Leading the last lap counts for Bartlett, Fletcher

MILTON — On May 28 at Southern Raceway, every driver seemed to want to lead the pack in turn one, but key drivers learned the end was what mattered most.

With $1,000 on the line in the Open Wheel Modified Division, Joey Bartlett, Mike Lane and Todd Neiheiser put on a power-packed show.

Bartlett led the first eight laps, with Lane and Neiheiser battling for second and third.

Restarting the race on lap eight, Neiheiser drove around his teammate; Lane was quick to follow.

It looked as if the dash for the cash went from a field of three drivers to just two until lap 17, when the leaders got together coming off turn four, and Bartlett drove around Neiheiser and Lane as the cars spun.

With two of the top-contending cars at the back of the pack, Bartlett was once again in the lead.

While Bartlett had the lead with three laps remaining, he had to contend with Ryan Fowler, who maneuvered his car through the wreck fest and was now in second place.

Bartlett beat Fowler followed by Brian McArdle, Joey Moxley and Robin Lashley to round out the top five.

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That adage of leading the last lap proved correct again in the Pure Stock Division.

Jessica Donaldson was in the top five the entire night as she challenged Josh Kimmons, Mike Emmons and Jesse James.

On lap 13, lightning struck the front of the field as Kimmons, Emmons and James tangled, coming off turn four, and Donaldson found the hole to drive her car through untouched.

Donaldson led the field to the green flag for the restart, but for the second consecutive week lap 18 got the Fort Walton Beach woman, whom Lane Heaton hit from behind coming off turn four.

Bubba Fletcher was the recipient of Donaldson’s misfortune and got the lead for the final restart of the night.

Fletcher drove the wheels off his car and held off a hard-charging Mike Emmons by just inches at the finish line.

Rounding out the top five were Kylan Nathey, James and Bennie Kimmons.

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Chris Bayhi led the Vintage Series from the drop of the green flag while all of the action and seven cautions were behind him.

Bayhi was wondering when things were going to end, as consecutive accidents on laps 17 and 18 saw his lead disappear.

With Bayhi leading the field to a restart on lap 18, he was holding off Kraig Crossley and defending series champion James Ward, while Blake Martin and Brandon Kilpatrick tangled behind him after taking the white flag.

Bayhi finished the race, leading all 20 laps followed by Crossley and Ward. Rounding out the tip five were Wesley Riddles and last week’s winner John Cody.

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The NeSmith Street Stock Division saw Milton’s Bo Bailey dominate.

Bailey took the lead on lap two after Jim Jarvis, Kilpatrick and Fred McGhee Jr. got tangled up on lap 2. From there, Bailey held off some challenges to secure the win.

Rounding out the top five behind Bailey were Tim Wetzel, JC Wilson, Jarvis and Kilpatrick.

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May 28 also saw the return of stinger cars to the three-eighths-mile dirt.

Gary Watson ran away with the show followed by Russell Estain, Patrick Baker, Waylon Wolfe and Zack Jordan.

The night concluded with a demolition derby, which saw Guy Finney deliver the knockout blows to Dylan Merritt and Walker Merritt’s cars for the win.