KEETON HANKS FAST TIME QUALIFIER-FIRST ASA POLE IN GEORGIA

Keeton Hanks kicked off his second race of the 2009 season on Saturday night, May 30 at New Senoia Raceway in Georgia in the ASA Late Model South Division. The 100 lap race went caution free, which prevented any teams from making adjustments to their car during the race. Keeton Hanks set the fast time during qualifying in his #09 Zaxby's Real Chicken Ford Fusion. Hanks turned in a lap of 14.279. Hanks was the fastest driver in the first practice and opted not to participate in the second session. “Last time we were here we kind of adjusted ourselves out,” said Hanks after qualifying, “This time we just wanted to be a little smarter and remember that we have a night race.” Stephen Nasse and Drew Brannon were the second and third quickest qualifiers respectively. After qualifying, Keeton Hanks drew a five for the inversion. This put the fifth fastest qualifier, David Odell on the pole position for the race. Justin Larson, who qualified fourth, lined up alongside Odell to bring the field to the green. While Larson stretched his lead at the front of the field, the race was on for second. David Odell, Keeton Hanks, Stephen Nasse, and Austin Hill waged a fierce battle for the runner up spot. The four drivers raced nose to tail and side by side for the majority of the race. Eventually, Hanks and Nasse were able to race their way by Odell, but Hill would have to settle for fifth behind the Lawrenceville, Georgia driver. At the checkered flag it was Justin Larson, followed by Hanks, Nasse, Odell, and Austin Hill. Jefferson, Georgia native Nick Potts came home in sixth, followed by Dustin Dunn in seventh. Dunn lost his brakes at lap 25 and was fortunate just to be running at the checkered flag. Warren Mobley, Drew Brannon, and Austin Kirkpatrick rounded out the top ten. Fast qualifier Keeton Hanks came home second after starting fifth. “It was a good race,” said Hanks afterwards, “The long green run was good for us, but at the same time we needed a caution to get caught back up to the leader.” Hanks and the #09 Zaxby’s Ford Fusion team will be heading back down south for a June 6 race at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia for the ASA Southeast Asphalt Touring Series. For more information on Zaxby’s, go to www.zaxbys.com.