BRUNSWICK — Dennis “Rambo” Franklin lived up to his nickname Saturday night at Golden Isles Speedway outmaneuvering his competition and speeding to the checkered flag to take the win in the National Late Model Series (NLMS) stop at the coastal Georgia racing oval.
Franklin picked up the lead on lap forty-five when pole sitter and early race leader Matt Miller suffered suspension damage and fell out of the race. Franklin, driving the 30th anniversary Barry Wright Race Car in NLMS action, sped to the front of the field and survived several run-ins with lapped cars as he battled with Michael Lloyd, Ben Faircloth and Ivedent Lloyd to lead the final 55 laps of the 100-lap main event.
The 11th annual “ShowDown on the Coast” for Golden Isles Speedway drew 53 entries with 26 drivers taking the green flag for the lucrative event.
Miller had earned the pole winning the Optima Trailers Fast Gun qualifying award, then going on to win Friday night’s first heat race. It appeared that Miller might be on his way to his second straight 10 grand payday at Golden Isles Speedway, but his night ended as his path was blocked by a spinning lapped car after 45 laps as the race leader.
Miller’s mount sustained heavy damage to the right front of the car and his night was done.
When the green flag waved to restart the event on lap 46, Franklin withstood the heavy challenges by his opponents and even made it through a close call on lap 55 when he and Michael Lloyd made contact as the pair battled for the lead with back markers spinning directly in front of them.
Franklin would have to outrace his challengers through the balance of the race, including seven more restarts for ensuing caution periods. Ben Faircloth would eventually race his way into the second spot and would cross the finish line behind Franklin as the runner-up.
Third through fifth positions went to Ivedent Lloyd, Michael Lloyd and Jeremy Faircloth.
The start to the season-ending event was delayed by rain showers and would be slowed by 18 caution periods with only minor crashes and spins causing the yellow flag to wave throughout the race.
Franklin’s win in the Barry Wright Race Cars house racer was powered by a Koury Race Engine and sponsored by Swiftco, Jacky Jones Automotive group and Cherokee Landscaping.
With the 2007 season now concluded Golden Isles Speedway continues to make preparations for one of the biggest short-track events in history with next Jan. 23-Feb. 2 running of the SuperBowl of Racing IV.
The huge super late model event offers 10 nights, each paying the winner $10,000 in an unprecedented week-and-a-half of short track action at the track just west of Brunswick.
Fans can reserve grandstand seating, RV and camping spots as well as reserved trackside tailgate locations for the mega event.
For reservations or information, call the Golden Isles Speedway office at (912) 778-3767, email goldenislesspeedway@btconline.net or visit theofficial Web site at www.goldenislesspeedway.com
The annual Golden Isles Speedway awards banquet for the 2007 season will be hosted at the speedway Dec. 1.
Franklin picked up the lead on lap forty-five when pole sitter and early race leader Matt Miller suffered suspension damage and fell out of the race. Franklin, driving the 30th anniversary Barry Wright Race Car in NLMS action, sped to the front of the field and survived several run-ins with lapped cars as he battled with Michael Lloyd, Ben Faircloth and Ivedent Lloyd to lead the final 55 laps of the 100-lap main event.
The 11th annual “ShowDown on the Coast” for Golden Isles Speedway drew 53 entries with 26 drivers taking the green flag for the lucrative event.
Miller had earned the pole winning the Optima Trailers Fast Gun qualifying award, then going on to win Friday night’s first heat race. It appeared that Miller might be on his way to his second straight 10 grand payday at Golden Isles Speedway, but his night ended as his path was blocked by a spinning lapped car after 45 laps as the race leader.
Miller’s mount sustained heavy damage to the right front of the car and his night was done.
When the green flag waved to restart the event on lap 46, Franklin withstood the heavy challenges by his opponents and even made it through a close call on lap 55 when he and Michael Lloyd made contact as the pair battled for the lead with back markers spinning directly in front of them.
Franklin would have to outrace his challengers through the balance of the race, including seven more restarts for ensuing caution periods. Ben Faircloth would eventually race his way into the second spot and would cross the finish line behind Franklin as the runner-up.
Third through fifth positions went to Ivedent Lloyd, Michael Lloyd and Jeremy Faircloth.
The start to the season-ending event was delayed by rain showers and would be slowed by 18 caution periods with only minor crashes and spins causing the yellow flag to wave throughout the race.
Franklin’s win in the Barry Wright Race Cars house racer was powered by a Koury Race Engine and sponsored by Swiftco, Jacky Jones Automotive group and Cherokee Landscaping.
With the 2007 season now concluded Golden Isles Speedway continues to make preparations for one of the biggest short-track events in history with next Jan. 23-Feb. 2 running of the SuperBowl of Racing IV.
The huge super late model event offers 10 nights, each paying the winner $10,000 in an unprecedented week-and-a-half of short track action at the track just west of Brunswick.
Fans can reserve grandstand seating, RV and camping spots as well as reserved trackside tailgate locations for the mega event.
For reservations or information, call the Golden Isles Speedway office at (912) 778-3767, email goldenislesspeedway@btconline.net or visit theofficial Web site at www.goldenislesspeedway.com
The annual Golden Isles Speedway awards banquet for the 2007 season will be hosted at the speedway Dec. 1.