PixelatedBITS: Leftovers from the 43rd Annual Rattler 250

Fans will see plenty more of Ty Majeski this year at short tracks across the country in his Super Late Model, and in the ARCA Menards Series super speedway races with Chad Bryant Racing. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 23, 2019) -- The 43rd Annual Rattler 250, opening up the 2019 Southern Super Series at South Alabama Speedway is in the books, but here are a few more tidbits before we move on to the season’s second race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

Gio Youngest Rattler Winner

At just 15 years old, Giovanni Bromante became the youngest winner in the 43 year history of the Rattler 250. Previously, the youngest winner was Kyle Benjamin, who won his Rattler 250 in 2013 at the age of 16.

When told about that little stat, Bromante told PixelatedSPEED, “Wow! That’s crazy to know!”

Majeski looking at more short track racing, plus speedway racing in ARCA

During the post race interviews, Short Track Scene’s Matt Weaver found out that Ty Majeski is still employed by Ford Performance as simulator driver and still stoking the fire in an effort to continue his career.

Majeski feels like he was “thrown to the wolves” in his NASCAR Xfinity Series run with Roush Fenway Racing in 2018. This year, Roush’s Xfinity effort has been shutdown, leaving Majeski without a ride in NASCAR’s second tier series.

That said, Majeski plans on having a full plate of short track racing coupled with the recently announced ARCA Menards Series deal to race at super speedways for Chad Bryant Racing… the same team that fields cars for Corey Heim on the ARCA short track schedule. Heim finished 14th in the Rattler 250 behind the wheel of his number 78 Super Late Model.

Okrzesik rebounds to finish the weekend on a high note

Connor Okrzesik has been one of late model racing’s hottest shoes as of late, scoring a surprising win against Kyle Busch in the SpeedFest 200 in Georgia, and constantly being in contention in every race he runs.

In Saturday night’s Baby Rattler 125, Okrzesik battled with Bubba Pollard late for the win after starting from the pole. His night did not turn out the way he would have liked, however, after three restarts that were marred by jumping, laying back and contact with Pollard.

In Sunday’s main event, Okrzesik started further back in the field, but stayed out of trouble and was able to finish off a dramatic weekend, added to the notebook with a strong fourth place finish.

“It was alright,” he said after the race. “I would have liked to have finished top three, maybe even win. We just didn’t have a car to compete with them (the leaders) at all… it was just way to free early then too tight in the last run.”

“It’ solid notes, but I would’ve like to have finished better with our Metro Glass Toyota.”

Nasse, Pollard and Roderick all favorites to win, all have issues

The front row of the 43rd Rattler 250 consisted of 2014 winner Casey Roderick on the pole, alongside former Baby Ratter winner Stephen Nasse.

Roderick seemed to be off the pace compared to his rivals during the first 100 laps of the race, ultimately pulling his machine behind the wall with drive train issues. Roderick won the Baby Rattler 125 on Saturday night.

Nasse had a left rear tire come loose, causing him to spin out near the entrance of pit road, just as a caution for Austin Nason flew. Nason made contact with another car going into turn one on lap 105, and came to a stop at the exit of turn two. In the process of the caution, Nasse lost two laps getting his car down to the attention of his crew.

“We had a left rear tire come loose and that’s why I spun out,” Nasse told Speed 51’s Koty Geyer.  “I needed a caution and we got that but I lost two laps trying to get the studs to strip.  Trying to make up that track position was almost impossible.  I thought I almost got a lap back but we ended up not getting it back and it’s just one of them deals where cautions never really flew when we needed them to.”

Bubba Pollard was a top five car the bulk of the day after starting in the third spot. Contact with another driver following the race’s final restart on lap 176 left Pollard with a left front tire rub. It wasn’t long before the 2012 Rattler 250 winner began to fall back, settling in for a disappointing 13th place finish.

Grill and Bryant’s ended way too early after contact in turn four

Augie Grill’s day ended on lap 7 after contact with Dawson Fletcher in turn four sent Grill spinning into the inside wall. In the process, Kyle Bryant was jacked up by Logan Bearden, with the resulting damage causing Grill, Bryant and Bearden to drop out of the event.

Unfortunately, Bryant would be credited with a last place finish after starting 12th.

“Disappointing end to the weekend,” he said. “Got shoved into a car on lap 7 and we have nothing to show for the good car we brought to the racetrack. Guys worked hard all weekend, and we’ll rebound at Pensacola.”

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Pollard, Okrzesik, and Chance Comment on the Chaos from the Late Stages of Baby Rattler 125

Bubba Pollard looked to be the man to beat late in the Baby Rattler 125 at South Alabama Speedway on March 16, 2019 until a series of events with Connor Okrzesik resulted in a premature end to Pollard's night. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining OPP, Alabama (March 21, 2019) — The prelude event to the Ratter 250 at South Alabama Speedway is known as the Baby Rattler, and features a mix of up and coming talent pitted against cagey veterans. One of the premiere Pro Late Model shows of the year, the 14th Running of the Grasshopper Baby Rattler 125 saw up and comer Connor Okrzesik go toe to toe with a veteran driver who many have deemed the best in late model racing, Bubba Pollard. Connor Okrzesik started on the pole for the event, but drifted back early, giving way to Patrick Latullipe, Justin South, and Jack Dossey III for the opening salvos of the race. Okrzesik would remain solidly in the top five, even leading for a bit after lap 50. Bubba Pollard qualified third, but had to start from the rear due to a shock change after qualifying. It took Pollard to lap 53 to reach the top five, then to lap 79 to get the lead. “We started from the back and come to the front and didn’t touch a race car,” said Pollard. Okrzesik worked his way to Pollard’s rear on lap 90, and the pair battled hard for the next ten laps. On lap 102, following a caution, Okresik seemed to get a great restart… perhaps too good of a restart. Word quickly came down over the radio from the control tower that the 14 car of Okrzesik had to give the spot back to Pollard. He was also given a warning for jumping the restart. “The first time, I jumped the restart. That’s completely my fault,” Okrezsik admitted to Speed51.com. On lap 115, following another caution, it looked as though Okrzesik again jumped the restart, but Pollard stayed close. Pollard spun in turn four after contact with Okrzesik just as the yellow flew for an unrelated incident elsewhere on the track resulting in the lap not being completed, allowing Pollard to regain the lead for the ensuing restart. Okrzesik was again warned about jumping the restart, and an additional warning was sent to Pollard for laying back. On that next restart, still on lap 115, the lead pair once again made contact on the backstretch going into turn three and in the check up, Brandon Johnson sent Pollard spinning. This time, Pollard went straight into the pits following the spin. Subsequently, Okrzesik was charged with causing the caution and sent to the rear, but instead chose to pull his car down pit road. This incident ended both drivers race, but the drama was far from finished. Okrzesik believes Pollard was baiting him into jumping, taking advantage of the notion that Okrzesik had blatantly jumped earlier. “He slowed down and I was maintaining my pace,” said Okrzesik. “I wasn’t going to give him any leeway at all. It was possibly the last restart of the night, ten laps to go and that’s what it was going to come down to, it was going to come down to whoever got the best jump on the restart was going to win the race because our two cars were dead even.” After climbing out of his race car, Pollard went to lead technical inspector Ricky Brooks, who was stationed in turns three and four during this sequence of events. Pollard, and members of his crew, showed their displeasure with what had transpired in a very verbal way using language that is best not repeated. The next morning, PixelatedSPEED asked Pollard about what happened and he gave his perspective. “No, they should’ve made the call,” said Pollard. “He (Brooks) was down there for a reason in turn three and four. Either he makes a call, or I’d be pissed that the track didn’t listen to what I was saying because he said he told them that they were wrong, so it’s on them at that point.” “The track let him get away with them… Connor, and the way he was driving… uh, when you got a fast race car like that, he’s wanting to win,” continued Pollard. “When we were coming through the field, he was being really aggressive and he didn’t have to be. It was just him being impatient. He’s young, and he’s got to perform.” While Pollard was angry with Ricky Brooks and had the convenience of Brooks being stationed mere feet from his pit, the calls during this exchange were coming from the control tower, and Race Director Kevin Chance. Chance also spoke with PixelatedSPEED to convey what exactly was being observed from race control. “The initial restart (lap 102) he jumped,” said Chance referring to Okrzesik. “I told him to give it back and he did. The second time (first attempt at lap 115 restart) I wouldn’t say that he jumped, but he had his nose out. I think he still allowed Pollard to start.” “We had a caution, and warned him and Bubba because they both got tangled up and were hitting each other.” “On the third one (second attempt at lap 115 restart) it looked as if not only did the Okrzesik have his nose out, but it also looked like Pollard slowed down. We warned them again, but by that time they had tangled again on the backstretch coming into turn three.” In response as to why Okrzesik and Pollard were given so many opportunities to get it right, Chance explained that the procedures given to the teams said that if someone jumped the restart, then he would notify the spotter and they would have to give the spot back. In the end, both drivers ended up out of the race, Pollard finishing 13th and Okrzesik in 14th. Casey Roderick slid by both drivers and went on to win the Baby Rattler 125 rather easily with Kyle McCallum in second, and Jack Dossey III in third. PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Casey Roderick Wins Chaotic Baby Rattler 125 That Results in Surprises on the Podium

Casey Roderick has won dozens of races in his the Ronnie Sanders Pro Late Model. He scored his first win in the Baby Rattler at South Alabama Speedway on March 16, 2019. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 19, 2019) -- Sometimes you have to be both lucky and good to win a race. On Saturday, March 16th, Casey Roderick was indeed both lucky and good by having a competent racecar and being fortunate enough to avoid the late race chaos to come away with a massive victory in the Baby Rattler 125 Pro Late Model race at South Alabama Speedway.

Roderick started on the outside pole, but faded early with an ill-handling car. In a race that normally would not require it, Roderick brought his machine to the attention of the crew for adjustments during one of the race’s many cautions.

That move, and the moves made to avoid getting collected in the chaos created by leaders Bubba Pollard and Connor Okrzesik, allowed Roderick to emerge victorious in the prelude event to the 43rd Annual Ratter 250.

“I was worried about the car getting tight on me, and it did,” said Roderick. “It got real tight where I couldn’t do nothing with it. The front end wasn’t in the racetrack… I’d go into the corner and it’d wash up. I was having to do a lot of footwork, a lot of hand work and forcing the car where I needed it to go. You kill your tires doing that and I was killing them.”

“We had that caution there, and there was only a few cars behind us and I said dang we ain’t got nothing to lose so let’s come in a try and make an adjustment to try and make it better.”

“We made a couple of adjustments and went back out and it was a totally different race car. It wasn’t the best, but it was a lot better than what we were and we were able to progress after that.”

“Got ourselves in position with those last few cautions to sit third and be in position for what happened with the leaders in front of us when we took advantage and went underneath them.”

The surprise on the podium went to Kyle McCallum, who finished second in the event.

“People were being a little too aggressive to start with,” said McCallum. “It’s a long race and really no need to push it until 50 to go but that’s how it is at a lot of these places.

“Finishing second in this race is great. We’ve struggled a lot, especially the last three or four years so hopefully this is a step in the right direction.”

Also finding his way through the chaos, third place Jack Dossey III was a strong contender throughout the race. Dossey led several laps, and was in the top five all night, being in the right position to capitalize on the follies of the leaders ahead of him.

“I saw things getting kinda dicey and wanted to lay back and lay in the weeds, kinda fly under the radar,” said Dossey. “I knew it was gonna get they way with ten to go.

“I think we about a fifth place car. I don’t think we had anything for Bubba Pollard, but I think we had a really strong race car. He’s in his own league… that’s expected, he’s the best in the country and that’s what he’s supposed to do.

The start of the race saw Patrick Lutillipe and Justin South lead, with South putting up a convincing performance early. The second stint of the race saw Jack Dossey take the point. It wasn’t long, however, before Bubba Pollard and polesitter Connor Okrzesik rose to the top, beginning what became a very chaotic sequence of events. Pollard was very strong, but Okrzesik hounded Pollard, getting right up to his bumper many times.

Warnings from race control about jumping restarts, and games being played by the leading duo led to an eruption in turn four during the final ten laps as the Pollard and Okrzesik tangled. The incident meant the end of the race for both, and collected early frontrunner Justin South in the process.

In the fallout of the drama in turn four, a furious Bubba Pollard emerged from his car and proceeded to confront lead technical inspector Ricky Brooks, who had stationed himself in turn four to watch the restarts.

Pollard objected to Okrzesik not being penalized sooner for jumping restarts, though race control had warned that both drivers were in jeopardy of receiving the black flag just prior to the turn four contact.

At the end of the night, Casey Roderick came out on top, surviving perhaps the most interesting show of the weekend.

And yes, Roderick gladly posed with the rattlesnake in victory lane.

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Dream Comes True as Giovanni Bromante Wins 43rd Rattler 250

Giovanni Bromante emerged from his racecar victorious in his Super Late Model debut, winning the 43rd Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway on March 17, 2019. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 17, 2019) -- Giovanni Bromante drove to victory lane, winning the 43rd Annual Ratter 250 at South Alabama Speedway on Sunday, opening up the 2019 Southern Super Series season and completing a dream scenario in what was his debut race behind the wheel of a Super Late Model. To get there, Bromante beat two former Ratter 250 champions in Harrison Burton (2nd), and Ty Majeski (3rd).

Bromante made his Super debut after being out of any racecar for the past eight months following a nasty dirt bike crash in October 2018 that left the Anthony Campi Racing driver with an injured back.

“It was just a good day, the car was really good from the beginning,” said Bromante. “I can’t thank Anthony Campi Racing enough for giving me such a great piece. This is really just a dream come true to be in victory lane at my first Super Late Model race.”

Bromante was a contender throughout the entire race, leading the most laps in the event. He and Ty Majeski battled hard throughout the first 100 laps of the race, trading licks and using lapped traffic to pass each other.

“I timed it wrong and I hit him, and he repaid the favor,” said Bromante. “You know, that’s just racin’. I got by him and the car was really good so I was able to pull away and win this race.”

The middle portion of the race was dominated by Majeski, but the former Ratter 250 winner began to fade, relinquishing the lead to Bromante on lap 177. From there, Bromante checked out on the field until the waning laps, when defending Ratter 250 winner Harrison Burton made a late race charge, getting to the bumper of Bromante but failing to make the pass, allowing Bromante to pick up the checkered flag.

“I just raced my race, and it really paid off,” said Bromante. “The car was just so good from the beginning so I wasn’t really worried about anybody passing me because I knew I could get back by them. It was just a really great day.”

Harrison Burton, finishing second, had run in the top five all day long, but come up just shy of scoring a repeat win in this race.

“I was a lot of fun,” said Burton. “We came from the middle of the pack kinda like we did last year and eventually got up to second and started to try and ride and save tires. Gio took off for about the first 20 laps and then I started trying to run him back down and just couldn’t quite get back to him.”


While he didnt’ pick up the win, Burton was still very upbeat with the result, and the racing in general.
“It was a fun race and I was glad that I was able to come out here and race,” he said. “I’m so busy now with the Truck and ARCA deal… I miss Super Late Models, they are some of my favorite racecars to drive, for reasons like this.”

He added, “What a great race, and great crowd. We’re out here in the middle of Alabama and there are still thousands of people that come out to watch these races and cheer us on. I love the community around Super Late Models, I love the competition and I wish I could race them more often.”

Ty Majeski faded to a very distant third place, thinking there would have been more yellows that would have given him the opportunity to catch back up and mount a late charge.

“We just played our cards a little bit wrong,” said Majeski. “We just thought there was going to be another competition caution and it never came. I let Gio and Harrison go there with 80 to go or whatever it was thinking that they were gonna go racin’ and burn their stuff up and there’d be another yellow but unfortunately it never came.”

Touching on some other big names in the field…

• Augie Grill’s day ended on lap 8 after contact with Dawson Fletcher in turn four sent Grill spinning into the inside wall. In the process, Kyle Bryant was jacked up by Logan Bearden, with the resulting damage causing Grill, Bryant and Bearden to drop out of the event.

• The front row of the 43rd Rattler 250 consisted of 2014 winner Casey Roderick on the pole, alongside former Baby Ratter winner Stephen Nasse.
  
  Roderick seemed to be off the pace compared to his rivals during the first 100 laps of the race, ultimately pulling his machine behind the wall with drive train issues. Roderick won the Baby Rattler 125 on Saturday night.
  
  Nasse had a left rear tire come loose, causing him to spin out near the entrance of pit road, just as a caution for Austin Nason flew. Nason made contact with another car going into turn one on lap 105, and came to a stop at the exit of turn two. In the process of the caution, Nasse lost two laps getting his car down to the attention of his crew.
  
  “We had a left rear tire come loose and that’s why I spun out,” Nasse told Speed 51’s Koty Geyer.  “I needed a caution and we got that but I lost two laps trying to get the studs to strip.  Trying to make up that track position was almost impossible.  I thought I almost got a lap back but we ended up not getting it back and it’s just one of them deals where cautions never really flew when we needed them to.”

• Bubba Pollard was a top five car the bulk of the day after starting in the third spot. Contact with another driver following the race’s final restart on lap 176 left Pollard with a left front tire rub. It wasn’t long before the 2012 Rattler 250 winner began to fall back, settling in for a disappointing 13th place finish.

The next race on the calendar for the Southern Super Series is on March 29, 2019 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida for the first Blizzard Series race of the year.

Official Results for the 43rd Annual Rattler 250:

1 81 Giovanni Bromante
2 12 Harrison Burton
3 91 Ty Majeski
4 14 Connor Okrzesik
5 17 Josh Brock
6 54 Jeff Fultz
7 24 Colin Garrett
8 21 Jeremy Pate
9 20D Jack Dossey III
10 50 Jett Noland
11 51 Stephen Nasse
12 34 Nolan Pope
13 26 Bubba Pollard
14 78 Corey Heim
15 10 Steve Dorer
16 4 Kyle Plott
17 14N Austin Nason
18 18 Casey Roderick
19 71 Dawson Fletcher
20 97 Steven Davis
21 20S Anthony Sergi
22 66 Logan Bearden
23 112 Augie Grill
24 79 Kyle Bryant

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Roderick Wins Rattler 250 Pole at South Alabama Speedway; Connor Okrzesik on Baby Rattler Pole

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 16, 2019) — Casey Roderick took his number 18 Phoenix Construction Super Late Model all the way to top of the chart, winning the pole for the 43rd Annual Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway, the opening race for the 2019 Southern Super Series season.

His time, a blistering 15.224 barely edged out Stephen Nasse’s time of 15.229 seconds. Roderick now looks to turn the pole into a second win in this prestigious race.

“Man it would be awesome”, said Roderick. “I’ve been looking for that second Rattler trophy for quite some time now, I won it back in 2014 and I’m ready to do it again so let’s see if we can get it done this weekend.”

“We are on the free side with the Super, but it’s a really good turn out for the Rattler 250… this is a fun racetrack and i love coming here. John (Dykes) and his family do an awesome job with this track and it’s one of my favorites to come to.”

Stephen Nasse was pleasantly surprised by his lap, and hopes to parlay that lap into a race winning run come Sunday.

“We wasn’t really expecting that,” said Nasse. “I have good racing car, not so much of a qualifying car, but it feels good and I have a lot of confidence going into tomorrow. We just gotta make it through the whole race… a lot of things can happen. We’re gonna change tires a couple of times, and anything can happen in these things. Just gotta keep it together; the guys have done their job now I have to do mine. It’s all up to me now, so we’ll see how it goes, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Bubba Pollard did what he seems to do everywhere he takes his race cars, put them solidly at the top of the pack and in position to win.

Pollard put his machine in the third starting position for both of the weekend’ premiere races.

“Yeah they (laps) were good, and we’re pretty happy with it,” said Pollard. “I feel like we were kinda free during the Super run, but I think as more rubber lays down tonight and it will get a little warmer… be a little slick. Tonight (for the Pro Late Model race), we’ll have to make a few adjustments.

Looking forward to the Rattler Super Late Model race, Pollard shared what he thinks it will take to win from the third starting spot.

“Patience,” he said. “You have to be there at the end of all 250 laps… just put yourself in the right positions… when we come in to pit we have to make the right calls and the right adjustments.”

In qualifying for the 14th Annual Grasshoper Baby Rattler 125 Pro Late Model race, Irvington, Alabama’s Connor Okrzesik our down a cool lap of 15.555 seconds, scoring the pole and beating Rattler 250 pole winner Casey Roderick and Bubba Pollard.

“We has a really quick car in practice,” said Okrzesik. “I thought if just got a new set of tires we’d have a really good shot at beating Bubba Pollard and we did.”

Okrzesik also beat Casey Roderick, who was very happy with his qualifying run.

“Good effort for the Pro,” said Roderick. “I really wasn’t expecting that. We were pretty tight in practice, but on the free side with the Super… kinda on the opposite ends on both cars.”

The 43rd Annual Rattler 250 rolls on Sunday, March 17th at 2:00pm Central.

More Reaction to the Hamner Restrictions on Practice Day at the Rattler 250

Stephen Nasse, who races with a Progressive Engine, has had plenty to say about the recent restriction imposed on competitor Hamner Racing Engines. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED.com)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 15, 2019) — The big story coming into the 43rd Annual Rattler 250
weekend at South Alabama Speedway was the new restrictions imposed on Hamner Racing Engines following dyno testing during the winter.

The Hamner motors, which are the most widely used engine within the garage area at South Alabama Speedway this weekend, have a mandated spacer size of 1.350” to bring those power plants closer in line with competitors Progressive, McGunegill and RW Engines.

PixelatedSPEED spoke with Southern Super Series officials early on Friday morning about the importance of maintaining the balance of performance.

“We tested eight motors in 2011, and we got our baseline,” said senior technical inspector Ricky Brooks. “In 2011 we felt like we were as close to having everything as equal as we could. I’ve tested motors since then… every motor I’ve tested since 2011 has been spot on, including the Hamners, and even the parts motors (motors using parts from the main engine builders but put together by other independent motor manufacturers). When we dyno’d the motors after the (51st Annual Snowball) Derby the other motors were spot on, but the Hamner motor was way over that. (Brooks explained that he gives about a 1 percent allowance in the numbers for a motor to be over).”

“This was because of multiple changes that he (Hamner Racing Engines) made on his own, that he never got approved, that brought it to that level.

I asked Brooks to clarify if Hamner was in violation of the rules. While Brooks didn’t outright say that Hamner was in direct violation of a rule, he said that because Hamner changed parts without approval, that was the violation.

He added that it's common for parts and pieces to be changed out over the course of time, but the key point is that when those changes happen, they happen with the approval of the committee. In this instance, Hamner did not receive that approval.

Brooks summed up with, “These restrictors are being put in place to bring everything back in line.”

“The S.E.A.L committee performed baseline testing of these motors and it’s very important to keep these builders within the range of that baseline,” said Nicholas Rogers, Southern Super Series Race Director and seasoned tech inspector.

From the standpoint of the officials in charge of maintaining balance, it’s an effort that helps save racers from themselves by preventing the floodgates from opening and spending going into complete chaos.

Editor-in-Chief of Short Track Scene, and fellow motorsports writing colleague Matt Weaver chimes in on Twitter, making a very valid point.

“It can’t be the Wild West because it will turn into an arms race if you let the builders do whatever. That’ll cost racers too, y’know?,” said Weaver.

In the garage, there is mixed reaction. The thoughts of several racers have been well documented, including Stephen Nasse, who basically called out Hamner Racing Engines as cheaters, but also added to the conversation of the importance of the balance of performance in an interview with PixelatedSPEED earlier in the day at SAS. Note, Nasse races with engines built by Progressive Engines.

“The deal that’s going on with that is a crazy deal right now but I hear they’re getting to the bottom of it,” said Nasse. “They are really trying to sugar coat it for Hamner because they don’t want to discredit all the wins they’ve gotten in the past couple years, but in all reality 18 horsepower is 18 horsepower. “

He continued, “You have certain specs you’re supposed to run inside the motors, and if you’re outside the rules no matter which way you want to put it…”

“The balance of performance is very important,” added Nasse. “The spec engine program was brought in to save racers money. When you’re starting to jack those prices up by doing all these performance edges you’re losing the point of what we came to the spec motors for. I just want it all to be on a level playing field and put it in the hands of the drivers and I think we are heading that way.”

Ronnie Sanders, car owner of the machines driven by Casey Roderick added his thoughts while waiting in the tech line this morning.

“If it’s the 18 horsepower they are saying it is, that’s a lot, “ said Sanders. “A lot of teams are already using restrictor plates to reduce tire spin. I’ll say this… I think they should’ve used a chassis dyno at the Derby right after the race instead of sending the motors off. By the time they are tested they could have all kinds of things different on them. Carbs, timing and many other things that will tell you where that horsepower number really is.”

It should be noted that the motors tested from the Derby were taken directly from the cars and placed in a van within sight of the other teams, the inspectors and media… including myself.

While some drivers have used restrictors voluntarily to help prevent tire spin, some, like Marietta, Georgia's Kyle Plott, prefer having all the available power at the ready.

“I never run restrictors,” said Plott. “That gas pedal is on a hinge for a reason. It’s going to help me at the end of the race, no doubt.

Others, like defending Rattler 250 champion Harrison Burton have chosen to not worry about the engine adjustments. While Burton’s car is powered by a Hamner, he said that because he drives so many different types of race cars, the adjustment really hasn’t affected him.

“It’s hard for me to tell, really,” said Burton. “I drive so many different cars I don’t really have an exact feel for every motor. I have an idea what it should feel like and everything but a small change is hard for to pick up on. We seem to be quick and competitive and that’s all I really care about.”

He added, “Our idea was that we weren’t really going to complain about it… we’re just gonna take it (the motor) and try to whoop their butts with it.”

Again, the widespread opinion throughout the fanbase is that Hamner shouldn’t be penalized for making their motors better over time. I personally still feel that in Super Late Model racing, teams and builders should have more room for innovation and evolution.

I understand, however, the point of the officials that want to keep the costs down at a more manageable, and reasonable level.

Over the next few months, it seems likely that further changes will be made in an effort to bring Hamner Racing Engines back in line with the rest of the engine builders that service these Super Late Models, most likely resulting in the lifting of the engine restrictions in the long run.

Until then, however, teams and drivers will have to adjust to the current requirements and continue to work to move forward.

Moving forward starts with the completion of the 43rd Annual Ratter 250 weekend at South Alabama. Tech Day is over, Saturday will feature qualifying for the Southern Super Series cars, and the running of the Baby Ratter 125 for the Pro Late Models.

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Bromante Paces Rattler Practice on Friday at South Alabama Speedway

Giovanni Bromante was the fastest cat in town on Friday at South Alabama Speedway during practice for the 43rd Annual Rattler 250. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED.com)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 15, 2019) — Giovanni Bromante put up the fastest time of the day for the Southern Super Series Super Late Models at South Alabama Speedway in practice for the 43rd Annual Rattler 250. His time, 15.247 seconds, just edged out second place Harrison Burton’s time of 15.277 seconds.

Bromante is driving for Anthony Campi Racing, who has had a great run as of late in late model racing. Chase Purdy won the Snowflake 100 at Pensacola in December and Sammy Smith snagged a checkered flag during the World Series of Asphalt Racing a t New Smyrna Speedway in February. Those were in Pro Late Models but Bromante is eager to put the Super into Victory Lane.

“I’ve been out of this car for about eight months but Anthony has given me a great car this weekend,” said Bromante. “The car is really good, Anthony has put in a lot of work at the shop and now we are just fine tuning it for the race on Sunday. I just have to take care of my tires and finish the race hopefully get a top five or better.”

In the Pro Late Models, Connor Okrzesik topped the charts with a time of 15.655 seconds with Brandon Curren in second with a 15.709 second lap.

There were multiple rounds of practice throughout the day with no major incidents. Below are the combined fastest times from all the practice sessions.

COMBINED PRACTICE TIMES:

Super Late Models:

1. 81 - Giovanni Bromante, 15.247

2. 12 - Harrison Burton, 15.277

3. 50 - Jett Noland, 15.285

4. 24 - Colin Garrett, 15.404

5. 17 - Josh Brock, 15.429

6. 112 - Augie Grill, 15.453

7. 20 - Anthony Sergi, 15.457

8. 26 - Bubba Pollard, 15.462

9. 78 - Corey Heim, 15.473

10. 18 - Casey Roderick, 15.490

11. 91 - Ty Majeski, 15.500

12. 54 - Jeff Fultz, 15.525

13. 14 - Connor Okrzesik, 15.546

14. 21 - Jeremy Pate, 15.552

15. 66 - Logan Bearden, 15.553

16. 51 - Stephen Nasse, 15.560

17. 14 - Austin Nason, 15.570

18. 4 - Kyle Plott, 15.644

19. 97 - Steven Davis, 15.650

20. 20 - Jack Dossey III, 15.718

21. 34 - Nolan Pope, 15.732

22. 79 - Kyle Bryant, 15.775

23. 10 - Steve Dorer, 15.812

24. 71 - Dawson Fletcher, 15.826

Pro Late Models:

1. 14 - Connor Okrzesik, 15.655

2. 00 - Brandon Curren, 15.709

3. 84 - Martin Latulippe, 15.719

4.  - Ryan Paul, 15.769

5. 43 - Justin South, 15.855

6. 43 - Daniel Dye,  15.860

7.  - Blaise Rutherford, 15.882

8. 14 - Tyler Porter, 15.895

9.  - JoJo Wilkinson, 15.935

10. 35 - Jake Garcia, 15.965

11. 4 - Kyle McCallum, 16.039

12. 22 - Brandon Herbert, 16.089

13.  - Korey Ruble, 16.092

14. 1 - Brandon Johnson, 16.105

15. 10 - Steve Dorer, 16.113

16. 20 - Jack Dossey III, 16.119

17. 11 - Jordan McCallum, 16.171

18. 4 - Hunter Byrd, 16.198

19. 67 - Craig Cussone, 16.244

20. 12 - Brandon Brillant, 16.317

21.  - Cody Brake, 18.140

22. 18 - Casey Roderick, no time 

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Racecontrol: Schedule, Facts & Info from the 43rd Annual Rattler 250

The biggest names in Super Late Model racing converge in Opp this weekend for the Rattler 250 on March 17th 2019. Erik Jones competed in this race several times, including for his family-run team in 2011. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

OPP, Alabama (March 14, 2019) — Year seven of the Southern Super Series kicks off on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at South Alabama Speedway with the 43rd Annual Ratter 250. The top Super Late Model teams in the country will face off for 250 laps around the 4/10 mile oval situated just off of a peanut farm. At the end, the winner will receive a handsome purse, a strong start to the Southern Super Series season, and will be adorned with a rattlesnake in victory lane, among other awards. Saturday will feature the Baby Ratter 125 for Pro Late Models, and Friday’s focus is on South Alabama Speedway’s many local divisions.

TRACK ANALYSIS:

South Alabama Speedway is a 4/10 mile asphalt oval situation in Kinston, Alabama… just outside of Opp, Alabama. The racing surfaced was repaved prior to the 2007 season, and features 13 degree banked turns.

The primary pits/garage stalls for late models are situated outside of the track, along the backstretch and wrapping around turns three and four. Inside the track, local divisions will fill the infield pits on Friday, then on Saturday and Sunday, late model teams will set up pit stalls for their feature races.

SCHEDULE: (All times are Central, CST)

Thursday, March 14th

10 a.m. - Pits Open
12 p.m. - Late Model Practice

Friday, March 15th

9 a.m. - Pits Open
9:30 a.m. - Driver's Meeting
10 a.m. - Tech Opens for Late Models
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Late Model Practice (30-Minute Intervals)
3:30 p.m. - Super Late Model Qualifying Tire Selection (Pro Late Models to follow)
3:45 - 4:15 p.m. - Modified Practice
4 p.m. - Local Tech Opens
4:30 p.m. - Local Practice
5 p.m. - Grandstands Open
5 p.m. - Late Model Tech Closes
6:30 p.m. - Local Driver's Meeting
7 p.m. - Local Features
Mini Sportsman (20 laps)
Coyotes (30 laps)
Cup Lites (25 laps)
Street Stock (25 laps)
Super Stocks (35 laps)

Saturday, March 16th

9 a.m. - Pits Open
9:30 a.m. - Late Model Driver's Meeting
9:45 a.m. - Super Late Model Race Tire Selection Begins
10:30 a.m. - Practice Begins (SLM & PLM Alternate)
12:30 p.m. - Practice Ends / Late Model Tech Closes
12:30 - 1 p.m. - Modified Practice
2 p.m. - Grandstands Open
3:30 p.m. (approx.) - Speed51's Live Qualifying Broadcast Goes Live
3:30 p.m. - Super Late Model Qualifying (Top 24 Locked In)
To Follow - Pro Late Model Qualifying (Top 24 Locked In)
5 p.m. - Local Practice - Modified, Roadrunners & Mini Cups
5:45 p.m. - Local Driver's Meeting
6:15 p.m. - Modified Qualifying
6:30 p.m. (approx.) - Speed51's Live Broadcast Begins
To Follow - Pro Late Last Chance Race (If Needed)
To Follow - Rattler 250 Last Chance Race (If Needed)
7 p.m. - Racing Begins
Mini Cups (20 laps)
14th Annual Grasshopper Pro Late Rattler (125 laps)
Modifieds (50 laps)
Roadrunners (35 laps)

Sunday, March 17th

9 a.m. - Pits Open
9:30 a.m. - Driver's Meeting & Qualifying Tires Releases
9:30 a.m. - Grandstands Open
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Church Service / Live Gospel Band
11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Autograph Session (All Drivers Must Be Present)
12:15 p.m. - Pre-Race Ceremonies
1 p.m. (approx.) - Speed51's Live Broadcast Begins
1 p.m. - 43rd Annual Hardee's Rattler 250

ENTRY LISTS:

Super Late Model

Kyle Plott
Casey Roderick
Kyle Bryant
Harrison Burton
Stephen Nasse
Dawson Fletcher
Donnie Wilson
Bubba Pollard
Brandon Herbert
Nolan Pope
Casey Smith
Josh Brock
Austin Nason
Connor Okrzesik
Jack Dossey III
Corey Heim
Steven Davis
Jeff Choquette
Jett Noland
Gio Bromante
Ty Majeski
Jeff Fultz
Colin Garrett
Logan Bearden
Anthony Sergi
Steve Dorer
Augie Grill


Pro Late Model

Casey Roderick
Justin South
Dawson Fletcher
Aiden Eldridge
Connor Okrzesik
Jack Dossey III
Hunter Byrd
Perry Patino
Brandon Curren
Ken Pettis
Cody Brake
Craig Cussone
Korey Ruble
Daniel Dye
Jake Garcia
Brandon Brilliant
Blaise Rutherford
Tyler Porter
Martin Latulippe
Jolynn Wilkinson
Steve Dorer

HOW TO WATCH:

While being at the track is always the best way to watch, Speed51.com will be on site, providing their Trackside Now coverage and Speed 51 Network live broadcasts. For more information log on to speed51.com.

PixelatedSPEED.com will be on location, providing updates throughout the weekend on twitter, @PixelatedSPEED, on Instagram and on Facebook with videos, stories and photos from everything going on at South Alabama Speedway.

TICKETS:

An adult 3-day pass will run you $45.00, but admission tickets are available for each day of the event.

Friday - Adults $10.00, Kids $5.00
Saturday - Adults $20.00, Kids $10.00
Sunday - Adults $20.00, Kids $10.00

Reserved tickets are also available. See speedway website for details.

CONTACTING SOUTH ALABAMA SPEEDWAY:

Track Website: www.southalabamaspeedway.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/South-Alabama-Speedway
Twitter: twitter.com/SouthAlabamaSAS

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED