Page 2B THETHE TOWNS TOWNS COUNTY COUNTY HERALD HERALD March March 4, 2020 4, 2020 Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports ooolgofk[gmflq`]jYd\f]lÛÝÛ<¤eYad‘Ûl[`]jYd\³oaf\klj]Yef]l Indians Baseball wins big at NASCAR 2020 By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter Riverside, performs well in Savannah Bowman Gets Second Cup Win FONTANA, CA - picked up his second ca- reer NASCAR Cup Series victory this past Sunday, as he outraced the Busch Brothers. Bowman led five times for 110 laps of the 200 lap race. He was near the front for most of the race. He relinquished the lead briefly when he made his last un- der green, but regained it on lap 170 and finished the race by nearly 9-seconds ahead of . Bowman, the 26-year-old Arizonan, grew up racing almost weekly in nearby Pomona. “I grew up racing just 20 minutes from here, so this is really a special day,” said Bowman. “We’ve been so good to start this season. We didn’t win the other races, but but we’ve had a nearly perfect team. We’ve got to go win a bunch more, but man, it feels good to have Bowman Gets Second Cup Win one this early.” Hamlin-94, 8. DiBenedetto-87, 9. Racing and a few of NASCAR’s Kyle Busch moved into sec- Larson-86, 10. Almirola-82. other teams are doing well, Hen- ond-place after had to GETS drick Motorsports has fallen on lean pit with three laps to go. FIRST XFINITY WIN times. Bowman’s win this past Sun- The Indians went 2-1 during their three-game road trip to Savannah last week. Photo/Lisa Oakes. “Yeah, we have a lot of work Harrison Burton, son of for- day was something they needed. The four-car organization By Chad Stack nings and helping the Indians a Saturday doubleheader on to do,” Kyle Busch said. “Guys did mer NASCAR racer, a great job here, though, just trying held off teammate for was the top Cup Series team for Towns County Herald win their season opener that Feb. 29. to work on it and trying to make ev- his first career Xfinity Series victory years. From 2010-14, they claimed Staff Writer Tuesday. Freshman Caleb Berrong erything that we could out of it all Saturday at Fontana. 43 victories. There were four Next up, the Indians trav- started on the mound for the day long, all weekend long. The car “To get a win feels so good, straight championships from 1995- Towns County Baseball, eled to Savannah to play three Indians against the Redskins. wasn’t a winning car, but thankfully especially after we struggled a little 98; another in ’01; five straight from 3-1, started the 2020 season games starting Thursday, Feb. Berrong pitched through four we got a good finish out of here — bit last year,” Burton said. “Once 2006-10; and two others in ‘13 and with a big win on the road in 27. innings, giving up eight hits we tried to get some points. we moved up to the top at the end, it ‘16. But that changed after the 2016 “We’ve unloaded the last was going to be hard for him to pass season. Over the last five seasons, Gainesville, defeating River- On the way to Savannah, and eight runs while striking 2015-19, the team reached victory side Military Academy 10-2 on the Indians and Head Baseball out two batters. two weeks — I don’t think we’ve us. Just trying to be smart and not had to make a change in the race car put it in the wall leading.” lane just 25 times. In 2018, there Tuesday, Feb. 25. Coach Shannon Floyd took the Kinsey was called to the were just three wins. time to visit the National Mu- from how it came off the truck. That was third, fol- The Indians were sup- mound to start the sixth inning, makes my job a heck of a lot easier. lowed by , Justin Haley, ’s 2016 sea- posed to host Riverside on seum of the Mighty Eighth Air and while Kinsey held Bryan I’m just so proud of this team. We , , son was the last really good one. Monday, Feb. 24, but were Force in Pooler, Georgia. County scoreless to close the put a lot of effort into this new car, , Jeremy Clements, Today, is the forced to reschedule their home “During the visit, our game, the Indians were unable and it’s obviously worked out really and Josh Williams. one doing the chasing, digging deep opener due to inclement weath- team learned about the Mighty to generate enough offense to well.” Top-10 leaders after 3 of 33: and searching for week-to-week er, which is why they faced off Eighth and the great sacrifices mount a comeback. was third, while 1. H. Burton-136, 2. Briscoe-126, 3. consistency. made by all Americans in the finished fourth. Cindric-118, 4. Sieg-112, 5. Haley- “It’s one of those things,” against the Eagles Tuesday in After dropping the first said . “You accept it, Gainesville instead of in Towns defense of our freedom dur- game of the doubleheader, how- Elliott’s team was off this 105, 6. B. Jones-103, 7. Chastain- week. He did not win either stage of 100, 8. Annett-99, 9. Gragson-98, but you don’t like it. It’s hard, and County. ing World War II,” the Towns ever, the Indians bounced right it’s going to be hard. But I feel good County Schools Facebook back with a convincing 12-6 the race, or lead any laps. 10. Allgaier-98. During the game, the was fifth, Other Racing News: Matt about where we are, and I’m ex- Eagles jumped out to a 2-0 lead page said. win over the Liberty County was sixth and Jim- DiBenedetto is having his best-ever cited about the future. I hate to see in the second inning, scoring The first of the team’s Panthers. mie Johnson, who started on the start of a season. It’s clearly still too Jimmie hang it up, because of just their only runs in the game. The three games in South Georgia They kicked things off outside pole, led 3 times for 10 laps early to judge his entire season. But his contribution to the sport and to Indians answered right back was against Windsor Forest with a 4-0 lead in the top of finished seventh. his results thus far give some reason our company, and the kind of guy with a score to cut Riverside’s Knights, whom the Indians the first inning, tacking on two “Our team is going in the for optimism. With finishes of 19th he is. But we’re determined to give defeated 15-6 on Thursday. more runs in the second and two right direction,” Johnson said. “I’ve at Daytona, a second at Las Vegas, him every opportunity to go out the lead to one in the third. way a champion should.” Both teams went score- They were down 5-2 in more runs in the third to give known in my heart what I’m ca- he is showing the stuff which real pable of and what our team is. … racers are made of. Racing Joke: During lunch less through the next three the bottom of the second, but at Towns County a commanding break at the race car shop, Kevin the top of the third, the Indians 8-2 lead heading into the fifth We just faded too much at the end. He moved to the Cup Se- innings before the Indians I thought I was going to blow a , ries in 2015, but it was with several and one of the mechanics take a lit- mounted a 9-0 run – one score scored three runs of their own to inning. but we salvaged a top-10 out of it. under-funded organizations includ- tle walk along a side street. A man is in the seventh inning and eight tie the game at five apiece. The Indians added two It’s a huge thing for us out here in ing BK Racing, holding a sign that reads: “Talking more in the eighth – to close From there, Towns more runs in the sixth and California. There’s been great vibes and then in dog for sale, $10.” the game, defeating Riverside County never looked back, as two more in the seventh to de- the whole weekend.” 2019. Each organization unfolded Kevin couldn’t believe his Military Academy 10-2 for they continued to put runs on feat the Panthers 12-6 in what Johnson’s winless streak with more disappointments and ears, when the dog said, “Please the board, adding two runs in served as a sweet victory to now stands at 98, the worst of his a few moments of glory, leaving buy me. I’m a great dog. I played their season opener. professional football. I was even Sophomore Collin the fourth inning while holding officially mark the end of their career. DiBenedetto looking for more. , Kevin Har- Over the years, DiBenedetto nominated most valuable player.” Crowder started on the mound the Knights to just one run that trip to Savannah. “That dog really does talk,” for the Indians and pitched the same inning, and putting up Crowder started on the vick, and were the re- has formed a trend of closing one maining top-10 finishers. door for another to open. And so Kevin gasped. “Why in the world first two innings, giving up eight more runs in the fifth. mound for the Indians in their Ryan Blaney won Stage 2 it was with announcing his inten- do you want to sell him for just ten three hits and two runs while The game was ultimately second game on Saturday. He and led 54 laps. He was running tion to leave Leavine Family Rac- dollars?” retiring three batters. called after only five innings pitched into the sixth inning, second when a right rear tire went ing at the end of the 2019 season. “He never played profes- Cabe Poston, also a due to the mercy rule, where only giving up three hits and flat and he had to pit with three laps And just like that, the newest door sional football,” said the dog’s sophomore, took to the mound one team is declared a winner four runs through five innings, to go. opened for DiBenedetto. With Paul owner, “And I can’t stand a liar.” if its ahead by a certain while retiring six batters. “Frustrating, that’s all I can Menard retiring, he was leaving the Weekend Racing: NA- for the third inning, pitching SCAR racing continues its west- through four innings while only of runs. Poston was called to the say,” said Blaney. “We run good No. 21 seat open at Wood Brothers and almost every week something Racing. ward swing. This weekend the Cup giving up one hit and striking Senior Jacob Kinsey mound to close the match, and and Xfinity teams will be at the one- out five batters. started on the mound Thursday he allowed two hits and two pops us to either cost us a win or a DiBenedetto joined Wood good finish.” Brothers Racing for the 2020 sea- mile . Junior Aidan Berrong against the Knights, followed runs and struck out one batter in Polesitter, fin- son. And from the start, it seems a Sat, Mar. 7; Xfinity Series was called to the mound in the by Berrong, then sophomore just over one inning pitched. ished one lap down in 23rd. perfect match for both sides. His race 4 of 33; Starting time: 4 PM seventh inning, as the Indians Brack Burrell. The Indians go on the Top-10 leaders after 3 of second-place finish at Las Vegas ET; TV: Foxsports1. were in a tie ballgame with Towns County then went road again this week to take 36: 1. Blaney-122, 2. Logano-111, will make the rest of the season fun Sun, Mar. 8; Cup Series race the Eagles. Berrong closed the up against the Bryan County on Tallulah Falls Wednesday, 3. Bowman-110, 4. Harvick-110, to watch. 4 of 36; Starting time: 3:30 PM ET; Redskins for the first game of March 4, at 4:30 p.m. 5. Johnson-106, 6. Elliott-105, 7. While Gibbs Racing, Penske TV: Fox. game, pitching two hitless in- Racing Trivia Question: Who won the 1970 NASCAR Cup Annual Duncan Dash 5K Run/Walk Series Championship? Last Week’s Question: to benefit Haven Project of Georgia Who was the first woman to qual- The 4th Annual Duncan first-come, first-serve to later ify for the ? Answer. Dash 5K run/walk and fun run registrants, including those who It was Janet Guthrie in 1977. She will be held March 21st at 8:30 sign up the day of the race, as finished 12th after losing an engine AM at Meeks Park in Blairs- long as supplies last. with 12 laps to go. I talked with her ville. This year, it will benefit a Awards will be given for in 1999, and she told me NASCAR local non-profit, Haven Project the overall male and female win- and their entire racing system, in- of Georgia. ners, overall masters male and cluding drivers, had not accepted women when she entered the sport The race will start and end female winners, and three deep in the 1970s. at Pavilion #3 and the gazebo in ten-year age groups from 10 “The first time I went to near the softball fields and play- and under to 70 and over. The Daytona they didn’t want to let me ground and will include a beau- team or group showing the most into the pits,” she said. “I continued tiful route through Meeks Park spirit will also be recognized. to ask why, and they said it was and the dog park. All proceeds from the race because dresses were not allowed. To register in advance, will benefit Haven Project of I kept insisting, and finally, Jim go to www.active.com and look Georgia, a non-profit organiza- Hunter, who was the P/R person sat for 4th Annual Duncan Dash or tion that serves individuals with down at a desk. He took his pants email duncandash5k@gmail. disabilities and their families in off, gave them to me, and I was al- com for a paper registration north Georgia and western North lowed to go into the pit area wear- ing Jim’s pants.” form. Participants with dis- Carolina by offering free educa- Gerald Hodges is a syndicat- abilities can register for free by tion, advocacy, and respite pro- ed NASCAR writer and author. His emailing havenprojectofga@ grams. Haven is neighbors help- books may be viewed and ordered gmail.com. Race t-shirts are ing neighbors get access to the online at Amazon.com. You may guaranteed to those who register programs and services they need contact him by e-mail at: hodges@ Towns County’s baseball players visited the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum during their trip. by March 7th and will be given to live their best lives. race500.com. MOTORCRAFT® MOTORCRAFT® BUY FOUR COMPLETE BATTERY SELECT BRAKE SERVICE GET $ $ UP TO $80 REBATE 159 Pirelli $80 Brake pads or shoes Michelin, Bridgestone, Toyo $70 Machining rotors or drums 20 Goodyear, Dunlop, BF Goodrich, General Tire $60 Labor included Firestone, Yokohama, Nitto $50 REBATE *Exclusions apply. Taxes extra. See participating U.S. dealership *Per-axle price on most vehicles. Exclusions apply. Taxes extra. See *Exclusions apply. Taxes extra. See participating U.S. dealership for details through 3/31/20. participating U.S. dealership for details for details through 3/31/20.

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