ABILENE, Texas -- Another beautiful day greeted racers, teams and fans for the second day of the Ryan Bard Memorial, Southern Challenge. Several new drivers and teams signed in for the IMCA classes, along with 20+ cars for the Young Guns, Jr. Mini Stock Championship.

Young Guns Director, Tony Hernandez stepped up for the safety of his kids making a trip to Paul LaPaires rollover simulator mandatory. Great Move on his part to prepare his kids in case of emergency.

Two drivers, opted to try to re-qualify with Trevor Egbert dropping his Big B-Main starting spot in the IMCA Modifieds, and Tim Clonch giving up his in the IMCA Southern SportMods.

Gossett Grabs front row for Sundays Challenge
Jeremey Gossett locked up the outside front row for Sunday’s Big A-Main taking the Saturday A-Qualifier. Gossett, who led flag to flag, didn’t have it easy as he had to hold off a former IMCA Modified Rookie of the Year, Trevor Egbert, who pressures him all race long.

At the drop of the green on the 20-lap, 20-car IMCA Modified A-Main Qualifier, Gossett jumped out front, with Trevor Egbert getting second from cousin, P J Egbert. As P J Egbert fell back on the high side, Varion Sisson took third with Austin Huskey moving up to fourth. P J Egbert spun off the top of turn 1 to bring out the yellow on lap 1.

Once back to green the field stayed in line, until T. Egbert began looking inside J. Gossett on the bottom. T. Egbert then took a peek on the high side the following lap before settling in. As the battle calmed, J. Gossett and T. Egbert inched away from Sisson and Huskey.

Huskey then began to put the heat on Sisson as the race came to halfway showing J. Gossett, T. Egbert, Sisson, Huskey and Philip Houston in the top five with T. Egbert again looking for way around J. Gossett. In the pack Chris Elliott was challenging Bo Briley for sixth as T. Egbert kept the heat on J. Gossett for the lead.

Husdkey found a way past Sisson on lap 14 for third as the top three ran nose to tail. John Gober found himself in trouble after contact with David Elliott on lap 14 bringing out the yellow. Coming to the restart, Sisson jumped out of line going by the restart cone on the wrong side bringing the caution back and sending Sisson to the tail.

On the restart, T. Egbert made a charge on J. Gossett for the lead but couldn’t get the spot. In the fight for the last Big B-Main transfer, Tim Clonch got by Mike McCarthy on lap 16. With two to go, the top three were nose to tail, as battles broke out further back. Coming to the checkers a big stack up shuffled positions for fifth on back as J. Gossett held off T. Egbert the victory.

IMCA Modified A-Main Qualifier((Top 5 to outside row to Sunday Big A-Main, 6-10 to Big B-Main)
144 Jeremy Gossett
78 Trevor Egbert
126 Austin Huskey
71 Philip Houston
23Chris Elliott
85 Neal Flowers
231 Greg Atwood
59 Kelly Allen
118 Tim Clonch
37 Mark Patterson
20 Mike McCarthy
143 David Smith
6 Varion Sisson
10 Dee Gossett
0 Bo Briley
19 David Elliott
26 Darin Leonard
52 John Gober
183 Chad Estes
555 P J Egbert



IMCA Modified heats(Winner to A-Main Qualifier)
Heat #1. 71 Philip Houston, Odessa
Heat #2. 6 Varion Sisson, Springtown
Heat #3. 144 Jeremy Gossett, Amarillo
Heat #4. 10 Dee Gossett, Amarillo
Heat #5. 0 Bo Briley, Miles
Heat #6. 78 Trevor Egbert, Salado
Heat #7. 555 P J Egbert, Copperas Cove
Heat #8. 126 Austin Huskey, Slaton


IMCA Modified B-Mains(Top 3 to A-Main Qualifier)
B-Main #1. 118 Tim Clonch, Quinlan, 37 Mark Patterson, Abilene, 143 David Smith, Anna
B-Main #2. 23 Chris Elliott, Eastland, 59 Kelly Allen, Lubbock, 19 David Elliott, Eastland
B-Main #3. 20 Mike McCarthy, Round Rock, 26 Darin Leonard, Sinton, 183 Chad Estes, Troy
B-Main #4. 52 John Gober, Poolville, 85 Neal Flowers, Hobbs, N.M., 231 Greg Atwood, Georgetown



Clonch Cinches Starting Spot in SportMod Challenge
After dropping a guaranteed Sunday starting spot in the IMCA Southern SportMod Big B-Main, Tim Clonch put himself back in the field with a convincing win the 20-lap A-Qualifier. Clonch got out front early, built a huge lead, then held off Southern SportMod Champion, Keith White.

Josh McGaha beat polesitter Dustin Robinson into turn 1 for the lead of the 20-car event. Clonch charged on the top side to second, and got along side and by McGaha to lead lap 2, while Robinson and Kelly Cross ran side by side for third. Cross edged out Robinson for the spot, but gave it back on lap 3.

Josh Majek brought out the yellow on lap 4 with a spin in turn 4. Once back to green, the racing was mid pack with Kenneth Graves trying to take sixth from Trent Crawford. Keith White moved in to join the battle getting along side Graves. Graves eased away from White and was again beside Crawford for sixth. By lap 8 Clonch had pulled out to a substantial lead over McGaha and Robinson. At the mid point Cross and Gabe Tucker filled out the top five.

After halfway White went on a tear using the high side taking sixth from Graves, who slowed and pulled off. On laps 15 and 16, White ripped by Cross, Robinson then McGaha to find himself in second, but a half track behind Clonch.

White got the break he needed when caution came out on lap 17 for a spin by Stephen Robison in turn 4. White tried to hang with Clonch as green waved for the final three laps, but Clonch edged away. Further back Ted Thomas was trying to take sixth from Tucker, while Chris Meyers and Crawford ran wheel to wheel for eighth. At the checkers Clonch was across the line by several car lengths on White for the win.


IMCA Southern SportMod A-Main Qualifier(Top 5 to outside row to Sunday Big A-Main, 6-10 to Big B-Main)
118 Tim Clonch
111 Keith White
911 Josh McGaha
110 Dustin Robinson
00 Kelly Cross
174 Ted Thomas
28 Gabe Tucker
444 Trent Crawford
135 Chris Meyers
021 Jason Gore
37 Bill Pittaway
85 Dustin Spohn
283 Harvey Wojtek
82 Josh Majek
66 Johnny Torres
202 Brian Short
7 Stephen Robison
99 Gary Underwood
4 Kenneth Graves
011 Jeff Gibby



IMCA Southern SportMod heats(Winner to A-Main Qualifier)
Heat #1. 444 Trent Crawford, Midland
Heat #2. 00 Kelly Cross, Amarillo
Heat #3. 111 Keith White, Academy
Heat #4. 911 Josh McGaha, Abilene
Heat #5. 181 Tim Clonch, Quinlan
Heat #6. 99 Gary Underwood, Abilene
Heat #7. 110 Dustin Robinson, Post
Heat #8. 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon


IMCA SSM B-Mains(Top 3 to A-Main Qualifier)
B-Main #1. 4 Kenneth Graves, Tahoka, 82 Josh Majek, Corpus Christi, 7 Stephen Robison, Abilene
B-Main #2. 74 Ted Thomas, Post, 011 Jeff Gibby, 66 Johnny Torres, San Antonio
B-Main #3. 37 Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi, 021 Jason Gore, Canton, 283 Harvey Wojtek, Robert Lee
B-Main #4. 135 Chris Meyers, Eunice, N.M., 85 Dustin Spohn, Amarillo, 202 Brian Short, Dennison



Wojtek Works his way to I-Stock Big A-Main
Local driver, Harvey Wojtek used his track knowledge to lead every lap of the 20-car IMCA Stock Car A-Qualifier. Wojtek worked hard to hold off the challenge of another local racer, Willie Free to score the victory.

Wojtek jumped out front going into turn 1 as green waved on the I-Stock 20-lapper, with a three wide battle for fifth. Wojtek inched away from Kelly Brown and Free, who was caught by Doug Kennemer for third. Mike McCarthy got past Kirk Martin on lap 4 until they tangled and found the back stretch wall to bring out the yellow on lap 5.

Once back to green, Wojtek got a good jump, while Brown slowed and fell back from his top five spot. Brown finally coasted to a stop to bring out caution on lap 7. On the restart, the top three of Wojtek, Free and Kennemer pulled away from Kris Richards, Cody Kays, Jason Gore and David Phillips. Kays got by Richards on lap 9, with Gore and Phillips side by side for sixth.

At the midway point it was Wojtek, Free, Kennemer, Kays and Richards in the top five. As Phillips and Gore battled for sixth they closed on Richards for fifth going three wide on lap 12. After some paint swapping Richards got the spot, with Justin Graves sneaking by for seventh. Phillips spun on lap 15 to bring out a yellow.

The top four stayed bumper to bumper on the restart with Richards getting by John Armstrong for fifth. Graves then looked inside Armstrong for sixth with Gore closing in. Gore and Armstrong made contact with Armstrong trying to take a return shot on Gore, but missing in turn 3. Phillips and Graves got hooked at the wheel well, before breaking free on the last lap. Up front Wojtek was able to keep his cushion on Free taking the win.



IMCA Stock Car A-Main Qualifier(Top 5 to outside row to Sunday Big A-Main, 6-10 to Big B-Main)
283 Harvey Wojtek
551 Willie Free
1 Doug Kennemer
81 Kris Richards
202 Cody Kays
125 Jason Gore
3 Daniel Parker
17 Michael Lang
09 Justin Graves
712 Colton Monroe
9 John Armstrong
21 Delmar Slone
25 Larry Bradley
118 David Phillips
07 Dennis Bissonette
4 Kelly Brown
69 Kirk Martin
64 Cary White
150 Casey McAllister
49 Brandon Gage

IMCA Stock Car heats(Top 3 to A-Main Qualifier)
Heat #1. 1 Doug Kennemer, Boyd, 49 Brandon Gage, Eunice, N.M., 551 Willie Free, Snyder
Heat #2. 283 Harvey Wojtek, Robert Lee, 150 Casey McAllister, Pottsboro, 81 Kris Richards, San Angelo
Heat #3. 202 Cody Kays, Hobbs, N.M., 9 John Armstrong, Merkel, 118 David Phillips, Abilene
Heat #4. 125 Jason Gore, Canton, 4 Kelly Brown, Merkel, 69 Kirk Martin, Aledo


IMCA Stock Car B-Mains(Top 4 to A-Main Qualifier)
B-Main #1. 3 Daniel Parker, Greenville, 25 Larry Bradley, Aztec, N.M., 09 Justin Graves, Odessa, 712 Colton Monroe, Kempner,
B-Main #2. 64 Cary White, La Mesa, 07 Dennis Bissonette, Stephenville, 21 Delmar Slone, Christoval, 17 Michael Lang, Eldorado,



Phillips Flies Flag To Flag in Hobby Qualifier
Abilene regular, Tommy Phillips went wire to wire in the 20-car, 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A-Qualifier. Phillips had little pressure the first part of the race as Andy Roller and Cody Hodges battled each other for second. After a late caution, Hodges put some heat on Phillips who held on for the win.

Phillips was first out of turn 2 for the lead, while Roller and Hodges ran side by side. Roller fell in line second, with Hodges, Jeremy Carter and Melvin Burrows in pursuit. Hodges got past Roller for second on lap 2 as Jeff Kinniard got along side Burrows for fifth. Roller pulled back on Hodges with top five running under a blanket.

Roller got back around Hodges on lap 6 and was making a run on Phillips for the lead. Codi Davis looped her ride on lap 9 in front of the lead quintet to bring out a yellow. Once back to green Kinniard had Jeremy Montgomery on his flank in the battle for fifth. At halfway it was Phillips, Roller, Hodges, Carter and Montgomery in the top five.

Shawn Woods and Lynn Gibson tangled on lap 10 to bring out a yellow. As Phillips eased ahead on green, Hodges got inside Roller for second, while Montgomery ducked low on Carter for fourth. The four stayed door to door and bumper to bumper on lap 11. Carter began to slow with a flat giving up fifth to Kinniard before stopping on lap 14 to bring out the caution.

Phillips again got clear of Roller, who had Hodges along his side taking second on lap 15. Danny Criswell got into Joseph Williams on lap 17 for the final yellow. The top five stayed nose to tail on green, until Hodges turned up the heat on Phillips with two to go. Phillips held off the efforts on Hodges to score the hard fought win.


IMCA Hobby Stock A-Main Qualifier(Top 5 to outside row to Sunday Big A-Main, 6-10 to Big B-Main)
41 Tommy Phillips
15 Cody Hodges
63 Andy Roller
84 Jeremy Montgomery
07 Jeff Kinniard
56 Melvin Burrows
729 Ronald Franz
1 Bud Ohlinger
01 Hayden Lusk
65 Colby Demming
13 Adam Reeves
42 Rodney Born
37 Lynn Gibson
32 Joseph Williams
21 Aaron Elliott
10 Danny Criswell
22 Codi Davis
100 Shawn Woods
125 Jeremy Carter
188Todd Hunt


IMCA Hobby Stock heats(Top 4 to A-Main Qualifier)
Heat #1. 65 Colby Demming, Hobbs, N.M., 125 Jeremy Carter, 63 Andy Roller, Bellmead, 56 Melvin Burrows, Gatesville
Heat #2. 07 Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield, 84 Jeremy Montgomery, Burleson 15 Cody Hodges, Eunice, N.M. 729, Ronald Franz, Midland
Heat #3. 41 Tommy Phillips, Abilene, 22 Codi Davis, Sweetwater, 100 Shawn Woods, Clyde, 01 Hayden Lusk, Merkel


IMCA Hobby Stock B-Main(Top 8 to A-Main Qualifier)
B-Main #1. 37 Lynn Gibson, Rhome, 1 Bud Ohlinger, Abilene, 13 Adam Reeves, Sweetwater, 32 Joseph Williams, Waco, 10 Danny Criswell, Hobbs, N.M., 42 Rodney Born, San Angelo, 188 Todd Hunt, Odessa, 21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley


Dillon Landers beat the field into turn 1 at the start of the 21-car, 15-lap Young Guns Shootout Series, Jr. Mini Stock feature. Hunter Garrison fell into second with Bryce Pritchett and Zach Raybourn side by side for third. As the restart the top three eased ahead, while two and three wide battles were going on mid pack.

H. Garrison spun from his top spot bringing out the yellow. Back under green Landersc and Raybourn jumped out from B. Pritchett, Tanner Houston and Don Yeargan. Raybourn was just starting to challenge Landers for the lead when Gavin Smith rolled to a stop on lap 9 for a caution. Under yellow Yeargan pitted from the top five with a flat.

Landers got a good jump as green waved again while Houston tried the high side of B. Pritchett for third. Kaleb spun in turn 4 to bring the yellow quickly back out on lap 10. Houston completed the pass on B. Pritchett back under green followed by Tyler Webb and Brad Dudley. In the final laps Webb worked past Houston while Landers was running off to his first ever Young Gun Shootout checkers.
RESULTS
Young Guns A-Main
KSP1 Dillon Landers
87 Zach Raybourn
56 Tyler Webb
1* Tanner Houston
15 Brad Dudley
21 Bryce Pritchett
23 Alec Smith
93 Courtney Garrison
101 Cody Nichols
25 Donald Baker
16 Alex Norris
12 Calton Pritchett
78 Cameron Caldwell
99 Liegh Anne Orebaugh
102 Caylee Nichols
3c Colin Demming
21a Aaron Elliott
021 Kaleb Hooper
3 Don Yeargan
13 Gavin Smith
28 Hunter Garrison
Young Guns heat winners,
Heat #1 15 Brad Dudley,
Heat #2 1 Dillon Landers,
Heat #3 101 Cody Nichols