ARCA: Robbie Pyle pulls off career 1st ARCA victory
1 August 1999
by Don RadebaughXenia, Ohio, - Robbie Pyle, aboard Jerry Lawrences Fast Racing Engines Dodge Avenger, capitalized on the misfortunes of early race leaders Frank Kimmel and Bill Baird, then held off Eric Smith for 92 laps to win the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde 150 Friday night at Kil-Kare Speedway. After 12 events, Pyle became the sixth different first-time ARCA winner in 99, and the first to roll a Mopar-powered machine to victory lane in ARCA competition since 89 series champion Bob Keselowski did it in 1993.
"Its hard to believe," said the Columbus, Ohio driver in victory lane. "Our goal tonight was just to finish the race, let alone win it. I had no idea wed be here in victory lane. I want to thank my car owner Jerry Lawrence for the opportunity and Eric Smith. Hes a good driver, and he got underneath me a couple of times but raced me clean right to the end. Obviously Kimmel and Baird falling out early on helped a ton too." Smith finished five lengths back in second ahead of Roger Blackstock who wheeled his Mopar Performance Dodge to third giving Dodge two of the first three finishing positions. Dill Whittymore, in his Mt. Olive Pickles Chevrolet, finished fourth in front of Jeff Finleys Dura Lube Chevrolet to complete the top five.
Polesitter Kimmel, in his Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet, led the first 24 laps ahead of Smith, Pyle, Baird and Mark Gibson until ignition troubles sent the defending ARCA champion down pit road where the former leader lost 16 laps while repairs were made, relegating the Jeffersonville, Indiana driver to 18th in the final running order.
Then Smith held the point for four circuits until Baird raced his Saturn Machine-Eagle One Chevrolet into the top spot with Pyle following in second. Baird, the only three time ARCA winner in 99, stretched his advantage to five lengths, led the next 30 laps and appeared to be on his way to his fourth victory until the current point leader got caught up in a turn four melee triggered by an Andy Belmont spin on the frontstretch. Belmont eventually got his America Online Ford headed in the right direction but reentered the track directly in front of heavy lapped traffic that stacked up directly in front of Baird. The Sturgis, Kentucky driver couldnt avoid the situation and slammed the lapped car directly ahead forcing Baird pitside for service to replace front end parts while Pyle took over the lead with Smith in tow. Baird eventually got back out only to find himself 60 laps down while Smith continued to race Pyle for the lead. In traffic all night, the two front-runners went at it hard while Blackstock, who started 12th, raced to the high side of Gibson for third. Gibson remained a contender in his Jani-King Ford until a flat right rear tire sent the Winder, Georgia pitside for new rubber. Back up front, Smith continually challenged Pyle for the win driving his Ford Taurus several times to the inside of the eventual winner but Pyle refused the challenge each time. Gibson battled back to finish 13th while Baird had to settle for the 22nd finishing position.
Joe Cooksey, in the Maurtco Powder Coating-Dynomat Chevrolet, finished sixth, the first car a lap down, while Cavin Councilor, Wes Russell, Randy VanZant and leading ARCA Rookie of the Year contender Ron Cox finished out the top ten. To go along with his $11,000 payday, Pyle was also credited with the Auto Value Halfway Leader honors while VanZant, who started 20th, picked up the STP-Prestone Highest Finishing Rookie award as well as the Hoosier Tire Midwest Hard Charger honors for advancing the most positions.
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos
and racing art, please visit The Racing Image
Galleries and The
Visions of Speed Art Gallery .