CHARLOTTE, NC (July 25, 2008) – Every time it seems like somebody is
ready to step up and take control of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS)
South Super Late Model points standings, something happens that shakes
them up again. PASS South points leader Corey Williams started the
2008 season out much as he ended 2007 and that had competitors
worried. Williams won three out of the last six races of 2007 and
started out 2008 with a win at Hickory's Easter Bunny 150. While not
a shoe in for the championship, Williams has been the most consistent
PASS South driver and that's what has him leading the points.
Kyle Busch development driver Alex Haase had won two straight races
heading into the Southern Sizzler at Orange County and seemed poised
to make a run at Williams for the PASS South points lead. However,
Haase's Toyota was involved in an early accident at Orange County that
relegated him to a 24th place finish. Too bad for Haase since
Williams had a terrible night and only managed to finish in 17th place
himself.
Enter back into the championship fray Perry Brown. The Florida native
found himself as the early point leader following a surprisingly
dominant win at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Georgia. Following
Watermelon Capital, Brown quietly averaged a ninth place finish over
the next four races. Another ninth place finish at Orange County,
coupled with troubles for Williams and Haase, has allowed Brown to
leap back to second in PASS South points just 30 points out of the
lead.
Behind the trio at the top are several drivers still looking for their
first wins of the season and more overall consistency. Heath Hindman
appears to be the strongest of those drivers, but has struggled in the
last two races. Handling problems relegated Hindman to an eighth
place finish at Greenville-Pickens and, despite being viewed by many
as the car to beat in the Southern Sizzler, was involved in an early
accident and finished in 28th place.
Mark Gibson had back-to-back fourth place finishes at Wake County and
Greenville-Pickens, but was never a factor at Orange County and
finished 13th. Alex Fleming has without a doubt been the hard luck
driver of 2008. Fleming has led 57 laps this season and shown moments
of brilliance, but a combination of mechanical and on the track
problems have caused him to fall out of every race so far this season.
And, then there's Justin Wakefield. Again, a driver who has led a
lot of laps but has struggled to find the combination to make it work
every week. After leading at Motor Mile, Orange County's Orange
Blossom, and having the strongest car for much of the Firecracker 125
at Greenville-Pickens, Wakefield struggled throughout the Southern
Sizzler until a late charge gave him a sixth place finish.
The one thing that is clear is that the PASS South Super Late Models
are experiencing their most competitive season to date. There have
been five different winners in seven races with only Haase and Trevor
Sanborn winning more than once. Of the 66 drivers who have competed
in PASS South, 19 different drivers have led laps. Expect that trend
to continue as PASS South heads to Dillon Motor Speedway, a track the
series has never competed on.
PASS South will be in action again coming up on Saturday, August 2nd
for the third annual South Carolina Clash at the Dillon Motor
Speedway. Also in action will be the SuperTrucks, Chargers, and
Street Stocks. Dillon Motor Speedway is located in Dillon, SC, just
off Interstate 95 exit 191 on SC Highway 9.
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