The Magnolia Motor Speedway was buzzing on Friday night, and the crowd that packed the grandstand got on their feet to cheer on Johnathan “Superman” Davenport’s wire-to-wire victory.
Due to impending weather on Saturday, sponsors at the Mag decided it was best to condense the weekend and move the 50-lap OPTIMA Batteries Clash at The Mag presented by Big River Steel Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series/COMP Cams Super Dirt Series Super Late Models to Friday. That didn’t stop the crowd from coming out in droves and it sure didn’t put a damper on Davenport’s plans.
The win was Davenport’s second at Clash at the Mag. While the top five changed several times, Davenport never lost his grip on the lead.
“I really (have to) thank my guys back at the shop and everybody at Longhorn once again for building this awesome race car, the engine ran great,” Davenport said. “It takes a team effort to win and I’ve got a good one behind me.”
For as clean of a race as Davenport ran, the rest of the race overall had several restarts and a handful of spin-outs and crashes. The restarts allowed Davenport with some fresh starts and a clean track, but they more than likely cost Jimmy Owens a second place finish as Michael Arnold nabbed the runner-up spot after the last restart.
“I spun my tires on the next to last restart there, I’m sure that screwed Jimmy up a little there. It might have cost him a second place finish,” Davenport said.
With Arnold and Owens finishing second and third respectively, Kyle Bronson and Mike Marlar rounded out the top five.
Dirt Late Models
Randall Beckwith of Kilmichael won the Trak-Star Race Cars CRUSA Dirt Late Models feature. Monte Skinner, Evan Ellis, Jeremey Shaw and Chase Williams rounded out the top five.
Columbus’ Hunter Carroll nabbed a top-10 finish, placing ninth, while Caledonia’s Colby Ponds finished 20th.
Street Stocks
Bryce Sheasby of Hattiesburg won the Murphy Towing CRUSA Street Stocks feature.
Columbus’ Lee Ray placed second, while Bo Minor, Brandon Hill and Spencer Hughes rounded out the top five.
Columbus racers Shay Knight and Eddie Rickman finished in ninth and 12th place, respectively.
Factory Stocks
Johnny Pannell of Saltillo won the William Wells 3 Star Tire and Auto Factory Stocks feature. Columbus’ Aiden Fletcher placed second, while Blake Comer, Daylan Hairston and Jamie Sudduth rounded out the top five.
West Point racer Jody Guest finished 13th, while Columbus’ Craig Barham finished not far behind at 14th. West Point’s Thomas Gable did not finish.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.