Gerhart wins accident-marred ARCA race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. February 12, 2005; Jenna Fryer writing for the AP reported that Bobby Gerhart raced to his third career victory at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, winning the accident-filled ARCA event that was shortened because of numerous wrecks.

Four photographers were injured early in the race when they were struck by a car, a fan was hit by debris in an accident that ripped a hole in the fencing and required a 45-minute delay while it was repaired, and two drivers were sent to the hospital following a 13-car accident at the end of the event.

ARCA officials shortened the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 by 15 laps because of the long delay to fix the fence. As the cars were battling to the finish with two laps to go, Todd Kluever and Dan Shaver made contact and went rolling down the backstretch.

Cars coming through the accident couldn't avoid it, and it ended with a total of 13 involved as cars flipped and rolled all over the track. Shaver and Billy Venturini were both transported to Halifax Medical Center. Shaver was treated for unspecified injuries and released.

A team spokesman said Venturini sustained a fractured cervical vertebra but ``doesn't seem to have any paralysis.'' He was reported conscious and alert.

The race was ended an additional lap early because of the final accident. Gerhart got the win and Frank Kimmel was second in a race that went just 64 of the planned 80 laps.

``I really hate the way the race went with all the accidents,'' Kimmel said. ``Tonight it seemed like every wreck we had had four or five cars in it, and it's bad because you're going to hear about the wreck-filled race. That's going to be the headlines.''

It was clear early this wasn't going to be a regular race.

Blake Feese missed his pit stall during an early pit stop and hit the wall where several photographers were working. His car then slid into the opening of the garage, knocking the photographers down and sending people scrambling to safety.

Three photographers were treated at the track, but one was taken to Halifax Medical Center. Track spokesman David Talley said the photographer, Steve Rose, called from the hospital and said he was fine.

Feese's car was damaged in the accident and he left the race.

Later, a female race fan was struck by debris when driver Clair Zimmerman lost control of his car and hit the catchfence. The wreck created a large hole in the fence and the race was stopped for nearly 45 minutes while crews repaired it.

The woman declined treatment.

Shortly after the race resumed ARCA officials announced it would be stopped 15 laps short of the finish so it would not interfere with a scheduled NASCAR event.

Gerhart, the polesitter, continued to push his lead knowing that Kimmel, the six-time series champion, was closing in on him in search of his first victory at Daytona.

Kimmel was not able to make a qualifying lap on Friday and needed a provisional to make the field. He started 41st and worked his way up to second.

``What I have learned here is you can't get too far in front and it looked like he was making it a race,'' Gerhart said. ``I would say Frank and I have a love-hate relationship. There is a tremendous amount of competitive fire between us. We race really, really hard with one another.''

But when the final accident happened, it prevented Kimmel from getting a chance to run down Gerhart.

``Congratulations to Bobby,'' Kimmel said. ``I hate that guy, but man, he's pretty fast here.''