FriDAY Sports May 4, 2018 McMinnville, Tennessee B

The art of racing

art larson

Logano notches first win

Last Sunday, a good crowd was hoping for some excitement as the NASCAR Cup Series raced at Talladega. It took a while for some excitement to occur as most cars went around the track in single file for the first stage, which was won by . Fords were the dominant cars, leading 126 of 188 laps. Racing picked up during Stage 2 as the first of two major incidents occurred on lap 71, involving six cars. , Eric Jones and Kyle Jeffery Simmons photo Larson were put out of the Lexie Chadwell, one of three seniors honored Tuesday, makes a play at first during a 15-0 win over Stone Memorial. race. Jamie McMurray, and Martin Truex Jr. were able to con- tinue. Stage 2 was won by . The Team Penske Fords of and Keselowski dominated Snagging a victory most of the second half of the race when on lap 166, by JEFFERY SIMMONS game at home, Warren hits and five RBIs in the been great for our program. They will be missed on and Sports Editor for the Southern Standard County High School Lady Pioneers’ seventh They’ve gotten better each off the field.” "the big one" happened in (McMinnville, Tennessee) turn 3. Fourteen cars were thumped Stone Memorial straight win. It was indica- season,” said coach Gooby Maddie Cantrell earned involved with seven of in four innings, winning tive of their contributions Martin. “They have a sea- the victory, throwing her them unable to continue. The senior night softball 15-0 over the Lady Panthers. for the last two seasons, son championship and first shutout of the season started the game barely lasted longer Hope Mullican, Lexie where Warren County has co-season championship in while holding the Lady race from the pole and led than the pregame festivi- Chadwell and Kyra Hillis established itself as one of the last two years. It’s some- Panthers to just four hits in the early laps. Sixteen dif- ties. played big parts in the the best teams in the thing to be proud of. her four innings of work. ferent drivers took turns On a night where three blowout victory, with the Midstate. “They are all having their leading the race with seniors played their final seniors combining for eight “These three seniors have best seasons as seniors. Continued on 2B Logano being in the lead when the lap-166 incident took place. When the race resumed, Logano led the rest of the way, notching his first victory in 2018. This ended a 36-race win- less streak, dating back to Winning big the spring Richmond race in 2017, only to have that by JEFFERY SIMMONS race “encumbered.” Sports Editor for the Southern Standard entering the tournament on This was Logano’s fourth (McMinnville, Tennessee) a high note. career restrictor-plate win Warren County downed and his third in the last six visiting Central Magnet 10-3, races at Talladega. Already assured of its spot earning its 16th win of the You have to be in in the upcoming district year and fifth straight over- contention at the end of a tournament, the Warren all. race in order to win, but it County High School base- The Pioneers wasted little seemed that most of the ball team took the field time taking down the Tigers, drivers were taking this Tuesday in what amounted jumping out to a 5-0 lead strategy too far. There were to a tune-up game for post- through two innings before not enough attempts at season play. putting it in cruise control. winning, as drivers seemed If the outcome was any content to follow one indication, the Pioneers are Continued on 6B another. This may be the Jeffery Simmons photo result of aerodynamics. Two Pioneers made their pledge Tuesday to continue their football careers. seemed to Pictured are, from left, WCHS coach Tom Moore, Luke Nesbitt (Tusculum Col- sum it up best during a lege) and Trayton Rackley (Cumberland University). post-race interview. “I got to the end (of the race), and those guys around me were working together so much,” Elliott said. “I thought for sure one of them wanted to win On another level a little worse than what they did. They were being by JEFFERY SIMMONS the last three seasons. Rackley believes his Sports Editor for the Southern Standard very patient with one (McMinnville, Tennessee) Rackley was a stalwart new school will be a great another, and I was sur- in the middle of the fit. prised by that. Pioneer defense for most “I thought it was the “If it was me, I feel like I Two Pioneers made of his career. It seemed to best fit for me. I like the would have wanted to try, their pledge Tuesday to be an easy transition to be school, I have friends there or do something. Those continue their football the captain of the defense and I like the new coach,” guys weren’t having it. I careers at the next level. after serving as a quarter- said Rackley. was trying to move for- Linebacker Trayton back for several years A leader on and off the ward, and make a lane, Rackley signed to play while playing youth and field, coach Moore believes and push, and they were next fall at Cumberland middle school football. Rackley has the skills nec- not interested in advanc- University, while defen- Tuesday was a culmina- essary to make an impact. ing.” sive lineman Luke Nesbitt tion of years of hard work “Trayton has been a Drivers did not seem to will be pressuring quarter- for Rackley toward one three-year starter for us. want to risk their advanta- backs as a member of the goal: continuing his foot- He is a very aggressive geous spots in the draft. Tusculum College ball career in college. linebacker and made a Therefore, it is easy to Pioneers. “My dream has always number of big play for understand Elliott’s frus- “It’s exciting for these been to play collegiate us,” said Moore. “He tration about drivers who guys to get a chance to football,” said Rackley. “It comes from a great family seemingly did not want to keep playing and to fur- is something I started and I am very happy for win. ther their education,” said thinking about from the him.” Jeffery Simmons photo Sundays race is in Dover, Pioneer coach Tom Moore, first time I really started Hunter Adams guns down a runner from Del., at the “Monster Mile.” who has coached both for playing.” Continued on 4B shortstop during Tuesday's 10-3 win.

Mary PoPPins Admission ~ sing a-Long ~ FREE May 12th at Dusk

IN THE Pepper Branch Park 25548 * If weather is too cold or wet, movie will be shown inside the Civic Center PARK 500 Garfield Street | McMinnville Civic Center | 931-473-1212