Momentum on Young Driver’s Side with Third Victory in a Row
CONCORD, NC (August 6, 2007) – Corey Williams is having one of those seasons most drivers would love to taste just once in their career. On June 9th, Williams scored his first Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South win at Orange County Speedway (NC). Then he followed it up with a victory in the PASS South event at Peachstate Speedway (GA) on July 3rd, serving notice to the competition he is on top of his game on the track.
Heading into the PASS South Super Late Model “Saturday of Speed” at Lanier National Speedway (GA), Williams had momentum on his side. After winning the Dash, Williams started from the pole position and drove on to victory for his third-straight win of the season.
It wasn’t an easy win for Williams, as many players factored into the race throughout the 150 laps. After only leading for two laps, Williams was passed by Preston Peltier and Heath Hindman, forcing him to settle in third on the field. This, however, was part of his race plan.
“We kind of had the same strategy that we have been running,” said Williams. “We wanted to hang back and save the tires. When we went to the back to save the tires, I started second guessing myself, wondering if that was the right move because we didn’t seem to have the car to win.”
While Williams paced himself, Peltier and Hindman traded the lead throughout the event. At the halfway point, seven cautions had slowed the race pace, but Hindman was out front logging laps as the leader, hoping to stay out front by the end of the event. Unfortunately for him, Peltier drove back on by for the lead with Williams ready to make the run to the checkered flag.
“It was fast the whole way until that last restart when Preston got by me,” said Hindman. “I guess that is when the (tire) stagger grew. We checked it when we came in and it grew a half inch, so that is what loosened the thing up. It just wasn’t near as good as it was in the beginning.”
With Hindman out of the picture, the race for the top spot heated up. No matter what he tried to do, Peltier couldn’t hold off Williams as the two swapped positions on lap 127.
“Tonight Corey just saved his tires a little better than I did,” said Peltier. “I thought we were ok because I wasn’t pushing the car but when it came time to go, he was little bit better. He’s definitely on his game right now.”
When Williams took the lead, he didn’t look back. Through all the cautions and the heat of the day, he took the checkered flag first, his third career PASS South victory.
“It seemed like the longer the race went it came into it,” said Williams. “It definitely turned around at the end. I was able to roll through the corners real good, and it paid off.
“I am so excited right now. I just can’t believe I am in victory lane for the third straight time. This is just unbelievable. I have to thank the whole team at Andy Santerre Motorsports. They work their butts off with this car and it definitely shows. I can’t thank them enough.”
While Williams, Peltier and Hindman enjoyed their day at the top of the leader boards, other drivers struggled with their car and track position. Defending race winner Jason Hogan was one, suffering from a poor qualifying performance. While fourth place was a solid finish, Hogan was frustrated with his day.
“It was pretty bad for me at Lanier I think,” said Hogan. “We have missed it in qualifying the last few weeks. We have to figure that deal out. It hurts when you have to start ninth or tenth in the back. By the time you get to the front, the race is over and the car is either wore out or you do not have enough time to do anything.
“We have won this thing three years in a row. I guess winning four-in-a-row is just pushing it a little bit. We will come back, though, and get it again.”
Also struggling throughout the night were the points leaders coming into the race. Ryan Lawler’s handling wasn’t to his liking, and at the one-third mark of the race, he decided to pit to adjust on his car.
“We were out here to win,” said Lawler. “I knew I didn’t have anything for them to win. I just came in and tried to make an adjustment to see if we could drive back up through there.
“I am pretty disappointed with the run. Like I said, we try to come out here and win. Seventh isn’t what we came out here to run. All we can do is go back to Hickory. We run pretty good there, so I am pretty pumped up to go back there.”
Dean Clattenburg was second in points entering the event, but also struggled to get the car right for the race.
“We were just behind the eight ball right off the bat,” said Clattenburg. “They made this into a two-day show and my operation isn’t up to that level. I couldn’t come and practice because our help couldn’t come. We showed up today for 25 minutes of practice and had to scuff tires. I would have been pleased with a 10th-place finish, which I think we were capable of, but we cut a tire down. The car was better than what it showed. Unfortunately, we couldn’t put it together.”
The PASS South Super Late Models will return to action on Saturday, September 29th, at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, NC.
SATURDAY OF SPEED
PASS SOUTH SUPER LATE MODELS
Lanier National Speedway
Braselton, GA
August 4th, 2007
150 Laps
Unofficial Results
1. Corey Williams
2. Preston Peltier
3. Joey Senter
4. Jason Hogan
5. Heath Hindman
6. Greg Simpson
7. Ryan Lawler
8. Grant Enfinger
9. Tim Nooner
10. Chris Whorton
11. Bobby East
12. Dean Clattenburg
13. Michael Phelps
14. David Flynn
15. Brad Bischoff
16. Mark Gibson
17. Taylor Satterfield
18. Brian Payne
19. John Batten
20. Jerrod Foley
21. Dwayne Buggay
22. Brandon Johnson
23. Kevin Perry
24. Shannon Mines
25. Zach Stroupe
26. Shane Chastain
27. Tim Pinion
28. Tom McCann
Lead Changes: 8 among 3 drivers
Lap Leaders: Corey Williams 1-2, Preston Peltier 3-15, Heath Hindman 16-19, Peltier 20, Hindman 21-38, Peltier 39-50, Hindman 51-85, Peltier 86-126, Williams 127-150
Cautions: 13
Fast Qualifier: Heath Hindman
Heat Winners: Jason Hogan, Tim Nooner, Dean Clattenburg
Dash Winner: Corey Williams
Consi Winner: John Batten