SARA: Barkis disqualified; Beauchemin wins fourth of the season
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
September 4, 2001LAKELAND, FLORIDA - SARA rookie driver Brad Barkis of Ft. Myers, Fla., said all the right things in victory lane after winning the Executive Racing School Late Model 100 on Saturday night at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla.
It was his Fast Equipment Chevrolet, however, that couldn't answer the question marks in post-race technical inspection.
Barkis was disqualified for an illegal carburetor and second place finisher Bobby Beauchemin of Davie, Fla., driving the Don Robinson Concrete Chevrolet was awarded victory. For Beauchemin it was his fourth win of the 2001 SARA season.
"It's not the way we like to win, but that's the way it goes in racing," said Beauchemin. "Sometimes it can be someone else's bad luck that turns out to be your good fortune," It's a tough deal for Brad (Barkis), because he ran a super race."
Wayne Morris of Mulberry, Fla., set fast time in his Universal Painting Chevrolet, turning the three-quarter mile USA high-banked oval in 21.709 seconds, leading the 23 Late Model cars in qualifying. Morris moved to second as a result of the disqualification.
"The car was pretty good, I was taking it easy trying to take care of the car and tires, because we needed a finish real bad," said Morris.
After the inversion, Jason Boyd of Orlando, Fla., driving the Right Hand Man Chevrolet, started on the pole and took command early with Barkis in hot pursuit. Beauchemin was moving quickly after starting eighth and moved to third in lap-27 passing Edward Howell of Lakeland, Fla., driving the Pierce Motorsports entry. Howell finished third after post-race technical inspection.
"This is the best we've had the car stay under us since we started the SARA deal," said Howell. "This is a tough series so anytime you come out of here with a top-five, you've got to hold your head up."
In lap-48, Boyd was running hard with Barkis being challenged by Beauchemin on the inside for second with Morris and Howell following.
During lap-50, Boyd went low and Barkis and Beauchemin touched, but both drivers kept their rides under control. Boyd then continued close to the inside apron and Barkis moved to the point in lap-52 with Beauchemin following. Boyd moved behind the wall in lap-54 with engine problems. The top three cars of Barkis, Beauchemin and Morris opened a 10-car length lead over the fourth place running Howell. Beauchemin, who had been trying to dial Barkis in since lap-60 tried him several times, but fell short of a pass.
Morris sitting third in the catbird seat appeared to look the situation over and backed off waiting for something to happen with the leaders. Howell still followed in fourth and Joe Boyd of Riverview, Fla., driving the All-American Steel & Tubing Chevrolet was fifth.
During the final lap Beauchemin had a shot on the outside of Barkis when the leader's car slipped ever so slightly in turn four, but couldn't quite make the pass. The caution then unfurled and Beauchemin had one more shot on a green-white-checkered flag finish.
Barkis held on for the apparent victory followed across the stripe by Beauchemin, Morris, Howell and Joe Boyd.
Text provided by SARA
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