By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
June 8, 2004
Luck has not always been on Mike Boland's side during this racing season, but it was Friday night at the Queen City Speedway.
The Cuba, Ala., Late Model driver started at the front and never trailed as he captured first place in the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series race.
This was a lot different than a MSCCS race that was run at Queen City in March. Boland's No. 222 was turned over before the first lap was completed and the seven-time dirt track champ found himself in 20th place early in the series standings.
Boland has been battling back since and moved to fourth place overall in the standings with the victory.
It was a long night at Queen City. The evening started with a delay because of problems with the lighting system.
All 31 cars attempted to qualify for the top eight positions during time trials. Those with the top times were Boland, David Breazeale, Dennis Duncan, Randy Walters, Anthony Rushing, Chris Wall, Jimbo McDuffie and Wiley Williams.
The next 12 drivers in the field were decided in three B-main races in which the top four finishers advanced to the main race. Keith Miller and Chris McElhenney filled the last two positions as provisionals.
Two yellow flags stopped the race before the first lap was recorded. The second caution benefited Boland, who had fallen behind Breazeale. Because the caution was called before the lap was finished, the cars lined up in the original starting order.
There were several yellow flag wrecks throughout the 40-lap race. One proved very costly to Boland's teammate Rodney Wing, who was knocked out of the race in a pileup in the 19th lap. At the time, Wing had been tied for second in the MSCCS series and that misfortune dropped him to sixth in the points.
Wing came back to win the MSCCS race that was held in Jackson Saturday night, but he was finished for the race in Queen City.
Jimbo McDuffie of the Clarkdale community came from starting on the fourth row to a second place finish. McDuffie chased Breazeale for several laps and finally caught him off the fourth corner on the final lap.
Breazeale finished third followed Randy Walters of Laurel in fourth and Jeffery Walker in fifth. Anthony Rushing finished in sixth place followed by James Dean in seventh, Dennis Duncan in eighth, Josh Fuller in ninth and Don Cliburn in 10th.
In other races run Friday night at Queen City:
Pure Street Division: Kyle Rutledge took the lead after a caution flag on the 12th lap and held on for victory. Mitchell Moffett, who led the first nine laps, finished second followed by Jason Boleware.
Ministocks: Billy Ward of Union led from the start as he claimed the checkered flag. Jennifer Shelton finished second followed by Bill Bunyard.
Modified Division: Glendale Shumate started in first place and finished with the checkered flag. But he had to work for the 20-lap race victory. Bryan Quinn took the lead in the 10th lap of the race. But bad luck sent him to the back and Shumate retook the lead for good. Mike Herbert placed second followed by Owen Bryan.
Late Model Stock: Terry Mosely captured the race, followed by Brock Busbea and Phillip Carlisle.
Cruisers Division: For the second week in a row, Ben and Ronnie Holloman captured first place. Jerry Tory and Joey McMullen came in second followed by Holly Thrash and Brandon Bishop.
Dirt track racing returns to Queen City Saturday night with a full slate of races. Time trials and heat laps start after a 6:30 p.m. drivers meeting.
Causeyville Raceway
Jason Bridgeman had his work cut out in the Stock Lite Division in Saturday night's go-kart races at the Causeyville Raceway.
Bridgeman was one of 17 carts entered in the division. When it was over, he finished first. Defending track champion Mike Palmiter followed in second place, Phillip Carlisle in third, and Mikel Sullins in fourth.
Clint McCombs captured the Outlaw Division for the second week in a row. Steven Creel won the Stock Heavy Division while Rodney Bounds took the Stock Medium Division.
Davey Massey was the Junior Stock Division. Steven Crocker won the Rookie Gold Division while Ryan Goodwin won the Rookie Blue Division.