Wesley Greene doesn’t race as much as he’d like, but if his win percentage in his new Rocket race car continues at its current pace, he’ll happily navigate the pace.
Greene’s raced the No. 95 Super Late Model car twice this season, blowing a motor his first time out. A friend piloted the car to a win earlier this year, and Greene unloaded it Friday at Columbus Speedway hoping for a similar result.
It wasn’t easy.
Greene battled braking issues early in the heat races, ultimately finding the “easy fix” in time for feature. The Winona native started sixth and chased pole-sitter Jamie Tollison for three laps after taking second, ultimately taking the lead on lap 12 and cruising to his first win of the season.
“I was afraid we weren’t going to get the brakes figured out,” Greene said. “Thank the good Lord and all the people helping me get this car ready.”
Greene has raced in multiple Late Model divisions in recent years, sometimes racing regularly, and in other years taking extended breaks from competition. Greene’s 2019 plans are limited – he plans to race only on Friday nights, which will likely make him a regular again Columbus Speedway. He says budget is a factor in running a lighter schedule, but having a full two days on the weekends to spend with his family is the primary reason.
“I’m also running a couple of businesses,” Greene said. “And a lot of what makes Friday night go for us is the time you put in the shop during the week. We’re just blessed to be able to do this.”
Greene overtook Tollison on the bottom in turns 3 and 4, a line he didn’t expect to be as fruitful, as the top was a more dominant Friday night. But Tollison was faster up top than Greene, forcing him to drop down to a choppier lane.
“I talked to Jamie after the race, and he said I was faster along the bottom, especially through the big hole in (turn) 1,” Greene said. “My car was just able to handle it a bit better, and that suits my driving style.”
Tollison took second, while Robert Moore, Shelby Sheedy and Chad McCool rounded out the top 5.
In other race action, Jamie Sudduth won his second Street Stocks race in as many weeks. Sudduth passed Jason Hollis early in the race and wasn’t threatened in the race’s 15 laps.
Hollis took second, while Billy Walker, Phil Kizzire and Brandon Hill rounded out the top 5.
“We’ve been trying a couple of different shocks, and I think we finally found something,” Sudduth said. “We’re just going to leave it like it is.
“I just want to thank Steve Wright for letting me drive his hot rod.”
Other race results include:
Lee Hutchinson won the Buzz feature. Billy Tidwell, Dale Johnson, Wesley Cribbs and Kody Love rounded out the top 5.
Johnny Pannell won the Factory Stocks feature. John Johnson, Lee Ray, Brandon Whitley and Cody Chism rounded out the top 5.
Tony Shelton won the 602 Sportsman feature, and Morgan Lambert finished second.
Brandon Barnett won the Mini Stocks feature. Adrian Usilton took second.
Racing tonight at The Mag
Many of the drivers who competed Friday will compete tonight at Magnolia Motor Speedway, where the Army National Guard will present the Memorial Day Weekend Special.
The program will feature the Army National Guard Durrence Layne Late Model National Touring Series in a $2,000-to-win feature. Super Late Models, Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, Late Model Sportsman and Hot Shots will be in action as well.
Races start at 7:30 p.m.
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