Tracks: New winner at Jax Raceways in the Late Model Division
12 August 1999
BY Donnie HelmlyJacksonville, Florida: -- Rain showers surrounding Jax Raceways didn't dampen the racers or the race fans that elected to take the chance on getting in a full show last weekend at the half mile NASCAR sanctioned dirt track located on Pecan Park Road on the Northside of Jacksonville.
The NASCAR Winston Racing Series Late Model division saw a new face in the winner circle after the 30 lap feature event. Robert McCormick started on the pole, after the spin of the wheel stopped in his favor. Buster Delay started on the pole, with McCormick on the outside. McCormick got the jump from the outside pole, and went on to lead every lap. On the fire, Delay fell back to third, with points leader Jeff Godbee darting up to second, where he would stay to finish third. Delay would fall back to fourth on the second lap, as Gary Spivey made his way up, to mount a challenge for the win. Spivey would leave the event on lap 26 after front-end damage put him out for the night. Delay would lose a motor on the re-start, finishing his night in the pits. This moved "Rookie of the Year" contender, Michael Murrer to third, where he would finish, with Kenny Bayless in tow.
Keny Porter came into the Open Wheel Modified feature event as the class favorite, having won three of the last four events. Porter set fast time in qualifying action, turning the lightning fast "D" shaped oval in 21.08 seconds, with Creg Hall setting second fast time in just his first race in the Open Wheel Modified division.
Porter would pick up where he left off two weeks ago, by leading from the drop of the green flag, never looking back, leading all the way to the checkered flag. Caution flags slowed the feature event, forcing track officials to shorten the race to 14 laps due to time restraints. Following across the line in second was Hall, with Robert McCormick in third, with Kenny Bayless, Robert Balkcom, Ronnie Ponce, Marty Whitener, Kevin Bayless, Gary Porter, and Eric Tatum making up the top ten.
The Pure Stock division had John Lester up front and running well, as he lead the first 12 laps of the 15-lap event. Lester, who has been absent from the race track for over a month, would be over taken by Ray Pruett on lap 13, with Pruett holding for the win. Pruett started in the eighth spot and worked his way to the front and in position for the win. Pruett brought Bill Burkhart to the front with him, as he would cross the line in second. Jimmy Balkcom came from the tail of the field to finish third, with John Lester, fourth and Hardy Jarvis rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth was made up of Windal Clark, Chad Crogan, Priscilla Yergy, Wade McBride and Robert Hyers.
The Hobby Stock event was once again the high point of the night of entertainment, as the race to the finish was hot and heavy. Points Leader Eddie Holton took off in the lead at the drop of the green flag, and led the first eight laps of the 20-lap event. Holton would encounter a pair of accomplished drivers, as Joey Miller and Randy Clark Sr made their move past him on the ninth lap. Miller would hold Clark off for the remaining laps to claim the win, with Clark in second, Bobby Padgett and "Rookie of the Year" contender Mark Beebe made their way past Holton to finish third and fourth, with Holton rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth was made up of Tony Callaway, Calvin Pike, Ronnie Ponce, David Ryals and Randy Clark Jr.
The Powder Puff division was back in action and saw three-time division champion Karen Greenslet back in victory lane. Greenslet took off in the lead from the front row, and was never threatened as she went flag to flag. Following Greenslet was Belinda Horton, Shelly Petteway, point's leader Cindy Holton Julia Callaway, Patty Duren, Kim Lester, Robin Wilson, and Tammy Stone.
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