Special to the Daily Journal
ROCKINGHAM — Everyone will be chasing Clayton’s Randall Blinson Nov. 7 to 8 when the 2015 Hoosier Tires Carolina Coalition Series races to a conclusion on the same Rockingham Dragway track on which it began eight months earlier.
After three of four races, Blinson leads Wilmington’s Chad Duke and Pleasant Garden’s T.G. Paschal by a scant four points in the battle for the Top ET title. Stanfield’s Joseph Hartsell, former Coalition champion Tommy Plott of Winston-Salem and Raleigh’s Gary Ingold are just one point further back.
Carolina Coalition points are awarded for both participation and success. Three points are awarded for each first round appearance with a one point bonus for each round won.
Other current point leaders include Dunn’s Justin West in Footbrake and Ryan Howard of Pelzer, South Carolina, in Jr. Dragster.
As a bonus, the race also will count toward 2016 Rockingham Dragway track championship. The 2015 champions already have been crowned and are expected to be in the field for the Coalition finale. Fayetteville standouts Lee Desist and Noah Johnson won their second consecutive track titles in Pro ET and Jr. Dragster, respectively. Clayton’s Eric Aman prevailed in Footbrake.
Points standings
ROCKINGHAM — Hoosier Tires Carolina Coalition point standings after the first three of four events in the series (all hometowns, North Carolina unless otherwise indicated):
TOP ET – 1. Randall Blinson, Clayton, 36; 2. Tie, Chad Duke, Wilmington, and T.G. Paschal, Pleasant Garden, 32 each; 4. Tie, Joseph Hartsell, Stanfield, 1971 Dodge Dart, Tommy Plott, Winston-Salem, and Gary Ingold, Raleigh, 31 each; 7. Tie, Gary Ingold, Raleigh, second entry, Tommy Plott, Winston-Salem, second entry, and Michael Paschal, Pleasant Garden, 29 each; 10. Todd Baker, Greensboro, 28; 11. Charles Doss, Statesville, 27; 12. Jordan Wike, Farmington, 26; 13, Tie, T.G. Paschal Pleasant Garden, second entry, and John Bridges, Shelby, 24 each; 15. Tie, Chris Carpenter, Russ Whitlock, Mocksville, and Lee Desist, Fayetteville, 23 each.
FOOTBRAKE – 1. Tie, Justin West, Dunn, 1969 Chevy Camaro, and Kelly Stevens, Sawmills, 38 each; 3. Kelly Stevens, Sawmills, second entry, 37; 4. Ross Freeman, Westerville, S.C., 1979 Chevy Camaro, 35; 5. Jeff Flood, Mocksville, 32; 6. Ernie Humes, Troutman, 31; 7. Tie, Edward Freeman, Kershaw, S.C., and Edward Freeman, Kershaw, S.C., second entry, 30 each; 9. Tesz Powell, Morganton, 28; 10. Tie, Derek Harris, McLeansville, and Jeff Flood, Mocksville, second entry, 27 each.
JR. DRAGSTER – 1. Ryan Howard, Pelzer, S.C., 38; 2. Ashleigh Stafford, Kernersville, 34; 3. Dillon Goodnight, NA, 32; 4. Tie, Jacob Baker, Yorktown, Va., and Isaac Bridges, Shelby, 31 each; 6. Kaylee Love, Youngsville, 29; 7. Tie, Gavin Whisnant, Dallas, and Dylan Branscome, Hillsville, Va., 25 each; 9. Branson Hutchens, Hamptonville, 24; 10. Saylar Bustle, Sherrills Ford, 17.