Short Tracks: Rain Shower Doesn't Dampen Action At Jax
27 April 1999
By: Donnie HelmlyJACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA-- A rain shower just after the Late Model division completed qualifying action didn't dampen the action at Jax Raceways mile NASCAR sanctioned track on Saturday night. A one-hour delay was worth the wait for the spectators. Five divisions were on hand for a night full of excitement.
David Crews set fast time in qualifying action, which would put him on the pole for the 30-lap event. Track conditions changed drastically, after the track was walked in by some 100 cars after the rain stopped, which would be the ingredients to some great racing action. Crews would take off in the lead, and leave the racing action in his mirror as former divisions champion; Steve Whitener put on a show for the crowd. Whitener found the outside grove to his liking, and began his march to the front. Jeff Godbee was in the hunt as well, and Whitener and Godbee would tangle, sending Whitener in a spin off of turn four. Godbee would be sent to the tail, for his part in the incident, while Whitener's night would be finished with a broke axle. Crews would continue to lead the event with Buddy Geiger in second, as Godbee began his march from the tail. Godbee would make his way to second after passing Gieger, with just a handful of laps left, but would come up short, settling for second to Crews at the stripe. Gieger would cross in third, with Robert McCormick and Homer Leonard rounding out the top five. Six through tenth was made up of, Buster Delay, Bobby Padgett, Chuck Meredith, J.O. Nobles and James Jeffers.
The Open Wheel Modified division had a new face in the winner circle for the 1999 season. Marty Whitener took the early lead from the pole position, but developed a bad push in his car, and gave way to Robert McCormick who took the lead early in the 20 lap event, and pulled away to an impressive lead, and a win. Second and third was a battle between brothers as Kevin Bayless beat out his brother Kenny for the spot. Whitener would hold on for fourth, with Ronnie Ponce rounding out the top five. Sixth through ten was Keny Porter, Bobby Balkcom, Doodle Pipkin, Mannie Valdrama and Steven Skipper.
The Hobby Stock Division saw a new face in the winner circle as well, as Bubba Clark made his way to the front of the 20-lap race to stay. Defending 98 champion Tony Callaway chased him across the line to finish second, with points leader Eddie Holton in third, Joey Miller and Rick Hutchinson rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth spot was made up of Perry Dowling, Calvin Pike, Donnie Helmly, Tim Hodge and Bud Richey.
The Pure Stock race saw a protest change the out come of that 15-lap event. Mark Whitener took the lead early in the event, and pulled away to an impressive lead, where he would stay until the checkered flag flew. Point's leader Darren Greenslet crossed in second, but filed protest on Whiteners engine. Whitener was disqualified after refusing to comply with the protest, and Greenslet was awarded with the victory. Windal Clark was second with Hardy Jarvis in third. Ron Doan, Bill Burkhart, Priscilla Yergy, Bobby Simmions, Wade McBride, Vince Waters and John Shortridge made up the top ten.
There were very little surprises in the Powder Puff Division as three-time champion and point's leader Karen Greenslet and multiple winner; Cindy Holton battled it out for the win. Greenslet would win that battle with Holton in second. Belinda Horton would cross in third, with Julia Callaway and Kim Lester rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth was Jennifer Jones, Rose Degener, Peggy Perkins, Patty Duren and Laura Lamson.
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