Charlie " cool shoe "  Bradberry

Wins 26th Annual Rattler 125
Charlie Bradberry had tried twice before to come to the annual Rattler 125 at South Alabama Speedway.

 Two years ago, he and his crew were loading up their car to head to Opp when one of the crew discovered the belt on the oil pump was off. They unloaded the car
and stayed home. Last year, Bradberry again made plans to come, but  heavy rains forced postponement of the event and prior race plans prevented him form making the trip on the make up date.

 Finally, Bradberry was able to make his first start in race, and made the most of the opportunity, taking the checkered flag and winner's trophy back to his Chelsea, Alabama home.

But he almost let it slip away.

 

 
            Twenty-five cars were in town for the race, with 21 able to make thw green flag. J.R. Norris set fast time in qualifying, but inversion  put Regan Baker on the pole. Dale Little got the jump on Baker as the green flag fell, but before the field could complete a lap,  several cars piled up in turn four. Included in the melee were three time race winner and defending champion Ronnie Sanders. Once again,
            Little got the jump and took the early lead. Little held the lead until Norris stepped up and took the lead on lap 39. Bradberry, who started seventh, was quietly making his way to the front, moving into second on lap 42.
            Bradberry pitted for tires on a lap 63-caution period, but troubles in the pits caused him to come out way behind the field, almost a lap down. However, another caution on lap 71 allowed Bradberry to close back to the field. When most of the leaders pitted, Bradberry again found himself behind Norris. Norris led until his engine let go on lap 98.

 
            Bradberry assumed control with Duwayne Middlebrooks and Baker in hot  pursuit. The pair closed to Bradberry's bumper, and as the field went through turn four coming to the five laps to go sign, Bradberry's Monte Carlo slipped up the track. Middlebrooks quickly dove to the inside to take the lead while Baker followed  Middlebrooks held a three-car length lead, which Baker erased quickly. As Middlebrooks and Baker headed into turn one with just two laps to go, contact sent both of them spinning and to the end of the field.
            Bradberry inherited the lead, followed by Stanley Smith, Keith Cahela, Middlebrooks, and Baker. Bradberry was able to get a good  restart and gain a small, but comfortable, advantage. However, behind him it was an all out war for second. Middlebrooks came charging from the rear passing Cahela and aiming for Smith. Smith and Middlebrooks got together entering turn three, with Smith spinning and Middlebrooks gaining the spot.
            Bradberry took the win in his first Rattler start ahead of Middlebrooks, Baker, Cahela, and Smith. Sixth through tenth went toWilliam Wambles, Dennis Reno Jr., Little, Wes Loyd, and Norris.

         ResultsRattler 125
            1. Charlie Bradberry
            2. Duwayne Middlebrooks
            3. Regan Baker
            4. Keith Cahela
            5. Stanley Smith
            6. Wayne Wambles
            7. Dennis Reno Jr.
            8. Dale Little
            9. Wes Loyd
            10. J.R. Norris
            11. Linny Foster
            12. Ronnie Sanders
            13. Glenn Andrews
            14. Keith Thorpe
            15. Rocky Rogers
            16. Andy Antinoro
            17. Terry Mason Jr.
            18. Jeff Morgan
            19. Frank King
            20. Bob Green
            21. Brian Farley
            DNS Curtis Galbreath, Tommy Johnson, Bob Jones, Tim Lynn
             
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