Page 7 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD June 4, 2014 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports www.townscountyherald.net • E-mail: [email protected] Claire Wilson a National Champion By Jerry Kendall NASCAR 2014 Towns County Herald By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter Staff Writer Johnson strikes down the monster The Wilson family has an- tamed other ring. Dover’s Monster Mile in Sun- Last month, freshman day’s Sprint Cup race for his second consecutive victory of the Claire Wilson and the Auburn- season. Johnson led 272 laps on Montgomery Warhawk softball the way to his ninth win at Do- team won a National Champion- ver. ship following AUM’s 10-6 win “It was a great race for over William Carey. us,” said Johnson. “The car was Claire Wilson joins her great. We knew we were close to father Brad Wilson who was a the setup we wanted as soon as member of Towns County High we unloaded. Chad (crew chief School’s 1988 State Champion Chad Knaus) told me I was go- baseball team. ing to love it. Boy was he ever Brad Wilson was a second right.” round Major League Baseball Polesitter Brad Keselows- ki finished second, 0.885-sec- Draft Choice in 1989, playing three onds back. years of professional baseball. “We had an up and down When Claire Wilson signed day,” said Keselowski. “We were with AUM last spring, she talked good on the start, and then we Jimmie Johnson and daughter Genevieve look at the Monster Mile about what she has learned from went from second to 13th about trophy Johnson received for winning at Dover. Furnished by NASCAR her father. midway of the race. The handling the right and up into the wall.” Coulter, John Nemechek, Ben “My dad has been my men- came back, and the car was good , winner of Kennedy, , German tor and my biggest influence,” at the end, but we just ran out of both the Nationwide and Truck Quiroga, and . she said. “It is definitely hard to laps.” series races had a fast car and led Top-10 leaders after 5 of be coached by my dad especially , who fin- 81 laps before slamming the out- 22: 1. Peters-185, 2. Crafton-184, 3. Sauter-184, 4. Quiroga-179, 5. since he accomplished so much in ished third spun his tires on the side wall coming out of turn-3. last restart with five laps to go, His chances for a triple win were Hornaday-170, 6. Kennedy-169, his career. He has always seen my and was given a push by Clint gone and he wound up 42nd. 7. R. Blaney-166, 8. Town- talent and abilities and pushed me Bowyer, who was lined up be- KYLE BUSCH TAKES ley-159, 9. -153, 10. to be my best. I reverently refer Freshman Warhawk Claire Wilson following Auburn-Montgomery’s hind him. DOVER NATIONWIDE Coulter-142. to him as ‘the Legend’ and I am championship 10-6 victory over William Carey. “Yeah, I didn’t get off RACE HOSS ELLINGTON PASSES blessed to have had him as my too good on that last one,” said “Rowdy” Kyle Busch AWAY father and as my most influential Kenseth. “We were a little off on didn’t start off well in Saturday’s Charles “Hoss” Elling- coach.” the car, and then I didn’t get a 200-lap Nationwide race at Do- ton, one of NASCAR’s favorite Her grandfather, Bruce Wil- good restart. Bowyer didn’t mean ver, but after his team finished driver and car owners has passed son, was the armed forces athlete anything, he just wanted to get making adjustments, Busch had away at the age of 79. Ellington of the year in Panama based on his going like everyone else, and I a rocket ship and went on to win won five races as a car owner in was holding him up a little.” his third Nationwide race of the NASCAR’s Winston Cup (now stardom on the baseball field back season. Sprint Cup), and his cars had 52 in the 1960’s. Bowyer, who finished fourth talked with Kenseth after “We started off pretty top-five and 92 top-10 finishes in Now, Claire Wilson has the race, but neither driver had an bad,” said Busch. “For the first 264 races from 1968 to 1988. joined the ranks of noteworthy axe to grind with the other. 30-40 laps, I was just holding Donnie Allison won four sports accomplishments as her “Yeah, Matt kind of threw on. But about halfway, they got races in 55 starts with Ellington Auburn Montgomery softball team me off there at the end,” said it right and from then on, I had an from 1977 to 1982. is National NAIA Champion for Bowyer. “I really had no place awesome race car.” The most famous race for this year. to go. I had gotten my up, Trevor Bayne, who fin- Ellington wasn’t one he won, it As a freshman, Claire didn’t and couldn’t help getting into the ished second, turned in one of his was one he lost. In 1979, Don- see too much action on the field back of him. better performances. Bayne got nie Allison was leading the last this year but got in four of the five “We had planned our strat- a quick jump on a late-race re- lap of the Daytona 500 in El- National Championship games as egy around fuel mileage. We start to move his No. 6 Ford from lington’s No. 1 Oldsmobile when attempted to a pinch runner, scoring a run in saved fuel all day, and the end of fourth to second with just under the race didn’t play out in our fa- 50 laps to go in the race, and was slingshot under him on the back- the 10-6 championship win over vor. That last caution did us in.” able to hold on for his best finish stretch. The two crashed in Turn William Carey. , Martin of the season. 3, allowing to win. She actually had the highest Truex, , Joey Loga- “We had a top-5 car to- Allison, his brother Bobby and batting average on the team at .500 no, Jr., and Paul day,” said Bayne. “I was able to Yarborough got into a fistfight in but was just one-for-two. Menard rounded out the top-10 almost run Kyle down, but there the infield after the race, generat- The Warhawks completed finishers. was no way I was going to pass ing national headlines. its 2014 campaign with a 44-7 Top-10 leaders after 13 him. All we needed was one more Ellington also had 21 starts record and were 16-0 at home, of 36: 1. Kenseth-463, 2. Gor- adjustment, and we would have as a driver from 1968 to 1970. 15-1 away, and 13-6 at neutral don-461, 3. Edwards-438, 4. had a winning car.” Weekend Racing: The locations. They also went 25-1 in Johnson-436, 5. Earnhardt-429, 6. The remaining top-10 fin- Cup teams will be at the 2.5-mile Logano-414, 7. Kyle Busch-411, ishers: 3. , 4. Matt Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, conference play. Kenseth, 5. , 6. Kyle Pennsylvania, while the trucks The Towns County Herald 8. Keselowski-404, 9. Ham- lin-379, 10. Larson-377. Larson, 7. Brian Scott, 8. Ty Dil- are at the 1.5-mile Texas Motor congratulates Claire on a note- A portion of the Monster lon, 9. , 10. Regan Speedway, outside Ft. Worth, worthy accomplishment with Family tradition: Claire Wilson with family during Towns County Smith. Texas. The Nationwide Series Softball’s 2012 Senior Night festivities. Photo/Lowell Nicholson Mile’s track surface cracked and memories to last a lifetime. attacked Jamie McMurray’s No 1 Top-10 leaders after 12 of has an off week. car during lap 160. As he was ex- 33: 1. Smith-448, 2. Sadler-444, Fri., June 6, Camping Youth Football Registration VFW Golf iting turn two, a piece of concrete 3. C. Elliott-426, 4. Bayne-421, World Trucks race 6 of 22; Start- 5. T. Dillon-414, 6. Scott-391, 7. ing time: 8:30 pm ET; TV: Fox- Towns County Youth The first practice for the flew up and damaged the nose of League news his car, causing McMurray to hit Gaughan-341, 8. J. Buescher-332, Sports1. Football will be holding reg- 2014 Season will be on July the outside wall. NASCAR had 9. C. Buescher-328, 10. Kwas- Sun., June 8, Sprint Cup istration at the Towns County 14th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Thursday, May 29th, for the first time this season, we saw to stop the race for 23 minutes niewski-303. race 14 of 36; Starting time: 12 Recreation and Conference the Towns County High School “ROWDY” KYLE IS FOUR- noon ET; TV: TNT. 2 teams tie for the winner’s col- while speedway crews repaired Center from 2 p.m. until 4:00 Practice Field. the pothole. FOR-FOUR Racing Trivia Question: p.m. on June 7th, June 14th, There will also be a one umn. The team of Halfon, Patter- The concrete broke the Kyle Busch has started was considered one June 21st and June 28th for the day camp held on July 12th from son, Cooper and Jacobson shot a splitter on the front of his car and four truck races this season and of the best open-wheel drivers upcoming season. Ages of eli- 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Towns 68, the team of Julio, Greenwald, did other damage. After the red won them all. His latest victory before switching to NASCAR. gibility are 5 -12 years old. The County High School Practice Nichols and Grizio also shot a 68 flag period his team made repairs, came in Friday’s race at Dover. What year did he move to the registration fee is $90 which Field. There will be no cost for for the 18 holes. On the 17th hole but the extra work done on his He led 150 of the 200-laps, and NASCAR Nationwide Series? includes insurance. If your child this camp. Vince Cooper did it again, for the car put him a lap down. His team showed that he was clearly the Last Week’s Question: has not played before, you will If you have any questions, second time this season he had a asked NASCAR to give him his class of the field. Where is ’s home- need to bring a copy of your you may contact Jimmy Smith scorching shot reach the green on lap back, but they refused. He fin- His closest competitor was town? Answer. It is Lakeland, child’s birth certificate when at 706-835-6176. his second shot, as usual our tee ished 13th. , who led 48 laps, Florida. registering. time on Thursdays is 9 a.m. “I didn’t know what hap- before crashing hard into the out- You may contact the Rac- pened,” said McMurray. “When side wall during lap 56. ing Reporter at hodges@race500. I came off the corner I thought I was third, com. NT(Jun4,C1)ac Summer Day Camp at Rec Center Summer baseball had blown a tire. It pushed me to followed by Brandon Jones, Joey Summer is just around field trips, nature hikes and camp at YHC the corner and that means hot much more. Give your child a Free Seniors Fishing Rodeo and Family Fishing Festival weather and Summer Day lot to do this summer by sign- YHC’s Head Coach Rick Camp for boys and girls ages 6 ing them up for Day Camp. Robinson & his staff of college Mark your calendars! and Brook trout. thru 12. This summer the Rec- You may send your child to coaches coordinate all instruc- Chattahoochee Forest Nation- All Geor- reation Department will offer any or all of the sessions. Chil- tion to ensure a professional al Fish Hatchery located in the gia Sport Fishing 3 sessions of day camp. Each dren need to bring a swimsuit, experience for your player(s)! beautiful North Georgia Moun- Regulations will session is two weeks, running towel, sprayable sunscreen and This is a camp that will help the tains on Rock Creek Road off apply. All other Monday thru Friday from 7:30 sack lunch. The Recreation de- motivated player to get better in GA Hwy. 60 near Suches, will non-eligible fam- a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may partment will furnish drinks for a positive atmosphere. 2 Camp host a Seniors Fishing Rodeo ily members are bring your child between 7:30 the campers. weeks: June 23-27 & July 14- on Friday, June 6, 2014, from welcome to fish and 9 a.m. and pick your child No pre-registration re- 18. Three camps are offered each 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The free after 12 noon each up between 4 and 4:30 p.m. quired, just show up at the new week to accommodate players of event will be open to seniors day for remaining Session dates are as fol- Recreation Center for camp lo- all ages and levels of play. Visit ages 55 and older. There will stockers. Everyone lows: Session II June 16th thru cated off of Mining Gap Trail us on the web for more details at be free lunch, prizes and lots come on out for June 27th; Session III July 7th at 150 Foster Park Rd. www.TheRockSports.com. Reg- of great fishing! Participants the fun! Friends of thru July 18th. Our Day Camp For more information istration open: The website has a must register for free upon ar- the Hatchery, Blue offers children sport game ac- please call us at 706-896-2600. printable registration form or you rival and must bring their own Ridge Mountain tivities, social game activities, can email LuannR36@yahoo. fishing gear and bait. Trout Unlimited The Family Fishing Fes- Chapter #696 and tival will be held the next day, many other loyal Saturday, June 7, 2014, from 9 volunteers make a.m. to 12 noon. This free event these events pos- is open to youth ages 16 and sible by offering under. There will be free lunch, volunteer time prizes, educational/environ- and/or providing mental booths and a scavenger donations through hunt. Participants must register Friends of the Edgar Cantrell and his grandson Cayden Cant- for free upon arrival and must Hatchery (a non- rell holding signs with dates for each event bring their own fishing gear and profit 501(c)3) for lunch, priz- contact Chattahoochee Forest bait. Rock Creek will be stocked es and educational supplies. National Fish Hatchery at 706- with many beautiful Rainbow For more information, please 838-4723. NT(Jun4,Z2)CA U.S. Forest Service Fishing Rodeos In celebration of Na- Registration begins at 8 AM residents) can fish without a tional Fishing Week, the U. S. and is open to all fishermen license on Saturday after the SUNDAY, JUE 2, 014 Forest Service will be spon- 55 years-old and up. rodeo. Parking also will be soring 2 fishing rodeos in the There will be free re- free at Dockery Lake on June RGITO OPN—7�M upcoming weeks. Cosponsors freshments at both rodeos. 11 for the Senior Rodeo. include the Chattahoochee All registered participants Lake Winfield Scott 5K   R� T 8�M Forest National Fish Hatch- will be eligible for the draw- will be closed to fishing on ery, the Georgia Department ing for prizes donated by June 6 and June 7 in prepa- ME �K of Natural Resources-Wild- sporting goods manufactur- ration for the kid’s rodeo. It 490 ME �K A - BL���VI�E, G 3051 life Resources Division, and ers and distributors, and local will reopen at noon on June Trout Unlimited. merchants to be held after the 7 after the rodeo. Dockery Lake Winfield Scott rodeos. Lake also will be closed on Kid’s Rodeo - Saturday, June Parking at Lake Win- June 10 and 11 for the Senior 7. Registration begins at 9 field Scott will be free on Rodeo. It will reopen at noon AM and is open to all kids 16 Saturday, June 7 for the Kid’s on June 11. and under. Participants must Fishing Rodeo. In addition, For more information be accompanied by a parent the Georgia Department of call the U.S. Forest Service or guardian. Natural Resources has made office in Blairsville (706- Dockery Lake Senior Saturday, June 7, Free Fish- 745-6928). PROFITS DONATED TO A LOCAL CHARITY! Rodeo - Wednesday, June 11. ing Day. Adults (Georgia