race, but would fall victim to mechanical troubles, and settled for fourth.

Tracy Banks continued his dominance of the Papa Jack’s Store and Grill Street Stock division, winning his third race in four attempts.  Duane Walker and Joe Gates Jr. wound up second and third.  In UCARs, Jason Capps made a lap five pass on John Vernon, and wouldn’t look back as he takes his third win of the season, ahead of Albert Lamont and John Vernon.

Southern National Raceway Park is closed this weekend, but reopens Saturday, May 17 for Military Appreciation Night presented by Pepsi of Rocky Mount and Papa Jack’s Store and Grill.  The night will feature a 100 lap Late Model Stock race, as well as the Bobby Murray Chevrolet GM Performance Parts Limited Late Models, 4 Cylinders, Papa Jack’s Store and Grill Street Stocks, UCARs and Legends.  Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for kids 8-17, with children 7 and under free.  All military personnel for this special night of racing are free, with their dependents just $5, all with valid military and dependent ID.  Green flag flies for this big night of racing at 5:30 PM.