NASCAR Goody's Dash Series: Mickey York Wins at Lakeland
27 October 1998
GOODY'S DASH SERIES
NASCAR TOURING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YORK VICTORIOUS IN EMOTIONAL THRILLER
LAKELAND, FLA. (Oct. 24)-It's was four years and one month ago when Goody's
Dash Series veteran, Mickey York last stood in victory lane to hoist the
victor's trophy. But Saturday night surrounded by fans, fellow competitors and
an ecstatic family and crew, York once again faced the strobe of flashing
cameras and reporters microphones as the winner of the Discount Auto Parts /
Pennzoil "150" at USA International Speedway in Lakeland, Fla.
"Those last few laps were very emotional." said York in the post-race
interview. "I did everything I could to hold the tears back. I didn't know if
we were ever going to win another one of these races or not, it's been a long
time."
"We've struggled the past few years without a real sponsor on the car."
York continued. "We've had to do it the family way. We built this car out of
our own pocket and it's been a full family effort just to get to the racetrack
when we could. We really didn't think we'd ever win another one of these, but
this sure feels good."
The win boosted York's career wins to 28 victories over the course of
his 21-year Dash Series career. A majority of those wins coming in the early
to mid 90's when York won the 1992 Series Championship and was three times
voted the Series Most Popular Driver.
York's trip to victory lane was certainly no stroll in the park. The
Asheboro, N.C. driver blew his primary engine during the afternoon practice
session and barely got the engine changed in time to qualify. Qualifying
proved to be another challenge in itself, as the 51-year-old veteran was only
able to post the 20th fastest time setting him deep in the 36 car field.
Early in the race, York was forced to go to his strength, his vast
experience, a strong racecar and some fancy pit work to work his way into the
top ten before the half way point.
Meanwhile, up front, the already named 1998 Goody's Dash Series
champion, Robert Huffman of Claremont, N.C. and 1995 champion David Hutto of
Rock Hill, S.C. were engaged in a classic battle. From laps 81 through 85 the
two champions swapped the lead several times per lap before Hutto's Irmo
Grading/Addy Dodge/Midland Photo Chevrolet was finally able to muscle it's way
in front of Huffman's White House Apple Juice Pontiac.
That pass set up the lap 92 wrong place, wrong time scenario that was
about to unfold. Keith Wilson spun the No. 47 John Bleakley Ford and RV
Center Ford in turn two just in front of the leaders. Under a full head of
speed and with no time to react, first Hutto and then Huffman collected the
helpless Wilson. Jimmy Britts Jr. of Orange Park, Fla., making only his third
start in a Goody's Dash Series car, had worked his way from his 12th starting
spot to 3rd in line and was continuing to close on the leaders. But he too,
found himself a little too close to the action, coming in just moments later
to collect Hutto. All four drivers were able to climb from their battered
racers uninjured, but all four racecars were totally out of commission.
On the ensuing restart, York lead the field to the green flag and held
off a series of assaults, mainly from Danny Bagwell of Cordova, Ala. In the
Sterling Casino Lines/Torbert Trucking Ford and Ricky Bryant of Linnwod, N.C.
In the BG Motorsports Pontiac.
With the white flag in the air, the tightly bunched trio of York,
Bagwell and Bryant dove into turn one. Bryant and Bagwell made slight contact
entering the corner causing Bryant to spin his Pontiac and sending Bagwell
sliding up the racetrack and struggling for control. Jake Hobgood of
Winnsboro, S.C. was able to avoid the action, slipping his Wynn's/Grease
Monkey/Precision Engine Pontiac past both, Bryant and Bagwell to take the
runner-up spot. Bagwell did regain control of his Ford and came to the line in
third. Before Bryant was able to get his mount re-fired and headed in the
right direction he lost another position to Randy Humphrey of Cornelius, N.C.
who brought his No. 93 Pontiac home in the fourth spot scoring his best finish
in his four Series starts. Bryant rounded out the top five.
Greg "Goody" Goodell of Easley, S.C. was the highest finishing Rookie of
the Year candidate and was awarded the Rookie of the Race honors for his 18th
place finish in this race. Goodell was flying the Greased Lightning colors on
his Pontiac for the first time this season. Rookie point leader, Donnie Apple
of Denton, N.C. finished just behind another rookie candidate, Eddie Kelley of
Indianapolis, In. in the final rundown but just ahead of his closest
competitor in the rookie standings, Chris Hall of London, England. Apple's one
point advantage in this event was just enough to clinch the 1998 Rookie of the
Year title for himself and the Long John Silvers Pontiac team over Hall's
Respironics/Dixie Medical Associates ride.
George Crenshaw, of Lakeland, Fla. thrilled the near capacity hometown
crowd early with a blistering qualifying lap of 22.440 sec. at 120.321 mph to
capture his first Bud Pole Award of the season. Unfortunately, the Bad Frog
Beer Pontiac fell off the pace slightly in the early laps eventually finishing
in the 13th spot.
David Hutto grabbed his seventh Gatorade Front Runner Award of the
season by leading at the half-way point of the event just shortly before the
grinding incident that eliminated him from competition. Hutto trails Robert
Huffman by a now, insurmountable 17 points in the year-long Gatorade Front
Runner Award point standings but will finish second in that category.
The final event of the 1998 Goody's Dash Series season will roll off the
line at Homestead Motorsports Complex in Homestead Fla. on Nov. 15.
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