By: Candy Barber

Swainsboro Raceway held its 2011 Points Banquet Saturday, November 12 in Savannah, GA.  Over 150 drivers, their family, crew members, and fans celebrate on the Savannah River Queen as the top five drivers of the 2011 racing season were recognized in each division.  The evening began with dinner aboard the Savannah River Queen, followed by a power point presentation highlighting the events of the year, and awards.  Each driver received money and a trophy with the 2011 Points Champions also receiving championship rings, jackets, replica check, and prizes provided by various sponsors.  Each champions spouse or significant other and crew chief were presented a gift.

Track owner Paul Purvis presented the first award of the evening to the 2011 Sportsman of the Year.  Each year the Swainsboro Raceway staff chooses a driver that has showed excellent sportsman like conduct throughout the racing season on and off the track.  Receiving the award for 2011 Sportsman of the Year was Sunoco Super Street driver Lance Beck.  Lance Beck has proven to be a great competitor throughout the racing season and also finished third in the Sunoco Super Street division.

In the Adams Construction Road Warrior division, Jeremy Aldrich received fifth place, Ricky Strange fourth in his first racing season, Jared Jones third, and 2010 Points Champion TJ Purvis second.  Taking home the 2011 Adams Construction Road Warrior Championship, Chris “Bubba” Turner.  Bubba Turner led the points throughout the racing season and started his racing career picking up several wins at Swainsboro Raceway.  Congratulations Bubba Turner 2011 Adams Construction Road Warrior Points Champion!

With a close battle and tough competition throughout the racing season in the Love’s Seafood Mini Stock division, Nick Beasley took home fifth,  Tim Wilkerson fourth , John Whisnant third, and 2010 Points Champion Joey Schoen.   Taking home the 2011 Love’s Seafood Mini Stock Points Championship Brad McKenzie.  Congratulations to Brad McKenzie and the RPM racing team for the 2011 Love’s Seafood Mini Stock Championship!

In the Daniels Chevrolet Pure Stock division, Austin Scarboro picked up fifth place after his first season of moving up a division, Wesley Coleman fourth, JJ Williams grabbed a win and third place in his first racing season, Joe McKenzie took home second place. Congratulations to the 2011 Daniels Chevrolet Pure Stock Points Champion Jottie Burgamy!

Grabbing fifth place in the Sunoco Super Street division is Jimmy Braddy, fourth Zane Scarboro, third 2011 Sportsman of the Year Lance Beck, second Danny Scarboro.  Congratulations to the 2011 Sunoco Super Street Points Champion Willis McKenzie!

Taking home the top five places in the Aaron’s Crate Late Model division, Michael Akeson in fifth, Josh Quick fourth, Johnny Dale third, and Johnnie Tucker Jr second. Congratulations to the 2011 Aaron’s Crate Late Model Points Champion Ches Chester!

On behalf of Swainsboro Raceway, Thank You and Congratulations to all the drivers competing in the chase for the 2011 Points Championship.

William Thomas celebrated his Thanksgiving weekend by capturing the $20,000 top prize during the 11^th annual Turkey 100 at the Swainsboro(GA) Raceway. Thomas started off on the right foot by earning the $300 GRW Competition Engines fast qualifier award with the overall fastest time of 15.421 around the lightning fast 3/8 mile clay oval. The Phenix City,AL. native then completed phase two of his quest by winning the first of six, 10 lap qualifying heats over local hero Ben Faircloth. Other heat race winners included: Forest,VA. ace Walker Arthur, Appling,GA driver Brandon Overton, Jeff Smith from Chatsworth,GA., Swainsboro native Chesley Dixon, and Fastrak 2011 national champion Mike Pegher Jr. from Wexford,PA. With Friday night’s portion in the books, 49 of the 61 drivers that were on hand were still searching for the 14 spots left on the starting grid for Saturday night’s half-century grind. Saturday did bring 4 last chance events to the table as Donnie Austin, Jay Sessoms, Mike Marlar, and defending Turkey 100 champion Jonathan Davenport all won their respective events setting the stage for the 50 lap affair that was about to unfold. The 4 wide salute to the standing-room-only crowd got everyone pumped up to enjoy what was set to be an exciting race. It took exactly ½ track before the mayhem ensued. With Thomas bolting out into the early lead, close quarters racing in the form of 3 wide action saw Mike Pegher Jr. get sent sideways down the backstretch and it took a turn for the worse when the Fastrak champ’s #1 Cochran Automotive, Lynn Geisler Racing Rocket dug in and rolled over collecting several cars including the hottest driver during the fall of 2011, Jonathan Davenport. Once the the field settled down and got back to hard nosed racing it was clear that Thomas was the car to beat with a determined Brandon Overton chasing him down. Overton kept pace with Thomas for most of the race as 15^th place starter Mike Marlar was carving his way through the field in fine fashion. A caution with 12 laps to go allowed Marlar (who passed Overton prior to the caution flag) to battle with (Mr. Smooth) for the remaining circuits. The tussle for 20K was a clinic of how to lead and protect for Thomas, and how to attack and secure for Marlar. With just a pair of laps to go, Marlar made the final bid for victory, but he couldn’t get by the young Alabama driver. Thomas put the Zaxby’s Chicken,J.W. Miller Land And Timber, Ben Thomas Racing, Scorpion Chassis in victory lane over the hard-charging Marlar. The rest of the top ten finishers included Overton, Chip Brindle, Brian Connor, Walker Arthur, Swainsboro track champ Ches Chester, Chesley Dixon, and Dennis “Rambo” Franklin.

On Friday, November 25^th, Swainsboro Mud Bog held its fourth event of the year.  Terry Williams of Cobbtown took 1^st place with his 88 Suzuki Samurai in the 35” Street Division with a distance of 132’7 ½”.   Darwin Tapley of  Swainsboro placed 2^nd in his 1986 C3 Services sponsored Chevrolet with a pass of 123” 6”.  Twin  City’s own Koty Royal, driving the Royal’s Wooden Creations sponsored ’85 Chevrolet Blazer, placed 3^rd with a pass of 122’ 3”.

In the 38 ½” Street Tire Division J.R. Tucker of Waynesboro had the longest pass at 135’ 8” to take 1^st place followed by Stuart Dehoff of Sylvania with a distance of 131’ 7” in his 1976 Ford.  Taylor Sturkie of Waynesboro finished 3^rd in the Chevy with a pass of 130’11 1/2”.

Willard Thomas of Swainsboro powered his way to 1^st place in the 44” Street Tire Division with a pass of 144’ 11” in his 1979 Dodge.   Hunter Rich drove his 1986 Suzuki Samurai to a 2^nd place finish with a distance of 138’  1/2”, while J.R. Tucker  finished third in his 1977 Ford with a pass of 135’ 11”.

Wayne Collins of Vidalia won the $500 Bonus in the Tractor Tire Division with a pass of 145’6” in his 1988 Jeep.

Adams Construction Road Warrior

1. T.J. Purvis, 2. Matthew Beasley, 3. Ricky Strange, 4. Josh Herndon, 5. Jeremy Aldrich, 6. Danny Clark, 7.  T.J. Vann, 8. Logan Tanner

Love’s Seafood Mini Stock

1.  Brad McKenzie, 2. Jimmy Braddy, 3. Tim Wilkerson, 4. Evan Lancaster, 5. Nick Beasley, 6. Lonnie Patterson, 7. Lloyd Byrd, 8. Gary Parker, 9. Chase Towns, 10, Cody Overton, 11. Jeffery Lord

Daniels Chevrolet Pure Stock

1. Roger McKenzie, 2. John Bratcher, 3. Austin Scarboro, 4 . Rodney Marcus, 5. J.J. Williams, 6. Chris Turner, 7. Jamie Whitaker, 8, Jo McKenzie, 9. Randall Barwick, 10, Zach Corley, 11. Josh Hammock, 12. Marshall Powell, 13. Luke Scott, 14. Tommy Hadden, 15. Jason Raines

Sunoco Super Street

1. Willis McKenzie, 2. Johnny Tucker, Jr., 3. Danny Scarboro, 4. Brent Herndon, 5. Richard McGowan, 6. Jimmy Maness, 7. Jeff Hadden, 8. Shawn Snellings, 9. Zane Scarboro, 10. Andy Stewart, 11. Garrett Thigpen, 12. John Grubbs, 13. Timmy Thompson, 14. Jottie Burgamy, 15. Luke Scott

440′s

1. Kevin O’Brien, 2. Chris Graham, 3. John Whisnant, 4. Chris Turner, 5. William Giffin, 6. Freddie Duplisea, 7. Ben Newsome, Andrew Smith, 9. Eric Maynard, 10, Swain Morris, 11. Donald Argonbright, 12. Car #17

1. William Thomas, 2. Mike Marlar, 3.Brandon Overton, 4.Chip Brindle, 5. Brian Connor, 6. Arthur Walker, 7. Ches Chester, 8. Chesley Dixon, 9.Dennis Franklin, 10. Jordy Nipper, 11. Bob Robertson, 12. Brent Dixon, 13. Chris Ferguson, 14. Jay Sessoms, 15. Ron Parker, 16. Stacey Roberts, 17. David Smith, 18. Gib Gibbons, 19. Johnny Tucker, Jr., 20. Donnie Austin, 21. Pearson Lee Williams, 22. Ben Faircloth, 23. John Garvin, 24. Jeff Smith, 25. Mike Pegher, Jr., 26. Jonathon Davenport.

Crate Non-Qualifier

1. Michael Page, 2. John Henderson, 3. Mike Gault, 4. Daniel Baggerly, 5. Ty Lowe, 6. Mike Smith, 7. Terry Lumley, 8. Mickey Trosclair, 9. Kenny Kizzar, 10. Richard Clew, 11. Ted McDaniel, 12. Jenson Ford, 13. Albert Cosnahan, 14. Doug Price, 15. Joe Testino, 16. Jeff Fortner.

More Results on other classes will follow.

be added the weekend’s program.

The $20,000 to win Crate Late Model event presented by Aaron’s Rentals, Daniels Chevrolet and Coca-Cola will headline this year’s Turkey 100 at the Paul and Debra Purvis Owned Swainsboro Raceway/Mud Bog in Swainsboro, Georgia on Thanksgiving weekend. Over $51,000 in Crate Late Model prize money will be put up over the course of the three day event.

This event will be the largest event weekend of the season for Swainsboro Raceway as the GM Performance Aaron’s sponsored Crate Late Models will take to the track on November 24, 25 and 26, vying for the top spot and this years Turkey 100 Champion. In addition to the Aaron’s Crate Late Models ($20,000 to win and 50 laps), the 440’s ($200 to win), the Adams Construction Road Warriors ($300 to win and 15 laps), Daniels Chevrolet Pure Stock ($700 to win and 20 laps), Sunoco Super Street ($1,000 to win and 20 laps) and the Love’s Seafood Mini Stocks ($500 to win and 20 laps) will also be on the racing card for the weekend.

On Thursday Evening (Thanksgiving Day) November 24th the Turkey 100 Weekend kicks off with an open practice session for all divisions from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Adult General Admission will be $5.00 with Children 12 and under admitted FREE. All pit Passes will be $10.00.

On Friday afternoon the Pit Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. with The Driver’s Meeting slated for 5:00 p.m. and Hot Laps will roll out at around 5:30 p.m. Adult General Admission will be $10.00 with Children 7-12 Admitted for $5.00 and Children under 7 admitted FREE. Pit Passes will be $25.00 for Adults while Children 7-12 admitted for $10.00. Friday’s action will see Hot Laps for all divisions, Aaron’s Crate Late Model Time Trials (2 laps) and Heat Races (10 laps) plus Heat Races for all supporting divisions.

Also on Friday afternoon the newly constructed Swainsboro Mud Bog will rev up at 4:00 p.m. with mud slinging action to thrill the crowd. There will be action in five classes -  35” Street, 38 ½” Street, 44” Street, Tractor Tire, and Outlaw.  “Come see the mud fly!!”

On Saturday Evening the Pit Gates will open at 12:00 p.m. with the driver’s meeting at 4:00 p.m. and Hot Laps slated for 4:30 p.m. Adult General Admission will be $20.00 with Children 7-12 admitted for $10.00 and Children Under 7 admitted for FREE. Pit Passes will be $35.00 with Children 7-12 admitted for $15.00. Saturday’s action will see      B-Mains for the Aaron’s Crate Late Models (12 laps) and Feature racing for all divisions including the 50-lap $20,000 to win Turkey 100 for the Aaron’s Crate Late Models. Also Saturday, there will be a 20-lap $750 to win Non-Qualifier’s event for the Crate Late Models.

A three-day pit pass will be offered for $60.00 which can be purchased on Thursday at the Pit Gate during the open practice session. Camping with hook-up’s are available at the track for only $20.00 per spot. The Host Hotel for Swainsboro Raceway & the Turkey 100 is the Days Inn of Swainsboro, please call (478) 237-9099 for details and please ask for the Swainsboro Raceway rate. The Swainsboro Raceway/Mud Bog is located at 586 Modoc Road, Swainsboro, GA 30401. A $300 Fast Time Award will be given from GRW Competition Engines in Dublin, GA to the fastest Crate Qualifier on Friday Night.

TURKEY 100 PAYOFF: 1) $20,000; 2) $7,500; 3) $3,000; 4) $2,000; 5) $1,800; 6) $1,500; 7) $1,300; $1,100; 9) $1,050; 10) $1,000; 11) $950; 12) $900; 13) $850; 14) $840; 15) $830; 16) $820; 17) $800; 18) $750; 19) $700; 20) $700; 21) $700; 22) $700; 23) $700; 24) $700.

The Aaron’s Crate Late Model entry fee is $175.00 if postmarked by October 31st and the entry fee will then be $225.00 after that date or the day of the race. Entry forms will be mailed and will also be available on the official Swainsboro Raceway website very soon. You can mail entry forms to: Swainsboro Raceway, 5372 Pinetucky Road, Wadley, GA 30477.

Further information on the Swainsboro Raceway/Mud Bog and the 11th Annual Turkey 100 Weekend by contacting the following: Swainsboro Raceway (478) 252-1300 or (478) 494-5005 or visit www.swainsbororaceway.com or swainsbororaceway@yahoo.com