Leftovers: All American 400 Weekend at Nashville
Guitars, Lawsuits, Champonships and More
By Elgin Traylor
The 2010 All American 400 at Fairgrounds Speedway (TN) was filled with stories of all types. Check out our 51 Video leftovers and other stories from this historic Super Late Model / Pro Late Model event.
The top four from the CRA Portion of the All American 400. Winner - TJ Reaid, second-place finisher Chase Elliott, third-place finisher Ross Kenseth, and fourth-place finisher Jeff Fultz.
The Final Time?
They said it was the final time, but plans are in the works to keep Fairgrounds Speedway at Nashville on the map. Sterling Marlin will be stepping up to file a lawsuit against the city. Speculation says that we might not see Nashville active in 2011, but it could return in 2012. The biggest goal is to make sure the track does not get demolished like the Birmingham Speedway in Alabama did a few years ago.
Chris Gabehart Repeats As All American Crew Chief
The last time when Chris Gabehart was at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, he won the All American 400 as a driver - back in 2008. He got to do the same thing this year, but this time as a crew chief. Gabehart got Kyle Busch Motorsports to victory lane for the first time without Kyle himself driving since 2008.
Winners By the Numbers
With Dillon Oliver’s win in the number 8 car and TJ Reaid’s win in the 51 car, it makes five wins each in the All American 400 by each car number. Eddie Hoffman and Freddie Query each had two victories with number 8 while Brian Hoppe and Jeff Purvis made up the other wins for number 51.
VanDoorn Closing in On title
It looks like it will be back-to-back CRA Super Series titles for Johnny VanDoorn this season as he has all but locked up the title with a top 10 run at Nashville.
Chase Elliott Keeps on Trucking
It’s been widely talked about here on Speed51.com that Chase Elliott is having a dream season. Elliott has already logged 11 wins in 2010, but looking at the stats perhaps the biggest surprise is how close he has been in the big events. Elliott led the Rattler 250 with only 35 laps to go, before finishing fourth. In June, he finished second in the Rowdy’s Revenge 251 at Berlin and at Nashville in the All American 400 he was second by three-quarters of a car length.
Weekend Ends On Low Note For Former Champion
Chuck Barnes Jr. had one of the best cars all weekend at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Barnes posted quick times in practice and in the race as he got up to second before the motor popped and he came to rest in the first turn.
Schoenfeld Hangs In Again for Top 10
Keep watching the white 43 of Dennis Schoenfeld, because he is making some noise after only three starts this season. With three top 10 runs in limited action, it shows that Schoenfeld could be a contender in a big race down the stretch. He’ll should also be tough at the CRA Southern Six Pack finale at Concord Speedway (NC).
Pollard and Grill Left Scratching Their Heads
Two big guns from the Deep South left Nashville wondering what little extra they might have needed. Bubba Pollard and Augie Grill both expected to contend for the win in the All American 400. They both had strong cars, but were never really factors for the win. However, they might have the last laugh because they will be two of the favorites when we hit November and roll into the World Crown 300 at the Gresham Motorsports Park.
Southern Six Pack To Be Settled at Concord
Augie Grill will have a chance to win the Southern Six Pack title when the tour heads to Concord Speedway in November for the final race at the North South Shootout. Grill unofficially enters the weekend with an 18 point lead over Chase Elliott and 24 over Ryan Blaney. If he just takes care of business he could lock up the championship, something he has never done in the past. Grill’s only championship came in 2009 when he was the overall Show Me The Money Champion at Montgomery.
Mingus Rides Back Up Car to Second-Place Finish
It was an interesting weekend for Mason Mingus, as he went from being entered in the Super Late Model show to running second in the Pro Late Model race in a backup car to Clay Alexander. Mingus was the 2010 Ken-Ten Late Model Champion and he made his mark know with a great finish in the Pro Late Model portion of the All American 400.
Tyler Miles Takes Podium in Pro Late Model Race
Former ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour regular Tyler Miles made the most of his lucky dog opportunity as he climbed back into the top five and scored a third-place finish. Miles got a run on the final restart and rocketed into the second spot before getting passed for the runner-up spot in the final 10 laps.
Alexander’s Bit Comes Up Short
Clay Alexander won three races this season at the Nashville Fairgrounds, but his bit for an All American 400 win came up short. His strong fourth-place finish will help keep him motivated as he steps away from his home track to run some of the bigger events later this season. We have already heard that he will run the Allen Turner Tune-Up this weekend at Five Flags Speedway (FL).
Video Leftovers
TJ Reaid's first win with KBM was a big one. (51 Photo)
Dillon Oliver scored the win in the Pro Late Model portion of the All American 400 at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Oliver was diving for Tony D'Ambrose and his T-1 Racing number 8 racecar.
Saying Goodbye To The Nashville Fairgrounds
Sterling Marlin has stepped up and will back the Nashville Fairgrounds in an upcoming lawsuit in an effort to save racing at the track. Marlin is a three-time track champion at the Fairgrounds.
Dillon Oliver getting the Pro Late Model win. (51 Photo)
TJ Reaid in practice. (51 Photo)
Clay Alexander;s number 84. (51 Photo)
Augie Grill working the high banks. (51 Photo)
