Rusty Ballenger
photo by Ronnie Barnett
The Fort Payne Motor Speedway in Northeast Alabama off I-59 near Rainesville is slated to host its third and final United Crate Racing Alliance event of the 2017 season Saturday with Round #10 of the Title Chase.
All eyes will be on local favorite Kenny Hall (# 38) of Geraldine as he attempts to three-peat with UCRA trifecta after winning both sanctioned races (May and July) earlier this season.
Another $2,500 prize awaits the victor of the near $10,000 total payout.
Fort Payne's racing season is quickly coming to a close as Labor Day's Finale is in sight in a few weeks. Other than Hall, the "Crossville Catfish" Jesse Lowe will be expected to enter his Star Spangled Banner wrapped mount. The Crossville, Tn. second generation racer has five (yes five) in a row runner up finishes having that career Alliance/series first ever win still waiting in the wings.
Current and reigning/defending UCRA series champion Rusty Ballenger (# 29) of Seymour, Tn., will lead the charge of points challengers into Fort Payne holding a 35 point lead over "Kidd Quik" Kyle Courtney of Knoxville. The 17-year-old teenage senior is a favorite among the young/screeching female population at most tracks in the region. Courtney is battling Lowe for "Rookie of the Year" honors worth a $1,000 at the seasons end.
The "Chipper" Chip Brindle of Dalton/Chatsworth and "Hot" Rod Carroll are still positioning themselves up near the Top 5 in points with locals Robert Gant (who was last season runner up in UCRA points) and 14-year-old Sam Seawright on the outside looking in. Seawright picked up last years season finale at Fort Payne in October earning the richest payday in alliance history $5,000.
Along with the UCRA CRATE the UCRA 602/Sportsman Mini Series is in competition at Fort Payne Saturday. Round # 10 of the 12 races between FPMS and EAMS in Phenix City, Ala. pays $600 to-WIN. Super Late Models, A&B-Hobby, Pony, FWD and Bombers are all on Saturday's undercard of racing action.
Gates open at 4 p.m. CST with Drivers Meeting at 7 p.m. CST. Grandstands are $15 with Pit Admission $35. Call (256) 623-RACE for more information or visit www.FortPayneMotorSpeedwy.com, or www.UCRAracing.com online.
UCRA is a sanctioning body for Crate Late Model dirt racing and all rights and rules thereof are available to be adhered to on behalf of the United Crate Racing Alliance. 2017.
Kenny Hall
photo by Ronnie Barnett