Page 5C JulyTHE 1, NORTH 2020 THEGEORGIA NORTH NEWS GEORGIA July 1, NEWS 2020 Page 5C NASCAR 2020 Hill... continued from Page 4C By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter ris was where I wanted to go. a small town and was looking for NGN: Why did you start a school that had a small-town, Three NASCAR Races In One Day At Pocono taking a harder look at Young Blairsville-like feel. LONG POND, PA - NA- Harris? Was there something NGN: Did you consider SCAR held three races Sun., that changed your mind during any other schools? June 28 at . those last few weeks? AH: I spoke with Shorter It was the first time three NA- AH: Not really. Well, quite a bit but eventually turned SCAR series races were raced maybe kind of. I guess it was just them down. That was a little too on the same day at the same a combination of being out of far from home, especially when track. school and the basketball season I had Young Harris as an option. won Sun- coming to an end. I really missed I’m also more familiar with day’s Cup Series race, with playing ball and being around (Coach Huffman) than I am with getting the Xfin- my friends and teammates. the Shorter coach. Plus, I know ity Series race. Brandon Jones I started talking it over her a lot better. was victorious in the Truck race. There was also a Saturday with my family and came to NGN: You posted your Cup Series race won by Kevin the conclusion that that’s what I announcement on social media. Harvick. wanted to do. But now that you’ve had time Hamlin led 49 laps of NGN: Would you say your for the decision to marinate, is Sunday’s 140-lap race, but was family was in the pro-Young there anything you would like running behind Harvick, who Harris camp? If it were me, I to add to it, anyone you want to decided to pit with 36 laps re- would want my son/daughter to mention? Andelin Hill on Union County maining. Hamlin took the lead, High’s virtual signing day. , Winner Of Saturday’s Cup Race stay nearby so I could see them AH: I would like to thank but waited for about 10 more and attend every home game. everyone that helped me along Isaac Peugh, for filming and laps before he entered the pits. needed to be to start the race AH: That was a big thing the way - all of the camps I’ve doing the videos for the school. He was able to get out of the pits and lost a bunch of track po- for me; that was a big thing for attended, my travel-ball team- And people like you that covered and back on the track in front of sition, but we came back and all of us. Being able to stay close mates, coaches and everyone us, took pictures and always Harvick. From then on, it was made some great strategy calls got our names out there to help Hamlin’s race to lose, and he to home and having my family that hosted camps for us. to get in clean air and get out promote us. took the checkered flag 3.068- front and make some good come to all of my games is im- I’m also thankful for ev- seconds ahead of Harvick. laps,” said Harvick. “It’s great portant. I also wanted to stay in eryone at the high school, like “Yeah, we had great to finally check Pocono off the strategy,” said Hamlin. “To- list.” day’s race was really won in , who led Sanchez... continued from Page 4C the shop. It’s unreal the way the most laps (61 of 130 laps) since my 400 times had come NGN: You said earlier hope to make as a freshman? this car performed. There at the was third, followed by Christo- down. that Mercer didn’t have your ZS: I am really hoping end all I had to do was work my pher Bell, , Martin NGN: How do you stay major. What was your original that I can (contribute). Mercer way through traffic.” Truex Jr., , Mi- motivated to win another cham- major and what changed? signed a really strong class for Hamlin was second to chael McDowell, Brad Kesel- pionship when you’re already ZS: At first, I wanted to cross country, and we’re also Harvick on Saturday, so their owski, and . won State three times. major in Microbiology, but now bringing in a transfer, so I’m 1-2 finish was reversed a day HOW WILL Denny Hamlin, Winner Of Sun- ZS: I feel like I have I’m going to major in Biology excited to see how I stack up later. JOHNSON GO OUT with a focus on microbiology, against all the other new girls. For Harvick, finishing day’s Cup Race something to prove to myself. has an- I also hope that I can make an second was bittersweet. nounced this will be his last I’m not concerned with what which I can do at Mercer. Then ning Richard drove his secre- I hope to go on and do my impact overall because most “Our Ford was fast,” said season in NASCAR racing. tary home after she had worked other people think, but I have Harvick. “We got caught up in Right now, it seems as late at the race car shop. Al- to show it to myself. It’s a Graduate Degree. of the older girls have been lap traffic there at the end and though Johnson has either a though this was an innocent battle with myself. Whenever NGN: What will you together for a long time. wasn’t able to catch Denny. mental block or lost confi- gesture, he did mention it to his I go out there, my head tells do when you’re all done with NGN: Is there anything Maybe we should have pitted dence. wife because he knew her jeal- me that I can’t do it, and that’s school? that worries you about compet- differently. We just didn’t get “I’m human,” Johnson ous nature. what motivates me to prove ZS: Well, it’s kind of a ing at the next level? it done.” said. “I would assume every Later that night Richard that I can. big word, but I want to be a ZS: Not really. I trust my was third, fol- athlete would … it’s easy to and his wife were driving out NGN: Another secret Parasitologist. It’s a person training, so I’m not very wor- lowed by , Aric have your confidence shaken. to dinner in Charlotte. Sud- you need to share is how you who studies parasites. I will be ried about the step up in com- Almirola, Matt DiBenedetto, When you get on a roll and feel denly he noticed a high-heeled on the clinical side, so I’ll offer petition. My biggest concern is William Byron, Clint Bowyer, stayed healthy while competing that momentum on a positive shoe half hidden under the pas- in all those different events for treatment and provide aid to balancing sports and academics , and Martin side, it works for you. senger seat. Not wanting to be Truex Jr. “And then when it goes four years? those with parasites. and being able to focus enough conspicuous, he waited until NGN: Did you consider on each one. But I think once I was the win- the other way, if you shank a his wife was looking out her ZS: Well, it helps to be a ner of Stage 1, while Brad Kes- ball in a golf tournament, and window before he scooped up hypochondriac. If I start having any other schools? get there, I’ll be fine. elowski took Stage 2. you go, ‘Oh, no. I’ve got the the shoe and threw it out the any pain, I freak out and every- ZS: I talked to Colum- NGN: Is there anyone Kyle Busch is still win- shanks.’ If you’re not perform- car. one is like, it’s alright; you’re bus State and Kennesaw, but you want to mention or thank? less. He was tapped from be- ing well on the race track, you With a sigh of relief, he fine. So I guess it just helps to both of them sort of fell by the ZS: I want to thank hind by on lap 74 go, ‘Man. Am I a part of this pulled into the restaurant park- be that way. wayside once I started talking my team, my parents and my and hit the wall. His car was problem?’” ing lot. That’s when he noticed NGN: How and when did with Mercer. coaches. My mom would al- damaged too much for him to During the Talladega his wife squirming around in you find yourself on Mercer’s NGN: Did you two dis- ways drive me and show up continue and he finished 38th. race, Johnson had a fast car. He her seat. radar? cuss running both track and at my meets. Even when she Top-10 leaders: 1. Har- was making his way to the front “Honey,” she asked, cross country at Mercer, or will couldn’t make it, she would call vick-581, 2. Blaney-529, 3. ZS: I had a profile on the when he was bumped by Kevin “have you seen my other NCSA (Next College Student you focus on one sport? right away, asking how I did. It Keselowski-514, 4. Elliott-510, Harvick and sent spinning. Had shoe?” 5. Hamlin-506, 6. Logano-500, he not wrecked, he would have Athlete) website, and I got an ZS: I’m going to run was a long journey and I want Weekend Racing: In- track and indoor and outdoor to thank everyone that helped 7. Truex Jr.-500, 8. Bowman- gotten a good finish and maybe dyCar and NASCAR will race email from Mercer. At first (my 464, 9. Almirola-431, 10. Kurt a win. But that’s racing. To win July 4 weekend at family and I) just blew it off cross country. I’m actually me along the way. Busch-430. or finish well, you’ve got to be Motor Speedway as part of a and said ‘no thanks’ because looking at the steeplechase (a NGN: What will you Results of the NASCAR there at the end. rescheduling of events at the they didn’t offer my major, and long-distance race that includes miss most about high school? Xfinity Series race, held Sun., After winning his re- speedway. second, we thought it would be barriers and jumps). I’m talking ZS: Seeing everybody. June 28 at Pocono: 1. Chase cord-tying seventh Cup Series IMS moved its GMR way too expensive. with coaches about doing that All of my friends. That’s the Briscoe, 2. , 3. championship in 2016, John- Grand Prix from May 9 to July So he emailed me back, and maybe some other events. main reason I went to school a , 4. Myatt son picked up the following 4. It will run on the road course and this time I spoke with him, NGN: What are your lot of times. Snider, 5. , 6. year right where he left off. He at Indianapolis Motor Speed- which was probably around expectations for year one? How I probably shouldn’t have , 7. Brett Moffitt, began the 2017 season by win- way before the NASCAR Xfin- late-February or early-March. much of a contribution do you said that. 8. , 9. , ning three of the first 13 races, ity Series runs on that course 10. . ending with his most recent He was able to get (tuition) that same day. Cup cars will down to where it was affordable Top-10 leaders: 1. Bris- Cup Series win at Dover Inter- race on the oval on July 5. coe-499, 2. Gragson-496, 3. national Speedway on June 4, Saturday morning, In- for me. He worked really hard Chastain-466, 4. Cindric-453, 2017. dyCar will give its teams a 30- with the admissions office to 5. H. Burton-404, 6. Haley- Since then he been on a minute warmup period start- bring the cost down, and that 401, 7. Allgaier-386, 8. B. career-long 111-race winless ing at 9 a.m. The 80-lap road really proved just how much he Jones-376, 9. Annett-339, 10. streak. Could it be his team? course race is scheduled to be- wanted me on the team. I felt Sieg-301. Two other Hendrick driv- gin at noon and will be broad- really wanted there, so that’s Results of the NASCAR ers, Alex Bowman and Chase cast on NBC. After finishing why I chose Mercer. Truck Series race, held Sun., Elliott each have wins. the weekend’s open-wheel Unlike some other sports, June 28 at Pocono: 1. Brandon Despite having won only racing portion, the Xfinity cars you don’t get a lot of money for Jones, 2. , 3. Shel- two of 13 races, Hendrick Mo- will take to the same circuit for cross country or track-and-field don Creed, 4. , 5. torsports has already proven to the Pennzoil 150 at 3 p.m., also scholarships. The most anyone Ben Rhodes, 6. Ross Chastain, be more competitive than it was on NBC. 7. Brett Moffitt, 8. Stewart at any point during the past two On Sunday, the NA- usually gets is about $4,000. Friesen, 9. Tyler Ankrum, 10. seasons. SCAR Cup Series race will NGN: Was there any- . Hendrick drivers have start at 4 p.m. on NBC. thing else that sold you on Top-10 leaders: 1. Hill- led 931 laps through the first Racing Trivia Question: Mercer? 252, 2. Rhodes-202, 3. Enfin- 13 races this year rank second, Who won the first NASACAR ZS: Other than the coach, ger-192, 4. Creed-187, 5. Gil- and are more than the team had Cup Series race at Indianapolis it was probably the fact that liland-187, 6. Eckes-179, 7. Z. led in the first 13 races of 2018 Motor Speedway? they accepted all of my dual- Smith-177, 8. Ankrum-174, 9. and 2019 combined. HMS also Last Week’s Question: enrollment credits. They also Moffitt-170, 10. Sauter-168. leads all Cup Series teams (by Red Farmer has always been have an excellent medical pro- “HAPPY” HARVICK five) with 11 stage wins, signal- dubbed as part of the Alabama gram, which is what I’m going HOLDS OF HAMLIN ing that perhaps the best is still Gang, but is he a native Ala- Kevin Harvick took ad- yet to come. into. So I would have to say it bamian? Answer. Red was born was all of those things. vantage of a a two-tire But no matter where he in Nashville, some- Zoe Sanchez on Union County High School’s virtual signing day. with 36 laps left to hold off finishes this season, Johnson time between 1928 and 1932. Denny Hamlin over the final will end his career as one of the Gerald Hodges is a green-flag run to win for the Old Union WGA First Annual Flag Day Tournament sport’s best. His seven career syndicated NASCAR writer The Old Union WGA first time at Pocono Raceway. Cup Series titles are matched and author. His books may be Harvick crossed the fin- only by and Dale held their 1st Annual Flag Day viewed and ordered online at Tournament on Monday, June ish line in Saturday’s Cup Series Earnhardt. Johnson is still the Amazon.com. You may con- race just .761 seconds ahead of only racer to win the Cup Series tact him by e-mail at: hodges@ 22. It was great to see all of Hamlin to post his third victory five consecutive years (2006- race500.com. the American Flags through- of the season. 2010). out the golf course! We had “We weren’t where we Racing Joke: One eve- some great scores on Mon- day! Congratulations to Jinna Wheeler for her Eagle on hole #8! Two birdies were made Summer Session 2020 as well by Jinna Wheeler and Cappie Harper and Chip-ins Fitness Family Zumba Class were made by Cappie Harper and Pat Westbrook. We had 4 closest to the Union County Recreation Department pins, one for each flight. Jinna Wheeler and Shelia Baggett Ages: 18 and over won an American Flag ball marker each, and Martha Qui- **With Summer here, we want jano won the free round of you to stay fit. Beth Schakat, our new golf. The rankings for the instructor for our Fitness Family, will Flag Day Tournament were be offering a late afternoon Zumba as follows: Flight A: Jinna Wheeler 1st place, Betsy Hyde class! This class will run for the Sum- 2nd place; Flight B: Bonnie mer session from July 14 through Au- Shore 1st place, Nancy Hamil- ton 2nd place; Flight C: Cindy Flag Day Tournament gust 27. The class is on Tuesday and Flanders 1st place, Martha be celebrating Gwen Gibson, two classes on Wednesdays… Thursday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 Quijano 2nd place; Flight D: Jinna Wheeler, Connie Dock- the first one at 8 AM and a Connie Dockery 1st place, ery and Martha Quijano. We second clinic at 9 AM. You PM. Cost is only $25 for this session! Marilyn Lipira 2nd place. will be celebrating with cake must sign up on the website *Summer Session Zumba Reg- Congratulations to all and candles and encouraging to participate in the clinic. the winners and we hope ev- everyone to bring birthday Mary Holmes was the ladies’ istration begins on June 29, 2020 and eryone had a fun filled day of cards to the birthday girls to golf coach at LSU, and we ends July 10, 2020 (or until class fills golf and friendship! make their special day a little are delighted with her offer to Next week is our Scotch more special! lead the Golf Clinics. Sign up to capacity) at the Recreation Office Golf, 2-man team event. We Thank you to everyone soon as the classes will fill up (310 Wellborn Steet). Registration and class payment must will play in four flights and for supporting our league! quickly! pay 1 place per flight. How- Since May 27th, Mary If you are interested and be done in person and distancing will be in effect during the ever, if we do not have an even Holmes has been offering Golf would like to come as a Guest, registration process and in person classes. number, we will play a differ- Clinics at Old Union Golf or for more information, visit ent team event where we can Course. The cost is $20 plus our website at www.OUWGA. If you have any questions, you can call (706) 439- use a blind. range ball. Max number in a com or call/text Karen at 352- 6074 and ask for Jennifer. Next week is also Birth- group is four and the clinics 638-3649 or Cynthia at 706- day Celebration week. We will are an hour long. Mary teaches 633-7587. N(Jul1,Z11)CA