Nemecheck checks out, but fails post race inspection

Updated: April 6, 2014

The last time the Southern Super Series visited Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, the winner was young Chase Elliot. Chase also happened to win the Nationwide race at Texas this past Friday night. It was his first Nationwide Series win in only six starts. It also made him the second youngest winner in series history (to Joey Logano) at 18 years and 4 months. Could another young gun step up and take the guitar?

Augie Grill brings them to the green

After a night of dominance it looked likely, but #8 John Hunter Nemecheck’s celebration was short lived after being disqualified roughly an hour after the checkered flag. That gave the win to #2 Donnie Wilson.

Nemecheck started the Southern Super Series 125 in the second position to #112 Augie Grill’s record setting qualifying lap of 116 mph. Starting third was home town favorite Willie Allen. Unfortunately for Allen, his #26 Camry broke right after the green flag dropped. This would be the only caution of the 125 lap race (besides the half-time yellow). He would spend many laps in the pits trying to repair his race car. Allen would finish in the 21st position, 21 laps down.

John Hunter Nemecheck takes the lead on lap 20

Nemecheck’s qualifying run

Grill got off to a fast start, but he was constantly pressured by Nemecheck. John Hunter took the lead on lap 20 and never looked back. When the checkers flew, the run down looked like this:

John Hunter Nemecheck – #8
Donnie Wilson – #2
Augie Grill – #112
Anderson Bowen – #29
Landon Cling – #58
Daniel Hemric (reigning series champion) – #98

Rattler 250 Winner Casey Roderick

Previous race winner Casey Roderick finished ninth. After Nemecheck’s disqualification (illegal drive shaft), that gave the win to Donnie Wilson.

Other race winners throughout the evening were:

Dwarfs – #50 Mark Cole
Legends – #47 Kevin Rollings
Front Runner – #31 Jason Taylor
Pure Stock – Stephanie Barnes
Open Wheel Modified – #21 Tommy Climer
Super Street – #05
Sportsman – #11 Jim Jackson
Pro-Late Model – #33 Dillon Oliver

The next day of races is May 3rd. I plan on highlighting the Pro-Late Model division, which includes drivers such as Sterling Marlin, Tucker Wingo and Dillon Oliver.