Jonathan Brown Hopeful about Qualifying at Bowman Gray
The young competitor hopes to make a run for the 2011 championship.

(Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC) Jonathan Brown of Winston-Salem is determined to show that there’s a new force to be reckoned with in the GMAC Insurance Modified Series at Bowman Gray Stadium.
            Brown started off his season with a series of strong finishes, proving the ability of both driver and car. But there’s one crucial area of performance that bothered Brown: his qualifying efforts.
            On a tight quarter-mile, laps tick by at breakneck speeds, and starting position is vitally important. Even though Brown was able to finish high, he had qualified third, seventh, and then eighteenth for the first three events. He knew he needed to improve if he were to have a shot at the championship.
            “Qualifying means so much over here,” said Brown, whose frustration was evident two weeks ago after qualifying 18th: “We’ve really been struggling on qualifying. We’ve thrown everything we can at it. Now, we’re just going to go back to basics.”
            Brown didn’t have much time to step it up. Saturday’s twin 25-lappers were one of the most important qualifying sessions of the season. Lineup for the first race was decided strictly by qualifying, and each position was worth double the normal points.
            But the #53 car soared during qualifying sessions, turning the second fastest lap of the night. “I’m really proud of this team. We tried some stuff, just a shot in the dark, on qualifying - and it worked out well,” said Brown.
            From the outside pole, Brown was able to fight with Burt Myers of Walnut Cove for the lead in the first few laps of last event’s first Modified race. Brown tucked back into second, unable to complete the pass. He gave Myers a few shots to the bumper but finished behind him in second.
            In the second Modified race, Brown was able to gain more position than Myers, giving him a net point gain for the event. Myers maintains the points lead, but Brown moves to only two points behind Myers.
            Brown was content with chipping away at Myers’s lead. “It’s really easy to come into a double points night and lose points. It’s incredibly hard to come in and gain them,” said Brown.
“We want to win races, but the big goal for us is to win the championship,” said Brown, who was most excited about his qualifying run. “If we keep our qualifying up like we got it, they’re in trouble the rest of year – I can tell you that,” said Brown.
            Brian Loftin of Lexington slips down to third in the points standings, with Jason Myers of Walnut Cove moving from fifth up to fourth.
In the Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series, Tommy Neal of Walkertown strengthens his points lead by finishing second in Saturday’s Whelen Sportsman 100. His nephew, Kevin Neal of Walkertown, took the checkered – rocketing him from 11th up to 5th. Bryant Robertson of Lexington and Kyle Edwards of King hold on to second and third in the points.
            Matt Cotner of Rural Hall takes over the points lead for the 104.1 WTQR Street Stock Series. John McNeal of Winston-Salem drops to second. Darren Cotner of King spun as a result of a collision but still climbed back up to finish seventh, keeping him third in the points.
            In the Freeman’s Auto Center Stadium Stock Series, Jordan Fleming of Mount Airy maintains the points lead. Michael Wells of Yadkinville moves up from sixth into second after winning on Saturday. Jason Tutterow of Mocksville ties Wells for second in the points after finishing third.
            This Saturday is a special two-day event at Bowman Gray Stadium when the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East competes at the Madhouse for the first time ever.
            On Friday night, regular adult admission is just five dollars. It will be the Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn ICE Epilepsy Night, featuring racing for the Sportsman, Street Stock, and Stadium Stock Divisions. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will qualify for starting position for Saturday’s Army Strong 150.
            And on Saturday, it’s $2 Ladies’ Night, with women being admitted for only two dollars (no escort required). In addition to the Army Strong 150, the GMAC Insurance Modified Series will duke it out in a 100-lapper. And the night will end with the always wild 109 U-Pull-It Chain Race.
Gates open at 6:00 for practice and the first race is at 8:00 – on both Friday and Saturday nights. Ticket prices, directions, and more information can be found online at www.bowmangrayracing.com or by calling (336) 723-1819.

 

GMAC Insurance Modified Series Current Points Standings

RANK	CAR	DRIVER	POINTS	GAINED LAST EVENT
1	1	Burt Myers	215	78
2	53	Jonathan Brown	213	80
3	23	Brian Loftin	205	68
4	4	Jason Myers	197	80
5	25	John Smith	195	70
6	50	Michael Clifton	189	76
7	83	Tim Brown	183	72
8	13	Chris Fleming	173	68
9	81	Austin Pack	172	78
10	71	Dean Ward	142	76
11	48	Brad Robbins	130	34
12	66	Ronnie Clifton	126	76
13	28	Joseph Brown	124	74
14	5	Randy Butner	121	46
15	64	Steven Truell	110	64

Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series Current Points Standings

RANK	CAR	DRIVER	POINTS	GAINED LAST EVENT
1	21	Tommy Neal	232	96
2	72	Bryant Robertson	209	88
3	05	Kyle Edwards	200	80
4	13	Luke Fleming	193	76
5	17	Kevin Neal	185	100
6	68	Robbie Brewer	184	72
7	86	Taylor Branch	176	84
8	50	Barry Edwards	174	68
9	02	Derek Stoltz	173	64
10	18	Kenny Bost	141	24
11	19	Michael Adams	129	44
12	38	Mitch Gales	127	56
13	3	Jeff Garrison	121	36
14	12	Evan Duggins	113	16
15	30	Cody Evans	99	48

104.1 WTQR Street Stock Series Current Points Standings

RANK	CAR	DRIVER	POINTS	GAINED LAST EVENT
1	27	Matt Cotner	228	92
2	99	John McNeal	226	88
3	9	Darren Cotner	202	76
4	32	Craig West	184	84
5	22	Brian Wall	182	100
6	00	Donnie Martin	176	96
7	4	John Holleman	164	80
8	25	Johnny Arnder	154	64
9	66	Whitney Clifton	146	52
10	23	Kris Hoots	124	72
11	21	Justin Taylor	120	44
12	39	David Thomas	110	40
13	55	Stephen Baker	102	68
14	1	David Sumner	96	0
15	13	Kevin Gilbert	94	56

Freeman's Auto Center Stadium Stock Series Current Points Standings

RANK	CAR	DRIVER	POINTS	GAINED LAST EVENT
1	13	Jordan Fleming	242	96
2	21	Michael Wells	230	100
	22	Jason Tutterow	230	92
4	58	Brandon Brendle	206	76
5	95	Billy Cameron Jr	204	88
6	39	Jimmy Absher	196	100
	24	A.J. Sanders	196	80
	6	Dale Patterson	196	80
9	56	Johnny Burke	192	56
10	69	Drew Moffitt	190	56
11	26	Derek Taylor	188	72
12	34	Chris Lawing	180	96
13	23	Kenny Dixon	178	92
	61	Charlie Curry	178	84
15	81	Chuck Wall	174	32