Morris Leads South Boston Speedway Late Model Points, But Surprising Scott Lurking Not Far Behind

Sitting atop the South Boston Speedway Late Model Stock points standings are a couple of names you would expect to see: Philip Morris in first and Peyton Sellers in third. But sandwiched between the two NASCAR Whelen All-American national champions is a surprise: Thomas Scott, who just a couple of years ago was burned out and ready to leave the sport.

 

Morris, who swept both ends of the season-opening double header, leads the Late Model points with 142, but Scott is just five points behind with 137. The Mebane, North Carolina, driver had a pair of third-place finishes two weeks ago in twin 75-lap races and a fifth and a sixth in the season-opener. Sellers, who won the first 75-lapper on May 12 is third, 10 points behind Scott.

 

“We are most definitely pleased and surprised,” said Scott. “I didn’t anticipate getting off to such a great start like we have.”

 

Scott, whose family operation has gotten some setup help from Sellers Racing this year, showed exactly how strong his Chevrolet is in the second of the two 75-lappers on May 12.

 

“We had the fastest car on the track at the end of the second race,” said Scott. “I ran Philip down at the end of the second race.

 

His career turn-around has been buoyed by an influx of volunteer help for his team and South Boston Speedway’s two-tire rule and purse structure.

 

“Two years ago, I was just burned out. We were working so hard and didn’t have a lot of help,” said Scott, whose team was basically staffed by his mom and dad at that point. “We’ve got the help now and it’s taken a while for us to get the good equipment. It all helps me focus on driving.

 

“And we don’t have the big bank account. With the tire rule (teams can only purchase two new tires each race), it frees up some of our budget each week. With that and the purses, it helps us to race and be the same as everyone else.”

 

Rounding out the top five in Late Model points are Austin Thaxton in fourth with 118 and Brandon Pierce, who won the second 75-lapper two weeks ago, is a point back in fifth.

 

There’s a logjam at the top of the Limited Sportsman points, with Trey Crews and Boo Boo Dalton separated by just a point. Crews leads with 75 points and Dalton is a point back. Daniel Moss is third with 68, followed by Karl Budzevski and Jason Myers.

 

Defending Budweiser Pure Stock champion Johnny Layne Jr. is again atop that division’s standings with 40 points, followed by Jordan Pickrel, Scott Phillips, Daniel Shelton and Harrison Walker.

 

Dennis Holdren, who won the inaugural Mod 4 race in the season-opener leads that division, with a 39-35 lead over Cory Dunn. Josh Phillips is a point back in third, with Tanner Young fourth and Jessie Yopp fifth.

 

Cameron Jarrell holds a two-point, 42-40 lead over Tyler Crute in the Budweiser Hornets Division with Tony Housman third, Kevin Currin fourth and Tyler Stanley fifth.

 

Racing returns to South Boston Speedway Saturday night with the Danville Toyota presents the Bojangles NASCAR Late Model 100. There will be six races across five divisions, including a 100-lap Late Model race, 50 lap Limited race, twin 15-lap Budweiser Pure Stock races, a 15-lap Budweiser Hornets race and a 30-lap Mod 4 race.

 

Tickets are $10 for adults and children 12 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult. Gates open at 5:30 with the first race set for 7 p.m.