NASCAR: Jax Raceways Host Double Points Night
16 March 1999
By: Donnie HelmlyJacksonville, Florida-- Jax Raceways in Jacksonville Florida played host to its first double point's event of the 1999 season last Saturday night, on the lightning fast mile NASCAR sanctioned "D" shaped dirt oval.
Jeff Godbee set fast time in qualifying, turning in a 19.222 with last weeks winner Buddy Gieger turning in the second fastest, placing the two drivers on the front row for the feature event.
The green flag saw the top two drivers battling it out side by side for the first lap, with Godbee gaining the edge at the stripe. Godbee would continue up front through out the event, to claim his 1st feature of the young season. Geiger would follow in second, and hold on to the points lead, with David Crews, Steve Whitener, Robert McCormick, Buster Delay, Mark Padgett, Michael Harper, J.O. Nobles and Doodle Picken finishing off the top ten.
The Hobby Stock event had a familiar face in victory lane, as former Division Champion Eddie Holton, found himself back in the front spot for the second time in as many weeks. Holton won his heat race, but the re-draw placed him back in the 7th spot for the feature. Holton took little time to make his way to the front, where he would stay. Lee Blacksher came from the 14th starting spot to finish second, with Mitch McCoy in third, Joey Miller in 4th and Bobby Padgett rounding out the top 5. Sixth through 10th was made up of David Barrs, Calvin Pike , James Hanner, Donnie Helmly and Mark Beebe.
The Pure Stock Division saw the third place car going to the winner circle, after track officials put Joey Meyers, the second place car on the tail, after spinning out the leader Wendal Clark on the final lap of competition. This put Darren Greenslet back in victory lane for the second time in a row. Hardy Jarvis was scored in second, with John Taylor in third, Bill Burkhart in fourth, and Vince Waters rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth was made up of Lee Atkins, Chris Sommers, Windal Clark, Joey Myers and Joshua David.
The Mini Stocks saw Jake Hartley in the winner circle; Scott Lawson was second with Joey Haslauer and Chris Vogel in third and fourth.
The Powder Puff division was on the track for their frist event in the 1999 season. Three-time division champion Karen Greenslet took over where she left off last year, by taking the victory lap around the mile track. Cindy Holton, Greenslets toughest competition over the last three seasons was second, with Shelly Petaway, Maudie Baker, and Jenny Meredith rounding out the top five. Jennifer Jones, Kim Lester, Patty Duren and Holly Warren made up the top ten.
The Open Wheel Modified competitors qualified for their starting position for the 20-lap feature event. Kenny Bayless carried the momentum from his win a week ago into the night's action by setting fast time.
Bayless would get the jump on the field at the start of the feature and would hold the lead until just past the way point when Keny Porter, 1998 Rookie of the Year, made his way to the front, and held on for the remaining laps.
Bobby Balkcom crossed the line in second, with Bayless settling for third. Marty Whitener rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth was made up of V. Pipkin, Jerry Campbell, Jake wood, Pete Parkes and Kerry Osteen.
Jax Raceways will be back in action next Saturday for racing action in 6 divisions. For more information call 904-757-5425.