Mother Nature Wins ELS Points Finale, CBR Takes Home Championship

Troutman, NC (September 28, 2009)

Persistent rains Friday night and all day Saturday forced track officials to cancel the final points race of 2009 at the East Lincoln Speedway on Saturday, September 26^th. 

Coming into the final race, Falcon Smith needed to finish 15^th or better to lock up the Championship.  However, the rain out ended the points season with Falcon and the Crud Brother's Racing team on top of the Standings, earning the 2009 East Lincoln Speedway Championship in the Legends division.  During the season, Smith finished in the Top 10 in every race while racking up seven Top 5 finishes.  The CBR team had an average finish of 4.2 at ELS.  That consistency resulted in a 60 point advantage in the final Standings.

"I really wanted to get the race in," Smith offered.  "This Champioship says a lot about all the hard work we put in all season long.  We ran well all year and avoided a lot of trouble.  It will take a little while to set in, but it will be an honor to represent the Legends Cars as the East Lincoln Speedway Champion.  To win it the first year Ray (Evernham) and Bob (Mack) have owned the track makes it really special.  They made the track a great place to race all season. I can't wait until the Nationals."

Falcon will be crowned the Champion at the East Lincoln Speedway Banquet later in the year. 

Falcon and the CBR team would like to give a special thank you to all of their sponsors and fans for all of their support during the 2009 Championship season;  Embroidery FX, CB GraFX, Lunsford's Sardis Auto, Whisky River Charlotte, Christopher Bean Coffee, Mafia Motorsports, SPY Optic, Osiris Shoes, and Hosting Solutions 4U. 

Rain Washes Away CBR's Final Shot at Carolina Speedway Championship

Troutman, NC (September 18, 2009)

Heavy rains stalled out over the North Carolina Piedmont region, forcing officials to cancel the racing action at the Carolina Speedway for Friday, September 18^th.  This was the final points race for the Legends Cars at the 4/10^th mile clay oval.

With their final shot at regaining the points lead rained out, Falcon Smith and the Crud Brother's Racing team has finished in 2^nd Place in the 2009 Carolina Speedway Point Standings, falling just 55 points of the Championship.  Falcon recorded 8 Top 5 finishes and 10 Top 10's in the twelve races at Carolina.  Looking back, the difference in the final standings was one broken spindle on August 7^th.  On that night, Smith fell out of the points lead for the first time since May.

"At the time, we knew that could be the difference in winning or losing the Championship," Falcon commented.  "That one parts failure cost us almost 60 points.  Its tough to look at it that way.  On the other hand, there were nights where it wasn't looking very good and we worked hard and bounced back for a Top 5.  We rebuilt the car between the Heat and the A-Main one night after almost flipping out of the race track, and still salvaged a great finish.  All the hard work we put in is what kept us in contention to the end."

Troutman, NC (September 14, 2009)

The Crud Brother's Racing team rolled into the East Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night looking to extend a streak of Top 5 finishes at ELS dating back to April 25^th.  With only two races remaining on the 2009 schedule at ELS, the CBR team held a solid 75 point lead in the track Point Standings.  Another solid run would put the team in great position going into the final race of the year.

Another terrible draw would force Falcon Smith to start in the back of his 7 car Heat Race to begin the evening.  On the drop of the green, Smith began to make his way foward.  With a slick, one groove track early on, it was hard to make any moves in the short Heat Race.  Falcon was able to pick up two spots and cross the finish line in 5^th to set the stage for the A-Main later in the evening. 

The CBR team would have a lot of work to do again in the A-Main, rolling off 10^th to start the race.  The track would provide some excellent racing action throughout the field.  At the start, Falcon jumped to the top of the racing surface to drive by two cars on the opening lap.  Smith did not stop there, moving into 6^th by the half way point when a caution flag came out, bunching up the field.  On the restart, Smith made a bold move up against the wall and quickly shot into 3^rd position.  However, another untimely caution would force him to give up the spots.  The Oak Hill, OH driver made the same move on the ensuing restart, but this time contact between the 2^nd and 3^rd place cars slowed his momentum on the top side.  Falcon rode the cushion to the finish, where it appeared the #34 crossed the line with another Top 5 finish.  Race officials did not see the same result though, and Smith was credited with a 6^th place finish. 

"I'm not too sure what they were looking at," Falcon offered.  "About everyone except the one person scoring the race saw the correct finish order.  That's the way its been going for us lately.  We start in the back every week and have to do a lot of work on the race track.  In the end, we did what we had to do as far as points go.  We have a great car here, just need a good break.  The track was great tonight, possibly the best its been all year."   

Falcon now leads the East Lincoln Speedway Point Standings by 60 markers heading into the final points race on September 26^th.  No matter what the competition does, Falcon and the CBR team will take home the ELS Championship with a finish of 15^th or better in the final race.  Falcon and the CBR team has also locked up the 2009 Ohio State Pro Division Championship, their 9^th State Championship in 11 seasons.  Smith finds himself in 14^th in the National Pro Dirt Point Standings. 

Troutman, NC (September 5, 2009)

The Crud Brother's Racing team headed to the Carolina Speedway on Friday night with the 2009 racing season winding down.  With only two races remaining at the 4/10^th mile clay oval, the team came into the evening in 2^nd place in the Carolina Speedway Point Standings, 22 markers out of the lead.  The team desperately needed a strong finish to close the gap before the final race.

A bad draw would make it a tough start for the CBR team.  Falcon Smith would line up 3^rd to begin his Heat Race.  The field took the green on a very wet and slick track.  With the bottom groove not yet worked in, it was a huge disadvantage to start on the inside line.  On the start, Smith could not get any traction on the inside and slid back before he could get in line in 5^th position.  The field would quickly get spread out and Falcon could only get back around one car to move into the 4^th spot at the finish, locking in his starting position for the A-Main later in the evening.

The CBR team would roll off 7^th to start the A-Main.  Track conditions were still very wet and slick, with only one groove worked in.  Once again it would be a disadvantage to start on the bottom.  On the drop of the green, Falcon struggled to get in line.  Smith finally managed to slide into the groove in 10^th postion to complete the first lap.  From there, it was a struggle the rest of the race.  Falcon was only able to advance two more spots in the quick 12 lap race, crossing the finish line with a disappointing 8^th place finish. 

"That was a tough one to take," a dejected Smith commented after the race.  "This is such a great track to race on.  It's wide, fast and really fun to drive.  The last month or so, it hasn't been all that fun.  If you don't start in the front, you don't have a chance.  It was so wet and sloppy out there, I couldn't see because there was so much mud on the front of the car and on my helmet.  The car was really fast, but you just couldn't pass anyone unless they really messed up because there was only one groove worked in."

With the 8^th place finish, Falcon remains in 2^nd place in the Carolina Speedway Point Standings, but is now 55 points out of the lead.  With only one race remaining at Carolina Speedway, Smith would need a lot of help to capture the Championship.  Falcon now leads the Ohio State Pro Division Piont Standings by 1617 markers.  Smith finds himself in 14^th in the National Pro Dirt Point Standings.