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East Bay Finale Features 63 Dirt Late Models

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By BILL GREEN

Tribune Correspondent

Published: December 19, 2008

GIBSONTON - The finale at East Bay Raceway Park had everyone on their feet as Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Tenn., won the $10,000 first prize in the NeSmith Crate Late Model event. It was his first big pay day.

Billed as the Crate Late Model World Championship, this year-end event packs the house every time it comes to town.

Josh Peacock from Dover, was the highest finisher for the local racers, breaking into the Top-5 with his fifth-place finish.

"We had a great run," Peacock said. "I know we can do better, but this was the cream of the dirt crate late model crop and we hung with them both nights."

The event was run over two nights to accommodate the 63 cars that attempted to qualify on Dec.12. Heat races also were run on Dec.12, with the last-chance B-Mains run on Dec.13 before the $10,000-to-win, 100-lap feature.

Following Peacock across the line in sixth was Plant City's Phillip Cobb, with three other Florida racers getting into the Top-10. Clearwater's Bryan Bernhardt was eighth, Baker's Larry Boutwell ninth and Tampa's Jeff Mathews 10th.

Dade City driver Shan Smith added some excitement as he came from the last starting spot, 18th, in the second B-Main to win the race in just 15 laps.

"Wow, I thought I had no chance to win the last-chance race, but I knew I had to make it to third to transfer," Smith said. "When I got to the 9 car (Frank Ingram, Woodstock, Ga.) in second with five to go and the caution came out, that's when I decided I should go for the win if I could."

The entire grandstand shook as everyone came to their feet when Smith began his charge to the front. Eventual second-place finisher Ronnie Johnson from Chattanooga, Tenn., could not catch Smith after he was passed for the lead. Smith managed only a disappointing 17th-place finish in the main event.

East Bay racers will celebrate their divisional champions January 16-17. The Go Karting Awards are Jan.16 and the Stock Car Awards are Jan.17. This year's banquet will be held at The Barn located in Lihtia. Call 813-677-RACE for more information.

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