23 Late Model Stock Cars signed in on Saturday at South Boston Speedway in preparation for next Saturday’s Danville Toyota Twin 100 lap races for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model Stock Cars.
Josh Oakley led the field of cars on the time sheet after a long day of testing. He bested Bobby McCarty with a lap of 15.697 compared to McCarty’s best lap of 16.718. Oakley is no stranger to victory lane at South Boston Speedway having picked up three victories there in 2014.
McCarty picked up his first win in at Late Model Stock Car last season and this season he’s looking to win the championship. McCarty was impressed with the number of cars that showed up according to a quote from a South Boston Speedway press release.
“I was looking at that (the number of cars). I was expecting it. I feel like the first race we may have close to 30 cars and I think it will be good all year because of the tire rule and the guaranteed $500 to start a night. And when you come here you race against the best of the best,” said McCarty, who was fastest in the morning practice.
The two-tire rule, which limits teams to purchasing two new tires a night, and the increased purse to guarantee every driver $500 for a night of racing, were the two biggest of several Late Model rule changes this year.
Among the other cars turning in fastest times throughout the day on Saturday was Austin Thaxton, CE Falk, Justin Carroll and John Moore.
Brandon Pierce was the fastest rookie driver of the day coming in ninth fastest overall. He’ll be driving a car from the Nelson Motorsports stables, which Timothy Peters competes for, with sponsorship from Thunder Road Harley Davidson.
Former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Stacy Compton will also be competing at South Boston Speedway this season. He was 12th fastest overall on the day Saturday.
Colin Garrett led practice for the Limited Late Model division with seven cars participating in the open practice. Colin Garrett turned in a 16.007 lap. Calvin Meadows, Mason Diaz Mike Chambers and Tommy Peregoy completed the top five fastest cars overall on the day.
South Boston Speedway’s 2016 season will officially get underway this Saturday, March 12th with twin 100-lap races for the NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars.
Practice Times Combined from Morning and Afternoon Practice Session:
Late Model Stock Cars:
1 – Josh Oakley 15.697
2 – Bobby McCarty 15.718
3 – Austin Thaxton 15.759
4 – CE Falk 15.790
5 – Justin Carroll 15.879
6 – Danny Willis, Jr. 15.919
7 – John Moore 15.940
8 – Mark Wertz 15.940
9 – Brandon Pierce 15.955
10 – Alex Brock 15.964
11 – Trey Crews 15.978
12 – Stacy Compton 15.994
13 – Brenden Queen 16.000
14 – Thomas Scott 16.004
15 – Michael Maresca 16.016
16 – Terry Dease 16.177
17 – Kyle Barnes 16.208
18 – Dennis Holdren 16.247
19 – Terry Carroll 16.347
20 – Wayne Roach 16.762
Limited Late Models:
1 – Colin Garrett 16.007
2 – Calvin Meadows 16.058
3 – Mason Diaz 16.247
4 – Mike Chambers 16.454
5 – Tommy Peregoy 16.557
6 – Billy Myers 16.594
7 – Bobby Griffin 16.757
