A part of the

CB Racing Collectibles is proud to announce the sponsorship of the Advance Auto Part Thunder Series in the form of the "CB Racing Collectibles $10,000 Challenge". Each Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series race will have the challenge which will offer either driver on the front row the option of moving to the rear of the field to try to win the race and earn the bonus. If those drivers decline, the challenge will be offered to the current points leader if he has qualified inside the top 12. Beginning with the September 3rd event at Tazewell Speedway, the challenge will increase by $1,000 a race until the end of the season or the bonus is claimed. If no driver claims the bonus, an award will be given at the year end banquet for the driver advancing the most positions in their attempt.

Left: Anthony White accepts the Challenge at Tazewell Speedway on September 2nd
Right : Mike Weeks gives the crowd a thumbs up after accepting the Challenge at Atomic Speedway on September 1st

CB Racing Collectibles $10,000 Challenge Update

The CB Racing Collectibles $10,000 Challenge survived an exciting 20-race schedule with the Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series in 2006. Four brave drivers gave up top starting positions to make a run at the big bonus offered for a win from the rear of the field. Interestingly, all four drivers failed to finish the events where they attempted the challenge.

The first driver to make an attempt to take home the big money was Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA. He took the challenge on May 27th at Tri-County Racetrack. "The Assassin" gave up his front row spot and said, "Let's do it" when asked if he wanted to try the feat. A brave charge ensued as he was up to 7th before a flat tire slowed his progress early in the event. Davenport returned to the tail of the field and raced all the way to second before a broken rear suspension ended his night. Davenport's charge showed drivers it was possible to go from back to front for the money.

Randy Weaver became the second driver to give up a front row spot for the chance at the $10,000 bonus. He was slated to start the "Firecracker 60" at Atomic Speedway from the front row, but opted to fall to the tail. If he was successful the win was worth $15,000. The Crossville driver had been on a roll at Atomic, winning each of his last four starts at the track prior to the "Firecracker 60". Weaver came from the rear up to 9th before engine trouble foiled his efforts.

Mike Weeks had special motivation to ask for the $10,000 Challenge at the "Hall of Fame 60" at Atomic on September 2nd. His mother had fallen ill and was in the hospital when he came to the track. The rookie point leader and former Atomic champion gave up his fourth starting spot to fall to the rear. His emotional night came to an end when the rear end broke in the middle stages of the race.

The final driver to attempt the challenge was two-time Thunder Series champion, Anthony White. White had set fast time at Tazewell Speedway for the AFCO M-2 Challenge on September 3rd, but was unable to make a lap in the Sunoco Dash. By virtue of his point lead, he was given the option of going to the rear from his 11th starting position. He took the then $11,000 challenge and set sail from the rear of the field. White moved forward slowly in the early stages of the 60-lap event. His chances were looking slim when an accident involving Ricky Arms, Jimmy Owens and Steve Smith moved him into the top six. That's when things got interesting. White gained another spot when leader Vic Hill lost power with a few laps remaining. White then moved by Billy Ogle Jr. and looked poised to challenge for the win as the laps wound down. Unfortunately, officials ruled White had jumped the start and was put back in line for another restart. He made contact with Ogle and spun to the inside of the front straight. He also spun on the next restart and retired from the event.

CB Racing Collectibles owner Charlie Beasley was relieved to see the season come to an end.

"I was really worried when Jonathan Davenport made his run at Tri-County," Beasley said. "He definitely would have taken the money had he not broke. Anthony White also scared me when he got to the front at Tazewell. He was as fast as the leader and the attrition rate was high. There was a good chance he could have carried out my money."

In all there were 21 drivers eligible for the challenge with only four taking the chance for the big bonus. 2006 Thunder Series Champion Anthony White led with 10 chances to try for the money.

CB Racing Collectibles would like to thank all the drivers, crews, track owners, and series staff for making the promotion a success.

"I really want to thank Brad Byrd for allowing me to promote my business in this unique form," Beasley said. "He really made it exciting with the way the challenge was presented to the fans and drivers."

In addition to the awards offered, CB Racing Collectibles has been named the "official racing collectibles store" of the TTDCS. The Maryville, Tennessee business has been in operation since 1992 and is one of the leading collectibles stores in the country specializing in the die cast collectible hobby.

2006 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Schedule

March 4th - Atomic Speedway - Cabin Fever 50 - $3,000 (Billy Ogle Jr)
March 11th - North Georgia Speedway - Earnest Young Memorial 60 - $ 5,000 (Clint Smith)
March 19th - Tazewell Speedway - Thunder Thaw 50 - $ 3,000 (Steve Smith)

April 14th - Crossville Raceway USA - Plateau Spring 50 - $ 3,000 (Mike Weeks)
April 15th - Cleveland Speedway - Lamar Lowery 45 - $ 3,000 (Jimmy Owens)

May 27th - Tri County Racetrack NC - Nowhere Nationals - $ 3,000 (Anthony White)

June 23rd - Sugar Creek Raceway - Spring Fling 50 - $ 3,000 (Steve Smith)
June 30th - Crossville Raceway USA - Independence 50 - $ 3,000 (Todd Morrow)

July 1st - Atomic Speedway - Firecracker 60 - $ 5,000 (Jimmy Owens)
July 3rd- Wartburg Speedway - Freedom 40 - $ 3,000 (Anthony White)

August 4th - Wartburg Speedway - Monster 40 - $ 3,000 (Tommy Kerr)
August 5th - Atomic Speedway - Tom Crass Memorial - $ 3,000 (Randy Weaver)
August 18th - Sugar Creek Raceway - Hot Summer Nights Round 1 - $3,000 (Johnny Chastain)
August 19th - Tri-County Racetrack - Hot Summer Nights Round 2- $ 3,000 (Anthony White)
August 25th - Crossville Raceway USA - Brad Byrd II Memorial - $ 3,000 (Tommy Kerr)

Spetember 2nd - Atomic Speedway - Hall of Fame 60 - $ 5,000 (Mark Douglas)
September 3rd - Tazewell Speedway - AFCO M-2 Challenge - $ 5,000 (Brad Hall)
September 30th - Tazewell Speedway - The Taz Finale - $5,000 (Anthony White)

October 14th - Crossville Raceway USA - Rocky Top 100 - $10,000 (Ricky Arms)
October 21st - Cleveland Speedway - Jim Mowery Memorial 48 - $ 3,000 (Steve Smith)

Schedule is tentative. Dates may be changed or added.

Challenge Statistics
Drivers Eligible - 21
Attempts - 4
Anthony White (10-1),Billy Ogle Jr.(5),Steve Smith (6),Ricky Arms (6),Randy Weaver (3-1), Shawn Chastain (2),
Tommy Kerr (2),Todd Morrow (2), Mike Weeks (3-1),Joe Armes (1),Ray Cook (1),Jonathan Davenport (1-1),
Mark Douglas (1),Chris Madden (1),Mike Marlar (1),Dale McDowell (1),Jimmy Owens (1),David Payne (1),
Rick Rogers (1),Shane Tankersley (1),Tim Tungate (1)