SWANSBORO, NC – Brian Gooden picked up his first career overall Bomber victory on Sunday evening in the Prelude to the Battle at Goodyear All American Speedway.
Gooden, driving the car normally piloted by Eddie Humphrey, dominated the race – but it was not as easy as the stat line shows. The Swansboro driver had to hold off challenges from eventual runner-up Duane Walker and third-place finisher Cornell Williams throughout the duration of the 25-lap race.
“That was a hell of a race,” Gooden said. “It’s awesome. I’ve got a great bunch of guys behind me. I can’t thank Eddie enough for letting me drive this car, thank my wife, everybody that comes out, all my sponsors, can’t do it without all these guys and I appreciate all the fans that come out and watch us race. We don’t make a lot of money but we have a hell of a time.”
Gooden previously worked at the track, during the Coastal Plains Raceway era, and also worked on the safety crew at Carteret County Speedway. At the time, winning a race, or even racing at either track was just a dream. Earlier this year, he began racing and has improved rapidly throughout the year.
“If it wasn’t for me winning a $200 car, I wouldn’t be out here,” Gooden remarked. “That $200 car has brought me a long way.”
Swansboro’s Brandon Clements pulled off an upset win over Chase Burrow in the 100-lap Late Model Stock Car feature that headlined Sunday’s Prelude to the Battle. Burrow ran away from the field early, but Clements methodically reeled him, making the pass for the lead and the win on lap 67.
“I feel really good,” Clements said in victory lane. “Wendell Davis really got this thing dialed in yesterday. We were on really bad tires [during practice]. I wanted him to change some stuff and he told me tires were going to fix it. You always listen to Wendell Davis. The car was really good. Anytime you can run with these guys, they’re professionals, it feels really good.”
With the victory, the multi-time championship-winning driver is locked into the $20,000-to-win Solid Rock Carriers Battle of the Stars on Sunday, November 13.
“We really want to come back for the big one and see if we can win with everybody here,” Clements continued. “[Burrow] was really tough. I just tried to ride behind him and let him slip up. He slipped up one time, I got under him. This crate motor, we’re underpowered but it really helps on saving tires. We’ll see if we can’t come back and do it on 200 laps.”
Sunday’s race was run under the same rules package the Solid Rock Carriers Battle of the Stars will be run under.
Corey Lucas picked up his first Champ Kart victory in a thriller over Josh Eubanks and Trey Massengill. Charlie Beals made a race winning pass on Cameron Murray in the early laps of the 25-lap Legends feature and drove away for the win. Kyle Lynch picked up the victory in the Street Stock feature, while Ayden Millette survived a series of cautions to win in Bandolero competition over Delaney Gray. Travis Miller won in Mini Stock competition.
RESULTS | RACE REPLAY (RACING AMERICA, SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED)
Goodyear All American Speedway will be back in action on Saturday, October 29 with Halloween Havoc II.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
