Story By: RYAN DELPH / CONLEY MOTORSPORTS – WHEELERSBURG, OH – R.J. Conley, of Wheelersburg, Ohio, returned to racing action for the first time since East Bay (FL) Raceway Park on Sunday, March 24 at Atomic Speedway in Alma, Ohio.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series once again presided over the ‘Buckeye Spring 50’ and 42 competitors piled into the pit area to do battle for the $12,000 first place prize money.
R.J. stopped the clock eighteenth quickest in Group B during the qualifying session prior to placing seventh in his loaded heat race and fourth in his B-Main. After narrowly missing out on a coveted transfer position through his consolation race, R.J. was granted a track provisional to start shotgun on the field in the 50-lap headliner. He was then able to move up five spots during the course of the race to salvage a twenty-fourth place showing.
The #71C team will clean up and regroup from their trip to Atomic this week and will not race over the upcoming March 29-30 weekend. However, Rod Conley and his #71R team will strike out to Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky on Saturday for an unsanctioned Super Late Model showdown. “Hot Rod” will vie for the $5,000 winner’s check at the 1/2-mile, Cincinnati-area speedplant.